Bio-Microcapsules of Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) and Isocyanates: Towards Sustainable, Safer, and Efficient Adhesives.

This work describes the encapsulation of three different aliphatic isocyanates to reduce the risks associated with isocyanates' direct handling. The use of bio-based polybutylene succinate (bio-PBS) increases the sustainability factor as it allows for the use of microcapsules (MCs) from renewable sources with biodegradable features. The three different MCs (MCs-Monomer, MCs-Trimer, and MCs-Polymer) are spherical, crack-free, and matrix-type, containing an isocyanate payload between 67 wt% and 70 wt%.

Additive Manufacturing of Smart Footwear Components for Healthcare Applications.

Diabetic foot complications pose significant health risks, necessitating innovative approaches in orthotic design. This study explores the potential of additive manufacturing in producing functional footwear components with lattice-based structures for diabetic foot orthoses. Five distinct lattice structures (gyroid, diamond, Schwarz P, Split P, and honeycomb) were designed and fabricated using stereolithography (SLA) with varying strand thicknesses and resin types.

Overview of historical occupational exposure to trichloroethylene in China.

Objectives: Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a carcinogen that has been causally linked to kidney cancer and possibly other cancer sites including the liver and lymphatic system. Its use in China has increased since the early 1990s due to the growing metal and electronic industries. We aimed to summarize the major sources of occupational exposure to TCE over time in China.

Plantar sensation associates with gait instability in older adults.

Background: Advanced age brings a loss of plantar sensation, represented, for example, as higher sensation thresholds in standardized testing. This is thought to contribute to an increased risk of falls among older adults - an intuitive premise that has yet to be fully investigated, especially in the context of walking balance. The purpose of this study was to quantify the association between plantar sensation and the instability elicited by a suite of walking balance perturbations that differ in direction and context in a cohort of n = 28 older adults (73.

Skeletal muscle elastic modulus in marathon distance runners.

Skeletal muscle shear elastic modulus is a non-invasive surrogate for early detection of muscle damage and soreness consequent to unaccustomed eccentric muscle work. We investigated the influence of marathon distance running on skeletal muscle shear elastic modulus. Shear modulus of the rectus femoris was measured via ultrasound shear wave elastography in 80 participants (30 female, 50 male) before and after running a World Marathon Major.

Machine learning-based sales forecasting during crises: Evidence from a Turkish women's clothing retailer.

Background: Retail involves directly delivering goods and services to end consumers. Natural disasters and epidemics/pandemics have significant potential to disrupt supply chains, leading to shortages, forecasting errors, price increases, and substantial financial strains on retailers. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for retail sectors to prepare for crisis impacts on sales forecasts by regularly assessing and adjusting sales volumes, consumer behavior, and forecasting models to adapt to changing conditions.

Prevalence and predictors of infected diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and DFU-related osteomyelitis amongst industrial workers wearing occupational safety footwear.

Professionals like deep-miners and factory-workers wear specialized safety-shoes to protect against occupational hazards (OF). The risk factors, clinico-microbiologic profile and complications of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) in these professionals remain unexplored. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted to describe the unique clinico-microbiologic profile of DFU in those wearing occupational-footwear (OF) and find risk factors for DFU related osteomyelitis in them.

Retrospective Study of Morton's Neuroma: Clinical, Paraclinical, and Therapeutic Assessment of 10 Cases.

Background Morton's neuroma is a common cause of forefoot pain, typically occurring in the third metatarsal space and characterized by symptomatic nerve compression. This condition often leads to significant functional impairment, affecting weight-bearing activities and limiting appropriate footwear due to pain and discomfort. Objective This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of conservative interventional treatment for Morton's neuroma, specifically focusing on corticosteroid injections.

The influence of simulated worn shoe and foot inversion on heel internal biomechanics during running impact: A subject-specific finite element analysis.

This study explored how systematic changes in running shoe degradation and foot inversion alter the distribution and peak value of heel pressure and calcaneus stress, as well as the total stress-concentration exposure (TSCE) within the calcaneal bone. A foot-shoe finite element model was employed and three shoe wear conditions (new shoe (CON), moderate worn shoe (MWSC), excessive worn shoe (EWSC)) coupled with three foot inversion angles (0°, 10°, 20°) were further modulated. Simulations were conducted at the impact peak instant during running.

Improving the mechanical and electrostatic properties of polymer composites for personal protective equipment by incorporating graphite into a poly(vinyl chloride) polymer matrix.

The objective of the study was to examine the mechanical and electrostatic properties of poly(vinyl chloride) intended for use in protective footwear. The poly(vinyl chloride) material was made with graphite (flake side dimensions 5 and 10 µm) additive in weight concentration variants from 0.5 to 10.

Unlocking the multidimensionality of plantar pressure measurements for the evaluation of footwear in people with diabetes.

The offloading effectiveness of custom-made footwear for people with diabetes is assessed using plantar pressure measurements. While such pressure data is multidimensional, it is mostly analyzed using a scalar - maximum peak plantar pressure (PMax). We aimed to investigate the associations between multiple peak plantar pressure parameters for footwear assessment and determine whether this assessment depends on the chosen parameter.

Epidemiology, risk factors, and awareness of mycetoma among residents in Eastern Sinnar locality, Sudan, 2021.

Background: Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous disease affecting the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and bones, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Sudan, especially its Eastern Sinnar locality, experiences a significant burden due to environmental conditions and limited access to healthcare, while the population's lack of awareness and understanding often leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional, community-based study in Eastern Sinnar, Sudan, to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and awareness of mycetoma among local residents.

Classifying Impact Loading Using Axial Peak Tibial Acceleration and Impact-Related Biomechanical Differences During Treadmill Running.

Measuring lower extremity impact acceleration is a common strategy to identify runners with increased injury risk. However, existing axial peak tibial acceleration (PTA) thresholds for determining high-impact runners typically rely on small samples or fixed running speeds. This study aimed to describe the distribution of axial PTA among runners at their preferred running speed, determine an appropriate adjustment for investigating impact magnitude at different speeds, and compare biomechanics between runners classified by impact magnitude.

Student-Led Falls Prevention Program for Community-Dwelling Older Adults in a Rural Community: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: A third of community-dwelling adults over the age of 65 years fall each year, making falls a significant concern for the elderly. Older people living in community-dwellings account for 73% of fall-related hospitalisations in older populations. Little is known about identifying, reaching at-risk people, and delivering these interventions in rural communities.

Effectiveness of Using a Digital Wearable Plantar Pressure Device to Detect Muscle Fatigue: Within-Subject, Repeated Measures Experimental Design.

Background: Muscle fatigue, characterized by reduced force generation during repetitive contractions, impacts older adults doing daily activities and athletes during sports activities. While various sensors detect muscle fatigue via muscle activity, biochemical markers, and kinematic parameters, a real-time wearable solution with high usability remains limited. Plantar pressure monitoring detects muscle fatigue through foot loading changes, seamlessly integrating into footwear to improve the usability and compliance for home-based monitoring.

Gender Differences in the Dynamics and Kinematics of Running and Their Dependence on Footwear.

Previous studies on gender differences in running biomechanics have predominantly been limited to joint angles and have not investigated a potential influence of footwear condition. This study shall contribute to closing this gap. Lower body biomechanics of 37 recreational runners (19 f, 18 m) were analysed for eight footwear and two running speed conditions.

The Effect of Shoe Insole Stiffness Modifications on Walking Performance in Older Adults: A Feasibility Study.

Shoes or insoles embedded with carbon fiber materials to increase longitudinal stiffness have been shown to enhance running and walking performance in elite runners, and younger adults, respectively. It is unclear, however, if such stiffness modifications can translate to enhanced mobility in older adults who typically walk with greater metabolic cost of transport compared to younger adults. Here, we sought to test whether adding footwear stiffness via carbon fiber insoles could improve walking outcomes (eg, distance traveled and metabolic cost of transport) in older adults during the 6-minute walk test.

Unraveling the Impact of Destabilizing Shoes on Balance Control and Fall Prevention in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

Background: Falls pose a significant risk to older adults, often leading to severe injury and disability. One potential contributing factor to falls is footwear, particularly shoes with destabilizing features. This systematic review assessed the effects of destabilizing shoes on stability control and fall prevention in older adults, highlighting their effectiveness in balance control and fall prevention, and the detailing the specific review methodology.

Isolated Cleft Foot: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Cleft foot is a rare congenital anomaly (syndromic/isolated). Although there have been published reports about this anomaly, none has so far described standardized treatment guidelines. In this case report, we describe the details of operative management of an isolated cleft foot in an 8-year-old girl with a brief review of literature, keeping in mind the aims of the treatment, governed by the local culture and preferred footwear design in the Indian scenario.

Pregnancy-induced gait alterations: meta-regression evidence of spatiotemporal adjustments.

During pregnancy, women undergo significant physiological, hormonal, and biomechanical changes that influence their gait. The forward shift of the center of mass and increased joint loads often result in a "waddling gait," elevating the risk of falls. While gait changes during pregnancy have been documented, findings across studies remain inconsistent, particularly regarding variations at different pregnancy stages.

Current concepts of fourth-generation minimally invasive and open hallux valgus surgery.

Hallux valgus (HV) presents as a common forefoot deformity that causes problems with pain, mobility, footwear, and quality of life. The most common open correction used in the UK is the Scarf and Akin osteotomy, which has good clinical and radiological outcomes and high levels of patient satisfaction when used to treat a varying degrees of deformity. However, there are concerns regarding recurrence rates and long-term outcomes.

Advanced Footwear Technology in Non-Elite Runners: A Survey of Training Practices and Reported Outcomes.

Advanced footwear technology (AFT) has gained popularity among non-elite runners due to its potential benefits in training and competition. This study investigated the training practices and reported outcomes in non-elite runners using AFT. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 61 non-elite runners competing in distances ranging from 5 km to marathons.

Influence of Running Surface Using Advanced Footwear Technology Spikes on Middle- and Long-Distance Running Performance Measures.

This study evaluated the effects of advanced footwear technology (AFT) spikes on running performance measures, spatiotemporal variables, and perceptive parameters on different surfaces (track and grass). Twenty-seven male trained runners were recruited for this study. In Experiment 1, participants performed 12 × 200 m at a self-perceived 3000 m running pace with a recovery of 5 min.

Enhanced Foot Proprioception Through 3-Minute Walking Bouts with Ultra-Minimalist Shoes on Surfaces That Mimic Highly Rugged Natural Terrains.

The use of minimalist shoes can lead to enhanced foot somatosensory activation and postural stability but can also increase the incidence of overuse injuries during high-impact or prolonged activities. Therefore, it appears useful to explore new strategies that employ minimalist shoes to effectively facilitate the somatosensory activation of the foot while minimizing acute and cumulative joint stress and risk of injury. To this purpose, this study introduces a novel exercise paradigm: walking for three minutes in ultra-minimalist shoes on artificial flat surfaces designed to mimic highly rugged natural terrains.

Accuracy of self-reported foot strike pattern detection among endurance runners.

Introduction: Foot strike pattern is often associated with running related injury and the focus of training and rehabilitation for athletes. The ability to modify foot strike pattern depends on awareness of foot strike pattern before being able to attempt change the pattern. Accurate foot strike pattern detection may help prevent running related injury (RRI) and facilitate gait modifications and shoe transitions.