Somatosensory graviception inhibits soleus H-reflex during erect posture in humans as revealed by parabolic flight experiment

The purpose of this study was to investigate how gravity level affects the excitability of the soleus muscle (SOL) motoneuron pool to Ia afferent input while erect posture is maintained in humans. Three healthy male subjects participated in an experiment whereby three different gravity conditions [microgravity (MG), normal gravity (NG), and hypergravity (HG)] were imposed using a parabolic flight procedure. The SOL H-reflex was evoked every 2 s while the subjects kept an erect posture. The stimulus intensity was controlled automatically on a real-time basis by personal computer to induce the constant amplitude of M-wave (10±5% of maximal M-wave amplitude). The background electromyographic activity (BGA) of the SOL was largest during HG, while it was almost absent during MG. The SOL H-reflex amplitude was significantly larger during HG and MG than during NG (P<0.05). During NG and HG, there was a linear relationship between the BGA and the H-reflex amplitude; the difference in the SOL H-reflex amplitude between both gravity conditions could be explained in terms of the BGA level. However, during MG, despite the absence of BGA, the SOL H-reflex amplitude was larger than that during NG. Furthermore, when the subjects voluntarily activated the SOL by applying a load to the lower limb joints and spine by pulling a handle upward, this H-reflex enhancement almost disappeared. These results suggest that the somatosensory systems detecting a load at the lower limbs and/or vertebral column might play a role in reducing the excitability of the SOL motoneuron pool to Ia afferent inputs by presynaptic inhibition. Electronic Publication     

Interaction between vestibulo-spinal and corticospinal systems: a combined caloric and transcranial magnetic stimulation study

We investigated the interaction between vestibular and corticospinal stimuli in 8 healthy volunteers. Vestibular stimulation was induced with unilateral ear caloric irrigation (30°C) with subjects supine. Single transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pulses were delivered (double-cone coil, intensities 60–75% maximal output) every 10–20 s during vestibular activation and during baseline. Bilateral surface electromyography (EMG) from splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid (SCM), obliquus externus abdominis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior and peroneus longus was obtained. During whole-body maximal rotatory voluntary isometric contraction (MRVC), only SCM and BF displayed EMG activation/inhibition patterns indicating axial rotatory action. TMS-induced motor evoked potentials (MEPs) after caloric irrigation revealed that only SCM showed consistent vestibular-mediated excitation/inhibition responses, i.e. an increase in MEP area contralateral to the irrigation and a decrease in MEP area ipsilaterally (+12.7 and −6.3% of the MRVC, respectively). A putative head turn induced by this SCM activity pattern would be in the same direction of the slow-phase eye movement. EMG in the 100 ms preceding TMS showed muscle tone values of approximately 10% of MRVC. After caloric irrigation, these values increased by ca. 2% for all muscles bilaterally and hence cannot explain the direction-specific SCM MEP changes. Thus, SCM MEPs show caloric-induced amplitude modulation indicating that SCM is under both horizontal semicircular canal and corticospinal control. This vestibular modulation of corticospinal SCM control likely occurs at cortical levels. The direction of the MEP modulation indicates a directional coupling between vestibularly induced head and eye movements.     

MG132对高糖条件下肾小管上皮细胞SnoN蛋白表达及纤维化效应的影响

目的:观察蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132对高糖培养条件下肾小管上皮细胞核转录共抑制因子Sno N蛋白表达的影响,探讨MG132减轻高糖状态下肾小管纤维化病变的作用及可能机制。方法:将体外培养的NRK-52E细胞分为正常组(NG)、高糖组(HG)和不同浓度MG132预处理后高糖培养组(HG+MG132),采用免疫荧光双染的方法观察E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)和α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)在肾小管上皮细胞中的表达和分布,用Western blotting方法检测Sno N、Samd泛素化调节因子2(Smurf2)、Arkadia、E-cadherin、α-SMA和Ⅰ型胶原(Col-Ⅰ)等目标蛋白的相对表达量。结果:与NG组相比,HG组肾小管上皮细胞E-cadherin和Sno N表达减少(P0.05),而α-SMA、Col-Ⅰ、Smurf2和Arkadia表达增多(P0.05);与HG组相比,不同浓度MG132预处理肾小管上皮细胞后高糖培养,可见肾小管上皮细胞中Sno N和E-cadherin蛋白表达显著上调(P0.05),而α-SMA和Col-Ⅰ蛋白的表达显著下调(P0.05),并且这种效应呈量效依赖性,但MG132预处理对Smurf2和Arkadia的表达无影响。结论:MG132可对抗高糖介导的肾小管上皮细胞的纤维化效应,其机制可能是通过减少Sno N蛋白的泛素化降解作用实现的。     

Evidence suggesting that a transcortical reflex pathway contributes to cutaneous reflexes in the tibialis anterior muscle during walking in man

Stimulation of cutaneous foot afferents has been shown to evoke a facilitation of the tibialis anterior (TA) EMG-activity at a latency of 70–95 ms in the early and middle swing phase of human walking. The present study investigated the underlying mechanism for this facilitation. In those subjects in whom it was possible to elicit a reflex during tonic dorsiflexion while seated (6 out of 17 tested), the facilitation in the TA EMG evoked by stimulation of the sural nerve (3 shocks, 3-ms interval, 2.0–2.5× perception threshold) was found to have the same latency in the swing phase of walking. The facilitation observed during tonic dorsiflexion has been suggested to be – at least partly – mediated by a transcortical pathway. To investigate whether a similar mechanism contributes to the facilitation observed during walking, magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex (1.2× motor threshold) was applied in the early swing phase at different intervals in relation to the cutaneous stimulation in 17 subjects. In 13 of the subjects, the motor potentials evoked by the magnetic stimulation (MEPs) were more facilitated by prior sural-nerve stimulation (conditioning-test intervals of 50–80 ms) than the algebraic sum of the control MEP and the cutaneous facilitation in the EMG when evoked separately. In four of these subjects, a tibialis anterior H-reflex could also be evoked during walking. In none of the subjects was an increase of the H-reflex similar to that for the MEP observed. In five experiments on four subjects, MEPs evoked by magnetic and electrical cortical stimulation were compared. In four of these experiments, only the magnetically induced MEPs were facilitated by prior stimulation of the sural nerve. We suggest that a transcortical pathway may also contribute to late cutaneous reflexes during walking. Received: 24 September 1997 / Accepted: 2 June 1998     

Evidence for vestibular dysfunction in orthostatic hypotension

There is little definitive evidence of the clinical significance of the vestibular-cardiovascular reflex in humans, despite the fact that the vestibular system is known to contribute to cardiovascular control in animals. The present study involved 248 dizzy patients (127 male patients and 121 female patients) aged 65 years and younger. We classified all participants into three groups based on their vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) responses; absent VEMP, asymmetry VEMP and normal VEMP. To investigate the effect of the otolith disorder, which was estimated by the VEMP, on the orthostatic blood pressure responses, the subjects’ systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate were monitored during the orthostatic test after they actively stood up. The male patients in the absent VEMP group had a significant drop in their DBP at 1 min after active standing up (P < 0.05) without any change in their SBP. Conversely, male patients in the asymmetry VEMP and normal VEMP groups showed a significant increase in the SBP at 1 min after active standing up (P < 0.05). Female patients in the absent VEMP group did not show any significant drop in their blood pressure after standing up (P > 0.05). In the entire group of participants, a total of 19.6% of the patients in the absent VEMP group fulfilled the criteria for orthostatic hypotension (OH), which was significantly > the 8.6% of patients in the normal VEMP group and the 7.2% in the asymmetry VEMP group (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that vestibular disorders due to the dysfunction of otolith organs provoke OH.     

Influence of cold and hot conditions on postactivation in human skeletal muscles

The influence of cold (+5° C), room temperature (+22° C) and hot (+75° C) air exposures on postactivation effects (PAE) in brachial biceps (BBs) and triceps (TBs) muscles were investigated bilaterally in six male subjects. PAE were evoked by 1 min volitional isometric contraction (VIC) at submaximal level in BBs by holding an inertial weight by palms, with right-angled elbows. At room temperature, average EMG during PAE (PAE_av) usually was 2–4% and the integral of EMG (PAE_int) was 3–7% of that of VIC respectively. PEA duration was 1–6 min. Cold exposure evoked an approximately two-fold increase of PAE_int (P < 0.01). Hot exposure decreased PAE_int (P < 0.01) and shortened PAE duration by approximately 50% (P < 0.01). In two subjects, long- term modulation of EMG intensity during PAE was observed. Cold increased the frequency and amplitude of these waves, while heat decreased them. In two subjects, alternation of BBs and TBs in EMG activity during PAE was observed. The data obtained suggest that postactivation of muscles strongly depends on the environmental temperature. Received: 15 February 1995/Received after revision: 19 June 1995/Accepted: 13 September 1995     

Influence of glucose and insulin on transcapillary fluid absorption from the arm during lower body negative pressure in man

This study examined the influence of insulin and glucose on the transcapillary fluid absorption during lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in humans. Ten healthy males [23 (1) years] were exposed to LBNP of 45 cmH₂O on two occasions: (1) before and during a hyperinsulinaemic clamp (HI) and (2) before and during a hyperglycaemic clamp (HG). Transcapillary fluid absorption and blood flow were recorded with volumetric technique. Forearm blood flow increased during HI from 2.3 (0.3) ml (100 ml)^–1 min^–1 to 3.3 (0.5) ml (100 ml)^–1 min^–1 (P<0.05). The haemodynamic response to LBNP was similar during HI and HG compared with control LBNP. Transcapillary fluid absorption during LBNP increased during HG from 0.044 (0.007) ml (100 ml)^–1 min^–1 to 0.059 (0.009) ml (100 ml)^–1 min^–1 (P<0.01), whereas it was unchanged during HI. In conclusion, hyperglycaemia augments transcapillary fluid absorption from skeletal muscle and skin during LBNP whereas hyperinsulinaemia has no such effect. This indicates that in human hyperglycaemia contributes to plasma volume restitution during hypovolaemic circulatory stress.     

Interhemisphere Power Ratios of Cortical Potentials in the 1–60 Hz Band during the Formation and Testing of a Cognitive Set to a Facial Expression

Interhemisphere cortical potential power ratios were studied in the 1–60 Hz band during the prestimulus period at the stages of formation and testing of a cognitive set to a facial expression. Different topographies in the patterns of asymmetry in subjects with different levels of set expression were demonstrated. At the formation stage, the group of subjects without actualization of the set (n = 11) showed significantly higher power levels at gamma frequencies (21–40 and 41–60 Hz) in the frontal areas of the right hemisphere and at frequencies at 2–7 and 8–13 Hz, also in the frontal areas, but in the left hemisphere. At the set testing stage, the main topographic asymmetry pattern in these subjects persisted. In subjects with marked set actualization (n = 18), formation was characterized by a different topographical asymmetry pattern, with significantly higher power levels at gamma frequencies seen in the posterior temporal and occipital areas of the left hemisphere at frequencies of 2–7, 8–13, and 14–20 Hz, also in the posterior areas, but in the right hemisphere. At the set testing stage, the phenomenon of interhemisphere asymmetry in the power of cortical potentials was not seen.     

Analysis of Evoked EEG Synchronization and Desynchronization During Perception of Emotiogenic Stimuli: Association with Autonomic Activation Processes

The cortical apparatus involved in performing autonomic responses in conditions of emotional activation has received little study. The aim of the present work was to assess the dynamics of evoked EEG synchronization and desynchronization at different frequency ranges during the perception of emotiogenic visual stimuli depending on the extent of accompanying autonomic activation as measured by skin galvanic responses. Studies were performed on 33 students (all right-handed) aged 18–28 years. Difference between subjects with weak (SGR^-) and strong (SGR⁺) skin galvanic responses were seen only in the θ1 range (4–6 Hz). At the stage at which emotiogenic information was perceived (the first second after the start of stimulus presentation), both groups showed similar dynamics of increases in evoked synchronization in the parietal-temporal-occipital areas of the cortex, with greater involvement of the right hemisphere. From the second second to the end of presentation (2–6 sec), emotiogenic signals gave significantly greater levels of evoked synchronization in these cortical areas as compared with neutral stimuli, and only in the SGR⁺ group. These data provide evidence for the involvement of the posterior areas of the cortex of the right hemisphere in the mechanisms of motivational attention and sympathetic activation. __________ Translated from Rossiiskii Fiziologicheskii Zhurnal imeni I. M. Sechenova, Vol. 90, No. 11, pp. 1314–1323, November, 2004.     

Prévalence des infections à Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae et Mycoplasma genitalium chez des patients admis aux urgences

Study objective

To estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in patients under 31 years of age admitted to the emergency department of the University Hospital of Montpellier, for which a urinalysis was performed.

Patients and methods

CT, NG and MG specific real-time PCRs were performed in the urine samples from 301 patients between July 2010 and January 2011.

Results

CT DNA was detected in 11% of patients, NG DNA in 3.7% of patients and MG DNA in one patient. Seventy-five percent of male patients and only 13% of women were diagnosed with sexually transmitted infection (STI). No patient with leucocyturia below 10⁴/mL had a positive PCR result for one of the three bacteria. Of the patients with leucocyturia greater or equal to 10⁴/mL, CT was detected in 23.4% of men and 11% of women, NG in 19.2% of men and 1% of women, and MG in 2.1% of men.

Conclusion

The prevalence of NG and CT detection in our population was high while that of MG was low. The diagnosis was facilitated by the use of PCR on the urine sample although this sample is not recommended for the molecular detection of bacterial agents of STIs and may explain the low detection of MG. The study allowed diagnosing STIs in 14.3% of our patient population.     

硫化氢对高糖诱导的小鼠足突细胞损伤的影响*

 目的： 观察硫化氢对高糖诱导的小鼠足突细胞损伤的影响并探讨其作用机制。方法: 将体外培养的小鼠足突细胞系MPC5分为高糖组、正常糖组、正常糖+DL-炔丙基甘氨酸(PPG)组和高糖+NaHS组。处理后,用Western blotting检测各组细胞胱硫醚γ-裂解酶（CSE)、紧密连接蛋白2（ZO-2）、裂孔蛋白（nephrin）及β-连环蛋白（β-catenin）蛋白水平表达差异。结果: （1）高糖显著降低CSE、nephrin和ZO-2表达（P＜0.05）,而β-catenin的水平明显增高（P＜0.05）,4种蛋白变化均表现出时间依赖性;（2）正常糖培养加不同浓度PPG可显著抑制ZO-2和nephrin的表达（P＜0.05）,显著提高β-catenin的水平（P＜0.05）,3种蛋白变化呈浓度依赖性;（3）高糖诱导的足突细胞加NaHS培养后,ZO-2和nephrin表达可部分恢复（P＜0.01）,β-catenin表达可被部分抑制（P＜0.01）。结论: 本研究结果提示高糖诱导的足突细胞CSE表达降低可能是足突细胞损伤的重要机制之一。而外源性硫化氢对高糖诱导的足突细胞损伤具有一定保护作用,其机制可能与增加ZO-2表达、抑制Wnt/β-catenin通路有关。     

Role of the tendon in the dynamic performance of three different load-moving muscles

The effect of the tendon's viscoelastic properties on the dynamic performance of three different load-moving muscles was determined. The frequency response models of the cat's medial gastrocnemius (MG), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and tibialis anterior (TA) with and without their tendons were derived under sinusoidal shortening-lengthening, manipulated by orderly recruitment and derecruitment of motor units together with firing rate increase and decrease. The passive load sizes applied to the muscles were approximately 30%–40% of each muscle's maximal isometric force. It was shown that the tendon has a moderate effect on the dynamic response of muscles while moving loads of fixed mass. The MG and EDL without their tendons show a decrease in high frequency gain (2–5 dB) and increasing phase lag angles (7°–9°). In contrast, the TA without its tendon shows an increase in high frequency gain (2 dB) and decreasing phase lag angles (20°) compared with the same muscle with the tendon. It was concluded that tendon's viscoelastic properties have a moderate effect during load-moving contractions, influencing the dynamic performance of different muscles in a different manner.     

血压对多态性纤维蛋白原Bβ链基因功能表达的影响

目的:研究血压对多态性血浆纤维蛋白原(Fg)Bβ链-854G/A、-455G/A、-249C/T、-148C/T、448G/A和Bc l-1G/A基因功能表达的影响。方法:选取开滦集团离退休职工1 391人进行体检和问卷调查,受检者清晨抽取静脉血标本测定血浆Fg浓度和纤维蛋白单体聚合反应速率(FMPV)、最大吸光度(Am ax)、FMPV/Am ax等反映Fg聚合功能的指标,然后立即测定血压;应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性技术(PCR-RFLP)检测Fg Bβ链6个多态性位点的基因型。结果:高血压状态组(HG)与正常血压组(NG)组间6个基因多态性位点等位基因及各基因型的频率分布均无显著差异(P0.05)。HG与NG的Fg浓度、FMPV/Am ax无显著差异(P0.05),但HG的FMPV、Am ax低于NG(P0.05),HG和NG的Bβ-854位点变异基因型组Fg浓度、FMPV、Am ax、FMPV/Am ax均高于野生型(P0.05),且NG的Bc l-1位点变异基因型的Fg浓度、FMPV高于野生型(P0.05),但HG的Bβ-854和Bc l-1变异基因型组的Fg、FMPV、Am ax均低于NG(P0.05)。结论:Fg Bβ-854基因位点是调控Fg功能表达的重要部位,Bc l-1的变异基因型可使血浆Fg浓度和FMPV升高;高血压状态可以明显抑制这种调控作用,并损伤纤维蛋白单体聚合成二聚体的过程,从而导致特殊类型的凝血功能障碍。     

Branching patterns of the arterial branches supplying the middle vascular pedicle of the sternocleidomastoid muscle: a topographic anatomical study with surgical applications for the use of pedicles osteomuscular flaps

When making a sternocleidomastoid (SCM) osteomuscular flap to include the clavicle and determining the rotation arc of the osteomuscular flap, it is very important to know the location and the origin of the superior thyroid artery and the distribution pattern of the SCM branch. Accordingly, in this study, the 50 SCM muscles and their arteries were dissected in 26 Korean cadavers, and the results were analyzed. The average distances from the origin of the superior thyroid artery to the clavicular and sternal heads of the SCM muscle were 87.6 mm (57.7–123.8 mm) and 131.2 mm (99.7–166.8 mm), respectively. The average distance from the origin of the superior thyroid artery to the SCM branch entering the SCM muscle was 30.1 mm (16.0–37.7 mm). After entering the SCM muscle, the SCM branches of the superior thyroid artery bifurcated into the clavicular and sternal branches at a point located an average of 58.8 mm (28.4–130.4 mm) above the clavicle. The distribution patterns of the superior thyroid artery were classified into six types based on the branching order and the dual supplies to the SCM muscle. Among them, type I in which the laryngeal branch first divided from the superior thyroid artery was the most common case (36%).     

Effects of two glucose ingestion rates on substrate utilization during moderate-intensity shivering

Although the importance of food consumption to survive in the cold is well established, most shivering studies have focused on fuel selection in fasting subjects. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to provide the first estimates of exogenous glucose as well as liver and muscle glycogen oxidation rates of non-cold acclimatized men (n = 6) ingesting glucose in trace amounts (Control; C), and at rates of 400 mg min⁻¹ (Low Glucose; LG), and 800 mg min⁻¹ (High Glucose; HG) during moderate-intensity shivering (~3 times resting metabolic rate or ~20% VO_2max) using indirect calorimetry and stable isotope methodologies. Exogenous glucose oxidation peaked at ~200 mg min⁻¹ at the lowest glucose ingestion rate (~400 mg min⁻¹). In addition, glucose ingestion increased the contribution of plasma glucose to total heat production by ~50% but did not change the role played by muscle glycogen (~27% of heat production for control condition and ~23–28% for LG and HG). Instead, the contribution of liver-derived glucose to total heat production was reduced by 40–60% in LG and HG, respectively. In conclusion, glucose ingestion even at low rates contributes a significant proportion of total heat production during moderate intensity shivering and reduces the utilization of liver-derived glucose but not muscle glycogen.     

Effects of hydrogen sulfide on high glucose-induced glomerular podocyte injury in mice

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of hydrogen sulfide on high glucose-induced mouse podocyte (MPC) injury and the underlying mechanisms. Mouse podocytes were randomly divided into 4 groups, including high glucose (HG), normal glucose (NG), normal glucose + DL-propargylglycine (PPG), and high glucose + NaHS (HG + NaHS) groups for treatment. Then, ZO-2, nephrin, β-catenin, and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) protein expression levels were determined by western blot. We found that high glucose significantly reduced nephrin, ZO-2, and CSE expression levels (P<0.05), and overtly elevated β-catenin amounts (P<0.05), in a time-dependent manner. Likewise, PPG at different concentrations in normal glucose resulted in significantly lower CSE, ZO-2, and nephrin levels (P<0.05), and increased β-catenin amounts (P<0.05). Interestingly, significantly increased ZO-2 and nephrin levels, and overtly reduced β-catenin amounts were observed in the HG + NaHS group compared with HG treated cells (P<0.01). Compared with NG treated cells, decreased ZO-2 and nephrin levels and higher β-catenin amounts were obtained in the HG + NaHS group. In conclusion,CSE downregulation contributes to hyperglycemia induced podocyte injury, which is alleviated by exogenous H₂S possibly through ZO-2 upregulation and the subsequent suppression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway.     

Non-linear EEG synchronization during observation and execution of simple and complex sequential finger movements

The main aim of this study was to examine the temporal aspects of neuronal changes during the observation and execution of simple and complex tasks to gain a greater understanding of the mirror neuron system’s involvement in complex motor tasks. Eleven right-handed subjects observed simple and complex finger movement sequences. Electroencephalograms were recorded from 19 electrodes. Activity was considered in four frequency bands (8–10, 10–13, 13–20, and 20–30 Hz) using a new measure, synchronization likelihood. The results show that motor tasks of different levels of complexity did not have a significant influence on cortical synchronization. The results also provide additional indirect evidence for mirror neuron activity associated with intransitive tasks. Data are discussed in the light of recent findings from the cognitive and behavioral neuroscience literature.     

Fascicle–tendon behavior of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles during ankle bending exercise at different movement frequencies

The present study investigated the effect of movement frequencies on the behavior of fascicles and tendons of synergistic muscles. Seven male subjects performed ankle bending (calf-raise) exercises at four movement frequencies (1.33, 1.67, 1.84, and 2.00 Hz), performed with an identical range of ankle joint motion. The fascicle and tendon behavior of medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (SOL) was measured by ultrasonography while kinematic and kinetic parameters of the ankle were recorded. The torque of ankle joint was larger at higher exercise frequencies. The length change of muscle decreased and that of tendon increased at higher frequencies both for MG and for SOL, with no significant inter-muscle differences in the relative changes of muscle or tendon lengths to that of MTU. Changes of pennation angles and electromyographic activities as a function of movement frequency were also comparable for MG and SOL. These results suggest that under a stretch–shortening cycle action, the muscle–tendon interaction is altered by the movement frequency toward greater use of tendon elastic energy to provide greater MTU power at a higher frequency. Results also suggest that the movement frequency dependence of fascicle and tendon behavior is comparable between MG and SOL.     

Balance control under different passive contributions of the ankle extensors: quiet standing on inclined surfaces

Human bipedal stance is often modeled as a single inverted pendulum that pivots at the ankle joints in the sagittal plane. Because the center of body mass is usually maintained in front of the ankle joints, ankle extensor torque is continuously required to prevent the body from falling. During quiet standing, both passive and active mechanisms contribute to generate the ankle extensor torque counteracting gravity. This study aimed to investigate the active stabilization mechanism in more detail. Eight healthy subjects were requested to stand quietly on three different surfaces of 1) toes-up, 2) level, and 3) toes-down. Surface electromyogram (EMG) was recorded from the medial head of the gastrocnemius (MG), soleus (SOL), and tibialis anterior muscles. Inclination angle of the body was simultaneously measured. As a result, we found that EMG activities of MG and SOL were lowest during the toes-up standing and highest during the toes-down, indicating that increased (decreased) passive contribution required less (more) extensor torque generated by active muscle contraction. Frequency domain analysis also revealed that sway-related modulation of the ankle extensor activity (0.12–4.03 Hz) was unchanged among the three foot inclinations. On the other hand, isometric contraction strength of these muscles increased as the slope declined (toes-up < level < toes-down). These results support the idea that by regulating the isometric contraction strength, the CNS maintains a constant level of muscle tone and resultant ankle stiffness irrespective of the passive contribution. Such control scheme would be crucial when we consider the low bandwidth of the intermittent controller.