ABSTRACT Introduction: Tennis is highly technical, and any error in its players’ strength training can exponentially impact the competition. A timely review and analysis of tennis players’ biomechanics will help to better understand the training system and reveal the basis for future scientific sports training strategies. Objective: Analyzes the effect of different strength training methods to design the best protocol considering tennis players’ speed and success rate. Methods: The effect of training on 40 tennis players is discussed. The volunteers were divided into the experimental and control group. The experimental group performed strength training for 40 minutes daily, thrice a week. The control group continued with conventional training. The trial lasted eight weeks. The speed and success rate of the training were tested before and after the experiment. Results: The experimental group players significantly improved serve speed (P<0.05). The success rate of the experimental group was also significantly improved (P<0.05). Conclusion: The proposed strength training significantly improved the success rates of speed in tennis players. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: El tenis es un deporte altamente técnico y cualquier error en el entrenamiento de la fuerza de sus jugadores puede generar impactos exponenciales en la cancha. Una revisión y un análisis oportunos de la biomecánica de los tenistas ayudarán a comprender mejor el sistema de entrenamiento y revelarán la base para la formulación de estrategias científicas de entrenamiento deportivo en el futuro. Objetivo: Analizar el efecto de diferentes métodos de entrenamiento de fuerza para diseñar el mejor protocolo teniendo en cuenta la velocidad y el índice de éxito de los tenistas. Métodos: Se analiza el efecto del entrenamiento en 40 tenistas. Los voluntarios se dividieron en grupo experimental y grupo de control. El grupo experimental realizó un entrenamiento de fuerza durante 40 minutos diarios, tres veces por semana. El grupo de control continuó con el entrenamiento convencional. La prueba duró ocho semanas. La velocidad y la tasa de éxito del entrenamiento se comprobaron antes y después del experimento. Resultados: Los jugadores del grupo experimental tuvieron una mejora significativa en la velocidad de saque (P<0,05). La tasa de éxito del grupo experimental también mejoró significativamente (P<0,05). Conclusión: El entrenamiento de fuerza propuesto fue capaz de mejorar significativamente las tasas de éxito la velocidad en los jugadores de tenis. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: O tênis é um esporte altamente técnico e qualquer erro no treinamento de força de seus praticantes pode gerar impactos exponenciais na competição. Uma revisão e análise oportuna da biomecânica dos tenistas ajudará a entender melhor o sistema de treino e revelar as bases para a formulação de estratégias de treinamento esportivo científico no futuro. Objetivo: Analisa o efeito de diferentes métodos de treinamento de força para elaborar o melhor protocolo considerando a velocidade e a taxa de sucesso dos jogadores de tênis. Métodos: Discute-se o efeito do treinamento em 40 jogadores de tênis. Os voluntários foram divididos em grupo experimental e controle. O grupo experimental realizou um treinamento de força por 40 minutos diários, três vezes por semana. O grupo de controle continuou com o treino convencional. O ensaio durou oito semanas. A velocidade e a taxa de sucesso do treino foram testadas antes e depois do experimento. Resultados: Os jogadores do grupo experimental tiveram melhora significa na velocidade de saque (P<0,05). A taxa de sucesso do grupo experimental também foi significativamente aprimorada (P<0,05). Conclusão: O treinamento de força proposto conseguiu melhorar significativamente as taxas de sucesso a velocidade nos jogadores de tênis. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The ski jumping sequence can be divided into four steps: support, take-off, flight, and landing. Each stage has specific tasks and functions and is closely related, with the completion of each stage depending on the previous one. Objective: Explore the effectiveness of special strength training methods for ski sportsmen. Methods: Using the method of scientific literature review, expert interview, experience, and mathematical statistics to perform the special strength training for Chinese ski athletes, comparing the changes in the jump speed and take-off of the big jumps before and after 16 weeks of strength training with a specially developed protocol. Results: There were significant differences in take-off speed and air height before and after the experiment (P<0.05). The athletes in the experimental group significantly differed in takeoff speed before and after participation in the experiment (P=0.01). Conclusion: The experimental results fully evidence that by improving the rapid contraction strength of flexor and extensor muscles of the trunk and hip joints, modern abdominal center strength training methods are more effective than traditional methods. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: La secuencia de salto de esquí puede dividirse en cuatro pasos: apoyo, despegue, vuelo y aterrizaje. Cada paso tiene tareas y funciones específicas y está estrechamente relacionado, siendo la conclusión de cada paso dependiente del anterior. Objetivo: Explorar la eficacia de los métodos especiales de entrenamiento de la fuerza para los deportistas de esquí. Métodos: Utilizando el método de revisión de la literatura científica, la entrevista a expertos, la experiencia y la estadística matemática para realizar el entrenamiento de fuerza especial para los atletas de esquí chinos, comparando los cambios en la velocidad de salto y el despegue de los grandes saltos antes y después de 16 semanas de entrenamiento de fuerza con un protocolo especialmente desarrollado. Resultados: Hubo diferencias significativas en la velocidad de despegue y la altura del aire antes y después del experimento (P<0,05). Los atletas del grupo experimental tuvieron una diferencia muy significativa en la velocidad de despegue antes y después de la participación en el experimento (P=0,01). Conclusión: Los resultados experimentales evidencian plenamente que, al mejorar la fuerza de contracción rápida de los músculos flexores y extensores de las articulaciones del tronco y la cadera, los métodos modernos de entrenamiento de la fuerza del núcleo abdominal son más eficaces que los métodos de entrenamiento tradicionales. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: A sequência de saltos de esqui pode ser dividida em quatro etapas: apoio, decolagem, voo e pouso. Cada etapa tem tarefas e funções específicas e está intimamente relacionada, sendo a conclusão de cada etapa dependente da etapa anterior. Objetivo: Explorar a eficácia dos métodos especiais de treinamento de força para esportistas em esqui. Métodos: Usando o método de análise científica literária, entrevista com especialistas, experiência e estatísticas matemáticas para realizar o treinamento de força especial para atletas chineses de esqui, comparando as mudanças na velocidade de salto e decolagem dos grandes saltos antes e depois de 16 semanas de treinamento de força com um protocolo especialmente desenvolvido. Resultados: Houve diferenças significativas na velocidade de decolagem e na altura aérea antes e depois do experimento (P<0,05). Os atletas do grupo experimental tiveram uma diferença muito significativa na velocidade de decolagem antes e depois da participação no experimento (P=0,01). Conclusão: Os resultados experimentais evidenciaram plenamente que ao melhorar a força de contração rápida dos músculos flexores e extensores das articulações do tronco e quadril, os métodos modernos de treinamento de força do centro abdominal são mais eficazes do que os métodos tradicionais de treinamento. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Tennis is a competitive sport endowed with subtle movements, sophisticated and changeable techniques and tactics, and intense confrontation. It has high demands on the athlete's physical and psychological qualities. To win high-level professional tennis events, in addition to basic skills, comprehensive technical and tactical abilities, stable psychological quality, and flexible and innovative thinking, tennis players must also have exceptional physical fitness. Objective: Study the index system for evaluating the sport-specific skills of tennis athletes. Methods: 30 youth tennis training athletes were selected. Research methods such as literature, expert interview, questionnaire, and mathematical statistics were used to construct the fitness evaluation index of Chinese professional tennis players. Results: Professional tennis players’ specific fitness assessment indexes include one first-level index, 14 second-level indexes, and 23 three-item indexes. Conclusion: Young athletes must strengthen their agile attack speed, explosive strength, core strength, and coordination. The individual indicators are weighted according to individual standards of physical training level. Thus, the five first-level indicators and specific fitness standards are established in this paper. The results of this research have guiding significance for the formulation and implementation of further tennis education and training plans. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: El tenis es un deporte de competitividad dotado de movimientos sutiles, técnicas y tácticas sofisticadas y cambiantes, y un enfrentamiento intenso. Posee altas exigencias en cuanto a las cualidades físicas y psicológicas del atleta. Para ganar eventos de tenis profesional de alto nivel, además de las habilidades básicas, de las habilidades técnicas y tácticas completas, de la calidad psicológica estable y del pensamiento flexible e innovador, los tenistas también deben tener una forma física excepcional. Objetivo: Estudiar el sistema de índices para evaluar las habilidades deportivas específicas de los atletas de tenis. Métodos: Se seleccionaron 30 atletas juveniles de entrenamiento de tenis. Se utilizaron métodos de investigación como la literatura, la entrevista a expertos, el cuestionario y la estadística matemática para construir el índice de evaluación de la aptitud física particular de los tenistas profesionales chinos. Resultados: Los índices específicos de evaluación de la aptitud física de los tenistas profesionales incluyen un índice de primer nivel, 14 índices de segundo nivel y 23 índices de tres elementos. Conclusión: Es necesario que los jóvenes atletas refuercen su velocidad de ataque ágil, su fuerza explosiva, su fuerza central y su coordinación. Los indicadores individuales se ponderan en función de las normas individuales de nivel de entrenamiento físico. De este modo, en este documento se establecen los cinco indicadores de primer nivel y las normas específicas de aptitud. Los resultados de esta investigación tienen una importancia orientadora para la formulación y la aplicación de nuevos planes de educación y formación en materia de tenis. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: O tênis é um esporte de competitividade dotado de movimentos sutis, técnicas e táticas sofisticadas e passíveis de mudança, e intenso confronto. Possui altas exigências quanto às qualidades físicas e psicológicas do atleta. Para vencerem eventos de tênis profissionais de alto nível, além de habilidades básicas, habilidades técnicas e táticas abrangentes, qualidade psicológica estável e pensamento flexível e inovador, os tenistas também devem ter uma aptidão física excepcional. Objetivo: Estudar o sistema de índice de avaliação das habilidades esportivas específicas dos atletas de tênis. Métodos: Selecionou-se 30 atletas de treinamento juvenil de tênis. Métodos de pesquisa como a literatura, entrevista com especialistas, questionário e estatísticas matemáticas foram utilizados para construir o índice de avaliação da aptidão física particular dos jogadores profissionais de tênis chineses. Resultados: Os índices específicos de avaliação da aptidão física dos tenistas profissionais incluem um índice de primeiro nível, 14 índices de segundo nível e 23 índices de três itens. Conclusão: É preciso que os jovens atletas fortaleçam sua velocidade de ataque ágil, força explosiva, força central e coordenação. Os indicadores individuais são ponderados de acordo com os padrões individuais de nível de treinamento físico. Desta forma, os cinco indicadores de primeiro nível e os padrões específicos de aptidão física são estabelecidos neste documento. Os resultados dessa pesquisa têm significado orientador para a formulação e implementação de planos de ensino e treinamento de tênis posteriores. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

PURPOSE: This research aims to investigate whether increasing the pension contributions of a firm leads to inefficient investments DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Based on the 26 135 observations of the Chinese listed firms, this study employs ordinary least squares models to investigate the relationship between pension costs and inefficient investments FINDINGS/RESULTS: This study shows that Chinese listed firms' pension contribution increments result in fewer investment opportunities and a decreased in investment efficiency. This is insignificant for the more profitable firms and state-owned enterprises. It suggests further that a firm's pension cost is significantly associated with its investment inefficiency, particularly for cash flow dominated and financing-restricted firms. This indicates a negative association between pension contributions and cash flows, and several pension contributions may lead to a cash flow shortage in the firms PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: For managers, they should improve their investment efficiency within an affordable pension plan; for investors, increasing pension costs potentially decrease their investment returns ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Some findings have reference values for some developing countries

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at the oral health problems of elderly patients with diabetes. A training course of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine was constructed, helping patients improve their oral health quality of life. METHODS: A randomized controlled prospective experimental study was conducted. A total of 190 elderly patients were divided randomly into an observation group and a control group with 95 cases in each. The control group received regular health education, while the observation group was based on the control group to implement the integrated experiential learning of traditional Chinese and Western medicine in small groups. The oral health knowledge, attitude, behavior, and blood glucose control status along with the oral health quality of life of the two groups were compared before the intervention and at 3-month postintervention. RESULTS: Three months after the intervention, the fasting blood glucose control and the 2-h postprandial blood glucose/glycosylated hemoglobin levels in the observation group were significantly better than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The oral health quality of life in the observation group was significantly better than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The small-group experiential learning model of integrated Chinese and Western medicine can promote the transformation of knowledge–beliefs–behaviors in elderly patients with diabetes, which is conducive to controlling blood sugar levels and improving the quality of oral health.

Abstract Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) of wheat and small grain cereals caused by Fusarium graminearum and other Fusarium species is an economically cereal disease worldwide. Fusarium infections results in reduced yields and mycotoxin contamination of the grain, and the research on the toxin production and growth control of Fusarium is the key to prevent and control of mycotoxin contamination in wheat. In this study, the molecular identification of toxigenic potential and gas fumigation control of typical Fusarium strains isolated from FHB-infected wheat were studied. The results showed that the consequences of molecular identification of toxigenic potential were consistent with the actual production of toxins, which can be used for rapid identification of fungal toxicity. And the effects of the gas fumigants were different. Chlorine dioxide could kill Fusarium spores and mycelium in a short time (0.5 h) at relatively low concentration (300 ppm), while ozone could only kill Fusarium spores and had no obvious inhibitory effect on the growth of mycelium, even at a concentration of 1400 ppm. Taken together, gaseous ClO2 could significantly inhibit the growth of Fusarium, and it’s an ideal fumigant used to control this fungal contamination during the postharvest storage of grain.

Abstract Gut bacterial β-glucuronidase (GUS) can reactivate xenobiotics that exert enterohepatic circulation- triggered gastrointestinal tract toxicity. GUS inhibitors can alleviate drug-induced enteropathy and improve treatment outcomes. We evaluated the inhibitory effect of Polygonum cuspidatum Siebold & Zucc. and its major constituents against Escherichia coli GUS (EcGUS), and characterized the inhibitory mechanism of each of the components. Trans-resveratrol 4’-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (HZ-1) and (-)-epicatechin gallate (HZ-2) isolated from P. cuspidatum were identified as the key components and potent inhibitors. These two components displayed strong to moderate inhibitory effects on EcGUS, with Ki values of 9.95 and 1.95 μM, respectively. Results from molecular docking indicated that HZ-1 and HZ-2 could interact with the key residues Asp163, Ser360, Ile 363, Glu413, Glu504, and Lys 568 of EcGUS via hydrogen bonding. Our findings demonstrate the inhibitory effect of P. cuspidatum and its two components on EcGUS, which supported the further evaluation and development of P. cuspidatum and its two active components as novel candidates for alleviating drug-induced damage in the mammalian gut.

OBJECTIVES: Extracellular vesicle microRNAs (EV-miRNAs) have been demonstrated to be reliable candidate biomarkers for clinical applications. However, the clinical application potential of serum EV-miR-215-5p for gastric cancer (GC) remains poorly understood. The goal of our study was to determine the efficacy of serum EV-miR-215-5p in predicting the prognosis of GC. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 118 patients with GC, 60 patients with benign gastric disease and BGD and 70 healthy controls. The relative levels of serum EV-miR-215-5p were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: Compared to patients with BGD and normal controls, GC patients exhibited remarkably higher serum EV-miR-215-5p level, especially those with early tumor recurrence (ETR). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that serum EV-miR-215-5p was able to distinguish GC patients from BGD patients or healthy controls and GC patients with ETR from those without ETR. In addition, increased serum EV-miR-215-5p levels were notably correlated with invasive depth, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis. Moreover, serum EV-miR-215-5p levels were greatly decreased after surgical treatment, but increased at the time of ETR. Survival analysis showed that patients with higher serum EV-miR-215-5p had shorter survival. Furthermore, serum EV-miR-215-5p was an independent risk factor for GC. CONCLUSIONS: Serum EV-miR-215-5p might be a novel biomarker for predicting ETR and prognosis of GC.

Resumo Objetivo Estudar o impacto em linfócitos causado pelo uso da dexmedetomidina associada à morfina para analgesia pós-toracotomia. Método Um total de 118 pacientes utilizando Analgesia Intravenosa Controlada pelo Paciente (AICP) pós-toracotomia em nosso hospital, de março de 2016 a julho de 2018, foram selecionados aleatoriamente e divididos em dois grupos: o Grupo Combinado [COM, 57 pacientes que receberam dexmedetomidina (1,0 µg.kg-1 de peso corpóreo) associada à morfina (0,48 mg.kg-1 de peso corpóreo)] e o Grupo Morfina [MOR, 61 pacientes, que receberam somente morfina (0,48 mg.kg-)]. Os valores dos subconjuntos de linfócitos (CD3+, CD4+ e CD8+) e das células NK no sangue periférico desses dois grupos foram medidos por citometria de fluxo FACSCalibur em diferentes momentos do estudo [antes da indução anestésica (T0), imediatamente após extubação traqueal (T1), 12 horas após a cirurgia (T2), 24 horas após a cirurgia (T3), 48 horas após a cirurgia (T4), 72 horas após a cirurgia (T5) e 7 dias após a cirurgia (T6)]. As doses de morfina do momento T3 ao T5 e as reações adversas entre os dois grupos também foram registradas e comparadas. Resultados O nível de CD3+ e a razão CD4+/CD8+ de T2 a T5, e o nível de CD4+ e as células NK de T3 a T5 do Grupo COM foram significantemente maiores (p< 0,05) quando comparados ao Grupo MOR. A dose de morfina no pós-operatório e a incidência de prurido, náusea e vômito no pós-operatório foram significantemente menores no grupo MOR (p< 0,05). Conclusões Dexmedetomidina combinada com morfina para AICP no período pós-toracotomia pode melhorar a função dos linfócitos, reduzir o consumo de morfina e diminuir reações adversas durante a analgesia.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the impact of post-thoracotomy analgesia with dexmedetomidine and morphine on immunocytes. Methods A total of 118 patients with post-thoracotomy Patient-Controlled Intravenous Analgesia (PCIA) in our hospital from March 2016 to July 2018 were randomly selected and divided into the Composite (COM) Group (57 patients administered with dexmedetomidine [1.0 µg.kg-1 body weight] and morphine [0.48 mg.kg-1 body weight]) and the Morphine (MOR) group (61 patients administered with morphine [0.48 mg.kg-1]). The values of lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) and Natural Killer cells in the peripheral blood of these two groups were detected by FACSCalibur flow cytometry at different time points (before anesthesia induction [T0], immediately after tracheal extubation [T1], 12 hours after surgery [T2], 24 hours after surgery [T3], 48 hours after surgery [T4], 72 hours after surgery [T5], and 7 days after surgery [T6]). The doses of morphine at T3 to T5 and the adverse reactions between the two groups were also recorded and compared. Results The CD3+ level and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio at T2 to T5 and the CD4+ level and NK cells at T3 to T5 were significantly higher in the COM Group than in the MOR Group (p< 0.05). The postoperative morphine dose and the incidence of postoperative itching, nausea, and vomiting were significantly lower in the COM Group than in the MOR Group (p< 0.05). Conclusions Dexmedetomidine combined with morphine for post-thoracotomy PCIA can improve the function of immunocytes, reduce morphine consumption, and reduce the adverse reactions during analgesia induction.

Abstract Hybrid Ag/CeO2/SBA-15 mesoporous nanocatalysts were prepared and their bactericidal activity was evaluated aiming at elimination of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the potable water system. It was found that there existed electrons transferring from Ag0 to CeO2 to form Ag+/Ag0 and Ce4+/Ce3+ couples in the heterojunction structure, which resulted from strong interaction between Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) and highly dispersed CeO2. By increasing the Ag content from 1wt% to 3 and 5 wt% in the catalysts, the bactericidal power of Ag/CeO2/SBA-15 materials significantly enhanced in the presence of both visible and UV light, which can be explained by the increasing electrons transferring function from Ag0 to CeO2 under UV-visible light irradiation. A combination mechanism of E. coli deactivation was proposed where E. coli body may be simultaneously attacked by both AgNPs and Ag+ ions promoted by CeO2. The former may attack the cell membrane, leading to its cleavage and disruption; and the latter may be ionized and released from AgNPs to enter inside the cell, modifying its permeability and respiration, finally resulting in complete deactivation and death.

Abstract Biofertilizer Ning shield was composed of different strains of plant growth promotion bacteria. In this study, the plant growth promotion and root-knot nematode disease control potential on Trichosanthes kirilowii in the field were evaluated. The application of Ning shield significantly reduced the diseases severity caused by Meloidogyne incognita, the biocontrol efficacy could reached up to 51.08%. Ning shield could also promote the growth of T. kirilowii in the field by increasing seedling emergence, height and the root weight. The results showed that the Ning shield could enhance the production yield up to 36.26%. Ning shield could also promote the plant growth by increasing the contents of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic matter, and increasing the contents of leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment. Moreover, Ning shield could efficiently enhance the medicinal compositions of Trichosanthes, referring to the polysaccharides and trichosanthin. Therefore, Ning shield is a promising biofertilizer, which can offer beneficial effects to T. kirilowii growers, including the plant growth promotion, the biological control of root-knot disease and enhancement of the yield and the medicinal quality.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon where intestinal motility is disturbed. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are required to maintain normal intestinal motility. In the present study, we assessed the effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on viability and apoptosis of ICC, as well as on the expression of stem cell factor (SCF), ghrelin, and substance P. ICC were derived from the small intestines of Swiss albino mice. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. ELISA was used to measure the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, ghrelin, substance P, and endothelin-1. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure the expression of SCF. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, interleukins, SCF, and NF-κB signaling pathway proteins. TNF-α induced inflammatory injury in ICC by decreasing cell viability and increasing apoptosis and levels of IL-1β and IL-6. TNF-α decreased the levels of SCF, ghrelin, and substance P, but had no effect on endothelin-1. TNF-α down-regulated expressions of SCF, ghrelin, and substance P by activating the NF-κB pathway in ICC. In conclusion, TNF-α down-regulated the expressions of SCF, ghrelin, and substance P via the activation of the NF-κB pathway in ICC.

ABSTRACT Objective Pendred syndrome (PS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by sensorineural hearing loss and thyroid dyshormonogenesis. It is caused by biallelic mutations in the SLC26A4 gene encoding for pendrin. Hypothyroidism in PS can be present from birth and therefore diagnosed by neonatal screening. The aim of this study was to examine the SLC26A4 mutation spectrum and prevalence among congenital hypothyroidism (CH) patients in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China and to establish how frequently PS causes hearing impairment in our patients with CH. Subjects and methods Blood samples were collected from 192 CH patients in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. All exons of the SLC26A4 gene together with their exon-intron boundaries were screened by next-generation sequencing. Patients with SLC26A4 mutations underwent a complete audiological evaluation including otoscopic examination, audiometry and morphological evaluation of the inner ear. Results Next generation sequencing analysis of SLC26A4 in 192 CH patients revealed five different heterozygous variations in eight individuals (8/192, 4%). The prevalence of SLC26A4 mutations was 4% among studied Chinese CH. Three of the eight were diagnosed as enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct (EVA), no PS were found in our 192 CH patients. The mutations included one novel missense variant p.P469S, as well as four known missense variants, namely p.V233L, p.M147I, p.V609G and p.D661E. Of the eight patients identified with SLC26A4 variations in our study, seven patients showed normal size/location of thyroid gland, and one patients showed a decreased size one. Conclusions The prevalence of SLC26A4 pathogenic variants was 4% among studied Chinese patients with CH. Our study expanded the SLC26A4 mutation spectrum, provided the best estimation of SLC26A4 mutation rate for Chinese CH patients and indicated the rarity of PS as a cause of CH.

Abstract This paper is concerned with the nonlinear free vibration of a heated micro/nano beam modeled after the nonlocal continuum elasticity theory and Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. The governing partial differential equations are derived from the Hamilton variational principle and von Kármán geometric nonlinearity, in which the effects of the nonlocality and ambient temperature are inclusive. These equations are converted into ordinary forms by employing the Kantorovich method. The solutions of nonlinear free vibration are then sought through the use of shooting method in spatial domain. Numerical results show that the proposed treatment provides excellent accuracy and convergence characteristics. The influences of the aspect ratio, nonlocal parameter and temperature rise parameter on the dimensionless radian frequency are carefully investigated. It is concluded that the nonlocal and temperature rise parameters lead to reductions of the nonlinear vibration frequency, while the influence of the nonlocal effect decreases with an increase in the aspect ratio.