Abstract Exogenous additives applied for cigar tobacco leaves fermentation played an important role in sensory quality of cigar. In this study, effects of additives including coffee and cocoa on the quality of cigar tobacco leaves were explored. The changes of sensory quality, conventional chemical components, nonvolatile organic acids, and aroma compositions in tobacco leaves were studied. Results showed that the richness, mellowness and matureness of aroma, as well as the fluentness and sweetness of smoke in cigar were improved with the introduction of coffee or cocoa. According to chemical composition analysis, fermentation with coffee or cocoa increased the contents of alkaloids and sugar in tobacco leaves, which endowed the tobacco a relatively good performance on the sweetness and aroma richness. Besides, the decrease of citric acid, as well as the increase of saturated fatty acid and aroma components were found with additives, which was beneficial to improve the mellowness and aroma richness of cigar. It was suggested that coffee and cocoa exhibited positive effects on the chemical composition, especially increased the contents of sugar, saturated fatty acids and aromatic components, thus improving the sensory quality of tobacco leaves.

RESUMO Introdução: Introdução breve: Lesões esportivas nos tendões e ligamentos do tornozelo são comuns em jogadores de futebol. Objetivo: Atingir melhora no treinamento de força especial relacionado com as lesões características do futebol depois de reabilitação de tendões e ligamentos do tornozelo. Métodos: Dois futebolistas de primeira linha foram reabilitados por treinamento multipontos de comprimento igual, arco curto e arco longo em velocidade igual, combinado com exercícios de habilidade de equilíbrio. Resultados: Havia dois músculos longos L para manter o tônus muscular, força dos flexores plantares antes e depois de quatro vezes de 96 n/m, 121 n/m, 140 n/m, 145 n/m e força dos flexores dorsais de 63 n/m, 52 n/m, 60 n/m, 74 n/m de altura. A fadiga do flexor plantar foi de 57%, 30%, 29%, 12%, 28%, 18%, 20%, 21%. Conclusões: Com o passar do tempo, o valor do momento de pico relativo do grupo de músculos flexores plantares do tornozelo direito dos dois pacientes continuou aumentando; o músculo flexor do dorso estava basicamente plano e o índice de fadiga no trabalho diminuiu gradativamente, indicando que o nível de força muscular do tornozelo direito melhorou significativamente, assim como a capacidade antifadiga e, portanto, que o tratamento de reabilitação teve efeito positivo. Nível de Evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - Investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Brief introduction: Ankle tendon and ligament sports injuries are common in football players. Objective: To continue to improve special strength training related to the characteristics of football after rehabilitation of injured ankle tendons and ligaments. Methods: Two master football sportsmen were rehabilitated by multi-point equal-length, short-arc and long-arc equal-speed training combined with balance ability exercises. Results: There were two long muscle L be maintain muscle tone plantar flexors force four times of 96 n/m, n/m 121, 140 n/m, 145 n/m than back flexors force of 63 n/m, 52 n/m, 60 n/m, 74 n/m tall. Plantar flexor fatigue was 57%, 30%, 29%, 12%, 28%, 18%, 20%, 21%. Conclusions: With the passing of time, the relative peak moment value of the right ankle plantar flexor muscle group of the two patients kept rising, the dorsiflexor muscle was basically flat, and the work fatigue index decreased step by step, indicating that the right ankle muscle strength level was significantly improved, the anti-fatigue ability was improved, and the rehabilitation treatment had a good effect. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Introducción: Breve introducción: Las lesiones deportivas en los tendones y ligamentos del tobillo son comunes en los jugadores de fútbol. Objetivo: Lograr una mejora en el entrenamiento de fuerza especial relacionado con las lesiones características del fútbol tras la rehabilitación de los tendones y ligamentos del tobillo. Métodos: Dos jugadores de fútbol de alto nivel fueron rehabilitados mediante un entrenamiento multipunto de igual longitud, arco corto y arco largo a igual velocidad, combinado con ejercicios de habilidad de equilibrio. Resultados: Hubo dos músculos L largos para mantener el tono muscular, fuerza de los flexores plantares antes y después de cuatro veces de 96 n/m, 121 n/m, 140 n/m, 145 n/m y fuerza de los flexor dorsales de 63 n/m, 52 n/m, 60 n/m, 74 n/m de altura. La fatiga de los flexores plantares fue del 57%, 30%, 29%, 12%, 28%, 18%, 20%, 21%. Conclusiones: Con el paso del tiempo, el valor del momento máximo relativo del grupo de músculos flexores plantares del tobillo derecho de los dos pacientes continuó aumentando; el músculo flexor dorsal estaba básicamente plano y el índice de fatiga de trabajo disminuyó gradualmente, lo que indica que el nivel de fuerza muscular del tobillo derecho mejoró significativamente, al igual que la capacidad antifatiga, y, por tanto, que el tratamiento de rehabilitación tuvo un efecto positivo. Nivel de Evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Abstract Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the main diseases causing morbidity and mortality globally, with oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation associated with oxidative stress and atherosclerosis. Cinnamomum migao is a Miao ethnomedicine that has been shown to provide relief from CHD symptoms. A gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used to determine the chemical components of ten batches of migao fatty oil (MFO), yielding a total of 35 chemical constituents. The antioxidant activity of MFO in vitro was assessed using the DPPH· and ABTS·+ assay methods, and both indicated good antioxidant activity. The network pharmacology predicted the active constituents of MFO and their therapeutic influence on the mechanism of oxidative damage-induced coronary heart disease (OD-CHD). Six compounds were discovered in MFO, including tau-cadinol acetate and dodecanoic acid, which may play a role in OD-CHD by acting on lipids and atherosclerosis, the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway, and other pathways. In conclusion, our study lays the foundation for investigating the use of MFO in the treatment of OD-CHD.

Resumo Introdução: Pesquisas anteriores sugeriram que indivíduos de diferentes grupos sanguíneos apresentam incidências distintas de perda auditiva induzida por ruído. As amplitudes reduzidas das emissões otoacústicas indicaram maiores ou menores possibilidades de danos às células ciliadas por exposição a ruídos. Objetivo: Analisar as características das emissões otoacústicas, inclusive a ocorrência de emissões otoacústicas espontâneas e as amplitudes de emissões otoacústicas por produto de distorção em determinadas frequências em neonatos a termo de diferentes grupos sanguíneos do sistema ABO. Método: Foram incluídos 80 neonatos a termo selecionados na triagem auditiva neonatal inicial para participar do estudo, com número igual de participantes de grupos sanguíneos do sistema ABO (grupo sanguíneo A, grupo sanguíneo B, grupo sanguíneo AB e grupo sanguíneo O). As emissões otoacústicas espontâneas e emissões otoacústicas por produto de distorção foram medidas em ambas as orelhas de todos os participantes. Resultados: (1) Os participantes do grupo sanguíneo O apresentaram ocorrências de emissões otoacústicas espontâneas significantemente menores do que os dos outros três grupos sanguíneos (A = 70%, B = 80%, AB = 67%, O = 25%, p < 0,05). (2) Os participantes do grupo sanguíneo O apresentaram amplitudes de emissões otoacústicas por produto de distorção mais baixas a 1257 Hz (M = 4,55 dB, DP = 8,36), 1587 Hz (M = 11,60 dB, DP = 6,57), 3174 Hz (M = 7,25 dB, DP = 5,99), 5042 Hz (M = 13,0, DP = 6,70) do que os participantes dos outros três grupos sanguíneos nas orelhas esquerdas (p < 0,05). Nas orelhas direitas, os participantes do grupo sanguíneo O apresentaram amplitudes reduzidas em 1257 Hz (M = 6,55 dB, DP = 8,36), 1587 Hz (M = 13,60 dB, DP = 6,57), 3174 Hz (M = 7,65 dB, DP = 6,43), 5042 Hz (M = 13,65 dB, DP = 6,50) em comparação aos participantes de grupos sanguíneos não O (p < 0,05). Conclusão: Os indivíduos do sexo feminino do grupo sanguíneo O apresentaram valores menores de emissões otoacústicas do que os indivíduos dos outros três grupos sanguíneos. É necessário continuar a investigar as possíveis relações entre o grupo sanguíneo ABO e a função coclear, inclusive as possíveis influências do dano por ruídos às células ciliadas externas da cóclea.

Abstract Introduction: Previous research has suggested that individuals with different blood groups show varied incidences of noise-induced hearing loss. The reduced otoacoustic emissions amplitudes indicate the higher possibilities of outer hair cell damage for noise exposure. Objective: The objective is to analyze the characteristics of otoacoustic emissions, including the occurrence of spontaneous otoacoustic emission and the amplitudes of distortion product otoacoustic emission at certain frequencies in full term neonates with different ABO blood groups. Methods: A total of 80 selected full-term female neonates who passed the initial newborn hearing screen were enrolled into the study, with equal number of participants in four ABO blood groups (Blood Group A, Blood Group B, Blood Group AB, Blood Group O). Measurements of spontaneous otoacoustic emission and distortion product otoacoustic emission were performed in both ears for all participants. Results: (1) The blood group O participants showed significantly fewer spontaneous otoacoustic emission occurrences than the other three blood groups (A = 70%, B = 80%, AB = 67%, O = 25%, p < 0.05). (2) The blood group O participants showed lower DPOAE amplitudes at 1257 Hz (M = 4.55 dB, SD = 8.36), 1587 Hz (M = 11.60 dB, SD = 6.57), 3174 Hz (M = 7.25 dB, SD = 5.99), 5042 Hz (M = 13.60, SD = 6.70) than participants with the other three blood groups in left ears (p < 0.05). In right ears, the blood group O participants showed reduced amplitudes at 1257 Hz (M = 6.55 dB, SD = 8.36), 1587 Hz (M = 13.60 dB, SD = 6.57), 3174 Hz (M = 7.65 dB, SD = 6.43), 5042 Hz (M = 13.65 dB, SD = 6.50) than participants from non-O blood groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Female individuals with blood group O have lower otoacoustic emissions values than individuals with the other three blood groups. We need to further investigate the possible relationships between ABO blood group and cochlear function, including the potential influences of noise damage on cochlear outer hair cells.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive chemical species that may cause irreversible tissue damage, and play a critical role in cardiovascular diseases. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter that acts as a ROS scavenger with cardio-protective effects. In this study, we investigated the cytoprotective effect of H2S against H2O2-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts were treated with H2S (100 μM) 24 h before challenging with H2O2 (100 μM). Apoptosis was then assessed by annexin V and PI, and mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using a fluorescent probe, JC-1. Our results revealed that H2S improved cell viability, reduced the apoptotic rate, and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. An increased Bcl-2 to Bax ratio was also seen in myocytes treated with H2S after H2O2-induced stress. Our findings indicated a therapeutic potential for H2S in preventing myocyte death following ischemia/reperfusion.

Abstract In the article, a new approach considering structural local failure for topology optimization of continuum structure is proposed. It aims at not only lowering the risk of local failure in the concerned structural regions, but also ensuring a good stiffness of the structure. The local failure may be caused by the structural uncertainties or possible structural fatigue. To this end, a criterion to evaluate the effect of one local failure on the structure is introduced. This criterion is minimized to reduce the probability of structural damage based on an initialized structure whose compliance is optimized. Solid Isotropic with Material Penalization (SIMP) method and Optimality Criteria (OC) method are combined to solve the design problem. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by a series of numerical examples. Furthermore, experiments merging with additive manufacturing technique are taken to prove the practical ability of the method in actual engineering.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high morbidity and mortality. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of microRNA (miRNA) may be associated with the susceptibility to develop certain malignant tumors. Aim: To study the association between SNPs of miRNA and hepatocellular carcinoma in peripheral blood samples. Material and Methods: Three SNPs in miRNA were studied in peripheral blood samples of 498 patients with HCC and 520 controls. Results: A significant association was observed between rs13299349 in miRNA3152 and HCC. AA genotype or A allele were significantly associated with increased risk of HCC. A allele was associated with the size and number of tumor foci. There was also a relationship between rs10061133 in miRNA449b and HCC. The G allele was significantly associated with increased risk of HCC compared with A allele. Conclusions: This study links rs13299349 in miRNA3152 and rs10061133 in miRNA449b with the risk of developing HCC.

Antecedentes: El carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) tiene una alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Polimorfismos de un nucleótido (SNP) presentes en el microRNA (miRNA) circulante pueden asociarse a ciertos tumores. Objetivo: Estudiar la asociación entre la presencia de SNPs en miRNA circulante y la presencia de carcinoma hepatocelular. Material y Métodos: Se determinó la presencia de tres SNP en microRNA de sangre periférica en 498 pacientes con CHC y 520 controles. Resultados: El SNP rs13299349 en el miRNA3152 se asoció con CHC. El genotipo AA o el alelo A se asociaron con un riesgo mayor de presentar un CHC. El alelo A se asoció además con el tamaño y número de focos del tumor. Se observó también una relación entre el SNP rs10061133 en el miRNA449b y HCC. En este caso, el alelo G se relacionó con un mayor riesgo de CHC. Conclusiones: Los SNP rs13299349 en el miRNA3152 y rs10061133 en el miRNA449b se asocian al riesgo de desarrollar CHC.

Ensayos de laboratorio (Institute of Entomology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China) fueron llevados a cabo con el objeto de determinar el potencial de virtako, una mezcla insecticida, que contiene 20% de clorantra-niliprole y 20% de tiametoxam, contra el saltahojas marrón, Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). Los efectos tóxicos del virtako sobre los estadios ninfales de N. lugens indicaron que todos ellos fueron susceptibles a las cinco concentraciones (16, 8, 4, 2, 1 mg/L). El primero-segundo estadios fueron los más susceptibles, y las concentraciones media letales [CL50] fueron 4,76, 1,96 y 0,85 mg/L a 24, 48 y 72 h, respectivamente, después del tratamiento. El estadio quinto fue el menos susceptible con valores de CL50 de 23,76, 7,25 y 3,95 mg/L a 24, 48 y 72 h, respectivamente, después del tratamiento. Estos fueron significativamente mayores comparados con los estadios primero-segundo. Las CL50s para los estadios tercero - cuarto fueron 11,59, 5,72 y 2,17 mg/L a 24, 48 y 72 h respectivamente, después del tratamiento. Estos resultados indican que virtako puede ser una alternativa efectiva en el control del saltahojas marrón N. lugens, al retardar los niveles de resistencia al tiametoxam.

Laboratory assays (Institute of Entomology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China) were conducted to assess the potential of virtako, a mixture insecticide, which contains 20% chlorantraniliprole and 20% thiamethoxam, against the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). The toxic effects of virtako against the nymphal instars of N. lugens indicated that all instars were sensitive to the five concentrations (16, 8, 4, 2, 1 mg/L). The first-second instars were the most susceptible, and the median lethal concentrations [LC50] were 4.76, 1.96 and 0.85 mg/L at 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment, respectively. Fifth-instars were the least susceptible with the LC50 values of 23.76, 7.25 and 3.95 mg/L at 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment, respectively, and were significantly greater than those of the first - second instars. The LC50s of the third - fourth instars were 11.59, 5.72 and 2.17 mg/L at 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment, respectively. These results indicate that virtako might be an effective alternative for the control of BPH N. lugens, by delaying the resistance levels of thiamethoxam.

Brønsted acidic ionic liquids based on imidazolium cation were employed as a series of efficient and environmentally benign catalysts and solvents for the synthesis of salicylate, the yields could reach 76%-96%. The optimal reaction conditions were determined. The results showed that Brønsted acidic ionic liquids were efficient catalysts and solvents which could be recycled easily without obvious decline in catalytic activities.