ABSTRACT Introduction: In a “U” shaped field, the skier must take off using snow slides in a determined territory, using the distribution of his body mass over his feet to control the direction, completing a variety of complex movements inherent to aerial sports. Objective: Study the effect of acceleration on skiers’ skill levels. Methods: Peak moment angle and range of motion were measured in 12 U-shaped cross-country snow ski athletes with an average training period of over 5 years. The isokinetic muscle strength test parameters were analyzed with the characteristics and abilities inherent to the sport. The corresponding range of motion and the angle of acceleration were determined. The results were confronted with a literature search and discussed afterward. results: The peak torque and relative peak torque of the flexor and extensor muscle groups on both sides of the athletes’ hip and knee joints reduced with increasing angular velocity; the maximum peak torque of the extensors was significantly greater than that of the flexors at the same velocity (P﹤0.05). The current scientific literature predicted this inversely proportional relationship, but the angles obtained had not been explored. Conclusion: Athletes should pay attention to improving cognitive ability and active adjustment ability to complete their technical movements, promoting the development of controlled acceleration required by snow sports. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: En un campo en forma de “U”, el esquiador debe despegar utilizando deslizamientos de nieve en un territorio determinado, utilizando la distribución de su masa corporal sobre los pies para controlar la dirección, completando una variedad de movimientos complejos inherentes a los deportes aéreos. Objetivo: Estudiar el efecto de la aceleración en el nivel de habilidad de los esquiadores. Métodos: Se midieron el ángulo de momento máximo y la amplitud de movimiento en 12 atletas de esquí de fondo en forma de U con un período de entrenamiento medio de más de 5 años. Se analizaron los parámetros de la prueba de fuerza muscular isocinética combinados con las características y habilidades propias del deporte. Se determinó la correspondiente amplitud de movimiento y el ángulo de aceleración. Los resultados se confrontaron con una búsqueda bibliográfica y se debatieron posteriormente. Resultados: El par máximo y el par máximo relativo de los grupos musculares flexores y extensores de ambos lados de las articulaciones de la cadera y la rodilla de los atletas se redujo con el aumento de la velocidad angular; el par máximo de los extensores fue significativamente mayor que el de los flexores a la misma velocidad (P﹤0,05). Esta relación inversamente proporcional fue predicha por la literatura científica actual, pero los ángulos obtenidos no habían sido explorados. Conclusión: Los atletas deben prestar atención a la mejora de la capacidad cognitiva y la capacidad de ajuste activo para completar sus movimientos técnicos promoviendo el desarrollo de la aceleración controlada que requieren los deportes de nieve. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: Em campo em forma de “U”, o esquiador deve decolar utilizando deslizamentos de neve em um território determinado, utilizando a distribuição de sua massa corporal sobre os pés para controlar a direção, completando uma variedade de movimentos complexos inerentes aos esportes aéreos. Objetivo: Estudar o efeito da aceleração sobre o nível de habilidade dos esquiadores. Métodos: Aferiu-se o ângulo do momento de pico e a amplitude de movimento em 12 atletas de esqui na neve em campos em forma de “U” com um período médio de treinamento de mais de 5 anos. Foram analisados os parâmetros do teste de força muscular isocinético combinados com as características e habilidades inerentes ao esporte. Determinou-se a gama correspondente do movimento e o ângulo de aceleração. Os resultados foram confrontados com uma pesquisa bibliográfica e discutidos posteriormente. Resultados: O torque de pico e o torque de pico relativo dos grupos de músculos flexores e extensores em ambos os lados das articulações do quadril e joelho dos atletas reduziram com o aumento da velocidade angular; o torque de pico máximo dos extensores foi significativamente maior do que o dos flexores na mesma velocidade (P﹤0.05). Essa relação inversamente proporcional foi prevista pela literatura científica vigente, porém os ângulos obtidos não haviam sido explorados. Conclusão: Os atletas devem atentar-se em melhorar a capacidade cognitiva e a capacidade de ajuste ativa para completar seus movimentos técnicos promovendo o desenvolvimento da aceleração controlada requerida pelos esportes na neve. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Abstract To determine whether ozone can regulate fruit ripening and delay fruit aging, Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa 'Guichang') was fumigated with different ozone concentrations (100 μL/L, 200 μL/L, 300 μL/L) for 3 h, stored at 1 °C and 85 ± 5% RH for three months, and then matured at 20 °C and 85% RH for 12 days. Compared with controls, the optimal concentration of ozone delayed kiwifruit ripening during cold storage by delaying the respiratory burst that precedes fruit decay. Consequently, fruit firmness, nutrient content, and enzyme activity remained stable; the expression of AdACS1 and AdACO1 as well as the activity of ACC synthetase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO) was downregulated, whereby ACC and MACC were accumulated. In addition, ozone-treated fruit showed significantly reduced infection with grey mold. The effect of ozone on kiwifruit at 200 μL/L was the best suited for delaying fruit senescence, maintaining high quality during storage and fruit ripening compared with other fruits. Overall, our study indicated that ozone may play a major residual role in the physiological process of fruit ripening; furthermore, ozone can affect ethylene biosynthesis and fruit changes associated with endogenous ethylene production.

Abstract We investigated the effects of melatonin (MT) treatment on the physiological quality and cell wall metabolism of kiwifruit during a 12-day shelf life period (20 ± 1 °C, 90 ± 5% RH), after 90 days of cold storage (0 ± 0.5 °C, 90 ± 5% RH). Our results showed that MT treatment delayed kiwifruit softening, as evidence by the enhanced endurance of a healthy appearance, quality, color difference L* value, and firmness of the fruit flesh. MT treatment reduced fruit decay rate, respiration rate, and malondialdehyde content; furthermore, MT-treated kiwifruit maintained high levels of total soluble solids, titratable acid, and ascorbic acid. Additionally, MT inhibited the decrease in fruit pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose contents; it delayed the increase in water-soluble pectin content and kept pectin methyl esterase, polygalacturonase, cellulase, and β-galactosidase activities low. These results indicated that melatonin may have reduced the speed of softening of kiwifruit and preserved fruit quality by inhibiting enzymatic degradation of the cell wall, and by delaying pro-pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose degradation, as well as the increase of water-soluble pectin content. These findings indicate that MT treatment may be an effective measure to delay kiwifruit postharvest cell-wall metabolism and preserve fruit quality.

Abstract The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment and controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage and their combination on quality and antioxidant capacity of postharvest blueberries were evaluated here. To investigate the most appropriate approach for maintaining fruit quality, blueberries were subjected to four different treatments, a control (CK), 1-MCP, 3% O2 + 10% CO2 (CA), and 1-MCP combined with 3% O2+10% CO2 (1-MCP + CA), then stored for 80 days at 0 °C. It was found that the applications of 1-MCP, CA and 1-MCP + CA were effective at delaying the increase in weight loss and inhibiting the decrease in firmness, total soluble solids (TSS) contents and titratable acidity (TA) contents. In addition, 1-MCP, CA and 1-MCP + CA treatment could significantly suppress MDA accumulation and relative electrolytic leakage promotion. Moreover, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as O2- and H2O2, was reduced by all the treatment, which was associated with increased activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Taken together, our findings indicate 1-MCP, CA and 1-MCP + CA have potential applications in maintaining the quality and improving the antioxidant capacity of harvested blueberries, and 1-MCP + CA is the most effective treatment.

Abstract Pitaya fruits have high senescence rates throughout their postharvest storage period. Additionally, studies have confirmed that melatonin plays a regulatory role in plant senescence. However, the involvement of melatonin in the postharvest senescence of fruits remains unclear. In this study, two cultivars of pitaya fruit, ‘Zihonglong’ and ‘Jinghonglong’, were treated with melatonin and then evaluated for characteristics of senescence while in storage for 10 days. The results showed that melatonin treatment delayed fruit senescence in both pitaya cultivars, as indicated by the inhibition of weight loss, decay incidence, relative membrane permeability, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, as well as the maintenance of the total soluble solids and ascorbic acid contents and the reduced respiration intensity. In addition, melatonin treatment reduced the O2·- production rates, H2O2 contents, and lipoxygenase activities but enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in both pitaya cultivars. These results indicate that melatonin may contribute to delaying senescence in pitaya fruits. This study shows the potential of the use of melatonin in the postharvest storage of pitaya fruits, as well as other horticultural fruits.

Abstract Liquid-state fermentation (LSF) with purified microbial strains is predominantly used to produce fruit vinegar, resulting in a bland flavor, poor aroma, and pungent sour aftertaste. Herein, jujube vinegar was produced using the solid-state fermentation (SSF) technology. The results showed that the concentrations of non-volatile acids, total esters, proteins, free amino acids, reducing sugars, and total flavonoids in jujube vinegar produced by SSF (SSFJV) were higher than those in jujube vinegar produced by LSF (LSFJV). Fuzzy mathematical sensory evaluation results showed that SSFJV had ‘excellent’ sensory quality, while LSFJV was of ‘medium’ quality. High-throughput sequencing identified various bacteria involved in the SSF process. Based on bacterial community succession, the SSF process can be divided into four stages, with Staphylococcus, Pediococcus, Lactobacillus, and Acetobacter as the dominant genera, respectively. Spearman’s correlation analyses indicated that specific functional bacteria exhibited positive effects on the levels of non-volatile acids, total esters, proteins, free amino acids, and titratable acidity in the fermentation substrate. The results provide insight into the microbial mechanisms underpinning quality improvement of fruit vinegar by SSF, and support for artificial construction of functional bacterial agents suitable for fruit vinegar brewing.

Abstract Melatonin is known to influence various physiological processes, including plant ripening; however, the effect of melatonin on postharvest blueberry fruit softening is unknown. Herein, the effects of melatonin at different concentrations (100, 300, and 500 μmol L-1) on the quality parameters, cell wall substances, cell-wall-degrading enzymes, and cell wall ultrastructure of blueberry fruits were investigated during low-temperature storage. Melatonin treatment was found to effectively delay the decline in fruit firmness, slow the loss of soluble solids and titratable acids, and decrease the respiration rate and decay rate of blueberry fruits. The blueberry fruits treated with 300 μmol L-1 melatonin exhibited the best quality. Melatonin treatment promoted anthocyanin accumulation, delayed ascorbic acid degradation, maintained a low relative membrane permeability in pulp, inhibited increases in lipoxygenase (LOX) activity, and reduced membrane lipid peroxidation. Moreover, melatonin controlled the formation of soluble pectin by inhibiting the activities of pectin methylesterase (PME), polygalacturonase (PG), cellulase (Cx), and β-glucosidase (β-Glu) while maintaining high contents of protopectin and cellulose. These results indicate that melatonin can effectively improve blueberry fruit quality and antioxidant capacity as well as and delay fruit softening by inhibiting the degradation of cell wall substances.

Genomic studies have provided insights into molecular subgroups and oncogenic drivers of pediatric brain tumors (PBT) that may lead to novel therapeutic strategies. Participants of the cohort Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas: CBTTC (CBTTC cohort), were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts. In the training cohort, Kaplan-Meier analysis and univariate Cox regression model were applied to preliminary screening of prognostic genes. The LASSO Cox regression model was implemented to build a multi-gene signature, which was then validated in the validation and CBTTC cohorts through Kaplan-Meier, Cox, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses. Also, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and immune infiltrating analyses were conducted to understand function annotation and the role of the signature in the tumor microenvironment. An eight-gene signature was built, which was examined by Kaplan-Meier analysis, revealing that a significant overall survival difference was seen, either in the training or validation cohorts. The eight-gene signature was further proven to be independent of other clinic-pathologic parameters via the Cox regression analyses. Moreover, ROC analysis demonstrated that this signature owned a better predictive power of PBT prognosis. Furthermore, GSEA and immune infiltrating analyses showed that the signature had close interactions with immune-related pathways and was closely related to CD8 T cells and monocytes in the tumor environment. Identifying the eight-gene signature (CBX7, JADE2, IGF2BP3, OR2W6P, PRAME, TICRR, KIF4A, and PIMREG) could accurately identify patients' prognosis and the signature had close interactions with the immunodominant tumor environment, which may provide insight into personalized prognosis prediction and new therapies for PBT patients.

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a clinical syndrome in which patients have symptoms and signs of HF with normal or near-normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥50%). Roughly half of all patients with HF worldwide have an LVEF ≥50% and nearly half have an LVEF <50%. Thanks to the increased scientific attention about the condition and improved characterization and diagnostic tools, the incidence of HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) dropped while that of HFpEF has increased by 45%. HFpEF has no single guideline for diagnosis or treatment, the patient population is heterogeneously and inconsistently described, and longitudinal studies are lacking. To better understand and overcome the disease, in this review, we updated the latest knowledge of HFpEF pathophysiology, introduced the existing promising diagnostic methods and treatments, and summarized its prognosis by reviewing the most recent cohort studies.

Objective To analyse the epidemiology of measles in China and determine the progress made towards the national elimination of the disease. Methods We analysed measles surveillance data – on the age, sex, residence and vaccination status of each case and the corresponding outcome, dates of onset and report and laboratory results – collected between January 2005 and October 2013. Findings Between 2005 and October 2013, 596 391 measles cases and 368 measles-related deaths were reported in China. Annual incidence, in cases per 100 000 population, decreased from 9.95 in 2008 to 0.46 in 2012 but then rose to more than 1.96 in 2013. The number of provinces that reported an annual incidence of less than one case per million population increased from one in 2009 to 15 in 2012 but fell back to one in 2013. Median case age decreased from 83 months in 2005 to 14 months in 2012 and 11 months in January to October 2013. Between 2008 and 2012, the incidence of measles in all age groups, including those not targeted for vaccination, decreased by at least 93.6%. However, resurgence started in late 2012 and continued into 2013. Of the cases reported in January to October 2013, 40% were aged 8 months to 6 years. Conclusion Although there is evidence of progress towards the elimination of measles from China, resurgence in 2013 indicated that many children were still not being vaccinated on time. Routine immunization must be strengthened and the remaining immunity gaps need to be identified and filled.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar la epidemiología del sarampión en China y determinar el progreso hecho hacia la erradicación nacional de la enfermedad. Métodos Hemos analizado los datos de vigilancia del sarampión recogidos entre enero de 2005 y octubre de 2013 en base a la edad, el sexo, la residencia y el estado de vacunación de cada caso y el resultado correspondiente, las fechas de inicio de la enfermedad y de su comunicación, y los resultados de laboratorio. Resultados Entre 2005 y octubre de 2013, se registraron 596 391 casos de sarampión y 368 muertes relacionadas con el sarampión en China. La incidencia anual, en casos por 100 000 habitantes, descendió del 9,95 en 2008 al 0,46 en 2012, pero volvió a aumentar en el 2013 hasta más del 1,96. El número de provincias que informó acerca de una incidencia anual de menos de un caso por millón de habitantes aumentó de una en 2009 a 15 en 2012, pero volvió a caer a una en 2013. La edad media de los casos disminuyó de 83 a 14 meses en 2012, y a 11 meses de enero a octubre de 2013. Entre 2008 y 2012, la incidencia del sarampión en todos los grupos de edad, incluidos los que no estaban incluidos en la vacunación, se redujo en al menos un 93,6 %. Sin embargo, un resurgimiento comenzó a finales de 2012 y continuó en 2013. De los casos comunicados de enero a octubre de 2013, el 40 % tenía entre 8 meses y 6 años. Conclusión Aunque hay pruebas de los progresos hacia la erradicación del sarampión en China, el resurgimiento en el año 2013 mostró que todavía hay muchos niños que no reciben la vacuna a tiempo. Es necesario reforzar la vacunación sistemática e identificar y completar las lagunas restantes en la inmunización.

Résumé Objectif Analyser l'épidémiologie de la rougeole en Chine et déterminer les progrès réalisés sur la voie de l'élimination nationale de la maladie. Méthodes Nous avons analysé les données de surveillance de la rougeole – concernant l'âge, le sexe, le lieu de résidence et le statut vaccinal de chaque cas et les résultats correspondants, les dates de l'apparition et de signalement de la maladie, et les résultats de laboratoire –collectées entre janvier 2005 et octobre 2013 Résultats Entre 2005 et octobre 2013, 596 391 cas de rougeole et 368 décès liés à la rougeole ont été signalés en Chine. L'incidence annuelle exprimée en cas pour 100 000 habitants a diminué de 9,95 en 2008 à 0,46 en 2012, mais a ensuite augmenté à plus de 1,96 en 2013. Le nombre de provinces ayant signalé une incidence annuelle inférieure à un cas pour un million d'habitants a augmenté de 1 en 2009 à 15 en 2012, mais est retombé à 1 en 2013. L'âge médian des cas a diminué de 83 mois en 2005 à 14 mois en 2012 et à 11 mois pendant la période allant de janvier à octobre 2013. Entre 2008 et 2012, l'incidence de la rougeole dans tous les groupes d'âge, y compris ceux qui ne sont pas ciblés pour la vaccination, a diminué d'au moins 93,6%. Cependant, la résurgence a commencé à la fin de l'année 2012 et s'est poursuivie en 2013. Parmi les cas signalés de janvier à octobre 2013, 40% étaient âgés de 8 mois à 6 ans. Conclusion Bien qu'il y ait des preuves de progrès vers l'objectif d'élimination de la rougeole en Chine, la résurgence de 2013 indique que de nombreux enfants n'étaient toujours pas vaccinés à temps. La vaccination de routine doit être renforcée et les lacunes immunitaires restantes doivent être identifiées et comblées.