ABSTRACT Introduction: The proportion of tactical activities athletes perform through explosive strength is relatively high in the authentic game of badminton. And weight training has the effect of improving the explosive power of players. Objective: Study the effects of weight training incorporated with explosive strength training on badminton players. Methods: The article adopts a controlled experiment, in which the control group practices standardized explosive strength training in training activities. In contrast, the experimental group has the addition of weightlifting exercises using sandbags in its protocol. The experiment was performed completely according to the dedicated badminton teaching plan for freshmen, lasting eight weeks. Results: Before the intervention, the wrist joint speed in the experimental group was 11.76 km/h, and the final speed was 162.30 km/h. After the experiment, the joint velocity increased to 12.35 km/h, and the final velocity to 177.50 km/h. Conclusion: The addition of 10% weight training showed statistical benefits to explosive strength training, and its implementation in usual protocols is indicated to improve the indicators of explosive strength in athletes. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: La proporción de actividades tácticas realizadas por los atletas mediante la fuerza explosiva es relativamente alta en el auténtico juego del bádminton. Y el entrenamiento con pesas tiene el efecto de mejorar la potencia explosiva de los jugadores. Objetivo: Estudiar los efectos del entrenamiento con pesas incorporado al entrenamiento de fuerza explosiva en jugadores de bádminton. Métodos: El artículo adopta un experimento controlado, en el que el grupo de control practica un entrenamiento de fuerza explosiva estandarizado en las actividades de entrenamiento, mientras que el grupo experimental tiene en su protocolo la adición del ejercicio de levantamiento de pesas con sacos de arena. El experimento se llevó a cabo siguiendo íntegramente el plan de enseñanza dedicado al bádminton para estudiantes de primer año, con una duración de 8 semanas. Resultados: Antes de la intervención, la velocidad articular de la muñeca en el grupo experimental era de 11,76 km/h, y la velocidad final fue de 162,30 km/h. Tras el experimento, la velocidad conjunta aumentó a 12,35 km/h, y la velocidad final a 177,50 km/h. Conclusión: La adición de un 10% de entrenamiento con pesas mostró beneficios estadísticos en el entrenamiento de la fuerza explosiva, y su implementación en los protocolos habituales está indicada para poder mejorar los indicadores de fuerza explosiva en los atletas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: A proporção de atividades táticas realizadas pelos atletas através da força explosiva é relativamente alta no autêntico jogo de badminton. E o treinamento com pesos tem como efeito a melhoria do poder explosivo dos jogadores. Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos do treinamento de peso incorporado ao treinamento da força explosiva nos jogadores de badminton. Métodos: O artigo adota um experimento controlado, no qual o grupo de controle pratica um treinamento de força explosiva padronizado nas atividades de treinamento enquanto o grupo experimental tem em seu protocolo a adição do exercício de levantamento de pesos utilizando sacos de areia. O experimento foi realizado completamente de acordo com o plano de ensino de badminton dedicado para calouros, com duração 8 semanas. Resultados: Antes da intervenção, a velocidade articular do pulso no grupo experimental era de 11,76 km/h, e a velocidade final de 162,30 km/h. Após o experimento, a velocidade articular elevou-se para 12,35 km/h, e a final para 177,50 km/h. Conclusão: A adição de 10% de treinamento com pesos apresentou benefícios estatísticos ao treinamento de força explosiva, sendo indicada a sua implementação nos protocolos usuais para que os indicadores de força explosiva nos atletas possam ser melhorados. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of life for patients with in-stent restenosis after interventional therapy of peripheral artery disease and the influencing factors. METHODS: A total of 72 in-stent restenosis patients after interventional therapy of peripheral artery disease were enrolled, whose general data were obtained. SF-12 scale was used to evaluate the quality of life. Tilburg Frailty Scale was used to assess senile debilitation. Pittsburgh Quality Index Scale was used to evaluate sleep quality. Activity of Daily Living Scale was used to evaluate the self-care ability. The general data and in-stent restenosis-related indicators were compared between patients with low and high quality of life, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis was made on the factors affecting quality of life. RESULTS: The average total quality of life score of 72 patients was 74.06±19.26 points. The gender, Fontaine stage and smoking, Activity of Daily Living Scale score, painless walking distance, senile debilitation score, sleep quality score, white blood cells, and C-reactive protein had significant differences between the two groups, respectively (p<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the female gender, low Fontaine stage (OR=0.186), low senile debilitation score (OR=0.492), and high sleep quality score (OR=0.633) were the protective factors for high quality of life (all p<0.05), and the low Activity of Daily Living score (OR=1.282) was the risk factor for high quality of life (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Quality of life of in-stent restenosis patients after interventional therapy of peripheral artery disease is low. Gender, Fontaine stage, senile debilitation, sleep quality, and Activity of Daily Living score are the influencing factors of quality of life for in-stent restenosis patients.

Abstract Objective: To explore the effectiveness of oral motor intervention combined with non-nutritive sucking in treating premature infants with dysphagia. Methods: Sixty preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the present study’s hospital were selected and randomly divided into the control and intervention groups. The control group was given non-nutritive sucking intervention alone, while the intervention group was given oral motor intervention combined with non-nutritive sucking. The oral motor ability, milk sucking amount and sucking rate, feeding efficiency and outcomes, and the occurrence of adverse reactions were measured and compared. Results: Compared to first-day interventions, preterm infant oral feeding readiness assessment scale-Chinese version (PIOFRAS-CV) scores of the two groups significantly increased after 14 days of intervention, and this score was higher in the intervention group compared to the control group. Similarly, after 14 days of intervention, the intervention group's milk sucking rate and amount were significantly higher than the control group. Also, after the intervention, the intervention group's total oral feeding weeks were considerably lower, while the feeding efficiency and body weight were significantly higher than the control group. Moreover, the overall adverse reaction rate in the intervention group was lower than that in the control group. Conclusions: Oral motor intervention combined with non-nutritive sucking can significantly improve the oral motor ability of premature newborns, promote the process of oral feeding, improve the outcome of oral feeding, and reduce the occurrence of adverse effects. The combined intervention seems to have a beneficial effect on oral feeding proficiency in preterm infants.

Abstract Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) is a conserved transcription factor (TF) widely present in eukaryotes, and it plays an important role in regulating plant growth and stress responses. To better understand the white pear bZIP gene family, comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the pear genome was performed. A total of 84 PbbZIP genes were identified, which were divided into 13 subfamilies by phylogenetic analysis. The 84 PbbZIP genes were all located in the nucleus, and 77 of those genes were unevenly distributed across the 17 chromosomes of white pear. The other 7 PbbZIP genes were located on the scaffold. Subsequent expression profile analysis showed that PbbZIP genes in exocarp were significantly upregulated or downregulated in ‘Huangguan’ pear with brown spot (BS) compared with healthy pear and in response to hormonal treatment with gibberellin A3 (GA3). These results provide helpful insights into the characteristics of PbbZIP genes and their responses to BS in ‘Huangguan’ pear.

Abstract Dezocine is an opioid receptor agonist – antagonist gaining popularity in clinical practice. It is both μ-receptor agonist and antagonist activities. This study was designed to investigate the effects of dezocine on the CNS oxidative and inflammation in mice. Eight-week old female BALB/c mice were obtained from Shanghai General Hospital of Nanjing Medical University animal center. All animal procedures were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of Nanjing Medical University. We found that increasing dose of dezocine induced oxidative stress and inflammation in multiple brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, temporal cortex, and striatum. Elevated expression levels of anti- oxidants (NRF2, SOD-1 and HO-1), KEAP-1, GSH and MDA were found in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. Elevated HO-1 and NRF2 levels were detected in the cerebellum and temporal cortex in the 3.0 mg/kg dezocine treated group. The SOD-1, HO-1, KEAP-1, NRF2, GSH and MDA levels were similar among groups in the olfactory bulb. The prefrontal cortex and striatum showed the most elevated oxidative stress (NRF2, SOD-1, and HO-1) marker levels. The number of PV-positive interneurons was decreased in the 1.5 mg/kg dezocine treated group, while the number of PNNs steadily increased over 3.0 mg/kg dezocine treated.

Abstract This study looked at the inhibitory effects of Apocynum venetum tea flavonoids extract (AVTFE) on mouse glioma G422 cells. Through the use of high performance liquid chromatography, the flavonoids in AVTFE were examined (HPLC). Meanwhile, mice were injected with glioma G422 cells to create a mouse model of a transplanted tumor. AVTFE might significantly (P < 0.05) lower serum sIL-2R content and raise serum IFN-γ content in tumor-bearing mice, according to an analysis of mouse serum. In addition to reducing the rise in spleen weight and spleen index in mice brought on by transplanted tumors, AVTFE can limit the development of transplanted tumors in G422 cell mice. AVTFE can also boost immunity by encouraging T and B lymphocyte proliferation in tumor-bearing animals. AVTFE was therefore verified to have immunomodulatory properties and to limit the proliferation of glioma G422 cells.

OBJECTIVES: This study intended to explore the effect of T regulatory cells (Tregs) in the perinatal liver against LPS-induced inflammation in a preterm birth mouse model. Moreover, the role of adoptive Tregs on the inflammatory response induced by LPS was also studied. METHODS: Female BALB/C mice were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with LPS dissolved in normal saline solution at a dose of 50 µg/kg. Spleens from pregnant mice were used to obtain Tregs. The expression of Forkhead family transcription factor-3 (Foxp3), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), and Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were assessed from fetal liver tissues by polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. RESULTS: LPS administered to mice induced an inflammatory response in the perinatal liver, and this inflammatory response was negatively regulated by Tregs in the experimental group. Maternal-fetal tolerance was maintained by Tregs. Transmission of Tregs was estimated in different experimental groups based on the mRNA expression of TLR-4, IL-6, HO-1, and Foxp3. CONCLUSIONS: After analysis of the experimental data, it was determined that Tregs exhibited regulatory potential against LPS-induced inflammatory response. Further, it was concluded that the transmission of Tregs improved the mother’s immune tolerance against LPS-induced inflammation in the fetal liver.

This study aimed to investigate whether the routine administration of escitalopram for three months would improve the prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke and decrease the plasma copeptin level. A total of 97 patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomly allocated to receive escitalopram (5-10 mg once per day, orally; n=49) or not to receive escitalopram (control group; n=48) for 12 weeks starting at 2-7 days after the onset of stroke. Both groups received conventional treatments, including physiotherapy and secondary prevention of stroke. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was used to evaluate the disability of patients at the initial evaluation and at the monthly follow-up visits for three months. Impairment in the daily activities was assessed using the Barthel Index (BI), while cognitive impairment was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. The psychiatric assessment included the administration of the Present State Examination modified to identify Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) symptoms of depression. The severity of depression was measured using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). During the 3-month follow-up period, 95 patients were included in the analysis (two patients withdrew from the escitalopram group). NIHSS and BI improvement at the 90th day were significantly greater in the escitalopram group (P<0.05), while HAMD and plasma copeptin levels significantly decreased, compared to the control group (P<0.01). In patients with acute ischemic stroke, the earlier administration of escitalopram for three months may improve neurological functional prognosis and decrease copeptin level.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. Ethanol extract of Antrodia cinnamomea (EEA) has been widely studied for its health benefits including anticancer effects. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of EEA on HNSCC. Cell proliferation, transwell, and wound healing assays were performed. The impact of EEA on tumor growth was investigated using a xenograft model. Expressions of migration-related proteins (MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2) and apoptosis-related proteins (cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved PARP) were determined using western blot analysis. The results indicated that EEA significantly inhibited the capacities of proliferation, invasion, and migration of HNSCC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved PARP expressions were increased in cells treated with an increasing concentration of EEA, which suggested that EEA induced apoptosis of HNSCC. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were downregulated when cells were administered EEA, while TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were not affected, which uncovered the mechanisms mediating the EEA-induced inhibition on cell invasion and migration. The animal experiment also suggested that EEA inhibited tumor growth. Our study confirmed the inhibitive effects of EEA on cell proliferation, invasion, and migration of HNSCC in vitro and in vivo, providing the basis for further study of the application of EEA as an effective candidate for cancer treatment.

Abstract This paper presents an antenna loaded with metamaterial to enhance its gain and directivity to improve the performance of a ground-penetrating radar system (GPR). We adjusted the parameters of the antenna to change its equivalent capacitance and inductance and applied an operating frequency of 0.5 GHz-1.2 GHz to create an ultra-wideband antenna. On the basis of this operating frequency, we also designed the corresponding negative permittivity and permeability materials to simulate a patch antenna and material in a 1 GHz frequency band. The high gain and directivity of the antenna loaded with single-negative material were verified by simulation. Compared to the original antenna, the maximum gain increased by 7 dB and its directivity was greatly improved.

Abstract The plant genes encoding ABCGs that have been identified to date play a role in suberin formation in response to abiotic and biotic stress. In the present study, 80 ABCG genes were identified in ‘Dangshansuli’ Chinese white pear and designated as PbABCGs. Based on the structural characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, the PbABCG family genes could be classified into seven main groups: classes A-G. Segmental and dispersed duplications were the primary forces underlying the PbABCG gene family expansion in ‘Dangshansuli’ pear. Most of the PbABCG duplicated gene pairs date to the recent whole-genome duplication that occurred 30~45 million years ago. Purifying selection has also played a critical role in the evolution of the ABCG genes. Ten PbABCG genes screened in the transcriptome of ‘Dangshansuli’ pear and its russet mutant ‘Xiusu’ were validated, and the expression levels of the PbABCG genes exhibited significant differences at different stages. The results presented here will undoubtedly be useful for better understanding of the complexity of the PbABCG gene family and will facilitate the functional characterization of suberin formation in the russet mutant.

ABSTRACT Mildew resistance Locus O (MLO), a gene family specific to plants, plays significant roles in the resistance to powdery mildew (PM) and response to a variety of abiotic stresses, plant growth and development. Despite their importance as barley, rice, wheat, few studies are reported in dicots except Arabidopsis; no global analysis has been performed in the burgeoning model fruit plant sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). The recent release of the genome sequences of C. sinensis provides an opportunity to conduct a comprehensive overview the evolution and features of the MLO gene family in sweet orange. In this study, amount to 14 members of the Citrus sinensis MLO gene (CisMLO) family according to their gene structures, conserved motifs, and similitude among their presumptive Arabidopsis and rice orthologs were identified in silico. Based on these analyses, all CisMLOs were grouped into six clades and expanded partly due to one tandem duplication and two segmental duplication events. Survey of their chromosomal distributions uncovered that 14 CisMLOs are localized across 6 chromosomes. Multiple-sequence alignments showed that 11 of them shared seven highly conserved transmembrane domains (TMs), while all of the sweet orange MLO proteins except CisMLO4/14 had a calmodulin-binding domain for MLO function. Expression analysis demonstrated that the MLO gene family has a diverse tissue-specific expression profiles in the sweet orange development and plays potential critical roles in stress responses. These findings will facilitate further studies of evolutionary pattern and biological functions of MLO genes in sweet orange.

BACKGROUND: Prunella vulgaris L. is a medical plant cultivated in sloping, sun-shaded areas in China. Recently, owing to air-environmental stress, especially drought stress strongly inhibits plant growth and development, the appropriate fertilizer supply can alleviate these effects. However, these is little information about their effects on P. vulgaris growing in arid and semi-arid areas with limited water and fertilizer supply. RESULTS: In this study, water stress decreased the photosynthetic pigment contents, inhibited photosynthetic efficiency, induced photodamage in photosystem 2 (PS2), and decreased leaf instantaneous WUE (WUEi). The decreased net photosynthetic rate (Pn) under medium drought stress compared with the control might result from stomatal limitations. However, fertilizer supply improved photosynthetic capacity by increasing the photosynthetic pigment contents and enhancing photosynthetic efficiency under water deficit. Moreover, medium fertilization also increased WUEi under the two water conditions, but fertilizer supply did little to alleviate the PS2 photodamage caused by drought stress. Hence, drought stress was the primary limitation in the photosynthetic process of P. vulgaris seedlings, while the photosynthetic characteristics of the seedlings exhibited positive responses to fertilizer supply. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate fertilizer supply is recommended to improve photosynthetic efficiency, enhance WUEi and alleviate photodamage under drought stress.

Background Escherichia coli does not produce n-butanol naturally, but can be butanologenic when related enzymes were expressed using inducible elements on plasmids. In this study we attempted to confer E. coli strain capability of automatic excretion of the chemical by employing a native anaerobic promoter. Also, a novel DNA kit was designed for PCR preparation of linear DNA fragments to perform strain modification. The kit is primarily composed of two mother vectors, co-transformation of linear DNAs into E. coli can simultaneously introduce two butanol synthetic operons into the chromosome and create two in-frame gene deletions at targeted native loci. Results E. coli strain Bw2V carries plasmid pCNA-PHC and pENA-TA, both utilizes native anaerobic promoter Phya for the expression of butanol synthetic enzymes. When Bw2V was subjected in anaerobic fermentation using medium containing extra glucose, the accumulated n-butanol in the broth was up to 2.8 g/L in bioreactor; as the genetic element expressing the same pathway was introduced into the genome, the titer of butanol was 1.4 g/L. Conclusions The expression system using Phya is effective in applications that involve expression plasmids as also applicable in ectopic expression as single copy on the chromosome. Results imply that Phya can be subjected for broader application in bioproduction of more feedstock chemicals.