Introduction: Seed-based analysis has shown that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can modulate the dysfunctional brain network in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the voxel-based neuropsychological mechanism of taVNS on patients with first-episode MDD is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of an 8-week course of taVNS on patients with first-episode MDD. Methods: Twenty-two patients with first-episode MDD accepted an 8-week course of taVNS treatment. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans were performed before and after treatment. Voxel-based analyses were performed to characterize spontaneous brain activity. Healthy controls (n=23) were recruited to minimize test-retest effects. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to ascertain treatment-related changes. Then, correlations between changes in brain activity and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)/Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) remission rate were estimated. Results: Significant group-by-time interactions on voxel-based analyses were observed in the inferior ventral striatum (VSi) and precuneus. Post-hoc analyses showed that taVNS inhibited higher brain activity in the VSi, while upregulating it in the precuneus. Functional connectivity (FC) between the VSi and precuneus decreased. Positive correlations were found between the HAM-D remission rate and changes in brain activity in the VSi. Conclusion: taVNS reduced the FC between VSi and precuneus by normalizing the abnormal spontaneous brain activity of VSi in first-episode MDD patients.

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between vertical jumping at forces of specific time phase and sprint performance in teenage sprinters. Methods: Fifteen male teenage sprinters (age: 14±2 years, height: 168±2 cm, weight: 61±1 kg) participated in the study. The subjects performed the following bilateral/unilateral jumps on a force platform: a) squat jump (SJ), b) unilateral SJ (USJ), c) 40cm drop jump (DJ), and d) 20cm unilateral DJ (UDJ). The 60m sprint test was administered on the second day. Brower split timers were positioned to record subjects’ 5m, 10m, 50m and 60m split times. The variables for inclusion were vertical jump height, maximum force, and force output at 120ms in all jumps and sprint time measures. Results: The results of the Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis showed that SJ120ms was correlated to 5m and USJ120ms was correlated to 10m. UDJ120ms showed a stronger correlation with 50m than DJ120ms. Although significant correlations using maximum force and height were observed, there were inconsistent results between bilateral and unilateral jumps. Conclusion: Our results highlighted that jumps that have similar form with certain force outputs at specific event timing could more precisely predict sprint performance in teenage sprinters. USJ120ms and UDJ120ms could better predict the acceleration (10m) and high-speed phase (50m) in sprint performance, respectively. Moreover, coaches and practitioners should be cautious when using only jump height or maximum force to predict sprint performance, since the results could be inaccurate when specific movement variables are not thoughtfully considered. Level of evidence III.

RESUMEN Objetivos: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo examinar la relación entre el salto vertical y la fuerza en tiempo específico y el desempeño del sprint en velocistas adolescentes. Métodos: Participaron en el estudio quince adolescentes varones velocistas (edades: 14 ± 2 años, estatura: 168 ± 2 cm, peso: 61 ± 1 kg). Los individuos realizaron los siguientes saltos bilaterales y unilaterales en una plataforma de fuerza: a) squat jump (SJ), b) SJ unilateral (USJ), c) drop jump (DJ) de 40 cm e d) DJ unilateral (UDJ) de 20 cm. La prueba de sprint de 60 m se realizó el segundo día. Los cronómetros en el entrenamiento fraccionado se ajustaron para registrar tiempos de 5 m, 10 m, 50 m y 60 m. Las variables que se incluyeron fueron la altura del salto vertical, la fuerza máxima y la salida de fuerza a 120 m en todos los saltos y mediciones del tiempo del sprint. Resultados: Los resultados del análisis de correlación producto-tiempo de Pearson revelaron que el SJ de 120 m estaba correlacionado con 5 m y el USJ de 120 m estaba correlacionado con 10 m. El UDJ de 120 m tuvo una mayor correlación con el DJ de 50 m que con el de 120 m. Aunque se observaron correlaciones significativas con la fuerza y la altura máximas, algunos resultados fueron inconsistentes entre los saltos bilaterales y unilaterales. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados pusieron de manifiesto que los saltos con una forma similar a determinadas salidas de fuerza en un tiempo específico del evento pueden predecir con mayor precisión el desempeño en el sprint en adolescentes velocistas. El USJ de 120 m y el UDJ de 120 m pueden predecir mejor, respectivamente, la aceleración (10 m) y la fase de alta velocidad (50 m) en el desempeño del sprint. Además, los entrenadores y practicantes deben ser cautelosos a la hora de utilizar únicamente la altura del salto o la fuerza máxima para predecir el desempeño en el sprint, ya que los resultados pueden ser inexactos cuando no se tienen en cuenta con precisión las variables específicas del movimiento. Nivel de evidencia III.

RESUMO Objetivos: Este estudo teve como objetivo examinar a relação entre o salto vertical e a força em tempo específico e o desempenho de sprint em velocistas adolescentes. Métodos: Quinze adolescentes velocistas do sexo masculino (idade: 14 ± 2 anos, estatura: 168 ± 2 cm, peso: 61 ± 1 kg) participaram do estudo. Os indivíduos realizaram os seguintes saltos bilaterais e unilaterais em uma plataforma de força: a) squat jump (SJ), b) SJ unilateral (USJ), c) drop jump (DJ) de 40 cm e d) DJ unilateral (UDJ) de 20cm. O teste de sprint de 60 m foi realizado no segundo dia. Os cronômetros rastreadores para treinos fracionados foram posicionados para registrar os tempos fracionados de 5 m, 10 m, 50 m e 60 m. As variáveis para inclusão foram altura do salto vertical, força máxima e saída de força a 120 m em todos os saltos e medidas de tempo do sprint. Resultados: Os resultados da análise da correlação produto-tempo de Pearson mostraram que o SJ de 120 m foi correlacionado com 5 m e USJ de 120 m foi correlacionado com 10 m. O UDJ de 120 m teve correlação mais forte com DJ de 50 m do que de 120 m. Embora tenham sido observadas correlações significativas com força e altura máximas, alguns resultados foram inconsistentes entre os saltos bilaterais e unilaterais. Conclusões: Nossos resultados destacaram que os saltos com forma semelhante a certas saídas de força no tempo específico do evento podem prever com mais precisão o desempenho no sprint em adolescentes velocistas. O USJ de 120 m e o UDJ de 120 m podem prever melhor, respectivamente, a aceleração (10 m) e a fase de alta velocidade (50 m) no desempenho no sprint. Além disso, treinadores e praticantes devem ser cautelosos ao usar apenas a altura do salto ou a força máxima para prever o desempenho no sprint, uma vez que os resultados podem ser imprecisos quando variáveis específicas do movimento não forem consideradas com precisão. Nível de evidência III.

Abstract Background: G protein coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the development of chronic pain. Acupuncture is an alternative therapy widely used for pain management. In this study, we investigated the role of spinal neuronal GRK2 in electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia. Methods: The mice model of inflammatory pain was built by subcutaneous injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the plantar surface of the hind paws. The mechanical allodynia of mice was examined by von Frey test. The mice were subjected to EA treatment (BL60 and ST36 acupuncture points) for 1 week. Overexpression and down-regulation of spinal neuronal GRK2 were achieved by intraspinal injection of adeno associated virus (AAV) containing neuron–specific promoters, and microglial activation and neuroinflammation were evaluated by real–time PCR. Results: Intraplantar injection with CFA in mice induced the decrease of GRK2 and microglial activation along with neuroinflammation in spinal cord. EA treatment increased the spinal GRK2, reduced neuroinflammation, and significantly decreased CFA–induced mechanical allodynia. The effects of EA were markedly weakened by non–cell–specific downregulation of spinal GRK2. Further, intraspinal injection of AAV containing neuron–specific promoters specifically downregulated neuronal GRK2, and weakened the regulatory effect of EA on CFA–induced mechanical allodynia and microglial activation. Meanwhile, overexpression of spinal neuronal GRK2 decreased mechanical allodynia. All these indicated that the neuronal GRK2 mediated microglial activation and neuroinflammation, and subsequently contributed to CFA–induced inflammatory pain. Conclusion: The restoration of the spinal GRK2 and subsequent suppression of microglial activation and neuroinflammation might be an important mechanism for EA analgesia. Our findings further suggested that the spinal GRK2, especially neuronal GRK2, might be the potential target for EA analgesia and pain management, and we provided a new experimental basis for the EA treatment of pain.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of seven stages (Lonicera caerulea berry juice, after enzymatic hydrolysis, sugar and acid adjustments, fermentation, deacidification, clarification and ageing) in the making of Lonicera caerulea berry wine on the anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity were studied. The total anthocyanin content was determined by the pH-differential method. The composition of anthocyanins was measured by HPLC-MS/MS. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing potential (FRAP), total antioxidant capacity and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assays were used to measure the antioxidant activities. Eight anthocyanins namely, cyanidin-3-hexoside derivatives, cyanidin-3-acetylhexoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-rutinoside, peonidin-3,5-dihexoside, peonidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3,5-dihexoside and pelargonidin-3-glucoside were detected in Lonicera caerulea berry wine and in all samples taken from each of the brewing processes. Addition of pectinase significantly increased the anthocyanin content by 69.04% and the peak areas of the individual anthocyanins increased, except for peonidin-3,5-dihexoside and peonidin-3-rutinoside. Although the anthocyanin content decreased throughout the entire process, each sample showed good antioxidant capacity.

Abstract Radiotherapy for malignancies in the head and neck can cause common complications that can result in tooth damage that are also known as radiation caries. The aim of this study was to examine damage to the surface topography and calculate changes in friction behavior and the nano-mechanical properties (elastic modulus, nanohardness and friction coefficient) of enamel and dentine from extracted human third molars caused by exposure to radiation. Enamel and dentine samples from 50 human third molars were randomly assigned to four test groups or a control group. The test groups were exposed to high energy X-rays at 2 Gy/day, 5 days/week for 5 days (10 Gy group), 15 days (30 Gy group), 25 days (50 Gy group), 35 days (70 Gy group); the control group was not exposed. The nanohardness, elastic modulus, and friction coefficient were analyzed using a Hysitron Triboindenter. The nano-mechanical properties of both enamel and dentine showed significant dose-response relationships. The nanohardness and elastic modulus were most variable between 30-50 Gy, while the friction coefficient was most variable between 0-10 Gy for dentine and 30-50 Gy for enamel. After exposure to X-rays, the fracture resistance of the teeth clearly decreased (rapidly increasing friction coefficient with increasing doses under the same load), and they were more fragile. These nano-mechanical changes in dental hard tissue may increase the susceptibility to caries. Radiotherapy caused nano-mechanical changes in dentine and enamel that were dose related. The key doses were 30-50 Gy and the key time points occurred during the 15th-25th days of treatment, which is when application of measures to prevent radiation caries should be considered.