ABSTRACT Introduction: Basketball presents unique competitive characteristics, requiring athletes a high level of strength, especially explosive strength. Objective: Study the effect of combined training on the explosive power of lower limbs in basketball players. Methods: The author selected 18 basketball players, equally distributed with the random method into a unipodal combined training group (S group), a two-legged combined training group (D group), and a conventional strength training group (W group), for the three-test data. Statistical analysis was performed on the data collected from the experiment. Results: There was a significant difference in approach height and three-quarter sprint in group S (p<0.05). The difference was not evident in the height of touch in situ (p>0.05). In group D, there was a significant difference in situ touch height p<0.01. There was no significant difference in the results of the three test indicators in group W (p>0.05). Conclusion: Compared to conventional strength training, unipodal combined training is more effective for the development of explosive strength in the lower limbs of basketball students. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: El baloncesto tiene unas características competitivas únicas, que exigen que los deportistas tengan un alto nivel de fuerza, especialmente la fuerza explosiva. Objetivo: Estudiar el efecto del entrenamiento combinado sobre la potencia explosiva de los miembros inferiores en jugadores de baloncesto. Métodos: El autor seleccionó a 18 jugadores de baloncesto, distribuidos equitativamente con el método aleatorio en grupo de entrenamiento combinado unipodal (grupo S), grupo de entrenamiento combinado bipodal (grupo D) y grupo de entrenamiento de fuerza convencional (grupo W), para los tres datos de la prueba. Se realizó un análisis estadístico con los datos recogidos en el experimento. Resultados: Hubo una diferencia significativa en la altura de aproximación y en el sprint de tres cuartos en el grupo S (p<0,05). En la altura de toque in situ (p>0,05), no se evidenció la diferencia. En el grupo D, hubo una diferencia significativa entre la altura del tacto in situ p<0,01. No hubo diferencias significativas en los resultados de los tres indicadores de prueba en el grupo W (p>0,05). Conclusión: En comparación con el entrenamiento de fuerza convencional, el entrenamiento combinado unipodal es más eficaz para el desarrollo de la fuerza explosiva en las extremidades inferiores de los estudiantes de baloncesto. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: O basquetebol tem suas características competitivas singulares, exigindo que os atletas tenham um alto nível de força, sobretudo a força explosiva. Objetivo: Estudar o efeito do treinamento combinado sobre o poder explosivo dos membros inferiores em jogadores de basquetebol. Métodos: O autor selecionou 18 jogadores de basquetebol, distribuídos igualmente com o método aleatório em grupo de treinamento combinado unipodal (grupo S), grupo de treinamento combinado de duas pernas (grupo D) e grupo de treinamento convencional de força (grupo W), para os três dados de teste. Foi realizada uma análise estatística com os dados coletados do experimento. Resultados: Houve uma diferença significativa na altura de aproximação e no sprint de três quartos no grupo S (p<0,05). Na altura de toque in situ (p>0,05), a diferença não foi evidenciada. No grupo D, houve uma diferença significativa entre a altura de toque in situ p<0,01. Não houve diferença significativa nos resultados dos três indicadores de teste no grupo W (p>0,05). Conclusão: Comparativamente ao treinamento convencional de força, o treinamento combinado unipodal é mais eficaz para o desenvolvimento de força explosiva nos membros inferiores dos estudantes de basquetebol. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT To effectively develop and utilize high-quality Tianfu broilers, this study evaluated the morphological and structural characteristics of the immune organs of such broilers with different strains (HS1 and HS2) at different developmental stages and analyzed the distribution of mast cells by toluidine blue staining. Moreover, the localization and expression of immunoglobulin, complement C3, C4 and CD3 in immune organs were also detected. The results showed that although there was no significant difference in the development of immune organs in the HS1 and HS2, the number of lymphatic follicles and capsule thickness in the spleen and bursa of Fabricius in HS1 were greater than those in HS2. Additionally, the number of mast cells in the spleen of HS1 was greater at Day 1 and Day 21 and was significantly higher than that of HS2 (p<0.05); the number of mast cells in the bursa of Fabricius reached 9.17 on Day 7, which was significantly higher than that of HS2 (p<0.05). Moreover, the serum IgA and IgM levels in HS1 were higher than those in HS2 on Day 14 and 21 (p<0.05). In addition, the complement C3 content in HS1 was significantly or extremely significantly higher than that in HS2 on Days 1, 14 and 21 (p<0.01, p<0.05), respectively, but significantly lower than in HS2 on Day 7 (p<0.05). These results indicated that the disease resistance of the HS1 line was stronger than that of the HS2 line, which lays a foundation for future disease- resistance breeding of Tianfu broilers.

Abstract: Objective: To determine the exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in southern Mexico and the presence of the aflatoxin signature mutation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue from patients from a cancer referral center. Materials and methods: We estimated the prevalence and distribution of AFB1 in a representative sample of 100 women and men from Chiapas using the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018-19. We also examined the presence of the aflatoxin signature mutation in codon 249 (R249S), and other relevant mutations of the TP53 gene in HCC tissue blocks from 24 women and 26 men treated in a national cancer referral center. Results: The prevalence of AFB1 in serum samples was 85.5% (95%CI 72.1-93.1) and the median AFB1 was 0.117 pg/µL (IQR, 0.050-0.350). We detected TP53 R249S in three of the 50 HCCs (6.0%) and observed four other G>T transversions potentially induced by AFB1. Conclusion: Our analysis provides evidence that AFB1 may have a relevant role on HCC etiology in Mexico.

Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar la exposición a aflatoxina_B1 (AFB1) en el sur de México y la presencia de la mutación característica de AFB1 en tejido de carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) de pacientes de un centro oncológico. Material y métodos: Se estimó la prevalencia y distribución de AFB1 en una muestra representativa de 100 mujeres y hombres de Chiapas a partir de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2018-19. También se observó la presencia de la mutación característica de AFB1 en el codón 249 (R249S), y otras mutaciones relevantes del gen TP53 en bloques de tejido de CHC de 24 mujeres y 26 hombres estudiados en un centro de referencia nacional de oncología. Resultados: La prevalencia de AFB1 en las muestras de suero fue de 85.5% (IC95% 72.1-93.1) y la mediana de la concentración 0.117 pg/µL (IQR, 0.050-0.350). Se detectó TP53 R249S en tres de 50 casos de CHC (6.0%) y se observaron cuatro transversiones G>T potencialmente inducidas por AFB1. Conclusión: El presente análisis proporciona evidencia de que la AFB1 puede tener un papel relevante en la etiología del CHC en México.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) to the basal diets of chickens at late laying period on clutch trait, reproductive organs, serum reproductive hormones and reproduction-related genes expression. A total of 350 hens (37 weeks old) with similar laying rate and clutch trait were randomly allocated into five groups, and fed 0 (Control, CON), 2.5 (MOLP2.5), 5, 7.5 and 10% MOLP supplemented diets for 6 weeks. The hens supplemented with 2.5% MLOP had the average clutch length, clutches and clutch intensity close to those in CON. The numbers and weight of hierarchal follicle were significantly increased at the supplementation 2.5% MOLP group. The estrogen concentration was highest in MOLP2.5 group and lowest in MOLP10 group. Expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes of StAR and Cyp19a1 were higher in MOLP2.5, MOLP5 and MOLP7.5 groups compared with that in the control. These findings suggested that dietary supplementation with 2.5% MOLP effectively increased hierarchal follicle numbers, estrogen level and gene expression of StAR and Cyp19a1, which has a potential beneficial effect on laying performance in laying chicken.

Abstract Conventional strong alkali spray peeling method for peeling yellow peach resulted in process hazard and negative environmental impacts. The efficacy of using infrared (IR) heating as an alternative method for peach peel removal was investigated to improve the operation safety and peeling quality. Herein, we introduce the Box-Behnken central combination method for conducting IR radiation tests. A multivariate regression model combining radiation distance, heating time and IR power as variable factors and surface temperature, full peeling time and firmness loss of yellow peach as the objective functions was developed to establish the optimal IR radiation parameters for peeling the skin of yellow peach. We found radiation distance of 76.18mm, heating time of 256.36 s, and IR power was 1000 w were the optimal conditions for this process. These conditions achieved surface temperature of 211.7 °C, firmness loss of 3.8 × 105 Pa, and full peeling time of 149.6 s. Thus, IR radiation is a feasible mechanism for peeling yellow peach, providing a new, safer and quality method for industrial processing of the fruit.

ABSTRACT This study was designed to discover molecular marker associated with the interferon INF-γ and avian influenza (AI) antibody titer traits in Jinghai Yellow chicken (Gallus gallus). Serum samples were taken from 400 female chickens and the INF-γ concentrations and AI antibody titer levels were measured. A genome-wide association study was carried out using specific-locus amplified fragment (SLAF) sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis was applied to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the two traits. After sequencing and quality control, 103,680 SLAFs and 90,961 SNPs were obtained. The 400 samples were divided into 10 subgroups to reduce the effects of group stratification. The Bonferroni adjusted P-value of genome-wide significance was set at 1.87E−06 according to the number of independent SNP markers and linkage disequilibrium blocks. A SNP that was significantly associated with INF-γ concentration was detected in the myomesin 1 (MYOM1) gene on chromosome 2, and another SNPthat was significantly associated with the AI antibody titer level was detected in an RNA methyltransferase gene (Nsun7), which was found to have an important biological function. We propose that MYOM1 and Nsun7 are valuable candidate genes that influence the disease resistance characters of chicken. However, in-depth investigations are needed to determine the essential roles of these genes in poultry disease resistance and their possible application in breeding disease resistant poultry.

ABSTRACT Chicken abdominal fat (AF) is an economically important trait, and many studies have been conducted on genetic selection for AF. However, previous studies have focused on detecting functional chromosome mutations or regions using gene chips. The present study used the specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) technology to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on purebred Wengshang Barred chicken. A total of 1,286,715 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected, and 175,211 SNPs were selected as candidate SNPs for genome-wide association analysis using TASSEL general linear models. Two SNPs markers reached genome-wide significance. Of these, rs7943847, rs127627362 were significantly associated with AF at 120 days. These SNPs are close to eight genes (SLC16A6, ARSG, WIPI1, PRKAR1A, FAM20A, ABCA8, ABCA9, CPQ,). These results would enrich the studies on AF and promote the use of Chinese chicken, especially the Wenshang Barred chicken.

ABSTRACT Over-accumulation of triglycerides (TGs) in goose hepatocytes leads to the formation of fatty acid liver. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase kinase 1 (PEPCK) is regarded as the rate-limiting enzyme for gluconeogenesis, and there is evidence that PEPCK is involved in regulating hepatic glucolipid metabolism. Hence, we proposed that PEPCK may have a role in goose hepatic steatosis. To test our hypothesis, the present study was conducted to firstly determine the sequence characteristics of goose PEPCK and then to explore its role in overfeeding-induced fatty liver. Our results showed that goose PEPCK encodes a 622-amino-acids protein that contains highly conserved oxaloacetate-binding domain, kinase-1 and kinase-2 motifs. PEPCK had higher mRNA levels in goose liver, and overfeeding markedly increased its expression in livers of both Sichuan White and Landes geese (p<0.05). Besides, expression of PEPCK was positively correlated with hepatic TG levels as well as plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Additionally, in cultured goose primary hepatocyte, treatment with either oleic acid (0.8, 1.2 or 1.6 mM) or linoleic acid (0.125 or 0.25 mM) significantly (p<0.05) enhanced the expression of PEPCK. Taken together, these data suggested a role for PEPCK in the occurrence of overfeeding-induced goose hepatic steatosis.

Hydrogen, which is a harmful element, has a great effect on the mechanical properties of steel, should be removed during the steel manufacture process. The evolution of hydrogen content in steel during electroslag remelting process is experimentally investigated. The results show that during the electroslag remelting process, the hydrogen content in steel firstly increases steeply to maximum, then decreases to minimum and reaches the equilibrium. For a prefixed slag composition, the final hydrogen content in steel depends on the initial hydrogen content and the atmospheric moisture. When the electroslag remelting is operated under the argon protected atmosphere, the hydrogen in steel increased slightly. With the increase of the atmospheric moisture, the hydrogen content in steel increased significantly, and the larger atmospheric moisture is, the more significant influence on the hydrogen content in steel is. Moreover the mathematical formula to predict the hydrogen content in steel from the initial hydrogen content and the atmospheric moisture is derived: w % H e = 0 . 359 w % H S + 0 . 016 p H 2 O / p Θ + 0 . 525 It could be used to forecast the final hydrogen content in ESR ingot.

Pressed ceramic plates were made from mixtures with different proportions containing kaolinite clay, silica extracted from the rice husk ash after controlled burning at controlled temperature and sludge from a water treatment plant. Physical properties such as density, water absorption and porosity, mechanical properties such as compressive strength, and thermal characteristics such as thermal conductivity of the ceramic plates after burning (DIN EN12667) were evaluated. The silica when inserted in the kaolinite clay can have a gradual increase of its performance, be reduced in the porous phase, with reduction of the thermal conductivity and increase of the mechanical resistance. The use of the sludge from a water treatment plant when incorporated to the ceramic mass is a great number of peaks of charge and of crystallization, expressive increase of porosity and decrease of the thermal and mechanical resistances. As ceramic plates with a trace 72% kaolinite clay, 18% rice husk and 10% sludge from a water treatment plant show lower thermal conductivity 0.2574 W m-1K-1, and a higher compressive strength of 172.12 MPa when compared to the other plates tested where the substitutions for sludge from a water treatment plant occurred.

ABSTRACT The black-bone chicken has special economic value in Chinese poultry breeds, which also are valued for the medicinal properties of their meat in traditional Chinese medicine. In order to protect the genetic resources of native black-bone chicken breeds, we analyzed the genetic diversity and matrilineal components of 64 mtDNA D-loop partial sequences from three native black-bone chicken breeds, together with reported 596 black-bone chicken mtDNA sequences from China, Japan, and Korea. A total of 108 haplotypes were observed from 73 variable sites. These domestic chicken mtDNA sequences could be assigned into seven clades (A-G). The results indicated that 71.97% of the black-bone haplotypes were related to the reference sequence that may originate from Eurasia, while the minor part of mtDNA sequences presumably derive from Southeast Asia, China, and Japan. Three clades were shared by Korean, Japanese, and Chinese black-bone chickens. These results provide basic data useful for making new breeding and conservation strategies for the black-bone chicken in China.

ABSTRACT Newcastle disease is a highly contagious disease responsible for major outbreaks and considerable economic losses in the poultry industry in China. There is still little information available regarding gene characterization of the NDV, especially in ducks and pigeons. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate NDV isolated from ducks and pigeons in Hubei, China. In this study, three NDVs from ducks and pigeons were isolated between 2013 and 2015.The fusion protein (F) gene of the NDV isolates was sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. The clinical signs and gross histopathological lesions were examined. Phylogenetic analysis of these strains indicated that all the sequences are classified as genotype II. The isolates shared a 112 G-R-Q-G-R-L 117motif at the F protein cleavage site, indicating that these three isolates strains are lentogenic. Necropsy and histopathology showed the typical pathological changes. It was concluded that commercial ducks and pigeons in Hubei province carry lentogenic NDV strains with regular genetic divergence, indicating that these species may act as the main reservoirs of NDV in poultry. Therefore, strategies and surveillance should be undertaken to reduce the risk of ND outbreaks.

NiO thin films were deposited on Si and Corning 1737 glass substrates using radio frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering system. The physical properties of NiO films under different sputtering power were thoroughly studied. The XRD results indicated that as-prepared NiO films with the sputtering power above 100 W developed only (200) preferred orientation. The AFM results showed that the NiO films were composed of different-size NiO nano-grains and the grain size increased with increasing the sputtering power. The samples marked A-E under the sputtering power of 80, 100, 120, 140 and 160 W have optical band gap values of 3.70, 3.65, 3.50, 3.45 and 3.44 eV, respectively. Comparatively, the controllable electrical properties of the films could be achieved by the variation of crystal quality arises from the sputtering power.

RESUMEN Para estimar la colapsabilidad en Xixian se realizó el test de compresión (K o ), de acuerdo con el mecanismo de colapsabilidad, con diferentes combinaciones de presión (0~1.2 MPa) y contenido de agua (4%~Sat). Basado en la curva σ-ε con diferentes contenidos de agua se calcularon los coeficientes de asentamiento y colapsabilidad a partir de substracción de la curva en condiciones de saturación y analizando los efectos de presión y contenido de agua. Los resultados muestran que el promedio de colapsabilidad por su propio peso para el área de Xixian es de nivel II, con un límite bajo de hasta 14 m. La compresibilidad de loess es proporcional a la presión y al contenido de agua. Con un bajo contenido de agua, el coeficiente de colapsabilidad (δ s ) se incrementó mientras la presión se aumentó; pero, con contenidos medios y altos de agua, el coeficiente de colapsabilidad alcanzó su pico con el incremento de la presión, y luego bajó para prácticamente estabilizarse. Bajo presión constante, la colapsabilidad descendió al aumentar el contenido de agua. Si se asume como criterio inicial de colapso (P i ) una deformación adicional de 1.5%, Pi es linealmente proporcional al contenido de agua. El contenido de agua inicial de colapso (w i ) se incrementa drásticamente cuando la presión se eleva a baja presión, sin embargo, el contenido de agua alcanza un valor constante de 26 °% cuando la presión es de más de 200 kPa. Estos resultados son significativos para la investigación geotécnica y el diseño estructural en Xixian.

ABSTRACT More than 40% area of the Xixian New Area is a loess deposit region, and most of the loess landform is tableland and terrace where the thickness of loess is considerable large. Therefore, loess collapsibility will be the most important geotechnical problem in future foundation investigation and construction. To explore loess collapsibility in the Xixian New Area, we conducted the K 0 compression test, based on the collapsibility mechanism, which has different combinations of pressure (0~1.2 MPa) and water content (4%~Sat). Based on the σ-ε curve under different water content, we calculated the generalized collapse settlement and collapsibility coefficient of every water content under every pressure by subtracting the relevant curve from the saturated curve and analyzed the cross action of pressure and water on loess compressibility. The results show that the average collapsibility level of the northern Xixian New Area is self-weight collapsible level II, with a lower limit of 14 m. The compressibility of loess is proportional to pressure and water content. Under low water content, the collapsibility coefficient δ s increased while the pressure increased, but under medium and high water content, δ s will reach a peak with increasing pressure and after that, δ s will decrease until its value is close to constant. When under the same pressure, δ s decreases when water content increases. If set the additional strain 1.5% as collapse start criterion, then the first collapse pressure P i will linear proportional to water content. The initial collapse water content w i will increase sharply when pressure raises under low pressure, but w i will reach a constant value of 26% when pressure is more than 200 kPa. This consequence will be meaningful for future geotechnical investigation and design in the Xixian New Area.

ABSTRACT This paper examined the properties of goose eggshells to determine possible areas of improvement in egg transport and storage. First, we measured goose egg sizes and performed statistical tests, and found that the major axis, minor axis, and egg-shape index presented normal distribution. Eggshell thickness first increased and then decreased from the blunt end to the sharp end. Second, the shape of individual goose eggshell was measured using a 3D scanner. Volume equation, surface equation, and contour function of goose eggshell shape were obtained, exhibiting a highly symmetrical structure. Finally, goose eggs were compressed along their major and minor axes between two plates. Breaking strength was highly dependent on the shape index. A crack was found on the force point along the major axis of each goose egg.