Abstract A Qingzhi compound-flavor Baijiu (QZCF Baijiu) was developed and the physiochemical factors and microbial community structure in Jiupei (fermented grains) during Baijiu fermentation were revealed. Physiochemical factors of ethanol, moisture and acidity significantly increased in the fermentation, while starch and reducing sugar decreased. The results of high-throughput sequencing showed that Weissella, Pediococcus, Bacillus, Pantoea, Streptococcus, Sphingobacterium, Saccharomyces, Rhizopus, Issatchenkia and Wickerhamomyces were the dominant microorganisms in Jiupei. Moreover, correlation analysis between the physicochemical factors, the dominant microorganisms and the important flavor compounds in QZCF Baijiu production highlighted that the changes of physiochemical factors would lead to the corresponding changes of core microbiota and important flavor substances. Physiochemical factors of starch, reducing sugar and temperature could significantly affect the microbial community structure at the early stage of fermentation, while the influences of ethanol content and acidity became greater at the later stage, resulting in the differences of flavor compounds in Jiupei. Therefore, the growth and metabolism of microbial communities could be regulated by purposefully adjusting the physiochemical factors, thereby improving the flavor and quality of Baijiu. This work enriched the flavor types of Baijiu and provided a reference for the Baijiu-making industries to manage their production process.

ABSTRACT Introduction Strength and endurance training of boxers are the main parts to pay attention to in the training protocol due to the particularities of Chinese boxing. Objective Study the effect of strength training on the muscles and endurance of Chinese boxing athletes. Methods This paper adopts experimental control. The control group practiced the traditional martial arts training while in the experimental group, other daily training properly protocoled was added. One class was selected for strength training on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday of each week. Before the experiment began, the physiological data of the athletes were evaluated and recorded. After the experiment, the data was again acquired and compared. By comparing the data, the effectiveness of the training can be analyzed. Results After strength training, the experimental group’s results were significantly higher than those of the control group. Conclusion Adopting properly targeted special strength training can increase the effectiveness and anaerobic endurance of Chinese boxers, increasing the chances of exploiting their maximum potential in combat. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción El entrenamiento de la fuerza y la resistencia de los boxeadores son las partes principales a las que hay que prestar atención en el protocolo de entrenamiento debido a las particularidades del boxeo chino. Objetivo Estudiar el efecto del entrenamiento de fuerza en los músculos y la resistencia de los atletas chinos de boxeo. Métodos Este trabajo adopta el control experimental. El grupo de control practica el entrenamiento tradicional de artes marciales mientras que al grupo experimental se le añadió otro entrenamiento diario debidamente protocolizado. Los lunes, martes y viernes de cada semana, se seleccionó una clase para el entrenamiento de fuerza. Antes de comenzar el experimento, se evaluaron y registraron los datos fisiológicos de los atletas. Tras el experimento, se volvieron a adquirir los datos y se compararon. La comparación de los datos permite analizar la eficacia de la formación. Resultados Tras el entrenamiento de fuerza, los resultados del grupo experimental fueron significativamente superiores a los del grupo de control. Conclusión La adopción de un entrenamiento de fuerza especial adecuadamente dirigido puede aumentar la eficacia y la resistencia anaeróbica de los boxeadores chinos, incrementando las posibilidades de explotar su máximo potencial en el combate. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução O treino de força e de resistência dos boxeadores são as principais partes a se prestar atenção no protocolo de treinamento devido às particularidades do boxe chinês. Objetivo Estudar o efeito do treinamento de força sobre os músculos e a resistência dos atletas de boxe chinês. Métodos Este trabalho adota o controle experimental. O grupo de controle pratica o tradicional treino das artes marciais enquanto ao grupo experimental, acrescentou-se outros treinamentos diários devidamente protocolados. Nas segundas, terças e sextas-feiras de cada semana, uma classe foi selecionada para o treinamento de força. Antes do início do experimento, os dados fisiológicos dos atletas foram avaliados e registrados. Após o experimento, os dados novamente foram adquiridos e comparados. Através da comparação dos dados, a eficácia do treinamento pode ser analisada. Resultados Após o treinamento de força, os resultados do grupo experimental foram significativamente maiores do que os do grupo de controle. Conclusão A adoção de treinamento de força especial devidamente direcionado pode aumentar a eficácia e resistência anaeróbica dos boxeadores chineses, aumentando as chances de explorar o seu máximo potencial em combate. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Nickel-based alloys containing high amount of Cr are desirable materials for the production of critical components that operate under high temperature and severe corrosion conditions. The description of flow behaviors for these alloys is key to designing the hot formation process for achieving the excellent mechanical properties of components. This work aims to study the flow behaviors of Ni-38Cr-3.8Al alloy during thermal deformation. A series of isothermal compression experiments were carried out at temperatures of 1148 K, 1223 K, 1298 K, 1373 K, 1448 K and 1523 K, and strain rates of 0.01 s-1, 0.1 s-1, 1 s-1 and 10 s-1. Results show that the obtained true stress-strain curves exhibit the softening characteristics of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) and dynamic recovery (DRV). The flow stress decreases with temperature increasing and strain rate decreasing. To further quantitatively describe the flow behaviors, an improved segmented Arrhenius constitutive equation was developed according to the softening characteristics under different temperatures. In these equations, the variable coefficients, including activation energy Q and material constants (structure factor A, stress exponent n, stress parameters α), were fitted as the polynomial functions of true strain. Furthermore, a typical Arrhenius constitutive equation was also solved. The comparisons between experimental stress and predicted results obtained from the typical and improved constitutive equations were conducted, and the correlation coefficient (R) and average absolute relative error (AARE) were calculated as 0.932, 15.83%, and 0.9963, 5.61%, respectively. It suggests that the improved constitutive equation can adeptly describe the flow behaviors of Ni-38Cr-3.8Al alloy.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: There have been inconsistent results regarding the association between alcohol intake and susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential role of alcohol intake regarding the risk of multiple sclerosis by using a meta-analytic approach. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational meta-analysis study conducted in a hospital in China. METHODS: The electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were systematically searched for eligible studies from their inception up to January 2020. The summary odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied to assess the association between alcohol intake and multiple sclerosis, using a random-effects model. RESULTS: One prospective cohort study and eight case-control studies involving a total of 211,396 subjects and 10,407 cases of multiple sclerosis were selected for the final meta-analysis. From the pooled data, no significant association between alcohol intake and multiple sclerosis risk was found (OR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.73-1.22; P = 0.668), and this conclusion was judged to be robust. Subgroup analysis found that intake of beer was associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (OR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.12-2.23; P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: This study found that beer intake could cause an excess risk of multiple sclerosis. Further large-scale prospective studies should be conducted to verify this conclusion.

Abstract Serum uric acid (UA) is a traditional biomarker in the clinical diagnosis of gout and hyperuricemia. However, serum treatment and storage are cumbersome, and wounds are susceptible to infection. Therefore, in this study, a simple and noninvasive method was developed to detect the UA in human saliva to monitor the gout. An Inertsil ODS-3 column was used for the analysis under the condition of isocratic elution with the mixed solution phosphate buffer (74 mM, pH=2.2): Methanol=98:2 (v:v) and the UV detection at 284 nm. Using salivary UA data from healthy volunteers (HVs) (n=68) and gout patients (GPs) (n=14), we examined the salivary UA difference in their content. The intra-and inter-day accuracy and precision (RSD %) were less than 2.56%, the limit of detection (LOD) of UA was 5.0 ng/mL, the mean recoveries of the corresponding compounds were 102.48%. Saliva levels of UA in HVs and GPs were 35.26±14.06 µg/mL and 91.96±23.90 µg/mL, respectively. The concentrations of salivary UA in GPs were significantly higher than those in HVs ( p < 0.001). This method was also expected to monitor the hyperuricemia and other metabolic disorders in the future.

OBJECTIVES: The chemokine ligand (CCL) 21 regulates the maturation, migration, and function of dendritic cells, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum CCL21 levels and asthma control. METHODS: The serum levels of CCL21 and other inflammatory cytokines were analyzed in patients with asthma (n=44) and healthy controls (n=35) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IgE levels and eosinophil counts were determined by turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay and fully automatic blood analysis, respectively. The Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire was used, and spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurements were performed. A multiple unpaired Student’s t-test was performed to analyze the differences in CCL21 and interleukin levels between patients with asthma and healthy controls. The correlation of CCL21 levels with disease severity was evaluated using the Pearson’s rank correlation test. RESULTS: Serum CCL21 levels were lower in patients with asthma (254.78±95.66 pg/mL) than in healthy controls (382.95±87.77 pg/mL) (p<0.001). Patients with asthma had significantly higher levels of IL-1β (19.74±16.77 vs. 2.63±5.22 pg/mL), IL-6 (7.55±8.65 vs. 2.37±2.47 pg/mL), and tumor necrosis factor-α (12.70±12.03 vs. 4.82±3.97 pg/mL) compared with the controls. CCL21 levels were positively correlated with the ACT score (rs=0.1653, p=0.0062), forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (rs=0.3607, p<0.0001), and FEV1 (rs=0.2753, p=0.0003), and negatively correlated with FENO (rs=0.1060, p=0.0310). CCL21 levels were negatively correlated with serum IgE levels (rs=0.1114, p=0.0268) and eosinophil counts (rs=0.3476, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum CCL21 levels may be a new biomarker for assessing asthma control.

Abstract A ballistic projectile launching device was used to study the penetration behaviors of tungsten alloy spherical fragments of various diameters into carbon fiber composite target plates of different thicknesses. Based on the ballistic test results, we obtained the relationship between ultimate penetration velocity, target plate thickness, and fragment diameter as well as the relationship between the fragment penetration energy and fragment incident velocity. Using dimensional analysis, we obtained a formula relating the incident fragment velocity and the fragment penetration energy, which showed good agreement with the experimental values. We also analyzed the main fracture mode and the energy absorption mechanism of the carbon composite target plate under high-velocity impacts of tungsten alloy spheres and investigated the experimental damage modes of the target plate at different fragment velocities during the ballistic impact.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the potential of a novel preparation strategy for glycosylated hydrolysate by liquid fermentation in order to provide a high-quality glycosylated hydrolysate. Protein solubility, surface hydrophobicity and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectra demonstrated the occurrence of glycosylation reaction. The results of Fluorescence emission spectroscope revealed the decrease of tertiary conformation stability. Circular dichroism spectra revealed significant decrease in α-helix and increase in β-sheet and random coil by glycosylation reaction. In comparison with zein hydrolysate, glycosylated hydrolysate had lower surface hydrophobicity but higher in solubility and in vitro digestibility due to glycosylation. Glycosylated hydrolysate presented higher ABTS (2,2'-Azinobis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid]-diammonium salt) and superoxide radicals scavenging activities as well as Cu2+ chelating capacity. It is concluded that the glycosylation confer an open structure and modified properties of zein, and glycosylated hydrolysate is a potential ingredient with better hydration and antioxidant activities than zein hydrolysate.

OBJECTIVES: Retinoblastoma (RB) is a highly malignant eye tumor with a low survival rate and a high metastatic rate. The current work was designed to investigate the potential roles of microRNA-144 (miR-144) in the diagnosis and prognosis of RB. METHODS: miR-144 expression levels in RB tissues and adjacent normal tissues, as well as serum samples from RB patients and healthy controls were measured. The association between miR-144 expression levels and clinical features were analyzed. Moreover, diagnostic and prognostic values of miR-144 in RB were verified by receiver operating characteristic analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival assays. RESULTS: The expression level of miR-144 was markedly decreased in tumor tissues of RB patients, and the expression level of miR-144 was positively associated with tumor size and metastasis in RB patients. Moreover, miR-144 can distinguish tumor tissues from normal tissues with high specificity and sensitivity, and RB patients with lower miR-144 expression have shorter overall and disease-free survival rates than those with higher miR-144 expression. Alternatively, miR-144 also decreased in the serum of RB patients in comparison with healthy subjects, and miR-144 expression levels in the tissue samples and serum were positively correlated. Furthermore, miR-144 levels in the serum of RB patients sensitively distinguished RB patients from healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: miR-144 expression was downregulated in serum and tissue samples of RB patients and may function as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for RB.

OBJECTIVES: Cerebral ischemia seriously threatens human health and is characterized by high rates of incidence, disability and death. Developing an ideal animal model of cerebral ischemia that reflects the human clinical features is critical for pathological studies and clinical research. The goal of this study is to establish a local cerebral ischemia model in rhesus macaque, thereby providing an optimal animal model to study cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Eight healthy rhesus monkeys were selected for this study. CT scans were performed before the operation to exclude cerebral vascular and intracranial lesions. Under guidance and monitoring with digital subtraction angiography (DSA), a microcatheter was inserted into the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) via the femoral artery. Then, autologous white thrombi were introduced to block blood flow. Immediately following embolization, multisequence MRI was used to monitor cerebrovascular and brain parenchymal conditions. Twenty-four hours after embolization, 2 monkeys were sacrificed and subjected to perfusion, fixation and pathological examination. RESULTS: The cerebral ischemia model was established in 7 rhesus monkeys; one animal died during intubation. DSA and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) indicated the presence of an arterial occlusion. MRI showed acute local cerebral ischemia. HE staining revealed infarct lesions formed in the brain tissues, and thrombi were present in the cerebral artery. CONCLUSION: We established a rhesus macaque model of local cerebral ischemia by autologous thrombus placement. This model has important implications for basic and clinical research on cerebral ischemia. MRI and DSA can evaluate the models to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

Abstract Total spikelet number per spike (TSS) is one of the key components of grain yield in wheat. Chromosome (chr.) 2D contains numerous genes that control TSS. In this study, we evaluated 138 F8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from an F2 population of a synthetic hexaploid wheat line (SHW-L1) and a common wheat cultivar (Chuanmai 32) for TSS in six different environments. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for TSS, we constructed an integrated high-density genetic map of chr. 2D containing two simple sequence repeats, 35 diversity array technology markers, and 143 single nucleotide polymorphisms. We identified three stable QTL for TSS that individually explained 9.7–19.2% of the phenotypic variation and predicted 23 putative candidate genes within the QTL mapping interval. Overall, our results provide insight into the genetic basis of TSS in synthetic hexaploid wheat that may be useful in breeding high-yielding wheat cultivars.

Abstract The construction of the cross passage changes the main tunnels segment from a complete cylindrical structure to a notched unstable stressed structure. Thus, the overall force (bending and shearing) performance of the main tunnels is considerably decreased. The excavation of the cross passage also destroys the stability of the original soil layer and main tunnels and causes difficulty in avoiding the settlement of the surface and main tunnels. Numerical simulation analysis of the mechanical characteristics and influencing factors analysis were carried out using FLAC3D. Results show that (1) the construction of the cross passage largely disturbs the main tunnels. The settlement of the intersection part of the main tunnels and cross passage is mainly concentrated from −7 m to 7 m. (2) During the construction of the cross passage, the original main tunnels are subjected to stress redistribution, which causes stress concentration in the intersecting segments, especially in the opening side segment has an unfavorable force form in which the upper and lower sections are integrally pulled. (3) The construction of the cross passage causes a large tensile stress area in the structure as well. As a result, the overall tension of the upper and lower sections of the structure and the compression of the hance are unfavorable. (4) The influence of the excavation of the cross passage on the surface and main tunnels is related to the buried depth, intersection angle, excavation method, and grouting range. Therefore, the influence of different parameters can be analyzed by changing the model parameters.

Cerebrovascular diseases pose a serious threat to human survival and quality of life and represent a major cause of human death and disability. Recently, the incidence of cerebrovascular diseases has increased yearly. Rapid and accurate diagnosis and evaluation of cerebrovascular diseases are of great importance to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality of cerebrovascular diseases. With the rapid development of medical ultrasound, the clinical relationship between ultrasound imaging technology and the diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases has become increasingly close. Ultrasound techniques such as transcranial acoustic angiography, doppler energy imaging, three-dimensional craniocerebral imaging and ultrasound thrombolysis are novel and valuable techniques in the study of cerebrovascular diseases. In this review, we introduce some of the new ultrasound techniques from both published studies and ongoing trials that have been confirmed to be convenient and effective methods. However, additional evidence from future studies will be required before some of these techniques can be widely applied or recommended as alternatives.

Resumo Introdução: A lesão hepática por isquemia-reperfusão é um processo fisiopatológico comum em cirurgias hepáticas. Mais estudos ainda são necessários para avaliar se o propofol pode reduzir a lesão de isquemia-reperfusão miocárdica induzida pela lesão de isquemia-reperfusão hepática em ratos, juntamente com os mecanismos que estão relacionados. Objetivo: Investigar se propofol protege as células do miocárdio da apoptose com a lesão hepática por isquemia-reperfusão. Métodos: Ratos machos da raça Sprague-Dawley (n = 18) foram alocados aleatoriamente em três grupos: Grupo Sham (Grupo S, n = 6), Grupo Lesão Hepática por Isquemia-reperfusão (Grupo IR, n = 6) e Grupo Propofol (Grupo P, n = 6). O Grupo S foi submetido apenas à laparotomia. O grupo IR foi submetido à isquemia por 30 min e reperfusão por 4 h. O grupo P foi submetido à mesma isquemia do grupo IR, com a administração de 120 mg.kg-1 de propofol iniciada 10min antes da isquemia, seguida de infusão contínua a 20 mg.kg-1.h-1. A apoptose celular foi examinada por meio do ensaio de marcação de terminações dUTP pela deoxinucleotidil transferase. Retículo endoplasmático Ca2+-ATPase2 (SERCA2) e caspase-3 do ácido aspártico contendo cisteína (caspase-3 clivada) foram avaliados com o ensaio western blot e reação em cadeia da polimerase. Resultados: A taxa de apoptose foi maior com mRNA e proteína de SERCA2 regulados para baixo e caspase-3 clivada suprarregulada no Grupo IR, em comparação com o Grupo S (p < 0,01). A taxa de apoptose foi menor com mRNA e proteína de SERCA2 suprarregulada e caspase-3 clivada sub-regulada no Grupo P, em comparação com o Grupo IR (p < 0,01). Conclusões: O propofol pode reduzir a apoptose de células miocárdicas induzida por lesão hepática por isquemia-reperfusão. Entretanto, pode suprarregular o mRNA e a proteína de SERCA2 em ratos.

Abstract Introduction: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury is a common pathophysiological process in liver surgery. Whether Propofol can reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, together with related mechanisms, still needs further studies. Objective: To investigate if propofol would protect the myocardial cells from apoptosis with hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 18) were randomly allocated into three groups: Sham Group (Group S, n = 6), Hepatic Ischemia-reperfusion Injury Group (Group IR, n = 6) and Propofol Group (Group P, n = 6). Group S was only subjected to laparotomy. Group IR was attained by ischemia for 30 min and reperfusion for 4 h. Group P was subjected identical insult as in Group IR with the administration of propofol started 10 min before ischemia with 120 mg.kg−1, following by continuous infusion at 20 mg.kg−1.h−1. Cell apoptosis was examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay. Endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase2 (SERCA2) and cysteine-containing aspartic acid cleaved-caspase3 (cleaved-caspase3) were assayed by western blot and Altimeter polymerase chain reaction. Results: Apoptosis rate was increased, with mRNA and protein of SERCA2 down-regulated and cleaved-caspase3 up-regulated in Group IR compared with Group S (p < 0.01). Apoptosis rate was decreased, with mRNA and protein of SERCA2 up-regulated and cleaved-caspase3 down-regulated in Group P compared with Group IR (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Propofol can reduce hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced myocardial cell apoptosis, meanwhile, can up-regulate mRNA and protein of SERCA2 in rats.

Tubular-interstitial nephritis (TIN) is characterized by tubular cell damage and inflammatory lesions of kidneys. Baicalein (BAI) is a flavonoid compound found in the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. The present study was undertaken to explore the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of BAI on TIN patients and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TIN cell model. The expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor α in serum samples of TIN patients and culture supernatants of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTECs) were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Creatinine clearance was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Activities of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were also determined. Viability and apoptosis of RPTECs were measured using MTT assay and Guava Nexin assay, respectively. qRT-PCR was performed to determine the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, nuclear factor kappa B (IκBα), and p65. Protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, IκBα, p65, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular regulated protein kinases, and p38 were analyzed using western blotting. We found that BAI reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, BAI alleviated the LPS-induced RPTECs viability inhibition and apoptosis enhancement, as well as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. Phorbol ester, an activator of NF-κB, attenuated the effects of BAI on LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine expressions in RPTECs. In conclusion, BAI had anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects on TIN patients and LPS-induced RPTECs by down-regulating NF-κB and MAPK pathways.