ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the relationship between fasting blood glucose (FBG) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Subjects and methods: The study enrolled 2,959 women seen at the Maanshan People's Hospital of Anhui Province from December 2013 to December 2018. Carotid IMT was measured using Doppler ultrasound. Linear regression and R smoothing curves were used to analyze the relationship between blood glucose level and carotid IMT in the premenopausal and postmenopausal groups. Results: Postmenopausal compared with premenopausal women had higher mean IMT (mIMT; 0.81 ± 0.23 mm versus 0.70 ± 0.14 mm, respectively, p < 0.001) and maximum IMT (maxIMT; 0.86 ± 0.35 mm versus 0.74 ± 0.16 mm, respectively, p < 0.001) values. On linear regression analysis, mIMT values increased with increasing FBG values when FBG level was ≤ 7 mmol/L, but no significance was found between FBG and maxIMT. After stratification by menopausal status, mIMT and maxIMT increased with increasing FBG when FBG was ≤ 7 mmol/L in the premenopausal group. In the postmenopausal group, mIMT and maxIMT increased with increasing FBG. After adjustment for covariate factors, the relationship between FBG and mIMT remained the same as before the adjustment, but when FBG was ≤ 11 mmol/L, the maxIMT increased with increasing FBG. In the stratification analysis, maxIMT increased with increasing FBG when FBG was ≤ 7 mmol/L in the premenopausal group, while both mIMT and maxIMT increased with increasing FBG when FBG was > 10 mmol/L in the postmenopausal group. Conclusion: Levels of FBG contributed more to increased IMT in postmenopausal than premenopausal women. The influence of FBG was greater on maxIMT than mIMT. Additionally, FBG was helpful in assessing focal thickening of the carotid intima. Objective (FBG intimamedia intima media (IMT methods 2959 2 959 2,95 Peoples People s 201 2018 ultrasound groups Results (mIMT 081 0 81 0.8 023 23 0.2 070 70 0.7 014 14 0.1 respectively 0.001 0001 001 (maxIMT 086 86 035 35 0.3 074 74 016 16 analysis mmolL mmol L status group factors 1 Conclusion Additionally 295 95 2,9 20 08 8 0. 02 07 01 0.00 000 00 03 3 29 9 2, 0.0

PURPOSE: Studying the role of environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in enhancing brand value is strategically important for promoting sustainable development DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Using panel data for 126 different brands over 10 years, we empirically analyse the impact of ESG performance on brand value, considering the moderating role of the digitalisation level FINDINGS/RESULTS: Firstly, the impact of ESG performance on brand value exhibits a U-shaped relationship. Secondly, the digitalisation level negatively moderates the U-shaped relationship. Thirdly, the effect of ESG performance on brand value is mainly on the sub-items of environment and social responsibility, while the effect of governance is not significant PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Firstly, firms should recognise the complex relationship between ESG performance and brand value, and strive to find a balance between economic benefits and sustainable development. Secondly, firms can utilise digital technology and platforms to communicate and interact with consumers, integrating ESG principles into their daily brand activities. Thirdly, investments in environmental and social responsibility are more meaningful for improving brand value ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Firstly, our study adds value to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG literature by investigating the non-linear impact of ESG performance on brand value. Secondly, we replenish the mechanistic study about how ESG performance affects brand value. Thirdly, we open the black box of the effect of single indicators (E/S/G) on brand value, including the specific direction and strength

RESUMO Introdução A manutenção do equilíbrio corporal é pré-requisito básico para uma boa prática no tênis. Portanto, as exigências dos movimentos técnicos para jogabilidade competitiva são alcançadas somente depois que os jogadores têm um aprimoramento do equilíbrio. Objetivo Analisar os impactos do treinamento de equilíbrio sobre o desempenho dos jogadores de tênis. Métodos 24 estudantes universitários de tênis masculinos de 18 a 21 anos foram selecionados e divididos em grupo experimental e grupo de controle. A intervenção deu-se por protocolo específico de treino de equilíbrio durante oito semanas e os dados foram coletados previamente e posteriormente à intervenção do grupo experimental. Resultados O tempo de teste com os olhos fechados em apoio unipodal, teste de Romberg, olhos fechados em pé e andar de pé no grupo experimental foi de 37.340 ± 14.382s, 67.250 ± 30.275s, 21.070 ± 7.887s e 4.510 ± 0.540s respectivamente, apresentando superioridade estatística frente ao grupo controle. Conclusão Após oito semanas de intervenção de exercício de treinamento de equilíbrio, em comparação com os sujeitos sem intervenção de exercício de treinamento instável, a capacidade de equilíbrio estático e a capacidade de equilíbrio dinâmico dos sujeitos após 8 semanas de treinamento foram significativamente aprimoradas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction Maintaining body balance is a prerequisite for good tennis practice. Therefore, the demands of technical movements for competitive playability are achieved only after players have improved balance. Objective Analyze the impacts of balance training on the performance of tennis players. Methods 24 male tennis college students, 18 to 21 years old, were selected and divided into experimental and control groups. The intervention took place under a specific balance training protocol for eight weeks, and data were collected in the experimental group before and after the intervention. Results The test time with eyes closed in unipodal support, Romberg test, eyes closed standing, and walking standing in the experimental group was 37.340 ± 14.382s, 67.250 ± 30.275s, 21.070 ± 7.887s and 4.510 ± 0.540s respectively, showing statistical superiority over the control group. Conclusion After eight weeks of balance training exercise intervention, compared with the subjects without instability training exercise intervention, the subjects’ static and dynamic balance ability after eight weeks of training were significantly improved. Level of Evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción El mantenimiento del equilibrio corporal es un requisito básico para la buena práctica del tenis. Por lo tanto, las exigencias de los movimientos técnicos para la jugabilidad competitiva se logran sólo después de que los jugadores tengan una mejora del equilibrio. Objetivo Analizar el impacto del entrenamiento del equilibrio en el rendimiento de los tenistas. Métodos Se seleccionaron 24 estudiantes universitarios de tenis, de entre 18 y 21 años, y se dividieron en un grupo experimental y un grupo de control. La intervención se llevó a cabo mediante un protocolo específico de entrenamiento del equilibrio durante ocho semanas y se recogieron datos antes y después de la intervención en el grupo experimental. Resultados El tiempo de prueba con los ojos cerrados en apoyo unipodal, la prueba de Romberg, los ojos cerrados de pie y la marcha de pie en el grupo experimental fue de 37,340 ± 14,382s, 67,250 ± 30,275s, 21,070 ± 7,887s y 4,510 ± 0,540s respectivamente, presentando superioridad estadística sobre el grupo de control. Conclusión Después de ocho semanas de intervención de ejercicios de entrenamiento de equilibrio, en comparación con los sujetos sin intervención de ejercicios de entrenamiento de inestabilidad, la capacidad de equilibrio estático y la capacidad de equilibrio dinámico de los sujetos después de 8 semanas de entrenamiento mejoraron significativamente. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of root tuber of Polygonum ciliinerve (Nakai) ohwi (rPC) which has been used to treat bacterial infection in traditional Chinese medicine. Methods: With the mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) pneumonia, the phenotype of rPC treated mice, including body weight, mortality, lung slices and bacterial burden were evaluated. Furthermore, inflammatory factors in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were determined by ELISA and the distribution of T cells in lung was assessed by immunofluorescence assay. Results: rPC treatment could dose-dependently reduce weight loss and mortality in S. aureus-infected mice. Upon 10 mg/ml rPC treatment, S. aureus-infected mice showed about 8 grams increase in body weight (P<0.001) and 50% enhancement in mortality. The integrity of lung tissue and bacterial burden were also improved by rPC treatment. Moreover, rPC was found to modulate the immune response in infection. Conclusion: rPC has therapeutic potential for S. aureus infections and pneumonia with immunomodulatory functions.