SUMMARY: Due to the complexity of head shape, limited 1D or 2D head anthropometry fail to fully capture its shape characteristics. Currently, there is limited research on clustering analysis of head shape from a shape difference perspective, especially for the head shape of Chinese people. Head shape is influenced by factors such as race, sex, and age, making it imperative to create a head shape database for Chinese individuals. In this study, three-dimensional head data of 339 Chinese young adult were collected, and the head shapes were clustered into 7 clusters using an improved k-medoids algorithm. The differences between clusters and the average head shape were further analyzed. It can be foreseen that the head shape database for Chinese young adult constructed in this study has important reference value for the ergonomic design of head-related products and head morphology research, among other fields.

RESUMEN: Debido a la complejidad de la forma de la cabeza, la antropometría limitada de ésta, en 1D o 2D, no logra capturar completamente sus características de forma. Actualmente, existen estudios limitados sobre el análisis de agrupamiento de la forma de la cabeza, desde una perspectiva de diferencia de forma, especialmente en el caso de la población china. La forma de la cabeza está influenciada por factores como la raza, el sexo y la edad, por lo que resulta imperativo crear una base de datos sobre la forma de la cabeza de los individuos chinos. En este estudio, se recopilaron datos tridimensionales de la cabeza de 339 adultos jóvenes chinos, y las formas de la cabeza se agruparon en 7 grupos utilizando un algoritmo k-medoids mejorado. Las diferencias entre los grupos y la forma promedio de la cabeza se analizaron a profundidad. Se puede prever que la base de datos sobre la forma de la cabeza de adultos jóvenes chinos construida en este estudio, tiene un valor de referencia importante para el diseño ergonómico de productos relacionados con la morfología de la cabeza, entre otros campos.

RESUMO Introdução A boa força articular do tornozelo é uma pré-condição para exercícios físicos de alta qualidade além de ser um fator importante na prevenção de lesões articulares. Objetivo Explorar o método de otimização do treino de força do tornozelo durante o exercício físico. Métodos 40 voluntários foram selecionados e aleatoriamente divididos em grupo experimental e grupo de controle. Os 20 atletas do grupo experimental foram treinados três vezes por semana durante 6 semanas usando um método de variáveis de controle enquanto o grupo controle efetuou apenas o treinamento físico diário profissional. Foram utilizados métodos pré-treino e pós-treino para coleta e investigação dos dados quanto ao efeito do treinamento de força sob a articulação do tornozelo e seu impacto em testes de habilidade e força submetidos aos atletas. Resultados O treinamento de força do tornozelo pode melhorar a força muscular do tornozelo e melhorar a capacidade dos atletas de correr e saltar (P > 0,05). Conclusão O treino de força articular do tornozelo pode melhorar a capacidade esportiva basal dos atletas, melhorar a força muscular da articulação do tornozelo, reduzir a probabilidade de lesões articulares e contribuir na melhoria dos resultados de várias habilidades, merecendo maiores estudos e replicação. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos desfechos do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction Good ankle joint strength is a precondition for high-quality exercise and is an important factor in preventing joint injuries. Objective Explore the method of optimizing ankle strength training during exercise. Methods 40 volunteers were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The 20 athletes in the experimental group were trained three times a week for six weeks using a control variable method, while the control group performed only professional daily physical training. Pre-training and post-training methods were used to collect and investigate the data regarding the effect of strength training on the ankle joint and its impact on skill and strength tests submitted to the athletes. Results Ankle strength training can improve ankle muscle strength and athletes’ ability to run and jump (P > 0.05). Conclusion Ankle joint strength training may improve athletes’ baseline sporting ability, improve ankle joint muscle strength, reduce the likelihood of joint injuries, and contribute to improved outcomes of various abilities, meriting further study and replication. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción Una buena resistencia de la articulación del tobillo es una condición previa para la realización de ejercicio físico de alta calidad y un factor importante en la prevención de lesiones articulares. Objetivo Explorar el método para optimizar el entrenamiento de la fuerza del tobillo durante el ejercicio. Métodos Se seleccionaron 40 voluntarios y se dividieron aleatoriamente en grupo experimental y grupo de control. Los 20 atletas del grupo experimental se entrenaron tres veces a la semana durante 6 semanas con un método variable de control, mientras que el grupo de control sólo realizó un entrenamiento físico profesional diario. Se utilizaron métodos de pre-entrenamiento y post-entrenamiento para recoger e investigar los datos relativos al efecto del entrenamiento de fuerza bajo la articulación del tobillo y su impacto en las pruebas de habilidad y fuerza a las que se sometieron los atletas. Resultados El entrenamiento de la fuerza del tobillo puede mejorar la fuerza muscular del tobillo y mejorar la capacidad de los atletas para correr y saltar (P > 0,05). Conclusión El entrenamiento de la fuerza de la articulación del tobillo puede mejorar la capacidad deportiva de base de los atletas, mejorar la fuerza muscular de la articulación del tobillo, reducir la probabilidad de lesiones articulares y contribuir a mejorar los resultados de varias habilidades, mereciendo más estudios y réplicas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapêuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with behavioral problems in children with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia. METHODS: Random sampling is utilized to obtain a sample of 90 patients. The behavioral problems of the patients are detected by Achenbach Children's Behavior Scale. Parental emotional problems are investigated by the Self-Rating Depression Scale and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: The results demonstrate that the detection rate of behavioral problems in children with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia is 53.3% (48/90). Among these behavioral problems, an abnormal rate is higher in the four dimensions: thinking, violation of discipline, social interaction, and aggression. The anxiety and depression scores of caregivers are statistically higher in the abnormal group than in the normal group. The results of the multivariate analysis show that the anxiety degree of the parents had a significant impact on the behavior of the children. CONCLUSIONS: Children with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia are facing the issues of high rates of behavioral problems. Parents of children with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia had higher levels of anxiety and depression than parents of normal children. The anxiety and depressive state of mind of parents or caregivers had a significant impact on the behavior of children with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess brown rust resistance in 60 new sugarcane varieties bred by the China Sugarcane System in recent years and in 34 major varieties cultivated in sugarcane growing areas in China. The resistance of these sugarcane varieties to brown rust was investigated in the field, and molecular markers were used to detect the brown rust-resistance gene Bru1. The results of the field survey showed that 66 (70.21%) of the 94 sugarcane varieties were highly resistant to moderately resistant, and 28 (29.79%) were susceptible to highly susceptible. The Bru1 gene was detected in 54 (57.45%) of the 94 sugarcane varieties. Seven highly resistant varieties and five resistant varieties did not carry Bru1, suggesting that they carry other genes associated with brown rust resistance. This study provides a scientific basis and identifies disease-resistant germplasm for selection of plants for sugarcane production.

RESUMO Objetivo: Explorar o papel preditivo do dímero D para a mortalidade de pacientes com pneumonia adquirida na comunidade (PAC). Métodos: Revisão sistemática e meta-análise. Foram realizadas buscas nos seguintes bancos de dados: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE e Cochrane Library, desde seu início até 26 de julho de 2020. Estudos explorando a relação entre níveis de dímero D no sangue e mortalidade por PAC foram selecionados. Nesta meta-análise, foram calculadas taxa de mortalidade, sensibilidade, especificidade, razão de verossimilhança positiva e razão de verossimilhança negativa. Resultados: A busca identificou 1.073 artigos, dos quais 8 (totalizando 2.126 pacientes) foram incluídos nesta meta-análise. A taxa de mortalidade combinada da amostra total foi de 0,10 (IC95%: 0,08-0,14). Os níveis de dímero D no sangue dos não sobreviventes foram significativamente maiores do que os dos sobreviventes (diferença da média ponderada = 1,03 mg/L [IC95%: 0,81-1,26]; p < 0,00001). A área sob a curva summary ROC para o melhor valor de corte de dímero D como preditor de mortalidade foi de 0,848 (ep = 0,046), e razão de verossimilhança negativa combinada para dímero D dentro da faixa de normalidade foi de 0,24 (IC95%: 0,11-0,53). Conclusões: O dímero D no sangue pode ser útil para a avaliação inicial do risco de mortalidade de pacientes com PAC. Níveis de dímero D dentro da faixa de normalidade indicam baixo risco de mortalidade. Em virtude do pequeno tamanho da amostra do nosso estudo, nossos achados devem ser explorados e validados em estudos futuros com amostras maiores.

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the predictive roles of D-dimer for the mortality of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library from their inception to July 26, 2020. Studies exploring the relationship between blood D-dimer levels and CAP-related mortality were selected. In this meta-analysis, we calculated mortality rates, sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios, and negative likelihood ratios. Results: The search identified 1,073 articles, 8 of which (a total of 2,126 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled mortality rate of the overall sample was 0.10 (95% CI, 0.08-0.14). The levels of blood D-dimer in the nonsurvivors were significantly higher than those in the survivors (weighted mean difference = 1.03 mg/L [95% CI, 0.81-1.26]; p < 0.00001). The area under the summary ROC curve for the optimal cutoff value of D-dimer as a predictor of mortality was 0.848 (SE = 0.046), and the pooled negative likelihood ratio for D-dimer within the normal range was 0.24 (95% CI, 0.11-0.53). Conclusions: Blood D-dimer might be helpful for the initial assessment of mortality risk of patients with CAP. D-dimer levels within the normal range indicate low risk of mortality. Because of the small sample size in our study, our findings should be further explored and validated in future studies with larger sample sizes.

Data about the feasibility and safety of thoracoscopic surgery under non-intubated anesthesia and regional block are limited. In this prospective study, 57 consecutive patients scheduled for thoracoscopic surgery were enrolled. Patients were sedated with dexmedetomidine and anesthetized with propofol and remifentanil. Ropivacaine was used for intercostal nerve and paravertebral block. Lidocaine was used for vagal block. The primary outcomes were mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, and end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (ETCO2) at T0 (pre-anesthesia), T1 (immediately after laryngeal mask/nasopharyngeal airway placement), T2 (immediately after skin incision), T3 (10 min after opening the chest), T4 (end of surgery), and T5 (immediately after laryngeal mask/nasopharyngeal airway removal). One patient required conversion to intubation, 15 developed intraoperative hypotension, and two had hypoxemia. MAP at T0 and T5 was higher than at T1–T4; MAP at T3 was lower (P<0.05 vs other time points). HR at T0 and T5 was higher (P<0.05 vs other time points). ETCO2 at T2 and T3 was higher (P<0.05 vs other time points). Arterial pH, PCO2, and lactic acid at T1 differed from values at T0 and T2 (P<0.05). The Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) score at 24 h was lower (P<0.05). One patient experienced dysphoria during recovery. Thoracoscopic surgery with regional block under direct thoracoscopic vision is a feasible and safe alternative to conventional surgery under general anesthesia, intubation, and one-lung ventilation.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to analyze the differential expression of DEC1 in oral normal mucosa (NM), oral leukoplakia (OLK) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Surgically excised specimens from patients with OLK (n = 47), OSCC (n = 30) and oral normal mucosa (n=11) were immunostained for DEC1. The expression of DEC1 protein was evaluated, and its association with the clinicopathological features was analyzed. The expression of DEC1 in NM, OLK and OSCC tissues increased in turn, and significant differences were observed among the groups (P < 0.0001). In terms of the association between DEC1 expression and epithelial dysplasia, DEC1 expression was lower in hyperkeratosis without dysplasia (H-OLK) than in OLK with moderate to severe dysplasia (S-OLK), and these differences were significant (p < 0.05). The expression of DEC1 in OSCC with OLK was significantly higher than that in OSCC without OLK (p < 0.01). Therefore, DEC1 could be a potential biomarker of malignant transformation in the carcinogenesis of OSCC, which may provide a new research direction for the transformation of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) into OSCC.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of childhood emotional and behavioral problems and examine their associations with cesarean delivery. Methods: Our sample consisted of 8,900 preschoolers from 35 kindergartens in four cities in East China. Parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and provided other information. Children’s emotional and behavioral problems were assessed using five subscales of the SDQ. Mode of delivery was classified as vaginal or cesarean section (CS); in sub-analyses, we divided CS into elective or emergency delivery. Logistic regression was used to examine associations. Results: A total of 1,209 (13.6%) children had a total SDQ score within abnormal range; 25.5% had peer problems within abnormal range, 9.0% had abnormal emotional symptoms, 13.9% had abnormal conduct problems, 18.9% had abnormal hyperactivity problems, and 16.2% were rated abnormal in pro-social behavior. Overall, 67.3% of the children who participated were delivered by CS. In fully adjusted analysis, CS was significantly associated with abnormal total SDQ score (OR = 1.27; 95%CI 1.10-1.46; p < 0.05) and pro-social behavior (OR = 1.27; 95%CI 1.12-1.45; p < 0.0001). No significant association was found between CS and risk of having conduct problems (OR 1.13; 95%CI 0.98-1.29), peer problems (OR 1.11; 95%CI 0.99-1.24), hyperactivity (OR 1.02; 95%CI 0.91-1.15), or emotional problems (OR 1.06; 95%CI 0.90-1.24). Conclusion: In this sample, CS was associated with risk of behavioral problems, but not with emotional problems. Further research is needed to better understand these associations.

The porous fluorescent SiO2 nanoparticles encapsulating photosensitizer Ru(bpy)3Cl2were prepared by Stöber method and used as a carrier to immobilize glucose oxidase (GOD) to form the bifunctional porous SiO2 complex nanoparticles (BPSCNp) with the properties of enzymatic catalysis and optical oxygen sensing. The optimal immobilization conditions are as follows: hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (APTES) concentration of 2% (v/v), glutaraldehyde (GA) concentration of 1.0% (v/v), and pH of 6.5, GOD amount of 4.0 mg in 40 mg of carrier. BPSCNp showed maximal catalytic activity at pH 6.0 and 50 °C. After immobilization, the thermal storage and operation stability of GOD were improved remarkably. After kept at 4 °C for 30 days, BPSCNp and free GOD retained 68% and 35% of initial activity, respectively. BPSCNp maintained 58% of its initial activity after 7 consecutive operations and 30% after 15 consecutive operations. The fluorescence of BPSCNp could be quenched effectively by oxygen. There was a good linear relationship between tanΦ0/tanφ and O2 concentration in the range of 0 to ca. 90%. BPSCNp had a highly reproducible response to oxygen with the response time of 20 s. BPSCNp might be used as the sensing material and have potential application in multi parameter fiber optic biosensor based on enzyme catalysis and oxygen consumption.

L-3-n-butilftalida (L-NMP) é um antioxidante natural, que pode ser utilizado para o tratamento do acidente isquêmico agudo e demência vascular. Este estudo avaliou segurança, tolerância e farmacocinética de comprimidos de L-NBP em chineses voluntários sadios. Este foi um estudo monocêntrico, randomizado, duplo cego, com controle por placebo e doses única e múltipla. Os indivíduos receberam dose única de comprimido de L-NBP de 80, 160, 320 ou 480 mg (n=40) e doses múltiplas de 160 mg duas vezes ao dia, por sete dias (n=12). Amostras de plasma foram analisadas com LC-MS/MS. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos do L-NBP foram calculados utilizando análise não compartimental, com o programa WinNonlin. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando-se o programa SPSS. Todos os eventos adversos (EAs) foram moderados e de duração limitada. EAs nesse estudo ocorreram menos frequentemente e mais moderadamente do que os EAs relacionados para cápsulas moles de DL-NBP. Não se observaram eventos adversos graves (EAG), morte ou abandono do estudo. Com dose única, atingiu-se o Cmax em cerca de 1 hora e o t1/2 médio foi de, aproximadamente, 13,76 h. A área sob a curva (ASC) e o Cmax aumentaram com o aumento da dose, mas não se observou proporcionalidade na faixa acima de 160 a 480 mg. No estudo de dose múltipla, o equilíbrio foi alcançado em três dias, com pequeno acúmulo. Em resumo, o comprimido de L-NMP foi bem tolerado em indivíduos chineses saudáveis. O acúmulo pequeno apareceu após doses repetidas.

L-3-n-butylphthalide (L-NBP) is a naturally occurring antioxidant, which can be used for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and vascular dementia. This study evaluated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of L-NBP tablets in healthy Chinese volunteers. This was a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single- and multiple-dose study. Subjects were assigned to receive a single dose of L-NBP tablet at either 80, 160, 320, or 480 mg (n=40), or multiple doses of 160 mg twice daily for 7 days (n=12). Plasma samples were analyzed with LC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic parameters of L-NBP were calculated using non-compartmental analysis with WinNonlin software. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. All adverse events (AEs) were mild and of limited duration; AEs in this study occurred less frequently and more mildly than AEs listed for the DL-NBP soft capsule. No serious adverse event (SAE), death or withdrawal from the study was observed. In the single-dose study, Cmax was reached at about 1 h, and the mean t1/2 was approximately 13.76 h. Area under curve (AUC) and Cmax increased with dose escalation, but dose proportionality was not observed over the range of 160 to 480 mg. In the multiple-dose study, the steady-state was reached within 3 days with slight accumulation. In summary, the L-NBP tablet was well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects. Slight accumulation appeared after repeated doses.

Chymotrypsin is one of the serine proteases families that have various biological functions. A chymotrypsin gene was isolated from hepatopancreas of the mud crab, Scylla paramamosain (designated SpCHY) in this study. The full-length cDNA of SpCHY contained 942 nucleotides with a polyadenylation sequence and encoded a peptide of 270 amino acids with a signal peptide of 17 amino acids. The SpCHY gene contains seven exons, six introns, a TATA box and several transcription factor binding sites that were found in 5'-promoter region which is 1221 bp in length-time quantitative PCR analysis indicated that the expression level of SpCHY mRNA in hepatopancreas was significantly higher than that in other tissues. Immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization exhibited the CHY-like reactivity presented in resorptive cells of the hepatopancreas. After bacterial challenge with Vibrio alginolyticus, the expression level of SpCHY mRNA was extremely up-regulated at 3 h in hepatopancreas. Our results suggest that SpCHY might play an important role in the mud crab's immune response.