ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of functional strength training in running training allows athletes to produce a continuous development behavior improving their various functional and competitive abilities. Objective: Study the effect of functional training on the physical quality of runners in track and field. Methods: Six athletes were selected whose changes in parameters of the technical index of the hurdle stage before and after training were analyzed to explore the influence of functional training on the specific technique of the hurdle stage. Results: In the fitness test items of the 6 athletes, the performances of 30 meters, 100 meters, triple standing jump, and backward ball throw were increased by 0.02 seconds, 0.09 seconds, 0.09 meters, and 0.20 meters, respectively, compared to the average before training. An average improvement of 2.50 points was shown in functional movement screening scores. Conclusion: Functional training can improve the physical quality of athletes, positively helping athletes’ obstacle course running performance. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: El uso del entrenamiento de fuerza funcional en el entrenamiento de carrera permite a los atletas producir un comportamiento de desarrollo continúo mejorando sus diversas capacidades funcionales y competitivas. Objetivo: Estudiar el efecto del entrenamiento funcional en la calidad física de los corredores de atletismo. Métodos: Se seleccionaron seis atletas, cuyos cambios en los parámetros del índice técnico de la etapa de vallas antes y después del entrenamiento fueron analizados, con el fin de explorar la influencia del entrenamiento funcional en la técnica específica de la etapa de vallas. Resultados: En los ítems de las pruebas de aptitud física de los 6 atletas, los rendimientos de 30 metros, 100 metros, triple salto en pie y lanzamiento de espalda se incrementaron en 0,02 segundos, 0,09 segundos, 0,09 metros y 0,20 metros, respectivamente, en comparación con la media antes del entrenamiento. Se presentó una mejora media de 2,50 puntos en las puntuaciones del cribado del movimiento funcional. Conclusión: El entrenamiento funcional puede mejorar la calidad física de los atletas, ayudando positivamente a su rendimiento en las carreras de obstáculos. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: O uso do treinamento de força funcional no treinamento de corrida permite aos atletas produzirem um comportamento de desenvolvimento contínuo melhorando suas diversas habilidades funcionais e competitivas. Objetivo: Estudar o efeito do treinamento funcional sobre a qualidade física nos corredores de atletismo. Métodos: Foram selecionados seis atletas, cujas mudanças de parâmetros do índice técnico da etapa de obstáculos antes e depois do treinamento foram analisadas, de modo a explorar a influência do treinamento funcional na técnica específica da etapa de obstáculos. Resultados: Nos itens do teste de aptidão física dos 6 atletas, as performances de 30 metros, 100 metros, salto triplo em pé e lançamento de bola nas costas foram aumentadas em 0,02 segundos, 0,09 segundos, 0,09 metros e 0,20 metros, respectivamente, em comparação com a média anterior ao treinamento. Apresentou-se uma média de melhoria de 2,50 pontos nos escores de triagem de movimento funcional. Conclusão: O treinamento funcional pode melhorar a qualidade física dos atletas, ajudando positivamente no desempenho de corrida de obstáculos dos atletas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Abstract Allium mongolicum Regel is a desert plant that shows great resistance to wind erosion, drought, and low temperatures and is widely distributed in the desert lands of China. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying its drought resistance is essential for uncovering drought resistance genes and improving its beneficial traits. Here, a de novo RNA-Seq assembly analysis was conducted using the roots of 1-month-old seedlings under drought stress. Using pairwise comparisons of untreated plants (CK), 48-hour drought plants (G48h), and 96-hour drought plants (G96h), in total, 2,211 differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs) were obtained. Furthermore, using functional annotation, these DEGs were mainly involved in the plasma membrane, photosynthesis, and secondary carbohydrate metabolism. Moreover, genes involved in the ABA-mediated signaling pathway and secondary metabolism were upregulated in the roots. These results suggest that desert plants may use signaling and secondary metabolic pathways as adaptive responses to drought stress. Collectively, this work could help elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the ability of A. mongolicum Regel to respond to drought stress and aid in the selection of novel drought tolerance genes.

Resumen Allium mongolicum Regel es un tipo de planta desértica que muestra una gran resistencia a la erosión eólica, la sequía y las bajas temperaturas; se distribuye ampliamente en las tierras desérticas de China. Comprender los mecanismos moleculares subyacentes a la resistencia a la sequía de A. mongolicum Regel es esencial para descubrir genes resistentes a la sequía y mejorar este rasgo beneficioso en otras plantas. Aquí, el análisis de ensamblaje de ARN-Seq de novo se llevó a cabo utilizando las raíces de plántulas de 1 mes de edad en respuesta al estrés por sequía. Utilizando comparaciones por pares de plantas no tratadas (CK), plantas de 48 horas (G48h) y plantas de 96 horas (G96h), se obtuvieron un total de 2.211 unigenes (DEGs) expresados diferencialmente. Mientras tanto, usando la anotación funcional, estos DEGs fueron implicados principalmente en la membrana de plasma, la fotosíntesis, y el metabolismo de carbohidrato secundario. Por otra parte, los genes implicados en el camino ABA-mediado de la señalización y en metabolismo secundario para arriba fueron regulados para arriba en raíces. Estos resultados sugieren que las plantas del desierto pueden utilizar la señalización y las vías metabólicas secundarias como respuestas adaptativas al estrés por sequía. Colectivamente, este trabajo ayudará a comprender los mecanismos moleculares subyacentes a la capacidad de A. mongolicum Regel para responder al estrés por sequía y ayudar en la selección de nuevos genes de tolerancia a la sequía.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is thought to prevent recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its efficacy is a matter of controversy. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of preventive TACE on the tumor, nodes, metastasis (TNM) classification in cases of stage II HCC (T2N0M0) after R0 resection. DESIGN AND SETTING: Case-control study conducted in a tertiary-level public hospital. METHODS: We analyzed recurrence rates and mortality rates over time for 250 consecutive cases of HCC in TNM classification cases of stage II HCC (T2N0M0) after R0 resection. These cases were divided into patients who underwent TACE (TACE+) and presented microvascular invasion (MVI+; n = 80); TACE+ but did not present MVI (MIV−; n = 100); MVI+ but did not undergo TACE (TACE−, n = 30); and TACE−/MVI− (n = 40). RESULTS: MVI+ patients in the TACE+ group had significantly lower recurrence rates and mortality rates at one, two and three years than those in the TACE- group (all P < 0.05). Among MVI- patients, the TACE+ group did not have significantly lower recurrence rates and mortality rates at one, two and three years than the TACE- group (all P > 0.05). Regardless of whether TACE was performed or not, MVI− patients had significantly lower recurrence rates and mortality rates at two and three years after their procedures than did MVI+ patients (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Recurrence rates and mortality rates for MVI+ patients were significantly higher than for MVI− patients, beyond the first year after TACE. Postoperative adjuvant TACE may be beneficial for HCC patients with MVI.

Abstract: The mechanism behind exercise-induced fatigue is a significant topic in the field of sports physiology. Therefore, establishing and evaluating an acute exercise-induced fatigue animal model that explores the limits of the motor system may provide greater insight into these mechanisms. Heart rate is an important quantitative parameter that accurately reflects the immediate change in physical function due to exercise load. And there is likely to be an important correlation between heart rate and behavioral performance. In this study, changes in heart rate and behavioral indexes during exercise-induced fatigue were quantitatively analyzed in rats using heart rate telemetry and video methods respectively. The behavioral indexes were used as independent variables and the degree of fatigue was used as the forecast value. Ternary quadratic function curve fitting was used to deduce a formula to calculate a fatigue score: Y = 15.2548+0.4346∙xa-0.1154∙xb+0.6826∙xc+0.0044∙xa∙xb-0.0021∙xb∙xc-0.0013∙xc∙xa-0.0023∙xa2-0.0016∙xb2 (r2=0.906). It identified a linear relationship between heart rate and exercise intensity, with a plateau in heart rate occurring during difference periods. It will serve as an effective reference for the modeling of exercise-induced fatigue. In addition, it also provides a theoretical method for analyzing the correlation between peripheral and central parameters.

Abstract Background: Tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a vital role in determining the outcomes of radiotherapy. As an important component of TME, vascular endothelial cells are involved in the perivascular resistance niche (PVRN), which is formed by inflammation or cytokine production induced by ionizing radiation (IR). Protein kinase CK2 is a constitutively active serine/threonine kinase which plays a vital role in cell proliferation and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the potential role of CK2 in PVRN after IR exposure. Result: Specific CK2 inhibitors, Quinalizarin and CX-4945, were employed to effectively suppressed the kinase activity of CK2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) without affecting their viability. Results showing that conditioned medium from IR-exposed HUVECs increased cell viability of A549 and H460 cells, and the pretreatment of CK2 inhibitors slowed down such increment. The secretion of IL-8 and IL-6 in HUVECs was induced after exposure with IR, but significantly inhibited by the addition of CK2 inhibitors. Furthermore, IR exposure elevated the nuclear phosphorylated factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 expression in HUVECs, which was a master factor regulating cytokine production. But when pretreated with CK2 inhibitors, such elevation was significantly suppressed. Conclusion: This study indicated that protein kinase CK2 is involved in the key process of the IR induced perivascular resistant niche, namely cytokine production, by endothelial cells, which finally led to radioresistance of non-small cell lung cancer cells. Thus, the inhibition of CK2 may be a promising way to improve the outcomes of radiation in nonsmall cell lung cancer cells.

Abstract: DNA methylation is essential for spatiotemporally-regulated gene expression in embryonic development. TBX22 (Chr X: 107667964-107688978) functioning as a transcriptional repressor affects DNA binding, sumoylation, and transcriptional repression associated with X-linked cleft palate. This study aimed to explore the relationship and potential mechanism between TBX22 exon 5 methylation and palatal shelf fusion induced by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). We performed DNA methylation profiling, using MethylRAD-seq, after high throughput sequencing of mouse embryos from control (n=9) and ATRA-treated (to induce cleft palate, n=9) C57BL/6J mice at embryonic gestation days(E) 13.5, 14.5 and 16.5. TBX22 exon 5 was hyper-methylated at the CpG site at E13.5 (P=0.025, log2FC=1.5) and E14.5 (P=0.011, log2FC:1.5) in ATRA-treated, whereas methylation TBX22 exon 5 at the CpG site was not significantly different at E16.5 (P=0.808, log2FC=-0.2) between control and ATRA-treated. MSP results showed a similar trend consistent with the MethylRAD-seq results. qPCR showed the change in TBX22 exon 5 expression level negatively correlated with its TBX22 exon 5 methylation level. These results indicate that changes in TBX22 exon 5 methylation might play an important regulatory role during palatal shelf fusion, and may enlighten the development of novel epigenetic biomarkers in the treatment of CP in the future.

Abstract Biofertilizer Ning shield was composed of different strains of plant growth promotion bacteria. In this study, the plant growth promotion and root-knot nematode disease control potential on Trichosanthes kirilowii in the field were evaluated. The application of Ning shield significantly reduced the diseases severity caused by Meloidogyne incognita, the biocontrol efficacy could reached up to 51.08%. Ning shield could also promote the growth of T. kirilowii in the field by increasing seedling emergence, height and the root weight. The results showed that the Ning shield could enhance the production yield up to 36.26%. Ning shield could also promote the plant growth by increasing the contents of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic matter, and increasing the contents of leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment. Moreover, Ning shield could efficiently enhance the medicinal compositions of Trichosanthes, referring to the polysaccharides and trichosanthin. Therefore, Ning shield is a promising biofertilizer, which can offer beneficial effects to T. kirilowii growers, including the plant growth promotion, the biological control of root-knot disease and enhancement of the yield and the medicinal quality.

Abstract We investigated the morphology and structure of spermatheca in Haplotropis brunneriana (Orthoptera: Pamphagidae) by light and electronic microscopy. The spermatheca can be subdivided into a tubular seminal receptacle and a multiple-coiled spermathecal tube, both of which are composed of cuticular intima, epithelium layer, basal lamina and muscle layer, from inside to outside. The cuticular intima is made up of a heterogeneous endocuticle, a homogeneous exocuticle and an epicuticle, but the proportion of exocuticle in intima of the seminal receptacle is larger than that of the spermathecal tube. The epithelium layer comprises epithelial cells, gland cells and duct cells. The ultrastructural features of the epithelial cells indicated that its function potentially includes support, secretion and absorption. The gland cells potentially fulfil a secretory role indicative of the abundance of mitochondria and microvilli. In gland cells, an extracellular cavity, showing region differences in the seminal receptacle and the spermathecal tube, was lined with microvillus border. The role of duct cell is responsible for forming the secretory ductules, which connect the extracellular cavity with the lumen of the spermatheca through the cuticular intima. These new data contribute to our understanding of the function of the spermatheca of H. brunneriana.

PURPOSE: To observe the effect of cholecystectomy on the changes of motion pattern of Beagle dogs' sphincter of Oddi (SO), and investigate the modulatory role of nitric oxide (NO) and cholecystokinin (CCK) in the regulation of SO.METHODS: Pressure of common bile duct, SO motility, response to bolus injections of cholecystokinin (CCK, 20 ng/kg and 100 ng/kg), basal pressure (BP) and phasic contraction amplitude (PCA) were measured respectively by manometry in six Beagle dogs before and after cholecystectomy.RESULTS: After cholecystectomy, the pressure and diameter of common bile ducts (CBD) was significantly increased (p<0.01); BP and phasic contraction frequency (PCF) were also increased, however, no significant differences were found between the two groups; the SO motilities was not significantly changed. The relaxation responded to physiological dose of CCK (20ng/kg) was decreased, while bolus-dose of CCK (100ng/kg) induced rapid contractions and decreased PCA after cholecystectomy. The regulation pattern of SO pressure modulated by NO and its inhibitor had changed after cholecystectomy.CONCLUSION: After cholecystectomy in Beagle dogs, no obviously change of motion pattern of SO was observed through self-compensation, but these compensations may lead to some changes of regulation pattern of CCK and NO on SO.

PURPOSE: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a new technique. This study describes our initial experience of NOTES and investigates the feasibility of transumbilical endoscopic cholecystectomy (TUEC). METHODS: Eight domestic pigs were submitted to TUEC. After establishment of pneumoperitoneum, a bi-channel endoscope was placed through an infra-umbilical trocar. The gallbladder fundus was lifted by a grasper. The cystic duct and artery was dissected with a flexible hook and clipped by a clip fixing device. The specimen was extracted through the infra-umbilical trocar. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 114 minutes, ranging from 75 to 155 minutes. All the gallbladders were removed successfully. There was one case of subtotal resection, two cases of bleeding and three cases of bile leakage. CONCLUSION: Transumbilical endoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible although it needs more support of experiments and techniques before being applied on human subjects.