ABSTRACT Introduction: Swimming is a sport that requires mastery of muscle groups, breathing, and cardiopulmonary strengthening, being a complete physical activity. To improve the competitive level of its athletes, making possible better results in competitions is a frequent challenge that demands training analysis and frequent adaptations. Objective: Study the effects of current physical training on the competitive performance of athletes. Methods: Twenty-four volunteer swimmers were selected and equally distributed in two groups. The experimental group performed swimming-specific physical training according to the established training plan, and the control group performed general physical training based mainly on running. There was no difference in the duration or intensity of training between the groups. The experimental period was 8 weeks, three times a week. Results: The experimental group was superior to the control group in terms of optimizing physical function, optimizing special fitness, and improving athletic levels. Conclusion: Special physical training for athletes can improve swimmers’ physical function more efficiently, improve their competitiveness and sports efficiency, and reduce sports injuries. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: La natación es un deporte que exige dominio de los grupos musculares, respiración y fortalecimiento cardiopulmonar, siendo una actividad física completa. Mejorar el nivel competitivo de sus atletas, posibilitando mejores resultados en las competiciones es un desafío frecuente que exige análisis del entrenamiento y para frecuentes adaptaciones. Objetivo: Estudiar los efectos del entrenamiento físico actual sobre el rendimiento competitivo de los atletas. Métodos: 24 nadadores voluntarios fueron seleccionados y distribuidos equitativamente en dos grupos. El grupo experimental realizó un entrenamiento físico específico para natación según el plan de entrenamiento establecido, y el grupo control realizó un entrenamiento físico general basado principalmente en la carrera. No hubo diferencias en la duración ni en la intensidad del entrenamiento entre los grupos. El periodo experimental fue de 8 semanas, tres veces por semana. Resultados: El grupo experimental fue superior al grupo de control en términos de optimización de la función física, optimización de la condición física especial y mejora del nivel atlético. Conclusión: El entrenamiento físico especial para atletas puede mejorar la función física de los nadadores de forma más eficiente, mejorar su nivel competitivo y eficiencia deportiva, y reducir las lesiones deportivas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: A natação é um esporte que exige domínio dos grupos musculares, respiração e fortalecimento cardiopulmonar, sendo uma atividade física completa. Melhorar o nível competitivo de seus atletas, possibilitando melhores resultados nas competições é um desafio frequente que exige análise de treinamento e para adaptações frequentes. Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos do treinamento físico atual sobre o desempenho competitivo dos esportistas. Métodos: Foram selecionados 24 nadadores voluntários, distribuídos igualmente em dois grupos. O grupo experimental realizou um treinamento físico específico para a natação de acordo com o plano de treinamento estabelecido, e o grupo de controle realizou um treinamento físico geral baseado principalmente na corrida. Não houve diferença em duração ou intensidade do treinamento entre os grupos. O período experimental foi de 8 semanas, três vezes por semana. Resultados: O grupo experimental foi superior ao grupo de controle em termos de otimização da função física, otimização da aptidão física especial e melhoria do nível atlético. Conclusão: O treinamento físico especial para atletas pode melhorar a função física dos nadadores de forma mais eficiente, melhorar seu nível competitivo e eficiência esportiva, além de reduzir lesões esportivas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Abstract We conducted this study to determine whether cornuside could improve the neurological deficit symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) rats, as well as determine the potential involvement of CD4+ T lymphocytes, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Altogether, 32 Lewis rats were randomly divided into control, EAE, EAE/prednisolone, and EAE/cornuside, wherein their neurological function was assessed every day. CD4+ T lymphocyte recruitment into the spinal cord (SC) was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and TNF-α mRNA expressions in the SC were determined by real-time quantitative PCR, and the VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 proteins were determined by western blotting. Compared to the control group, the EAE group rats with neurological deficits had enhanced CD4+ T lymphocyte infiltration and higher expression levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and TNF-α in the SC. Meanwhile, compared with the EAE group, the EAE/cornuside and EAE/prednisolone groups had lower neurological scores, less CD4+ T lymphocyte infiltrations, and lower expression levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and TNF-α in the SC. Thus, cornuside ameliorated EAE, which could be owed to the inhibition of CD4+ T lymphocyte recruitment and VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and TNF-α expressions in the SC.

ABSTRACT Pervious asphalt concrete (PAC) pavement is an environmentally friendly type of pavement due to its highly porous structure. However, with the increase in the service life of PAC, small substances such as damaged rubber particles, industrial dust, sand, and grease collected in rainwater infiltrate the voids of PAC so that it loses its original pervious structure and functions. In order to explore the effects of chemical pore-clearing methods on the infiltration rate of blocked PAC pores in the present study, chemical agents such as sodium hydroxide solution (H2O2) and hydrogen peroxide (NaOH) solution were used to rinse the voids in PAC specimens obtained from field sampling and laboratory preparation. The effectiveness of different chemical pore-clearing methods in restoring the permeability and stability of PAC was evaluated by water infiltration rate measurements, Cantabro abrasion tests, and CT scanning. The results showed that the capability of H2O2 solution to restore PAC porosity was greater than that of tap water and NaOH solution, especially when the H2O2 content in the solution was 6%. In addition, the decomposition products of H2O2 are oxygen and water, which are environmentally friendly products, this method proved highly effective in preventing groundwater contamination from pavement-cleansing chemical solutions.

Resumo Introdução: A fístula congênita do seio piriforme é uma doença relativamente rara na prática clínica; a maioria se manifesta na infância; entretanto, os médicos geralmente têm conhecimento insuficiente sobre essa condição clínica e seu diagnóstico é facilmente feito de forma errônea. Objetivo: Identificar as características do abscesso cervical profundo devido à fístula congênita de seio piriforme em crianças. Método: Estudo retrospectivo de 21 casos de janeiro de 2016 a agosto de 2018 em nosso hospital. Idade de início, características clínicas, exames auxiliares e tratamento clínico dos pacientes foram resumidos para analisar o diagnóstico, as características do tratamento e o prognóstico. Resultados: Foram incluídas crianças de 11 dias a 12 anos, com média de 3,5 anos. Vinte pacientes tinham fístula congênita de seio piriforme no lado esquerdo e um no lado direito; a tomografia computadorizada cervical com contraste mostrava distribuição líquido-gasosa ou sombra aérea nos abscessos em 18 casos. O ultrassom cervical demonstrou eco gasoso na região da tireoide em 10 casos. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a plasma de baixa temperatura para queimar a fístula interna e retornaram ao hospital para exame com laringoscópio eletrônico e ultrassonografia cervical aos 3 meses, 6 meses e um ano após a cirurgia. Não houve recorrências. Conclusão: A fístula congênita de seio piriforme é uma causa importante de abscesso cervical profundo em crianças. A presença de conteúdo líquido-gasoso purulento ou sombra gasosa na tomografia computadorizada ou no ultrassom cervical sugere uma alta possibilidade da presença de uma fístula interna e a ablação endoscópica a baixa temperatura pode ser feita ao mesmo tempo que a endoscopia diagnóstica.

Abstract Introduction: Congenital piriform sinus fistula is a relatively rare type of disease in clinical practice, most occurring during childhood, but doctors have insufficient knowledge regarding this disease, easily misdiagnosing it. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of deep neck abscess due to congenital piriform sinus fistula in children. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 21 cases from January 2016 to August 2018 in our hospital. The onset age, clinical characteristics, auxiliary examination and clinical treatment of the patients was summarized to analyze the diagnosis, treatment characteristics and prognosis. Results: Children from 11 days to 12 years-old were enrolled, with an average age of 3.5 years. Twenty patients had left congenital piriform sinus fistula and 1 had right congenital piriform sinus fistula. Cervical enhanced computed tomography imaging showed gas-liquid equilibrium or air-shadow in the abscesses in 18 cases, and neck ultrasound demonstrated gas echo in the thyroid region in 10 cases. All patients underwent low temperature plasma to seal the internal fistula and returned to the hospital for electronic laryngoscope and neck ultrasound examination at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after the surgery. No recurrence occurred in any patient. Conclusion: Congenital piriform sinus fistula is an important cause of deep neck abscess in children. The presence of purulent gas-liquid equilibrium or air shadow in cervical-enhanced computed tomography or ultrasound suggests a high possibility of the presence of an internal fistula, and endoscopic low temperature ablation can be done at the same time as the diagnostic endoscopy.

Abstract The present research introduces a new configuration of thin-walled nested tube structure as a possible energy absorber subjected to lateral compression. The nested-tube structures were configured in a system comprising of four tubes arranged in different ways. All the nested systems were quasi-statically compressed in the lateral direction on a universal mechanical tester to obtain their energy absorption characteristics. Two modes of deformation, asymmetric mode referred to as “overlap” and symmetric mode referred to as “side-by-side”, were identified in the four-tubes nested systems. The specific energy absorbed by the inverted four-tubes systems was larger than that of the three-tubes nested systems by 20%. The experiments were also modelled using ABAQUSv6.13. Good correlations were obtained for the deformation modes and the corresponding lateral crush force-displacement. The validated model was thereafter used in parametric study to investigate the effectiveness of the nested system under two different boundary conditions; rotation of the specimen by different angles and impact at different angles.

ABSTRACT The growing popularity of the adoption of the linked data is increasing the semantic interoperability in the digital libraries era. The linked data principles provide an efficient way to interlink resources across diverse datasets. Several digital libraries around the world are publishing their legacy data from catalogs and authority files following the linked data principles. In this paper, we propose a linked data-based semantic interoperability framework for digital libraries. The proposed framework is based on three layers, supporting the data acquisition, linked data publication process and the building of value-added services for the digital libraries users. In order to evaluate the feasibility of the framework proposed, we have built a prototype as a proof of concept. The prototype demonstrates the effective implementation of wrappers as a data integration method to deals with the heterogeneity of the diverse data sources. Moreover, illustrates the importance of dealing with the quality of the bibliographic metadata form early stages of development.

RESUMEN La creciente popularidad de la adopción de los datos enlazados está aumentando la interoperabilidad semántica en la era de las bibliotecas digitales. Los principios de los datos enlazados proporcionan una manera eficiente de interconectar recursos a través de diversos conjuntos de datos. Varias bibliotecas digitales en todo el mundo están publicando sus datos heredados de catálogos y archivos de autoridad siguiendo los principios de los datos enlazados. En este artículo, se propone un marco de interoperabilidad semántica basado en los datos enlazados para bibliotecas digitales. El marco propuesto se basa en tres capas, que soportan la adquisición de datos, el proceso de publicación de datos enlazados y la creación de servicios de valor agregado para los usuarios de las bibliotecas digitales. Para evaluar la viabilidad del marco propuesto, hemos creado un prototipo como prueba de concepto. El prototipo demuestra la implementación efectiva de envoltorios como un método de integración de datos para abordar la heterogeneidad de las diversas fuentes de datos. Además, ilustra la importancia de tratar con la calidad de los metadatos bibliográficos desde las primeras etapas del desarrollo.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate gyrA and gyrB mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) clinical strains from 93 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Hubei Province, China, and analyze the association between mutation patterns of the genes and ofloxacin resistance level. RESULTS: Among 93 MTB clinical isolates, 61 were ofloxacin-resistant by the proportion method, and 32 were ofloxacin-susceptible MDR-TB. No mutation in the gyrB gene was found in any MTB strains. In the 61 ofloxacin-resistant isolates, 54 mutations were observed in the gyrA gene. Only one mutation in the gyrA gene was found in ofloxacin-susceptible MDR-TB isolates. In this study, the mutation patterns of gyrA involved seven patterns of single codon mutation (A90V, S91P, S91T, D94N, D94Y, D94G or D94A) and two patterns of double codons mutation (S91P & D94H, S91P & D94A). The ofloxacin minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of three patterns of single codon mutations in the gyrA gene (codons 94, 90 and 91) showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The gyrA mutations at codons 90, 91 and 94 constitute the primary mechanism of fluoroquinolone resistance in MTB, and mutations at codon 91 in the gyrA gene may be associated with low-level resistance to ofloxacin.

In this paper a number of anticancer agents of natural origin will be presented. Hydroxycamtothecin (HCPT) was found to produce a strong inhibitory action on a variety of animal tumors. It is also effective for treatment of patients with gastric carcinoma, liver carcinoma, tumor of head and neck or leukemia. Pharmacologic studies showed that it could depress S phase of tumor cells significantly and cause formation of cellular chromatid breaks. By means of alkaline elution and nick translation methods it has been proved that HCPT induced DNA singlo strand breaks remarkably. Homoharringyonine (hhrt) was shown to be effective against acute leukemia. Recent experiments in tumor-bearing mice inidcated that (HHRT) could diminish tumor metastasis. Using molecular hybridization technique it was demonstrated that (HHRT) decreased the content of c-myc RNA in the cytoplasm but not in the nuclei. Lycobetaine (LBT) poddrddrf dytnh inhibitory effects on a number of ascites tumors. In clinical trials it was against ovarian and gastric carcinomas. It is able to intercalate into DNA. Oxalysine (OXL) is a new antibiotic and shown to be effective against tumor metastatis. When used in combination with 5-FU, its anticancer action could be enhanced. Other natural compounds such as indirubin, ß-elemene, irisquinone, oridonine, norcantharidin and PSP have been also found to possess antitumor action.