RESUMO Introdução: Exercícios podem retardar os efeitos do envelhecimento e melhorar a função física dos idosos. O Tai Chi é uma prática popular de exercício entre os idosos na China. Embora haja estudos que evidenciem os efeitos positivos da prática de Tai Chi, ainda não há um consenso sobre os estudos comparados. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do exercício regular de Tai Chi sobre a estabilidade neuromuscular nos membros inferiores em idosos, comparando os resultados dos praticantes entre grupos idosos de sedentários e praticantes de caminhada. Métodos: Foram selecionados vinte e dois praticantes de Tai Chi, com idade média de 59,3±3,5 anos com tempo médio de prática de 18,4±13,2 anos. Este experimento testa principalmente a capacidade de equilíbrio comparando aos indivíduos que praticam caminhada e outros sedentários. Resultados: A força muscular dos flexores e extensores do joelho no grupo Tai Chi foi significativamente maior do que no grupo sedentário (p=0,001 a 0,00160°/s; P=0,002 a extensores de 60°/s; p=0,002 a 120°/s; flexores de 120°/seg, p=0,003). Similarmente, houve uma diferença significativa na força muscular entre o grupo Tai Chi e o grupo de caminhada (os valores P dos flexores e extensores em ambas as velocidades foram inferiores a 0,001). Conclusão: Exercícios regulares, como o Tai Chi, podem alterar a força muscular dos flexores e extensores gerais do joelho, e melhorar a estabilidade neuromuscular dos idosos nos membros inferiores. Nível de evidência II; Estudos Terapêuticos - Investigação de Resultados.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Exercise can retard the effects of aging and improve the physical function of the elderly. Tai Chi is a widespread exercise practice among the elderly in China. Although studies show the positive effects of Tai Chi practice, there is no consensus about compared studies. Objective: Evaluate the impact of regular Tai Chi exercise on neuromuscular stability in the lower limbs of elderly people, comparing the results of practitioners between sedentary and walking elderly groups. Methods: Twenty-two Tai Chi practitioners were selected, with a mean age of 59.3±3.5 years and a mean practice time of 18.4±13.2 years. This experiment mainly tests the balance ability compared to individuals practicing walking and other sedentary individuals. Results: The muscle strength of the knee flexors and extensors in the Tai Chi group was significantly greater than in the sedentary group (p=0.001 to 0.00160°/sec; P=0.002 to 60°/sec extensors; p=0.002 to 120°/sec; 120°/sec flexors, p=0.003). Similarly, there was a significant difference in muscle strength between the Tai Chi group and the walking group (the P values of the flexors and extensors at both speeds were less than 0.001). Conclusion: Tai Chi, as a regular exercise, can increase muscle strength of the general knee flexors and extensors and improve the neuromuscular stability of lower limbs in the elderly. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the result.

RESUMEN Introducción: Los ejercicios pueden retrasar los efectos del envejecimiento y mejorar la función física de las personas mayores. El Tai Chi es una práctica de ejercicio muy popular entre las personas mayores de China. Aunque hay estudios que demuestran los efectos positivos de la práctica del Tai Chi, todavía no hay consenso sobre los estudios comparativos. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto del ejercicio regular de Tai Chi en la estabilidad neuromuscular de las extremidades inferiores en ancianos, comparando los resultados de los practicantes entre grupos de ancianos sedentarios y caminantes. Métodos: Se seleccionaron 22 practicantes de Tai Chi, con una edad media de 59,3±3,5 años y un tiempo medio de práctica de 18,4±13,2 años. Este experimento pone a prueba principalmente la capacidad de equilibrio en comparación con los individuos que practican caminata y otros sedentarios. Resultados: La fuerza muscular de los flexores y extensores de la rodilla en el grupo de Tai Chi fue significativamente mayor que en el grupo sedentario (p=0,001 a 0,00160°/seg; p=0,002 a 60°/seg extensores; p=0,002 a 120°/seg; 120°/seg flexores, p=0,003). Del mismo modo, hubo una diferencia significativa en la fuerza muscular entre el grupo de Tai Chi y el grupo de caminantes (los valores P de los flexores y extensores a ambas velocidades fueron inferiores a 0,001). Conclusión: Los ejercicios regulares, como el Tai Chi, pueden modificar la fuerza muscular de los flexores y extensores generales de la rodilla y mejorar la estabilidad neuromuscular de los ancianos en las extremidades inferiores. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de resultados.

Abstract Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a carcinogenic mycotoxin present in many foods, posing a serious human health problem. Oriental high-salt fermented foods are highly susceptible to AFB1 contamination due to their production process and condition. Therefore, it is necessary to isolate microbial resources that can remove AFB1 in a high-salt condition. In the current study, forty-nine salt-tolerant microorganisms with the ability to remove AFB1 were isolated from Doubanjiang, a Chinese typical high-salt red pepper paste. Among them, Bacillus velezensis AD8 had the highest removal rate of AFB1. The AFB1 removal activity of B. velezensis AD8 was mainly attributed to culture supernatant, and it was sensitive to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or/and proteinase-K treatment, which indicated that extracellular enzyme contributed to the degradation of AFB1. The optimal incubation time, pH value and NaCl concentration of the initial medium for degradation of AFB1 by the B. velezensis AD8 were investigated. In addition, the AFB1 concentration had no significant effect on degradation activity. The addition of nitrogen source, Mg2+ and Mn2+ stimulated degradation rate, whereas addition of carbon source, Zn2+ and Fe2+ inhibited degradation. Thus, B. velezensis AD8 might be a potential candidate to degrade AFB1 in high-salt food matrices.

Abstract The authors report a rare case of primary cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Mucor irregularis and cutaneous Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in a 67-year-old Chinese woman. After the administration of liposomal amphotericin B combined with cefoperazone/sulbactam sodium, the patient recovered. Invasive fungal infection combined with cutaneous bacterial infection should receive attention.

With the aging of the world's population, the quality of life of older adults is becoming more important. There are many studies on the use of Tai chi exercise, a popular form of mind-body exercise practiced by older adults. However, the effectiveness of Tai chi exercise on the quality of life of older adults is unclear. For this systematic review and meta-analysis, six databases (PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus, CNKI) were searched in English and Chinese languages to screen for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCT), and their risk of bias was assessed by two independent reviewers. The results of quality of life, physical component, and psychological component among older adults were meta-analyzed using RevMan5.3 software. The search retrieved 2577 records. After screening, a total of 10 RCTs were included in this evaluation, with a total of 1170 participants. The meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, Tai chi exercise had a significant impact on the overall quality of life (SMD=1.23; 95%CI: 0.56–1.98; P<0.0001), and on the physical component of quality of life (MD=5.90; 95%CI: 1.05–10.75; P=0.02), but no significant impact on the psychological component of quality of life. This study had high heterogeneity. The results of this study suggest the potential use of Tai chi exercise as an activity for increased quality of life in older adults. Future research may enhance experimental rigor and explore the rationale behind Tai chi exercise.

Exercise-based training decreases hospitalizations in heart failure patients but such patients have exercise intolerance. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of Tai Chi exercise and lower limb muscles' functional electrical stimulation in older chronic heart failure adults. A total of 1,084 older adults with chronic systolic heart failure were included in a non-randomized clinical trial (n=271 per group). The control group did not receive any kind of intervention, one group received functional electrical stimulation of lower limb muscles (FES group), another group practiced Tai Chi exercise (TCE group), and another received functional electrical stimulation of lower limb muscles and practiced Tai Chi exercise (FES & TCE group). Quality of life and cardiorespiratory functions of all patients were evaluated. Compared to the control group, only FES group had increased Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score (P<0.0001, q=9.06), only the TCE group had decreased heart rate (P<0.0001, q=5.72), and decreased peak oxygen consumption was reported in the TCE group (P<0.0001, q=9.15) and FES & TCE group (P<0.0001, q=10.69). FES of lower limb muscles and Tai Chi exercise can recover the quality of life and cardiorespiratory functions of older chronic heart failure adults (trial registration: Research Registry 4474, January 1, 2015).

A novel processing technology for the fabrication of particle reinforced metal matrix composites, powder thixoforming (PTF), was proposed and 6061 Al-based composites reinforced with 10% volume fractions of SiC particles (SiCp) were fabricated. The effects of processing parameters, such as reheating time, mould temperature and reheating temperature, on its microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The results indicated that all the three processing parameters exerted a significant influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties. The behavior of SiCp changes with the processing parameters. The best comprehensive mechanical properties with an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 228 MPa, elongation of 5.3% and a Vickers hardness of 66.4 HV are obtained when the composite is thixoforged under the reheating temperature of 660 0C for 90 min and the mould temperature of 250 0C.

Abstract Background A number of dysregulated miRNAs have been identified and are proposed to have significant roles in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus or renal pathology. Alpinia oxyphylla has shown significant anti-inflammatory properties and play an anti-diabetes role. The objective of this study was to detect the alteration of miRNAs underlying the anti-diabetes effects of A. oxyphylla extract (AOE) in a type II diabetic animal model (C57BIKsj db-/db-). Results Treatment with AOE for 8 weeks led to lower concentrations of blood glucose, urine albumin, and urine creatinine. 17 and 13 miRNAs were statistically identified as differentially regulated in the DB/DB and db-/db- AOE mice, respectively, compared to the untreated db-/db- mice. Of these, 7 miRNAs were identified in both comparison groups, and these 7 miRNAs were verified by quantitative real-time PCR. Functional bioinformatics showed that the putative target genes of 7 miRNAs were associated with several diabetes effects and signaling pathways. Conclusions These founding suggest that the potential of AOE as a medicinal anti-diabetes treatment through changes in the expressions of specific miRNAs. The results provide a useful resource for future investigation of the role of AOE-regulated miRNAs in diabetes mellitus.

Chalcone isomerase (CHI) is the key enzyme that catalyzes chalcone into (2S)-flavanol or (2S)-5-desoxidation flavanol. The full length cDNA (1050 bp) of AhCHI (Arachis hypogaea CHI gene) was cloned by large scale EST sequencing using a peanut immature seed cDNA library. Sequence analysis results indicated that it was a type I CHI gene (with the accession number JN660794). The ORF of AhCHI was 768 bp, encoding a peptide of 255 amino acids with a pI of 5.189. Sequence alignment showed that the coding region of AhCHI gene is highly conserved to compare with CHI genes from other plant species. Peanut cDNA microarray and semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that AhCHI was highly expressed in pegs. The expression level in flower and root was higher than the expression level in stem and leaf. AhCHI was expressed in a high level in seeds with a purple seed coat, while its expression was low in seed with white seed coat.