Abstract Impacts of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) pretreatment on the physicochemical, functional and antioxidant properties of soybean protein isolate (SPI) were investigated. Changes in the secondary and tertiary structures were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectra and fluorescence spectra. The particle sizes reduced from 217.20 nm to 192.70 nm while the zeta potential increased. It’s revealed by scanning electron microscopy that the HHP treatment could result in the formation of large aggregation, leaving the SPI with irregular and uneven surface. Moreover, hollow spheres were also observed in SPI by means of dynamic and static light scattering. As a result, the foaming capacity of HHP-treated SPI and antioxidant activity of the HHP-treated SPI hydrolysates were improved significantly.

In this experiment, a ZnO-fibre complex was prepared using the hydrothermal methods of "water solubility," "coupling agent," and "high temperature and high pressure". Binding rate, antibacterial activity, microstructure, and the infrared spectrum were measured using biomimetic digestion, bacterial proliferation tests, and ultra-fine electron microscopes. At first, ZnO-fibre complexes were prepared with different ratios of material and water. They was divided into five groups with ratios of 1:0, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8, and 1:10, respectively. The ZnO-fibre complexes were prepared with different coupling agents on the basis of experiment 1. They were divided into four groups. The ratio for material and water in the control group was 1:0, and in the treatment group, was 1:4. Treatment groups 2 and 3 had 10% guar gum or 10% bamboo fibre polymer composites (BFP) added on the basis of group 1. A ZnO-fibre complex was successfully prepared by adding 10% BFP at a ratio of material:water of 1:4, at a high temperature of 120 °C and a high pressure of 0.3 MPa for 20 min. The ZnO-binding rate reached 99.05%. The zinc oxide may bind to the carbonyl group of bamboo powder and adhere to the surface of and gaps in the bamboo fibre. The growth inhibition rate of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus was double that of the common ZnO additive and Zn concentration. It is expected to be used as a slow-release ZnO additive.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The physical fitness of college students incites an alarming concern. Although the importance of fitness tests for college students has improved, the overall level and range are low. This requires colleges and universities to increase sports awareness and enrich their exercise methods. Relevant scientific articles can assist universities in promoting college students' physical and mental health. Objective: Analyze the effects of exercise on college students' physical fitness. Methods: We randomly selected 30 college students with normal cardiopulmonary function as volunteers for the research. Walking for 30 minutes was promoted, followed by a rapid walking test for college students. Factors such as breathing, heart rate, and other indicators during exercise were collected, measured, and evaluated. Results: The students in the research had good correlations with each index of oxygen uptake, CO2 exhalation, ventilation ratio, and heart rate during uniform running. The value of the indices tended to stabilize about 5 minutes after exercise. Conclusion: Active running exercise can improve aerobic endurance in college students. Physical fitness was improved in this trial. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: La condición física de los estudiantes universitarios suscita una alarmante preocupación. Aunque la importancia de las pruebas de aptitud física para los estudiantes universitarios ha mejorado, el nivel general y su alcance son bajos. Esto requiere que los colegios y universidades adopten actitudes para aumentar la conciencia deportiva y enriquecer sus métodos de ejercicio físico. Los artículos científicos pertinentes pueden ayudar a las universidades en sus esfuerzos por promover la salud física y mental de los estudiantes universitarios. Objetivo: Analizar los efectos del ejercicio físico en la aptitud física de los estudiantes universitarios. Métodos: Seleccionamos al azar 30 estudiantes universitarios con función cardiopulmonar normal como voluntarios para la investigación. Se promovió el caminar durante 30 minutos seguido de una prueba de marcha rápida en estudiantes universitarios. Se recogieron, midieron y evaluaron factores como la respiración, la frecuencia cardíaca y otros indicadores durante el ejercicio. Resultados: Los estudiantes de la investigación tenían buenas correlaciones con cada índice de captación de oxígeno, exhalación de CO2, relación de ventilación y frecuencia cardíaca durante la carrera uniforme. El valor de los índices tendía a estabilizarse unos 5 minutos después del ejercicio. Conclusión: El ejercicio de carrera activa puede mejorar la resistencia aeróbica de los estudiantes universitarios. En este experimento se mejoró la aptitud física. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: O condicionamento físico dos estudantes universitários incita uma preocupação alarmante. Embora a importância dos testes de condicionamento físico para os estudantes universitários tenha se aprimorado, o nível geral e sua faixa de variação são baixos. Isso exige das faculdades e universidades atitudes para aumentar a consciência dos esportes e enriquecer seus métodos de exercício físico. Artigos científicos relevantes podem auxiliar as universidades em seus esforços para promover a saúde física e mental dos estudantes universitários. Objetivo: Analisar os efeitos da prática de exercícios físicos sobre o condicionamento físico dos universitários. Métodos: Selecionou-se aleatoriamente 30 estudantes universitários com função cardiopulmonar normal como voluntários para a pesquisa. Foi promovida a caminhada por 30 minutos seguida de um teste rápido de caminhada nos estudantes universitários. Fatores como a respiração, frequência cardíaca e outros indicadores durante o exercício foram coletados, medidos e avaliados. Resultados: Os estudantes da pesquisa tinham boas correlações com cada índice de absorção de oxigênio, exalação de CO2, relação de ventilação e frequência cardíaca durante a corrida uniforme. O valor dos índices tendeu a estabilizar-se cerca de 5 minutos após o exercício. Conclusão: O exercício de corrida ativa pode melhorar a resistência aeróbica dos estudantes universitários. O condicionamento físico foi aprimorado nesse experimento. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to compare progression-free survival, overall survival, clinical benefits, and adverse effects in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer who received buparlisib plus fulvestrant against those of women who received dalpiciclib plus fulvestrant, considering ribociclib plus letrozole treatment as the reference standard. Methods: Women received buparlisib plus fulvestrant (BF cohort, n = 108), dalpiciclib plus fulvestrant (DF cohort, n = 132), or ribociclib plus letrozole (RL cohort, n = 150) until unacceptable toxicity was observed. Results: A total of 117 (89 %), 80 (74 %), and 84 (56 %) women in the BF, DF, and RL cohorts, respectively, had clinical benefits. After treatment, the clinical benefits for women and after 42 months of follow-up progression-free survival and overall survival were higher in the DF cohort than in the BF and RL cohorts (p < 0.05 for all). Neutropenia, vomiting, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, and anorexia were reported higher in women of the DF and BF cohorts than in women of the RL cohort. Leukopenia and increased levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were reported to be higher in women in the RL cohort than in women in the DF and BF cohorts. Depression, anxiety, and increased levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were reported to be higher in women in the BF cohort than in women in the DF and RL cohorts. Conclusions: Dalpiciclib plus fulvestrant is effective and comparatively safe in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancers. Dalpiciclib, buparlisib, fulvestrant, and ribociclib cause neutropenia, severe depression, adverse gastroenterological effects, and adverse hepatological effects, respectively.

Nano-surface layers were prepared on the surface of 6061 aluminum alloy using the ultrasonic surface rolling process (USRP). The surface morphology, surface roughness, microstructure, hardness, and corrosion resistance of 6061 aluminum alloy were systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), optical microscope(OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and other testing methods. The results showed that ultrasonic surface rolling strengthening did not change the surface phase composition of 6061 aluminum alloy. It changed the size of the surface phases and the distance between the phases while refining the surface grains. The static pressures has a great influence on the surface properties of 6061 aluminum alloy. The best surface properties were obtained under 500N static pressures. The surface hardness reached 129.5HV0.5, the surface morphology was flat and continuous, the surface roughness was reduced to Ra0.191μm, and the corrosion resistance was significantly improved.

ABSTRACT To improve the complex process of judging the degree of soil fragmentation during potato-soil separation and to establish a fast and effective judging method. Soil drop experiments were performed using sandy soil from the potato growing region of Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The effects of soil moisture content, hardness, volume, drop height, inclination of the separating sieve and composition of the separating sieve rod on soil fragmentation were investigated. The fractal dimension and image processing used to quantify soil fragmentation and scattering and obtain quantitative indicators of soil fragmentation. The results showed that the following factors influenced soil fragmentation in descending order of statistical significance: soil hardness, fall height and soil volume. The softer the soil was, the greater the fall height; the larger the soil volume was, the greater the fragmentation. Meanwhile the correlation between the two indicators is extremely high, simplifying assessment of the degree of soil fragmentation. This study clearly shows the influence of the intrinsic physical properties of soil and the external physical parameters of potato excavators on the characteristics of crushed soil. The results can provide a basis for improving the efficiency of potato-soil separation and designing more efficient devices for harvesting potatoes. potatosoil method Hohhot Region China content hardness investigated significance was high potatoes

RESUMO Introdução: A partida é uma etapa importante na corrida de cem metros. A velocidade de reação no início estabelece a base psicológica para o desempenho normal e a melhoria do desempenho nas três fases seguintes. Objetivo: Investigar o tempo de reação de atletas no estágio inicial da corrida de 100 metros rasos. Isso ajudará a analisar o mecanismo de resposta interno do corpo, que recebe sinais e responde a ações. Métodos: Pesquisa bibliográfica com comparação experimental e estatísticas matemáticas para estudar o tempo de reação inicial de corredores. Resultados: O tempo de reação inicial de corredores do sexo feminino ou masculino foi basicamente o mesmo. Conclusões: O tempo de reação inicial dos corredores chineses precisa ser melhorado. Corredores dos 400 metros, especialmente, devem dedicar mais tempo de treinamento ao tempo de reação inicial. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos – investigação de resultados de tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The start of a sprint race is one of its most important stages. The reaction time at the start lays a psychological foundation for normal performance and performance improvement in its next three stages. Objective: To research the reaction time of athletes in the starting stage of the 100-meters sprint race. This helps analyze the internal reaction mechanism of the body, which receives signals and responds to actions. Methods: We use a bibliographical research, experimental comparison, and mathematical statistics to study the starting reaction time of sprinters. Results: The starting reaction time of male and female sprinters was basically at the same level. Conclusion: The starting time of Chinese sprinters needs to be improved. 400-m sprinters, especially, should devote more training to their starting reaction time. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Introducción: La partida es una etapa importante en la corrida de cien metros. La velocidad de reacción en el inicio establece la base psicológica para el desempeño normal y la mejoría del desempeño en las tres fases siguientes. Objetivo: Investigar el tiempo de reacción de atletas en la etapa inicial de la corrida de 100 metros. Esto ayudará a analizar el mecanismo de respuesta interno del cuerpo, que recibe señales y responde a acciones. Métodos: Investigación bibliográfica con comparación experimental y estadísticas matemáticas para estudiar el tiempo de reacción inicial de corredores. Resultados: El tiempo de reacción inicial de corredores del sexo femenino o masculino fue básicamente el mismo. Conclusiones: El tiempo de reacción inicial de los corredores chinos necesita ser mejorado. Corredores de 400 metros, especialmente, deben dedicar más tiempo de entrenamiento al tiempo de reacción inicial. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos – investigación de resultados de tratamiento.

The fluorescent microspheres are prepared by the swelling-evaporation method. The optimal swelling conditions are obtained by researching related factors, such as types and dosages of swelling agent, dosages of fluorescent substance, swelling time and swelling temperature. Considering that the structure of microspheres can influence the swelling properties, the paper mainly focuses on the effect of molecular weight and surface carboxyl group content of polystyrene microspheres on swelling properties. When the molecular weight of microspheres is 75276 g mol-1, the density of carboxyl group on their surface is 6.94×10-4 mol g-1, and the doping amount of europium complex reaches the maximum of 24.9 mg g-1 with the strongest fluorescence intensity. Meanwhile, the as-prepared fluorescent microspheres have high monodispersity, uniform particles size and high thermal stability (the decomposition temperature is 385oC), which sets up the good foundation for biomolecule detection. So, this work provides a significant experience for the preparation of fluorescent microspheres.

Abstract Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharide (EP) is a water-soluble sulfated polysaccharide with many types of biological activities. In this study, the crude polysaccharide was extracted from Enteromorpha prolifera and degraded by different physical, chemical, and biological methods. The results showed that the enzymatic degradation products displayed the best tyrosinase inhibitory activity. The optimal enzymatic degradation conditions were as follows: 30 °C, pH 5.5, 750 U/mL enzyme dosage for 2 h. The enzymatic hydrolysates were then divided into six EP fractions (EPFs) by an ultrafiltration membrane. The in vitro tyrosinase inhibitory activity of these fractions showed that the smaller the molecular weight of EPF, the better the inhibitory effect on tyrosinase. The antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory effect of the most effective EPF, a molecular weight below 5 kDa, (EPF5), was further confirmed on B16 cells. A kinetic study of tyrosinase inhibitory activity revealed that EPF5 is a competitive-uncompetitive mixed-type inhibitor of tyrosinase. These findings suggested that EPF5 has significant potential as a skin-whitening agent in cosmetics as well as an antibrowning agent in the food and agriculture industries.

RESUMO Introdução: As lesões no esporte são uma razão importante para interferir no treinamento esportivo e no exercício físico, já que não apenas levam a dor desnecessária do corpo lesado, mas também levam a emoções negativas em atletas. Objetivo: Estudar as características de lesões esportivas de atletas de ginástica aeróbica de alto nível competitivo na China. Métodos: Dados da literatura, questionário de sondagem, entrevistas especializadas, observação de campo, estatísticas matemáticas e acompanhamento fisioterapêutico foram usados. Resultados: Pulsos, tornozelos, cintura e joelhos são as partes lesadas com maior frequência nas atletas de ginástica aeróbica de alto nível competitivo na China. O tipo mais comum é a lesão aguda, porém a lesão crônica (48,18%) não pode ser ignorada. Noventa por cento de atletas de ginástica aeróbica de alto nível competitivo na ativa treinam com lesões, e 10% param de treinar completamente devido às lesões. Conclusões: Atletas devem ficar atentos a suas reservas fiscais e fortalecer seu treino físico. Devem também ficar atentos a auto supervisão, ao seu estado emocional e controlar a quantidade exercícios que praticam. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos – investigação de resultados de tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sports injury is an important reason to interfere with sports training and physical exercise since it will not only bring unnecessary pain to the injured body, but also bring out negative emotions in athletes. Objective: To study the sports injury characteristics of high level competitive aerobics athletes in China. Methods: Literature data, questionnaire survey, expert interviews, field observation, mathematical statistics and physiotherapy tracking were used. Results: Wrists, ankles, waist and knees were the most frequently injured parts in high level competitive aerobics athletes in China. The main type of injury was acute injury, but chronic injury (48.18%) could not be ignored. Ninety percent of active high-level competitive aerobics athletes train with injuries, and 10 percent of them completely stop training because of injuries. Conclusions: Athletes should pay attention to their physical reserve and strengthen physical training. They must also be attentive to self-supervision, their own subjective feelings, and control the amount of exercise done. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Introducción: Las lesiones en el deporte son una razón importante para interferir en el entrenamiento deportivo y en el ejercicio físico, ya que no solo llevan al dolor desnecesario del cuerpo lesionado, sino que llevan a emociones negativas en atletas. Objetivo: Estudiar las características de lesiones deportivas de atletas de gimnasia aeróbica de alto nivel competitivo en China. Métodos: Se utilizaron datos de la literatura, encuestas de sondeo, entrevistas especializadas, observación de campo, estadísticas matemáticas y acompañamiento fisioterapéutico. Resultados: Muñecas, tobillos, cintura y rodillas son las partes lesionadas con mayor frecuencia en las atletas de gimnasia aeróbica de alto nivel competitivo en China. El tipo más común es la lesión aguda, pero la lesión crónica (48,18%) no puede ignorarse. Noventa por ciento de atletas de gimnasia aeróbica de alto nivel competitivo en China entrenan con lesiones, y 10% paran de entrenar completamiento debido a las lesiones. Conclusiones: Atletas deben atentarse a sus reservas fiscales y fortalecer su entrenamiento físico. Deben también atentarse a la autosupervisión, a su estado emocional y controlar la cantidad de ejercicios que practican. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos – investigación de resultados de tratamiento.

Resumo Fundamento: A taxa de falha de enxerto de veia safena um ano após a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio varia de 10% a 25%. O objetivo deste estudo foi de investigar se a atorvastatina pode reduzir o acúmulo de células musculares lisas vasculares para inibir a hiperplasia intimal por meio da inibição da via p38 MAPK. Métodos: Quarenta e cinco ratos Sprague-Dawley foram randomizados em três grupos. Trinta ratos foram submetidos à cirurgia de enxerto de veia e randomizados para tratamento com veículo ou atorvastatina; quinze ratos foram submetidos à cirurgia sham. Detectamos a hiperplasia intimal por meio de coloração com hematoxilina-eosina e a expressão de proteínas relacionadas por meio de análise imuno-histoquímica e Western blot. Foram realizadas as comparações por análise de variância de fator único e pelo teste da diferença mínima significativa de Fisher, com p < 0,05 considerado significativo. Resultados: A íntima analisada pela coloração com hematoxilina-eosina era dramaticamente mais espessa no grupo controle que no grupo atorvastatina e no grupo sham (p < 0,01). Os resultados da coloração imuno-histoquímica de α-SMA demonstraram que a porcentagem de células positivas para α-SMA no grupo controle era mais alta que no grupo atorvastatina (p < 0,01). Nós também avaliamos α-SMA, PCNA, p38 MAPK e fosforilação de p38 MAPK após o tratamento com estatina por meio de análise de Western blot e os resultados indicaram que a atorvastatina não levou à redução de p38 MAPK (p < 0,05); no entanto, resultou na inibição da fosforilação de p38 MAPK (p < 0,01) e reduziu significativamente os níveis de α-SMA e PCNA, em comparação com o grupo controle (p < 0,01). Conclusão: Nós demonstramos que a atorvastatina pode inibir o acúmulo de células musculares lisas vasculares por meio da inibição da via p38 MAPK e é capaz de inibir a hiperplasia intimal em modelos de enxerto de veia em ratos.

Abstract Background: The rate of saphenous vein graft failure one year after coronary artery bypass grafting ranges from 10% to 25%. The aim of this study was to explore whether atorvastatin can reduce accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells to inhibit intimal hyperplasia via p38 MAPK pathway inhibition. Methods: Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to three groups. Thirty rats received a vein graft operation, and they were randomized to be treated with vehicle or atorvastatin; fifteen rats received a sham operation. We detected intimal hyperplasia by hematoxylin-eosin staining and related protein expression by immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis. Comparisons were analyzed by single-factor analysis of variance and Fisher's least significant difference test, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: The intima analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin staining was dramatically thicker in the control group than in the atorvastatin group and sham group (p < 0.01). The outcomes of immunohistochemical staining of α-SMA demonstrated that the percentage of α-SMA-positive cells in the control group was higher than in the atorvastatin group (p < 0.01). We also evaluated α-SMA, PCNA, p38 MAPK, and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK after statin treatment by Western blot analysis, and the results indicated that atorvastatin did not lead to p38 MAPK reduction (p < 0.05); it did, however, result in inhibition of p38 MAPK phosphorylation (p < 0.01), and it significantly reduced α-SMA and PCNA levels, in comparison with the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: We have demonstrated that atorvastatin can inhibit accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells by inhibiting the p38 MAPK pathway, and it is capable of inhibiting intimal hyperplasia in a rat vein graft model.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have not shown any correlation between bile acid metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Thus, the current study evaluated the association between bile acid levels as well as BMD and bone turnover marker levels in this group of women. METHODS: This single-center cross-sectional study included 150 postmenopausal Chinese women. According to BMD, the participants were divided into three groups: osteoporosis group, osteopenia group, and healthy control group. Serum bile acid, fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), and bone turnover biomarker levels were assessed. Moreover, the concentrations of parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D], procollagen type I N-peptide (P1NP), and beta-CrossLaps of type I collagen containing cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide (β-CTX) were evaluated. The BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur were examined via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The serum total bile acid levels in the osteoporosis and osteopenia groups (5.28±1.56 and 5.31±1.56 umol/L, respectively) were significantly lower than that in the healthy control group (6.33±2.04 umol/L; p=0.002 and 0.018, respectively). Serum bile acid level was positively associated with the BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip. However, it negatively correlated with β-CTX concentration. Moreover, no correlation was observed between bile acid and P1NP levels, and the levels of the other biomarkers that were measured did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Serum bile acid was positively correlated with BMD and negatively correlated with bone turnover biomarkers reflecting bone absorption in postmenopausal women. Thus, bile acid may play an important role in bone metabolism.

SUMMARY: This study aimed to investigate the micro-anatomical morphology of ossicular chain in term fetus using micro-CT, in order to analyze the parameters of internal ossicular structure that may affect sound conduction.Four ossicular chains from two term fetuses were scanned by micro-CT. The related structural parameters of the trabeculae within the incus and malleus were calculated and compared. The fine anatomical structure of the auditory ossicles was analyzed.The microstructure of each auditory ossicles in term fetuses was clearly revealed by micro-CT. A marrow cavity was observed in the incus and malleus. In statistical analysis of the structural parameters of trabeculae in the incus and malleus, significant differences were found in BS/BV and Tb.Th (P < 0.05). Micro-CT enables the visualization of internal ossicular structure. The auditory ossicles in term fetus has good bone quality. The obtained bone structure data will help to clarify the physiological functions of normal fetal auditory ossicles.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la morfología microanatómica de la cadena osicular en el feto a término con micro-CT, con el fin de analizar los parámetros de la estructura osicular interna que pueden afectar la conducción del sonido. Cuatro cadenas osiculares de dos fetos a término fueron examinadas por micro-CT. Se calcularon y compararon los parámetros estructurales relacionados de las trabéculas dentro de los incus y malleus. Se analizó la estructura anatómica fina de los osículos. Se observó claramente la microestructura de cada osículo en los fetos y la cavidad medular en el incus y el malleus. En el análisis estadístico de los parámetros estructurales de las trabéculas en el incus y el malleus, se encontraron diferencias significativas en BS / BV y Tb.Th (P <0,05). Micro-CT permite la visualización de la estructura osicular interna. Los osículos en el feto a término tienen buena calidad ósea. Los datos obtenidos de la estructura ósea ayudarán para aclarar las funciones fisiológicas de los osículos auditivos fetales normales.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the relationship between vitamin D status, using circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25 (OH) D], and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk in a case-control study, because the association between the two is unclear in China. Materials and Methods: A total of 135 incident RCC cases were matched with 135 controls by age and sex. The blood samples were collected on the first day of hospitalization before surgery to measure plasma 25 (OH) D. Logistic regression analyses were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) with adjustment for several confounders (e.g. age, gender, smoking and season of blood draw). Furthermore, the association of RCC with 25 (OH) D in units of 10 ng / mL as a continuous variable were also examined. Results: The average plasma 25 (OH) D concentrations in RCC were significantly lower compared with those of the controls (21.5 ± 7.4 ng / mL vs. 24.1 ± 6.6 ng / mL, respectively; P = 0.003). In the adjusted model, inverse associations were observed between circulating 25 (OH) D levels and RCC risk for 25 (OH) D insufficiency (20-30 ng / mL) with OR of 0.50 (95% CI: 0.29-0.88; P = 0.015) and a normal 25 (OH) D level (≥ 30 ng / mL) with OR of 0.30 (95% CI: 0.13-0.72; P = 0.007), compared with 25 (OH) D deficiency (< 20 ng / mL). Furthermore, results with 25 (OH) D as a linear variable indicated that each 10 ng / mL increment of plasma 25 (OH) D corresponded to a 12% decrease in RCC risk. Conclusions: This case-control study on a Chinese Han population supports the protective effect of a higher circulating concentration of 25 (OH) against RCC, whether the confounding factors are adjusted or not.

ABSTRACT: Yellowing is a key stage in the curing of flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum L.) as much of the chemical transformation occurs during this period. This study examined the effect of different yellowing degrees on the value of flue-cured tobacco leaves at the farm level for both processing and manufacturing. The study was conducted in the counties of Chuxiong, Dali, and Yuxi in Yunnan, China over two years. Yellowing treatments have been designed to have either a mild or a regular yellowing degree. Yield, value, appearance, suction property, smoking characteristics, and physical resistance to further processing were investigated to evaluate the effect of degree of yellowing on the industrial utilization of flue-cured tobacco leaves. The regular yellowing degree enhanced yield, value, and appearance compared to the mild yellowing degree, regardless of cultivar or location; however, physical resistance to further processing and the suction property of the mild yellowing degree treatment were better than with the regular yellowing degree regardless of cultivar or location. Furthermore, although the regular yellowing degree recorded higher smoking characteristic scores than the mild yellowing degree immediately after flue-curing, the scores of mild yellowing degree leaves could be further augmented by increasing intensity in the re-drying stage. The smoking characteristic score in the regular yellowing degree can only be increased by low intensity re-drying, and significantly decreased by mild and high intensity re-drying. Therefore, in terms of industrial utilization, mild yellowing is the better choice for flue-curing tobacco. This study also suggested that the current regular yellowing stage in Yunnan should be shortened to meet the demands of the traditional tobacco industry.