BIOMECHANICS OF ACCURATE INSTEP KICK IN FUTSAL

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical parameters of instep kicking towards specific targets of the goal in Futsal. Twelve females from national soccer team in Taiwan were recruited in this study. Each subject was asked to perform instep kick of a stationary ball (size 4) toward targets in the four corners of the goal in Futsal. VICON motion analysis system and Kistler force plateform were used to collect the kinematics of the lower limb and the ground reaction forces and moments, respectively. The results showed that kicks towards the bottom targets demonstrated significantly greater ball velocity than towards the top targets (p= 0.00). In addition, the hip joint moment of supporting leg was significantly greater when kicking towards top targets of the goal (p= 0.01). The results of this study could provide training guidelines for coaches and players

On a retailer’s EOQ in a supply chain with two-level trade credit

Recently, Teng and Goyal [Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 58, pp. 1252-1255, 2007.] extended and modified Huang’s model [Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 54, pp. 1011-1015, 2003.] to develop their model and established the proper theoretical results to obtain the optimal solution. Their inventory model is correct and interesting. However, they give the optimal solutions showing that Theorems 1 and 2 in Teng and Goyal are not complete. The main purpose of this paper is to overcome Teng and Goyal’s shortcomings and to present complete proofs of their Theorems 1 and 2

BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF BADMINTON DIFFERENT FORWARD STEPS

The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical variables between 2-step and 3-step forward steps in badminton. Eight collegiate elite male badminton players participated in this study. Eight Vicon T-20 cameras (300 Hz) were used to record the 3D kinematics data and a Kistler force plate (1500 Hz) was used to collect the GRF data of the last steps. A Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank nonparametric statistical test was conducted to compare the differences between two kinds of forward step movements. The results showed that the movement time for 3-step movement was significantly faster than 2-step. We recommend that the badminton players should practice 3-step forward footwork technique. The additional strength and power training for lower limbs should be carried out for the footwork training

Prevention of Dental Damage and Improvement of Difficult Intubation Using a Paraglossal Technique With a Straight Miller Blade

Patients with diseased teeth, or those who are difficult to intubate, have a higher risk of dental injury during laryngoscopy. We report 3 cases of smooth endotracheal intubation using a paraglossal technique with a straight Miller blade in patients with poor dentition. Three patients with poor dentition were scheduled to undergo surgery under general anesthesia. All patients presented with extremely loose upper central incisors and had lost the other right upper teeth, while micrognathia and prominent, loose upper incisors were noted in 1 case. We elected to use a straight Miller blade using a paraglossal approach. A nasopharyngeal airway was inserted after induction of general anesthesia to facilitate mask ventilation and prevent air leakage from the mask. The Miller blade was then inserted from the right corner of the mouth, avoiding contact with the vulnerable incisors, and advanced along the groove between the tongue and tonsil. The endotracheal tube was subsequently smoothly inserted after obtaining a grade 1 Cormack and Lehane view without dental trauma in all 3 cases. Direct laryngoscopy using the paraglossal straight blade technique avoids dental damage in patients with mobile upper incisors and no right maxillary molars. It is a practical alternative method that differs from the traditional Macintosh laryngoscope in patients with a high risk of dental injury during the procedure. This technique, which provides an improved view of the larynx, might also be helpful with patients in whom intubation is difficult

Schwann Cell Migration Induced by Earthworm Extract via Activation of PAs and MMP2/9 Mediated through ERK1/2 and p38

The earthworm, which has stasis removal and wound-healing functions, is a widely used Chinese herbal medicine in China. Schwann cell migration is critical for the regeneration of injured nerves. Schwann cells provide an essentially supportive activity for neuron regeneration. However, the molecular migration mechanisms induced by earthworms in Schwann cells remain unclear. Here, we investigate the roles of MAPK (ERK1/2, JNK and p38) pathways for earthworm-induced matrix-degrading proteolytic enzyme (PAs and MMP2/9) production in Schwann cells. Moreover, earthworm induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38, but not JNK, activate the downstream signaling expression of PAs and MMPs in a time-dependent manner. Earthworm-stimulated ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation was attenuated by pretreatment with U0126 and SB203580, resulting in migration and uPA-related signal pathway inhibition. The results were confirmed using small interfering ERK1/2 and p38 RNA. These results demonstrated that earthworms can stimulate Schwann cell migration and up-regulate PAs and MMP2/9 expression mediated through the MAPK pathways, ERK1/2 and p38. Taken together, our data suggests the MAPKs (ERK1/2, p38)-, PAs (uPA, tPA)-, MMP (MMP2, MMP9) signaling pathway of Schwann cells regulated by earthworms might play a major role in Schwann cell migration and nerve regeneration

Targeting F-Box Protein Fbxo3 Attenuates Lung Injury Induced by Ischemia-Reperfusion in Rats

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that Fbxo3 signaling has an important impact on the pathophysiology of the inflammatory process. Fbxo3 protein inhibition has reduced cytokine-driven inflammation and improved disease severity in animal model of Pseudomonas-induced lung injury. However, it remains unclear whether inhibition of Fbxo3 protein provides protection in acute lung injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). In this study, we investigated the protective effects of BC-1215 administration, a Fbxo3 inhibitor, on acute lung injury induced by I/R in rats.Methods: Lung I/R injury was induced by ischemia (40 min) followed by reperfusion (60 min). The rats were randomly assigned into one of six experimental groups (n = 6 rats/group): the control group, control + BC-1215 (Fbxo3 inhibitor, 0.5 mg/kg) group, I/R group, or I/R + BC-1215 (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 mg/kg) groups. The effects of BC-1215 on human alveolar epithelial cells subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) were also examined.Results: BC-1215 significantly attenuated I/R-induced lung edema, indicated by a reduced vascular filtration coefficient, wet/dry weight ratio, lung injury scores, and protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Oxidative stress and the level of inflammatory cytokines in BALF were also significantly reduced following administration of BC-1215. Additionally, BC-1215 mitigated I/R-stimulated apoptosis, NF-κB, and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in the injured lung tissue. BC-1215 increased Fbxl2 protein expression and suppressed Fbxo3 and TNFR associated factor (TRAF)1–6 protein expression. BC-1215 also inhibited IL-8 production and NF-κB activation in vitro in experiments with alveolar epithelial cells exposed to H/R.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that Fbxo3 inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic approach for I/R-induced lung injury, with beneficial effects due to destabilizing TRAF proteins

Activations of Both Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways in HCT 116 Human Colorectal Cancer Cells Contribute to Apoptosis through p53-Mediated ATM/Fas Signaling by Emilia sonchifolia Extract, a Folklore Medicinal Plant

Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC (Compositae), an herbaceous plant found in Taiwan and India, is used as folk medicine. The clinical applications include inflammation, rheumatism, cough, cuts fever, dysentery, analgesic, and antibacteria. The activities of Emilia sonchifolia extract (ESE) on colorectal cancer cell death have not been fully investigated. The purpose of this study explored the induction of apoptosis and its molecular mechanisms in ESE-treated HCT 116 human colorectal cancer cells in vitro. The methanolic ESE was characterized, and γ-humulene was formed as the major constituent (63.86%). ESE induced cell growth inhibition in a concentration- and time-dependent response by MTT assay. Apoptotic cells (DNA fragmentation, an apoptotic catachrestic) were found after ESE treatment by TUNEL assay and DNA gel electrophoresis. Alternatively, ESE stimulated the activities of caspase-3, -8, and -9 and their specific caspase inhibitors protected against ESE-induced cytotoxicity. ESE promoted the mitochondria-dependent and death-receptor-associated protein levels. Also, ESE increased ROS production and upregulated the levels of ATM, p53, and Fas in HCT 116 cells. Strikingly, p53 siRNA reversed ESE-reduced viability involved in p53-mediated ATM/Fas signaling in HCT 116 cells. In summary, our result is the first report suggesting that ESE may be potentially efficacious in the treatment of colorectal cancer

Outcomes and predictive factors of prostate cancer patients with extremely high prostate-specific antigen level

Purpose Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a useful biomarker of prostate cancer (PCa). High-risk localized PCa is defined using T stage, Gleason score (GS), and PSA. However, PSA level defining high-risk PCa is at most 20 ng/mL. In PCa patients with high PSA, it is unclear whether PSA itself can be a prognostic factor. Methods Of 642 patients who were diagnosed as PCa, 90 patients with PSA > 100 ng/mL were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to PSA level: very high (>1,000 ng/mL), moderately high (200-1,000 ng/mL), and slightly high (100-200 ng/mL). Results There were no significant differences in overall survival or PCa-specific survival (PCaSS) among the three groups. Regardless of PSA level, high M stage and GS significantly reduced PCaSS. When the risk classification was made using M stage and GS (high risk = M1 and GS ≥ 9, low risk = M0 and GS 100 ng/mL, the novel risk classification using M stage and GS may help clinicians to predict PCaSS and to plan follow-up schedules after diagnosis. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg