Efficacy and safety of Qingda granule versus valsartan capsule in Chinese grade 1 hypertensive patients with low-moderate risk: A randomized, double-blind, double dummy, non-inferiority, multi-center trial.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of Qingda granule (QDG) in managing blood pressure (BP) among grade 1 hypertensive patients with low-moderate risk remain uncertain. METHODS: In the randomized, double-blind, double dummy, non-inferiority and multicenter trial, 552 patients with grade 1 hypertension at low-moderate risk were assigned at a ratio of 1:1 to receive either QDG or valsartan for 4 weeks, followed up by a subsequent 4 weeks. RESULTS: Post-treatment, clinic systolic/diastolic BPs (SBP/DBP) were reduced by a mean change of 9.18/4.04 mm Hg in the QDG group and 9.85/5.05 mm Hg in the valsartan group (SBP P = 0.47, DBP P = 0.16). Similarly, 24-hour, daytime and nighttime BPs were proportional in both groups (P > 0.05) after 4 weeks treatment. After discontinuing medications for 4 weeks, the mean reduction of clinic SBP/DBP were 0.29/0.57 mm Hg in the QDG group compared to -1.59/-0.48 mm Hg in the valsartan group (SBP P = 0.04, DBP P = 0.04). Simultaneously, the 24-hour SBP/DBP were reduced by 0.9/0.31 mm Hg in the QDG group and -1.66/-1.08 mm Hg in the valsartan group (SBP P = 0.006, DBP P = 0.02). And similar results were observed regarding the outcomes of daytime and nighttime BPs. There was no difference in occurrence of adverse events between two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: QDG proves to be efficacious for grade 1 hypertension at a low-to-medium risk, even after discontinuation of the medication for 4 weeks. These findings provide a promising option for managing grade 1 hypertension and suggest the potential for maintaining stable BP through intermittent administration of QDG. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2000033890.

Using a Sensor-Embedded Baseball to Identify Finger Characteristics Related to Spin Rate and Pitching Velocity in Pitchers.

BACKGROUND: Previous investigations have shown a positive relationship between baseball pitching velocity and the kinetic chain involved in pitching motion. However, no study has examined the influence of finger characteristics on pitching velocity and rate of spin via a sensor-embedded baseball. METHODS: Twenty-one pitchers volunteered and were recruited for this study. An experimental baseball embedded with a force sensor and an inertial measurement unit was designed for pitching performance measurement. Finger length and strength were measured as dependent variables. Spin rate and velocity were independent variables. Pearson product-moment correlations (r) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) determined the relationship between finger characteristics and pitching performance. RESULTS: Finger length discrepancy, two-point pinch strength, index finger RFD (rate of force development), middle finger impulse, and force discrepancy had significant correlations with spin rate (r = 0.500~0.576, p ≤ 0.05). Finger length discrepancy, two-point pinch, three-point pinch strength, index and middle finger RFD, middle finger impulse, and force combination had significant correlations with fastball pitching velocity (r = 0.491~0.584, p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Finger length discrepancy, finger pinch strength, and pitching finger force including maximal force and RFD may be factors that impact fastball spin rate and fastball pitching velocity.

Policy and Strategy for Hepatitis C Virus Elimination at the National Level: Experience in Taiwan.

The estimated prevalence of anti-HCV was 3.1% in Taiwan. Studies have shown iatrogenic behavior was the major transmission route. It is highest in specific populations including patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), human immunodeficiency virus infection, who inject drug (PWID), and under opioid substitution treatment. Approximately 405,160 patients were seropositive for HCV RNA and in need of treatment. Taiwan government claims to reach WHO's 2030 goal of HCV elimination by 2025 and works hard to resolve several barriers of HCV elimination including political commitment, sustainable financing, minimize reimbursement restrictions, instituted monitoring, and perform micro-elimination of specific populations. The last stage of HCV elimination is to accelerate the universal HCV screening program of populations aged 45-79 years and resolve the unawareness issue of HCV infection. Hopefully, we can achieve the targets of HCV elimination set by WHO and reach the goal earlier in 2025.

Multiple Heterohelicenes: Synthesis, Properties and Applications.

Multiple heterohelicenes are a unique class of helical nonplanar scaffolds that have attracted great attention due to their appealing shapes, optical and electronic properties, and potential applications in chiral materials. This review describes the recent advances and challenges in the design and synthesis of representative multiple heterohelicenes with intriguing chiral properties. And the corresponding applications are also covered.

High vibration frequency of soft tissue occurs during gait in power-trained athletes.

Muscles serve as a critical regulator of locomotion and damping, resulting in changes of soft tissue vibration. However, whether muscle fibre compositions of different individuals will cause different extents of soft tissue vibration during gait is unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the differences in lower extremity vibration frequencies among power-trained and non-power-trained athletes during walking and running. Twelve weightlifting athletes were assigned to the power-trained group and twelve recreational runners were assigned to the non-power-trained group. Accelerometers were used to detect soft tissue compartment vibration frequencies of the rectus femoris (RF) and gastrocnemius medialis (GMS) during walking and running. Results indicated that power-trained athletes, as compared to the non-power-trained, induced significantly (p < 0.05) higher vibration frequencies in their soft tissue compartments during walking and running. This suggests that power-trained athletes, who have higher ratios of fatigable fast-twitch muscle fibres, may have induced higher soft tissue compartment vibration frequencies. As a result, there is a likelihood that power-trained athletes may recruit more fatigable fast-twitch muscle fibres during muscle tuning, causing dysfunctions during prolonged exercises.

The epidemiological profile of chronic hepatitis C with advanced hepatic fibrosis regarding virus genotype in Taiwan: A nationwide study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This study aims at investigating the epidemiological profile of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) regarding hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype in Taiwan. METHODS: A total of 29,087 CHC patients with advanced fibrosis who received direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) therapy under Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) during 2017-2018 were recruited. The HCV genotype distribution and its association with patients' demographic factors including age, gender, and geographical areas were examined. RESULTS: The most common genotypes were 1b (59.5%) and 2 (30.1%) with characteristics of older age (mean ± standard deviation (SD): 66.5 ± 10.7 years and 67.3 ± 10.9 years) and female gender predominant (57.1% and 59.4%), which were associated with iatrogenic infection decades ago. Most of patients with genotype 1a (5.9%) and 6 (3.7%) infection were relatively younger (59.2 ± 12.0 years and 60.0 ± 13.8 years) and male gender predominant (59.1% and 61.1%), except Liujia and Liuying districts in southern Taiwan. The youngest group (53.2 ± 11.8 years) and most male gender predominant (74.3%) was genotype 3 (0.37%). These genotypes with characteristics of being younger and male gender predominant were highly related to injection drug use in recent years. The number of genotype 4 patients were extremely rare (n = 25) and efficacy of genotype-4-specific-DAA was significantly poorer than non-genotype-4-specific DAA (P value = 0.0411). CONCLUSION: The significant differences in demographic characteristics among CHC patients with different HCV genotypes found in this study suggest HCV genotype was highly associated with transmission pattern and may be used as a reference for HCV control.

Managing Vibration Training Safety by Using Knee Flexion Angle and Rating Perceived Exertion.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is commonly applied in exercise and rehabilitation and its safety issues have been a major concern. Vibration measured using accelerometers can be used to further analyze the vibration transmissibility. Optimal bending angles and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) evaluations have not been sufficiently explored to mitigate the adverse effect. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the effect of various knee flexion angles on the transmissibility to the head and knee, the RPE during WBV exposure, and the link between the transmissibility to the head and the RPE. Sixteen participants randomly performed static squats with knee flexion angles of 90, 110, 130, and 150 degrees on a WBV platform. Three accelerometers were fixed on the head, knee, and center of the vibration platform to provide data of platform-to-head and platform-to-knee transmissibilities. The results showed that the flexion angle of 110 degrees induced the lowest platform-to-head transmissibility and the lowest RPE (p < 0.01). A positive correlation between RPE and the platform-to-head transmissibility was observed. This study concluded that a knee flexion of about 110 degrees is most appropriate for reducing vibration transmissibility. The reported RPE could be used to reflect the vibration impact to the head.

Identification of NHXs in Gossypium species and the positive role of GhNHX1 in salt tolerance.

BACKGROUND: Plant Na+/H+ antiporters (NHXs) are membrane-localized proteins that maintain cellular Na+/K+ and pH homeostasis. Considerable evidence highlighted the critical roles of NHX family in plant development and salt response; however, NHXs in cotton are rarely studied. RESULTS: The comprehensive and systematic comparative study of NHXs in three Gossypium species was performed. We identified 12, 12, and 23 putative NHX proteins from G. arboreum, G. raimondii, and G. hirsutum, respectively. Phylogenetic study revealed that repeated polyploidization of Gossypium spp. contributed to the expansion of NHX family. Gene structure analysis showed that cotton NHXs contain many introns, which will lead to alternative splicing and help plants to adapt to high salt concentrations in soil. The expression changes of NHXs indicate the possible differences in the roles of distinct NHXs in salt response. GhNHX1 was proved to be located in the vacuolar system and intensively induced by salt stress in cotton. Silencing of GhNHX1 resulted in enhanced sensitivity of cotton seedlings to high salt concentrations, which suggests that GhNHX1 positively regulates cotton tolerance to salt stress. CONCLUSION: We characterized the gene structure, phylogenetic relationship, chromosomal location, and expression pattern of NHX genes from G. arboreum, G. raimondii, and G. hirsutum. Our findings indicated that the cotton NHX genes are regulated meticulously and differently at the transcription level with possible alternative splicing. The tolerance of plants to salt stress may rely on the expression level of a particular NHX, rather than the number of NHXs in the genome. This study could provide significant insights into the function of plant NHXs, as well as propose promising candidate genes for breeding salt-resistant cotton cultivars.

Muscle activation and intermuscular coherence during forward and backward pedaling.

The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activity and intermuscular coherence of the rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) during forward (FW) and backward (BW) pedaling. Sixteen healthy volunteers performed FW and BW pedaling in 30, 45, and 60 revolutions per minute (RPM), while electromyographic (EMG) signals of the RF and BF were recorded bilaterally to determine integral EMG and intermuscular coherence. BW pedaling showed a statistically significant larger EMG activity on the left BF (P = 0.023) in 30 RPM; on the left BF (P = 0.01), right BF (P = 0.05), and right RF (P = 0.006) in 45 RPM, and on the left BF (P = 0.014) and right RF (P = 0.011) in 60 RPM than FW pedaling. In 45 RPM, higher coherence was demonstrated on the left leg (P = 0.011) during the left flexor and right extensor phases and on the right leg (P = 0.043) during the right flexor and left extensor phases in BW compared with FW pedaling. In 60 RPM, higher coherence was observed on both legs (left, P = 0.037; right, P < 0.001) during the left flexor and right extensor phases in BW compared with FW pedaling. Our results suggest that BW pedaling increased the muscle activity of both biarticular muscles and intermuscular coherence.

Training Program With Outdoor Fitness Equipment in Parks Offers No Substantial Benefits for Functional Fitness in Active Seniors: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Outdoor fitness equipment (OFE) is installed in parks to promote health, particularly among seniors. However, no quantitative study has investigated its effectiveness. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of 12 weeks of OFE training on functional fitness in seniors. Forty-two active seniors were recruited and randomly assigned into OFE and control groups. The OFE group underwent 12 weeks of training using popular OFE for cardiorespiratory function, flexibility, and strength, whereas participants in the control group were asked to maintain their previous lifestyles. The senior fitness test was assessed before and after the 12-week period. Unexpectedly, the results showed no significant improvement within or between the groups after the 12-week training in all parameters (p > .05). In conclusion, the 12-week OFE training failed to enhance functional fitness among active seniors. Potential reasons for the limited training effects might be lack of resistance components and diversity of the OFE design and installation.

Acute Effects of Battle Rope Exercise on Performance, Blood Lactate Levels, Perceived Exertion, and Muscle Soreness in Collegiate Basketball Players.

Chen, WH, Yang, WW, Lee, YH, Wu, HJ, Huang, CF, and Liu, C. Acute effects of battle rope exercise on performance, blood lactate levels, perceived exertion, and muscle soreness in collegiate basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 34(10): 2857-2866, 2020-This study investigated the acute effects of battle rope (BR) exercise on basketball players' performance, blood lactate levels, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and perceived muscle soreness. Fifteen well-trained Division-I male basketball players underwent the same test procedure at baseline, before BR exercise (30 minutes of rest after the baseline test), and after BR exercise. The 30-minute experimental protocol comprised 6 BR exercises at a work-to-rest ratio of 1:2 (20-second exercise and 40-second rest). Shooting accuracy, basketball chest pass speed, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, blood lactate levels, RPE (Borg Category-Ratio-10 scale), and perceived muscle soreness (visual analog scale, 0-100 mm) were measured in each test. The results indicated no change for any variables between baseline and before BR exercise. After BR exercise, performance decrements (p < 0.05) were recorded in shooting accuracy (16.9%) and basketball chest pass speed (9.1%), but no significant changes were observed for CMJ height. Battle rope exercise caused increases in blood lactate levels (13.6 mmol·L), RPE (9.9), and perceived muscle soreness (upper-limb: 63-67 mm; trunk: 43-68 mm; and lower-limb: 45-52 mm). In conclusion, BR exercise is physically demanding on the upper body, resulting in decreased performance in shooting accuracy and basketball chest pass speed. Battle rope exercise may not be beneficial before a practice or game because it triggers acute exercise-induced performance decrements and fatigue. However, BR exercise may be suitable for basketball training sessions in which the objective is to strengthen technical skills under fatiguing conditions.

Design of Carrageenan-Based Heparin-Mimetic Gel Beads as Self-Anticoagulant Hemoperfusion Adsorbents.

The currently used hemoperfusion adsorbents such as activated carbon and ion-exchange resin show dissatisfactory hemocompatibility, and a large dose of injected heparin leads to the increasing cost and the risk of systematic bleeding. Natural polysaccharide adsorbents commonly have good biocompatibility, but their application is restricted by the poor mechanical strength and low content of functional groups. Herein, we developed an efficient, self-anticoagulant and blood compatible hemoperfusion adsorbent by imitating the structure and functional groups of heparin. Carrageenan and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) cross-linked networks were built up by the combination of phase inversion of carrageenan and post-cross-linking of AA, and the formed dual-network structure endowed the beads with improved mechanical properties and controlled swelling ratios. The beads exhibited low protein adsorption amounts, low hemolysis ratios, low cytotoxicity, and suppressed complement activation and contact activation levels. Especially, the activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and thrombin time of the gel beads were prolonged over 13, 18, and 4 times than those of the control. The self-anticoagulant and biocompatible beads showed good adsorption capacities toward exogenous toxins (560.34 mg/g for heavy metal ions) and endogenous toxins (14.83 mg/g for creatinine, 228.16 mg/g for bilirubin, and 18.15 mg/g for low density lipoprotein (LDL)), thus, highlighting their potential usage for safe and efficient blood purification.

Hsa_circRNA_0059655 plays a role in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma by functioning as a sponge of miR-338-3p.

Circular RNAs(circRNA) are recently demonstrated to have a close relationship with tumors.To investigate the role of circular RNA in the pathogenesis of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma(SACC), ten SACC tissues and paired normal submandibular gland(SMG) tissues were collected as the tumor group and the control group. Total RNA was extracted and then measured using ceRNA microarray (including mRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA) and miRNA microarray. Gene Ontology(GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed in order to investigate the function of the differential expressing genes. The ceRNA regulatory network was constructed to find the core circRNAs. Then the role of circRNA on proliferation was examined in the SACC cell line SACC-83 using CCK-8,qRT-PCR and western blotting, and its roles on migration and invasion were examined using wound healing assay and transwell assay. The results of the microarrays showed that 3792 mRNAs, 7649 lncRNAs, 11553 circRNAs, and 132 miRNAs expressed differentially. The ceRNA regulatory network analysis showed that hsa_circ_0059655 and other 14circRNAs derived from PYGB target on several similar genes by miR-338-3p.Among the 15 circRNAs derived from PYGB, hsa_circ_0059655has the most relationships in the ceRNA network. Furthermore, after hsa_circ_0059655 was knocked down in SACC-83 cells, the expression of hsa-miR-338-3p was up-regulated while CCND1was down-regulated. The proliferation, migration, and invasion of SACC-83 cells also decreased after hsa_circ_0059655 knock-downed.Taken together, the circRNAs derived from PYGB may regulate the tumorigenesis and development of SACC through competing with miR-338-3p.

Eight-Week Battle Rope Training Improves Multiple Physical Fitness Dimensions and Shooting Accuracy in Collegiate Basketball Players.

Chen, WH, Wu, HJ, Lo, SL, Chen, H, Yang, WW, Huang, CF, and Liu, C. Eight-week battle rope training improves multiple physical fitness dimensions and shooting accuracy in collegiate basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 32(10): 2715-2724, 2018-Basketball players must possess optimally developed physical fitness in multiple dimensions and shooting accuracy. This study investigated whether battle rope (BR) training enhances multiple physical fitness dimensions, including aerobic capacity (AC), upper-body anaerobic power (AnP), upper-body and lower-body power, agility, and core muscle endurance, and shooting accuracy in basketball players and compared its effects with those of regular training (shuttle run [SR]). Thirty male collegiate basketball players were randomly assigned to the BR or SR groups (n = 15 per group). Both groups received 8-week interval training for 3 sessions per week; the protocol consisted of the same number of sets, exercise time, and rest interval time. The BR group exhibited significant improvements in AC (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run laps: 17.6%), upper-body AnP (mean power: 7.3%), upper-body power (basketball chest pass speed: 4.8%), lower-body power (jump height: 2.6%), core muscle endurance (flexion: 37.0%, extension: 22.8%, and right side bridge: 23.0%), and shooting accuracy (free throw: 14.0% and dynamic shooting: 36.2%). However, the SR group exhibited improvements in only AC (12.0%) and upper-body power (3.8%) (p < 0.05). The BR group demonstrated larger pre-post improvements in upper-body AnP (fatigue index) and dynamic shooting accuracy than the SR group did (p < 0.05). The BR group showed higher post-training performance in upper-body AnP (mean power and fatigue index) than the SR group did (p < 0.05). Thus, BR training effectively improves multiple physical fitness dimensions and shooting accuracy in collegiate basketball players.

INFLUENCE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND ITS MEASUREMENT.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to obtain information on methods used to measure health technology assessment (HTA) influence, decisions that were influenced, and outcomes linked to HTA. METHODS: Electronic databases were used to locate studies in which HTA influence had been demonstrated. Inclusion criteria were studies that reliably reported consideration by decision makers of HTA findings; comparative studies of technology use before and after HTA; and details of changes in policy, health outcomes, or research that could be credibly linked to an HTA. RESULTS: Fifty-one studies were selected for review. Settings were national (24), regional (12), both national and regional (3) hospitals (9), and multinational (3). The most common approach to appraisal of influence was review of policy or administrative decisions following HTA recommendations (51 percent). Eighteen studies (35 percent) reported interview or survey findings, thirteen (26 percent) reviewed administrative data, and six considered the influence of primary studies. Of 142 decisions informed by HTA, the most common types were on routine clinical practice (67 percent of studies), coverage (63 percent), and program operation (37 percent). The most frequent indications of HTA influence were on decisions related to resource allocation (59 percent), change in practice pattern (31 percent), and incorporation of HTA details in reference material (18 percent). Few publications assessed the contribution of HTA to changing patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The literature on HTA influence remains limited, with little on longer term effects on practice and outcomes. The reviewed publications indicated how HTA is being used in different settings and approaches to measuring its influence that might be more widely applied, such as surveys and monitoring administrative data.

Coordination pattern of baseball pitching among young pitchers of various ages and velocity levels.

This study compared the whole-body movement coordination of pitching among 72 baseball players of various ages and velocity levels. Participants were classified as senior, junior, and little according to their age, with each group comprising 24 players. The velocity levels of the high-velocity (the top eight) and low-velocity (the lowest eight) groups were classified according to their pitching velocity. During pitching, the coordinates of 15 markers attached to the major joints of the whole-body movement system were collected for analysis. Sixteen kinematic parameters were calculated to compare the groups and velocity levels. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to quantify the coordination pattern of pitching movement. The results were as follows: (1) five position and two velocity parameters significantly differed among the age groups, and two position and one velocity parameters significantly differed between the high- and low-velocity groups. (2) The coordination patterns of pitching movement could be described using three components, of which the eigenvalues and contents varied according to age and velocity level. In conclusion, the senior and junior players showed greater elbow angular velocity, whereas the little players exhibited a wider shoulder angle only at the beginning of pitching. The players with high velocity exhibited higher trunk and shoulder rotation velocity. The variations among groups found using PCA and kinematics parameter analyses were consistent.

Combined Experimental and Computational Study of Pyren-2,7-diyl-Bridged Diruthenium Complexes with Various Terminal Ligands.

Cyclometalated diruthenium complexes 1(PF6)2-5(PF6)2 bridged by 1,3,6,8-tetra(pyrid-2-yl)-pyrene have been prepared, with the terminal ligand bis(N-methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine (1(PF6)2), 4'-di-(p-methoxyphenyl)amino-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (2(PF6)2), 4'-p-methoxyphenyl-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (3(PF6)2), 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (4(PF6)2), and trimethyl-4,4',4″-tricarboxylate-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (5(PF6)2). The single-crystal X-ray structure of 4(PF6)2 is presented. These complexes show two stepwise anodic redox pairs, and the potentials progressively increase from 1(PF6)2 to 5(PF6)2. Complexes 1(PF6)2-4(PF6)2 have comparable electrochemical potential splitting of 200-210 mV, while complex 5(PF6)2 has a splitting of 170 mV. Upon one-electron oxidation by chemical oxidation or electrolysis, the resulting mixed-valent complexes 1(3+)-5(3+) display broad and intense absorptions between 1000 and 3000 nm. Complexes 1(3+) and 2(3+) show the presence of a higher-energy shoulder band in addition to the main near-infrared absorption band. This shoulder band is less distinguished for 3(3+)-5(3+). Three-state theory has been used to explain this difference. The one-electron oxidized forms, 1(3+)-5(3+), exhibit rhombic EPR signals at 77 K with the isotropic g values in the range of 2.18-2.24. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) computations have been performed on 1(2+)-5(2+) to characterize their electronic structures and rationalize the absorption spectra in a wide energy range. DFT computations on 1(3+)-5(3+) show that both ruthenium ions and the bridging ligand have comparable spin densities. TDDFT computations on 1(3+) and 4(3+) have been performed to complement the experimental results.

Metal chelation-assisted amine-amine electronic coupling through the 4,4'-positions of 2,2'-bipyridine.

A redox-active diamine ligand, 4,4'-bis(di-p-anisylamino)-2,2'-bipyridine (NNbpy), has been prepared. Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies suggest that little electronic coupling is present between two amine groups in NNbpy. After chelation with Ru(bpy)2 (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine), the resulting complex displays two N(•+/0) processes at +1.02 and +1.16 V versus Ag/AgCl. In the mixed-valent state, rich near-infrared absorptions have been observed, which are believed to consist of multiple metal-to-ligand charge transfer and intervalence charge transfer transitions in the low-energy region. These results suggest that the amine-amine electronic coupling has been enhanced by chelation with Ru(bpy)2. In contrast, no efficient electronic coupling can be realized by chelation with Ir(ppy)2 (ppy is 2'-phenylpyridine) or Re(CO)3Cl. A ruthenium ion-mediated electron transfer mechanism, instead of through-space coupling, has been proposed to explain this phenomenon. For the purpose of comparison, a monoamine-substituted bpy ligand and corresponding Ru(bpy)2 complex have been synthesized and studied. In addition, EPR, DFT, and TDDFT studies have been performed to complement the experimental results.

Strongly coupled cyclometalated ruthenium-triarylamine hybrids: tuning electrochemical properties, intervalence charge transfer, and spin distribution by substituent effects.

Nine cyclometalated ruthenium complexes with a redox-active diphenylamine unit in the para position to the RuC bond were prepared. MeO, Me, and Cl substituents on the diphenylamine unit and three types of auxiliary ligands-bis(N-methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine (Mebip), 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (tpy), and trimethyl-4,4',4''-tricarboxylate-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (Me3 tctpy)--were used to vary the electronic properties of these complexes. The derivative with an MeO-substituted amine unit and Me3 tctpy ligand was studied by single-crystal X-ray analysis. All complexes display two well-separated redox waves in the potential region of +0.1 to +1.0 V versus Ag/AgCl, and the potential splitting ranges from 360 to 510 mV. Spectroelectrochemical measurements show that these complexes display electrochromism at low potentials and intense near-infrared (NIR) absorptions. In the one-electron oxidized form, the complex with the Cl-substituted amine unit and Mebip ligand shows a moderate ligand-to-metal charge transfer at 800 nm. The other eight complexes show asymmetric, narrow, and intense intervalence charge-transfer transitions in the NIR region, which are independent of the polarity of the solvent. The Mebip-containing complexes display rhombic or broad isotropic EPR signals, whereas the other seven complexes show relatively narrow isotropic EPR signals. In addition, DFT and time-dependent DFT studies were performed to gain insights into the spin distributions and NIR absorptions.

Whole-body vibration combined with extra-load training for enhancing the strength and speed of track and field athletes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether whole-body vibration (WBV) combined with extra-load training can enhance the strength and speed of trained athletes compared with isolated WBV training or loaded training (LT) only. Twenty-one elite male track and field athletes were randomly assigned to a loaded vibration (LV) training group (n = 7), an unloaded vibration (ULV) training group (n = 7), and a LT group (n = 7). During 4 weeks of training, the LV group received the vibration stimulus (30 Hz and 4 mm) accompanied by a load comprising 75% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), the ULV group received the same vibration stimulus without any load, and the LT group received only a load of 75% MVC without any vibration stimulus. The knee extensor isometric strength, and the concentric and eccentric strength were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at 300°·s at a 30-m sprint speed before and after the training period. A 2-way mixed analysis of variance (time × group) was used to analyze the differences. Significant time × group interactions were observed for all the dependent variables (p ≤ 0.05). Regarding the post hoc analysis results, the LV group exhibited significant improvements for all the dependent variables after training (p ≤ 0.05), whereas the ULV group exhibited significantly reduced sprint speeds (p ≤ 0.05). The LV group demonstrated significantly superior eccentric strength compared with the ULV and LT groups after training (p ≤ 0.05), and the LV group also produced significantly superior sprint speeds compared with the ULV group after training (p ≤ 0.05). Vibration combined with extra-load training for 4 weeks significantly increased the muscle strength and speed of the elite male track and field athletes.