Long-term straw return improves cooked indica rice texture by altering starch structural, physicochemical properties in South China.

Straw return can improve rice eating quality by modifying starch formation from long-term field trials, whereas the relevant mechanisms are still unknown. A long-term field experiment, including straw removal (CK), straw burning return (SBR), and straw return (SR) was conducted to investigate the starch structure, physicochemical properties, and cooked rice textures of indica early- and late-rice. Compared with CK, SBR and SR enhanced relative crystallinity, amylopectin long chains in both rice seasons, and gelatinization temperatures in late rice. Compared to SBR, SR decreased protein content and amylopectin short chains but increased starch branching degree, breakdown, and stickiness, ultimately contributing to improved starch thermal and pasting properties. Meanwhile, SR decreased hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness, resulting in cooked texture meliorated, which was mainly attributed to amylopectin chain length and starch granule size. The results suggest that SR increased cooked texture of indica rice by altering starch structural and physicochemical properties.

Correction to: Bilobalide protects against ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses via the MAPK/NF-κB pathways in rats.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Bilobalide protects against ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses via the MAPK/NF-íœ B pathways in rats.

BACKGROUND: Clinically, skeletal muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury is a life-threatening syndrome that is often caused by skeletal muscle damage and is characterized by oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Bilobalide has been found to have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is unclear whether bilobalide can protect skeletal muscle from ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS: The effects of bilobalide on ischemia/reperfusion-injured skeletal muscle were investigated by performing hematoxylin and eosin staining and assessing the wet weight/dry weight ratio of muscle tissue. Then, we measured lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity and inflammatory cytokine levels. Moreover, Western blotting was conducted to examine the protein levels of MAPK/NF-휅B pathway members. RESULTS: Bilobalide treatment could protected hind limb skeletal muscle from ischemia/reperfusion injury by alleviating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses via the MAPK/NF-휅B pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Bilobalide may be a promising drug for I/R-injured muscle tissue. However, the specific mechanisms for the protective effects still need further study.

[RESEARCH PROGRESS OF FENESTRATED PEDICLE SCREW].

OBJECTIVE: To review the research background, biomechanical characteristics, and clinical application of fenestrated pedicle screw (FPS). METHODS: The recent literature about the study and application of FPS was reviewed, analyzed, and summarized. RESULTS: Compared with the technique of conventional pedicle screw augmentation, FPS can be augmented with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) through inner central pore and side holes. Hence, the augmentation process of FPS is more convenient during operation. The biomechanics of PMMA augmented FPS is strong enough for instrumentation in osteoporotic vertebra body and the way of FPS PMMA augmentation can reduce the risk of PMMA leakage. CONCLUSIONS: FPS is an innovation in the technology of spinal instrumentation, which is expected to improve the clinical outcome of PMMA augmented pedicle screw in osteoporotic vertebra body fixation.