Abstract The physicochemical properties and structure changes of pregelatinized Waxy rice starch (PWRS) were studied by measuring the thermodynamic properties, crystal structure, texture properties, dynamic rheology, freeze-thaw stability, microstructure and sensory analysis of PWRS. The results showed that when carrot powder was added, the initial gelatinization temperature of PWRS increased, the crystallinity increased first and then decreased, the crystal structure presented no changes, the pores in the microstructure increased, the water holding capacity increased, the weak binding water content also increased, and the water separation rate decreased under different freezing-thawing cycles. Compared with pure glutinous rice starch, when the addition of carrot powder was controlled within 10%, the gel strength and solid properties of glutinous rice starch would be increased, and the elasticity and hardness could also be increased. When the additive amount was more than 10%, the starch gel tends to be liquid, the hardness decreased, and the gel structure was difficult to form. Therefore, adding carrot powder can improve the gel properties of glutinous rice starch, which is expected to provide a theoretical basis for delaying the aging of glutinous rice starch.

SUMMARY: Lumbar disc herniation is considered to be the main pathological factor for the common clinical disease of low back pain. Biomechanical factor is an important cause of lumbar disc herniation, so it is urgent to analyze the stress/strain behavior of intervertebral disc under different loading condition. Slow repetitive loading is considered to be an important factor of spine and disc injuries, and the effect of fatigue load on internal displacement in the intervertebral disc was investigated by applying the optimized digital image correlation technique in this study. The first finding was that fatigue load had a significant effect on the displacement distribution in the intervertebral disc under compression. Superficial AF exhibited the largest axial displacements before fatigue load, while it exhibited the smallest axial displacements after fatigue load. Inner AF exhibited slightly smaller radial displacements than outer AF before fatigue load, while it exhibited significantly greater radial displacements than outer AF displacements after fatigue load. The second finding was that fatigue load had a certain effect on the internal displacement distribution in the flexed intervertebral disc under compression. Middle AF exhibited the smallest axial displacements before fatigue load, while deep AF exhibited the smallest axial displacements after fatigue load. The radial displacement distribution did not change before and after fatigue load, as the radial displacement in outer AF was the smallest, while the radial displacement in inner AF was the largest. The third finding was that with the increase in fatigue time and amplitude, the Young's modulus of the intervertebral disc increased significantly. This study can provide the basis for clinical intervertebral disc disease prevention and treatment? and is important for mechanical function evaluation of artificial intervertebral disc as well.

RESUMEN: La hernia de disco lumbar se considera el principal factor patológico para la enfermedad clínica común del dolor lumbar. El factor biomecánico es una causa importante de hernia de disco lumbar, por lo que es urgente analizar el comportamiento de esfuerzo / tensión del disco intervertebral bajo diferentes condiciones de carga. La carga repetitiva lenta se considera un factor importante de lesiones de columna y disco, y en este estudio el efecto de la carga de fatiga sobre el desplazamiento interno en el disco intervertebral se investigó mediante la aplicación de la técnica de correlación de imagen digital optimizada. El primer hallazgo fue que la carga de fatiga tuvo un efecto significativo en la distribución del desplazamiento en el disco intervertebral bajo compresión. El AF superficial exhibió los desplazamientos axiales más grandes antes de la carga de fatiga, mientras que exhibió los desplazamientos axiales más pequeños después de la carga de fatiga. El AF interno exhibió desplazamientos radiales ligeramente más pequeños que el AF externo antes de la carga de fatiga, mientras que exhibió desplazamientos radiales significativamente mayores que los desplazamientos AF externos después de la carga de fatiga. El segundo hallazgo fue que la carga de fatiga tenía un cierto efecto sobre la distribución del desplazamiento interno en el disco intervertebral flexionado bajo compresión. El AF medio exhibió los desplazamientos axiales más pequeños antes de la carga de fatiga, mientras que el AF profundo exhibió los desplazamientos axiales más pequeños después de la carga de fatiga. La distribución del desplazamiento radial no cambió antes ni después de la carga de fatiga, ya que el desplazamiento radial en la FA externa fue el más pequeño, mientras que el desplazamiento radial en la FA interna fue el más grande. El tercer hallazgo fue que con el aumento del tiempo de fatiga y la amplitud, el módulo de Young del disco intervertebral aumentó significativamente. Este estudio puede proporcionar la base para la prevención y el tratamiento clínico de la enfermedad del disco intervertebral, y también es importante para la evaluación de la función mecánica del disco intervertebral artificial.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a newly designed intensive caregiver education program (ICEP) on reducing cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. One hundred and ninety-six AIS patients were divided into ICEP group and Control group in a 1:1 ratio using blocked randomization method. In the ICEP group, the caregivers received ICEP, while in the Control group caregivers received usual education and guidance. All patients received conventional rehabilitation treatment. Cognitive impairment (assessed by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score), anxiety (assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-A score and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) score), and depression (assessed by HADS-D score and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) score) were assessed at baseline (M0), 3 months (M3), 6 months (M6), and 12 months (M12). Cognitive impairment score at M12 and cognitive impairment score change (M12–M0) were increased, while cognitive impairment rate at M12 was reduced in the ICEP group compared with the Control group. Anxiety score change (M12–M0), anxiety score at M12, and anxiety rate at M12 were decreased in the ICEP group compared with the Control group. Depression score change (M12–M0), depression score at M12, and depression rate at M12 were lower in the ICEP group compared with the Control group. Further subgroup analysis based on baseline features also provided similar results. In conclusion, ICEP effectively reduced cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression in AIS patients.

Abstract Objective: In this study, crucial genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with the progression, staging, and prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) were identified. Methods: Four PTC datasets, including our own mRNA-sequencing (mRNA-seq) dataset and three public datasets downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas, were used to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and miRNAs (DEMs) between PTC tumor tissues and paired normal tissues (control). Gene ontology (GO) terms and pathways associated with these DEGs were identified, and protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were analyzed. Additionally, an miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed and the functions of DEMs were explored. Finally, miRNAs/mRNAs associated with tumor staging and prognosis were identified. The expression levels of several key genes and miRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR. Results: Numerous DEGs and DEMs were identified between tumor and control groups in four datasets. The DEGs were significantly enriched in cell adhesion and cancer-related GO terms and pathways. In the constructed PPI network, ITGA2, FN1, ICAM1, TIMP1 and CDH2 were hub proteins. In the miRNA-mRNA negative regulatory networks, miR-204-5p regulated the largest number of target genes, such as TNFRSF12A. miR-146b, miR-204, miR-7-2, and FN1 were associated with tumor stage in PTC, and TNFRSF12A and CLDN1 were related to prognosis. Conclusions: Our results suggested the important roles of ITGA2, FN1, ICAM1, TIMP1 and CDH2 in the progression of PTC. miR-204-5p, miR-7-2, and miR-146b are potential biomarkers for PTC staging and FN1, CLDN1, and TNFRSF12A may serve as markers of prognosis in PTC.

OBJECTIVE: To examine and describe coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality and its pattern of change (trend) by sex, age, and area of residence (urban versus rural) in Tianjin, China, within the context of epidemiological transition, and compare it with current trends in the Americas and Europe. METHODS: A total of 104 393 cases of CHD death in Tianjin occurring between 1999 and 2008 were monitored. Death due to CHD was coded using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) standards (ninth and tenth revisions). Standardized CHD mortality rates and their trends were analyzed by age, sex, and urban versus rural residence. RESULTS: During the 10-year study period, the proportion of total deaths due to CHD in Tianjin increased significantly (from 16% to 24%) and age-standardized CHD mortality increased slightly (with no statistical differences), in contrast to CHD mortality trends in various countries in the Americas and Europe, which are declining. No difference was found in Tianjin's CHD mortality trend by sex. Overall CHD mortality was consistently higher among older age groups, males, and residents of urban areas. The proportion of CHD deaths occurring outside hospitals was 55.81%, with a declining trend over the study period. Rural areas had a higher proportion of outside-hospital CHD mortality than urban areas, but no difference was found across age groups. CONCLUSIONS: From 1999 to 2008, CHD mortality in Tianjin varied by sex, age, and urban versus rural area of residence. Future research to identify CHD risk factors and the populations most vulnerable to the disease is recommended to help strengthen CHD prevention. Strategies for CHD control similar to those used in various developed countries in the Americas and Europe should be developed to reduce the CHD burden in China.

OBJETIVO: Examinar y describir la mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria y su patrón de cambio (tendencia) por sexo, edad y zona de residencia (urbana frente a rural) en Tianjín, China, en el contexto de la transición epidemiológica, y compararla con las tendencias actuales en las Américas y Europa. MÉTODOS: Se analizaron 104 393 casos de muertes debidas a cardiopatía coronaria ocurridas en Tianjín entre 1999 y 2008. Se codificó la mortalidad debida a cardiopatía coronaria según la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (novena y décima revisiones). Se analizaron las tasas estandarizadas de mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria y sus tendencias por edad, sexo y residencia urbana frente a rural. RESULTADOS: Durante el período de estudio, de 10 años, la proporción de la mortalidad total debida a cardiopatía coronaria registrada en Tianjín aumentó significativamente (de 16% a 24%) y la mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria estandarizada por edad aumentó levemente (sin significación estadística), en contraposición con las tendencias de mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria observadas en diversos países de las Américas y Europa, que están descendiendo. No se encontraron diferencias en la tendencia de la mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria por sexo en Tianjín. La mortalidad general por cardiopatía coronaria fue sistemáticamente más elevada en los grupos de mayor edad, los varones y los residentes de zonas urbanas. La proporción de muertes debidas a cardiopatía coronaria que ocurrieron fuera de los hospitales fue de 55,81%, con una tendencia decreciente en el período de estudio. Esta proporción fue mayor en las zonas rurales que en las urbanas, pero no se encontró diferencia entre los distintos grupos de edad. CONCLUSIONES: Desde 1999 hasta el 2008, la mortalidad por cardiopatía coronaria en Tianjín varió según el sexo, la edad y la residencia urbana frente a la rural. Se recomienda efectuar nuevas investigaciones para identificar los factores de riesgo de cardiopatía coronaria y las poblaciones más vulnerables a la enfermedad, a fin de mejorar la prevención de la cardiopatía coronaria. Deben elaborarse estrategias para controlar la enfermedad similares a las usadas en varios países desarrollados de las Américas y Europa para reducir la carga de cardiopatía coronaria en China.