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Abstract Considerable evidence exists that microorganisms play a significant role in the remediation of soil contaminated with heavy metals. Aspergillus aculeatus (A. aculeatus) isolated from Cd-polluted soil has been shown to increase the tolerance of turfgrasses to Cd stress. In this study, we assessed the tolerance, biosorption capacity for Cd and surface characteristics of this fungus and investigated the effect of plant inoculation with A. aculeatus on the lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activities and photosynthetic rates in rice cultivated in Cd-contaminated soil. The results indicated that the removal efficiency of A. aculeatus was 46.8% at a Cd concentration of 10 mg L−1. The A. aculeatus strains had the capacity to produce indole acetic acid, siderophore, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase and to solubilize phosphate. The O 2 - accumulation and the amount of MDA in rice roots inoculated with A. aculeatus were significantly lower than those in uninoculated plants. Nevertheless, no decrease in leaf ROS accumulation and photosynthetic activity was observed between the inoculated and uninoculated plants. Inoculation with A. aculeatus contained more of the ROS-scavenging metabolite GSH, a higher GSH/GSSG ratio, and higher antioxidative enzyme (SOD, POD, and CAT) activities, possibly explaining the lower ROS concentrations observed in inoculated roots in the presence of Cd. These results suggest that application of A. aculeatus has the potential to protect crops against Cd stress. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • aculeatus has extremely high tolerance and removal efficiency for Cd. • The fungus protected rice against the inhibitory effects of Cd. • It facilitated rice growth by synthesis of bioactivator growth regulator. • It provided a physical barrier against Cd uptake into plant root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wheat bran dietary fibre (WBDF, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15%) and raw wheat bran (RWB, 6%, 12%, 18%, 24% and 30%) on the flour and dough properties. Under the same content of TDF in blended flour, WBDF could better inhibited the starch retrogradation. The dough with WBDF possessed higher water absorption, longer development and stability time, more excellent mechanical resistance during mixing but worse when heating. Both storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of dough containing WBDF were higher than those of RWB, while loss tangent (tanδ), creep strain and recovery strain were opposite, WBDF more effectively improved the viscoelasticity, strength of dough and enhanced the solid elastic behavior of dough. The microstructure showed that RWB destroyed the continuity and order of gluten network more seriously than WBDF, led to more starch granules leaking out. This study showed that purified WBDF represented better performance than RWB on the whole, and possessed more potential to develop high-fibre wheat flour products. • Wheat bran dietary fibre (WBDF) could better inhibited the retrogradation of starch. • WBDF possessed more excellent mechanical resistance during mixing but worse when heating. • WBDF more effectively improved the viscoelasticity of dough. • Raw wheat bran (RWB) destroyed the continuity and order of gluten network more seriously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inhibition of root growth was investigated in wheat seedlings exposed to 3 mM zinc (Zn). Zn treatment with or without 250 µM 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5,-tetrame-thylimidazoline-3-oxide-1-oxyl (PTIO) or 10 µM diphenylene iodonium (DPI) significantly inhibited growth, increased malondialdehyde content and lowered cell viability in roots. The most prominent changes of these three parameters at Zn+DPI treatment could be partly blocked by high PTIO concentration (1 mM). The production of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) influenced each other under different treatments, with the highest NO level and the highest H2O2 accumulation in Zn+DPI-treated roots. Compared with Zn-stressed roots, catalase, soluble peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase decreased in Zn+DPI-treated roots, suggesting that ROS generation from plasma membrane (PM) NADPH oxidase was associated with the regulation of antioxidant enzyme activities. Additionally, Zn-treated roots exhibited significant decreases in cell wall-bound POD, diamine oxidase and polyamine oxidase activities. Our results suggested that Zn-induced effects on root growth resulted from NO interaction with H2O2 and that Zn+DPI-induced strongest inhibition could be explained by the highest increase in the endogenous NO content and the reduction of extracellular ROS production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate antioxidative responses and proline metabolism in roots and leaves of wheat seedlings after treatment with different zinc (Zn) concentrations (0, 0.5, 1 and 3mM) for 6 days. A notable reduction in Zn content was observed in 0.5mM Zn-treated leaves, but a significant elevation in response to 1 and 3mM Zn treatment. Significant increases in Zn levels were observed in roots exposed to all applied Zn concentration. The highest Zn concentration resulted in significant reduction in the amount of total chlorophyll (chl) and chl a, while chl b content decreased under all applied Zn concentrations. In wheat leaves, Zn excess caused an insignificant enhancement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content as well as unaltered malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Unchanged superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, increased peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities were also observed in the leaves of Zn-treated seedlings. By contrast, higher H2O2 and MDA contents in Zn-treated roots were correlated with the stimulation of SOD and the inhibition of POD and GR. There were significant enhancements of soluble sugar and proline in both leaves and roots of wheat seedlings under Zn stress, but the increased rate of proline was higher in the roots than in the leaves. Differently, soluble protein content due to Zn treatment was lower in the leaves but higher in the roots, as compared with untreated seedlings. Additionally, ornithine δ-aminotransferase in both leaves and roots was stimulated by Zn stress, but different Zn concentrations exhibited inhibitory effect on glutamate kinase activity in wheat seedlings. In contrast, all applied Zn concentration resulted in an elevation of proline dehydrogenase activity in the leaves while the highest Zn concentration inhibited this parameter in the roots. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigated the inhibition mechanism of root growth in wheat seedlings when exposed to different zinc (Zn) concentrations. All applied Zn concentration did not affect seed germination, but reduced root length; in contrast, only Zn at 3mM inhibited significantly the growth of shoot. The loss of cell viability and the significant increases of lignification as well as the increases of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide radical (O2 −) and malondialdehyde levels were observed in the root tissue exposed to Zn treatment. And also, Zn stress led to the inhibition of cell-wall bound peroxidase. Moreover, NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium could block greatly the elevation of O2 − generation in Zn-treated roots. Therefore, the increased H2O2 generation was dependent on the extracellular O2 − production derived from plasma membrane NADPH oxidase. In addition, the loss of cell viability and the significant increases of lignification in response to the highest Zn concentration may be associated with the remarkable reduction of root growth in wheat seedlings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyze phytotoxicity mechanism involved in root growth and to compare physiological changes in the leaves of wheat seedlings exposed to short term iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) stresses (0, 100, 300 and 500μM). All applied Fe or Cu concentrations reduced root and shoot lengths, but seed germination was inhibited by Cu only at 500μM. Analyses using fluorescent dye 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate indicated enhanced H2O2 levels in seedling roots under Fe and Cu treatments. Cu stress at the same concentration induced a great reduction in cell viability and a strong damage on membrane lipid in the roots with respect to Fe treatment. Significant increases in the total chlorophyll (chl) content including chl a and chl b were observed in response to higher Fe concentrations, whereas the highest Cu concentration (500μM) led to significant decreases in the total chl content including chl a. Additionally, leaf peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were stimulated by Fe stress, but the highest Fe concentration exhibited inhibitory effect on leaf APX activity. In contrast, copper treatment resulted in an elevation in leaf catalase and POD activities. Therefore, H2O2 content in the leaves associated with copper was significantly lower than that with iron at the same concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: DNA hybridization on the Aunano–DNA modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was investigated. The thiol modified probe oligonucleotides (SH–ssDNA) at the 5′ phosphate end were assembled on the Aunano–DNA modified GCE surface. The electrochemical response of the probe immobilization and hybridization with target DNA was measured by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) using methylene blue (MB) as the electroactive indicator. Gold nanoparticles can be dispersed effectively on the GCE surface in the presence of calf thymus DNA. Aunano–DNA modified GCE could greatly increase the active sites and enhance the response signal during immobilization and hybridization. The hybridization amount of target DNA could be greatly increased. The linear detection range of Aunano–DNA electrode for the complementary 21-mer oligonucleotide (cDNA) was achieved from 1.52×10−10 to 4.05×10−8 molL−1. The detection limit could reach the concentration of 10−10 mol/L. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effects of six bran modification treatment (microwaving, steam, extrusion, enzymolysis, fermentation and superheated steam) on the quality characteristics of reconstituted whole wheat flour were compared. As shown by the results, the treatments modified the physicochemical and pasting property, dynamic rheology, mixing characteristics, intermolecular forces and secondary protein structure of the reconstituted flour. The peak viscosity and final viscosity after microwaving were the highest, at 2528.00 and 3154.33 cp, respectively. The tanδ values after fermentation, superheated steam and microwaving were higher than control, indicating improved flour processing quality. Enzymolysis resulted in the longest dough stability time and the shortest dough formation time, as well as the highest disulfide bridge content and ionic bond force in the dough gluten component, which would strengthen the dough gluten network. Microwaving resulted in the highest β-sheet content and the weakest hydrophobic interactions in the gluten, which would also strengthen the dough gluten network. Overall, enzymolysis produced the greatest strengthening of gluten network and improvement in dough rheological properties. These findings advance the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of the bran treatments and will aid future optimization of industrial bran modification. • The content of soluble dietary fiber in enzymatic group had the most significant changes. • The peak viscosity and final viscosity in the microwaving group were the highest. • The tanδ in fermentation group was lower compared with others group. • The content of disulfide bond and ionic bond force in enzymatic group was the highest. • The microwaving had the highest β-sheet conformation, and the weakest hydrophobic interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low permittivity LiAl 1- x Li x O 2- x (x = 0–0.02) ceramics were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method. XRD analysis indicated that the system remained single phase solid solution in the whole range of x examined. Li + heterovalent substitution for Al3+ generated oxygen vacancy O vac , and enhanced the relative density from 94.33% to 97.13%. The dielectric constant ε r showed near linear variations versus sintering temperature and x value. Their relations mainly depended on the combined effects of relative density and dielectric polarizability. The quality factor Q×f was more than doubled from 15,647 GHz to 31,627 GHz, due to the packing fraction enlargement and covalent bond strengthening. The variation of temperature coefficient of resonance frequency τ f was explained from the view of oxygen bond valence. When x = 0.01, the ceramic exhibited the best microwave dielectric properties with ε r = 5.37, Q×f = 31,627 GHz and τ f = −104.2 ppm/°C when sintered at 1300 °C for 5 h. Fig (a) The crystal structure of LiAlO 2 ; (b) Rietveld refinement patterns of LiAl 0.99 Li 0.01 O 1.99 ceramics sintered at 1300 °C; (c) XPS spectra of O1s of LiAl 0.99 Li 0.01 O 1.99 ceramics sintered at 1300 °C; (d) LiAl 1- x Li x O 2- x ceramics Microwave dielectric properties. [Display omitted] • Low permittivity LiAl 1- x Li x O 2- x ceramics were prepared. • Li+ doping improved the sintering performance. • The Q×f was more than doubled from 15,647 GHz to 31,627 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, we assessed the expression stability of eight genes (GADPH, ACTB, 18S, YWHAZ, SDHA, HMBS, SF3A1, and EEF1A) in the white blood cells of lactating buffalos and their possible use as reference genes for studies on growth hormone (GH)-treated animals. All of the genes showed acceptable stability according to the threshold values suggested by some of the software that was used to analyze them, although the differences between the most stable (SF3A1 and ACTB) and the least stable (18S) were considerable. GH treatment did not influence their expression levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abnormal expression and dysfunction of adiponectin and the cognate receptors are involved in diabetes and diabetic kidney disease (DKD), whereas angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) alleviate diabetic albuminuria and prevent development of DKD through upregulation of adiponectin expression. Here we report that high glucose stimulates expression of angiotensin II (AngII) receptors (AT1 and AT2) in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E). These receptors underwent hetero-dimerization with adiponectin receptor AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, respectively. High glucose inhibited the dimerization between AT1 and AT2. Interestingly, these hetero-dimers instigated tubulointerstitial injury by inhibiting the cytoprotective action of the adiponectin receptors. These modes of receptor-receptor hetero-dimerization may contribute to high glucose-induced renal tubulointerstitial injury and could be potential therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a single-stranded RNA virus, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) causes influenza-like clinical symptoms in infected individuals. Type-I interferon signaling pathway plays a vital role in inhibiting VSV replication. It has been shown that RNF114 (RING finger protein 114) acts as an E3 ubiquitin ligase to regulate the type-I interferon signaling pathway. In contrast, the effects of RNF114 from Chinese sturgeon or sea perch remain controversial. In the present study, we reported the effect of human RNF114 on VSV infection. Overexpression of RNF114 promoted VSV replication, while depletion of RNF114 reduced viral replication. We further found that RNF114 inhibited type-I interferon production via interacting with mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS). Moreover, in vivo experiments demonstrated that RNF114 could also accelerate VSV replication and virus-induced inflammation in lung tissues. Collectively, our findings supported that RNF114 negatively regulated the type-I interferon signaling pathway during VSV replication, providing novel and favorable insights into clinical treatment of VSV infection. • The expression of RNF114 is induced upon VSV infection. • Overexpression of RNF114 promotes VSV replication in A549 cells. Knockdown of RNF114 suppresses VSV replication in A549 cells. • RNF114 inhibits VSV-induced type-I IFN production via interacting with MAVS. • The RING domain is required for the effect of RNF114 on VSV replication. • Overexpression of RNF114 in vivo significantly promotes VSV replication and aggravates virus-induced inflammation in the lung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of six modification methods (microwaving, steam, extrusion, superheated steam, fermentation and enzymatic treatments) on the chemical composition, processing quality characteristics and antioxidant capacity of wheat bran were determined. Compared with unmodified control bran, all six modification methods had a significant impact on the physical and chemical properties and antioxidant capacity. Microwaving, steam, extrusion, superheated steam and enzymatic treatments could significantly increase the content of folic acid, but decreased the content of vitamin B 2. Fermentation increased the proportion of soluble dietary fiber and changed the ratio of insoluble/soluble dietary fiber from 13.65:1 to 8.74:1. The content of water extractable arabinoxylan after microwaving, extrusion and fermentation increased by 12.3%, 33.6% and 46.4%, respectively. Extrusion increased the swelling force of the bran. All modifications increased the total phenolic and ferulic acid contents and the bound ferulic acid content was highest after the steam and extrusion treatments. Enzymatic treatment reduced the DPPH radical scavenging capacity by 16.9%, microwaving increased the ABTS radical scavenging capacity by 12.53% and extrusion increased the ORAC(oxygen radical absorbance capacity) by 4.15%. Overall, extrusion resulted in the greatest improvements in the nutritional and processing qualities of bran, and the greatest increases in its phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. • All modifications decreased content of vitamin B1. • Fermentation and extrusion treatment significantly increased soluble dietary fiber content. • All modifications increased bound ferulic acid content, and steam treatment was the most significant. • Extrusion treatment improved the nutritional, functional quality and the antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]