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[Display omitted] • The terminology of bionanozyme was conceptualized. • Three Zn-heptapeptide bionanozymes with nanofibrous architecture were assembled. • Zn-heptapeptide bionanozymes exhibited favorable hydrolase-like activity towards p -nitrophenyl esters. • Zn-heptapeptide bionanozymes were applied for degradation of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Nanozyme with intrinsic enzyme-like activity has emerged as favorite artificial catalyst during recent years. However, current nanozymes are mainly limited to inorganic-derived nanomaterials, while biomolecule-sourced nanozyme (bionanozyme) are rarely reported. Herein, inspired by the basic structure of natural hydrolase family, we constructed 3 oligopeptide-based bionanozymes with intrinsic hydrolase-like activity by implementing zinc induced self-assembly of histidine-rich heptapeptides. Under mild condition, divalent zinc (Zn2+) impelled the spontaneous assembly of short peptides (i.e. Ac-IHIHIQI-CONH 2 , Ac-IHIHIYI-CONH 2 , and Ac-IHVHLQI-CONH 2), forming hydrolase-mimicking bionanozymes with β -sheet secondary conformation and nanofibrous architecture. As expected, the resultant bionanozymes were able to hydrolyze a serious of p -nitrophenyl esters, including not only the simple substrate with short side-chain (p -NPA), but also more complicated ones (p -NPB, p -NPH, p -NPO, and p -NPS). Moreover, the self-assembled Zn-heptapeptide bionanozymes were also proven to be capable of degrading di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a typical plasticizer, showing great potential for environmental remediation. Based on this study, we aim to provide theoretical references and exemplify a specific case for directing the construction and application of bionanozyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since defatted millet bran (DMB) is considered unpalatable and its poor application performance means that it is only used as animal feed, this product is wasted and underutilized. This study altered the shapes of processed DMB particles using superfine grinding technology, physically overcoming the binding forces within the material. This reduced the particle sizes and surface roughness while increasing the tap density, peak temperature, and angles of repose and slide. Superfine grinding significantly disrupted the cell wall matrix, substantially increasing the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant properties compared to coarse and fine powders. Additionally, the superfine powder exhibited high phenolic compound bioaccessibility (vanillic, protocatechuic, syringic, ferulic, and isoferulic acid, and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic). These findings highlighted the potential use of superfine grinding technology to expand DMB application as a functional food. • Superfine grinding enhanced the physicochemical properties of defatted millet bran. • Superfine grinding increased total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. • The bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds were increased in the superfine powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing body of evidence that abscisic acid (ABA) and the phytochrome-interacting factor (PIF) family of transcription factors interact in light signaling, the regulation of plant growth development, and adaptation to environmental stimuli. In this study, we investigate the role that PIFs play in the regulation of ABA signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings grown under long-day conditions. We showed that PIFs positively regulate ABA signaling in post-germination seedling growth. We analyzed the DNA-binding sites for PIF3 and PIF5 by DNA-affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq) genome-wide. The DAP-seq data showed that G-box motif is the direct binding site of PIF3 and PIF5, and a number of ABA responsive genes are potential targets of PIFs, including PYL3 , PYL6 , PYL12 , SnRK2.2 , CPK4 , CPK6 , ABI5 , ABF3 , and KIN1. Our results provide a basis for understanding the mechanism for PIFs in regulating ABA signal transduction. • pif mutants are insensitive to ABA in seedling growth. • Overexpression of PIF3 and PIF5 enhances sensitivity to ABA in seedling growth. • PIFs positively regulate ABA signaling in post-germination seedling growth. • DAP-seq exhibits PIF3- and PIF5-binding sites genome-wide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Micro-patterned films obtained from micro-contact printing (μCP) method are often challenged by site selectivity limitation. For applications site-selectivity requires improvements. In this paper a site-selective deposition of the rutile TiO2 thin films on patterned SnO2 film, which was formed on the patterned octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) SAMs through μCP is described. The depositions proceeded in an environmentally friendly aqueous solution (SnCl4 and peroxotitanium acidic solution) at a lower temperature (80 °C). It is shown that the OTS SAMs has a good selectivity deposition for SnO2 particles, which was mainly dominated by the heterogeneous nucleation mechanism. The SnO2 layer had a structure-directing effect for growth of the rutile TiO2, which was usually formed above 600 °C. The patterned films were characterized by a variety of techniques, including ellipsometry, optical microscopy, SEM, AFM, XPS, and DLS to determine the thicknesses, topologies, microstructures, chemical compositions of the films, particle sizes and zeta potentials of the titanium particles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This work, investigated the effect of selenium (Se) on foxtail millet. The results showed that foliar sodium selenite (Na 2 SeO 3) applied at critical growth stages significantly improved the Se content of millet. The application of 120 g hm−2 Na 2 SeO 3 led to a 9.8-fold increase in selenomethionine (SeMet) and selenocysteine (SeCys 2) in the millet. While Se treatment elevated the K and Fe content in the millet. Proteomic analysis using relative quantification was performed on millet during the harvest stage. A comparison between Se-enriched millet and the control group, identified 123 differentially expressed proteins. The proteins involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism were the most profoundly affected by Se treatment. The results provided necessary information about the Se response in foxtail millet at the proteome level, which could be useful for analyzing the Se response pathway and producing Se-enriched foxtail millet in the future. Image 1 • SeMet and SeCys 2 were detected in foxtail millet. • Foliar spraying of selenite increased Se content (SeMet + SeCys 2) in foxtail millet. • Se treatment affected K and Fe content in foxtail millet. • 123 differentially expressed proteins were identified by proteomic. • Carbohydrate metabolism and amino acids metabolism were affected by Se treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile strategy for dehulling of six Canadian flaxseed cultivars using ethanol wash in combination with wet-screening was reported. Quantitative determinations of nutritional components including oil, sterol, protein, carbon and cyclolinopide in each separated fraction were also performed. Results showed that an efficient separation of hull, kernel and oil from the whole seed is achieved, because ethanol wash can eliminate the stubborn interference of flaxseed oil, thus facilitating the shell and kernel separation procedure. Among six flaxseed cultivars, the separated hull, kernel and oil account for 20.52–26.66%, 36.02–43.23% and 29.82–32.00% of whole seed, respectively. Triglyceride and sterol contents in separated hull, kernel, oil, whole seed are 2.13–3.34%, 24.68–27.46%, 97.26–98.84%, 37.70–45.82% and 0.02–0.11%, 0.04–0.08%, 0.28–0.53%, 0.11–0.23%, respectively. Besides, flaxseed oil is rich in cyclolinopepides, including new orbitides Q, R and S that have never been reported in these flaxseed varieties. Protein and carbon contents in separated hull, kernel and whole seed are 19.01–26.46%, 34.91–43.80%, 20.15–24.65% and 55.39–56.59%, 45.11–45.93%, 49.61–50.94%, respectively. In addition, the milled flaxseed hull shows a concentration-dependent intrinsic viscosity. This study presents a convenient method for flaxseed dehulling and preliminarily reveals the distribution of different nutrient elements in different parts of flaxseed. • A wet-screening strategy for facilely flaxseed dehulling was reported. • Flaxseed is rich in triglyceride, sterol, fiber, protein, and cyclodipeptides. • Enrichments of different nutrients into corresponding subfractions were achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] In view of the current public health hazards of food-borne pathogens, it is urgent to develop a rapid detection method with high sensitivity, good specificity and operational convenience, as well as to determine an effective sterilization strategy. Herein, versatile gold-ruthenium nanocomposites modified with antibody (Au@Ru-pAb Ncs) have been constructed for the sensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) via the lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA). Au@Ru-pAb Ncs based LFIA exhibited a wide detection range from 2.9 × 106 CFU/mL to 2.9 × 1011 CFU/mL with the limit of detection of 9.8 × 104 CFU/mL for S. typhimurium, and displayed excellent specificity. In addition, Au@Ru-pAb Ncs irradiated with 808 nm (500 mW/cm2) near-infrared light (NIR) had a significant antibacterial effect within only 5 min, attributed to its high photothermal conversion efficiency of 54.14%. Therefore, both sensitive detection of S. typhimurium and effective NIR-triggered photothermal sterilization were achieved by using versatile Au@Ru-pAb Ncs, showing great prospects in the field of pathogen detection and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The article reports on a very simple method to fabricate superhydrophobic surfaces with Cu–Zn alloy via changing the local oxygen concentration and formation of oxygen difference cell, which can be readily realized by covering or contacting the Cu–Zn alloy surface with a glass slide. This superhydrophobic film comes from the formation of a flower-like hierarchical structure due to the accelerated alloy etching. In contrast, the white film grown in the un-covered area showed a much lower hydrophobicity due to its different morphology. These superhydrophobic surfaces or superhydrophobic–hydrophobic surfaces are expected to find applications in making self-cleaning alloy surface, in metal anticorrosion, and in biomineralization, etc. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this work, the impacts of white, red and blue light-emitting diodes on the quality of millet during long-term storage were investigated. It was found that millet stored under blue light for 90 days showed a significantly slower reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and fatty acid value, and a higher iodine value, than that stored under white- or red-light conditions. Furthermore, blue light was also shown to lower lipoxygenase (LOX) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activity during storage. Scanning electron microscope observation revealed that narrow cracks became wider as storage time increased, while a rougher texture and more cracks were seen after 90 days in the millet irradiated with red light than in those either irradiated with blue light or stored in dark conditions. The components related to oxidation, such as 5-hexyldihydro-2(3h)-furanone, 3-octen-2-one, trans-β-ionone, and hexanal contents, were found to be lower under blue light than under either red or white light. Moreover, principal component analysis indicated that the volatile components present in the of millet during storage under different light conditions were mainly aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols and hydrocarbons. In order to limit the adverse effects of these volatile components during long-term storage, based on the results of this study, we recommend that blue light could be applied as a clean and cheap technology to extend the shelf life of millet. [Display omitted] • Blue light showed slower reduction in MDA content and fatty acid value. • Blue light irradiation exhibited lower LOX and LPS activity. • SEM and TEM reflect the morphology changes in the millet during storage. • Volatile components of millet were investigated under different light conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood is an important non-reproductive tissue, but little is known about the sex-specific gene expressions in the blood. Therefore, we investigated sex-specific gene expression differences in the blood tissues of four primates, rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), Tibetan macaques (M. thibetana), yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus), and humans. We identified seven sex-specific differentially expressed genes (SDEGs) in each non-human primate and 31 SDEGs in humans. The four primates had only one common SDEG, MAP7D2. In humans, immune-related SDEGs were identified as up-regulated, but also down-regulated in females. We also found that most of the X-Y gene pairs had similar expression levels between species, except pair EIF1AY/EIF1AX. The expression level of X-Y gene pairs of rhesus and Tibetan macaques showed no significant differential expression levels, while humans had six significant XY-biased and three XX-biased X-Y gene pairs. Our observed sex differences in blood should increase understanding of sex differences in primate blood tissue. • Identified the SDEGs of rhesus macaques, Tibetan macaques, yellow baboons, and humans. • The four primates had only one common SDEG, MAP7D2. • Most of the X-Y gene pairs showed X-biased (Y/X expression ratio < 1) expression levels in XY male individuals. • There were more XY-biased X-Y pair genes than XX-biased between XY male and XX female individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japonica rice is a widely cultivated and consumed cereal globally. There are many studies on the aroma of japonica rice, but few are on japonica rice porridge. Electronic nose and headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) techniques combined with sensory evaluation were used to analyze the volatile compounds of 21 kinds of japonica rice porridges from Northeast China. The results of electronic nose analysis showed that different varieties of rice porridges had distinct aromas, and principal component analysis effectively distinguished between them. A total of 69 volatile compounds were identified by GC-MS, including 19 hydrocarbons, 17 aldehydes, 9 alcohols, 3 ketones, 3 phenols, 5 esters, 4 ethers, 4 acids, and 5 other compounds. Then the odor activity value (OAV) was calculated to determine the contribution of each aroma compound to the overall aroma of rice porridge. Finally, it is found that the key aroma compounds of japonica rice porridge were hexanal, octanal, nonanal, decanal, (E)-2-nonenal, naphthalene, (E, E)-2,4-decadienal, butylated hydroxytoluene, 1-dodecanol, and 2-pentadecanone. This study preliminarily determined the key aroma substances and aroma attributes in japonica rie porridge, which can provide a valuable theoretical basis for selecting rice raw materials in the japonica rice porridge processing industry. [Display omitted] • The principal component analysis of electronic nose effectively identified aromas. • A total of 69 kinds of volatile compounds were identified by GC-MS. • Nonanal, decanal, (E)-2-nonenal, and 2-pentadecanone were key aroma compounds. • The amount of key aroma components was significantly correlated with sensory score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Illumination-invariant local binary descriptor learning method for face recognition. • The dynamic thresholds strategy is determined to extract LNMLCP features. • EDA and fuzzy fusion framework are further employed to improve face recognition rate. Traditional face recognition method usually faces the challenge of varying lighting condition. In this paper, we propose an illumination-invariant local binary descriptor learning method for face recognition. Unlike local binary descriptor (LBP) and its variants, which usually utilize the rigid sign function for binarization despite of data distributions. We first determine a dynamic thresholds strategy including the information of illumination variation to extract nonlinear multi-layer contrast features. Specially, Exponential Discriminant Analysis (EDA) is designed to act as preprocessing which can contribute to improve the discriminative ability of the face image by enlarging the margin between different classes relative to the same class. To further improve the recognition performance, we combined our preliminary work, the adaptive fuzzy fusion framework, to integrate the recognition results for multi-scale features spaces. Extensive experiments conducted on four face databases validate the effectiveness of the proposed method for illumination face recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]