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The preparation of sesame oil by aqueous extraction is a traditional process with a long history. In this study, samples were obtained from key stages of the sesame oil process, such as baking, stone grinding, and hot water oil extraction, and the changes in sensory properties, composition, and antioxidant properties of the samples were studied to control product quality. The results showed that the flavor and color in sesame oil were mainly formed by Maillard reactions, and the two key stages for these reactions were roasting and hot water oil extraction. Adding hot water reduced the total amino acid, alkaline amino acid, and essential amino acid contents in the sample, corresponding to a significant increase in the total amount of brown matter, richness of taste, types of volatile nitrogen oxides, •OH scavenging ability, and Fe2+ chelating ability. In addition, the bitterness value and DPPH• scavenging ability of sesame residues were significantly positively correlated with the absorbance value of the sesame residue aqueous solution at 420 nm. The roasting process enhances the oxidative stability of oil during storage, while the water extraction process does not alter this stability. • The flavor and color in aqueous extraction sesame oil were mainly formed by Maillard reactions. • The two key stages for Maillard reactions were roasting and hot water oil extraction. • The hot water extraction is the key step in exploring the special flavor of this sesame oil. • Maillard reaction products improved the antioxidant properties of sesame residue and oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Phosphorene quantum dot modified prussian blue (PB) skeleton has been synthesized. • CN– groups passivate edges of phosphorene quantum dot (BP) to improve its stability. • CN– group can desire the band edge positions of BP to improve its catalytic activity. • PB skeleton can support BP to inhibit its agglomeration and transport the electron. • This nanostructure used as highly efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. Facile liquid precipitation method assisted by liquid phase stripping has been used to prepare phosphorene quantum dot modified prussian blue porous skeleton structure. In this structure, the CN– group in prussian blue has larger chemical electronegativity than phosphorus atom, which can not only passivate the edges of phosphorene nanostructure, but also desire the valence band maximum and conduction band minimum band edge positions of black phosphorus for hydrogen generation in electrocatalytic water splitting. Moreover, the prussian blue porous network can be used as the support for phosphorene quantum dot and the medium for electron transport. This prussian blue supported phosphorene quantum dot porous network exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance with an over-potential of 148 mV at −10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 79 mV dec−1, which drastically surpass those of the black phosphorus. In addition, both the consecutive cyclic voltammetry and potentiostatic test reveal the outstanding electrocatalytic stability of the composite. This construction based on edge-modified phosphorene nanostructure presents efficient electrocatalys activity for water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Luminescence of the short multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) conjugated with carboxylic acid groups has been studied. The results show that the carboxyl-functionalized short MWNTs could emit luminescence and the emission peak appears at 500nm with a corresponding optimal excitation wavelength centering at 310nm. When the short MWNTs are filtered through 0.15μm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane, the ultrashort MWNTs are obtained from the filtrate. An interesting feature for the ultrashort MWNTs is that the emission intensity is strengthened and the peak is slightly blue shifted to 460nm. This result indicates that the luminescence properties of MWNTs are strongly affected by the tube length. After chemical oxidization cutting, defects and carboxylic acid groups at the tube end and/or sidewall can be produced; the more shorten of MWNTs, the better dispersion and carboxylic passivation of the nanotubes, and the more intense luminescence emissions. The broad emissions are logically attributed to the trapping of excitation energy by defect sites in the carboxyl-functionalized nanotube structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cardiac hypertrophy, a compensatory response to various stimuli in the heart, independently predicts cardiovascular ailments and related deaths. Increasing evidence indicates ubiquitin-proteasome signaling contributes to cardiac hypertrophy regulation. Here, we identified ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14), a 19S proteasome associated deubiquitinase (DUB), as a novel target for cardiac hypertrophy therapy via inhibition of the GSK-3β pathway. Indeed, USP14 expression was increased in an animal model of abdominal aorta constriction. In an angiotensin II (AngII) induced primary neonatal rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model, USP14 expression was increased in a time-dependent manner, and reduced USP14 deubiquitinase activity or USP14 knockdown resulted in lower expression levels of the myocardial hypertrophy specific marker β-MHC, and subsequent decreased GSK-3β phosphorylation. In conclusion, USP14 mediates the development of cardiac hypertrophy by promoting GSK-3β phosphorylation, suggesting that USP14 might represent a novel therapeutic target for cardiac hypertrophy treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]