DON reduction of wheat grain without compromising the lab-scale milling properties of flour

Wheat bran was investigated to be the most commonly contaminated raw material by mycotoxins. However, there are no economical and practical pretreatment methods for industrial on-line application until now. The effect of light debranning on deoxynivalenol (DON) removal, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and flour quality from lab-scale milling were performed. For on-line production, the DON concentration in wheat decreased 15.89% at debranning ratio of 1.2%. For lab experiment, the maximum DON removal for wheat and flour was 23.35% and 21.95%, respectively. However, the PPO activity, browning of dough sheet and flour qualities in lab scale exhibited no significant variation. Light debranning (1.2%) prior to milling could be efficiently applied to on-line wheat production

Production of biscuits by substitution with different ratios of yellow pea flour

To promote the commercialization of yellow pea flour (YPF) due to its nutritional benefits. Four biscuits with different YPF ratio (10%–50%) were conducted to explore the optimal addition percentage. The effects of YPF on the rheological and baking performance of biscuits were performed. The results showed that the substitution ratio of YPF and milling methods had a critical impact on the rheological properties of dough. The dough stability decreased gradually while a softening degree increased with YPF ratio increased. In a term of biscuits, the dimensions of length (L), width (W), thickness (T) and color (L*) of biscuits reduced as YPF addition ratio increased, while colors (a* and b*) and hardness apparently increased. In addition, milling methods had a great influence on the texture and sensory evaluation of four biscuits. The dimensions and color parameters of biscuits from fine flours were larger than that from coarse flours, whereas hardness from fine flours was relatively softer, indicating flour with fine particle size could accelerate the extension and expansion of dough network, and improve Maillard reaction during baking. The highest sensory score for short and tough biscuits was obtained given at YPF ratio of 30% without compromising the qualities of biscuits

Inhibitory Effects of Dimeric Copper(II) bis(o-acetoxybenzoate) on Platelet-neutrophil adhesion and Thrombosis

Antithrombotic effect of the copper-aspirin complex (dimeric copper(II) bis(o-acetoxybenzoate) was evaluated in the model of venous thrombosis; its effects on platelet-neutrophil adhesion were investigated by use of rosette assay. The results showed that the intragastrically administered copper-aspirin complex (5, 7, and 10 mg kg-1) dose-dependently lowered the wet and dry thrombus weight; it significantly decreased the binding of arachidonic acid-activated platelets to neutrophils with an IC50 value of 41.5 μmol L-1. The results suggested that copper aspirinate inhibited platelet-neutrophil adhesion and resulted in a more potent antithrombotic activity

Genome-Wide Identification, Comprehensive Gene Feature, Evolution, and Expression Analysis of Plant Metal Tolerance Proteins in Tobacco Under Heavy Metal Toxicity

Plant metal tolerance proteins (MTPs) comprise a family of membrane divalent cation transporters that play essential roles in plant mineral nutrition maintenance and heavy metal stresses resistance. However, the evolutionary relationships and biological functions of MTP family in tobacco remain unclear. In the present study, 26, 13, and 12 MTPs in three main Nicotiana species (N. tabacum, N. sylvestris, and N. tomentosiformis) were identified and designated, respectively. The phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, chromosome distributions, conserved motifs, and domains of NtMTPs were systematic analyzed. According to the phylogenetic features, 26 NtMTPs were classified into three major substrate-specific groups that were Zn-cation diffusion facilitators (CDFs), Zn/Fe-CDFs, and Mn-CDFs, and seven primary groups (1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12). All of the NtMTPs contained a modified signature sequence and the cation_efflux domain, whereas some of them also harbored the ZT_dimer. Evolutionary analysis showed that NtMTP family of N. tabacum originated from its parental genome of N. sylvestris and N. tomentosiformis, and further underwent gene loss and expanded via one segmental duplication event. Moreover, the prediction of cis-acting elements (CREs) and the microRNA target sites of NtMTP genes suggested the diverse and complex regulatory mechanisms that control NtMTPs gene expression. Expression profile analysis derived from transcriptome data and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the tissue expression patterns of NtMTPs in the same group were similar but varied among groups. Besides, under heavy metal toxicity, NtMTP genes exhibited various responses in either tobacco leaves or roots. 19 and 15 NtMTPs were found to response to at least one metal ion treatment in leaves and roots, respectively. In addition, NtMTP8.1, NtMTP8.4, and NtMTP11.1 exhibited Mn transport abilities in yeast cells. These results provided a perspective on the evolution of MTP genes in tobacco and were helpful for further functional characterization of NtMTP genes

Production of distilled spirits using grain sorghum through liquid fermentation

The objectives of this research were to investigate the fermentation performance of US sorghum varieties for the production of distilled spirits as well as their associated coproducts and to study the formation of volatile compounds that are related to the flavor quality of the spirits. Three US sorghum varieties (red, white, and waxy sorghums) and four yeast strains (DADY, Ethanol Red, GR-2, and 71B) were used for distilled spirit production. Both sorghum variety and type of yeast strains had effects on alcohol concentration and alcohol yield. The alcohol concentration varied from 10.26 to 11.34% (v/v) while alcohol yield varied from 80.93 to 90.33%. Using Ethanol Red yeast achieved consistently the highest average alcohol concentration (11.10%, v/v) and yield (87.33%) regardless of variation in sorghum variety. Waxy sorghum demonstrated significantly higher average alcohol concentration (11.20%, v/v) and yield (89.65%) than white sorghum (10.74% for concentration and 84.7% for yield) and red sorghum (10.28% for concentration and 82.27% for yield). Alcohol fermentation also produces other metabolites as byproducts. Glycerol and lactic acid are the two major byproducts found from sorghum spirit fermentation. DADY produced the highest level of glycerol (∼1.4–1.5%, v/v) during fermentation, while GR-2 produced the lowest level of glycerol (0.9–1.1%, v/v). For all conditions, the lactic acid level was less than 1.2% (v/v). Eight volatile compounds were identified in sorghum spirits which mainly relate to fruity, sour, sweet, floral, buttery, and creamy flavors of the spirits

Cultivation of Paeoniae radix rubra in the wild-like environment and the evaluation of quality for transplanted products

Aim: The study aims to guide the actual cultivation of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. By establishing indoor and outdoor imitation wild environment, meanwhile, it used the quality inspection of cultivated production to judge the rationality of the scheme. Method: The seeds and rhizomes of Paeonia lactiflora P. were collected in the autumn of 2014, and the seed germination rate was tested under indoor wild-like conditions. In the outdoor wild-like environment, the buds were transplanted, then the roots were harvested in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. Quantitative determination of paeoniflorin was determined by HPLC. Furthermore, the data on trait determination and component content were compared and analyzed.Results: In the specific indoor environment, the seeds were normally germinated, and their functions consisted of seed in wild regions. Moreover, the content of paeoniflorin in both two sources of Paeonia lactiflora P. roots, and the traits of cultivated products are increasing year by year.Conclusion: The simulated wild environment established the method in this study, which is suitable for the artificial production of wild Paeonia lactiflora P

Inhibition of Heat Shock Protein 90 by 17-AAG Reduces Inflammation via P2X7 Receptor/NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway and Increases Neurogenesis After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Mice

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a life-threatening cerebrovascular disease that usually has a poor prognosis. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) have been implicated in the mechanisms of SAH-associated damage, including increased inflammation and reduced neurogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HSP90 inhibition on inflammation and neurogenesis in a mouse model of experimental SAH induced by endovascular surgery. Western blotting showed HSP90 levels to be decreased, while neurogenesis, evaluated by 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry, was decreased in the hippocampuses of SAH mice. SAH also induced pro-inflammatory factors such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), capase-1 and the NLRP3 inflammasome. However, intraperitoneal administration of the specific HSP90 inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) reduced the levels of HSP90, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-1β, while increasing the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and doublecortin (DCX), as well as the number of BrdU-positive cells in SAH mice. In addition, 17-AGG improved short- and long-term neurobehavioral outcomes. The neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of 17-AGG were reversed by recombinant HSP90 (rHSP90); this detrimental effect of HSP90 was inhibited by the specific P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) inhibitor A438079, indicating that SAH-induced inflammation and inhibition of neurogenesis were likely mediated by HSP90 and the P2X7R/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. HSP90 inhibition by 17-AAG may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SAH

Rational Design of Synergistic Structure Between Single-Atoms and Nanoparticles for CO2 Hydrogenation to Formate Under Ambient Conditions

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) as the new frontier in heterogeneous catalysis have attracted increasing attention. However, the rational design of SACs with high catalytic activities for specified reactions still remains challenging. Herein, we report the rational design of a Pd1-PdNPs synergistic structure on 2,6-pyridinedicarbonitrile-derived covalent triazine framework (CTF) as an efficient active site for CO2 hydrogenation to formate under ambient conditions. Compared with the catalysts mainly comprising Pd1 and PdNPs, this hybrid catalyst presented significantly improved catalytic activity. By regulating the ratio of Pd1 to PdNPs, we obtained the optimal catalytic activity with a formate formation rate of 3.66 molHCOOM·molPd−1·h−1 under ambient conditions (30°C, 0.1 MPa). Moreover, as a heterogeneous catalyst, this hybrid catalyst is easily recovered and exhibits about a 20% decrease in the catalytic activity after five cycles. These findings are significant in elucidating new rational design principles for CO2 hydrogenation catalysts with superior activity and may open up the possibilities of converting CO2 under ambient conditions

Investigation of foodborne disease outbreaks caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus in China’s Mainland from 2010 to 2020

ObjectiveTo obtain the occurrence time and regional distribution characteristics， place of occurrence， high-risk food and risk factors， the epidemiological characteristics of foodborne disease outbreaks caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus from 2010 to 2020 in China’s Mainland was analyzed.MethodsThe data of foodborne disease outbreaks caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus were collected from China disease outbreak surveillance system from 2010 to 2020 were analyzed statistically.ResultsFrom 2010 to 2020， a total of 1 772 outbreaks of foodborne diseases caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus were reported， with a total of 27 212 cases， 5 944 hospitalized cases and 2 deaths. The peak time was from July to September. The incidence in developed areas （28.8 cases/million people） was higher than that in underdeveloped areas （8.2 cases/million people）， and the incidence in coastal areas （31.7 cases/million people） was higher than that in inland areas （9.2 cases/million people）. The main causes were aquatic food （61.2%） and meat （25.3%）. Hotels and restaurants accounted for 49.6% of the total. The main contamination links were incomplete cooking of aquatic food and raw and cooked cross-contamination of ready-to-eat meat and vegetable food.ConclusionIn order to reduce the risk of foodborne diseases caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus， it is important to strengthen the supervision of processing and storage of aquatic food and meat in catering service places

Gazelle: A Low Latency Framework for Secure Neural Network Inference

The growing popularity of cloud-based machine learning raises a natural question about the privacy guarantees that can be provided in such a setting. Our work tackles this problem in the context where a client wishes to classify private images using a convolutional neural network (CNN) trained by a server. Our goal is to build efficient protocols whereby the client can acquire the classification result without revealing their input to the server, while guaranteeing the privacy of the server's neural network. To this end, we design Gazelle, a scalable and low-latency system for secure neural network inference, using an intricate combination of homomorphic encryption and traditional two-party computation techniques (such as garbled circuits). Gazelle makes three contributions. First, we design the Gazelle homomorphic encryption library which provides fast algorithms for basic homomorphic operations such as SIMD (single instruction multiple data) addition, SIMD multiplication and ciphertext permutation. Second, we implement the Gazelle homomorphic linear algebra kernels which map neural network layers to optimized homomorphic matrix-vector multiplication and convolution routines. Third, we design optimized encryption switching protocols which seamlessly convert between homomorphic and garbled circuit encodings to enable implementation of complete neural network inference. We evaluate our protocols on benchmark neural networks trained on the MNIST and CIFAR-10 datasets and show that Gazelle outperforms the best existing systems such as MiniONN (ACM CCS 2017) by 20 times and Chameleon (Crypto Eprint 2017/1164) by 30 times in online runtime. Similarly when compared with fully homomorphic approaches like CryptoNets (ICML 2016) we demonstrate three orders of magnitude faster online run-time