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Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different colour-grained wheat flours on protein, TDF, fat, amino acid, microelement, physicochemical index, nutritional quality, farinograph properties and tensile test. The protein content of colour-grained wheat is higher than that of the common wheat, which is 11.74%–18.17 higher than the common wheat. The amount of essential amino acid content was 7.31%–18.13% higher than that of common wheat. By combination technology, No.6 (A 2 B 3 C 1) showed the greatest tensile test. Changes in qualities resulted from the combination of different flour with granules and gluten. The results of the current study offer opportunities for the steamed bread and noodle industry to use colour-grained wheat flours as an ingredient for enhancing the nutrient value amount of dough. Highlights • Measurement of colour-grained wheat nutrient compounds. • The novelty application of combination technology of colour wheat flour in dough. • The colour-grained wheats has potential to be utilized as a nutrient value foods. • Changes in qualities from the combination of colour flour with granules and gluten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interendothelial junctions play an important role in the maintenance of endothelial integrity and the regulation of vascular functions. We report here that cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1) is a novel interendothelial cell adhesion molecule (CAM). We identified that CAT-1 protein localized at cell–cell adhesive junctions, similar to the classic CAM of VE-cadherin, and knockdown of CAT-1 with siRNA led to an increase in endothelial permeability. In addition, CAT-1 formed a cis -homo-dimer and showed Ca 2 + -dependent trans -homo-interaction to cause homophilic cell–cell adhesion. Co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that CAT-1 can associate with β-catenin. Furthermore, we found that the sub-cellular localization and function of CAT-1 are associated with cell confluency, in sub-confluent ECs CAT-1 proteins distribute on the entire surface and function as l -Arg transporters, but most of the CAT-1 in the confluent ECs are localized at interendothelial junctions and serve as CAMs. Further functional characterization has disclosed that extracellular l- Arg exposure stabilizes endothelial integrity via abating the cell junction disassembly of CAT-1 and blocking the cellular membrane CAT-1 internalization, which provides the new mechanisms for l- Arg paradox and trans -stimulation of cationic amino acid transport system (CAAT). These results suggest that CAT-1 is a novel CAM that directly regulates endothelial integrity and mediates the protective actions of l- Arg to endothelium via a NO-independent mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most plant phylogeographic studies in subtropical China have stressed the importance of multiple refugia and limited admixture among refugia. Little attention has been paid to range expansion and recolonization routes in this region. In this study, we implemented a phylogeographic survey on Sargentodoxa cuneata , a widespread woody deciduous climber in subtropical China to determine if it conforms to the expansion–contraction (EC) model during the Pleistocene. Sequence variation of two chloroplast intergenic spacers (IGSs) in 369 individuals from 54 populations of S. cuneata was examined. Twenty-six chloroplast haplotypes were recovered. One of these (H5) occurred across the range of S. cuneata and was absent from only 13 populations. Sixteen of the 26 haplotypes were connected to H5 by one mutation and displayed a star-like pattern in the haplotype network. All chloroplast haplotypes clustered into two lineages (A and B) in a Bayesian tree, and most haplotypes (18 out of 26) originated during the mid-Pleistocene (0.63–1.07 Ma). Demographic analyses detected a recent range expansion that occurred at 95.98 ka (CI: 61.7–112.53 ka) for Lineage A. The genetic signature of an ancient range expansion after the Middle Pleistocene Transition (MPT) was also evident. Three recolonization routes were identified in subtropical China. The results suggest that temperate plants in subtropical China may conform to the EC model to some extent. However, the genetic signature from multiple historical processes may complicate the phylogeographic patterns of organisms in the region due to the mild Pleistocene climate. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the evolutionary history of temperate plants in subtropical China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat germ, an important by-product in the flour milling industry, is known for its nutritive value. This study investigated the effects of wheat germ supplementation on the quality of steamed bread. Raw wheat germ (RWG) or defatted wheat germ (DWG) was added to wheat flour at compositions of 1–11% (w/w). Results showed that RWG supplementation increased the wet gluten content of dough, but decreased the gluten index of steamed bread compared to the raw flour. However, opposite trends were observed by addition of DWG. Both RWG and DWG had generally similar effects on disulfide bond content. The color test showed that high levels of wheat germ were associated with a decreased L ∗ value and an increased b ∗ value. The a ∗ values stayed close to a light red color irrespective of germ type. Sensory evaluation ratings and textural analysis indicated that steamed bread with acceptable quality attributes can be prepared from wheat flour fortified with wheat germ at less than 3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Triton X-114 temperature transition extraction has been considered to be a simple and cost-effective strategy to eliminate endotoxin from plasmid preparations. However, a repeated cooling–heating process may promote the degradation of plasmid DNA. Based on the finding that the cloud point of Triton X-114 solution increases substantially in the presence of small amounts of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and that electrolytes decrease the cloud point of Triton X-114–SDS solution drastically, we designed a Triton X-114 isothermal extraction method for removing endotoxin from plasmid samples and found that it has the same endotoxin removal efficiency when compared with the temperature transition extraction method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]