Effects of dietary selenized glucose on intestinal microbiota and tryptophan metabolism in rats: Assessing skatole reduction potential.

3-Methylindole (Skatole), a degradation product of tryptophan produced by intestinal microbial activity, significantly contributes to odor nuisance. Its adverse effects on animal welfare, human health, and environmental pollution have been noted. However, it is still unclear whether the intestinal microbiota mediates the impact of selenium (Se) on skatole production and what the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. A selenized glucose (SeGlu) derivative is a novel organic selenium compound. In this study, a diverse range of dietary SeGlu-treated levels, including SeGlu-deficient (CK), SeGlu-adequate (0.15 mg Se per L), and SeGlu-supranutritional (0.4 mg Se per L) conditions, were used to investigate the complex interaction of SeGlu on intestinal microbiome and serum metabolome changes in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The study showed that SeGlu supplementation enhanced the antioxidant ability in rats, significantly manifested in the increases of the activity of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), while no change in the level of malonaldehyde (MDA). Metagenomic sequencing analysis verified that the SeGlu treatment group significantly increased the abundance of beneficial microorganisms such as Clostridium, Ruminococcus, Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, and Alloprevotella while reducing the abundance of opportunistic pathogens such as Bacteroides and Alistipes significantly. Further metabolomic analysis revealed phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis changes in the SeGlu treatment group. Notably, the biosynthesis of indole, a critical pathway, was affected by SeGlu treatment, with several crucial enzymes implicated. Correlation analysis demonstrated strong associations between specific bacterial species - Treponema, Bacteroides, and Ruminococcus, and changes in indole and derivative concentrations. Moreover, the efficacy of SeGlu-treated fecal microbiota was confirmed through fecal microbiota transplantation, leading to a decrease in the concentration of skatole in rats. Collectively, the analysis of microbiota and metabolome response to diverse SeGlu levels suggests that SeGlu is a promising dietary additive in modulating intestinal microbiota and reducing odor nuisance in the livestock and poultry industry.

Investigation on the effect of thermal sterilization versus non-thermal sterilization on the quality parameters of jujube juice fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum.

This study aimed to evaluate the jujube juice treated by four different sterilization treatments as substrates for producing a probiotic beverage fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum): sterilization by autoclaving (SA at 0.1 MPa,121 °C, and 20 min), pasteurization (PS at 85 °C/30 min), cold plasma sterilization (CPS at 700 W/120 s) and pulsed strong light sterilization (PLS at 1.0 Hz, 600 J, and 10 times), while jujube juice without sterilization treatment used as control (CK). The results showed that the growth ability of L. plantarum in jujube juice was not affected by different sterilization treatments. After SA and PS treatment, the particle size of jujube juice increased by 440.51% and 222.29%, respectively, and the reducing sugar content decreased by 33.83% and 24.51%, respectively. Compared with SA and PS, PLS and CPS were beneficial to improve the stability of jujube juice, and tartaric acid content in jujube juice was significantly increased after CPS treatment. There was no significant difference in sensory and nutritional quality between PLS treated jujube juice and control, and the color of PLS treated jujube juice was significantly better than that of the other three sterilization treatments. The research indicated that PLS treatment could be a prospective sterilization method applied in the processing of fermented jujube juice. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-022-05358-8.

Investigation on many-body effects in micro-LEDs under ultra-high injection levels.

Micro-LEDs can work under an extremely high injection level and are widely used in high-brightness micro-displays and visible light communication. With the increase of carrier concentration, many-body effects gradually become important factors affecting devices' characteristics. Considering the effects of carrier scattering, bandgap renormalization, and Coulomb enhancement (CE), changes in the electroluminescence spectra of micro-LEDs are analyzed as the current density increases from 49.2 to 358.2 kA/cm2, the latter representing an ultra-high injection level. Affected by plasma screening, CE decreases below about 150 kA/cm2. After that, polarization screening dominates and effectively alleviates the spatial separation of electrons and holes, which results in CE increases to the maximum injection level of 358.2 kA/cm2. It is established that CE promotes radiative recombination processes. Different from the traditional phenomenon of "efficiency droop", the enhanced attraction between carriers leads to an abnormal increase of external quantum efficiency at high current density.

Tunable optical forces enhanced by plasmonic modes hybridization in optical trapping of gold nanorods with plasmonic nanocavity.

The optomechanical interaction between a plasmonic nanocavity and a gold nanorod through optical forces is demonstrated. It is revealed that strong localized plasmon resonance mode hybridization induced by a gold nanorod results in the resonance mode of the nanocavity splitting into two different plasmon resonance modes (bonding plasmon resonance mode and antibonding plasmon resonance mode). When the whole system (gold nanorod and gold nanocavity) is excited at the antibonding plasmon mode, the gold nanorod can receive an optical pushing force and be pushed away from the gold nanocavity. On the other hand, an optical pulling force acts on the gold nanorod and the gold nanorod can be trapped by the gold nanocavity when the plasmonic tweezers work at the bonding mode. The optical pulling force acting on the gold nanorod can be enhanced by two orders of magnitude larger than that of the same sized dielectric nanorod, which benefits from the strong resonant nearfield interaction between the gold nanorod and the gold nanocavity. More importantly, the shape and the position of the optical potential can be tuned by tailoring the wavelength of the laser used in the optical trapping, which can be used to manipulate the gold nanorod within a nanoscale region. Our findings have important implications for optical trapping, manipulation, sorting, and sieving of plasmonic nanoparticles with plasmonic tweezers.

Investigation on strain relaxation distribution in GaN-based µLEDs by Kelvin probe force microscopy and micro-photoluminescence.

GaN/InGaN multi-quantum-wells (MQWs) micron light emitting diodes (µLEDs) with the size ranging from 10 to 300 µm are fabricated. Effects of strain relaxation on the performance of µLEDs have been investigated both experimentally and numerically. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and micro-photoluminescence (µPL) are used to characterize the strained area on micron pillars. Strain relaxation and reducing polarization field in MQWs almost affects the whole mesa for 10 µm LEDs and about 4% area around the lateral for 300 µm LEDs. It makes a great contribution to high performance for smaller size µLEDs. Moreover, an indirect nanoscale strain measurement for µLEDs are provided.

Genome-wide association analysis reveals novel candidate loci and a gene regulating tiller number in orchardgrass.

Tillers are specialized lateral shoots arising from axillary buds at basal nodes, and are also an important agronomic trait that determines the aboveground biomass and grain yield of various gramineous crops. So far, few genes have been reported to control tiller formation and most have been in the annual crop rice (Oryza sativa). Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) is an important perennial forage crop with great economic and ecological value, but its genes regulating tillering have remained largely unknown. In the present study, we used a natural population of 264 global orchardgrass germplasms to determine genes associated with quantitative variation in tiller number through genome-wide association study analysis. A total of 19 putative loci and 55 genes associated with tiller number were thus identified. Additionally, 26 putative differentially expressed genes with tiller number, including DgCYC-C1, were identified by RNA-seq and genome-wide association study analysis. DgCYC-C1 which is involved in cell division, was overexpressed, revealing that DgCYC-C1 positively regulates tiller number. These results provide some new candidate genes or loci for the improvement of tiller number in crops, which might advance new sustainable strategies to meet global crop production challenges.

Sodium alginate-based wall materials microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum CICC 20022: characteristics and survivability study.

In this study, microcapsules of Lactobacillus plantarum CICC 20022 (L. plantarum CICC 20022) were prepared by extrusion technique using sodium alginate (SA), sodium alginate-sodium caseinate (SA-SC) and sodium alginate-whey protein isolate (SA-WPI) as wall materials, respectively. Results showed that the best encapsulation yield of L. plantarum CICC 20022 was SA-WPI. Morphology and texture analysis showed that the microcapsules prepared by the SA-WPI system presented a more compact internal structure and higher resistance to external pressure. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and low field nuclear magnetic resonance analysis demonstrated that the hydrogen bonding ability and network structure of the SA were improved by the addition of WPI. The survivability of L. plantarum CICC 20022 entrapped with the SA-WPI system was improved during freeze-drying and simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Therefore, the SA-WPI system can potentially be used as the vector of L. plantarum CICC 20022 in food applications.

Effects of mouldy core and core rot on physiological and biochemical responses of apple fruit.

BACKGROUND: Apple mouldy core (MC) and core rot (CR) are pathogenic disorders associated with the core region of fruits of susceptible varieties that have open calyx tubes. MC is not economically important because its symptoms are restricted to within the seed cavities, but CR is an important postharvest disease because its symptoms penetrate the fruit flesh and bring about economic losses. Recently, most studies have focused on causal agents and control of apple MC and CR. However, there is little information on the physiological and biochemical responses of apple fruits with MC and CR. RESULTS: The results indicated that MC and CR have different effects on the physiological and biochemical indices of apple fruits. Higher polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and total phenolic content were found in MC, dry CR (DCR) and asymptomatic tissue of wet CR (asympWCR) fruits than in healthy fruits, as well as significantly higher catalase and peroxidase activities in DCR and symptomatic tissue of WCR (sympWCR) fruits respectively, while asympWCR fruits showed a marked increase in malondialdehyde content, membrane permeability and superoxide production and a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that PPO and phenolic compounds may play a key role in the defence system of apple fruits against MC and CR.

Study on Electron-Induced Surface Plasmon Coupling with Quantum Well Using a Perturbation Method.

Ag nanoparticles (NPs) are filled in a photonic crystal (PhC) hole array on green light emitting diodes (LEDs). The localized surface plasmon (LSP)-quantum well (QW) coupling effect is studied by measuring the cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra impinging at the specific spots on the Ag NPs. Twenty-six percent and fifty-two percent enhancements of the CL intensities are obtained at the center and edge of the Ag NP, respectively, compared to the result that the electron-beam (e-beam) excites the QW directly. To illustrate the coupling process of the three-body system of e-beam-LSP-QW, a perturbation theory combining a three-dimensional (3D) finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation is put forward. The effects of the polarization orientation of the dipole and the field symmetry of the LSP on the LSP-QW coupling are also discussed.

Extraction of polysaccharides under vacuum condition from Lentinus edodes stipe and their antioxidant activities in vitro.

To improve the efficiency of polysaccharide extraction, vacuum technology was used to breakdown the cell wall to extract polysaccharides from Lentinus edodes stipe, and the optimal parameters were optimized by response surface methodology. Then the antioxidant activities in vitro of the polysaccharides were evaluated. Results showed that the optimal conditions for polysaccharide extraction were temperature of 62 °C, vacuum of 0.08 MPa, stirring speed of 1200 r/min, time of 25 min and material/liquid ratio of 1:26 (g/mL). Under these conditions, the yield of polysaccharide was 4.28%. The decolorization rate and deproteinization rate of polysaccharides treated by kaolin and hydrogen peroxide were higher than that of activated carbon. However, there was no significant influence on the polysaccharide retention rate, that was about 80%. Results also indicated that polysaccharide treated with activated carbon could obtain higher antioxidant activity.

Effect of dipole polarization orientation on surface plasmon coupling with green emitting quantum wells by cathodoluminescence.

Ag nanoparticles (NPs) are fabricated on the cross-section of green emitting quantum wells (QWs). The effect of the dipole polarization orientation on the localized surface plasmon (LSP)-QW coupling can be studied by setting the incident direction of the electron beam parallel to the plane of the QWs. Cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements on the QWs show that the intensity with the Ag NPs is enhanced 6.1 times compared with that without the Ag NPs. Total energy loss profiles for an electron beam in the GaN and Ag NP are accurately simulated using a Monte Carlo program (CASINO). The orientations of the in-plane dipoles in the QWs can vary from 0° to 360°. Through a two-step simulation process using the three-dimensional (3D) finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, the weighted average of CL intensities are simulated for QWs with the Ag NPs. The simulation results agree well with the experimental results. Lastly, the dipole orientation dependent LSP-QW coupling process is discussed.

Study on the Coupling Mechanism of the Orthogonal Dipoles with Surface Plasmon in Green LED by Cathodoluminescence.

We analyzed the coupling behavior between the localized surface plasmon (LSP) and quantum wells (QWs) using cathodoluminescence (CL) in a green light-emitting diodes (LED) with Ag nanoparticles (NPs) filled in photonic crystal (PhC) holes. Photoluminescence (PL) suppression and CL enhancement were obtained for the same green LED sample with the Ag NP array. Time-resolved PL (TRPL) results indicate strong coupling between the LSP and the QWs. Three-dimensional (3D) finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation was performed using a three-body model consisting of two orthogonal dipoles and a single Ag NP. The LSP–QWs coupling effect was separated from the electron-beam (e-beam)–LSP–QW system by linear approximation. The energy dissipation was significantly reduced by the z-dipole introduction under the e-beam excitation. In this paper, the coupling mechanism is discussed and a novel emission structure is proposed.

The effects of nanocavity and photonic crystal in InGaN/GaN nanorod LED arrays.

InGaN/GaN nanorod light-emitting diode (LED) arrays were fabricated using nanoimprint and reactive ion etching. The diameters of the nanorods range from 120 to 300 nm. The integral photoluminescence (PL) intensity for 120 nm nanorod LED array is enhanced as 13 times compared to that of the planar one. In angular-resolved PL (ARPL) measurements, there are some strong lobes as resonant regime appeared in the far-field radiation patterns of small size nanorod array, in which the PL spectra are sharp and intense. The PL lifetime for resonant regime is 0.088 ns, which is 40 % lower than that of non-resonant regime for 120 nm nanorod LED array. At last, three dimension finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation is performed. The effects of guided modes coupling in nanocavity and extraction by photonic crystals are explored.