Eggshell waste as an eco-friendly and low-cost catalyst for the synthesis of <i>α, β</i>-unsaturated compounds

Three different eggshells, chicken eggshell, duck eggshell and quail eggshell, were used as the catalysts for the Knoevenagel reaction to produce α, β-unsaturated compounds in this work. To obtain the interrelationship among the factors of compositions, structure and catalytic activity, the eggshells were systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, and the Hammett indicator method. Eggshells showed the hierarchical and periodic three-dimensional network morphology and calcite crystal phase with the weak alkalinity. All eggshells were active for Knoevenagel reaction, and chicken eggshell showed the highest catalytic activity among them. The reaction conditions were optimized, and the optimal reaction condition was that aromatic aldehyde could efficiently react with active component methylene compound in the presence of 0.5 g chicken eggshell waste in water-ethanol (1:1, volume ratio) at room temperature. Various aromatic aldehydes and active component methylene compounds could be converted into the desired products in high yields, suggesting the high universality of different substrates in the presence of eggshell waste catalyst. In particular, the reaction of 4-cyanobenzaldehyde with malononitrile could be accomplished in 0.7 min with a yield of 99%. Eggshell waste catalysts could be used four times without significant loss in activity, demonstrating their high recyclability and eco-friendliness for the Knoevenagel reaction.</p

In Situ Formation of Cobalt Nitrides/Graphitic Carbon Composites as Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Overall Water Splitting

Developing cost-effective and highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of great interest for overall water splitting but still remains a challenging issue. Herein, a self-template route is employed to fabricate a unique hybrid composite constructed by encapsulating cobalt nitride (Co_5.47N) nanoparticles within three-dimensional (3D) N-doped porous carbon (Co_5.47N NP@N-PC) polyhedra, which can be served as a highly active bifunctional electrocatalyst. To afford a current density of 10 mA cm^–2, the as-fabricated Co_5.47N NP@N-PC only requires overpotentials as low as 149 and 248 mV for HER and OER, respectively. Moreover, an electrolyzer with Co_5.47N NP@N-PC electrodes as both the cathode and anode catalyst in alkaline solutions can drive a current density of 10 mA cm^–2 at a cell voltage of only 1.62 V, superior to that of the Pt/IrO₂ couple. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of Co_5.47N NP@N-PC can be mainly ascribed to the high inherent conductivity and rich nitrogen vacancies of the Co_5.47N lattice, the electronic modulation of the N-doped carbon toward Co_5.47N, and the hierarchically porous structure design

Biosynthesis of phospholipids in the yeast <i>S. cerevisiae</i>.

G-3-P, glycerol 3-phosphate; DHAP, dihydroxyacetone phosphate; LPA, lysophosphatidic acid; PA, phosphatidic acid; DAG, diacylglycerol; TAG, triacylglycerol; PS, phosphatidylserine; LPS, lysophosphatidylserine; PE, phosphatidylethanolamine; LPE, lysophosphatidylethanolamine; PC, phosphatidylcholine; LPC, lysophosphatidylcholine; PI, phosphatidylinositol; LPI, lysophosphatidylinositol; PG, phosphatidylglycerol; PGP, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate; LPG, lysophosphatidylglycerol; CL, cardiolipin; CDP-DAG, cytidinediphosphate-diacylglycerol; Ayr1p, 1-acyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate reductase; Gat1p or Gat2p, Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase; Slc1p, 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (sphingolipid compensation); Lpt1p, lysophospholipid acyltransferase; Cst26, chromosome stability; Pah1p, Phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase; Dga1p, Diacylglycerol acyltransferase; Lro1p, Lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase Related Open reading frame; Cds1p, CDP-diacylglycerol Synthase; Pgs1p, Phosphatidylglycerolphosphate synthase; Crd1p, Cardiolipin synthase; Pis1p, Phosphatidylinositol synthase; Cho1, Phosphatidylserine synthase (choline requiring); Psd1p/Psd2p, Phosphatidylserine decarboxylase; Cho2p, Phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase (choline requiring); Opi3p, Phospholipid methyltransferase (overproducer of inositol); Ept1p, sn-1,2-diacylglycerol ethanolamine- and cholinephosphotranferase; Cpt1p, Cholinephosphotransferase.</p

Presentation_1_Effects of graded levels of dietary protein supplementation on milk yield, body weight gain, blood biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota in lactating ewes.PPTX

Diet-associated characteristics such as dietary protein levels can modulate the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, leading to effects on the productive performance and overall health of animals. The objective of this study was to see how changes in dietary protein levels affect milk yield, body weight gain, blood biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota in lactating ewes. In a completely randomized design, eighteen ewes were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 6 ewes/group), and each group was assigned to one of three dietary treatments with different protein contents. The ewes' groups were fed on 8.38% (S-I), 10.42% (S-m), and 13.93% (S-h) dietary protein levels on a dry basis. The body weight gain and milk yield were greater (p 0.05) across the treatments. The blood glucose, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, lactate, creatinine, and C-reactive protein contents of lactating ewes were not influenced (p > 0.05) by different dietary protein levels. The alanine transaminase, aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities were also not changed (p > 0.05) across the groups. However, blood urea nitrogen and albumin contents of lactating ewes were changed (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of dietary protein, and these metabolite concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) for S-h than the rest of the treatments. In the different treatment groups, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were found to be the most dominant phyla. However, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae species decreased as dietary protein levels increased. Within the Bacteroidetes phylum, Rikenellaceae were more abundant, followed by Prevotellaceae, in ewes fed the S-m diet compared to those fed the other diets. Based on the results, feeding at an optimal protein level improved milk yield and body weight gain through modifying the digestive tract's beneficial bacterial communities. The results of blood metabolites suggested that feeding higher-protein diets has no negative impact on health.</p

DataSheet_1_Dietary protein levels modulate the gut microbiome composition through fecal samples derived from lactating ewes.docx

In ruminants, the digestion and utilization of dietary proteins are closely linked to the bacterial populations that are present in the gastrointestinal tract. In the present study, 16S rDNA sequencing, together with a metagenomic strategy was used to characterize the fecal bacteria of ewes in the early lactation stage after feeding with three levels of dietary proteins 8.58%, 10.34%, and 13.93%, in three different groups (H_1), (H_m) and (H_h), respectively. A total of 376,278,516 clean data-points were obtained by metagenomic sequencing. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla, regardless of the dietary protein levels. In the H_h group, the phyla Proteobacteria, Caldiserica, and Candidatus_Cryosericota were less abundant than those in the H_I group. In contrast, Lentisphaerae, Chlamydiae, and Planctomycetes were significantly more abundant in the H_h group. Some genera, such as Prevotella, Roseburia, and Firmicutes_unclassified, were less abundant in the H_h group than those in the H_I group. In contrast, Ruminococcus, Ruminococcaceae_noname, Anaerotruncus, Thermotalae, Lentisphaerae_noname, and Paraprevotella were enriched in the H_h group. The acquired microbial genes were mainly clustered into biological processes; molecular functions; cytosol; cellular components; cytoplasm; structural constituents of ribosomes; plasma membranes; translation; and catalytic activities. 205987 genes were significantly enriched in the H_h group. In contrast, 108129 genes were more abundant in the H_I group. Our findings reveal that dynamic changes in fecal bacteria and their genes are strongly influenced by the levels of dietary proteins. We discovered that differentially expressed genes mainly regulate metabolic activity and KEGG demonstrated the primary involvement of these genes in the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, nucleotides, and vitamins. Additionally, genes responsible for metabolism were more abundant in the H_h group. Investigating fecal bacterial characteristics may help researchers develop a dietary formula for lactating ewes to optimize the growth and health of ewes and lambs.</p

Table_4_Effects of graded levels of dietary protein supplementation on milk yield, body weight gain, blood biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota in lactating ewes.XLSX

Diet-associated characteristics such as dietary protein levels can modulate the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, leading to effects on the productive performance and overall health of animals. The objective of this study was to see how changes in dietary protein levels affect milk yield, body weight gain, blood biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota in lactating ewes. In a completely randomized design, eighteen ewes were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 6 ewes/group), and each group was assigned to one of three dietary treatments with different protein contents. The ewes' groups were fed on 8.38% (S-I), 10.42% (S-m), and 13.93% (S-h) dietary protein levels on a dry basis. The body weight gain and milk yield were greater (p 0.05) across the treatments. The blood glucose, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, lactate, creatinine, and C-reactive protein contents of lactating ewes were not influenced (p > 0.05) by different dietary protein levels. The alanine transaminase, aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities were also not changed (p > 0.05) across the groups. However, blood urea nitrogen and albumin contents of lactating ewes were changed (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of dietary protein, and these metabolite concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) for S-h than the rest of the treatments. In the different treatment groups, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were found to be the most dominant phyla. However, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae species decreased as dietary protein levels increased. Within the Bacteroidetes phylum, Rikenellaceae were more abundant, followed by Prevotellaceae, in ewes fed the S-m diet compared to those fed the other diets. Based on the results, feeding at an optimal protein level improved milk yield and body weight gain through modifying the digestive tract's beneficial bacterial communities. The results of blood metabolites suggested that feeding higher-protein diets has no negative impact on health.</p

Table_3_Effects of graded levels of dietary protein supplementation on milk yield, body weight gain, blood biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota in lactating ewes.XLSX

Diet-associated characteristics such as dietary protein levels can modulate the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, leading to effects on the productive performance and overall health of animals. The objective of this study was to see how changes in dietary protein levels affect milk yield, body weight gain, blood biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota in lactating ewes. In a completely randomized design, eighteen ewes were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 6 ewes/group), and each group was assigned to one of three dietary treatments with different protein contents. The ewes' groups were fed on 8.38% (S-I), 10.42% (S-m), and 13.93% (S-h) dietary protein levels on a dry basis. The body weight gain and milk yield were greater (p 0.05) across the treatments. The blood glucose, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, lactate, creatinine, and C-reactive protein contents of lactating ewes were not influenced (p > 0.05) by different dietary protein levels. The alanine transaminase, aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities were also not changed (p > 0.05) across the groups. However, blood urea nitrogen and albumin contents of lactating ewes were changed (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of dietary protein, and these metabolite concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) for S-h than the rest of the treatments. In the different treatment groups, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were found to be the most dominant phyla. However, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae species decreased as dietary protein levels increased. Within the Bacteroidetes phylum, Rikenellaceae were more abundant, followed by Prevotellaceae, in ewes fed the S-m diet compared to those fed the other diets. Based on the results, feeding at an optimal protein level improved milk yield and body weight gain through modifying the digestive tract's beneficial bacterial communities. The results of blood metabolites suggested that feeding higher-protein diets has no negative impact on health.</p

Table_2_Effects of graded levels of dietary protein supplementation on milk yield, body weight gain, blood biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota in lactating ewes.XLSX

Diet-associated characteristics such as dietary protein levels can modulate the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, leading to effects on the productive performance and overall health of animals. The objective of this study was to see how changes in dietary protein levels affect milk yield, body weight gain, blood biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota in lactating ewes. In a completely randomized design, eighteen ewes were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 6 ewes/group), and each group was assigned to one of three dietary treatments with different protein contents. The ewes' groups were fed on 8.38% (S-I), 10.42% (S-m), and 13.93% (S-h) dietary protein levels on a dry basis. The body weight gain and milk yield were greater (p 0.05) across the treatments. The blood glucose, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, lactate, creatinine, and C-reactive protein contents of lactating ewes were not influenced (p > 0.05) by different dietary protein levels. The alanine transaminase, aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities were also not changed (p > 0.05) across the groups. However, blood urea nitrogen and albumin contents of lactating ewes were changed (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of dietary protein, and these metabolite concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) for S-h than the rest of the treatments. In the different treatment groups, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were found to be the most dominant phyla. However, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae species decreased as dietary protein levels increased. Within the Bacteroidetes phylum, Rikenellaceae were more abundant, followed by Prevotellaceae, in ewes fed the S-m diet compared to those fed the other diets. Based on the results, feeding at an optimal protein level improved milk yield and body weight gain through modifying the digestive tract's beneficial bacterial communities. The results of blood metabolites suggested that feeding higher-protein diets has no negative impact on health.</p

Table_1_Effects of graded levels of dietary protein supplementation on milk yield, body weight gain, blood biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota in lactating ewes.XLSX

Diet-associated characteristics such as dietary protein levels can modulate the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, leading to effects on the productive performance and overall health of animals. The objective of this study was to see how changes in dietary protein levels affect milk yield, body weight gain, blood biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota in lactating ewes. In a completely randomized design, eighteen ewes were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 6 ewes/group), and each group was assigned to one of three dietary treatments with different protein contents. The ewes' groups were fed on 8.38% (S-I), 10.42% (S-m), and 13.93% (S-h) dietary protein levels on a dry basis. The body weight gain and milk yield were greater (p 0.05) across the treatments. The blood glucose, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, lactate, creatinine, and C-reactive protein contents of lactating ewes were not influenced (p > 0.05) by different dietary protein levels. The alanine transaminase, aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities were also not changed (p > 0.05) across the groups. However, blood urea nitrogen and albumin contents of lactating ewes were changed (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of dietary protein, and these metabolite concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) for S-h than the rest of the treatments. In the different treatment groups, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were found to be the most dominant phyla. However, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae species decreased as dietary protein levels increased. Within the Bacteroidetes phylum, Rikenellaceae were more abundant, followed by Prevotellaceae, in ewes fed the S-m diet compared to those fed the other diets. Based on the results, feeding at an optimal protein level improved milk yield and body weight gain through modifying the digestive tract's beneficial bacterial communities. The results of blood metabolites suggested that feeding higher-protein diets has no negative impact on health.</p

Supplementary Data from Microdose-Induced Drug–DNA Adducts as Biomarkers of Chemotherapy Resistance in Humans and Mice

Chemical structures, patient data, mouse survival curves, additional biomarker data</p