Advancements in the synthesis of carbon dots and their application in biomedicine.

As a sort of fluorescent carbon nanomaterial with a particle size of less than 10 nm, carbon dots (CDs) have their own merits of good dispersibility in water, stable optical properties, strong chemical inertness, stable optical properties, and good biosecurity. These excellent peculiarities facilitated them like sensing, imaging, medicine, catalysis, and optoelectronics, making them a new star in the field of nanotechnology. In particular, the development of CDs in the fields of chemical probes, imaging, cancer therapy, antibacterial and drug delivery has become a hot topic in current research. Although the biomedical applications in CDs have been demonstrated in many research articles, a systematic summary of their role in biomedical applications is scarce. In this review, we introduced the basic information of CDs in detail, including synthesis approaches of CDs as well as their favorable properties including photoluminescence and low cytotoxicity. Subsequently, the application of CDs in the field of biomedicine was emphasized. Finally, the main challenges and research prospects of CDs in this field were proposed, which might provide some detailed information in designing new CDs in this promising biomedical field.

Preparation, Structural Characterization, and Enzymatic Properties of Alginate Lyase Immobilized on Magnetic Chitosan Microspheres.

Alginate lyase is an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of alginate into alginate oligoalginates. To enhance enzyme stability and recovery, a facile strategy for alginate lyase immobilization was developed. Novel magnetic chitosan microspheres were synthesized and used as carriers to immobilize alginate lyase. The immobilization of alginate lyase on magnetic chitosan microspheres was successful, as proven by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction spectra. Enzyme immobilization exhibited the best performance at an MCM dosage of 1.5 g/L, adsorption time of 2.0 h, glutaraldehyde concentration of 0.2%, and immobilization time of 2.0 h. The optimal pH of the free alginate lyase was 7.5, and this pH value was shifted to 8.0 after immobilization. No difference was observed at the optimal temperature (45 °C) for the immobilized and free enzymes. The immobilized alginate lyase displayed better thermal stability than the free alginate lyase. The Km values of the free and immobilized enzymes were 0.05 mol/L and 0.09 mol/L, respectively. The immobilized alginate lyase retained 72% of its original activity after 10 batch reactions. This strategy was found to be a promising method for immobilizing alginate lyase.

Visible-light-catalyzed synthesis of 1,3-benzoxazines via formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of oximes with o-hydroxybenzyl alcohols.

A formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of oximes with o-hydroxybenzyl alcohols was developed to easily synthesize diverse 1,3-benzoxazine derivatives. This synthesis was achieved under visible light-based organocatalytic and TsOH conditions. The reaction proceeds through the photoisomerization of oximes via visible light-mediated energy transfer, followed by the nucleophilic attack of o-QMs to oximes as a 1,2-dipole synthon, cyclization, and isomerization. The reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope and can be carried out under mild conditions. To demonstrate its synthetic usefulness, a gram-scale reaction was conducted, and the resulting 1,3-benzoxazine products were further transformed into other valuable compounds.

Evaluation of non-invasive gene detection in preimplantation embryos: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Genetic abnormalities in embryos are responsible for most miscarriages and repeated embryo implantation failures, so a reliable preimplantation genetic screening method is urgently needed. Non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing (niPGT) is a potential method for embryo genetic diagnosis. However, the value of its application is controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate and validate the diagnostic value of niPGT in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: This review used the "Preferred Reporting Items" as a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic test accuracy (PRISMA-DTA) statement. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Library up to May 2022 to retrieve non-invasive preimplantation gene detection studies. The eligible research quality was evaluated following the quality assessment study-2 system for diagnostic accuracy. The pooled receiver operator characteristic curve (SROC) and the area under SROC (AUC) were used to evaluate diagnostic performance quantitatively. Threshold effect, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression analysis were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. Deeks' funnel plots and sensitivity analyses were used to test the publication bias and stability of the meta-analysis, respectively. FINDINGS: Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 0.84 (95% CI 0.72-0.91), 0.85 (95% CI 0.74-0.92), and 0.91 (95% CI 0.88-0.93), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that the spent culture medium (SCM) subgroup had higher sensitivity and lower specificity than the SCM combined with the blastocoel fluid (BF) subgroup. Subgroup analysis showed that the study sensitivity and specificity of < 100 cases were higher than those of ≥ 100. Heterogeneity (chi-square) analysis revealed that sample size might be a potential source of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis and Deeks' funnel plots indicated that our results were relatively robust and free from publication bias. INTERPRETATION: The present meta-analysis indicated that the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of niPGT in preimplantation genetic testing were 0.84, 0.85, and 0.91, respectively. niPGT may have high detection accuracy and may serve as an alternative model for embryonic analysis. Additionally, by subgroup analysis, we found that BF did not improve the accuracy of niPGT in embryos. In the future, large-scale studies are needed to determine the detection value of niPGT.

Multidimensional Evaluation of the Quality of Rural Life Using Big Data from the Perspective of Common Prosperity.

Evaluating and revealing the spatial differentiations of quality of rural life (QRL) is the basis for formulating rural revitalization planning to promote rural transformation and achieve common prosperity. Taking the Lin'an District of Hangzhou city in China, an economically developed mountainous area, as an example, this study explored the connotation of QRL from the perspective of common prosperity and constructed a QRL evaluation framework involving living, employment, consumption, and leisure aspects. Then, based on multi-sourced data of 270 administrative villages as the assessment unit, we revealed the spatial patterns of QRL and proposed optimization paths to improving QRL. The results showed that (1) differences in the spatial distribution of quality of rural living, employment, consumption, and leisure of Lin'an District were significant, presenting stepped, block clustering, irregularity, and scattered patterns, respectively. (2) The overall QRL was mainly at a low level, clustered spatially, distributed in a strip pattern, and with obvious road directionality. (3) Based on the evaluation results of QRL, we divided the 270 administrative villages into six types of improvement: livability, employment, consumption, leisure, and balanced and lagged development types. This study could provide a scientific cognitive basis for the improvement of QRL and a useful reference for rural revitalization in China.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)-Sieboldine A and Analogues Thereof.

An 11-step enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-sieboldine A (1) has been accomplished from (5R)-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one (16), in which an intramolecular ketone/ester reductive coupling followed by one-pot acidic treatment to quickly construct the unique oxa-spiroacetal and a TsOH-catalyzed displacement to directly form the characteristic N-hydroxyazacyclononane ring successfully served as the key methodologies. Moreover, several full-skeleton analogues of 1 were also synthesized on the basis of the advanced intermediates, and their inhibitory effects on electric eel acetylcholinesterase were examined.

A Study on the Impact of Low-Carbon Technology Application in Agriculture on the Returns of Large-Scale Farmers.

The relationship and mechanism between agricultural low-carbon technology application and farm household returns are not yet clear, especially the lack of evidence from developing countries. This paper takes large-scale farming households in Jiangxi Province, China, from 2019 to 2020 as the research object, and obtains relevant data from field research to explore the intrinsic impact of agricultural low-carbon technology application on the returns of large-scale farming households. Based on the relevant theoretical analysis, the division dimensions of agricultural low-carbon technologies were proposed, and agricultural low-carbon technologies were subdivided into ten specific low-carbon technologies according to six dimensions: tillage system, breeding, fertilization, irrigation, medicine application, and waste treatment. Relevant questions were designed and researched to obtain data on the application status of low-carbon technologies in agriculture and the income cost status of large-scale farmers. Based on the theoretical analysis, the research hypotheses were proposed, and an empirical analysis was conducted based on the obtained data from large-scale farmers. The application of seven low-carbon technologies in agriculture: conservation tillage system, direct sowing technology, selection of compound fertilizer/organic fertilizer/controlled-release fertilizer, soil formula fertilization technology, deep fertilization/irrigation fertilization, sprinkler/drip irrigation/wet irrigation/intermittent irrigation, and straw resourceization significantly improved the income level of large-scale farmers. Furthermore, the application of biodegradable agricultural membranes, biopesticides, and new pesticide-controlled release technologies did not have significant effects on the income level of large-scale farmers, due to their low application and penetration rate. Based on the findings of the paper, the government should strengthen the promotion and subsidies of agricultural low-carbon technologies, especially those technologies that have no significant impact on large-scale farmers' income, such as biodegradable agricultural membranes, biopesticides, and new pesticide controlled-release technologies, so as to achieve a win-win situation of reducing carbon emissions and increasing farmers' income.

Unified Total Synthesis of Tetracyclic Diquinane Lycopodium Alkaloids (+)-Paniculatine, (-)-Magellanine, and (+)-Magellaninone.

A unified route for the total synthesis of three tetracyclic diquinane Lycopodium alkaloids (+)-paniculatine, (-)-magellanine, and (+)-magellaninone has been accomplished in 13-14 overall steps based on late-stage diverse transformations from an advanced tetracyclic common intermediate. In the established synthesis, quick formation of the two five-membered rings was efficiently achieved by an intramolecular reductive coupling of ketone-carbonyl and ester-carbonyl and an organocatalytic intramolecular Michael addition of aldehyde-derived enamine to an internal enone functionality with satisfactory redox and step economies and excellent stereoselectivities, providing the requisite tricyclic carbo-framework possessing multiple dense stereogenic centers, and an intramolecular reductive amination finally furnished the essential piperidine ring.

The Potential of Gut Microbiota Metabolic Capability to Detect Drug Response in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Gut microbiota plays an essential role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and affects drug responses. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive and urgent to elucidate to explore the pathology and clinical treatment of RA. Therefore, we selected methotrexate (MTX) as an example of RA drugs to explore the interactions between the gut microbiota and drug responses and obtain an in-depth understanding of their correlation from the perspective of the metabolic capability of gut microbiota on drug metabolism. We identified 2,654 proteins and the corresponding genes involved in MTX metabolism and then profiled their abundances in the gut microbiome datasets of four cohorts. We found that the gut microbiota harbored various genes involved in MTX metabolism in healthy individuals and RA patients. Interestingly, the number of genes involved in MTX metabolism was not significantly different between response (R) and non-response (NR) groups to MTX, but the gene composition in the microbial communities significantly differed between these two groups. Particularly, several models were built based on clinical information, as well as data on the gene, taxonomical, and functional biomarkers by using the random forest algorithm and then validated. Our findings provide bases for clinical management not only of RA but also other gut microbiome-related diseases. First, it suggests that the potential metabolic capability of gut microbiota on drug metabolism is important because they affect drug efficiency; as such, clinical treatment strategies should incorporate the gene compositions of gut microbial communities, in particular genes involved in drug metabolism. Second, a suitable model can be developed to determine hosts' responses to drugs before clinical treatment.

lncRNA DSCAM-AS1 facilitates the progression of endometrial cancer via miR-136-5p.

Previous studies have indicated that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) down syndrome cell adhesion molecule antisense 1 (DSCAM-AS1) serves an oncogenic role in numerous cancer types. However, its role in endometrial cancer (EC) remains largely unknown. In the present study, DSCAM-AS1 expression levels in EC tissues and cells and their normal counterparts were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to validate the functions of DSCAM-AS1 in EC. It was revealed that DSCAM-AS1 was expressed at a high level in EC tissues and cells after analyzing patient data and data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Notably, it was also revealed that high DSCAM-AS1 expression was associated with a less favorable overall survival in patients with EC. Knockdown of DSCAM-AS1 was able to suppress EC cell proliferation by upregulating cell apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, it was revealed that DSCAM-AS1 acted as a microRNA (miR)-136-5p sponge to exert its oncogenic roles in EC. Collectively and to the best of our knowledge, the current results provided first evidence that DSCAM-AS1 stimulated EC progression by regulating miR-136-5p, which may improve the understanding of the roles of ncRNAs in EC, and may help identify novel targets for anticancer treatment.

Effects of Defatted Rice Bran Inclusion Level on Nutrient Digestibility and Growth Performance of Different Body Weight Pigs.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of low-protein diet prepared with different levels of defatted rice bran (DFRB) and weight stages on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of growing-finishing pigs. The animal experiment included three stages. A total of 240 growing pigs with an initial body weight of 28.06 ± 8.56 kg for stage 1 were allocated to five diets including one control group and four DFRB diets supplemented with 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% DFRB, respectively. The 192 crossbred pigs with initial body weights of 55.03 ± 7.31 kg and 74.55 ± 9.10 kg were selected for stage 2 and stage 3, respectively. Pigs were allocated to four diets including one control group and three DFRB diets supplemented with 10%, 15% and 20% DFRB, respectively. The results showed that with the increase in DFEB intake, the gain: feed was linearly increased (p < 0.05), and the average daily feed intake tended to linearly decrease (p = 0.06) in stage 1. Except for the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of acid detergent fiber (ADF) in stage 3, levels of DFRB had significant effects on the ATTD of gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and ADF in three weight stages. In stage 1, with the increase in levels of DFRB, the ATTD of NDF and hemicellulose were firstly increased and then decreased (p < 0.01). In stage 2, with the increasing levels of DFRB, the ATTD of DM, ash and cellulose were firstly increased and then decreased (p < 0.01). In stage 3, the ATTD of GE, DM, ash, NDF and hemicellulose decreased linearly with the increase in levels of DFRB (p < 0.01). Collectively, DFRB could be used as a replacement for corns and soybean meal, and weight stage is important to consider when adjusting the additive proportion.

Evaluation on Net Energy of Defatted Rice Bran from Different Origins and Processing Technologies Fed to Growing Pigs.

The study was conducted to determine and compare the net energy (NE) of defatted rice bran (DFRB) from different sources and different processing technology fed to growing pigs using indirect calorimetry. Thirty-six growing barrows (30.7 ± 3.9 kg) were randomly allotted to 1 of 6 diets with 6 replicate pigs per diet. Diets included a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 5 test diets containing 30% DFRB, respectively. These five samples come from 4 different provinces (i.e., Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Jilin, and Liaoning province within China) and two of them with the same origin but different processing technologies (i.e., extruded or pelleted). During each period, pigs were kept individually in metabolism crates for 21 days, including 14 days to adapt to the diets. On day 15, pigs were transferred to the open-circuit respiration chambers for adaptation, and the next day were ready to determine daily total heat production (HP) and were fed 1 of the 6 diets at 2.3 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg body weight (BW)0.6/day. Total feces and urine were collected for the determination of digestible energy (DE) and ME and daily total HP was measured from day 16 to day 20 and fasted on day 21 for the measurement of fasting heat production (FHP). The NE contents of extruded DFRB from different provinces were within the range of values (8.24 to 10.22 MJ/kg DM). There is a discrepancy of approximately 10.01% in the NE content between the DFRB origins. The NE contents of extruded DFRB and pelleted DFRB from the same province were 8.24 vs. 6.56 MJ/kg DM. Retained energy (RE) and FHP of diets containing extruded DFRB and pelleted DFRB were 1105 vs. 892 kJ/kg BW0.6/day and 746 vs. 726 kJ/kg BW0.6/day respectively, and those in extruded DFRB from different origins were within the range of values (947 to 1105 kJ/kg BW0.6/day and 726 to 755 kJ/kg BW0.6/day, respectively). In conclusion, NE values are affected by origin and processing technology of DFRB.

Concise Unified Access to (-)-8-Deoxy-13-dehydroserratinine, (+)-Fawcettimine, (+)-Fawcettidine, and (-)-8-Deoxyserratinine Using a Direct Intramolecular Reductive Coupling.

A short, scalable, and collective total synthesis of four fawcettimine-type Lycopodium alkaloids in eight or nine steps is disclosed. A dense multi-small-ring spiro-α-aminocyclopentanone successfully served as the key intermediate, which was directly accessed by a LiDBB-mediated intramolecular reductive coupling of the aliphatic imine and an ester-carbonyl. Compared to those that employ classical Heathcock intermediate(s) containing a nine-membered ring, the new strategy shows the significant improvement of the synthetic step and redox economies as well as excellent stereochemical control.

Effects of different defatted rice bran sources and processing technologies on nutrient digestibility in cannulated growing pigs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different defatted rice bran (DFRB) sources and processing technologies on nutrient digestibility in different intestinal segments of pigs. Nine barrows with T-cannula in the distal ileum were randomly allotted to nine different sources in which oil was pressed extracted for seven sources and was solvent extracted for two sources. The experiment contained 6 periods of 12 d, including 8 d for diet adaptation, 2 d for fecal collection, and 2 d for digesta collection. The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM), ash, total dietary fiber (TDF), insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and hemicellulose in different sources of DFRB was quite variable. There were no differences in the AID of dietary gross energy (GE), organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), and soluble dietary fiber (SDF) between different sources of DFRB. There were no differences in the AID of dietary EE, TDF, IDF, and hemicellulose between different processing technologies. Pressed DFRBs have greater (P < 0.05) average AID of dietary GE, DM, ash, OM, CP, SDF, and NDF and lower (P < 0.01) ADF compared with solvent-extracted DFRBs. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of most of the dietary nutrients, except for the ATTD of dietary EE, SDF, and hemicellulose, significantly varied in different sources of DFRB (P < 0.05). In addition, pressed DFRB had greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of dietary SDF, NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose compared with solvent-extracted DFRB. The apparent hindgut digestibility (AHD) of dietary DM, SDF, NDF, and ADF significantly varied (P <0.05) in different sources of DFRB. Exception with DM, there are no differences in the AHD of nutrients digestibility between pressed DFRB and solvent-extracted DFRB. In conclusion, DFRB in different sources and processing technologies with different physicochemical properties had different effects on nutrient digestibility in the foregut and hindgut of pigs.

Comparison of regression and fat-free diet methods for estimating ileal and total tract endogenous losses and digestibility of fat and fatty acids in growing pigs.

An experiment was conducted to 1) compare the regression and fat-free diet methods for estimating total or basal endogenous losses of fat (ELF) and fatty acids (ELFA) and true digestibility (TD) or standardized digestibility (SD) of fat and fatty acids in growing pigs and 2) compare these estimated values at the end of the ileum and over the entire intestinal tract. Ten barrows (initial body weight: 45.1 ± 2.8 kg) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to one of five experimental diets in a three-period Youden Square design. A fat-free diet was formulated using cornstarch, soy protein isolate, and sucrose. Four oil-added diets were formulated by adding four levels of soybean oil (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) to the fat-free basal diet at the expense of cornstarch. All diets contained 26% sugar beet pulp and 0.40% chromic oxide. Results indicated that there were no differences between true ileal digestibility (TID) of fat and true total tract digestibility (TTTD) of fat when pigs were fed soybean oil. The TID of C18:0 and total saturated fatty acids (TSFA) was greater than TTTD (P < 0.05). The total ELF at the end of the ileum were not different from that over the entire intestinal tract. In addition, total endogenous losses of C18:0 and TSFA were greater for the entire intestinal tract than at the end of the ileum, whereas total endogenous losses of C18:2 and total unsaturated fatty acids were just the opposite. Similar results were observed for basal ELF and ELFA. As the inclusion level of soybean oil increased, apparent digestibility (AD) of fat and fatty acids increased linearly (P < 0.05) except for apparent ileal digestibility of C18:0. However, SD of fat and fatty acids was not influenced by the inclusion level of soybean oil. Estimation of ELF and ELFA observed by the regression and fat-free diet methods did not differ when measured at the end of the ileal or total tract. There were no differences between the estimations of TD and SD of fat and fatty acids for soybean oil. Collectively, the estimation of TD or SD of fat can be measured over the entire intestinal tract, whereas the ileal analysis method should be used to determine the ELF, ELFA, and TD or SD of fatty acids. Correcting AD for basal ELF and ELFA can accurately estimate SD values of fat and fatty acids.

Endogenous Losses of Fat and Fatty Acids in Growing Pigs Are Not Affected by Vegetable Oil Sources but by the Method of Estimation.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of oil sources with differing degrees of fatty acid saturation on endogenous losses of fat (ELF) and fatty acids (ELFA) in growing pigs, in which endogenous losses were estimated by two methods. Sixty-eight growing barrows (initial body weight 31.13 ± 4.44 kg) were randomly allotted to a completely randomized design with 17 diets. Sixteen added-oil diets were formulated by adding four levels (2%, 4%, 6% and 8%) of palm oil (PO), soybean oil (SBO), flaxseed oil (FSO) and rapeseed oil (RSO) to a diet poor in fat, respectively. One fat-free diet was formulated from cornstarch, soy protein isolate and sucrose. All diets contained chromic dioxide (0.4%) as an indigestible marker. Results indicated that, according to the regression equations, the amounts of ELF in PO, SBO, FSO and RSO were 6.28, 5.30, 4.17 and 4.84 g/kg of dry matter intake (DMI), respectively. The true total tract digestibility of fat was greater (p < 0.05) for FSO and RSO than for PO, and the ELFA were different from 0 only for C16:0, C18:0 and C18:1 in FSO, and C16:0 and C18:0 in RSO (p < 0.05). The estimated values for ELF and ELFAs in pigs fed PO, SBO, FSO or RSO were not different. The amount of ELF determined by the fat-free diet method was 2.60 g/kg DMI, and the amounts of C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2 in ELFAs were 0.28, 0.26, 0.03 and 0.02 g/kg DMI, respectively. The fat-free diet method had lower ELF and ELFA values compared with the regression method (p < 0.01). Collectively, dietary vegetable oil sources do not affect estimation of ELF and ELFA, but different evaluation methods lead to varying estimates of endogenous losses in pigs.

Net energy of oat bran, wheat bran, and palm kernel expellers fed to growing pigs using indirect calorimetry.

The objectives of this experiment were to (a) determine the effects of fiber increase in diets on heat production (HP), (b) determine the net energy (NE) of oat bran (OB), wheat bran (WB), and palm kernel expellers (PKE) fed to growing pigs using indirect calorimetry (IC). Twenty-four growing barrows (29.2 ± 2.6 kg) were randomly allotted to one of four diets with six replicate pigs per diet. Diets included a corn-soybean meal basal diet and three test diets containing 30% OB, WB or PKE, respectively. During each period, pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 20 days, including 14 days to adapt to the diets. On day (d) 15, pigs were transferred to the open-circuit respiration chambers for determination of daily total HP and were fed one of the four diets at 2.3MJ ME/kg body weight (BW)0.6 /day. Total feces and urine were collected for the determination of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) and daily total HP was measured from d 15 to d 19 and fasted on day 20 for the measurement of fasting heat production (FHP). The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), and organic matter (OM) were greater (p < 0.01) in pigs fed the basal diet compared with those fed the test diets. The ATTD of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was lower (p < 0.01) in pigs fed the WB diet compared with those fed the basal, OB, or PKE diets. The ATTD of ether extract (EE) in pigs fed the PKE diet was greater (p < 0.01) compared with those fed the other diets. The average total HP and FHP in pigs fed the four diets were 1261 and 787 kJ/kg BW0.6 /d, respectively, and were not significantly affected by diet characteristics. The NE:ME ratio for diets ranged from 78.1 to 80.9%. The NE contents of OB, WB, and PKE were 10.93, 7.47, and 8.71 MJ/kg DM, respectively.

Available energy and amino acid digestibility of defatted rice bran fed to growing pigs.

This study was conducted to determine and compare available energy and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA in 9 samples of defatted rice bran (DFRB) fed to growing pigs and to generate prediction equations for DE and ME based on chemical analysis. In Exp. 1, 60 crossbred growing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire; 40.7 ± 3.5 kg BW) were fed 1 of 10 diets in a completely randomized design to determine the available energy of DFRB. The diets included a corn-soybean meal-basal diet and 9 experimental diets formulated by replacing the corn and soybean meal with 29.16% DFRB. In Exp. 2, 6 growing pigs (initial BW = 28.5 ± 2.8 kg) were surgically equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and arranged in a 6 × 6 Latin square design with 6 diets and 6 periods. The diets included an N-free diet based on cornstarch and sucrose and 5 experimental diets containing 60% DFRB as the sole source of AA. Chromic oxide (0.3%) was used as an indigestible marker. Among the 9 samples, the concentrations of ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), NDF, ADF, starch, Ca, and P averaged 1.33 (0.50% to 4.14%), 14.54 (9.78% to 23.85%), 28.62 (20.19% to 38.85%), 14.22 (9.32% to 23.99%), 38.80% (30.62% to 47.55%), 0.16% (0.09% to 0.24%), and 1.96% (1.11% to 2.28%), respectively. The average DE and ME were 2,643 and 2,476 kcal/kg DM, respectively, and ranged from 2,039 to 3,157 kcal/kg DM and 1,931 to 2,978 kcal/kg DM, respectively. In Exp. 2, there were significant differences in the AID and SID of CP and most AA except for His, Tyr, and Met (P < 0.05). The AID and SID of CP averaged 67.75% and 76.37%, respectively. The digestibility of Met was the greatest, averaging 86.15% and 90.08% for AID and SID, respectively. The AID and SID of Lys ranged from 51.88% to 71.43% (mean = 63.27%) and from 61.93% to 79.98% (mean = 72.97%), respectively. These results indicated that there is significant variability in chemical composition, energy content, and the SID and AID of CP and most AA among the selected DFRB. The DE and ME of DFRB are primarily related to their NDF and starch concentrations.

Enantioselective Dearomative Difunctionalization of Indoles by Palladium-Catalyzed Heck/Sonogashira Sequence.

Palladium-catalyzed enantioselective dearomative arylalkynylation of N-substituted indoles, through a Heck/Sonogashira sequence, was established using a new BINOL-based phosphoramidite as the chiral ligand. A wide range of 2,3-disubstituted indolines, bearing vicinal quaternary and tertiary stereocenters, were efficiently constructed in one step with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee) and diastereoselectivities (>20:1).

Comparison of enhancement of pentachlorophenol sonolysis at 20 kHz by dual-frequency sonication.

The comparison of enhancement effect of pentachlorophenol sonolysis at 20 kHz by different dual-frequency ultrasonic irradiations has been investigated. Dual-frequency (20 kHz/40 kHz, 20 kHz/530 kHz, 20 kHz/800 kHz and 20 kHz/1040 kHz) ultrasounds have been used. It has been found that the rate of pentachlorophenol degradation at dual-frequency ultrasonic irradiation is the highest compared to mono-frequency ultrasonic systems. The combination of dual-frequency systems has synergistic effect and the enhancement effect of sonochemical degradation of pentachlorophenol at 20 kHz by dual-frequency systems appears to be remarkable frequency sensitive. The order of contribution to the enhancement effect of sonochemical degradation of pentachlorophenol at 20 kHz is as follows: 530 kHz > 800 kHz > 40 kHz > 1040 kHz.