Sequential extraction of anthropogenic microfibers from the leaves of Pittosporum tobira.

The emission of microfibers (MFs) into all environmental matrices, including biota, is a global concern, but appropriate methodologies aimed at biomonitoring these pollutants are still in an exploratory stage. In this work a new method is presented for the extraction of airborne anthropogenic microfibers (MFs) from the leaves of Pittosporum tobira. The method is a sequential extraction consisting of tape tearing followed by water floating, ethanol extraction, and wet peroxidation, which considered at first outermost MFs, weakly adhering to leaf surface, and deeper MFs partly embedded in waxy cuticle layer.

Optimizing Moss and Lichen Transplants as Biomonitors of Airborne Anthropogenic Microfibers.

Anthropogenic microfibers (mfs) are synthetic particles composed of cellulose (cotton, rayon, acetate, etc.) or petrochemical-based polymers (i.e.

Tunable Raman Gain in Transparent Nanostructured Glass-Ceramic Based on BaNaNbO †.

Stimulated Raman scattering in transparent glass-ceramics (TGCs) based on bulk nucleating phase BaNaNbO were investigated with the aim to explore the influence of micro- and nanoscale structural transformations on Raman gain. Nanostructured TGCs were synthesized, starting with 8BaO·15NaO·27NbO·50SiO (BaNaNS) glass, by proper nucleation and crystallization heat treatments. TGCs are composed of nanocrystals that are 10-15 nm in size, uniformly distributed in the residual glass matrix, with a crystallinity degree ranging from 30 up to 50% for samples subjected to different heat treatments.

Antimicrobial Applications of Green Synthesized Bimetallic Nanoparticles from .

Antibiotic resistance is an important and emerging alarm for public health that requires development of new potential antibacterial strategies. In recent years, nanoscale materials have emerged as an alternative way to fight pathogens. Many researchers have shown great interest in nanoparticles (NPs) using noble metals, such as silver, gold, and platinum, even though numerous nanomaterials have shown toxicity.

Towards the Development of Antioxidant Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications: Controlling the Properties by Tuning Synthesis Conditions.

In this work CeO nanoparticles (CeO-NPs) were synthesized through the thermal decomposition of Ce(NO)·6HO, using as capping agents either octylamine or oleylamine, to evaluate the effect of alkyl chain length, an issue at 150 °C, in the case of octylamine and at 150 and 250 °C, in the case of oleylamine, to evaluate the effect of the temperature on NPs properties. All the nanoparticles were extensively characterized by a multidisciplinary approach, such as wide-angle X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV-Vis, fluorescence, Raman and FTIR spectroscopies. The analysis of the experimental data shows that the capping agent nature and the synthesis temperature affect nanoparticle properties including size, morphology, aggregation and Ce/Ce ratio.

Combating Actions of Green 2D-Materials on Gram Positive and Negative Bacteria and Enveloped Viruses.

Interactions of novel bi-dimensional nanomaterials and live matter such as bacteria and viruses represent an extremely hot topic due to the unique properties of the innovative nanomaterials, capable in some cases to exhibit bactericide and antiviral actions. The interactions between bacteria and viruses and two dimensional nanosheets are here investigated. We extensively studied the interaction between a gram-negative bacterium, , and a gram-positive bacterium, , with two different types of 2D nanoflakes such as MoS, belonging to the Transition Metal Dichalcogenides family, and Graphene Oxide.

The unique structural features of carbonmonoxy hemoglobin from the sub-Antarctic fish Eleginops maclovinus.

Tetrameric hemoglobins (Hbs) are prototypical systems for the investigations of fundamental properties of proteins. Although the structure of these proteins has been known for nearly sixty years, there are many aspects related to their function/structure that are still obscure. Here, we report the crystal structure of a carbonmonoxy form of the Hb isolated from the sub-Antarctic notothenioid fish Eleginops maclovinus characterised by either rare or unique features.

On the pH-Modulated Ru-Based Prodrug Activation Mechanism.

The Ru-based prodrug AziRu efficiently binds to proteins, but the mechanism of its release is still disputed. Herein, in order to test the hypothesis of a reduction-mediated Ru release from proteins, a Raman-assisted crystallographic study on AziRu binding to a model protein (hen egg white lysozyme), in two different oxidation states, Ru and Ru, was carried out. Our results indicate Ru reduction, but the Ru release upon reduction is dependent on the reducing agent.

Non Monotonous Effects of Noncovalently Functionalized Graphene Addition on the Structure and Sound Absorption Properties of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (1300 kDa) Electrospun Mats.

Graphene is an attractive component for high-performance stimuli-responsive or 'smart' materials, shape memory materials, photomechanical actuators, piezoelectric materials and flexible strain sensors. Nanocomposite fibres were produced by electrospinning high molecular weight Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-1300 kDa) in the presence of noncovalently functionalised graphene obtained through tip sonication of graphite alcoholic suspensions in the presence of PVP (10 kDa). Bending instability of electrospun jet appears to progressively increase at low graphene concentrations with the result of greater fibre stretching that leads to lower fibre diameter and possibly conformational changes of PVP.

Environmental conditions shape the biofilm of the Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125.

Biofilms are the most widely distributed and successful microbial modes of life. The capacity of bacteria to colonize surfaces provides stability in the growth environment, allows the capturing of nutrients and affords protection from a range of environmental challenges and stress. Bacteria living in cold environments, like Antarctica, can be found as biofilms, even though the mechanisms of how this lifestyle is related to their environmental adaptation have been poorly investigated.

A hypothesis of sudden body fluid vaporization in the 79 AD victims of Vesuvius.

In AD 79 the town of Herculaneum was suddenly hit and overwhelmed by volcanic ash-avalanches that killed all its remaining residents, as also occurred in Pompeii and other settlements as far as 20 kilometers from Vesuvius. New investigations on the victims' skeletons unearthed from the ash deposit filling 12 waterfront chambers have now revealed widespread preservation of atypical red and black mineral residues encrusting the bones, which also impregnate the ash filling the intracranial cavity and the ash-bed encasing the skeletons. Here we show the unique detection of large amounts of iron and iron oxides from such residues, as revealed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and Raman microspectroscopy, thought to be the final products of heme iron upon thermal decomposition.

Crystal structure of the ferric homotetrameric β human hemoglobin.

Spectroscopic studies carried out in the early seventies have shown that the β-homotetramer of human hemoglobin (β-HbA) in the ferric state is a mixture of aquomet and bis-histidyl forms. Here we present the first crystal structure, solved at 2.10 Å resolution, of the oxidized form of β-HbA.

Photosynthesis and mineralogy of Jania rubens at low pH/high pCO: A future perspective.

Corallinales (Rhodophyta) are high Mg-calcite macroalgae and are considered among the most vulnerable organisms to ocean acidification (OA). These sensitive species play fundamental roles in coastal systems as food source and settlement promoters as well as being involved in reef stabilization, and water carbonate balance. At present only a few studies are focused on erect calcifying macroalgae under low pH/high pCO and the contrasting results make difficult to predict the ecological consequences of the OA on the coralline algae.

Raman-markers of X-ray radiation damage of proteins.

Despite their high relevance, the mechanisms of X-ray radiation damage on protein structure yet have to be completely established. Here, we used Raman microspectrophotometry to follow X-ray-induced chemical modifications on the structure of the model protein bovine pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase A). The combination of dose-dependent Raman spectra and ultrahigh resolution (eight structures solved using data collected between 0.

The characterization of natural gemstones using non-invasive FT-IR spectroscopy: New data on tourmalines.

Fourteen samples of tourmaline from the Real Museo Mineralogico of Federico II University (Naples) have been characterized through multi-methodological investigations (EMPA-WDS, SEM-EDS, LA-ICP-MS, and FT-IR spectroscopy). The samples show different size, morphology and color, and are often associated with other minerals. Data on major and minor elements allowed to identify and classify tourmalines as follows: elbaites, tsilaisite, schorl, dravites, uvites and rossmanite.

Fine Sampling of the R→T Quaternary-Structure Transition of a Tetrameric Hemoglobin.

Although the end points of the functional transitions of tetrameric hemoglobins (Hbs) have been well characterized, atomic-resolution data on R-T intermediate states are extremely limited. Herein, the X-ray structures of two independent tetramers of the fully ligated carbomonoxy form of Trematomus newnesi hemoglobin (Hb1Tn) within the same crystal are described. These structures show peculiar features in the heme pocket, EF corner, and tertiary/quaternary structure.

Mapping the protein-binding sites for iridium(iii)-based CO-releasing molecules.

A combination of mass spectrometry, Raman microspectroscopy, circular dichroism and X-ray crystallography has been used to obtain detailed information on the reaction of an iridium-based CO-releasing molecule (Ir-CORM), Cs2IrCl5CO, with a model protein, bovine pancreatic ribonuclease. The results show that Ir-compound fragments bind to the N-terminal amine and close to histidine and methionine side chains, and the CO ligand is retained for a long time. The data provide helpful information for identifying protein targets for Ir-CORMs and for studying the mechanism that allows them to exhibit their interesting biological properties.

Deglycosylation Step to Improve the Identification of Egg Proteins in Art Samples.

A deglycosylation step using Peptide-N-Glycosidase F (PNGaseF) has been introduced in a standard proteomic protocol to more confidently identify egg based binders. The ingenuity of introducing a PNGaseF digestion was aimed at removing the molecular hindrance, made up by the heavily glycosylated egg proteins, before the protease(s) hydrolysis. This novelty in the protocol resulted in obtaining a significant increase of proteolytic egg peptides thus improving the quality and reliability of egg identification in artwork samples.

Hydroxylamine-O-sulfonamide is a versatile lead compound for the development of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Hydroxylamine-O-sulfonamide, a molecule incorporating two zinc-binding groups (ZBGs), has been investigated as a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) by means of kinetic, crystallographic and Raman spectroscopy studies, highlighting interesting results on its mechanism of action. These data can be exploited to design new, effective and selective CAIs.

Comparison of binder compositions in Pompeian wall painting styles from Insula Occidentalis.

Background: Although the pigment composition of Pompeian wall paintings has been the object of several studies, a comprehensive characterization of paint binder components is still lacking. This work aimed investigated at a molecular level the binder composition differences among wall paintings belonging to different periods of Pompeii's history. Analytical investigations were performed on representative samples of the first, second, third, and fourth painting styles excavated from the house of Marcus Fabius Rufus (Insula Occidentalis).

Interaction between proteins and Ir based CO releasing molecules: mechanism of adduct formation and CO release.

Carbon monoxide releasing molecules (CORMs) have important bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antiapoptotic effects and can be used as tools for CO physiology experiments, including studies on vasodilation. In this context, a new class of CO releasing molecules, based on pentachlorocarbonyliridate(III) derivative have been recently reported. Although there is a growing interest in the characterization of protein-CORMs interactions, only limited structural information on CORM binding to protein and CO release has been available to date.