Metal-oxide phase transition of platinum nanocatalyst below fuel cell open-circuit voltage.

The long-term stability of Pt-based catalysts is critical to the reliability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), and receives constant attention. However, the current knowledge of Pt oxidation is restricted to unrealistic PEMFC cathode environment or operation, which questions its practical relevance. Herein, Pt oxidation is investigated directly in a PEMFC with stroboscopic operando high energy X-ray scattering.

Bifidobacteriaceae diversity in the human microbiome from a large-scale genome-wide analysis.

We performed a large-scale genome-wide analysis aiming to investigate the prevalence and strain-level diversity of Bifidobacteriaceae species in the human microbiome. We considered 9,528 publicly available human metagenomes and integrated them with 1,192 isolate genomes from different sources. The prevalence and abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae species in humans was linked to multiple host characteristics: they were reduced in older people and enriched in populations characterized by Westernized lifestyles with geography-specific patterns.

Evaluation of the Relationship between Pain Exposure and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Preterm Infants: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background And Aim: First, to compare somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in preterm newborns without major brain injury studied at term equivalent age (TEA) with a term historical control group. Second, to investigate the impact of pain exposure during the first 28 days after birth on SEPs. Third, to evaluate the association between SEPs and Bayley-III at 2 years corrected age (CA).

Circulating receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) levels predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Background: Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) can directly promote tumor growth and indirectly support tumor immune evasion by altering the tumor microenvironment and immune cell responses. This study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of soluble RANKL in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving programmed cell death 1 (PD1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PDL1) checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Methods: Plasma RANKL levels were measured in 100 patients with advanced NSCLC without bone metastases undergoing monotherapy with PD1/PDL1 checkpoint inhibitors.

Favorable subgingival plaque microbiome shifts are associated with clinical treatment for peri-implant diseases.

We performed a longitudinal shotgun metagenomic investigation of the plaque microbiome associated with peri-implant diseases in a cohort of 91 subjects with 320 quality-controlled metagenomes. Through recently improved taxonomic profiling methods, we identified the most discriminative species between healthy and diseased subjects at baseline, evaluated their change over time, and provided evidence that clinical treatment had a positive effect on plaque microbiome composition in patients affected by mucositis and peri-implantitis.

Critical Electrospinning Parameters for Synthesis Control of Stabilized Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers.

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers are widely used as precursors in the manufacture of high-conducting and mechanically resistant carbon fibers. The modulation of such fibers is carried out through electrospinning. In this work, we show the production and control of the morphology of nanometric-range PAN fibers for their potential use as precursors for high-electrical-conductivity carbon fibers.

Platinum-Rare Earth Alloy Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction: A Brief Overview.

The development of highly active and long-term stable electrocatalysts for the cathode of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) is a paramount requirement for high performance and durable PEMFC stacks. In this regard, alloying Pt with rare earth metals (REM) has emerged as a promising approach. This short review summarizes and discusses the most relevant advances on Pt-REM alloy electrocatalysts, from bulk polycrystalline surfaces to carbon supported nanostructures, for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and their implementation in PEMFCs, and is a starting point to establish the challenges in synthesis and design and properties goals for novel Pt-REM alloys.

Osteoblast Secretome Modulated by Abiraterone Treatment Affects Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation.

Abiraterone is a selective inhibitor of androgen biosynthesis approved for the treatment of metastatic patients affected by castration-resistant or castration-sensitive prostate cancer. Intriguingly, clinical data revealed that abiraterone also delayed disease progression in bone improving bone-related endpoints. Our group has previously demonstrated in vitro a direct effect of abiraterone on osteoclast and osteoblast function suggesting its ability to modulate bone microenvironment.

Extensive plasma proteomic profiling revealed receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) as emerging biomarker of nivolumab clinical benefit in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Background: The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have led to a paradigm change in the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), nevertheless, the benefit of treatment is confined to a limited proportion of patients. Therefore, the identification of predictive biomarkers for response to ICIs represents an unmet clinical need. Here, we performed a large-scale plasma proteomic profile of patients with mRCC, treated with nivolumab, to identify soluble molecules potentially associated with clinical benefit.

Unilateral Transient Enhanced SEP during Integrated Multiparameter Neurophysiological Monitoring in a Newborn with Symptomatic Seizure.

During Integrated Multiparametric Neurophysiological Monitoring (IMNA), a newborn with suspected hypoxia at birth and microhaemorrhagic and ischaemic lesions presented some clonic-tonic episodes with specific EEG patterns characterized by rolandic and temporal spikes and the appearance of a unilateral enhanced Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SEP) (10.45 µv). Since the literature does not seem to describe cases of giant SEP in newborns, in this case report, we will discuss the hypotheses underlying this potential.

Mediterranean diet diminishes the effects of Crohn's disease and improves its parameters: A systematic review.

Background: The pathogenesis and clinical course of Crohn's disease (CD) is influenced by diet. Mediterranean Diet (MD) helps Crohn's patients through many mechanisms.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the MD on CD patients and to evaluate such effect on body parameters.

The Use of Chest Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosis.

In recent years, many articles have demonstrated that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be performed successfully in the study of the chest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of MRI in the differentiation of benign from malignant pleural disease with a special focus on malignant pleural mesothelioma and on MRI protocols. A systematic literature search was performed to find original articles about chest MRI in patients with either benign or malignant pleural disease.

Enhancing the activity and stability of carbon-supported platinum-gadolinium nanoalloys towards the oxygen reduction reaction.

The activity/stability towards the ORR of Pt Gd/C nanoalloys has been enhanced by controlling the atmosphere during the dealloying process. By minimising the formation of porous nanoarchitectures, the ORR activity is increased, and is accompanied by higher activity retention and attenuation of metal dissolution on cycling to high voltage.

Comparison of Sympathetic Skin Response (SSR) between Electrical and Acoustic Stimuli in a Healthy Pediatric Population.

Data in the literature report that latency and morphology in the cutaneous sympathetic skin response (SSR) do not change according to the type of stimulus delivered, unlike the amplitude which shows greater values in relation to the intensity of the physical impact caused in patient. Since the acoustic stimulus represents a method better tolerated by the pediatric patient, the aim of this study is to evaluate the presence or absence of significant differences in SSR between electrical and acoustic stimuli. The SSR was performed for each child of 18 recruited in this study, deriving from the palm of the hand and the sole of the foot and initially delivering an electrical stimulus at the level of the median nerve at the wrist.

Immobilisation and Release of Radical Scavengers on Nanoclays for Chemical Reinforcement of Proton Exchange Membranes.

Mechanical and chemical stability of proton exchange membranes are crucial requirements for the development of fuel cells for durable energy conversion. To tackle this challenge, bi-functional nanoclays grafted with amino groups and with embedded radical scavengers, that is, CeO nanoparticles were incorporated into Aquivion ionomer. The composite membranes presented high proton conductivity and increased stability to radical attack compared to non-modified Aquivion membranes, demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach based on radical scavenger immobilisation and release from clay nanocontainers.

Ultra-Thin Platinum Deposits by Surface-Limited Redox Replacement of Tellurium.

Platinum is the most employed electrocatalyst for the reactions taking place in energy converters, such as the oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane fuel cells, despite being a very low abundant element in the earth's crust and thus extremely expensive. The search for more active electrocatalysts with ultra-low Pt loading is thus a very active field of investigation. Here, surface-limited redox replacement (SLRR) that utilizes the monolayer-limited nature of underpotential deposition (UPD) was used to prepare ultrathin deposits of Pt, using Te as sacrificial metal.

Surface-Limited Electrodeposition of Continuous Platinum Networks on Highly Ordered Pyrolytic Graphite.

Continuous thin platinum nanoplatelet networks and thin films were obtained on the flat surface of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) by high overpotential electrodeposition. By increasing the deposition time, the morphology of the Pt deposits can be progressively tuned from isolated nanoplatelets, interconnected nanostructures, and thin large flat islands. The deposition is surface-limited and the thickness of the deposits, equivalent to 5 to 12 Pt monolayers, is not time dependent.

Electrodeposition of Two-Dimensional Pt Nanostructures on Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG): The Effect of Evolved Hydrogen and Chloride Ions.

We discuss the electrodeposition of two-dimensional (2D) Pt-nanostructures on Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG) achieved under constant applied potential versus a Pt counter electrode (E = ca. -2.2 V vs.