Nanohybrids of 2D Black Phosphorus with Phthalocyanines: Role of Interfacial Interactions in Heterostructure Development.

New 2D black phosphorus (bP)-phthalocyanine (Pc) nanohybrids have been synthesized by liquid phase exfoliation of black phosphorus crystals in the presence of two organic dyes: phthalocyanine (Pc) and manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc). The key role of the metal cation in the interfacial interaction between the organic dye and bP nanosheets was demonstrated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and associated with an electron transfer between the metal cation Mn and bP nanosheets, which resembles a coordinative chemical bond. On the other hand, the interaction between bP nanosheets and pure phthalocyanine is governed by van der Waals forces.

Ecofriendly Preparation of Rosmarinic Acid-poly(vinyl alcohol) Biofilms Using NADES/DES, Ultrasounds and Optimization via a Mixture-Process Design Strategy.

Green chemistry emphasizes the isolation of biologically active compounds from plants and biomass to produce renewable, bio-based products and materials through sustainability and circularity-driven innovation processes. In this work, we have investigated the extraction of rosmarinic acid (RA), a phenolic acid with several biological properties, from aromatic herbs using ultrasounds and low environmental risk natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES). Various solvent mixtures have been investigated, and the parameters influencing the process have been studied by a mixture-process experimental design to identify the optimal RA extraction conditions.

New Functional Bionanocomposites by Combining Hybrid Host-Guest Systems with a Fully Biobased Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PLA/PBSA) Binary Blend.

In this study, we have developed innovative polymer nanocomposites by integrating magnesium-aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH)-based nanocarriers modified with functional molecules into a fully biobased poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PLA/PBSA) matrix. These LDH-based hybrid host-guest systems contain bioactive compounds like rosmarinic acid, ferulic acid, and glycyrrhetinic acid, known for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The bioactive molecules can be gradually released from the nanocarriers over time, allowing for sustained and controlled delivery in various applications, such as active packaging or cosmetics.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in heart failure: an updated evidence-based practical guidance for clinicians.

The sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been shown to reduce risks of clinical events in patients with heart failure (HF), with early and sustained benefits regardless of ejection fraction, diabetic status, and care setting. As part and parcel of the modern foundational HF therapy, clinicians should be familiar with these drugs, in order to implement their use and limit the potential adverse effects. We present an up-to-date review of current evidence and a practical guide for the prescription of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with HF, highlighting important elements for patient selection, treatment initiation, dosing, and problem solving.

Heart failure and telemedicine: where are we and where are we going? Opportunities and critical issues.

Heart failure (HF) is one of the main causes of morbidity in the world and is responsible for an enormous amount of health costs, mostly due to hospitalizations. The remote control techniques of vital signs and health status have the potential to help prevent factors leading to HF instability by stimulating early therapeutic interventions. The goal of telemedicine is to change the intervention strategy from a 'reactive' type, in which therapy is optimized in response to the worsening of symptoms, to a 'pro-active' type, in which therapeutic changes are undertaken based on changes in the monitored parameters during the sub-clinical phase.

The implantable cardiac monitor in heart failure patient: a possible new indication?

Implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) have found increasing use in clinical practice over the years, proving, when used in high-risk populations, to facilitate the diagnosis of bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias requiring treatment. Experience with heart failure patients undergoing pacemaker (PMK) or implantable defibrillator (ICD) implantation, which allow for continuous electrocardiographic monitoring and transthoracic impedance assessment, has made it possible to identify predictors of heart failure flare-ups. In this context, the use of telemonitoring has been shown to ensure better management of patients with heart failure.

Rosmarinic and Glycyrrhetinic Acid-Modified Layered Double Hydroxides as Functional Additives for Poly(Lactic Acid)/Poly(Butylene Succinate) Blends.

Immobilizing natural antioxidant and biologically active molecules in layered double hydroxides (LDHs) is an excellent method to retain and release these substances in a controlled manner, as well as protect them from thermal and photochemical degradation. Herein, we describe the preparation of host-guest systems based on LDHs and rosmarinic and glycyrrhetinic acids, two molecules obtained from the extraction of herbs and licorice root, respectively, with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Intercalation between the lamellae of the mono-deprotonated anions of rosmarinic and glycyrrhetinic acid (RA and GA), alone or in the presence of an alkyl surfactant, allows for readily dispersible systems in biobased polymer matrices such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), and a 60/40 wt.

Surface Functionalization of Face Masks with Cold Plasma and Its Effect in Anchoring Polyphenols Extracted from Agri-Food.

To improve the capability of non-woven polypropylene-based fabric (NWF-PP) used for face mask production to retain active biomolecules such as polyphenols, the surface functionalization of NWF-PP-directly cut from face masks-was carried out by employing cold plasma with oxygen. The nature/structure of the functional groups, as well as the degree of functionalization, were evaluated by ATR-FTIR and XPS by varying the experimental conditions (generator power, treatment time, and oxygen flow). The effects of plasma activation on mechanical and morphological characteristics were evaluated by stress-strain measurements and SEM analysis.

A case of transient constrictive pericarditis after COVID-19.

Unlabelled: Cardiovascular disorders have been associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we describe a case of transient constrictive pericarditis after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. A few days following SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, a 55-year-old man developed fever and chest pain exacerbated by movement and breathing, and acute pericarditis was diagnosed.

Author Correction: Impact of sacubitril/valsartan on implantable defibrillator eligibility in heart failure: a real-world experience.

Correction to: European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 2021; 25 (18): 5690-5700-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202109_26788-PMID: 34604961, published online on 30 September 2021. After publication, the authors applied to change the first two lines of Table II as the second column results were erroneously shifted in the first column.

Atrial fibrillation and sport: need for monitoring.

Historically, regular exercise contributed to reduce the arrhythmic burden and improve cardiovascular outcomes in the general population. However, a heightened risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) seems to occur mainly amongst endurance athletes. The exact mechanisms are not fully elucidated, but dynamic interactions between electro-anatomical changes induced by exercise, the autonomic system, variable triggers, along individual genetic predisposition are the main contributors to AF development in athletes.

Ivabradine versus bisoprolol in the treatment of inappropriate sinus tachycardia: a long-term follow-up study.

Aim: The aim of our study was to compare ivabradine versus bisoprolol in the short-term and long-term treatment of inappropriate sinus tachycardia.

Methods: From this prospective, parallel-group, open-label study, consecutive patients affected by inappropriate sinus tachycardia received ivabradine or bisoprolol and were evaluated with Holter ECG, ECG stress test, European Heart Rhythm Association score and Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire at baseline, after 3 and 24 months.

Results: Overall, 40 patients were enrolled.

Impact of sacubitril/valsartan on implantable defibrillator eligibility in heart failure: a real-world experience.

Objective: Current guidelines recommend an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) in patients with symptomatic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] ≤35%) despite ≥3 months of optimal medical therapy. Recent observations demonstrated that sacubitril/valsartan induces beneficial reverse cardiac remodeling in eligible HFrEF patients. Given the pivotal role of LVEF in the selection of ICD candidates, we sought to assess the impact of sacubitril/valsartan on ICD eligibility and its predictors in HFrEF patients.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors eligibility in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Background: The sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors dapagliflozin and empagliflozin have been demonstrated to reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Limited data are available characterizing the generalizability of SGLT2 inhibitors treatment in the clinical practice. The aim of the study was to evaluate the proportion of outpatients with HFrEF that would be eligible for SGLT2 inhibitors in a contemporary real-world population.

Dispersion of Few-Layer Black Phosphorus in Binary Polymer Blend and Block Copolymer Matrices.

Exfoliated black phosphorus (bP) embedded into a polymer is preserved from oxidation, is stable to air, light, and humidity, and can be further processed into devices without degrading its properties. Most of the examples of exfoliated bP/polymer composites involve a single polymer matrix. Herein, we report the preparation of biphasic polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (50/50 wt.

Agri-Food Extracts Effectiveness in Improving Antibacterial and Antiviral Properties of Face Masks: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

The European dependencies for raw materials supply from foreign countries have been unquestionably shown by COVID-19 outbreak and have become particular evident from the slow response to the need for high quality personal protective equipment (PPEs). Among all medical devices, surgical face masks have earned themselves a primary role for the containment of the epidemic. In this context, our work aims at improving the barrier effect of surgical mask by depositing on their external surface a mixture of bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols, extracted from agronomical sources.

Macromolecular Dyes by Chromophore-Initiated Ring Opening Polymerization of L-Lactide.

End functionalized polylactides are prepared by ring opening polymerization of L-lactide in the presence of stannous octoate (Sn(Oct)). Three chromophores, 9H-carbazol-ethanol (CA), 9-fluorenyl-methanol (FM), and 2-(4-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenylazo)-N-ethylphenylamino)ethanol (Disperse Red 13, DR), are for the first time used as co-initiators in the polymerization process. The polymerization reaction is initiated by conventional thermal treatment, but in the case of FM, microwave-assisted polymerization is also carried out.

A Perspective on Recent Advances in Phosphorene Functionalization and Its Applications in Devices.

Phosphorene, the 2D material derived from black phosphorus, has recently attracted a lot of interest for its properties, suitable for applications in materials science. The physical features and the prominent chemical reactivity on its surface render this nanolayered substrate particularly promising for electrical and optoelectronic applications. In addition, being a new potential ligand for metals, it opens the way for a new role of the inorganic chemistry in the 2D world, with special reference to the field of catalysis.

Polymer-Based Black Phosphorus (bP) Hybrid Materials by in Situ Radical Polymerization: An Effective Tool To Exfoliate bP and Stabilize bP Nanoflakes.

Black phosphorus (bP) has been recently investigated for next generation nanoelectronic multifunctional devices. However, the intrinsic instability of exfoliated bP (the bP nanoflakes) toward both moisture and air has so far overshadowed its practical implementation. In order to contribute to fill this gap, we report here the preparation of new hybrid polymer-based materials where bP nanoflakes (bPn) exhibit a significantly improved stability.

Hybrid nanocomposites of 2D black phosphorus nanosheets encapsulated in PMMA polymer material: new platforms for advanced device fabrication.

Hybrid materials, containing a 2D filler embedded in a polymeric matrix, are an interesting platform for several applications, because of the variety of properties that the filler can impart to the polymer matrix when dispersed at the nanoscale. Moreover, novel properties could arise from the interaction between the two. Mostly the bulk properties of these materials have been studied so far, especially focusing on how the filler changes the polymeric matrix properties.

Grafting of Hindered Phenol Groups onto Ethylene/α-Olefin Copolymer by Nitroxide Radical Coupling.

The covalent immobilization of hindered phenol groups, with potential antioxidant activity, onto an ethylene/α-olefin (EOC) copolymer was carried out by the nitroxide radical coupling (NRC) reaction performed in the melt with a peroxide and the 3,5-di--butyl-4-hydroxybenzoyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (BHB-T). Functionalized EOC (EOC--(BHB-T)) was exposed to photo- and thermo-oxidation. By comparison with some model compounds bearing the (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO) moiety or the hindered phenol unit, it was observed that the grafted BHB-T could effectively help the stabilization of the polymer matrix both under photo- and thermo-oxidation.

Significant increase of flow kinetic energy in "nonresponders" patients to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Backgrounds: It's still unclear if different patterns of intraventricular flow dynamics may be detected in patients nonresponders to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) as compared to responders ones. Aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of left ventricular (LV) flow dynamics 6-months after CRT to identify Echo-particle imaging velocity (PIV) patterns were more frequently detected in nonresponders patients.

Methods: Thirty-two patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, undergoing CRT, were enrolled in this study.

Structural, thermal and photo-physical data of azo-aromatic TEMPO derivatives before and after their grafting to polyolefins.

The data reported in this paper are complementary to the characterization of 4-(phenylazo)-benzoyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (AzO-TEMPO) and of the 4-(2-thienylazo)-benzoyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (ThiO-TEMPO) before and after their grafting to two polyethylene matrices (a copolymer ethylene/α-olefin (co-EO) and a high density polyethylene (HDPE)). Particularly the data reported in this paper confirm the structure (FT-IR analysis), the thermal (TGA and EPR) and the photo-physical (UV-vis) properties of the RO-TEMPO derivatives before and after their grafting. Herein, the FT-IR spectrum and TGA thermogram of ThiO-TEMPO were compared with those of AzO-TEMPO.

Quantitative analysis of intraventricular blood flow dynamics by echocardiographic particle image velocimetry in patients with acute myocardial infarction at different stages of left ventricular dysfunction.

Aims: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling is characterized by the formation of a vortex that supports an efficient transit into systolic ejection. Aim of this study was to assess the intraventricular (IV) blood flow dynamics among patients with ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) at different degrees of LV dysfunction, in the attempt to find novel indicators of LV pump efficiency.

Methods And Results: Sixty-four subjects, 34 consecutive STEMI patients and 30 healthy controls, underwent before hospital discharge 2D speckle tracking echocardiography to assess global longitudinal strain (GLS), and echo-particle image velocimetry analysis to assess flow energetic parameters.