Italy's excellence in research.

We analyze excellence in research carried out in Italy using the Highly Ranked Scholars (HRS) ranking of the top 0.05 % of all >30 million scholars. Published by research database ScholarGPS, the ranking is based on classification of over 140 million scholarly publications (weighting each publication and citation by the number of authors, and excluding self-citations).

Nanocellulose and microcrystalline cellulose from citrus processing waste: A review.

Used since decades to produce pectin, citrus processing waste poor in lignin and rich in hemicellulose obtained from lemon and orange juice industrial manufacturing is ideally suited also as microcrystalline cellulose and nanocellulose raw material. The study merges the outcomes of chemistry and bioeconomy research between 2007 and early 2024 with technology and economic insight, to reach five conclusions that will hopefully inform practice-oriented work of researchers and bioeconomy company's managers interested in the sustainable manufacturing of these important biomaterials.

Reproducible Green Syntheses Using Hybrid Sol-Gel Catalysts.

Referring to selected examples of reproducible green syntheses using hybrid sol-gel catalysts of the SiliaCat series from different doctoral theses and research works published between 2015 and early 2024, this study briefly illustrates how said catalysts have been applied in a number of green synthetic methods of significant industrial relevance. This shows evidence that the nanochemistry "bottom-up" sol-gel approach based on catalytic species entrapped in organically modified silicas as effective and versatile heterogeneous catalysts developed between the late 1990s and 2010 has succeeded. Subsequent developments will show how the use of said materials in automated syntheses, supplying data to machine learning algorithms actually leads to faster and cheaper optimization of the reaction conditions.

Reproducibility in chemistry research.

Chemistry is a reproducible science whose pillars - synthesis and analysis - actually comprise a huge collection of highly reproducible experimental methods to synthesize and analyze substances. The historical development of chemistry, furthermore, shows that reproducibility of methods has been the companion of novelty and creative innovation. The "publish or perish" principle dominating global academia since over two decades, however, intrinsically contributes to the publication of non-reproducible research outcomes also in chemistry.

The LimoFish Circular Economy Process for the Marine Bioeconomy.

The outcomes of applying the zero-waste extraction "LimoFish" process based on defatting fish processing waste with limonene to leftovers of European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), compared to conventional extraction with oil-derived solvents such as n-hexane and with petroleum ether, show that the process has general applicability. Meeting the principles of green extraction and those of the marine biorefinery requiring high process efficiency, the process establishes an "innovation through integration" circular economy production route enabling the marine bioeconomy.

Genetic Biomarkers of Sorafenib Response in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The identification of biomarkers for predicting inter-individual sorafenib response variability could allow hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient stratification. SNPs in angiogenesis- and drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)-related genes were evaluated to identify new potential predictive biomarkers of sorafenib response in HCC patients. Five known SNPs in angiogenesis-related genes, including , , , , and , were investigated in 34 HCC patients (9 sorafenib responders and 25 non-responders).

Anti-Apoptotic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Grapefruit IntegroPectin on Human Microglial HMC3 Cell Line.

In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of grapefruit IntegroPectin, derived from industrial waste grapefruit peels via hydrodynamic cavitation, on microglia cells exposed to oxidative stress conditions. Grapefruit IntegroPectin fully counteracted cell death and the apoptotic process induced by cell exposure to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH), a powerful hydroperoxide. The protective effects of the grapefruit IntegroPectin were accompanied with a decrease in the amount of ROS, and were strictly dependent on the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt cascade.

Citations in Chemistry at the Dawn of Open Science.

Citation-based metrics such as the -index and the journal impact factor continue to play a key role in the evaluation of scholarships for employment, promotion, and tenure in academia, as well as in funding decisions. As happens with most scientometric aspects concerning their discipline, knowledge of citation patterns in chemistry in the chemistry community is rather limited. Critically reviewing the outcomes of studies devoted to citations in chemistry and adding new insight from the analysis of contemporary chemistry research, this study aims to fill at least in part knowledge gaps concerning publishing, citations, and citation habits in the chemical sciences.

The Role of the Journal Impact Factor in Chemistry Research.

The journal impact factor (JIF) is a skewed metrics whose value is dictated by just a few highly cited articles. Therefore, the use of the JIF to evaluate journals, scholars, or research institutes is flawed. Still, the JIF continues to play a central role in evaluating scholarship in chemistry, the most reluctant amid scientific disciplines to embrace the principles of open science.

Comparative Investigation of AquaSun Eco-Friendly Antifouling Coating via Rheological and Mechanical Characterization.

Rheological and mechanical comparative tests of the new AquaSun antifouling sol-gel coating coated on shipbuilding steel compared to a commercial silyl acrylate antifouling top coat containing cuprous oxide and copper pyrithione show further evidence of the practical viability of this multifunctional coating for the protection of the immersed surfaces from biofouling. AquaSun is a less rigid or less viscous material than commercial top coat but more adherent to the steel substrate. These results support further investigation of this multifunctional sol-gel coating as an eco-friendly antifouling paint.

Biobased Silicon and Biobased Silica: Two Production Routes Whose Time has Come.

This study offers an updated bioeconomy perspective on biobased routes to high-purity silicon and silica in the context of the societal, economic and environmental trends reshaping chemical processes. We summarize the main aspects of the green chemistry technologies capable of transforming current production methods. Coincidentally, we discuss selected industrial and economic aspects.

Prospective life cycle assessment for the full valorization of anchovy fillet leftovers: The LimoFish process.

Prospective life cycle assessment models were developed and applied at the laboratory and industrial scale with the aim to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with the LimoFish process used to produce the fish oil "AnchoiOil", the new organic fertilizer "AnchoisFert" or biogas (by means of anaerobic digestion) after treatment of anchovy fillet leftovers (AnLeft) with agro-solvent d-limonene. Potential impacts for climate change and freshwater eutrophication were estimated at 29.1 kg CO eq/kg AnLeft and 1.

Social Media for Chemistry Scholars.

Used by nearly 60 % of the world's population, social media are highly interactive websites ("platforms") today widely used also by researchers. This perspective aims at identifying the main benefits of social media utilization by chemistry scholars with respect to the three main dimensions (research, education and societal service) of scholarly activity. The main risks arising from the use of social media, as we suggest in the conclusions, must be managed and new education on their purposeful utilization should be planned and delivered.

Shape and Stability Matter: Enhanced Catalytic Reactions via Sol-gel-Entrapped Catalysts.

The possibility to tune the solid catalyst morphology and the unique chemical and physical stability of organosilica-entrapped sol-gel catalysts allow the application of these catalysts to the synthesis of a wide variety of valued molecules, including polymers, manufactured by the fine-chemical industry. Referring to selected independent research achievements, we provide a practice oriented insight on these materials that will hopefully be useful in new, unified catalysis education aimed to foster the uptake of heterogeneous catalysis in the fine and specialty chemical industry.

Mesoporous Silica Particles Functionalized with Newly Extracted Fish Oil (Omeg@Silica) Reducing IL-8 Counteract Cell Migration in NSCLC Cell Lines.

Lung cancer is one of the leading forms of cancer in developed countries. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, exerts relevant effects in cancer growth and progression, including angiogenesis and metastasis in lung cancer. Mesoporous silica particles, functionalized with newly extracted fish oil (Omeg@Silica), are more effective than the fish oil alone in anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines.

CytroCell Micronized Cellulose Enhances the Structural and Thermal Properties of IntegroPectin Cross-Linked Films.

Added to grapefruit IntegroPectin in solution, the micronized cellulose CytroCell, coproduct of the IntegroPectin extraction via hydrodynamic cavitation, enhances the structural and thermal properties of the resulting cross-linked composite films. The films become strong but remain highly flexible as no transition glass temperature is observed, whereas the thermal properties are substantially improved. No organic solvent, acid, or base is used from the extraction of the pectin and cellulose biopolymers through filming their nanocomposites, thereby establishing a completely green route to a class of bio-based 2D films (and 3D scaffolds) with numerous potential applications in regenerative medicine, in tissue engineering, and in the treatment of infections.

Cardioprotective Effects of Grapefruit IntegroPectin Extracted via Hydrodynamic Cavitation from By-Products of Fruits Industry: Role of Mitochondrial Potassium Channels.

flavonoids are well-known for their beneficial effects at the cardiovascular and cardio-metabolic level, but often the encouraging in vitro results are not confirmed by in vivo approaches; in addition, the clinical trials are also inconsistent. Their limited bioavailability can be, at least in part, the reason for these discrepancies. Therefore, many efforts have been made towards the improvement of their bioavailability.

Preprints in Chemistry: a Research Team's Journey.

The benefits of publishing research papers first in preprint form are substantial and long-lasting also in chemistry. Recounting the outcomes of our team's nearly six-year journey through preprint publishing, we show evidence that preprinting research substantially benefits both early career and senior researchers in today's highly interdisciplinary chemical research. These findings are of general value, as shown by analyzing the case of four more research teams based in economically developed and developing countries.

Red Orange and Bitter Orange IntegroPectin: Structure and Main Functional Compounds.

DRIFT, HPLC-MS, and SPME-GC/MS analyses were used to unveil the structure and the main functional compounds of red (blood) orange () and bitter orange (). The IntegroPectin samples show evidence that these new citrus pectins are comprised of pectin rich in RG-I hairy regions functionalized with citrus biophenols, chiefly flavonoids and volatile molecules, mostly terpenes. Remarkably, IntegroPectin from the peel of fresh bitter oranges is the first high methoxyl citrus pectin extracted via hydrodynamic cavitation, whereas the red orange IntegroPectin is a low methoxyl pectin.

AnchoisFert: A New Organic Fertilizer from Fish Processing Waste for Sustainable Agriculture.

The "AnchoisFert", the solid residue comprised of milled anchovy leftovers after fish oil extraction with biobased limonene, is a powerful organic fertilizer. Employed to promote the growth of Tropea's red onion (), the fertilizer turns out to largely be superior to commonly used organic (manure) and chemical (nitrogen phosphorous potassium) fertilizers. Rich in proteins, organic carbon, flavonoids, magnesium, potassium, phosphate and sulfate, and devoid of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes, the new organic fertilizer can replace both conventional organic and inorganic fertilizers.

Micronized cellulose from citrus processing waste using water and electricity only.

Along with a water-soluble fraction rich in pectin, the hydrodynamic cavitation of citrus processing waste carried out in water demonstrated directly on semi-industrial scale affords an insoluble fraction consisting of micronized cellulose of low crystallinity ("CytroCell"). Lemon and grapefruit CytroCell respectively consist of 100-500 nm wide cellulose nanorods, and of 500-1000 nm wide ramified microfibrils extending for several μm. These findings establish a technically viable route to low crystallinity micronized cellulose laying in between nano- and microcellulose, using water and electricity only.

Reaping the benefits of open science in scholarly communication.

Regardless of multiple efforts carried out across many countries to disseminate the ideas and the practice of open science, most scholars in the early 2020s do not self-archive their research articles and do not publish research papers in preprint form. Having received no education and training on open science, researchers are often puzzled on what to do, in practice, to start reaping the benefits of open science. This study offers a succinct on how to benefit from the open science approach to scholarly communication, no matter whether in natural or in humanistic and social sciences.

Flavonoids in Lemon and Grapefruit IntegroPectin*.

Following the analysis of terpenes present in new lemon and grapefruit "IntegroPectin" pectins obtained via the hydrodynamic cavitation of industrial lemon and grapefruit processing waste, the HPLC-MS analysis of flavonoid and other phenolic compounds reveals the presence of eriocitrin, naringin, hesperidin and kaempferol typical of the respective citrus fruits. The pectic fibers rich in rhamnogalacturonan-I regions act as chemical sponges adsorbing and concentrating at their outer surface highly bioactive citrus flavonoids and terpenes. These findings, together with the unique molecular structure of these new whole citrus pectins, provide preliminary insight into the broad-scope biological activity of these new biomaterials.

Mesoporous silica particles functionalized with newly extracted fish oil (Omeg@Silica) inhibit lung cancer cell growth.

To assess whether Omeg@Silica microparticles - fish oil from anchovy fillet leftovers (AnchoisOil) encapsulated within mesoporous silica particles - are effective in promoting antitumor effects in lung cancer cells. Three human non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines (A549, Colo 699 and SK-MES-1) were used. Cells were treated with AnchoisOil dispersed in ethanol (10 and 15 μg/ml) or encapsulated in silica and further formulated in aqueous ethanol.

Protective, Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activity of Grapefruit IntegroPectin on SH-SY5Y Cells.

Tested in vitro on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, grapefruit IntegroPectin is a powerful protective, antioxidant and antiproliferative agent. The strong antioxidant properties of this new citrus pectin, and its ability to preserve mitochondrial membrane potential and morphology, severely impaired in neurodegenerative disorders, make it an attractive therapeutic and preventive agent for the treatment of oxidative stress-associated brain disorders. Similarly, the ability of this pectic polymer rich in RG-I regions, as well as in naringin, linalool, linalool oxide and limonene adsorbed at the outer surface, to inhibit cell proliferation or even kill, at high doses, neoplastic cells may have opened up new therapeutic strategies in cancer research.