Lignin Molar Mass Estimation by Dispersion Analysis.

Lignin's complex and heterogeneous molecular structure poses significant challenges for accurate molar mass determination, which is important for its utilization in industrial applications, such as biochemicals, nanoparticles, biobased binders, and biofuels. This study evaluates the potential of Taylor Dispersion Analysis (TDA) for measuring lignin size and compares it with size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) NMR. Using dual Gaussian fitting, flow-induced dispersion analysis (FIDA), a TDA-based method, successfully determined the average hydrodynamic radii of multiple species in solvent-fractionated soda grass lignin samples, producing results consistent with DOSY.

Hot Phases Cardiomyopathy: Pathophysiology, Diagnostic Challenges, and Emerging Therapies.

Purpose Of Review: Hot phases are a challenging clinical presentation in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), marked by acute chest pain and elevated cardiac troponins in the absence of obstructive coronary disease. These episodes manifest as myocarditis and primarily affect young patients, contributing to a heightened risk of life-threatening arrhythmias and potential disease progression. This review aims to synthesize recent research on the pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic management of hot phases in ACM.

Improved Reductive Catalytic Fractionation of Lignocellulosic Biomass through the Application of a Recyclable Magnetic Catalyst.

The reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) of second generation lignocellulosic biomass is an elegant one-pot process to obtain a highly delignified cellulose pulp, sugar-derived polyols, and depolymerized and stabilized lignin oils. However, the need of noble metal catalysts to prompt the reactions may impact the economic sustainability of the overall "lignin-first" biorefinery if the catalyst recovery and recyclability are not guaranteed. Herein, the use of a novel catalyst based on supported ruthenium over maghemite for the RCF of poplar sawdust is reported for the first time.

Improving the production efficiency and sustainability of lignin-alcohol fuel processed at ambient temperature.

Lignin represents a promising source of renewable energy. The development of CLEO (Cold processed Lignin Ethanol Oil) fuel introduces a novel lignin valorization approach, proposing its potential as maritime biofuel. However, its industrial success depends on enhancing fractionation yields and reducing solvent evaporation, which necessitates a detailed analysis of lignin properties, solvent types, and process parameters.

Lignin-Derived Sustainable Nano-Platforms: A Multifunctional Solution for an Efficient Dye Removal.

In contrast to conventional non-biobased adsorbents, lignin emerges as a cost-effective and environmentally benign alternative for water treatment. This study identifies unexpected and unpredicted multifunctional properties of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs). LNPs, which are prepared by simple physical processes, demonstrated for the first time to behave as multifunctional materials able to adsorb and photodegrade methylene blue (MB) in aqueous medium upon UV irradiation.

Impact of DCM-Causing Genetic Background on Long-Term Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: Patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and complete left bundle branch block benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, a large heterogeneity of response to CRT is described. Several predictors of response to CRT have been identified, but the role of the underlying genetic background is still poorly explored.

The Laccase Catalysed Tandem Lignin Depolymerisation/Polymerisation.

The development of strategies allowing either the production of high value phenolics, or the isolation of properties-enhanced materials from technical lignins represents a fundamental step in the industrial upcycling of technical lignins. Both aims are met by the strategy presented in the present work, relying on the coupling of solvent-based fractionation with the oxidative action of a new type of alkaline-stable genetically modified bacterial laccase. The described approach succeeded in the tandem, high-yield and selective isolation of valuable lignin-monomeric compounds (MCs) and high molecular weight and hydrophobicity-tailored polymerised materials (PMs) from two technical lignins, namely softwood kraft lignin (SKL), and wheat straw organosolv lignin (WSL).

Role of arrhythmic phenotype in prognostic stratification and management of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with arrhythmic phenotype combines phenotypical aspects of DCM and predisposition to ventricular arrhythmias, typical of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. The definition of DCM with arrhythmic phenotype is not universally accepted, leading to uncertainty in the identification of high-risk patients. This study aimed to assess the prognostic impact of arrhythmic phenotype in risk stratification and the correlation of arrhythmic markers with high-risk arrhythmogenic gene variants in DCM patients.

The ATTRACT study: screening for the early identification of axial psoriatic arthritis in a cohort of Italian psoriatic patients.

Objective: There is growing interest in the early identification of patients with axial PsA (axPsA). We aimed to evaluate whether a dermatology-based screening strategy could help to identify axPsA patients.

Methods: The dermatologist-centred screening (DCS) questionnaire was administrated by dermatologists to consecutive patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria [(i) age ≥18 years and (ii) clinical diagnosis of psoriasis made by a dermatologist] to identify patients eligible (affirmative answers 1-3c of the DCS) for rheumatological evaluation.

Arrhythmic risk stratification in non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a primary disease of the heart muscle, which affects relatively young patients with a low comorbidity profile. It is characterized by structural and/or functional abnormalities leading to systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle or of both ventricles, often associated with dilatation, in the absence of an ischaemic, valvular, or pressure overload cause sufficient to explain the phenotype. Although the prognosis of the disease has greatly improved over the last few decades, prognostic stratification remains a fundamental objective, especially about the prediction of potentially life-threatening arrhythmic events.

A case report of isolated cardiac light chain amyloidosis without clinically overt heart failure: an under-recognized presentation.

Background: Cardiac involvement in amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis usually represents a brick in the wall of a multi-system disease. The presence of cardiac deposition of free light chains (FLCs) is the main determinant of survival. Isolated cardiac AL is an uncommon scenario characterized by a challenging diagnostic and therapeutic workup.

Whole-exome sequencing: Clinical characterization of pediatric and adult Italian patients affected by different forms of hereditary cardiovascular diseases.

Background: Hereditary cardiovascular diseases comprise several different entities. In this study, we focused on cardiomyopathies (i.e.

Lignin-based nano-enabled agriculture: A mini-review.

Nowadays sustainable nanotechnological strategies to improve the efficiency of conventional agricultural practices are of utmost importance. As a matter of fact, the increasing use of productive factors in response to the growing food demand plays an important role in determining the environmental impact of agriculture. In this respect, low-efficiency conventional practices are becoming obsolete.

The Laccase-Lig Multienzymatic Multistep System in Lignin Valorization.

Invited for this month's cover is the work by Claudia Crestini and collaborators at Ca'Foscari University of Venice, Italy, and University of Insubria, Italy. The image shows the formation of low-molecular-weight compounds by the oxidative depolymerization of lignin by the laccase-Lig multienzymatic multistep system. The Research Article itself is available at 10.

Capnography in newborns under mechanical ventilation and its relationship with the measurement of CO in blood samples.

Introduction: Monitoring the partial pressure of CO (PCO) in newborns who require ventilation would allow avoiding hypocapnia and hypercapnia. The measurement of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO) is an alternative rarely implemented in this population.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between ETCO and PCO in newborns.

The Laccase-Lig Multienzymatic Multistep System in Lignin Valorization.

A laccase-Lig multienzymatic multistep system for lignin depolymerization was designed and developed. Studies were performed on pristine and fractionated lignins (Kraft and Organosolv) using a specific cascade of enzymes, that is, laccases from Bacillus licheniformis and from Funalia trogii, respectively for Kraft and Organosolv lignin, followed by the Lig system from Sphingobium sp. SYK-6 (β-etherases Lig E and Lig F, glutathione lyase Lig G).

SARS-COV-2 Infection, Vaccination, and Immune-Mediated Diseases: Results of a Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Objectives: The relationship between infections or vaccine antigens and exacerbations or new onset of immune-mediated diseases (IMDs) has long been known. In this observational study, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, we evaluated the onset of clinical and laboratory immune manifestations related to COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Methods: Four groups of patients were evaluated: A) 584 COVID-19 inpatients hospitalized from March 2020 to June 2020 and from November 2020 to May 2021; B) 135 outpatients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, assessed within 6 months of recovery; C) outpatients with IMDs in remission and flared after SARS-COV-2 infection; D) outpatients with symptoms of probable immune-mediated origin after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.