Anti-rubella seroprevalence assessment in an adult sample population in Italy.

Introduction: Despite global immunization efforts, rubella remains a public health concern, particularly in high- and middle-income countries. This study focused on rubella seroprevalence in the province of Florence, Italy, aiming to identify susceptibility clusters, especially among women in their childbearing age.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2018 and December 2019, enrolling 430 adult subjects (age over 18 years).

Impact of Influenza Vaccination on All-Cause Mortality and Hospitalization for Pneumonia in Adults and the Elderly with Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that can be worsened by complications such as seasonal influenza virus infections. The aim of the present meta-analysis is the systematic retrieval and analysis of all available evidence on the effects of an influenza vaccine on diabetic patients. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane databases from inception until April 2019.

NIR fluorescence labelled carbon nano-onions: synthesis, analysis and cellular imaging.

The preparation of novel NIR fluorescent carbon based nanomaterials, consisting of boron difluoride azadipyrromethene fluorophores covalently attached to carbon nano-onions, is demonstrated. In addition, the analysis of the new nanomaterial is presented. The fluorescent nano-derivative properties are customized such that their emission can be reversibly on/off modulated in response to pH, which is demonstrated in solution and in cells.

Synthesis of gold nanoparticle catalysts based on a new water-soluble ionic polymer.

A new water-soluble methyl-imidazolium-based ionic polymer was synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization that was subsequently used to prepare aqueous gold nanoparticle solutions which were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The aqueous gold nanoparticle solutions were employed as catalysts in the reduction of p-nitrophenol and in the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde and were found to exhibit excellent activity under mild conditions.

A bifunctional organometallic ruthenium drug with multiple modes of inducing apoptosis.

The organometallic glutathione S-transferase inhibitor ruthenium(II) (ethacrynic acid-η(6)-benzylamide)(1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) dichloride, termed ethaRAPTA, has been demonstrated to induce apoptosis in the cisplatin-resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Probing the molecular basis of this activity suggests that the complex triggers multiple pathways toward apoptosis, including those involving endonuclease G, caspases, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, which could provide a therapy for multi-drug-resistant tumors. Furthermore, the induction of heat shock protein 70 expression enhances selectivity of the complex for tumor cells, reducing the general toxicity.

Nitrile-functionalized pyrrolidinium ionic liquids as solvents for cross-coupling reactions involving in situ generated nanoparticle catalyst reservoirs.

A series of nitrile-functionalized pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquids have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallography. The application of these new ionic liquids as reaction media for Suzuki and Stille C-C cross-coupling reactions has been investigated and compared with related imidazolium and pyridinium systems (including those with and without nitrile functionalities). The nature of the ionic liquid strongly influences the catalyzed reaction and it would appear that, in addition to the nitrile group, the strength of anion-cation pairing in the ionic liquid and the viscosity of the ionic liquid play critical roles.