Selective recovery of Co(II), Mn(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) by multiple step batch treatments with nanocellulose products.

The recovery of Co(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) from black mass e-waste solutions through cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and nanocrystals (CNCs) was investigated. These materials were synthetized by TEMPO-oxidation followed by high-pressure homogenization, and acid hydrolysis, respectively. The NC characterization included the measurement of consistency, cationic demand, carboxylic content, dissolved amorphous cellulose, and transmittance at λ = 600 nm.

Bioinspired metal-organic frameworks for aqueous environment decontamination: from laboratory scale to real-world technologies.

Concerns regarding water contamination are escalating due to the increasing presence of all types of pollutants in water sources, which pose serious health risks to humans and wildlife, disrupt ecosystems, and compromise the safety of drinking water. Addressing water contamination requires stringent regulations and increased public awareness, but especially, it requires the development of highly effective new technologies to decontaminate those aquatic environments that have been already polluted over the past few decades. Since the emergence of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), their use has been proposed in a multitude of fields, given their unique physicochemical properties, and one of the fields where a realistic application can be expected in the near future is water remediation.

Lignin microparticle coatings for enhanced wet resistance in lignocellulosic materials.

The widespread use of synthetic plastics in packaging materials poses significant environmental challenges, prompting the search for biobased, biodegradable, and non-toxic alternatives. This study focuses on improving high-yield pulps (HYPs) as sustainable materials for packaging. Enhancing wet strength and barrier properties of papers from bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulps (BCTMPs) is crucial for their application in water- and air- resistant wrappers.

Central amygdala-to-pre-Bötzinger complex neurotransmission is direct and inhibitory.

Breathing behaviour is subject to emotional regulation, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate a direct relationship between the central amygdala, a major output hub of the limbic system associated with emotional brain function, and the brainstem pre-Bötzinger complex, which generates the fundamental rhythm and pattern for breathing. The connection between these two sites is monosynaptic and inhibitory, involving GABAergic central amygdala neurons whose axonal projections act predominantly via ionotropic GABA receptors to produce inhibitory postsynaptic currents in pre-Bötzinger neurons.

Nanocrystalline Cellulose to Reduce Superplasticizer Demand in 3D Printing of Cementitious Materials.

One challenge for 3D printing is that the mortar must flow easily through the printer nozzle, and after printing, it must develop compressive strength fast and high enough to support the layers on it. This requires an exact and difficult control of the superplasticizer (SP) dosing. Nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) has gained significant interest as a rheological modifier of mortar by interacting with the various cement components.

Role of CuCl PET/CT in Detecting and Staging Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Comparison with Contrast-Enhanced CT and F-FDG PET/CT.

Molecular imaging of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MBC) is restricted to its locoregional and distant metastases, since most radiopharmaceuticals have a urinary excretion that limits the visualization of the primary tumor. CuCl a positron-emitting radiotracer with nearly exclusive biliary elimination, could be well suited to exploring urinary tract neoplasms. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of CuCl-based staging of patients with MBC; furthermore, we compared the diagnostic capability of this method with those of the current gold standards, that is, contrast-enhanced CT (ceCT) and F-FDG PET/CT.

Design of Multivariate Biological Metal-Organic Frameworks: Toward Mimicking Active Sites of Enzymes.

Mimicking enzymatic processes carried out by natural enzymes, which are highly efficient biocatalysts with key roles in living organisms, attracts much interest but constitutes a synthetic challenge. Biological metal-organic frameworks (bioMOFs) are potential candidates to be enzyme catalysis mimics, as they offer the possibility to combine biometals and biomolecules into open-framework porous structures capable of simulating the catalytic pockets of enzymes. In this work, we first study the catalase activity of a previously reported bioMOF, derived from the amino acid -serine, with formula {CaCu[(,)-serimox](OH)(HO)} · 39HO () (serimox = bis[(S)-serine]oxalyl diamide), which is indeed capable to mimic catalase enzymes, in charge of preventing cell oxidative damage by decomposing, efficiently, hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen (2HO → 2 HO + O).

Valorization of a Local Italian Pear ( L. cv. 'Petrucina').

In recent decades, the food production chain has undergone transformations that have profoundly affected the way food is supplied, causing changes in the quality of the final products. Moreover, biodiversity is seriously threatened worldwide, and the valorization of local germplasm is a priority goal for most sectorial policies in Europe and elsewhere. Southern Italy and the Mediterranean basin present a vast heritage of fruit tree cultivars that is gradually being lost.

Exposure to gallium arsenide nanoparticles in a research facility: a case study using molecular beam epitaxy.

We evaluated GaAs nanoparticle-concentrations in the air and on skin and surfaces in a research facility that produces thin films, and to monitored As in the urine of exposed worker. The survey was over a working week using a multi-level approach. Airborne personal monitoring was implemented using a miniature diffusion size classifier (DiSCMini) and IOM sampler.

Complete genome sequences of seven phages Albedo, Kenzers, Swervy, Cranjis, JaimeB, Fullmetal, and Stormbreaker.

Seven bacteriophages were isolated from soil in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin using the host . These bacteriophages range in the number of predicted genes encoded, from 25 to 91, and are distributed across actinobacteriophage clusters EB, EC, EE, and EK.

Inspiratory and sigh breathing rhythms depend on distinct cellular signalling mechanisms in the preBötzinger complex.

Breathing behaviour involves the generation of normal breaths (eupnoea) on a timescale of seconds and sigh breaths on the order of minutes. Both rhythms emerge in tandem from a single brainstem site, but whether and how a single cell population can generate two disparate rhythms remains unclear. We posit that recurrent synaptic excitation in concert with synaptic depression and cellular refractoriness gives rise to the eupnoea rhythm, whereas an intracellular calcium oscillation that is slower by orders of magnitude gives rise to the sigh rhythm.

Dataset for facilitating the calculation of aspect ratio of fibrillated cellulose suspensions based on gel point data.

This article describes data related to the research paper "Simplification of gel point characterization of cellulose nano and microfiber suspensions" [1]. The characterization of fibrillated celluloses that include cellulose nano and microfibrils (CMNFs) is a challenge for their production on an industrial scale, requiring easy techniques that control their quality and reproducibility. Gel point is a convenient parameter commonly used to estimate the aspect ratio (AR) of CMNFs.

Enhancement of the production of TEMPO-mediated oxidation cellulose nanofibrils by kneading.

The industrial use of TEMPO-mediated oxidation (TMO) reaction to produce highly fibrillated cellulose nanofibrils has been hindered by high catalyst costs, long reaction times and high reaction volumes. The hypothesis that cellulose concentration during TMO process is key to increase the process of efficiency has been confirmed. The novelty of this research is the proof-of-concept for a significant enhancement of the TMO reaction by kneading the cellulose to work in concentrations above 120 g/L.

Subclinical finding in the perception of tactile sensation involvement after SARS-CoV2 infection: comparison with healthy controls using Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing.

Background: Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome patients complain of sensory alterations, mainly positive symptoms such as paresthesia or neuropathic pain but also decreased tactile sensation. Using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (SWMT), our study aims to confront recently infected SARS-CoV2 subjects with a control group.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, single-centric study.

Global trends of pyrolysis research: a bibliometric analysis.

Pyrolysis has become an interesting waste valorization method leading to an increasing number of research studies in this field in the last decade. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive knowledge map of scientific production in pyrolysis, discuss the current state of research, and identify the main research hotspots and trends in recent years. The systematic review, supported by analysis of countries and institutions, keyword co-occurrence analysis, analysis of keyword trends, journal analysis, and article impact, was carried out on 6234 journal articles from the Science Citation Index Expanded database of the Web of Science Core Collection.

Mesothelioma Risk Among Maritime Workers According to Job Title: Data From the Italian Mesothelioma Register (ReNaM).

The study describes the 466 cases of malignant mesotheliomas (MM) collected by the National Mesothelioma Register (ReNaM) in Italy in the period 1993-2018 relating to subjects with exclusive asbestos exposure in merchant or military navy. The cases among maritime workers represent 1.8% of the total cases with defined exposure registred in the ReNaM, of which 212 cases (45.

Unraveling the depuration mechanisms of metals in the burrowing crab (Neohelice granulata Dana, 1852): Biochemical biomarkers, metal-rich granules and bioaccumulation patterns.

We studied the depuration mechanisms of metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cr, Fe) in Neohelice granulata, from sites with different human impacts (PC, a more impacted site and VM, a less impacted one). Our objectives included assessing metal concentrations (essential and non-essential) before and after depuration treatment, evaluating biochemical biomarkers (non-enzymatic and enzymatic) pre and post-treatment, and determining the role of metal-rich granules (MRG) in depuration. We observed variability in metals and biomarkers post-depuration, with no significant differences observed in PC, while Cd and Mn increased and Ni, Cu, and Fe decreased in VM.

Incidence of mesothelioma in young people and causal exposure to asbestos in the Italian national mesothelioma registry (ReNaM).

Introduction: The epidemiological surveillance of mesothelioma incidence is a crucial key for investigating the occupational and environmental sources of asbestos exposure. The median age at diagnosis is generally high, according to the long latency of the disease. The purposes of this study are to analyse the incidence of mesothelioma in young people and to evaluate the modalities of asbestos exposure.

Ni(II) and Pb(II) Removal Using Bacterial Cellulose Membranes.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a highly crystalline nanosized material with a high number of active groups. This study focuses on the synthesis of BC membranes through fermentation, their characterization and application to remove Ni(II) and Pb(II) from wastewater by adsorption under different conditions. Four-day-grown BC membranes form three-dimensional nanofibril networks with a pH of 6.

Fit-for-Use Nanofibrillated Cellulose from Recovered Paper.

The cost-effective implementation of nanofibrillated cellulose (CNF) at industrial scale requires optimizing the quality of the nanofibers according to their final application. Therefore, a portfolio of CNFs with different qualities is necessary, as well as further knowledge about how to obtain each of the main qualities. This paper presents the influence of various production techniques on the morphological characteristics and properties of CNFs produced from a mixture of recycled fibers.

Role of Na1.6-mediated persistent sodium current and bursting-pacemaker properties in breathing rhythm generation.

Inspiration is the inexorable active phase of breathing. The brainstem pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC) gives rise to inspiratory neural rhythm, but its underlying cellular and ionic bases remain unclear. The long-standing "pacemaker hypothesis" posits that the persistent Na current (I) that gives rise to bursting-pacemaker properties in preBötC interneurons is essential for rhythmogenesis.

Relation of the work ability index to fitness for work in healthcare and public employees in a region of Northeastern Italy.

Purpose: Work ability indicates an individual's capacity to match job demands according to his/her physical and mental conditions and work circumstances. Occupational physicians should take into consideration the global health status of a worker in order to correctly assess if he/she is fit for the job. The aim of this study was to verify the association between fitness for work evaluation and Work Ability Index scores, as well as individual factors (age, gender, and anthropometric characteristics) and work-related variables (job type, years of working duration).

Pleural mesothelioma risk in the construction industry: a case-control study in Italy, 2000-2018.

Objectives: Workers in the construction industry have been exposed to asbestos in various occupations. In Italy, a National Mesothelioma Registry has been implemented more than 20 years ago. Using cases selected from this registry and exploiting existing control data sets, we estimated relative risks for pleural mesothelioma (PM) among construction workers.