Investigation on the Thermodynamic Stability of Nanocrystalline W-Based Alloys: A Combined Theoretical and Experimental Approach.

The stability of nanostructured metal alloys is currently being extensively investigated, and several mathematical models have been developed to describe the thermodynamics of these systems. However, model capability in terms of thermal stability predictions strongly relies on grain boundary-related parameters that are difficult to measure or estimate accurately. To overcome this limitation, a novel theoretical approach is proposed and adopted in this work to identify W-based nanocrystalline alloys which are potentially able to show thermodynamic stability.

Enzyme immobilization on metal organic frameworks: Laccase from Aspergillus sp. is better adapted to ZIF-zni rather than Fe-BTC.

Laccase from Aspergillus sp. (LC) was immobilized within Fe-BTC and ZIF-zni metal organic frameworks through a one-pot synthesis carried out under mild conditions (room temperature and aqueous solution). The Fe-BTC, ZIF-zni MOFs, and the LC@Fe-BTC, LC@ZIF-zni immobilized LC samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis.

Green Biocompatible Method for the Synthesis of Collagen/Chitin Composites to Study Their Composition and Assembly Influence on Fibroblasts Growth.

A green biocompatible route for the deposition and simultaneous assembly, by pH increment, of collagen/chitin composites was proposed. Both assembled and unassembled samples with different collagen/chitin ratios were synthesized, maintaining the β-chitin polymorph. The first set showed a microfibrous organization with compositional submicron homogeneity.

Occurrence and characterization of microplastic and mesoplastic pollution in the Migliarino San Rossore, Massaciuccoli Nature Park (Italy).

Microplastics pollution is progressively threatening natural parks across the world. In the framework of monitoring this concerning trend, the present study focuses on the occurrence and identification of mesoplastics (MEPs) and microplastics (MPs) in sand samples collected before and after the summer season from the beach of the Nature Park of Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli (Pisa, Italy). Meso- and microplastics were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy 2D Imaging, and detected in all samples with average concentrations of 207 ± 30 MPs/kg d.

Undercover Toxic Ménage à Trois of Amylin, Copper (II) and Metformin in Human Embryonic Kidney Cells.

In recent decades, type 2 diabetes complications have been correlated with amylin aggregation, copper homeostasis and metformin side effects. However, each factor was analyzed separately, and only in some rare cases copper/amylin or copper/metformin complexes were considered. We demonstrate for the first time that binary metformin/amylin and tertiary copper (II)/amylin/metformin complexes of high cellular toxicity are formed and lead to the formation of aggregated multi-level lamellar structures on the cell membrane.

Extracellular Vesicles Analysis in the COVID-19 Era: Insights on Serum Inactivation Protocols towards Downstream Isolation and Analysis.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis, the handling of biological samples from confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals demanded the use of inactivation protocols to ensure laboratory operators' safety. While not standardized, these practices can be roughly divided into two categories, namely heat inactivation and solvent-detergent treatments. These routine procedures should also apply to samples intended for Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) analysis.

Phase Inversion and Interfacial Layer Microstructure in Emulsions Stabilized by Glycosurfactant Mixtures.

Identification of strategies to prolong emulsion kinetic stability is a fundamental challenge for many scientists and technologists. We investigated the relationship between the emulsion stability and the surfactant supramolecular organization at the oil-water interface. The pseudo-phase diagrams of emulsions formed by water and, alternatively, a linear or a branched oil, stabilized by mixtures of two sugar-based surfactants, Span80 and Tween80, are presented.

Adsorption of Malachite Green and Alizarin Red S Dyes Using Fe-BTC Metal Organic Framework as Adsorbent.

Synthetic organic dyes are widely used in various industrial sectors but are also among the most harmful water pollutants. In the last decade, significant efforts have been made to develop improved materials for the removal of dyes from water, in particular, on nanostructured adsorbent materials. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are an attractive class of hybrid nanostructured materials with an extremely wide range of applications including adsorption.

Microplastics in the Black Sea sediments.

In this study the occurrence, morphology and identification of microplastics in Black Sea sediments collected at different depths (range 22-2131 m) were determined for the first time. The study explored the advantages and limitations of using a non-invasive method consisting of filtration of the supernatant from the mixture of sediment with saturated NaCl solution followed by FTIR 2D imaging for the identification of natural and synthetic polymers. The proposed method confirmed its potential for clear identification of polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile, polyamides and cellulose-based fibers, but more difficulties when the filter substrate neighboring the fibers exhibits intense absorptions in the 1800-1000 cm range.

Amphiphilic cationic cyclodextrin nanovesicles: a versatile cue for guiding cell adhesion.

It is well known that amphiphilic cationic β-cyclodextrins (amβCDs) form nanovesicles able to release their cargo in aqueous solution upon applying different stimuli. In addition they can be selectively positioned onto substrates by unconventional soft lithography. This makes them a powerful tool for designing environments where different cues can be externally supplied to the cells helping to achieve good control of their fate.

Specific Buffer Effects on the Intermolecular Interactions among Protein Molecules at Physiological pH.

BSA and lysozyme molecular motion at pH 7.15 is buffer-specific. Adsorption of buffer ions on protein surfaces modulates the protein surface charge and thus protein-protein interactions.

The sea anemone Bunodosoma cangicum as a potential biomonitor for microplastics contamination on the Brazilian Amazon coast.

This study reports for the first time the ingestion of meso- (5.01-25 mm) and microplastics (1 μm-5 mm) by the sea anemone Bunodosoma cangicum, the most abundant actiniarian species on the Amazon coast. At three sites on the coast of Pará, Brazil, anemones were collected from beachrocks in the intertidal zone (30 at each site), measured (pedal disc diameter, mm) and weighed (wet weight, g).

Olive oil-based method for the extraction, quantification and identification of microplastics in soil and compost samples.

Microplastics (MPs) have become a pressing environmental concern over the past few years and their extraction from solid samples is a scientific challenge that needs to be faced and solved. Standardized and validated protocols for MPs extraction are lacking and the existing methodology, such as density separation, is often unable to separate high density polymers. The aim of our research was to develop a non-density based, inexpensive, simple and safe method to extract MPs from soil and compost samples.

Gold nanoparticles interacting with synthetic lipid rafts: an AFM investigation.

Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) represent promising examples of engineered nanomaterials, providing interesting biomedical solutions in several fields, like therapeutics and diagnostics. Despite the extensive number of investigations motivated by their remarkable potential for nanomedicinal applications, the interactions of NPs with biological interfaces are still poorly understood. The effect of NPs on living organisms is mediated by biological barriers, such as the cell plasma membrane, whose lateral heterogeneity is thought to play a prominent role in NPs adsorption and uptake pathways.

Microplastics Exposure Causes Negligible Effects on the Oxidative Response Enzymes Glutathione Reductase and Peroxidase in the Oligochaete .

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants, which are considered ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems. The effects of MPs on aquatic biota are still poorly understood, and consequently, there is a need to understand the impacts that MPs may pose to organisms. In the present study, a freshwater oligochaete commonly used as a bioindicator of the aquatic environment, was exposed to fluorescent polyethylene microspheres (up to 10 µm in size) to test whether the oxidative stress status was affected.

Self-contamination from clothing in microplastics research.

Self-contamination should not be underestimated when quantifying microplastics (MPs) in environmental matrices. Standardised and validated methodologies for MP sampling, extraction, and analysis are lacking. The various applications of plastics in our society have made them ubiquitous, even in clothing, rendering MP self-contamination inevitable.

Correction to: Assessment of microplastic pollution: occurrence and characterisation in Vesijärvi lake and Pikku Vesijärvi pond, Finland.

In the original publication, Figure 5 and the related text incorrectly referred to a polyurethane fibre; however, it was a possible PET-polyurethane blend.

Assessment of microplastic pollution: occurrence and characterisation in Vesijärvi lake and Pikku Vesijärvi pond, Finland.

In the last few years, several studies have investigated microplastics (MPs) in marine ecosystems, but data monitoring and assessing the occurrence in freshwater environments are still scarce. The present study aims to investigate the occurrence, distribution, and chemical composition of MP pollution in Vesijärvi lake and Pikku Vesijärvi pond close to the city of Lahti (Finland) in winter. Sediment, snow, and ice core samples were collected near the shore of these two aquatic systems.

Retinoic acid/calcite micro-carriers inserted in fibrin scaffolds modulate neuronal cell differentiation.

The controlled release of cell differentiating agents is crucial in many aspects of regenerative medicine. Here we propose the use of hybrid calcite single crystals as micro-carriers for the controlled and localized release of retinoic acid, which is entrapped within the crystalline lattice. The release of retinoic acid occurs only in the proximity of stem cells, upon dissolution of the calcite hybrid crystals that are dispersed in the fibrin scaffold.

β-Chitin Nanofibril Self-Assembly in Aqueous Environments.

Chitin is one of the most studied biopolymers but the understanding of how it assembles from molecules to microfibers is still limited. Organisms are able to assemble chitin with precise control over polymorphism, texture, and final morphology. The produced hierarchical structure leads to materials with outstanding mechanical properties.

Microplastics in cosmetics: Environmental issues and needs for global bans.

Despite the microbeads from cosmetic products do not contribute with high percentages to the microplastic pollution, they can pose a threat to the environment, being discharged into the water bodies and just partially blocked by the wastewater treatment plants. As environmental associations have been fighting for the abolition of microplastics in PCCPs, in many countries measures have been taken and bans are already operational or in process. Some cosmetic companies have voluntarily renounced the use of microbeads and some voluntary certifications of PCCPs prohibit their use.

Determination of bisphenol A in red wine using a double vortex-ultrasound-assisted microextraction assay: Role of the interfacial properties.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic compound broadly used in medical devices as well as in packaging of food and drinks. Recently, BPA toxicity has become of concern to environmental public health. Red wine that is susceptible to BPA contamination is an alcoholic beverage made from yeast fermentation of grapes in the presence of grape skins so as to extract phenolic compounds.

Marine debris in Trindade Island, a remote island of the South Atlantic.

Marine debris is widespread in oceans worldwide, including the most remote locations. Here, for the first time, we report macro-debris accumulation on beaches of Trindade Island, a remote island 1160 km from mainland Brazil. High debris density was recorded on windward, east-coast beaches, which are exposed to wind-driven currents.

First evidence of microplastic ingestion by fishes from the Amazon River estuary.

This study investigated occurrence of microplastic particles in digestive tracts of fishes from the Amazon River estuary. A total of 189 fish specimens representing 46 species from 22 families was sampled from bycatch of the shrimp fishery. Microplastic particles removed from fish gastrointestinal tracts were identified using Attenuated Total Reflectance - Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR).