Black phosphorus/silk fibroin films hamper filamentous and invasive growth of .

The ability of fungi and bacteria to form biofilms on surfaces poses a serious threat to health and a problem in industrial settings. In this work, we investigated how the surface stiffness of silk fibroin (SF) films is modulated by the interaction with black phosphorus (BP) flakes, quantifying the morphogenesis of cells. Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopies, along with scanning transmission electron microscopy, allowed us to quantify the thickness and diameter of BP flakes dispersed in the SF matrix (, 5.

In Vitro Mucoadhesive Features of Gliadin Nanoparticles Containing Thiamine Hydrochloride.

Background: Gliadins have aroused significant interest in the last decade as suitable biomaterials for food and pharmaceutical applications. In particular, the oral route is the preferred method of administration for gliadin-based formulations, due to the affinity of this biomaterial for the gut mucosa. However, up to now, this has been demonstrated only by means of in vivo or ex vivo studies.

Long-Term Conservation for the Safeguard of : An Endemic and Endangered Species of Sicily.

The combined approaches between ex situ and in situ conservation are of great importance for threatened species in urgent need of protection. This study aims to develop concrete actions to preserve the relic of 30 adult trees of the Sicilian fir () from extinction using long-term germplasm conservation in liquid nitrogen (LN, -196 °C). Pollen grains were collected, and their moisture content (MC) was measured.

On the Electrochemical Growth of a Crystalline p-n Junction From Aqueous Solutions.

Our society largely relies on inorganic semiconductor devices which are, so far, fabricated using expensive and complex processes requiring ultra-high vacuum equipment. Here we report on the possibility of growing a p-n junction taking advantage of electrochemical processes based on the use of aqueous solutions. The growth of the junction has been carried out using the Electrochemical Atomic Layer Deposition (E-ALD) technique, which allowed to sequentially deposit two different semiconductors, CdS and CuS, on an Ag(111) substrate, in a single procedure.

Rutin-loaded zein gel as a green biocompatible formulation for wound healing application.

Wound healing is a challenging clinical problem and efficient wound management is essential to prevent infection. This is best done by utilizing biocompatible materials in order to complete the healing in a rapid manner, with functional and esthetic outcomes. In this context, the zein protein fulfills the criteria of the ideal wound dressing which include non-toxicity and non-inflammatory stimulation.

Mechanical Transfer of Black Phosphorus on a Silk Fibroin Substrate: A Viable Method for Photoresponsive and Printable Biomaterials.

Despite the technological importance of semiconductor black phosphorus (BP) in materials science, maintaining the stability of BP crystals in organic media and protecting them from environmental oxidation remains challenging. In this study, we present the synthesis of bulk BP and the exploitation of the viscoelastic properties of a regenerated silk fibroin (SF) film as a biocompatible substrate to transfer BP flakes, thereby preventing oxidation. A model based on the flow of polymers revealed that the applied flow-induced stresses exceed the yield stress of the BP aggregate.

Injectable gelling methylcellulose-based hydrogels for bone tissue regeneration.

Injectable bone substitutes (IBSs) represent a compelling choice for bone tissue regeneration, as they can be exploited to optimally fill complex bone defects in a minimally invasive manner. In this context, gelling methylcellulose (MC) hydrogels may be engineered to be free-flowing injectable solutions at room temperature and gels upon exposure to body temperature. Moreover, incorporating a suitable inorganic phase can further enhance the mechanical properties of MC hydrogels and promote mineralization, thus assisting early cell adhesion to the hydrogel and effectively guiding bone tissue regeneration.

Impact of airborne iron oxide nanoparticles on Tillandsia usneoides as a model plant to assess pollution in heavy traffic areas.

Due to the increasing evidence of widespread sub-micron pollutants in the atmosphere, the impact of airborne nanoparticles is a subject of great relevance. In particular, the smallest particles are considered the most active and dangerous, having a higher surface/volume ratio. Here we tested the effect of iron oxide (FeO) nanoparticles (IONPs) with different mean diameter and size distribution on the model plant Tillandsia usneoides.

DIFUCOSIN: DIclofenac sodium salt loaded FUCOidan-SericIN nanoparticles for the management of chronic inflammatory diseases.

The current investigation emphasizes the use of fucoidan and sericin as dual-role biomaterials for obtaining novel nanohybrid systems for the delivery of diclofenac sodium (DS) and the potential treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. The innovative formulations containing 4 mg/ml of fucoidan and 3 mg/ml of sericin showed an average diameter of about 200 nm, a low polydispersity index (0.17) and a negative surface charge.

Frontiers and Challenges of Computing ncRNAs Biogenesis, Function and Modulation.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), generated from nonprotein coding DNA sequences, constitute 98-99% of the human genome. Non-coding RNAs encompass diverse functional classes, including microRNAs, small interfering RNAs, PIWI-interacting RNAs, small nuclear RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, and long non-coding RNAs. With critical involvement in gene expression and regulation across various biological and physiopathological contexts, such as neuronal disorders, immune responses, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, non-coding RNAs are emerging as disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Hexavalent chromium release over time from a pyrolyzed Cr-bearing tannery sludge.

Pyrolysis in an inert atmosphere is a widely applied route to convert tannery wastes into reusable materials. In the present study, the Cr(III) conversion into the toxic hexavalent form in the pyrolyzed tannery waste referred to as KEU was investigated. Ageing experiments and leaching tests demonstrated that the Cr(III)-Cr(VI) inter-conversion occurs in the presence of air at ambient temperature, enhanced by wet environmental conditions.

Graphitic Carbon Nitride as Photocatalyst for the Direct Formylation of Anilines.

The use of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) for the photocatalytic radical formylation of anilines, which represents a more sustainable and attractive alternative to the currently used approaches, is reported herein. Our operationally simple method occurs under mild conditions, employing air as an oxidant. In particular, the chemistry is driven by the ability of g-CN to reach an electronically excited state upon visible-light absorption, which has a suitable potential energy to trigger the formation of reactive α-amino radical species from anilines.

Strategies of stabilization of zein nanoparticles containing doxorubicin hydrochloride.

Hybrid nanoparticles made up of zein and various stabilizers were developed and characterized. In detail, a zein concentration of 2 mg/ml was blended with various amounts of different phospholipids or PEG-derivatives in order to obtain formulations with suitable physico-chemical properties for drug delivery purposes. Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) was used as a model of a hydrophilic compound and its entrapment efficiency, release profile and cytotoxic activity were investigated.

Non-Phenomenological Description of the Time-Resolved Emission in Solution with Quantum-Classical Vibronic Approaches-Application to Coumarin C153 in Methanol.

We report a joint experimental and theoretical work on the steady-state spectroscopy and time-resolved emission of the coumarin C153 dye in methanol. The lowest energy excited state of this molecule is characterized by an intramolecular charge transfer thus leading to remarkable shifts of the time-resolved emission spectra, dictated by the methanol reorganization dynamics. We selected this system as a prototypical test case for the first application of a novel computational protocol aimed at the prediction of transient emission spectral shapes, including both vibronic and solvent effects, without applying any phenomenological broadening.

The Role of the Preanalytical Step for Human Saliva Analysis via Vibrational Spectroscopy.

Saliva is an easily sampled matrix containing a variety of biochemical information, which can be correlated with the individual health status. The fast, straightforward analysis of saliva by vibrational (ATR-FTIR and Raman) spectroscopy is a good premise for large-scale preclinical studies to aid translation into clinics. In this work, the effects of saliva collection (spitting/swab) and processing (two different deproteinization procedures) were explored by principal component analysis (PCA) of ATR-FTIR and Raman data and by investigating the effects on the main saliva metabolites by reversed-phase chromatography (RPC-HPLC-DAD).

Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients Treated with Fixed Duration Venetoclax-Rituximab: Assessment of Response with Ultrasound, and Relationship with Minimal Residual Disease.

A fixed duration of venetoclax-rituximab (VenR) resulted in a significant benefit of both PFS and in the attainment of an undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD) compared with bendamustine-rituximab in relapsed/refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. The 2018 International Workshop on CLL guidelines, outside the context of clinical trials, suggested ultrasonography (US) as a possible imaging technique to evaluate visceral involvement, and palpation to evaluate superficial lymph nodes (SupLNs). In this real-life study we prospectively enrolled N = 22 patients.

Gliadin Nanoparticles Containing Doxorubicin Hydrochloride: Characterization and Cytotoxicity.

Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) is a well-known antitumor drug used as first line treatment for many types of malignancies. Despite its clinical relevance, the administration of the compound is negatively affected by dose-dependent off-target toxicity phenomena. Nanotechnology has helped to overcome these important limitations by improving the therapeutic index of the bioactive and promoting the translation of novel nanomedicines into clinical practice.

Synergistic Effect of Sn and Fe in Fe-N Site Formation and Activity in Fe-N-C Catalyst for ORR.

Iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) materials emerged as one of the best non-platinum group material (non-PGM) alternatives to Pt/C catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of O in fuel cells. Co-doping with a secondary metal center is a possible choice to further enhance the activity toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Here, classical Fe-N-C materials were co-doped with Sn as a secondary metal center.

Not Just Another Methanation Catalyst: Depleted Uranium Meets Nickel for a High-Performing Process Under Autothermal Regime.

Ni-based catalysts prepared through impregnation of depleted uranium oxides (DU) have successfully been employed as highly efficient, selective, and durable systems for CO hydrogenation to substituted natural gas (SNG; CH ) under an autothermal regime. The thermo-physical properties of DU and the unique electronic structure of f-block metal-oxides combined with a nickel active phase, generated an ideal catalytic assembly for turning waste energy back into useful energy for catalysis. In particular, Ni/UO stood out for the capacity of DU matrix to control the extra heat (hot-spots) generated at its surface by the highly exothermic methanation process.

Microemulsions Enhance the In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Oleanolic Acid in RAW 264.7 Cells.

Oleanolic acid (OA) is the main triterpenic acid of olive leaves known for numerous pharmacological properties, including antioxidant activity. However, it is poorly soluble in water and consequently with low bioavailability, which limits its pharmacological application. Microemulsions (MEs) are dispersed systems consisting of two immiscible phases that promote rapid solubilization and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Fluorescent Labeling of Lignin Nanocapsules with Fluorol Yellow 088.

The microscopic visualization of nanoparticles in plants is crucial to elucidate the mechanisms of their uptake through the cell wall and plasma membrane and to localize the possible sites of their extracellular or intracellular accumulation. Lignin nanocarriers are polymeric hollow nanocapsules able to contain and transport several bioactive substances inside plant tissues. We describe here a method for the preparation of Fluorol Yellow 088-labeled lignin nanocapsules that allow their localization in plant organs and tissues by fluorescence microscopy.