In Situ Preparation of Silver Nanoparticles/Organophilic-Clay/Polyethylene Glycol Nanocomposites for the Reduction of Organic Pollutants.

This work focuses on the preparation and application of silver nanoparticles/organophilic clay/polyethylene glycol for the catalytic reduction of the contaminants methylene blue (MB) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in a simple and binary system. Algerian clay was subjected to a series of treatments including acid treatment, ion exchange with the surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTABr), immobilization of polyethylene glycol polymer, and finally dispersion of AgNPs. The molecular weight of polyethylene glycol was varied (100, 200, and 4000) to study its effect on the stabilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the catalytic activity of the resulting samples.

Designing Microparticles of Luteolin and Naringenin in Different Carriers via Supercritical Antisolvent Process.

Antioxidants are contained in fruits and vegetables and are commonly obtained through food. However, it is frequently necessary to supplement the diet with substances that are often poorly soluble in water and sensitive to light and oxygen. For this reason, in this work, luteolin (LUT) and naringenin (NAR), two compounds with antioxidant activity and potential health benefits, were precipitated through the supercritical antisolvent technique using polyvinylpyrrolidone and β-cyclodextrin as the carriers.

In-Depth LC-ESI/HRMS-Guided Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Activity Analysis of Eco-Sustainable Extracts of (Carciofo di Paestum PGI) Leaves.

The Italian Carciofo di Paestum () PGI, an artichoke variety from the Campania region, was investigated for its potential to reuse by-products for food supplements. EtOH:HO 50:50 and 75:25 extracts of its leaves were analyzed for phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity (TEAC: 1.90 and 1.

Antibacterial and Anti-Influenza Activities of -Heterocyclic Carbene-Gold Complexes.

Background/objectives: Infectious diseases represent a serious threat due to rising antimicrobial resistance, particularly among multidrug-resistant bacteria and influenza viruses. Metal-based complexes, such as -heterocyclic carbene-gold (NHC-gold) complexes, show promising therapeutic potential due to their ability to inhibit various pathogens.

Methods: Eight NHC-gold complexes were synthesized and tested for antibacterial activity against , , and for anti-influenza activity in lung and bronchial epithelial cells infected with influenza virus A/H1N1.

Transforming Agricultural and Sulfur Waste into Fertilizer: Assessing the Short-Term Effects on Microbial Biodiversity via a Metagenomic Approach.

Fungi and soil bacteria are vital for organic matter decomposition and biogeochemical cycles, but excessive synthetic fertilizer use contributes to soil degradation and loss of biodiversity. Despite this, about 97% of soil microorganisms are unculturable, making them difficult to study. Metagenomics offers a solution, enabling the direct extraction of DNA from soil to uncover microbial diversity and functions.

Fabrication of novel multifunctional copper-functionalized hemp fibers to remove anionic dye and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from wastewaters.

This research aims to design a novel selective and multifunctional adsorbent based on Al/Cu modified hemp fibres as a novel and multifunctional adsorbent for removing different classes of pollutants. The adsorbent, which was widely characterized, was shown to be more effective in removing anionic dyes compared to cationic ones. Among the tested dye, methyl orange was selected to understand how different parameters, such as temperature (20-80°C), contact time, pH (2-12), initial dye concentration (50-300 ppm), salinity and adsorbent dosage (1-10 g/L) affect the removal capacity.

Salvia pratensis L. extracts as potential eco-friendly herbicides for sustainable agricultural applications.

The aim of this study is based on the searching of "new" potential environmentally friendly plant based products with herbicidal activity. The purpose of the study is also to find the source which is easy to harvest in high amount within the local environment. Salvia pratensis L.

A chemometric approach to the interaction of hydrogen peroxide and thermally activated persulfate in the removal of aromatic compounds.

This study evaluates the combined use of H₂O₂ and thermally activated S₂O₈⁻ (T-PDS) for the degradation of phenolic compounds (PhOH) in wastewater, aiming to limit or eliminate sludge production. Phenolic compounds are common in industrial effluents, and their effective removal is crucial for reducing environmental impact. The study employs Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to optimise critical variables such as temperature, pH, and oxidant concentrations.

On the effectiveness of the red alga Laurencia microcladia as a PAH biomonitor in coastal marine ecosystems.

Anthropogenic pressures affect large stretches of Mediterranean coastal environments, determining alterations, including chemical pollution, able to impair ecosystem functioning and services. Among the pollutants of major concern for their toxicity and persistence, there are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can be effectively monitored through bioaccumulation approaches. However, the main biomonitor of PAHs in the Mediterranean Sea, Posidonia oceanica, is currently undergoing extensive regressions due to anthropogenic pressures, forcing the search for alternative biomonitors.

Protective effect of Ocimum basilicum L. essential oil on Lactuca sativa L. treated with cadmium.

In recent years, essential oils (EO) are a sustainable and effective alternative to conventional chemical treatments in response to heavy metals in plants. These natural molecules can increase the resilience of plants under stress conditions. In the present work, the ability of EOs from the aerial parts of Ocimum basilicum L.

Smart pH-sensitive indicators based on rice starch/pectin/alginate loading Lambrusco pomace extract and curcumin to track the freshness of pink shrimps.

This research is focused on the formulation and testing of green visual pH-sensitive indicators based on natural extracts from Curcuma Longa (CUR) and Lambrusco wine pomace (LAM), an Italian wine variety, incorporated into rice starch/pectin/alginate matrixes for non-destructively detecting shrimps freshness in real-time. The effect of the mixed indicators and their synergic combination on the properties and performances of indicators was investigated. Both the extracts and their combination showed pronounced pH responsiveness.

Testing, Experimental Design, and Numerical Analysis of Nanomechanical Properties in Epoxy Hybrid Systems Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Nanoparticles.

Hybrid nanocomposites incorporating multiple fillers are gaining significant attention due to their ability to enhance material performance, offering superior properties compared to traditional monophase systems. This study investigates hybrid epoxy-based nanocomposites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanosheets (GNs), introduced at two different weight concentrations of the mixed filler, i.e.

Biochar as Sustainable Filler of Recycled Polylactic Acid (PLA): A New Generation of Processable Biocomposites.

As an alternative to fossil-based polymers, polylactide acid (PLA) has stimulated a significant research effort in the past few years due to the demand for environmentally friendly products. Even though PLA is considered a sustainable or bio-based material, the long-term degradation in ambient conditions increases the volume of waste at end-of-life. To overcome this issue, PLA waste can be recycled to produce new manufactures; however, this approach does not always ensure the same mechanical properties as the original PLA.

The Effectiveness of the Low-Glycemic and Insulinemic (LOGI) Regimen in Maintaining the Benefits of the VLCKD in Fibromyalgia Patients.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder that causes damage to the neuro-muscular system and alterations in the intestinal microbiota and affects the psychological state of the patient. In our previous study, we showed that 22 women patients subjected to a specific very low-carbohydrate ketogenic therapy (VLCKD) showed an improvement in clinical scores as well as neurotransmission-related and psychological dysfunctions and intestinal dysbiosis. Furthermore, NMR metabolomic data showed that changes induced by VLCKD treatment were evident in all metabolic pathways related to fibromyalgia biomarkers.

Impact of a and Formulation on SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells Metabolism Through NMR Metabolomic.

: This study investigates the effectiveness of an herbal formulation, STRESSLESS (ST-65), which combines ashwagandha () and bacopa (), on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Given the rising interest in natural compounds for neuroprotection and stress alleviation, we aimed to explore the cellular and molecular effects of this formulation. : Utilizing a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomic approach and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS), we identified key bioactive compounds in ST-65, including withanolides from ashwagandha and bacosides from bacopa.

Ambipolar conduction in gated tungsten disulphide nanotube.

Devices based on transition metal dichalcogenide nanotubes hold great potential for electronic and optoelectronic applications. Herein, the electrical transport and photoresponse characteristics of a back-gate device with a channel made of a single tungsten disulfide (WS) nanotube are investigated as functions of electric stress, ambient pressure, and illumination. As a transistor, the device exhibits p-type conduction, which can be transformed into ambipolar conduction at a high drain-source voltage.

Evaluation of the "Multivariable Psoriatic Arthritis Risk Estimation Tool" in a Cohort of Patients with Psoriasis: Preliminary Results of a Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction: An intriguing aspect that emerged in recent years is the transition phase from psoriasis (PsO) to psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The PRESTO instrument allows estimating a patient's risk of developing PsA based on a few clinical items. The aim of this study was to apply and evaluate the performance of the PRESTO tool in a cohort of patients with PsO.

Histone deacetylase 8 in focus: Decoding structural prerequisites for innovative epigenetic intervention beyond hydroxamates.

Histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) inhibitors play a pivotal role in epigenetic regulation. Numerous HDAC8 inhibitors (HDAC8is), that are non-hydroxamates have been identified to date, and a few of them exhibit antiproliferative activity that is on par with hydroxamates. While many non-hydroxamate-based HDAC8is have demonstrated selectivity, hydroxamate-based HDAC8is, like Vorinostat and TSA, have a tendency of non-specificity among the different HDAC isoforms.

A Multi-task learning U-Net model for end-to-end HEp-2 cell image analysis.

Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) testing is pivotal to help diagnose patients with a suspected autoimmune disease. The Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF) microscopy performed with human epithelial type 2 (HEp-2) cells as the substrate is the reference method for ANA screening. It allows for the detection of antibodies binding to specific intracellular targets, resulting in various staining patterns that should be identified for diagnosis purposes.

When Chirality Makes the Difference: The Case of Novel Enantiopure -Heterocyclic Carbene-Gold and -Silver Complexes.

-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-gold and -silver complexes have attracted the interest of the scientific community because of their multiple applications and their versatility in being chemically modified in order to improve their biological properties. However, most of these complexes contain one or more chiral centers, and have been obtained and studied as racemic mixture. In particular, concerning the interesting biological and medicinal properties, many questions about how the chirality may influence these properties still remain unanswered.

L. Baby Leaves as a Source of Bioactive Principles: The Chemical Profiling of Eco-Sustainable Extracts by Using LC-ESI/HRMS- and H NMR-Based Metabolomics.

L. cultivar platypus leaves are identified as a functional food due to their nutrient composition which promotes health beyond basic nutrition. Considering the increasing use of food supplements, baby leaves have been extracted by maceration, solid-liquid dynamic extraction (SLDE)-Naviglio, and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using EtOH and EtOH:HO mixtures.

Unraveling the Role of CuO in CuO/TiO Photocatalyst for the Direct Propylene Epoxidation With O in a Fluidized Bed Reactor.

Propylene epoxidation in mild conditions using molecular O is a highly desirable reaction that represents a significant challenge in the field of heterogeneous catalysis for the synthesis of oxygenated organic compounds of industrial interest. In this work, CuO/TiO composites with different mominal CuO loadings (in the range of 0.5-8.

Organizing an Interdisciplinary Platform for Knowledge Sharing on a Class of Compounds of Natural Origin.

Sesterterpenoids, a subset of the terpene family, exhibit notable biological activities. These natural compounds are present in a variety of organisms such as plants, fungi, bacteria, insects and marine life. The therapeutic potential and structural diversity of sesterterpenoids have attracted considerable interest in pharmacological and chemical research.