Carotid artery atherosclerosis: mechanisms of instability and clinical implications.

Cardiovascular disease remains a prominent cause of disability and premature death worldwide. Within this spectrum, carotid artery atherosclerosis is a complex and multifaceted condition, and a prominent precursor of acute ischaemic stroke and other cardiovascular events. The intricate interplay among inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, lipid metabolism, and immune responses participates in the development of lesions, leading to luminal stenosis and potential plaque instability.

The valorization of grape pomace from Montepulciano winemaking: A new source of functional ingredients for sustainable food industry.

The winemaking process generates huge amounts of waste every year. Fermented grape pomace, the major by-waste product, holds significant value due to its chemical composition and technological properties. In this study a multi-omics approach was employed for the detailed molecular characterization of fermented grape pomace from Montepulciano grape, a widely used Italian red grape variety.

Sphaeropsidin A Loaded in Liposomes to Reduce Its Cytotoxicity and Preserve Antifungal Activity Against .

species constitute the most common cause of fungal infections in humans; the emergence of resistance and biofilm formation by species further threaten the limited availability of antifungal agents. Over the past decade, . has caused significant outbreaks worldwide and has emerged as a human pathogenic fungus that causes diseases ranging from superficial to life-threatening disseminated infections.

Shielding siRNA by peptide-based nanofibers: An efficient approach for turning off EGFR gene in breast cancer.

Peptide-based self-assembled nanosystems show great promise as non-viral gene and siRNA delivery vectors. In the current study, we designed and functionalized nanofibers for the delivery of siRNA, targeting and silencing EGFR gene overexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer. The nanofiber-mediated siRNA delivery was characterized in terms of zeta potential, morphology, and structural stability by circular dichroism spectroscopy.

Humic extracts from raw or composted coffee husks as novel chitosan crosslinkers for the synthesis of sustainable nanoparticles with antioxidant properties.

Coffee husks have been valorised by isolating humic materials before (HLS-Raw) or after (HS-Comp) composting them. Such substrates were reacted with chitosan at different ratios to synthesize novel nanoparticles (NP) with radical scavenging properties. Size and antioxidant activity of nanomaterials increased at higher HS/chitosan ratio, while zeta potential decreased.

Lignin Derivative as Visible-Light Photo-Initiating System for the Development of Biocide Materials under Light Irradiation.

The design of a new visible-light methacrylated-based kraft lignin photosensitizer (MAcL) of iodonium salt (Iod) for the free-radical polymerization (FRP) of polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) under LEDs@405, 455, 470, 505, and 530 nm is reported. As demonstrated by laser flash photolysis (LFP) and electron paramagnetic resonance spin-trapping (EPR ST) experiments, the combination of MAcL with an electron acceptor (Iod) and trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate) (TT) used as a crosslinker, leads to the formation of highly efficient initiating radicals, i.e.

Structural insights into temperature-dependent dynamics of METPsc1, a miniaturized electron-transfer protein.

The design of protein-metal complexes is rapidly advancing, with applications spanning catalysis, sensing, and bioremediation. We report a comprehensive investigation of METPsc1, a Miniaturized Electron Transfer Protein, in complex with cadmium. This study elucidates the impact of metal coordination on protein folding and structural dynamics across temperatures from 100 K to 300 K.

Targeting interleukin-6 pathways in giant cell arteritis management: A narrative review of evidence.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis with a significant impact on vascular and patient health. It may present with non-specific symptoms and can lead to severe complications if not managed effectively. This narrative review explores the treatment of GCA with interleukin-6 (IL-6) pathway inhibitors, focusing on key studies from selected databases published between 2018 and 2024.

Proteomics for forensic identification of saliva and vomit in a case of alleged rape.

In crime investigations, the unambiguous identification of biological traces can be decisive for framing the events. In this study, we applied proteomics to analyze scant amounts of biological residues in the context of an alleged rape case, focusing on the detection of traces of vomit. We used high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and two distinct proteomic workflows to identify proteins and possible proteolytic peptides in biological residues from clothing, bedding, and car upholstery from the alleged crime scene.

Transformations of crude oil into tar: a case study from a plastitar-contaminated site in NE Sicily, Italy (Western Mediterranean).

This study examines the aging of industrial crude oil to simulate the chemical transformations that occur when it is exposed to environmental conditions over time. It was triggered by the finding of plastitar - a mixture of tar and plastic waste - on the coast of Milazzo, Sicily. Research began with a chemical characterization of the tar component of plastitar, followed by aging experiments designed to simulate environmental conditions such as seawater, UV light and sunlight.

Provolone del Monaco PDO cheese: Lactic microflora, biogenic amines and volatilome characterization.

One commercial production run of Provolone del Monaco - a long-ripened pasta filata cheese - was followed up to the end of ripening for a total of 20 samples. 371 LAB isolates were subject to genetic characterization followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The dominant species were Lacticaseibacillus casei/paracasei (19.

Myxinidin-analogs able to sequester Fe(III): Metal-based gun to combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm.

Bacteria have developed a tendency to form biofilms, where bacteria live in organized structures embedded in a self-produced matrix of DNA, proteins, and polysaccharides. Additionally, bacteria need iron(III) as an essential nutrient for bacterial growth and secrete siderophore groups that sequester it from the environment. To design a molecule able both to inhibit the bacteria and to sequester iron, we developed two hydroxamate-based peptides derived from an analog (WMR-4), previously developed in our lab, of the antimicrobial peptide myxinidin.

Dissecting the genetic diversity of cultivated tomato () germplasm resources: a comparison of ddRADseq genotyping and microsatellite analysis via capillary electrophoresis and high-resolution melting.

Unlabelled: Understanding the genetic diversity of crops is of fundamental importance for the efficient use and improvement of germplasm resources. Different molecular genotyping systems have been implemented for population structure and phylogenetic relationships analyses, among which, microsatellites (SSRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers have been the most widely used. This study reports the efficacy of SNPs detected via double-digest restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) and SSRs analyzed via capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high-resolution melting (HRM) in tomato.

Self-DNA in Affects the Production of Specific Metabolites: Evidence from LC-MS and Chemometric Studies.

The worm , with its short lifecycle and well-known genetic and metabolic pathways, stands as an exemplary model organism for biological research. Its simplicity and genetic tractability make it an ideal system for investigating the effects of different conditions on its metabolism. The chemical analysis of this nematode was performed to identify specific metabolites produced by the worms when fed with either self- or nonself-DNA.

Growth, Ecophysiological Responses, and Leaf Mineral Composition of Lettuce and Curly Endive in Hydroponic and Aquaponic Systems.

Against the backdrop of climate change, soil loss, and water scarcity, sustainable food production is a pivotal challenge for humanity. As the global population grows and urbanization intensifies, innovative agricultural methods are crucial to meet rising food demand, while mitigating environmental degradation. Hydroponic and aquaponic systems, has emerged as one of these solutions by minimizing land use, reducing water consumption, and enabling year-round crop production in urban areas.

First report of citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) on citrus in Italy.

In March 2024, symptoms of vein clearing (Fig. S1) were observed on leaves of six lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm.

Exploring CDF gene family in wild potato under salinity stress unveils promising candidates for developing climate-resilient crops.

The DNA-binding with one finger (Dof) gene family is a class of plant-specific transcription factors involved in diverse biological processes, including response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Members of this family have been reported in the cultivated potato Solanum tuberosum, but clues to the roles of several Dof genes are still lacking. Potato wild relatives represent a genetic reservoir for breeding as they could provide useful alleles for adaptation to the environment and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Optimizing nitrogen fertilization in maize: the impact of nitrification inhibitors, phosphorus application, and microbial interactions on enhancing nutrient efficiency and crop performance.

Despite the essential role of nitrogen fertilizers in achieving high crop yields, current application practices often exhibit low efficiency. Optimizing nitrogen (N) fertilization in agriculture is, therefore, critical for enhancing crop productivity while ensuring sustainable food production. This study investigates the effects of nitrification inhibitors (Nis) such as Dimethyl Pyrazole Phosphate (DMPP) and Dimethyl Pyrazole Fulvic Acid (DMPFA), plant growth-promoting bacteria inoculation, and phosphorus (P) application on the soil-plant-microbe system in maize.

The Effect of Including Sea Buckthorn Berry By-Products on White Chocolate Quality and Bioactive Characteristics under a Circular Economy Context.

The by-products of the extraction of sea buckthorn ( L.) concentrated juice may represent a functional food ingredient for white chocolate production, as a rich source of bioactive compounds. The effects of six treatments derived from the factorial combination of two types of by-products (with oil or without oil) and three different concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%), were assessed on rheological, quality, colour, antioxidant, and mineral properties of chocolate.

Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Dual FXR-LIFR Modulators for the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis.

Although multiple approaches have been suggested, treating mild-to-severe fibrosis in the context of metabolic dysfunction associated with liver disease (MASLD) remains a challenging area in drug discovery. Pathogenesis of liver fibrosis is multifactorial, and pathogenic mechanisms are deeply intertwined; thus, it is well accepted that future treatment requires the development of multitarget modulators. Harnessing the 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazole scaffold, previously described as a key moiety in Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonism, herein we report the discovery of a novel class of hybrid molecules endowed with dual activity toward FXR and the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR).