Evaluation of Self-Regulating Doped Ferrite Nanoparticles with Glucose, Chitosan, and Poly-Ethylene Glycol Coatings for Hyperthermia and Dual Imaging.

Purpose: This study investigates the theranostic potential of doped ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) with self-regulating temperature (SRT) properties, termed M55, coated with glucose (GM55), chitosan (CM55), and poly-ethylene glycol (PM55). The NPs were assessed for their physicochemical attributes, magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) efficacy, dual-imaging capabilities in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI), cytocompatibility, and cellular uptake.

Methods: Physicochemical characterization was conducted using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential measurements.

Temozolomide-loaded bacterial magnetosomes improve targeted therapy for brain tumors.

Novel active-targeting nano-therapeutic, Temozolomide-loaded magnetosomes conjugate has been developed to address the challenges of high metastatic rates and recurrence of tumors due to tumor circulating cells. Temozolomide-loaded magnetosomes as drug conjugate were characterized through a scanning electron microscope, Zeta-sizer, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The anti-tumor activity was studied in vitro (Cell viability, Cell proliferation, and flow cytometry) and in vivo (Xenograft tumor model).

Atomistic Insights into Solid-State Phase Transition Mechanisms of P2-Type Layered Mn Oxides for High-Energy Na-Ion Battery Cathodes.

Mn-based layered oxides hold great promise as high-energy, cost-effective cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (NIBs), but repetitive Na cycling induces harmful phase transitions. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for designing better performing NIB cathodes. Applying density functional theory (DFT) and variable cell-nudged elastic band (VC-NEB) calculations, we provide atomistic insights into phase transformation pathways and energy barriers in P2-Na MnO material and its Ni-doped variant.

On the role of bacterial gut microbiota from supralittoral amphipod Talitrus saltator (Montagu, 1808) in bioplastic degradation.

Despite the promise of a reduced environmental impact, bioplastics are subjected to dispersion and accumulation similarly to traditional plastics, especially in marine and coastal environments. The environmental impact of bioplastics is attracting increasing attention due to the growing market demand. The ability of the supralittoral amphipod Talitrus saltator to ingest and survive on pristine starch-based bioplastic has already been assessed.

Cellulose Nanocrystals and Rice Husk Surface Functionalization Induced by Infrared Thermal Activation.

Infrared thermal activation (IRTA) is considered an efficient approach to accelerate reaction rates. The manuscript reports the first example of application of IRTA to achieve surface functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) under solvent-less conditions with epoxidized linoleic acid (ELA), synthesized by enzymatic approach using CaLB (lipase B from Candida antarctica) and HO. The final goal is to enhance the hydrophobicity of cellulosic surfaces of bio-based materials, with potential application in the coating industry.

Photomechanochemistry: harnessing mechanical forces to enhance photochemical reactions.

Photomechanochemistry, i.e., the merger of light energy and mechanical forces, is emerging as a new trend in organic synthesis, enabling unique reactivities of fleeting excited states under solvent-minimized conditions.

Exploring the potential effects of IMTA on water column seston through intensive short-time cycles approach.

Short-time cycles of the water column can reflect undetectable changes in seasonal cycles, providing a high temporal resolution for quantifying seston availability. Here, trends in seston quantity and quality were investigated through intensive temporal cycle assessments at an IMTA site and a nearby fish farm facility (control site) during two different periods of the year (July 2021 and March 2022).Chlorophyll-a values (max 10.

Identifying G-quadruplex-interacting proteins in cancer-related gene promoters.

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are noncanonical DNA or RNA secondary structures involved in numerous biological processes. Their recognition by G4-related proteins (G4RPs) is essential for modulating biological pathways, particularly those associated with transcription and cancer progression. Identifying G4RPs is crucial for understanding their role in diseases like cancer, as these proteins may represent promising therapeutic targets.

Constitutive systemic inflammation in Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome.

Background And Purpose: Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS) is an autosomal recessive disease belonging to the inherited bone marrow failure syndromes and characterized by hypocellular bone marrow, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and skeletal abnormalities. SDS is associated with increased risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and/or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although SDS is not primarily considered an inflammatory disorder, some of the associated conditions (e.

Chemical Composition and Synergistic Antimicrobial Effects of Essential Oils From Four Commonly Used Satureja Species in Combination With Two Conventional Antibiotics.

The chemical composition and the antimicrobial potency of four Satureja essential oils (EOs), and their synergism with two antimicrobials have been investigated. Gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry analysis showed that S. alpina EO was predominated by pulegone (88.

Long-Term Variability in the Content of Some Metals and Metalloids in Flowers: A Four-Year Study Using ICP OES and PCA Analysis.

This study investigates the content of some metals and metalloids in the flowers of three cultivars (AHP, pure species, with white flowers; AHH, hybrid species, with pink flowers; and AXC, , with red flowers) over a four-year period (2016-2019) using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and principal component analysis (PCA). The research focuses on assessing macro- and micro-elemental compositions, identifying variations in mineral uptake, and exploring potential correlations with soil composition. Results highlight significant differences in elemental profiles among the three species, despite similar total ash content.

Mineral Composition Analysis of Red Horse-Chestnut () Seeds and Hydroalcoholic Crude Extract Using ICP OES.

This study presents findings on the metal and metalloid composition of red horse-chestnut ( × , ) seeds, determined by the ICP OES technique. Samples were collected from five AXC plants located in Modena (Italy) over four consecutive years (2016-2019). The seeds underwent proximate analysis, which included measurements of moisture content, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, ash, and elemental composition.

Nanostructured Chromium PVD Thin Films Fabricated Through Copper-Chromium Selective Dissolution.

This study investigates the fabrication of nanostructured chromium thin films via selective dissolution of PVD-deposited Cu-Cr thin films. The effects of the deposition parameters on the structural, chemical, and morphological properties of the films are systematically analyzed. Starting from a thin film composed of 50 wt.

Waste cooking oils as a sustainable feedstock for bio-based application: A systematic review.

Waste cooking oils (WCOs) are common wastes and promising green, eco-friendly and sustainable feedstocks for bio-based applications. While the primary valorisation strategy revolves around the concept of waste-to energy, new research trends have emerged in the last decade. This systematic review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the art in the conversion of WCOs into bio-based molecules.

Potential of the Nano-Encapsulation of Antioxidant Molecules in Wound Healing Applications: An Innovative Strategy to Enhance the Bio-Profile.

Naturally available antioxidants offer remarkable medicinal applications in wound healing. However, the encapsulation of these phytoactive moieties into suitable nano-scale drug delivery systems has always been challenging due to their inherent characteristics, such as low molecular weight, poor aqueous solubility, and inadequate skin permeability. Here, we provide a systematic review focusing on the major obstacles hindering the development of various lipid and polymer-based drug transporters to carry these cargos to the targeted site.

Tuning the Compatibilizer Content and Healing Temperature in Thermally Mendable Polyamide 6/Cyclic Olefin Copolymer Blends.

This study presents the formulation and comprehensive characterization of compatibilized polyamide 6 (PA6)/cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) blends with the aim of developing a self-healing matrix for thermoplastic structural composites. Rheological analysis highlighted the compatibilizing effect of ethylene glycidyl methacrylate (E-GMA), as evidenced by an increase in viscosity, melt strength (MS), and breaking stretching ratio (BSR), thus improving the processability during film extrusion. E-GMA also decreased COC domain size and improved the interfacial interaction with PA6, which was at the basis of a higher tensile strength and strain at break compared to neat PA6/COC blends.

Programmed Fabrication of Vesicle-Based Prototissue Fibers with Modular Functionalities.

Multicellular organisms have hierarchical structures where multiple cells collectively form tissues with complex 3D architectures and exhibit higher-order functions. Inspired by this, to date, multiple protocell models have been assembled to form tissue-like structures termed prototissues. Despite recent advances in this research area, the programmed assembly of protocells into prototissue fibers with emergent functions still represents a significant challenge.

Protein structure and interactions elucidated with in-cell NMR for different cell cycle phases and in 3D human tissue models.

Most of our knowledge of protein structure and function originates from experiments performed with purified proteins resuspended in dilute, buffered solutions. However, most proteins function in crowded intracellular environments with complex compositions. Significant efforts have been made to develop tools to study proteins in their native cellular settings.

Polyploidization-driven transcriptomic dynamics in Medicago sativa neotetraploids: mRNA, smRNA and allele-specific gene expression.

Whole genome duplication (WGD) is a powerful evolutionary mechanism in plants. Autopolyploids have been comparatively less studied than allopolyploids, with sexual autopolyploidization receiving even less attention. In this work, we studied the transcriptomes of neotetraploids (2n = 4x = 32) obtained by crossing two diploid (2n = 2x = 16) plants of Medicago sativa that produce a significant percentage of either 2n eggs or pollen.

IL-17 family members exert an autocrine pro-inflammatory loop in CF respiratory epithelial cells ex vivo.

Background: Lungs of people with Cystic Fibrosis (pwCF) are characterized by chronic inflammation and infection with P. aeruginosa. High levels of IL-17 A and F have been observed in sputum of pwCF and the interleukin-17(IL-17) family (A-to-F) has been suggested to play a key role in CF pulmonary disease.

Epigallocatechin 3-gallate-induced neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases: molecular mechanisms and clinical insights.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are caused by progressive neuronal death and cognitive decline. Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenolic molecule in green tea as a neuroprotective agent. This review evaluates the therapeutic effects of EGCG and explores the molecular mechanisms that show its neuroprotective properties.

Correction: Hallan et al. Challenges in the Physical Characterization of Lipid Nanoparticles. 2021, , 549.

In the original publication [...

Chess-like Pieces Realized by Selective Laser Sintering of PA12 Powder: 3D Printing and Micro-Tomographic Assessment.

The paper highlights the realization of 3D-printed parts with complex geometries, such as chess-like pieces, using polyamide 12 (PA12) as polymeric powder via selective laser sintering (SLS). The research activity focuses on the study of the powder printability, the optimization of the printing parameters, and the tomographic evaluation of the printed objects. Morphological analyses were carried out to study the PA12 powder microstructure considering that SLS required specific particle size distribution and shape, able to guarantee a good flowability necessary to take part in a sintering process.

Cationic liposomes as carriers of natural compounds from plant extract.

Lipid-based nanocarriers provide versatile platforms for the encapsulation and delivery of many different bioactive compounds to improve the solubility, stability and therapeutic efficacy of bioactive phyto-compounds. In this study, liposomes were used to load leaf extract of Coffea Arabica, which is known to be rich beneficial substances such as alkaloids, flavonoids, etc. The aim of this work is to optimize the valorization of agricultural wastes containing natural antioxidants.

Effects of the Interaction of Salinity and Rare Earth Elements on the Health of : The Case of Praseodymium and Europium.

The growing use of products containing rare earth elements (REEs) may lead to higher environmental emissions of these elements, which can potentially enter aquatic systems. Praseodymium (Pr) and europium (Eu) are widely used REEs with various applications. However, their ecotoxicological impacts remain largely unexplored, with poorly understood risks to wildlife.