Explore the vast range of titles available.

In recent years, the presence of numerous xenobiotic substances, such as antibiotics, has been detected in water environments. They can be considered as environmental contaminants, even if their effect on human health has yet to be totally understood. Several approaches have been studied for the removal of these kinds of pollutants. Among these compounds, tetracycline (TC), a broad-spectrum antibiotic, is one of the most commonly found in water due to its widespread use. In the context of reducing the presence of TC in aqueous solution, in this contribution, a composite catalyst based on zinc oxide (ZnO) and iron oxide (γ-Fe2O3) was developed and its photocatalytic properties were investigated. The catalytic materials were synthesized by a microwave-assisted aqueous solution method and characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Brunauer−Emmett−Teller (BET) analysis. The TC concentration was evaluated by spectrophotometer measurements at specific time intervals. The performed photocatalytic experiments clearly demonstrated that the ZnO/γ-Fe2O3 composite catalyst presents significant photocatalytic activity, indeed a TC degradation efficiency of 88.52% was registered after 150 min. The presence of iron oxide in the structure of the catalyst enhances both the surface area and the pore volume, facilitating the adsorption of the analyte on the surface of nanostructures, a fundamental phase to optimize a photodegradation process. Moreover, ZnO was found to play the key role in the photocatalytic process assisted by γ-Fe2O3 which enhanced the TC degradation efficiency by 20%.

Carbonaceous aerosols represent a significant component of atmospheric aerosol, with implications for climate and human health. The recent EU Directive 2024/2881 highlights the need to monitor emerging pollutants like black carbon more effectively. This study presents an brief field campaign at an urban background site aimed at characterizing carbonaceous aerosols. Daily samples of PM10 and PM2.5 were analyzed using a Sunset thermal-optical analyzer to determine organic and elemental carbon (OC, EC), while real-time equivalent black carbon (eBC) was measured with three independent instruments: MAAP, AE33, and Giano BC1. Total carbon (TC) was monitored using an online TCA08 thermo-catalytic analyzer. The average concentration of PM10 was 17.1 µg/m3 and 10.4 µg/m3 for PM2.5. On average, OC and EC represented 16.5% and 3.6% of PM10 mass, and 22.6% and 5.5% of PM2.5. SOC accounted for 36% of OC. The in situ Mass Absorption Cross-section (MAC), recalculated for the ECO site, was between 8.0 and 12.2 m2/g. eBC concentrations were modulated by the daily evolution of the planetary boundary-layer height and combustion sources. The apportionment of eBC was 65% from fossil fuel and 35% from biomass burning. Biomass-burning emissions were further confirmed by optical measurements, with BrC contributing 35% of absorption at 370 nm.

Cellulose nanomaterials have been widely investigated in the last decade, unveiling attractive properties for emerging applications. The ability of sulfated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to guide the supramolecular organization of amphiphilic fullerene derivatives at the air/water interface has been recently highlighted. Here, we further investigated the assembly of Langmuir hybrid films that are based on the electrostatic interaction between cationic fulleropyrrolidines deposited at the air/water interface and anionic CNCs dispersed in the subphase, assessing the influence of additional negatively charged species that are dissolved in the water phase. By means of isotherm acquisition and spectroscopic measurements, we demonstrated that a tetra-sulfonated porphyrin, which was introduced in the subphase as anionic competitor, strongly inhibited the binding of CNCs to the floating fullerene layer. Nevertheless, despite the strong inhibition by anionic molecules, the mutual interaction between fulleropyrrolidines at the interface and the CNCs led to the assembly of robust hybrid films, which could be efficiently transferred onto solid substrates. Interestingly, ITO-electrodes that were modified with five-layer hybrid films exhibited enhanced electrical capacitance and produced anodic photocurrents at 0.4 V vs Ag/AgCl, whose intensity (230 nA/cm2) proved to be four times higher than the one that was observed with the sole fullerene derivative (60 nA/cm2).

In this paper, industrial dyes, Disperse Red and Disperse Orange, were studied as model pollutants to show the excellent performance of olive pomace (OP) in sequestering and recovering these dangerous dyes from wastewater. The nature of interactions involved between dyes and OP were inferred by changing several parameters: contact time, pomace dosage, pH and temperature values. Visible spectroscopy was mainly used to obtain the percentage of the removed dyes, while SEM (scanning electron microscopy), FTIR-ATR (Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy in total attenuated reflectance), TG (thermo gravimetric) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) analyses were used to carefully investigate the systems. The recovery of dyes was also obtained using glacial acetic acid, the auxiliary solvent used during the dyeing processes, enabling the recycling of both of the adsorbent material and dyes presenting a green and a wide-ranging strategic approach.

The removal of contaminants from wastewater, which are produced by human activities, and the development of new means of renewable energy production are the main issues that need to be addressed to solve environmental problems [...]

Since several years the inclusion of organic compounds (guests) within the hydrophobic cavity (host) of cyclodextrins (CDs) has been the subject of many investigations. Interestingly, the formation of inclusion complexes could affect the properties of the guest molecules and, for example, the influence of the delivery system can be a method to improve/change the photochemical behavior of the guest. In particular, very recent studies have shown the protective role of CDs preventing the degradation of the encapsulated guest. Starting from this consideration, in this work, only the structure and complexation mode of the inclusion complexes involving 4-thiothymidine (S 4 TdR, a known photosensitizer) and five CDs, namely 2-hydroxypropyl-α-cyclodextrin (2-HP-α-CD), 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2-HP-β-CD), 2-hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (2-HP-γ-CD), heptakis-(2,6-di- O -methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DIMEB CD) and heptakis-(2,3,6-tri- O -methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (TRIMEB CD) were investigated by different spectroscopic techniques (UV–vis, FTIR–ATR, 1 H NMR) and cyclic voltammetry analysis (CV). This work is necessary for a prospective research on the photoreactivity of S 4 TdR in aqueous environment and in the presence of CDs to prevent its degradation under irradiation. UV–vis, FTIR–ATR and CV measurements suggested the formation of supramolecular structures involving the employed CDs and mainly the pyrimidine ring of S 4 TdR. 1 H NMR analyses confirmed such indication, unveiling the presence of inclusion complexes. The strongest and deepest interactions were suggested when TRIMEB and DIMEB CDs were studied. The S 4 TdR affinity towards CDs was also evaluated by using the Benesi–Hildebrand (B–H) equation at 25 °C employing CV and 1 H NMR methods. The stoichiometry of the interaction was also inferred and it appears to be 1:1 for all examined CDs.

Melanoma is an aggressive cancer with rising incidence and high mortality rates, largely due to chemotherapy resistance and molecular dysregulation. Nanotechnology, particularly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), has emerged as a promising therapeutic avenue because of the nanoparticles’ ability to induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in cancer cells. However, conventional colloidal AgNPs lack selectivity, often causing significant damage to healthy cells. In this study, we introduce a green synthesis of AgNPs using plant extracts, providing an eco-friendly alternative with improved antitumor selectivity compared to traditional colloidal AgNPs. Leveraging label-free Data-Independent Acquisition/Sequential Window Acquisition of All Theoretical Mass Spectrometry (DIA/SWATH MS) quantitative proteomics, we investigated the antitumor effects of green-synthesized versus traditional AgNPs on A375 melanoma cells at 24 and 48 h. Our findings reveal that green AgNPs selectively reduced melanoma cell viability while sparing healthy keratinocytes (HaCaT), a benefit not observed with colloidal AgNPs. Proteomic analysis highlighted that green AgNPs significantly downregulated oncogenes, enhanced carbohydrate metabolism, and disrupted copper homeostasis in melanoma cells. This marks the first study to explore the differential effects of green and traditional AgNPs on melanoma using an integrated proteomic approach, underscoring the molecular potential of green AgNPs as a targeted and sustainable option for cancer therapy.

β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) were used to prepare insoluble polymers using epichlorohydrin as a cross-linking agent and the azo dye Direct Red 83:1 was used as target adsorbate. The preliminary study related to adsorbent dosage, pH, agitation or dye concentration allowed us to select the best conditions to carry out the rest of experiments. The kinetics was evaluated by Elovich, pseudo first order, pseudo second order, and intra-particle diffusion models. The results indicated that the pseudo second order model presented the best fit to the experimental data, indicating that chemisorption is controlling the process. The results were also evaluated by Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin isotherms. According to the determination coefficient (R2), Freunlich gave the best results, which indicates that the adsorption process is happening on heterogeneous surfaces. One interesting parameter obtained from Langmuir isotherm is qmax (maximum adsorption capacity). This value was six times higher when a β-CDs-EPI polymer was employed. The cross-linked polymers were fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Also, morphology and particle size distribution were both assessed. Under optimized conditions, the β-CDs-EPI polymer seems to be a useful device for removing Direct Red 83:1 (close 90%), from aqueous solutions and industrial effluents. Complementarily, non-adsorbed dye was photolyzed by a pulsed light driven advanced oxidation process. The proposed methodology is environmental and economically advantageous, considering the point of view of a sustainable recycling economy in the textile dyeing process.

Learning is a multidimensional process resulting from the interaction between cognitive and emotional factors within the learning context; in this respect the quality of the student-teacher relationship plays a significant role. Although the literature suggests that cognitive processes and emotions experienced during learning and task performing play a central role in academic achievement, it remains unclear how these factors interact with socio-affective factors in explaining academic performance, particularly in second language (L2) learning from primary school. This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on the studies that jointly or individually investigated the role of emotional factors (achievement emotions), socio-affective factors (student-teacher relationship) and cognitive factors (working memory) in L2 learning during primary school. Our sample contained 19 primary studies with 5,340 participants involved in at least one of the factors of our interest. 16 out of 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Our results showed a positive correlation between working memory and L2 learning, differentiated effects of achievement emotions, with a significant negative association with anxiety, and a small but positive association with enjoyment. The student-teacher relationship was supported only by qualitative evidence, however, showing a protective effect of emotional closeness to the teacher in the learning process in the presence of negative emotions such as anxiety. Findings support the importance of integrating cognitive, emotional, and relational factors to understand L2 learning in primary school. Further empirical research focusing on positive emotions and relational dynamics in different educational contexts is needed.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent, often fatal and, for lack of specific therapies, can leave survivors with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We characterize the distribution of tubular cells (TC) undergoing polyploidy along AKI by DNA content analysis and single cell RNA-sequencing. Furthermore, we study the functional roles of polyploidization using transgenic models and drug interventions. We identify YAP1-driven TC polyploidization outside the site of injury as a rapid way to sustain residual kidney function early during AKI. This survival mechanism comes at the cost of senescence of polyploid TC promoting interstitial fibrosis and CKD in AKI survivors. However, targeting TC polyploidization after the early AKI phase can prevent AKI-CKD transition without influencing AKI lethality. Senolytic treatment prevents CKD by blocking repeated TC polyploidization cycles. These results revise the current pathophysiological concept of how the kidney responds to acute injury and identify a novel druggable target to improve prognosis in AKI survivors. Acute kidney injury is frequent, often fatal and can leave survivors with chronic kidney disease. Here the authors show that tubular cell polyploidy reduces early fatality sustaining residual function but promotes chronic kidney disease, which can be prevented by blocking YAP1