Plasma deposition processes from acrylic/methane on natural fibres to control the kinetic release of lysozyme from PVOH monolayer film

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol films incorporated with lysozyme, as active compound, and natural fibres were investigated. Various composite systems were developed to control the release of lysozyme from the matrix by using different surface treatments of the natural fibres. Specifically, the plasma enhanced-chemical vapour deposition of acrylic acid and diamond-like coating on spelt bran powders, in a particular home-made rotating plasma reactor, were studied. Moreover, a mathematical model able to describe the release kinetics of the active compound from the polyvinyl alcohol film into water was presented. To validate the model the release kinetic of lysozyme were determined. The model was successfully used to fit the above experimental data, corroborating the validity of the hypothesis made to derive it. Results showed that the incorporation of treated natural fibres to the polymeric matrix allows to obtaining a decrease of the lysozyme diffusion coefficient up to 73.5% compared to active film without fibre.     

Noble metal (Pd, Ru, Rh, Pt, Au, Ag) doped graphene hybrids for electrocatalysis

Metal decorated graphene materials are highly important for catalysis. In this work, noble metal doped-graphene hybrids were prepared by a simple and scalable method. The thermal reductions of metal doped-graphite oxide precursors were carried out in nitrogen and hydrogen atmospheres and the effects of these atmospheres as well as the metal components on the characteristics and catalytic capabilities of the hybrid materials were studied. The hybrids exfoliated in nitrogen atmosphere contained a higher amount of oxygen-containing groups and lower density of defects on their surfaces than hybrids exfoliated in hydrogen atmosphere. The metals significantly affected the electrochemical behavior and catalysis of compounds that are important in energy production and storage and in electrochemical sensing. Research in the field of energy storage and production, electrochemical sensing and biosensing as well as biomedical devices can take advantage of the properties and catalytic capabilities of the metal doped graphene hybrids.     

Production technology and provenance study of archaeological ceramics from relevant sites in the Alcantara River Valley (North-eastern Sicily,Italy)

In this paper, volcanic-rich ceramic remains from the archaeological sites of Francavilla, Naxos and Taormina (Province of Messina, North-eastern Sicily) were studied by using inclusions as main provenance marker. Technological features, such as temper choice, vitrification degree and firing temperatures, were investigated by polarizing microscopy, X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Information on the production centres was obtained through the identification of the source area of raw materials used as temper. Indeed, petrochemical analysis of the volcanic inclusions within the examined ceramics displayed strong affinities with structures/textures and compositions of the locally outcropping mugearitic products, probably ascribed to the eruptive activity of an eccentric vent of Mt. Etna (Mt. Mojo). A local production for the studied pottery samples has been therefore advanced, assuming that the used volcanic temper was easily available from the alluvial deposits along the Alcantara River stream, which is connected to the lava flow of Mt. Mojo.     

Short-Term Strength Exercise Reduces Hepatic Insulin Resistance in Obese Mice by Reducing PTP1B Content,Regardless of Changes in Body Weight

Obesity is closely related to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes genesis. The liver is a key organ to glucose homeostasis since insulin resistance in this organ increases hepatic glucose production (HGP) and fasting hyperglycemia. The protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) may dephosphorylate the IR and IRS, contributing to insulin resistance in this organ. Aerobic exercise is a great strategy to increase insulin action in the liver by reducing the PTP1B content. In contrast, no study has shown the direct effects of strength training on the hepatic metabolism of PTP1B. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of short-term strength exercise (STSE) on hepatic insulin sensitivity and PTP1B content in obese mice, regardless of body weight change. To achieve this goal, obese Swiss mice were submitted to a strength exercise protocol lasting 15 days. The results showed that STSE increased Akt phosphorylation in the liver and enhanced the control of HGP during the pyruvate tolerance test. Furthermore, sedentary obese animals increased PTP1B content and decreased IRS-1/2 tyrosine phosphorylation; however, STSE was able to reverse this scenario. Therefore, we conclude that STSE is an important strategy to improve the hepatic insulin sensitivity and HGP by reducing the PTP1B content in the liver of obese mice, regardless of changes in body weight.     

The azo dye Disperse Orange 1 induces DNA damage and cytotoxic effects but does not cause ecotoxic effects in Daphnia similis and Vibrio fischeri

Azo dyes constitute the largest group of colorants used in industry and can pass through municipal waste water plants nearly unchanged due to their resistance to aerobic treatment, which potentially exposes humans and local biota to adverse effects. Unfortunately, little is known about their environmental fate. Under anaerobic conditions, some azo dyes are cleaved by microorganisms forming potentially carcinogenic aromatic amines. In the present study, the azo dye Disperse Orange 1, widely used in textile dyeing, was tested using the comet, Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity, cell viability, Daphnia similis and Microtox^® assays. The human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) was used in the comet assay and for cell viability. In the mutagenicity assay, Salmonella typhimurium strains with different levels of nitroreductase and o-acetyltransferase were used. The dye showed genotoxic effects with respect to HepG2 cells at concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 μg/mL. In the mutagenicity assay, greater responses were obtained with the strains TA98 and YG1041, suggesting that this compound mainly induces frameshift mutations. Moreover, the mutagenicity was greatly enhanced with the strains overproducing nitroreductase and o-acetyltransferase, showing the importance of these enzymes in the mutagenicity of this dye. In addition, the compound induced apoptosis after 72 h in contact with the HepG2 cells. No toxic effects were observed for either D. similis or Vibrio fischeri.     

High photoluminescent metal-organic frameworks as optical markers for the identification of gunshot residues

Gunshot residue (GSR) are solid particles produced when a firearm is discharged, and its detection is important evidence in forensic investigations. Currently, scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) is the standard technique adopted for the analysis and identification of GSR; however, this methodology is inefficient for lead-free ammunition. Herein, we report the inclusion of high photoluminescent metal-organic frameworks in ammunition to allow for the visual detection of GSR. The tests indicated that marked GSR is easily visible in proportions above 5.0 wt %. A total of 1 g of marker suffices to tag 100 0.38 mm bullets or 62 0.40 mm bullets.     

Morning versus afternoon cutting time of Berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) affects feed intake, milk yield and composition in Girgentana goats

Twenty lactating Girgentana goats were used to evaluate the effect of morning v. afternoon cutting time of Berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) on feed intake, milk yield and milk composition. Goats were randomly divided into two groups of ten animals, receiving 10 kg of fresh Berseem clover cut at 9.00 (AM group) or 16.00 (PM group), respectively; 500 g of concentrate was given individually to goats before offering forage. Feed intake increased (P<0·01) in the PM group (30·5 v. 25·3 g dry matter/kg body weight), associated with the different nutrient content of diets: lower crude protein but higher dry matter, neutral detergent fibre, water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and total fatty acids in the PM-harvested forage. Milk production, protein and casein content were higher (P<0·05) in the PM group (1415 g/d, 3·25% and 2·42% v. 1277 g/d, 3·15% and 2·33%, respectively), whereas no differences between groups were detected for milk fat, lactose or urea content. Body weight slowly decreased from the start to the end of the experiment, without differences between groups. This study showed an important milk yield responses in Girgentana goats offered afternoon-cut compared with morning-cut Berseem clover, due to a marked increase in WSC in the afternoon-cut forage.