Engineered Multifunctional Albumin‐Decorated Porous Silicon Nanoparticles for FcRn Translocation of Insulin

The last decade has seen remarkable advances in the development of drug delivery systems as alternative to parenteral injection‐based delivery of insulin. Neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)‐mediated transcytosis has been recently proposed as a strategy to increase the transport of drugs across the intestinal epithelium. FcRn‐targeted nanoparticles (NPs) could hijack the FcRn transcytotic pathway and cross the epithelial cell layer. In this study, a novel nanoparticulate system for insulin delivery based on porous silicon NPs is proposed. After surface conjugation with albumin and loading with insulin, the NPs are encapsulated into a pH‐responsive polymeric particle by nanoprecipitation. The developed NP formulation shows controlled size and homogeneous size distribution. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show successful encapsulation of the NPs into pH‐sensitive polymeric particles. No insulin release is detected at acidic conditions, but a controlled release profile is observed at intestinal pH. Toxicity studies show high compatibility of the NPs with intestinal cells. In vitro insulin permeation across the intestinal epithelium shows approximately fivefold increase when insulin is loaded into FcRn‐targeted NPs. Overall, these FcRn‐targeted NPs offer a toolbox in the development of targeted therapies for oral delivery of insulin.     

Live‐Cell Imaging with Water‐Soluble Aminophenoxazinone Dyes Synthesised through Laccase Biocatalysis

Aminophenoxazinone dyes with variable water solubilities were assayed for the first time in a live‐cell imaging application. Among a library of ten sulfonylated chromophores, one compound gave excellent results as an endocytic marker, showing a precise subcellular distribution. The compound was compared to four commercial vital tracers, including Lucifer Yellow. The first laccase‐mediated regioselective synthesis of a diphosphorylated 2‐aminophenoxazinone dye was also described. This compound, water‐soluble at 10^?2 M , displayed modest fluorescence properties and the ability to complex Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ cations, therefore giving fluorescence quenching.     

Proteins from extremophiles as stable tools for advanced biotechnological applications of high social interest

Extremophiles are micro-organisms adapted to survive in ecological niches defined as 'extreme' for humans and characterized by the presence of adverse environmental conditions, such as high or low temperatures, extreme values of pH, high salt concentrations or high pressure. Biomolecules isolated from extremophiles possess extraordinary properties and, in particular, proteins isolated from extremophiles represent unique biomolecules that function under severe conditions, comparable to those prevailing in various industrial processes. In this article, we will review some examples of recent applications of thermophilic proteins for the development of a new class of fluorescence non-consuming substrate biosensors for monitoring the levels of two analytes of high social interest, such as glucose and sodium.     

Effect of standard rest periods on apnea and weight gain in preterm infants

This study determined the effect of modifying a single aspect of the intermediate care environment on the incidence of apnea and rate of weight gain in convalescent preterm infants. Twenty-two preterm infants were assigned to experimental and control groups using a randomized, matched-pair design. Over a three-week period, infants in the experimental group were provided a 1 1/2-hour nap period four times a day during which their beds were covered and they were left undisturbed. Control infants received standard nursing care. The infants in the experimental group had more apnea at the start of the study than the control infants but showed a significantly more rapid decline in the incidence of apnea. These infants also gained significantly more weight per day than the control infants. Thus, a simple modification of nursing care that involved minimal increases in nursing time had a beneficial effect on preterm infants.     

X-band technology applications at FERMI@Elettra FEL project

The current activities and future perspectives involving the use of X-band technology at the Elettra Laboratory are presented. These are mainly related to the development of the FERMI@Elettra FEL project, a fourth generation light source facility, now under commissioning in Trieste. The facility, based on a seed scheme, requires sub-ps electron bunches (∼1 kA), with very high optical qualities, at the entrance of the undulator chain. This is achieved by compressing the beam with two magnetic chicanes.A large effort has been undertaken to develop an X-band accelerating structure, to be installed downstream the first bunch compressor, before the magnetic chicane. In addition, we are also evaluating the possibility of extending the FERMI FEL wavelength capabilities beyond the foreseen limit of 4 nm, by increasing the linac energy from 1.5 GeV to 2.4-2.5 GeV, using the X-band technology.     

Relevant thermalhydraulic aspects of new generation LWRs

The present paper deals with the evaluation of thermalhydraulic aspects retained of importance for the assessment of safety of the new generation nuclear plants.Following a survey of the reactor concepts proposed for the future, the attention will be focused toward SBWR, AP-600 and PIUS whose characteristics, under many respects, bound the features introduced in the largest part of the new reactors.Expected relevant phenomena typical of the mentioned plants will be discussed in the paper: on this basis a critical overview of the experimental activities planned or in progress is presented and a judgement about the suitability of available computer codes is formulated.Conclusions are drawn in relation to the assessment of the new design proposals from a thermalhydraulic point of view.     

Physical properties of straw lignin-based polymer blends

Lignin powder, obtained from an abundant and low cost source, straw, through a low environmental impact process, the steam explosion, is used for the preparation of blends with low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and atactic polystyrene (PS).The obtained blends are processable through the conventional techniques used for thermoplastics; the modulus slightly increases for most lignin-polymer blends, while the tensile stress and elongation reduce. Moreover, lignin acts as a stabilzer against the UV radiation for PS, LDPE and LLDPE.