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Copper-doped antimony selenide (Cu-doped Sb 2 Se 3 ) thin films were deposited as absorber layers in photovoltaic solar cells using the low-temperature pulsed electron deposition (LT-PED) technique, starting from Sb 2 Se 3 targets where part of the Sb was replaced with Cu. From a crystalline point of view, the best results were achieved for thin films with about Sb 1.75 Cu 0.25 Se 3 composition. In order to compare the results with those previously obtained on undoped thin films, Cu-doped Sb 2 Se 3 films were deposited both on Mo- and Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) substrates, which have different influences on the film crystallization and grain orientation. From the current-voltage analysis it was determined that the introduction of Cu in the Sb 2 Se 3 absorber enhanced the open circuit voltage (V OC ) up to remarkable values higher than 500 mV, while the free carrier density became two orders of magnitude higher than in pure Sb 2 Se 3 -based solar cells. more...

Background: Poisoning from pesticides can be extremely hazardous for non-invasive species, such as bees, and humans causing nearly 300,000 deaths worldwide every year. Several pesticides are recognized as endocrine disruptors compounds that alter the production of the normal hormones mainly by acting through their interaction with nuclear receptors (NRs). Among the insecticides, one of the most used is pyriproxyfen. As analogous to the juvenile hormone, the pyriproxyfen acts in the bee's larval growth and creates malformations at the adult organism level., Methods: This work aims to investigate the possible negative effects of pyriproxyfen and its metabolite, the 4'-OH-pyriproxyfen, on human and bee health. We particularly investigated the mechanism of binding of pyriproxyfen and its metabolite with ultraspiracle protein/ecdysone receptor (USP-EcR) dimer of A. mellifera and the relative heterodimer farnesoid X receptor/retinoid X receptor alpha (FXR-RXRα) of H. sapiens using molecular dynamic simulations., Results: The results revealed that pyriproxyfen and its metabolite, the 4'-OH- pyriproxyfen, stabilize each dimer and resulted in stronger binders than the natural ligands., Conclusion: We demonstrated the endocrine interference of two pesticides and explained their possible mechanism of action. Furthermore, in vitro studies should be carried out to evaluate the biological effects of pyriproxyfen and its metabolite. more...

Endothelial dysfunction is an early event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and represents the first step in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The evaluation of endothelial health is fundamental in clinical practice and several direct and indirect markers have been suggested so far to identify any alterations in endothelial homeostasis. Alongside the known endothelial role on vascular health, several pieces of evidence have demonstrated that proper endothelial functioning plays a key role in human fertility and reproduction. Therefore, this state-of-the-art review updates the endothelial health markers discriminating between those available for clinical practice or for research purposes and their application in human fertility. Moreover, new molecules potentially helpful to clarify the link between endothelial and reproductive health are evaluated herein. more...

Several studies have demonstrated that polyphenol-enriched diets may have beneficial effects against the development of degenerative diseases, including atherosclerosis and disorders affecting the central nervous system. This activity has been associated not only with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but also with additional mechanisms, such as the modulation of lipid metabolism and gut microbiota function. However, long-term studies on humans provided controversial results, making the prediction of polyphenol impact on health uncertain. The aim of this review is to provide an overview and critical analysis of the literature related to the effects of the principal dietary polyphenols on cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. We critically considered and meta-analyzed randomized controlled clinical trials involving subjects taking polyphenol-based supplements. Although some polyphenols might improve specific markers of cardiovascular risk and cognitive status, many inconsistent data are present in literature. Therefore, definitive recommendations for the use of these compounds in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline are currently not applicable. Once pivotal aspects for the definition of polyphenol bioactivity, such as the characterization of pharmacokinetics and safety, are addressed, it will be possible to have a clear picture of the realistic potential of polyphenols for disease prevention. more...