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Chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol nanofibrous mats loaded with nano-hydroxyapatite and/or curcumin are successfully fabricated by the electrospinning method for the first time. Nano-hydroxyapatite is prepared by the co-precipitation method. The XRD pattern of calcined powder at 700 °C for 2 h reveals the presence of hydroxyapatite as a sole phase. FT-IR confirms its purity. The morphology of the hydroxyapatite is studied by HR-TEM. Nano-hydroxyapatite and curcumin are added at 5 wt% with respect to the polymer weight. XRD, FE-SEM, FT-IR, and HR-TEM are used to characterize the fabricated nanofibrous mats. The results confirm the successful loading of nano-hydroxyapatite and curcumin within the fabricated mats. The in vitro antimicrobial results show that most of mats have significant antimicrobial effects against E. coli and S. aureus . The fabricated matd are biocompatible with fibroblasts and the presence of curcumin increases cell viability. Curcumin release from both CS/PVA/Cur and CS/PVA/HA/Cur nanofiber mats principally follows the Korsmeyer-Peppas and Peppas-Salhin models.

Viola ucriana Erben & Raimondo is a rare and endangered taxon, endemic to a limited area on Mount Pizzuta in northwestern Sicily, Italy. Its population is significantly threatened by anthropogenic activities, including fires, overgrazing, and habitat alterations. Temporary immersion systems (TISs) have proven effective for large-scale propagation in various protected species, offering potential for ex situ conservation and population reinforcement of V. ucriana . This study aimed to establish a bioreactor-based micropropagation protocol for shoot multiplication and compare the efficacy of a TIS with that of conventional solid culture medium (SCM). Three different plant growth regulators (PGRs) were also compared: 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), zeatin, and meta-topolin-9-riboside ( m TR). The starting material originated from seeds collected from mother plants in their natural environment. The best growth outcomes (in terms of shoot multiplication, shoot length, and relative growth rate) were achieved using THE RITA® TIS, with BA (0.2 mg/L) and mTR (0.5 or 0.8 mg/L) outperforming SCM. Anomalous or hyperhydric shoots were observed with all zeatin treatments (especially with 0.8 mg/L) in both the TIS and SCM, suggesting that this cytokinin is unsuitable for V. ucriana biomass production. The rooting phase was significantly improved by transferring propagules onto rockwool cubes fertilized with Hoagland solution. This approach yielded more robust roots in terms of number and length compared to the conventional agar-based medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Flow cytometry analysis confirmed the genetic fidelity of the regenerants from the optimal PGR treatments, showing that all plantlets maintained the diploid ploidy level of their maternal plants. Over 90% of the in vitro derived plantlets were successfully acclimatized to greenhouse conditions. This paper represents the first report of V. ucriana biomass multiplication using a RITA ® bioreactor. The stability of the regenerants, confirmed by nuclei quantification via cytofluorimetry, provides guidance in establishing a true-to-type ex situ population, supporting conservation and future reinforcement efforts.

Objectives: To report the occurrence of the regression of the flow signal from the neovascular network in macular neovascularizations (MNVs), developing in the context of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), treated with faricimab in a treat-and-extend regimen., Methods: Eyes affected by AMD-related MNV and treated with faricimab intravitreal injections in a treat-and-extend (TE) regimen were consecutively retrospectively screened in five specialized retina centers. Changes in neovascular network characteristics during the course of the treatment were analyzed. The availability of high-quality optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) at the beginning of the treatment and at the regression of the MNV was necessary for inclusion. According to greatest linear diameter (GLD) changes during treatment, eyes were divided into three groups: a complete regression (CR) group, a partial remission (PR) group (a reduction of at least 50% of the GLD from baseline to last follow-up), and a stable group (stable/showing a reduction lower than 50% of the GLD from baseline to follow up)., Results: One hundred and ten (110) eyes were included. The CR group was composed of 12 eyes (10.9%), while the PR group represented 60.9% of the study population. CR occurred after a mean of 6.0 ± 1.4 months, ranging from 4 to 8 months. Time to regression was significantly lower in eyes naïve to treatment before the study compared with the others ( p = 0.022). A significantly lower baseline GLD was detected in the CR group (1292.2 ± 195.6 μm) compared with the PR group (1324.6 ± 135.6 μm) and the stable group (1412.5 ± 110.9 μm) (omnibus p = 0.003)., Conclusions: Complete regression of the flow signal from the MNV neovascular network documented with OCTA may occur during TE regimens with faricimab. In treatment-naïve eyes, regression occurs earlier during the treatment.

Dittrichia viscosa is a ruderal plant species growing along roadsides and well adapting to extreme environmental conditions. D. viscosa plant tissues, especially leaves, are known to be a rich source of bioactive metabolites which have antioxidant, cytotoxic, antiproliferative and anticancer properties. Hairy root cultures are a suitable biotechnological system for investigating plant metabolic pathways and producing specialized metabolites in in vitro conditions. In this study, D. viscosa hairy root transformed lines induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC15834 were obtained using leaf explants, and the integration of rolB and rolC genes in the genomes of transformed hairy roots were confirmed by PCR analysis. Three hairy root D. viscosa lines (DvHrT1, DvHrT4 and DvHrT5) having different phenotypic features were characterized in terms of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Correlated with antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid content of DvHrT1 was significantly higher than control roots and the other DvHrT lines. Our results suggest that D. viscosa hairy roots can be a valuable tool for producing various bioactive compounds having antioxidant activity and are to be further investigated to produce other specific molecules that could find application in agricultural or pharmaceutical fields.

Copper is efficient, has a high conductivity (5.8 × 10 7 S/m), and is cost-effective. The use of copper-based catalysts is promising for the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrates. This work aims to grow and characterize copper micro-crystals on Screen-Printed Electrodes (SPEs) for NO 3 - reduction in water. Copper micro-crystals were grown by cyclic voltammetry. Different cycles (2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15) of copper electrodeposition were investigated (potential ranges from -1.0 V to 0.0 V, scan rate of 0.1 V s -1 ). Electrodeposition generated different morphologies of copper crystals on the electrodes, as a function of the number of cycles, with various performances. The presence of numerous edges and defects in the copper micro-crystal structures creates highly reactive active sites, thus favoring nitrate reduction. The manufactured material can be successfully employed for environmental applications.

The discarding of agri-food by-products is a stringent problem due to their high environmental impact. Recovery strategies can lead to a reduction of waste and result in new applications. Agri-food waste represents a source of bioactive molecules, which could promote health benefits. The primary goal of this research has been the assessment of the antioxidant activity of milk permeate, a dairy farm by-product, and the isolation and identification of peptide fractions endowed with antioxidant activity. The chromatographic extraction of the peptide fractions was carried out, and the peptides were identified by mass spectrometry. The fractions showed radical scavenging activity in vitro. Moreover, the results in the Caco-2 cell model demonstrated that the peptide fractions were able to protect from oxidative stress by stimulating the Keap1/Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathway, increasing the transcription of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, the bioactive peptides can affect cellular metabolism, increasing mitochondrial respiration. The action of the peptide fractions was also assessed in vivo on a zebrafish model and resulted in the protection of the whole organism from the adverse effects of acute cold stress, highlighting their strong capability to protect from an oxidative insult. Altogether, the results unveil novel recovery strategies for food by-products as sources of antioxidant bioactive peptides that might be utilized for the development of functional foods.

Recent advancements in nanomedicine and biotechnology have unveiled the remarkable potential of plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) as a novel and promising approach for cancer treatment. These naturally occurring nanoscale particles exhibit exceptional biocompatibility, targeted delivery capabilities, and the capacity to load therapeutic agents, positioning them at the forefront of innovative cancer therapy strategies. PDEVs are distinguished by their unique properties that facilitate tumor targeting and penetration, thereby enhancing the efficacy of drug delivery systems. Their intrinsic biological composition allows for the evasion of the immune response, enabling the efficient transport of loaded therapeutic molecules directly to tumor sites. Moreover, PDEVs possess inherent anti-cancer properties, including the ability to induce cell cycle arrest and promote apoptotic pathways within tumor cells. These vesicles have also demonstrated antimetastatic effects, inhibiting the spread and growth of cancer cells. The multifunctional nature of PDEVs allows for the simultaneous delivery of multiple therapeutic agents, further enhancing their therapeutic potential. Engineering and modification techniques, such as encapsulation, and the loading of therapeutic agents via electroporation, sonication, and incubation, have enabled the customization of PDEVs to improve their targeting efficiency and therapeutic load capacity. This includes surface modifications to increase affinity for specific tumor markers and the encapsulation of various types of therapeutic agents, such as small molecule drugs, nucleic acids, and proteins. Their plant-derived origin offers an abundant and renewable source to produce therapeutic vesicles, reducing costs and facilitating scalability for clinical applications. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the latest research on PDEVs as emerging anti-cancer agents in cancer therapy.

Recent advancements in 3D bioprinting and microfluidic lab-on-chip systems offer promising solutions to the limitations of traditional animal models in biomedical research. Three-dimensional bioprinting enables the creation of complex, patient-specific tissue models that mimic human physiology more accurately than animal models. These 3D bioprinted tissues, when integrated with microfluidic systems, can replicate the dynamic environment of the human body, allowing for the development of multi-organ models. This integration facilitates more precise drug screening and personalized therapy development by simulating interactions between different organ systems. Such innovations not only improve predictive accuracy but also address ethical concerns associated with animal testing, aligning with the three Rs principle. Future directions include enhancing bioprinting resolution, developing advanced bioinks, and incorporating AI for optimized system design. These technologies hold the potential to revolutionize drug development, regenerative medicine, and disease modeling, leading to more effective, personalized, and humane treatments.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi , remains a major public health challenge affecting millions in Latin America and worldwide. Although significant progress has been made in vector control, no vaccine exists to prevent infection or mitigate disease pathogenesis. We developed a rationally designed chimeric protein vaccine, N-Tc52/TSkb20, incorporating immunodominant epitopes from two T. cruzi antigens, the amino-terminal portion of Tc52 and the TSkb20 epitope derived from trans-sialidase. The objectives of this study were to construct and characterize the antigen and evaluate its protective potential in an immunoprophylactic murine model of T. cruzi infection. The N-Tc52/TSkb20 protein was recombinantly expressed in E. coli and its identity was confirmed using mass spectrometry and Western blotting. Immunization with the chimeric protein significantly controlled parasitemia and reduced the heart, colon, and skeletal muscle parasite burdens compared to non-vaccinated mice. Protection was superior to vaccination with the individual parental antigen components. Mechanistically, the vaccine induced potent CD8+ T-cell and IFNγ responses against the incorporated epitopes and a protective IgG antibody profile. A relatively low IL-10 response favored early parasite control. These results validate the promising multi-epitope approach and support the continued development of this type of rational vaccine design strategy against Chagas disease.

Raman spectroscopy plays a pivotal role in spectroscopic investigations. The small Raman scattering cross-section of numerous analytes, however, requires enhancement of the signal through specific structuring of the electromagnetic and morphological properties of the underlying surface. This enhancement technique is known as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Despite the existence of various proposed alternatives, the approach involving Fabry-Pérot cavities, which constitutes a straightforward method to enhance the electromagnetic field around the analyte, has not been extensively utilized. This is because, for the analyte to experience the maximum electric field, it needs to be embedded within the cavity. Consequently, the top mirror of the cavity will eventually shield it from the external laser source. Recently, an open-cavity configuration has been demonstrated to exhibit properties similar to the classic Fabry-Pérot configuration, with the added advantage of maintaining direct accessibility for the laser source. This paper showcases how such a simple yet innovative configuration can be effectively utilized to achieve remarkable Raman enhancement. The simple structure, coupled with its inexpensive nature and versatility in material selection and scalability, makes it an ideal choice for various analytes and integration into diverse Raman apparatus setups.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a multifactorial chronic disorder that involves a combination of factors, including genetics, immune response, and gut microbiota. Therapy includes salicylates, immunosuppressive agents, corticosteroids, and biologic drugs. International guidelines do not recommend the use of antibiotics for CD patients, except in the case of septic complications. Increasing evidence of the involvement of gut bacteria in this chronic disease supports the rationale for using antibiotics as the primary treatment for active CD. In recent decades, several pathogens have been reported to be involved in the development of CD, but only Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and Mycobacterium avium paratubercolosis (MAP) have aroused interest due to their strong association with CD pathogenesis. Several meta-analyses have been published concerning antibiotic treatment for CD patients, but randomized trials testing antibiotic treatment against E. coli and MAP have not shown prolonged benefits and have generated conflicting results; several questions are still unresolved regarding trial design, antibiotic dosing, the formulation used, the treatment course, and the outcome measures. In this paper, we provide an overview and update of the trials testing antibiotic treatment for active CD patients, taking into account the role of pathogens, the mechanisms by which different antibiotics act on harmful pathogens, and antibiotic resistance. Finally, we also present new lines of study for the future regarding the use of antibiotics to treat patients with active CD.

Myotonia congenita is a hereditary muscle disease mainly characterized by muscle hyperexcitability, which leads to a sustained burst of discharges that correlates with the magnitude and duration of involuntary aftercontractions, muscle stiffness, and hypertrophy. Mutations in the chloride voltage-gated channel 1 ( CLCN1 ) gene that encodes the skeletal muscle chloride channel (ClC-1) are responsible for this disease, which is commonly known as myotonic chloride channelopathy. The biophysical properties of the mutated channel have been explored and analyzed through in vitro approaches, providing important clues to the general function/dysfunction of the wild-type and mutated channels. After an exhaustive search for CLCN1 mutations, we report in this review more than 350 different mutations identified in the literature. We start discussing the physiological role of the ClC-1 channel in skeletal muscle functioning. Then, using the reported functional effects of the naturally occurring mutations, we describe the biophysical and structural characteristics of the ClC-1 channel to update the knowledge of the function of each of the ClC-1 helices, and finally, we attempt to point out some patterns regarding the effects of mutations in the different helices and loops of the protein.

In the present study, we generalize our recently proposed nomenclature scheme for porous graphene structures to include graphene flakes and (periodic) edges, i.e., nanographenes and graphene nanoribbons. The proposed nomenclature scheme is a complete scheme that similarly treats all these structures. Beyond this generalization, we study the geometric features of graphene flakes and edges based on ideas from the graph theory, as well as the pore-flake duality. Based on this study, we propose an algorithm for the systematic generation, identification, and numbering of graphene pores, flakes, and edges. The algorithm and the nomenclature scheme can also be used for flakes and edges of similar honeycomb systems.

SiO 2 @TiO 2 core-shell nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a simple, reproducible, and low-cost method and tested for methylene blue adsorption and UV photodegradation, with a view to their application in wastewater treatment. The monodisperse SiO 2 core was obtained by the classical Stöber method and then coated with a thin layer of TiO 2 , followed by calcination or hydrothermal treatments. The properties of SiO 2 @TiO 2 core-shell NPs resulted from the synergy between the photocatalytic properties of TiO 2 and the adsorptive properties of SiO 2 . The synthesized NPs were characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, HR-TEM, FE-SEM, and EDS. Zeta potential, specific surface area, and porosity were also determined. The results show that the synthesized SiO 2 @TiO 2 NPs that are hydrothermally treated have similar behaviors and properties regardless of the hydrothermal treatment type and synthesis scale and better performance compared to the SiO 2 @TiO 2 calcined and TiO 2 reference samples. The generation of reactive species was determined by EPR, and the photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the methylene blue (MB) removal in aqueous solution under UV light. Hydrothermally treated SiO 2 @TiO 2 showed the highest adsorption capacity and photocatalytic removal of almost 100% of MB after 15 min in UV light, 55 and 89% higher compared to SiO 2 and TiO 2 reference samples, respectively, while the SiO 2 @TiO 2 calcined sample showed 80%. It was also observed that the SiO 2 -containing samples showed a considerable adsorption capacity compared to the TiO 2 reference sample, which improved the MB removal. These results demonstrate the efficient synergy effect between SiO 2 and TiO 2 , which enhances both the adsorption and photocatalytic properties of the nanomaterial. A possible photocatalytic mechanism was also proposed. Also noteworthy is that the performance of the upscaled HT1 sample was similar to one of the lab-scale synthesized samples, demonstrating the potentiality of this synthesis methodology in producing candidate nanomaterials for the removal of contaminants from wastewater.

Clinical findings suggest that transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) can modulate ascending sensitive, descending corticospinal, and segmental pathways in the spinal cord (SC). However, several aspects of the stimulation have not been completely understood, and realistic computational models based on MRI are the gold standard to predict the interaction between tsDCS-induced electric fields and anatomy. Here, we review the electric fields distribution in the SC during tsDCS as predicted by MRI-based realistic models, compare such knowledge with clinical findings, and define the role of computational knowledge in optimizing tsDCS protocols. tsDCS-induced electric fields are predicted to be safe and induce both transient and neuroplastic changes. This could support the possibility to explore new clinical applications, such as spinal cord injury. For the most applied protocol (2-3 mA for 20-30 min, active electrode over T10-T12 and the reference on the right shoulder), similar electric field intensities are generated in both ventral and dorsal horns of the SC at the same height. This was confirmed by human studies, in which both motor and sensitive effects were found. Lastly, electric fields are strongly dependent on anatomy and electrodes' placement. Regardless of the montage, inter-individual hotspots of higher values of electric fields were predicted, which could change when the subjects move from a position to another (e.g., from the supine to the lateral position). These characteristics underlines the need for individualized and patient-tailored MRI-based computational models to optimize the stimulation protocol. A detailed modeling approach of the electric field distribution might contribute to optimizing stimulation protocols, tailoring electrodes' configuration, intensities, and duration to the clinical outcome.

As cardiac diseases, which mostly result in heart failure, are increasing rapidly worldwide, heart transplantation seems the only solution for saving lives. However, this practice is not always possible due to several reasons, such as scarcity of donors, rejection of organs from recipient bodies, or costly medical procedures. In the framework of nanotechnology, nanomaterials greatly contribute to the development of these cardiovascular scaffolds as they provide an easy regeneration of the tissues. Currently, functional nanofibers can be used in the production of stem cells and in the regeneration of cells and tissues. The small size of nanomaterials, however, leads to changes in their chemical and physical characteristics that could alter their interaction and exposure to stem cells with cells and tissues. This article aims to review the naturally occurring biodegradable nanomaterials that are used in cardiovascular tissue engineering for the development of cardiac patches, vessels, and tissues. Moreover, this article also provides an overview of cell sources used for cardiac tissue engineering, explains the anatomy and physiology of the human heart, and explores the regeneration of cardiac cells and the nanofabrication approaches used in cardiac tissue engineering as well as scaffolds.

Recent human-centered developments in the industrial field (Industry 5.0) lead companies and stakeholders to ensure the wellbeing of their workers with assessments of upper limb performance in the workplace, with the aim of reducing work-related diseases and improving awareness of the physical status of workers, by assessing motor performance, fatigue, strain and effort. Such approaches are usually developed in laboratories and only at times they are translated to on-field applications; few studies summarized common practices for the assessments. Therefore, our aim is to review the current state-of-the-art approaches used for the assessment of fatigue, strain and effort in working scenarios and to analyze in detail the differences between studies that take place in the laboratory and in the workplace, in order to give insights on future trends and directions. A systematic review of the studies aimed at evaluating the motor performance, fatigue, strain and effort of the upper limb targeting working scenarios is presented. A total of 1375 articles were found in scientific databases and 288 were analyzed. About half of the scientific articles are focused on laboratory pilot studies investigating effort and fatigue in laboratories, while the other half are set in working places. Our results showed that assessing upper limb biomechanics is quite common in the field, but it is mostly performed with instrumental assessments in laboratory studies, while questionnaires and scales are preferred in working places. Future directions may be oriented towards multi-domain approaches able to exploit the potential of combined analyses, exploitation of instrumental approaches in workplace, targeting a wider range of people and implementing more structured trials to translate pilot studies to real practice.

Purpose: To evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of endoresection and adjuvant ruthenium (Ru)-106 brachytherapy for uveal melanoma (UM)., Methods: Retrospective case series of 15 UM patients (15 eyes) treated at our center (Careggi University Hospital, Florence)., Results: Six patients (40%) were male and nine were female (60%). The mean age of patients at the time of treatment was 61.6 years (±19.41). The mean BCVA at baseline was 20/50. In all cases UM originated from the choroid. The mean tumor thickness at baseline was 7.14 mm (±2.05), and the mean largest basal diameter was 11.2 mm (±1.92). A concurrent retinal detachment was diagnosed in 11 patients (73.3%). Two patients (13.3%) showed vitreous seeding at baseline. Eleven patients (73.3%) were treated with primary endoresection, while four patients (26.7%) were treated with a "salvage endoresection" after primary treatment failure (previous radiation treatment). The mean follow-up time was 28.9 months (±10.6). Thirteen out of fifteen patients were alive and showed no evidence of local recurrence or distance metastasis at the last follow-up visit. The treatment achieved local control of the disease in 14 out of 15 cases (93.3%). In one case, the patient underwent enucleation for disease recurrence. The overall survival rate at the end of the follow-up was 93.3%. The mean BCVA at last follow-up visit was 20/40. Treatment was well tolerated, without significant complications., Conclusions: Endoresection and adjuvant Ru-106 brachytherapy is a valuable conservative option for selected UM patients and can be used both as a primary treatment and as a salvage therapy. It can control melanoma and avoid enucleation, reduce radiation-related complications, and provide tumor tissue for chromosomal analysis and prognostic testing.

The differentiation of neural progenitors is a complex process that integrates different signals to drive transcriptional changes, which mediate metabolic, electrophysiological, and morphological cellular specializations. Understanding these adjustments is essential within the framework of stem cell and cancer research and therapy. Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, widely used in neurobiology research, can be differentiated into neuronal-like cells through serum deprivation and retinoic acid (RA) supplementation. In our study, we observed that the differentiation process triggers the expression of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70). Notably, inhibition of HSP70 expression by KNK437 causes a dramatic increase in cell death. While undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells show a dose-dependent decrease in cell survival following exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), differentiated cells become resistant to H 2 O 2 -induced cell death. Interestingly, the differentiation process enhances the expression of SOD1 protein, and inhibition of HSP70 expression counteracts this effect and increases the susceptibility of differentiated cells to H 2 O 2 -induced cell death, suggesting that the cascade HSP70-SOD1 is involved in promoting survival against oxidative stress-dependent damage. Treatment of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells with Oxotremorine-M (Oxo), a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, enhances the expression of HSP70 and SOD1 and counteracts tert-Butyl hydroperoxide-induced cell death and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. It is worth noting that co-treatment with KNK437 reduces SOD1 expression and Oxo-induced protection against oxidative stress damage, suggesting the involvement of HSP70/SOD1 signaling in this beneficial effect. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that manipulation of the HSP70 signal modulates SH-SY5Y differentiation and susceptibility to oxidative stress-dependent cell death and unravels novel mechanisms involved in Oxo neuroprotective functions. Altogether these data provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying neuronal differentiation and preservation under stress conditions.

In this review, we will focus on different non-invasive retinal imaging techniques that can be used to evaluate morphological and functional features in full-thickness macular holes with a prognostic purpose. Technological innovations and developments in recent years have increased the knowledge of vitreoretinal interface pathologies by identifying potential biomarkers useful for surgical outcomes prediction. Despite a successful surgery of full-thickness macular holes, the visual outcomes are often puzzling, so the study and the identification of prognostic factors is a current topic of interest. Our review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge on prognostic biomarkers identified in full-thickness macular holes by means of different retinal imaging tools, such as optical coherence tomography, optical coherence tomography angiography, microperimetry, fundus autofluorescence, and adaptive optics.

The features of the main models of spiking neurons are discussed in this review. We focus on the dynamical behaviors of five paradigmatic spiking neuron models and present recent literature studies on the topic, classifying the contributions based on the most-studied items. The aim of this review is to provide the reader with fundamental details related to spiking neurons from a dynamical systems point-of-view.

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a major cause of liver-related disorders and together with cancer-associated fibroblasts can favor liver cancer development by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Advanced HF, characterized by an excess of extracellular matrix (ECM), is mediated by TGF- β1, that activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and fibroblasts. A TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor, LY2157299 or Galunisertib (GLY), has shown promising results against chronic liver progression in animal models, and we show that it can be further improved by enhancing GLYs bioavailability through encapsulation in polymeric polygalacturonic-polyacrylic acid nanomicelles (GLY-NMs). GLY-NMs reduced HF in an in vivo rat model of liver fibrosis induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl 4 as shown by the morphological, biochemical, and molecular biology parameters of normal and fibrotic livers. Moreover, GLY-NM was able to induce recovery from HF better than free GLY. Indeed, the encapsulated drug reduces collagen deposition, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, prevents fatty degeneration and restores the correct lobular architecture of the liver as well as normalizes the serum parameters and expression of the genes involved in the onset of HF. In summary, GLY-NM improved the pharmacological activity of the free TGF- β1 inhibitor in the in vivo HF treatment and thus is a candidate as a novel therapeutic strategy.

Background: Recent studies evidence that blue-LED-light irradiation can modulate cell responses in the wound healing process within 24 h from treatment. This study aims to investigate blue-light (410-430 nm) photobiomodulation used in a murine wound model within six days post-treatment. Methods: A superficial wound was made in 30 CD1 male mice. The injuries were treated with a blue LED light (20.6 J/cm 2 ), and biopsies were collected at 24, 72, and 144 h. Histology, fluorescence analysis, and advanced microscopy techniques were used. Results: We can observe an increase in the cellular infiltrate response, and in mast-cell density and their degranulation index correlated to the expression of the major histocompatibility complex after 24 h. Furthermore, after six days, the vessel density increases with the expression of the platelet-derived growth factor in the mast cells. Finally, collagen deposition and morphology in the treated wounds appear more similar to unwounded skin. Conclusions: Blue-light photobiomodulation stimulates several cellular processes that are finely coordinated by mast cells, leading to more rapid wound healing and a better-recovered skin morphology.

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) techniques, such as direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), cause neurophysiological and behavioral modifications as responses to the electric field are induced in the brain. Estimations of such electric fields are based mainly on computational studies, and in vivo measurements have been used to expand the current knowledge. Here, we review the current tDCS- and tACS-induced electric fields estimations as they are recorded in humans and non-human primates using intracerebral electrodes. Direct currents and alternating currents were applied with heterogeneous protocols, and the recording procedures were characterized by a tentative methodology. However, for the clinical stimulation protocols, an injected current seems to reach the brain, even at deep structures. The stimulation parameters (e.g., intensity, frequency and phase), the electrodes' positions and personal anatomy determine whether the intensities might be high enough to affect both neuronal and non-neuronal cell activity, also deep brain structures.

Influence on photocurrent sensitivity of hydrothermally synthesized electrochemically active graphene quantum dots on conjugated polymer utilized for a novel single-layer device has been performed. Fabrications of high-performance ultraviolet photodetector by depositing the polypyrrole-graphene quantum dots (PPy-GQDs) active layer of the ITO electrode were exposed to an Ultraviolet (UV) source with 265 and 355 nm wavelengths for about 200 s, and we examined the time-dependent photoresponse. The excellent performance of GQDs was exploited as a light absorber, acting as an electron donor to improve the carrier concentration. PGC4 exhibits high photoresponsivity up to the 2.33 µA/W at 6 V bias and the photocurrent changes from 2.9 to 18 µA. The electrochemical measurement was studied using an electrochemical workstation. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) results show that the hysteresis loop is optically tunable with a UV light source with 265 and 355 nm at 0.1 to 0.5 V/s. The photocurrent response in PPy-GQDs devices may be applicable to optoelectronics devices.

In this paper, the main features of systems that are required to flexibly modulate energy states of plant cells in response to environmental fluctuations are surveyed and summarized. Plant cells possess multiple sources (chloroplasts and mitochondria) to produce energy that is consumed to drive many processes, as well as mechanisms that adequately provide energy to the processes with high priority depending on the conditions. Such energy-providing systems are tightly linked to sensors that monitor the status of the environment and inside the cell. In addition, plants possess the ability to efficiently store and transport energy both at the cell level and at a higher level. Furthermore, these systems can finely tune the various mechanisms of energy homeostasis in plant cells in response to the changes in environment, also assuring the plant survival under adverse environmental conditions. Electrical power systems are prone to the effects of environmental changes as well; furthermore, they are required to be increasingly resilient to the threats of extreme natural events caused, for example, by climate changes, outages, and/or external deliberate attacks. Starting from this consideration, similarities between energy-related processes in plant cells and electrical power grids are identified, and the potential of mechanisms regulating energy homeostasis in plant cells to inspire the definition of new models of flexible and resilient electrical power grids, particularly microgrids, is delineated. The main contribution of this review is surveying energy regulatory mechanisms in detail as a reference and helping readers to find useful information for their work in this research field.

Vaginal infections affect millions of women annually worldwide. Therapeutic options are limited, moreover drug-resistance increases the need to find novel antimicrobials for health promotion. Recently phytochemicals were re-discovered for medical treatment. Myrtle ( Myrtus communis L.) plant extracts showed in vitro antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties thanks to their bioactive compounds. The aim of the present study was to create novel nanodevices to deliver three natural extracts from leaves, seeds and fruit of myrtle, in vaginal milieu. We explored their effect on human cells ( HeLa , Human Foreskin Fibroblast-1 line, and stem cells isolated from skin), resident microflora ( Lactobacillus acidophilus ) and on several vaginal pathogens ( Trichomonas vaginalis , Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Candida albicans , Candida kefyr , Candida glabrata , Candida parapsilosis , Candida krusei ). Polycaprolactone-Gelatin nanofibers encapsulated with leaves extract and soaked with seed extracts exhibited a different capability in regard to counteracting microbial proliferation. Moreover, these nanodevices do not affect human cells and resident microflora viability. Results reveal that some of the tested nanofibers are interesting candidates for future vaginal infection treatments.