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Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stands as a prevalent global health concern, and mineral and bone disease are among the most impactful consequences. A severe complication arising from mineral and bone disease is the occurrence of fragility fractures, which disproportionately affect individuals with CKD compared to the general population. The prevalence of these fractures impacts both survival rates and quality of life. The aims of this study are analyzing and identifying (i) patient-related risk factors and (ii) CKD-related risk factors to contribute to the development of preventive measures for fragility fractures for this population. Methods: A retrospective, single-center observational study was conducted, encompassing patient data from the years 2021 to 2023. Registry data were recorded, including patient-related and CKD-related data. Patients were interviewed about traumatological history, and their answers were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the association between independent variables and dependent variables. Results: Eighty-four patients, with a mean age of 64.3 ± 15.2 years and a male percentage of 58.3%, were included in this study. Among them, 19.5% exhibited smoking habits. The mean Charlson Comorbidity Index was 3.06 ± 1.21. All patients were diagnosed with end-stage chronic kidney disease, with mean durations of 208 months from the diagnosis and 84.5 months from the beginning of dialysis. The logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, and CCI, revealed that smoking habits play a significant role as a risk factor for fragility fractures in lower limbs (p: 0.011 *). The incidence of fragility fractures increases directly proportionally to the time since diagnosis (p-value: 0.021 *) and the beginning of dialysis treatment (p-value: 0.001 *). Conclusions: Among patient-related factors, smoking habits seem to significantly affect lower-limb fracture rates (p < 0.05), whereas among CKD-related factors, time since CKD diagnosis and time since the beginning of dialysis treatment are directly related to higher risks of fragility fractures. No relevant correlations emerged in the studied treatments, except for a reduction in proximal femur fracture occurrence when patients underwent a combined treatment of a calcimimetic and a vitamin D analog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Weathering of tetrahedrite-(Hg) ores releases priority pollutant elements. • The genesis and weathering of tetrahedrite-(Hg) in meta -carbonate rocks are studied. • Four stages of supergene weathering of tetrahedrite-(Hg) have been recognized. • Mercury sequestration in cinnabar limits its dispersion into the environment. The Cu-Sb-Hg mineralization of San Giuliano Terme (Monti Pisani, Tuscany, Italy) is characterized by the widespread occurrence of deeply altered tetrahedrite-(Hg) hosted within joints and faults in the Liassic "Calcari ceroidi" Formation. Through a multi-technique approach (optical and scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, fluid inclusion analysis), tetrahedrite-(Hg) and its alteration products have been characterized and data about its genesis and successive supergene weathering have been collected. Tetrahedrite-(Hg) from San Giuliano Terme has the empirical formula Cu 9.92 Ag 0.02 (Hg 1.64 Fe 0.30 Zn 0.04) Σ1.98 (Sb 3.53 As 0.56) Σ4.09 S 12.95 , and is found with scarce gangue minerals represented by calcite, baryte, and very rare fluorite. The mineralization formed from hydrothermal fluids with moderately high salinity (∼17.5 wt% NaCl equiv.) of dominantly metamorphic origin at T ∼ 285 °C. Tetrahedrite-(Hg) is usually fully replaced by a mixture of cinnabar, roméite-group minerals, malachite, and rarely azurite. Based on the modal abundance of the mineralogical constituents and their micro-textures, four stages of supergene weathering of tetrahedrite-(Hg) have been recognized. The alteration stages reflect the progressive ingression of meteoric water into the system, with consequent oxidation of tetrahedrite-(Hg) and the introduction of Ca2+, HCO 3 – and H 2 O, as well as the progressive removal of S, Sb, and Cu. The relative proportions of the supergene minerals in the four alteration stages can be taken as a proxy for the mobility of the main chemical constituents of tetrahedrite-(Hg), three of which (Hg, Sb, and Cu) are priority pollutant metals. Mercury was found to be the least mobile element in the reconstructed geochemical process. In fact, the widespread precipitation of cinnabar in the space formerly occupied by tetrahedrite-(Hg) hinders the dispersion of Hg in the environment, sequestering it in a solid matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of bio-alcohols to chemicals and fuels can play a determinant role in the transition towards bio-economy. Different hydrotalcite derived Cu/Mg/Al mixed oxides, having a Cu atomic content in the range 1.0–7.6 %, have been employed for the first time in batch and continuous flow reactors for the conversion of n-BuOH. The catalytic performances resulted strongly tunable, being influenced by the composition of the catalytic systems and by the type of adopted reactor. The catalysts with lower Cu content resulted active both in the Guerbet condensation to 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (2EH) and in the dehydrogenative coupling (DHC) of the substrate to butyl butyrate (BB) ester, while the catalyst with the highest Cu content showed very high selectivity towards BB formation. The batch reaction evidenced a progressive deactivation of the catalytic systems with the reconstruction of the hydrotalcite precursor. On the other hand, the study in flow reactor revealed good activity and excellent stability of the catalytic system Cu7.6, a selectivity to BB > 98 mol% being maintained after 216 h of time-on-stream. [Display omitted] • The conversion of n-butanol was studied on Cu-hydrotalcite derived mixed oxides. • The process was evaluated in batch and flow reactors. • The increase of Cu content addressed the selectivity to butyl butyrate formation. • Butyl butyrate yields around 48 mol % and selectivities > 98 mol % were reached in flow reactor. • High stability and selectivity were retained after 216 h of reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Activated carbons were synthesized from hazelnut shell-hydrochar. • Pyrolysis-chemical activations were proposed for improving its surface properties. • KOH treatment selectively developed microporosities on the pyrolyzed hydrochar. • KOH-activated hydrochar was effective for CO 2 and methylene blue adsorption. • Biorefinery of the hazelnut wastes was closed in a circular perspective. Levulinic acid production by acid-catalyzed hydrothermal conversion of (ligno)cellulosic biomass generates significant amounts of carbonaceous hydrochar, which is currently considered a final waste. In this work, the hydrochar recovered after the levulinic acid production, was subjected to cascade pyrolysis and chemical activation treatments (by H 3 PO 4 or KOH), to synthesize activated carbons. The pyrolysis post-treatment was already effective in improving the surface properties of the raw hydrochar (Specific Surface Area: 388 m2/g, V P : 0.22 cm3/g, V MESO : 0.07 cm3/g, V MICRO : 0.14 cm3/g), by removing volatile compounds. KOH activation resulted as the most appropriate for further improving the surface properties of the pyrolyzed hydrochar, showing the best surface properties (Specific Surface Area: 1421 m2/g, V P : 0.63 cm3/g, V MESO : 0.10 cm3/g, V MICRO : 0.52 cm3/g), which synergistically makes it a promising system towards adsorption of CO 2 (∼90 mg/g) and methylene blue (∼248 mg/g). In addition, promising surface properties can be achieved after direct chemical activation of the raw hazelnut shells, preferably by H 3 PO 4 (Specific Surface Area: 1918 m2/g, V P : 1.34 cm3/g, V MESO : 0.82 cm3/g, V MICRO : 0.50 cm3/g), but this choice is not the smartest, as it does not allow the valorization of the cellulose fraction to levulinic acid. Our approach paves the way for possible uses of these hydrochars originating from the levulinic acid chain for new environmental applications, thus smartly closing the biorefinery loop of the hazelnut shells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, the exploitation of hazelnut shells for the combined production of levulinic acid (LA) and hydrochar was investigated. The optimization of the catalytic hydrothermal treatment was performed both in autoclave and microwave reactor, approaching a maximum LA yield of ∼9–12 wt%. Hydrochars recovered with high yield (∼43–47 wt%) were characterized by different techniques, including elemental and proximate analysis, heating value, FT-IR, XPS, XRD, SEM-EDX, and SAA. Their “lignite-like” energetic properties make them suitable for the energy recovery within the same biorefinery plant for LA production, thus partially offsetting the cost of the entire process. Alternatively, since the synthesized hydrochars maintain high levels of oxygenated groups, they could be smartly exploited as natural sorbents for environmental applications. The proposed integrated approach makes possible to fully exploit this waste, smartly closing its biorefinery cycle in a sustainable development perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (HMF) is a biomass-derived intermediate for the sustainable production of monomers and biofuels. However, most of its syntheses are performed under not environmentally and/or economically green conditions. In this work, the dehydration of fructose/inulin to HMF was optimized, employing aqueous medium, high substrate concentrations (10 and 20 wt%), low loading of commercial acid resin (Amberlyst-70) and microwave heating. The influence of substrate/catalyst ratio, time and temperature on the products yields was investigated. Amberlyst-70 resulted a very active and recyclable system: HMF yields up to 46 mol% were ascertained, the best result up to now reached under these reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Currently, several therapeutic protocols exist for IgA nephropathy (IgAN); results in slowing the progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are variable, but ∼30–40% of patients require replacement therapy (dialysis or renal transplantation) by 20 years from the onset. The adverse effects brought by the chronic assumption of drugs can be a potential limit. Actually, the most used therapies for IgAN are renin–angiotensin system blockers (RASB), glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents. Trials with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in IgAN have been done since the first successful attempt by Hamazaki in 1984, resulting in alternate answers, but no trials have ever been done testing the efficacy of combined therapy with RASB and PUFA. Methods. We tested the effect of a 6-month course of PUFA (3 grams/day) in a group of 30 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN and proteinuria already treated with RASB randomized to receive PUFA supplementation or to continue their standard therapy. The primary end-point was the percent reduction of proteinuria from the baseline. Secondary end-points were modifications in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood pressure, serum triglycerides and erythrocyturia. Results. At the end of the 6-month trial, the percent reduction of proteinuria was 72.9% in the PUFA group and 11.3% in the RASB group (P P = 0.002). Erythrocyturia was significantly lower in the PUFA group (P = 0.031). No significant changes in renal function, blood pressure and triglycerides were observed. Conclusions. PUFA associated with RASB reduced proteinuria in patients with IgAN more than RASB alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition from fossil resources to renewable ones represents a pressing need. The acidogenic fermentation of biomass-derived ethanol to carboxylic acids represents a novel and smart possibility, opening the way for the production of further value-added bio-products through cascade chemical approaches. In this work, the hydrogenation of commercial hexanoic acid to give 1-hexanol/hexyl hexanoate mixtures was preliminary studied in the presence of commercial rhenium catalysts (Re2O7 and 5 wt% Re/C), which resulted as mainly active and selective towards 1-hexanol. On the other hand, the use of niobium phosphate as the acid co-catalyst markedly shifted the selectivity towards hexyl hexanoate. Moreover, 5 wt% Re/C and physical mixtures of (5 wt% Re/C + niobium phosphate) were further tested for the hydrogenation of crude hexanoic acid obtained through fermentation of white grape pomace, confirming the promising performance of these catalytic systems and their recyclability. For the first time, the employment of 1-hexanol/hexyl hexanoate mixtures as a diesel blendstock was evaluated, highlighting a significant reduction of soot and CO emissions, without any significant change in the engine performance. The promising properties of these oxygenated additives are favorable for the partial replacement of traditional fossil fuels, in accordance with the short-term goals of EU countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigated the catalytic high‐pressure CO2 pretreatment of giant reed. CO2 is a renewable resource; its use does not generate chemical wastes and it can be easily removed and recycled. The effect of the addition of low concentrations of FeCl3 (0.16 wt %) and PEG 400 (1.0 wt %) on the hemicellulose hydrolysis to xylose and xylo‐oligosaccharides (XOS) is reported for the first time. Under the optimised pretreatment conditions, the xylan conversion of 82 mol % and xylose and XOS yields of 43 and 20 mol % were achieved, respectively. The solid residues obtained from different pretreatments were used as the substrate for the enzymatic hydrolysis to give glucose. The total glucose yield achieved under the optimised two‐step process was 67.8 mol % with respect to the glucan units in the biomass. The results demonstrated that PEG‐assisted FeCl3‐catalysed scCO2 pretreatment can produce xylose‐ or XOS‐rich hydrolysates and improve the enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial niobium and synthesized zirconium phosphates were tested as water-tolerant heterogeneous acid catalysts in the hydrothermal conversion of different bio-based substrates. Different acid-catalyzed reactions were performed using biomass-derived model compounds and more complex real lignocellulosic biomasses as the substrate. The conversion of glucose and cellulose was preliminarily investigated. Then, a wide plethora of raw lignocellulosic biomasses, such as conifer wood sawdust, Jerusalem artichoke, sorghum, miscanthus, foxtail millet, hemp and Arundo donax, were valorized towards the production of water-soluble saccharides, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), levulinic acid (LA) and furfural. The different catalytic performances of the two phosphates were explained on the basis of their acid features, total acidity, Brønsted/Lewis acid sites ratio and strength. Moreover, a better insight into their structure–acidity relationship was proposed. The different acid properties of niobium and zirconium phosphates enabled us to tune the reaction towards target products, achieving from glucose maximum HMF and LA yields of 24.4 and 24.0 mol%, respectively. Remarkably, when real Jerusalem artichoke biomass was adopted in the presence of niobium and zirconium phosphate, maximum yields of furanic compounds and cellulose-derived sugars of 12.7 and 50.0 mol%, respectively, were obtained, after only 1 h of reaction. The synthesized hydrolysates, which were found to be rich in C5 and C6 carbohydrates, can be better exploited for the cascade production of more added-value bio-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International and national oncology societies had released recommendations in favor of COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients. In the context of the national vaccination campaign targeting the so called extremely vulnerable, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the mRNA vaccines in a cohort of 623 patients. Between March 26 and April 04, 2021, the Pfizer and BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA and the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccines were given as a two-dose prime-boost regimen. Starting on September 25th 2021 a third dose was offered to patients in whom a suboptimal immunogenicity with COVID-19 vaccination could be expected. Safety assessments were performed by phone call 7 days after each dose. Electronic health records were accessed to review demographic information, disease history, treatment detail, and outcome events of participants patients'. No toxicities were reported in 63.7%, 54%, and in 48.7% patients with cancer after each dose. Mild-to-moderate pain at the injection site was the most commonly adverse event. After the second dose, 46% of the 610 patients reported toxicity, with more systemic side-effects observed. Fever was reported in 45% of patients, with a temperature ≥ 38 °C in 21.4% of them. Of the 335 patients receiving a third vaccine dose, 51% reported toxicity, with 13% of patients reporting more than one effect. Logistic regression analysis reported mixed results, with limited variables or categories reporting a significant odd ratio. The type of vaccine reported a significant value at first dose (OR = 0.12; CI 0.52, 0.26; p = 0.00). Thirty-four cases of COVID-19 infection were reported with only one patient requiring a short-term hospitalization for monitoring. The safety profile of the mRNA vaccines does not raise any specific concerns and support prioritization of vaccination for cancer patients. • COVID-19 vaccination is recommended in patients with cancer. • We observed a first dose-refusal rate of 4.5%. • No safety concerns have emerged in our cohort of patients. • After two-dose prime-boost vaccination 6 cases of COVID-19 infection were reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defatted wheat bran, an industrial waste of the food chain, represents a strategic renewable material for modern biorefinery schemes. Through a combination of chemical and biological catalysis, a cascade process was developed to produce high-value fine chemicals, such as carotenoids and lipids, from polysaccharide fraction. Due to the low lignin content and suitable particle size of defatted wheat bran, pretreatment steps are unnecessary, allowing the direct enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of polysaccharide components (glucan, xylan, and arabinan) to give fermentable sugars. Regarding the biocatalytic approach, the optimisation of the main reaction parameters, such as enzyme dosage (15, 30, 45, 60 FPU Cellic® CTec 3 HS/g glucan) and biomass loading (5, 10, 15, 20 wt%), was performed to improve the monosaccharide yield. Regarding the chemical route, a microwave-assisted FeCl 3 -catalysed approach was optimised in terms of catalyst amount (1.0, 1.3, 1.6 wt%) and reaction time (2.5, 5, 10 min) to maximise the sugar yield, minimizing the formation of furanic derivatives which are strong inhibitors for the subsequent fermentation step. The biological conversion of sugars obtained by both enzymatic and chemical routes into carotenoids and lipids was then performed by adopting the commercial yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides DSM 4444. The simultaneous production of carotenoids and lipids was optimised by investigating the effect of the C/N ratio in the fermentation medium. Under the optimised process conditions (C/N 60), by fermenting hydrolysate obtained by chemical and enzymatic routes, carotenoid productions of 120 and 180 mg/L and lipids productions of 5.2 and 3.5 g/L were achieved, respectively. The highest carotenoids cell content achieved in this study (14.8 mg/g) is about 5 times higher than the maximum value reported in the literature to date for this yeast. Moreover, Rhodosporidium toruloides achieved the complete conversion of sugars into desired bioproducts for both the biomass hydrolysates demonstrating the effectiveness of the two different catalytic approaches adopted for biomass hydrolysis. [Display omitted] • The innovative exploitation of waste defatted wheat bran was assessed. • The microwave-assisted FeCl 3 -catalysed hydrolysis of polysaccharides was studied. • Enzymatic blend Cellic® CTec 3 was adopted as a biocatalyst for sugars production. • The simultaneous production of high added-value carotenoids and lipids was optimised. • The carotenoid content (14.8 mg/g) was the highest ever reported for R. toruloides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Trails of polyphase sulfosalt inclusions have been observed in quartz and baryte. • Sulfosalts are enriched in Low-Melting point Chalcophile Elements (LMCE). • Coexisting fluid inclusions gave homogenization temperature between 265 °C and 296 °C. • Textures and microthermometric data agree with the occurrence of sulfide melts. • Pyrite ore enriched in LMCE may be another kind capable of producing sulfide melts. Sulfide melting is increasingly recognized as an efficient ore remobilization process in several ore bodies deformed and metamorphosed under amphibolite to granulite facies conditions. Actually, sulfide melts may also occur at lower metamorphic conditions, provided the abundance of the so-called Low-Melting point Chalcophile Elements (LMCE). The Monte Arsiccio ore body (Apuan Alps, northern Tuscany, Italy) is strongly enriched in several LMCE, i. e., Ag, As, Hg, Pb, Sb, and Tl, and experienced greenschist facies metamorphism (T = 350–450 °C; P = 0.3–0.4 GPa) during the Alpine orogeny. Trails of polyphase sulfosalt inclusions (up to five phases), coexisting with fluid inclusions, were observed within quartz and baryte crystals found in late-stage veins. Sulfosalt assemblages are formed by LMCE-rich phases, the main being ferdowsiite, Ag 8 As 3 Sb 5 S 16 , chabournéite, Tl 2 Pb(Sb,As) 10 S 17 , and intermediate members of the arsiccioite/routhierite isotypic pair, (Ag 1 − x Cu x)Hg 2 TlAs 2 S 6 , along with minor realgar. Sulfosalt inclusions range between 200 nm and more than 100 µm in size, whereas larger inclusions, likely formed through the coalescence of smaller melt droplets, are up to 500 µm. Sulfosalt inclusions are associated with primary two-phase liquid-rich fluid inclusions (Type 1a), containing CO 2 and N 2 , as revealed by microthermometric investigations and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Secondary two-phase liquid-rich fluid inclusions (Type 1b) were also identified. Microthermometric measurements carried out on Type 1a fluid inclusions gave homogenization temperatures (T h) in the range 265–296 °C, whereas Type 1b fluid inclusions showed lower T h , between 222 and 246 °C. As microthermometric heating experiments on sulfosalt inclusions revealed homogenization temperatures around 270 °C, it is very likely that sulfosalt inclusions were in the liquid state during their entrapment, in agreement with many Tl-bearing systems. These results are fully consistent with the occurrence of LMCE-rich sulfide melt during the formation of the sulfosalt assemblages observed at the Monte Arsiccio mine. In addition, the polyphase nature of most of the observed sulfosalt inclusions may be related to the unquenchable nature of sulfide melts. The formation of LMCE-rich sulfosalt assemblages could be related to the release of these elements from pyrite during its metamorphic recrystallization. Consequently, pyrite ores may produce sulfide melts, with potential implications in the change of speciation of LMCE, from trace to major elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Conventional and compostable bags are a consistent fraction of plastic litter. • Harmful chemicals readily leached out of bags and affected water quality. • Leachates altered seedling development in the test plant Lepidium sativum. • Compostable bags if discarded in natural habitats may adversely affect plants. • Standard phytotoxicity tests could be useful in developing more eco-friendly bags. Abstract A large fraction of plastic litter found in natural environments is constituted by conventional not biodegradable plastic bags, and their adverse effects via ingestion or entanglement on terrestrial and marine organisms are largely documented. Biodegradable and compostable shoppers have been recently developed as alternative to traditional ones. These bags are specifically designed to degrade in composting facilities and generate a product devoid of toxicity to soils and crops. However, very little is known on the effects of bag leaching, i.e. the transfer of chemicals from plastic into natural environments, on vegetation. Some plant species are highly sensitive to a variety of chemicals, and seedling growth is generally the most affected life history stage. In this study we assessed the potential effects of conventional (high-density polyethylene, HDPE) and compostable (Mater-bi®, MB) bags, when left in natural environments, on water quality and plant development. To this end, seeds of Lepidium sativum L., a terrestrial plant commonly used in phytotoxicity standard tests, were exposed to leachates obtained from different amount of HDPE and MB bags, simulating various pollution degrees occurring in nature, for 72 h. Both not-exposed (or virgin) bags and natural weathering exposed bags were used. Variations of chemical-physical characteristics of extracts were used as indicative of water quality deterioration, while alterations of seed gemination and seedling radicle and hypocotyl length were considered as indicative of phytotoxicity. A chemical qualitative screening of the leachates was also performed to identify the compounds with potential phytotoxicity. Both types of bags affected water characteristics (pH, salinity and total dissolved solids) relevant to plants, and released into water intentionally added chemicals, such as the noxious bisphenol A, and other phytotoxic substances probably generated during bag manufacturing. Leachates from both bag types did not affect seed germination. But, a significant number of seedlings showed developmental abnormalities or reduced seedling growth. The hypocotyl was the most sensible seedling organ to HDPE bag leachates while the radicle was the most vulnerable to MB ones. These findings indicate that plastic bags, including those that meet biodegradability and compostability standards, represent a potential threat to plants, if left in natural environments. Therefore, people and managers should be adequately informed about the potential environmental impact of an incorrect bag disposal. Simple, rapid standard phytotoxicity tests, such as the L. sativum bioassay, applied to bag leachates could be used in the future to select not noxious additives so to develop more eco-friendly bags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butyl levulinate (BL) represents a novel diesel bio-blendstock and a versatile intermediate and solvent. The one-pot acid-catalyzed conversion of C6-feedstocks, employing n -butanol as the solvent/reagent, implies the upgrading of low-cost or, even better, waste biomasses for developing prompt process intensification. In this paper, the one-pot butanolysis process has been studied, moving from model glucose and microcrystalline cellulose to a waste cellulose feedstock deriving from a real papermaking process. The performances obtained with this waste biomass have been optimized, achieving BL yields up to 46 mol %, adopting a high-gravity approach, in the presence of diluted sulfuric acid as the catalyst. The optimization was carried out also in the perspective of minimizing the alcohol etherification to dibutyl ether, and the feedstock carbonization to char by-product, whose characterization was performed to identify its suitable applications. The combined production of both BL as a valuable bio-fuel and char as an exploitable carbonaceous bio-material can pave the way to the development of the one-pot butanolysis of real cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomasses in an environmentally sustainable and integrated perspective, in agreement with the principles of the circular bio-economy. [Display omitted] • One-pot butanolysis of glucose, commercial and waste cellulose was investigated. • The diluted H 2 SO 4 -catalyzed valorization of cellulosic paper powder was optimized. • The High-Gravity approach was adopted to favor the scale-up of the process. • The highest butyl levulinate yield from cellulosic paper powder was 42 mol %. • The characterization of solid residue was performed to suggest future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (HMF) is a key bio-based platform for the production of renewable monomers and bio-fuels. However, most of its syntheses are carried out under not sustainable conditions. In this work, the production of HMF from fructose and inulin was investigated following the Green Chemistry principles, adopting aqueous medium, appreciable substrate concentration (10 wt%), low loading of heterogeneous acid catalyst (niobium or zirconium phosphate) and microwave heating. Both the catalysts resulted very active and promising, in particular zirconium phosphate and the performances were related to their different acid characteristics. The optimization of HMF synthesis with zirconium phosphate was also supported by a statistical modelling, which shows that the highest yield to HMF (about 40 mol%) is ascertained at high temperature (190 °C) and short reaction time (8 min). The catalysts resulted recyclable maintaining their starting activity almost unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the "Letter to the Editor regarding the article "Evaluation of the phytotoxicity of conventional and biodegradable plastic bags using seed germination tests" by Balestri et al. (2019) published on Ecological Indicators 102(2019):569–580" by Degli-Innocenti et al. (2019), we replied to the concerns expressed by Degli Innocenti and co-authors in this letter regarding our article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]