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Nitroxide radicals are widely utilized as catalysts for the oxidation of primary alcohols. Here, the aerobic catalytic oxidation cycle of nitroxide radicals has been implemented within a mechanically interlocked rotaxane architecture consisting of a paramagnetic crown ether, which is confined by a molecular axle containing a dialkylammonium station and a 1,2,3-triazole unit. The rotaxane is engineered to exploit the oxidation of a primary alcohol: the primary catalyst is the wheel, a nitroxide radical capable of altering its oxidation state during the catalytic cycle, while the co-oxidant is the Cerium(IV)/O 2 couple. The synthesis of the proposed rotaxane, along with its characterization using EPR, HRMS, voltammetry and NMR data, is reported in the paper. The aerobic catalytic oxidation cycle was further investigated using EPR, NMR and GC-MS analyses. This study can aid in the design of autonomously driven molecular machines that exploit the aerobic catalytic oxidation of nitroxide radicals., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Serena Silvi is a Guest Editor for Communications Chemistry’s Mechanically Interlocked Molecules Collection but was not involved in the editorial review of or the decision to publish this article., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Ascariasis caused by the helminth Ascaris suum is the most common parasitosis of swine worldwide and it may involve all age categories of pigs. The present study reports an unusual localization of A. suum worms in the biliary system of a piglet slaughtered for human consumption., Methods: The liver was subjected to ultrasound scan and pathological examination. The isolated worms were morphologically examined and the DNA was extracted for the molecular identification of the species involved., Results: A total of 43 preadult nematodes were found within the gallbladder and the bile ducts. Parasites were morphologically identified as belonging to the genus Ascaris and molecularly as A. suum. At gross examination, the liver was moderately enlarged, with the bile ducts severely dilated. A chronic inflammatory infiltrate was noted, often centered around ectatic bile ducts (up to 5 mm in diameter), lined by hyperplastic epithelium and filled with sections of nematodes. The worm sections showed smooth cuticle, coelomyarian musculature, and an intestinal tract lined by columnar, uninucleated cells within a pseudocoelom. The ex vivo ultrasonographic examination of the liver allowed the visualization of several nematodes in the bile duct lumen and could be suggested for in vivo diagnosis. Unfortunately, the absence of the intestine did not allow to define the pathogenesis of the infection., Conclusion: Although, given the unusual nature of this finding, it is difficult to identify predisposing factors for this A. suum localization, it suggests that ascariasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pigs with hepatobiliary disease., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The aim of this case study is to show how traditional and molecular methods can be employed to identify the Mugilidae species currently used in Sardinia (Italy) to produce the traditional bottarga for the processing of their ovaries. A total of six specimens of Mugil cephalus (n=3) and Mugil capurrii (n=3) were subjected to external morphology and meristic measurements. Subsequently, tissue samples of white muscle and ovaries from three individuals per species were underwent PCR-sequencing assay of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I ( COI ). The external morphology and meristic characters showed a sufficient level of reliability in the identification between the two species. At the same time, the molecular techniques showed the discriminatory power and confirmed the correct species identification in all the sampling units. DNA barcoding may be an effective aid to traditional taxonomy and can facilitate accurate species identification among the Mugilidae ., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: the authors declare no potential conflict of interest.

A study was carried out on the presence of Anisakis and Hysterothylacium larvae in fish and cephalopods caught in Sardinian waters. A total of 369 specimens of 24 different species of teleosts and 5 species of cephalopods were collected from different fishing areas of Sardinia. Larvae were detected and isolated by both visual inspection and enzymatic digestion. These methods allowed Anisakis type I and type II third-stage larvae and Hysterothylacium third- and fourth-stage larvae to be detected. The prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance were calculated. The results obtained showed the highest prevalence of Anisakidae in Zeus faber (100%) and of Anisakis in Micromesistius poutassou (87.5%). The highest prevalence of Anisakis type I larvae was in M. poutassou (81.2%), and that of Anisakis type II larvae was in Todarodes sagittatus (20%). The highest values for prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance for Hysterothylacium were found in Z. faber. These prevalences and the mean intensity and abundance were higher than those reported by different authors in other Mediterranean areas. This may be because the enzymatic digestive method used in this research resulted in higher recovery levels. The data suggest that Sardinia may be a high-risk area for zoonotic diseases and that measures such as information campaigns, aimed at both sanitary service personnel and consumers, should be employed to limit the spread of such zoonosis.

A new series of 4-carbamoyl-5-aryl-6-methyl-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3(2H)-ones have been synthesized and tested for their antiinflammatory and analgesic properties. Amongst the test compounds, only 31 showed antiinflammatory activity, though of shorter duration than that of indomethacin, taken as reference drug. On the contrary, many derivatives displayed relevant analgesic activity, 4--the only 4,5-dehydroderivative--being the most potent in the writhing test. In the hot plate test 3b, 3f and 3k were found to possess the most significant analgesic properties.