Ruthenium arene complexes in the treatment of 3D models of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Current chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are based on cisplatin, which is usually associated to severe side effects. In general, the exploration for metal-based alternatives to cisplatin has resulted in the development of a series of ruthenium complexes that are able to produce a safe therapeutic action against some neoplasms, among which are lung and ovarian cancers. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of well defined, easily available and robust ruthenium(II) η6-arene compounds on 3D models of HNSCCs with or without human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and compare their effects to the state-of-the-art RAPTA-C, a promising ruthenium compound with known anti-cancer activity. One of the compounds induces a significant therapeutic action especially on HPV negative carcinoma. Besides viability and repopulation evaluations, we performed quantitative analysis of the internalized Ru compounds to further validate our findings and elucidate the possible mechanisms of action. These results show that Ru arene compounds represent a promising alternative for the treatment of HNSCCs and pave the way for the composition of innovative (co)therapies

Total- and semi-bare noble metal nanoparticles@silica core@shell catalysts for hydrogen generation by formic acid decomposition

Catalysts are involved in a number of established and emerging chemical processes as well as in environmental remediation and energy conversion. Nanoparticles (NPs) can offer several advantages over some conventional catalysts, such as higher efficiency and selectivity. Nowadays, versatile and scalable nanocatalysts that combine activity and stability are still lacking. Here, we report a comprehensive investigation on the production and characterization of hybrid nano-architectures bringing a partial or total bare surface together with their catalytic efficiency evaluation on, as a proof-of-concept, the formic acid decomposition reaction. In this regard, formic acid (FA) is a convenient and safe hydrogen carrier with appealing features for mobile applications, fuel cells technologies, petrochemical processes and energetic applications. Thus, the design of robust catalysts for FA dehydrogenation is strongly demanded. Due to this, we produced and evaluated nano-architectures with various equilibrium between the size-increase of the active part and the barer catalytic surface. Overall, this work paves the way for the development of new approaches for green energy storage and safe delivery

Hybrid nano-architectures loaded with metal complexes for the co-chemotherapy of head and neck carcinomas

: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are a complex group of malignancies that affect different body sites pertaining to the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. Current chemotherapy relies on platinum complexes, the major exponent being cisplatin, which exert severe side effects that can negatively affect prognosis. For this reason, other metal complexes with less severe side effects are being investigated as alternatives or adjuvants to platinum complexes. In this context, exploiting (supra)additive effects by the concurrent administration of cisplatin and emerging metal complexes is a promising research strategy that may lead to effective cancer management with reduced adverse reactions. Here, the combined action of cisplatin and a ruthenium(II) η6-arene compound (RuCy), both as free molecules and loaded into hybrid nano-architectures (NAs), has been assessed on HPV-negative HNSCC models of increasing complexity: 2D cell cultures, 3D multicellular tumor spheroids, and chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs). Two new NAs have been established to explore all the delivery combinations and compare their ability to enhance the efficacy of cisplatin in the treatment of HNSCCs. A significant supra-additive effect has been observed in both 2D and 3D models by one combination of treatments, suggesting that cisplatin is particularly effective when loaded on NAs, whereas RuCy performs better when administered as a free compound. Overall, this work paves the way for the establishment of the next co-chemotherapeutic approaches for the management of HNSCCs

Distribution, abundance and biological features of anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius and Lophius budegassa) (Osteichthyes: Lophiiformes) in the Mediterranean Sea

The distribution and biological features of anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius and L. budegassa) in the Mediterranean Sea were analysed from trawl surveys data (MEDITS project, years 1994-1999). The above-mentioned species were widely distributed in the Mediterranean, but differences in abundance were found according to geographic sectors and depths. Most of the collected specimens belonged to the first length cohorts and length distributions also differed at macroarea levels. Mean sizes at female sexual maturity were estimated at 68.5 cm and 66.2 cm total length, respectively for L. piscatorius and L. budegassaPublicado

Complementary Effect of Non-Persistent Silver Nano- Architectures and Chlorhexidine on Infected Wound Healing

Surgical site infection (SSI) substantially contributes each year to patients’ morbidity and mortality, accounting for about 15% of all nosocomial infections. SSI drastically increases the rehab stint and expenses while jeopardizing health outcomes. Besides prevention, the treatment regime relies on an adequate antibiotic therapy. On the other hand, resistant bacterial strains have currently reached up to 34.3% of the total infections, and this percentage grows annually, reducing the efficacy of the common treatment schemes. Thus, new antibacterial strategies are urgently demanded. Here, we demonstrated in rats the effectiveness of non-persistent silver nano-architectures (AgNAs) in infected wound healing together with their synergistic action in combination with chlorhexidine. Besides the in vivo efficacy evaluation, we performed analysis of the bacteriological profile of purulent wound, histological evaluations, and macrophages polarization quantifications to further validate our findings and elucidate the possible mechanisms of AgNAs action on wound healing. These findings open the way for the composition of robust multifunctional nanoplatforms for the translation of safe and efficient topical treatments of SSI

Gold nanoparticles as antiangiogenic and antimetastatic agents

Angiogenesis and metastasis are two interdependent cancer hallmarks, the latter of which is the key cause of treatment failure. Thus, establishing effective antiangiogenesis/antimetastasis agents is the final frontier in cancer research. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) may provide disruptive advancements in this regard due to their intrinsic physical and physiological features. Here, we comprehensively discuss recent potential therapeutical strategies to treat angiogenesis and metastasis and present a critical review on the state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo evaluations of the antiangiogenic/antimetastatic activity of GNPs. Finally, we provide perspectives on the contribution of GNPs to the advancement of cancer management

An updated review of the occurrence of Bathypolypus sponsalis (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) in the Italian seas and notes on its distribution in the Mediterranean.

The occurrence and bathymetric distribution of Bathypolypus sponsalis in the Italian waters was reviewed on the basis of trawl surveys data routinely collected from 1994 to 2004 within the framework of the Italian GRUND and the International MEDITS research programs. All Italian seas were investigated covering a total area of about 290,000 km2 within the depth interval 10-800 m. Biomass and abundance indices were computed. Bathypolypus sponsalis was caught in the Ligurian Sea, in the Sardinian Sea, in the Sardinian Channel and in the Strait of Sicily, in the depth range 265-704 m. The species was never recorded in the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea and only few records are available for the Tyrrhenian Sea (some specimens caught off northwestern Sicily). Present results, along with information from the literature, indicate the core of occurrence for B. sponsalis in the Mediterranean to be located in the western basin. This study addresses the absence of this species in the above mentioned areas on the basis of biogeographical and oceanographical information, paying particular interest to the possibility that the intermediate waters circulation plays a significant part in determining the distribution of the species

On the presence of Synagrops japonicus (Acropomatiformes: Synagropidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

A specimen of Synagrops japonicus was collected in the north-western Mediterranean during an exploratory cruise using bottom trawl nets, aimed at the evaluation of possible consequences of lost-at-sea drums containing toxic materials. The discovery of this specimen follows the first record that occurred in the same area 28 years previously, fished by a bottom trawler in the waters of Portofino (Genoa, Italy) in 1987. The morphometric and meristic details of the new specimen are provided. The presence of this individual in the north-western portion of the Mediterranean is likely related to an accidental transport of larvae via ballast water by ships coming from outside the Mediterranean basin