Multitopic Supramolecular Detection of Chemical Warfare Agents by Fluorescent Sensors

Two new naphthalimide derivatives (hosts), bearing one or two ethanolamine arms, respectively, were synthesized and tested as fluorescent probes for the detection of a chemical warfare agent simulant (guest). The resulting host–guest hydrogen bonds allowed a recognition mechanism based on supramolecular interactions. The sensor with two ethanolamine groups showed excellent sensibility and selectivity in a turn-on fluorescent response

interfacial mass transfer by controlled multilayer disassembly

We demonstrated the one-pot disassembly of self-propagating molecular assemblies (SPMAs) by ligand exchange and the subsequent covalent binding of the molecular components to other surfaces

Surface-confined core–shell structures based on gold nanoparticles and metal–organic networks

A gold nanoparticle platform enhances the optical properties and order in a metal–organic network (MON)

Targeting COPZ1 non-oncogene addiction counteracts the viability of thyroid tumor cells

Thyroid carcinoma is generally associated with good prognosis, but no effective treatments are currently available for aggressive forms not cured by standard therapy. To find novel therapeutic targets for this tumor type, we had previously performed a siRNA-based functional screening to identify genes essential for sustaining the oncogenic phenotype of thyroid tumor cells, but not required to the same extent for the viability of normal cells (non-oncogene addiction paradigm). Among those, we found the coatomer protein complex ζ1 (COPZ1) gene, which is involved in intracellular traffic, autophagy and lipid homeostasis. In this paper, we investigated the mechanisms through which COPZ1 depletion leads to thyroid tumor cell death. We showed that siRNA-mediated COPZ1 depletion causes abortive autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein response and apoptosis. Interestingly, we observed that mouse tumor xenografts, locally treated with siRNA targeting COPZ1, showed a significant reduction of tumor growth. On the whole, we demonstrated for the first time the crucial role of COPZ1 in the viability of thyroid tumor cells, suggesting that it may be considered an attractive target for novel therapeutic approaches for thyroid cancer

Microenvironmental regulation of the IL-23R/IL-23 axis overrides chronic lymphocytic leukemia indolence

Although the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) requires the cooperation of the microenvironment, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms involved are still unclear. We investigated the interleukin (IL)-23 receptor (IL-23R)/IL-23 axis and found that circulating cells from early-stage CLL patients with shorter time-to-treatment, but not of those with a more benign course, expressed a defective form of the IL-23R complex lacking the IL-12R beta 1 chain. However, cells from both patient groups expressed the complete IL-23R complex in tissue infiltrates and could be induced to express the IL-12R. 1 chain when cocultured with activated T cells or CD40L(+) cells. CLL cells activated in vitro in this context produced IL-23, a finding that, together with the presence of IL-23 in CLL lymphoid tissues, suggests the existence of an autocrine/paracrine loop inducing CLL cell proliferation. Interference with the IL-23R/IL-23 axis using an anti-IL-23p19 antibody proved effective in controlling disease onset and expansion in xenografted mice, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies

Electro-Sorption of Hydrogen by Platinum, Palladium and Bimetallic Pt-Pd Nanoelectrode Arrays Synthesized by Pulsed Laser Ablation

Sustainable and renewable production of hydrogen by water electrolysers is expected to be one of the most promising methods to satisfy the ever-growing demand for renewable energy production and storage. Hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline electrolyte is still challenging due to its slow kinetic properties. This study proposes new nanoelectrode arrays for high Faradaic efficiency of the electro-sorption reaction of hydrogen in an alkaline electrolyte. A comparative study of the nanoelectrode arrays, consisting of platinum or palladium or bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) Pt80Pd20 (wt.%), obtained by nanosecond pulsed laser ablation in aqueous environment, casted onto graphene paper, is proposed. The effects of thin films of perfluoro-sulfonic ionomer on the material morphology, nanoparticles dispersion, and electrochemical performance have been investigated. The NPs-GP systems have been characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles. Faradaic efficiency up to 86.6% and hydrogen storage capacity up to 6 wt.% have been obtained by the Pt-ionomer and Pd/Pt80Pd20 systems, respectively

Ru–Pd Bimetallic Catalysts Supported on CeO2-MnOX Oxides as Efficient Systems for H2 Purification through CO Preferential Oxidation

The catalytic performances of Ru/ceria-based catalysts in the CO preferential oxidation (CO-PROX) reaction are discussed here. Specifically, the effect of the addition of different oxides to Ru/CeO2 has been assessed. The Ru/CeO2-MnOx system showed the best performance in the 80–120 °C temperature range, advantageous for polymer-electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications. Furthermore, the influence of the addition of different metals to this mixed oxide system has been evaluated. The bimetallic Ru–Pd/CeO2-MnOx catalyst exhibited the highest yield to CO2 (75%) at 120 °C whereas the monometallic Ru/CeO2-MnOx sample was that one with the highest CO2 yield (60%) at 100 °C. The characterization data (H2-temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)) pointed out that the co-presence of manganese oxide and ruthenium enhances the mobility/reactivity of surface ceria oxygens accounting for the good CO-PROX performance of this system. Reducible oxides as CeO2 and MnOx, in fact, play two important functions, namely weakening the CO adsorption on the metal active sites and providing additional sites for adsorption/activation of O2, thus changing the mechanism from competitive Langmuir–Hinshelwood into non-competitive one-step dual site Langmuir–Hinshelwood/Mars–van Krevelen. As confirmed by H2-TPR and XPS measurements, these features are boosted by the simultaneous presence of ruthenium and palladium. The strong reciprocal interaction of these metals between them and with the CeO2-MnOx support was assumed to be responsible of the promoted reducibility/reactivity of CeO2 oxygens, thus resulting in the best CO-PROX efficiency at low temperature of the Ru-Pd/CeO2-MnOx catalyst. The higher selectivity to CO2 found on the Ru–Pd system, which reduces the undesired H2 consumption, represents a promising result of this research, being one of the key aims of the design of CO-PROX catalysts

High-Performing Au-Ag Bimetallic Catalysts Supported on Macro-Mesoporous CeO2 for Preferential Oxidation of CO in H2-Rich Gases

We report here an investigation on the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide in an H2-rich stream (CO-PROX reaction) over mono and bimetallic Au-Ag samples supported on macro-mesoporous CeO2. The highly porous structure of ceria and the synergistic effect, which occurs between the bimetallic Au-Ag system and the support, led to promising catalytic performance at low temperature (CO2 yield of 88% and CO2 selectivity of 100% at 60 °C), which is suitable for a possible application in the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The morphological, structural, textural and surface features of the catalysts were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), N2-adsoprtion-desorption measurements, Temperature Programmed Reduction in hydrogen (H2-TPR), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore, the catalytic stability of the best active catalyst, i.e., the AuAg/CeO2 sample, was evaluated also in the presence of water vapor and carbon dioxide in the gas stream. The excellent performances of the bimetallic sample, favored by the peculiar porosity of the macro-mesoporous CeO2, are promising for possible scale-up applications in the H2 purification for PEM fuel cells