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Post Mortem Artifacts by Pheidole pallidula (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on a Human Corpse and an Overview of the Genus Pheidole in Forensic Entomology
No full textMany ant species play a relevant role in the successional patterns of insects colonizing human and animal corpses. Although feeding behavior in ants depends on the trophic preferences of each taxon, these insects are often reported in several studies as predators of eggs, larvae, and adults of necrophagous insects. Among ants, some species are known to cause damage on human and animal dermis, known as post-mortem skin artifacts. The extensive activity of worker ants on corpses may hinder forensic pathological investigations aimed at determining the cause and location of death, as well as the assessment of entomologists in estimating the minimum post-mortem interval. We report for the first time a case of skin lesions on a human corpse found in a suburban area of the city of Cosenza (Calabria, Southern Italy), caused by the ant Pheidole pallidula (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). During the autopsy, numerous individuals (major and minor workers) were observed feeding on the corpse, but no other insects were found on it. We discuss the appearance of skin artifacts caused by P. pallidula and provide an overview of the genus Pheidole in forensic entomology
Dyadic Ru-based nanomaterials for visible light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
No full textVisible light-driven water splitting is an appealing strategy to store renewable energy in the chemical bonds of
molecular hydrogen. In this regard, the development of photocatalytic architectures where charge transfer and
recombination can be controlled represents a key challenge. The surface functionalization of Ru/RuO2 nanoparticles
(NPs) with the [Ru(2,2′-bpy)2(qpy)](PF6)2 photosensitizer (PS), yielding PS-NPs “dyadic” hybrid
nanomaterials, represents a promising strategy. Four HER photocatalysts with different PS:NPs ratios are synthesized
and thoroughly characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(XPS) reveals the covalent binding of the PS to the NPs surface. Analysis of the photocatalytic
performance in aqueous triethanolamine (TEOA) shows that the activation of the nanocatalyst (RuO2 reduction)
and the hydrogen evolution rate improves when the PS loading increases. Under visible-light irradiation, the
nanomaterials with higher PS loading show sustained production of hydrogen for at least 80 h. The morphological
and compositional evolution of the hybrid nanomaterials under photocatalytic conditions is studied and
correlated with hydrogen production rates over time, pointing to a sequential leaching of PS from the nanomaterials
surface. Additionally, photophysical experiments allow attaining an insight into the photochemical
mechanism, which involves oxidative quenching with a fast electron injection, but also fast back electron
transfer.Visible light-driven water splitting is an appealing strategy to store renewable energy in the chemical bonds of molecular hydrogen. In this regard, the development of photocatalytic architectures where charge transfer and recombination can be controlled represents a key challenge. The surface functionalization of Ru/RuO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with the [Ru(2,2′-bpy)2(qpy)](PF6)2 photosensitizer (PS), yielding PS-NPs “dyadic” hybrid nanomaterials, represents a promising strategy. Four HER photocatalysts with different PS:NPs ratios are synthesized and thoroughly characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals the covalent binding of the PS to the NPs surface. Analysis of the photocatalytic performance in aqueous triethanolamine (TEOA) shows that the activation of the nanocatalyst (RuO2 reduction) and the hydrogen evolution rate improves when the PS loading increases. Under visible-light irradiation, the nanomaterials with higher PS ..
Combined Neutron and X-Ray Diffraction Study of Ibuprofen and Atenolol Adsorption in Zeolite Y
No full textThe widespread occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in aquatic environments necessitates the development of advanced porous materials for efficient remediation. This study investigates the adsorption mechanisms of ibuprofen and atenolol within the high-silica zeolite Y. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated significant uptake, with loading capacities of 191.6 mg/g for ibuprofen and 273.0 mg/g for atenolol, confirming the material's effectiveness. Using a combination of neutron and X-ray powder diffraction, complemented by Rietveld refinement and simulated annealing algorithms, we achieved the exact localization of the guest molecules. While the pristine zeolite maintains cubic symmetry Fd3, the incorporation of pharmaceutical molecules induces significant residual nuclear density and anisotropic lattice distortions. To accurately model these perturbations, a systematic symmetry reduction to the acentric triclinic space group F1 was implemented. This approach enabled an ab initio refinement of the structure, revealing that drug uptake of each guest is governed by distinct chemical drivers. Ibuprofen is stabilized via steric confinement and long-range dispersive interactions. In contrast, atenolol stability is governed by electrostatic charge compensation within the zeolitic voids. Our results suggest that the final adsorption geometry is dictated by the spatial orientation of functional groups and host-guest proximity rather than molecular chirality. These results provide a microscopic model describing the fundamental host-guest interactions in FAU zeolites. This structural understanding is an essential step towards the potential use of zeolitic materials in environmental remediation and complex guest sequestration
Highly-cyclable Na-ion battery exploiting a nanostructured tin-carbon anode, layered-oxide P3/P2 cathode and a glyme-based electrolyte
No full textAlternative materials to (purely) carbon-based anodes could enhance the energy density of sodium-ion batteries, and thus favor their complementarity to lithium-ion batteries. This work provides a viable setup of Na-ion cells combining a P3/P2 sodium-deficient layered cathode and a tin-carbon Na-alloying anode with a glyme-based electrolyte. Galvanostatic cycling in sodium half-cells of the water-processed alloying anode with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder shows a maximum capacity of similar to 260 mAh g(-1), a capacity retention exceeding 70 % after 150 cycles, and an average Coulombic efficiency over 99 %. The multi-metal cathode evidences a great cycling stability over 100 cycles, with average Coulombic efficiency between 99.5 and 99.6 % as favored by the presence of Al3+ ions in its structure. Full Na-ion batteries exploiting ad hoc chemically-sodiated tin-based anode and sodium-deficient layered cathode operate with average working voltage of 3 V, and maximum capacity of 120 mAh g(-1) retained for 95 % over 100 cycles in the best experimental setup. The rationally designed full-cell reaches theoretical energy density between 310 and 250 Wh kg(-1) as referred to the cathode weight
Are Marital Status and Quality Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases?
No full textNo abstract availabl
Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for the recurrent F9 (c.520 + 13 A > G) variant in hemophilia B
No full textBackground: Hemophilia B (HB), an X-linked recessive disorder, results from variants in the coagulation factor IX gene (F9). The F9 c.520 + 13 A > G variant is a recurrent intronic variant in HB patients, accounting for 15.05% of all documented F9 intronic variants. Despite prior predictions of its impact, the molecular mechanism associated with moderate to mild HB remains undissected. Materials and methods: In silico predictions and splicing-competent cDNA constructs were used to assess the impact of F9 c.520 + 13 A > G on mRNA splicing. Factor IX (FIX) variant (p.V174delinsGHNLM) expression in HEK293T cells was evaluated using activated partial thromboplastin time, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence analyses. Structural modeling and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to evaluate the structural impact of the variant. Engineered U1 small nuclear RNA (U1snRNA) was challenged with F9 full-length splicing-competent constructs to evaluate splicing correction. Results: The F9 c.520 + 13 A > G variant caused nearly complete aberrant splicing, producing the F9 c.520_521insGTCATAATCTGA insertion and the in-frame FIX p.V174delinsGHNLM variant. A small amount (approximately 10%) of wild-type FIX was also detected. We characterize the p.V174delinsGHNLM variant, which exhibited impaired secretion and increased intracellular accumulation. Interestingly, an engineered U1snRNA partially rescued aberrant splicing, restoring functional FIX levels to approximately 40%. Conclusion: This study elucidates the molecular mechanism of the F9 c.520 + 13 A > G variant, which activates a cryptic 5' splice site in intron 5, leading to an in-frame FIX (p.V174delinsGHNLM) with secretion defects and loss of protein function. And Engineered U1snRNA partially rescued the splicing defect
Preservando il mercato unico digitale: il mantenimento degli effetti dell’atto annullato nelle sentenze Meta e Tiktok
No full textSegnalazione avente ad oggetto le sentenze Trib., 10 settembre 2025, causa T-55/24, Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd c. Commissione; 10 settembre 2025, causa T-58/24, TikTok Technology Ltd c. Commission
Impact of artificial light at night on zebrafish circadian rhythms: Insights from behavioural and molecular data
No full textArtificial light at night (ALAN) is an emerging environmental stressor that alters natural light cycles and disrupts circadian regulation across a wide range of species and ecosystems. By interfering with the environmental cues that have shaped circadian timekeeping mechanisms, ALAN poses a growing concern for circadian physiology and behaviour. In this study, we investigated the effects of ALAN on behavioural and molecular rhythmicity in the diurnal teleost Danio rerio, the zebrafish. Fish were exposed to either a natural light-dark (L:D) cycle or a light-ALAN (L:ALAN) regimen. Locomotor activity recordings revealed alterations in behavioural pattern mostly associated to arrhythmicity under ALAN, whereas L:D exposed fish exhibited robust circadian rhythms with clear diurnal patterns. To explore the molecular basis of this disruption, we performed RNA sequencing on brain tissue collected at four time points across the day. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant alterations in the expression of core circadian clock and opsin genes in ALAN exposed zebrafish. Both positive and negative regulators of the molecular clock exhibited reduced rhythmic amplitude, indicating a dampening of endogenous circadian oscillations. These results demonstrate that ALAN profoundly affects both behavioural and molecular circadian rhythms in zebrafish. Given the widespread use of artificial lighting and its known ecological impacts, our findings highlight the need for integrative approaches, linking molecular, physiological, and behavioural data, to better understand the biological impacts of light pollution. Such insights are critical for informing conservation strategies and mitigating the effects of ALAN on wildlife and ecosystems
Impact of genetic variants on hippocampal volume among individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders
No full textBackground and Hypothesis: Hippocampal volume reduction is a consistent finding in schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder type I (BP-I), yet the role of genetic factors remains unclear. We investigated the influence of DISC1 (rs821616), AKT1 (rs1130233), COMT (rs4680), and GSK-3ꞵ(rs334558) polymorphisms on hippocampal morphology. Study Design: Seventy-one participants (25 SCZ, 22 BP-I, 24 healthy controls, HC) underwent 1.5T MRI and genotyping. Bayesian multilevel models estimated associations between corrected hippocampal volume, diagnosis, hemisphere, and genetic variants. Study Results: Both SCZ and BP-I showed significantly smaller hippocampal volumes compared with HC (Average Marginal Effects: SCZ vs HC = −1.38; BP-I vs HC = −1.46; probability of direction [PD] = 100%). Rightward asymmetry was preserved across groups. The COMT AA genotype was associated with lower hippocampal volume (AME = −0.67; PD = 99%), while DISC1 AT carriers showed moderate reductions (AME = −0.37; PD = 96%). GSK-3ꞵ contributed to variability but not mean volume, and AKT1 showed no clear effects. Conclusions: Hippocampal atrophy is a shared marker of SCZ and BP-I, with preserved lateralization. COMT and DISC1 variations appear to modulate hippocampal volume, supporting their role in psychosis vulnerability
Corneal regenerative contribution of endogenous and grafted limbal-corneal cells in a mouse model of simple limbal-corneal epithelial transplantation
No full text: Severe ocular damage, such as corneal alkali-injury, can compromise the limbal stem cell (LSC) niches, leading to LSC deficiency (LSCD) and resulting in significant vision impairment. Current insights into the wound healing process associated with simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET), a therapeutic intervention for LSCD, are derived solely from clinical studies, which impose methodological limitations and hinder a complete understanding of the cellular dynamics underlying SLET. For the first time, we adapted the clinical SLET procedure to a mouse model of LSCD, enabling a robust and detailed assessment of short- and long-term morphological, immunomodulatory and cell-fate outcomes in corneal regeneration. We demonstrated that simple limbal-corneal epithelial transplantation (SLCET) treatment effectively reduces corneal opacification, vascularization, and inflammation induced by alkali-injury, with persistent benefits. We used transgenic GFP-expressing mice to isolate GFP-positive limbal-corneal cells and trace their fate in the context of SLCET. Our results revealed that both endogenous and transplanted cells contribute to replenishing the depleted limbal-corneal cell population. Furthermore, we showed that the engrafted-cells retained a long-term proliferative capacity and stemness phenotype, underscoring their role in sustained corneal regeneration. Overall, our study provides a temporal and mechanistic overview of SLCET outcomes, highlighting the engrafted-cells as key players in corneal regeneration. This framework also holds a strong translational potential for enhancing SLET's efficacy and uncovering novel LSC modulators