IRIS UNIME
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A physical-mechanical study of bio-composites based on lignocellulosic agri-food waste and PBAT/PLA
No full textThe increasing environmental problems caused by traditional plastics and the urgent need for ecofriendly
materials have led to an increasing search for biodegradable polymers with improved
performances. This study investigates the development and characterization of biodegradable
biocomposites composed of a blend of PBAT/PLA as matrix, added with 30% of lignocellulosic
agro-food fillers, including Beer Spent grain (BSG), olive pomace (OP), coffee silver skin (CSS) and
mandarin pomace (MP). The aim is to valorize organic residues while improving the functional
performance of biopolymers for sustainable applications.The biocomposites were characterized by
rheological (melt flow rate, mixing torque), thermal (TGA, DSC) and mechanical (tensile tests)
properties, and surface characteristics (contact angle, roughness).
In general, the biocomposites showed higher stiffness, tensile strength and lower deformability
compared to PBAT/PLA. However, the mechanical values remain appreciable for "Reuse-Design-
Applications".These results highlight the potential of agro-food waste as an effective filler for
bioplastics. The study supports the principles of circular economy by transforming food industry byproducts
into value-added materials, offering a viable strategy to reduce fossil-based plastic
pollution and promote sustainable material innovation [1]
Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Environmental Monitoring: A Dopamine-Based Sensor for Levofloxacin Detection in Water
No full textThe Role ofMetal Foams for Sustainability and Energy Transition
No full textThe global pursuit of a sustainable and decarbonized energy landscape requires the development of novel materials capable of supporting lightweight construction, advanced energy conversion, storage, and thermal management technologies. Among these, metal foams have emerged as a versatile class of porous materials, offering a unique combination of low density, high surface area, three-dimensional (3D) interconnected porosity, and favorable thermal and electrical conductivities. These attributes make them highly suitable for a broad range of applications critical to the ongoing energy transition, assuming an increasingly central role in enabling clean, efficient, and resilient energy infrastructures.From this key perspective, the present review highlights the relevance of the adoption ofmetal foams in several fields crucial for the energy transition. By presenting methodologies and outcomes of research results, mainly from the last five years, the paper underscores the
potential of low-weight, high-surface, and high-performance porous materials in contemporary and future industry, supporting sustainable development and, more generally, energy transition and circular economy. The approach also aims to minimize negative impacts and promote sustainability, for example, by recycling and transforming waste materials
Serotonin signaling and macrophage subsets in goldfish gills: unraveling the neuroimmune network for gill homeostasis
No full textGoldfish (Carassius auratus) gills function as both respiratory and immune-regulatory organs, integrating neuroendocrine and immune responses to environmental stimuli. This study explores the spatial organization and interaction of neuroendocrine cells (NECs) and immune cells within goldfish gills using confocal immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. NECs, identified near blood capillaries and nerve fibers, highlight their role in environmental sensing and physiological regulation. These cells express serotonin (5-HT), a neurotransmitter critical for neuroimmune communication. Two distinct macrophage subsets were observed: iNOS-positive macrophages, concentrated in the basal epithelium, suggest a pro-inflammatory role, whereas 5-HT-positive macrophages, dispersed in the subepithelium, likely contribute to immune modulation. The co-localization of MHC-II and CD68 in macrophages further supports an active antigen-processing system in the gills. Ultrastructural analysis revealed diverse immune cells, including rodlet cells, telocytes, and lymphocytes, within the gill epithelium. Telocytes formed intricate networks with immune cells, highlighting their role in immune coordination and tissue homeostasis. These findings provide new insights into the neuroimmune interactions in fish gills, contributing to a broader understanding of aquatic immune systems and environmental adaptability
INVESTIGATING MITOCHONDRIAL UNCOUPLING PROTEIN 1 IN THE INTERPLAY OF METABOLIC ADAPTATION AND INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE OF DAIRY COWS DURING THE PERIPARTUM PERIOD
No full textHomeostasis is a finely coordinated regulation of bodily functions that is crucial for maintaining a stable physiological state. Some conditions, even physiological ones, place a strain on homeostasis, requiring the body to undergo metabolic and physiological adaptations to restore balance (1). One such condition is the peripartum period in mammals. In this regard, dairy cows undergo significant changes in energy during the peripartum phase (2). Mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP1) plays an important role in regulating metabolism and energy balance through its effect on adipose
tissue. Furthermore, especially during the peripartum period, it plays a key function in the interaction between lipid metabolism and inflammation in cows by the promotion of T-helper 1 responses and mediating the production of proinflammatory interleukins such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα),
interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2 and IL-6. In view of the above, the present study explored key metabolic markers and inflammatory responses in 10 cows during the peripartum period. Blood samples were collected at various stages surrounding calving, and plasma concentrations of mitochondrial uncoupling
protein 1 (UCP1), glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides, total cholesterol, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) were measured. The results showed a decline in UCP1 levels from prepartum to calving (p < 0.05), followed by an increase up to three
weeks postpartum. IL-6 peaked at -7 days (p < 0.05), while TNFα was elevated at -21 and -7 days compared to calving and subsequent days (p < 0.05). Glucose levels were higher at -21 and -7 days, and NEFA increased from -21 until calving, then decreased (p < 0.05). Total cholesterol was lower
at calving and one day post-partum compared to earlier and later measurements. Triglycerides were elevated prepartum but decreased at calving. UCP1 values were negatively correlated with NEFA and positively correlated with total cholesterol (p < 0.05). The changes observed in plasma UCP1, glucose and lipids levels of peripartum cows reflect the hormonal and metabolic adaptations that occur during late pregnancy and lactation.
These adaptation are crucial to meet the energy demands of ovaries, placenta, and mammary glands and, thereby help protect cows from negative energy balance. Specifically, the lower plasma levels of UCP1 may play a role in counteracting energy loss associated with pregnancy demands and milk production.This study contributes the undestanding of the dynamic changes in energetic balance and inflammatory state in dairy cows during the peripartum period
Integrated physicochemical and chemometric analysis for the detection of Tara gum adulteration
No full textThis study investigates the composition and quality of natural food gums, with a focus on Tara gum, a commonly used thickener in the food industry. Although often labeled as "pure," commercial Tara gum may be adulterated with cheaper alternatives like Guar, Konjac, or Xanthan gum, leading to variations in its properties. To assess this, here we analyzed pure samples and mixtures of Tara gum (containing 5-25 % of the other gums) using thermal (TGA, DSC), spectroscopic (FTIR), and viscosity measurements. Advanced statistical tools, including multivariate analysis (MDVA) and classification models (SIMCA and PLSDA), were used to identify the composition of these samples. The analysis revealed that most unknown samples matched the profile of pure Tara gum, though a few showed evidence of Guar or Konjac content. Xanthan gum was excluded from some comparisons because its strong influence significantly altered the properties of the mixtures, making them stand out in the statistical models. The SIMCA model identified borderline cases in the Cooman's plot, indicating potential low-level adulteration. Overall, the study provides useful tools for detecting gum adulteration and supports better quality control in the food industry
Evaluation of the effects of sodium lauryl sulfate on the health status of Danio rerio: a study on swimming performance and sociability
No full textIn recent years, the presence of Personal Care Products (PPCs) in the environment has triggered public attention because of their hazardous features in aquatic ecosystems. PPCs arrive in the ecosystem through wastewater, and their continued influx into the aquatic environment supports their pseudo-persistent behavior. One of the most used ingredients in personal care and household cleaning products is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). This study
aimed to test a 30-hour acute and a 14-day sub-chronic exposure of Danio rerio to SLS, observing its main effects on swimming performance and sociability status. The doses ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 μg L−1 of SLS for acute exposure and from 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, to 1.5 μg L−1 of SLS for subchronic exposure. The video-trackingsoftware EthoVision XT was used to record specific swimming parameters, as well as the time spent in proximity to other
zebrafish, to assess social behavior levels. The obtained data did not show many significant changes for the acute exposure compared to the 14-day period. Thus, significant differences (*p<0.05 ANOVA) were recorded for the "active movement" parameter (acute exposure) and the “acceleration” parameter (subchronic exposure). In addition, heat maps were also created to show the social alterations of zebrafish groups