Publications

Abstract With the rapidly increasing demand for sustainable battery systems comes the need for environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and scalable material production. The reutilisation of biomass waste as precursors for carbonaceous materials shows promise in tackling some of these issues, especially when considered as sulfur hosts for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. In this work, amorphous, porous carbon particles are produced through the facile carbonisation of glycogen derived from the industrial wastewater stream of the mussel cooking process. The influence of carbonisation time on the structural and molecular properties of the carbon particles is investigated using gas absorption analysis, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The application of these shellfish waste glycogen-derived carbons as sulfur host materials for Li-S batteries is detailed for the first time, including galvanostatic cycling and cyclic voltammetry. Specific charge values obtained in this study are greater than many reported values for carbons prepared from other biomass sources including rice husks and peanut shells. This work highlights the possibility to derive low-cost, sustainable sulfur host materials with promising electrochemical performance from shellfish materials which are currently considered to be waste products.

Abstract The crucial role of human monoamine oxidases (hMAOs), particularly the B isoform, in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases has been extensively studied. Alongside numerous other factors, the clinical use of hMAO-B inhibitors to alleviate symptoms of Parkinson's disease is well-established. In order to develop novel hMAO-B inhibitors as potential candidates for the treatment of these conditions, we have designed and synthesized two libraries of compounds based on the 2-aroylbenzofuran-3-ol and the 2-aroylbenzofuran scaffolds. The hMAO inhibitory activity and selectivity of these compounds was thoroughly investigated. In general, the 2aroylbenzofuran-3-ols were unable to inhibit hMAO isoforms. In contrast, 2-aroylbenzofuran derivatives acted as potent and selective hMAO-B inhibitors, showing IC50 values within the nanomolar range and as low as 8.2 nM. The best compounds exhibited broad safety ranges in human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. A preliminary evaluation of the compounds' neuroprotective effects was conducted through the co-exposure of the cells to the neurotoxic agent 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and the synthesized compounds, whose activity was comparable to that of (R)-(-)-deprenyl, the reference hMAO-B inhibitors. The characterization of the compounds was enriched with the in silico prediction of the drug-likeness of the most active compounds among the 2-aroyl benzofurans using the free web tool SwissADME. All compounds were predicted to have high gastrointestinal absorption and to permeate the blood-brain barrier and molecular modelling studies provided insights into the molecular mechanisms responsible for the high hMAO-B inhibitory potency and selectivity of 2-aroylbenzofurans.

Abstract Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), are characterized by progressive neuronal dysfunction and loss and represent a significant global health challenge. Oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter dysregulation, particularly affecting acetylcholine (ACh) and monoamines, are key hallmarks of these conditions. The current therapeutic strategies targeting cholinergic and monoaminergic systems have some limitations, highlighting the need for novel approaches. Metallodrugs, especially ruthenium and platinum complexes, are gaining attention for their therapeutic use. Among metal complexes, gold(I) and silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes exhibit several biological activities, but their application in NDDs, particularly as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, remains largely unexplored. To advance the understanding of this field, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated the biological activity of a new series of Au(I) and Ag(I) complexes stabilized by NHC ligands and bearing a carboxylate salt of tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc)-N-protected proline as an anionic ligand. Through in silico and in vitro studies, we assessed their potential as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and MAO inhibitors, as well as their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, aiming to contribute to the development of potential novel therapeutic agents for NDD management.

Abstract The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is a surveillance mechanism required for the fidelity of chromosome segregation, ensuring that anaphase is not initiated until all chromosomes are properly attached to the mitotic spindle. In cancer cells, SAC inactivation leads to aneuploidy beyond the cell's adaptation, culminating in cell death. This review provides a concise overview of the SAC signaling process and properties. Recent drug discovery strategies to selectively target kinases, particularly Aurora B and monopolar spindle kinase (MPS1), aimed at developing innovative anticancer agents able to override SAC are also presented.

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance: Plants contain various bioactive molecules that may promote human health by preventing the onset and progression of different illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative conditions, and cardiovascular issues. Salvia species have been employed since ancient times in traditional medicine and for culinary use. Aim of the study: Herein, four extracts from leaves of Salvia officinalis L., cultivated in Calabria (Italy) were obtained and quali-and quantitatively characterized, finding a high presence of bioactive compounds. The extracts were investigated for their biological activities, showing interesting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In addition, all the extracts were tested for their potential regulation of some enzymes involved in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, as MAO-A and B, AChE and BChE. Finally, the safety of the extracts was also investigated. Materials and methods: The extracts were obtained using conventional maceration and ultrasound-assisted extractions. The chemical characterization was achieved by the means of Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The biological evaluation was performed by in vitro, direct enzymatic, fluorescence and cell-based assays. Results: The chromatographic analysis indicated a high presence of bioactive compounds, which confer high ability in ROS scavenging, NO production inhibition and impacting breast cancer cells viability. In addition, all the extracts targeted some enzymes involved in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, as MAO-A and B, AChE and BChE. Moreover, the extracts were found safe and with a low hepatotoxic toxicity. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the extracts from Salvia officinalis L. leaf, traditionally used for many puproses, possess various biological activities, regulating the oxidative stress and inflammation, reducing the growth of breast cancer cells and blocking some key enzymes involved in neurological diseases. The combined low toxicity and biological features reported in this work suggest a high potential of the studied extracts for the management of some pathological conditions and/or for the achievement of nutraceutical products.

Abstract This study presents an environmentally friendly approach for synthesis Ag-TiO2 composite using pulsed reverse current (PRC) electrodeposition from green electrolytes, specifically deep eutectic solvents (DESs). The combination of PRC and DESs offers better control over nanoparticle synthesis while eliminating the need for toxic or expensive precursors, representing a significant advancement in sustainable nanomaterial synthesis. Different electrochemical parameters were adjusted, and their influence on the structure and morphology of the composite was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM analysis revealed that silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are attached to TiO2 nanopowder, with the coexistence of TiO2 and Ag further confirmed by XRD and XPS. The recorded UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) displayed a broad peak in the range of 400 - 650 nm, associated with the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Ag NPs on the semiconductor's surface. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanopowder and Ag-TiO2 composite was evaluated based on the degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye under UV and visible light illumination. Our findings clearly demonstrated that the incorporation of Ag improved the photocatalytic efficiency. The mechanism of MO dye degradation was explored by using various scavengers, revealing that superoxide radicals (center dot O-2(-)) play a dominant role. Furthermore, the incorporation of Ag NPs significantly enhanced the antimicrobial activity of the oxide against both Gram-positive (B. subtilis) and Gram-negative (E.coli) strains.

Abstract Benzazole derivatives exhibit distinctive photophysical behavior due to excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), making them promising candidates for optoelectronic applications such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and fluorescent sensors. Understanding their sublimation energetics, phase behavior, and emissive properties is essential for both fundamental studies and materials design. This article reports an investigation on two benzazole derivatives-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole and 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO)-through studies of thermal analysis, vapor pressure measurements, and fluorescence spectroscopy to establish structure-property relationships. Thermal stability and phase transitions are characterized using simultaneous thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) and heat-flux DSC. Vapor pressures are determined using both Knudsen effusion mass loss and mass spectrometry. The derived standard molar enthalpies of sublimation, vaporization, and fusion highlight the presence of heteroatom (S versus O) on intermolecular interactions. Solid-state fluorescence measurements reveal strong emission in both compounds, with a large Stokes shift-consistent with ESIPT-and complex spectra attributed to solid-state molecular packing. This comprehensive experimental strategy delivers benchmark thermodynamic and photophysical data, offering new insights into the interplay between molecular structure, thermal behavior, and fluorescence of benzazole derivatives. Such understanding is relevant for the development of advanced optoelectronic materials.

Abstract This study examines the impact of a Science-Technology-Society-Environment (STSE) educational intervention on the teaching of acid-base reactions to 11th-grade students (n = 17). The didactic sequence combined laboratory experiments, real-data analysis, and an interdisciplinary role-play debate, designed to connect chemical concepts with pressing socio-environmental challenges such as ocean acidification, acid rain, and acid mine drainage. Data collection included a pre- and post-test on environmental awareness and semi-structured interviews, enabling the assessment of both conceptual learning and attitudinal change. Significant conceptual gains were observed, with five of eleven test items reaching a normalized Hake gain >= 0.70, alongside increased environmental awareness. Qualitative findings further revealed that students valued the real-world context and interdisciplinary integration, reporting enhanced motivation, civic responsibility, and a more meaningful engagement with science. Overall, the results suggest that STSE-based chemistry instruction not only strengthens students' understanding of acid-base equilibria but also fosters sustainability competencies essential for responsible and informed citizenship in the 21st century.

Abstract <jats:p>Steel consumption in the construction sector is one of the main contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, developing processes for the reuse of steel-based products with lower environmental impacts is essential for the sustainability of the construction sector. One example is the reuse of metal road guardrail beams on highways. This study investigated the environmental sustainability of a reconditioning process for such beams, instead of using new guardrails. The environmental impacts of the process were studied and compared with the impacts of the traditional production process using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. This study revealed that most of the impacts of the reconditioning process derive from the use of electricity. The comparison with the traditional beam production process revealed that when primary raw materials are replaced by reused raw materials, the environmental impacts associated with the production process decrease significantly. Of the 19 impact indicators assessed, 18 were lower, and 17 had a drop of more than 90 percent compared to the traditional production process. The results indicate that the reconditioning process has the potential to significantly reduce environmental impacts by avoiding the consumption and transportation of primary raw materials, which were identified as the main sources of impacts in the traditional production process, as well as minimizing waste generation.</jats:p>

Abstract [No abstract available]