Publications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16060760
Ring chromosome 14 (RC14) syndrome is an ultra-rare disorder characterized by drug-resistant epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, autism, and recurrent infections, suggesting a possible underlying immune dysregulation. We analyzed immunoglobulin G (IgG) N-glycosylation profiles in six RC14 patients and compared them with age-matched healthy controls using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with fluorescence detection (FLR) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Patients showed decreased galactosylation and sialylation, resembling pro-inflammatory patterns observed in autoimmune diseases. These alterations were not observed in total serum glycoproteins, indicating a selective effect on IgG. One patient treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) showed clinical improvement, which led us to investigate causality.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115639
The development of geometrically optimized photocatalytic devices is a key challenge for advancing environmental purification technologies. The incorporation of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles into polymeric materials, combined with additive manufacturing, offers a promising route to fabricate photocatalytic structures with custom-designed architectures. This paper investigates how specific geometric design influences nanoparticle distribution and its effect on the photocatalytic performance. A commercial acrylic resin was loaded with different TiO₂ concentrations (2.5, 5, 10 wt%), and optimal printing conditions were identified to achieve high-resolution structures. Characterization through cure depth measurements, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed effective photopolymerization and thermal stability, enabling evaluation of nanoparticle distribution in 3D-printed nanocomposites. Gyroid, lattice, and wheel geometries were designed to assess shape effects on titania distribution via photocatalytic testing. Topologically constrained and intralayer regions promote nanoparticle surface enrichment. Specifically, complex networks exhibit greater surface segregation than simple geometries, enhancing TiO₂ photoactivity. The gyroid, characterized by the highest number of layers, displayed the best photocatalytic activity, with a 43% increase in the reaction rate constant compared to the wheel geometry at 10 wt% TiO₂. These findings demonstrate that tailoring material formulation and geometry can maximize the performance of 3D-printed photocatalytic devices.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-026-03790-x
This study presents the chemical, thermal and mechanical characterization of two bio-based and fully-recyclable epoxy latent resins derived from pine oil, engineered to meet high-performance mechanical and thermal specifications for advanced composite applications. The characterized latent epoxy resins exhibited glass transition temperature (T_g) values ranging between 90 and 120°C, flexural strength and modulus values within the range of 35-110 MPa and 2.5-3.2 GPa, respectively, making them suitable for structural applications. One of the latent epoxy resin was further employed in the fabrication of a hybrid joint comprising metal and CFs reinforced composites characterized by an average ILSS of 11.9 MPa and a maximum load of 1429.2 N, due to a good mechanical interlocking at the metal/CFs interface. Due to its latent curing behavior, the epoxy resin remains stable until exposed to elevated temperatures (≥ 80°C), at which point cross-linking is initiated. This property affords an extended pot life and improved control during application and assembly. This feature makes the system especially attractive for hybrid manufacturing approaches, where the extended open time supports accurate positioning of fibers and metal inserts. Furthermore, the epoxy resin was cross-linked by using a cleavable amine hardener to achieve full recyclability, so enabling disassembly under mild acidic controlled conditions. This property facilitated the full recovery of constituent raw materials through a targeted chemical recycling process, achieving a 100% recovery yield. The proposed system offers a sustainable alternative to conventional thermoset-based hybrid metal/CFs composite manufacturing and end-of-life management. This class of hybrid joints can find industrial applications in aerospace and automotive sectors, in electronic and optical applications, in sports equipment and biomedical devices, for the manufacturing of next-generation structural solutions, with enhanced performance and versatility, by also supporting the global shift toward circular design and responsible material use.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2025.103302
The development of efficient catalysts for CO₂ utilization is a key challenge for industrial sustainability. This study explores the photothermo-catalytic methanation of CO₂ using Ni-Zn-Al Layered Double Hydroxide-derived (LDHd) catalysts modified with phyllosilicates (Montmorillonite K30 and Halloysite). LDH precursors were synthesized by co-precipitation and hydrothermal treatment, then calcined and reduced leading to the formation of mixed oxides and metallic Ni and Zn nanoparticles. Catalytic performances were evaluated at 1Ã? atm and 350°C. The Ni-Zn-Al LDHd catalyst achieved high CO₂ conversion (86%) and CH₄ selectivity (>99Ã? %) under photothermo-catalytic conditions, outperforming commercial Ni systems. Incorporation of halloysite, thermally treated at 200°C, further increased CO₂ conversion to 92% with the same high CH₄ selectivity. This improved performance is attributed to enhanced surface area, optical absorption and moderate-strong basic sites from LDHd-Halloysite interaction. In contrast, Montmorillonite modification, despite cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) intercalation, resulted in lower activity and selectivity, due to weaker basicity and ineffective LDHd interaction. The Ni-Zn-Al LDHd/halloysite catalyst exhibited excellent stability during 20 h of continuous photothermo-catalytic test at 350°C. These results demonstrate the potential of phyllosilicate-modified LDH-derived catalysts, with low metals content, for efficient CO₂ methanation under solar irradiation.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17223000
This study applies circular and sustainable principles to the formulation of biopolymer-based materials using naturally occurring additives. To improve the affinity between the host matrix and additives such as metal oxides, the work involves adding stearic acid-modified zinc oxide (f-ZnO) and sonicated titanium dioxide (s-TiO₂) to a polylactic acid and bio-derived polyamide 11 (PLA/PA11 = 70/30 w/w biopolymer blend via melt mixing. To evaluate the impact of the functionalization and sonication on metal oxides (i.e., f-ZnO and s-TiO₂) introduced into the PLA/PA11 blend, composites containing unmodified ZnO and TiO₂ prepared under the same processing conditions were compared with the modified ones. All of the composites were characterised in terms of their solid-state properties, morphology, melt behaviour, and photo-oxidation resistance. The addition of both f-ZnO and s-TiO2 appears to exert a plasticising effect on the rheological behaviour, in contrast to unmodified ZnO and TiO₂. The presence of stearic acid tails on ZnO has been estimated at approximately 4%, whereas sonication reduces the diameter of TiO₂ particles by half. In the solid state, both unmodified and modified particles can reinforce the biopolymer matrix, enhancing the Young’s (elastic) modulus. Calorimetry analysis suggests that unmodified and modified metal oxide particles do not influence the glass transition of the PLA phase but affect the melt temperatures of both biopolymeric phases by reducing macromolecular mobility. Morphology analysis shows that the presence of both f-ZnO and s-TiO₂ particles does not reduce the size of the PA11 droplets. The f-ZnO particles, which have long stearic tails and are more compatible with the less-polar phase (PLA), are probably located at the interface between the two biopolymeric phases or in the PLA phase. Furthermore, s-TiO₂ particles, like TiO₂, do not reduce the dimensions of PA11 droplets, suggesting that there is no preferential location of the particles. Due to the presence of both f-ZnO and s-TiO₂, an increase in the hydrophobicity of the PLA/PA11 blend has been detected, suggesting enhanced water resistance. The photo-oxidation resistance of the PLA/PA11 blend is significantly reduced by the presence of unmodified metal oxides and even more so by the presence of modified metal oxides. This suggests that metal oxides could be considered photo-sensitive degradant agents for biopolymer blends.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.70723
Glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites produced via sheet molding compound (SMC) and bulk molding compound (BMC) processes heavily rely on unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs) containing styrene, a volatile organic compound associated with environmental and health risks. In response to increasing regulatory pressure to reduce styrene emissions, this study investigates the formulation and performance of low-styrene (10%wt) and styrene-free UPR for SMC/BMC applications. Pure maleic-based and isophthalic/maleic-based polyester matrices were synthesized using 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate as an alternative reactive diluent. These resins were reinforced with short glass fibers to produce composite laminates via a combined SMC or BMC and hot pressing production process, which were evaluated for thermo-mechanical properties and interfacial morphology. The isophthalic/maleic-based formulation with 10 wt% styrene demonstrated superior mechanical performance (i.e., flexural strength: 119.83 ± 5.52 MPa) and comparable thermal stability (Tg of 155°C) to conventional 30 wt% styrene systems, owing to improved fiber-matrix adhesion. Conversely, pure maleic-based systems exhibited higher flexural modulus but inferior mechanical strength due to poor interfacial bonding. Morphological and dynamic mechanical analyses confirmed the role of matrix structure and styrene content in governing performance. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of reducing styrene content in UPRs when optimized backbone chemical structure are used while maintaining industrially relevant processing and mechanical performance, thus supporting the transition toward sustainable composite manufacturing.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.70642
Seeds have developed mechanisms to perceive environmental signals, such as light and temperature, which govern germination and enhance the chance of seedling establishment. This study examined the foundations of light and temperature sensitivity in the seed dormancy release of a common weed, Dipsacus fullonum. By screening six accessions from two different regions, we identified two unique germination behaviors: one sensitive to environmental stimuli and one neutral to them. In the sensitive accession, ABA is crucial for regulating dormancy release, as it accumulates in seeds subjected to darkness, while it decreases under other conditions. We observed a rise of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under conditions that stimulate germination and highlighted that their presence enhanced germination even in the absence of light. This study employed a long-read RNA-seq technology to examine the regulation of key genes associated with germination. We identified the essential nodes in this process: DfPIF1, which maintains the dormancy state in darkness at constant temperatures mainly by promoting ABA biosynthesis and signaling, and antioxidant enzymatic machinery, DfMSD1, DfCSD2, DfAPX, and DfPRX1, whose activity regulates ROS homeostasis, promoting or inhibiting germination. This study provides novel mechanisms that regulate seed germination in weeds, specifically involving ABA regulation and ROS in response to environmental stimuli.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114389
Biopolymer-based hydrogels offer a versatile platform for drug delivery thanks to their biocompatibility, use of natural polymers, and tunable properties. In this study, we developed semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels composed of alginate (ALG) and chitosan (CS), chemically modified with caffeic acid (CA) and gallic acid (GA), to enhance both antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The resulting hydrogels showed tunable physical states, high porosity, and good thermal stability, transitioning from liquid dispersions to solid forms under different conditions. Lomefloxacin was loaded to test local delivery performance. Drug release profiles revealed that the modification influenced release: the ALG-CS_CA hydrogel released about 61% of Lomefloxacin, while the ALG-CS_GA hydrogel released approximately 43%, in line with their swelling behavior. Incorporation of phenolic acids significantly boosted antioxidant capacity, with the GA-modified hydrogel reaching over 80% scavenging activity. Tests against Staphylococcus aureus confirmed improved antimicrobial activity compared to unmodified ALG-CS matrices. Overall, these fully bio-based, metal-free semi-IPNs combine biocompatibility, antimicrobial and antioxidant functions, and tunable release properties. This sustainable system, based only on natural polymers and mild chemical functionalization, shows strong potential for safe, scalable biomedical applications in localized therapies for infection-prone or inflamed tissues. This green design offers practical advantages for future scale-up and sustainable production.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/rpm2.70027
The increasing presence of organic pollutants such as herbicides and pesticides in water, soil and air requires efficient strategies for their removal and degradation in a reliable and environmentally sound manner. This work focuses on adsorbent materials for water remediation, also addressing pollutant degradation, a critical aspect allowing adsorbent re-use. A photo-regenerable adsorbent based on a liquid crystal network (LCN) is proposed, consisting of a highly ordered nanoporous material obtained through the polymerization of reactive mesogenic monomers. The addition of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the LCN matrix as photocatalyst opens to its photoregeneration, allowing degradation of the pollutants and further cycles of adsorption. The LCN-TiO₂ composite was optimized using methylene blue (MB) as a model and then tested for a real pollutant. The adsorber proved its efficiency with a maximum pollutant uptake of 86 wt% and total photoregeneration achieved by irradiation with an ultraviolet source. The best tradeoff of adsorption capacity and photoregeneration efficacy was found for samples loaded with only 1 wt% of TiO₂ nanoparticles. This composite also exhibited a high pollutant adsorption capacity and fast and complete photo-regeneration toward the herbicide Diquat, opening the way for a new versatile strategy for water remediation from emerging organic pollutants.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140039
Biodegradable mulch films (BMFs) are nowadays the alternative to conventional agricultural plastics for widespread cultivation all over the world. However, their long-term environmental impact, particularly concerning the behavior of embedded polymer additives (PAs) such as plasticizers, stabilizers, and antioxidants, remains poorly understood. These additives, not covalently bound to the polymer matrix, can leach into the soil during film degradation, potentially posing risks to ecosystems and human health. This study presents the first field burial investigation into the leaching and transformation of PAs from BMFs in a real-world context. A dual analytical approach was used: (i) targeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to quantify 15 representative additives and (ii) untargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to identify transformation by-products. Analyses were performed on both BMFs and surrounding soils over different burial periods. Results show variable leaching behavior influenced by molecular weight, polarity, and polymer affinity. Notably, stabilizers like Irgafos 168 persist in microplastic fragments derived from BMF degradation, suggesting potential long-term accumulation in soil. In contrast, more polar additives such as tributyl-O-acetylcitrate exhibited vertical mobility. These findings provide crucial insights into the environmental fate of BMFs and support the need for improved risk assessment and regulatory strategies in agroecosystems.