Inulin, a polydisperse fructan found as a common storage polysaccharide in the roots of several plants, represents a renewable non-food biomass resource for the synthesis of bio-based products. Exploitation of inulin-containing feedstocks requires the integration of different processes, including inulinase production, saccharification of inulin, and microbial fermentation for the conversion of released sugars into added-value products. In this work paper, a new microbial source of inulinase, Penicillium lanosocoeruleum, was identified through the screening of a fungal library. Inulinase production using inulin as C-source was optimized, reaching up to 28 U mL^–1 at the 4th day of growth. The fungal inulinase mixture (PlaI) was characterized for pH and temperature stability and activity profile, and its isoenzymes composition was investigated by proteomic strategies. Statistical optimization of inulin hydrolysis was performed using a central composite rotatable design (CCRD), by analyzing the effect of four factors. In the optimized conditions (T, 45.5°C; pH, 5.1; substrate concentration, 60 g L^–1; enzyme loading, 50 U g_substrate ^–1), up to 96% inulin is converted in fructose within 20 h. The integration of PlaI in a process for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production by Cupriavidus necator from inulin was tested in both separated hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). A maximum of 3.2 g L^–1 of PHB accumulation, corresponding to 82% polymer content, was achieved in the SSF. The proved efficiency in inulin hydrolysis and its effective integration into a SSF process pave the way to a profitable exploitation of the PlaI enzymatic mixture in inulin-based biorefineries.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy characterized by poor prognosis, therapeutic resistance, and frequent recurrence. Current therapeutic options for PDAC include surgery, radiotherapy, immunological and targeted approaches. However, all these therapies provide only a slight improvement in patient survival. Consequently, the discovery of novel specific targets is becoming a priority to develop more effective treatments for PDAC. Mucin 1 (MUC1), a transmembrane glycoprotein, is aberrantly glycosylated and frequently overexpressed in pancreatic cancer. Recent studies highlighted the role of this oncoprotein in pancreatic carcinogenesis and its involvement in the acquisition of typical aggressive features of PDAC, like local invasion, metastases, and drug resistance. This review explores the mechanisms by which MUC1 contributes to cancer onset and progression, with a focus on its potential role as a biomarker and novel therapeutic target for pancreatic adenocarcinoma treatment.

Furan‐based amines are highly valuable compounds which can be directly obtained via reductive amination from easily accessible furfural, 5‐(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) and 2,5‐diformylfuran (DFF). Herein the biocatalytic amination of these carbonyl derivatives is disclosed using amine transaminases (ATAs) and isopropylamine (IPA) as amine donors. Among the different biocatalysts tested, the ones from Chromobacterium violaceum (Cv‐TA), Arthrobacter citreus (ArS‐TA), and variants from Arthrobacter sp. (ArRmut11‐TA) and Vibrio fluvialis (Vf‐mut‐TA), afforded high levels of product formation (>80 %) at 100–200 mM aldehyde concentration. The transformations were studied in terms of enzyme and IPA loading. The pH influence was found as a key factor and attributed to the imine/aldehyde equilibrium that can arise from the high reactivity of the carbonyl substrates with a nucleophilic amine such as IPA.

Laccases are oxidative enzymes with high synthetic potential. In this work, their value in biocatalysis is shown through the green and selective oxidation of furfuryl alcohol into furfural with the aid of mediators. The influence of different parameters, such as pH, enzyme/mediator composition, buffer type, cosolvent tolerance, and reaction times, is investigated. Under the optimal conditions, 20 mol % of TEMPO as mediator and 5.8 U mL⁻¹ of laccases POXC and POXA1b from Pleurotus ostreatus, quantitative production of furfural is attained after 16 h. POXC laccase stands out for its ability to catalyze the reaction at pH 6.5, whereas POXA1b is notable for its high stability. Furfural conversions reach excellent values (95 %) after 72 h using only 5 mol % of TEMPO at 100 mM. Furthermore, furfuryl alcohol bioamination is achieved by employing the amine transaminase from Chromobacterium violaceum, providing furfuryl amine, a key compound for the polymer industry, through a one‐pot sequential approach.

Lateral Spreading Tumors (LSTs) are a type of non-polypoid lesion known for their flat morphology, which often leads to them going undetected. However, especially nongranular (NG) LSTs have the potential for malignant transformation. Recent advances in endoscopic technologies have improved the detection of these lesions. Despite growing research interest in their role in colorectal cancer (CRC) development, a comprehensive molecular characterization of LSTs is still lacking. The aim of this review is to highlight the current knowledge of the molecular characteristics of LSTs, that may help in determining whether LSTs can be prognostic indicators and identifying cases where they may rapidly progress to CRC through characteristic molecular pathways. From a mutational point of view, LSTs seem to be more closely associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) than with polypoid lesions. Nonetheless, they have peculiar epigenetic and genetic traits, which set them apart from other adenomas or bowel diseases. Elucidating their role in CRC development would provide benefits for their classification and management, by enhancing clinical surveillance strategies for patients diagnosed with these lesions in order to improve the efficient prevention of colorectal cancer.