Some natural structures show three-dimensional morphologies on the micro- and nano- scale, characterized by levels of symmetry and complexity well far beyond those fabricated by best technologies available. This is the case of diatoms, unicellular microalgae, whose protoplasm is enclosed in a nanoporous microshell, made of hydrogenated amorphous silica, called frustule. We have studied the optical properties of Arachnoidiscus sp. single valves both in visible and ultraviolet range. We found photonic effects due to diffraction by ordered pattern of pores and slits, accordingly to an elaborated theoretical model. For the first time, we experimentally revealed spatial separation of focused light in different spots, which could be the basis of a micro-bio-spectrometer. Characterization of such intricate structures can be of great inspiration for photonic devices of next generation.

In this work the possibility to exploit the ability of multiple scattering and localization of light shown by diatom silica shells (frustules) for photoluminescence amplification in a random laser was investigated. To this aim polymethylmethacrylate matrix composite random lasers based on rhodamine B and frustules as gain medium and scatterers, respectively, were prepared by solvent casting. Two different kinds of frustules were used, the first represented by diatomite, a fossil material composed of a mixture of frustules from different diatom species, without specific shape, size and porosity; the second were living diatom frustules from freshwater biofilm, a more homogeneous biosilica, dominated by one frustule type. Chemical properties, morphology and photoluminescence of both biosilica fillers were investigated. Random laser experiments were carried out on polymer composites. The diatomite material was characterised by rectangular and circular pores, ranging from 25 nm to 1 μm in size and showed weak photoluminescence upon excitation at 405 nm. Biofilm frustules were more homogeneous in size and microstructure, with average length of about 20 μm and pore diameters between 20 and 100 nm. The frustule photoluminescence, observed after irradiation at 488, 515, 543 and 635 nm was higher than in diatomite. In addition, the two biosilica materials differed with respect to the presence of superficial silanol groups, that were not detected in diatomite. Random laser experiments showed an incoherent random lasing effect in all polymer composites. The laser threshold diminished at increasing frustule content, with a lowest value recorded using biofilm frustules (308 kW cm⁻²). This is probably due to the frustule size exhibited in this almost monospecific biosilica, that was in the range of most typical morphology-dependent resonators.

O-linked glycosylation, the greatest form of post-translational modifications, plays a key role in regulating the majority of physiological processes. It is, therefore, not surprising that abnormal O-linked glycosylation has been related to several human diseases. Recently, GALNT2, which encodes the GalNAc-transferase 2 involved in the first step of O-linked glycosylation, has attracted great attention as a possible player in many highly prevalent human metabolic diseases, including atherogenic dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and obesity, all clustered on the common ground of insulin resistance. Data available both in human and animal models point to GALNT2 as a molecule that shapes the risk of the aforementioned abnormalities affecting diverse protein functions, which eventually cause clinically distinct phenotypes (a typical example of pleiotropism). Pathways linking GALNT2 to dyslipidemia and insulin resistance have been partly identified, while those for type 2 diabetes and obesity are yet to be understood. Here, we will provide a brief overview on the present knowledge on GALNT2 function and dysfunction and propose novel insights on the complex pathogenesis of the aforementioned metabolic diseases, which all impose a heavy burden for patients, their families and the entire society.

In cells and tissues resistin affects IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and TNF-α expression, thus suggesting the existence of a multi-cytokine “resistin pathway”. We investigated whether such pathway does exist in humans and, if so, if it is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Serum cytokines were measured in 280 healthy subjects from the Gargano Study 2 (GS2) whose BMI, waist circumference, HOMA_IR, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure data were available and in 353 patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease from the Gargano Heart Study (GHS)-prospective design (follow-up 5.4 ± 2.5 years; 71 MACE). In GS2, cytokines mRNA levels in white blood cells were also measured. In GS2, resistin mRNA was correlated with all cytokines expression (all p < 0.001), but IL-12B. Consistently, serum resistin was correlated with all serum cytokines (all p < 0.001), but IL-12. Expression (eRPS) and serum (sRPS) resistin pathway scores (excluding IL-12) were each other correlated (p < 0.001) and both associated with cardiovascular risk factors (all p < 0.01). In GHS, sRPS was independently associated with MACE (HR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.10–1.90). Our data indicate the existence of a resistin pathway, which is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and which strongly and independently predicts MACE.