Adsorption of Polylactic-co-Glycolic Acid on Zinc Oxide Systems: A Computational Approach to Describe Surface Phenomena.

Zinc oxide and polylactic-co-glycolic acid (ZnO-PLGA) nanocomposites are known to exhibit different biomedical applications and antibacterial activity, which could be beneficial for adding to wound dressings after different surgeries. However, possible cytotoxic effects along with various unexpected activities could reduce the use of these prominent systems. This is correlated to the property of ZnO, which exhibits different polymeric forms, in particular, wurtzite, zinc-blende, and rocksalt.

Development of activated carbons derived from wastes: coffee grounds and olive stones as potential porous materials for air depollution.

Agro-industrial byproducts and food waste necessitate an environmentally friendly way of reducing issues related to their disposal; it is also necessary to recover as much new raw material from these resources as possible, especially when we consider their potential usage as a precursor for preparing depolluting materials, such as activated carbon. In this work, coffee grounds and olive stones were chosen as precursors and the adsorption capacity of the obtained porous carbons for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was studied. Microporous activated carbons (ACs) were prepared using chemical (KCO) and physical (CO) activation.

Integration of Lipid-Functionalized Epigallocatechin-3-gallate into PLGA Matrix as a Novel Polyphenol-Based Nanoantioxidant.

The search for polyphenol-based materials with antioxidant activity is a growing research area in the biomedical field. To obtain an efficient and stable nanoantioxidant, a novel biosystem was designed by integrating a lipophilic derivative of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (named EGCG-C18) on the surface of poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA). Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and 1,2-distearoyl--glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-poly(ethylene glycol) (DSPE-PEG) were selected as polymeric and lipidic stabilizers, respectively, and their influence on both physical properties and the antioxidant activity of nanoantioxidant was investigated by a combined in silico and experimental approach.

Development of a Quartz-Based Photo-Mobile Polymer Film for Controlled Motion Triggered by Light or Heat.

We have developed a photo-mobile polymer film, that combines organic and inorganic materials, to allow for controlled motion that can be triggered by light or heat. Our film is made using recycled quartz and consists of two layers: a multi-acrylate polymer layer and a layer containing oxidized 4-amino-phenol and N-Vinyl-1-Pyrrolidinone. The use of quartz in our film also gives it a high temperature resistance of at least 350 °C.

Organic enrichment can increase the impact of microplastics on meiofaunal assemblages in tropical beach systems.

The cumulative impact of microplastic and organic enrichment is still largely unknown. Here, we investigated the microplastic contamination, the organic enrichment and their effects on meiofaunal distribution and diversity in two islands of the Maldivian archipelago: one more pristine, and another strongly anthropized. Field studies were coupled with manipulative experiments in which microplastic polymers were added to sediments from the non-anthropized island (i.

Transformation of industrial and organic waste into titanium doped activated carbon - cellulose nanocomposite for rapid removal of organic pollutants.

Production of cost-efficient composite materials with desired physicochemical properties from low-cost waste material is much needed to meet the growing needs of the industrial sector. As a step forward, the current study reports for the first time an effective utilization of industrial metal (inorganic) waste as well as fall leaves (organic waste), to produce three types of nanomaterials at the same time; "Titanium Doped Activated Carbon Nanostructures (Ti-ACNs)", "Nanocellulose (NCel)", and combination of both "Titanium Doped Activated Carbon Cellulose Nanocomposite (Ti-AC-Cel-NC)". X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and microanalysis (EDXS) measurements reveal that the Ti-ACNs material is formed by Ti-nanostructures, generally poorly crystalized but in some cases forming hexagonal Ti-crystallites of 15 nm, embedded in mutated graphene clouds.

Antioxidant Activity Level, Bioactive Compounds, Colour and Spectroscopic Analysis (UV-Vis and FT-IR) of Flavoured Drinks Made with Wine and Sour Cherries ( Var. ).

In recent years, the increase in consumer interest towards simpler and authentic lifestyles has led to an explosive growth in the production and business of typical agri-food products and, among these, of wines and its derived beverages. With the aim of promoting a typical Italian beverage, the so-called "Vino di visciole" or "Visner", listed in the national table of traditional agri-food products, the antioxidant and colour properties of fifteen samples from different provinces of the Marche region and obtained with different recipes were analysed. The "in vitro" total antioxidant activity (TAA) determined using ABTS assays, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanins content (TAC), and colour (Somers assay) were measured.

Cytotoxic Effects of 5-Azacytidine on Primary Tumour Cells and Cancer Stem Cells from Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An In Vitro FTIRM Analysis.

In the present study, the cytotoxic effects of 5-azacytidine on primary Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma cells (OSCCs) from human biopsies, and on Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) from the same samples, were investigated by an in vitro Fourier Transform InfraRed Microscospectroscopy (FTIRM) approach coupled with multivariate analysis. OSCC is an aggressive tumoral lesion of the epithelium, accounting for ~90% of all oral cancers. It is usually diagnosed in advanced stages, and this causes a poor prognosis with low success rates of surgical, as well as radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Microplastics in real wastewater treatment schemes: Comparative assessment and relevant inhibition effects on anaerobic processes.

The occurrence, fate and removal of microplastics (MPs) in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Central Italy were investigated together with their potential adverse effects on anaerobic processes. In the influent of the WWTP, 3.6 MPsL were detected that mostly comprised polyester fibers and particles in the shape of films, ranging 0.

Comparison of two curing protocols during adhesive cementation: can the step luting technique supersede the traditional one?

This study aims to compare the degree of conversion of two different curing protocols used during adhesive cementation. The following resin luting agents were tested: Hri Flow (MF) and pre-heated Hri Micerium (MH); light-cure Nexus Third Generation (NX3L) and dual-cure Nexus Third Generation (NX3D); dual cured RelyX Ultimate (RXU) and light-cure RelyX Veneers (RXL). For each tested material, ten samples were prepared and divided into two groups which had different curing protocols (P1 and P2): in P1, samples were cured for 40 s; in P2, samples were cured for 5 s, and then, after 20 s, cured again for additional 40 s.

Exploiting fourier transform infrared and Raman microspectroscopies on cancer stem cells from oral squamous cells carcinoma: new evidence of acquired cisplatin chemoresistance.

Oral Squamous Cells Carcinoma (OSCC) is characterised by the risk of recurrence and the onset of a refractoriness response to chemotherapy drugs. These phenomena have been recently related to a subpopulation of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), which have either an innate or acquired drug resistance, triggered by chemotherapy treatments. In this light, to precisely target chemotherapy regimens, it is essential to improve knowledge on CSCs, with a particular focus on their molecular features.

How Can Different Polishing Timing Influence Methacrylate and Dimethacrylate Bulk Fill Composites? Evaluation of Chemical and Physical Properties.

The polishing procedure is commonly performed after direct composite restorations, and little information exists regarding the right timing during which it should be performed on bulk fill composites. This study investigated the effect of polishing timing on the degree of conversion (DC), Vickers microhardness (VMH), and surface morphology of a methacrylate- (MET-) and dimethacrylate- (DMET-) based bulk fill composite, by using FT-NIR, microhardness tester, and SEM. Composite samples were divided as follows: in Group I (immediate), samples were polished immediately after curing ( ); in Group D (delayed), samples were polished after 24 h from curing ( ), whereas the unpolished samples were considered as controls (Group C).

Investigation of human pancreatic cancer tissues by Fourier Transform Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging.

Fourier-transform infrared hyperspectral imaging (FTIR-HSI) provides hyperspectral images containing both morphological and chemical information. It is widely applied in the biomedical field to detect tumor lesions, even at the early stage, by identifying specific spectral biomarkers. Pancreatic neoplasms present different prognoses and are not always easily classified by conventional analyses.

In vitro FTIR microspectroscopy analysis of primary oral squamous carcinoma cells treated with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil: a new spectroscopic approach for studying the drug-cell interaction.

In the present study, human primary oral squamous carcinoma cells treated with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil were analyzed, for the first time, by in vitro FTIR Microspectroscopy (FTIRM), to improve the knowledge on the biochemical pathways activated by these two chemotherapy drugs. To date, most of the studies regarding FTIRM cellular analysis have been executed on fixed cells from immortalized cell lines. FTIRM analysis performed on primary tumor cells under controlled hydrated conditions provides more reliable information on the biochemical processes occurring in in vivo tumor cells.

Vibrational mapping of sinonasal lesions by Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy.

Fourier transform infrared imaging (FTIRI) is a powerful tool for analyzing biochemical changes in tumoral tissues. The head and neck region is characterized by a great variety of lesions, with different degrees of malignancy, which are often difficult to diagnose. Schneiderian papillomas are sinonasal benign neoplasms arising from the Schneiderian mucosa; they can evolve into malignant tumoral lesions (squamous cell carcinoma).

FTIR microspectroscopic characterization of Spitz nevi.

In the last 10 years, few efforts have been carried out to apply vibrational spectroscopy in the study of dermal pathologies in order to characterize the most relevant spectral markers for distinguishing benign from cancerous lesions. Spitz nevi are a special group of benign melanocytic lesions, characterized by spindled and/or epithelioid nevomelanocytes, with peculiar clinical, dermoscopic and histopathological features. The "atypical forms" of Spitz nevi are among the commonest problems of differential diagnosis with the so-called "spitzoid melanomas".

A new approach to evaluate aging effects on human oocytes: Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy study.

Objective: To characterize from a vibrational point of view the alterations caused by aging on human oocytes.

Design: Reproductive biology.

Setting: Private assisted reproductive technology clinic, synchrotron beam line, and university infrared laboratory.

Vibrational spectroscopy as a supporting technique in clinical diagnosis and prognosis of atherosclerotic carotid plaques: a review.

There is an imperative need to distinguish stable from unstable and vulnerable plaques because of the occurrence of thrombosis following rupture of the plaque. Imaging techniques, invasive and noninvasive, are used routinely for the assessment of visualization and quantification of this pathology, even if invasive techniques cannot be applied in the screening of atherosclerotic plaques and noninvasive imaging has low reproducibility. The aim of this review was to verify the suitability and the advantages of using vibrational spectroscopy in the study of human atherosclerotic plaques.

Electrospun nanostructured fibers of collagen-biomimetic apatite on titanium alloy.

Titanium and its alloys are currently the mainly used materials to manufacture orthopaedic implants due to their excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Although these materials are bioinert, the improvement of biological properties (e.g.

FTIR microspectroscopy of melanocytic skin lesions: a preliminary study.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy has been employed to investigate benign (ordinary dermal and Reed nevi), dysplastic and malignant (invasive melanoma) skin lesions through the analysis of spectral changes of melanocytes as well as in the evaluation of the presence of melanin. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis led to a satisfactory separation of malignant from dysplastic and normal melanocytes. Also, on enlarging the clustering with spectra from Reed and dermal nevi, the multivariate analysis segregated well the spectral data into discrete clusters, allowing the obtaining of reliable average spectra for analysis at the molecular level of the main groups or components responsible for the biological and biochemical changes.

Effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on zebrafish oocyte maturation: an FTIR imaging and biochemical analysis.

The aim of this study was to verify the effects of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus on zebrafish oocyte maturation using FPA (focal plane array) FTIR imaging together with specific biochemical assays (SDS-PAGE, real-time PCR and enzymatic assay). Oocyte growth is prevalently due to a vitellogenic process which consists of the hepatic synthesis of vitellogenin and its selective uptake during maturation. The administration of L.

Microimaging FTIR of head and neck tumors. IV.

On continuing our studies on head and neck neoplasia, specimens from salivary gland tumors have been explored by using infrared microimaging spectroscopy to discern healthy from neoplastic tissues. Samples with Warthin tumor, epithelial displasia, marginal B-cell lymphoma, low-grade adenocarcinoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma pathologies have been investigated by using conventional light sources. Changes were monitored at the molecular level, probing spectral markers such as Amide I and II, phosphate, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates vibrational modes.

Multiple component approaches to C-glycosyl beta-amino acids by complementary one-pot Mannich-type and Reformatsky-type reactions.

The development of new methods for the preparation of C-glycosyl beta-amino acid libraries with chemical and stereochemical diversity levels was investigated and the results are described herein. Two complementary one-pot three-component Mannich-type and Reformatsky-type synthetic strategies have been developed for the construction of chiral 3-amino propanoate fragments (eventually bis-substituted at C-2) directly linked to the anomeric carbon of pyranose and furanose residues. Both methods involved as the initial step the coupling of a sugar aldehyde to p-methoxybenzylamine but differed in the nucleophile (a d(2) synthon equivalent) which was successively added: a ketene silyl acetal (Mannich route) or a bromozinc enolate (Reformatsky route).