1,390 results match your criteria: "Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff" University of Florence[Affiliation]"

Background&aims: Celiac disease (CD) and potential CD (pCD) are immune-mediated disorders triggered by the ingestion of gluten. In non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) neither allergic nor autoimmune mechanisms are involved. Relationships between NCGS and CD need to be further investigated.

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An antibody-free bio-layer interferometry biosensor for immunoglobulin G1 detection in human serum by using molecularly imprinted polynorepinephrine.

Biosens Bioelectron

December 2024

Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff', University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia, 3-13, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. Electronic address:

Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) has emerged as a versatile technique in affinity-based biosensing, analogous to Surface Plasmon Resonance. BLI enables real-time, label-free detection, and quantification of biomolecular interactions between an immobilized receptor and an analyte in solution. The BLI sensor comprises an optical fiber with an internal reference layer at the end and an external biocompatible layer where biological receptors are immobilized and exposed to the solution.

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Coating synthetic nanoparticles (NPs) with lipid membranes is a promising approach to enhance the performance of nanomaterials in various biological applications, including therapeutic delivery to target organs. Current methods for achieving this coating often rely on bulk approaches which can result in low efficiency and poor reproducibility. Continuous processes coupled with quality control represent an attractive strategy to manufacture products with consistent attributes and high yields.

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How does the tidal cycle influence the estuarine dynamics of microplastics?

Mar Pollut Bull

December 2024

Instituto de Ciências do Mar (LABOMAR), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Brazil. Electronic address:

Estuaries are the main pathway for the microplastics (MPs) to enter into the oceans. However, factors that drive river-sea transport of MPs are not yet fully understood. Therefore, our research investigated the influence of the tidal cycle on the abundance and characteristics of MPs in an urban estuary, through high-frequency sampling (every 2-3 h) using a plankton net (120 μm mesh size) in two seasons (rainy and dry seasons).

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Supramolecular dextran/polyamine phosphate nanocapsules with smart responsiveness for encapsulation of therapeutics.

J Colloid Interface Sci

December 2024

Department of Chemistry 'Ugo Schiff', University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy. Electronic address:

The polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) polymer is here functionalized with branched and biocompatible polysaccharide dextran (DEX) molecules. Covalent conjugation of DEX to PAH has been achieved through a straightforward reductive amination approach, allowing for a controlled number of DEX chains per PAH polymer (PAH:DEX, n = 0.1, 0.

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The present study reports the preparation of the first multivalent iminosugars built onto a glyco-gold nanoparticle core (glyco-AuNPs) capable of stabilizing or enhancing the activity of the lysosomal enzyme GCase, which is defective in Gaucher disease. An -nonyltrihydroxypiperidine was selected as the bioactive iminosugar unit and further functionalized, via copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition, with a thiol-ending linker that allowed the conjugation to the gold core. These bioactive ligands were obtained with either a linear monomeric or dendritic trimeric arrangement of the iminosugar.

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Curious effects of overlooked aspects on urease activity.

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces

December 2024

Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff" and CSGI, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze 50019, Italy. Electronic address:

Intermolecular forces determine complex chemical structures of exquisite intricacy, like proteins. However even the most advanced theories we have so far rely on too drastic approximations to explain them. Some crucial aspects that dictate structure, specific ion and solvent effects are not accommodated.

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Development of molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrochemical sensors for the detection of UV filters in aquatic ecosystems.

Talanta

December 2024

Surface Engineering and Precision Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, Bedford, United Kingdom.

The presence of organic UV filters (OUVAs) has been detected worldwide in aquatic ecosystems. These pollutants, originating from various anthropogenic sources, can persist and transform within wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), posing a potential environmental hazard. In this framework, this research presents electrochemical sensors based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the selective detection of Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and Octocrylene (OC), two of the OUVA most spread in the aquatic environment, to overcome the analytical challenges related to the quantification of this class of contaminants in wastewater samples.

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Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key pathogen in periodontal, plays a critical role in systemic pathologiesdiseases by evading host defence mechanisms and invading periodontal tissues. Targeting its virulence mechanisms and overcoming drug resistance are essential steps toward effective therapeutic development. In this study, we focused on the Carbonic Anhydrase (CA, EC: 4.

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Study of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Infant Formulas and Baby Bottles: Data from the European LIFE-MILCH PROJECT.

Molecules

November 2024

Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology (Peptlab) and Centre of Competences in Molecular Diagnostics and Life Sciences (MoD&LS), University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

Article Synopsis
  • A study under the European LIFE project is investigating the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in 20 types of infant formulas and in baby bottles and teats, highlighting the risks posed by these chemicals, especially during pregnancy and infancy.* -
  • The study used advanced analytical methods to test for 85 different chemicals, finding low levels of certain harmful substances like phthalates and PAHs in baby products, raising concerns about exposure.* -
  • While some chemicals were absent in accordance with EU regulations in baby bottles, significant levels of EDCs were found in infant formulas, signaling a need for ongoing monitoring and public health measures to protect young children.*
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Background: Propranolol, largely prescribed as an antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic drug in pediatrics, is characterized by a bitter taste and an astringent aftertaste. Currently, the therapy requires crushing of tablets for adults and their dispersion in water many times a day, leading to loss of dosing accuracy, low palatability, and poor compliance for both patients and caregivers.

Objectives: This work aimed to exploit cyclodextrin complexation by cogrinding to develop orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) endowed with reliable dosing accuracy, good palatability and safety, ease of swallowability, and ultimately better compliance for both pediatric patients and caregivers.

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Sulfonamide-Based Inhibition of the β-Carbonic Anhydrase from , a Multidrug-Resistant Bacterium.

Int J Mol Sci

November 2024

Neurofarba Department, Section of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.

is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen responsible for severe hospital-associated infections. Owing to its ability to develop resistance to a wide range of antibiotics, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. One promising approach is to target bacterial carbonic anhydrases (CAs; EC 4.

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Recent Advances in Selenium-Mediated Redox Functional Group Interconversions.

Chem Rec

December 2024

Department of Chemistry ''Ugo Schiff'', University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, I-50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

The conversion of a functional group into another represents the core of organic synthesis. Within the arena of functional group interconversions, oxidative and reductive transformations occupy a privileged position and the development of new sustainable, selective, and general methodologies continue to attract significant interest. Owing to the versatility of their chemistry, selenium compounds offer significant opportunities to achieve both oxidation and reduction of a wide range of functional groups.

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Exploring the conformational space of the mobile flap in Sporosarcina pasteurii urease by cryo-electron microscopy.

Int J Biol Macromol

December 2024

Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, I-60131 Ancona, Italy. Electronic address:

To fully understand enzymatic dynamics, it is essential to explore the complete conformational space of a biological catalyst. The catalytic mechanism of the nickel-dependent urease, the most efficient enzyme known, holds significant relevance for medical, pharmaceutical, and agro-environmental applications. A critical aspect of urease function is the conformational change of a helix-turn-helix motif that covers the active site cavity, known as the mobile flap.

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Exploring the Polypharmacological Potential of PCI-27483: A Selective Inhibitor of Carbonic Anhydrases IX and XII.

ACS Med Chem Lett

November 2024

NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.

PCI-27483, originally developed as a potent and selective inhibitor of the serine protease Factor VIIa (FVIIa) in complex with tissue factor (TF), has demonstrated significant promise in cancer therapy. In addition to its primary mechanism of action, the presence of a sulfonamide moiety in the PCI-27483 structure suggests further activities through the inhibition of carbonic anhydrases (CAs), particularly the tumor-associated human (h)CA isoforms hCA IX and XII. This study investigates the inhibitory activity of PCI-27483 against the complete panel of active hCAs, highlighting its polypharmacological potential in cancer treatment.

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Article Synopsis
  • Glioblastoma (GBM) is a significant public health issue partly due to challenges in delivering effective treatments like doxorubicin (DOX) through the blood-brain barrier.
  • Two novel DOX glycoconjugates, synthesized with oxime linkages, were shown to maintain the drug's ability to intercalate with DNA, enhancing their effectiveness against GBM cells.
  • These glycoconjugates demonstrated improved cytotoxic effects compared to standard DOX in both GBM cell lines and a blood-brain barrier model, suggesting that glucose conjugation could enhance chemotherapy outcomes for GBM patients.
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Deciphering the role of neutral diruthenium complexes in protein binding.

Int J Biol Macromol

December 2024

Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Univ. di Monte Sant'Angelo, via Cinthia, 26, 80126 Naples, Italy. Electronic address:

The charge of paddlewheel diruthenium complexes has a major role in defining their interaction with proteins: negatively charged complexes bind proteins non-covalently, while cationic complexes form adducts where the Ru core binds to Asp side chains at the equatorial sites, or to the main chain carbonyl groups or the side chains of His, Arg or Lys residues at the axial sites. Here we study the interactions of the neutral compound [Ru(D-p-FPhF)(OCCH)(OCO)]·3HO (D-p-FPhF = N,N'-bis(4-fluorophenyl)formamidinate), a very rare example of a paddlewheel diruthenium compound with three different equatorial ligands, with the model protein bovine pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase A) by means of UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and X-ray crystallography. It is the first attempt to investigate the binding of a neutral diruthenium compound to a protein.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study explores the incorporation of polyphenolic extracts from Myrtus communis and Arbutus unedo fruits into whey to create new functional food products in both liquid and powder forms.
  • - Both forms of fruit extracts maintained chemical stability over 60 days, with enriched whey demonstrating higher antioxidant activity and the presence of beneficial lactic acid bacteria, suggesting potential prebiotic effects.
  • - Overall, the enriched whey shows promise as a functional food, leveraging plant antioxidants, probiotic properties, and stability, although the high tannin levels from A. unedo affected casein micelle structure.
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Pulsed current has proven to be a promising alternative to direct current in electrochemical deposition, offering numerous advantages regarding deposit quality and properties. Concerning the electrodeposition of metal alloys, the role of pulsed current techniques may vary depending on the specific metals involved. We studied an innovative tin-ruthenium electroplating bath used as an anti-corrosive layer for decorative applications.

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Environmentally Friendly Microemulsions of Essential Oils of and to Protect Crops against .

Nanomaterials (Basel)

October 2024

Department of Chemistry Ugo Schiff, University of Florence, via Ugo Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.

Essential oils (EOs) are reported to be natural pesticides, but their use to protect crops is very limited due to EOs' high instability and great volatility. Nanovectors represent a very smart alternative, and in this study, EOs from (AEO) and (SEO) were formulated into microemulsions and tested against . The EOs were extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by GC-MS.

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Fluvial ecosystems are among the main drivers of microparticles (MPC) in the form of both synthetic polymers (i.e. microplastics; MPs) and natural-based textile fibers (MF) to the seas.

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Shelf-life of flavoured olive oil with chili pepper: Comparison between co-milling fresh chili peppers with olives and typical infusion flavouring methods over 18 months of storage.

Food Chem

February 2025

Department of Neurofarba and Multidisciplinary Centre of Research on Food Sciences (M.C.R.F.S.- Ce.R.A), University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto F.no (Florence), Italy. Electronic address:

The aim was to study the shelf-life over 18 months of storage (no light and oxygen exposure) of chili peppers flavoured olive oils comparing flavouring methods of co-milling of fresh chili peppers with sound olives at mill scale with temporary and permanent infusion of dried chili peppers in olive oil. Tocopherols, secoiridoids and capsaicinoids by HPLC-DAD, volatile compounds by HS-SPME-GC-MS, and sensory profiles were studied. The decrease in tocopherols and secoiridoids was greater in "infusion" samples, while a significant increase in capsaicinoids was observed in "permanent infusion" samples.

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Multiproxy quantitative paleoceanographic dataset from late Quaternary marine sediment archives in the western Ross Sea (Antarctica).

Data Brief

December 2024

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)-Istituto di Scienze Marine - ISMAR, Via P. Gobetti, 101, Bologna, Italy.

The past ice sheet dynamics and the timing of retreat events in the paleo-record in the Ross Sea is an issue still few understood. In order to contribute to this topic, we provide a multiproxy data from marine sediment archives (cores and box cores) collected in three sites in the Central Basin (Western Ross Sea, Antarctica). Each site recorded different environments, affected by different oceanographic conditions and sedimentary regime.

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Ciprofloxacin (CPX) is one of the most employed antibiotics in clinics to date. However, the rise of drug-resistant bacteria is dramatically impairing its efficacy, especially against life-threatening pathogens, such as . This Gram-negative bacterium is an opportunistic pathogen, often infecting immuno-compromised patients with severe or fatal outcomes.

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