36 results on '"Di Foggia M"'
Search Results
2. Identification of Critical Key Parameters and their Impact to Zero-defect Manufacturing in the Investment Casting Process
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Di Foggia, M. and D’Addona, D.M.
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- 2013
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3. Sintering of waste of superalloy casting investment shells as a fine aggregate for refractory tiles
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Valenza, F., Botter, R., Cirillo, P., Barberis, F., di Foggia, M., and Sottile, D.
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- 2010
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4. Does the addition of vitamin E to conventional UHMWPE improve the wear performance of hip acetabular cups? Micro-Raman characterization of differently processed polyethylene acetabular cups worn on a hip joint simulator
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Di Foggia, M., primary, Affatato, S., additional, and Taddei, P., additional
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- 2020
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5. The Influence of the Matrix on the Apatite-Forming Ability of Calcium Containing Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Cements for Endodontics
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Paola Taddei, Michele Di Foggia, Fausto Zamparini, Carlo Prati, Maria Giovanna Gandolfi, Taddei P., Di Foggia M., Zamparini F., Prati C., and Gandolfi M.G.
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GuttaFlow Bioseal ,Calcium Phosphates ,Calcium Phosphate ,Pharmaceutical Science ,endodontic sealer ,hydroxiapatite (HA) ,Dimethylpolysiloxane ,calcium silicates (CaSi) ,Analytical Chemistry ,Hydroxyapatite ,biogla ,Root Canal Filling Materials ,root filling material ,Apatites ,Drug Discovery ,Materials Testing ,crosslinking ,polydimethylsiloxane ,Dimethylpolysiloxanes ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,GuttaFlow 2 ,Silicates ,Organic Chemistry ,apatite ,bioactivity ,bioglass ,RoekoSeal ,vibrational IR and Raman spectroscopy ,root filling materials ,calcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) ,Silicate ,Calcium Compounds ,Calcium Compound ,Chemistry (miscellaneous) ,Molecular Medicine ,Calcium ,Hydroxyapatites - Abstract
This study aimed to characterize the chemical properties and bioactivity of an endodontic sealer (GuttaFlow Bioseal) based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and containing a calcium bioglass as a doping agent. Commercial PDMS-based cement free from calcium bioglass (GuttaFlow 2 and RoekoSeal) were characterized for comparison as well as GuttaFlow 2 doped with dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, hydroxyapatite, or a tricalcium silicate-based cement. IR and Raman analyses were performed on fresh materials as well as after aging tests in Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (28 d, 37 °C). Under these conditions, the strengthening of the 970 cm−1 Raman band and the appearance of the IR components at 1455–1414, 1015, 868, and 600–559 cm−1 revealed the deposition of B-type carbonated apatite. The Raman I970/I638 and IR A1010/A1258 ratios (markers of apatite-forming ability) showed that bioactivity decreased along with the series: GuttaFlow Bioseal > GuttaFlow 2 > RoekoSeal. The PDMS matrix played a relevant role in bioactivity; in GuttaFlow 2, the crosslinking degree was favorable for Ca2+ adsorption/complexation and the formation of a thin calcium phosphate layer. In the less crosslinked RoekoSeal, such processes did not occur. The doped cements showed bioactivity higher than GuttaFlow 2, suggesting that the particles of the mineralizing agents are spontaneously exposed on the cement surface, although the hydrophobicity of the PDMS matrix slowed down apatite deposition. Relevant properties in the endodontic practice (i.e., setting time, radiopacity, apatite-forming ability) were related to material composition and the crosslinking degree.
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- 2022
6. Mn-Containing Bioactive Glass-Ceramics: BMP-2-Mimetic Peptide Covalent Grafting Boosts Human-Osteoblast Proliferation and Mineral Deposition
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Leonardo Cassari, Paola Brun, Michele Di Foggia, Paola Taddei, Annj Zamuner, Antonella Pasquato, Adriana De Stefanis, Veronica Valentini, Vicentiu Mircea Saceleanu, Julietta V. Rau, Monica Dettin, Cassari L., Brun P., Di Foggia M., Taddei P., Zamuner A., Pasquato A., Stefanis A.D., Valentini V., Saceleanu V.M., Rau J.V., and Dettin M.
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covalent functionalization ,BMP-2 ,bone tissue engineering ,glass-ceramic ,General Materials Science - Abstract
The addition of Mn in bioceramic formulation is gaining interest in the field of bone implants. Mn activates human osteoblast (h-osteoblast) integrins, enhancing cell proliferation with a dose-dependent effect, whereas Mn-enriched glasses induce inhibition of Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. In an effort to further optimize Mn-containing scaffolds’ beneficial interaction with h-osteoblasts, a selective and specific covalent functionalization with a bioactive peptide was carried out. The anchoring of a peptide, mapped on the BMP-2 wrist epitope, to the scaffold was performed by a reaction between an aldehyde group of the peptide and the aminic groups of silanized Mn-containing bioceramic. SEM-EDX, FT-IR, and Raman studies confirmed the presence of the peptide grafted onto the scaffold. In in vitro assays, a significant improvement in h-osteoblast proliferation, gene expression, and calcium salt deposition after 7 days was detected in the functionalized Mn-containing bioceramic compared to the controls.
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- 2022
7. Vibrational Study on Structure and Bioactivity of Protein Fibers Grafted with Phosphorylated Methacrylates
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Paola Taddei, Masuhiro Tsukada, Michele Di Foggia, Di Foggia M., Tsukada M., and Taddei P.
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Chemical Phenomena ,phosmer ,Simulated body fluid ,Silk ,Pharmaceutical Science ,Fibroin ,Organic chemistry ,Biocompatible Materials ,Cysteic acid ,Methacrylate ,Spectrum Analysis, Raman ,Article ,Analytical Chemistry ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,QD241-441 ,Drug Discovery ,Keratin ,Polymer chemistry ,Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ,Animals ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Phosphorylation ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Biocompatible Material ,Molecular Structure ,Animal ,Tussah ,Wool ,Bombyx mori ,Phosphate ,Grafting ,grafting ,SILK ,chemistry ,Chemistry (miscellaneous) ,silk fibroin ,IR spectroscopy ,Raman spectroscopy ,Molecular Medicine ,Keratins ,Methacrylates ,wool keratin ,Fibroins - Abstract
In the last decades, silk fibroin and wool keratin have been considered functional materials for biomedical applications. In this study, fabrics containing silk fibers from Bombyx mori and Tussah silk fibers from Antheraea pernyi, as well as wool keratin fabrics, were grafted with phosmer CL and phosmer M (commercial names, i.e., methacrylate monomers containing phosphate groups in the molecular side chain) with different weight gains. Both phosmers were recently proposed as flame retarding agents, and their chemical composition suggested a possible application in bone tissue engineering. IR and Raman spectroscopy were used to disclose the possible structural changes induced by grafting and identify the most reactive amino acids towards the phosmers. The same techniques were used to investigate the nucleation of a calcium phosphate phase on the surface of the samples (i.e., bioactivity) after ageing in simulated body fluid (SBF). The phosmers were found to polymerize onto the biopolymers efficiently, and tyrosine and serine underwent phosphorylation (monitored through the strengthening of the Raman band at 1600 cm−1 and the weakening of the Raman band at 1400 cm−1, respectively). In grafted wool keratin, cysteic acid and other oxidation products of disulphide bridges were detected together with sulphated residues. Only slight conformational changes were observed upon grafting, generally towards an enrichment in ordered domains, suggesting that the amorphous regions were more prone to react (and, sometimes, degrade). All samples were shown to be bioactive, with a weight gain of up to 8%. The most bioactive samples contained the highest phosmers amounts, i.e., the highest amounts of phosphate nucleating sites. The sulphate/sulphonate groups present in grafted wool samples appeared to increase bioactivity, as shown by the five-fold increase of the IR phosphate band at 1040 cm−1.
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- 2021
8. Assessing the Potential of the Terrestrial Cyanobacterium Anabaena minutissima for Controlling Botrytis cinerea on Tomato Fruits
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Antera Martel Quintana, Hillary Righini, Ornella Francioso, Roberta Roberti, Michele Di Foggia, Righini H., Francioso O., Di Foggia M., Quintana A.M., and Roberti R.
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0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Cyanobacteria ,food.ingredient ,Pectin ,aqueous extract ,Plant Science ,Cutin ,Phycobiliprotein ,Horticulture ,tomato ,01 natural sciences ,cyanobacteria ,SB1-1110 ,Botrytis cinerea ,03 medical and health sciences ,food ,Botany ,biocontrol ,Mycelium ,biology ,Phototroph ,Anabaena ,fungi ,antifungal activity ,Plant culture ,food and beverages ,biology.organism_classification ,Plant disease ,FT-IR ,030104 developmental biology ,phycobiliproteins ,bacteria ,010606 plant biology & botany ,FT-Raman - Abstract
Cyanobacteria are oxygenic phototrophs that have an essential role in soil N2 fixation, fertility, and water retention. Cyanobacteria are also natural sources of bioactive metabolites beneficial to improve plant vigor and potentially active against fungal plant pathogens. Therefore, we studied the antifungal activity of water extract (WE) and phycobiliproteins (PBPs) from Anabaena minutissima strain BEA 0300B against the fungal plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea on tomato fruits and in vitro. The water extract and PBPs were characterized by using FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopies. Both water extract (5 mg/mL) and PBPs (ranged from 0.3 to 4.8 mg/mL) reduced disease incidence and disease severity on tomato fruits and mycelium growth and colony forming units in vitro. For mycelium growth, a linear PBP dose-response was found. Tomato fruits were also characterized by FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopies in order to evaluate structural modifications induced by pathogen and PBP treatment. PBPs preserved cutin and pectin structures by pathogen challenge. In conclusion, A. minutissima can be considered a potential tool for future large-scale experiments for plant disease control.
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- 2021
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9. Post-Harvest Non-Conventional and Traditional Methods to Control Cadophora luteo-olivacea: Skin Pitting Agent of Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa (A. Chev.)
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Alessandra Di Francesco, Elena Baraldi, Alessio Vittoria, Michele Di Foggia, Di Francesco A., Di Foggia M., Vittoria A., and Baraldi E.
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0106 biological sciences ,Fungicide ,Brassica ,yeasts ,Plant Science ,Horticulture ,Fludioxonil ,01 natural sciences ,fungicides ,Trichoderma ,SB1-1110 ,040501 horticulture ,kiwifruit ,Mycelium ,biology ,VOC ,Plant culture ,Trichoderma harzianum ,VOCs ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,biology.organism_classification ,Aureobasidium pullulans ,Postharvest ,0405 other agricultural sciences ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
Cadophora luteo-olivacea represents a critical problem for kiwifruit in the post-harvest phase, mainly for its little note epidemiology. The study presented some results about the possibility of preserving kiwifruit from skin pitting symptoms using alternative methods to fungicides. By in vitro assays, antagonist mechanisms of action against pathogen isolates were tested. Trichoderma harzianum (Th1) showed the highest inhibitory activity against C. luteo-olivacea isolates by volatile, non-volatile, and by dual culture assay, displaying an inhibition respectively by 90%, 70.6%, and 78.8%, and with respect to Aureobasidium pullulans (L1 and L8) by 23.3% and 25.8%, 50% and 34.7%, and 22.5% and 23.6%, respectively. Further, the sensitivity on CFU and mycelial growth of C. luteo-olivacea isolates to fludioxonil, and CaCl2 was tested, displaying interesting EC50 values (0.36 and 0.92 g L−1, 22.5 g L−1, respectively). The effect of Brassica nigra defatted meal was tested as biofumigation assays and through FT-IR (Fourier-Transform Infrared) spectroscopy. The above-mentioned treatments were applied in vivo to evaluate their efficacy on kiwifruits. Our data demonstrated that alternative solutions could be considered to control postharvest pathogens such as C. luteo-olivacea.
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- 2021
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10. SERS Investigation on Oligopeptides Used as Biomimetic Coatings for Medical Devices
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Armida Torreggiani, Daniele Cesini, Annj Zamuner, Stefano Ottani, Monica Dettin, Vitaliano Tugnoli, Michele Di Foggia, Santiago Sánchez-Cortés, Di Foggia M., Tugnoli V., Ottani S., Dettin M., Zamuner A., Sanchez-Cortes S., Cesini D., and Torreggiani A.
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biomimetic coating ,Silver ,Surface Properties ,Nanoparticle ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,Photochemistry ,Spectrum Analysis, Raman ,01 natural sciences ,Biochemistry ,DFT ,Microbiology ,Article ,symbols.namesake ,Colloid ,Biomimetic Materials ,Biomimetics ,Amphiphile ,Amphiphilic oligopeptides ,Biomimetic coating ,Oligopeptide–surface interaction ,Oxidative stress ,SERS ,Humans ,Nanoparticles ,Oligopeptides ,Peptides ,Peptide bond ,oxidative stress ,Molecular Biology ,Raman ,oligopeptide–surface interaction ,Oligopeptide ,Chemistry ,Spectrum Analysis ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,QR1-502 ,0104 chemical sciences ,Membrane ,Peptide ,symbols ,Oxidative stre ,Biomimetic ,Amphiphilic oligopeptide ,amphiphilic oligopeptides ,0210 nano-technology ,Raman scattering ,Gamma irradiation ,Biomimetic Material ,Human - Abstract
20 pags., 5 figs., 3 tabs. This article belongs to the Special Issue Peptides and Proteins as Innovative Biomaterials, The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of three amphiphilic oligopeptides derived from EAK16 (AEAEAKAK) were examined to study systematic amino acid substitution effects on the corresponding interaction with Ag colloidal nanoparticles. Such self-assembling molecular systems, known as “molecular Lego”, are of particular interest for their uses in tissue engineering and as biomimetic coatings for medical devices because they can form insoluble macroscopic membranes under physiological conditions. Spectra were collected for both native and gamma-irradiated samples. Quantum mechanical data on two of the examined oligopeptides were also obtained to clarify the assignment of the prominent significative bands observed in the spectra. In general, the peptide–nanoparticles interaction occurs through the COO groups, with the amide bond and the aliphatic chain close to the colloid surface. After gamma irradiation, mimicking a free oxidative radical attack, the SERS spectra of the biomaterials show that COO groups still provide the main peptide–nanoparticle interactions. However, the spatial arrangement of the peptides is different, exhibiting a systematic decrease in the distance between aliphatic chains and colloid nanoparticles.
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- 2021
11. Does the addition of vitamin E to conventional UHMWPE improve the wear performance of hip acetabular cups? Micro-Raman characterization of differently processed polyethylene acetabular cups worn on a hip joint simulator
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Paola Taddei, M. Di Foggia, Saverio Affatato, Di Foggia M., Affatato S., and Taddei P.
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0301 basic medicine ,Medicine (General) ,Materials science ,QH301-705.5 ,Physiology ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Immunology ,Biophysics ,Vitamin-E doped PE ,Ocean Engineering ,Biochemistry ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,R5-920 ,0302 clinical medicine ,Molecular level ,Materials Testing ,medicine ,Vitamin E ,Cross-linked PE ,Biology (General) ,General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics ,Composite material ,General Neuroscience ,Hip joint simulator ,Cell Biology ,General Medicine ,Polyethylene ,Wear testing ,Microstructure ,Hip simulator ,030104 developmental biology ,chemistry ,Micro raman ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Phase composition ,Raman spectroscopy ,Standard UHMWPE ,Hip Joint ,Hip Prosthesis ,sense organs ,Polyethylenes ,human activities ,Research Article - Abstract
In knee replacements, vitamin E-doped ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) shows a better wear behavior than standard UHMWPE. Therefore, different sets of polyethylene (PE) acetabular cups, i.e. standard UHMWPE and cross-linked polyethylene irradiated with 50 kGy and 75 kGy, were compared, at a molecular level, with vitamin E-doped UHMWPE to evaluate their wear performance after being tested on a hip joint simulator for five million cycles. Unworn control and worn acetabular cups were analyzed by micro-Raman spectroscopy to gain insight into the effects of wear on the microstructure and phase composition of PE. Macroscopic wear was evaluated through mass loss measurements. The data showed that the samples could be divided into two groups: 1) standard and vitamin E-doped cups (mass loss of about 100 mg) and 2) the cross-linked cups (mass loss of about 30-40 mg). Micro-Raman spectroscopy disclosed different wear mechanisms in the four sets of acetabular cups, which were related to surface topography data. The vitamin E-doped samples did not show a better wear behavior than the cross-linked ones in terms of either mass loss or morphology changes. However, they showed lower variation at the morphological level (lower changes in phase composition) than the UHMWPE cups, thus confirming a certain protecting role of vitamin E against microstructural changes induced by wear testing.
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- 2020
12. Vibrational Raman and IR data on brown hair subjected to bleaching
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Michele Di Foggia, Gabriele Micheletti, Carla Boga, Benedetta Nocentini, Paola Taddei, Di Foggia M., Boga C., Micheletti G., Nocentini B., and Taddei P.
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Science (General) ,Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,R858-859.7 ,Infrared spectroscopy ,Cysteic acid ,Hair keratin ,Q1-390 ,visual_art.color ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,symbols.namesake ,Secondary structure ,Disulfide bridge ,Hydrogen peroxide ,Data Article ,Cuticle (hair) ,Multidisciplinary ,Disulfide bridges ,Persulfate ,chemistry ,IR spectroscopy ,Brown hair ,visual_art ,Raman spectroscopy ,symbols ,Bleaching ,sense organs ,Nuclear chemistry - Abstract
Brown human hair was bleached three times (45 min × 3) and four times (45 min × 3 + 15 min) with commercial formulations containing persulfate salts and hydrogen peroxide. The hair samples were characterized by Raman and IR spectroscopy in the Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) mode to gain more insights into the possible secondary structure and Cα-Cβ-S-S-Cβ-Cα conformational changes induced by bleaching. The latter were evaluated through band-fitting procedures; the relative content of the disulfide bridges and oxidized sulfur species (cysteic acid, Bunte salt, cystine oxides) was assessed. The observed conformational changes could be significant in developing restoring agents to be used after hair decoloration. The use of two different spectroscopic techniques allowed to discriminate the information coming from the cortical region of hair (Raman) and the cuticle (ATR/IR). This article refers to “Structural investigation on damaged hair keratin treated with α,β-unsaturated Michael acceptors used as repairing agents” (Di Foggia et al., Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 167 (2021) 620–632 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.11.194 ).
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- 2021
13. Spectroscopic and morphological data assessing the apatite forming ability of calcium hydroxide-releasing materials for pulp capping
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Paola Taddei, Carlo Prati, Maria Giovanna Gandolfi, Michele Di Foggia, Di Foggia M., Prati C., Gandolfi M.G., and Taddei P.
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chemistry.chemical_element ,Balanced salt solution ,Calcium ,lcsh:Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,Apatite ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,0302 clinical medicine ,stomatognathic system ,Calcium-releasing cement ,Dentin ,medicine ,lcsh:Science (General) ,micro-Raman spectroscopy ,030304 developmental biology ,Cement ,Pulp capping material ,0303 health sciences ,Multidisciplinary ,Calcium hydroxide ,Chemistry ,Pulp capping ,Demineralization ,stomatognathic diseases ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,IR spectroscopy ,apatite ,visual_art ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,lcsh:R858-859.7 ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,lcsh:Q1-390 ,Nuclear chemistry - Abstract
A pulp capping material must perform as a barrier and protect the dental pulpal complex by inducing the formation of a new dentin bridge or dentin-like tissue. Being a favorable condition for the healing process, the apatite forming ability of TheraCal (light-curable Portland-dimethacrylate cement) and Dycal (calcium hydroxide-based) pulp capping materials was studied in two simulated body fluids, i.e. Dulbecco’s Phosphate Buffered Saline (DPBS) and Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS). The cements were analyzed before and after soaking in these media for different times (1–28 days) by ESEM-EDX, micro-Raman and IR spectroscopy. This data article refers to “An in vitro study on dentin demineralization and remineralization: collagen rearrangements and influence on the enucleated phase” (Di Foggia et al., 2019).
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- 2019
14. Chemical and physical characterization of thermal aggregation of model proteins modulated by zinc(II) and copper(II) ions
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Giovanna Navarra, Armida Torreggiani, M. Di Foggia, Anna Tinti, Valeria Militello, Torreggiani, A., Navarra, G., Tinti, A., Di Foggia, M., and Militello, V.
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inorganic chemicals ,0301 basic medicine ,Metal ions in aqueous solution ,Kinetics ,Inorganic chemistry ,Beta-lactoglobulin ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Zinc ,Protein aggregation ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) ,Beta-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin (BSA), copper and zinc ions,Raman spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering ,Metal ,03 medical and health sciences ,Protein structure ,Dynamic light scattering ,copper and zinc ion ,Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging ,copper and zinc ions ,Bovine serum albumin ,Raman spectroscopy ,dynamic light scattering ,biology ,digestive, oral, and skin physiology ,0104 chemical sciences ,030104 developmental biology ,chemistry ,visual_art ,Biophysics ,biology.protein ,visual_art.visual_art_medium - Abstract
BACKGROUND: Metal ions are implicated in protein aggregation processes of several neurodegenerative pathologies, where the protein deposition occurs, and in the biotechnology field like the food technology where many processes in food manufacturing are based on thermal treatments. OBJECTIVE: The influence of Cu2+ or Zn2+ ions on the thermal aggregation process of Bovine beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), two protein models, was studied with the aim of delineating the role of these ions in the protein aggregation kinetics and to clarify the related molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The protein structure changes were monitored by Raman spectroscopy, whereas the aggregate growth was followed by Dynamic Light Scattering measurements. RESULTS: Both metal ions are able to favour the BLG aggregation, whereas only Zn2+ ions have a promoter effect on the thermal aggregation of BSA. The reason of this different behaviour is that the BLG aggregation evolution is manly affected by the redistribution of charges, whereas that of BSA by the metal coordination binding which depends on metal. CONCLUSIONS: Raman spectroscopy, combined with dynamic light scattering experiments, was very useful in identifying the role played by Cu2+ and Zn2+ on the aggregation pathways of BLG and BSA. The results provide evidence for the role of histidine residues both in the redistribution of charges and in the two modes of metal binding that take place in BLG- and BSA-containing systems, respectively.
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- 2016
15. Conjugation of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals with human immunoglobulin G for nanomedical applications
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Maria Prat, Elena Maria Varoni, Milena Fini, Stefano Pietronave, Michele Di Foggia, Norberto Roveri, Lia Rimondini, Michele Iafisco, Iafisco M., Varoni E., Di Foggia M., Pietronave S., Fini M., Roveri N., Rimondini L., and Prat M.
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Langmuir ,Immunoconjugates ,Surface Properties ,Stereochemistry ,Blotting, Western ,Static Electricity ,Nanoparticle ,Antineoplastic Agents ,Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ,Protein Structure, Secondary ,Hydroxyapatite ,Colloid and Surface Chemistry ,Adsorption ,Neoplasms ,antibody ,Humans ,Freundlich equation ,Molecular Targeted Therapy ,Particle Size ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Drug Carriers ,Binding Sites ,Chemistry ,Spectrum Analysis ,Surfaces and Interfaces ,General Medicine ,nanomedicine ,Combinatorial chemistry ,Durapatite ,NANOCRYSTALS ,Targeted drug delivery ,Immunoglobulin G ,Nanoparticles ,FUNCTIONALIZATION ,Nanomedicine ,Surface modification ,Drug carrier ,Protein Binding ,Biotechnology - Abstract
Inorganic nanosized drug carriers are a promising field in nanomedicine applied to cancer. Their conjugation with antibodies combines the properties of the nanoparticles themselves with the specific and selective recognition ability of the antibodies to antigens. Biomimetic carbonate–hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles were synthesized and fully characterized; human IgGs, used as model antibodies, were coupled to these nanocrystals. The maximum loading amount, the interaction modelling, the preferential orientation and the secondary structure modifications were evaluated using theoretical models (Langmuir, Freundlich and Langmuir–Freundlich) spectroscopic (UV–Vis, Raman), calorimetric (TGA), and immunochemical techniques (ELISA, Western Blot). HA nanoparticles of about 30 nm adsorbed human IgGs, in a dose-dependent, saturable and stable manner with micromolar affinity and adsorption capability around 2.3 mg/m 2 . Adsorption isotherm could be described by Langmuir–Freundlich model, and was due to both energetically homogeneous and heterogeneous binding sites on HA surface, mainly of electrostatic nature. Binding did not induce secondary structure modification of IgGs. A preferential IgG end-on orientation with the involvement of IgG Fc moiety in the adsorption seems most probable due to the steric hindrance of their Fab domains. Biomimetic HA nanocrystals are suitable substrates to produce nanoparticles which can be functionalized with antibodies for efficient targeted drug delivery to tumours.
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- 2012
16. Polylactic acid fibre-reinforced polycaprolactone scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
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Paola Taddei, Gabriela Ciapetti, Desiree Martini, Filippo Causa, Nicola Baldini, Concezio Fagnano, Luigi Ambrosio, Michele Di Foggia, Vincenzo Guarino, Guarino, V, Causa, Filippo, Taddei, P, di Foggia, M, Ciapetti, G, Martini, D, Fagnano, C, Baldini, N, Ambrosio, L., V. Guarino, F. Causa, P. Taddei, M. Di Foggia, G. Ciapetti, D. Martini, C. Fagnano, N. Baldini, and L. Ambrosio
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BONE TISSUE ENGINEERING ,Scaffold ,Materials science ,Stromal cell ,Polymers ,Polyesters ,Composite number ,Biophysics ,Bioengineering ,SCAFFOLDS ,Biomaterials ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Tissue engineering ,Polylactic acid ,Bone cell ,Humans ,Lactic Acid ,Porosity ,Cells, Cultured ,Bone Development ,Tissue Engineering ,FIBROUS COMPOSITE ,DEGRADATION ,PROGENITOR CELLS ,chemistry ,Mechanics of Materials ,Polycaprolactone ,Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ,Ceramics and Composites ,Biomedical engineering - Abstract
The employment of composite scaffolds with a well-organized architecture and multi-scale porosity certainly represents a valuable approach for achieving a tissue engineered construct to reproduce the middle and long-term behaviour of hierarchically complex tissues such as spongy bone. In this paper, fibre-reinforced composites scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications is described. These are composed of poly-L-lactide acid (PLLA) fibres embedded in a porous poly(epsilon-caprolactone) matrix, and were obtained by synergistic use of phase inversion/particulate leaching technique and filament winding technology. Porosity degree as high as 79.7% was achieved, the bimodal pore size distribution showing peaks at ca 10 and 200 microm diameter, respectively, accounting for 53.7% and 46.3% of the total porosity. In vitro degradation was carried out in PBS and SBF without significant degradation of the scaffold after 35 days, while in NaOH solution, a linear increase of weight lost was observed with preferential degradation of PLLA component. Subsequently, marrow stromal cells (MSC) and human osteoblasts (HOB) reached a plateau at 3 weeks, while at 5 weeks the number of cells was almost the same. Human marrow stromal cell and trabecular osteoblasts rapidly proliferate on the scaffold up to 3 weeks, promoting an oriented migration of bone cells along the fibre arrangement. Moreover, the role of seeded HOB and MSC on composite degradation mechanism was assessed by demonstrating a more relevant contribution to PLLA degradation of MSC when compared to HOB. The novel PCL/PLLA composite scaffolds thus showed promise whenever tuneable porosity, controlled degradability and guided cell-material interaction are simultaneously requested.
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- 2008
17. Metal ions modulate thermal aggregation of betalactoglobulin: a join chemical and physical characterization
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Michele Di Foggia, Anna Tinti, Maurizio Leone, Valeria Militello, Armida Torreggiani, Giovanna Navarra, G. Navarra, A. Tinti, M. Di Foggia, M. Leone, V. Militello, A. Torreggiani, Navarra, G, Tinti, A, Di Foggia, M, Leone, M, Militello, V, and Torreggiani, A
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inorganic chemicals ,COPPER AND ZINC IONS ,Metal ions in aqueous solution ,Beta-lactoglobulin ,Copper and zinc ions ,Raman spectroscopy ,Infrared spectroscopy ,Dynamic light scattering ,Protonation ,Thermal treatment ,Lactoglobulins ,Protein aggregation ,Copper and zinc ion ,Spectrum Analysis, Raman ,Biochemistry ,FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY ,Protein Structure, Secondary ,Supramolecular assembly ,Ion ,BOVINE BETA-LACTOGLOBULIN ,Inorganic Chemistry ,Protein Aggregates ,Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ,Ions ,Chemistry ,Temperature ,Crystallography ,Zinc ,DYNAMIC LIGHT SCATTERING ,Copper - Abstract
Molecular basis of the role played by Cu 2 + and Zn 2 + ions during the thermal aggregation processes of beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) was studied by using a joint application of different techniques. In particular, Raman spectroscopy was very useful in identifying the different effects caused by the two metals at molecular level (i.e. changes in His protonation state, disulfides bridge conformation, and micro-environment of aromatic residues), evidencing the primary importance of the protein charge distribution during the aggregation process. Both metal ions are able to act on this factor and favor the protein aggregation, but Zn 2 + is able to alter the natural conformational state of BLG, causing a slight unfolding, whereas Cu 2 + ions play a role only during the thermal treatment. Thus, Zn 2 + ions favor the formation of bigger aggregates and branched fibril-like structures, whereas for Cu 2 + ions a greater number of cross-beta structures during thermal incubation and finally, fibrillar structures. The aggregation process occurs in two phases, as suggested by the measurements on the time evolution of the BLG aggregates: the first one is characterized by a partial unfolding of the protein and aggregate growth, forming oligomers and protofibrils, whereas the second one is characterized by further supramolecular assembly, leading to the formation of fibrils.
- Published
- 2014
18. Identification of Critical Key Parameters and their Impact to Zero-defect Manufacturing in the Investment Casting Process
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M. Di Foggia, Doriana M. D’Addona, Di Foggia, M., D'Addona, DORIANA MARILENA, and Publica
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Product design specification ,Engineering ,quality assurance, product defects ,business.industry ,Investment casting ,Process (engineering) ,Rework ,Schematic ,Scrap ,Manufacturing engineering ,General Earth and Planetary Sciences ,Manufacturing operations ,business ,Quality assurance ,General Environmental Science - Abstract
The investment casting process and its key parameters are described in order to give a quite detailed knowledge of the main indicators of this production method, for its nature prone to have high costs of rework or scrap. Initially, a schematic flow of the main processes is provided; afterwards the main processes are discussed in more detailed manner with their manufacturing methods and product specifications. These concepts are indispensable to introduce the discussion on the critical parameters for investment casting process and some proposal to implement a few new methods for quality assurance of the processes and products. Finally a description of the economic impact of the critical manufacturing operations related to some specific case studies and possible goals have been identified.
- Published
- 2013
19. Mushroom By-Products as a Source of Growth Stimulation and Biochemical Composition Added-Value of Pleurotus ostreatus , Cyclocybe cylindracea , and Lentinula edodes .
- Author
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Carminati G, Di Foggia M, Garagozzo L, and Di Francesco A
- Abstract
Spent mushroom substrates (SMSs) and mushroom basal bodies (MBBs) are significant by-products because of their nutrient content even after harvesting. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of these two by-products, derived from Agaricus bisporus (Ab) and Cyclocybe cylindracea (Cc) cultivation, as potential growth and biochemical composition add-value enhancers of edible mushroom mycelia such as Pleurotus ostreatus , C. cylindracea , and Lentinula edodes . Fungal growth substrates enriched with SMS and MBB extracts significantly affected the growth of mushroom mycelia. In particular, on P. ostreatus , the MBBs Ab and Cc extracts determined an increase in mycelial weight by 89.5%. Also, by-products influenced mushrooms' mycelial texture, which appeared more floccose and abundant in growth. FT-IR analysis showed that L. edodes mycelium, grown on MBB substrates, showed the highest increase in bands associated with proteins and chitin. Results demonstrated that mushroom by-products enhance mycelial growth and confer an enrichment of compounds that could increase mycelial resistance to pathogens and make a nutraceutical improvement.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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20. Interactions between Damaged Hair Keratin and Juglone as a Possible Restoring Agent: A Vibrational and Scanning Electron Microscopy Study.
- Author
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Di Foggia M, Taddei P, Boga C, Nocentini B, and Micheletti G
- Subjects
- Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, Hair, Keratins, Hair-Specific, Acetylcysteine, Naphthoquinones, Sulfites
- Abstract
Juglone, a quinonic compound present in walnut extracts, was proposed as a restoring agent for hair keratin treated with permanent or discoloration processes. The proposed mechanism of restoration by juglone involves the formation of a Michael adduct between the quinone and the thiol moieties of cysteine residues. To this purpose, the first part of the present paper involved the spectroscopic study of the product of the reaction between juglone and N-acetyl-L-cysteine as a model compound. IR spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) monitored the chemical and morphological variations induced by applying juglone to hair keratin. In order to simulate the most common hair treatments (i.e., permanent and discoloration), juglone was applied to hair that had been previously treated with a reducing agent, i.e., methyl thioglycolate (MT) or with bleaching agents (based on hydrogen peroxide and persulfates) followed by sodium hydrogen sulfite. IR spectroscopy allowed us to monitor the formation of Michael adducts between juglone and cysteine residues: the Michael adducts' content was related to the cysteine content of the samples. In fact, MT and sodium hydrogen sulfite favored the reduction of the disulfide bonds and increased the content of free cysteine residues, which can react with juglone. SEM analyses confirmed the trend observed by IR spectroscopy since hair samples treated with juglone adopted a more regular hair surface and more imbricated scales, thus supporting the possible use of juglone as a restoring agent for damaged hair keratins.
- Published
- 2024
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21. Guttapercha Improves In Vitro Bioactivity and Dentin Remineralization Ability of a Bioglass Containing Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Root Canal Sealer.
- Author
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Taddei P, Di Foggia M, Zamparini F, Prati C, and Gandolfi MG
- Subjects
- Dental Pulp Cavity, Silicates, Dimethylpolysiloxanes pharmacology, Dentin, Materials Testing, Gutta-Percha, Calcium Compounds
- Abstract
Guttapercha (GP, trans-1,4-polyisoprene) is the most used tooth root filling material, and it must be used with an appropriate cement (typically a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based sealer) to ensure an adequate canal obturation. This study aimed to assess the bioactivity and dentin remineralization ability of a bioglass containing PDMS commercial endodontic sealer, BG-PDMS (GuttaFlow Bioseal), and to evaluate the possible influence of a GP cone (Roeko GP point) on the mineralization process. To this end, BG-PDMS disks were aged alone or in the presence of a GP cone in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (28 d, 37 °C). Dentin remineralization experiments were carried out under the same conditions. Micro-Raman and IR analyses demonstrated that BG-PDMS is bioactive, thanks to the formation of a silica-rich layer with nucleation sites for B-type carbonated apatite deposition. This phase was thicker when BG-PDMS was aged in the presence of GP. The two materials influenced each other because GP, which alone did not show any bioactivity, nucleated a calcium phosphate phase under these conditions. Analogously, dentin remineralization experiments showed that BG-PDMS is able to remineralize dentin, especially in the presence of GP. Under the experimental conditions, GP acted as a templating agent for calcium phosphate deposition.
- Published
- 2023
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22. Proteolytically Resistant Bioactive Peptide-Grafted Sr/Mg-Doped Hardystonite Foams: Comparison of Two Covalent Functionalization Strategies.
- Author
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Zamuner A, Zeni E, Elsayed H, Di Foggia M, Taddei P, Pasquato A, Di Silvio L, Bernardo E, Brun P, and Dettin M
- Abstract
Hardystonite-based (HT) bioceramic foams were easily obtained via thermal treatment of silicone resins and reactive oxide fillers in air. By using a commercial silicone, incorporating strontium oxide and magnesium oxide precursors (as well as CaO and ZnO), and treating it at 1100 °C, a complex solid solution (Ca
1.4 Sr0.6 Zn0.85 Mg0.15 Si2 O7 ) that has superior biocompatibility and bioactivity properties compared to pure hardystonite (Ca2 ZnSi2 O7 ) can be obtained. Proteolytic-resistant adhesive peptide mapped on vitronectin (D2HVP), was selectively grafted to Sr/Mg-doped HT foams using two different strategies. Unfortunately, the first method (via protected peptide) was unsuitable for acid-sensitive materials such as Sr/Mg-doped HT, resulting in the release of cytotoxic levels of Zinc over time, with consequent negative cellular response. To overcome this unexpected result, a novel functionalization strategy requiring aqueous solution and mild conditions was designed. Sr/Mg-doped HT functionalized with this second strategy (via aldehyde peptide) showed a dramatic increase in human osteoblast proliferation at 6 days compared to only silanized or non-functionalized samples. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the functionalization treatment does not induce any cytotoxicity. Functionalized foams enhanced mRNA-specific transcript levels coding IBSP , VTN , RUNX2 , and SPP1 at 2 days post-seeding. In conclusion, the second functionalization strategy proved to be appropriate for this specific biomaterial and was effective at enhancing the material's bioactivity.- Published
- 2023
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23. Vibrational Study on the Structure, Bioactivity, and Silver Adsorption of Silk Fibroin Fibers Grafted with Methacrylonitrile.
- Author
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Di Foggia M, Tsukada M, and Taddei P
- Subjects
- Animals, Humans, Silver, Adsorption, Nitriles, Silk chemistry, Fibroins chemistry, Bombyx chemistry
- Abstract
Natural fibers have received increasing attention as starting materials for innovative applications in many research fields, from biomedicine to engineering. Bombyx mori silk fibroin has become a material of choice in the development of many biomedical devices. Grafting represents a good strategy to improve the material properties according to the desired function. In the present study, Bombyx mori silk fibroin fibers were grafted with methacrylonitrile (MAN) with different weight gains. The potential interest in biomedical applications of MAN functionalization relies on the presence of the nitrile group, which is an acceptor of H bonds and can bind metals. IR and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the grafted samples and the possible structural changes induced by grafting. Afterward, the same techniques were used to study the bioactivity (i.e., the calcium phosphate nucleation ability) of MAN-grafted silk fibroins after ageing in simulated body fluid (SBF) for possible application in bone tissue engineering, and their interaction with Ag
+ ions, for the development of biomaterials with enhanced anti-microbial properties. MAN was found to efficiently polymerize on silk fibroin through polar amino acids (i.e., serine and tryptophan), inducing an enrichment in silk fibroin-ordered domains. IR spectroscopy allowed us to detect the nucleation of a thin calcium phosphate layer and the uptake of Ag+ ions through the nitrile group, which may foster the application of these grafted materials in biomedical applications.- Published
- 2023
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24. Chemical-Physical Properties and Bioactivity of New Premixed Calcium Silicate-Bioceramic Root Canal Sealers.
- Author
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Zamparini F, Prati C, Taddei P, Spinelli A, Di Foggia M, and Gandolfi MG
- Subjects
- Calcium chemistry, Dental Pulp Cavity, Silicates chemistry, Water chemistry, Apatites, Root Canal Filling Materials chemistry
- Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyze the chemical−physical properties and bioactivity (apatite-forming ability) of three recently introduced premixed bioceramic root canal sealers containing varied amounts of different calcium silicates (CaSi): a dicalcium and tricalcium silicate (1−10% and 20−30%)-containing sealer with zirconium dioxide and tricalcium aluminate (CERASEAL); a tricalcium silicate (5−15%)-containing sealer with zirconium dioxide, dimethyl sulfoxide and lithium carbonate (AH PLUS BIOCERAMIC) and a dicalcium and tricalcium silicate (10% and 25%)-containing sealer with calcium aluminate, tricalcium aluminate and tantalite (NEOSEALER FLO). An epoxy resin-based sealer (AH PLUS) was used as control. The initial and final setting times, radiopacity, flowability, film thickness, open pore volume, water absorption, solubility, calcium release and alkalizing activity were tested. The nucleation of calcium phosphates and/or apatite after 28 days aging in Hanks balanced salt solution (HBSS) was evaluated by ESEM-EDX, vibrational IR and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The analyses showed for NeoSealer Flo and AH Plus the longest final setting times (1344 ± 60 and 1300 ± 60 min, respectively), while shorter times for AH Plus Bioceramic and Ceraseal (660 ± 60 and 720 ± 60 min, respectively). Radiopacity, flowability and film thickness complied with ISO 6876/12 for all tested materials. A significantly higher open pore volume was observed for NeoSealer Flo, AH Plus Bioceramic and Ceraseal when compared to AH Plus (p < 0.05), significantly higher values were observed for NeoSealer Flo and AH Plus Bioceramic (p < 0.05). Ceraseal and AH Plus revealed the lowest solubility. All CaSi-containing sealers released calcium and alkalized the soaking water. After 28 days immersion in HBSS, ESEM-EDX analyses revealed the formation of a mineral layer that covered the surface of all bioceramic sealers, with a lower detection of radiopacifiers (Zirconium for Ceraseal and AH Plus Bioceramic, Tantalum for NeoSealer Flo) and an increase in calcium, phosphorous and carbon. The calcium phosphate (CaP) layer was more evident on NeoSealer Flo and AH Plus Bioceramic. IR and micro-Raman revealed the formation of calcium carbonate on the surface of all set materials. A thin layer of a CaP phase was detected only on AH Plus Bioceramic and NeoSealer Flo. Ceraseal did not show CaP deposit despite its highest calcium release among all the tested CaSi-containing sealers. In conclusion, CaSi-containing sealers met the required chemical and physical standards and released biologically relevant ions. Slight/limited apatite nucleation was observed in relation to the high carbonation processes.
- Published
- 2022
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25. The Influence of the Matrix on the Apatite-Forming Ability of Calcium Containing Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Cements for Endodontics.
- Author
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Taddei P, Di Foggia M, Zamparini F, Prati C, and Gandolfi MG
- Subjects
- Apatites chemistry, Calcium Compounds chemistry, Calcium Phosphates chemistry, Dimethylpolysiloxanes chemistry, Hydroxyapatites, Materials Testing, Silicates chemistry, Calcium chemistry, Root Canal Filling Materials chemistry
- Abstract
This study aimed to characterize the chemical properties and bioactivity of an endodontic sealer (GuttaFlow Bioseal) based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and containing a calcium bioglass as a doping agent. Commercial PDMS-based cement free from calcium bioglass (GuttaFlow 2 and RoekoSeal) were characterized for comparison as well as GuttaFlow 2 doped with dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, hydroxyapatite, or a tricalcium silicate-based cement. IR and Raman analyses were performed on fresh materials as well as after aging tests in Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (28 d, 37 °C). Under these conditions, the strengthening of the 970 cm−1 Raman band and the appearance of the IR components at 1455−1414, 1015, 868, and 600−559 cm−1 revealed the deposition of B-type carbonated apatite. The Raman I970/I638 and IR A1010/A1258 ratios (markers of apatite-forming ability) showed that bioactivity decreased along with the series: GuttaFlow Bioseal > GuttaFlow 2 > RoekoSeal. The PDMS matrix played a relevant role in bioactivity; in GuttaFlow 2, the crosslinking degree was favorable for Ca2+ adsorption/complexation and the formation of a thin calcium phosphate layer. In the less crosslinked RoekoSeal, such processes did not occur. The doped cements showed bioactivity higher than GuttaFlow 2, suggesting that the particles of the mineralizing agents are spontaneously exposed on the cement surface, although the hydrophobicity of the PDMS matrix slowed down apatite deposition. Relevant properties in the endodontic practice (i.e., setting time, radiopacity, apatite-forming ability) were related to material composition and the crosslinking degree.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
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26. Synthesis of thia-Michael-Type Adducts between Naphthoquinones and N -Acetyl- L -Cysteine and Their Biological Activity.
- Author
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Micheletti G, Boga C, Zalambani C, Farruggia G, Esposito E, Fiori J, Rizzardi N, Taddei P, Di Foggia M, and Calonghi N
- Subjects
- Acetylcysteine pharmacology, Cell Line, Tumor, HeLa Cells, Humans, Reactive Oxygen Species metabolism, Naphthoquinones metabolism, Naphthoquinones pharmacology, Neuroblastoma
- Abstract
A series of naphthoquinones, namely, 1,4-naphthoquinone, menadione, plumbagin, juglone, naphthazarin, and lawsone, were reacted with N -acetyl- L -cysteine, and except for lawsone, which did not react, the related adducts were obtained. After the tuning of the solvent and reaction conditions, the reaction products were isolated as almost pure from the complex reaction mixture via simple filtration and were fully characterized. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate whether the antitumor activity of new compounds of 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives leads to an increase in ROS in tumor cell lines of cervical carcinoma (HeLa), neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y), and osteosarcoma (SaOS2, U2OS) and in normal dermal fibroblast (HDFa). The MTT assay was used to assay cell viability, the DCF-DA fluorescent probe to evaluate ROS induction, and cell-cycle analysis to measure the antiproliferative effect. Compounds 8 , 9 , and 12 showed a certain degree of cytotoxicity towards all the malignant cell lines tested, while compound 11 showed biological activity at higher IC
50 values. Compounds 8 and 11 induced increases in ROS generation after 1 h of exposure, while after 48 h of treatment, only 8 induced an increase in ROS formation in HeLa cells. Cell-cycle analysis showed that compound 8 caused an increase in the number of G0/G1-phase cells in the HeLa experiment, while for the U2OS and SH-SY5Y cell lines, it led to an accumulation of S-phase cells. Therefore, these novel 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives may be useful as antitumoral agents in the treatment of different cancers.- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Mn-Containing Bioactive Glass-Ceramics: BMP-2-Mimetic Peptide Covalent Grafting Boosts Human-Osteoblast Proliferation and Mineral Deposition.
- Author
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Cassari L, Brun P, Di Foggia M, Taddei P, Zamuner A, Pasquato A, De Stefanis A, Valentini V, Saceleanu VM, Rau JV, and Dettin M
- Abstract
The addition of Mn in bioceramic formulation is gaining interest in the field of bone implants. Mn activates human osteoblast (h-osteoblast) integrins, enhancing cell proliferation with a dose-dependent effect, whereas Mn-enriched glasses induce inhibition of Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. In an effort to further optimize Mn-containing scaffolds' beneficial interaction with h-osteoblasts, a selective and specific covalent functionalization with a bioactive peptide was carried out. The anchoring of a peptide, mapped on the BMP-2 wrist epitope, to the scaffold was performed by a reaction between an aldehyde group of the peptide and the aminic groups of silanized Mn-containing bioceramic. SEM-EDX, FT-IR, and Raman studies confirmed the presence of the peptide grafted onto the scaffold. In in vitro assays, a significant improvement in h-osteoblast proliferation, gene expression, and calcium salt deposition after 7 days was detected in the functionalized Mn-containing bioceramic compared to the controls.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
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28. Vibrational Study on Structure and Bioactivity of Protein Fibers Grafted with Phosphorylated Methacrylates.
- Author
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Di Foggia M, Tsukada M, and Taddei P
- Subjects
- Animals, Biocompatible Materials, Chemical Phenomena, Molecular Structure, Phosphorylation, Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared, Spectrum Analysis, Raman, Fibroins chemistry, Fibroins pharmacology, Keratins chemistry, Keratins pharmacology, Methacrylates chemistry, Silk chemistry, Wool chemistry
- Abstract
In the last decades, silk fibroin and wool keratin have been considered functional materials for biomedical applications. In this study, fabrics containing silk fibers from Bombyx mori and Tussah silk fibers from Antheraea pernyi , as well as wool keratin fabrics, were grafted with phosmer CL and phosmer M (commercial names, i.e., methacrylate monomers containing phosphate groups in the molecular side chain) with different weight gains. Both phosmers were recently proposed as flame retarding agents, and their chemical composition suggested a possible application in bone tissue engineering. IR and Raman spectroscopy were used to disclose the possible structural changes induced by grafting and identify the most reactive amino acids towards the phosmers. The same techniques were used to investigate the nucleation of a calcium phosphate phase on the surface of the samples (i.e., bioactivity) after ageing in simulated body fluid (SBF). The phosmers were found to polymerize onto the biopolymers efficiently, and tyrosine and serine underwent phosphorylation (monitored through the strengthening of the Raman band at 1600 cm
-1 and the weakening of the Raman band at 1400 cm-1 , respectively). In grafted wool keratin, cysteic acid and other oxidation products of disulphide bridges were detected together with sulphated residues. Only slight conformational changes were observed upon grafting, generally towards an enrichment in ordered domains, suggesting that the amorphous regions were more prone to react (and, sometimes, degrade). All samples were shown to be bioactive, with a weight gain of up to 8%. The most bioactive samples contained the highest phosmers amounts, i.e., the highest amounts of phosphate nucleating sites. The sulphate/sulphonate groups present in grafted wool samples appeared to increase bioactivity, as shown by the five-fold increase of the IR phosphate band at 1040 cm-1 .- Published
- 2021
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29. Vibrational Raman and IR data on brown hair subjected to bleaching.
- Author
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Di Foggia M, Boga C, Micheletti G, Nocentini B, and Taddei P
- Abstract
Brown human hair was bleached three times (45 min × 3) and four times (45 min × 3 + 15 min) with commercial formulations containing persulfate salts and hydrogen peroxide. The hair samples were characterized by Raman and IR spectroscopy in the Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) mode to gain more insights into the possible secondary structure and C
α -Cβ -S-S-Cβ -Cα conformational changes induced by bleaching. The latter were evaluated through band-fitting procedures; the relative content of the disulfide bridges and oxidized sulfur species (cysteic acid, Bunte salt, cystine oxides) was assessed. The observed conformational changes could be significant in developing restoring agents to be used after hair decoloration. The use of two different spectroscopic techniques allowed to discriminate the information coming from the cortical region of hair (Raman) and the cuticle (ATR/IR). This article refers to "Structural investigation on damaged hair keratin treated with α,β-unsaturated Michael acceptors used as repairing agents" (Di Foggia et al., Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 167 (2021) 620-632 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.11.194)., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships which have or could be perceived to have influenced the work reported in this article., (© 2021 The Authors.)- Published
- 2021
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30. SERS Investigation on Oligopeptides Used as Biomimetic Coatings for Medical Devices.
- Author
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Di Foggia M, Tugnoli V, Ottani S, Dettin M, Zamuner A, Sanchez-Cortes S, Cesini D, and Torreggiani A
- Subjects
- Biomimetics methods, Humans, Nanoparticles chemistry, Oligopeptides pharmacology, Peptides, Silver chemistry, Surface Properties, Biomimetic Materials pharmacology, Oligopeptides chemistry, Spectrum Analysis, Raman methods
- Abstract
The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of three amphiphilic oligopeptides derived from EAK16 (AEAEAKAK)
2 were examined to study systematic amino acid substitution effects on the corresponding interaction with Ag colloidal nanoparticles. Such self-assembling molecular systems, known as "molecular Lego", are of particular interest for their uses in tissue engineering and as biomimetic coatings for medical devices because they can form insoluble macroscopic membranes under physiological conditions. Spectra were collected for both native and gamma-irradiated samples. Quantum mechanical data on two of the examined oligopeptides were also obtained to clarify the assignment of the prominent significative bands observed in the spectra. In general, the peptide-nanoparticles interaction occurs through the COO- groups, with the amide bond and the aliphatic chain close to the colloid surface. After gamma irradiation, mimicking a free oxidative radical attack, the SERS spectra of the biomaterials show that COO- groups still provide the main peptide-nanoparticle interactions. However, the spatial arrangement of the peptides is different, exhibiting a systematic decrease in the distance between aliphatic chains and colloid nanoparticles.- Published
- 2021
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31. Preliminary Study on the Activity of Phycobiliproteins against Botrytis cinerea .
- Author
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Righini H, Francioso O, Di Foggia M, Quintana AM, and Roberti R
- Subjects
- Botrytis growth & development, Fruit microbiology, Fungicides, Industrial isolation & purification, Molecular Structure, Phycobiliproteins isolation & purification, Spores, Fungal drug effects, Spores, Fungal growth & development, Structure-Activity Relationship, Botrytis drug effects, Fungicides, Industrial pharmacology, Solanum lycopersicum microbiology, Phycobiliproteins pharmacology, Rhodophyta metabolism, Spirulina metabolism
- Abstract
Phycobiliproteins (PBPs) are proteins of cyanobacteria and some algae such as rhodophytes. They have antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activity at the human level, but there is a lack of knowledge on their antifungal activity against plant pathogens. We studied the activity of PBPs extracted from Arthrospira platensis and Hydropuntia cornea against Botrytis cinerea , one of the most important worldwide plant-pathogenic fungi. PBPs were characterized by using FT-IR and FT-Raman in order to investigate their structures. Their spectra differed in the relative composition in the amide bands, which were particularly strong in A. platensis . PBP activity was tested on tomato fruits against gray mold disease, fungal growth, and spore germination at different concentrations (0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, and 4.8 mg/mL). Both PBPs reduced fruit gray mold disease. A linear dose-response relationship was observed for both PBPs against disease incidence and H. cornea against disease severity. Pathogen mycelial growth and spore germination were reduced significantly by both PBPs. In conclusion, PBPs have the potential for being also considered as natural compounds for the control of fungal plant pathogens in sustainable agriculture.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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32. Degradative Ability of Mushrooms Cultivated on Corn Silage Digestate.
- Author
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Fornito S, Puliga F, Leonardi P, Di Foggia M, Zambonelli A, and Francioso O
- Subjects
- Agaricales metabolism, Ascomycota metabolism, Coprinus metabolism, Lignin metabolism, Pleurotus metabolism, Polysaccharides metabolism, Silage analysis, Zea mays chemistry, Agaricales growth & development, Ascomycota growth & development, Coprinus growth & development, Pleurotus growth & development, Zea mays metabolism
- Abstract
The current management practice of digestate from biogas plants involves its use for land application as a fertilizer. Nevertheless, the inadequate handling of digestate may cause environmental risks due to losses of ammonia, methane and nitrous oxide. Therefore, the key goals of digestate management are to maximize its value by developing new digestate products, reducing its dependency on soil application and the consequent air pollution. The high nitrogen and lignin content in solid digestate make it a suitable substrate for edible and medicinal mushroom cultivation. To this aim, the mycelial growth rate and degradation capacity of the lignocellulosic component from corn silage digestate, undigested wheat straw and their mixture were investigated on Cyclocybe aegerita, Coprinus comatus, Morchella importuna, Pleurotus cornucopiae and Pleurotus ostreatus . The structural modification of the substrates was performed by using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Preliminary in vitro results demonstrated the ability of P. ostreatus , P. cornucopiae and M. importuna to grow and decay hemicellulose and lignin of digestate. Cultivation trials were carried out on C. aegerita , P. cornucopiae and P. ostreatus . Pleurotus ostreatus showed the highest biological efficiency and fruiting body production in the presence of the digestate; moreover, P. ostreatus and P. cornucopiae were able to degrade the lignin. These results provide attractive perspectives both for more sustainable digestate management and for the improvement of mushroom cultivation efficiency.
- Published
- 2020
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33. Spectroscopic and morphological data assessing the apatite forming ability of calcium hydroxide-releasing materials for pulp capping.
- Author
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Di Foggia M, Prati C, Gandolfi MG, and Taddei P
- Abstract
A pulp capping material must perform as a barrier and protect the dental pulpal complex by inducing the formation of a new dentin bridge or dentin-like tissue. Being a favorable condition for the healing process, the apatite forming ability of TheraCal (light-curable Portland-dimethacrylate cement) and Dycal (calcium hydroxide-based) pulp capping materials was studied in two simulated body fluids, i.e. Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline (DPBS) and Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS). The cements were analyzed before and after soaking in these media for different times (1-28 days) by ESEM-EDX, micro-Raman and IR spectroscopy. This data article refers to "An in vitro study on dentin demineralization and remineralization: collagen rearrangements and influence on the enucleated phase" (Di Foggia et al., 2019).
- Published
- 2019
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34. Conjugation of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals with human immunoglobulin G for nanomedical applications.
- Author
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Iafisco M, Varoni E, Di Foggia M, Pietronave S, Fini M, Roveri N, Rimondini L, and Prat M
- Subjects
- Adsorption, Antineoplastic Agents immunology, Antineoplastic Agents metabolism, Binding Sites, Blotting, Western, Drug Carriers metabolism, Durapatite chemistry, Durapatite immunology, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Humans, Immunoconjugates immunology, Immunoconjugates metabolism, Immunoglobulin G immunology, Immunoglobulin G metabolism, Nanoparticles chemistry, Neoplasms immunology, Particle Size, Protein Binding, Protein Structure, Secondary, Spectrum Analysis, Static Electricity, Surface Properties, Antineoplastic Agents chemistry, Drug Carriers chemistry, Immunoconjugates chemistry, Immunoglobulin G chemistry, Molecular Targeted Therapy methods, Nanomedicine methods, Neoplasms therapy
- Abstract
Inorganic nanosized drug carriers are a promising field in nanomedicine applied to cancer. Their conjugation with antibodies combines the properties of the nanoparticles themselves with the specific and selective recognition ability of the antibodies to antigens. Biomimetic carbonate-hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles were synthesized and fully characterized; human IgGs, used as model antibodies, were coupled to these nanocrystals. The maximum loading amount, the interaction modelling, the preferential orientation and the secondary structure modifications were evaluated using theoretical models (Langmuir, Freundlich and Langmuir-Freundlich) spectroscopic (UV-Vis, Raman), calorimetric (TGA), and immunochemical techniques (ELISA, Western Blot). HA nanoparticles of about 30 nm adsorbed human IgGs, in a dose-dependent, saturable and stable manner with micromolar affinity and adsorption capability around 2.3 mg/m(2). Adsorption isotherm could be described by Langmuir-Freundlich model, and was due to both energetically homogeneous and heterogeneous binding sites on HA surface, mainly of electrostatic nature. Binding did not induce secondary structure modification of IgGs. A preferential IgG end-on orientation with the involvement of IgG Fc moiety in the adsorption seems most probable due to the steric hindrance of their Fab domains. Biomimetic HA nanocrystals are suitable substrates to produce nanoparticles which can be functionalized with antibodies for efficient targeted drug delivery to tumours., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2012
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35. Effects of sterilisation by high-energy radiation on biomedical poly-(epsilon-caprolactone)/hydroxyapatite composites.
- Author
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Di Foggia M, Corda U, Plescia E, Taddei P, and Torreggiani A
- Subjects
- Caproates, Durapatite radiation effects, Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy, Lactones, Physical Phenomena, Polymers chemistry, Polymers radiation effects, Radiation, Tissue Engineering, Durapatite chemistry, Sterilization methods
- Abstract
The effects of a high energy sterilization treatment on poly-epsilon-caprolactone/carbonated hydroxyapatite composites have been investigated. Poly-epsilon-caprolactone is a biodegradable polymer used as long-term bioresorbable scaffold for bone tissue engineering and carbonated hydroxyapatite is a bioactive material able to promote bone growth. The composites were gamma-irradiated in air or under nitrogen atmosphere with doses ranging from 10 to 50 kGy (i.e. to a value higher than that recommended for sterilization). The effects of the irradiation treatment were evaluated by vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman spectroscopies) coupled to thermal analysis (Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermogravimetry) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy. Irradiation with the doses required for sterilization induced acceptable structural changes and damaging effects: only a very slight fragmentation of the polymeric chains and some defects in the inorganic component were observed. Moreover, the radiation sensitivity of the composites proved almost the same under the two different atmospheres.
- Published
- 2010
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36. Polylactic acid fibre-reinforced polycaprolactone scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
- Author
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Guarino V, Causa F, Taddei P, di Foggia M, Ciapetti G, Martini D, Fagnano C, Baldini N, and Ambrosio L
- Subjects
- Cells, Cultured, Humans, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, Bone Development, Lactic Acid chemistry, Polyesters chemistry, Polymers chemistry, Tissue Engineering
- Abstract
The employment of composite scaffolds with a well-organized architecture and multi-scale porosity certainly represents a valuable approach for achieving a tissue engineered construct to reproduce the middle and long-term behaviour of hierarchically complex tissues such as spongy bone. In this paper, fibre-reinforced composites scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications is described. These are composed of poly-L-lactide acid (PLLA) fibres embedded in a porous poly(epsilon-caprolactone) matrix, and were obtained by synergistic use of phase inversion/particulate leaching technique and filament winding technology. Porosity degree as high as 79.7% was achieved, the bimodal pore size distribution showing peaks at ca 10 and 200 microm diameter, respectively, accounting for 53.7% and 46.3% of the total porosity. In vitro degradation was carried out in PBS and SBF without significant degradation of the scaffold after 35 days, while in NaOH solution, a linear increase of weight lost was observed with preferential degradation of PLLA component. Subsequently, marrow stromal cells (MSC) and human osteoblasts (HOB) reached a plateau at 3 weeks, while at 5 weeks the number of cells was almost the same. Human marrow stromal cell and trabecular osteoblasts rapidly proliferate on the scaffold up to 3 weeks, promoting an oriented migration of bone cells along the fibre arrangement. Moreover, the role of seeded HOB and MSC on composite degradation mechanism was assessed by demonstrating a more relevant contribution to PLLA degradation of MSC when compared to HOB. The novel PCL/PLLA composite scaffolds thus showed promise whenever tuneable porosity, controlled degradability and guided cell-material interaction are simultaneously requested.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
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