122 results on '"Enza Fazio"'
Search Results
2. Novel Luminescent Ionic Adducts Based on Pyrene-1-sulfonate
- Author
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Maria Angela Castriciano, Paola Cardiano, Enza Fazio, Placido Giuseppe Mineo, Angelo Nicosia, Roberto Zagami, Mariachiara Trapani, Luigi Monsù Scolaro, and Sandra Lo Schiavo
- Subjects
Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. NMR in Metabolomics: From Conventional Statistics to Machine Learning and Neural Network Approaches
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Carmelo Corsaro, Sebastiano Vasi, Fortunato Neri, Angela Maria Mezzasalma, Giulia Neri, and Enza Fazio
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NMR ,metabolomics ,biomarkers ,clustering ,artificial intelligence ,machine learning ,Technology ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Physics ,QC1-999 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
NMR measurements combined with chemometrics allow achieving a great amount of information for the identification of potential biomarkers responsible for a precise metabolic pathway. These kinds of data are useful in different fields, ranging from food to biomedical fields, including health science. The investigation of the whole set of metabolites in a sample, representing its fingerprint in the considered condition, is known as metabolomics and may take advantage of different statistical tools. The new frontier is to adopt self-learning techniques to enhance clustering or classification actions that can improve the predictive power over large amounts of data. Although machine learning is already employed in metabolomics, deep learning and artificial neural networks approaches were only recently successfully applied. In this work, we give an overview of the statistical approaches underlying the wide range of opportunities that machine learning and neural networks allow to perform with accurate metabolites assignment and quantification.Various actual challenges are discussed, such as proper metabolomics, deep learning architectures and model accuracy.
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- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Phage-Phenotype Imaging of Myeloma Plasma Cells by Phage Display
- Author
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Laura M. De Plano, Domenico Franco, Martina Bonsignore, Enza Fazio, Sebastiano Trusso, Alessandro Allegra, Caterina Musolino, Riccardo Cavaliere, Guido Ferlazzo, Fortunato Neri, and Salvatore P. P. Guglielmino
- Subjects
phage display selection ,multiple myeloma (MM) ,FITC-labelled phage ,fluorescent imaging ,immunophenotype identification ,Technology ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Physics ,QC1-999 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disease based on differentiated plasma cells (PCs) in the bone marrow (BM). Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, used to identify a large combination of clusters of differentiation (CDs), are applied for MM immunophenotyping. However, due to the heterogeneous MM immunophenotypes, more antibody panels are necessary for a preliminary diagnosis and for the monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD). In this study, we evaluated the use of phage clones as probes for the identification of several PCs immunophenotypes from MM patients. First, A 9-mer M13-pVIII phage display library was screened against an MM.1 cells line to identify peptides that selectively recognize MM.1 cells. Then, the most representative phage clones, with amino acid sequences of foreign peptides closer to the consensus, were labelled with isothiocyanate of fluorescein (FITC) and were used to obtain a fluorescent signal on cells in ex-vivo samples by fluorescence microscopy. Selected phage clones were able to discriminate different MM immunophenotypes from patients related to CD45, CD38, CD56, and CD138. Our results highlight the possibility of using a phage-fluorescence probe for the simultaneous examination of the presence/absence of CDs associated with disease usually detected by combination of anti-CD antibodies. The design of a multi-phage imaging panel could represent a highly sensitive approach for the rapid detection of immunophenotype subtypes and the subsequent characterization of patient disease status.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Gaussian Parameters Correlate with the Spread of COVID-19 Pandemic: The Italian Case
- Author
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Carmelo Corsaro, Alessandro Sturniolo, and Enza Fazio
- Subjects
coronavirus ,growth rate model ,statistical modelling ,gaussian fitting ,Technology ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Physics ,QC1-999 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Until today, numerous models have been formulated to predict the spreading of Covid-19. Among them, the actively discussed susceptible-infected-removed (SIR) model is one of the most reliable. Unfortunately, many factors (i.e., social behaviors) can influence the outcomes as well as the occurrence of multiple contributions corresponding to multiple waves. Therefore, for a reliable evaluation of the conversion rates, data need to be continuously updated and analyzed. In this work, we propose a model using Gaussian functions, coming from the solution of an ordinary differential equation representing a logistic model, able to describe the growth rate of infected, deceased and recovered people in Italy. We correlate the Gaussian parameters with the number of people affected by COVID-19 as a function of the large-scale anti-contagion control measures strength, and also of vaccines effects adopted to reach herd immunity. The superposition of gaussian curves allow modeling the growth rate of the total cases, deceased and recovered people and reproducing the corresponding cumulative distribution and probability density functions. Moreover, we try to predict a time interval in which all people will be infected or vaccinated (with at least one dose) and/or the time end of pandemic in Italy when all people have been infected or vaccinated with two doses.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Shedding Light on the Chemistry and the Properties of Münchnone Functionalized Graphene
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Giulia Neri, Enza Fazio, Antonia Nostro, Placido Giuseppe Mineo, Angela Scala, Antonio Rescifina, and Anna Piperno
- Subjects
nisin ,antibacterial graphene ,silver nanoparticles ,1,3-dipolar cycloaddition ,münchnone ,oxazolone ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Münchnones are mesoionic oxazolium 5-oxides with azomethine ylide characteristics that provide pyrrole derivatives by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (1,3-DC) reaction with acetylenic dipolarophiles. Their reactivity was widely exploited for the synthesis of small molecules, but it was not yet investigated for the functionalization of graphene-based materials. Herein, we report our results on the preparation of münchnone functionalized graphene via cycloaddition reactions, followed by the spontaneous loss of carbon dioxide and its further chemical modification to silver/nisin nanocomposites to confer biological properties. A direct functionalization of graphite flakes into few-layers graphene decorated with pyrrole rings on the layer edge was achieved. The success of functionalization was confirmed by micro-Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The 1,3-DC reactions of münchnone dipole with graphene have been investigated using density functional theory to model graphene. Finally, we explored the reactivity and the processability of münchnone functionalized graphene to produce enriched nano biomaterials endowed with antimicrobial properties.
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- 2021
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7. X-ray Photoelectron Spectra of Ag-Au Colloidal Nanoparticles after Interaction with Linear Carbon Chains
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Ivan S. Zhidkov, Ernst Z. Kurmaev, Marcello Condorelli, Seif O. Cholakh, Alexey S. Boyarchenkov, Enza Fazio, and Luisa D’Urso
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XPS ,linear carbon chains ,nanoparticles ,Ag-Au alloy ,electronic structure ,oxidation ,Technology ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Physics ,QC1-999 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
The results of X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) characterization of the surface of Ag-Au colloidal nanoparticles (Ag-Au NPs), prepared by laser ablation in water before and after interaction with linear carbon chains (LCC), are presented. No additional features appear in high-energy resolved XPS core level spectra of Ag-Au NPs which indicates that surface is not oxidized. The measurements of XPS Ag 3d-spectrum of (Ag-Au)@LCC manifests the additional low-energy structure that is associated with the formation of Ag–C bonds. The charge transfer between Au atoms on the NPs surface and LCC was established. Additionally, some oxidation of the Ag atoms on the surface of (Ag-Au)@LCC is observed which arises during laser ablation in water. We assume that oxidative species will preferably interact with the areas outside the LCC instead of oxidizing the carbon chains which was confirmed by XPS C 1s spectra.
- Published
- 2021
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8. Nanoparticles Engineering by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids: Concepts and Applications
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Enza Fazio, Bilal Gökce, Alessandro De Giacomo, Moreno Meneghetti, Giuseppe Compagnini, Matteo Tommasini, Friedrich Waag, Andrea Lucotti, Chiara Giuseppina Zanchi, Paolo Maria Ossi, Marcella Dell’Aglio, Luisa D’Urso, Marcello Condorelli, Vittorio Scardaci, Francesca Biscaglia, Lucio Litti, Marina Gobbo, Giovanni Gallo, Marco Santoro, Sebastiano Trusso, and Fortunato Neri
- Subjects
colloids ,laser synthesis ,plasmonics ,sensing ,biomedicine ,catalysis ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Laser synthesis emerges as a suitable technique to produce ligand-free nanoparticles, alloys and functionalized nanomaterials for catalysis, imaging, biomedicine, energy and environmental applications. In the last decade, laser ablation and nanoparticle generation in liquids has proven to be a unique and efficient technique to generate, excite, fragment and conjugate a large variety of nanostructures in a scalable and clean way. In this work, we give an overview on the fundamentals of pulsed laser synthesis of nanocolloids and new information about its scalability towards selected applications. Biomedicine, catalysis and sensing are the application areas mainly discussed in this review, highlighting advantages of laser-synthesized nanoparticles for these types of applications and, once partially resolved, the limitations to the technique for large-scale applications.
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- 2020
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9. Specific Heat and Transport Functions of Water
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Francesco Mallamace, Carmelo Corsaro, Domenico Mallamace, Enza Fazio, Sow-Hsin Chen, and Antonio Cupane
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water ,phase transition ,specific heat ,diffusivity ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Numerous water characteristics are essentially ascribed to its peculiarity to form strong hydrogen bonds that become progressively more stable on decreasing the temperature. However, the structural and dynamical implications of the molecular rearrangement are still subject of debate and intense studies. In this work, we observe that the thermodynamic characteristics of liquid water are strictly connected to its dynamic characteristics. In particular, we compare the thermal behaviour of the isobaric specific heat of water, measured in different confinement conditions at atmospheric pressure (and evaluated by means of theoretical studies) with its configurational contribution obtained from the values of the measured self-diffusion coefficient through the use of the Adam−Gibbs approach. Our results confirm the existence of a maximum in the specific heat of water at about 225 K and indicate that especially at low temperature the configurational contributions to the entropy are dominant.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. The Proton Density of States in Confined Water (H2O)
- Author
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Sow-Hsin Chen, Carmelo Corsaro, Francesco Mallamace, Enza Fazio, and Domenico Mallamace
- Subjects
water ,confined water ,density of states ,inelastic neutron scattering ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
The hydrogen density of states (DOS) in confined water has been probed by inelastic neutron scattering spectra in a wide range of its P−T phase diagram. The liquid−liquid transition and the dynamical crossover from the fragile (super-Arrhenius) to strong (Arrhenius) glass forming behavior have been studied, by taking into account the system polymorphism in both the liquid and amorphous solid phases. The interest is focused in the low energy region of the DOS ( E < 10 meV) and the data are discussed in terms of the energy landscape (local minima of the potential energy) approach. In this latest research, we consider a unit scale energy (EC) linked to the water local order governed by the hydrogen bonding (HB). All the measured spectra, scaled according to such energy, evidence a universal power law behavior with different exponents ( γ ) in the strong and fragile glass forming regions, respectively. In the first case, the DOS data obey the Debye squared-frequency law, whereas, in the second one, we obtain a value predicted in terms of the mode-coupling theory (MCT) ( γ ≃ 1.6 ).
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Aggregation States of Aβ1–40, Aβ1–42 and Aβp3–42 Amyloid Beta Peptides: A SANS Study
- Author
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Giulia Festa, Francesco Mallamace, Giulia Maria Sancesario, Carmelo Corsaro, Domenico Mallamace, Enza Fazio, Laura Arcidiacono, Victoria Garcia Sakai, Roberto Senesi, Enrico Preziosi, Giuseppe Sancesario, and Carla Andreani
- Subjects
beta amyloid ,aggregation state ,small angle neutron scattering ,Alzheimer’s disease ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Aggregation states of amyloid beta peptides for amyloid beta A β 1 − 40 to A β 1 − 42 and A β p 3 − 42 are investigated through small angle neutron scattering (SANS). The knowledge of these small peptides and their aggregation state are of key importance for the comprehension of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease). The SANS technique allows to study the size and fractal nature of the monomers, oligomers and fibrils of the three different peptides. Results show that all the investigated peptides have monomers with a radius of gyration of the order of 10 Å, while the oligomers and fibrils display differences in size and aggregation ability, with A β p 3 − 42 showing larger oligomers. These properties are strictly related to the toxicity of the corresponding amyloid peptide and indeed to the development of the associated disease.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. SERS Sensing Properties of New Graphene/Gold Nanocomposite
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Giulia Neri, Enza Fazio, Placido Giuseppe Mineo, Angela Scala, and Anna Piperno
- Subjects
graphene/gold nanocomposite ,SERS ,Dopamine ,Rhodamine 6G ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
The development of graphene (G) substrates without damage on the sp2 network allows to tune the interactions with plasmonic noble metal surfaces to finally enhance surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) effect. Here, we describe a new graphene/gold nanocomposite obtained by loading gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), produced by pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL), on a new nitrogen-doped graphene platform (G-NH2). The graphene platform was synthesized by direct delamination and chemical functionalization of graphite flakes with 4-methyl-2-p-nitrophenyl oxazolone, followed by reduction of p-nitrophenyl groups. Finally, the G-NH2/Au SERS platform was prepared by using the conventional aerography spraying technique. SERS properties of G-NH2/Au were tested using Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) and Dopamine (DA) as molecular probes. Raman features of Rh6G and DA are still detectable for concentration values down to 1 × 10−5 M and 1 × 10−6 M respectively.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
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13. Laser-Synthesized SERS Substrates as Sensors toward Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
- Author
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Matteo Tommasini, Chiara Zanchi, Andrea Lucotti, Alessandro Bombelli, Nicolò S. Villa, Marina Casazza, Emilio Ciusani, Ugo de Grazia, Marco Santoro, Enza Fazio, Fortunato Neri, Sebastiano Trusso, and Paolo M. Ossi
- Subjects
noble metal nanoparticles ,pulsed laser ablation ,surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy ,antiepileptic drugs ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
The synthesis by pulsed laser ablation and the characterization of both the surface nanostructure and the optical properties of noble metal nanoparticle-based substrates used in Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy are discussed with reference to application in the detection of anti-epileptic drugs. Results on two representative drugs, namely Carbamazepine and Perampanel, are critically addressed.
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- 2019
- Full Text
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14. Study on the Physico-Chemical Properties of the Si Nanowires Surface
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Rosaria A. Puglisi, Corrado Bongiorno, Giovanni Borgh, Enza Fazio, Cristina Garozzo, Giovanni Mannino, Fortunato Neri, Giovanna Pellegrino, Silvia Scalese, and Antonino La Magna
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nanowires ,catalytic growth ,etching ,gold ,VLS ,CVD ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Silicon nanowires (Si-NWs) have been extensively studied for their numerous applications in nano-electronics. The most common method for their synthesis is the vapor−liquid−solid growth, using gold as catalyst. After the growth, the metal remains on the Si-NW tip, representing an important issue, because Au creates deep traps in the Si band gap that deteriorate the device performance. The methods proposed so far to remove Au offer low efficiency, strongly oxidize the Si-NW sidewalls, or produce structural damage. A physical and chemical characterization of the as-grown Si-NWs is presented. A thin shell covering the Au tip and acting as a barrier is found. The chemical composition of this layer is investigated through high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with chemical analysis; its formation mechanism is discussed in terms of atomic interdiffusion phenomena, driven by the heating/cooling processes taking place inside the eutectic-Si-NW system. Based on the knowledge acquired, a new efficient etching procedure is developed. The characterization after the chemical etching is also performed to monitor the removal process and the Si-NWs morphological characteristics, demonstrating the efficiency of the proposed method and the absence of modifications in the nanostructure.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
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15. The Role of Hydrogen Bonding in the Folding/Unfolding Process of Hydrated Lysozyme: A Review of Recent NMR and FTIR Results
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Domenico Mallamace, Enza Fazio, Francesco Mallamace, and Carmelo Corsaro
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protein denaturation ,FTIR ,NMR ,hydration water ,hydrogen bonding ,energy landscape ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
The biological activity of proteins depends on their three-dimensional structure, known as the native state. The main force driving the correct folding mechanism is the hydrophobic effect and when this folding kinetics is altered, aggregation phenomena intervene causing the occurrence of illnesses such as Alzheimer and Parkinson’s diseases. The other important effect is performed by water molecules and by their ability to form a complex network of hydrogen bonds whose dynamics influence the mobility of protein amino acids. In this work, we review the recent results obtained by means of spectroscopic techniques, such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopies, on hydrated lysozyme. In particular, we explore the Energy Landscape from the thermal region of configurational stability up to that of the irreversible denaturation. The importance of the coupling between the solute and the solvent will be highlighted as well as the different behaviors of hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties of protein amino acid residues.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
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16. Photoinduced Water Oxidation in Chitosan Nanostructures Containing Covalently Linked Ru II Chromophores and Encapsulated Iridium Oxide Nanoparticles
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Francesco Nastasi, Enza Fazio, Sebastiano Campagna, Giuseppina La Ganga, Antonio Santoro, Fausto Puntoriero, Mirco Natali, and Maurilio Galletta
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photochemistry ,Chemistry ,Organic Chemistry ,photochemical water oxidation ,Ambientale ,Quantum yield ,chemistry.chemical_element ,General Chemistry ,Chromophore ,electron transfer ,Photochemistry ,Persulfate ,Catalysis ,Artificial photosynthesis ,Ruthenium ,Bipyridine ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,artificial photosynthesis ,Luminophore ,Photosensitizer ,ruthenium - Abstract
The luminophore Ru(bpy)2 (dcbpy)2+ (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine; dcbpy=4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine) is covalently linked to a chitosan polymer; crosslinking by tripolyphosphate produced Ru-decorated chitosan fibers (NS-RuCh), with a 20 : 1 ratio between chitosan repeating units and RuII chromophores. The properties of the RuII compound are unperturbed by the chitosan structure, with NS-RuCh exhibiting the typical metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption and emission bands of RuII complexes. When crosslinks are made in the presence of IrO2 nanoparticles, such species are encapsulated within the nanofibers, thus generating the IrO2 ⊂NS-RuCh system, in which both RuII photosensitizers and IrO2 water oxidation catalysts are within the nanofiber structures. NS-RuCh and IrO2 ⊂NS-RuCh have been characterized by dynamic light scattering, scanning electronic microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, which indicated a 2 : 1 ratio between RuII chromophores and IrO2 species. Photochemical water oxidation has been investigated by using IrO2 ⊂NS-RuCh as the chromophore/catalyst assembly and persulfate anions as the sacrificial species: photochemical water oxidation yields O2 with a quantum yield (Φ) of 0.21, definitely higher than the Φ obtained with a similar solution containing separated Ru(bpy)3 2+ and IrO2 nanoparticles (0.05) or with respect to that obtained when using NS-RuCh and "free" IrO2 nanoparticles (0.10). A fast hole-scavenging process (rate constant, 7×104 s-1 ) involving the oxidized photosensitizer and the IrO2 catalyst within the IrO2 ⊂NS-RuCh system is behind the improved photochemical quantum yield of IrO2 ⊂NS-RuCh.
- Published
- 2021
17. Efficacy of Xyloglucan against Escherichia coli Extraintestinal Urinary Tract Infection: An in vivo Study
- Author
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Emanuela Esposito, Enza Fazio, Marika Lanza, Alessia Filippone, Irene Paterniti, Salvatore Cuzzocrea, Domenico Franco, Giovanna Casili, and Michela Campolo
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Tight junction permeability ,Physiology ,business.industry ,Urinary system ,Cell Biology ,Cell morphology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology ,Biochemistry ,Microbiology ,Protective barrier ,In vitro ,Xyloglucan ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,chemistry ,In vivo ,medicine ,business ,Escherichia coli ,Biotechnology - Abstract
Natural approaches to conventional pharmaceutical treatments for urinary tract infections (UTIs) have focused attention toward reducing the colonization of intestinal Escherichia coli reservoirs, the cause of ascending and hematogenous UTIs. In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of xyloglucan and xyloglucan plus gelose on intestinal and urinary epithelia in an in vivo E. coli infection model. Preventative xyloglucan and xyloglucan plus gelose oral treatments were performed by gavage 2 days before E. coli administration and every day until day 7. In vitro, xyloglucan had no effect on bacterial growth, cell morphology, or integrity. The results clearly demonstrated the protective barrier effect of xyloglucan in the bladder and intestine, as evidenced by a reduction in histological changes, neutrophil infiltration, and tight junction permeability in the intestine following E. coli infection. The potential beneficial effect of xyloglucan in preventing UTIs was supported by a reduction of E. coli-positive colony-forming units in the urinary tract. We consider xyloglucan in association with gelose to be an effective oral medical device for the prevention of extraintestinal UTIs.
- Published
- 2020
18. Molecular Modelling and Simulations of Light-Harvesting Decanuclear Ru-Based Dendrimers for Artificial Photosynthesis
- Author
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Leonardo Guidoni, Enza Fazio, Chiara Capecci, Giovanna M. A. Rogati, Scolastica Serroni, Fausto Puntoriero, and Sebastiano Campagna
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Steric effects ,Dendrimers ,Pyrazine ,Organic Chemistry ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Pair distribution function ,General Chemistry ,Molecular Dynamics Simulation ,computational chemistry ,Catalysis ,Ruthenium ,dendrimers ,molecular simulations ,ruthenium ,Oxidation-Reduction ,Photosynthesis ,Bipyridine ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Crystallography ,Molecular dynamics ,Monomer ,chemistry ,Dendrimer - Abstract
The structure of a decanuclear photo- and redox-active dendrimer based on Ru(II) polypyridine subunits, suitable as a light-harvesting multicomponent species for artificial photosynthesis, has been investigated by means of computer modelling. The compound has the general formula [Ru{(μ-dpp)Ru[(μ-dpp)Ru(bpy) 2 ] 2 } 3 ](PF 6 ) 20 ( Ru10 ; bpy =2,2'-bipyridine; dpp= 2,3-bis(2'-pyridyl)pyrazine). The stability of possible isomers of each monomer was investigated by performing classical molecular dynamics (MD) and quantum mechanics (QM) simulations on each monomer and comparing the results. The number of stable isomers is reduced to 36 with a prevalence of MER isomerism in the central core, as previously observed by NMR experiments. The simulations on decanuclear dendrimers suggest that the stability of the dendrimer is not linked to the stability of the individual monomers composing the dendrimer but rather governed by the steric constrains originated by the multimetallic assembly. Finally, the self-aggregation of Ru10 and the distribution of the counterions around the complexes is investigated using Molecular Dynamics both in implicit and explicit acetonitrile solution. In representative examples, with nine and four dendrimers, the calculated pair distribution function for the ruthenium centers suggests a self-aggregation mechanism where the dendrimers are approaching in small blocks and then aggregate all together. Scanning transmission electron microscopy complements the investigation, supporting the formation of different aggregates at various concentrations.
- Published
- 2021
19. Weibull Modeling of Controlled Drug Release from Ag-PMA Nanosystems
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Enza Fazio, Carmelo Corsaro, Angela Maria Mezzasalma, and Giulia Neri
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Materials science ,Polymers and Plastics ,Organic chemistry ,Poly(methyl acrylate) ,Article ,Nanomaterials ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,QD241-441 ,photoreduction process ,Surface plasmon resonance ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Ag nanoparticles ,Drug nanocarrier ,Photoreduction process ,Poly(methacrylic acid) sodium salt ,Smart nanodevice ,Statistical distributions ,Weibull function ,statistical distributions ,General Chemistry ,Polymer ,Polyelectrolyte ,drug nanocarrier ,Chemical engineering ,chemistry ,Nanofiber ,Drug delivery ,smart nanodevice ,Drug carrier - Abstract
Traditional pharmacotherapy suffers from multiple drawbacks that hamper patient treatment such as antibiotic resistances or low drug selectivity and toxicity during systemic applications. Some functional hybrid nanomaterials are designed to handle the drug release process under remote-control. More attention has recently been paid to synthetic polyelectrolytes for their intrinsic properties which allow them to rearrange into compact structures, ideal to be used as drug carriers or probes influencing biochemical processes. The presence of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) in the Poly methyl acrylate (PMA) matrix leads to an enhancement of drug release efficiency, even using a low-power laser whose wavelength is far from the Ag Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) peak. Further, compared to the colloids, the nanofiber-based drug delivery system has shown shorter response time and more precise control over the release rate. The efficiency and timing of involved drug release mechanisms has been estimated by the Weibull distribution function, whose parameters indicate that the release mechanism of nanofibers obeys Fick’s first law while a non-Fickian character controlled by diffusion and relaxation of polymer chains occurs in the colloidal phase.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
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20. Phage-Phenotype Imaging of Myeloma Plasma Cells by Phage Display
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Sebastiano Trusso, Riccardo Cavaliere, Enza Fazio, Guido Ferlazzo, Alessandro Allegra, Laura M. De Plano, Martina Bonsignore, Caterina Musolino, Fortunato Neri, Salvatore P.P. Guglielmino, and Domenico Franco
- Subjects
Technology ,Phage display ,FITC-labelled phage ,QH301-705.5 ,QC1-999 ,Fluorescent imaging ,Immunophenotype identification ,Multiple myeloma (MM) ,Phage display selection ,Flow cytometry ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Immunophenotyping ,medicine ,General Materials Science ,multiple myeloma (MM) ,Fluorescein ,Biology (General) ,Instrumentation ,QD1-999 ,Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes ,Cluster of differentiation ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,biology ,Process Chemistry and Technology ,Physics ,General Engineering ,fluorescent imaging ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,Minimal residual disease ,Molecular biology ,Computer Science Applications ,Chemistry ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,chemistry ,biology.protein ,Bone marrow ,immunophenotype identification ,Antibody ,TA1-2040 ,phage display selection - Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disease based on differentiated plasma cells (PCs) in the bone marrow (BM). Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, used to identify a large combination of clusters of differentiation (CDs), are applied for MM immunophenotyping. However, due to the heterogeneous MM immunophenotypes, more antibody panels are necessary for a preliminary diagnosis and for the monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD). In this study, we evaluated the use of phage clones as probes for the identification of several PCs immunophenotypes from MM patients. First, A 9-mer M13-pVIII phage display library was screened against an MM.1 cells line to identify peptides that selectively recognize MM.1 cells. Then, the most representative phage clones, with amino acid sequences of foreign peptides closer to the consensus, were labelled with isothiocyanate of fluorescein (FITC) and were used to obtain a fluorescent signal on cells in ex-vivo samples by fluorescence microscopy. Selected phage clones were able to discriminate different MM immunophenotypes from patients related to CD45, CD38, CD56, and CD138. Our results highlight the possibility of using a phage-fluorescence probe for the simultaneous examination of the presence/absence of CDs associated with disease usually detected by combination of anti-CD antibodies. The design of a multi-phage imaging panel could represent a highly sensitive approach for the rapid detection of immunophenotype subtypes and the subsequent characterization of patient disease status.
- Published
- 2021
21. Gaussian Parameters Correlate with the Spread of COVID-19 Pandemic: The Italian Case
- Author
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Enza FAZIO, Alessandro Sturniolo, and Carmelo Corsaro
- Subjects
Technology ,QH301-705.5 ,Gaussian ,QC1-999 ,coronavirus ,Probability density function ,Interval (mathematics) ,Logistic regression ,Herd immunity ,03 medical and health sciences ,symbols.namesake ,0302 clinical medicine ,Statistics ,statistical modelling ,General Materials Science ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Biology (General) ,Instrumentation ,QD1-999 ,growth rate model ,030304 developmental biology ,Mathematics ,Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes ,0303 health sciences ,Process Chemistry and Technology ,Cumulative distribution function ,Physics ,General Engineering ,Statistical model ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,Coronavirus ,Gaussian fitting ,Growth rate model ,Statistical modelling ,Computer Science Applications ,Chemistry ,Ordinary differential equation ,symbols ,TA1-2040 ,gaussian fitting - Abstract
Until today, numerous models have been formulated to predict the spreading of Covid-19. Among them, the actively discussed susceptible-infected-removed (SIR) model is one of the most reliable. Unfortunately, many factors (i.e., social behaviors) can influence the outcomes as well as the occurrence of multiple contributions corresponding to multiple waves. Therefore, for a reliable evaluation of the conversion rates, data need to be continuously updated and analyzed. In this work, we propose a model using Gaussian functions, coming from the solution of an ordinary differential equation representing a logistic model, able to describe the growth rate of infected, deceased and recovered people in Italy. We correlate the Gaussian parameters with the number of people affected by COVID-19 as a function of the large-scale anti-contagion control measures strength, and also of vaccines effects adopted to reach herd immunity. The superposition of gaussian curves allow modeling the growth rate of the total cases, deceased and recovered people and reproducing the corresponding cumulative distribution and probability density functions. Moreover, we try to predict a time interval in which all people will be infected or vaccinated (with at least one dose) and/or the time end of pandemic in Italy when all people have been infected or vaccinated with two doses.
- Published
- 2021
22. Transition Metal Oxides on Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites: Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties
- Author
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Salvatore Patanè, Maria Grazia Musolino, Riccardo Ruffo, Saveria Santangelo, Claudia Triolo, Enza Fazio, Michele Fiore, Vincenza Modafferi, Modafferi, V, Santangelo, S, Fiore, M, Fazio, E, Triolo, C, Patane, S, Ruffo, R, and Musolino, M
- Subjects
Materials science ,Nanocomposite ,Article Subject ,Graphene ,Scanning electron microscope ,Oxide ,Nanoparticle ,Microstructure ,law.invention ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ,chemistry ,Chemical engineering ,Transition metal ,law ,lcsh:Technology (General) ,oxide materials, energy storage ,lcsh:T1-995 ,General Materials Science ,Materials Science (all) - Abstract
Transition metal oxides on reduced graphene oxide (TMO@rGO) nanocomposites were successfully prepared via a very simple one-step solvothermal process, involving the simultaneous (thermal) reduction of graphene oxide to graphene and the deposition of TMO nanoparticles over its surface. Texture and morphology, microstructure, and chemical and surface compositions of the nanocomposites were investigated via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The results prove that Fe2O3@rGO, CoFe2O4@rGO, and CoO@rGO are obtained by using Fe and/or Co acetates as oxide precursors, with the TMO nanoparticles uniformly anchored onto the surface of graphene sheets. The electrochemical performance of the most promising nanocomposite was evaluated as anode material for sodium ion batteries. The preliminary results of galvanostatic cycling prove that Fe2O3@rGO nanocomposite exhibits better rate capability and stability than both bare Fe2O3 and Fe2O3+rGO physical mixture.
- Published
- 2019
23. SANS study of Amyloidβ1−40: Unfolded monomers in DMSO, multidimensional aggregates in water medium
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Enza Fazio, Francesco Mallamace, Sveva Longo, Roberto Senesi, Giulia Festa, Giulia Maria Sancesario, Giuseppe Sancesario, Domenico Mallamace, Carla Andreani, Carmelo Corsaro, Victoria García Sakai, and Laura Arcidiacono
- Subjects
Statistics and Probability ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Amyloid ,biology ,Chemistry ,Amyloid beta ,Statistical and Nonlinear Physics ,Peptide ,Fibril ,01 natural sciences ,Small-angle neutron scattering ,010305 fluids & plasmas ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Monomer ,0103 physical sciences ,biology.protein ,Biophysics ,Senile plaques ,Brain Gray Matter ,010306 general physics - Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s are characterized by neuritic plaques throughout the brain gray matter, associated with neurofibrillary tangles and neuron loss. These plaques are formed by abnormal aggregation of amyloid beta (A β ) peptide into insoluble fibrils. In the present work we study the A β 1 − 40 peptide in the three aggregations states – monomers, oligomers and fibrils – via small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique. The size of the three forms as well as their fractal nature are investigated at physiologic conditions. Our results evidence that the A β 1 − 40 peptide has a good aggregation capability but can also adopt an unfolded conformation in particular conditions, as for example, when incubated in DMSO.
- Published
- 2019
24. Phage-based assay for rapid detection of bacterial pathogens in blood by Raman spectroscopy
- Author
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Domenico Franco, Maria Rizzo, Enza Fazio, Salvatore P.P. Guglielmino, Fortunato Neri, Sebastiano Trusso, S. Carnazza, and Laura M. De Plano
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0301 basic medicine ,Phage display ,Microorganism ,Immunology ,Spectrum Analysis, Raman ,medicine.disease_cause ,Microbiology ,Sepsis ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,M13 filamentous phage ,Phage-capture system ,Limit of Detection ,Peptide Library ,medicine ,Humans ,Immunology and Allergy ,Raman spectroscopy ,Escherichia coli ,Detection limit ,Colony-forming unit ,Bacteria ,biology ,Immunomagnetic Separation ,Chemistry ,Pseudomonas aeruginosa ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,030104 developmental biology ,Bacteriophage M13 ,030215 immunology - Abstract
Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response ensuing from presence and persistence of microorganisms in the bloodstream. The possibility to identify them at low concentrations may improve the problem of human health and therapeutic outcomes. So, sensitive and rapid diagnostic systems are essential to evaluate bacterial infections during the time, also reducing the cost. In this study, from random M13 phage display libraries, we selected phage clones that specifically bind surface of Staphyloccocus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Then, commercial magnetic beads were functionalized with phage clones through covalent bond and used as capture and concentrating of pathogens from blood. We found that phage-magnetic beads complex represents a network which enables a cheap, high sensitive and specific detection of the bacteria involved in sepsis by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The enter process required 6 h and has the limit of detection of 10 Colony Forming Units on 7 ml of blood (CFU/7 ml).
- Published
- 2019
25. Metal-Oxide Based Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Their Applications in Electrical and Electrochemical Sensors
- Author
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Carmelo Corsaro, Enza Fazio, Salvatore Spadaro, N. Lavanya, Chinnathambi Sekar, Giovanni Neri, Salvatore Leonardi, Nicola Donato, Fortunato Neri, and Giulia Neri
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gas sensing ,Materials science ,Oxide ,Nanotechnology ,Environmental pollution ,Review ,02 engineering and technology ,Glassy carbon ,010402 general chemistry ,lcsh:Chemical technology ,01 natural sciences ,Biochemistry ,Analytical Chemistry ,Nanomaterials ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,metal-oxide ,lcsh:TP1-1185 ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,Instrumentation ,MOX fuel ,Nanocomposite ,nanohybrid ,electrochemical sensors ,Biosensing ,Conductometric sensors ,Electrochemical sensors ,Gas sensing ,Metal-oxide ,Nanohybrid ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,0104 chemical sciences ,conductometric sensors ,chemistry ,Electrode ,biosensing ,0210 nano-technology ,Biosensor - Abstract
Pure, mixed and doped metal oxides (MOX) have attracted great interest for the development of electrical and electrochemical sensors since they are cheaper, faster, easier to operate and capable of online analysis and real-time identification. This review focuses on highly sensitive chemoresistive type sensors based on doped-SnO2, RhO, ZnO-Ca, Smx-CoFe2−xO4 semiconductors used to detect toxic gases (H2, CO, NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (e.g., acetone, ethanol) in monitoring of gaseous markers in the breath of patients with specific pathologies and for environmental pollution control. Interesting results about the monitoring of biochemical substances as dopamine, epinephrine, serotonin and glucose have been also reported using electrochemical sensors based on hybrid MOX nanocomposite modified glassy carbon and screen-printed carbon electrodes. The fundamental sensing mechanisms and commercial limitations of the MOX-based electrical and electrochemical sensors are discussed providing research directions to bridge the existing gap between new sensing concepts and real-world analytical applications.
- Published
- 2021
26. Antimicrobial Effect and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Mg-Doped Hydroxyapatite Functionalized with Au-Nano Rods
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Salvatore P.P. Guglielmino, Francesco Traina, Sabrina Conoci, Lucia Forte, Giovanna Calabrese, Domenico Franco, Stefano Squarzoni, Salvatore Petralia, Enza Fazio, Giulia Neri, Carmelo Corsaro, Franco D., Calabrese G., Petralia S., Neri G., Corsaro C., Forte L., Squarzoni S., Guglielmino S., Traina F., Fazio E., and Conoci S.
- Subjects
Anti-Infective Agent ,Staphylococcus aureus ,Biocompatibility ,Cell Survival ,Pharmaceutical Science ,Microbial Sensitivity Tests ,Article ,Analytical Chemistry ,lcsh:QD241-441 ,Anti-Infective Agents ,lcsh:Organic chemistry ,antibacterial activity ,In vivo ,Antibacterial activity ,Au nanoparticles ,Bone tissue engineering ,Cytotoxicity ,Hybrid biomaterials ,Hydroxyapatite ,Nano-functionalization ,Drug Discovery ,hybrid biomaterials ,Escherichia coli ,Humans ,Magnesium ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Bone regeneration ,bone tissue engineering ,Nanotubes ,Cell Death ,Tissue Scaffolds ,Chemistry ,Microbial Sensitivity Test ,Au nanoparticle ,Photoelectron Spectroscopy ,Organic Chemistry ,Biomaterial ,hydroxyapatite ,Adhesion ,Hybrid biomaterial ,Nanotube ,nano-functionalization ,Durapatite ,Chemistry (miscellaneous) ,Staphylococcus aureu ,Molecular Medicine ,cytotoxicity ,Nanorod ,Gold ,Nuclear chemistry ,Human - Abstract
Hydroxyapatite (HA) is the main inorganic mineral that constitutes bone matrix and represents the most used biomaterial for bone regeneration. Over the years, it has been demonstrated that HA exhibits good biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and osteoinductivity both in vitro and in vivo, and can be prepared by synthetic and natural sources via easy fabrication strategies. However, its low antibacterial property and its fragile nature restricts its usage for bone graft applications. In this study we functionalized a MgHA scaffold with gold nanorods (AuNRs) and evaluated its antibacterial effect against S. aureus and E. coli in both suspension and adhesion and its cytotoxicity over time (1 to 24 days). Results show that the AuNRs nano-functionalization improves the antibacterial activity with 100% bacterial reduction after 24 h. The toxicity study, however, indicates a 4.38-fold cell number decrease at 24 days. Although further optimization on nano-functionalization process are needed for cytotoxicity, these data indicated that Au-NRs nano-functionalization is a very promising method for improving the antibacterial properties of HA.
- Published
- 2021
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27. Shedding light on the chemistry and the properties of münchnone functionalized graphene
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Placido Mineo, Anna Piperno, Antonia Nostro, Enza Fazio, Antonio Rescifina, Giulia Neri, and Angela Scala
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silver nanoparticles ,General Chemical Engineering ,mesoionic compounds ,antibacterial graphene ,Azomethine ylide ,Photochemistry ,Article ,law.invention ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,nisin ,1,3-dipolar cycloaddition ,münchnone ,oxazolone ,graphene density functional theory (DFT) calculation ,reduced graphene ,3-dipolar cycloaddition ,law ,Antibacterial graphene ,Graphene density functional theory (DFT) calculation ,Mesoionic compounds ,Münchnone ,Nisin ,Oxazolone ,Reduced graphene ,Silver nanoparticles ,General Materials Science ,Reactivity (chemistry) ,QD1-999 ,Pyrrole ,Nanocomposite ,Graphene ,Cycloaddition ,Chemistry ,chemistry ,1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition ,Surface modification - Abstract
Münchnones are mesoionic oxazolium 5-oxides with azomethine ylide characteristics that provide pyrrole derivatives by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (1,3-DC) reaction with acetylenic dipolarophiles. Their reactivity was widely exploited for the synthesis of small molecules, but it was not yet investigated for the functionalization of graphene-based materials. Herein, we report our results on the preparation of münchnone functionalized graphene via cycloaddition reactions, followed by the spontaneous loss of carbon dioxide and its further chemical modification to silver/nisin nanocomposites to confer biological properties. A direct functionalization of graphite flakes into few-layers graphene decorated with pyrrole rings on the layer edge was achieved. The success of functionalization was confirmed by micro-Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The 1,3-DC reactions of münchnone dipole with graphene have been investigated using density functional theory to model graphene. Finally, we explored the reactivity and the processability of münchnone functionalized graphene to produce enriched nano biomaterials endowed with antimicrobial properties.
- Published
- 2021
28. Direct Analysis in Foodomics: NMR approaches
- Author
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Enza Fazio, Carmelo Corsaro, and Domenico Mallamace
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Authenticity, Bioactivity, Chemical shift, Chemometrics, Diet, Food quality, Health, HR-MAS, Metabolomics, Relaxation times, Storage, Traceability ,Chemistry ,Chemical shift ,HR-MAS ,Storage ,Traceability ,Computational biology ,Bioactivity ,Authenticity ,Diet ,Relaxation times ,Health ,Foodomics ,Metabolomics ,Chemometrics ,Direct analysis ,Food quality - Published
- 2021
29. XPS study of interactions between linear carbon chains and colloidal Au nanoparticles
- Author
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Luisa D'Urso, Enza Fazio, Seif O. Cholakh, Ernst Z. Kurmaev, and Ivan S. Zhidkov
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Carbon chain ,Au nanoparticles ,electronic structure ,linear carbon chains ,oxidation ,XPS ,010405 organic chemistry ,Chemistry ,Nanoparticle ,General Chemistry ,Nanosecond pulse ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Spectral line ,0104 chemical sciences ,Metal ,Colloidal nanoparticles ,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ,Chemical engineering ,visual_art ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,Colloidal au - Abstract
The X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) of Au colloidal nanoparticles (Au NPs) and Au–NPs/linear carbon chain (LCC) structures (Au@LCC) prepared by nanosecond pulsed laser ablation in liquid water were measured. The Au 4f XPS peaks of Au NPs coincided with those of metallic gold to confirm that a metallic state was retained in colloidal Au nanoparticles. On the other hand, the Au 4f XPS spectra of Au@LCC showed a low-energy broadening due to the formation of Au–C bonds between Au NPs and LCC.
- Published
- 2020
30. N-TiO2- x Nanocatalysts: PLAL Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity
- Author
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Angela Maria Mezzasalma, Giovanni Gallo, Giuseppe Compagnini, Enza Fazio, Luisa D'Urso, Salvatore Spadaro, Fortunato Neri, and Francesco Barreca
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Photocatalytic Activity, Tio2, Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle ,Materials science ,Dopant ,Article Subject ,Photocatalytic Activity ,Nanomaterial-based catalyst ,Nanomaterials ,Catalysis ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,chemistry ,Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle ,Photocatalysis ,Methyl orange ,T1-995 ,Tio2 ,General Materials Science ,Methylene blue ,Technology (General) ,Visible spectrum ,Nuclear chemistry - Abstract
N-TiO2-x nanocatalysts are developed by the pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) technique, a simple and surfactant-free preparation method. The PLAL approach allows synthesizing chemical-morphological fine-tuning water TiO2-based nanomaterials, starting from targets of different nature (powders and commercial high purity targets). The catalytic activity was investigated using methylene blue (cationic dye) and methyl orange (azo dye). A different photocatalytic response was found for the various kinds of N-TiO2-x. In the first 20 min, under UV and visible light, about 50% and 10% of the methyl orange were removed using the N-TiO2-x and TiO2 colloids, respectively. In addition, we observe that the response towards the methylene blue is comparable in all the synthesized samples under UV irradiation while differing by about 30% under a visible lamp. The enhanced photocatalytic response of the N-TiO2-x nanocatalysts with respect to the TiO2 one is dependent on the content of the nitrogen dopant, surface area, and nitrogen-oxygen bonding configurations.
- Published
- 2020
31. Bio-hybrid gold nanoparticles as SERS probe for rapid bacteria cell identification
- Author
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Salvatore P.P. Guglielmino, Enza Fazio, Germana Lentini, Domenico Franco, Maria Rizzo, L.M. De Plano, A. M. Mezzasalma, Santi Scibilia, and Fortunato Neri
- Subjects
Phage display ,Metal Nanoparticles ,Nanotechnology ,02 engineering and technology ,Spectrum Analysis, Raman ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Bacterial cell structure ,Analytical Chemistry ,Bacteriophage ,symbols.namesake ,Dynamic light scattering ,Scanning transmission electron microscopy ,Bacteriophages ,Instrumentation ,Spectroscopy ,Gold nanoparticles ,Phage-display ,Phage/AuNPs networks ,Pseudomonas aeruginosa ,Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy ,biology ,Chemistry ,Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,biology.organism_classification ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,Bacterial Typing Techniques ,0104 chemical sciences ,Colloidal gold ,Molecular Probes ,symbols ,Gold ,Peptides ,0210 nano-technology ,Raman spectroscopy - Abstract
This study reports the utilization of engineered molecular networks between bacteriophage (or phage) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared ablating a high purity gold target in water by nanosecond laser source. Gold colloids are assembled with P9b phage clone, displaying the specific peptide (QRKLAAKLT), able to bind P. aeruginosa. The single components and assembled systems were characterized by spectroscopic and electronic techniques, such as the conventional optical absorption and micro-Raman spectroscopies as well as the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) techniques. The performance of the AuNPs-phage assembly as substrate for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) was tested against the detection of the characteristics Raman vibrational features of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.
- Published
- 2020
32. Molybdenum oxide nanoparticles for the sensitive and selective detection of dopamine
- Author
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Fortunato Neri, N. Lavanya, Salvatore Leonardi, Enza Fazio, Giovanni Neri, Chinnathambi Sekar, Martina Bonsignore, and Salvatore Spadaro
- Subjects
Detection limit ,Molybdenum oxide nanoparticles, Pulsed laser ablation, Electrochemical sensors, Dopamine ,Fabrication ,Chemistry ,General Chemical Engineering ,technology, industry, and agriculture ,Nanoparticle ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,0104 chemical sciences ,Analytical Chemistry ,Carbon paste electrode ,Dopamine ,Picosecond ,Electrode ,Electrochemistry ,medicine ,0210 nano-technology ,Selectivity ,Nuclear chemistry ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Molybdenum oxide nanoparticles (MoOx NPs) were successfully prepared by the pulsed laser ablation technique in water. Picosecond pulses allowed synthesizing chemically and morphologically stable MoOx colloidal nanoparticles dispersed in water, which are used to fabricate modified screen printed carbon paste electrode (SPCE). The molybdenum oxide nanoparticles modified electrode (MoOx NPs/SPCE) shows enhanced electro-catalytic behavior for the detection of dopamine in Phosphate Buffered Saline (pH = 7) solution. Under the optimal conditions, the peak current of dopamine increased linearly with the concentration in the 0.1–600 μM range, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 43 nM. The very easy MoOx NPs/SPCE fabrication, its high sensitivity, sub-micromolar detection limits and excellent selectivity towards main interferents, made them as a potential candidate for the detection of dopamine in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations.
- Published
- 2018
33. A multivariate analysis of Multiple Myeloma subtype plasma cells
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Salvatore P.P. Guglielmino, Caterina Musolino, Vanessa Innao, Enza Fazio, Domenico Franco, Sebastiano Trusso, Claudia De Pasquale, Alessandro Allegra, Laura M. De Plano, Fortunato Neri, Guido Ferlazzo, and Martina Bonsignore
- Subjects
Plasma Cells ,02 engineering and technology ,Computational biology ,Cell sorting ,Multiple Myeloma ,PCA ,Raman spectroscopy ,CD38 ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Analytical Chemistry ,Flow cytometry ,Bone Marrow ,hemic and lymphatic diseases ,medicine ,Humans ,Instrumentation ,Spectroscopy ,Multiple myeloma ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Cluster of differentiation ,Chemistry ,Flow Cytometry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,medicine.disease ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,0104 chemical sciences ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Multivariate Analysis ,Cancer cell ,Principal component analysis ,Bone marrow ,0210 nano-technology - Abstract
Trusted methods for identifying different Multiple Myeloma (MM) cells and their biological diversity due to their immunophenotypic variety are often little detailed and difficult to find in literature. In this work, we show that micro-Raman spectroscopy can be used to highlight if there is a certain degree of distinction or correlation between the MM subtype plasmacells in relation to the cluster of differentiation (CD45+/CD38+/CD138-) and (CD45-/CD38+/CD138+). After taking samples from the bone marrow of patients with Multiple Myeloma, the PCs were sorted by flow cytometry, selecting the most common CD of the disease, i.e. CD 45, CD38 and CD138. Some spectral differences are observed comparing the Raman spectra of the two set of samples investigated. To better define in which spectral regions there are greater differences and, therefore, to which biological contributions the changes refers, we also explored the principal component analysis (PCA) of the collected Raman data. The spectral variations between the different sorted cells have been highlighted by plotting loading vectors PC1 and PC2, which shows a net differentiation between the two set of cells. Ultimately, the differences shown by PCA have been associated with the spectral variations observed and explained in terms of changes of proteins and lipid contributions. Thus, the differentiation of Multiple Myeloma subtype plasma cells by confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy can be proposed as a diagnostic tool in the speeding up of cell identification, assessing the intracellular biochemical changes that take place in cancer cells.
- Published
- 2021
34. An investigation of the optical and structural properties of PECVD a-SiH thin films grown on a porous anodic aluminum template
- Author
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S. Dhahri, Hatem Ezzaouia, Fortunato Neri, K. El Khirouni, Mondher Ghrib, and Enza Fazio
- Subjects
Amorphous silicon ,Materials science ,Nanoporous ,Infrared ,Mechanical Engineering ,Metals and Alloys ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Nanotechnology ,02 engineering and technology ,Substrate (electronics) ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Amorphous Si nanoparticles, Porous aluminum, Hydrogenated amorphous silicon, PECVD, Substrate temperature ,0104 chemical sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,chemistry ,Chemical engineering ,Mechanics of Materials ,Aluminium ,Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition ,Materials Chemistry ,Thin film ,0210 nano-technology ,Porosity - Abstract
Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) films are deposited by PECVD technique, varying the substrate temperature from 100 °C to 250 °C, on porous anodic aluminum (PAl) layers. A combination of micro-Raman, X-ray photoelectron, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, atomic force and scanning/transmission electron microscopies analyses have shown that the optical properties of the a-Si:H films depend on the substrate temperature and mainly on the homogeneous nanoporous structure of the PAl layers on which the a-Si:H films were grown.
- Published
- 2017
35. Sm-doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles: A novel sensing material for conductometric hydrogen leak sensor
- Author
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Salvatore Leonardi, Ali Mirzaei, Enza Fazio, Giovanni Neri, Nicola Donato, Farhad Falsafi, Babak Hashemi, and Fortunato Neri
- Subjects
Materials science ,Hydrogen ,Scanning electron microscope ,Analytical chemistry ,Nanoparticle ,chemistry.chemical_element ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Hydrogen sensor ,Metal ,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ,Materials Chemistry ,Process Chemistry and Technology ,Doping ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,0104 chemical sciences ,Surfaces, Coatings and Films ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,chemistry ,Chemical engineering ,visual_art ,Ceramics and Composites ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,Ferrite (magnet) ,Ferrite ,Nanoparticles ,Samarium ,Spinel ,0210 nano-technology - Abstract
Spinels (AB2O4) metal oxides have gain extensive attention in recent years for gas sensing applications. In the present work, the synthesis, characterization and hydrogen sensing characteristics of nanostructured Sm-doped cobalt ferrite (Smx-CoFe2−xO4) have been reported. The structural and morphological properties of the synthetized material were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, micro-Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In order to check the potential applicability of the synthesized Sm-doped Co-ferrite for hydrogen leak sensing, a simple conductometric sensor has been fabricated and tested. The electrical behavior of the sensor has been recorded by exposure to hydrogen and some interfering gases. The results demonstrated that the sensor developed is promising for the detection of hydrogen leak as it possesses good sensitivity, stable behavior and fast response and recovery.
- Published
- 2017
36. Silibinin-conjugated graphene nanoplatform: Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation
- Author
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Angela Scala, Giovanni Grassi, Placido Mineo, Anna Piperno, Antonino Mazzaglia, Silvia Panseri, Anna Tampieri, Giulia Neri, Monica Montesi, Enza Fazio, and Nicola Micale
- Subjects
Materials science ,Biocompatibility ,Silibinin ,Nanotechnology ,02 engineering and technology ,Conjugated system ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,law.invention ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,law ,Silibinin, Graphene, Bioconjugation, Click chemistry, Osteosarcoma ,Materials Chemistry ,Cytotoxicity ,Osteosarcoma ,Bioconjugation ,Click chemistry ,Graphene ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Silibinin, Graphenem, Bioconjugation, Click chemistry, Osteosarcoma ,0104 chemical sciences ,Surfaces, Coatings and Films ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,chemistry ,Drug delivery ,Ceramics and Composites ,0210 nano-technology - Abstract
Graphene and its multifunctional derivatives may offer passive targeting toward tumor sites and could be designed as drug delivery systems. Surface modifications of graphene materials convey specific biological activity to themselves and improve their biocompatibility. Herein we report the conjugation of Silibinin, a flavonoid employed mainly as hepatoprotective and anticancer agent, to a graphene modified nanoplatform. The cytotoxicity of the new platform has been evaluated on human mesenchymal stem cells and the anticancer effects have been studied on a human osteosarcoma cell line. Our graphene nanoplatform did not show any cytotoxicity even at high concentration (1000 μg/ml) and Silibinin grafted onto graphene maintained its antiproliferative activity.
- Published
- 2017
37. SERS Sensing Properties of New Graphene/Gold Nanocomposite
- Author
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Enza Fazio, Angela Scala, Giulia Neri, Anna Piperno, and Placido Mineo
- Subjects
Materials science ,General Chemical Engineering ,Dopamine ,Nanotechnology ,Rhodamine 6G ,engineering.material ,Article ,law.invention ,lcsh:Chemistry ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,symbols.namesake ,law ,Dopamine, Graphene/gold nanocomposite, Rhodamine 6G, SERS ,General Materials Science ,Graphite ,Nanocomposite ,Graphene ,SERS ,graphene/gold nanocomposite ,Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy ,lcsh:QD1-999 ,chemistry ,Colloidal gold ,engineering ,symbols ,Noble metal ,Raman spectroscopy - Abstract
The development of graphene (G) substrates without damage on the sp2 network allows to tune the interactions with plasmonic noble metal surfaces to finally enhance surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) effect. Here, we describe a new graphene/gold nanocomposite obtained by loading gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), produced by pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL), on a new nitrogen-doped graphene platform (G-NH2). The graphene platform was synthesized by direct delamination and chemical functionalization of graphite flakes with 4-methyl-2-p-nitrophenyl oxazolone, followed by reduction of p-nitrophenyl groups. Finally, the G-NH2/Au SERS platform was prepared by using the conventional aerography spraying technique. SERS properties of G-NH2/Au were tested using Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) and Dopamine (DA) as molecular probes. Raman features of Rh6G and DA are still detectable for concentration values down to 1 ×, 10&minus, 5 M and 1 ×, 6 M respectively.
- Published
- 2019
38. Paper aging and degradation monitoring by the non-destructive two-dimensional micro-Raman mapping
- Author
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Enza Fazio, Domenico Mallamace, and Carmelo Corsaro
- Subjects
chemistry.chemical_classification ,2D micro-Raman ,Cellulose glycosidic bonds ,Cellulose polymerization ,Fluorescence ,Paper degradation ,Glycosidic bond ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,0104 chemical sciences ,Analytical Chemistry ,Amorphous solid ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,symbols.namesake ,chemistry ,Polymerization ,Micro raman ,symbols ,Degradation (geology) ,Molecule ,Cellulose ,0210 nano-technology ,Biological system ,Raman spectroscopy ,Instrumentation ,Spectroscopy - Abstract
The aim of this research is the identification of main and common physical-chemical parameters which induce paper degradation. A simple protocol to monitor the quality and molecular structure of ancient papers under natural degradation processes was proposed. Two-dimensional micro-Raman mapping were carried out. Then, point to point, the changes of both the cellulose Raman signature and fluorescence signal intensity were analysed. Modern papers were artificially aged to simulate the natural degradation and a comparison with the trend found for the ancient paper was presented and discussed. Cellulose degradation involves different mechanisms such as dehydration, cleaving of cellulose-glycosidic bonds and glucopyranose rings oxidation, that induce a reduction in the polymerization degree. As shown by the changes of Raman and fluorescence signals and NMR relaxation times, the rate of each processes depends on the initial amount of glycosidic bonds in the cellulose amorphous and crystalline regions, respectively. All these informations are useful both to define procedures to restore old documents and also to preserve the quality of modern papers for a long-term time.
- Published
- 2019
39. A study of the hydrogen bonds effect on the water density and the liquid-liquid transition
- Author
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Sow-Hsin Chen, Carmelo Corsaro, Domenico Mallamace, Francesco Mallamace, and Enza Fazio
- Subjects
Materials science ,Hydrogen ,Hydrogen bond ,General Physics and Astronomy ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Thermodynamics ,01 natural sciences ,Supercritical fluid ,Amorphous solid ,chemistry ,Metastability ,0103 physical sciences ,Proton NMR ,Water density ,010306 general physics ,Supercooling ,010303 astronomy & astrophysics ,critical ,density ,hydrogen bond ,supercooled phase ,water - Abstract
We study the hydrogen bonds effect on the water density as a function of temperature and pressure from the supercritical region to the metastable supercooled and amorphous phases. We identify two important thermodynamic thresholds, that is $P^{\ast~}\simeq2~{~\rm~kbar}$ and $T^{\ast~}\simeq~315~{~\rm~K}$, that separate two different water behaviors in terms of hydrogen bonding capability. For $T
- Published
- 2019
40. Optical data related to Ag nanoplates utilized for plasmon sensing
- Author
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Marcello Condorelli, Enza Fazio, Orazio Puglisi, Vittorio Scardaci, Luisa D'Urso, and Giuseppe Compagnini
- Subjects
3D optical data storage ,Materials science ,Absorption spectroscopy ,lcsh:Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,law.invention ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Colloid ,0302 clinical medicine ,law ,Emission spectrum ,Irradiation ,lcsh:Science (General) ,Plasmon ,030304 developmental biology ,Trisodium citrate ,0303 health sciences ,Multidisciplinary ,business.industry ,Laser ,Chemistry ,chemistry ,lcsh:R858-859.7 ,Optoelectronics ,business ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,lcsh:Q1-390 - Abstract
In this data paper we share the absorption spectrum of Ag NP ablated in pure water and in presence of trisodium citrate (TSC). We also share the full emission spectrum of the irradiation lamp used for the reshaping process described in the related research paper. The data is related to the research article “Plasmon Sensing and enhancement of laser prepared silver colloids” [1].
- Published
- 2019
41. Chemical Vapor Deposition Growth of Silicon Nanowires with Diameter Smaller Than 5 nm
- Author
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Enza Fazio, Silvia Scalese, Sebastiano Caccamo, Corrado Bongiorno, R. A. Puglisi, Antonino La Magna, Giovanni Mannino, Daniele Spucches, and Fortunato Neri
- Subjects
Silicon ,Materials science ,Physics::Instrumentation and Detectors ,General Chemical Engineering ,Exciton ,chemistry.chemical_element ,General Chemistry ,Chemical vapor deposition ,Condensed Matter::Mesoscopic Systems and Quantum Hall Effect ,Molecular physics ,Article ,Condensed Matter::Materials Science ,quantum ,Chemistry ,chemistry ,nanowires ,Quantum dot ,Chemical Vapor Deposition, Silicon Nanowires ,Silicon nanowires ,QD1-999 ,Bohr radius - Abstract
Quantum confinement effects in silicon nanowires (SiNWs) are expected when their diameter is less than the size of the free exciton (with a Bohr radius ∼5 nm) in bulk silicon. However, their synthesis represents a considerable technological challenge. The vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism, mediated by metallic nanoclusters brought to the eutectic liquid state, is most widely used for its simplicity and control on the SiNWs size, shape, orientation, density, and surface smoothness. VLS growth is often performed within high-vacuum physical vapor deposition systems, where the eutectic composition and the pressure conditions define the minimum diameter of the final nanowire usually around 100 nm. In this article, we present and discuss the SiNWs' growth by the VLS method in a plasma-based chemical vapor deposition system, working in the mTorr pressure range. The purpose is to demonstrate that it is possible to obtain nanostructures with sizes well beyond the observed limit by modulating the deposition parameters, like chamber pressure and plasma power, to find the proper thermodynamic conditions for nucleation. The formation of SiNWs with sub-5 nm diameter is demonstrated.
- Published
- 2019
42. Tuning the aggregation of an amphiphilic anionic calix[5]arene by selective host–guest interactions with bola-type dications†
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Enza Fazio, Giuseppe Gattuso, Lucia Barbera, Ilenia Pisagatti, Anna Notti, Melchiorre F. Parisi, Valentina Villari, Norberto Micali, and Fortunato Neri
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Chemistry ,Supramolecular chemistry ,02 engineering and technology ,General Chemistry ,macromolecular substances ,self-assembly ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,light scattering ,Catalysis ,0104 chemical sciences ,Hydrophobic effect ,Colloid ,Pulmonary surfactant ,Calixarene ,Amphiphile ,Polymer chemistry ,Materials Chemistry ,calixarene ,Solubility ,supra-amphiphiles, calixarenes, self-assembly, DOSY, tamoxifen, light scattering ,0210 nano-technology ,Stoichiometry - Abstract
Nanosized supramolecular assemblies were observed in diluted solutions (below the cmc) of amphiphilic p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene penta-O-butylsulfonato 1 and in mixtures of 1 and bola-type α,ω-alkanediyldiammonium ions of different lengths. SEM analyses and light scattering experiments revealed that these dications are able to modulate the size and the superficial charge of the colloidal systems under investigation. Comparison with NMR data unveiled the nature of the host/guest recognition events taking place, disclosing the formation of supra-amphiphilic surfactant species. The stoichiometry of the calixarene/diammonium ion inclusion complexes was found to be strongly dependent on the length and the number of equivalents of the guest used. The selective formation of endo-cavity “supramolecular bola-amphiphiles” and the additional interplay of electrostatic/hydrophobic interactions yielded “NMR-visible” and “NMR-invisible” supramolecular assemblies of different natures. The supramolecular bola-amphiphile derived from 1 and the hexadecanediyldiammmonium ion was seen to act as a promising solubilising agent, by significantly increasing the solubility of anticancer drug tamoxifen in water (>1000 fold).
- Published
- 2019
43. Electrochemical sensor based on molybdenum oxide nanoparticles for detection of dopamine
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Enza Fazio, Martina Bonsignore, Giovanni Neri, N. Lavanya, Salvatore Leonardi, Chinnathambi Sekar, Fortunato Neri, and Salvatore Spadaro
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Detection limit ,Materials science ,Dopamine ,Pulsed laser ablation ,Electrochemical sensors ,Molybdenum oxide nanoparticles ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Nanoparticle ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Ascorbic acid ,01 natural sciences ,0104 chemical sciences ,Carbon paste electrode ,Electrochemical gas sensor ,chemistry ,Molybdenum ,Scanning transmission electron microscopy ,0210 nano-technology ,Selectivity ,Nuclear chemistry - Abstract
Water nanocolloids of molybdenum oxide were synthesized by using a laser writing of a solid molybdenum target by a focused picosecond pulsed laser beam. The molybdenum oxide nanoparticles are then used to fabricate modified screen-printed carbon paste electrode. Morphology and compositional-structural properties of the samples were investigated by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The sensors tested show enhanced electro-catalytic behavior for dopamine detection (also in presence of KCl, NaCl, glucose, uric acid, ascorbic acid and folic acid), in phosphate buffered saline (pH = 7). Under the optimal conditions, the peak current of dopamine increases linearly with the concentration in the 10–500 μM range, with the lowest detection limit of 43 nM. All these data indicate an excellent selectivity of this type of sensor towards main interferents, made it as a potential candidate for the detection of dopamine in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations.
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- 2019
44. Laser-synthesized SERS substrates as sensors toward therapeutic drug monitoring
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Sebastiano Trusso, Enza Fazio, Paolo Maria Ossi, Emilio Ciusani, Ugo de Grazia, Marco Santoro, Chiara Zanchi, Alessandro Bombelli, Fortunato Neri, Andrea Lucotti, Nicolò Simone Villa, Matteo Tommasini, and Marina Casazza
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Nanostructure ,Materials science ,General Chemical Engineering ,Antiepileptic drugs ,Nanoparticle ,Nanotechnology ,02 engineering and technology ,engineering.material ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,law.invention ,lcsh:Chemistry ,Perampanel ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,law ,medicine ,General Materials Science ,Noble metal nanoparticles ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy ,Pulsed laser ablation ,Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Laser ,0104 chemical sciences ,Characterization (materials science) ,lcsh:QD1-999 ,chemistry ,Therapeutic drug monitoring ,engineering ,Noble metal ,0210 nano-technology - Abstract
The synthesis by pulsed laser ablation and the characterization of both the surface nanostructure and the optical properties of noble metal nanoparticle-based substrates used in Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy are discussed with reference to application in the detection of anti-epileptic drugs. Results on two representative drugs, namely Carbamazepine and Perampanel, are critically addressed.
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- 2019
45. FITC-Labelled Clone from Phage Display for Direct Detection of Leukemia Cells in Blood
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Martina Bonsignore, Domenico Franco, Maria Rizzo, Alessandro Allegra, Fortunato Neri, Sebastiano Trusso, Guido Ferlazzo, Caterina Musolino, Enza Fazio, Laura M. De Plano, Salvatore P.P. Guglielmino, and Sara Crea
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0301 basic medicine ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Cell type ,Leukemia ,Phage display ,Peptide ,Fluorescence imaging ,Phage-display ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,Biology ,medicine.disease ,Peripheral blood mononuclear cell ,In vitro ,03 medical and health sciences ,030104 developmental biology ,chemistry ,In vivo ,hemic and lymphatic diseases ,medicine ,Cancer research ,Whole blood - Abstract
Discovery of new markers for the identification and discrimination of cell types is one of the principal objectives in cancer diagnostics. In the last years, many researchers used phage-display technology in vitro and in vivo to obtain random peptide probes able to bind towards cancer targets to be used in diagnostic systems and new targeted drug. In this work, we proposed a Single Drop Biosensor based on phage-labelled probes to detect leukaemia cells in blood from patients affected by chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Results show that phage-labelled probes were able to recognize lymphocytes and lymphoblastic cells both in leukemic peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in whole blood from patients affected by CLL. The “proof of concept” proposed, using the phage labelled as bio-probe, could be an alternative way to produce new biosensor for monitoring of chronic pathology. Furthermore the results may have translational relevance for identification and exploring of new ligands directed against cancer hematological cells.
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- 2019
46. Electrochemical sensor for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid, uric acid and folic acid based on Mn-SnO2 nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode
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Salvatore Leonardi, Giovanni Neri, Anna Bonavita, Fortunato Neri, Chinnathambi Sekar, Enza Fazio, and N. Lavanya
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Electrochemical sensor, Ascorbic add, Uric acid, Folic acid, Mn doped SnO2 nanoparticles, Simultaneous determination ,Analyte ,Folic acid ,General Chemical Engineering ,Inorganic chemistry ,Ascorbic add ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,Electrochemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Analytical Chemistry ,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ,Simultaneous determination ,Mn doped SnO2 nanoparticles ,Detection limit ,Chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Ascorbic acid ,0104 chemical sciences ,Electrochemical gas sensor ,Dielectric spectroscopy ,Electrochemical sensor ,Cyclic voltammetry ,0210 nano-technology ,Uric acid - Abstract
A highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor was fabricated based on Mn doped SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) modified glassy carbon electrode (Mn-SnO2/GCE) for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) and folic acid (FA) for the first time. The Mn-SnO2 NPs synthesized by microwave irradiation method were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) techniques. The Mn-SnO2/GCE exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidations of AA, UA and FA in phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.0) and the corresponding electrochemical signals have appeared as three well resolved oxidation peaks with significant peak potential differences of 0.141 V (AA–UA), 0.345 V (UA–FA) and 0.486 V (AA–FA). For selective determination, the linear responses of AA, UA and FA were in the concentration ranges of 1 to 900, 1 to 860 and 0.5 to 900 μM for AA, UA and FA with detection limits of 56, 36 and 79 nM respectively. For simultaneous determination by synchronous change of the analyte concentrations, the linear response ranges were between 5 and 500 μM for UA and 1–500 μM for FA with the lowest detection limits of 25 and 38 nM respectively in the presence of AA. The proposed sensor was proved to be applicable for the determination of the target analytes in pharmaceuticals and urine samples.
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- 2016
47. Self-assembly of silver nanoparticles and bacteriophage
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Santi Scibilia, Domenico Franco, Salvatore P.P. Guglielmino, Angela Maria Mezzasalma, Fortunato Neri, Germana Lentini, and Enza Fazio
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Materials science ,Phage display ,Hybrid architecture, Phage display, Raman spectroscopy, Self-assembly, Silver nanoparticles, Biotechnology, Signal Processing, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Electronic Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Nanotechnology ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Silver nanoparticle ,Bacteriophage ,Electronic Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Nanobiotechnology ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,biology ,Biomolecule ,Hybrid architecture ,Self-assembly ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,biology.organism_classification ,Combinatorial chemistry ,0104 chemical sciences ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Isoelectric point ,chemistry ,lcsh:TA1-2040 ,Raman spectroscopy ,Signal Processing ,Silver nanoparticles ,lcsh:Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,0210 nano-technology ,Hybrid material ,Biosensor ,Biotechnology - Abstract
Biohybrid nanostructured materials, composed of both inorganic nanoparticles and biomolecules, offer prospects for many new applications in extremely diverse fields such as chemistry, physics, engineering, medicine and nanobiotechnology. In the recent years, Phage display technique has been extensively used to generate phage clones displaying surface peptides with functionality towards organic materials. Screening and selection of phage displayed material binding peptides has attracted great interest because of their use for development of hybrid materials with multiple functionalities. Here, we present a self-assembly approach for the construction of hybrid nanostructured networks consisting of M13 P9b phage clone, specific for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, selected by Phage display technology, directly assembled with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), previously prepared by pulsed laser ablation. These networks are characterized by UV–vis optical spectroscopy, scanning/transmission electron microscopies and Raman spectroscopy. We investigated the influence of different ions and medium pH on self-assembly by evaluating different phage suspension buffers. The assembly of these networks is controlled by electrostatic interactions between the phage pVIII major capsid proteins and the AgNPs. The formation of the AgNPs-phage networks was obtained only in two types of tested buffers at a pH value near the isoelectric point of each pVIII proteins displayed on the surface of the clone. This systematic study allowed to optimize the synthesis procedure to assembly AgNPs and bacteriophage. Such networks find application in the biomedical field of advanced biosensing and targeted gene and drug delivery. Keywords: Phage display, Silver nanoparticles, Self-assembly, Hybrid architecture, Raman spectroscopy
- Published
- 2016
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48. Integrated reduction and acid-catalysed conversion of furfural in alcohol medium using Zr,Al-containing ordered micro/mesoporous silicates
- Author
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Carlos M. Silva, Manuel T. Pereira, Andreia F. Silva, Sérgio Lima, Patrícia Neves, Enza Fazio, Atsushi Urakawa, Anabela A. Valente, Sílvia M. Rocha, Margarida M. Antunes, Martyn Pillinger, Ana L. Magalhães, and Fortunato Neri
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Reduction-acid catalysis ,Furfural, Integrated conversion, Multifunctional catalysts, Porous silicates, Reduction-acid catalysis ,Integrated conversion ,010402 general chemistry ,Furfural ,MESOPOROUS ALUMINOSILICATE ,01 natural sciences ,Catalysis ,Furfuryl alcohol ,LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,N2O DECOMPOSITION ,Levulinic acid ,Organic chemistry ,GAMMA-VALEROLACTONE ,Reactivity (chemistry) ,Zeolite ,Alkyl ,General Environmental Science ,ETHYL LEVULINATE ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Multifunctional catalysts ,010405 organic chemistry ,ZR-ZEOLITE-BETA ,Process Chemistry and Technology ,0104 chemical sciences ,Porous silicates ,MEERWEIN-PONNDORF-VERLEY ,chemistry ,EFFICIENT CONVERSION ,N-BUTYL LEVULINATE ,ZIRCONIA CATALYSTS ,Mesoporous material - Abstract
Ordered porous silicates of the type TUD-1 and zeolite beta possessing zirconium and aluminium sites were evaluated as eco-friendly heterogeneous, multifunctional catalysts for the integrated reduction-acid conversion of furfural (Fur, industrially produced from hemicellulosic components of biomass) to useful bio-products, namely, furfuryl alcohol (FA), alkyl furfuryl ethers (FEs), alkyl levulinate esters (LEs), levulinic acid (LA), angelica lactones (AnLs), and gamma-valerolactone (GVL); the bio-products spectrum was obtained by GC x GC-ToFMS. Carrying out the one-pot conversion of Fur to bio-products using a multifunctional catalyst is challenging since various reactions are involved and it is difficult to control all of these to meet high reaction efficiencies and selectivities. Aiming at designing improved multifunctional catalysts for this reaction system, the TUD-1 and zeolite beta type silicates possessing zirconium and aluminium sites in different ratios were prepared and characterised on microstructural and molecular levels. Systematic characterisation, catalytic testing using 2-butanol as dual functional solvent-H-donor, and kinetic modelling studies were performed using the Zr,Al-containing micro- and mesoporous materials. Different steps of the overall reaction of Fur were studied separately starting from intermediate products using the same materials, which helped understand the influence of the material properties on reactivity of intermediates and reaction selectivity. Zr-sites of the silicate catalysts were essential for effectively initialising the overall process (reduction of Fur to FA), and for the reduction of LEs to GVL; the co-presence of Al-sites promoted acid-catalysed steps (FA to FEs, LEs, AnLs, LA). The good stability of the catalysts was verified by catalytic and characterisation studies of the spent catalysts. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Published
- 2016
49. Modification of graphene oxide and graphene oxide–TiO2 solutions by pulsed laser irradiation for dye removal from water
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Giuseppe Compagnini, Silvia Scalese, D. D’Angelo, S.F. Spanò, Enza Fazio, V. Privitera, Simona Filice, Luisa D'Urso, and M Sinatra
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Materials science ,Scanning electron microscope ,Oxide ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,Photochemistry ,01 natural sciences ,law.invention ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,symbols.namesake ,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ,law ,General Materials Science ,Graphene oxide paper ,Graphene ,Mechanical Engineering ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Condensed Matter Physics ,0104 chemical sciences ,chemistry ,Mechanics of Materials ,symbols ,Graphene oxide, Dye adsorption Methylene blue, Laser irradiation, TiO2 ,0210 nano-technology ,Raman spectroscopy ,Methylene blue ,Visible spectrum - Abstract
Pulsed laser with visible wavelength (532 nm) allows to modify the properties of graphene oxide (GO) sheets dispersed in water by finely tuning the amount of oxygen functionalities and, therefore, the degree of reduction. In this way both the hydrophilicity and the spectroscopic features of the GO suspension can be changed. This work reports the preparation of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and mixed solutions of GO or rGO and Degussa P25® titania nanoparticles by pulsed laser irradiation. The produced materials are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Their ability to remove methylene blue from water is investigated by studying the dye decolorization.
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- 2016
50. Plastics occurrence in juveniles of Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea
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Luisa D'Urso, Rosalia Crupi, Teresa Bottari, Giovanni Lanteri, Gioele Capillo, Nunziacarla Spanò, Monique Mancuso, Fortunato Neri, Teresa Romeo, Martina Bonsignore, Gian Marco Luna, Silvestro Greco, Enza Fazio, Giuseppe Compagnini, Giuseppe Panarello, and Serena Savoca
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Tyrrhenian Sea ,Microplastics ,Food Chain ,Environmental Engineering ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Sardina pilchardus ,Zoology ,Chemical ,010501 environmental sciences ,01 natural sciences ,Marine species ,Microplastics, Anchovy, Sardine, Raman, FTIR, Tyrrhenian Sea ,Engraulis ,Anchovy ,Animals ,Environmental Chemistry ,Water Pollutants ,14. Life underwater ,Raman ,Waste Management and Disposal ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,biology ,Chemistry ,Sardine ,Fishes ,biology.organism_classification ,Pollution ,Food web ,FTIR ,Larva ,Organic component ,Plastics ,Water Pollutants, Chemical ,Environmental Monitoring - Abstract
We report the presence of microplastics on the external surface and in the gastrointestinal tract of white late-larval and juvenile stages (fry) of clupeid fishes caught in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea. The average highest number of plastics debris was recorded on Sardina pilchardus (0.53 items/specimen); a lower average number of items was observed for Engraulis encrasicolus (0.26 items/specimen). The plastics were characterized by fibers that differed in shape, colour and composition. Polyester, polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, polyamide, nylon, rayon and polyurethane segments were detected by Raman and FTIR spectroscopies. Traces of organic components and dyes, compounds that are generally included in the polymer matrix to modify its base properties, were also identified on microplastics. Our results raise concerns for the potential transfer of synthetic materials through the marine food web and into humans, given the prominent role of S. pilchardus and E. encrasicolus within the food web as main food source for many marine species.
- Published
- 2020
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