Search

Your search keyword '"Astolfi, Maria Luisa"' showing total 318 results
Start Over Author "Astolfi, Maria Luisa"
318 results on '"Astolfi, Maria Luisa"'

10. Exposure Profile to Traffic Related Pollution in Pediatric Age: A Biomonitoring Study

Author

Antonucci, Arianna, Protano, Carmela, Astolfi, Maria Luisa, Mattei, Vincenzo, Santilli, Francesca, Martellucci, Stefano, and Vitali, Matteo

Subjects
Environmental Sciences, Pollution and Contamination, Pediatric, Clinical Research, Prevention, Biological Monitoring, Child, Child, Preschool, Environmental Pollution, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Humans, Italy, Male, Methyl Ethers, Traffic-Related Pollution, pediatric age, traffic related pollution, human biomonitoring, methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl tert-butyl ether, tert-amyl methyl ether, diisopropyl ether, urinary biomarkers, Toxicology
Abstract

The aim of this study was to trace an exposure profile to traffic-derived pollution during pediatric age. For this purpose, two biomonitoring campaigns for the determination of urinary (u-) methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), and diisopropyl ether (DIPE) were carried out in two different periods of the year (summer 2017 and winter 2018), among a large sample of healthy children (n = 736; 5-11 years old) living in rural and urban areas in central Italy. The quantification of u-MTBE, u-ETBE, u-TAME, and u-DIPE was performed by HS-SPME-GC/MS technique and information on participants was collected by a questionnaire. u-DIPE concentrations resulted always under the LOQ. u-TAME mean levels were similar in both seasons (18.7 ng L-1 in summer vs. 18.9 ng L-1 in winter), while u-MTBE and u-ETBE levels were, respectively, 69.9 and 423.5 ng L-1 (summer) and 53.3 and 66.2 ng L-1 (winter). Main predictors of urinary excretion resulted the time spent in motor vehicles, being male and younger.

Published
2021

20. Ag-Decorated Titania Nanoparticles for Antibacterial Applications.

Author

Mercurio, Martina, Hajareh Haghighi, Farid, Ubaldi, Francesca, Cerra, Sara, Astolfi, Maria Luisa, Matassa, Roberto, Battocchio, Chiara, Marsotto, Martina, De Angelis, Cinzia, Della Monaca, Sara, Fattibene, Paola, Valeriani, Federica, Romano Spica, Vincenzo, and Fratoddi, Ilaria

Abstract

In this work, titania nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were combined in situ to obtain a single TiO2–Ag nanoplatform with synergistic antibacterial effects and perspectives in biological applications. To improve colloidal stability in the aqueous environment, the bifunctional (3-mercaptopropyl)-trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and sodium 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate (3MPS) were used as stabilizing agents for covalent binding to TiO2NP (formation of Ti–O–Si chemical bonds) and AgNP surfaces (through the Ag–S bond), respectively. Synthesis conditions were optimized by tuning the Ag content decorating the TiO2NPs, and the colloidal stability, size, morphology, and chemical composition were studied in both solution and solid-state by UV–visible, Fourier-transform infrared, 1H NMR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, dynamic light scattering, and ζ-potential. The antibacterial activities of these nanohybrids were investigated on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and the results showed an enhanced antibacterial effect arising from the combination of TiO2NPs and AgNPs in the nanohybrid with the lower Ag content (more than 60% in the case of S. aureus exposed to TiO2–Ag), compared to the pristine TiO2NPs and control groups. Electron paramagnetic resonance with spin trapping detected the presence of hydroxyl radicals both in the nanohybrids and in the pristine TiO2NPs, supporting the hypothesis that the antibacterial effect is related to the presence of reactive oxygen species. The results of this research contribute to the synthesis of new potent antimicrobial nanohybrids for applications in more complex biological media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2024
Full Text
View/download PDF

21. Sphagnum moss and peat comparative study: Metal release, binding properties and antioxidant activity.

Author

Astolfi, Maria Luisa, Frezzini, Maria Agostina, Massimi, Lorenzo, Rapa, Mattia, Canepari, Silvia, and Conti, Marcelo Enrique

Subjects
*INDUCTIVELY coupled plasma mass spectrometry, *PEAT mosses, *GALLIC acid, *HUMIC acid, *BIODIVERSITY conservation
Abstract

Peat is the main constituent of cultivation substrates and a precious non-renewable fossil material. Peatlands provide important ecosystem services and allow the absorption and storage of carbon. Protecting peatlands helps tackle climate change and contributes to biodiversity conservation. Due to its importance, it is necessary to implement strategies to reduce the use of peat, such as replacing it with biomass-based alternative growing media constituents, such as Sphagnum moss. In this study, we compared the metal release and binding properties at two different pH, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content of peat and Sphagnum moss from the Tierra del Fuego (TdF) region of southern Patagonia. Levels of the elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), while the types and amounts of functional groups were characterized and compared using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The total phenol level and antioxidant capacity were assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test. There are generally higher concentrations of leachable elements in peat than in Sphagnum moss at pH = 2, except Cs, Rb, Ti, and Zr. In contrast, at pH = 5, levels of all leached elements are highest in Sphagnum moss. Sphagnum moss shows a higher metal adsorption capacity than peat, except for Be, Mn, Tl, and Zn. Finally, the results showed that both matrices contained similar total phenolic contents: 0.018 ± 0.011 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram dry sample for peat and 0.020 ± 0.007 mg GAE g-1 for Sphagnum moss. Instead, Sphagnum moss extracts showed a significantly higher antioxidant activity [0.026 ± 0.028 mmol Trolox equivalents (TE) g-1] than that estimated in peat (0.009 ± 0.005 mmol TE g-1). Humic acids, carboxylic acids, and phenolic and lignin groups were identified as the functional groups that mainly determined the antioxidant activity of the Sphagnum moss compared to peat. The present study resulted in an advancement of knowledge of these materials for more thoughtful future use and possible replacements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2024
Full Text
View/download PDF

Catalog

Books, media, physical & digital resources
See catalog results