42 results on '"Fornasaro S"'
Search Results
2. Bioaccessible arsenic in soil of thermal areas of Viterbo, Central Italy: implications for human health risk
- Author
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Rimondi V.[1, Costagliola P.[1, Lattanzi P.[2], Catelani T.[3], Fornasaro S.[1], Medas D.[4], Morelli G.[2], and Paolieri M.[1]
- Subjects
Environmental Engineering ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Biological Availability ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Bioaccessibility ,010501 environmental sciences ,010502 geochemistry & geophysics ,Risk Assessment ,Soil ingestions ,01 natural sciences ,Arsenic ,Soil ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Geochemistry and Petrology ,Humans ,Soil Pollutants ,Environmental Chemistry ,Cities ,Geogenic ,Dissolution ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,General Environmental Science ,Water Science and Technology ,media_common ,Calcite ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Plateau ,Thermal springs ,General Medicine ,Substrate (marine biology) ,Volcanic rock ,Speciation ,chemistry ,Environmental chemistry ,Soil water ,Environmental science - Abstract
Thermal waters near the city of Viterbo (Central Italy) are known to show high As contents (up to 600 µg/l). Travertine is precipitated by these waters, forming extended plateau. In this study, we determine the As content, speciation and bioaccessibility in soil and travertine samples collected near a recreational area highly frequented by local inhabitants and tourists to investigate the risk of As exposure through accidental ingestion of soil particles. (Pseudo)total contents in the studied soils range from 17 to 528 mg/kg, being higher in soil developed on a travertine substrate (197 ± 127 mg/kg) than on volcanic rocks (37 ± 13 mg/kg). In travertines, most As is bound to the carbonatic fraction, whereas in soil the semimetal is mostly associated with the oxide and residual fractions. Accordingly, bioaccessibility (defined here by the simplified bioaccessibility extraction test, SBET; Oomen et al., 2002.) is maximum (up to 139 mg/kg) for soil developed on a travertine substrate, indicating a control of calcite dissolution on As bioaccessibility. On the other hand, risk analysis suggests a moderate carcinogenic risk associated with accidental soil ingestion, while dermal contact is negligible. By contrast, ingestion of thermal water implies a higher carcinogenic and systemic health risk.
- Published
- 2021
3. Risk assessment to atmospheric mercury pollution in workplace indoor air: the case of Central Italian Herbarium (Museum of Natural History of Florence, Italy)
- Author
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Ciani, F., Fornasaro, S., Costagliola, P., and Rimondi, V.
- Published
- 2021
4. Distribution and concentration of potentially toxic elements in ultramafic rocks: a case study from the Voltri Massif (Western Alps, Italy)
- Author
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Fornasaro, S., Comodi, P., Crispini, L., Malatesta, C., Zucchini, A., and Marescotti, P.
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Potential Toxic Elements ,Voltri Massif ,Serpentinites ,Ultramafic Rocks ,Potential Toxic Elements, Voltri Massif, Serpentinites, Ultramafic Rocks - Published
- 2019
5. Concentrations and distribution of potentially toxic elements in ultramafic rocks from Ligurian ophiolites: influence of mineralogical, structural and textural features from different geological contexts
- Author
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Fornasaro, S., Malatesta, C., Crispini, L., Comodi, P., and Marescotti, P.
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Serpentinites, Liguria, Ophilites, Ecotoxic metals ,Ophilites ,Serpentinites ,Liguria ,Ecotoxic metals - Published
- 2018
6. BILITRANSLOCASE MEMBRANE TRANSPORTER: A DRUG TARGET STUDIED IN BOTH ANIMAL AND PLANT SPECIES
- Author
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Passamonti, S., Tramer, F., Ziberna, L., Fornasaro, S., Čvorović, J., Martelanc, M., Franko, M., Rajčević, U., Alexandra, Bogoţalec, Tjaša, Lukan, Čurin – Šerbec, V., Petrussa, Elisa, Braidot, Enrico, Vianello, Angelo, Ţuperl, Š., and Novič, M.
- Published
- 2013
7. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Quantitative Analysis: Results of a Large-Scale European Multi-Instrument Interlaboratory Study
- Author
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Fatima Alsamad, Pellegrino Musto, Jakub Dybas, Valérie Untereiner, Michael Stenbæk Schmidt, Fabrizio Giorgis, Elena Rusu, Howbeer Muhamadali, Maria Paula M. Marques, Alessandro Chiadò, Karen Faulds, Stefano Fornasaro, Guillaume Falgayrac, Hrvoje Gebavi, Duncan Graham, Malama Chisanga, Valter Sergo, Tomas Rindzevicius, Cédric Malherbe, Chiara Novara, Amuthachelvi Daniel, Ewelina Wiercigroch, Fiona M. Lyng, Alois Bonifacio, Lucio Litti, Stacey Laing, Monica Baia, Renzo Vanna, Olivier Piot, Carlo Morasso, Claudia Beleites, Elisa Mitri, Hugh J. Byrne, Moreno Meneghetti, Vlasta Mohaček-Grošev, Pietro La Manna, Gauthier Eppe, Ganesh D. Sockalingum, Kamilla Malek, Mihaela Chis, Luís A. E. Batista de Carvalho, Royston Goodacre, Guillaume Penel, Marianna Pannico, Fornasaro, S., Alsamad, F., Baia, M., Batista De Carvalho, L. A. E., Beleites, C., Byrne, H. J., Chiado, A., Chis, M., Chisanga, M., Daniel, A., Dybas, J., Eppe, G., Falgayrac, G., Faulds, K., Gebavi, H., Giorgis, F., Goodacre, R., Graham, D., La Manna, P., Laing, S., Litti, L., Lyng, F. M., Malek, K., Malherbe, C., Marques, M. P. M., Meneghetti, M., Mitri, E., Mohacek-Grosev, V., Morasso, C., Muhamadali, H., Musto, P., Novara, C., Pannico, M., Penel, G., Piot, O., Rindzevicius, T., Rusu, E. A., Schmidt, M. S., Sergo, V., Sockalingum, G. D., Untereiner, V., Vanna, R., Wiercigroch, E., and Bonifacio, A.
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Analyte ,Standardization ,Surface enhanced Raman ,010402 general chemistry ,Physical Chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,SERS spectroscopy quantitative analysis Raman ,Analytical Chemistry ,Surface chemical ,QD ,Cost action ,interlaboratory study ,Analytic Chemistry ,SERS ,Chemistry ,Scale (chemistry) ,010401 analytical chemistry ,Analytical technique ,Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy ,0104 chemical sciences ,Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences ,Quantitative analysis (finance) ,Biochemical engineering ,SERS, Raman, substrates, colloids, interlaboratory study - Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful and sensitive technique for the detection of fingerprint sig-nals of molecules and for the investigation of a series of surface chemical reactions. Many studies introduced quantita-tive applications of SERS in various fields and several SERS methods have been implemented for each specific applica- tion, ranging in performance characteristics, analytes used, instruments, and analytical matrices. In general, very few methods have been validated according to international guidelines. As a consequence, the application of SERS in high-ly- regulated environments is still considered risky and the perception of a poorly reproducible and insufficiently robust analytical technique has persistently retarded its routine implementation. Collaborative trials are a type of interlabora-tory study (ILS) frequently performed to ascertain the quality of a single analytical method. The idea of an ILS of quan- tification with SERS arose within the framework of Working Group 1 (WG1) of the COST Action BM1401 Ra-man4Clinics32 in an effort to overcome the problematic perception of quantitative SERS methods. Here we report the first interlaboratory SERS study ever conducted, involving 15 laboratories and 41 researchers. In this study we tried to define a methodology to assess the reproducibility and trueness of a quantitative SERS method, and to compare differ- ent methods. In our opinion, this is a first important step toward a “standardization” process of SERS protocols, not proposed by a single laboratory but by a larger community.
- Published
- 2020
8. The Role of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antimicrobial Agents
- Author
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Stefano Fornasaro, Dana Cialla-May, Valter Sergo, Alois Bonifacio, Fornasaro, S., Cialla-May, D., Sergo, V., and Bonifacio, A.
- Subjects
TDM ,antibiotics ,biofluids ,Raman spectroscopy ,SERS ,antibiotic ,biofluid ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Analytical Chemistry - Abstract
The rapid quantification of antimicrobial agents is important for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), enabling personalized dosing schemes in critically ill patients. Highly sophisticated TDM technology is becoming available, but its implementation in hospitals is still limited. Among the various proposed techniques, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) stands out as one of the more interesting due to its extremely high sensitivity, rapidity, and fingerprinting capabilities. Here, we present a comprehensive review of various SERS-based novel approaches applied for direct and indirect detection and quantification of antibiotic, antifungal, and antituberculosis drugs in different matrices, particularly focusing on the challenges for successful exploitation of this technique in the development of assays for point-of-care tests.
- Published
- 2022
9. Spectroscopic investigation of faeces with surface-enhanced Raman scattering: a case study with coeliac patients on gluten-free diet
- Author
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Stefano Fornasaro, Alessandro Esposito, Fiorella Florian, Alberto Pallavicini, Luigina De Leo, Tarcisio Not, Cristina Lagatolla, Marica Mezzarobba, Alessia Di Silvestre, Valter Sergo, Alois Bonifacio, Fornasaro, S., Esposito, A., Florian, F., Pallavicini, A., De Leo, L., Not, T., Lagatolla, C., Mezzarobba, M., Di Silvestre, A., Sergo, V., and Bonifacio, A.
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Faeces ,Hypoxanthine ,Bacteria ,SERS ,Gold ,Nanoparticles ,Raman ,Spectrum Analysis, Raman ,Biochemistry ,Xanthine ,Analytical Chemistry ,Diet, Gluten-Free ,Feces ,Nanoparticle ,Faece ,RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ,Humans - Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of faecal samples can be obtained by adding AuNP to their methanol extracts according to the reported protocol, and display bands that are due to bilirubin-like species but also to xanthine and hypoxanthine, two metabolic products secreted by gut bacteria. A total of 27 faecal samples from three different groups, i.e. coeliac patients (n = 9), coeliac patients on gluten-free diet (n = 10) and a control group (n = 8), were characterized with both SERS spectroscopy and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. Significant differences are present between SERS spectra of coeliac patients and those on gluten-free diet, with a marked increase in the relative intensity of both xanthine and hypoxanthine for the latter. Interestingly, these differences do not correlate with bacterial composition as derived from 16S rRNA sequencing.
- Published
- 2021
10. 3-Dimensional graphene-like structures and applications: general discussion
- Author
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Girija Shankar Papanai, Harry Morgan, Alessandro Molle, Andrea C. Ferrari, Michele Melchionna, Vincenzo Palermo, Andrea Oyarzun, Christof Neumann, Claudia Backes, Ranjan Kumar Behera, Alejandro Criado, Stuart Goldie, Gang Wang, Maurizio Prato, Alberto Bianco, Zhenyuan Xia, Abigail Bellamy-Carter, Valérie Caps, Trevor Davies, Yuyoung Shin, Tim Nowack, Ruohong Sui, Cinzia Casiraghi, Stefano Fornasaro, Manuela Melucci, Wai Hin Lee, Vimal Kumar, Mark C. Hersam, Ali Reza Kamali, Vladimir Kolosov, Ivo F. Teixeira, Manish Chhowalla, Fernando Galembeck, Natalia Martsinovich, Immunopathologie et chimie thérapeutique (ICT), Institut de biologie moléculaire et cellulaire (IBMC), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de chimie et procédés pour l'énergie, l'environnement et la santé (ICPEES), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA)-Matériaux et nanosciences d'Alsace (FMNGE), Institut de Chimie du CNRS (INC)-Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA)-Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) Mulhouse - Colmar (Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA))-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Chimie du CNRS (INC)-Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA)-Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) Mulhouse - Colmar (Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA))-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Backes, C., Behera, R. K., Bellamy-Carter, A., Bianco, A., Caps, V., Casiraghi, C., Chhowalla, M., Criado, A., Davies, T., Ferrari, A. C., Fornasaro, S., Galembeck, F., Goldie, S., Hersam, M. C., Kamali, A. R., Kolosov, V., Kumar, V., Lee, W. H., Martsinovich, N., Melchionna, M., Melucci, M., Molle, A., Morgan, H., Neumann, C., Nowack, T., Oyarzun, A., Palermo, V., Papanai, G. S., Prato, M., Shin, Y., Sui, R., Teixeira, I. F., Wang, G., and Xia, Z.
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Computer science ,Graphene ,graphene ,2D materials ,Nanotechnology ,02 engineering and technology ,[CHIM.MATE]Chemical Sciences/Material chemistry ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,0104 chemical sciences ,law.invention ,law ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,0210 nano-technology - Abstract
The first page of this article is displayed as the abstract.
- Published
- 2021
11. Bioavailability of flavonoids: The role of cell membrane transporters
- Author
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Jovana Čvorović, Lovro Ziberna, Stefano Fornasaro, Federica Tramer, Sabina Passamonti, Cvorovic, J., Ziberna, L., Fornasaro, S., Tramer, F., Passamonti, S., Odair Aguiar Jr, Sarah Omar Alkholy, Judith Allgrove, Samiah Naji Alqahtani, Anna Amini, Juliana Maria de Mello Andrade, Cristina Andres-Lacueva, Andrea Aquilato, Rajesh Arora, Sara Arranz, Hitoshi Ashida, Paola Avena, Sachin L. Badole, Wanda Baer-Dubowska, Gabriela Bahrim, Manjeshwar Shrinath Baliga, Stephen Barnes, Maria T. Batista, Workalemahu Mikre Berhanu, Alka Bhatia, Subhash L. Bodhankar, et al., Ronald Ross Watson, Victor R. Preedy and Sherma Zibadi, Ziberna, Lovro, Fornasaro, Stefano, Cvorovic, Jovana, Tramer, Federica, and Passamonti, Sabina
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Flavonoids ,0301 basic medicine ,Polyphenol ,03 medical and health sciences ,Membrane transport ,030109 nutrition & dietetics ,0302 clinical medicine ,Bioavailability ,Polyphenols ,Xenobiotic transporters ,Flavonoid ,030226 pharmacology & pharmacy - Abstract
Dietary flavonoids play an important role in the prevention of diseases related to oxidative stress in living systems. Although much attention has been focused on studying the protective functions of flavonoids, so far only limited biochemical research has been done to tackle the fundamental issues of how flavonoids enter cells. Flavonoids have limited bioavailability, and consequently low plasma concentrations. Thus, in order to enter the intracellular compartment of cells in target tissues, flavonoids must exploit specific cell membrane transporter systems. This interaction between flavonoids and the proteins that mediate their transmembrane transport is of critical importance since it affects both the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of flavonoids. Extensive knowledge on cell membrane transporters is, therefore, essential to fully understand the mechanisms of flavonoid-mediated protective activity in the cardiovascular, renal, hepatic and central nervous systems, and also to elucidate flavonoid-drug interactions.
- Published
- 2018
12. Biomedical SERS - the current state and future trends.
- Author
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Cialla-May D, Bonifacio A, Bocklitz T, Markin A, Markina N, Fornasaro S, Dwivedi A, Dib T, Farnesi E, Liu C, Ghosh A, and Popp J
- Subjects
- Humans, Neoplasms diagnosis, Surface Properties, Animals, Spectrum Analysis, Raman methods
- Abstract
Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is meeting the requirements in biomedical science being a highly sensitive and specific analytical tool. By employing portable Raman systems in combination with customized sample pre-treatment, point-of-care-testing (POCT) becomes feasible. Powerful SERS-active sensing surfaces with high stability and modification layers if required are available for testing and application in complex biological matrices such as body fluids, cells or tissues. This review summarizes the current state in sample collection and pretreatment in SERS detection protocols, SERS detection schemes, i.e. direct and indirect SERS as well as targeted and non-targeted SERS, and SERS-active sensing surfaces. Moreover, the recent developments and advances of SERS in biomedical application scenarios, such as infectious diseases, cancer diagnostics and therapeutic drug monitoring is given, which enables the readers to identify the sample collection and preparation protocols, SERS substrates and detection strategies that are best-suited for their specific applications in biomedicine.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Direct comparison of different protocols to obtain surface enhanced Raman spectra of human serum.
- Author
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Gobbato R, Fornasaro S, Sergo V, and Bonifacio A
- Subjects
- Humans, Serum chemistry, Spectrum Analysis, Raman methods, Principal Component Analysis, Metal Nanoparticles chemistry, Silver chemistry
- Abstract
Label-free Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is a rapid technique that has been extensively applied in clinical diagnosis and biomedicine for the analysis of biofluids. The purpose of this approach relies on the ability to detect specific "metabolic fingerprints" of complex biological samples, but the full potential of this technique in diagnostics is yet to be exploited, mainly because of the lack of common analytical protocols for sample preparation and analysis. Variation of experimental parameters, such as substrate type, laser wavelength and sample processing can greatly influence spectral patterns, making results from different research groups difficult to compare. This study aims at making a step toward a standardization of the protocols in the analysis of human serum samples with Ag nanoparticles, by directly comparing the SERS spectra obtained from five different methods in which parameters like laser power, nanoparticle concentration, incubation/deproteinization steps and type of substrate used vary. Two protocols are the most used in the literature, and the other three are "in-house" protocols proposed by our group; all of them are employed to analyze the same human serum sample. The experimental results show that all protocols yield spectra that share the same overall spectral pattern, conveying the same biochemical information, but they significantly differ in terms of overall spectral intensity, repeatability, and preparation steps of the sample. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed revealing that protocol 3 and protocol 1 have the least variability in the dataset, while protocol 2 and 4 are the least repeatable., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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14. Water quality and dissolved load in the Chirchik and Akhangaran river basins (Uzbekistan, Central Asia).
- Author
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Fornasaro S, Ghezzi L, Shukurov N, Petrov M, and Petrini R
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- Uzbekistan, Groundwater chemistry, Water Pollution, Chemical statistics & numerical data, Rivers chemistry, Environmental Monitoring, Water Pollutants, Chemical analysis, Water Quality
- Abstract
Uzbekistan (Central Asia) is experiencing serious water stress as a consequence of altered climate regime, past over-exploitation, and dependence from neighboring countries for water supply. The Chirchik-Akhangaran drainage basin, in the Tashkent province of Uzbekistan, includes watersheds from the Middle Tien Shan Mountains escarpments and the downstream floodplain of the Chirchik and Akhangaran rivers, major tributaries of the Syrdarya river. Water in the Chirchik-Akhangaran basin is facing potential anthropogenic pressure from different sources at the scale of river reaches, from both industrial and agricultural activities. In this study, the major and trace element chemistry of surface water and groundwater from the Chirchik-Akhangaran basin were investigated, with the aim of addressing the geogenic and anthropogenic contributions to the dissolved load. The results indicate that the geochemistry of water from the upstream catchments reflects the weathering of exposed lithologies. A significant increase in Na
+ , K+ , SO4 2- , Cl- , and NO3 - was observed downstream, indicating loadings from fertilizers used in croplands. However, quality parameters suggest that waters are generally suitable for irrigation purposes, even if the total dissolved solid indicates a possible salinity hazard. The concentration of trace elements (including potentially toxic elements) was lower than the thresholds set for water quality by different regulations. However, an exceedingly high concentration of Zn, Mo, Sb, Pb, Ni, U, As, and B compared with the average river water worldwide was observed. Water in a coal fly-ash large pond related to the Angren coal-fired power plants stands out for the high As, Al, B, Mo, and Sb concentration, having a groundwater contamination potential during infiltration. Spring waters used for drinking purposes meet the World Health Organization and the Republic of Uzbekistan quality standards. However, a surveillance of such drinking-water supplies is suggested. The obtained results are indicators for an improved water resource management., (© 2024. The Author(s).)- Published
- 2024
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15. The Legacy of Hg Contamination in a Past Mining Area (Tuscany, Italy): Hg Speciation and Health Risk Assessment.
- Author
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Arrighi S, Franceschini F, Petrini R, Fornasaro S, and Ghezzi L
- Abstract
The mercury cell manufacturing process, which has been extensively used in chlor-alkali plants to produce chlorine and caustic soda by electrolysis, represents a major source of Hg environmental pollution. At Saline di Volterra (Tuscany, Italy), solution mining by pumping water into halite deposits was applied to produce brines for a mercury-cell chlor-alkali plant. The Hg-contaminated, exhausted brines were pumped back at depth into the rock salt field in order to renew the available resources. Activities ceased in 1994, following the leakage dispersion of highly contaminated Hg(0)-bearing brines into the environment. The mercury content in the soil, measured during a survey conducted in 2000, reached 334 mg/kg, highlighting diffuse contamination in the floodplain. By 2009, the Hg concentration had generally decreased and was mostly confined to the topsoil layer. In order to evaluate the present Hg soil pollution, a geochemical survey was carried out in 2023, almost thirty years after the contamination event. The obtained data indicated the occurrence of legacy Hg, which reached 25.5 mg/kg in some soil samples. Speciation analysis for the most contaminated soil revealed that Hg(0) represented about 17.3% of the total Hg and that water-soluble and organic Hg fractions were negligible. These results suggest that the originally released metallic mercury has volatilized and likely oxidized, becoming practically immobile in the soil. A risk assessment, performed by applying Hg speciation analysis, indicated that the mercury in the soil does not carry a risk of non-cancerous effects for different exposure routes in case of subsequent use of the site and that the formerly contaminated area can now be converted into a leisure area.
- Published
- 2024
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- View/download PDF
16. Exploring Rare Earth Element behavior in the Mount Etna volcanic aquifers (Sicily).
- Author
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Dominech S, Federico C, Brusca L, Fornasaro S, Bellomo S, and D'Alessandro W
- Subjects
- Sicily, Environmental Monitoring, Volcanic Eruptions, Yttrium chemistry, Water Pollutants, Chemical analysis, Metals, Rare Earth analysis, Metals, Rare Earth chemistry, Groundwater chemistry
- Abstract
This study presents the first data on REY (Rare Earth Elements plus Yttrium) in the aquifer of Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy). Patterns normalized to chondrites indicate strong water-rock interaction, facilitated by a slightly acidic pH resulting from the dissolution of magma-derived CO
2 . REY patterns provide insights into the processes of both mineral dissolution and the formation of secondary phases. The relative abundance of light to heavy rare earth elements is compatible with the prevailing dissolution of ferromagnesian minerals (e.g., olivine or clinopyroxenes), reinforced by its strong correlation with other proxies of mineral dissolution (e.g., Mg contents). Pronounced negative Ce anomalies and positive Y anomalies demonstrate an oxidizing environment with continuous formation of secondary iron and/or manganese oxides and hydroxides. The Y/Ho fractionation is strongly influenced by metal complexation with bicarbonate complexes, a common process in C-rich waters. In the studied system, the measured REY contents are always below the limits proposed by Sneller et al. (2000, RIVM report, Issue 601,501, p. 66) for surface water and ensure a very low daily intake from drinking water., (© 2024. The Author(s).)- Published
- 2024
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17. Bioaerosol Sampling Devices and Pretreatment for Bacterial Characterization: Theoretical Differences and a Field Experience in a Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- Author
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Gaetano AS, Semeraro S, Greco S, Greco E, Cain A, Perrone MG, Pallavicini A, Licen S, Fornasaro S, and Barbieri P
- Abstract
Studies on bioaerosol bacterial biodiversity have relevance in both ecological and health contexts, and molecular methods, such as 16S rRNA gene-based barcoded sequencing, provide efficient tools for the analysis of airborne bacterial communities. Standardized methods for sampling and analysis of bioaerosol DNA are lacking, thus hampering the comparison of results from studies implementing different devices and procedures. Three samplers that use gelatin filtration, swirling aerosol collection, and condensation growth tubes for collecting bioaerosol at an aeration tank of a wastewater treatment plant in Trieste (Italy) were used to determine the bacterial biodiversity. Wastewater samples were collected directly from the untreated sewage to obtain a true representation of the microbiological community present in the plant. Different samplers and collection media provide an indication of the different grades of biodiversity, with condensation growth tubes and DNA/RNA shield
TM capturing the richer bacterial genera. Overall, in terms of relative abundance, the air samples have a lower number of bacterial genera (64 OTUs) than the wastewater ones (75 OTUs). Using the metabarcoding approach to aerosol samples, we provide the first preliminary step toward the understanding of a significant diversity between different air sampling systems, enabling the scientific community to orient research towards the most informative sampling strategy.- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Spectroscopic insights into peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis: unveiling peri-implant crevicular fluid profiles using surface enhanced Raman scattering.
- Author
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Fornasaro S, Rapani A, Farina F, Ibishi M, Pisnoli G, Stacchi C, Sergo V, Bonifacio A, Di Lenarda R, and Berton F
- Subjects
- Humans, Spectrum Analysis, Raman, Peri-Implantitis diagnosis, Mucositis
- Abstract
The precise identification and differentiation of peri-implant diseases, without the need for intrusive procedures, is crucial for the successful clinical treatment and overall durability of dental implants. This work introduces a novel approach that combines surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy with advanced chemometrics to analyse peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) samples. The primary purpose is to offer an unbiased evaluation of implant health. A detailed investigation was performed on PICF samples obtained from a cohort of patients exhibiting different levels of peri-implant health, including those with healthy implants, implants impacted by peri-implantitis, and implants with peri-implant mucositis. The obtained SERS spectra were analysed using canonical-powered partial least squares (CPPLS) to identify unique chemical characteristics associated with each inflammatory state. Significantly, our research findings unveil the presence of a common inflammatory SERS spectral pattern in cases of peri-implantitis and peri-implant mucositis. Furthermore, the SERS-based scores obtained from CPPLS were combined with established clinical scores and subjected to a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classifier. Repeated double cross-validation was used to validate the method's capacity to discriminate different implant conditions. The integrated approach showcased high sensitivity and specificity and an overall balanced accuracy of 92%, demonstrating its potential to serve as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for real-time implant monitoring and early detection of inflammatory conditions.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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19. Self-Organizing Maps: An AI Tool for Identifying Unexpected Source Signatures in Non-Target Screening Analysis of Urban Wastewater by HPLC-HRMS.
- Author
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Gelao V, Fornasaro S, Briguglio SC, Mattiussi M, De Martin S, Astel AM, Barbieri P, and Licen S
- Abstract
(1) Background: Monitoring effluent in water treatment plants has a key role in identifying potential pollutants that might be released into the environment. A non-target analysis approach can be used for identifying unknown substances and source-specific multipollutant signatures. (2) Methods: Urban and industrial wastewater effluent were analyzed by HPLC-HRMS for non-target analysis. The anomalous infiltration of industrial wastewater into urban wastewater was investigated by analyzing the mass spectra data of "unknown common" compounds using principal component analysis (PCA) and the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) AI tool. The outcomes of the models were compared. (3) Results: The outlier detection was more straightforward in the SOM model than in the PCA one. The differences among the samples could not be completely perceived in the PCA model. Moreover, since PCA involves the calculation of new variables based on the original experimental ones, it is not possible to reconstruct a chromatogram that displays the recurring patterns in the urban WTP samples. This can be achieved using the SOM outcomes. (4) Conclusions: When comparing a large number of samples, the SOM AI tool is highly efficient in terms of calculation, visualization, and identifying outliers. Interpreting PCA visualization and outlier detection becomes challenging when dealing with a large sample size.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. SERS spectroscopy as a tool for the study of thiopurine drug pharmacokinetics in a model of human B leukemia cells.
- Author
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Pagarin S, Bolognese A, Fornasaro S, Franzin M, Hofmann U, Lucafò M, Franca R, Schwab M, Stocco G, Decorti G, and Bonifacio A
- Subjects
- Humans, Child, Mercaptopurine metabolism, Thioguanine metabolism, Chromatography, Liquid, Silver, Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Methyltransferases, Nucleotides, Spectrum Analysis, Metal Nanoparticles, Leukemia
- Abstract
Thiopurine drugs are immunomodulatory antimetabolites relevant for pediatric patients characterized by dose-dependent adverse effects such as myelosuppression and hepatotoxicity, often related to inter-individual differences, involving the activity of important enzymes at the basis of their biotransformation, such as thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT). Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is emerging as a bioanalytical tool and represents a valid alternative in terms of affordable costs, shorter analysis time and easier sample preparation in comparison to the most employed methods for pharmacokinetic analysis of drugs. The aim of this study is to investigate mercaptopurine and thioguanine pharmacokinetics by SERS in cell lysates of a B-lymphoblastoid cell line (NALM-6), that did (TPMT*1) or did not (MOCK) overexpress the wild-type form of TPMT as an in vitro cellular lymphocyte model to discriminate between cells with different levels of TPMT activity on the base of the amount of thioguanosine nucleotides (TGN) metabolites formed. SERS analysis of the cell lysates was carried out using SERS substrates constituted by Ag nanoparticles deposited on paper and parallel samples were used for quantification of thiopurine nucleotides with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A direct SERS detection method has been set up that could be a tool to study thiopurine drug pharmacokinetics in in vitro cellular models to qualitatively discriminate between cells that do and do not overexpress the TPMT enzyme, as an alternative to other more laborious techniques. Results underlined decreased levels of TGN and increased levels of methylated metabolites when TPMT was overexpressed, both after mercaptopurine and thioguanine treatments. A strong positive correlation (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient rho = 0.96) exists between absolute quantification of TGMP (pmol/1 x 10
6 cells), obtained by LC-MS/MS, and SERS signal (intensity of TGN at 915 cm-1 ). In future studies, we aim to apply this method to investigate TPMT activity in pediatric patients' leukocytes., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)- Published
- 2024
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21. Mercury accumulation efficiency of different biomonitors in indoor environments: the case study of the Central Italian Herbarium (Florence, Italy).
- Author
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Ciani F, Fornasaro S, Benesperi R, Bianchi E, Cabassi J, Di Nuzzo L, Grifoni L, Venturi S, Costagliola P, and Rimondi V
- Subjects
- Environmental Monitoring, Particulate Matter, Italy, Mercury analysis, Air Pollutants analysis, Bryophyta, Environmental Pollutants, Lichens
- Abstract
Biomonitoring studies are often employed to track airborne pollutants both in outdoor and indoor environments. In this study, the mercury (Hg) sorption by three biomonitors, i.e., Pinus nigra bark, Pseudovernia furfuracea lichen, and Hypnum cupressiforme moss, was investigated in controlled (indoor) conditions. In comparison to outdoor environments, controlled conditions offer the opportunity to investigate more in detail the variables (humidity, temperature, pollutants speciation, etc.) that control Hg uptake. The biomonitors were exposed in two distinct periods of the year for 2 and 12 months respectively, in the halls of the Central Italian Herbarium (Natural History Museum of the University of Florence, Italy), which are polluted by Hg, due to past plant sample treatments. The Hg sorption trend was monitored every 3 weeks by recording: (i) the Hg content in the substrata, (ii) gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) concentrations in the exposition halls, (iii) temperature, (iv) humidity, and (v) particulate matter (PM) concentrations. At the end of the experiment, Hg concentrations in the biomonitors range from 1130 ± 201 to 293 ± 45 μg kg
-1 (max-min) in barks, from 3470 ± 571 to 648 ± 40 μg kg-1 in lichens, and from 3052 ± 483 to 750 ± 127 μg kg-1 in mosses. All the biomonitors showed the highest Hg accumulation after the first 3 weeks of exposure. Mercury concentrations increased over time showing a continuous accumulation during the experiments. The biomonitors demonstrated different Hg accumulation trends in response to GEM concentrations and to the different climatic conditions (temperature and humidity) of the Herbarium halls. Barks strictly reflected the gaseous Hg pollution, while lichen and moss accumulation was also influenced by the climatic conditions of the indoor environment. Mercury bound to PM seemed to provide a negligible contribution to the biomonitors final uptake., (© 2023. The Author(s).)- Published
- 2023
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22. Application of Paper-Based Microfluidic Analytical Devices (µPAD) in Forensic and Clinical Toxicology: A Review.
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Musile G, Grazioli C, Fornasaro S, Dossi N, De Palo EF, Tagliaro F, and Bortolotti F
- Subjects
- Microfluidics, Forensic Toxicology, Lab-On-A-Chip Devices, Ketamine, Cocaine
- Abstract
The need for providing rapid and, possibly, on-the-spot analytical results in the case of intoxication has prompted researchers to develop rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective methods and analytical devices suitable for use in nonspecialized laboratories and at the point of need (PON). In recent years, the technology of paper-based microfluidic analytical devices (μPADs) has undergone rapid development and now provides a feasible, low-cost alternative to traditional rapid tests for detecting harmful compounds. In fact, µPADs have been developed to detect toxic molecules (arsenic, cyanide, ethanol, and nitrite), drugs, and drugs of abuse (benzodiazepines, cathinones, cocaine, fentanyl, ketamine, MDMA, morphine, synthetic cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol, and xylazine), and also psychoactive substances used for drug-facilitated crimes (flunitrazepam, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), ketamine, metamizole, midazolam, and scopolamine). The present report critically evaluates the recent developments in paper-based devices, particularly in detection methods, and how these new analytical tools have been tested in forensic and clinical toxicology, also including future perspectives on their application, such as multisensing paper-based devices, microfluidic paper-based separation, and wearable paper-based sensors.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
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23. Total Mercury Mass Load from the Paglia-Tiber River System: The Contribution to Mediterranean Sea Hg Budget.
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Fornasaro S, Morelli G, Costagliola P, Rimondi V, Lattanzi P, and Fagotti C
- Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is characterized by a marked mercury (Hg) geochemical anomaly, arising in part from large Hg deposits. Mercury mass loads discharged from the Monte Amiata mining district (Central Italy) to the Mediterranean Sea through the Paglia-Tiber River system were estimated. Data from two seasons showed that up to 40 kg year
-1 of Hg are drained to Tiber River and finally to the Mediterranean Sea. The mercury mass loads varied in different seasons, from 3 mg day-1 in the upper section of Paglia River in November to 42 g day-1 before the confluence with Tiber River in June. Along Tiber River, up to 15 ng L-1 of the total Hg found at a site after Rome showed that Hg can be discharged to the sea. The Alviano reservoir along Tiber River acts as a temporary trap for Hg-rich particulate, while dam operations may promote Hg release (up to 223 g day-1 ). The combination of hydrologic factors controlling Hg transport, the torrential regime in the upper catchment of Paglia River, the waterway steepness, together with Hg-contaminated legacy sediments in the Paglia River floodplain, make the Paglia-Tiber River system a long-lasting intermittent source of Hg to Tiber River and the Mediterranean Sea.- Published
- 2022
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24. Spectroscopic investigation of faeces with surface-enhanced Raman scattering: a case study with coeliac patients on gluten-free diet.
- Author
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Fornasaro S, Esposito A, Florian F, Pallavicini A, De Leo L, Not T, Lagatolla C, Mezzarobba M, Di Silvestre A, Sergo V, and Bonifacio A
- Subjects
- Bacteria genetics, Feces chemistry, Humans, Hypoxanthine analysis, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S analysis, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S genetics, Xanthine, Diet, Gluten-Free, Spectrum Analysis, Raman methods
- Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of faecal samples can be obtained by adding AuNP to their methanol extracts according to the reported protocol, and display bands that are due to bilirubin-like species but also to xanthine and hypoxanthine, two metabolic products secreted by gut bacteria. A total of 27 faecal samples from three different groups, i.e. coeliac patients (n = 9), coeliac patients on gluten-free diet (n = 10) and a control group (n = 8), were characterized with both SERS spectroscopy and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. Significant differences are present between SERS spectra of coeliac patients and those on gluten-free diet, with a marked increase in the relative intensity of both xanthine and hypoxanthine for the latter. Interestingly, these differences do not correlate with bacterial composition as derived from 16S rRNA sequencing., (© 2022. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2022
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25. The key role of ergothioneine in label-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectra of biofluids: a retrospective re-assessment of the literature.
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Fornasaro S, Sergo V, and Bonifacio A
- Subjects
- Retrospective Studies, Ergothioneine, Spectrum Analysis, Raman methods
- Abstract
Label-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has recently gained attention in the field of liquid biopsy as a rapid and relatively inexpensive technique that could significantly ease clinical diagnosis and prognosis by investigating a biofluid sample with a laser. Indeed, SERS spectra provide information about a set of metabolites present in the analysed biofluid, thereby offering biochemical insight into specific health conditions. Ergothioneine plays a key role since it is one of the few metabolites in biofluids that are detectable by label-free SERS. In the past decade, many studies characterizing biofluids or other biological samples have unknowingly linked this amino acid with crucial metabolic processes, including inflammation, in a plethora of diseases. However, since the SERS spectrum of ergothioneine has been reported only recently, most past studies inadvertently assigned what are now recognized as the spectral features of this compound to other molecules. The purpose of the present review is to summarize and re-evaluate these studies in the light of the recent SERS characterization of ergothioneine so as to better recognize the role of ergothioneine in many clinical conditions., (© 2022 The Authors. FEBS Letters published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Federation of European Biochemical Societies.)
- Published
- 2022
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26. Emerging electrochemical methods at the nanointerface: general discussion.
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Buckingham MA, Cao XE, Chang S, Chen HY, Chen Q, Chinnathambi S, Edwards MA, Fornasaro S, Gooding J, Hill C, Hirano-Iwata A, Kamali AR, Kanoufi F, Krause S, Kurihara K, Lemay SG, Linfield S, Liu X, Long YT, Lu SM, Ma H, Mao BW, Meloni GN, Menkin S, Minteer S, O'Neill S, Pandey P, Ren H, Slater B, Tian Z, Unwin P, Valavanis D, Walcarius A, Willets KK, Wu Y, Xiao L, Xu W, Yang W, Ying YL, and Zhang Z
- Subjects
- Biosensing Techniques, Electrochemical Techniques
- Published
- 2022
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- View/download PDF
27. Electrochemical data mining: from information to knowledge: general discussion.
- Author
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Albrecht T, Cao XE, Chen D, Corva M, Edwards MA, Ewing A, Fornasaro S, Gooding JJ, Gundry L, Hirano-Iwata A, Jeffcoat G, Kamali AR, Kanoufi F, Lemay SG, Limani N, Linfield S, Liu X, Lu SM, Meloni GN, Tian Z, Tschulik K, Vakamulla Raghu SN, Wei H, and Ying YL
- Subjects
- Algorithms, Data Mining
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
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28. Label-free Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) on Centrifugal Silver Plasmonic Paper (CSPP): A Novel Methodology for Unprocessed Biofluids Sampling and Analysis.
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Esposito A, Bonifacio A, Sergo V, and Fornasaro S
- Subjects
- Colloids, Humans, Reproducibility of Results, Metal Nanoparticles, Serum chemistry, Silver, Spectrum Analysis, Raman
- Abstract
Label-free SERS is a powerful bio-analytical technique in which molecular fingerprinting is combined with localized surface plasmons (LSPs) on metal surfaces to achieve high sensitivity. Silver and gold colloids are among the most common nanostructured substrates used in SERS, but since protein-rich samples such as serum or plasma can hinder the SERS effect due to protein-substrate interactions, they often require a deproteinization step. Moreover, SERS methods based on metal colloids often suffer from a poor reproducibility. Here, we propose a paper-based SERS sampling method in which unprocessed human serum samples are first soaked on paper strips (0.4 × 2 cm
2 ), and then mixed with colloidal silver nanoparticles by centrifugation to obtain a Centrifugal Silver Plasmonic Paper (CSPP). The CSPP methodology has the potential to become a promising tool in bioanalytical SERS applications: it uses common colloidal substrates but without the need for sample deproteinization, while having a good reproducibility both in terms of overall spectral shape (r > 0.96) and absolute intensity (RSD < 10%). Moreover, this methodology allows SERS analysis more than one month after serum collection on the paper strip, facilitating storage and handling of clinical samples (including shipping from clinical sites to labs).- Published
- 2021
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29. 3-Dimensional graphene-like structures and applications: general discussion.
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Backes C, Behera RK, Bellamy-Carter A, Bianco A, Caps V, Casiraghi C, Chhowalla M, Criado A, Davies T, Ferrari AC, Fornasaro S, Galembeck F, Goldie S, Hersam MC, Kamali AR, Kolosov V, Kumar V, Lee WH, Martsinovich N, Melchionna M, Melucci M, Molle A, Morgan H, Neumann C, Nowack T, Oyarzun A, Palermo V, Papanai GS, Prato M, Shin Y, Sui R, Teixeira IF, Wang G, and Xia Z
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Label-free analysis of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) by surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).
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Fornasaro S, Berton F, Stacchi C, Farina F, Esposito A, Sergo V, Di Lenarda R, and Bonifacio A
- Subjects
- Glutathione, Humans, Gingival Crevicular Fluid, Spectrum Analysis, Raman
- Abstract
Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is an interesting biofluid reflecting the physiological and pathological states of a single dental element. Due to this unique feature, in recent years, metabolomic analysis of GCF has gained attention as a biometric tool for the diagnosis and therapy of periodontal disease. Traditional methods are, however, too slow, cumbersome and expensive for a health-care routine. Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) can offer rapid and label-free detailed molecular fingerprints that can be used for biofluid analysis. Here we report the first SERS characterization of GCF using an easy and quick sample preparation. The dominant features in the SERS spectrum of GCF are ascribed to very few metabolites, in particular to uric acid, hypoxanthine, glutathione and ergothioneine. Additionally, we succeeded in differentiating between the SERS signal of GCF collected from healthy volunteers and the one collected from patients with periodontal disease.
- Published
- 2021
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31. Ergothioneine, a dietary amino acid with a high relevance for the interpretation of label-free surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of many biological samples.
- Author
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Fornasaro S, Gurian E, Pagarin S, Genova E, Stocco G, Decorti G, Sergo V, and Bonifacio A
- Subjects
- Gold, Plasma, Serum, Ergothioneine, Spectrum Analysis, Raman
- Abstract
Intense SERS spectra of the natural amino acid ergothioneine (ERG) are obtained on different substrates upon 785 nm excitation. A characteristic spectral pattern with a distinctive intense band at 480-486 cm
-1 is conserved when substrates of different type and characteristics are used. On the basis of available literature, we propose ERG is adsorbed on the metal surface in its thiolate form via the sulphur and heterocyclic nitrogen. The same spectral pattern is obtained in SERS spectra of filtered erythrocytes lysates, confirming the presence of ERG in those cells. The occurrence of ERG bands in label-free SERS spectra of serum and plasma reported in literature by different authors is discussed, highlighting the importance of this amino acid for the interpretation of SERS spectra of these biofluids., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)- Published
- 2021
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32. Bio-inspired optics: general discussion.
- Author
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Clark H, Datta B, Deravi L, Fiorentino C, Fornasaro S, Hardy M, Holt A, Kuttner C, Mouchet SR, Ospina L, Parnell A, Parton TG, Paternò GM, Potyrailo R, Qiu A, Rosetta G, Schenk F, Schertel L, Stavenga D, Steiner U, van de Kerkhof GT, Wilts B, and Xiao M
- Subjects
- Pigments, Biological chemistry, Refractometry, Optics and Photonics
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Quantitative Analysis: Results of a Large-Scale European Multi-Instrument Interlaboratory Study.
- Author
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Fornasaro S, Alsamad F, Baia M, Batista de Carvalho LAE, Beleites C, Byrne HJ, Chiadò A, Chis M, Chisanga M, Daniel A, Dybas J, Eppe G, Falgayrac G, Faulds K, Gebavi H, Giorgis F, Goodacre R, Graham D, La Manna P, Laing S, Litti L, Lyng FM, Malek K, Malherbe C, Marques MPM, Meneghetti M, Mitri E, Mohaček-Grošev V, Morasso C, Muhamadali H, Musto P, Novara C, Pannico M, Penel G, Piot O, Rindzevicius T, Rusu EA, Schmidt MS, Sergo V, Sockalingum GD, Untereiner V, Vanna R, Wiercigroch E, and Bonifacio A
- Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful and sensitive technique for the detection of fingerprint signals of molecules and for the investigation of a series of surface chemical reactions. Many studies introduced quantitative applications of SERS in various fields, and several SERS methods have been implemented for each specific application, ranging in performance characteristics, analytes used, instruments, and analytical matrices. In general, very few methods have been validated according to international guidelines. As a consequence, the application of SERS in highly regulated environments is still considered risky, and the perception of a poorly reproducible and insufficiently robust analytical technique has persistently retarded its routine implementation. Collaborative trials are a type of interlaboratory study (ILS) frequently performed to ascertain the quality of a single analytical method. The idea of an ILS of quantification with SERS arose within the framework of Working Group 1 (WG1) of the EU COST Action BM1401 Raman4Clinics in an effort to overcome the problematic perception of quantitative SERS methods. Here, we report the first interlaboratory SERS study ever conducted, involving 15 laboratories and 44 researchers. In this study, we tried to define a methodology to assess the reproducibility and trueness of a quantitative SERS method and to compare different methods. In our opinion, this is a first important step toward a "standardization" process of SERS protocols, not proposed by a single laboratory but by a larger community.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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34. Characterization of white wines from north-eastern Italy with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.
- Author
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Zanuttin F, Gurian E, Ignat I, Fornasaro S, Calabretti A, Bigot G, and Bonifacio A
- Abstract
In the present study, label-free SERS spectroscopy is applied as a useful analytical technique for white wine characterization. 180 samples of three white wines varieties from northeastern Italy, Sauvignon Blanc, Ribolla Gialla and Friulano, collected from three different Italian producers from 2016 vintage, have been analyzed using Ag citrate-reduced colloids and a portable Raman instrument with a 785 nm laser. A PCA of SERS spectra showed that discrimination between wines and wineries is possible. Main spectral differences are due to adenine, carboxylic acids and glutathione, with their ratio changing among different wine types and producers. A robust version of the Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) method was used to model the class space of each wine and to perform the classification among the different categories, yielding overall efficiencies between 87 and 93%. These results are extremely encouraging and open the way to the application of this SERS protocol as a wine identification assay., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
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35. Label-Free Quantification of Anticancer Drug Imatinib in Human Plasma with Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.
- Author
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Fornasaro S, Bonifacio A, Marangon E, Buzzo M, Toffoli G, Rindzevicius T, Schmidt MS, and Sergo V
- Subjects
- Calibration, Drug Monitoring methods, Humans, Least-Squares Analysis, Limit of Detection, Multivariate Analysis, Reproducibility of Results, Antineoplastic Agents blood, Imatinib Mesylate blood, Spectrum Analysis, Raman methods
- Abstract
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for anticancer drug imatinib has been suggested as the best way to improve the treatment response and minimize the risk of adverse reactions in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients. TDM of oncology treatments with standard analytical methods, such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is, however, complex and demanding. This paper proposes a new method for quantitation of imatinib in human plasma, based on surface enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS) and multivariate calibration using partial least-squares regression (PLSR). The best PLSR model was obtained with three latent variables in the range from 123 to 5000 ng/mL of imatinib, providing a standard error of prediction (SEP) of 510 ng/mL. The method was validated in accordance with international guidelines, through the estimate of figures of merit, such as precision, accuracy, systematic error, analytical sensitivity, limits of detection, and quantitation. Moreover, the feasibility and clinical utility of this approach have also been verified using real plasma samples taken from deidentified patients. The results were in good agreement with a clinically validated LC-MS/MS method. The new SERS method presented in this preliminary work showed simplicity, short analysis time, good sensitivity, and could be considered a promising platform for TDM of imatinib treatment in a point-of-care setting.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Potential use of MCR-ALS for the identification of coeliac-related biochemical changes in hyperspectral Raman maps from pediatric intestinal biopsies.
- Author
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Fornasaro S, Vicario A, De Leo L, Bonifacio A, Not T, and Sergo V
- Subjects
- Algorithms, Celiac Disease metabolism, Child, Cluster Analysis, Humans, Least-Squares Analysis, Lipids chemistry, Multivariate Analysis, Biopsy methods, Celiac Disease diagnosis, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted methods, Intestines pathology, Pediatrics methods, Spectrum Analysis, Raman methods
- Abstract
Raman hyperspectral imaging is an emerging practice in biological and biomedical research for label free analysis of tissues and cells. Using this method, both spatial distribution and spectral information of analyzed samples can be obtained. The current study reports the first Raman microspectroscopic characterisation of colon tissues from patients with Coeliac Disease (CD). The aim was to assess if Raman imaging coupled with hyperspectral multivariate image analysis is capable of detecting the alterations in the biochemical composition of intestinal tissues associated with CD. The analytical approach was based on a multi-step methodology: duodenal biopsies from healthy and coeliac patients were measured and processed with Multivariate Curve Resolution Alternating Least Squares (MCR-ALS). Based on the distribution maps and the pure spectra of the image constituents obtained from MCR-ALS, interesting biochemical differences between healthy and coeliac patients has been derived. Noticeably, a reduced distribution of complex lipids in the pericryptic space, and a different distribution and abundance of proteins rich in beta-sheet structures was found in CD patients. The output of the MCR-ALS analysis was then used as a starting point for two clustering algorithms (k-means clustering and hierarchical clustering methods). Both methods converged with similar results providing precise segmentation over multiple Raman images of studied tissues.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Long-term stability of an injection-molded zirconia bone-level implant: A testing protocol considering aging kinetics and dynamic fatigue.
- Author
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Spies BC, Maass ME, Adolfsson E, Sergo V, Kiemle T, Berthold C, Gurian E, Fornasaro S, Vach K, and Kohal RJ
- Subjects
- Kinetics, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, Reproducibility of Results, Stress, Mechanical, Surface Properties, X-Ray Diffraction, Dental Implants, Materials Testing, Zirconium
- Abstract
Objective: Separately addressing the fatigue resistance (ISO 14801, evaluation of final product) and aging behavior (ISO 13356, standardized sample) of oral implants made from yttria-stabilized zirconia proved to be insufficient in verifying their long-term stability, since (1) implant processing is known to significantly influence transformation kinetics and (2) aging, up from a certain level, is liable to decrease fatigue resistance. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to apply a new testing protocol considering environmental conditions adequately inducing aging during dynamic fatigue., Methods: Zirconia implants were dynamically loaded (10
7 cycles), hydrothermally aged (85°, 60 days) or subjected to both treatments simultaneously. Subsequent, monoclinic intensity ratios (Xm ) were obtained by locally resolved X-ray microdiffraction (μ-XRD2 ). Transformation propagation was monitored at cross-sections by μ-Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, implants were statically loaded to fracture. Linear regression models (fracture load) and mixed models (Xm ) were used for statistical analyses., Results: All treatments resulted in increased fracture load (p≤0.005), indicating the formation of transformation induced compressive stresses around surface defects during all treatment modalities. However, only hydrothermal and combinational treatment were found to increase Xm (p<0.001). No change in Xm was observed for solely dynamically loaded samples (p≥0.524). Depending on the variable observed, a monoclinic layer thickness of 1-2μm (SEM) or 6-8μm (Raman spectroscopy) was measured at surfaces exposed to water during treatments., Significance: Hydrothermal aging was successfully induced during dynamic fatigue. Therefore, the presented setup might serve as reference protocol for ensuring pre-clinically long-term reliability of zirconia oral implants., (Copyright © 2017 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Potential of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM). A Critical Review.
- Author
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Jaworska A, Fornasaro S, Sergo V, and Bonifacio A
- Abstract
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is a label-free technique that enables quick monitoring of substances at low concentrations in biological matrices. These advantages make it an attractive tool for the development of point-of-care tests suitable for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) of drugs with a narrow therapeutic window, such as chemotherapeutic drugs, immunosuppressants, and various anticonvulsants. In this article, the current applications of SERS in the field of TDM for cancer therapy are discussed in detail and illustrated according to the different strategies and substrates. In particular, future perspectives are provided and special concerns regarding the standardization of self-assembly methods and nanofabrication procedures, quality assurance, and technology readiness are critically evaluated., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Biofluids and other techniques: general discussion.
- Author
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Goodacre R, Baker MJ, Graham D, Schultz ZD, Diem M, Marques MP, Cinque G, Vernooij R, Sulé-Suso J, Byrne HJ, Faulds K, Hermes M, Fleming H, Bonifacio A, Dluhy R, Gardner P, El-Mashtoly S, Wood B, Gough K, Fornasaro S, Kazarian S, Jamieson L, Petrich W, Sockalingum GD, Stone N, Kendall C, Sinjab F, Haris P, Subaihi A, Remiszewski S, Hellwig P, Sergo V, Gerwert K, Phillips C, and Campbell CJ
- Subjects
- Animals, Chemistry Techniques, Analytical, Humans, Body Fluids chemistry
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Toward SERS-based point-of-care approaches for therapeutic drug monitoring: the case of methotrexate.
- Author
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Fornasaro S, Marta SD, Rabusin M, Bonifacio A, and Sergo V
- Subjects
- Gold, Humans, Metal Nanoparticles, Drug Monitoring methods, Methotrexate blood, Point-of-Care Systems, Spectrum Analysis, Raman methods
- Abstract
To date, in spite of their toxicity, the plasmatic concentration of most chemotherapeutic drugs is difficult to monitor in oncological patients, because their quantitative determination is expensive and time consuming. This contribution reports a first attempt for the direct quantitative determination of a chemotherapeutic drug in human serum samples by means of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). In this study, SERS substrates constituted by Au nanoparticles deposited on paper by a simple dipping method have been used for rapid (few minutes) analysis of diluted human serum spiked with different concentrations of methotrexate, MTX. The drug concentrations were chosen in a range designed to cover typical therapeutic plasmatic values (from nanomolar to millimolar) in oncological patients, and the pertinent calibration was obtained by Partial Least-Squares Regression (PLSR). Stability selection was employed to evaluate the capability of the PLSR model to accurately predict and extract spectral variations correlated to MTX concentration. Such a quantitative determination is crucial for frequent, and hence adherent, therapeutic drug monitoring, TDM, of chemiotherapic drugs, given their heavy side effects. Its low cost, rapid response and the possibility of obtaining spectra with simple and compact instruments, make SERS particularly apt for implementing effective TDM. The promising results obtained in the analytical validation indicate which steps are to be taken on the way toward a clinical validation with real samples from oncological patients, for MTX as well as for other chemotherapeutic drugs.
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Determination of cyanidin 3-glucoside in rat brain, liver and kidneys by UPLC/MS-MS and its application to a short-term pharmacokinetic study.
- Author
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Fornasaro S, Ziberna L, Gasperotti M, Tramer F, Vrhovšek U, Mattivi F, and Passamonti S
- Subjects
- Animals, Anthocyanins administration & dosage, Anthocyanins chemistry, Biological Availability, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid, Glucosides administration & dosage, Glucosides chemistry, Male, Molecular Structure, Rats, Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Tissue Distribution, Anthocyanins metabolism, Anthocyanins pharmacokinetics, Brain metabolism, Glucosides metabolism, Glucosides pharmacokinetics, Kidney metabolism, Liver metabolism
- Abstract
Anthocyanins exert neuroprotection in various in vitro and in vivo experimental models. However, no details regarding their brain-related pharmacokinetics are so far available to support claims about their direct neuronal bioactivity as well as to design proper formulations of anthocyanin-based products. To gather this missing piece of knowledge, we intravenously administered a bolus of 668 nmol cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) in anaesthetized Wistar rats and shortly after (15 s to 20 min) we collected blood, brain, liver, kidneys and urine samples. Extracts thereof were analysed for C3G and its expected metabolites using UPLC/MS-MS. The data enabled to calculate a set of pharmacokinetics parameters. The main finding was the distinctive, rapid distribution of C3G in the brain, with an apparently constant plasma/brain ratio in the physiologically relevant plasma concentration range (19-355 nM). This is the first report that accurately determines the distribution pattern of C3G in the brain, paving the way to the rational design of future tests of neuroprotection by C3G in animal models and humans.
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Experimental determination and prediction of bilitranslocase transport activity.
- Author
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Župerl Š, Fornasaro S, Novič M, and Passamonti S
- Subjects
- Animals, Biological Transport, Active drug effects, Ceruloplasmin, Liver metabolism, Pharmaceutical Preparations metabolism, Purines metabolism, Pyrimidines metabolism, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Membrane Proteins metabolism, Models, Biological
- Abstract
The transport activity of a membrane protein, bilitranslocase (T.C. # 2.A.65.1.1), which acts as a transporter of bilirubin from blood to liver cells, was experimentally determined for a large set of various endogenous compounds, drugs, purine and pyrimidine derivatives. On these grounds, the structure-activity models were developed following the OECD principles of QSAR models and their predictive ability for new chemicals was evaluated. The applicability domain of the models was estimated by Euclidean distances criteria according to the applied modeling method. The selection of the most influential structural variables was an important stage in the adopted modeling methodology. The interpretation of selected variables was performed in order to get an insight into the mechanism of transport through the cell membrane via bilitranslocase. Validation of the optimized models was performed by a previously determined validation set. The classification model was build to separate active from inactive compounds. The resulting accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.73, 0.89, and 0.64, respectively. Only active compounds were used to develop a predictive model for bilitranslocase inhibition constants. The model showed good predictive ability; Root Mean Squared error of the validation set, RMS(V)=0.29 log units., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
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