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Engineered Whey Protein Nanoparticles for Intracellular Drug Delivery
No full textProtein-based nanoparticles, composed of water-soluble proteins, represent a promising platform for reducing side effects during drug delivery. They enhance the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of hydrophobic therapeutic agents while maintaining high biocompatibility and biodegradability in vivo. These nanoparticles are nontoxic and capable of encapsulating both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, making them highly versatile. In this study, we explored the potential of whey proteins derived from bovine milk to engineer nanoparticles for efficient drug delivery. Whey proteins, traditionally regarded as waste byproducts of cheese production, have recently gained attention for their potential in drug encapsulation, thanks to their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. We synthesized two types of nanoparticles based on a previously engineered whey protein, named Matrix and Core–shell. Following their characterization, we investigated their effects on cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and cell proliferation, using a curcumin extract with known anticancer properties as a model drug. The study demonstrated that whey protein nanoparticles are highly efficient in drug encapsulation, with both types of nanoparticles exhibiting efficient cellular uptake and enhanced cytotoxicity at higher concentrations in tumor cells compared to healthy cells. These results confirm the potential of whey protein nanoparticles as a platform for targeted drug delivery, particularly in cancer therapy. Overall, this research underscores the promise of whey protein-based nanoparticles as an innovative, sustainable, and effective approach to advancing targeted cancer therapy
Seas of Renewal: Turning Sea Urchin Waste into Polyhydroxynaphtoquinone-Collagen Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine
Get PDF: Chronic wounds and skin ulcers pose significant challenges to healthcare systems globally, necessitating innovative approaches to accelerate healing processes. Biomaterial-based therapies have emerged as promising solutions for tissue regeneration. This study focuses on valorization of sea urchin waste toward the development and characterization of collagen-based scaffolds added with polyhydroxynaphthoquinone (PHNQ) antioxidants, successfully incorporated into biomaterials at optimal ratio, enhancing scaffold stability and integrity. Water uptake, mechanical properties, and degradation kinetics of the composite scaffolds were evaluated and compared with controls. Biocomposites were also tested for cytotoxicity. Results indicate that composite scaffolds exhibit superior chemical stability and slower degradation rates, attributed to strong interactions between collagen and PHNQs. This aspect was explored also through in silico investigations by means of tight binding molecular dynamics methods. It has been found that a covalent bond forms between the selected collagen representative and one PHNQ. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of PHNQs was retained in the composite scaffolds, providing additional therapeutic benefits under the perspective application of regenerative medicine. Normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) exposed to the combination of collagen and PHNQs remained viable. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of sea urchin food waste in a valorization chain, offering added value through the production of collagen-based composite scaffolds
The Capital Structure of Microfinance Borrowers: A Dynamic Market Segmentation Analysis
Get PDFThis paper studies the capital structure of businesses supported by microcredit based on the pecking order theory (POT) using dynamic market segmentation. It analyses secondary data on the Crediamigo program. Then it estimates latent class Markov models to perform a dynamic segmentation of the customers. The analyses indicate that the structure of the business capital based on microcredit is in line with POT's principles due to prioritizing equity capital when contracting loans. Furthermore, the higher the profit, the lower the debt. Distinct segments of clients show different capital structures. Probabilities of moving across these segments over time also estimated. This study highlights practical implications for microfinance institutions based on the beneficiaries' varying indebtedness conditions and demonstrates the impacts of indebtedness on both the business and the family. Moreover, it reveals new empirical evidence regarding formal and informal business capital structure supported by microcredit programs and identifies the pattern of these structures and their likelihood of transition across different economic conditions
Determination of κ-casein B in bovine milk through HPLC and ELISA techniques
No full textAmong milk casein fractions, κ-casein (κ-CN) plays a central role in cheese making process since it is the target compound of rennet. The κ-CN exists in different genetic variants, with κ-CN B being the most reactive toward coagulant activity, thus leading to greater cheese making efficiency and improved cheese quality. Therefore, there is great interest in the application of analytical techniques which are able to quantify κ-CN B. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the reference analytical method for both qualitative and quantitative determination of κ-CN variants, being characterized by high sensitivity and accuracy but also by high labor demand and analytical costs. On the other hand, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is an alternative technique for fast and cheap quantification of κ-CN B. On this background, the aim of this study was to gauge the agreement between HPLC and ELISA techniques for the quantification of κ-CN B in bovine milk. Individual milk samples (n = 975) of Italian Brown Swiss cows were collected during evening milking in 50 herds located in the north-central area of Italy. Samples were analyzed through reverse phase HPLC to identify and quantify κ-CN B. The same samples were analyzed through ELISA commercial kit for the quantification of κ-CN B. The agreement between the two meth-ods was estimated through Pearson’s correlation coefficients and z-score (z). According to the latter indicator, results from 2 experimental conditions may be considered equal when |z| ≤ 2, similar when 2 3. Chromatographic analyses highlighted that 68% and 4% of the cows were homozygous for the allele of κ-CN B (genotype BB) and κ-CN A (genotype AA), respectively. The remaining 28% of the cows were heterozygous (genotype AB). Pearson’s correlation coefficients (z-scores) calculated for concentrations of κ-CN B measured through HPLC and ELISA techniques were 0.88 (0.29) when considering BB and AB genotypes together, 0.60 (0.59) when considering only BB genotypes, and 0.40 (4.11) when considering only AB genotypes. Results indicate that ELI-SA is consistent with HPLC technique when κ-CN B is represented in relatively great concen-trations (i.e. when including BB genotypes). Poor agreement was observed for milk samples with low concentrations of κ-CN B (i.e. AB genotypes)
Comparison of Non-Surgical Methods for Implant Surface Treatment in Simulated Bone Resorption Patterns: An In Vitro Study
No full text: Background: Peri-implantitis is the leading cause of implant failure, with a reported prevalence of 22-45%. Effective removal of bacterial biofilm from the implant surface is critical to non-surgical therapy. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of different implant surface cleaning methods across various bone defect configurations, considering operator experience. Methods: Thirty-six dental implants were coated to simulate biofilm, mounted in resin blocks with bone defects of varying geometries, and covered with silicone to simulate soft tissue. Three operators with differing levels of experience treated the implant surfaces using four instruments: a titanium curette (TiCu), ultrasonic scaler (US), titanium brush (TiBr), and air abrasion with erythritol (AirPo). Each combination was tested in triplicate. Implants were photographed and analyzed with dedicated software to quantify cleaning efficacy. Results: The expert dentist achieved the highest average cleaning efficacy (36.6%). The most effective tools were the titanium brush (37.2%) and ultrasonic scaler (35.0%), followed by the titanium curette (28.1%) and air-abrasion (22.9%). The first two instruments were the least operator-dependent. Among the defect types, the 60° defect was the easiest to clean. Complete implant surface decontamination was not achieved in any scenario. Conclusions: Ultrasonic scalers and titanium brushes demonstrated the highest and most consistent cleaning efficacy, independent of operator skill level. Sixty-degree defects were the most amenable to cleaning. These findings underscore the need to tailor decontamination approaches based on defect geometry and to consider combining non-surgical methods with adjunctive or surgical interventions, which may ultimately enhance clinical decision-making and improve treatment outcomes
Atmospheric pressure plasma jet polymerization of silicon-based coatings for the protection of glass from atmospheric alteration
No full textUse of mulberry leaf meal in fattening diets for rabbits: a comprehensive approach from animals to consumers
Get PDFMulberry leaf meal (MLM) may act as a promising, alternative feed ingredient for rabbit farming, due to its good nutrient digestibility and high fibre content. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of the inclusion of MLM in the fattening diet of rabbits on their productive performance, caecal microbiota, genotoxicity, and meat quality and consumer acceptance. A total of 480 crossbred rabbits weaned at 45 days of age were allotted to two dietary treatments (30 replicate cages/treatment, 8 rabbits/cage). During the post-weaning phase (45–63 days of age), both groups were fed the same commercial feed; during the fattening phase (64–88 days of age), two isonitrogenous, isolipidic and isoenergetic diets were fed: (1) control diet (C) and (2) MLM diet (10% MLM). During fattening, the MLM rabbits displayed higher daily feed intake (DFI) and feed conversion ratio than the C ones (P 0.05). The Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) yellowness and saturation indexes were lower in the MLM than in the C group (P < 0.05), and the former also showed a lower ether extract in the LTL when compared to the latter rabbits (P < 0.01). The proportion of the majority of fatty acids did not differ according to the diets. Only stearic and α-linolenic acids rates were lower and higher, respectively, in the thighs of MLM-fed rabbits (P < 0.05). At the consumer test, the MLM meat was penalised for being “too dry” and “too bland” in flavour when compared to the C meat. In conclusion, dietary MLM inclusion in the fattening phase may impair the feed conversion of rabbits, without impairing their final weight, carcass traits, caecal microbiota, and genome stability. Paler, leaner, and α-linolenic-enriched meat can also be obtained, which however may be potentially perceived by consumers as less juicy and flavoured when compared to conventional meat
Stan Brankhage: il foto cinema a verso libero tra nascita, morte, sesso e ricerca di Dio
No full textIl saggio si interessa dell'opera del regista americano sperimentale James Stan Brakhage tra i più influenti autori del New American Cinema, nonché dell'avanguardia statunitense tout court. Lo scritto è accompagnato da fotogrammi che mostrano l'eccezionalità di un'opera a sé stante realizzata su principi teorici e filosofici che vanno dal pensiero di Thomas Ernest Hulme a Ezra Pound, padri delle nozioni di Image e Vortex (corrispettive dell'Imagismo e del Vorticismo). I due intellettuali hanno ispirato il regista fino a rendere il suo cinema un "linguaggio di esplorazione" che abbraccia risvolti politici e di impegno sociale in controtendenza al periodo suo contemporaneo
High-Pressure States of the Au25 Cluster
No full textIn the present work, the effects of pressure on the electronic, vibrational, and structural properties of neutral and negatively charged Au25(SR)18 clusters are investigated up to 15 GPa combining UV-vis absorption and Raman spectroscopy. We show that Au25(SR)18 clusters undergo three structural transitions in the 0-15 GPa range located at around 0.8, 6, and 11 GPa. Results indicate that these phase transitions are intrinsic to the M25(SR)18 structure and independent of the pressurization conditions, type of ligand, and charge state. The reported Raman measurements show that vibrational spectroscopy is a powerful tool for structural tracking of atomically precise metal nanoclusters under the application of pressure