1,721,007 research outputs found
Light scattering as an easy tool to measure vesicles weight concentration
Full text linkOver the last few decades, liposomes have emerged as promising drug delivery systems and effective membrane models for studying biophysical and biological processes. For all applications, knowing their concentration after preparation is crucial. Thus, the development of methods for easily controlling vesicles concentration would be of great utility. A new assay is presented here, based on a suitable analysis of light scattering intensity from liposome dispersions. The method, tested for extrusion preparations, is precise, easy, fast, non-destructive and uses a tiny amount of sample. Furthermore, the scattering intensity can be measured indifferently at different angles, or even by using the elastic band obtained from a standard spectrofluorimeter. To validate the method, the measured concentrations of vesicles of different matrix compositions and sizes, measured by light scattering with different angles and instruments, were compared to the data obtained by the standard Stewart assay. Consistent results were obtained. The light scattering assay is based on the assessment of the mass fraction lost in the preparation, and can be applied for methods such as extrusion, homogenization, French press and other microfluidic procedures
Green next-generation excipients enriched in polyphenols from recovery of grape processing waste black bentonite: Influence of unconventional extraction solvents on antioxidant properties and composition
Full text linkAccording to the UN Agenda 2030, several actions could be taken to act synergistically towards various areas of critical importance for both the humanity and the planet. Among them, the application of a circular economy model based on the valorisation of the wastes from the local resources could be a virtuous attitude. In this view, this work proposes a dual green approach for recovery of the waste black bentonite from the fining of organic white grape must. Indeed, this virtuous recovery idea is enhanced by the choice of both eco-friendly extraction method (maceration) and solvents. The latter were unconventional solvents selected among the pharmaceutic/cosmetic liquid hydrophilic excipients (waste-to-market approach) characterized by safety and high solvent power toward polyphenols. PEGs (200, 400, 600), Propylene Glycol and Glycerol
were tested and the extracted compared by HPLC-DAD analyses as well as the Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH and Bradford assays. PEG200 emerged as the best one, leading to coloured extract containing great amount of polyphenols (3.123 ± 0.106 mg/g) and specifically Quercetin (60.778 ± 2.307 μg/mL), which confer it interesting scavenger properties, potentially making it directly useful in a wide range of fields from the pharmaceutic to the cosmetic ones
Produttività, stabilità ed affidabilità produttiva di nuove varietà di orzo in un ambiente tipico della cerealicoltura siciliana
No full textValutazione produttive e qualitative di Timilie - Produttive and qualitative evaluation of timilie
No full textRiassunto:
Gli autori riportano i primi risultati produttivi e qualitativi relativi a 4 popolazioni di timilie raccolte in diversi ambienti pedoclimatici della Sicilia occidentale. Attraverso uno schema sperimentale non ripetuto sono state valutate 720 accessioni ed è emersa una elevata variabilità tra e intra popolazioni. Dalle analisi qualitative delle accessioni collezionate sono emerse peculiari caratteristiche qualitative della granella che ne fanno intravedere l’uso sia per la produzione di prodotti tipici sia per il trasferimento in varietà ampiamente diffuse e coltivate.
Abstract:
Productive and qualitative results on four “timilia” population from different West Sicilian pedoclimatic environment are reported. Using a non repeated experimental scheme 720 wild races were evaluated showing an tra and intra populations high variability. Grain qualitative characteristics were specific for each population and suitable for typical product production and breeding with widely diffuse and cultivated specie
Hybrid Nanocomposite Mini-Tablet to Be Applied into the Post-Extraction Socket: Matching the Potentialities of Resveratrol-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles and Hydroxyapatite to Promote Alveolar Wound Healing
Full text linkBackground/Objectives: Following tooth extraction, resveratrol (RSV) can support healing by reducing inflammation and microbial risks, though its poor solubility limits its effectiveness. This study aims to develop a solid nanocomposite by embedding RSV in lipid nanoparticles (mLNP) within a hydrophilic matrix, to the scope of improving local delivery and enhancing healing. Hydroxyapatite (HXA), often used as a bone substitute, was added to prevent post-extraction alveolus volume reduction. Methods: The mLNP-RSV dispersion was mixed with seven different polymers in various mLNP/polymer ratios. Following freeze-drying, the powders were redispersed, and the resulting dispersions were tested by DLS experiments. Then, the best two nanocomposites underwent extensive characterization by SEM, XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and thermal analysis as well as in vitro partitioning studies aimed at verifying their ability to yield the mLNP-RSV from the hydrophilic matrix to a lipophilic tissue. The characterizations led to identify the best nanocomposite, which was further combined with HXA to obtain hybrid nanocomposites, further evaluated as pharmaceutical powders or in form of mini-tablets. Results: PEG-based nanocomposites emerged as optimal and, following HXA insertion, the resulting powders revealed adequate bulk properties, making them useful as a pharmaceutical intermediate to produce approximate to 59 mm3 mini-tablets, compliant with the post-extraction socket. Moreover, they were proven ex vivo to be able to promote RSV and GA accumulation into the buccal tissue over time. Conclusions: The here-proposed mini-tablet offers an innovative therapeutic approach for alveolar wound healing promotion as they led to a standardized dose administration, while being handy and stable in terms of physical solid identity as long as it takes to suture the wound
Microfibrillar polymeric ocular inserts for triamcinolone acetonide delivery
No full textDespite eye drops generally represent the most convenient, simple and patient-friendly formulations to treat ocular diseases, they suffer from poor retention on the ocular surface and low drug bioavailability leading to the necessity of prolonged and continuous treatment over time. Therefore, ocular insert could represent an innovative way to benefit from ocular topical administration while minimizing all the relevant limitation related to this route of administration. Polymeric non-erodible mucoadhesive ocular inserts should be comfortable and should rapidly adhere on the ocular surface, remain in situ for prolonged period, assure a reproducible and controlled drug release as well as act as transcorneal absorption promoters. In this study, a well-known aliphatic polyester, poly(1,4-butylene succinate) (PBS), was used as starting material to produce hydrophobic microfibrillar scaffolds by means of electrospinning technique. Plasma-assisted chemical surface functionalization of the PBS scaffolds with appropriate biopolymers (inulin, alpha,beta-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-D,L-aspartamide, heparin) was carried out to confer to the final ocular inserts ad hoc properties as wettability, mucoadhesion and cyto-compatibility on human corneal epithelial cells, by improving surface hydrophilicity without modifying the bulk properties of the material. The lipophilic drug triamcinolone acetonide was loaded into the obtained ocular insert and release studies were carried out to demonstrate the ability of drug loaded inserts to release the active until 30 days
Efficacy and limitations of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines - A systematic review
Full text linkThe emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide led to the call for the development of effective and safe vaccines to contain the spread and effects of COVID-19. Using information from 40 publications, including clinical trials and observational studies from 2019 to 2024, this review assesses the effectiveness, safety, and limitations of four major vaccines: Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV), Moderna (mRNA-1273), Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2), and CoronaVac. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna's mRNA vaccines proved to be more effective than others; Moderna's vaccines showed an efficacy of 94.1 % against symptomatic infection, while PfizerBioNTech's vaccines showed an efficacy of up to 95 %, against severe diseases and hospitalization. These vaccinations, which included protection against Omicron and Delta variants, offered notable protection against serious illness, hospitalization, and mortality. Severe adverse events were rare while most adverse events were mild to moderate, such as headaches, fatigue, and localized reactions. In contrast, inactivated virus vaccines such as Sinopharm and CoronaVac with efficacies ranging from 50 to 79 % against symptomatic infection showed lower levels of effectiveness. In Phase 3 trial, Sinopharm showed 72.8 % efficacy, whereas CoronaVac demonstrated roughly 67 % efficacy in population against hospitalization and severe disease. Booster doses were required for adequate immunological response, especially against novel strains, as these vaccinations proved to be less effective in older populations. They showed considerable safety profiles, with mild side effects, but their low immunogenicity is concerning. This review emphasizes the importance of continuously evaluating vaccines in response to the evolving virus, essential for improving international immunization programs
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