Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ji Ji, Guang Chen, Zitong Liu, Lili Li, Jiugang Yuan, Ping Wang, Bo Xu, Xuerong Fan
Summary: In this study, a PEGylated keratin porous scaffold was prepared using thiol-ene click reaction, showing good mechanical properties and cytocompatibility, with the content of SA affecting pore formation. PEGylation improved the structural and acid-base stability of the scaffold, making it promising for tissue materials.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART B-APPLIED BIOMATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xinyao Liu, Renjie Fang, Rui Feng, Qiaosheng Li, Mingqin Su, Chenglin Hou, Kaiwen Zhuang, Yaling Dai, Nian Lei, Yunbo Jiang, Yuzhou Liu, Yuping Ran
Summary: Infections caused by drug-resistant fungi are a major threat to human health. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has shown potential in fighting fungal infections. This study presents a new strategy to prepare powerful photosensitizers (PSs) for efficient aPDT by introducing a porous cage compound. The modified PS exhibited significantly higher anti-fungal efficiency against drug-resistant fungi, making it a promising antifungal agent.
DRUG RESISTANCE UPDATES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Sahil Goyal, Marius Dotter, Elise Diestelhorst, Jan Lukas Storck, Andrea Ehrmann, Boris Mahltig
Summary: This paper reports on a sustainable extraction method for keratin from wool fiber materials and investigates its applications in polymer film preparation and preparation of nano-composite materials. The study shows that the combination of extracted keratin with different biopolymers can generate materials with antibacterial properties.
JOURNAL OF ENGINEERED FIBERS AND FABRICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carlo Bergonzi, Annalisa Bianchera, Giulia Remaggi, Maria Cristina Ossiprandi, Francesca Zimetti, Cinzia Marchi, Franco Bernini, Ruggero Bettini, Lisa Elviri
Summary: The study developed a novel scaffold material using chitosan and alpha-tocopherol, with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Various experiments demonstrated the material's stability, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial efficacy, making it suitable for treating chronically infected wounds.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jana Branisa, Angela Kleinova, Klaudia Jomova, Robert Weissabel, Marcel Cvik, Zuzana Branisova, Maria Porubska
Summary: The study examined the effect of humidity on sheep wool irradiated by an accelerated electron beam. Results showed that wool sorptivity was significantly dependent on humidity, with 53% RH demonstrating the best Co(II) sorptivity. Excessive humidity and high dose of radiation led to decreased sorptivity due to radiolysis of water.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jin Zhu, Ning Ma, Shuo Li, Liang Zhang, Xiaoling Tong, Yanyan Shao, Chao Shen, Yeye Wen, Muqiang Jian, Yuanlong Shao, Jin Zhang
Summary: In this study, a continuous wet-spinning strategy is proposed to rebuild wool keratin into compact regenerated bio-fibers with improved strength. By introducing dithiothreitol (DTT) to renovate disulfide linkage inside keratin polypeptide chains, a continuous backbone is formed as mechanical support. The wet-spinning technical parameters have been optimized to ensure the continuous preparation of high-strength regenerated keratin fibers.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Yankuan Tian, Qinting Wu, Fang Li, Yuhang Zhou, Di Huang, Ruijuan Xie, Xiaoqin Wang, Zhaozhu Zheng, Gang Li
Summary: The study prepared a porous SF/WK composite scaffold with good biocompatibility and mechanical properties for cartilage tissue engineering, showing potential in this field.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinyue Zhang, Yani Guo, Wenjun Li, Jinyuan Zhang, Hailiang Wu, Ningtao Mao, Hui Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrated the fabrication of wool keratin modified magnetite powders for efficient removal of Cu2+ ions from aqueous solutions with high adsorption performance and easy regeneration. It provided a feasible approach to utilize waste wool textiles for preparing magnetic biomass-based adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Feng Sang, Xiao Yang, Jiahui Hao, Yuzhen Wang, Xiaoqin Si, Xujian Li, Luqi Pan, Zhaipu Ma, Changcan Shi
Summary: A composite shape memory sponge, WK/ZIF-8, consisting of wool keratin and ZIF-8 nanoparticles, has been developed. The sponge exhibits superior hemostatic performance and antibacterial efficacy, making it a promising solution for rapid bleeding control and wound healing.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Dongqian He, Liyao Chen, Fang Luo, Huitong Zhou, Junkui Wang, Qian Zhang, Tongtong Lu, Shaofei Wu, Jon G. H. Hickford, Jinzhong Tao
Summary: Proteins in wool can be phosphorylated, with differences in phosphorylation of keratins and keratin-associated proteins potentially affecting wool fiber crimping. This suggests that wool traits may be under epigenetic control and that post-translational modifications need to be considered in breeding for different wool types.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Dagmara J. Trojanowska, Giulia Suarato, Clarissa Braccia, Andrea Armirotti, Fabrizio Fiorentini, Athanassia Athanassiou, Giovanni Perotto
Summary: In this study, keratin particles were produced via isoelectric precipitation and found to contain the amino acid sequence LDV, which can promote cell adhesion and growth orientation. Microcontact printing was used to facilitate the adhesion and growth of dermal fibroblast cells on the keratin particles.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Zhe Jiang, Ning Zhang, Qiang Wang, Ping Wang, Yuanyuan Yu, Man Zhou, Ende Li
Summary: This study successfully regenerated wool keratin using thiourea dioxide, retaining the protein macromolecule backbone despite a slight decrease in crystallinity degree and alpha-helix structure. SDS-PAGE results demonstrated an increase in low molecular weight keratin during the process.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maria Rita Caruso, Giuseppe Cavallaro, Stefana Milioto, Giuseppe Lazzara
Summary: In this study, a coating protocol using an aqueous dispersion containing Keratin (K) and Halloysite nanotubes (Hal) was investigated for wool thread. The surface characteristics of wool were analyzed using colorimetric analysis and optical microscopy, while the distribution of halloysite nanotubes in the wool fibers was examined using scanning electron microscope. The consolidation and protection effect of Hal/K mixtures on treated wool thread samples was evaluated through UV-irradiation and mechanical analysis. The results indicated that the proposed protocol has the potential to generate a reinforcing coating layer onto wool-based yarn and provide protection from UV exposure with minimal impact on the aesthetic aspects of the samples.
APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jie Yang, Huan Wang, Yuhang Zhou, Lirong Duan, Karl H. Schneider, Zhaozhu Zheng, Fengxuan Han, Xiaoqin Wang, Gang Li
Summary: The present study introduces a silk microfiber reinforced meniscus scaffold (SMRMS) made from silk fibroin (SF) and wool keratin (WK) using electrospinning and freeze-drying technology. The scaffold exhibits a hierarchical fibrous and porous structure with varying pore sizes. It possesses robust mechanical properties, stable biodegradability, and shows no cytotoxicity, making it a promising candidate for meniscal repair engineering.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sofia Municoy, Pablo Edmundo Antezana, Martin Gonzalo Bellino, Martin Federico Desimone
Summary: UV irradiation method was used to in situ synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) within 3D-printed collagen-based scaffolds. The size and shape of AgNPs were controlled by modifying the concentration of AgNO3 and UV irradiation time. The results showed that AgNPs stabilized the scaffolds and improved the swelling capacity of collagen, and exhibited high bactericidal efficiency against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
Correction
Chemistry, Medicinal
Antonino Nicoloo Fallica, Carla Barbaraci, Emanuele Amata, Lorella Pasquinucci, Rita Turnaturi, Maria Dichiara, Sebastiano Intagliata, Marzia Bruna Gariboldi, Emanuela Marras, Viviana Teresa Orlandi, Claudia Ferroni, Cecilia Martini, Antonio Rescifina, Davide Gentile, Greta Varchi, Agostino Marrazzo
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miryam Chiara Malacarne, Marzia Bruna Gariboldi, Enrico Caruso
Summary: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has seen significant development in the past 30 years. Researchers have shown particular interest in the BODIPY family of photosensitizers, and have made structural modifications to improve its effectiveness.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Marco Ballestri, Emanuela Marras, Enrico Caruso, Fabrizio Bolognese, Miryam Chiara Malacarne, Elisa Martella, Matilde Tubertini, Marzia Bruna Gariboldi, Greta Varchi
Summary: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive and highly selective technique for treating solid tumors and other malignancies. This study demonstrates that BODIPYs photosensitizers loaded onto polymethyl methacrylate nanoparticles can effectively reduce tumor cell viability and lower their migratory ability. These findings suggest that this approach has the potential to reduce the risk of metastatic tumors.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marzia Bruna Gariboldi, Emanuela Marras, Nicole Ferrario, Veronica Vivona, Pamela Prini, Francesca Vignati, Gianpaolo Perletti
Summary: Edible/medicinal mushrooms have gained attention in both Asian and European countries for their health and nutritional benefits. They have been found to have various pharmacological activities, including anticancer effects on breast cancer cells. This article reviews the mushrooms that show antineoplastic activity, highlights their bioactive compounds and mechanisms of action, and discusses the relationship between dietary consumption of mushrooms and breast cancer risk as well as clinical studies on the effects of fungal extracts on breast cancer patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miryam Chiara Malacarne, Maristella Mastore, Marzia Bruna Gariboldi, Maurizio Francesco Brivio, Enrico Caruso
Summary: In photodynamic therapy (PDT), a photosensitizer excited by a specific wavelength and oxygen leads to photochemical reactions and cell damage. This article reports preliminary studies on G. mellonella larvae to evaluate the stress response induced by a porphyrin photosensitizer (TPPOH). The tests showed the impact of photosensitizer administration and irradiation on larvae's survival rate and immune system cells, and observed a maximum peak of cellular uptake at 8 hours. The results suggest G. mellonella as a promising model for preclinical photosensitizer tests.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sofia Moroni, Francesca Bischi, Annalisa Aluigi, Raffaella Campana, Mattia Tiboni, Luca Casettari
Summary: This project aimed to fabricate 3D printed intravaginal rings (IVRs) for antifungal therapy and highlight the importance of 3D printing as an alternative manufacturing tool. The IVRs showed sustained release of antifungal drugs, inhibited the growth of Candida albicans, and met the mechanical requirements for commercial devices.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Francesca Moret, Greta Varchi
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Giada Belletti, Giulia Ronconi, Valentina Mazzanti, Elena Buratti, Lorenzo Marchi, Giovanna Sotgiu, Matteo Calosi, Francesco Mollica, Monica Bertoldo
Summary: This study reports the preparation and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends of different compositions. Films of PLA and its blends with PVA were obtained by drying water dispersions. The morphology of the films showed a PVA-rich continuous phase, except for the 25/75 composition where an inverted phase composition was observed. Trapped air bubbles caused voids in the films and affected their thermal degradation and mechanical properties. Films with a neutral stabilizer showed improved toughness compared to commercial PLA, with properties depending on the composition and arrangement of blend phases.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Martina Evangelisti, Marco Daniele Parenti, Greta Varchi, Jorge Franco, Jochen vom Brocke, Panagiotis G. Karamertzanis, Alberto Del Rio, Ingo Bichlmaier
Summary: A new IUCLID database containing data from non-clinical animal studies and human information for 530 approved drugs has been developed. This database includes observed and no-observed effects linked to effect levels and also provides information on effects in humans. It is complemented with a specific ontology for reporting effects and aims to facilitate correlation and concordance analyses. The database and ontology have the potential to support the development of alternative non-animal approaches and analyze human relevance.
REGULATORY TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Franco Dinelli, Michele Modestino, Armando Galluzzi, Tamara Posati, Mirko Seri, Roberto Zamboni, Giovanna Sotgiu, Massimiliano Polichetti
Summary: In this paper, an investigation on HTlcs made of Mg and Fe, recently employed to improve the growth in vitro of osteoblasts within a keratin sponge, is reported. The powders were analyzed, and HTlcs dispersed in keratin and spin-coated on a Si/SiO2 substrate at different temperatures were examined. The magnetic properties of these films were characterized and the local magnetic properties were mapped with a micrometric resolution.
Article
Cell Biology
Katia De Marco, Martina Lepore Signorile, Elisabetta Di Nicola, Paola Sanese, Candida Fasano, Giovanna Forte, Vittoria Disciglio, Antonino Pantaleo, Greta Varchi, Alberto Del Rio, Valentina Grossi, Cristiano Simone
Summary: Gastric cancer is the third most deadly cancer worldwide. This study identifies SMYD3 as a molecular partner of MET in gastric cancer cells and suggests that inhibiting SMYD3 could affect the HGF/MET signaling pathway. The research also demonstrates that combining SMYD3 inhibitors with MET inhibitors enhances the targeting of the HGF/MET pathway, providing a promising therapeutic target for gastric cancer treatment.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Elisa Martella, Barbara Dozza, Claudia Ferroni, Chiara Bellotti, Clement Osuru Obeyok, Matilde Tubertini, Andrea Guerrini, Marco Ballestri, Marta Columbaro, Ilse Manet, Marco Gambarotti, Lucia Martini, Milena Fini, Luca Cevolani, Davide Maria Donati, Enrico Lucarelli, Greta Varchi, Serena Duchi
Summary: This study evaluates the efficacy of chemo-releasing and photoactive bimodal nanoparticles, kPCe6 NPs, delivered via mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). In vitro analyses demonstrated that cells internalize and retain kPCe6 NPs in a dose-dependent manner, and kPCe6-loaded cells induce massive tumor cell death in a tridimensional tumor model. However, when peritumoral administration of two doses containing 10(6) loaded cells was performed in an in vivo OS murine model, there was negligible tumor cell death.
ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Elisabetta Gabano, Marzia Bruna Gariboldi, Emanuela Marras, Francesca Barbato, Mauro Ravera
Summary: The complex [PtCl2(cyclohexane-1R,2R-diamine)] was combined with two different bioactive molecules to obtain multiaction antiproliferative agents. Microwave-assisted heating was used to speed up their preparation. The synthesized complexes showed significant antiproliferative activity, pro-apoptotic and pro-necrotic effects, cell cycle alterations, downregulation of histone deacetylase activity, and antimigratory activity.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Martina Lepore Signorile, Paola Sanese, Elisabetta Di Nicola, Candida Fasano, Giovanna Forte, Katia De Marco, Vittoria Disciglio, Marialaura Latrofa, Antonino Pantaleo, Greta Varchi, Alberto Del Rio, Valentina Grossi, Cristiano Simone
Summary: Our study reveals the crucial role of SMYD3 in DNA damage response, where it acts as a bridge between the AMPK and mTOR pathways. We found SMYD3 to be part of a multiprotein complex that includes AMPK and mTOR, and it plays a central role in modulating the AMPK-mTOR signaling balance during the cellular response to DNA double-strand breaks.