Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Doretta Capsoni, Paola Lucini, Debora Maria Conti, Michela Bianchi, Federica Maraschi, Beatrice De Felice, Giovanna Bruni, Maryam Abdolrahimi, Davide Peddis, Marco Parolini, Silvia Pisani, Michela Sturini
Summary: This study aimed to decorate halloysite nanotubes (HNT) with magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles using different synthetic routes and to test their efficiency in removing the antibiotic ofloxacin (OFL) from water. The results showed that the magnetic composites were successfully obtained and had different adsorption capacities for OFL. The three HNT/Fe3O4 composites were able to remove OFL from water under realistic conditions, and no acute toxicity was observed on freshwater organisms. The sample prepared by co-precipitation was found to be the most performant in terms of magnetic separation, stability, and cost-effectiveness.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marco Mantovani, Elena Collina, Marina Lasagni, Francesca Marazzi, Valeria Mezzanotte
Summary: The study investigated the production of microalgal-based iron nanoparticles (ME-nFe) from microalgae grown in wastewater treatment plants to improve the removal of heavy metals from the treated effluent. It found that ME-nFe had high sorbent power and effectively removed copper, zinc, cadmium, and nickel, but had limited removal efficiency for total chromium.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Doretta Capsoni, Giulia Guerra, Constantin Puscalau, Federica Maraschi, Giovanna Bruni, Francesco Monteforte, Antonella Profumo, Michela Sturini
Summary: Two different zinc-based metal-organic frameworks, ZIF-8 and Zn-3(BTC)(2), were studied for removing the fluoroquinolone antibiotic Ofloxacin (OFL) from polluted water. The results showed that ZIF-8 had higher adsorption capacity but limited reusability, while Zn-3(BTC)(2) exhibited cooperative adsorption and lower removal efficiency. These materials have potential for water depollution applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiulan Weng, Wanling Cai, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: Efficient removal methods for fluoroquinolone antibiotics are urgently needed due to their significant global ecosystem disturbances. In this study, calcined magnetic iron nanoparticles were successfully used to remove ofloxacin and pefloxacin from aqueous solution with a high adsorption efficiency of 100%. The adsorption mechanisms may involve pore-filling, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interaction.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liting Wang, Liwen Zhang, Baogen Feng, Xiuyi Hua, Yanchun Li, Wenming Zhang, Zhiyong Guo
Summary: This study investigates the sorption mechanism of fluoroquinolone antibiotics on iron (hydr)oxides using a combination of experimental and computational methods. The findings reveal that the presence of fluorinated substituents enhances the sorption of the antibiotics and significantly affects their environmental behaviors.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Khalida Naseem, Asad Aziz, Aneela Anwar, Ayesha Ameen, Muhammad Faizan Nazar, Sajjad Haider, Muhammad Saeed Akhtar
Summary: Bioinorganic silver nanoparticles were successfully prepared using the leaf extract of Epiphyllum oxypetalum as a reducing and capping agent, and exhibited catalytic potential in reduction reactions and dye treatment.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Artur J. M. Valente, Domenico Pirozzi, Alessia Cinquegrana, Gianluca Utzeri, Dina Murtinho, Filomena Sannino
Summary: Two cyclodextrin-based nanosponges were synthesized and used as adsorbents to remove 2,4-D from aqueous solutions. The longer chain length of the linker resulted in a more compact structure and higher thermal stability for the nanosponges. The adsorption of 2,4-D was influenced by pH and the length of the crosslinker, with better adsorption at lower pH values and shorter chain crosslinked nanosponges. The maximum adsorption capacity was 20,903 mmol/kg. Additionally, an environmentally friendly strategy using alkali desorption was developed for the recycling and reuse of the adsorbents.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yutong Zhang, Anyu Li, Lihu Liu, Xianjie Duan, Wenzhan Ge, Chengshuai Liu, Guohong Qiu
Summary: Metal oxide-modified biochar is effective for remediation and adsorption of heavy metals in polluted soil and wastewater. This study investigated the interaction between cellulose and hemicellulose with metal oxides on the surface of biochar/biomass, as well as the loading stability, adsorption capacity, and mechanism of metal oxides. The findings suggest that the use of weakly crystalline birnessite rice husk biomass composites (MBC) can immobilize heavy metals in cadmium-polluted soil and wastewater through monolayer chemisorption, achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 115.04 mg g-1 and reducing Cd concentration by up to 62.5%.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eliasu Issaka, Funmilayo Omotoyosi Fapohunda, Jesse Nii Okai Amu-Darko, Linda Yeboah, Salome Yakubu, Sunita Varjani, Nisar Ali, Muhammad Bilal
Summary: Pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, pesticides, and dyes are major environmental contaminants that have significant impacts on land and aquatic ecosystems. Biochar and biochar-based composites offer a reliable and sustainable approach to mitigating a wide range of toxic organic and inorganic pollutants from contaminated environments. The effectiveness of biochars in remediating pollutants is attributed to their large surface area, surface functional groups, pore size distribution, and high sorption capability in water and soil. Factors such as application conditions, biochar feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, and precursor materials influence the capacity and functionality of biochar in adsorbing pollutants. This paper provides an overview of current strategies, operational conditions, and performance of biochar and its composites in remediating agrochemical and heavy metal pollution in soil and water environments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Camille Beaulier, Marie Dannay, Fabienne Devime, Adrien Galeone, Celia Baggio, Nabila El Sakkout, Camille Raillon, Olivier Courson, Jacques Bourguignon, Claude Alban, Stephane Ravanel
Summary: Uranium contamination poses a significant threat to the environment and human health. This study discovered a green microalga species called Coelastrella that is able to tolerate and accumulate uranium, and has an efficient uranium exclusion mechanism. The findings provide new insights for the bioremediation of uranium-contaminated environments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
I Janeiro-Tato, D. Baragano, M. A. Lopez-Anton, E. Rodriguez, A. Pelaez, R. Garcia, J. R. Gallego
Summary: In this study, a carbon foam impregnated with goethite nanoneedles was developed to remediate metal and metalloid-polluted soils. The results showed that this nanocomposite significantly reduced the mobility of metals, effectively immobilizing the pollutants, and had no significant effect on soil toxicity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yan Deng, Shaodong Fu, Menglong Xu, Hongwei Liu, Luhua Jiang, Xueduan Liu, Huidan Jiang
Summary: In this study, the feasibility of purifying and recycling wastewater derived from microbial remediation of Cd-polluted soil was explored. The leachate contained high concentrations of Cd, N, P, and K, as well as microbial resources. Activated carbon, humic acid, and self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous supports were used as adsorbents to recycle the wastewater. The results showed that the adsorption efficiency of Cd was influenced by the co-existing cations, and the pH of the leachate significantly affected the adsorption efficiency of Cd.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joanna Augustynowicz, Ewa Sitek, Dariusz Latowski, Konrad Wolowski, Anna Kowalczyk, Rafal Przejczowski
Summary: This study analyzes a unique aquatic phytobial biocenosis that has been forming naturally for over 20 years and serves as a filter for Cr(VI)-polluted groundwater, showing its important role in bioremediation of Cr(VI) polluted water and sediment. Among the 67 species identified in the investigated reservoir, 13 species were found to be particularly useful in the bioremediation of Cr(VI) polluted water and sediment.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tao Lu, Weihua Wang, Lihu Liu, Li Wang, Jiwen Hu, Xuanzhen Li, Guohong Qiu
Summary: Combining iron and manganese oxides can effectively reduce the content of available Cd in the soil, thereby reducing Cd accumulation in wheat plants. Among them, manganese oxide has the best amendment performance.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Ankit Kumar, Stuti Kartikey Trivedi, Lakshita Phor, Jaideep Malik, Samir Bhargava, Vishakha Kaushik, Parveen Kumar, Surjeet Chahal
Summary: The rapid industrialization has caused water pollution from organic waste in textile, printing and leather industries. This study successfully synthesized Mg and Co co-doped nanoparticles and investigated their photocatalytic activity for dye degradation, showing excellent efficiency under visible light. Furthermore, the combination of sonocatalysis, H2O2, and photocatalysis resulted in a significant enhancement in the degradation efficiency of the catalyst.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Silvia Pisani, Ida Genta, Rossella Dorati, Tiziana Modena, Enrica Chiesa, Giovanna Bruni, Marco Benazzo, Bice Conti
Summary: Design of Experiment (DOE) approach is an effective method to study and predict the interactions between electrospinning parameters, and it can calculate the desired output values by establishing mathematical models. In this study, the DOE method successfully predicted the effects of polymer solution concentration, needle gauge, and spinning time on the fiber diameter and elongation percentage.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Valeria Friuli, Silvia Pisani, Bice Conti, Giovanna Bruni, Lauretta Maggi
Summary: This article discusses the challenge in the pharmaceutical sector of developing controlled release oral dosage forms for poorly soluble drugs. The researchers successfully prepared polymeric nanofibers loaded with two model drugs using the electrospinning technique. These nanofibers were then incorporated into tablet formulations, resulting in improved release performances.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dhanalakshmi Vadivel, Michela Sturini, Andrea Speltini, Daniele Dondi
Summary: Bismuth tungstate and Tetrabutylammonium decatungstate are two synthesized tungsten catalysts of interest. Bismuth tungstate is used as a photo-catalyst for the degradation of ofloxacin antibiotic under simulated solar light. Tetrabutylammonium decatungstate is used as a catalyst for hydrogen production from glucose and 2-propanol in aqueous solution.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nora Bloise, Erik Waldorff, Giulia Montagna, Giovanna Bruni, Lorenzo Fassina, Samuel Fang, Nianli Zhang, Jiechao Jiang, James T. Ryaby, Livia Visai
Summary: This study investigates the in vitro biological reactivity of human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to micro- and nanotopographies on 3D-printed PEEK titanium composite endplates. The acid-etching process modifies the surface roughness and creates structures that support cell viability and osteogenic marker expression. The topography of the endplates influences the expression of osteogenic markers. Overall, the acid-etching process of the PEEK titanium composite endplates has potential clinical benefits for osteogenic differentiation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Giovanna Bruni, Doretta Capsoni, Chiara Milanese, Andrea Cardini
Summary: It is crucial to check for the presence of the desired polymorph in pharmaceutical products to ensure their efficacy and safety. Different polymorphic impurities may compromise the product's stability and properties.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Andrea Speltini, Francesca Merlo, Federica Maraschi, Petra Bianchini, Alessia Mandri, Antonella Profumo
Summary: An analytical method using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by HPLC-MS/MS analysis was developed for the determination of multiple steroid hormones in compost. The method showed good performance in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, matrix effect, trueness, precision, carry-over, and robustness. It was successfully applied to the analysis of various compost samples, demonstrating its functionality in environmental monitoring.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lauretta Maggi, Valeria Friuli, Giovanna Bruni, Alessia Rinaldi, Marcella Bini
Summary: The search for effective systems for releasing poorly bioavailable drugs is a forefront topic in the pharmaceutical market. Hybrid nanocomposites of Tenoxicam with layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and hydroxyapatite (HAP) were obtained. Physicochemical characterization confirmed the formation of hybrids, but LDH showed low drug intercalation and did not improve the pharmacokinetic properties. On the other hand, the HAP-Tenoxicam hybrid exhibited excellent improvement in wettability, solubility, and release rate, delivering the entire daily dose in about 10 minutes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lauretta Maggi, Claudia Urru, Valeria Friuli, Chiara Ferrara, Debora Maria Conti, Giovanna Bruni, Doretta Capsoni
Summary: This study synthesized new carvedilol-etched halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) composites to enhance solubility and dissolution rate. The etched HNTs and carvedilol-loaded samples were characterized, showing no structural changes. The composites displayed enhanced dissolution rate, wettability, and solubility, with the best performance obtained for the carvedilol-halloysite system based on HNTs etched with HCl 8M.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Debora Maria Conti, Cristina Fusaro, Giovanna Bruni, Pietro Galinetto, Benedetta Albini, Chiara Milanese, Vittorio Berbenni, Doretta Capsoni
Summary: ZnS-graphene composites were synthesized and loaded onto carbon nanofibers to obtain self-standing anodes for SIBs. The ZnS nanocrystals with sphalerite structure covered by graphene sheets were successfully synthesized. The self-standing anodes showed improved specific capacity at high C-rate compared to the tape-casted example.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Erika M. M. Tottoli, Laura Benedetti, Enrica Chiesa, Silvia Pisani, Giovanna Bruni, Ida Genta, Bice Conti, Gabriele Ceccarelli, Rossella Dorati
Summary: This study proposes a new electrospun dressing called Biofiber as a solution to prevent hypertrophic scar formation in complex wounds. Biofiber has excellent wetting properties and good absorbency and moisture vapor transmission rate. By controlling the release of the natural antifibrotic agent Naringin, Biofiber can demonstrate prolonged antifibrotic effects on normal human dermal fibroblasts. However, the effect on inhibiting hypertrophic scar formation is not significant.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Claudia Belviso, Paola Lucini, Maura Mancinelli, Maryam Abdolrahimi, Annalisa Martucci, Davide Peddis, Federica Maraschi, Francesco Cavalcante, Michela Sturini
Summary: Synthetic zeolites obtained from natural sources and waste material were tested for heavy metals removal. Zeolite X and sodalite synthesized from obsidian and red mud showed better adsorption capabilities compared to Zeolite A formed from treated bauxite. The adsorption mechanisms were attributed to ion exchange and precipitation, and the location of metal-ions inside the zeolite channels was determined. Different magnetic properties were also identified based on the raw materials used for synthesis.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Erika Maria Tottoli, Laura Benedetti, Federica Riva, Enrica Chiesa, Silvia Pisani, Giovanna Bruni, Ida Genta, Bice Conti, Gabriele Ceccarelli, Rossella Dorati
Summary: This study proposes a new type of dressing, Biofiber PF, loaded with Pirfenidone, for the treatment of HTSs in complex wounds. It has antifibrotic properties and promotes physiological healing by modulating the fibrotic process.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Silvia Pisani, Valeria Mauri, Erika Negrello, Valeria Friuli, Ida Genta, Rossella Dorati, Giovanna Bruni, Stefania Marconi, Ferdinando Auricchio, Andrea Pietrabissa, Marco Benazzo, Bice Conti
Summary: In this study, hybrid scaffolds were developed as a versatile platform for soft tissue regeneration. These scaffolds exhibited favorable cell adhesion and proliferation, and allowed for controlled drug release.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alessandra Costanzo, Michela Sturini, Federica Maraschi, Manuela Caprioli, Andrea Romano, Simone Vanni, Marco Parolini, Antonella Profumo, Diego Rubolini, Roberto Ambrosini, Luca Canova
Summary: Bird feathers can be used as bioindicators to assess the presence of contaminants in the environment, and the concentrations of trace elements in the feathers of barn swallow nestlings can indicate the local level of contamination. The study found differences in trace element concentrations between nestlings grown in areas amended or not amended with sewage sludge, suggesting that barn swallow nestlings can be reliable sentinels for monitoring local variation in the environmental occurrence of trace elements.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohammad Okkeh, Lorenzo De Vita, Giovanna Bruni, Lavinia Doveri, Paolo Minzioni, Elisa Restivo, Maddalena Patrini, Piersandro Pallavicini, Livia Visai
Summary: In this study, PEG-GNPs@TBO and PEG-GNSs@TBO nanoparticles were synthesized and found to have effective antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) effects, inhibiting the formation of Staphylococcus biofilms. In biofilm eradication treatments, PEG-GNSs@TBO showed better results in reducing viable counts of MRSA and S. epidermidis RP62A preformed biofilms compared to untreated samples. The aPDI treatment with PEG-GNSs@TBO caused significant changes in the integrity and morphology of biofilms, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed.
