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The rapid spreading of resistance among common bacterial pathogens towards the misused antibiotics/disinfectant agents has drawn much attention worldwide to bacterial infections. In light of this, the present work aimed at the realization of core–shell nanoparticles possessing remarkable antimicrobial properties thanks to the synergistic action of the metal core and the disinfectant shell. Copper nanoparticles stabilized by benzalkonium chloride were prepared, characterized, and implemented in poly-vinyl-methyl ketone to obtain nanoantimicrobial composite coatings. Bioactivity tests are reported, proving the excellent disinfectant properties of the proposed nanomaterials, as compared to one of the well-known and strongest silver-based nanoantimicrobials. Applications are also briefly described.

Biosystems integration into an organic field-effect transistor (OFET) structure is achieved by spin coating phospholipid or protein layers between the gate dielectric and the organic semiconductor. An architecture directly interfacing supported biological layers to the OFET channel is proposed and, strikingly, both the electronic properties and the biointerlayer functionality are fully retained. The platform bench tests involved OFETs integrating phospholipids and bacteriorhodopsin exposed to 1–5% anesthetic doses that reveal drug-induced changes in the lipid membrane. This result challenges the current anesthetic action model relying on the so far provided evidence that doses much higher than clinically relevant ones (2.4%) do not alter lipid bilayers’ structure significantly. Furthermore, a streptavidin embedding OFET shows label-free biotin electronic detection at 10 parts-per-trillion concentration level, reaching state-of-the-art fluorescent assay performances. These examples show how the proposed bioelectronic platform, besides resulting in extremely performing biosensors, can open insights into biologically relevant phenomena involving membrane weak interfacial modifications.

Comprehensive studies of the biodiversity of the microbial epilithic community on monuments may provide critical insights for clarifying factors involved in the colonization processes. We carried out a high-throughput investigation of the communities colonizing the medieval church of San Leonardo di Siponto (Italy) by Illumina-based deep sequencing. The metagenomic analysis of sequences revealed the presence of Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. Bacteria were Actinobacteria , Proteobacteria , Bacteroidetes , Cyanobacteria , Chloroflexi , Firmicutes and Candidatus Saccharibacteria. The predominant phylum was Actinobacteria , with the orders Actynomycetales and Rubrobacteriales , represented by the genera Pseudokineococcus , Sporichthya , Blastococcus , Arthrobacter , Geodermatophilus , Friedmanniella , Modestobacter , and Rubrobacter , respectively . Cyanobacteria sequences showing strong similarity with an uncultured bacterium sequence were identified. The presence of the green algae Oocystaceae and Trebuxiaceae was revealed . The microbial diversity was explored at qualitative and quantitative levels, evaluating the richness (the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs)) and the abundance of reads associated with each OTU. The rarefaction curves approached saturation, suggesting that the majority of OTUs were recovered. The results highlighted a structured community, showing low diversity, made up of extremophile organisms adapted to desiccation and UV radiation. Notably, the microbiome appeared to be composed not only of microorganisms possibly involved in biodeterioration but also of carbonatogenic bacteria, such as those belonging to the genus Arthrobacter , which could be useful in bioconservation. Our investigation demonstrated that molecular tools, and in particular the easy-to-run next-generation sequencing, are powerful to perform a microbiological diagnosis in order to plan restoration and protection strategies.

Felt-tip pens are frequently used for the realization of sketches, drawings, architectural projects, and other technical designs. The formulations of these inks are usually rather complex and may be associated to those of modern paint materials where, next to the binding medium and pigments/dyes, solvents, fillers, emulsifiers, antioxidants, plasticizers, light stabilizers, biocides, and so on are commonly added. Felt-tip pen inks are extremely sensitive to degradation and especially exposure to light may cause chromatic changes and fading. In this study, we report on the complete chemical characterization of modern felt-tip pen inks that are commercially available and commonly used for the realization of artworks. Three brands of felt-tip pens (Faber-Castell, Edding, and Stabilo) were investigated with complementary analytical techniques such as thin-layer chromatography (TLC), VIS-reflectance spectroscopy, μ-Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py–GC–MS), GC–MS, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The use of TLC proved to be very powerful in the study of complex mixtures of synthetic dyes. First derivatives of the reflectance spectra acquired on the TLC spots were useful in the preliminary identification of the dye, followed by Raman spectroscopy and SERS, which allowed for the unambiguous determination of the chemical composition of the pigments (phthalocyanines, dioxazines, and azo pigments) and dyes (azo dyes, triarylmethanes, xanthenes). FTIR spectroscopy was used especially for the detection of additives, as well as for confirming the nature of solvents and dyes/pigments. Finally, (Py–)GC–MS data provided information on the binders (styrene–acrylic resins, plant gums), solvents, and additives, as well as on pigments and dyes.

Arbutin is a plant-derived glycosylated hydroquinone with antioxidant features, exploited to combat cell damage induced by oxidative stress. The latter hinders the osseointegration of bone prostheses, leading to implant failure. Little is known about arbutin antioxidant effects on human osteoblasts, therefore, this study explores the in vitro protective role of arbutin on osteoblast-like cells (Saos-2) and periosteum-derived progenitor cells (PDPCs). Interestingly, cells exposed to oxidative stress were protected by arbutin, which preserved cell viability and differentiation. Starting from these encouraging results, an antioxidant coating loaded with arbutin was electrosynthesized on titanium. Therefore, for the first time, a polyacrylate-based system was designed to release the effective concentration of arbutin in situ. The innovative coating was characterized from the physico-chemical and morphological point of view to achieve an optimized system, which was in vitro tested with cells. Morpho-functional evaluations highlighted the high viability and good compatibility of the arbutin-loaded coating, which also promoted the expression of PDPC differentiation markers, even under oxidative stress. These results agreed with the coatings’ in vitro antioxidant activity, which showed a powerful scavenging effect against DPPH radicals. Taken together, the obtained results open intriguing opportunities for the further development of natural bioactive coatings for orthopedic titanium implants.

A stony sculptural composition of the Nativity Scene is preserved in Altamura’s Cathedral (Apulia, Italy). This commonly called Apulian “presepe”, attributed to an unknown stonemason, is composed of polychrome carbonate white stone sculptures. While earlier stratigraphic tests have unveiled a complex superimposition of painting layers—meaning that several editions of the sculptures succeeded from the 16th to 20th century—a chemical investigation intended to identify the organic binding media used in painting layers was undertaken. Drawing on current literature, two strategies were exploited: a non-invasive in situ digestion analysis and an approach based on micro-removal of painting film followed by the Bligh and Dyer extraction protocol. Both peptide and lipid mixtures were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry by electrospray ionization (RPLC-ESI-MS). Attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) examinations were also performed on micro-samples of painting films before lipids and proteins extraction. While human keratins were found to be common contaminants of the artwork’s surfaces, traces of animal collagen, siccative oils, and egg white proteins were evidenced in different sampling zones of the sculptures, thus suggesting the use of non-homogeneous painting techniques in the colored layers.

This book provides a comprehensive approach to the surface analysis of polymers of technological interest by means of modern analytical techniques. Basic principles, operative conditions, applications, performance, and limiting features are supplied, together with current advances in instrumental apparatus. Each chapter is devoted to one technique and is self-consistent; the end-of-chapter references would allow the reader a quick access to more detailed information. After an introductory chapter, techniques that can interrogate the very shallow depth of a polymer surface, spanning from the top few angstroms in secondary ions mass spectrometry to 2-10 nm in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are discussed, followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and chapters on characterization by scanning probe microscopy, electron microscopies, wettability and spectroscopic ellipsometry.

In recent years, many procedures based on surface modification have been suggested to improve the biocompatibility and biofunctionality of orthopedic titanium-based implants. In this contest, the development of a new titanium-based biomaterial that could be covalently modified with biologically active molecules (i.e., RGD-peptides, growth factors, etc.) able to improve osteoblasts response was investigated. The strategy followed was based on a preliminary coating of the implant material by an adherent thin polymer film to which bioactive molecules could be grafted exploiting the polymer surface chemical reactivity. In this work, we focused our attention on pyrrole-3-acetic acid (Py-3-acetic), a pyrrole with carboxylic acid substituent, whose electrosynthesis and characterization on titanium substrates were already accomplished and whose potentialities in the design of new biocompatible surfaces are well evident. As first step, the biocompatibility of the electrochemically grown PPy-3-acetic films was investigated performing in vitro tests (adhesion and proliferation) with mouse bone marrow cells. Successively, the availability and reactivity of surface carboxylic groups were tested through the grafting of an aminoacidic residue to PPy-3-acetic films.

Operating micro-invasive sampling when dealing with the chemical investigation of precious historical works of art is, without doubts, mandatory. Recently, scientific research in the field of Cultural Heritage has been often devoted to the development of innovative strategies for quasi non-invasive sampling on works of art to extract, for example, proteins and/or lipids composing the pictorial binders gaining extensive awareness about the materials employed by the artist. In this work, we propose a novel minimally invasive method for the sampling and characterization of protein-based painting binders. We apply a hydrophilic gel, previously functionalized with trypsin and chymotrypsin, on the artwork surface to perform an in-situ digestion of proteinaceous binders. Peptides are identified by means of a proteomic bottom-up approach combined with a high resolution/accuracy mass spectrometry technique. A wooden polychrome statue belonging to the XV century was chosen as a sample to assess the proposed protocol on a historical painting layer, as illustrated herein.

Among the several strategies aimed at polymeric coatings deposition on titanium (Ti) and its alloys, metals commonly used in orthopaedic and orthodontic prosthesis, electrochemical approaches have gained growing interest, thanks to their high versatility. In this review, we will present two main electrochemical procedures to obtain stable, low cost and reliable polymeric coatings: electrochemical polymerization and electrophoretic deposition. Distinction should be made between bioinert films—having mainly the purpose of hindering corrosive processes of the underlying metal—and bioactive films—capable of improving biological compatibility, avoiding inflammation or implant-associated infection processes, and so forth. However, very often, these two objectives have been pursued and achieved contemporaneously. Indeed, the ideal coating is a system in which anti-corrosion, anti-infection and osseointegration can be obtained simultaneously. The ultimate goal of all these coatings is the better control of properties and processes occurring at the titanium interface, with a special emphasis on the cell-coating interactions. Finally, advantages and drawbacks of these electrochemical strategies have been highlighted in the concluding remarks.