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Ball L, Alberti S, Belfortini C, Almondo C, Robba C, Battaglini D, Cravero C, Pelosi P, Caratto V, Ferretti M. Effects of distancing and pattern of breathing on the filtering capability of commercial and custom-made facial masks: An in-vitro study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250432. [PMID: 33886642 PMCID: PMC8062003 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemics, masking policies have been advocated. While masks are known to prevent transmission towards other individuals, it is unclear if different types of facial masks can protect the user from inhalation. The present study compares in-vitro different commercial and custom-made facial masks at different distances and breathing patterns. Methods Masks were placed on a head mannequin connected to a lung simulator, using a collecting filter placed after the mannequin airway. Certified, commercial and custom-made masks were tested at three different distances between the emitter and the mannequin: 40 cm, 80 cm and 120 cm. Two patterns of breathing were used, simulating normal and polypneic respiration. A solution of methylene blue was nebulized with a jet nebulizer and different mask-distance-breathing pattern combinations were tested. The primary endpoint was the inhaled fraction, defined as the amount of methylene blue detected with spectrophotometry expressed as percent of the amount detected in a reference condition of zero distance and no mask. Findings We observed a significant effect of distance (p < 0.001), pattern of breathing (p = 0.040) and type of mask (p < 0.001) on inhaled fraction. All masks resulted in lower inhaled fraction compared to breathing without mask (p < 0.001 in all comparisons), ranging from 41.1% ± 0.3% obtained with a cotton mask at 40 cm distance with polypneic pattern to <1% for certified FFP3 and the combination of FFP2 + surgical mask at all distances and both breathing pattern conditions. Discussion Distance, type of device and breathing pattern resulted in highly variable inhaled fraction. While the use of all types of masks resulted relevantly less inhalation compared to distancing alone, only high-grade certified devices (FFP3 and the combination of FFP2 + surgical mask) ensured negligible inhaled fraction in all conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Ball
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Stefano Alberti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Claudio Belfortini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Almondo
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Robba
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Denise Battaglini
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Carlo Cravero
- Department of Mechanical, Energetic, Management and Transports Engineering, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Pelosi
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Valentina Caratto
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ferretti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
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Alberti S, Villa S, Singh G, Seland F, Martinelli A, Ferretti M, Canepa F, Caratto V. Systematic Study on TiO₂ Crystallization via Hydrothermal Synthesis in the Presence of Different Ferrite Nanoparticles as Nucleation Seeds. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 2019; 19:4994-4999. [PMID: 30913812 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2019.16787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the present work, the crystallization of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs), using different ferrite nanoparticles with different chemical composition, dimensions and shape as nucleation seeds, was investigated. In particular, CoFe₂O₄, NiFe₂O₄ and Fe₃O₄ NPs with a volume ratio equal to 1:1000 with respect of TiO₂ amount, were used in order to investigate the synthesis of nanocrystalline tetragonal anatase TiO₂ by a hydrothermal synthesis. In addition, Lu₂O₃ nanoparticles were also used to detect the effect of a non-magnetic nanoparticle on the synthesis and nanocrystallization of titania. For each sample, a deep physical characterization was performed by XRD (with a Rietveld refinement of the structural data), FE-SEM, STEM, HRTEM, DSC analysis and BET surface area measurement. Furthermore, for some samples, the photocatalytic activity was investigated by degradation of methylene blue in aqueous medium, in the framework of a standard ISO 10678:2010 protocol. The hydrothermal synthesis was performed with a 3 hours' thermal treatment, at a pressure of approximatively 9 bar and a temperature significantly lower (Tmax═150 °C) than the usual temperature necessary to obtain crystalline anatase TiO₂ (Tcryst═350 °C). The results give evidence that the mere presence of a nucleation seeds in the hydrothermal reactor, without any particular need for the composition and morphology, leads to crystalline anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles with high photocatalytic performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Alberti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa 16146, Italy
| | - Silvia Villa
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa 16146, Italy
| | - Gurvinder Singh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, 7491, Norway
| | - Frode Seland
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, 7491, Norway
| | - Alberto Martinelli
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa 16146, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ferretti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa 16146, Italy
| | - Fabio Canepa
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa 16146, Italy
| | - Valentina Caratto
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa 16146, Italy
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3
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Auguste M, Ciacci C, Balbi T, Brunelli A, Caratto V, Marcomini A, Cuppini R, Canesi L. Effects of nanosilver on Mytilus galloprovincialis hemocytes and early embryo development. Aquat Toxicol 2018; 203:107-116. [PMID: 30107316 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNP), one of the main nanomaterials for production and use, are expected to reach the aquatic environment, representing a potential threat to aquatic organisms. In this study, the effects of bare AgNPs (47 nm) on the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis were evaluated at the cellular and whole organism level utilizing both immune cells (hemocytes) and developing embryos. The effects were compared with those of ionic Ag+(AgNO3). In vitro short-term exposure (30 min) of hemocytes to AgNPs induced small lysosomal membrane destabilization (LMS EC50 = 273.1 μg/mL) and did not affect other immune parameters (phagocytosis and ROS production). Responses were little affected by hemolymph serum (HS) as exposure medium in comparison to ASW. However, AgNPs significantly affected mitochondrial membrane potential and actin cytoskeleton at lower concentrations. AgNO3 showed much higher toxicity, with an EC50 = 1.23 μg/mL for LMS, decreased phagocytosis and induced mitochondrial and cytoskeletal damage at similar concentrations. Both AgNPs and AgNO3 significantly affected Mytilus embryo development, with EC50 = 23.7 and 1 μg/L, respectively. AgNPs caused malformations and developmental delay, but no mortality, whereas AgNO3 mainly induced shell malformations followed by developmental arrest or death. Overall, the results indicate little toxicity of AgNPs compared with AgNO3; moreover, the mechanisms of action of AgNP appeared to be distinct from those of Ag+. The results indicate little contribution of released Ag+ in our experimental conditions. These data provide a further insight into potential impact of AgNPs in marine invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Auguste
- Dept. of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - C Ciacci
- Dept. of Biomolecular Sciences (DIBS), University of Urbino, Italy
| | - T Balbi
- Dept. of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - A Brunelli
- Dept. of Geosciences, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - V Caratto
- Dept. of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (DICCI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - A Marcomini
- Dept. of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics (DAIS), Ca' Foscari University, Venice, Italy
| | - R Cuppini
- Dept. of Biomolecular Sciences (DIBS), University of Urbino, Italy
| | - L Canesi
- Dept. of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
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Martinelli A, Alberti S, Caratto V, Lova P, Locardi F, Pampararo G, Villa S, Ferretti M. Structural studies on copper and nitrogen doped nanosized anatase. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1515/zkri-2017-2143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Pure TiO2, N- and Cu-doped and double-doped (Cu, N) samples were synthesized via sol–gel route in order to investigate the local and average structure of the crystalline TiO2 synthesized under different pH conditions. Samples are mainly constituted of anatase phase, even though low but significant amounts of secondary brookite grew in most samples. A detailed structural characterization was performed by means of synchrotron X-ray elastic scattering experiments; structural data of the different samples were obtained by means of the Rietveld refinement, whereas insights about their local structure were gained by means of the pair distribution analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Alberti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry , University of Genova , Via Dodecaneso 31 , 16146 Genova , Italy
| | - Valentina Caratto
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry , University of Genova , Via Dodecaneso 31 , 16146 Genova , Italy
| | - Paola Lova
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry , University of Genova , Via Dodecaneso 31 , 16146 Genova , Italy
| | - Federico Locardi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry , University of Genova , Via Dodecaneso 31 , 16146 Genova , Italy
| | - Giovanni Pampararo
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry , University of Genova , Via Dodecaneso 31 , 16146 Genova , Italy
| | - Silvia Villa
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry , University of Genova , Via Dodecaneso 31 , 16146 Genova , Italy
| | - Maurizio Ferretti
- CNR-SPIN , corso F.M. Perrone 24 , 16152 Genova , Italy
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry , University of Genova , Via Dodecaneso 31 , 16146 Genova , Italy
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5
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Caratto V, Ball L, Sanguineti E, Insorsi A, Firpo I, Alberti S, Ferretti M, Pelosi P. Antibacterial activity of standard and N-doped titanium dioxide-coated endotracheal tubes: an in vitro study. Rev Bras Ter Intensiva 2018; 29:55-62. [PMID: 28444073 PMCID: PMC5385986 DOI: 10.5935/0103-507x.20170009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial activity against
Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas
aeruginosa of two nanoparticle endotracheal tube coatings with
visible light-induced photocatalysis. Methods Two types of titanium dioxide nanoparticles were tested: standard anatase
(TiO2) and N-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2).
Nanoparticles were placed on the internal surface of a segment of commercial
endotracheal tubes, which were loaded on a cellulose acetate filter; control
endotracheal tubes were left without a nanoparticle coating. A bacterial
inoculum of 150 colony forming units was placed in the endotracheal tubes
and then exposed to a fluorescent light source (3700 lux, 300-700 nm
wavelength) for 5, 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 minutes. Colony forming units were
counted after 24 hours of incubation at 37°C. Bacterial inactivation was
calculated as the percentage reduction of bacterial growth compared to
endotracheal tubes not exposed to light. Results In the absence of light, no relevant antibacterial activity was shown against
neither strain. For P. aeruginosa, both coatings had a
higher bacterial inactivation than controls at any time point (p <
0.001), and no difference was observed between TiO2 and
N-TiO2. For S. aureus, inactivation was
higher than for controls starting at 5 minutes for N-TiO2 (p =
0.018) and 10 minutes for TiO2 (p = 0.014); inactivation with
N-TiO2 was higher than that with TiO2 at 20
minutes (p < 0.001), 40 minutes (p < 0.001) and 60 minutes (p <
0.001). Conclusions Nanosized commercial and N-doped TiO2 inhibit bacterial growth
under visible fluorescent light. N-TiO2 has higher antibacterial
activity against S. aureus compared to TiO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Caratto
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy.,Istituto CNR SPIN - Genova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ball
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Diagnostiche Integrate, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Elisa Sanguineti
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy.,Istituto CNR SPIN - Genova, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Angelo Insorsi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Diagnostiche Integrate, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Iacopo Firpo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Diagnostiche Integrate, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Stefano Alberti
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ferretti
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy.,Istituto CNR SPIN - Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Pelosi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Diagnostiche Integrate, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
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6
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Balbi T, Caratto V, Fabbri R, Camisassi G, Villa S, Ferretti M, Canesi L. Photocatalytic Fe-doped n-TiO 2 : From synthesis to utilization of in vitro cell models for screening human and environmental nanosafety. Resource-Efficient Technologies 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reffit.2017.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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7
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Sutherasan Y, Ball L, Raimondo P, Caratto V, Sanguineti E, Costantino F, Ferretti M, Kacmarek RM, Pelosi P. Effects of ventilator settings, nebulizer and exhalation port position on albuterol delivery during non-invasive ventilation: an in-vitro study. BMC Pulm Med 2017; 17:9. [PMID: 28068958 PMCID: PMC5223303 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-016-0347-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Few studies have investigated the factors affecting aerosol delivery during non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Our aim was to investigate, using a bench-top model, the effect of different ventilator settings and positions of the exhalation port and nebulizer on the amount of albuterol delivered to a lung simulator. Methods A lung model simulating spontaneous breathing was connected to a single-limb NIV ventilator, set in bi-level positive airway pressure (BIPAP) with inspiratory/expiratory pressures of 10/5, 15/10, 15/5, and 20/10 cmH2O, or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 5 and 10 cmH2O. Three delivery circuits were tested: a vented mask with the nebulizer directly connected to the mask, and an unvented mask with a leak port placed before and after the nebulizer. Albuterol was collected on a filter placed after the mask and then the delivered amount was measured with infrared spectrophotometry. Results Albuterol delivery during NIV varied between 6.7 ± 0.4% to 37.0 ± 4.3% of the nominal dose. The amount delivered in CPAP and BIPAP modes was similar (22.1 ± 10.1 vs. 24.0 ± 10.0%, p = 0.070). CPAP level did not affect delivery (p = 0.056); in BIPAP with 15/5 cmH2O pressure the delivery was higher compared to 10/5 cmH2O (p = 0.033) and 20/10 cmH2O (p = 0.014). Leak port position had a major effect on delivery in both CPAP and BIPAP, the best performances were obtained with the unvented mask, and the nebulizer placed between the leak port and the mask (p < 0.001). Conclusions In this model, albuterol delivery was marginally affected by ventilatory settings in NIV, while position of the leak port had a major effect. Nebulizers should be placed between an unvented mask and the leak port in order to maximize aerosol delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuda Sutherasan
- IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Division of pulmonary and critical care medicine, Faculty of medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lorenzo Ball
- IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Pasquale Raimondo
- IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Dipartimento di Anestesia, Rianimazione e Terapia Intensiva, Università degli Studi di Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Valentina Caratto
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,SPIN-CNR, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisa Sanguineti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,SPIN-CNR, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Costantino
- IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ferretti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,SPIN-CNR, Genoa, Italy
| | - Robert M Kacmarek
- Department of Anesthesiology, Harvard Medical school, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, and the Department of Respiratory Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paolo Pelosi
- IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Nelli I, Kaczmarek AM, Locardi F, Caratto V, Costa GA, Van Deun R. Multidoped Ln3+ gadolinium dioxycarbonates as tunable white light emitting phosphors. Dalton Trans 2017; 46:2785-2792. [DOI: 10.1039/c6dt04629k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Gadolinium dioxycarbonates co-doped with different visible emitting lanthanides were synthesized via a co-precipitation method using oxalic acid as a precipitating agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. Nelli
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry
- University of Genova
- 16146 Genova
- Italy
| | - A. M. Kaczmarek
- L3 – Luminescent Lanthanide Lab
- Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
- Ghent University
- B-9000 Ghent
- Belgium
| | - F. Locardi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry
- University of Genova
- 16146 Genova
- Italy
| | - V. Caratto
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry
- University of Genova
- 16146 Genova
- Italy
| | - G. A. Costa
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry
- University of Genova
- 16146 Genova
- Italy
- CNR – SPIN
| | - R. Van Deun
- L3 – Luminescent Lanthanide Lab
- Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
- Ghent University
- B-9000 Ghent
- Belgium
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9
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Gaggero L, Caratto V, Ferretti M. Self-sustained Combustion Synthesis and Asbestos-bearing Waste: Scaling up from Laboratory Towards Pre-industrial Size Plant. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2016.10.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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10
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Canesi L, Ciacci C, Fabbri R, Balbi T, Salis A, Damonte G, Cortese K, Caratto V, Monopoli MP, Dawson K, Bergami E, Corsi I. Interactions of cationic polystyrene nanoparticles with marine bivalve hemocytes in a physiological environment: Role of soluble hemolymph proteins. Environ Res 2016; 150:73-81. [PMID: 27257827 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis has proven as a suitable model invertebrate for evaluating the potential impact of nanoparticles (NPs) in the marine environment. In particular, in mussels, the immune system represents a sensitive target for different types of NPs. In environmental conditions, both NP intrinsic properties and those of the receiving medium will affect particle behavior and consequent bioavailability/uptake/toxicity. However, the evaluation of the biological effects of NPs requires additional understanding of how, once within the organism, NPs interact at the molecular level with cells in a physiological environment. In mammalian systems, different NPs associate with serum soluble components, organized into a "protein corona", which affects particle interactions with target cells. However, no information is available so far on the interactions of NPs with biological fluids of aquatic organisms. In this work, the influence of hemolymph serum (HS) on the in vitro effects of amino modified polystyrene NPs (PS-NH2) on Mytilus hemocytes was investigated. Hemocytes were incubated with PS-NH2 suspensions in HS (1, 5 and 50µg/mL) and the results were compared with those obtained in ASW medium. Cell functional parameters (lysosomal membrane stability, oxyradical production, phagocytosis) were evaluated, and morphological changes were investigated by TEM. The activation state of the signalling components involved in Mytilus immune response (p38 MAPK and PKC) was determined. The results show that in the presence of HS, PS-NH2 increased cellular damage and ROS production with respect to ASW medium. The effects were apparently mediated by disregulation of p38 MAPK signalling. The formation of a PS-NH2-protein corona in HS was investigated by centrifugation, and 1D- gel electrophoresis and nano-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The results identified the Putative C1q domain containing protein (MgC1q6) as the only component of the PS-NH2 hard protein corona in Mytilus hemolymph. These data represent the first evidence for the formation of a NP bio-corona in aquatic organisms and underline the importance of the recognizable biological identity of NPs in physiological exposure medium when testing their potential impact environmental model organisms. Although the results obtained in vitro do not entirely reflect a realistic exposure scenario and the more complex formation of a bio-corona that is likely to occur in vivo, these data will contribute to a better understanding of the effects of NPs in marine invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Canesi
- Dept. of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences - DISTAV, University of Genoa, Italy.
| | - Caterina Ciacci
- Dept. of Biomolecular Sciences - DIBS, University of Urbino, Italy
| | - Rita Fabbri
- Dept. of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences - DISTAV, University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Teresa Balbi
- Dept. of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences - DISTAV, University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Salis
- Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research - CEBR, University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianluca Damonte
- Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research - CEBR, University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Katia Cortese
- Department of Experimental Medicine - DIMES, University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Valentina Caratto
- Dept. of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences - DISTAV, University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco P Monopoli
- Centre for BioNanoInteractions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Ireland; Department of Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry, Royal College of Surgeons, 123 St. Stephen Green, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kenneth Dawson
- Centre for BioNanoInteractions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elisa Bergami
- Dept. of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Dept. of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Italy
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11
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Villa S, Caratto V, Locardi F, Alberti S, Sturini M, Speltini A, Maraschi F, Canepa F, Ferretti M. Enhancement of TiO₂ NPs Activity by Fe₃O₄ Nano-Seeds for Removal of Organic Pollutants in Water. Materials (Basel) 2016; 9:ma9090771. [PMID: 28773892 PMCID: PMC5457040 DOI: 10.3390/ma9090771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs), synthesized in the presence of a very small amount of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles, is here presented and discussed. From X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses, the crystallinity of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) seems to be affected by Fe₃O₄, acting as nano-seeds to improve the tetragonal TiO₂ anatase structure with respect to the amorphous one. Photocatalytic activity data, i.e., the degradation of methylene blue and the Ofloxacin fluoroquinolone emerging pollutant, give evidence that the increased crystalline structure of the NPs, even if correlated to a reduced surface to mass ratio (with respect to commercial TiO₂ NPs), enhances the performance of this type of catalyst. The achievement of a relatively well-defined crystal structure at low temperatures (Tmax = 150 °C), preventing the sintering of the TiO₂ NPs and, thus, preserving the high density of active sites, seems to be the keystone to understand the obtained results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Villa
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa 16146, Italy.
| | - Valentina Caratto
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa 16146, Italy.
| | - Federico Locardi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa 16146, Italy.
| | - Stefano Alberti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa 16146, Italy.
| | - Michela Sturini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy.
| | - Andrea Speltini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy.
| | | | - Fabio Canepa
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa 16146, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Ferretti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa 16146, Italy.
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Locardi F, Sanguineti E, Fasoli M, Martini M, Costa G, Ferretti M, Caratto V. Photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanopowders supported on a new persistent luminescence phosphor. CATAL COMMUN 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.catcom.2015.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Sutherasan Y, Raimondo P, Ball L, Caratto V, Sanguineti E, Ferretti M, Pelosi P. The effects of ventilator settings, nebulizer and exhalation port positions on albuterol delivery during noninvasive ventilation: an in vitro study. Intensive Care Med Exp 2015. [PMCID: PMC4798099 DOI: 10.1186/2197-425x-3-s1-a169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Ball L, Sutherasan Y, Caratto V, Sanguineti E, Marsili M, Raimondo P, Ferretti M, Kacmarek RM, Pelosi P. Effects of Nebulizer Position, Gas Flow, and CPAP on Aerosol Bronchodilator Delivery: An In Vitro Study. Respir Care 2015; 61:263-8. [PMID: 26577198 DOI: 10.4187/respcare.04275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different delivery circuit configurations, nebulizer positions, CPAP levels, and gas flow on the amount of aerosol bronchodilator delivered during simulated spontaneous breathing in an in vitro model. METHODS A pneumatic lung simulator was connected to 5 different circuits for aerosol delivery, 2 delivering CPAP through a high-flow generator tested at 30, 60, and 90 L/min supplementary flow and 5, 10, and 15 cm H2O CPAP and 3 with no CPAP: a T-piece configuration with one extremity closed with a cap, a T-piece configuration without cap and nebulizer positioned proximally, and a T-piece configuration without cap and nebulizer positioned distally. Albuterol was collected with a filter, and the percentage amount delivered was measured by infrared spectrophotometry. RESULTS Configurations with continuous high-flow CPAP delivered higher percentage amounts of albuterol compared with the configurations without CPAP (9.1 ± 6.0% vs 6.2 ± 2.8%, P = .03). Among configurations without CPAP, the best performance was obtained with a T-piece with one extremity closed with a cap. In CPAP configurations, the highest delivery (13.8 ± 4.4%) was obtained with the nebulizer placed proximal to the lung simulator, independent of flow. CPAP at 15 cm H2O resulted in the highest albuterol delivery (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS Based on our in vitro study, without CPAP, a T-piece with a cap at one extremity maximizes albuterol delivery. During high-flow CPAP, the nebulizer should always be placed proximal to the patient, after the T-piece, using the highest CPAP clinically indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Ball
- IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Yuda Sutherasan
- IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Valentina Caratto
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy and SPIN-CNR, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisa Sanguineti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy and SPIN-CNR, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Marsili
- IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pasquale Raimondo
- IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. Department of Anesthesiology, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care, Università degli Studi di Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ferretti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy and SPIN-CNR, Genoa, Italy
| | - Robert M Kacmarek
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care and the Department of Respiratory Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Paolo Pelosi
- IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Lova P, Manfredi G, Boarino L, Laus M, Urbinati G, Losco T, Marabelli F, Caratto V, Ferretti M, Castellano M, Soci C, Comoretto D. Hybrid ZnO:polystyrene nanocomposite for all-polymer photonic crystals. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/pssc.201400209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Caratto V, Locardi F, Costa GA, Masini R, Fasoli M, Panzeri L, Martini M, Bottinelli E, Gianotti E, Miletto I. NIR persistent luminescence of lanthanide ion-doped rare-earth oxycarbonates: the effect of dopants. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2014; 6:17346-17351. [PMID: 25285437 DOI: 10.1021/am504523s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A series of luminescent rare-earth ion-doped hexagonal II-type Gd oxycarbonate phosphors Gd2-xRExO2CO3 (RE = Eu(3+), Yb(3+), Dy(3+)) have been successfully synthesized by thermal decomposition of the corresponding mixed oxalates. The Yb(3+) doped Gd-oxycarbonate has evidenced a high persistent luminescence in the NIR region, that is independent from the temperature and makes this materials particular attractive as optical probes for bioimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Caratto
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università degli Studi di Genova , via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy
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Speltini A, Sturini M, Dondi D, Annovazzi E, Maraschi F, Caratto V, Profumo A, Buttafava A. Sunlight-promoted photocatalytic hydrogen gas evolution from water-suspended cellulose: a systematic study. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2014; 13:1410-9. [DOI: 10.1039/c4pp00128a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Photocatalytic H2 evolution from water in the presence of cellulose as the sacrificial agent is studied. The photoreaction proceeds under sunlight also using waste cellulosic biomass, i.e. rice husk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Speltini
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Pavia
- 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Michela Sturini
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Pavia
- 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Daniele Dondi
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Pavia
- 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Valentina Caratto
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry
- University of Genoa
- 16146 Genova, Italy
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Zardetto V, De Angelis G, Vesce L, Caratto V, Mazzuca C, Gasiorowski J, Reale A, Di Carlo A, Brown TM. Formulations and processing of nanocrystalline TiO2 films for the different requirements of plastic, metal and glass dye solar cell applications. Nanotechnology 2013; 24:255401. [PMID: 23727656 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/24/25/255401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We carried out a systematic study on the effect of nanocrystalline TiO2 paste formulations and temperature treatment on the performance of dye solar cells (DSCs) over a large temperature range, to provide useful information for the fabrication of both plastic and metal flexible devices. We compared conventional screen-printable and binder-free TiO2 pastes with a new formulation which includes hydroxylethyl cellulose (HEC), enabling the study of the effect of organic materials in the TiO2 layer in the whole 25-600 °C temperature range. Differently from the binder-free formulations where the device efficiency rose monotonically with temperature, the use of cellulose binders led to remarkably different trends depending on their pyrolysis and decomposition thresholds and solubility, especially at those temperatures compatible with plastic foils. Above 325 °C, where metal foil can be used as substrates, the efficiencies become similar to those of the binder-free paste due to effective binder decomposition and inter-nanoparticle bonding. Finally, we demonstrated, for the first time, that the simultaneous application of both temperature (110-150 °C) and pressure (100 MPa) can lead to a large improvement (33%) compared to the same mechanical compression method carried out at room temperature only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Zardetto
- CHOSE (Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy), Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome-Tor Vergata, via del Politecnico 1, I-00133, Rome, Italy
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