Irene Bonadies

Eumelanin Coated PLA Electrospun Micro Fibers as Bioinspired Cradle for SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells Growth and Maturation

Within the framework of neurodegenerative disorder therapies, the fabrication of 3D eumelanin architectures represents a novel strategy to realize tissue-engineering scaffolds for neuronal cell growth and control by providing both mechanical support and biological signals. Here, an appropriate procedure combining electrospinning, spin coating and solid-state polymerization process is established to realize the scaffolds. For biological analysis, a human derived cell line SH-SY5Y from neuroblastoma is used. Cell maturation on eumelanin microfibers, random and aligned, is evaluated by using confocal analysis and specific markers of differentiating neurons (βIII tubulin and GAP-43 expression). Cell morphology is tested by SEM analysis and immunofluorescence techniques. As results, eumelanin coated microfibers prove capable to support biological response in terms of cell survival, adhesion and spreading and to promote cell differentiation toward a more mature neuronal phenotype as confirmed by GAP-43 expression over the culture.

Electrospun fibers of poly(l-lactic acid) containing DEET

In this manuscript we present preliminary data on nanofibers containing N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), the active ingredient used in many commercial insect repellents. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such materials have been prepared by electrospinning, the only available literature data are related deal with miscibility and thermal properties of DEET/PLLA blends. In our study DEET was incorporated into PLLA-chloroform solutions that were successfully electrospun into mats. Spun mats were characterized by thermogravimetry to determine the exact amount of DEET encapsulated into the fibrous PLLA matrix, and by scanning electron microscopy to evaluate DEET effect on fibers morphology.

Eumelanin Coating of Silica Aerogel by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Deposition of a 5,6-Dihydroxyindole Thin Film

Eumelanin integration in silica aerogel (SA) was achieved via supercritical adsorption of 5,6-dyhydroxyindole (DHI) from CO2. Notably, after the supercritical treatment, DHI evolved towards spontaneous polymerization, which resulted in uniform pigment development over the SA. The new material was characterized for its morphological and physicochemical properties, disclosing the formation of a eumelanin-like coating, as confirmed by UV–vis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.

Electrospun Drug-Loaded Textiles for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications

Electrospinning is a versatile technology for the production of polymer micro/nanoscale fibers. It provides the direct addition of bioactive payloads into micro/nanofibers thus improving the encapsulation efficiency and reducing the burst release via proper selection of drug-polymer-solvent system or electrospinning setup. In addition, since electrospun fibers have one dimension at the microscopic scale but another dimension at the macroscopic one, it is possible to combine the advantages possessed by functional materials on the nanometer scale. A large surface to volume ratio, with the properties of conventional solid membranes, such as ease of manipulation and applicability in any size and shape, making them suitable for biomedical or healthcare applications both topically (i.e. skin) and locally (i.e. tumor). This communication deals with electrospun fibrous systems containing active compounds extracts from plants such as Artemisinin and Propolis; these systems have been properly realized to preserve the pharmacological activity of drugs and evaluated as potential delivery systems for vector-born deseases and cancer, reducing the damage to non-target organism and environment.

PVC/CaCO3 Nanocomposites: Influence of nanoparticle surface treatment on properties

The influence of nanosized calcium carbonate on the gelation process, thermal stability and mechanical properties of rigid poly(vinyl chloride) has been studied. The gelation time of rigid PVC/calcium carbonate nanocomposites depends on the percentage and superficial treatment of CaCO3. The results of thermogravimetric analysis underline an improvement of the thermal stability as a function of the surface modifier. Finally, the flexural modulus, the flexural strength as well as the critical stress intensity factor increase with the addition of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or poly(butadiene‐co‐acrilonitrile‐co‐acrylic acid) (PBAA) coated nanoparticles.