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- Advanced face mask filters based on PCL electrospun meshes dopped with antimicrobial MgO and CuO nanoparticlesPublication . Ferreira, Carolina A. M.; Guerreiro, Sara F.C.; Valente, Joana F. A.; Patrício, Tatiana M.F.; Alves, Nuno; Mateus, Artur; Dias, Juliana R.The pandemic situation caused by coronavirus clearly demonstrated the need for alternatives able to protect the respiratory tract and inactivate the infectious agents. Based on this, antibacterial face-mask filters of polycaprolactone (PCL) dopped with magnesium oxide (MgO) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) were produced using an electrospinning technique. A morphological analysis of electrospun meshes evaluated the success of nanoparticles’ incorporation as well as the average fibers’ diameters (481 +- 272 nm). The performance of electrospun nanofibers was also assessed in terms of tensile strength (0.88 +- 0.25 MPa), water vapor permeability (11,178.66 +- 35.78 g.m-2.day-1), stability under wet conditions and antibacterial activity according to the standard guidelines. The filters showed structural stability up to 2 h of washing and improved antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) for optimized concentrations of MgO and CuO NPs. Overall, electrospun meshes with antibacterial activity were successfully developed for advanced filtering applications.
- Bio-inspired polymeric iron-doped hydroxyapatite microspheres as a tunable carrier of rhBMP-2Publication . Patrício, Tatiana Marisa Fernandes; Mumcuoglu, Didem; Montesi, Monica; Panseri, Silvia; Witte-Bouma, Janneke; Garcia, Shorouk Fahmy; Sandri, Monica; Tampieri, Anna; Farrell, Eric; Sprio, SimoneHybrid superparamagnetic microspheres with bone-like composition, previously developed by a bio-inspired assembling/mineralization process, are evaluated for their ability to uptake and deliver recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in therapeutically-relevant doses along with prolonged release pro- files. The comparison with hybrid non-magnetic and with non-mineralized microspheres highlights the role of nanocrystalline, nanosize mineral phases when they exhibit surface charged groups enabling the chemical linking with the growth factor and thus moderating the release kinetics. All the microspheres show excellent osteogenic ability with human mesenchymal stem cells whereas the hybrid mineralized ones show a slow and sustained release of rhBMP-2 along 14 days of soaking into cell culture medium with substantially bioactive effect, as reported by assay with C2C12 BRE-Luc cell line. It is also shown that the release extent can be modulated by the application of pulsed electromagnetic field, thus showing the potential of remote controlling the bioactivity of the new micro-devices which is promising for future application of hybrid biomimetic mi- crospheres in precisely designed and personalized therapies.
- 3D printed poly(E-caprolactone)/Hydroxyapatite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: A comparative study on a Composite Preparation by Melt blending or solvent casting techniques and the influence of bioceramic content on scaffold propertiesPublication . Biscaia, Sara; Branquinho, Mariana V.; Alvites, Rui D.; Fonseca, Rita; Sousa, Ana Catarina; Pedrosa, Sílvia Santos; Caseiro, Ana R.; Guedes, Fernando; Patrício, Tatiana; Viana, Tânia; Mateus, Artur; Maurício, Ana C.; Alves, NunoBone tissue engineering has been developed in the past decades, with the engineering of bone substitutes on the vanguard of this regenerative approach. Polycaprolactone-based scaffolds are fairly applied for bone regeneration, and several composites have been incorporated so as to improve the scaffolds’ mechanical properties and tissue in-growth. In this study, hydroxyapatite is incorporated on polycaprolactone-based scaffolds at two different proportions, 80:20 and 60:40. Scaffolds are produced with two different blending methods, solvent casting and melt blending. The prepared composites are 3D printed through an extrusion-based technique and further investigated with regard to their chemical, thermal, morphological, and mechanical characteristics. In vitro cytocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation was also assessed with human dental pulp stem/stromal cells. The results show the melt-blending-derived scaffolds to present more promising mechanical properties, along with the incorporation of hydroxyapatite. The latter is also related to an increase in osteogenic activity and promotion. Overall, this study suggests polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds to be promising candidates for bone tissue engineering, particularly when produced by the MB method.
- Superparamagnetic hybrid microspheres affecting osteoblasts behaviourPublication . Fernandes Patrício, Tatiana Marisa; Panseri, Silvia; Montesi, Monica; Iafisco, Michele; Sandri, Monica; Tampieri, Anna; Sprio, SimoneThe present work describes biomimetic hybrid microspheres made of collagen type I-like peptide matrix (RCP) mineralised with Fe2+/Fe3+ doping hydroxyapatite (RCPFeHA) by a bio-inspired process. Superparamagnetic RCPFeHA microspheres are obtained by emulsification of the hybrid slurries in the presence of citrate ions, to achieve a biomimetic surface functionalisation improving the bioactivity and the dispersion ability in cell culture medium. A biological in vitro study correlates the osteoblast cells behaviour to calcium and iron ions released by the hybrid microspheres in culture media mimicking physiological or inflammatory environment, evidencing a clear triggering of cell activity and bio-resorption ability. In presence of the microspheres, the osteoblast cells maintain their typical morphology and no cell damage were detected, whereas also showing up-regulation of osteogenic markers. The ability of the hybrid microspheres to undergo bio-resorption and release bioactive ions in response to different environmental stimuli without harmful effects opens new perspectives in bone regeneration, as magnetically active bone substitute with potential ability of drug carrier and smart response in the presence of inflammatory states.
- Natural polymers for bone repairPublication . Rodríguez, GB Ramírez; Patrício, TMF; López, JM DelgadoThe substitution of tissues due to tumors, pathologies, or traumatic accidents is well known, and different surgical branches perform these kinds of surgeries on a daily basis with relative ease. The substitution of bone tissue is especially relevant as it contributes to the structural stability of the body. Bone tissue is composed of an organic matrix, a mineral component, and water in approximately similar volumes. The combination of these elements forms a composite material with different hierarchical levels in its microstructure. The reproduction of this highly hierarchical structure is still not possible. Historically, articular prostheses have been made of metallic materials due to the high mechanical tensions that they suffer once implanted, as well as good fatigue resistance and tenacity. Lately, the use of polymeric materials has attracted a great deal of attention. On the other hand, the choice of a material for the filling of bone defects or bone cavities is greater, ranging from biodegradable polymers to calcium phosphate cements and ceramics. The role of polymers in bone substitution is relevant but limited to a few applications, such as articulating bearing surfaces of joint replacements, both hip and knee, and as interpositional cementing material between the implant surface and the bone. In the first application, the ultimate choice is ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, and in the second application the most used polymer is poly(methyl methacrylate). The use of biodegradable polymers has grown significantly in applications dealing with support structures needed for normal movements of articulating joints. In this chapter, the most used polymers in orthopedic applications will be described. Special emphasis will be given to their physical and chemical properties.
- Inhalation of peptide-loaded nanoparticles improves heart failurePublication . Miragoli, Michele; Ceriotti, Paola; Iafisco, Michele; Vacchiano, Marco; Salvarani, Nicolò; Carullo, Pierluigi; Ramírez-Rodríguez, Gloria Belén; Fernandes Patrício, Tatiana Marisa; Degli Esposti, Lorenzo; Rossi, Francesca; Ravanetti, Francesca; Pinelli, Silvana; Alinovi, Rossella; Erreni, Marco; ROSSI, Stefano; Condorelli, Gianluigi; Post, Heiner; TAMPIERI, ANNA; Catalucci, DanielePeptides are highly selective and efficacious for the treatment of cardiovascular and other diseases. However, it is currently not possible to administer peptides for cardiac-targeting therapy via a noninvasive procedure, thus representing scientific and technological challenges. We demonstrate that inhalation of small (<50 nm in diameter) biocompatible and biodegradable calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaPs) allows for rapid translocation of CaPs from the pulmonary tree to the bloodstream and to the myocardium, where their cargo is quickly released. Treatment of a rodent model of diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhalation of CaPs loaded with a therapeutic mimetic peptide that we previously demonstrated to improve myocardial contraction resulted in restoration of cardiac function. Translation to a porcine large animal model provides evidence that inhalation of a peptide-loaded CaP formulation is an effective method of targeted administration to the heart. Together, these results demonstrate that inhalation of biocompatible tailored peptide nanocarriers represents a pioneering approach for the pharmacological treatment of heart failure.