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Author

Demetra Giuri

Other affiliations: National Research Council
Bio: Demetra Giuri is an academic researcher from University of Bologna. The author has contributed to research in topics: Self-healing hydrogels & Chemistry. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 15 publications receiving 97 citations. Previous affiliations of Demetra Giuri include National Research Council.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a novel hybrid materials for drug delivery purposes are obtained by combining keratin with hydrotalcite nanoparticles containing diclofenac, and the hybrid films showed a less pronounced swelling, porosity and degradation and a greater thermal stability compared to pure keratin films containing free DICLOFenac.

47 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The cell viability test indicated a decreased toxicity of the drug when loaded into nanofibers and confirmed the biocompatibility of keratin/HTD electrospun non-woven mats; moreover, a controlled diclofenac release within the first 24 hours does not compromise the fibroblast cell growth in a significant manner.
Abstract: In this work, nano-hybrid electrospun non-woven mats made of wool keratin combined with diclofenac loaded hydrotalcites (HTD) were prepared and characterized as potential drug delivery systems and scaffolds for fibroblast cell growth. Nano-hybrid electrospun non-woven mats showed a good adaptability to wet skin, effortlessly conforming to the three-dimensional topography of the tissue. Nanosized HTD exercised an overall reinforcing action on the electrospun non-woven mats since the nanohybrid samples displayed a reduced swelling ratio and a slower degradation profile compared to keratin-based nanofiber non-woven mats containing free diclofenac, without negative effects on drug release. The cell viability test indicated a decreased toxicity of the drug when loaded into nanofibers and confirmed the biocompatibility of keratin/HTD electrospun non-woven mats; moreover, a controlled diclofenac release within the first 24 hours does not compromise the fibroblast cell growth in a significant manner.

33 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The obtained results suggest that the antimicrobial photodynamic effect can be finely triggered through a proper selection of the amount and type of photosensitizer, as well as through the irradiation time.

22 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
19 Jul 2018
TL;DR: Rheological and scanning electron microscopy characterization showed that the TiO2-NP incorporation does not significantly alter the hydrogel mechanical and morphological properties, and fluorescence anisotropy proved that small pollutant molecules diffuse freely in the Hydrogel.
Abstract: Solar light-activated photocatalyst nanoparticles (NPs) are promising environment-friendly low cost tools for water decontamination, but their dispersion in the environment must be minimized. Here, we propose the incorporation of TiO2-NPs (also in combination with graphene platelets) into highly biocompatible hydrogels as a promising approach for the production of photoactive materials for water treatment. We also propose a convenient fluorescence-based method to investigate the hydrogel photocatalytic activity in real time with a conventional fluorimeter. Kinetics analysis of the degradation profile of a target fluorescent model pollutant demonstrates that fast degradation occurs in the matrix bulk. Fluorescence anisotropy proved that small pollutant molecules diffuse freely in the hydrogel. Rheological and scanning electron microscopy characterization showed that the TiO2-NP incorporation does not significantly alter the hydrogel mechanical and morphological properties.

16 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
27 Nov 2019
TL;DR: In this article, four hydrogels were prepared varying the base, NaOH or Na2CO3, and the trigger, GdL or CaCl2, and their viscoelastic behavior was analyzed through rheological experiments.
Abstract: Boc-L-DOPA(OBn)2-OH is a simple synthetic molecule that promotes hydrogelation through electrostatic and π–π stacking interactions. Hydrogelation can occur in alkaline conditions by the use of triggers. Four hydrogels were prepared varying the base, NaOH or Na2CO3, and the trigger, GdL or CaCl2. When the hydrogel formed in the presence of Na2CO3 and CaCl2, the concomitant production of CaCO3 crystals occurred, generating an organic/inorganic composite material. It was observed that the hydrogel once self-assembled preserved its status even if the trigger, the calcium ions, was removed. The viscoelastic behavior of the hydrogels was analyzed through rheological experiments, which showed a solid-like behavior of the hydrogels. The corresponding xerogels were analyzed mainly by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and synchrotron X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). They showed differences in structure, morphology, and fiber organization according to their source. This research presents a hydrogel system that can...

13 citations


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01 Jan 2006
TL;DR: In this paper, regenerated keratin was blended with aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in different proportion in order to improve its processability.
Abstract: Keratin proteins are the major component of hair, feathers, wool and horns and represent an important source of renewable raw materials for many applications. Regenerated keratin has useful properties such as biocompatibility and biodegradability. Moreover, keratin materials can absorb heavy metal ions, formaldehyde and other VOCs. In this work, regenerated keratin was blended with aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in different proportion in order to improve its processability. Keratin/PEO nanofibres were produced by electrospinning the blend aqueous solutions. The chemical, physical and rheological characteristics of the blend solutions were correlated with morphology, structural, thermal and mechanical properties of the electrospun mats.

157 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The techniques being developed for wastewater treatment using nanotechnology based on adsorption and biosorption, nanofiltration, photocatalysis, disinfection and sensing technology are reviewed and the fate of the nanomaterials in wastewater treatment is highlighted.
Abstract: Clean and safe water is a fundamental human need for multi-faceted development of society and a thriving economy. Brisk rises in populations, expanding industrialization, urbanization and extensive agriculture practices have resulted in the generation of wastewater which have not only made the water dirty or polluted, but also deadly. Millions of people die every year due to diseases communicated through consumption of water contaminated by deleterious pathogens. Although various methods for wastewater treatment have been explored in the last few decades but their use is restrained by many limitations including use of chemicals, formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs), time consumption and expensiveness. Nanotechnology, manipulation of matter at a molecular or an atomic level to craft new structures, devices and systems having superior electronic, optical, magnetic, conductive and mechanical properties, is emerging as a promising technology, which has demonstrated remarkable feats in various fields including wastewater treatment. Nanomaterials encompass a high surface to volume ratio, a high sensitivity and reactivity, a high adsorption capacity, and ease of functionalization which makes them suitable for application in wastewater treatment. In this article we have reviewed the techniques being developed for wastewater treatment using nanotechnology based on adsorption and biosorption, nanofiltration, photocatalysis, disinfection and sensing technology. Furthermore, this review also highlights the fate of the nanomaterials in wastewater treatment as well as risks associated with their use.

108 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of underwater adhesives demonstrating macroscopic adhesion to wet/underwater substrates is presented, and an overview is provided of the development and performance of UWAS based on different mechanisms and strategies.
Abstract: Underwater adhesives are in high demand in both commercial and industrial sectors. Compared with adhesives used in dry (air) environments, adhesives used for wet or submerged surfaces in aqueous environments have specific challenges in development and performance. In this review, focus is on adhesives demonstrating macroscopic adhesion to wet/underwater substrates. The current strategies are first introduced for different types of underwater adhesives, and then an overview is provided of the development and performance of underwater adhesives based on different mechanisms and strategies. Finally, the possible research directions and prospects of underwater adhesives are discussed.

102 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
16 Jan 2020
TL;DR: This paper offers a detailed overview of the extraction and separation processes applied to natural fibers and their posterior chemical and physical modifications for biocomposite fabrication.
Abstract: In the last ten years, environmental consciousness has increased worldwide, leading to the development of eco-friendly materials to replace synthetic ones. Natural fibers are extracted from renewable resources at low cost. Their combination with synthetic polymers as reinforcement materials has been an important step forward in that direction. The sustainability and excellent physical and biological (e.g., biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity) properties of these biocomposites have extended their application to the biomedical field. This paper offers a detailed overview of the extraction and separation processes applied to natural fibers and their posterior chemical and physical modifications for biocomposite fabrication. Because of the requirements for biomedical device production, specialized biomolecules are currently being incorporated onto these biocomposites. From antibiotics to peptides and plant extracts, to name a few, this review explores their impact on the final biocomposite product, in light of their individual or combined effect, and analyzes the most recurrent strategies for biomolecule immobilization.

76 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Protein based biopolymers derived from animals and plants, one of the promising class of biomaterials due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability, are discussed.
Abstract: Biopolymers are playing a vital role in biomedical applications. Among them, protein based biopolymers are utilized for the fabrication of tissue engineering constructs, therapeutic molecule delivery carriers, emulsifiers and food packaging materials. Wide ranges of proteins are extracted from animal or plant sources and are being utilized for the fabrication of scaffolds for regenerative tissue engineering application. Here, an overview about the protein structure, extraction procedure, solubility and various formulation based proteins used in the literature are discussed. Biopolymers display several advantageous such as biocompatibility and degradability by enzymes. Methods to overcome the disadvantages of these proteins such as immunogenicity, antigenicity and solubility will be reported. Various crosslinking reagents specific to protein chemistry will be as well discussed. TOC Protein based biopolymers are one of the promising class of biomaterials due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this review, protein based biopolymers derived from animals and plants are elaborately discussed. Chemical structures of biopolymer and crosslinking based stabilization of biopolymer are also provided. Different formulations fabricated using

46 citations