Abstract:
The present invention concerns the preparation of chemically modified derivatives of chitosan with acrylic groups and their use in the field of enamel-dentin adhesives. Chitosan derivatives have physical-chemical features (hydrophilicity, presence of electrical charges on the chain) which allow them to interact with the organic part of the demineralized tooth. At the same time, the acrylic groups incorporated in the polymer chain allow the formation of a covalent bond with the restorative material used in the dental field that is typically composed of acrylic resins. By combining the adhesion to the tooth surface and the bond with the restorative material, the chemically modified chitosan described herein is able to increase the lifespan of the dental restoration and can thus find use in the field of adhesives, in particular enamel-dentin adhesives.
Abstract:
It is herein described a method of immobilization of enzymes, in particular enzymes that are active at the interface with hydrophobic phases as lipases, on porous solid polymeric supports, in which there is formation of a stable covalent bond between the support and the enzyme and in which a hydrophobic "interface" forms around the solid support that allows the enzyme, dissolved in a minimum aqueous phase, to pass from the closed/inactive conformation (which prevails when the enzyme is in aqueous phase) to the open/activated conformation (which prevails when the enzyme comes into contact with a hydrophobic phase) and to adopt an optimum orientation, turning the opening of the hydrophobic active site towards the hydrophobic organic phase.
Abstract:
3D matrices or hydrogels made of human elastin-like polypeptides and their preparation are described. Said matrices can be obtained by enzymatic cross- linking of such polypeptides and can be used in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields as support the growth of cells, isolated or as multicellular association, both on the surface and inside the matrix. Said matrices can also deliver pharmacologically active molecules, which are incorporated and then released in a controlled manner.
Abstract:
In the present invention nanocomposite materials in form of three-dimensional structure formed by a polymeric matrix consisting of a polysaccharidic composition of neutral or anionic polysaccharides and a branched cationic polysaccharides, in which metallic nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed and stabilized, are described. Using appropriate techniques of gelification or by means of an appropriate dehydration, the nanocomposite materials are three-dimensional matrices having different shapes in hydrated form as hydrogels, or in non-hydrated form. These nanocomposite materials have a broad-spectrum of strong bactericidal activity, but do not show any cytotoxicity. The particular antibacterial properties associated with metallic particle nano-scale and the presence of biological signals on the polymeric chains along with the lack of cytotoxicity may be exploited in developing new-generation biomaterials provided with antimicrobial properties and for many other applications in biomedical, pharmaceutical and food field.
Abstract:
The present invention describes a new class of high porosity materials with aerogel properties, based on metal oxides and their composites, possessing a high surface area and a high pore volume distributed within a specific pore diameter range. The pore distribution is monomodal and the porosity of the material is greater than 80%, conferring aerogel properties thereon while the absence of micropores (pores less than 2 nm in diameter) confers a high thermal stability to these materials. The characteristics of the product, including a low, if not zero, macroporosity, confer on the material a low dustiness compared to conventional aerogels, thus enabling them to be used effectively in production cycles.
Abstract:
A method and an system for the detection of nucleic acid oligonucleotides is characterized in that said detection corresponds to a capacitive reading of the melting point of complexes obtained by hybridization of said oligonucleotides and suitably modified molecules of oligonucleotide probes.
Abstract:
Due to its ability to activate small molecules, palladium is increasingly used mainly in catalysis. For example in 2002 the world demand for Pd for the production of catalytic converters for motor vehicles was 64% of the total, equal to 3.08 million oz. Its high cost coupled with the environmental impact of disposal of these spent materials focuses attention on its quantitative recovery by means of economically advantageous industrial processes with low environmental impact. The present invention makes available a method which is easy to apply on an industrial scale for the recovery of palladium in one single step and in mild conditions that meets the above-mentioned industrial requirements. The method uses adducts of N, N´ -dialkyl-perhydrodiazepine-2, 3- dithione.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to polypeptides having antimicrobial activity and polynucleotides having a nucleotide sequence which encodes for the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid constructs as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to polypeptides having antimicrobial activity and polynucleotides having a nucleotide sequence which encodes for the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid constructs as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
Abstract:
The present invention describes a process for the preparation of β-lactam antibiotics, cephalexin and ampicillin, wherein the β-lactam nucleus is acylated with an acylating agent, D-phenylglycine, by means of a reaction biocatalyzed by a catalytic enzyme. The acylation reaction is carried out in solid phase in solvent free systems (water or organic solvents) for the dispersion of reagents and at controlled temperatures.