Ricerc@Sapienza

Objective. The development of electrode arrays able to reliably record brain electrical activity is a critical issue in brain machine interface (BMI) technology. In the present study we undertook a comprehensive physico-chemical, physiological, histological and immunohistochemical characterization of new single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT)-based electrode arrays grafted onto medium-density polyethylene (MD-PE) films. Approach.

Aim: Calcium silicate-based cements represent safe and predictable materials widely used in different fields of endodontics. They can be applied as pulp dressing agents during vital pulp therapy (VPT) of carious-affected deciduous or permanent teeth with immature roots as well as endodontic cements in case of root perforation or regenerative endodontic procedures. Therefore, it’s crucial to demonstrate biocompatible and antibiofilm properties of bioactive cements (i.e. MTA and Biodentine) in order to support their successful use in the clinical field.

Hydrogel materials, thanks to their biocompatibility and biodegradability, are very promising for the development of new biocompatible scaffolds for controlled drug release, tissue regeneration and tissue engineering. Low molecular weight peptide-based hydrogels (LMWPGs) are an interesting class of soft materials for the preparation of versatile systems that can be easily modified, both chemically and biologically. Recently, we developed an enzymatic approach for the preparation of injectable, self-assembling materials based on Fmoc-oligopeptides1.

Titanium (Ti) is the most widely used metal in biomedical applications because of its biocompatibility; however, the significant difference in the mechanical properties between Ti and the surrounding tissues results in stress shielding which is detrimental for load-bearing tissues. In the current study, to attenuate the stress shielding effect, a new processing route was developed. It aimed at growing thick poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) layers grafted on Ti substrates to incorporate a polymer component on Ti implants.

ZnO-based nanomaterials are a subject of increasing interest within current research, because of their multifunctional properties, such as piezoelectricity, semi-conductivity, ultraviolet absorption, optical transparency, and photoluminescence, as well as their low toxicity, biodegradability, low cost, and versatility in achieving diverse shapes.

Aftermyocardial infarction, the heart’smechanical properties and its intrinsic capability to recover are
compromised.To improve this recovery, several groups have developed cardiac patches based on different
biomaterials strategies.Here, we developed polyvinylalcohol/dextran (PVA/Dex) elastic hydrogel patches,
obtained through the freeze thawing (FT) process, with the aimto deliver locally a potent natural
antioxidantmolecule, astaxanthin, and to assist the heart’s response against the generatedmyofibril stress.

The in vitro biocompatibility of Graphene Oxide (GO) nanosheets, which were obtained by the electrochemical exfoliation of graphite electrodes in an electrolytic bath containing salts, was compared with the pristine Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (p-SWCNTs) under the same experimental conditions in different human cell lines. The cells were treated with different concentrations of GO and SWCNTs for up to 48 h.