Ricerc@Sapienza

The aims of this study were to obtain preliminary data and test the clinical efficacy of a novel nonporous dense-polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) membrane (permamem®, botiss) in alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) procedures with a flapless approach. A traumatic extraction was performed in the premolar maxillary area, and a d-PTFE membrane was used to seal the alveolar cavity: no biomaterial was used to graft the socket and the membrane was left intentionally exposed and stabilized with sutures.

OBJECTIVES: In-vitro data have shown that cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) enhances the proliferative and migratory properties of cells involved in periodontal wound healing/regeneration, stabilizes the blood clot, reduces the inflammatory response, and facilitates angiogenesis.

The chapter “A History of Biomaterials” at the start of this
book documents the development and design of indwelling
materials for medical and dental purposes. The primary
design criteria in the choice of materials were pragmatic and
based on the necessary mechanical properties required to
fashion a functional device. Orthopedic implants require
strong materials for load bearing, articulating surfaces such
as joints require durability and resistance to wear, stents and
shunts require flexibility and patency, and sutures require a

Gold nanoparticles with an average diameter of 10 nm, functionalized by the dye molecule rhodamine B isothiocyanate, have been synthesized. The resulting material has been extensively characterized both chemically, to investigate the bonding between the dye molecules and the nanoparticles, and physically, to understand the details of the aggregation induced by interaction between dye molecules on different nanoparticles.

Skeletal muscle tissue exhibits endogenous ability to regenerate. However, the self-repair mechanism is restricted only to small damages. The increasing number of extensive injuries of skeletal muscles due to various accidents, more active life-style or cancer resection, combined with the shortcomings of the conventional treatment procedures, creates demand for new, more advanced solutions. Muscle tissue engineering (TE) appears as a promising strategy for fabrication of tissue substitutes from biomaterials, cells and bioactive factors, alone or combined.

The book presents current R&D activities to unravel the physico-chemical properties of diverse “biopolymers”, and their processing towards functionalized, high-performance bio-products with defined applications. The importance of this research becomes obvious by considering the annual plastic production of about 330 Mt, the lion´s share thereof based on the conversion of fossil feedstocks that is highly recalcitrant against biodegradation. Alternative environmentally degradable plastics cover not even 5% of today´s plastic market.

The paper represents the “state of the art” on sustainability in construction materials. In Part 1 of the paper, issues related to production, microstructures, chemical nature, engineering properties, and durability of mixtures based on binders alternative to Portland cement were presented. This second part of the paper concerns the use of traditional and innovative Portland-free lime-based mortars in the conservation of cultural heritage, and the recycling and management of wastes to reduce consumption of natural resources in the production of construction materials.

Recently, the concept is emerging that the reduced success of nanoparticles in clinical practice is due to the adsorption of the “biomolecular corona (BC),” which alters their biological identity. Apart from protein variations, alterations in the human metabolome may change the BC decoration, which has poorly been addressed so far. Here, glucose is used as a model metabolite and how the interactions between liposomes (as a model nanoparticle) and plasma proteins are influenced by normal and diabetic sugar blood levels is explored.