BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CERN//INDICO//EN BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:An integrative structural biophysics approach to study the interac tions between ATP and neurotrophins DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T124500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T130000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260711T085311Z UID:indico-contribution-46-511@eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Francesca Paoletti (CNR-IC)\nThe talk will present t he application of an integrative structural biology approach to the field of neurotrophins. The prototype of the neurotrophin family\, Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)\, is essential for the development and maintenance of neurons and is crucial in immune and endocrine systems and in the pain pathway. N GF precursor\, proNGF\, whose pro-peptide is an intrinsically unstructured domain (IUD)\, is endowed with different biological properties. The bindi ng to TrkA\, p75NTR and sortilin receptors activates the NGF/proNGF signal ing pathways. Much is known about NGF in neuronal physiology. However few reports described essential endogenous ligands as modulators of NGF biolog y. \nRecently\, the binding of ATP to NGF was identified. To determine the molecular elements of this binding\, we used integrative structural biolo gy with solution NMR and a set of complementary biophysical and computatio nal methodologies\, to unveil for the first time the binding cartography o f ATP to NGF [1] and proNGF [2]. \nThe used methodologies will be briefly presented\, as well as the scientific results. Our results prove that ATP is responsible of a modulating quinary interaction with NGF\, and that ATP binding induces a change in the conformation and/or dynamics of proNGF\, predominantly in the IUD pro-peptide. These results\, thus\, pinpoint ATP as a likely molecular modulator of NGF and proNGF signalling\, in health a nd disease states\, and help providing an explanation for the neurotrophin s’ biology in neurodegenerative conditions.\n\nhttps://eventi.mlib.ic.cn r.it/event/46/contributions/511/ LOCATION: URL:https://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/511/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Rationally designed peptide conjugates in Alzheimer Disease: impl ications for diagnosis and therapy DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T121500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T123000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260711T085311Z UID:indico-contribution-46-510@eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Giuseppe Pappalardo (CNR-IC)\nAlzheimer Disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disorder characterized by behavioral distu rbance and progressive cognitive impairment. It is the major cause of deme ntia affecting prevalently elderly individuals worldwide. The molecular pa thways underlying AD onset implicates an abnormal turnover of the Aß mono mer undergoing an aggregation process to generate oligomers and protofibri ls. Aß oligomers are the most toxic substances for neurons\, according to the amyloid cascade hypothesis. Unfortunately\, there are challenges in d iagnosing the early signs of the disease especially at the molecular level . Abnormal cognitive and behavioral clinical symptoms oIen indicate the ac cumulation of pathological markers in the brain. Therefore\, early diagnos is and timely analysis of the condition are crucial for assessing the seve rity of the disease and providing appropriated treatment. Sensing molecule s can be used to detect Aß biomarker and then assists early AD diagnosis. Among these\, peptides may represent an opportunity for theragnostic inte rvention.\nPeptide-based epitopes with covalently aNached other moieties a ble to explicate additional or complementary functions\, including BBB per meation\, metal chelation or aggregates disassembling\, targeted imaging\, and treatment\, hold a promising potential for applications in AD.\nIn ou r laboratory\, we have been synthesizing a variety of small peptides bio-c onjugates differing by the peptide epitope or the conjugated scaffold. A r ange of molecular details\, together with measured biological effects\, ha ve been listed with these systems\, all of them accounting for the observe d neuroprotection against the toxic insult induced by Aß oligomerization in primary cortical neurons. In this brief communication an overview of th e design principles of the peptide conjugates\, their neuroprotective acti vity\, and their capability in detecting Aß peptide in solution are descr ibed in terms of potential use of these compounds as theragnostic agents a nd for the targeted drug delivery.\n\nhttps://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/ 46/contributions/510/ LOCATION: URL:https://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/510/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Surface energy determination of solid materials by contact angle m easurement DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T130000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T131500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260711T085311Z UID:indico-contribution-46-513@eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mariza Andoni (Ivodent Academy)\nThe method of conta ct angle (CA\; deg) is usually employed for the determination of surface f ree energy (SFE\; mJ/m2) of solids and liquids (ST\; mN/m). The CA method is one of the methods used in tensiometry\, a non-invasive and rapid analy tical approach capable of determining the surface energy properties of nat ural and artificial systems. The main aim of our work is the evaluation of the tensiometric variations of a raw extract of Juniperus Communis (REJ)\ , extracted using liquid near-critical CO2 as solvent in Soxhlet mode\, an d this extract after the demonoterpenization process (DMT) performed by fr eezing out its monoterpene’s fraction. The changes in surface properties of DMT were correlated to the modification of its chemical composition an alysed by gaschromatography. In order to reach our objective\, six solids test (st) having different tensiometric properties were used and in each c ase the CA variation with the time at st/DMT and st/REJ interfaces were me asured.\nOut of the six st lanolin alcohol can be considered as the refere nce solid test for the tensiometric evaluation of the process of demonoter penization of the extract of Juniperus Communis. The increase of the conce ntration of ß-Cariophylene and Cadinene causes the increase of CAs measur ed at the interface between lanolin alcohol and the extract of Juniperus C ommunis after the process of demonoterpenization. The increase of Beta-Kar iofilen and Kadinene concentration appear to be the main cause of the incr ease of polarity of the extract. This demonstrates that GC data and CA are linked to each other for that compounds that are more representative in t he extract of Juniperus Communis (>20%). The GC data are in accord with CA s for compounds having highest concentration in DMT and REJ.\n\n\nMariza A ndoni1\,2 \n1 Ivodent Academy\, Center of Techniques Studies\, “Prokop M yzeqari” street\, No. 10\, Tirana\, Albania\n2 Department of Chemistry\, University of Tirana\, 1001 Tirana\, Albania\n\nhttps://eventi.mlib.ic.cn r.it/event/46/contributions/513/ LOCATION: URL:https://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/513/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Discussion and Conclusions DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T144000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T144500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260711T085311Z UID:indico-contribution-46-519@eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it DESCRIPTION:**Speakers**: Dr. Cinzia Giannini (IC-CNR) and Dr Altin Mele (Director Ivodent Academy)\n\nhttps://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contr ibutions/519/ LOCATION: URL:https://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/519/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:High pressure extraction of materials by near critical liquid solv ents DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T134000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T135500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260711T085311Z UID:indico-contribution-46-518@eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lorenci Gjurgjaj (Ivodent Academy)\nThe critical poi nt of a substance represents the highest combination of temperature and pr essure at which the separation between the gaseous and liquid phases remai ns continuous. Beyond this critical point\, a state known as a supercritic al fluid emerges\, unifying the gaseous and liquid states and displaying p roperties that fall between those of gases and liquids. These distinct cha racteristics include reduced viscosity\, diminished surface tension\, enha nced diffusivity\, and heightened compressibility. These attributes render supercritical fluids as effective solvents and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional organic solvents. It is crucial to note that these property shifts do not occur at a scale change at the critical point\, instead\, t hey exhibit a continuous variation in response to alterations in temperatu re and pressure (T/P). Making so the near-critical under conditions of liq uid-vapor equilibrium substances\, such as CO2\, NH3\, HCF2Cl\, or combina tions like CO2 and EtOH\, to serve as extraction solvents in processes sim ilar to Soxhlet extraction. This approach offers notable advantages\, incl uding enhanced safety of operation conditions\, decreased energy requireme nts for compression and decompression\, as well as heating and cooling of the liquid. Extraction times using Soxhlet-like extraction with near-criti cal substances typically range between 2 to 12 hours\, and fractionation o f the extract can be achieved by collecting the extract overtime to separa te different groups of components.\nUtilizing two commonly used herbs rich in bioactive compounds\, such as Sage (Salvia officinalis L) and Lavander (Lavandula angustifolia) we conducted an extraction with near-critical li quid CO2 under liquid-vapor equilibrium. The temperature gradient of the a utoclave was between 285 K to 313 K and the pressure inside the vessel was in the range of 60-64 bar. The entire extraction process duration was 6 h ours\, with 20 minutes of Soxhlet cycles each.\n\n\nLorenci Gjurgjaj1\,2\n 1 Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications\, Istituto Italiano di Tecnolo gia\, Genoa\, Italy\n2 Center of Techniques Study\, Ivodent Academy\, 1016 Tirana\, Albania\n\nhttps://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/ 518/ LOCATION: URL:https://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/518/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Technologies\, materials and clinical application of 3D printing DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T132500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T134000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260711T085311Z UID:indico-contribution-46-517@eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Fabrizio Clemente (CNR-IC)\nSince 2017 at IC - CNR s tarted new research line to study the clinical use of image processing\, r everse engineering and 3D printing for the introduction of innovative medi cal devices (MD) in pathways.\nTo this\, an operative workshop for design and realization of personalized MD was designed and implemented. The first type of 3D printed MD was patient specifc orthopaedic cast to be used for children requiring immobilisations. A second activity was devoted to the production of 3D models from NMR and CT images. The clinical value of the proposed devices has been verified.\nBoth activities have a twofold object ive: (a) introduce new medical devices in the clinical pathways based on i nnovative techniques and (b) design production process compliant with the current European Medical Devices (MD) regulation (17/745) and on the basis of the up-to-date technical reference for 3D printing in medicine.\nTo th is an operative workflow for the production of the personalized 3D printed medical devices has been produced. \nMoreover\, the project led to a spec ific spin off and to the launch of a Research Unit located both into the S antobono Pausilipon paediatric Hospital in Naples.\n\nhttps://eventi.mlib. ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/517/ LOCATION: URL:https://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/517/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Surface characterization of porous materials by N2 adsorption/deso rption in example of clays DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T141000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T142500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260711T085311Z UID:indico-contribution-46-516@eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Altin Mele (Ivodent Academy )\nNitrogen adsorption i sotherm measurement on porous materials at constant temperature 77 K and p ressure ranging from 0.1 to 1000 mbar is the commonly used technique for t he determination of their specific surface area and pore size distribution . Evaluation of specific surface area is done using the BET model and adso rption measurement in the pressure range 50-300 mbar\, while the pore size distribution is estimated using the Kelvin equation in the capillary cond ensation pressure range\, considered to happen between 400 to 1000 mbar. \ nThis technique is used here aiming the changes of those surface parameter s of natural Prrenjas clay samples when treated with sulphuric acid of dif ferent concentrations.\n Prrenjas clay is a natural clay mineral from the southeast Albania of mainly montmorillonite type and high iron content. It s treatment with sulfuric acid in four different concentrations from 1.843 M up to 11.142 M\, is shown to strongly influence its chemical compositio n\, structure\, specific surface area and pore volume. The acid treatment causes the leaching of almost all the metal ions present and the destructi on of the crystalline structure of the clay. The Prrenjas clay is used in decoloring of edible oils in Albania. Further uses in biomedical field as carriers in drug delivery or antibacterial agent for the montmorillonites are known as well.\n\nhttps://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions /516/ LOCATION: URL:https://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/516/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Integrative Approaches in Structural Biology DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T135500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T141000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260711T085311Z UID:indico-contribution-46-515@eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Roberta Montanari (CNR-IC)\nWith recent technologica l and computational advances\, structural biology has begun to address inc reasingly difficult questions\, including complex biochemical pathways and transient interactions between macromolecules. For many years our researc h group has been focused on the study of the structural characteristics of different classes of proteins. In this workshop\, an example of a synergi stic approach chosen from my previous research will be described and it wi ll be shown how the joint use of in silico\, solution and solid state tech niques is crucial to clarify the catalytic mechanism of an enzyme that exp loits the flexibility structure of its substrate.\nConsidering the context of this workshop\, among the proteins studied by our research group\, two in particular will be mentioned for their relevance in the control of the inflammatory response of the dental pulp: the first class is represented by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) \, a class of n uclear receptors primarily involved in metabolic homeostasis but also poss essing other functions including maintaining the vitality of teeth after t he removal of pathogens in dental tissues\; the second protein that will b e mentioned is β-catenin\, which is active in several phases of dental de velopment and whose signaling pathway seems to be involved in the regulati on of the onset of periapical periodontitis.\n\nhttps://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr .it/event/46/contributions/515/ LOCATION: URL:https://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/515/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Simultaneous Thermal Analysis of high pressure impregnated PMMA fo r dental applications DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T123000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T124500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260711T085311Z UID:indico-contribution-46-509@eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jeta Lica (Ivodent Academy)\nPermanent or temporary dental prosthesis are prepared by milling PolyMetylMetaAcrylat (PMMA) comm ercial discs to support patients in after mouth surgery. Impregnation of P MMA with anti inflammatory/microbial compounds derived from plant extracts such as clove oil\, could improve the healing process of these patients. Impregnation of PMMA is done under different pressures and densities\, as well as different times of impregnation using near critical liquid CO2.\nI n this study\, dental PMMA is impregnated with essential clove oil using a s solvent liquid carbon dioxide in which the oil is well soluble. Liquid C O2 is known to diffuse well inside the PMMA matrix [1]\, transporting the clove oil inside PMMA as well. \nThe impregnation of the commercially avai lable clove oil in the PMMA matrix disc was carried out in an high pressur e vessel described elsewhere [2]\, where a known amount of clove oil\, CO2 and PMMA has been placed. CO2 of 4.9 purity\, PMMA disc Telio CAD LT B1 9 8.5-20 mm of manufacturer Ivoclar Digital and clove oil obtained by steam distillation of producer Argital where used. They were left inside the aut oclave for 14 hours\, in room temperature and pressure 64 bar. Afterwards CO2 was released for 1 hour and samples were taken in 2 depths of PMMA dis c (5 and 8mm) in order to analyse them for their content of clove oil comp ounds using simultaneous Thermal Analysis. The analysis is carried out in STA 449 F5 Jupiter of manufacturer Netzsch GB device in which thermogravim etric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis are perfor med simultaneously.\n\nhttps://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contribution s/509/ LOCATION: URL:https://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/509/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Welcome and intro IC-CNR & Ivodent Academy (Albania) DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20230926T121500Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260711T085311Z UID:indico-contribution-46-508@eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Cinzia Giannini (Director IC-CNR )\, Altin Mele (Ivo dent Academy)\nhttps://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/508/ LOCATION: URL:https://eventi.mlib.ic.cnr.it/event/46/contributions/508/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR