Abstract: A method for producing mesoporous platinum nanoparticles without using templating agents is provided. The method involves preparing a solution comprising water, platinum nanoparticle seeds, a platinum salt and a reducing agent, and heating the solution to a temperature between 150° C. and 250° C. at a rate of between 1° C./min and 15° C./min under a pressure of between 5 and 20 atm. The method allows obtaining mesoporous platinum nanoparticles having controlled shape and controlled pore dimensions. The mesoporous platinum nanoparticles are useful as catalysts in chemical precision reactions and for the production of artificial enzymes for diagnostics and nanomedicine applications.

Abstract: Imaging method for a biological sample using microscopy, for example fluorescence optical microscopy, electron microscopy, or correlative microscopy, which provides to use imaging probes to obtain images in which it is possible to identify the imaging probes and/or possible molecules associated with them. The present invention also concerns the imaging probes, possibly functionalized, that can be used both in CLEM experiments and also in immunocytochemical experiments.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining antioxidant power of a sample of a biological fluid or a food. The method essentially consists in contacting the sample to be tested with an aqueous solution of platinum nanoparticles, an oxidizing agent, and a chromogenic peroxidase substrate, and detecting color of the final solution thus obtained. Color intensity of the solution is proportional to the antioxidant power of the sample. A kit suitable for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining the antioxidant power of a sample of a biological fluid or a food is provided. The method involves contacting the sample to be tested with an aqueous solution of palladium nanoparticles, an oxidizing agent, and a chromogenic peroxidase substrate, and detecting the colour of the final solution thus obtained. The colour intensity of the solution is proportional to the antioxidant power of the sample. A kit for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: Method for detecting the presence of nucleases in a sample, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: —incubating the sample to be tested for the presence of nucleases with at least one oligonucleotide linker constituting the substrate for the nuclease to be detected, for a sufficient time to cause degradation of said oligonucleotide linker by the nuclease possibly present in the sample, —adding to the sample, upon incubation, colloidal gold nanoparticles comprising gold nanoparticles functionalized with a first probe oligonucleotide and gold nanoparticles functionalized with a respective second probe oligonucleotide, said first and second probe oligonucleotides being complementary to a respective portion of the nucleotide sequence of the oligonucleotide linker, and—examining the possible colour change of the sample as a result of the addition of said nanoparticles, a colour change of the sample to the colour assumed by the colloidal gold particles when aggregated at a distance less than their size bei

Abstract: Imaging method for a biological sample using microscopy, for example fluorescence optical microscopy, electron microscopy, or correlative microscopy, which provides to use imaging probes to obtain images in which it is possible to identify the imaging probes and/or possible molecules associated with them. The present invention also concerns the imaging probes, possibly functionalized, that can be used both in CLEM experiments and also in immunocytochemical experiments.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a seed-growth based method for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles of controlled shape (cubes, cuboids, octahedrons) and size in an aqueous environment, without the use of shape directing agents. The method involves a first step of preparing a solution comprising water, metal seed growth nanoparticles, a metal salt comprising the same metal as the metal seed growth nanoparticles, and a reducing agent; and a second step of heating the solution to between 9 and 130° C. at a rate of between 1° C./min and 5° C./min and at a pressure of between 1 and 5 atm. The method may also be carried out in a reduced oxygen atmosphere and the concentration of oxygen disclosed in the solution may be less than the concentration of oxygen in an oxygen saturated solution.

Abstract: Globular microstructures comprising a liquid core and a solid shell that envelops the core comprising polymeric micro- or nanofibers, preferably obtained by electrospinning, comprising a hydrophobic polymer or a mixture of hydrophobic polymer with polymers derived from cellulose or with polyacrylates; the microstructures may have a further coating of nanoparticles or polymeric coating. The microstructures have applications similar to those of “liquid marbles” with improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a seed-growth based method for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles of controlled shape (cubes, cuboids, octahedrons) and size in an aqueous environment, without the use of shape directing agents. The method involves a first step of preparing a solution comprising water, metal seed growth nanoparticles, a metal salt comprising the same metal as the metal seed growth nanoparticles, and a reducing agent; and a second step of heating the solution to between 9 and 130° C. at a rate of between 1° C./min and 5° C./min and at a pressure of between 1 and 5 atm. The method may also be carried out in a reduced oxygen atmosphere and the concentration of oxygen disclosed in the solution may be less than the concentration of oxygen in an oxygen saturated solution.

Abstract: Methods for detecting DNA or RNA target nucleic acids are provided. Such methods are based on isothermal amplification of nucleic acids mediated by cooperative hybridization, designated as exponential CHAMP. Kits for implementing methods for detecting DNA or RNA target nucleic acids based on isothermal amplification of nucleic acids mediated by cooperative hybridization are also provided.

Abstract: Composition in the form of a shaped device, for use as a fiducial marker in tissues in the animal body, in radiotherapy and/or radiosurgery, characterized in that it comprises:—a core consisting of a colloidal dispersion of metal nanoparticles and/or oxides or metal salts having X-ray-contrast properties, where said nanoparticles are stabilized with surfactants, polymers or capping agents in a liquid vehicle, and—a polymeric casing that encapsulates the core, said device having a minimum size of not less than 500 microns and a maximum size not greater than 3000 microns.

Abstract: A composite material for the production of a medical device having an antiseptic action includes a matrix of alginate in which the complex of iodopovidone is dispersed. The composite material is used particularly for the production of films, micro-capsules, and suture threads with iodine controlled release.

Abstract: Method for detecting the presence of nucleases in a sample, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: —incubating the sample to be tested for the presence of nucleases with at least one oligonucleotide linker constituting the substrate for the nuclease to be detected, for a sufficient time to cause degradation of said oligonucleotide linker by the nuclease possibly present in the sample, —adding to the sample, upon incubation, colloidal gold nanoparticles comprising gold nanoparticles functionalized with a first probe oligonucleotide and gold nanoparticles functionalized with a respective second probe oligonucleotide, said first and second probe oligonucleotides being complementary to a respective portion of the nucleotide sequence of the oligonucleotide linker, and—examining the possible colour change of the sample as a result of the addition of said nanoparticles, a colour change of the sample to the colour assumed by the colloidal gold particles when aggregated at a distance less than their size bei

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for the detection of the amplification of a target nucleic acid. The methods and kits of the invention are based on the use of colloidal gold nanoparticles functionalized with a first and a second oligonucleotide probe, whose sequences are designed on a universal TAG sequence that is incorporated in the amplification product.

Abstract: Globular microstructures comprising a liquid core and a solid shell that envelops the core comprising polymeric micro- or nanofibres, preferably obtained by electrospinning, comprising a hydrophobic polymer or a mixture of hydrophobic polymer with polymers derived from cellulose or with polyacrylates; the microstructures may have a further coating of nanoparticles or polymeric coating. The microstructures have applications similar to those of “liquid marbles” with improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: A device is described for determining the dissolution kinetics of colloidal nanoparticles in respective derivation ions in a solution, which comprises a dissolution compartment containing the solution, and feedable with the colloidal nanoparticles; an analysis compartment separate from the dissolution compartment; a fixed filtering membrane which separates the dissolution compartment from the analysis compartment, is selectively permeable to the derivation ion and is adapted to filter the solution; compressing means to induce passage of the solution from the dissolution compartment to the analysis compartment through the filtering membrane; a determination device for determining the quantity of the derivation ion; the device furthermore comprises mixing means associated to the dissolution compartment and distinct from the compressing means and the filtering membrane has pores of size smaller than 10 nm.

Abstract: A composite material for the production of a medical device having an antiseptic action includes a matrix of alginate in which the complex of iodopovidone is dispersed. The composite material is used particularly for the production of films, micro-capsules, and suture threads with iodine controlled release.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing branched gold nanoparticles is described, starting from an aqueous solution of gold nanoparticle spherical seeds, which is subjected to a growth treatment with an aqueous solution comprising hydroxylamine or a salt thereof as a reducing agent and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) as an agent that directs the shape of the nanostructure, and by subsequent addition of an aqueous solution of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4). The structural features and the properties of the branched gold nanoparticles obtained by the method of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing branched gold nanoparticles is described, starting from an aqueous solution of gold nanoparticle spherical seeds, which is subjected to a growth treatment with an aqueous solution comprising hydroxylamine or a salt thereof as a reducing agent and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) as an agent that directs the shape of the nanostructure, and by subsequent addition of an aqueous solution of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4). The structural features and the properties of the branched gold nanoparticles obtained by the method of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A chip for nucleic acid analysis includes a body (2, 9), in which a detection chamber (7) is formed for accommodating nucleic acid probes (12, 12?). A waveguide (8) is integrated in the body (2, 9) is and is arranged at the bottom of the detection chamber (7) so that an evanescent wave (EW), produced at an interface (8a) of the waveguide (8) when a light radiation is conveyed within the waveguide (8), is irradiated towards the inside of the detection chamber (7). An apparatus for inspection of nucleic acid probes includes: a holder (22), on which a chip (1) for nucleic acid analysis is loaded, the chip containing nucleic acid probes (12, 12?); a light source (24) for supplying an excitation radiation to the nucleic acid probes (12, 12?); and an optical sensor (25) arranged so as to receive radiation coming from the nucleic acid probes (12, 12?).