Abstract: The present invention regards yarns comprising at least 1% by weight of fibre of a syndiotactic polystyrene containing a co-crystalline phase comprising at least one active guest compound, textiles comprising the aforementioned yarns and methods for preparing the same.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing products made of foamed polymeric material, comprising the following steps: generating, via software, a virtual model (M) of a product to be manufactured in a solid foamable polymeric material; performing a topological optimization via software of the virtual model (M) in order to obtain an optimized virtual model (MO) with areas of differentiated relative density; preparing the foamable polymeric material and inserting it in a mold (1); solubilizing, under pressure, at least one foaming agent in the foamable polymeric material placed in the mold (1) with a pressure profile of the foaming agent variable over time and/or space as a function of the topological optimization; releasing the pressure in order to obtain a product (S) made of foamed polymeric material provided with the above-mentioned areas of differentiated relative density; removing the product (S) made of foamed polymeric material from the mold (1).

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a device (1) for the transdermal delivery of active molecules. The device (1) comprises a support element (8) and a plurality of micro-needles (10) that protrude from a first surface of the support element (8), the support element (8) and the micro-needles (10) being both permeable to the active molecules. The device (1) further comprises a porous membrane (7) configured to be loaded with said active molecules, which lies on a second surface of the support element (8). Characteristically, the porous membrane (7) is configured to behave, from an optical viewpoint, as a Bragg mirror. Further objects of the present invention are the following uses of the device (1): for monitoring the release and/or the decay of the active molecules, for the optical control of the release of the active molecules and for the thermal control of the release of the active molecules.

Abstract: Tubular conduits are provided which have an outer surface and/or an inner surface functionalized with at least one antimicrobial peptide having the sequence X1X2WVX3IWVX4X5, wherein X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 are independently selected from K and R and wherein each amino acid is independently in the D or L configuration, or a salt or solvate thereof. The tubular conduits are preferably made of biodegradable polymeric material. The functionalization of the tubular conduits with the at least one antimicrobial peptide prevents contamination caused by Gram negative bacteria, Gram positive bacteria, fungi, yeasts and/or viruses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one peptide having sequence VRLIVAVRIWRR, VRLIVAVRIKRR, VRLIVKVRIWRR, VRLIVKVRIKRR (SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO 2, SEQ ID NO 3, SEQ ID NO 4), as a bactericidal antimicrobial agent against Listeria monocytogenes.

Abstract: A composition in powder form comprising alginic acid or sodium alginate, -pectin and chitosan, wherein the % by weight of the polysaccharides is at least 20% with respect to the total weight of the powder, the process for preparing the powder and its use in the treatment of cutaneous wounds and in the sector of food preservation are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one peptide having sequence VRLIVX1VRIX2RR (SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO 2, SEQ ID NO 3, SEQ ID NO 4), wherein X1 is selected from A or K and X2 is selected from W and K, as a bactericidal antimicrobial agent against Listeria monocytogenes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foamed sintered polymeric material with improved mechanical properties and a process for the preparation thereof comprising the following steps: providing an expandable polymeric material in the form of granules, solubilizing with a time-varying pressure profile said one or more blowing agents in the expandable polymeric material, expanding said granules to form said expanded beads by instantly releasing the pressure or by pressure release and subsequent heating, and sintering together said expanded beads, preferably at a temperature higher than 30° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions based on: (a) a glycosaminoglycan or mixtures thereof; (b) one or more tocopherols, tocotrienols and mixtures thereof; and (c) a selected stabilizer. The composition is a solution, with the agents not chemically bound with each other. The component (a) can be hyaluronic acid (HA) or a salt thereof; the component (b) can be a polyether clathrate a cyclodextrin, or a combination of a fatty acid with an emulsifier; the component (c) can be ?-tocopherols, ?-tocopherols, ?-tocopherols, ?-tocopherols; ?-tocotrienols, ?-tocotrienols, ?-tocotrienols, ?-tocotrienols. Preferably component (c) is vitamin E. The agents strongly cooperate to provide enhanced and more stable viscoelastic properties, resulting in a product with higher resistance to thermal treatments like e.g. heat-sterilization, autoclaving, etc. The present compositions, optionally loaded with pharmaceutically and/or cosmetically active agents, are advantageously used in medical or cosmetic methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-needle (7; 8; 9) for the transdermal administration of active molecules and/or for the sampling of biological fluids. The micro-needle (7; 8; 9) is made of polymeric material through photolithography. A cavity is defined in the micro-needle (7; 8; 9). The present invention further relates to a method for obtaining through photolithography at least one micro-needle (7; 8; 9) for the transdermal administration of active molecules and/or for the sampling of biological fluids. A photo-cross linking polymer is exposed in liquid phase to an energy radiation causing the hardening thereof. A photolithographic mask (1; 2) is interposed between the source of the energy radiation and the photo-cross linking polymer. The photolithographic mask (1; 2) is configured in a manner such to generate in the photo-cross linking polymer a peripheral shadow area, a central shadow area and a lighting area confined between the peripheral shadow area and the central shadow area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a polymer hydrogel, comprising cross-linking a precursor comprising a hydrophilic polymer optionally in combination with a second hydrophilic polymer, using a polycarboxylic acid as the cross-linking agent. The invention further concerns the polymer hydrogel obtainable by the method of the invention and the use thereof in a number of different applications.

Abstract: The present invention regards yarns comprising at least 1% by weight of fibre of a syndiotactic polystyrene containing a co-crystalline phase comprising at least one active guest compound, textiles comprising the aforementioned yarns and methods for preparing the same.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a composition in powder form comprising the following polysaccharides alginic acid or sodium alginate,—pectin, chitosan, wherein the % by weight of the polysaccharides is at least 20% with respect to the total weight of the powder. The process for preparing said powder by an atomization process and its use in the treatment of cutaneous wounds and in the sector of food preservation are additional objects of the invention. Moreover, additional objects of the invention are the composition in the form of solution or liquid suspension that represents the starting material to obtain said powder and the process for preparing said liquid composition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns layered foamed polymeric materials lacking discontinuities at the interface between the layers and a preparation process thereof comprising the following steps: —providing a foamable polymeric material; —solubilising said one or more foaming agents in the foamable polymeric material under pressure and at a temperature greater than 20° C.; and —releasing the pressure instantaneously; where the solubilisation step is carried out with a pressure profile of said one or more foaming agents that is variable over time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one peptide having sequence VRLIVX1VRIX2RR (SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO 2, SEQ ID NO 3, SEQ ID NO 4), wherein X1 is selected from A or K and X2 is selected from W and K, as a bactericidal antimicrobial agent against Listeria monocytogenes.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a device (1) for the transdermal delivery of active molecules. The device (1) comprises a support element (8) and a plurality of micro-needles (10) that protrude from a first surface of the support element (8), the support element (8) and the micro-needles (10) being both permeable to the active molecules. The device (1) further comprises a porous membrane (7) configured to be loaded with said active molecules, which lies on a second surface of the support element (8). Characteristically, the porous membrane (7) is configured to behave, from an optical viewpoint, as a Bragg mirror. Further objects of the present invention are the following uses of the device (1): for monitoring the release and/or the decay of the active molecules, for the optical control of the release of the active molecules and for the thermal control of the release of the active molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a polymer hydrogel, comprising cross-linking a precursor comprising a hydrophilic polymer optionally in combination with a second hydrophilic polymer, using a polycarboxylic acid as the cross-linking agent. The invention further concerns the polymer hydrogel obtainable by the method of the invention and the use thereof in a number of different applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a polymer hydrogel, comprising cross-linking a precursor comprising a hydrophilic polymer optionally in combination with a second hydrophilic polymer, using a polycarboxylic acid as the cross-linking agent. The invention further concerns the polymer hydrogel obtainable by the method of the invention and the use thereof in a number of different applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a polymer hydrogel, comprising cross-linking a precursor comprising a hydrophilic polymer optionally in combination with a second hydrophilic polymer, using a polycarboxylic acid as the cross-linking agent. The invention further concerns the polymer hydrogel obtainable by the method of the invention and the use thereof in a number of different applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a polymer hydrogel, comprising cross-linking a precursor comprising a hydrophilic polymer optionally in combination with a second hydrophilic polymer, using a polycarboxylic acid as the cross-linking agent. The invention further concerns the polymer hydrogel obtainable by the method of the invention and the use thereof in a number of different applications.