Abstract: This invention relates to a powder composition for inhalation use comprising a plurality of microparticles comprising at least one water-soluble pharmaceutically acceptable carrier embedding at least one nanoparticle of calcium phosphate for the delivery of therapeutic/diagnostic compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a slow-releasing fertilizer composition and a composition for increasing plant growth and plant tolerance to salt stress which comprise, as an effective ingredient, hydroxyapatite or in mixture with a tricalcium phosphate obtained from chemical synthesis or thermal treatment of bones, coated with humic acid or a polymer of monomeric phenol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a citrate-coated amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticle which comprises the following steps: 1) providing a first solution of a salt of calcium and a citrate salt wherein the molar ratio of citrate ion to calcium ion is in the range from 1 to 2 thus obtaining a clear first solution; 2) providing a second solution of a salt capable to give phosphate anion and a carbonate salt; 3) mixing together the first and the second solution at a pH in the range from 8 to 11; 4) precipitating the nanoparticle; and 5) drying the nanoparticle obtained from step 4). Preferably and advantageously the invention provides for the addition of a fluoride compound in step 2) for obtaining a fluorine-doped citrate-coated calcium phosphate nanoparticle or a nanoparticle agglomerate. The nanoparticle/nanoparticle agglomerate of the invention has a peculiar superficial area and a diameter that allow to use it as a biomaterial for dentistry application.

Abstract: It is described a process, starting from fishbones, for the production of a material having properties of physical type solar filter and photoprotective boosting agent, formed by particles of hydroxyapatite or hydroxyapatite substituted with metal ions, optionally mixed with calcium triphosphate and with metal oxides. Are also described the material obtained through the process and cosmetic or plant sunscreen compositions that comprise said material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a citrate-coated amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticle which comprises the following steps: 1) providing a first solution of a salt of calcium and a citrate salt wherein the molar ratio of citrate ion to calcium ion is in the range from 1 to 2 thus obtaining a clear first solution; 2) providing a second solution of a salt capable to give phosphate anion and a carbonate salt; 3) mixing together the first and the second solution at a pH in the range from 8 to 11; 4) precipitating the nanoparticle; and 5) drying the nanoparticle obtained from step 4). Preferably and advantageously the invention provides for the addition of a fluoride compound in step 2) for obtaining a fluorine-doped citrate-coated calcium phosphate nanoparticle or a nanoparticle agglomerate. The nanoparticle/nanoparticle agglomerate of the invention has a peculiar superficial area and a diameter that allow to use it as a biomaterial for dentistry application.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a product comprising one or more nanoparticles of calcium phosphate (CaP-NP) with negative surface charge having a ?-potential in the range from ?41.0 mV to ?27.0 mV comprising the steps of: a) maintaining a mixture having a pH in the range from 7 to 10 and comprising an aqueous solution of calcium, an aqueous solution of phosphate and a solution of citrate ions at a temperature in the range from 20° C. to 40° C. for a time in the range from 30 seconds to 10 minutes; b) removing non-reacted ions from the solution of step a), thus obtaining a suspension of one or more nanoparticles of calcium phosphate (CaP-NP); c) recovering the product of one or more nanoparticles of calcium phosphate (CaP-NP) from the suspension of step b). In an advantageous embodiment, the process of the invention provides, in the mixture of step a), also an aqueous solution of one or more therapeutic/diagnostic compounds.

Abstract: Process for obtaining fluoride-doped citrate-coated amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles. This material has applications in biomedicine due to its biodegradability and bioactivity; it also promotes cell adhesion and osteogeneration. In dentistry, it may be used in toothpastes, mouthwashes, chewing gums, gels and fluoride varnishes as a remineralising agent of dentine and enamel. It is based on two solutions formed by calcium chloride and sodium citrate on the one hand, and by sodium monohydrogenophosphate and sodium carbonate with a fluoride compound on the other, which are mixed at room temperature. The process is eco-efficient and eco-friendly, as it does not leave any acid residue; it consists of a single stage and it is the first time that an amorphous calcium phosphate coated with citrate and doped with fluoride, which enhances its remineralising action, is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a product comprising one or more nanoparticles of calcium phosphate (CaP-NP) with negative surface charge having a ?-potential in the range from ?41.0 mV to ?27.0 mV comprising the steps of: a) maintaining a mixture having a pH in the range from 7 to 10 and comprising an aqueous solution of calcium, an aqueous solution of phosphate and a solution of citrate ions at a temperature in the range from 20° C. to 40° C. for a time in the range from 30 seconds to 10 minutes; b) removing non-reacted ions from the solution of step a), thus obtaining a suspension of one or more nanoparticles of calcium phosphate (CaP-NP); c) recovering the product of one or more nanoparticles of calcium phosphate (CaP-NP) from the suspension of step b). In an advantageous embodiment, the process of the invention provides, in the mixture of step a), also an aqueous solution of one or more therapeutic/diagnostic compounds.

Abstract: Process for obtaining fluoride-doped citrate-coated amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles. This material has applications in biomedicine due to its biodegradability and bioactivity; it also promotes cell adhesion and osteogeneration. In dentistry, it may be used in toothpastes, mouthwashes, chewing gums, gels and fluoride varnishes as a remineralising agent of dentine and enamel. It is based on two solutions formed by calcium chloride and sodium citrate on the one hand, and by sodium monohydrogenophosphate and sodium carbonate with a fluoride compound on the other, which are mixed at room temperature. The process is eco-efficient and eco-friendly, as it does not leave any acid residue; it consists of a single stage and it is the first time that an amorphous calcium phosphate coated with citrate and doped with fluoride, which enhances its remineralising action, is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to biologically active nanoparticles of a carbonate-substituted non-stoichiometric hydroxyapatite, having: a) a crystallinity degree CD lower than 40%, the crystallinity degree being defined as CD=(1?X/Y)·100 wherein: Y=height of the diffraction maximum at 2?=33°, X=height of the diffraction background at 2?=33° of the nanoparticles X-ray diffraction pattern; b) a length L ranging from 20 to 200 nm and a width W ranging from 5 to 30 nm; and c) an aspect ratio AR comprised between 2 and 40, the aspect ratio being defined as AR=L/W. The biologically active nanoparticles of the invention find a preferred use in oral or dental hygiene applications and may be formulated as compositions for oral or dental hygiene such as, for example, solutions, suspensions, oils, gels or other solid products.

Abstract: The invention relates to biologically active nanoparticles of a carbonate-substituted non-stoichiometric hydroxyapatite, having: a) a crystallinity degree CD lower than 40%, the crystallinity degree being defined as CD=(1?X/Y)·100 wherein: Y=height of the diffraction maximum at 2?=33°, X=height of the diffraction background at 2?=33° of the nanoparticles X-ray diffraction pattern; b) a length L ranging from 20 to 200 nm and a width W ranging from 5 to 30 nm; and c) an aspect ratio AR comprised between 2 and 40, the aspect ratio being defined as AR=L/W. The biologically active nanoparticles of the invention find a preferred use in oral or dental hygiene applications and may be formulated as compositions for oral or dental hygiene such as, for example, solutions, suspensions, oils, gels or other solid products.