Anna Angela Barba

@article{del2014physiologically,

title = {A physiologically oriented mathematical model for the description of in vivo drug release and absorption},

author = {Renzo {Del Cont} and Michela Abrami and Dritan Hasa and Beatrice Perissutti and Dario Voinovich and Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti and Gabriele Grassi and Italo Colombo and Davide Manca and Mario Grassi},

url = {http://pub.iapchem.org/ojs/index.php/admet/article/view/34},

doi = {10.5599/admet.2.2.34},

issn = {1848-7718},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-07-01},

journal = {ADMET \& DMPK},

volume = {2},

number = {2},

pages = {80--97},

abstract = {This paper focuses on a physiologically-oriented mathematical model aimed at studying the in vivo drug release, absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination (ADME). To this purpose, the model accounts for drug delivery from an ensemble of non-eroding poly-disperse polymeric particles and the subsequent ADME processes. The model outcomes are studied with reference to three widely used drugs: theophylline, temazepam and nimesulide. One of the most important results of this study is the quantitative evaluation of the interplay between the release kinetics and the subsequent ADME processes. Indeed, it is usually assumed that in vivo drug release coincides with in vitro so that the effect exerted by the ADME processes is neglected. In addition, the proposed model may be an important tool for the design of delivery systems since, through proper changes, it could also account for different oral delivery systems.},

keywords = {In silico, Pharmacokinetics},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Cascone2014,

title = {Measurements of non-uniform water content in hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose based matrices via texture analysis},

author = { Sara Cascone and Gaetano Lamberti and Giuseppe Titomanlio and Matteo D'Amore and Anna Angela Barba},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0144861713012757},

doi = {10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.12.060},

issn = {01448617},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-03-01},

journal = {Carbohydrate Polymers},

volume = {103},

pages = {348--354},

abstract = {The use of hydrogels in the preparation of controlled release pharmaceutical forms is extensively diffused. The main feature of these polymers is their ability to swell forming a gel layer when they enter in contact with fluids. Once the gel layer is formed, the drug contained in the matrix can easily diffuse ensuring a controlled release from the tablet. Measurement of water content within a hydrating matrix based on hydrogels is a key topic in the study of pharmaceutical solid dosage forms. The aim of this work is to evaluate the water content of swollen matrices composed by HPMC and theophylline both in axial and in radial direction, as a function of time, using a texture analysis. A relationship between water content and slope of the force\textendashpenetration curves has been obtained using a simplified system in which the water uptake is allowed only in radial direction, obtaining thus partially hydrated matrices with the water content varying only along the radial direction. Once the relationship has been validated, it has been applied in a more complex system in which the polymer swelling takes place in both axial and radial direction. Thus, using the texture analysis it has been possible to determine the water in each position within the hydrated matrices.},

keywords = {Hydrogel Characterization, Hydrogels, Texture analysis, Water content},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dalmoro2014,

title = {Single-Pot Semicontinuous Bench Scale Apparatus To Produce Microparticles},

author = { Annalisa Dalmoro and Anna Angela Barba and Matteo D'Amore and Gaetano Lamberti},

url = {http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ie403308q},

doi = {10.1021/ie403308q},

issn = {0888-5885},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-02-01},

journal = {Industrial \& Engineering Chemistry Research},

volume = {53},

number = {7},

pages = {2771--2780},

publisher = {ACS Publications},

abstract = {This work presents both the design of a novel process to produce microparticles with a shell−core structure and a bench scale apparatus purposely realized. The developed process was designed to respond to mandatory needs of process intensification. It involved the coupling of two emergent technologies: atomization assisted by ultrasonic energy and microwave heating. The former was used to atomize polymeric solutions; the latter was applied to stabilize the produced droplets by drying. Both operations were performed in the same vessel with the aim to have a single-pot process chamber and were carried out by a semicontinuous procedure. Basic design criteria and advantages of the ultrasonic−microwave coupled operations in the realized apparatus are presented and discussed. Results of testing and of operating runs to produce shell−core microparticles are also reported, emphasizing the main features of the produced particles.},

keywords = {Micro and Nano Vectors},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barba2014,

title = {Microwave assisted drying of banana: effects on reducing sugars and polyphenols contents},

author = { Anna Angela Barba and Matteo D'Amore and Monica Rispoli and Francesco Marra and Gaetano Lamberti},

url = {http://www.agriculturejournals.cz/web/cjfs.htm?volume=32\&firstPage=369\&type=publishedArticle},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {Czech Journal of Food Sciences (CJFS)},

volume = {32},

number = {4},

pages = {369--375},

abstract = {The effects of microwave assisted drying on banana fruit was evaluated. Water, reducing sugars, and polyphenol contents, as well as poly-phenol-oxidase activity were evaluated along the radial and axial positions in thick slices of banana, according to a properly defined cutting and assaying protocol. The effects of the microwave-assisted drying process were compared to the convective air-assisted drying resulting faster than the conventional process. In particular, the resulting samples were homogeneous in the water content; the contents of reducing sugars were strongly decreased on drying with microwaves; the poly-phenol-oxidase was inactivated by the high temperature produced by the process and thus the polyphenols content remained practically the same as in the fresh product.},

keywords = {banana, microwave, polyphenolpoly-phenol-oxidase, reducing sugar},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barba2014b,

title = {Modeling of the reticulation kinetics of alginate/pluronic blends for biomedical applications},

author = { Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti and Luca Rabbia and Mario Grassi and Domenico Larobina and Gabriele Grassi},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0928493114000423},

doi = {10.1016/j.msec.2014.01.034},

issn = {09284931},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {Materials Science and Engineering: C},

volume = {37},

pages = {327--331},

abstract = {In this work, blends of alginate/pluronic (F127) for biomedical applications were investigated. In particular, the kinetics of alginate chain reticulation by bivalent cations was studied by experimental and modeling approaches. Two kinds of sodium alginate were tested to obtain hard gel films. The thicknesses of the reticulated alginate films were measured as function of the exposure time and of the reticulating copper (Cu2+) solution concentration. The kinetics was described by a proper model able to reproduce the experimental data. The model parameters, evaluated based on the measurements of thicknesses as function of Cu2+ concentration and exposure time, were further validated by comparing the prediction of the model with another set of independent measurement; here, the depletion of Cu2+ ions in the conditioning solution above the reacting gel is measured as function of time. The tuned model could be used in the description of the future applications of the blends.},

keywords = {Alginate, Hydrogel Modeling, Modeling, Pluronic, Reticulation},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barba2014c,

title = {Biocompatible nano-micro-particles by solvent evaporation from multiple emulsions technique},

author = { Anna Angela Barba and Annalisa Dalmoro and Matteo D'Amore and Clara Vascello and Gaetano Lamberti},

url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10853-014-8224-1},

doi = {10.1007/s10853-014-8224-1},

issn = {0022-2461},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Materials Science},

volume = {49},

number = {14},

pages = {5160--5170},

publisher = {Springer US},

abstract = {In this study, a method based on a multiple emulsions system was developed for the production of polymeric nano and micro-vectors. The possibility to apply an unified preparation technique to different polymers, such as polyesters [polycaprolactone, poly-dl-lactide, poly(dl-lactide-co-caprolactone) = 70/30] and polyacrylates [poly(methylmethacrylate\textendashacrylic acid) = 73/27], loaded with different model molecules (budesonide, tamoxifen, and $alpha$-tocopherol) was explored. After selecting the best operating conditions, especially for emulsification and separation, the technique proved to be readily adaptable for production of both nano and micro-particles with different morphologies, depending on type of polymer, and consequently on solvent used for solubilization: nano-particles, with a round shape and a smooth surface, for polyesters, otherwise micro-particles for the polyacrylate polymer, owing to the presence of hydrophilic co-solvents, that caused both an easy coalescence between the oil and water phases, thus enlarged particles size, and a high porosity. Even the yield of encapsulation was influenced by the presence of hydrophilic co-solvents, causing a higher yield for nano-vectors. Polyesters-based nano-vectors showed release times of molecules, linked to their degradation time, higher than 8 months that make them useful to formulate injectable or implantable drug delivery systems. Polyacrylate-based micro-vectors showed an enteric behavior, interesting for designing solid pharmaceutical formulations for oral delivery. Therefore, the technique demonstrated to assure a broad application in drug delivery research.},

keywords = {Micro and Nano Vectors},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barba2014a,

title = {Ultrasonic energy in liposome production: process modelling and size calculation},

author = { Anna Angela Barba and Sabrina Bochicchio and Gaetano Lamberti and Annalisa Dalmoro},

url = {http://xlink.rsc.org/?DOI=c3sm52879k},

doi = {10.1039/c3sm52879k},

issn = {1744-683X},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {Soft Matter},

volume = {10},

number = {15},

pages = {2574},

publisher = {The Royal Society of Chemistry},

abstract = {The use of liposomes in several fields of biotechnology, as well as in pharmaceutical and food sciences is continuously increasing. Liposomes can be used as carriers for drugs and other active molecules. Among other characteristics, one of the main features relevant to their target applications is the liposome size. The size of liposomes, which is determined during the production process, decreases due to the addition of energy. The energy is used to break the lipid bilayer into smaller pieces, then these pieces close themselves in spherical structures. In this work, the mechanisms of rupture of the lipid bilayer and the formation of spheres were modelled, accounting for how the energy, supplied by ultrasonic radiation, is stored within the layers, as the elastic energy due to the curvature and as the tension energy due to the edge, and to account for the kinetics of the bending phenomenon. An algorithm to solve the model equations was designed and the relative calculation code was written. A dedicated preparation protocol, which involves active periods during which the energy is supplied and passive periods during which the energy supply is set to zero, was defined and applied. The model predictions compare well with the experimental results, by using the energy supply rate and the time constant as fitting parameters. Working with liposomes of different sizes as the starting point of the experiments, the key parameter is the ratio between the energy supply rate and the initial surface area.},

keywords = {Micro and Nano Vectors},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bochicchio2014,

title = {Liposomes as siRNA Delivery Vectors},

author = {Sabrina Bochicchio and Annalisa Dalmoro and Anna Angela Barba and Gabriele Grassi and Gaetano Lamberti},

url = {http://www.eurekaselect.com/128256/article},

doi = {10.2174/1389200216666150206124913},

issn = {1389-2002},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {Current drug metabolism},

volume = {15},

number = {9},

pages = {882--892},

publisher = {Bentham Science Publishers},

abstract = {Nucleic Acid Based Drugs (NABDs) constitute a class of promising and powerful therapeutic new agents with limited side effects, potentially useable against a wide range of diseases, including cancer. Among them, the short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), represent very effective molecules. Despite their in vitro efficacy, the major drawback that limits siRNAs usage consists in a difficult delivery due to their very low stability in physiological fluids, and to their limited membrane-permeability through physiological barriers. On the other hand, the liposomes (lipid bilayers closed in vesicles of various sizes) represent interesting drug delivery systems (DDSs) which can be tailored in order to get the best performance in terms of load, vesicle size and transfection yield. In this work, the current state of study in these two fields, and the connections between them, are briefly summarized.},

keywords = {Drug Delivery Systems, liposome, Micro and Nano Vectors, siRNA},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barba2013b,

title = {In vitro dissolution of pH sensitive microparticles for colon-specific drug delivery},

author = { Anna Angela Barba and Annalisa Dalmoro and Matteo D'Amore and Gaetano Lamberti},

url = {http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/10837450.2012.727005},

doi = {10.3109/10837450.2012.727005},

issn = {1083-7450},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-12-01},

journal = {Pharmaceutical Development and Technology},

volume = {18},

number = {6},

pages = {1399--1406},

publisher = {Taylor \& Francis},

abstract = {Objective: The objective of this work is to prepare oral dosage systems based on enteric materials in order to verify their possible use as Colon-Specific Drug Delivery Systems (CSDDSs). Methodology: In particular, three different copolymers of methyl-methacrylate (MMA) - acrylic acid (AA) are synthesized with increasing percentage of MMA (from 70% to 73%) and they are used to produce microparticles by the double-emulsion solvent evaporation method. The microparticles, loaded using theophylline as model drug, are then tested for drug release under varying pH to reproduce what happens in the human GI tract.Results: All the investigated systems have shown an effective pH sensitiveness: they show a good gastro-resistance, releasing the model drug only at higher pH, small intestine or colon, depending on the kind of used copolymer. Conclusion: The results confirm the usefulness of both the materials and the methods proposed in this study for colon-specific delivery applications.},

keywords = {Micro and Nano Vectors},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barba2013a,

title = {Microwave assisted drying of cellulose derivative (HPMC) granular solids},

author = { Anna Angela Barba and Annalisa Dalmoro and Matteo D'Amore},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032591013000156},

doi = {10.1016/j.powtec.2012.12.060},

issn = {00325910},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-03-01},

journal = {Powder Technology},

volume = {237},

pages = {581--585},

abstract = {Drying constitutes a critical unit operation in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical powders and their associated products. In this work, the drying processes of cellulose derivative (hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, HPMC) granules were investigated. Granules of HPMC powders were produced by a wet granulation process using a hydro-alcoholic solution as binder phase, then they were dried with different drying methods based on traditional (by convective heating) and innovative (by microwave heating) techniques. To compare drying kinetics, experimental data were fitted by Lewis equation obtaining drying coefficients, and time/temperature process parameters were investigated. Microwave assisted drying showed reduced process times and, under some conditions, it allowed no drastic process temperatures. Since granular solids have a great relevance in pharmaceutical solid dosage form preparations, novel methods of drying with better performances appeared an issue of great interest for industry.},

keywords = {dielectric properties, Drying kinetics, Granulation, Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), microwave heating, Pharmaceutical granules, Wet granulation},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barba2013,

title = {Dielectric properties of pineapple as function of temperature and water content},

author = { Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti},

url = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/ijfs.12092},

doi = {10.1111/ijfs.12092},

issn = {09505423},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {International Journal of Food Science \& Technology},

volume = {48},

number = {6},

pages = {1334--1338},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Lamberti2013a,

title = {Measurements of water content in hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose based hydrogels via texture analysis.},

author = { Gaetano Lamberti and Sara Cascone and Maria Margherita Cafaro and Giuseppe Titomanlio and Matteo D'Amore and Anna Angela Barba},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0144861712010193},

doi = {10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.10.003},

issn = {1879-1344},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Carbohydrate polymers},

volume = {92},

number = {1},

pages = {765--8},

abstract = {In this work, a fast and accurate method to evaluate the water content in a cellulose derivative-based matrix subjected to controlled hydration was proposed and tuned. The method is based on the evaluation of the work of penetration required in the needle compression test. The work of penetration was successfully related to the hydrogel water content, assayed by a gravimetric technique. Moreover, a fitting model was proposed to correlate the two variables (the water content and the work of penetration). The availability of a reliable tool is useful both in the quantification of the water uptake phenomena, both in the management of the testing processes of novel pharmaceutical solid dosage forms.},

keywords = {HPMC, Hydrogel Characterization, Texture analysis, Water content},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{author,

title = {Analysis of Size Correlations for Microdroplets Produced by Ultrasonic Atomization},

author = { Annalisa Dalmoro and Anna Angela Barba and Matteo D'Amore},

url = {http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/482910/},

doi = {10.1155/2013/482910},

issn = {1537-744X},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {The Scientific World Journal},

volume = {2013},

pages = {1--7},

abstract = {Microencapsulation techniques are widely applied in the field of pharmaceutical production to control drugs release in time and in physiological environments. Ultrasonic-assisted atomization is a new technique to produce microencapsulated systems by a mechanical approach. Interest in this technique is due to the advantages evidenceable (low level of mechanical stress in materials, reduced energy request, reduced apparatuses size) when comparing it to more conventional techniques. In this paper, the groundwork of atomization is introduced, the role of relevant parameters in ultrasonic atomization mechanism is discussed, and correlations to predict droplets size starting from process parameters and material properties are presented and tested.},

keywords = {Micro and Nano Vectors},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Grassi2013,

title = {Therapeutic Potential of Nucleic Acid-Based Drugs in Coronary Hyper- Proliferative Vascular Diseases},

author = { Gabriele Grassi and B Scaggiante and B Dapas and R Farra and F Tonon and Gaetano Lamberti and Anna Angela Barba and S Fiorentino and N Fiotti and F Zanconati and Michela Abrami and Mario Grassi},

url = {http://www.eurekaselect.com/openurl/content.php?genre=article\&issn=0929-8673\&volume=20\&issue=28\&spage=3515},

doi = {10.2174/09298673113209990031},

issn = {09298673},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Current Medicinal Chemistry},

volume = {20},

number = {28},

pages = {3515--3538},

keywords = {Micro and Nano Vectors},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dalmoro2013,

title = {Droplet size prediction in the production of drug delivery microsystems by ultrasonic atomization.},

author = { Annalisa Dalmoro and Matteo D'Amore and Anna Angela Barba},

url = {http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=3829785\&tool=pmcentrez\&rendertype=abstract},

issn = {2239-9747},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Translational medicine @ UniSa},

volume = {7},

number = {2},

pages = {6--11},

publisher = {Universit},

abstract = {Microencapsulation processes of drugs or other functional molecules are of great interest in pharmaceutical production fields. Ultrasonic assisted atomization is a new technique to produce microencapsulated systems by mechanical approach. It seems to offer several advantages (low level of mechanical stress in materials, reduced energy request, reduced apparatuses size) with respect to more conventional techniques. In this paper the groundwork of atomization is briefly introduced and correlations to predict droplet size starting from process parameters and material properties are presented.},

keywords = {dimensionless, Micro and Nano Vectors, microparticles size prediction, numbers in atomization, ultrasonic atomization},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Grassi2013b,

title = {Therapeutic Potential of Nucleic Acid-Based Drugs in Coronary Hyper- Proliferative Vascular Diseases},

author = {Gabriele Grassi and Bruna Scaggiante and Barbara Dapas and Rossella Farra and Federica Tonon and Gaetano Lamberti and Anna Angela Barba and Simona Fiorentino and Nicola Fiotti and Fabrizio Zanconati and Michela Abrami and Mario Grassi },

url = {http://www.eurekaselect.com/113843/article},

doi = {10.2174/09298673113209990031},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Current Medicinal Chemistry},

volume = {20},

number = {18},

pages = {3515 - 3538},

abstract = {The thickening of the vessel wall (intimal hyperplasia) is a pathological process which often follows re-vascularization approaches such as transluminal angioplasty and artery bypass graft, procedures used to re-vascularize stenotic artery. Despite the significant improvements in the treatment of intimal hyperplasia obtained in the last years, the problem has not completely solved. Nucleic acid based-drugs (NABDs) represent an emergent class of molecules with potential therapeutic value for the treatment of intimal hyperplasia.

NABDs of interest in the field of intimal hyperplasia are: ribozymes, DNAzymes, antisense oligonucleotides, decoy oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs and micro interfering RNAs. These molecules can recognize, in a sequence-specific fashion, a target which, depending on the different NABDs, can be represented by a nucleic acid or a protein. Upon binding, NABDs can down-modulate the functions of the target (mRNA/proteins) and thus they are used to impair the functions of disease-causing biological molecules. In spite of the great therapeutic potential demonstrated by NABDs in many experimental model of intima hyperplasia, their practical use is hindered by the necessity to identify optimal delivery systems to the vasculature.

In the first part of this review a brief description of the clinical problem related to intima hyperplasia formation after revascularization procedures is reported. In the second part, the attention is focused on the experimental evidences of NABD therapeutic potential in the prevention of intimal hyperplasia. Finally, in the third part, we will describe the strategies developed to optimize NABD delivery to the diseased vessel.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Cascone2012,

title = {Microencapsulation effectiveness of small active molecules in biopolymer by ultrasonic atomization technique},

author = { Sara Cascone and Gaetano Lamberti and Giuseppe Titomanlio and Anna Angela Barba and Matteo D'Amore},

url = {http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/03639045.2011.653814},

doi = {10.3109/03639045.2011.653814},

issn = {0363-9045},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-12-01},

journal = {Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy},

volume = {38},

number = {12},

pages = {1486--1493},

keywords = {Micro and Nano Vectors},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Malafronte2012,

title = {Combined convective and microwave assisted drying: Experiments and modeling},

author = { Loredana Malafronte and Gaetano Lamberti and Anna Angela Barba and Birgitta Raaholt and Emma Holtz and Lilia Ahrn\`{e}},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0260877412002269},

doi = {10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2012.05.005},

issn = {02608774},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-10-01},

journal = {Journal of Food Engineering},

volume = {112},

number = {4},

pages = {304--312},

abstract = {The drying process is largely used in many different industrial applications, such as treatment of foods, production of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, manufacturing of paper, wood and building materials, polymers and so on. Physical and mathematical models can constitute useful tools to establish the influence of the main process variables on the final product quality, in order to apply an effective production control. In this work, simulation model was developed to describe combined convective/microwave assisted drying. In particular, a multi-physics approach was applied to take into account heat and two mass balances (for liquid water and for water vapor) and Maxwell’s equations to describe electromagnetic field propagation. Potato matrix was selected as food material; a waveguide with a rectangular cross section, equipped with a hot air circulator device, was used as microwave applicator. The proposed model was found able to describe the process, being thus a useful tool for design and management of the process itself.},

keywords = {Drying process, Microwave convective drier, Potato},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dalmoro2012a,

title = {Pharmaceutical applications of biocompatible polymer blends containing sodium alginate},

author = { Annalisa Dalmoro and Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti and Mario Grassi and Matteo D'Amore},

url = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/adv.21276},

doi = {10.1002/adv.21276},

issn = {07306679},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-09-01},

journal = {Advances in Polymer Technology},

volume = {31},

number = {3},

pages = {219--230},

publisher = {Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company},

abstract = {Biocompatible polymer blends, such as alginate blends, have a widespread use in pharmaceutical and medical applications due to their specific features, such as biodegradation, adhesiveness, and thermo- and pH sensitivity and that can be obtained from the mixture composition. In this work, the use of alginate blends was tested in a novel production methodology of therapeutic dosage forms based on polymeric chain reticulation phenomena induced by exposure to bivalent ions. Two kinds of sodium alginate were used to obtain gel films (structured films) in blends with Pluronic F127®. The blends were considered for applications in gel paving of drug-eluting stents. Sodium alginate was also used in shell\textendashcore particle production (structured particles) to obtain shell-barrier reducing drug release in the preparative steps (see wash operations). Both structures, films and particles, were obtained using Cu2+ and Ca2+ ions, respectively. Film/shell barrier properties were tested in dissolution experiments using vitamin B12 as an active molecule model. Experimental work demonstrated that the alginate composition is a crucial point in defining reticulated structures.},

keywords = {Alginate gel film, Alginate shell{\textendash}core particles, Biocompatibility, Crosslinking, Hydrogel Characterization, Hydrogels, Micro and Nano Vectors},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dalmoro2012,

title = {Intensifying the microencapsulation process: Ultrasonic atomization as an innovative approach},

author = { Annalisa Dalmoro and Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti and Matteo D'Amore},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0939641112000070},

doi = {10.1016/j.ejpb.2012.01.006},

issn = {09396411},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-04-01},

journal = {European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics},

volume = {80},

number = {3},

pages = {471--477},

abstract = {In this review, new approaches to the microencapsulation processes, widely used in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, are discussed focusing the attention on the emerging ultrasonic atomization technique. Fundamentals and novel aspects are presented, and advantages of ultrasonic atomization in terms of intensification and low energy requests are emphasized.},

keywords = {Atomization assisted by ultrasonic energy, Micro and Nano Vectors, microencapsulation, Microparticles production, Process intensification},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barba2012,

title = {Use of microwaves for in-situ removal of pollutant compounds from solid matrices.},

author = { Anna Angela Barba and Domenico Acierno and Matteo D'Amore},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389411010053},

doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.07.123},

issn = {1873-3336},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-01-01},

journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},

volume = {207-208},

pages = {128--35},

abstract = {Thermal treatments are the most used methods to remediate contaminated solids. However, they may seriously damage the otherwise recoverable matrices, especially when mild operating conditions cannot be used. Microwaves recently raised as a powerful tool in industrial engineering for their ability, among other advantages, to offer a selected heating, thus allowing to treat and remove only the undesired components of a matrix. This work approaches the microwave assisted thermal treatments of waste from a physical-chemical point of view. Two recovering operations have been performed, respectively, on a soil contaminated by volatile organic compounds and on a ceramic filter spoiled by soot, using two specially designed prototypes, both realized on pre-pilot scale. The heat and mass transfer balances have then been analyzed in their more general form, and terms related to the use of microwaves outlined. Solutions of the differential equations have been applied to interpret the effects of microwaves on rate and efficiency of the remediation processes.},

keywords = {Ceramics, Environmental Restoration and Remediation, Environmental Restoration and Remediation: methods, Hot Temperature, Microwaves, Soil Pollutants, Soil Pollutants: isolation \& purification, Volatile Organic Compounds, Volatile Organic Compounds: isolation \& purificati},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Lamberti2012c,

title = {Controlled Release of Drugs From Hydrogel Based Matrices Systems: Experiments and Modeling},

author = { Gaetano Lamberti and Sara Cascone and Giuseppe Titomanlio and Anna Angela Barba},

issn = {0352-9568},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-01-01},

journal = {Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Quarterly},

volume = {26},

number = {4},

pages = {321--330},

publisher = {Hrvatsko dru\v{s}tvo kemijskih in\v{z}enjera i tehnologa},

abstract = {Hydrogels are materials largely used in the formulation of pharmaceuticals since, in principle, they could produce a release system of zero-order kinetics, which is of great therapeutic interest. In this paper, a model was proposed for the description of the main transport phenomena involved in the drug release process from hydrogel matrices (water diffusion, polymer swelling, drug diffusion and polymer dissolution); the model predictions are successfully compared with a large set of experimental data, obtained working with matrices systems based on HPMC (Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose). The proposed model was found able to reproduce main features of the observed phenomena, it can thus be adopted for prediction of the performances of drug release systems from hydrogel matrices.},

keywords = {Hydrogel Characterization, Hydrogel Modeling},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barba2012b,

title = {Controlled Release of Drugs from Microparticles Produced by Ultrasonic Assisted Atomization Based on Biocompatible Polymers},

author = { Anna Angela Barba and Annalisa Dalmoro and Matteo D'Amore and Gaetano Lamberti},

url = {http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak\&id_clanak_jezik=138369},

issn = {0352-9568},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-01-01},

journal = {Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Quarterly},

volume = {26},

number = {4},

pages = {345--353},

publisher = {Hrvatsko dru\v{s}tvo kemijskih in\v{z}enjera i tehnologa},

abstract = {Microencapsulation of active molecules in biocompatible polymers is a matter of great interest in pharmaceutical sciences. Ultrasonic assisted atomization as a new technique to produce microencapsulated systems seems to offer several advantages (low level of mechanical stress in materials, reduced energy request, reduced apparatuses size) with respect to more conventional techniques. In this work, fine drug-loaded particles were produced by ionic reticulation of droplets obtained by ultrasonic atomization of biopolymers solutions. The particles were then characterized in terms of morphology and drug release kinetics. Data were used to estimate the PNMS (Polymeric Network Mesh-Size) with the aims of clarifying its role in controlled drug release, and analyzing its relationships with material and process parameters. For materials and operative conditions investigated, the calculated PNMS was found consistent with a fast release of drugs of small molecular size.},

keywords = {Micro and Nano Vectors},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barba2012a,

title = {An engineering approach to biomedical sciences: advanced strategies in drug delivery systems production},

author = { Anna Angela Barba and Annalisa Dalmoro and Matteo D'Amore},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-01-01},

journal = {Translational Medicine@ UniSa},

volume = {4},

pages = {5--11},

publisher = {Universit},

abstract = {Development and optimization of novel production techniques for drug delivery systems are fundamental steps in the “from the bench to the bedside” process which is the base of translational medicine. In particular, in the current scenery where the need for reducing energy consumption, emissions, wastes and risks drives the development of sustainable processes, new pharmaceutical manufacturing does not constitute an exception. In this paper, concepts of process intensification are presented and their transposition in drug delivery systems production is discussed. Moreover, some examples on intensified techniques, for drug microencapsulation and granules drying, are reported.},

keywords = {Micro and Nano Vectors, microwave heating, Process intensification, ultrasonic atomization},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Lamberti2011,

title = {Controlled release from hydrogel-based solid matrices. A model accounting for water up-take, swelling and erosion.},

author = { Gaetano Lamberti and Ivan Galdi and Anna Angela Barba},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378517311000548},

doi = {10.1016/j.ijpharm.2011.01.023},

issn = {1873-3476},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-04-01},

journal = {International journal of pharmaceutics},

volume = {407},

number = {1-2},

pages = {78--86},

abstract = {Design and realization of drug delivery systems based on polymer matrices could be greatly improved by modeling the phenomena which take place after the systems administration. Availability of a reliable mathematical model, able to predict the release kinetic from drug delivery systems, could actually replace the resource-consuming trial-and-error procedures usually followed in the manufacture of these latter. In this work, the complex problem of drug release from polymer (HPMC) based matrices systems was faced. The phenomena, previously observed and experimentally quantified, of water up-take, system swelling and erosion, and drug release were here described by transient mass balances with diffusion. The resulting set of differential equations was solved by using finite element methods. Two different systems were investigated: cylindrical matrices in which the transport phenomena were allowed only by lateral surfaces ("radial" case), and cylindrical matrices with the overall surface exposed to the solvent ("overall" case). A code able to describe quantitatively all the observed phenomena has been obtained.},

keywords = {drug release, Hydrogel Modeling, Hydrogels, Mathematical modeling, Swelling; Erosion},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dalmoro2010a,

title = {Enteric Micro-Particles for Targeted Oral Drug Delivery},

author = { Annalisa Dalmoro and Gaetano Lamberti and Giuseppe Titomanlio and Anna Angela Barba and Matteo D'Amore},

url = {http://www.springerlink.com/index/10.1208/s12249-010-9528-3},

doi = {10.1208/s12249-010-9528-3},

issn = {1530-9932},

year  = {2010},

date = {2010-12-01},

journal = {AAPS PharmSciTech},

volume = {11},

number = {4},

pages = {1500--1507},

publisher = {Springer US},

abstract = {This work is focused on production of enteric-coated micro-particles for oral administration, using a water-in-oil-in-water solvent evaporation technique. The active agent theophylline was first encapsulated in cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), a pH-sensitive well-known polymer, which is insoluble in acid media but dissolves at neutral pH (above pH 6). In this first step, CAP was chosen with the aim optimizing the preparation and characterization methods. The desired release pattern has been obtained (low release at low pH, higher release at neutral pH) but in presence of a low encapsulation efficiency. Then, the CAP was replaced by a novel-synthesized pH-sensitive poly(methyl methacrylate\textendashacrylic acid) copolymer, poly(MMA\textendashAA). In this second step, the role of two process parameters was investigated, i.e., the percentage of emulsion stabilizer (polyvinyl alcohol, PVA) and the stirring power for the double emulsion on the encapsulation efficiency. The encapsulation efficiency was found to increase with PVA percentage and to decrease with the stirring power. By increasing the PVA content and by decreasing the stirring power, a high stable double emulsion was obtained, and this explains the increase in encapsulation efficiency found.},

keywords = {coating, drug targeting, emulsion, Micro and Nano Vectors, microencapsulation, polymeric drug delivery systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}