Publications

@article{Abbiati2015a,

title = {A PSE approach to patient-individualized physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling},

author = { Roberto Andrea Abbiati and Gaetano Lamberti and Anna Angela Barba and Mario Grassi and Davide Manca},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444635785500104},

doi = {10.1016/B978-0-444-63578-5.50010-4},

issn = {15707946},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

journal = {12th International Symposium on Process Systems Engineering and 25th European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering},

volume = {37},

pages = {77--84},

publisher = {Elsevier},

series = {Computer Aided Chemical Engineering},

abstract = {Pharmacokinetic modeling allows predicting the drug concentration reached in the blood as a consequence of a specific administration. When such models are based on mammalian anatomy and physiology it is possible to theoretically evaluate the drug concentration in every organ and tissue of the body. This is the case of the so-called physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models. This paper proposes and validates a procedure to deploy PBPK models based on a simplified, although highly consistent with human anatomy and physiology, approach. The article aims at reducing the pharmacokinetic variations among subjects due to inter-individual variability, by applying a strategy to individualize some model parameters. The simulation results are validated respect to experimental data on remifentanil.},

keywords = {Complexity reduction, In silico, Lumping, Personalization, Pharmacokinetics, Physiologically-Based modeling, Remifentanil},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barba2015a,

title = {Liposoluble vitamin encapsulation in shell\textendashcore microparticles produced by ultrasonic atomization and microwave stabilization},

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

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002364381500403X},

doi = {10.1016/j.lwt.2015.05.040},

issn = {00236438},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

journal = {LWT - Food Science and Technology},

volume = {64},

number = {1},

pages = {149--156},

abstract = {Encapsulation may protect unstable, fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). However, encapsulation by the solvent extraction and/or evaporation techniques can require toxic organic solvents, which greatly increase processing costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on ergocalciferol encapsulation by a combination of the ionic gelation method with the ultrasonic atomization and microwave drying. Optimization of manufacturing parameters included the addition of pluronic-F127 to the core solution at 1.5% w/w to increase the encapsulation efficiency to nearly 92%, greatly improving performance compared to Tween 80 at 0.5% w/w. Microwave treatment at 230 W promoted the recovery of 100% of the ergocalciferol and reduced drying times to about 30 min, while 690 W degraded 40% of the D2. In contrast, the conventional heating degraded 17% of the ergocalciferol during 12 h of processing. By all the applied methods, microparticles were produced with similar gastoresistance properties of less than 10% release at pH of 1.0, to nearly 100% release at pH of 6.8 and 240 min of dissolution. Analysis showed limited ergocalciferol degradation after 5 months of storage.},

keywords = {drug delivery, Micro and Nano Vectors, Microwave drying, Shell{\textendash}core microparticles, Ultrasonic energy, Vitamins},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barba2015,

title = {Novel Lipid and Polymeric Materials As Delivery Systems for Nucleic Acid Based Drugs.},

author = { Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti and Carla Sardo and Barbara Dapas and Michela Abrami and Mario Grassi and Rossella Farra and F Tonon and Giancarlo Forte and F Musiani and M Licciardi and G Pozzato and F Zanconati and Bruna Scaggiante and Gabriele Grassi and Gennara Cavallaro},

url = {http://benthamscience.com/journals/current-drug-metabolism/article/133927/},

doi = {10.2174/1389200216666150812142557},

issn = {1389-2002},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

journal = {Current drug metabolism},

volume = {16},

number = {6},

pages = {427-452},

abstract = {Nucleic acid based drugs (NADBs) are short DNA/RNA molecules that include among others, antisense oligonucleotides, aptamers, small interfering RNAs and micro-interfering RNAs. Despite the different mechanisms of actions, NABDs have the ability to combat the effects of pathological gene expression in many experimental systems. Thus, nowadays, NABDs are considered to have a great therapeutic potential, possibly superior to that of available drugs. Unfortunately, however, the lack of effective delivery systems limits the practical use of NABDs. Due to their hydrophilic nature, NABDs cannot efficiently cross cellular membrane; in addition, they are subjected to fast degradation by cellular and extracellular nucleases. Together these aspects make the delivery of NABDs as naked molecules almost un-effective. To optimize NABD delivery, several solutions have been investigated. From the first attempts described in the beginning of the 1980s, a burst in the number of published papers occurred in the beginning of 1990s reaching a peak in 2012-13. The extensive amount of work performed so far clearly witnesses the interest of the scientific community in this topic. In the present review, we will concentrate on the description of the most interesting advances in the field. Particular emphasis will be put on polymeric and lipid materials used alone or in combination with a promising delivery strategy based on the use of carbon nanotubes. The data presented suggest that, although further improvements are required, we are not far from the identification of effective delivery systems for NABDs thus making the clinical use of these molecules closer to reality.},

keywords = {Biopolymer, Drug Delivery Systems, liposome, Micro and Nano Vectors, nucleic acid based drugs},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Caccavo2015,

title = {Hydrogel-based Granular Phytostrengtheners for Prolonged Release: Production and Characterization},

author = { Diego Caccavo and Sara Cascone and Maria Chiara Amoroso and Pietro Apicella and Gaetano Lamberti and Anna Angela Barba},

url = {http://www.aidic.it/cet/15/44/040.pdf},

doi = {10.3303/CET1544040},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

journal = {Chemical Engineering Transaction},

volume = {44},

pages = {235--240},

abstract = {Soil wellness is an indispensable requirement to obtain fruits and vegetables with finest quality and with high yields. To the purpose, periodical administrations of nutrients, as well as phytostrengtheners could be required. Crucial goals to maximize the economic and environmental sustainability of the whole cultivation are the decrease of the dosages number together with the increase of the active substance availability within the soil. With these aims a controlled release phytostrengtheners encapsulated in a granular Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose matrix has been developed exploiting the wet granulation process. The granular product has been analyzed in terms of Particle Size Distribution (PSD), morphology and flowability. The results showed the effectiveness of the granulation process and the good flowability of the granules, highly desirable features for the product handling and commercialization.},

keywords = {Granulation, Hydrogel Characterization, Tecnagri},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Cascone2015,

title = {Optimization of Chelates Production Process for Agricultural Administration of Inorganic Micronutrients},

author = { Sara Cascone and Pietro Apicella and Diego Caccavo and Gaetano Lamberti and Anna Angela Barba},

url = {http://www.aidic.it/cet/15/44/037.pdf},

doi = {10.3303/CET1544037},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

journal = {Chemical Engineering Transaction},

volume = {44},

pages = {217--222},

abstract = {The iron chlorosis is one of the most diffused plant disease, which affects their growth and reduces the yield of harvests. This disease is caused by the iron deficiency and it is highlighted by the progressive yellowing of plants due to the reduction of chlorophyll production. The most efficient and diffused therapy against the iron chlorosis is the use of chelating agents and, among them, the o,o-EDDHA/Fe3+, the most stable isomer of EDDHA, is the most used due to its capacity to guarantee a prolonged treatment. The aim of this work is to develop a production process environment friendly, based on the recovering and recycling of organic solvents to minimize the waste produced. The feed organic solvents ratio has been varied evaluating the synthesis yield and the percentage of o,o-EDDHA/Fe3+ produced to identify the best feeding conditions. Several products have been then tested on lettuce plants to determine their usability.},

keywords = {Chelating Agents, Tecnagri},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dalmoro2015,

title = {Microwave technology applied in post-harvest treatments of cereals and legumes},

author = { Annalisa Dalmoro and Anna Angela Barba and Silvestro Caputo and Francesco Marra and Gaetano Lamberti},

url = {http://www.aidic.it/cet/15/44/003.pdf},

doi = {10.3303/CET1544003},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

journal = {Chemical Engineering Transaction},

volume = {44},

pages = {13--18},

abstract = {For agricultural purposes microwave heating is an emerging technology today successfully applied in postharvest disinfestation treatments of many agricultural products, such as cereals and legumes, susceptible of degradation due to the presence of natural infesting fauna. Microwave irradiation is proposed as an effective alternative to chemical methods of disinfestation which can be characterized by severe side effects. Extensive studies focused on disinfestation treatments assisted by microwave have proved their effectiveness. Overall goal of the present research is to point out correlations between thermo-physic properties and irradiation conditions (power, time to exposure, load configuration) to stabilize cereals and legumes in short time without damages of structures and nutritive features. In this work, two kinds of agro-foods, weak wheat and beans, were undergone to microwave heating and several physical properties, devoted to control structural possible changes, were investigated on irradiated samples. The achieved results show that the applied irradiation protocol globally does not affect water uptake phenomena in swelling and cooking treatments, peel hardness and germination capability of seeds.},

keywords = {Tecnagri},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dalmoro2014a,

title = {Random l-lactide/$epsilon$-caprolactone copolymers as drug delivery materials},

author = { Annalisa Dalmoro and Anna Angela Barba and Marina Lamberti and Mina Mazzeo and Vincenzo Venditto and Gaetano Lamberti},

url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10853-014-8317-x},

doi = {10.1007/s10853-014-8317-x},

issn = {0022-2461},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-09-01},

journal = {Journal of Materials Science},

volume = {49},

number = {17},

pages = {5986--5996},

publisher = {Springer US},

abstract = {In this work, the degradation phenomena and the release kinetics of an active molecule from matrices systems made of random copolymers of $epsilon$-caprolactone (CL) and l-lactide (LA) were investigated by exposing the matrices, shaped as thin films, to simulated physiological environments. $alpha$-tocopherol was incorporated into the films as hydrophobic model molecule with the aim to investigate both its release pattern and its effect on erosion phenomena. In particular, the films have been kept at controlled conditions (temperature, stirring, pH) and they were characterized in terms of weight loss, water uptake, thermal properties, and change of number average molecular weight, in order to explain the molecule release kinetics and the degradation pathways of the copolymers. The main findings of this study are that the erosion phenomena take place significantly only when a critical value of the molecular mass was obtained in the sample; that the presence of the drug stabilizes the matrix and it decreases the rate of molecular mass decrease; and that crystallinity, reducing the chain mobility, causes lower erosion rates.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@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{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{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{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{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{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{Lamberti2014,

title = {Flow induced crystallisation of polymers},

author = { Gaetano Lamberti},

url = {http://xlink.rsc.org/?DOI=C3CS60308C},

doi = {10.1039/C3CS60308C},

issn = {0306-0012},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {Chem. Soc. Rev.},

volume = {43},

number = {7},

pages = {2240--2252},

publisher = {The Royal Society of Chemistry},

abstract = {This tutorial review describes the state of current research and findings on the phenomena of polymer crystallisation under processing conditions, with particular emphasis on the effects of fluid flow. Preliminarily, it is stated why the crystallisation processes are relevant in polymer science, then the motivation of the study is briefly outlined. The remaining of the paper is divided in two parts. In the first part of the review, the basics of polymer crystallisation are summarized; the main factors acting on the process are identified; and the methods to investigate and to quantify the crystallization are described. A brief summary of the modelling approaches is also proposed. In the second part of the review, a similar path was followed in order to analyse the complex framework of phenomena collectively known as flow induced crystallisation. Therefore, the experimental techniques used are listed and the main findings are reported. A reference to the modelling approaches proposed in the literature is also summarized. Throughout the review, a selection of the literature in the field is of course cited.},

keywords = {},

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{Cascone2013,

title = {Pharmacokinetics of Remifentanil: a three-compartmental modeling approach},

author = { Sara Cascone and Gaetano Lamberti and Giuseppe Titomanlio and Ornella Piazza},

url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3829787/},

issn = {2239-9747},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-09-01},

journal = {Translational Medicine @ UniSa},

volume = {7},

pages = {18--22},

publisher = {Universit},

abstract = {Remifentanil is a new opioid derivative drug characterized by a fast onset and by a short time of action, since it is rapidly degraded by esterases in blood and other tissues. Its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics properties make remifentanil a very interesting molecule in the field of 0anesthesia. However a complete and versatile pharmacokinetic description of remifentanil still lacks. In this work a three-compartmental model has been developed to describe the pharmacokinetics of remifentanil both in the case in which it is administered by intravenous constant-rate infusion and by bolus injection. The model curves have been compared with experimental data published in scientific papers and the model parameters have been optimized to describe both ways of administration. The ad hoc model is adaptable and potentially useful for predictive purposes.},

keywords = {In silico, Pharmacokinetics},

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{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{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{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{Lamberti2013,

title = {Industrial Engineering \& Translational Medicine: The Role of Modeling},

author = { Gaetano Lamberti},

url = {http://www.omicsgroup.org/journals/industrial-engineering-translational-medicine-the-role-of-modeling-2169-0316.1000e112.php?aid=9217},

doi = {10.4172/2169-0316.1000e112},

issn = {21690316},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Industrial Engineering \& Management},

volume = {02},

number = {01},

pages = {e112},

keywords = {In silico, Pharmacokinetics},

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{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{Lamberti2012d,

title = {In vitro simulation of drug intestinal absorption.},

author = { Gaetano Lamberti and Sara Cascone and Margherita Iannaccone and Giuseppe Titomanlio},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378517312009520},

doi = {10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.10.012},

issn = {1873-3476},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-12-01},

journal = {International journal of pharmaceutics},

volume = {439},

number = {1-2},

pages = {165--8},

abstract = {In this work, a simple set-up was designed, realized and tested to evaluate the effect of intestinal absorption on the in vitro drug release studies. The conventional USP-approved dissolution apparatus 2 was equipped with an hollow fibers filter, along with the necessary tubing and pumps, to simulate the two-fluids real behavior (the gastro intestinal lumen and the gastro intestinal circulatory system). The realized set-up was characterized in term of mass exchange characteristic, using the theophylline as the model drug, also with the aid of a simple mathematical model; then the release kinetics of a controlled release tablet was evaluated in the conventional test as well as in the novel simulator. The concentration of drug in the release compartment (which simulates the gastric lumen) was found lower in the novel simulator than in the traditional one.},

keywords = {Controlled drug release, In vitro, Intestinal Absorption, Mass balance, Oral administration, Pharmacokinetics, Theophylline},

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}

}