Damiano Mita

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Institute of genetics and biophysics, Emeritus

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Papers by Damiano Mita

Il biorisanamento ambientale: disinquinare con enzimi e microrganismi

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Phonon-particle interactions and transport processes in liquids

Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics, 1993

The theory of thermal radiation forces is extended to the local interactions occurring among phon... more The theory of thermal radiation forces is extended to the local interactions occurring among phonons and the material particles of a liquid, also in the absence of an external temperature gradient. In a solution, energy and momentum can be transferred by an impinging phonon to a particle, or the latter may perform work on the first, shifting it to a

Phonons in liquids, Onsager's reciprocal relations, and the heats of transport

Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics, 1994

... The notion of momentum carried by electromagnetic 1063-65 1X/94/49(1)/433(12)/$06.00 PHYSICAL... more

Are liquids molten solids or condensed gases?

The kinship between liquids and solids, advocated by the similarity of the respective densities, ... more The kinship between liquids and solids, advocated by the similarity of the respective densities, did not lead, until now, to a theory of transport processes in liquids in analogy to the phonon theory of solids. The ubiquitous presence of scattering centers due to the disordered structure of fluids makes a quantitative appraisal of energy and momentum exchange in the course of phonon-particle interactions pivotal for such an approach. The new physical concepts of radiant vector and of thermal radiation force provide the appropriate fundamentals for a quantitative treatment. The experimental foundations of the proposed theory reside in a clear-cut assessment and in the appropriate measurement of thermal radiation forces in the appropriate material system. For reasons discussed here such an unambiguous result may be only obtained in conditions of reduced gravity.

Immobilized-enzyme activity under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions: Studies on β-galactosidase as a model enzyme

by Damiano Mita and M. Portaccio

ABSTRACT

Bisphenol A effects on gene expression in children adipocytes: association to metabolic disorders

Journal of molecular endocrinology, Jan 15, 2015

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a xenobiotic endocrine disrupting chemical. In vitro and in vivo studies hav... more Bisphenol A (BPA) is a xenobiotic endocrine disrupting chemical. In vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that BPA alters endocrine-metabolic pathways in adipose tissue increasing the risk of developing metabolic disorders and obesity. BPA can affect adipose tissue increasing fat cells number or size by regulating the expression of the genes directly involved in metabolic homeostasis and obesity. Several studies performed in animal models accounted for an obesogen role of BPA, while the effects on human adipocytes - especially in children - have been poorly investigated. The aim of this study is to understand the molecular mechanisms by which environmentally relevant doses of BPA can interfere with canonical endocrine function that regulates metabolism in mature human adipocytes from pre-pubertal non-obese children. BPA can act as estrogen agonist or antagonist depending on the physiological context. To identify molecular signatures associated to metabolism, transcriptional modif...

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Degradation and toxicity assessment of the nonionic surfactant Triton™ X-45 by the peroxymonosulfate/UV-C process

Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology, Jan 4, 2015

The degradation and mineralization of the nonionic surfactant octylphenol ethoxylate (OPEO), comm... more The degradation and mineralization of the nonionic surfactant octylphenol ethoxylate (OPEO), commercially known as Triton™ X-45, by the peroxymonosulfate (PMS)/UV-C process were investigated. Three different toxicity tests (Daphnia magna, Vibrio fischeri and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata) as well as the Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES) bioassay were undertaken to evaluate the potential toxic and estrogenic effects of OPEO and its oxidation products. OPEO removal was very fast and complete after 7 min via PMS/UV-C treatment under the investigated reaction conditions (OPEO = 20 mg L(-1) (47 μM); TOC = 12 mg L(-1); PMS = 2.5 mM; initial reaction pH = 6.5; applied UV-C dose = 21 Wh L(-1)). TOC removal also proceeded rapidly; a gradual decrease was observed resulting in an overall TOC removal of 84%. The toxic responses of PMS/UV-C treated OPEO solutions varied according to the test organism used in the bioassay. Daphnia magna was found to be most sensitive to aqueous OPEO, whereas Pseudoki...

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<title>FT-IR microspectroscopy characterization of supports for enzyme immobilization in biosensing applications</title>

by Damiano Mita, Tzonka Godjevargova, and M. Portaccio

Biophotonics: Photonic Solutions for Better Health Care II, 2010

ABSTRACT The investigation of materials suitable for enzyme immobilization in biosensing applicat... more ABSTRACT The investigation of materials suitable for enzyme immobilization in biosensing applications has a widespread interest. There are many studies on physico-chemical properties of these materials at macroscopic level but few studies have been devoted to examine and correlate these properties at microscopic level. FT-IR spectroscopy with Micro-Attenuated Total Reflection (Micro-ATR) approach can be extremely useful for understanding a variety of aspects of materials which can be used for optimising immobilization procedures. Moreover, this experimental approach is particularly simple to use (no sample preparation is required) and minimally invasive. Using a Perkin Elmer Spectrum One FT-IR spectrometer equipped with a mercury-cadmium-telluride detector and a micro-ATR element we investigated different materials used for immobilization procedures with various enzymes widely used for biosensing in environmental and clinical applications. In particular, composite membranes constituted by a chemically modified poly-acrylonitrile (PAN) membrane plus layers of tethered chitosan of different molecular weight have been examined. Also silica gel matrices without and with glucose oxidase have been investigated. Spectra have been analysed and the contribution of principal functional groups has been evidenced.

Optical properties of sol-gel immobilized Laccase: a first step for its use in optical biosensing

by Damiano Mita and M. Portaccio

Optical Sensing and Detection II, 2012

ABSTRACT Laccases are cuproproteins belonging to the group of oxidoreductases that are able to ca... more ABSTRACT Laccases are cuproproteins belonging to the group of oxidoreductases that are able to catalyze the oxidation of various aromatic compounds (particularly phenols) with the concomitant reduction of oxygen to water. They are characterized by low substrate specificity and have a catalytic competence which widely varies depending on the source. Additionally, laccases have also very peculiar optical properties due to their copper active sites which participate to the reduction processes. All these characteristics make laccases very flexible biotic element for biotechnological applications. During the years, a number of studies have been devoted at exploiting catalytic properties of laccases and very few at profiting of their optical properties. Some preliminary studies by absorption, fluorescence FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies of commercial laccases have evidenced their potential usefulness for optical biosensing of phenol compounds as cathecol. Moreover the sol-gel process offers a convenient and versatile method for preparing optically transparent matrices at room temperature that can represent a very convenient support for laccase immobilization. Also for immobilised enzymes the above-mentioned techniques have allowed a detailed characterization of their optical properties that confirmed the potentials of laccases in optical biosensors and represented a fundamental step in the designing of an optimised optical biosensing scheme.

Curcumin loaded PLGA-poloxamer blend nanoparticles induce cell cycle arrest in mesothelioma cells

by Marco Biondi and Damiano Mita

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2015

The pharmacological potential of curcumin (CURC) is severely restricted because of its low water ... more The pharmacological potential of curcumin (CURC) is severely restricted because of its low water solubility/absorption, short half-life and poor bioavailability. To overcome these issues, CURC-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) were produced by a double emulsion technique. In particular, NPs were made up of an amphiphilic blend of poloxamers and PLGA to confer stealth properties to the NPs to take advantage of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Different surface properties of NPs made up of bare PLGA and PLGA/poloxamer blend were confirmed by the different interactions of these NPs with serum proteins and also by their ability to be internalized by mesothelioma cell line. The uptake of PLGA/poloxamer NPs induces a persistent block in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle up to 72 h, thus overcoming the drug tolerance phenomenon, normally evidenced with free CURC.

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Modulation of membrane potential in algal cells by temperature gradients. A thermodynamic approach

Cell biophysics

The aim of the present study is to ascertain whether transmembrane temperature gradients couple w... more The aim of the present study is to ascertain whether transmembrane temperature gradients couple with transport of electric charge in living cells of Valonia utricularis and eventually measure the thermodynamic coupling coefficient (s). Simple experimental procedures are described that allow generation of temperature gradients of predetermined sense and intensity across the cell membrane. Simultaneous measurement of the potential difference is ensured by standard electrophysiological methods. The mathematical expressions that allow quantitative treatment of experimental results are indicated in the article and are based on standard nonequilibrium thermodynamic and electrophysiological formalism. The value of the coupling coefficient between temperature gradient and flow of electric charge is indicated and concisely discussed in terms of possible mechanisms of ionic membrane transport.

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A developmental hepatotoxicity study of dietary bisphenol A in Sparus aurata juveniles

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 2014

Previous studies in rats have indicated that a diet enriched with Bisphenol A adversely effects m... more Previous studies in rats have indicated that a diet enriched with Bisphenol A adversely effects metabolism and reproductive success. In rats exposed to BPA by maternal gavage, alteration in the developmental programming, higher obesity rates and reproductive anomalies were induced. Starting with this evidence, the aim of this study was to provide important insights on the effects induced by a BPA enriched diet, on the reproductive physiology and metabolism of juvenile fish, simulating the scenario occurring when wild fish fed on prey contaminated with environmental BPA. Seabream was chosen as model, as it is one of the primary commercial species valued by consumers and these results could provide important findings on adverse effects that could be passed on to humans by eating contaminated fish. A novel method for measuring BPA in the food and water by affinity chromatography was developed. Analysis of signals involved in reproduction uncovered altered levels of vtg and Zp, clearly indicating the estrogenic effect of BPA. Similarly, BPA up-regulated catd and era gene expression. A noteworthy outcome from this study was the full length cloning of two vtg encoding proteins, namely vtgA and vtgB, which are differently modulated by BPA. Cyp1a1 and EROD activity were significantly downregulated, confirming the ability of estrogenic compounds to inhibit the detoxification process. GST activity was unaffected by BPA contamination, while CAT activity was down regulated. These results collectively confirm the estrogenic effect of BPA and provide additional characterization of novel vtg genes in Sparus aurata.

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S2O82−/UV-C and H2O2/UV-C treatment of Bisphenol A: Assessment of toxicity, estrogenic activity, degradation products and results in real water

Chemosphere, 2015

The performance of S 2 O 8 2À /UV-C and H 2 O 2 /UV-C treatments was investigated for the degrada... more The performance of S 2 O 8 2À /UV-C and H 2 O 2 /UV-C treatments was investigated for the degradation and detoxification of Bisphenol A (BPA). The acute toxicity of BPA and its degradation products was examined with the Vibrio fischeri bioassay, whereas changes in estrogenic activity were followed with the Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES) assay. LC and LC-MS/MS analyses were conducted to determine degradation products evolving during photochemical treatment. In addition, BPA-spiked real freshwater samples were also subjected to S 2 O 8 2À /UV-C and H 2 O 2 /UV-C treatment to study the effect of a real water matrix on BPA removal and detoxification rates. BPA removal in pure water was very fast (67 min) and complete via both H 2 O 2 /UV-C and S 2 O 8 2À /UV-C treatment, accompanied with rapid and significant mineralization rates ranging between 70% and 85%. V. fischeri bioassay results indicated that degradation products being more toxic than BPA were formed at the initial stages of H 2 O 2 /UV-C whereas a rapid and steady reduction in toxicity was observed during S 2 O 8 2À /UV-C treatment in pure water. UV-C treatment products exhibited a higher estrogenic activity than the original BPA solution while the estrogenicity of BPA was completely removed during H 2 O 2 /UV-C and S 2 O 8 2À /UV-C treatments parallel to its degradation. 3-methylbenzoic and 4-sulfobenzoic acids, as well as the ring opening products fumaric, succinic and oxalic acids could be identified as degradation products. BPA degradation required extended treatment periods (>20 min) and TOC removals were considerably retarded (by 40%) in the raw freshwater matrix most probably due to its natural organic matter content (TOC = 5.1 mg L À1 ). H 2 O 2 /UV-C and S 2 O 8 2À /UV-C treatment in raw freshwater did not result in toxic degradation products.

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Immobilized Enzymes: Strategies for Overcoming the Substrate Diffusion-Limitation Problem

Immobilized enzymes offer many advantages over the free counterparts. These advantages include, b... more Immobilized enzymes offer many advantages over the free counterparts. These advantages include, but are not limited to, easy separation, reuse, induced stabilities and potential of continuous operation. However, the immobilization process at the same time causes some drawbacks including loss of catalytic activity of the immobilized enzymes. Many interpretations have been given to explain the reasons behind such drawback. Some of them are related to the enzymes themselves, such as deactivation of enzymes and miss-orientation. Others refer to diffusion limitation of substrates and/or to inhibitory effects of the products. Substrate diffusion limitation presents the most serious one.

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Modification of Polytetrafluoroethylene Surface Properties for Biocatalytic Membrane Applications

by Damiano Mita and CAD-CAE Engineer

â-D-Galactosidase (E 3.2.1.23) from Aspergillus oryzae was immobilized onto Teflon membranes graf... more â-D-Galactosidase (E 3.2.1.23) from Aspergillus oryzae was immobilized onto Teflon membranes grafted using ã-irradiation technique. Various grafted copolymers with varying hydrophilic moieties were prepared using simultaneous co-polymerization to study effect of the resultant microenvironment systems wherefrom type and content of these hydrophilic moieties on the activity of catalytic membranes under both of isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. Diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (DEGDMA), as a hydrophobic monomer was co-polymerized with each of the three hydrophilic monomers; methacrylic acid (MAA), acrylamide (AAM) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). It was found that both of grafting percentage and activity of the catalytic membranes were greatly affected by the type and content of the hydrophilic components in the graft co-polymers. Since, the incorporation of the hydrophilic components in the graft co-polymers exhibited a positive effect on the activity of the catalytic hydrophobic membranes under either of isothermal or nonisothermal conditions. The increase extent in the catalytic activity of Teflon membranes grafted with hydrophobic-hydrophilic co-polymers was ranged from 18 -27% comparing with the catalytic activity of Teflon membrane grafted with poly-DEGDMA under isothermal conditions. Whereas, these increase extent was ranged from 127 -188% under non-isothermal conditions. © Society for Biomaterials and Artificial Organs (India), 20090503-42.

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Monitoring production process of cisplatin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles by FT-IR microspectroscopy and univariate data analysis

by Damiano Mita and M. Portaccio

Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2014

ABSTRACT Cisplatin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for drug delivery have been prepared using a well-es... more ABSTRACT Cisplatin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for drug delivery have been prepared using a well-established water/oil/water double emulsion-solvent evaporation method. The production process has been monitored by using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy without using KBr tablets and any preliminary sample preparation. Significant spectra have been obtained for all chemical compounds and for samples at different steps of production process. The use of a linear or univariate approach using a R2 determination coefficient has been proposed for discriminating among FT-IR spectra even when small differences are present. The obtained results confirm that new geometries of data acquisition contribute to make infrared microspectroscopy a very useful tool for a rapid and detailed monitoring of production processes of pharmacological interest. Moreover, morphological and physiological characterizations have been performed on cisplatin-loded samples showing results in good agreement with those reported in literature. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41305.

FT-IR microspectroscopy of cisplatin loaded PLGA nanoparticles

by Damiano Mita and M. Portaccio

2014 Fotonica AEIT Italian Conference on Photonics Technologies, 2014

ABSTRACT Biodegradable polymer nanoparticles have recently received considerable attention for dr... more ABSTRACT Biodegradable polymer nanoparticles have recently received considerable attention for drug delivery. One of the most investigated system is represented by cisplatin-loaded poly-(D, L-lactic-co-glycolic)acid (PLGA) nanoparticles. FT-IR microspectroscopy has been used for characterizing these particles. In addition an univariate analysis procedure has been adopted for interpreting experimental results when the spectrum modifications are relatively weak.

Removal of Endocrine Disruptors in Waste Waters by Means of Bioreactors

Waste Water - Treatment and Reutilization, 2011

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Alkylphenolic contaminants in the diet: Sparus aurata juveniles hepatic response

General and Comparative Endocrinology, 2014

A wide range of endocrine disrupter chemicals can mimic steroid hormones causing adverse health e... more A wide range of endocrine disrupter chemicals can mimic steroid hormones causing adverse health effects. Nonylphenol (NP) and t-octhylphenol (t-OP) are man-made alkylphenolic environmental contaminants possessing controversial endocrine disruption properties. This study has investigated the effects of NP and t-OP enriched diets on hepatic tissue and biotransformation activities in the liver. To this aim, sea bream juveniles were fed with commercial diet enriched with three different doses of NP (NP1: 5 mg/kg bw, NP2: 50 mg/kg bw and NP3: 100 mg/kg bw) or t-OP (t-OP1: 5 mg/kg bw, t-OP2: 50 mg/kg bw and t-OP3: 100 mg/kg bw) for 21 days. A significant increase of the hepatosomatic index was observed in NP1 and t-OP1. Alteration of liver morphology was observed in both NP and t-OP exposed juveniles although the most altered endpoints were observed in t-OP2 with 100% of tissue degeneration. Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity was significantly inhibited by NP and t-OP (p < 0.05), while catalase activity was significantly induced, at both doses. A different pattern of protein expression of different isoforms of both vitellogenin and zona radiata protein was evidenced within the treatments. In addition, a significant increase in the abundance of the stress induced heat shock protein 70 gene in the liver of t-OP2 fish and a significant increase in the abundance of the estrogen induced cathepsin D gene in the liver of NP1 and t-OP2 fish, were observed. Finally, estradiol-17b (E 2 ) and testosterone (T) plasma levels and E 2 /T showed significantly different patterns in NP and t-OP exposed against control fish.

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Investigation on Clarified Fruit Juice Composition by Using Visible Light Micro-Raman Spectroscopy

Sensors, 2007

Liquid samples of clarified apple and apricot juices at different production stages were investig... more Liquid samples of clarified apple and apricot juices at different production stages were investigated using visible light micro-Raman spectroscopy in order to assess its potential in monitoring fruit juice production. As is well-known, pectin plays a strategic role in the production of clarified juice and the possibility of using Raman for its detection during production was therefore evaluated. The data analysis has enabled the clear identification of pectin. In particular, Raman spectra of apple juice samples from washed and crushed fruits revealed a peak at 845 cm -1 (typical of pectin) which disappears in the Raman spectra of depectinised samples. The fructose content was also revealed by the presence of four peaks at 823 cm -1 , 872 cm -1 , 918 cm -1 and 975 cm -1 . In the case of apricot juice, several Raman fingerprints of β-carotene at 1008, 1159 and 1520 cm -1 were also highlighted. Present results resulted interesting for the exclusive use of optical methods for the quantitative determination of the above-mentioned substances in place of the biochemical assays generally used for this purpose, which are time consuming and require different chemical reagents for each of them.

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