IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Medical spectroscopy,
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Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Data science meets FTIR Imaging: a promising probe to improve the diagnosis of human uterine muscle lesions Chiara Santoni, Giulia Orilisi, Stefania Greco, Valentina Notarstefano, Giovanni Delli Carpini, Abel Duménigo Gonzàlez, Federica Giantomassi, Alessandra Filosa, Gaia Goteri, Andrea Ciavattini, Gian Franco Zannoni, Giovanna Orsini, Elisabetta Giorgini, Pasquapina Ciarmela Spectrochimica Acta Part A Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 2026
BPA Disrupts Hepatic Lipid and Carbohydrate Metabolism in Female Zebrafish: Protective Effects of Probiotics Revealed by FTIRI and Lipidomics Christian Giommi, Chiara Santoni, Fabrizia Carli, Amalia Gastaldelli, Francesca Maradonna, Hamid R. Habibi, Elisabetta Giorgini, Oliana Carnevali International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026 Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread endocrine disruptor that interferes with metabolism in humans and animals by inducing oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and cell death. Probiotics, conversely, have shown potential in promoting host health and reducing the toxicity of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This study examined whether sub-chronic BPA exposure disrupts hepatic lipid metabolism in female zebrafish (Danio rerio), and whether co-administration of probiotics mitigates these effects. Adult females were exposed for 28 days to the following treatments: 10 µg/L BPA via water (BPA); 109 CFU/g body weight/day of probiotic formulation (P); and both treatments (BPA+P). An untreated group served as a control (CTRL). Hepatic lipid composition was analyzed using UHPLC-QTOF-MS, while liver sections were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Imaging (FTIRI) spectroscopy. BPA exposure decreased 14 unsaturated triacylglycerols and lysophosphatidylcholine 18:0, suggesting steatosis onset and inflammation, while in the group exposed to BPA+P, the decrease was limited to 8 triacylglycerols and the reduction in lysophosphatidylcholine 18:0 was prevented. Analyses of pooled liver samples precluded modeling tank-level effects; thus, the results are interpreted as semi-quantitative. Partial least square discriminant analysis built on the comparison of all groups together confirmed an intermediate phenotype for BPA+P fish between BPA and P groups. The observed beneficial role of probiotics in counteracting BPA-related metabolic disturbances was also supported by FTIRI, evidencing the ability to mitigate the effects of BPA on lipid and glycosylated compound metabolism. These findings highlight the potential of probiotic supplementation as a practical and accessible strategy to mitigate BPA-induced metabolic disturbances, contributing to the development of mitigating approaches against environmental contaminant-related liver dysfunction.
Can wear time, material composition, and manufacturing processes affect microplastic release from clear orthodontic aligners? A multidisciplinary in vitro study Giulia Orilisi, Flavia Vitiello, Valentina Notarstefano, Chiara Santoni, Vincenzo Tosco, Sabina Saccomanno, Giuseppe Marzo, Elisabetta Giorgini, Giovanna Orsini, Vincenzo Quinzi Korean Journal of Orthodontics, 2026 Objective: Plastics are widely used, including in medical applications. In dentistry, clear aligners (CAs) offer an alternative to fixed appliances, but their potential microplastics (MP) release raises health concerns. This study aims to investigate the detachment of MPs from CAs by analyzing the correlations between wearing time, manufacturing methods, and material composition. Methods: The following CAs were tested: Alleo (AL), F22 Aligner (F22), FlexiLigner (FL), Graphy (GP), Invisalign (INV), KeySplint (KS), Lineo (LIN), LuxCreo (LC), Spark (SP), and SureSmile (SS). One pair of CAs per group was immersed in artificial saliva, and the solution was stirred for 5 hours per day for 7 (T1) or 14 (T2) days to simulate mechanical friction. Saliva samples were subsequently vacuum-filtered through 1.6-μm pore-size membranes. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the CA materials, and Raman microspectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess the chemical composition, number, size, and shape of the MPs. The experiment was conducted in triplicate. Results: < 0.0001). No significant correlation was observed with the manufacturing process, although GP, KS, and LC, which are three-dimensionally printed (3D-printed) CAs, released more uniform and spherical MPs. Conclusions: Replacing CAs after 7 days may help limit MP release, particularly smaller fragments; however, the clinical significance of this finding remains unclear and requires further in vivo investigation.
Development and Characterization of Lignin-Based Hydrogels for Efficient Adsorption of Diclofenac From Aqueous Environment Simone Ranieri, Michela Pisani, Francesca Luzi, Marco Parlapiano, Elisabetta Giorgini, Marco Rallini, Valeria Corinaldesi, Paola Astolfi Journal of Polymer Science, 2025 Hydrogels are interesting materials with potential applications in the treatment of water contaminated by organic and inorganic toxic compounds. Among the different monomers/polymers commonly used, the natural polymer lignin is undoubtedly an attractive candidate due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, and availability in high quantities as the main by‐product of the pulp industry. In the present work, the synthesis and characterization of a lignin‐based hydrogel are described and tested in the adsorption of the nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug, diclofenac, one of the so‐called emerging contaminants. Due to the anionic nature of diclofenac currently used in pharmaceutical preparations, a cationic functionality is included in the polymeric backbone. The obtained hydrogel is characterized by a porous structure, thermal stability, and an elastic behavior more pronounced than the viscous one. It has a high swelling capacity and is able to efficiently remove diclofenac in batch mode, following a pseudo‐second order kinetic, and adsorption could be well described by Langmuir and Sips isothermal models. For the first time, diclofenac removal by a lignin‐based hydrogel is also carried out in a packed‐bed column with a maximum capacity of ca. 50 mg/g, and different theoretical models are used to fit the experimental data.
Histological and Macromolecular Characterization of Folliculogenesis in Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta): Novel Insights into the Onset of Puberty Ludovica Di Renzo, Erica Trotta, Valentina Notarstefano, Laura Zonta, Elisabetta Giorgini, Luca Marisaldi, Giulia Mariani, Gabriella Di Francesco, Silva Rubini, Marco Matiddi, Cecilia Silvestri, Yakup Kaska, Giulia Chemello, Giorgia Gioacchini International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025 The Adriatic Sea is a critical neritic habitat for juvenile and adult female loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), where intense anthropogenic pressures and environmental stressors may influence their reproductive biology. Knowledge on the onset of puberty in this population is limited by scarce information on the sub-adult stage, a transitional phase in which reproductive competence is acquired. This study integrated histological analysis and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) imaging spectroscopy to provide both structural and biochemical characterization of folliculogenesis, with emphasis on vitellogenesis, in C. caretta from the north-central Adriatic Sea. Histological analysis determined the progression of follicle development, while FTIR imaging, a label-free and spatially resolved technique, mapped the distribution of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids across ovarian compartments. Logistic regression estimated the size at which 50% of females are sexually mature (L50) at 58.54 cm Curved Carapace Length (CCL). Based on this value, 60% of sub-adult females were already mature, indicating earlier puberty than previously inferred from macroscopic criteria. These preliminary results, along with reports of sporadic nesting in the Adriatic, raise the question of whether this basin may host further nesting events in the future. FTIR imaging proved to be a powerful tool for reproductive biology in non-model marine vertebrates.
Healing Kinetics of Sinus Lift Augmentation Using Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Granules: A Case Series in Humans Michele Furlani, Valentina Notarstefano, Nicole Riberti, Emira D’Amico, Tania Vanessa Pierfelice, Carlo Mangano, Elisabetta Giorgini, Giovanna Iezzi, Alessandra Giuliani Bioengineering, 2025 Sinus augmentation provides a well-established model for investigating the three-dimensional morphometry and macromolecular dynamics of bone regeneration, particularly when using biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) graft substitutes. This case series included six biopsies from patients who underwent maxillary sinus augmentation using BCP granules composed of 30% hydroxyapatite (HA) and 70% β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). Bone core biopsies were obtained at healing times of 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. Histological evaluation yielded qualitative and quantitative insights into new bone distribution, while micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and Raman microspectroscopy (RMS) were employed to assess the three-dimensional architecture and macromolecular composition of the regenerated bone. Micro-CT analysis revealed progressive maturation of the regenerated bone microstructure over time. At 6 months, the apical regenerated area exhibited a significantly higher mineralized volume fraction (58 ± 5%) compared to the basal native bone (44 ± 11%; p = 0.0170), as well as significantly reduced trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp: 187 ± 70 µm vs. 325 ± 96 µm; p = 0.0155) and degree of anisotropy (DA: 0.37 ± 0.05 vs. 0.73 ± 0.03; p < 0.0001). By 12 months, the mineralized volume fraction in the regenerated area (53 ± 5%) was statistically comparable to basal bone (44 ± 3%; p > 0.05), while Tb.Sp (211 ± 20 µm) and DA (0.23 ± 0.09) remained significantly lower (Tb.Sp: 395 ± 41 µm, p = 0.0041; DA: 0.46 ± 0.04, p = 0.0001), indicating continued structural remodelling and organization. Raman microspectroscopy further revealed dynamic macromolecular changes during healing. Characteristic β-TCP peaks (e.g., 1315, 1380, 1483 cm−1) progressively diminished over time and were completely absent in the regenerated tissue at 12 months, contrasting with their partial presence at 6 months. Simultaneously, increased intensity of collagen-specific bands (e.g., Amide I at 1661 cm−1, Amide III at 1250 cm−1) and carbonate peaks (1065 cm−1) reflected active matrix formation and mineralization. Overall, this case series provides qualitative and quantitative evidence that bone regeneration and integration of BCP granules in sinus augmentation continues beyond 6 months, with ongoing maturation observed up to 12 months post-grafting.
Morphometric, Biomechanical and Macromolecular Performances of β-TCP Macro/Micro-Porous Lattice Scaffolds Fabricated via Lithography-Based Ceramic Manufacturing for Jawbone Engineering Carlo Mangano, Nicole Riberti, Giulia Orilisi, Simona Tecco, Michele Furlani, Christian Giommi, Paolo Mengucci, Elisabetta Giorgini, Alessandra Giuliani Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 2025 Effective bone tissue regeneration remains pivotal in implant dentistry, particularly for edentulous patients with compromised alveolar bone due to atrophy and sinus pneumatization. Biomaterials are essential for promoting regenerative processes by supporting cellular recruitment, vascularization, and osteogenesis. This study presents the development and characterization of a novel lithography-printed ceramic β-TCP scaffold, with a macro/micro-porous lattice, engineered to optimize osteoconduction and mechanical stability. Morphological, structural, and biomechanical assessments confirmed a reproducible microarchitecture with suitable porosity and load-bearing capacity. The scaffold was also employed for maxillary sinus augmentation, with postoperative evaluation using micro computed tomography, synchrotron imaging, histology, and Fourier Transform Infrared Imaging analysis, demonstrating active bone regeneration, scaffold resorption, and formation of mineralized tissue. Advanced imaging supported by deep learning tools revealed a well-organized osteocyte network and high-quality bone, underscoring the scaffold’s biocompatibility and osteoconductive efficacy. These findings support the application of these 3D-printed β-TCP scaffolds in regenerative dental medicine, facilitating tissue regeneration in complex jawbone deficiencies.
Deepening Cisplatin sensitivity on Oral Squamous cell Carcinoma cell lines after PON2 knockdown: A FTIRM investigation Alessia Belloni, Roberto Campagna, Valentina Notarstefano, Valentina Pozzi, Giulia Orilisi, Veronica Pompei, Lucrezia Togni, Marco Mascitti, Davide Sartini, Elisabetta Giorgini, Andrea Santarelli, Monica Emanuelli Spectrochimica Acta Part A Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 2025 • PON2 defends cells from the damages induced by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) • In OTSCC, PON2 is involved in a resistance mechanism against Cisplatin (CDDP) • Chemoresistance is linked to aggressiveness resulting in poor outcome. • PON2 knockdown could represent a possible approach to escape the chemoresistance. • FTIRM is a reliable tool to evaluate the efficacy of the improved sensitivity. Cisplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug with antimicrobial and antitumoral activity, largely used for a long time in the treatment of several cancers, including the Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), which is one of the most frequent neoplasms of the oral cavity. Due to its aggressiveness and metastatic invasion, OSCC is characterized by poor outcome, often related also to chemoresistance mechanisms. The intracellular enzyme paraoxonase-2 (PON2) normally acts defending cells from the damages induced by Reactive Oxygen Species. Hence, in cancer cells, this enzyme can shield the potential of cisplatin, triggering a resistance mechanism. Based on this evidence, PON2 knockdown seems to be a valuable way to enhance the effects of chemotherapy, escaping this resistance. In this study, HOC621 and HSC-3 OSCC cell lines submitted to PON2 silencing were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy to evaluate the time-dependent changes occurring in these cells after cisplatin treatment. Spectral data were statistically analyzed by multivariate and univariate analyses and compared with MTT results. Positive feedback on cisplatin efficacy was found in both cell lines submitted to PON2 knockdown, even if with a different response. In particular, a less growth was found in PON2 silenced HOC 621 cells, respect to HSC-3 ones. Moreover, specific spectral markers (A 1172 /A TOT , A 1053 /A TOT , A 967 /A 1080 , and A 992 /A TOT band area ratios) were identified and statistically analyzed (p < 0.05): cellular alterations mainly in nucleic acids and carbohydrates were found in both cell lines, although more evident in HOC 621 ones, which therefore appeared to be more affected by chemotherapy treatment.
A new approach to assess post-mortem interval: A machine learning-assisted label-free ATR-FTIR analysis of human vitreous humor Valentina Notarstefano, Chiara Santoni, Eva Montanari, Francesco Paolo Busardò, Angelo Montana, Giulia Orilisi, Paolo Mariani, Elisabetta Giorgini Spectrochimica Acta Part A Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 2025 • Vitreous humor is very useful in the assessment of short post-mortem intervals. • ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is able to assess post-mortem interval from vitreous humor. • Relevant and diverse biological mechanisms can be unveiled at the same time. • ATR-FTIR and chemometrics/machine learning are powerful in studying biofluids. A crucial issue in forensics is determining the post-mortem interval (PMI), the time between death and the finding of a body. Despite various methods already employed for its estimation, only approximate values are currently achievable. Vitreous humor (VH) is an avascular tissue between the lens and the retina, mainly composed by a collagen fibers network, hyaluronic acid, and hyalocytes. Recently, it has received interest in forensic medicine, being easy to collect and susceptible to low microbiological contamination and putrefaction. Based on this evidence and thanks to the ability of Attenuated Total Reflectance – Fourier Transform InfraRed (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy to perform fast analyses on a minimal sample amount, in this study, a new analytical approach to reliably estimate PMI is proposed combining ATR-FTIR analysis of VH human samples with multivariate statistical procedures, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), for discriminant classification. Regression procedures, including Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), were performed: extremely positive results were obtained, and the most discriminant spectral features were highlighted (peaks at 1665, 1630, 1585, 1400, 1220, 1200, 1120, 854, 835, and 740 cm −1 ) and associated to PMI classes (average accuracy over 80 %). Specific and reliable markers able to correlate the macromolecular composition of VH with the PMI were identified, revealing a post-mortem protein degradation and amino acids deamination (decrease of proteins and increase of free amino acids and NH3), an increase of lactate, which diffuses from the retina to the VH, and changes in the hyaluronic acid component.
Physiological Root Resorption of Deciduous Teeth: An ATR-FTIR Approach Giulia Orilisi, Alessia Cosi, Flavia Vitiello, Chiara Santoni, Valentina Notarstefano, Elisabetta Giorgini, Giovanna Orsini, Domenico Tripodi Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025 Background: The study exploited, for the first time, Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform-InfraRed (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy on human dental pulps at different timings of root resorption (RR) to deepen the biological mechanisms occurring in deciduous teeth (De) during their replacement with permanent ones. Methods: N:36 dental pulps from sound De were divided into the following: G0 (no RR); G1 (RR less than 1/3 of root length); G2 (RR not exceeding 2/3 of root length); and G3 (RR more than 2/3 of root length). Samples were analyzed by ATR-FTIR, and the spectral data were submitted to univariate (One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison tests; statistical significance set at p < 0.05) and multivariate (Principal Component Analysis, PCA) analyses. Results: PCA displayed good discrimination among groups, ascribable to: (i) the intensity of the peaks of nucleic acids (~1715 cm−1, ~1237 cm−1, ~964 cm−1, and ~815 cm−1) and carbohydrates (~1159 cm−1) which increased from G0 to G3 (p < 0.05); (ii) the relative amount of lipids which decreased from G0 to G3 (p < 0.05); and (iii) the intensity of the peaks at ~1014 cm−1, and ~875 cm−1 (phosphates and carbonates in hydroxyapatite), which decreased from G0 to G3 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study confirmed ATR-FTIR as a reliable and quick technique for the characterization of the dental pulp and highlighted a correlation between specific molecular changes in the dental pulp of deciduous teeth and different RR stages, shedding new light on this process and paving the way for future research, which could improve the clinical management of the primary dentition.
Deeply in Plasticenta: Presence of Microplastics in the Intracellular Compartment of Human Placentas Antonio Ragusa, Maria Matta, Loredana Cristiano, Roberto Matassa, Ezio Battaglione, Alessandro Svelato, Caterina De Luca, Sara D’Avino, Alessandra Gulotta, Mauro Ciro Antonio Rongioletti, Piera Catalano, Criselda Santacroce, Valentina Notarstefano, Oliana Carnevali, Elisabetta Giorgini, Enrico Vizza, Giuseppe Familiari, Stefania Annarita Nottola International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022
Synthesis, structural insights and activity of different classes of biomolecules Elisabetta Giorgini, Francesca Biavasco, Roberta Galeazzi, Giorgia Gioacchini, Eleonora Giovanetti, Giovanna Mobbili, Mario Orena, Maria Grazia Ortore, Samuele Rinaldi, Andrea Antonino Scirè, Francesco Spinozzi, Fabio Tanfani, Carla Vignaroli, Paolo Mariani First Outstanding 50 Years of Universita Politecnica Delle Marche Research Achievements in Life Sciences, 2020
Vibrational spectroscopy as a supporting technique in clinical diagnosis and prognosis of atherosclerotic carotid plaques Analytical and Quantitative Cytology and Histology, 2012
Microimaging FTIR of head and neck tumors. IV Carla Conti, Paolo Ferraris, Maria Garavaglia, Elisabetta Giorgini, Corrado Rubini, Simona Sabbatini, Giorgio Tosi Microscopy Research and Technique, 2009
Complexes of azobisindoles with π-organic acceptors Paolo Bruni, Gabriele Bocelli, Andrea Cantoni, Elisabetta Giorgini, Marco Iacussi, Eziana Maurelli, Giorgio Tosi Journal of Chemical Crystallography, 1995
Molecular complexes Paulo Bruni, Carla Conti, Elisabetta Giorgini, Giorgio Tosi, Giancarlo Marrosu Spectrochimica Acta Part A Molecular Spectroscopy, 1991
