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Pandey SN, Pathak NP, Sengupta A, Yadav S. Understanding the gelation properties of the fluorophenyl glycosides of arabinoside gelators: experimental and theoretical studies. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:7111-7121. [PMID: 39041286 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00521j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
In supramolecular gelation, fluorinated gelators are important due to the unique properties displayed by these compounds that arise out of the presence of fluorine atoms. Generally, incorporation of fluorine leads to higher mechanical strength of the gels compared to their non-fluorinated counterparts and this property is enhanced with increasing the number of fluorine atoms. Herein, we show that the incorporation of fluorine into the phenyl ring of phenyl arabinoside allows the molecule to act as a gelator, unlike the non-fluorinated compound. We also show that the mechanical strength and stiffness of the gels is not only dependent on the positions of the fluorine atoms but also guided by their number. Detailed experimental studies, supported by computational studies, allowed us to rationalize the observed supramolecular interactions and propose reasons based on the conformational preferences of these compounds that allow additional hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions which guide the self-assembly, in addition to the primary H-bonding interactions. This, in turn, affects the mechanical behavior of these gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachchida N Pandey
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826004, India.
| | - Navendu P Pathak
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826004, India.
| | - Arunava Sengupta
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826004, India.
| | - Somnath Yadav
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826004, India.
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2
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Giuri D, Cenciarelli F, Tomasini C. Low-molecular-weight gels from amino acid and peptide derivatives for controlled release and delivery. J Pept Sci 2024:e3643. [PMID: 39010663 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Low-molecular-weight (LMW) gelators are a versatile class of compounds able to self-assemble and to form supramolecular materials, such as gels. The use of LMW peptides to produce these gels shows many advantages, because of their wide structure tunability, the low-cost and effective synthesis, and the in vivo biocompatibility and biodegradability, which makes them optimal candidates for release and delivery applications. In addition, in these materials, the binding of the hosts may occur through a variety of noncovalent interactions, which are also the main factors responsible for the self-assembly of the gelators, and through specific interactions with the fibers or the pores of the gel matrix. This review aims to report LMW gels based on amino acid and peptide derivatives used for the release of many different species (drugs, fragrances, dyes, proteins, and cells) with a focus on the possible strategies to incorporate the cargo in these materials, and to demonstrate how versatile these self-assembled materials are in several applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabia Cenciarelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Giuri D, Ravarino P, Tomasini C. Transparent Organogels as a Medium for the Light-Induced Conversion from Spiropyran to Merocyanine. Gels 2023; 9:932. [PMID: 38131918 PMCID: PMC10742928 DOI: 10.3390/gels9120932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Low-molecular-weight peptide gelators are a versatile class of compounds able to form gels under a variety of conditions, even via simple ultrasound sonication. In this paper, the ability of Boc-L-Phe-D-Oxd-L-Phe-OBn to gelate three organic solvents (toluene, tert-butyl methyl ether, and ethanol) was evaluated. The rheological behaviour of the materials was assessed via strain sweep analysis, while the fibrous network was analysed via optical microscopy on the wet gels. The gel obtained from toluene is a highly transparent material, and the one from ethanol appears translucent, while the one from tert-butyl methyl ether is opaque. These gels were used to study the reversible light-induced transformation from spyropiran (SP) to merocyanine (MC) and back, as a model system to check the effect of the gel medium onto the rection kinetic. We observed that the solvent used to form the organogels has a crucial effect on the reaction, as gels from aprotic solvents stabilize the SP form, while the ones from protic solvents stabilize the MC form. We thus obtained a solid support to stabilize the two photochromic species just by changing the solvent polarity. Moreover, we could demonstrate that the self-assembled gels do not interfere with the light-driven conversion process, either starting from SP or MC, thus representing a valid and economical photochromic material.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Claudia Tomasini
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (P.R.)
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Yang Z, Chen L, Liu J, Zhuang H, Lin W, Li C, Zhao X. Short Peptide Nanofiber Biomaterials Ameliorate Local Hemostatic Capacity of Surgical Materials and Intraoperative Hemostatic Applications in Clinics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2301849. [PMID: 36942893 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202301849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Short designer self-assembling peptide (dSAP) biomaterials are a new addition to the hemostat group. It may provide a diverse and robust toolbox for surgeons to integrate wound microenvironment with much safer and stronger hemostatic capacity than conventional materials and hemostatic agents. Especially in noncompressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH), diffuse mucosal surface bleeding, and internal medical bleeding (IMB), with respect to the optimal hemostatic formulation, dSAP biomaterials are the ingenious nanofiber alternatives to make bioactive neural scaffold, nasal packing, large mucosal surface coverage in gastrointestinal surgery (esophagus, gastric lesion, duodenum, and lower digestive tract), epicardiac cell-delivery carrier, transparent matrix barrier, and so on. Herein, in multiple surgical specialties, dSAP-biomaterial-based nano-hemostats achieve safe, effective, and immediate hemostasis, facile wound healing, and potentially reduce the risks in delayed bleeding, rebleeding, post-operative bleeding, or related complications. The biosafety in vivo, bleeding indications, tissue-sealing quality, surgical feasibility, and local usability are addressed comprehensively and sequentially and pursued to develop useful surgical techniques with better hemostatic performance. Here, the state of the art and all-round advancements of nano-hemostatic approaches in surgery are provided. Relevant critical insights will inspire exciting investigations on peptide nanotechnology, next-generation biomaterials, and better promising prospects in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehong Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
- Institute for Nanobiomedical Technology and Membrane Biology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Lihong Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Ji Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Hua Zhuang
- Department of Ultrasonography, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Women and Children Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, No. 17 People's South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Changlong Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhao
- Institute for Nanobiomedical Technology and Membrane Biology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
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Hong Y, Lin Z, Yang Y, Jiang T, Shang J, Luo Z. Flexible Actuator Based on Conductive PAM Hydrogel Electrodes with Enhanced Water Retention Capacity and Conductivity. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1951. [PMID: 36422380 PMCID: PMC9695116 DOI: 10.3390/mi13111951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Conductive polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogels with salts that act as electrolytes have been used as transparent electrodes with high elasticity in flexible electronic devices. Different types and contents of raw materials will affect their performance in all aspects. We tried to introduce highly hydratable salts into PAM hydrogels to improve their water retention capacity. Different salts can improve the water retention capacity of PAM hydrogels to a certain extent. In particular, PAM hydrogels containing higher concentrations of lithium chloride (LiCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) showed an extremely strong water retention capacity and could retain about 90% and more than 98% of the initial water in the experimental environment at a temperature of 25 °C and a relative humidity of 60% RH, respectively. In addition, we conducted electrical conductivity tests on these PAM hydrogels with different salts. The PAM hydrogels containing LiCl also show outstanding conductivity, and the highest conductivity value can reach up to about 8 S/m. However, the PAM hydrogels containing CaCl2, which also performed well in terms of their water retention capacity, were relatively common in terms of their electrical conductivity. On this basis, we attempted to introduce single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and graphene (GO) electronic conductors to enhance the electrical conductivity of the PAM hydrogels containing LiCl. The conductivity of the PAM hydrogels containing LiCl was improved to a certain extent after the addition of these electronic conductors. The highest electrical conductivity was about 10 S/m after we added the SWCNTs. This experimental result indicates that these electronic conductors can indeed enhance the electrical conductivity of PAM hydrogels to a certain extent. After a maximum of 5000 repeated tensile tests, the conductive hydrogel samples could still maintain their original morphological characteristics and conductivity. This means that these conductive hydrogel samples have a certain degree of system reliability. We made the PAM conductive hydrogels with high water retention and good conductivity properties into thin electrodes and applied them to an electric response flexible actuator with dielectric elastomer as the functional material. This flexible actuator can achieve a maximum area strain of 18% under an external voltage of 10 kV. This new composite hydrogels with high water retention and excellent conductivity properties will enable more possibilities for the application of hydrogels.
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Guilbaud-Chéreau C, Dinesh B, Wagner L, Chaloin O, Ménard-Moyon C, Bianco A. Aromatic Dipeptide Homologue-Based Hydrogels for Photocontrolled Drug Release. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12101643. [PMID: 35630862 PMCID: PMC9143549 DOI: 10.3390/nano12101643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Peptide-based hydrogels are considered of special importance due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. They have a wide range of applications in the biomedical field, such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, cell culture media, and biosensing. Nevertheless, peptide-based hydrogels composed of natural α-amino acids are limited for in vivo applications because of the possible degradation by proteolytic enzymes. To circumvent this issue, the incorporation of extra methylene groups within the peptide sequence and the protection of the terminal amino group can increase the enzymatic stability. In this context, we investigated the self-assembly capacity of aromatic dipeptides (Boc-α-diphenylalanine and Boc-α-dityrosine) and their β- and γ-homologues and developed stable hydrogels. Surprisingly, only the Boc-diphenylalanine analogues were able to self-assemble and form hydrogels. A model drug, l-ascorbic acid, and oxidized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or graphene oxide were then incorporated into the hydrogels. Under near-infrared light irradiation, the photothermal effect of the carbon nanomaterials induced the destabilization of the gel structure, which caused the release of a high amount of drug, thus providing opportunities for photocontrolled on-demand drug release.
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Lu L, Zhou W, Chen Z, Hu Y, Yang Y, Zhang G, Yang Z. A Supramolecular Hydrogel Enabled by the Synergy of Hydrophobic Interaction and Quadruple Hydrogen Bonding. Gels 2022; 8:244. [PMID: 35448145 PMCID: PMC9032949 DOI: 10.3390/gels8040244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing preference for minimally invasive surgery requires novel soft materials that are injectable, with rapid self-healing abilities, and biocompatible. Here, by utilizing the synergetic effect of hydrophobic interaction and quadruple hydrogen bonding, an injectable supramolecular hydrogel with excellent self-healing ability was synthesized. A unique ABA triblock copolymer was designed containing a central poly(ethylene oxide) block and terminal poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) block, with ureido pyrimidinone (UPy) moieties randomly incorporated (termed MA-UPy-PEO-UPy-MA). The PMMA block could offer a hydrophobic microenvironment for UPy moieties in water and thus boost the corresponding quadruple hydrogen bonding interaction of Upy-Upy dimers. Owing to the synergetic effect of hydrophobicity and quadruple hydrogen bonding interaction, the obtained MA-UPy-PEO-UPy-MA hydrogel exhibited excellent self-healing properties, and injectable capability, as well as superior mechanical strength, and therefore, it holds great promise in tissue engineering applications, including in cell support and drug release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangmei Lu
- College of Materials and Energy, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University, 69 North Dongxia Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Zhuzuan Chen
- College of Materials and Energy, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yang Hu
- College of Materials and Energy, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yu Yang
- College of Materials and Energy, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Guangzhao Zhang
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Materials for Electric Power, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhuohong Yang
- College of Materials and Energy, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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Scarel E, Bellotto O, Rozhin P, Kralj S, Tortora M, Vargiu AV, De Zorzi R, Rossi B, Marchesan S. Single-atom substitution enables supramolecular diversity from dipeptide building blocks. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:2129-2136. [PMID: 35179536 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01824h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Dipeptides are popular building blocks for supramolecular gels that do not persist in the environment and may find various applications. In this work, we show that a simple substitution on the aromatic side-chain of phenylalanine with either fluorine or iodine enables supramolecular diversity upon self-assembly at neutral pH, leading to hydrogels or crystals. Each building block is characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, LC-MS, circular dichroism, and molecular models. The supramolecular behaviour is monitored with a variety of techniques, including circular dichroism, oscillatory rheology, transmission electron microscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, visible Raman spectroscopy, synchrotron-radiation single-crystal X-ray diffraction and UV Resonance Raman spectroscopy, allowing key differences to be pinpointed amongst the halogenated analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Scarel
- University of Trieste, Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Ottavia Bellotto
- University of Trieste, Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Petr Rozhin
- University of Trieste, Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Slavko Kralj
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Materials Synthesis Dept., Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- University of Ljubljana, Pharmaceutical Technology Dept., Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mariagrazia Tortora
- Area Science Park, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 114 km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Attilio V Vargiu
- University of Cagliari, Physics Dept., 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rita De Zorzi
- University of Trieste, Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Barbara Rossi
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 114 km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- University of Trieste, Chem. Pharm. Sc. Dept., Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
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Ravarino P, Di Domenico N, Barbalinardo M, Faccio D, Falini G, Giuri D, Tomasini C. Fluorine Effect in the Gelation Ability of Low Molecular Weight Gelators. Gels 2022; 8:gels8020098. [PMID: 35200480 PMCID: PMC8871896 DOI: 10.3390/gels8020098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The three gelators presented in this work (Boc-D-Phe-L-Oxd-OH F0, Boc-D-F1Phe-L-Oxd-OH F1 and Boc-D-F2Phe-L-Oxd-OH F2) share the same scaffold and differ in the number of fluorine atoms linked to the aromatic ring of phenylalanine. They have been applied to the preparation of gels in 0.5% or 1.0% w/v concentration, using three methodologies: solvent switch, pH change and calcium ions addition. The general trend is an increased tendency to form structured materials from F0 to F1 and F2. This property ends up in the formation of stronger materials when fluorine atoms are present. Some samples, generally formed by F1 or F2 in 0.5% w/v concentration, show high transparency but low mechanical properties. Two gels, both containing fluorine atoms, show increased stiffness coupled with high transparency. The biocompatibility of the gelators was assessed exposing them to fibroblast cells and demonstrated that F1 and F2 are not toxic to cells even in high concentration, while F0 is not toxic to cells only in a low concentration. In conclusion, the presence of even only one fluorine atom improves all the gelators properties: the gelation ability of the compound, the rheological properties and the transparency of the final materials and the gelator biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Ravarino
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Nadia Di Domenico
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Marianna Barbalinardo
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, (ISMN-CNR)-Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Davide Faccio
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Giuseppe Falini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (D.G.); (C.T.); Tel.: +39-0512099486 (C.T.)
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica Giacomo Ciamician, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (P.R.); (N.D.D.); (D.F.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (D.G.); (C.T.); Tel.: +39-0512099486 (C.T.)
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