Multinucleated TRAP⁺ OCLs.

<p>The images show sRANKL-treated RAW264.7 cells cultured in direct contact with the samples: (A) HA-LF, (B) HA, (C) LF and (D) cells only, respectively. White arrows indicate large and multinucleated cells positive for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (mature OCLs). Scale bar 100 μm.</p

Samples identification.

<p>Labelling of the samples, weight percentage (wt%) of LF loaded onto HA and LF and HA concentration (μg/ml) of the samples tested in the study.</p><p>Samples identification.</p

OBs viability and apoptosis.

<p>(A) shows the percentage of live OBs respect to the total cells counted and (B) shows the percentage of apoptotic OBs respect to the total cells counted. Mean and standard error (n = 3) represented as the percentage of the total counted cells, after 7 and 14 days of culture in direct contact with all the tested samples. Statistical significant differences among the samples are indicated in both graphs: *p≤0.05. (C) Different examples of nuclear fragmentation in OBs stained with DAPI are indicated with red arrows. Scale bar 50 μm.</p

Co-cultured OCLs gene expression analysis.

<p>Relative quantification (2^-ΔΔCt) of gene expression after 7 days of OCLs co-cultured with OBs grown in direct contact with all the tested samples. The graphs show the average and standard error of the technical triplicate of Oscar, Itgβ3 and CtsK, respect to the expression of the cells only, used as a control. Statistical significant difference among the samples is indicated in the graph: **p≤0.01.</p

Calcium Phosphates from Fishery Byproducts as a Booster of the Sun Protection Factor in Sunscreens

Calcium phosphates (CaPs) have been recently proposed as a bio- and eco-compatible alternative to UV filters in sunscreens, which are in the spotlight for being associated with health risks for both people and the environment. Here, natural CaPs extracted from fish bones have been tested as a booster of the sun protection factor (SPF), that is, as material working in synergy with UV filters to increase sunscreen UV-shielding efficiency, in combination with three of the most used UV filters, namely, octocrylene (OCR), octinoxate, and padimate-O, at different concentrations (10.0 and 20.0 wt %). The material obtained by calcination at 800 °C (CaP-N) was also enriched with Zn (CaP-Zn) or Mn (CaP-Mn) in an attempt to increase its SPF-boosting abilities. CaP-N and CaP-Zn consisted of a biphasic mixture of hydroxyapatite and beta tricalcium phosphate, while CaP-Mn presented a small quantity of Mn oxides. CaP-N was the most effective at increasing the SPF of the final emulsions, doubling the SPF of the formulation containing 20.0 wt % of OCR from 40.6 to 80.8. The results show that these CaPs, produced according to a circular economy approach, can be used as effective SPF boosters to decrease the concentration of UV filters used in sunscreen, while retaining high SPF values

OBs gene expression analysis.

<p>(a) and (c) Relative quantification (2^-ΔΔCt) of gene expression after 7 and (b) and (d) 14 days of OBs cultured in direct contact with all the tested samples. The graph shows the average and standard error of the technical triplicate of Osterix and IBSP, respect to the expression of the cells only, used as a control. Statistical significant differences among the samples are indicated in the graphs: *p≤0.05 and ***p≤0.001.</p

OPG/RANKL ratio in OBs/OCLs co-culture.

<p>In the graph is reported the ratio of the soluble factors measured by ELISA kit. Mean and standard error of three replicates are shown. Statistical significant differences among the samples are indicated in the graph: *p≤0.05.</p

OCLs gene expression analysis.

<p>Relative quantification (2^-ΔΔCt) of gene expression after 7 days of OCLs cultured in direct contact with all the tested samples. Average and standard error of the technical triplicate of Oscar, Itgβ3 and CtsK, respect to the expression of the cells only, were indicated. Statistical significant difference among the samples is indicated in the graph: *p≤0.05.</p

DataSheet1_Antimicrobial Activity of Remineralizing Ion-Doped Amorphous Calcium Phosphates for Preventive Dentistry.DOCX

We have synthesized citrate-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphates doped with fluoride (F-ACP), strontium (Sr-ACP), and zinc (Zn-ACP) ions. ACP based materials were proven to have excellent remineralizing action on demineralized dental hard tissues while F−, Sr2+, and Zn2+ ions are known to have antimicrobial activity, so the aim of our work was to produce multipurpose materials for preventive dentistry that inhibit cariogenic bacteria and remineralize dental enamel and dentin. Doping ions were successfully incorporated into ACP up to 2 wt.% F− and 12 wt.% Sr2+ or Zn2+ without altering ACP physical-chemical properties. Evaluation of viability of Streptococcus Mutans biofilm treated with ion-doped ACP materials showed that F-ACP and Sr-ACP have a direct inhibitory effect while Zn-ACP has a negligible effect. The different antibacterial activity was correlated to the ion-release properties of the materials, as in conditions mimicking a cariogenic environment F-ACP and Sr-ACP have a release of ca. 5–7% of total F− or Sr2+ while only ca. 1% of total Zn2+ is released. All ion-doped ACP materials are able to remineralize in vitro demineralized human enamel slabs by epitaxial deposition of a new ion-doped crystalline phase in direct contact with the pristine one. Enamel slabs remineralized with F-ACP has an antibacterial/bacteriostatic action, proving that F-ACP acts as preventive antimicrobial agent. Overall, our work demonstrates the high potential of ACP doped with antibacterial ions for the preventive treatment of dental caries.</p

Synergistic Release of Crop Nutrients and Stimulants from Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles Functionalized with Humic Substances: Toward a Multifunctional Nanofertilizer

The use of salt- or macro-sized NPK fertilizers is typically associated with low nutrient use efficiency and water eutrophication. Nanotechnology can overcome such drawbacks, but its practical application on a large scale is limited by (i) high costs and difficult scale-up of nanoparticle synthesis, (ii) questionable advantages over traditional methods, and (iii) health hazards related to nanomaterial introduction in the food stream and the environment. Here, we report on a novel biocompatible and multifunctional P nanofertilizer obtained by self-assembling natural or synthetic humic substances and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles using a simple and straightforward dipping process, exploiting the interaction between the polyphenolic groups of humic substances and the surface of nanohydroxyapatite. Pot tests using the as-prepared materials were performed on Zea mays as a model crop, and the results were compared to those obtained using commercial fused superphosphate and bare nanohydroxyapatites. A significant improvement, in terms of early plant growth, corn productivity, rhizosphere bacteria, and the resistance to NaCl-induced abiotic stresses, was achieved using hydroxyapatite nanoparticles assembled with humic substances. These effects were ascribed to the synergistic co-release of phosphate ions and humic substances, which are two types of plant-beneficial agents for crop nutrition and stimulation, respectively. The release patterns were proven to be tunable with the amount of humic substances adsorbed on the nanoparticles, inducing competition between humic-substance-driven phosphorous dissolution and block of water contact. Such positive effects on plant growth in association with its intrinsic biocompatibility, simple synthesis, and multifunctionality qualify this novel nanofertilizer as a promising material for large-scale use in the agronomic field