Editorial

3 pages, 188 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

by Andrea Ballini, Dario Di Stasio, Antonio Boccaccio and Maria Contaldo

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(8), 5011; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13085011 - 17 Apr 2023

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Biosciences encompass an area of international scientific research that focuses on the mechanisms underpinning and regulating biological processes in organisms across all branches of life [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Biosciences II)

Research

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13 pages, 726 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trait Energy and Fatigue Modify Acute Ingestion of an Adaptogenic-Rich Beverage on Neurocognitive Performance

by Ali Boolani, Daniel Fuller, Sumona Mondal and Eric Gumpricht

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(9), 4466; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12094466 - 28 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2426

Abstract

Background: Psychological research considers traits as a long-standing pre-disposition to an individual’s mood, whereas short-term feelings are categorized as states. We previously reported similar overall acute mental performance benefits between an adaptogen-rich, caffeine-containing energy shot (e+Energy Shot–e+Shot; Isagenix International, LLC) and a caffeine-matched [...] Read more.

Background: Psychological research considers traits as a long-standing pre-disposition to an individual’s mood, whereas short-term feelings are categorized as states. We previously reported similar overall acute mental performance benefits between an adaptogen-rich, caffeine-containing energy shot (e+Energy Shot–e+Shot; Isagenix International, LLC) and a caffeine-matched placebo Since the publication of that study, multiple studies have reported that trait mental and physical energy (TME/TPE), and trait mental and physical fatigue (TMF/TPF) status modify the effect of various interventions on neurocognitive performance. Therefore, we reevaluated our previously published work and accounted for the four traits. Methods: Participants (n = 30) completed a series of questionnaires to determine baseline trait energy and fatigue measures. Then, participants performed a 27 min battery of neurocognitive tasks before and three times after consuming the study beverages with 10 min breaks between each post-consumption battery of tests. Data from the previous study were re-analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Results: We now report that the adaptogen product significantly improved mood and cognitive test responses in individuals stratified by initial TME, TPE, TMF, and TPF status. Moreover, this reevaluation also indicated that the caffeine placebo significantly increased heart rate and blood pressure in those subjects initially characterized by low physical and mental energy. Conclusions: In summary, a post-hoc re-analysis of our initial study suggests that consumption of the adaptogen-rich, caffeine-containing product preferentially benefited individuals with initial low TME/TPE and high TMF status when compared to caffeine alone. These findings also support our previous study suggesting that adaptogens may promote mental and physical performance benefits while modulating potentially negatively associated responses to caffeine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Biosciences II)

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39 pages, 7063 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rapid Detection of Direct Compound Toxicity and Trailing Detection of Indirect Cell Metabolite Toxicity in a 96-Well Fluidic Culture Device for Cell-Based Screening Environments: Tactics in Six Sigma Quality Control Charts

by Bob Lubamba, Timothy Jensen and Randall McClelland

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(6), 2786; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12062786 - 09 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2674

Abstract

Microfluidic screening tools, in vitro, evolve amid varied scientific disciplines. One emergent technique, simultaneously assessing cell toxicity from a primary compound and ensuing cell-generated metabolites (dual-toxicity screening), entails in-line systems having sequentially aligned culture chambers. To explore dual-tox screens, we probe the [...] Read more.

Microfluidic screening tools, in vitro, evolve amid varied scientific disciplines. One emergent technique, simultaneously assessing cell toxicity from a primary compound and ensuing cell-generated metabolites (dual-toxicity screening), entails in-line systems having sequentially aligned culture chambers. To explore dual-tox screens, we probe the dissemination of nutrients involving 1-way transport with upstream compound dosing, midstream cascading flows, and downstream cessation. Distribution of flow gives rise to broad concentration ranges of dosing compound (0→IC_compound100) and wide-ranging concentration ranges of generated cell metabolites (0→IC_metabolites100). Innately, single-pass unidirectional flow retains 1st pass informative traits across the network, composed of nine interconnected culture wells, preserving both compound and cell-secreted byproducts as data indicators in each adjacent culture chamber. Thereafter, to assess effective compound hepatotoxicity (0→EC_compound100) and simultaneously classify for cell-metabolite toxicity (0→EC_metabolite100), we reveal utility by analyzing culture viability against ramping exposures of acetaminophen (APAP) and nefazodone (NEF), compounds of hepatic significance. We then discern metabolite generation with an emphasis on amplification across µchannel multiwell sites. Lastly, using conventional cell functions as indicator tools to assess dual toxicity, we investigate a non-drug induced liver injury (non-DILI) compound and DILI compound. The technology is for predictive evaluations of new compound formulations, new chemical entities (NCE), or drugs that have previously failed testing for unresolved reasons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Biosciences II)

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12 pages, 2884 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

γ-Cyclodextrin Inclusion of Phloroglucinol: Solid State Studies and Antioxidant Activity throughout the Digestive Tract

by Marcelo D. Catarino, Beatriz S. Baía Costa, Ana Rita Circuncisão, Artur M. S. Silva, Susana M. Cardoso and Susana Santos Braga

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(5), 2340; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12052340 - 23 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1592

Abstract

Phloroglucinol is a powerful antioxidant compound and an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the management of intestinal spasms. In this report, we describe the interaction of γ-cyclodextrin with phloroglucinol to readily form a solid inclusion compound with 1:1 by co-dissolution and freeze-drying. Solid-state [...] Read more.

Phloroglucinol is a powerful antioxidant compound and an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the management of intestinal spasms. In this report, we describe the interaction of γ-cyclodextrin with phloroglucinol to readily form a solid inclusion compound with 1:1 by co-dissolution and freeze-drying. Solid-state characterisation using FT-IR, thermal analyses (TGA and DTA) and X-ray powder diffraction confirmed the formation of a true inclusion compound (γ-CD·PG) in which the molecules of γ-CD are stacked into channels. This spatial arrangement is typical of γ-CD inclusion compounds, and it allows for the guest molecules to be located inside these channels. The evaluation of the antiradical potential of γ-CD·PG (against O₂^•− and NO^•) on different steps of the digestive process (mouth, gastric and intestinal phases) led us to conclude that the inclusion of phloroglucinol promoted better antioxidant activity at the end of the digestion when compared to the free phloroglucinol. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Biosciences II)

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12 pages, 2239 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Portable Device for the Measurement of Venous Pulse Wave Velocity

by Agata Barbagini, Leonardo Ermini, Raffaele Pertusio, Carlo Ferraresi and Silvestro Roatta

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(4), 2173; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12042173 - 19 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1854

Abstract

Pulse wave velocity in veins (vPWV) has recently been reconsidered as a potential index of vascular filling, which may be valuable in the clinic for fluid therapy. The measurement requires that an exogenous pressure pulse is generated in the venous blood stream by [...] Read more.

Pulse wave velocity in veins (vPWV) has recently been reconsidered as a potential index of vascular filling, which may be valuable in the clinic for fluid therapy. The measurement requires that an exogenous pressure pulse is generated in the venous blood stream by external pneumatic compression. To obtain optimal measure repeatability, the compression is delivered synchronously with the heart and respiratory activity. We present a portable prototype for the assessment of vPWV based on the PC board Raspberry Pi and equipped with an A/D board. It acquires respiratory and ECG signals, and the Doppler shift from the ultrasound monitoring of blood velocity from the relevant vein, drives the pneumatic cuff inflation, and returns multiple measurements of vPWV. The device was tested on four healthy volunteers (2 males, 2 females, age

33 \pm 13

years), subjected to the passive leg raising (PLR) manoeuvre simulating a transient increase in blood volume. Measurement of vPWV in the basilic vein exhibited a low coefficient of variation (

3.6 \pm 1.1 %

), a significant increase during PLR in all subjects, which is consistent with previous findings. This device allows for carrying out investigations in hospital wards on different patient populations as necessary to assess the actual clinical potential of vPWV. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Biosciences II)

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16 pages, 3465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Enzymatic Crosslink Degradation on the Mechanics of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament: A Hybrid Multi-Domain Model

by Fadi Al Khatib, Afif Gouissem, Armin Eilaghi and Malek Adouni

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8580; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11188580 - 15 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2077

Abstract

The anterior cruciate ligament’s (ACL) mechanics is an important factor governing the ligament’s integrity and, hence, the knee joint’s response. Despite many investigations in this area, the cause and effect of injuries remain unclear or unknown. This may be due to the complexity [...] Read more.

The anterior cruciate ligament’s (ACL) mechanics is an important factor governing the ligament’s integrity and, hence, the knee joint’s response. Despite many investigations in this area, the cause and effect of injuries remain unclear or unknown. This may be due to the complexity of the direct link between macro- and micro-scale damage mechanisms. In the first part of this investigation, a three-dimensional coarse-grained model of collagen fibril (type I) was developed using a bottom-up approach to investigate deformation mechanisms under tensile testing. The output of this molecular level was used later to calibrate the parameters of a hierarchical multi-scale fibril-reinforced hyper-elastoplastic model of the ACL. Our model enabled us to determine the mechanical behavior of the ACL as a function of the basic response of the collagen molecules. Modeled elastic response and damage distribution were in good agreement with the reported measurements and computational investigations. Our results suggest that degradation of crosslink content dictates the loss of the stiffness of the fibrils and, hence, damage to the ACL. Therefore, the proposed computational frame is a promising tool that will allow new insights into the biomechanics of the ACL. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Biosciences II)

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Review

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12 pages, 56982 KiB

Open AccessReview

Physical Ergonomics in Peripheral Nerve Block

by Shahridan Mohd Fathil, Muhamad Rasydan Abdul Ghani, Kung-Yen Chen, Pinhsin Lee, Jin-De Hou and Jui-An Lin

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(20), 9736; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11209736 - 19 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2841

Abstract

The understanding of ergonomics is a vital competency for all peripheral nerve block operators. The essence of physical ergonomics for peripheral nerve block procedures can be summarised into three significant components: brain, musculoskeletal and needling. The first component includes strategies to optimise visuospatial [...] Read more.

The understanding of ergonomics is a vital competency for all peripheral nerve block operators. The essence of physical ergonomics for peripheral nerve block procedures can be summarised into three significant components: brain, musculoskeletal and needling. The first component includes strategies to optimise visuospatial neuroprocessing using equipment configuration. The second component reflects the careful planning of posture and position to improve procedural technique and reduce physical fatigue. The final component focuses on strategies to achieve needle beam alignment for optimal needle visualisation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Biosciences II)

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Other

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8 pages, 863 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

The Growth Factor Release from a Platelet-Rich Plasma Preparation Is Influenced by the Onset of Guttate Psoriasis: A Case Report

by Elisa Borsani, Barbara Buffoli, Francesca Bonomini and Rita Rezzani

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(14), 7250; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12147250 - 19 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1326

Abstract

The involvement of platelets in immune and inflammatory processes is generally recognized; nevertheless, in psoriasis, their role is not clearly understood. We studied the in vitro growth factor release from a platelet-rich plasma preparation, the concentrated growth factors (CGF), in a case of [...] Read more.

The involvement of platelets in immune and inflammatory processes is generally recognized; nevertheless, in psoriasis, their role is not clearly understood. We studied the in vitro growth factor release from a platelet-rich plasma preparation, the concentrated growth factors (CGF), in a case of a psoriasis subject three days before the onset of the papule. The CGF clots were incubated in a cell culture medium without growth supplements for 5 h and 1, 3, 6, 7, and 8 days, and the release kinetics of PDGF-AB, VEGF, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 were evaluated. The data, based on the results obtained during the case study, report a general increase in growth factor release in the psoriasis subject with respect to the healthy control, indicating an imbalance of growth factor production from blood cells. Although the results should be validated in the future, they show new aspects of this dermatological pathology, opening new possibilities both as the method of study, using CGF, and the involvement of platelets and growth factors in its development and maintenance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Biosciences II)

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