Biomechanical gait analysis in sheep: kinematic parameters.

Animals have been used as models to help to better understand biological and anatomical systems, and pathologies in both humans and non-human species, and sheep are often used as an in vivo experimental model for orthopedic research. Gait analysis has been shown to be an important tool in biomechanics research with clinical applications. The purpose of this study was to perform a kinematic analysis using a tridimensional (3D) reconstruction of the sheep hindlimb. Seven healthy sheep were evaluated for natural overground walking, and motion capture of the right hindlimb was collected with an optoelectronic system while the animals walked in a track. The analysis addressed gait spatiotemporal variables, hip, knee and ankle angle and intralimb joint angle coordination measures during the entire walking cycle. This study is the first that describes the spatiotemporal parameters from the hip, knee and ankle joints in a tridimensional way: flexion/extension; abduction/adduction and inter/external rotation. The results of this assessment can be used as an outcome indicator to guide treatment and the efficacy of different therapies for orthopedic and neurological conditions involving the locomotor system of the sheep animal model.

Equine Musculoskeletal Pathologies: Clinical Approaches and Therapeutical Perspectives-A Review.

Musculoskeletal injuries such as equine osteoarthritis, osteoarticular defects, tendonitis/desmitis, and muscular disorders are prevalent among sport horses, with a fair prognosis for returning to exercise or previous performance levels. The field of equine medicine has witnessed rapid and fruitful development, resulting in a diverse range of therapeutic options for musculoskeletal problems. Staying abreast of these advancements can be challenging, prompting the need for a comprehensive review of commonly used and recent treatments. The aim is to compile current therapeutic options for managing these injuries, spanning from simple to complex physiotherapy techniques, conservative treatments including steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hyaluronic acid, polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, pentosan polysulfate, and polyacrylamides, to promising regenerative therapies such as hemoderivatives and stem cell-based therapies. Each therapeutic modality is scrutinized for its benefits, limitations, and potential synergistic actions to facilitate their most effective application for the intended healing/regeneration of the injured tissue/organ and subsequent patient recovery. While stem cell-based therapies have emerged as particularly promising for equine musculoskeletal injuries, a multidisciplinary approach is underscored throughout the discussion, emphasizing the importance of considering various therapeutic modalities in tandem.

Relationship between flame retardants and respiratory health- A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Chronic respiratory diseases are a dealing cause of death and disability worldwide. Their prevalence is steadily increasing and the exposure to environmental contaminants, including Flame Retardants (FRs), is being considered as a possible risk factor. Despite the widespread and continuous exposure to FRs, the role of these contaminants in chronic respiratory diseases is yet not clear. This study aims to systematically review the association between the exposure to FRs and chronic respiratory diseases. Searches were performed using the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PUBMED, SCOPUS, ISI Web of Science (Science and Social Science Index), WHO Global Health Library and CINAHL EBSCO. Among the initial 353 articles found, only 9 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included. No statistically significant increase in the risk for chronic respiratory diseases with exposure to FRs was found and therefore there is not enough evidence to support that FRs pose a significantly higher risk for the development or worsening of respiratory diseases. However, a non-significant trend for potential hazard was found for asthma and rhinitis/rhinoconjunctivitis, particularly considering urinary organophosphate esters (OPEs) including TNBP, TPHP, TCEP and TCIPP congeners/compounds. Most studies showed a predominance of moderate risk of bias, therefore the global strength of the evidence is low. The limitations of the studies here reviewed, and the potential hazardous effects herein identified highlights the need for good quality large-scale cohort studies in which biomarkers of exposure should be quantified in biological samples.

Effects of Pharmaceutical Substances with Obesogenic Activity on Male Reproductive Health.

Obesogens have been identified as a significant factor associated with increasing obesity rates, particularly in developed countries. Substances with obesogenic traits are prevalent in consumer products, including certain pharmaceuticals. Specific classes of pharmaceuticals have been recognized for their ability to induce weight gain, often accompanied by hormonal alterations that can adversely impact male fertility. Indeed, research has supplied evidence underscoring the crucial role of obesogens and therapeutic agents in the normal functioning of the male reproductive system. Notably, sperm count and various semen parameters have been closely linked to a range of environmental and nutritional factors, including chemicals and pharmacological agents exhibiting obesogenic properties. This review aimed to explore studies focused on analyzing male fertility parameters, delving into the intricacies of sperm quality, and elucidating the direct and adverse effects that pharmacological agents may have on these aspects.

Combined low-carbohydrate diet and long-term exercise in hypoxia in type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial protocol to assess glycemic control, cardiovascular risk factors and body composition.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality associated with diabetes, which is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Low-carbohydrate diet has gained popularity as an intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, acting to improve glycemic profile and serum lipids. In its turn, exercise in hypoxia induces specific adaptations, mostly modulated via hypoxia-induced transcription factor signaling cascade, which increases with exposure to altitude, and promotes angiogenesis, glycogen supply, glucose tolerance, and raises GLUT-4 expression. Aim: Given that hyperglycemia decreases HIF-1α and it is better controlled when following a low-carbohydrate diet, this study aims to examine the hypothesis that a combination of both low-carbohydrate diet and chronic exercise in hypoxia in type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with improved glycemic control and cardiovascular parameters, whose protocol is described. Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 48) will be recruited and randomized into one of the three groups: (a) Control group: Control diet (low-fat and moderate-carbohydrate diet) + exercise in normoxia; (2) exercise in hypoxia group: Control diet + exercise in hypoxia; (3) intervention group: Low-carbohydrate diet (low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet) + exercise in hypoxia. Before and after 8 weeks of interventions, cardiopulmonary tests (Bruce protocol), body composition and blood pressure will be evaluated. Blood samples will be collected to measure hypoxia-induced transcription factor, C-reactive protein, glycemic and lipid profiles. Summary: This will be the first trial to examine the isolated and combined effect of chronic exercise in hypoxia and low-carbohydrate diet in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This trial will help to fill a significant research gap, guide future research and contribute to the combined nutrition and exercise approach to type 2 diabetes mellitus.

A digital twin framework for robust control of robotic-biological systems.

Medical device regulatory standards are increasingly incorporating computational modelling and simulation to accommodate advanced manufacturing and device personalization. We present a method for robust testing of engineered soft tissue products involving a digital twin paradigm in combination with robotic systems. We developed and validated a digital twin framework for calibrating and controlling robotic-biological systems. A forward dynamics model of the robotic manipulator was developed, calibrated, and validated. After calibration, the accuracy of the digital twin in reproducing the experimental data improved in the time domain for all fourteen tested configurations and improved in frequency domain for nine configurations. We then demonstrated displacement control of a spring in lieu of a soft tissue element in a biological specimen. The simulated experiment matched the physical experiment with 0.09 mm (0.001%) root-mean-square error for a 2.9 mm (5.1%) length change. Finally, we demonstrated kinematic control of a digital twin of the knee through 70-degree passive flexion kinematics. The root-mean-square error was 2.00°, 0.57°, and 1.75° degrees for flexion, adduction, and internal rotations, respectively. The system well controlled novel mechanical elements and generated accurate kinematics in silico for a complex knee model. This calibration method could be applied to other situations where the specimen is poorly represented in the model environment (e.g., human or animal tissues), and the control system could be extended to track internal parameters such as tissue strain (e.g., control knee ligament strain). Further development of this framework can facilitate medical device testing and innovative biomechanics research.

Assessing the risks of capecitabine and its active metabolite 5-fluorouracil to freshwater biota.

Capecitabine (CAP, prodrug) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU, its active metabolite) are two of the most prominent cytostatics, for which no clear picture can be drawn regarding potential concentrations of effect for freshwater biota, with CAP being grouped in the least studied cytostatic, whereas 5-FU has been classified as of no and of high environmental risk. Accordingly, the present work aimed to assess the ecotoxicity of CAP and 5-FU in three freshwater species, which included a 72-h assay with the producer Raphidocelis subcapitata; a 96-h assay with the invertebrate secondary consumer Hydra viridissima; and a 96-h assay with embryos of the vertebrate secondary consumer Danio rerio. The following endpoints were monitored: yield and population growth rate for the algae; mortality, morphological alterations, and post-exposure feeding rates for the cnidarian; and mortality, hatching, and malformations for the fish. Overall, organisms' sensitivity to CAP decreased in the following order: R. subcapitata > H. viridissima > D. rerio, whereas for 5-FU, it decreased in the following order: H. viridissima > D. rerio > R. subcapitata. For CAP, no median lethal effective concentrations (LC/EC50) were possible to compute for D. rerio, with no significant mortality or malformations registered in embryos exposed at concentrations up to 800 mg L-1. For R. subcapitata, the EC50s were 0.077 and 0.63 mg L-1 for yield and growth rate, respectively, and for H. viridissima, the EC50,30 min for feeding was 22.0 mg L-1. For 5-FU, no EC50s could be computed for R. subcapitata, whilst the EC50s for H. viridissima mortality and feeding were 55.4 and 67.9 mg L-1, respectively, and for D. rerio, the LC50,96 h and EC50,96 h (hatching and abnormalities) were 4546, 4100, and 2459 mg L-1, respectively. Assuming similar modes of action for both compounds and their co-occurrence, the combined risk quotient of the two chemicals was determined to be 7.97, which represents a risk for freshwater biota. Anticipating the increased consumption of these compounds and cancer development trends worldwide, these impacts may be further aggravated.

Multi-target analysis of cytostatics in hospital effluents over a 9-month period.

The consumption of cytostatics, pharmaceuticals prescribed in chemotherapy, is increasing every year and worldwide, along with the incidence of cancer. The presence and the temporal evolution of cytostatics in wastewaters from a Portuguese hospital center was evaluated through a 9-month sampling campaign, comprising a total of one hundred and twenty-nine samples, collected from May 2019 to February 2020. Eleven cytostatics out of thirteen pharmaceuticals were studied, including flutamide, mycophenolate mofetil and mycophenolic acid, which have never been monitored before. Target analytes were extracted and quantified by solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid-chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis; the method was fully validated. All pharmaceuticals were detected in at least one sample, bicalutamide being the one found with higher frequency (detected in all samples), followed by mycophenolic acid, which was also the compound detected at higher concentrations (up to 5340 ± 211 ng/L). Etoposide, classified as carcinogenic to humans, was detected in 60% of the samples at concentrations up to 142 ± 15 ng/L. The risk from exposure to cytostatics was estimated for aquatic organisms living in receiving bodies. Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, flutamide, megestrol and mycophenolic acid are suspected to induce risk. Long-term and synergic effects should not be neglected, even for the cytostatics for which no risk was estimated.

Cellulose-Based Scaffolds: A Comparative Study for Potential Application in Articular Cartilage.

Osteoarthritis is a highly prevalent disease worldwide that leads to cartilage loss. Tissue engineering, involving scaffolds, cells, and stimuli, has shown to be a promising strategy for its repair. Thus, this study aims to manufacture and characterise different scaffolds with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with commercial cellulose (microcrystalline (McC) and methyl cellulose (MC) or cellulose from agro-industrial residues (corncob (CcC)) and at different percentages, 1%, 2%, and 3%. PCL scaffolds were used as a control. Morphologically, the produced scaffolds presented porosities within the desired for cell incorporation (57% to 65%). When submitted to mechanical tests, the incorporation of cellulose affects the compression resistance of the majority of scaffolds. Regarding tensile strength, McC2% showed the highest values. It was proven that all manufactured scaffolds suffered degradation after 7 days of testing because of enzymatic reactions. This degradation may be due to the dissolution of PCL in the organic solvent. Biological tests revealed that PCL, CcC1%, and McC3% are the best materials to combine with human dental pulp stem/stromal cells. Overall, results suggest that cellulose incorporation in PCL scaffolds promotes cellular adhesion/proliferation. Methyl cellulose scaffolds demonstrated some advantageous compressive properties (closer to native cartilaginous tissue) to proceed to further studies for application in cartilage repair.

Contributions towards the hazard evaluation of two widely used cytostatic drugs.

Cytostatic drugs are one of the most important therapeutic options for cancer, a disease that is expected to affect 29 million individuals by 2040. After being excreted, cytostatics reach wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which are unable to efficiently remove them, and consequently, they will be released into the aquatic environment. Due to the highly toxic properties of cytostatics, it is particularly relevant to evaluate their potential ecological risk. Yet, cytostatics toxicity data is still not available for various species. In this work, the ecotoxicity of two widely consumed cytostatics, cyclophosphamide (CYP-as a model cytostatic) and mycophenolic acid (MPA-as a priority cytostatic), was evaluated on three freshwater species-Raphidocelis subcapitata, Brachionus calyciflorus, and Danio rerio, and the risk quotient (RQ) was assessed. Both drugs significantly affected the yield and growth inhibition of the microalgae, while for rotifers, the least sensitive species, only significant effects were registered for CYP. These drugs also caused significant effects on the mortality and morphological abnormalities on zebrafish. The estimation of the RQ discloses that CYP seems to pose a low risk to aquatic biota while MPA poses a very high risk. Altogether, these results emphasize the need for more complete environmental risk assessments, to properly prioritize and rank cytostatics according to their potentially toxic effects on the environment and aquatic biota.

Gamma Irradiation Processing on 3D PCL Devices-A Preliminary Biocompatibility Assessment.

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing applying polycaprolactone (PCL)-based medical devices represents an important branch of tissue engineering, where the sterilization method is a key process for further safe application in vitro and in vivo. In this study, the authors intend to access the most suitable gamma radiation conditions to sterilize PCL-based scaffolds in a preliminary biocompatibility assessment, envisioning future studies for airway obstruction conditions. Three radiation levels were considered, 25 kGy, 35 kGy and 45 kGy, and evaluated as regards their cyto- and biocompatibility. All three groups presented biocompatible properties, indicating an adequate sterility condition. As for the cytocompatibility analysis, devices sterilized with 35 kGy and 45 kGy showed better results, with the 45 kGy showing overall improved outcomes. This study allowed the selection of the most suitable sterilization condition for PCL-based scaffolds, aiming at immediate future assays, by applying 3D-customized printing techniques to specific airway obstruction lesions of the trachea.

Effects of Olfactory Mucosa Stem/Stromal Cell and Olfactory Ensheating Cells Secretome on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

Cell secretome has been explored as a cell-free technique with high scientific and medical interest for Regenerative Medicine. In this work, the secretome produced and collected from Olfactory Mucosa Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Olfactory Ensheating Cells was analyzed and therapeutically applied to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. The analysis of the conditioned medium revealed the production and secretion of several factors with immunomodulatory functions, capable of intervening beneficially in the phases of nerve regeneration. Subsequently, the conditioned medium was applied to sciatic nerves of rats after neurotmesis, using Reaxon® as tube-guides. Over 20 weeks, the animals were subjected to periodic functional assessments, and after this period, the sciatic nerves and cranial tibial muscles were evaluated stereologically and histomorphometrically, respectively. The results obtained allowed to confirm the beneficial effects resulting from the application of this therapeutic combination. The administration of conditioned medium from Olfactory Mucosal Mesenchymal Stem Cells led to the best results in motor performance, sensory recovery, and gait patterns. Stereological and histomorphometric evaluation also revealed the ability of this therapeutic combination to promote nervous and muscular histologic reorganization during the regenerative process. The therapeutic combination discussed in this work shows promising results and should be further explored to clarify irregularities found in the outcomes and to allow establishing the use of cell secretome as a new therapeutic field applied in the treatment of peripheral nerves after injury.

High Performance of Ionic-Liquid-Based Materials to Remove Insecticides.

Neonicotinoids are systemic insecticides commonly used for pest control in agriculture and veterinary applications. Due to their widespread use, neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) are found in different environmental compartments, including water, soils, and biota, in which their high toxicity towards non-target organisms is a matter of great concern. Given their widespread use and high toxicity, the development of strategies to remove neonics, while avoiding further environmental contamination is of high priority. In this work, ionic-liquid-based materials, comprising silica modified with tetraalkylammonium cations and the chloride anion, were explored as alternative adsorbent materials to remove four neonics insecticides, namely imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam, from aqueous media. These materials or supported ionic liquids (SILs) were first synthesized and chemically characterized and further applied in adsorption studies. It was found that the equilibrium concentration of the adsorbate in the solid phase decreases with the decrease in the SIL cation alkyl chain length, reinforcing the relevance of hydrophobic interactions between ionic liquids (ILs) and insecticides. The best-identified SIL for the adsorption of the studied insecticides corresponds to silica modified with propyltrioctylammonium chloride ([Si][N3888]Cl). The saturation of SILs was reached in 5 min or less, showing their fast adsorption rate towards all insecticides, in contrast with activated carbon (benchmark) that requires 40 to 60 min. The best fitting of the experimental kinetic data was achieved with the Pseudo Second-Order model, meaning that the adsorption process is controlled at the solid-liquid interface. On the other hand, the best fitting of the experimental isotherm data is given by the Freundlich isotherm model, revealing that multiple layers of insecticides onto the SIL surface may occur. The continuous removal efficiency of the best SIL ([Si][N3888]Cl) by solid-phase extraction was finally appraised, with the maximum adsorption capacity decreasing in the following sequence: imidacloprid > thiacloprid > thiamethoxam > acetamiprid. Based on real reported values, under ideal conditions, 1 g of [Si][N3888]Cl is able to treat at least 106 m3 of wastewater and water from wetland contaminated with the studied neonics. In summary, the enhanced adsorption capacity of SILs for a broad diversity of neonics was demonstrated, reinforcing the usefulness of these materials for their removal from aqueous matrices and thus contributing to preventing their introduction into the ecosystems and reducing their detrimental effects in the environment and human health.

Male Infertility in the XXI Century: Are Obesogens to Blame?

The permanent exposure to environmental contaminants promoting weight gain (i.e., obesogens) has raised serious health concerns. Evidence suggests that obesogens are one of the leading causes of the marked decline in male fertility and are key players in shaping future health outcomes, not only for those who are directly exposed to them, but also for upcoming generations. It has been hypothesized that obesogens affect male fertility. By using an interdisciplinary strategy, combining in silico, in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological findings, this review aims to contribute to the biological understanding of the molecular transformations induced by obesogens that are the basis of male infertility. Such understanding is shaped by the use of Adverse Outcomes Pathways, a new approach that may shift the paradigm of reproductive toxicology, contributing to the improvement of the diagnosis and management of the adverse effects of obesogens in male fertility.

Central airway obstruction: is it time to move forward?

INTRODUCTION: Central airway obstruction (CAO) represents a pathological condition that can lead to airflow limitation of the trachea, main stem bronchi, bronchus intermedius or lobar bronchus. MAIN BODY: It is a common clinical situation consensually considered under-diagnosed. Management of patients with CAO can be difficult and deciding on the best treatment approach represents a medical challenge. This work intends to review CAO classifications, causes, treatments and its therapeutic limitations, approaching benign and malign presentations. Three illustrative cases are further presented, supporting the clinical problem under review. CONCLUSION: Management of CAO still remains a challenge. The available options are not always effective nor free from complications. A new generation of costume-tailored airway stents, associated with stem cell-based therapy, could be an option in specific clinical situations.

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells and Their Paracrine Activity-Immunomodulation Mechanisms and How to Influence the Therapeutic Potential.

With high clinical interest to be applied in regenerative medicine, Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells have been widely studied due to their multipotency, wide distribution, and relative ease of isolation and expansion in vitro. Their remarkable biological characteristics and high immunomodulatory influence have opened doors to the application of MSCs in many clinical settings. The therapeutic influence of these cells and the interaction with the immune system seems to occur both directly and through a paracrine route, with the production and secretion of soluble factors and extracellular vesicles. The complex mechanisms through which this influence takes place is not fully understood, but several functional manipulation techniques, such as cell engineering, priming, and preconditioning, have been developed. In this review, the knowledge about the immunoregulatory and immunomodulatory capacity of MSCs and their secretion products is revisited, with a special focus on the phenomena of migration and homing, direct cell action and paracrine activity. The techniques for homing improvement, cell modulation and conditioning prior to the application of paracrine factors were also explored. Finally, multiple assays where different approaches were applied with varying success were used as examples to justify their exploration.

Ecotoxicity of plant extracts and essential oils: A review.

Plant-based products such as essential oils and other extracts have been used for centuries due to their beneficial properties. Currently, their use is widely disseminated through a variety of industries and new applications are continuously emerging. For these reasons, they are produced industrially in large quantities and consequently they have the potential to reach the environment. However, the potential effects that these products have on the ecosystems' health are mostly unknown. In recent years, the scientific community started to focus on the possible toxic effects of essential oils and plant extracts towards non-target organisms. As a result, an increasing body of knowledge has emerged. This review describes the current state of the art on the toxic effects that essential oils and plant extracts have towards organisms from different trophic levels, including producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers. The majority of the studies (76.5%) focuses on the aquatic environment, particularly in aquatic invertebrates (45.1%) with only 23.5% of the studies focusing on the potential toxicity of plant-derived products on terrestrial ecosystems. While some essential oils and extracts have been described to have no toxic effects to the selected organisms or the toxic effects were only observable at high concentrations, others were reported to be toxic at concentrations below the limit set by international regulations, some of them at very low concentrations. In fact, L(E)C50 values as low as 0.0336 mg.L-1, 0.0005 mg.L-1 and 0.0053 mg.L-1 were described for microalgae, crustaceans and fish, respectively. Generally, essential oils exhibit higher toxicity than extracts. However, when the extracts are obtained from plants that are known to produce toxic metabolites, the extracts can be more toxic than essential oils. Overall, and despite being generally considered "eco-friendly" products and safer than they synthetic counterparts, some essential oils and plant extracts are toxic towards non-target organisms. Given the increasing interest from industry on these plant-based products further research using international standardized protocols is mandatory.

The Impact of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Male Fertility: Focus on the Action of Obesogens.

The current scenario of male infertility is not yet fully elucidated; however, there is increasing evidence that it is associated with the widespread exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and in particular to obesogens. These compounds interfere with hormones involved in the regulation of metabolism and are associated with weight gain, being also able to change the functioning of the male reproductive axis and, consequently, the testicular physiology and metabolism that are pivotal for spermatogenesis. The disruption of these tightly regulated metabolic pathways leads to adverse reproductive outcomes. The permanent exposure to obesogens has raised serious health concerns. Evidence suggests that obesogens are one of the leading causes of the marked decline of male fertility and key players in shaping the future health outcomes not only for those who are directly exposed but also for upcoming generations. In addition to the changes that lead to inefficient functioning of the male gametes, obesogens induce alterations that are "imprinted" on the genes of the male gametes, establishing a link between generations and contributing to the transmission of defects. Unveiling the molecular mechanisms by which obesogens induce toxicity that may end-up in epigenetic modifications is imperative. This review describes and discusses the suggested molecular targets and potential mechanisms for obesogenic-disrupting chemicals and the subsequent effects on male reproductive health.