Broken detailed balance and non-equilibrium dynamics in living systems: a review.

Living systems operate far from thermodynamic equilibrium. Enzymatic activity can induce broken detailed balance at the molecular scale. This molecular scale breaking of detailed balance is crucial to achieve biological functions such as high-fidelity transcription and translation, sensing, adaptation, biochemical patterning, and force generation. While biological systems such as motor enzymes violate detailed balance at the molecular scale, it remains unclear how non-equilibrium dynamics manifests at the mesoscale in systems that are driven through the collective activity of many motors. Indeed, in several cellular systems the presence of non-equilibrium dynamics is not always evident at large scales. For example, in the cytoskeleton or in chromosomes one can observe stationary stochastic processes that appear at first glance thermally driven. This raises the question how non-equilibrium fluctuations can be discerned from thermal noise. We discuss approaches that have recently been developed to address this question, including methods based on measuring the extent to which the system violates the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. We also review applications of this approach to reconstituted cytoskeletal networks, the cytoplasm of living cells, and cell membranes. Furthermore, we discuss a more recent approach to detect actively driven dynamics, which is based on inferring broken detailed balance. This constitutes a non-invasive method that uses time-lapse microscopy data, and can be applied to a broad range of systems in cells and tissue. We discuss the ideas underlying this method and its application to several examples including flagella, primary cilia, and cytoskeletal networks. Finally, we briefly discuss recent developments in stochastic thermodynamics and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, which offer new perspectives to understand the physics of living systems.

Long-Lived Hot Carriers in III-V Nanowires.

Heat management mechanisms play a pivotal role in driving the design of nanowire (NW)-based devices. In particular, the rate at which charge carriers cool down after an external excitation is crucial for the efficiency of solar cells, lasers, and high-speed transistors. Here, we investigate the thermalization properties of photogenerated carriers by continuous-wave (cw) photoluminescence (PL) in InP and GaAs NWs. A quantitative analysis of the PL spectra recorded up to 310 K shows that carriers can thermalize at a temperature much higher than that of the lattice. We find that the mismatch between carrier and lattice temperature, ΔT, increases exponentially with lattice temperature and depends inversely on the NW diameter. ΔT is instead independent of other NW characteristics, such as crystal structure (wurtzite vs zincblende), chemical composition (InP vs GaAs), shape (tapered vs columnar NWs), and growth method (vapor-liquid-solid vs selective-area growth). Remarkably, carrier temperatures as high as 500 K are reached at the lattice temperature of 310 K in NWs with ∼70 nm diameter. While a population of nonequilibrium carriers, usually referred to as "hot carriers", is routinely generated by high-power laser pulses and detected by ultrafast spectroscopy, it is quite remarkable that it can be observed in cw PL measurements, when a steady-state population of carriers is established. Time-resolved PL measurements show that even in the thinnest NWs carriers have enough time (∼1 ns) after photoexcitation to interact with phonons and thus to release their excess energy. Nevertheless, the inability of carriers to reach a full thermal equilibrium with the lattice points to inhibited phonon emission primarily caused by the large surface-to-volume ratio of small diameter NWs.

Magneto-optical properties of wurtzite-phase InP nanowires.

The possibility to grow in zincblende (ZB) and/or wurtzite (WZ) crystal phase widens the potential applications of semiconductor nanowires (NWs). This is particularly true in technologically relevant III-V compounds, such as GaAs, InAs, and InP, for which WZ is not available in bulk form. The WZ band structure of many III-V NWs has been widely studied. Yet, transport (that is, carrier effective mass) and spin (that is, carrier g-factor) properties are almost experimentally unknown. We address these issues in a well-characterized material: WZ indium phosphide. The value and anisotropy of the reduced mass (µ exc) and g-factor (g exc) of the band gap exciton are determined by photoluminescence measurements under intense magnetic fields (B, up to 28 T) applied along different crystallographic directions. µ exc is 14% greater in WZ NWs than in a ZB bulk reference and it is 6% greater in a plane containing the WZ c axis than in a plane orthogonal to c. The Zeeman splitting is markedly anisotropic with g exc = |ge| = 1.4 for B⊥c (where ge is the electron g-factor) and g exc = |ge - gh,//| = 3.5 for B//c (where gh,// is the hole g-factor). A noticeable B-induced circular dichroism of the emitted photons is found only for B//c, as expected in WZ-phase materials.

High-resolution atomic force microscopy as a tool for topographical mapping of surface budding.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous nanoparticles secreted by almost all cell types. Reflecting the physiopathological state of the parental cell, EVs circulate in all body fluids, reaching distant cell targets and delivering different bioactive cargoes. As biological carriers, EVs influence their microenvironment altering cellular responses, being considered promising biomarkers for both physiological and pathological conditions. EVs are heterogeneous in terms of size and composition, depending on cell type and exposure to stimuli, and different methods have been developed to characterize their morphological, biophysical, and biochemical features. Among them, electron microscopy (EM) is the main technique used, however, the lack of standardized protocols makes it difficult to characterize EVs with a good reproducibility, thus using multiple approaches may represent a way to obtain more precise information. Furthermore, the relationship between architecture and function, not only in a molecular, but also in a cellular level, is gaining growing emphasis, characterizing morphometric parameters may represent a distinct, but effective approach to study the physiopathological state of the cell. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), may represent a promising method to study in detail EVs dynamics throughout the cell surface and its variations related to the physiological state, overcoming the limits of EM, and providing more reliable information. In this study, human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line, a cellular model to investigate neurodegeneration and oxidative stress, has been used to perform a comparative morphological and quantitative analysis of membrane budding and isolated large vesicles-enriched (microvesicles-like vesicles; MVs) fraction from control or oxidative stressed cells. Our main goal was to build up a methodology to characterize EVs morphology and spatial distribution over the cell surface in different physiological conditions, and to evaluate the efficacy of AFM against conventional EM. Interestingly, both microscopy techniques were effective for this analysis, but AFM allowed to reveal a differential profiling of plasma membrane budding between the physiological and the stress condition, indicating a potential relationship between mechanical characteristics and functional role. The results obtained may provide interesting perspectives for the use of AFM to study EVs, validating a morphometric approach to understand the pathophysiological state of the cell related to EVs trafficking.

Upper gastrointestinal massive bleeding successfully treated intra-operatively with a collagen and thrombin-based high-viscosity gel for haemostasis. Case report.

A 57-year-old male patient was admitted in our Department for a non-variceal upper gastrointestinal massive bleeding. In accordance with the clinical guidelines, the patient underwent an early endoscopy (within 24 hours from admission), which showed the source of bleeding in the second portion of the duodenum. An endoscopic haemostatic injection with dilute adrenalin (epinephrine, 1:10.000) was then performed. After 8 hours, severe recidive bleeding occurred with reduced haemoglobin levels, which led us to an emergency surgical treatment. A gastric resection was performed, followed by the application of high-viscous gel (Floseal) into the source of bleeding within the duodenal lumen. This technique allowed to obtain a definitive haemostasis without long-term complications. Our experience suggests that the intra-operative application of Floseal can be an effective alternative to traditional haemostatic techniques in the emergency surgical treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This also provides additional time to perform other haemostatic techniques techniques avoiding the precarious haemodynamic conditions of a patient in emergency.

[Presacral myelolipoma: a case report]. / Mielolipoma presacrale: case report.

BACKGROUND: Presacral tumors are more frequently benign, and only occasionally malignant, showing a slow growth and an incidence of 1:40.000. They are asymptomatic in the 26-50% of the cases. When symptoms occur, these are related to the dimensions of the tumor, to its location and to the presence of infection. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 69-year old woman with a lower abdominal pain associated with paresthesia and ipostenia of the right inferior limb. Digital rectal examination showed a fixed, mild tender and hard tumor of the posterior rectal wall. CT, MR and CT-guided biopsy sequently performed revealed a solid, dishomogeneous mass, located in the presacral region, with a connective likely origin, without pelvic lymphoadenopathy. The operation allowed to esteem a mass which was tenaciously adherent to the sacrum. We performed a total excision. Final histological diagnosis was myelolipoma. CONCLUSIONS: The Authors' opinion is that the en-bloc resection of these tumors with an anterior surgical approach allows a histological diagnosis of the nature, representing the best treatment for potentially malignant lesions, which are frequently radio and chemo-resistant.

[Treatment of noninfectious intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, or panuveitis]. / Traitement des uvéites intermédiaires, postérieures et panuvéites non infectieuses.

Controlling long-term inflammation during non-infectious intermediate, posterior or panuveitis while limiting side effects remains challenging. There is no standardized pre-therapeutic evaluation providing diagnostic certainty, but some simple tests allow us to identifiy the main etiologies. The ophthalmologist identifies the type of uveitis, and the internist completes the investigations according to the ophthalmologist's findings. Fundus photographs, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography should be considered during diagnosis and follow-up. Ocular complications of uveitis are numerous. They require close monitoring and specific medical and sometimes surgical management. The growing number of available drugs makes it possible to optimize the management of these conditions with varied etiologies and presentations. Currently, systemic corticosteroids remain the mainstay of therapy, and other alternatives are considered in the case of poor tolerance, steroid resistance or dependence. The choice of a systemic, periocular or intravitreal treatment depends on several factors: chronicity or recurrence of uveitis, duration, bilaterality, association with a systemic inflammatory disease, the presence of contraindications to certain treatments, and also socioeconomic constraints. It is of the utmost importance to find the best compromise allowing tight control of ocular inflammation by means of adapted systemic and/or local treatment while avoiding the main complications.

Colovesical fistulae in the sigmoid diverticulitis.

In most cases Colovesical fistulae are complications of diverticular disease and representing the most common kind of colodigestive fistula; less common are colovaginal, colocutaneous, coloenteric and colouterine fistula. In this article we review the literature concerning colovesical fistulae in colorectal surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis and report on two cases that required a surgical treatment, one elective and the other in emergency. In both cases we performed a sigmoid resection with a primary anastomosis and small vesical window-ectomy placing a Foley catheter for about 10 days.

[Abdominal compartimental syndrome as a complica-tion of Fournier's gangrene]. / Sindrome compartimentale addominale da gangrena di Fournier. Case report.

Analyzing a complex case and referring to the literature, the authors describe abdominal compartmental syndrome as a complication of Fournier's gangrene, stressing out the importance of an early diagnosis to perform prompt and effective treatment. The characteristic of this case is not represented only by the Fournier's gangrene rarity, but also by the appearance of an abdominal compartmental syndrome due to the gangrene extension from the scrotum to the abdominal wall and cavity through the spermatic funiculus. The treatment of the abdominal compartmental syndrome was the surgical toilette of the necrotic regions (scrotum, abdominal wall and cavity) together with an orchiectomy.

[Retinal atrophy using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in 15 patients with multiple sclerosis and comparison with healthy subjects]. / Etude de la perte axonale optique en tomographie en cohérence optique (OCT) chez 15 patients atteints de sclérose en plaques et comparaison avec une population de témoins appariés.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis is a common disabling progressive neurological disorder. Axonal loss is thought to be a likely cause of persistent disability after a multiple sclerosis relapse. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) imaging by optical coherence tomography (OCT) seems to be a non-invasive way of detecting optical axonal loss following optic neuritis. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether multiple sclerosis affects retinal nerve fiber layer measurements obtained with optical coherence tomography (OCT3-Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California, USA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Diagnosis of MS was based on the MacDonald criteria. The cohort was divided into two groups based on their clinical course (multiple sclerosis with [n=8; 16 eyes] or without [n=7; 14 eyes] optic neuritis antecedents). The disease-free controls were matched for age and gender (n=15; 30 eyes). Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT; fastRNFL and RNFL thickness software protocol). Visual acuity, visual field, color vision were also noted. RESULTS: There were highly significant reductions (p<0.001) of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in affected patients (with or without optic neuritis antecedents) compared with control eyes (fastRNFL and RNFL procedures). Visual acuity, visual field and color vision were globally less altered than OCT. There were no significant relationships among RNFL thickness and visual acuity, visual field, or color vision. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated the anatomic changes of the retinal nerve fiber layer of patients with multiple sclerosis with optic neuritis antecedents. Thus axonal loss following optic neuritis can be detected with OCT. But the retinal nerve fiber layer of patients without optic neuritis is also thinner than disease-free controls so that chronic optic axonal loss can be frequent in multiple sclerosis. Additionally, OCT was more sensitive than the common ophthalmological explorations to detect optical nerve impairment during multiple sclerosis. Finally, we demonstrated that two procedures fastRNFL and RNFL could be used to detect optic nerve impairment.

Acute appendicitis: a descending trend?

AIM: The diagnosis-related group (DRG) system is a prospective hospital payment system used to categorize hospital patients expected to require similar hospital services. In Italy, hospital productivity is calculated from DRG-based data coded according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), which is a classification system for coding of diagnoses and operations for indexing medical records by diagnosis and operations. The aim of our survey was to determine the national incidence of appendectomies based on the coded summary of selected data in hospital discharge reports (HDR). METHODS: The Italian Ministry of Health online database was searched for data collected between 2001 and 2003. The search engine allows analysis by different regions but not by individual hospital. The national incidence of appendectomy was calculated using data collected from the ICD-9-CM and from the HDR. In a deeper analysis, regional data and data from individual hospitals were compared. RESULTS: The analysis revealed the incidence of appendectomy, rates of simple acute appendicitis vs complicated appendicitis, common laparotomic appendectomy vs laparoscopic appendectomy, as well as mean duration of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The incidence of acute appendicitis has considerably decreased, whereas the rates of complicated appendicitis have increased because of longer diagnostic and therapeutic delay, inappropriate antibiotic therapy and upclassifying of diagnosis and procedures in the HDR (ICD-9-CM) in order to obtain a ''wider impact'' on DRG.

An unusual case of rectal carcinoid removed by transanal endoscopic microsurgery.

The name ''carcinoid'' was invented by Oberndorfer in 1907, when the nature of those histological entities was little understood. Usually, they were found in various locations in the gastrointestinal (GI) apparatus (67%), most of them in the small intestine (25%), appendix (12%), and rectum (14%).The techniques used for their removal are various. The authors present here a case of rectal carcinoid removed using the transanal endoscopic microsurgery technique, and referred to the diagnosis and treatment of this uncommon tumor. A 37-year-old male was admitted to the Santa Maria Hospital of Terni (Italy) with a chief complaint of intermittent pain in the lower right quadrant, that began three years ago. Complete blood count (CBC) and laboratory data as tumor markers and urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) showed no abnormalities, while urinary vanilmandelic acid level was elevate (18 mg/24 h). The patient was submitted to a colonoscopy with magnifying endoscopy and biopsy. The histological finding demonstrated a nodule characterized by cellular proliferation, with few microscopical abnormalities, arranged in small cords with a glandular pattern, separated by dense connective tissue. Histochemically the tumor cells were cytocheratins +/-, chromogranin positive, synaptophysine positive, CD56 positive and Growth Index MIB1-Ki67 which was almost zero. The patient also underwent an endoscopic ultrasonography and an Octreoscan. He was operated using a transanal endoscopic microsurgery technique. The use of Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) as a safe and feasible technique for exciding rectal tumors can be easily understood, for the excellent view and precise dissection. The use of new surgical devices as Harmonic Scalpel has improved the precision of this kind of approach, increasing the appropriateness of this approach compared to other kind of resection. A full diagnostic course and an immunohistochemistry are mandatory for precise diagnosis of rectal carcinoid. Careful attention must be paid to these tumors because of their unexpected behaviour.

[Ocular bartonellosis in an HIV-HVC coinfected patient]. / Bartonellose oculaire chez une patiente co-infectée VIH-VHC.

Bartonella henselae is the etiologic agent of the cat scratch disease and in immunocompromised patients, of bacillary angiomatosis and peliosis hepatis. Less often, ocular complications associated with B. henselae infection have been reported in immunocompetent patients and five times in HIV-infected patients. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman, coinfected by HIV-HCV, presenting with cirrhosis, who owned a cat and was hospitalized for bilateral loss of visual acuity. Ophthalmologic examination revealed bilateral papillitis with hyalitis. Nuclear magnetic resonance revealed a retrobulbar neuritis. Confirmation was given by blood tests positive for B. henselae and the exclusion of other causes of neuroretinitis with biological data. Doxycycline cured the disease rapidly.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis]. / La colecistectomia laparoscopica nel trattamento della colecistite acuta.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis and to determine the optimal timing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was performed in two groups of 70 consecutive patients (similar in age and ASA classification), retrospectively reviewed, who had been diagnosed with acute cholecystitis and were underwent early or delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In early group surgery took place within 48 hours of admission in hospital. The interval for delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 8-12 weeks after medical treatment. RESULTS: In delayed group 21,4% of patients required urgent surgery after failure of conservative treatment. The most important significant difference is the total hospital stay: the early group had a significant shorter hospital stay (7 days) vs delayed group (13 days). Other differences were the conversion rate (8,6% in early group vs 12,7% in delayed group) and median the operation time (84 min. in early group vs 106 min. in delayed group). Post-operative complications developed in 6,3% in early group vs 2,6% in delayed group. CONCLUSION: The optimal treatment of acute cholecystitis is urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy but in our experience early laparoscopic cholecystectomy increased postoperative morbidity in hospital decreased conversion rate, median operation time and hospital stay.

InP-InxGa1-xAs core-multi-shell nanowire quantum wells with tunable emission in the 1.3-1.55 µm wavelength range.

The usability and tunability of the essential InP-InGaAs material combination in nanowire-based quantum wells (QWs) are assessed. The wurtzite phase core-multi-shell InP-InGaAs-InP nanowire QWs are characterised using cross-section transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence measurements. The InP-InGaAs direct interface is found to be sharp while the InGaAs-InP inverted interface is more diffused, in agreement with their planar counterpart. Bright emission is observed from the single nanowires containing the QWs at room temperature, with no emission from the InP core or outer barrier. The tunability of the QW emission wavelength in the 1.3-1.55 µm communication wavelength range is demonstrated by varying the QW thickness and in the 1.3 µm range by varying the composition. The experiments are supported by simulation of the emission wavelength of the wurtzite phase InP-InGaAs QWs in the thickness range considered. The radial heterostructure is further extended to design multiple QWs with bright emission, therefore establishing the capability of this material system for nanowire based optical devices for communication applications.

Point prevalence of vertigo and dizziness in a sample of 2672 subjects and correlation with headaches.

Vertigo and dizziness are common symptoms in the general population, with an estimated prevalence between 20% and 56%. The aim of our work was to assess the point prevalence of these symptoms in a population of 2672 subjects. Patients were asked to answer a questionnaire; in the first part they were asked about demographic data and previous vertigo and or dizziness. Mean age of the sample was 48.3 ± 15 years, and 46.7% were males. A total of 1077 (40.3%) subjects referred vertigo/dizziness during their lifetime, and the mean age of the first vertigo attack was 39.2 ± 15.4 years; in the second part they were asked about the characteristics of vertigo (age of first episode, rotational vertigo, relapsing episodes, positional exacerbation, presence of cochlear symptoms) and lifetime presence of moderate to severe headache and its clinical features (hemicranial, pulsatile, associated with phono and photophobia, worse on effort). An age and sex effect was demonstrated, with symptoms 4.4 times more elevated in females and 1.8 times in people over 50 years. In the total sample of 2672 responders, 13.7% referred a sensation of spinning, 26.3% relapsing episodes, 12.9% positional exacerbation and 4.8% cochlear symptoms; 34.8% referred headache during their lifetime. Subjects suffering from headache presented an increased rate of relapsing episodes, positional exacerbation, cochlear symptoms and a lower age of occurrence of the first vertigo/dizziness episode. In the discussion, our data are compared with those of previous studies, and we underline the relationship between vertigo/dizziness from one side and headache with migrainous features on the other.

Folate-based single cell screening using surface enhanced Raman microimaging.

Recent progress in nanotechnology and its application to biomedical settings have generated great advantages in dealing with early cancer diagnosis. The identification of the specific properties of cancer cells, such as the expression of particular plasma membrane molecular receptors, has become crucial in revealing the presence and in assessing the stage of development of the disease. Here we report a single cell screening approach based on Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) microimaging. We fabricated a SERS-labelled nanovector based on the biofunctionalization of gold nanoparticles with folic acid. After treating the cells with the nanovector, we were able to distinguish three different cell populations from different cell lines (cancer HeLa and PC-3, and normal HaCaT lines), suitably chosen for their different expressions of folate binding proteins. The nanovector, indeed, binds much more efficiently on cancer cell lines than on normal ones, resulting in a higher SERS signal measured on cancer cells. These results pave the way for applications in single cell diagnostics and, potentially, in theranostics.

[Validity of schintigraphy in the study of neurogenic dysphagia]. / Validità della metodica scintigrafica nello studio della disfagia neurogena.

The purpose of the present study was to verify the validity and potential application of oropharyngealesophageal scintigraphy in the analysis of neurogenic dysphagia. Scintigraphy was used on 36 patients divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (control) comprised 17 healthy volunteers; Group 2 included 19 patients suffering from various neurological and neuromuscular pathologies (myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's disease, polymyositis, stroke, paralysis of the last cranial nerves). In group 1 scintigraphy provided normal results both for mode of swallowing and transit, and for the values of the various parameters studied. On the other hand, scintigraphy showed that in group 2 all oral, pharyngeal and esophageal phases of swallowing were altered vs the controls with a statistically significant increase in the average values for the oral transit time (OTT) (1.45 sec., p = 0.0005), pharyngeal transit time (OTT) (3.23 sec., p = 0.044), esophageal transit time (ETT) e19.87 sec., p = 0.005) as well as in the corresponding bolus retention indexes ORU (12.95%, p = 0.0003), FIR (15.05%, p = 0.0003) and ERI (28.63%, p = 0.002). Moreover, the quality and means of swallowing also proved altered while tracheobronchial aspiration was only seen in 6 of the 19 patients (maximum value: 90%, average value; 7.66%) with a marked prevalence in the stroke subgroup (4/8). In light of these results and considering the low dose of radiation (0.00043 Gy), the lack of invasiveness and excellent tolerability, scintigraphy has confirmed its clinical validity in the functional, objective and quali-quantitative study of deglutition, even in patients suffering from neurogenic dysphagia.

[Imported malaria in Emergency Department]. / La malaria d'importazione nel Dipartimento di Emergenza-urgenza.

It occasionally happens that patients don't suspect to have malaria and diagnosis becomes difficult for the Emergency Department physicians. Since September 1995 to February 1999, 8 cases of malaria have been diagnosed in our first aid station; 5 occurred in european and 3 in extraeuropean immigrants. Incidence of imported malaria was greater after holiday period for european, and equally distributed along the year for immigrants. Patients' provenience was sub-Saharian Africa and Asia. Standard blood examination and thick and thin blood smears were performed showing P. falciparum and P. malariae infection. All patients were successfully treated with mefloquine as recommended. The aspecificity of the symptoms and signs makes diagnosis difficult if malaria is not suspected, in presence of fever in people returning from the tropics. Even in presence of symptoms and abnormal laboratory examinations, diagnosis is possible only with microscopic blood examination.

New insights into the antioxidant activity of hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic systems: spectroscopic, electrochemistry, and cellular studies.

A series hydroxycinnamic and gallic acids and their derivatives were studied with the aim of evaluating their in vitro antioxidant properties both in homogeneous and in cellular systems. It was concluded from the oxygen radical absorbance capacity-fluorescein (ORAC-FL), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and cyclic voltammetry data that some compounds exhibit remarkable antioxidant properties. In general, in homogeneous media (DPPH assay), galloyl-based cinnamic and benzoic systems (compounds 7-11) were the most active, exhibiting the lowest oxidation potentials in both dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and phosphate buffer. Yet, p-coumaric acid and its derivatives (compounds 1-3) disclosed the highest scavenging activity toward peroxyl radicals (ORAC-FL assay). Interesting structure-property- activity relationships between ORAC-FL, or DPPH radical, and redox potentials have been attained, showing that the latter parameter can be a valuable antioxidant measure. It was evidenced that redox potentials are related to the structural features of cinnamic and benzoic systems and that their activities are also dependent on the radical generated in the assay. Electron spin resonance data of the phenoxyl radicals generated both in DMSO and phosphate buffer support the assumption that radical stability is related to the type of phenolic system. Galloyl-based cinnamic and benzoic ester-type systems (compounds 9 and 11) were the most active and effective compounds in cell-based assays (51.13 ± 1.27% and 54.90 ± 3.65%, respectively). In cellular systems, hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic systems operate based on their intrinsic antioxidant outline and lipophilic properties, so the balance between these two properties is considered of the utmost importance to ensure their performance in the prevention or minimization of the effects due to free radical overproduction.