Vibration Sensors on Flexible Substrates Based on Nanoparticle Films Grown by Physical Vapor Deposition.

Flexible electronics have gained a lot of attention in recent years due to their compatibility with soft robotics, artificial arms, and many other applications. Meanwhile, the detection of acoustic frequencies is a very useful tool for applications ranging from voice recognition to machine condition monitoring. In this work, the dynamic response of Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs)-based strain sensors on flexible substrates is investigated. the nanoparticles were grown in a vacuum by magnetron-sputtering inert-gas condensation. Nanoparticle sensors made on cracked alumina deposited by atomic layer deposition on the flexible substrate and reference nanoparticle sensors, without the alumina layer, were first characterized by their response to strain. The sensors were then characterized by their dynamic response to acoustic frequency vibrations between 20 Hz and 6250 Hz. The results show that alumina sensors outperformed the reference sensors in terms of voltage amplitude. Sensors on the alumina layer could accurately detect frequencies up to 6250 Hz, compared with the reference sensors, which were sensitive to frequencies up to 4250 Hz, while they could distinguish between two neighboring frequencies with a difference of no more than 2 Hz.

A novel nutraceutical formulation increases telomere length and activates telomerase activity in middle­aged rats.

Telomeres are major contributors to cell fate and aging through their involvement in cell cycle arrest and senescence. The accelerated attrition of telomeres is associated with aging­related diseases, and agents able to maintain telomere length (TL) through telomerase activation may serve as potential treatment strategies. The aim of the present study was to assess the potency of a novel telomerase activator on TL and telomerase activity in vivo. The administration of a nutraceutical formulation containing Centella asiatica extract, vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D3 in 18­month­old rats for a period of 3 months reduced the telomere shortening rate at the lower supplement dose and increased mean the TL at the higher dose, compared to pre­treatment levels. TL was determined using the Q­FISH method in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from the tail vein of the rats and cultured with RPMI­1640 medium. In both cases, TLs were significantly longer compared to the untreated controls (P≤0.001). In addition, telomerase activity was increased in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of both treatment groups. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that the nutraceutical formulation can maintain or even increase TL and telomerase activity in middle­aged rats, indicating a potential role of this formula in the prevention and treatment of aging­related diseases.

Hybrid Nanoparticle/DNAzyme Electrochemical Biosensor for the Detection of Divalent Heavy Metal Ions and Cr3.

A hybrid noble nanoparticle/DNAzyme electrochemical biosensor is proposed for the detection of Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cr3+. The sensor takes advantage of a well-studied material that is known for its selective interaction with heavy metal ions (i.e., DNAzymes), which is combined with metallic nanoparticles. The double-helix structure of DNAzymes is known to dissociate into smaller fragments in the presence of specific heavy metal ions; this results in a measurable change in device resistance due to the collapse of conductive inter-nanoparticle DNAzyme bridging. The paper discusses the effect of DNAzyme anchoring groups (i.e., thiol and amino functionalization groups) on device performance and reports on the successful detection of all three target ions in concentrations that are well below their maximum permitted levels in tap water. While the use of DNAzymes for the detection of lead in particular and, to some extent, cadmium has been studied extensively, this is one of the few reports on the successful detection of chromium (III) via a sensor incorporating DNAzymes. The sensor showed great potential for its future integration in autonomous and remote sensing systems due to its low power characteristics, simple and cost-effective fabrication, and easy automation and measurement.

Integrated Plastic Microfluidic Device for Heavy Metal Ion Detection.

The presence of heavy metal ions in soil, air and water constitutes an important global environmental threat, as these ions accumulate throughout the food chain, contributing to the rise of chronic diseases, including, amongst others, cancer and kidney failure. To date, many efforts have been made for their detection, but there is still a need for the development of sensitive, low-cost, and portable devices able to conduct on-site detection of heavy metal ions. In this work, we combine microfluidic technology and electrochemical sensing in a plastic chip for the selective detection of heavy metal ions utilizing DNAzymes immobilized in between platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs), demonstrating a reliable portable solution for water pollution monitoring. For the realization of the microfluidic-based heavy metal ion detection device, a fast and easy-to-implement fabrication method based on the photolithography of dry photosensitive layers is proposed. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate the detection of Pb2+ ions using the prototype microfluidic device.

Psoriasis immunometabolism: progress on metabolic biomarkers and targeted therapy.

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease that affects mainly the skin. However, the moderate to severe forms have been associated with several comorbidities, such as psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Keratinocytes and T helper cells are the dominant cell types involved in psoriasis development via a complex crosstalk between epithelial cells, peripheral immune cells and immune cells residing in the skin. Immunometabolism has emerged as a potent mechanism elucidating the aetiopathogenesis of psoriasis, offering novel specific targets to diagnose and treat psoriasis early. The present article discusses the metabolic reprogramming of activated T cells, tissue-resident memory T cells and keratinocytes in psoriatic skin, presenting associated metabolic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In psoriatic phenotype, keratinocytes and activated T cells are glycolysis dependent and are characterized by disruptions in the TCA cycle, the amino acid metabolism and the fatty acid metabolism. Upregulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) results in hyperproliferation and cytokine secretion by immune cells and keratinocytes. Metabolic reprogramming through the inhibition of affected metabolic pathways and the dietary restoration of metabolic imbalances may thus present a potent therapeutic opportunity to achieve long-term management of psoriasis and improved quality of life with minimum adverse effects.

Does BMI Modify the Association between Vitamin D and Pulmonary Function in Children of the Mild Asthma Phenotype?

Vitamin D deficiency and obesity are global health problems that are associated with increased asthma risk in children. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether BMI modifies pulmonary function across vitamin D tertiles in pediatric asthma patients of the mild asthma phenotype. This cross-sectional study conducted from November 2016-September 2017 compared lung function variability as assessed by spirometry and nitric oxide in exhaled breath (FeNO) among 35 normal-weight and 26 overweight/obese Greek schoolchildren (5-12 years old) with mild asthma. Serum 25 (OH)D levels ≥ 30 ng/mL were defined as 'sufficient', 20-30 ng/mL 'insufficient', and <20 ng/mL 'deficient'. Stratification by BMI category, linear regression showed positive associations between D, % FVC (ß = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.05, 0.94), and % FEV1 (ß = 0.48, 95%CI: -0.01, 0.95) in the normal-weight only, adjusted for age, sex, regular exercise, and medication. FEV1 was 10% higher in the normal-weight D-sufficient group compared to those D-deficient (ß = 10.43, 95%CI: 0.54, 20.32). No associations were observed for the overweight/obese group or FeNO. In conclusion, BMI modified associations of vitamin D on airway mechanics in children of the mild asthma phenotype. Serum 25 (OH)D concentrations ≥ 30 ng/mL were associated with higher ventilation in central airways of normal-weight asthmatic children.

Impacts of dietary exposure to pesticides on faecal microbiome metabolism in adult twins.

BACKGROUND: Dietary habits have a profound influence on the metabolic activity of gut microorganisms and their influence on health. Concerns have been raised as to whether the consumption of foodstuffs contaminated with pesticides can contribute to the development of chronic disease by affecting the gut microbiome. We performed the first pesticide biomonitoring survey of the British population, and subsequently used the results to perform the first pesticide association study on gut microbiome composition and function from the TwinsUK registry. METHODS: Dietary exposure of 186 common insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide residues and the faecal microbiome in 65 twin pairs in the UK was investigated. We evaluated if dietary habits, geographic location, or the rural/urban environment, are associated with the excretion of pesticide residues. The composition and metabolic activity of faecal microbiota was evaluated using shotgun metagenomics and metabolomics respectively. We performed a targeted urine metabolomics analysis in order to evaluate whether pesticide urinary excretion was also associated with physiological changes. RESULTS: Pyrethroid and/or organophosphorus insecticide residues were found in all urine samples, while the herbicide glyphosate was found in 53% of individuals. Food frequency questionnaires showed that residues from organophosphates were higher with increased consumption of fruit and vegetables. A total of 34 associations between pesticide residue concentrations and faecal metabolite concentrations were detected. Glyphosate excretion was positively associated with an overall increased bacterial species richness, as well as to fatty acid metabolites and phosphate levels. The insecticide metabolite Br2CA, reflecting deltamethrin exposure, was positively associated with the phytoestrogens enterodiol and enterolactone, and negatively associated with some N-methyl amino acids. Urine metabolomics performed on a subset of samples did not reveal associations with the excretion of pesticide residues. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of conventionally grown fruit and vegetables leads to higher ingestion of pesticides with unknown long-term health consequences. Our results highlight the need for future dietary intervention studies to understand effects of pesticide exposure on the gut microbiome and possible health consequences.

Breath Analysis: A Promising Tool for Disease Diagnosis-The Role of Sensors.

Early-stage disease diagnosis is of particular importance for effective patient identification as well as their treatment. Lack of patient compliance for the existing diagnostic methods, however, limits prompt diagnosis, rendering the development of non-invasive diagnostic tools mandatory. One of the most promising non-invasive diagnostic methods that has also attracted great research interest during the last years is breath analysis; the method detects gas-analytes such as exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and inorganic gases that are considered to be important biomarkers for various disease-types. The diagnostic ability of gas-pattern detection using analytical techniques and especially sensors has been widely discussed in the literature; however, the incorporation of novel nanomaterials in sensor-development has also proved to enhance sensor performance, for both selective and cross-reactive applications. The aim of the first part of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of the main categories of sensors studied for disease diagnosis applications via the detection of exhaled gas-analytes and to highlight the role of nanomaterials. The second and most novel part of this review concentrates on the remarkable applicability of breath analysis in differential diagnosis, phenotyping, and the staging of several disease-types, which are currently amongst the most pressing challenges in the field.

Reversal of brain aging by targeting telomerase: A nutraceutical approach.

Telomeres, the protective caps of chromosomes, shorten with age, as telomerase, the enzyme responsible for the compensation of telomere erosion, is inactive in the majority of cells. Telomere shortening and subsequent cell senescence lead to tissue aging and age­related diseases. Neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by the progressive loss of neurons among other hallmarks of aged tissue, and poor cognitive function, have been associated with a short telomere length. Thus, telomerase activity has emerged as a therapeutic target, with novel agents being under investigation. The present study aimed to examine the effects of a novel natural telomerase activator, 'Reverse™', containing Centella asiatica extract, vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D3 on the brains of 18­month­old rats. The administration of the 'Reverse™' supplement for 3 months restored telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression in the brains of rats, as revealed by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. In addition, the findings from PCR­ELISA demonstrated an enhanced telomerase activity in the cerebellum and cortex cells in the brains of rats treated with the 'Reverse™' supplement. The histopathological findings confirmed a structural reversibility effect close to the differentiation observed in the young control group of rats treated with two capsules/kg body weight of the 'Reverse™' supplement. On the whole, the findings of the present study provide a strong indication that an increased telomerase activity and TERT expression may be achieved not only in the postnatal or embryonic period, but also in the brains of middle­aged rats through nutraceutical supplementation. The use of the 'Reverse™' supplement may thus contribute to the potential alleviation of a number of central nervous system diseases.

Identification of Two Commercial Pesticides by a Nanoparticle Gas-Sensing Array.

This study presents the experimental testing of a gas-sensing array, for the detection of two commercially available pesticides (i.e., Chloract 48 EC and Nimrod), towards its eventual use along a commercial smart-farming system. The array is comprised of four distinctive sensing devices based on nanoparticles, each functionalized with a different gas-absorbing polymeric layer. As discussed herein, the sensing array is able to identify as well as quantify three gas-analytes, two pesticide solutions, and relative humidity, which acts as a reference analyte. All of the evaluation experiments were conducted in close to real-life conditions; specifically, the sensors response towards the three analytes was tested in three relative humidity backgrounds while the effect of temperature was also considered. The unique response patterns generated after the exposure of the sensing-array to the two gas-analytes were analyzed using the common statistical analysis tool Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The sensing array, being compact, low-cost, and highly sensitive, can be easily integrated with pre-existing crop-monitoring solutions. Given that there are limited reports for effective pesticide gas-sensing solutions, the proposed gas-sensing technology would significantly upgrade the added-value of the integrated system, providing it with unique advantages.

The snapshot of metabolic health in evaluating micronutrient status, the risk of infection and clinical outcome of COVID-19.

COVID-19 has re-established the significance of analyzing the organism through a metabolic perspective to uncover the dynamic interconnections within the biological systems. The role of micronutrient status and metabolic health emerge as pivotal in COVID-19 pathogenesis and the immune system's response. Metabolic disruption, proceeding from modifiable factors, has been proposed as a significant risk factor accounting for infection susceptibility, disease severity and risk for post-COVID complications. Metabolomics, the comprehensive study and quantification of intermediates and products of metabolism, is a rapidly evolving field and a novel tool in biomarker discovery. In this article, we propose that leveraging insulin resistance biomarkers along with biomarkers of micronutrient deficiencies, will allow for a diagnostic window and provide functional therapeutic targets. Specifically, metabolomics can be applied as: a. At-home test to assess the risk of infection and propose nutritional support, b. A screening tool for high-risk COVID-19 patients to develop serious illness during hospital admission and prioritize medical support, c(i). A tool to match nutritional support with specific nutrient requirements for mildly ill patients to reduce the risk for hospitalization, and c(ii). for critically ill patients to reduce recovery time and risk of post-COVID complications, d. At-home test to monitor metabolic health and reduce post-COVID symptomatology. Metabolic rewiring offers potential virtues towards disease prevention, dissection of high-risk patients, taking actionable therapeutic measures, as well as shielding against post-COVID syndrome.

Plasma lipid biomarkers in relation to BMI, lung function, and airway inflammation in pediatric asthma.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited understanding of how plasma fatty acid levels affect pulmonary function in pediatric years. It has been speculated that polyunsaturated fatty acids influence asthma via anti or pro-inflammatory mechanisms. Metabolomics presents a new and promising resource for identifying molecular processes involved in asthma pathology. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationship of plasma fatty acid metabolites as biomarkers of the 'mild-asthma' phenotype and lung function including airway inflammation in children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 64 children (5-12 years, 33 male) with mild-asthma phenotype attending an outpatient pediatric clinic in Athens, Greece. Clinical examination included spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25-75%) and Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO). Targeted metabolomic profiling was used to quantify plasma fatty acid composition. Associations between lipids and pulmonary function indices were investigated applying linear regression. RESULTS: Targeted GC-MS identified 25 unique plasma fatty acids in mild-asthmatic children. Linear regression revealed significant associations between linoleic, oleic, erucic, cis-11-eicosenoic, arachidic acids and FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25-75% and FeNO in the overweight/obese group, adjusting for age and sex; and in the normo-weight between stearic and arachidic acids versus FEV1 and FEV1/FVC respectively. No associations were observed for arachidonic, α-linolenic, EPA and DHA. CONCLUSION: Metabolomics is a novel science that is useful to discover metabolic signatures specific to disease. Evaluation of fatty acid status could assist clinicians in decision-making about a dietary modification that can be used for personalized nutrition therapies to achieve better asthma control, optimum lung function, and therapeutic response in children.

Potential role of folate status on pulmonary function in pediatric asthma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between plasma folate status and measures of airway disease (as reflected by spirometry) in children with asthma on a traditional Mediterranean diet. We hypothesized that folate deficiency is associated with lung function impairment in this group of children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 64 children with mild asthma (52% boys, mean age 8 ± 2 y) residing in Athens, Greece. Clinical assessments included spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Plasma 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) was analyzed using high performance-liquid chromatography assay and examined in participants using quartiles (Q1-Q4). RESULTS: Of the 64 children, 45.3% were folate deficient (5-MTHF <10 nmol/L). A positive relationship was observed between 5-MTHF and forced vital capacity (FVC; ß = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14-1.44; adjusted P = 0.019), forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) (ß = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.01-1.55; adjusted P = 0.046), and peak expiratory flow (PEF; ß = 1.64; 95% CI, 0.14-3.15; adjusted P = 0.033) in girls only, adjusting for body mass index and regular exercise. Girls with low plasma folate concentrations (Q1), compared with girls with high concentrations (Q4) had 8.64% lower FVC (ß = -8.64; 95% CI, -16.18 to -1.09; adjusted P = 0.027), 10.35% FEV1 (ß = -10.35; 95% CI, -18.82 to -1.89; adjusted P = 0.019), and 18.72% PEF (ß = -18.72; 95% CI, -36.30 to -1.14; adjusted P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study highlighted the potential negative effects of folate deficiency on pulmonary function in girls with asthma, the importance of monitoring folate status in children with asthma, and early prevention strategies.

Application of Metabolomics in Pediatric Asthma: Prediction, Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment.

Asthma in children remains a significant public health challenge affecting 5-20% of children in Europe and is associated with increased morbidity and societal healthcare costs. The high variation in asthma incidence among countries may be attributed to differences in genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. This respiratory disorder is described as a heterogeneous syndrome of multiple clinical manifestations (phenotypes) with varying degrees of severity and airway hyper-responsiveness, which is based on patient symptoms, lung function and response to pharmacotherapy. However, an accurate diagnosis is often difficult due to diversities in clinical presentation. Therefore, identifying early diagnostic biomarkers and improving the monitoring of airway dysfunction and inflammatory through non-invasive methods are key goals in successful pediatric asthma management. Given that asthma is caused by the interaction between genes and environmental factors, an emerging approach, metabolomics-the systematic analysis of small molecules-can provide more insight into asthma pathophysiological mechanisms, enable the identification of early biomarkers and targeted personalized therapies, thus reducing disease burden and societal cost. The purpose of this review is to present evidence on the utility of metabolomics in pediatric asthma through the analysis of intermediate metabolites of biochemical pathways that involve carbohydrates, amino acids, lipids, organic acids and nucleotides and discuss their potential application in clinical practice. Also, current challenges on the integration of metabolomics in pediatric asthma management and needed next steps are critically discussed.

Emulating Artificial Synaptic Plasticity Characteristics from SiO2-Based Conductive Bridge Memories with Pt Nanoparticles.

The quick growth of information technology has necessitated the need for developing novel electronic devices capable of performing novel neuromorphic computations with low power consumption and a high degree of accuracy. In order to achieve this goal, it is of vital importance to devise artificial neural networks with inherent capabilities of emulating various synaptic properties that play a key role in the learning procedures. Along these lines, we report here the direct impact of a dense layer of Pt nanoparticles that plays the role of the bottom electrode, on the manifestation of the bipolar switching effect within SiO2-based conductive bridge memories. Valuable insights regarding the influence of the thermal conductivity value of the bottom electrode on the conducting filament growth mechanism are provided through the application of a numerical model. The implementation of an intermediate switching transition slope during the SET transition permits the emulation of various artificial synaptic functionalities, such as short-term plasticity, including paired-pulsed facilitation and paired-pulse depression, long-term plasticity and four different types of spike-dependent plasticity. Our approach provides valuable insights toward the development of multifunctional synaptic elements that operate with low power consumption and exhibit biological-like behavior.

Simulation tool for predicting and optimizing the performance of nanoparticle based strain sensors.

In this work a Monte-Carlo tool simulating platinum nanoparticle (NP) based strain-sensors, on flexible substrates, is presented. The tool begins by randomly placing the NPs on the simulation area, with the ability to tune the NP surface coverage. After the calculation of the conductive paths that were generated in the previous step, the whole system is represented with an equivalent circuit; the NPs and the NP clusters act as nodes and the inter-particle gaps as resistances. The effective resistance is then calculated with the use of a Laplacian Matrix, which has proven extremely effective in significantly reducing the overall computational time. The simulation results are then benchmarked with experimental measurements from actual strain-sensing devices. The software is capable of predicting the strain-sensitivity for different NP sizes as well as surface coverages, emerging as a powerful computational tool for design-optimization of NP based devices in polymeric substrates, while it could well be extended to other nanocomposite materials used in flexible or stretchable electronic applications.

Metabolic profiling of organic and fatty acids in chronic and autoimmune diseases.

Metabolomics is a powerful tool of omics that permits the simultaneous identification of metabolic perturbations in several autoimmune and chronic diseases. Several parameters can affect a metabolic profile, from the population characteristics to the selection of the analytical method. In the current chapter, we summarize the main analytical methods and results of the metabolic profiling of fatty and organic acids performed in human metabolomic studies for asthma, COPD, psoriasis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. We discuss the most significant metabolic alterations associated with these diseases, after comparison of either a single patient's group with healthy controls or several patient's subgroups of different disease severity and phenotype with healthy controls or of a patient's group before and after treatment. Finally, we present critical metabolic patterns that are associated with each disease and their potency for the unraveling of disease pathogenesis, prediction, diagnosis, patient stratification and treatment selection.

A Novel Nutraceutical Formulation Can Improve Motor Activity and Decrease the Stress Level in a Murine Model of Middle-Age Animals.

Ageing is a genetically programmed physiological process that is modulated by numerous environmental factors, associated with decreasing physiological function, decreasing reproductive rate and increasing age-related mortality rate. Maintaining mobility performance and physical function in the elderly is the main objective of the successful ageing concept. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the beneficial effect of a novel nutraceutical formulation containing Centella asiatica L. extract, vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) on motor activity and anxiety with the use of a murine model of old animals, as a means of providing proof for clinical use in the elderly, for enhancing physical strength and improving life quality. Eighteen Sprague Dawley 18 months old male rats were divided into three groups and received corn oil (the control group) or 1 capsule/kg bw Reverse supplement (treatment group 1) or 2 capsules/kg bw Reverse supplement (treatment group 2), for a period of 3 months. The Reverse supplement (Natural Doctor S.A, Athens, Greece) contains 9 mg Centella asiatica L. extract, vitamin C (200 mg as magnesium ascorbate), zinc (5 mg as zinc citrate), vitamin D3 (50 µg as cholecalciferol) per capsule. Before and after the treatment, the motor function and behavioral changes for anxiety and depression were evaluated using the open-field test, elevated plus-maze test and rotarod test. The supplementation with Reverse (Natural Doctor S.A) supplement can improve the locomotor activity in old rats in a dose-dependent manner, as demonstrated by an increase in the latency to leave from the middle square, in the number of rearings in the open field test, in the time spent in the open arms and time spent in the center in the elevated plus-maze test and the latency to all in all three consecutive trials in the rotarod test. Stress also decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner, following the treatment with Reverse supplement, as was demonstrated by the decrease in the number of groomings at the open field test and time spent in the dark and the number of groomings at the elevated plus-maze test.

Resistive crack-based nanoparticle strain sensors with extreme sensitivity and adjustable gauge factor, made on flexible substrates.

In this paper, we report the demonstration of highly sensitive flexible strain sensors formed by a network of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) grown under vacuum on top of a cracked thin alumina film which has been deposited by atomic layer deposition. It is shown that the sensor sensitivity depends on the surface density of NPs as well as on the thickness of alumina thin films that can both be well controlled via the deposition techniques. This method allows reaching a record strain sensitivity value of 2.6 × 108 at 7.2% strain, while exhibiting high sensitivity in a large strain range from 0.1% to 7.2%. The demonstration is followed by a discussion enlightening the physical understanding of sensor operation, which enables the tuning of its performance according to the above process parameters.

A Clinical Trial for the Identification of Metabolic Biomarkers in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and in Psoriasis: Study Protocol.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis and psoriasis are inflammatory disorders that significantly impact patients' quality of life, stressing the need for novel biomarkers of early diagnosis. This randomized clinical trial (NCT04693936) aims to identify Hashimoto's thyroiditis' and psoriasis' metabolic biomarkers and to investigate the effect of environmental factors on the disease-related metabolic imprint and quality of life. Patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, patients with psoriasis, and healthy individuals aged 18-60 will be recruited, enrolled according to eligibility criteria (medical history, clinical thyroid markers and the PASI score) and randomized to two groups. The intervention group will receive a combination of nutraceuticals for 6 months as part of a Mediterranean diet, and the control group will follow their usual diet. Data will be collected at baseline and the end of the study, including metabolite levels, lifestyle and anthropometric measurements, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (through the Mediterranean Diet Score) and disease-specific quality of life (through the Thyroid Patient Report Outcome for Hashimoto's group, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index for the psoriasis group). This study will investigate metabolic biomarkers and related changes in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and psoriasis and evaluate the association of metabolic changes with dietary factors and quality of life.