Effects of Phenylcapsaicin on Intraocular and Ocular Perfusion Pressure During a 30-Min Cycling Task: A Placebo-Controlled, Triple-Blind, Balanced Crossover Study.

The main objective of this placebo-controlled, triple-blind, balanced crossover study was to assess the acute effects of phenylcapsaicin (PC) intake (2.5 mg) on intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), and heart rate (HR) during a 30-min cycling task performed at 15% of the individual maximal power. Twenty-two healthy young adults performed the cycling task 45 min after ingesting PC or placebo. IOP was measured with a rebound tonometer before exercise, during cycling (every 6 min), and after 5 and 10 min of recovery. OPP was assessed before and after exercise. HR was monitored throughout the cycling task. We found an acute increase of IOP levels related to PC consumption while cycling (mean difference = 1.91 ± 2.24 mmHg; p = .007, ηp2=.30), whereas no differences were observed for OPP levels between the PC and placebo conditions (mean difference = 1.33 ± 8.70 mmHg; p = .608). Mean HR values were higher after PC in comparison with placebo intake (mean difference = 3.11 ± 15.87 bpm, p = .019, ηp2=.24), whereas maximum HR did not differ between both experimental conditions (p = .199). These findings suggest that PC intake before exercise should be avoided when reducing IOP levels is desired (e.g., glaucoma patients or those at risk). Future studies should determine the effects of different ergogenic aids on IOP and OPP levels with other exercise configurations and in the long term.

Impact of squat set configuration on mechanical performance in paired sets of upper-body exercises.

BACKGROUND: Paired sets and alternative set configurations (e.g., cluster sets) are frequently employed by strength and conditioning practitioners; however, their synergistic impact remains underexplored in research. This study aimed to elucidate whether the set configuration used in a lower-body exercise affects mechanical performance during paired sets of upper-body exercises. METHODS: Twenty-one resistance-trained individuals (14 men and 7 women) randomly completed three experimental sessions that involved four sets of five repetitions at 75%1RM during both the bench press and bench pull exercises. The three experimental sessions varied solely in the activity conducted during the inter-set rest periods of each upper-body exercise: (i) Traditional squat - six squat repetitions without intra-set rest at 65%1RM; (ii) Rest redistribution squat - two clusters of three repetitions of the squat exercise at 65%1RM with 30 s of intra-set rest; and (iii) Passive rest - no exercise. RESULTS: The rest redistribution set configuration allowed the sets of the squat exercise to be performed at a faster velocity than the traditional set configuration (p = 0.037). However, none of the mechanical variables differed between the exercise protocols neither in the bench press (p ranged from 0.279 to 0.875) nor in the bench pull (p ranged from 0.166 to 0.478). CONCLUSIONS: Although rest redistribution is an effective strategy to alleviate fatigue during the sets in which it is implemented, it does not allow subjects to perform better in subsequent sets of the training session.

Acceptance of Assistive Technology by Users with Motor Disabilities Due to Spinal Cord or Acquired Brain Injuries: A Systematic Review.

Acquired motor limits can be provoked by neurological lesions. Independently of the aetiologies, the lesions require patients to develop new coping strategies and adapt to the changed motor functionalities. In all of these occasions, what is defined as an assistive technology (AT) may represent a promising solution. The present work is a systematic review of the scientific AT-related literature published in the PubMed, Cinahl, and Psychinfo databases up to September 2022. This review was undertaken to summarise how the acceptance of AT is assessed in people with motor deficits due to neurological lesions. We review papers that (1) dealt with adults (≥18 years old) with motor deficits due to spinal cord or acquired brain injuries and (2) concerned user acceptance of hard AT. A total of 615 studies emerged, and 18 articles were reviewed according to the criteria. The constructs used to assess users' acceptance mainly entail people's satisfaction, ease of use, safety and comfort. Moreover, the acceptance constructs varied as a function of participants' injury severity. Despite the heterogeneity, acceptability was mainly ascertained through pilot and usability studies in laboratory settings. Furthermore, ad-hoc questionnaires and qualitative methods were preferred to unstandardized protocols of measurement. This review highlights the way in which people living with acquired motor limits greatly appreciate ATs. On the other hand, methodological heterogeneity indicates that evaluation protocols should be systematized and finely tuned.

Co-designing an interactive artificial intelligent system with post-stroke patients and caregivers to augment the lost abilities and improve their quality of life: a human-centric approach.

Objectives: The motor disability due to stroke compromises the autonomy of patients and caregivers. To support autonomy and other personal and social needs, trustworthy, multifunctional, adaptive, and interactive assistive devices represent optimal solutions. To fulfill this aim, an artificial intelligence system named MAIA would aim to interpret users' intentions and translate them into actions performed by assistive devices. Analyzing their perspectives is essential to develop the MAIA system operating in harmony with patients' and caregivers' needs as much as possible. Methods: Post-stroke patients and caregivers were interviewed to explore the impact of motor disability on their lives, previous experiences with assistive technologies, opinions, and attitudes about MAIA and their needs. Interview transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Sixteen interviews were conducted with 12 post-stroke patients and four caregivers. Three themes emerged: (1) Needs to be satisfied, (2) MAIA technology acceptance, and (3) Perceived trustfulness. Overall, patients are seeking rehabilitative technology, contrary to caregivers needing assistive technology to help them daily. An easy-to-use and ergonomic technology is preferable. However, a few participants trust a system based on artificial intelligence. Conclusion: An interactive artificial intelligence technology could help post-stroke patients and their caregivers to restore motor autonomy. The insights from participants to develop the system depends on their motor ability and the role of patients or caregiver. Although technology grows exponentially, more efforts are needed to strengthen people's trust in advanced technology.

Amazonia Phytotherapy Reduces Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in the Kidneys.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as a sudden decrease in kidney function. Phytomedicines have shown positive effects in the treatment of AKI worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Abuta grandifolia on the renal function of rats submitted to AKI. A phytochemical study of the plant was performed through liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (CL-EM) and DPPH and ABTS antioxidant tests. Renal function tests were performed in 20 male adult Wistar rats weighing from 250 to 300 g distributed in the following groups: SHAM (submitted to laparotomy with simulation of renal ischemia); ABUTA (animals that received 400 mg/kg of AG, orally-VO, once a day, for 5 days, with simulation of renal ischemia); I/N (animals submitted to laparotomy for clamping of bilateral renal pedicles for 30 min, followed by reperfusion); ABUTA + I/R (animals that received AG-400 mg/kg, 1× per day, VO, for 5 days, submitted to renal ischemia after treatment with herbal medicine). The results suggest that the consumption of Abuta grandifolia promoted renoprotection, preventing the reduction of renal function induced by ischemia, oxidizing activity, and deleterious effects on the renal tissue, confirmed by the decrease of oxidative metabolites and increase of antioxidants in the animals' organisms.

Manifold analysis of the P-wave changes induced by pulmonary vein isolation during cryoballoon procedure.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures, it is desirable to know whether a proper disconnection of the pulmonary veins (PVs) was achieved. We hypothesize that information about their isolation could be provided by analyzing changes in P-wave after ablation. Thus, we present a method to detect PV disconnection using P-wave signal analysis. METHODS: Conventional P-wave feature extraction was compared to an automatic feature extraction procedure based on creating low-dimensional latent spaces for cardiac signals with the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) method. A database of patients (19 controls and 16 AF individuals who underwent a PV ablation procedure) was collected. Standard 12-lead ECG was recorded, and P-waves were segmented and averaged to extract conventional features (duration, amplitude, and area) and their manifold representations provided by UMAP on a 3-dimensional latent space. A virtual patient was used to validate these results further and study the spatial distribution of the extracted characteristics over the whole torso surface. RESULTS: Both methods showed differences between P-wave before and after ablation. Conventional methods were more prone to noise, P-wave delineation errors, and inter-patient variability. P-wave differences were observed in the standard leads recordings. However, higher differences appeared in the torso region over the precordial leads. Recordings near the left scapula also yielded noticeable differences. CONCLUSIONS: P-wave analysis based on UMAP parameters detects PV disconnection after ablation in AF patients and is more robust than heuristic parameterization. Moreover, additional leads different from the standard 12-lead ECG should be used to detect PV isolation and possible future reconnections better.

Effects of phenylcapsaicin on aerobic capacity and physiological parameters in active young males: a randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

Objective: Phenylcapsaicin (PC) is a new capsaicin analog which has exhibited a higher bioavailability. This sudy assessed the effects of a low dose (LD) of 0.625 mg and a high dose (HD) of 2.5 mg of PC on aerobic capacity, substrate oxidation, energy metabolism and exercise physiological variables in young males. Materials and methods: Seventeen active males (age = 24.7 ± 6.0 years) enrolled to this randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Participants attended the laboratory on 4 sessions separated by 72-96 h. A submaximal exercise test [to determine maximal fat oxidation (MFO) and the intensity at MFO (FATmax)] followed by a maximal incremental test (to determine VO2max) were performed in a preliminary session. The subsequent sessions only differed in the supplement ingested [LD, HD or placebo (PLA)] and consisted of a steady-state test (60 min at FATmax) followed by a maximal incremental test. Energy metabolism, substrate oxidation, heart rate, general (gRPE) and quadriceps (RPEquad) rate of perceived exertion, skin temperature and thermal perception were tested. Results: Clavicle thermal perception was lower in HD compared to PLA and LD (p = 0.04) across time. HD reduced maximum heart rate in comparison to PLA and LD (p = 0.03). LD reported higher general RPE (RPEg) values during the steady-state test compared to PLA and HD across time (p = 0.02). HD and LD elicited higher peak of fat oxidation during the steady-state test compared with PLA (p = 0.05). Intra-test analyses revealed significant differences for fat oxidation (FATox) in favor of HD and LD compared to PLA (p = 0.002 and 0.002, respectively), and for carbohydrate oxidation (CHOox) (p = 0.05) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) (p = 0.03) for PLA. In the incremental test, only general RPE at 60% of the maximal intensity (W) differed favoring HD (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Therefore, PC may contribute to increase aerobic capacity through the improvement of fat oxidation, maximum heart rate and perceptual responses during exercise.

Predictors of the Sense of Embodiment of a Female Victim of Sexual Harassment in a Male Sample Through 360-Degree Video-Based Virtual Reality.

The sense of embodiment refers to the set of sensations related to having (i.e., ownership), being located in (i.e., location), and controlling (i.e., agency) a virtual body. Recently, 360-degree video-based Virtual Reality (VR) has been used to manipulate the sense of embodiment, generating the body-swap illusion, that is, the illusionary switch from the real body to a virtual one. However, the psychological mechanisms involved in this illusion are still unknown. The present study is a secondary analysis of the study by Ventura et al. (2021) investigating the feasibility of 360-degree video to induce the body swap from a male's real body to a female virtual body in a sexual harassment virtual environment. In addition, the study explores whether the sense of presence and psychological trait variables related to sexual harassment (i.e., machismo, chivalry, alexithymia, empathic abilities) predict the illusion of owning the body of a female victim of sexual harassment. Forty-four men participated in the study, and the results indicate that the 360-degree video is able to induce the body-swap illusion for location and ownership, but not for agency. Multiple regression analyses showed that the sense of presence was a predictor of the three dimensions of embodiment, but specific psychological traits (i.e., low scores on machismo, high scores on difficulties expressing feelings, and high scores on perspective taking) were also predictor variables of experiencing a greater sense of location and agency in the female virtual body. This study shows that both technological issues and participants' psychological traits are involved in the experience of the body-swap illusion in a sexual harassment scenario using 360-degree video-based VR.

The Effect of Curcumin on Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Diabetic Rats.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) are global health problems that affect over 850 million people, twice the number of diabetic individuals around the world. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to increase the susceptibility to AKI. Plants and foods, such as curcumin, are traditionally used as treatments for various diseases due to its wide range of bioactive compounds that exert antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of curcumin in diabetic rats with AKI. Adult male Wistar rats, weighing between 250 and 290 g, were randomized into four groups: Citrate (citrate buffer, i.v., single dose, on Day 1 of the protocol); DM (streptozotocin (STZ), 65 mg/k, single dose, i.v., on Day 1); DM + I/R (DM rats that, on Day 26, had the renal pedicle clamped for 30 min on both sides); DM + I/R + Curcumin (DM + I/R rats submitted to curcumin treatment). Results showed that IR worsened renal function and oxidative stress in DM rats, but the DM + IR + Curcumin group showed an increase in inulin clearance and a decrease in serum creatinine and in NGAL, in addition to an improvement in renal hemodynamics. These effects were accompanied by a reduction in oxidative and nitrosative metabolites and an increase in the thiol antioxidant reserve when curcumin was administered to the DM + IR group.

Correction: Machado et al. The Effect of Curcumin on Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Diabetic Rats. Nutrients 2022, 14, 2798.

In the original publication [...].

Open-source human skin model with an in vivo-like barrier for drug testing.

There is a global trend towards the development of physiologically relevant in vitro skin models to reduce or replace animal testing in the evaluation of therapeutic drug candidates. However, only commercial reconstructed human epidermis models (RHEm) have undergone formal validation. Although these commercial models are suitable for a wide range of applications, they are costly, lack flexibility, and the protocols used to generate them are not transparent. In this study, we present an open-source full-thickness skin model (FTSm) and assess its potential for drug testing. The FTSm was developed using endogenous extracellular matrix to recreate the dermal compartment, avoiding animal-derived hydrogels. An RHEm based on an open-source protocol was evaluated in parallel. The integrity of the skin barrier was analyzed by challenging the surface with detergents and measuring cell viability as well as by trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements. Skin irritation studies were performed based on OECD guidelines and complemented with an evaluation of the impact on the skin barrier by TEER measurement. The permeation of a dye through the developed models and a commercial membrane (Strat-M®) was compared using Franz diffusion cells and an infinite dose approach. The FTSm demonstrated structural and barrier properties comparable to native human skin. Although the RHEm showed a better performance in drug testing, the FTSm presented better barrier properties than commercial models as reported in the literature. These skin models can be a valuable contribution to accelerating the development and dissemination of alternatives to animal testing, avoiding the limitations of commercial models.

Effect of curcumin on acute chronic kidney disease due to ischemia-reperfusion syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of curcumin on renal function, hemodynamics, and renal oxidative profile of rats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) subjected to renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). METHODS: Wistar rats, 250-300 g, distributed in four groups: Sham (n = 5), CKD simulation; CKD (n = 5), 5/6 renal ablation for CKD induction; CKD + IRI (n = 5), CKD and renal pedicle clamping for 30 minutes; and CKD + IRI+curcumin (n = 5), CKD + IRI, curcumin administration 30 mg/kg/day, orally, for 10 days. Renal function (inulin clearance, urine flow, plasma creatinine), hemodynamics (blood pressure), and oxidative profile (peroxides, TBARS, and urine nitrate, non-protein soluble thiols in renal tissue) were evaluated. RESULTS: The CKD + IRI + curcumin group showed increased inulin clearance and reduced plasma creatinine, decreased RVR and increased RBF, decreased oxidative metabolites in urine and increased thiols in renal tissue when compared with the CKD + IRI group. CONCLUSION: The treatment with curcumin preserved renal function and hemodynamics of animals with acute CKD, improving oxidative profile, with reduction of oxidants and preservation of antioxidant reserve.

Reconstructed human pigmented skin/epidermis models achieve epidermal pigmentation through melanocore transfer.

The skin acts as a barrier to environmental insults and provides many vital functions. One of these is to shield DNA from harmful ultraviolet radiation, which is achieved by skin pigmentation arising as melanin is produced and dispersed within the epidermal layer. This is a crucial defence against DNA damage, photo-ageing and skin cancer. The mechanisms and regulation of melanogenesis and melanin transfer involve extensive crosstalk between melanocytes and keratinocytes in the epidermis, as well as fibroblasts in the dermal layer. Although the predominant mechanism of melanin transfer continues to be debated and several plausible models have been proposed, we and others previously provided evidence for a coupled exo/phagocytosis model. Herein, we performed histology and immunohistochemistry analyses and demonstrated that a newly developed full-thickness three-dimensional reconstructed human pigmented skin model and an epidermis-only model exhibit dispersed pigment throughout keratinocytes in the epidermis. Transmission electron microscopy revealed melanocores between melanocytes and keratinocytes, suggesting that melanin is transferred through coupled exocytosis/phagocytosis of the melanosome core, or melanocore, similar to our previous observations in human skin biopsies. We, therefore, present evidence that our in vitro models of pigmented human skin show epidermal pigmentation comparable to human skin. These findings have a high value for studies of skin pigmentation mechanisms and pigmentary disorders, whilst reducing the reliance on animal models and human skin biopsies.

What changed between the peak and plateau periods of the first COVID-19 pandemic wave? A multicentric Portuguese cohort study in intensive care. / O que mudou entre os períodos de pico e de platô durante a primeira onda do SARS-CoV-2? Estudo multicêntrico português em unidades de cuidados intensivos.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and compare COVID-19 patient characteristics, clinical management and outcomes between the peak and plateau periods of the first pandemic wave in Portugal. METHODS: This was a multicentric ambispective cohort study including consecutive severe COVID-19 patients between March and August 2020 from 16 Portuguese intensive care units. The peak and plateau periods, respectively, weeks 10 - 16 and 17 - 34, were defined. RESULTS: Five hundred forty-one adult patients with a median age of 65 [57 - 74] years, mostly male (71.2%), were included. There were no significant differences in median age (p = 0.3), Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (40 versus 39; p = 0.8), partial arterial oxygen pressure/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (139 versus 136; p = 0.6), antibiotic therapy (57% versus 64%; p = 0.2) at admission, or 28-day mortality (24.4% versus 22.8%; p = 0.7) between the peak and plateau periods. During the peak period, patients had fewer comorbidities (1 [0 - 3] versus 2 [0 - 5]; p = 0.002) and presented a higher use of vasopressors (47% versus 36%; p < 0.001) and invasive mechanical ventilation (58.1 versus 49.2%; p < 0.001) at admission, prone positioning (45% versus 36%; p = 0.04), and hydroxychloroquine (59% versus 10%; p < 0.001) and lopinavir/ritonavir (41% versus 10%; p < 0.001) prescriptions. However, a greater use of high-flow nasal cannulas (5% versus 16%, p < 0.001) on admission, remdesivir (0.3% versus 15%; p < 0.001) and corticosteroid (29% versus 52%, p < 0.001) therapy, and a shorter ICU length of stay (12 days versus 8, p < 0.001) were observed during the plateau. CONCLUSION: There were significant changes in patient comorbidities, intensive care unit therapies and length of stay between the peak and plateau periods of the first COVID-19 wave.

OBJETIVO: Analisar e comparar as características de pacientes críticos com a COVID-19, a abordagem clínica e os resultados entre os períodos de pico e de platô na primeira onda pandêmica em Portugal. MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo de coorte multicêntrico ambispectivo, que incluiu pacientes consecutivos com a forma grave da COVID-19 entre março e agosto de 2020 de 16 unidades de terapia intensiva portuguesas. Definiram-se as semanas 10 - 16 e 17 - 34 como os períodos de pico e platô. RESULTADOS: Incluíram-se 541 pacientes adultos com mediana de idade de 65 [57 - 74] anos, a maioria do sexo masculino (71,2%). Não houve diferenças significativas na mediana de idade (p = 0,3), no Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (40 versus 39; p = 0,8), na pressão parcial de oxigênio/fração inspirada de oxigênio (139 versus 136; p = 0,6), na terapia com antibióticos na admissão (57% versus 64%; p = 0,2) ou na mortalidade aos 28 dias (24,4% versus 22,8%; p = 0,7) entre o período de pico e platô. Durante o período de pico, os pacientes tiveram menos comorbidades (1 [0 - 3] versus 2 [0 - 5]; p = 0,002); fizeram mais uso de vasopressores (47% versus 36%; p < 0,001) e ventilação mecânica invasiva na admissão (58,1% versus 49,2%; p < 0,001), e tiveram mais prescrição de hidroxicloroquina (59% versus 10%; p < 0,001), lopinavir/ritonavir (41% versus 10%; p < 0,001) e posição prona (45% versus 36%; p = 0,04). Entretanto, durante o platô, observou-se maior uso de cânulas nasais de alto fluxo (5% versus 16%; p < 0,001) na admissão, remdesivir (0,3% versus 15%; p < 0,001) e corticosteroides (29% versus 52%; p < 0,001), além de menor tempo de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva (12 versus 8 dias; p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Houve mudanças significativas nas comorbidades dos pacientes, nos tratamentos da unidade de terapia intensiva e no tempo de internação entre os períodos de pico e platô na primeira onda da COVID-19.

Pigmented Full-Thickness Human Skin Model Based on a Fibroblast-Derived Matrix for Long-Term Studies.

Reconstructed human skin models are a valuable tool for drug discovery, disease modeling, and basic research. In the past decades, major progress has been made in this field leading to the development of full-thickness skin models (FTSms) better representative of the native human skin by including the cellular cross talk between the dermal and epidermal layers. However, current available FTSms still present important limitations since they are only suitable for short-term studies, include nonhuman extracellular matrix (ECM) components and have a weak skin barrier function compared with in vivo human skin. In this study, a fibroblast-derived matrix was combined with the use of an inert polystyrene scaffold for the development of a fully human dermis capable of supporting a differentiated epidermis. To produce a pigmented FTSm, a coculture with keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts was established. The structure and functionality of the developed FTSms were studied for short- and long-term cultivation using histological and immunofluorescence staining. The integrity of the skin barrier was evaluated using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements. It was possible to obtain a mature dermis capable of supporting an epidermis without keratinocyte infiltration in only 6 days. ECM components (collagen IV and fibrin) were secreted by the fibroblasts and accumulated in the scaffold structure, recreating the microenvironment of the native human dermis. Moreover, the use of a scaffold resulted in a structure with mechanical stability due to its noncontracting nature. The coculture of primary human keratinocytes resulted in a terminally differentiated skin equivalent that could maintain its architecture and homeostasis up to 50 days. Melanocytes were correctly integrated within the epidermal basal layer and made it possible to reproduce constitutive pigmentation. TEER levels increased during culture time, reaching values of 1.1 ± 0.2 kΩ.cm2 for the FTSm, indicative of a functional skin barrier.

How Does It Feel to Be a Woman Victim of Sexual Harassment? The Effect of 360°-Video-Based Virtual Reality on Empathy and Related Variables.

Sexual harassment (SH) occurs when people-mostly women-are targets of unwanted sexual comments, gestures, or actions associated with a lack of empathy on the part of the offender. Virtual Reality (VR) has been defined as the "ultimate empathy machine" because it allows the user to take other people's perspective. The present work aims to study the effect of a 360°-video-based VR experience (vs. traditional perspective-taking task) on empathy and related concepts (i.e., violent attitude, perspective taking, sense of oneness) toward a female victim of SH in a male sample. A within-subjects design was used with 44 men who experienced both conditions (360° and narrative). Results showed the superiority of the 360°-video experience over the narrative in increasing empathy, sense of oneness, and perspective taking toward a female victim of SH. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Barrier-on-a-Chip with a Modular Architecture and Integrated Sensors for Real-Time Measurement of Biological Barrier Function.

Biological barriers are essential for the maintenance of organ homeostasis and their dysfunction is responsible for many prevalent diseases. Advanced in vitro models of biological barriers have been developed through the combination of 3D cell culture techniques and organ-on-chip (OoC) technology. However, real-time monitoring of tissue function inside the OoC devices has been challenging, with most approaches relying on off-chip analysis and imaging techniques. In this study, we designed and fabricated a low-cost barrier-on-chip (BoC) device with integrated electrodes for the development and real-time monitoring of biological barriers. The integrated electrodes were used to measure transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) during tissue culture, thereby quantitatively evaluating tissue barrier function. A finite element analysis was performed to study the sensitivity of the integrated electrodes and to compare them with conventional systems. As proof-of-concept, a full-thickness human skin model (FTSm) was grown on the developed BoC, and TEER was measured on-chip during the culture. After 14 days of culture, the barrier tissue was challenged with a benchmark irritant and its impact was evaluated on-chip through TEER measurements. The developed BoC with an integrated sensing capability represents a promising tool for real-time assessment of barrier function in the context of drug testing and disease modelling.

Virtual Reality as a Medium to Elicit Empathy: A Meta-Analysis.

The current meta-analysis aims to investigate and clarify existing research on virtual reality (VR) as a medium to elicit empathy. An exhaustive literature search (updated to February 29, 2020) enabled us to locate seven published articles, yielding a total of nine independent samples. The results reveal statistically significant positive changes in perspective-taking outcomes after VR exposure (d+ = 0.51 [95 percent CI: 0.15-0.88]) but they did not note in empathy (d+ = 0.21 [95 percent confidence interval, CI: -0.37-0.79]). A potential limitation of this work is the low number of studies included. Implications and directions for theoretical development and empirical research are also discussed.

Immersive Versus Non-immersive Experience: Exploring the Feasibility of Memory Assessment Through 360° Technology.

Episodic memory is essential to effectively perform a number of daily activities, as it enables individuals to consciously recall experiences within their spatial and temporal environments. Virtual Reality (VR) serves as an efficacious instrument to assess cognitive functions like attention and memory. Previous studies have adopted computer-simulated VR to assess memory, which realized greater benefits compared to traditional procedures (paper and pencil). One of the most recent trends of immersive VR experiences is the 360° technology. In order to evaluate its capabilities, this study aims to compare memory performance through two tasks: immersive task and non-immersive task. These tasks differ based on the participant's view of the 360° picture: (1) head-mounted display (HMD) for immersive task and (2) tablet for non-immersive task. This study seeks to compare how memory is facilitated in both the 360° immersive picture as well as the non-immersive 360° picture. A repeated measure design was carried out in a sample of 42 participants, randomized into two groups of 21. Group 1 first observed Picture A (immersive) followed by Picture B (non-immersive) while Group 2 began with Picture B and then looked at Picture A. Each 360° picture contains specific items with some items appearing in both. Memory evaluation is assessed immediately after the exposure (recall task), then again after a 10-min delay (recognition task). Results reveal that Group 1, which began with the immersive task, demonstrated stronger memory performance in the long term as compared to Group 2, which began with the non-immersive task. Preliminary data ultimately supports the efficacy of the 360° technology in evaluating cognitive function.

Putting Oneself in the Body of Others: A Pilot Study on the Efficacy of an Embodied Virtual Reality System to Generate Self-Compassion.

Compassion-based interventions (CBIs) have been shown to be effective for increasing empathy and compassion, and reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. CBIs are based on constructive meditations where imagery abilities are essential. One of the major difficulties that participants report during the training is the difficulty related to imagery abilities. Virtual reality (VR) can be a useful tool to overcome this limitation because it can facilitate the construction and sustainment of mental images. The machine to be another (TMTBA) uses multi-sensory stimulation to induce a body swap illusion. This system allows participants to see themselves from a third perspective and have the illusion of touching themselves from outside. The main objective of the present study was to analyze the efficacy of a self-compassion meditation procedure based on the TMTBA system versus the usual meditation procedure (CAU) in increasing positive affect states, mindful self-care, and adherence to the practice, and explore the influence of imagery abilities as moderators of the effects of the condition on adherence. A sample of 16 participants were randomly assigned to two conditions: TMTBA-VR and CAU. All participants had to listen to an audio meditation about self-compassion and answer questionnaires before and after the training. The TMTBA-VR condition also had a body swap experience at the end of the meditation while listening to self-compassionate messages. Afterward, they were invited to practice this meditation for 2 weeks and then measured again. After the compassion practice, both conditions significantly increased positive qualities toward self/others, decreased negative qualities toward self, and increased awareness and attention to mental events and bodily sensations, with no differences between the conditions. After 2 weeks, both conditions showed a similar frequency of meditation practice and increases in specific types of self-care behaviors, with the frequency of clinical self-care behaviors being significantly higher in TMTBA. Finally, lower imagery ability in the visual and cutaneous modality were moderators of the efficacy of the TMTBA (vs. CAU) condition in increasing adherence to the practice. Embodied VR could be an interesting tool to facilitate and increase the efficacy of CBIs by facilitating the construction of positive and powerful mental images.