The present book is devoted to all aspects of biosensing in a very broad definition, including, but not limited to, biomolecular composition used in biosensors (e.g., biocatalytic enzymes, DNAzymes, abiotic nanospecies with biocatalytic features, bioreceptors, DNA/RNA, aptasensors, etc.), physical signal transduction mechanisms (e.g., electrochemical, optical, magnetic, etc.), engineering of different biosensing platforms, operation of biosensors in vitro and in vivo (implantable or wearable devices), self-powered biosensors, etc. The biosensors can be represented with analogue devices measuring concentrations of analytes and binary devices operating in the YES/NO format, possibly with logical processing of input signals. Furthermore, the book is aimed at attracting young scientists and introducing them to the field, while providing newcomers with an enormous collection of literature references.

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Anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the oldest biotechnological processes and originally referred to biomass degradation under anoxic conditions in both natural and engineered systems. It has been used for decades to treat various waste streams and to produce methane-rich biogas as an important energy carrier, and it has become a major player in electrical power production. AD is a popular, mature technology, and our knowledge about the influencing process parameters as well as about the diverse microbial communities involved in the process has increased dramatically over the last few decades. To avoid competition with food and feed production, the AD feedstock spectrum has constantly been extended to waste products either rich in recalcitrant lignocellulose or containing inhibitory substances such as ammonia, which requires application of various pre-treatments or specific management of the microbial resources. Extending the definition of AD, it can also convert gases rich in hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methane that can substitute natural gas, which opens new opportunities by a direct link to traditional petrochemistry. Furthermore, AD can be coupled with emerging biotechnological applications, such as microbial electrochemical technologies or the production of medium-chain fatty acids by anaerobic fermentation. Ultimately, because of the wide range of applications, AD is still a very vital field in science. This Special Issue highlights some key topics of this research field.

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Pigs have a strong motivation to explore and root. In conventional pig husbandry systems, this need is difficult to fulfil, unless adequate enrichment materials are provided. This book summarises how enrichment strategies for pigs have evolved over the last few decades in different countries and provides a vast array of possibilities to enhance the exploratory needs of pigs. The role of enrichment material on avoidance of tail biting outbreaks or as an element triggering positive emotions in pigs is also discussed.

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This reprint presents information for updating the state-of-the-art exercise testing and prescription in specific conditions such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, knee arthroplasty, obesity with metabolic syndrome, low back pain, postpartum women, and people with premature ventricular beats.

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Nowadays, diet-related non-communicable diseases and their complications are one of the most important public health problems worldwide. Food supplements and functional foods are considered food products which contribute to the achievement of optimal nutritional well-being, health status, and quality of life through reducing the risk of diseases and promoting the appropriate function of human organs and systems. Nowadays, the assessment of these functional foods and the study of their implications in nutrition and health are important challenges in societies of developed countries where consumers increasingly demand foods with added value beyond the provision of nutrients and the satisfaction of appetite. In this reprint, the characterization of the nutritional composition and phytochemicals of functional foods and food supplements as well as the evaluation of their potential health benefits in different disorders and diseases through clinical trials or preliminary studies are addressed.

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From an evolutionary perspective, our species has relied upon physical activity for most of its history to survive and has had to escape from predators, to scavenge for food, and to use physique to work or build necessary means for everyday life. Physical activity has been part of our evolution and progress since the very beginning and, consequently, our entire body has been programmed to be active physically. In the last 20 years, scientific research has increasingly shown that our ancient survival principle has beneficial effects not only on the cells and organs involved in physical activities but on the metabolism of the entire organism, influencing the homeostasis and integration of all bodily functions, likely stimulating the production of hormones and other regulatory molecules, with each affecting vital signalling pathways. Most of the web of factors involved in molecular signalling upon exercise are suspected to be centrally controlled by the brain, which has been reported to be deeply modified by physical activity. Such complexity requires a multifaceted approach to shed light on the molecular interactions that occur between physical activity and its outcome at a cellular level.

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Glycolysis, the pathway of enzymatic reactions responsible for the breakdown of glucose into two trioses and further into pyruvate or lactate, was elucidated in 1940. For more than seven decades, it has been taught precisely the way its sequence was proposed by Embden, Meyerhof and Parnas. Accordingly, two outcomes of this pathway were proposed, an aerobic glycolysis, with pyruvate as its final product, and an anaerobic glycolysis, identical to the aerobic one, except for an additional reaction, where pyruvate is reduced to lactate. Several studies in the 1980s have shown that both muscle and brain tissues can oxidize and utilize lactate as an energy substrate, challenging this monocarboxylate’s reputation as a useless end-product of anaerobic glycolysis. These findings were met with great skepticism about the idea that lactate could be playing a role in bioenergetics. In the past quarter of a century monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) were identified and localized in both cellular and mitochondrial membranes. A lactate receptor has been identified. Direct and indirect evidence now indicate that the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) resides not only in the cytosol, as part of the glycolytic pathway machinery, but also in the mitochondrial outer membrane. The mitochondrial form of the enzyme oxidizes lactate to pyruvate and concomitantly produces the reducing agent NADH. These findings have shed light on a major drawback of the originally proposed aerobic version of the glycolytic pathway i.e., its inability to regenerate NAD+, as opposed to anaerobic glycolysis that features the cyclical ability of regenerating NAD+ upon pyruvate reduction to lactate by the cytosolic form of LDH. The malate-aspartate shuttle (MAS), a major redox shuttle in the brain, was proposed as an alternative pathway for NAD+ generation for aerobic glycolysis. Nonetheless, would MAS really be necessary for that function if glycolysis always proceeds to the end-products, lactate and NAD+? An additional dilemma the originally proposed aerobic glycolysis presents has to do with the glycolytic pathway of erythrocytes, which despite its highly aerobic environment, always produces lactate as its end-product. It is time to reexamine the original, dogmatic separation of glycolysis into two distinct pathways and put to test the hypothesis of a unified, singular pathway, the end-product of which is lactate, the real substrate of the mitochondrial TCA cycle.

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This reprint focuses on research on arterial and venous thromboembolic complications. The authors provide up-to-date information about the pathogenesis, risk stratification, diagnostics and treatment of various forms of thromboembolism including venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cerebral sinus thrombosis, splanchnic thrombosis, ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome and pregnancy loss. Additionally, they included the advances of such management in specific populations, such as the patients with endocrine disorders, cancer or COVID-19.

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Recently, microfluidic, nanofluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices have gained particular attention in biomedical applications. Due to their advantages, such as miniaturization, versatility, ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and the potential to replace animal models for drug development and testing, these devices hold tremendous potential to revolutionize the research of more effective treatments for several diseases that threaten human life. With integrated biosensors, these devices allow the development and design of micro- and nanoparticles to be studied in detail, modelling human physiology, investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying disease formation and progression, and gaining insights into the performance and long-term effects of responsive drug delivery nanocarriers. This Special Issue gathered research papers, and review articles focusing on novel microfluidic, nanofluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices for biomedical applications, addressing all steps related to fabrication, biosensor integration and development, characterization, numerical simulations and validation of the devices, optimization and, the translation of these devices from research labs to industry settings.

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The control of energy metabolism is a central event for cell, organ, and organism survival. There are many control levels in energy metabolism, although in this Special Issue, we concentrated on the neuroendocrine control which is operated through specialized neural circuits controlling both food intake and energy expenditure. Due to the explosion of obesity and associated diseases, the subject of this Special Issue is of particular interest today.

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Dear Colleagues, The brain is vulnerable to injury. Following injury in the brain, apoptosis or necrosis may occur easily, leading to various functional disabilities. Neuronal death is associated with a number of neurological disorders including hypoxic ischemia, epileptic seizures, and neurodegenerative diseases. The brain subjected to injury is regarded to be responsible for the alterations in neurotransmission processes, resulting in functional changes. Oxidative stress produced by reactive oxygen species has been shown to be related to the death of neurons in traumatic injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, scavenging or decreasing free radicals may be crucial for preventing neural tissues from harmful adversities in the brain. Neurotrophic factors, bioactive compounds, dietary nutrients, or cell engineering may ameliorate the pathological processes related to neuronal death or neurodegeneration and appear beneficial for improving neuroprotection. As a result of neuronal death or neuroprotection, the brain undergoes activity-dependent long-lasting changes in synaptic transmission, which is also known as functional plasticity. Neuroprotection implying the rescue from neuronal death is now becoming one of global health concerns. This Special Issue attempts to explore the recent advances in neuroprotection related to the brain. This Special Issue welcomes original research or review papers demonstrating the mechanisms of neuroprotection against brain injury using in vivo or in vitro models of animals as well as in clinical settings. The issues in a paper should be supported by sufficient data or evidence. Prof. Bae Hwan Lee Guest Editor

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The aim of this Special Issue was to propose, on the basis of the evidence that the current literature provides, new training techniques and specific evaluation methods for the different populations practicing physical activity.

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The practice of regular physical activity has been proposed as a determinant in many disciplines, from wellness to physiotherapy; in fact, it reduces the risks of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Moreover, physical exercise decreases the incidence of some types of cancer, such as breast and colon cancer. Finally, rehabilitation protocols need correct exercise training to reach the complete “return to play” of patients. Unfortunately, the mechanisms associated with the beneficial effects of physical activity are still under study. Therefore, advances in all aspects of sport and exercise medicine will be relevant for physicians, recreational sport practitioners and elite athletes. This was the aim of this Special Issue, “New trends in sport and exercise medicine”, which achieved great success. Sixteen papers have been published, which are briefly described below. They range from mobile applications in physiotherapy to changes in bioactive lipids in half-marathoners. However, sport and exercise medicine are broad subjects and require more papers to clarify their different aspects. Therefore, we proposed a new Special Issue to continue on this path and gain new insights into sport and exercise medicine.

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The maintenance of optimal musculoskeletal health is increasingly recognized as a key element for promoting overall health and fostering independent living in advanced age. Growing evidence indicates that nutrition, together with an active lifestyle, plays a central role in supporting musculoskeletal health both aging and in the setting of specific disease conditions. This Special Issue of Nutrients, entitled “Nutrition for Musculoskeletal Health”, includes original research and review contributions highlighting the relevance of nutrition to musculoskeletal health during aging and in the context of specific diseases. The overarching theme of the Special Issue is addressed through a multidisciplinary set of articles embracing clinical, basic science, and translational studies.

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The field of vascular interventional radiology has witnessed remarkable advancements, transforming the landscape of patient care for both vascular and non-vascular pathologies. Through minimally invasive techniques, we can now offer therapeutic alternatives with reduced complications to patients who are not eligible for conventional treatments. With the emergence of personalized therapies tailored to specific pathologies, disease stages, and patient characteristics, we find ourselves at the forefront of a new era in medicine where treatments are uniquely tailored to each individual. This Special Issue of the Journal of Personalized Medicine features a comprehensive collection of 16 articles, primarily focusing on embolization, a major theme in vascular interventional radiology. Embolization techniques have revolutionized the field, providing effective treatment options for various conditions. Within this issue, we delve into various aspects of embolization, including the embolization of the prostatic artery, splenic trauma, polycystic liver disease, soft tissue hematomas, pulmonary arteriovenous malformation, gastrointestinal bleeding, and even emerging themes such as musculoskeletal embolization. These articles showcase the breadth and depth of research in the field, offering insights into the latest advancements and personalized approaches in embolization therapies.

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The next healthcare revolution will apply regenerative medicines using human cells and tissues. The aim of the regenerative medicine approach is to create biological therapies or substitutes in vitro for the replacement or restoration of tissue function in vivo lost through failure or disease. However, whilst science has revealed the potential, and early products have shown the power of such therapies, there is an immediate and long-term need for expertise with the necessary skills to face the engineering and life science challenges before the predicted benefits in human healthcare can be realized. Specifically, there is a need for the development of bioprocess technology for the successful transfer of laboratory-based practice of stem cell and tissue culture to the clinic as therapeutics through the application of engineering principles and practices. This Special Issue of Bioengineering on Stem Cell Bioprocessing and Manufacturing addresses the central role in defining the engineering sciences of cell-based therapies, by bringing together contributions from worldwide experts on stem cell biology and engineering, bioreactor design and bioprocess development, scale-up, and manufacturing of stem cell-based therapies.

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The postprandial period is the metabolic phase that directly follows the ingestion of a meal. This period is critical to the handling of nutrients to feed the body throughout the whole day but it is also a time of challenge for the body’s metabolism, which has to be flexible and adaptable regarding the quantity and the quality of the nutrient intake. Changes in postprandial metabolism have been considered to be potential early markers in the pathophysiological course, finally leading to an increased risk of disease development. This book aimed to broaden and add to the research on the importance of postprandial metabolism in nutrition. The book includes literature reviews that cover the broad state of the art of our knowledge about postprandial metabolism, fine original studies of the complex changes in metabolism, and the physiological processes that are considered to drive the onset of pathogenesis. Finally, a series of examples on how nutrient content (especially proteins, sucrose, and lipids) can influence the postprandial metabolism over a wide range of phenomena operating during the postprandial period and how they could contribute to tipping the body towards adverse health processes.

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Vision is the most important sense in higher mammals. The retina is the first step in visual processing and the window to the brain. It is not surprising that problems arising in the retina lead to moderate to severe visual impairments. We offer here a collection of reviews as well as original papers dealing with various aspects of retinal function as well as dysfunction. New approaches in retinal research are described, such as the expression and localization of the endocannabinoid system in the normal retina and the role of cannabinoid receptors that could offer new avenues of research in the development of potential treatments for retinal diseases. Moreover, new insights are offered in advancing knowledge towards the prevention and cure of visual pathologies, mainly AMD, RP, and diabetic retinopathy.

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