How to Improve Sustainability in Fused Filament Fabrication (3D Printing) Research?

This review aims to provide an overview of sustainable approaches that can be incorporated into well-known procedures for the development of materials, pre- and post-treatments, modifications, and applications of 3D-printed objects, especially for fused filament fabrication (FFF). Different examples of conductive and non-conductive bespoke filaments using renewable biopolymers, bioplasticizers, and recycled materials are presented and discussed. The main final characteristics of the polymeric materials achieved according to the feedstock, preparation, extrusion, and treatments are also covered.

Nanostructures of Prussian blue supported on activated biochar for the development of a glucose biosensor.

This work emphasizes the utilization of biochar, a renewable material, as an interesting platform for anchoring redox mediators and bioreceptors in the development of economic, environmentally friendly biosensors. In this context, Fe(III) ions were preconcentrated on highly functionalized activated biochar, allowing the stable synthesis of Prussian blue nanostructures with an average size of 58.3 nm.

Cocrystals Enhance Biopharmaceutical and Antimicrobial Properties of Norfloxacin.

A solvate cocrystal of the antimicrobial norfloxacin (NFX) was formed by using isonicotinamide (INA) as a coformer with the solvent evaporation technique. The cocrystal formation was confirmed by performing solid-state characterization techniques. We evaluated the dissolution under supersaturated conditions and also the solubility at the vertex of triphasic domain of cocrystal and NFX in both water and Fasted-State Simulated Intestinal Fluid (FaSSIF).

Flexible Label-Free Platinum and Bio-PET-Based Immunosensor for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2.

The demand for new devices that enable the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) at a relatively low cost and that are fast and feasible to be used as point-of-care is required overtime on a large scale. In this sense, the use of sustainable materials, for example, the bio-based poly (ethylene terephthalate) (Bio-PET) can be an alternative to current standard diagnostics. In this work, we present a flexible disposable printed electrode based on a platinum thin film on Bio-PET as a substrate for the development of a sensor and immunosensor for the monitoring of COVID-19 biomarkers, by the detection of L-cysteine and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, respectively.

Long-Term Effects of a Kinematic Bikefitting Method on Pain, Comfort, and Fatigue: A Prospective Cohort Study.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the long-term riders' subjective responses to a standardized bikefitting method on their bicycles. Eighty-six amateur mountain bikers had their riding posture and bicycle components ergonomically adjusted through a 3D kinematic bikefitting method. Validated subjective scales (Feeling, OMNI, and Numerical Rating Pain Scale) were used to assess their overall riding comfort and fatigue along with localized pain for six body parts.

Novel and highly stable strategy for the development of microfluidic enzymatic assays based on the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into cotton threads.

The use of biological components in the development of new methods of analysis and point-of-care (POC) devices is an ever-expanding theme in analytical chemistry research, due to the immense potential for early diagnosis of diseases and monitoring of biomarkers. In the present work, the evaluation of an electrochemical microfluidic device based on the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme into chemically treated cotton threads is described. This bioreactor was used as a channel for the build of the microfluidic device, which has allowed to use of a non-modified screen-printed electrode (SPE) as an amperometric detector.

Validity and reliability of a smartphone-based assessment for anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments during predictable perturbations.

Background: Postural adjustments involve displacements of the center of mass (COM), controlled by the central nervous system (CNS), to maintain equilibrium whilst standing. Postural adjustments can be anticipatory (APAs) or compensatory (CPAs), and are triggered to counteract predictable perturbations.

Research Question: Is the new smartphone application, Momentum, a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of body balance, by measuring APAs and CPAs using accelerometer readings?

Methods: 20 young adults were exposed to external predictable perturbations induced at the shoulder level, whilst standing.

Validity and Reliability of Smartphone App for Evaluating Postural Adjustments during Step Initiation.

The evaluation of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) requires high-cost and complex handling systems, only available at research laboratories. New alternative methods are being developed in this field, on the other hand, to solve this issue and allow applicability in clinic, sport and hospital environments. The objective of this study was to validate an app for mobile devices to measure the APAs during gait initiation by comparing the signals obtained from cell phones using the Momentum app with measurements made by a kinematic system.

Influence of filament aging and conductive additive in 3D printed sensors.

3D printing technology combined with electrochemical techniques have allowed the development of versatile and low-cost devices. However, some aspects need to be considered for the good quality and useful life of the sensors. In this work, we have demonstrated herein that the filament aging, the conductive material, and the activation processes (post-treatments) can influence the surface characteristics and the electrochemical performance of the 3D printed sensors.

Discomfort, pain and fatigue levels of 160 cyclists after a kinematic bike-fitting method: an experimental study.

Objective: To analyse rider's subjective responses after a standardised bicycle ergonomic adjustment method.

Methods: Experimental study of 160 healthy, amateur mountain bikers analysed previously and 30 days after a bike-fitting session. The main outcome measures were subjective comfort level (Feeling Scale, FEEL), fatigue (OMINI Scale) and pain (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS).

Validation of a 3D Camera System for Cycling Analysis.

Background: Kinematic analysis aimed toward scientific investigation or professional purposes is commonly unaffordable and complex to use.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to verify concurrent validation between a cycling-specific 3D camera and the gold-standard 3D general camera systems.

Methods: Overall, 11 healthy amateur male triathletes were filmed riding their bicycles with Vicon 3D cameras and the Retul 3D cameras for bike fitting analysis simultaneously.

Obtaining Cocrystals by Reaction Crystallization Method: Pharmaceutical Applications.

Cocrystals have gained attention in the pharmaceutical industry due to their ability to improve solubility, stability, in vitro dissolution rate, and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. Conceptually, cocrystals are multicomponent solids that contain two or more neutral molecules in stoichiometric amounts within the same crystal lattice. There are several techniques for obtaining cocrystals described in the literature; however, the focus of this article is the Reaction Crystallization Method (RCM).

Biosensing strategies for the electrochemical detection of viruses and viral diseases - A review.

Viruses are the causing agents for many relevant diseases, including influenza, Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19. Its rapid replication and high transmissibility can lead to serious consequences not only to the individual but also to collective health, causing deep economic impacts. In this scenario, diagnosis tools are of significant importance, allowing the rapid, precise, and low-cost testing of a substantial number of individuals.

What is the traditional method of resistance training: a systematic review.

Introduction: Many resistance studies state that they used the traditional method of resistance training in the intervention. However, there is a wide difference on the characteristics of the training protocols used even though they are labeled as "the traditional method." There is no clear definition and characteristics for the traditional method of resistance training.

Superior pole patellar sleeve fracture after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction.

A 13-year-old boy sustained a superior pole patellar sleeve fracture after a blunt trauma of the knee. A medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction had been performed 4 weeks earlier. The patient underwent surgery to reinsert the quadriceps tendon in the superior pole of the patella using two bone suture anchors.

A carbon fiber ultramicroelectrode as a simple tool to direct antioxidant estimation based on caffeic acid oxidation.

This work describes the construction and evaluation of carbon fiber ultramicroelectrodes (CF-UMEs) in the voltammetric estimation of the antioxidant capacity of wine and grape samples based on caffeic acid (HCAF) oxidation. For this, lab-made CF-UMEs were constructed using an arrangement of six carbon fibers (7 μm diameters individual) assembled in a glass capillary, and caffeic acid (HCAF) was used as a standard solution. By using the most straightforward 2-electrode cell arrangement (the CF-UME as a working electrode and Ag/AgCl as a reference/auxiliary electrode), voltammetric measurements of a 1.

Additive-manufactured (3D-printed) electrochemical sensors: A critical review.

Additive manufacturing or three-dimensional (3D)-printing is an emerging technology that has been applied in the development of novel materials and devices for a wide range of applications, including Electrochemistry and Analytical Chemistry areas. This review article focuses on the contributions of 3D-printing technology to the development of electrochemical sensors and complete electrochemical sensing devices. Due to the recent contributions of 3D-printing within this scenario, the aim of this review is to present a guide for new users of 3D-printing technology considering the required features for improved electrochemical sensing using 3D-printed sensors.

Solid-State Characterization and Compatibility Studies of Penciclovir, Lysine Hydrochloride, and Pharmaceutical Excipients.

The physical and chemical characterization of the solid-state properties of drugs and excipients is fundamental for planning new formulations and developing new strategies for the treatment of diseases. Techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy are among the most commonly used techniques for these purposes. Penciclovir and lysine are individually used to treat the herpes virus.

Dealing with Hydrogen Bonding on the Conformational Preference of 1,3-Aminopropanols: Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Approaches.

This study expands the knowledge on the conformational preference of 1,3-amino alcohols in the gas phase and in solution. By employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, and molecular dynamics (MD), the compounds 3-aminopropan-1-ol (), 3-methylaminopropan-1-ol (), and 3-dimethylaminopropan-1-ol () are evaluated. The results show that the most stable conformation of each compound in the gas phase and in nonpolar solvents exhibited an O-H···N intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB).

Solid-State Characterization of Different Crystalline Forms of Sitagliptin.

Sitagliptin is an inhibitor of the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4, used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The crystal structure of active pharmaceutical solids determines their physical and chemical properties. The polymorphism, solvates and hydrates can influence the free energy, thermodynamic parameters, solubility, solid-state stability, processability and dissolution rate, besides directly affecting the bioavailability.

Green method for glucose determination using microfluidic device with a non-enzymatic sensor based on nickel oxyhydroxide supported at activated biochar.

This paper reports the use of nickel ions supported at activated biochar carbon paste electrode (NiAB-CPME) coupled in a microfluidic thread-based electroanalytical device (μTED) for non-enzymatic glucose determination. Biochar was initially prepared from castor oil cake at 400 °C and activated by HNO refluxing. Activation process promoted an increase of functional groups, surface area and porosity in comparison to precursor biochar.

Electrochemical cell designed for in situ integrate microextraction and electroanalysis: Trace-level determination of norfloxacin in aqueous samples.

In this work, a newly designed electrochemical cell was assembled for in situ integrated microextraction and electroanalysis. Ionic liquids (ILs) were used as extractors to perform the microextraction, which enabled the pre-concentration of norfloxacin from tap water samples. The featured device can be used to replace conventional liquid-liquid microextraction, reducing the number of steps involved in the process.

Delapril and Indapamide: Development and Validation of a Stability-Indicating Core-Shell LC Method and Its Application for Simultaneous Tablets Assay.

: The combination of delapril (DEL) and indapamide (IND) may be regarded as an optimal drug treatment for hypertensive patients. However, there is no published study concerning the suitable stability conditions and evaluation of drugs in the raw material and commercial product. : The aim of the present study was to develop an innovative, high-throughput, and stability-indicating LC method for the simultaneous analysis of DEL and IND in combined dosage form.

In Vitro Dissolution Profile of Dapagliflozin: Development, Method Validation, and Analysis of Commercial Tablets.

Dapagliflozin was the first of its class (inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporter) to be approved in Europe, USA, and Brazil. As the drug was recently approved, there is the need for research on analytical methods, including dissolution studies for the quality evaluation and assurance of tablets. The dissolution methodology was developed with apparatus II (paddle) in 900 mL of medium (simulated gastric fluid, pH 1.

Activated biochar: Preparation, characterization and electroanalytical application in an alternative strategy of nickel determination.

This work reports for the first time the use of chemically activated biochar as electrode modifier for nickel determination. The biochar activation was performed by refluxing with HNO, which promoted a higher nickel preconcentration compared to unmodified and modified biochar precursor electrodes. Morphological and structural characterization revealed the increase of surface acid groups, surface area and porosity of biochar after activation.