This study identified several antioxidants that could be used in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)cell culture media and benefit monoclonal antibody production. The flavan-3-ols, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate and gallocatechin gallate all had no detrimental effect on cell viability at the concentrations tested, and they reduced the final viable cell count with a resulting rise in the cell specific productivity. The flavone, luteolin behave similarly to the flavan-3-ols. Resveratrol at 50 μM concentration resulted in the most pronounced reduction in viable cell density with minimal decrease in IgG synthesis and the largest increase in cell specific productivity. Low concentrations of α-tocopherol (35 μM) reduced viable cell density and raised cell specific productivity, but at higher concentration it had little additional effect. As high concentrations of α-tocopherol are not toxic to CHO cells, its addition as an anti-oxidant has great potential. Kaempferol up to 50 μM, curcumin up to 20 μM and piceid up to 100 μM showed little effect on growth or IgG synthesis and could be useful as antioxidants. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester was toxic to CHO cell and of no interest. Seven of the phenolic compounds tested are potential cell cycle inhibitors as well as having intrinsic antioxidant properties.

Spaceflight presents significant challenges to the physiological state of living organisms. This can be due to the microgravity environment experienced during long-term space missions, resulting in alterations in muscle structure and function, such as atrophy. However, a comprehensive understanding of the adaptive mechanisms of biological systems is required to devise potential solutions and therapeutic approaches for adapting to spaceflight conditions. This review examines the current understanding of the challenges posed by spaceflight on physiological changes, alterations in metabolism, dysregulation of pathways and the suitability and advantages of using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes to study the effects of spaceflight. Research has shown that changes in the gene and protein composition of nematodes significantly occur across various larval stages and rearing environments, including both microgravity and Earth gravity settings, often mirroring changes observed in astronauts. Additionally, the review explores significant insights into the fundamental metabolic changes associated with muscle atrophy and growth, which could lead to the development of diagnostic biomarkers and innovative techniques to prevent and counteract muscle atrophy. These insights not only advance our understanding of microgravity-induced muscle atrophy but also lay the groundwork for the development of targeted interventions to mitigate its effects in the future.

The rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), necessitates the development of new antibacterial therapies. Antimicrobial peptides offer a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics due to their unique mechanisms of action. Gramicidin S exhibits potent bactericidal activity against S. aureus, however, high haemolytic toxicity currently limits its application to topical use. A new series of gramicidin S analogues is presented with rational modifications to the β-turn and β-strand regions, to reduce haemolytic and nephrotoxic effects, while preserving antibacterial potency. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for each analogue was determined against benchmark methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA clinical isolates, with toxicity characterised in vitro using human red blood cells and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). Peptide 12 demonstrated a significant two-fold increase in antibacterial activity against both MSSA and MRSA (MIC: 2 μg/mL) compared to gramicidin S (MIC: 4 μg/mL), albeit with increased cytotoxicity. Similarly, peptide 15 showed exceptional efficacy (MIC: 3 μg/mL), but with reduced cytotoxicity, culminating in a two-fold improvement to the therapeutic index (TI) of gramicidin S. Peptides 14 (HC₅₀: 50.48 ± 1.15 μg/mL, IC₅₀: 38.09 μg/mL) and 16 (HC₅₀: 84.09 ± 1.02 μg/mL, IC₅₀: 12.60 μg/mL) also significantly reduced haemolytic toxicity and nephrotoxicity, compared to gramicidin S (HC₅₀: 12.34 ± 0.27 μg/mL, IC₅₀: 6.45 μg/mL). Detailed NMR, CD and computational modelling were used to provide critical insights into how molecular conformation influences both antibacterial potency and cytotoxicity. Collectively, these results expand the therapeutic window of gramicidin S by up to 12-fold, with negligible cytotoxicity observed at concentrations well beyond the acceptable safety threshold, which indicates the potential for safe systemic administration in the treatment of infection caused by resistant pathogens.

A significant number of children suffer injuries from falls. The current measures of prevention and education regarding falls are not sufficient, as falling is still the main cause of injury at this age. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of injury during a backward fall and assess the effect of the Safe Fall training program on this risk. 457 primary school children between the ages of 6 and 12 (mean age of 9) were enrolled in a 6-week randomized intervention. The program was carried out during physical education classes and consisted of an intervention group that followed the Safe Fall training program and a control group that was given equilibrium exercises. The risk of injury was assessed before and after the implementation using the Information Scale on Safe Ways of Falling observation scale, evaluating the responses of five different body parts (head, hip, knees, upper limbs and back). Students’ natural response to falls was associated with a high risk of injury in more than 90% of the cases. The implementation of the Safe Fall program resulted in a considerable decrease in this risk, with percentages lowered to levels between 8.7% and 18.3%.