Quantitative analyses in basic, translational and clinical biomedical research: metabolism, vaccine design and preterm delivery prediction

2 t.There is nothing more important than preserving life, and the thesis here presented is framed in the field of quantitative biomedicine (or systems biomedicine), which has as objective the application of physico-mathematical techniques in biomedical research in order to enhance the understanding of life's basis and its pathologies, and, ultimately, to defend human health. In this thesis, we have applied physico-mathematical methods in the three fundamental levels of Biomedical Research: basic, translational and clinical. At a basic level, since all pathologies have their basis in the cell, we have performed two studies to deepen in the understanding of the cellular metabolic functionality. In the first work, we have quantitatively analyzed for the first time calcium-dependent chloride currents inside the cell, which has revealed the existence of a dynamical structure characterized by highly organized data sequences, non-trivial long-term correlation that last in average 7.66 seconds, and "crossover" effect with transitions between persistent and anti-persistent behaviors. In the second investigation, by the use of delay differential equations, we have modeled the adenylate energy system, which is the principal source of cellular energy. This study has shown that the cellular energy charge is determined by an oscillatory non-stationary invariant function, bounded from 0.7 to 0.95. At a translational level, we have developed a new method for vaccine design that, besides obtaining high coverages, is capable of giving protection against viruses with high mutability rates such as HIV, HCV or Influenza. Finally, at a clinical level, first we have proven that the classic quantitative measure of uterine contractions (Montevideo Units) is incapable of predicting preterm labor immediacy. Then, by applying autoregressive techniques, we have designed a novel tool for premature delivery forecasting, based only in 30 minutes of uterine dynamics. Altogether, these investigations have originated four scientific publications, and as far as we know, our work is the first European thesis which integrates in the same framework the application of mathematical knowledge to biomedical fields in the three main stages of Biomedical Research: basic, translational and clinical

Vitamin C in Health and Disease

Vitamin C is a pivotal water soluble electron donor in nature and an essential nutrient in man. Despite its many years as a research focus, new and increasingly regulatory functions of vitamin C in human health are continually being unravelled. This improved mechanistic insight is starting to provide rationales explaining the extensive epidemiological literature that, for decades, has consistently shown strong associations between poor vitamin C status and increased morbidity and mortality. In this Special Issue, we include original research and literature reviews by experts in the field outlining the roles of vitamin C in early, daily and late life, as well as the roles of deficiency in cardiovascular disease, inflammation and cancer

Collagen from Marine Biological Source and Medical Applications

Collagen is the main fibrous structural protein in the extracellular matrix and connective tissue of animals. It is a primary building block of bones, tendons, skin, hair, cartilage, and all joints in the body. It is also considered a "glue" that holds the body together. Collagen production begins to slow down, and cell structures start losing their strength as we become older. Collagen supplementation is a vital way to help our body revive itself and stay youthful. Recently, collagen-based biomedical materials have developed important and clinically effective materials that have become widely acceptable. However, collagen extraction from land animal sources is complex, time consuming, and expensive. Hence, marine sources have started to be researched and have been found to be the most convenient and safest sources for obtaining collagen. Another reason for favouring these sources is due to concerns over adverse inflammatory and immunologic responses and the prevalence of various diseases among land animals that can cause health complications.Marine sources also have plenty of advantages over land animal sources: (1) a high collagen content; (2) environmentally friendly; (3) the presence of biological contaminants and toxins is almost negligible; (4) a low inflammatory response; (5) greater absorption due to their low molecular weight; (6) less significant religious and ethical constraints; (7) minor regulatory and quality control problems; (8) metabolic compatibility, among others. This huge source of marine collagen is expected to make a great contribution to marine biotechnology products and medical applications