Defending Ti6Al4V against Biofilm Formation with Albumin Biofunctionalization.

Surface biofunctionalization with structurally perturbed albumin, as well as with other plasmatic proteins, inhibits the initial bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, involved in numerous healthcare-associated infections. In fact, we have reported this protective effect with thermally treated plasmatic proteins, such as albumin and fibrinogen, adsorbed on flat silica surfaces. Here, we show that albumin biofunctionalization also works properly on flat Ti6Al4V substrates, which are widely used to fabricate medical devices.

18 kDa TSPO targeting drives polarized human microglia towards a protective and restorative neurosteroidome profile.

An aberrant pro-inflammatory microglia response has been associated with most neurodegenerative disorders. Identifying microglia druggable checkpoints to restore their physiological functions is an emerging challenge. Recent data have shown that microglia produce de novo neurosteroids, endogenous molecules exerting potent anti-inflammatory activity.

Evaluation of yeast-based additives on rumen fermentation in high- and low-concentrate diets using a dual-flow continuous culture system.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using 3 yeast-based additives as an alternative to sodium monensin on rumen fermentation parameters using a dual-flow continuous fermentation system. Ten fermenters (1,223 ± 21 mL) were used in 2 simultaneous 5 × 5 Latin squares arrangement with 3 periods of 10 d each, with 7 d for diet adaptation and 3 d for sample collections. Each Latin square assigning either a low or high level of concentrate to beef cattle diets, with 5 specified treatments: Control: no additives; Blend 1: yeast culture (), beta-glucans, fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, and mannanoligosaccharides [1,600 mg/kg dry matter (DM)]; Blend 2: Beta-glucan and mannanoligosaccharide fractions from (1,600 mg/kg DM); Yeast Cells: hydrolyzed, inactivated, and spray-dried yeast cells (; 2,133 mg/kg DM); monensin (25 mg/kg DM).

GFP Farnesylation as a Suitable Strategy for Selectively Tagging Exosomes.

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles (EVs) constituting fully biological, cell-derived nanovesicles with great potential in cell-to-cell communication and drug delivery applications. The current gold standard for EV labeling and tracking is represented by fluorescent lipophilic dyes which, however, importantly lack selectivity, due to their unconditional affinity for lipids. Herein, an alternative EV fluorescent labeling approach is in-depth evaluated, by taking advantage of green fluorescent protein (GFP) farnesylation (GFP-f), a post-translational modification to directly anchor GFP to the EV membrane.

Therapeutic BCG vaccine protects against long COVID: The BATTLE randomized clinical trial.

Background: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) injected during the COVID-19 convalescence period was safe and enhanced recovery from anosmia and dysgeusia in the acute phase.

Objectives: To report the long-term results of the BATTLE trial, BCG vaccine in adults with mild COVID-19.

Methods: Design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized (1:1) clinical trial.