Acylase-Based Coatings on Sandblasted Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Materials for Antimicrobial Applications.

Indwelling medical devices, such as urinary catheters, often experience bacterial colonization, forming biofilms that resist antibiotics and the host's immune defenses through quorum sensing (QS), a chemical communication system. This study explores the development of antimicrobial coatings by immobilizing acylase, a quorum-quenching enzyme, on sandblasted polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces. PDMS, commonly used in medical devices, was sandblasted to increase its surface roughness, enhancing acylase attachment.

Spatial Characterization of Woody Species Diversity in Tropical Savannas Using GEDI and Optical Data.

Developing the capacity to monitor species diversity worldwide is of great importance in halting biodiversity loss. To this end, remote sensing plays a unique role. In this study, we evaluate the potential of Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) data, combined with conventional satellite optical imagery and climate reanalysis data, to predict in situ alpha diversity (Species richness, Simpson index, and Shannon index) among tree species.

DNA Methyltransferase Expression (DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b) as a Potential Biomarker in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a global cause of vision loss, with limited therapeutic options highlighting the need for effective biomarkers. This study aimed to characterize plasma DNA methyltransferase expression (, , and ) in AMD patients and explore divergent expression patterns across different stages of AMD. : Thirty-eight AMD patients were prospectively enrolled and stratified by disease severity: eAMD, iAMD, nAMD, and aAMD.

The Counteracting Effect of Chrysin on Dietary Fructose-Induced Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) in Rats with a Focus on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome has been exponentially increasing in recent decades. Thus, there is an increasing need for affordable and natural interventions for this disorder. We explored the effect of chrysin, a dietary polyphenol, on hepatic lipid and glycogen accumulation, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) activity score and oxidative stress and on hepatic and adipose tissue metabolism in rats presenting metabolic syndrome-associated conditions.

Polymorphisms Influence the Expression of the Fas and FasL Genes in COVID-19.

The apoptotic molecule Fas and its ligand FasL are involved in the process of T-lymphocyte death, which may lead to lymphopenia, a characteristic of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we investigated the influence of polymorphisms in the and genes, and gene expression, and plasma cytokine levels on COVID-19 severity and long COVID occurrence. A total of 116 individuals with severe COVID-19 and 254 with the non-severe form of the disease were evaluated.