Revisiting the hydroxylation phenomenon of SiO: a study through "hard-hard" and "soft-soft" interactions.

Surface hydroxylation has been extensively studied over the years for a variety of applications, and studies involving hydroxylation of different silica surfaces are still carried out due to the interesting properties obtained from those modified surfaces. Although a number of theoretical studies have been employed to evaluate details on the hydroxylation phenomenon on silica (SiO) surfaces, most of these studies are based on computationally expensive models commonly based on extended systems. In order to circumvent such an aspect, here we present a low-cost theoretical study on the SiO hydroxylation process aiming to evaluate aspects associated with water-SiO interaction.

-866G/A and Ins/Del polymorphisms in UCP2 gene are associated with reduced short-term weight loss in patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background: Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) plays an important role in energy expenditure regulation. Previous studies have associated the common -866G/A (rs659366) and Ins/Del polymorphisms in the UCP2 gene with metabolic and obesity-related phenotypes. However, it is still unclear whether these polymorphisms influence weight loss after bariatric surgery.

Why Severe COVID-19 Patients Are at Greater Risk of Developing Depression: A Molecular Perspective.

The prevailing evidence suggests that patients with severe COVID-19 seem to have an overreaction of the immune system demonstrating exacerbated levels of inflammation caused by a "cytokine storm." At this early stage, the mechanisms underpinning COVID-19 are still subject to intense scrutiny and the long-term mental health consequences as a result of the disease are unknown. Here we discuss the hypothesis that patients who survive severe COVID-19 and who experience significant activation of the immune system, are at greater risk of developing depression.

Plasma progranulin levels in obese patients before and after Roux-en-Y gastric bariatric surgery: a longitudinal study.

Background: Bariatric surgery stands out as the most effective long-term intervention for sustainable weight loss and metabolic improvement in patients with severe obesity. Progranulin was recently identified as an adipokine related to obesity and inflammation, revealing a metabolic function and proinflammatory properties.

Objective: To evaluate plasma progranulin levels before and after 6 months of bariatric surgery in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

UCP2, IL18, and miR-133a-3p are dysregulated in subcutaneous adipose tissue of patients with obesity.

The aim of this study was to compare the expression of UCP2, NLRP3, IL1B, IL18, and miR-133a-3p in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of 61 patients divided according to BMI: Group 1 (n = 8; BMI<25.0 kg/m), Group 2 (n = 24; BMI 30.0-39.