Medical devices are often vulnerable to colonization by nosocomial pathogens (bacteria), leading to infections. Traditional sterilization methods may not always be effective, and as a result, alternative options are being explored to prevent microbial contamination. Recently, scientists are emphasizing using plant-derived essential oils that possess inherent antibacterial properties to produce antimicrobial coatings using plasma polymerization technology carried out at atmospheric pressure (AP). This approach shows promise compared to other coating strategies that need several processing steps, including a high-vacuum system, and are laborious, such as the immobilization of antimicrobial materials on precoated layers in the low-pressure plasma polymerization approach. The present study demonstrates the potential of AP plasma polymerization for producing thin films with excellent antibacterial properties and surface characteristics. The resulting coatings are stable, smooth, and have high wettability, making them ideal for repelling bacteria. The calculated zeta potential and deposition rate for the films are also favorable. These AP plasma-polymerized thin films created from carvone show a reduction rate of more than 90% for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Our computational docking studies also reveal strong binding interactions between the original carvone monomer and both bacteria. The study suggests that these AP plasma-produced coatings have great potential as antibacterial coatings for biomedical devices.

Background and Objective: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a gram-positive bacterium and one of the major nosocomial pathogen. It has the ability to acquire resistance against almost all available classes of antibiotics; Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a well-known antibiotic resistance. S. aureus is a globally distributed pathogen that need in-depth epidemiological and genomic level investigation for proper treatment and prevention.Methods: To explore the genomic epidemiology of S. aureus in-silico Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) was carried out for 355 complete genomes. Diversity within the species was investigated through pan-genome analysis and subtractive genomic approach was employed for identification of core immunogenic targets.Results: Epidemiological study identified 62 different sequence types (STs) of S. aureus distributed worldwide, in which ST-8, ST-5, ST-398, ST-239, and ST-30 are the most dominant STs comprising more than 50% of the isolates. The pan-genome of S. aureus is still open with 7,199 genes and there is a major contribution (80%) of MRSA strains in the S. aureus species pangenome. The core genome (2,025 genes) of S. aureus is almost stable (comprises of 72% of S. aureus genome size) while accessory and unique genes (28% of S. aureus genome size) are gradually increasing. Screening of 2,025 core genes identified putative vaccine candidates. The best scoring and dominant B-cell and T-cell epitopes were predicted out of the selected potential vaccine candidate proteins with the help of a multi-step screening procedure.Conclusion: We believe that the current study will provide insight into the genetic epidemiology and diversity of S. aureus and the predicted epitopes against the pathogen can be tested further for its immunological responses within the host and may provide both humoral and cellular immunity against the disease.

Cancer remains a major health issue, and Bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis. This study explored the phytochemicals of Codiaeum variegatum as potential Bcl-2 inhibitors. Receptor–ligand docking was conducted with YASARA, followed by 300 ns MD using AMBER14. ADME and DFT analyses were used to characterize the pharmacokinetics and electronic properties of the inhibitor candidates. The large-scale data generated from the 300-nanosecond MD simulations were further processed to map the energy landscapes using PCA and DCCM analysis in R Studio. We successfully applied the QM-AM1 method to the preparation and execution of molecular docking studies. Among the 17 phytochemical compounds isolated from C. variegatum, taraxerol demonstrated the most promising binding energy, with a docking score of −8.868 kcal/mol, which is comparable to that of the co-crystallized reference ligand, venetoclax. Taraxerol also satisfied the ADME criteria based on Lipinski’s Rule of Five, with only a single rule violation, and DFT calculations confirmed its stability, exhibiting an energy gap of −0.1805 eV. Furthermore, a 300 ns MD simulation revealed that the binding energy of taraxerol, computed using the MM-PBSA method, was more favorable than that of venetoclax, with taraxerol yielding 303.235 kJ/mol in complex with Bcl-2, compared to 291.115 kJ/mol for venetoclax. PCA and DCCM analyses additionally supported the dynamic stability of taraxerol as a potential Bcl-2 inhibitor. Although ADME predictions suggest a favorable safety profile, further in vitro and in vivo validation is required to substantiate its therapeutic potential.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a huge burden on healthcare systems globally and it can lead to impaired kidney function, albuminuria, end-stage renal disease (ESRD). T2DM impact on the kidneys could results in diabetic nephropathy (DN) or diabetic kidney disease (DKD). It increases morbidity and mortality rate, therefore, decreases the quality of life. Present treatment protocol relies on lowering glucose levels, and strict blood pressure control by targeting blockade of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. Such approaches might slow-down the decline in kidney function but many patients get end-stage kidney failure, despite optimal therapy. The need for new pharmacologic strategies for T2DM, that could prevent the development of DN and safeguard the kidneys, is rising. In this article, an overview of recent clinical data pertaining to novel therapeutic approaches for the management of DN is provided. Moreover, this review evaluates comparative effectiveness of hypoglycemic drugs like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4-i), and finerenone in treating T2DM and their renoprotective effects. This manuscript also highlights the need for selecting suitable drugs for a patient, as the optimal treatment significantly depends upon the patient-specific conditions.

Nanotechnology is revolutionizing the food industry by enhancing food quality, safety, packaging and sustainability. With the increasing global population, poor dietary habits and rising health concerns, there is a demand for innovative strategies for food sustainability and functionality. Functional foods also known as nano-fortified foods are enriched with proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, dietary fibers and bioactive micronutrients, offering both nutritional and therapeutic benefits. Advanced techniques, like nano-encapsulation, improve bioavailability and controlled release, while nano-laminates and nano-emulsions improve food texture, stability, and absorption. Active nanocomposites contribute to ecofriendly, biodegradable packaging with antimicrobial properties. Additionally, metal nanoparticles, function as coloring agents and anti-caking additives, whereas nanosensors enable real-time food quality and safety monitoring. Despite these advancements, concerns persist regarding the possible migration, buildup and toxicity of nanoparticles in both the environment and the human body. Regulatory challenges, limited consumer awareness, and affordable delivery systems hinder their widespread acceptance. Addressing these challenges through rigorous safety evaluations and cost-effective delivery systems is essential for the future of nano-functional foods in ensuring global food security. This review brings together current scientific progress, safety data, and regulatory insights in one place. It helps researchers and food technologists design safer, more efficient nano-based food systems for future use.