Tear matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels may help to follow a ocular surface injury in lagophthalmic eyes

The impact of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in patients with chronic glaucoma - a literature review

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) play an important role in the pathophysiology of chronic glaucoma, as they are involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in the trabecular meshwork (TM), affecting its ability to efficiently regulate intraocular pressure (IOP). Ensuring the balance between MMPs and TIMPs helps to maintain homeostasis in ocular tissues, which is essential to avoid glaucomatous lesions. Elevated levels of MMPs and increased degradation of the ECM, ultimately affecting aqueous humor outflow and increasing IOP, characterize glaucoma. In the current literature review, the impact and interactions of MMPs and TIMPs in chronic glaucoma have been emphasized, with multiple but still unelucidated roles in the mentioned pathology including their clinical implications, future research directions, and therapeutic approaches. Research to date indicates that the expression of TIMPs is altered in patients with chronic glaucoma, suggesting a compensatory response to increased MMPs activity. Certain drugs can influence the expression levels of MMPs and TIMPs, therefore therapeutic strategies can be developed to restore the balance between tissue enzymes and their inhibitors. Therefore, understanding the relationship between MMPs and TIMPs is a key factor in the pathogenesis of chronic glaucoma. Understanding the interplay between the two provides interesting insights into ECM remodeling in ocular tissues, highlighting the potential of targeted therapies to restore the balance between proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors.

Bioinspired nanoplatforms for human-machine interfaces: Recent progress in materials and device applications

The panoramic characteristics of human-machine interfaces (HMIs) have prompted the needs to update the biotechnology community with the recent trends, developments, and future research direction toward next-generation bioelectronics. Bioinspired materials are promising for integrating various bioelectronic devices to realize HMIs. With the advancement of scientific biotechnology, state-of-the-art bioelectronic applications have been extensively investigated to improve the quality of life by developing and integrating bioinspired nanoplatforms in HMIs. This review highlights recent trends and developments in the field of biotechnology based on bioinspired nanoplatforms by demonstrating recently explored materials and cutting-edge device applications. Section 1 introduces the recent trends and developments of bioinspired nanomaterials for HMIs. Section 2 reviews various flexible, wearable, biocompatible, and biodegradable nanoplatforms for bioinspired applications. Section 3 furnishes recently explored substrates as carriers for advanced nanomaterials in developing HMIs. Section 4 addresses recently invented biomimetic neuroelectronic, nanointerfaces, biointerfaces, and nano/microfluidic wearable bioelectronic devices for various HMI applications, such as healthcare, biopotential monitoring, and body fluid monitoring. Section 5 outlines designing and engineering of bioinspired sensors for HMIs. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for next-generation bioinspired nanoplatforms in extending the potential on HMIs are discussed for a near-future scenario. We believe this review can stimulate the integration of bioinspired nanoplatforms into the HMIs in addition to wearable electronic skin and health-monitoring devices while addressing prevailing and future healthcare and material-related problems in biotechnologies.