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The aim of this research work was to optimize the coating of tungsten wires with reactive multilayer thin films and promote an exothermic self-propagating reaction. The ultimate goal is to use this heat to liquify low melting temperature materials, and thus block crack propagation in metallic materials. Ni/Me (Me = Al, Ti) multilayers were deposited by a DC (direct current) magnetron sputtering onto tungsten wires with diameters of 0.05 and 0.20 mm. The depositions were carried out to obtain films with near equiatomic average chemical composition and a modulation period (bilayer thickness) between 20 and 50 nm. The cross-section of the films was analyzed using electron microscopy before and after electrical ignition. A new substrate holder was developed to improve the quality of the Al/Ni films, allowing a reduction in the defects previously observed. The Ni/Ti thin films showed no discernible defects, regardless of the substrate holder. However, after ignition, the Ni + Ti reaction occurred in a non-self-propagating mode. Passing an electric current through a wire (ϕ = 0.05 mm) coated with an Al/Ni thin film, promoted a flash of light that was associated with the start of a self-propagating reaction. The reaction product was a B2-AlNi intermetallic phase. W wires coated with reactive multilayers may contribute to crack filling, and have potential to be self-healing actuators.

The efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has long been associated with platelet concentration, yet clinical outcomes remain highly variable and frequently inconsistent. This review challenges the assumption that platelet count alone defines PRP efficacy, proposing instead that functional platelet quality and growth-factor bioactivity are equally critical determinants of therapeutic outcomes. Platelets act as carriers of bioactive molecules stored within alpha granules, including growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF), which orchestrate the cellular and molecular events of tissue repair. Variations in donor biology, age, metabolic status, and oxidative stress profoundly influence platelet functionality and growth-factor release. Likewise, centrifugation parameters, temperature control, and activation methods dictate whether these mediators are preserved or prematurely exhausted. Collectively, these findings reveal that platelet number alone cannot predict regenerative potency. The future of PRP standardization requires the integration of platelet quality indices, growth-factor quantification, and patient optimization protocols into clinical practice. By shifting focus from platelet enumeration to bioactivity assessment, regenerative medicine can achieve more consistent, personalized, and scientifically accurate outcomes.

Drug resistance is a major threat to malaria control; therefore, new drugs are required to combat this parasitosis. To accelerate drug development, the exploration of natural compounds or the repositioning of drugs already employed for other diseases is of particular interest. Previous studies have found that diverse plant terpenes arrest Plasmodium parasites in both in vitro and in vivo models. However, most terpenes possess low toxicity toward the parasite and/or face pharmacokinetic issues. Here, we report several new acyclic monoterpene analogs with potent antiplasmodial activity in vitro (half‐maximal inhibitory concentration at the low micromolar scale) against P. falciparum parasites. Furthermore, in vitro studies, using hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) demonstrated remarkable selectivity for P. falciparum , while bioinformatic approaches revealed that these compounds possess acceptable pharmacological properties. All these results suggest that acyclic monoterpene analogs could serve as a promising starting point for the development of synthetic terpenes as antimalarial drugs.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is widely used in regenerative medicine, yet clinical outcomes remain inconsistent. While traditional strategies have focused on platelet concentration and activation methods, emerging evidence suggests that the biological age of platelets, especially platelet senescence, may be a critical but overlooked factor influencing therapeutic efficacy. Senescent platelets display reduced granule content, impaired responsiveness, and heightened pro-inflammatory behavior, all of which can compromise tissue repair and regeneration. This review explores the mechanisms underlying platelet aging, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and systemic inflammation, and examines how these factors influence PRP performance across diverse clinical contexts. We discuss the functional consequences of platelet senescence, the impact of comorbidities and aging on PRP quality, and current tools to assess platelet functionality, such as HLA-I–based flow cytometry. In addition, we present strategies for pre-procedural optimization, advanced processing techniques, and adjunctive therapies aimed at enhancing platelet quality. Finally, we challenge the prevailing emphasis on high-volume blood collection, highlighting the limitations of quantity-focused protocols and advocating for a shift toward biologically precise, function-driven regenerative interventions. Recognizing and addressing platelet senescence is a key step toward unlocking the full therapeutic potential of PRP-based interventions.

Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease remain the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders associated with aging and continue to lack curative treatments. Their pathophysiology is often multifaceted, encompassing protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic neuroinflammation, synaptic degeneration, and vascular compromise. This complex landscape reduces the effectiveness of single-target pharmacological agents and underscores the need for therapies capable of acting across multiple axes. Orthobiologics and peptide-based strategies exemplify this approach. Autologous cellular alternatives such as platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow aspirates, mesenchymal stromal cell derivatives, and extracellular vesicles deliver paracrine signals that can reprogram glia, preserve mitochondrial function, and promote synaptic and vascular repair. Peptide therapeutics, including glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and novel sequences targeting protein aggregation or mitochondrial pathways, provide complementary precision by engaging defined receptors and intracellular cascades. Together, these modalities converge on mechanisms central to circuit preservation rather than symptomatic relief alone. Preclinical studies across Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease demonstrate consistent neuroprotective and functional benefits, and early human trials support feasibility and safety. The translational path forward requires standardized preparation, biomarker integration, optimized delivery routes such as intranasal administration, and regulatory frameworks adapted to biologic therapies. This review synthesizes current evidence on orthobiologics and peptides in neurodegeneration, outlines safety and translational considerations, and highlights future directions, including rational combinations and biomarker-driven trials. By uniting the broad signaling capacity of orthobiologics with the precision of peptides, neurology can move beyond symptomatic care toward regenerative strategies that aim to preserve neural circuits and improve long-term outcomes in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Evaluating the development process of mosquito species under the influence of temperature is essential for understanding their ecology and geographical distribution, as well as assessing their potential as vectors of pathogens. Aedes (Protomacleaya) terrens, a species recognized for its susceptibility and competence in transmitting the chikungunya virus, serves as a relevant model for research in this context. This study aimed to analyze the influence of temperature on egg hatching and the development cycle of this species to expand knowledge on its biology and implications for public health. During the experiment, 800 eggs were used, collected through 10 ovitraps in a forest remnant located in Uruaçu, Goiás, Brazil. The total number of eggs was divided into four groups, exposed to constant temperatures of 15 ± 2 °C, 20 ± 2 °C, 25 ± 2 °C, and 30 ± 2 °C. After hatching, first-instar larvae were individually separated and monitored daily under controlled conditions until adult emergence. The highest hatching rate occurred at 25 °C, showing an optimal point around 27 °C. Throughout development, temperature significantly reduced the duration of each stage, with the fastest complete cycle at 30 °C, a difference of approximately 10–12 days when compared to 20 °C and approximately 47 days when compared to 25 °C. These results offer valuable insights into the temperature sensitivity of Ae. terrens across its developmental stages, suggesting that each stage has its own optimal temperature. Thus, small variations in responses to environmental conditions and differentiation between sexes may become more pronounced throughout development. In this sense, temperature can affect not only the development and survival of dipterans but also the capacity for virus transmission, as the pathogen influences the reproduction rate and longevity of the vectors.

Red blood cells (RBCs) have traditionally been excluded from orthobiologic formulations due to inflammation, oxidative stress, and hemolysis concerns. However, emerging evidence suggests that RBCs may play an active role in regenerative medicine, contributing to immune modulation, vascular support, and oxidative balance. Their interactions with macrophages, involvement in nitric oxide signaling, and release of extracellular vesicles suggest they may influence tissue repair more than previously assumed. Despite these potential benefits, RBC retention in orthobiologic preparations like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) remains controversial, with most protocols favoring their removal in the absence of robust translational clinical data. This review explores the biological functions of RBCs in regenerative medicine, their potential contributions to PRP and BMAC, and the challenges associated with their inclusion. While concerns about hemolysis and inflammation persist, controlled studies are needed to determine whether selective RBC retention could enhance musculoskeletal healing in some scenarios. Future research should focus on optimizing RBC processing techniques and evaluating their impact on clinical applications. Addressing these gaps will clarify whether RBCs represent an overlooked but valuable component in regenerative therapies or their exclusion remains justified.

Despite exponential growth in ecological data availability, broader interoperability amongst datasets is needed to unlock the potential of open access. Our understanding of the interface of demography and functional traits is well-positioned to benefit from such interoperability. Here, we introduce MOSAIC, an open-access trait database that unlocks the demographic potential stored in the COMADRE, COMPADRE, and PADRINO open-access databases. MOSAIC data were digitised and curated through a combination of existing datasets and new trait records sourced from primary literature. In its first release, MOSAIC (v. 1.0.0) includes 14 trait fields for 300 animal and plant species: biomass, height, growth determination, regeneration, sexual dimorphism, mating system, hermaphrodism, sequential hermaphrodism, dispersal capacity, type of dispersal, mode of dispersal, dispersal classes, volancy, and aquatic habitat dependency. MOSAIC includes species-level phylogenies for 1,359 species and population-specific climate data. We identify how database integration can improve our understanding of traits well-quantified in existing repositories and those that are poorly quantified ( e.g ., growth determination, modularity). MOSAIC highlights emerging challenges associated with standardising databases and demographic measures.

Glutathione (GSH), a tripeptide synthesized intracellularly, serves as a pivotal antioxidant, neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) while maintaining redox homeostasis and detoxifying xenobiotics. Its potent antioxidant properties, particularly attributed to the sulfhydryl group (-SH) in cysteine, are crucial for cellular health across various organelles. The glutathione-glutathione disulfide (GSH-GSSG) cycle is facilitated by enzymes like glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR), thus aiding in detoxification processes and mitigating oxidative damage and inflammation. Mitochondria, being primary sources of reactive oxygen species, benefit significantly from GSH, which regulates metal homeostasis and supports autophagy, apoptosis, and ferroptosis, playing a fundamental role in neuroprotection. The vulnerability of the brain to oxidative stress underscores the importance of GSH in neurological disorders and regenerative medicine. Nebulization of glutathione presents a novel and promising approach to delivering this antioxidant directly to the central nervous system (CNS), potentially enhancing its bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. This method may offer significant advantages in mitigating neurodegeneration by enhancing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) pathway signaling and mitochondrial function, thereby providing direct neuroprotection. By addressing oxidative stress and its detrimental effects on neuronal health, nebulized GSH could play a crucial role in managing and potentially ameliorating conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Further clinical research is warranted to elucidate the therapeutic potential of nebulized GSH in preserving mitochondrial health, enhancing CNS function, and combating neurodegenerative conditions, aiming to improve outcomes for individuals affected by brain diseases characterized by oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

Bone marrow cellular therapy has undergone a remarkable evolution, significantly impacting the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. This review traces the historical trajectory from early mythological references to contemporary scientific advancements. The groundbreaking work of Friedenstein in 1968, identifying fibroblast colony-forming cells in bone marrow, laid the foundation for future studies. Caplan’s subsequent identification of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in 1991 highlighted their differentiation potential and immunomodulatory properties, establishing them as key players in regenerative medicine. Contemporary research has focused on refining techniques for isolating and applying bone marrow-derived MSCs. These cells have shown promise in treating conditions like osteonecrosis, osteoarthritis, and tendon injuries thanks to their ability to promote tissue repair, modulate immune responses, and enhance angiogenesis. Clinical studies have demonstrated significant improvements in pain relief, functional recovery, and tissue regeneration. Innovations such as the ACH classification system and advancements in bone marrow aspiration methods have standardized practices, improving the consistency and efficacy of these therapies. Recent clinical trials have validated the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived products, highlighting their advantages in both surgical and non-surgical applications. Studies have shown that MSCs can reduce inflammation, support bone healing, and enhance cartilage repair. However, challenges remain, including the need for rigorous characterization of cell populations and standardized reporting in clinical trials. Addressing these issues is crucial for advancing the field and ensuring the reliable application of these therapies. Looking ahead, future research should focus on integrating bone marrow-derived products with other regenerative techniques and exploring non-surgical interventions. The continued innovation and refinement of these therapies hold promise for revolutionizing the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, offering improved patient outcomes, and advancing the boundaries of medical science.