Despite the high regenerative capacity of bone tissue, there are some cases where bone repair is insufficient for a complete functional and structural recovery after damage. Current surgical techniques utilize natural and synthetic bone grafts for bone healing, as well as collagen sponges loaded with drugs. However, there are certain disadvantages associated with these techniques in clinical usage. To improve the therapeutic efficacy of bone tissue regeneration, a number of drug delivery systems based on biodegradable natural and synthetic polymers were developed and examined in in vitro and in vivo studies. Recent studies have demonstrated that biodegradable polymers play a key role in the development of innovative drug delivery systems and tissue engineered constructs, which improve the treatment and regeneration of damaged bone tissue. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances in the field of polymer-based drug delivery systems for the promotion of bone tissue regeneration and the physical-chemical modifications of polymers for controlled and sustained release of one or more drugs. In addition, special attention is given to recent developments on polymer nano- and microparticle-based drug delivery systems for bone regeneration.

Pericytes, as perivascular cells, are present in all vascularized organs and tissues, and they actively interact with endothelial cells in capillaries and microvessels. Their involvement includes functions like blood pressure regulation, tissue regeneration, and scarring. Studies have confirmed that pericytes play a crucial role in bone tissue regeneration through direct osteodifferentiation processes, paracrine actions, and vascularization. Recent preclinical and clinical experiments have shown that combining perivascular cells with osteogenic factors and tissue-engineered scaffolds can be therapeutically effective in restoring bone defects. This approach holds promise for addressing bone-related medical conditions. In this review, we have emphasized the characteristics of pericytes and their involvement in angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Furthermore, we have explored recent advancements in the use of pericytes in preclinical and clinical investigations, indicating their potential as a therapeutic resource in clinical applications.

Pericytes, as perivascular cells, are present in all vascularized organs and tissues, and they actively interact with endothelial cells in capillaries and microvessels. Their involvement includes functions like blood pressure regulation, tissue regeneration, and scarring. Studies have confirmed that pericytes play a crucial role in bone tissue regeneration through direct osteodifferentiation processes, paracrine actions, and vascularization. Recent pre-clinical and clinical experiments have shown that combining perivascular cells with osteogenic factors and tissue-engineered scaffolds can be therapeutically effective in restoring bone defects. This approach holds promise for addressing bone-related medical conditions. In this review, we have emphasized the characteristics of pericytes and their involvement in angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Furthermore, we have explored recent advancements in the use of pericytes in preclinical and clinical investigations, indicating their potential as a therapeutic resource in clinical applications.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of vision loss in early adulthood, caused by disruption of the retinal microvasculature. In the early stages of DR, there is a loss of pericytes, the cells responsible for maintaining vascular stability. Pericytes are progenitor cells and possess stem cell properties such as the potential to differentiate into various cell types, surface markers similar to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and the ability to modulate the immune response. Human adipose-derived MSCs, when cultured with certain growth factors, acquire a pericyte-like phenotype, which expands the potential for pericyte applications in therapy. Current treatments for DR include anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, corticosteroids, and laser photocoagulation. All of these treatments are symptomatic and have adverse effects. This review covers the prevalence of DR in Kazakhstan and worldwide, the pathogenesis of the disease at the molecular and clinical level, treatment methods and modern approaches based on stem cells and pericytes.

Background: Congenital spinal deformities associated with multiple vertebral anomalies often require surgical correction during growth; however, the relationship between age at initial surgery and cumulative treatment burden remains insufficiently characterized. Objective: To evaluate whether age at first surgery is associated with surgical burden and radiographic outcomes in children with congenital spinal deformity treated with conventional posterior instrumented fusion. Methods: In this retrospective single-center cohort study, 32 children treated between 2019 and 2024 were stratified by age at initial surgery into two groups: ≤6 years (n = 13) and 7–12 years (n = 19). Planned staged procedures and growth-friendly techniques were excluded. Surgical burden was assessed as the total number of procedures, procedures per patient-year, and high surgical burden, defined as ≥3 procedures. Radiographic outcomes included postoperative Cobb angle and correction percentage. Adjusted analyses were performed using Poisson regression with log follow-up as an offset term, logistic regression, and linear regression. Results: Baseline deformity severity was similar between groups (mean preoperative Cobb angle, 45.2 ± 19.0° vs. 43.1 ± 21.6°; p = 0.61). Both groups showed significant within-group improvement after surgery (p < 0.001), with no significant between-group difference in correction percentage (61.5 ± 35.2% vs. 64.8 ± 30.6%; p = 0.78). The total number of procedures and procedures per patient-year were also comparable between groups (p = 0.21 and p = 0.58, respectively). However, high surgical burden was more frequent in the younger group (38.5% vs. 10.5%; p = 0.048). In adjusted analysis, older age at first surgery was associated with lower odds of high surgical burden (OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.61–0.99; p = 0.042), whereas no variable independently predicted correction percentage. Conclusions: Younger age at initial surgery was associated with a greater likelihood of high surgical burden, whereas the time-adjusted operation rate and early coronal correction were similar between groups.