This work presents the successful production of highly porous 3D nanofibrous hybrid scaffolds of polylactic acid (PLA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) blends with the incorporation of calcium phosphate (CaP) bioceramics by a facile two-step process using the solution blow spinning (SBS) technique. CaP nanofibers were obtained at two calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratios, 1.67 and 1.1, by SBS and calcination at 1000 °C. They were incorporated in PLA/PEG blends by SBS at 10 and 20 wt% to form 3D hybrid cotton-wool-like scaffolds. Morphological analysis showed that the fibrous scaffolds obtained had a randomly interconnected and highly porous structure. Also, the mean fiber diameter ranged from 408 ± 141 nm to 893 ± 496 nm. Apatite deposited considerably within 14 days in a simulated body fluid (SBF) test for hybrid scaffolds containing a mix of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and tri-calcium phosphate-β (β-TCP) phases. The scaffolds with 20 wt% CaP and a Ca/P ration of 1.1 showed better in vitro bioactivity to induce calcium mineralization for bone regeneration. Cellular tests evidenced that the developed scaffolds can support the osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells into mature osteoblasts. The results showed that the developed 3D scaffolds have potential applications for bone tissue engineering.

Currently, there is a wide application in the literature of the use of the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) technique. This basic tool has also proven to be efficient for detecting molecules associated with hosts and pathogens in infections, as well as other molecules present in humans and animals’ biological samples. However, there is a crisis in science data reproducibility. This crisis can also be observed in data from experimental animal models (EAMs). When it comes to rodents, a major challenge is to carry out sanitary monitoring, which is currently expensive and requires a large volume of biological samples, generating ethical, legal, and psychological conflicts for professionals and researchers. We carried out a survey of data from the relevant literature on the use of this technique in different diagnostic protocols and combined the data with the aim of presenting the technique as a promising tool for use in EAM. Since FTIR can detect molecules associated with different diseases and has advantages such as the low volume of samples required, low cost, sustainability, and provides diagnostic tests with high specificity and sensitivity, we believe that the technique is highly promising for the sanitary and stress and the detection of molecules of interest of infectious or non-infectious origin.

Animal embryos are vital tools in scientific research, providing insights into biological processes and disease mechanisms. This paper explores their historical and contemporary significance, highlighting the shift towards the refinement of in vitro systems as alternatives to animal experimentation. We have conducted a data review of the relevant literature on the use of embryos in research and synthesized the data to highlight the importance of this model for scientific progress and the ethical considerations and regulations surrounding embryo research, emphasizing the importance of minimizing animal suffering while promoting scientific progress through the principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement. Embryos from a wide range of species, including mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles, play a crucial experimental role in enabling us to understand factors such as substance toxicity, embryonic development, metabolic pathways, physiological processes, etc., that contribute to the advancement of the biological sciences. To apply this model effectively, it is essential to match the research objectives with the most appropriate methodology, ensuring that the chosen approach is appropriate for the scope of the study.

Malaria remains a major global health challenge. While treatments targeting parasite replication exist, effective interventions for neurological manifestations are scarce, necessitating new strategies for cerebral malaria. In this study, we investigated the effect of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) against glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) as an intervention tool to mitigate the effects of Plasmodium in a preclinical model. We used C57BL/6J mice infected with Plasmodium berghei-ANKA (PbA) and treated them with anti-GPI scFv or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) on days 0, 3, and 6 post-infection. Uninfected controls were treated on the same days with scFv or PBS. The animals were evaluated for morbidity and mortality, body weight, parasitemia, blood count, cytokines, and histopathology. Results show that anti-GPI scFv prevented lethality in 71.4% of infected animals and promoted recovery from weight loss. Furthermore, the intervention inhibited neurological and systemic signs, reduced parasitemia, and improved hematological and histopathological parameters in the brain, lungs, and kidneys. In conclusion, anti-GPI scFv exerts a significant systemic effect on experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) pathology, representing a promising tool for severe manifestations of the disease.

The aim of the present work was to assess the biological viability of two titanium surfaces treated by electric discharge machining (EDM) using water or hydroxyapatite as modifying agents and compare them to a machined titanium surface without modifying agent as a control. The in vitro MTT, total protein, alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red assays and scanning electron microscopy were applied to analyze pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells after 7, 14 and 21 days of cell culture on the titanium surfaces. The results showed the presence of cellular activity in all surfaces and the formation of bone matrix, with no discrepancy among the groups. All tested surfaces were capable of inducing bone formation. In the topographic analysis of the surface, EDM failed to modify the surface of the discs homogeneously. Thus, EDM is a low-cost, biocompatible technique that favors osseointegration, but which still needs to be improved.

Background/Objectives: Due to the significant overlap in symptoms between COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, a multiplex PCR-based platform was developed to simultaneously detect 22 respiratory pathogens. Target sequences were retrieved from the GenBank database and aligned using Clustal Omega 2.1 to identify conserved regions prioritized for primer design. Primers were designed using Primer Express^® 3.0.1 and evaluated in Primer Explorer to ensure specificity and minimize secondary structures. A multiplex strategy organized primers into three groups, each labeled with distinct fluorophores (FAM, VIC, or NED), allowing for detection by conventional PCR or capillary electrophoresis (CE). Methods: After reverse transcription for RNA targets, amplification was performed in a single-tube reaction. A total of 340 clinical samples—nasopharyngeal and saliva swabs—were collected from patients, during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The automated analysis of electropherograms enabled precise pathogen identification. Results: Of the samples analyzed, 57.1% tested negative for all pathogens. SARS-CoV-2 was the most frequently detected pathogen (29%), followed by enterovirus (6.5%). Positive results were detected in both nasopharyngeal and saliva swabs, with SARS-CoV-2 predominating in saliva samples. Conclusions: This single-tube multiplex PCR-CE assay represents a cost-effective and robust approach for comprehensive respiratory pathogen detection. It enables rapid and simultaneous diagnosis, facilitating targeted treatment strategies and improved patient outcomes.