Bone defects and fractures present significant clinical challenges, particularly in orthopedic and maxillofacial applications. While minor bone defects may be capable of healing naturally, those of a critical size necessitate intervention through the use of implants or grafts. The utilization of traditional methodologies, encompassing autografts and allografts, is constrained by several factors. These include the potential for donor site morbidity, the restricted availability of suitable donors, and the possibility of immune rejection. This has prompted extensive research in the field of bone tissue engineering to develop advanced synthetic and bio-derived materials that can support bone regeneration. The optimal bone substitute must achieve a balance between biocompatibility, bioresorbability, osteoconductivity, and osteoinductivity while simultaneously providing mechanical support during the healing process. Recent innovations include the utilization of three-dimensional printing, nanotechnology, and bioactive coatings to create scaffolds that mimic the structure of natural bone and enhance cell proliferation and differentiation. Notwithstanding the advancements above, challenges remain in optimizing the controlled release of growth factors and adapting materials to various clinical contexts. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current advancements in bone substitute materials, focusing on their biological mechanisms, design considerations, and clinical applications. It explores the role of emerging technologies, such as additive manufacturing and stem cell-based therapies, in advancing the field. Future research highlights the need for multidisciplinary collaboration and rigorous testing to develop advanced bone graft substitutes, improving outcomes and quality of life for patients with complex defects.

The nematode Dirofilaria immitis is responsible for a vector-borne disease affecting canines and humans worldwide, known as cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis. An accurate and early diagnosis is of the utmost importance for effective disease management. While traditional microscopy-based methods remain invaluable, they have inherent limitations. Serological tests, in particular ELISA and immunochromatographic tests, are employed due to their capacity to detect D. immitis antigens, offering ease of use and diagnostic accuracy. The advent of molecular methods has the potential to enhance routine diagnostic approaches, with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR) becoming the most prevalent techniques. Despite not yet being integrated into routine diagnostics, which are predominantly based on the Knott’s test and serological methods, these techniques offer significant benefits in the context of scientific research. This article proceeds to examine the potential of advanced techniques, such as high-resolution melting qPCR (HRM-qPCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), and microRNA (miRNA) detection, which are capable of enhanced sensitivity and early detection. The following work provides an in-depth analysis of the various diagnostic methods, emphasising the necessity of the continuous improvement and adaptation of these tools to effectively combat D. immitis. The findings underscore the importance of integrating these advanced methods into routine practice to improve detection rates and outcomes for infected animals.

Filariasis is recognised as a global public health threat, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. It is caused by infection with a nematode parasite of the superfamily Filarioidea, including Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Onchocerca volvulus, and Onchocerca lupi. Three main types of filariasis have been classified: lymphatic filariasis, subcutaneous filariasis, and serous cavity filariasis. The symptoms exhibited by individuals afflicted with filariasis are diverse and contingent upon several variables, including the species of parasite, the host’s health and immune response, and the stage of infection. While many classical parasitological techniques are considered indispensable tools for the diagnosis of parasitic infections in humans, alternative methods are being sought due to their limitations. Novel tests based on host–parasite interactions offer a rapid, simple, sensitive, and specific diagnostic tool in comparison to traditional parasitological methods. This article presents methods developed in the 21st century for the diagnosis of filariasis caused by invasion from W. bancrofti, B. malayi, O. volvulus, and O. lupi, as well as techniques that are currently in use. The development of modern diagnostic methods based on molecular biology constitutes a significant advancement in the fight against filariasis.

Retinoids are central regulators of skin biology, influencing keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, immune modulation, and barrier maintenance. Their therapeutic relevance has long been attributed to retinoic acid receptor (RAR)-mediated transcriptional activity; however, recent studies have revealed additional layers of regulation, including epigenetic modifications, kinase signaling networks, and interactions with the skin microbiome. These mechanisms not only refine our understanding of retinoid function but also inform strategies to overcome therapeutic limitations such as resistance, irritation, and systemic toxicity. Advances in medicinal chemistry have yielded synthetic retinoids with enhanced receptor selectivity, particularly for RAR-γ agonists such as trifarotene, as well as inhibitors of cytochrome P450–mediated retinoic acid metabolism, which sustain endogenous activity and mitigate resistance (DX314 and other RAMBAs). In parallel, the development of nanocarriers, stimuli-responsive gels, and other targeted delivery systems has improved drug stability, bioavailability, and tolerability. Together, these innovations underscore the evolving role of retinoid-based interventions in precision dermatology, providing opportunities to optimize treatment outcomes for acne, psoriasis, photoaging, and other dermatological disorders while addressing the shortcomings of earlier generations.

Myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms (MDS) are clonal hematopoietic disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, cytopenias, and a variable risk of progression to secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML). Despite major advances in the molecular and clinical characterization of MDS, mechanistic and translational research remains constrained by the limited availability of well-validated in vitro models. Many historically used cell lines are difficult to maintain, exhibit restricted proliferative capacity, or represent advanced disease stages rather than bona fide MDS, while others have been affected by misidentification or cross-contamination. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of currently available MDS and MDS-related cell lines, including MDS92, MDS-L and its sublines, M-TAT, TER-3, SKK-1, SKM-1, and MOLM-17/18. We summarize their clinical origin, cytogenetic and molecular features, growth factor dependence, differentiation capacity, and experimental applications, with particular emphasis on their relevance to disease stage, clonal evolution, and leukemic transformation. In addition, we discuss the controversy surrounding misidentified models such as PC-MDS and highlight the importance of rigorous cell line authentication.

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed global weaknesses in healthcare preparedness and highlighted the pivotal role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in coordinating responses and issuing technical guidance. Among these, the document “Rational use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for COVID-19 and considerations during severe shortages” (December 2020) aimed to standardize PPE use amid global scarcity. This study assessed the awareness, implementation, and perceived usefulness of this WHO guidance among Polish healthcare personnel and evaluated discrepancies between the WHO expectations and workplace realities. Methods: A cross-sectional, anonymous online survey was conducted between July and September 2025 among employees of 243 randomly selected healthcare facilities in Poland (constituting 20% of all hospitals). The original 24-item questionnaire covered the demographics, awareness and implementation of the WHO PPE guidelines, and perceptions of their effectiveness during and after the pandemic. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: A total of 542 healthcare workers participated, predominantly nurses (56.8%) and physicians (12.2%), with 86.8% being female and 59.3% having over 20 years of experience. Most respondents (76.5%) reported familiarity with the WHO PPE document, and 63.1% confirmed its implementation in their institutions. Over two-thirds (68.0%) reported that the guidelines improved their sense of safety at work. The main barriers to implementation included staff shortages (52.9%) and insufficient local guidance (20.6%). In 2025, 52.3% continue to apply the WHO recommendations, and 70.8% believe they remain relevant in current practice. However, 80.2% indicated that the WHO guidance should be more closely adapted to local conditions. Conclusions: The WHO PPE guidance was widely recognized and reported as implemented by respondents from participating healthcare facilities, contributing to improved preparedness. Nonetheless, limited institutional support and inadequate local adaptation reduced implementation effectiveness. Future WHO recommendations should better align with national healthcare contexts to enhance preparedness for future crises.