Cartilage damage, particularly in the knee joint, presents a significant challenge in regenerative medicine due to its limited capacity for self-repair. Conventional treatments like microfracture surgery, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), and osteochondral allografts often fall short, particularly in cases of larger defects or degenerative conditions. This has led to a growing interest in tissue engineering approaches that utilize biomaterial scaffolds to support cartilage regeneration. Among the many materials explored, chitosan—a naturally derived polysaccharide—has gained attention for its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural resemblance to the extracellular matrix (ECM) of cartilage. Recent advances in scaffold design have focused on modifying chitosan to improve its mechanical properties and enhance its biological performance. These modifications include chemical crosslinking, the incorporation of bioactive molecules, and the development of composite formulations. Such enhancements have allowed chitosan-based scaffolds to better support mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation into chondrocytes, paving the way for improved regenerative strategies. This review explores the latest progress in chitosan scaffold fabrication, preclinical findings, and the transition toward clinical applications. It also discusses the challenges that need to be addressed, such as mechanical stability, degradation rates, and the successful translation of research into viable therapeutic solutions.

Herein, we propose newly designed and synthesized gold nanopeanuts (Au NPes) as supports for cisplatin (cPt) immobilization, dedicated to combined glioblastoma nano-chemo-radiotherapy. Au NPes offer a large active surface, which can be used for drugs immobilization. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the size of the synthesized Au NPes along the longitudinal axis is ~60 nm, while along the transverse axis ~20 nm. Raman, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DCS) measurements showed, that the created nanosystem is stable up to a temperature of 110 °C. MTT assay revealed, that the highest cell mortality was observed for cell lines subjected to nano-chemo-radiotherapy (20–55%). Hence, Au NPes with immobilized cPt (cPt@AuNPes) are a promising nanosystem to improve the therapeutic efficiency of combined nano-chemo-radiotherapy.

Glioblastoma multiforme remains one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumors that necessitate innovative therapeutic approaches. Nanomedicine has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance radiation therapy by improving drug delivery, radiosensitization, and real-time treatment monitoring. Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles can overcome limitations of the blood–brain barrier, modulate tumor microenvironment, and facilitate targeted therapeutic interventions. The integration of nanotechnology with proton and X-ray radiotherapy offers improved dose precision, enhanced radiosensitization, and adaptive treatment strategies. Furthermore, Artificial Intelligence-driven nanoparticle designs are optimizing therapeutic outcomes by tailoring formulations to tumor-specific characteristics. While promising, clinical translation remains a challenge that requires rigorous validation to ensure safety and efficacy. This review highlights advancements in nanomedicine-enhanced radiotherapy and future directions for glioblastoma multiforme treatment.

Purpose: The main aim of this study was to comparatively investigate the effects of culturing methods on the response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to irradiation exposure. Materials and methods: Whole blood and isolated lymphocytes were ex vivo exposed to two radiation sources (60 MeV proton or 250 kV X-ray radiation) with different doses (0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 4.0 Gy), and genotoxic markers were subsequently assayed. The observed effects were compared as dose–response relationships using two end points (CBMN and PCC tests) and different biomarkers (NDI, PCC index, MNi frequency and excess PCC fragments). Results and Conclusions: The results showed different effects of the culturing techniques on the response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to radiation. The MNi frequency and excess PCC fragments were significantly higher when lymphocytes were cultured after being isolated. After irradiation, no differences were seen in the NDI between the lymphocytes of the two culturing techniques; however, there were differences in the PPC index. When planning or performing cytogenetic studies, the possibility of such effects and their potential to impact the variability of the results of human biomonitoring studies should be considered important and taken into account.

Background/Objectives: The preoperative detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) using technetium-99m (Tc-99m) is crucial for surgical staging in early-stage endometrial cancer (EC). The optimal imaging timing and modality remain debated. This study compares early planar scintigraphy (30 min), SPECT/CT (1 h), and 18-h planar scintigraphy after a single Tc-99m injection. Methods: A total of 125 patients with early-stage EC underwent SLN mapping with Tc-99m (120 MBq). Imaging included 30-min planar scintigraphy, SPECT/CT (1 h), and 18-h planar scintigraphy on the day of surgery. Detection sensitivity, the bilateral mapping rate, and image quality (signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast factor (C-factor)) were evaluated, with intraoperative gamma probe detection and histopathology as references. Results: The 18-h planar scintigraphy achieved the highest SLN detection sensitivity (94.4%, 118/125), compared with SPECT/CT (87.2%, OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 0.98–6.27, p = 0.051) and 30-min scintigraphy (72.0%). Only the 18-h protocol underwent intraoperative and histopathological verification; results for 30-min planar and 1-h SPECT/CT were based on imaging alone, which limits direct comparability. Bilateral detection was higher at 18 h (80.80%) than SPECT/CT (73.60%). All SLNs detected at 18 h were confirmed intraoperatively and histologically, yielding 100% PPV (95% CI: 96.9–100.0%) and NPV (95% CI: 59.0–100.0%). The 18-h protocol showed superior imaging contrast (C-factor: 10.30 ± 1.22) despite lower residual activity. The method remained effective in patients with BMI ≥ 30 (94.00%). Only 1.60% of patients required hysterectomy before mapping due to background interference. Conclusions: The 18-h planar scintigraphy is a highly effective, low-cost, and accessible method for SLN detection in early-stage EC, potentially reducing the need for SPECT/CT, radiation exposure, and costs.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) allows non-invasive assessment of cortical activity during naturalistic tasks. This study aimed to compare cortical activation dynamics—specifically the latency (t_max) and amplitude (ΔoxyHb) of oxygenated haemoglobin changes—in passive observation and an interactive task using the Nefroball system. A total of 117 healthy adults performed two tasks involving rhythmic hand movements: a passive protocol and an interactive game-controlled condition. fNIRS recorded signals from the visual, parietal, motor, and prefrontal cortices of the left hemisphere. The Mann–Whitney test revealed significantly shorter t_max in all areas during the interactive task, suggesting faster recruitment of cortical networks. ΔoxyHb amplitude was significantly higher only in the visual cortex during the interactive task, indicating increased visual processing demand. No significant ΔoxyHb differences were observed in the motor, prefrontal, or parietal cortices. Weak but significant positive correlations were found between tmax and ΔoxyHb in the motor and prefrontal regions, but only in the passive condition. These findings support the notion that interactive tasks elicit faster, though not necessarily stronger, cortical responses. The results have potential implications for designing rehabilitation protocols and brain–computer interfaces involving visual–motor integration.