Polymer-based bioactive composites are one of the most rapidly advancing areas in contemporary regenerative medicine. This review aims to identify major trends and knowledge gaps in the development of bioactive polymer composites and examine their translational relevance from a materials design perspective, with a specific focus on synthetic thermoplastic polymer matrices suitable for load-bearing bone scaffold applications and filament-based additive manufacturing. A total of 546 publications spanning 2016–2025 were screened, with 106 selected according to predefined relevance criteria. Bibliometric and content analyses were performed to delineate the primary research trajectories of bioactive composite materials. The results revealed that the majority of studies focused on composites comprising synthetic aliphatic polyesters, primarily polylactic acid (PLA) or polycaprolactone (PCL), reinforced with hydroxyapatite (HA) or bioactive glass (BG), which confer osteoconductivity but rarely achieve multifunctionality. Antimicrobial agents, ion-releasing components, and naturally derived bioactive molecules—associated with biointeractive functionalities and reported effects related to osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and immune modulation—are significantly underrepresented. Fewer than 20% of the investigated studies include in vivo validation, underscoring considerable scope for further preclinical and translational research. This work consolidates current trends in synthetic bioactive polymer composite design and identifies critical directions for future research. The findings of this review provide a structured framework to support the selection of composite fabrication and modification strategies, functional additives, and targeted biological functionalities for next-generation, load-bearing bone tissue engineering materials.

Background: Amidst escalating global challenges such as antimicrobial resistance and post-COVID therapeutic gaps, dihydropyrimidines (DHPs) and their thione derivatives have emerged as a highly promising scaffold for drug development. This systematic review aims to consolidate recent advancements (2020–2025) and evaluate the synthetic innovation, structure–activity relationships (SAR), and preclinical potential of these compounds. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, searching multiple electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science). Sixty original studies from 2020 to 2025 meeting predefined inclusion criteria were selected for data extraction and qualitative synthesis. Results: The analysis reveals a surge in publications (over 300% since 2020). Key structural modifications, such as N-methylation to improve bioavailability and specific substitutions at C4/C5 positions, significantly enhance biological potency, yielding strong inhibitory effects against viral proteases and cancer cell lines. Notable compounds include the apoptosis inducer LaSOM 65 and multitarget Ru(II)–Biginelli hybrids. Conclusions: This review affirms the timeliness and translational potential of the DHP scaffold. The field shows bright prospects for advancing to phase I trials by 2030, urging intensified exploration to unlock novel pharmaceuticals from this versatile chemotype.

Background/Objectives: Implant-associated infections remain among the most severe and clinically challenging complications in contemporary orthopedics, largely due to the formation of persistent bacterial biofilms and the limited penetration of systemically administered antibiotics into the tissue–implant interface. In this context, local antibacterial functionalization of implantable materials represents a promising strategy for the prevention of early infectious complications. The objective of this study was to develop and comparatively evaluate the antimicrobial performance of PLA-based composites loaded with antibiotics from different pharmacological classes, with a view toward their potential application in individualized 3D-printed implants. Methods: Polylactic acid (PLA)-based composites incorporating gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, and vancomycin were fabricated using thermal processing under conditions compatible with extrusion and fused filament fabrication. Physicochemical characterization (FTIR, TGA, SEM) was performed to assess the structure and morphology of the composites, and in vitro antibiotic release studies were conducted. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using an agar diffusion assay against ATCC reference strains and clinical isolates of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA), Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 10 per species). The antibacterial performance of the composites was evaluated in comparison with standard commercial antibiotic disks used as qualitative reference controls. Results: Antibiotic-loaded PLA composites exhibited consistent and reproducible antibacterial activity, markedly exceeding that of neat PLA. The broadest activity spectrum was observed for PLA–ciprofloxacin (≈29–36 mm) and PLA–gentamicin (≈25–27 mm), which effectively inhibited both Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical isolates, including MRSA and P. aeruginosa. PLA–vancomycin retained selective activity against staphylococci (≈14–15 mm), whereas PLA–doxycycline demonstrated limited efficacy against Gram-negative pathogens. Physicochemical analysis confirmed successful incorporation of antibiotics without detectable degradation of the polymer structure, while release studies demonstrated sustained antibiotic release from the composite materials. Importantly, the expected pharmacological activity profiles of the antibiotics were preserved after incorporation into the polymer matrix and subsequent high-temperature processing. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the feasibility of integrating clinically relevant antibiotics into a thermoplastic PLA matrix while preserving their selective antimicrobial activity following processing compatible with extrusion and additive manufacturing. The proposed PLA-based composites can be regarded as elements of a pharmacologically tunable antibacterial platform, offering a rationale for the development of context-dependent, biodegradable, 3D-printed implants for the local prevention of implant-associated infections in the setting of increasing antimicrobial resistance.

Background/Objectives: The development of multifunctional biomaterials for bone regeneration remains a key challenge in additive manufacturing. Although polylactic acid (PLA) is widely used in fused deposition modeling (FDM), its limited bioactivity and lack of intrinsic antibacterial functionality restrict its application in implantable constructs. This study aimed to develop a PLA-based composite filament combining ion-mediated bioactive potential and local antibacterial functionality using a Quality by Design (QbD) approach. Methods: PLA-based composite filaments incorporating a mollusk shell-derived biogenic calcium-containing filler (20 wt.%) and gentamicin (5 wt.%) were fabricated by solvent-free melt extrusion. A QbD framework was applied to define the Quality Target Product Profile (QTPP), identify critical quality attributes (CQAs), and assess critical material attributes (CMAs) and critical process parameters (CPPs). The material was characterized by SEM–EDS combined with ImageJ-based quantitative image analysis, TGA/DSC, mechanical testing, ICP-AES analysis of aqueous extracts, agar diffusion antibacterial assays, FDM printability assessment, and in vivo biocompatibility testing in a rat subcutaneous implantation model. Results: The developed PLA–Gen–MS material was obtained as a continuous filament with a diameter of 1.75 ± 0.05 mm and was successfully used for FDM printing of model scaffold structures. SEM–EDS confirmed matrix continuity and distribution of the calcium-containing mineral phase. ICP-AES revealed a calcium-dominant multicomponent ion release profile, with Ca as the predominant element and measurable levels of Sr, Mg, P, Mn, and Fe. TGA/DSC confirmed thermal compatibility of the components under melt-processing conditions. PLA–Gen–MS demonstrated antibacterial activity against all tested strains, with inhibition zones of approximately 20–21 mm. In vivo, the material showed a favorable preliminary tissue response compared with TiLOOP^®, including faster reduction of inflammatory infiltration and absence of foreign body giant cells by day 14. Conclusions: The QbD-guided strategy enabled the development of a multifunctional PLA-based filament integrating melt processability, structural integrity, ion-mediated bioactive potential, antibacterial functionality, printability, and favorable preliminary biocompatibility. PLA–Gen–MS can be considered a promising platform for further development of personalized bioactive and antibacterial scaffold constructs for bone regeneration.

(1) Research Highlights: This study provides the first integrated assessment of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in the urban forests of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, a city consistently ranked among the most air-polluted cities globally. We examined the adaptive phyto-chemical response of needles to extreme technogenic stress and evaluated their dual potential as biological filters and renewable sources of bioactive compounds. (2) Background and Objectives: Urban forests are critical for mitigating air pollution; however, the biochemical responses of trees in heavily industrialized environments remain poorly understood. Karaganda faces severe atmospheric pollution from mining, metallurgy, and energy sectors, with particulate matter (PM) levels exceeding permissible limits by up to 20-fold. This study aimed to evaluate the state of Pinus sylvestris, a key component of local protective plantations, by studying heavy metal accumulation, anatomical localization of secondary metabolites, and the phytochemical profile and biological activity of needle extracts obtained using different extraction techniques. (3) Materials and Methods: Needles were collected from 15 trees across three sites in Karaganda’s industrial green zones. Heavy metal content (Pb, Cd, As, and Hg) was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy and voltammetry. Anatomical–histochemical analysis localizes major metabolite classes. Liquid extracts were prepared using four methods, percolation (PER), vortex-assisted (VAE), microwave-assisted (MAE), and ultrasound-assisted (UAE) extraction, and analyzed by GC-MS. Antimicrobial activity was tested against S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli, and C. albicans using the disk diffusion method. The antioxidant capacity (water- and fat-soluble) was measured amperometrically. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD test (p < 0.05). Results: Despite extreme ambient pollution, heavy metal concentrations remained below pharmacopoeial limits (Pb < 0.1, Cd < 0.05, As < 0.01, Hg < 0.001 mg/kg), indicating effective biofiltration without toxic accumulation. Histochemistry confirmed the active synthesis of protective phenolics, flavonoids, and essential oils in the mesophyll, epidermis, and schizogenic cavities. GC-MS identified 72 compounds in the PER extract, 70 (the VAE), 72 in (MAE), and 46 in (UAE). The PER extract exhibited the highest relative abundance of bioactive terpenoids: α-cadinol (5.24%), α-muurolene (4.32%), and caryo-phyllene (2.20%). UAE extracts exhibited elevated 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (6.90%), indicating degradation. Antimicrobial testing revealed that PER produced the largest inhibition zone against S. aureus (15.0 ± 1.0 mm), significantly exceeding that of the other methods (p < 0.001). PER extract also demonstrated the highest water-soluble antioxidant capacity (3600 ± 0.40 mg quercetin equiv./dm³) and substantial fat-soluble activity (1633 ± 0.23 mg gallic acid equiv./dm³). (4) Conclusions: Pinus sylvestris in Karaganda exhibits remarkable adaptive resilience, maintaining safe heavy metal levels while accumulating a rich repertoire of stress-induced secondary metabolites. Classical percolation optimally preserves this native phytocomplex, yielding extracts with superior antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. These findings support a dual-use model wherein urban pine plantations simultaneously serve as living biofilters and renewable sources of standardized bioactive extracts, a concept with direct implications for circular bioeconomy strategies in industrial regions worldwide. This supports the strategic importance of coniferous plantations for bioremediation and sustainable resource use in industrial regions.

Relevance. Tailing storage facilities (TSFs) are among the most accident-prone hydraulic structures in the mining industry, with a reported average failure-rate estimate of approximately 1.2%, while independent cumulative estimates range from 1.2% to 4.4% depending on the assumed global TSF inventory—nearly 120 times higher than that of traditional large reservoir facilities. Collapse of such structures is accompanied by catastrophic environmental and socioeconomic consequences, which underscore the need to improve monitoring and early-warning systems. Goal. A systematic analysis of current technologies for monitoring deformations in ground dams of TSFs, a quantitative assessment of their capabilities and limitations, and development of a conceptual architecture for an integrated geospatial monitoring system. Methods. A systematic review was conducted for 129 publications (2017–2026) discussing monitoring methods (GNSS, InSAR, SBAS, PS-InSAR, GB-InSAR, UAV, LiDAR, geotechnical sensors, geophysics), data integration technologies, AI/ML forecasting, digital twins, and early-warning systems. Results. It has been determined that no isolated method on its own provides complete monitoring of the structure’s condition: GNSS data are localized; InSAR loses coherence when deformations exceed 15 cm/year; UAVs are weather-dependent; and geotechnical sensors are point-based. Individual studies report reductions in estimation uncertainty of approximately 20–50% when complementary monitoring sources are integrated. Individual studies also report reductions in EWS response time and extended forecast lead times, but these values are heterogeneous and are not pooled in the present review. In one case study, a hybrid FEM–ANN–LSTM model achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.027 for forecasting the dimensionless factor of safety (FoS) compared with 0.081 for an SVM baseline. Key research gaps have been identified: lack of explainable AI, limited validation of digital twins, absence of standardization in data fusion, and the lack of integration of climate risks. Conclusions. Further improvements in TSF safety require a shift from a set of independent monitoring methods to an integrated geospatial system that combines satellite, ground-based, geotechnical, and geophysical data with artificial intelligence, digital twins, and smart decision support systems. An eight-level architecture for such a system has been proposed, along with three implementation scenarios (minimal, comprehensive, and intelligent) and a roadmap through 2035.