Search Results (1,128)

Objectives: The present study evaluated the association between plasma concentrations of selected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—bisphenol A (BPA), methylparaben (MeP), propylparaben (PrP), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), 4-octylphenol (4-OP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and imazalil (IMZ)—and prior coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status. Methods: Plasma EDC levels were quantified via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in 262 voluntary blood donors (121 convalescents and 141 controls) at the Regional Centre for Transfusion Medicine in Bialystok, Poland. Results: The cohort exhibited widespread environmental exposure to all selected EDCs (BPA: 1.14 ng/mL, MeP: 1.20 ng/mL, PrP: 1.38 ng/mL, 4-NP: 1.90 ng/mL, 4-OP: 0.57 ng/mL, DEHP: 49.68 ng/mL, IMZ: 20.06 ng/mL). Convalescents had significantly higher concentrations of MeP, PrP, 4-OP, and 4-NP. Logistic regression revealed that MeP, PrP, and 4-NP were significantly associated with prior COVID-19 status, increasing infection odds by 80%, 70%, and 63%, respectively. While 4-OP was strongly associated with prior COVID-19 status (odds ratio > 300 per unit change and 1.79 per 0.1 unit change), the wide confidence interval for the unit change estimate requires cautious interpretation. Conclusions: These findings suggest a strong link between selected paraben and alkylphenol exposure and prior COVID-19 status in blood donors. Additionally, the high IMZ levels highlight the need for urgent evaluation of its safety and environmental prevalence. Full article

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as one of the most extensively investigated orthobiologic therapies for tendon disorders because of its potential to modulate inflammation, enhance extracellular matrix remodeling, and promote tissue regeneration through the delivery of concentrated platelets and bioactive molecules. However, despite compelling biological rationale and encouraging preclinical evidence, clinical outcomes remain inconsistent across different tendon pathologies. This narrative review critically examines the principal biological and methodological factors underlying this variability, including differences in cellular composition, growth factor and cytokine profiles, activation strategies, and current PRP classification systems. We further synthesize the available clinical evidence across major tendon disorders, highlighting the influence of disease-specific biology, product heterogeneity, and procedural variability on treatment response. In addition, the emerging role of quantitative imaging biomarkers in objectively evaluating tendon regeneration is discussed as a complementary tool for biological outcome assessment. Based on the evidence reviewed, we propose the quantifiable platelet-rich plasma (Q-PRP) framework, a practical reporting model that integrates cellular, molecular, procedural, and clinical variables into a standardized approach for biologically meaningful PRP characterization. Rather than replacing existing classification systems, the proposed framework aims to improve reproducibility, facilitate cross-study comparison, and support the transition toward precision regenerative medicine. Standardized biological characterization, combined with objective outcome assessment, may represent a critical step toward optimizing PRP research and clinical application in tendon healing. Full article

Tendinopathies represent a major clinical challenge. Vasculature, neuromuscular junctions, low cellularity, and slow extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover restrict endogenous repair and predispose injured tendons to fibrosis, mechanical weakness, and reinjury. Current therapeutic strategies including rehabilitation protocols, anti-inflammatory medications, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and surgical repair primarily address symptoms or structural deficits without correcting the underlying biological limitations of tendon healing. Cell-based therapies have emerged as a promising regenerative approach aimed at restoring tissue homeostasis through modulation of angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, immune responses, and tenogenic differentiation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), differentiated tenocytes, and extracellular vesicle (EV)-based products have demonstrated the ability to enhance vascularization, promote type I collagen remodeling, suppress excessive inflammation, and stimulate tenocyte lineage commitment. These effects are mediated through paracrine signaling, growth factor secretion, and activation of key pathways, including HIF-1α, TGF-β/SMAD, NF-κB, and PI3K/Akt signaling. Despite promising preclinical data, significant translational challenges remain, including limited cell survival at the injury site, variability in cell sources and dosing, immunogenicity, risk of misdifferentiation, and lack of standardization across clinical protocols. Emerging strategies such as genetic modification, hypoxic preconditioning, scaffold-based delivery systems, and extracellular vesicle engineering aim to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reproducibility. This review synthesizes current evidence on cell-based tendon repair, critically evaluates mechanistic insights, clinical trials, and translational barriers, and outlines future directions toward biologically informed regenerative therapies. Full article

Modular self-reconfigurable satellites can adapt to diverse space missions by dynamically rearranging their configurations. Enabling multiple modules to move simultaneously enhances reconfiguration efficiency but remains constrained by existing planning algorithms. This article introduces the Parallel Reconfiguration Planner (PRP), a learning-based approach that ensures safe, concurrent module movements. PRP leverages multi-agent reinforcement learning to generate reconfiguration policies while incorporating safety constraints modeled using Linear Temporal Logic (LTL). To improve learning efficiency, PRP integrates a guarded exploration mechanism based on these safety specifications. Experiments on 3D reconfiguration scenarios demonstrate that PRP achieves more efficient reconfiguration policies in scenarios that have more moving modules compared to the baseline method. Full article

Background: Episiotomy remains one of the most common obstetric procedures worldwide, and suboptimal healing of the perineal wound continues to cause pain, dehiscence, and long-term impairment of postpartum quality of life. Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) carries the greatest risk of severe wound morbidity among perineal trauma types and is managed with prophylactic antibiotics and adjunctive measures; episiotomy, by contrast, is repaired without a comparable prophylactic package and is far more frequent, so that even a modest per-case complication rate carries a substantial absolute burden. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an autologous concentrate rich in growth factors, has demonstrated favourable effects on wound healing and scar quality across several surgical contexts, including caesarean section, raising the question of whether it could similarly benefit episiotomy repair. Methods: We conducted a structured, date-stamped search of PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, together with two trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP), forward and backward citation tracking, and reference-list screening of relevant reviews (final search 24 July 2026), to identify clinical studies of PRP for obstetric episiotomy or intrapartum perineal wound healing. Results: Five primary clinical studies and one systematic review were identified. One single-centre randomized controlled trial of 200 primiparous women, published in a regionally indexed journal covered by neither PubMed nor Scopus, evaluated PRP specifically for episiotomy wound healing and reported significantly lower REEDA, Vancouver and pain scores in the PRP arm; it was not prospectively registered, reported neither a sample-size calculation nor blinded outcome assessment, lost 12% of participants to follow-up, and contains internal inconsistencies in the reported data. The remaining evidence comprises one randomized trial of PRP for postpartum levator ani muscle recovery (a distinct target, with a null result), one non-randomized comparative study in grade III–IV intrapartum perineal laceration repair, two case reports, and one broad systematic review of PRP in pelvic floor disorders in which episiotomy was not analyzed as a distinct entity. Conclusions: PRP for episiotomy healing is therefore not wholly untested, but the single existing randomized trial is small, methodologically limited, not independently replicated, and effectively invisible to conventional database searching. We describe this evidence base and introduce PRP-EpiHeal (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07669285), designed to provide the first prospectively registered, adequately powered and assessor-blinded randomized evidence on this question, with REEDA scale assessment at six weeks postpartum as the primary outcome. Full article

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis (PF)is one of the most common causes of heel pain that affecting 10 of the general population. Platelet rich plasma(PRP)has been demonstrated to be helpful in managing PF and reducing plantar facia thickness (PFT). This study objective was to know the effect and efficacy of ultrasound (USG) guided intralesional PRP in PF in relation to pain, PFT and foot function index (FFI). METHODS: A prospective interventional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital on eighty-five diagnosed cases of unilateral PF. All patients had undergone pain intensity assessment by visual analogue scale (VAS), FFl, and USG examination of PFT after USG guided intralesional PRP injection was assessed at baseline (0 weeks), 2 weeks and 6 weeks. RESULTS: Following USG guided intralesional PRP injection,a statistically significant decrease was noted in plantar fascia thickness (PFT) from baseline 0 (week) 6. 592mm ± 0. 51mm to 5. 169mm ± 0. 39mm and reduced to 4. 07mm ± 0. 39mm at 2nd week and 6th week, respectively (P value 0. 001).A statistically significant reduction of VAS score was noted which reduced from 8. 647 ± 0. 55 to 5. 588 ± 1. 13 (2nd week) and further reduced to 1. 21 ± 1. 06 at the end of 6 weeks (p value 0. 001). Mean FFI in our study at baseline was 85. 494 ± 6. 55, at 2 weeks mean FFI was 49. 341 ± 7. 277 and the end of 6 week it reduced to 24. 235 ± 1. 608 (P value 0. 001) statistically significant decrease was noted. CONCLUSIONS: PRP injection helps in the reduction of heel pain (VAS), reduction in PFT, and improvement in all domains of FFI, leading to enhancement of quality of life. Full article

Background/Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease associated with pain, functional limitation, and reduced quality of life. Interest in orthobiological treatments, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), exosomes, and biomaterial-based approaches has increased markedly in recent years. This study was aimed at investigating the bibliometric characteristics, research trends, and future directions of scientific literature on orthobiological treatments in OA. Methods: Publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) between 2000 and 2026 were searched on 3 June 2026 using keywords related to OA and orthobiological therapies. The WoSCC was selected because it provides standardized citation data and comprehensive coverage of high-impact scientific journals for bibliometric analyses. In the study, 7875 publications were included. Bibliometric analyses were performed using the Bibliometrix package and Biblioshiny interface. Publication trends, country and institutional contributions, influential publications, keyword patterns, trending topics, and thematic structures were analyzed. Results: Scientific production on orthobiological treatments in OA increased substantially, particularly after 2015, with an annual growth rate of 22.8%. China was the most productive country, whereas the United States had the highest scientific impact. The most productive institutions were mainly universities in China. The most frequent keywords were “osteoarthritis,” “mesenchymal stem cells,” “platelet-rich plasma,” “knee osteoarthritis,” and “cartilage.” Trend analyses indicated a shift from PRP- and stem cell-based applications toward emerging regenerative strategies, including exosomes, extracellular vesicles, biomaterials, and controlled drug delivery systems. Thematic mapping demonstrated that MSCs and cartilage regeneration formed the central research axis. Conclusions: While MSCs and PRP remain key research topics in orthobiological treatments for OA, exosomes, biomaterials, and smart drug delivery systems are attracting increasing attention as crucial areas for future research. Full article

This exploratory in vivo study investigated the therapeutic potential of intradiscal platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in a rat model of degenerative disc disease (DDD) using quantitative 4.7-T MRI and histologic correlation. Eight female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent induction of disc–vertebral complex degeneration through combined mechanical injury and type I collagenase injection. Immediately thereafter, a single intradiscal injection of leukocyte-poor PRP was administered. Longitudinal MRI evaluation included 3D ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging, T1 mapping, and T2 mapping at baseline and during follow-up. In untreated discs, degeneration was associated with progressive decreases in nucleus pulposus T1 and T2 values and increased annulus fibrosus T2 values, reflecting dehydration and structural disorganization. In contrast, PRP-treated discs showed relative preservation of nucleus pulposus T1 and T2 relaxation times, while annulus fibrosus T2 values remained more stable, suggesting attenuation of degenerative changes. UTE-derived signal changes were less discriminatory between treated and untreated groups. Histologic analysis confirmed severe nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus disorganization in untreated discs, whereas PRP-treated discs demonstrated milder alterations with preserved vertebral endplate architecture. Overall, these preliminary findings suggest that the longitudinal effect of a treatment through intradiscal PRP is feasible and this injection may modulate early degenerative changes in the current animal model. However, the results should be interpreted with caution because of the exploratory design, the aggressive animal degeneration model, the absence of a sham-injection comparator group, and the small number of animals studied. Full article

Background and Objectives: Shoulder disorders—including rotator cuff disease, glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GH OA), and adhesive capsulitis—are among the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions and are frequently refractory to conservative management. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) have attracted increasing clinical interest as regenerative alternatives to corticosteroid injection, but a comparative appraisal of these two principal biologics across the full spectrum of shoulder pathology is lacking. Materials and Methods: This narrative review is based on structured searches of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Scopus for clinical studies (randomized controlled trials [RCTs], comparative studies, and prospective series) and evidence syntheses evaluating PRP or BMAC in shoulder disorders. Studies were synthesized narratively by biologic type and disorder; no formal systematic-review or scoping-review reporting protocol was applied. Current society guidelines and consensus statements were additionally examined to position each biologic, and PRP formulation subgroups (leukocyte-rich versus leukocyte-poor) were considered. Results: PRP has the larger shoulder-specific evidence base, supported by several RCTs and meta-analyses in rotator cuff tendinopathy and in adhesive capsulitis; however, results are heterogeneous, effect sizes are generally modest, and some trials show no advantage over saline or corticosteroid. BMAC shoulder evidence is sparse and is strongest as a biological augment to rotator cuff repair (supported chiefly by a case-controlled study) rather than as a standalone injection; standalone shoulder BMAC RCTs are essentially absent. No published RCT directly compares PRP with BMAC for a shoulder disorder; the only direct randomized head-to-head comparison available is in knee osteoarthritis, where the two were reported to be equivalent at two years. Where PRP formulation was examined, leukocyte-poor preparations were associated with better structural and pain outcomes and leukocyte-rich preparations with functional gains in the surgical setting; current society guidance (e.g., the 2025 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [AAOS] rotator cuff guideline) does not endorse routine PRP use, and BMAC is not yet incorporated into shoulder guideline recommendations. Conclusions: PRP rests on a larger but still heterogeneous evidence base for shoulder disorders, whereas BMAC is biologically promising but clinically under-evidenced in the shoulder. Neither biologic is established as superior. Standardized, shoulder-specific head-to-head RCTs—incorporating biologic characterization, structural (imaging) outcomes, and longer follow-up—represent the most important research priority in this field. Full article

Loss-of-function (LoF) variants in the PRPS1 gene, encoding the phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP) synthetase 1 enzyme, cause rare neurometabolic disorders historically viewed as discrete entities: nonsyndromic deafness (DFNX1), Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type X5 (CMTX5), and Arts syndrome. A major clinical challenge is the temporal dissociation between early auditory failure and subsequent neurodegeneration, causing fragmented diagnostics. We systematically quantified this diagnostic latency and reconceptualized the disease spectrum through a molecular lens. A PRISMA-compliant systematic review identified 19 patients with genetically confirmed PRPS1 LoF variants, including our index case (c.362C>G) presenting a 15-year diagnostic delay. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed sensorineural hearing loss manifested acutely (median 0 years; 95% CI: 0–1). In contrast, neurological deficits demonstrated a prolonged latency (median 3 years; 95% CI: 1–8), followed by ophthalmological signs (median 11.5 years). The median symptomatic delay was 3 years (range up to 19). We posit that this temporal dissociation reflects differential tissue vulnerability to intracellular ATP/GTP and NAD+ depletion caused by the primary enzymatic defect. Ultimately, DFNX1, CMTX5, and Arts syndrome represent a continuous PRPS1-related neurometabolic spectrum. Because targeted metabolic interventions (such as S-adenosylmethionine or nicotinamide riboside) have limited efficacy on advanced structural nerve damage, recognizing this early diagnostic window to initiate biochemical rescue prior to irreversible axonal degeneration is critical. Full article

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are frequently detected in wastewater and aquatic environments because of their incomplete removal in conventional wastewater treatment plants. Evaluating alternative treatment technologies, including microalgae-based systems, requires analytical methods suitable for low-volume samples. In this work, a solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was developed for the simultaneous determination of methylparaben (MeP), propylparaben (PrP), butylparaben (BuP), benzophenone (BP), bisphenol A (BPA) and estrone (E). The method combines relatively low sample volume and limited eluent consumption with the analysis of six chemically diverse EDCs in biomass-containing samples using accessible HPLC-DAD instrumentation. Sorbent mass, sample volume, elution volume, and pH were evaluated experimentally, with Random Forest used for exploratory multivariable interpretation. Selected conditions were a 500 mg cartridge, 30 mL of sample volume at pH 7 and 2 mL methanol elution volume. The method showed satisfactory linearity (R² ≥ 0.98), limits of quantification between 1.67 and 6.67 ppb, and stable recoveries across the evaluated concentration range. Applicability was demonstrated in a Scenedesmus sp.-based system. AGREEprep assessment yielded a score of 0.34. The developed SPE method provides a low-volume approach for monitoring EDCs in microalgae-based wastewater treatment systems. Full article

Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) is a noncytolytic, neurotrophic virus that causes neurological disorders, where astrocytes contribute to neuropathology. Cellular prion protein (PrP^C) is involved in pro-survival signaling and antioxidative defense. Using rat astroglial C6 cells as an in vitro model, we investigated whether persistent BoDV-1 infection alters N-glycan maturation of PrP^C. Western blotting showed that PrP^C shifted toward lower-molecular-weight glycoforms as cell density increased. This tendency was more evident in BoDV-1-infected C6 cells without detectable changes in total surface PrP^C expression. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a shift of PrP^C toward lower molecular weight and more basic isoelectric points. Conventional RT-PCR detected reduced signals of MGAT5, which encodes N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnTV), whereas MGAT1–4 signals were not markedly altered. In addition, GnTV overexpression induced a higher-molecular-weight shift of PrP^C. PHA-L4 precipitation followed by anti-PrP immunoblotting showed reduced β1-6-branched complex N-glycan signals associated with PrP^C. BoDV-1 infection also decreased the RT-PCR signal of E26 transformation-specific 1 (ETS1) as well as reduced ETS-dependent promoter activity and superoxide dismutase activity. These findings suggest that persistent BoDV-1 infection may impair PrP^CN-glycan maturation through suppression of the ETS1–MGAT5/GnTV pathway activity, thereby potentially affecting astroglial antioxidative capacity. Full article

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate age-specific effects of intraoperative platelet-rich plasma (PRP) administration on postoperative pain, wound healing, and bleeding after tonsillectomy. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to October 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing intraoperative PRP with placebo or no treatment in patients undergoing tonsillectomy were included. Data on postoperative pain, wound healing, and bleeding were extracted and analyzed using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were performed by age (adults versus children) and by postoperative day. Results: Nine randomized controlled trials comprising 442 participants were included. In adults, PRP significantly reduced postoperative pain (SMD = −1.26 [−1.70 to −0.81]) and improved wound healing (SMD = −1.43 [−2.65 to −0.22]). The analgesic effect was greatest during the early recovery period (postoperative days 0–5) and diminished thereafter. There were no significant differences in primary postoperative bleeding (OR = 0.49 [0.04 to 5.61]) or secondary postoperative bleeding (OR = 0.23 [0.02 to 2.16]) between the PRP and control groups. In children, PRP did not significantly affect pain or bleeding outcomes. Conclusions: Intraoperative PRP may reduce early postoperative pain and may promote mucosal recovery in adults. However, its clinical efficacy in children remains unclear. Further well-designed, age-stratified trials are warranted to clarify the role of PRP in enhancing postoperative recovery. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of allogenic platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inflamed equine radiocarpal joints. A preliminary study using a 0.0625 ng LPS dose was performed in the middle carpal joint and compared within animal to a saline control to confirm that synovitis was consistently produced using this dose. The main PRP effect study involved a bilateral 0.0625 ng LPS inflammation model with a within-animal comparison of LPS plus PRP versus a LPS plus saline control. Serial synovial fluid analysis was performed on samples obtained at post-injection hours (PIH) 0, 8, 24, 72, and 168. Synovial fluid analysis and clinical parameters were further complimented by objective gait and thermographic analyses. The 0.0625 ng dose induced a statistically significant increase in the synovial TP and WBC concentrations from baseline (p < 0.001) and control (p < 0.001, p = 0.013) values at PIH 8 in the preliminary study. No significant reduction in clinical or inflammatory markers was found in the PRP effect study, but a statistically significant increase in TP (p < 0.001) and PGE₂ (p < 0.001) from baseline and control at PIH 8 in the PRP group (p < 0.001) was identified, which returned to baseline by 72 and 24 h, respectively. The protocol used in this study generated PRP with a PDGF-BB concentration of 7889.76 pg/mL, TGF-ß1 concentration of 27,369.96 pg/mL and platelet count of 954 × 10⁹ cells/L. In conclusion, there does not appear to be any measurable anti-inflammatory effect of PRP treatment at this dose and treatment timing in this model of joint inflammation during the early inflammatory phase. Platelet-rich plasma appears to induce an increase in PGE2, although this increase was transient and self-limiting. Full article

Neuropathic pain (NP) is driven by neuroimmune interactions where in activated microglia release pro-inflammatory mediators that sustain central sensitization. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising therapy, but its efficacy depends on its biochemical composition. This study aimed to evaluate how modifying the molecular profile of PRP influences its capacity to modulate neuroinflammation in a human-derived co-culture model. We compared standard PRP (sPRP) and balanced protein-concentrate plasma (BPCP), enriched in extraplatelet molecules, using an iPSC direct co-culture of sensory neurons (hSNs) and microglia (hMG). Neuroinflammation was induced for 24 h with serum-free (SF) or 10% sPRP or BPCP supplementation. Neuroinflammation, microglial activation, apoptosis, and neuronal plasticity were analyzed via RT-qPCR and Luminex. Both formulations attenuated pro-inflammatory mediators. However, BPCP demonstrated superior suppressive efficacy, reducing the levels of major cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8) by half as compared to sPRP. BPCP significantly decreased IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 protein levels; kept microglial activation markers (CD86, CTSS) downregulated; and downregulated the apoptotic cascade (BAX, CASP9, CASP3). Conversely, sPRP displayed a distinct pro-resolving and neuroprotective trend, upregulating IL-10 and TGF-β1 and rescuing the expression of SLC12A5 (KCC2), which regulates neuronal excitability. sPRP and BPCP modulated neuroinflammation via complementary mechanisms. BPCP acted as an immunomodulatory shield suppressing macro-inflammation, while sPRP drove inflammation resolution and neuroplastic rescue. Full article