Liudmyla Sukhodub

Introduction: Pathological mineral formation comprises mechanistically distinct processes ranging from ectopic soft-tissue calcification and nephrocalcinosis to urinary stone formation. A mineralomics approach extends conventional chemical analysis by integrating crystalline phase, microstructure, morphology, organic matrix, and tissue microenvironment. Aim: To integrate current concepts of physiological and pathological mineralization with the clinical and morphological mechanisms of urolithiasis, define the role of a mineralomics approach in stone analysis, and assess its potential for personalized recurrence prevention. Materials and Methods: A narrative review was conducted using publications indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE and PubMed Central, with bibliographic verification through Crossref, official publisher records, and relevant scientific journals; clinical statements were compared with European Association of Urology guidance. Priority was given to contemporary reviews, guidance documents, and original studies directly addressing mineral phases, renal papillary lesions, organic matrix, genetic and microbiome-related factors, and analytical characterization of urinary stones. Results: Physiological bone mineralization is a controlled process that produces an organo-mineral nanocomposite containing non-stoichiometric biological apatite, collagen, and matrix vesicles. In the urinary system, supersaturation provides the thermodynamic prerequisite for crystallization, whereas formation of a clinically relevant calculus additionally requires crystal nucleation, growth, aggregation, and retention. In calcium nephrolithiasis, interstitial Randall plaque and intratubular crystalline deposits should be distinguished as different, although potentially coexisting, morphogenetic pathways. Organic matrix, epithelial injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, genetic factors, and the microbiome can modify lithogenesis, but the strength of evidence is not uniform. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction remain core methods for phase identification, while Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and molecular approaches expand morphogenetic characterization. Discussion: Current evidence supports viewing urolithiasis as a tissue-dependent organo-mineral process rather than simple salt precipitation. The most clinically established strategy combines accurate stone phase analysis with standard metabolic evaluation; papillary-morphological and molecular phenotyping currently has a mainly complementary role. Conclusions: A mineralomics approach can deepen the pathogenetic characterization of urolithiasis by relating stone phase composition and structure to morphological context. Its clinical use should complement, rather than replace, standard metabolic evaluation. The practical value of integrating mineralogical, morphological, and metabolic characteristics requires further clinical assessment.

The healing of bone defects in the skull vault is a serious clinical problem. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of two osteoplastic materials on the healing of a cranial vault experimental defect by computed tomography. Two material systems are analyzed in detail: (i) a sodium alginate–based matrix modified with hydroxyapatite microparticles and zinc ions and (ii) a chitosan‐based matrix containing in situ–formed brushite nanoparticles; both sample types were loaded with cholecalciferol (VitD3). A total of 36 rats aged 6 months showed that the alginate‐based biomaterial promotes complete healing of the parietal bone defect after 200 days, whereas healing with the chitosan‐based biomaterials at that time was not complete. The second objective was to determine the kinetics of VitD3 release from experimental biocomposites using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The kinetics of VitD3 release depends on the material′s composition: The composite with chitosan prolongs the drug release to 48 h without the so‐called “burst release.” In the case of the alginate composite, a “burst release” of vitamin D3 is observed during the first 4 h. Both osteoplastic materials show the potential to optimize reparative osteogenesis in an experimental defect of the flat skull bone, although the regenerative potential of the alginate‐based biomaterial is higher.

Background. The human umbilical cord is a promising source of biologically active substances with regenerative properties. However, the potential of lyophilized cryoextract from the umbilical cord for regenerative medicine, which could facilitate storage and transportation, remains unexplored. Therefore, it is important to study the effect of such cryoextracts using a cellular model. Objective. To evaluate the effect of lyophilized and frozen umbilical cord cryoextracts on the L929 cell line to assess their therapeutic potential. Methods. This study was conducted on L929 cell cultures. Cryoextracts from the human umbilical cord were obtained through cryoextraction and lyophilized forms at -80 and -20 °C. These extracts were added to Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) at three concentrations: 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/ml. The control groups included cells cultured in DMEM with and without fetal bovine serum. Cell morphology and monolayer confluency were observed. To assess the impact of the cryoextracts, several assays were performed: cell viability (adhesion), migration activity (scratch test), pinocytosis activity (neutral red uptake assay), metabolic activity (MTT assay), and (proliferation) population doubling time. Results. The addition of umbilical cord cryoextract and its lyophilized form at -80 °C was non-toxic to the cells. The most effective concentration was 0.1 mg/ml, which significantly stimulated cell adhesion and proliferation compared to the culture medium without fetal serum. The lyophilized cryoextract at -20 °C did not enhance cell viability but did increase pinocytosis activity. Conclusions. These findings suggest that umbilical cord cryoextract and its lyophilized form at -80 °C can be used as growth factors in cell line cultivation. The lyophilized cryoextract shows promise for use in conditions where specialized storage equipment is not available. However, the lyophilized form at -20 °C primarily stimulates pinocytosis activity and inhibits proliferation.

Background: The problem of drug delivery to the tissue-damaged area of the human body remains relevant. Hydroxyapatite (HA), as one of the best known calcium phosphate (CaP) compounds, is used as an inorganic component of composite materials for drug loading. The organic components in composite materials are biopolymers such as alginate, agarose, chitosan (CS), collagen, and gelatin. Selected C60 nanoparticles are widely used as antibacterial agents and can strengthen the structure of composites. Microwave (MW) irradiation is an exposure method that shortens the synthesis time by significantly increasing the number of nucleation centers, which results the reducing the size of the crystallites formed, which affects the adsorption capacity of the product. Objectives: Most forms of drug delivery systems demonstrate rapid release of ceftriaxone (CFT) and anasthesin (ANA) within 2 days, characterized by a "burst release" that may cause overdose in the first hours of use. The aim of this work was to investigate and compare the drug release kinetics from convectionally and MW-synthesized CS matrices modified with HA, multiphasic CaP, and fullerene C60 nanoparticles for long-term bone tissue regeneration. Materials and methods: The study was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using an Agilent 1200 device with a DAD detector (λ = 210–270 nm) and a C18 chromatographic column (Zorbax SB-C18 4.6×150 mm, 5 μm) at ambient temperature. Results: HA is a good adsorbent, but a poorly soluble substance, so the pharmacokinetics of ANA release was mainly determined by the degree of adsorption of the drug on the surface of the material and its diffusion potential. CS and C60 in the composition provide a prolonged release of ANA for up to 18 days. The release of CFT from CaP/CS matrices depends on the method of its introduction into the composite - during synthesis or saturation after synthesis. The saturation method is characterized by a fast release range of 24–48 hours, and adding during synthesis delays active release to 48–72 hours (start of degradation). The release index took values from n = 0.56 to n = 0.92, which corresponds to the release kinetics that does not follow Fick's law, and close to the first-order release kinetics model. Conclusions: Synthesized composites based on a CS matrix modified with nanostructured CaP particles and fullerene C60 are potential carriers of CFT and ANA with the function of their long-term release in areas of bone tissue injury.

Introduction. Reparative osteogenesis is a staged mechanism that ensures the restoration of damaged bone tissue. The study and summarization of current data about bone defect regeneration is the basis for the search and development of methods to improve this process. The aim of the study is to analyze and systematize the current data about reparative osteogenesis, describe the main stages and their patterns. Materials and methods. Searching the relevant sources using online scientific databases and keywords. Selection of publications for review. Further analysis and synthesis of information. The results. Despite different interpretations of the stages of reparative osteogenesis by researchers, they all describe the same coordinated process. The following key stages have been identified: haematoma formation, inflammation, MSC involvement and angiogenesis, cartilage, connective and bone tissue formation, their subsequent reorganisation, ossification and remodelling. Each of these stages involves specific cellular elements, local and general regulatory factors. The development of osteogenic cells and mechanisms of intercellular interaction, as well as the main signalling pathways and molecules (Wnt, RANK/RANKL/OPG, BMPs, HIF, etc.) that regulate osteo- and angiogenesis are described. The role of hypoxia in the process of bone regeneration and angiogenesis is highlighted. The H-type vessels and their participation in the regulation of osteogenesis are considered. Attention is paid to the phenomenon of ‘chondrocyte transdifferentiation’, which is one of the sources of osteoblasts during endochondral ossification. In the context of remodelling, the law of bone biomechanics and piezoelectric adaptive remodelling, as well as bone multicellular units as microsystems that ensure the restructuring of coarse fibrous bone tissue into lamellar bone tissue, are described. Conclusions. Reparative osteogenesis is a complicated and coordinated process at both the cellular and molecular levels. The regeneration process depends on numerous local and systemic factors and the optimization search is carried out at each stage