Elena-Theodora Moldoveanu

Given the prevalence of chronic wounds and soft tissue defects, which are associated with major complications such as persistent inflammation, poor vascularization, infection risk, and delayed tissue remodeling, there is a need for new materials that can overcome these limitations. Fibrin-based materials have attracted researchers’ attention for their roles in hemostasis and wound healing, as well as their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to mimic the extracellular matrix. Regarding the clinical applicability of fibrin-based materials, they are currently available on the market as fibrin sealants. However, efforts are underway to improve their properties by developing hydrogels, platelet-derived fibrin matrices, and composite scaffolds that enhance mechanical stability, bioactivity, and the controlled release of cells or therapeutic agents. In addition, the number of clinical studies and registered clinical trials reflects interest in the potential applicability of fibrin-based materials in medical applications. However, the available clinical evidence remains limited for many emerging systems, and further validation is required. Although significant limitations remain, including rapid degradation, variable mechanical strength, and the need for standardized manufacturing processes, recent advances in hybrid systems and biofabrication technologies suggest promising future potential for personalized regenerative therapies.

Pesticides are a major cause of water contamination, making this issue a major environmental and public health concern. In this context, the development of advanced and effective remediation materials is needed. In this study, a titanium-functionalized magnetic silica aerogel (AG-Ti@Fe₃O₄-SA) was successfully prepared via microfluidics and evaluated for water decontamination. The structural and compositional features of the aerogel were determined using XRD, FT-IR, RAMAN, SEM, TEM, BET, and DLS, confirming the formation of the aerogel with dispersed Fe₃O₄-SA nanoparticles and the successful incorporation of titanium within the aerogel matrix. Regarding decontamination potential, the aerogel was tested against a pesticide mixture, yielding pesticide-dependent removal efficiencies (16–100%). Notably, the aerogel exhibited a high affinity for organophosphorus pesticides and a moderate affinity for polar compounds, whereas bulky hydrophobic pesticides showed lower adsorption. In vitro, the aerogel induced a moderate decrease in HaCaT cell viability after 48 h of exposure, accompanied by a slight increase in lactate dehydrogenase release, while HEK293 cells remained largely unaffected, indicating a cell-type-dependent biological response. Overall, the findings from this screening-level study recommend AG-Ti@Fe₃O₄-SA aerogel as a promising selective adsorbent for pesticide removal.

Water represents the fundamental source of life for all human and animal populations; however, its consumption has become increasingly hazardous due to high levels of pollution. Modern agricultural practices rely heavily on pesticides, which significantly contribute to water contamination and imbalances in aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, another critical category of pollutants consists of pathogenic bacteria that proliferate in aquatic environments, mainly originating from hospital and urban wastewater because of human activity. Considering these major environmental and health challenges, the present study aims to develop an optimized method for water treatment by synthesizing magnetic silica-based aerogels using a microfluidic vortex chip and systematically varying synthesis parameters to enhance material performance. The physicochemical properties of the aerogels were characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDS, and BET. The pesticide adsorption capacity of the materials was evaluated using FT-ICR HR-MS analysis, which demonstrated the high efficiency of the aerogels in removing a complex mixture of pesticides. In parallel, antimicrobial efficacy was assessed against E. faecalis, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa isolated from surface water, hospital wastewater, and the influent of a well-known wastewater treatment plant in Bucharest, as well as against ATCC reference strains. Additionally, the study investigated the biocompatibility and biological responses of magnetic aerogels using MTT assays, nitric oxide production, lactate dehydrogenase release, intracellular ROS levels, and quantification of total protein, malondialdehyde, and reduced glutathione in HaCaT and HEK293 cell lines. The results confirm the efficiency and application potential of the developed materials and emphasize the importance of optimizing synthesis to achieve high-performance aerogels for effective decontamination of polluted waters.

Currently, water pollution is one of the major global environmental sustainability and public health issues that requires efficient and viable remediation technologies, as existing decontamination methods face limitations. In this sense, this review aims to highlight the potential of multifunctional aerogel-based magnetic nanocomposites as a novel strategy for water decontamination by integrating magnetic nanostructures into aerogel matrices that promote high adsorption capacity, selective catalysis, and facile magnetic recovery. In this regard, providing a comprehensive analysis of their functional design, contaminant-removal mechanisms, and multifunctional performance is crucial for developing and optimizing a system capable of addressing complex pollutants through multiple mechanisms (e.g., adsorption, photocatalysis, and reductive pathways). However, ecotoxicological evaluations focus on the potential for nanoparticles to leach, induce oxidative stress, and cause aquatic toxicity, supporting the development of strategies that comply with safety principles. Additionally, this review examines the aerogels’ capabilities for regeneration, operational stability, and scalability across repeated-use cycles, as well as their potential for real-world wastewater applications. Moreover, future directions for these aerogels include the development of smart, stimuli-responsive aerogels, machine-learning-based modeling, and the use of green synthesis approaches to enable sustainable water remediation strategies.

Spinal injuries have a major impact on patients’ quality of life due to the implacable consequences they bring, such as reduced mobility and loss of flexibility, in most cases requiring surgery to restore spinal stability and functionality. In this respect, spinal fixation devices represent an important strategy to stabilize the spine after severe injuries or degenerative conditions, providing structural support and preserving spinal function. However, at the moment, the materials used to manufacture spinal implants present numerous disadvantages (e.g., Young’s modulus larger than cortical bone, which can produce bone resorption and implant enlargement) that can lead to implant failure. In this context, nanotechnology can offer promising solutions, bringing improved properties (e.g., biocompatibility, osseointegration, and increased mechanical performance) that increase the potential for obtaining devices customized to patients’ needs. Thus, the present work aims to present an overview of the types of nanocoating surface modification, the impact of rough and porous implant surfaces, and the integration of bioactive nanoparticles that reduce the risk of infection and implant rejection. In addition, incorporating 3D printing technology and the use of biodegradable materials into the discussion provides a valuable perspective for future studies in this field. Although the emerging results are encouraging, further studies to assess the long-term safety of implant coatings are needed.

Due to the need for reproducible, scalable, and environmentally friendly nanomaterial synthesis methods, an increasing amount of scientific interest revolves around microfluidic technologies. In this context, the present paper proposes a new three-dimensional (3D) spiral microfluidic platform designed and tested for the simultaneous synthesis and surface functionalization of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles with salicylic acid (SA). The microreactor was fabricated from overlaid polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) sheets and assembled into a compact, reusable chip architecture, allowing continuous reagent mixing and enhanced hydrodynamic control. The performed physicochemical analyses confirmed that on-chip synthesized Fe₃O₄@SA NPs exhibit crystallinity, a uniform spherical morphology, a narrow size distribution, excellent colloidal stability, and successful surface functionalization. In vitro cytotoxicity assays using MRC-5 lung fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes revealed a concentration-dependent response, identifying a safe dose range below 610 µg/mL. The integrated design, efficient synthesis, and favorable biocompatibility profile position this 3D microfluidic platform as a promising tool for scalable nanomaterial production in biomedical and environmental applications.

The intestine is an important segment of the gastrointestinal tract, which is involved in complex processes that maintain the body’s normal homeostasis. It hosts a vast, diverse, and dynamic microbial community called the gut microbiota, which develops from birth. It has been observed that the gut microbiota is involved in essential physiological processes, including the development of the central nervous system via the gut microbiota–brain axis. An alteration of the gut microbiota can lead to serious health problems, including defective neurodevelopment. Thus, this paper aims to highlight the most recent advances in studies that focus on the link between the gut microbiota and the evolution of neurodevelopmental diseases in children. Currently, studies show that the use of drugs that stimulate and restore the gut microbiota (e.g., probiotics and prebiotics) have the potential to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Tic Disorder, Tourette Syndrome, epilepsy, and Down Syndrome. In addition, due to the challenges associated with drug administration in children, as well as the widespread shortage of medications intended for pediatric use, researchers are working on the development of new delivery systems. Liposome-based systems or solid lipid nanoparticles have been safely used for drug delivery in various pediatric conditions, which may also indicate their potential for use in the administration of microbiota-modulating therapies.

Since tooth loss is a common problem in humans and is widespread worldwide, dental implants are an effective and optimal alternative to solve this problem. Thus, it is necessary to develop implants with improved surfaces that favor the osseointegration of the implant into the surrounding tissues and promote cell adhesion and proliferation while also preventing and inhibiting peri-implant infections that can lead to implant failure. In this regard, this review aims to provide new insights into nanotechnology and the use of nanoparticles in creating new coatings, the new trends for enhancing dental implant surfaces, and the current technologies used for this purpose. Although in vitro and in vivo tests attest to the possible use of the nanomaterials described in this review, further tests are needed to establish the optimal concentrations to be safe for clinical trials.

Severe skin injuries such as burns and chronic wounds are a subject of interest in the medical field, as they require much attention. These types of wounds are susceptible to serious complications, which can worsen the health of patients and reduce their quality of life. Hydrogels have emerged as innovative wound dressings for treating acute and chronic wounds, including burns, diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers. These polymeric networks provide a moist wound environment, promote cellular migration, and offer antimicrobial properties, being recognized as superior to conventional dressings. This review aims to explore recent advancements in hydrogel-based wound dressings, emphasizing the state-of-the-art technologies used for this purpose and the trend of achieving personalized therapeutic approaches. Despite the promising in vitro and in vivo findings described in this review, further clinical validation and large-scale manufacturing optimizations are required for widespread clinical adoption.

Since Albert Szent-Györgyi discovered it and it became used in treating scurvy, vitamin C has attracted interest in many studies due to its unique properties. It is an important cofactor in the synthesis of collagen and hormones, and it is involved in immunity, iron absorption, and processes requiring antioxidants. Thus, this review aims to emphasize the importance and usefulness of vitamin C in improving quality of life and preventing various diseases (e.g., chronic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer) but also for its use in treatments against infections, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Although the studies presented provide essential information about the properties of VIC and its beneficial effect on health, some studies contradict these theories. In this respect, further studies on larger samples and over a longer period are needed to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this nutrient. However, VIC remains a necessary vitamin that should be consumed daily to maintain optimal health and prevent deficiencies that can lead to scurvy and its associated complications.