In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the development of hydrogels as functional biomaterials, drawing increasing attention to their applications in biomedical engineering. Among various biopolymers, cellulose has emerged as an excellent candidate for hydrogel preparation due to its unique properties. As the most abundant natural biopolymer on Earth, cellulose offers advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, renewability, good mechanical strength, and environmental friendliness, making it one of the safest materials available. The limitations of cellulose arise from its difficulty in dissolving due to the presence of inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds as well as van der Waals forces. However, this limitation can be addressed by chemically modifying cellulose, primarily through the etherification of hydroxyl groups, to produce various derivatives, including methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxyethyl methylcellulose (HEMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCNa). Crosslinking represents a vital step in the hydrogel preparation process, as it establishes the 3D structure and enhances physical and mechanical properties. Different crosslinking techniques are employed to produce hydrogels from cellulose and its derivatives, depending on the intended applications. Cellulose-based hydrogels have shown significant potential in biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, 3D bioprinting, and more. In this review, we present the formulation of cellulose-based hydrogels and their biomedical applications. Specifically, we connect the latest knowledge in the literature on cellulose-based hydrogels with examples of how these materials have been utilized in biomedical applications. Additionally, we provide context regarding the importance of cellulose-based hydrogels in biomedical engineering, highlighting their unique advantages and promising potential in the field. Furthermore, we summarize the potential benefits of using cellulose-based hydrogels compared to other biomaterials.

Introduction: Accurate body composition assessment is critical in clinical and sports settings to assess health, fitness, and disease risk. Advances in medical imaging technology have considerably increased the ability to measure and analyze body composition. This review examines these imaging techniques, focusing on their application in sports medicine. Methods: This review covers current imaging techniques for body composition assessment, including Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), and Ultrasound (US). Parameters such as accuracy, precision, application range, and radiation exposure were evaluated. Data consistency was ensured by cross-referencing findings from multiple sources and by prioritizing analyses with large sample sizes and rigorous methods. Results and Discussion: DXA is widely recognized for its high accuracy and low radiation efficiency, providing comprehensive data on bone, lean mass, and fat mass. It is specifically useful for detailed regional analysis, although hydration status can affect its accuracy. MRI provides detailed information without ionizing radiation, and is ideal for monitoring muscle health and detecting sarcopenia, despite its high cost and limited availability. CT provides detailed cross-sectional images for precise tissue measurement but involves higher radiation exposure. Ultrasound is a practical, non-invasive, cost-effective method for assessing subcutaneous fat and muscle thickness, though less detailed and more operator-dependent compared to MRI and CT. Conclusions: Medical imaging technologies have greatly improved body composition assessment, providing detailed insights into muscle and fat distribution. DXA stands out as the gold standard for its balance of accuracy, safety, and cost balance. MRI and CT provide detailed imaging but come with high costs and radiation exposure. Ultrasound remains a practical alternative for early evaluation, though less detailed, assessments. Continuous technological developments and artificial intelligence promise to further advance these approaches in sports medicine, leading to better health and performance for athletes.

Introduction: The complicated nature and progressive deterioration of neural tissues make therapeutic intervention for cognitive diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, enormously challenging. Current medications often fail to prevent the advancement of these diseases. NeuroAmph presents itself as a revolutionary therapeutic approach that combines polydopamine (PDA) and peptide amphiphiles (PAs) to overcome these barriers. PDA, which is derived from dopamine polymerization, offers strong adhesion properties and biocompatibility. On the other hand, PAs have the ability to self-assemble and deliver bioactive molecules to neural tissues with precision.

Methods: This review explores the synthesis methodologies and characterization techniques of NeuroAmph, emphasizing their seamless integration into multifunctional nanostructures tailored for neurological applications. Several studies have shown that NeuroAmph works to reduce oxidative stress markers and improve neuronal viability in disease models. This makes it even more likely that it can be used to change people's lives.

Results: NeuroAmph operates through sophisticated mechanisms tailored to combat cognitive pathologies at multiple levels. PDA facilitates the robust adhesion and stability of nanostructures that are critical for targeted drug delivery, whereas PAs self-assemble into biocompatible micelles capable of encapsulating neuroprotective agents. When administered, NeuroAmph interacts with neuronal cell membranes to help therapeutic payloads enter cells. By scavenging ROS and regulating antioxidant pathways, NeuroAmph protects neurons from oxidative stress. Additionally, the way that PDA and PAs work together allows for the long-term release of bioactive compounds, which supports neuroregenerative processes and improves synaptic plasticity.

Conclusions: NeuroAmph's integrated approach offers a promising strategy for improving treatment outcomes in cognitive pathologies by addressing key disease mechanisms. Additional research into NeuroAmph's therapeutic effectiveness and safety profiles is critical for furthering its use in clinical settings and offering novel approaches to controlling neurological disorders.

Introduction: Hamstring muscle tears are among the most common sports injuries. They account for approximately 25% of all sports injuries, with high recurrence rates ranging from 15% to 60%, posing a significant challenge to the recovery of athletes. Muscle injuries can alter the movement control system and generate compensatory strategies that affect muscle synchronisation. A thorough study of how hamstring tears generate adaptive mechanisms that alter motor strategies is crucial to improve assessment and rehabilitation processes. In this context, electrophysiological biomarkers provide an excellent study tool due to their high temporal resolution. The aim of this work was to review and summarise the evidence on the analysis of electrophysiological biomarkers and provide insights into the compensatory and adaptive mechanisms generated by hamstring muscle tears.
Methods: A literature review was conducted using the PubMed-MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases, focusing on studies relevant to applied research in athlete recovery. The search employed keywords such as "hamstring tear", "hamstring injuries", "electrophysiological biomarkers", "EMG analysis", "functional connectivity", "intermuscular coherence", "muscle synergies", "muscle networks", and "motor control". Articles were selected based on their relevance to the field of sports science and rehabilitation, particularly in the context of athlete recovery strategies.
Results and Discussion: Bivariate and multivariate analyses using EMG data offer a comprehensive approach to understanding muscle synchronisation strategies, thereby addressing the shortcomings of traditional univariate analysis focused on parameters such as amplitude, latency, and spectral power density.
Conclusions: Using an approach based on bivariate and multivariate analysis would allow a better study of the compensatory mechanisms induced by muscle injury on motor behaviour.