Comparison between thermal ablation and surgery in low risk papillary thyroid carcinoma: a prospective study.

Objective: To conduct a comparative analysis of the efficacy, safety, and impact on quality of life outcomes between thermal ablation and surgical interventions in patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: A prospective study was undertaken, enrolling patients with PTC ≤5mm who underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA), laser ablation (LA), or surgery, for analysis of efficacy and safety outcomes. The Thyroid Cancer-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire was administered to all patients before treatment and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. Results: A total of 162 eligible patients were included in the study. Major complications were not observed in the RFA and LA groups, while five cases were reported in the surgery group, although no statistically significant differences were observed. Minor complications were documented in two, three, and 14 patients in the RFA, LA, and surgery groups, respectively, with no significant variances noted. Surgical duration and hospitalization time were notably shorter in the thermal ablation groups. At the final follow-up, complete disappearance of nodules was seen in 71.4% of cases treated with RFA and 71.0% of cases managed with LA, with no significant disparities between the groups. Both RFA and LA exhibited similar effects on quality of life, with thermal ablation techniques showing better functional outcomes in comparison to surgery. Across all groups, adverse effects were most pronounced at the 3-month post-treatment mark but gradually reverted to baseline levels in the thermal ablation group, contrasting with the surgery group. Conclusions: For PTC ≤5mm, both RFA and LA exhibited similar cancer control outcomes and superior quality of life on par with surgery, while minimizing complications. These findings underscore the promise of RFA and LA as potential standard treatments for small PTCs, subject to further confirmation in future studies.

A Modified Fixation Method for Talonavicular Arthrodesis in the Treatment of Müller-Weiss Disease: The Use of the Shape-Memory Alloy Staple as an Adjunct.

OBJECTIVE: Arthrodesis, usage of metallic implants for internal fixation, is commonly employed as the primary treatment modality for Müller-Weiss disease (MWD). Nevertheless, the efficacy of the current methods of fixation leaves room for improvement. Inadequate fixation strength and the risk of fixation failure are both critical concerns requiring attention. This study explored the clinical effects of implementing a modified fixation technique in talonavicular arthrodesis for the treatment of MWD. METHODS: A total of 14 cases diagnosed with MWD undergoing talonavicular (TN) arthrodesis from January 2021 toMarch 2023 were included in the retrospective study. The fixation method for fusion involved the use of screws, with additional support from the shape-memory alloy (SMA) staple. Relevant clinical outcomes and complications were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. Paired-samples t-test was used for all data comparisons. RESULTS: Radiographic evidence confirmed solid fusion, and follow-up evaluations showed satisfactory results in all cases. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores were elevated from 32.21 ± 4.0 (range: 22-38) preoperatively to 86.5 ± 2.7 (range: 81-90) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The visual analog scale (VAS) scores declined from 7.40 ± 0.8 (range: 6-8.5) preoperatively to 1.21 ± 1.1 (range: 0-3) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The lateral Meary's angle changed from 13.50 ± 5.2 (range: 8-24) preoperatively to 4.14 ± 2.9 (range: 1-11) degrees postoperatively (p < 0.001). The calcaneal pitch angle increased from 10.07 ± 4.0 (range: 5-19) preoperatively to 14.35 ± 4.0 (range: 8-21) degrees postoperatively (p < 0.001). The talar-first metatarsal angle decreased from 11.71 ± 3.8 (range: 8-18) preoperatively to 4.28 ± 3.1 (range: 0-9) degrees postoperatively (p < 0.001). One patient was observed to experience delayed wound healing and wound infection. No nerve damage, malunion, pseudoarthrosis, or fixation failure were observed. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the fusion of the TN joint using a combination of screws and shape memory alloy staples, could lead to favorable clinical outcomes and significantly enhance the quality of life for patients with MWD. This technique is not only safe and effective but also straightforward to perform.

Distinctive tumorigenic significance and innovative oncology targets of SUMOylation.

Protein SUMOylation, a post-translational modification, intricately regulates diverse biological processes including gene expression, cell cycle progression, signaling pathway transduction, DNA damage response, and RNA metabolism. This modification contributes to the acquisition of tumorigenicity and the maintenance of cancer hallmarks. In malignancies, protein SUMOylation is triggered by various cellular stresses, promoting tumor initiation and progression. This augmentation is orchestrated through its specific regulatory mechanisms and characteristic biological functions. This review focuses on elucidating the fundamental regulatory mechanisms and pathological functions of the SUMO pathway in tumor pathogenesis and malignant evolution, with particular emphasis on the tumorigenic potential of SUMOylation. Furthermore, we underscore the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting the SUMO pathway, paving the way for innovative anti-tumor strategies by perturbing this dynamic and reversible modifying process.

The effect of different high-intensity interval training protocols on cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers in sedentary young women: A randomized controlled trial.

Few studies have reported the cardiovascular health effects of different high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols among sedentary young women. We investigated the impact of a traditional HIIT programme and a high-intensity circuit training (HICT) programme on lipid profiles and inflammatory cytokine levels in sedentary young women. Forty-two women were randomly assigned to HICT (body weight-based training), HIIT (cycling-based training), or control groups (n = 14 each). HICT and HIIT participants completed an 8-week training programme of three sessions per week. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, high- and low-density lipoprotein, leptin, resistin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-8, and interferon-gamma levels were measured before and after the intervention. Post-intervention, TC and leptin were decreased in the HICT group. The HICT group also demonstrated increased lean mass, upper and lower limb strength, and balance, while the HIIT group displayed improved lower limb strength. Additionally, the control group showed significant increases in triglyceride levels, weight, body mass index, and fat mass. In conclusion, although both HICT and HIIT interventions showed improvements in cardiovascular health and physical fitness, participants in the HICT group experienced more health benefits.

Clinico-pathological study of esophageal mucoepidermoid carcinoma: a 10-year survival from a single center.

BACKGROUND: Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Esophagus (MECE) is a relatively rare tumor type, with most of the current data derived from case reports or small sample studies. This retrospective study reports on the 10-year survival data and detailed clinicopathological characteristics of 48 patients with esophageal MEC. METHODS: Data were collected from 48 patients who underwent curative surgery for esophageal MEC at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2020. These were compared with contemporaneous cases of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (EAC). Using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox regression analysis, we investigated the clinicopathological factors affecting the survival of patients with MEC. RESULTS: The incidence of MECE was predominantly higher in males, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 7:1. The mid-thoracic segment emerged as the most common site of occurrence. A mere 6.3% of cases were correctly diagnosed preoperatively. The lymph node metastasis rate stood at 35.4%. The overall 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates for all patients were 85.4%, 52.1%, 37.0%, and 31.0%, respectively. Post 1:1 propensity score matching, no significant statistical difference was observed in the Overall Survival (OS) between MEC patients and those with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (EAC) (P = 0.119, P = 0.669). Univariate analysis indicated that T staging and N staging were the primary factors influencing the prognosis of esophageal MEC. CONCLUSIONS: MECE occurs more frequently in males than females, with the mid-thoracic segment being the most common site of occurrence. The rate of accurate preoperative endoscopic diagnosis is low. The characteristic of having a short lesion length yet exhibiting significant extramural invasion may be a crucial clinicopathological feature of MECE. The OS of patients with MEC does not appear to significantly differ from those with esophageal squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

Three coordination polymers based on 4,4'-bis(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)diphenyl ether: Synthesis, structure and selective fluorescent sensing properties.

Three CPs [Zn2(PDA)2(BMIOPE)2·3H2O]n (1), [Co(Br-BDC)(BMIOPE)]n (2) and [Co(MIP)(BMIOPE)]n (3) were synthesized by solvothermal method based on dual-ligand strategy (H2PDA, Br-H2BDC, BMIOPE and H2MIP are 1,3-phenylenediacetic acid, 5-bromo-isophthalic acid, 4,4'-bis(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)diphenyl ether and 5-methylisophthalic acid, respectively). Complexes 1 and 3 exhibit twofold parallel interwoven sql nets. Complex 2 is 2D layer structure. The luminescence property investigations showed that complexes 1-3 could act as multi-responsive fluorescent sensors to detect UO22+, Cr2O72- and CrO42- and nitrofurantoin (NFT) through fluorescence turn-off process, presenting excellent sensitivity and selectivity. Finally, the possible fluorescent quenching mechanisms of complexes 1-3 toward the above pollutants are also further investigated by employing spectroscopic methods and quantum chemical calculations. The fluorescence lifetime measurements manifest the mechanism of fluorescence quenching is static quenching process.

Dapagliflozin ameliorates hepatic steatosis via suppressing LXRα-mediated synthesis of lipids and bile acids.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevalence is rising globally with no pharmacotherapies approved. Hepatic steatosis is closely associated with progression and prognosis of NAFLD. Dapagliflozin, kind of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, was found to improve NAFLD in clinical trials, while the underlying mechanism remains poorly elucidated. Here, we reported that dapagliflozin effectively mitigated liver injury and relieved lipid metabolism disorders in vivo. Further investigation showed that dapagliflozin markedly suppressed Liver X Receptor α (LXRα)-mediated synthesis of de novo lipids and bile acids (BAs). In AML12 cells, our results proved dapagliflozin decreased lipid contents via inhibiting the expression of LXRα and downstream liposynthesis genes. Proteosome inhibitor MG132 eliminated the effect of dapagliflozin on LXRα-mediated signaling pathway, which suggested that dapagliflozin downregulated LXRα expression through increasing LXRα degradation. Knockdown of LXRα with siRNA abolished the reduction of lipogenesis from dapagliflozin treatment, indicating that LXRα might be the pivotal target for dapagliflozin to exhibit the aforementioned benefits. Furthermore, the data showed that dapagliflozin reversed gut dysbiosis induced by BAs disruption and altered gut microbiota profile to reduce intestinal lipids absorption. Together, our study deciphered a novel mechanism by which dapagliflozin relieved hepatic steatosis and highlighted the potential benefit of dapagliflozin in treating NAFLD.

A Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibits the Viability of Breast Cancer Cells.

Breast cancer, the most prevalent malignancy in women, often progresses to bone metastases, especially in older individuals. Dormancy, a critical aspect of bone-metastasized breast cancer cells (BCCs), enables them to evade treatment and recur. This dormant state is regulated by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) through the secretion of various factors, including those associated with senescence. However, the specific mechanisms by which BMMSCs induce dormancy in BCCs remain unclear. To address this gap, a bone-specific senescence-accelerated murine model, SAMP6, was utilized to minimize confounding systemic age-related factors. Confirming senescence-accelerated osteoporosis, distinct BMMSC phenotypes were observed in SAMP6 mice compared to SAMR1 counterparts. Notably, SAMP6-BMMSCs exhibited premature senescence primarily due to telomerase activity loss and activation of the p21 signaling pathway. Furthermore, the effects of conditioned medium (CM) derived from SAMP6-BMMSCs versus SAMR1-BMMSCs on BCC proliferation were examined. Intriguingly, only CM from SAMP6-BMMSCs inhibited BCC proliferation by upregulating p21 expression in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. These findings suggest that the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) of BMMSCs suppresses BCC viability by inducing p21, a pivotal cell cycle inhibitor and tumor suppressor. This highlights a heightened susceptibility of BCCs to dormancy in a senescent microenvironment, potentially contributing to the increased incidence of breast cancer bone metastasis and recurrence observed with aging.

Iron-Single-Atom Nanozyme with NIR Enhanced Catalytic Activities for Facilitating MRSA-Infected Wound Therapy.

Patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections may have higher death rates than those with non-drug-resistant infections. Nanozymes offer a promising approach to eliminating bacteria by producing reactive oxygen species. However, most of the conventional nanozyme technologies encounter significant challenges with respect to size, composition, and a naturally low number of active sites. The present study synthesizes a iron-single-atom structure (Fe-SAC) via nitrogen doped-carbon, a Fe-N5 catalyst (Fe-SAC) with a high metal loading (4.3 wt.%). This catalyst permits the development of nanozymes consisting of single-atom structures with active sites resembling enzymes, embedded within nanomaterials. Fe-SAC displays peroxidase-like activities upon exposure to H2O2. This structure facilitates the production of hydroxyl radicals, well-known for their strong bactericidal effects. Furthermore, the photothermal properties augment the bactericidal efficacy of Fe-SAC. The findings reveal that Fe-SAC disrupts the bacterial cell membranes and the biofilms, contributing to their antibacterial effects. The bactericidal properties of Fe-SAC are harnessed, which eradicates the MRSA infections in wounds and improves wound healing. Taken together, these findings suggest that single Fe atom nanozymes offer a novel perspective on the catalytic mechanism and design, holding immense potential as next-generation nanozymes.

Reliability and validity of the cancer-related dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep scale in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a common health problem among cancer patients, which is not only a physical problem but also a psychological problem. Sleep plays an important role in the mental and somatic rehabilitation of cancer patients, and the sleep beliefs and attitudes of cancer patients are key factors in improving their sleep situation and quality of life. The aim of this study was to translate the Cancer-Related Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep (C-DBAS-14) scale into Chinese and to validate its reliability and validity in cancer patients. METHOD: The C-DBAS-14 scale was translated into Chinese using the backward and forward translation procedure. The reliability of the scale was measured by internal consistency, split-half reliability and retest reliability. The validity of the scale was assessed through the content validity indicators, exploratory factor analysis and validation factor analysis. RESULT: The Cronbach's ɑ coefficient of the Chinese version of the C-DBAS-14 was 0.932 while the McDonald's omega coefficient (ω t) was 0.934. The split-half reliability coefficient was 0.908, and the test-retest reliability was 0.857. The four-factor model was obtained using exploratory factor analysis, explaining 72.7% of the variance, with each item loading greater than 0.4 on the common factor. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis revealed that all indicators of model fit were within an acceptable range, indicating a well-fitting model. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the C-DBAS-14 has good reliability and validity among cancer patients. It can be used to measure the sleep beliefs and attitudes of Chinese cancer patients.

Treatment-related pneumonitis after thoracic radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy combined with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies in advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the risk factors of treatment-related pneumonitis (TRP) following thoracic radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy combined with anti-PD­1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 97 patients with advanced ESCC who were treated with thoracic radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy combined with anti-PD­1 mAbs. Among them, 56 patients received concurrent radiotherapy with anti-PD­1 mAbs and 41 patients received sequential radiotherapy with anti-PD­1 mAbs. The median prescribed planning target volume (PTV) dose was 59.4 Gy (range from 50.4 to 66 Gy, 1.8-2.2 Gy/fraction). Clinical characteristics, the percentage of lung volume receiving more than 5-50 Gy in increments of 5 Gy (V5-V50, respectively) and the mean lung dose (MLD) were analyzed as potential risk factors for TRP. RESULTS: 46.4% (45/97), 20.6% (20/97), 20.6% (20/97), 4.1% (4/97), and 1.0% (1/97) of the patients developed any grade of TRP, grade 1 TRP, grade 2 TRP, grade 3 TRP, and fatal (grade 5) TRP, respectively. Anti-PD­1 mAbs administered concurrently with radiotherapy, V5, V10, V15, V25, V30, V35, V40 and MLD were associated with the occurrence of grade 2 or higher TRP. Concurrent therapy (P = 0.010, OR = 3.990) and V5 (P = 0.001, OR = 1.126) were independent risk factors for grade 2 or higher TRP. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the optimal V5 threshold for predicting grade 2 or higher TRP was 55.7%. CONCLUSION: The combination of thoracic radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy with anti-PD­1 mAbs displayed a tolerable pulmonary safety profile. Although the incidence of TRP was high, grade 1-2 TRP accounted for the majority. Anti-PD­1 mAbs administered concurrently with radiotherapy and the lung V5 were significantly associated with the occurrence of grade 2 or higher TRP. Therefore, it seems safer to control V5 below 55% in clinical, especially for the high-risk populations receiving concurrent therapy.

A novel simplified approach for endodontic retrograde surgery in short single-rooted teeth.

BACKGROUND: High technical thresholds, long operative times, and the need for expensive and specialized equipment impede the widespread adoption of endodontic microsurgery in many developing countries. This study aimed to compare the effects of a simplified, cost-effective, and time-efficient surgical approach involving orthograde obturation using biological ceramic material greater than 6 mm combined with apicoectomy for single-rooted teeth with short lengths with those of the conventional and current standard methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five premolars equally categorized into three groups: conventional surgery group, standard surgery group, and modified surgery group. A µCT scan was used to calculate the volume of voids. A micro-leakage test and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were performed to assess the sealing effect. Additionally, four cases of chronic periapical periodontitis in the anterior region were selected, and the patients received either the modified approach or the standard surgery for endodontic microsurgery. RESULTS: The volumes of voids in the apical 0-3 mm of the modified group and the standard group were comparable. The micro-leakage test and SEM examination demonstrated closely bonded fillings in the dentinal walls in both the modified surgery group and standard surgery group. The outcomes of the preliminary application of this modified procedure on patients were successful at the time of the follow-up cutoff. CONCLUSIONS: The modified surgery group exhibited similar root canal filling and apical sealing abilities with the standard procedure for single-rooted teeth with short lengths (< 20 mm). The preliminary application of this modified surgical procedure achieved favorable results.

Dual elastography to discriminate adjacent stages of fibrosis and inflammation in chronic hepatitis B: A prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of dual elastography (dual-elasto) in continuous differentiation of liver fibrosis and inflammation in a large prospective cohort of patients with chronic HBV. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Adults with positive HBsAg for at least 6 months were recruited from 12 medical centers. Participants underwent dual-elasto evaluations. Biopsy was performed 3 days after dual-elasto examination. Four logistic regression models were trained and strung together into series models. Decision trees based on the series models were performed to achieve continuous differentiation of liver fibrosis and inflammation. The influence of inflammation on the fibrosis stage was also evaluated. A total of 560 patients were included in the training set and 240 in the validation set. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the series model were 0.82, 0.86, 0.93, and 0.96 to predict ≥F1, ≥F2, ≥F3, and F4 in the validation set, which were significantly higher than those of serum markers and shear wave elastography (all p < 0.05), except for the ≥ F1 levels ( p = 0.09). The AUCs of the series model were 0.93, 0.86, 0.95, and 0.84 to predict inflammation stages ≥G1, ≥G2, ≥G3, and G4, respectively. Decision trees realized 5 continuous classifications of fibrosis and inflammation. Inflammation could enhance the mild fibrosis stage classification while showing limited influences on severe fibrosis or cirrhosis diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Dual-elasto demonstrated high performance in the continuous discrimination of fibrosis and inflammation in patients with HBV and could be used to diagnose mild fibrosis without the influence of inflammation.

Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the breast cancer perception scale for community women: a translation and validation study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer perception is closely associated with the incidence of breast cancer among community-dwelling women. Consequently, it is crucial to enhance their breast cancer survival rate by assessing their cognitive status and implementing targeted interventions. This study aimed to translate the breast cancer perception scale into Chinese and validate its psychometric properties among community women. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study method was introduced in this study. METHODS: After obtaining the original author's authorization, the breast cancer perception scale was translated into Chinese using the Brislin back-translation method. Item analysis was employed to examine the discriminative power of the items, and the Delphi method was utilized to assess content validity. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to evaluate the scale's construct validity. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were calculated to analyze reliability. RESULTS: A total of 24 items were retained in the item analysis, and the content validity index of the translated scale was 0.964. In the EFA, six common factors were extracted, namely perceived knowledge, perceived treatment belief, perceived need for health checks, perceived stigma, perceived fear, and perceived risk, accounting for 74.911% of the cumulative variance. The CFA results were as follows: χ2/df = 1.301, GFI = 0.903, NFI = 0.913, TLI = 0.975, CFI = 0.978, IFI = 0.979, RMSEA = 0.037. The Cronbach's α coefficients, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability of the translated scale were 0.895, 0.661, and 0.865, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of the breast cancer perception scale demonstrated suitable psychometric properties among community women. By evaluating results according to the scale, medical staff can enhance breast cancer prevention awareness and care for community-dwelling women and subsequently implement corresponding modifications.

Application of a Novel Miniaturized Histopathologic Microscope for Ex Vivo Identifying Cerebral Glioma Margins Rapidly During Surgery: A Parallel Control Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study is to assess the clinical performance of the DiveScope, a novel handheld histopathologic microscope in rapidly differentiating glioma from normal brain tissue during neurosurgery. METHODS: Thirty-two ex vivo specimens from 18 patients were included in the present study. The excised suspicious tissue was sequentially stained with sodium fluorescein and methylene blue and scanned with DiveScope during surgery. The adjacent tissue was sent to the department of pathology for frozen section examination. They would eventually be sent to the pathology department later for hematoxylin and eosin staining for final confirmation. The positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of the device were calculated. In addition, the difference in time usage between DiveScope and frozen sections was compared for the initial judgment. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the DiveScope after analyzing hematoxylin and eosin -staining sections, were 88.29% and 100%, respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity of the frozen sections histopathology were 100% and 75%, respectively. The area under the curve of the DiveScope and the frozen sections histopathology was not significant ( P =0.578). Concerning time usage, DiveScope is significantly much faster than the frozen sections histopathology no matter the size of tissue. CONCLUSION: Compared with traditional pathological frozen sections, DiveScope was faster and displayed an equal accuracy for judging tumor margins intraoperatively.

Protective Effects of Hinokitiol on Neuronal Ferroptosis by Activating the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway in Traumatic Brain Injury.

In this study, we investigated the effects of hinokitiol, a small-molecule natural compound, against neuronal ferroptosis after traumatic brain injury (TBI). A controlled cortical impact (CCI) mouse model and excess glutamate-treated HT-22 cells were used to study the effects of hinokitiol on TBI. Hinokitiol mitigated TBI brain tissue lesions and significantly improved neurological function. Neuron loss and iron deposition were ameliorated after hinokitiol administration. Hinokitiol alleviated excessive glutamate-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and Fe2+ accumulation in HT-22. Mechanistically, hinokitiol upregulated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, promoted nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation, and inhibited the activation of microglia and astrocyte after TBI. These results suggest that hinokitiol has neuroprotective effects on rescuing cells from TBI-induced neuronal ferroptosis. In summary, hinokitiol is a potential therapeutic candidate for TBI by activating the Nrf2/Keap1/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Pure Covalent-Organic Framework Membrane as a Label-Free Biomimetic Nanochannel for Sensitive and Selective Sensing of Chiral Flavor Substances.

Chiral flavor substances play an important role in the human perception of different tastes. Here, we report a pure covalent-organic framework (COF) membrane nanochannel in combination with a chiral gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) selector for sensing chiral flavor substances. The pure COF membrane with a proper pore size is selected as the nanochannel, while l-cysteine-modified AuNPs (l-Cys-AuNPs) are used as the chiral selector. l-Cys-AuNPs show stronger binding to the S-enantiomer than the R-enantiomer, causing current reduction to different degrees for the R- and S-enantiomer to achieve chiral sensing due to the synergistic effect of the size exclusion of the COF nanochannel and the chiral selectivity of l-Cys-AuNPs. The developed COF membrane nanochannel sensing platform not only allows an easy balance of the permeability and selectivity, which is difficult to achieve in traditional polymer membrane nanochannel sensors, but also exhibits better chiral performance than commercial artificial anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nanochannel sensors. The developed nanochannel sensor is successfully applied for sensing flavor enantiomers such as limonene, propanediol, methylbutyric acid, and butanol with the enantiomer excess values of 55.2% (propanediol) and 72.4% (limonene) and the low detection limits of 36 (limonene) and 71 (propanediol) ng L-1. This study provides a new idea for the construction of nanochannel platforms based on the COF for sensitive and selective chiral sensing.