The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a highly specialized neurovascular unit that protects the brain from potentially harmful substances. In addition, the BBB also engages in the exchange of essential nutrients between the vasculature and brain parenchyma, which is critical for brain homeostasis. Brain diseases, including neurological disorders and cerebrovascular diseases, are often associated with disrupted BBB integrity, evidenced by increased permeability. Therefore, defining the mechanisms underlying the regulation of BBB integrity is crucial for the development of novel therapeutics targeting brain diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNA), a type of small non-coding RNAs, are emerging as an important regulator of BBB integrity. Here we review recent developments related to the role of miRNAs in regulating BBB integrity.

A quaternary system, NaNO₃–KNO₃–LiNO₃–Ca(NO₃)₂, was predicted using the extended symmetric Kohler model to be a molten mixture with a low melting point that can be used as a heat storage and transfer fluid in concentrating solar power. The predicted eutectic temperature and composition of this system are 98.30 °C and 9.5 mol% NaNO₃, 52.8 mol% KNO₃, 27.6 mol% LiNO₃ and 10.1 mol% Ca(NO₃)₂. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were used to measure the predicted eutectic mixture. The results showed that the salt mixture has a low melting point of 95.96 °C, which coincides with the predicted eutectic temperature (98.30 °C), a moderate heat of fusion of 64.88 J g⁻¹, and a thermal stability temperature of 450 °C. Therefore, this quaternary eutectic salt is suitable for use as a heat storage and transfer medium in solar thermal power plants.

Inflammation within the brain is a hallmark of a wide range of brain diseases. The complex role of inflammatory processes in these conditions suggests that neuroinflammation could be a valuable therapeutic target. While several promising anti-inflammatory agents have been identified, their clinical application in brain diseases is often hampered by the inability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reach therapeutically effective concentrations at the pathological sites. This limitation highlights the urgent need for effective BBB-penetrating drug delivery systems designed to target brain inflammation. This review critically examines the recent advances over the past five years in drug delivery strategies aimed at mitigating brain inflammation in Alzheimer's disease and ischemic stroke─two of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Additionally, we address the key challenges in this field, offering insights into future directions for targeting neuroinflammation in the treatment of brain diseases.

Ag/Bi ₂ WO ₆ /CdWO ₄ ternary heterostructure materials treated by electron beam irradiation are used for the highly efficient degradation of inorganic and organic pollutants.