2,2′,4,4′-Tetrabrominated biphenyl ether (BDE-47) is a polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) homologue that is ubiquitous in biological samples and highly toxic to humans and other organisms. Prior research has confirmed that BDE-47 can induce oxidative damage in RAW264.7 cells, resulting in apoptosis and impaired immune function. The current study mainly focused on how Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) and Licochalcone B (LCB) might protect against BDE-47’s immunotoxic effects on RAW264.7 cells. The results show that ISL and LCB could increase phagocytosis, increase the production of MHC-II, and decrease the production of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and co-stimulatory factors (CD40, CD80, and CD86), alleviating the immune function impairment caused by BDE-47. Secondly, both ISL and LCB could reduce the expressions of the proteins Bax and Caspase-3, promote the expression of the protein Bcl-2, and reduce the apoptotic rate, alleviating the apoptosis initiated by BDE-47. Additionally, ISL and LCB could increase the levels of antioxidant substances (SOD, CAT, and GSH) and decrease the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby counteracting the oxidative stress induced by BDE-47. Ultimately, ISL and LCB suppress the NF-κB pathway by down-regulating IKBKB and up-regulating IκB-Alpha in addition to activating the Nrf2 pathway and promoting the production of HO-1 and NQO1. To summarize, BDE-47 causes oxidative damage that can be mitigated by ISL and LCB through the activation of the Nrf2 pathway and inhibition of the NF-κB pathway, which in turn prevents immune function impairment and apoptosis. These findings enrich the current understanding of the toxicological molecular mechanism of BDE-47 and the detoxification mechanism of licorice.

Postoperative abdominal adhesion is one of the most common complications after abdominal surgery. A single drug or physical barrier treatment does not achieve the ideal anti-adhesion effect. We developed a thermosensitive hydrogel (PPH hydrogel) consisting of poloxamer 407 (P407), poloxamer (P188), and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) co-blended. An injectable thermosensitive TA/MMC-PPH hydrogel was obtained by loading tannic acid (TA) with an anti-inflammatory effect and mitomycin C (MMC), which inhibits fibroblast migration or proliferation. The optimal prescriptions of PPH hydrogels with a suitable gelling time (63 s) at 37 °C was 20% (w/v) P407, 18% (w/v) P188, and 0.5% (w/v) HPMC. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the PPH hydrogel had a three-dimensional mesh structure, which was favorable for drug encapsulation. The PPH hydrogel had a suitable gelation temperature of 33 °C, a high gel strength, and complicated viscosity at 37 °C, according to the rheological analysis. In vitro release studies have shown that the PPH hydrogel could delay the release of TA and MMC and conform to the first-order release rate. Anti-adhesion tests performed on rats in vivo revealed that TA/MMC-PPH hydrogel significantly reduced the risk of postoperative adhesion. In conclusion, the TA/MMC-PPH hydrogel prepared in this study showed an excellent performance in both controlled drug release and anti-adhesive effects. It can be used as a protocol to prevent or reduce postoperative abdominal adhesion.

Lauraceae plants are diverse in species and rich in volatile components, which possess functions such as insect repellency, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties. However, currently, the methods for analyzing the volatile components of Lauraceae plants are relatively single. The essential oils are mainly extracted by steam distillation, but the pretreatment is relatively complex and cumbersome. Therefore, it is essential to find a simple and cost‐effective method. By comparing different extraction methods, HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS was selected as the optimal extraction condition. Regarding Head‐space Solid‐Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS), single‐factor condition optimization and response surface analysis were carried out for different fiber coatings, equilibrium time, extraction temperature, and extraction time. Eventually, 75‐μm CAR/PDMS fiber head was chosen, with an equilibrium time of 15 min, and extraction was conducted at 70°C for 57 min as the optimal HS‐SPME extraction conditions. Furthermore, a differential analysis of the volatile components of five Lauraceae plants from different genera was performed, and differential metabolites were screened out respectively. This can effectively separate Cinnamomum and Litsea from the other three genera, providing certain assistance for the chemotaxonomy of the volatile components of Lauraceae plants and the subsequent development of medicinal plant resources.

Cotton is a widely cultivated cash crop and represents one of the most significant raw materials for textiles on a global scale. The rapid development of the cotton industry has resulted in the production of substantial amounts of cotton husks, which are frequently underutilized or discarded. This study utilizes agricultural waste, specifically cotton shells, as a precursor for biochar, which is subsequently carbonized and nitrogen-doped with ruthenium oxide to synthesize an innovative composite material known as RuO₂-NC. An electrochemical sensor was developed using this composite material to detect heavy metals, particularly lead and copper ions. The results demonstrate that the electrochemical sensor can accurately quantify concentrations of lead and copper ions across a wide linear range, exhibiting exceptional sensitivity. Furthermore, the sensor was tested on samples from Viola tianshanica Maxim (Violaceae) collected from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in China, showing commendable accuracy and sensitivity. This approach promotes eco-friendly recycling of agricultural waste while offering advantages such as straightforward operation and reduced costs, thereby presenting promising prospects for practical applications.

Early intervention is pivotal for mitigating the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study presents an electrochemical immunosensor targeting synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) to facilitate early AD diagnosis. A sensing interface was engineered using a nanocomposite of graphene oxide (GO) and 3-carboxyl polypyrrole (3-COOH-PPy). Leveraging the synergistic effects between the large specific surface area of GO and the superior conductivity of 3-COOH-PPy, the composite established an efficient electron transport network. This architecture provided abundant active sites for capture antibody immobilization while significantly enhancing interfacial electron transfer kinetics. Coupling this interface with an enzyme-mediated signal amplification strategy based on the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed TMB/H₂O₂ system, the immunosensor achieved high sensitivity. It exhibited a wide linear range of 2 ng/mL to 16 μg/mL with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.15 ng/mL. Furthermore, successful detection in C57 mouse serum samples validated the method’s reliability and potential for clinical application. In conclusion, this immunosensor offers a sensitive and robust platform for the early diagnosis of AD.

Background/Objectives: Cervical cancer cells evade chemotherapy by upregulating antioxidant defenses (e.g., glutathione (GSH)). A platform that simultaneously amplifies ROS and suppresses antioxidant defense is a low toxicity strategy. This study presents a local nanoplatform that combines chemodynamic therapy (CDT) with chemotherapy for the localized treatment of cervical cancer. Methods: Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) was loaded into the echinacoside (ECH)-copper metal–phenolic networks (MPNs) nanoparticles (ECD NPs) through a one-step coordination assembly method. The nanoparticles were incorporated into a poloxamer/HPMC thermosensitive hydrogel for vaginal delivery. The formulation was characterized for size, drug loading, sol–gel transition, and pH-responsive release. Antitumor activity was evaluated in SiHa and HeLa cells via Cu²⁺ uptake, GSH depletion, ROS accumulation, apoptosis markers, and viability. In vivo efficacy and biosafety were assessed in an orthotopic cervical cancer model. Results: ECD NPs showed uniform size (~135 nm), high DATS loading (~27.6%). The ECD NPs-loaded hydrogel exhibited a sol–gel transition at 36.7 °C. The ECD NPs-loaded hydrogel released 16.4% of DATS at pH 7.4, 32.4% at pH 4.5, 64.8% at pH 6.5, and 80.9% at pH 5.6 over 24 h. Release was minimal at vaginal pH, clearly triggered at tumor pH, and fastest at lysosomal pH, confirming pH-responsive behavior. The ECD NPs-loaded hydrogel enhanced Cu²⁺ uptake, depleted GSH, elevated ROS, and reduced cell viability to <50% at 80 μg/mL. In the orthotopic model, the ECD NPs hydrogel achieved a tumor inhibition rate of 87.81%, significantly outperforming free DATS (65.3%) and blank MPN (55.62%) hydrogels, with no evident systemic toxicity. Conclusions: The ECD NPs hydrogel triggers a Cu²⁺-driven ROS/GSH cascade that combines copper-mediated oxidative stress with DATS-induced apoptosis for enhanced antitumor activity. Its vaginal localization, pH-responsive release, and biosafety profile support further evaluation for cervical cancer therapy.