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Mast cells serve as crucial effector cells within the innate immune system and are predominantly localized in the skin, airways, gastrointestinal tract, urinary and reproductive tracts, as well as in the brain. Under physiological conditions, brain-resident mast cells secrete a diverse array of neuro-regulatory mediators to actively participate in neuroprotection. Meanwhile, as the primary source of molecules causing brain inflammation, mast cells also function as the "first responders" in brain injury. They interact with neuroglial cells and neurons to facilitate the release of numerous inflammatory mediators, proteases, and reactive oxygen species. This process initiates and amplifies immune-inflammatory responses in the brain, thereby contributing to the regulation of neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier permeability. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the potential mechanisms through which mast cells in the brain may modulate neuroprotection and their pathological implications in various neurological disorders. It is our contention that the inhibition of mast cell activation in brain disorders could represent a novel avenue for therapeutic breakthroughs., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Huang, Lan and Hu.)

Background: Ethylene oxide (EtO), a highly reactive organic compound with extensive industrial applications, poses significant health risks. The association between EtO exposure and stroke was not well established. This study examined the association between EtO exposure and stroke among US adults using data from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)., Methods: We used appropriately weighted multifactorial logistic regression models to analyze the data and validated the findings with smoothed curve fitting. Stratified analysis and interaction assessments were performed to evaluate the robustness of the findings., Results: The study included 5,071 participants, balanced between men and women, with a stroke prevalence of 4.1%. Higher EtO levels were associated with rising rates of stroke (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.06-1.42). Individuals in the top 25% group displayed a stroke prevalence 1.6 times higher than those in the bottom 25% group (OR = 1.60, 95%CI: 1.03-2.48). Stratified analysis demonstrated a significant positive association between EtO and stroke in individuals under 50 years (OR = 1.94, 95%CI: 1.38-2.72), while no significant association was found in those aged 50 and above (OR = 0.97, 95%CI: 0.83-1.14)., Conclusion: This study identified a significant association between EtO exposure and stroke occurrence in young adults in the United States., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Le, Lan and Chen.)

A novel γ-MnO 2 /carbon nanofiber composite electrode material with a morning glory structure was prepared for the first time by electrospinning a mixture solution of Mn(CH 3 COO) 2 salt and polyacrylonitrile and subsequently treating it with NH 3 atmosphere. The resultant materials were applied in supercapacitors, exhibiting a high voltage of 2 V and high energy density of 15.7 W h kg -1 at the current density of 0.5 A g -1 in 1 M Na 2 SO 4 solution. In this study, precisely controlling the concentration and time of the reaction resulted in the novel morning glory structure. And the morning glory structure at the surface of the carbon nanofibers increased the specific surface area and shortened the diffusion path for charge transport, increasing the Na + /H + ion intercalation capacity, accounting for the high voltage and energy density of the present supercapacitors. These results demonstrated that this new-type of carbon nanofiber with morning glory structure electrode material is potentially superior in obtaining a high voltage for electrode materials and supercapacitors. We hope that these novel materials can expand to different applications in the energy or catalytic field., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)