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We herein propose a novel way of producing nanofibrous gelatin-silica hybrid scaffolds through thermally induced phase-separation (TIPS) particularly using mixtures of gelatin solution and silica sol, which can mimic the physical structure, chemical composition, and eventually functions of the native bone extracellular matrix (ECM). The gelatin solutions were homogeneously hybridized with various contents of a silica sol using simple magnetic stirring, which enabled the construction of a nanofibrous structure with a uniform distribution of the silica in the gelatin nanofibers. The nanofibrous gelatinsilica hybrid scaffolds showed much better mechanical properties and in vitro biodegradation stability and apatite-forming ability than the nanofibrous pure gelatin scaffold, which were achieved by the presence of a stiff, bioactive silica phase in the nanofibers and the interaction between the silica hydroxyls and the amino group in the gelatin polymer. In addition, the nanofibrous gelatin-silica hybrid scaffold with a silica content of 30 wt% showed reasonably high in vitro biocompatibility. These findings suggest that the highly porous, nanofibrous hybrid structure mimicking the bone ECM can provide an excellent matrix for bone tissue regeneration.

In the past few decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer has rapidly increased worldwide. Thyroid cancer incidence is relatively high in regions where the population's daily iodine intake is insufficient. While low dietary iodine has been considered as a risk factor for thyroid cancer development, previous studies found controversial results across different food types. Among different ethnic groups, dietary factors are influenced by various dietary patterns, eating habits, life-styles, nutrition, and other environmental factors. This review reports the association between dietary factors and thyroid cancer risk among ethnic groups living in different geologic regions. Iodine-rich food such as fish and shellfish may provide a protective role in populations with insufficient daily iodine intake. The consumption of goitrogenic food, such as cruciferous vegetables, showed a positive association with risk. While considered to be a risk factor for other cancers, alcohol intake showed a protective role against thyroid cancer. High consumption of meat such as chicken, pork, and poultry showed a positive association with the risk, but dairy products showed no significant association. Regular use of multivitamins and dietary nitrate and nitrite also showed a positive association with thyroid cancer risk. However, the study results are inconsistent and investigations into the mechanism for how dietary factors change thyroid hormone levels and influence thyroid function are required.

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