Pseudoactinomycotic Radiate Granules in the Gynecological Tract: A Case Report.

Actinomyces can cause severe infections in the gynecological tract, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and tubo-ovarian abscess. It's essential to accurately diagnose actinomycotic granules (AMGs) in gynecological specimens to ensure proper treatment, significantly differentiating them from pseudoactinomycotic radiate granules (PAMRAGs), a non-pathologic condition. This article describes a case of a 61-year-old postmenopausal woman with an intrauterine device (IUD) who was diagnosed with PAMRAGs in an endometrial biopsy specimen. This case highlights the challenges in diagnosis, emphasizing the need to understand the distinguishing features and staining properties of PAMRAGs and AMGs to avoid diagnostic errors and awareness of the histological distinguishing features and staining properties of PAMRAGs and AMGs to avert diagnostic mistakes.

Caspase-8 in inflammatory diseases: a potential therapeutic target.

Caspase-8, a renowned cysteine-aspartic protease within its enzyme family, initially garnered attention for its regulatory role in extrinsic apoptosis. With advancing research, a growing body of evidence has substantiated its involvement in other cell death processes, such as pyroptosis and necroptosis, as well as its modulatory effects on inflammasomes and proinflammatory cytokines. PANoptosis, an emerging concept of cell death, encompasses pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis, providing insight into the often overlapping cellular mortality observed during disease progression. The activation or deficiency of caspase-8 enzymatic activity is closely linked to PANoptosis, positioning caspase-8 as a key regulator of cell survival or death across various physiological and pathological processes. Aberrant expression of caspase-8 is closely associated with the development and progression of a range of inflammatory diseases, including immune system disorders, neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), sepsis, and cancer. This paper delves into the regulatory role and impact of caspase-8 in these conditions, aiming to elucidate potential therapeutic strategies for the future intervention.

Oral Bacterial Lysate OM-85: Advances in Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Background: Bacterial lysates are known for having immunomodulatory properties and have been used mainly for the prevention and treatment of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). However, rigorous studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of bacterial lysates with various bacterial antigen components, preparation methods, administration routes and course of treatment. OM-85, an oral standardized lysate prepared by alkaline lysis of 21 strains from 8 species of common respiratory tract pathogens, is indicated as immunotherapy for prevention of recurrent RTIs and acute infectious exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. OM-85 acts on multiple innate and adaptive immune targets and can restore type 1 helper T (Th1)/Th2 balance. Sporadic studies have shown advances in pharmacology and therapeutics of OM-85, and thus an update review is necessary. Methods: Literature was retrieved by searching PubMed, Web of science, Embase, CNKI, and Full Text Database of Chinese Medical Journals. Results: New roles of OM-85 were discovered in prevention and treatment of lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2 infection, allergic rhinitis, pulmonary fibrosis, atopic dermatitis, and nephrotic syndrome. Pharmacoeconomic values of OM-85 were demonstrated in prophylaxis and treatment of RTIs, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, chronic bronchitis, rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis. Two consecutive courses of OM-85 (6 or 12 months apart) could prevent recurrent RTIs in children. Maternal OM-85 treatment could offer benefits for offspring. Product-specific response was observed. The efficacy of OM-85 may be associated with patient's characteristics (eg, severity of the disease, age, immune response pattern, malignancy risk stratification). Conclusion: OM-85 can improve effectiveness of standard care for some primary diseases, and carry significant pharmacoeconomic implications. The benefits shown by OM-85 in vitro and in vivo, when extrapolated to humans, are exciting but also require caution. Individualized treatment may need to be considered. It is necessary to compare the efficacy and safety of various bacterial lysate preparations.

Exploring the Association Between Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Hyperthyroidism.

PURPOSE: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory disease affecting the pilosebaceous skin units and is linked to several autoimmune conditions. An area of exploration includes the connection between hyperthyroidism and HS. This study aims to investigate and establish the relationship between HS and hyperthyroidism. METHODS: The relationship between hyperthyroidism and HS was evaluated using data from the National Institute of Health (NIH) All of Us Researcher Program. A cross-sectional study was performed to assess the prevalence of HS in individuals with and without a history of hyperthyroidism matched by age ranges and health surveys. Relative risk and significance were determined by using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: A total of 407,333 patients were matched by health surveys and age ranges in the control and experimental groups. Among patients with a history of hyperthyroidism, the prevalence of HS was 1.40% compared to 0.38% in the control group. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.0001 with an OR = 3.717, 95% CI 3.038-4.548). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a statistically significant correlation between hyperthyroidism and increased prevalence of HS. These results justify the need for further research regarding hyperthyroidism's role in HS and the potential screening tools and lifestyle management techniques that may be prevalent for both conditions.

Gold nanorods as biocompatible nano-agents for the enhanced photothermal therapy in skin disorders.

Rod-shaped gold nanomaterials, known as gold nanorods (GNRs), may undergo specific surface alterations, because of their straightforward surface chemistry. This feature makes them appropriate for use as functional and biocompatible nano-formulations. By optimizing the absorption of longitudinally localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the near-infrared (NIR) region, which corresponds to the NIR bio-tissue window, GNRs with appropriate modifications may improve the results of photothermal treatment (PTT). In dermatology, potential noninvasive uses of GNRs to enhance wound healing, manage infections, combat cutaneous malignancies, and remodel skin tissues via PTT have attracted research attention in recent years. In this review, the basic properties of GNRs, such as shape, size, optical performance, photothermal efficiency, and metabolism, are discussed firstly. Then, the disadvantages of using these particles in photodynamic therapy (PDT) are proposed. Next, biological applications of GNRs-based PTT are summarized in detail. Finally, the limitations and future perspectives of this research are summarized, providing a comprehensive outlook for prospective GNRs with PTT.

The Role of Interleukin-24 and Downstream Pathways in Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases.

Inflammatory and autoimmune diseases are pathological immune disorders and pose significant public health challenges due to their impact on individuals and society. Cytokine dysregulation plays a critical role in the development of these disorders. Interleukin (IL)-24, a member of the IL-10 cytokine family, can be secreted by various cell types, including immune and non-immune cells. The downstream effects of IL-24 upon binding to its receptors can occur in dependence on, or independently of, the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and the activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway. IL-24 and its downstream pathways influence crucial processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation, with its role varying across different diseases. On the one hand, IL-24 can inhibit the activation of pathogenic cells and autoimmune responses in autoimmune ocular diseases; on the other hand, IL-24 has been also implicated in promoting tissue damage by fostering immune cell activation and infiltration in psoriasis and allergic diseases. It suggests that IL-24, as a multifunctional cytokine, has complex regulatory functions in immune cells and related diseases. In this paper, we summarize the current knowledge on IL-24's immunomodulatory actions and its involvement in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Such insights may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies for these diseases.

Hysterosalpingography findings in infertile Sudanese women: a cross-sectional study on tube blockage.

Introduction: infertility is a significant public health concern in Africa and Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is an affordable option for initial treatment. This study aimed to provide information about the incidence of abnormal pathology and tubal findings in HSG of Sudanese women who experienced infertility. Methods: this prospective cross-sectional study included 100 infertile patients who were requested for HSG, including age, duration of infertility, body mass index (BMI), medical history, and HSG findings collected after performing the radiographic test, which was diagnosed by an experienced radiologist. Results: one hundred infertile women (46% and 54%) experienced primary and secondary infertility, respectively. Mean age was (31.1 ± 5.2, 27.5 ± 6.0) years, and BMI was (25.1 ± 3.3, 25.7 ± 2.9) Kg/cm2 for primary and secondary infertility respectively. Abnormal findings prevalence was (29/46, 63%) and (30/54, 56%). The incidence of fallopian tube abnormality was (52/100, 52% (25/46, 54.3%), and (27/56, 50%) for primary and secondary infertility, respectively. Forty-one percent of participants had normal hysterosalpingograms. Pelvic surgery was the highest risk factor in 24% of the participants. Age and medical history were significantly associated with the infertility type (P < 0.05). Conclusion: infertile patients who underwent hysterosalpingography (HSG) were predominantly older, with secondary infertility being slightly more common, underscoring the importance of early diagnostic evaluation and care. Fallopian tube abnormalities were the most common cause of infertility, with tube blockage affecting nearly half of the participants. Additionally, this study revealed that prior pelvic surgery significantly increased the risk of infertility.

Impact of gluten intake on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases initiating biologics: Secondary analysis of the prospective multicentre BELIEVE cohort study.

Chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs) pose a growing healthcare challenge, with a substantial proportion of patients showing inadequate response to biological treatment. There is renewed interest in dietary changes to optimize treatment regimens, with a growing body of evidence suggesting beneficial effects with adherence to a gluten-free diet. This study compared the likelihood of achieving clinical response to biological treatment after 14-16 weeks in patients with CID with high versus low-to-medium gluten intake. Secondary outcomes of interest included changes in disease activity, health-related quality of life and C-reactive protein. The study was a multicentre prospective cohort of 193 participants with a CID diagnosis (i.e. Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Axial Spondyloarthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis or Psoriasis) who initiated biological treatment between 2017 and 2020. Participants were stratified based on their habitual gluten intake: the upper 33.3% (high gluten intake) and the remaining 66.6% (low-to-medium gluten intake). The proportion of patients achieving clinical response to biological treatment after 14-16 weeks was compared using logistic regression models. The median gluten intake differed significantly between groups (12.5 g/day vs. 5.9 g/day, standardized mean difference = 1.399). In total, 108 (56%) achieved clinical response to treatment, with no difference between 35 (55%) in the high gluten group and 73 (57%) in the medium-to-low gluten group (OR = 0.96 [0.51-1.79], p = 0.897). No differences were found with secondary outcomes. In conclusion, this study found no association between gluten intake and response to biological treatment in patients with CID.

Advanced abdominal pregnancy complicated by pelvic inflammatory disease: A compelling case report.

This case report discusses the rare and complex occurrence of an advanced abdominal pregnancy in a 36-year-old multiparous woman at 26 weeks of gestation, compounded by chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome. The patient was presented with severe symptoms, including abdominal pain, fever, chills, constipation, and vaginal spotting, leading to her hospital admission. Diagnosis was challenging due to the advanced stage of the pregnancy and its abdominal location, particularly in the Douglas pouch, as detected through ultrasonography. According to anatomical standards, this is an intraperitoneal pregnancy rather than an intra-abdominal pregnancy because the fetus developed in the peritoneal cavity. This case is significant for illustrating the critical need for high clinical suspicion and skilled sonographic evaluation to identify such advanced abdominal pregnancies. The successful management of this case through laparotomy, despite the complexities of concurrent conditions, emphasizes the possibility of safe placental removal without increased hemorrhage risk. This report highlights the importance of awareness and expertise in handling rare presentations of ectopic pregnancies, underscoring the potential for positive outcomes with appropriate surgical intervention.

Pelvic inflammatory disease and risk of borderline ovarian tumors: A national population-based case-control study in Sweden.

The resemblance between fallopian tube cells and serous borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) suggests a potential origin link, with salpingitis proposed as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of BOT. This study aimed to explore the potential association between pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and the risk of developing BOT. A national population-based case-control study in Sweden included women with BOT between 1999 and 2020 and 10 matched controls. Data from nationwide registers were analyzed using conditional logistic regression, adjusting for age, residential district, educational level and parity. Among 4782 cases and 45,167 controls, 2.0% of cases and 1.3% of controls had a history of PID. Previous PID was associated with an increased risk of BOT overall (aOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.19-1.85). Significant association was observed with serous tumors (aOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.36-2.29), while not with mucinous tumors (aOR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.60-1.49). A dose-response relationship between number of PID episodes and serous BOT risk was noted (Ptrend < .001). This study demonstrates that PID is associated with increased risk of serous BOT, with a dose response relationship. The study highlights the potential serious implications of upper reproductive tract infections and inflammation. This underscores the need for further investigation of biological mechanisms and possible impact of PID on serous BOT development.

Deconstructing inflammatory memory across tissue setpoints using cell circuit motifs.

Tissue ecosystems are cellular communities that maintain setpoints through a network of intercellular interactions. We position health and chronic inflammatory disease as alternative stable setpoints that are: (1) robust to perturbation, and (2) capable of adaptation and memory. Inflammatory memory-the storage of prior experience to durably influence future responsiveness-is central to how tissue ecosystems may be pushed past tipping points that stabilize disease over health. Here, we develop a reductionist framework of circuit motifs that recur in tissue setpoints. In type 2 immunity, we distinctly find the emergence of two-cell positive feedback motifs. By contrast, directional motif relays and three-cell networks feature more prominently in type 1 and 17 responses. We propose that these differences guide the ecological networks established after surpassing tipping points and associate closely with therapeutic responsiveness. We highlight opportunities to improve our current knowledge of how circuit motifs interact when building towards tissue-level networks across adaptation and memory. By developing new tools for circuit motif nomination and applying them to temporal profiling of tissue ecosystems, we hope to dissect the stability of the chronic inflammatory setpoint and open therapeutic avenues for rewriting memory to restore health.

Neuro-Behçet Disease Presenting as a Bulbar Lesion: A Case Report.

Behçet's disease (BD), also called neuro-Behçet (NB), is a multisystem inflammatory disease that can affect the nervous system. The authors hereby present the case of a 46-year-old woman with a previous diagnosis of BD with cutaneous, articular, and ocular involvement. The patient was admitted to the emergency room with intense posterior cervical pain, right eyelid ptosis accompanied by anisocoria, left arm hemiparesis, left hemihypoesthesia, right dysmetria, and postural instability. A cerebral MRI revealed a right laterobulbar oval T2 hyperintense lesion, suggesting a diagnosis of NB. Treatment with methylprednisolone pulses and, later, azathioprine was then started. The patient showed progressive improvement in her clinical condition and an imagological resolution of the bulbar lesion. This case highlights the importance of an accurate diagnosis - based on clinical history and imaging studies - for an early initiation of the specific therapy.

In-hospital unfavorable outcomes of MIS-C during 2020-2022: a systematic review.

Studies on the severity in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) show heterogeneous results and may not reflect a global perspective. This systematic review aims to estimate the frequency of in-hospital unfavorable outcomes in patients with MIS-C over the 3 years since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scielo, and preprint repositories until December 15, 2022. Study selection and data extraction were evaluated independently. The primary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) admission, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and death. Additionally, we evaluated cardiovascular-related outcomes. We performed a random-effects model meta-analysis and assessed the certainty of the evidence. Fifty-seven studies (n = 13 254) were included. The frequency of ICU admission was 44.7% (95% CI 38.8-50.7), 11.9% for IMV (95% CI 9.6-14.4), and 2.0% for death (95% CI 1.3-3.0). The requirement of vasoactive/inotropic drugs was 40.1% (95% CI 35.9-44.4), 7.9% for coronary aneurysm (95% CI 4.1-12.7), 30.7% for decreased left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) (95% CI 26.3-35.4), and 29.7% for myocarditis (95% CI 18.4-42.4). We assess the included evidence as being of very low certainty. Finally, excess COVID-19 mortality by country and the diagnostic criteria for MIS-C (CDC compared to WHO) were associated with a higher frequency of ICU admissions. The year of study conduction (2022 compared to 2020) was associated with a lower frequency of IMV. CONCLUSION: The frequency of in-hospital unfavorable outcomes in patients with MIS-C was high. Well-designed studies are needed to explore other heterogeneity sources. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: CRD42021284878. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious post-infectious condition linked to SARS-CoV-2. Studies on the severity of MIS-C show heterogeneous results. These findings may not be representative of the reality in other regions, making it challenging to draw generalizable conclusions. WHAT IS NEW: • Over the 3 years since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, our systematic review has shown that the frequency of in-hospital unfavorable outcomes in patients with MIS-C is high, with a very low certainty of the evidence. Our results reflect the reality from a global perspective, across different countries with varying income levels. • The main sources of heterogeneity in the frequency of severe outcomes could be explained by the excess mortality due to COVID-19 in each country, the type of diagnostic criteria for MIS-C, and the year the study was conducted.

Methotrexate and Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors Independently Decrease Neutralizing Antibodies after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: Updated Results from the SUCCEED Study.

Objective: SARS-CoV-2 remains the third most common cause of death in North America. We studied the effects of methotrexate and tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) on neutralization responses after COVID-19 vaccination in immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID). Methods: Prospective data and sera of adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and systemic lupus (SLE) were collected at six academic centers in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec between 2022 and 2023. Sera from two time points were evaluated for each subject. Neutralization studies were divided between five laboratories, and each lab's results were analyzed separately using multivariate generalized logit models (ordinal outcomes: absent, low, medium, and high neutralization). Odds ratios (ORs) for the effects of methotrexate and TNFi were adjusted for demographics, IMID, other biologics and immunosuppressives, prednisone, COVID-19 vaccinations (number/type), and infections in the 6 months prior to sampling. The adjusted ORs for methotrexate and TNFi were then pooled in random-effects meta-analyses (separately for the ancestral strains and the Omicron BA1 and BA5 strains). Results: Of 479 individuals (958 samples), 292 (61%) were IBD, 141 (29.4%) were RA, and the remainder were PsA, SpA, and SLE. The mean age was 57 (62.2% female). For both the individual labs and the meta-analyses, the adjusted ORs suggested independent negative effects of TNFi and methotrexate on neutralization. The meta-analysis adjusted ORs for TNFi were 0.56 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39, 0.81) for the ancestral strain and 0.56 (95% CI 0.39, 0.81) for BA5. The meta-analysis adjusted OR for methotrexate was 0.39 (95% CI 0.19, 0.76) for BA1. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 neutralization in vaccinated IMID was diminished independently by TNFi and methotrexate. As SARS-CoV-2 circulation continues, ongoing vigilance regarding optimized vaccination is required.

Treatment of Idiopathic Inflammatory Orbital Syndrome (IOIS) With Prominent Lacrimal Gland Involvement Using Oral Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).

Idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome (IOIS) is a chronic inflammatory process of unknown etiology, which can either be localized or diffuse. In cases where there is isolated inflammation of the lacrimal gland, it is known as dacryoadenitis. This study focuses on the treatment of a patient with IOIS with prominent lacrimal gland involvement. The mainstay of treatment for idiopathic isolated dacryoadenitis is oral corticosteroids, but non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) is known to be effective in treating idiopathic dacryoadenitis as well. There is no formal study yet to evaluate the use of NSAIDs in treating idiopathic dacryoadenitis. Here, we report a case of idiopathic isolated dacryoadenitis which was successfully treated with NSAIDs.

Idiopathic Orbital Inflammatory Disease in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report Highlighting the Diagnostic Reasoning and Treatment Strategy.

Idiopathic orbital inflammatory disease (IOID) is a rare and poorly understood condition characterized by inflammation of the orbital tissues without an identifiable cause. This disorder can lead to symptoms such as proptosis, pain, and visual disturbances. We present the case of an eight-year-old female diagnosed with IOID who was admitted to the hospital with worsening right eye redness, proptosis, and pain. Her clinical course included significant right eye lagophthalmos, exposure keratopathy, and a corneal ulcer. Management involved a multidisciplinary approach with consultations from ophthalmology and rheumatology, treatment with corticosteroids, and supportive care. This case underscores the importance of early recognition and a comprehensive management strategy to improve outcomes for patients with IOID.

Investigation and Confirmation of PYCARD as a Potential Biomarker for the Management of Psoriasis Disease.

Purpose: Psoriasis is not yet completely curable, and its etiology and pathogenesis are unclear. Necroptosis, also known as programmed necrosis, is a regulated mode of necrotic cell death. The interaction between inflammatory diseases and necrotic apoptosis has recently attracted significant attention. We explored the molecular mechanisms of necrotic apoptosis-related genes in psoriasis using bioinformatics methods to identify potential biomarkers for psoriasis. Patients and Methods: In this study, we screened psoriasis differentially expressed genes from the datasets GSE13355 and GSE14905 and took intersections with necrotic apoptosis-related genes for the next analysis. We used multiple machine learning algorithms to screen key genes and perform enrichment analysis. In addition, we performed an immune infiltration analysis. Transcription factors were predicted by the R package "RcisTarget". We also observed the cellular clustering of key genes in different cell types at the single-cell sequencing level. We used real-time fluorescence-based quantitative-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry to analyze gene expression in clinical samples. We constructed an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis model in mice for further validation. Results: Seven key genes were screened as follows: AIM2, CARD6, HPSE, MYD88, PYCARD, RAI14, and TNFSF10. Enrichment analysis showed that the key genes were mainly involved in inflammatory pathways. Immune infiltration analysis showed significantly higher levels of CD8 T cells, CD4 initial T cells, and CD4 memory-activated T cells in the disease group's samples than in the normal patients' samples. The key gene expression in single cells analyzed showed that PYCARD was significantly expressed in keratinocytes. PYCARD was selected for gene expression analysis; the results showed that its expression was significantly elevated in the skin lesion tissues of patients with psoriasis. We also verified that PYCARD might play a vital role in the development of psoriasis skin lesions using animal experiments. Conclusion: PYCARD plays a vital role in psoriasis development and is a potential biomarker for psoriasis.

Association between pelvic inflammatory disease and risk of ovarian, uterine, cervical, and vaginal cancers-a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The present meta-analysis aims to investigate a potential link between pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and an increased risk of genitourinary cancers (ovarian, cervical, uterus, and vagina cancers). While previous research has hinted at a possible link, this meta-analysis seeks to delve deeper into the available evidence. Understanding this association is crucial for preventive strategies and improving clinical management practices. METHODOLOGY: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across various databases, covering studies published between 2016 and 2024. We included 13 observational studies meeting stringent criteria, followed by meticulous data extraction and quality assessment. Meta-analytical techniques were then employed to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs), adjusted hazard ratios (HRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with heterogeneity assessed using the I2 statistic. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed significant findings, underscoring the association between PID and increased risks of genitourinary cancers. Specifically, individuals with a history of PID demonstrated notably higher odds of developing ovarian cancer (OR = 1.477, 95% CI 1.033-2.207), uterine cancer (OR = 1.263, 95% CI 0.827-2.143), cervical cancer (OR = 1.000, 95% CI 0.900-1.100), and vaginal cancer (OR = 2.500, 95% CI 1.400-4.000) compared to those without such a history. The overall heterogeneity across studies was high (I2 = 82.92%), suggesting varying trends across different populations and study designs. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provides updated evidence supporting a significant association between PID and an increased risk of cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers. Early detection and management of PID are crucial in potentially mitigating the risk of these cancers.

Metabolomics-based profiling of anti-inflammatory compounds from Mentha spicata in shanghe, China.

Mentha spicata is a popular herb used in foods, cosmetics, and medicines. In the present study, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analysis and the zebrafish model were used to investigate the potential biomarkers of M. spicata growing in Shanghe County (Shandong Province, China) and their anti-inflammatory properties. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were performed to screen the main targets of the characteristic compounds to understand their mechanisms of action. Nine potential markers including sugars (1,2), polyphenolic acids (3-5), and flavonoids (6-9) were identified from the species. The inhibitory effects on leukocyte migration confirmed that compounds 1 and 3-9 played a positive role in the protective effect of Shanghe M. spicata (SM) extract against inflammation. Akt (protein kinase B), EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), and MMP9 (matrix metalloproteinase 9) were the core target proteins of the identified compounds in the anti-inflammatory process. The most significant Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment terms were response to abiotic stimulus (Biological Process), carbohydrate derivative binding (Molecular Function), and pathways in cancer. In docking simulations, 3-p-coumaroylquinic acid (3-PC, 4) and cirsimaritin (CN, 7) exhibited the highest potential affinity to the active sites of Akt and EGFR proteins, respectively; additionally, 5-demethylsinensetin (5-DS, 9) and luteolin (LN, 6) were considered the most suitable ligands for the MMP9 protein. The present study highlighted the use of SM resources as functional products with health benefits.