Pharmacological Inhibition or Silencing of TREM1 Restrains HCC Cell Metastasis by Inactivating TLR/PI3K/AKT Signaling.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a widely prevalent malignancy strongly linked to inflammation, remains a significant public health concern. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM1), a modulator of inflammatory responses identified in recent years, has emerged as a crucial facilitator in cancer progression. Despite its significance, the precise regulatory mechanism of TREM1 in HCC metastasis remains unanswered. In the present investigation, we observed aberrant upregulation of TREM1 in HCC tissues, which was significantly linked to poorer overall survival. Inhibition of TREM1 expression resulted in a significant reduction in HCC Huh-7 and MHCC-97H cell proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Furthermore, inhibiting TREM1 decreased protein expressions of toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) and major myeloid differentiation response gene 88 (MyD88), leading to the inactivation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) in HCC cells. Notably, these effects were reversed by treatment with TLR2-specific agonist (CU-T12-9), indicating a potential crosstalk between TREM1 and TLR2/4. Mechanistic studies revealed a direct interaction between TREM1 and both TLR2 and TLR4. In vivo studies demonstrated that inhibition of TREM1 suppressed the growth of HCC cells in the orthotopic implant model and its metastatic potential in the experimental lung metastasis model. Overall, our findings underscore the role of TREM1 inhibition in regulating EMT and metastasis of HCC cells by inactivating the TLR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby providing deeper mechanistic insights into how TREM1 regulates metastasis during HCC progression.

The impact of safety attitude on hazard identification and risk analysis: evidence from event-related potentials.

A questionnaire survey and an event-related potential (ERP) experiment were used to reveal the impact of safety attitudes on risk perception. The results revealed that during hazard identification, the N130 amplitude of subjects with negative safety attitude was significantly higher, which implied that subjects with negative safety attitude were more likely to feel confused. During risk analysis, subjects with positive safety attitude were more inclined to overestimate the probability and damage degree of risks; subjects with positive safety attitudes displayed higher P150 and late positive potential amplitudes, which indicated that subjects with positive safety attitudes devoted more attention to risks in the early stage of risk analysis and had a more intense affective response in the later period. The risk judgment ability of subjects with positive safety attitude was affected by time pressure, and they exhibited higher risk judgment accuracy only under no time pressure.

GSK2334470 attenuates high salt-exacerbated rheumatoid arthritis progression by restoring Th17/Treg homeostasis.

High salt (HS) consumption is a risk factor for multiple autoimmune disorders via disturbing immune homeostasis. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms by which HS exacerbates rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis remain poorly defined. Herein, we found that heightened phosphorylation of PDPK1 and SGK1 upon HS exposure attenuated FoxO1 expression to enhance the glycolytic capacity of CD4 T cells, resulting in strengthened Th17 but compromised Treg program. GSK2334470 (GSK), a dual PDPK1/SGK1 inhibitor, effectively mitigated the HS-induced enhancement in glycolytic capacity and the overproduction of IL-17A. Therefore, administration of GSK markedly alleviated HS-exacerbated RA progression in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. Collectively, our data indicate that HS consumption subverts Th17/Treg homeostasis through the PDPK1-SGK1-FoxO1 signaling, while GSK could be a viable drug against RA progression in clinical settings.

Root exudation under maize/soybean intercropping system mediates the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi diversity and improves the plant growth.

Introduction: Maize/soybean intercropping is a common cropping practice in Chinese agriculture, known to boost crop yield and enhance soil fertility. However, the role of below-ground interactions, particularly root exudates, in maintaining intercropping advantages in soybean/maize intercropping systems remains unclear. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the differences in root exudates between intercropping and monocropping systems through two pot experiments using metabolomics methods. Multiple omics analyses were conducted to explore correlations between differential metabolites and the community of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), shedding light on the mechanisms underlying the dominance of intercropping from the perspective of root exudates-soil microorganism interactions. Results and discussion: The study revealed that intercropping significantly increased the types and contents of root exudates, lowered soil pH, increased the availability of nutrients like available nitrogen (AN) and available phosphorus (AP), and enhanced AMF colonization, resulting in improving the community composition of AMF. Besides, root exudates in intercropping systems differed significantly from those in monocropping, with 41 and 39 differential metabolites identified in the root exudates of soybean/maize, predominantly amino acids and organic acids. The total amount of amino acids in the root exudates of soybean intercropping was 3.61 times higher than in monocropping. Additionally, the addition of root exudates significantly improved the growth of soybean/maize and AMF colonization, with the mycorrhizal colonization rate in intercropping increased by 105.99% and 111.18% compared to monocropping, respectively. The identified metabolic pathways associated with root exudates were closely linked to plant growth, soil fertility improvement, and the formation of AMF. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship (P < 0.05) between certain metabolites such as tartaric acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, and the AMF community. Notably, the photosynthetic carbon fixation pathway involving aspartic acid showed a strong association with the function of Glomus_f_Glomerace, the dominant genus of AMF. A combined analysis of metabolomics and high throughput sequencing revealed that the root exudates of soybean/maize intercropping have direct or indirect connections with AMF and soil nutrients. Conclusion: This suggests that the increased root exudates of the soybean/maize intercropping system mediate an improvement in AMF community composition, thereby influencing soil fertility and maintaining the advantage of intercropping.

Rapid axial roll test outperforms alternative positional tests in identifying the affected ear in HSC-BPPV: an observational cohort study.

Purpose: To evaluate the utility of supine roll test (SRT) and alternative positional tests, such as head-shaking test (HST), seated supine positioning test (SSPT), bow and lean test (BLT), and rapid axial roll test (RART) in determining the affected semicircular canal of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HSC-BPPV). Methods: In an observational cohort study, 553 patients diagnosed with HSC-BPPV were divided into five groups in terms of different positional tests received: SRT group (n = 110), HST+ SRT (n = 112), BLT + SRT (n = 114), SSPT+SRT (n = 108) and RART+SRT (n = 109). The same method was used for the last four groups: The patients were first subjected to different alternative positional tests and then to SRT, and the nystagmus was observed separately to determine the affected side. The primary outcomes compared included the accuracy and sensitivity of these tests in the determination of the affected semicircular canal in HSC-BPPV. Results: Patients with nystagmus elicited by positional tests accounted for 84.99% (470/553). The elicitation rate of nystagmus of SRT was lowest, being 77.27% (85/110). The elicitation rate of nystagmus were higher in the test groups than in the control group, and RART+SRT group yielded the highest elicitation rate of nystagmus (95.41%, 104/109). Among the alternative positional tests, RART attained the highest elicitation rate of nystagmus (101/109, 92.66%). Comparison between alternative positional tests and SRT, RART and SRT showed obviously better agreement in determining the affected semicircular canal (85.45%, 96/109) and eliciting nystagmus (95.41%, Kappa = 0.642), but no difference was found in curative effect when the affected side was accurately determined (χ2 = 1.618, p = 0.655). Conclusion: All alternative positional tests are helpful for eliciting nystagmus in patients with HSC-BPPV, and the significant advantages of RART include high-sensitivity in eliciting nystagmus and high accuracy in determining the affected semicircular canal, which provided objective support for the correct diagnosis of HSC-BPPV and the successful reduction of otolith.

Mining the interpretable prognostic features from pathological image of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma using multi-modal deep learning.

BACKGROUND: The advances in deep learning-based pathological image analysis have invoked tremendous insights into cancer prognostication. Still, lack of interpretability remains a significant barrier to clinical application. METHODS: We established an integrative prognostic neural network for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), towards a comprehensive evaluation of both architectural and fine-grained information from whole-slide images. Then, leveraging on multi-modal data, we conducted extensive interrogative approaches to the models, to extract and visualize the morphological features that most correlated with clinical outcome and underlying molecular alterations. RESULTS: The models were developed and optimized on 373 iCCA patients from our center and demonstrated consistent accuracy and robustness on both internal (n = 213) and external (n = 168) cohorts. The occlusion sensitivity map revealed that the distribution of tertiary lymphoid structures, the geometric traits of the invasive margin, the relative composition of tumor parenchyma and stroma, the extent of necrosis, the presence of the disseminated foci, and the tumor-adjacent micro-vessels were the determining architectural features that impacted on prognosis. Quantifiable morphological vector extracted by CellProfiler demonstrated that tumor nuclei from high-risk patients exhibited significant larger size, more distorted shape, with less prominent nuclear envelope and textural contrast. The multi-omics data (n = 187) further revealed key molecular alterations left morphological imprints that could be attended by the network, including glycolysis, hypoxia, apical junction, mTORC1 signaling, and immune infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: We proposed an interpretable deep-learning framework to gain insights into the biological behavior of iCCA. Most of the significant morphological prognosticators perceived by the network are comprehensible to human minds.

Treatment of low-C/N nitrate wastewater using a partial denitrification-anammox granule system: Granule reconstruction, stability, and microbial structure analyses.

Industrial wastewater discharged into sewer systems is often characterized by high nitrate contents and low C/N ratios, resulting in high treatment costs when using conventional activated sludge methods. This study introduces a partial denitrification-anammox (PD/A) granular process to address this challenge. The PD/A granular process achieved an effluent TN level of 3.7 mg/L at a low C/N ratio of 2.3. Analysis of a typical cycle showed that the partial denitrification peaked within 15 min and achieved a nitrate-to-nitrite transformation ratio of 86.9%. Anammox, which was activated from 15 to 120 min, contributed 86.2% of the TN removal. The system exhibited rapid recovery from post-organic shock, which was attributed to significant increases in protein content within TB-EPS. Microbial dispersion and reassembly were observed after coexistence of the granules, with Thauera (39.12%) and Candidatus Brocadia (1.25%) identified as key functional microorganisms. This study underscores the efficacy of PD/A granular sludge technology for treating low-C/N nitrate wastewater.

Cross-linked Sodium Hyaluronate Gel with PLLA-b-PEG Microsphere for Facial Contouring in Chinese: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: In Asia, the demand for cosmetic facial treatments has surged due to technological advancements, increased social acceptability, and affordability. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers, known for their biocompatibility and biodegradability, have emerged as a popular choice for facial contouring, yet studies specifically addressing their use in Asian populations are scarce. METHODS: This retrospective study examined 30 Chinese patients who underwent facial contouring with PLLA fillers, focusing on product composition, injection techniques, and safety measures. A comprehensive clinical evaluation was performed, including the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) and Global Impression of Change Scale (GICS) for effectiveness and patient satisfaction, respectively. RESULTS: No significant difference in GAIS scores was observed between injectors and blinded evaluators over a 12-month period, indicating consistent effectiveness. Patient satisfaction remained high, with GICS scores reflecting positive outcomes. The safety profile was favorable, with no serious adverse events reported. The study highlighted the importance of anatomical knowledge to avoid complications, particularly in areas prone to blindness. CONCLUSIONS: PLLA fillers offer a safe, effective option for facial contour correction in the Asian population, achieving high patient satisfaction and maintaining results over time. The study underscores the need for tailored approaches in cosmetic procedures for Asians, considering their unique facial structures and aesthetic goals. Further research with larger, multicenter cohorts is recommended to validate these findings and explore long-term effects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Evaluating the efficacy of percutaneous puncture biopsy guided by contrast-enhanced ultrasound for peripheral pulmonary lesions.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and mortality of lung cancer have increased annually. Accurate diagnosis can help improve therapeutic efficacy of interventions and prognosis. Percutaneous lung biopsy is a reliable method for the clinical diagnosis of lung cancer. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous lung biopsy technology has been widely promoted and applied in recent years. AIM: To investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-guided percutaneous biopsy in peripheral pulmonary lesions. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on 237 patients with peripheral thoracic focal lesions who underwent puncture biopsy at Wuxi People's Hospital. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: The CEUS-guided before lesion puncture group (contrast group) and conventional ultrasound-guided group (control group). Analyze the diagnostic efficacy of the puncture biopsy, impact of tumor size, and number of puncture needles and complications were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Accurate pathological results were obtained for 92.83% (220/237) of peripheral lung lesions during the first biopsy, with an accuracy rate of 95.8% (113/118) in the contrast group and 89.9% (107/119) in the control group. The difference in the area under the curve (AUC) between the contrast and the control groups was not statistically significant (0.952 vs 0.902, respectively; P > 0.05). However, when the lesion diameter ≥ 5 cm, the diagnostic AUC of the contrast group was higher than that of the control group (0.952 vs 0.902, respectively; P < 0.05). In addition, the average number of puncture needles in the contrast group was lower than that in the control group (2.58 ± 0.53 vs 2.90 ± 0.56, respectively; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CEUS guidance can enhance the efficiency of puncture biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions, especially for lesions with a diameter ≥ 5 cm. Therefore, CEUS guidance has high clinical diagnostic value in puncture biopsy of peripheral focal lung lesions.

The effect and mechanism of patchouli alcohol on cognitive dysfunction in AD mice induced by Aß1-42 oligomers through AMPK/mTOR pathway.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that progressively impairs long-term and working memory. The function and mechanism of PA(Patchouli alcohol) in improving AD in the external treatment of encephalopathy remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of PA on AD using an Aß1-42 induced AD mouse model with LPS(Lipopolysaccharide) stimulation of BV2 microglial cells. Additionally, we aimed to explore the potential mechanism of PA in enhancing autophagy and reducing neuroinflammation through the AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase)/mTOR (Mammaliam target of rapamycin) signaling pathway. The Morris water maze was used to assess cognitive function, and cortical and hippocampal tissues were collected for further analysis of the corresponding signaling pathways and inflammatory changes through biological experiments. Our research findings demonstrate that PA has a significant positive impact on cognitive and memory impairments in mice that have been induced with Aß1-42-induced AD. Additionally, PA was also found to revert the activation of microglia induced by LPS. These effects may be attributed to the reduction of neuroinflammation and enhancement of the AMPK/mTOR autophagy pathway. Therefore, PA may serve as an effective therapeutic option to prevent or delay the progression of AD-associated memory dysfunction.

ShengqingJiangzhuo capsule ameliorates diabetic nephropathy by improving Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major contributor to end-stage renal failure, and lacking effective treatment options. Shengqing Jiangzhuo capsule (SQJZJN), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription with known efficacy in chronic kidney disease, has not been thoroughly investigated for its potential in DN protection. METHODS: Eight-week-old male C57BLKS/J db/db, C57BLKS/J db/m mice, and human glomerular mesangial cell (HMC) cells cultured with high glucose were used as experimental models in this study. RESULTS: The in vivo investigation showed that SQJZJN can significantly ameliorate renal pathological damage, reduce serum creatinine, and lower urinary microalbumin levels in db/db mice. In vitro, SQJZJN treatment mitigated advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to a reduction in renal cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, SQJZJN activated the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway by promoting nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase heavy subunit (γ-GCS), and Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expressions, while decreasing Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) expressions. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that SQJZJN exerts a protective effect on DN, potentially through the activation of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway.

Novel separate aeration self-circulating technology for continuous aerobic granular sludge process: Performance evaluation, hydrodynamic simulation and control strategy.

The continuous aerobic granular sludge (AGS) process is promising for upgrading existing wastewater treatment facilities. However, this approach is still challenging because of its complicated structure and operation. To address this issue, a novel separate aeration self-circulating technology (abbreviated as Zier) was proposed, which is promising for cultivating AGS by its outstanding upflow velocity and circulation multiplier (more than 30 m/h and 200, respectively). This study elaborated on the Zier reactor's feasibility, optimization, and control strategy through computational fluid dynamics simulations, theoretical calculations, and experiments. An appropriate flow regime for efficient removal of pollutant and granulation of sludge was attained at a superficial gas velocity of 1.3 cm/s. Moreover, optimizing the aeration column diameter to half of the reaction column and increasing the height/diameter ratio to 20 dramatically boosted the nitrogen removal capacity over 1.6 kg N/m3/d. Utilizing a smaller circulation pipe diameter ensured granulation under a consistent flow regime. By judiciously regulating, multiple CSTRs and PFRs seamlessly integrated within the Zier reactor across a broad spectrum of particle sludge. The validity of these findings was further substantiated through experimental and theoretical validations. Drawing from these findings, a multi-scenario control strategy was proposed as Zier's map. With all the superiorities shown by the Zier reactor, this study could offer new insights into an efficient continuous AGS process.

Unveiling drastic influence of cross-interactions in hydrothermal carbonization of spirulina with cellulose, lignin or poplar on nature of hydrochar and activated carbon.

Spirulina platensis contains abundant nitrogen-containing organics, which might react with derivatives of cellulose/lignin during hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), probably affecting yield, property of hydrochar, and pore development in activation of hydrochar. This was investigated herein by conducting co-HTC of spirulina platensis with cellulose, lignin, and sawdust at 260 °C and subsequent activation of the resulting hydrochars with K2C2O4 at 800 °C. The results showed that cross-condensation of spirulina platensis-derived proteins with cellulose/lignin-derived ketones and phenolics did take place in the co-HTC, forming more π-conjugated heavier organics, retaining more nitrogen species in hydrochar, reducing yields of hydrochar, making the hydrochar more aromatic and increasing the thermal stability and resistivity towards activation. This enhanced the yield of activated carbon (AC) by 7 %-20 % and significantly increased specific surface area of the AC from activation of hydrochar of spirulina platensis + lignin to 2074.5 m2/g (859.3 m2/g from spirulina platensis only and 1170.1 m2/g from lignin only). Furthermore, more mesopores from activation of hydrochar of spirulina platensis + cellulose (47 %) and more micropores from activation of hydrochar of spirulina + sawdust (93 %) was generated. The AC from spirulina platensis + lignin with the developed pore structures generated sufficient sites for adsorption of tetracycline from aqueous phase and minimized steric hindrance for mass transfer with the abundant mesopores (43 %).

Ag-Catalyzed Selective C-C Bond Activation of Cyclopropenones to Access α-Alkylidene Lactones.

A novel Ag-catalyzed ring opening of unsymmetric cyclopropenones for the stereoselective synthesis of a diverse range of α-alkylidene lactones has been developed. In this protocol, two different C-C(O) bonds were distinguished, demonstrating selective C-C bond activation. This reaction features a wide substrate scope, good functional group compatibility, and high atom economy, providing a versatile and general approach to the construction of α-alkylidene lactones.

Actin-bundling protein fimbrin serves as a new auxin biosynthesis orchestrator in Arabidopsis root tips.

Plants delicately regulate endogenous auxin levels through the coordination of transport, biosynthesis, and inactivation, which is crucial for growth and development. While it is well-established that the actin cytoskeleton can regulate auxin levels by affecting polar transport, its potential role in auxin biosynthesis has remained largely unexplored. Using LC-MS/MS-based methods combined with fluorescent auxin marker detection, we observed a significant increase in root auxin levels upon deletion of the actin bundling proteins AtFIM4 and AtFIM5. Fluorescent observation, immunoblotting analysis, and biochemical approaches revealed that AtFIM4 and AtFIM5 affect the protein abundance of the key auxin synthesis enzyme YUC8 in roots. AtFIM4 and AtFIM5 regulate the auxin synthesis enzyme YUC8 at the protein level, with its degradation mediated by the 26S proteasome. This regulation modulates auxin synthesis and endogenous auxin levels in roots, consequently impacting root development. Based on these findings, we propose a molecular pathway centered on the 'actin cytoskeleton-26S proteasome-YUC8-auxin' axis that controls auxin levels. Our findings shed light on a new pathway through which plants regulate auxin synthesis. Moreover, this study illuminates a newfound role of the actin cytoskeleton in regulating plant growth and development, particularly through its involvement in maintaining protein homeostasis via the 26S proteasome.

Depression increases the risk of gallstone: A cross-sectional study and Mendelian randomization analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gallstone, a common digestive disorder, poses a significant public health burden. Concurrently, depression is acknowledged as a health risk. However, limited information exists on depression's impact on gallstone formation. This study investigates depression's causal effect on gallstone risk. METHODS: Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, we conducted an observational study. The severity of depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Multivariable logistic regression and subgroup analyses explored the correlation between depression and gallstone risk. Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis, leveraging Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) data, reduced observational bias and elucidated causality. Inverse Variance Weighting (IVW) was the primary method, with sensitivity analyses validating results. RESULTS: In the observational study (7707 participants), gallstone risk was elevated in mild (OR: 1.58, 95 % CI 1.31-1.90, P < 0.001), moderate (OR: 2.07, 95 % CI 1.59-2.67, P < 0.001), and severe (OR: 2.41, 95 % CI 1.70-3.34, P < 0.001) depression groups (P for trend <0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed a stronger association in those under 65, females, non-Hispanic Black, individuals with obesity, smokers, and those with college education or higher. Mendelian Randomization indicated a causal link between genetically predicted depression and higher cholelithiasis risk (OR: 2.06, 95 % CI 1.34-3.17, P = 0.001), validated through sensitivity analyses and multi-cohort verification. CONCLUSION: Depression independently increases gallstone risk, particularly in those under 65, females, non-Hispanic Black, individuals with obesity, smokers, and those with college education or higher. Further validation is needed through multi-center, prospective cohort studies.

Identification of Two Linear Epitopes on MGF_110-13L Protein of African Swine Fever Virus with Monoclonal Antibodies.

African swine fever caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV) is an acute, highly contagious swine disease with high mortality. To facilitate effective vaccine development and find more serodiagnostic targets, fully exploring the ASFV antigenic proteins is urgently needed. In this study, the MGF_110-13L was identified as an immunodominant antigen among the seven transmembrane proteins. The main outer-membrane domain of MGF_110-13L was expressed and purified. Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs; 8C3, and 10E4) against MGF_110-13L were generated. The epitopes of two mAbs were preliminary mapped with the peptide fusion proteins after probing with mAbs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. And the two target epitopes were fine-mapped using further truncated peptide fusion protein strategy. Finally, the core sequences of mAbs 8C3 and 10E4 were identified as 48WDCQDGICKNKITESRFIDS67, and 122GDHQQLSIKQ131, respectively. The peptides of epitopes were synthesized and probed with ASFV antibody positive pig sera by a dot blot assay, and the results showed that epitope 10E4 was an antigenic epitope. The epitope 10E4 peptide was further evaluated as a potential antigen for detecting ASFV antibodies. To our knowledge, this is the first report of antigenic epitope information on the antigenic MGF_110-13L protein of ASFV.

Management of patient with Fusobacterim nucletum related pleural empyema: intrapleural antibiotic therapy can be considered for salvage therapy.

Pleural empyema can lead to significant morbidity and mortality despite chest drainage and antibiotic treatment, necessitating novel and minimally invasive interventions. Fusobacterium nucleatum is an obligate anaerobe found in the human oral and gut microbiota. Advances in sequencing and puncture techniques have made it common to detect anaerobic bacteria in empyema cases. In this report, we describe the case of a 65-year-old man with hypertension who presented with a left-sided encapsulated pleural effusion. Initial fluid analysis using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) revealed the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aspergillus chevalieri. Unfortunately, the patient experienced worsening pleural effusion despite drainage and antimicrobial therapy. Ultimately, successful treatment was achieved through intrapleural metronidazole therapy in conjunction with systemic antibiotics. The present case showed that intrapleural antibiotic therapy is a promising measure for pleural empyema.

Exploring the potential mechanism of WuFuYin against hypertrophic scar using network pharmacology and molecular docking.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic scar (HTS) is dermal fibroproliferative disorder, which may cause physiological and psychological problems. Currently, the potential mechanism of WuFuYin (WFY) in the treatment of HTS remained to be elucidated. AIM: To explore the potential mechanism of WFY in treating HTS. METHODS: Active components and corresponding targets were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. HTS-related genes were obtained from the GeneCards, DisGeNET, and National Center for Biotechnology Information. The function of targets was analyzed by performing Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) enrichment analysis. A protein + IBM-protein interaction (PPI) network was developed using STRING database and Cytoscape. To confirm the high affinity between compounds and targets, molecular docking was performed. RESULTS: A total of 65 core genes, which were both related to compounds and HTS, were selected from multiple databases. PPI analysis showed that CKD2, ABCC1, MMP2, MMP9, glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B), PRARG, MMP3, and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit gamma (PIK3CG) were the hub targets and MOL004941, MOL004935, MOL004866, MOL004993, and MOL004989 were the key compounds of WFY against HTS. The results of KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated that the function of most genes were enriched in the PI3K-Akt pathway. Moreover, by performing molecular docking, we confirmed that GSK3B and 8-prenylated eriodictyol shared the highest affinity. CONCLUSION: The current findings showed that the GSK3B and cyclin dependent kinase 2 were the potential targets and MOL004941, MOL004989, and MOL004993 were the main compounds of WFY in HTS treatment.