Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor of the salivary glands. Histologically, it is characterized by the presence of both epithelial and mesenchymal elements and may contain various metaplastic changes. This paper reported a case of pleomorphic adenoma with extensive mucinous metaplasia, which is histologically very similar to mucoepi- dermoid carcinoma. Pleomorphic adenoma with extensive mucinous and squamous differentiation may be misdiagnosed as mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry was ineffective in differential diagnosis, and the diagnosis was confirmed by the absence of mastermind like transcriptional coactivator 2 (MAML2) translocation. The detection of MAML2 translocation can help avoid misdiagnosis of MEC in similar cases. Additionally, the published literature on metaplasia on pleomorphic adenoma was also reviewed and summarized.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. While a substantial fraction of patients are cured with frontline chemoimmunotherapy, approximately 30% of cases subsequently relapse. DLBCL immune evasion and refractory disease can occur via several mechanisms: downregulation or loss of major histocompatibility complex expression, immune checkpoint activation, tumor microenvironment modulation, and resistance to apoptosis. Addressing these mechanisms of immune evasion in DLBCL has been a focus of ongoing research, leading to the exploration of new therapies. Here, we review the mechanisms of immune evasion and novel immunotherapy treatment strategies for DLBCL.

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, growing concerns have emerged about the mental health of children and youth. Disease, loss, and lockdowns presented young people with enormous stressors, and much research suggests elevated levels of pediatric depression, anxiety, suicidality, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. However, considerable debate remains about the nature and persistence of these symptoms. This narrative review, conducted approximately four years after the onset of the pandemic, summarizes the major findings from four years of research, including empirical studies, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. Studies were sourced from scholarly databases using the keywords “COVID-19”, “children”, “adolescents”, and “mental health”. The existing literature on the prevalence of depression in youth indicated that worldwide rates varied from 2.2% to 11.8% of the population, with one study revealing that one in four young people reported depressive symptoms. More specifically, 44% of youth in the United States demonstrated depression, while in China, the prevalence rate ranged from 11% to 44% of young people. Reviewed data showed that 20% of youth globally endorsed symptoms of anxiety or stress reactions, with countries such as Denmark (44%), Canada (45%), and the United States (32%) reporting extremely high rates. In the implications section, recommendations for screening and intervention procedures are outlined.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) still represent a significant medical challenge. The course of IBD is characterized by the development of fibrotic, inflammatory, or dysplastic lesions over time. Recent advancements in operative endoscopy have introduced new strategies to address these issues. Inflammatory and fibrotic strictures pose a challenge for clinicians and represent a surgical risk. Endoscopic treatments include dilation, stent placement, and electroincisional techniques. Moreover, endoscopic approaches can also be considered in the management of IBD-related surgical complications. Addressing colorectal dysplastic lesions is a crucial concern, and several resection endoscopic techniques are available, including endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection. This review aimed to summarize the pros and cons of advanced therapeutic endoscopic approaches in the management of IBD.

Liver cancer, also identified as hepatic cell carcinoma, is the fifth most prevalent kind of malignancy globally and the fourth foremost cause of cancer-associated mortality. The development and progression of liver cancer are complex processes that involve multiple genetic and environmental factors. As the diagnosis of liver cancer is still worse, with late-stage patients facing a less than 20% 5-year survival rate, there is a critical need for the development of new and effective therapeutic approaches for liver cancer. Mitochondrial alterations and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have long been associated with cancer pathogenesis, including liver cancer. These alterations not only disrupt cellular bioenergetics but also deteriorate the situation by modifying tumor suppressors and oncogenic proteins. Excessive reactive oxygen species generation and flaws in mitochondrial enzymes are among the factors responsible for mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, perturbed microRNA levels have also been linked to mtDNA dysfunction and reactive oxygen species generation. Various pharmacological approaches to target mitochondrial dysfunction and mtDNA mutations in cancer have been proposed as potential therapeutic strategies. These approaches include targeting the electron transport chain, which is responsible for the production of adenosine triphosphate in the mitochondria, or transcriptional inhibition of various proteins involved in the mitochondrial biogenesis pathway. Overall, mtDNA is a crucial component of the cell, and alterations in mtDNA make it an attractive target for therapeutic interventions. Hence, we advocate that understanding the role of mtDNA in cancer pathogenesis is important for the development of targeted therapies for these disorders.

Cancer is thought to be the second most prevalent and leading cause of mortality worldwide, affecting both men and women among other chronic diseases. While there are several treatment options available, significant strains, side effects, and resistance have led researchers to focus on finding novel alternative medications for cancer treatment. Antioxidants and the immunomodulatory activities of medicinal plants are studied and considered to have anti-cancer effects. Medicinal plants contain diverse phytoconstituents as natural drugs, which possess numerous medicinal properties used for treating and preventing various illnesses. These phytoconstituents work through several mechanisms to target and kill cancer cells. Anticancer mechanisms include suppression and arrest of the G0/G1 phase, acting as anti-mitotic and anti-microtubule agents, enhancing the activity of macrophages, inhibiting cancer cells through various signaling cascades, anti-angiogenesis, and cytotoxicity. Investigating botanical sources and their metabolites can uncover new chemical entities for cancer treatment at the molecular target level and provide future interventions in cancer therapy. This article summarizes a few medicinal plants and their mechanisms of action for their anticancer potential. Furthermore, we discuss the future prospects and limitations of using medicinal plants in cancer treatment.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), an enduring neurodegenerative malady, contributes significantly to dementia cases, with late-onset AD being more common than early-onset AD. Despite extensive research to diagnose and treat AD, the intricate protein network impedes the development of efficacious drugs or targets. This study endeavored to identify previously undiscovered genetic reservoirs associated with AD progression, which could be targeted as therapeutic markers.

Employing the robust tools of R-language, we dissected vast RNA sequence datasets comprising numerous samples and thousands of genes, pinpointing potential candidates implicated in AD’s trajectory. Thus, we selected the GSE203206 dataset, which includes AD patients and non-dementia controls, based on our criteria. After normalization, RNA-Seq data was compared, and log2fold change was calculated to determine the highly dysregulated genes. Further network analysis of genes and their associated miRNA was performed to determine a characteristic change in control and patient groups.

Differential expression analysis revealed 13 dysregulated genes in AD, wherein 12 were upregulated, and one was down-regulated. Furthermore, we identified hsa-miR-30-5p as a significant miRNA associated with AD, aligning with previous studies and highlighting its high involvement.

This investigation has unveiled four novel genes and a paramount miRNA implicated in AD, thus furnishing potential targets for therapeutic interventions. These discoveries pave the way for further exploration into the intricate functions and implications of these genetic entities in AD.

Disorders of blood lipids and lipoproteins are a global problem and a high-risk factor for atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This article presents data on the influence of inflammation on proatherogenic disorders of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, with an emphasis on proinflammatory cytokines. It analyzes the blood lipid profile in RA patients and identifies the need to study subfractions of high-density lipoproteins and their function in reverse cholesterol transport in RA patients as a more promising direction for clarifying cardiovascular risk. Depending on their type and metabolites, lipids may either promote disease progression or protect against RA. Supported by the close connection between altered lipid metabolism and chronic autoimmune inflammation, specific lipid profiles are emerging as unique disease biomarkers with diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic potential. Studying the influence of the immunoinflammatory process on lipids and lipoproteins in the blood of patients with RA will not only deepen knowledge about the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation but also expand understanding of the pathogenetic and prognostic significance of lipids, allowing for early diagnosis of dyslipidemia in RA at a qualitatively new level.

In recent years, global warming has led to regionally high temperatures, causing lasting and extreme impacts in some areas of China. Cases of heat stroke and even fatalities have been seen in many parts of the country. Traditional Chinese medicine considers heat stroke to be a type of summerheat stroke, which belongs to the extreme heat of the Yang. Bloodletting therapy is a classical treatment in traditional Chinese medicine. Bloodletting involves puncturing certain acupoints or small epidermal veins to release a small amount of blood to dredge the channel and clear heat-fire, thus lowering a patient’s body temperature. Therefore, studying bloodletting therapy as a treatment for heat stroke has significance. Here, we analyzed the core acupoint prescriptions and the application characteristics of bloodletting therapy for the treatment of heat stroke. Our review provides a basis for the selection of acupoints and treatment methods for the clinical use of bloodletting therapy for heat stroke.

Isofraxidin, an important coumarin compound found in the medicinal plant Sarcandra glabra, is reported to have anti-inflammatory activity. However, its natural concentration is insufficient to meet the existing demand for this valuable molecule. Therefore, biotechnological approaches are necessary to enhance the isofraxidin content.

Endophytes were isolated from the roots, stems, and leaves of Sarcandra glabra and fermented with Sarcandra glabra, respectively. The target strains capable of increasing isofraxidin content were screened using high-performance liquid chromatography. Their genes were amplified, and the polymerase chain reaction products were sequenced. BLAST analysis was used to compare the sequences with those in GenBank, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed for species identification.

Fifteen endophytic bacteria and six endophytic fungi were isolated from the roots, stems, and leaves of Sarcandra glabra. Among them, Enterobacter, Bacillus wiedmannii, Trametes versicolor from the roots, and Diaporthe celeris and Diaporthe hongkongensis from the leaves increased the isofraxidin content in Sarcandra glabra. The isofraxidin content in Sarcandra glabra fermented by endophytes Enterobacter, Bacillus wiedmannii, Trametes versicolor, Diaporthe celeris, and Diaporthe hongkongensis was 1.37, 1.27, 1.11, 1.40, and 1.16 times higher than in the blank samples, respectively.

The fermentation of Sarcandra glabra with specific endophytes can increase its isofraxidin content. These findings provide preliminary scientific evidence for the potential of using microorganisms to enhance the quality of traditional Chinese medicine.