Bone marrow metastasis (BMM) from non-hematolymphoid malignancies with resultant cytopenia(s) can mimic primary hematolymphoid disorders. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of BMM from non-hematopoietic tumors.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with BMM by non-hematolymphoid malignancies at our institution over the past 10 years. Demographic and clinical characteristics, histopathological findings of bone marrow, types of metastatic tumors, and prognosis were analyzed.

A total of 54 cases were included. The four most common malignancies with BMM, regardless of gender, were prostatic adenocarcinoma (29.6%), breast carcinoma (25.9%), colorectal adenocarcinoma (5.5%), and lung carcinoma (5.5%). The main clinical and laboratory manifestations were anemia (90.7%), reticulocytosis (80.5%), thrombocytopenia (73.9%), bone pain (55.5%), disseminated intravascular coagulation (39.6%), leukoerythroblastosis (35.3%), and leukopenia (24%). The vast majority (96.3%) of metastatic tumors were identified by morphology alone; however, in approximately 2.7% of cases, immunohistochemistry was required due to subtle morphologic features. In 29.6% (16/54) of patients, BMM was identified prior to or concurrently with other metastatic sites. The median time interval between the initial diagnosis of non-hematolymphoid malignancies and BMM was 29 months. Although patients who received anti-tumor treatment after BMM diagnosis showed significantly improved prognosis (P < 0.01), no significant differences were observed between those treated with immunotherapy versus chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (P = 0.145).

Prostate and breast carcinomas are the most common malignancies associated with BMM, with anemia, reticulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia being the most frequent clinical manifestations. While our data demonstrate that anti-neoplastic treatments, regardless of regimen, significantly improve overall survival after BMM, no significant survival differences were observed when prostate and breast carcinomas were compared with other types of BMM.

Guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) is often used to evaluate evidence of food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) in children in primary care and gastroenterology settings; however, it has not been validated for this diagnosis, and little is known about the positivity rates in early infancy. In this study, we used samples from healthy asymptomatic infants aged two weeks to two months to evaluate the gFOBT positivity rate compared to those diagnosed with FPIAP.

This was a nested case-control study. Frozen stool samples from infants aged two days to five months enrolled in the Gastrointestinal Microbiome and Allergic Proctocolitis study were evaluated using gFOBT (n = 123). The results were interpreted by three blinded staff members, including a trained clinical research coordinator, a pediatric gastroenterologist, and an experienced medical assistant. Additionally, the samples were analyzed using a quantitative fecal immunochemical test (FIT) for hemoglobin to compare with gFOBT results.

Eight percent of samples from the 100 healthy asymptomatic infants were gFOBT positive (11% when including positive and equivocal results). Seventy-four percent of samples from infants diagnosed with FPIAP were gFOBT positive. The interrater reliability of gFOBT interpretation was 81%. Of the healthy samples that yielded a positive gFOBT result, 50% also yielded a positive FIT result. Of the 23 FPIAP samples that yielded a positive gFOBT result, 29% yielded a positive FIT result.

Healthy asymptomatic infants in early infancy were gFOBT positive up to 11% of the time. Caution should be used when interpreting gFOBT results in young infants in a diagnostic setting.

As the leading cause of chronic liver disease globally, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) lacks effective therapies. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms of oxytocin (OXT) in MASLD.

Integrated bioinformatics analysis of MASLD datasets was carried out to identify OXT-related metabolic disturbances. Serum OXT levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 113 MASLD patients and 63 healthy controls. Mechanistic assays were conducted using oleic acid (OA)-induced, lipid-loaded HepG2 cells and high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice, and OXT was administered intraperitoneally in vivo and supplemented in vitro.

Bioinformatics analysis revealed significant changes in OXT expression levels, particularly in fatty acid metabolism. Elevated OXT expression levels in MASLD patients were identified as an independent prognostic factor. In vitro, OXT significantly reduced OA-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells, while in vivo, it decreased body weight, liver injury, and serum cholesterol levels in high-fat diet-fed mice. Mechanistically, OXT enhanced the expression level of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and suppressed the levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS). Blockade of AMPK with the chemical inhibitor Compound C reversed the ability of OXT to suppress the SREBP1c/FAS axis and reduce lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Additionally, OXT inhibited the nuclear translocation of SREBP1c in OA-treated cells.

The findings demonstrate that OXT may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for MASLD by regulating the AMPK/SREBP1c/FAS pathway in lipid metabolism.

Microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer, which accounts for roughly 80–85% of cases, remains largely refractory to immune checkpoint inhibitors compared with microsatellite instability-high tumors. This review synthesizes current evidence on tumor-intrinsic and microenvironmental mechanisms underlying immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer—including low neoantigen burden and impaired antigen presentation, activation of Wnt/β-catenin and MAPK signaling that exclude T cells, an immunosuppressive cellular milieu (regulatory T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, M2-like tumor-associated macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts), metabolic reprogramming, and gut microbiome dysbiosis—and evaluates translational strategies aimed at overcoming these barriers. Preclinical and early-phase clinical data indicate that rational, mechanism-guided combinations (vascular normalization, myeloid reprogramming, metabolic inhibitors, antigen-priming approaches, and microbiome modulation) can enhance immune infiltration and produce benefits in biomarker-defined subgroups. Moving the field forward will require biomarker-driven, adaptive clinical trials with embedded translational endpoints to optimize patient selection and manage toxicity.

The association between chronic inflammation and cancer has reshaped our understanding of tumorigenesis and cancer therapy. Inflammatory responses can both promote and suppress cancer, depending on the context and timing. Key molecular players, such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, interleukin-6, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and a variety of immune cell types, including tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and regulatory T cells, orchestrate an environment conducive to tumor survival, angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune evasion. In recent years, immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, its success varies across tumor types and patients, underscoring the need to understand the tumor microenvironment and inflammatory context. This review examines the mechanistic underpinnings of inflammation-driven cancer, discusses translational research efforts targeting inflammatory pathways, and explores clinical applications, including the integration of immunotherapy with anti-inflammatory agents and biomarkers for personalized treatment. Future directions in the field include the application of artificial intelligence, microbiome research, single-cell technologies, and gene editing tools to further tailor therapies and overcome resistance mechanisms.

Alpinia calcarata (A. calcarata) Roscoe (Family: Zingiberaceae) is a rhizomatous perennial herb used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory conditions. This study aimed to develop a topical emulgel dosage form by incorporating the essential oil of A. calcarata rhizome and to investigate it’s in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. A thin-layer chromatographic fingerprint of the essential oil of A. calcarata rhizome was developed. Then, an emulsion base containing plant oil was formulated and incorporated within a Carbopol gel base. The physical characteristics of this formulation were evaluated subsequently. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of the emulgel was determined by in vitro blood cell membrane stabilization assay and thrombolytic activity assay. The results were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. The thin-layer chromatographic fingerprint of the test oil demonstrated several bands with unique retention factor values. The formulated herbal emulgel was white, viscous, and homogeneous in appearance. The spreadability was 118 g·cm/M, and the pH of the emulgel was 6.30 at 25°C. The A. calcarata emulgel significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited heat-induced in vitro hemolysis, with the highest activity at a 50 µg/mL dose (87.68 ± 0.35%) compared to the placebo. Furthermore, this activity was found to be dependent on the essential oil concentration (r2 = 0.99) of the emulgel. Therefore, it was concluded that the essential oil of A. calcarata rhizome is an effective active ingredient to be used in a topical emulgel formulation, whereas the diverse phytochemicals present in the essential oil would be the underlying source of its anti-inflammatory activity.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and research of soft tissue disorders, which include muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, nerves, and blood vessels. Traditional diagnostic methods often rely on imaging, histopathology, and clinical evaluation, which can be time-consuming and prone to human error. This review aims to explore the impact of AI on enhancing soft tissue care. The review examines the application of deep learning algorithms in medical imaging, pathology, predictive analytics, and treatment planning. It also evaluates AI’s role in monitoring and rehabilitation, as well as its contributions to research in soft tissue disorders. AI significantly improves the accuracy of medical imaging analysis, facilitating the detection of abnormalities such as tumors and tears. AI-powered pathology tools automate slide analysis, enhancing diagnostic consistency and efficiency. Predictive analytics enable early risk assessment and personalized patient management. In surgical contexts, AI supports preoperative simulations and robotic-assisted procedures, leading to improved outcomes. Additionally, AI enhances patient monitoring through wearable devices and telemedicine. The integration of AI into soft tissue diagnostics and therapeutics presents transformative potential for personalized and efficient healthcare. However, challenges related to data security, algorithm bias, interpretability, and ethical considerations must be addressed. Overall, AI holds promise for improving patient outcomes and advancing medical science in the field of soft tissue disorders.

Amaranth is conventionally consumed as a significant source of nutrients and bioactive compounds and is a potential alternate crop. The present study aimed to validate the folklore and ethnomedicinal claims regarding the utilization of foliar tissues of the pseudocereal Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. for their pharmacological propensities, primarily focusing on bioactive polyphenolic compounds and associated anti-degenerative properties, in view of the scarce evidence available on the same.

Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array assay of nineteen significant bioactive polyphenolic compounds, along with their in vitro antioxidant-based pharmacological properties (superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging properties, metal-chelating and reducing properties, radical scavenging properties, anti-lipid peroxidation and protein coagulation properties, and α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities), were assessed and compared for foliar extracts of ten promising experimental accessions of Amaranthus hypochondriacus, grown in two different seasons (summer and winter).

The results exhibited germplasm-specific variations in the pharmacological potential of foliar tissues of the experimental amaranths, which can be substantiated by data showing a close correlation between the abundance of bioactive polyphenolic compounds (naringin, myricetin, naringenin, apigenin, rutin, catechin, quercetin) and in vitro antioxidant (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging, reducing, and metal-chelating) properties, as well as anti-diabetic (inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities) and anti-inflammatory (anti-lipid peroxidation) attributes. Accessions IC107144 and IC47434 stood out as the most promising medicinal crops based on overall in vitro anti-degenerative properties and the bioavailability of polyphenolic compounds.

Overall, the results validated the traditional ethnomedicinal claim regarding the utilization of foliar tissues of the underutilized pseudocereal Amaranthus hypochondriacus L., and identified lead germplasms (IC107144 and IC47434) as low-cost natural sources of bioactive compounds, potentially promoting their pharmacological utilization.