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Objective Based on the clinical study of patients infected after percutaneous vertebral augmentation procedures (PVAP), the infection related factors and clinical characteristics were analyzed to provide basis for early prevention and diagnosis. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the diagnosis and treatment process and prognosis of 5 patients with infection after PVAP in Shanghai Ninth Peaple's Hospital from December 2017 to November 2023. Results There were 3 males and 2 females, aged 68-81 years, with an average age of 74.8 years. The time from operation to infection was 5-24 months. All patients presented with low back pain, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7-8. All patients had imited thoracolumbar movement, local tenderness and percussion pain. Four patients had nerve symptoms such as decreased muscle strength in both lower limbs to varying degrees, 2 of which accompanied by defecation disorder. In laboratory tests, white blood cell (WBC) count was (4.0-7.3）×109/L, C-reactive protein (CRP) was 1.51-66.00 mg/dL, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 2-94 mm/1 h, and procalcitonin (PCT) was 0.10-0.40 ng/mL. X-ray, CT and MRI indicated the manifestations of infection, etiology and pathology confirmed 4 cases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, of which 1 case was complicated with Acinetobacter baumannii, and the other case was diagnosed with Staphylococcus epidermidis. At the last follow-up, 2 patients died of complications, 3 patients were relieved of low back pain after surgery combined with drug treatment, body temperature was normal and inflammatory indicators were within the normal reference value range, and imaging examination showed no signs of infection. Conclusion Adequate preoperative assessment， symptomatic treatment of complications, and standard operation during the operation can reduce the incidence of infection after PVAP. If infection occurs, early diagnosis and systematic treatment can obtain good results.

Toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems in bacteria are key regulators of the cell cycle and can activate a death response under stress conditions. Like other bacterial elements, TA modules have been widely exploited for biotechnological purposes in diverse applications, such as molecular cloning and anti-cancer therapies. However, their use in plants has been limited, leaving room for the development of new approaches. In this study, we examined two TA systems previously tested in plants, MazEF and YefM-YoeB, and identified interesting differences between them, likely related to their modes of action. We engineered modifications to these specific modules to transform them into molecular switches that can be activated by a protease, inducing necrosis in the plant cells where they are expressed. Finally, we demonstrated the antiviral potential of the modified TA modules by using, as a proof-of-concept, the potyvirus plum pox virus as an activator of the death phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a significant challenge in oncology, with increasing incidence and mortality rates worldwide, particularly among younger adults. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, the urgent need for more effective therapies persists. Immunotherapy has emerged as a beacon of hope, offering the potential for improved outcomes and quality of life. This review delves into the critical interplay between ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, and immunotherapy within the CRC context. Ferroptosis's influence extends beyond tumor cell fate, reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME) to enhance immunotherapy's efficacy. Investigations into Ferroptosis-related Genes (OFRGs) reveal their pivotal role in modulating immune cell infiltration and TME composition, closely correlating with tumor responsiveness to immunotherapy. The integration of ferroptosis inducers with immunotherapeutic strategies, particularly through novel approaches like ferrotherapy and targeted co-delivery systems, showcases promising avenues for augmenting treatment efficacy. Furthermore, the expression patterns of OFRGs offer novel prognostic tools, potentially guiding personalized and precision therapy in CRC. This review underscores the emerging paradigm of leveraging ferroptosis to bolster immunotherapy's impact, highlighting the need for further research to translate these insights into clinical advancements. Through a deeper understanding of the ferroptosis-immunotherapy nexus, new therapeutic strategies can be developed, promising enhanced efficacy and broader applicability in CRC treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life in the face of this formidable disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]