Liver X receptor α (LXRα), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is identified as a protein activated by ligands that interacts with the promoters of specific genes. It regulates cholesterol, bile acid, and lipid metabolism in normal physiological processes, and it participates in the development of some related diseases. However, many studies have demonstrated that LXRα is also involved in regulating numerous human malignancies. Aberrant LXRα expression is emerging as a fundamental and pivotal factor in cancer cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and metastasis. Herein, we outline the expression levels of LXRα between tumor tissues and normal tissues via the Oncomine and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) 2.0 databases; summarize emerging insights into the roles of LXRα in the development, progression, and treatment of different human cancers and their diversified mechanisms; and highlight that LXRα can be a biomarker and therapeutic target in diverse cancers.

Background: We aim to investigate the characteristics of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with HBV-related acute on chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). Methods: A total of 44 patients with probable IPA were selected as the case group, and another 88 patients without lung infections were chosen as the control group. Results: HBV-ACLF patients with probable IPA had more significant 90-day mortality (38.6% vs. 15.9%, p = 0.0022) than those without. The white blood cell (WBC) count was the independent factor attributed to the IPA development [odds ratio (OR) 1.468, p = 0.027]. Respiratory failure was associated with the mortality of HBV-ACLF patients with IPA [OR 26, p = 0.000]. Twenty-seven patients received voriconazole or voriconazole plus as an antifungal treatment. Plasma voriconazole concentration measurements were performed as therapeutic drug monitoring in 55.6% (15/27) of the patients. The drug concentrations exceeded the safe range with a reduced dosage. Conclusions: The WBC count might be used to monitor patients’ progress with HBV-ACLF and IPA. The presence of IPA increases the 90-day mortality of HBV-ACLF patients mainly due to respiratory failure. An optimal voriconazole regimen is needed for such critical patients, and voriconazole should be assessed by closely monitoring blood levels.

Mycobacterium tilburgii is a nonculturable, nontuberculous mycobacterium that occasionally causes serious infections in individuals with immune deficiencies. Owing to its nonculturable nature, its antimicrobial susceptibility has not been assessed, and the optimal treatment regimen is unclear. Herein, we report a case of disseminated M. tilburgii infection in a person with AIDS, identified using metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A 33-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of abdominal pain, lymphadenopathy, intermittent night hot flashes, night sweats, and weight loss. No pathogen was detected during initial routine investigations. M. tilburgii was subsequently identified in a left cervical lymph node sample using mNGS. Furthermore, M. tilburgii infection was detected in a bone marrow sample based on PCR of 16S rRNA and hsp65 gene sequencing. The person was treated with a combination of moxifloxacin, clarithromycin, ethambutol, rifabutin, and amikacin. The laboratory results improved, and the patient's symptoms resolved. M. tilburgii may be missed in diagnostic tests because it cannot be grown using routine culture techniques. Early diagnosis and timely and effective treatment are critical in patients with M. tilburgii infection; therefore, molecular techniques are recommended for patients with suspected M. tilburgii infection.

"On evaluation at our institution, his body temperature was 36.5 °C, with a pulse of 110 beats per minute, blood pressure of 98/72 mmHg, and a breath of 20 times/min. Hematology showed a hemoglobin level of 88 g/L, a white blood cell count of 7.06×10 9 /L, 89.2 % neutrophils, and 6.9 % lymphocytes. Chest CT revealed a small mass (1.4 x 0.9 cm) in the anterior lobe of the left superior lung, bronchial wall truncation, and peripheral pleural stretch (Figure 1I)."The corrected sentence appears below: "[The patient was a 68-year-old man with a smoking history of 40 years. He had been diagnosed as having LUSC (cT3N0M0 IIB) by percutaneous needle lung biopsy in December 2023 at the local hospital. The pathology report showed P40 (+), pan-CK (AE1/AE3) (+), TTF-1 (-), NapsinA (-), CgA (-), CD56 (-), and Ki-67 (60 % +) (Figures 1A-F). A contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a subpleural soft tissue density shadow in the anterior segment of the left upper lobe, with a maximum cross-sectional dimension of approximately 3.4 x 3.1 cm (Figure 1G). Then he had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel (400 mg d1), carboplatin (400 mg d1), and tislelizumab (200 mg d1; BeiGene, China) Q3W in December 2023 at the local hospital. The first session of treatment went well, with no significant adverse effects. After the second dose of treatment in February 2024, he developed hyperthyroidism and then hypothyroidism and was given metoprolol succinate followed by levothyroxine. A follow-up CT scan showed significant reduction in the mass size (Figure 1H). In March 2024, he experienced nausea, poor appetite, and abnormal liver function markers and was admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University in April 2024. The time axis of diagnosis and treatment of the patient is shown in Figure 2. Since November 2023, he had been on atorvastatin calcium and aspirin for cerebral infarction without limb movement issues. He stopped atorvastatin in March 2024 due to liver function abnormalities.On evaluation at our institution, his body temperature was 36.5 °C, with a pulse of 110 beats per minute, blood pressure of 98/72 mmHg, and a breath of 20 times/min. Hematology showed a hemoglobin level of 88 g/L, a white blood cell count of 7.06×10 9 /L, 89.2 % neutrophils, and 6.9 % lymphocytes. Chest CT revealed a small mass (1.4 x 0.9 cm) in the anterior lobe of the left superior lung, bronchial wall truncation, and peripheral pleural stretch (Figure 1I).]"The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated.