Background: Dry medical thoracoscopy (MT) allows access into the pleural cavity in the absence of effusion; but its role, safety, and techniques remain poorly defined. This scoping review summarises current evidence on indications, procedural approaches, diagnostic yield, and safety of dry MT; and highlights gaps to guide future research. Methods: We conducted a scoping review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched for original studies reporting on dry MT involving pneumothorax induction. Study selection and data extraction followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Results: Thirteen studies involving 357 patients were included. 146 cases (40.9%) were completely ‘dry’ (complete absence of pleural fluid). Techniques for pneumothorax induction varied, including blunt dissection, Veress needle, Boutin needle, bladeless trocar, Saugman cannula and guidewire-assisted catheter insertion. Procedural success ranged from 80.6% to 100%, though definitions were inconsistently reported. Thoracic ultrasound was frequently used for site selection and needle guidance, but standardised criteria were lacking. Malignancy and chronic pleurisy were common histological findings. Complications occurred in 5.9% of cases, most commonly chest pain. No studies reported long-term follow-up. Conclusion Dry MT appears technically feasible and generally safe. Heterogeneity in techniques, outcome definitions, and limited follow-up constrain further interpretation. Future studies should aim to standardise procedural definitions, evaluate predictors of success, and compare pneumothorax induction methods. Prospective research with long-term outcomes is needed to definite the role of dry MT more clearly.

A biosynthetic gene cluster for the bioactive fungal sesterterpenoids variecolin ( 1) and variecolactone ( 2) was identified in Aspergillus aculeatus ATCC 16872. Heterologous production of 1 and 2 was achieved in Aspergillus oryzae by expressing the sesterterpene synthase VrcA and the cytochrome P450 VrcB. Intriguingly, the replacement of VrcB with homologous P450s from other fungal terpenoid pathways yielded three new variecolin analogues ( 5- 7). Analysis of the compounds' anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo revealed that although 5 and 1 had comparable activities, 5 was associated with significantly reduced toxic side effects in cancer-bearing mice, indicating its potentially broader therapeutic window. Our study describes the first tests of variecolin and its analogues in animals and demonstrates the utility of synthetic biology for creating molecules with improved biological activities.

Wound care has become increasingly important over the years. Various synthetic products for wound care treatment have been reported to cause toxic side effects and therefore natural products are in significant demand as they have minimal side effects. The presence of bioactive compounds in medicinal mushrooms contributes to various biological activities which assist in the early inflammatory phase, keratinocyte proliferation, and its migration enhancement which are pertinent to wound rehabilitation. Lignosus rhinocerus (tiger milk mushroom) can reduce the inflammation phase in wound healing by fighting off bacterial infection and modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines expression in the early stage to avoid prolonged inflammation and tissue damage. The antibacterial, immunomodulating, and antiinflammatory activities exhibited by most macrofungi play a key role in enhancing wound healing. Several antibacterial and antifungal compounds sourced from traditional botanicals/-products may prevent further complications and reoccurrence of injury to a wounded site.Scientific studies are actively underway to ascertain the potential use of macrofungi as a wound healing agent.

Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists ; Consensus ; Cardiovascular System ; Cardiology ; Asia