What is the role of circRNAs in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer? A systematic literature review.

Cervical Cancer (CC) is one of the most prevalent neoplasms among women, considered the leading cause of gynecological death worldwide, and the fourth most common type of cancer. Regional metastasis is closely related to the low effectiveness of treatment, and validating biomarkers can optimize accuracy in diagnosis and prognosis. Among the potential biomarkers associated with disease metastasis are circular RNAs (circRNAs), whose altered expression has been linked to CC progression. In this context, this systematic review aims to compile information on the clinical-pathological significance and describe the biological function of circRNAs. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to include relevant literature, followed by in silico analysis. Additionally, we employed the UALCAN tools to search for host genes of circRNAs and expression data, miRTargetLink 2.0 to predict interactions of microRNA target genes and the Cytoscape software to predict possible interactions of microRNA target genes. According to the research, most circRNAs were found to be overexpressed and described as regulators of processes such as invasion, cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration. They were also implicated in clinical significance, including metastasis, TNM staging and microRNA interactions. CircRNAs may participate in critical processes in tumorigenesis; therefore, understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of gene regulation in CC can contribute to the accuracy of diagnosis, prognosis and therapy.

What is the Role of SNORA42 in Carcinogenesis? A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Perform a systematic literature review on SNORA42 in carcinogenesis in order to elucidate its importance, its potential use as a biomarker and as a therapeutic target. METHODS: Using PubMed, SciELO and Science Direct databases as search means, articles that are in line with the scope of the study, written in English, that were published between 2012 and 2022, were selected using the following keywords: "small nucleolar RNA 42", "snoRNA 42" and "SNORA42", as well as searches for the synonyms of this snoRNA (SNORA80E, box H/ACA 42 and ACA42). RESULT: From a total of 131 studies, seven were selected, in which it was possible to identify that SNORA42 interferes in several biological processes, such as proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, and signaling pathways. Among the signaling pathways, the p53 and NF-KappaB pathways stand out. Moreover, it is a potential biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer. CONCLUSION: The summary of the main information about SNORA42 in the process of carcinogenesis and cancer progression shows that the use of this snoRNA is ideal for future applications in the field of oncology, in which it can be used as a biomarker and therapeutic target. Thus, it is of fundamental importance to carry out new studies to consolidate the applicability of this molecule.

Identification and seasonality of rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus in asthmatic children in tropical climate.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is a disease that has been associated with the presence of different genetic and socio-environmental factors. OBJECTIVE: To identify and evaluate the seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human rhinovirus (RV) in asthmatic children and adolescents in tropical climate, as well as to assess the socioeconomic and environmental factors involved. METHODS: The study was conducted in a referral hospital, where a total of 151 children were recruited with a respiratory infection. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) protocol and a questionnaire were applied, and a skin prick test was performed. The nasal swab was collected to detect RV and RSV through molecular assay. National Meteorological Institute (INMET) database was the source of climatic information. RESULTS: The socio-environmental characterization of asthmatic children showed the family history of allergy, disturbed sleep at night, dry cough, allergic rhinitis, individuals sensitized to at least one mite. We identified RV in 75% of children with asthma and 66.7% of RSV in children with asthma. There was an association between the presence of RV and the dry season whereas the presence of the RSV was associated with the rainy season. Contributing to these results, a negative correlation was observed between the RSV and the wind speed and the maximum temperature (T. Max) and a positive correlation with precipitation. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a high prevalence of RV and RSV in asthmatic children and the seasonality of these viruses were present in different climatic periods. This has significant implications for understanding short- and long-term clinical complications in asthmatic patients.

High frequency of chlamydia pneumoniae and risk factors in children with acute respiratory infection

This study was performed as a contribution for a better understanding of Chlamydia pneumoniae frequency in children with respiratory infections. A total of 416 children were recruited from two clinical centers in Sao Luis, Brazil. Of these patients, 165 children had upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), 150 had community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and 101 were asymptomatic volunteer children. Clinical and epidemiological data from the participants were recorded. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected to extract DNA. C. pneumoniae DNA positivity and copy numbers were obtained by an absolute quantitative real-time PCR method. RESULTS: Positivity for C. pneumoniae DNA was higher in samples from URTI children (38.2%) and from CAP children (18.0%) than in those from the control group (7.9%; p < 0.001). Moreover, C. pneumoniae DNA was denser in children with URTI than in asymptomatic children. Considering the cutoff, the highest value of C. pneumoniae DNA found in asymptomatic children of the 3.98 log10 copies/mL, 8.5% (14/165) of the children with URTI, and 3.3% (5/150) with CAP presented high copy numbers of C. pneumoniae DNA. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results revealed a high frequency of C. pneumoniae in both children with URTI and CAP.

High frequency of Chlamydia pneumoniae and risk factors in children with acute respiratory infection.

This study was performed as a contribution for a better understanding of Chlamydia pneumoniae frequency in children with respiratory infections. A total of 416 children were recruited from two clinical centers in Sao Luis, Brazil. Of these patients, 165 children had upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), 150 had community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and 101 were asymptomatic volunteer children. Clinical and epidemiological data from the participants were recorded. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected to extract DNA. C. pneumoniae DNA positivity and copy numbers were obtained by an absolute quantitative real-time PCR method. RESULTS: Positivity for C. pneumoniae DNA was higher in samples from URTI children (38.2%) and from CAP children (18.0%) than in those from the control group (7.9%; p < 0.001). Moreover, C. pneumoniae DNA was denser in children with URTI than in asymptomatic children. Considering the cutoff, the highest value of C. pneumoniae DNA found in asymptomatic children of the 3.98 log10 copies/mL, 8.5% (14/165) of the children with URTI, and 3.3% (5/150) with CAP presented high copy numbers of C. pneumoniae DNA. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results revealed a high frequency of C. pneumoniae in both children with URTI and CAP.

Lectin-Carbohydrate Interactions: Implications for the Development of New Anticancer Agents.

Lectins are a large group of proteins found in animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria that recognize specific carbohydrate targets and play an important role in cell recognition and communication, host-pathogen interactions, embryogenesis, and tissue development. Recently, lectins have emerged as important biomedical tools that have been used in the development of immunomodulatory, antipathogenic, and anticancer agents. Several lectins have been shown to have the ability to discriminate between normal cells and tumor cells as a result of their different glycosylation patterns. Furthermore, the specific binding of lectins to cancer cells has been shown to trigger mechanisms that can promote the death of these abnormal cells. Here, we review the importance of lectins-carbohydrates interactions in cancer therapy and diagnosis. We examine the use of lectins in the modification of nanoparticles (liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles and other polymers) for anticancer drug delivery. The development of drug delivery systems (liposomes, alginate/chitosan microcapsules, alginate beads) carrying some antitumor lectins is also discussed. In these cases, the processes of cell death induced by these antitumor lectins were also showed (if available). In both cases (lectin-conjugated polymers or encapsulated lectins), these new pharmaceutical preparations showed improved intracellular delivery, bioavailability and targetability leading to enhanced therapeutic index and significantly less side effects.