Alteration in the Expression of Circular Rnas and its association with the Development and Progression of Osteosarcoma, an Integrative Review with High Sensitivity Research.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor, mainly affecting children, young adults, and the elderly. It is an aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis, exhibiting low survival rates even with standard treatment. Recently, circular RNA molecules capable of influencing gene expression through various functions, with their main role being acting as microRNA sponges and reducing their intracellular expression, have been identified. Recent studies have linked circular RNAs to osteosarcoma development and progression. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the alteration in circular RNA expression during osteosarcoma development and progression. METHODS: An integrative literature review was conducted from September 10th to November 12th, 2021, using the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, OVID, and EMBASE. 129 full articles were included in the review. The obtained data were organized using a standardized data collection instrument, which included the following information: altered expression profile of circular RNAs, associated cancer hallmarks, clinical-pathological relationships of circular RNAs, and perspectives on the studied circular RNAs. RESULTS: A total of 94 distinct circular RNAs were identified, predominantly showing an increased expression pattern. Approximately 91% of the studies that aimed to identify the mechanisms of action of circular RNAs highlighted the function of circular RNAs as microRNA sponges. The most associated cancer hallmarks with the identified circular RNAs were proliferative signaling induction, invasion and metastasis, and resistance to cell death. The altered expression of these circular RNAs generally correlated with a worse prognosis for patients, as evidenced by clinical features such as shorter survival, advanced Enneking and/or TNM stage, higher incidence of metastasis, larger tumor size, and increased chemoresistance. CONSLUSION: These findings indicate the significance of circular RNA molecules in osteosarcoma carcinogenesis, suggesting their potential as new prognostic and/or diagnostic biomarkers, as well as alternative therapeutic targets in the fight against osteosarcoma.

The Role of Extracellular Traps in HIV Infection.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is still an important public health problem, which justifies the research of new therapies to combat it. Recent studies show that Extracellular Traps (ETs) are cellular mechanisms useful in the capture and destruction of some viruses, such as the HIV. Here, we show that neutrophils from peripheral blood, genital tissues, and placenta are activated when exposed to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and release Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs). The NETs can capture, neutralize, and inactivate the virus and, also, protect other target cells from HIV infection, as long as the DNA and other constituents of the NETs remain intact. Further, the review indicates that the immunoprotective role of NETs in the context of HIV-1 infection is a promising finding for the development of new antiviral therapies. It is necessary, however, the development of studies that evaluate the tissue injury that NETs can cause and the biological relationships with other cells to improve them as therapeutic targets.

O papel dos RNAs longos não codificantes na insuficiência cardíaca: uma revisão de literatura / The role of non-coding long RNAs in heart failure: a literature review / El papel de las RNAs largas no codificantes en la insuficiencia cardiaca: una revisión de la literatura

A Insuficiência Cardíaca (IC) é uma das principais causas de internação hospitalar no mundo e tem um elevado grau de morbidade e mortalidade, sendo um grave problema de saúde pública. Os lncRNAs (RNAs longo não codificantes), têm funções regulatórias transcricionais e/ou pós transcricionais bem complexas e que ainda não são totalmente claras, mas que podem exercer influência sobre as doenças cardiovasculares, dentre elas a IC. Assim o estudo teve como objetivo identificar na literatura o papel dos lncRNAs na patogênese da IC por meio de uma revisão integrativa com busca sistemática. Foram considerados elegíveis para leitura e composição do estudo 33 artigos e os principais papéis dos lncRNA na IC foram relatados como possíveis marcadores biológicos para diagnóstico e prognóstico da doença devido a sua expressividade na corrente sanguínea. Além disso, os lncRNAs podem estar relacionados à capacidade funcional uma vez que o aumento ou diminuição de sua expressão promove redução da apoptose de células endoteliais, melhora a disfunção cardíaca, distúrbios de contratilidade e dos canais de cálcio em pacientes com IC. Portanto, os lncRNAs parecem estar envolvidos na patogênese e/ou fisiopatologia da IC, podendo ser utilizados como biomarcadores genéticos com sensibilidade e especificidade semelhantes ou superiores aos empregados atualmente no diagnóstico e prognóstico da IC.

Heart Failure (HF) is one of the main causes of hospitalization worldwide and has a high degree of morbidity and mortality being considered a public health pro- blem. lncRNAs (non-coding long RNAs) have very complex transcriptional and/or post- transcriptional regulatory functions that are still not entirely clear but may influence car- diovascular diseases, including HF. Thus, the study aimed to identify in the literature the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of HF through an integrative review with a systema- tic search. A total of 33 articles were considered eligible for reading and composition of the study. The roles of lncRNA in HF were reported as possible biological markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease due to its expressiveness in the bloodstream. In addition, lncRNAs may be related to functional capacity since the increase or decrease in their expression promotes a reduction in endothelial cell apoptosis, and improves car- diac dysfunction, contractility, and calcium channel disorders in patients with HF. The- refore, lncRNAs seem to be involved in the pathogenesis and/or pathophysiology of HF and can be used as genetic biomarkers with sensitivity and specificity similar or superior to those currently employed in the diagnosis and prognosis of HF.

La Insuficiencia Cardiaca (IC) es una de las principales causas de hospita- lización en el mundo y tiene un alto grado de morbimortalidad considerándose un pro- blema de salud pública. Los lncRNAs (ARN largos no codificantes) tienen funciones re- guladoras transcripcionales y/o post-transcripcionales muy complejas que aún no están del todo claras pero que pueden influir en las enfermedades cardiovasculares, incluida la IC. Así pues, el estudio se propuso identificar en la literatura el papel de los lncRNAs en la patogénesis de la IC mediante una revisión integradora con una búsqueda sistemática. Un total de 33 artículos fueron considerados elegibles para su lectura y composición del estudio. Las funciones de los lncRNA en la IC se señalaron como posibles marcadores biológicos para el diagnóstico y pronóstico de la enfermedad debido a su expresividad en el torrente sanguíneo. Además, los lncRNAs pueden estar relacionados con la capacidad funcional, ya que el aumento o disminución de su expresión promueve una reducción de la apoptosis de las células endoteliales y mejora la disfunción cardiaca, la contractilidad y los trastornos de los canales de calcio en pacientes con IC. Por tanto, los lncRNAs parecen estar implicados en la patogénesis y/o fisiopatología de la IC y pueden ser utili- zados como biomarcadores genéticos con sensibilidad y spe-cificidad similares o superi- ores a los empleados actualmente en el diagnóstico y pronóstico de la IC.

Spirometric values associated with clinical form and risk of death and stroke in chagasic patients.

The aim of the present study was to compare pulmonary function among patients with different clinical forms and scores for risk of death and stroke. Patients were recruited from the Chagas Disease Ambulatory Service at the University of Rio Grande do Norte State (Mossoró, Brazil). The evaluation of pulmonary function was performed through spirometry techniques using a digital spirometer, and information about the clinical forms (cardiac, cardiodigestive, digestive and undetermined) and scores for risk of death (Rassi's risk-of-death score) and stroke was subsequently collected. Upon completion of the evaluation, comparisons of the values obtained between the groups for different clinical forms, risk stratification of stroke and Rassi's risk-of-death were made. The study cohort consisted of 72 patients. Individuals with a low risk of death had significantly higher values in the Tiffeneau index and individuals with a low risk of stroke presented with higher percentage values for forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec. In addition, individuals with heart disease had worse percentage values for FVC and FEV1. In conclusion, the results showed that spirometry was an effective analytical technique and was associated with clinical forms, and death and stroke risk scores, in patients with Chagas disease, adding an important prognostic tool to those currently available.

Changes in renal function increase the need for advanced ventilatory support and increase the risk of mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

In addition to respiratory failure, another important outcome presented by patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is renal failure, which is related to increased severity of infection and a greater risk of mortality. Severity is often represented by the need for respiratory and/or life support, which can range from oxygen therapy to invasive mechanical ventilation. This study aimed to determine the association between the degree of renal and inflammatory impairment in patients with the need for advanced respiratory support and mortality. Included in the present study were 79 critically ill patients with COVID-19 on different days, who required a nasal cannula and/or orotracheal intubation. Data from laboratory tests, arterial blood gases and information on their clinical evolution were collected. The results obtained showed that the biochemical markers of renal function, as well as the inflammatory markers and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, were significantly increased in patients who succumbed to the infection. Similarly, these markers were higher amongst patients who required increased respiratory assistance.

The role of HPV-induced epigenetic changes in cervical carcinogenesis (Review).

Cervical cancer is associated with infection by certain types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs), and this affects women worldwide. Despite the improvements in prevention and cure of HPV-induced cervical cancer, it remains the second most common type of cancer in women in the least developed regions of the world. Epigenetic modifications are stable long-term changes that occur in the DNA, and are part of a natural evolutionary process of necessary adaptations to the environment. They do not result in changes in the DNA sequence, but do affect gene expression and genomic stability. Epigenetic changes are important in several biological processes. The effects of the environment on gene expression can contribute to the development of numerous diseases. Epigenetic modifications may serve a critical role in cancer cells, by silencing tumor suppressor genes, activating oncogenes, and exacerbating defects in DNA repair mechanisms. Although cervical cancer is directly related to a persistent high-risk HPV infection, several epigenetic changes have been identified in both the viral DNA and the genome of the infected cells: DNA methylation, histone modification and gene silencing by non-coding RNAs, which initiate and sustain epigenetic changes. In the present review, recent advances in the role of epigenetic changes in cervical cancer are summarized.

Strength training improves body composition, muscle strength and increases CD4+ T lymphocyte levels in people living with HIV/AIDS.

The establishment of physical training programs for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has several benefits. The study aimed to analyze the effect of resistance training using prediction of intensity by subjective perception of effort (SPE) on body composition, muscle strength, and TCD4+ lymphocyte levels in PLWHA. This a randomized controlled trial study. Participants (11 men and 8 women), were divided in two groups: exercise group (EG) and control group (CG). The EG was submitted to 12 weeks of a resistance-training program based in the prediction of intensity by SPE. Body mass percentages were evaluated using tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance and skinfold methods. We used Flow Cytometry to quantify CD4+ T lymphocytes. Patients showed significant changes in Body Fat Percentage (Δ%=-6.23%), Lean Body Mass (Δ%=2.45%), and CD4T lymphocytes levels (Δ%=15.77%). They also showed significant increase in muscular strength presented in the test for one repetition maximum in all the evaluated exercises. Our data suggest that exercising program prescribed by SPE is capable of improving immune function, body composition, and muscular strength in PLWHA.

Involvement of neutrophils in Chagas disease pathology.

Chagas disease (CD) is a public health problem in Latin America. The acute phase presents nonspecific symptoms and most patients recover from acute parasitemia and undergo a prolonged asymptomatic phase. Several years later, about 30% of infected individuals develop chronic cardiopathy with progressive cardiomegaly, arrhythmia, thromboembolic events and heart failure. These symptoms suggest a persistent association with the presence of inflammatory infiltrate and tissue, and cellular destruction in the heart muscle. Nevertheless, few research studies have attempted to understand the role of inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils, in establishing the pathology and progression of CD. Only recently have some studies been performed with this intention. Despite this effort, the role of neutrophils in CD is still considered controversial. This review discusses the morphological and functional characteristics of neutrophils that describes their participation in the establishment and progression of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, through the development of its effector functions, such as release of lithic components, production of oxidative agents and release of inflammatory mediators capable of modulating the host immune response.