Evaluating the Connection between MicroRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs for the Establishment of the Major Depressive Disorder Diagnosis.

The most prevalent mental illness worldwide and the main contributor to suicide and disability is major depressive disorder. Major depressive disorder is now diagnosed and treated based on the patient's statement of symptoms, mental status tests, and clinical behavioral observations. The central element of this review is the increased need for an accurate diagnostic method. In this context, the present research aims to investigate the potential role of two non-coding RNA species (microRNA and long non-coding RNA) in peripheral blood samples and brain tissue biopsy from patients with major depressive disorder. This study reviewed the literature on microRNA and long non-coding RNA expression in blood and brain tissue samples in human and animal depression models by retrieving relevant papers using the PubMed database. The results reveal significant variations in microRNA and long non-coding RNA levels in depressed patients, making it a crucial diagnostic tool that predicts treatment outcomes. It can help track severe cases and adjust therapy dosages based on treatment responses. In conclusion, microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs are pertinent biomarkers that can be added to the diagnostic test panel for major depressive disorder. Both microRNAs and non-coding RNAs can also be used as a tool to track patient progress during therapy and to assist the attending physician in tracking the molecular development of the disease.

A Preliminary Report Regarding the Morphological Changes of Nano-Enabled Pharmaceutical Formulation on Human Lung Carcinoma Monolayer and 3D Bronchial Microtissue.

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, the development of enabled pharmaceutical nanoparticles of solid lipid type is continuously growing, because they have the potential to be used for targeted drug release leading to an increased effect of chemotherapy, being used in lung cancer nano-diagnosis and nano-therapy. The current study reports the preliminary results obtained regarding the biological effect of a new nano-enabled pharmaceutical formulation in terms of its cytotoxic and biosafety profile. Materials and Methods: The pharmaceutical formulations consist of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) obtained via the emulsification-diffusion method by loading green iron oxide nanoparticles (green-IONPs) with a pentacyclic triterpene (oleanolic acid-OA). Further, a complex biological assessment was performed, employing three-dimensional (3D) bronchial microtissues (EpiAirwayTM) to determine the biosafety profile of the SLN samples. The cytotoxic potential of the samples was evaluated on human lung carcinoma, using an in vitro model (A549 human lung carcinoma monolayer). Results: The data revealed that the A549 cell line was strongly affected after treatment with SLN samples, especially those that contained OA-loaded green-IONPs obtained with Ocimum basilicum extract (under 30% viability rates). The biosafety profile investigation of the 3D normal in vitro bronchial model showed that all the SLN samples negatively affected the viability of the bronchial microtissues (below 50%). As regards the morphological changes, all the samples induce major changes such as loss of the surface epithelium integrity, loss of epithelial junctions, loss of cilia, hyperkeratosis, and cell death caused by apoptosis. Conclusions: In summary, the culprit for the negative impact on viability and morphology of 3D normal bronchial microtissues could be the too-high dose (500 µg/mL) of the SLN sample used. Nevertheless, further adjustments in the SLN synthesis process and another complex in vitro evaluation will be considered for future research.

High-Resolution Computed Tomography in Middle Ear Cholesteatoma: How Much Do We Need It?

Background and Objectives: The diagnosis of cholesteatoma is usually clinic, and the only efficient treatment is surgical. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is not considered absolutely necessary for the management of an uncomplicated cholesteatoma, but unsuspected situations from a clinical point of view can be discovered using the scans, warning the surgeon. Our objective is to compare HRCT scan information with intraoperative findings in patients with cholesteatoma and analyze the usefulness of a preoperative HRCT scan from a surgical point of view. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective descriptive study conducted in the Department of Otolaryngology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania, from May 2021 to April 2022. It was carried out on 46 patients with a clinical diagnosis of cholesteatoma who were consequently operated on in our department. All patients received full clinical and audiological examinations. In all cases, an HRCT scan was performed preoperatively as a mandatory investigation. Preoperative HRCT scans were analyzed, and their findings were compared to the intraoperative notes. The two sets of observations were analyzed using standard statistical methods. Results: Extensive cholesteatoma was the most common type of disease, involving 46% of the patients, followed by pars flaccida cholesteatoma (35%) and pars tensa cholesteatoma (19%). Eroded scutum was the most frequent lesion involving 70% of the patients, followed by incus erosion (67%). Comparison of the HRCT and intraoperative findings revealed a very good correlation for tegmen tympani erosion, sigmoid plate erosion, scutum and malleus erosion, and a moderate-to-good correlation for lateral semicircular canal erosion, incus and stapes erosion, and fallopian canal erosion. Conclusions: HRCT is a valuable tool in the preoperative assessment of cholesteatoma, helping in making surgical decisions. It can accurately predict the extent of disease and is helpful for detecting unapparent dangerous situations. However, it is not very accurate in detecting fallopian canal and stapes erosion.

[Computer tomography in primary orbital tumors]. / Importanta examinarii computer tomografice în patologia tumorala primara a cavitatilor orbitale.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to observe the anatomical changes that occur in the tumoral pathology of the orbit, as well as to underline the importance of computed tomographic examination in the investigation of the orbital tumoral pathology. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study has been conducted in the Military Hospital of Timisoara by a team made of anatomists, radiologists and ophthalmologists. A number of 215 patients were examined over a period of six years, between 1998-2002. The computed tomography examinations were made with Picker IQ Premier equipment, using contiguous native axial sections of 2 to 5 mm thick, after intravenous injection of non-ionic contrast-enhancing substance for vascular identification and iodophilic quantification specific to each structure. RESULTS: From the 215 patients that had undergone a CT examination of the orbits, 41 cases had positive orbital tumoral pathology. The primary tumors of the optic nerve had the highest incidence being present in 12 cases, of which 9 with glioma and 3 with meningioma. The second most frequent were the vascular tumors revealed in 11 cases. CONCLUSION: Due to its diagnosis performances CT has to be considered as a routine investigation method, recommended as a method of choice in orbital tumoral pathology.