Based on recent research, the non-coding genome is essential for controlling genes and genetic programming during development, as well as for health and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The microRNAs (miRNAs), lncRNAs (long ncRNAs), and circRNAs (circular RNAs) with significant regulatory and structural roles make up approximately 99% of the human genome, which does not contain proteins. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) have been discovered to be essential novel regulators of cardiovascular risk factors and cellular processes, making them significant prospects for advanced diagnostics and prognosis evaluation. Cases of CVDs are rising due to limitations in the current therapeutic approach; most of the treatment options are based on the coding transcripts that encode proteins. Recently, various investigations have shown the role of nc-RNA in the early diagnosis and treatment of CVDs. Furthermore, the development of novel diagnoses and treatments based on miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs could be more helpful in the clinical management of patients with CVDs. CVDs are classified into various types of heart diseases, including cardiac hypertrophy (CH), heart failure (HF), rheumatic heart disease (RHD), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), myocardial infarction (MI), atherosclerosis (AS), myocardial fibrosis (MF), arrhythmia (ARR), and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Here, we discuss the biological and clinical importance of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs and their expression profiles and manipulation of non-coding transcripts in CVDs, which will deliver an in-depth knowledge of the role of ncRNAs in CVDs for progressing new clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Non-thermal biocompatible plasma (NBP) was considered as an efficient tool in tissue engineering to modify the surface of biomaterials. Three-dimensional chitosan scaffolds have been extensively used in different ways because it holds some remarkable properties, including biodegradability and biocompatibility. In this study, we evaluated the osteogenic potential of NBP-treated chitosan scaffolds using two different plasma sources: a dielectric barrier discharge (NBP-DBD) and a soft jet (NBP-J). The surface modification of the scaffold was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. For osteogenic differentiation of cells, proliferation and differentiation were tested by using bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs). We observed that cell viability using NBP-DBD and NBP-J treated chitosan scaffolds yielded significant improvements in cell viability and differentiation. The results obtained with MTT and live/dead assays showed that NBP-modified scaffold increases cell metabolic by MTT assay and live/dead assay. It also observed that the NBP treatment is more effective at 5 min with DBD and was selected for further investigations. Enhanced osteogenic differentiation was observed using NBP-treated scaffolds, as reflected by increased alkaline phosphatase activity. Our findings showed that NBP is an innovative and beneficial tool for modifying chitosan scaffolds to increase their activity, making them suitable as biocompatible materials and for bone tissue engineering.

This study aims to identify prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in early miscarriages. A total of 260 pregnant women with vaginal spotting were recruited from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Kyung Hee Medical Center from January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2018. Venous samples were obtained from the women for measurements of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and NLR. All the patients were in < 14 gestational weeks of their pregnancy. Eighty-four patients were excluded because of incomplete data, loss of follow-up, and serious medical diseases. We enrolled 176 women for analysis and divided them into two groups. Group 1 included 104 women with threatened abortion; and group 2, 72 women with missed abortion. A significant difference in NLR was found between the groups (p = 0.001; P < .01). The multivariate analysis also revealed that NLR was the only prognostic factor of early miscarriage (odd ratio [OR], 0.732; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.612–0.881, P = .001). The area under the Receiver-operating characteristic of NLR for distinguishing between the missed and threatened abortion groups was 0.792, and the best cutoff value was 5.72 (P < .05).

Rationale: Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is an extremely rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). In previous reports, most of the patients were already diagnosed cases of SLE upon confirmation of AAC. Patient concerns: A 24-year-old female who initially presented with fever and acute right upper quadrant abdominal pain. She had no medical history. Diagnoses: Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) showed gallbladder thickening with pericholecystic edema without gallstones or sludge, demonstrating acalculous cholecystitis. She revealed discoid rash on the both shin. Laboratory tests revealed pancytopenia. The titer of antinuclear antibody (ANA) was 1:1280. Anti-dsDNA antibody, anti-phospholipid antibody, anti-Sm antibody test, and proteinuria in 24 hours were positive. Both C3 and C4 were low. Echocardiography and chest CT showed pericardial effusion and pleural effusion. Using the 2019 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) classification criteria, the score was 31. We thought AAC of this case that was one of the initial manifestations of SLE. Interventions: The patient was treated with high-dose prednisolone (1 mg/kg) and hydroxychloroquine 400 mg. Outcomes: After 4 days of administration of high-dose corticosteroid therapy, symptoms rapidly improved. After 35 days of the treatment, her symptoms and disease activity of SLE were markedly improved. Lessons: Although AAC being the initial manifestation of SLE is very rare, prompt diagnosis and management with corticosteroids precluded surgical intervention. Physicians need to be cognizant of AAC as a disease flare and as a rare initial manifestation of SLE.

Rationale: Empyema caused by Streptococcus constellatus is rare in patients without underlying diseases. However, the importance of the Streptococcus anginosus group, which consists of S constellatus, S anginosus, and Streptococcus intermedius, as causative organisms of empyema has been increasing. Patient concerns: A 78-year-old man initially presented with dyspnea and chills for 4 days. He had no medical history. Diagnosis: Chest X-ray and chest computed tomography showed a large and multiloculated pleural effusion with an air bubble on the right side. Cultivation of the pleural effusion using clone library analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed S constellatus positivity. Interventions: The patient was treated by drainage of the pleural effusion and intravenous ceftriaxone and clindamycin for the possibility of anaerobes, followed by 10 weeks of oral antibiotics. Outcomes: On the 11th day of admission, the thoracic drainage tube was removed. After 1 year of treatment, there were no sequelae of empyema. Lessons: Although S constellatus can cause serious infections in patients with underlying diseases and immunosuppression, physicians need to consider S constellatus infection in community-acquired empyema in elderly individuals. It should be treated with early pleural drainage and antibiotics to avoid surgical decortication and prolonged hospitalization.

Jung EY, et al. Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2015 Jan;58(1):69-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.5468/ogs.2015.58.1.69