Pulpitis, an inflammation of the dental pulp, is generated by bacterial invasion through different ways as caries. In the establishment and development of this disease, different biological processes are involved. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are transcripts with regulatory capacity participating in different biological functions and have been implicated in different diseases. The aim of this narrative review is to critically analyze available evidence on the biological role of lncRNAs and circRNAs in pulpitis and discuss possible new research prospects. LncRNAs and circRNAs involved in pulpitis were explored, addressing their expression, molecular mechanisms, targets and biological effects studied in animal and in vitro models, as well as in studies in human patients. LncRNAs and circRNAs are emerging as key regulators of diverse biological functions in pulpitis including apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, oxidative stress, autophagy, ferroptosis, inflammation and immune response. The molecular mechanisms performed by these non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) involved interactions with miRNAs and the formation of regulatory networks in the context of pulpitis. Further studies more deeply analyzing the participation of lncRNAs and circRNAs in pulpitis will reveal the potential applications of these ncRNAs as biomarkers or their use in therapeutic strategies in pulp inflammation.

Infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites can lead to cancer development. Infection with the helminthic parasite Schistosoma haematobium can cause cancer of the urinary bladder in humans, and infection with the parasites Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini can promote cholangiocarcinoma. These three pathogens have been categorized as “group 1: carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Additionally, the parasite Schistosoma japonicum has been associated with liver and colorectal cancer and classified as “group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans”. These parasites express regulatory non-coding RNAs as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which modulate genic expression in different biological processes. In this review, we discuss the potential roles of miRNAS and lncRNAs encoded by helminthic parasites that are classified by the IARC as carcinogenic and possibly carcinogenic to humans. The miRNAs of these parasites may be involved in carcinogenesis by modulating the biological functions of the pathogen and the host and by altering microenvironments prone to tumor growth. miRNAs were identified in different host fluids. Additionally, some miRNAs showed direct antitumoral effects. Together, these miRNAs show potential for use in future therapeutic and diagnostic applications. LncRNAs have been less studied in these parasites, and their biological effects in the parasite–host interaction are largely unknown.

By 2030, non-communicable diseases will have accounted for more than three-quarters of deaths worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been the leading cause of death worldwide for several years. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a CVD characterized by necrosis of the heart at the myocardial level due to prolonged ischemia caused by the reduction or sudden absence of coronary blood supply. The prevalence of AMI is higher in men at all ages. The incidence of AMI has decreased in industrialized nations; however, it has been on the rise in Latin America (LATAM) due to lifestyle changes. These changes have caused the combined incidence of CVDs and unresolved health concerns in LATAM, such as infections and malnutrition. It is well known that periodontitis, a highly prevalent chronic infectious inflammatory disease, has been associated with systemic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney diseases, and AMI. This review addresses proposed aspects of the correlation between periodontitis and AMI, explains the importance of preventing periodontitis and CVDs, and analyzes the preventative measures being implemented in LATAM, particularly in Mexico.

COVID-19, a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, poses significant threats to the respiratory system and other vital organs. Long non-coding RNAs have emerged as influential epigenetic regulators and promising biomarkers in respiratory ailments. The objective of this study was to identify candidate lncRNAs in SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals compared to SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals and investigate their potential association with ARDS-CoV-2 (acute respiratory distress syndrome). Employing qRT-PCR, we meticulously examined the expression profiles of a panel comprising 84 inflammation-related lncRNAs in individuals presenting upper respiratory infection symptoms, categorizing them into those testing negative or positive for SARS-CoV-2. Notably, first-phase PSD individuals exhibited significantly elevated levels of AC000120.7 and SENP3-EIF4A1. In addition, we measured the expression of two lncRNAs, AC000120.7 and SENP3-EIF4A1, in patients with ARDS unrelated to SARS-CoV-2 (n = 5) and patients with ARDS induced by SARS-CoV-2 (ARDS-CoV-2, n = 10), and interestingly, expression was also higher among patients with ARDS. Intriguingly, our interaction pathway analysis unveiled potential interactions between lncRNA AC000120.7, various microRNAs, and genes associated with inflammation. This study found higher expression levels of lncRNAs AC000120.7 and SENP3-EIF4A1 in the context of infection-positive COVID-19, particularly within the complex landscape of ARDS.

Anxiety is a fear response that triggers a stress reaction with the purpose of defending against or avoiding danger, which is considered physiological, until it becomes excessive and persistent, affecting daily life activities. Non-coding RNAs have been explored in terms of their relationship with diseases, and several of them, such as miRNAs, have been found to be key factors in the development of diseases. Specifically, the expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been implicated in the development of anxiety through various mechanisms such as nervous system development, synaptic function, neurotransmitter regulation, and neuroinflammation. However, several recent reviews have explored the roles of lncRNAs in various mental diseases (mainly in schizophrenia), and considering that existing reviews do not cover the interaction between lncRNAs and aspects such as neuroimmunity in anxiety disorder pathophysiology, the aim of this literature review is to summarize the current knowledge about the contributions of lncRNAs to the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders. Additionally, we explore their potential applications in the diagnosis, as well as possible treatment approaches, of these disorders, challenges, and current limitations.