Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Diagnosis, Prediction and Prognosis of Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy in the world and accounts for 15% of primary hemocytopathies, with an ever-increasing number of new cases. It is asymptomatic in 30% of instances; hence, the determination of highly sensitive and specific markers is necessary to make a proper diagnosis. In the last 20 years, miRNAs, involved in regulating the expression of genes responsible for cell proliferation and differentiation, including tumor cells, have been identified as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers. The main aim of the following review was to outline the role of miRNAs in the diagnosis and prognosis of MM, considering their role in the pathogenesis of the disease and identifying their target genes and pathways. For this purpose, publications dating from 2013-2023 have been reviewed. Based on the available data, it is concluded that non-coding RNAs including miRNAs could be potential markers in MM. Furthermore, they may serve as therapeutic targets for certain drugs.

Two years of the COVID-19 pandemic from a child’s perspective: A narrative review

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been ongoing since 2020. This period is characterized by a significant change in people's lifestyles. Children are a particularly affected group. In order to determine the impact of the pandemic on children's lives, scientific publications available in PubMed, Google Scholar, and The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Innocenti's Children and COVID-19 Library were reviewed, and the statistical data made available by the Polish Ministry of Health on incidence, death and vaccination rates was analyzed. Even if children were not infected with the virus, they felt the effects of the pandemic through restrictions in the daily functioning of schools, service facilities and households. Despite the relatively mild symptoms accompanying infections in pediatric patients, as well as the low rates of hospitalization and mortality, the pandemic have had numerous negative effects on children's mental and physical health that may trigger further "non-communicable epidemics". Weight changes, limitations in physical activity, and the intensification of social and emotional problems will certainly have a negative impact on their future lives. The introduction of vaccination for children over the age of 5 brought hope, but since then, it has been accompanied by controversy and uncertainty. Further research is necessary to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children.