miRNAs are 20–22 long nucleotide non-coding ribonucleic acid molecules critical to the modulation of molecular pathways. Immune evasion and the establishment of a suitable tumor microenvironment are two major contributors that support tumor invasion and metastasis. Tumorigenic miRNAs support these two hallmarks by desensitizing important tumor-sensitive regulatory cells such as dendritic cells, M1 macrophages, and T helper cells towards tumors while supporting infiltration and proliferation of immune cells like Treg cells, tumor-associated M2 macrophages that promote self-tolerance and chronic inflammation. miRNAs have a significant role in enhancing the efficacies of immunotherapy treatments like checkpoint blockade therapy, adoptive T cell therapy, and oncolytic virotherapy in cancer. A clear understanding of the role of miRNA can help scientists to formulate better-targeted treatment modalities. miRNA therapeutics have emerged as diverse class of nucleic acid-based molecules that can suppress oncogenic miRNAs and promote the expression of tumor suppressor miRNAs.

/pdf/mirnas-in-regulation-of-tumor-microenvironment-chemotherapy-dfl2siev.pdf

miRNAs in Regulation of Tumor Microenvironment, Chemotherapy Resistance, Immunotherapy Modulation and miRNA Therapeutics in Cancer

MicroRNAs: Key modulators of inflammation-associated diseases.

Radon is one of the 19 carcinogenic substances identified by the World Health Organization, posing a significant threat to human health and the environment. Properly removing radon under ambient conditions remains challenging. Compared with traditional radon−adsorbent materials such as activated carbon and zeolite, metal–organic framework (MOF) materials provide a high specific surface area, rich structure, and designability. However, MOF material powders demonstrate complications regarding practical use, such as easy accumulation, deactivation, and difficult recovery. Ni−MOF−74 was in situ grown on a porous polyacrylic acid (PA) spherical substrate via stepwise negative pressure impregnation. Ni−MOF−74 was structured as one−dimensional rod−shaped crystals (200–300 nm) in large−pore PA microspheres, whose porous structure increased the diffusion of radon gas. The radon adsorption coefficient of a Ni−MOF−74@PA−polyethyleneimine composite material was 0.49 L/g (293 K, relative humidity of 20%, air carrier). In comparison with pristine Ni−MOF−74 powder, our composite material exhibited enhanced adsorption and longer penetration time. The radon adsorption coefficient of the composite material was found to be from one to two orders of magnitude higher than that of zeolite and silica gel. The proposed material can be used for radon adsorption while overcoming the formation problem of MOF powders. Our preparation approach can provide a reference for the composite process of MOFs and polymers.

/pdf/fabrication-of-ni-mof-74-pa-pei-for-radon-removal-under-2oyk30nz.pdf

Fabrication of Ni−MOF−74@PA−PEI for Radon Removal under Ambient Conditions

Simple Summary Recent research has revealed the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and micro RNAs (miRNAs) in glioma development and advancement, suggesting their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Late-stage diagnosis and the limited effectiveness of conventional treatments contribute to poor glioma outcomes, highlighting the need for early detection methods. Advances in biotechnology and neuroscience have shed light on non-coding RNAs role in glioma angiogenesis and progression. This review explores the impact of lncRNAs and miRNAs on gene regulation, either promoting or inhibiting glioma progression and establishes connections between these crucial cancer-related molecules. Abstract Accumulating evidence supports that both long non-coding and micro RNAs (lncRNAs and miRNAs) are implicated in glioma tumorigenesis and progression. Poor outcome of gliomas has been linked to late-stage diagnosis and mostly ineffectiveness of conventional treatment due to low knowledge about the early stage of gliomas, which are not possible to observe with conventional diagnostic approaches. The past few years witnessed a revolutionary advance in biotechnology and neuroscience with the understanding of tumor-related molecules, including non-coding RNAs that are involved in the angiogenesis and progression of glioma cells and thus are used as prognostic biomarkers as well as novel therapeutic targets. The emerging research on lncRNAs and miRNAs highlights their crucial role in glioma progression, offering new insights into the disease. These non-coding RNAs hold significant potential as novel therapeutic targets, paving the way for innovative treatment approaches against glioma. This review encompasses a comprehensive discussion about the role of lncRNAs and miRNAs in gene regulation that is responsible for the promotion or the inhibition of glioma progression and collects the existing links between these key cancer-related molecules.

/pdf/insights-into-the-role-of-lncrnas-and-mirnas-in-glioma-20m9190y.pdf

Insights into the Role of LncRNAs and miRNAs in Glioma Progression and Their Potential as Novel Therapeutic Targets

Exposure to tobacco smoke and radon cause lung cancer. Radioactive decay of naturally occurring uranium in bedrock produces radon. Seasonality, bedrock type, age of home, and topography have been associated with indoor radon, but the research is mixed. The study objective was to examine the relationships of geologic (soil radon and bedrock) and seasonal (warm and cold times of the year) factors with indoor home radon values in citizen scientists’ homes over time, controlling for atmospheric conditions, topography, age of home, and home exposure to tobacco smoke. We collected and analyzed indoor radon values, soil radon gas concentrations, and dwelling- and county-level geologic and atmospheric conditions on 66 properties in four rural counties during two seasons: (1) summer 2021 (n = 53); and (2) winter/spring 2022 (n = 52). Citizen scientists measured indoor radon using Airthings radon sensors, and outdoor temperature and rainfall. Geologists obtained soil radon measurements using RAD7 instruments at two locations (near the dwelling and farther away) at each dwelling, testing for associations of indoor radon values with soil values, bedrock type, topography, and atmospheric conditions. Bedrock type, near soil radon levels, home age, and barometric pressure were associated with indoor radon. Dwellings built on carbonate bedrock had indoor radon values that were 2.8 pCi/L (103.6 Bq m−3) higher, on average, compared to homes built on siliclastic rock. Homes with higher near soil radon and those built <40 ago were more likely to have indoor radon ⩾4.0 pCi/L (148 Bq m−3). With higher atmospheric barometric pressure during testing, observed indoor radon values were lower. Seasonality and topography were not associated with indoor radon level. Understanding relationships among bedrock type, soil radon, and indoor radon exposure allows the development of practical predictive models that may support pre-construction forecasting of indoor radon potential based on geologic factors.

Geologic, seasonal, and atmospheric predictors of indoor home radon values

http://www.cell.com/article/S2372770522000523/pdf

miR-15a and miR-15b modulate natural killer and CD8+T-cell activation and anti-tumor immune response by targeting PD-L1 in neuroblastoma

Children are particularly vulnerable to the deleterious impacts of toxic environmental exposures, though the effects of some rather ubiquitous toxins have yet to be characterized in youths. One such toxin, radon gas, is known to accumulate to hazardous levels in homes, and has been linked with the incidence of lung cancer in aging adults. However, the degree to which chronic home radon exposure may impact risk for health problems earlier in life is unknown. Herein, we explored the degree to which chronic home radon exposure relates to biomarkers of low-grade inflammation in 68 youths ages 6- to 14 years old residing in an area of the United States prone to high home radon concentrations. Parents completed a home radon test kit, and youths provided a saliva sample to assess concentrations of five biomarkers. Using a multiple regression approach, we found that greater radon exposure was specifically associated with higher levels of C-reactive protein (β = 0.31, p = 0.007) and interleukin-1β (β = 0.33, p = 0.016). The data suggested specificity in associations between chronic home radon exposure and different biomarkers of inflammatory activity and highlight a pathway which may confer risk for future mental and physical health maladies.

/pdf/chronic-home-radon-exposure-is-associated-with-higher-2qbui21g.pdf

Chronic Home Radon Exposure Is Associated with Higher Inflammatory Biomarker Concentrations in Children and Adolescents

When Francis Crick first proposed the concept of “Central Dogma” in 1958, the flow of genetic information moves from DNA to RNA to protein; he was unaware that only around 2% of the human genome follows this trend. Until the 1970s, 98% of the genome, which codes for something else, was considered useless or junk. However, with new advancements in characterizing the human genome, it is well understood that the noncoding portion of DNA contains various elements critical for cell maintenance and functions. One of them is noncoding RNAs that do not translate into proteins but regulate gene expression through diverse mechanisms. The noncoding RNAs are transcribed from introns or exons of protein-coding and noncoding transcripts and regulate almost every cellular function. The well-characterized noncoding RNAs include microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, P-element-induced wimpy testis-interacting RNAs, and circular RNAs. The deregulation of these noncoding RNAs has been reported in many malignancies, and many studies emphasize their use for cancer diagnosis and treatment. This chapter focuses on the role of abovementioned four noncoding RNAs in the development of highly heterogeneous, extracranial pediatric tumor neuroblastoma (NB). This chapter will provide an overview of the role of noncoding RNAs in the pathogenesis of NB and their potential use in NB diagnosis and therapeutics. 

OgheneTejiri V. Smith

Papers

miR-15a and miR-15b modulate natural killer and CD8+T-cell activation and anti-tumor immune response by targeting PD-L1 in neuroblastoma

Chronic Home Radon Exposure Is Associated with Higher Inflammatory Biomarker Concentrations in Children and Adolescents

Clinical implications of noncoding RNAs in neuroblastoma patients