Objective: To perform an in silico bioinformatics analysis to identify differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis and evaluate their potential as biomarkers for assessing therapeutic efficacy and monitoring acupuncture treatment. Methods: miRNA microarray data (CEL and TXT formats) were acquired from human and murine RA models, with the latter undergoing acupuncture treatment. Data were normalized using the robust multi-array average (RMA) method and analyzed for differential expression. Differential expression analysis identified miRNAs through a comparative analysis of RA human tissues, acupuncture-treated murine RA models, and a bibliographic search for miRNAs implicated in RA pathogenesis and acupuncture treatment. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify potential target genes for each miRNA and signaling pathways via search tools for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) and ShinyGO. Gene-drug interaction analysis was performed through Drug-Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb) screening. Interaction networks were constructed with the Cytoscape v3.10.3 software. Results: The hsa-miR-125a-5p and hsa-miR-125b-5p were identified as potential biomarkers associated with RA pathogenesis, presenting 468 and 455 target genes, respectively. These genes were enriched in 20 signaling pathways, including Janus kinasa-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway, which have been associated with RA pathogenesis and progression. Drug-gene interaction networks revealed that 22 genes were significantly associated with 58 RA treatment drugs, among which 13 genes interacted with members of the hsa-miR-125 family. Conclusion The hsa-miR-125a-5p and hsa-miR-125b-5p demonstrate critical regulatory role in RA pathogenesis by modulating signaling pathways, including JAK-STAT, MAPK, PI3K-Akt, and NF-κB. Our findings show that the hsa-miR-125a-5p and hsa-miR-125b-5p exhibit differential expression patterns in response to pharmacological intervention in various diseases, including RA management. This suggests their potential roles as biomarkers for monitoring acupuncture treatment. Although existing evidence indicates that acupuncture can modify miRNA expression profiles, rigorous validation through biological models remains essential to confirm these results.

Background and aim Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for the current pandemic, can have multi-organ impact. Recent studies show that liver injury could be a manifestation of the disease, and that liver disease could also be related to a worse prognosis. Our aim was to compare the characteristics of patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to SARS-CoV-2 who required intubation versus stable hospitalized patients to identify the early biochemical predictive factors of a severe course of COVID-19 and subsequent requirement for intubation, specifically in Mexican. Methods This was an observational case-control study nested in a cohort study. Complete medical records of patients admitted for confirmed COVID-19 at a tertiary level center in Mexico City were reviewed. Clinical and biochemical data were collected, and the characteristics of patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) (cases) were compared with stable hospitalized patients without ventilation (controls). Results We evaluated 166 patients with COVID-19 due to SARS-CoV-2 infection; 114 (68.7%) were men, the mean age was 50.6 ± 13.3 years, and 27 (16.3%) required IMV. The comparative analysis between cases and controls showed (respectively) significantly lower blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) (73.5 ± 12.0% vs. 83.0 ± 6.8%, P < 0.0001) and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (128 (14–1123) IU/L vs. 33 (8–453) IU/L, P = 0.003), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (214 (17–1247) vs. 44 (12–498) IU/L, P = 0.001), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) (764.6 ± 401.9 IU/L vs. 461.0 ± 185.6 IU/L, P = 0.001), and D-dimer (3463 (524–34,227) ng/mL vs. 829 (152–41,923) ng/mL, P = 0.003) concentrations. Patients in the cases group were older (58.6 ± 12.7 years vs. 49.1 ± 12.8 years, P=0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that important factors at admission predicting the requirement for IMV during hospitalization for COVID-19 were AST ≥250 IU/L (odds ratio (OR) = 64.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.5–560.3, P < 0.0001) and D-dimer ≥ 3500 ng/mL (OR = 4.1, 95% CI 1.2–13.7, P=0.02). Conclusions Our study confirms the importance of monitoring liver enzymes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19; seriously ill patients have significantly elevated AST and D-dimer concentrations, which have prognostic implications in the SARS-CoV-2 disease course.