Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive grade IV astrocytoma with a 1-year median survival rate despite current treatment modalities. A thorough understanding of the vast genetic aberrations and signaling pathways involved in gliomagenesis as well as heterogeneous clinicopathological presentation remains elusive. The recent discovery of microRNAs (miRs) and their capability of simultaneously regulating multiple downstream genes may play a key role in explaining the complex mechanisms underlying GBM formation. miRs are 19 to 25 nucleotide non-protein-coding small RNA molecules involved in the suppression of mRNA translation. This review will summarize and discuss the most recent findings regarding miRs in GBM including downstream targets, functional effects, and therapeutic potentials. Specifically discussed miRs include miR-7, miR-9/miR-9*, miR-10a/miR-10a*/miR-10b, miR-15b, miR-17-92, miR-21, miR-26a, miR-34a, miR-93, miR-101, miR-124, miR-125a, miR-125b, miR-128, miR-137, miR-146b-5p, miR-153, miR-181a/miR-181b, miR-196a/miR-196b, miR-218, miR-221/miR-222, miR-296, miR-302-367, miR-326, miR-381, miR-451, and let-7a. In addition to gene regulatory roles, miRs have demonstrated significant diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential. These small molecules may both help in the understanding of GBM and in developing new therapeutic options.

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A b s t r a c t Since the recent publication of the World Health Organization brain tumour classification guidelines in 2007, a significant expansion in the molecular understanding of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and its pathological as well as genomic variants has been evident. The purpose of this review article is to evaluate the histopathological, molecular and clinical features surrounding emerging and currently established GBM variants. The tumours discussed include classic glioblastoma multiforme and its four genomic variants, proneural, neural, mesenchymal, classical, as well as gliosarcoma (GS), and giant cell GBM (gcGBM). Furthermore, the emerging variants include fibrillary/epithelial GBM, small cell astrocytoma (SCA), GBM with oligodendroglial component (GBMO), GBM with primitive neuroectodermal features (GBM-PNET), gemistocytic astrocytoma (GA), granular cell astrocytoma (GCA), and paediatric high-grade glioma (HGG) as well as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG

Neutrophils and lymphocytes (N/L) ratio and carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) value have been studied as new predictors of cardiovascular risk. We aimed to investigate N/L ratio and C-IMT value in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX) and compare patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and normal participants. A total of 288 participants were enrolled in the study. The N/L ratio and C-IMT value were compared among the 3 groups. There were no statistically significant differences in N/L levels between CSX and CAD groups. The N/L ratio was found significantly increased in patients with CSX and CAD, compared to the control group. Patients with CAD and CSX had significantly higher C-IMT value compared to control participants. Significant positive correlation was found between C-IMT value and plasma level of N/L ratio. The relationship among CSX and higher N/L ratio level and C-IMT suggests that endothelial dysfunction may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of the CSX.