ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To screen the differentially expressed microRNA(miRNA) in the serum of patients with occupational pneumoconiosis(hereinafter referred to as pneumoconiosis), and explore their potential target genes and related transcription factors using bioinformatics analysis. METHODS: The pneumoconiosis and miRNA related reports were searched from the Google academic website. The miRNA sequencing or high-throughput microarray data sets based on the serum samplings of pneumoconiosis patients(case group) and normal healthy individuals(control group) were selected to screen for the differentially expressed miRNAs. Serum samples of patients with occupational silicosis and healthy controls were collected, and the relative expression of miRNAs was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction to verify the differential expression of miRNAs. The target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted in the database of miRWalk, analyzed by Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) signaling pathway prediction. The transcription factor analysis of target genes was carried out by the database for annotation. RESULTS: Seven differentially expressed miRNAs were screened out and verified. Among them, five were up-regulated and two were down-regulated. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG signaling pathway prediction showed that the up-regulated differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly related to RNA polymerase Ⅱ promoter transcription and extracellular matrix, and were mainly involved in the occurrence and development of pulmonary fibrosis through adhesion plaque, protein digestion and absorption, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B and transforming growth factor-β signaling pathways. The down-regulated differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly related to the transcription of RNA polymerase Ⅱ promoter and the activity of DNA sequence specific transcription factors, that were mainly involved in the occurrence and development of pulmonary fibrosis through the signaling pathway of related hormone release. Transcription factor annotation results showed that SMAD family member 3, proto-oncogene JUN, forkhead box O1, early growth factor 1, β-catenin and other transcription factors may have an important relationship with the occurrence and development of pneumoconiosis. CONCLUSION: The seven miRNAs were differentially expressed in the serum of patients with pneumoconiosis. These miRNAs could be used as potential biomarkers for understanding the pathogenesis, the early diagnosis and treatment pneumoconiosis.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the surgical technique and the clinical results of small acetabular components combined with medial protrusio technique in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) for the treatment of Crowe type IV congenital hip dislocation (CHD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2000 to December 2005, total 14 patients (16 hips) of Crowe type IV CHD underwent cementless THA (12 unilateral, 2 bilateral) with this new technique. There were 2 males and 12 females with an average age of 49 years (range, 38 to 75 years). The indications for surgery was severe hip pain and leg length discrepancy with difficulty in walking and activating. Cup design: Duraloc (Depuy, Warsaw, USA) in 10 hips, Pressfit S II (LINK, Germany) in 6 hips. The outside diameter of the cup was 42 to 44 mm; and the thickness of the polyethylene liner was 6 to 7 mm. Total hip replacement were performed with the medial protrusion technique to stabilize the fit of a hemispherical metal cup in the acetabulum. The hip functions were evaluated by Harris hip score. The muscle strength of the gluteus medius and gait were respectively evaluated in accordance with the standards of five and four classes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The X-ray showed that the average superolateral bone coverage in these 16 hips (none of which had bone graft) was more than 98 percent. The cup was an average of (5.8 +/- 1.2) mm medial and (6.2 +/- 1.7) mm superior to the Ranawat triangle. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 9 years. The Harris hip score improved from 25 to 32 preoperatively to 90 to 98 1 year postoperatively. X-ray showed that perforated area of the medial acetabulum were repaired with healed bone mud 4 to 8 months after operation. The rate of linear wear of the polyethylene liner averaged (0.10 +/- 0.03) mm each year. Until now, no aseptic loosening or osteolysis was identified around the acetabulum components, no acetabular components were revised for loosening or other reasons.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Small acetabular components combined with medial protrusio technique is a simple, reliable and flexible surgical technique. Early and mid-term result in total hip arthroplasty with this technique for the treatment of Crowe type IV CHD is satisfactory.</p>