Transcriptional information revealed differentially expressed circular RNAs in facet joint osteoarthritis.

Circular RNAs are newly identified RNAs that regulate gene expression and execute various biological activities. Facet joint osteoarthritis (FJOA) is a severe facet joint cartilage degeneration disease that induces chronic low back pain to a larger population. The molecular mechanisms of FJOA, especially the presence and changes of circular RNAs in FJOA have not been investigated. In the current study, we analyzed RNA deep sequencing outcomes from healthy control group and FJOA group, identified and annotated circular RNAs, and determined the expressions of circular RNAs. Differentially expressed circular RNAs in the FJOA group were then screened and the host genes of these differentially expressed circular RNAs were functional analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Enrichment of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction network analysis. Seven circRNAs were arbitrarily selected to confirm the trustworthiness of these profiles by quantitative qRT-PCR. The potential binding sites of microRNAs (miRNAs) and identified circular RNAs were also predicted. Our current study provided valuable bioinformation regarding circular RNAs in FJOA and expanded our knowledge of FJOA.

Exploration of gender differences in correlation between iron metabolism and bone turnover markers in elderly patients with fragility fractures / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To explore the gender differences in the association between iron metabolism and bone turnover markers in elderly patients with fragility fracture.Methods A total of 271 patients admitted in our hospital from Aug 2014 to Oct 2017 with osteoporotic fractures were divided into two groups:109 males and 162 females,aged from 60 to 92 years.Both groups were further divided into 3 age groups(60 to 70,71 to 80,and ≥81 year group).Biochemical indicators,serum ferritin and bone turnover markers were detected eight hours after admission.Results In the male group,there were no statistical differences in serum ferritin and serum procollagen type Ⅰ Nterminal propeptide(PINP) among age groups (all P ＞ 0.05).Serum β-carboxy terminal telopeptide of collagen type Ⅰβ-CTX(β-CTX)was elevated with ageing.In the female group,serum ferritin,PINP,and β-CTX were elevated with ageing.There was a significant positive correlation between serum ferritin and β-CTX in two gender groups (all P ＜ 0.05)without gender difference.Gender difference was observed in the correlation between serum ferritin and PINP between two gender groups:a significant positive correlation in the female group (r =0.255,P =0.001)whereas a significant negative correlation in the male group(r=-0.207,P=0.031).Conclusions There are gender differences in correlations of serum ferritin with bone turnover markers.Increased iron accumulation in postmenopausal women is closely correlated with high bone turnover rate.