ABSTRACT
Intervertebral degenerative disc disease (IDDD) is a common disease in clinic that causes pain and heavy financial burden on patients with poor prognosis. However, the pathogenesis of IDDD is not clear. Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) is involved in regulating various body growth and pathological processes by affecting cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, the role of lncRNAs in IDDD is rarely reported. This study aims to investigate the role and mechanism of lncRNA MALAT1 in the development of IDDD. The nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc were collected and the primary nucleus pulposus cells were isolated and cultured. The cells were divided into three groups, including IDDD group, empty plasmid group transfected by pcDNA3.1, or MALAT1 group transfected by pcDNA3.1-MALAT1. MALAT1 expression was detected by real-time PCR. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Caspase 3 activity was tested by the activity detection kit. IL-1 and IL-6 levels were analyzed by ELISA. The expression of MALAT1 in IDDD nucleus pulposus cells was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). The expression of MALAT1 was significantly increased after transfection with pcDNA3.1-MALAT1 plasmid in IDDD nucleus pulposus cells, which obviously inhibited cell proliferation, enhanced Caspase 3 activity, and promoted the secretion of IL-1 and IL-6 compared with IDDD group (P < 0.05). MALAT1 level decreased in IDDD nucleus pulposus cells. Upregulation of MALAT1 expression restrained IDDD through suppressing inflammation; inhibiting nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis, and promoting cell proliferation.
ABSTRACT
Background. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a suture-fixation mucopexy procedure by comparing with Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation (DGHAL) in the management of patients with grade III hemorrhoids. Methods. This was a randomized controlled trial. One hundred patients with grade III hemorrhoids were randomly assigned to receive suture-fixation mucopexy (n = 50) or DGHAL (n = 50). Outcome assessments were performed at 2 weeks, 12 months, and 24 months. Assessments included resolution of clinical symptoms, postoperative complications, duration of hospitalization, and total costs. Results. At 2 weeks, one (2%) patient in suture-fixation group and four (8%) patients in DGHAL group had persistent prolapsing hemorrhoids. Postoperative bleeding was observed in two patients (4%) in suture-fixation group and one patient in DGHAL group. There was no significant difference in short-term recurrence between groups. Postoperative complications and duration of hospitalization were comparable between the two groups. Rates of recurrence of prolapse or bleeding at 12 months did not differ between groups. However, recurrence of prolapse at 24 months was significantly more common in DGHAL group (19.0% versus 2.3%, p = 0.030). Conclusions. Compared with DGHAL, the suture-fixation mucopexy technique had comparable short-term outcomes and favorable long-term outcomes.
