Characterization of Ferroptosis-Related Molecular Subtypes with Immune Infiltrations in Neuropathic Pain.

Background: Neuropathic pain (NP) caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system is a common chronic pain condition that has a major impact on quality of life. However, NP pathogenesis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and specific and meaningful gene targets for the diagnosis and treatment of NP. Methods: Data from rat spinal nerve ligations and the sham group were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Based on the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) method, 29 immune gene sets were identified in each sample, and these samples were correlated with the immune infiltration phenotype. LASSO regression modeling was used to screen key genes to identify diagnostic gene markers. According to GSEA and GSVA, NP is concentrated in a large number of immune-related pathways and genes. Additionally, we used the DGIdb database and correlation test to construct gene-drug and transcription factor interaction networks for differentially expressed genes relevant to NP-related ferroptosis. We used WGCNA to identify gene co-expression modules of NP, and explored the relationship between gene networks and phenotypes. Finally, we crossed core genes with diagnostic markers and analyzed gene correlation with molecular subtypes and immune cells. Results: We identified 224 DEGs, including 191 upregulated genes and 33 downregulated genes. APC co-stimulation, CCR, cytolytic activity, humid-promoting, neutrophils, NK cells, and RGS4, CXCL2, DRD4 and other 7 genes related to ferroptosis were involved in NP development. Key genes of RGS4 and HIF-1 signaling pathway were screened. Conclusion: This study contributes to our understanding of the neuroimmune mechanism of neuropathic pain, provides a reference for NP biomarkers and drug targets. Ferroptosis may be the next research direction to explore NP mechanism.

Outcomes of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and iliac cancellous bone transplantation on alveolar cleft bone grafting: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To systematically evaluate the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and iliac cancellous bone graft (ICBG) on alveolar cleft bone grafting (ACBG) in cleft lip and palate. METHOD: Online databases were searched for case-control studies related to the application of BMP-2 and ICBG in ACBG. RESULT: Meta-analysis showed no significant statistical difference in the filling rate (OR = 4.1, 95% CI (0.06, 2.63)), the volume of bone graft area (OR=-0.42, 95% CI (-1.44, 0.60)), the height of bone graft area (OR = -21.38, 95% CI (-23.00, -19.76)), the density of bone graft area (OR = 0.43, 95% CI (-0.79, 1.64)), the failure rate of bone graft (OR = 0.02, 95% CI (-0.03, 0.06)), infection after operation, and the rate (OR = 0.20, 95% CI (0.05, 0.73)) and the incidence of postoperative oronasal fistula (OR = 4.1, 95% CI (0.06, 2.63)) between BMP-2 and ICBG in ACBG. However, there were obvious statistical differences in operative time (OR = -3.64, 95% CI (-7.35, 0.06)) and the length of hospital stay (OR = -1.97, 95% CI (-2.41, -1.53)). CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis shows that there is no significant difference between BMP-2 and ICBG in filling rate, volume, density, failure rate, and the occurrence of oronasal fistula after ACBG. There were significant differences between BMP-2 and ICBG in the operation time and hospitalization time of ACBG. Compared with ICBG bone graft, BMP-2 has more advantages in ACBG such as remaining area height, postoperative infection rate, operative time, and length of hospital stay.

Association between forkhead box E1 polymorphisms and risk of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present work was to investigate the association between forkhead box E1 (FOXE1) and the risk of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant studies were searched in several professional databases up to 31 July 2019. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using a fixed-effect model or a random-effect model to analyse the relationship between FOXE1 polymorphisms and NSCL/P. RESULTS: A total of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including rs3758249, rs4460498, rs1443434 and rs10217225, were analysed. The overall findings showed that FOXE1 rs4460498 was statistically associated with NSCL/P (including cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and cleft palate only (CPO)). Genotypes CC and CT of rs4460498 were significantly more closely correlated with NSCL/P (including CL/P and CPO) than genotype TT (NSCL/P: TT vs CC, OR = 0.630, P = .000; TT vs TC + CC, OR = 0.775, P = .020; CL/P: TT vs CC, OR = 0.664, P = .000; TT vs TC + CC, OR = 0.738, P = .006. CPO: TT vs CC, OR = 0.761, P = .027; TT vs TC + CC, OR = 0.792, P = .045). For rs10217225, only the TT genotype might have contributed to the elevated risk of CL/P (TT vs CC OR = 2.236, P = .000). The other FOXE1 polymorphisms were not associated with NSCLP, CL/P or CPO. CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis provided confirmation that the polymorphism of FOXE1 rs10217225 was correlated with an increased risk of CL/P, and the polymorphism of FOXE1 rs4460498 was a protective factor for NSCL/P, including CLP and CPO.