No Association of MicroRNA-146a rs2910164 Polymorphism and Risk of Primary Gout Development in Chinese Han Populations: A Case-control Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) plays an important role in the regulation of autoinflammatory diseases including primary gout. The G/C polymorphism (rs2910164) in the precursor sequence of miR-146a caused its stem region to change from G: U to C: U,which can contribute to the susceptibility of human diseases. However, no genetic relevance studies of miR-146a gene polymorphisms to gout have been reported by now. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between the miR-146a rs2910164 genetic polymorphism and the susceptibility of the Chinese Han population to primary gout. METHODS: 1130 Chinese Han participants (including 606 primary gout patients and 524 gender and age-matched healthy control subjects) were recruited and the 5'exonuclease TaqMan® technology was used to perform miR-146a rs2910164 genotyping. RESULTS: After statistical analysis, no significant differences were observed between gout patients and healthy controls in genotype and allele frequency. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that there is no evidence for the involvement of the miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphisms in susceptibility to primary gout in the Chinese Han population.

[One-stage toenail lengthening: a report of 9 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize clinical application of one-stage toenail lengthening in free second toe transfer for reconstruction of the thumb (finger). METHODS: Nine patients (male 7, female 2) underwent thumb (finger) reconstruction with second toe transfer were treated by one-stage toenail lengthening technique. Eight were the thumb and 1 was the index finger. Patients aged from 18 to 46 years,with an average of 25 years. A rectangle skin was resected at 0.5 cm away from the eponychium, which was 0.2 cm high and as wide as the toenail. Then stripped U shape flap gently towards proximal end and sutured it. During the operation, the injury of the subcutaneous vascular network should be avoided. RESULTS: Superficial infection at donor area happened in 1 case and was healed by changing dressings. All the reconstruction thumbs (fingers) had survived completely. 2 to 3 mm extending of toenail length was obtained and the appearance of thumb (finger) was improved. There was no growth deformation of toenail. After 7 to 24 months follow up (the average time 13 months), the appearance of the nail was good. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage toenail lengthening in free second toe transfer for reconstruction of the thumb (finger), which can obtain a satisfactory appearance of the nail and have no influence on the motion of the reconstruction thumb (finger), is a simple and an effective operative procedure.