Spectrum construction of differentially expressed circular RNAs in patients with leukoaraiosis and function analysis of differentially expressed genes.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are class of endogenous RNAs that have a role in the regulation of gene expression. The present study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value and role of circRNA in the pathogenesis of leukoaraiosis (LA). The present study performed Arraystar Human circRNA Array analysis of 6 samples from LA cases and 6 samples from control cases. Differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs between two samples were identified through fold­change (>1.5­fold) screening. Afterwards, based on DE circRNAs, the gene ontology (GO) analysis of upregulated DE genes identified from DE circRNAs demonstrated that DE genes were primarily associated with cellular metabolic processes, membrane­bound organelles and binding. However, none were enriched in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway. Downregulated DE genes were enriched in cellular localization, cytoplasm and kinase binding. For the KEGG pathways, the downregulated DE genes were primarily associated with the insulin signaling pathway. The results of the present study indicated that the DE genes from differently expressed circRNAs may have an important role in the pathogenesis of LA and may be a novel targfet for further research.

Erratum: Relationship between dyslipidemia and carotid plaques in a high-stroke-risk population in Shandong Province, China.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1002/brb3.473.].

Relationship between dyslipidemia and carotid plaques in a high-stroke-risk population in Shandong Province, China.

INTRODUCTION: The precise associations between stroke and carotid plaques and dyslipidemia are unclear. This population-based study aimed to examine the relationship between carotid plaques and dyslipidemia in a high-stroke-risk population. METHODS: Ultrasonography of left and right carotid arteries was conducted in 22,222 participants in a second screening survey of individuals with high stroke risk. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of carotid plaques. Blood TC (total cholesterol), TG (total triglycerides), and LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels were recorded. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis, controlled for gender, age, education, geographic region, smoking, exercise, and overweight (Model 2), identified TG as a predictor of carotid-plaque risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.109, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.038-1.185, P = 0.002), and the association between carotid plaques and LDL-C (OR = 0.967, 95%CI: 0.949-0.994, P = 0.019) was less significant, whereas there was no association between carotid plaques and TC (OR = 1.002, 95%CI: 0.932-1.007, P = 0.958). After additional adjustment for hypertension, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation (Model 3), TG remained a risk factor for carotid plaques (OR = 1.086, 95%CI: 1.016-1.161, P = 0.015), but no associations were observed between carotid plaques and LDL-C (OR = 0.972, 95%CI: 0.910-1.038, P = 0.394) or TC (OR = 1.003, 95%CI: 0.933-1.079, P = 0.928). Only the association between TG and carotid plaques (OR = 1.084, 95%CI: 1.014-1.159, P = 0.017) was independent of all covariates (covariates in Model 3 plus history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, and stroke family history) in Model 4. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that TG was an independent risk factor for carotid plaques in high-risk population for stroke, whereas LDL-C and TC were not associated with the appearance of carotid plaques independently.

Differences in the distribution of risk factors for stroke among the high-risk population in urban and rural areas of Eastern China.

INTRODUCTION: Considering the program of screening for risk factors of stroke in Eastern China, the aim of this study was to compare the distribution differences in risk factors for stroke among the high-risk population living in urban and rural areas. METHODS: A total of 231,289 residents were screened and basic information collected. Risk factors for stroke among the high-risk population were compared between the urban and rural groups. RESULTS: A total of 117,776 high-risk residents from urban areas and 113,513 from rural areas were included in the analysis. The prevalence of hypertension was much higher in rural areas (73.3%) than that in urban areas (64.1%). Dyslipidemia (48.9% vs. 26.9%), sport lack (46.6% vs. 31.6%), diabetes mellitus (21.3% vs. 16.5%), and atrial fibrillation (18.7% vs. 9.8%) were more prevalent in the urban group, while smoking (26.5% vs. 28.8%), previous stroke (10.1% vs. 16.9%), and transient ischemic attack (20.9% vs. 24.6%) were less prevalent. CONCLUSION: Among the population at high risk of stroke, there were significant differences in the distribution of the following risk factors between the urban and rural groups: hypertension, atrial fibrillation, dyslipidemia, lack of physical exercise, and a previous stroke.

[Repair of defects in lower extremities with peroneal perforator-based sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the operative technique and clinical results of using peroneal perforator-based sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps to repair skin and soft tissue defects in lower extremities. METHODS: From January 2009 to March 2012, 26 patients with skin and soft tissue defects at distal region of leg and foot were hospitalized. Among them, 9 patients suffered from tendon or bone exposure at the distal region of leg after injury due to traffic accident; 4 patients suffered from skin defects in the ankle as a result of electric injury; 8 patients suffered from chronic ulcer at the distal part of leg and foot; 5 patients suffered from plantar pressure ulcer. After debridement, soft tissue defect sizes ranged from 11 cm×5 cm to 18 cm×13 cm. According to the position and size of the defects, peroneal perforator-based sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps were designed and procured to repair the skin and soft tissue defects. The size of flaps ranged from 12 cm×6 cm to 20 cm×15 cm. Flap donor sites were closed by direct suture or skin grafting. RESULTS: Twenty-five flaps survived completely. Only one flap suffered partial margin necrosis in the size of 2 cm×1 cm, which was healed after dressing change. Patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months. The appearance and sensation of flaps were satisfactory; no ulcer occurred; the movement of lower extremities was normal. CONCLUSIONS: It is suitable to repair the skin and soft tissue defects at distal region of leg and foot with the peroneal perforator-based sural neurofasciocutaneous flap, as it possesses reliable blood supply, long and non-bulky pedicle, and sufficient available size. The operation is also easy to perform.

Experiment on formulation and drug release behavior of porosity asymmetric membrane capsules in vitro.

Porosity asymmetric membrane capsules were prepared to study the relationship between the capsule formulation and drug release. Cellulose acetate (CA) and pore formers were used in the capsule shell formulation as the main semipermeable membrane material. The capsules were permeable to both water and dissolved solutes. Using sparingly soluble drug acetaminophen as a model, cumulative release was calculated. The slope of the release profile from the distilled water had good relationship with the concentration of the pore formers F68. The release of acetaminophen was independent to the pH, osmotic pressure of dissolution medium, but influenced by intensity of agitation. When the concentration of pore former was low, zero-order release behavior was observed within 24 h which was consistent with Fickian diffusion model. When the concentration of pore former was high, however, Higuchi model release was found which is caused by Fickian diffusion and osmotic pressure release. With scanning electron microscope (SEM), the surface structure and cross-section of the capsule shell were also studied before and after drug delivery. With simple preparation and broad scope of drug application, porosity asymmetric membrane capsules can give desired drug extended release and show more convenience than controlled tablets with laser drilling.