Association between dietary fiber intake and peripheral artery disease in hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: At present, no studies explored whether dietary fiber intake was associated with the risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in hypertensive patients. This study assessed the association between dietary fiber intake and PAD in hypertensive patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected the data of 4628 participants with the measurement of ankle-brachial pressure index in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys database. Univariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify variables associated with PAD as confounding factors. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between dietary fiber intake and PAD in hypertensive patients. Subgroup analysis was stratified by age, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, and physical activity. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding factors, decreased risk of PAD was observed in hypertensive patients with dietary fiber intake > 21 g [odds ratio (OR) = 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46-0.99]. Compared with people with dietary fiber intake ≤ 21 g, those with dietary fiber intake > 21 g were associated with decreased risk of PAD in hypertensive patients < 60 years (OR = 0.23, 95%CI 0.08-0.66). In hypertensive patients without dyslipidemia, dietary fiber intake > 21 g were associated with reduced risk of PAD (OR = 0.33, 95%CI 0.12-0.95). Decreased risk of PAD was also found in hypertensive patients without diabetes in dietary fiber intake > 21 g group (OR = 0.50, 95%CI 0.31-0.78). Dietary fiber intake > 21 g was linked with reduced risk of PAD in hypertensive patients in never smoke group (OR = 0.46, 95%CI 0.24-0.86). CONCLUSION: Higher dietary fiber intake was associated with reduced risk of PAD in hypertensive patients, suggesting the importance of increase the daily dietary quality especially fiber intake in hypertensive people.

Circular RNA circ-3626 promotes bone formation by modulating the miR-338-3p/Runx2 axis.

OBJECTIVE: Disorders of bone homeostasis are the key factors leading to metabolic bone disease, such as senile osteoporosis, which is characterized by age-related bone loss. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) possess high osteogenic capacity which has been regarded as a practical approach to preventing bone loss. Previous studies have shown that the osteogenic differentiation ability of BMSCs is significantly decreased in senile osteoporosis. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been regarded as critical regulators in controlling the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by sponging microRNAs (miRNAs). Our study aimed to discover new and critical osteogenesis-related circRNAs that can promote bone formation in senile osteoporosis. METHODS: We detected the dysregulated circRNAs of BMSCs upon osteogenic differentiation induction and identified the critical osteogenic circRNA (circ-3626). The relationship between circ-3626 and osteoporosis was further verified in clinical bone samples and aged mice by qPCR. Moreover, circ-3626 AAV was constructed to examine the osteogenic effect of circ-3626 on bone formation via using Micro-CT, double calcein labeling, and the three-point bending tests. Bioinformatics analysis, Luciferase report gene assays, FISH, RNA pull-down, qPCR, Western Blots, and alizarin red staining assay explore the effects and mechanisms of circ-3626 on osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. RESULTS: Circ-3626 was identified as a pivotal osteogenesis-related circRNA via RNA sequencing. The results of alizarin red staining, Western blots, and qPCR assays suggest that overexpressing circ-3626 dramatically accelerates the osteogenic capability of BMSCs. Furthermore, the bone repair capability of aging mice could be significantly improved by circ-3626 AAV treatment. Micro RNA miR-338-3p was identified as the downstream target of circ-3626. Overexpression of circ-3626 increases the expression of Runx2 by sponging miR-338-3p, thereby promoting the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by upregulating the expression of osteogenic genes. In addition, Western blots, and qPCR assays suggest circ-3626 AAV treatment promote the expression of Runx2 and osteogenic marker genes. CONCLUSION: Thus, we demonstrate that circ-3626 plays a pivotal role in promoting bone formation through the miR-338-3p/Runx2 axis and may provide new strategies for preventing and treating the bone loss of senile osteoporosis.

Endoscopic Release Superficial Rather Than Deep to the Transverse Carpal Ligament for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Improves Immediate Postoperative Transient Symptomatic Exacerbation With Fewer Absences From Work.

PURPOSE: To determine the endoscopic release superficially rather than deep to the transverse carpal ligament to reduce the incidence of transient symptomatic exacerbation and postoperative absence from work in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: From January 2012 to January 2018, patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome who underwent one-portal endoscopic release superficial to the transverse carpal ligament (ERSTCL) were analyzed. For comparison, a cohort treated with the conventional Chow endoscopic release between February 2008 and October 2013 were included. Transient worsening of symptoms, discrimination sensation, and days off work were assessed. The minimal clinically important difference was calculated for discrimination sensation. Severity of symptom and functional status also were assessed using the Levine-Katz Questionnaire. Significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the ERSTCL group and the control group regarding the incidence of symptomatic exacerbation 1 week after surgery (2% vs 9%; P = .003) but no difference in other time intervals within the initial 3 months. There was a significant difference in 2-point discrimination 1 week (mean change = -0.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.30 to 0.04, P = .01) and 2 weeks after surgery (mean change = -0.18, 95% CI -0.36 to -0.01, P = .033). Postoperative 1 and 2 weeks, 28% and 35% patients in ERSTCL group achieved a minimal clinically important difference, respectively. Compared with control group, the difference in frequencies was statistically significant (28% vs 45%; P = .027; 35% vs 57%; P = .015). The difference between the 2 groups in postoperative absence from work was statistically significant (95% CI 1.083-4.724; P = .002), with an average reduction in sick leave of 3 days in ERSTCL group. At a mean follow-up of 3 years, no significant difference was found between the groups regarding symptom and function statuses. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic release superficial rather than deep to transverse carpal ligament for carpal tunnel syndrome improves immediate postoperative transient symptomatic exacerbation, which allows the patients to return to work earlier. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Evaluation of the Transverse Carpal Ligament in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Shear Wave Elastography: A Non-Invasive Approach of Diagnosis and Management.

Objectives: The goal of this work is to determine the clinical value of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) for guiding subsequent treatment. Methods: This study analyzed patients who underwent median nerve (MN) ultrasound (US) examination of the wrist from April 2020 to April 2021. The cross-sectional area and anteroposterior diameter of the MN, as well as the TCL thickness and stiffness, were measured from images. The intra-group and intra-patient subgroup differences were compared using a t-test and a rank test. We also utilized receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to diagnose CTS and evaluate the severity. Results: The final cohort consisted of 120 wrists (bilateral) from 60 samples, evenly balanced across the patient and control groups according to their CTS diagnosis. In the unilateral positive patient subgroup, the MN and TCL of the positive hand were significantly thicker and stiffer than the negative counterparts (both, p < 0.05). The values from the right were also thicker and stiffer than the left (both, p < 0.05) in patients with bilateral CTS. The MN and TCL of the patient group were also significantly thicker and stiffer than those of the control group (both, p < 0.001). For diagnosing CTS, the area under the curve (AUC) of TCL thickness and stiffness at the distal carpal tunnel (DCT) ranged between 0.925 and 0.967. For evaluating CTS severity, we found that the optimal TCL stiffness is sufficient for diagnosing mild and non-mild patient cases (AUC: Emean = 0.757, Emax = 0.779). Conclusions: Shear wave elastography is therefore an effective method for CTS diagnosis and management.