Effect of lentivirus-mediated miR-182 targeting FGF9 on hallux valgus

Muscle synergy and kinematic synergy analyses during sit-to-stand motions in hallux valgus patients before and after treatment with Kinesio taping

OBJECTIVES

To explore the impact of hallux valgus (HV) on lower limb neuromuscular control strategies during the sit-to-stand (STS) movement, and to evaluate the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) intervention on these control strategies in HV patients.

METHODS

We included 14 young healthy controls (HY), 13 patients in the HV group (HV), and 11 patients in the HV group (HVI) who underwent a Kinesio taping (KT) intervention during sit-to-stand (STS) motions. We extracted muscle and kinematic synergies from EMG and motion capture data using non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF). In addition, we calculated the center of pressure (COP) and ground reaction forces (GRF) to assess balance performance.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the numbers of muscle and kinematic synergies between groups. In the HV group, knee flexors and ankle plantar flexors were abnormally activated, and muscle synergy D was differentiated. Muscle synergy D was not differentiated in the HVI group.

CONCLUSION

Abnormal activation of knee flexors and plantar flexors led to the differentiation of module D in HV patients, which can be used as an indicator of the progress of HV rehabilitation. KT intervention improved motor control mechanisms in HV patients.

Global prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Though hallux valgus is a common foot deformity, the integrated information on its global prevalence and incidence is relatively lacking. The aim of this research was to assess the global prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus, thus providing reliable data reference for clinical practice.

METHODS

A systematic review of global hallux valgus research publications concerning its prevalence and incidence was performed based on six electronic databases ((PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Online Journals and CQVIP)) from their inception to November 16, 2022. The search terms included "hallux valgus or bunion and prevalence or incidence or epidemiology." All languages were included. Data were extracted by country, continent, age group, gender and other information. The risk of bias was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Instrument for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data by using random-effects models to synthesize available evidence.

RESULTS

A total of 45 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled estimated prevalence was 19% (95% CI, 13% to 25%) (n=186,262,669) for hallux valgus. In subgroup meta-analyses, the prevalence of hallux valgus was 21.96% (95% CI, 10.95% to 35.46%) in Asia, 3% (95% CI, 0% to 15%) in Africa, 18.35% (95% CI, 11.65% to 26.16%) in Europe, 29.26% (95% CI, 4.8% to 63.26%) in Oceania, and 16.1% (95% CI, 5.9% to 30.05%) in North America, respectively. The pooled prevalence of hallux valgus by gender was 23.74% (95% CI, 16.21% to 32.21%) for females and 11.43% (95% CI, 6.18% to 18%) for males. The prevalence was 11% (95% CI, 2% to 26%) in individuals younger than 20 years old, 12.22% in adults aged 20-60 years (95% CI, 5.86% to 20.46%) and 22.7% in elderly people aged over 60 years (95% CI, 13.1% to 33.98%).

CONCLUSION

This research provided the global prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus in terms of its spatial, temporal, and population distribution. The global estimated pooled prevalence and incidence of hallux valgus was 19%. A higher prevalence of hallux valgus was found in females, Oceania countries, and among people aged over 60 years. Due to the high heterogeneity of the included studies, the findings should be interpreted with caution.

Inhibition of miR-182-5p Targets FGF9 to Alleviate Osteoarthritis

Background. The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) is complex and there is no specific drug for treatment. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular targets of OA therapy, focusing on the expression and biological functions of miR-182-5p and its target genes in OA. Methods. miR-182-5p and fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) were overexpressed or knocked down in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. An OA knee model was performed by surgically destroying the medial meniscus. The gene expression of miR-182-5p and FGF9 was calculated. The protein FGF9 was tested by western blotting. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), plate cloning assay, and flow cytometry were conducted to evaluate cell proliferation and apoptosis. The expression of inflammatory factors, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and interleukin (IL)-8, was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Dual-luciferase reporter assays validated the targeting relationship between miR-182-5p and FGF9. Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) and safranin O-fast Green (S–O) staining were utilized to access cartilage damage. Ki67 expression in cartilage was detected using immunohistochemistry (IHC). TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assays were used to calculate the apoptosis rate of cartilage. Results. The expression of miR-182-5p was upregulated, and FGF9 was downregulated in the IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. OA chondrocytes proliferation ability in the miR-182-5p mimics group was decreased, and the apoptosis rate and inflammatory factor were increased. Transfection with miR-182-5p inhibitor increased the proliferative ability and decreased the apoptosis rate in the IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. Transfection with miR-182-5p inhibitor reversed IL-1β-induced inflammatory factor release in chondrocytes. Targeted binding sites existed between miR-182-5p and FGF9. After overexpression of FGF9, the miR-182-5p effect on OA chondrocytes was reversed. The hyaline cartilage thickness and proteoglycan content decreased in OA rats, and this was reversed by miR-182-5p inhibitor treatment. Conclusions. miR-182-5p expression levels were increased in OA chondrocytes and regulated chondrocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation by targeting FGF9. miR-182-5p is a potential gene for OA treatment.

Non-Coding RNAs: lncRNAs, miRNAs, and piRNAs in Sexual Development

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of RNAs that do not encode functional proteins, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). In the last 2 decades an effort has been made to uncover the role of ncRNAs during development and disease, and nowadays it is clear that these molecules have a regulatory function in many of the developmental and physiological processes where they have been studied. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of ncRNAs during gonad determination and development, focusing mainly on mammals, although we also provide information from other species, in particular when there is not much information on the function of particular types of ncRNAs during mammalian sexual development.