MMP-1, MMP-8, and MMP-13 Gene Polymorphisms and Haplotype Is a Risk Factor for Dupuytren Contracture: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

There is an increased tissue expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) on Dupuytren contracture (DC). Genetic polymorphisms (single nucleotide polymorphism [SNPs]) in genes of these enzymes may individually influence these transcriptions. Haplotype analysis, which is the observation of a group of alleles, could be more useful to identify the association between SNPs and DC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of MMP-1 g.-1607 G>GG (rs1799750), MMP-8 g.-799 C>T (rs11225395), and MMP-13 g.-77 A>G (rs2252070) SNPs individually and in haplotype on DC.

METHODS

A total of 60 patients with a clinical diagnosis of DC were evaluated and matched, according to age and gender, with the control group of 100 patients without this clinical diagnosis. Genomic DNA was extracted from saliva samples, and genotypes were obtained by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Statistical analysis of the results included Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-squared test, and PHASE and R software, with a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS

The 3 SNPs studied showed significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies between the groups: 2G in MMP-1 (P = .018; odds ratio [OR] 1.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-2.88)), T in MMP-8 (P = .015; OR 0.53 (95% CI, 0.33-0.88)), and A in MMP-13 (rs2252070) SNPs (P = .040, OR 0.54 (95% CI, 0.33-0.90)) are risk alleles. The global haplotype analysis indicated a significant difference between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, MMP-1 g.-1607 G>GG (rs1799750), MMP-8 g.-799 C>T (rs11225395), and MMP-13 g.-77 A>G (rs2252070) SNPs, individually and in haplotype, are a risk factor for DC, indicating that these SNPs may be a potential diagnostic and prognostic factor for DC.

Comparison between donor nerves to motorize the free functional gracilis muscle transfer for elbow flexion: Retrospective study of 38 consecutive cases in traumatic adult brachial plexus injuries

PURPOSE

Elbow flexion deficit is a frequent problem in traumatic brachial plexus injuries and reestablishment of this function is the primary treatment goal. When management is delayed, or the initial acute approach fails, free functional transfer of the gracilis muscle for elbow flexion is the treatment of choice. In this report, the authors present the results of a comparison study on different donor nerves (spinal accessory and ulnar) in elbow flexion reconstruction with gracilis flap for traumatic adult brachial plexus injuries.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patients with both total or partial traumatic brachial plexus injuries was carried out. Of the 38 patients enrolled, 37 were male (97.4%) with a mean age of 28.3 years. The mean follow-up period was 25 months. Postoperative function of the gracilis muscle flap was recorded and patients were divided into two groups according to donor nerve: spinal accessory nerve (SAN) (18 cases), and motor fascicles of the ulnar (ULNAR) (20 cases).

RESULTS

Twenty-six cases obtained elbow flexion strength M3 or M4 (68.4%): 0 M0 (0.0%), 4 M1 (10.5%), 8 M2 (21.1%), 9 M3 (23.7%) and 17 M4 (44.7%). The mean interval to first recorded M3 muscular strength was 12.4 months. Functional elbow flexion strength (≥ M3) had the following distribution: SAN 83.3% (15/18) and ULNAR 55.0% (11/20) (p = .086).

CONCLUSION

No statistical difference for final muscle strength was found between donor nerve groups.

Versatile mechanical properties of novel g-SiC x monolayers from graphene to silicene: a first-principles study

Recently, a series of graphene-like binary monolayers (g-SiC _x ), where Si partly substitutes the C positions in graphene, have been obtained by tailoring the band gaps of graphene and silicene that have made them a promising material for application in opto-electronic devices. Subsequently, evaluating the mechanical properties of g-SiC _x has assumed great importance for engineering applications. In this study, we quantified the in-plane mechanical properties of g-SiC _x (x = 7, 5, 3, 2 and 1) monolayers (also including graphene and silicene) based on density function theory. It was found that the mechanical parameters of g-SiC _x , such as the ideal strength, Young's modulus, shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, as well as fracture toughness, are overall related to the ratio of Si-C to C-C bonds, which varies with Si concentration. However, for g-SiC₇ and g-SiC₃, the mechanical properties seem to depend on the structure because in g-SiC₇, the C-C bond strength is severely weakened by abnormal stretching, and in g-SiC₃, conjugation structure is formed. The microscopic failure of g-SiC _x exhibits diverse styles depending on the more complex structural deformation modes introduced by Si substitution. We elaborated the structure-properties relationship of g-SiC _x during the failure process, and in particular, found that the structural transformation of g-SiC₃ and g-SiC is due to the singular symmetry of their structure. Due to the homogeneous phase, all the g-SiC _x investigated in this study preserve rigorous isotropic Young's moduli and Poisson's ratios. With versatile mechanical performances, the family of g-SiC _x may facilitate the design of advanced two-dimensional materials to meet the needs for practical mechanical engineering applications. The results offer a fundamental understanding of the mechanical behaviors of g-SiC _x monolayers.

Diabetic limb salvage procedure with bone allograft and free flap transfer: a case report

The aim of this case report was to describe a successful diabetic limb salvage procedure in the treatment of an infected diabetic foot ulcer through a multidisciplinary team approach and complex surgical reconstruction involving a femoral head bone allograft and musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi free flap. The decision to proceed with aggressive staged efforts at diabetic limb salvage should be made only after careful consultation with the patient, his or her family, and the rest of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.

[Treatment of osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb by ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition arthroplasty]

Total trapezium resection and palmar oblique ligament reconstruction combined with tendon interposition arthroplasty using the entire flexor carpi radialis tendon were performed in 21 patients (23 thumbs) who developed advanced osteoarthritis of the thumb basal joint. All patients were females and the age ranged from 42 to 73 years. Good results were achieved in 21 thumbs. These procedures improved pinch and grip strength and restored the thumb web space. No deterioration of function, instability or pain has been noted over the time.

[Helminth and pinworm control for primary school and kindergarten children by periodical mass-examination and treatment in Suan-Yuan District, Taipei (author's transl)]

The mass pre-control survey was done in fall semester 1978 by both methods that Kato's thick smear for helminthic infection and cellophane tape perianal swab for pinworm infection. There are about 19,000 primary school children and around 5,000 kindergarten children in Suan-yuan District, being the subjects. The helminthic positive rates (%) obtained were 5.18 and 3.81, respectively. The rates for pinworm were found 28.68% former and 29.00% for the latter. Drug was given to the egg-positive persons after mass examination, in each semester, for three consecutive years. Two broad-spectrum anthelmintics, pyrantel pamoate and mebendazole were used. The children who harbored Ascaris, hookworm or pinworm were given pyrantel tablet as a single dose of 10 mg/kg body weight, and whipworm positives were given a standard course of 100 mg of mebendazole twice daily for three days. After three-year operation, in accordance with the results of examination in Spring semester 1981, the egg positive rates were sharply dropped to 0.56% for the primary school children and 0.50% for the kindergarten. The pinworm infection rates for the above-mentioned group were also reduced to 13.05% and 18.68%, respectively.