ObjectiveStudies have assessed the association between aspartic acid (D)-repeat polymorphism in the gene encoding Asporin (ASPN) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA) risk, but the results were inconclusive and contradictory. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the association between ASPN gene D-repeat polymorphism and KOA risk.MethodsEligible studies were identified by searching several electronic databases for relevant reports published before September 2016. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) for the association between ASPN polymorphism and KOA and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the random- or fixed-effect model.ResultsA total of eleven case-control studies in ten publications with 4610 KOA cases and 3621 controls were included for the ASPN D-repeat polymorphism. Overall, no significant association was detected for D14 allele carrier (D14 vs. D13: OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.90–1.36, p = 0.32). Meta-analysis of D14 vs. other alleles and D13 vs. other alleles showed the same pattern of KOA association as the D14 vs. D13 (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.00–1.70, p = 0.06; OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.82–1.06, p = 0.33, respectively). Also, in the stratified analysis by ethnicity, no significant association of this polymorphism with risk of KOA was found in the European and Asians populations (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.91–1.21, p = 0.49; OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.78–1.23, p = 0.88, respectively).ConclusionsThe present meta-analysis suggests that the ASPN D-repeat polymorphism is not associated with an increased KOA risk. However, future large studies with gene–gene and gene–environment interactions are needed to validate these findings.Level of evidenceLevel III diagnostic study.
Our case-control study failed to determine any association of MTHFR (677C > T and 1298A > C) and TNF-α (-308G > A and -238G > A) polymorphisms with LCPD risk. More studies with larger sample size are warranted to validate our findings.
This meta-analysis results inconsistent with the previous meta-analyses showed that the TNF-α -308 G > A and -238G > A polymorphisms may not be associated with the susceptibility to knee OA.
Background
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is the most prevalent orthopedic problem in active young adults. Due to its multifactorial etiology, a variety of therapeutic measures have been adopted to treat PFP, including exercise therapy, electrotherapy, and manual therapy. It has also been suggested that whole body vibration (WBV) can improve neuromuscular function in persons with knee problems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of adding WBV to routine exercise programs on flexibility, vertical jump height, agility and pain in athletes with PFP.
Methods
Twenty-four male athletes with PFP were randomized into two groups of WBV + exercise (n = 12) or exercise only (n = 12). Participants received their interventions during 4 consecutive weeks (12 sessions). Pain intensity, flexibility and agility were assessed respectively as score on a numerical rating scale, the sit-and-reach test, and a modified T-test, and vertical jump height was measured to the nearest centimeter. The tests were done before and after the interventions, and the results were compared between the two groups. Independent t-tests and paired t-tests were used for between- and within-group comparisons, respectively.
Results
After the interventions, all variables for vertical jump height, flexibility, agility and pain intensity improved significantly in both groups (p < 0.05). The flexibility test showed significantly greater improvement in the WBV + exercise group (p<0.001), whereas for vertical jump height, agility and pain intensity, there were no statistically significant differences between groups (p>0.05).
Conclusions
The present findings showed that exercise therapy with and without WBV can significantly decrease pain and increase agility, vertical jump height and flexibility in athletes with PFP. Adding WBV to routine exercise therapy, however, can augment the effects of the latter on flexibility.
Trial registration
IRCT, IRCT20090831002391N39. Registered 7 February 2018, https://en.irct.ir/search/result?query=IRCT20090831002391N39.
Background:Some studies have investigated the association of GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTM3, and GSTP1 polymorphisms with susceptibility to osteosarcoma; however, these studies results are inconsistent and inconclusive. In order to drive a more precise estimation, the present case-control study and meta-analysis was performed to investigate association of GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTM3, and GSTP1 polymorphisms with osteosarcoma.Methods:Eligible articles were identified by a search of several electronic databases for the period up to May 5, 2018. Odds ratios were pooled using either fixed-effects or random effects models.Results:Finally, a total of 24 case-control studies with 2,405 osteosarcoma cases and 3,293 controls were included in the present meta-analysis. Overall, significantly increased osteosarcoma risk was found when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis of GSTT1 (Null vs. Present: OR= 1.247 95% CI 1.020-1.524, P= 0.031) and GSTP1 polymorphism (B vs. A: OR= 8.899 95% CI 2.722-29.094, P≤0.001). In the stratified, significantly increased osteosarcoma risk was observed for GSTT1 polymorphism among Asians (Null vs. Present: OR= 1.300 95% CI 1.034-1.635, P= 0.025), but not among Caucasians.Conclusions:This meta-analysis demonstrated that GSTP1 and GSTT1 null genotype are associated with the risk of osteosarcoma. Future large well-designed epidemiological studies are warranted to validate our results.
Background and objectives: the present study is an attempt to investigate the prevalence and type of lumbar spinal MRI incidental findings in patients diagnosed with discopathy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 26/09/2012 to 14/01/2013 on MRI findings of 444 patients clinically diagnosed with Discopathy and approved MRI reports. A Radiologist studied the MRI results in terms of single vertebral hemangioma, multiple vertebral hemangiomas, kidney cyst, liver cyst and Perineural cyst. Data were collected and analyzed through Fisher Exact test. Results: 73 patients (16%) out of a total of 444 patients (215 males (48.4%) and 229 females (51.6) with a mean age of 42 years and age range of 13 to 87 years), provided incidental findings. The frequency of single vertebral hemangioma, multiple vertebral hemangioma, kidney cysts, liver cysts and Perineural cyst was 31 cases (7.0%), 11 cases (2.5%), 13 cases (2.9%), 2 cases (0.5%) and 3 cases (0.7%) respectively. There was no significant correlation between the frequency distribution of findings in terms of sex (P-value = 0.08), but there was a significant correlation between the frequency distribution of findings in terms of age (P-value = 0.006). Conclusion: incidental findings are fairly common findings in the MRI of patients with discopathy. There is a significant correlation between the frequency distributions of these findings and the patients' age, however, no correlation was observed between these findings and patients' sex.
Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the association of eNOS polymorphisms with risk of Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD). Methods: The study comprised of 45 LCPD patients and 55 controls. The eNOS polymorphisms were genotyped with PCR and by PCR-RFLP. Results: The eNOS 894G > T and −786T > C polymorphisms were significantly associated with an increased risk of LCPD. However, there was no significant association between eNOS 27-bp VNTR polymorphism and LCPD risk.
Conclusion:Our results suggest that the eNOS 894G > T and −786T > C polymorphisms may be a risk factor for LCPD in Iranian children, but not 27-bp VNTR polymorphism.
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