Introduction and objective Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a musculoskeletal disorder. Genetic and epigenetic changes in C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) may lead to disturbance in chondrocyte development and change the labrum dimensions, which indirectly result in hip joint instability. Considering the important role of this gene in cell migration, cell adhesion and bone and cartilage development, we aimed to evaluate the CX3CR1 gene methylation in DDH pathogenesis. Methods Our study comprised of forty-five DDH patients and forty-five healthy control subjects with healthy femoral neck cartilage. The healthy controls had total or hemiarthroplasty for the femoral neck fracture. Samples were collected from the femoral head (cartilage) of DDH patients and healthy controls. Genomic DNA was obtained from the samples, and DNA methylation of CX3CR1 gene was analyzed via metabisulfite method. Results Methylation analysis reveals no significant differences in promoter of CX3CR1 gene in cartilage samples from DDH patients and healthy control subjects (P = 0.33). Conclusion Methylation status of CX3CR1 gene showed no significant difference between the patient and control groups. Our results indicate that DNA methylation may not modulate this gene in this disease and other epigenetic mechanisms such as non-coding RNAs and histone modifications could be implicated.

ObjectiveKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the growing health problems with a considerable burden. With recent research on the possible effectiveness of antioxidants in the remission of KOA symptoms, a systematic review and meta-analysis was required to confirm this hypothesis.DesignLiterature studies were searched on the most comprehensive databases such as PubMed, International Scientific Indexing, and Scopus, with no language and time restrictions. On 17 July 2021, a search strategy was developed based on the roots of “osteoarthritis (OA)” and “antioxidants,” with no time or language limitations. As the primary outcome, pain was evaluated based on all indicators for evaluating pain [e.g., Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scores, the visual analog scale (VAS), and the numerical rating scale (NRS)]. The symptoms and functions of KOA and quality of life (QOL) were also considered as secondary outcomes, each of which was measured and reported by the corresponding instrument in the studies. To measure the changes in pain, symptoms, and functions of participants, we included randomized controlled trials with a placebo control or other medical therapeutic interventions. Publication bias was assessed using Begg's funnel plot and Egger's regression test, which was deemed to be statistically significant at 0.1, and the results were checked by the trim-and-fill test.ResultsAfter refinement, data were extracted from 31 documents from 7,698 primary searched papers. Using the VAS as a reliable psychometric measuring instrument, the present study revealed that a significant difference in the characteristics of disease-related symptoms of patients with KOA was reached after antioxidant therapy (standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.467, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.303–0.632, p < 0.0001). The results reported by WOMAC confirmed no significant difference in the combined score, difficulty score, pain score, and stiffness score.ConclusionAs the first comprehensive systematic review of the association between antioxidant supplementation and KOA, this study showed that antioxidants can decrease disease-related symptoms in patients with KOA. The results can be useful for health policy decisions and future related studies.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022351060, identifier: CRD42022351060.

AimAvascular necrosis (AVN) or osteonecrosis is characterized by death of bone tissue due to endothelial damage and vascular abnormality. Coronavirus can induce endothelial damage and abnormal blood clotting, so that COVID‐19 is known as a vascular disease. We aim to evaluate the relationship between AVN and COVID‐19.CaseHere we present a 39‐year old man with severe COVID‐19 and corticosteroid consumption who developed late onset AVN of both hips 20 month after COVID‐19.ConclusionAn awareness of the possible osteonecrosis for all physicians dealing with patients with musculoskeletal problems following COVID‐19 is necessary.

BACKGROUND: Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic multisystem disorder. The principal pathological finding in BD is vasculitis, which may involve vessels of different sizes. Concurrence of small and large vessel involvement in BD patients is undetermined. The aim of this study is to evaluate small vessel involvement in BD patients with large vessel involvement.METHODS: 35 BD patients with large vessel involvement (cases) and 35 BD patients without large vessel involvement (controls) were included. For evaluation of small vessel involvement, capillaroscopy was done for all patients. Capillaroscopic findings were compared between two groups. RESULTS: According to the capillaroscopic findings, all of our BD patients had small vessel involvementThe most abnormality was tortuosity (87.1%), followed by avascular areas (51.4%) and decreased density of capillaries (44.2%). Capillaroscopy findings were not statistically different between the case and the control groups. In the case group, the number of avascular areas was associated with superficial phlebitis (p=0.044) and deep vein thrombosis (p= 0.022). In addition, there was a significant association between micro bleeding and the history of erythema nodosum (p=0.015), tortuosity and the history of skin aphthosis (p= 0.015), architectural derangement and the history of uveitis (p=0.029), the number of avascular areas and active oral aphthosis (p= 0.021), and architectural derangement and increased ESR (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in nailfold capillary involvement between BD patients with and without large vessel involvement. However, Among BD patients with large vessel involvement, the number of avascular areas was significantly associated with superficial phlebitis and deep vein thrombosis.

No abstract