ObjectiveTo evaluate the changes in the expression and significance of serum exosomal miRNAs in patients with DeBakey typeⅠacute aortic dissection (AAD). MethodsTwelve male patients with AAD and six healthy male medical examiners from our hospital were retrospectively included in this study. According to the time of chest pain, the AAD patients were divided into an AAD group within 24 h of chest pain onset, aged 47.00±8.79 years and an AAD group within 48 h of chest pain onset, aged 50.17±9.99 years. The healthy males were allocated to a control group, aged 49.17±4.26 years. Serum exosomal miRNAs were isolated, identified and quantified, and then differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were screened. The bioinformatic analyses such as GO and KEGG were performed on the differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs. ResultsHigh-throughput screening results revealed differential expression of AAD serum exosomal miRNAs. The upregulated miRNAs of AAD groups was hsa-miR-574-5p (P<0.05), and downregulated miRNAs were hsa-miR-223-3p, hsa-miR-146b-5p, hsa-miR-15b-5p, and hsa-miR-155-5p (P<0.05). Further bioinformatic analysis of the above miRNAs revealed that they were mainly enriched in signaling pathways such as transforming growth factor-β, cell cycle and endoplasmic reticulum protein synthesis. ConclusionDifferential expressions of serum exosomal miRNAs in AAD patients may be related to the pathogenesis of AAD, providing new ideas and clues for further exploration of AAD diagnostic markers and pathogenesis.
Meta-analysis has become a common approach to summarize genetic association with the tremendous amount of published epidemiological evidence. Assessing the credibility of meta-analysis evidence on genetic association is a rapidly growing challenge. This paper illuminates how to assess the credibility of meta-analysis evidence by using Venice criteria. A semi-quantitative index assigns three levels for the amount of evidence, replication and protection from bias. At the end, three considerations are merged into a grading scheme, which generates three composite assessments: weak, moderate or strong. Credibility assessment is necessary to estimate whether a true genetic association exists. Such method provides indication for further study and is of clinical importance.