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Abstract Background This study aims to identify the current status and factors influencing self-management of knee discomfort in middle-aged and elderly people in China. Methods A stratified multistage cluster sampling method was used to select participants from communities in China from January 15 to May 31, 2020. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the general information questionnaire and the Knee Joint Discomfort Self-management Scale. Univariate analysis and a generalized linear model were used to analyze the factors influencing self-management. Results The prevalence of knee discomfort was 77%. Moderate to severe discomfort accounted for 30.5%. The average item score of self-management in 9640 participants was 1.98 ± 0.76. The highest and lowest levels were: ‘daily life management’ and ‘information management’. Gender, ethnicity, education level, economic source, chronic disease, knee pain in the past month, and the degree of self-reported knee discomfort were significant predictors of self-management. Conclusion The self-management of knee discomfort in middle-aged and elderly people is poor, and the degree of discomfort is a significant predictor. Healthcare providers should consider socioeconomic demographic and clinical characteristics to help these individuals improve their self-management skills. Attention should also be given to improving their ability to access health information and making them aware of disease risks.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to describe the knee joint discomfort, self-management behavior, and quality of life (QoL) in the middle-aged and elderly people in China and to clarify the relationship between the knee joint discomfort, self-management behavior, and QoL.MethodsIt is a cross-sectional study and in this study, a stratified multistage random sampling method was used to collect data on the three factors such as knee joint discomfort, self-management behavior, and QoL among the middle-aged and elderly people in the Hunan Province. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to test the relationship between the knee joint discomfort, self-management behavior, and QoL.ResultsThe results of the present study showed that among them, the prevalence of knee pain was the highest (52.1%), followed by knee weakness (42.5%), numbness (41.8%), cold feeling (40.0%), tenderness (38.3%), and distension feeling (37.5%). Average score of self-management of knee joint discomfort in the middle-aged and elderly people was 2.14 ± 0.67. The level of self-management in each dimension ranged from high to low as emotional management, daily management, symptoms management, and information management. The average scores of physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) were 42.85 ± 5.34 and 43.62 ± 8.43, respectively. The occurrence, frequency, and severity of discomfort symptoms were positively correlated with the symptoms management, daily management, information management, and self-management behaviors, and negatively correlated with the emotional management, PCS and MSC, except for the occurrence of discomfort symptoms (P < 0.05).ConclusionKnee joint discomfort was prevalent in the middle-aged and elderly people. In addition, they displayed a low level of self-management behavior and poor QoL. The middle-aged and elderly people faced knee discomfort symptoms, the more frequent and severe symptoms, the higher level of symptom management, daily management, and information management, and the lower level of emotional management and QoL.

For decades, the desire for tissue regeneration has never been quenched. Dental-derived mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs), with the potential of self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation, have attracted much attention in this topic. Growing evidence suggests that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) can activate various regulatory processes. Even with a slight decrease or increase in expression, ncRNAs can weaken or even subvert cellular fate. Therefore, a systematic interpretation of ncRNAs that guide the differentiation of DMSCs into cells of other tissue types is urgently needed. In this review, we introduce the roles of ncRNAs in the differentiation of DMSCs, such as osteogenic differentiation, odontogenic differentiation, neurogenic differentiation, angiogenic differentiation and myogenic differentiation. Additionally, we illustrate the regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs in the differentiation of DMSCs, such as epigenetic regulation, transcriptional regulation, mRNA modulation, miRNA sponges and signalling. Finally, we summarize the types and mechanisms of ncRNAs in the differentiation of DMSCs, such as let-7 family, miR-17∼92 family, miR-21, lncRNA H19, lncRNA ANCR, lncRNA MEG3, circRNA CDR1as and CircRNA SIPA1L1. If revealing the intricate relationship between ncRNAs and pluripotency of DMSCs 1 day, the application of DMSCs in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering will be improved. Our work could be an important stepping stone towards this future.

Background: An umbrella review was conducted to compare the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) versus non-ESWT in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Materials and methods: Three databases including PubMed, Embase and Web of science were searched up to September 2023. Literature screening, quality evaluation, and data extraction were performed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Metaanalysis of outcome indicators was performed using Revman 5.4 software. Results: A total of eight meta-analysis were included in this umbrella review. All meta-analysis were graded against a Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) and scored between 8 and 11. Compared to the sham group, the ESWT group showed better results in WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) [mean difference (MD)= -2.94, 95% CI: -5.52, -0.37, P= 0.03, I²= 60%], Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (MD = - 2.0, 95% CI: - 2.5, - 1.5, P< 0.01, I²=0%), range of motion (ROM) (MD =17.55, 95% CI: 13.49, 21.61, P< 0.00001, I²=0%), and Lequesne index (MD = - 2.85, 95% CI: - 3.64, - 2.07, P<0.00001, I²=48%). Conclusion: Based on the results of our analysis, ESWT is now an effective therapy for improving pain and function in patients with KOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]