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In this study, we detected the expression levels of miR-21 in 38 clinical urine samples, obtained from 10 patients with PCa (with each sample obtained at three time points: before surgery, 1 month after surgery, and 3 months after surgery), 3 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and 5 healthy subjects (as a control group). All of the samples were examined using a silver nanoparticle-based biosensor, and the sensitivity of the biosensor was simultaneously confirmed via qRT-PCR. The results were further analyzed together with clinical data such as PSA values and cancer stages. The sensitivity of the biosensor ranged up to 100 fM, and it presented a rather high selectivity rate. Our results indicated a significantly decreased expression level of miR-21 in the patient cases at 3 months post-surgery when compared with pre-surgery levels (p-value < 0.001). In addition, when distinguishing the differences in the expression level of miR-21 between healthy subjects and patients with PCa or BPH, both groups showed highly significant differences (p = 0.008 and p < 0.001, respectively). The results strongly suggest that the proposed miR-21 biosensor can be used as an auxiliary screening tool for the early detection of PCa and may effectively facilitate tracking of the progression of PCa, thus enabling more accurate healthcare decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects many aspects of life for affected individuals. Effective interventions to prevent and restore function must be based upon an understanding of what contributes to OA and its associated disabilities. A hypothetical OA disability model built upon the previous work of Nagi (1991), Verbrugge and Jette (1994), the International Classification of Functioning of World Health Organization (World Health Organization, 2001), and other scientific findings is proposed. The model includes a main disease pathway, which describes the sequence of events from OA-associated impairments to disabilities. Contextual factors influencing the process include individual characteristics, psychological state, coping style, comorbidities, social support, and physical environment. The model provides a useful conceptual framework for understanding the OA disability process from a biopsychosocial perspective and for guiding rehabilitation nursing interventions in OA care.