The anatomical record : advances in integrative anatomy and evolutionary biology
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The accumulated data indicate that there is significant genetic heterogeneity underlying the etiology of silicosis. Recent reports have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in regulating pulmonary fibrosis. This study, therefore, aimed to identify some miRNAs as biomarkers for silicosis, and to explore the early diagnostic value of biomarkers for silicosis. ⋯ The sensitivity and specificity for miR-181a at a cut-off value of 1.8917 were 70% and 75%, respectively, whereas, those for miR-19a at a cut-off value of 3.6828 were 95% and 95%, respectively. Thus, miR-19a in peripheral blood leukocyte could be used as an effective biomarker for silicosis. Anat Rec, 299:1300-1307, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.