[Health Risk Assessment of Soil Heavy Metals in a Small Watershed of a Mining Area in Yunnan].

The purpose of this study was to explore the pollution of soil heavy metals and the health risk of the contaminated soil to residents, which was affected by the copper mine in a small basin of a mining area in Yunnan Province. Soil (39 samples), sediment (six samples), water, and corresponding suspended particle (six samples) and dust (one sample) samples were collected. The contents of Cd, Pb, Hg, As, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr in the samples and the soil pH were determined. The spatial distribution of heavy metals was analyzed, and the source of soil heavy metals was innovatively traced by the relative proportion of heavy metals in various media. The geo-accumulation index, Nemerow comprehensive pollution index, and potential ecological risk index were used to evaluate and analyze the pollution status and the potential ecological risk of soil heavy metals in the watershed, whereas the health risk model recommended by USEPA was applied to evaluate the health risk. The results showed that the heavy metals in the soil of the upstream area might be derived from the synergistic input of irrigation, atmospheric deposition, and soil erosion. In the middle reaches and lower reaches, the irrigation and the soil erosion of sloping land mainly contributed the heavy metal input, respectively. It was also found that the pollution degree in the upstream area was higher than that in the downstream area. The farmland soil was seriously polluted by Cd, Zn, Pb, and Cu, and Cd, Zn, and Pb had high potential ecological risks. Although residents did not face the risk of non-cancer diseases, the carcinogenic risk had exceeded the acceptable level, and children were at higher risk of cancer. In addition, although the content of As in the soil was lower than that of Cd, Zn, and Pb, it had a higher carcinogenic risk.

Hypoperfusion assessed by pressure reactivity index is associated with delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction of cerebral autoregulation is one of the pathophysiological mechanisms that causes delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Pressure reactivity index (PRx) have been confirmed to reflect the level of cerebral autoregulation and used to derive optimal cerebral perfusion pressure (CPPopt). The goal of this study is to explore the associations between autoregulation, CPPopt, PRx, and DCI. METHODS: Continuous intracranial pressure (ICP), arterial blood pressure (ABP), and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) signals acquired from 61 aSAH patients were retrospectively analyzed. PRx was calculated and collected by Pneumatic computer system. The CPP at the lowest PRx was determined as the CPPopt. The duration of a hypoperfusion event (dHP) was defined as the cumulative time that the PRx was > 0.3 and the CPP was

Quietness of circular RNA circ_0054633 alleviates the inflammation and proliferation in lipopolysaccharides-induced acute lung injury model through NF-κB signaling pathway.

AIM: Acute lung injury (ALI) is the mild form of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which is a common lung disease with a high incidence and mortality rate. Recent studies manifested that some circular RNAs were associated with ALI. In this study, we aimed to uncover the effect of circular RNA circ_0054633 on ALI initiation and progression and proposed a new mechanism related to ALI. METHODS: The lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced acute lung injury model were build both in vivo of rat and in vitro of primary murine pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (MPVECs). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) was employed to observe the tissue morphology and estimate the degree of lung damage. We used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to measure the expression level of circ_0054633. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-17A and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. The effects of circ_0054633 on MPVECs proliferation and apoptosis were detected with the help of CCK-8 and apoptosis assay, separately. The expression level of NF-κB p65 protein was measured by Western blot. RESULTS: circ_0054633, IL-17A, TNF-α and NF-κB p65 were all overexpressed in LPS-treated rat and MPVECs, and LPS enhanced the proliferation and apoptosis of MPVECs. While circ_0054633 silencing reversed the above promotion effects of LPS on IL-17A, TNF-α expression and MPVECs proliferation and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Quietness of circ_0054633 alleviated LPS-induced ALI via NF-κB signaling pathway, implicating circ_0054633 may be a potential biomarker for diagnose and therapy of ALI.

miR-483-5p promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation and invasion by targeting RBM5

ABSTRACT Objective: miR-483-5p has been identified as a miRNA oncogene in certain cancers. However, its role in prostate cancer has not been sufficiently investigated. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-483-5p in prostate cancer and examined RBM5 regulation by miR-483-5p. Material and methods: Expression levels of miR-483-5p were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The effect of miR-483-5p on proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, cell invasion was evaluated by trans-well invasion assays, and target protein expression was determined by western blotting in LNCaP, DU-145, and PC-3 cells. Luciferase reporter plasmids were constructed to confirm the action of miR-483-5p on downstream target gene RBM5 in HEK-293T cells. Results: we observed that miR-483-5p was upregulated in prostate cancer cell lines and tissues. A miR-483-5p inhibitor inhibited prostate cancer cell growth and invasion in DU-145 and PC-3 cells. miR-483-5p directly bound to the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of RBM5 in HEK-293T cells. RBM5 overexpression inhibited prostate cancer cell growth and invasion in LNCaP cells. Enforced RBM5 expression alleviated miR-483-5p promotion of prostate cancer cell growth and invasion in LNCaP cells. Conclusion: The present study describes a potential mechanism underlying a miR-483-5p/RBM5 link that contributes to prostate cancer development.

miR-483-5p promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation and invasion by targeting RBM5.

OBJECTIVE: miR-483-5p has been identified as a miRNA oncogene in certain cancers. However, its role in prostate cancer has not been sufficiently investigated. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-483-5p in prostate cancer and examined RBM5 regulation by miR-483-5p. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Expression levels of miR-483-5p were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The effect of miR-483-5p on proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, cell invasion was evaluated by trans-well invasion assays, and target protein expression was determined by western blotting in LNCaP, DU-145, and PC-3 cells. Luciferase reporter plasmids were constructed to confirm the action of miR-483-5p on downstream target gene RBM5 in HEK-293T cells. RESULTS: we observed that miR-483-5p was upregulated in prostate cancer cell lines and tissues. A miR-483-5p inhibitor inhibited prostate cancer cell growth and invasion in DU-145 and PC-3 cells. miR-483-5p directly bound to the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of RBM5 in HEK-293T cells. RBM5 overexpression inhibited prostate cancer cell growth and invasion in LNCaP cells. Enforced RBM5 expression alleviated miR- 483-5p promotion of prostate cancer cell growth and invasion in LNCaP cells. CONCLUSION: The present study describes a potential mechanism underlying a miR-483- 5p/RBM5 link that contributes to prostate cancer development.

Types of Renal Calculi and Management Regimen for Chinese Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

Strict selection of patients for minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy could effectively improve the success rate of surgery. This study aimed to understand the required skills and the efficacy of mini-PCNL in the treatment of five types of upper ureteral calculi. Data collected after X-ray analysis and B mode ultrasound from 633 patients with upper ureteral and renal pelvis calculi who underwent B ultrasound-guided lithotomy was reviewed, including the following: type I, upper ureteral or renal pelvis calculi with moderate hydronephrosis (154 cases); type II, upper ureteral or renal pelvis calculi with severe hydronephrosis (157 cases); type III, upper ureteral or renal pelvis calculi without hydronephrosis (61 cases); type IV, renal pelvis calculi, one or two renal calyx calculi (206 cases); and type V, renal staghorn calculi (55 cases). Operations on 611 cases were successful. The treatment method for five patients was converted to open surgery. Twelve cases were treated by indwelling double-J tube retro-catheterization and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Five patients gave up the treatment. The rate of calculus clearance was 82.3 %, and the rate of residual calculus was 17.6 %. Selective renal artery embolization was performed in nine cases. Hydropneumothorax occurred in nine cases. No intestinal fistula occurred, and no patient had to undergo nephrectomy. The difficulty and the curative effect of the operation were different because the types of calculi varied. Selection of the procedure based on the different types of calculi could effectively improve the success rate of the procedure, reduce complications, and shorten the learning curve.

Erratum to: Types of Renal Calculi and Management Regimen for Chinese Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s12262-014-1043-4.].

Objective evaluation of the treatment methods of intracranial aneurysm surgery.

OBJECTIVE: this study evaluated the clinical value of craniotomy and intravascular embotherapy in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: The clinical data of 126 cases of intracranial aneurysms from July 2008 to July 2009 was analyzed retrospectively, 86 cases of all were clipped and other 40 cases were coiled. RESULTS: in 86 cases with craniotomy (according to Hunt-Hess classification, 71 cases belong to grade I-III and 15 cases belong to grade IV-V), 1 case died, 3 cases recovered with serious nervous system symptoms, 9 cases recovered with Mild neurological symptoms, and the remaining 73 cases recovered with normal life and work. In 40 cases with intravascular embotherapy (according to Hunt-Hess classification, 33 cases belong to grade I-III and 7 cases belong to grade IV-V), 2 cases recovered with serious nervous system symptoms, 5 cases recovered with mild neurological symptoms, the remaining 33 cases recovered with normal life and work; no death case. CONCLUSIONS: the situation is different in patients according to aneurysm size, shape, and location; if treatment for intracranial aneurysms is to achieve a satisfactory effect, two treatments must complement each other.

Delayed intracranial hemorrhage associated with antiplatelet therapy in stent-assisted coil embolized cerebral aneurysms.

Administration of oral clopidogrel plus aspirin is the most important regimen to reduce thromboembolic complications in stent-assisted coil embolization of cerebral aneurysm. However, such therapy may increase the risk of hemorrhage. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of two different antiplatelet regimens on hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complication rates around the stent-assisted coil embolization period. Records over a 2-year period were reviewed in a retrospective cohort study. For 49 consecutive stent-assisted coil embolization procedures over 41 patients, nine patients received routine antiplatelet drugs (300 mg aspirin and 75 mg clopidogrel) for 3 days before embolization, and 32 received a loading dose of antiplatelet drugs (300 mg aspirin and 300 mg clopidogrel) just before induction of anesthesia. Delayed intracerebral hemorrhage (DIH) was observed more often in the routine antiplatelet group (2/9 cases, 22.2%) in comparison with the loading group (0/32 cases, 0%; P = 0.044; Fisher exact test). The two hemorrhagic cases were both female, and occurred within 24 h of postembolization. The thromboembolic complication rates were not significantly different between the two groups. Oral administration of routine antiplatelet drugs for 3 days before stent-assisted coil embolization possibly increases the risk of delayed intracranial hemorrhage, compared to loading group. Symptomatic thromboembolic complications have no significant difference in the two different regimens.

Value of noninvasive imaging in follow-up of intracranial aneurysm.

Follow-up is necessary for treated and untreated aneurysms. The purpose of this study is to assess the results of treated aneurysms, the development of untreated aneurysms and the incidence of new aneurysms through short-term follow-up with noninvasive imaging, including CTA and MRA. More-than-once follow-up imaging with either CTA or MRA was performed in 73 patients, 65 of them suffering SAH. CTA was performed in 46 patients with clipped aneurysms, 9 patients with coiled aneurysms and 8 cases with untreated aneurysms. MRA was performed in ten patients with coiled aneurysms. CTA follow-up demonstrated that in 48 clipped aneurysms, 47 aneurysms completely disappeared; one aneurysm with neck remnant and one new aneurysm was found. No recurrence was found after microsurgical clipping. CTA follow-up provided limited information for ten coiled aneurysms because of poor quality images due to artifacts from coil. MRA follow-up of 12 coiled aneurysms showed there were no recanalization, recurrence or new aneurysm. In 20 untreated aneurysms, 19 stayed unchanged, and one aneurysm automatically disappeared. The newest generation of CTA and MRA can be used for following-up of intracranial aneurysms, and is more readily accepted by Chinese patients because of convenience, non-invasiveness and low price.

[Correlation analysis of increased blood glucose and insulin resistance after traumatic brain injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pattern of the alterations of blood glucose, insulin and insulin sensitivity after traumatic brain injury in rats, and verify the occurrence of insulin resistance after the injury. METHODS: Based on Feeney's model of brain injury, the blood glucose and insulin concentration of the dogs measured 30 min before and at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 120 h after injury. BG60-120, GIR60-120, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) reflecting the insulin sensitivity were measured at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours following severe traumatic brain injury using euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. RESULTS: Both the blood glucose and insulin concentration increased markedly in rats following moderate and severe brain injury. BG60-120 increased markedly, and GIR60-120 and ISI decreased significantly 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after severe brain trauma as compared with those of the sham operation group. Blood glucose concentration of rats following severe injury was positively correlated with insulin concentration and BG60-120 at the corresponding time points, but negatively with GIR60-120 and ISI. CONCLUSION: Both the blood glucose and insulin concentration increase markedly in rats following severe brain injury. Increased blood glucose even in the presence of high-level insulin is due to acute insulin resistance occurring after traumatic brain injury.

[Advances in the investigation of biological effect and surface modification of dendrimers as drug (gene) delivery systems].

Dendrimers are highly branched macromolecules that have attractive nano-sized architectures. It seems that they can enter various cells easily because of their unique nanostructures and chemical properties, which make them to be one of important candidates of non-virus carriers for drug delivery or gene therapy. However, the understanding of cytotoxicity and related mechanisms of dendrimers are still limited. In recent years there has been rapid increases of researches regarding the biological effects of dendrimers, including the interactions of dendrimers to cells, transport mechanisms, intracellular distribution and biodistribution in vivo, as well as improvement of biocompatibility of dendrimers by surface engineering. In this paper, recent advances in the investigations of biological effect and surface modification for the dendrimers as drug or gene delivery systems were reviewed.