[Cellular damage of low-dose combined exposure to mercury, lead and cadmium on hippocampal neurons in rats].

Objective: To observe the cellular damage of low-dose combined exposure to Hg, Pb and Cd on hippocampal neurons in rat. Methods: SH-SY5Y cells were randomly divided into 8 groups by 2×2×2 factorial design: control group, Pb exposure group, Hg exposure group, Pb+Hg exposure group, Pb+Cd exposure group, Hg+Cd exposure group and Pb+Cd+Hg exposure group. And the cell viabilities were measured. On this basis, an animal model was established. Twenty eight-week-old SD pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups by random number table, and five in each group: the control group(distilled water), 1-fold metal mixture exposure group (1×MM, poisoning solution containing mercury chloride 0.15 mg/L, lead acetate trihydrate 25 mg/L, cadmium chloride 7.5 mg/L), 5-fold metal mixture exposure group (5×MM, poisoning solution containing mercury chloride 0.75 mg/L, lead acetate trihydrate 125.00 mg/L, cadmium chloride 37.50 mg/L), 10-fold metal mixture exposure group (10×MM, poisoning solution containing mercury chloride 1.50 mg/L, lead acetate trihydrate 250.00 mg/L, cadmium chloride 75.00 mg/L). Pregnant rats drank water until delivery. Twenty male pups were selected and exposed to these metals through breast milk until weaned. The heavy metals dose of poisoning water was adjusted, and then the weaned rats were exposed to heavy metals via drinking poisoning water until adulthood (postnatal day 83). The blood samples and brain hippocampus samples were collected to observe the ultrastructural changes of hippocampus, and to determine the levels of Hg, Pb and Cd in blood. In addition, apoptosis rate and fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species and intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in hippocampal neurons were measured. Results: Cellular factorial design analysis showed that Hg+Pb+Cd (at no observed adverse effect level, 1.0, 0.5 and 0.1 µmol/L, respectively)had a interaction on cell viability after 48 or 72 hours of combined exposure (P<0.05). The results of ultrastructure showed that mitochondria decreased, ridges and matrixes gradually dissolved in rat hippocampal neurons of 5×MM group; nuclear chromatin aggregated, more ridges and matrixes dissolved and the mitochondria also decreased in rat hippocampal neurons of 10×MM group. The concentration of Hg, Pb and Cd in the blood of 1×MM group, 5×MM group and 10×MM group were higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in apoptosis rate between the 1×MM group and the control group. The apoptosis rate of 5×MM group and 10×MM group was higher than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species in hippocampal neurons of the 1×MM group and the control group. The fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species in the 5×MM group and the 10×MM group was higher than that in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the fluorescence intensity of [Ca(2+)](i) between the 1×MM group and the control group. The fluorescence intensity values of [Ca(2+)](i) in the 5×MM group and the 10×MM group were higher than the control group, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: Low-level combined exposure to Hg, Pb, and Cd caused synergistic neurotoxic damage, and the process may be related to the changes of neuronal apoptosis, reactive oxide species, and [Ca(2+)](i) levels.

Correlation of MSH3 polymorphisms with response and survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.

Mismatch repair (MMR) genes, as well as the nucleotide excision repair genes, play an important role in removing cisplatin-DNA adducts, and the mutation of MMR genes in tumors can lead to a decreased response to platinum-based therapies. We examined MutS homolog 3 (MSH3), a mismatch repair gene, and whether polymorphisms of MSH3 were associated with response and survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NCSLC) patients who were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. The peripheral blood of 180 advanced NCSLC patients who were treated with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy was collected to determine the patients' genotypes of MSH3. The three genotypes of the MSH3 polymorphisms rs26279, rs1650697 and rs1105524 were investigated. A statistically significant association was observed between the polymorphism rs26279 (Ala1054Thr) and sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy (P = 0.014). A significant correlation was found between rs1105524 and progression-free survival (PFS), with the G/A and A/A genotypes (median survival time: 14.27 months; 95%CI = 9.80-18.75) suffering shorter survival than patients with the G/G genotype (median survival time: 26.37 months; 95%CI = 15.03-37.71) (P = 0.04). Our results showed that single nucleotide polymorphisms in MSH3 had an impact on the chemotherapy response and prognosis of advanced NCSLC patients who were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review.

The purpose of this study was to compare the operative outcome between mini and standard incisions in total hip arthroplasty (THA). We identified 12 randomised or quasi-randomised control trials (RCT or qRCT) published between 1996 and 2008. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the differences in results for surgical approach, trial quality, and follow-up duration. Operative time and blood loss were significantly reduced in the mini-incision group for studies with the posterior or posterolateral approach. Concerning postoperative complications, there were no significant differences between the two groups with no significant heterogeneity. No differences were observed between the two groups for Harris hip score and radiographic results except for cup anterversion. Although mini-incision appeared to have similar outcomes compared to standard incision, the follow-up is short-term according to current standards in THA. High-quality studies are required to compare the outcomes of these two procedures.

Exploring factors shaping population genetic structure of the freshwater fish Sinocyclocheilus grahami (Teleostei, Cyprinidae).

Phylogeographical analyses on Sinocyclocheilus grahami samples from seven localities within the Lake Dianchi Basin in China were conducted to explore the main factors shaping population structure within this species. Phylogenetic and network analyses revealed two major clades in 24 mtDNA haplotypes. One clade included three haplotypes exclusively from samples of the lower basin and another clade encompassed other haplotypes from samples of the upper basin. The estimated divergence time between the two clades predated the river capture event connecting the lower and upper lake basin and thus supported geographical isolation as the main factor shaping genetic divergence between these two clades. Furthermore, analysis of molecular variance and pair-wise Phi(ST) distances revealed significant genetic differentiation within the upper basin. Mantel tests clearly supported patterns of differentiation arose purely as a result of isolation by distance. These results further highlight the importance of geographical isolation in shaping differentiation within this species.

Causes of death and long-term prognosis after myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes mellitus.

The long-term prognosis and causes of death of myocardial infarction (MI) in 62 diabetics were studied. The mean follow-up time was 6.2 years, 11 patients died in the acute stage of MI, 9 of them (81.8%) had anterior infarction and their major causes of death were ventricular fibrillation and cardiogenic shock (72.2%). 19 died in the follow-up period, 14 of them (73.68%) had inferior and anterior septal infarction; and most died of reinfarction and sudden death. The cumulative survival rate 1, 2 and 5 years after MI was 80.7%, 71.9% and 57.9%, respectively. The results suggest that treatment and prevention of MI in patients with diabetes be more attentive to prevent ventricular fibrillation and cardiogenic shock during the acute stage and in the later stage more attention should be paid to preventing reinfarction. At any stage of the disease, strict diabetic control is of vital importance.

[Causes of death and prognosis of myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes].

The long-term prognosis and causes of death of myocardial infarction (MI) in 62 patients with diabetes were studied. The mean follow-up time was 6.2 years. 11 cases died in the acute period of MI (8 weeks following onset of AMI), 9 cases of them (81.8%) had anterior infarction and their major causes of death were ventricular fibrillation and cardiogenic shock (72.2%). 19 cases died in the follow-up period, among them 14 cases (73.68%) had inferior and anterior-septal infarction; most of them died of reinfarction and sudden death. The cumulative survival rate 1.2 and 5 years after MI was 80.7%, 71.9% and 57.9%, respectively. The blood glucose level of the fatal group and the level of CPK and GOT of patients who died in the acute period were higher than those in the surviving group. The results suggest that treatment of myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes be more attentive to prevent ventricular fibrillation and cardiogenic shock during the acute period. After the acute period more attention should be paid to prevent reinfarction and and drop the blood glucose level at normal as possible.

[A comparison between glibenclamide and glipizide in the treatment of type II diabetes].

This study enrolled 36 newly-diagnosed patients with NIDDM, who were divided into two groups, the glibenclamide group and the glipizide group. In each group there were 18 cases, and both group were equal in average age and duration, steam bread tolerance test, GHbA1 and 6 hematological targets were made in both groups before and after administration with glibenclamide or glipizide. The results were as follows: (1) The hypoglycemic effect of glibenclamide was slightly great than that of glipizide. (2) VWF decreased significantly after administration with glibenclamide for 4 months. But in glipizide, only the length of thrombosis formation in vitro was greatly shortened. Thus glibenclamide was better than glipizide, in postponing and reducing microangiopathy complication.