[Potential Ecological Risk Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Heavy Metals in Farmland Soils around Typical Factories in Hunan Province Based on Monte-Carlo Simulation].

In order to explore the pollution characteristics， ecological risks， and pollution sources of heavy metals in farmland soils around typical factories in Hunan Province， the content characteristics of eight heavy metals in farmland soils around fluoride factories， leather factories， and plating plants were analyzed. The geo-accumulation index and potential ecological risk index were used to evaluate the pollution and environmental risk of heavy metals. The correlation analysis， hierarchical cluster analysis， and principal component analysis were used to analyze the sources of heavy metals. The Monte-Carlo model was used to evaluate the probability risk of regional ecological risk. The results showed that the main pollution elements in the soil were Cd and Zn， and their mean values were 4.46 and 2.73 times the background values， respectively. Zn was at a mild pollution level in the soil of the three typical factories， and Cd was at a moderate pollution level in the whole fluoride factory. The pollution sources of heavy metals in the typical factories were mainly natural sources， industrial activity sources （industrial waste discharge， mineral mining， and smelting activities）， traffic sources， etc. The results of potential ecological risk assessment showed that the ecological risk of the fluoride factory was at a high risk level， and the ecological risk of the leather factory and plating plants was at a high risk level. Cd was the main contributing element. The results of Monte-Carlo probabilistic ecological risk assessment reduced the uncertainty of deterministic assessment， which could provide scientific basis for accurate risk management and control in the regions.

G59S mutation in the GJB2 gene in a Chinese family with classic Vohwinkel syndrome.

Vohwinkel syndrome (VS) is a rare autosomal dominant condition, also known as mutilating palmoplantar keratoderma accompanied by sensorineural deafness. The LOR and GJB2 genes are reported to be responsible for VS. The GJB2 gene encodes connexin 26, a component of intercellular gap junctions expressed in various tissues. We report the case of a 31-year-old Chinese woman with classic VS characterized by sensorineural deafness and mutilating palmoplantar keratoderma. Further genetic studies demonstrated a nucleotide change (c.175G>A) in the GJB2 gene, leading to an amino acid alteration (G59S). This identical missense mutation (G59S) has also been reported in a patient with Bart-Pumphrey syndrome. Together with our findings and previous studies, we conclude that the identical mutation (G59S) in the GJB2 gene contributes to various manifestations.

The value of endoscopic ultrasonography in defining longitudinal gross target volumes for esophageal squamous carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate the differences between endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-based longitudinal gross target volumes (GTV) (GTV(EUS)) and computed tomography (CT)-based longitudinal GTV (GTV(CT)) in diagnosing esophageal squamous carcinoma. METHODS: Thirty-six patients underwent EUS to define the superior and inferior extents of the tumor by using hemoclips. CT-planning scan was performed with the patient in the supine position during the treatment. GTV(CT) and GTV(EUS) were contoured respectively. The respective lengths (L(CT) and L(EUS)) and spatial locations of longitudinal GTV(CT) and longitudinal GTV(EUS) were compared. RESULTS: The mean LCT was 7.8 ± 3.2 cm and the mean L(EUS) was 7.4 ± 2.7 cm. No statistical difference was found between L(CT) and L(EUS) (P > 0.05) with a correlation coefficient of 0.61 (P<0.05). The mean conformal index was 0.79 ± 0.18 with spatial variations found in 71% (24/34) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: EUS can provide additional information to CT in defining longitudinal GTV in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, especially superficial and submucosal carcinomas, which may contribute to the development of better individual treatment regimens.