A novel surgical strategy of three column osteotomy at non-lesioned area for correcting severe angular kyphosis due to Pott's disease: a retrospectively study.

Severe sharp angular kyphosis resulting from Pott's disease typically necessitates surgical intervention. The deployment of three-column osteotomy within the lesion and apical regions has been validated as an effective modality for the amelioration of angular kyphosis. Nonetheless, a propensity for residual kyphosis persists, accompanied by a significant perioperative risk profile. In pursuit of optimizing correctional outcomes and diminishing complication rates, we proposed an innovative surgical approach, utilizing osteotomy in the non-lesioned zones for the rectification of severe angular kyphosis associated with Pott's disease. This retrospective investigation encompasses 16 subjects who underwent this novel surgical tactic, involving osteotomies in non-lesioned vertebral segments, at our institution from 2016 to 2018. Radiographic measures, encompassing kyphotic angle and sagittal vertical axis (SVA), were documented at baseline and during terminal follow-up. Neurological status was evaluated via the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading system. Operative duration, volume of hemorrhage, and perioperative complications were systematically recorded. The cohort included 6 males and 10 females with an average age of 30.7 ± 11.41 years. Follow-up intervals spanned 24 to 42 months. Mean operative time and blood loss were 492 ± 127.3 min and 1791 ± 788.8 ml, respectively. The kyphotic angle improved from 97.6 ± 14.6° to 28.8 ± 18.70°. In cases with lumbar afflictions, vertebral restoration was achieved (L1-L5 and L2-S1). Initial mean SVA of 6.7 ± 3.58 cm was reduced to 3.3 ± 1.57 cm at follow-up. Neurological function enhancement was observed in six patients, while ten maintained baseline status. Complication rates, including wound infection and rod fracture at 12 months, were observed in approximately 11.8% of cases. Our findings suggest that the surgical strategy is both effective and safe for addressing severe angular kyphosis due to Pott's disease, contingent upon the expertise of the surgical unit.

Pulmonary and clinical outcomes of patients with severe rigid scoliosis and type I respiratory failure treated with halo-pelvic distraction.

BACKGROUND: The severe rigid scoliosis patients with type I respiratory failure could not tolerate complicated corrective surgery. Preoperative halo-pelvic distraction (HPD) is used to reduce the curve magnitude and improve the pulmonary function before surgery. The present study aimed to retrospectively analyze the pulmonary and clinical outcomes of preoperative HPD in severe rigid spinal deformity with type I respiratory failure. METHODS: Eighteen cases of severe rigid scoliosis and type I respiratory failure treated with preoperative HPD and corrective surgery for spinal deformity between 2016 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, major coronal curve and kyphosis, correction rates, heights, pulmonary function, distraction time, and postoperative neurological complications were recorded for all cases. RESULTS: The averaged duration of distraction was 9.1 ± 2.3 months. The coronal curve was corrected from 168° ± 14° to 58° ± 11° at the end of HPD. The kyphosis curve reduced from 151° ± 29° to 65° ± 10°. Meanwhile, the mean stand body height increased by 23.9 ± 5.3 cm. Significantly increased mean FVC (1.52 ± 0.43 L vs. 0.95 ± 0.44 L) and improved percent-predicted values for FVC (37 ± 10% vs. 23 ± 9%) were observed after HPD. The pressure of oxygen (PaO2) increased from 54.5 ± 2.0 to 84.8 ± 4.7 mmHg. Scoliosis and kyphosis curve, respectively, averaged 48 ± 8°and 30 ± 14° after final fusion and instrumentation, with a mean correction of 71% and 80%, respectively. No severe complication occurred during the distraction. CONCLUSIONS: HPD may be useful for severe rigid scoliosis patients with type I respiratory failure. Pulmonary functions in patients with severe rigid scoliosis can be significantly improved by HPD. They are then better able to tolerate complicated corrective surgery.

Staged osteotomy in lateral position for the treatment of severe kyphotic deformity secondary to ankylosing spondylitis: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe kyphotic deformity (Cobb > 100°) secondary to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) occasionally cannot undergo corrective surgery in the prone position. Osteotomy in the lateral position might provide a possible solution. In this study, we aim to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of staged osteotomy in the lateral position for the treatment of AS-related severe kyphosis with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. METHODS: In total, 23 patients who underwent staged osteotomy in the lateral position from October 2015 to June 2017 were analyzed. In the first stage of surgery, all but one patient underwent a single-level Ponte osteotomy, which was followed by a pedicle subtraction osteotomy in the second stage. Mean follow-up was 30.8 ± 4.6 months. Global kyphosis (GK), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), osteotomized vertebra intervertebral angle (OVI), chin-brow vertical angle (CBVA), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score and Scoliosis Research Society-22 Patient Questionnaire (SRS-22) were all compared pre- and postoperation. RESULTS: All kyphosis parameters were significantly improved (all P < 0.05). GK was corrected from 115.0 ± 13.4° to 46.5 ± 9.0° postoperatively, with a mean correction of 68.5°. SVA was improved from 21.2 ± 5.1 cm to 5.1 ± 1.8 cm postoperatively. After surgery, CBVA was adjusted from 64.1 ± 23.2° to 5.7 ± 10.6° and OVI was changed from 9.0 ± 2.7° to - 20.1 ± 5.6°. Both the ODI and SRS-22 showed substantial improvements (all P < 0.05). Four patients with mild complications were observed perioperatively. CONCLUSION: In AS patients with severe kyphosis, satisfactory correction can be safely achieved with staged osteotomy in the lateral position, which can not only correct the sagittal imbalance of the spine with acceptable complications but also facilitate the placement of the intraoperative position.

Orbitofrontal Cortex Functional Connectivity-Based Classification for Chronic Insomnia Disorder Patients With Depression Symptoms.

Depression is a common comorbid symptom in patients with chronic insomnia disorder (CID). Previous neuroimaging studies found that the orbital frontal cortex (OFC) might be the core brain region linking insomnia and depression. Here, we used a machine learning approach to differentiate CID patients with depressive symptoms from CID patients without depressive symptoms based on OFC functional connectivity. Seventy patients with CID were recruited and subdivided into CID with high depressive symptom (CID-HD) and low depressive symptom (CID-LD) groups. The OFC functional connectivity (FC) network was constructed using the altered structure of the OFC region as a seed. A linear kernel SVM-based machine learning approach was carried out to classify the CID-HD and CID-LD groups based on OFC FC features. The predict model was further verified in a new cohort of CID group (n = 68). The classification model based on the OFC FC pattern showed a total accuracy of 76.92% (p = 0.0009). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the classification model was 0.84. The OFC functional connectivity with reward network, salience network and default mode network contributed the highest weights to the prediction model. These results were further validated in an independent CID group with high and low depressive symptom (accuracy = 67.9%). These findings provide a potential biomarker for early diagnosis and intervention in CID patients comorbid with depression based on an OFC FC-based machine learning approach.

The effect of preserving pregnancy in cervical cancer diagnosed during pregnancy: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Cervical cancer diagnosed during pregnancy is a rare event, and data regarding efficacy of cancer treatment during pregnancy is limited. This study aimed to assess the safety of continuation of the pregnancy for mother and fetus when concomitantly diagnosed with cervical cancer. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed all cervical cancer patients diagnosed while pregnant or immediately postpartum, inclusive from Jan 2010 to June 2019 at our institute. Patient clinical details and follow-up were obtained from hospital records. RESULTS: The study comprised 40 patients with clinical cancer stages of IA1 (1/40, 2.5%); IB1 (15/40, 37.5%); IB2 (10/40, 25%); IIA (12/40, 30%); and IIB (2/40, 5%). There were 38 patients diagnosed during pregnancy, and 2 diagnosed in the postpartum period. Of the 38 patients, 17 were diagnosed in the first trimester, 13 in the second trimester, and 8 in the third trimester. 10 of 38 patients (26.3%) continued their pregnancy after learning of their diagnosis; 7 (70%) in the third trimester and 3 (30%) in the second trimester. The mean time from diagnosis to surgery in the patients who continued their pregnancy was 52.7 days, which was statistically significantly greater than the termination of pregnancy group (52.7 vs. 16.3 days, P < 0.01). Notably, there was no survival difference between the 2 groups (100% vs. 90.91%, P = 0.54), and none of the pregnant women who ultimately died had delayed treatment due to pregnancy. Similarly, the surgical estimated blood loss and operative duration comparison in the 2 groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the gestational age of pregnancy at the time of initial diagnosis of cervical cancer was an important determinant in the disease management. Continuation of the pregnancy when diagnosed with cervical cancer may not affect the oncologic outcome of the mother nor increase either surgical or obstetric complications. Additionally, the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not threaten the health of the fetus. These results may be useful in counseling patients facing the diagnosis of cervical cancer during pregnancy.

Vertebral column resection (VCR) at the subapical vertebra for correction of angular kyphosis associated with neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1): a case report.

PURPOSE: To describe the process and outcome of vertebral column resection (VCR) at the subapical vertebra for correction of angular kyphosis associated with neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1). METHODS: A review and summary of the medical history, radiographs, operative procedure, and complications of a 16-year-old male presenting with severe angular kyphosis associated with NF1 with dyspnea. RESULTS: A 16-year-old male presented with severe angular kyphosis associated with NF1 with dyspnea. Preoperative radiographs demonstrated multiple vertebrae were rotated in the vicinity of the apical vertebra, with a wedge-shaped deformity, dysplasia, T10-T12 kyphotic angle of 160°, and T2-L2 kyphotic angle of 95°. VCR at the L1 vertebra (distal end of the apical vertebra) with bone grafting and internal fixation was performed. Postoperative imaging revealed that the T2-L2 Cobb angle was 20°, denoting a correction rate of 79%. The patient's height increased from 130 to 150 cm. The position of internal fixation was not displaced, and the correction angle was maintained at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The novel strategy of performing VCR at the subapical vertebra, with posterior displacement of the distal end, and remodeling of the spinal canal is potentially a safe and efficacious option to correct sharp angular kyphosis.

Integrative analysis of metabolome and gut microbiota in Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant tumour with a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. It is of great significance to explore sensitive or specific biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis. We first examined the metabolome and gut microbiota of resectable and unresectable PDAC patients to comprehensively investigate the characteristics of PDAC at different stages of progression. At the genus level, we found that the relative abundances of Alistipes, Anaerostipes, Faecalibacterium and Parvimonas were reduced in unresectable PDAC patients, whereas Pseudonocardia, Cloacibacterium, Mucispirillum, and Anaerotruncus were increased. Metabolomics analysis showed that the main changed metabolites were amino acids, carnitine derivatives, lipids and fatty acids. ROC analysis showed that Oleic acid, Linoleic acid, Palmitic acid, Linoelaidyl carnitine, 2-Octenedioic acid, 3R, 7R-1,3,7-Octanetriol, LysoPE (P-16:0/0:0) and 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid had high AUC values (>0.9). Function and network analyses showed that these altered metabolites correlated with NF-kappa B signalling, the FXR/RXR pathway, mitochondrial dysfunction, mTOR signalling and IL-6 signalling. In particular, the abundance of Palmitic acid, Oleic acid, Linoelaidyl carnitine and 2-Octenedioic acid positively correlated with g_Anaerostipes, g_Alistipes, s_indistinctus, s_catus and s_formicigenerans but negatively correlated with g_Cloacibacterium, s_reuteri and s_hathewayi. Meanwhile,We also found that s_catus, s_ formicigenerans, s_ hathewayi, g_ Alistipes, g_ Anaerostipes, PE (22:6 (4Z, 7z, 10z, 13z, 16Z, 19Z)/p-18:1 (11z)), (3R, 7R) - 1,3,7-octanetriol and linoelaidyl carnitine were positively correlated with the survival time of patients.These findings may be helpful for the differentiation of resectable and unresectable PDAC based on changes in intestinal flora and metabolites at different stages of PDAC. This study also provides a strategy for preventing the deterioration of PDAC by regulating the gut microbiota and metabolism.

Effectiveness and safety of a modified (rib ends fixed under transverse process) thoracoplasty for rib hump deformity in adults with severe thoracic scoliosis: A retrospective study.

Razor back deformity is one of the most noticeable problems of severe scoliosis. Thoracoplasty has been reported to be a useful approach to correct the rib hump deformity. However, the outcomes of thoracoplasty in patients with severe, rigid, thoracic scoliosis have not yet been evaluated.To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a modified technique of thoracoplasty (rib ends fixed under transverse process) for rib hump deformity in adults with severe thoracic scoliosis and severe pulmonary dysfunction.Patients with severe thoracic scoliosis and severe pulmonary dysfunction who underwent staged surgical strategy including halo-pelvic traction, spinal osteotomy combined with the modified thoracoplasty were included. To avoid paradoxical breathing result from multiple rib resections and enlarge the capacity of thoracis, the ends after rib resection were fixed under transverse process compared with conventional thoracoplasty. Patients were excluded on the basis of pulmonary diseases and inadequate follow-up. Data on deformity correction and pulmonary complications were reviewed. A t test was performed on the pre- and postoperative data of pulmonary function, height of the rib hump deformity, and total lung area.Eighteen patients (5 men and 13 women) with a major thoracic curve of >130° were included. The mean age of patients was 25.3 ±â€Š3.6 years (range, 19-32 years), with an average length of follow-up of 30.2 months. After application of halo-pelvic traction, the mean major thoracic curve decreased from 168.2°â€Š±â€Š14.28° to 97.3°â€Š±â€Š10.75° and the thoracic kyphosis decreased from 159.4°â€Š±â€Š20.60° to 94.8°â€Š±â€Š9.58°. On average, 6.3 (range, 4-8) ribs were resected. The height of the rib hump decreased from 84.6 ±â€Š13.3 to 15.3 ±â€Š3.4 mm. The average predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%) before surgery was 37.2 ±â€Š13.30%, indicative of severe pulmonary impairment, with a small but non-significant improvement in the FVC% at the final follow-up. The mean total lung area increased from 2583.2 ±â€Š501.36 to 2890.1 ±â€Š537.30 mL at the last follow-up. No severe pulmonary complications occurred.Our modified approach to thoracoplasty procedure is effective and safe in correcting a razor back deformity in patients with severe, rigid, scoliosis, and severe pulmonary dysfunction, without causing any significant change in long-term pulmonary function.

Shoulder imbalance treated with scapuloplasty surgery in scoliosis patients: a clinical retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: To discuss the clinical efficacy and safety of scapuloplasty treating the shoulder imbalance in scoliosis patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made on 21 patients who underwent scoliosis corrective surgery combined with scapuloplasty from September 2013 to March 2015. The average follow-up was 31.4 ± 5.3 months (24-42 months). The shoulder vertical difference (SVD), adjusted Constant-Murley score, range of shoulder motion function, Cavendish grade, and the overall satisfaction were compared among the pre-surgery, post-surgery, and the final follow-up periods. RESULTS: The shoulder vertical difference (SVD) significantly decreased at the time of post-surgery and the final follow-up, comparing the score of the pre-surgery. The SVD of all patients were decreased from preoperatively 3.2 ± 1.1 cm to 0.4 ± 0.3 cm, with the Cavendish grade improved to grade 1 at the final follow-up. The adjusted Constant-Murley score and range of shoulder motion function showed no significant difference during the three time periods (p > 0.05). And no severe complications had occurred over 2 years follow-up. CONCLUSION: The scapuloplasty surgery shows to be an effective and safety procedure to improve the shoulder imbalance, cosmetic appearance, and the overall satisfaction in scoliosis patients without impairing the shoulder function, which can be widely applied in clinic.

The valuation of concave-side thoracoplasty on the treatment of extremely severe scoliosis with severe pulmonary dysfunction on the base of halo-pelvic traction.

Extremely severe scoliosis patients, especially main thoracic Cobb' s angle >150°, often have severe thoracic deformity and pulmonary dysfunction, even the scoliosis is reduced by halo-pelvic traction, the improvement of pulmonary function is not satisfactory, the risk of spinal osteotomy in the next stage is still very high and left with obvious thoracic deformity. How to further improve the pulmonary function and appearance of these patients is a difficult problem to be solved.Twenty extremely severe scoliosis patients with severe pulmonary dysfunction who underwent concave-side thoracoplasty in our hospital from September 2014 to September 2017 were included, data of thoracic volume and pulmonary function were collected before and after operation. The pulmonary function value reported was predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%), T-test was used to analyze the changes of the data by the statistical software SPSS21.0.The 20 patient's averaged Cobb's angle of main thoracic was 163° ± 8° at admission and all of them with severe pulmonary dysfunction before concave-side thracoplasty. After operation, the thoracic volume of patients increased by 500.9 ±â€Š222.9 mL, FVC% increased by 8.9% ±â€Š7.5%. Both the difference has statistical significance (P < .01).Concave-side thoracoplasty based on the halo-pelvic traction cannot only enlarge the volume of the concave thoracic cavity, lighten the compression of lung and further improve the pulmonary function of extremely severe scoliosis, but also can strengthen the correction of scoliosis and spinal rotation. Therefore, it is a safe and effective surgical approach.

Oridonin overcomes the gemcitabine resistant PANC-1/Gem cells by regulating GST pi and LRP/1 ERK/JNK signalling.

Background: Chemotherapy remains a primary treatment method for advanced pancreatic cancer. However, chemotherapy resistance can influence the therapeutic effect of pancreatic cancer. The resistance mechanism of chemotherapeutic agents such as gemcitabine, which is an agent typically used to treat pancreatic cancer, is complicated and can be influenced by genes and the environment. Oridonin is a tetracyclic diterpenoid compound extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Rabdosia labtea. Oridonin may overcome drug resistance in pancreatic cancer, but researching pancreatic cancer drug resistance of chemotherapy by oridonin is not completely understood. Purpose: The present study aimed to assess the impact of oridonin on multidrug resistance proteins, apoptosis-associated proteins and energy metabolism in gemcitabine-resistant PANC-1 (PANC-1/Gem) pancreatic cancer cells. Methods: Gemcitabine resistance in PANC-1/Gem cells was induced using a concentration gradient of gemcitabine. Cell Counting Kit-8 assays were used to detect the impact of gemcitabine and oridonin on the proliferation of PANC-1 and PANC-1/Gem cells. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of multidrug resistance proteins, apoptosis-associated proteins and low-density lipoprotein receptor protein 1 (LRP1) proteins in PANC-1/Gem cells. The effects of gemcitabine and oridonin on PANC-1/Gem cells apoptosis were detected using flow cytometry. Animal xenograft tumor assays were used to detect the effect of gemcitabine and oridonin on pancreatic cancer in vivo. Furthermore, the ATP Assay kit was used to determine the effects of gemcitabine and oridonin on ATP levels in PANC-1/Gem cells. Immunofluorescence assays were used to detect the effects of gemcitabine and oridonin on the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor protein 1 (LRP1) in PANC-1/Gem cells. In addition, LRP1 expression was knocked down in PANC-1/Gem cells via lentiviral vector-mediated RNA silencing. Clone formation assays and Western blot analysis were used to detect the effect of LRP1 knockdown on the proliferation of PANC-1/Gem cells. Results: The present results demonstrate that oridonin overcomes PANC-1/Gem cells gemcitabine reistance by regulating GST pi and LRP1/ERK/JNK signaling. Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study indicated that oridonin could overcome gemcitabine resistance in PANC-1/Gem cells by regulating GST pi and LRP1/ ERK/JNK signaling, inducing cell apoptosis. Therefore, oridonin with gemcitabine may be a promising preoperative treatment for patients who suffer from pancreatic cancer.

Downregulation of lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 by oridonin inhibits the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the expression of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) AFAP1-AS1 in pancreatic cancer is negatively correlated with survival and prognosis. However, the effects of oridonin and lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration of pancreatic cancer cells have not been fully elucidated. Surgery is the only potentially curative method for pancreatic cancer, but postoperative recurrence and metastasis are common. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of oridonin and lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 silencing on pancreatic cancer cells. The pancreatic cancer cell lines BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cells were transfected with siAFAP1-AS1 and its negative control (siNC). After that, oridonin was used to treat the siAFAP1-AS1-transfected cells. The expression of lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 was downregulated in the pancreatic cancer cell lines BxPC-3 and PANC-1. The apoptosis and cell cycle progression of pancreatic cancer cells were evaluated by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 staining. Metastasis and invasion of BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cells were detected by transwell migration assay, real-time cell analysis, and western blot analysis. Cells were transfected with the lentiviral siAFAP1-AS1 and siNC, and tumorigenesis was evaluated in BALB/C nude mice. Immunohistochemical examination was used to verify the effects of oridonin and siAFAP1-AS1 on pancreatic cancer. The results demonstrated that the combination of oridonin and siAFAP1-AS1 inhibited pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, arrested cell cycle progression, prevented the migration, regulated EMT-related protein expression in BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cells, and inhibited pancreatic cancer cell tumorigenicity and EMT in nude mice.

Circulating Klotho is linked to prognosis of acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Klotho is an anti-aging protein and its increased plasma concentrations were related to good functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke. This study was designed to ascertain the prognostic significance of plasma Klotho in intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: Plasma Klotho concentrations in 96 intracerebral hemorrhage patients and 96 healthy controls were quantified. Poor prognosis was defined as modified Rankin scale scores >2 at 90 days. The association of plasma Klotho concentrations with stroke prognosis was assessed using regression model. RESULTS: Patients showed a substantially lower concentration of Klotho than healthy controls (P < .01). Klotho concentrations were highly correlated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, Glasgow coma scale scores, intracerebral hemorrhage scores and hematoma volumes (r = -0.426, 0.382, -0.334 and - 0.432). Patients with the highest plasma Klotho concentration were less prone to have poor prognosis at 90 days compared with the lowest quartile (odds ratio, 0.092; 95% confidence interval, 0.015-0.562). Its optimal cutoff value for distinguishing patients at risk of poor prognosis was 345 pg/ml, which yielded a sensitivity value of 0.86 and a specificity value of 0.62. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased plasma Klotho concentrations were associated with increasing severity and poor prognosis significantly, indicating the prognostic role of plasma Klotho in intracerebral hemorrhage.

A novel general and efficient technique for dissociating antigen in circulating immune complexes.

Circulating immune complexes (CICs) are produced during the immune response. It is more clinically important to establish a general and efficient CICs dissociation technique for the detection of antigens for CICs other than the detection of free antigens in the serum. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) two-precipitation separation and glycine-HCl as a buffer system were employed to develop a general and efficient buffer dissociation technique to separate CICs from serum and dissociate antigens from CICs. The measurement value of new PEG two-precipitation separation technique was higher than traditional PEG precipitation separation technique. There were slight differences in the dissociation conditions of HCV Core-IC, HIV P24-IC, Ins-IC and TG-IC as compared to HBsAg-IC. The detection of antigens in HBsAg-IC, HCV Core-IC, HIV P24-IC, Ins-IC and TG-IC with this technique was superior to that with HCl Dissociation, Trypsin Digestion or Immune Complex Transfer technique. PEG two-precipitation dissociation technique may reduce macromolecular protein and the adhesion of free antigens during the co-precipitation, which increases the efficiency of separation and precipitation of CICs. This technique also avoids the damage of reagents to antigens, assuring the repeatability, reliability and validity. Thus, this technique is application in samples negative or positive for free antigens.

Reprint of: Concentrations, distribution, and bioaccumulation of synthetic musks in the Haihe River of China.

Seven typical synthetic musks (SMs) in the samples from the surface water, sediment and fish of the Haihe River were measured. The SM concentrations in the sediment and surface water of the Haihe River were significantly lower than those in the Dagu Drainage River and Chentaizi Drainage River (p<0.05). Along the flow direction, the SM concentrations in surface water and sediment tended to increase from the upstream to the downstream of Dagu Drainage River. The Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of galaxolide (HHCB) and tonalide (AHTN) were calculated at high levels in the muscles of crucian carp, common carp, and silver carp. Most of the biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) for HHCB and AHTN were higher than 1.7, suggesting magnification possibly exist in the musk bioaccumulations of the three fishes in the Haihe River. No significant differences in HHCB/AHTN ratios were observed among the water, fish, and sediment samples (p>0.05). However, the HHCB/AHTN values in the Haihe River were much lower than those in the Dagu Drainage River and Chentaizi Drainage River (p<0.05). Compared with several typical persistent organic pollutants (POPs), the musk concentrations were higher or comparable in the Haihe River.

Concentrations, distribution, and bioaccumulation of synthetic musks in the Haihe River of China.

Seven typical synthetic musks (SMs) in the samples from the surface water, sediment and fish of the Haihe River were measured. The SM concentrations in the sediment and surface water of the Haihe River were significantly lower than those in the Dagu Drainage River and Chentaizi Drainage River (p<0.05). Along the flow direction, the SM concentrations in surface water and sediment tended to increase from the upstream to the downstream of Dagu Drainage River. The Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of galaxolide (HHCB) and tonalide (AHTN) were calculated at high levels in the muscles of crucian carp, common carp, and silver carp. Most of the biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) for HHCB and AHTN were higher than 1.7, suggesting magnification possibly exist in the musk bioaccumulations of the three fishes in the Haihe River. No significant differences in HHCB/AHTN ratios were observed among the water, fish, and sediment samples (p>0.05). However, the HHCB/AHTN values in the Haihe River were much lower than those in the Dagu Drainage River and Chentaizi Drainage River (p<0.05). Compared with several typical persistent organic pollutants (POPs), the musk concentrations were higher or comparable in the Haihe River.

Assessment of synthetic musk fragrances in seven wastewater treatment plants of Beijing, China.

Seven typical synthetic musks were measured in influents, effluents and sewage sludge from seven wastewater treatment plants of Beijing in three seasons. Galaxolide and tonalide were the dominant musks, and the levels were medium compared with those from other regions. Musk concentrations and galaxolide/tonalide ratios were low in warm seasons relative to cold seasons in both water and sludge samples. The removal efficiencies of galaxolide and tonalide ranged in <14.3%-98.0% and <18.5%-98.7%, respectively. The discharge of galaxolide and tonalide through effluents into environment were 1.8-685.6 g/d (mean: 70.1 g/d) and 1.6-195.3 g/d (mean: 22.9 g/d), respectively.

Occurrence of synthetic musk fragrances in human blood from 11 cities in China.

We measured two nitro musk fragrances (musk xylene) and musk ketone) and five polycyclic musk fragrances (galaxolide [HHCB], tonalide [AHTN], celestolide [ADBI], traseolide [ATII], and phantolide [AHMI]) in human blood samples from 11 cities of China (n = 204). Possible temporal trends in musk concentrations and associations with personal factors, such as gender, age, and others, were studied. Galaxolide (HHCB) showed the highest median concentration (0.85 ng/g) followed by AHTN (0.53 ng/g) with high detection frequency (91 and 77%, respectively). Concentrations of the other synthetic musk fragrances, including musk ketone and musk xylene, were all below the quantification limits. The results suggested that musk concentrations were not significantly relative to gender and body weight but positively correlated with age groups and locations. Apparent differences were also observed in the ratios of HHCB to AHTN concentrations among different cities.

Preparation of carbon coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles and their application for solid-phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from environmental water samples.

The carbon coated Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (Fe(3)O(4)/C) were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal reaction and applied as solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents to extract trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from environmental water samples. The Fe(3)O(4)/C sorbents possess high adsorption capacity and extraction efficiency due to strong adsorption ability of carbon materials and large surface area of nanoparticles, and only 50 mg of sorbents are required to extract PAHs from 1000 mL water samples. The adsorption attains equilibrium rapidly and analytes are eluted with acetonitrile readily. Salinity and solution pH have no obvious effect on the recoveries of PAHs, which avoids fussy adjustment to water sample before extraction. Under optimized conditions, the detection limits of PAHs are in the range of 0.2-0.6 ng L(-1). The accuracy of the method was evaluated by the recoveries of spiked samples. Good recoveries (76-110%) with low relative standard deviations from 0.8% to 9.7% are achieved. This new SPE method provides several advantages, such as high extraction efficiency, high breakthrough volumes, convenient extraction procedure, and short analysis times. To our knowledge, this is the first time that Fe(3)O(4)/C nanoparticles are used for the pretreatment of environmental water samples.