In the present study, concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd) in soil and wheat grains of the agricultural areas around Baiyin, a non-ferrous metals mining and smelting base, were detected. Meanwhile, the potential health risk of the heavy metals to adult males, adult females and children was estimated using non-carcinogenic health risk assessment model: Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI). The results showed that only the level of Cd in all soil samples exceeded the permissible limit of the environmental quality standard for soil, and its average level surpassed the standard value by 4 times. In wheat grains, the levels of Pb and Cd were 50 times and 8 times of the limited values of hygienic standard for grain respectively, while Cu and Zn concentrations did not surpass the standard value. The potential health risk due to single heavy metal for all the three investigated populations followed the sequence of HQPb＞HQCd＞HQCu＞HQZn＞1 (assumed the local inhabitants wholly food on wheats), suggesting that each of the four heavy metals were making negative effect on population health, of which the situation of Pb and Cd should be paid more attention due to their significant adverse effect. The total potential health risk due to the four heavy metals followed the sequence of HIchildren＞HImales＞HIfemales＞1 (assumed that the health risk due to the four heavy metals is additive), suggesting that the heavy metals were producing adverse effect on population health, and were especially hazardous for children. According to the research results, the government is suggested to strictly control the quality of irrigation water and remove the heavy metals from agricultural soil in order to ensure the safety of foodcrop production and local inhabitants.

This study evaluated the advantages and applications of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-supported percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation, based on clinical details. CEUS-supported percutaneous RFA was adopted to treat 12 patients with hepatic metastatic carcinomas after liver transplantation. The diameters of the metastatic carcinomas varied from 1 cm to 5 cm, and the foci were discovered after 3 months to 12 months. Each focus was diagnosed and localised by CEUS for RFA once or twice. Curative effects were evaluated by CEUS or contrast-enhanced CT after the treatment. The re-examination results at 2 weeks post-treatment showed that the foci of 11 patients were ablated completely, whereas one patient with the largest focus required retreatment by RFA because of a partial residue. No local recurrence was found one month later in the re-examination. CEUS-supported percutaneous RFA in the treatment of hepatic metastatic carcinoma after liver transplantation has the advantages of accurate localisation, good efficacy, easy operation, and minimal invasion without any complications. Therefore, it can be recommended as the preferred therapy for hepatic metastatic carcinoma after liver transplantation.

Background: The Squamous cell carcinoma of the palate is rare; women are more affected than men. This study aimed to discuss the etiology, diagnostic modalities, prognosis factors, and treatment strategies. Case: A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our department in 2019 with a chief complaint of a hard and painful mass on the right palate. The Clinical assessment revealed a palatal tumor extended to 3/4 of hard palate and part of the soft palate, with hard consistency, no mobility, cauliflower-like surface partly covered by a white pseudo-membrane, dark red-colored, and clinically negative neck. 3D CT scan of palate and maxilla revealed malignant lesion features, Cervical MRI and Chest CT revealed enlarged lymph nodes. The histopathological assessment diagnosed keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the right palate. Resection of the tumor and Reconstructive surgery were performed. The postoperative outcomes were simple. Conclusion: Hepatitis B virus, local chronic inflammation were the risk factors incriminated in this case. The prognosis factors such as patient age, tumor size, lymph node involvement, bone invasion, and pathological grade influence the treatment and survival. Selective neck dissection, Ablative surgery, and Reconstruction with Submental island flap represented our management strategy for keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the palate.