The problem of extracting information from relative intensities of Raman peaks in surface-enhanced-Raman-scattering (SERS) is intimately related to several important topics in the technique. Among them: (i) the possibility (or sometimes impossibility) of observing surface selection rules in different situations, (ii) the role of analyte resonance conditions, (iii) the crucial inclusion of plasmon-resonance dispersion corrections in the analysis of relative Raman intensities among peaks, and (iv) the connection of these phenomena with (broader) issues like surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF). This paper deals with the underlying connections among these (apparently disconnected at first sight) topics. The technique is now at a mature stage to review the aforementioned phenomena from a unified point of view; thus pinpointing the most important issues, clarifying concepts that have been historically confusing (or treated in isolation), and paving the road for future developments.

Finite element method simulations have been carried out on the photonic nanojet (PNJ) mediated surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique for the first time, and this technique has been found to provide (i) better Raman scattering enhancement of single molecules and (ii) a long working distance between the microscopic objective lens and sample, as compared with the conventional SERS technique. A PNJ mediated surface enhanced fluorescence (SEF) technique has been proposed to enhance the fluorescence of single molecules using the combination of localized surface plasmons inside nanostructures and the PNJ of a dielectric microsphere (MS), and this technique is numerically proved to be efficient as compared with a conventional SEF technique. Moreover, the generation of a PNJ from single lollipop shaped microstructures and its applications in the above mentioned techniques have been reported.

The simultaneous combination on CCD detectors of both spectral and spatial information is used in the framework of the single molecule (SM) bi-analyte Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) technique, to provide a new level of understanding on the origins of SM-spectra, as well as reveal the advantages and limitations of the statistical identification of SM-events. A new and deeper interpretation of the roots of the inhomogeneous broadening of single molecule Raman peaks can be uncovered, as well as the origin of Surface-Enhanced Fluorescence (SEF) emission by single molecules. In this manner, subtler aspects of SM-SERS spectroscopy can be revealed by the additional presence of spatial information on the localization of single molecules producing the signal. The spatial information is normally lost through the standard binning of CCD cameras for spectroscopy, which only emphasizes the spectral dimension of the problem. This novel extension of the bi-analyte SM-SERS method should contribute to the furtherance of the technique, and several of its fundamental aspects are discussed in detail.

The low-lying doublet and quartet electronic states of the species SeF correlating with the first dissociation channel are investigated theoretically at a high-level of electronic correlation treatment, namely, the complete active space self-consistent field/multireference single and double excitations configuration interaction (CASSCF/MRSDCI) using a quintuple-zeta quality basis set including a relativistic effective core potential for the selenium atom. Potential energy curves for (Lambda+S) states and the corresponding spectroscopic properties are derived that allows for an unambiguous assignment of the only spectrum known experimentally as due to a spin-forbidden X (2)Pi-a (4) summation (-) transition, and not a A (2)Pi-X (2)Pi transition as assumed so far. For the bound excited doublets, yet unknown experimentally, this study is the first theoretical characterization of their spectroscopic properties. Also the spin-orbit coupling constant function for the X (2)Pi state is derived as well as the spin-orbit coupling matrix element between the X (2)Pi and a (4) summation (-) states. Dipole moment functions and vibrationally averaged dipole moments show SeF to be a very polar species. An overview of the lowest-lying spin-orbit (Omega) states completes this description.

In the present study, we evaluated the usefulness of magnetoencephalography (MEG) for presurgical identification of not only the central sulcus by somatosensory evoked magnetic fields (SEFs), which is a well-known, reliable technique, but also the primary hand motor area by movement-related cerebral magnetic fields (MRCFs). Subjects were 10 patients with brain tumor (6 glial tumors, 3 cavernous angiomas, and 1 metastatic tumor) around the sensorimotor area. Identification of the central sulcus by SEF responses to multiple sites of stimulation (median nerve, tibial nerve, thumb, and lower lip) was performed in all patients, and identification of the hand motor area by MRCF responses to the index finger extension task was made in 9. All MEG data were superimposed on sectional or three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) images. The central sulcus was clerAly identified by SEFs in all patients, even in 5 whose MR images showed severe distortion, and the primary hand motor area was identified by MRCFs in 6 of 9 patients. The central sulcus and primary motor area identified by MEG were confirmed by cortical recording of somatosensory evoked potentials in response to median nerve stimulation in 7 patients and motor evoked potentials in response to direct cortical stimulation in 5. All patients underwent tumor removal guided by functional mapping by MEG and experienced no surgical complications. In conclusion, MEG is a useful tool in presurgical functional mapping of the sensorimotor area. This is the first report of a case in which identification of the hand motor area by MRCFs was used in a clinical setting.

Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is a rare variant of fibrosarcoma, described initially by Meis-Kindblom et al. in 1995 (Meis-Kindblom JM, Kindblom L-G, Enzinger FM. Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma: a variant of fibrosarcoma simulating carcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 1995;19:979-993): more than 80 cases have been documented clinicopathologically since. Bone is a rare primary site for SEF, with only 2 cases so far reported. This paper documents the detailed clinical, histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of a case occurring in the pubic bone of a 57-year-old diabetic woman presenting with a history of pain and compromised mobility involving her hip. Radiology revealed a destructive lesion in the right pubic bone. The lesion was resected, and 7 months postoperatively it recurred. The patient died following metastases to multiple bony sites and liver, some 4 years after the onset of symptoms. Histologically, the tumor was consistent with SEF, although it showed some anomalous immunostaining, which, however, is typical of the tumor (for example, for S-100 protein and epithelial membrane antigen). By electron microscopy, some rough endoplasmic reticulum was present, but also tonofibrils and desmosomes. The overall features were of an SEF with the ultrastructural but incomplete immunohistochemical evidence for divergent epithelial differentiation. The differential diagnosis of this tumor is discussed.

OBJECTIVE

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) provides functional neuroimaging data for pre-surgical planning in patients with epilepsy or brain tumour. For mapping the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), MEG data are acquired while a patient undergoes median nerve stimulation (MNS) to localize components of the somatosensory evoked field (SEF). In clinical settings, only one MEG imaging session is usually possible due to limited resources. As such, it is important to have an a priori estimate of the expected variability in localization. Variability in S1 localization between mapping sessions using the same MEG system has been previously measured as 8 mm. There are different types of MEG systems available with varied hardware and software, and it is not known how using a different MEG system will impact on S1 localization.

METHODS

In our study, healthy participants underwent the MNS procedure with two different MEG systems (Vector View and CTF). We compared the location, amplitude and latency of SEF components between data from each system to quantify variability and bias between MEG systems.

RESULTS

We found 8-11 mm variability in S1 localization between the two MEG systems, and no evidence for a systematic bias in location, amplitude or latency between the two systems.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that S1 localization is not biased by the type of MEG system used, and that differences between the two systems are not a major contributor to variability in localization.

A Rh-catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenative cross-coupling of 1,4-naphthquinones with alkenes was achieved by using a substituent-enabled C(sp(2))-H functionalization (SEF) strategy. The method shows high functional group tolerance, broad substrate scope, and great potential for further functional transformations.

Dual-specificity phosphatase 6 (Dusp6), Sprouty4, and similar expression to FGF (Sef) are negative modulators of FGF2/ERK1/2 signaling. The objective of the study was to evaluate the expressions of Dusp6, Sprouty4, and Sef in eutopic endometria of patients with adenomyosis. Endometria from 30 women with adenomyosis and 29 women without adenomyosis were used in this study. The expressions of Dusp6, Sprouty4, and Sef were investigated by immunohistochemical analysis. We found that Dusp6, Sprouty4, and Sef expressions were present in endometrial epithelial cells of normal endometria and eutopic endometria of adenomyosis. Weak immunostainings were noted in stromal cells in both endometria. No cyclical change was noted either in normal endometria or in eutopic endometria of adenomyosis during menstrual cycle. By immunohistochemical analysis, we found that eutopic endometria of adenomyosis showed significantly decreased Dusp6, Sprouty4, and Sef expressions compared with normal endometria. By in situ hybridization analysis, we found that the mRNA expressions of Dusp6, Sprouty4, and Sef were downregulated in eutopic endometria of adenomyosis compared with normal endometria. We conclude that downregulation of Dusp6, Sprouty4, and Sef--negative modulators of FGF2/ERK1/2 signaling--was present in eutopic endometria of adenomyosis, which may play critical roles in the development of adenomyosis.

The definition of the depth of anesthesia (DOA) is still controversial and its measurement is not completely standardized in modern anesthesia. Power spectral analysis is an important method for feature detection in electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. Several spectral parameters derived from EEG have been proposed for measuring DOA in clinical applications. In the present paper, an improved method based on phase-rectified signal averaging (PRSA) is designed to improve the predictive accuracy of relative alpha and beta power, a frequency band power ratio, total power, median frequency (MF), spectral edge frequency 95 (SEFSEF, RE and SE, respectively. However, when the EACL is used to indicate the consciousness level, the improvement is 3.30% (p < 0.05), 16.69% (p < 0.05), 15.08% (p < 0.05), 34.83% (p < 0.05), 27.78% (p < 0.05), 5.89% (p < 0.05), 26.05% (p < 0.05) and 23.42% (p < 0.05). Spectral parameters derived from PRSA are more useful to measure the DOA in noisy cases.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings were performed to investigate the inhibitory effects of conditioning stimuli with various types of interstimulus intervals (ISIs) or intensities on somatosensory evoked magnetic fields (SEFs) using a 306-ch whole-head MEG system. Twenty-three healthy volunteers participated in this study. Electrical stimuli were applied to the right median nerve at the wrist. Six pulse trains with ISIs of 500 ms were presented in Experiment 1. A paired-pulse paradigm with three kinds of conditioning stimulus (CON) intensities, 500 ms before the test stimulus (TS), was applied in Experiment 2. Finally, three CONs 500 or 1000 ms before TS were presented in Experiment 3. Three main SEF deflections (N20m, P35m, and P60m) were observed, and the source activities of P35m and P60m significantly decreased after the 2nd pulse of a six pulse trains. These source activities also significantly decreased with increasing intensity of CON. In addition, these attenuations of source activities were affected by CON-CON or CON-TS intervals. These results indicated that the source activities were modulated by the intensity and ISIs of CONs. Furthermore, P35m after the stimulation were very sensitive to CONs; however, the attenuation of P60m after the stimulation lasted for a longer period than that of P35m. Our findings suggest that the conditioning stimulation had inhibitory effects on subsequent evoked cortical responses for more than 500 ms. Our results also provide important clues about the nature of short-latency somatosensory responses in human studies.

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of desflurane on A-line ARX Index (AAI), QEEG, MAP and HR, and to investigate the feasibility of AAI, QEEG, MAP and HR in monitoring the depth of anesthesia with desflurane.

METHODS

Thirty patients classified as ASA physical status I approximately II were scheduled for elective lower abdominal surgery. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and vecuronum. After the tracheal intubation, the lungs were ventilated with desflurane in oxygen. End-tidal desflurane concentrations were maintained at 0.8, 1.0 and 1.3 MAC for 20 minutes, respectively. The parameters of record included AAI, BIS (bispectral index), SEF (95% spectral edge freqency), MF (midian freqency), MAP and HR.

RESULTS

AAI, BIS, SEF and MF significantly decreased in a linear manner (r = 0.830, 0.930, 0.803, and 0.885, respectively, P < 0.01) with increasing end-tidal concentration of desflurane range of 0.8 approximately 1.3 MAC. MAP and HR did not change much. HR increased significantly at concentration 1.3 MAC than that of 1.0 MAC.

CONCLUSIONS

Within end-tidal desflurane concentration range 0.8 approximately 1.3 MAC, both AAI and parameters derived from EEG (such as BIS, SEF, MF) can serve as parameters in monitoring the depth of anesthsia with desflurane, while MAP and HR can not.

One of the central problems of zenon anesthesia is evaluation of its adequacy. The bispectral index (BIS) is estimated empirically on the basis of electroencephalograms of patients treated with vapor-forming anesthetics. We investigated clinical and electrophysiological parallels of xenon monoanesthesia by using the EEG bispectral index. The study was carried out in 40 patients (ASA I-II) during venectomy under Xe anesthesia. Electrophysiological parameters were stable during maintenance and corresponded to the depth of anesthesia. Hence, monitoring of BIS and SEF-95 provides for an adequate control of anesthesia, while during induction and awakening the values of these indices are doubtful. The incorrectness of EEG BIS at these stages of Xe anesthesia is due to specific electrophysiological mechanisms of Xe, affecting mainly HMDA and H-cholinergic receptors of the CNS.

Intraoperative monitoring is needed to identify accurately those patients in need of a shunt during carotid endarterectomy. EEG can be used for this purpose, but there is no consensus on the variables to use. Using a database consisting of 149 EEGs recorded from patients during carotid endarterectomy under isoflurane (n=61) or propofol (n=88) anesthesia and who did or did not receive a shunt, the authors investigated which of 16 derivations (common reference, Cz) and 12 parameters (relative and absolute powers and spectral edge frequencies [SEFs]) singly or in combination could best distinguish between the shunt and the nonshunt groups for the two anesthesia regimens. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to select derivation/parameter combinations for three types of trend computation: (1) values of relative powers and SEFs during clamping (C) only, (2) clamp minus preclamp (baseline) differences (C-B), and (3) C-B differences in absolute logarithmic power (DeltalogP). For both anesthesia regimens, C-B computation distinguished best between the shunt and nonshunt groups. For isoflurane anesthesia, SEF parameters were the best, and for propofol anesthesia the relative power parameters. Discriminant analysis, in which additional derivation/parameter combinations were added, increased the discriminative power of the DeltalogP computation but not of the C or C-B computations. For isoflurane anesthesia, SEF 90% was the best single parameter for distinguishing between patients who did and did not need a shunt and the four best derivations were F3-Cz, P4-Cz, C4-Cz, and F7-Cz. For the propofol anesthesia, the relative power (C or C-B computations) of the delta band was the best and the four best derivations were F8-Cz, T4-Cz, C4-Cz, and F4-Cz.

In this report we describe a preparation of silver wires (SWs) on gold mirrors and its application to surface enhanced fluorescence (SEF) using a new methodology. Silica protected gold mirrors were drop-coated with a solution of silver triangular nanoprisms. The triangular nanoprisms were slowly air-dried to get silver wires that self-assembled on the gold mirrors. Fluorescence enhancement was studied using methyl azadioxatriangulenium chloride (Me-ADOTA · Cl) dye in PVA spin-coated on a clean glass coverslip. New Plasmonic Platforms (PPs) were assembled by placing a mirror with SWs in contact with a glass coverslip spin-coated with a uniform Me-ADOTA · Cl film. It was shown that surface enhanced fluorescence is a real phenomenon, not just an enhancement of the fluorescence signal due to an accumulation of the fluorophore on rough nanostructure surfaces. The average fluorescence enhancement was found to be about 15-fold. The lifetime of Me-ADOTA · Cl dye was significantly reduced (∼ 4 times) in the presence of SWs. Moreover, fluorescence enhancement and lifetime did not show any dependence on the excitation light polarization.

Several new <em>SeF</em>2(CN)2-donor complexes with N or O based donor molecules are reported. Due to orbital overlap effects 12-crown-4 (1,4,7,10-tetraoxacyclododecane) shows unsymmetric ether oxygen coordination. Solvent coordination (secondary bonding interactions, SBI) in <em>SeF</em>x(CN)4-x compounds is weak and does not influence decomposition pathways (neutral and anionic). Barriers for decomposition are relatively high in <em>SeF</em>2(CN)2 but decrease significantly in compounds with higher cyanide content. In the presence of fluoride ions, facile substitution pathways exist; however, reductive elimination is also favored. In the absence of fluoride ions decomposition barriers are higher, but so are substitution barriers (σ-metathesis). Therefore, successful isolation of Se(CN)4 appears to be significantly hampered. In addition, previously unknown trifluoromethyliminoseleniumdifluoride was cleanly synthesized utilizing the instability of <em>SeF</em>(CN)3 toward reductive FCN elimination (preferred over the thermodynamically favored NCCN elimination) and subsequent FCN incorporation to <em>SeF</em>4 through double F-migration.

Strong surface (metal) enhanced fluorescence (SEF or MEF) is observed from clusters and single E coli bacteria cells labeled with Carbon nanodots (CDs), which were synthesized from date pits. The enhancement factor (EF) for SEF of the cell clusters were close to 50 for both 533 and 633 nm laser excitation wavelength. Those EFs are ratios of emission peak areas from CD labeled cell clusters on gold film to the peak areas of the same batch cell clusters on glass substrate. SEF with 633 nm excitation performed better than SEF with 532 nm excitation, achieving higher fluorescence intensity and much higher contrast. The contrast as high as 66 for cell clusters on gold film is a ratio of fluorescent emission peak area measured at the CD labeled cell clusters to the fluorescent peak area measured at unlabeled cell clusters (autofluorescence) on the same substrate. The contrast with the background (S/N) or the ratio of fluorescent peak area measured at bacteria cells to area measured at bare substrate was as high as 200. This report may pave a way for the broader application of surface enhanced fluorescence and especially metal enhanced fluorescence imaging of CD labeled cells and other biological objects. Graphical abstract Carbon dots, synthesized from dates, are used for direct staining of E coli cells. Emission fluorescent spectroscopy of those CD labelled cells on gold film and glass, demonstrated enhancement factor about 50 for emission on gold as compared to glass, Excitation at 633 nm appears far superior to excitation at 532 nm in terms of contrast (up to 67) with unlabeled cells /control due to decrease in auto fluorescence of cells. Maximum Signal to noise ratio is 200.

Surface enhanced fluorescence (SEF) is observed with very high contrast (100-200) from single E. coli bacteria cells labeled with Carbon nanodots (CDs), on aluminum foil and aluminum film. Likely, it is the first application of organic CDs in SEF. SEF with 633 nm excitation delivered a much higher contrast than SEF with 532 nm excitation. Contrast is the ratio of the fluorescent intensities of labeled CDs to unlabeled (control) cells. High contrast with CDs is also observed on the gold film, silicon, and glass. Enhancement factor (EF) is the ratio of the signal on the metal substrate to the signal on the glass. Single E. coli cells, labeled with commercial graphene quantum dots (GCDs), demonstrated higher EFs (44 on gold, 35 on Al film), but at least one order of magnitude lower contrast (7-10 on aluminum and gold) than cells labeled with organic CDs. Therefore, organic CDs can be a good choice for cell imaging/labeling, capable of achieving a signal to noise (standard deviation of the control) as high as 700 on Al film. Overall, aluminum foil and film are highlighted as inexpensive but efficient substrates for Metal Enhanced Fluorescence, particularly MEF of bacterial cells stained with CDs.

Keywords: Aluminum foil; Carbon nanodots; Cell imaging; Contrast; E. coli; Enhancement factor; Graphene quantum dots; Metal enhanced fluorescence; Surface enhanced fluorescence.

BACKGROUND

Reduction of saliva secretion is a common side effect following radiotherapy (RT) for cancer of the head and neck region. The aim of this study is to predict the post-RT salivary function for individual patients prior to treatment and to recognise possible differences in individual radiosensitivity.

METHODS

A predictive model for post-RT salivary function was validated for 64 head and neck cancer patients. The input parameters for the model were salivary excretion fraction (sEF) measured by 99mTc-pertechnetate scintigraphy, total stimulated salivary flow and mean absorbed dose for the major salivary glands. SEF values after RT relative to the baseline before RT (rEF) were compared among the patients using the distance ΔrEF between single gland rEF and the corresponding expected value at the dose response curve.

RESULTS

A significant correlation (R = 0.86, p = 0.018) was found between the modelled and the measured values of stimulated salivary flow six months after RT. The average prediction error for the saliva flow rate was 6 ml/15 min. A linear relationship between ΔrEF for the left and the right parotid glands was observed both six (R = 0.53) and 12 (R = 0.79) months after RT. The average of absolute values of ΔrEF was 0.20 for parotid glands and 0.22 for submandibular glands.

CONCLUSIONS

The salivary flow model was validated for 64 patients. The results imply, that one explanation for the discrepancies between the predicted and the measured salivary flow rate values and the common variations found in ΔrEF for the parotid glands may be differences in patients' individual response to radiation. However, quantitative extraction of individual radiosensitivity would require further studies in order to take it into account in predictive models.

The authors analyzed the constituents of effuse transcutaneous fluid, labeled suction effusion fluid (SEF), and monitored its glucose concentration during glucose loading in rabbits (Japan White, female) under pentobarbital anesthesia. The SEF was sampled by suctioning corneal layer-stripped skin at 400 mmHg absolute pressure. The SEF proved to have nearly the same concentrations as serum for lower-molecular-weight substances such as glucose, creatinine, and urea nitrogens, but not for higher-molecular-weight substances such as serum proteins. The SEF protein concentration was one-fourth that of serum protein. Proteins>> 100 kDa molecular mass were barely detectable in the SEF. Monitoring of SEF glucose change every 10 min during intravenous glucose loading was successfully accomplished, and SEF glucose concentration followed blood glucose concentration with a 10-min delay. The SEF was thought to consist of interstitial fluid and/or effuse fluid from small vessels in subcutaneous tissue.

Primary sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) of bone is a rare and scarcely reported neoplasm. We document clinicopathological and molecular features of 9 additional cases. Five males and 4 females had a mean age of 39 years (14-71 years). Most tumors affected flat/irregular bones; only 3 cases involved a long bone. By radiology, it has characteristic radiographic features of a predominantly lytic expansile lesion with a sclerotic rim. Referring diagnoses were SEF (n = 2), low-grade osteosarcoma (n = 2), chondrosarcoma (n = 1), and chondromyxoid fibroma (n = 1). Histologically, five cases revealed classical morphology of SEF of soft tissue. Remaining cases were classified as hybrid SEF/low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, characterized by spindle or stellate cells, prominent stroma, and giant hyalinized areas. Various morphological deviations such as prominent vasculature (n = 3), osteoid-like material (n = 4), or parallel bone trabeculae (n = 2) were observed. Immunohistochemically, all cases showed diffuse and strong MUC4 expression. SATB2 was observed in 5/8 cases. Using FISH, EWSR1, and FUS rearrangements were detected in 4 cases and 1 case, respectively. EWSR1-CREB3L1 fusion was identified in 1 additional case by next-generation sequencing. Recurrence and metastasis were observed in 1 case and 2 cases, respectively. All but one patient were alive with disease for a mean interval of 31 months. SEF of bone is a relatively indolent sarcoma of adults, most commonly located in the flat/irregular bones. Due to overlapping histological features, it is often misdiagnosed as osteosarcoma or a chondroid tumor. Most SEF of bone exhibit EWSR1 rearrangements, but rare cases may harbor a FUS gene fusion.

Keywords: Bone neoplasm; Bone tumor; EWSR1; EWSR1-CREB3L1; FUS; MUC4; Radiology; SATB2; Sarcoma.

The paper describes a method for the transcutaneous monitoring of blood constituents. It combines the use of a suction effusion fluid (SEF) collecting technique with a silicon on sapphire/ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (SOS/ISFET) biosensor. SEF is directly collected by a weak evacuation through skin from which the stratum corneum has been removed. An SEF collecting cell with a stainless-steel mesh at the bottom is kept in a weak vacuum condition, and SEF is sucked up through the mesh and deposited in a reservoir above. An ISFET glucose sensor is able to detect glucose concentrations in very small SEF samples through the use of two small ISFETs and an immobilised enzyme membrane. The reliability of transcutaneously obtained SEF was first confirmed in an experiment using rabbits. A clinical analyser was used to determine levels of glucose, urea nitrogen and creatinine in SEF obtained transcutaneously; these results are compared with results obtained by the same analyser directly from sera. The ISFET glucose sensor was successfully tested on human subjects for the monitoring of blood glucose levels. During these tests, glucose level changes in the SEF followed actual blood glucose level changes with a slight time delay. Results suggest the feasibility of non-invasive, transcutaneous monitoring of low molecular weight substances in the blood without the use of ordinary blood sampling.

We present the case of a man of 47 years with vertical and horizontal paresis of view combined with periorbital pain that developed initially on the right side but extended after 3-4 days to the left. Gadolinum uptaking tissue in the cavernous sinus was shown by MRI of the orbital region in the T1 spin echo sequence with fat saturation (SEfs) with a slice thickness of 2 mm. As no other abnormalities were found and the pain resolved within 72 hours of treatment with cortison a bilateral Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome (THS) was assumed. THS is an uncommon cause for Painful Ophthalmoglegia (PO) and only few cases of bilateral appearance have been reported. Even though the diagnostic criteria for THS oblige unilateral symptoms we suggest that in patients with bilateral PO THS should not be excluded as a differential diagnosis. Further more when using MRI to detect granulomatous tissue in the orbital region the chosen sequence should be T1 SEfs and slice thickness should possibly be as low as 2 mm, as granulomas are often no larger than 1-2 mm.

A fast, simple, environmentally friendly and sensitive on-line concentration method using microemulsion system as background solution (BGS) was developed for the trace detection of propazine, atrazine, simazine in food samples. The electrokinetic injection assisted micelle to cyclodextrin stacking (MCDS) was designed for the enrichment of target compounds. The factors affected enrichment performance, such as the kind of CDs, the amount of CDs, the concentration of methanol in BGS, the concentration of micelle in sample matrix, the concentration of phosphoric acid in BGS and the sample injection time were optimized. The optimized electrophoretic condition was obtained as following: 50 mM α-CD, 20 mM SDS in sample matrix., 80 mM PA and 20% MeOH (v/v) in BGS, sample solution by electrokinetic injection at -10 kV for 80 s. Under the optimized conditions described above, the linear range was 0.1-20 ug/mL with a good linear relationship with a correlation coefficient (r) ≥ 0.9985. The SEFs for the propazine, atrazine, simazine were found to be 123, 85 and 62 respectively. The proposed MCDS-MEEKC method provided an efficient method for trace analysis of triazine herbicides in honey and dendrobium officinale samples.

Keywords: Electrokinetic injection; Micelle to cyclodextrin stacking; Microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography; Triazine herbicides.