Sedimentary characteristics of ion-adsorption rare earth elements and assessment of their resource reuse potential due to soil and water erosion in western Fujian.

With severe soil and water erosion, the crucial ion-adsorption rare earth elements (REEs) have attracted much global attention. REEs play a vital role in tracing material sources and exploring sedimentary characteristics due to their unique and stable geochemistry properties. In the present work, three representational possible redeposition areas in western Fujian were selected as the study areas. The geochemical characteristics of REEs in the sediments of the study areas were evaluated to elucidate that REEs are the products of soil and water erosion and to assess their redeposition characteristics. In the research results, the properties of the parent rocks shown in the samples, together with the negative correlation between the content of REEs in the samples and altitude as well as the relief degree on the land surface (RDLS), fully indicate that the sediments in the study areas are the products of migration caused by soil erosion and redeposition in the downstream areas. At the same time, according to the widely applicable standard of rare earth resources exploitation, that is the boundary grade of ion-adsorption rare earth ore in southern China (∑REE = 500 mg·kg-1), we found that the content of REEs in the study areas was close to or exceeded this standard, and the maximum ∑REE of Guozhai Reservoir (869.11 mg·kg-1) was much larger than this standard. Therefore, the redeposited rare earth in Changting Country has high reuse potential under the current scarce resources.

3-year follow-up after balloon sinuplasty in children with chronic rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: Balloon sinuplasty could restore nasal sinus drainage and airflow, limiting the damages and lowering the risks. This study aimed to assess the 3-year clinical efficacy, safety, and satisfactory degree of balloon sinuplasty through multiple aspects. Also the experience about treatment for postoperative adhesion was described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study was performed in 30 children who had failed medical therapy, and received Balloon sinuplasty of selected sinuses. Data in 3-year follow-up including questionnaire, VAS, CT, and nasal endoscopy findings were collected. Also postoperative nose-related medications or auxiliary therapies, revision surgery, and incidence of complications were collected. The satisfactory degree of children and parents were assessed. RESULTS: Compared to preoperative, the VAS scores, questionnaire (SN-5 or SNOT-22) scores and Lund-Mackay scores were significantly lower. In the 3-year follow-up, most of them did not require nose-related medications or auxiliary therapies, and were free of symptoms, or the symptoms did not affect their daily activities. None of the 30 children had complications of facial pain, teeth numbness, facial deformity, and dysosmia. However, nasal cavity adhesion still remained the most frequent. The satisfactory degree was relatively high. CONCLUSION: The 3-year follow-up demonstrated that balloon sinuplasty had high clinical efficacy and safety, the satisfactory degree of children and parents remained relatively high. Improved the upper respiratory infection and increased the immunity, which were considered effective methods to reduce the risk of recurrence. Nasal spraying of steroids and nasal irrigation in three months after surgery cold help prevent the nasal cavity adhesion.

[Self-rated efficacy in bilateral aural atresia patients using bone-anchored hearing aid].

OBJECTIVE: Using questionnaires to evaluate the audiological benefit and satisfaction of bilateral aural atresia patients with bone-anchored hearing aid (Baha). METHODS: Implanted Baha user questionnaire was applied to 19 patients suffering bilateral aural atresia, and 15 of the patients were evaluated with abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit (APHAB). Glasgow children's benefit inventory (GCBI) was used to measure subjective benefit of patients under the age of 18. RESULTS: The Baha user questionnaire demonstrated great satisfaction. The mean Baha scores for the subdomains of ease of communication (EC), backgroud noise (BN) and revereration (RV) were decreased by 54.6 ± 10.2 (t = 20.6, P < 0.05), 46.9 ± 11.1 (t = 16.4, P < 0.05) and 58.8 ±15.4 (t = 21.4, P < 0.05) compared to the unaided scores. For the subdomain of aversiveness (AV), the Baha score was 56.7 ± 9.9 (t = 10.8, P < 0.05) higher than the unaided score. The general benefit score GCBI was 41.1 ± 13.0. CONCLUSION: Baha can significantly improve hearing ability and quality of life of patients with bilateral aural atresia.