Distribution, Multi-Index Assessment, and Sources of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments of Zhelin Bay, a Typical Mariculture Area in Southern China.

The occurrence, multi-index assessment, and sources of heavy metals in surface sediments of Zhelin Bay were investigated. Average heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) were 81.89 (Cr), 770.76 (Mn), 16.81 (Co), 62.25 (Ni), 96.30 (Cu), 162.04 (Zn), and 73.40 (Pb), with the concentrations of studied seven heavy metals being significantly higher than their corresponding background values. Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and pollution load index (PLI) were implemented to assess degree of heavy metal contamination. The Igeo and PLI indicated that Cr, Mn, Co, Zn, and Pb were slightly polluted, and Cu and Ni were moderately polluted in the region. Potential ecological risk index (RI) and mean possible effect level (PEL) quotient were conducted to assess ecological risk. The RI and mean PEL quotient demonstrated that surface sediments of Zhelin Bay were slight ecological risks and exhibited a 21% probability of toxicity. Principal component analysis (PCA) combined with the correlation analysis (CA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HAC) revealed that the heavy metal contamination in Zhelin Bay might originate from three type sources.

Multi-index assessment of heavy metal contamination in surface sediments of the Pearl River estuary intertidal zone.

Surface sediments from 21 stations within the Pearl River estuary (PRE) intertidal zone were sampled for heavy metal contamination analysis. Average heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) in the PRE intertidal zone were 118.5 (Cr), 860.4 (Mn), 19.5 (Co), 72.5 (Ni), 128.1 (Cu), 198.5 (Zn), and 73.0 (Pb), with the concentrations of Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn being significantly higher than their corresponding background values. The enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) reveal the same contamination status, with Pb, Ni, Co, Mn, and Cu showing slight to moderate contamination. Overall, the combined heavy metal concentration in the PRE intertidal surface sediments had a 24.7 % probability of toxic effects on aquatic biota based on the joint probabilistic risk (JPR) approach. Principal component analysis (PCA) coupled with the correlation analysis (CA) revealed that the heavy metal contamination in the PRE intertidal zone might originate from natural and anthropogenic sources.

Risk on assessment of 15 REEs and mixtures by DGT in Songhua River system sediments of China's largest old industrial base.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are increasingly used in the high-tech sectors in the world and are therefore called burgeoning contaminants. As diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) can be used to assess the bioavailability of inorganic matters, in this paper, we evaluated, for the first time, the ecotoxicology risks of REEs and their mixtures in river sediments of China's old industrial base by DGT. During our research, taking the Songhua River system (SRS) as an example, we detected its surficial sediments, of which the DGT-labile concentration of REEs (∑REEs) was 2.07-8.76 µg/L. As for the single toxicity, the risk quotient (RQ) values of Y at all sites were significantly greater than 1; while the values of Nd and Pr in some upstream reaches were all significantly greater than the threshold (1), indicating that these adverse effects of single REEs were not neglected. In terms of the combined toxicity of REEs mixtures, we carried out an assessment of the risks of probabilistic ecotoxicology, which showed that the SRS superficial sediments had a low probability of toxicity to aquatic organisms (0.54%).

Acupuncture for erectile dysfunction in post-stroke patients: Study Protocol Clinical Trial (SPIRIT Compliant).

INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction refers to the continued inability of the penis to reach and maintain sufficient erections to achieve a satisfactory sex life and last at least 6 months. As part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been widely used in clinical practice. In order to evaluate, the exact effect of acupuncture on the clinical efficacy of patients with Post-stroke Erectile dysfunction (PSED), this experiment uses randomized controlled experiments. METHODS/DESIGN: This pragmatic randomized controlled trial will recruit 103 patients who are diagnosed with PSED. Simple randomization to conventional treatment with a 1:1 allocation ratio will be used. Ten 30-min acupuncture sessions will be provided to patients assigned to the Intervention group. All participants will continue to receive conventional treatment. The selection of outcomes will be evaluated by International Erectile Function Index-5 (IIEF-5) score at week 8. DISCUSSION: This trial may provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for patients with PSED. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR2000030231, Registered on February 25, 2020.

Acupuncture combined with tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsule in the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common urinary system disease in men. As part of traditional Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been widely used in clinical practice. In order to evaluate the exact effect of acupuncture on the clinical efficacy of CP/CPPS, this experiment uses randomized controlled experiments. METHODS/DESIGN: This pragmatic randomized controlled trial will recruit 166 patients who are diagnosed with CP/CPPS. Simple randomization to conventional drug treatment with a 1:1 allocation ratio will be used. Ten 30-minute acupuncture sessions will be provided to patients assigned to the Intervention group. All participants will continue to receive conventional drug treatment. The selection of outcomes will be evaluated by Health's Symptom Score Index (NIH-CPSI) score at week 4. DISCUSSION: This trial may provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for patients with CP/CPPS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR1900021132, Registered on 29 January 2019.