Risk assessment of trace metal-polluted coastal sediments on Hainan Island: A full-scale set of 474 geographical locations covering the entire island.

Hainan Island is the second largest island and one of the most famous tourist destinations in China, but sediment contamination by trace metals in coastal areas is a major issue. However, full-scale risk assessments of trace metal-polluted coastal sediments are lacking. In this study, coastal surface sediments from 474 geographical locations covering almost the entire island were collected to identify risk-related variables. Controlling factors and possible sources of trace metals were identified, and the toxicity effects were carefully evaluated. Our results suggest that trace-metal pollution in coastal sediments, which was mainly caused by Pb, Zn and Cu emissions, has primarily resulted from industrial sewage and shipping activities and has threatened the offshore ecosystem of Hainan Island and warrants extensive consideration. This is the first study that has systematically investigated trace metal-polluted coastal sediments throughout the entirety of Hainan Island and provides solid evidence for sustainable marine management in the region.

Herbal acupoint sticking combined with electroacupuncture therapy in the treatment of Bell's palsy: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with herbal acupoint sticking in the treatment of Bell's palsy and provide optimizations for the clinic.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and two cases of Bell's palsy were randomized into an EA combined with herbal acupoint sticking group (group A, 50 cases) and an EA group (group B, 52 cases), EA at Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Quanliao (SI 18),Xiaguan (ST 7), Yingxiang (LI 20), etc. were applied in both groups and "facial paralys No.I " was applied at Yifeng (TE 17) in group A, once daily and 10 times totally were needed. The score of facial nerve function, clinical efficacy were compared before and after treatment. At 1 and 3 month follow up visit, the quality of life scale( WHOQOL-BREF) and the occurrence of complication were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The scores of facial nerve function in group A and group B were all significantly improved compared with those before treatment (48. 2+/- 2. 9 vs 25. 7 +/- 4. 9, 45. 9 +/- 6. 2 vs 25. 8 +/- 5. 5, both P<O. 01), the cured rate in group A [82.0% (41/50)] were significantly superior to that in group B [67. 3% (35/52)](P<0. 05); the difference of WHOQOL-BREF in both groups at 1 and 3 month follow up visit was not significant(all P>0. 05). The occurrence of complication in group A (1 case) was significantly less than that in group B (8 cases, P 0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with EA, the combination of EA and acupoint sticking therapy for Bell's palsy cannot only improve the clinical efficacy and reduce the occurrence of complication but also reliable without any side effect.</p>

Absorption characteristics of ginsenoside Rb2 in Caco-2 cell monolayer / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the concentration of ginsenoside Rb(2) and study the absorption characteristics of ginsenoside Rb(2) in Caco-2 cell monolayer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>LC-MS-MS was used to determine the concentration of ginsenoside Rb(2), and the apparent permeability coefficient (P(app)) of ginsenoside Rb(2) was calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>P(app(AP-BL)) was 3.27 x 10(-7) cm.s(-1), P(app(BL-AP)) was 3.16 x 10(-6) cm.s(-1), and the efflux ratio (P(app(BL-AP))/P(app(AP-BL))) was 9.63.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The absorption characteristics of ginsenoside Rb(2) in Caco-2 cell model have been demonstrated.</p>