Enhanced microbial remediation of uranium tailings through red soil utilization.

Seepage of uranium tailings has become a focus of attention in the uranium mining and metallurgy industry, and in-situ microbial remediation is considered an effective way to treat uranium pollution. However, this method has the drawbacks of easy biomass loss and unstable remediation effect. To overcome these issues, spare red soil around the uranium mine was used to enhance the efficiency and stability of bioremediation. Furthermore, the bioremediation mechanism was revealed by employing XRD, FTIR, XPS, and 16S rRNA. The results showed that red soil, as a barrier material, had the adsorption potential of 8.21-148.00 mg U/kg soil, but the adsorption is accompanied by the release of certain acidic and oxidative substances. During the dynamic microbial remediation, red soil was used as a cover material to neutralize acidity, provide a higher reduction potential (<-200 mV), and increase the retention rate of microbial agent (19.06 mL/d) compared to the remediation group without red soil. In the presence of red soil, the anaerobic system could maintain the uranium concentration in the solution below 0.3 mg/L for more than 70 days. Moreover, the generation of new clay minerals driven by microorganisms was more conducive to the stability of uranium tailings. Through alcohol and amino acid metabolism of microorganisms, a reducing environment with reduced valence states of multiple elements (such as S2-, Fe2+, and U4+) was formed. At the same time, the relative abundance of functional microbial communities in uranium tailings improved in presence of red soil and Desulfovirobo, Desulfocapsa, Desulfosporosinus, and other active microbial communities reconstructed the anaerobic environment. The study provides a new two-in-one solution for treatment of uranium tailings and resource utilization of red soil through in-situ microbial remediation.

Association of long-term benzodiazepine hypnotic use and prediabetes in US population: A cross-sectional analysis of national health and nutrition examination survey data.

Benzodiazepine hypnotics' effects on glucose metabolism are seldom reported, and the association between long-term (≥4 weeks) benzodiazepine usage and prediabetes has not been studied. This study was aimed to investigate the association between benzodiazepine hypnotic usage for ≥ 3 months and the prevalence of prediabetes. We analyzed cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2005 to 2008, selecting adult participants without diabetes who used benzodiazepine hypnotics for at least 3 months or did not take any hypnotics. Individuals taking other hypnotics, antipsychotics, glucocorticoids, or hypoglycemic drugs were excluded. We defined prediabetes as an hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) 5.7-6.4%, as suggested by the American Diabetes Association. Prescribed drug information was self-reported and checked by official interviewers, and HbA1C data in NHANES was recognized by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program. We calculated the propensity score according to the covariates and adjusted it using multivariate logistic regression. Lower thresholds of HbA1C ≥ 5.5% or ≥ 5.3% were also analyzed. Among 4694 eligible participants, 38 received benzodiazepine hypnotics; using these hypnotics for ≥ 3 months was not significantly associated with the prevalence of prediabetes, as well as HbA1C ≥ 5.5% or ≥ 5.3%. Adjusted for propensity score, the respective odds ratios for prediabetes, HbA1C ≥ 5.5%, and HbA1C ≥ 5.3% were 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19-6.32), 0.83 (95% CI 0.22-3.13), and 1.22 (95% CI 0.3-4.93). No significant association was found between benzodiazepine hypnotic usage ≥ 3 months and the prevalence of prediabetes.

The deep challenge of nitrate pollution in river water of China.

Nitrate pollution of surface water has attracted global attention, and the issue is becoming increasingly significant in China. To identify the pollution status, sources, and potential non-carcinogenic health risks of nitrate in China's river water, nitrate data from 71 major rivers from 30 provinces were systematically collected. The spatial distribution of nitrate concentrations in river water was analyzed, and the main nitrate pollution sources were revealed based on the presence of nitrogen and oxygen isotopes of nitrate. The results show that approximately 7.83% of samples in China exceeded the national drinking water standard for nitrate (45 mg/L). The concentrations of nitrate in Mudan River (Linkou County), Haihe (Beijing), and Yangtze River estuary (Shanghai) exceed 90 mg/L, which indicates severe pollution. The characteristic values of δ15N and δ18O of river water in China range from -23.5‰ to 26.99‰ and - 12.7‰ to 83.5‰, indicate many sources including inorganic fertilizer, soil nitrogen, wastewater or manure. The primary sources of nitrate in river water of Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, and South China were manure, septic waste, inorganic fertilizer, and soil organic matter nitrification. Manure and septic waste were the major source of nitrate in Central, East, and North China. Correlation analysis revealed that the nitrate concentrations of surface water has a positive relationship with GDP, nitrogen fertilizer application usage, wastewater discharge, and population in China. Non-carcinogenic risk of nitrate was identified in 80% of the regions in China, and potential moderate non-carcinogenic risk areas are Shanghai, Beijing, and Shaanxi. It is urgent to solve the problem of pollution and prevent the further pollution of China's river water. Though the new "10-point Water Plan" issued by the Chinese government solved previous problems, it will take decades to control and repair polluted surface water.

The impact of land use and socio-economic factors on ammonia nitrogen pollution in Weihe River watershed, China.

Rapid socio-economic development has led to a significant deterioration in the water environment, which has limited sustainable regional development. The soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) and statistical regression method were used to model the ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) pollution and explore the impacts of land use and socio-economic factors on NH4+-N pollution within the Weihe River watershed in China from 2015 to 2018. The result of SWAT model revealed that the NH4+-N concentrations were usually relatively high under low runoff conditions and relatively low under high runoff conditions. The average NH4+-N concentration in the upper reaches was 0.77 mg/L, whereas it was 0.87 mg/L in the middle and lower reaches of the watershed. Serious NH4+-N pollution mainly occurred in 2015 and 2016, and the V (2.0 mg/L) and V+ (>2.0 mg/L) water quality classes were associated with approximately 6.67% and 28.94% of the total watershed area, respectively. The multiple linear regression indicated that the building land and secondary industry were the significant controlling factors (P < 0.01). According to the scenario analysis, modelled scenarios for interception measures reduced the NH4+-N load to a greater degree than scenarios for source control measures. To improve the surface water quality in the Weihe River, it is recommended to adjust industrial structure, increase sewage treatment, and strengthen the rural management of the watershed.

[Distribution and Source Analysis of Nitrate in Surface Waters of China].

The nitrate pollution of surface water has attracted worldwide attention, and it is not optimistic in China. To identify the distribution, sources, and transformation mechanisms of nitrate in China's surface waters, the nitrate data of 71 major rivers from 7 regions were systematically collected. The spatial distribution of nitrate concentrations in surface water was analyzed, and the main nitrate pollution sources were revealed based on nitrogen and oxygen isotopes of nitrate. The results show that approximately 7.83% of rivers in China exceeded the Chinese drinking water standard for nitrate (45 mg·L-1). The concentrations of nitrate in Mudanjiang, Haihe River, and the estuary of Yangtze River was even more than 90 mg·L-1, which indicates a serious pollution phenomenon. The isotopic compositions of surface water in China ranged from -23.5‰ to 26.99‰ for δ15N-NO3 and from -12.7‰ to 83.5‰ for δ18O-NO3. The main sources of nitrate are domestic sewage in Northeast, Central, and East China, while those are inorganic fertilizers and domestic sewage in Southwest and South China. The nitrate sources of surface water in Northwest and North China are complex, mainly from domestic sewage, inorganic fertilizer, and nitration of soil organic matter. Through correlation analysis, it is found that the nitrate concentrations of surface water have a positive relationship with population, wastewater discharge, agricultural nitrogen fertilizer application, and GDP per capita in China. It is urgent to solve the problem of pollution and prevent the further pollution of China's surface waters. The new "10-Point Water Plan" issued by the Chinese government solved the previous problems, but it will take decades to control and repair the polluted surface waters. In Northwest, North China, Southwest, and South China, not only the scale of sewage treatment plants in cities and counties should be increased but also the use of agricultural fertilizers should be controlled and managed by the government. Northeast, Central, and East China need to further control point source pollution and reduce the discharge of industrial wastewater and domestic sewage into rivers.

The impact of land use changes and erosion process on heavy metal distribution in the hilly area of the Loess Plateau, China.

Land use change alters the hydrological process, which in turn affects the migration of heavy metals. However, analyses of the watershed-scale distribution of heavy metals from slope to dam fields have seldom been studied. In this study, three land-use types on the slope (cropland, shrubland, grassland) and dam land in the channel on the Loess Plateau were selected to analyze the relationship between the change of slope erosion rate and the migration process of Manganese (Mn), Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Vanadium (V), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Arsenic (As) and Cobalt (Co) in soil. Moreover, the sources of heavy metals in sediments and their historical deposition process were revealed. It was found that the concentrations of Cr and As were higher in cropland than that in grassland and shrubland. The soil erosion of cropland was the most serious, and the maximum annual erosion rate was as high as 10,853.56 t km-2. The distribution of heavy metals was related to erosion rate in the cropland. With soil erosion, Cr, V, As, Co and Zn in cropland were prone to runoff migration. Cr and As in dam sediments mainly originated from the agricultural activities in cropland. Cu, Co, Mn, Ni, V and Zn in the dam land were largely affected by soil parent material. Land use and soil erosion were important factors influencing the redistribution of heavy metals. By optimizing land use patterns and reducing soil erosion, it is possible to control the migration and accumulation of heavy metals in the watershed. The findings of this study can serve as important reference for reducing non-point source pollution.

[Coiling method combined with bloodletting from the corpus cavernosum for penile incarceration with a metal ring: A case report and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the treatment of penile incarceration with a metal ring. METHODS: Based on our experience in the successful management of a case of penile incarceration with a metal ring by coiling and bloodletting from the corpus cavernosum, we reviewed the relevant literature and analyzed the indications, advantages and disadvantages of different methods for the treatment of penile incarceration with a circular foreign body. RESULTS: The clamping and cutting methods were non-invasive, fast, effective, and with few complications, which could be applied to the treatment of penile strangulation at all levels. However, clamping was not desirable enough for a hard metal ring and the cutting method took a longer time and might increase the risk of unnecessary damage to the penile skin, urethra and cavernous body. Prepuce edema decompression and the thin tube-coiling method, with the advantages of minimal invasiveness, simple operation and no need of special tools, were suitable for penile strangulation injury under level 3, but might cause penile skin injury and potential postoperative erectile dysfunction. Surgical resection, as an invasive procedure, could be applied to severe penile strangulation at level 4 or 5. CONCLUSIONS: The principle for the treatment of penile incarceration with a circular foreign body is to remove the foreign object as soon as possible and not to add secondary damage.

[Transrectal ultrasound conductance-guided administration of traditional Chinese medicine for histological prostatitis in men with small-size BPH and LUTS after TURP].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of transrectal ultrasound conductance (TRUSC)-guided administration of traditional Chinese medicine on histological prostatitis in men with small-size BPH and low urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS: This study included 167 BPH patients without surgical contraindications. We randomized the patients into an experimental group (n = 84) and a control group (n = 83), with no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, prostate volume, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and quality of life (QoL) (P >0.05). The patients of the experimental group received TRUSC-guided administration of traditional Chinese medicine, qd, for 7 days before TURP, while those of the control group underwent TURP only. After treatment, we compared the results of postoperative pathological examination of the prostate tissue, the histological grade of inflammation, IPSS, and QoL scores between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: In the experimental group, there were 12 cases of non-inflammation (14.3%), 43 cases of mild inflammation (51.2%), 28 cases of moderate inflammation (33.3%), and 1 case of severe inflammation (1.2%), as compared with 8 cases of non-inflammation (9.6%), 28 cases of mild inflammation (33.7%), 45 cases of moderate inflammation (51.8%), and 2 cases of severe inflammation (2.4%) in the control group (P <0.05). Compared with the baseline, both the experimental and control groups showed significant improvement at 4 weeks after surgery in IPSS (22.20±4.14 vs 4.26±2.64 and 23.05±4.11 vs 7.02±4.15, P <0.05) and QoL scores (4.33±0.83 vs 1.25±1.64 and 4.25±0.91 vs 2.05±1.95, P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TRUSC-guided administration of traditional Chinese medicine can significantly alleviate histological inflammation and improve QoL in men with small-size BPH and LUTS after TURP.