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Dongping Lake is the only natural lake in the lower Yellow River and an important hub of South-North Water Diversion Project, its water quality is of vital importance to the environmental protection and the security of water supply. To assess the heavy metal (HM) contamination in Dongping Lake, samples in water and surface sediment were taken from 59 sampling sites over the entire lake. The statistical characteristics, pollution conditions, and source identifications were analyzed using coupling methods of entropy water quality index (EWQI), modified pollution index (mC d), enrichment coefficient (EF), geo-accumulation index (I geo), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and positive matrix factorization (PMF). In present study, the averaged concentrations of all studied HMs in water body of Dongping Lake were below the limit of drinking water quality standard recommended by WHO, and the EWQI and mC d of HM concentrations were identified to be in good and excellent conditions. The concentrations of almost all studied HMs in surface sediment of Dongping Lake exceeded the background values in the soil of Shandong Province, and Cd (cadmium) was the dominant pollutant. With EF > 2, I geo > 1, and E r > 80, Cd in sediment was under moderate pollution. The outcomes of source analysis revealed that the HMs in surface sediment were mainly derived from the primary and secondary industries. Specifically, manufacturing industries contributed the most to the HM contaminations in sediment of Dongping Lake. [Display omitted] • Heavy metal (HM) pollution in both water and surface sediment of Dongping Lake were evaluated. • All studied HM concentrations in lake water body were below the pollution limit. • HMs in surface sediment were in different pollution degrees. • Cd (cadmium) was the dominant pollutant in surface sediment of Dongping Lake. • Manufacturing was identified as the dominant sources for HMs in Dongping Lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, factor analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis were used to analyze the water quality in dry season of Dongping Lake, which is the only natural lake in the lower Yellow River and an important hub of South-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP) of China. The nutritional status of the lake was evaluated by trophic level index, and the spatial heterogeneity and aggregation status of the eutrophication level were studied by spatial autocorrelation analysis. Moreover, the pollution-discharge-coefficient method was carried out to clarify the potential pollutant sources. Results showed that the lake was in the light eutropher state with the water quality of V and poor V. Nitrogen pollutants were the primary driving factor of water quality, and water depth was the main environmental factor affecting the spatial distribution of nitrogen pollutants. The eutrophication level of the entire lake showed significant positive spatial autocorrelation. Due to the influence of regional eutrophication levels, the spatial heterogeneity of eutrophication level was low. Two hotspots (High-High concentration) of eutrophication were present in the southeast (P < 0.01) and the north (P < 0.05) of the lake. However, causes for the formation of these two hotspots were different, which mainly resulted from the non-point source discharge of surrounding towns along the southeastern lake and the weak hydrodynamic conditions in the northern lake, respectively. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to control the non-point source discharge into Dongping Lake, especially for regions around the southeast of the lake, in the future management. • The application of different methods could justifiably evaluate water quality and nutritional status. • N acted as the key driving factor of water quality in Dongping Lake during dry season. • Two hotspots of eutrophication were found in the southeast and the north of the lake. • Emissions of non-point source is an important factor affecting the spatial distribution of pollutants in the lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with esophageal cancer often experience clinically relevant deterioration of quality of life (QOL) after esophagectomy owing to malnutrition, lack of physical exercise, and psychological symptoms.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a comprehensive intervention model using a mobile health system (CIMmH) in patients with esophageal cancer after esophagectomy.Methods: Twenty patients with esophageal cancer undergoing the modified McKeown surgical procedure were invited to join the CIMmH program with both online and offline components for 12 weeks. The participants were assessed before surgery and again at 1 and 3 months after esophagectomy. QOL, depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, nutrition, and physical fitness were measured.Results: Of the 20 patients, 16 (80%) completed the program. One month after esophagectomy, patients showed significant deterioration in overall QOL (P=.02), eating (P=.005), reflux (P=.04), and trouble with talking (P<.001). At the 3-month follow-up, except for pain (P=.02), difficulty with eating (P=.03), dry mouth (P=.04), and trouble with talking (P=.003), all other QOL dimensions returned to the preoperative level. There were significant reductions in weight (P<.001) and BMI (P=.02) throughout the study, and no significant changes were observed for physical fitness measured by change in the 6-minute walk distance between baseline and the 1-month follow-up (P=.22) or between baseline and the 3-month follow-up (P=.52). Depressive symptoms significantly increased 1 month after surgery (P<.001), while other psychological measures did not show relevant changes. Although there were declines in many measures 1 month after surgery, these were much improved at the 3-month follow-up, and the recovery was more profound and faster than with traditional rehabilitation programs.Conclusions: The CIMmH was feasible and safe and demonstrated encouraging efficacy testing with a control group for enhancing recovery after surgery among patients with esophageal cancer in China.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IPR-1800019900); http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=32811. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]