Control of the spider-like interference structure in photoelectron momentum distributions of a helium atom in a few-cycle nonlinear chirped laser pulse.

We investigate theoretically the photoelectron momentum distributions (PMDs) of the helium atom in the few-cycle nonlinear chirped laser pulse. The numerical results show that the direction of the spider-like interference structure in PMDs exhibits periodic variations with the increase of the chirp parameter. It is illustrated that the direction of the spider-like interference structure is related to the direction of the electron motion by tracking the trajectories of the electrons. We also demonstrate that the carrier-envelope phase can precisely control the opening of the ionization channel. In addition, we investigate the PMDs when a chirp-free second harmonic (SH) laser pulse is added to the chirped laser field, the numerical results show that the interference patterns can change from only spider-like interference structure to both spider-like and ring-like interference structures.

Epidemiology of arrhythmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy in China.

BACKGROUND: Arrhythmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy (AVC) is a common cause of ventricular arrhythmias and mortality, but limited data are available from large Asian cohorts. Our aim was to explore the current status of AVC and second, we examined the prevalence of ventricular tachycardia (VT), heart failure (HF) and mortality in patients with AVC in the Chinese population. HYPOTHESIS: At present, some studies have reported that the incidence of AVC is on the rise, which may be due to the increasing number of diagnostic methods for AVC. However, there is no epidemiological data on AVC in the Chinese population, so we speculate that the incidence of AVC in the Chinese population is increasing. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 15 888 adults from the Beijing Municipal Health Commission Information Center (BMHCIC) registry database in China from January 2010 to December 2020, and calculated the average annual percentage change (AAPC). Second, we determined the incidence of VT, HF and mortality in patients with AVC. Of the 10 318 men and 5570 women who were screened by cardiac magnetic resonance or examined by myocardial biopsy, there were a total of 256 newly diagnosed AVC patients (mean [SD]: 37.54[17.10]; 39.45% female). The incidence of AVC increased from 7.60 (3.12-12.06) in 2010 to 19.62 (11.51-27.75) per 1000 person-years in 2020. Males had higher incidence of AVC than females. The AAPC for the rising incidence of AVC was 8.9 %. Males had similar VT prevalence (70.32% vs. 62.38%, p = 0.19) and mortality (1.94% vs. 1.98%, p = 0.98) but lower HF prevalence (42.58% vs. 60.40%, p = 0.006), when compared to females. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was more likely to be performed in males (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The rising trend in AVC incidence was evident, with two-fold increase by 2020. Males with AVC had similar VT prevalence and mortality rate, but HF prevalence were lower than females, perhaps impacted by RFA use.

Gender differences in the association between anxiety symptoms and thyroid hormones in young patients with first-episode and drug naïve major depressive disorder.

Objective: Gender differences are prevalent in major depressive disorder (MDD), but the gender differences in the relationship between comorbid anxiety and thyroid hormones in young first-episode and drug-naive (FEND) MDD patients are unknown. Methods: A total of 1,289 young outpatients with FEDN MDD were recruited. Demographic and clinical data were collected for each patient. The patient's blood glucose, blood pressure, thyroid hormone, and thyroid antibody levels were measured. The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were used to assess patients' depression, anxiety, and positive symptoms, respectively. Results: The prevalence of comorbid anxiety disorders was 80.4 and 79.4% in male and female MDD patients, respectively. Patients with anxiety had higher HAMD and PANSS scores, higher serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroglobulin antibody (A-TG), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (A-TPO) levels, higher blood glucose and blood pressure levels, and more patients with psychotic symptoms and suicide attempts. Male patients were younger and had a younger age of onset. Logistic regression analysis showed that HAMD score and comorbid suicide attempts were significant predictors of anxiety symptoms in both males and females, whereas A-TG predicted anxiety symptoms in female patients only. Limitations: No causal relationship could be drawn due to the cross-sectional design. Conclusion: This study showed gender differences in factors associated with anxiety symptoms in patients with MDD. Some factors were associated with anxiety symptoms in both male and female patients, while A-TG was only associated with anxiety symptoms in female patients.

Insecticide resistance monitoring of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and its mechanism to chlorantraniliprole.

BACKGROUND: The rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée), has become an increasingly occurring pest in Asia in recent years. Chemical control remains the most efficient and primary tool for controlling this pest. In this study, we report the resistance status of C. medinalis in China to multiple insecticides including chlorantraniliprole and the main resistance mechanism. RESULTS: Significant variations among field populations of C. medinalis in their resistance to 10 insecticides were observed during 2019-2022. Most of the tested field populations have developed low-to-moderate levels of resistance to abamectin (RR = 2.4-22.2), emamectin benzoate (RR = 1.9-40.3) and spinetoram (RR = 4.2-24.8). Some field populations have developed low resistance to chlorpyrifos (RR = 0.9-6.8). Indoxacarb, metaflumizone, methoxenozide and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) potency against all tested populations remained similar. For diamides, significantly higher levels of resistance to chlorantraniliprole (RR = 64.9-113.7) were observed in 2022, whereas all tested field populations in 2019-2021 exhibited susceptible or moderate resistance level to chlorantraniliprole (RR = 1.3-22.1). Cross-resistance between chlorantraniliprole and tetraniliprole was significant. Analysis of ryanodine receptor (RyR) mutations showed that mutation of I4712M was present in resistant populations of C. medinalis with different levels of chlorantraniliprole resistance and was the main mechanism conferring diamide resistance. Mutation of Y4621D also was detected in one tested population. Resistance management strategies for the control of C. medinalis are discussed. CONCLUSION: C. medinalis has developed high level of resistance to chlorantraniliprole. RyR mutations were deemed as the mechanism. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Orientia tsutsugamushi Infection in Wild Small Mammals in Western Yunnan Province, China.

Small mammals can transmit and serve as a reservoir for Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot) in nature by carrying infected mites. In Yunnan, one of China's main foci of scrub typhus, etiological evidence and genetic diversity for Ot is limited. A total of 2538 small mammals were captured seasonally from 2015 to 2016 in the three counties of Yunnan, and the spleen or liver tissue was examined for Ot based on 56 kDa nPCR. The overall prevalence of Ot was 1.77%, ranging from 0.26 to 9.09% across different species. The Gilliam strain was found in 35.6% (16/45) of the wild small mammals, followed by the Karp 11.1% (5/45) and TA763 (1/45) strains, the last of which was discovered in western Yunnan for the first time. In Lianghe, Ot infection rates in wild small mammals were higher than in the other two counties. The infection rates of Eothenomys miletus with Ot were highest in the three dominant species. Ot infection rates in wild small mammals were higher in Lianghe (1200-1400 m) and Yulong (2800-3000 m). These findings could provide research clues for further confirmation of scrub typhus foci in western Yunnan or other similar natural environments.

Clinical Features Associated with 'Normal Range' Fibrin D-Dimer Levels in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Left Atrial Thrombus.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial thrombus (LAT) often complicates with atrial fibrillation (AF). The evidence whether fibrin D-dimer levels could be used as a predictive biomarker for LAT is contradictory. This study firstly investigated the relationship between 'normal range' D-dimer and prevalent LAT. Second, we explored factors contributing to normal D-dimer levels in the presence of LAT. METHODS: We studied 244 AF patients with LAT (mean age: 59.9 years, SD:11.7; 53.3% female): of these, 103 (42.2%) had normal D-dimer, 25 (10.2%) had atrial thrombus exclusion score (ATE score) of 0 19 (16.7%) males had CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0, 21(16.2%) females had CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1 and 16 had overlapped ATE score of 0 and CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0 (N = 8 if male) or CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1(N = 8 if female). Using multivariate binary analysis, larger left atrial diameter (LAD; adjusted OR: 1.06, 1.03-1.10, p = 0.001) were associated with increased D-dimer. Patients with high body mass index (BMI), hypertension history and previous anticoagulation were more likely to show normal range D-dimer levels in the presence of LAT. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence (42.2%) of 'normal range' D-dimer levels was found in AF patients with LAT, especially in those with hypertension, high BMI and prior anticoagulation. D-dimer levels of those patients with larger LAD were more likely to be increased.

Disturbance of Fatty Acid Metabolism Promoted Vascular Endothelial Cell Senescence via Acetyl-CoA-Induced Protein Acetylation Modification.

Endothelial cell senescence is the main risk factor contributing to vascular dysfunction and the progression of aging-related cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between endothelial cell metabolism and endothelial senescence remains unclear. The present study provides novel insight into fatty acid metabolism in the regulation of endothelial senescence. In the replicative senescence model and H2O2-induced premature senescence model of primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), fatty acid oxidation (FAO) was suppressed and fatty acid profile was disturbed, accompanied by downregulation of proteins associated with fatty acid uptake and mitochondrial entry, in particular the FAO rate-limiting enzyme carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A). Impairment of fatty acid metabolism by silencing CPT1A or CPT1A inhibitor etomoxir facilitated the development of endothelial senescence, as implied by the increase of p53, p21, and senescence-associated ß-galactosidase, as well as the decrease of EdU-positive proliferating cells. In the contrary, rescue of FAO by overexpression of CPT1A or supplement of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate and propionate ameliorated endothelial senescence. In vivo, treatment of acetate for 4 weeks lowered the blood pressure and alleviated the senescence-related phenotypes in aortas of Ang II-infused mice. Mechanistically, fatty acid metabolism regulates endothelial senescence via acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), as implied by the observations that suppression of acetyl-CoA production using the inhibitor of ATP citrate lyase NDI-091143 accelerated senescence of HUVECs and that supplementation of acetyl-CoA prevented H2O2-induced endothelial senescence. Deficiency of acetyl-CoA resulted in alteration of acetylated protein profiles which are associated with cell metabolism and cell cycle. These findings thus suggest that improvement of fatty acid metabolism might ameliorate endothelial senescence-associated cardiovascular diseases.

Genome-wide association study reveals a NAC transcription factor TaNAC074 linked to pre-harvest sprouting tolerance in wheat.

KEY MESSAGE: Twelve QTL associated with pre-harvest sprouting tolerance were identified using association analysis in wheat. Two markers were validated and a candidate gene TaNAC074 for Qgpf.cas-3B.2 was verified using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is a considerable global threat to wheat yield and quality. Due to this threat, breeders must identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) and genes conferring PHS-tolerance (PHST) to reduce the negative effects of PHS caused by low seed dormancy. In this study, we evaluated a panel of 302 diverse wheat genotypes for PHST in four environments and genotyped the panel with a high-density wheat 660 K SNP array. By using a genome-wide association study (GWAS), we identified 12 stable loci significantly associated with PHST (P < 0.0001), explaining 3.34 - 9.88% of the phenotypic variances. Seven of these loci co-located with QTL and genes reported previously. Five loci (Qgpf.cas-3B.2, Qgpf.cas-3B.3, Qgpf.cas-3B.4, Qgpf.cas-7B.2, and Qgpf.cas-7B.3), located in genomic regions with no known PHST QTL or genes, are likely to be new QTL conferring PHST. Additionally, two molecular markers were developed for Qgpf.cas-3A and Qgpf.cas-7B.3, and validated using a different set of 233 wheat accessions. Finally, the PHST-related function of candidate gene TaNAC074 for Qgpf.cas-3B.2 was confirmed by CAPS (cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences) marker association analysis in 233 wheat accessions and by expression and phenotypic analysis of transgenic wheat. Overexpression of TaNAC074 significantly reduced seed dormancy in wheat. This study contributes to broaden the genetic basis and molecular marker-assisted breeding of PHST.

The Influence of Parents on Medication Adherence of Their Children in China: A Cross-Sectional Online Investigation Based on Health Belief Model.

Objective: To explore the influence of parents on the medication adherence of their children. Study Design: A cross-sectional online investigation. Methods: A questionnaire with 41 questions was designed based on the health belief model (HBM) distributed and collected online in 28 cities around China through multi-stage stratified sampling. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed with Cronbach's α coefficient and split-half reliability, and its validity was evaluated with exploratory factor analysis and content validity index. The structural equation model (SEM) was constructed to explore the relationship between the parents' health beliefs and their children's medication adherence. Subgroup analysis was conducted to study the differences between parents with different demographic characteristics (male and female, rural and urban). Results: 573 questionnaires were included for analysis, with an effective rate of 62.97%. The Cronbach'α coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.821 > 0.6, the split-half reliability was 0.651 > 0.6, the I-CVI of each dimension were >0.78, and the S-CVI/AVE (I-CVI average) was 0.95 > 0.9. The result of the questionnaire exploratory factor analysis met the standard. According to the SEM, self-efficacy (λ = 0.177), perceived susceptibility (λ = -0.244), and perceived severity (λ = 0.243) were direct influencing factors of children's medication adherence. In the subgroup analysis, the model established by each subgroup was consistent with the model established by the overall sample. The absolute values of females' perceived susceptibility, severity, and self-efficacy for their children's medication adherence path coefficients were higher than males'. Conclusion: Parents' perceived severity and self-efficacy may positively impact on their children's medication adherence, while parents' susceptibility to children's medication non-adherence may negatively impact on children's medication adherence. Objective constraints, perceived barriers, and benefits may in directly impact on children's medication adherence. Women's health beliefs appear to have a more significant impact on their children's medication adherence than men's. It may be an effective strategy to increase their children's medication adherence by improving parents' health beliefs. Medical staff should explain medication adherence knowledge to the parents of children, and inform the children of the possible consequences of non-adherence with medication, to improve the subjective perception of parents on the severity of children's non-adherence with medication, and improve parents' self-efficacy in rational medication for children. In addition, attention should be paid to the mental health of the parents, and more social and psychological support.

Reshuffling of the ancestral core-eudicot genome shaped chromatin topology and epigenetic modification in Panax.

All extant core-eudicot plants share a common ancestral genome that has experienced cyclic polyploidizations and (re)diploidizations. Reshuffling of the ancestral core-eudicot genome generates abundant genomic diversity, but the role of this diversity in shaping the hierarchical genome architecture, such as chromatin topology and gene expression, remains poorly understood. Here, we assemble chromosome-level genomes of one diploid and three tetraploid Panax species and conduct in-depth comparative genomic and epigenomic analyses. We show that chromosomal interactions within each duplicated ancestral chromosome largely maintain in extant Panax species, albeit experiencing ca. 100-150 million years of evolution from a shared ancestor. Biased genetic fractionation and epigenetic regulation divergence during polyploidization/(re)diploidization processes generate remarkable biochemical diversity of secondary metabolites in the Panax genus. Our study provides a paleo-polyploidization perspective of how reshuffling of the ancestral core-eudicot genome leads to a highly dynamic genome and to the metabolic diversification of extant eudicot plants.

Evolutionary Contribution of Duplicated Genes to Genome Evolution in the Ginseng Species Complex.

Genes duplicated by whole genome duplication (WGD) and small-scale duplication (SSD) have played important roles in adaptive evolution of all flowering plants. However, it still remains underinvestigated how the distinct models of duplication events and their contending evolutionary patterns have shaped the genome and epigenomes of extant plant species. In this study, we investigated the contribution of the WGD- and SSD-derived duplicate genes to the genome evolution of one diploid and three closely related allotetraploid Panax species based on genome, methylome, and proteome data sets. Our genome-wide comparative analyses revealed that although the ginseng species complex was recently diverged, they have evolved distinct overall patterns of nucleotide variation, cytosine methylation, and protein-level expression. In particular, genetic and epigenetic asymmetries observed in the recent WGD-derived genes are largely consistent across the ginseng species complex. In addition, our results revealed that gene duplicates generated by ancient WGD and SSD mechanisms exhibited distinct evolutionary patterns. We found the ancient WGD-derived genes (i.e., ancient collinear gene) are genetically more conserved and hypomethylated at the cytosine sites. In contrast, some of the SSD-derived genes (i.e., dispersal duplicated gene) showed hypermethylation and high variance in nucleotide variation pattern. Functional enrichment analyses of the duplicated genes indicated that adaptation-related traits (i.e., photosynthesis) created during the distant ancient WGDs are further strengthened by both the more recent WGD and SSD. Together, our findings suggest that different types of duplicated genes may have played distinct but relaying evolutionary roles in the polyploidization and speciation processes in the ginseng species complex.

Progress in in vitro culture and gene editing of porcine spermatogonial stem cells.

Research on in vitro culture and gene editing of domestic spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is of considerable interest but remains a challenging issue in animal science. In recent years, some progress on the isolation, purification, and genetic manipulation of porcine SSCs has been reported. Here, we summarize the characteristics of porcine SSCs as well current advances in their in vitro culture, potential usage, and genetic manipulation. Furthermore, we discuss the current application of gene editing in pig cloning technology. Collectively, this commentary aims to summarize the progress made and obstacles encountered in porcine SSC research to better serve animal husbandry, improve livestock fecundity, and enhance potential clinical use.

Molecular Characterization of Organics Removed by a Covalently Bound Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Coagulant for Advanced Treatment of Municipal Sewage.

Coagulation is an important process to remove organics from water. The molecular composition and structure of organic matter influence water quality in many ways, and the lack of information regarding the organics removed by different coagulants makes it challenging to optimize coagulation processes and ensure reclaimed water safety. In this paper, we investigated coagulation of secondary biological effluent from a municipal sewage treatment plant with different coagulants. We emphasized investigation of organics removal characteristics at the molecular level using Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI). We found that conventional coagulants can only partially remove condensed polycyclic aromatics and polyphenols with low H/C (H/C < 0.7) and highly unsaturated and phenolic compounds and aliphatic compounds with high O/C (O/C > 0.6). A new coagulant, CBHyC, had better removal efficiencies for all organics with different element compositions and molecular structures, especially organics that are resistant to conventional coagulants such as highly unsaturated and phenolic compounds and aliphatic compounds located in 0.3 < O/C < 0.8 and 1.0 < H/C < 2.0 regions and sulfur-containing compounds with higher O/C (e.g., anionic surfactants and their metabolites or coproducts). This study provides molecular insights into the organics removed by different coagulants and provides data supporting the possible optimization of advanced wastewater treatment processes.

Pichia dushanensis sp. nov. and Hyphopichia paragotoi sp. nov., two sexual yeast species associated with insects and rotten wood.

Seven yeast strains were isolated from the gut of insect larvae and decayed wood, which were collected from three localities near Nanyang, Henan Province, China. These strains were identified as two novel species through comparison of sequences in the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and other taxonomic characteristics. Pichia dushanensis sp. nov. was closely related to species in the Pichia clade and produced one to four spheroid ascospores in a deliquescent ascus. The D1/D2 sequence of P. dushanensis sp. nov. differed from its closest relative, Issatchenkia (Pichia) sp. NRRL Y-12824, by 3.6% sequence divergence (16 substitutions and 4 gaps). The species also differed from its four closest known species, Candida rugopelliculosa, Pichia occidentalis, Pichia exigua and Candida phayaonensis, by 4.1-4.4% sequence divergence (22-24 substitutions and 0-2 gaps) in the D1/D2 sequences. Hyphopichia paragotoi sp. nov. belonged to the Hyphopichia clade, and its nearest phylogenetic neighbours were Candida gotoi, Candida pseudorhagii, Candida rhagii and Hyphopichia heimii with 3.2-4.2% sequence divergence (16-21 substitutions and 1 gap) in the D1/D2 sequences. In comparison with previously established species, H. paragotoi sp. nov. formed one hat-shaped ascospore in a persistent ascus. The type strain of P. dushanensis sp. nov. is NYNU 14658(T) ( = CICC 33049(T) = CBS 13912(T)), and the type strain of H. paragotoi sp. nov. is NYNU 14666(T) ( = CICC 33048(T) = CBS 13913(T)).

Lactococcus lactis anchoring avian infectious bronchitis virus multi-epitope peptide EpiC induced specific immune responses in chickens.

Mucosal immunity is critical in preventing infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) infection. To deliver viral antigens to the mucosal immune system of chickens safely and effectively, we constructed a Lactococcus lactis strain carrying IBV multi-epitope gene EpiC fused with the gene of the cell-wall anchoring domain of Staphylococcus aureus protein A. SDS-PAGE and Western blot results indicated that the fused peptide was located partially on the cell surface. Oral and nasal inoculation with the recombinant L. lactis of chickens elicited significantly high humoral and mucosal immune responses, especially in the nasally immunized group. Eighty percent chickens of the nasally immunized group with recombinant L. lactis did not show any clinical signs after a lethal dose challenge with IBV SAIBk strain, while all the non-recombinant L. lactis immunized chickens exhibited obvious and typical symptoms. These results indicate that needle-free recombinant lactococci anchoring the IBV antigen makes a promising vaccine candidate against the spread of IB.

Expression of avian infectious bronchitis virus multi-epitope based peptide EpiC in Lactococcus lactis for oral immunization of chickens.

The avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) multi-epitope based peptide EpiC was found to be effective in inducing strong humoral and cellular responses against IBV. In this study, the gene EpiC was introduced into Lactococcus lactis NZ3900, and three recombinant strains expressing EpiC in intracellular and extracellular forms were constructed. SDS-PAGE and Western blot results indicated that EpiC was successfully expressed and had good immunoreactivity with chicken anti-IBV serum. Fusion of the signal pepitide gene SPusp45 and the nine-peptide LEISSTCDA encoding oligonucleotide to EpiC increased the secretion of EpiC, but reduced the total yields of EpiC. Oral immunization to specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens with recombinant strains induced significantly higher levels of humoral immune responses, and provided protection against lethal dose challenge by the IBV SAIBk strain. These results indicate that it is feasible to use L. lactis as an antigen delivery vehicle in developing oral vaccines against IBV infection.

[The study of resting energy expenditure equation for short bowel syndrome patients].

OBJECTIVES: To determine the accuracy of resting energy expenditure (REE) calculated by using the Harris-Benedict (HB) equation, Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/United Nations University (FAO/WHO/UNU) equations (FAO equations), Shizgal-Rosa (SR) equation and the LIU equation in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS). In addition, to explore the relationship between measured REE and body weight, fat free mass, body cell mass, fat mass and fat mass percent. METHODS: Fourty-one SBS patients including 30 male and 11 female, aged from 18 to 60 years admitted between January 2001 and October 2010 were enrolled in this study. All patients required long-term parenteral or enteral plus parenteral nutrition support. Their mean age and mean stature were (37 ± 16) years and (164.3 ± 9.0) cm, and the average body weight and residual small intestine was (47.4 ± 9.3) kg and (52 ± 45) cm. Measured REEs and calculated REEs of SBS patients were estimated respectively by indirect calorimetry and REE equations, and then defined the difference of them. And body mass were metered by body composition analyzer. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between measured REEs (1218 ± 293) Kcal and calculated REEs from the HB equation (r = 0.588, P < 0.01), the SR equations (r = 0.591, P < 0.01), the FAO equations (r = 0.411, P < 0.01) and the LIU equation (r = 0.585, P < 0.01). In the total sample, the paired t test between measured REEs and REEs derived from the HB equation, SR equation and FAO equation showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). However, measured REEs were significantly higher than REEs calculated using the LIU equations by 14.17% (P < 0.01). There was also a significant correlation between measured REEs and body weight, fat free mass and body cell mass (r = 0.548, 0.641 and 0.581). CONCLUSIONS: Indirect calorimetry is preferred when an accurate REE estimate of SBS patients is necessary. However, if this machine is not available, SR equation is recommended to use and LIU equation must be avoided. Fat free mass may be more useful than body weight in REE calculation.

[Influence of controlling factors on partial nitrification performance in membrane bioreactor].

A membrane bioreactor (MBR) was developed successfully to carry out partial nitrification process. Temperature, and dissolved oxygen (DO) were investigated as the factors which may affect the results. It has been proved that the optimal operational parameters were at 35 degrees C, ammonia loading 0.45 kg x (m3 x d)(-1) and < 0.5 mg/L, respectively, with the effluent NO3(-) -N concentration below 20 mg x L(-1) and rho(NO2(-) -N)/rho(NH4(+) -N) ratio being close to 1.0. It is not observed severe membrane fouling during all the experiment. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis indicated that aerobic ammonium oxidizers were the dominant population, and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria were inhibited. The microbiological community analysis further provided the necessary biological information for the realization of partial nitrification.

[Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification of membrane-aerated biofilm reactor].

A carbon membrane-aerated biofilm reactor was developed to treat municipal wastewater, in which the carbon and nitrogen were removed simultaneously. The results showed that COD removal, NH4+-N removal and TN removal efficiency could reach 82.5%, 95.1% and 84.2%, respectively, under the conditions of intra-membrane pressure of 13.6 kPa, HRT of 14 h, influent COD and NH4+-N concentrations of 338 mg/L and 75 mg/L. However, in the last period during the operation of the reactor, the TN removal efficiency dramatically decreased because of the excessive growth of biomass on the nonwoven fiber, which also had serious negative effect on nitrification course. The microbiological community and spatial profiles were observed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and scanning electron microscopy. The anaerobic and anoxic bacteria were mainly located in the outer anaerobic region of the biofilm, while the aerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria were mainly located in the inner aerobic region of the biofilm. The co-existing and coupling effect of aerobic nitrifying bacteria and anaerobic denitrifying bacteria provided the large biological potential for the simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in the carbon membrane-aerated biofilm reactor.