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The sand-fixing shrub Caragana microphylla (Fabaceae) is extensively used for vegetation restoration in areas of northern China undergoing desertification. Although the understanding of its genetic variation and related determinants is an important component of plant conservation and ecological restoration in the face of a changing global environment, the relationship between genetic diversity in C. microphylla and climatic factors is unknown. In this study, we assessed population genetic variation in C. microphylla along temperature and humidity gradients in northern China using inter-simple sequence repeat ( ISSR) markers. In general, high levels of genetic diversity were uncovered in the 13 populations studied. The number of polymorphic loci ranged from 14 to 63 and polymorphism percentages ranged from 8.75 to 39.38%. Observed and effective allele numbers were 1.09-1.40 and 1.06-1.30, respectively. Nei's genetic diversity index ( h) was calculated as 0.0340-0.1663 and Shannon's diversity index ( I) was 0.0502-0.2403. At the species level, h and I were 0.2579 and 0.3965, respectively. Populations from low hydrothermal level areas, experiencing severe desertification and habitat fragmentation, exhibited the greatest genetic diversity. Genetic diversity in C. microphylla was positively correlated with annual temperature range, cold index, mean annual rainfall and hydrothermal synthesis index, whereas a negative association was found with mean annual temperature. Using redundancy analysis, we found that mean annual rainfall and cold index explained 87.8% of observed genetic variation, suggesting that genetic diversity in C. microphylla depends primarily on these two factors. Our data are relevant to the restoration and management of degraded ecosystems in arid and semiarid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the epidemiology of sleep problems and insomnia among the community older individuals in Hebei Province, China, and to investigate the potential sociodemographic and clinical correlates and medication use.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with community adults, aged 60 years or older, who resided in four major cities in Hebei province. Basic sociodemographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed. A total of 3176 older adults (1292 men, 70.2 ± 6.8 years; 1884 women, 68.8 ± 6.7 years) were interviewed. All of the participants were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire and underwent insomnia screening.Results: The prevalence of insomnia was 37.75%. The most common type of sleep disturbance was difficulty maintaining sleep, followed by difficulty initiating sleep and early morning awakening. Never smoking, experiencing the loss of a parent, a history of coronary heart disease, and depression symptoms were independent risk factors for insomnia in men. Occasional drinking was an independent protective factor against insomnia in men. Older age, depression symptoms, a history of cerebral hemorrhage, hyperlipidemia, living without a spouse, and having mild cognitive impairment were independent risk factors for insomnia in women. Only 11.1% of the sample with insomnia were taking sleeping medications regularly.Conclusion: Insomnia is highly prevalent among the community older population in Hebei Province. The percentage of individuals regularly taking sleeping medication is low among those with insomnia. Individuals with complaints of insomnia frequently have poor physical and mental health and may need more medical attention. Comprehensive measures that involve psychosocial and personal behaviors should be implemented to alleviate insomnia in older individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] N use and water balance of maize under film mulched ridges-furrow system were studied. [•] This technique can maintain soil water balance when annual precipitation is >273mm. [•] Application of 110kgNha−1 could get high yields and mitigated the risk of N loss. [•] NO3-N mainly accumulates in the 0–160-cm soil layer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The phthalate esters (PAEs) have become ubiquitous pollutants. In the present work, we investigated their pollution on teas. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di- n -butyl phthalate (DBP), and di-(2-ethyl) hexyl phthalate (DEHP) were detected in all fresh tea leaves with DBP being the major congener of PAEs in teas followed by DiBP and DEHP. Seasonal variation, spatial distribution difference, correlationship of environmental factors, and potential health risks of PAEs were analyzed. The PAEs content in one bud and two leaves was lower than that in upper mature leaves in tea plants. The PAEs content in fresh tea leaves was the lowest in spring, while it was high in autumn and winter. The correlation analysis results showed that PAEs had significantly negative correlation with ambient air temperature, while it was positively correlated with the air quality index. PAEs analysis of spring tea in Anhui and Zhejiang provinces further indicated that the factor of provincial regions had little impact on the PAEs pollution level in tea. By contrast, the different environmental areas significantly affected PAE pollution, especially the agricultural areas. The human daily intake-based (13 g/day) risk assessment indicated that both the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks (1.76 × 10 -7 -6.12 × 10 -7 ) of PAEs via tea consumption were acceptable, with the estrogen equivalence (1.60-6.29 ng E 2 /kg) being at a medium level. This study provides significant information for pollution control and risk assessment of PAEs in Chinese tea production.

Contaminants such as heavy metals in rivers are partially retained in the sediments at the bottom as a result of the altered water regime within the cascade weirs. The associated heavy metals in the sediments can affect surface water quality and ecology for a long period. In May 2020, sediments were collected in a typical mountainous river (Liangtan River) with cascade weirs in the main urban area of Chongqing. The accumulation of sediments in each river section, the content of heavy metals, and other basic physicochemical indicators in the samples were monitored. The results showed that the average ω (As), ω (Cd), ω (Cu), ω (Hg), ω (Ni), and ω (Pb) in the sediments of the main stream of Liangtan River were (4.66±4.78), (0.361±0.256), (32.30±14.38), (0.069±0.039), (33.47±15.37), and (26.34±11.52) mg·kg -1 , respectively. A large coefficient of spatial variation regarding the content of heavy metals in the sediments across the sampling sites was observed owing to the uneven spatial distribution of pollution sources and the destruction of river connectivity by cascade weirs. The modified geoaccumulation index ( I m ) showed that Cd was the most polluted heavy metal element in the sediments. Of the monitored river sections, 12.50% approached or were at moderate pollution levels, and these sections were mainly found in the upstream and downstream reaches of Liangtan River with relatively concentrated construction lands. The potential ecological risk assessment index method (RI) and the sediment quality guideline method (SQGs) showed that, in addition to Cd and Hg with a high pollution level and strong toxicity, Ni in the sediments also posed a potential threat to the ecological safety of surface water due to its high background content in the watershed. The total amounts of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Pb retained in the sediments by cascade weirs were estimated to be 446.10, 47.28, 4997.80, 10.81, 5135.68, and 4048.16 kg, respectively, in which Cd, Ni, and Pb were identified to be the major threats to the ecological safety of surface water over a long period. The upper reaches prior to the weirs with the most retained heavy metals and the easier formation of an anaerobic environment are suggested to be the key areas for investigation of the endogenous release of heavy metals. Source apportionment of heavy metals in river sediments through the combination of principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed that Cd, Cu, and Pb mainly originated from residential/industrial point source pollution. Hg mainly originated from agricultural non-point source pollution, whereas As and Ni mainly originated from natural soil erosion.

Oil produced by castor (Ricinus communis) has broad industrial applications. However, knowledge on the genetic diversity, especially genetic alterations that occurred during domestication and subsequent traits selection, of this oil crop is limited. Here, our population genomics analyses show that the Chinese castors have developed a geographic pattern, classified into the southern-, the middle-, and the northern-China groups. We detect a number of candidate genomic loci that are associated with the selection signals during the geographical differentiation and domestication. Using genome-wide association analysis, we identify candidate genes associated with nine agronomically important traits. One of the candidate genes encoding a glycosyltransferase related to cellulose and lignin biosynthesis is associated with both capsule dehiscence and endocarp thickness. We hypothesize that the abundance of cellulose or lignin in endocarp is an important factor for capsule dehiscence. Our results provide foundation for castor breeding and genetic study.

Objective: To review the development of adult and pediatric liver transplantation in Tianjin First Center Hospital, and to enhance academic exchanges, improve technological innovation, and jointly promote the progress and maturity in the field of liver transplantation., Methods: The development of liver transplantation in Tianjin First Center Hospital was analyzed. The clinical data of adult and pediatric liver transplantation from September 1998 to September 2018 were collected. The important events and technological innovation achievements of liver transplantation during the 20 years were summarized., Results: The first clinical liver transplantation was attempted in Tianjin First Central Hospital in April 1980. The first long-term survival adult liver transplantation in China was completed in 1994 (11 years survival after the operation). The specialized team of liver transplantation was formally established in September 1998. The 20-year clinical exploration and progress reflected the characteristics of era changes and technological innovation during the rapid development of liver transplantation in China. Our center performed liver re-transplantation in January 1999, reduced-size pediatric liver transplantation in August 2000. In May 2001, we organized the formulation for the preventive and treatment plan for hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation. We performed combined liver and kidney transplantation in July 2002, split liver transplantation (SLT) in April 2004, the first domino liver transplantation (DLT) in August 2005. Pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) was initiated in October 2006, adult LDLT was carried out in August 2007. In September 2007, the first living donor combined liver and kidney transplantation from the same donor in Asia was performed. The first domino+living donor double grafts liver transplantation in the world was performed in January 2009. In March 2011, we performed laparoscopically assisted right hepatic lobe liver transplantation (LDLT) with middle hepatic vein. In May 2014, living donor laparoscopic left lateral lobe procurement was successfully established. In April 2016, simultaneous liver, pancreas and kidney multi-organ transplantation was completed. Domino donor-auxiliary liver transplantation was performed in February 2017. In December 2017, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-supported liver transplantation in a patient with severe pulmonary hypertension was successfully completed. Liver transplantation combined with partial splenectomy was established in April 2018. Cross-domino liver transplantation (hypersensitive kidney transplantation with auxiliary liver transplantation+pediatric liver transplantation) was performed in May 2018. During the 20 years, the team has performed or assisted other centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to carry out more than 10 000 cases of liver transplantations. A total of 7 043 cases of various types of liver transplantation were performed in the single center of the hospital (6 005 adult liver transplantations and 1 038 pediatric liver transplantations). Concerning adult liver transplantation, the cumulative 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate from September 1998 to March 2003 were 83.1%, 73.0% and 69.0%, from April 2003 to March 2009 were 85.3%, 76.2% and 72.1% and from April 2009 to September 2018 were 87.5%, 79.2% and 75.1%, respectively. The cumulative 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate for pediatric liver transplantation were 93.5%, 92.2% and 90.2%, respectively. The nucleoside (acid) analogue combined with low dose hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) was developed to prevent the recurrence of hepatitis B after liver transplantation, this plan has reduced the recurrence rate of hepatitis B and the 5-year re-infection rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) after liver transplantation significantly. The risk assessment system for tumor recurrence after liver transplantation was established and individual treatment method was established based on this assessment system. Continuous exploration and improvement of liver transplantation for liver cancer, liver re-transplantation, liver transplantation with portal vein thrombosis, SLT, DLT and multi-organ combined transplantation have significantly improved the clinical efficacy of patients and the post-operative survival rate., Conclusions: The liver transplantation team of Tianjin First Center Hospital has carried out a scientific and technological exploration on the key problems and technical difficulties of clinical liver transplantation. This work strongly has initiated and promoted the rapid development of liver transplantation in China. The restrictive barrier of hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation has been overcome. The risk prevention and control system of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation has been established. A series of innovative achievements that can be popularized have been achieved in the field of complex liver transplantation and expansion of donor liver source. The iterative progress and sustainable development of liver transplantation have been realized.

Evaluations of restoration success usually focus on the structural aspects of ecosystems. Pollination, as an important functional aspect, is often overlooked. Here, the shifts in pollinator assemblage and pollen limitation in the desert shrub Caragana microphylla were examined along a restoration gradient in Horqin Sand Land, northern China. We identified seven species of bees; however, only four bee species were found to be effective pollinators, with Xanthosaurus remota dominating in the fixed dunes, and with no bee species or only a single species, X. remota, being observed in the semi-fixed and mobile dunes. Flower visitation rate was nearly ten times higher in the fixed dunes than in the mobile and semi-fixed dunes. Experimental floral manipulations revealed that the fixed dune populations experienced less pollen limitation, along with the increase in pollinator availability. Between the mobile and semi-fixed dune populations, pollen limitation was severe and at similar levels. The intensity of pollen limitation was negatively related to pollinator abundance and richness. Overall, the dependence on pollinators for reproduction may be an important constraint that limits persistence in this system. Increased pollinator service during the restoration process may ameliorate pollen limitation, benefiting the restoration of vegetation in this semiarid sandy area.

Background/aims: Liver transplant recipients include patients who present with almost all kinds of end-stage liver disease. Studying the relationship between gallstones and end-stage liver disease among liver transplant recipients is becoming important., Materials and Methods: Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to assess 1640 liver transplant recipients. Multiple factors were involved in the analysis, including age, sex, total bilirubin and total cholesterol levels, Child score, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, alcoholic cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Results: Age and Child score are independent risk factors for the development of gallstone disease (GD). The average age of the recipients in the GD group was 49.22±9.96 years, which was significantly higher than that in the GD-free group (48.23±9.79 years). The Child score of the recipients in the GD group was 9.21±2.47, which was significantly lower than that of the recipients in the GD-free group, which was 8.79±2.48 (t=3.23, p<0.001). We also found that hepatitis B is an influential factor in GD., Conclusion: The prevalence of gallstones among liver transplant recipients is related to the Child score and patient age. The prevalence of GD is lower in patients with HCC and in those who are HBV positive and is relatively higher in HCV-positive patients and in those with alcoholic cirrhosis, although no significant differences were found.

Objective: To assess the association of the A260G and A386G single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the DAZL gene with male infertility in the Chinese population of Zhejiang Province., Methods: We collected the peripheral blood samples from 317 idiopathic infertile males with azoospermia or oligozoospermia and 246 normal fertile men, and genotyped the polymorphic loci of the A260G and A386G polymorphisms of the DAZL gene using the SNaPshot technique., Results: The DAZL gene A260G was found genetically polymorphic in the Chinese population of Zhejiang Province, with the gene frequencies and their distribution consistent to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequencies of the AA, AG and GG genotypes of the A260G polymorphism were 92.3%, 7.3%, and 0.4% respectively in the normal controls and 94.3%, 5.7%, and 0% in the infertile patients, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.43, OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.413-1.46). Heterozygosis (AG) of A386G was found in 1 of the control males but not in the infertile patients, while homozygosis (GG) of A386G was not observed in either group (P = 0.259, OR = 0.698, 59% CI: 0.374-1.306)., Conclusion: A260G and A386G SNPs of the DAZL gene are not associated with spermatogenic failure and neither represents a molecular marker for the genetic diagnosis of male infertility in the Chinese population of Zhejiang Province.

Background & Aims: Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) is a suspected source of de novo hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection after LT. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of OBI in liver transplant recipients with alcoholic cirrhosis and demonstrate the association between OBI and de novo HBV infection after LT in these patients., Methods: Forty-three patients with alcoholic cirrhosis who were negative for HBsAg before LT were recruited in this retrospective study. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded native liver tissues and quantified for HBV DNA by real-time PCR. Correlation between de novo HBV infection after LT (positive HBsAg and/or detectable HBV DNA in serum) and detection of intrahepatic HBV DNA before LT was analysed., Results: Detectable HBV DNA in the explanted liver was found in 41.9% (18/43) of the patients and was thus defined as OBI, which was correlated with the presence of serum hepatitis B core antibody (P = 0.008). De novo HBV infection occurred in 18.6% (8/43) of the recipients at a median of 10 months after LT. The rate of de novo HBV infection was 38.9% (7/18) in patients with OBI, compared with 4% (1/25) in patients without OBI (P = 0.004). Furthermore, de novo HBV infection was inversely correlated with the presence of hepatitis B surface antibody in recipients with OBI (P = 0.026)., Conclusion: With a prevalence of 41.9% in liver transplant recipients with alcoholic cirrhosis, OBI in the native liver can predict de novo HBV infection after LT., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The odor in raw water is one of the main sources of odor in drinking water. The occurrence of actinobacteria and their odor producing capacities in a reservoir in.Shanghai were investigated. Gauze's medium and membrane filtration were used for actinobacteria isolation. Through combined methods of 16S rRNA sequencing, colony and hyphae morphology, carbon source utilization, physiological and biochemical characteristics, 40 strains of actinobacteria were identified from the reservoir. Results showed that there were 38 Streptomyces, an Aeromicrobium and a Pseudonocardia. Liquid culture medium and the real reservoir water were used to test the odor producing capacity of these 40 strains of actinobacteria, and headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and high resolution gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) were used to analyze the odor compounds 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) and geosmin (GSM) in the fermentation liquor. The test results showed that, the odor-producing capacities of these actinobacteria in different fermentation media showed different variation trends, even within the genera Streptomyces. The odor-producing capacity of actinobacteria in the liquid culture medium could not represent their states in the reservoir water or their actual odor contribution to the aquatic environment.

Aim: To investigate the incidence of de novo hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection after pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and to analyze the risk factors associated with this de novo HBV infection., Methods: The clinical and laboratory data of children who underwent LDLT from June 2010 to September 2012 in First Center Hospital in Tianjin, China, were retrospectively included in the study. Intrahepatic HBV DNA in donors and recipients was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction using DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues., Results: Between June 2010 to September 2012, 32 consecutive pediatric patients underwent LDLT in our institute. Thirty LDLT patients (13 girls and 17 boys) were followed up for a median of 15 mo, of whom 53.3% (16/30) were hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) positive and 36.7% (11/30) were hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb)/HBcAb positive before transplantation. Sixteen of the children received HBcAb-positive allografts, and 43.7% (7/16) of the grafts were found to be intrahepatic HBV DNA positive. De novo HBV infection developed in 16.1% (5/30) of the children within a median of 11 mo after transplantation. All five of the HBV-infected children had received HBcAb-positive allografts, four of which were intrahepatic HBV DNA positive. Two of the children developed de novo HBV infection despite the preoperative presence of both HBsAb and HBcAb, Conclusion: In pediatric recipients, positive intrahepatic HBV DNA in allografts could be a risk factor for de novo HBV infection from HBcAb-positive allografts. HBsAb/HBcAb positivity in pediatric LDLT patients before transplantation exhibited only weak effectiveness in protecting them against de novo HBV infection from HBcAb-positive allografts.

A high performance versatile composite hollow fiber nanofiltration (NF) membrane is reported for the separation of glyphosate from saline waste streams. Preparation of SPEEK based on an amorphous poly (ether ether ketone, PEEK) was investigated. The membrane was prepared by coating sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) onto a polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) hollow fiber membrane. The composite membrane was characterized by water permeability, scanning electron microscopy, and rejection toward sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄), sodium chloride (NaCl), and calcium chloride (CaCl₂). About 90% rejection toward sulfate anions and only 10% rejection for calcium cations were obtained. A water permeability around 10-13 LMHBar and 90% rejection for polyethylene glycol (PEG) with a molecular weight of 4000-6000 Da were observed. In the separation of glyphosate from saline wastewater, the membrane rejected less than 20% of NaCl and higher than 90% of glyphosate at an operating pressure of 5 bars and pH = 11.0. An economic analysis indicated that the cost for recovery of glyphosate was comparably low to the value gained by an increase in the productivity. The results may lead to a new promising low energy solution for the environmental problem faced by the herbicide industry., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background/aims: The increasing demand for transplantation has led application of steatotic liver as the graft. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of donor graft steatosis on overall outcome and tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma., Methodology: 131 patients that underwent liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma between 2007 and 2008 were included. Donor steatosis was categorized as non-steatosis group (0%-10%, n=101) and steatosis group (>10%, n=30). The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for data analysis., Results: Postoperative recipient survival rate was 81% and 66.6% at 1 and 3 years, respectively, for non-steatotic graft; 87.5% and 58.3% for mild steatosis; 83.3% and 41.7% for moderate to severe steatosis (p=0.303). Postoperative tumor recurrence rate was 15.8% and 28.7% at 1 and 3 years, respectively, for grafts with no steatosis; 8.3% and 20.8% for those with mild steatosis; 33.3% and 50% for those with moderate to severe steatosis, (p>0.05)., Conclusions: Steatotic donor was not associated with a worse prognosis in early stage postoperative and mild fatty liver did not increase tumor recurrence risks. The moderate to severe status of fatty liver had some effect on tumor recurrence.

Background: Because the orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was performed widely in recent 5 years throughout China, the proportion of recipients whose graft function deteriorated to be retransplantation candidates increased gradually. This study was undertaken to analyze clinical experience of orthotopic liver retransplantation (re-OLT) at our center., Methods: The medical records of 80 patients who had undergone liver retransplantation at our center from January 1999 to July 2005 were analyzed retrospectively, including indications and timing of retransplantation, surgical techniques, and the causes of death., Results: The commonest cause leading to hepatic graft loss and subsequent retransplantation was biliary complications in 36 patients (45%). The patients underwent retransplantation more than 30 days after their primary transplant recovered better than those who underwent retransplantation within 8-30 days after primary transplantation (perioperative mortality 19.6% versus 70%). Sepsis (12 of 22 patients, 54.5%) and multiple organ failure (4 of 22 patients, 18.2%) were leading causes of re-OLT recipient deaths., Conclusions: Proper indications and optimal operative time, surgical procedures, perioperative monitoring and appropriate postoperative treatment contribute to the improvement of the survival rate of patients after liver retransplantation.

Liver transplantation has expanded rapidly in China. The Tianjin First Central hospital is currently the largest liver transplant center in China. During 2005, this center performed 647 liver transplants and 436 kidney transplants. Since the liver transplantation program began in 1998, this center has performed 1,803 liver transplants and 1,233 kidney transplants. Significant progress has been made during the past 5 years in surgical technique, immunosuppression and patient care after transplantation. Graft survival rates have also improved significantly. The one-year graft survival rate for 843 patients who received a liver transplant between 2001 and 2004 was 87.3%. About half of these patients suffered from hepatocellular carcinoma. We will continue to evaluate donor and recipient factors to maximize outcomes of liver and kidney transplantation.

Objective: To study the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status through heterosexual transmission in Yining city and to provide information on effective intervention measures., Methods: Cohort of HIV sero-discordant couples identified from 1997 to 2000 was formed. Proportional risk model was used to analyze the time of HIV sero-conversion and the related factors. All the recruiters were under informed consent., Results: Through following on 22 sero-discordant couples, we found that the incidence density (ID) of HIV sero-conversion was 32.49/100 person-year (PY) with 33.74/100 PY for women. In the proportional hazard model, the course of sero-conversion was only 2.43 years and the frequency of sexual contact was statistically significant (>or= 3 times/week vs. < 3 time/week: RR = 1.984, 95% CI: 1.045 - 3.767), indicating this factor was related to the hazard of HIV sero-conversion. However, the viral load of HIV infections has no such effect on HIV sero-conversion of their spouses. In addition, the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) was lower in spouses of HIV sero-conversion than that in spouses of HIV non-sero conversion (t test: t = 4.77, P < 0.01)., Conclusion: In order to control HIV transmission among general population, we suggested that HIV/AIDS counseling and testing be developed for pre-marital people in the region with high HIV prevalence.