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Owing to the increasing market demand of Codonopsis Radix, the cropper blindly cultivates to expand planting area for economic benefits, which seriously affects the quality of Codonopsis Radix. Therefore, this study synthesized 207 batches of Codonopsis Radix and 115 ecological factors, and analyzed the suitable planting areas of Codonopsis pilosula under current and future climate change based on Geographic Information System (GIS) and MaxEnt model. Secondly, we evaluated the quality of Codonopsis Radix based on the all-in-one functional factor including chromatographic fingerprint, the index components, the effective compounds groups, the nutritional components, and the nutritional elements, and the quality regionalization of Codonopsis Radix was analyzed. Finally, the ecological factors affecting the accumulation of effective components of Codonopsis Radix were analyzed. This study found for the first time that the highly suitable area of Codonopsis pilosula was mainly distributed in the Weihe River system and the Bailongjiang River system in Gansu Province. There were differences in the quality of Codonopsis Radix from different ecologically suitable areas based on the all-in-one functional factors, and the comprehensive high-quality area of Codonopsis Radix was mainly distributed in Longnan and Longxi district of Gansu Province. The precipitation, temperature and altitude play a key role in the accumulation of chemical components in the 10 ecological factors affecting the distribution of Codonopsis pilosula. Under future climatic conditions, the highly suitable area of Codonopsis pilosula is decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel electrochemical immunosensor for detecting potential depression biomarker Apolipoprotein A4 (Apo-A4) was developed using a multi-signal amplification approach. Firstly, the sensor utilized a modified electrode material, NG-PEI-COF, combining bipyridine-functionalized covalent organic framework (COF) and polyethyleneimine-functionalized nitrogen-doped graphene (NG-PEI), providing high surface area and excellent electron transfer capability for the first-stage amplification in electrical signal conduction. Subsequently, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were further electrodeposited onto the electrode, providing good biocompatibility and abundant binding sites for immobilizing the target antigen, thus achieving the second-stage amplification in target recognition and binding. To address the lack of redox properties of the antigen, a tracer probe was formed by loading AuNPs, anti-Apo-A4, and toluidine blue (TB) successively onto COF, leading to the third-stage amplification in signal conversion. The constructed electrochemical immunosensor TB/Ab/AuNPs/COF-Apo-A4/AuNPs/NG-PEI-COF/GCE exhibited excellent detection performance against Apo-A4 with a linear range of 0.01 to 300 ng mL−1 and had a low detection limit of 2.16 pg mL−1 (S/N = 3). In addition, the biosensor had good reproducibility (RSD = 2.31%), stability, and significant anti-interference performance toward other depression biomarkers. The sensor has been successfully used for the quantitative detection of Apo-A4 in serum, providing potential applications for detecting Apo-A4 in the clinic and serving as a reference for constructing sensing methods based on COF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trace detection of argininosuccinate synthetase 1 (ASS1), a depression marker, in urine samples is difficult to achieve. In this work, a dual-epitope-peptides imprinted sensor for ASS1 detection in urine was constructed based on the high selectivity and sensitivity of the "epitope imprinting approach". First, two cysteine-modified epitope-peptides were immobilized onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) deposited on a flexible electrode (ITO-PET) by gold-sulfur bonds (Au–S), then a controlled electropolymerization of dopamine was carried out to imprint the epitope peptides. After removing epitope-peptides, the dual-epitope-peptides imprinted sensor (MIP/AuNPs/ITO-PET) which with multiple binding sites for ASS1 was obtained. Compared with single epitope-peptide, dual-epitope-peptides imprinted sensor had higher sensitivity, which presented a linear range from 0.15 to 6000 pg ml−1 with a low limit of detection (LOD = 0.106 pg mL−1, S/N = 3). It had good reproducibility (RSD = 1.74%), repeatability (RSD = 3.60%), stability (RSD = 2.98%), and good selectivity, and the sensor had good recovery (92.4%–99.0%) in urine samples. This is the first highly sensitive and selective electrochemical assay for the depression marker ASS1 in urine, which is expected to provide help for the non-invasive and objective diagnosis of depression. [Display omitted] • A dual-epitope imprinted sensor was constructed based on two different cysteine-modified peptides of ASS1. • This dual-epitope imprinted sensor enabled accurate determination of ASS1 in urine. • The sensitivity of dual-epitope (LOD = 0.106 pg/mL) was improved 2-fold compared to single-epitope (LOD = 0.232 pg/mL). • This dual-epitope imprinted sensor is expected to be used for objective diagnosis of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent and bio-accumulative compounds that have been recognized as important immune hazards by animal studies. However, epidemiological studies regarding the impact on infant infections were inconsistent. We investigated the associations between prenatal exposure to PFASs and acute infectious diseases including common cold, bronchitis/pneumonia, and diarrhea in early childhood. Participating 235 mother–infant pairs were recruited from the Laizhou Wan (Bay) birth cohort (LWBC), a prospective study in Shandong, China between September 2010 and 2013. Ten selected PFASs congeners including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFUA, PFDoA, PFHxS, PFBS, PFHpA, and PFOSA were measured from maternal serum by HPLC-MS/MS. Detailed information on parent-reported frequency of acute infectious diseases was collected from questionnaires at 1-year follow-up, which was confirmed by the medical records. Logistic and Poisson regression models were used on binary health outcomes (yes/no) and the number of episodes of outcomes, which were reported as odds ratio (OR) and incidence rate-ratio (IRR), respectively. The risk of diarrhea increased by 4.99 (95% CI = 1.86, 13.39) per log-unit increase in PFOA. The frequencies of diarrhea increased by 97%–116% for each 10-fold increase in PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA. Moreover, when stratified by exclusively breastfeeding duration (at least 4 months or not), the adverse effects of PFASs exposures on diarrhea were more pronounced among the breastfed infants. There were no associations between prenatal PFASs exposure and common cold or bronchitis/pneumonia. Exposure to PFASs was associated with increased risks of diarrhea during the first year of life, and these effects were stronger among the breastfed infants. Due to the small sample size, our results should be interpreted with caution and additional studies on larger populations are needed to confirm our findings. [Display omitted] • Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely used in China and around the world. • We assessed the association between PFASs and acute infectious diseases in infancy. • PFASs especially PFOA was positively associated with the occurrence of diarrhea. • The adverse effects were stronger among the exclusively breastfed infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided valuable lessons that deserve deep thought to prepare for the future. The decay pattern of surface contamination by SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the residences of COVID-19 patients is important but still unknown. We collected 2,233 surface samples from 21 categories of objects in 141 residences of COVID-19 patients in Shanghai when attacked by the omicron variant in spring 2022. Several characteristics of the patients and their residences were investigated to identify relevant associations. The decay of contamination was explored to determine the persistence. Approximately 8.7% of the surface samples were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The basin, water tap, and sewer inlet had the highest positive rates, all exceeding 20%. Only time was significantly associated with the level of surface contamination with SARS-CoV-2, showing a negative association. The decrease fit a first-order decay model with a decay rate of 0.77 ± 0.07 day−1, suggesting a 90% reduction in three days. Positive associations between the cumulative number of newly diagnosed patients in the same building and the positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the public corridor were significant during the three days. Our results, in conjunction with the likely lower infectivity or viability, demonstrate that fomite transmission played a limited role in COVID-19 spread. The time determined SARS-CoV-2 RNA contamination, which was reduced by three days. This study is the first to show the decay patterns of SARS-CoV-2 contamination in real residential environments, providing insight into the patterns of transmission, as well as community-based prevention and control of similar threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, a substantial body of research exploring soundscapes in religious historical buildings has emerged, yet a comprehensive summary of this work is lacking. This paper selects 74 typical studies of soundscapes in religious historical buildings published between 2011 and 2022 to conduct quantitative statistics and visualization analysis from a bibliometric perspective. The selected literature is categorized based on the type of religious building, Christian, Islamic, or Buddhist. The literature is further segmented according to the research subject, including sound field studies, sound analyses, and evaluations of the acoustic environment. The research methods employed are also differentiated and include sound field measurements, acoustic simulations, questionnaires and auralization procedures. The analysis reveals pronounced disparities in research foci depending on the type of religious historical building. For instance, studies on the soundscape in Christian churches tend to focus on objective sound field attributes and frequently employ sound field simulations to analyse the acoustic parameters of diverse church spaces and materials. Conversely, research on the soundscape in Islamic mosques prioritizes speech intelligibility and acoustic comfort, while studies of the soundscape of Buddhist temples gravitate towards the impact of natural and religious sounds on individuals. This paper anticipates the future direction of soundscape research on religious historical buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Prenatal PM 2.5 composition exposure was estimated in China with severe pollution. • Infant cognitive and motor functions in five domains were tested at 12 months by ASQ. • The effects of composition-specific PM 2.5 were further evaluated. • PM 2.5 compositions were negatively associated with ASQ scores in all five domains. • All PM 2.5 compositions except OM were associated with lower problem-solving scores. Prenatal fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) exposure has been linked to infant cognitive and motor functions, but the effects of PM 2.5 chemical composition remain unclear. We aimed to explore the associations of prenatal PM 2.5 and its composition exposure with infant cognitive and motor functions. We studied 2,435 mother-infant pairs in the Shanghai Birth Cohort Study. PM 2.5 and its seven compositions [primary particles (black carbon, mineral dust and sea salts) and secondary particles (NH 4 +, NO 3 –, SO 4 2- and organic matter)] during the three trimesters of pregnancy were retrieved from the V4.CH.03 product developed by using a combined geoscience-statistical method. At the 12-month-old follow-up, infant cognitive and motor functions in five domains were assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). We used multivariable linear regressions to estimate the effects of PM 2.5 and its composition on the ASQ scores, for all infants and stratifying by sex and breastfeeding duration. PM 2.5 exposure was negatively associated with gross motor, problem-solving and personal-social scores for all infants. PM 2.5 compositions were inversely associated with ASQ scores in all five domains, and the effects of different compositions varied across domains. Specifically, all compositions except organic matter were correlated with lower problem-solving scores [e.g., (β S O 4 2 - = − 10.79, 95 % CI: −17.40, −4.18) ∼ (β N O 3 - = − 4.68, 95 % CI: −7.84, −1.53); for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM 2.5 compositions during the third trimester]. Primary and some secondary particles (organic matter, NO 3 –) were related to lower gross motor scores. Secondary particles were also inversely associated with communication (organic matter and NO 3 –), fine motor (NH 4 +, NO 3 –, SO 4 2-) and personal-social (NH 4 +) scores. Additionally, boys and infants breastfed for < 6 months appeared to be more susceptible. We found negative associations of PM 2.5 and its compositions with infant cognitive and motor functions over a range of domains, especially the problem-solving domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation of methods to evaluate the performance of hydrological models has never stopped. This study explores an innovative application, called joint multifractal spectra (JMS) analysis. The JMS analysis, which is demonstrated in three typical basins in Zhejiang Province, China, analyses both flood and low-flow periods. JMS is applied to seasonal-decomposed observed and simulated runoff series, thus helping to analyse the rising and the recession processes of discharge, which are unique features of a hydrograph. This is achieved by using q exponents to magnify or shrink the relative magnitudes of different parts. The joint multifractal spectra revealed many details of modelling, like the evaluation of recession process modelling. Given its versatility, the JMS analysis has great potential for its applications in hydrological modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Pregnant women were widely exposed to NEOs and 6-CN was the most abundant metabolite. • IMI and ACE were adversely associated with neonatal head circumference. • Maternal 8-OHdG mediated the association between NEOs and neonatal head circumference. An increasing number of studies have reported neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs), the emerging alternatives to conventional insecticides, may increase oxidative stress and cause adverse health effects, but limited is known about the prenatal NEOs exposures and their impact on birth outcomes. We investigated the levels of prenatal exposure to NEOs/metabolites, to assess their associations with birth outcomes, and investigate whether these associations could be mediated by oxidative stress using 8-OHdG as the biomarker. We studied 296 mother-infant pairs recruited from Laizhou Wan Birth Cohort in 2010 – 2013. Two NEOs (IMI and ACE), three metabolites (6-CN, ND-ACE, and 2CTCA), and 8-OHdG were measured in maternal urine collected before delivery. Birth outcomes including birth weight, birth length, ponderal index (PI), head circumference, and gestational age, were acquired. We examined the associations between NEOs/metabolites and birth outcomes using multivariable linear regression. Mediation analysis was conducted to clarify the role of 8-OHdG on the association of NEOs/metabolites exposure and birth outcomes. Highest detection rate was observed for ACE (100.0%), followed by IMI (98.3%) and 6-CN (98.0%), suggesting the common exposure of pregnant women. The highest median concentration was observed for 6-CN with creatinine-adjusted median levels of 9.58 μg/g creatinine. A decrease in newborns' head circumference was observed with a 10-fold increase in IMI (β = -1.83; 95% CI = -3.04, −0.62) and ACE (β = -2.27; 95% CI = -3.56, −0.98). An increase in newborns' PI was observed with a 10-fold increase in IMI (β = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.03, 0.75). Maternal 8-OHdG demonstrated 38.5–65.5% mediating effects in the negative association of IMI, ACE, 2-CTCA with head circumference. These associations might differ between boys and girls. Pregnant women were widely exposed to NEOs/metabolites in China. Results suggested the potential impacts of prenatal exposure to certain neonicotinoid insecticides on head circumference. Urinary 8-OHdG may partly mediate these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are believed to impair early neurodevelopment and disrupt thyroid hormone (TH) levels. However, there are limited epidemiological data on the neurodevelopmental effects in infancy of prenatal PFAS exposure and the potential mediating effects of TH. To evaluate potential associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and early neurodevelopmental deficiencies, and assess mediator effects of TH. From 2010 to 2013, 274 mother-infant pairs were recruited to the Laizhou Wan Birth Cohort in China. Ten PFAS and five TH were measured in cord serum. Developmental quotient (DQ) from 5 domains (adaptive, social, language, gross and fine motor) was assessed using Gesell Developmental Schedules for each child at 1 year of age. The associations between PFAS and DQs were evaluated using multivariable linear regressions. TH-mediated effects of PFAS on DQs were calculated by mediation analyses. Among our study population, PFAS exposures were common and associated with DQ decrement in infants. For each 10-fold increase in PFBS concentrations, gross motor and adaptive DQ decreased by 8.56 (95%CI: −15.15, −1.97) and 5.87 (95%CI: −8.07, −3.67) points, respectively. TSH mediated 12.90% of the association of PFBS with gross motor DQ and FT4 explained 19.63% of the association of PFBS with adaptive DQ. The negative association was also found between PFHxS exposure and gross motor DQ (β = 8.14, 95%CI: −15.39, −0.98). PFBS and PFHxS were negatively associated with early neurodevelopment, especially consistent in gross motor domain. The associations were partly explained by TSH and FT4. • The relationship between PFAS exposure, thyroid hormones and infant neurodevelopment were assessed in a Chinese birth cohort. • Prenatal PFHxS and PFBS exposure were associated with lower gross motor DQ, especially in males. • TSH and FT4 partly mediated the association of PFBS with DQ in several neurodevelopmental domains at 1 year of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multi-element analysis combined with chemometric techniques was used to classify three Codonopsis Radix varieties. • The content of twenty-two elemens in 147 samples from three R. Codonopsis varieties was analyzed. • Twenty-two elements with significant differences could clearly distinguish three R. Codonopsis varieties. • The correct classification rate of linear discriminant analysis was 98.6 %. • Environment with less AAP and lower RH was more conducive for cultivation of high-quality R. Codonopsis. The feasibility of using chemometric techniques associated with multi-element analysis for the classification of three varieties of Codonopsis Radix samples was investigated, and the correlation between environmental factors and metal element content was further explored. It was found that R. Codonopsis was a good source of potassium (average content of 9420 μg/g), magnesium (average content of 1590 μg/g), calcium (average content of 388 μg/g) and iron (average content of 333 μg/g). The statistical analysis results indicated that twenty-two elements content (K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Se, Na, Zn, V, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Co, Sr, Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Al, Ba, Tl and U) were significantly different among three R. Codonopsis varieties, hence it was possible to discriminate R. Codonopsis according to their varieties by LDA (correct classification rate of 98.6 % and cross-validation rate of 95.9 %). In addition, the correlation analysis results indicated that the relative humidity showed significantly negative correlation with essential elemental content such as K, Mg, Ca and Se (correlation coefficients ranged from -0.321 to -0.564, p < 0.05); the annual average precipitation exhibited significantly positive correlation with toxic elemental elements such as As, Cd, Pb and Hg (correlation coefficients ranged from 0.266 to 0.897, p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]