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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]

Objective This study is designed to investigate whether curcumin reduces excessive hepatic glucose production (HGP) via regulation of second messenger cAMP. Methods High-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were orally administrated of metformin (200 mg/kg) or curcumin (50 mg/kg) daily for 10 weeks. Meanwhile, we stimulated mouse primary hepatocytes with palmitate (PA). Results Curcumin reduced hepatic cAMP accumulation by preserving PDE4B induction, thereby suppressing gluconeogenesis via blocking cAMP/PKA activation. Curcumin reduced lipid deposition by reducing free fatty acid uptake and prevented acetyl CoA accumulation by combating mitochondrial oxidation. As a result from inhibiting acetyl CoA accumulation, curcumin protected pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity and inhibited pyruvate carboxylase (PC), limiting the shift of mitochondrial pyruvate from oxidation to gluconeogenesis via the carboxylation. Conclusion Curcumin reduced cAMP accumulation by preserving PDE4B activity and inhibited acetyl CoA production by reducing mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, thereby restraining pyruvate-driven hepatic glucose production. [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]

Background: Trichinella spiralis is a tissue-dwelling parasite has developed the ability to evade the host immune attack to establish parasitism in a host. One of the strategies evolved by the nematode is to produce proteins that immunomodulate the host immune system. TsPmy is a paramyosin secreted by T. spiralis on the surface of larvae and adult worms that can interact with complement components C1q and C8/C9 to compromise their activation and functions. To better understand the mechanism of TsPmy involved in the C1q inactivation and immune evasion, the C1q-binding site on TsPmy was investigated. Methods: The TsPmy C1q-binding site was investigated by sequential narrow-down fragment expression in bacteria and peptide binding screening. C1q binding activity was identified by Far-Western blotting and ELISA assays. Results: After several runs of sequential fragment expression, the C1q binding site was narrowed down to fragments of N-terminal TsPmy226-280aa and TsPmy231-315aa, suggesting the final C1q binding site is probably located to TsPmy231-280aa. A total of nine peptides covering different amino acid sequences within TsPmy231-280aa were synthesized. The binding assay to C1q determined that only P2 peptide covering TsPmy241-280aa binds to C1q, indicating that the C1q binding domain may need both the linearized sequence and conformational structure required for binding to C1q. The binding of peptide P2 to C1q significantly inhibited both C1q-initiated complement classical activation and C1q-induced macrophage chemotaxis. Conclusions: This study identifies the C1q binding site within TsPmy which provides helpful information for developing a vaccine against trichinellosis by targeting the C1q-binding activity of TsPmy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The radioactive isotope 129I, with a half-life of 1.57 × 107 years, is widely used as a tracer to assess nuclear safety, to track environmental and geological events and to figure out the details of the stable iodine geochemical cycle. This work investigated the 129I and 127I distribution in water samples collected from the terrestrial (rivers, lakes and springs) and marine water systems (estuary and sea) in China. The measured 129I concentrations of (1–51) × 106 atoms/L and 129I/127I ratios of (0.03–21) × 10−10 shows the variability of 129I level in the water systems. The local permafrost and seasonal frozen environment play a key role in groundwater recharge in the Qinghai-Tibet region, which is reflected in the 129I distribution in surface water. The depth distribution of 129I in the water column of the South China Sea reflects the effluence of different currents. The results also indicate that the hydrosphere of China contains one to three orders of magnitude less 129I compared to those reported in Europe. Despite the large distance, the European nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities represent the major source of 129I in the hydrosphere of China through atmospheric transport. The contribution of the Fukushima nuclear accident to 129I levels in the hydrosphere of China was negligible. Highlights • Variable 129I concentrations (1–51) × 106 atoms/L occur in the hydrosphere of China. • The range of 129I/127I is (0.03–21) × 10−10 in the hydrosphere of China. • Depth profiles of 129I in the South China Sea water reveal effects of different ocean currents. • Emissions from the Nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities is the major source of 129I in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose Aberrant succinate accumulation emerges as a unifying mechanism for inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aims to investigate whether curcumin ameliorates hepatic fibrosis via blocking succinate signaling. Methods We investigated the effects of curcumin on hepatic succinate accumulation and liver fibrosis in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Meanwhile, we stimulated mouse primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) with succinate and observed the inhibitory effects of curcumin on succinate signaling. Results Oral administration of curcumin and metformin combated mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and reduced hepatic succinate accumulation due to the inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and demonstrated inhibitory effect on hepatic fibrosis. In mouse primary HSCs, curcumin prevented succinate- and CoCl 2 -induced hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1α (HIF-1α) induction via suppression of ROS production and effectively reduced gene expressions of Col1α, Col3α, fibronectin and TGF-β1 with inflammation inhibition. Knockdown of HIF-1α with small interfering RNA blocked the action of succinate to induce HSCs activation, indicative of the essential role of HIF-1α in succinate signaling. Conclusions Hepatic succinate accumulation served as a metabolic signal to promote liver fibrosis through HIF-1α induction. Curcumin reduced succinate accumulation by combating fatty acid oxidation and prevented HSCs activation by blocking succinate/HIF-1α signaling pathway. Highlights • Succinate accumulated in hepatocytes due to enhanced fatty acid oxidation. • Succinate stabilized and activated HIF-1α by impairing PHDs. • Succinate induced inflammation and HSC activation dependent on HIF-1α. • Curcumin alleviated liver fibrosis by blocking succinate/HIF-1α signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate/assess the quality of the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) of traditional medicine in China. Methods We systematically searched the literature databases WanFang Data, VIP, CNKI, and CBM for studies published between 1978 and 2012 to identify and select CPGs of traditional medicine. We used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument to evaluate these guidelines. Results A total of 75 guidelines were included, of which 46 guidelines (62%) were on Traditional Chinese Medicine, 19 (25%) on Chinese Integrated Medicine, and 10 (13%) on Uyghur Medicine. Most traditional medicine CPGs published in domestic journals scored <20% (range: 0% to 63%). Eleven (14%) CPGs were developed following the methodology of evidence-based medicine. In each domain of AGREE II, traditional medicine CPGs performed clearly better than international CPGs. The same trend was seen in guidelines of modern medicine. Conclusions An increasing amount of CPGs are being published, but their quality is low. Referring to the key points of international guidelines development, supervision through AGREE II, cooperating with international groups and exploring the strategy of guideline development could improve the quality of CPGs on traditional medicine. [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]

Background: Trichinella spiralis expresses paramyosin (Ts-Pmy) as a defense mechanism. Ts-Pmy is a functional protein with binding activity to human complement C8 and C9 and thus plays a role in evading the attack of the host’s immune system. In the present study, the binding activity of Ts-Pmy to human complement C1q and its ability to inhibit classical complement activation were investigated. Methods and Findings: The binding of recombinant and natural Ts-Pmy to human C1q were determined by ELISA, Far Western blotting and immunoprecipitation, respectively. Binding of recombinant Ts-Pmy (rTs-Pmy) to C1q inhibited C1q binding to IgM and consequently inhibited C3 deposition. The lysis of antibody-sensitized erythrocytes (EAs) elicited by the classical complement pathway was also inhibited in the presence of rTs-Pmy. In addition to inhibiting classical complement activation, rTs-Pmy also suppressed C1q binding to THP-1-derived macrophages, thereby reducing C1q-induced macrophages migration. Conclusion: Our results suggest that T. spiralis paramyosin plays an important role in immune evasion by interfering with complement activation through binding to C1q in addition to C8 and C9. [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]

Objectives To determine whether zolpidem is a safer alternative to benzodiazepines. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Community based. Participants Health maintenance organization members with an initial prescription for zolpidem (n = 43,343), alprazolam (n = 103,790), lorazepam (n = 150,858), or diazepam (n = 93,618). Measurements Zolpidem and benzodiazepine prescriptions were identified from pharmacy databases. Rates of nonvertebral fractures and hip fractures requiring hospitalization were compared before and after an initial prescription for each treatment, adjusting for confounders using doubly robust estimation. Results In patients aged 65 and older, the rates of nonvertebral fractures and dislocations were similar in the pre- treatment intervals. The rate ratios ( RRs) for the 90-day posttreatment interval relative to the pretreatment interval were 2.55 (95% confidence interval ( CI) = 1.78-3.65; P < .001) for zolpidem, 1.14 (95% CI = 0.80-1.64; P = .42) for alprazolam, 1.53 (95% CI = 1.23-1.91; P < .001) for lorazepam, and 1.97 (95% CI = 1.22-3.18; P = .01) for diazepam. The ratio of RRs ( RRR)-the RR in the posttreatment period adjusted for the corresponding RR in the pretreatment period-were 2.23 (95% CI = 1.36-3.66; P = .006) for zolpidem relative to alprazolam, 1.68 (95% CI = 1.12-2.53; P = .02) for zolpidem relative to lorazepam, and 1.29 (95% CI = 0.72-2.30; P = .32) for zolpidem relative to diazepam. The RRs decreased with time from the initial prescription (trend P < .001), as would be expected if the association is causal. Conclusion In older adults, the risk of injury with zolpidem exceeded that with alprazolam and lorazepam and was similar to that with diazepam. If the associations are causal, then the high incidence of these fractures implies that these treatment induce a substantial number of fractures and consequential costs. Further study of the association is imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is an ongoing global pandemic associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. RT-qPCR has become the diagnostic standard for the testing of SARS-CoV-2 in most countries. COVID-19 diagnosis generally relies upon RT-qPCR-mediated identification of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA, which is costly, labor-extensive, and requires specialized training and equipment. Herein, we established a novel one-tube rapid diagnostic approach based upon formamide and colorimetric RT-LAMP (One-Pot RT-LAMP) that can be used to diagnose COVID-19 without the extraction of specific viral RNA. The technique could visually detect SARS-CoV-2 within 45 min with a limit of detection of 5 copies per reaction in extracted RNA, and about 7.66 virus copies per μL in viral transport medium. The One-Pot RT-LAMP test showed a high specificity without cross-reactivity with 12 viruses including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and human infectious influenza virus (H1N1/H3N2 of influenza A and B virus, ect. We validated this One-Pot RT-LAMP approach by its successful use for the analysis of 45 clinical nasopharyngeal swab samples, yielding results identical to those of traditional RT-qPCR analyses, while achieving good selectivity and sensitivity relative to a commercial RT-qPCR approach. As such, this One-Pot RT-LAMP technology may be a valid means of conducting high-sensitivity, low-cost and rapid SARS-CoV-2 identification without the extraction of viral RNA. • The novel One-Pot RT-LAMP approach does not require RNA extraction. • This one-tube reaction assay is a one-step Diagnosis Method. • This One-Pot RT-LAMP detection assay is rapid (∼45 min). • Not requiring nucleic acid extraction in One-Pot assay reduces possibility of contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]