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Benzovindiflupyr has received increasing attention as a new novel succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI)-type fungicide. Nonetheless, its traces remaining in soil potentially trigger an ecotoxicological threat to soil organisms including earthworms. This paper evaluates the eco-toxicity of different benzovindiflupyr doses (0.1, 1, 5, and 10 mg kg −1 ) on earthworms ( Eisenia fetida ) after long-term exposure. Consequently, benzovindiflupyr at higher doses significantly inhibited the activities of respiratory chain complex II and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in E. fetida . Besides, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were significantly induced in earthworms when treated with this fungicide. After benzovindiflupyr exposure, activities of antioxidant enzymes including catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were activated. However, glutathione S-transferase activity in E. fetida was initially induced then inhibited in earthworms after treatment. Furthermore, benzovindiflupyr exposure induced the protein carbonylation (PCO) level in cells indicating oxidative damage to the cellular protein. Due to the destruction of the normal function in the coelomocytes, the phagocytic activity was initially activated, then inhibited when earthworms were treated at 5 and 10 mg kg −1 concentrations. Additionally, DNA damage was induced (larger olive tail moment (OTM) values) with the increase of benzovindiflupyr doses and exposure time. The weight was significantly decreased after benzovindiflupyr exposure on days 21 and 28. Benzovindiflupyr at higher doses significantly decreased the reproduction (number of cocoons and juveniles) of E. fetida . These findings reveal that benzovindiflupyr potentially induces a potential toxicological risk to earthworms when applied in the mentioned above dosages.

Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major underground pest that damages many agricultural crops in China and other countries. A diet-incorporation-based bioassay was conducted to evaluate the sublethal effects of the novel anthranilic diamide chlorantraniliprole on the nutritional physiology, enzymatic properties and population parameters of this cutworm. Chlorantraniliprole exhibited signs of active toxicity against third instar larvae of A . ipsilon , and the LC 50 was 0.187 μg.g −1 of artificial diet after treatment for 72 h. The development time of the larval, pupal and adult stages was significantly affected after chlorantraniliprole exposure, compared to the control treatment. Relative to the control treatment, chlorantraniliprole decreased pupal and adult emergence rates, fecundity and fertility and increased the proportions of developmental deformities, the adult preoviposition period (APOP) and the total preoviposition period (TPOP). Furthermore, compared to those treated with the control, A . ipsilon larvae treated with low doses of chlorantraniliprole decreased food utilization and nutrient content (protein, lipid, carbohydrate, trehalose), showed lower pupal weights and growth rates. Compared with the control treatment, chlorantraniliprole significantly reduced digestive enzyme activities and observably increased detoxifying and protective enzyme activities and hormone titers. Importantly, these chlorantraniliprole-induced changes affected life table parameters of the cutworm. These results suggest that chlorantraniliprole at low concentrations can impair A . ipsilon development duration, normal food consumption and digestion process, enzymatic properties, hormone levels, fecundity and population levels. Chlorantraniliprole exhibit the potential to be exploited as a control strategy for this cutworm.

Background Few studies have explored the relationship between the number of children and depression in older adults, especially across multiple countries. Methods In this Multi-National Cross-Sectional Analysis, we included the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, US), the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), and the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), encompassing a total of 20 countries. The number of children was based on self-reports from the participants. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD) and the European Depression Scale (EURO-D) were used to assess depression. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between the number of children and depression, adjusting for potential confounders. A random-effects meta-regression model was used to examine differences in the relationship between the number of children and depression between Asian and Western countries. To explore potential non-linear relationships, restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves were utilized, and threshold effect analyses were performed to validate. Additionally, subgroup analyses were stratified by age, sex, and marital status. Results A total of 110,015 participants from six datasets were included. The prevalence of depressive symptoms ranged from 10.7% in the UK to 48.8% in Poland. Childlessness was most common in ELSA (15.8%), followed by SHARE (9.6%) and HRS (8.4%), while lower proportions were observed in CLHLS (1.5%), KLoSA (2.3%), and LASI (3.1%). In Western countries, childlessness was not significantly associated with depression (HRS: OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.83–1.23; ELSA: OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.69–1.17; SHARE: OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.97–1.15). However, in Asian countries, it was linked to a higher risk (CLHLS: OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.29–3.12; KLoSA: OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.24–2.55; LASI: OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.19–1.49). A random-effects meta-analysis confirmed this regional difference (β = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.15–0.55; P  < 0.001). A non-linear association was observed between the number of children and depression in LASI and SHARE, with risk initially decreasing and then rising beyond a threshold. Subgroup analysis found a stronger association among ≤ 75 years individuals and men in KLoSA. In HRS, childlessness was associated with a higher risk of depression only among those living alone. Conclusions The relationship between the number of children and depression varies across countries. Individuals in Asian countries may be more prone to depression than those in Western nations when they do not have children.

Background Birth outcomes are linked to postnatal metabolic adaptation and long-term health, but their associations with neonatal metabolite profiles remain poorly understood. This study aimed to delineate the associations of key birth outcomes with a panel of 11 amino acids and 27 acylcarnitines in a large-scale newborn population. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 3,398,012 neonates across 14 regions in China from April 2013 to May 2019. We compared metabolite levels between preterm and full-term infants using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and among low, normal, and high birth weight groups using the Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s post hoc analysis. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the associations of gestational age and sex-specific birth weight for gestational age z -scores (BWZ) with metabolite concentrations. Restricted cubic splines were employed to model potential nonlinear relationships. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted to identify implicated metabolic pathways. Finally, we performed several sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of the findings. Results The cohort comprised 52.8% males, with 5.2% preterm births. The prevalence of low, normal, and high birth weight was 3.4%, 91.1%, and 5.6%, respectively. Small, appropriate, and large for gestational age accounted for 1.6%, 89.2%, and 9.2% of neonates. All 38 measured metabolites differed significantly across gestational age and birth weight categories (all P  < 0.05). Gestational age was significantly associated with all metabolites, including alanine ( β  = 0.308; 95% CI, 0.306 to 0.310) and C3 ( β  = − 0.139; 95% CI, − 0.140 to − 0.137). Similarly, BWZ was associated with all metabolites, such as proline ( β  = − 0.026; 95% CI, − 0.026 to − 0.026) and C0 ( β  = − 0.030; 95% CI, − 0.030 to − 0.029). Most of these associations were linear and varied by neonatal age and sex. Pathway analysis implicated the urea cycle, phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and β-oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids. Conclusions Neonatal amino acid and acylcarnitine profiles are profoundly associated with birth outcomes, highlighting the importance of developing targeted early screening and intervention strategies.

Phenanthrene (PHE) contamination not only changes the quality of soil environment but also threatens to the soil organisms. There is lack of focus on the eco-toxicity potential of this contaminant in real soil in the current investigation. Here, we assessed the toxic effects of PHE on earthworms ( Eisenia fetida ) in natural soil matrix. PHE exhibited a relatively high toxicity to E. fetida in natural soil, with the LC 50 determined to be 56.68 mg kg −1 after a 14-day exposure. Excessive ROS induced by PHE, leading to oxidative damage to biomacromolecules in E. fetida , including lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and DNA damage. The antioxidant defense system (total antioxidant capacity, glutathione S-transferase, peroxidase, catalase, carboxylesterase, and superoxide dismutase) in E. fetida responded quickly to scavenge excess ROS and free radicals. Exposure to PHE resulted in earthworm avoidance responses (2.5 mg kg −1 ) and habitat function loss (10 mg kg −1 ). Histological observations indicated that the intestine, body wall, and seminal vesicle in E. fetida were severely damaged after exposure to high-dose PHE. Moreover, earthworm growth (weight change) and reproduction (cocoon production and the number of juvenile) were also inhibited after exposure to this pollutant. Furthermore, the integrated toxicity of PHE toward E. fetida at different doses and exposure times was assessed by the integrated biomarker response (IBR), which confirmed that PHE is more toxic to earthworms in the high-dose and long-term exposure groups. Our results showed that PHE exposure induced oxidative stress, disturbed antioxidant defense system, and caused oxidative damage in E. fetida . These effects can trigger behavior changes and damage histological structure, finally cause growth inhibition, genotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity in earthworms. The strength of this study is the comprehensive toxicity evaluation of PHE to earthworms and highlights the need to investigate the eco-toxicity potential of exogenous environmental pollutants in a real soil environment.

Objectives Although recent discoveries regarding the biomarkers of newborn screening (NBS) programs by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) highlight the critical need to establish reference intervals (RIs) specifically for preterm infants, no such RIs has been formally published yet. This study addressed the gap by offering a comprehensive set of reference intervals (RIs) for preterm neonates, and illustrating the dynamic changes of each biomarker with age. Design and methods The NBS data of 199,693 preterm newborns (< 37 weeks of gestation) who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria from the NNSCP database were included in study analysis. The birth weight stratified dynamic trend of each biomarker were captured by their concentrations over age. Reference partitions were determined by the method of Harris and Boyd. RIs, corresponding to the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles, as well as the 0.5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 99.5th percentiles were calculated using a non-parametric rank approach. Results Increasing birth weight is associated with an elevation in the levels of arginine, citrulline, glycine, leucine and isobarics, methionine, ornithine, phenylalanine, and valine, whereas the levels of alanine, proline and tyrosine decrease. Additionally, two short-chain acylcarnitines (butyrylcarnitine + isobutyrylcarnitine and isovalerylcarnitine + methylbutyrylcarnitine) and a median-chain acylcarnitine (octenoylcarnitine) decrease, while four long-chain acylcarnitines (tetradecanoylcarnitine, palmitoylcarnitine, palmitoleylcarnitine and oleoylcarnitine) increase with increasing birth weight. Age impacts the levels of all MS/MS NBS biomarkers, while sex only affects the level of malonylcarnitine + 3-hydroxybutyrylcarnitine (C3-DC + C4-OH) in very low birth weight preterm neonates. Conclusion The current study developed reference intervals (RIs) specific to birth weight, age, and/or sex for 35 MS/MS biomarkers, which can help in the timely evaluation of the health and disease of preterm neonates.

Aims To thoroughly evaluate the quality of the entire process of neonatal screening (NBS) in China. Methods We collected survey questionnaires from 54.4% (135/248) of NBS institutions in China and conducted on-site visits to 20 of these facilities to validate the data. The quality performance of the institutions was evaluated, and differences across various factors were analysed. Results Merely 62.5% of the provinces had acceptable performance in neonatal screening. Institutions with limited staff were more prone to organizational management shortcomings. Institutions in provinces with a per capita GDP below 10,000 USD exhibited lower quality control levels than those with a per capita GDP between 10,000 and 15,000 USD. Obstetrics departments have a lower awareness of quality control compared to other blood collection facilities. Conclusions A nationwide, comprehensive quality control system for continuous enhancements in quality management, screening, diagnosis, and treatment is imperative to ensure prompt diagnosis and intervention.

Pyraclostrobin (PYR), a fungicide of the strobilurin class, is used to control many different kinds of fungal diseases in greenhouses and on agricultural fields. In the present study, an efficient method was established for simultaneously determining PYR and its metabolite BF 500-3 in cucumber fruits, leaves, and soil matrices using QuEChERS pretreatment coupled with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). The residue levels and dissipation kinetics of PYR were determined under greenhouse conditions. The recoveries ranged from 89.8 to 103.6% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3.6–7.5% at three spiking levels. The results demonstrated that PYR dissipated quickly in the cucumber field with half-lives (DT 50 ) of 2.14–4.17 days on different sites and in different matrices. The residue of its metabolite BF 500-3 was very low and showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. The degradation rate of PYR in soil was the fastest, followed by that on cucumber fruits and leaves. The terminal residue of PYR at an application rate of 150 g a.i. ha −1 (the maximum recommended rate) in cucumber fruits was below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.5 mg/kg established in China. However, the application of the fungicide at 225 g a.i. ha −1 (1.5× the maximum recommended rate) resulted in residues that were above the MRL 1 day after the final application, which is an unacceptable risk. Therefore, the application dosage of PYR at the recommended rates was safe to human beings and animals.

The removal of metal impurities from metallurgical grade silicon (MG-Si) by acid leaching has been investigated with the addition of CaO. Prior to adding CaO, Fe is the main impurity in the MG-Si sample, and the 2nd-phase precipitates in silicon are Si-Fe-based alloys, such as Si-Fe, Si-Fe-Ti, Si-Fe-Al, Si-Fe-Mn, and Si-Fe-Ni. The phases of Si-Fe and Si-Fe-Ti are not appreciably soluble in HCl. After the introduction of CaO, Ca becomes the dominant impurity, and the 2nd-phase precipitates become Si-Fe-based alloys, such as Si-Ca, Si-Ca-(Fe, Ti, Ni, Al), and Si-Ca-Fe-Al. These are effectively leached with HCl. Therefore, the HCl leaching effect on the removal of metal impurities has been improved. The optimum content of Ca in the MG-Si samples after adding CaO is in the range of 1 pct to 4 pct, the contents of Fe, Al, Ti, and Ni have been decreased to a minimum of less than 5 ppmw (ppm by weight) each, and the acid leaching results do not show a dependence on Ca content at this range.