搜索结果：Journal of food science

Better evaluation of the contribution of the main diseases, injuries, and risk factors for mortality and life expectancy is crucial for more efficient policy making at the national and subnational levels in Iran. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of emerging causes of mortality on health, specifically COVID-19, which can help policy makers implement preventive measures in similar situations. In this systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023, we present estimates of cause-specific mortality at the national and subnational levels in Iran from 1990 to 2023. New to this iteration of GBD, we present a decomposition analysis of the contribution of specific causes of death to net gain or loss in life expectancy across 31 provinces of Iran. We used an array of data sources including censuses, vital registration, and surveys for national and subnational estimates. The two leading causes of death in Iran were ischaemic heart disease and stroke in both 1990 and 2019. However, in 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic displaced the leading causes of death, ranking first with age-standardised mortality rates of 286·2 deaths (95% uncertainty interval 267·9-310·5) per 100 000 in 2020 and 250·0 deaths (233·2-272·5) per 100 000 in 2021. COVID-19 ranked second and tenth in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Life expectancy at birth for both sexes combined declined from 78·0 years (77·7-78·1) in 2019 to 74·3 years (74·0-74·4) in 2020. It steadily recovered to 78·8 years (78·5-79·2) in 2023. COVID-19 was the main cause of loss in life expectancy, by 4·19 years, between 2019 and 2020. There was a net gain of 12·4 years in life expectancy in Iran from 1990 to 2023. The net gain at the national level can be mostly attributed to reduced mortality from ischaemic heart disease (2·61 years), stroke (1·63 years), neonatal disorders (1·26 years), transport injuries (0·88 years), and neoplasms (0·64 years). The decline in mortality rates of major causes continued to 2023 despite the pandemic. An exception was Alzheimer's disease, which showed a 4·0% increase in rate between 2019 and 2023 and led to a net loss of 0·04 years in life expectancy since 1990. Diabetes led to a net loss of 0·09 years since 1990. There were variations between provinces in terms of age-standardised rates and the net change in life expectancy before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the rising trend of life expectancy in Iran, varying across provinces. Findings show that the health-care infrastructure and policies in Iran were not efficient in controlling the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, mainly due to inadequate vaccination coverage and timeliness, specifically for vulnerable subgroups. Sanctions may have aggravated the effect of COVID-19 on loss in life expectancy of Iranians. Despite the pandemic, the declining trend in age-standardised rates for top causes of mortality has continued to 2023, leading to a full recovery of life expectancy and underscoring the ultimate resilience of Iran's health system. Gates Foundation.

The aim of this study was to explore and conceptually visualize risk perception in sufferers of food allergies (FA) and propose a suitable definition for practice, research, and policy. This concept analysis followed Rodgers' method. Data sources included PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, APA PsycINFO, and APA PsycARTICLES. Initial searches were conducted in 2023 and updated in 2025. The search terms were "Food hypersensitivit*," "Food anaphyla*," "Food allerg*," "risk perception," "perceived risk," "perceived severity," "social risk," and "experience." Studies were systematically selected based on predefined inclusion criteria, such as presenting at least one attribute, antecedent, or consequence of risk perception and containing descriptions of sociocultural contexts and psychosocial aspects. Only English-language peer-reviewed articles were included, and study quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT); in total, 34 articles met these criteria. Attributes of FA sufferers' risk perception comprised four content areas, namely, situational uncertainty, probability of coping with allergies, prospects for social participation, and perceived threat and emotional responses. Antecedents included FA perceptions and self-concept, support for FA received from others, skills and readiness for managing FA, and perceived social context of FA. Consequences included behavioral choices, allergic reactions, and perceived social limitations. This study presents a comprehensive definition of risk perception encompassing both physical and psychosocial dimensions. Understanding FA sufferers by considering the identified attributes of risk perception is essential for healthcare providers and family members when providing support. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study provides a conceptual framework for future research in risk perception of FA sufferers, potentially leading to more individualized support and informing strategies for caregivers and healthcare professionals. Furthermore, it highlights that understanding these attributes is crucial not only for those involved in the care and support of individuals with FA, including family members, but also when it comes to improving food product design, allergen labeling, and public education about food allergens, which are essential for creating safer and more inclusive food environments.

Background/Objectives: Nutritional research emphasizes evaluating food processing levels alongside nutrient content. The Nova system categorizes foods as minimally processed foods (MPFs), processed culinary ingredients (PCIs), processed foods (PFs), and ultra-processed foods (UPFs). High UPF consumption is linked to adverse health outcomes in older adults. Traditional Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs) often fail to capture processing differences. This study evaluated the reproducibility and relative validity of a Nova-based FFQ (NFFQ-Elderly) in Italian healthy older adults aged ≥65 years. Methods: A total of 111 older adults (73.7 ± 5.9 years; 56.8% women) completed the NFFQ-Elderly twice (4-6 weeks interval). Relative validity was compared with a three-day weighed food record. Foods were categorized by Nova groups and analyzed for absolute intake, energy and weight percentages. Pearson correlation (r), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and Bland-Altman plots were used. Results: Reproducibility was satisfactory for MPFs (r = 0.75; ICC = 0.74), UPFs (r = 0.87; ICC = 0.85), and PFs (r ≈ 0.73; ICC ≈ 0.66-0.67). Relative validity was moderate for MPFs (r = 0.57; ICC = 0.53) and UPFs (r = 0.48; ICC ≈ 0.37), but lower for PCIs. Accuracy generally improved when intakes were expressed as percentages of total energy or weight. Bland-Altman analyses showed limited mean bias for MPFs and PFs, but higher variability for PCIs and absolute energy intake. Conclusions: The NFFQ-Elderly appears to be a suitable tool for ranking older adults according to their relative intake of MPFs and UPFs. Estimates for PCIs are less reliable, indicating caution when interpreting absolute intake values.

Water pollution from agricultural, industrial, and urban activities threatens aquatic ecosystems and the essential services they provide. Excess nitrogen has been identified as a key driver of water quality degradation, impacting biodiversity, food security, and human health. One approach to mitigating nitrogen pollution is water quality offsetting, compensating for pollution impacts by implementing nitrogen reduction measures elsewhere to achieve no net decline in water quality. Selecting and implementing suitable nitrogen offset types remains challenging. This study presents a framework for identifying, selecting, and implementing effective nitrogen offset strategies in tropical and subtropical regions globally, using the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Area (GBRCA) as an example. This framework is based on the premise that effective nitrogen offset design requires integrating evidence on nitrogen mitigation performance, appropriate criteria for selecting offset types, and adaptive management to address uncertainty in environmental outcomes. Accordingly, the framework comprises three interrelated components: (1) assessment of water quality improvement methods for nitrogen reduction in the GBRCA and other tropical and subtropical regions based on performance (i.e., efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency); (2) selection of suitable offset types based on their performance, co-benefits, and spatial and technical feasibility; and (3) integration of adaptive management strategies, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools, and monitoring systems to strengthen the effectiveness of nitrogen offsetting. This is the first global assessment of nitrogen offset performance in tropical and subtropical regions, offering insights to improve water quality management through offsetting. This framework is adaptable to other regions and pollutants, guiding effective offset implementation to enhance watershed resilience.

Heavy metal contamination in food crops remains a critical environmental and public health issue, particularly for cadmium (Cd2+) and copper (Cu2+), which can accumulate through soil, water, and agricultural inputs. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was prepared via boric acid-assisted thermal reduction of graphene oxide followed by acid washing. A boron-doped reduced graphene oxide modified graphite electrode (rGO/GE) was then fabricated and applied for the sensitive voltammetric determination of Cd2+ and Cu2+ in jasmine rice using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) coupled with a standard addition technique. DPASV analysis included immersion of the rGO/GE and the deposition of target metal ions (Cd2+ and Cu2+) and bismuth onto the electrode surface. The synthesized GO and rGO were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-vis spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS). Results confirmed the complete reduction of GO to rGO using boric acid as the reducing agent. The method showed excellent reproducibility and sensitivity, with limits of detection (LODs) of 30 µg/L for Cd2⁺ and 0.05 µg/L for Cu2⁺. Electrochemical analysis results show that the actual concentrations of Cd2+ and Cu2+ in Royal Umbrella brand jasmine rice were 0.46 ± 0.01 mg/kg and 1.16 ± 0.06 mg/kg, respectively. The results were validated using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), which provided relative differences of 0.00% for Cd2⁺ and 8.7% for Cu2⁺. These findings demonstrate that the rGO/GE sensor provides a reliable and cost-effective tool for trace heavy metal assessment in food matrices, offering significant potential for routine environmental and food safety monitoring. HIGHLIGHTS: An rGO/GE electrode was developed for sensitive detection of Cd2⁺ and Cu2⁺ in rice. Results of the method showed excellent agreement with AAS, with low relative differences (0.00% and 8.7%). The proposed electrochemical sensor offers a rapid, precise, and low-cost alternative for heavy metal monitoring in food samples.

Sulfaguanidine (SG), a sulfonamide-based synthetic antimicrobial agent, is widely used in livestock and aquaculture. Due to the presence of N1-guanidinium substitutions in its molecular structure, SG exhibits not only high ecotoxicity but also remarkable stability, making it difficult to degrade in the environment. Consequently, residues of SG can persist in water and soil for extended periods, posing risks of bioaccumulation and biomagnification through the food chain. Therefore, establishing a rapid and sensitive on-site detection method to monitor SG residues is of great significance. However, the unique structure of SG limits the availability of highly sensitive and specific haptens suitable for immunoassays, which hinders the development of rapid immunodetection technologies. To address this challenge, two novel haptens were designed via electrostatic potential, molecular orbitals and immunodeterminant moiety in this study, to optimize the exposure of the unique guanidino group. This approach laid the foundation for establishing a highly sensitive immunoassay for SG. Subsequently, a high-affinity monoclonal antibody, 3G5 (IC50 = 0.11 ng/mL), was obtained via mouse immunization. Based on these findings, a colloidal gold-based visual immunochromatographic assay for SG detection was pioneered. Following simple extraction and dilution procedures, the visual detection limits were 0.2 ng/mL in milk and 1 ng/mL in fish. The method was further validated using real samples, yielding recoveries ranging from 89.1% to 107.5%, confirming the method's applicability for detecting SG residues in complex matrix samples. The present study introduces a novel approach for the sensitive and precise detection of persistent organic pollutants.

Chronic tetracycline (TET) exposure in water/food triggers drug resistance, immune damage and allergies, requiring rapid, sensitive TET detection to safeguard food and human safety. Herein, a novel photoelectric active multivariate copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF) constructed from tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (TCPP) and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin (TPyP) (denoted as Cu-TCPP/TPyP) was employed as the bioplatform for the fabrication of a photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor for the efficient detection of TET. The Cu-TCPP/TPyP was synthesized via the coprecipitation method using TCPP and TPyP as dual ligands and copper ions as the metal precursor. Due to the dual-coordination metal nodes, the attained Cu-TCPP/TPyP possessed rich defects, large pore size, and high specific surface area relative to Cu-MOFs prepared using the sole ligand. The Cu-TCPP/TPyP also showed enhanced photoelectric conversion efficiency due to the suppressed combination of electron-hole pair, enhanced visible light utilization, and high carrier density. The manufactured Cu-TCPP/TPyP-based PEC aptasensor thus exhibited the ultralow limit of detection of 0.76 fg mL-1 toward TET within the concentration from 1 fg mL-1 to 10 ng mL-1, markedly lower than most reported TET biosensors. In view of the high selectivity, good reproducibility, and high long-term stability, the constructed aptasensor possesses wide practicability for the sensitive determination of TET in diverse samples, which was also confirmed by the standard conventional determination method. The presented PEC aptasensor puts forward the advancement of the MOF-based biosensor in the field of the analysis of food safety.

This study evaluated the application of Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera, root powder (ARP) at different levels 0% (B0 = control), 3% (B3), and 5% (B5) (W/W) in the production of biscuits as a popular snack. The results indicated that lightness increased, browning index decreased, and a significant reduction in pH was observed in these samples enriched. Compared to the control, acrylamide content (AAC) decreased in B2 and B3. Additionally, the nutritional value and the bioactive properties (total polyphenol content, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and antioxidant activity) of the enriched biscuit samples improved compared to the control. Overall, it can be concluded that by incorporating ARP into the biscuit formulations allows for the production of functional biscuit while retaining the nutritional benefits of ARP. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In this study, an attempt was made to produce a biscuit that benefits from the nutritional and health-promoting effects of the root of the Ashwagandha, considering the health-promoting and antioxidant effects and the presence of bioactive substances in it, and due to the easy production and availability of biscuits for different segments of society; in addition, it can also respond positively to consumer demand for health-oriented products. It should be noted that if consumers are aware of the beneficial nutritional and health effects of plant food ingredients in food, it will be possible to accept even larger amounts of these functional additives in the final product.

Quantitative detection of Salmonella typhimurium is of vital importance for promoting food safety monitoring and control. This study successfully developed a 3D-printed microchannel device that integrates cleaning and detection functions, enabling sensitive and semi-automatization colorimetric detection of Salmonella typhimurium. Firstly, the magnetic beads modified monoclonal antibody (MBs-Anti), Salmonella typhimurium and PtRu@ZrFe-MOFs@Apt nanozymes were successively added to the centrifuge tube to facilitate the formation of the MBs-Anti-Salmonella typhimurium-PtRu@ZrFe-MOFs@Apt sandwich complex. Then, the above incubated mixture was injected into the reaction tank of the microchannel device and washed with PBS containing hydrogen peroxide to separate the sandwich complex from the impurities in the sample solution. Subsequently, the TMB substrate solution was added to facilitate the catalytic oxidation of the sandwich complex, thereby forming the blue oxidized TMB product. The RGB image of the blue product was captured using a portable smartphone device, and the colorimetric signal of the image was analyzed to determine the concentration of Salmonella typhimurium. The microchannel device can detect Salmonella typhimurium within a concentration range 101 to 106 CFU/mL within 75 min, with a detection limit of 3.3 CFU/mL. It is worth noting that the 3D-printed microchannel device constructed has good universality. By replacing the corresponding antibodies, aptamers and other biological recognition elements, it can be extended to the detection of other pathogenic bacteria.

Millet fermentation has gained significant attention due to its numerous health benefits, owing to its higher dietary fiber and gluten-free properties, making it suitable for celiacs, individuals with diabetes, and higher heart risk due to its low glycemic index and low-calorie content. This review critically highlights the current knowledge available about the potential smart technologies in millet fermentation, offering insights into food safety and quality concerns. A thorough literature search was conducted based on recent studies demonstrating the smart fermentation technologies in millet. The findings of this review suggested that the application of smart technologies in millet fermentation can improve precision and efficiency of fermentation process optimization, yield enhancement, and functional attributes. However, only limited applications of smart technologies were employed for millet fermentation, and more advanced and optimized technologies are yet to be explored and implemented for better outcomes. The current millet fermentation studies are mostly of concern towards the beneficial microorganisms, compromising the potential threats of pathogenic organisms if fermentation conditions are not maintained. Integrating advanced machine learning, modeling, and hazard analysis during the fermentation process would lead to attaining safety against contaminants, microbial contamination, toxins, and hazards in millet-based fermented products with assured quality.

Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) is a prevalent foodborne pathogen that causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms and even systemic infections in humans following the ingestion of contaminated food, posing a persistent threat to public health. Conventional detection methods often suffer from limitations including moderate sensitivity, cumbersome procedures, and time-consuming processes, which hinder their applicability for rapid on-site food monitoring. This study developed a novel contactless photoelectrochemical biosensor based on a SnO2/CeO2 heterojunction with abundant oxygen vacancies, which operates via a gas-sensing mechanism in which H2S-producing Salmonella bacteria trigger in-situ H2S generation to enable highly sensitive and reliable detection. A SnO2/CeO2 heterojunction rich in oxygen vacancies was successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method. Density functional theory calculations confirmed its strong capability to accept electrons from adsorbed H2S molecules. In the presence of S. typhimurium, intracellular thiosulfate reductase catalyzed the reduction of sodium thiosulfate to produce H2S. This gaseous product diffused from the culture medium to the sensor, where it donated electrons, dramatically amplifying the photocurrent response of the SnO2/CeO2-modified photoelectrode. Under optimized conditions, the biosensor achieved an exceptionally wide linear detection range, for S. typhimurium used as a representative model strain, from 1.7 × 10-1 to 1.7 × 108 CFU/mL, with a limit of detection as low as 0.11 CFU/mL. Furthermore, the proposed biosensor showed rapid response, high stability, excellent selectivity, as well as acceptable accuracy on real samples (chicken and milk), suggesting its potential as an effective tool for food safety analysis. This study demonstrated a significant advancement in PEC biosensing through the integration of a gas-sensitive mechanism with a heterojunction material. It overcomes common limitations of traditional methods, notably material detachment and solution-phase interference. The contactless gas-sensitive photoelectrochemical biosensor holds great promise as a tool for on-site monitoring of food safety and pathogen detection.

People living with HIV (PLWH) may be exposed to harmful political, social, economic and environmental factors that exacerbate their risk of mental health conditions. Such factors can interact synergistically to worsen HIV and mental health-related outcomes, creating a syndemic. This study aims to review existing literature on mental health-related syndemics and their impact on HIV and mental health outcomes. CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Scopus and ProQuest were searched. We included observational studies that investigated a potential mental health-related syndemic and/or reported the impact of a syndemic on HIV outcomes (antiretroviral therapy [ART] adherence or viral suppression), or mental health outcomes (mental health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or psychological distress) among PLWH. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted by two independent reviewers. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality and risk of bias. The impact of syndemic count on ART adherence and viral suppression was pooled using random effects using STATA and the remaining findings were synthesised narratively. PRISMA guidelines were followed. 32 studies were included with sample sizes ranging from 51 participants to 14,261. Six studies reported on mental health-related syndemics among PLWH, four of which found depression or distress to be the most influential syndemic factor. Mental health conditions within syndemics often cluster and are significantly associated with socioeconomic factors such as food insecurity, stigma and violence. Fifteen of 16 studies found a significant association between adherence and the number of mental health-related syndemics. Pooled odds ratio of seven studies showed a significant reduction in adherence (OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.55 - 0.96); heterogeneity was high (I 2 = 98.58%). Eleven of 13 studies found a significant association between the number of mental health-related syndemics and being virally suppressed. Four studies resulted in a significant pooled odds ratio for having detectable viral load (OR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.10 - 1.44); heterogeneity was moderate (I 2 = 52.38%). Despite wide variation in how syndemics were defined and measured across studies, our findings suggest that mental health conditions, particularly depression, strongly influence synergising syndemics among PLWH, and mental health-related syndemics negatively impact ART adherence and viral load. These findings underscore the need for syndemic-informed holistic care models to address the intersecting burden of mental health conditions and psychosocial factors among PLWH.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a primary trigger for gout and poses a serious threat to human health. Metabolites from Monascus purpureus exhibit lipid-lowering and nephroprotective effects, while Sanghuangporus extracts have been proven to effectively reduce uric acid (UA) levels. However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of their co-culture (CMS) fermentation products remain unclear. This study examined the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of fermented products from Monascus purpureus M1 (MPF), Sanghuangporus vaninii (SVF), and their CMS in alleviating HUA. In vitro assays revealed MPF, SVF, and CMS substantially suppressed XOD activity. In vivo, they reduced UA levels in PO/HX-induced HUA mice, mitigated renal injury, and alleviated renal inflammation and oxidative stress. Mechanistically, these effects were associated with renal reabsorption transporters GLUT9/URAT1, upregulated secretory transporters OAT1/ABCG2, and increased intestinal UA transporters ABCG2 and GLUT9. Gut microbiota analysis revealed enrichment of Lactobacillus in the CMS group. Notably, CMS exhibited a more pronounced tendency toward efficacy compared with the individual fermentation products. Collectively, CMS fermentation of MPF and SVF shows potential as a natural strategy for the management of HUA through coordinated regulation of UA metabolism and gut microbiota. Practical Application: This study developed a novel fermentation strategy using the CMS of MPF and SVF. The metabolites derived from CMS demonstrated potential hypouricemic activity via multifaceted mechanisms-including modulation of xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity, regulation of urate transporters in the kidneys and intestines, and alteration of to the gut microbiota. This work not only provides a proof-of-concept for utilizing microbial CMS technology to develop novel functional foods but also opens a new avenue for converting edible and medicinal fungal resources into high-value health products.

Antimicrobial packaging is critical for extending shelf life and enhancing safety. Current materials often require large amounts of antimicrobial agents to achieve sufficient efficacy, leading to safety risks and cost issues. In this study, low-dose, safe, and antimicrobial-enhanced polyethylene terephthalate-ethyl lauroyl arginate (PET-LAE) composite fiber films were fabricated by spraying LAE onto electrospun PET fiber films. Systematic investigations evaluated the effects of LAE incorporation on the morphological characteristics, wettability, mechanical properties, water vapor permeability (WVP), and antimicrobial activity of fiber films, with LAE release behavior assessed in food simulants. Results showed that LAE addition improved the hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, and WVP of the fiber films while preserving their original thermal stability. Release experiments under simulated food conditions demonstrated that effective release (with a specific amount of 132.69-144.61 mg/kg, below FDA's 200 mg/kg safety limit) could be achieved by adding only 0.3 wt% LAE to the PET matrix. Notably, this minimal dosage of LAE exhibited high-efficiency antimicrobial activity; Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus counts reduced by (2.13 ± 0.08) and (5.46 ± 0.01) log10 CFU/mL, respectively, while Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides counts decreased by (1.33 ± 0.04) and (0.30 ± 0.01) log10 CFU/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the PET-0.3% LAE fiber film effectively maintained strawberries freshness. At room temperature, the control group's shelf life was 3 days, while that of the PET-0.3% LAE group extended to 7 days, representing a 4-day extension compared with the Control group. This work provides a useful solution and a new viewpoint on active packaging, creating new opportunities to develop antimicrobial materials with improved performance and reduced agent usage. To prevent strawberry decay and effectively extend their shelf life, a low-dose, safe, and antimicrobial-enhanced composite fiber film was successfully prepared. Spraying a low dose of LAE onto the surface of electrospun PET fiber films not only enhanced the fiber's resistance to microorganisms but also effectively maintained strawberry freshness, extending the shelf life of strawberries by 4 days at room temperature. This study provides an important reference for the development of antimicrobial functionalized preservation packaging materials and opens up a new path for active packaging technologies.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a microorganism commonly found in water and food matrices, and its rapid and accurate detection is crucial for maintaining public health and ensuring food safety. However, traditional molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensors often face challenges such as tedious template removal and prolonged sensing times. This study develops a label-free bacterial molecularly imprinted sensor that utilizes the synergistic effect of polypyrrole (PPy) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to achieve highly sensitive detection of E. coli. Based on the large specific surface area and superior conductivity of MWCNTs, as well as the favorable electrochemical polymerization properties of PPy, a PPy/MWCNTs composite film was fabricated via a one-step electropolymerization process. The prepared sensor exhibited excellent kinetic characteristics, with a template removal time of only 15 min, and could be regenerated and used for subsequent detection within 30 min. Under optimized conditions, the biosensor showed a satisfactory linear response over the concentration range of 102-108 CFU/mL, with a low detection limit of 65 CFU/mL (3σ/S). Furthermore, recovery experiments conducted in tap water and lemon juice samples yielded satisfactory recoveries ranging from 87.1% to 114.8%, demonstrating the reliability and practical applicability of the proposed sensor for bacterial detection in real samples. This sensor offers advantages such as simple preparation, low material cost, and high sensitivity, providing a reliable and practical analytical platform for the rapid and reliable detection of bacteria.

To examine the association between prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics and a spectrum of psychiatric disorders in children. Population based cohort study with sibling controlled analysis. National Health Information Database of South Korea, 2009-23. All liveborn children between 2010 and 2022 were followed until 2023. Pregnancies exposed to benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics were compared with unexposed pregnancies and with pregnancies in women with previous use of these drugs (past users). Overall and 12 specific psychiatric disorders in offspring. Propensity score overlap weighting was applied to balance covariates, and hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Sibling controlled analyses were conducted to account for shared familial factors. Among 3 809 949 liveborn children, 94 482 (2.5%) were exposed to benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics during pregnancy, 3 715 467 were unexposed, and 147 307 were born to past users. During the follow-up period, a total of 10 060, 311 997, and 15 645 events occurred in the exposed, unexposed, and past user groups, respectively. Prenatal exposure was associated with a higher risk of psychiatric disorders compared with unexposed pregnancies and past users; however, this association was attenuated in the sibling controlled analysis (hazard ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.94 to 1.04). No increased risk was observed for individual psychiatric disorders. In subgroup analyses, modestly elevated hazard ratios were observed for exposure during the second half of pregnancy (sibling controlled hazard ratios: 1.27 (0.95 to 1.71) for benzodiazepine; 1.81 (0.57 to 5.74) for Z-hypnotic), during both the first and second half of pregnancy (sibling controlled hazard ratios: 1.35 (0.93 to 1.96) for benzodiazepine; 1.44 (0.93 to 2.21) for Z-hypnotic), and for 30 or more days of Z-hypnotic exposure (sibling controlled hazard ratio 1.31, 0.96 to 1.78), although the confidence intervals in sibling analyses were wide and included the null. In this large population based cohort, prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics was not associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders in offspring after familial factors were accounted for. However, given the modest elevations in point estimates observed in certain subgroups-particularly with benzodiazepine and Z-hypnotic exposure during the latter half of pregnancy, as well as with exposure in both early and late pregnancy, and with longer durations of Z-hypnotic use-the potential for a slightly increased risk in these specific contexts could not be ruled out.

This study synthesized a sulfonated hyper-crosslinked polymer, BpBCMBP‑SO3H, via Friedel-Crafts alkylation and post-sulfonation for the adsorptive removal and enrichment of trace fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs) from complex matrices. The material, rich in sulfonic acid groups, exhibited rapid, high-capacity, and selective adsorption towards FQs, with maximum adsorption capacities of 924, 958, 889, and 848 mg·g-1 for ofloxacin, lomefloxacin hydrochloride, enrofloxacin, and difloxacin hydrochloride, respectively, ranking among the top-tier of previously reported results for FQ adsorption. The adsorption process is predominantly governed by electrostatic interactions, with synergistic contributions from hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, and hydrophobic interactions. Removal efficiencies of four FQs from aqueous solutions exceeded 95% within 1 min, and reached equilibrium within 10 min with removal efficiencies exceeding 97%. After five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles, the material retained approximately 70% of its removal efficiency, indicating good reusability. The material was also used for enrichment of FQs in complex matrices. When coupled with high performance liquid chromatography, the detection of low concentration removal rate as low as 10 ng·mL-1, can be achieved through separation and enrichment in pure water and lake water. In complex matrices such as eggs and milk, the established analytical method exhibited recoveries of 89.3-116.6% for FQs, with intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSD) below 15%, and the detection limits ranging from 0.33 to 1.67 ng·mL-1, which underscores its applicability and reliability. This work offers a novel material and reliable methodology for the analysis of trace FQs in environmental and food safety monitoring.

The psychological impact of honor cultures and shame societies on the general population has not been examined through a diagnostic lens. Atimiaphobia is a newly recognized psychological condition characterized by an intense fear of losing honor or being labeled shameless, deeply rooted in honor cultures and shame societies. To assess this construct, the Atimiaphobia Scale (AtiPhoS) was developed and rigorously validated. The study was conducted in a series of four phases involving 1232 participants (Mage = 27 years; women = 48.9%). The validation of the AtiPhoS involved exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses along with convergent and predictive validity. The AtiPhoS, comprising 15 items (English) and four subscales (fear of being labeled shameless, fear of violating social norms, fear of public judgement, fear of losing self-respect and honor) demonstrated excellent reliability (α = 0.824; ICC = 0.989). The model fit indices, such as CFI (0.933), TLI (0.916), RMSEA (0.065), and SRMSR (0.044), showed strong validity. Convergent validity was demonstrated by the scale's significantly positive correlation with the Experience of Shame Scale (r = 0.377) and the anxiety sub-scale of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (r = 0.262). The predictive validity of the AtiPhoS was established through its inverse predictive values for social intelligence (β = -0.229). A significant positive correlation was found between atimiaphobia and age. Women and married individuals exhibited significantly higher levels of atimiaphobia compared with men and unmarried individuals, respectively. The study provides compelling evidence that atimiaphobia is a distinct and measurable phenomenon, contributing to the broader understanding of cultural stressors related to honor and shame.

The development of high-throughput, sensitive and portable strategies for detecting foodborne pathogens is urgently needed in food safety, especially during an outbreak. Herein, an ultrasensitive suspension array was constructed by designing photonic crystal microsphere (PCM)-assisted loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for Staphylococcus aureus detection. The PCM-LAMP suspension array integrated the optical signal enhancement capability of the biomimetic microporous three-dimensional PCM surface with the thousand-fold signal amplification of LAMP. The biomimetic PCMs displayed a periodic dielectric nanostructure and enhanced the fluorescence intensity of the LAMP reaction, leading to high sensitivity. The PCM-LAMP suspension array allowed sensitive detection of the target DNA of S. aureus without long-term culture. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection for S. aureus genomic DNA reached as low as 0.18 fM, and the assay exhibited excellent specificity against other bacteria. Furthermore, trace target DNA in food samples was accurately quantified, demonstrating its potential for practical applications. Therefore, the developed PCM-LAMP suspension array holds great promise for ultrasensitive and rapid detection of foodborne pathogens.