Cd Rates Research Articles

Effect of diabetes mellitus on 3-year outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant factor in increased mortality rates among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but research on its impact on the long-term outcomes in patients with MI with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is limited. Thus, a comparison of the 3-year clinical outcomes between the DM and non-DM groups among patients with MINOCA was undertaken. From the Korea AMI Registry-National Institute of Health dataset, 10,774 AMI patients were enrolled. After applying the exclusion criteria, 379 patients with MINOCA were included. The primary clinical outcomes were major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), repeat coronary revascularization, and stroke. The secondary outcomes were the individual components of MACCE. The adjusted hazard ratios for 3-year MACCE (2.287, p = 0.010), all-cause death (2.845, p = 0.004), and non-cardiac death (non-CD, 3.914, p = 0.008) were higher in the DM group than in the non-DM group. It is speculated that the higher non-CD rate in the MINOCA group is attributable to a higher proportion of patients with non-ST-segment elevation MI in the total study population. The CD, recurrent MI, revascularization, and stroke rates were similar between the DM and non-DM groups. DM, advanced age, cardiopulmonary resuscitation on admission, and non-use of statin medications were significant predictors of MACCE. In this study involving patients with MINOCA, the DM group exhibited a higher 3-year mortality rate than the non-DM group. Thus, DM demonstrated a hazardous effect even in patients with MINOCA.

Profiling births via Caesarean delivery in Northern Ireland (2011-2019) using the Robson classification: a population-based cohort study using administrative maternity system data.

Objective and ApproachCaesarean delivery (CD) rates are increasing globally. Over one-third of babies born in Northern Ireland (NI) during 2021-22 were via CD. Reducing the CD rate was cited as an important public health priority in the Strategy for Maternity Care in Northern Ireland (2012-2018). In 2015, WHO advocated that the Robson Ten Group Classification System (TGCS) be used to audit, analyse, and compare CD rates across countries. TGCS is currently not implemented in NI. ResultsAnalysis of NI’s administrative maternity system (NIMATS) is on-going (accessed via Honest Broker Service Project P045) to address this study’s objectives, which will be completed for presentation: (1) describe the characteristics (maternal, obstetric practice, and fetal/infant features) of all deliveries during 2011-2019; (2) group all births over this period into TGCS categories and calculate the relative size of each group and the absolute contribution of each group to the overall CD rate; (3) compare the NI population distribution of TGCS group-specific CD rates against WHO-recommended benchmarks; (4) test for temporal trends in CD rates here over time; and (5) estimate the ability of a range of maternal, infant, and obstetric factors in predicting the overall CD rate and by TGCS group in NI over time. ConclusionsApplication of the Robson TGCS to NIMATS data has potential to address a critical knowledge gap relating to the use of CD in NI. ImplicationsAvenues to extend this work to investigate longer-term outcomes (via possible linkage to the NI Child Health System) will be considered.

Complications and implications of Caesarean delivery: Facts and perceptions

Background/objectivesCaesarean delivery (CD), though considered a life-saving surgical procedure, poses a public health problem and puts mothers and babies at higher risk of post-delivery complications. The present study aims to explore the post-delivery maternal complications among CD and normal vaginal delivery (NVD) mothers in India. MethodsThe present study is a PAN-India study conducted across various Indian states, considering a significant increase in CD rates. Data was collected from face-to-face interviews of 1407 recently delivered mothers during January–March 2023. ResultsThe findings indicate that 22 % of CD mothers reported post-delivery complications compared to 15 % of NVD mothers. Notable complications among CD mothers include body/abdominal pain (12.9 %), infection/pain in the suture area (6.2 %), and high blood pressure (1.1 %). Conversely, higher proportion of NVD mothers reported pelvic pain (3.3 %). Further, a greater proportion of NVD (22 %) and CD (28 %) mothers reported pain in the pelvic area and infection/pain in the suture area, respectively. Socio-economic and demographic factors such as age, education, and residence significantly influenced the incidence of self-reported maternal complications. Mothers aged 25 and above, with at least ten years of education, and those residing in urban areas reported higher complications. Additionally, CD mothers also experienced longer hospital stays, higher costs, and delays in breastfeeding initiation. ConclusionThe study underscores the necessity for targeted healthcare interventions to mitigate the specific risks associated with CDs and improve maternal outcomes through appropriate policy formation to address the rising trend of CDs and their implications on maternal health.

Cd(II) and fenaminosulf adsorption by zeolite modified with plant extract and chemical modifier

To explore the adsorption effect of composite-modified zeolite (Ze) on heavy metal and bactericide, Ze was single-modified with the extract (E) from Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng. Dodecyl dimethyl betaine (BS), ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (ED), and sodium alginate (SA) were compositely modified on E-modified Ze (E-Ze) to form BS-modified E-Ze (BS/E-Ze), ED-modified E-Ze (ED/E-Ze), and SA-modified E-Ze (SA/E-Ze), respectively. The adsorption isothermal and kinetics of Cd(II) and fenaminosulf by different composite-modified Zes were studied, and the effects of pH, temperature, and ionic strength on the adsorption process were compared. The outcomes indicated that composite-modified Zes' adsorption process of Cd(II) and fenaminosulf was suitable for describing by Langmuir and Freundlich models, respectively. The adsorption capacity of Cd(II) and fenaminosulf by different composite-modified Zes all ranged in the order of BS/E-Ze > ED/E-Ze > SA/E-Ze > E-Ze > Ze. With the increasing modification ratio of the composite modifier, the adsorption effect of Cd(II) first increased and then decreased, whereas the adsorption effect of fenaminosulf increased. The adsorption amount on different composite-modified Zes decreased for Cd(II) and increased first and then reduced for fenaminosulf with the increase in ionic strength. Increasing pH and temperature were beneficial to Cd(II) adsorption but not conducive to fenaminosulf adsorption. The adsorption process was spontaneous, endothermic for Cd(II), exothermic for fenaminosulf, and entropy-increasing reaction, and the Cd(II) and fenaminosulf adsorption rate was controlled by chemical and physical reaction, respectively.

Effect of Na2SO4 Application on the Growth, Yield and Cd uptake of Wheat

Objective: Durum wheat accumulates more cadmium (Cd) in the grain than bread wheat. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Na2SO4 salt on Cd uptake in wheat grain. Material and Method: The experiment was conducted by using durum wheat cultivar (Triticum durum, cvs. Balcalı-2000) under greenhouse condition. After 43 day of growth in the greenhouse, the shoots were harvested and dried at 70 ºC for determination of shoot dry matter production. It was also analyzed Cd concentration in shoot. The concentration of shoot Cd was measured by (ICP-OES, Varian, Australia). Results: Our results conclude that soil salinity increases Cd accumulation in the shoot even when soil Cd rates are very low. Furthermore, salinity in Cd-contaminated soils may accelerate cadmium transport to the shoot. Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed that shoot Cd concentration increased with increasing applied Cd and Na2SO4 rates.

Removal of heavy metals in water-extracted solution through adsorption by palygorskite and stabilization by comilling.

Removing water-soluble chlorides (WSCs) through water extraction is a common pretreatment technology for recycling municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash (FA). However, the extracted solution often contains heavy metals, the concentrations of which exceed standards for effluent. This study aims to investigate the adsorption of heavy metals by palygorskite in water-extracted solution and explore the feasibility of stabilizing heavy metals through comilling palygorskite-adsorbed heavy metals (PAHMs) with water-extracted fly ash (WFA). The experimental parameters include: two-stage water extraction with a liquid-to-solid ratio of 5, adding 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 g of palygorskite to 100 mL of water-extracted solution, and comilling the mixture of PAHMs and WFA for 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 or 96 hours. The experimental results revealed that 3 g of palygorskite in 100 mL of extracted solution could absorb Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn, meeting the effluent standards. The total amount of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn removal rate reached 99.7%. Moreover, 98.44% of the WSCs were not adsorbed, the water extraction process for removing WSCs was not compromised. After the comilling of PAHMs and WFA, the distribution of the heavy metals in the milled blended powder was greater than 99.44%; moreover, toxicity characteristic leaching procedure concentrations were determined to conform to regulatory standards, and the sequential extraction procedure revealed that the heavy metals tended to be in stable fractions. This achieves the goal of preventing secondary pollution from heavy metals during the MSWI FA recycling process.

Cadmium, zinc, and copper leaching rates determined in large monolith lysimeters

Soil mass balances are used to assess the risk of trace metals that are inadvertently applied with fertilizers into agroecosystems. The accuracy of such balances is limited by leaching rates, as they are difficult to measure. Here, we used monolith lysimeters to precisely determine Cd, Cu, and Zn leaching rates in 2021 and 2022. The large lysimeters (n = 12, 1 m diameter, 1.35 m depth) included one soil type (cambisol, weakly acidic) and distinct cropping systems with three experimental replicates. Stable isotope tracers were applied to determine the direct transfer of these trace metals from the soil surface into the seepage water. The annual leaching rates ranged from 0.04 to 0.30 for Cd, 2.65 to 11.7 for Cu, and 7.27 to 39.0 g (ha a)−1 for Zn. These leaching rates were up to four times higher in the year with several heavy rain periods compared to the dry year. Monthly resolved data revealed that distinct climatic conditions in combination with crop development have a strong impact on trace metal leaching rates. In contrast, fertilization strategy (e.g., conventional vs. organic) had a minor effect on leaching rates. Trace metal leaching rates were up to 10 times smaller than fertilizer inputs and had therefore a minor impact on soil mass balances. This was further confirmed with isotope source tracing that showed that only small fractions of Cd, Cu, and Zn were directly transferred from the soil surface to the leached seepage water within two years (< 0.07 %). A comparison with models that predict Cd leaching rates in the EU suggests that the models overestimate the Cd soil output with seepage water. Hence, monolith lysimeters can help to refine leaching models and thereby also soil mass balances that are used to assess the risk of trace metals inputs with fertilizers.

Analysis of Cesarean Section Causes Using Robson’s Ten Group Classification System in Selected Hospitals Affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Robson’s Ten Group Classification System (RTGCS) is widely used to evaluate, monitor, and compare cesarean delivery (CD) rates within and between delivery service centers. This study aimed to investigate the causes of CD in Shiraz teaching hospitals using RTGCS. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study on 1787 pregnant women who underwent CD in selected teaching hospitals in Shiraz, Iran, was selected via convenience sampling within 3 months. The data collection tool was a demographic, midwifery, and fertility information questionnaire completed through interviews and medical records. Subjects’ classification was performed based on midwifery concepts and parameters described in RTGCS. The Robson's 10-group classification is based on simple obstetrical parameters (parity, previous CS, gestational age, onset of labour, fetal presentation, and number of fetuses). Data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive tests were used to describe the data. Results: Of the 1787 subjects, 455 (25.5%) had planned CS and 1332 (74.5%) had emergency CS. The most common causes of CD were previous CD (58.6%) and fetal distress (27.6%). Overall, 823 (46.1%) had fetal and placental causes, 1268 (71%) had uterine causes, and 78 (4.4%) had maternal causes. Conclusion: The biggest factors that played a role in the CD rate in the present study were termed multipara women with a history of previous CD. The CD rate and the overall size of this group are still increasing, and as a result, women with a history of a previous CD must be motivated more effectively to have a vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC).

Effects of soil water content on Cd immobilization and uptake by leek with the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer.

This study investigated the effects of soil water content on Cd immobilization and uptake by leek with the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer using mechanism experiment and pot experiment. Mechanism experiment was conducted with the three-layer mesh method, which can reveal the individual mechanisms and contributions of biochar and soil to Cd immobilization. The results of mechanism experiment showed that the Cd adsorption amount by biochar was very little at low soil water content (θw = 20%, w/w), and both of Cd adsorption amount and rate significantly increased at higher θw (40% and 60%). The Cd immobilization by biochar at higher θw (40% and 60%) was significantly better than that at low θw (20%) in soils because F1 (percentages of exchangeable Cd) decreased with increasing moisture. For example, the F1 percentages were 58.27%, 40.67%, and 38.46% in the soil at 4.40mg·kg-1 under M20, M40, and M60 (θw = 20%, 40%, 60%) at day 120, respectively. The results of pot experiment showed that the Cd in leek leaves and roots continuously accumulated with planting time in each batch, and biochar and organic fertilizer treatments significantly reduced the Cd enrichment in leek. Combined treatment of biochar and organic fertilizer (BO) is superior to biochar treatments (BC) and CK for Cd immobilization in soil. For example, the percentages of F1 under the treatments of CK, BC, and BO were 64.43%, 49.13%, and 43.67% at 75% field water capacity treatment, respectively. For the same treatment, with increasing water contents, the better the Cd was immobilized in the soil and the greater the leek biomass. However, the total uptake of Cd by leek were increased by promoting crop growth under water content conditions.

Induction of labor versus expectant management in patients with idiopathic polyhydramnios

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether induction of labor is associated with lower risk of cesarean section compared to expectant management in patients with isolated polyhydramnios.Study Design: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients with pregnancies complicated by idiopathic polyhydramnios, documented between 34 and 38 weeks gestation, who were delivered between July 2012 and February 2020. The primary outcome was cesarean delivery. Secondary outcomes included chorioamnionitis, endometritis, postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia/gestational hypertension, and composite neonatal morbidity. ResultsThere were 194 patients included with idiopathic polyhydramnios – 115 underwent induction and 79 patients were expectantly managed. Planned induction was associated with a lower rate of CD compared with expectant management but did not meet statistical significance (19.1 % vs 30.4 %, aOR 0.51, 95 % CI 0.24, 1.05). A similar effect was seen when stratifying for parity: both nulliparous (9.1 % vs 16.3 %, aOR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.17, 1.98) and multiparous (32.7 % vs 47.2 %, aOR 0.45, 95 % CI 0.18, 1.15) patients had a lower CD rate when there was a planned induction, though neither group met statistical significance. No differences in maternal or fetal secondary outcomes were identified (chorioamnionitis, endometritis, postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia/gestational hypertension, composite neonatal morbidity). ConclusionLower rates of cesarean section were associated with labor induction for patients with isolated polyhydramnios, but confidence intervals did not reach statistical significance.

오피스 시장에서 비체계적 위험과 투자수익률간의 관계

In this paper, the excess ROI(Return on Investment) and SCL(Security Characteristic Line) ofthe Seoul office market by region are driven based on the ROI of the Seoul office market and CD(91days) rate of return(quarterly), then with this, idiosyncratic risk is extracted, and the idiosyncraticrisk-excess rate of return on investment relationship in the office market by district is analyzed. Finally,the results driven from this study is as follows; 1) Regarding the idiosyncratic risk-excess ROIrelationship by district in Seoul, the CBD shows a low risk-low return tendency, and the YBD showsa high risk-high return. Moreover, in the case of total risk-return, the risk of the ETC is higher thanthat of the GBD, but the idiosyncratic risk is lower than that of the GBD, showing different risk-returncharacteristics depending on the type of risk. 2) As to the idiosyncratic risk-excess investment returnrelationship by district in Seoul, although all districts are markets affected by idiosyncratic risk, thegrowth rate in excess return compared to idiosyncratic risk are different. 3) The excess return oninvestment/idiosyncratic risk by district differs according to the growth rate in office buildings’ salesprice, and no change in the excess return on investment per idiosyncratic risk due to the increase inNOI could be confirmed in all district but YBD. Finally, this paper is meaningful in that it verifies theexistence of idiosyncratic risk in the Seoul office market and the statistical significance betweenidiosyncratic risk-return on investment, and derives related implications through a comprehensiveanalysis relevant to the market situation.

오피스 시장에서 비체계적 위험과 투자수익률간의 관계

In this paper, the excess ROI(Return on Investment) and SCL(Security Characteristic Line) ofthe Seoul office market by region are driven based on the ROI of the Seoul office market and CD(91days) rate of return(quarterly), then with this, idiosyncratic risk is extracted, and the idiosyncraticrisk-excess rate of return on investment relationship in the office market by district is analyzed. Finally,the results driven from this study is as follows; 1) Regarding the idiosyncratic risk-excess ROIrelationship by district in Seoul, the CBD shows a low risk-low return tendency, and the YBD showsa high risk-high return. Moreover, in the case of total risk-return, the risk of the ETC is higher thanthat of the GBD, but the idiosyncratic risk is lower than that of the GBD, showing different risk-returncharacteristics depending on the type of risk. 2) As to the idiosyncratic risk-excess investment returnrelationship by district in Seoul, although all districts are markets affected by idiosyncratic risk, thegrowth rate in excess return compared to idiosyncratic risk are different. 3) The excess return oninvestment/idiosyncratic risk by district differs according to the growth rate in office buildings’ salesprice, and no change in the excess return on investment per idiosyncratic risk due to the increase inNOI could be confirmed in all district but YBD. Finally, this paper is meaningful in that it verifies theexistence of idiosyncratic risk in the Seoul office market and the statistical significance betweenidiosyncratic risk-return on investment, and derives related implications through a comprehensiveanalysis relevant to the market situation.

Cadmium-Induced Tubular Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

The global prevalence of diabetes, and its major complication, diabetic nephropathy, have reached epidemic proportions. The toxic metal cadmium (Cd) also induces nephropathy, indicated by a sustained reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the excretion of β2-microglobulin (β2M) above 300 µg/day, which reflects kidney tubular dysfunction. However, little is known about the nephrotoxicity of Cd in the diabetic population. Here, we compared Cd exposure, eGFR, and tubular dysfunction in both diabetics (n = 81) and non-diabetics (n = 593) who were residents in low- and high-Cd exposure areas of Thailand. We normalized the Cd and β2M excretion rates (ECd and Eβ2M) to creatinine clearance (Ccr) as ECd/Ccr and Eβ2M/Ccr. Tubular dysfunction and a reduced eGFR were, respectively, 8.7-fold (p < 0.001) and 3-fold (p = 0.012) more prevalent in the diabetic than the non-diabetic groups. The doubling of ECd/Ccr increased the prevalence odds ratios for a reduced eGFR and tubular dysfunction by 50% (p < 0.001) and 15% (p = 0.002), respectively. In a regression model analysis of diabetics from the low-exposure locality, Eβ2M/Ccr was associated with ECd/Ccr (β = 0.375, p = 0.001) and obesity (β = 0.273, p = 0.015). In the non-diabetic group, Eβ2M/Ccr was associated with age (β = 0.458, p < 0.001) and ECd/Ccr (β = 0.269, p < 0.001). However, after adjustment for age, and body mass index (BMI), Eβ2M/Ccr was higher in the diabetics than non-diabetics of similar ECd/Ccr ranges. Thus, tubular dysfunction was more severe in diabetics than non-diabetics of similar age, BMI, and Cd body burden.

Sex Differences in Delayed Hospitalization in Patients with Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing New-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation

We compared the effects of sex differences in delayed hospitalization (symptom-to-door time [SDT], ≥24 h) on major clinical outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after new-generation drug-eluting stent implantation. A total of 4593 patients were classified into groups with (n = 1276) and without delayed hospitalization (SDT < 24 h, n = 3317). Thereafter, these two groups were subdivided into male and female groups. The primary clinical outcomes were major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction, repeat coronary revascularization, and stroke. The secondary clinical outcome was stent thrombosis. After multivariable- and propensity score-adjusted analyses, in-hospital mortalities were similar between the male and female groups in both the SDT < 24 h and SDT ≥ 24 h groups. However, during a 3-year follow-up period, in the SDT < 24 h group, all-cause death (p = 0.013 and p = 0.005, respectively) and cardiac death (CD, p = 0.015 and p = 0.008, respectively) rates were significantly higher in the female group than those in the male group. This may be related to the lower all-cause death and CD rates (p = 0.022 and p = 0.012, respectively) in the SDT < 24 h group than in the SDT ≥ 24 h group among male patients. Other outcomes were similar between the male and female groups and between the SDT < 24 h and SDT ≥ 24 h groups. In this prospective cohort study, female patients showed higher 3-year mortality, especially in the SDT < 24 h, compared to male patients.

Induction of labor at the 39th week and cesarean delivery: a retrospective study in a Shanghai-based maternity hospital.

This study aimed at exploring the association between labor induction at the 39th week and CD in the setting where the baseline cesarean delivery rate is high. A retrospective cohort study was conducted during a 50-month period at a Shanghai-based secondary maternity hospital. A comparison was made of the maternal and neonatal outcomes, including the CD rate, between the women who underwent labor induction at the 39th week and those who were managed expectantly. A total of 4,975 deliveries were included, which had been made by the low-risk nulliparous women beyond 39 weeks. The CD rate was 41.6% and 42.2% in the induction group (n = 202) and the expectant management group (n = 4,773), respectively (relative risk, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.17). Induction of labor at the 39th week increased the risk of postpartum hemorrhage ≥ 500 ml in 24 hours (adjusted relative risk, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.12 to 4.78) and intrapartum fever ≥ 37.5℃ (adjusted relative risk, 4.73; 95% CI, 2.13 to 10.49). Differences in other maternal and neonatal outcomes were of no clinical significance. When stratified by the indications for labor induction, CDs performed because of non-reassuring fetal heart rate were more prevalent among the women who were induced for the same reason than those who were not. As compared with that in the expectant management, labor induction at the 39th week does not seem to have an impact on CD within the setting of a high CD rate.

Effects of Mineral-Based Potassium Humate on Cadmium Accumulation in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Three Levels of Cadmium-Contaminated Alkaline Soils

Humic acid amendments in the remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals have received widespread attention. However, the impacts and related mechanisms of mineral-based humate substances on the remediation of alkaline paddy soils with different levels of cadmium (Cd) contamination are still unclear. Pot trials with four mineral-based potassium humate (MBPH) doses (0, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, w/w) and three Cd rates (slightly, moderately, and highly, 1, 2, and 4 mg Cd kg−1) were conducted to evaluate the effects of MBPH on rice. Results showed that the application of MBPH effectively reduced brown rice Cd concentrations of all Cd rates by 46.82–65.04%, 44.02–59.21%, and 15.84–43.99%, such that Cd in brown rice fell within the safe edible standards in the highly contaminated soils with the 0.5% and 1% MBPH applications. The application of MBPH significantly alleviated Cd toxicity by increasing soil solution pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and potassium (K) and decreasing free Cd and the bioavailability of rhizosphere soil Cd, as reflected by promoting rice plant growth, photosynthesis, Fv/Fm, and antioxidant enzymes activities. Additionally, high dose applications (0.5% and 1%) of MBPH significantly reduced the translocation factor of Cd from flag leaf to brown rice. Furthermore, the application of MBPH enhanced the accumulation of mineral elements (iron, manganese, copper, zinc, potassium) in brown rice. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that soil solution K at maturity stage and soil solution DOC at tillering and filling stages were the most important factors affecting Cd accumulation in brown rice under slightly, moderately, and highly Cd-contaminated soils, respectively. Therefore, MBPH application on slightly and moderately Cd-contaminated alkaline soils contributed to achieving rice grains rich with mineral elements but Cd free and Cd safe in highly Cd-contaminated soil.

Modulation of Cd and BaP uptake rate during acute aqueous co-exposure in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Cadmium and Benzo[a]pyrene are two toxicants of great environmental importance given their frequency and ability to cause extensive toxicity in aquatic organisms including fish. There is evidence that fish can modulate their respective uptake rate during simultaneous exposures, albeit the mechanism behind this is poorly understood. The present study aimed to examine this interaction by exposing adult zebrafish to either 89.3 nM Cd, 4.25 nM BaP or a combination of the two for 72 hrs prior to examining the uptake rate of either toxicant via short-term exposures (3–6 hrs) to radiotracers (109Cd and 14C-BaP). Our results showed that Cd uptake rate increased significantly in the gills when animals were pre-exposed to both toxicants simultaneously, resulting in an increased maximum uptake rate (Jmax). The increased Cd uptake rate did not correspond to increased expression of gill Cd transporters such as the epithelium calcium channel (ECaC) or the divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1). Furthermore, BaP uptake rate increased significantly at the whole-body level when animals were exposed to both 5.03 nM 14C-BaP and 89.3 nM Cd concurrently. Additionally, we ran a time-course and observed BaP uptake rate is highest in the 6–12 hrs following the beginning of the exposure. Our results provide evidence that the increased bioaccumulation of Cd and BaP observed during co-exposures is at least in part due to an increase in uptake rate and is driven by separate mechanisms.

Improving radish phosphorus utilization efficiency and inhibiting Cd and Pb uptake by using heavy metal-immobilizing and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria play a key role in increasing plant growth as potential suppliers of soluble phosphorus and have great potential for the remediation of heavy metal-polluted soils. However, the soil and microbiological mechanisms by which phosphate-solubilizing bacteria prevent heavy metal absorption in radish have not been adequately studied. Here, the mechanisms of phosphorus solubilization, Cd and Pb immobilization, and the inhibition of heavy metal absorption by phosphate-solubilizing bacteria were studied in radish through solution adsorption and pot experiments. Two phosphate-solubilizing bacteria with high Cd and Pb removal rates (46.9–97.12 %), Klebsiella sp. M2 and Kluyvera sp. M8, were isolated. The soluble phosphorus content released by strains M2 and M8 was 265–277 mg L−1, achieved by secreting oxalic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, and succinic acid in an inorganic phosphorus medium containing 3 mg L−1 Cd and 5 mg L−1 Pb. Furthermore, these two functional strains induced the formation of Pb2(PO4)2, Cd(PO3)2, Fe2Pb3(PO4)2, CdS, and PbS precipitates that immobilized Cd and Pb in the solution. In general, strains M2 and M8 inhibited the absorption of Cd and Pb by radish by the following mechanisms: i) bacterial cell wall adsorption, ii) induction of Pb2(PO4)2, Cd(PO3)2, Fe2Pb3(PO4)2, CdS, and PbS precipitation in the solution/soil, iii) increases in the Ca2P and FeP contents in the radish rhizosphere, and iv) the promotion of bacterial community enrichment toward phosphorus-solubilizing and plant growth-promoting properties (Ramlibacter, Enterobacter, Bacillus, Gemmatimonas, and Lysinibacillusin) in the radish rhizosphere. These results provide bacterial resources and technical approaches to heavy metal pollution amelioration and efficient phosphorus fertilizer use in farmland.

Plant cadmium resistance 6 from Salix linearistipularis (SlPCR6) affects cadmium and copper uptake in roots of transgenic Populus

Phytoextraction in phytoremediation is one of the environmentally friendly methods used for restoring soils contaminated by heavy metals (HMs). The screening and identification of HM-resistant plants and their regulatory genes associated with HM ion transport are the key research aims in this field. In this study, a plant cadmium (Cd) resistance (PCR) gene family member, SlPCR6, was identified in roots of Salix linearistipularis, which exhibits strong HM resistance. The results revealed that SlPCR6 expression was induced in S. linearistipularis roots in response to Cd stress. Furthermore, SlPCR6 was mainly localized on the plasma membrane. Compared with the wild type, SlPCR6 overexpression reduced the Cd and copper (Cu) contents in the transgenic poplar (84 K) and increased its Cd and Cu resistance. The roots of transgenic poplar seedlings had lower net Cd and Cu uptake rates than wild type roots. Further investigation revealed that the transcript levels of multiple HM ion transporters were not significantly different between the roots of the wild type and those of the transgenic poplar. These results suggest that SlPCR6 is directly involved in Cd and Cu transport in S. linearistipularis roots. Therefore, SlPCR6 can serve as a candidate gene to improve the phytoextraction of the HMs Cd and Cu through genetic engineering.

Vaginal delivery rate by near delivery sonographic weight estimation and maternal stature among nulliparous women.

We evaluated the risk for cesarean delivery among term nulliparous women, categorized by maternal stature and recent sonographic estimated fetal weight (EFW). A retrospective study including singleton deliveries of nulliparous women between 2011 and 2020, with sonographic EFW within 1week of delivery. We categorized maternal height into five groups: ≤150, 151-155, 156-160, 161-165, and ≥166 cm. Fetal weight estimation was categorized into five groups as well: ≤2500 g, 2501-2999, 3000-3499, 3500-3999, and ≥4000 g. Overall, 13 107 deliveries were included. The cesarean delivery rate was inversely correlated with maternal height, ranging from 41.0% in group 1 to 13.1% in group 5. The vaginal delivery rate ranged from 33.3% in maternal height group 1 with EFW of ≥4000 g to 85% in maternal height group 5 with EFW of ≤2500 g. In weight categories above 2500 g, maternal height correlated significantly with vaginal delivery rate, except in weight category ≥4000 g in which vaginal delivery rate ranged around 30% in maternal height categories 1-3 and increased significantly in groups 4-5 to 50-60%. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, EFW was independently associated with CD for EFW categories 3500-3999 and ≥4000 g [aOR 95% CI 1.49 (1.08-2.06) and 4.39 (2.97-6.50), respectively]. Maternal height was negatively associated with CD [aOR 95% CI 0.67 (0.64-0.70)] for each increase in maternal height group. Cesarean delivery rate was inversely correlated with maternal height, ranging from 41.0% among women ≤150 cm to 13.1% among women ≥166 cm. Maternal height and EFW of ≥3500 g are independently associated with CD rates among term nulliparous women.