DTPA Research Articles

Safety evaluation of tetravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine in combination with the inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine for infants

Objective: To investigate the safety of the tetravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MPCV-ACYW) in combination with the inactivated poliomyelitis (IPV) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine for infants aged 3-5 months and provide real-world evidence for the immunization strategy of vaccine combination. Methods: From June to October 2023, a total of 600 3-month-old infants were selected and divided into three groups: control group, mono-vaccination group and combined vaccination group. They were simultaneously or individually vaccinated with MPCV-ACYW, IPV and DTaP vaccines at 3, 4, and 5 months of age, respectively. The incidence rate of adverse reactions within 30 days after each dose was observed. Results: All 600 infants completed at least one vaccination and entered the safety data analysis. The age of the control group (100 infants), the mono-vaccination group (250 infants), and the combination group (250 infants) was (101.20±7.88), (102.26±7.94), and (102.35±7.76) days, respectively. The body lengths were (63.00±3.02), (62.55±3.06), and (63.14±4.02) cm, respectively. The body weights were (6.90±0.77), (6.86±0.94), and (6.99±0.95) kg, respectively. Boys accounted for 49%, 50.4%, and 52.4%, respectively, with no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). The overall incidence rates of adverse reactions in the control group, mono-vaccination group, and combined vaccination group were 4.00%, 2.80%, and 3.20%, respectively, with systemic adverse reaction rates of 3.00%, 2.40%, and 2.00%. The incidence rates of local adverse reactions were 1.00%, 0.40%, and 1.20%, with no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). Adverse reactions were mainly grade 1, with incidence rates of grade 1 adverse reactions of 3.00%, 2.00%, and 1.60% in the three groups, and incidence rates of grade 2 adverse reactions of 1.00%, 0.80%, and 1.60%, respectively. No grade 3 or 4 serious adverse reactions occurred, and the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). The adverse reaction symptoms of the three groups were mainly systemic reactions, among which fever and diarrhea symptoms were reported in individual cases in each group, with no statistically significant differences in the incidence rate (all P>0.05). The symptoms of adverse reactions were mostly transient and self-relieved, all of which were cured. Conclusion: The combination of MPCV-ACYW and IPV or DTaP vaccines is safe for infants aged 3-5 months.

The rotation method for correcting renal depth in the determination of glomerular filtration rate using Tc-99m diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-based renal dynamic imaging in patients with hydronephrosis.

Kidney depth significantly affects the accuracy of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurement, and hydronephrosis-induced morphological changes further challenge its estimation through traditional formulas. This study evaluated the rotation method's efficacy in correcting kidney depth and depth difference during Tc-99m diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) renal dynamic imaging for GFR assessment. This study analyzed 66 individuals treated at First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University with unilateral hydronephrosis between January 2022 and June 2023. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans were used to classify hydronephrosis severity into mild (20 cases), moderate (23 cases), and severe hydronephrosis groups (23 cases). Depth and depth differences of the kidneys were measured using CT, the rotation method, the Tonnesen formula, and the Li-Qian formula to evaluate their impact on total and single-kidney GFR. (I) Regarding renal depth and GFR, compared to CT, the Tonnesen formula underestimated both the depth and GFR for normal and hydronephrotic kidneys (NKs and HKs). The mean depth of normal kidneys (NKs) measured by the Tonnesen formula was 6.14 cm, approximately 19% lower than the 7.59 cm measured by CT. Similarly, the GFR of NKs estimated by the Tonnesen formula was 37.13 mL/min/1.73 m2, approximately 21% lower than the 47.24 mL/min/1.73 m2 measured by CT (P<0.05). The Li-Qian formula underestimated the renal depth and GFR for HKs. The mean depth of HKs measured by the Li-Qian formula was 7.62 cm, approximately 9% lower than the 8.41 cm measured by CT. Similarly, the GFR estimated by the Li-Qian formula was 25.50 mL/min/1.73 m2, about 19% lower than the 31.51 mL/min/1.73 m2 measured by CT (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the GFR or renal depth measurements between the rotation method and CT for both NKs and HKs (P>0.05). In HKs, the depth and GFR measured by the rotation method were 8.17 cm and 30.41 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively, closely matching the CT measurements of 8.41 cm and 31.51 mL/min/1.73 m2. (II) A comparison of the renal depth and GFR in the mild, moderate, and severe hydronephrosis groups was conducted. Compared with CT, the Tonnesen formula undervalued renal depth and GFR across all severity levels (P<0.05); meanwhile, the Li-Qian formula underestimated the renal depth and GFR of the moderate and severe hydronephrosis groups (P<0.05). The rotation method demonstrated no variance across the three groups compared to CT (P>0.05). (III) In terms of depth difference, the Tonnesen and the Li-Qian formulae produced a significantly lower value than did CT (P<0.05). Statistical analyses showed no difference between the rotation and CT methods (P>0.05). In patients with hydronephrosis, the renal depth and depth difference measured by the rotation method are similar to those measured by CT, which can accurately correct the renal depth and depth difference without increasing the patient's additional radiation, enhancing the precision of total and separate renal GFR.

Evidence on trends in uptake of childhood vaccines and association with COVID-19 vaccination rates.

Childhood vaccination rates have declined in recent years; there is also concern that resistance to COVID-19 vaccines could spill over to childhood vaccines. To use local-level data to study trends in childhood vaccination rates and heterogeneity in local rates; including how many areas are below herd-immunity thresholds, and assess the association between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and childhood vaccination. We report, for 11 states with available data, vaccination rates for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines, including percentage of schools/counties with rates ≥95 %, 90-95%, 80-90%, and<80%. We also study the association between county-level COVID-19 vaccination rates and change from 2019 to 2022 in MMR and DTaP vaccination rates. School/county level vaccination rates; county-level COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, proxied by the percent of the adult population in each county that did not complete primary COVID-19 vaccination. Percentage of school/counties with MMR/DTaP vaccination rates within specified ranges, mean vaccination rates, and change in MMR/DTaP vaccination rates between 2019 and 2022. On average, childhood vaccination rates declined from 2019 to 2022 in states that allow non-medical exemptions, but with substantial heterogeneity within and across states. The largest declines were in already low-vaccination schools. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was associated with a somewhat larger 2019-to-2022 decline in childhood vaccination rates in rural counties and strongly Republican-leaning counties. Vaccination rates fell from 2019 to 2022, continuing a longer trend toward lower rates. For measles and pertussis, childhood vaccination rates are below herd-immunity levels in many local communities, sometimes substantially so. We used two proxies for potential spillover of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy to childhood vaccines (rural indicator and Republican-leaning indicator); these proxies can explain a modest part of the decline childhood vaccination in rural and Republican-leaning counties, but most of the explanation lies elsewhere.

A supramolecular magnetic and multifunctional Titriplex V-grafted chitosan organocatalyst for the synthesis of acridine-1,8-diones and 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyran derivatives.

In this research, a new supramolecular magnetic modified chitosan, namely, Fe3O4@CS-TDI-Titriplex V, was designed and prepared conveniently by grafting diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Titriplex V) onto a biopolymeric chitosan backbone having urethane, urea, ester and amide functional groups. The obtained magnetic biopolymeric nanomaterial was properly characterized by different spectroscopic, microscopic or analytical methods including FTIR spectroscopy, EDX spectroscopy, XRD, FESEM, TG-DTA and VSM. The application of the supramolecular Fe3O4@CS-TDI-Titriplex V nanocomposite as a heterogeneous solid acidic organocatalyst was investigated to promote the three-component synthesis of both acridinediones and 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyran derivatives as important pharmaceutical scaffolds under green conditions. The obtained nanomaterial exhibited proper catalytic activity in the above mentioned transformations through multicomponent reaction (MCR) strategies. The reactions proceeded very well in the presence of the Fe3O4@CS-TDI-Titriplex V solid acid nanomaterial in EtOH to afford the corresponding acridinediones and 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyran derivatives in high to excellent yields. The key advantages of the present protocol include the use of a renewable, biopolymeric and biodegradable solid acid as well as a simple procedure for the preparation of the hybrid material. Furthermore, the Fe3O4@CS-TDI-Titriplex V nanomaterial was used four times with a slight decrease in its catalytic activity.

Development of 111In-Labeled Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting SFTSV Structural Proteins for Molecular Imaging of SFTS Infectious Diseases by SPECT.

No effective vaccines or treatments are currently available for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a fatal tick-borne infectious disease caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). This study evaluated the potential of 111In-labeled anti-SFTSV antibodies targeting SFTSV structural proteins as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging agents for the selective visualization of SFTSV-infected sites. This study used nuclear medicine imaging to elucidate the pathology of SFTS and assess its therapeutic efficacy. Immunostaining experiments confirmed that the anti-SFTSV antibody (N-mAb), which targets the N protein, specifically accumulated in SFTSV-infected Vero E6 cells. 111In-labeled N-mAb was successfully prepared using a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) chelator, resulting in [111In]In-DTPA-N-mAb with high radiochemical purity exceeding 95% and a radiochemical yield of 55%. Cell-binding assays using SFTSV-infected Vero E6 cells demonstrated that [111In]In-DTPA-N-mAb binding was detectable even without membrane permeabilization, with the binding intensity correlating with infection levels. In vivo studies using SFTSV-infected A129 mice showed high spleen accumulation of [111In]In-DTPA-N-mAb (87.5% ID/g), consistent with SFTSV tropism, compared to 12.3% ID/g in mock-infected mice. SPECT/CT imaging clearly revealed high radioactivity in these regions. Although nonspecific accumulation was noted in the liver and spleen, this issue may be mitigated through antibody modifications such as fragmentation or PEGylation. Overall, [111In]In-DTPA-N-mAb is a promising imaging agent for non-invasive visualization of SFTSV-infected sites and may aid in elucidating SFTS pathology and assessing therapeutic efficacy.

Nose-to-brain delivery of lithium via a sprayable in situ-forming hydrogel composed of chelating starch nanoparticles.

While bipolar disorder patients can benefit from lithium therapy, high levels of lithium in the serum can induce undesirable systemic side effects. Intranasal (IN) lithium delivery offers a potential solution to this challenge given its potential to facilitate improved lithium transport to brain when delivered to the olfactory mucosa. Herein, a sprayable, in situ forming nanoparticle network hydrogel (NNH) based on Schiff base interactions between chelator-functionalized oxidized starch nanoparticles (SNPs) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) is reported that can be deployed within the nasal cavity to release ultra-small penetrative SNPs over time. Chelating functional groups including citrate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and pentetic acid are shown to bind a variety of cations including lithium, magnesium, and calcium, with chelation directly linked to enhancements in the gel mechanics even for monovalent lithium. The hydrogels show high in vitro cytocompatibility with mouse striatal neuron and human primary nasal cell lines. Effective IN delivery of lithium to the brain is demonstrated for the first time, with both solution-based and hydrogel-loaded lithium showing in vivo efficacy in an amphetamine-induced pre-clinical rat bipolar manic phase model; specifically, IN-delivered NNHs can maintain successful attenuation of locomotor activity for up to 6 h while all other tested treatments (drug-only IN or conventional intraperitoneal delivery) failed to retain attenuation for more than two hours at the same lithium dose. As such, in situ-gelling and ion-chelating NNHs represent a new material that can effectively enable metal ion management in biomedical applications.

Microplanning as a tool to strengthen the National Immunization Program in BrazilLa microplanificación como herramienta para fortalecer el Programa Nacional de Inmunizaciones en Brasil

To measure the variation in number of doses, vaccination coverage (VC) of administered vaccines, and number of municipalities that achieved the VC target in Brazil with the implementation of microplanning for high-quality vaccination activities (HQVA) and decentralized multivaccination actions. This quasi-experimental study used data from the National Live Birth Information System, the National Immunization Program Information System, and the National Health Data Network. The number of doses of hepatitis A (HA), meningococcal conjugate-C, oral poliomyelitis, 10-valent pneumococcal, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines administered to children under 2 years of age in 2022 (pre-microplanning) and 2023 (post-microplanning) was estimated. VC and the number of municipalities that achieved the VC target were also estimated. In 2022, 13 253 873 doses of the selected vaccines were recorded. In 2023, 13 570 346 doses were administered. An increase in VC was observed, especially for the DTP vaccine (increase > 12%); and for the HA and MMR vaccines (increase close to 10%). The number of municipalities that reached the VC target grew in 2023 (increase of 51.98% for MMR and 7.77% for the meningococcal vaccine). Microplanning strengthened routine immunization and was a timely measure to address situations of declining VC. This favorable outcome also highlights the importance of continuing and expanding these actions to achieve and maintain positive results.

Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine mortality

Although the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine is lifesaving through decades, it has been voiced that the vaccine is associated with 50% increase in mortality, an alleged negative non-specific vaccine effect prone to girls. Post hoc analyses of historical observational data supporting the hypothesis of the DTP vaccine having detrimental effects have never been replicated in low- or high-income countries. An RCT in Guinea-Bissau found fewer deaths with DTP vaccine than without. The hypothesis seems further rejected by the overall decline over time in child mortality in both girls and boys.

CO2 Foam Stabilized by Viscoelastic Surfactant: Effects of Chelating Agents’ Type, pH, and Water Chemistry on Microstructure, Stability, and Rheology of Foam

Summary This research fully investigates the impact of chelating agent pH, chelating agent’s type, water chemistry, and viscoelastic surfactant (VES) concentration on the rheology and stability of CO2 foam under harsh reservoir conditions. In this regard, a modified high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) foam rheometer and HPHT foam analyzer were implemented to study the foam rheology and stability at 100°C and 1,000 psi. Additionally, the HPHT viscometer and drop shape analyzer were utilized to understand the role of physicochemical properties on the microstructure, stability, and rheology of CO2 foam. First, the role of L-glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA) pH on the foam properties and foam rheology was investigated; the results showed that GLDA has a significant effect on the viscosity, stability, and foamability of CO2 foam. The optimum foam viscosity was achieved with a GLDA pH of 3, while the highest stability was attained with a GLDA pH ranging between 4 and 7. The highest foamability was achieved with low GLDA pH (3 to 2) due to the formation of high bubble numbers with uniform fine texture. Second, different chelating agents were considered; low pH GLDA provided the highest foam viscosity and stability among diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) salt and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) disodium salt, while high pH EDTA exhibited the highest foamability. Additionally, three types of water were studied: produced water, sea water, and formation water. The outcomes showed that water salinity significantly impacts the foam formation process, where the formation water presented poor foamability. Finally, the concentration of surfactant has a major effect on the viscosity of CO2 foam; it reached 150 cp at 100/s once the concentration increased to 6 wt%. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the impact of additives and water chemistry on VES behavior for CO2 foam. Also, the usage of erucamidopropyl hydroxypropylsultain (SURF) is promising for the generation of high stability and foam viscosity at high salinity and high temperature and pressure.

Immobilization of potentially toxic elements by grape waste biochar in contaminated soils

Biochar derived from agricultural waste is recognized as an environmentally sustainable method for immobilizing potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in contaminated soils. This study investigated the efficacy of biochar produced from grape residues in immobilizing PTEs such as Pb, Ni, Mn, Cu, and Co in contaminated soils. A total of 110 surface soil samples were collected from three land-use types (agricultural, urban, and industrial) in Arak, Iran. The bioavailable fractions of PTEs were analyzed using the diethylenetriamine penta acetic acid (DTPA) extraction method. The properties of biochar were characterized through X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Biochar was incorporated into the contaminated soils at a rate of 5 % (w/w) and incubated for two months. The results indicated that the biochar application enhanced soil properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, organic matter, and soil microbial respiration. Simultaneously, the DTPA-extractable concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb, and Co decreased from 7.26, 1.83, 5.82, and 0.25 mg/kg, to 5.54, 0.86, 4.06, and 0.18 mg/kg, respectively, corresponding to reductions of 24 % to 79 % in bioavailability. The reductions were attributed to the functional groups with negative charges and the high specific surface area of the biochar, as identified by FTIR and BET analyses. A random forest analysis further revealed that organic matter and soil microbial respiration were the most influential factors in in reducing the bioavailability of PTEs following biochar amendment. These findings underscore the potential of grape residue-derived biochar as an effective amendment for mitigating PTE contamination in soils.

Effect of biodegradable microplastics and Cd co-pollution on Cd bioavailability and plastisphere in soil-plant system

Biodegradable plastics (BPs) are regarded as ecomaterials and are emerging as a substitute for traditional non-degradable plastics. However, the information on the interaction between biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) and cadmium (Cd) in agricultural soil is still limited. Here, lettuce plants were cultured in BMPs (polylactic acid (PLA) MPs and poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) MPs) and Cd co-polluted soil for 35 days. The results show that diffusive gradient in thin films technique (DGT) but not diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extraction method greatly improved the prediction reliability of Cd bioavailability in non-rhizosphere soil treated with BMPs (R2 = 0.860). BMPs increased the Cd bioavailability in non-rhizosphere soil indirectly by decreasing soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), rather than by directly adsorbing Cd on their surface. PLA MPs incubated in rhizosphere soil showed more considerable degradation with extremely obvious cavities and the fracture of ester functional groups on their surface than PBAT MPs. BMPs could provide ecological niches to colonize and induce microorganisms associated with BMPs’ degradation to occupy a more dominant position. In addition, Cd only affected the composition and function of microbial communities in soil but not on BMPs. However, co-exposure to BMPs and Cd significantly reduced the degrees of co-occurrence network of fungal communities on PLA MPs and PBAT MPs by 37.7% and 26.7%, respectively, compared to single exposure to BMPs.

The nomogram model and its value study of Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI for preoperative diagnosis of proliferative hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: To develop a nomogram model for preoperative diagnosis of proliferative hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) based on gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to explore its clinical value. Methods: MRI and clinical pathological data of patients confirmed by pathology as proliferative HCC (178 cases) and non-proliferative HCC (378 cases) between September 2017 and November 2022 who underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI scans were retrospectively collected. The MRI features and clinical pathological characteristics of proliferative and non-proliferative HCC were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify independent predictive factors for proliferative HCC, the R software was used to construct the nomogram prediction model, and its diagnostic performance was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were drawn to evaluate the calibration performance and clinical application value of the nomogram model. The optimal cut-off value was selected by calculating the Youden index to distinguish high risk and low risk. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the survival prognosis of proliferative and non-proliferative HCC, and log-rank test was used for comparison. Results: There were significant differences in AFP level(χ2=17.244, P<0.001), morphology of tumor(χ2=13.669, P<0.001), intertumoral fat(χ2=10.495, P=0.001), arterial phase peritumoral enhancement(χ2=37.662, P<0.001), tumor capsule(χ2=23.961, P<0.001), substantial intratumoral necrosis(χ2=77.184, P<0.001), intratumoral hemorrhage(χ2=4.892, P=0.027), peritumoral hypointense in hepatobiliary phase(χ2=47.675, P<0.001), rim arterial phase hyperenhancement(χ2=115.976, P<0.001), intratumoral artery(χ2=15.528, P<0.001) and venous tumor thrombus(χ2=10.532, P=0.001) between proliferative and non-proliferative HCC groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that AFP>200 ng/ml(OR=0.640, P=0.044), no intertumoral fat(OR=1.947, P=0.033), substantial intratumoral necrosis(OR=0.480, P=0.003), peritumoral hypointense in hepatobiliary phase(OR=0.432, P=0.001), and rim arterial phase hyperenhancement(OR=0.180, P<0.001) were independent predictors of preoperative diagnosis of proliferative HCC. Based on the independent predictors, a nomogram model for preoperative prediction of proliferative HCC was established. The area under the ROC curve of the model for predicting proliferative HCC was 0.772 (95%CI: 0.735～0.807), the sensitivity was 69.1%, and the specificity was 75.4%. The calibration curve and DCA curve showed that the calibration performance and clinical applicability of the nomogram model were good. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the survival rate of patients with proliferative HCC after hepatectomy was significantly lower than that of non-proliferative HCC (P<0.001), and the high-risk group was significantly lower than the low-risk group (P<0.001). Conclusions: The nomogram prediction model based on Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI imaging features combined with AFP >200 ng/ml can accurately diagnose proliferative HCC before operation and predict prognosis.

Immobilization of Heavy Metals in Biochar Derived from Biosolids: Effect of Temperature and Carrier Gas

Slow pyrolysis was carried out in biosolids under three different temperatures (400, 500 and 600 °C) and two different carrier gases (CO2 and N2) on a fluidized bed reactor. The total concentration, chemical fractionation, and plant availability of the heavy metals in biochar were assessed by standard methods. The total concentration of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, Ni and Pb increased with the conversion of biosolids to biochar and with increasing pyrolysis temperature. The community’s Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction identified the migration of metals from toxic and bioavailable to potentially stable available or non-available forms at higher pyrolysis temperatures. Diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA)-extractable metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe and Pb) were significantly lower in biochar compared to biosolids. By replacing N2 with CO2, the total metal concentration of heavy metals was significantly different for Mn, Ni, Cd, Pb and As. There were larger amounts of metals in the residual and oxidizable fractions compared to when N2 was used as a carrier gas. Consequently, the biochar produced at higher temperatures (500 and 600 °C) in the N2 environment exhibited lower potential ecological risks than in CO2 environments (69.94 and 52.16, respectively, compared to values from 75.95 to 151.38 for biochars prepared in N2). Overall, the results suggest that the higher temperature biochar can support obtaining environmentally safe biochar and can be effective in attenuating the ecological risks of biosolids.

Does unintended birth lead to zero dose of DPT vaccine among children aged 12–23 months in India?

ABSTRACT Zero-dose children pose a key challenge in immunization programs due to their association with access to the health system and primary healthcare services. Examining zero-dose aids an in-depth understanding of healthcare disparities among children and caregivers. The disparity in utilization of maternal and child health services raises concerns about the potential consequences of unintended pregnancies on vaccine uptake. The National Family Health Survey 2019–21 (NFHS-5) served as the data source, and the study analyzed information from 43,247 children aged 12–23 months. Sociodemographic variables such as birth order, wealth quintile, gender, social group, religion, residence, mother education, and delivery-related factors were considered. Statistical analysis involved weighted estimates, chi-square tests, and multivariate multinomial logistic regression. The results show that 9.14% of children from unintended pregnancies were zero-dose for the DPT vaccine, compared to only 6.69% of children from intended pregnancies in India, indicating a higher prevalence of zero-dose associated with unintended pregnancies. The regression analysis shows the adjusted odds among children from an unintended birth − 1.21 times higher for the zero-dose DPT vaccine as compared to the intended birth (AOR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.06,1.38). Zero-dose immunization has become a crucial metric of childhood immunization performance, gaining prominence in national agendas, the IA 2030 framework, and Gavi’s 2021–25 strategy. The study findings highlight a significant association between unintended pregnancy and zero-dose DPT vaccination. The results provide compelling evidence that unintended pregnancies could be a potential risk factor for zero-dose DPT vaccination in low- and middle-income countries.

The accuracy of estimating equations for the evaluation of kidney function in adult survivors of unilateral, nonmetastatic, non-syndromic Wilms tumor: A pilot study from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study.

Adult survivors of unilateral, nonmetastatic, non-syndromic Wilms tumor (WT) treated with whole abdomen radiation therapy (WART) are at risk for impaired kidney function. The impact of bias and accuracy on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) among adult survivors of WT has not been well documented. We clinically evaluated male and female WT survivors with creatinine and cystatin C, calculated eGFR using the Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology equations with and without cystatin C, and measured 99mTc diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) plasma clearance. WT survivors treated with unilateral nephrectomy (UN), non-nephrotoxic chemotherapy (NNC) and WART or treated with UN, no radiation therapy, and NNC were enrolled. Correlations between 99mTc DTPA clearance and eGFR were calculated. Bias and the percentage of eGFR calculations that differed from the 99mTc DTPA clearance by 10% or less (P10) or 30% or less (P30) (accuracy) were calculated. Among female WT survivors, none of the eGFR calculations was statistically significantly correlated with 99mTc DTPA clearance. Among both unirradiated and WART-treated male WT survivors, 99mTc DTPA clearance correlated well with eGFR calculations that included creatinine. eGFR calculations that included creatinine were positively biased among female participants compared to 99mTc DTPA clearance, and no P30 was greater than 90% among either irradiated males or females. Among female survivors of unilateral, nonmetastatic, non-syndromic WT who have undergone UN, eGFR is poorly correlated with, is positively biased, and lacks sufficient accuracy, compared to 99mTc DTPA clearance.

Gadolinium-Sensitive Artificial Nanochannel Membrane for Information Encryption.

Inspired from ion channels in the myelinated axon of Xenopus laevis found to be affected by gadolinium on axonal currents, we present a solid nanochannel membrane sensitive to gadolinium (Gd3+), which can be achieved via the use of the macrocyclic triacetic acid derivative in the host-guest chemistry approach. The macrocyclic nanochannel has good responsiveness toward Gd3+, even at the nanomolar concentration level, evidenced by discernible changes in rectification, ionic conductance, and XPS analyses. Notably, the Gd3+-sensitive nanochannel membrane can be switched by the addition of a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) derivative. Further studies have indicated that the gated behavior of Gd3+ in the nanochannel can be attributed to the strong binding strength between DO3A and Gd3+, which induces a surface charge reversal within the nanochannel. The mechanism has been confirmed through several experimental techniques, including isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments, fluorescence titration experiments, and finite element analysis. Based on its Gd3+ responsiveness of the constructed ion channel, we successfully developed an advanced multilevel information encryption application of the artificial solid nanochannel membrane. Furthermore, it is anticipated that a more effective encryption system will be built by utilizing the bionic ion channel system's ease of use and straightforward functionalization.

Cisplatin-Induced Renal Failure Measured by Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) with 99mTc-DTPA Scans in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Cisplatin is a potent agent commonly used to treat cancer, but its effects pose a significant risk to renal function. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the impact of cisplatin on renal function as measured by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using diethyltriamine-penta-acetic acid (DTPA) renal scintigraphy. Methods: Extensive literature searches were performed using PRISMA guidelines that investigated cisplatin-induced renal failure by measuring GFR with DTPA. Eligible studies were included based on predefined criteria. Data on GFR, serum creatinine levels, and acute kidney injury (AKI) before and after cisplatin therapy were extracted and analyzed. A meta-analysis was performed utilizing RevMan 5.4 to determine the overall effect of cisplatin on GFR before and after treatment. For non-randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, while for RCT, the Cochrane risk of bias tool was utilized. Results: Initially, 1003 studies were searched from different databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and The Cochrane Library, and after screening, 8 studies (PubMed, Scopus, and GoogleS cholar) with 489 patients were found eligible for inclusion in the present study. Cisplatin was administrated with varying doses ranging from 20 mg/m2 to 114.02 mg/m2. The findings underscore the nephrotoxic effects of cisplatin, a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, as demonstrated by the significant decline in GFR observed across multiple treatment cycles, and these findings were also supported by the findings of a meta-analysis that showed a significant (p < 0.01) difference between peri- and post-treatment GFR level with 37.06 (95% CI, 10.90-63.23) effect size and 96% heterogeneity. In addition, the included studies were found to be of high quality. Conclusions: Cisplatin significantly affects renal function, as evidenced by a decrease in GFR measured with DTPA. The findings underscore the importance of the routine monitoring of GFR to detect early renal injury and guide treatment modification. Future research should focus on strategies to reduce cisplatin-induced toxicity and explore alternative therapies with reduced renal risk.

Comparative Evaluation Of The Effect Of Different Chelating Agents On The Push-Out Bond Strength Of A Bioceramic Sealer: An In-Vitro Study

Aim: This study aimed to assess how the push out bond strength of a bioceramic sealer (Meta CeraSeal) is affected by three different chelating agents: 17% EDTA, 7% Maleic acid, and 5% Pentetic acid. Methodology: 60 mandibular premolars were shaped using Pro Taper Gold rotary file upto size F2. The canals were irrigated with 2ml of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) between instrumentation and then the NaOCl was removed by rinsing with five milliliters of distilled water.. The 60 specimens were divided into 4 groups of 15 each, in a random manner, depending on the final irrigating solution: Group 1 (n=15): 17% EDTA,Group 2 (n=15): 7% Maleic acid,Group 3 (n=15): 5% Pentetic acid and Group 4 (n=15): 0.9% Saline. The canals were obturated with Meta CeraSeal coated gutta percha using single cone technique. Access to cavities were sealed and the specimens were sectioned to obtain three horizontal sections at distances of 12, 6, and 2 mm from the apex (coronal, middle, and apical root sections, respectively). A universal testing machine was used to apply the push-out test. Results: The push out bond strength was significantly higher for 5% Pentetic acid as compared to 17% EDTA and 7% Maleic acid (p&lt;0.05). Also, the apical third exhibited the lowest push out bond strength value in all the groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that, in comparison to the other tested groups, 5% pentetic acid has higher potential to facilitate the bonding of the bioceramic sealer Meta CeraSeal to root dentin

Barriers to child vaccination: The role of international sanctions

International sanctions are often imposed with the aim of influencing the political behavior of target states, but they may have unintended consequences on public health. This study empirically examines the impact of international sanctions on child immunization rates in developing countries. Utilizing panel data from 76 developing countries between 2000 and 2019, the analysis explores how different types of sanctions, including those from the US, EU, and UN, as well as economic and unilateral sanctions, affect the immunization rates for DPT, Hepatitis B, and Measles vaccines. The findings indicate that sanctions, particularly those imposed by the US and EU, significantly reduce vaccination rates, with economic and unilateral sanctions showing the most substantial negative impact. Additionally, the study highlights the moderating role of health spending, revealing that increased healthcare investment can mitigate some of the adverse effects of sanctions. Poorer developing countries are disproportionately affected compared to their more affluent counterparts. The results underscore the need for policymakers to consider the broader public health implications of sanctions and for international efforts to ensure that essential medical resources remain accessible in sanctioned countries. This study contributes to the literature by providing comprehensive empirical evidence on the detrimental effects of international sanctions on child immunization, advocating for a balanced approach that protects public health while achieving geopolitical objectives.

Achieving dendrite-free zinc deposition by large-size anion-reinforced solvated structures for highly reversible zinc anode

The electrochemical instability of zinc anode caused by surface side reactions and irregular zinc deposition severely hinders the practical application of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). In this work, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, pentasodium salt (DTPA) was used as a novel electrolyte additive to modulate the electrochemical stability of Zn anode. The DTPA anion can strongly coordinate with Zn2+, thus enabling the formation of a unique large-size anion-enhanced solvation structure of electrolyte. In this, not only the generation of by-products on Zn anode can be effectively inhibited, but more importantly, the deposition kinetics of Zn2+ can be well regulated to induce even and stable zinc deposition. In addition, DTPA is more prone to chemically adsorbed on the surface of Zn anode than H2O, contributing to the resistance of electrochemical corrosion. Synergistically, the Zn anode demonstrates excellent cycling stability (3850 h at 1 mA cm−2, 1 mAh cm−2, and 500 h at 10 mA cm−2, 10 mAh cm−2), enhanced coulombic efficiency (99.83% upon 3500 cycles at 5 mA cm−2, 1 mAh cm−2), and high reversibility of 1050 h even at a stringent discharge depth of 80%. Particularly, the full cell assembled with NaV3O8·1·5H2O (NaVO) cathode can also operate stably for 1800 cycles at 2 A g−1 with a high capacity retain of 90.8%. This work may pave a new route to achieve high-performance AZIBs by regulating the deposition process of Zn2+ based on large-size anion-enhanced solvation structure of electrolyte.