DTPA Research Articles

Differential impacts of vaccine scandal by ethnic and socioeconomic factors: Evidence from China.

Widespread vaccination against important diseases plays a key role for global health security, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, building and maintaining trust in immunization services remains challenging because of doubts about quality and safety of vaccines. China has periodically faced mounting pressure and even public outrage triggered by incidents of poor-quality vaccines. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT) vaccine scandal of 2018 in China and the ensuing misinformation on vaccination, and investigate differential responses to the scandal by ethnic and socioeconomic factors. With data from January 2017 to December 2018 in Sichuan province, China, we used a difference-in-differences (DID) method to compare the changes in the county-level monthly DPT vaccinations against the hepatitis B vaccinations, both before and after the DPT vaccine scandal. We found that the number of DPT vaccinations decreased by 14.0 percent in response to the vaccine scandal and ensuing misinformation. The number of vaccinations in minority regions, under-developed regions, and regions with poor medical resources decreased more than in non-minority regions, developed regions, and regions with good medical resources (24.5 versus 10.1 percent, 17.3 versus 8.3 percent, and 17.0 versus 8.7 percent, respectively). People did more online searching for "Substandard vaccine" and "DPT vaccine" after the scandal, with the socioeconomically advantaged group searching more compared with the socioeconomically disadvantaged group. The results suggest the urgent need to make true information about the vaccine easily accessible over the internet, especially for the socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Our findings for China can also have implications for immunization service planning for better safeguarding public health in other countries, particularly developing ones.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate from the renal hypothermia trial: clinical implications.

To assess if estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can replace measured GFR (mGFR) in partial nephrectomy (PN) trials, using data from a randomised clinical trial. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the renal hypothermia trial. Patients underwent mGFR with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) plasma clearance preoperatively and 1 year after PN. The eGFR was calculated using the 2009 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) creatinine equations incorporating age and sex, with and without race: 2009 eGFRcr(ASR) and 2009 eGFRcr(AS), and the 2021 equation that only incorporates age and sex: 2021 eGFRcr(AS). Performance was evaluated by determining the median bias, precision (interquartile range [IQR] of median bias), and accuracy (percentage of eGFR within 30% of mGFR). Overall, 183 patients were included. Pre- and postoperative median bias and precision were similar between the 2009 eGFRcr(ASR) (-0.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 , 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.2 to 1.7, IQR 18.8; and -2.9, 95% CI -5.1 to -1.5, IQR 15, respectively) and 2009 eGFRcr(AS) (-0.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 , 95% CI -2.4 to 1.5, IQR 18.8; and -3.0, 95% CI -5.7 to -1.7, IQR 15.0, respectively). Bias and precision were worse for the 2021 eGFRcr(AS) (-8.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 , 95% CI-10.9 to -6.3, IQR 24.7; and -12.0, 95% CI -15.8 to -8.9, IQR 23.5, respectively). Similarly, pre- and postoperative accuracy was >90% for the 2009 eGFRcr(ASR) and 2009 eGFRcr(AS) equations. Accuracy was 78.6% preoperatively and 66.5% postoperatively for 2021 eGFRcr(AS). The 2009 eGFRcr(AS) can accurately estimate GFR in PN trials and could be used instead of mGFR to reduce cost and patient burden.

Prediction of the cadmium content in grains of low-accumulating wheat cultivars and soil cadmium threshold for safe production

Wheat cultivars with low cadmium (Cd) accumulation (WCCA-Cd) are widely used on Cd-contaminated farmland and can effectively reduce the grains Cd content to achieve the clean production in agriculture. However, there is a lack of soil Cd content thresholds specifically for the WCCA-Cd. To achieve safer production of wheat grains, a prediction model for WCCA-Cd was developed based on total Cd content in wheat grains (Grain-Cd) and soil factors using 379 soil‒wheat datasets from 10 field experiments in this research. The adaptability of the prediction model was tested using 312 pairs of data. Descriptive statistics (N = 379) showed that soil pH ranged from 4.28 to 8.76, the total Cd content in soil (Soil-Cd) ranged from 0.09 to 10.25 mg kg−1, and Grain-Cd ranged from 0.002 to 1.35 mg kg−1. Correlation analysis showed that Grain-Cd had a highly significant negative correlation with soil organic matter (SOM), soil pH, and soil conductivity (EC) and a highly significant positive correlation with Soil-Cd and Cd content in the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid extraction state (DTPA-Cd) (P < 0.001). The bioconcentration factor (BCF) decreased with increaseing soil pH. Both random forest and stepwise regression equations indicated that the most important factors affecting Cd bioeffectiveness were Soil-Cd and soil pH, explaining 80% of the variation in Grain-Cd. The prediction model indicated a soil Cd threshold (0.23–1.25 mg kg−1) for the safe production of WCCA-Cd at soil pH (4–9), which has a wider range of applicability compared with the Chinese Soil Safety Standards. Therefore, these results can quantify the grain Cd content of WCCA-Cd and guide the safe and clean production of WCCA-Cd on different Cd contaminated farmlands.

Knowledge, Propensity and Hesitancy among Pregnant Women in the Post-Pandemic Phase Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination: A Prevalence Survey in Southern Italy

The vaccination of pregnant women against influenza and COVID-19 may reduce the risk of severe illness in both the women of this population and their babies. Although the risks of non-vaccination are more serious than the side effects, maternal immunization is still the least-used method of prevention due to a lack of information leading to concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, resulting in a low prevalence rate among pregnant individuals. Our study investigates vaccination coverage and the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of COVID-19 in pregnant women at a university hospital. A questionnaire was created with the following three scores: a vaccination propensity score, a knowledge score and a hesitancy score. The first observation in the results was the very low number of immunized women (only 4.7% received their first dose). The main barrier towards vaccination was found to be fear of adverse events. We noticed a low percentage of influenza and diphtheria tetanus pertussis vaccination compared to other studies. Vaccination propensity was higher when healthcare workers educated their patients. As immunization is a crucial part of public health policy, measuring coverage to identify gaps and monitor trends, especially for individuals considered at high risk, and developing new strategies in order to increase awareness of vaccination during pregnancy is particularly timely and relevant.

Geochemical factors controlling the mobilization of geogenic cadmium in soils developed on carbonate bedrocks in Southwest China

Soils developed on carbonate bedrocks commonly contain high contents of geogenic cadmium (Cd). The bioavailability of Cd greatly varies among such soils and tends to be elevated in paddy soils compared to upland soils. However, the factors controlling the mobilization of geogenic Cd in paddy soils remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the processes and influencing factors of Cd mobilization in soils, by collecting upland soils and paddy soils from a carbonate region in Southwest China and analyzing the integrated soil properties and content, speciation and bioavailability of Cd. The results showed that the in-situ weathering of Cd-rich limestone (average of 0.66 mg/kg) resulted in the enrichment of Cd in overlying soils (4.75 to 13.2 mg/kg). Based on sequential extraction, ∼43%, 18% and 17% of Cd in paddy soils was retained by Mn oxides, Fe oxides and the residual fraction, respectively. Hence, the transformation of Mn oxides drove the redistribution of Cd. In the upper layers, Cd released from Mn oxides was sequestered by soil organic matter and carbonate. Based on extraction using diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), paddy soils presented a higher Cd bioavailability (27%) than upland soils (18%). Furthermore, both the bioavailability and mobility of Cd gradually increased toward the surface in the profiles. The bioavailability of Cd was significantly correlated with the content of soil organic matter in these soils, indicating that soil organic matter was another crucial factor controlling Cd mobilization in paddy soils. The outcomes of this study provided new evidence for understanding the mobilization of Cd in soils and are helpful for developing pollution-control strategies to combat geogenic Cd in paddy soils in carbonate regions.

Application of nanozero-valent iron to reduce toxicity and accumulation of chromium in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

In past decades, nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) has been proven to be a promising approach for remediation of contaminated soils. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nZVI on promoting plant growth and micronutrients uptake, reducing Cr availability in soil and rhizosphere as well as the accumulation and translocation of Cr in lettuce plant. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete design in factorial manner with three replications. The treatments consisted of three levels of Cr (0, 25, and 50 mg kg−1) and three levels of nZVI (0, 5, and 10%). The results showed that the diethylene triaminepentacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cr in the soil and rhizosphere soil decreased significantly with increasing nZVI levels. The nZVI application significantly enhanced the leaves, stems and roots biomass as well as Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu concentrations of leaves, whereas it reduced the Cr concentrations of plant tissues, bioaccumulation and translocation factor. These finding indicated that the applied nZVI levels did not exhibit inhibitory impact on the normal growth of plant but were effective in enhancing plant biomass and minimizing the Cr accumulation and translocation from the root to the edible parts of the lettuce plants.

Evaluation of Smear Layer Removal and Micro Hardness Alteration of Radicular Dentin after Using Various Chelating Agents - An Atomic Force Microscopic Study.

For endodontic therapy to be successful, the smear layer produced by the root canal instruments must be removed. The study's objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of radicular dentin microhardness modification and smear layer removal utilizing various chelating agents. Extracted human mandibular single-rooted premolar teeth were selected for the study. The specimens were sectioned to obtain a standard root length and, working length determination was done. Cleaning and shaping were done in all the samples till the size F3 (Protaper universal). Based on the chelating agents using samples were randomly divided into four groups, Group-I: Saline (negative control), Group-II: 17% EDTA (DeSmear, Ahmedabad, Gujarat) (positive control), Group-III: 0.2% Chitosan (Everest-Biotech, Bengaluru), Group-IV: 20% N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) (Sisco Research Laboratories, Mumbai), Group-V: 5% Pentetic acid (New Alliance Fine chem Pvt Ltd, Mumbai). All the samples were prepared for smear layer removal and surface roughness evaluation using an atomic force microscope. It was observed that significantly (P = 0.000) the mean roughness average was higher among group II EDTA (148 ± 8.5) followed by group III 0.2% Chitosan (92.5 ± 3.42), group IV 20% NAC (85.2 ± 2.17), and group V 5% Pentetic acid (73.3 ± 3.39) and least by group I Saline (59.3 ± 3.31). The highest smear layer removal was seen with group II (EDTA) followed by group III (0.2% Chitosan), group IV (20% NAC), and group V (Pentetic acid). All the chelating agents removed smear layer in coronal third, middle third whereas none of them were able to entirely eliminate from the apical third. Chitosan with smear layer removal capacity equal to EDTA with limited roughness can be considered as a valid alternative as final irrigant.

Evaluating Pertussis Immunity in School-Aged Children Post DPT Vaccination

Evaluating Pertussis Immunity in School-Aged Children Post DPT Vaccination

The Ultrasensitive Detection of Aflatoxin M1 Using Gold Nanoparticles Modified Electrode with Fe3+ as a Probe.

The increasing incidence of diseases caused by highly carcinogenic aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in food demands a simple, fast, and cost-effective detection technique capable of sensitively monitoring AFM1. Recent works predominantly focus on the electrochemical aptamer-based biosensor, which still faces challenges and high costs in experimentally identifying an efficient candidate aptamer. However, the direct electrochemical detection of AFM1 has been scarcely reported thus far. In this study, we observed a significant influence on the electrochemical signals of ferric ions at a gold nanoparticle-modified glassy carbon electrode (AuNPs/GCE) by adding varying amounts of AFM1. Utilizing ferricyanide as a sensitive indicator of AFM1, we have introduced a novel approach for detecting AFM1, achieving an unprecedentedly low detection limit of 1.6 × 10-21 g/L. Through monitoring the fluorescence quenching of AFM1 with Fe3+ addition, the interaction between them has been identified at a ratio of 1:936. Transient fluorescence analysis reveals that the fluorescence quenching process is predominantly static. It is interesting that the application of iron chelator diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) cannot prevent the interaction between AFM1 and Fe3+. With a particle size distribution analysis, it is suggested that a combination of AFM1 and Fe3+ occurs and forms a polymer-like aggregate. Nonetheless, the mutual reaction mechanism between AFM1 and Fe3+ remains unexplained and urgently necessitates unveiling. Finally, the developed sensor is successfully applied for the AFM1 test in real samples, fully meeting the detection requirements for milk.

Contribution of the Fenton reaction to the degradation of carbon nanotubes by enzymes

The widespread use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has raised concerns about the human health and ecological effects of CNTs released into the environment. Bacteria play an important role in bioremediation and waste treatment, and their enzymes are mostly responsible for the degradation of contaminants. However, there are still only a few reports about the bacterial degradation of CNTs, and evidence showing the involvement of bacterial enzymes in CNT degradation with their mechanisms has never been reported. The purpose of this study is to clarify whether CNTs can be degraded by bacterial enzymes. In this study, the degradation of oxidized (carboxylated) single-walled CNTs (O-SWCNTs) by mt2DyP, a dye-decolorizing peroxidase of Pseudomonas putida mt-2, a common soil bacterium, was investigated. After incubation of O-SWCNTs with recombinant mt2DyP and its substrate H2O2 for 30 d, the optical absorbance and Raman spectra revealed the degradation of O-SWCNTs. However, inactivation of the enzyme was observed within 60 min of the start of incubation, suggesting that the degradation of O-SWCNTs occurred nonenzymatically. The inactivation of mt2DyP was accompanied by the release of iron, the active center metal, and degradation of O-SWCNTs was significantly inhibited in the presence of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, a chelating agent, indicating that O-SWCNTs were degraded by the Fenton reaction with iron released from mt2DyP and H2O2. The same phenomenon was observed with P450, which is also a heme enzyme. Furthermore, we investigated the contribution of the Fenton reaction to the O-SWCNT degradation by horseradish peroxidase (HRP), which was reported to enzymatically and rapidly degrade O-SWCNTs. Our results revealed that the degradation of O-SWCNTs in the presence of HRP is also mainly due to the Fenton reaction, with negligible enzymatic degradation. This contradicts the report showing enzymatic degradation of O-SWCNTs by HRP but supports the subsequent report quantitatively showing very slow transformation of O-SWCNTs by HRP. The current results emphasize that the Fenton reaction, which has received little attention in CNT degradation by heme enzymes, must be taken into consideration and will contribute to the development of a simple disposal method for CNTs, utilizing the Fenton reaction with bacteria/bacterial enzymes and H2O2.

Combined effects of microplastics and cadmium on the soil-plant system: Phytotoxicity, Cd accumulation and microbial activity

Microplastics (MPs), an emerging pollutant of concern, widely cooccurred with heavy metals in soil, however, little is known about the combined effects of the interactions of MPs and cadmium (Cd) on the soil-plant system. In this study, the combined effects of several types of MPs and soil Cd contamination on Brassica juncea growth, Cd uptake, and soil microbial carbon metabolism were investigated in a 50-day pot experiment. Aged polyethylene (PE), aged polypropylene (PP), biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polylactic acid (PLA) displayed moderate phytotoxicity, with reductions in leaf chlorophyll content and shoot biomass. Compared with the control treatment without MPs or B. juncea, B. juncea growth significantly increased the soil pH by 0.3 pH units, and the growth of B. juncea in the presence of biodegradable PBAT or PLA MPs increased the soil pH by an additional 0.4 or 0.6 pH units, respectively. The presence of PBAT or PLA MPs greatly reduced soil diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cd concentrations and plant Cd accumulation. The Cd bioconcentration factor was higher in roots than shoots in all treatments except the treatment containing PBAT MPs. The average well color development (AWCD), an indicator of metabolic activity, was highest in the treatment with B. juncea alone and was reduced by both biodegradable and conventional MPs. The microbial utilization efficiency of esters and alcohols was enhanced in the treatment with PBAT MPs, whereas carboxylic acids were preferentially utilized in the treatment with PLA MPs. These findings indicate that co-exposure to MPs and Cd may alter soil microenvironmental characteristics such as soil pH, leading to changes in Cd bioavailability, plant growth and Cd accumulation, and the microbial community's capacity to metabolize carbon. These effects of MPs in soil warrant further exploration.

Investigation of the effect of diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid chelating agent as an enhanced oil recovery fluid on wettability alteration of sandstone rocks

This study used the diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-seawater (SW) system to modify the sandstone rock wettability and enhance oil recovery. The investigation involved conducting wettability measurement, Zeta potential measurement, and spontaneous imbibition experiment. The introduction of 5% DTPA-SW solution resulted in a significant decrease in the rock-oil contact angle from 143° to 23°, along with a reduction in the Zeta potential from −2.29 mV to −13.06 mV, thereby altering the rock surface charge and shifting its wettability from an oil-wet state to a strongly water-wet state. The presence or absence of potential determining ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42−) in the solution did not impact the effectiveness of DTPA in changing the rock wettability. However, by tripling the concentration of these ions in the solution, the performance of 5% DTPA-SW solution in changing wettability was impaired. Additionally, spontaneous imbibition tests demonstrated that the 5% DTPA-SW solution led to an increase in oil recovery up to 39.6%. Thus, the optimum mass fraction of DTPA for changing sandstone wettability was determined to be 5%.

Acute and chronic lung inflammation drives changes in epithelial glycans.

Asthma is the most common chronic inflammatory disease and it is characterized by leukocyte infiltration and tissue remodeling, with the latter generally referring to collagen deposition and epithelial hyperplasia. Changes in hyaluronin production have also been demonstrated, while mutations in fucosyltransferases reportedly limit asthmatic inflammation. Given the importance of glycans in cellular communication and to better characterize tissue glycosylation changes associated with asthma, we performed a comparative glycan analysis of normal and inflamed lungs from a selection of murine asthma models. We found that among other changes, the most consistent was an increase in fucose-α1,3-N-acetylglucosamine (Fuc-α1,3-GlcNAc) and fucose-α1,2-galactose (Fuc-α1,2-Gal) motifs. Increases in terminal galactose and N-glycan branching were also seen in some cases, whereas no overall change in O-GalNAc glycans was observed. Increased Muc5AC was found in acute but not chronic models, and only the more human-like triple antigen model yielded increased sulfated galactose motifs. We also found that human A549 airway epithelial cells stimulated in culture showed similar increases in Fuc-α1,2-Gal, terminal galactose (Gal), and sulfated Gal, and this matched transcriptional upregulation of the α1,2-fucosyltransferase Fut2 and the α1,3-fucosyltransferases Fut4 and Fut7. These data suggest that airway epithelial cells directly respond to allergens by increasing glycan fucosylation, a known modification important for the recruitment of eosinophils and neutrophils.

Effects of Chelating Agents Addition on Ryegrass Extraction of Cadmium and Lead in Artificially Contaminated Soil

This study investigated the removal of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) from the soil through phytoremediation using ryegrass combined with chelating agents. Soil leaching experiments were employed to determine the extraction efficiencies of chelating agents, including ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid (CA), sodium glutamate tetra acetate (GLDA), oxalic acid (OA), and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) on Cd and Pb. Soil pot experiments were conducted to determine the effects of five different chelating agents—GLDA, EDTA, DTPA, CA, and OA—on the growth of ryegrass and the enrichment of Cd and Pb. The main findings were as follows: (1) the extraction efficiencies for Cd and Pb in soil were found to be GLDA &gt; EDTA &gt; DTPA &gt; CA &gt; OA and EDTA &gt; DTPA &gt; GLDA &gt; CA &gt; OA, respectively. (2) The aminopolycarboxylic acid class of chelating agents significantly reduced Cd and Pb contents in the weak acid extractable and reducible states in the studied soil, yet were less effective in the extraction of their residue state. Using chelating agents increased the proportion of residual heavy metals while reducing those in the weak acid extractable and reducible states in the soil, thereby mitigating the harmful effects of these heavy metals on the soil ecology.

Fibroblast Activation Protein-Targeting Minibody-IRDye700DX for Ablation of the Cancer-Associated Fibroblast with Photodynamic Therapy.

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), expressed on cancer-associated fibroblasts, is a target for diagnosis and therapy in multiple tumour types. Strategies to systemically deplete FAP-expressing cells show efficacy; however, these induce toxicities, as FAP-expressing cells are found in normal tissues. FAP-targeted photodynamic therapy offers a solution, as it acts only locally and upon activation. Here, a FAP-binding minibody was conjugated to the chelator diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and the photosensitizer IRDye700DX (DTPA-700DX-MB). DTPA-700DX-MB showed efficient binding to FAP-overexpressing 3T3 murine fibroblasts (3T3-FAP) and induced the protein's dose-dependent cytotoxicity upon light exposure. Biodistribution of DTPA-700DX-MB in mice carrying either subcutaneous or orthotopic tumours of murine pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells (PDAC299) showed maximal tumour uptake of 111In-labelled DTPA-700DX-MB at 24 h post injection. Co-injection with an excess DTPA-700DX-MB reduced uptake, and autoradiography correlated with FAP expression in the stromal tumour region. Finally, in vivo therapeutic efficacy was determined in two simultaneous subcutaneous PDAC299 tumours; only one was treated with 690 nm light. Upregulation of an apoptosis marker was only observed in the treated tumours. In conclusion, DTPA-700DX-MB binds to FAP-expressing cells and targets PDAC299 tumours in mice with good signal-to-background ratios. Furthermore, the induced apoptosis indicates the feasibility of targeted depletion of FAP-expressing cells with photodynamic therapy.

Association between pertussis vaccination coverage and other sociodemographic factors and pertussis incidence using surveillance data

Routine vaccination with pertussis vaccines has been successful in driving down pertussis mortality and morbidity globally. Despite high vaccination coverage, countries such as Australia, USA, and UK have experienced increase in pertussis activity over the last few decades. This may be due to local pockets of low vaccination coverage that result in persistence of pertussis in the population and occasionally lead to large outbreaks. The objective of this study was to characterize the association between pertussis vaccination coverage and sociodemographic factors and pertussis incidence at the school district level in King County, Washington, USA. We used monthly pertussis incidence data for all ages reported to the Public Health Seattle and King County between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2017 to obtain school district level pertussis incidence. We obtained immunization data from the Washington State Immunization Information System to estimate school-district level vaccination coverage as proportion of 19–35 month old children fully vaccinated with ≥4 doses of the Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular-Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine in a school district. We used two methods to quantify the effects of vaccination coverage on pertussis incidence: an ecological vaccine model and an endemic–epidemic model. Even though the effect of vaccination is modeled differently in the two approaches, both models can be used to estimate the association between vaccination coverage and pertussis incidence. Using the ecological vaccine model, we estimated the vaccine effectiveness of 4 doses of Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular-Pertussis vaccine to be 83% (95% credible interval: 63%, 95%). In the endemic–epidemic model, under-vaccination was statistically significantly associated with epidemic risk of pertussis (adjusted Relative Risk, aRR: 2.76; 95% confidence interval: 1.44, 16.6). Household size and median income were statistically significantly associated with endemic pertussis risk. The endemic–epidemic model suffers from ecological bias, whereas the ecological vaccine model provides less biased and more interpretable estimates of epidemiological parameters, such as DTaP vaccine effectiveness, for each school district.

Growing maize while biological remediating a multiple metal-contaminated soil: a promising solution with the hyperaccumulator plant Sedum alfredii and the earthworm Amynthas morrisi

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of earthworm Amynthas morrisi on the metal bioaccumulation by two plant species, Sedum alfredii Hance (Sedum) and maize (Zea mays L.), in a co-cropping system and possible influencing pathways, and assess the remediation potential of all combination of these organisms to identify the best option. In this study, an eight-week microcosm experiment was conducted to investigate the main and interactive effects of the earthworm Amynthas morrisi, the hyperaccumulator plant Sedum alfredii Hance (Sedum), and maize (Zea mays L.) on C and N forms, and microbial characteristics and diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA) extractable metals of a soil heavily contaminated by multiple metals (i.e., Cd, Zn, Pb, and Cu). In addition, plant growth and metal accumulation were evaluated and the possible influencing pathways of metal accumulation by the two plant species were assessed. Finally, a remediation strategy was proposed based on the amounts of metals removed by sedum and maize. The soil quality index achieved after eight weeks of experiments, was best with Sedum, and worst in the control with no plants and no earthworms. A path analysis suggests that earthworms exerted strong effects on plant metal accumulation by changing plant growth, with soil microbes playing a mediating role. The association of Sedum and Maize significantly increased the Zn concentration and decreased the Pb and Cu concentrations in the aboveground parts of Sedum compared with Sedum alone, whereas Sedum decreased the Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu concentrations in the aboveground parts of maize compared with maize alone treatment. PCA showed that when maize was co-cropped with Sedum, metal transfer from its roots to the aboveground parts decreased. The Earthworm + Sedum + Maize treatment displayed the most effective Cd and Zn removal, indicating that the combined introduction of A. morrisi and S. alfredii can effectively remediate soils co-contaminated by Cd and Zn in maize cropping systems.

Co-planting alters plant iron deficiency in heavy metals contaminated soil amended with sludge

Heavy metals (HMs)-induced iron (Fe) deficiency severely inhibits plant growth and thus hampers phytoremediation and revegetation in HMs-contaminated soil. We conducted a 12-month pot experiment to investigate the effects and mechanisms of co-planting on altering plant HM-induced Fe deficiency. The landscape tree Ilex rotunda was co-planted with Ficus microcarpa and Talipariti tiliaceum in sludge-amended soil. The responses of I. rotunda growth, elements uptake, and rhizosphere microbial community and metabolites were analyzed. The addition of sludge increased cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) uptake and induced Fe deficiency-induced chlorosis in I. rotunda. This chlorosis was exacerbated when I. rotunda was co-planted with F. macrocarpa due to the increase in the abundance of sulfate reduction or Fe immobilization-associated bacteria and the relative level of isoprenyl alcohol and atropine in I. rotunda rhizosphere but the decrease in the contents of soil diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid Fe (DTPA-Fe) (−16.19 %). Co-planting with T. tiliaceum or F. macrocarpa and T. tiliaceum decreased the contents of total or DTPA Zn/Cd/Ni in the soil while increased the contents of soil DTPA-Fe by 13.24 % or 11.34 % and the abundance of microbes which contributed to immobilizing HMs or activating Fe reduction, and then alleviated the chlorosis and the growth inhibition of I. rotunda. These results provide a new perspective on the phytoremediation and revegetation of HMs-contaminated soil.

Spatial distribution and source apportionment of DTPA-extractable metals in soils surrounding the largest Serbian steel production plant

Despite presenting a practical approach for the characterization of the environmental risk of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) derived from steel production facilities, the analysis of the spatial distribution of bioavailable PTEs concentrations in the soil is frequently overlooked in the management of polluted sites. In this study, the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable forms of PTEs were investigated in soils surrounding the largest Serbian steel production plant. The correlation and geostatistical analysis indicated their pronounced variability suggesting the anthropogenic origin of most investigated elements, apparently from the steel production facility. The detailed visualization of variables and observations derived by self-organizing maps (SOMs) revealed the homologies in PTEs’ distribution patterns, implying the common origin of some elements. These observations were confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA) and positive matrix factorization (PMF). The аpplied approach supports a comprehensive assessment of contaminated sites' ecological and health risks and provides a basis for soil remediation.

백신 부작용과 국가책임

Vaccines remain an unstable and controversial technology in South Korean society, as evidenced by the adverse event debate during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. The Korean government's primary policy response to this has been to implement a comprehensive immunization compensation system that provides state-level compensation to those who experience harm, even if a direct causal link to vaccination cannot be proven. Although South Korea's immunization compensation system was enacted in 1994 and fully implemented in 1995, government, medical, and public debates surrounding it have been ongoing since the mass vaccination campaigns of Korea. This study examines how attempts to manage vaccine adverse events in Korea have been shaped by conflicts between government, medical professionals, and the public over vaccination, particularly over adverse events. At the same time, the technical limitations of each vaccine led to questions of safety, and these limitations shaped the public's perceptions of effectiveness and trust in individual vaccines. This study focuses on three of the most widely recognized vaccine-related adverse reactions: the typhoid vaccine of the 1960s, the DPT vaccine of the 1970s, and the Japanese encephalitis vaccine of the 1990s. These cases reveal that state-oriented disease control initiatives were not always successful in mobilizing the public and medical personnel unilaterally, but rather that there were various resistances and backlash, requiring detailed policies such as “no-fault” compensation systems to manage them. Furthermore, these cases suggest that for future systematic vaccine policy formulation, it is necessary to build a historical understanding of the technical limitations of individual vaccines and the experiences and responses to their adverse effects, rather than analyzing vaccine policy as a single entity.