Association Between Exposure to Pyrethroid Insecticides and Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in the General US Adult Population

Is exposure to pesticides associated with biological aging? A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Exposure to pesticides is a risk factor for various diseases, yet its association with biological aging remains unclear. We aimed to systematically investigate the relationship between pesticide exposure and biological aging.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched from inception to August 2023. Observational studies investigating the association between pesticide exposure and biomarkers of biological aging were included. Three-level random-effect meta-analysis was used to synthesize the data. Risk of bias was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Twenty studies evaluating the associations between pesticide exposure and biomarkers of biological aging in 10,368 individuals were included. Sixteen reported telomere length and four reported epigenetic clocks. Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant associations between pesticide exposure and the Hannum clock (pooled β = 0.27; 95 %CI: -0.25, 0.79), or telomere length (pooled Hedges'g = -0.46; 95 %CI: -1.10, 0.19). However, the opposite direction of effects for the two outcomes showed an indication of possible accelerated biological aging. After removal of influential effect sizes or low-quality studies, shorter telomere length was found in higher-exposed populations.

CONCLUSION

The existing evidence for associations between pesticide exposure and biological aging is limited due to the scarcity of studies on epigenetic clocks and the substantial heterogeneity across studies on telomere length. High-quality studies incorporating more biomarkers of biological aging, focusing more on active chemical ingredients of pesticides and accounting for potential confounders are needed to enhance our understanding of the impact of pesticides on biological aging.

Trends in cardiovascular health metrics and associations with long-term mortality among US adults with coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Our study examined the trends of cardiovascular health metrics in individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD) and their associations with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in the US.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The cohort study was conducted based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2018 and their linked mortality files (through 2019). Baseline CHD was defined as a composite of self-reported doctor-diagnosed coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and angina pectoris. Cardiovascular health metrics were assessed according to the American Heart Association recommendations. Long-term all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality were the primary outcomes. Survey-adjusted Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals for the associations between cardiovascular health metrics and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. The prevalence of one or fewer ideal cardiovascular health metrics increased from 14.15% to 22.79% (P < 0.001) in CHD, while the prevalence of more than four ideal cardiovascular health metrics decreased from 21.65% to 15.70 % (P < 0.001) from 1999 to 2018, respectively. Compared with CHD participants with one or fewer ideal cardiovascular health metrics, those with four or more ideal cardiovascular health metrics had a 35% lower risk (hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.51, 0.82) and a 44% lower risk (0.56; 0.38, 0.84) in all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Substantial declines were noted in ideal cardiovascular health metrics in US adults with CHD. A higher number of cardiovascular health metrics was associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in them.

Geriatric nutrition risk index in the prediction of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in older adults with hyperlipidemia: NHANES 1999-2018

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is linked to a higher risk of unfavorable outcomes in various illnesses. The present investigation explored the correlation between inadequate nutritional condition and outcomes in older individuals diagnosed with hyperlipidemia.

METHODS

The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) was used to evaluate the nutritional status. All patients were divided into two groups according to GNRI. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess the survival rates of different groups at risk of malnutrition. In addition, GNRI was used in COX proportional risk regression models to evaluate its predictive effect on both overall mortality and cardiovascular mortality among patients with hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, the study employed restricted cubic splines (RCS) to examine the nonlinear correlation between GNRI and mortality.

RESULTS

The study included 4,532 elderly individuals diagnosed with hyperlipidemia. During a median follow-up duration of 139 months, a total of 1498 deaths from all causes and 410 deaths from cardiovascular causes occurred. The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated significantly poorer survival among individuals at risk of malnutrition, as indicated by the GNRI. In the malnutrition risk group, the modified COX proportional hazards model revealed that a decrease in GNRI was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR=1.686, 95% CI 1.212-2.347) and cardiovascular mortality (HR=3.041, 95% CI 1.797-5.147). Furthermore, the restricted cubic splines revealed a non-linear association between GNRI and both all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality (p-value for non-linearity = 0.0039, p-value for non-linearity=0.0386).

CONCLUSIONS

In older patients with hyperlipidemia, lower levels of GNRI are associated with mortality. The GNRI could potentially be used to predict all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality.

Trends in poisoning associated with the use of insecticides for bed bug infestations: a 20-year retrospective study in France

Bed bugs are pervasive global pests that have reemerged in the last 20 years as a significant public health concern, especially in densely populated urban areas. Beyond financial losses, expenses, inconvenience, and psychological distress, bed bug infestations often necessitate chemical management, posing poisoning risks to those with an infestation. The French Poison Control Centers recorded 1056 cases of exposure to bed bug insecticide products between 1999 and 2021. This study followed cases over 2007-2021, with a notable surge in reports of adverse reactions from 2016 onwards. Data revealed an increased recurrent misuse of insecticides, including substances banned or not approved for this use. Our findings underscore the growing public reliance on chemical insecticides for home bed bug management. With this is the concern of increased poisoning risks, and potential long-term health consequences from non-professional efforts by the public to manage bed bugs in their homes. This escalating trend emphasizes the need for safer and more sustainable pest management strategies in urban environments.

Overview of deltamethrin residues and toxic effects in the global environment

Pyrethroids are synthetic organic insecticides. Deltamethrin, as one of the pyrethroids, has high insecticidal activity against pests and parasites and is less toxic to mammals, and is widely used in cities and urban areas worldwide. After entering the natural environment, deltamethrin circulates between solid, liquid and gas phases and enters organisms through the food chain, posing significant health risks. Increasing evidence has shown that deltamethrin has varying degrees of toxicity to a variety of organisms. This review summarized worldwide studies of deltamethrin residues in different media and found that deltamethrin is widely detected in a range of environments (including soil, water, sediment, and air) and organisms. In addition, the metabolism of deltamethrin, including metabolites and enzymes, was discussed. This review shed the mechanism of toxicity of deltamethrin and its metabolites, including neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption toxicity, reproductive toxicity, hepatorenal toxicity. This review is aim to provide reference for the ecological security and human health risk assessment of deltamethrin.

Circulating Selenium Level Was Positively Related to Visceral Adiposity Index with a Non-linear Trend: a Nationwide Study of the General Population

Selenium plays a role in obesity. However, whether circulating selenium levels are related to the visceral adiposity index (VAI), an indicator of obesity, is still unknown. Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018, data from 12,777 individuals aged ≥ 20 years were analyzed to clarify this question. In fully adjusted models of multivariate regression analysis, natural logarithm (Ln) selenium was positively related to Ln VAI (β = 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27, 0.55; P < 0.001). Compared with the lowest quartile of Ln selenium, the highest quartile was also positively associated with Ln VAI (β = 0.16; 95% CI, 0.11, 0.21; P < 0.001). Moreover, we found that this positive connection was non-linear. When Ln selenium was less than the inflection point, Ln selenium was positively related to Ln VAI (β = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.31, 0.52; P < 0.001). However, when Ln selenium was greater than or equal to the inflection point, Ln selenium was not significantly related to Ln VAI (β = -0.15; 95% CI, -0.56, 0.25; P = 0.455). In subgroup analysis, significant interactions were observed with age and sex (P for interaction < 0.05). Stronger interactions were observed among middle-aged participants (β = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.31, 0.98; P = 0.002) and males (β = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.43, 0.79; P < 0.001). Overall, circulating selenium levels were positively related to VAI, with a non-linear trend. Prospective studies and interventional experiments are necessary to verify the possible mechanisms.

Atherogenic Index of Plasma as a Mediator in the association between Body Roundness Index and Depression: insights from NHANES 2005-2018

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown a correlation between depression and obesity, as well as between depression and the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP). However, there is limited research on the association between visceral obesity and depression, as well as the potential mediating role of AIP in this relationship.

METHODS

This study included 13,123 participants from the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Visceral obesity was measured with the Body Roundness Index (BRI), while depression was evaluated with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The AIP served as a marker for lipid disorders. To investigate the association between the BRI and depression, multivariate logistic regressions, restricted cubic spline models, subgroup analyses, and interaction tests were used. Additionally, a mediation analysis was conducted to explore the role of AIP in mediating the effect of BRI on depression.

RESULTS

There was a positive linear correlation between the BRI and depression. After controlling for all covariates, individuals in the highest BRI (Q4) group had an OR of 1.42 for depression (95% CI: 1.12-1.82) in comparison with individuals in the lowest BRI (Q1) group. Moreover, the AIP partially mediated the association between the BRI and depression, accounting for approximately 8.64% (95% CI: 2.04-16.00%) of the total effect.

CONCLUSION

The BRI was positively associated with depression, with the AIP playing a mediating role. This study provides a novel perspective on the mechanism that connects visceral obesity to depression. Managing visceral fat and monitoring AIP levels may contribute to alleviating depression.

Determination of pesticide residues in urine by chromatography-mass spectrometry: methods and applications

Introduction

Pollution has emerged as a significant threat to humanity, necessitating a thorough evaluation of its impacts. As a result, various methods for human biomonitoring have been proposed as vital tools for assessing, managing, and mitigating exposure risks. Among these methods, urine stands out as the most commonly analyzed biological sample and the primary matrix for biomonitoring studies.

Objectives

This review concentrates on exploring the literature concerning residual pesticide determination in urine, utilizing liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and its practical applications.

Method

The examination focused on methods developed since 2010. Additionally, applications reported between 2015 and 2022 were thoroughly reviewed, utilizing Web of Science as a primary resource.

Synthesis

Recent advancements in chromatography-mass spectrometry technology have significantly enhanced the development of multi-residue methods. These determinations are now capable of simultaneously detecting numerous pesticide residues from various chemical and use classes. Furthermore, these methods encompass analytes from a variety of environmental contaminants, offering a comprehensive approach to biomonitoring. These methodologies have been employed across diverse perspectives, including toxicological studies, assessing pesticide exposure in the general population, occupational exposure among farmers, pest control workers, horticulturists, and florists, as well as investigating consequences during pregnancy and childhood, neurodevelopmental impacts, and reproductive disorders.

Future directions

Such strategies were essential in examining the health risks associated with exposure to complex mixtures, including pesticides and other relevant compounds, thereby painting a broader and more accurate picture of human exposure. Moreover, the implementation of integrated strategies, involving international research initiatives and biomonitoring programs, is crucial to optimize resource utilization, enhancing efficiency in health risk assessment.

A prospective cohort study of exposure to household pesticide with cardiovascular diseases mortality in older adults

OBJECTIVES

We examined the associations of self-reported exposures, and urinary metabolites related to household pesticide with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in older adults based on the 2007 to 2014 waves of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

METHODS

Information on application and urinary metabolites related to household pesticide exposure were collected. We estimated the risks of household pesticide exposure, urinary metabolites with subsequent incident CVD death using Cox proportional hazards regression models. The indirect effects of urinary metabolites and effect modifications were examined.

RESULTS

The participants who reported exposure to household pesticide had a higher risk of incident CVD death (adjusted HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.81). Per 1-log10 increase in urinary N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) related to household insect repellents was associated with a higher risk of incident CVD death (adjusted HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.40). Urinary DEET explained 4.21% of the total association between household pesticide exposure and CVD death risk. The participants who persisted a low level of health diet exhibited pronounced CVD death risks with household pesticide exposures.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to household pesticide, especially household insect repellents, was consistently associated with an elevated CVD death risk in older adults. A heatlhy diet could partly attenuate the associations.

Exposure to the pesticide tefluthrin causes developmental neurotoxicity in zebrafish

BACKGROUND

The insecticide tefluthrin is widely used in agriculture, resulting in widespread pollution. Tefluthrin is a type I pyrethroid characterized by its high persistence in the environment. Understanding the mechanisms of toxicity of tefluthrin will improve its risk assessment.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to decipher the molecular modes of action of tefluthrin.

METHODS

Phenotypic developmental toxicity was assessed by exposing zebrafish embryos and larvae to increasing concentrations of tefluthrin. Tg(mnx:mGFP) line was used to assess neurotoxicity. Multi-omics approaches including transcriptomics and lipidomics were applied to analyze RNA and lipid contents, respectively. Finally, an in-silico ligand-protein docking computational method was used to study a possible interaction between tefluthrin and a protein target.

RESULTS

Tefluthrin exposure caused severe morphological malformations in zebrafish larvae, including motor neuron abnormalities. The differentially expressed genes were associated with neurotoxicity and metabolic disruption. Lipidomics analysis revealed a disruption in fatty acid, phospholipid, and lysophospholipid recycling. Protein docking modeling suggested that the LPCAT3 enzyme, which recycles lysophospholipids in the Land's cycle, directly interacts with tefluthrin.

CONCLUSIONS

Tefluthrin exposure causes morphological and neuronal malformations in zebrafish larvae at nanomolar concentrations. Multi-omics results revealed a potential molecular initiating event i.e., inhibition of LPCAT3, and key events i.e., an altered lysophospholipid to phospholipid ratio, leading to the adverse outcomes of neurotoxicity and metabolic disruption.

Associations of dichlorophenols, trichlorophenols, and ortho-phenylphenol with the risk and prognosis of diabetes and prediabetes: A population-based study

2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,5-DCP, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP), 2,4,6-TCP, and ortho-phenylphenol (OPP) are widely present in the environment. However, their associations with risk and prognosis of diabetes and prediabetes remains unclear. We investigated the associations of these five phenols with the risk of diabetes and prediabetes, and with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, in adults with diabetes or prediabetes (n=6419). Information on diabetes and prediabetes indicators, and mortality data was collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Logistic and Cox regression models were used to explore the associations of the five phenols with risk and prognosis of diabetes and prediabetes. Participants in the highest urinary 2,4-DCP and 2,5-DCP tertiles had higher odds of diabetes [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.34, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.10, 1.62; aOR, 1.29, 95 % CI: 1.07, 1.56, respectively] than those in the lowest tertiles. Participants with urinary OPP concentrations above the limit of detection (LOD), but below median had an aOR of 1.25 (95 % CI: 1.08, 1.46) for prediabetes compared to those with concentrations below the LOD. In adults with diabetes, the highest 2,4-DCP and 2,5-DCP tertiles were associated with all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.49; 95 % CI: 1.08, 2.06; aHR, 1.49; 95 % CI: 1.08, 2.05, respectively] and CVD mortality (aHR, 2.58; 95 % CI: 1.33, 4.97; aHR, 1.96; 95 % CI: 1.06, 3.60, respectively) compared with the lowest tertiles. Compared with 2,4,5-TCP concentrations below the LOD, those above median were associated with all-cause mortality (aHR: 1.75; 95 % CI: 1.24, 2.48) and CVD mortality (aHR: 2.34; 95 % CI: 1.19, 4.63) in adults with prediabetes. Furthermore, the associations between these phenols and mortality were strengthened in some subgroups. Environmental exposure to 2,4-DCP, 2,5-DCP, 2,4,5-TCP, and OPP increases the risk or adverse prognosis of diabetes or prediabetes in adults in the US. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.

The Relationship of Waist Circumference with the Morbidity of Cardiovascular Diseases and All-Cause Mortality in Metabolically Healthy Individuals: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background

This study explores the relationship between waist circumference and morbidity of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and all-cause mortality in metabolically healthy individuals.

Methods

A cohort of 5775 metabolically healthy participants from the 2001-2014 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and National Death Index database was tracked over a median period of 81 months. These participants were divided into quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) based on increasing waist circumference. To compensate for missing covariates, multivariate multiple imputation methods were used. Adjusted logistic regression models were employed to examine the correlation between waist circumference and cardiovascular disease prevalence. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox regression analysis were utilized to evaluate the association between waist circumference and all-cause mortality, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Results

The adjusted logistic regression model indicated that a 10 cm increase in waist circumference was associated with a 1.45 times higher prevalence of CVD. As a categorical variable, there was a significant upward trend in CVD incidence across quartiles of waist circumference. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 2.41 (1.13-5.53) for Q2, 2.65 (1.18-6.39) for Q3, and 2.53 (0.9-7.44) for Q4, compared to Q1. Notably, individuals with high waist circumference showed significantly poorer survival compared to those with low waist circumference (p = 0.008). The Cox regression analysis revealed that each 10 cm increase in waist circumference contributed to an ~8% increase in all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

This study underscores a positive correlation between waist circumference and both CVD morbidity and all-cause mortality in metabolically healthy individuals. The findings highlight the significance of routinely monitoring waist circumference for effective CVD risk management, regardless of metabolic health status.

Nonlinear dose-response association of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity with hyperuricemia in US adults: NHANES 2007-2018

BACKGROUND

The relationship between physical activity and hyperuricemia (HUA) remains inconsistent, and the dose-response association between moderate-to- vigorous physical activity (MVPA) level and HUA still unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the dose-response association of MVPA with HUA, and to explore an appropriate range of MVPA level for preventing HUA.

METHODS

Data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018 were used, including 28740 non-gout adult Americans. MVPA level was self-reported using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and serum uric acid was measured using timed endpoint method. The dose-response relationship between MVPA level and HUA was modeled with restricted cubic spline analysis. Logistic regression analysis were applied to estimate odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the relationships between MVPA level and HUA.

RESULTS

A total of 28740 adults were included in the study (weighted mean age, 47.3 years; 46.5% men), with a prevalence rate of HUA was 17.6%. The restricted cubic spline functions depicted a general U-shaped relationship between MVPA level and HUA. The MVPA level of 933 and 3423 metabolic equivalent (MET) -min/wk were the cut-off discriminating for the risk of HUA. Participants with MVPA levels in the range of 933-3423 MET-min/wk had lower risk of HUA and they had the lowest risk when MVPA levels at around 1556 MET-min/wk. Compared with the moderate-activity group (600-2999 Met-min/wk), the low-activity group (< 600 Met-min/wk) had a greater risk of HUA (OR, 1.13 [95%CI, 1.02-1.26]) after fully adjusting for potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the moderate MVPA level, the low MVPA level was associated with the higher risk of HUA. And there may be a U-shaped dose-response relationship between MVPA level and HUA. When MVPA level was approximately 933-3423 MET-min/wk, the risk of HUA may at a lower level and the risk reached the lowest when MVPA level at around 1556 MET-min/wk.

Placental transcriptome variation associated with season, location, and urinary prenatal pyrethroid metabolites of Thai farm-working women

Prenatal exposure to pyrethroids is linked to adverse health effects in early life and proper placental function is critical to fetal development. This study explores the impact of prenatal pyrethroid exposure, as well as factors impacting exposure and effect, on the placental transcriptome, to understand pyrethroid exposures' relationship to placental function. The study of Asian Women and their Offspring's Development and Environmental Exposures (SAWASDEE) recruited pregnant farm-working women from two agricultural districts in the Chiang Mai province of Thailand between 2017 and 2019. This cohort was predominantly exposed to cypermethrin (type II), alongside pyrethroids such as cyfluthrin (type II) and permethrin (type I). In 253 participants, maternal urinary pyrethroid metabolites, 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (PBA), cis-3-(2,2-Dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (CDCCA), and trans-3-(2,2-Dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (TDCCA) were measured in early, middle, and late pregnancy and adjusted for urinary creatinine. The placental transcriptome was analyzed using RNA-Seq. Using generalized linear regression, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with the sum of each metabolite across pregnancy, as well as those associated with location of residence and season of birth. Pathway and upstream transcription factor analyses were performed to examine potential mechanisms associated with DEGs. Notably, TDCCA and CDCCA levels peaked in late pregnancy, with significant regional differences, particularly higher levels in the Fang region. Placental gene expression analysis showed no DEGs associated with individual metabolites at FDR<0.05. However, 251 DEGs by location, implicating immune response and oxidative phosphorylation pathways, were identified, while season of birth was associated with 2585 DEGs, over-represented in fibrosis signaling and metabolism pathways. Finally, transcription factor analysis identified 226 and 282 transcription factors associated with location and season, respectively, related to cell proliferation, differentiation, and the immune system. These alterations may have significant implications for fetal development and other pathologic processes, highlighting the importance of monitoring environmental exposures during pregnancy.

In vivo tebuconazole administration impairs heart electrical function and facilitates the occurrence of dobutamine-induced arrhythmias: involvement of reactive oxygen species

Tebuconazole (TEB), a widely used pesticide in agriculture to combat fungal infections, is commonly detected in global food, potable water, groundwater, and human urine samples. Despite its known in vivo toxicity, its impact on heart function remains unclear. In a 28-day study on male Wistar rats (approximately 100 g), administering 10 mg/kg/day TEB or a vehicle (control) revealed no effect on body weight gain or heart weight, but an increase in the infarct area in TEB-treated animals. Notably, TEB induced time-dependent changes in in vivo electrocardiograms, particularly prolonging the QT interval after 28 days of administration. Isolated left ventricular cardiomyocytes exposed to TEB exhibited lengthened action potentials and reduced transient outward potassium current. TEB also increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in these cardiomyocytes, a phenomenon reversed by N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Furthermore, TEB-treated animals, when subjected to an in vivo dobutamine (Dob) and caffeine (Caf) challenge, displayed heightened susceptibility to severe arrhythmias, a phenotype prevented by NAC. In conclusion, TEB at the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) dose adversely affects heart electrical function, increases arrhythmic susceptibility, partially through ROS overproduction, and this phenotype is reversible by scavenging ROS with NAC.

Association Between Whole Blood Selenium Levels and Triglyceride-to-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio Among the General Population

Our study aimed to examine whether whole blood selenium (WBSe) levels are related to the triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio among the general population. A total of 13,470 adults were included and analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018. In multivariable analyses, LnWBSe levels were significantly related to Ln(TG/HDL-C) ratio in fully adjusted model (β = 0.35; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22, 0.48; P < 0.001). Furthermore, the highest quartile of LnWBSe levels was positively correlated with Ln(TG/HDL-C) ratio compared with the lowest quartile (β = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.20; P for trend < 0.001). In the dose-response analyses, the correlation was non-linear. While LnWBSe levels < 1.10, LnWBSe levels were positively related to Ln(TG/HDL-C) ratio (β = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.50; P < 0.001), whereas LnWBSe levels ≥ 1.10, the relationship was not significantly (β =  - 0.20; 95% CI: - 0.54, 0.13; P = 0.228). The interaction test was significant for age, sex, total cholesterol (TC), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (all P for interaction < 0.05). Overall, WBSe levels were positively related to TG/HDL-C ratio, with a non-linear trend. Further research is required to determine these underlying mechanisms.

The Effect of Social Norms on Residential Insecticide Use

Insecticide products are widely used in homes around the world, despite concerns about their adverse health effects. Variations in insecticide use levels can stem not only from differences in environmental conditions, but also from societal factors. This study investigates the impact of religiosity on insecticide use in Jewish households, hypothesizing that religious families might use more insecticides because insects are considered taboo in Judaism. Data from interviews with 70 families, examining their insecticide use, exposure to pests, aversion to cockroaches, and other predisposing factors, revealed that despite similar levels of pest exposure, religious families reported higher insecticide use and greater aversion to cockroaches. Multiple linear regression analysis identified religiosity as the primary predictor of insecticide use, followed by pest exposure levels. The elevated insecticide use among religious Jewish families may stem from several factors, with the Jewish categorization of insects as "impure animals" that should be strictly avoided likely playing a crucial role in promoting insecticide use. Understanding how attitudes toward insects influence insecticide use across different societies is crucial for health and environmental authorities to develop novel insecticide-reduction initiatives that will be tailored to the unique social characteristics of various communities.

The agreement of low lean mass with obesity using different definitions and its correlation with hyperuricemia

Background

The agreement on the identification of sarcopenic obesity remains elusive, and its association with hyperuricemia remains unestablished. This study sought to evaluate the agreement of low lean mass (LLM) with obesity and its correlation with hyperuricemia.

Methods

A total of 25,252 study participants, comprising 4,597 individuals with hyperuricemia, were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning the years 1999-2006 and 2011-2018. LLM with obesity was characterized by the coexistence of LLM, determined by the ratio of appendicular lean mass to body mass index (BMI), and three categories of obesity including BMI, body fat percentage (BF%), and waist circumference (WC). We employed Cohen's kappa to evaluate the agreement among the different diagnostic criteria and implemented survey multiple logistic regression and stratified analyses to explicate the connection between LLM with obesity and the risk of hyperuricemia.

Results

When defining obesity using BF%, BMI, and WC, the prevalence of LLM with obesity varied from 6.6 to 10.1%, with moderate-to-strong agreement. In the fully adjusted model, individuals with LLM or any of the three types of obesity exhibited notably elevated odds of developing hyperuricemia. Likewise, participants with LLM and obesity had 2.70 (LLM + BMI), 2.44 (LLM + BF%), and 3.12 (LLM + WC) times the risk of hyperuricemia, respectively, compared with healthy individuals. The association between LLM with obesity and hyperuricemia remained stable and significant across different age and sex subgroups.

Conclusion

When employing the three definitions of obesity, the incidence of LLM with obesity was not high, and the diagnostic agreement was relatively good. The participants with LLM and obesity exhibited an increased risk of hyperuricemia.

The Circulating Selenium Concentration Is Positively Related to the Lipid Accumulation Product: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

The lipid accumulation product (LAP) is a reliable marker of metabolic syndrome, which includes conditions like obesity. However, the correlation between the circulating selenium (CSe) concentration and the LAP is currently unclear. This study aimed to ascertain this correlation. Overall, 12,815 adults aged ≥20 years were enrolled in this study. After adjusting for all the confounding variables, CSe was positively correlated to the LAP (β = 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28, 0.54; p < 0.001). Compared with the lowest quartile of CSe, the highest quartile of CSe was positively related to the LAP (β = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.21; p < 0.001). Moreover, the correlation between CSe and the LAP revealed a positive non-linear trend. In the subgroup analysis, interaction effects were observed for age, sex, smoking, and stroke (p for interaction < 0.05). The effects were stronger for males (β = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.80; p < 0.001) and individuals who smoke at the time of the trial (β = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.91; p < 0.001). In conclusion, our results indicated that CSe was positively correlated with the LAP in a non-linear manner. Future research is warranted to explore their relationship and better understand the mechanisms underlying this association.

Association between 19 medication use and risk of common cancers: A cross-sectional and Mendelian randomisation study

Background

Previous studies have yielded inconsistent results concerning drug use and the risk of cancers. We conducted a large-scale cross-sectional study and a two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) study to reveal the causal effect between the use of 19 medications and the risk of four common cancers (breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate).

Methods

We obtained information on medication use and cancer diagnosis from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants. After propensity score matching, we conducted survey-weighted multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analysis to assess the observed correlation between medication use and cancer while adjusting for multiple covariates. We also performed MR analysis to investigate causality based on summary data from genome-wide association studies on medication use and cancers. We performed sensitivity analyses, replication analysis, genetic correlation analysis, and reverse MR analysis to improve the reliability of MR findings.

Results

We found that the use of agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system was associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.27-0.63, P < 0.001), and there was a nonlinear association of 'decrease-to-increase-to-decrease' (P < 0.0001). The random-effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) model-based primary MR analysis (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.91-0.97, P = 0.0007) and replication MR analysis (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.85-0.96, P = 0.0006) both provided robust evidence of the causality of genetic liability for the use of agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system on a decreased risk of prostate cancer.

Conclusions

Our study provides robust evidence that the use of drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system can reduce prostate cancer risk. Given the high prevalence of prostate cancer, these findings have important implications for drug selection and prostate cancer prevention in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Maternal exposure to deltamethrin during pregnancy and lactation impairs neurodevelopment of male offspring

Deltamethrin (DM) is a highly effective and widely used pyrethroid pesticide. It is an environmental factor affecting public and occupational health and exerts direct toxic effects on the central nervous system. As the major target organs for neurotoxicity of DM, the hippocampus and the cerebellum are critical to the learning and motor function. Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups and gavaged at doses of 0, 1, 4or 10 mg/kg/d DM from gestational day (GD) 0 to postnatal day (PN) 21. The PC12 cells were selected to further verify the regulatory mechanisms of DM on the neurodevelopmental injury. We found that maternal exposure to DM caused learning, memory and motor dysfunction in male offspring. Maternal exposure to DM induced the decrease in the density of hippocampal dendritic spines in male offspring through the reduced expression of M1 mAchRs, which in turn reduced the mediated AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, contributing to the inhibition of dynamic changes of GluA1. Meanwhile, DM exposure inhibited the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway, thereby reducing phosphorylation of stathmin and impairing cerebellar purkinje cell dendrite growth and development. Taken together, maternal exposure to DM during pregnancy and lactation could impair neurodevelopment of male offspring.

Associations of pyrethroid exposure with bone mineral density and osteopenia in adults

INTRODUCTION

This study was to investigate the correlations between pyrethroid exposure and bone mineral density (BMD) and osteopenia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 1389 participants over 50 years of age drawn from the 2007-2010 and 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Three pyrethroid metabolites, 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (trans-DCCA), and 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid (4-F-3PBA) were used as indicators of pyrethroid exposure. Low BMD was defined as T-score < - 1.0, including osteopenia. Weighted multivariable linear regression analysis or logistic regression analysis was utilized to evaluate the correlation between pyrethroid exposure and BMD and low BMD. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was utilized to analyze the correlation between pyrethroids mixed exposure and low BMD.

RESULTS

There were 648 (48.41%) patients with low BMD. In individual pyrethroid metabolite analysis, both tertile 2 and tertile 3 of trans-DCCA were negatively related to total femur, femur neck, and total spine BMD [coefficient (β) = - 0.041 to - 0.028; all P < 0.05]. Both tertile 2 and tertile 3 of 4-F-3PBA were negatively related to total femur BMD (P < 0.05). Only tertile 2 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.48] and tertile 3 (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.10, 2.50) of trans-DCCA was correlated with an increased risk of low BMD. The BKMR analysis indicated that there was a positive tendency between mixed pyrethroids exposure and low BMD.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, pyrethroids exposure was negatively correlated with BMD levels, and the associations of pyrethroids with BMD and low BMD varied by specific pyrethroids, pyrethroid concentrations, and bone sites.

Association between blood volatile organic aromatic compound concentrations and hearing loss in US adults

OBJECTIVE

Benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene, collectively referred to as benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BEX), constitute the main components of volatile organic aromatic compounds (VOACs) and can have adverse effects on human health. The relationship between exposure to BEX and hearing loss (HL) in the adult U.S. population was aimed to be assessed.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2003-2004, 2011-2012, and 2015-2016 were analyzed. This dataset included complete demographic characteristics, pure-tone audiometry measurements, and volatile organic compound detection data from the NHANES database. A weighted multivariate logistic regression model was employed to investigate the associations between blood BEX concentrations HL, low-frequency hearing loss (SFHL), and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL).

RESULTS

2174 participants were included, with weighted prevalence rates of HL, SFHL, and HFHL being 46.81%, 25.23%, and 45.86%, respectively. Exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene, and cumulative BEX concentrations increased the risk of hearing loss (odds ratios [ORs] were 1.36, 1.22, 1.42, 1.23, and 1.31, respectively; all P < 0.05). In the analysis with SFHL as the outcome, ethylbenzene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, benzene, and overall BEX increased the risk (OR 1.26, 1.21, 1.28, 1.20, and 1.25, respectively; all P < 0.05). For HFHL, exposure to ethylbenzene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, benzene, and overall BEX increased the risk (OR 1.36, 1.22, 1.42, 1.22, and 1.31, respectively; all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated that a positive correlation between individual or cumulative exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene and the risk of HL, SFHL, and HFHL. Further research is imperative to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms by which organic compounds, notably BEX, in causing hearing loss and to validate these findings in longitudinal environmental studies.

FRET-Based Host-Guest Supramolecular Probe for On-Site and Broad-Spectrum Detection of Pyrethroids in the Environment

The massive use of pyrethroid pesticides in agriculture has brought growing concerns about food safety due to their several harmful effects on human health, especially through the accumulation of the food chain. To date, most of the available analytical methods for pyrethroids still suffer from insufficient detection universality, complicated sample pretreatment, and detection processes, which severely limit their practical applications. Herein, a novel Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-assisted host-guest supramolecular nanoassembly is reported, for the first time, successfully realizing ratiometric fluorescent detection of pyrethroids in real samples through the indicator displacement assay (IDA) mechanism. This method is capable of detecting a broad spectrum of pyrethroids, including bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, etofenprox, fenvalerate, and permethrin, with ultrahigh detection sensitivity, great selectivity, high anti-interference ability, and, in particular, distinct emission color response from red to green. Such a large chromatic response makes this method available for fast and on-site detection of pyrethroids in real samples with the aid of several simple portable analytical apparatuses.

Dietary Predictors of Urinary Biomarkers of Pyrethroids in the General Population - A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Pyrethroid pesticides are ubiquitous environmental contaminants, contributing to chronic and potentially harmful exposure among the general population. Although studies have measured pesticide residues on agricultural products, the link between food intake and concentrations of pyrethroid biomarkers in urine remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aims to analyze peer-reviewed publications investigating dietary predictors of pyrethroid exposure through urinary biomarkers. We assess existing evidence, identify research gaps, and highlight current limitations.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search using PubMed and Google Scholar. Eligible studies examined associations between diets, food items or dietary components, and measured urinary pyrethroid biomarkers. No geographical restriction was applied to our search. Results were summarized in themes referring to study characteristics, relevant outcomes, biomarker measurement, dietary assessment and statistical analyses.

RESULTS

We identified 20 relevant articles. Most studies presented evidence on associations between the consumption of organic diets or food items and reduced concentrations of 3-phenobenzoic acid metabolites in urine. There was less evidence for diet affecting other pyrethroid-specific biomarkers. Dietary assessment methodologies and recall periods varied, as did the number and timing of urine collections. Many studies did not control for potential alternative pyrethroid sources, exposure to other pesticides, or demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.

CONCLUSION

Researchers should consider standardized dietary assessment, chemical analyses of foods consumed, adequate recall time, and food preparation methods. Consistency in biomarker measurement, including urine collection time and corrections for specific gravity or creatinine, is needed. Ensuring the validity of such studies also requires larger samples and appropriate control for confounders.

An updated status of currently used pesticides in India: Human dietary exposure from an Indian food basket

Currently used pesticides (CUPs) were introduced to have lower persistence and bioaccumulation, and lesser bioavailability towards non-target species. Nevertheless, CUPs still represent a concern for both human health and the environment. India is an important agricultural country experiencing a conversion from the use of obsolete organochlorine pesticides to a newer generation of phytosanitary products. As for other developing countries, very little is known about the transfer of CUPs to the human diet in India, where systematic monitoring is not in place. In this study, we analyzed ninety four CUPs and detected thirty CUPs in several food products belonging to five types: cereals and pulses, vegetables, fruits, animal-based foods, and water. Samples were taken from markets in Delhi (aggregating food produced all over India) and in the periurban area of Dehradun (northern India) (representing food produced locally and through more traditional practices). Overall, chlorpyrifos and chlorpropham were the most detected CUPs with a detection frequency of 33% and 25%, respectively. Except for vegetables and fruits, the levels of CUPs in all other food types were significantly higher in samples from Delhi (p < 0.05). Exposure dosage of CUPs through different food matrices was calculated, and chlorpropham detected in potatoes had the maximum exposure dosage to humans (2.46 × 10-6 mg/kg/day). Risk analysis based on the hazard quotient technique indicated that chlorpyrifos in rice (2.76 × 10-2) can be a concern.

Ratio of waist circumference to body mass index: A novel predictor of clinical outcome in hypertension patients

We aim to investigate the influence of waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) on all-cause death and cardiovascular-specific death in patients with hypertension. This prospective cohort study, based on waist circumference and body mass index measurements in patients with hypertension, provided risk estimates of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. The waist circumference-to-BMI ratio (WtBR) is an anthropometric measure integrating waist circumference and BMI. We utilized multivariable Cox regression analysis, restricted cubic spline model, Kaplan-Meier plot, random forest analysis, and sensitivity analysis to assess the relationship of WtBR with all-cause mortality. Subsequently, Fine-Gray competing risk regression models were applied to precisely evaluate the probability of cardiovascular-specific death attributed to high WtBR. The results indicate that thea deceased group showed significantly higher WtBR and lower BMI compared with the alive groups (P < .05), while no significant difference was observed in waist circumference (P = .373). When analyzed as continuous, the risk of all-cause death elevated with increasing WtBR in the adjusted model with an HR of 2.42 (95% CI, 2.06-2.85). The restricted cubic spline illustrated an elevated risk of all-cause mortality as WtBR increased (J-shaped curve). Nevertheless, WtBR showed no significant association with cardiovascular-specific death and the prediction model exhibited a reliable performance in the testing set. This study supported that WtBR, an anthropometric measure, is independently associated with all-cause death in hypertensive patients. It's advisable to routinely assess waist circumference in hypertensive patients regardless of BMI, in order to more effectively manage the risk of obesity-related health.

Association between serum copper levels and stroke in the general population: A nationally representative study

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to explore the association between serum copper levels and the prevalence of stroke.

METHODS

Data were obtained from 3 consecutive National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles (2011-2016). Weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between serum copper levels and self-reported stroke.

RESULTS

A total of 5,151 adults met the inclusion criteria. A total of 181 (3.51%) stroke patients were identified. In comparison to individuals with serum copper levels in the lowest tertile (<16.4 µmol/l), those with levels in the middle tertile (16.4-19.8 µmol/l) had an odds ratio (OR) of 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44-2.25), while those with levels in the highest tertile (>19.8 µmol/l) had an OR of 2.36 (95% CI: 1.01-5.52). Furthermore, each standard deviation (SD) increase in serum copper was found to be positively associated with the prevalence of stroke, with an OR of 1.44 (95% CI: 1.11-1.86). Dose‒response analysis showed a positive linear association between serum copper levels and stroke (Pnonlinearity=0.554).

CONCLUSIONS

This cross-sectional study suggested a positive association between serum copper levels and stroke among American adults.

Exposure of pregnant women and their children to pyrethroid insecticides in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Background

Pyrethroids are commonly used insecticides in Brazil. Gestational and early childhood exposure to pyrethroids has been linked to adverse health effects, including neurodevelopmental delays, behavioral issues, and endocrine disruption. This study evaluated the exposure of pregnant women and their children to pyrethroid insecticides in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Methods

Creatinine-adjusted levels of the pyrethroid metabolites 3-phenoxy benzoic acid (3-PBA) and 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl acid (4-FPBA) were measured in the urine of 142 pregnant women and their children at birth and in the first, third, and 6th months of life.

Results

The geometric mean (GM) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 3-PBA and 4-FPBA urinary concentrations in pregnant women were 0.50 (0.37-0.67) and 0.37 (0.05-2.90) ng/mg, detected in 47.2 and 10.6%, respectively. Urinary concentrations of 3-PBA in the children were 0.18 (0.15-0.23) ng/mg at birth, 0.36 (0.08-1.56) ng/mg at 1-month-old, 0.68 (0.36-1.27) ng/mg at 3-month-old, and 1.36 (0.77-2.42) ng/mg at 6-month-old, and the detection rates were respectively 10.8, 9.4, 20.9, and 20.7%.

Discussion

This study is one of the few that has evaluated the urinary concentrations of pyrethroids in newborns and children in their 1st year of life. The results of this study show that children's exposure to pyrethroids significantly increases after birth.

A Survey on Mosquito Control Knowledge and Insecticide Use in New Orleans, La, 2020-2021

Mosquitoes are a known public nuisance and can vector various diseases. Historically, New Orleans, LA, has long been acquainted with the burden of mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever in the 20th century and West Nile virus in the 21st century. Government mosquito control awareness campaigns have been around for decades as has the use of organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides by mosquito abatement districts. However, few data are available on public perception of mosquito control and public usage of insecticides to kill mosquitoes in New Orleans. We conducted a survey from August 2020 to July 2021 to evaluate New Orleans residents' 1) general knowledge regarding mosquito control and 2) what measures and products they use to control mosquitoes. The aim of this survey was to determine how residents contribute to backyard mosquito control by do-it-yourself or professional applications of insecticides. The survey was disseminated both online and via mail. Of the 396 survey participants, nearly all (99.48%) agreed that mosquito control is important in New Orleans because it prevents mosquito bites (30.85%), prevents mosquito borne-diseases (38.51%), and prevents nuisance mosquitoes (29.17%). More than one-third (35%) of survey participants indicated that they empty containers to reduce adult mosquitoes on their own property. More than two-thirds of the participants (69.95%) would not hire a pest management professional to spray their yard for adult mosquitoes, and only 20% of survey participants do apply a pesticide to kill adult mosquitoes on their own property. None of our findings were associated with the level of education, gender, or age of participants. This study suggests that the City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board educational and outreach campaigns may be an effective tool in spreading mosquito control awareness and contribute to residents' knowledge of mosquito control. The data we collected indicate that residents understand what mosquito control is and why it is important in New Orleans.

Muscle quality index and cardiovascular disease among US population-findings from NHANES 2011-2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. However, current evidence on the association between muscle quality and CVD is limited. This study investigates the potential association between the muscle quality index (MQI) and the prevalence of CVD and CVD-related mortality.

METHODS

Participants were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014. Data on mortality and causes of death were obtained from the National Death Index (NDI) records through December 31, 2019. Statistical analysis used in this study, including weighted multivariable linear and logistic regression, cox regression and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis, to estimate the association between MQI and all-cause mortality as well as CVD mortality. In addition, subgroup analysis was used to estimate the association between MQI and CVD subtypes, such as heart attack, coronary heart disease, angina, congestive heart failure, and stroke.

RESULTS

A total of 5,053 participants were included in the final analysis. Weighted multivariable linear regression models revealed that a lower MQI.total level was independently associated with an increased risk of CVD development in model 3, with t value =-3.48, 95%CI: (-0.24, -0.06), P = 0.002. During 5,053 person-years of 6.92 years of follow-up, there were 29 deaths from CVD. Still, the association between MQI.total and CVD mortality, as well as all-cause mortality did not reach statistical significance in the fully adjusted model (HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.21-1.62, P = 0.30; HR = 0.91, 95% CI:0.65,1.28, P = 0.59, respectively). Subgroup analysis confirmed that MQI.total was negatively associated with congestive heart failure (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.18,0.68, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the potential of MQI as a measure of muscle quality, its negative correlation with congestive heart failure (CHF). However, MQI was not very useful for predicting the health outcomes such as CVD and mortality. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the early recognition of muscle weakness progression in CHF. Further studies are needed to explore more effective indicator to evaluate the association between muscle quality and health outcomes.

Online solid phase extraction high-performance liquid chromatography - Isotope dilution - Tandem mass spectrometry quantification of organophosphate pesticides, synthetic pyrethroids, and selected herbicide metabolites in human urine

Analytical methods to quantify pesticide biomarkers in human population studies are critical for exposure assessment given the widespread use of pesticides for pest and weed control and their potential for affecting human health. We developed a method to quantify, in 0.2 mL of urine, concentrations of 10 pesticide biomarkers: four organophosphate insecticide metabolites (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), 2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol, para-nitrophenol, malathion dicarboxylic acid); five synthetic pyrethroid insecticide metabolites (4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid, 3-phenoxybenzoic acid, cis and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (DCCA), cis-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid); and the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. he method is based on enzymatic hydrolysis of conjugated urinary metabolites, extraction and pre-concentration of the deconjugated metabolites using automated online solid-phase extraction, and separation and quantification using liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Depending on the analyte, method detection limits were 0.1-0.6 ng/mL; mean accuracy, calculated as spike recoveries, was 91-102%, and total precision, given as percent variation coefficient, was 5.9-11.5%. Percent differences associated with three freeze-thaw cycles, 24-h benchtop storage, and short-term processed sample stability were <14%. Method suitability was assessed by recurring successful participation in external quality assessment schemes and by analyzing samples from subjects with suspected exposure to pesticides (n = 40) or who self-reported consuming an organic diet (n = 50). Interquartile ranges were considerably lower for people consuming an organic diet than for those potentially exposed for cis-DCCA (0.37 ng/mL vs 0.75 ng/mL), trans-DCCA (0.88 ng/mL vs 1.78 ng/mL) and TCPy (1.81 ng/mL vs 2.48 ng/mL). This method requires one-fifth of the sample used in our previous method and is suitable for assessing background exposures to select pesticides in large human populations and for studies with limited sample volumes.

The Preventive Effects of Salubrinal against Pyrethroid-Induced Disruption of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Mice

Environmental factors, including pesticide exposure, have been identified as substantial contributors to neurodegeneration and cognitive impairments. Previously, we demonstrated that repeated exposure to deltamethrin induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, reduces hippocampal neurogenesis, and impairs cognition in adult mice. Here, we investigated the potential relationship between ER stress and hippocampal neurogenesis following exposure to deltamethrin, utilizing both pharmacological and genetic approaches. To investigate whether ER stress is associated with inhibition of neurogenesis, mice were given two intraperitoneal injections of eIf2α inhibitor salubrinal (1 mg/kg) at 24 h and 30 min prior to the oral administration of deltamethrin (3 mg/kg). Salubrinal prevented hippocampal ER stress, as indicated by decreased levels of C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) and transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and attenuated deltamethrin-induced reductions in BrdU-, Ki-67-, and DCX-positive cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. To further explore the relationship between ER stress and adult neurogenesis, we used caspase-12 knockout (KO) mice. The caspase-12 KO mice exhibited significant protection against deltamethrin-induced reduction of BrdU-, Ki-67-, and DCX-positive cells in the hippocampus. In addition, deltamethrin exposure led to a notable upregulation of CHOP and caspase-12 expression in a significant portion of BrdU- and Ki-67-positive cells in WT mice. Conversely, both salubrinal-treated mice and caspase-12 KO mice exhibited a considerably lower number of CHOP-positive cells in the hippocampus. Together, these findings suggest that exposure to the insecticide deltamethrin triggers ER stress-mediated suppression of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which may subsequently contribute to learning and memory deficits in mice.

Trends of mental health care utilization among US adults from 1999 to 2018

BACKGROUND

Mental health disorders affect millions of US adults, however, the trends and related factors for mental health care utilization in the US remain unknown.

AIMS

Our study aimed to assess the trend of mental health utilization and related socio-demographic factors in the US.

METHODS

The study included 55,052 individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 1999-2018. Temporal trends in the percentages of mental health care utilizers were estimated across survey cycles. Trends and linked factors of mental health care utilization were assessed by a logistic regression model, while the non-linearity was estimated by restricted cubic splines.

RESULTS

From 1999 to 2018, the percentage of mental health care utilizers in the US adult population increased from 7.0 to 11.3% (P < 0.001); meanwhile, the trends in males and females were consistent. The percentage increased positively with age in individuals aged 20-39 (P < 0.001) or aged 60 and over (P = 0.003). The trends were consistent in three race/ethnicity groups (P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis revealed that several disparities existed in the subpopulations. Older age, female, lower family poverty-income ratio (PIR), chronic diseases, higher educational level, and smoking were estimated to be associated with a higher percentage of mental health care.

CONCLUSIONS

The percentage of mental health care utilizers took on an increasing trend in the US adult population from 1999 to 2018. These trends were also observed in the subpopulations, but with disparities. Future research for exploring factors associated with mental health care utilizations is necessary.

Occupational exposure to pesticides and symptoms of depression in agricultural workers. A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The use of pesticides can result in harm to both the environment and human health. There is a growing concern in the field of occupational health about the impact on the mental health of agricultural workers.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to systematize scientific evidence from the last ten years on the impact of occupational exposure to pesticides on the development of depression symptoms in agricultural workers.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search in the PubMed and Scopus databases from 2011 to September 2022. Our search included studies in English, Spanish, and Portuguese that examined the association between occupational exposure to pesticides and symptoms of depression in agricultural workers, following the guidelines recommended by the PRISMA statement and the PECO strategy (Population, Exposure, Comparison, and Outcomes).

RESULTS

Among the 27 articles reviewed, 78% of them indicated a link between exposure to pesticides and the incidence of depression symptoms. The pesticides most frequently reported in the studies were organophosphates (17 studies), herbicides (12 studies), and pyrethroids (11 studies). The majority of the studies were rated as having intermediate to intermediate-high quality, with the use of standardized measures to assess both exposure and effect.

CONCLUSION

The updated evidence presented in our review indicates a clear association between pesticide exposure and the development of depressive symptoms. However, more high-quality longitudinal studies are necessary to control for sociocultural variables and utilize pesticide-specific biomarkers and biomarkers of depression. Given the increased use of these chemicals and the health risks associated with depression, it is crucial to implement more stringent measures to monitor the mental health of agricultural workers regularly exposed to pesticides and to enhance surveillance of companies that apply these chemicals.

Association between dietary supplement use and mortality among US adults with diabetes: a longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

Despite the popularity of dietary supplements, their effectiveness and safety in patients with diabetes remain controversial. Furthermore, evidence from clinical trials may not be generalizable to real-world settings. This study examined the association between dietary supplement use and mortality outcomes among patients with diabetes based on a nationally representative sample of US adults.

METHODS

This study analyzed data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018. Supplement users referred to adults with diabetes who reported the use of any dietary supplements in the last 30 days, and with a cumulative duration of ≥ 90 days. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between supplement use and all-cause mortality, and mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes, and cancer. Subgroup analysis of different supplement classes (vitamins, minerals, botanicals, amino acids, fatty acids, probiotics and glucosamine) were also conducted.

RESULTS

We included 8,122 adults with diabetes (mean age: 59.4 years; 48.7% female), of whom 3,997 (54.0%) reported using supplements regularly. Vitamins (87.3%), minerals (75.3%) and botanicals (51.8%) were the most popular supplements. At a median follow-up of 6.9 years, 2447 all-cause deaths had occurred. Overall supplement use was not associated with risk of all-cause mortality among patients with diabetes (HR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.08, P = 0.56). Subgroup analyses suggested that amino acid use was associated with a lower all-cause mortality (HR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.96, P = 0.028), while the use of fatty acids (HR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.92, P = 0.018) and glucosamine (HR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.95, P = 0.022) supplements were significantly associated with lower CVD mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results derived from real-world data suggested that overall supplement use was not associated with any mortality benefit in patients with diabetes. However, there is preliminary evidence that suggests a protective effect of amino acid use on all-cause mortality, and a benefit of fatty acids and glucosamine supplement use on CVD mortality. Future large-scale longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the association between dietary supplement use and other intermediate diabetes-related outcomes, such as glucose control and reducing diabetes-related complications.

Associations of pyrethroid exposure with skeletal muscle strength and mass

This study aimed to examine the associations of pyrethroid exposure with handgrip strength and skeletal muscle mass and potential modification effects in US adults. The data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used. Handgrip strength was determined with a handgrip dynamometer, and we quantified muscle mass by using the appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI). Urinary 3-Phenoxybenzoic Acid (3-PBA), a validated biomarker for pyrethroid exposure, was used in the primary analysis. After adjusting for other covariates, participants exposed to the highest tertile of 3-PBA exposure had significantly lower handgrip strength (β = -1.88, 95% CI: -3.29, -0.23, P = 0.026) than those exposed to the lowest tertile of 3-PBA. Similarly, the 3-PBA exposure was marginally significantly associated with ASMI (Tertile 3 vs. Tertile 1: β = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.14, -0.01, P = 0.056). Significant interactions were found between 3-PBA and body mass index (BMI) on handgrip strength and ASMI (P interaction < 0.05), which indicated a potential moderation effect of BMI on the associations. In conclusion, pyrethroid exposure was adversely associated with handgrip strength and skeletal muscle mass, especially in overweight and obese populations. Further studies are warranted to confirm our results and to explore the potential mechanisms.

Exposure to phenols, chlorophenol pesticides, phthalate and PAHs and mortality risk: A prospective study based on 6 rounds of NHANES

OBJECTIVES

Human exposure to various endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is widespread and long-lasting. The primary objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the association of combined exposure of phenols, chlorophenol pesticides, phthalate and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mortality risk in a representative US population.

METHODS

The data on urinary levels of phenols, chlorophenol pesticides, phthalates, and PAH metabolites, were collected from participants aged ≥20 years in six rounds of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2003-2014). NHANES-linked death records up to December 31, 2015 were used to ascertain mortality status and cause of death. Cox proportional hazards and competing risk models were mainly used for chemical and mortality risk association analysis. The weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression were employed to estimate the association between EDC co-exposure and mortality risk.

RESULTS

High levels of mono-n-butyl phthalate, monobenzyl phthalate, and 1-napthol were significantly associated with increased risk of all cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer mortality among all participants. WQS index was associated with the risks of all-cause (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.389, 95%CI: 1.155-1.669) and CVD mortality (HR = 1.925, 95%CI: 1.152-3.216). High co-exposure scores were associated with elevated all-cause (HR = 2.842, 95% CI: 1.2.094-3.858), CVD (HR = 1.855, 95% CI: 1.525-2.255), and cancer mortality risks (HR = 2.961, 95% CI: 1.468-5.972). The results of subgroup analysis, competing risk model, and sensitivity analysis were generally consistent with the findings from the main analyses, indicating the robustness of our findings.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided the first epidemiological evidence that co-exposure to EDC at fairly low levels contributed to elevated mortality risk among US adults. The underlying mechanisms for the effects of EDC co-exposure on human health are worthy of future exploration.

Discovery and structure-activity relationship of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts as larvicides against dengue mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have become a significant public health problem worldwide, notably the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever borne by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Thus, mosquito vector control measures remain essential in public health vector surveillance and control to combat Aedes-borne infections. Therefore, a series of MBH adducts were synthesized and assessed towards the fourth instar mosquito larvae, Aedes aegypti, along with the preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR). Noteworthy, this compound class might be synthetized by an efficient eco-friendly synthesismethod and a rapid route for the synthesis of commercial larvicide through a single synthetic step. The bioassays showed that this compound class is a promising larvicide to control Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae, mainly 3g, with an LC₅₀ of 41.35 µg/mL, which was higher than evaluated positive controls. Nevertheless, it is a viable larvicidalhit candidate for further hit-to-leadproperties optimization of its biphenyl backbone scaffold with enhanced insecticidalbioactivity. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy analysis suggested a disruption of the osmoregulatory/ionoregulatory functions by the complete deterioration of the terminal exoskeleton hindgut and anal papillae. Therefore, this new study shows the larvicidal efficacy of the tested compounds against the Aedes aegypti larvae.

Obesity modifies the association of environmental pyrethroid exposure with glucose homeostasis in the US general adults

Environmental pyrethroids are concerning due to their widespread residues and potential implications on human health. We aimed to assess the association of pyrethroid exposure with glucose homeostasis and examine the interaction between obesity and pyrethroid exposure. A total of 4233 US general adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with measured urinary pyrethroid metabolites, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were included in the study. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA2) calculator was utilized to assess insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), insulin sensitivity (HOMA2-IS), and beta-cell function (HOMA2-β). We estimated the associations of pyrethroid metabolites with glucose homeostasis parameters (FPG, FINS, HbA1c, HOMA2-IR, HOMA2-IS, and HOMA2-β) using multivariate linear regression models and restricted cubic spline models and further assessed the interaction between obesity and pyrethroid metabolites on glucose dyshomeostasis. Urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) was the most detected pyrethroid metabolite (81%) with a median concentration of 0.43 (interquartile range 0.20-1.01) μg/g urinary creatinine. Compared with the participants in the lowest quartile, those in the highest quartile of 3-PBA had a 1.93% (95% confidence interval: 0.46%, 3.42%), 6.69% (1.96%, 11.64%), 1.60% (0.64%, 2.57%), 7.06% (2.33%, 12.01%), -6.59% (-10.72%, -2.28%), and 1.10% (-2.69%, 5.04%) alteration in FPG, FINS, HbA1c, HOMA2-IR, HOMA2-IS, and HOMA2-β, respectively. The restricted cubic spline model displayed a linear positive association between 3-PBA and FPG, FINS, HbA1c, and HOMA2-IR, and a negative association with HOMA2-IS (all P for overall <0.05 and P for non-linear >0.05). Additionally, the association between urinary 3-PBA and FPG was modified by general obesity (P for interaction <0.05), with a more pronounced association observed in obese participants than in non-obese participants. Our findings suggested that pyrethroid exposure was associated with glucose dyshomeostasis. General obesity significantly heightened the association between pyrethroid exposure and increased FPG level.

Human Poisoning with Methomyl and Cypermethrin Pesticide Mixture

There is limited literature analyzing the outcome of human poisoning with methomyl and cypermethrin pesticide mixture. Between 2002 and 2018, a total of 63 patients intoxicated with methomyl, cypermethrin, or their pesticide mixture were treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The patients were categorized into three groups based on the type of pesticide, as methomyl (n = 10), cypermethrin (n = 31), or methomyl and cypermethrin (n = 22). Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and mortality data were obtained for analysis. The patients were aged 54.9 ± 18.9 years. Following ingestion, the patients experienced a wide range of clinical symptoms, including aspiration pneumonia (50.8%), acute respiratory failure (41.3%), acute kidney injury (33.3%), multiple organ failure (19.0%), emesis (19.0%), acute hepatitis (12.7%), diarrhea (7.9%), seizures (4.8%), lacrimation (4.8%), etc. After analysis, it was found that patients with methomyl and cypermethrin poisoning suffered higher incidences of acute respiratory failure (p < 0.001), aspiration pneumonia (p = 0.004), acute kidney injury (p = 0.011), and multiple organ failure (p < 0.001) than the other groups. Laboratory analyses revealed that patients with methomyl and cypermethrin poisoning had a higher creatinine level (p = 0.011), white blood cell count (p < 0.001), and neutrophil count (p = 0.019) than the other groups. A total of seven (11.1%) patients died. The average duration of hospitalization was 9.8 ± 10.0 days. In a multivariate logistic regression model, it was revealed that methomyl pesticide (p = 0.045) or methomyl and cypermethrin pesticide mixture (p = 0.013) were significant risk factors for acute respiratory failure. Nevertheless, no mortality risk factor could be identified. Therefore, the analytical results suggest that methomyl pesticide is the major contributor to the toxicity of methomyl and cypermethrin pesticide mixture poisoning. More research is needed.

Cardiovascular disease preventive effects of aspirin combined with different statins in the United States general population

The purpose of this study was to explore the use of aspirin in conjunction with various statins for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in the general population of the United States (U.S.). A total of 3778 people from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2011 to 2018 were included in our analysis. After adjusting for sociodemographic and common cardiovascular risk factors, we used multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine aspirin should be combined with which type of statin for better CVD preventive effects. Subgroup analyses were carried out subsequently. In comparison to the aspirin use alone, the odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for CVD were 0.43 (0.33, 0.57), 0.69 (0.42, 1.13), 0.44 (0.31, 0.62), 0.34 (0.23, 0.50) and 0.64 (0.49, 0.84) for the combination use of aspirin and atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin as well as simvastatin, respectively, in the fully-adjusted model. Aspirin combined with rosuvastatin was more effective in the prevention of individual CVD, including congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris and heart attack, than aspirin combined with other statins. In conclusion, statins combined with aspirin have a clear advantage over aspirin alone in preventing CVD. In addition, when various sex, age, and fitness levels were considered, as well as with and without diabetes mellitus, the combination usage of aspirin and rosuvastatin had the greatest CVD preventive effects than aspirin coupled with other statins.

Association between serum calcium level and type 2 diabetes: An NHANES analysis and Mendelian randomization study

AIMS

This study investigated the association between serum calcium levels and the prevalence of T2D using a cross-sectional study and Mendelian randomization analysis.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018. Serum calcium levels were divided into three groups (low, medium and high groups) according to the tertiles. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between serum calcium levels and T2D prevalence. Instrumental variables for serum calcium levels were obtained from the UK Biobank and a two-sample MR analysis was performed to examine the causal relationship between genetically predicted serum calcium levels and the risk of T2D.

RESULTS

A total of 39,645 participants were available for cross-sectional analysis. After adjusting for covariates, participants in the high serum calcium group had significantly higher odds of T2D (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.30, p = 0.001) than those in the moderate group. Restricted cubic spline plots showed a J-shaped curve relationship between serum calcium level and prevalence of T2D. Consistently, Mendelian randomization analysis showed that higher genetically predicted serum calcium levels were causally associated with a higher risk of T2D (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.33, p = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that higher serum calcium levels are causally associated with a higher risk of T2D. Further studies are needed to clarify whether intervening in high serum calcium could reduce the risk of T2D.

Association of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals with All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in the U.S.: A Prospective Cohort Study

Wide exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) poses a great risk on human health. However, few large-scale cohort studies have comprehensively estimated the association between EDCs exposure and mortality risk. This study aimed to investigate the association of urinary EDCs exposure with mortality risk and quantify attributable mortality and economic loss. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to investigate the association of 38 representative EDCs exposure with mortality risk in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). During a median follow-up of 7.7 years, 47,279 individuals were enrolled. All-cause mortality was positively associated with 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxynaphthalene, cadmium, antimony, cobalt, and monobenzyl phthalate. Cancer mortality was positively associated with cadmium. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality was positively associated with 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxynaphthalene, and 2-hydroxyfluorene. Nonlinear U-shaped relationships were found between all-cause mortality and cadmium and cobalt, which was also identified between 2-hydroxyfluorene and CVD mortality. J-shaped association of cadmium exposure with cancer mortality was also determined. EDCs exposure may cause 56.52% of total deaths (1,528,500 deaths) and around 1,897 billion USD in economic costs. Exposure to certain phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phytoestrogens, or toxic metals, even at substantially low levels, is significantly associated with mortality and induces high economic costs.

Pyrethroid-induced oxidative stress and biochemical changes in the primary mussel cell cultures

Pyrethroids are among the most widely used insecticides. Permethrin and tetramethrin, which are synthetic pyrethroids, are generally used to control insects in agricultural areas and household applications. Due to broad use areas, they contaminate aquatic ecosystems and cause adverse effects to the non-target aquatic organisms. Even though permethrin and tetramethrin are known to alter the oxidative stress parameters of in vivo aquatic animal model organisms, there are limited studies in vitro. This study aims to determine the adverse effects of permethrin and tetramethrin in the in vitro models of freshwater mussels exposed to 1 mg/L, 10 μg/L, 100 ng/L and 1 ng/L concentrations of chemicals for 24 h. For this purpose, reduced glutathione activities were evaluated as biomarkers of the primary gill and digestive gland cell cultures. In both cell cultures, reduced glutathione values increased in the exposed groups, compared to the control group. Even though the results showed that reduced glutathione activities had not significantly changed concentration-dependently (p > 0.05), significant differences were observed in the reduced glutathione activities of both cell cultures (p < 0.05). This study showed that permethrin and tetramethrin had highly toxic effects in the in vitro models of mussels even at low concentrations.

Association between pyrethroid exposure and risk of depressive symptoms in the general US adults

This study aimed to investigate the association between pyrethroid exposure and the risk of depressive symptoms in adults in the USA. Data of participants aged ≥20 years (n = 6455) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2007-2014) were included. 3-Phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), an adequately detected pyrethroid metabolite, was used as a biomarker to assess pyrethroid exposure. Depressive symptoms were defined as the Patient's Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) total score ≥10 or use of antidepressant. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between urinary 3-PBA levels and the risk of depressive symptoms. In this study, 1150 participants (weighted frequency, 18.45%) developed depressive symptoms. Participants in the highest tertile have a higher risk of depressive symptoms than those in the lowest tertile of urinary 3-PBA and weighted OR of 1.28 (95% CI, 1.00-1.63, P=0.019). There was a nonlinear association between urinary 3-PBA and depressive symptoms (P for nonlinearity = 0.034). Mediation analysis showed the mediating effect of trouble sleeping on the association of urinary 3-PBA with depressive symptoms was 28.8% (P = 0.006). Our findings indicate that pyrethroid exposure is associated with the increased risk of depressive symptoms, and trouble sleeping may mediated this association. Further studies should be conducted to validate our findings and elucidate their underlying mechanisms.

A time differentiated dietary intervention effect on the biomarkers of exposure to pyrethroids and neonicotinoids pesticides

Tailoring medical models to the right person or risk subgroups delivered at the right time is important in personalized medicine/prevention initiatives. The CIRCA-CHEM randomized 2x2 crossover pilot trial investigated whether the consumption of fruits/vegetables within a time-restricted daily window would affect urinary biomarkers of exposure to neonicotinoids (6-chloronicotinic acid, 6-CN) and pyrethroids (3-phenoxybenzoic acid, 3-PBA) pesticides, a biomarker of oxidative damage (4-hydroxynonenal, 4-HNE) and the associated urinary NMR metabolome. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in both creatinine-adjusted 6-CN and 3-PBA levels was observed between the two-time dietary intervention windows (morning vs. evening). In the evening intervention period, pesticides biomarker levels were higher compared to the baseline, whereas in the morning period, pesticide levels remained unchanged. Positive associations were observed between pesticides and 4-HNE suggesting a diurnal chrono-window of pesticide toxicity. The discovery of a chronotoxicity window associated with chrono-disrupted metabolism of food contaminants may find use in personalized medicine initiatives.

Cardiotoxicity of pyrethroids: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic options for acute and long-term toxicity

Pyrethroids (PY) are synthetic pesticides used in many applications ranging from large-scale agriculture to household maintenance. Their classical mechanisms of action are associated with binding to the sodium channel of insect neurons, disrupting its inactivation, ensuring their use as insecticides. However, PY can also lead to toxicity in vertebrates, including humans. In most toxicological studies, the impact of PY on heart function is neglected. Acute exposure to a high dose of PY causes enhancement of the late sodium current (INaL), which impairs the action potential waveform and can cause severe cardiac arrhythmias. Moreover, long-term, low-dose exposure to PY displays oxidative stress in the heart, which could induce tissue remodeling and impairment. Isolated and preliminary evidence supports that, for acute exposure to PY, an antiarrhythmic therapy with ranolazine (an INaL blocker), can be a promising therapeutic approach. Besides, heart tissue remodeling associated with low doses and long-term exposure to PY seems to benefit from antioxidant therapy. Despite significant leaps in understanding the mechanical details of PY intoxication, currently, few studies are focusing on the heart. In this review, we present what is known and what are the gaps in the field of cardiotoxicity induced by PY.

Associations of bifenthrin exposure with glucose homeostasis and type 2 diabetes mellitus in a general Chinese population: Roles of protein carbonylation

The adverse health effects of pyrethroids exposure have attracted wide concern. We aimed to assess the associations of bifenthrin, a widely used pyrethroid, with glucose homeostasis and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to explore the underlying mechanism. Serum bifenthrin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), and plasma protein carbonyl (PCO) were determined among 3822 participants from the Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort. Glucose homeostasis was evaluated by FPG, FPI, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and abnormal glucose regulation (AGR). The associations of serum bifenthrin with glucose homeostasis and risk of T2DM were assessed by generalized linear models and logistic regression models. The role of PCO in the above associations was evaluated by mediation analyses. After adjusting for covariates, each 2-fold increase in serum bifenthrin was associated with a 0.21 mmol/L increase in FPG and a 5.19%, 10.49%, and 12.18% increase in FPI, HOMA-IR, and PCO levels, respectively. Monotonically elevated ORs of IFG and AGR (all P and P for trend <0.05), but not T2DM (P > 0.05) were detected to be associated with increased bifenthrin. Compared with the participants with low bifenthrin and low PCO, participants with high bifenthrin exposure and high PCO showed a 0.40 mmol/L, 11.07%, and 22.50% increase in FPG, FPI, and HOMA-IR, as well as a 119.97% and 48.88% increase in risks of IFG and AGR, respectively (P for trend <0.05). Moreover, PCO mediated 13.61%-24.98% of the serum bifenthrin-associated glucose dyshomeostasis. The study suggested that bifenthrin exposure was dose-dependently associated with glucose dyshomeostasis in the general Chinese urban adults, and these associations were exacerbated and partly mediated by PCO. Given that other pollutants were not included in this study, the effect of co-exposure of pyrethroids with multiple pollutants is necessary to be considered in future studies.