Association of prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides and birth size

Advances in Microfluidics Techniques for Rapid Detection of Pesticide Residues in Food

Food safety is a significant issue that affects people worldwide and is tied to their lives and health. The issue of pesticide residues in food is just one of many issues related to food safety, which leave residues in crops and are transferred through the food chain to human consumption. Foods contaminated with pesticide residues pose a serious risk to human health, including carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, and endocrine disruption. Although traditional methods, including gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, chromatography, and mass spectrometry, can be used to achieve a quantitative analysis of pesticide residues, the disadvantages of these techniques, such as being time-consuming and costly and requiring specialist staff, limit their application. Therefore, there is a need to develop rapid, effective, and sensitive equipment for the quantitative analysis of pesticide residues in food. Microfluidics is rapidly emerging in a number of fields due to its outstanding strengths. This paper summarizes the application of microfluidic techniques to pyrethroid, carbamate, organochlorine, and organophosphate pesticides, as well as to commercial products. Meanwhile, the study also outlines the development of microfluidics in combination with 3D printing technology and nanomaterials for detecting pesticide residues in food.

Environmental factors affecting pregnancy outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy represents a fragile period in the life of a woman, vulnerable to hazardous environmental substances which might affect maternal and fetal metabolism. The possible influence of environmental factors, including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), upon the mother and the fetus before and/or during pregnancy might be associated directly and/or indirectly to deleterious pregnancy outcomes. Because the existence of such associations would be, to our view, of major importance to the scientific community, their investigation is the scope of this critical review.

METHODS

This critical review includes in vivo animal and human studies regarding the role of environmental factors, including EDCs, on pregnancy outcomes complying with the SANRA (a scale for the quality assessment of narrative review articles) questions for narrative reviews. Studies were identified by searching the MEDLINE (PubMed and PubMed Central), the Cochrane library and the Google Scholar databases till October 2022 with the combinations of the appropriate key words (detailed environmental factors including EDCs AND detailed negative pregnancy outcomes) as well as by scanning references from already included articles and relevant reviews manually. Because environmental factors and EDCs have been associated to epigenetic alterations, special care has been given to EDC-induced transgenerational effects on pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTS

The existing evidence suggests positive associations between specific environmental factors and negative pregnancy outcomes such as ectopic pregnancies, pregnancy losses, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm births, birth defects, intrauterine growth restriction, and small or large for gestational age babies.

CONCLUSION

Environmental factors and EDCs may have a catalytic effect on the course and the outcomes of pregnancy.

Exposure to p,p´-DDE during early pregnancy, anthropometry, and gestational age at birth, in a flower-growing region of Mexico

Prenatal exposure to dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p´-DDE) may interfere with fetal development; however, studies evaluating anthropometry and gestational age at birth show inconsistent results. Typically, p,p´-DDE exposure has been measured during the third trimester and missed the key early pregnancy period. We evaluated the association between p,p´-DDE exposure before week 18 of pregnancy and anthropometry at birth, as well as gestational length, in 170 mother-child pairs from a cohort study in a flower-growing mexican region. Maternal serum p,p´-DDE concentrations were determined by gas chromatography. The associations between p,p´-DDE and z-scores of birth weight, birth length, and gestational age were evaluated by linear multiple regression models. Logistic regression models were used for low birth weight and small size for gestational age. Effect modification by child's sex was explored. The average gestational age at the blood sample extraction was 10.6 weeks. p,p'-DDE was detected in 64.7% of mothers, at a geometric mean of 0.24 ng/mL. Prenatal p,p´-DDE exposure was not associated with the birth outcomes in the whole sample. However, a high p,p´-DDE exposure was marginally associated with greater small for gestational age risk in male newborns (OR_{≥0.076ng/mL vs <0.076 ng/mL} = 3.09, 95% CI: 0.61; 15.58), but not in female (p for interaction = 0.08).Even though, we found no reductions in anthropometric measurements or gestational length associated with early prenatal p,p´-DDE exposure, the potential effect modification by infant's sex in terms of small for the gestational age risk deserves future studies.

Pesticide exposure and child growth in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), pesticides are widely used in agricultural and residential settings. Little is known about how pesticides affect child growth.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review and synthesise the evidence on the associations between pesticide exposure and adverse birth outcomes and/or impaired postnatal growth in children up to 5 years of age in LMICs.

METHODS

We searched 10 databases from inception through November 2021. We included cohort and cross-sectional studies investigating associations between self-reported or measured prenatal or postnatal pesticide exposure and child growth (postnatal child linear/ponderal growth, and/or birth outcomes). Two researchers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed certainty using GRADE. The protocol was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42021292919).

RESULTS

Of 939 records retrieved, 31 studies met inclusion criteria (11 cohort, 20 cross-sectional). All studies assessed prenatal exposure. Twenty-four studies reported on birth weight. Four found positive associations with organochlorines (0.01-0.25 standardised mean difference (SMD)) and two found negative associations (-0.009 SMD to -55 g). Negative associations with organophosphates (-170 g, n = 1) and pyrethroids (-97 to -233 g, n = 2) were also documented. Two (out of 15) studies reporting on birth length found positive associations with organochlorines (0.21-0.25 SMD) and one found negative associations (-0.25 to -0.32 SMD). Organophosphate exposure was negatively associated with birth length (-0.37 cm, n = 1). Organophosphate exposure was also associated with higher risk/prevalence of low birth weight (2 out of nine studies) and preterm birth (2 out of six studies). Certainty of the evidence was "very low" for all outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The limited literature from LMICs shows inconclusive associations between prenatal pesticide exposure, child growth, and birth outcomes. Studies with accurate quantitative data on exposure to commonly used pesticides in LMICs using consistent methodologies in comparable populations are needed to better understand how pesticides influence child growth.

Praegnatio Perturbatio-Impact of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

The burden of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight is considerable across the world. Several risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes have been identified. One risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes receiving considerable attention in recent years is gestational exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Humans are exposed to a multitude of environmental chemicals with known endocrine-disrupting properties, and evidence suggests exposure to these EDCs have the potential to disrupt the maternal-fetal environment culminating in adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. This review addresses the impact of maternal and fetal exposure to environmental EDCs of natural and man-made chemicals in disrupting the maternal-fetal milieu in human leading to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes-a risk factor for adult-onset noncommunicable diseases, the role lifestyle and environmental factors play in mitigating or amplifying the effects of EDCs, the underlying mechanisms and mediators involved, and the research directions on which to focus future investigations to help alleviate the adverse effects of EDC exposure.

Impact of gestational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals on pregnancy and birth outcomes

With the advent of industrialization, humans are exposed to a wide range of environmental chemicals, many with endocrine disrupting potential. As successful maintenance of pregnancy and fetal development are under tight hormonal control, the gestational exposure to environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) have the potential to adversely affect the maternal milieu and support to the fetus, fetal developmental trajectory and birth outcomes. This chapter summarizes the impact of exposure to EDCs both individually and as mixtures during pregnancy, the immediate and long-term consequences of such exposures on the mother and fetus, the direct and indirect mechanisms through which they elicit their effects, factors that modify their action, and the research directions to focus future investigations.

Prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides and infant growth: A longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

The association between exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and infant growth has been reported contradictorily in previous studies. Few studies have investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to OCPs on infant growth assessed longitudinally at multiple time points.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study was to examine the associations between prenatal exposure to OCPs and infant growth at birth, 6, 12 and 24 months of age, and further to explore the potential sex-specific effects.

METHODS

The study population included 1039 mother-infant pairs who participated in a birth cohort study in Wuhan, China. The weight, length and body mass index (BMI) z-score of infants were measured and calculated at birth, 6, 12 and 24 months of age. The overweight status was defined as BMI z-score ≥ 85th percentile according to the standard of World Health Organization. The concentrations of OCPs were measured in cord serum, including hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs, consisted of α-HCH, β-HCH, and γ-HCH), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT) and its metabolites: p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p'-DDD), and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE). Generalized linear models were applied to estimate the associations of cord OCPs with infant growth parameters. A group-based semiparametric mixture model was used to estimate growth patterns of infants. Linear-mixed growth curve models were used to examine relationships between predicted growth trajectories and prenatal exposure to OCPs. Weighted quantile sum regression (WQSR) analyses were used to estimate the mixture effects of OCPs on infant growth.

RESULTS

Higher cord serum β-HCH concentrations were associated with higher BMI z-score at 12 [β = 0.07, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.13] and 24 months of age [β = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.14]. Similar patterns were observed for relationships of γ-HCH [β = 0.04, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.07] and p,p'-DDT [β = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.06] with BMI z-score at 6 and 12 months of age, respectively. However, higher cord serum p,p'-DDE concentrations were associated with a reduction of BMI z-score at 6 months of age [β = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.12, -0.01]. Cord serum β-HCH was also positively associated with the risk of overweight at 12 months of age [RR = 1.16, 95% CI (1.02, 1.33), for the medium vs the lowest tertile]. Among girls, the effects of β-HCH on BMI z-score and overweight status were stronger than boys at 12 and 24 months of age. No statistically significant relationships of other OCPs with infant growth were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Prenatal exposure to β-HCH was associated with increased BMI z-score and higher risk of overweight status in infants especially at 12 and 24 months of age, which seemed to be stronger in girls.

Occupational exposure to pesticides and associated health effects among greenhouse farm workers

The number and production capacities of greenhouse farms have been increased across the globe, driven by an effort for addressing food security problems related to the rapid population growth and the effects of climate change. As a result, there was a large increase in the number of greenhouse farm workers who are typically involved in chemical preparations and pesticide sprayings, crop harvesting, and greenhouse maintenance activities. Considering the enclosed architecture of the greenhouse farm design and the frequent application of pesticides, the objective of this review was to characterize pesticide exposure levels and resultant health effects among greenhouse farm workers. While most health assessment studies were mainly based on self-reported symptoms, this review showed limited epidemiological and clinical studies on the assessment of the health effects of pesticide exposure on greenhouse workers' health. Reproductive disorders, respiratory symptoms, neurological symptoms, and skin irritations were the most reported health effects among greenhouse farm workers. Additionally, there were limited studies on respirable pesticide-borne fine and ultrafine particulate matters in greenhouse farms. Ventilation systems and indoor environmental conditions of greenhouse farms were not designed according to specifications of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Among recommendations provided, long-term exposure assessments of pesticide effects on children born by greenhouse farm workers should be considered in future research. Also, compliance with ASHRAE indoor ventilation and environmental standards will be very important in reducing pesticide exposure and health effects among greenhouse farm workers.

Metabolomics study and meta-analysis on the association between maternal pesticide exposome and birth outcomes

BACKGROUND

Pregnant women are exposed to a number of pesticides which are widely used in China. Their potential risks on reproduction and infants are still unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate whether infant's birth weight and length of gestation were associated with levels of various pesticides in maternal blood based on Nanjing Medical University (NMU) affiliated hospitals data and meta-analysis, and also to explore the possible intermediate metabolomics pathways.

METHODS

Eligible subjects (n = 102) were included in this study from the affiliated hospitals of NMU. Gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and Q-Exactive mass spectrometer (QE) were used to detect 37 pesticides (9 organophosphorus pesticides, 7 organochlorine pesticides, 5 carbamate pesticides, and 16 others) and 161 metabolites (53 in animo acid metabolism 47 in lipid metabolism, 18 in carbohydrate metabolism, 14 in nucleotide metabolism and 29 in other metabolisms) in maternal blood, respectively. Multi-linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were performed to identify the association of single/mixed pesticide exposure in maternal blood with birth weight and length of gestation. Moreover, we conducted a meta-analysis including additional 2497 subjects to evaluate whether exposure to key pesticide, β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) was associated with decreased birth weight globally. Mediation analysis was used to explore the metabolic alteration mediating the association between key pesticide exposure and birth outcomes.

RESULTS

We found that decreased birth weight was significantly associated with increasing levels of mecarbam and β-HCH. We did not find any association between length of gestation and these pesticides. Among pesticides with detection rate more than 50%, BKMR analysis found an overall negative association of mixed pesticides exposure with birth weight, and verified that β-HCH was the key pesticide for such effect. Meta-analysis revealed a significantly negative association between exposure to β-HCH and birth weight. Metabolomics identified three metabolites and five metabolites as significant mediators for the effect of mecarbam and β-HCH, respectively, among which glyceraldehyde and its related glycerolipid metabolism and thyroxine and its related thyroid hormone metabolism were found to be the mostly enriched mediating metabolic pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the comprehensive pesticide exposome and metabolome wide associational study combined with meta-analysis, we found that prenatal exposure to β-HCH and mecarbam decreased birth weight via disrupting thyroid hormone metabolism and glyceraldehyde metabolism, providing new insights into the toxic effects of exposure to pesticides on birth outcomes.

Children's environmental health based on birth cohort studies of Asia (2) - air pollution, pesticides, and heavy metals

The life style and child raising environment in Asia are quite different compared with Western countries. Besides, the children's environmental threats and difficulties in conducting studies could be different. To address children's environmental health in Asia area, the Birth Cohort Consortium of Asia (BiCCA) was co-established in 2011. We reviewed the mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluoroalkyl substances, phthalates, and environmental tobacco smoke in pervious based on birth cohort studies in Asia. The aim of this study was to summarize the traditional environmental pollution and the target subjects were also based on the birth cohort in Asia area. Environmental pollutants included air pollutants, pesticides focusing on organochlorine pesticides, diakylphosphates, and pyrethroid, and heavy metals including lead, arsenic, cadmium, manganese, vanadium, and thallium. Fetal growth and pregnancy outcomes, childhood growth and obesity, neurodevelopment and behavioral problems, and allergic disease and immune function were classified to elucidate the children's health effects. In total, 106 studies were selected in this study. The evidences showed air pollution or pesticides may affect growth during infancy or childhood, and associated with neurodevelopmental or behavioral problems. Prenatal exposure to lead or manganese was associated with neurodevelopmental or behavioral problems, while exposure to arsenic or cadmium may influence fetal growth. In addition to the harmonization and international collaboration of birth cohorts in Asia; however, understand the whole picture of exposure scenario and consider more discipline in the research are necessary.

Comparative thyroid disruption by o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE in zebrafish embryos/larvae

1,1-Trichloro-2-(p-chlorophenyl)-2-(o-chlorophenyl) ethane (o,p'-DDT) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE) cause thyroid disruption, but the underlying mechanisms of these disturbances in fish remain unclear. To explore the potential mechanisms of thyroid dysfunction caused by o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE, thyroid hormone and gene expression levels in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis were measured, and the developmental toxicity were recorded in zebrafish larvae. Zebrafish embryos/larvae were exposed to o,p'-DDT (0, 0.28, 2.8, and 28 nM; or 0, 0.1, 1, and 10 μg/L) and p,p'-DDE (0, 1.57, 15.7, and 157 nM; or 0, 0.5, 5, and 50 μg/L) for 7 days. The genes related to thyroid hormone synthesis (crh, tshβ, tg, nis and tpo) and thyroid development (nkx2.1 and pax8) were up-regulated in both the o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE exposure groups. Zebrafish embryos/larvae exposed to o,p'-DDT showed significantly increased total whole-body T4 and T3 levels, with the expression of ugt1ab and dio3 being significantly down-regulated. However, the p,p'-DDE exposure groups showed significantly lowered whole-body total T4 and T3 levels, which were associated with up-regulation and down-regulation expression of the expression of dio2 and ugt1ab, respectively. Interestingly, the ratio of T3 to T4 was significantly decreased in the o,p'-DDT (28 nM) and p,p'-DDE (157 nM) exposure groups, suggesting an impairment of thyroid function. In addition, reduced survival rates and body lengths and increased malformation rates were recorded after treatment with either o,p'-DDT or p,p'-DDE. In summary, our study indicates that the disruption of thyroid states was different in response to o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE exposure in zebrafish larvae.