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Danesh Yazdi M, Sonntag A, Kosheleva A, Nassan FL, Wang C, Xu Z, Wu H, Laurent LC, DeHoff P, Comfort NT, Vokonas P, Wright R, Weisskopf M, Baccarelli AA, Schwartz JD. The association between toenail metals and extracellular MicroRNAs (ex-miRNAs) among the participants of the Normative Aging study (NAS). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 261:119761. [PMID: 39122161 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mechanistic studies of the effects of environmental risk factors have been exploring the potential role of microRNA(miRNAs) as a possible pathway to clinical disease. In this study we examine whether levels of toenail metals are associated with changes in extracellular miRNA(ex-miRNA) expression. METHODS We used data derived from the Normative Aging Study from 1996 to 2014 to conduct our analyses. We looked at associations between measured toenail metals: arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese, and mercury and 282 ex-miRNAs in this population using canonical correlation analyses (CCAs) and longitudinal median regression. We adjusted for covariates such as age, education, body mass index, drinking and smoking behaviors, diabetes, and where available, seafood consumption. The p-values obtained from regression analyses were corrected for multiple comparisons. Ex-miRNAs identified to be associated with toenail metal levels were further examined using pathway analyses. RESULTS Our dataset included 937 observations from 589 men with an average age of 72.9 years at baseline. Both our correlation and regression analyses identified lead and cadmium as exposures most strongly associated with ex-miRNA expression. Numerous ex-miRNAs were identified as being associated with toenail metal levels. miR-27b-3p, in particular, was found to have high correlation with the first canonical dimension in the CCA and was significantly associated with cadmium in the regression analysis. Pathway analyses revealed messenger RNA (mRNA) targets for the ex-miRNAs that were associated with a number of clinical disorders including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders, etc. CONCLUSION: Toenail metals were associated with changes in ex-miRNA levels in both correlational and regression analyses. The ex-miRNAs identified can be linked to a variety of clinical disorders. Further studies are required to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi
- Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
| | - Allison Sonntag
- Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Anna Kosheleva
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Feiby L Nassan
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cuicui Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zongli Xu
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Haotian Wu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Louise C Laurent
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Peter DeHoff
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nicole T Comfort
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pantel Vokonas
- VA Normative Aging Study, Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Chobanian and Avidisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert Wright
- Institute for Exposomic Research, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marc Weisskopf
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Joel D Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Dou JF, Schmidt RJ, Volk HE, Nitta MM, Feinberg JI, Newschaffer CJ, Croen LA, Hertz-Picciotto I, Fallin MD, Bakulski KM. Exposure to heavy metals in utero and autism spectrum disorder at age 3: a meta-analysis of two longitudinal cohorts of siblings of children with autism. Environ Health 2024; 23:62. [PMID: 38970053 PMCID: PMC11225197 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-024-01101-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent and heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder. Risk is attributed to genetic and prenatal environmental factors, though the environmental agents are incompletely characterized. METHODS In Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) and Markers of Autism Risk in Babies Learning Early Signs (MARBLES), two pregnancy cohorts of siblings of children with ASD, urinary metals concentrations during two pregnancy time periods (< 28 weeks and ≥ 28 weeks of gestation) were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. At age three, clinicians assessed ASD with DSM-5 criteria. In an exposure-wide association framework, using multivariable log binomial regression, we examined each metal for association with ASD status, adjusting for gestational age at urine sampling, child sex, age at pregnancy, race/ethnicity and education. We meta-analyzed across the two cohorts. RESULTS In EARLI (n = 170) 17% of children were diagnosed with ASD, and 44% were classified as having non-neurotypical development (Non-TD). In MARBLES (n = 231), 21% were diagnosed with ASD, and 14% classified as Non-TD. During the first and second trimester period (< 28 weeks), having cadmium concentration over the level of detection was associated with 1.69 (1.08, 2.64) times higher risk of ASD, and 1.29 (0.95, 1.75)times higher risk of Non-TD. A doubling of first and second trimester cesium concentration was marginally associated with 1.89 (0.94, 3.80) times higher risk of ASD, and a doubling of third trimester cesium with 1.69 (0.97, 2.95) times higher risk of ASD. CONCLUSION Exposure in utero to elevated levels of cadmium and cesium, as measured in urine collected during pregnancy, was associated with increased risk of developing ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Dou
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lisa A Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | | | - M Daniele Fallin
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Almášiová S, Toman R, Pšenková M, Tančin V, Jančo I. Toxic Elements in Sheep Milk, Whey, and Cheese from the Environmentally Burdened Area in Eastern Slovakia and Health Risk Assessment with Different Scenarios of Their Consumption. TOXICS 2024; 12:467. [PMID: 39058119 PMCID: PMC11280966 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12070467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The study aimed to determine the content of 17 elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, and Zn) in samples of sheep milk, cheese, and whey (36 samples in total) collected from a farm in an environmentally burdened area due to the long-term mining and industrial activity in Slovakia as well as to determine the possible risk of consumption via health risk assessment calculations. Consumption of 120 g of milk, 500 g of milk, 20 g of cheese, and 100 g of cheese were used in calculations for children and adults, respectively. According to the results, concentrations of four elements are controversial. Lead concentrations in all types of samples exceeded the maximum permissible lead limit in milk set by European Union legislation. The content of Se and As is problematic for children's consumption, and the target hazard quotient for As and Al is higher than one (considered potentially not safe) in all scenarios. According to the target system approach, lead concentrations in milk and cheese could adversely influence the nervous system and kidneys of adults' and children's developmental and reproductive systems. Considering the worst-case scenario, consuming sheep milk and cheese from the monitored areas could represent a risk and be potentially harmful to human health, mainly for children. However, further monitoring of the levels of elements and concentrations in environmentally burdened areas and more robust data on consumption are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Almášiová
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (S.A.); (M.P.); (V.T.)
| | - Róbert Toman
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (S.A.); (M.P.); (V.T.)
| | - Martina Pšenková
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (S.A.); (M.P.); (V.T.)
| | - Vladimír Tančin
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (S.A.); (M.P.); (V.T.)
| | - Ivona Jančo
- AgroBioTech Research Center, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
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Issah I, Duah MS, Arko-Mensah J, Bawua SA, Agyekum TP, Fobil JN. Assessing the combined effect of multiple metal exposures on pregnancy and birth outcomes: Methodological insights in systematic review research. MethodsX 2024; 12:102558. [PMID: 38292318 PMCID: PMC10825682 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
This systematic review focused on pregnant women and aimed to evaluate how exposure to multiple metals impacts their pregnancy and birth outcomes. Previous research has predominantly focused on the effects of individual metal exposures on adverse birth outcomes. However, it is crucial to recognize that real-world scenarios often involve simultaneous exposure to multiple pollutants. Recent studies have emphasized the significance of considering exposure to mixtures of metals to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their collective health impacts. This article outlines the essential steps taken during the systematic review process, which involved synthesizing existing evidence and evaluating the strength and consistency of the relationship between metal mixtures and pregnancy and birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Issah
- West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
- Department of Surgery, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Mabel S. Duah
- West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of basic and Applied sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - John Arko-Mensah
- West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - Serwaa A. Bawua
- West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - Thomas P. Agyekum
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
| | - Julius N. Fobil
- West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
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Bulka CM, Rajkotwala HM, Eaves LA, Gardner AJ, Parsons PJ, Galusha AL, O'Shea TM, Fry RC. Placental cellular composition and umbilical cord tissue metal(loid) concentrations: A descriptive molecular epidemiology study leveraging DNA methylation. Placenta 2024; 147:28-30. [PMID: 38281400 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
The placenta is a mixture of cell types, which may regulate maternal-fetal transfer of exogenous chemicals or become altered in response to exposures. We leveraged placental DNA methylation to characterize major constituent cell types and applied compositional data analysis to test associations with non-essential metal(loid)s measured in paired umbilical cord tissue (N = 158). Higher proportions of syncytiotrophoblasts were associated with lower arsenic, whereas higher proportions of Hofbauer cells were associated with higher cadmium concentrations in umbilical cords. These findings suggest that placental cellular composition influences amounts of metal(loid)s transferred to the fetus or that prenatal exposures alter the placental cellular makeup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Bulka
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Lauren A Eaves
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Amaree J Gardner
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Patrick J Parsons
- Laboratory of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Aubrey L Galusha
- Laboratory of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - T Michael O'Shea
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca C Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Gu J, Jin Z, Wu G, Dang S, Yao F, Zheng Z, Ren L, Yang J, Chen D, Zhang L, Lin R. Correlation between essential and toxic elements in maternal blood during early pregnancy and atrial septal defects/ventricular septal defects/patent ductus arteriosus in offspring. Birth Defects Res 2024; 116:e2282. [PMID: 38192201 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common congenital malformation in the world. Recent studies have found that essential and toxic trace element levels may play a crucial role in the risk of neonatal malformation. However, the relationships between element levels in early pregnancy and CHD risk among humans remain unclear. This study investigates the association between maternal essential element (copper [Cu], zinc [Zn], calcium [Ca], manganese [Mg] and iron [Fe]) and toxic element (lead [Pb] and cadmium [Cd]) levels during early pregnancy and CHDs. METHODS A hospital-based case-control study was conducted, including 181 cases and 218 controls. Eligible participants underwent antenatal examination during gestational weeks 11-14 and trace element levels were detected by the atomic absorption method. Multi-variable logistic regression was used to examine the associations between the level of maternal trace elements and CHD risks. RESULTS Higher levels of Ca in early pregnancy were associated with lower risk of ASD/VSD risks. Moreover, higher Fe, Pb, and Cd levels in the first trimester were associated with higher risks of all CHD and the subtypes risks, and the tests for trend were significant (all p < .05). The restricted cubic spline analysis showed that there was a nonlinear inverted u-shaped dose-response relationship between levels of Zn, Pb, and Cd in the first trimester and risk of CHDs (non-linearity test p < .05). CONCLUSIONS A moderate increase in Zn and Ca levels and a decrease in Pb and Cd levels during early pregnancy are needed to reduce the incidence of CHDs in the Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianli Gu
- Department of Pharmacology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhen Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Guiqing Wu
- Department of Obstetrics, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Shaonong Dang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Feng Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Zihan Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Lingxuan Ren
- Department of Pharmacology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianjun Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Danli Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Rong Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
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Chen L, Zhao W, Zhao L, Liang Q, Tang J, Zhou W, Zhang Y, Wen H. Exposure to heavy metals and trace elements among pregnant women with twins: levels and association with twin growth discordance. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1203381. [PMID: 38444437 PMCID: PMC10912306 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1203381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Twin growth discordance is one of the leading causes of perinatal mortality in twin pregnancies. Whether prenatal exposure to heavy metals and trace elements is associated with twin growth discordance has not been studied yet. Objective To evaluate the prenatal level of heavy metals and trace elements in twin pregnancy and its relationship with twin growth discordance. Methods This study involving 60 twin pairs and their mothers was conducted in Zhejiang Province, China, in 2020-2021. The concentration of heavy metals and trace elements in maternal blood, umbilical cord, and placenta were collected at delivery and measured by inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometer. The association of prenatal level with twin growth discordance was evaluated using conditional logistic regression. Results High levels of heavy metal elements (thallium in maternal blood and umbilical cord blood of larger twins, vanadium in the placenta of larger twins) and trace elements (iodine in the placenta of larger twins) during pregnancy, as well as low levels of heavy metal elements (strontium in the umbilical cord blood of larger twins, strontium and chromium in the umbilical cord blood of smaller twins, strontium in the placenta of larger twins, molybdenum and lead in the placenta of smaller twins and difference of molybdenum in the placenta of twins), are associated with intertwin birthweight discordance. Univariate regression analyses showed a significant effect of gestational age at delivery and eleven trace element data on intertwin birthweight discordance. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with transformed variables as dichotomous risk factors combined with baseline demographic characteristics showed Tl in maternal blood as an independent risk factor. The model constructed by combining Tl in maternal blood (OR = 54.833, 95% CI, 3.839-83.156) with the gestational week (OR = 0.618, 95% CI, 0.463-0.824) had good predictive power for intertwin birthweight discordance (AUC = 0.871). The sensitivity analysis results indicate that the effect of maternal blood thallium on intertwin birthweight discordance is stable and reliable. Conclusion To our knowledge, ours is the first case-control study to investigate the association between elevated maternal thallium levels before delivery and twin growth discordance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiongxin Liang
- Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Tang
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weixiao Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanhua Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Wen
- Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Issah I, Duah MS, Arko-Mensah J, Bawua SA, Agyekum TP, Fobil JN. Exposure to metal mixtures and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes: A systematic review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168380. [PMID: 37963536 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to metal mixtures is associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes like low birth weight, preterm birth, and small for gestational age. However, prior studies have used individual metal analysis, lacking real-life exposure scenarios. OBJECTIVES This systematic review aims to evaluate the strength and consistency of the association between metal mixtures and pregnancy and birth outcomes, identify research gaps, and inform future studies and policies in this area. METHODS The review adhered to the updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) checklist, along with the guidelines for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies of etiology (COSMOS-E). Our data collection involved searching the PubMed, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS databases. We utilized inclusion criteria to identify relevant studies. These chosen studies underwent thorough screening and data extraction procedures. Methodological quality evaluations were conducted using the NOS framework for cohort and case-control studies, and the AXIS tool for cross-sectional studies. RESULTS The review included 34 epidemiological studies, half of which focused on birth weight, and the others investigated neonate size, preterm birth, small for gestational age, miscarriage, and placental characteristics. The findings revealed significant associations between metal mixtures (including mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), barium (Ba), cesium (Cs), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), and chromium (Cr)) and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, demonstrating diverse effects and potential interactions. CONCLUSION In conclusion, this review consistently establishes connections between metal exposure during pregnancy and adverse consequences for birth weight, gestational age, and other vital birth-related metrics. This review further demonstrates the need to apply mixture methods with caution but also shows that they can be superior to traditional approaches. Further research is warranted to deeper understand the underlying mechanisms and to develop effective strategies for mitigating the potential risks associated with metal mixture exposure during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Issah
- West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Department of Surgery, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale, Ghana.
| | - Mabel S Duah
- West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - John Arko-Mensah
- West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Serwaa A Bawua
- West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Thomas P Agyekum
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
| | - Julius N Fobil
- West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Zhang R, Walker L, Wen X, Doherty C, Gorczyca L, Buckley B, Barrett ES, Aleksunes LM. Placental BCRP transporter reduces cadmium accumulation and toxicity in immortalized human trophoblasts. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 121:108466. [PMID: 37660740 PMCID: PMC10591833 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous environmental metal detectable in most pregnant women. Animal and human studies demonstrate that in utero exposure to Cd reduces birth weight and impairs perinatal growth due to placental toxicity. BCRP is a prominent transporter that can efflux xenobiotics from the placenta. This study sought to investigate Cd transport and toxicity in cultured human BeWo trophoblasts with reduced expression and function of the placental barrier transporter BCRP. Knockdown (KD) of BCRP protein expression and function in BeWo trophoblasts increased the intracellular accumulation of Cd by 100% following treatment with 1 μM CdCl2. No change in the expression of Cd uptake transporters was observed between control and BCRP-KD cells. Reduced BCRP expression impaired viability of BeWo cells exposed to CdCl2 for 48 hr (BCRP-KD IC50: 11 μM, control cells IC50: 18 μM). Moreover, BCRP-KD cells were more sensitive to CdCl2-induced cytotoxicity compared to control BeWo cells. CdCl2 treatment strongly induced the expression of the metal-binding protein metallothionein (MT) in both control and BCRP-KD cells, with significantly greater MT upregulation in Cd-treated BCRP-KD cells. These data suggest that the BCRP transporter reduces Cd accumulation in syncytiotrophoblasts, which may be one mechanism to reduce subsequent toxicity to the placenta and developing fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranran Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Lauren Walker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Xia Wen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Cathleen Doherty
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Ludwik Gorczyca
- Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Brian Buckley
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Emily S Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Lauren M Aleksunes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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Rivera-Núñez Z, Hansel M, Capurro C, Kozlosky D, Wang C, Doherty CL, Buckley B, Ohman-Strickland P, Miller RK, O’Connor TG, Aleksunes LM, Barrett ES. Prenatal Cadmium Exposure and Maternal Sex Steroid Hormone Concentrations across Pregnancy. TOXICS 2023; 11:589. [PMID: 37505555 PMCID: PMC10384739 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11070589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium exposure has been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. One possible mechanism is endocrine disruption. Studies of non-pregnant adults suggest that cadmium impacts androgen production; here, we examined these associations during pregnancy. Participants in the Understanding Pregnancy Signals and Infant Development (UPSIDE) cohort provided biospecimens and questionnaire data in each trimester (n = 272). We quantified urinary cadmium, serum total testosterone (TT), estrone, estradiol, and estriol and serum free testosterone (fT). In adjusted longitudinal models, we examined sex steroid concentrations across pregnancy in relation to specific gravity-adjusted, ln-transformed cadmium concentrations. Additionally, we examined trimester-specific associations and stratified models by fetal sex. Results are presented as percent change (%∆) in hormone concentrations. In longitudinal models, higher cadmium concentrations were associated with lower fT across pregnancy (%∆ = -5.19, 95%CI: -8.33, -1.93), with no differences in other hormones observed. In trimester-specific models, higher cadmium concentrations were associated with lower TT in trimester 2 (%∆ = -15.26, 95%CI: -25.15, -4.06) and lower fT in trimester 3 (%∆ = -14.35, 95%CI: -19.75, -8.59). Associations with TT were stronger in pregnancies carrying female fetuses. Maternal cadmium exposure may be associated with reduced testosterone in pregnancy. Additional work is necessary to understand how alterations in gestational testosterone activity may impact pregnancy and child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zorimar Rivera-Núñez
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (M.H.); (C.C.); (P.O.-S.); (E.S.B.)
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (D.K.); (C.L.D.); (B.B.); (L.M.A.)
| | - Megan Hansel
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (M.H.); (C.C.); (P.O.-S.); (E.S.B.)
| | - Camila Capurro
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (M.H.); (C.C.); (P.O.-S.); (E.S.B.)
| | - Danielle Kozlosky
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (D.K.); (C.L.D.); (B.B.); (L.M.A.)
| | - Christina Wang
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA;
| | - Cathleen L. Doherty
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (D.K.); (C.L.D.); (B.B.); (L.M.A.)
| | - Brian Buckley
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (D.K.); (C.L.D.); (B.B.); (L.M.A.)
| | - Pamela Ohman-Strickland
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (M.H.); (C.C.); (P.O.-S.); (E.S.B.)
| | - Richard K. Miller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; (R.K.M.); (T.G.O.)
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Rochester, New York, NY 14642, USA
| | - Thomas G. O’Connor
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; (R.K.M.); (T.G.O.)
- Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, Neuroscience, University of Rochester, New York, NY 14620, USA
| | - Lauren M. Aleksunes
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (D.K.); (C.L.D.); (B.B.); (L.M.A.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Emily S. Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (M.H.); (C.C.); (P.O.-S.); (E.S.B.)
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (D.K.); (C.L.D.); (B.B.); (L.M.A.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; (R.K.M.); (T.G.O.)
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11
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Barrett ES, Rivera-Núñez Z, Getz K, Ohman-Strickland P, Zhang R, Kozlosky D, Doherty CL, Buckley BT, Brunner J, Miller RK, O'Connor TG, Aleksunes LM. Protective role of the placental efflux transporter BCRP/ABCG2 in the relationship between prenatal cadmium exposure, placenta weight, and size at birth. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 225:115597. [PMID: 36863650 PMCID: PMC10091184 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Placental efflux transporter proteins, such as BCRP, reduce the placental and fetal toxicity of environmental contaminants but have received little attention in perinatal environmental epidemiology. Here, we evaluate the potential protective role of BCRP following prenatal exposure to cadmium, a metal that preferentially accumulates in the placenta and adversely impacts fetal growth. We hypothesized that individuals with a reduced function polymorphism in ABCG2, the gene encoding BCRP, would be most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of prenatal cadmium exposure, notably, smaller placental and fetal size. METHODS We measured cadmium in maternal urine samples at each trimester and in term placentas from UPSIDE-ECHO study participants (NY, USA; n = 269). We fit adjusted multivariable linear regression and generalized estimating equation models to examine log-transformed urinary and placental cadmium concentrations in relation to birthweight, birth length, placental weight, and fetoplacental weight ratio (FPR) and stratified models by ABCG2 Q141K (C421A) genotype. RESULTS Overall 17% of participants expressed the reduced-function ABCG2 C421A variant (AA or AC). Placental cadmium concentrations were inversely associated with placental weight (β = -19.55; 95%CI: -37.06, -2.04) and trended towards higher FPR (β = 0.25; 95%CI: -0.01, 0.52) with stronger associations in 421A variant infants. Notably, higher placental cadmium concentrations in 421A variant infants were associated with reduced placental weight (β = -49.42; 95%CI: 98.87, 0.03), and higher FPR (β = 0.85, 95%CI: 0.18, 1.52), while higher urinary cadmium concentration was associated with longer birth length (β = 0.98; 95%CI: 0.37, 1.59), lower ponderal index (β = -0.09; 95%CI: 0.15, -0.03), and higher FPR (β = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.14, 0.71). CONCLUSIONS Infants with reduced function ABCG2 polymorphisms may be particularly vulnerable to the developmental toxicity of cadmium as well as other xenobiotics that are BCRP substrates. Additional work examining the influence of placental transporters in environmental epidemiology cohorts is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - Zorimar Rivera-Núñez
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Kylie Getz
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Biostatistics and Epidemiology Services Center, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Pamela Ohman-Strickland
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Ranran Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Danielle Kozlosky
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Cathleen L Doherty
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Brian T Buckley
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Jessica Brunner
- Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Richard K Miller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA; Departments of Environmental Medicine, Pathology and Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Thomas G O'Connor
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA; Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Lauren M Aleksunes
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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12
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Dettwiler M, Flynn AC, Rigutto-Farebrother J. Effects of Non-Essential "Toxic" Trace Elements on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Narrative Overview of Recent Literature Syntheses. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5536. [PMID: 37107818 PMCID: PMC10139051 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Adverse pregnancy outcomes and their complications cause increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and contribute considerably to the global burden of disease. In the last two decades, numerous narrative and systematic reviews have emerged assessing non-essential, potentially harmful, trace element exposure as a potential risk factor. This narrative review summarizes the recent literature covering associations between exposure to cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury and pregnancy outcomes and highlights common limitations of existing evidence that may hinder decision-making within public health. Several initial scoping searches informed our review, and we searched PubMed (latest date July 2022) for the literature published within the last five years reporting on cadmium, lead, arsenic, or mercury and pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, or prenatal growth. Pre-eclampsia may be associated with cadmium and strongly associated with lead exposure, and exposure to these metals may increase risk of preterm birth. Many reviews have observed cadmium to be negatively associated with birth weight. Additionally, lead and arsenic exposure may be negatively associated with birth weight, with arsenic exposure also adversely affecting birth length and head circumference. These findings should be interpreted with caution due to the limitations of the reviews summarized in this paper, including high heterogeneity due to different exposure assessment methods, study designs, and timing of sampling. Other common limitations were the low quality of the included studies, differences in confounding variables, the low number of studies, and small sample sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dettwiler
- Human Nutrition Laboratory, Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Angela C. Flynn
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, UK
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13
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Okubo H, Nakayama SF. Periconceptional maternal diet quality influences blood heavy metal concentrations and their effect on low birth weight: the Japan Environment and Children's Study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 173:107808. [PMID: 36827813 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both poor maternal nutrition and toxic heavy metal exposure influence foetal growth and development. However, whether consumption of a variety of healthy foods modifies the association between prenatal heavy metal exposure and foetal growth is unknown. OBJECTIVE We examined whether long-term maternal diet quality in periconception modifies the associations between maternal circulating concentrations of heavy metals and foetal growth. DESIGN Data of 72,317 Japanese women who delivered singleton infants was extracted from the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Maternal diet over a 1-year before the first trimester of pregnancy was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and overall diet quality was determined using the balanced diet score based on the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top. Maternal whole-blood concentrations of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were measured during the second/third trimester of pregnancy. Bayesian inference of multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships between maternal diet quality and the blood concentrations of heavy metals; Bayesian logistic regression was used to analyse the risk of low birth weight (LBW; <2,500 g). RESULTS After controlling for confounders, a high maternal balanced diet score was associated with low concentrations of blood Pb and Cd and high Hg. While all heavy metals assessed were positively associated with LBW risk, a higher maternal balanced diet score was negatively associated with LBW risk. A high-quality maternal diet attenuated the effect of Pb on LBW, an effect that was more marked at high blood Pb concentrations. CONCLUSION A high-quality, 'well-balanced' diet prior to conception may reduce exposure to some heavy metals and mitigate the elevated risk of LBW associated with prenatal Pb exposure in Japanese mother-child pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitomi Okubo
- Japan Environment and Children's Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki, Japan; Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promortion of Science, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Shoji F Nakayama
- Japan Environment and Children's Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki, Japan.
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14
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Fucic A, Mantovani A, Vena J, Bloom MS, Sincic N, Vazquez M, Aguado-Sierra J. Impact of endocrine disruptors from mother's diet on immuno-hormonal orchestration of brain development and introduction of the virtual human twin tool. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 117:108357. [PMID: 36863570 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Diet has long been known to modify physiology during development and adulthood. However, due to a growing number of manufactured contaminants and additives over the last few decades, diet has increasingly become a source of exposure to chemicals that has been associated with adverse health risks. Sources of food contaminants include the environment, crops treated with agrochemicals, inappropriate storage (e.g., mycotoxins) and migration of xenobiotics from food packaging and food production equipment. Hence, consumers are exposed to a mixture of xenobiotics, some of which are endocrine disruptors (EDs). The complex interactions between immune function and brain development and their orchestration by steroid hormones are insufficiently understood in human populations, and little is known about the impact on immune-brain interactions by transplacental fetal exposure to EDs via maternal diet. To help to identify the key data gaps, this paper aims to present (a) how transplacental EDs modify immune system and brain development, and (b) how these mechanisms may correlate with diseases such as autism and disturbances of lateral brain development. Attention is given to disturbances of the subplate, a transient structure of crucial significance in brain development. Additionally, we describe cutting edge approaches to investigate the developmental neurotoxicity of EDs, such as the application of artificial intelligence and comprehensive modelling. In the future, highly complex investigations will be performed using virtual brain models constructed using sophisticated multi-physics/multi-scale modelling strategies based on patient and synthetic data, which will enable a greater understanding of healthy or disturbed brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fucic
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska C 2, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - A Mantovani
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Rome, Italy
| | - J Vena
- Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - M S Bloom
- Global and Community Health, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - N Sincic
- Medical School, University of Zagreb, Salata 3, Croatia
| | - M Vazquez
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Plaça Eusebi Güell, 1-3, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - J Aguado-Sierra
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Plaça Eusebi Güell, 1-3, Barcelona 08034, Spain
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15
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Satarug S, Vesey DA, Gobe GC, Phelps KR. Estimation of health risks associated with dietary cadmium exposure. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:329-358. [PMID: 36592197 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03432-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In much of the world, currently employed upper limits of tolerable intake and acceptable excretion of cadmium (Cd) (ECd/Ecr) are 0.83 µg/kg body weight/day and 5.24 µg/g creatinine, respectively. These figures were derived from a risk assessment model that interpreted β2-microglobulin (β2MG) excretion > 300 μg/g creatinine as a "critical" endpoint. However, current evidence suggests that Cd accumulation reduces glomerular filtration rate at values of ECd/Ecr much lower than 5.24 µg/g creatinine. Low ECd/Ecr has also been associated with increased risks of kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, and other disorders. These associations have cast considerable doubt on conventional guidelines. The goals of this paper are to evaluate whether these guidelines are low enough to minimize associated health risks reliably, and indeed whether permissible intake of a cumulative toxin like Cd is a valid concept. We highlight sources and levels of Cd in the human diet and review absorption, distribution, kidney accumulation, and excretion of the metal. We present evidence for the following propositions: excreted Cd emanates from injured tubular epithelial cells of the kidney; Cd excretion is a manifestation of current tissue injury; reduction of present and future exposure to environmental Cd cannot mitigate injury in progress; and Cd excretion is optimally expressed as a function of creatinine clearance rather than creatinine excretion. We comprehensively review the adverse health effects of Cd and urine and blood Cd levels at which adverse effects have been observed. The cumulative nature of Cd toxicity and the susceptibility of multiple organs to toxicity at low body burdens raise serious doubt that guidelines concerning permissible intake of Cd can be meaningful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soisungwan Satarug
- Kidney Disease Research Collaborative, Level 5, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - David A Vesey
- Kidney Disease Research Collaborative, Level 5, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Department of Nephrology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Glenda C Gobe
- Kidney Disease Research Collaborative, Level 5, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for CKD QLD, UQ Health Sciences, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kenneth R Phelps
- Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
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Daniali SS, Yazdi M, Heidari-Beni M, Taheri E, Zarean E, Goli P, Kelishadi R. Birth Size Outcomes in Relation to Maternal Blood Levels of Some Essential and Toxic Elements. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:4-13. [PMID: 35298828 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-022-03121-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Exposures to toxic trace elements and deficiencies of essential trace elements during pregnancy may impact fetal growth. This study was conducted to determine the association between maternal blood levels of essential elements including manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) and toxic elements including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) at the first trimester with neonatal anthropometric parameters. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019-2020 in Isfahan, Iran. Overall, 263 mother-infant pairs were recruited in the first trimester of pregnancy. Maternal whole blood was collected, and essential and toxic elements were determined by mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)-based method. Birth size measurements were performed according to standardized protocols. Geometric means and standard deviations of maternal blood concentrations of Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were 3.94 ± 0.82, 5.22 ± 0.57, 7.67 ± 0.58, 2.21 ± 0.77, - 0.59 ± 0.98, and 3.23 ± 0.72 µg/l, respectively. Mean age of mothers was 29.94 ± 5.22 years. Thirty-one (12.1%) neonates were preterm. Maternal blood Pb levels were negatively correlated with birth weight (β = - 0.22 (CI 95%: - 0.38, - 0.05) p = 0.010) and marginally with birth head circumference (β = - 0.14(CI 95%: - 0.29, 0.02), P = 0.094) after adjustment for potential confounder variables. There was no significant association between Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and birth size measurements. Reverse association was found between maternal blood Pb levels and birth weight and birth head circumference. There is limited evidence related to the association between essential and toxic elements during pregnancy with birth size measurements and pregnancy disorders. More studies are suggested to assess of the effect of the trace elements and birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyede Shahrbanoo Daniali
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maryam Yazdi
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Motahar Heidari-Beni
- Department of Nutrition, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Ensiye Taheri
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Environment Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Elaheh Zarean
- Department of Nutrition, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Parvin Goli
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Roya Kelishadi
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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17
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Michael T, Kohn E, Daniel S, Hazan A, Berkovitch M, Brik A, Hochwald O, Borenstein-Levin L, Betser M, Moskovich M, Livne A, Keidar R, Rorman E, Groisman L, Weiner Z, Rabin AM, Solt I, Levy A. Prenatal exposure to heavy metal mixtures and anthropometric birth outcomes: a cross-sectional study. Environ Health 2022; 21:139. [PMID: 36581953 PMCID: PMC9798586 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00950-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous studies have suggested significant associations between prenatal exposure to heavy metals and newborn anthropometric measures. However, little is known about the effect of various heavy metal mixtures at relatively low concentrations. Hence, this study aimed to investigate associations between prenatal exposures to a wide range of individual heavy metals and heavy metal mixtures with anthropometric measures of newborns. METHODS We recruited 975 mother-term infant pairs from two major hospitals in Israel. Associations between eight heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, and thallium) detected in maternal urine samples on the day of delivery with weight, length, and head circumference at birth were estimated using linear and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models. RESULTS Most heavy metals examined in our study were observed in lower concentrations than in other studies, except for selenium. In the linear as well as the BKMR models, birth weight and length were negatively associated with levels of chromium. Birth weight was found to be negatively associated with thallium and positively associated with nickel. CONCLUSION By using a large sample size and advanced statistical models, we could examine the association between prenatal exposure to metals in relatively low concentrations and anthropometric measures of newborns. Chromium was suggested to be the most influential metal in the mixture, and its associations with birth weight and length were found negative. Head circumference was neither associated with any of the metals, yet the levels of metals detected in our sample were relatively low. The suggested associations should be further investigated and could shed light on complex biochemical processes involved in intrauterine fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Michael
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Elkana Kohn
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Pediatric Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Sharon Daniel
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Beersheba, Israel
- Clalit Health Services, Southern District, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ariela Hazan
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Pediatric Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Matitiahu Berkovitch
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Pediatric Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Anna Brik
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Pediatric Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ori Hochwald
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Rambam Health Care Campus, and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Liron Borenstein-Levin
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Rambam Health Care Campus, and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Moshe Betser
- Delivery Rooms and Maternity Ward, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Miki Moskovich
- Delivery Rooms and Maternity Ward, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ayelet Livne
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Rimona Keidar
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Efrat Rorman
- National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Luda Groisman
- National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Zeev Weiner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Health Care Campus and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, POB 9602, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Adi Malkoff Rabin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Health Care Campus and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, POB 9602, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ido Solt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Health Care Campus and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, POB 9602, 31096, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Amalia Levy
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Beersheba, Israel
- Environment and Health Epidemiology Research Center, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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18
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Bloom MS, Varde M, Newman RB. Environmental toxicants and placental function. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2022; 85:105-120. [PMID: 36274037 PMCID: PMC11184919 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is a temporary endocrine organ that facilitates gas, nutrient, and waste exchange between maternal and fetal compartments, partially shielding the fetus from potentially hazardous environmental toxicants. However, rather than being "opaque", the placenta is translucent or even transparent to some potential fetal developmental hazards, including toxic trace elements (TEs), perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and environmental phenols (EPs) to which women with pregnancy are frequently exposed. These agents are both passively and actively transferred to the fetal compartment, where endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and epigenetic changes may occur. These pathologies may directly impact the fetus or deposit and accumulate in the placenta to indirectly impact fetal development. Thus, it is critical for clinicians to understand the potential placental toxicity and transfer of widely distributed environmental agents ubiquitous during pregnancy. With such knowledge, targeted interventions and clinical recommendations can be developed to limit those risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Bloom
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., MS 5B7, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
| | - Meghana Varde
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., MS 5B7, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
| | - Roger B Newman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Rm 634, Clinical Science Bldg., 96 Jonathan Lucas St., Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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19
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Mohany KM, El-Asheer OM, Raheem YFA, sayed AAE, El-Baz MAEHH. Neonatal heavy metals levels are associated with the severity of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a case–control study. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:635. [PMID: 36333705 PMCID: PMC9635146 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03685-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This case–control study aimed to compare lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) levels in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) with those levels in normal neonates and tested their associations with the severity of NRDS indicated by the levels of serum surfactant protein D (SP-D) and cord blood cardiac troponin I (CTnI), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Methods The study included two groups: G1 (60 healthy neonates) and G2 (100 cases with NRDS). Cord blood Pb, erythrocytic Cd (E-Cd), neonatal scalp hair As (N-As), maternal urinary Cd (U-Cd), and arsenic (U-As) were measured by a Thermo Scientific iCAP 6200, while CTnI, hs-CRP, and SP-D by their corresponding ELISA kits. Results The levels of cord blood Pb, E-Cd, N-As, U-Cd, U-As, SP-D, CTnI, and hs-CRP were significantly higher in G2 than G1 (p = 0.019, 0.040, 0.003, 0.010, 0.011, < 0.001, 0.004, < 0.001, respectively). While the birth weight, and APGAR score at 1, 5 and 10 min were significantly lower in G2 than G1 (p = 0.002, < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001, respectively). The levels of the studied heavy metals correlated positively with the levels of SP-D, CTnI, and hs-CRP. Conclusion Heavy metals toxicity may be accused to be one of the causes of NRDS especially if other apparent causes are not there. Measuring and follow-up of heavy metal levels should be considered during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid M. Mohany
- grid.252487.e0000 0000 8632 679XDepartment of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt ,grid.252487.e0000 0000 8632 679XDepartment of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, EL Gammaa Street, Assiut city, 00201146007069 Egypt
| | - Osama Mahmoud El-Asheer
- grid.252487.e0000 0000 8632 679XDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Yaser F. Abdel Raheem
- grid.252487.e0000 0000 8632 679XDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Abd-Elrasoul sayed
- grid.252487.e0000 0000 8632 679XClinical Pharmacist at Assiut University Children Hospital, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mona Abd El-Hamid Hassan El-Baz
- grid.252487.e0000 0000 8632 679XDepartment of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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20
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Boateng FG, Appau S, Baako KT. The rise of 'smart' solutions in Africa: a review of the socio-environmental cost of the transportation and employment benefits of ride-hailing technology in Ghana. HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 9:245. [PMID: 35912063 PMCID: PMC9310371 DOI: 10.1057/s41599-022-01258-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Governments in Africa are licensing major global ride-hailing firms to launch operations in the continent. This is often presented as a refreshing development for the continent to leverage technology to address its twin problems of inefficient urban transport and rising youth unemployment. Interviews with ride-hailing adopters (drivers, riders, and car owners) and researchers in Ghana suggest, however, that whereas the technology is driving up the standards of road transport experience, the benefits are accessible to a select few (largely, the younger, highly educated and relatively high income-earning class). The lopsided power relations underlying the ride-hailing industry have also meant that the economic opportunities it avails disproportionately benefit a few powerful players (e.g. ride-hailing firms and car owners) while stimulating 'turf wars' among online and traditional taxi drivers; deepening existing gender inequalities in access to income-earning opportunities in the commercial passenger transport sector; encouraging unhealthy driving practices, shifts from shared public transport, and inundation of the roads with more private cars. While it will be imprecise to say that the private gains of ride-hailing outstrip the public costs and, therefore, the technology is detrimental to Ghana's development, the considered evidence raises the need for sustained scrutiny of the hailing of technological interventions as though they are the magic bullets for socio-economic transformation in Africa. Overall, the paper argues that dismantling the power structures underlying Africa's urban challenges will require more than splashing 'smart' apps and other tech wizardries around. Indeed, the lessons from Ghana's ride-hailing industry suggest that such exclusively technical solutions could easily take root and pattern after existing strictures of unjust power structures in ways that could exacerbate the social and environmental problems they are supposed to address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Festival Godwin Boateng
- Centre for Sustainable Urban Development, Columbia Climate School/Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Samuelson Appau
- Melbourne Business School, 200 Leicester Street, Carlton, VIC 3053 Australia
| | - Kingsley Tetteh Baako
- School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
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21
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A scoping review of infant and children health effects associated with cadmium exposure. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2022; 131:105155. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2022.105155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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22
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Kim S, Richardson L, Radnaa E, Chen Z, Rusyn I, Menon R, Han A. Molecular mechanisms of environmental toxin cadmium at the feto-maternal interface investigated using an organ-on-chip (FMi-OOC) model. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 422:126759. [PMID: 34391970 PMCID: PMC8595660 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Human labor is associated with feto-maternal-derived signals that coordinate to initiate delivery. Exposure to environmental chemicals can prematurely trigger labor-initiating signals at the feto-maternal interface (FMi: decidua, amniochorion), leading to spontaneous preterm birth (PTB). Testing the association between environmental chemical exposure and PTB is difficult due to many limitations in vivo or in vitro. Physiological organ-on-chips (OOCs) are potential alternatives for studying mechanisms leading to PTB. The presented study tested the effect of maternal exposure to cadmium (Cd), an environmental toxin, using the FMi-OOC that incorporates maternal decidua cells and three different fetal cells (chorion, amnion mesenchymal, and amnion epithelial cells). Cd transport through the FMi and its impact on cell cycle, cell death, and inflammation were analyzed. Cd treatment resulted in significant cell death and a pro-inflammatory environment in the maternal decidua, but had minimal effect on the fetal chorion cells, and no effect in the fetal amnion cells compared to controls. The maternal response, but lack of fetal response, indicates that Cd-mediated adverse effects originate from maternal pathophysiology rather than fetal-derived triggers of preterm labor. This study demonstrates that the FMi-OOC can indeed predict the response of FMi upon exposure to chemicals, opening the possibility for using OOC models for environmental toxin screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungjin Kim
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Lauren Richardson
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Perinatal Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA
| | - Enkhtuya Radnaa
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Perinatal Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA
| | - Zunwei Chen
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Perinatal Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA.
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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23
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Wu Y, Wang J, Wei Y, Chen J, Kang L, Long C, Wu S, Shen L, Wei G. Maternal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and preterm birth: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118264. [PMID: 34606968 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Preterm birth is the second most common cause of death in children under 5 years of age. The etiology of preterm birth has not yet been elucidated. Although maternal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may increase the risk for preterm birth, associations have not been confirmed. We performed a meta-analysis to elucidate the relationships between maternal exposure to EDCs and preterm birth. A systematic search of PubMed, Ovid-EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) for relevant published studies providing quantitative data on the association between maternal EDC exposure and preterm birth in humans was conducted in July 2021. To calculate the overall estimates, we pooled the adjusted regression coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from each study by the inverse variance method. A total of 59 studies were included. The pooled results indicated that maternal exposure to metals (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.29) and phthalates (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.42) was related to an increased risk for preterm birth. Specifically, maternal exposure to lead, cadmium, chromium, copper and manganese appeared to be correlated with an elevated risk for preterm birth. Additionally, maternal exposure to monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate (MECPP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was also associated with preterm birth. In conclusion, maternal exposure to metals and phthalates may increase the risk for preterm birth based on current evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhao Wu
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Junke Wang
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuexin Wei
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiadong Chen
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Lian Kang
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunlan Long
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Shengde Wu
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Lianju Shen
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Guanghui Wei
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China.
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24
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Neamtu RI, Craina M, Dahma G, Popescu AV, Erimescu AG, Citu I, Dobrescu A, Horhat FG, Vulcanescu DD, Gorun F, Bernad ES, Motoc A, Citu IC. Heavy metal ion concentration in the amniotic fluid of preterm and term pregnancies from two cities with different industrial output. Exp Ther Med 2022; 23:111. [PMID: 34970334 PMCID: PMC8713173 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.11034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The growth and development of the fetus is a complex phenomenon that can be influenced by several variables. High quantities of heavy metal ions in the amniotic fluid have been linked to poor health, especially in industrial, polluted and poor areas. The aim of the present study was to assess the differences in the concentration of these ions between preterm (weeks 15-37) and term pregnancies (starting at week 37). Another objective was to compare pregnancies from two cities with different industry levels. Two sample lots from two Romanian cities were analyzed. A total of 100 patients from Timisoara were compared with 60 from Petrosani, a heavy industry city in Romania. Demographic data were collected, and amniocentesis was performed on all women. Lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations were assessed. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric data and the Fisher's exact test for categorical data. In addition, categorical data was represented graphically. In the Timisoara cohort, the differences in heavy metal concentrations between preterm and term pregnancies were not statistically significant. In the Petrosani cohort, however, the concentrations of Zn (P=0.02606) and Cd (P=0.01512) were higher in preterm than in term pregnancies. When comparing the two cohorts as a whole, the concentration of Pb (P=0.04513), Cd (P=0.00002), As (P=0.03027) and Zn (P<0.00001) were higher in the patients from Petrosani than in those from Timisoara. Only Cu concentrations were higher in the Timisoara cohort (P<0.00001). The concentrations of Ni (P=0.78150) and Fe (P=0.44540) did not differ statistically. Thus, amniocentesis is an important diagnostic and exploratory tool in determining differences in the concentrations of elements such as heavy metal ions. Research over a longer period of time should be carried out to examine the relation between heavy metal ions concentration and possible postnatal health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radu Ionut Neamtu
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Neonatology, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marius Craina
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Neonatology, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - George Dahma
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Neonatology, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alin Viorel Popescu
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Neonatology, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Adelina Geanina Erimescu
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Neonatology, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ioana Citu
- Department of Internal Medicine I, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Amadeus Dobrescu
- Department of Surgery, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Florin George Horhat
- Multidisciplinary Research Center on Antimicrobial Resistance (Multi-Rez), Microbiology Department, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.,Clinical Laboratory, 'Louis Turcanu' Emergency Hospital for Children, 300011 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Dan Dumitru Vulcanescu
- Multidisciplinary Research Center on Antimicrobial Resistance (Multi-Rez), Microbiology Department, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.,Clinical Laboratory, 'Louis Turcanu' Emergency Hospital for Children, 300011 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Florin Gorun
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Neonatology, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Elena Silvia Bernad
- Department of Internal Medicine I, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Andrei Motoc
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Neonatology, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ioan Cosmin Citu
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Neonatology, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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25
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Castro-Bedriñana J, Chirinos-Peinado D, Ríos-Ríos E, Machuca-Campuzano M, Gómez-Ventura E. Dietary risk of milk contaminated with lead and cadmium in areas near mining-metallurgical industries in the Central Andes of Peru. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 220:112382. [PMID: 34090106 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The mining-metallurgical industry in the central Andes of Peru is a source of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contamination in milk, and there are no studies on the impact of their ingestion. Using flame atomic absorption spectrometry, we quantified the concentration of these metals in raw milk produced in agroecological zones near these industries, and estimated the exposure and dietary risk in people aged 2-85 yr with minimum, average and maximum daily milk intake. In 2018, 40 raw milk samples were collected from 20 cows at two times of the year. The mean Pb and Cd concentrations were 577 ± 18.2 and 18.35 ± 5.4 μg/kg, all samples exceeded the maximum limits (ML). Children aged 2-5 and 6-15 yr, with average milk consumption, had Pb weekly intakes (WI) of 2019 and 2423 μg, exceeding the risk value; values for Cd 64 and 77 μg were below the risk values. In those older than 20 years the WI for both metals are below the risk values. The Dietary Risk Coefficient (DRC) to Pb in children younger than 8 years was >3 due to higher milk consumption in relation to body weight; for children aged 9-19 years it was 1.7 and 2.9, being <1 for those older than 20 yr. Cd RDCs were <1 at all ages, with the exception of 2-year-olds in the high milk consumption scenario (RDC > 1). There was notable evidence of Pb and Cd exposure risk from consumption of milk produced near mining-metallurgical activities, predominantly for children under 19-year-olds. In Peru there are no regulations for Pb and Cd in fresh milk and milk products, we recommended that ML for heavy metals in food be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Castro-Bedriñana
- Research Center in Food and Nutritional Security, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Huancayo, Junín, Peru.
| | - Doris Chirinos-Peinado
- Research Center in Food and Nutritional Security, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Huancayo, Junín, Peru
| | - Elva Ríos-Ríos
- Department of Chemistry, Science Faculty, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Elvis Gómez-Ventura
- Zootechnical Faculty, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Huancayo, Junín, Peru
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26
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Bovbjerg ML. Current Resources for Evidence-Based Practice, July 2021. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2021; 50:485-495. [PMID: 34147485 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogn.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An extensive review of new resources to support the provision of evidence-based care for women and infants. The current column includes a discussion of how fetal monitoring may lead to overuse of birth-related interventions, commentaries on reviews focused on bedsharing, and women's lifetime estrogen exposure and risk of cardiovascular mortality.
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27
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Numa Pompilio CG, Francisco CS, Marco Tulio FDMT, Sergio Samuel SM, Fernanda Eliza GJ. Heavy metals in blood, milk and cow's urine reared in irrigated areas with wastewater. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06693. [PMID: 33937539 PMCID: PMC8079447 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work was to determine the content of lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), strontium (Sr) and thallio (Tl) in blood, milk and urine from cows fed forage irrigated with sewage water and cultivated in the vicinity of the Popocatépetl volcano and determine the rate of transfer of these elements from blood to milk and urine. Digestion was performed in a microwave oven (CEM-MarsX). The determination was made using an ICP -OES. The Cd in the blood was significantly higher than in milk and urine. The Cr in the blood was higher than in the urine. In milk the content of Pb and Cu was significantly higher than in blood. Sr and Tl concentration in the urine was higher than that detected in milk and blood and Pb in blood. Milk transfer Index revealed a significant difference in relation to the TI values found in the urine and only in the case of Cu in milk was TI > 1. In urine, the values found of Sr and Tl were higher than milk TI. It is concluded that when metals are ingested by cows in fodder, they are easily transferred to milk and urine through the blood. Presence of heavy metals in the different matrices determines the degree of environmental and trofic chain contamination with which we can consider the cow a biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Castro-González Numa Pompilio
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Benemerita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, A.V. Universidad s/n San Juan Acateno Teziutlan, Puebla, México
| | | | | | | | - González-Juárez Fernanda Eliza
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Benemerita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, A.V. Universidad s/n San Juan Acateno Teziutlan, Puebla, México
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