Maternal exposure to sulfur dioxide before and after conception and the risk of hypospadias in offspring

Preconceptional, pregnant, and postnatal exposure to outdoor air pollution and indoor environmental factors: Effects on childhood parasitic infections

BACKGROUND

Parasitic infections (PIs) are common and pose substantial health hazards in children globally, but the fundamental environmental variables exposure during crucial time window(s) are unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To identify key indoor and outdoor environmental factors leading to childhood PIs throughout critical time window(s).

METHODS

A combined cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study was performed on 8689 children residing in Changsha, China. Data was acquired pertaining to the health status and environmental exposure of the children in their homes. Personal exposure to outdoor air pollutants at the residential address during the preconceptional, perinatal, and postnatal periods was computed using data from ten air quality monitoring stations. An analysis of the relationships between childhood PIs and both indoor and outdoor factors was conducted using a multiple logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Childhood PIs were associated with outdoor CO and ozone (O3) exposure during the 10th-12th months prior to pregnancy, with ORs (95 % CI) of 1.68 (1.24-2.27) and 1.60 (1.15-2.22), respectively; childhood PIs were also associated with CO exposure during one year prior to pregnancy and the first trimester in utero [ORs = 1.57 (1.14-2.15) and 1.52 (1.17-1.97)]. Childhood PIs were found to be associated with PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy and the first year, with odds ratios of 1.51 (1.14-2.00) and 1.95 (1.22-3.12) per IQR increase in pollutant exposure, respectively. Exposures to smoke, renovation-related indoor air pollution (IAP), dampness and plant-related indoor allergens in the early life and past year were all associated with childhood PI, with odds ratios (95 % CI) ranging from 1.40 (1.01-1.95) for environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) during pregnancy to 1.63 (1.12-2.37) for mold/damp stains in the past year. In terms of PI risk, the early life and present periods were critical time windows for outdoor and indoor exposures, respectively. Certain individuals were more vulnerable to the PI risk associated with both indoor and outdoor exposures. Antibiotic use during child's lifetime and early years increased and decreased the PI risk of exposure to outdoor and indoor environments, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to outdoor air pollution in early life and indoor environments in the past year were found to be associated with childhood PI.

Implications of Exposure to Air Pollution on Male Reproduction: The Role of Oxidative Stress

Air pollution, either from indoor (household) or outdoor (ambient) sources, occurs when there is presence of respirable particles in the form of chemical, physical, or biological agents that modify the natural features of the atmosphere or environment. Today, almost 2.4 billion people are exposed to hazardous levels of indoor pollution, while 99% of the global population breathes air pollutants that exceed the World Health Organization guideline limits. It is not surprising that air pollution is the world's leading environmental cause of diseases and contributes greatly to the global burden of diseases. Upon entry, air pollutants can cause an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by undergoing oxidation to generate quinones, which further act as oxidizing agents to yield more ROS. Excessive production of ROS can cause oxidative stress, induce lipid peroxidation, enhance the binding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to their receptors, or bind to PAH to cause DNA strand breaks. The continuous and prolonged exposure to air pollutants is associated with the development or exacerbation of pathologies such as acute or chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative and skin diseases, and even reduced fertility potential. Males and females contribute to infertility equally, and exposure to air pollutants can negatively affect reproduction. In this review, emphasis will be placed on the implications of exposure to air pollutants on male fertility potential, bringing to light its effects on semen parameters (basic and advanced) and male sexual health. This study will also touch on the clinical implications of air pollution on male reproduction while highlighting the role of oxidative stress.

Association between air pollutants and birth defects in Xiamen, China

Objective

To explore the relationship between common air pollution and common birth defects, and to provide reference for the prevention of birth defects.

Methods

We conducted a case-control study in Xiamen, a city in southeastern China from 2019 to 2020. Logistics regression was used to analyze the relationship between sulfur dioxide(SO₂), fine particulate matter 2.5(PM_2.5), nitrogen dioxide(NO₂), ozone(O₃), carbon monoxide(CO) and the occurrence of common birth defects such as congenital heart disease, facial cleft, and finger deformity.

Results

SO₂ significantly increased the risk of birth defects such as congenital heart disease, cleft lip and/or cleft palate, and ear deformity in the first and second months of pregnancy.

Conclusion

Exposure to common air pollutants increases the risk of birth defects, and SO₂ significantly affects the occurrence of birth defects in the first two months of pregnancy.

Current perspectives in hypospadias research: A scoping review of articles published in 2021 (Review)

Hundreds of papers are written about hypospadias every year referring to all aspects of the pathology, being one of the most common congenital malformations. The present study conducted a scoping review of articles published in 2021 to present the main issues and summarize current perspectives and achievements in the field. It searched for the keyword 'hypospadias' in the three most popular databases (PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science). After the analysis of the publications, they were categorized into different domains. The present review was performed respecting the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA ScR) guidelines. A total of 284 articles were included. These were published in 142 different journals. The most accessed was the Journal of Paediatric Urology with 54 articles. The main identified domains were related to surgical techniques, postoperative care, complications, anesthesia, anatomical factors, genetics, environmental factors, endocrinology, associated malformations, questionnaires and recommendations, management, biological materials, animal models, retrospective studies of centers, social media, bibliometrics, small gestational age, neoplasm, or fertility. Promising modifications of existing surgical techniques were presented with improved outcomes for both the proximal and distal types of hypospadias. Relevant anatomical and etiological, and also genetic factors were clarified. Aspects of the peri- and postoperative management referring to the antibiotherapy, analgesia, dressing techniques, and the future use of novel bioengineering agents to prevent, reduce or treat the occurring complications were discussed.