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Pulliam HR, Springer SD, Rice DL, Ende GC, Johnson HJ, Willett MP, Wilson TW, Taylor BK. Neurotoxic effects of home radon exposure on oscillatory dynamics serving attentional orienting in children and adolescents. Neuroimage 2024; 292:120606. [PMID: 38604538 PMCID: PMC11097196 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120606] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that contributes significantly to radiation in the environment and is the second leading cause of lung cancer globally. Previous studies have shown that other environmental toxins have deleterious effects on brain development, though radon has not been studied as thoroughly in this context. This study examined the impact of home radon exposure on the neural oscillatory activity serving attention reorientation in youths. Fifty-six participants (ages 6-14 years) completed a classic Posner cuing task during magnetoencephalography (MEG), and home radon levels were measured for each participant. Time-frequency spectrograms indicated stronger theta (3-7 Hz, 300-800 ms), alpha (9-13 Hz, 400-900 ms), and beta responses (14-24 Hz, 400-900 ms) during the task relative to baseline. Source reconstruction of each significant oscillatory response was performed, and validity maps were computed by subtracting the task conditions (invalidly cued - validly cued). These validity maps were examined for associations with radon exposure, age, and their interaction in a linear regression design. Children with greater radon exposure showed aberrant oscillatory activity across distributed regions critical for attentional processing and attention reorientation (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex). Generally, youths with greater radon exposure exhibited a reverse neural validity effect in almost all regions and showed greater overall power relative to peers with lesser radon exposure. We also detected an interactive effect between radon exposure and age where youths with greater radon exposure exhibited divergent developmental trajectories in neural substrates implicated in attentional processing (e.g., bilateral prefrontal cortices, superior temporal gyri, and inferior parietal lobules). These data suggest aberrant, but potentially compensatory neural processing as a function of increasing home radon exposure in areas critical for attention and higher order cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley R Pulliam
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Seth D Springer
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Danielle L Rice
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Grace C Ende
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Hallie J Johnson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Madelyn P Willett
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Brittany K Taylor
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Ebrahimi M, Ebrahimi M, Vergroesen JE, Aschner M, Sillanpää M. Environmental exposures to cadmium and lead as potential causes of eye diseases. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 82:127358. [PMID: 38113800 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127358] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to cadmium and lead in various regions of the world daily due to industrial development and climate change. Increasing numbers of preclinical and clinical studies indicate that heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, play a role in the pathogenesis of eye diseases. Excessive exposure to heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can increase the risk of impaired vision. Therefore, it is essential to better characterize the role of these non-essential metals in disease etiology and progression. This article discusses the potential role of cadmium and lead in the development of age-related eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Furthermore, we discuss how cadmium and lead affect ocular cells and provide an overview of putative pathological mechanisms associated with their propensity to damage the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moein Ebrahimi
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy, and Autoimmunity, Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Ebrahimi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Joëlle E Vergroesen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Mika Sillanpää
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, P. O. Box 17011, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa; International Research Centre of Nanotechnology for Himalayan Sustainability (IRCNHS), Shoolini University, Solan 173212, Himachal Pradesh, India; Zhejiang Rongsheng Environmental Protection Paper Co. LTD, NO.588 East Zhennan Road, Pinghu Economic Development Zone, Zhejiang 314213, PR China; Department of Civil Engineering, University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India
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Kim HS, Sarrafpour S, Teng CC, Liu J. External Disruption of Ocular Development in Utero. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2024; 97:41-48. [PMID: 38559457 PMCID: PMC10964818 DOI: 10.59249/rrmm8911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The intricate steps of human ocular embryology are impacted by cellular and genetic signaling pathways and a myriad of external elements that can affect pregnancy, such as environmental, metabolic, hormonal factors, medications, and intrauterine infections. This review focuses on presenting some of these factors to recognize the multifactorial nature of ocular development and highlight their clinical significance. This review is based on English-language articles sourced from PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar; keywords searched included "ocular development in pregnancy," "ocular embryology," "maternal nutrition," "ophthalmic change," and "visual system development." While some animal models show the disruption of ocular embryology from these external factors, there are limited post-birth assessments in human studies. Much remains unknown about the precise mechanisms of how these external factors can disrupt normal ocular development in utero, and more significant research is needed to understand the pathophysiology of these disruptive effects further. Findings in this review emphasize the importance of additional research in understanding the dynamic association between factors impacting gestation and neonatal ocular development, particularly in the setting of limited resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Sue Kim
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
- Department of
Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT,
USA
| | - Soshian Sarrafpour
- Department of
Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT,
USA
| | - Christopher C. Teng
- Department of
Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT,
USA
| | - Ji Liu
- Department of
Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT,
USA
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Taylor BK, Pulliam H, Smith OV, Rice DL, Johnson HJ, Coutant AT, Glesinger R, Wilson TW. Effects of chronic home radon exposure on cognitive, behavioral, and mental health in developing children and adolescents. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1330469. [PMID: 38469220 PMCID: PMC10925658 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1330469] [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: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction It is well-established that chronic exposure to environmental toxins can have adverse effects on neuropsychological health, particularly in developing youths. However, home radon, a ubiquitous radiotoxin, has been seldom studied in this context. In the present study, we investigated the degree to which chronic everyday home radon exposure was associated with alterations in transdiagnostic mental health outcomes. Methods A total of 59 children and adolescents ages 6- to 14-years-old (M = 10.47 years, SD = 2.58; 28 males) completed the study. Parents completed questionnaires detailing aspects of attention and executive function. We used a principal components analysis to derive three domains of neuropsychological functioning: 1) task-based executive function skills, 2) self-and emotion-regulation abilities, and 3) inhibitory control. Additionally, parents completed a home radon test kit and provided information on how long their child had lived in the tested home. We computed a radon exposure index per person based on the duration of time that the child had lived in the home and their measured home radon concentration. Youths were divided into terciles based on their radon exposure index score. Using a MANCOVA design, we determined whether there were differences in neuropsychological domain scores across the three groups, controlling for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Results There was a significant multivariate effect of radon group on neuropsychological dysfunction (λ = 0.77, F = 2.32, p = 0.038, ηp2 = 0.12). Examination of univariate effects revealed specific increases in self-and emotion-regulation dysfunction among the youths with the greatest degree of chronic home radon exposure (F = 7.21, p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.21). There were no significant differences by group in the other tested domains. Discussion The data suggest potential specificity in the neurotoxic effects of everyday home radon exposure in developing youths, with significant aberrations in self-and emotion-regulation faculties. These findings support the need for better public awareness and public health policy surrounding home radon safety and mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany K. Taylor
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Haley Pulliam
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - OgheneTejiri V. Smith
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Danielle L. Rice
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Hallie J. Johnson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Anna T. Coutant
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Ryan Glesinger
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Tony W. Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
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Lu J, Wu D, Li S, Gao X. Reaction Process of Solid Waste Composite-Based Cementitious Materials for Immobilizing and Characterizing Heavy Metals in Lead and Zinc Tailings: Based on XRD, SEM-EDS and Compressive Strength Characterization. Molecules 2024; 29:996. [PMID: 38474511 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29050996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the synergistic effect and mechanism of gelling materials with blast furnace slag (BFS), steel slag (SS) and desulphurization gypsum (DG) as the main components on the hardening of heavy metal ions by lead and zinc tailings. It is found that lead and zinc tailing (LZT) is mainly composed of dolomite and quartz and contain small amounts of calcium, aluminum, iron, magnesium and other elements as well as heavy metals such as lead and zinc. By the mechanical activation method, it is found that the lead and zinc tailings powder has the largest specific surface area and the highest activity index when the ball milling time is 2 h. At a hardening timepoint of 28 d, the calcite crystals in the samples are intertwined with the amorphous C-S-H gel (C-S-H gels are mainly composed of 3CaO∙SiO2 and 2CaO∙SiO2), which enhances the structural strength of the samples. The chemical reaction analysis confirmed that the formation of calcite is a major driver for the hydration reaction of the steel slag-desulphurization gypsum (SSSDG) system. Overall, the slag, steel slag and desulphurization gypsum solid waste-based gelling materials have synergistic effects in hardening heavy metals by limiting the leaching of metal ions, adsorbing metal ions and hardening heavy metals, and facilitating the hydration process through the formation of compound salt precipitates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Lu
- Anhui Province Intelligent Underground Exploration and Environmental Geotechnical Engineering Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Safety and Health for Metal Mines, College of Civil Engineering, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Dun Wu
- Anhui Province Intelligent Underground Exploration and Environmental Geotechnical Engineering Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Safety and Health for Metal Mines, College of Civil Engineering, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601, China
- School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Shuqin Li
- Sinosteel Maanshan General Institute of Mining Research Co., Ltd., Maanshan 243000, China
| | - Xia Gao
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601, China
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Krzeczkowski JE, Hall M, Saint-Amour D, Oulhote Y, McGuckin T, Goodman CV, Green R, Muckle G, Lanphear B, Till C. Prenatal fluoride exposure, offspring visual acuity and autonomic nervous system function in 6-month-old infants. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108336. [PMID: 38064923 PMCID: PMC10981044 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal fluoride exposure can have adverse effects on children's development; however, associations with visual and cardiac autonomic nervous system functioning are unknown. We examined associations between prenatal fluoride exposure and visual acuity and heart rate variability (HRV) in 6-month-old infants. METHODS We used data from Canadian mother-infant pairs participating in the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) cohort. We estimated prenatal fluoride exposure using: i) fluoride concentration in drinking water (mg/L), ii) maternal urinary fluoride adjusted for specific gravity (MUFSG; mg/L) and averaged across pregnancy, and iii) maternal fluoride intake (µg/kg/day) from consumption of water, tea, and coffee, adjusted for maternal body weight (kg). We used multivariable linear regression to examine associations between each measure of fluoride exposure and Teller Acuity Card visual acuity scores (n = 435) and assessed HRV (n = 400) using two measures: root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and the standard deviation of N-N intervals (SDNN) measured at 6-months of age. RESULTS Median (IQR) values for water fluoride, MUFSG, and daily fluoride intake were 0.20 (IQR: 0.13-0.56) mg/L; 0.44 (0.28-0.70) mg/L and 4.82 (2.58-10.83) µg/kg/day, respectively. After adjustment for confounding variables, water fluoride concentration was associated with poorer infant visual acuity (B = -1.51; 95 % CI: -2.14,-0.88) and HRV as indicated by lower RMSSD (B = -1.60; 95 % CI: -2.74,-0.46) but not SDNN. Maternal fluoride intake was also associated with poorer visual acuity (B = -0.82; 95 % CI: -1.35,-0.29) and lower RMSSD (B = -1.22; 95 % CI: -2.15,-0.30). No significant associations were observed between MUFSG and visual acuity or HRV. CONCLUSION Fluoride in drinking water was associated with reduced visual acuity and alterations in cardiac autonomic function in infancy, adding to the growing body of evidence suggesting fluoride's developmental neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Krzeczkowski
- Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Meaghan Hall
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dave Saint-Amour
- Faculté de médecine - Département d'ophtalmologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Youssef Oulhote
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sina, New York, NY, USA
| | - Taylor McGuckin
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carly V Goodman
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rivka Green
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gina Muckle
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Canada; École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Bruce Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christine Till
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Wang Z, Dou Y, Guo W, Lin Y, Jiang Y, Jiang T, Qin R, Lv H, Lu Q, Jin G, Ma H, Hu Z, Liu H, Du J. Association between prenatal exposure to trace elements mixture and visual acuity in infants: A prospective birth cohort study. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 333:138905. [PMID: 37187369 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal environmental factors may affect the development of the offspring and can bring long lasting consequences to the offspring's health. To date, only few studies have reported inconclusive association between prenatal single trace element exposure and visual acuity, and no studies have investigated the association between prenatal exposure to trace elements mixture and visual acuity in infants. METHODS In the prospective cohort study, grating acuity in infants (12 ± 1 months) was measured by Teller Acuity Cards II. Concentrations of 20 trace elements in maternal urine samples collected in early-trimester were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Elastic net regression (ENET) was applied to select important trace elements. Nonlinear associations of the trace elements levels with abnormal grating were explored using the restricted cubic spline (RCS) method. The associations between selected individual elements and abnormal grating acuity were further appraised using the logistic regression model. Then Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) was used to estimate the joint effects of mixture and interactions between trace elements combining with NLinteraction. RESULTS Of 932 mother-infant pairs, 70 infants had abnormal grating acuity. The ENET model produced 8 trace elements with non-zero coefficients, including cadmium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, rubidium, antimony, tin and titanium. RCS analyses identified no nonlinear associations of the 8 elements with abnormal grating acuity. The single-exposure analyses using logistic regression revealed that prenatal molybdenum exposure possessed a significantly positive association with abnormal grating acuity (odds ratio [OR]: 1.44 per IQR increase, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05, 1.96; P = 0.023), while prenatal nickel exposure presented with a significantly inverse association with abnormal grating acuity (OR: 0.64 per IQR increase, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.89; P = 0.009). Similar effects were also observed in BKMR models. Moreover, the BKMR models and NLinteraction method identified potential interaction between molybdenum and nickel. CONCLUSIONS We established that prenatal exposure to high concentration of molybdenum and low concentration of nickel was associated with the increased risk of abnormal visual acuity. Potential interaction may exist between molybdenum and nickel on abnormal visual acuity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijin Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuanyan Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenhui Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yangqian Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hong Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guangfu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongxia Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215002, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Hu Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Jiangbo Du
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215002, Jiangsu, China.
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Zlomuzica A, Plank L, Kodzaga I, Dere E. A fatal alliance: Glial connexins, myelin pathology and mental disorders. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 159:97-115. [PMID: 36701970 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mature oligodendrocytes are myelin forming glial cells which are responsible for myelination of neuronal axons in the white matter of the central nervous system. Myelin pathology is a major feature of severe neurological disorders. Oligodendrocyte-specific gene mutations and/or white matter alterations have also been addressed in a variety of mental disorders. Breakdown of myelin integrity and demyelination is associated with severe symptoms, including impairments in motor coordination, breathing, dysarthria, perception (vision and hearing), and cognition. Furthermore, there is evidence indicating that myelin sheath defects and white matter pathology contributes to the affective and cognitive symptoms of patients with mental disorders. Oligodendrocytes express the connexins GJC2; mCx47 [human (GJC2) and mouse (mCx47) connexin gene nomenclature according to Söhl and Willecke (2003)], GJB1; mCx32, and GJD1; mCx29 in both white and gray matter. Preclinical findings indicate that alterations in connexin expression in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes can induce myelin defects. GJC2; mCx47 is expressed at early embryonic stages in oligodendrocyte precursors cells which precedes central nervous system myelination. In adult humans and animals GJC2, respectively mCx47 expression is essential for oligodendrocyte function and ensures adequate myelination as well as myelin maintenance in the central nervous system. In the past decade, evidence has accumulated suggesting that mental disorders can be accompanied by changes in connexin expression, myelin sheath defects and corresponding white matter alterations. This dual pathology could compromise inter-neuronal information transfer, processing and communication and eventually contribute to behavioral, sensory-motor, affective and cognitive symptoms in patients with mental disorders. The induction of myelin repair and remyelination in the central nervous system of patients with mental disorders could help to restore normal neuronal information propagation and ameliorate behavioral and cognitive symptoms in individuals with mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Zlomuzica
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Laurin Plank
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787, Bochum, Germany
| | - Iris Kodzaga
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ekrem Dere
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787, Bochum, Germany; Sorbonne Université, UFR des Sciences de la Vie, 9 quai Saint Bernard, F-75005, Paris, France.
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Bah HAF, Martinez VO, dos Santos NR, Gomes Junior EA, Costa DO, Pires EM, Santana JVA, Cerqueira FDS, Menezes-Filho JA. Determinants of Exposure to Potentially Toxic Metals in Pregnant Women of the DSAN-12M Cohort in the Recôncavo Baiano, Brazil. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2949. [PMID: 36833642 PMCID: PMC9959373 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to potentially toxic metals (PTM) threatens maternal and child health. We investigated the determinants of exposure to lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and manganese (Mn) in 163 pregnant women from the Recôncavo Baiano, Brazil, enrolled in the DSAN-12M cohort. We measured these metals in biological samples (blood, toenails, and hair) and the Pb dust loading rates (RtPb) at their homes by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS). Questionnaires were applied to collect sociodemographic and general habits data. Only 2.91% (n = 4) of the pregnant women had As levels above the detection limit. Few participants had levels above the recommended reference values for blood Pb (5.1; 95% CI: 2.1-10.1%), and Mn in hair or toenails (4.3; 95% CI: 2.3-10.1%). On the other hand, 61.1 (95% CI: 52.4-69.3%) had elevated blood Cd levels. After binary logistic regression, low socioeconomic status, domestic waste burning, being a passive smoker, multiparity, and renovating the house significantly increased the chances of having high levels of Mn, Pb, and Cd. We detected a worrying situation related to exposure to Cd, showing the urgency of implementing human biomonitoring in the general population, especially in situations of social vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Homègnon A. Ferréol Bah
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-040, Brazil
- Laboratory of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
| | - Victor O. Martinez
- Graduate Program in Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
| | - Nathália R. dos Santos
- Laboratory of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
| | - Erival A. Gomes Junior
- Graduate Program in Food Science, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
| | - Daisy O. Costa
- Laboratory of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
| | - Elis Macêdo Pires
- Laboratory of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
| | - João V. Araújo Santana
- Laboratory of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
| | - Filipe da Silva Cerqueira
- Laboratory of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
| | - José A. Menezes-Filho
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-040, Brazil
- Laboratory of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
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10
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Colwell ML, Townsel C, Petroff RL, Goodrich JM, Dolinoy DC. Epigenetics and the Exposome: DNA Methylation as a Proxy for Health Impacts of Prenatal Environmental Exposures. EXPOSOME 2023; 3:osad001. [PMID: 37333730 PMCID: PMC10275510 DOI: 10.1093/exposome/osad001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of every day exposures can impact health across the life course, but our understanding of such exposures is impeded by our ability to delineate the relationship between an individual's early life exposome and later life health effects. Measuring the exposome is challenging. Exposure assessed at a given time point captures a snapshot of the exposome but does not represent the full spectrum of exposures across the life course. In addition, the assessment of early life exposures and their effects is often further challenged by lack of relevant samples and the time gap between exposures and related health outcomes in later life. Epigenetics, specifically DNA methylation, has the potential to overcome these barriers as environmental epigenetic perturbances can be retained through time. In this review, we describe how DNA methylation can be framed in the world of the exposome. We offer three compelling examples of common environmental exposures, including cigarette smoke, the endocrine active compound bisphenol A (BPA), and the metal lead (Pb), to illustrate the application of DNA methylation as a proxy to measure the exposome. We discuss areas for future explorations and current limitations of this approach. Epigenetic profiling is a promising and rapidly developing tool and field of study, offering us a unique and powerful way to assess the early life exposome and its effects across different life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathia L. Colwell
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Courtney Townsel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rebekah L. Petroff
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jaclyn M. Goodrich
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Dana C. Dolinoy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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11
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The construction and validation of a lead exposure screening tool for pregnant women in Thailand (ThaiL8Is). Heliyon 2022; 8:e12582. [PMID: 36636215 PMCID: PMC9830162 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12582] [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: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To construct, validate, and implement a new screening tool for lead exposure in Thai pregnant women. Methods A cross-sectional study that included three processes: screening tool development, validation, and implementation. The participants were pregnant women who had received antenatal care at district health promotion hospitals. There were 100 pregnant women in Nakhon Si Thammarat province during the validation process, and 30 pregnant women in Phang Nga province during the implementation process. Blood lead levels (BLLs) were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The sensitivity and specificity of the screening instrument, as well as the Area Under the Curve (AUC), demonstrate its validity. Results There were 80 BLL-related items found through the collection of primary and secondary data and examined for validity and inter-rater reliability by five experts. Six items were excluded because the values were less than the criteria set. Seventy-four items remained with the Item Content Validity Index (I-CVI) = 0.80-1.00, the Content Validity Index Average (S-CVI/Ave) = 0.91, and Kappa scores = 0.76-1.00. After using 74 items collected on pregnant women, only 31 items were included in the validation process. Following that, the pooled eight items with cut-off point scores of 1 had the highest validity, which included systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, urine sugar, haemoglobin level, occupation, drinking coffee, using chemical products, and education level (ThaiL8Is). The ThaiL8Is in the validation process yielded sensitivity = 80.9%, specificity = 69.8%, and an AUC (95%CI) = 0.78 (0.69-0.87). The implementation process has confirmed the validity of the screening tool; sensitivity = 78.9%, specificity = 81.8%, and the AUC (95%CI) = 0.80 (0.63-0.97). Conclusions The ThaiL8Is a valid screening tool for Thai pregnant women. ThaiL8Is' sensitivity in detecting the risk groups for lead exposure can be enhanced by a combination of biochemical markers used in routine prenatal screening. It can be used to screen pregnant women for early indicators of lead exposure prior to a blood lead test.
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12
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Taylor BK, Smith OV, Miller GE. Chronic Home Radon Exposure Is Associated with Higher Inflammatory Biomarker Concentrations in Children and Adolescents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:246. [PMID: 36612568 PMCID: PMC9819293 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Children are particularly vulnerable to the deleterious impacts of toxic environmental exposures, though the effects of some rather ubiquitous toxins have yet to be characterized in youths. One such toxin, radon gas, is known to accumulate to hazardous levels in homes, and has been linked with the incidence of lung cancer in aging adults. However, the degree to which chronic home radon exposure may impact risk for health problems earlier in life is unknown. Herein, we explored the degree to which chronic home radon exposure relates to biomarkers of low-grade inflammation in 68 youths ages 6- to 14 years old residing in an area of the United States prone to high home radon concentrations. Parents completed a home radon test kit, and youths provided a saliva sample to assess concentrations of five biomarkers. Using a multiple regression approach, we found that greater radon exposure was specifically associated with higher levels of C-reactive protein (β = 0.31, p = 0.007) and interleukin-1β (β = 0.33, p = 0.016). The data suggested specificity in associations between chronic home radon exposure and different biomarkers of inflammatory activity and highlight a pathway which may confer risk for future mental and physical health maladies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany K. Taylor
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - OgheneTejiri V. Smith
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
| | - Gregory E. Miller
- Institute for Policy Research and Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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13
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Waeyeng D, Khamphaya T, Pouyfung P, Vattanasit U, Yimthiang S. Blood Lead Levels among Non-Occupationally Exposed Pregnant Women in Southern Thailand. TOXICS 2022; 10:599. [PMID: 36287879 PMCID: PMC9610693 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10100599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that is toxic to humans, especially children and pregnant women. In Thailand, guidelines exist to minimize lead exposure in pregnant women working in lead-related occupations. However, no guidelines exist for pregnant women who are not employed in these economic sectors. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine blood lead levels (BLLs) and related risk factors among 80 non-occupationally exposed pregnant women from the general population living in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Southern Thailand. BLLs were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A validated questionnaire was adopted to interview participants which included demographic, consumer goods, supplement intake, and health factors. The mean BLL was 4.68 ± 1.55 µg/dL (95% CI 4.33-5.02) and 42.50% had BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL. Higher education was the only demographic factor associated with BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL (aOR 0.16, 95% CI 0.03-0.80, p = 0.027). Systolic blood pressure was also associated with BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL (aOR 5.00, 95% CI 1.23-17.16, p = 0.023). However, consumer goods and supplement intake were not associated with BLLs. Our results indicate that pregnant women from the general population who were not in the risk exposure group had lead in their bodies. Except for education, demographics were not associated with pregnant women with BLLs. However, with health factors, even low BLLs had a small effect on systolic blood pressure. These data suggest a need for promoting health education and health interventions to prevent the dangers of lead exposure, especially for pregnant women and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donrawee Waeyeng
- Environmental, Safety Technology and Health Program, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Thaiburi, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Tanaporn Khamphaya
- Environmental, Safety Technology and Health Program, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Thaiburi, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Phisit Pouyfung
- Occupational Health and Safety Department, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Thaiburi, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Udomratana Vattanasit
- Environmental Health and Technology Department, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Thaiburi, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Supabhorn Yimthiang
- Environmental, Safety Technology and Health Program, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Thaiburi, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
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14
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Maternal blood metal concentrations are associated with C-reactive protein and cell adhesion molecules among pregnant women in Puerto Rico. Environ Epidemiol 2022; 6:e214. [PMID: 35975168 PMCID: PMC9374188 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies have revealed a link between aberrant levels of maternal C-reactive protein (CRP) and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) with adverse birth outcomes. Some epidemiologic studies have indicated that long-term metal exposures can modulate the levels of CRP and CAMs, but the associations between prenatal metal exposures and the levels of CRP and CAMs have yet to be studied more extensively. In this study, we assessed associations between maternal blood metal levels and CRP/CAMs among 617 pregnant women in the Puerto Rico PROTECT birth cohort.
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15
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Bozack AK, Rifas-Shiman SL, Coull BA, Baccarelli AA, Wright RO, Amarasiriwardena C, Gold DR, Oken E, Hivert MF, Cardenas A. Prenatal metal exposure, cord blood DNA methylation and persistence in childhood: an epigenome-wide association study of 12 metals. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:208. [PMID: 34798907 PMCID: PMC8605513 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01198-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prenatal exposure to essential and non-essential metals impacts birth and child health, including fetal growth and neurodevelopment. DNA methylation (DNAm) may be involved in pathways linking prenatal metal exposure and health. In the Project Viva cohort, we analyzed the extent to which metals (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cs, Cu, Hg, Mg, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn) measured in maternal erythrocytes were associated with differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and regions (DMRs) in cord blood and tested if associations persisted in blood collected in mid-childhood. We measured metal concentrations in first-trimester maternal erythrocytes, and DNAm in cord blood (N = 361) and mid-childhood blood (N = 333, 6–10 years) with the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. For each metal individually, we tested for DMPs using linear models (considered significant at FDR < 0.05), and for DMRs using comb-p (Sidak p < 0.05). Covariates included biologically relevant variables and estimated cell-type composition. We also performed sex-stratified analyses. Results Pb was associated with decreased methylation of cg20608990 (CASP8) (FDR = 0.04), and Mn was associated with increased methylation of cg02042823 (A2BP1) in cord blood (FDR = 9.73 × 10–6). Both associations remained significant but attenuated in blood DNAm collected at mid-childhood (p < 0.01). Two and nine Mn-associated DMPs were identified in male and female infants, respectively (FDR < 0.05), with two and six persisting in mid-childhood (p < 0.05). All metals except Ba and Pb were associated with ≥ 1 DMR among all infants (Sidak p < 0.05). Overlapping DMRs annotated to genes in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region were identified for Cr, Cs, Cu, Hg, Mg, and Mn. Conclusions Prenatal metal exposure is associated with DNAm, including DMRs annotated to genes involved in neurodevelopment. Future research is needed to determine if DNAm partially explains the relationship between prenatal metal exposures and health outcomes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13148-021-01198-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K Bozack
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, Room 5302, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Robert O Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health and Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, New York City, USA
| | - Chitra Amarasiriwardena
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health and Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, New York City, USA
| | - Diane R Gold
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, Room 5302, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA. .,Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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16
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Ashrap P, Watkins DJ, Mukherjee B, Rosario-Pabón Z, Vélez-Vega CM, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero JF, Meeker JD. Performance of urine, blood, and integrated metal biomarkers in relation to birth outcomes in a mixture setting. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 200:111435. [PMID: 34097892 PMCID: PMC8403638 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on the health effects of metal mixtures typically utilize biomarkers measured in a single biological medium, such as blood or urine. However, the ability to evaluate mixture effects are limited by the uncertainty whether a unified medium can fully capture exposure for each metal. Therefore, it is important to compare and assess metal mixtures measured in different media in epidemiology studies. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to examine the mixture predictive performance of urine and blood metal biomarkers and integrated multi-media biomarkers in association with birth outcomes. METHODS In our analysis of 847 women from the Puerto Rico PROTECT Cohort, we measured 10 essential and non-essential metals in repeated and paired samples of urine and blood during pregnancy. For each metal, we integrated exposure estimates from paired urine and blood biomarkers into multi-media biomarkers (MMBs), using intraclass-correlation coefficient (ICC) and weighted quantile sum (WQS) approaches. Using Ridge regressions, four separate Environmental risk scores (ERSs) for metals in urine, blood, MMBICC, and MMBWQS were computed as a weighted sum of the 10 metal concentrations. We then examined associations between urine, blood, and multi-media biomarker ERSs and birth outcomes using linear and logistic regressions, adjusting for maternal age, maternal education, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and second-hand smoke exposure. The performance of each ERS was evaluated with continuous and tertile estimates and 95% confidence intervals of the odds ratio of preterm birth using area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS Pb was the most important contributor of blood ERS as well as the two integrated multi-media biomarker ERSs. Individuals with high ERS (3rd tertile) showed increased odds of preterm birth compared to individuals with low ERS (1st tertile), with 2.8-fold (95% CI, 1.49 to 5.40) for urine (specific gravity corrected); 3.2- fold (95% CI, 1.68 to 6.25) for blood; 3.9-fold (95% CI, 1.72 to 8.66) for multi-media biomarkers composed using ICC; and 5.2-fold (95% CI, 2.34 to 11.42) for multi-media biomarkers composed using WQS. The four ERSs had comparable predictive performances (AUC ranging from 0.64 to 0.68) when urine is examined with specific gravity corrected concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Within a practical metal panel, measuring metals in either urine or blood may be an equally good approach to evaluate the metals as a mixture. Applications in practical study design require validation of these methods with other cohorts, larger panels of metals and within the context of other adverse health effects of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pahriya Ashrap
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Zaira Rosario-Pabón
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Carmen M Vélez-Vega
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Akram Alshawabkeh
- College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - José F Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States
| | - John D Meeker
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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17
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Ashrap P, Aker A, Watkins DJ, Mukherjee B, Rosario-Pabón Z, Vélez-Vega CM, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero JF, Meeker JD. Psychosocial status modifies the effect of maternal blood metal and metalloid concentrations on birth outcomes. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 149:106418. [PMID: 33548848 PMCID: PMC7897320 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metal exposure and psychosocial stress in pregnancy have each been associated with adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight, but no study has examined the potential interaction between them. OBJECTIVES We examined the modifying effect of psychosocial stress on the association between metals and birth outcomes among pregnant women in Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) birth cohort study. METHODS In our analysis of 682 women from the PROTECT study, we measured 16 essential and non-essential metals in blood samples at two time points. We administered questionnaires to collect information on depression, perceived stress, social support, and life experience during pregnancy. Using K-means clustering, we categorized pregnant women into one of two groups: "good" and "poor" psychosocial status. We then evaluated whether the effect of blood metals (geometric average) on adverse birth outcomes (gestational age, preterm birth [overall and spontaneous], birth weight z-score, small for gestation [SGA], large for gestation [LGA]) vary between two clusters of women, adjusting for maternal age, maternal education, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and second-hand smoke exposure. RESULTS Blood manganese (Mn) was associated with an increased odds ratio (OR) of overall preterm birth (OR/interquartile range [IQR] = 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25, 6.12) and spontaneous preterm birth (OR/IQR: 3.68, 95% CI: 1.20, 6.57) only among women with "poor" psychosocial status. The association between copper (Cu) and SGA was also statistically significant only among women having "poor" psychosocial status (OR/IQR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.20, 6.57). We also observed associations between nickel (Ni) and preterm birth and SGA that were modified by psychosocial status during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Presence of "poor" psychosocial status intensified the adverse associations between Mn and preterm birth, Cu and SGA, and protective effects of Ni on preterm. This provides evidence that prenatal psychosocial stress may modify vulnerability to metal exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pahriya Ashrap
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Amira Aker
- Department of Health and Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Zaira Rosario-Pabón
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Carmen M Vélez-Vega
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Akram Alshawabkeh
- College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - José F Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - John D Meeker
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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18
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Wang D, Fu X, Zhang J, Xu C, Hu Q, Lin W. Association between blood lead level during pregnancy and birth weight: A meta-analysis. Am J Ind Med 2020; 63:1085-1094. [PMID: 32969041 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to provide a quantitative summary of evidence for a relationship between prenatal lead (Pb) exposure and birth weight. METHODS PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for eligible epidemiological studies. We transformed findings in eligible studies with different effect-size metrics to standardized regression coefficients, and used fixed-effects or random-effects models to assess the pooled effects of prenatal Pb exposure on birth weight. RESULTS There was a significant negative association between prenatal Pb exposure and birth weight. Birth weight reduction was associated with elevated lead levels in maternal blood (β = -0.094; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.157 to -0.030) and cord blood (β = -0.120; 95% CI: -0.239 to -0.001). CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis is the first to provide a quantitative assessment of Pb exposure during pregnancy and an increased risk of lower birth weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Xi Fu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Chengfang Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Qiansheng Hu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Weiwei Lin
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China
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19
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Bauer JA, Fruh V, Howe CG, White RF, Henn BC. Associations of metals and neurodevelopment: a review of recent evidence on susceptibility factors. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2020; 7:237-262. [PMID: 33777647 PMCID: PMC7993302 DOI: 10.1007/s40471-020-00249-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Epidemiologic evidence exists that many metals are associated with adverse neurobehavioral effects in young children, including lead (Pb), methylmercury (meHg), manganese (Mn) and arsenic (As)5-8. Importantly, chemical insult can vary depending on host factors and exposure circumstance. This systematic review summarizes the recent literature investigating modifying factors of the associations between metals and neurodevelopment, including immutable traits (sex or genetics) or exposure conditions (timing or co-exposures). RECENT FINDINGS Of the 53 studies included in this review, the number investigating modification of exposure effects were: 30 for sex, 21 for co-exposures, 12 for timing of exposure, and six for genetic modifiers. Sex-specific effects of metal-neurobehavioral associations were inconclusive for all metals, likely due to the heterogeneity of outcome domains assessed and the exposure time points measured. Seven studies evaluated both sex and exposure timing as modifying factors using deciduous teeth or other biomarkers with repeated measures to characterize metals exposure over time. Only five studies used statistical methods for mixtures to evaluate associations of more than two metals with neurobehavioral domains. SUMMARY Despite the expansion of research on susceptibility to the neurodevelopmental effects of metals exposure, considerable gaps remain. This work remains critical, as characterizing susceptible subpopulations can aid in identifying biological mechanisms and is fundamental for the protection of public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Bauer
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Victoria Fruh
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caitlin G Howe
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Roberta F White
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Birgit Claus Henn
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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20
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Ebrahimi M, Khalili N, Razi S, Keshavarz-Fathi M, Khalili N, Rezaei N. Effects of lead and cadmium on the immune system and cancer progression. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2020; 18:335-343. [PMID: 32399244 PMCID: PMC7203386 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-020-00455-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
In our daily life, we are surrounded by harmful pollutants, including heavy metals that are not visible in the macroscopic view easily. Heavy metals can disrupt different aspects of human health, such as the immune system which has gained a lot of attention in recent decades. This had led to its rapid progression and new insights into its alterations in different diseases especially cancer. Heavy metals are non-biodegradable materials that exist in different parts of the food cycle, such as fruits and vegetables as commonly consumed foods and also unexpected sources such as street dust, that exists in the streets that we pass every day, soil, air, and water. These heavy metals can enter the human body through respiratory, cutaneous, and gastrointestinal pathways and then accumulate in different organs, leading to their encountering with various parts of the body. These sources and natural characteristics of heavy metals facilitate their interaction with the immune system. In this review, we investigated the effect of lead and cadmium, as pollutants that exist in many different parts of the human environment, on the immune system which is known to have a key role in the pathophysiology of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ebrahimi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Neda Khalili
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Razi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nastaran Khalili
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Southampton, UK
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21
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Akhtar A, Kazi TG, Afridi HI, Baig JA, Arain MB. A tandem ionic liquid‐based dispersive microextraction method using in‐syringe air‐assisted vesicle system for rapid determination of lead and cadmium in artificial sweat extract of facial cosmetic products. Appl Organomet Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/aoc.5784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Asma Akhtar
- National Centre of Excellence in Analytical ChemistryUniversity of Sindh Jamshoro 76080 Pakistan
| | - Tasneem Gul Kazi
- National Centre of Excellence in Analytical ChemistryUniversity of Sindh Jamshoro 76080 Pakistan
| | - Hassan Imran Afridi
- National Centre of Excellence in Analytical ChemistryUniversity of Sindh Jamshoro 76080 Pakistan
| | - Jameel Ahmed Baig
- National Centre of Excellence in Analytical ChemistryUniversity of Sindh Jamshoro 76080 Pakistan
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22
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Ashrap P, Watkins DJ, Mukherjee B, Boss J, Richards MJ, Rosario Z, Vélez-Vega CM, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero JF, Meeker JD. Maternal blood metal and metalloid concentrations in association with birth outcomes in Northern Puerto Rico. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 138:105606. [PMID: 32179314 PMCID: PMC7198231 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In previous studies, exposures to heavy metals such as Pb and Cd have been associated with adverse birth outcomes; however, knowledge on effects at low levels of exposure and of other elements remain limited. METHOD We examined individual and mixture effects of metals and metalloids on birth outcomes among 812 pregnant women in the Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) cohort. We measured 16 essential and non-essential metal(loid)s in maternal blood collected at 16-20 and 24-28 weeks gestation. We used linear and logistic regression to independently examine associations between geometric mean (GM) concentrations of each metal across visits and gestational age, birthweight z-scores, preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), and large for gestational age (LGA). We evaluated effect modification with infant sex*metal interaction terms. To identify critical windows of susceptibility, birth outcomes were regressed on visit-specific metal concentrations. Furthermore, average metal concentrations were divided into tertiles to examine the potential for non-linear relationships. We used elastic net (ENET) regularization to construct Environmental Risk Score (ERS) as a metal risk score and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) to identify individual metals most critical to each outcome, accounting for correlated exposures. RESULTS In adjusted models, an interquartile range (IQR) increase in GM lead (Pb) was associated with 1.63 higher odds of preterm birth (95%CI = 1.17, 2.28) and 2 days shorter gestational age (95% CI = -3.1, -0.5). Manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were also associated with higher odds of preterm birth and shorter gestational age; the associations were strongest among the highest tertile for Mn and among females for Zn. Mercury (Hg) was associated with higher risk of preterm birth at the later window of pregnancy. Ni measured later in pregnancy was associated with lower odds of SGA. ENET and BKMR models selected similar metals as "important" predictors of birth outcomes. The association between ERS and preterm birth was assessed and the third tertile of ERS was significantly associated with an elevated odds ratio of 2.13 (95% CI = 1.12, 5.49) for preterm birth compared to the first tertile. CONCLUSION As the PROTECT cohort has lower Pb concentrations (GM = 0.33 μg/dL) compared to the mainland US, our findings suggest that low-level prenatal lead exposure, as well as elevated Mn and Zn exposure, may adversely affect birth outcomes. Improved understanding on environmental factors contributing to preterm birth, together with sustainable technologies to remove contamination, will have a direct impact in Puerto Rico and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pahriya Ashrap
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jonathan Boss
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | - Zaira Rosario
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Carmen M Vélez-Vega
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States
| | - Akram Alshawabkeh
- College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - José F Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - John D Meeker
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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23
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Drago G, Ruggieri S, Bianchi F, Sampino S, Cibella F. Birth Cohorts in Highly Contaminated Sites: A Tool for Monitoring the Relationships Between Environmental Pollutants and Children's Health. Front Public Health 2020; 8:125. [PMID: 32411642 PMCID: PMC7198735 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Industrial areas are characterized by the dispersion of environmental stressors that could possibly have long-term detrimental effects on both human health and the environment. Environmental contamination has been indicated to be one of the major risks for reproductive health. In this context, the effects of environmental pollution on pregnant women living in heavily polluted areas is of special interest. In fact, fetal development is a crucial phase due to the dynamic interaction between the maternal/external environments and the developing organs and tissues. Moreover, following Barker's postulate of the intrauterine origin of health and disease, the events occurring in this time window could affect future health. Birth cohorts provide the most suitable design for assessing the association between early-life and possible long-term health outcomes in highly contaminated sites. By providing an assessment of the early life environment throughout the collection of biological samples, birth cohorts offer the opportunity to study in-depth several possible confounders and outcomes by means of questionnaires and follow-ups based on clinical evaluations and bio-specimen samplings. The exposome comprises the totality of exposures from conception onwards; the birth cohort approach allows the integration of the exposures as a whole, including those related to socioeconomic status, with "omics" data from biological samples collected at birth and throughout life. In the characterization of the "fetal exposome," the placenta represents a highly informative and scarcely considered organ. For this purpose, the "Neonatal Environment and Health Outcomes" (NEHO) birth cohort has been established by enrolling pregnant women residing in contaminated sites and in surrounding areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaspare Drago
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Palermo, Italy
| | - Silvia Ruggieri
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bianchi
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvestre Sampino
- Department of Experimental Embryology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Poland
| | - Fabio Cibella
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Palermo, Italy
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24
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Ashrap P, Watkins DJ, Mukherjee B, Boss J, Richards MJ, Rosario Z, Vélez-Vega CM, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero JF, Meeker JD. Predictors of urinary and blood Metal(loid) concentrations among pregnant women in Northern Puerto Rico. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:109178. [PMID: 32007748 PMCID: PMC7167342 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Given the potential adverse health effects related to toxic trace metal exposure and insufficient or excessive levels of essential trace metals in pregnant women and their fetuses, the present study characterizes biomarkers of metal and metalloid exposure at repeated time points during pregnancy among women in Puerto Rico. We recruited 1040 pregnant women from prenatal clinics and collected urine, blood, and questionnaire data on demographics, product use, food consumption, and water usage at up to three visits. All samples were analyzed for 16 metal(loid)s: arsenic (As), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), cesium (Cs), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), uranium (U), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn). Urine samples were additionally analyzed for molybdenum (Mo), platinum (Pt), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn), and tungsten (W). Mean concentrations of most metal(loid)s were higher among participants compared to the general US female population. We found weak to moderate correlations for inter-matrix comparisons, and moderate to strong correlations between several metal(loid)s measured within each biological matrix. Blood concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Hg, and Pb were shown to reflect reliable biomarkers of exposure. For other metals, repeated samples are recommended for exposure assessment in epidemiology studies. Predictors of metal(loid) biomarkers included fish and rice consumption (urinary As), fish and canned food (blood Hg), drinking public water (blood Pb), smoking (blood Cd), and iron/folic acid supplement use (urinary Cs, Mo, and Sb). Characterization of metal(loid) biomarker variation over time and between matrices, and identification of important exposure sources, may inform future epidemiology studies and exposure reduction strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pahriya Ashrap
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jonathan Boss
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | - Zaira Rosario
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Carmen M Vélez-Vega
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Akram Alshawabkeh
- College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - José F Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - John D Meeker
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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25
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Polevoy C, Arbuckle TE, Oulhote Y, Lanphear BP, Cockell KA, Muckle G, Saint-Amour D. Prenatal exposure to legacy contaminants and visual acuity in Canadian infants: a maternal-infant research on environmental chemicals study (MIREC-ID). Environ Health 2020; 19:14. [PMID: 32028962 PMCID: PMC7006412 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-0567-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants can have deleterious effects on child development. While psychomotor, cognitive and behavioural outcomes have been investigated in relation to chronic exposure, the associations with visual functions remains unclear. The present study's aim was to assess the associations of prenatal exposure to legacy persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals with visual acuity in Canadian infants. The potential protective effects of selenium against mercury toxicity were also examined. METHODS Participants (mean corrected age = 6.6 months) were part of the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), lead and mercury were measured in maternal blood during pregnancy, as well as in the cord blood. The Teller acuity card test (TAC) (n = 429) and the visual evoked potentials in a sub-group (n = 63) were used to estimate behavioural and electrophysiological visual acuity, respectively. Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate the relationship between exposure to each contaminant and visual acuity measures, while controlling for potential confounders. Breastmilk selenium, which was available for about half of the TAC and VEP samples, was also taken into account in the mercury models as exploratory analyses. RESULTS We observed no significant associations between exposure to any contaminants and TAC. Analyses revealed a negative trend (p values < 0.1) between cord blood lead and mercury and electrophysiological visual acuity, whereas PCB and PBDE showed no association. When adding breastmilk selenium concentration to the mercury models, this association became statistically significant for cord concentrations (β = - 3.41, 95% CI = - 5.96,-0.86), but also for blood levels at 1st and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy (β = - 3.29, 95% CI = - 5.69,-0.88). However, further regression models suggested that this change in estimates might not be due to adjustment for selenium, but instead to a change in the study sample. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that subtle, but detectable alterations of infant electrophysiological visual acuity can be identified in a population prenatally exposed to low mercury concentrations. Compared to behavioural visual acuity testing, electrophysiological assessment may more sensitive in detecting visual neurotoxicity in relation with prenatal exposure to mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Polevoy
- Centre de recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, QC, Montréal, Canada
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, QC, Montréal, Canada
| | - T E Arbuckle
- Population Studies Division, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Y Oulhote
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public health and health Sciences, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - B P Lanphear
- BC Children's Hospital, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - K A Cockell
- Nutrition Research Division, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - G Muckle
- École de psychologie, Université Laval and Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - D Saint-Amour
- Centre de recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, QC, Montréal, Canada.
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, QC, Montréal, Canada.
- Département d'ophtalmologie, Université de Montréal, QC, Montréal, Canada.
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26
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Liu X, Wei F, Cheng Y, Zhang Y, Jia G, Zhou J, Zhu M, Shan Y, Sun X, Yu L, Merzenich MM, Lurie DI, Zheng Q, Zhou X. Auditory Training Reverses Lead (Pb)-Toxicity-Induced Changes in Sound-Azimuth Selectivity of Cortical Neurons. Cereb Cortex 2019; 29:3294-3304. [PMID: 30137254 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Lead (Pb) causes significant adverse effects on the developing brain, resulting in cognitive and learning disabilities in children. The process by which lead produces these negative changes is largely unknown. The fact that children with these syndromes also show deficits in central auditory processing, however, indicates a speculative but disturbing relationship between lead-exposure, impaired auditory processing, and behavioral dysfunction. Here we studied in rats the changes in cortical spatial tuning impacted by early lead-exposure and their potential restoration to normal by auditory training. We found animals that were exposed to lead early in life displayed significant behavioral impairments compared with naïve controls while conducting the sound-azimuth discrimination task. Lead-exposure also degraded the sound-azimuth selectivity of neurons in the primary auditory cortex. Subsequent sound-azimuth discrimination training, however, restored to nearly normal the lead-degraded cortical azimuth selectivity. This reversal of cortical spatial fidelity was paralleled by changes in cortical expression of certain excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor subunits. These results in a rodent model demonstrate the persisting neurotoxic effects of early lead-exposure on behavioral and cortical neuronal processing of spatial information of sound. They also indicate that attention-demanding auditory training may remediate lead-induced cortical neurological deficits even after these deficits have occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fanfan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,New York University-East China Normal University Institute of Brain and Cognitive Science, New York University-Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,New York University-East China Normal University Institute of Brain and Cognitive Science, New York University-Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoqiang Jia
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,New York University-East China Normal University Institute of Brain and Cognitive Science, New York University-Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,New York University-East China Normal University Institute of Brain and Cognitive Science, New York University-Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,New York University-East China Normal University Institute of Brain and Cognitive Science, New York University-Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Ye Shan
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinde Sun
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Yu
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Diana I Lurie
- Center for Structural and Functional Neuroscience, Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Qingyin Zheng
- Transformative Otology and Neuroscience Center, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,New York University-East China Normal University Institute of Brain and Cognitive Science, New York University-Shanghai, Shanghai, China
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27
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Cai H, Xu X, Zhang Y, Cong X, Lu X, Huo X. Elevated lead levels from e-waste exposure are linked to sensory integration difficulties in preschool children. Neurotoxicology 2019; 71:150-158. [PMID: 30664973 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to lead is associated with adverse effects on neurodevelopment. However, studies of the effects of lead on sensory integration are few. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of lead exposure on child sensory integration by correlating the blood lead levels of children with sensory processing measures. A total of 574 children, from 3 to 6 years of age, 358 from an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling town named Guiyu, and 216 from Haojiang, a nearby town with no e-waste recycling activity, were recruited in this study. The median blood lead level in Guiyu children was 4.88 μg/dL, higher than the 3.47 μg/dL blood lead level in Haojiang children (P < 0.001). 47.2% of Guiyu children had blood lead levels exceeding 5 μg/dL. The median concentration of serum cortisol, an HPA-axis biomarker, in Guiyu children was significantly lower than in Haojiang, and was negatively correlated with blood lead levels. All subscale scores and the total score of the Sensory Processing Measure (Hong Kong Chinese version, SPM-HKC) in Guiyu children were higher than Haojiang children, indicating greater difficulties, especially for touch, body awareness, balance and motion, and total sensory systems. Sensory processing scores were positively correlated with blood lead, except for touch, which was negatively correlated with serum cortisol levels. Simultaneously, all subscale scores and the total SPM-HKC scores for children with high blood lead levels (blood lead > 5 μg/dL) were higher than those in the low blood lead level group (blood lead < 5 μg/dL), especially for hearing, touch, body awareness, balance and motion, and total sensory systems. Our findings suggest that lead exposure in e-waste recycling areas may result in a decrease in serum cortisol levels and an increase in child sensory integration difficulties. Cortisol may be involved in touch-related sensory integration difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoxing Cai
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xijin Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China; Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China; Immunoendocrinology, Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Xiaowei Cong
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueling Lu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China; Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Xia Huo
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, 855 East Xingye Avenue, Guangzhou 511486, Guangdong, China.
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28
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Silver MK, Shao J, Ji C, Zhu B, Xu L, Li M, Chen M, Xia Y, Kaciroti N, Lozoff B, Meeker JD. Prenatal organophosphate insecticide exposure and infant sensory function. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019; 221:469-478. [PMID: 29402694 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Occupational studies suggest that exposure to organophosphate insecticides (OPs) can lead to vision or hearing loss. Yet the effects of early-life exposure on visual and auditory function are unknown. Here we examined associations between prenatal OP exposure and grating visual acuity (VA) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) during infancy. METHODS 30 OPs were measured in umbilical cord blood using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in a cohort of Chinese infants. Grating visual acuity (VA) (n = 179-200) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) (n = 139-183) were assessed at 6 weeks, 9 months, and 18 months. Outcomes included VA score, ABR wave V latency and central conduction time, and head circumference (HC). Associations between sensory outcomes during infancy and cord OPs were examined using linear mixed models. RESULTS Prenatal chlorpyrifos exposure was associated with lower 9-month grating VA scores; scores were 0.64 (95% CI: -1.22, -0.06) points lower for exposed versus unexposed infants (p = 0.03). The OPs examined were not associated with infant ABR latencies, but chlorpyrifos and phorate were both significantly inversely associated with HC at 9 months; HCs were 0.41 (95% CI: 0.75, 0.6) cm and 0.44 (95% CI: 0.88, 0.1) cm smaller for chlorpyrifos (p = 0.02) and phorate (p = 0.04), respectively. CONCLUSIONS We found deficits in grating VA and HC in 9-month-old infants with prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos. The clinical significance of these small but statistically significant deficits is unclear. However, the disruption of visual or auditory pathway maturation in infancy could potentially negatively affect downstream cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica K Silver
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jie Shao
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Chai Ji
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Binquan Zhu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Mingyan Li
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Minjian Chen
- Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Niko Kaciroti
- Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Betsy Lozoff
- Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - John D Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Silver MK, Arain AL, Shao J, Chen M, Xia Y, Lozoff B, Meeker JD. Distribution and predictors of 20 toxic and essential metals in the umbilical cord blood of Chinese newborns. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 210:1167-1175. [PMID: 30208542 PMCID: PMC6179361 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.07.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Early-life exposure to heavy metals and/or trace metal imbalances can have negative developmental effects. Here we sought to characterize exposure profiles for 20 heavy metals and trace elements in umbilical cord blood plasma and identify demographic predictors of exposure. Twenty metals were measured in cord plasma from 357 Chinese infants using ICP-MS. Relationships between demographic variables and metals were analyzed using generalized linear models and logistic regression. Ten metals (antimony [Sb], cobalt [Co], cesium [Cs], copper [Cu], lead [Pb], molybdenum [Mo], rubidium [Rb], selenium [Se], strontium [Sr], titanium [Ti], zinc [Zn]) were detected in all samples. Season of birth was the strongest predictor of metals in cord blood across analyses. Infants born in the spring had 0.1-0.2 μg L-1 higher logAs and logCo in their cord blood (β [95%CI] = 0.22 [0.01,0.42], p = 0.04; 0.11 [0.01,0.22], p = 0.04), while infants born in the summer had higher Sb, logB, logHg, and logZn (β [95%CI] = 0.74 [0.24,1.24], p = 0.004; 0.11 [0.00,0.21], p = 0.04; 0.29 [0.08,0.49], p = 0.007; 0.18 [0.06,0.31], p = 0.005), compared to those born in fall/winter. Prenatal heavy metal exposure and/or trace metal deficiencies are global concerns because of increasing awareness of downstream developmental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica K Silver
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Aubrey L Arain
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jie Shao
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Minjian Chen
- Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Betsy Lozoff
- Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - John D Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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30
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Lopin P, Lopin KV. PSoC-Stat: A single chip open source potentiostat based on a Programmable System on a Chip. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201353. [PMID: 30044878 PMCID: PMC6059476 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper we demonstrate a potentiostat built with a single commercially available integrated circuit (IC) that does not require any external electronic components to perform electrochemical experiments. This is done using the capabilities of the Programmable System on a Chip (PSoC®) by Cypress Semiconductor, which integrates all of the necessary electrical components. This is in contrast to other recent papers that have developed potentiostats but require technical skills or specialized equipment to produce. This eliminates the process of having to make a printed circuit board and soldering on electronic components. To control the device, a graphical user interface (GUI) was developed in the python programming language. Python is open source, with a style that makes it easy to read and write programs, making it an ideal choice for open source projects. As the developed device is open source and based on a PSoC, modification to implement other electrochemical techniques is straightforward and only requires modest programming skills, but no expensive equipment or difficult techniques. The potentiostat developed here adds to the growing amount of open source laboratory equipment. To demonstrate the PSoC potentiostat in a wide range of applications, we performed cyclic voltammetry (to measure vitamin C concentration in orange juice), amperometry (to measure glucose with a glucose strip), and stripping voltammetry experiments (to measure lead in water). The device was able to perform all experiments and could accurately measure Vitamin C, glucose, and lead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prattana Lopin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Kyle V. Lopin
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
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Carrel M, Zahrieh D, Young SG, Oleson J, Ryckman KK, Wels B, Simmons DL, Saftlas A. High prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in both rural and urban Iowa newborns: Spatial patterns and area-level covariates. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177930. [PMID: 28520816 PMCID: PMC5433780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lead in maternal blood can cross the placenta and result in elevated blood lead levels in newborns, potentially producing negative effects on neurocognitive function, particularly if combined with childhood lead exposure. Little research exists, however, into the burden of elevated blood lead levels in newborns, or the places and populations in which elevated lead levels are observed in newborns, particularly in rural settings. Using ~2300 dried bloods spots collected within 1-3 days of birth among Iowa newborns, linked with the area of mother's residence at the time of birth, we examine the spatial patterns of elevated (>5 μg/dL) blood lead levels and the ecological-level predictors of elevated blood lead levels. We find that one in five newborns exceed the 5 μg/dL action level set by the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Bayesian spatial zero inflated regression indicates that elevated blood lead in newborns is associated with areas of increased pre-1940s housing and childbearing-age women with low educational status in both rural and urban settings. No differences in blood lead levels or the proportion of children exceeding 5 μg/dL are observed between urban and rural maternal residence, though a spatial cluster of elevated blood lead is observed in rural counties. These characteristics can guide the recommendation for testing of infants at well-baby appointments in places where risk factors are present, potentially leading to earlier initiation of case management. The findings also suggest that rural populations are at as great of risk of elevated blood lead levels as are urban populations. Analysis of newborn dried blood spots is an important tool for lead poisoning surveillance in newborns and can direct public health efforts towards specific places and populations where lead testing and case management will have the greatest impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Carrel
- Department of Geographical & Sustainability Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - David Zahrieh
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Sean G. Young
- Department of Geographical & Sustainability Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Jacob Oleson
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Kelli K. Ryckman
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Brian Wels
- State Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Donald L. Simmons
- State Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Audrey Saftlas
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
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32
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Prenatal maternal stress in relation to the effects of prenatal lead exposure on toddler cognitive development. Neurotoxicology 2017; 59:71-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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