Organochlorine pesticide exposure in mothers and neural tube defects in offsprings

Identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals targeting NTD-related hub genes during pregnancy via in silico analysis

Neural tube defects (NTDs) represent severe congenital malformations of the central nervous system with multifactorial etiology, involving intricate gene-environment interactions that remain incompletely characterized. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances with hormone-disrupting properties that are ubiquitous in our surroundings. These chemicals pose a significant threat to human health, contributing to a range of diseases. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the effects of EDCs, as these substances can traverse the placental barrier and impact the development of both the placenta and fetus. This study utilized placental and fetal transcriptome data to identify hub genes associated with NTDs during pregnancy. By leveraging the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), we predicted the EDCs targeting these hub genes and performed molecular docking to assess their interactions. Our findings revealed four hub genes (CTSC, FCER1G, ITGB2, and LYVE1) in NTDs, with 72 EDCs identified as their targets. Molecular docking demonstrated that atrazine, bisphenol A (BPA) and diuron exhibited stable affinity with the proteins encoded by hub genes. These findings provide new insights into the environmental endocrine disruptors that affect the development of NTDs during pregnancy.

Critical appraisal on neural tube defects and their complexities

Neural tube defects (NTDs), as a group of diseases, are congenital disabilities due to incomplete closure of the neural tube along its length, which otherwise forms the fully developed brain and spinal cord. An amalgamation of genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors plays a role in causing NTDs. They develop relatively early, within the first month of pregnancy-the time of neurulation, which could indicate that the pathogenesis of these diseases could stem from even pre-pregnancy causes like folic acid deficiency. This article provides an overview of the various etiology of NTDs and how they interact, as well as various preventive and curative measures like folic acid and inositol supplementation, stem cell transplant, and postnatal surgery. Identifying potential risk factors can help clinicians develop better management techniques beyond the limited scope of the presently used prophylactic and treatment methods.

Fundamental origins of neural tube defects with a basis in genetics and nutrition

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are leading congenital malformations. Its global prevalence is one in 1000 pregnancies and it has high morbidity and mortality. It has multiple risk factors like genetic errors and environmental stressors like maternal malnutrition and in utero exposure to pollutants like chemicals. The genetic program determines neural tube development based on timely expression of many genes involved in developmental signaling pathways like BMP, PCP and SHH. BMP expression defines ectoderm. SOX represses BMP in ectoderm and convertes to the neuroectoderm. Subsequently, PCP molecules define the tissue patterning for convergent-extension, a critical step in neural tube genesis. Further, SHH sets spatial patterning of the neural tube. Nutrients are the essential major environmental input for embryogenesis. But it may also carry risk factors. Malnutrition, especially folate deficiency, during embryogenesis is a major cause for NTDs. Folate is integral in the One Carbon metabolic pathway. Its deficiency and error in the pathway are implicated in NTDs. Folate supplementation alone is insufficient to prevent NTDs. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the various risk factors is necessary to strategize reduction of NTDs. We review the current knowledge of various risk factors, like genetic, metabolic, nutritional, and drugs causing NTDs and discuss the steps required to identify them in the early embryogenesis to avoid NTDs.

A Systematic Review of Parental Occupational Pesticide Exposure and Geographical Proximity to Agricultural Fields in Association with Neural Tube Defects

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital anomaly and have been widely associated with exposure to pesticides. This systematic review which analyzes the association between parental exposure to pesticides and NTDs was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The search strategy was designed considering the population, exposure, controls, outcomes, and study design (PECOS). The inclusion criteria were epidemiological studies involving pesticides exposure during embryonic development, written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, and performed in 12 databases. Based on the eligibility criteria, 16 articles were selected for analysis. The most frequently assessed NTDs were anencephaly and spina bifida, with 14 studies investigating each of these conditions. The assessment of pesticide exposure was based on parental occupation and residential proximity to agricultural fields. Studies differed regarding the pesticides assessed, exposure windows, and parents exposed. Regarding the outcomes, it was observed that geographic proximity to agricultural fields and a greater association with family members exposed to pesticides were found in mothers and neonates with NTDs. In relation to occupational exposure, some articles found an association with NTDs, while others did not. Therefore, an analysis of the available evidence suggests that pesticides are a risk factor in the development of NTDs.

Birth prevalence and determinants of neural tube defects among newborns in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are complex multifactorial disorders in the neurulation of the brain and spinal cord that develop in humans between 21 and 28 days of conception. Neonates with NTDs may experience morbidity and mortality, with severe social and economic consequences. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the pooled prevalence and determinants for neural tube defects among newborns in Ethiopia.

METHODS

The protocol of this study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO Number: CRD42023407095). We systematically searched the databases PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and Research Gate. Grey literature was searched on Google. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the I2 test statistic and the Cochran Q test statistic. A random effects model was used to estimate the birth prevalence of neural tube defects.

RESULT

Twenty-five articles were included in the meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence and determinants of neural tube defects in Ethiopia. A total of 611,354 newborns were included in the analysis. The pooled birth prevalence of neural tube defects was 83.40 (95% CI: 60.78, 106.02) per 10,000 births. The highest and lowest prevalence rates were 130.9 (95% CI: 113.52, 148.29) in Tigray and 28.60 (95% CI: 18.70, 38.50) per 10,000 births in Amhara regional states. Women's intake of folic acid supplements and planned pregnancy were identified as protective factors for NTDs, while stillbirth history, use of any drugs during pregnancy, exposure to radiation, and pesticides during pregnancy were risk factors for neural tube defects.

CONCLUSION

The pooled birth prevalence of neural tube defects in Ethiopia was found to be high. Effective prevention interventions, especially focusing on periconceptional folic acid supplementation as well as folate fortification, should be prioritized alongside nutrition education, maternal health care, and environmental safety measures.

Fold-and-fuse neurulation in zebrafish requires Vangl2

Shaping of the future brain and spinal cord during neurulation is an essential component of early vertebrate development. In amniote embryos, primary neurulation occurs through a "fold-and-fuse" mechanism by which the edges of the neural plate fuse into the hollow neural tube. Failure of neural fold fusion results in neural tube defects (NTDs), which are among the most devastating and common congenital anomalies worldwide. Unlike amniotes, the zebrafish neural tube develops largely via formation of a solid neural keel that later cavitates to form a midline lumen. Although many aspects of primary neurulation are conserved in zebrafish, including neural fold zippering, it was not clear how well these events resemble analogous processes in amniote embryos. Here, we demonstrate that despite outward differences, zebrafish anterior neurulation closely resembles that of mammals. For the first time in zebrafish embryos, we directly observe enclosure of a lumen by the bilateral neural folds, which fuse by zippering between at least two distinct closure sites. Both the apical constriction that elevates the neural folds and the zippering that fuses them coincide with apical Myosin enrichment. We further show that embryos lacking vangl2, a core planar cell polarity and NTD risk gene, exhibit delayed and abnormal neural fold fusion that fails to enclose a lumen. These defects can also be observed in fixed embryos, enabling their detection without live imaging. Together, our data provide direct evidence for fold-and-fuse neurulation in zebrafish and its disruption upon loss of an NTD risk gene, highlighting the deep conservation of primary neurulation across vertebrates.

Pesticide contamination of lactating mothers' milk in Latin America: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To identify the prevalence of contamination by pesticides and their metabolites in the milk of lactating mothers in Latin America.

METHODS

In this systematic review, the PubMed, LILACS, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched up to January 2022 to identify observational studies. The Mendeley software was used to manage these references. The risk of bias assessment was evaluated according to the checklist for prevalence studies and writing design, by the Prisma guidelines.

RESULTS

This study retrieved 1835 references and analyzed 49 studies. 69.38% of the analyzed studies found a 100% prevalence of breast milk contamination by pesticides among their sample. Main pesticides include dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its isomers (75.51%), followed by the metabolite dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) (69.38%) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (46.93%). This study categorized most (65.30%) studies as having a low risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

This review shows a high prevalence of pesticide contamination in the breast milk of Latin American women. Further investigations should be carried out to assess contamination levels in breast milk and the possible effects of these substances on maternal and child health.

Exposure to pesticides during pregnancy and the risk of neural tube defects: A systematic review

Exposure to pesticides during pregnancy has been associated with several serious congenital malformations, such as neural tube defects, therefore, is a cause for concern in terms of human health. This review aims to gather information related to maternal exposure during pregnancy and the risk of triggering neural tube defects in the offspring. The search strategy for the studies followed the PRISMA guidelines. We conducted a systematic search in the Science Direct, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for all epidemiological studies that sought to associate exposure to pesticides during embryonic development with the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). The keywords used were "pesticide", "herbicide", "congenital" and "neural". Of the 229 articles, 8 eligible ones (7 case-control and 1 cross-sectional) evaluated pesticide exposure in pregnancy. Different methods were used, including analysis of biological samples and questionnaires. The pesticides studied included insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and nematicides. Insecticides were the most studied, with variations in concentrations between tissues and studies. Distinct levels of pesticides have been detected in maternal serum, placenta, and umbilical cord. Models were statistically adjusted for confounding factors, such as smoking and dietary supplement intakes. Concentrations were measured in different exposure windows (periconception and prenatal), related to NTDs such as anencephaly and spina bifida. Different data collection techniques, types of biological samples, and exposure windows were used, which made comparison difficult. The main pesticides studied included DDT, DDE, HCH, and endosulfan. Maternal serum showed the highest concentrations of pesticides, but detection in placental tissue and umbilical cord confirms embryonic exposure. Confounding variables were adjusted for in the analysis of the articles, but they may still contribute to the risk of NTDs. All the studies analyzed pesticide exposure and the relationship with NTDs. However, a more standardized survey would be ideal for better comparisons.

Determinants of neural tube defects among women who gave birth in hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia: evidence from a matched case control study

INTRODUCTION

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe birth defects caused by nutritional, genetic or environmental factors. Because NTDs continue to have a significant health and economic impact on children and community at large, it is crucial to investigate potential risk factors in order to develop novel approaches to NTDs prevention. Determinants for the development of NTDs differ by country, region as well as within the country. The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of NTDs among newborns delivered in three hospitals found in eastern Ethiopia.

METHODS

A hospital-based matched case-control study was conducted among 138 cases and 138 control women who delivered in three teaching hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia in 2021. Data were collected using a structured and pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Cases were mothers who delivered a neonate with any type of NTDs regardless of gestational age or fetal viability, whereas controls were mothers who delivered an apparently healthy newborn. Chi-square was used to assess the significant difference between the two groups. Conditional logistic regression model was used to generate adjusted odds ratio with its corresponding 95% confidence intervals and compare the two groups.

RESULTS

Anencephaly (51.4%) and spinal bifida (34.1%) were the most frequently observed NTDs. None of study participants took preconception folic acid supplementation. Being a non-formal mothers (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.12-0.92, P = 0.034), rural residence, (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.18-9.78, P = 0.023), history of spontaneous abortion (AOR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.15-7.55, P = 0.023), having severe anemia (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.17-9.87, P = 0.024), history of fever or cold (AOR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.05-7.15, P = 0.038), and an exposure to various agro-chemicals (AOR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.11-10.3, P = 0.032) were independent determinants of NTDs.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

In this study, NTDs were associated to several determinant factors in the area, including residential area, history of spontaneous abortion, severe anemia, fever/cold, antibiotic use before or during early pregnancy, and exposure to agrochemicals. Addressing the identified determinants is critical in averting the incidence of NTDs in the study area. Moreover, more research is needed to investigate women's dietary practices as well as the practice of preconception folic acid supplementation for pregnant women in Ethiopia's current health care system.

A quest for genetic causes underlying signaling pathways associated with neural tube defects

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious congenital deformities of the nervous system that occur owing to the failure of normal neural tube closures. Genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to the etiology of neural tube defects in humans, indicating the role of gene-gene and gene-environment interaction in the occurrence and recurrence risk of neural tube defects. Several lines of genetic studies on humans and animals demonstrated the role of aberrant genes in the developmental risk of neural tube defects and also provided an understanding of the cellular and morphological programs that occur during embryonic development. Other studies observed the effects of folate and supplementation of folic acid on neural tube defects. Hence, here we review what is known to date regarding altered genes associated with specific signaling pathways resulting in NTDs, as well as highlight the role of various genetic, and non-genetic factors and their interactions that contribute to NTDs. Additionally, we also shine a light on the role of folate and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) in neural tube defects.

A holistic review on trend, occurrence, factors affecting pesticide concentration, and ecological risk assessment

Demographic outbursts and increased food demands invoke excessive use of pesticides in the agricultural field for increasing productivity which leads to the relentless decline of riverine health and its tributaries. These tributaries are connected to a plethora of point and non-point sources that transport pollutants including pesticides into the Ganga river's mainstream. Simultaneous climate change and lack of rainfall significantly increase pesticide concentration in the soil and water matrix of the river basin. This paper is intended to review the paradigm shift of pesticide pollution in the last few decades in the river Ganga and its tributaries. Along with this, a comprehensive review suggests the ecological risk assessment method which facilitates policy development, sustainable riverine ecosystem management, and decision-making. Before 2011, the total mixture of Hexachlorocyclohexane was found at 0.004-0.026 ng/mL in Hooghly, but now, the concentration has increased up to 0.465-4.132 ng/mL. Aftermath of critical review, we observed maximum residual commodities and pesticide contamination reported in Uttar Pradesh > West Bengal > Bihar > Uttara Khand possibly because of agricultural load, increasing settlement, and incompetency of sewage treatment plant in the reclamation of pesticide contamination.

Impact of Pesticides on Cancer and Congenital Malformation: A Systematic Review

Pesticide exposure has deleterious effects on human health and development; however, no review has been conducted on human exposure to pesticides and the risk of congenital malformations and cancer in the same cohort. We systematically reviewed the evidence for this relationship following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Four databases, namely, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and BVS, were searched for studies deposited till July 2020 that examined the influence of pesticide exposure on congenital malformations and cancer outcomes in the same cohort. Seven studies were systematically included in this review. Among these, four were case-control studies, two were cross-sectional studies, and one was a longitudinal cohort study. The sources of contamination were food, water, or exposure during agricultural work. A link between the occurrence of cancer, congenital malformations, and exposure to pesticides was observed in most studies.

Maternal pesticide exposure and its relation to childhood cancer: an umbrella review of meta-analyses

This umbrella review summarizes the available meta-analyses elucidating the effects of maternal pesticide exposure on adverse health outcomes in children particularly the risk of childhood cancer. A literature search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus with 10-years temporal restriction and with search terms of ('pesticides') and ('maternal' or 'pregnancy' or 'gestational' or 'perinatal' or 'children' or 'infants' or 'birth weight' or 'gestational age' or 'cancer' or 'tumor' or 'malignancy' or 'carcinoma') and ('meta-analysis' or 'systematic review'). Using relative risk estimates, e.g., odds ratio (OR), relative risk (RR), ß coefficients, and 95% confidence interval (CI) as a prerequisite for inclusion/exclusion criteria a total of 19 eligible meta-analyses were included. The results showed that maternal domestic/occupational pesticide exposure increases the risk for childhood leukaemia. The overall OR regarding the risk of pesticide exposure and leukaemia was 1.23 to 1.57 with heterogeneity I2 values that varied between 12.9% and 73%. Some studies found that exposure to dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p´-DDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-153) pesticides appears to decrease infant birth weight to some extent [p,p´-DDE (ß = -0.007 to -0.008)] and [PCB-153 (ß = -0.15 to -0.17)]Needing more studies on this relationship, our study found that pesticide exposure is a risk factor for leukaemia in children.

Overview of Neural Tube Defects: Gene–Environment Interactions, Preventative Approaches and Future Perspectives

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital malformations of humans, characterized by impaired development of the central nervous system. Even though the etiology of most birth defects remains undetermined, genetic and environmental risk factors in the background of NTDs have been identified and extensively reported. On top of genetic and nutritional risks which include mutations in both coding and non-coding regions and maternal folate status, respectively, recent years have seen a rise in the identification of a variety of teratogens that could be implicated in NTD development. These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, pesticides, maternal hyperthermia and antibiotics as well as pain and seizure medication. With an increase in understanding of teratogens leading to NTD formation, preventative and treatment approaches have witnessed great advances throughout the years. While the most common preventative approach includes folic acid food fortification as well as suggested inositol supplementation, treatment and management approaches differ greatly depending on the developmental stage and the site of the lesion and include prenatal surgery, stem cell transplantation and postnatal surgery. Because NTDs still represent a large health and financial burden for the patient and society as a whole, it is crucial to investigate potential risk factors and develop novel approaches in order to fully prevent this category of disorders.

Fingerprinting Organochlorine Groundwater Plumes Based on Non-Invasive ERT Technology at a Chemical Plant

The refined characterization of groundwater pollution is an important prerequisite for efficient and effective remediation. A high-resolution survey of a contaminated site in a chemical pesticide factory was carried out using non-invasive geophysical sensing technology. Modern electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) technology can rapidly identify and characterize the groundwater pollution plumes of organochlorine pesticides, which was demonstrated in this study by the significantly abnormal resistivity sensing in stratums and aquifers under the raw material tanks, production, and loading areas. The results were found to be highly consistent with the ERT sensing results achieved via incorporating borehole sampling and hydrochemical analysis. With high abnormal resistivity, the range of contamination within the profile was characterized on the meter level. We also unexpectedly found new pollution and explained its source. This study confirmed that the modern refined ERT method has a high feasibility and accuracy in characterizing the spatial distribution of organochlorine pesticide plumes in groundwater.

Associations Between Household Pesticide Exposure, Smoking and Hypertension

This analysis aims to investigate the association between household pesticide exposure and hypertension risk, and to determine whether smoking plays a role in this association. We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 1999-2014, including a total of 32,309 U.S. adult participants who were 20 years or older. Smoking status and pesticide exposure were self-reported. Blood pressure was measured by trained personnel using a mercury sphygmomanometer, according to a standardized protocol. We observed an increased risk of hypertension (OR [odds ratio] = 1.10, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.01-1.18) in participants with exposure to household pesticides. Moreover, a significant interaction between smoking status and pesticide exposure on hypertension was observed (P = 0.022). Stratified analysis showed that household pesticide exposure was associated with a 29% higher risk of hypertension (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.08-1.53) in smokers. However, for non-smokers, this association was not significant. Similar trends were found for systolic and diastolic blood pressures. In addition, we investigated the associations between pesticide metabolites in urine/serum and hypertension and found that several metabolites of dioxins, furans, and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls were significantly associated with a higher risk of hypertension. This study suggests that household pesticide exposure is associated with an elevated risk of hypertension. We also report that smoking may accentuate the effect of pesticide exposure on hypertension.

OUP accepted manuscript

BACKGROUND

Maternal exposure to pesticides during early pregnancy is associated with increased risks of birth defects, while the association between maternal exposure to chemical fertilizer during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects remains unknown.

METHODS

Data were from a population-based birth defects surveillance system between 2007 and 2012 in Pingding County, Shanxi Province, northern China. A total of 14 074 births with 235 birth defects were used to estimate spatial clustering and correlations at the village level. A population-based case-control study of 157 cases with birth defects and 204 controls was performed to investigate the association between maternal chemical fertilizer exposure and the risk of birth defects by a two-level logistic model.

RESULTS

The total prevalence of birth defects between 2007 and 2012 was 167.0/10 000 births. The spatial analysis indicated a remarkable high-risk area of birth defects in the southeast of Pingding County and the use of chemical fertilizer was associated with the risk of birth defects at the village level. After adjusting for confounders at the individual level, mothers who live in villages with chemical fertilizer application ≥65 tons/y had an increased risk of birth defects (adjusted odds ratio 2.06 [95% confidence interval 1.23 to 3.46]) compared with those of <65 tons/y.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the risk of birth defects may be associated with the use of chemical fertilizer in rural northern China. The findings must be cautiously interpreted and need to be investigated on larger samples.

Pesticides pollution and risk assessment of river Ganga: A review

Pesticides consumption along with its impact on different matrices of the environment has increased over past. Monitoring and risk assessment is important to know the exact scenario of pesticide toxicity of aquatic environment. The article compiles the number of studies on different stretches of river Ganga over past years. Risk quotient (RQ) method was used for the determination of potential risk of reported pesticides. Based on general (RQm) and worst-case (RQex) DDT and aldrin in the middle stretch of river Ganga show high risk. Regular monitoring along with compartmental studies is important to assess the pesticide pollution load and persistence in the river. Because hundreds of formulations are being used in the basin for agricultural purposes, detailed analysis and bio-magnification of all the pesticides should be appreciated.

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate induces heart looping disorders during zebrafish development

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a type of plasticizer widely used in industry. It is well-known for its toxic effects to endocrine and reproductive systems and has been detected in amniotic fluid and placenta. In the present study, we explored the effects of DEHP on heart development by using zebrafish as a model organism. DEHP (0.02 pg) was injected into the yolk sac of zebrafish embryos at the one-cell stage. No significant difference was found in embryonic lethality between control and DEHP groups at 1-day postfertilization (dpf), but mortality significantly increased in DEHP groups at 2 and 3 dpf. The average heart rate was significantly reduced in the surviving DEHP-treated zebrafish larvae at 3 and 4 dpf. In addition, massive pericardial edema was found in DEHP-treated zebrafish (12.6 ± 1.5%), which was significantly higher than that of the control group. Serious heart looping disorder was also observed in DEHP-treated larvae, mainly manifested with an elongated atrial-ventricular distance. Moreover, the expression of heart development transcription factors was affected by DEHP injection. Real-time polymerase chain reaction confirmed that five transcription factors (hand2, tp53, mef2c, esr1, and tbx18) were significantly downregulated in the DEHP group at 2 dpf, and three transcription factors (zic3, tcf21, and gata4) were significantly upregulated. Our results emphasize the need for the development of a nontoxic plasticizer to prevent possible deleterious effects on humans and other life-forms.

Prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides is associated with increased risk for neural tube defects

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common and disabling fetal congenital defects. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are ubiquitous in the environment. In this study, 119 women who had NTD-affected pregnancies (cases) and 119 women who delivered healthy neonates (controls) were recruited in a rural area of Northern China. We used concentrations of OCPs in umbilical cord tissue as markers of prenatal exposure to investigate the association between in utero exposure to OCPs and NTD risk. Concentrations of 20 OCPs were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and 16 of the 20 OCPs were included in the analyses. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the associations between levels of individual OCPs and NTD risk were estimated separately with logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders. The combined effects of exposure to the 16 OCPs as a mixture were analyzed with Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Logistic regression showed that the risk for NTDs increased 5.44-fold (95% CI, 2.21-13.41) for β-hexachlorocyclohexane, 2.51-fold (95% CI, 1.07-5.86) for endosulfan I, 3.78-fold (95% CI, 1.60-8.89) for endosulfan II, 3.42-fold (95% CI, 1.44-8.12) for ο,ρ'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane, and 2.89-fold (95% CI, 1.22-6.86) for ρ,ρ'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane when the concentration of each of these OCPs was above its median (exposed) compared to below its median (non-exposed). Other OCPs were not associated with NTD risk in multivariate models. In BKMR, NTD risk increased almost linearly with concentrations of the 16 OCPs as a mixture, which suggests joint effects on NTD risk. Exposure to α-hexachlorocyclohexane, β-hexachlorocyclohexane, endosulfan II, ο,ρ'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane, and ρ,ρ'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane was associated with an increased risk for NTDs when levels of the remaining 15 OCPs were taken into account. Taken together, these findings show that prenatal exposure to OCPs is associated with increased risk for NTDs.

Gene Environment Interactions in the Etiology of Neural Tube Defects

Human structural congenital malformations are the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. Estimates from the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determine that close to 3% of all United States newborns present with birth defects; the worldwide estimate approaches 6% of infants presenting with congenital anomalies. The scientific community has recognized for decades that the majority of birth defects have undetermined etiologies, although we propose that environmental agents interacting with inherited susceptibility genes are the major contributing factors. Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most prevalent human birth defects and as such, these malformations will be the primary focus of this review. NTDs result from failures in embryonic central nervous system development and are classified by their anatomical locations. Defects in the posterior portion of the neural tube are referred to as meningomyeloceles (spina bifida), while the more anterior defects are differentiated as anencephaly, encephalocele, or iniencephaly. Craniorachischisis involves a failure of the neural folds to elevate and thus disrupt the entire length of the neural tube. Worldwide NTDs have a prevalence of approximately 18.6 per 10,000 live births. It is widely believed that genetic factors are responsible for some 70% of NTDs, while the intrauterine environment tips the balance toward neurulation failure in at risk individuals. Despite aggressive educational campaigns to inform the public about folic acid supplementation and the benefits of providing mandatory folic acid food fortification in the United States, NTDs still affect up to 2,300 United States births annually and some 166,000 spina bifida patients currently live in the United States, more than half of whom are now adults. Within the context of this review, we will consider the role of maternal nutritional status (deficiency states involving B vitamins and one carbon analytes) and the potential modifiers of NTD risk beyond folic acid. There are several well-established human teratogens that contribute to the population burden of NTDs, including: industrial waste and pollutants [e.g., arsenic, pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)], pharmaceuticals (e.g., anti-epileptic medications), and maternal hyperthermia during the first trimester. Animal models for these teratogens are described with attention focused on valproic acid (VPA; Depakote). Genetic interrogation of model systems involving VPA will be used as a model approach to discerning susceptibility factors that define the gene-environment interactions contributing to the etiology of NTDs.

EXPOSURE TO TOXIC AGROCHEMICALS AND DEVELOPMENT OF CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS: A SCOPING REVIEW

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess whether maternal and paternal exposure to toxic agrochemicals throughout life causes congenital malformations. Method: a scoping review was carried out on the PUBMED, CINAHL, EBSCO, MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, BDENF, Web of Science and ATHENA databases between August and September 2019 and updated in December 2020. A cohort and case control study were included, which addressed the effects of parents' exposure throughout their lives to toxic agrochemicals which caused congenital malformation outcomes. Results: the review covered 32 studies published between 2005 and 2020. The main malformations presented are related to the reproductive system, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, transverse limb deficiencies, digestive system and other malformations such as fetal growth restrictions, cleft palate and congenital heart disease. The most investigated toxic agrochemicals in the studies were the herbicides represented by atrazine. Conclusion: maternal and paternal exposure to toxic agrochemicals can be associated with greater chances of children being born with congenital malformations, especially those related to the male reproductive system.

Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in placental tissue are not associated with risk for fetal orofacial clefts

Previous epidemiological studies have shown that prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) entails a variety of adverse impacts on fetal health, but it is not yet known whether it is associated with risk for orofacial clefts (OFCs). This study of 103 fetuses or newborns with a diagnosis of OFCs (cases) and 103 healthy newborns without malformations (controls) examined whether prenatal exposure to OCPs, as indicated by their concentrations in placental tissue, is a risk factor for OFCs. No differences were found in the median concentrations of OCPs between cases and controls, with exception of o,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, o,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane, and total o,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs), whose concentrations were higher in controls than in cases (Ps < 0.05). Although higher concentrations of placental δhexachlorocyclohexane and isodrin were found to be associated with decreased risk for OFCs in logistic regression, no association was observed in the Bayesian kernel machine regression, a novel statistical model in analyzing exposure mixtures. Women who reported periconceptional folic acid supplementation had lower placental concentrations of DDTs than women who did not. In conclusion, no association between levels of OCPs in placental tissue and risk for OFCs was observed in this population. Supplementation with folic acid may help decrease the levels of DDTs in placental tissue, but further studies are needed to confirm this unexpected finding.

Postnatal exposure to endosulfan affects uterine development and fertility

Endosulfan is an organochlorine pesticide (OCP) used in large-scale agriculture for controlling a variety of insects and mites that attack food and non-food crops. Although endosulfan has been listed in the Stockholm Convention as a persistent organic pollutant to be worldwide banned, it is still in use in some countries. Like other OCPs, endosulfan is bioaccumulative, toxic and persistent in the environment. Human unintentional exposure may occur through air inhalation, dietary, skin contact, as well as, via transplacental route and breast feeding. Due to its lipophilic nature, endosulfan is rapidly absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract and bioaccumulates in the fatty tissues. Similar to other OCPs, endosulfan has been classified as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). Endocrine action of endosulfan on development and reproductive function of males has been extensively discussed; however, endosulfan effects on the female reproductive tract have received less attention. This review provides an overview of: i) the fate and levels of endosulfan in the environment and human population, ii) the potential estrogenic properties of endosulfan in vitro and in vivo, iii) its effects on uterine development, and iv) the long-term effects on female fertility and uterine functional differentiation during early gestation.

The Redox Theory of Development

Significance: The geological record shows that as atmospheric O2 levels increased, it concomitantly coincided with the evolution of metazoans. More complex, higher organisms contain a more cysteine-rich proteome, potentially as a means to regulate homeostatic responses in a more O2-rich environment. Regulation of redox-sensitive processes to control development is likely to be evolutionarily conserved. Recent Advances: During early embryonic development, the conceptus is exposed to varying levels of O2. Oxygen and redox-sensitive elements can be regulated to promote normal development, defined as changes to cellular mass, morphology, biochemistry, and function, suggesting that O2 is a developmental morphogen. During periods of O2 fluctuation, embryos are "reprogrammed," on the genomic and metabolic levels. Reprogramming imparts changes to particular redox couples (nodes) that would support specific post-translational modifications (PTMs), targeting the cysteine proteome to regulate protein function and development. Critical Issues: Major developmental events such as stem cell expansion, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cell fate decisions are controlled through oxidative PTMs of cysteine-based redox nodes. As such, timely coordinated redox regulation of these events yields normal developmental outcomes and viable species reproduction. Disruption of normal redox signaling can produce adverse developmental outcomes. Future Directions: Furthering our understanding of the redox-sensitive processes/pathways, the nature of the regulatory PTMs involved in development and periods of activation/sensitivity to specific developmental pathways would greatly support the theory of redox regulation of development, and would also provide rationale and direction to more fully comprehend poor developmental outcomes, such as dysmorphogenesis, functional deficits, and preterm embryonic death.

Organochlorine pesticides exposure may disturb homocysteine metabolism in pregnant women

Maternal exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) has an adverse impact on maternal and fetal health, and excessive homocysteine is related to a variety of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Biomimetic studies suggest that OCPs interfere with folate-dependent pathways, but little evidence is available from studies with human subjects. This study explored whether exposure to OCPs interferes with the metabolism of homocysteine, which is folate dependent. A total of 313 pregnant women at 12-20 weeks gestation were recruited in Shanxi province, China, from 2014 to 2015. Plasma concentrations of 20 OCPs, including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Blood folate concentrations were analyzed by microbiological assay, and plasma homocysteine concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Information on demographics, lifestyle behaviors, and folic acid supplementation was collected by in-person interview. Of the women, 99% reported having taken folic acid supplements. Results of a logistic regression analysis showed that higher plasma levels of OCPs were associated with increased odds of higher plasma homocysteine after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Positive correlations were observed between plasma OCPs and plasma homocysteine concentrations: HCB (r = 0.176, p = 0.002), β-HCH (r = 0.172, p = 0.002), ρ,ρ'-DDE (r = 0.132, p = 0.020), ρ,ρ'-DDD (r = 0.161, p = 0.004), and ο,ρ'-DDT (r = 0.144, p = 0.011). Plasma concentrations of OCPs were negatively correlated with red blood cell (RBC) folate in the low-RBC-folate subgroup, but the correlations were not statistically significant. A positive correlation was observed between OCPs and homocysteine in the low-RBC-folate subgroup. These findings suggest that OCPs may disturb the folate-dependent homocysteine metabolism pathway.

Review of the Effects of Perinatal Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Animals and Humans

Maternal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is associated with long-term hormone-dependent effects that are sometimes not revealed until maturity, middle age, or adulthood. The aim of this study was to conduct descriptive reviews on animal experimental and human epidemiological evidence of the adverse health effects of in utero and lactational exposure to selected EDCs on the first generation and subsequent generation of the exposed offspring. PubMed, Web of Science, and Toxline databases were searched for relevant human and experimental animal studies on 29 October 29 2018. Search results were screened for relevance, and studies that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated and qualitative data extracted for analysis. The search yielded 73 relevant human and 113 animal studies. Results from studies show that in utero and lactational exposure to EDCs is associated with impairment of reproductive, immunologic, metabolic, neurobehavioral, and growth physiology of the exposed offspring up to the fourth generation without additional exposure. Little convergence is seen between animal experiments and human studies in terms of the reported adverse health effects which might be associated with methodologic challenges across the studies. Based on the available animal and human evidence, in utero and lactational exposure to EDCs is detrimental to the offspring. However, more human studies are necessary to clarify the toxicological and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these effects.

GC-MS fragmentation patterns of sprayed endosulfan and its sulphate metabolite in samples of Theobroma cacao L from a field kinetic study

Most environmental analytical methods for the determination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are multi-residual with other organic compounds co-extracted and co-eluted. This has been observed in GC spectra using classical detectors like electron-capture detector (ECD) even after appropriate clean-up. This limitation could be resolved by using GC-MS methods which are more specific and selective. Thus, a commercial-grade endosulfan treated Theobroma cacao plantation was sampled. Representative samples comprising leaves, stem bark and pulp were obtained between 0.5 h and 60 days after treatment. Samples were analyzed for residual parent endosulfan (α- and β-isomers) as well as the metabolite endosulfan sulphate using an ion trap GC-MS. The retention times and chromatogram peaks obtained for various endosulfan were identified and compared with reference standards, and confirmed with National Institute of Standards and Technology library. Results showed that the molecular ion at m/z 407 was exhibited by α- and β-endosulfan, representing the parent molecular ion M^+• ([C₉H₆Cl₆SO₃]^+•). The α-isomer was more thermally stable, hence exhibited more relative abundance. Other predominant peaks were 339, 307, 277, 265, 243, 241, 207, 195, 160, 159, 99 and 75 m/z. The peak at m/z 159 was the base molecular ion. For endosulfan sulphate, the peak at m/z 422 corresponded to parent molecular ion (M^+•), while m/z 424 was due to isotopic pattern characteristic of the chlorine atom. The peaks at 387, 357, 289, 272, 229, 206, 170, and 120 m/z were characteristic for the sulphate metabolite. The m/z peak at 272 was the base molecular ion, while m/z 143 may be due to metabolite diol and lactone. These results showed that the various endosulfan species can be identified and confirmed simultaneously using a GC-MS.

Effect of neonatal exposure to endosulfan on myometrial adaptation during early pregnancy and labor in rats

Proper myometrial adaptation during gestation is crucial for embryo implantation, pregnancy maintenance and parturition. Previously, we reported that neonatal exposure to endosulfan alters uterine development and induces implantation failures. The present work investigates the effects of endosulfan exposure on myometrial differentiation at the pre-implantation period, and myometrial activation during labor. Newborn female rats were s.c. injected with corn oil (vehicle) or 600 μg/kg/day of endosulfan (Endo600) on postnatal days (PND) 1, 3, 5 and 7. On PND90, the rats were mated to evaluate: i) the myometrial differentiation on gestational day 5 (GD5, pre-implantation period), by assessment myometrial histomorphology, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) proliferation, and expression of proteins involved in myometrial adaptation for embryo implantation (steroid receptors, Wnt7a and Hoxa10); ii) the timing of parturition and myometrial activation during labor by determining the uterine expression of contraction-associated genes (oxytocin receptor, OTXR; prostaglandin F₂α receptor, PTGFR and connexin-43, Cx-43). Endosulfan decreased the thickness of both myometrial layers, with a concomitant decrease in the collagen remodeling. Blood vessels relative area in the interstitial connective tissue between muscle layers was also decreased. Endo600 group showed lower myometrial proliferation in association with a downregulation of Wnt7a and Hoxa10. Although in all females labor occurred on GD23, the exposure to endosulfan altered the timing of parturition, by inducing advancement in the initiation of labor. This alteration was associated with an increased uterine expression of OTXR, PTGFR and Cx-43. In conclusion, neonatal exposure to endosulfan produced long-term effects affecting myometrial adaptation during early pregnancy and labor. These alterations could be associated with the aberrant effects of endosulfan on the implantation process and the timing of parturition.

Spatial distribution, source identification, and potential risk assessment of toxic contaminants in surface waters from Yulin, China

The Yulin Energy and Chemical Industry Base is widely known for its rich mineral resources and multiple types of fossil-fuel-based chemical industries; nevertheless, information regarding the level of toxic contaminants in the surface waters is lacking in this area. Therefore, this study investigates the distributions, sources, and risks of various toxic contaminants, including heavy metals, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), from 35 sampling sites in eight rivers. The ΣHCH concentration ranged from 1.28 to 6.64 ng/L with predominant β-HCH, and the ΣDDT concentration was less than 0.35 ng/L. The OCPs were derived from the recent input of lindane, residual technical-grade HCHs, and DDTs. The soil type can affect the environmental fate of DDT, and p,p'-DDE was widespread in the sandy land and loess areas. p,p'-DDD was rarely detected in the Mu Us Sandy Land area. The calculated ratios of isomers indicated that petroleum was the major source of PAHs. OCP and PAH contamination in the surface waters posed potential risks at several sampling sites. Due to the impacts by industrial emissions, agricultural sources, and vehicular traffic, the distribution of contaminant concentrations in the surface waters exhibited a significant spatial relationship with the land use pattern in the study region according to the results of principal component analysis and cluster analysis.

Spatial trends in congenital malformations and stream water chemistry in Southern Brazil

The incidence of variable congenital malformation (CM) among 399 municipalities in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil, suggests the etiological role of environmental factors. This study examined a) environmental concentrations of chlorine anions (Cl-) associated with organochlorines (OCs) and b) associations between these chemicals and agricultural output with CMs using a geographical information system. In one of the three years during the sampling period (2008, 2009 or 2010) Cl-, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p'-DDD), and endosulfan levels were measured in 465 (465/736, 63%) catchment basins. Agricultural outputs for crops during 2006-2010 were also evaluated (t/km2). Further, CM kernel density for the 399 municipalities in Paraná during 2007-2014 was investigated. Cl- levels increased significantly in one of the three years (2008, 2009 or 2010) in western catchment basins, compared to 1996 (p < 0.0001). The municipalities were divided according to the obtained Cl- levels, where sub-region C2 (central-southern) < 1.8 mg/L ≤ sub-regions C1 (northern-western) and C3 (eastern-southern). We identified 8756 cases of CMs among 1,221,287 newborns (NB) in all sub-regions. C1 had higher DDT-DDE-DDD (p,p'-DDT + p,p'-DDE + p,p'-DDD) concentrations, agricultural output, and CM kernel density. C2 and C3 had minor agricultural outputs (per square kilometer) and CM densities. A 2.96 mg/L increase in Cl- between sub-regions C1 and C2 was co-localized with a 45% increase in CM density (spatial relative risk = 1.45, CI 95%: 1.36-1.55). C1 had the highest log likelihood ratios (p = 0.001) identified via SaTScan clustering analyses. Organochlorines and other toxic chlorinated chemicals may contribute to CMs in humans, and these chemicals are ultimately transformed and release Cl- in rivers. Higher Cl- levels were correlated significantly with higher agricultural productivity, DDT-DDE-DDD levels, and CMs in some parts of the northern and western sub-regions (C1).

Transchem project - Part I: Impact of long-term exposure to pendimethalin on the health status of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss L.) genitors

Pendimethalin is a herbicide active substance commonly used in terrestrial agricultural systems and is thus detected at high concentrations in the surface water of several European countries. Previous studies reported several histopathological changes, enzymatic antioxidant modulation and immunity disturbance in fish exposed to this pesticide. The objective of this work was to investigate the direct effects of long-term exposure to environmental concentrations of pendimethalin over a period of 18 months in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) genitors. To do so, an experimental system consisting of eight similar 400 L tanks with a flow-through of fresh river water was used to perform daily chemical contamination. Fish were exposed to 850 ng/L for one hour and the pendimethalin concentration was then gradually diluted during the day to maintain optimal conditions for the fish throughout the experiment and to achieve a mean theoretical exposure level of around 100 ng L^-1 per day. Every November, males and females were stripped to collect eggs and sperm and two new first generations of offspring were obtained. Kinetic sampling revealed differences in immune system parameters and antioxidative defences in the contaminated trout compared to the controls, due to pesticide exposure combined with seasonal changes related to gamete maturation. Moreover, reproductive capacity was significantly affected by exposure to the herbicide; a time lag of more than five weeks was observed for egg maturation in contaminated females and high bioconcentrations of pendimethalin were measured in eggs and sperm. Chemical transfer from genitors to offspring via gametes may affect embryo development and negatively impact the early stages of development.

The persistent organochlorine pesticide endosulfan modulates multiple epigenetic regulators with oncogenic potential in MCF-7 cells

Environmental cues and chemicals can potentially modulate the phenotypic expression of genome through alterations in the epigenetic mechanisms. Endosulfan is one of the extensively used organochlorine pesticides around the world which is known for its endocrine, neuro- and reproductive toxicity. This study was aimed to investigate the potential of α-endosulfan in modulation of multiple epigenetic enzymes in MCF-7 cells. The cells were treated with DMSO (control) or α-endosulfan (1 and 10μM) and the expression of various epigenetic enzymes was assayed by real-time PCR and immunoblotting, in addition to their activity assays. The results shows α-endosulfan, at 1 and 10μM concentration, significantly promoted viability of MCF-7 cells compared to untreated cells after 24h. The expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) was upregulated while the global DNA methylation status was initially affected, but later recovered. Total intracellular histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity was found to be significantly increased which was correlated with upregulation of class I HDACs (HDAC 1 and 3) while no significant alteration in the other HDAC classes was observed. The expression and activity of arginine and lysine methylation enzymes, protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) and Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), respectively, were also found to be modulated by α-endosulfan. We found increased expression of histones H3 and H4, trimethylated H3K27 (product of EZH2), symmetric dimethylation of H4R3 (product of PRMT5) and five different (unidentified) proteins whose arginine residues are symmetrically dimethylated (by increased level of PRMT5) were enhanced in response to 10μM α-endosulfan after 24h exposure window. Moreover, overexpression of basal level of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), suggests estrogenicity of α-endosulfan. In summary, our results shows modulatory impact of α-endosulfan on multiple cellular epigenetic regulators, known to possess oncogenic potential which might contribute to mechanistic insight of its action in future.

Association of pesticide exposure with human congenital abnormalities

Human pesticide exposure can occur both occupationally and environmentally during manufacture and after the application of indoor and outdoor pesticides, as well as through consumption via residues in food and water. There is evidence from experimental studies that numerous pesticides, either in isolation or in combination, act as endocrine disruptors, neurodevelopmental toxicants, immunotoxicants, and carcinogens. We reviewed the international literature on this subject for the years between 1990 and 2017. The studies were considered in this review through MEDLINE and WHO resources. Out of the n = 1817 studies identified, n = 94 were reviewed because they fulfilled criteria of validity and addressed associations of interest. Epidemiological studies have provided limited evidence linking pre- and post-natal exposure to pesticides with cancers in childhood, neurological deficits, fetal death, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and congenital abnormalities (CAs). In this review, the potential association between pesticide exposure and the appearance of some human CAs (including among others musculoskeletal abnormalities; neural tube defects; urogenital and cardiovascular abnormalities) was investigated. A trend towards a positive association between environmental or occupational exposure to some pesticides and some CAs was detected, but this association remains to be substantiated. Main limitations of the review include inadequate exposure assessment and limited sample size. Adequately powered studies with precise exposure assessments such as biomonitoring, are warranted to clarify with certainty the potential association between pesticide exposure and human CAs.