Levels of dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites were measured in hair and urine of children that lived close to intensively farmed areas of Almeria (Southeast Spain). The levels were used as proxies for ...exposure of these children to organophosphate pesticides (OPs). Determinants of exposure to DAPs were also examined. Urine and hair samples were collected from 222 children aged 3–11 years and information on lifestyle and dietary habits was collected from questionnaires administered to mothers. Urinary DAPs were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid-chromatography coupled to triple-quadrupole tandem mass-spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) and hair DAPs by gas-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Detection rates ranged from 21.8% for diethylphosphate (DEP) and diethylthiophosphate (DETP) to 35.9% for dimethylphosphate (DMP) in urine; and from 42.3% for DETP to 92.8% for DMP in hair. Diethyldithiophosphate (DEDTP) was detected in 0.5% of urine samples (one child), and in 26.6% of children's hair samples. A lack of correlation was observed for individual DAP metabolites and ΣDAPs between urine and hair samples, except for DEDTP. Urinary DAP levels of our child population were lower than those reported for children from other countries, including NHANES 1999–2000 data. The main determinants of hair DAP levels were age, sex, vegetable intake, parental exposure to pesticides at work, time spent playing indoors, monthly income and father's education level. Conversely, none of the predictors studied was significantly associated with urinary DAPs except age. Overall, hair has advantages over urine as it is easier to collect, handle and store, and allows for assessment of cumulative exposure to OPs, thus providing a greater insight for human biomonitoring.
•Dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites were measured in hair and urine from children.•No correlation was observed between DAP metabolites in urine and hair samples.•Determinants of DAPs levels were found only for hair samples, not for urine.•Hair may be a better matrix than urine to assess cumulative exposure to OPs.•Hair provides greater insight than urine for human biomonitoring purposes.
Epidemiological data are not currently used in the risk assessment of chemical substances in a systematic and consistent manner. However, systematic reviews (SRs) could be useful for risk assessment ...as they appraise and synthesize the best epidemiological knowledge available.
To conduct a comprehensive literature search of SRs pertaining to pesticide exposure and various neurological outcomes, namely neurodevelopmental abnormalities, Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), and to assess the potential contribution of SRs to the risk assessment process.
Search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases and articles were selected if the following inclusion criteria were met: being a SR, published until April 2015 and without language restrictions.
For each neurological outcome, two review authors independently screened the search results for included studies. Data were extracted and summarized in two tables according to 16 criteria. Disagreements were resolved by discussion.
The total number of studies identified in the first search was 65, 304 and 108 for neurodevelopment, PD and AD, respectively. From them, 8, 10 and 2 met the defined inclusion criteria for those outcomes, respectively. Overall, results suggest that prenatal exposure to organophosphates is associated with neurodevelopmental disturbances in preschool and school children. In contrast, postnatal exposures failed to show a clear effect across cohort studies. Regarding PD, 6 SRs reported statistically significant combined effect size estimates, with OR/RR ranging between 1.28 and 1.94. As for AD, 2 out of the 8 original articles included in the SRs found significant associations, with OR of 2.39 and 4.35, although the quality of the data was rather low.
The critical appraisal of the SRs identified allowed for discussing the implications of SRs for risk assessment, along with the identification of gaps and limitations of current epidemiological studies that hinder their use for risk assessment. Recommendations are proposed to improve studies for this purpose. In particular, harmonized quantitative data (expressed in standardized units) would allow a better interpretation of results and would facilitate direct comparison of data across studies. Outcomes should be also harmonized for an accurate and reproducible measurement of adverse effects. Appropriate SRs and quantitative synthesis of the evidence should be performed regularly for a continuous update of the risk factors on health outcomes and to determine, if possible, dose–response curves for risk assessment.
•SRs pertaining to pesticide exposure and various neurological outcomes are reviewed.•The implications of SRs for risk assessment are discussed.•Core criteria are described for SRs to be further used in risk assessment.•Harmonized and quantitative exposure data are needed for comparison across studies.•Accurate and reproducible measurement of adverse effects is also required.
Previous literature on prenatal phenol exposure and thyroid hormone (TH) alteration is conflicting, and the possible mechanisms of action involved remain unclear. We aimed to examine the association ...between prenatal phenol exposure and levels of maternal and neonatal THs, as well as the possible role of iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO) gene polymorphisms in this relation.
We studied 387 Spanish mother–neonate pairs with measurements of maternal phenols, total triiodothyronine (TT3) and free thyroxine (FT4), maternal and neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and maternal genotypes for single nucleotide polymorphisms in the DIO1(rs2235544) and DIO2(rs12885300) genes. We implemented multivariate linear and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regressions to examine the association between phenols and THs (including sex-stratified models for neonatal TSH) and investigated effect modification of genotypes in the maternal phenol-TH associations.
In single exposure models, we found negative associations between maternal triclosan (TCS) and neonatal TSH (% change 95%CI: −2.95 -5.70, -0.11, per twofold phenol increase) – stronger for girls – and less clearly for maternal ethylparaben (EPB) and TSH (−2.27 -4.55, 0.07). In phenol mixture models, we found no association with THs. In the genetic interaction models, we found some evidence of effect modification of DIO gene polymorphisms with stronger negative associations between methylparaben (MPB), propylparaben (PPB), butylparaben (BPB) and TT3 as well as bisphenol A (BPA) and FT4 for DIO1(rs2235544)-CC. Stronger inverse associations for genotypes DIO2(rs12885300)-CC and DIO2(rs12885300)-CT and positive ones for DIO2(rs12885300)-TT were also reported for BPA and FT4.
In conclusion, we found some evidence of an association between phenols and TSH during pregnancy and at birth in single exposure models, the latter being stronger for girls. Since no association was observed between maternal levels of phenols and TT3 or FT4, the possible role of the genetic background in these associations warrants further investigation.
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•Association between some phenols and TSH during pregnancy and at birth.•Possible sex modification of the association between maternal TCS and neonatal TSH.•First study in humans on the possible role of DIO gene polymorphisms on how phenols might target THs.•Some evidence of effect modification of DIO gene polymorphisms in the phenol-TH associations.
The deposition and manipulation of human remains in natural caves are well known for the Neolithic of Southern Iberia. The cultural meaning of these practices is however still largely unclear. Cueva ...de los Marmoles (CM, Priego-Córdoba) is one of the most important cave contexts from Southern Spain, which returned a large number of commingled skeletal remains suggesting its funerary use from the Neolithic to the Late Bronze Age. Here we discuss CM from a chronological and cultural perspective based on new radiocarbon, anthropological, and taphonomic analyses. These include the estimation of the minimum number of individuals, the exploration of fragmentation patterns characterizing different skeletal regions, and the macroscopic and microscopic analysis of modifications to the remains of possible anthropic origin. Radiocarbon data point to a funerary use of CM between the 5
th
-2
nd
millennium cal. BCE. MNI estimates reveal the presence of at least 12 individuals (seven adults and five nonadults). The low representation of elements from hands and feet suggests that individuals were placed in the cave while partially decomposed. Anthropic traces on the remains (e.g. fresh fractures, marrow canal modifications, and scraping marks) hint at their intentional fragmentation, cleaning from residual soft tissues, and in some cases reutilization. These practices are well-exemplified by the recovery of one "skull cup" and of two long bones used as tools. These data align with those from other cave contexts from the same geographic region, suggesting the presence, especially during the Neolithic period, of shared ideologies centered on the human body.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Childrens exposure to neurotoxic compounds poses a major problem to public health because of their actively developing brain that makes them highly vulnerable. However, limited information is ...available on neuropsychological effects in children associated with pre- and postnatal exposures to pesticides.
To evaluate the association between current and pre- and postnatal exposures to pesticides and their effects on neurodevelopment in children aged 6–11years living in agricultural communities from South-Eastern Spain.
An ambispective study was conducted on 305 children aged 6–11years randomly selected from public schools of the study area. Current exposure to organophosphate pesticides was assessed measuring children's urinary levels of dialkylphosphates (DAPs). Both prenatal and postnatal residential exposure to pesticides was estimated by developing a geographical information system (GIS) technology-based index that integrated distance-weighted measure of agricultural surface, time-series of crop areas per municipality and year, and land-use maps. Neuropsychological performance was evaluated with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV). The association of pre- and postnatal and current pesticide exposure with WISC-IV scale scores was assessed using multivariate linear regression models and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models, respectively.
Greater urinary DAP levels were associated with a poorer performance on intelligence quotient and verbal comprehension domain, with effects being more prominent in boys than in girls. The influence of an increase in 10ha per year in crop surface around the child's residence during the postnatal period was associated with decreased intelligence quotient, processing speed and verbal comprehension scores. As regards prenatal exposure to pesticides, a poor processing speed performance was observed. These effects were also more prominent in boys than in girls.
Our results suggest that postnatal exposure to pesticides can negatively affect children's neuropsychological performance. Prenatal exposure was weakly associated to neurodevelopment impairment.
•This study assessed the effects of pesticide exposure on child neurodevelopment.•Pesticide exposure was assessed by urinary biomarkers (DAPs) and GIS-based indices.•DAP levels and GIS-based indices were associated with neurodevelopmental impairment.•Pre- and postnatal pesticide exposures affect neuropsychological performance.•Neurodevelopmental effects were more prominent in boys than in girls.
This study aimed to assess the association between exposure to chromium and neuropsychological development among children. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 393 children aged 6–11 years old ...randomly selected from State-funded schools in two provinces in Southern Spain (Almeria and Huelva), in 2010 and 2012. Chromium levels in urine and hair samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with an octopole reaction system. Neuropsychological development was evaluated using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) and three computerized tests from the Behavioural Assessment and Research System (BARS): Reaction Time Test (RTT), Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and Selective Attention Test (SAT). Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders, including heavy metals, were applied to examine the association between chromium levels and neuropsychological outcomes. A 10-fold increase in urine chromium levels was associated with a decrease of 5.99 points on the WISC-IV Full-Scale IQ (95% CI: 11.98 to −0.02). Likewise, a 10-fold increase in urine chromium levels in boys was associated with a decrease of 0.03 points in the percentage of omissions (95% CI: 0.0 to 0.05) in the SAT, with an increase of 68.35 points in latency (95% CI: 6.60 to 130.12) in the RTT, and with an increase in the number of trials with latencies > 1000 ms (β = 37.92; 95% CI: 2.73 to 73.12) in the RTT. An inverse significant association was detected between chromium levels in hair and latency in the SAT in boys (β = −50.53; 95% CI: 86.86 to −14.22) and girls (β = −55.95; 95% CI: 78.93 to −32.97). Excluding trials with latencies >1000 ms in the RTT increased latency scores by 29.36 points in boys (95% CI: 0.17 to 58.57), and 39.91 points in girls (95% CI: 21.25 to 58.59). This study is the first to show the detrimental effects of postnatal chromium exposure on neuropsychological development in school-aged children.
•Chromium environmental exposure is associated with a detrimental neuropsychological development in children.•Hair and urine chromium levels declines neurobehavioral performance both in boys and girls.•Urine chromium levels appears to affect the intellectual function only in boys.
Childhood chromium exposure is associated with detrimental consequences on neuropsychological development among children aged 6–11 years old.
The ability of organophosphate pesticides to disturb thyroid gland function has been demonstrated by experimental studies on animal, but evidence of such effects on human remains scarce. The aim of ...this study was to assess the association between exposure to organophosphate compounds and serum levels of thyroid hormones in floriculture workers. A longitudinal study was conducted on 136 male subjects from the State of Mexico and Morelos, Mexico, occupationally exposed to organophosphate pesticides, during agricultural periods of high (rainy season) and low (dry season) levels of pesticide application. Using a structured questionnaire, a survey was carried out on sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometry, clinical history, alcohol and tobacco consumption, residential chemical exposure, and occupational history. Urine and blood samples were taken the day after pesticide application to determine urine dialkylphosphate (DAP) levels, serum levels of TSH, total T
3, total T
4, serum PON1 activity, and serum
p,p′-DEE levels. The analysis of the association between DAP levels and thyroid hormonal profile was carried out using multivariate generalized estimating equation (GEE) models. Our results showed an increase in both TSH and T
4 hormones in serum associated with a increase in total dimethylphosphate levels (ΣDMP) in urine (
p-trend
<
0.001) and a decrease in total T
3 serum levels with an increase of ΣDMP levels in the urine (
p-trend
=
0.053). These results suggest that exposure to organophosphate pesticides may be responsible of increasing TSH and T
4 serum hormone levels and decreasing T
3 serum hormone levels, therefore supporting the hypothesis that organophosphate pesticides act as endocrine disruptors in humans.
This study presents the isotopic ratios, radiocarbon datings, and anthropological analyses of five (N = 5) Early Copper Age individuals from two archaeological sites (Arruzafa and Iglesia Antigua de ...Alcolea) of the Middle Guadalquivir Valley near the city of Córdoba (Spain). Four had been buried in the same grave, possibly in a single event or in a very short time lapse. The collagen residue analyses of the individuals offer δ13C values ranging between −20.08 and −18.4 and δ15N values between 8.57 and 11.15. The findings indicate that the infant and the elderly had, respectively, the richest and poorest animal protein diets, the first likely as a result of nursing. The combined study of these five individuals offers an interesting approach to a small segment of population of the farming communities occupying this territory at the beginning of the Copper Age (3200–3000 cal BC).
Proper nutrition during pregnancy is pivotal to maintain good health for the child and the mother. This study evaluates the reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) ...designed to assess nutrient intake during pregnancy in the GENEIDA (Genetics, Early life Environmental Exposures and Infant Development in Andalusia) prospective birth cohort study. In addition, the nutrient intake was estimated and then compared with European guidelines and other studies. Diet information was collected from 690 pregnant women using a FFQ administered at two periods of pregnancy (used for the reproducibility study) and 24-h dietary recall (for the validity study). Statistical approaches included Spearman’s correlation coefficient and percentage agreement, classifying women into the same or adjacent quintiles to assess reproducibility, and limits of agreement (LoA) to evaluate validity. In the study of reproducibility, significant correlations for nutrients adjusted for total energy had an average of 0.417. Moreover, the percentage of subjects classified in the same quintile for nutrient intakes were above 66%. In the validation study, the significant correlation for nutrients adjusted for total energy had an average of 0.272. Nevertheless, the percentage of results in the LoA was above 94%. Our results were similar to other studies suggesting that the FFQ used is a valid tool of collect dietary intakes for South-East Spanish pregnant women.
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