Maternal Pesticide Use and Birth Weight in the Agricultural Health Study

ABSTRACT

Studies examining the association between maternal pesticide exposure and low birth weight yield conflicting results. The authors examined the association between maternal pesticide use and birth weight among women in the Agricultural Health Study, a large study of pesticide applicators and their spouses in Iowa and North Carolina. The authors evaluated self-reported pesticide use of 27 individual pesticides in relation to birth weight among 2246 farm women whose most recent singleton birth occurred within 5 years of enrollment (1993–1997). The authors used linear regression models adjusted for site, preterm birth, medical parity, maternal body mass index, height, and smoking. The results showed that mean infant birth weight was 3586 g (± 546 g), and 3% of the infants were low birth weight (<2500 g). First-trimester pesticide-related tasks were not associated with birth weight. Ever use of the pesticide carbaryl was associated with decreased birth weight (?82 g, 95% confidence interval [CI] = ?132, ?31). This study thus provides limited evidence about pesticide use as a modulator of birth weight. Overall, the authors observed no associations between birth weight and pesticide-related activities during early pregnancy; however, the authors have no data on temporal specificity of individual pesticide exposures prior to or during pregnancy and therefore cannot draw conclusions related to these exposure windows. Given the widespread exposure to pesticide products, additional evaluation of maternal pregnancy exposures at specific time windows and subsequent birth outcomes is warranted.     

Calcium,Magnesium, Iron,Zinc and Copper,Compositions of Human Milk from Populations with Cereal and ‘Enset’ Based Diets

Background

As breast milk is normally the only source of food in the early stages of life, the dietary levels of the essential elements in the milk of lactating mothers are significantly important. Ethiopia is a country of many nations and nationalities with distinct dietary habits. This variation in food habit may result in the variation of the nutritional quality of milk of lactating mothers who live in different part of the country, which in turn may affect the intake of nutrients by breast-fed infants. Therefore, a cross-sectional study of the levels of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu in milk of mothers from societies with cereal and ‘enset’ based dietary habits was carried out to assess the influence of maternal diet on the levels of the elements in human milk.

Methods

Milk samples were collected from 27 voluntary mothers in Jimma and in 18 rural areas of Welkite. Breast milk samples were collected within four days postpartum and the concentrations of the elements were determined by using FAAS.

Results

Average concentrations (mg/L) of the elements determined in the milk of mothers from Jimma and rural Welkite respectively were: Ca (758 ± 107, 579 ± 168); Mg (22.6 ± 7.87, 30.5 ± 13.4); Fe (0.50 ± 0.08, 0.41 ± 0.17); Zn (2.3 ± 1.2, 2.49 ± 0.88) and Cu (0.28 ± 0.14, 0.16 ± 0.08).

Conclusions

Milk samples from Jimma were found to have significantly higher levels of Ca and Cu than those of rural Welkite (P < 0.05). Breast milk Ca and Cu levels were thus found to be influenced by dietary intake.     

Dietary turmeric modulates DMBA-induced p21ras, MAP kinases and AP-1/NF-kappaB pathway to alter cellular responses during hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

The chemopreventive efficacy of turmeric has been established in experimental systems. However, its mechanism(s) of action are not fully elucidated in vivo. The present study investigates the mechanism of turmeric-mediated chemoprevention in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch (HBP) carcinogenesis at 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12 weeks. Dietary turmeric (1%) led to decrease in DMBA-induced tumor burden and multiplicity, and enhanced the latency period in parallel, to its modulatory effects on oncogene products and various cellular responses during HBP tumorigenesis. DMBA-induced expression of ras oncogene product, p21 and downstream target, the mitogen-activated protein kinases were significantly decreased by turmeric during HBP carcinogenesis. Turmeric also diminished the DMBA-induced mRNA expression of proto-oncogenes (c-jun, c-fos) and NF-κB, leading to decreased protein levels and in further attenuation of DMBA-induced AP-1/NF-κB DNA-binding in the buccal pouch nuclear extracts. Besides, buccal pouch of hamsters receiving turmeric diet showed significant alterations in DMBA-induced effects: (a) decrease in cell proliferation (diminished PCNA and Bcl2 expression), (b) enhanced apoptosis (increased expression of Bax, caspase-3 and apoptotic index), (c) decrease in inflammation (levels of Cox-2, the downstream target of AP-1/NF-κB, and PGE2) and (d) aberrant expression of differentiation markers, the cytokeratins (1, 5, 8, and 18). Together, the protective effects of dietary turmeric converge on augmenting apoptosis of the initiated cells and decreasing cell proliferation in DMBA-treated animals, which in turn, is reflected in decreased tumor burden, multiplicity and enhanced latency period. Some of these biomarkers are likely to be helpful in monitoring clinical trials and evaluating drug effect measurements.     

Learning from UJAMBO: Perspectives on Gynecologic Care in African Immigrant and Refugee Women in Boston,Massachusetts

African-born immigrant women, and particularly refugees and asylum seekers, are at risk for reproductive health disparities but inadequately use relevant gynecologic services. We sought to elucidate perspectives on gynecologic care in a population of Congolese and Somali immigrants. We conducted a secondary qualitative analysis of focus group data using a grounded theory approach and the Integrated Behavioral Model as our theoretical framework. Thirty one women participated in six focus groups. Participant beliefs included the states of pregnancy and/or pain as triggers for care, preferences included having female providers and those with familiarity with female genital cutting. Barriers included stigma, lack of partner support, and lack of resources to access care. Experiential attitudes, normative beliefs, and environmental constraints significantly mediated care preferences for/barriers to gynecologic health service utilization in this population. Centering of patient perspectives to adapt delivery of gynecologic care to immigrants and refugees may improve utilization and reduce disparities.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 3-hydroxyimino-5-methyl-2-hexanone(HIMH) and its dioxime derivative

A new oxime, 3-hydroxyimino-5-methyl-2-hexanone (HIMH) has been synthesized by the reaction of 1-pentyl nitrite with 5-methyl-2-hexanone under acidic conditions. The subsequent treatment of HIMH with NH2OH x HCl gives 5-methyl-2,3-hexanedione dioxime (H2MHDDO). The structures of these compounds have been confirmed by physicochemical and spectral data. A preliminary screening of these compounds for biological activity against several microorganisms has indicated that they are selective growth inhibitors of m-tuberculosis, in particular.     

Women's health and the internet: understanding emerging trends and implications

Internet has become a major information source, yet little is known about why women use the internet for obtaining health information. In this paper, we propose and test three exploratory models to explain internet use for obtaining health information: health and wellness model, health needs model, and search costs model. The health and wellness model is based on the notion that internet has become such an integral part of daily life that health-conscious women use the internet in a pro-active manner for health promotion. The health needs model posits that women with greater health needs or concerns are more likely to use the internet. Finally, the search costs model explores the idea that women may view the internet as a resource for reducing high information search costs. These models were tested using data collected through telephone surveys of women in three southern New Jersey counties in the USA. Consistent with expectations, our findings show that internet use to search for health information is greater among women with higher levels of income and education. There is support for all three models, with surprisingly strong support for the health and wellness model. We conclude that women increasingly rely on the internet to supplement health information received from traditional sources and discuss the implications of our findings for policymakers and health professions.     

Children's rights: television programmes aired in Singapore

This article focuses on aspects of children's rights as portrayed in television. The results of a six-month research study show analyses of television content of Channel 5, which is the only free-to-air, 24-hour, English-language entertainment channel in Singapore. The results identify the role of television in assisting Singapore to meet its obligations in regard to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. News and advertisements aired on Channel 5 during primetime (between 7 pm and 10 pm) were recorded over a six-month period, and those featuring or related to children were analysed for the study. The samples were categorised and subcategorised based on the principles of the Convention (UNICEF, (2011a, June 2). Convention on the rights of the child. Rights Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child): Participation, Protection, Development, and Survival. A fifth category, not under United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child-Object, was devised by the researchers. The results of this study have shown that the representation of children on television in Singapore is, in part, a reflection of how Singaporean society views children. Analyses of the media content indicated that protection and development of children was Singapore's top priority. Despite the fact that children were considered to need adult protection there was no reference to the Convention.     

Anthropometric measures change and quality of life in elderly people: a longitudinal population-based study in Southern Brazil

Purpose

To analyze the effects of anthropometric measures change on quality of life (QoL) in elderly, using measured anthropometric data on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC).

Method

Population-based cohort study investigating a sample of elderly (≥60) assessed in 2009 (n = 1705) and followed up in 2013 (n = 1197). QoL was evaluated in 2013 using the CASP-19. Variables evaluated as exposure including BMI and WC in 2009 (both standardized), categories of anthropometric measures change from 2009 to 2013 (excess weight = BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m²; large WC = top quartile), and the absolute BMI and WC change in same period. Multivariate linear regressions adjusted for possible confounding factors and mediators were used.

Results

Both BMI and WC at baseline were associated with lower QoL scores, even after adjustment for confounding variables (β _BMI = ?0.9; 95 % CI ?1.5; ?0.3 and β _WC = ?1.0; 95 % CI ?1.7; ?0.4). Additionally, QoL scores were lower among elderly with excess weight (β = ?1.4; 95 % CI ?2.9; 0.0) or large WC (β = ?3.3; 95 % CI ?5.2; ?1.4) in both waves than among those whose BMI and WC were always normal, but changes in anthropometric measures did not affect QoL. The presence of chronic diseases was a partial mediator of these associations, especially for effects of BMI change. Anthropometric measures change treated as a continuous variable was not associated with QoL.

Conclusions

Having excess weight and large WC in both waves was associated with lower QoL scores in elderly, but changing the anthropometric measures did not affect this outcome. Maintaining weight and WC within normal limits during aging can help to preserve QoL.

     

Variability and predictors of urinary bisphenol A concentrations during pregnancy

Background

Prenatal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure may be associated with developmental toxicity, but few studies have examined the variability and predictors of urinary BPA concentrations during pregnancy.

Objective

Our goal was to estimate the variability and predictors of serial urinary BPA concentrations taken during pregnancy.

Methods

We measured BPA concentrations during pregnancy and at birth in three spot urine samples from 389 women. We calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess BPA variability and estimated associations between log₁₀-transformed urinary BPA concentrations and demographic, occupational, dietary, and environmental factors, using mixed models.

Results

Geometric mean (GM) creatinine-standardized concentrations (micrograms per gram) were 1.7 (16 weeks), 2.0 (26 weeks), and 2.0 (birth). Creatinine-standardized BPA concentrations exhibited low reproducibility (ICC = 0.11). By occupation, cashiers had the highest BPA concentrations (GM: 2.8 μg/g). Consuming canned vegetables at least once a day was associated with higher BPA concentrations (GM = 2.3 μg/g) compared with those consuming no canned vegetables (GM = 1.6 μg/g). BPA concentrations did not vary by consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, canned fruit, or store-bought fresh and frozen fish. Urinary high-molecular-weight phthalate and serum tobacco smoke metabolite concentrations were positively associated with BPA concentrations.

Conclusions

These results suggest numerous sources of BPA exposure during pregnancy. Etiological studies may need to measure urinary BPA concentrations more than once during pregnancy and adjust for phthalates and tobacco smoke exposures.     

Case report: high prenatal bisphenol a exposure and infant neonatal neurobehavior

Context: Most of the U.S. population is exposed to the high-production-volume chemical bisphenol A (BPA), but targetable sources of exposure remain to be determined. Animal studies and one human study suggest that BPA is a neurotoxicant.Case presentation: A mother in the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, a prospective birth cohort examining prenatal and postnatal environmental toxicants and childhood health outcomes, had a urinary BPA concentration of 583 µg/g creatinine at 27 weeks of pregnancy, which was the highest concentration observed in this cohort (median, 2.0 µg/g creatinine) and the general population. We used prenatal questionnaire data and a follow-up interview to identify potential sources of exposure that included daily plastic use and consumption of canned beverages and foods. Her male infant had a normal newborn neurobehavioral assessment but presented with abnormalities at the 1-month examination that prompted physician referral. Subsequently, the child had normal neurobehavioral testing results at annual evaluations from 1 to 5 years of age.Discussion: Investigations into sources of high gestational urinary BPA concentrations provide an opportunity to identify potential targets for reduction of BPA exposure. This case highlights a potential link between gestational BPA exposure and transient neurobehavioral changes that is hypothesis generating and can serve to alert researchers to potential areas for examination in future studies.Relevance to clinical practice: It is important to educate health care practitioners regarding potential sources of BPA exposure and anticipatory guidance on minimization of exposures during vulnerable periods of development.