Lang and Nuevo-Chiquero, 2012
Lang, K., & Nuevo-Chiquero, A., “Trends in self-reported spontaneous abortions: 1970-2000,” Demography, 2012, 49(3), 989-1009. DOI: 10.1007/s13524-012-0113-0.
ABSTRACT:
Little is known about how the miscarriage rate has changed over the past few decades in the United States. Data from Cycles IV to VI of the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) were used to examine trends from 1970 to 2000. After accounting for abortion availability and the characteristics of pregnant women, the rate of reported miscarriages increased by about 1.0% per year. This upward trend is strongest in the first seven weeks and absent after 12 weeks of pregnancy. African American and Hispanic women report lower rates of early miscarriage than do whites. The probability of reporting a miscarriage rises by about 5% per year of completed schooling. The upward trend, especially in early miscarriages, suggests awareness of pregnancy rather than prenatal care to be a key factor in explaining the evolution of self-reported miscarriages. Any beneficial effects of prenatal care on early miscarriage are obscured by this factor. Differences in adoption of early-awareness technology, such as home pregnancy tests, should be taken into account when analyzing results from self-reports or clinical trials relying on awareness of pregnancy in its early weeks. FULL TEXT
Lamure et al., 2019
Lamure, S., Carles, C., Aquereburu, Q., Quittet, P., Tchernonog, E., Paul, F., Jourdan, E., Waultier, A., Defez, C., Belhadj, I., Sanhes, L., Burcheri, S., Donadio, D., Exbrayat, C., Saad, A., Labourey, J. L., Baldi, I., Cartron, G., & Fabbro-Peray, P., “Association of Occupational Pesticide Exposure With Immunochemotherapy Response and Survival Among Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma,” JAMA Network Open, 2019, 2(4), e192093. DOI: 10.1001/ jamanetworkopen.2019.2093.
ABSTRACT:
IMPORTANCE: Professional use of pesticides is a risk factor for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The main biological mechanisms of pesticides and chemotherapy are genotoxicity and reactive oxygen species generation. Cellular adaptation among patients exposed to low doses of genotoxic and oxidative compounds might hinder chemotherapy efficiency in patients with lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of occupational exposure to pesticides with immunochemotherapy response and survival among patients treated for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cohort study assessed patients treated from July 1, 2010, to May 31, 2015, for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, with a 2-year follow-up. The study took place at 6 university and nonuniversity hospitals in Languedoc-Roussillon, France. A total of 404 patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with anthracycline-based immunochemotherapy were included before the study began. Occupational history was reconstructed for 244 patients and analyzed with the PESTIPOP French job-exposure matrix to determine likelihood of occupational exposure to pesticides. Analysis of the data was performed from July 15, 2017, to July 15, 2018.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Treatment failure (ie, partial response, stable disease, disease progression, or interruption for toxic effects) rate, 2-year event-free survival, and overall survival between exposed and nonexposed patients after adjustment for confounding factors.
RESULTS: A total of 244 patients (mean [SD] age, 61.3 [15.2] years; 153 [62.7%] male) had complete occupational data. Of these patients, 67 (27.4%) had occupational exposure to pesticides, with 38 exposed through agricultural occupations. Occupational exposure was not associated with clinical and biological characteristics at diagnosis. Occupationally exposed patients had a significantly higher treatment failure rate (22.4% vs 11.3%; P = .03; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] for confounding factors, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.3-6.9); this difference was higher among patients with exposing agricultural occupations compared with other patients (29.0% vs 11.7%; AOR, 5.1; 95% CI, 2.0-12.8). Two-year event-free survival was 70% in the occupationally exposed group vs 82% in the unexposed group (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] for confounding factors, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.9). Among patients with exposing agricultural occupations compared with other patients, the difference was more pronounced (2-year event-free survival, 56% vs 83%; AHR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.9-6.5). Similarly, 2-year overall survival was lower in the group of patients with exposing agricultural occupations compared with other patients (81% vs 92%; AHR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.5-10.0).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This retrospective study showed that agricultural occupational exposure to pesticides was associated with treatment failure, event-free survival, and overall survival among patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. FULL TEXT
Kaufman et al., 2009
Kaufman, D. W., Anderson, T. E., & Issaragrisil, S., “Risk factors for leukemia in Thailand,” Annals of Hematology, 2009, 88(11), 1079-1088. DOI: 10.1007/s00277-009-0731-9.
ABSTRACT:
A case-control study of adult-onset leukemia was conducted in Bangkok, Thailand to explore the contribution of cellular telephone use and other factors to the etiology of the disease; 180 cases (87 acute myeloblastic leukemia, 40 acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 44 chronic myelogenous leukemia, eight chronic lymphocytic leukemia, one unclassified acute leukemia) were compared with 756 age- and sex-matched hospital controls. Data were obtained by interview; odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression. There was no clear association with cellular telephone phone use, but durations were relatively short (median 24-26 months), and there was a suggestion that risk may be increased for those with certain usage practices (ORs, 1.8-3.0 with lower confidence intervals >1.0) and those who used GSM service (OR, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-4.0). Myeloid leukemia (acute and chronic combined) was associated with benzene (OR, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-11), a nonspecific group of other solvents (2.3; 1.1-4.9), occupational pesticides that were mostly unspecified (3.8; 2.1-7.1), and working with or near powerlines (4.3; 1.3-15). No associations were found for diagnostic X-rays, cigarette smoking, or other occupational exposures.
Karunanayake et al., 2008
Karunanayake, C. P., McDuffie, H. H., Dosman, J. A., Spinelli, J. J., & Pahwa, P., “Occupational exposures and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: Canadian case-control study,” Environ Health, 2008, 7, 44. DOI: 10.1186/1476-069X-7-44.
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND: The objective was to study the association between Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) and occupational exposures related to long held occupations among males in six provinces of Canada.
METHODS: A population based case-control study was conducted from 1991 to 1994. Males with newly diagnosed NHL (ICD-10) were stratified by province of residence and age group. A total of 513 incident cases and 1506 population based controls were included in the analysis. Conditional logistic regression was conducted to fit statistical models.
RESULTS: Based on conditional logistic regression modeling, the following factors independently increased the risk of NHL: farmer and machinist as long held occupations; constant exposure to diesel exhaust fumes; constant exposure to ionizing radiation (radium); and personal history of another cancer. Men who had worked for 20 years or more as farmer and machinist were the most likely to develop NHL.
CONCLUSION: An increased risk of developing NHL is associated with the following: long held occupations of faer and machinist; exposure to diesel fumes; and exposure to ionizing radiation (radium). The risk of NHL increased with the duration of employment as a farmer or machinist.
Jasper et al., 2012
Jasper, R., Locatelli, G. O., Pilati, C., & Locatelli, C., “Evaluation of biochemical, hematological and oxidative parameters in mice exposed to the herbicide glyphosate-Roundup(®),” Interdisciplinary Toxicology, 2012, 5(3), 133-140. DOI: 10.2478/v10102-012-0022-5.
ABSTRACT:
We evaluated the toxicity of hepatic, hematological, and oxidative effects of glyphosate-Roundup® on male and female albino Swiss mice. The animals were treated orally with either 50 or 500 mg/kg body weight of the herbicide, on a daily basis for a period of 15 days. Distilled water was used as control treatment. Samples of blood and hepatic tissue were collected at the end of the treatment. Hepatotoxicity was monitored by quantitative analysis of the serum enzymes ALT, AST, and γ-GT and renal toxicity by urea and creatinine. We also investigated liver tissues histopathologically. Alterations of hematological parameters were monitored by RBC, WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, and MCHC. TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and NPSH (non-protein thiols) were analyzed in the liver to assess oxidative damage. Significant increases in the levels of hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, and γ-GT) were observed for both herbicide treatments, but no considerable differences were found by histological analysis. The hematological parameters showed significant alterations (500 mg/kg body weight) with reductions of RBC, hematocrit, and hemoglobin, together with a significant increase of MCV, in both sexes of mice. In males, there was an important increase in lipid peroxidation at both dosage levels, together with an NPSH decrease in the hepatic tissue, whereas in females significant changes in these parameters were observed only at the higher dose rate. The results of this study indicate that glyphosate-Roundup® can promote hematological and hepatic alterations, even at subacute exposure, which could be related to the induction of reactive oxygen species. FULL TEXT
Ingaramo et al., 2016
Ingaramo, P. I., Varayoud, J., Milesi, M. M., Schimpf, M. G., Munoz-de-Toro, M., & Luque, E. H., “Effects of neonatal exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide on female rat reproduction,” Reproduction, 2016, 152(5), 403-415. DOI: 10.1530/REP-16-0171.
ABSTRACT:
In this study, we investigated whether neonatal exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) alters the reproductive performance and the molecular mechanisms involved in the decidualization process in adult rats. Newborn female rats received vehicle or 2 mg/kg/day of a GBH on postnatal days (PND) 1, 3, 5 and 7. On PND90, the rats were mated to evaluate (i) the reproductive performance on gestational day (GD) 19 and (ii) the ovarian steroid levels, uterine morphology, endometrial cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle regulators, and endocrine pathways that regulate uterine decidualization (steroid receptors/COUP-TFII/Bmp2/Hoxa10) at the implantation sites (IS) on GD9. The GBH-exposed group showed a significant increase in the number of resorption sites on GD19, associated with an altered decidualization response. In fact, on GD9, the GBH-treated rats showed morphological changes at the IS, associated with a decreased expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, a downregulation of COUP-TFII (Nr2f2) and Bmp2 mRNA and an increased expression of HOXA10 and the proliferation marker Ki67(Mki67) at the IS. We concluded that alterations in endometrial decidualization might be the mechanism of GBH-induced post-implantation embryo loss. FULL TEXT
Hernández-Plata et al., 2015
Hernández-Plata, Isela, Giordano, Magda, Díaz-Muñoz, Mauricio, & Rodríguez, Verónica M., “The herbicide glyphosate causes behavioral changes and alterations in dopaminergic markers in male Sprague-Dawley rat,” NeuroToxicology, 2015, 46, 79-91. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2014.12.001.
ABSTRACT:
Glyphosate (Glyph) is the active ingredient of several herbicide formulations. Reports of Glyph exposure in humans and animal models suggest that it may be neurotoxic. To evaluate the effects of Glyph on the nervous system, male Sprague-Dawley rats were given six intraperitoneal injections of 50, 100, or 150mg Glyph/kg BW over 2 weeks (three injections/week). We assessed dopaminergic markers and their association with locomotor activity. Repeated exposure to Glyph caused hypoactivity immediately after each injection, and it was also apparent 2 days after the last injection in rats exposed to the highest dose. Glyph did not decrease monoamines, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), or mesencephalic TH+ cells when measured 2 or 16 days after the last Glyph injection. In contrast, Glyph decreased specific binding to D1 dopamine (DA) receptors in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) when measured 2 days after the last Glyph injection. Microdialysis experiments showed that a systemic injection of 150mg Glyph/kg BW decreased basal extracellular DA levels and high-potassium-induced DA release in striatum. Glyph did not affect the extracellular concentrations of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid or homovanillic acid. These results indicate that repeated Glyph exposure results in hypoactivity accompanied by decreases in specific binding to D1-DA receptors in the NAcc, and that acute exposure to Glyph has evident effects on striatal DA levels. Additional experiments are necessary in order to unveil the specific targets of Glyph on dopaminergic system, and whether Glyph could be affecting other neurotransmitter systems involved in motor control.
Donahue et al., 2010
Donahue, S. M., Kleinman, K. P., Gillman, M. W., & Oken, E., “Trends in birth weight and gestational length among singleton term births in the United States: 1990-2005,” Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2010, 115(2 Pt 1), 357-364. DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181cbd5f5.
ABSTRACT:
OBJECTIVE: To estimate changes over time in birth weight for gestational age and in gestational length among term singleton neonates born from 1990 to 2005.
METHODS: We used data from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics for 36,827,828 singleton neonates born at 37-41 weeks of gestation, 1990-2005. We examined trends in birth weight, birth weight for gestational age, large and small for gestational age, and gestational length in the overall population and in a low-risk subgroup defined by maternal age, race or ethnicity, education, marital status, smoking, gestational weight gain, delivery route, and obstetric care characteristics.
RESULTS: In 2005, compared with 1990, we observed decreases in birth weight (-52 g in the overall population, -79 g in a homogenous low-risk subgroup) and large for gestational age birth (-1.4% overall, -2.2% in the homogenous subgroup) that were steeper after 1999 and persisted in regression analyses adjusted for maternal and neonate characteristics, gestational length, cesarean delivery, and induction of labor. Decreases in mean gestational length (-0.34 weeks overall) were similar regardless of route of delivery or induction of labor.
CONCLUSION: Recent decreases in fetal growth among U.S., term, singleton neonates were not explained by trends in maternal and neonatal characteristics, changes in obstetric practices, or concurrent decreases in gestational length.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
ATSDR, 2019
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, “Toxicological Profile for Glyphosate: Draft for Public Comment,” United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2019.
SUMMARY:
This toxicological profile is prepared in accordance with guidelines developed by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The original guidelines were published in the Federal Register on April 17, 1987. Each profile will be revised and republished as necessary.
The ATSDR toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for these toxic substances described therein. Each peer-reviewed profile identifies and reviews the key literature that describes a substance’s toxicologic properties. Other pertinent literature is also presented, but is described in less detail than the key studies. The profile is not intended to be an exhaustive document; however, more comprehensive sources of specialty information are referenced.
The focus of the profiles is on health and toxicologic information; therefore, each toxicological profile begins with a relevance to public health discussion which would allow a public health professional to make a real-time determination of whether the presence of a particular substance in the environment poses a potential threat to human health. The adequacy of information to determine a substance’s health effects is described in a health effects summary. Data needs that are of significance to the protection of public health are identified by ATSDR and EPA.
Each profile includes the following:
(A) The examination, summary, and interpretation of available toxicologic information and epidemiologic evaluations on a toxic substance to ascertain the levels of significant human exposure for the substance and the associated acute, intermediate, and chronic health effects;
(B) A determination of whether adequate information on the health effects of each substance is available or in the process of development to determine the levels of exposure that present a significant risk to human health due to acute, intermediate, and chronic duration exposures; and
(C) Where appropriate, identification of toxicologic testing needed to identify the types or levels of exposure that may present significant risk of adverse health effects in humans.
Chang et al., 2018
Chang, S., Nazem, T. G., Gounko, D., Lee, J., Bar-Chama, N., Shamonki, J. M., Antonelli, C., & Copperman, A. B., “Eleven year longitudinal study of U.S. sperm donors demonstrates declining sperm count and motility,” Fertility and Sterility, 2018, 110(4), e54-e55. DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.170.
ABSTRACT:
OBJECTIVE: Physicians and public health experts have been investigating whether there is evidence of deterioration in semen quality.1-3 Investigators who believe in a decline point to the concomitant increase in the incidence of genitourinary abnormalities.3-5 Others have focused on increased exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors and changes in diet and BMI. One obstacle to understanding male fertility is possible geographic variations in semen quality, which may be due to differences in climate, pollution, occupational exposure, lifestyle, and social habits. This study sought to evaluate semen quality in geographically diverse US sperm donors.
DESIGN: Retrospective.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen analyses (SA) from 2007-2017 were examined. The sperm donors (ages 19-38) originated from Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Houston, Boston, Indianapolis and New York City. Total sperm count, average concentration and total motile count were analyzed as a whole and by region. Data was analyzed using a general estimate equation model with an exchangeable working correlation structure.
RESULTS: A total of 124,107 SA specimens were analyzed. Controlling for BMI, there was a decline in total sperm count (b¼-2.9, p<0.01), concentration (b¼-1.76, p<0.01) and total motile sperm count (b¼-2.45, p<0.01) over the 11-year study. There were decreases in SA parameters in all regions except New York City, which showed no change in total sperm count, concentration or total motile sperm count. Boston showed a decline in concentration and total motile sperm count but no difference in total sperm count.
CONCLUSIONS: Changes in our modern environment—chemical exposures or increasingly sedentary lifestyles—may negatively affect spermatogenesis. We demonstrated a time-related decline in semen quality. Given that donors have higher than average sperm counts, these trends would likely be magnified in the general population. If confirmed, these findings would serve as a public health warning, particularly with the simultaneous increase in other male disorders, including testicular cancer.5 The magnitude of semen quality decline varied by region, with only samples from New York City consistent throughout the study. To further investigate geographical differences, future prospective studies should investigate potential causes for this decline. Identifying modifiable risk factors is the first step in determining how to reverse these trend.