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Nutrition Reviews Oct 2023Although the nutritional composition of organic food has been thoroughly researched, there is a dearth of published data relating to its impact on human health.
CONTEXT
Although the nutritional composition of organic food has been thoroughly researched, there is a dearth of published data relating to its impact on human health.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aimed to examine the association between organic food intake and health effects, including changes in in vivo biomarkers, disease prevalence, and functional changes.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception through Nov 13, 2022.
DATA EXTRACTION
Both observational and interventional studies conducted in human populations were included, and association between level of organic food intake and each outcome was quantified as "no association," "inconsistent," "beneficial correlation/harmful correlation," or "insufficient". For outcomes with sufficient data reported by at least 3 studies, meta-analyses were conducted, using random-effects models to calculate standardized mean differences.
DATA ANALYSIS
Based on the included 23 observational and 27 interventional studies, the association between levels of organic food intake and (i) pesticide exposure biomarker was assessed as "beneficial correlation," (ii) toxic metals and carotenoids in the plasma was assessed as "no association," (iii) fatty acids in human milk was assessed as "insufficient," (iv) phenolics was assessed as "beneficial", and serum parameters and antioxidant status was assessed as "inconsistent". For diseases and functional changes, there was an overall "beneficial" association with organic food intake, and there were similar findings for obesity and body mass index. However, evidence for association of organic food intake with other single diseases was assessed as "insufficient" due to the limited number and extent of studies.
CONCLUSION
Organic food intake was found to have a beneficial impact in terms of reducing pesticide exposure, and the general effect on disease and functional changes (body mass index, male sperm quality) was appreciable. More long-term studies are required, especially for single diseases.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022350175.
PubMed: 37930102
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad124 -
BMC Pharmacology & Toxicology Nov 2023Aluminum phosphide toxicity is a serious problem in many countries. Unfortunately, there is no specific antidote. N-acetylcysteine has been used in some studies as... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Aluminum phosphide toxicity is a serious problem in many countries. Unfortunately, there is no specific antidote. N-acetylcysteine has been used in some studies as adjuvant therapy depending on to its antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that IV N-acetylcysteine is effective in reducing mortality rate compared to supportive treatment alone.
METHODS
We searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. We only included randomized controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of IV N-acetylcysteine and supportive treatment versus supportive treatment alone in acute aluminum phosphide poisoning. Four investigators independently screened the studies' results and designed the data extraction sheet. The primary and secondary outcomes were mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation rates. Random effects estimators with weights were used to result in the pooled risk ratios.
RESULTS
We included four randomized controlled trials with 177 patients. 91 patients were distributed in N-acetylcysteine group and 86 patients in the control group. Mortality rates in N-acetylcysteine group and in the control group were 43.95% 66.27% respectively. There was a statistically significant reduction in mortality rate after leave out test (pooled risk ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.77). Regarding the need for mechanical ventilation, it was measured only in three RCTs. It was assessed in 67 patients in N-acetylcysteine group and 60 patients in the control group. 24 patients were ventilated in N-acetylcysteine group (35.8%) and 29 patients in the control group (48.3%). But it was statistically nonsignificant (pooled risk ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-1.04).
CONCLUSION
Our meta-analysis revealed that IV N-acetylcysteine may be effective in reducing mortality of severe aluminum phosphide poisoning cases.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Registration number in Prospero CRD42022375344 on 25 NOVEMBER 2022, retrospectively registered.
Topics: Humans; Acetylcysteine; Antioxidants; Aluminum Compounds; Phosphines
PubMed: 37924139
DOI: 10.1186/s40360-023-00699-2 -
Critical Reviews in Toxicology Sep 2023Malathion and diazinon are pesticides commonly used in agriculture to avoid insects that damage crops; however, they may cause impairment to the male genital system of... (Review)
Review
Malathion and diazinon are pesticides commonly used in agriculture to avoid insects that damage crops; however, they may cause impairment to the male genital system of exposed humans. The present work carried out a systematic review of the literature concerning the primary studies that assessed the reproductive effects resulting from male rats and mice exposed to malathion or diazinon. The search for articles was performed on the databases PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and SciELO, using different combinations of the search terms "malathion," "diazinon," "mice," "rats," "male reproduction," "fertility," and "sperm," followed by the Boolean operators AND or OR. The results obtained indicate that both pesticides act as reproductive toxicants by reducing sperm quality, diminishing hormonal concentrations, inducing increased oxidative stress, and provoking histopathological damage in reproductive organs. Then, the exposure to malathion and diazinon may provoke diminished levels of testosterone by increasing acetylcholine stimulation in the testis through muscarinic receptors, thus, providing a reduction in steroidogenic activity in Leydig cells, whose effect is related to lower levels of testosterone in rodents, and consequently, it is associated with decreased fertility. Considering the toxic effects on the male genital system of rodents and the possible male reproductive toxicity in humans, it is recommended the decreased use of these pesticides and their replacement for others that show no or few toxic effects for non-target animals.
Topics: Humans; Male; Rats; Animals; Mice; Malathion; Diazinon; Insecticides; Rodentia; Semen; Pesticides; Reproduction; Testosterone
PubMed: 37922518
DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2270494 -
Environmental Health : a Global Access... Oct 2023Research on the effect of pesticide exposure on health has been largely focused on occupational settings. Few reviews have synthesized the associations between dietary... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Research on the effect of pesticide exposure on health has been largely focused on occupational settings. Few reviews have synthesized the associations between dietary pesticide exposure and health outcomes in non-occupationally exposed adults.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to summarize the evidence regarding dietary pesticide exposure and non-communicable diseases (NCD) in adults, using a systematic review of prospective studies.
METHODS
Electronic and manual searches were performed until July 2023. The inclusion criteria were the following: 1) adults aged ≥ 18years, 2) (non)-randomized trials, prospective cohort studies, 3) dietary exposure to pesticides. A bias analysis was carried out using the Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review guidelines based on the Cochrane ROBINS-I.
RESULTS
A total of 52 studies were retrieved and 6 studies that met the above criteria were included. Studies were conducted either in France or in the United States. The studies investigated the risk of cancer (n = 3), diabetes (n = 1), cardiovascular diseases (n = 1), and mortality (n = 1). The quality of the studies varied with overall grades derived from the bias analysis ranging from low to moderate bias. The level of evidence was estimated as low for the risk of cancer while the grading was not assignable for other outcomes, as only one study per outcome was available.
CONCLUSIONS
Although further research is warranted to examine more in depth the relationships between low-dose chronic exposure to pesticides through diet and NCD outcomes in non-occupationally-exposed adults, studies suggest a possible role of exposure to dietary pesticide on health. Standardized methodological guidelines should also be proposed to allow for comparison across studies.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Prospective Studies; Noncommunicable Diseases; Pesticides; Dietary Exposure; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37907942
DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01020-8 -
Transplantation Proceedings Dec 2023Yellow phosphorus or metal phosphide (YP-MP) rodenticide poisoning has been a known cause of acute liver failure (ALF) in many countries of Asia and North and South...
Yellow phosphorus or metal phosphide (YP-MP) rodenticide poisoning has been a known cause of acute liver failure (ALF) in many countries of Asia and North and South America over the last decade. It is a highly toxic compound and is a well-known cause of intentional or accidental poisoning in both adults and children. In lower doses, it causes gastrointestinal symptoms and mild hepatic injury, and patients may spontaneously recover. In higher doses, hepatic necrosis and fatty infiltration may cause significant injury and may even lead to ALF, characterized by hepatic encephalopathy, coagulopathy, and lactic acidosis. Cardiotoxicity, rhabdomyolysis, and neutropenia are other well-documented complications. If untreated, it may lead to multi-organ dysfunction and death. Plasmapheresis and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) have been used with limited success in patients who do not recover spontaneously. However, patients who develop ALF often need liver transplantation (LT). Liver transplantation has been successfully performed in ALF due to YP-MP poisoning in several countries, with good results in both adult and pediatric patients. Separate criteria for LT are important to ensure early and rapid listing of critical patients on the waiting list. The success rates of LT for ALF due to YP-MP rodenticide poisoning are very promising, provided there are no contra-indications to transplant. Plasma exchange, CRRT, or cytosorb can be used as a bridge to transplant in selected patients. In the long term, only with an increase in public awareness and sale restrictions can we prevent the intentional and accidental poisoning caused by this easily available, highly toxic compound.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Hepatic Encephalopathy; Liver Failure, Acute; Liver Transplantation; Phosphorus; Rodenticides
PubMed: 37880024
DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.09.028 -
PloS One 2023The main component of chocolate, cocoa (Theobroma cacao), is a significant commercial agricultural plant that directly sustains the livelihoods of an estimated forty to...
The main component of chocolate, cocoa (Theobroma cacao), is a significant commercial agricultural plant that directly sustains the livelihoods of an estimated forty to fifty million people. The economies of many cocoa producing nations, particularly those in the developing world, are supported by cocoa export revenue. To ensure satisfactory yields, however, the plant is usually intensely treated with pesticides because it is vulnerable to disease and pest attacks. Even though pesticides help protect the cocoa plant, unintended environmental contamination is also likely. Honey, produced from nectar obtained by honeybees from flowers while foraging, can serve as a good indicator for the level of pesticide residues and environmental pesticide build-up in landscapes. Here, we use a systematic literature review to quantify the extent of research on residues of pesticides used in cocoa cultivation in honey. In 81% of the 104 studies examined for this analysis, 169 distinct compounds were detected. Imidacloprid was the most frequently detected pesticide, making neonicotinoids the most frequently found class of pesticides overall. However, in cocoa producing countries, organophosphates, organochlorines, and pyrethroids were the most frequently detected pesticides. Interestingly, only 19% of studies were carried out in cocoa producing countries. We recommend prioritizing more research in the countries that produce cocoa to help to understand the potential impact of pesticide residues linked with cocoa cultivation in honey and the environment more generally to inform better pesticide usage, human health, and environmental policies.
Topics: Humans; Bees; Animals; Cacao; Honey; Chocolate; Pesticide Residues; Pesticides
PubMed: 37878562
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280175 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2023Pesticides are widely used in global agriculture to achieve high productivity levels. Among them, fungicides are specifically designed to inhibit fungal growth in crops... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Pesticides are widely used in global agriculture to achieve high productivity levels. Among them, fungicides are specifically designed to inhibit fungal growth in crops and seeds. However, their application often results in environmental contamination, as these chemicals can persistently be detected in surface waters. This poses a potential threat to non-target organisms, including humans, that inhabit the affected ecosystems. In toxicologic research, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is the most commonly used fish species to assess the potential effects of fungicide exposure, and numerous and sometimes conflicting findings have been reported. To address this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on the neurobehavioral effects of fungicides in zebrafish. Our search encompassed three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science), and the screening process followed predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. We extracted qualitative and quantitative data, as well as assessed reporting quality, from 60 included studies. Meta-analyses were performed for the outcomes of distance traveled in larvae and adults and spontaneous movements in embryos. The results revealed a significant overall effect of fungicide exposure on distance, with a lower distance traveled in the exposed versus control group. No significant effect was observed for spontaneous movements. The overall heterogeneity was high for distance and moderate for spontaneous movements. The poor reporting practices in the field hindered a critical evaluation of the studies. Nevertheless, a sensitivity analysis did not identify any studies skewing the meta-analyses. This review underscores the necessity for better-designed and reported experiments in this field.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Adult; Fungicides, Industrial; Zebrafish; Ecosystem; Pesticides; Motor Activity
PubMed: 37875532
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45350-6 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Nov 2023While neuroblastoma accounts for an estimated 8% of childhood cancers, it causes about 15% of childhood cancer deaths in the United States. The role of agricultural... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
While neuroblastoma accounts for an estimated 8% of childhood cancers, it causes about 15% of childhood cancer deaths in the United States. The role of agricultural exposures in the development of neuroblastoma is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining the relationship between agricultural exposures and neuroblastoma. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched in February 2022, identifying 742 publications. Seventeen articles met the inclusion criteria; all were published between 1985 and 2020 and included 14 case-control, one cross-sectional, and two cohort studies. Random and fixed effects models were used to calculate summary odds ratios (sORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). An increased odds of developing neuroblastoma with parental exposure to any pesticides (sOR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.03-1.48; 4 studies), insecticides (sOR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.19-1.91; 3 studies), and residential exposure to crops/vegetables (sOR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06; 2 studies) was seen. Heterogeneity was low in all analyses, and no publication bias was evident. No significant associations were found with agricultural occupations, herbicides, and agricultural dusts. The studies were limited by exposure measurements and small sample sizes. Further studies are needed to explore mechanisms in the development of neuroblastoma in children with parental agricultural exposures, especially pesticides, and to improve methods of measuring agricultural-related exposures.
Topics: Child; Humans; United States; Cross-Sectional Studies; Agriculture; Pesticides; Dust; Neuroblastoma
PubMed: 37858025
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30315-z -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Nov 2023Advances in agriculture include integrated methods of controlling pests, diseases, and weeds with biocontrollers, which are constantly increasing, along with herbicides.... (Review)
Review
Advances in agriculture include integrated methods of controlling pests, diseases, and weeds with biocontrollers, which are constantly increasing, along with herbicides. The objective is to present a systematic review of the main reports of herbicide effects on non-target organisms used in applied biological control and those naturally occurring in the ecosystems controlling pests. The categories were divided into predatory and parasitoid arthropods. Three hundred and fifty reports were analyzed, being 58.3% with parasitoids and 41.7% with predators. Lethal or sublethal effects of herbicides on reproduction, predation, genotoxicity, and abundance of biological control organisms have been reported. Two hundred and four reports of the impact of herbicides on parasitoids were analyzed. The largest number of reports was with parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma, with wide use in managing pests of the herbicide-tolerant transgenic plants. Most tests evaluating effects on parasitism, emergence, and mortality of natural enemies subjected to herbicides are with parasitoids of Lepidoptera eggs with a high diversity and use in managing these pests in different crops. Additive and synergistic effects of molecules increase the risks of herbicide mixtures. Herbicide use for weed management must integrate other control methods, as the chemical can impact natural enemies, reducing the biological control of pests.
Topics: Animals; Herbicides; Ecosystem; Hymenoptera; Arthropods; Lepidoptera; Pest Control, Biological; Weed Control
PubMed: 37848791
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30198-0 -
Neuroepidemiology 2024Current evidence regarding the clinical outcomes of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and previous... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Effectiveness and Safety of Non-Vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants versus Warfarin in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Previous Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
INTRODUCTION
Current evidence regarding the clinical outcomes of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and previous stroke is inconclusive, especially in patients with previous intracranial haemorrhage (ICrH). We aim to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the effectiveness and safety of NOACs versus warfarin in AF patients with a history of stroke.
METHODS
We searched studies published up to December 10, 2022, on PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Studies on adults with AF and previous ischaemic stroke (IS) or IrCH receiving either NOACs or warfarin and capturing outcome events (thromboembolic events, ICrH, and all-cause mortality) were eligible for inclusion.
RESULTS
Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (including 19,489 patients with previous IS) and fifteen observational studies (including 132,575 patients with previous IS and 13,068 patients with previous ICrH) were included. RCT data showed that compared with warfarin, NOACs were associated with a significant reduction in thromboembolic events (odds ratio [OR]: 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75-0.96), ICrH (OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.36-0.90), and all-cause mortality (OR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80-0.98). In analysing observational studies, similar results were retrieved. Moreover, patients with previous ICrH had a lower OR on thromboembolic events than those with IS (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.46-0.95 vs. OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.70-0.93) in the comparison between NOACs and warfarin.
CONCLUSIONS
Observational data showed that in AF patients with previous stroke, NOACs showed better clinical performance compared to warfarin and the benefits of NOACs were more pronounced in patients with previous IrCH versus those with IS. RCT data also showed NOACs are superior to warfarin. However, current RCTs only included AF patients who survived an IS, and further large RCTs focused on patients with previous ICrH are warranted.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Warfarin; Atrial Fibrillation; Vitamin K; Anticoagulants; Stroke; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Thromboembolism; Ischemic Stroke; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37848006
DOI: 10.1159/000534596