Effects Of Pesticide Exposure Research Articles

Effects of pesticide exposure on the expression of selected genes in normal and cancer samples: Identification of predictive biomarkers for risk assessment

Pesticides pivotal in controlling pests, can represent a threat for human health. Regulatory agencies constantly monitor their harmful effects, regulating their use. Several studies support a positive association between long-term exposure to pesticides and chronic pathologies, such as cancer. Geno-toxicological biomonitoring has proven to be valuable to assess genetic risks associated with exposure to pesticides, representing a promising tool to improve preventive measures and identify workers at higher risk. In this study, a differential gene expression analysis of 70 candidate genes deregulated upon pesticide exposure, was performed in 10 GEO human gene expression DataSets. It was found that six genes (PMAIP1, GCLM, CD36, SQSTM1, ABCC3, NR4A2) had significant AUC predictive values. Also, CD36 was upregulated in non-transformed cell samples and healthy workers, but downregulated in cancer cells. Further validation in larger groups of workers will corroborate the importance of the identified candidates as biomarkers of exposure/effect.

The Effects of Pesticide Exposure on Waterbodies and Remediation

The Effects of Pesticide Exposure on Waterbodies and Remediation

Neuroanatomical differences in Latinx children from rural farmworker families and urban non-farmworker families and related associations with pesticide exposure

Exposure to pesticides in humans may lead to changes in brain structure and function and increase the likelihood of experiencing neurodevelopmental disorders. Despite the potential risks, there is limited neuroimaging research on the effects of pesticide exposure on children, particularly during the critical period of brain development. Here we used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) from magnetic resonance images (MRI) to investigate neuroanatomical differences between Latinx children (n = 71) from rural, farmworker families (FW; n = 48) and urban, non-farmworker families (NFW; n = 23). Data presented here serves as a baseline for our ongoing study examining the longitudinal effects of living in a rural environment on neurodevelopment and cognition in children. The VBM analysis revealed that NFW children had higher volume in several distinct regions of white matter compared to FW children. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) of DTI data also indicated NFW children had higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in several key white matter tracts. Although the difference was not as pronounced as white matter, the VBM analysis also found higher gray matter volume in selected regions of the frontal lobe in NFW children. Notably, white matter and gray matter findings demonstrated a high degree of overlap in the medial frontal lobe, a brain region predominantly linked to decision-making, error processing, and attention functions. To gain further insights into the underlying causes of the observed differences in brain structure between the two groups, we examined the association of organochlorine (OC) and organophosphate (OP) exposure collected from passive dosimeter wristbands with brain structure. Based on our previous findings within this data set, demonstrating higher OC exposure in children from non-farmworker families, we hypothesized OC might play a critical role in structural differences between NFW and FW children. We discovered a significant positive correlation between the number of types of OC exposure and the structure of white matter. The regions with significant association with OC exposure were in agreement with the findings from the FW-NFW groups comparison analysis. In contrast, OPs did not have a statistically significant association with brain structure. This study is among the first multimodal neuroimaging studies examining the brain structure of children exposed to agricultural pesticides, specifically OC. These findings suggest OC pesticide exposure may disrupt normal brain development in children, highlighting the need for further neuroimaging studies within this vulnerable population.

Effect of Pesticide Exposure on Women Farmers of Reproductive Age on Growth and Development Disorders of Children Born: A Systematic Literature Review

The large number of children suffering from ADHD and autism today is a result of the increasing use of pesticides in agriculture. This applies to women farmers of childbearing age who work in agricultural settings or women whose work is related to the use of pesticides. Pesticides are a mixture of several chemicals used to control pests and protect plants. With the use of pesticides, yields obtained increased significantly. This study aims to examine the effect of exposure to pesticides on female farmers of childbearing age on growth and development disorders of children born. The review was conducted according to state-of-the-art methods using selected reporting item guidelines for reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). We reviewed the literature from several publications and analyzed the effect of exposure to pesticides on female farmers of childbearing age on developmental disorders of the children they were born with. The results of this study are the effect of exposure to pesticides on female farmers of childbearing age on birth defects. The use of pesticides causes pesticide poisoning. Accumulation of pesticides at a certain threshold has a negative impact on the body, namely brain disorders, tumors, cancer, even in pregnant women can cause birth defects. Apart from adults, pesticides also have a negative impact on children

Effect of pesticide exposure on human sperm characteristics, genome integrity, and methylation profile analysis.

According to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, the quantities of pesticide used around the world have increased regularly since the 1990s. Given that pesticides may be classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, neurotoxic, or toxic for reproduction, some have endocrine-disrupting properties that might be associated with a decline in sperm parameters in general and sperm DNA integrity in particular. These days, a sperm analysis is not enough to determine the etiology of male infertility. Genome integrity analysis is a key step in clarifying a large proportion of cases of male infertility. The objective of the present retrospective study was to assess the impact of self-reported pesticide exposure on sperm parameters and sperm DNA integrity in men consulting for infertility. In a retrospective study, a population of 671 men living in the Picardy region of France were assessed in a conventional sperm parameter analysis, Shorr staining, a DNA fragmentation assay (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUDP nick-end labelling), and chromatin decondensation with aniline blue staining. The exposed and the non-exposed groups did not differ significantly in some of the conventional sperm parameters (including volume, sperm count, and percent typical forms). However, vitality, progressive motility, and non-progressive motility were significantly lower in the exposed group. Levels of DNA fragmentation and chromatin decondensation were moderately higher in the exposed group.

Effects of pesticide exposure on oxidative stress and DNA methylation urinary biomarkers in Czech adults and children from the CELSPAC-SPECIMEn cohort

Current-use pesticide (CUP) exposure occurs mainly through diet and environmental application in both agricultural and urban settings. While pesticide exposure has been associated with many adverse health outcomes, the intermediary molecular mechanisms are still not completely elucidated. Among others, their roles in epigenetics (DNA methylation) and DNA damage due to oxidative stress are presumed. Scientific evidence on urinary biomarkers of such body response in general population is limited, especially in children.A total of 440 urine samples (n = 110 parent-child pairs) were collected during the winter and summer seasons in order to describe levels of overall DNA methylation (5-mC, 5-mdC, 5-hmdC, 7-mG, 3-mA) and oxidative stress (8-OHdG) biomarkers and investigate their possible associations with metabolites of pyrethroids (3-PBA, t/c-DCCA), chlorpyrifos (TCPY), and tebuconazole (TEB-OH). Linear mixed-effects models accounting for intraindividual and intrahousehold correlations were utilized. We applied false discovery rate procedure to account for multiplicity and adjusted for potential confounding variables.Higher urinary levels of most biological response biomarkers were measured in winter samples. In adjusted repeated measures models, interquartile range (IQR) increases in pyrethroid metabolites were associated with higher oxidative stress. t/c-DCCA and TCPY were associated with higher urinary levels of cytosine methylation biomarkers (5-mC and/or 5-mdC). The most robust association was observed for tebuconazole metabolite with 3-mA (−15.1% change per IQR increase, 95% CI = −23.6, −5.69) suggesting a role of this pesticide in reduced demethylation processes through possible DNA glycosylase inhibition.Our results indicate an urgent need to extend the range of analyzed environmental chemicals such as azole pesticides (e.g. prothioconazole) in human biomonitoring studies. This is the first study to report urinary DNA methylation biomarkers in children and associations between CUP metabolites and a comprehensive set of biomarkers including methylated and oxidized DNA alterations. Observed associations warrant further large-scale research of these biomarkers and environmental pollutants including CUPs.

Effect of Pesticide Exposure over DNA Damage in Farmers from Los Reyes, Michoacan in Mexico

In the municipality of Los Reyes, Michoacán, in Mexico, several economic activities coexist; however, the most relevant is agriculture. It stands out as an agro-industrial center and commercial enclave in the region, suitable for the cultivation of sugar cane; however, currently fruit growing takes first place with blackberry, raspberry and blueberry, followed by avocado, peach, strawberry and other crops. A large quantity and variety of pesticides are applied to crops, consequently the population is at constant risk. This study aimed to evaluate whether pesticides are a factor in genetic damage to agricultural workers from Los Reyes, Michoacán, using alkaline comet assay. Fifty-nine residents participated (41 workers and 18 controls). Results included confounding factors (alcohol consumption, smoking habit, gender, age, BMI, etc.) indicated a non-significant statistical difference between two groups, with higher DNA damage values in workers that was higher than the values expected in a normal healthy unexposed population. It seems that the control measures, safe handling of pesticides and quality standards, required by the producers so that their products can be exported, have resulted in less damage, despite workers' activity, but higher damage than the reference values still requires regular surveillance of those exposed. The use of protective equipment or measures can reduce the risk of damage, so it is also necessary to promote their service and comply with labor regulations for agricultural workers.

Pesticide exposure affects DNA methylation patterns in natural populations of a mayfly

Chemical pollutants derived from agricultural activities represent a major threat to freshwater biota. Despite growing evidence involving epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation, in response to pesticide contamination in agroecosystems, research on wild populations of non-model species remains scarce, particularly for endemic freshwater arthropods. Using the MethylRAD method, this study investigates whether exposure to pesticide contamination in natural populations of the endemic mayfly A. torrens produces genome wide changes in levels of DNA methylation. From a total of 1,377,147 MethylRAD markers produced from 285 specimens collected at 30 different study sites along the Limarí watershed of north-central Chile, six showed significant differential methylation between populations exposed and unexposed to pesticides. In all cases the effect of pesticides was positive, independent and stronger than the effects detected for other spatial and environmental factors. Only one candidate marker appeared correlated significantly with additional variables, nitrate and calcium levels, which also reflects the impact of agrichemicals and could additionally suggest, to a lower extent, antagonistic effects of mineral salts concentration for this specific marker. These results suggest that the effect of pesticide exposure on methylation levels is apparent at these six MethylRAD markers in A. torrens populations. Such data is challenging to obtain in natural populations and is, for the most part, lacking in ecotoxicological studies. Our study shows that DNA methylation processes are involved in the response to pesticide contamination in populations of the mayfly A. torrens in their natural habitat, and provides new evidence regarding the impact of pesticide contamination and agricultural activities on the endemic fauna of lotic ecosystems.

Pesticides Exposure and Thyroid Hormone Levels Among Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Applicators: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Presently, the global consumption of pesticides including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides to protect crops is increasing. Pesticides' role as Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) has gained great concern in the field of thyroid hormones. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to determine the link of pesticide exposure with thyroid hormone levels among male agricultural workers and pesticide applicators. Discussion: It was discovered that the majority of reviewed articles have similar results concerning the effects of pesticide exposure on the serum levels of thyroid hormones among either farmworkers or pesticide applicators. Commonly, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides are known as one of the EDCs. The results showed the elevation of TSH and T4 serum levels mostly occurred among groups exposed to insecticide application only rather than those exposed to various pesticide types. Moreover, the hormonal change differed based on each class of pesticide. Conclusion: This review suggests that some types of pesticides extensively used in agriculture might be involved in the increase and decrease in thyroid hormone levels among exposed individuals. Further studies should assess specific types of pesticides and the adverse health effects which involve confounding factors to yield robust analysis.

Impacts of dietary exposure to pesticides on faecal microbiome metabolism in adult twins

BackgroundDietary habits have a profound influence on the metabolic activity of gut microorganisms and their influence on health. Concerns have been raised as to whether the consumption of foodstuffs contaminated with pesticides can contribute to the development of chronic disease by affecting the gut microbiome. We performed the first pesticide biomonitoring survey of the British population, and subsequently used the results to perform the first pesticide association study on gut microbiome composition and function from the TwinsUK registry.MethodsDietary exposure of 186 common insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide residues and the faecal microbiome in 65 twin pairs in the UK was investigated. We evaluated if dietary habits, geographic location, or the rural/urban environment, are associated with the excretion of pesticide residues. The composition and metabolic activity of faecal microbiota was evaluated using shotgun metagenomics and metabolomics respectively. We performed a targeted urine metabolomics analysis in order to evaluate whether pesticide urinary excretion was also associated with physiological changes.ResultsPyrethroid and/or organophosphorus insecticide residues were found in all urine samples, while the herbicide glyphosate was found in 53% of individuals. Food frequency questionnaires showed that residues from organophosphates were higher with increased consumption of fruit and vegetables. A total of 34 associations between pesticide residue concentrations and faecal metabolite concentrations were detected. Glyphosate excretion was positively associated with an overall increased bacterial species richness, as well as to fatty acid metabolites and phosphate levels. The insecticide metabolite Br2CA, reflecting deltamethrin exposure, was positively associated with the phytoestrogens enterodiol and enterolactone, and negatively associated with some N-methyl amino acids. Urine metabolomics performed on a subset of samples did not reveal associations with the excretion of pesticide residues.ConclusionsThe consumption of conventionally grown fruit and vegetables leads to higher ingestion of pesticides with unknown long-term health consequences. Our results highlight the need for future dietary intervention studies to understand effects of pesticide exposure on the gut microbiome and possible health consequences.

Pollen diet mediates how pesticide exposure impacts brain gene expression in nest-founding bumble bee queens

A primary goal in biology is to understand the effects of multiple, interacting environmental stressors on organisms. Wild and domesticated bees are exposed to a wide variety of interacting biotic and abiotic stressors, with widespread declines in floral resources and agrochemical exposure being two of the most important. In this study, we used examinations of brain gene expression to explore the sublethal consequences of neonicotinoid pesticide exposure and pollen diet composition in nest-founding bumble bee queens. We demonstrate for the first time that pollen diet composition can influence the strength of bumble bee queen responses to pesticide exposure at the molecular level. Specifically, one pollen mixture in our study appeared to buffer bumble bee queens entirely against the effects of pesticide exposure, with respect to brain gene expression. Additionally, we detected unique effects of pollen diet and sustained (versus more temporary) pesticide exposure on queen gene expression. Our findings support the hypothesis that nutritional status can help buffer animals against the harmful effects of other stressors, including pesticides, and highlight the importance of using molecular approaches to explore sublethal consequences of stressors.

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.

Playful Learning: a tool for Environmental Education

Playful learning for environmental education represents a participatory pedagogical mediation that considers the socio-environmental realities in which persons are immersed. To promote environmental education, through playful, participatory, and flexible methods, to prevent pesticide exposure. Using geographic information systems, the distances between schools and bananas plantations were calculated. A playful and constructivism methodology was designed for primary school students (6 - 8.5 years), and their legal guardians. Subsequently, 148 workshops were developed in 37 rural Costa Rican schools, in which 2757 children and 387 adults participated. Thirty-eight percent (38 %) (n=14) of the schools were located at less than 100 meters from banana plantations. Playful communication generated a participatory environment, in which local needs were identified and collective knowledge was built about the effects of pesticide exposure on the environment and human health. Participants were able to identify the main preventive actions to reduce pesticide exposure. Playful, participatory, and flexible methodologies in environmental education facilitate the process of sensitizing first cycle primary school students and their parents from rural communities about the risks of exposure to pesticides. The methodology used can be easily adapted for application in other environmental science studies.

Protocol for Initiating and Monitoring Bumble Bee Microcolonies with Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Populations of some bumble bee species are in decline, prompting the need to better understand bumble bee biology and for assessing the effects of environmental stressors on these important pollinators. Microcolonies have been successfully used for investigating a range of endpoints, including behavior, gut microbiome, nutrition, development, pathogens, and the effects of pesticide exposure on bumble bee health. Here, we present a step-by-step protocol for initiating, maintaining, and monitoring microcolonies with Bombus impatiens . This protocol has been successfully used in two pesticide exposure-effects studies and can be easily expanded to investigate other aspects of bumble bee biology.

Effect of Pesticide Exposure on Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Incidence and Survival in California

Introduction:While previous studies propose pesticide exposure to be a risk factor for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) development, results are inconclusive. In addition, the impact of pesticide exposure on NHL survival is not well-established. Therefore, we identified NHL patients from the California Cancer Registry and linked these patients with the statewide pesticide use reporting database to determine the impact of pesticide exposure on NHL-related incidence and outcomes.Methods:Using the California Cancer Registry, we identified patients with a first primary diagnosis of NHL from 2010-2016 and linked these patients with CalEnviroScreen 3.0 to obtain production agriculture pesticide exposure to 70 chemicals from the state mandated Pesticide Use Reporting (PUR) by census tract from 2012-2014. In addition, data from PUR was integrated into a geographic information system that employs land use data to estimate cumulative exposure to specific pesticides previously associated with NHL (glyphosate, organophosphorus, carbamate, phenoxyherbicide and 2,4-dimethylamine salt) between 10 years prior up to 1 year after NHL diagnosis. SEER*Stat software was used to calculate NHL subtype incidence rates by census tract pesticide use level. Multivariable cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the impact of total pesticide exposure from CalEnviroScreen 3.0 and individual pesticide exposure from geographic land use data on lymphoma-specific and overall survival.Results:Among 35,808 NHL patients identified, 44.2% were exposed to pesticide in their census tract of residence. Pesticide exposure was higher in Hispanic/Latino (46.5%) and non-Hispanic white (45.6%) then Asian/Pacific Islander (37.2%) and African American (34.9%) patients with NHL. Glyphosate, organophosphorus, carbamate, phenoxyherbicide and 2,4-dimethylamine salt exposure was reported in 34.1%, 26.0%, 10.6%, 14.0% and 12.8% of NHL patients, respectively. Pesticide exposure was not associated with increased NHL incidence by NHL subtype or subgroups defined by sociodemographic factors. Total pesticide exposure at time of diagnosis was not associated with lymphoma-specific or overall survival. In addition, no association was consistently found between glyphosate, organophosphorus, carbamate, phenoxyherbicide and 2,4 dimethylamine salt exposure and lymphoma-specific or overall survival.Conclusion:In this large population-based study of neighborhood agricultural pesticide exposure, pesticide exposure was noted to be prevalent among patients diagnosed with NHL, with high pesticide exposure particularly observed in Hispanics/Latinos and non-Hispanic whites. However, pesticide exposure was not consistently associated with increased NHL incidence or worse NHL lymphoma-specific or overall survival. DisclosuresPoh: Acrotech: Honoraria; Incyte: Research Funding; Morphosys: Consultancy. Tuscano: BMS: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Acrotech: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding.

Genetic differentiation in pesticide resistance between urban and rural populations of a nontarget freshwater keystone interactor, Daphnia magna.

There is growing evidence that urbanization drives adaptive evolution in response to thermal gradients. One such example is documented in the water flea Daphnia magna. However, organisms residing in urban lentic ecosystems are increasingly exposed to chemical pollutants such as pesticides through run‐off and aerial transportation. The extent to which urbanization drives the evolution of pesticide resistance in aquatic organisms and whether this is impacted by warming and thermal adaptation remains limitedly studied. We performed a common garden rearing experiment using multiple clonal lineages originating from five replicated urban and rural D. magna populations, in which we implemented an acute toxicity test exposing neonates (<24h) to either a solvent control or the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos. Pesticide exposures were performed at two temperatures (20°C vs. 24°C) to test for temperature‐associated differences in urbanization‐driven evolved pesticide resistance. We identified a strong overall effect of pesticide exposure on Daphnia survival probability (−72.8 percentage points). However, urban Daphnia genotypes showed higher survival probabilities compared to rural ones in the presence of chlorpyrifos (+29.7 percentage points). Our experiment did not reveal strong temperature x pesticide or temperature x pesticide x urbanization background effects on survival probability. The here observed evolution of resistance to an organophosphate pesticide is a first indication Daphnia likely also adapts to pesticide pollution in urban areas. Increased pesticide resistance could facilitate their population persistence in urban ponds, and feed back to ecosystem functions, such as top‐down control of algae. In addition, adaptive evolution of nontarget organisms to pest control strategies and occupational pesticide use may modulate how pesticide applications affect genetic and species diversity in urban areas.

Relationship between Prenatal or Postnatal Exposure to Pesticides and Obesity: A Systematic Review.

In recent years, the worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults and children has dramatically increased. The conventional model regarding the onset of obesity is based on an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. However, other possible environmental factors involved, such as the exposure to chemicals like pesticides, cannot be discarded. These compounds could act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) that may interfere with hormone activity related to several mechanisms involved in body weight control. The main objective of this study was to systematically review the data provided in the scientific literature for a possible association between prenatal and postnatal exposure to pesticides and obesity in offspring. A total of 25 human and 9 animal studies were analyzed. The prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal exposure to organophosphate, organochlorine, pyrethroid, neonicotinoid, and carbamate, as well as a combined pesticide exposure was reviewed. This systematic review reveals that the effects of pesticide exposure on body weight are mostly inconclusive, finding conflicting results in both humans and experimental animals. The outcomes reviewed are dependent on many factors, including dosage and route of administration, species, sex, and treatment duration. More research is needed to effectively evaluate the impact of the combined effects of different pesticides on human health.

Effect of pesticides on fetal development in the intrauterine and early postnatal periods

The main objective of this study was to determine the level of toxic effects of pesticides on the development of immune and endocrine systems in offspring during intrauterine and early postnatal development. During the experiment, preparations containing the pesticide lambda-Cyhalothring (LCP) and fipronil were injected into white laboratory rats during pregnancy and lactation. The study was carried out using electron microscopy and morphological and biochemical studies. From the results of this study, it is concluded that the toxic effect of pesticide exposure during pregnancy and lactation is manifested by stunted growth of the thyroid gland (lymph nodes), thymus, lymph node and spleen development. Cell proliferation and apoptosis caused by direct toxic effects of drugs, developed hypothyroidism, oxidative stress reactions in both mother-nature and offspring are the main cause of toxic effects of industrial pesticides on the immune and endocrine systems. It follows from the data obtained that early detection of hypothyroidism and oxidative stress states in pregnant women and infants and then their correction with drugs is an important aspect of public health.

FAKTOR RISIKO KEJADIAN STUNTING PADA ANAK USIA 12-36 BULAN DI PUSKESMAS WOHA KABUPATEN BIMA

Woha Subdistrict Is one of the sub-districts in the district of Bima which has a stunting prevalence rate of (39.65%) higher than the national prevalence (30.8%). Most people in Woha Subdistrict do farming activities to make ends meet. To get a better harvest, the community uses pesticides as the most effective drug for controlling pests. The effect of pesticide exposure is not yet known as a risk factor for stunting in Bima Regency. The objective of this study was to determine whether the history of pesticide exposure as a risk factor for the incidence of stunting in children aged 12-36 months in the working area of Woha Health Center Bima Regency. The study design was a case-control using a retrospective approach in 48 cases (stunting) and 48 controls (normal). Data analysis was carried out in stages including univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses. The analysis showed three variables that had a significant relationship with the incidence of stunting, namely a history of exposure to pesticides (OR = 3,35; CI = 1,44-7,78; p = 0,008), history of infectious diseases (OR = 3,97; CI = 1,64-9.58; p = 0,003), maternal height (OR = 3,76; CI = 1,60-8,88; p = 0,004. Conclusion low maternal height is the most dominant factor influence the incidence of stunting Keywords: Stunting, exposure to pesticides, infectious diseases, maternal height.

Pollutants and Their Interaction with Diseases of Social Hymenoptera

Many insect species, including social insects, are currently declining in abundance and diversity. Pollutants such as pesticides, heavy metals, or airborne fine particulate matter from agricultural and industrial sources are among the factors driving this decline. While these pollutants can have direct detrimental effects, they can also result in negative interactive effects when social insects are simultaneously exposed to multiple stressors. For example, sublethal effects of pollutants can increase the disease susceptibility of social insects, and thereby jeopardize their survival. Here we review how pesticides, heavy metals, or airborne fine particulate matter interact with social insect physiology and especially the insects’ immune system. We then give an overview of the current knowledge of the interactive effects of these pollutants with pathogens or parasites. While the effects of pesticide exposure on social insects and their interactions with pathogens have been relatively well studied, the effects of other pollutants, such as heavy metals in soil or fine particulate matter from combustion, vehicular transport, agriculture, and coal mining are still largely unknown. We therefore provide an overview of urgently needed knowledge in order to mitigate the decline of social insects.