Exposure to atrazine by drinking water and the increased risk of neonatal complications in consequence: a meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis evaluates the association between atrazine (ATR) exposure and small for gestational age (SGA), preterm birth (PTB), and low birth weight (LBW). A comprehensive search was done on academic databases (e.g. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar) to achieve all pertinent studies up to May 2023. A pooled odd ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were applied to evaluate this correlation. As a result, five eligible studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in our study, and the result of the present meta-analysis showed that ATR exposure increased the risk of SGA (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.03-1.20 for highest versus lowest category of ATR), PTB (OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.03-1.30), and LBW (OR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.10-1.44). This meta-analysis suggests that ATR in drinking water may be a risk factor for SGA, PTB, and LBW.

ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccine and Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome among Adults: A Systematic Review.

Several vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome (VITTS) cases have been reported after the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination. The current study systematically reviewed the reported post-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination thrombotic thrombocytopenia cases. Their laboratory and clinical features, as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic measures, were investigated. Online databases were searched until 25 August 2021. Studies reporting post-ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) were included. Overall, 167 cases (21-77 years old) from 53 publications were included showing a female dominance of 1.75 times. About 85% of the cases exhibited the primary symptoms within the first two weeks post-vaccination. Headache was the most common initial symptom (>44.2%), and hemorrhage/thrombotic problems (22.46%), as well as discoordination/weakness/numbness/ hemiparesis/cyanotic toes (19.6%), were the most prevalent uncommon initial symptoms. Prothrombin time (PT), D-dimers, and C-reactive protein were the most remarkable increased laboratory parameters in 50.6%, 99.1%, and 55.6% of cases, respectively. In comparison, platelet and fibrinogen were the most remarkable decreased laboratory parameters in 92.7% and 50.5% of cases, respectively. Most VITT cases presented with cerebral venous thrombosis/cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, supraventricular tachycardia, transverse sinus/cerebral thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and cerebral hemorrhage. Anti-PF4 antibody measurement through immunoassays and functional assays were positive in 86.2% and 73% of cases, respectively. About 31% of the cases died. Early diagnosis and proper therapeutic measures are important in ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine-induced VITTS patients. Therefore, experts are recommended to know the corresponding clinical and laboratory features, as well as diagnostic methods. Elucidation of the pathophysiologic mechanism of ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine-induced TTS deserves further investigation.

An updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis on the relation between exposure to arsenic and risk of type 2 diabetes.

Arsenic is among the most critical environmental toxicants associated with many human disorders. However, its effect on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is contradictory. This systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis aim to update information on the association between arsenic exposure and the risk of T2DM. The sample type (drinking water, urine, blood, and nails) conducted the subgroup analysis. Evaluation of the high vs. low arsenic concentrations showed a significant association between drinking water arsenic (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.20-2.08) and urinary arsenic (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.24-1.51) with the risk of T2DM. The linear dose-response meta-analysis showed that each 1 µg/L increase in levels of drinking water arsenic (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.01) and urinary arsenic (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02) was associated with a 1% increased risk of T2DM. The non-linear dose-response analysis indicated that arsenic in urine was associated with the risk of T2DM (Pnon-linearity<0.001). However, this effect was not statistically significant for arsenic in drinking water (Pnon-linearity=0.941). Our findings suggest that blood arsenic was not significantly linked to the increased risk of T2DM in high vs. low (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.85-1.71), linear (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.99-1.09), and non-linear (Pnon-linearity=0.365) analysis. Also, nail arsenic was not associated with the risk of T2DM in this meta-analysis (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 0.69-2.59). This updated dose-response meta-analysis indicated that arsenic exposure was significantly correlated with the risk of T2DM.

Separation and quantification of diazinon in water samples using liquid-phase microextraction-based effervescent tablet-assisted switchable solvent method coupled to gas chromatography-flame ionization detection.

This study used a liquid-phase microextraction-based effervescent tablet-assisted switchable solvent method coupled to gas chromatography-flame ionization detection as an eco-efficient, convenient-to-use, cost-effective, sensitive, rapid, and efficient method for extracting, preconcentrating, and quantifying trace amounts of diazinon in river water samples. As a switchable solvent, triethylamine (TEA) was used. In situ generation of CO2 using effervescent tablet containing Na2 CO3 and citric acid changed the hydrophobic TEA to the hydrophilic protonated triethylamine carbonate (P-TEA-C). CO2 removal from the specimen solution using NaOH caused P-TEA-C to be converted into TEA and led to phase separation, during which diazinon was extracted into the TEA phase. The salting-out process was helpful in enhancing extraction efficiency. In addition, a number of significant parameters that affect extraction recovery were examined. Under optimum conditions, the limit of detection and limit of quantitation were 0.06 and 0.2 ng/ml, respectively. The extraction recovery percentage and pre-concentration factor were obtained at 95 and 190%, respectively, and the precision (inter- and intra-day, relative standard deviation %, n = 5) was <5%.

The electrocardiographic, hemodynamic, echocardiographic, and biochemical evaluation of treatment with edaravone on acute cardiac toxicity of aluminum phosphide.

Aluminum phosphide (AlP) poisoning can be highly fatal due to its severe toxicity to the heart. Based on the evidence, edaravone (EDA) has protective effects on various pathological conditions of the heart. This research aimed to examine the potential protective effects of EDA on AlP-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. The rats were divided into six groups, including almond oil (control), normal saline, AlP (LD50), and AlP + EDA (20, 30, and 45 mg/kg). Thirty minutes following AlP poisoning, the electrocardiographic (ECG), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) parameters were examined for 180 min. The EDA was injected 60 min following the AlP poisoning intraperitoneally. Also, 24 h after poisoning, echocardiography was carried out to evaluate the ejection fraction (EF), stroke volume (SV), and cardiac output (CO). The biochemical and molecular parameters, such as the activities of the mitochondrial complexes, reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis and necrosis, and troponin I and lactate levels, were also examined after 12 and 24 h in the heart tissue. According to the results, AlP-induced ECG abnormalities, decrease in blood pressure, heart rate, SV, EF%, and CO were significantly improved with EDA at doses of 30 and 45 mg/kg. Likewise, EDA significantly improved complex I and IV activity, apoptosis and necrosis, ROS, troponin I, and lactate levels following AlP-poisoning (p < 0.05). Also, the mean survival time was increased following EDA treatment, which can be attributed to the EDA's protective effects against diverse underlying mechanisms of phosphine-induced cardiac toxicity. These findings suggest that EDA, by ameliorating heart function and modulating mitochondrial activity, might relieve AlP-induced cardiotoxicity. Nonetheless, additional investigations are required to examine any potential clinical advantages of EDA in this toxicity.

Deep eutectic solvent as the acceptor phase in three-phase hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction for the determination of pyrethroid insecticides from environmental water samples prior to HPLC.

In this study, a deep eutectic solvent as the acceptor phase was applied in three-phase hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction for the microextraction of two pyrethroids (permethrin as well as deltamethrin) from environmental water samples prior to HPLC-UV. A deep eutectic solvent was synthesized of tetrabutylammonium bromide-decanoic acid (in a ratio of 1:2) as an acceptor phase and 1-decanol was applied as a supported liquid membrane. Some main variables affecting the extraction recoveries, comprising the types/contents of extraction solvent and acceptor phase, stirring speed, sample phase pH and extraction time, were checked and optimized. Under optimal conditions, the detection limits and limits of quantitation determined were 0.09-0.12 and 0.29-0.39 µgl-1 for deltamethrin and permethrin, respectively. The enrichment factors were 627 and 613, while the relative standard deviations (n = 5) were 4.8 and 5.7%, for deltamethrin and permethrin, respectively. The created technique was assessed as satisfactory to ascertain the two pyrethroid poisons (permethrin and deltamethrin) in environmental water samples.

Association of maternal intake of nitrate and risk of birth defects and preterm birth: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

In this study, the high versus low analysis method was applied to evaluate the association of maternal nitrate intake and risk of heart defect, limb deficiency, cleft lip, and preterm birth. Also, linear and non-linear dose-response associations between maternal intake of nitrate and risk of heart defects were investigated. In high versus low intake, the risk of heart defects in infants is directly associated with the level of nitrate exposure, but no significant relationship was found between the cleft lip, limb deficiency, and preterm birth. The linear dose-response meta-analysis was associated with risk of heart defects (RR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.05, P = 0.400, I2= 0%, P heterogeneity= 0.602, n = 3) and nonlinear dose-response meta-analysis showed that maternal intake of nitrate higher than ∼4 mg/day is positively associated with heart defects risk (P non-linearity= 0.012).

Association of maternal lead exposure with the risk of preterm: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between maternal lead level and risk of preterm birth (PTB) remained controversial. Therefore, herein we performed this meta-analysis to investigate the association of maternal blood, urine and cord blood lead level with the risk of PTB using observational studies. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE and Ovid Medline databases from inception to August 2019, and sixteen studies with 65600 participants investigating the association between maternal lead level and PTB were included in our meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated for the highest versus lowest lead level by random-effects model. RESULTS: Overall, the pooled OR of all included articles for the highest versus lowest PTB score was 1.29 (95% CI = 1.14-1.46; I2 = 80.4%, p < .001), and the results revealed a direct and significant relationship between second and third trimester blood lead level (BLL) and PTB (OR 2nd trimester= 1.61, 95% CI = 1.08-2.40, OR 3rd trimester= 1.57, 95% CI = 1.11-2.23). CONCLUSION: Results of this meta-analysis showed that maternal BLL is directly associated with the risk of PTB.

Development of effervescence-assisted switchable polarity solvent homogeneous liquid-phase microextraction for the determination of permethrin and deltamethrin in water samples prior to gas chromatography-flame ionization detection.

An effervescent tablet-assisted switchable polarity solvent-based homogeneous liquid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography with flame ionization detection has been conducted for the separation, preconcentration, and detection of permethrin and deltamethrin in the river water specimens. Triethylamine (TEA) was utilized as the switchable polarity solvent in this method. The switching process was carried out by the dissolution of an effervescent tablet including an effervescency agent (sodium carbonate) and a proton donor agent (citric acid). Changing the pH of the specimen solution enhanced the conversion of TEA into protonated triethylamine carbonate through the tablet that generated carbon dioxide bubbles in situ. Finally, the addition of sodium hydroxide changed the ionization state of TEA and separated the two phases. Influential factors in the extraction were investigated. According to optimal situations, the limit of detection and the limit of quantification were 0.16 and 0.5 µg L-1 for permethrin and 0.03 and 0.1 µg L-1 for deltamethrin, respectively. The preconcentration factor was 194 in river water samples and inter- and intra-day precision (relative standard deviation %; n = 5) was <5%. The extraction recovery was obtained in the range of 93.0%-97% for permethrin and deltamethrin in water samples.

Method development for determination of imatinib and its major metabolite, N-desmethyl imatinib, in biological and environmental samples by SA-SHS-LPME and HPLC.

A salting-out-assisted switchable hydrophilicity solvent-based liquid phase microextraction (SA-SHS-LPME) was developed for the separation and determination of trace amounts of imatinib and N-desmethyl imatinib in biological and environmental samples by HPLC-UV. Triethylamine as a hydrophobic compound and protonated triethylamine carbonate as a hydrophilic one were switched by the addition or elimination of CO2 . The use of NaOH resulted in the elimination of CO2 from the sample solution, which led to the conversion of P-TEA-C into triethylamine (TEA) and as a result, the analytes was extracted and entered the TEA phase. The salting out was performed to speed up the formation of the TEA in the shape of fine droplets in the specimen solution. Furthermore, the impact of several momentous factors that influence the recovery of the extraction was investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection and limit of quantification were obtained in ranges of 0.03-0.05 and 0.1-0.15 µg L-1 for imatinib and 0.04-0.06 and 0.13-0.20 µg L-1 for N-desmethyl imatinib, respectively. The preconcentration factor was 250. Inter- and intraday precision (RSD, n = 5) was <5%. In the case of imatinib and N-desmethyl imatinib in biological and environmental specimens, a range of 97.0-102% was obtained as the recovery.

Ion-pair switchable-hydrophilicity solvent-based homogeneous liquid-liquid microextraction for the determination of paraquat in environmental and biological samples before high-performance liquid chromatography.

An approach involving ion-pair switchable-hydrophilicity solvent-based homogeneous liquid-liquid microextraction coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography has been applied for the preconcentration and separation of paraquat in a real sample. A mixture of triethylamine and water was used as the switchable-hydrophilicity solvent. The pH was regulated using carbon dioxide; hence the ratio of the ionized and non-ionized form of triethylamine could control the optimum conditions. Sodium dodecyl sulfate was utilized as an ion-pairing agent. The ion-associate complex formed between the cationic paraquat and sodium dodecyl sulfate was extracted into triethylamine. The separation of the two phases was carried out by the addition of sodium hydroxide, which changed the ionization state of triethylamine. The effects of some important parameters on the extraction recovery were investigated. Under the optimum conditions (500 µL of the extraction solvent, 1 mg sodium dodecyl sulfate, 2.0 mL of 10 mol/L sodium hydroxide, and pH 4), the limit of detection and the limit of quantification were 0.2 and 0.5 µg/L, respectively, with preconcentration factor of 74. The precision (RSD, n = 10) was  <5%. The recovery of the analyte in environmental and biological samples was in the range of 90.0-92.3%.