Search

Children’s developing brains are susceptible to pesticides. Less is known about the effect of exposure to chlorpyrifos and pyrethroids on executive functions (EF). We measured urinary 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), a metabolite of chlorpyrifos, and urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), a general, nonspecific metabolite of pyrethroids in first-grade children from Montevideo, Uruguay (n = 241, age 80.6 ± 6.4 months, 58.1% boys). EFs were assessed with the Intra-dimensional/Extra-dimensional shift (IED), Spatial Span (SSP), and Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated (CANTAB) Battery. General intellectual ability (GIA) was assessed using the Woodcock–Muñoz Cognitive battery. Median (range) urinary TCPy and 3-PBA levels were 16.7 (1.9, 356.9) ng/mg of creatinine and 3.3 (0.3, 110.6) ng/mg of creatinine, respectively. In multivariable generalized linear models, urinary TCPy was inversely associated with postdimensional errors on the IED task β [95% CI]: −0.11 [−0.17, −0.06]. Urinary 3-PBA was inversely associated with the total number of trials −0.07 [−0.10, −0.04], and the total number of errors −0.12 [−0.18, −0.07] on the IED task. When TCPy and 3-PBA were modeled together, the associations did not differ from single-metabolite models. We found no evidence of effect modification by blood lead level (BLL). Pesticide exposure may affect EF performance in urban children.

Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) has been commonly considered as only a waste product, but recent research on its composition has shown that it can be a functional ingredient. The aim of this study was to analyze consumers’ attitude toward different BSG-added food products under informed conditions. BSG-enriched bread, pasta, and chocolate milk were studied exploring two major aspects. First, the eye-tracking technology was used to reveal the effect of different food labels on consumers’ attention and purchase intention. Information on sustainability and on BSG varied among the labels under analysis. The best consumers’ response occurred when the label displayed: the sustainability logo, fiber source claim, and BSG description. The phrase “Malted Barley” as an appellation of BSG was also analyzed, although it did not produce a significant effect on consumers. Second, consumers’ responses to fiber-enriched products and regular products, under informed conditions, were assayed through sensory evaluations. For bread and chocolate milk samples, no significant difference was found in acceptability between the regular and fiber-enriched versions. For pasta, on the other hand, consumers expressed a significant preference in terms of overall liking toward the fiber-enriched version. BSG-enriched products were accepted as much as the regular ones when information was provided, confirming the importance of the fiber source claim and sustainability claims.

The aim of this work was both to formulate three different fibre-enriched products by the addition of Brewery Spent Grain (BSG), and to evaluate the impact of this fibre enrichment on sensory quality, acceptability, and purchase intention under blind conditions. BSG was incorporated into bread, pasta, and chocolate milk at levels of 8.3%, 2.8%, and 0.35% (w/w), respectively. The fibre-enriched products and their regular counterparts were evaluated together by consumers through a CATA questionnaire, the EsSense 25 Profile, an overall acceptability rating, and a purchase intention ranking. Although fibre-enriched bread and chocolate milk ranked lower in overall acceptability compared with their counterparts, no significant difference was found for fibre-enriched pasta (p > 0.05). Purchase intention did not differ significantly for both bread and pasta (p > 0.05), yet the reasons for purchasing them differed significantly (p < 0.05). Consumers recognised the fibre enrichment in these two products and, therefore, were willing to partially compromise on sensory attributes. The fibre-enriched chocolate milk, nonetheless, scored significantly (p < 0.05) lower in purchase intention than the control. This work demonstrates that the effect of BSG addition is product-specific, and that fibre perception makes consumers feel more confident., This research received financial of MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033—Proyect PID2019-107723RB-C21

Background The neighbourhood context is important for child development, but little evidence exists on neighbourhood-based challenges and resources in South American cities. We used a mixed methods approach to quantify the effect of neighbourhood disadvantage on child behaviour and to empower parents to explain life in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Montevideo, Uruguay. Methods A study within the Salud Ambiental Montevideo (SAM) longitudinal cohort yielded a cross-sectional sample of 225 (63% of total) children aged 6–8 years with complete data. Teacher ratings of child behaviour were collected using the Connors' Teacher Rating Scale—Revised (CTRS-R) and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Five indicators of neighbourhood disadvantage were collected from Montevideo census data, and combined into to a single neighbourhood disadvantage factor. In the analyses of the relation between neighbourhood disadvantage and child behaviour scores we controlled for individual-level socioeconomic indicators, child IQ, and concentrations of lead in blood. In a nested study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with ten caregivers of SAM children in low-income neighbourhoods. Parents discussed what neighbourhood means to them and what they liked and disliked about their neighbourhood, perceptions of community services, and raising children in their neighbourhood. Parents were also asked to photograph their neighbourhoods and to discuss the meaning of at least four of their photographs during the interview. Findings One SD increase in neighbourhood disadvantage was related to a 1% increase in prevalence ratio on scores of oppositional behaviour (p=0·048) and a 4% increase in prevalence ratio on emotional control problem ratings (p=0·006). Neighbourhood disadvantage was unrelated to hyperactive behaviours and inhibitory control scores. From the interviews, common themes emerged on the importance of playgrounds, neighbourhood disorder, fears over crime, and lack of infrastructure. Many interviewees perceived that their neighbourhoods had been safer in the past. Suggestions for improving neighbourhoods included: better waste management, increased policing, traffic regulation, and improved local clinics. Interpretation Neighbourhood disadvantage is related to child behaviour beyond the influences of individual-level socioeconomic factors. Low-income neighbourhoods in Montevideo face challenges related to local infrastructure and services. Parents advocated for improved infrastructure, health services, transportation, and safety. Future studies should test specific mechanisms behind the effects of neighbourhood disadvantage and child behaviour in Montevideo. Funding US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and Fogarty International (FI) Institute under grant number R21ES16523 , and by NIEHS grant R21ES019949 .

Objectives Lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) are confirmed neurotoxins but it is unclear to what extent low-level exposure produces a unique behavioral signature. The objective of this study was to investigate latent cognitive profiles among children (6–8 years) from Montevideo, Uruguay co-exposed to these metals. Method Among 345 children, blood Pb and hair Mn were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy and ICP-MS, respectively. Sixteen measures, reflecting multiple domains of cognitive functioning were gathered: (1) three tests from Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB): Intra-Extra Dimensional Shift (IED), Spatial Span (SSP) and Stockings of Cambridge (SOC), (2) ten tasks from Woodcock-Munoz Achievement Battery, Revised (W M): Visual-Motor Integration, Verbal Comprehension (Vocabulary, Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies), Visual-Auditory Comprehension, Concept Formation, Visual Spatial Thinking, Number Inversion and Spatial Relations, (3) Bender Gestalt task, and (4) Weschler block design task. Scores were modeled using latent profile analysis (LPA). Association between blood Pb and hair Mn on performance profiles was assessed using ordinal regression, controlling for confounders. An interaction between Pb and Mn was tested. Results Mean ± SD of blood Pb was 4.1 ± 2.1 μg/dL and 35% of children had blood Pb ≥ 5 μg/dL. Median [5%, 95%] hair Mn level was 0.8 [0.3, 4.1] ppb. Three latent cognitive performance profiles were identified: high (n = 46, 13%), average (n = 209, 61%) and low (n = 90, 26%). Each one-unit increase in blood Pb was associated with a 28% greater likelihood of belonging to a poorer-performing profile. The association was non-linear, with the effect of Pb on profile membership strongest at lower levels of exposure. There was no meaningful interaction between Pb and Mn. Conclusions A behavioral signature for low-level Pb & Mn exposure was not identified, but the likelihood of membership in low-performing profile was higher at lowest levels of blood Pb. There was no effect measure modification between Pb and Mn. Future research should address how complex environments created by chemical exposures and the social context relate to cognitive performance in young children.

The negative effect of lead exposure on children&rsquo, s intelligence is well-documented. Less is known about the impact of lead on the use of executive functions to self-regulate behavior. We measured blood lead level (BLL) in a sample of first grade children from Montevideo, Uruguay (n = 206, age 6.7 &plusmn, 0.5 years, 59.7% boys). Behavior was assessed with teacher versions of the Conners Rating Scale (CRS) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF). Mean BLL was 4.2 &plusmn, 2.1 &mu, g/dL, 10% had mild-to-severe ratings of Attentional Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (T score &gt, 65). In negative binomial regression, BLL was not associated with CRS sub-scales, but was associated with a poorer ability to inhibit inappropriate behaviors, prevalence ratio (PR) [95% CI]: 1.01 [1.00, 1.03] as measured by the BRIEF. In covariate-adjusted models, the association with BLL was attenuated. When stratified by sex, the covariate-adjusted association between BLL, hyperactivity, poorer inhitibion, emotional control, and behavioral regulation was marginally significant for girls but not boys. In summary, among children with low lead-exposure, we found some, but nonetheless modest, evidence of a relationship between higher BLL and child behavior. If confirmed by larger studies and other objective measures of behavior, such links could have implications for learning and social interaction, particularly among girls.