Bovine milk has shown a positive association with child growth rates, but access in Hyderabad, India, is variable and milk-borne hazards are of concern. The aim of this study was to investigate how milk value chains (VCs) in urban Hyderabad influence microbiological and toxicological milk safety and their intersection with child stunting. A mixed-methods approach was used, encompassing a thematic reflexive analysis of qualitative interviews conducted with 12 VC key informants and risk-based sampling of 42 milk, 24 animal feed and 20 water samples that were subjected to microbiological and aflatoxin testing. Key themes identified were financial instability, trust-based processes, milk safety concerns and power imbalances in the VCs. The microbiological analysis showed contamination in unpasteurized milk at various nodes, with high levels of total colony count, faecal coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus and yeast/mould, while water used in the VCs also showed microbial contamination. A total of 67% of dairy feed samples tested positive for total aflatoxins; all of them were within Indian regulatory limits. Opportunities for safer and more nutritious milk that could help to reduce child stunting include improved food safety practices, enhanced awareness of milk-borne hazards, institutional accountability and increased agency of VC actors. This article is part of the theme issue 'Biological, biomedical and environmental drivers of stunting'.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2024.110632.].

Pregnant women are exposed to various contaminants through foods, with environmental toxicants and aflatoxin (AF) being among the major food contaminants. Therefore, this review was conducted for a better perspective on the AF exposure during pregnancy or infancy, highlighting how exposure through the mother (via placenta and breast milk) and directly through infant foods ultimately affects infant health. The literature suggests that AF exposure during pregnancy may lead to maternal anaemia, premature delivery, pregnancy loss or decreased number of live births. AF crosses through the placenta and also passes through breast milk. AF exposure during pregnancy may also lead to deleterious effects on the fetus or infants such as reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, impairment of linear or long bone growth and developmental delay such as small head circumference and reduced brain size, stillbirth or fetal death. It may also have an adverse effect on some organs and organ systems, causing aberrations such as neonatal jaundice and disrupting hormone synthesis. In the Indian context, there are limited clinical studies to assess the health effects of AF exposure during pregnancy. For the first time, we have made an attempt to estimate the AF exposure by calculating the AF estimated daily intake using the empirical formulae based on several reported studies. However, more research needs to be undertaken to understand the AF exposure outcomes during pregnancy. The data presented in this review warrant more clinical studies in India on maternal AF exposure to elucidate the birth outcomes and associated infant health outcomes.

Kidney is one of the most sensitive organs affected with chronic fluoride (F-) exposure. The present study was planned to demonstrate the effect of F- on kidney damage. Wistar-NIN rats (n = 18) were categorized into group I, II and III. Group I (control) was treated with normal water, group II and III were treated with 50 and 100 ppm F- in drinking water respectively, ad libitum for 6 months. Water and food intake, body weight, and food efficiency ratio, serum and urinary biomarkers of kidney damage such as creatinine, uric acid, urea, KIM-1, cystatin C along with kidney histopathology were analyzed. The results revealed decrease in the water and food intake, body weight gain, food efficiency ratio and organ weight ratio. The increased serum and kidney F- levels had a significant increase in serum and urinary creatinine, urea, uric acid and KIM-1. Histopathological studies of the kidney revealed focal interstitial nephritis (FIN) along with moderate to severe tubular degeneration, mild or low-grade inflammatory infiltration, moderate tubular dilation. The outcome of the study demonstrates that the F- toxicity causes detrimental effects on kidney, particularly in the tubular region as evident by the elevated levels of serum and urinary KIM-1 and histopathology.

Heavy metal (HM) contamination in commonly consumed herbal medicines (n = 80), as determined by Liquid Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy, revealed that 10% of the samples contained at least one HM which exceeded the maximum limits of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. The estimated daily intake of Cr was higher through the consumption of amla, brahmi, and lodhra bark, when compared to other HMs. The Hazard Quotient (1.8) and Hazard Index (2.3) exceeded 1 for brahmi consumption, suggesting potential non-carcinogenic health risks for the population. The Life Time Cancer Risk for brahmi was 2.95E-03, so above 10-4-10-6, which indicates a cancer risk to the population. Monte Carlo simulations for amla showed a skewed distribution, also suggesting its consumption to be a health risk. Therefore, proper management strategies and regular monitoring of herbal products are recommended to ensure the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines for the consumers.

Aflatoxin (AF) poisoning of staple foods, such as rice, is caused by fungal contamination by Aspergillus species. These AFs are genotoxic, carcinogenic and suppress the immune system. Hence, the present study was conducted to elucidate the prevalence of AF contamination in rice samples collected from local markets of Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The rice samples collected were analysed for AF by using HPLC-fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). Based on AF contamination levels and dietary intake of rice, the health risk was assessed by the margin of exposure (MOE) and liver cancer risk in adults, adolescence and children. The percentage detected contamination with AFB1 and AFB(2) of rice samples was 54% and 34%, with the concentration ranging between 0-20.35 mu g/kg and 0-1.54 mu g/kg, respectively. Three rice samples exceeded the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) total AF acceptable limit of 15 mu g/kg. The average MOE values were 53.73, 50.58 and 35.69 (all <10,000) for adults, adolescence and children, respectively. The average liver cancer risk associated with rice consumption in the population of Hyderabad was found to be 0.27, 0.28 and 0.40 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases/year/100,000 individuals in adults, adolescence and children, respectively. This study revealed an adverse health risk to population of Hyderabad due to consumption of AF contaminated rice.

The dataset represent the results of a cross-sectional study conducted in Telangana, India, to investigate the effects of pesticide exposure in agricultural regions. This study includes 341 pesticides exposed participants and 152 controls in three districts of Telangana including 15 farming villages. Blood and urine samples were analysed to determine various pesticide concentrations present in blood including organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids group of pesticides, and six dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites, including dimethyl phosphate (DMP), diethyl phosphate (DEP), dimethyl thiophosphate (DMTP), dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP), diethylthiophosphate (DETP) and diethyldithiophosphate (DEDTP) were analysed in urine samples.In addition the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were measured using advanced analytical methods. The data provide information on pesticide profiles, exposure biomarkers and the relationship between exposure duration and AChE activity. These study results emphasise the importance and addressing pesticide-related health problems in farmers for proactive measures to mitigate the harmful effects of pesticide exposure in agriculture.

Aim of this study was to observe the effect of fluoride (F) in Wistar rats in a dose and time-dependent manner. Male rats (n=36) were taken and were randomly divided into six groups (group I: control, group II: 5 mg/L F, group III: 10 mg/L F, group IV: 15 mg/L F, group V: 50 mg/L F, and group VI: 100 mg/L F). Animals were examined at 3-time points of 30, 60, and 90 days for F toxicity changes. The results indicated that the F induced dose and time-dependent diet intake, body weight gain, food efficiency ratio, dental fluorosis, F level in urinary, serum, bone and teeth, and histopathological changes in the tissues of liver and kidney. The significant increase in exposure of F through water in groups V and VI as compared to other groups has shown alterations in their food efficiency ratio, body weight gain, and the significant increase in the urinary, serum, teeth, bone, liver and kidney F levels. Histopathology of the kidney revealed few dilated tubules in the kidney of animals of group VI as compared to animals of all other groups. Whereas histopathology of the liver showed microvacuolation in groups V and VI compared to groups I, II, and IV. However, there were no significant differences between the organ weight ratios among all the groups. In conclusion, the dose -dependent effect of F starts at 100, 50, and 15mg/L from first, second, and third months, respectively.However, there were no significant differences in 5 and 10 mg/L F groups after 3 months.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by problems with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviour. In mice, the 14th postnatal day is believed to correspond to the third trimester of human embryonic development and is considered a vital period for central nervous system development. It has been shown that ASD affects 2 to 3 times more male than female individuals. In the present study, ASD was induced in 14 postnatal day (PND) BALB/c mice using valproic acid (VPA). VPA administration brought about substantial differences in the histoarchitecture of the brain in both male and female mice, linked to behavioural deficits. We observed that both male and female mice showed similar morphological changes in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and Purkinje cells. We also observed hair loss from PND 17 to 25, which was again similar between male and female mice. However, there were higher rates of change in the cerebral cortex, frontal cortex and temporal lobe and hippocampus in VPA-treated male animals. With respect to the cerebellum, we did not observe any alterations by haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, but detailed morphological observation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a higher rate of phenotype changes in VPA-treated male animals. Moreover, 5-HT2A receptor protein levels were upregulated in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and Purkinje cells in VPA-treated male mice compared with control animals and VPA-treated female mice, as shown by immunohistochemical analysis. Based on all these findings, we conclude that male animals are more susceptible to VPA-induced ASD than females.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to see the effect of fluoride (F) in Wistar NIN rats in a dose and time-dependent manner. Male rats (n=36) were taken and were randomly divided into six groups (Group I: control, group II: 5 mg/L F, Group III: 10 mg/L F, Group IV: 15 mg/L F, Group V: 50 mg/L F and Group VI: 100 mg/L F). Animals were examined at 3-time points of 30, 60 and 90 days for F toxicity changes. The results indicated that the F induced dose and time-dependent diet intake, body weight gain, food efficiency ratio, dental fluorosis, urinary, serum, bone and teeth F levels and histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissue. The significant increase in exposure of F through water in groups V and VI as compared to other groups has shown alterations in their food efficiency ratio, body weight gain, and the significant increase in the urinary and serum F levels. Histopathology of the kidney showed few dilated tubules in the kidney of group VI compared to all other groups. Whereas histopathology of the liver showed microvacuolation in groups V and VI compared to groups I, II and III. However, there were no significant differences between the organ weight ratios of different organs among all the groups. In conclusion, the dose-dependent effect of F starts at 100, 50 and 15mg/L from first, second and third months respectively, however, there were no significant differences in 5 and 10 mg/L F groups after 3 months.

The present study was designed to study the effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the bone parameters in Sarcoma osteogenic (Saos-2) cell line and their amelioration by tamarind (Tamarindus indica) fruit extract (TFE). The cells were treated with different concentrations of NaF (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mM) and TFE (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 pg/mL). Based on the cell proliferation by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay, 1.6 mM NaF and 60 mu g/mL TFE concentrations for 72 hr was taken for further studies. The cells were divided into 4 different treatment groups [(i) control, (ii) 1.6 mM NaF, (iii) 1.6 mM NaF+60 mu g/mL TFE, and (iv) TFE] and the bone parameters were analyzed in the cells (cell lysate) and the culture supernatant. The morphological changes in the Saos-2 cells due to the NaF toxicity were studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that the accumulation of intracellular F levels in the TFE treated group was significantly lower than in the cells treated with NaF alone. The extracellular levels of alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone were significantly increased in the NaF group whereas in the TFE treated cells they are significantly decreased and were comparable to the control group. The morphological changes shown by SEM were distorted cellular margins in the NaF treated cells whereas the TFE treated cells were comparable to those of the control group. The study concluded that the TFE treatment shows an ameliorative effect on the NaF induced alterations in the bone parameters and morphological changes in the Saos-2 cell line.

The present study investigated the heavy metal (HM) accumulation in some food items and associated potential human health risk in the Prakasam district. Food samples were collected from 9 villages of different mandals mainly comprising of rice, wheat, green gram, red gram, black gram, potato, and amaranthus. The HMs chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICPMS). The results showed that the HM concentrations in vegetables were higher than the cereals and pulses. The decreasing order of HM concentrations were observed as Cr > As > Pb > Cd > Hg, Cr > Pb > As = Cd > Hg and Cr > Pb > Cd > As > Hg in cereals, pulses, and vegetables, respectively. The dietary intake of cereals and vegetables contributed more exposure to HMs. The hazard index (HI) in case of cereals (3.648) and vegetables (1.003) exceeded 1 indicating the non-carcinogenic risk when these food items are consumed by adults. The HI in case of cereals (7.106) and vegetables (1.747) exceeded 1 indicating the health risks when these food items were consumed by children. The HI for cereals and vegetables in case of children is almost double to the HI of adults. The lifetime cancer risk was observed for Cr via consumption of rice and amaranthus, both in adults and children. In conclusion, health risk due to consumption of cereals and vegetables revealed both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk for adults and children. The findings of the present study can be used for the development of potential strategies for risk control and management.

Fluorosis is a public health concern in 25 countries around the globe. The present study is about the mitigation of fluoride (F) toxicity by giving F-free water (FFW) and calcium (Ca). A study was conducted by taking 76 Wistar rats in two phases, phase I (6 months), where rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal-Ca diet (NCD) 0.5%; low-Ca diet (LCD) 0.25%; NCD + 100 ppm F and LCD + 100 ppm F in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. F and Ca were given through water and diet respectively. Phase II is the reversal of fluorosis for 3 months, where LCD group 2 was treated with NCD. Groups 3 and 4 were divided into two subgroups each: 3X and 3Y, and 4X and 4Y, respectively. Groups 3X and 4X received FFW with NCD. Group 3Y continued as phase I and 4Y NCD and F. The biochemical expression, gene expression, biomechanical properties and DXA were studied by standard methods. The results revealed that in phase I, bone turnover was significantly increased whereas bone mineral content and biomechanical properties of group 4 were significantly decreased ( p ≤ 0.05) as compared with that of all other groups. Trabecular separation and total porosity increased in groups 2 and 4. Expression of osteocalcin, osteonectin and osteopontin genes was significantly downregulated in group 4. Bone turnover in group 4X was normalised. Expressions of osteocalcin, osteonectin and osteopontin were upregulated after providing NCD and FFW. In conclusion, low calcium aggravates skeletal fluorosis which could be mitigated on supplementation of Ca and FFW.

To induce Neurolathyrism in guinea pig fed with Lathyrus sativus diet. Twenty four guinea pigs were randomly distributed into 3 groups, 8 animals each. Groups I control fed with control diet, Group II low toxin group fed with 90% Lathyrus diet containing 100 mg β-ODAP/100 g Lathyrus and Group III fed with 90% Lathyrus diet with 1060 mg β-ODAP/100 gLathyrus. The experiment was for 2 months. Diet intake, body weight, protein carbonyl, catalase, MDA, specific activity of electron transport complexes I, II, III and IV in cortex and cerebellum were analyzed. Histopathological and morphological changes were studied by electron microscopy The diet intake and bodyweight was significantly reduced in both the experimental groups (II & III) as compared group I. Protein carbonyls levels were significantly increased in motor cortex region of group II & III as compared to group I. The catalase activity in cortex region was significantly decreased in group II & III compared to group I. The MDA levels in motar cortex region were significantly higher in the group II & III as compared to group I. Whereas the MDA levels in the cerebellum was significantly higher in group III as compared to group I. The activity of complex I and II of cortex was decreased significantly in group II and III as compared to group I. However, there was no significant change in specific activity of electron transport complex II and complex III. The nitrate levels in the group II & III were significantly higher than group I in the cortex region. However, there were no significant differences in the nitrate levels in the cerebellum region. Electron microscopic study of motor cortex showed that the extensive degeneration of motor neuron was observed in group II and III compared to group I. Consumption of ninety % Lathyrus sativus dietfor 2 months induces neurolathyrism in guinea pigs. Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India.

Groundwater is one of the most important sources of water for drinking and cooking in rural India. A total of 382 groundwater samples were collected from 58 villages and analyzed for HMs and Sr by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The average concentrations of HMs and Sr in water was in the order of strontium (Sr) > arsenic (As) > chromium (Cr) > lead (Pb) > mercury (Hg) > cadmium (Cd). Out of 58 villages, 21, 37, 35, 35, 35 and 39 villages had Cr, As, Cd, Hg, Pb and Sr higher (WHO limit) than their respectively permissible levels. Health risk assessment of HMs and Sr for humans revealed that the non-carcinogenicity hazard quotients (HQi+d) for HMs and Sr were higher than unity for adult and children. The hazard index (HI) was 531.066 for adult and 902.926 for children. The HI > 1 was observed in 45 villages for adults and 56 villages for children. The lifetime cancer risk in adult for Asi, Asd, and Pbi in 36, 25 and 23 villages, whereas in children was 42, 20 and 22 villages, respectively. In conclusion, the health risks arising from consumption of groundwater containing HMs and Sr indicated that there is a significant carcinogenic risks for adult and children. This is the first attempt to provide information on the health risks of Sr in drinking water in India. The present findings can be useful for the development of potential strategies for risk control and management.

The present study was undertaken to develop an animal model to study neurolathyrism. For this purpose 24 goat (Capra hircus) kids (new born, 15 days old) were divided into four groups. Group I Control, Group II Low toxin (0.17 g% β-ODAP containing grass pea), Group III high toxin (0.96 g% β-ODAP containing grass pea) and Group IV high toxin (0.96 g% β-ODAP containing grass pea flour (powder) fortified with 5 mg% pure β-ODAP). The experiment was continued for 3 months. Clinical examination was carried out weekly. Muscle conduction velocity (MCV), nerve conduction velocity (NCV), blood and urinary β-ODAP, nitrite in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination were performed by standard methods. Clinical examination showed neurolathyrism symptoms in three kids. The abnormal MCV and NCV were observed in all the experimental animals. Blood nitrite, blood and urine β-ODAP levels were significantly increased in experimental groups. Three kids were affected with neurolathyrism due to consumption of grass pea irrespective of its β-ODAP content and kid may serve as a neurolathyrism model.

Objectives To assess the daily consumption of grass pea quantity, adverse effects if any, nutrition status among daily consumers and occurrence of morbidities. Methods For this purpose, a community based cross-sectional study was carried out in three districts (Bilaspur, Durg and Raipur) of Chhattisgarh state, India. Fifteen hundred households (HHs) per district, with 500HHs in each category (cultivators, non-cultivators, agriculture labourers and others labourers) as well as 400HHs were selected from 20 wards of the urban areas. Total of 360 split grass pea (SGP) samples were collected for β-ODAP analysis. Clinical examination was carried out in 17,755 individuals of all ages. Diet survey was done on 5769 HHs by 24 h recall method and by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Based on FFQ, HHs were separated into daily consumers of SGP and its quantity consumed and HHs that never consumed as non-consumers. Results Results of the study showed that there were 30 daily consuming and 89 non-consumer HHs, in all the three districts. Daily SGP consumers consumed at an average of 64 g/Cu/day SGP along with cereals & millets, and other vegetables in significantly higher quantities as compared to never SGP consumers. The average β-ODAP content in SGP was 0.630 g%. Morbidities such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke and bone fractures, among two groups of population was not significantly different, though tended to be low among daily consumers of SGP. Conclusions Results of the study showed that there were 30 daily consuming and 89 non-consumer HHs, in all the three districts. Daily SGP consumers consumed at an average of 64 g/Cu/day SGP along with cereals & millets, and other vegetables in significantly higher quantities as compared to never SGP consumers. The average β-ODAP content in SGP was 0.630 g%. Morbidities such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke and bone fractures, among two groups of population was not significantly different, though tended to be low among daily consumers of SGP. In. Funding Sources India council of Medical Research, New Delhi.

Objective: To assess the safe limit of L. sativus (grass pea) consumption along with cereals and millets.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken in three districts (Bilaspur, Durg and Raipur) of Chhattisgarh state. A total of 1500 households (HHs) were surveyed. A total of 360 split grass pea (SGP) samples were collected from all three districts for ?-ODAP analysis. Clinical examination was carried out for symptoms of neurolathyrism. Diet survey was done on 5769 HHs by 24hr recall method. Mean intake of different foods and nutrients were calculated. Based on food frequency questionnaire, HHs were separated into daily consumers of SGP along with its quantity consumed and that never consumed SGP.Results: The study revealed that 30 daily consuming and 89 never consuming HHs, in all the three districts. Daily SGP was consumed at an average of 64 g/Cu/day along with millets, cereals and vegetables. Whereas among the never consumers of SGP, mean intake of vegetables was higher than recommended intakes in addition to pulses. The average ?-ODAP content in SGP was 0.630 g%. The nutritional status of children <5 years and the adults was not significantly different between the daily SGP consumers and never consumers. Households in all the three districts, who consumed the SGP recipes, followed the method of washing, boiling, draining the excess water and cooking the pulse.Discussion: There were no adverse effects observed among daily consumers of grass pea (64 g/CU/day) along with millets, cereals and vegetables.