Thomas A Arcury’s research while affiliated with Wake Forest University and other places

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Publications (528)


Essential(ly forgotten) workers: Latine youth farmworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Article

October 2024

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9 Reads

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

Taylor J Arnold

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Sharon D Morrison

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[...]

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Thomas A Arcury

Background Essential workers across multiple industries faced a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The effects were especially severe for agricultural and food processing workers, many of whom are members of the structurally vulnerable Latine community. Under current U.S. federal laws, children under 12 years old can legally work in agriculture, one of the most hazardous U.S. industries. Many of these working youth are Latine and experience health and educational inequities. Methods Using a community‐based participatory research approach and a qualitative design, we conducted semi‐structured in‐depth interviews in North Carolina in 2022, with service providers in health, education, and advocacy fields ( n = 10) and Latine youth farmworkers aged 10–17 ( n = 24). We used participatory qualitative analysis methods and a reflexive thematic analysis to understand and describe the work experiences of these youth during the first 2 years of the pandemic. Results Amidst precarious economic and school situations exacerbated by the COVID‐19 pandemic, many youths described an increased need to work to support their families. While aware and sometimes fearful of the added occupational health risks of COVID‐19, youth and their families felt they had few other options. Service providers and youth described minimal employer‐provided safety protocols or equipment, yet some workers organized their own attempts at safety protocols. Youth narratives imply limited knowledge of basic workplace safety requirements. Conclusions Study findings emphasize the urgent need to address structural vulnerabilities shaping workplace policies and norms to protect Latine youth farmworkers to support their healthy development.


Response to “Physical activity and psychological support can replace “another pill” to manage cancer-related symptoms in children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer”
  • Article
  • Full-text available

April 2024

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14 Reads

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

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Descriptive information for survey sample (n = 169).
Differences in civic variables across demographic groups (n = 169).
Sociopolitical Development among Latinx Child Farmworkers

April 2024

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27 Reads

Youth

The objectives of the present study were to describe civic attitudes and behaviors among Latinx child farmworkers in North Carolina, examine civic outcomes across relevant demographic characteristics, and discuss the implications for research on sociopolitical development among Latinx child farmworkers and for developmental theory. Descriptive statistics (count, percent, or mean, standard deviation as appropriate) were calculated for demographic and civic variables. Associations between the demographic variables and the four civic summary variables were calculated using Generalized Linear Models, the Kruskal–Wallis test, t-tests, or Chi-Square tests. Latinx child farmworkers in North Carolina (N = 169; ages 11–19, Mage = 15.8, 62.7% boys) endorsed relatively high levels of beliefs that society is fair and connections/efficacy in their communities. They reported relatively low involvement in volunteering and political activity. Future work should examine how the daily lives and experiences of child farmworkers inform their developing ideas about civic life in the US and their behavioral participation as they mature.



Detection of DNA breaks in hair follicles from Latinx children living in non-farmworker (NFW) and farmworker (FW) families. A Low-magnification images illustrating the different parts of a plucked hair follicle (brightfield; BF) and the presence of follicular cells (DAPI). Scale bar, 500 µm. B Tip of a hair follicle stained for the DNA double-strand break marker 53BP1. Nuclei were labeled with DAPI, and actin was labeled with phalloidin. Arrowheads indicate DNA damage foci in the enlarged image. Scale bar, 50 µm. C Quantification of 53BP1 DSB foci in hair follicles from NFW and FW children. *, P = 0.029 (Mann–Whitney). D Comparison of DSB levels in FW children at different times of collection. *, P = 0.030 (Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn’s multiple comparison test). E 53BP1 foci counts in hair follicles collected during the period from July to September 2021. P = 0.026 (Mann–Whitney)
Effect of sun exposure on follicular DNA damage. A–B Questionnaire data on how often children from non-farmworker (NFW) and farmworker (FW) families played outside in the sun in the last seven days preceding the hair collection (A) and, for those who did play outside, if a hat (sun protection) was worn (B). Questionnaire data was missing for one FW participant. Statistical comparison using Fischer exact test. C 53BP1 foci counts for the different sun exposure categories. ns, P = 0.92 (Kruskal–Wallis). Green circles represent NFW children and blue squares represent FW children
Number of pesticides detected in the wristband samplers worn by children from non-farmworker (NFW) and farmworker (FW) families. The graphs present total detections (A), as well as organochlorine (OC) (B), organophosphate (OP) (C), and pyrethroid (Pyreth.) (D) detections. *, P < 0.05; ns, not significant (Mann–Whitney)
DNA double-strand breaks and exposures to pesticides. A 53BP1 foci in hair follicles as a function of the total number of pesticides detected using personal wristband samplers. B-D Comparison of 53BP1 foci numbers in participants with or without detection of organochlorine (OC) (B), organophosphate (OP) (C), and pyrethroid (Pyreth.) (D) pesticides. P values are indicated (Mann–Whitney). E Relationship between acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity (µmol/min/ml). F AChE and BChE activity by study location, i.e., in children from non-farmworker (NFW) and farmworker (FW) families. ***, P = 0.0003; ns, not significant (Mann–Whitney). G Seasonality of AChE and BChE activity. Repeated measures (N = 4–9 per participant) are plotted according to the time (month) of measurement. *, P = 0.010; **, P = 0.0014 (Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn’s multiple comparison test). H Association between A/BChE and 53BP1 foci in hair follicles. Spearman’s r coefficients and P values are indicated
DNA double-strand break induction by chlorpyrifos in epithelial cells. A Visualization of DSBs in HMT-3522 S1 breast epithelial cells expressing the minimal focus forming region of 53BP1 fused to the mCherry fluorescent protein (mCh-53BP1ct). The arrowhead points to a DSB focus in the fluorescent image. BF, brightfield. Scale bar, 20 µm. B Quantification of mCh-53BP1ct in S1 cells treated with vehicle (ethanol) or with chlorpyrifos (CPF, 1 µg/ml) for 24 h. *, P = 0.011 (Mann–Whitney). C Detection of DSBs in follicular cells after 24 h treatments with vehicle or CPF. DSBs were defined as overlapping 53BP1 and H2AX foci, as illustrated in the inset (arrow). *, P < 0.05; ****, P < 0.0001 (Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn’s multiple comparison test)
Follicular DNA Damage and Pesticide Exposure Among Latinx Children in Rural and Urban Communities

November 2023

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37 Reads

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2 Citations

Exposure and Health

The intersectional risks of children in United States immigrant communities include environmental exposures. Pesticide exposures and their biological outcomes are not well characterized in this population group. We assessed pesticide exposure and related these exposures to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in Latinx children from rural, farmworker families (FW; N = 30) and from urban, non-farmworker families (NFW; N = 15) living in North Carolina. DSBs were quantified in hair follicular cells by immunostaining of 53BP1, and exposure to 72 pesticides and pesticide degradation products were determined using silicone wristbands. Cholinesterase activity was measured in blood samples. DSB frequencies were higher in FW compared to NFW children. Seasonal effects were detected in the FW group, with highest DNA damage levels in April–June and lowest levels in October–November. Acetylcholinesterase depression had the same seasonality and correlated with follicular DNA damage. Organophosphate pesticides were more frequently detected in FW than in NFW children. Participants with organophosphate detections had increased follicular DNA damage compared to participants without organophosphate detection. Follicular DNA damage did not correlate with organochlorine or pyrethroid detections and was not associated with the total number of pesticides detected in the wristbands. These results point to rural disparities in pesticide exposures and their outcomes in children from vulnerable immigrant communities. They suggest that among the different classes of pesticides, organophosphates have the strongest genotoxic effects. Assessing pesticide exposures and their consequences at the individual level is key to environmental surveillance programs. To this end, the minimally invasive combined approach used here is particularly well suited for children. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12403-023-00609-1.


Fig. 2. TBSS showed higher local FA in the white matter of children from NFW families compared to children from FW families. Ten coronal slices through the brain are shown starting at z = 0 and moving superiorly to z = 40. The gray background is the mean FA image. The mean FA skeleton is shown in white. The red regions illustrate significant group differences where FA in the control group is higher than in the farmworker children group (TFCE p-value<0.05). Observed differences were identified in the genu of the corpus callosum, internal capsule (IC), external capsule (EC), fornix (FX), posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC), anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC), posterior thalamic radiation (PTR), superior corona radiata (SCR), superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), Inferior Fronto-Occipital fascicle (IFOF), forceps minor (FM), anterior corona radiata (ACR) and corticospinal tracts (CST). (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)
Fig. 3. The overlap of VBM and DTI findings on the mean FA image. Three coronal slices through the brain are shown starting at z = 3 and moving superiorly to z = 14. All results presented are associated with higher brain structure measures in NFW as compared to FW. White: White matter skeleton, Yellow: Fractional anisotropy difference between the two groups. Green: white matter difference between the two groups. Red: gray matter difference between the two groups. The overlap of gray matter and white matter findings was observed in the medial frontal lobe. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)
Participant demographics.
Neuroanatomical differences in Latinx children from rural Farmworker families and urban non-farmworker families and related associations with pesticide exposure

November 2023

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23 Reads

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1 Citation

Heliyon

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.


Comparing Longitudinal Measures of Cholinesterase as Biomarkers for Insecticide Exposure Among Latinx Children in Rural Farmworker and Urban Non-Farmworker Communities in North Carolina

September 2023

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18 Reads

Journal of occupational and environmental medicine / American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Objective: In a two-group prospective design, this study compares seasonal cholinesterase levels of Latinx children in rural farmworker families and comparable urban children, to assess the impact of environmental exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides. Methods: Quarterly blood samples and passive dosimeter wristbands were collected over 2 years in 8 year old children (74 rural, 62 urban). Laboratory analysis assessed total cholinesterase (total ChE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) from blood samples, and insecticides from wristbands. Results: In spring and summer, total ChE and AChE levels were depressed in rural children compared to winter and fall. BChE was depressed in rural children in fall, compared to spring and summer. Adjustment for insecticide exposure did not affect these associations. Conclusions: Environmental exposures to cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides have measurable biochemical effects on blood cholinesterases in rural children from farmworker families.


Developing Infographics to Present Research Findings from CBPR to Latinx Farmworker Community Members

June 2023

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26 Reads

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2 Citations

Progress in Community Health Partnerships Research Education and Action

Background: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) facilitates vulnerable communities and scientists collaborating to address pertinent health issues. For Latinx farmworkers, the employment of children and their resulting morbidity and mortality in the hazardous farm environment is a concern. Communicating child farmworker research results to farmworkers and service providers must take into account their language, literacy, and educational characteristics. Objectives: We describe the collaborative development and dissemination of research findings on child farmworkers by a CBPR partnership with the Latinx farmworker community. Methods: Key points for communication with infographics were abstracted from peer-reviewed research papers. An iterative process sought community partners' input as the research partners developed the infographics. Lessons learned: We developed infographics on heat-related illness, education, and musculoskeletal impacts of child labor, guided by published criteria for effective infographics. Efforts to disseminate finished infographics needed greater rigor. Conclusions: Infographics provide a means to communicate CBPR findings to community members.


Pesticide Exposure among Latinx Children in Rural Farmworker and Urban Non-Farmworker Communities: Associations with Locality and Season

April 2023

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84 Reads

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4 Citations

This study uses repeated measures to document the pesticide exposure of rural and urban Latinx children (age eight at baseline), and to compare these children in terms of the frequency and concentration of their exposure to a large set of pesticides, accounting for season. We used silicone wristbands worn for one week up to ten times at quarterly intervals from 2018 to 2022 to assess pesticide exposure in children from rural farmworker (n = 75) and urban non-farmworker (n = 61) families. We determined the detection and concentrations (ng/g) of 72 pesticides and pesticide degradation products in the wristbands using gas chromatography electron capture detection and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The most frequently detected pesticide classes were organochlorines, pyrethroids, and organophosphates. Controlling for season, organochlorine or phenylpyrazole detections were less likely for rural children than for urban children. Detections of organochlorines, pyrethroids, or organophosphates were lower in spring and summer versus winter. Controlling for season, urban children had greater concentrations of organochlorines, while rural children had greater concentrations of pyrethroids and Chlorpyrifos. Pesticide concentrations were lower in winter and spring compared with summer and fall. These results further document that pesticides are ubiquitous in the living environment for children in vulnerable, immigrant communities.


Supportive care for cancer-related symptoms in pediatric oncology: a qualitative study among healthcare providers

April 2023

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58 Reads

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13 Citations

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

Background The aim of this study is to gain insight into the clinical experiences and perceptions that pediatric oncology experts, conventional healthcare providers, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers in Norway, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States have with the use of supportive care, including CAM among children and adolescents with cancer. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 22) with healthcare providers with clinical experience working with CAM and/or other supportive care among children and adolescents with cancer from five different countries. Participants were recruited through professional associations and personal networks. Systematic content analysis was used to delineate the main themes. The analysis resulted in three themes and six subthemes. Results Most participants had over 10 years of professional practice. They mostly treated children and adolescents with leukemia who suffered from adverse effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea and poor appetite. Their priorities were to identify the parents' treatment goals and help the children with their daily complaints. Some modalities frequently used were acupuncture, massage, music, and play therapy. Parents received information about supplements and diets in line with their treatment philosophies. They received education from the providers to mitigate symptoms and improve the well-being of the child. Conclusions Clinical experiences of pediatric oncology experts, conventional health care providers, and CAM providers give an understanding of how supportive care modalities, including CAM, are perceived in the field and how they can be implemented as adaptational tools to manage adverse effects and to improve the quality of life of children diagnosed with cancer and the families.


Citations (84)


... Furthermore, the PAHs that are the main toxicant to which the taxi drivers are exposed due to their many hours working in the city streets also are well-known agents that promote DNA oxidative damages [46][47][48][49]. Finally, pesticides such as herbicides and insecticides are the main toxicants that the farmers group are constantly exposed and lead to DNA damages in adults and children as well [50][51][52][53]. All these toxicants may lead to DNA impairments that lead to other pathologies such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and mutagenicity [54][55][56]. ...

Reference:

The Influence of Blood Titanium Levels on DNA Damage in Brazilian Workers Occupationally Exposed to Different Chemical Agents
Follicular DNA Damage and Pesticide Exposure Among Latinx Children in Rural and Urban Communities

Exposure and Health

... Two neuroimaging studies examined postnatal OPs exposure. In both studies, the risk of exposure was defined based on the presence of at least one adult in the household who had been employed at a non-organic farm [46,47]. ...

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

Heliyon

... In other work, youth "citizen scientists" used portable air monitoring devices and videos to collect data across their CSE during a typical day, creating maps and increasing their environmental health literacy and capacity for advocacy (Johnston et al., 2019). A recent study engaged 13-18 year-old farmworkers in creating infographics based on research findings about their exposure to excessive heat (Quandt et al., 2022). Another study trained American Indian pre-adolescents in water pollution concepts and how to be advocates for change, increasing youth environmental health knowledge and enthusiasm for taking care of their environment (Simonds et al., 2019). ...

Developing Infographics to Present Research Findings from CBPR to Latinx Farmworker Community Members
  • Citing Article
  • June 2023

Progress in Community Health Partnerships Research Education and Action

... Some organophosphate insecticides, including phorate, acephate, and chlorpyrifos (before its ban in the US in 2021) are used in spring and early summer on immature plants. Paradoxically, pesticide detections (including organophosphates) in wristbands were lower in spring than in fall (Arcury et al. 2023), yet AChE depression was highest in April-June (Fig. 4G). Seasonal effects on AChE activity (as well as the different seasonality of AChE and BChE) corroborate our previous measurements in adult Latinx farmworkers (Quandt et al. 2010(Quandt et al. , 2015. ...

Pesticide Exposure among Latinx Children in Rural Farmworker and Urban Non-Farmworker Communities: Associations with Locality and Season

... In the ADHD study in Hongkong, improved sleep quality and increased appetite were the most notable changes described by parents [43]. Similar improvements in sleep have been reported in children with cancer [46], hematopoietic cell transplantation [47], and disabilities [48] after pediatric massage. The improvement of bowel movements was also found among children with cerebral palsy after massage [49]. ...

Supportive care for cancer-related symptoms in pediatric oncology: a qualitative study among healthcare providers

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

... Although limited in number, investigations of Latine youth's motives to participate in farmwork in rural America have consistently revealed an other-oriented prosocial reason-working to support the family financially (Arnold et al., 2023;Carlos Chavez et al., 2020). Youth in these studies who were involved in seasonal work shared that they work in the fields to earn money so that they can provide financial support to immediate family members, to be selfreliant so that they are not consuming existing family resources, and to help other distant family members who are in need (Arcury et al., 2014;Arnold et al., 2023). ...

Understanding Latinx Child Farmworkers’ Reasons for Working: A Mixed Methods Approach
  • Citing Article
  • December 2022

Journal of Adolescent Research

... To manage this pest, chemical control using pesticides is the most widely utilized method, but the use of these products as the only or primary management method can lead to serious damage to the environment and human health. Additionally, their widespread and repeated use also induces the development of insect resistance causing many insecticides to become less effective (Alavanja et al. 2004;Desneux et al. 2006;Dobbins et al. 2022;Gaona et al. 2019;Sharma et al. 2021;Tongo et al. 2022;Walsh et al. 2022). ...

Comparing impact of pesticide exposure on cognitive abilities of Latinx children from rural farmworker and urban non-farmworker families in North Carolina
  • Citing Article
  • May 2022

Neurotoxicology and Teratology

... Two neuroimaging studies examined postnatal OPs exposure. In both studies, the risk of exposure was defined based on the presence of at least one adult in the household who had been employed at a non-organic farm [46,47]. ...

Altered Default Mode Network Associated with Pesticide Exposure in Latinx Children from Rural Farmworker Families

NeuroImage

... Since the publication of this review, a few other studies have been released. Arcury and coworkers examined the association of occupational injuries with work safety culture among Latinx child farmworkers, as well as the work safety culture experienced by Latinx women farmworkers (Arcury et al. 2020(Arcury et al. , 2022. They demonstrated how the work culture on North Carolina farms that employ Latinx farmworkers places limited value on safety. ...

The Abysmal Organization of Work and Work Safety Culture Experienced by North Carolina Latinx Women in Farmworker Families

... Structural risks are likely to precede and contribute to economic stress and hardship (as well as psychological distress), especially for immigrant Latine families in rural, new-destination communities such as the Midwest (Stein et al., 2016). Structural barriers (e.g., immigration status and discrimination) impact both the economic opportunities of Latine populations (Limon et al., 2018;Stein et al., 2016) and the mental health of family members (e.g., Arcury et al., 2022;Lorenzo-Blanco et al., 2017). Discrimination occurs across multiple, interacting levels to maintain the status quo of oppression, and occurs through stereotyping, marginalization, unequal treatment, harmful policies, and dehumanization (Torres et al., 2022). ...

Depressive Symptoms of Latinx Women in Rural Farmworker and Urban Non-Farmworker Families in North Carolina
  • Citing Article
  • October 2021

Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities