Determination of oxidative stress markers and serum cholinesterase among pesticide sprayers in southern Brazil

Small farmers generally spray pesticides manually and often do not use complete protective equipment. The standard test to detect pesticide exposure, which may be associated with toxicity, is the determination of serum cholinesterase, but in chronic exposure to low doses, this test is less sensitive. In this study, in a group sampled among pesticide sprayers without signs of intoxication, cholinesterase, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), catalase (Cat), and superoxide dismutase (Sod) activities were analyzed. Cholinesterase activity was only slightly lower in the farmer group in relation to the control group. However, TBARS and Cat activities were 3-fold increased in the farmers in comparison to the controls. Sod activity was similar in both groups. The group of pesticide sprayers that did not use the complete protective equipment presented a significantly higher level of TBARS than the group that used the complete protective equipment. Therefore, the determination of TBARS and catalase can be useful to identify individuals that are chronically exposed to low doses of pesticides.     

Human serum paraoxonase gene polymorphisms and association with chronic symptoms of pesticide toxicity in Indian farmers

The association between PON1 (serum paraoxonase) genotype and symptoms of pesticide toxicity was examined in a total of 268 farm workers in Andhra Pradesh, India. Approximately 140 of the farm workers who did not report at least two of the symptoms of chronic toxicity, such as abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, fatigue, tremors of fingers, numbness, or limb weakness were categorized as controls. The remaining 128 farmers showed 2 or more of the above symptoms. All the farm workers were genotyped for polymorphisms of PON1 gene at amino acid positions 55 (exon 3) and 192 (exon 6). A decrease in the percentage of high-activity genotypes at both L55M and Q192R was observed in the farm workers reporting symptoms of pesticide toxicity. When combined genotype distribution at both exons was analyzed, a marked increase in the percentage of low-activity genotypes LLQQ, LMQQ, MMQQ, and MMQR was also observed in symptomatic farmers compared to controls. Age, working years, smoking, duration of exposure, and alcoholism were not statistically significant when compared to symptoms of chronic toxicity. Our findings suggest that L55M and Q192R gene polymorphisms influence the variable susceptibility of farmers to pesticide; and thus may be considered a useful biomarker of genetic susceptibility in assessing an individual's risk of pesticide exposures.     

Effect of curacron toxicity on the total serum protein content of Cyprinus carpio

An experiment was conducted on freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio to study the effect of the pesticide curacron on total serum protein. Curacron is an organophosphate pesticide and used by the farmers to protect their crops. This pesticide reaches the aquatic ecosystem by direct or indirect means and affects aquatic fauna. LC50 for curacron for C. carpio was calculated by the log-dose/probit regression line method and found to be 0.38?ppm at 96?h. Three sub-lethal concentrations (0.1, 0.01, and 0.001?mL?L^?1) were selected to expose the fish for 1, 7, 14, and 21days. Changes in total serum protein were observed at all pesticide concentrations and exposure periods. Total serum protein was decreased from control. At 1 and 7 days, the decrease was quantitative at all concentrations, while at 14 and 21 days, the fall was significant at all concentrations. Hence, human population may be at risk by consuming these contaminated fish.     

草甘膦对旋链角毛藻和盐生杜氏藻的毒性兴奋效应(Stimulation Effect of Glyphosate on Chaetoceros curvisetus and Dunallelia salina)

为研究农药对海洋微藻的毒性兴奋效应(低剂量刺激生长效应),实验测定了不同时间点、不同剂量草甘膦(Glyphosate)对旋链角毛藻(Chaetoceros curvisetus)和盐生杜氏藻(Dunallelia salina)生长的影响,并使用Log-Logistic修正模型和三维模型对实验结果进行拟合.结果表明,草甘膦对两种海洋微藻均存在不同程度的刺激生长效应,修正的Log-Logistic生长模型和三维模型拟合结果不存在显著性差异,但由于不需编程且能得到更多参数,因此使用Log-Logistic修正模型能够更好地描述草甘膦对藻类的剂量-反应结果.     

Visual disturbances with cholinesterase depletion due to exposure of agricultural pesticides among farm workers

In this study, risk assessment for visual disturbances among farm workers spraying agricultural pesticides in farms have been assessed. A cross-sectional study for the assessment of visual disturbances was undertaken using questionnaire survey and clinical examination among agricultural workers exposed to pesticides. Two hundred and thirty nine pesticide sprayers participated in the study. The study was compared to 110 controls not occupationally exposed to pesticides with similar socio-economic status. The prevalence of ocular morbidity was found to be 40% among pesticide sprayers which was significantly higher (p?p?相似文献   

三唑磷和氯氟氰菊酯对蚯蚓的联合毒性效应

近年来农药复配使用成为普遍现象,它对生态的危害是否有别于农药单独使用?采用OECD人工土壤法,通过急性毒性、回避行为及抗氧化酶(CAT、POD、SOD)活性3个生态响应水平,研究三唑磷和氯氟氰菊酯对蚯蚓的联合毒性效应。结果表明:三唑磷对蚯蚓7 d和14 d的半数致死浓度(LC50)分别为331.1 mg·kg~(-1)和122.0 mg·kg~(-1);氯氟氰菊酯对蚯蚓7 d LC50和14 d LC50分别为897.9 mg·kg~(-1)和656.7 mg·kg~(-1)。2种农药按毒性比1:1复配,表现为协同作用。三唑磷和氯氟氰菊酯对蚯蚓48 h的半数回避浓度(AC50)分别是41.6 mg·kg~(-1)和6.0 mg·kg~(-1),两者亦表现为协同作用。经2种农药单独处理,蚯蚓体内CAT活性呈现轻微上升后下降,而POD和SOD活性无明显变化;复配导致POD活力显著上升,而CAT和SOD活力则显著下降。研究表明:三唑磷和氯氟氰菊酯复配呈现协同作用,增强彼此对蚯蚓的毒性作用,增大土壤生态危害风险;联合效应的产生与其阻断神经传导这一共同靶标有关。     

Host plant resistance to insects: an eco-friendly approach for pest management and environment conservation

Host plant resistance (HPR) to insects is an effective, economical, and environment friendly method of pest control. The most attractive feature of HPR is that farmers virtually do not need any skill in application techniques, and there is no cash investment by the resource poor farmers. Considerable progress has been made in identification and development of crop cultivars with resistance to the major pests in different crops. There is a need to transfer resistance genes into high-yielding cultivars with adaptation to different agro-ecosystems. Resistance to insects should form one of the criteria to release varieties and hybrids for cultivation by the farmers. Genes from the wild relatives of crops, and novel genes, such as those from Bacillus thuringiensis can also be deployed in different crops to make HPR an effective weapon to minimize the losses due to insect pests. HPR will not only cause a major reduction in pesticide use and slowdown the rate of development of resistance to insecticides in insect populations, but also lead to increased activity of beneficial organisms and reduction in pesticide residues in food and food products.     

Effects of nanopesticide chlorfenapyr on mice

The effects of chlorfenapyr nano preparation on mice were examined. The animals were administered with different doses of 4.84, 9.68, or 19.36?mg?kg^?1 of chlorfenapyr common preparation or nano preparation intraperitoneally (IP). Micronucleus (MN) test and comet assay (CA) experiments revealed that at the same dose, similar DNA damage in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of the mouse and chromosome damage in bone marrow cells of the mouse occurred with chlorfenapyr nano preparation; however, the severity of these effects was less than that found in common preparation. It is noteworthy that there were no differences in apoptotic ratio and live cell percentage in the liver cells of the mouse between these two pesticide formulations using flow cytometry. Data indicate that chlorfenapyr nanoformulation is less toxic to mouse cells than the common formulation.     

化学品急性毒性藻红外测试技术的方法改进研究

在以往藻红外测试技术的急性毒性测试中,每次每个测试杯测试1个藻温,共2个测试组,并用藻最大响应温差1个指标进行毒性评价,测试结果的可行性和稳定性不理想,针对这个问题提出了改进方法:1)每次每个测试杯连测3个藻温;2)改为3个测试组;3)将单指标法改为三指标法;4)增加测试结果的重现性分析。通过蒸馏水毒性测试实验和重金属毒性测试实验,分析改进方法的效果。结果显示,不同指标方法中,三指标法控制假结果出现率为20%,控制效果最好;在测试4元重金属共存(总浓度0.066~0.156 mg·L~(-1))的毒性时,测试3个藻温的所有指标法的平均重现率(%)/重现性(%)均为100%/100%,测试1个藻温的三指标法的平均重现率(%)/重现性(%)为67%/100%,表明测试高浓度的重金属毒性时,不同指标法都有很好的评价效果;在测试一元重金属(0.001~0.1 mg·L~(-1))毒性时,只有三指标法的平均重现率(%)/重现性(%)是100%/100%,远高于其他指标法,表明只有三指标法才可准确测试低浓度重金属的毒性。在测试5种不同重金属共存的毒性时,三指标法的平均重现率(%)/重现性(%)平均为86.8%/100%。研究表明,改进后的技术用于化学品急性毒性测试,灵敏度高和稳定性好,结果可靠。     

Socioeconomic determinants of long-term cropland fallowing: smallholders in north-western Uganda

SUMMARY

Long-term cropland fallowing decisions of farmers in the West Nile Province of Uganda were studied. Tabular and regression methods are used to examine the relationship between farm and household factors and seasons of net fallowing. The results show that farmers plan to decrease the rate of fallowing in the immediate future. Serious (but undocumented) problems in maintaining cropland productivity could result. Population density had a large and negative effect on net fallowing (seasons of fallowing less seasons of crops), decreasing from the current average of ?0.6 seasons to ?2.21 seasons for a doubling of population. This 268% decrease in the use of fallowing could occur in as few as 13.5 years, assuming a 3% annual population growth rate. Farms larger in size, but with no increase in per capita cropland availability, had a higher rate of net fallowing. Cashcrop production was negatively associated with net fallowing, whilst farmer age had a positive association.

The results have implications for both agricultural policy and guidance for further research on cropland fallowing. Increased cash-cropping should not be recommended unless the full economic costs of using land resources are evaluated. Much of the increased area for cash-crop production would come from fallowed land, decreasing the rate of fallowing and thus increasing the potential for soil degradation. Fallowing has long been used in the area to maintain cropland productivity. Building upon farmers current practices and improving fallowing through the use of green manures and agroforestry could prove to be more economical than the use of mineral fertilizers. Investigating why farms larger in size and those with older head-of-households were able to use fallowing more effectively may provide key information for the development of more productive fallowing technologies.     

PCB 105-induced ultrastructural alterations in the rat liver: A stereological study

Liver alterations were stereologically determined in five groups, each of 10 male and female Sprague–Dawley weanling rats fed PCB 105 (2,3,3′,4,4′-pentachlorobiphenyl) for 13 weeks at concentrations of 0.05, 0.5, 5, and 50?ppm mixed with corn oil. Animals from two groups receiving the oil in diets served as controls for each gender. A significant increase in mean volume fraction (VF) of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) profiles was estimated in hepatocytes of female rats in 0.5, 5, and 50?ppm groups. A significant decrease in VF of mitochondria in female rats at 50?ppm was detected. In addition, a decrease in VF of lipid droplets was measured in female rats at 0.5, 5, and 50?ppm groups. No difference was found in VF of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) cisternae, and peroxisome profiles at any concentration of the PCB in either male or female animals as compared to baseline values from controls. A significant elevation of baseline VF for RER in female rats was detected in comparison with males. In the present study, no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) for PCB 105 was estimated at <0.5?ppm for hepatocyte alterations in female Sprague–Dawley rats.     

A preliminary report on effect of pulsed magnetic fields on fresh water fish (Labeo rohita) chromosomes

Marine-life scientists around the world are already carrying out investigative trials to obtain higher yields under in-captive breeding conditions, on both edible varieties and ornamental fishes with optimal inputs. However, for such trials to succeed there is a need for genetic improvement. The idea that fish production can be enhanced by genetic manipulation is gaining acceptance, as there is a strong possibility that qualitative improvement of economically important traits can be achieved by identifying and utilizing more effective genotypes. In the present communication a tentative plan for genetic manipulation of fresh water fish using controlled, pulsed magnetic fields, is being discussed. Chromosome preparations of Labeo rohita were made using Colchicine-Methanol-Acetic acid air drying technique, using tissue from gills. The fish were exposed to Pulsed Magnetic Field (PMF)with intensity 0.2 Gauss, pulsing at 50 Hz frequency (sine wave) for 6 hours / day for a total period of 30 days inside specially designed magnetic field enclosures. The karyological investigations revealed no distinct difference between "test" and "control" groups.     

Relative bioavailability of soil-bound chlordecone in growing lambs

The pollution of soil with the pesticide chlordecone (CLD) is a problem for the use of agricultural surfaces even years after its use has been forbidden. Therefore, the exposure of free-ranged animals such as ruminants needs to be investigated in order to assess the risk of contamination of the food chain. Indeed, measured concentrations could be integrated in a lowered extent if the soil binding would reduce the bioavailability of the pesticide. This bioavailability of soil-bound CLD in a heavily polluted andosol has been investigated relatively of CLD given via spiked oil. Twenty-four weaned lambs were exposed to graded doses of 2, 4 or 6 μg CLD/kg body weight during 15 days via the contaminated soil in comparison to spiked oil. The concentration of this pesticide has been determined in two target tissues: blood serum and kidney fat. The relative bioavailability (RBA) corresponds to the slope ratio between the test matrix-contaminated soil- in comparison to the reference matrix oil. The RBA of the soil-bound CLD was not found to significantly differ from the reference matrix oil in lambs meaning that the pesticide ingested by grazing ruminants would not be sequestered by soil binding. Therefore, CLD from soil gets bioavailable within the intestinal level and exposure to contaminated soil has to be integrated in risk assessments.     

欧美农药环境降解动力学评估方法比较

农药在环境中的降解行为是评估农药环境安全性的基础,农药的降解动力学通常以一级动力学模型描述。现有的环境暴露模型也均需要输入一级动力学模型的农药在土壤中50%消失时间(DT50)。但有时一级动力学模型不适用于描述农药在环境中,特别是土壤中的降解。因此欧盟和北美自由贸易区已发布了一系列关于使用非一级动力学模型计算DT50的导则。介绍了欧美降解动力学评估方法,并用多组降解数据比较了2种评估方法的区别。     

Evidence for acclimation to hydrostatic pressure in Uca pugilator (Crustacea: Decapoda: Ocypodidae)

Groups of male Uca pugilator (Bosc) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Ocypodidae), acclimated to sublethal pressure (34 atm) subaqueously for 5 and 10 days, were observed subsequently at pressures up to 272 atm. Behavioral indicators of pressure resistance (“first response” and tetany) were employed to measure degrees of pressure acclimation in comparison with simultaneously and non-simultaneously conducted control experiments. No firm conclusions can be made on the basis of “first response” results, but the pressures required to induce tetany were significantly higher (P≤0.02, one-tailed comparison) in acclimated groups than in non-acclimated groups. These data and earlier studies by other investigators support the assertion that some shallow marine species are capable of at least limited short-term pressure acclimation.     

Predicting the aquatic toxicity of commercial pesticide mixtures

Background

Previous studies reported on a large (> 80%) compliance between the observed toxicity of pesticide mixtures and their toxicity as predicted by the concept of concentration addition (CA). The present study extents these findings to commercially sold and frequently applied pesticide mixtures by investigating whether the aquatic toxicity of 66 herbicidal and 53 fungicidal combination products, i.e., authorized plant protection products that contain two or more active substances, can reliably be predicted by CA.

Results

In more than 50% of cases, the predicted and observed mixture toxicity deviated by less than factor 2. An indication for a synergistic interaction was only detected with regard to algal growth inhibition for mixtures of fungicides that inhibit different enzymes of ergosterol biosynthesis. The greatest degree of compliance between prediction and observation was found for the acute toxicity of fungicidal products towards Daphnia and fish, while the greatest degree of underestimation of product toxicity occurred for the acute toxicity of herbicidal products towards Daphnia and fish. Using the lowest available toxicity measures within taxonomic groups as the most conservative approach resulted in a bias towards overestimation of product toxicity, but did not eliminate cases of considerable underestimation of product toxicity.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the CA concept can be applied to predict the aquatic toxicity of commercial pesticide mixtures using the heterogeneous data typically available in a risk assessment context for a number of clearly identified combinations of test species and pesticide types with reasonably small uncertainty.     

呋虫胺对斑马鱼胚胎-幼鱼生长发育及细胞凋亡的影响

第三代新烟碱类农药呋虫胺作为超高效、广谱性杀虫剂在水稻、蔬菜和水果上广泛应用,因其水溶性高,对水生生物的毒性不容忽视。本研究以斑马鱼胚胎为对象,参考OECD标准,在胚胎受精后30 min内,采用静态法染毒,观察其24 h、48 h、72 h、96 h的生长发育情况,根据死亡数计算呋虫胺对斑马鱼96 h-LC_(50),采用吖啶橙染色(acridine orange fluorescent,AO-F)和原位末端标记法(TUNEL)2种方法,检测其对斑马鱼96 hpf(hour post-fertilization,hpf)幼鱼的细胞凋亡情况。结果表明:呋虫胺对斑马鱼胚胎的96 h-LC_(50)为10.36 g·L~(-1)(95%置信区间为7.76~12.93 g·L~(-1)),属于微毒;较高浓度的呋虫胺能使斑马鱼的摆尾数、内心率、孵化率降低,对生长发育有延迟的作用,可导致部分斑马鱼色素褪去,出现心包囊肿、卵黄囊肿和尾部畸形的现象。且随着浓度的升高,在斑马鱼头部、腹部、尾部均有明显的细胞凋亡情况加重,其中以心脏和内耳尤为明显,呈规律的剂量-效应关系。     

Loss of pesticides from agricultural fields in SE Norway--runoff through surface and drainage water

Loss of two pesticides with different mobility characteristics, bentazone (Koc approximately 34) and propiconazole (Koc approximately 1800), were studied at three agricultural fields (Askim, Bj?rnebekk and Syverud) in SE Norway. A conservative tracer (Br) was used to follow the flow of water. The loss of pesticides varied among the fields, depending on hydrological characteristics and soil properties. The loss of pesticides was higher from two artificially levelled silty clay loam soils with poor aggregate stability (Askim and Bj?rnebekk) compared to a loam/silt loam soil with increased content of organic carbon and better aggregate stability (Syverud). The total accumulated loss was <0.5% from all fields. The highest pesticide concentrations were measured at the first runoff episode after application for both the mobile (bentazone) and less mobile pesticide (propiconazole) in the surface runoff. In the drainage water, the peak for the less mobile pesticide coincided with the Br tracer, while the peak for mobile pesticide appeared earlier than the Br tracer. Rapid movement of water, particles and pesticides through soils indicate flow through macropores. Larger proportions (in percent of total applied) of both the mobile and the strongly sorbed pesticides were lost through the drainage as compared to the loss through surface runoff at Askim. Here, it is suggested that macropore flow contribute to the increased loss of pesticides through the drainage. At Syverud, high infiltration capacity reduces the amount of water available for surface runoff, and somewhat higher loss of the mobile pesticide was registered in the drainage compared to the surface runoff. For the strongly sorbed pesticide, however, propiconazole was neither detected in surface nor in drainage water at Syverud. Generally, there was a higher percentage loss of the mobile compared to the strongly sorbed pesticide in both surface and drainage water, which is in agreement with the pesticides mobility characteristics in soil. An exception was, however, the erodible soil Bj?rnebekk, where a higher fraction of propiconazole was lost in the surface runoff compared to bentazone. Large amounts of sediment transport from the Bj?rnebekk field probably contributed to enhanced transport of the strongly sorbed pesticide.     

Über den einfluß des hydrostatischen druckes auf die ultrastrukturen von zellen und geweben. IV. Der effekt der temperatur auf die druckresistenz der membran-, filament- und mikrotubulisysteme verschiedener gewebe mariner muscheln und Branchiostoma lanceolatum

Temperature-pressure experiments have been carried out on gill epithelium of Modiolus modiolus and Mytilus edulis (Baltic and North Seas), as well as on the skin, pharynx, and trunk muscles of Branchiostoma lanceolatum (Pallas), employing the technique of pressure fixation. Temperatures of 0°, 5° and 15°C have been combined with pressures up to 800 atm. Low temperature (0°C) intensifies disintegration of ultrastructures by pressure in comparison to 5°C. The highest degree of structural disorganization can be observed at 600 atm and 0°C. Increased temperature (15°C) increases pressure resistance, but the structural difference is more quantitative than qualitative. In pressure experiments, temperature probably affects cell organelles at the molecular level.     

Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in Phaeozem of northeast China

Surface and profile Phaeozem soil samples from 31 locations affected by various anthropogenic activities such as mining, chemical manufacturing, traffic emission and pesticide application were collected in Heilongjiang Province and Jilin Province, northeast China. The range of total concentrations of four heavy metals Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in the soil was 0.011–3.137, 10.31–62.34, 9.74–51.21 and 39.54–247.59 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, determined using the acidic digestion procedure. Four methods including single contamination evaluation, background concentration comparison, surface/subsurface concentration comparison and exchangeable fraction evaluation were used to evaluate the extent of metal contamination in Phaeozem. The results indicated that different activities increased the concentrations of the heavy metals in surface soils, where high concentrations of cadmium and lead were found close to chemical plants and in the suburbs of the investigated cities. The four methods showed a general trend of increased soil contamination with heavy metals. Cadmium was of the most concern compared with the other contaminated elements in the study area, due to the long-term phosphatic fertilizer utilization and industrial activities. The proper evaluation method for cadmium contamination was the background concentration comparison, while for zinc and copper was the single contaminative index evaluation. Cadmium and lead could be the potential environmental risk in the Phaeozem area based on the different evaluations.