Biochemical interaction of six OP delayed neurotoxicants with several neurotargets

Five organophosphorous insecticides: Leptophos, EPN, Cyanofenphos, trichloronate and salithion proved to cause irreversible ataxia not only to chicken but also to mice and sheep. TOCP was included as a reference. Cyanofenphos blocked the catecholamine B-receptor binding activity with 3H-norepinephrine at a level similar to that of the specific inhibitor propranolol in the mouse heart preparation. In the lamb heart preparation, the B-receptor was more sensitive to Leptophos, salithion and TOCP than to propranolol. The six compounds and their oxons were screened for their in-vitro inhibition to monamine oxidase (MAO), acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and neurotoxic esterase (NTE) in the brain of either mouse, lamb or chicken. It is believed that their AChE inhibition stands for their acute toxicity, while NTE inhibition is responsible for their paralytic ataxia.     

Human pharmaceuticals, antioxidants, and plasticizers in wastewater treatment plant and water reclamation plant effluents.

The primary objective of this study was to determine the presence of unregulated organic chemicals in reclaimed water using complementary targeted and broad spectrum approaches. Eleven of 12 targeted human pharmaceuticals, antioxidants, and plasticizers, and 27 tentatively identified non-target organic chemicals, were present in secondary effluent entering tertiary treatment trains at a wastewater treatment plant and two water reclamation facilities. The removal of these compounds by three different tertiary treatment trains was investigated: coagulant-assisted granular media filtration (California Title-22 water, 22 CCR 60301-60357; Barclay [2006]), lime clarification/reverse osmosis (lime/ RO), and microfiltration-reverse osmosis (MF/RO). Carbamazepine, clofibric acid, gemfibrozil, ibuprofen, p-toluenesulfonamide, caffeine, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and N-butyl benzenesulfonamide (N-BBSA) were present at low to high nanogram-per-liter levels in Title 22 water. The lime/RO product waters contained lower concentrations of clofibric acid, ibuprofen, caffeine, BHA, and N-BBSA (<10 to 71 ng/L) than their Title 22 counterparts. The MF/RO treatment reduced concentrations to levels below their detection limits, although BHT was present in MF/RO product water from one facility. The presence of the target analytes in two surface waters used as raw drinking water sources and a recharged groundwater was also examined. Surface waters used as raw drinking water sources contained caffeine, BHA, BHT, and N-BBSA, while recharged groundwater contained BHT, BHA, and N-BBSA. Nontarget compounds in recharged groundwater appeared to be attenuated with increased residence time in the aquifer.     

Impact of repeated pesticide applications on the binding and release of methyl 14C-monocrotophos and U-ring labelled 14C-carbaryl to soil matrices under field conditions

The dissipation of (O-methyl-¹⁴C) monocrotophos and U-ring labelled ¹⁴C-carbaryl was monitored for over two years in absence and presence of other insecticides using in situ soil columns. The dissipation of ¹⁴C-monocrotophos from soil treated with methomyl and carbaryl showed a faster rate of downward movement than in a control column tagged with the labelled insecticide alone. The same trend was observed in experiments with ¹⁴C-carbaryl that dissipated more readily in soil treated with non-labelled monocrotophos and methomyl. In the presence of other insecticides the percentage of bound residues was generally lower than in control experiments. The bound residues at the top of the column are released at a low rate under conditions prevailing in the field. The overall time required for dissipation of 50% of monocrotophos and carbaryl (t₅₀) as estimated from control experiment was approximately 20 and 24 weeks, respectively. The data indicate that repeated applications of pesticides might enhance the release of ¹⁴C-bound residues.     

Delayed neurotoxicity of cyanofenphos in chickens

Abstract

Delayed neurotoxic ataxia, similar to that caused by neurotoxic organophosphorous compounds, has been shown to occur in hens after oral administration of Cyanofenphos (O‐ethyl‐O‐Cyanophenyl phenyl phosphonothionate) following either single or repeated oral doses. Axonal and myelin degeneration affecting the long tracts in spinal cord, peripheral nerves and medulla was demonstrated. The distal fibers with large diameters were particularly affected. This finding is a new contribution which has not been previously recorded. It implies that a thorough study of the structure‐activity relationships of phosphonothionates regarding their delayed neurotoxic effect is warranted.     

Metals in a northern Nile Delta lake: water,suspended particulates,sediments, and biota

Lake Edku is one of the important fishing areas in the Nile Delta. It is exposed to different quantities of serious pollutants in particular metals. To overall appraise the risk and status of metals in the lake, a comprehensive study of total concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) in sediments and spatial-temporal variations of these metals in the dissolved and suspended particulates, and some tissues of Tilapias niloticus, was conducted from ten sampling sites during 2016. Results showed that none of the investigated metals exceeded the limits considered as hazardous for aquatic life in water. The highest concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn were observed in suspended particulate matter, which may precipitate on the surface of the sediments. Potential ecological risk analysis of the majority of the investigated metals in the sediment indicated that Lake Edku posed a low ecological risk. The estimated values of all metals in tissues of Tilapia niloticus were below the international permissible limits. Moreover, the potential risk of metals to human via the consumption of Tilapia niloticus was estimated using the weekly intake levels, which was lower than the WHO’s safe provisional tolerant weekly intake levels. These results prove the importance of performing measurements of contaminants in various compartments of Lake Ecosystem including sediment, biota, and suspended particulate matter for proper management.     

Biochemical and histopathological changes of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails exposed to bisphenol A

The effects of sub-lethal concentrations of bisphenol A on some biochemical parameters in Biomphalaria alexandrina snail's hemolymph and tissues as well as on histological changes of the hermaphrodite gland were evaluated. Adult snails were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations for four weeks and samples of snails were investigated after two and four weeks. Total protein and albumin levels in hemolymph, as well as lipid peroxidation and glutathione contents of snails’ tissues, were measured. After two weeks of exposure, total protein content and albumin levels decreased in all groups. Elevation of lipid peroxidation levels was correlated with decreasing glutathione content in the treated snails. Histological examination of the hermaphrodite gland revealed deformations in eggs and affected sperm production.     

Zinc oxide nanoparticles induce dose-dependent toxicosis in broiler chickens reared in summer season

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This research evaluates the effect of dietary zinc oxide nanoparticles’ (ZnO NPs) supplementation on growth performance, immunity, oxidative...     

Impaired behavior and changes in some biochemical markers of bivalve (Ruditapes decussatus) due to zinc toxicity

Susceptibility and response of bivalves, the clam Ruditapes decussatus, to zinc (Zn) were studied by monitoring behavior using valve movement and some biochemical parameters. The LC₅₀ was 4.1 mg L^?1 at 7 days. Depuration of Zn from their tissues was also followed. Accumulation of Zn increased with concentration and duration of exposure. After 20 days, Zn caused impairment of valve movement as well as the antioxidant system, decreasing glutathione and protein levels and increasing the lipid peroxidation which is indicative of oxidative damage. Results suggested that behavior and biochemical parameters of clam R. decussatus were sensitive and suitable responses for assessing the effects of Zn on the aquatic ecosystems. It could be concluded that there is a time–dose–response relationship of Zn with behavior and oxidative stress of R. decussatus.     

Slowly seeing the light: an integrative review on ecological light pollution as a potential threat for mollusks

Seasonal changes in the natural light condition play a pivotal role in the regulation of many biological processes in organisms. Disruption of this natural condition via the growing loss of darkness as a result of anthropogenic light pollution has been linked to species-wide shifts in behavioral and physiological traits. This review starts with a brief overview of the definition of light pollution and the most recent insights into the perception of light. We then go on to review the evidence for some adverse effects of ecological light pollution on different groups of animals and will focus on mollusks. Taken together, the available evidence suggests a critical role for light pollution as a recent, growing threat to the regulation of various biological processes in these animals, with the potential to disrupt ecosystem stability. The latter indicates that ecological light pollution is an environmental threat that needs to be taken seriously and requires further research attention.