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European Review For Medical and... 2015In our study, we aimed to investigate histopathological effects of chronic methyl parathion exposure on ovaries at electron microscopic level.
OBJECTIVE
In our study, we aimed to investigate histopathological effects of chronic methyl parathion exposure on ovaries at electron microscopic level.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this study, Wistar albino type, adult, female rats with an average weight of 190-250 g were used. 30 female rats, included in this study, were divided into 3 groups. Group I received only saline and was evaluated as the control group, whereas Group II received 1/50 percent of LD50 dose of methyl parathion and Group III received 1/20 percent of LD50 dose of methyl parathion every day at 130 pm orally by gavages during two estrus cycles (8 days). The rats at proestrus stage on the morning of 9th day of the study underwent bilateral ovariectomy. Ovarian tissues of the control and drug groups were examined under the electron microscope; primordial and growing follicles were included in the evaluation, however, corpora lutea were excluded taking into account the presence of remaining regressive corpora lutea from the previous cycles.
RESULTS
Following examination of ovarian tissues of rats exposed to 1/50 and 1/20 percent of LD50 dose of Methyl parathion at electron microscopic level, it was detected that significant structural changes had occurred in developing follicles and ovarian stroma in both drug groups, and that primordial follicles had not been affected significantly from methyl parathion but necrosis had been developed in oocyte and granulosa cells of developing follicles, and that in 1/20 group in addition to these changes, apoptotic changes had been found in granulosa cells of developing follicles.
CONCLUSIONS
As a result of chronic exposure to methyl parathion, rat ovaries are significantly affected and follicular development is impaired. This state may explain the cause of infertility due to chronic pesticide exposure.
Topics: Animals; Female; Humans; Methyl Parathion; Microscopy, Electron; Oocytes; Ovariectomy; Ovary; Rats; Rats, Wistar
PubMed: 26221906
DOI: No ID Found -
BMC Public Health Jun 2021Nepal recorded 5754 suicides in 2018-19 - a high number for a relatively small country. Over 24% of these suicides were by poisoning, most by ingestion of highly...
BACKGROUND
Nepal recorded 5754 suicides in 2018-19 - a high number for a relatively small country. Over 24% of these suicides were by poisoning, most by ingestion of highly concentrated agricultural pesticides. Nepal has actively regulated pesticides to reduce their health impacts since 2001. We aimed to analyse Nepal's history of pesticide regulation, pesticides responsible for poisonings, and relate them to national suicide rates.
METHODS
Information on pesticide regulation was collected from the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. National data on suicides from 1980 to 2019 were obtained from the National Statistical Bureau and Nepal Police. Data on the pesticides responsible for self-poisoning and pesticide suicides over time were obtained from a systematic literature review.
RESULTS
As of June 2020, 171 pesticides were registered for use in Nepal, of which one was extremely hazardous (WHO Class Ia), one other highly hazardous (WHO Class Ib), and 71 moderately hazardous (WHO Class II). Twenty-four pesticides have been banned since 2001, with eight (including five WHO Class I compounds) banned in 2019. Although the suicide rate has increased more than twelve-fold since 1980, particularly for hanging (15-fold increase from 1980 to 2018), fatal pesticide self-poisoning has increased by 13-fold. Methyl-parathion is reported to be the key pesticide responsible for pesticide self-poisoning in Nepal, despite being banned in 2006.
CONCLUSION
The full effect of the recent pesticide policy reform in Nepal remains to be seen. Our analysis shows a continuing increase in suicide numbers, despite bans of the most important pesticide in 2006. This may indicate smuggling across the border and the use of the brand name (Metacid) for pesticides in general making it difficult to identify the responsible pesticide. More information is required from forensic toxicology labs that identify the individual compounds found. The effect of recent bans of common suicide pesticides needs to be monitored over the coming years. Evidence from other Asian countries suggests that HHPs bans will lead to a marked reduction in suicides, as well as fewer cases of occupational poisoning.
Topics: Asia; Eating; Humans; Nepal; Pesticides; Poisoning; Suicide
PubMed: 34120596
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11155-3 -
Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular... Jun 2023Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology has been revived and developed with the introduction of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), while more valuable...
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology has been revived and developed with the introduction of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), while more valuable properties of MOFs for SERS substrates remain largely unexplored. This work constructed a new SERS substrate FeO@UiO-66(Zr)@Ag nanoparticles (FUAs) with excellent SERS detection sensitivity, uniformity, reproducibility and stability, exhibiting a high Raman enhancement factor (5.62 × 10), low limit of detection (LOD, 2.11 × 10 M) and RSD (12.41 %) for 4-NBT, and maintaining 81 % SERS activity within 60 days. The FUAs took full advantage of the strong affinity of UiO-66(Zr) for organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) to realize trace OPs detection. The LODs of phoxim, triazophos and methyl parathion in apple juice were 0.041, 0.021 and 0.0031 mg/L, respectively, with good linearities ranging from 0.02 or 0.1-50 mg/L, meeting the requirements of the food control standards, indicating that the potentials and prospects of the FUAs SERS substrate for trace detecting OPs in foods.
PubMed: 36947914
DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.122548 -
Journal of Applied Microbiology Nov 2014Isolation and identification of bacteria capable of degrading organophosphate pesticide quinalphos and elucidation of its biodegradative pathway.
AIMS
Isolation and identification of bacteria capable of degrading organophosphate pesticide quinalphos and elucidation of its biodegradative pathway.
METHODS AND RESULTS
A bacterium capable of degrading organophosphate pesticides was isolated from the pesticide-contaminated soil samples by selective enrichment on quinalphos (QP) as a sole source of carbon and energy. The bacterial strain was identified as Ochrobactrum sp. strain HZM on the basis of its morphological and biochemical characteristics and by phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. The organism utilized various organophosphate pesticides such as quinalphos, profenofos, parathion-methyl and chlorpyrifos as growth substrates. Response surface methodology (RSM) showed optimum conditions for quinalphos degradation at pH 7 and 27°C. 2-Hydroxyquinoxaline and diethyl phosphate were identified as metabolites of quinalphos degradation by HPLC and GC-MS analysis. Cell-free extract of Ochrobactrum sp. strain HZM grown on quinalphos contained the quinalphos hydrolase activity.
CONCLUSIONS
A bacterial strain capable of degrading quinalphos was isolated and identified as Ochrobactrum sp. strain HZM. The organism utilized organophosphate pesticides quinalphos, profenofos, parathion-methyl and chlorpyrifos as carbon sources. The organism degraded quinalphos by hydrolysis to yield 2-hydroxyquinoxaline and diethyl phosphate which were further utilized as carbon sources.
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY
The isolated bacterium Ochrobactrum sp. strain HZM was versatile in degrading various organophosphate pesticides. There was complete mineralization of quinalphos by Ochrobactrum sp. This strain could potentially be useful in the bioremediation of soil and water contaminated with toxic organophosphate pesticides.
Topics: Biodegradation, Environmental; Insecticides; Ochrobactrum; Organophosphates; Organothiophosphorus Compounds
PubMed: 25155583
DOI: 10.1111/jam.12627 -
Royal Society Open Science Mar 2020Superhydrophilic graphene oxide/electrospun cellulose nanofibre (GO/CNF) was synthesized, characterized and successfully used in a solid-phase membrane tip adsorption...
Superhydrophilic graphene oxide/electrospun cellulose nanofibre (GO/CNF) was synthesized, characterized and successfully used in a solid-phase membrane tip adsorption (SPMTA) as an adsorbent towards a simultaneous analysis of polar organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in several food and water samples. Separation, determination and quantification were achieved prior to ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detector. The influence of several parameters such as sample pH, adsorption time, adsorbent dosage and initial concentration were investigated. SPMTA was linear in the range of 0.05 and 10 mg l under the optimum adsorption conditions (sample pH 12; 5 mg of adsorbent dosage; 15 min of adsorption time) for methyl parathion, ethoprophos, sulfotepp and chlorpyrifos with excellent correlation coefficients of 0.994-0.999. Acceptable precision (RSDs) as achieved for intraday (0.06-5.44%, = 3) and interday (0.17-7.76%, = 3) analyses. Low limits of detection (0.01-0.05 mg l) and satisfactory consistency in adsorption (71.14-99.95%) were obtained for the spiked OPPs from Sungai Pahang, Tasik Cheras, cabbages and rice samples. The adsorption data were well followed the second-order kinetic model and fits the Freundlich adsorption model. The newly synthesized GO/CNF showed a great adsorbent potential for OPPs analysis.
PubMed: 32269813
DOI: 10.1098/rsos.192050 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Apr 2017Occupational pesticide use is associated with lung cancer in some, but not all, epidemiologic studies. In the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), we previously reported...
BACKGROUND
Occupational pesticide use is associated with lung cancer in some, but not all, epidemiologic studies. In the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), we previously reported positive associations between several pesticides and lung cancer incidence.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated use of 43 pesticides and 654 lung cancer cases after 10 years of additional follow-up in the AHS, a prospective cohort study comprising 57,310 pesticide applicators from Iowa and North Carolina.
METHODS
Information about lifetime pesticide use and other factors was ascertained at enrollment (1993-1997) and updated with a follow-up questionnaire (1999-2005). Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for smoking (smoking status and pack-years), sex, and lifetime days of use of any pesticides.
RESULTS
Hazard ratios were elevated in the highest exposure category of lifetime days of use for pendimethalin (1.50; 95% CI: 0.98, 2.31), dieldrin (1.93; 95% CI: 0.70, 5.30), and chlorimuron ethyl (1.74; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.96), although monotonic exposure-response gradients were not evident. The HRs for intensity-weighted lifetime days of use of these pesticides were similar. For parathion, the trend was statistically significant for intensity-weighted lifetime days ( = 0.049) and borderline for lifetime days ( = 0.073). None of the remaining pesticides evaluated was associated with lung cancer incidence.
CONCLUSIONS
These analyses provide additional evidence for an association between pendimethalin, dieldrin, and parathion use and lung cancer risk. We found an association between chlorimuron ethyl, a herbicide introduced in 1986, and lung cancer that has not been previously reported. Continued follow-up is warranted.
Topics: Agricultural Workers' Diseases; Agriculture; Humans; Incidence; Iowa; Lung Neoplasms; North Carolina; Occupational Exposure; Pesticides; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 27384818
DOI: 10.1289/EHP456 -
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2022Flexible sensors are highly advantageous for integration in portable and wearable devices. In this work, we propose and validate a simple strategy to achieve whole...
Flexible sensors are highly advantageous for integration in portable and wearable devices. In this work, we propose and validate a simple strategy to achieve whole wafer-size flexible SERS substrate via a one-step metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE). A pre-patterning Si wafer allows for PSi structures to form in tens of microns areas, and thus enables easy detachment of PSi film pieces from bulk Si substrates. The morphology, porosity, and pore size of PS films can be precisely controlled by varying the etchant concentration, which shows obvious effects on film integrity and wettability. The cracks and self-peeling of Psi films can be achieved by the drying conditions after MACE, enabling transfer of Psi films from Si wafer to any substrates, while maintaining their original properties and vertical alignment. After coating with a thin layer of silver (Ag), the rigid and flexible PSi films before and after transfer both show obvious surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect. Moreover, flexible PSi films SERS substrates have been demonstrated with high sensitivity (down to 2.6 × 10 g/cm) for detection of methyl parathion (MPT) residues on a curved apple surface. Such a method provides us with quick and high throughput fabrication of nanostructured materials for sensing, catalysis, and electro-optical applications.
PubMed: 35407309
DOI: 10.3390/nano12071191 -
Heliyon Feb 2021This study assessed pesticide usage practices, knowledge and health effects of pesticides through occupational exposure in randomly selected horticultural farmers in...
This study assessed pesticide usage practices, knowledge and health effects of pesticides through occupational exposure in randomly selected horticultural farmers in Imenti North, Imenti South and Buuri Sub-counties in Meru, Kenya, where horticultural crops are grown intensively for export and local consumption. The study was done through use of questionnaire distributed to farmers' households, agricultural extension workers and health care workers. The survey established that various classes of pesticides were used in horticultural crop farming and animal production in all the three sub-counties, with the most frequently used (>60 respondents out of 173) being parathion, diazinon, dimethoate, permethrin, pirimiphos methyl, endrin, deltamethrin, dieldrin, propoxur and endosulfan. It was found that there is a gap between the existing government regulations on pesticide use and safe handling and the implementation of these regulations by dealers, farmers and farm workers in the three sub-counties as some of the pesticides that were being used such as parathion, endrin, dieldrin and carbofuran had been banned by the government. Although most farmers had general information on pesticide usage through various social groups and contact with agricultural extension workers, only 32-43 % of the farmers had received training on pesticide handling and use. Most farmers (65%) had knowledge of safe pesticide handling procedures including reading labels on packages and wearing protective clothing; but many farmers (44% in Buuri, 57% in Imenti South and 60% in Imenti North) did not wear the requisite protective clothing when applying pesticides. The agricultural extension workers (52%) and health care workers (59%) were trained in their work and had at least a certificate level qualification from a tertiary institution. Most agricultural extension workers (95%) and health care workers (71%) had experience of dealing with pesticides and knew how to administer 1 AID against pesticide poisoning, respectively. Farmers (26%) reported experiencing health effects after using pesticides, with most effects being felt after using dimethoate, malathion, carbofuran, carbaryl and heptachlor. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) association between various factors (availability of protective clothing, hiring of labourers, farm land size, expenditure on pesticides and expenditure on treatment, respectively) on intoxication from pesticide exposure.
PubMed: 33659728
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06118 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2023Agrichemicals such as organophosphorus pesticides' metabolites (OPPMs) are more hazardous and pervasive than their parent pesticides. Parental germline exposure to such...
Agrichemicals such as organophosphorus pesticides' metabolites (OPPMs) are more hazardous and pervasive than their parent pesticides. Parental germline exposure to such xenobiotics leads to an elevated susceptibility towards reproductive failures e.g. sub- or in-fertility. This study sought to examine the effects of low-dose, acute OPPM exposure on mammalian sperm function using buffalo as the model organism. The buffalo spermatozoa were briefly (2 h) exposed to metabolites of the three most prevalent organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) viz. Omethoate (from Dimethoate), paraoxon-methyl (from methyl/ethyl parathion) and 3, 5, 6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (from chlorpyrifos). Exposure to OPPMs resulted in compromised structural and functional integrity (dose-dependent) of the buffalo spermatozoa typified by elevated membrane damage, increased lipid peroxidation, precocious capacitation and tyrosine phosphorylation, perturbed mitochondrial activity and function and (P < 0.05). This led to a decline in the in vitro fertilizing ability (P < 0.01) of the exposed spermatozoa, as indicated by reduced cleavage and blastocyst formation rates. Preliminary data indicate that acute exposure to OPPMs, akin to their parent pesticides, induces biomolecular and physiological changes in spermatozoa that compromise their health and function ultimately affecting their fertility. This is the first study demonstrating the in vitro spermatotoxic effects of multiple OPPMs on male gamete functional integrity.
Topics: Animals; Male; Buffaloes; Fertility; Methyl Parathion; Organophosphorus Compounds; Pesticides; Semen; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 37277402
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35541-6 -
Environment International Dec 2019Pesticide exposure during pregnancy is thought to adversely affect fetal growth, which in turn may impact child growth, but results have been inconsistent across studies...
BACKGROUND
Pesticide exposure during pregnancy is thought to adversely affect fetal growth, which in turn may impact child growth, but results have been inconsistent across studies and few have explored these effects in developing countries.
OBJECTIVES
To quantify urinary concentrations of pesticide biomarkers in early pregnancy (<16 weeks' gestation), and to estimate the association of these concentrations with preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, and stunting at ~1 and 2 years of age.
METHODS
Eight pesticide biomarkers were quantified in urine collected from 289 pregnant women (aged 18-40 years) participating in a birth cohort study in Bangladesh. Anthropometry measurements were conducted on the index child at birth and approximately 1 and 2 years of age. A directed acyclic graph was used to identify minimal sufficient adjustment sets. Log-binomial regression was used to estimate the relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS
3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPY), a metabolite of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos methyl, and 4-nitrophenol, a metabolite of parathion and methyl parathion, were detected in nearly all women with geometric mean (95% CI) values of 3.17 (2.82-3.56) and 18.66 (17.03-20.46) µg/g creatinine, respectively. 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), a non-specific metabolite of several pyrethroids, and 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-hydroxypyrimidine (IMPY), a diazinon metabolite, were detected in 19.8% and 16.1% of women, respectively. The remaining four pesticide biomarkers were detected in <10% of women. Women in the highest quartile of 4-nitrophenol were more than 3 times more likely to deliver preterm than women in the lowest quartile: unadjusted RR (95% CI), 3.57 (1.65, 7.73). Women in the highest quartile of 4-nitrophenol were also at increased risk of having a child born small for gestational age: RR (95% CI) adjusted for household income, maternal education, and maternal total energy and meat intake, 3.81 (1.10, 13.21). Women with detectable concentrations of IMPY were at increased risk of having a child born with low birth weight compared to women with non-detectable concentrations: adjusted RR (95% CI), 2.13 (1.12, 4.08). We observed no association between any of the pesticide biomarkers and stunting at 1 or 2 years of age.
DISCUSSION
Exposure to the insecticides parathion and diazinon during early pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes.
Topics: Adult; Bangladesh; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Female; Growth Disorders; Humans; Infant; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Exposure; Pesticides; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth; Rural Population; Young Adult
PubMed: 31675560
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105243