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Cureus Feb 2024In India, organophosphorus (OP) chemicals known as anticholinesterases cause a considerable amount of disease and mortality. While precise figures are unavailable, data...
In India, organophosphorus (OP) chemicals known as anticholinesterases cause a considerable amount of disease and mortality. While precise figures are unavailable, data from hospitals indicates that about 50% of acute poisoning episodes are attributed to organophosphates. Anticholinesterases, when accidentally or suicidally exposed, cause three different neurological disorders. The first is an acute cholinergic crisis that can be fatal and necessitates administration in an intensive care unit; the second is an intermediate syndrome that frequently results in cranial nerve palsies, proximal and respiratory muscle weakness, and respiratory support for patients; and the third is a delayed organophosphate-induced polyneuropathy. Together, these neurobehavioral alterations have been identified and are referred to as "chronic organophosphate-induced neuropsychiatric disorders" (COPIND). A 40-year-old male patient tried suicide by swallowing a significant dose of OP pesticide. He was breathing heavily, gasping for air, foaming at the lips, and smelled intensely of pesticide when he was brought to a private hospital. Investigations like nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were done, which revealed motor axonal polyneuropathy.
PubMed: 38496207
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54145 -
Nature Microbiology Apr 2024In Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Rv3806c is a membrane-bound phosphoribosyltransferase (PRTase) involved in cell wall precursor production. It catalyses pentosyl phosphate...
In Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Rv3806c is a membrane-bound phosphoribosyltransferase (PRTase) involved in cell wall precursor production. It catalyses pentosyl phosphate transfer from phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate to decaprenyl phosphate, to generate 5-phospho-β-ribosyl-1-phosphoryldecaprenol. Despite Rv3806c being an attractive drug target, structural and molecular mechanistic insight into this PRTase is lacking. Here we report cryogenic electron microscopy structures for Rv3806c in the donor- and acceptor-bound states. In a lipidic environment, Rv3806c is trimeric, creating a UbiA-like fold. Each protomer forms two helical bundles, which, alongside the bound lipids, are required for PRTase activity in vitro. Mutational and functional analyses reveal that decaprenyl phosphate and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate bind the intramembrane and extramembrane cavities of Rv3806c, respectively, in a distinct manner to that of UbiA superfamily enzymes. Our data suggest a model for Rv3806c-catalysed phosphoribose transfer through an inverting mechanism. These findings provide a structural basis for cell wall precursor biosynthesis that could have potential for anti-tuberculosis drug development.
Topics: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Phosphoribosyl Pyrophosphate; Antitubercular Agents; Cell Wall; Polyisoprenyl Phosphates
PubMed: 38491273
DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01643-8 -
Environmental Health : a Global Access... Mar 2024A growing body of literature investigated childhood exposure to environmental chemicals in association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, but...
Early childhood exposure to environmental phenols and parabens, phthalates, organophosphate pesticides, and trace elements in association with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in the CHARGE study.
BACKGROUND
A growing body of literature investigated childhood exposure to environmental chemicals in association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, but limited studies considered urinary mixtures of multiple chemical classes. This study examined associations of concurrent exposure to non-persistent chemicals with ADHD symptoms in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay (DD), and typical development (TD).
METHODS
A total of 549 children aged 2-5 years from the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) case-control study were administered the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). This study focused on the ADHD/noncompliance subscale and its two subdomains (hyperactivity/impulsivity, inattention). Sixty-two chemicals from four classes (phenols/parabens, phthalates, organophosphate pesticides, trace elements) were quantified in child urine samples, and 43 chemicals detected in > 70% samples were used to investigate their associations with ADHD symptoms. Negative binomial regression was used for single-chemical analysis, and weighted quantile sum regression with repeated holdout validation was applied for mixture analysis for each chemical class and all chemicals. The mixture analyses were further stratified by diagnostic group.
RESULTS
A phthalate metabolite mixture was associated with higher ADHD/noncompliance scores (median count ratio [CR] = 1.10; 2.5th, 97.5th percentile: 1.00, 1.21), especially hyperactivity/impulsivity (median CR = 1.09; 2.5th, 97.5th percentile: 1.00, 1.25). The possible contributors to these mixture effects were di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolites and mono-2-heptyl phthalate (MHPP). These associations were likely driven by children with ASD as these were observed among children with ASD, but not among TD or those with DD. Additionally, among children with ASD, a mixture of all chemicals was associated with ADHD/noncompliance and hyperactivity/impulsivity, and possible contributors were 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid, DEHP metabolites, MHPP, mono-n-butyl phthalate, and cadmium.
CONCLUSIONS
Early childhood exposure to a phthalate mixture was associated with ADHD symptoms, particularly among children with ASD. While the diverse diagnostic profiles limited generalizability, our findings suggest a potential link between phthalate exposure and the comorbidity of ASD and ADHD.
Topics: Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Parabens; Trace Elements; Phenols; Case-Control Studies; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Phthalic Acids; Organophosphates; Pesticides; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants
PubMed: 38486233
DOI: 10.1186/s12940-024-01065-3 -
BMC Public Health Mar 2024The objective of this study was to detect the urinary levels of chlorpyrifos, paraquat, and cyproconazole in residents living in Fuyang City and to analyze the...
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to detect the urinary levels of chlorpyrifos, paraquat, and cyproconazole in residents living in Fuyang City and to analyze the correlation between these urinary pesticides levels and the severity of fatty liver disease (FLD).
METHODS
All participants' fat fraction (FF) values were recorded by MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging). First-morning urine samples were collected from 53 participants from Fuyang Peoples'Hospital. The levels of three urinary pesticides were measured using β-glucuronidase hydrolysis followed by a. The results were analyzed by using Pearson correlation analysis and binary logistic regression analysis to reveal the correlation between three urinary pesticides and the severity of fatty liver.
RESULTS
53 individuals were divided into 3 groups based on the results from MRI, with 20 cases in the normal control group, 16 cases in the mild fatty liver group, and 17 cases in the moderate and severe fatty liver group. Urinary chlorpyrifos level was increased along with the increase of the severity of fatty liver. Urinary paraquat level was significantly higher both in the low-grade fatty liver group and moderate & serve grade fatty liver group compared with the control group. No significant differences in urinary cyproconazole levels were observed among the three groups. Furthermore, urinary chlorpyrifos and paraquat levels were positively correlated with FF value. And chlorpyrifos was the risk factor that may be involved in the development of FLD and Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC curve) analysis showed that chlorpyrifos and paraquat may serve as potential predictors of FLD.
CONCLUSION
The present findings indicate urinary chlorpyrifos and paraquat were positively correlated with the severity of fatty liver. Moreover, urinary chlorpyrifos and paraquat have the potential to be considered as the predictors for development of FLD. Thus, this study may provide a new perspective from the environmental factors for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of FLD.
Topics: Humans; Chlorpyrifos; Paraquat; Pesticides; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Triazoles
PubMed: 38486191
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18129-1 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024Globally, pesticides improve crop yields but at great environmental cost, and their overuse has caused resistance. This incurs large financial and production losses but,...
Globally, pesticides improve crop yields but at great environmental cost, and their overuse has caused resistance. This incurs large financial and production losses but, despite this, very diversified farm management that might delay or prevent resistance is uncommon in intensive farming. We asked farmers to design more diversified cropping strategies aimed at controlling herbicide resistance, and estimated resulting weed densities, profits, and yields compared to prevailing practice. Where resistance is low, it is financially viable to diversify pre-emptively; however, once resistance is high, there are financial and production disincentives to adopting diverse rotations. It is therefore as important to manage resistance before it becomes widespread as it is to control it once present. The diverse rotations targeting high resistance used increased herbicide application frequency and volume, contributing to these rotations' lack of financial viability, and raising concerns about glyphosate resistance. Governments should encourage adoption of diverse rotations in areas without resistance. Where resistance is present, governments may wish to incentivise crop diversification despite the drop in wheat production as it is likely to bring environmental co-benefits. Our research suggests we need long-term, proactive, food security planning and more integrated policy-making across farming, environment, and health arenas.
Topics: Weed Control; Herbicide Resistance; Crops, Agricultural; Herbicides; Glyphosate; Agriculture; Plant Weeds
PubMed: 38485959
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56525-0 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Mar 2024Improper pesticide handling is the main cause of contamination of the environment in agricultural systems. This could be caused by leakage of spraying liquid, leftovers,...
Improper pesticide handling is the main cause of contamination of the environment in agricultural systems. This could be caused by leakage of spraying liquid, leftovers, and inappropriate washing of spraying equipment. This study assessed the ability of suggested biomixture modules for remediate repetitive cycles of high chlorpyrifos doses. In three consecutive treatments, four tested modules were contaminated with 160 µg g chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos residues, dehydrogenase activity, and microbial respiration were continuously monitored for 22 weeks. Six bacterial consortia were isolated at the end of the experiment from four treated modules (B, BF, S, and SF) and two from untreated modules (B and S). The isolated consortium efficiency in degrading chlorpyrifos was studied. The results revealed that the best chlorpyrifos removal efficiency was achieved when using the stimulated biomixture module (BF) recorded 98%, 100%, and 89%, at the end of three chlorpyrifos treatments, respectively. Such removal efficiency was compatible with the biological activity results of the tested modules: dehydrogenase activity and microbial respiration. There was no difference in the efficiency among the S, B, and BF consortia. The results presented here demonstrate that the combination of vermicompost, wheat straw, soil, and NPK (stimulated biomixture module) can successfully reduce the risk of a point source of pesticide pollution.
Topics: Chlorpyrifos; Biodegradation, Environmental; Environmental Monitoring; Pesticides; Soil; Oxidoreductases; Soil Microbiology; Soil Pollutants
PubMed: 38478213
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12494-5 -
Journal of Neurosciences in Rural... 2024The extensive use of pesticides may cause acute and chronic intoxication. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the associations between pesticide exposure and serum...
The extensive use of pesticides may cause acute and chronic intoxication. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the associations between pesticide exposure and serum markers for stroke risk factors in farmers. A cross-sectional study was conducted with farmers, who used chemical pesticides in Seloprojo Village, Ngablak District, Magelang Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. A questionnaire containing demographics, pesticide use, and aspects related to work was employed. Measurements of serum cholesterol, uric acid, glucose, cholinesterase, and fibrinogen levels were also conducted. Of the 106 subjects, 31 (29.2%) used organophosphates as chemical pesticides. There was a significant difference between organophosphate and nonorganophosphate groups in plasma fibrinogen levels. The organophosphate group had higher levels of fibrinogen (292.29 ± 67.56 mg/dL) than the non-organophosphate group (255.24 ± 38.90 mg/dL). Of the studied risk factors for stroke, there is a significant association between organophosphate exposure and increased plasma fibrinogen levels.
PubMed: 38476414
DOI: 10.25259/JNRP_157_2023 -
Human & Experimental Toxicology 2024Organophosphate pesticides (Ops) like diazinon (DZN) have well-known neurotoxic effects and low-level chronic exposure has been linked to detrimental neurobehavioral...
Persistent diazinon induced neurotoxicity: The effect on inhibitory avoidance memory performance, amyloid precursor proteins, and TNF-α levels in the prefrontal cortex of rats.
INTRODUCTION
Organophosphate pesticides (Ops) like diazinon (DZN) have well-known neurotoxic effects and low-level chronic exposure has been linked to detrimental neurobehavioral impairments and memory deficits. However, it's not entirely clear how DZN-induced biological changes, particularly in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) contribute to these effects. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of DZN exposure on inhibitory avoidance (IA) memory function, amyloid precursor expression (APP), and proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in the rat cortex.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Rats were divided into 4 groups and recived 2 mg/kg DZN for 5-days or 12-weeks and two control groups recived the same volume of vehicle. IA memory was assesed using the shuttle box apparatus. Rats were sacrificed and the prefrontal cortex PFC were removed. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to messure TNF-α, and amyloid protein precursors gene expression and protein levels.
RESULTS
Our findings indicated that DZN caused body weight loss and a notable decline in performance on the IA memory. Additionally, 5-days exposure increased APP and APLP2 protein levels in the PFC, while 12-weeks exposure decreased these levels. Furthermore, expression of APP and APLP2 gens were decreased in PFC. TNF-α levels increased as a result of 5-days exposure to DZN, but these levels dropped to normal after 12-weeks administration, and this observation was significant.
CONCLUSION
Taken together, exposure to low doses of DZN leads to disturbances in IA memory performance and also alternations in amyloid beta precursors that can be related to increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Diazinon; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Oxidative Stress; Insecticides; Prefrontal Cortex
PubMed: 38472141
DOI: 10.1177/09603271241235408 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... May 2024Although global plastic distribution is at the heart of 21st century environmental concerns, little information is available concerning how organic plastic additives...
Although global plastic distribution is at the heart of 21st century environmental concerns, little information is available concerning how organic plastic additives contaminate freshwater sediments, which are often subject to strong anthropogenic pressure. Here, sediment core samples were collected in the Rhone and the Rhine watersheds (France), dated using Cs and Pb methods and analysed for nine phthalates (PAEs) and seven organophosphate esters (OPEs). The distribution of these organic contaminants was used to establish a chronological archive of plastic additive pollution from 1860 (Rhine) and 1930 (Rhone) until today. Sediment grain size and parameters related to organic matter (OM) were also measured as potential factors that may affect the temporal distribution of OPEs and PAEs in sediments. Our results show that OPE and PAE levels increased continuously in Rhone and Rhine sediments since the first records. In both rivers, ∑PAEs levels (from 9.1 ± 1.7 to 487.3 ± 27.0 ng g dry weight (dw) ± standard deviation and from 4.6 ± 1.3 to 65.2 ± 11.2 ng g dw, for the Rhine and the Rhone rivers, respectively) were higher than ∑OPEs levels (from 0.1 ± 0.1 to 79.1 ± 13.7 ng g dw and from 0.6 ± 0.1 to 17.8 ± 2.3 ng g dw, for Rhine and Rhone rivers, respectively). In both rivers, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the most abundant PAE, followed by diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), while tris (2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP) was the most abundant OPE. No relationship was found between granulometry and additives concentrations, while organic matter helps explain the vertical distribution of PAEs and OPEs in the sediment cores. This study thus establishes a temporal trajectory of PAEs and OPEs contents over the last decades, leading to a better understanding of historical pollution in these two Western European rivers.
Topics: Phthalic Acids; Esters; Dibutyl Phthalate; Environmental Pollution; Rivers; Organophosphates; China
PubMed: 38467366
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123655 -
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry : PPB Mar 2024Acetolactate synthase inhibitors (ALS inhibitors) and glyphosate are two classes of herbicides that act by inhibiting an enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of...
Acetolactate synthase inhibitors (ALS inhibitors) and glyphosate are two classes of herbicides that act by inhibiting an enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of branched-chain or aromatic amino acids, respectively. Besides amino acid synthesis inhibition, both herbicides trigger similar physiological effects in plants. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the role of glutathione metabolism, with special emphasis on glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), in the mode of action of glyphosate and ALS inhibitors in Amaranthus palmeri. For that purpose, plants belonging to a glyphosate-sensitive (GLS) and a glyphosate-resistant (GLR) population were treated with different doses of glyphosate, and plants belonging to an ALS-inhibitor sensitive (AIS) and an ALS-inhibitor resistant (AIR) population were treated with different doses of the ALS inhibitor nicosulfuron. Glutathione-related contents, GST activity, and related gene expressions (glutamate-cysteine ligase, glutathione reductase, Phi GST and Tau GST) were analysed in leaves. According to the results of the analytical determinations, there were virtually no basal differences between GLS and GLR plants or between AIS and AIR plants. Glutathione synthesis and turnover did not follow a clear pattern in response to herbicides, but GST activity and gene expression (especially Phi GSTs) increased with both herbicides in treated sensitive plants, possibly related to the rocketing HO accumulation. As GSTs offered the clearest results, these were further investigated with a multiple resistant (MR) population, compressing target-site resistance to both glyphosate and the ALS inhibitor pyrithiobac. As in single-resistant plants, measured parameters in the MR population were unaffected by herbicides, meaning that the increase in GST activity and expression occurs due to herbicide interactions with the target enzymes.
Topics: Herbicides; Amaranthus; Hydrogen Peroxide; Herbicide Resistance; Glyphosate; Glutathione; Transferases
PubMed: 38461753
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108506