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The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024The widespread use of pesticides that are inevitable to keep the production of food grains brings serious environmental pollution problems. Turning agricultural... (Review)
Review
Agricultural biomass/waste-based materials could be a potential adsorption-type remediation contributor to environmental pollution induced by pesticides-A critical review.
The widespread use of pesticides that are inevitable to keep the production of food grains brings serious environmental pollution problems. Turning agricultural biomass/wastes into materials addressing the issues of pesticide contaminants is a feasible strategy to realize the reuse of wastes. Several works summarized the current applications of agricultural biomass/waste materials in the remediation of environmental pollutants. However, few studies systematically take the pesticides as an unitary target pollutant. This critical review comprehensively described the remediation effects of crop-derived waste (cereal crops, cash crops) and animal-derived waste materials on pesticide pollution. Adsorption is considered a superior and highlighted effect between pesticides and materials. The review generalized the sources, preparation, characterization, condition optimization, removal efficiency and influencing factors analysis of agricultural biomass/waste materials. The review mainly emphasized the promising results in lab experiments, which helps to clarify the current application status of these materials in the field of pesticide remediation. In the meantime, rigorous pros and cons of the materials guide to understand the research trends more comprehensively. Overall, we hope to achieve a large-scale use of agricultural biomass/wastes.
PubMed: 38936738
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174180 -
Accelerated farmland bird population declines in European countries after their recent EU accession.The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Agricultural intensification is a major driver of global biodiversity loss. In Europe, intensification progressed over the 20th century and was accelerated by...
Agricultural intensification is a major driver of global biodiversity loss. In Europe, intensification progressed over the 20th century and was accelerated by instruments of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries standing outside the EU until the beginning of the 21st century employed less intensive farming and are considered one of the continent's farmland biodiversity strongholds. Their recent EU accession might be either viewed as a threat to farmland biodiversity due to the availability of funds to increase agricultural production or as an opportunity to implement conservation measures aimed to preserve biodiversity. Here we assessed these possibilities using long-term monitoring data on farmland bird populations in seven CEE countries. We tested whether mean relative abundance and population trends changed after countries' EU accession, and whether such changes also occurred in agricultural management and conservation measures. Both agricultural intensity and spending for agri-environmental and climatic schemes increased when the CEE countries joined the EU. At the same time, farmland bird populations started to decline and their relative abundance was lower after than before EU accession. In addition, increases in fertilizer application were negatively associated with annual changes in relative farmland bird population sizes, indicating a negative impact of intensive agriculture. Taken together, these results indicate that despite the great power of the EU's environmental legislation to improve the population status of species at risk, this does not apply to farmland birds. In their case, the adverse impacts of agricultural intensification most likely overrode the possible benefits of conservation measures. To secure this region as one of the continent's farmland biodiversity strongholds, policy and management actions are urgently needed.
PubMed: 38936735
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174281 -
Chemosphere Jun 2024Pesticides are significant environmental pollutants, and many of them possess mutagenic potential, which is closely linked to carcinogenesis. Here we tested the...
Pesticides are significant environmental pollutants, and many of them possess mutagenic potential, which is closely linked to carcinogenesis. Here we tested the mutagenicity of all six pesticides classified probably carcinogenic (Group 2A) by the International Agency of Research on Cancer: 4,4'-DDT, captafol, dieldrin, diazinon, glyphosate and malathion. Whole genome sequencing of TK6 human lymphoblastoid cell clones following 30-day exposure at subtoxic concentrations revealed a clear mutagenic effect of treatment with captafol or malathion when added at 200 nM or 100 μM initial concentrations, respectively. Each pesticide induced a specific base substitution mutational signature: captafol increased C to A mutations primarily, while malathion induced mostly C to T mutations. 4,4'-DDT, dieldrin, diazinon and glyphosate were not mutagenic. Whereas captafol induced chromosomal instability, H2A.X phosphorylation and cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase, all indicating DNA damage, malathion did not induce DNA damage markers or cell cycle alterations despite its mutagenic effect. Hypersensitivity of REV1 and XPA mutant DT40 chicken cell lines suggests that captafol induces DNA adducts that are bypassed by translesion DNA synthesis and are targets for nucleotide excision repair. The experimentally identified mutational signatures of captafol and malathion could shed light on the mechanism of action of these compounds. The signatures are potentially suitable for detecting past exposure in tumour samples, but the reanalysis of large cancer genome databases did not reveal any evidence of captafol or malathion exposure.
PubMed: 38936485
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142700 -
Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular... Jun 2024The thiophene- and pyrrole-fused heterocyclic compounds have garnered significant interest for their distinctive electron-rich characteristics and notable optoelectronic...
The thiophene- and pyrrole-fused heterocyclic compounds have garnered significant interest for their distinctive electron-rich characteristics and notable optoelectronic properties. However, the construction of high-performance systems within this class is of great challenge. Herein, we develop a series of novel dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d] pyrrole (DTP) and tetrathieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d] pyrrole (TTP) bridged arylamine compounds (DTP-C, DTP-C, DTP-C-Fc, TTP-C-OMe, TTP-C, and TTP-C) with varying carbon chain lengths. The pertinent experimental results reveal that this series of compounds undergo completely reversible multistep redox processes. Notably, TTP-bridged compounds TTP-C and TTP-C exhibit impressive multistep near-infrared (NIR) absorption alterations with notable color changes and electroluminescent behaviors, which are mainly attributed to the charge transfer transitions from terminal arylamine units to central bridges, as supported by theoretical calculations. Additionally, compound DTP-C demonstrates the ability to visually identify gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, this work suggests the promising electroresponsive nature of compounds TTP-C and TTP-C, positioning them as excellent materials for various applications. It also provides a facile approach to constructing high-performance multifunctional luminescent materials, particularly those with strong and long-wavelength NIR absorption capabilities.
PubMed: 38936208
DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.124704 -
Environment International Jun 2024Antibiotic resistance in soil introduced by organic fertilizer application pose a globally recognized threat to human health. Insect organic fertilizer may be a...
Antibiotic resistance in soil introduced by organic fertilizer application pose a globally recognized threat to human health. Insect organic fertilizer may be a promising alternative due to its low antibiotic resistance. However, it is not yet clear how to regulate soil microbes to reduce antibiotic resistance in organic fertilizer agricultural application. In this study, we investigated soil microbes and antibiotic resistome under black soldier fly organic fertilizer (BOF) application in pot and field systems. Our study shows that BOF could stimulate ARB (antibiotic resistant - bacteria) - suppressive Bacillaceae in the soil microbiome and reduce antibiotic resistome. The carbohydrate transport and metabolism pathway of soil Bacillaceae was strengthened, which accelerated the synthesis and transport of polysaccharides to form biofilm to antagonistic soil ARB, and thus reduced the antibiotic resistance. We further tested the ARB - suppressive Bacillus spp. in a microcosm assay, which resulted in a significant decrease in the presence of ARGs and ARB together with higher abundance in key biofilm formation gene (epsA). This knowledge might help to the development of more efficient bio-fertilizers aimed at mitigating soil antibiotic resistance and enhancing soil health, in particular, under the requirements of global "One Health".
PubMed: 38936065
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108831 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jun 2024An alarming increase in the use of pesticides and organoarsenic compounds and their toxic impacts on the environment have inspired us to develop a selective and highly...
Reusable MOF-Coated Chitosan@Paper Strip Composite for Real-Time Monitoring of Pesticide Pendimethalin and Organoarsenic Feed Additive Roxarsone Levels in Environmental Water, Food, and Vegetable Samples.
An alarming increase in the use of pesticides and organoarsenic compounds and their toxic impacts on the environment have inspired us to develop a selective and highly sensitive sensor for the detection of these pollutants. Herein, a bio-friendly, low-cost Al-based luminescent metal-organic framework ()-based fluorescent material is demonstrated that helps in sustaining water quality by rapid monitoring and quantification of a long-established pesticide (pendimethalin) and a widely employed organoarsenic feed additive (roxarsone). A pyridine-functionalized porous aluminum-based metal-organic framework (Al-MOF) was solvothermally synthesized. After activation, it was used for fast (<10 s) and selective turn-off detection of roxarsone and pendimethalin over other competitive analytes. This is the first MOF-based recyclable sensor for pendimethalin with a remarkably low limit of detection (LOD, 14.4 nM). Real-time effectiveness in detection of pendimethalin in various vegetable and food extracts was successfully verified. Moreover, the aqueous-phase recyclable detection of roxarsone with an ultralow detection limit (13.1 nM) makes it a potential candidate for real-time application. The detection limits for roxarsone and pendimethalin are lower than the existing luminescent material based sensors. Furthermore, the detection of roxarsone in different environmental water and a wide pH range with a good recovery percentage was demonstrated. In addition, a cheap and bio-friendly strip composite was prepared and successfully employed for the hands-on detection of pendimethalin and roxarsone. The turn-off behavior of in the presence of pendimethalin and roxarsone was examined systematically, and plausible mechanistic pathways were proposed with the help of multiple experimental evidences.
PubMed: 38935865
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c08083 -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Jun 2024Insecticides made of RNA could offer a safer and more targeted weapon against crop pests.
Insecticides made of RNA could offer a safer and more targeted weapon against crop pests.
Topics: Insecticides; Animals; Crops, Agricultural; RNA; Pesticides
PubMed: 38935704
DOI: 10.1126/science.adr2991 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jun 2024Lymphatic filariasis (LF) remains a significant global issue. To eliminate LF as a public health problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends multiple rounds...
BACKGROUND
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) remains a significant global issue. To eliminate LF as a public health problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends multiple rounds of mass drug administration (MDA). In certain scenarios, including when elimination targets have not been met with two-drug MDA, triple-drug MDA (using ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine and albendazole) is recommended. In this study, we report on antigen (Ag) and microfilaria (Mf) prevalence in eight primary sampling units (PSUs) in Samoa 4.5 years after one round of triple-drug MDA.
METHODOLOGY
In 2023, community surveys were conducted in eight PSUs that had been surveyed previously in 2018 (between 1.5 and 3.5 months post triple-drug MDA) and 2019 (six to eight-months post triple-drug MDA). Fifteen houses were randomly selected in each PSU with household members aged ≥ 5 years invited to participate. Blood samples were tested for Ag and Mf.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Ag-positive participants were observed in six of the eight PSUs, and Ag prevalence was significantly above the 1% threshold in four PSUs. The presence of Mf-positive participants in five PSUs confirms the presence of residual active infections.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
This study provides evidence of persistent LF transmission in Samoa 4.5 years after one round of triple-drug MDA, confirming that one round was insufficient for interruption of transmission in this setting. Our findings highlight the negative impact of delaying MDA rounds, for example, due to public health emergencies.
Topics: Elephantiasis, Filarial; Humans; Mass Drug Administration; Albendazole; Samoa; Diethylcarbamazine; Ivermectin; Male; Female; Adult; Filaricides; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Animals; Young Adult; Child; Prevalence; Antigens, Helminth; Drug Therapy, Combination; Child, Preschool; Wuchereria bancrofti; Aged
PubMed: 38935622
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012236 -
ACS Nano Jun 2024Nanoplastics (NPs), as emerging contaminants, have been shown to cause testicular disorders in mammals. However, whether paternal inheritance effects on offspring health...
Nanoplastics (NPs), as emerging contaminants, have been shown to cause testicular disorders in mammals. However, whether paternal inheritance effects on offspring health are involved in NP-induced reproductive toxicity remains unclear. In this study, we developed a mouse model where male mice were administered 200 nm polyethylene nanoparticles (PE-NPs) at a concentration of 2 mg/L through daily gavage for 35 days to evaluate the intergenerational effects of PE-NPs in an exclusive male-lineage transmission paradigm. We observed that paternal exposure to PE-NPs significantly affected growth phenotypes and sex hormone levels and induced histological damage in the testicular tissue of both F and F generations. In addition, consistent changes in sperm count, motility, abnormalities, and gene expression related to endoplasmic reticulum stress, sex hormone synthesis, and spermatogenesis were observed across paternal generations. The upregulation of microRNA (miR)-1983 and the downregulation of miR-122-5p, miR-5100, and miR-6240 were observed in both F and F mice, which may have been influenced by reproductive signaling pathways, as indicated by the RNA sequencing of testis tissues and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction findings. Furthermore, alterations in the gut microbiota and subsequent Spearman correlation analysis revealed that an increased abundance of and and a decreased abundance of were positively associated with spermatogenic dysfunction. These findings were validated in a fecal microbiota transplantation trial. Our results demonstrate that changes in miRNAs and the gut microbiota caused by paternal exposure to PE-NPs mediated intergenerational effects, providing deeper insights into mechanisms underlying the impact of paternal inheritance.
PubMed: 38935618
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c06298 -
Journal of Water and Health Jun 2024Despite the negative effects that the use of pesticides (such as herbicides and insecticides) have on human health and water resources, a significant portion of the...
Despite the negative effects that the use of pesticides (such as herbicides and insecticides) have on human health and water resources, a significant portion of the world's agricultural production depends on them. The purpose of this study was to determine selected residual concentrations of pesticides (diazinon, ethion, malathion, alachlor, methyl-parathion, trifluralin, atrazine, chlorpyrifos, and azinphos-methyl) in samples from Shiraz potable water sources. For this purpose, water treatment plant, groundwater wells, treated surface water, and a mixture of groundwater and treated surface water were taken. In addition, statistical and risk analyses (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) were used. According to the results, chlorpyrifos with 84.4% had the highest removal efficiency and methyl-parathion with 10% had the lowest removal rate in the Shiraz water treatment plant process. The highest mean concentration was related to azinphos-methyl (1.5 μg/L) and chlorpyrifos (0.59 μg/L) in the groundwater samples. All measured compounds in water source samples were below standard levels, except for chlorpyrifos and azinphos-methyl, which were reported in groundwater above the limit recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The results showed that while the selected pesticides measured had a low non-carcinogenic risk for both adults and children, malathion and trifluralin posed a high carcinogenic risk for adults.
Topics: Water Pollutants, Chemical; Herbicides; Risk Assessment; Insecticides; Groundwater; Water Wells; Environmental Monitoring; Water Purification; Drinking Water; Humans; Iran
PubMed: 38935459
DOI: 10.2166/wh.2024.076