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Interdisciplinary Toxicology Sep 2011Plasma and brain cholinesterase activities were determined in three wild bird species to assess their exposure to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides which are...
Plasma and brain cholinesterase activities were determined in three wild bird species to assess their exposure to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides which are used in agriculture and public health. In the present study, we used an electrometric method for measurement of cholinesterase activities in the plasma and whole brain of three indigenous wild birds commonly found in northern Iraq. The birds used were apparently healthy adults of both sexes (8 birds/species, comprising 3-5 from each sex) of quail (Coturnix coturnix), collard dove (Streptopelia decaocto) and rock dove (Columba livia gaddi), which were captured in Mosul, Iraq. The mean respective cholinesterase activities (Δ pH/30 minutes) in the plasma and whole brain of the birds were as follows: quail (0.96 and 0.29), collard dove (0.97and 0.82) and rock dove (1.44 and 1.42). We examined the potential susceptibility of the plasma or whole brain cholinesterases to inhibition by selected insecticides. The technique of in vitro cholinesterase inhibition for 10 minutes by the organophosphate insecticides dichlorvos, malathion and monocrotophos (0.5 and 1.0 µM) and the carbamate insecticide carbaryl (5 and10 µM) in the enzyme reaction mixtures showed significant inhibition of plasma and whole brain cholinesterase activities to various extents. The data further support and add to the reported cholinesterase activities determined electrometrically in wild birds in northern Iraq. The plasma and whole brain cholinesterases of the birds are highly susceptible to inhibition by organophosphate and carbamate insecticides as determined by the described electrometric method, and the results further suggest the usefulness of the method in biomonitoring wild bird cholinesterases.
PubMed: 22058655
DOI: 10.2478/v10102-011-0022-x -
Acta Crystallographica. Section E,... Feb 2011In the title compound, C(7)H(14)NO(5)P, the phosphate group displays rotational disorder of three O atoms with an occupancy ratio of 0.832 (6):0.167 (6). The...
In the title compound, C(7)H(14)NO(5)P, the phosphate group displays rotational disorder of three O atoms with an occupancy ratio of 0.832 (6):0.167 (6). The dihedral angle between the acryl-amide group and PO(2) plane of the phosphate group is 75.69 (7)°. In the crystal, inter-molecular N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the molecules.
PubMed: 21522345
DOI: 10.1107/S1600536811003898 -
Bulletin of the World Health... 2003To assess in a developing Asian country the impact of pesticide regulation on the number of deaths from poisoning. These regulations, which were implemented in Sri Lanka...
OBJECTIVES
To assess in a developing Asian country the impact of pesticide regulation on the number of deaths from poisoning. These regulations, which were implemented in Sri Lanka from the 1970s, aimed to reduce the number of deaths - the majority from self-poisoning - by limiting the availability and use of highly toxic pesticides.
METHODS
Information on legislative changes was obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture, national and district hospital admission data were obtained from the Sri Lanka Health Statistics Unit, and individual details of deaths by pesticide poisoning were obtained from a manual review of patients' notes and intensive care unit records in Anuradhapura.
FINDINGS
Between 1986 and 2000, the total national number of admissions due to poisoning doubled, and admissions due to pesticide poisoning increased by more than 50%. At the same time, the case fatality proportion (CFP) fell for total poisonings and for poisonings due to pesticides. In 1991_92, 72% of pesticide-induced deaths in Anuradhapura were caused by organophosphorus (OP) and carbamate pesticides - in particular, the WHO class I OPs monocrotophos and methamidophos. From 1991, the import of these pesticides was reduced gradually until they were banned for routine use in January 1995, with a corresponding fall in deaths. Unfortunately, their place in agricultural practice was taken by the WHO class II organochlorine endosulfan, which led to a rise in deaths from status epilepticus - from one in 1994 to 50 in 1998. Endosulfan was banned in 1998, and over the following three years the number of endosulfan deaths fell to three. However, at the end of the decade, the number of deaths from pesticides was at a similar level to that of 1991, with WHO class II OPs causing the most deaths. Although these drugs are less toxic than class I OPs, the management of class II OPs remains difficult because they are, nevertheless, still highly toxic, and their toxicity is exacerbated by the paucity of available facilities.
CONCLUSION
The fall in CFP amidst a rising incidence of self-poisoning suggests that Sri Lanka's programmes of pesticide regulation were beneficial. However, a closer inspection of pesticide-induced deaths in one hospital revealed switching to other highly toxic pesticides, as one was banned and replaced in agricultural practice by another. Future regulation must predict this switching and bear in mind the ease of treatment of replacement pesticides. Furthermore, such regulations must be implemented alongside other strategies, such as integrated pest management, to reduce the overall pesticide availability for self-harm.
Topics: Acute Disease; Carbamates; Commerce; Developing Countries; Government Regulation; Health Policy; Hospitals, General; Humans; Incidence; Insecticides; Organophosphorus Compounds; Poisoning; Sri Lanka
PubMed: 14758405
DOI: No ID Found -
Scientific Reports Sep 2015We demonstrate the role of molecular switching of TrkA/p75(NTR) signaling cascade in organophosphate pesticide-Monocrotophos (MCP) induced neurotoxicity in stem cell...
We demonstrate the role of molecular switching of TrkA/p75(NTR) signaling cascade in organophosphate pesticide-Monocrotophos (MCP) induced neurotoxicity in stem cell derived cholinergic neurons and in rat brain. Our in-silico studies reveal that MCP followed the similar pattern of binding as staurosporine and AG-879 (known inhibitors of TrkA) with TrkA protein (PDB ID: 4AOJ) at the ATP binding sites. This binding of MCP to TrkA led to the conformational change in this protein and triggers the cell death cascades. The in-silico findings are validated by observing the down regulated levels of phosphorylated TrkA and its downstream molecules viz., pERK1/2, pAkt and pCREB in MCP-exposed cells. We observe that these MCP induced alterations in pTrkA and downstream signaling molecules are found to be associated with apoptosis and injury to neurons. The down-regulation of TrkA could be linked to increased p75(NTR). The in-vitro studies could be correlated in the rat model. The switching of TrkA/p75(NTR) signaling plays a central role in MCP-induced neural injury in rBNSCs and behavioral changes in exposed rats. Our studies significantly advance the understanding of the switching of TrkA/p75(NTR) that may pave the way for the application of TrkA inducer/p75(NTR) inhibitor for potential therapeutic intervention in various neurodegenerative disorders.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Behavior, Animal; Brain; Cell Differentiation; Cells, Cultured; Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Insecticides; Models, Molecular; Molecular Conformation; Molecular Docking Simulation; Monocrotophos; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neural Stem Cells; Neurons; Rats; Receptor, trkA; Receptors, Growth Factor; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; Signal Transduction; Structure-Activity Relationship
PubMed: 26370177
DOI: 10.1038/srep14038 -
Toxicology International Jan 2014The present study was undertaken to evaluate the toxic effects of monocrotophos, a widely used organophosphorus pesticide, on Lamellidens marginalis with a wide battery...
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the toxic effects of monocrotophos, a widely used organophosphorus pesticide, on Lamellidens marginalis with a wide battery of biomarkers consisting of AchE inhibition, lipid peroxidation, the levels of antioxidant enzymes, and histopathological changes. Animals were exposed to monocrotophos (52.36 mg/l) for four days. Malondialdehyde (MDA) values were measured as index of oxidation while Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione s-Transferase (GST), and Glutathione-Reductase (GR) were measured as index of an antioxidant status. After exposure, a significant reduction of the capability to neutralize radicals was observed. Histopathological changes, such as fibrosis in gill filaments and hypertrophy in mucous cells of foot tissue, were observed after treatment. In a second series of experiment, exposed animals were thereafter transferred to clean water and kept in it up to 28 days to assess the recovery pattern. Significant recovery is observed in AchE and antioxidant enzymes. Oxidative damage observed after acute exposure indicate that mussels faced an oxidative challenge but were able to counteract, as values of anti-oxidants returned near to control values after 28 days. Altered activities in anti-oxidant enzymes due to stress recovered well after 28 days in gill and muscles as compared to foot and mantle. Overall results suggested that oxidative markers are highly sensitive and could be profitably applied to freshwater mussels for environmental quality assessment in freshwater.
PubMed: 24748735
DOI: 10.4103/0971-6580.128793 -
PloS One 2015Rapid resistance detection is necessary for the adaptive management of acaricide-resistant populations of Tetranychus urticae. Detection of phenotypic and genotypic...
Rapid resistance detection is necessary for the adaptive management of acaricide-resistant populations of Tetranychus urticae. Detection of phenotypic and genotypic resistance was conducted by employing residual contact vial bioassay (RCV) and quantitative sequencing (QS) methods, respectively. RCV was useful for detecting the acaricide resistance levels of T. urticae, particularly for on-site resistance detection; however, it was only applicable for rapid-acting acaricides (12 out of 19 tested acaricides). QS was effective for determining the frequencies of resistance alleles on a population basis, which corresponded to 12 nonsynonymous point mutations associated with target-site resistance to five types of acaricides [organophosphates (monocrotophos, pirimiphos-methyl, dimethoate and chlorpyrifos), pyrethroids (fenpropathrin and bifenthrin), abamectin, bifenazate and etoxazole]. Most field-collected mites exhibited high levels of multiple resistance, as determined by RCV and QS data, suggesting the seriousness of their current acaricide resistance status in rose cultivation areas in Korea. The correlation analyses revealed moderate to high levels of positive relationships between the resistance allele frequencies and the actual resistance levels in only five of the acaricides evaluated, which limits the general application of allele frequency as a direct indicator for estimating actual resistance levels. Nevertheless, the resistance allele frequency data alone allowed for the evaluation of the genetic resistance potential and background of test mite populations. The combined use of RCV and QS provides basic information on resistance levels, which is essential for choosing appropriate acaricides for the management of resistant T. urticae.
Topics: Acaricides; Animals; Drug Resistance; Genotype; Insecticides; Pest Control, Biological; Phenotype; Rosa; Tetranychidae
PubMed: 26545209
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139934 -
Journal of Applied Microbiology 2002To study biomineralization of Monocrotophos (MCP) and identify the metabolites formed during biodegradation.
AIMS
To study biomineralization of Monocrotophos (MCP) and identify the metabolites formed during biodegradation.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Two cultures, namely Arthrobacter atrocyaneus MCM B-425 and Bacillus megaterium MCM B-423, were isolated by enrichment and adaptation culture technique from soil exposed to MCP. The isolates were able to degrade MCP to the extent of 93% and 83%, respectively, from synthetic medium containing MCP at the concentration of 1000 mg x l(-1), within 8 d, under shake culture condition at 30 degrees C. The cultures degraded MCP to carbon dioxide, ammonia and phosphates through formation of one unknown compound--Metabolite I, valeric or acetic acid and methylamine, as intermediate metabolites. The enzymes phosphatase and esterase, reported to be involved in biodegradation of organophosphorus compounds, were detected in both the organisms.
CONCLUSIONS
Arthrobacter atrocyaneus MCM B-425 and B. megaterium MCM B-423 isolated from soil exposed to MCP were able to mineralize MCP to carbon dioxide, ammonia and phosphates.
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY
Pathway for biodegradation of MCP in plants and animals has been reported. A microbial metabolic pathway of degradation involving phosphatase and esterase enzymes has been proposed. The microbial cultures could be used for bioremediation of wastewater or soil contaminated with Monocrotophos.
Topics: Ammonia; Arthrobacter; Bacillus megaterium; Biodegradation, Environmental; Carbon Dioxide; Esterases; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Insecticides; Monocrotophos; Phosphates; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 12147070
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2002.01680.x -
American Journal of Public Health Jan 1979Following reports of ten cases of possible organophosphate pesticide poisoning in florists exposed to pesticide residues on cut flowers, we conducted a prospective...
Following reports of ten cases of possible organophosphate pesticide poisoning in florists exposed to pesticide residues on cut flowers, we conducted a prospective random-sample survey to determine residual pesticide levels on flowers imported into the United States via Miami, Florida. A sample of all flowers imported into Miami on three days in January 1977 showed that 18 (17.7 per cent) of 105 lots contained pesticide residue levels greater than 5 ppm, and that three lots had levels greater than 400 ppm. Azodrin (monocrotophos) was the most important contaminant with levels of 7.7--4,750 ppm detected in nine lots. We examined 20 quarantine workers in Miami and 12 commercial florists exposed to contaminated flowers. Occasional nonspecific symptoms compatible with possible organophosphate exposure were noted, but we found no abnormalities in plasma or red blood cell cholinesterase levels. This study documents a previously unrecognized potential source of occupational pesticide exposure and suggests that safety standards should be set for residue levels on cut flowers.
Topics: Adult; Cholinesterases; Commerce; Humans; Insecticides; Male; Monocrotophos; Occupational Diseases; Pesticide Residues; Pesticides; Plants; United States
PubMed: 420356
DOI: 10.2105/ajph.69.1.53 -
Confirmed organophosphorus and carbamate pesticide poisonings in South African wildlife (2009-2014).Journal of the South African Veterinary... Dec 2015During a six-year period (from January 2009 to December 2014), specimens collected from 344 cases of suspected organophosphorus and carbamate pesticide poisonings in...
During a six-year period (from January 2009 to December 2014), specimens collected from 344 cases of suspected organophosphorus and carbamate pesticide poisonings in wildlife, including birds, were submitted to the Toxicology Laboratory (ARC-OVI) for analysis. A positive diagnosis was made in 135 (39%) of these cases. The majority of cases were from birds, which included Cape vultures (Gyps coprotheres) and African white-backed vultures (Gyps africanus) and bateleur eagles (Terathopius ecaudatus). In one incident 49 vultures were killed when a farmer intentionally laced carcasses with carbofuran in an attempt to control jackal predation. There were 22 incidents of poisoning in helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris). On nine different occasions blue cranes (Anthropoides paradiseus) were poisoned, in one incident 14 birds were reported to have been killed. Over the period of investigation, there were 20 cases of poisoning involving mammalian species, the majority being vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus). The carbamate pesticides were responsible for 57 incidents of poisoning. Aldicarb, carbofuran and methomyl were detected in 26, 18 and 12 cases respectively. The majority of organophosphorus pesticide poisonings were caused by diazinon (n = 19), monocrotophos (n = 13) and methamidophos (n = 10).
Topics: Aldicarb; Animals; Animals, Wild; Carbofuran; Chromatography, Gas; Environmental Pollutants; Mass Spectrometry; Methomyl; Pesticides; Poisoning; South Africa
PubMed: 26824339
DOI: 10.4102/jsava.v86i1.1329 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Apr 2008The pesticides monocrotophos, methamidophos, and endosulfan were a very common cause of severe poisoning in Sri Lanka during the 1980s and early 1990s, before they were...
BACKGROUND
The pesticides monocrotophos, methamidophos, and endosulfan were a very common cause of severe poisoning in Sri Lanka during the 1980s and early 1990s, before they were banned in 1995 and 1998. Now, the most commonly used insecticides are the less toxic World Health Organization Class II organophosphorus pesticides and carbamates. These bans were followed by a large reduction in both fatal poisonings and suicide in Sri Lanka.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to see if these bans adversely affected agricultural production or costs.
METHODS
We used data from the World Resources Institute to compare the yields of the main crop groups in Sri Lanka with those from surrounding South Asian countries for 1980-2005. We also examined data from the Sri Lankan Department of Census and Statistics to examine the yields of 13 specific vegetable crops and rice for 1990-2003, along with the costs of rice production.
RESULTS
We found no drop in productivity in the years after the main bans were instituted (1995, 1998). We observed substantial annual fluctuation in estimated yields in all data sources, but these did not coincide with the bans and were no larger than the fluctuations in other countries. Also, there was no sudden change in costs of rice production coinciding with bans.
CONCLUSIONS
Countries aiming to apply restrictions to reduce deaths from pesticide poisoning should evaluate agricultural needs and develop a plan that encourages substitution of less toxic pesticides. If farmers have an affordable alternative for pest control for each crop, there is no obvious adverse effect on agricultural output.
Topics: Agriculture; Endosulfan; Health Policy; Humans; Insecticides; Monocrotophos; Organothiophosphorus Compounds; Sri Lanka; Suicide Prevention
PubMed: 18414632
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.11029