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Avoidance behavior of earthworms ( Eisenia fetida ) against six neonicotinoids (NEOs) (acetamiprid, dinotefuram, clothianidin, thiacloprid, nitenpyram, imidacloprid) was studied following the protocol of ISO. The results showed obvious avoidance behavior of E. fetida against the tested insecticides, and the medium effective concentration for avoidance behavior (EC 50 ) of the six pesticides was 0.14, 0.55, 0.91, 7.87, 1.32 and 0.77 mg/kg, respectively. Compared to the acute toxicity, avoidance behavior was more sensitive as an indicator of soil contamination with NEOs. Chronic toxicity of above six NEOs to E. fetida was also evaluated; cocoon production, hatchability, cocoon weight and adult weight were all affected in the test. Cocoon production and hatchability were more sensitive than cocoon weight and adult weight. The reproduction of earthworms were significantly reduced with a 56 d half-maximal effective hatchability concentration (EC 50 ) of 0.37, 0.74, 1.30, 3.57, 1.20 and 0.70 mg/kg (acetamiprid, dinotefuram, clothianidin, thiacloprid, nitenpyram, imidacloprid), respectively. Most of the tested NEOs were highly toxic to E. fetida . Avoidance behavior and reproduction damage of E. fetida was observed at very low concentrations. The existing levels of pollution with NEOs in soil frequently exceed the lowest observed adverse effect concentrations, which are likely to have negative biological and ecological impacts on earthworms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The damage of islet cells caused by oxidative stress is closely related to diabetes. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of saponins isolated from polygonatum sibiricum (PSS) on pancreas injury by using in vitro and in vivo models. The oxidative stress model of RIN-m5F cells induced by H 2 O 2 was established. We found that PSS could decrease the apoptosis of RIN-m5F cells under oxidative stress. After PSS treatment, ROS and MDA levels in cells significantly decreased. Moreover, the levels of SOD and GSH were significantly increased. PSS could increase the insulin secretion level of cells under oxidative stress. The expression level of intracellular Bcl-2 increased, and the expression levels of Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 decreased significantly. In addition, the type 2 diabetes mouse model was established. The results showed that PSS had a protective effect on the injury of the pancreas in T2DM mice. PSS can relieve oxidative stress and high glucose-mediated pancreas cytotoxicity. PSS may be a promising candidate for diabetes intervention and functional foods., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)