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BackgroundA 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).MethodsA 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.ResultsA 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.ConclusionsEarly 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.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex disorder that arises from genetic and environmental factors. The current investigation endeavors to investigate the role of exposure to organochlorine (OCPs) and organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), recognized as the main environmental elements, in the genesis of PD. In this case–control study, 29 PD patients and 51 healthy subjects were involved. Gas chromatography was performed to measure the serum levels of organochlorine chemicals (2,4-DDT, 4,4-DDT, 2,4-DDE, 4,4-DDE, α-HCH, β-HCH, and γ-HCH). Furthermore, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, arylesterase activity of paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), and several oxidative stress (OS) markers were assessed. The levels of OCPs in the PD patients were significantly higher than in the control subjects. In addition, AChE activity, arylesterase activity of PON-1, catalase activity, and superoxide dismutase 3 activity in PD patients were significantly less than controls. However, the levels of carbonyl protein, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide in PD patients were higher than the controls. The findings of this investigation have indicated that OCPs and OPPs exposure could contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease. This potential linkage could either be established through the direct impact of these pesticides on the nervous system, leading to neurotoxicity, or via an indirect route through the triggering of OS. Pesticide exposure and its association with Parkinson's disease: a case–control analysis. The study reveals that pesticide exposure may significantly increase the possibility of developing Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Prenatal exposure to nonpersistent chemicals, including organophosphate pesticides, phthalates, and bisphenols, is associated with altered fetal and childhood growth. Few studies have examined these associations using longitudinal growth trajectories or considering exposure to chemical mixtures. Methods: Among 777 participants from the Generation R Study, we used growth mixture models to identify weight and body mass index trajectories using weight and height measures collected from the prenatal period to age 13. We measured exposure biomarkers for organophosphate pesticides, phthalates, and bisphenols in maternal urine at three timepoints during pregnancy. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate associations between averaged exposure biomarker concentrations and growth trajectories. We used quantile g-computation to estimate joint associations with growth trajectories. Results: Phthalic acid (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.9) and bisphenol A (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.0, 2.2) were associated with higher odds of a growth trajectory characterized by smaller prenatal and larger childhood weight relative to a referent trajectory of larger prenatal and average childhood weight. Biomarkers of organophosphate pesticides, individually and jointly, were associated with lower odds of a growth trajectory characterized by average prenatal and lower childhood weight. Conclusions: Exposure to phthalates and bisphenol A was positively associated with a weight trajectory characterized by lower prenatal and higher childhood weight, while exposure to organophosphate pesticides was negatively associated with a trajectory of average prenatal and lower childhood weight. This study is consistent with the hypothesis that nonpersistent chemical exposures disrupt growth trajectories from the prenatal period through childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yixin Chen,1,* Zhuo Yang,2,* Bin Nian,3 Chenglin Yu,4 Dilimulat Maimaiti,5 Min Chai,1 Xinran Yang,1 Xiuxian Zang,1 Dahai Xu1 1Department of Emergency Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Emergency Intensive Care Unit of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130000, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Ultrasonography, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Emergency Medicine, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin, 133000, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Emergency Medicine, Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830054, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Dahai Xu; Xiuxian Zang, Department of Emergency Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, No. 1 Xinmin Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun, Jilin, 130000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8615043032548 ; +8613596097922, Email xudahai0319@jlu.edu.cn; zangxx@jlu.edu.cnAbstract: Organophosphates (OPs) refers to a diverse group of phosphorus-containing organic compounds; they are widely used all over the world and have had an important beneficial impact on industrial and agricultural production and control of vector transmission. Exposure to OPs of different toxicities (high, moderate, slight, and low toxicity) can all have negative consequences on the nervous system, such as nausea, vomiting, muscle tremors, and convulsions. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure or even death. Notably, OPs induce neuropathy in the nervous system through specific interactions with nicotinic or muscarinic receptors, phosphorylating acetylcholinesterase, or neuropathic target esterases. This review summarizes the possible toxicological mechanisms and their interplay underlying OP pesticide poisoning, including cholinesterase inhibition and non-cholinesterase mechanisms. It outlines the possible links between OP pesticide poisoning and neurological disorders, such as dementia, neurodevelopmental diseases, and Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, it explores OP interactions’ potential therapeutic implications that may help mitigate the deleterious impact of OPs on the nervous system.Keywords: organophosphate pesticides, neurotoxicity, acetylcholinesterase, neurodegenerative diseases

Introduction. Determination of pesticide residues presence in herbal plants and preparations based on them is an important step in confirming safety at the stage of the quality control of herbal plants. The usage of organophosphate pesticides (OPs) for the purposes of treatment of medicinal plants in the growing process is increasing. Scientific sources provide information on the detection of OPs in herbal plants, including quantities exceeding the allowed percentage limits as it is settled in regulatory documentation. At the same time, the problem of the distribution of particular kinds of OPs in the organs of herbal plants and their persistence remains understudied.Aim. The present research aims to study the distribution in various parts of the herbal plants (marigolds, valerian, and stinging nettle) and the persistence of malathion and diazinon.Materials and methods. Stinging nettle, that grows everywhere, exclusively cultivated marigolds, and valerian were selected as model plants. All of the plants were divided into three equal groups. Young plant shoots were processed twice with "Aliot" products containing 570 g/l of malathion and "Terradox" containing 40 g/kg of diazinon. The first group of plants was processed with pesticides following the manufacturer's instructions. The second group was treated in quantities, that were three times higher than the recommended dosage. The third group (control), was not processed with pesticides. Samples of various parts of growing herbal plants were analyzed at certain time points with the HPLC-MS/MS method according to the developed methodology. In order to study the persistence, we carried out a repeated analysis of dried samples stored without access to sunlight 0.5 years after the first one according to the requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XV.Results and discussion. The authors found malathion and diazinon in all of the analyzed parts of medicinal marigolds, in leaves and roots of nettle dioecious, in deciduous shoots and rhizomes with roots of valerian officinalis. The highest proportion of pesticides was discovered in underground plant organs. When processed according to the instructions, in marigold and nettle roots and in rhizomes with valerian roots 16.7 mg/kg, 4.5 mg/kg, and 1.7 mg/kg of malathion and 19.6 mg/kg, 4.1 mg/kg, and 1.5 mg/kg of diazinon were found, respectively. These quantities exceed the allowed limits. The quantity of pesticides in the flowers of medicinal marigolds does not exceed the permissible values. The research on the persistence of these OPs data demonstrates that malathion and diazinon persist in plant tissues for a long time.Conclusion. As a result of the research quantitative characteristics of the distribution of malathion and diazinon in various parts of medicinal marigolds, medicinal valerian, and dioecious nettle, as well as the rate and the extent of degradation of OPs during six months, were determined.

Abstract Objective To investigate any connections between urinary organophosphorus pesticide (OPP) metabolites and adiposity measures. Methods In this study, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) projects from 2003 to 2008, 2011 to 2012, and 2015 to 2018 were analysed. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference (WC) over 102 cm for men and 88 cm for women. Four urinary OPP metabolites (dimethyl phosphate [DMP], diethyl phosphate [DEP], dimethyl phosphorothioate [DMTP], and diethyl phosphorothioate [DETP]) and adiposity measures were examined using multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses. The correlations between a variety of urinary OPP metabolites and the prevalence of obesity were investigated using weighted quantile sum regression and quantile g-computation regression. Results In this analysis, a total of 9,505 adults were taken into account. There were 49.81% of male participants, and the average age was 46.00 years old. The median BMI and WC of the subjects were 27.70 kg/m2 and 97.10 cm, respectively. Moreover, 35.60% of the participants were obese, and 54.42% had abdominal obesity. DMP, DMTP, and DETP were discovered to have a negative correlation with WC and BMI in the adjusted models. DMP (OR = 0.93 [95% CI: 0.89–0.98]), DEP (OR = 0.94 [95% CI: 0.90–0.99]), DMTP (OR = 0.91 [95% CI: 0.86–0.95]), and DETP (OR = 0.85 [95% CI: 0.80–0.90]) exhibited negative associations with obesity prevalence. Similar correlations between the prevalence of abdominal obesity and the urine OPP metabolites were discovered. Moreover, the mixture of urinary OPP metabolites showed negative associations with adiposity measures, with DMTP and DETP showing the most significant effects. Conclusion Together, higher levels of urinary OPP metabolites in the urine were linked to a decline in the prevalence of obesity.

Organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) are widely prevalent in the environment primarily due to their low cost and extensive use in agricultural lands. However, it is estimated that only about 5% of these applied pesticides reach their intended target organisms. The remaining 95% residue linger in the environment as contaminants, posing significant ecological and health risks. This underscores the need for materials capable of effectively removing, recovering, and recycling these contaminants through adsorption processes. In this research, adsorbent materials composed of electro-spun carbon nanofibers (ECNFs) derived from polyacrylonitrile was developed. The materials were characterized through several techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, and contact angle measurements. SEM analysis revealed details of the structural properties and inter-fiber spacing variations of the carbon nanofibers. The results revealed that ECNFs possess remarkable uniformity, active surface areas, and high efficiency for adsorption processes. The adsorption studies were conducted using batch experiments with ethion pesticide in aqueous solution. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) was utilized to quantify the concentrations of the OPP. Various parameters, including adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and initial ethion concentration, were investigated to understand their impact on the adsorption process. The adsorption isotherm was best described by the Freundlich model, while the kinetics of adsorption followed a non-integer-order kinetics model. The adsorption capacity of the ECNFs for OPP removal highlights a significant advancement in materials designed for environmental remediation applications. This study demonstrates the potential of ECNFs to serve as effective adsorbents, contributing to the mitigation of pesticide contamination in agricultural environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphate pesticides are widely used; however, their use is limited due to neurotoxicity and, to a lesser extent, cardiotoxicity in humans. Given the high energy demands of cardiac muscle, which is characterized by a dense population of mitochondria, any damage to these organelles can exacerbate cardiotoxicity. This study aims to elucidate whether the cardiotoxic effects of organophosphate pesticides originate from mitochondrial dysfunction. To investigate this, in silico toxicogenomic analyses were performed using various tools, such as the Comparative Toxicogenomic Database, GeneMANIA, STRING, and Cytoscape. Results revealed that 11 out of the 13 WHO-recommended Class Ia organophosphate pesticides target genes associated with cardiotoxicity. Notably, three of these genes were mitochondrial, with catalase (CAT) being the common differentially expressed gene among parathion, methyl parathion, and phorate. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction analysis indicated a strong association between CAT and superoxide dismutase 2, mitochondrial (SOD2). Subsequently, isolated heart mitochondria were utilized to assess CAT and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in vitro. The findings demonstrated that at a concentration of 7.5 ng/µL, both methyl parathion and phorate significantly decreased CAT activity by approximately 35%. Moreover, phorate reduced total SOD and SOD2 activities by 17% and 19%, respectively, at the same concentration. In contrast, none of the three organophosphate pesticides induced the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. These results suggest that the reduction in CAT and SOD2 activities, critical antioxidant enzymes, leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species within mitochondria, ultimately resulting in mitochondrial damage. This mechanism likely underlies the observed cardiotoxicity induced by these organophosphate pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel electrochemical method is presented for ultrasensitive detection of the organophosphate pesticide (OPP) fenitrothion by using Ti3C2 MXene/CoAl-LDH nanocomposite as the electrode modifier. The Ti3C2 MXene/CoAl-LDH nanocomposite is synthesized by growing CoAl-LDH in situ on MXene nanosheets. The combination of two ultrathin 2D materials provides more active sites, larger specific surface area, superior adsorption properties, and better electrical conductivity, which leads to rapid electron-transfer and mass-transfer between the substrate electrode and analytes when it is acted as the electrochemical sensing material. In addition, through the chelation of phosphate groups with the Ti defect sites enriched in MXene, OPP is adsorbed on the electrode. Consequently, the corresponding modified electrode gives rise to a wide linear response range of 0.03 ~ 120 μmol/L for the differential pulse voltammetry detection of fenitrothion with a low detection limit of 5.8 nmol/L (3σ). The method offers good repeatability, stability, selectivity, and practicability for real samples. This strategy provides a reference platform for the electrochemical monitoring of trace OPPs residue by using MXene/LDH-based nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acephate is a widely used organophosphate insecticide. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as acephate, can interfere with neurodevelopment in childhood, increasing the risk of higher brain dysfunction later in life. Furthermore, brain dysfunction may be related to chemical exposure-related disturbances in the gut microbiota. However, the effects of early acephate exposure on the brains of adult males and females as well as on the adult gut environment remain poorly understood. Methods: This study investigated the effects of perinatal acephate exposure on the central nervous system and gut microbiota of mice, including sex differences and environmentally relevant concentrations. C57BL/6 N pups were exposed to acephate (0, 0.3, 10, and 300 ppm) via the dam in their drinking water from embryonic day (E) 11.5 to postnatal day 14. We examined its effects on the central nervous system of adult males and females. Results: In the male treatment group, impairments in learning and memory were detected. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a decrease in SOX2-, NeuN-, DCX-, and GFAP-positive cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus in males compared to the control group, whereas GFAP-positive cells were fewer in females. In addition, gut microbiota diversity was reduced in both sexes in the experimental group. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the effects of early-life exposure to acephate are more pronounced in males than in females and can lead to a lasting impact on adult behavior, even at low doses, and that the gut microbiota may reflect the brain environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate any connections between urinary organophosphorus pesticide (OPP) metabolites and adiposity measures. Methods: In this study, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) projects from 2003 to 2008, 2011 to 2012, and 2015 to 2018 were analysed. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference (WC) over 102 cm for men and 88 cm for women. Four urinary OPP metabolites (dimethyl phosphate [DMP], diethyl phosphate [DEP], dimethyl phosphorothioate [DMTP], and diethyl phosphorothioate [DETP]) and adiposity measures were examined using multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses. The correlations between a variety of urinary OPP metabolites and the prevalence of obesity were investigated using weighted quantile sum regression and quantile g-computation regression. Results: In this analysis, a total of 9,505 adults were taken into account. There were 49.81% of male participants, and the average age was 46.00 years old. The median BMI and WC of the subjects were 27.70 kg/m2 and 97.10 cm, respectively. Moreover, 35.60% of the participants were obese, and 54.42% had abdominal obesity. DMP, DMTP, and DETP were discovered to have a negative correlation with WC and BMI in the adjusted models. DMP (OR = 0.93 [95% CI: 0.89–0.98]), DEP (OR = 0.94 [95% CI: 0.90–0.99]), DMTP (OR = 0.91 [95% CI: 0.86–0.95]), and DETP (OR = 0.85 [95% CI: 0.80–0.90]) exhibited negative associations with obesity prevalence. Similar correlations between the prevalence of abdominal obesity and the urine OPP metabolites were discovered. Moreover, the mixture of urinary OPP metabolites showed negative associations with adiposity measures, with DMTP and DETP showing the most significant effects. Conclusion: Together, higher levels of urinary OPP metabolites in the urine were linked to a decline in the prevalence of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using pesticides in the An Giang province is widespread. However, studies on the health effect of organophosphate pesticide have not been updated within the past 12 years. This study aimed to assess exposure to organophosphate pesticides and their effects on sperm quality among farmers in the An Giang Province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. During the winter – spring crop season of December 2021 to February 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted on farmers aged 18 to 60 years-old based on seven communes' health checkup programs. The pesticide spray group included farmers who had sprayed pesticides in the previous week and had a history of working in agriculture for more than 2 years. The control group was defined as those who lived in the same community, had not worked in agriculture, and had never sprayed pesticides. Demographic characteristics and blood, urine, and semen samples were collected and analyzed. Data for 184 eligible participants were analyzed, including 116 farmers in the pesticide spray group and 68 non-farmers in the control group. Pesticide spray contributed to a decrease in the sperm quality index of 6.253 units (95% CI, 4.472–8.749). Increasing each pseudocholinesterase (PChE) unit (kIU/L) was associated with an increase of 1.181 units in the sperm quality index (95% CI, 0.757–0.947). Preventive methods for organophosphate pesticide exposure, such as administrative controls, engineering controls, substitution, and personal protective equipment should be applied to control health risks. In the An Giang setting, personal protective equipment is feasible, but most types of equipment are not used. The immediate priority is to determine the cause of personal protective equipment not being used and to find solutions to encourage people to use them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a widely used organophosphate insecticide, though its excessive use causes environmental contamination, raising concerns about its adverse effects on human health. In this regard, Urtica dioica stands out as a promising candidate for counteracting chemical 'contaminant' toxicity thanks to its therapeutic properties. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the potential of an Urtica dioica ethanolic extract (UDE) to mitigate chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity. Eight compounds in the Urtica dioica ethanolic extract have been identified, most of which present significant potential as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective agents. Chlorpyrifos exposure altered hatching rates, increased the incidence of teratogenic effects, and upregulated the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) in zebrafish larvae telencephalon. On the other hand, UDE demonstrated a preventive effect against CPF-induced teratogenicity, which is expressed by a lower morphological deformity rate. Moreover, the UDE showed a rather protective effect, maintaining the physiological condition of the telencephalon. Additionally, CPF altered the locomotor behavior of larvae, which was characterized by irregular swimming and increased activity. This defective behavioral pattern was slightly attenuated by the UDE. Our findings suggest that the UDE possesses significant protective properties against CPF-induced toxicity, probably conferred by its natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory contents. Still, further research is needed to elucidate the recruited mechanisms and implicated pathways on UDE's protective effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus genera, especially among rhizobacteria, are known for their ability to promote plant growth and their effectiveness in alleviating several stress conditions. This study aimed to utilize indigenous Bacillus cereus PM38 to degrade four organophosphate pesticides (OPs) such as chlorpyrifos (CP), profenofos (PF), monocrotophos (MCP), and dimethoate (DMT) to mitigate the adverse effects of these pesticides on cotton crop growth. Strain PM38 exhibited distinct characteristics that set it apart from other Bacillus species. These include the production of extracellular enzymes, hydrogen cyanide, exopolysaccharides, Indol-3-acetic acid (166.8 μg/mL), siderophores (47.3 μg/mL), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity (32.4 μg/mL), and phosphorus solubilization (162.9 μg/mL), all observed at higher concentrations. This strain has also shown tolerance to salinity (1200 mM), drought (20% PEG-6000), and copper and cadmium (1200 mg/L). The amplification of multi-stress-responsive genes, such as acdS, ituC, czcD, nifH, sfp, and pqqE, further confirmed the plant growth regulation and abiotic stress tolerance capability in strain PM38. Following the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, the results showed striking compatibility with the first kinetic model. Strain PM38 efficiently degraded CP (98.4%), PF (99.7%), MCP (100%), and DMT (95.5%) at a concentration of 300 ppm over 48 h at 35 °C under optimum pH conditions, showing high coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.974, 0.967, 0.992, and 0.972, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and the presence of opd, mpd, and opdA genes in the strain PM38 further supported the potential to degrade OPs. In addition, inoculating cotton seedlings with PM38 improved root length under stressful conditions. Inoculation of strain PM38 reduces stress by minimizing proline, thiobarbituric acid–reactive compounds, and electrolyte leakage. The strain PM38 has the potential to be a good multi-stress-tolerant option for a biological pest control agent capable of improving global food security and managing contaminated sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) are widely prevalent in the environment primarily due to their low cost and extensive use in agricultural lands. However, it is estimated that only about 5% of these applied pesticides reach their intended target organisms. The remaining 95% residue linger in the environment as contaminants, posing significant ecological and health risks. This underscores the need for materials capable of effectively removing, recovering, and recycling these contaminants through adsorption processes. In this research, adsorbent materials composed of electro-spun carbon nanofibers (ECNFs) derived from polyacrylonitrile was developed. The materials were characterized through several techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, and contact angle measurements. SEM analysis revealed details of the structural properties and inter-fiber spacing variations of the carbon nanofibers. The results revealed that ECNFs possess remarkable uniformity, active surface areas, and high efficiency for adsorption processes. The adsorption studies were conducted using batch experiments with ethion pesticide in aqueous solution. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) was utilized to quantify the concentrations of the OPP. Various parameters, including adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and initial ethion concentration, were investigated to understand their impact on the adsorption process. The adsorption isotherm was best described by the Freundlich model, while the kinetics of adsorption followed a non-integer-order kinetics model. The adsorption capacity of the ECNFs for OPP removal highlights a significant advancement in materials designed for environmental remediation applications. This study demonstrates the potential of ECNFs to serve as effective adsorbents, contributing to the mitigation of pesticide contamination in agricultural environments.

The dataset represent the results of a cross-sectional study conducted in Telangana, India, to investigate the effects of pesticide exposure in agricultural regions. This study includes 341 pesticides exposed participants and 152 controls in three districts of Telangana including 15 farming villages. Blood and urine samples were analysed to determine various pesticide concentrations present in blood including organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids group of pesticides, and six dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites, including dimethyl phosphate (DMP), diethyl phosphate (DEP), dimethyl thiophosphate (DMTP), dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP), diethylthiophosphate (DETP) and diethyldithiophosphate (DEDTP) were analysed in urine samples.In addition the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were measured using advanced analytical methods. The data provide information on pesticide profiles, exposure biomarkers and the relationship between exposure duration and AChE activity. These study results emphasise the importance and addressing pesticide-related health problems in farmers for proactive measures to mitigate the harmful effects of pesticide exposure in agriculture.

Abstract 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.

Balancing the risks and benefits of organophosphate pesticides (OPs) on human and environmental health relies partly on their accurate measurement. A highly sensitive fluorescence anti-quenching multi-residue bio-barcode immunoassay was developed to detect OPs (triazophos, parathion, and chlorpyrifos) in apples, turnips, cabbages, and rice. Gold nanoparticles were functionalized with monoclonal antibodies against the tested OPs. DNA oligonucleotides were complementarily hybridized with an RNA fluorescent label for signal amplification. The detection signals were generated by DNA-RNA hybridization and ribonuclease H dissociation of the fluorophore. The resulting fluorescence signal enables multiplexed quantification of triazophos, parathion, and chlorpyrifos residues over the concentration range of 0.01-25, 0.01-50, and 0.1-50 ng/mL with limits of detection of 0.014, 0.011, and 0.126 ng/mL, respectively. The mean recovery ranged between 80.3% and 110.8% with relative standard deviations of 7.3%-17.6%, which correlate well with results obtained by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The proposed bio-barcode immunoassay is stable, reproducible and reliable, and is able to detect low residual levels of multi-residue OPs in agricultural products.

The most widespread neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by severe behavioral abnormalities, cognitive and functional impairments. It is inextricably linked with the deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) plaques and tau protein in the brain. Loss of white matter, neurons, synapses, and reactive microgliosis are also frequently observed in patients of AD. Although the causative mechanisms behind the neuropathological alterations in AD are not fully understood, they are likely influenced by hereditary and environmental factors. The etiology and pathogenesis of AD are significantly influenced by the cells of the central nervous system, namely, glial cells and neurons, which are directly engaged in the transmission of electrical signals and the processing of information. Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) can trigger inflammatory responses in glial cells, leading to various cascades of events that contribute to neuroinflammation, neuronal damage, and ultimately, AD pathogenesis. Furthermore, there are striking similarities between the biomarkers associated with AD and OPPs, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, dysregulation of microRNA, and accumulation of toxic protein aggregates, such as amyloid β. These shared markers suggest a potential mechanistic link between OPP exposure and AD pathology. In this review, we attempt to address the role of OPPs on altered cell physiology of the brain cells leading to neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress linked with AD pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphates (OPs) being the most widely used (~ 36%) pesticides, are infamous for presence of their traces in surface waters and serious health hazards to humans and animals. Hence, rapid, efficient, easy to use, and cost-effective methods must be explored for their remediation in contaminated waters. Amongst the different pesticide removal methods, adsorption is extensively used as it is economic unit process which is easy to operate and renders no residual by-product. Moreover, nano-sized adsorbents with novel physico-chemical properties may even be more effectively employed for sorptive removal of OPPs in contaminated waters. The review provides an overview of organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) in terms of usage, environmental contamination, and toxicity. Nanomaterials (e.g., carbon nano-structures, metal nanoparticles and oxides, quantum dots, and metal organic frameworks) categorized into inorganic, organic, and hybrid nanomaterials employed for adsorptive removal of OPPs from aqueous phase have been discussed. The parameters that determine their adsorption efficiency have been discussed, calculated, and compared for different nanostructures. The operating mechanisms behind adsorption of OPPs on nanomaterials are mainly electrostatic interactions, H-bonding, and Π-Π stacking (carbon-based nanomaterials), and exchange or sharing of electrons between vacant active site of nanocomposite and OPP molecules (in case of hybrid materials). Diffusion mechanism and rate-limiting steps have been explored via intra-particle diffusion model. The factors influencing the efficiency of adsorbents such as pH, temperature, adsorbent concentration, and incubation time have also been included. The review further recapitulates the details of thermodynamic studies of adsorption process which give information about the spontaneity and exothermic/endothermic nature of the process. The review concludes with summary and future prospects of sorptive removal of OPPs in water. Adsorption of OPPs onto different nanosorbents via variety of interactions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To address the potential harm caused by the intensive use of pesticides in pest control in agriculture, there is a need for accurate and efficient methods to detect and monitor pesticide residues. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a biosensor that can detect organophosphate pesticides highly toxic to humans and the environment. METHODS: Biosensor organophosphate pesticides using a single film containing acetylcholinesterase/choline oxidase have been designed using silver-based plasmonic nanoparticles as a colorimetric indicator. In the presence of acetylcholinesterase, acetylcholine is hydrolyzed to choline and acetic acid, then choline oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of choline to hydrogen peroxide and betaine. Hydrogen peroxide reacts with the silver nanoparticles, and the discoloration of the brown solution occurs due to the oxidation of silver+. FINDINGS: As a biosensor indicator, silver nanoparticles were extremely accurate, sensitive, and stable over a long period of storage. Transmission Electron Microscope images confirmed the reduction in size of nanoparticles from 16.82 ± 4.36 to 9.63 ± 2.29 nanometers. The analyte profenofos, one of the organophosphate pesticides, inhibits the activity of acetylcholinesterase, thereby reducing the concentration decrease of silver nanoparticles by releasing less hydrogen peroxide. Optimum conditions for biosensors were achieved with a potential of Hydrogen of 7, buffer, and acetylcholinesterase concentrations of 7 and 70 millimolar, respectively, with an incubation time of 5 minutes. Biosensor response showed a linear range at profenofos concentrations of 0.05-2.00 milligrams per liter, with limits of detection and quantization of 0.04 and 0.13 milligrams/liter, respectively. Biosensor also has excellent sensitivity, reproducibility, and stability, with a Relative Standard Deviation of 2.5 percent and a stable response of up to 4 months. Subsequently, using a biosensor in the chilli as a sample resulted in a profonefos level of 0.04 milligrams per liter, making it safe for consumption. CONCLUSION: Biosensor measurement outcome aligned with the gas chromatographymass spectrometry result, which is the accepted standard method for detecting profenofos. Additionally, the proposed biosensor offers several advantages such as ease of use, fast, low-cost, and on-site analysis. Hence, this method is suitable for monitoring and controlling pesticide residues, particularly organophosphate, in agricultural products and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methyl parathion hydrolase (MPH) is an enzyme of the metallo‐β‐lactamase superfamily, which hydrolyses a wide range of organophosphates (OPs). Recently, MPH has attracted attention as a promising enzymatic bioremediator. The crystal structure of MPH enzyme shows a dimeric form, with each subunit containing a binuclear metal ion center. MPH also demonstrates metal ion‐dependent selectivity patterns. The origins of these patterns remain unclear but are linked to open questions about the more general role of metal ions in functional evolution and divergence within enzyme superfamilies. We aimed to investigate and compare the binding of different OP pesticides to MPH with cobalt(II) metal ions. In this study, MPH was modeled from Ochrobactrum sp. with different OP pesticides bound, including methyl paraoxon and dichlorvos and profenofos. The docked structures for each substrate optimized by DFT calculation were selected and subjected to atomistic molecular dynamics simulations for 500 ns. It was found that alpha metal ions did not coordinate with all the pesticides. Rather, the pesticides coordinated with less buried beta metal ions. It was also observed that the coordination of beta metal ions was perturbed to accommodate the pesticides. The binding free energy calculations and structure‐based pharmacophore model revealed that all the three substrates could bind well at the active site. However, profenofos exhibit a stronger binding affinity to MPH in comparison to the other two substrates. Therefore, our findings provide molecular insight on the binding of different OP pesticides which could help us design the enzyme for OP pesticides degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundStudies have documented independent adverse associations between prenatal and early-life exposure to environmental chemicals and social adversity with child neurodevelopment; however, few have considered these exposures jointly. The objective of this analysis is to examine whether associations of pesticide mixtures and adolescent neurobehavioral development are modified by early-life adversity in the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) cohort.MethodsWe used linear mixed effects Bayesian Hierarchical Models (BHM) to examine the joint effect of applications of 11 agricultural pesticides within 1 km of maternal homes during pregnancy and youth-reported Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with maternal and youth-reported internalizing behaviors, hyperactivity, and attention problems assessed via the Behavior Assessment for Children (BASC) (mean = 50, standard deviation = 10) at ages 16 and 18 years (n = 458).ResultsThe median (25th-75th percentiles) of ACEs was 1 (0-3); 72.3% of participants had low ACEs (0-2 events) and 27.7% had ACEs (3+ events). Overall, there was little evidence of modification of exposure-outcome associations by ACEs. A two-fold increase in malathion use was associated with increased internalizing behaviors among those with high ACEs from both maternal- (β = 1.9; 95% Credible Interval (CrI): 0.2, 3.7 for high ACEs vs. β = -0.1; 95% CrI: 1.2, 0.9 for low ACEs) and youth-report (β = 2.1; 95% CrI: 0.4, 3.8 for high ACEs vs. β = 0.2; 95% CrI: 0.8, 1.2 for low ACEs). Applications of malathion and dimethoate were also associated with higher youth-reported hyperactivity and/or inattention among those with high ACEs.ConclusionWe observed little evidence of effect modification of agricultural pesticide use near the home during pregnancy and adolescent behavioral problems by child ACEs. Future studies should examine critical windows of susceptibility of exposure to chemical and non-chemical stressors and should consider biomarker-based exposure assessment methods.

The brain's prefrontal cortex directs higher-order cognitive and behavioral processes that are important for attention, working memory, and inhibitory control. We investigated whether gestational exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides was associated with these abilities in childhood and early adolescence. Between 1999 and 2000, we enrolled pregnant women in a birth cohort drawn from an agricultural region of California. We measured dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites of OP pesticides in maternal pregnancy urine samples (13 and 26 weeks) and estimated associations with behaviors related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and executive function, assessed longitudinally; 351 families provided neurodevelopmental outcome data at any point when the child was aged 7-12 years. We assessed function across multiple dimensions (e.g., working memory, attention), methods (e.g., behavior reports, child assessment), and reporters (e.g., mothers, teachers, child self-reports). Higher gestational DAP concentrations were consistently associated with behaviors related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and executive function. For example, a 10-fold increase in gestational DAP concentration was associated with poorer longitudinally assessed Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function scores, as reported by mothers (β = 4.0 (95% confidence interval: 2.1, 5.8); a higher score indicates more problems), and Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition Working Memory scores (a 3.8-point reduction; β = -3.8 (95% confidence interval: -6.2, -1.3)). Reducing gestational exposure to OP pesticides through public health policy is an important goal.

Organophosphate pesticides (OPs) are often used as insecticides and acaricides in agriculture, thus improving yields. OP residues may pose a serious threat, duetoinhibitionof the enzymeacetylcholinesterase(AChE). Therefore, a competitive bio-barcode immunoassay was designed for simultaneous quantification of organophosphate pesticide residues using AuNP signal amplification technology and Au@Pt catalysis. The AuNP probes were labelled with antibodies and corresponding bio-barcodes (ssDNAs), MNP probes coated with ovalbumin pesticide haptens and Au@Pt probes functionalized with the complementary ssDNAs were then prepared. Subsequently, pesticides competed with MNP probes to bind the AuNP probes. The recoveries of the developed assay were ranged from 71.26 to 117.47% with RSDs from 2.52 to 14.52%. The LODs were 9.88, 3.91, and 1.47 ng·kg-1, for parathion, triazophos, and chlorpyrifos, respectively. The assay was closely correlated with the data obtained from LC-MS/MS. Therefore, the developed method has the potential to be used as an alternative approach for detection of multiple pesticides.

Scientific relevance. Deuterated analogues of test substances, when used as internal standards, enable analysts to determine traces of residual pesticides in a medicinal plant raw material by gas or liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. This prompts the search for an undemanding method for the synthesis of deuterated reference standards, with the ultimate goal of expanding the range of reference standards produced in Russia.Aim. The study aimed to synthesise deuterated reference standards (malathion-D6, chlorophos-D6, dichlorophos-D6, and their precursors) and determine their spectral characteristics using 1Н, 2Н, 13С and 31Р nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry.Materials and methods. The study involved methanol-D4, phosphorus pentasulfide, phosphorus trichloride, maleic acid diethyl ether, triethylamine, hydroquinone, and chloral hydrate. The authors recorded 1H, 2H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectra using a QONE AS400 NMR spectrometer operating at a temperature of 298 °K and respective frequencies of 399.83, 61.38, 100.55, and 161.85 MHz. Mass spectra were obtained using an analytical system comprising an Agilent Infinity 1260 liquid chromatograph equipped with an automatic sample injector and coupled with a Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Fusion Lumos high-resolution mass-selective tandem spectrometer operating in electrospray ionisation mode.Results. The authors used existing methods for the synthesis of organophosphate pesticides as a basis and developed synthesis routes to produce the deuterated analogues malathion-D6, chlorophos-D6, and dichlorophos-D6. The synthesised compounds were identified by NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry.Conclusions. The synthesised compounds are highly pure and suitable for use as internal standards in the determination of organophosphate pesticides in medicinal plant raw materials. The synthesis methods developed by the authors can be used to produce reference standards in Russia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To address the potential harm caused by the intensive use of pesticides in pest control in agriculture, there is a need for accurate and efficient methods to detect and monitor pesticide residues. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a biosensor that can detect organophosphate pesticides highly toxic to humans and the environment. METHODS: Biosensor organophosphate pesticides using a single film containing acetylcholinesterase/choline oxidase have been designed using silver-based plasmonic nanoparticles as a colorimetric indicator. In the presence of acetylcholinesterase, acetylcholine is hydrolyzed to choline and acetic acid, then choline oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of choline to hydrogen peroxide and betaine. Hydrogen peroxide reacts with the silver nanoparticles, and the discoloration of the brown solution occurs due to the oxidation of silver+.FINDINGS: As a biosensor indicator, silver nanoparticles were extremely accurate, sensitive, and stable over a long period of storage. Transmission Electron Microscope images confirmed the reduction in size of nanoparticles from 16.82 ± 4.36 to 9.63 ± 2.29 nanometers. The analyte profenofos, one of the organophosphate pesticides, inhibits the activity of acetylcholinesterase, thereby reducing the concentration decrease of silver nanoparticles by releasing less hydrogen peroxide. Optimum conditions for biosensors were achieved with a potential of Hydrogen of 7, buffer, and acetylcholinesterase concentrations of 7 and 70 millimolar, respectively, with an incubation time of 5 minutes. Biosensor response showed a linear range at profenofos concentrations of 0.05-2.00 milligrams per liter, with limits of detection and quantization of 0.04 and 0.13 milligrams/liter, respectively. Biosensor also has excellent sensitivity, reproducibility, and stability, with a Relative Standard Deviation of 2.5 percent and a stable response of up to 4 months. Subsequently, using a biosensor in the chilli as a sample resulted in a profonefos level of 0.04 milligrams per liter, making it safe for consumption. CONCLUSION: Biosensor measurement outcome aligned with the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry result, which is the accepted standard method for detecting profenofos. Additionally, the proposed biosensor offers several advantages such as ease of use, fast, low-cost, and on-site analysis. Hence, this method is suitable for monitoring and controlling pesticide residues, particularly organophosphate, in agricultural products and the environment.

Human health is adversely affected by exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides. This study aims to investigate the correlation between urinary OP metabolites and the prevalence of asthma. In cross-sectional studies, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) projects conducted between 2003–2008, 2011–2012, and 2015–2018 were analyzed. Multiple logistic regressions and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regressions were utilized to examine the relationship between four urinary OP metabolites, namely dimethyl phosphate (DMP), diethyl phosphate (DEP), dimethyl phosphorothioate (DMTP), and diethyl phosphorothioate (DETP), and the prevalence of asthma. Additionally, quantile g-computation (QG-C) regression was employed to evaluate the association between urinary OP metabolites (both individual and combined exposures) and asthma prevalence. The results showed that a total of 9316 adults, including 1298 participants with asthma, were included in the analysis. The median age of the participants was 47.37 years, and 50.27% were female. In the comprehensive model, the third tertile of DMP and DEP exhibited a positive association with asthma prevalence compared to the first tertile (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.26 [1.01–1.57], Ptrend = 0.036; and 1.25 [1.07–1.51], Ptrend = 0.008, respectively). Moreover, a linear relationship was observed between DMP, DEP, and asthma prevalence (P for nonlinearity = 0.320 and 0.553, respectively). The QG-C regression revealed a positive association between the mixture of urinary OP metabolites and asthma prevalence (OR = 1.04 [1.01–1.07], P = 0.025), with DEP contributing the most substantial effect (weight = 0.564). Our findings suggest that exposure to OP pesticides is associated with an increased prevalence of asthma, with DEP demonstrating the strongest impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the fundamental reasons for cognitive function disorders have been well documented, little is known about the impact of environmental exposures, such as pesticides, on children's cognitive function development. This study investigated the effect of exposure to organophosphate pesticides on children's cognitive function. In order to determine various factors of exposure, hair samples were collected from 114 elementary school children who lived in Boyer–Ahmad County in the province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer–Ahmad, Iran. A detailed questionnaire was utilized to gather demographic information and exposure profile. Pesticides were detected in hair samples using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometer (GC–MS); also, cognitive function was assessed using the trail–making test (TMT), which was divided into two parts: TMT–part A and TMT–part B. Participants in the study were 10.12 ± 1.440 years old on average. Children in rural areas had higher mean total pesticide concentrations (13.612 ± 22.01 ng/g) than those who lived in the urban areas (1.801 ± 1.32). The results revealed that boys (46.44 s and 92.37 s) completed the TMT–part A and part B tests in less time than girls (54.95 s and 109.82 s), respectively, and showed better performance (2.14) on the cognitive function exam than girls (2.07). Diazinon and TMT–part B were positively correlated (p < 0.05). With the increase in pesticides, there was no discernible difference in cognitive function. Pesticide use throughout a child's development may affect certain cognitive function indicators. In order to assess causal relationships, group studies and case studies are required because the current research was cross–sectional in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New approach methods (NAMs) can reduce the need for chronic animal studies. Here, we apply benchmark dose (concentration) (BMD(C))–response modeling to transcriptomic changes in the liver of mice and in fathead minnow larvae after short-term exposures (7 days and 1 day, respectively) to several dose/concentrations of three organophosphate pesticides (OPPs): fenthion, methidathion, and parathion. The mouse liver transcriptional points of departure (TPODs) for fenthion, methidathion, and parathion were 0.009, 0.093, and 0.046 mg/Kg-bw/day, while the fathead minnow larva TPODs were 0.007, 0.115, and 0.046 mg/L, respectively. The TPODs were consistent across both species and reflected the relative potencies from traditional chronic toxicity studies with fenthion identified as the most potent. Moreover, the mouse liver TPODs were more sensitive than or within a 10-fold difference from the chronic apical points of departure (APODs) for mammals, while the fathead minnow larva TPODs were within an 18-fold difference from the chronic APODs for fish species. Short-term exposure to OPPs significantly impacted acetylcholinesterase mRNA abundance (FDR p-value <0.05, |fold change| ≥2) and canonical pathways (IPA, p-value <0.05) associated with organism death and neurological/immune dysfunctions, indicating the conservation of key events related to OPP toxicity. Together, these results build confidence in using short-term, molecular-based assays for the characterization of chemical toxicity and risk, thereby reducing reliance on chronic animal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides remain a worldwide health concern due to their acute or chronic poisoning and widespread use in agriculture around the world. There is a need for robust and field-deployable tools for onsite detection of OP pesticides in food and water. Herein, we present an integrated smartphone/resistive biosensor for simple, rapid, reagentless, and sensitive monitoring of OP pesticides in food and environmental water. The biosensor leverages the hydrolytic activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to its substrate, acetylcholine (ACh), and unique transport properties of polyaniline nanofibers (PAnNFs) of chitosan/AChE/PAnNF/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposite film on a gold interdigitated electrode. The principle of the sensor relies on OP inhibiting AChE, thus, reducing the rate of ACh hydrolysis and consequently decreasing the rate of protons doping the PAnNFs. Such resulted decrease in conductance of PAnNF can be used to quantify OP pesticides in a sample. A mobile app for the biosensor was developed for analyzing measurement data and displaying and sharing testing results. Under optimal conditions, the biosensor demonstrated a wide linear range (1 ppt–100 ppb) with a low detection limit (0.304 ppt) and high reproducibility (RSD

ABSTRACTThe human gut microbiota can be potentially disrupted due to exposure of various environmental contaminants, including pesticides. These contaminants enter into non-target species in multiple ways and cause potential health risks. The gut microbiota-derived metabolites have a significant role in maintaining the host’s health by regulating metabolic homeostasis. An imbalance in this homeostasis can result in the development of various diseases and their pathogenesis. Pesticides have hazardous effects on the host’s gut microbiota, which is evident in a few recent studies. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore the effect of pesticide on gut microbiota-mediated metabolic changes in the host, which may provide a better understanding of pesticide-induced toxicity. The present review summarizes the pesticide-induced effects on gut microbiota, which in turn, induces changes in the release of their secondary metabolites that could lead to various host health effects.

Although some epidemiological studies have identified the associations between exposure to organophosphate pesticides (Ops) and respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus (DM), and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), controversial results still exist. In this review and meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the overall pooled effect estimates and the possible mechanisms of the relationship between OP exposure and adverse health outcomes. In this study, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, OVID, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched until September 2022. Nineteen observational studies that focused on the general population or occupational populations examined the associations between OP exposure and respiratory diseases, DM, and CVD were included. Based on the overall pooled results, a significantly positive association was observed between OP exposure and respiratory diseases (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.06–1.19). A significant link was also observed between various individual species of OP exposure and respiratory diseases, with an OR value of 1.11 (95% CI: 1.05–1.18). In particular, there was a significant association of OPs with wheezing and asthma, with OR values of 1.19 (95% CI: 1.08–1.31) and 1.13 (95% CI: 1.05–1.22), respectively. In addition, a significant association was also observed between OP exposure and DM (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07–1.29). However, no significant association was observed between OP exposure and CVD (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.94–1.05). Exposure to OPs was associated with a significantly increased risk of respiratory diseases and DM, but there was no evidence of a significant association between OP exposure and CVD. Considering the moderate strength of the results, further evidence is needed to confirm these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) from aqueous solutions is imperative considering their agricultural and environmental implications. Among various mitigation approaches used for OPPs' removal, adsorption offers many advantageous features for OPPs abatement owing to its benign nature, cost-effective processing, and non-requirement of excessive equipment. This research describes the adsorptive removal of three organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) namely chlorpyrifos (CPF), methyl parathion (MP), and malathion (MAL) by HKUST–1 (HKUST = Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) metal–organic framework (MOF). The synthesis of HKUST–1 MOFs was confirmed by various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The adsorption kinetics was systematically investigated by varying three parameters to include solution pH, contact time, and initial pesticide concentration. Among all the three pesticides, HKUST–1 showed enhanced removal of CPF in terms of pH, resulting in an adsorption capacity of 1.82 mg·g−1. However, under the effect of contact time at 60 min, the adsorption capacity of HKUST-1 for PM, MAL, and CPF were computed to be 1.83, 1.79, and 0.44 mg·g−1, respectively. Besides, HKUST–1 showed a remarkable performance towards adsorptive removal of MAL (14.01 mg·g−1 at 10 mg·L−1 concentration) with linear increase in adsorption capacity as the function of initial pesticide concentration. The MOFs were also able to retain ca. 50% of their adsorption efficiency over the course of five cycles of adsorptive removal of CP. In the future, a comprehensive data table showing the performance of various MOFs against various OPPs can be constructed on the basis of parameters used in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides have been widely used in agriculture, resulting in significant pollution that affects both the environment and human health. This pollution is particularly prevalent in nearby agricultural areas, where sensitive resources are contaminated through spray drift exposure and surface runoff. Spray drift is a critical concern when it comes to environmental hazards. It poses health risks not only to farmers and pesticide applicators, but also to individuals living in nearby farm areas. To address this issue, developing reliable models and techniques for estimating spray drift and reducing its impact has become a crucial and efficient research topic. The current research has three primary objectives: firstly, to estimate the average pesticide application rates, trend analysis, and concentration distribution; secondly, to estimate the temporal variations of pesticide concentrations and identify the areas most likely to be affected by pesticide spray drift close to agricultural fields; and lastly, to develop a model for field spray drift and deposition integration between the OpenAir package for the R programming environment and the AgDRIFT atmospheric model. The drift model, along with precise supervised classifications, allowed for a more accurate estimation of potential drift in agricultural areas at a spatial resolution of 15 m. Additionally, multiple scenarios were conducted to evaluate the potential risks of pesticide drift outside of the target areas. This novel method effectively estimated organophosphate pesticide spray drift over two case studies in Macon County using a combination of OpenAir and AgDRIFT models and remotely sensed data. This method allowed for field simulations within completely defined exposure areas with little prior knowledge of pesticide quantities. This study concluded that 6% of total cropland is in danger of pesticide spray drift, with around 8% of crop areas exposed to potential strong drift on land use. Furthermore, 11% of cropped land is vulnerable to moderate drift, whereas around 75% of land use land cover is not vulnerable to pesticide drift. Through this research, an accurate and efficient approach has been developed to estimate spray drift and reduce its impact in agricultural areas, contributing to a safer and healthier environment for all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To monitor human exposure to pesticides, experts commonly measure their metabolites in urine, particularly dialkyl phosphates (DAPs), which include diethyl phosphate (DEP), Diethyl thiophosphate (DETP), diethyl dithiophosphate (DEDTP), dimethyl phosphate (DMP), dimethyl thiophosphate (DMTP) and dimethyl dithiophosphate (DMDTP)to monitor the metabolites of organophosphates. These DAP metabolites are a urinary biomarker for assessing pesticide exposure and potential health risks. This study presented a new screening method combining ultrafast liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC–MS/MS) to detect six DAP metabolites in human urine. The study also compared standard sample extraction methods, namely, liquid–liquid extraction (LLE); quick, easy, cheap, effective, ruggedand safe (QuEChERS); and lyophilization. After a comprehensive analysis of the methods used to extract the analytes, including recovery rate, repeatability and reproducibility, the liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) method was found to be the best. It had a high recovery rate, was easy to handle, required less sample volume and had a short extraction time. Therefore, the LLE method was chosen for further analysis. The results showed excellent performance with high recoveries between 93% and 102%, precise repeatability (RSD) between 0.62% and 5.46% and acceptable reproducibility values (RSD) between 0.80% and 11.33%. The method also had limits of detection (LOD) ranging from 0.0201 ng/mL to 0.0697 ng/mL and limits of quantification (LOQ) ranging from 0.0609 ng/mL to 0.2112 ng/mL. Furthermore, the UFLC–MS/MS method was validated based on the SANTE guidance and successfully analyzed 150 urine samples from farmers and non-farmers. This validated method proved useful for biomonitoring studies focusing on OP pesticide exposure. It offers several advantages, such as a reduced need for samples, chemicals and materials, and a shorter analysis time. The method is sensitive and selective in detecting metabolites in human urine, making it a valuable approach for the practical and efficient assessment of pesticide exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While recognizing the gaps in pesticide regulations that impact consumer safety, public health concerns associated with pesticide contamination of foods are pointed out. The strategies and research directions proposed to prevent and/or reduce pesticide adverse effects on human health and the environment are discussed. Special attention is paid to organophosphate pesticides, as widely applied insecticides in agriculture, veterinary practices, and urban areas. Biotic and abiotic strategies for organophosphate pesticide degradation are discussed from a food safety perspective, indicating associated challenges and potential for further improvements. As food systems are endangered globally by unprecedented challenges, there is an urgent need to globally harmonize pesticide regulations and improve methodologies in the area of food safety to protect human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the toxicity of triazophos is high and it has been pulled from the market in many countries; it is still widely used and frequently detected in agricultural products. While conventional analyses have been routinely used for the quantification and monitoring of triazophos residues, those for detecting low residual levels are deemed necessary. Therefore, we developed a novel and sensitive fluorometric signal amplification immunoassay employing bio-barcodes for the quantitative analysis of triazophos residues in foodstuffs and surface water. Herein, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) attached to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were coated with DNA oligonucleotides (used as a signal generator), and a complementary fluorogenic RNA was used for signal amplification. The system generated detection signals through DNA-RNA hybridization and subsequent dissociation of fluorophores by Ribonuclease H (RNase H). It has to be noted that RNase H can only disintegrate the RNA in DNA-RNA duplex, but not cleave single or double-stranded DNA. Hence, with iterative cycles of DNA-RNA hybridization, sufficient strong signal was obtained for reliable detection of residues. Furthermore, this method enables quantitative detection of triazophos residues through fluorescence intensity measurements. The competitive immunoassay shows a wide linear range of 0.01-100 ng/mL with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0032 ng/mL. The assay substantially meets the demand for the low residue detection of triazophos residues in agricultural products and water samples. Accuracy (expressed as spiked recovery %) and coefficient of variation (CV) were ranged from 73.4% to 116% and 7.04% to 17.4%, respectively. The proposed bio-barcodes immunoassay has the advantages of being stable, reproducible, and reliable for residue detection. In sum, the present study provides a novel approach for detection of small molecules in various sample matrices.

Regular use of organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) such as chlorpyrolifos in agriculture results in a variety of environmental issues, including groundwater contamination, surface water pollution, enhanced floral and faunal resistance, soil acidity, reduced soil fertility, and nitrate leaching. The objective of the current study was to identify and isolate bacterial strains from native soil that could degrade chlorpyrifos and had high pesticide resistance. A total of 60 distinct microbial strains were isolated from the soil samples and subsequently evaluated for their capacity to degrade chlorpyrifos. Serratia liquefaciens, one of the strains, was discovered to be the most effective among them for degrading chlorpyrifos. It was subsequently examined for the biodegradation of chlorpyrifos under various environmental conditions and was then identified using 16S rRNA sequencing. The strain S. liquefaciens degraded more than 90% of 50 mg L-1 of chlorpyrifos. The strain performed better when urea and sucrose were used as nitrogen and carbon sources, respectively. At a temperature of 35 °C and a basic pH range, the strain functioned exceptionally well. The finding demonstrated that the bacterial strain S. liquefaciens, which was isolated from agricultural soil, is a top contender for cleaning up OPP-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution exposure is associated with adverse respiratory health outcomes. Evidence from occupational and community-based studies also suggests agricultural pesticides have negative health impacts on respiratory health. Although populations are exposed to multiple inhalation hazards simultaneously, multidomain mixtures (e.g. environmental and chemical pollutants of different classes) are rarely studied. We investigated the association of ambient air pollution-pesticide exposure mixtures with urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4), a respiratory inflammation biomarker, for 75 participants in four Central California communities over two seasons. Exposures included three criteria air pollutants estimated via the Community Multiscale Air Quality model (fine particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide) and urinary metabolites of organophosphate (OP) pesticides (total dialkyl phosphates (DAPs), total diethyl phosphates (DE), and total dimethyl phosphates (DM)). We implemented multiple linear regression models to examine associations in single pollutant models adjusted for age, sex, asthma status, occupational status, household member occupational status, temperature, and relative humidity, and evaluated whether associations changed seasonally. We then implemented Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to analyse these criteria air pollutants, DE, and DM as a mixture. Our multiple linear regression models indicated an interquartile range (IQR) increase in total DAPs was associated with an increase in urinary LTE4 in winter ( β : 0.04, 95% CI: [0.01, 0.07]). Similarly, an IQR increase in total DM was associated with an increase in urinary LTE4 in winter ( β :0.03, 95% CI: [0.004, 0.06]). Confidence intervals for all criteria air pollutant effect estimates included the null value. BKMR analysis revealed potential non-linear interactions between exposures in our air pollution-pesticide mixture, but all confidence intervals contained the null value. Our analysis demonstrated a positive association between OP pesticide metabolites and urinary LTE4 in a low asthma prevalence population and adds to the limited research on the joint effects of ambient air pollution and pesticides mixtures on respiratory health.

Introduction. Usage of organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) in agriculture, including farming of medical herbs, is a necessary measure for producing regular harvest. In order to maintain an adequate degree of herbal medicines security a variety of countries developed normative documents that regulate the limits of proportion of pesticides (including OPPs) in herbal substances. These documents contain the recommended methods of residual pesticides analysis as well.Text. The article describes the recently conducted information-analytical research of limits of permissible proportion of OPPs in herbal substances and food production and of methods of extraction and analysis of OPPs mentioned in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XIV, international pharmacopeias, WHO information sources and the normative documents on food production. The authors specify physical-chemical characteristic of OPPs and the main mechanism of impact of this class of pesticides onto a human body. The research demonstrates that HPLC-MS and GC-MS are the most perspective analytical methods of detection of OPPs in herbal substances.Conclusion. In the information-analytical review the authors specify a physical-chemical characteristics of OPPs, describe the mechanism of the toxic impact of this type of pesticides, provide the generalized summary of limits of permissible proportion of OPPs in herbal substances and in food production. The study shows that the rationing of OPPs proportion is harmonized in a majority of issues of modern pharmacopeias. The paper presents modern methods of detection of OPPs in herbal substances and food production. Finally, the authors demonstrate an advantage of the modern approach to rationing of OPPs in herbal substances (specification of presence and proportion of a single pesticide in combination with its toxic metabolites). The key issue is a necessity of developing a sensible and selective methodic of analysis of OPPs in accordance with physical-chemical properties of these types of pesticides in different kinds of herbal substances and phytopreparations.

Pesticides are well known for their high levels of persistence and ubiquity in the environment, and because of their capacity to bioaccumulate and disrupt the food chain, they pose a risk to animals and humans. With a focus on organophosphate and triazine pesticides, the present review aims to describe the current state of knowledge regarding spatial distribution, bioaccumulation, and mode of action of frequently used pesticides. We discuss the processes by which pesticides and their active residues are accumulated and bioconcentrated in fish, as well as the toxic mechanisms involved, including biological redox activity, immunotoxicity, neuroendocrine disorders, and cytotoxicity, which is manifested in oxidative stress, lysosomal and mitochondrial damage, inflammation, and apoptosis/autophagy. We also explore potential research strategies to close the gaps in our understanding of the toxicity and environmental risk assessment of organophosphate and triazine pesticides.

With the prohibition of conventional organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), the extensive use and continuous release of current-use pesticides (CUPs), such as organic amine pesticides (OAPs) and organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), in agriculture and mariculture activities have raised global attention. In this study, the occurrence and distribution of 36 pesticides from above 3 categories were investigated in seawater and sediment in Beibu Gulf, a typical subtropical agricultural and maricultrual zone. Results showed that pesticides were widely present in this region with the total concentration ranging from 0.36 to 21.07 ng/L in seawater and from 0.02 to 9.73 ng/g dw in sediment. OAPs and OPPs were the most abundant categories contributing 74% and 66% to the total pesticides burden in seawater and sediment, respectively, revealing the current-use pesticides as substitutes of legacy organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were mainly used in surrounding areas. For both seawater and surface sediment, the spatial distribution of pesticides concentrations showed generally seaward decreasing trends, suggesting that anthropogenic activities at coastal areas have an important impact on pesticides pollution. Source identification indicated OCPs in some seawater samples might be from mixture of antifouling paint and dicofol usage, while history residues are main sources of OCPs in sediment. OAPs, especially for cyflufenamid and kresoxim-methyl, mainly come from agricultral and maricultural sewage input, and OPPs were speculated from currency transportation from surrounding areas. Ecological risk assessment showed that OPPs posed moderate to even high risks in most seawater sites. It appears that crustaceans are the most sensitive trophic species to OPPs among aquatic organisms, followed by fish. According to the results of health risks proposed by the major aquatic products in Beibu Gulf (fish and shrimp), the selected pesticides pose no health risk to humans. Nevertheless, OCPs made the highest contribution to the total HQ values. Comprehensively considering the evaluation results of both ecological and health risks, more attention should be given on OPPs and OCPs pollution in the Beibu Gulf.

Molecularly imprinted plasmonic nanosensors are robust devices capable of selective target interaction, and in some cases reaction catalysis. Recent advances in control of nanoscale structure have opened the door for development of a wide range of chemosensors for environmental monitoring. The soaring rate of environmental pollution through human activities and its negative impact on the ecosystem demands an urgent interest in developing rapid and efficient techniques that can easily be deployed for in-field assessment and environmental monitoring purposes. Organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) play a significant role for agricultural use; however, they also present environmental threats to human health due to their chemical toxicity. Plasmonic sensors are thus vital analytical detection tools that have been explored for many environmental applications and OPP detection due to their excellent properties such as high sensitivity, selectivity, and rapid recognition capability. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have also significantly been recognized as a highly efficient, low-cost, and sensitive synthetic sensing technique that has been adopted for environmental monitoring of a wide array of environmental contaminants, specifically for very small molecule detection. In this review, the general concept of MIPs and their synthesis, a summary of OPPs and environmental pollution, plasmonic sensing with MIPs, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) MIP sensors, and nanomaterial-based sensors for environmental monitoring applications and OPP detection have been elucidated according to the recent literature. In addition, a conclusion and future perspectives section at the end summarizes the scope of molecularly imprinted plasmonic sensors for environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent decades, the use of pesticides in agriculture has increased at a fast pace, highlighting safety problems for the environment and human health, which in turn has made it necessary to develop new detection and decontamination systems for pesticides. Methods: A new qualitative test capable of detecting the presence of pesticides on fruits and vegetables by using thermostable enzymes was discovered, and the test was carried out on apples and aubergines. The contaminating pesticides were extracted from fruits with acetonitrile and analyzed with a biosensor system based on the thermostable esterase EST2 immobilized on a nitrocellulose filter. This enzyme is irreversibly inhibited mainly in the presence of organophosphates pesticides. Therefore, by observing esterase activity inhibition, we revealed the presence of residual pesticides on the fruits and vegetables. Results: By analyzing the rate of esterase activity inhibition, we predicted that residual pesticides are present on the surface of the fruits. When we cleaned the fruits by washing them in the presence of the phosphotriesterase SsoPox before the detection of the esterase activity on filters, we observed a full recovery of the activity for apples and 30% for aubergines, indicating that the enzymatic decontamination of organophosphates pesticides took place. Conclusions: The reported method permitted us to assess the pesticides present on the vegetables and their decontamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uncontrolled utilization of organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) has resulted in substantial environmental issues globally, that pose significant threat to human health. As a result, effective sequestration of these OPPs has taken into consideration by several researchers and environmental scientists. In this context, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted a lot of attention in the field of adsorption due to their superabundant attachment sites, easy functionalization process, strong stability, tunable pore size, and rich topology. Therefore, the present review critically summarizes MOF based adsorbents such as pristine, functionalized, composites, and MOF‐derived materials along with the choice of precise linkers for the preparation of MOFs. Functionalizing agent used to achieve maximum adsorption by MOF is extensively explored. Possible mechanism, major interaction pathway for the mitigation of OPPs has also been focused. Finally, development of effective MOFs for successful implementation is recommended, along with future prospects for large‐scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]