Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay in Quality Control of Chinese Medicines： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

In the quality control of Chinese medicine， the detection of active components and toxic and harmful components are two important links. Although conventional methods such as high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry can accurately quantify the above substances， they have shortcomings such as complicated operation， high costs， inability of detection at any time， difficult detection of insoluble and macromolecular substances. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） can adsorb antigens or antibodies on the surface of solid carriers and realize qualitative or quantitative analysis of targets by using the specific reactions of antigens and antibodies. This method is praised for the simple operation， high sensitivity， strong specificity， simple requirements for experimental equipment， a wide application range， and low costs. In recent years， ELISA has been widely used in the quality control of Chinese medicine， especially in the content determination of mycotoxins represented by aflatoxin and the qualitative and quantitative analysis of active components. ELISA plays an increasingly important role with its unique advantages， providing new methods and ideas for the rapid quality examination of large quantities of Chinese medicines. This paper reviews the research progress in ELISA for the quality control of Chinese medicine in recent years and prospects its technical development and application prospects， aiming to provide reference and research ideas for further using this method to ensure the quality， safety， and controllability of Chinese medicine.

Associação entre intoxicação exógena e exposição ocupacional e ambiental de pacientes com câncer em Mato Grosso / Association between exogenous intoxication and occupational and environmental exposure of cancer patients in Mato Grosso

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a associação entre características sociodemográficas relacionadas à exposição ambiental e ocupacional e o autorrelato de intoxicação de pacientes com diagnóstico de câncer em Mato Grosso, Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com 998 pacientes com câncer atendidos em hospitais de referência do estado. A variável dependente foi obtida a partir do autorrelato de algum sintoma de intoxicação nos últimos 5 anos e se a intoxicação foi decorrente ou não do trabalho/ocupação. A associação entre características sociodemográficas relacionadas à intoxicação e à exposição ambiental e ocupacional e o autorrelato de intoxicação foi avaliada pelo teste exato de Fisher. Do total de entrevistados, 7,4% (IC95%: 6,0; 9,2) referiram intoxicação, sendo 2,3% dos casos (IC95%: 1,5; 3,4) decorrentes do trabalho. Os fatores associados ao autorrelato de intoxicação decorrente do trabalho foram ser do sexo masculino, ter escolaridade menor que 4 anos, sintoma de dor de cabeça, intoxicação por agrotóxico agrícola, por via respiratória e ter trabalhado com agrotóxicos, amianto, metais pesados e poeira industrial. Conclui-se que os indivíduos com maior exposição ocupacional aos agrotóxicos e a outros produtos químicos referiram maior ocorrência de intoxicações decorrentes do trabalho.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sociodemographic characteristics, related to environmental and occupational exposure and self-report of intoxication in patients diagnosed with cancer in Mato Grosso, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study, with 998 cancer patients seen at referral hospitals in the state. The dependent variable was obtained from the self-report of some intoxication symptom in the last 5 years and whether or not the intoxication was caused by work/occupation. The association between sociodemographic characteristics, related to intoxication and environmental and occupational exposure and self-report of intoxication was assessed by Fisher's exact test. Of all respondents, 7.4% (95%CI: 6.0; 9.2) reported intoxication, and 2.3% (95%CI: 1.5; 3.4) were work-related. Factors associated with self-reported work-related intoxication were being male, having less than 4 years of education, headache, intoxication by agricultural pesticides, by respiratory route and having worked with pesticides, asbestos, heavy metals and industrial dust. It was concluded that individuals with higher occupational exposure to pesticides and other chemicals reported higher occurrence of poisoning due to work.

Integrative analysis in toxicological assessment of the insecticide Malathion in Allium cepa L. system / Análise integrativa na avaliação toxicológica do inseticida Malation no sistema Allium cepa L

Abstract For many centuries human populations have been suffering and trying to fight with disease-bearing mosquitoes. Emerging and reemerging diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya affect billions of people around the world and recently has been appealing to control with chemical pesticides. Malathion (MT) is one of the main pesticides used against mosquitoes, the vectors of these diseases. This study aimed to assess cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of the malathion for the bioindicator Allium cepa L. using a multivariate and integrative approach. Moreover, an appendix table was compiled with all available literature of insecticides assessed by the Allium cepa system to support our discussion. Exposures during 48h to 0.5 mg mL-1 and 1.0 mg mL-1 MT were compared to the negative control (distilled water) and positive control (MMS solution at 10 mg L-1). The presence of chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei frequency, and mitotic index abnormalities was evaluated. Anaphase bridges were the alterations with higher incidence and presented a significantly elevated rate in the concentration of 0.5 mg mL-1, including when compared to the positive control. The integrative discriminant analysis summarizes that MT in assessed concentrations presented effects like the positive control, corroborating its potential of toxicity to DNA. Therefore, it is concluded that MT in its pure composition and in realistic concentrations used, has genotoxic potential in the biological assessment of A. cepa cells. The multivariate integrative analysis was fundamental to show a whole response of all data, providing a global view of the effect of MT on DNA.

Resumo Por muitos séculos, as populações humanas sofrem e tentam combater os mosquitos transmissores de doenças. Doenças emergentes e reemergentes como Dengue, Zika e Chikungunya afetam bilhões de pessoas em todo o mundo e, recentemente, vem apelando ao controle com pesticidas químicos. O Malation (MT) é um dos principais pesticidas usados ​​contra mosquitos, vetores dessas doenças. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a citotoxicidade e a mutagenicidade do MT para o bioindicador Allium cepa L. usando uma abordagem multivariada e integrativa. Além disso, uma tabela suplementar foi compilada com toda a literatura disponível de inseticidas avaliada pelo sistema Allium cepa para apoiar nossa discussão. Exposições ao MT durante 48h a 0,5 mg mL-1 e 1,0 mg mL-1 foram comparadas a um controle negativo (água destilada) e um controle positivo (10 mg L-1 de MMS). Foram avaliadas a presença de aberrações cromossômicas, frequência de micronúcleos e anormalidades no índice mitótico. As pontes anafásicas foram as alterações com maior incidência e apresentaram uma taxa significativamente elevada na concentração de 0,5 mg mL-1, inclusive quando comparadas ao controle positivo. A análise discriminante integrativa resume que o MT nas concentrações avaliadas apresentou efeitos semelhantes ao controle positivo, corroborando seu potencial de toxicidade para o DNA. Portanto, conclui-se que o MT, em sua composição pura e nas concentrações realistas utilizadas, possui potencial genotóxico na avaliação biológica de células de A. cepa. A análise integrativa multivariada foi fundamental para mostrar uma resposta completa de todos os dados, fornecendo uma visão global do efeito da MT no DNA.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of 294 acute poisoning patients with gastric lavage / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To describe the current situation of gastric lavage operation and put forward measures for improvement by analyzing the clinical characteristics of 294 patients with gastric lavage in Poisoning Treatment Center of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University.Methods:The clinical data of 294 patients with acute poisoning and gastric lavage from 2019 to 2021 were collected and analyzed retrospectively, and the related parameters (poison type, gastric lavage volume, poisoning to gastric lavage time, etc.) of each year were compared.Results:A total of 653 poisoning patients underwent gastric lavage from 2019 to 2021, with an average age of (44.2 ±20.1) years, and 134 (45.6%) were male. The main causes of gastric lavage were pesticide poisoning (52.72%) and drug poisoning (42.86%). The volume of gastric lavage was less than 10 L for 43.8% of patients and 10-20 L for 32.7% of patients. Patients with gastric lavage within 60 min after ingestion of poison accounted for 45.3%, followed by 25.8% within 61-120 min. The in-hospital mortality rate was 17.7%. The common complications of gastric lavage were: the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding (55/121, 45.5%), the incidence of aspiration pneumonia (54/140, 38.6%), and the incidences of electrolyte disorder (21% of low potassium, 29% low calcium, and 10.0% low sodium). Compared with the groups in different years, the proportion of gastric lavage in poisoning was 58.85% vs. 46.60% vs. 32.41%, which decreased year by year, with statistical difference ( P <0.05). And there was no difference in the period from ingestion to gastric lavage and gastric lavage fluid volume. There was an increasing trend in poison types between diquat and other insecticides, but there was no statistical difference. Conclusions:From 2019 to 2021, the most common causes of acute gastric lavage were pesticide poisoning and drug poisoning, and the proportion of diquat and other pesticides showed an overall upward trend. A majority of the patients (71.1%) had gastric lavage within 2 h, and 76.5% of the patients had less than 20 L gastric lavage fluid. In the future, we will further control the amount of gastric lavage fluid and pay attention to the gastric lavage operation of new insecticide poisoning.

Epidemiological characteristics of pesticide poisoning in Chengdu City from 2012 to 2021 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To explore the present situation and epidemiological characteristics of pesticide poisoning in Chengdu City from 2012 to 2021, and to provide scientific evidence for further prevention and control. Methods: In January 2022, the pesticide poisoning report cards of Chengdu City from 2012 to 2021 were collected from the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System. The data of the report card was reorganized and the distribution characteristics of pesticide poisoning such as time, region, gender, age and pesticide types were analyzed. Results: 14326 cases of pesticide poisoning were reported in Chengdu City from 2012 to 2021, 651 deaths, and the fatality rate was 4.54%. The cases of productive pesticide poisoning and unproductive pesticide poisoning were 504 and 13822, respectively. The fatality rates of productive and unproductive pesticide poisoning were 1.39% and 4.66%, which were significant different (χ(2)=11.99, P=0.001). The highest reported cases of pesticide poisoning was in 2013 (1779) and the lowest in 2021 (1047). The number of reported cases showed a downward trend year by year (t=-12.30, P<0.001), and the fatality rates also showed a downward trend year by year (χ(2)(trend)=25.48, P<0.001). The fluctuation range of unproductive pesticide poisoning cases in each month of the year was small, and the productive pesticide poisoning mainly occurred from May to August. The regions with the largest number of reported poisoning cases were Pengzhou (1620), Jianyang (1393), Jintang (1266) and Qionglai (1158). The high incidence of poisoning was among 25-54 years old (50.21%, 7193/14326). The fatality rate in the age group 75-96 years old was the highest (8.98%, 95/1058), and the fatality rates increased gradually with age (χ(2)(trend)=186.03, P<0.001). The pesticides causing poisoning were mainly insecticide (43.86%, 6284/14326) and herbicides (35.75%, 5121/14326). Herbicides paraquat had the highest fatality rate (9.54%, 286/2998) . Conclusion: Pesticide poisoning in Chengdu City is mainly unproductive poisoning. Health education should be carried out for key areas and people, and the control of highly toxic pesticides such as insecticide and herbicides should be strengthened.

A case of delayed peripheral neuropathy caused by diquat poisoning / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Diquat is a kind of conductive contact-killing herbicides. The damage of central nervous system is relatively common, but the peripheral neuropathy caused by diquat has not been reported yet. In September 2021, we treated a patient with diquat poisoning. During the hospitalization, the patient was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. Therapy for peripheral nerve injury was given on the basis of conventional treatment of poisoning. The patient was discharged after his condition was stable. The follow-up showed that the peripheral neuropathy of patient was better than before. According to the condition of this patient, it is suggested that we should not only protect the function of gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, and central nervous system early, but should also pay attention to the damage of peripheral nervous system in clinical work. We should intervene earlier to improve the prognosis of patients.

Common diseases and drug use of Pseudostellaria heterophylla / 中国中药杂志

Pseudostellaria heterophylla in large-scale cultivation needs to apply pesticides to control diseases, and non-standard use of pesticide may cause excessive pesticide residues in medicinal materials, increasing the risk of clinical medication. To accurately monitor the residual pesticides, this paper investigated the drug use during the process of P. heterophylla disease prevention in 25 P. he-terophylla planting enterprises or individual households in Guizhou province. It was found that there were 8 common diseases in P. he-terophylla planting, including leaf spot, downy mildew, virus disease, root rot, dropping disease, purple feather disease, white silk disease, and damping-off disease. Twenty-three kinds of pesticides were used in disease control, mainly chemical synthetic pesticides, accounting for 78.3%, followed by biological pesticides and mineral pesticides, accounting for 13.0% and 8.7%, respectively. The disease prevention and control drugs were all low-toxic pesticides, and there were no varieties banned in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). However, the pesticides used have not been registered on P. heterophylla, and the excessive use of drugs was serious. The present monitoring of pesticide residues in P. heterophylla is mainly based on traditional pesticides such as organochlorine, organophosphorus, and carbamate, which does not effectively cover the production of drugs and had certain safety risks. It is suggested to speed up the research and registration of drug use in the production of P. heterophylla, increase the use of biological pesticides, and further improve the monitoring indicators of pesticide residues in combination with the actual production of drugs, so as to promote the high-quality development of P. heterophylla industry.

Common diseases and drug use characteristics of Chinese herbal medicines and suggestions / 中国中药杂志

Based on the data of 56 kinds of diseases and drug use in 100 kinds of cultivated Chinese herbal medicines, this paper used frequency analysis method to count the types of diseases and their drug use characteristics, and systematically analyzed the status of drug registration and monitoring standards for disease prevention and control of Chinese herbal medicines. The results showed that 14 diseases such as root rot, powdery mildew, and drooping disease were common in the production of Chinese herbal medicines. Among the 99 pesticides reported, 67.68% were chemically synthesized, 23.23% were biological pesticides, and 9.09% were mineral pesticides. Among the reported pesticides, 92.93% of them were low toxic, with relative safety. However, 70% of the production drugs were not registered in Chinese herbal medicines, and the phenomenon of overdose was serious. The current pesticide residue monitoring standards does not match well with production drugs in China. Although the matching degree between Maximum Residue Limit of Pesticide in Food Safety National Standard(GB 2763-2021) and production drugs is more than 50%, there are few varieties of Chinese herbal medicines covered. The matching degree between Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition), Green Industry Standard of Medicinal Plants and Preparations(WM/T2-2004), and production drugs is only 1.28%. It is suggested to speed up the research and registration of Chinese herbal medicine production and further improve the pesticide residue limit standard combined with the actual production, so as to promote the high-quality development of Chinese herbal medicine industry.

Effects of propiconazole on physiological and biochemical properties of Panax notoginseng and dietary risk assessment / 中国中药杂志

To study the residue and dietary risk of propiconazole in Panax notoginseng and the effects on physiological and bioche-mical properties of P. notoginseng, we conducted foliar spraying of propiconazole on P. notoginseng in pot experiments. The physiolo-gical and biochemical properties studied included leaf damage, osmoregulatory substance content, antioxidant enzyme system, non-enzymatic system, and saponin content in the main root. The results showed that at the same application concentration, the residual amount of propiconazole in each part of P. notoginseng increased with the increase in the times of application and decreased with the extension of harvest interval. After one-time application of propiconazole according to the recommended dose(132 g·hm~(-2)) for P. ginseng, the half-life was 11.37-13.67 days. After 1-2 times of application in P. notoginseng, propiconazole had a low risk of dietary intake and safety threat to the population. The propiconazole treatment at the recommended concentration and above significantly increased the malondialdehyde(MDA) content, relative conductivity, and osmoregulatory substances and caused the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in P. notoginseng leaves. The propiconazole treatment at half(66 g·hm~(-2)) of the recommended dose for P. ginseng significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD), peroxidase(POD), and catalase(CAT) in P. notoginseng leaves. The propiconazole treatment at 132 g·hm~(-2) above inhibited the activities of glutathione reductase(GR) and glutathione S-transferase(GST), thereby reducing glutathione(GSH) content. Proconazole treatment changed the proportion of 5 main saponins in the main root of P. notoginseng. The treatment with 66 g·hm~(-2) propiconazole promoted the accumulation of saponins, while that with 132 g·hm~(-2) and above propiconazole significantly inhibited the accumulation of saponins. In summary, using propiconazole at 132 g·hm~(-2) to prevent and treat P. notoginseng diseases will cause stress on P. notoginseng, while propiconazole treatment at 66 g·hm~(-2) will not cause stress on P. notoginseng but promote the accumulation of saponins. The effect of propiconazole on P. notoginseng diseases remains to be studied.

Chronic consumption of contaminated feed with 2 4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2 4 D) herbicide in rodents: effects on male reproductive health / Consumo crônico de ração contaminada com herbicida ácido 2 4 di clorofenoxiacético (2 4 D) em roedores: efeitos na saúde reprodutiva masculina

Introduction: The herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most widely used pesticides in the world. There is evidence that this herbicide can induce deleterious effects in non-target organisms, including impairment of reproduction function. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive effects of the chronic consumption of contaminated feed with 2,4-D in rats using food environmental spraying simulation. Methods: Animals orally exposed received nebulized chow with 2,4-D solution in different concentrations for 180 days: 0 (control - CG), 20.69 (LCG), 34.63 (MCG), or 51.66 ppm day−1 (HCG). Results: Sperm quality was impaired to 2,4-D. The percentage of sperm with progressive movement, number of sperm in the testis and daily sperm production were decreased in all exposed groups to the herbicide compared to CG. Sperm counts in the caput/corpus and cauda epididymis were reduced in MCG and HCG, and sperm transit time was delayed in the epididymis of LCG. There was a negative impact on sperm morphology and plasma membrane integrity in MCG and HCG, respectively. Germ cell exfoliation within the lumen of the seminiferous tubules and epithelial vacuolization in epididymis were found in the HCG. Conclusion: This is the first study to describe the negative impact on male reproductive morphophysiology after chronic exposure to 2,4-D using food nebulization in environmentally relevant concentrations, based on agronomic use of the herbicide. The reproductive injuries identified raise concerns about the impacts of wide population exposure to 2,4-D (AU).

Introdução: O herbicida 2,4- ácido diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D) é um dos agrotóxicos mais utilizados no mundo. Há evidências de que este herbicida pode induzir efeitos deletérios em organismos não-alvo, incluindo prejuízo na função reprodutiva. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos reprodutivos do consumo crônico de ração contaminada com 2,4-D em ratos, utilizando simulação de pulverização ambiental de alimentos. Métodos: Animais expostos oralmente receberam ração nebulizada com solução de 2,4-D em diferentes concentrações por 180 dias: 0 (controle - GC), 20,69 (LCG), 34,63 (MCG) ou 51,66 ppm dia−1 (HCG). Resultados: A qualidade espermática foi prejudicada pelo 2,4-D. A porcentagem de espermatozoides com movimento progressivo, número de espermatozoides no testículo e produção diária de espermatozoides foram menores em todos os grupos expostos ao herbicida, quando comparados ao GC. A contagem de espermatozoides na cabeça/corpo e cauda do epidídimo foi reduzida em MCG e HCG, e o tempo de trânsito espermático atrasou no epidídimo em LCG. Houve impacto negativo na morfologia espermática e na integridade da membrana plasmática em MCG e HCG, respectivamente. Esfoliação de células germinativas no lúmen dos túbulos seminíferos e vacuolização epitelial no epidídimo foram encontradas em HCG. Conclusão: Este é o primeiro estudo a descrever o impacto negativo na morfofisiologia reprodutiva masculina após exposição crônica ao 2,4-D, utilizando nebulização de alimentos em concentrações ambientalmente relevantes, com base no uso agronômico do herbicida. As lesões reprodutivas identificadas levantam preocupações sobre os impactos da ampla exposição da população ao 2,4-D (AU).

Integrative analysis in toxicological assessment of the insecticide Malathion in Allium cepa L system / Análise integrativa na avaliação toxicológica do inseticida Malation no sistema Allium cepa L

For many centuries human populations have been suffering and trying to fight with disease-bearing mosquitoes. Emerging and reemerging diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya affect billions of people around the world and recently has been appealing to control with chemical pesticides. Malathion (MT) is one of the main pesticides used against mosquitoes, the vectors of these diseases. This study aimed to assess cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of the malathion for the bioindicator Allium cepa L. using a multivariate and integrative approach. Moreover, an appendix table was compiled with all available literature of insecticides assessed by the Allium cepa system to support our discussion. Exposures during 48h to 0.5 mg mL-¹ and 1.0 mg mL-¹ MT were compared to the negative control (distilled water) and positive control (MMS solution at 10 mg L-¹). The presence of chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei frequency, and mitotic index abnormalities was evaluated. Anaphase bridges were the alterations with higher incidence and presented a significantly elevated rate in the concentration of 0.5 mg mL-¹, including when compared to the positive control. The integrative discriminant analysis summarizes that MT in assessed concentrations presented effects like the positive control, corroborating its potential of toxicity to DNA. Therefore, it is concluded that MT in its pure composition and in realistic concentrations used, has genotoxic potential in the biological assessment of A. cepa cells. The multivariate integrative analysis was fundamental to show a whole response of all data, providing a global view of the effect of MT on DNA.

Por muitos séculos, as populações humanas sofrem e tentam combater os mosquitos transmissores de doenças. Doenças emergentes e reemergentes como Dengue, Zika e Chikungunya afetam bilhões de pessoas em todo o mundo e, recentemente, vem apelando ao controle com pesticidas químicos. O Malation (MT) é um dos principais pesticidas usados contra mosquitos, vetores dessas doenças. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a citotoxicidade e a mutagenicidade do MT para o bioindicador Allium cepa L. usando uma abordagem multivariada e integrativa. Além disso, uma tabela suplementar foi compilada com toda a literatura disponível de inseticidas avaliada pelo sistema Allium cepa para apoiar nossa discussão. Exposições ao MT durante 48h a 0,5 mg mL-¹ e 1,0 mg mL-¹ foram comparadas a um controle negativo (água destilada) e um controle positivo (10 mg L-¹ de MMS). Foram avaliadas a presença de aberrações cromossômicas, frequência de micronúcleos e anormalidades no índice mitótico. As pontes anafásicas foram as alterações com maior incidência e apresentaram uma taxa significativamente elevada na concentração de 0,5 mg mL-¹, inclusive quando comparadas ao controle positivo. A análise discriminante integrativa resume que o MT nas concentrações avaliadas apresentou efeitos semelhantes ao controle positivo, corroborando seu potencial de toxicidade para o DNA. Portanto, conclui-se que o MT, em sua composição pura e nas concentrações realistas utilizadas, possui potencial genotóxico na avaliação biológica de células de A. cepa. A análise integrativa multivariada foi fundamental para mostrar uma resposta completa de todos os dados, fornecendo uma visão global do efeito da MT no DNA.

Integrative analysis in toxicological assessment of the insecticide Malathion in Allium cepa L. system

Abstract For many centuries human populations have been suffering and trying to fight with disease-bearing mosquitoes. Emerging and reemerging diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya affect billions of people around the world and recently has been appealing to control with chemical pesticides. Malathion (MT) is one of the main pesticides used against mosquitoes, the vectors of these diseases. This study aimed to assess cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of the malathion for the bioindicator Allium cepa L. using a multivariate and integrative approach. Moreover, an appendix table was compiled with all available literature of insecticides assessed by the Allium cepa system to support our discussion. Exposures during 48h to 0.5 mg mL-1 and 1.0 mg mL-1 MT were compared to the negative control (distilled water) and positive control (MMS solution at 10 mg L-1). The presence of chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei frequency, and mitotic index abnormalities was evaluated. Anaphase bridges were the alterations with higher incidence and presented a significantly elevated rate in the concentration of 0.5 mg mL-1, including when compared to the positive control. The integrative discriminant analysis summarizes that MT in assessed concentrations presented effects like the positive control, corroborating its potential of toxicity to DNA. Therefore, it is concluded that MT in its pure composition and in realistic concentrations used, has genotoxic potential in the biological assessment of A. cepa cells. The multivariate integrative analysis was fundamental to show a whole response of all data, providing a global view of the effect of MT on DNA.

Resumo Por muitos séculos, as populações humanas sofrem e tentam combater os mosquitos transmissores de doenças. Doenças emergentes e reemergentes como Dengue, Zika e Chikungunya afetam bilhões de pessoas em todo o mundo e, recentemente, vem apelando ao controle com pesticidas químicos. O Malation (MT) é um dos principais pesticidas usados contra mosquitos, vetores dessas doenças. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a citotoxicidade e a mutagenicidade do MT para o bioindicador Allium cepa L. usando uma abordagem multivariada e integrativa. Além disso, uma tabela suplementar foi compilada com toda a literatura disponível de inseticidas avaliada pelo sistema Allium cepa para apoiar nossa discussão. Exposições ao MT durante 48h a 0,5 mg mL-1 e 1,0 mg mL-1 foram comparadas a um controle negativo (água destilada) e um controle positivo (10 mg L-1 de MMS). Foram avaliadas a presença de aberrações cromossômicas, frequência de micronúcleos e anormalidades no índice mitótico. As pontes anafásicas foram as alterações com maior incidência e apresentaram uma taxa significativamente elevada na concentração de 0,5 mg mL-1, inclusive quando comparadas ao controle positivo. A análise discriminante integrativa resume que o MT nas concentrações avaliadas apresentou efeitos semelhantes ao controle positivo, corroborando seu potencial de toxicidade para o DNA. Portanto, conclui-se que o MT, em sua composição pura e nas concentrações realistas utilizadas, possui potencial genotóxico na avaliação biológica de células de A. cepa. A análise integrativa multivariada foi fundamental para mostrar uma resposta completa de todos os dados, fornecendo uma visão global do efeito da MT no DNA.

Adverse effect of pre- and postnatal exposure to carbamate and pyrethroid pesticides on cognition in children at 4 and 6 years of age: A prospective study

Objective@#To determine the adverse effect of pre- and postnatal exposure to carbamate (propoxur) and pyrethroid pesticides on children's cognitive functions at 4 and 6 years of age. @*Method@#As part of a prospective cohort study among children with known pre- and postnatal exposure to propoxur and pyrethroids, children were examined at time points, 4 and 6 years, to determine the adverse effect of pesticide exposure on neurocognitive function, i.e., intelligence (IQ) using the WPPSI-III test. Pre- and postnatal pesticide exposures were measured by meconium and hair analysis, respectively, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS).@*Results@#Seven hundred twenty-four (724) maternal/children dyads were seen at four years and 717 at six years of age. Their mean (SD) full-scale IQ was low on average: 83.9 (10.2) at four years and 83.6 (8.6) at six years. Prenatal but not postnatal exposure to propoxur (-0.139, p=0.01) and pyrethroids (-0.097, p=0.05) were significantly correlated (negative) with full-scale IQ at four years but not at six years. The confounders that were significantly correlated to full-scale IQ at four and/or six years of age were maternal IQ, child’s weight, height, head circumference, socio-economic status, child environment, and stimulation at home (HOME) violence or abuse at home. Regression analysis of pesticides and confounders showed similar results, except for weight and head circumference.@*Conclusion@#We conclude that prenatal exposure to propoxur and pyrethroids had a negative effect on the children’s IQ at four years but no longer at six years. Thus, the ability of the child’s IQ to recover from the adverse effect of intrauterine pesticide insult may be attributable to the neuronal plasticity of its brain. Similarly, confounders to these outcome measures are multiple and are essential to address when evaluating the effect of pesticides on neuro-cognitive development in children.

Non-targeted screening of emerging contaminants in drinking water based on high-resolution mass spectrometry / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo establish a non-targeted screening method for emerging contaminants in drinking water based on high-resolution mass spectrometry and apply it to actual water samples. MethodsA total of 9 drinking water samples collected from 3 reservoirs in Shanghai were purified and concentrated by HLB solid phase extraction column， then separated and analyzed by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometer and gas chromatography high⁃resolution mass spectrometer. The acquired data were analyzed by Thermo Tracefinder， Excel and other software combined with mzCloud and NIST databases. The methodology was verified with representative compound standards. Pesticide and perfluorinated compounds were taken as examples to analyze their pollution status. ResultsA non-targeted analysis strategy based on liquid chromatography and gas chromatography tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry was established. The pollution level of 20 kinds of pesticides and 4 kinds of perfluorinated compounds identified in 9 drinking water samples were higher in the Huangpu River than in the Yangtze River estuary. ConclusionThe established non-targeted screening method by high-resolution mass spectrometry can detect potential emerging contaminants in drinking water without relying on the standards， which provides a powerful technical means for water quality monitoring and risk assessment.

Dietary risk assessment of neonicotinoid pesticide in 21 kinds of market-sold vegetables in Guangzhou City / 预防医学

Objective@#To evaluate the dietary risk of neonicotinoid insecticides in market-sold vegetables in Guangzhou City, so as to provide insights into ensuring food safety for residents.@*Methods@#Forty-five samples of 21 kinds of vegetables were collected from supermarkets and farmer's markets in Guangzhou City from June to September in 2022, and 10 kinds of neonicotinoid insecticides were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The vegetable consumption was obtained through the survey of food consumption and nutrients intake of residents in Guangzhou City. The dietary risk was evaluated by calculating daily exposure and non-carcinogenic risk quotients of neonicotinoid insecticides. @*Results@#A total of 27 samples of vegetables were detected with neonicotinoid insecticides, and the detection rate was 60.00%. Among 10 kinds of neonicotinoid insecticides, 6 kinds were identified, including clothianidin, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, dinotefuranand and nitenpyram. The detection rates of clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid were relatively high (26.67%, 11.11% and 6.67%), and some samples exceeded the standard, with the rate of 4.44%, 2.22% and 2.22%, respectively. The total exposure of neonicotinoid pesticides (IMIRPF) was 3 053.00 ng/g, and the contents and IMIRPF of imidacloprid were the highest in roots and tubers. The daily exposure of imidacloprid, acetamiprid, dinotefuran, clothianidin, thiamethoxam and nitenpyram was 34.58, 3.85, 1.20, 6.87, 7.19 and 0.86 ng/(kg·d). Non-carcinogenic risk quotients of imidacloprid, acetamiprid, dinotefuran, clothianidin, thiamethoxam and nitenpyram was 5.76×10-4, 0.55×10-4, 0.06×10-4, 0.69×10-4, 0.90×10-4 and 0.02×10-4, respectively, which was lower than 1; and the sum of non-carcinogenic risk quotients was 7.98×10-4, which was lower than 1. @*Conclusions@#The dietary risk of neonicotinoid pesticides is low in 21 kinds of market-sold vegetables in Guangzhou City; however, the contents of neonicotinoid insecticides in some vegetable samples exceed the standard. The supervision of vegetable markets should be strengthened.

Time trend of pesticide poisoning in Jiaxing from 2008 to 2020 / 环境与职业医学

Background Pesticide poisoning is not only a common acute poisoning, but also an indispensable public health problem. It is important to describe and analyze the epidemic characteristics and trends of pesticide poisoning for its prevention and control. Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics and trends of pesticide poisoning in Jiaxing from 2008 to 2020, and provide a basis for making effective intervention measures. Methods The relevant information of pesticide poisoning cases in Jiaxing from 2008 to 2020 was collected through the Occupational Disease and Occupational Health Information Monitoring System of the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and the demographic information was obtained from the statistical yearbook of Jiaxing. Joinpoint regression models were used to analyze trends in overall, gender, age, season, type of poisoning, and type of pesticide among poisoned individuals. Results A total of 3109 cases of pesticide poisoning were reported in Jiaxing City from 2008 to 2020. The overall pesticide poisoning incidence trended downward from 2008 to 2014, with an annual percent change (APC) of −9.0% (95%CI: −16.6%-−0.7%). The female pesticide poisoning incidence trended downward from 2008 to 2015, with an APC of −8.6% (95%CI: −13.9%-−2.9%). The 18-34 age group showed a decreasing trend of pesticide poisoning incidence from 2008 to 2015, with an APC of −11.0% (95%Cl: −17.4%-4.3%), and an increasing trend from 2015 to 2020, with an APC of 18.5% (95%Cl: 4.7%-34.0%). The >60 age group showed a decreasing trend of pesticide poisoning incidence from 2008 to 2014, with an APC of -12.9% (95%Cl: −20.4%-−4.7%). The second quarter showed an increasing trend of pesticide poisoning incidence from 2010 to 2020, with an APC of 4.4% (95%CI: 0.3%-8.5%); the third quarter showed a decreasing trend, with an APC of −4.9% (95%CI: −8.6%-−1.1%); the fourth quarter showed an increasing trend from 2015 to 2020, with an APC of 17.8% (95%CI: 4.4%-33.0%). Productive poisoning showed a decreasing trend, with an APC of −11.1% (95%CI: −16.2%-−5.7%); self-poisoning showed a decreasing trend from 2008 to 2014, with an APC of -9.5% (95%CI: −17.4%-−0.7%), and an increasing trend from 2014 to 2020, with an APC of 10.2% (95%CI: 0.5%-20.8%). The incidences of poisoning by herbicides, fungicides, and mixed formulations all showed an increasing trend from 2008 through 2020, with an APC of 8.6% (95%CI: 5.8%-11.5%), 9.1% (95%CI: 0.3%-18.7%), and 193.3% (95%CI: 11.6%-671.0%), respectively; the incidence of poisoning by other types of pesticides showed a decreasing trend from 2008 to 2020, with an APC of −14.1% (95%CI: −23.7%-−3.2%). Conclusion The overall reported pesticide poisoning incidents in Jiaxing City present a decline then a rise in 2008 to 2020. Relevant departments should take timely measures to prevent and reduce the occurrence of pesticide poisoning according to the changing characteristics and occurrence trends of local pesticide poisonings.

Nosso sistema imune de cada dia e os agrotóxicos de hoje / Our everyday immune system and today's pesticides

O uso massivo dos agrotóxicos nas lavouras deu-se a partir de 1950 com a "Revolução Verde", como resultado da busca por aumento da produtividade e modernização dos campos agrícolas. Diante disso, na década de 1960, foi criado o Programa Nacional de Defensivos Agrícolas (PNDA), que veio para facilitar a introdução dos agroquímicos, colaborando para que, a partir de 2008, o Brasil passasse a ser o país com maiores percentuais de uso destes produtos. Essas substâncias geram efeitos deletérios sobre a resposta imune dos indivíduos expostos, principalmente relacionada aos macrófagos, células B, T e NK. Isso afeta a capacidade de fagocitose, apresentação de antígenos e produção de anticorpos, além de induzir a geração de radicais livres de oxigênio e disfunção mitocondrial, resultando em estresse oxidativo e danos ao DNA celular, apoptose em excesso, mutação no ciclo celular, desordem de regulação e, consequentemente, imunodeficiência. Dessa forma, o desenvolvimento de doenças imunomediadas, como asma e doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), está estreitamente ligado aos agrotóxicos, uma vez que esses variados mecanismos de toxicidade ao sistema imune induzem, dentre outras, manifestações respiratórias, tais como tosse, sibilo, irritação e inflamação. Além disso, estes pesticidas estão relacionados com doenças não imunomediadas ao alterar a função normal dos hormônios da tireoide, andrógenos e estrógenos. A fim de avaliar estes impactos, o presente estudo consiste em uma revisão integrativa da literatura e, diante da crescente utilização descontrolada dos agrotóxicos, assume grande relevância, refletindo a necessidade de maior atuação da vigilância epidemiológica, ambiental e da saúde do trabalhador.

Beginning in the 1950s, massive pesticide use began in what is called the "Green Revolution", a quest for increased agricultural productivity and modernization. In the 1960s, the Brazilian National Program of Agricultural Defense was created to facilitate the introduction of agrochemicals, leading the country to become one of the world's largest pesticide users by 2008. These substances have deleterious effects on the immune response of exposed individuals, mainly related to macrophages and B, T, and NK cells. This affects phagocytosis and antigen and antibody production, inducing production of oxygen free radicals and mitochondrial dysfunction, which results in oxidative stress and cellular DNA damage, excess apoptosis, cell cycle mutations, regulatory disorders, and, consequently, immunodeficiency. Thus, the development of immune-mediated diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is closely linked to pesticides, since these varied mechanisms of toxicity to the immune system induce respiratory manifestations, such as cough, wheezing, irritation and inflammation. Pesticide use is also related to non-immune-mediated diseases because exposure alters the normal function of thyroid hormones, androgens, and estrogens. To evaluate their impact, the present study performed an integrative review of the literature, which, due to the growing and uncontrolled use of pesticides, is of great relevance and demonstrates the need for greater epidemiological, environmental, and worker health surveillance.

Casuística das intoxicações por inibidores das colinesterases pelo Centro de Informação e Assistência Toxicológica do Paraná (CIATox/PR) entre 2015 e 2019 / Casuistics of poisonings by cholinesterases inhibitors by the Information and Toxicological Assistance Center of Paraná (CIATox/PR) between 2015 and 2019

Esta pesquisa buscou analisar os casos de intoxicações por organofosforados e carbamatos, presentes em agrotóxicos e pesticidas, registrados na base de dados do Centro de Informação e Assistência Toxicológica do Paraná (CIATox/PR). Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo em que foram avaliadas variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas relacionadas à intoxicação, à forma de exposição, à causa e ao desfecho. Para a análise estatística foram utilizados testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Shapiro-Wilk, Qui-Quadrado e Teste Exato de Fisher, considerando p<0,05. A amostra foi composta por 426 casos, sendo 218 (51,2%) mulheres. O principal agente foi raticida clandestino em 278 (65,2%) pacientes. A principal circunstância das intoxicações foi tentativa de suicídio com 293 (68,8%) casos. Houve predominância de exposição via oral (89,9%) e zona urbana em 349 (81,9%) casos, a maioria considerados leves (52,6%) e assistidos em serviços médicos (66,4%). Cerca de 327 (76,8%) indivíduos apresentavam manifestações clínicas. O tempo decorrido entre a exposição e o contato com o CIATox/PR foi maior nos casos considerados graves (p= 0,041). A atropina foi utilizada em 94 (49%) pacientes intoxicados por carbamatos, em 31 (33,3%) por organofosforados e em 84 (59,6%) por outros inibidores da colinesterase não especificados. Duas mulheres e um adolescente apresentaram desfecho fatal, tendo em comum a ingesta intencional de "chumbinho". A casuística predominante nesta série histórica foi paciente do sexo feminino, faixa etária adulta, residente na região metropolitana, exposta a agrotóxico por via oral, sintomática, classificada como gravidade leve, sem necessidade de atropina, contudo ocorreram três casos com desfecho para o óbito.

This research aimed to analyze the cases of poisoning by organophosphates and carbamates, present in agrochemicals and pesticides, registered in the database of the Information and Toxicological Assistance Center of Paraná (CIATox/PR). This is a retrospective study in which sociodemographic and clinical variables related to intoxication, form of exposure, cause and outcome were evaluated. For the statistical analysis, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Shapiro-Wilk, Chi-Square and Fisher's Exact Test were used, considering p<0.05. The sample consisted of 426 cases, 218 (51.2%) of which were women. The main agent was clandestine rodenticide in 278 (65.2%) patients. The main circumstance of intoxication was a suicide attempt with 293 (68.8%) cases. There was a predominance of oral exposure (89.9%) and urban areas in 349 (81.9%) cases, most considered mild (52.6%) and assisted in medical services (66.4%). About 327 (76.8%) individuals had clinical manifestations. The time elapsed between exposure and contact with CIATox/PR was longer in cases considered severe (p=0.041). Atropine was used in 94 (49%) patients intoxicated by carbamates, in 31 (33.3%) by organophosphates and in 84 (59.6%) by other unspecified cholinesterase inhibitors. Two women and one teenager had a fatal outcome, having in common the intentional ingestion of "chumbinho". The predominant casuistry in this historical series was a female patient, adult age, living in the metropolitan region, exposed to pesticides orally, symptomatic, classified as mild severity, without the need for atropine, however, there were three cases with an outcome of death.

Malathion alters biochemical parameters of liver in albino rats

Liver represents a key role in the physiology of animals as most of the metabolic mechanisms occur in it. The pesticides entered into the human body through various routes viz., oral, dermal, inhalation, etc. affect the liver and alter the metabolic rate of the individual. Malathion is an organophosphate pesticide, commonly used in all kinds of crops to protect them from different kinds of pests. Here, we studied the toxicological effects of malathion on the liver of albino rats. Different doses of malathion @ 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/ kg body wt. were orally administered to the rats for 7 and 15 days. The selected biochemical parameters such as protein, sugar, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutamyl oxalotransaminase (GOT), glutamyl pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glucose-6- phosphatase dehydrogenase (G6PD) values were measured. Results indicates that the value of protein, acid phosphatase and GPT significantly increases as 5.54+0.99 to 7.35+0.48 mg/g, 14.5+2.50 to 27.37+6.43 mol/g/h and 28.52+3.62 to 37.87+3.94 IU/dL, respectively after treatment. But the sugar, alkaline phosphatase and G6PD value significantly decreases after treatment from 126.12+2.64 to 84.5+10.83mg/g, 29.12+2.64 to 15.5+4.24,6.46 +1.56 mol/g/h to 4.62+1.18 IU/gHb, respectively. Value of GOT increased moderately from 38.5+2.44 to44.87+3.31 IU/dL. The above changes revealed the toxic effects of the pesticide malathion.

Comparison of Pesticide Residue Levels in Tomatoes from Open Fields, Greenhouses, Markets and Consumers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya

The study was carried out to determine and compare pesticide residue levels in tomatoes from Mwea Irrigation Scheme. Thirty five tomato samples of Rambo variety randomly collected from open fields, greenhouses, markets and consumers were analyzed using QuEChERS method. Results showed that pesticide residue leve;s from greenhouse tomatoes was higher compared to open fields, markets and consumers. Alpha-cypermethrin level in greenhouse tomatoes (0.0871±0.0087mg/kg) was significantly (p<0.01) higher than from consumers (0.0218±0.0061mg/kg) while difenoconazole from greenhouse tomatoes (0.2597±0.0522 mg/kg) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than from the open field (0.0295±0.0014 mg/kg). Carbendazim level in greenhouse (1.2341±0.1667 mg/kg) tomatoes was significantly (p<0.001) higher than from open fields (0.0596±0.0178 mg/kg), markets (0.1160±0.0490 mg/kg) and consumers (0.0494±0.0155 mg/kg). Imidacloprid in greenhouse tomatoes (0.1446±0.0086 mg/kg) was significantly (p<0.001) higher than from the markets (0.0236±0.0019 mg/kg) and consumers (0.0170±0.0017 mg/kg). High pesticide residue levels in tomatoes are a health concern for consumers. Enforcing the food safety laws, enhancing farmer training on safe use of pesticides and creating awareness on pesticide risks would promote production of uncontaminated crops consumed locally.