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Pesticides, widely used in modern agriculture, could potentially cause environmental pollution and affect human lives. Hence, the development of a highly sensitive sensing element to detect pesticide residues is crucial for food safety and ecosystem protection. Optical methods based on fluorescence properties provide an ideal approach for screening and quantification of these compounds in different medias including water, plant, and nutritional products. The development of fluorescence emitting carbon dot-based sensors for monitoring pesticides has attracted great attention in recent years. In comparison to other fluorophores, carbon dots have more promising optical features, higher quantum yields and better biocompatibility. This article aims to present a novel fluorescent sensing method of diazinon, glyphosate, and amicarbazone using plant-based carbon dots. A comprehensive characterization of carbon dots obtained from cauliflower was performed by methods including UV-visible, FTIR spectroscopy, fluorometry, AFM, DLS, and zeta sizer. Following this step, carbon dots were used to detect pesticides. The fluorescence quenching property of carbon dots has been utilized to identify detection limit of 0.25, 0.5, and 2 ng ml-1 for diazinon, amicarbazone, and glyphosate, respectively. Also, real sample study revealed that the detection of pesticides accompanied by our developed nano-sensor is repeatable and accurate. According to carbon dots specificity determination, the prepared nano sensor does not have the potential to identify \"bromacil\" and \"dialen super\" pesticides but the other three mentioned pesticides are detectable. The results confirm that synthesized green carbon dots are well qualified for application in food safety and environmental monitoring.

Diazinon (DZN) is an organophosphorus (OP) pesticide implicated in carcinogenesis. Its primary mechanism of action is inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). We evaluated the impact of low-dose DZN on two gastric cancer (GC) cell lines (AGS, MKN-45), focusing on cholinergic and serotonergic signaling. Proliferation-stimulatory concentrations were identified by MTT assay (0.1 µM for AGS, 0.01 µM for MKN-45). Scratch assays demonstrated enhanced migration at low doses but suppression at high dose. AO/EB staining confirmed reduced viability with increased apoptosis at high dose. Cell cycle analysis further revealed S-phase accumulation. qRT-PCR demonstrated upregulation of CHRM3 , SLC18A3 , HTR2A/B , SLC6A4 , BCL2 and PCNA , with concomitant downregulation of ACHE , MAOA and BAX in both lines; HTR3A and HTR7 were selectively elevated in AGS cells. Complementary in silico analysis of gastric tumor RNA-seq data (GSE113255) confirmed differential expression of neurotransmission-related genes and enrichment of cholinergic/serotonergic pathways. Collectively, these data indicate that submicromolar DZN promotes proliferation and suppresses apoptosis of GC cells by perturbing neuronal signaling networks. Our findings provide novel evidence linking environmental OP exposure to dysregulated neurotransmitter pathways in gastric carcinogenesis and highlight neuronal signaling components as potential therapeutic or preventive targets.

Endophytic biostimulant with pesticide bioremediation activities may reduce agrochemicals application in rice cultivation. The present study evaluates diazinon-degrading endophytic bacteria, isolated from rice plants grown in the fields with pesticide amalgamation, leading to increased productivity in high-yielding rice plants. These endophytes showed capabilities of decomposing diazinon, confirmed by FT-IR spectra analysis. Growth promoting activities of these endophytes can be attributed to their abilities to produce an increased level of IAA content and to demonstrate high level ACC-deaminase activities. Furthermore, these endophytes demonstrated enhanced level of extracellular cellulase, xylanase, amylase, protease and lignin degrading activities. Five genera including Enterobacter, Pantoea, Shigella, Acinetobacter, and Serratia, are represented only by the leaves, while four genera such as Enterobacter, Escherichia, Kosakonia, and Pseudomonas are represented only by the shoots. Five genera including, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, and Bacillus are represented only by the roots of rice plants. All these strains demonstrated cell wall hydrolytic enzyme activities, except pectinase. All treatments, either individual strains or consortia of strains, enhanced rice plant growth at germination, seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages. Among four (I-IV) consortia, consortium-III generated the maximum rice yield under 70% lower doses of urea compared to that of control (treated with only fertilizer). The decoded genome of Klebsiella sp. HSTU-F2D4R revealed nif-cluster, chemotaxis, phosphates, biofilm formation, and organophosphorus insecticide-degrading genes. Sufficient insecticide-degrading proteins belonging to strain HSTU-F2D4R had interacted with diazinon, confirmed in molecular docking and formed potential catalytic triads, suggesting the strains have bioremediation potential with biofertilizer applications in rice cultivation.

Lethal cardiac complications leading to death and various arrhythmias have been reported after organophosphate and/or carbamate poisonings. The present study focuses on the long-term effects of repeated low-level exposure to diazinon, propoxur, and chlorpyrifos (CPF) on cardiac function in rabbits. The yearly based experimental scheme of exposure consisted of two oral administration periods, lasting 3 months and 1 month each, interrupted by an 8-month washout period (total duration 12 months). At the end of the experimental scheme, the rabbits underwent an echocardiographic evaluation under sedation, after which they were killed and the tissue and serum samples were collected. A mild localized cardiotoxic effect was established by echocardiography for the three pesticides tested. Severe histological alterations were identified, especially in the diazinon-treated animals in agreement with increased persistence of this pesticide established in the cardiac tissue. In addition, all pesticides tested increased the oxidative stress and oxidative modifications in the genomic DNA content of the cardiac tissues, each one following a distinct mechanism.

The present study predicts in vivo human and rat red blood cell (RBC) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition upon diazinon (DZN) exposure using physiological based kinetic (PBK) modelling-facilitated reverse dosimetry. Due to the fact that both DZN and its oxon metabolite diazoxon (DZO) can inhibit AChE, a toxic equivalency factor (TEF) was included in the PBK model to combine the effect of DZN and DZO when predicting in vivo AChE inhibition. The PBK models were defined based on kinetic constants derived from in vitro incubations with liver fractions or plasma of rat and human, and were used to translate in vitro concentration–response curves for AChE inhibition obtained in the current study to predicted in vivo dose–response curves. The predicted dose–response curves for rat matched available in vivo data on AChE inhibition, and the benchmark dose lower confidence limits for 10% inhibition (BMDL10 values) were in line with the reported BMDL10 values. Humans were predicted to be 6-fold more sensitive than rats in terms of AChE inhibition, mainly because of inter-species differences in toxicokinetics. It is concluded that the TEF-coded DZN PBK model combined with quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (QIVIVE) provides an adequate approach to predict RBC AChE inhibition upon acute oral DZN exposure, and can provide an alternative testing strategy for derivation of a point of departure (POD) in risk assessment.

Background Humans are ubiquitously exposed to multiple environmental contaminants. Consequences of combined action on the reproductive system remain unknown. This study aimed to assess single and joint effects of cadmium and diazinon exposure on sperm quality parameters. Methods Male adult Wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups of ten animals each. Group A was used as a control, animals from group B were exposed to cadmium (30 mg/L), rats from group C were administered with diazinon (40 mg/L), and rats from group D were exposed simultaneously to cadmium (30 mg/L) and diazinon (40 mg/L) via drinking water for 90 days. Sperm morphology and motility were evaluated using a bright field microscope and a computer-assisted semen analysis. Results The percentage of motile spermatozoa and morphologically normal sperm was markedly reduced in rats from the group B. Rats from the C group showed an increase in velocity parameters, amplitude of lateral head displacement, decrease in beat-cross frequency, and an increase in abnormal sperm morphology. Simultaneous coexposure to cadmium and diazinon increased distance and velocity parameters, and amplitude of lateral head displacement. Reductions were observed in straightness, linearity, wobble, and beat-cross frequency. The decreased normal sperm morphology rates were related to defects of the sperm tail. Conclusions Exposure to cadmium and diazinon at relatively low doses impairs sperm quality and can reduce male fertility. Cadmium and diazinon caused significant changes on sperm morphology with varying effects on motility patterns. These parameters were significantly higher in the group D as compared to the group C. The findings have important implications for reproductive risk assessment of combined exposures to multiple chemicals.

AbstractObjectiveTo examine associations between early developmental exposure to ambient pesticides and autism spectrum disorder.DesignPopulation based case-control study.SettingCalifornia’s main agricultural region, Central Valley, using 1998-2010 birth data from the Office of Vital Statistics.Population2961 individuals with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, revised (up to 31 December 2013), including 445 with intellectual disability comorbidity, were identified through records maintained at the California Department of Developmental Services and linked to their birth records. Controls derived from birth records were matched to cases 10:1 by sex and birth year.ExposureData from California state mandated Pesticide Use Reporting were integrated into a geographic information system tool to estimate prenatal and infant exposures to pesticides (measured as pounds of pesticides applied per acre/month within 2000 m from the maternal residence). 11 high use pesticides were selected for examination a priori according to previous evidence of neurodevelopmental toxicity in vivo or in vitro (exposure defined as ever v never for each pesticide during specific developmental periods).Main outcome measureOdds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using multivariable logistic regression were used to assess associations between pesticide exposure and autism spectrum disorder (with or without intellectual disabilities) in offspring, adjusting for confounders.ResultsRisk of autism spectrum disorder was associated with prenatal exposure to glyphosate (odds ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.27), chlorpyrifos (1.13, 1.05 to 1.23), diazinon (1.11, 1.01 to 1.21), malathion (1.11, 1.01 to 1.22), avermectin (1.12, 1.04 to 1.22), and permethrin (1.10, 1.01 to 1.20). For autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability, estimated odds ratios were higher (by about 30%) for prenatal exposure to glyphosate (1.33, 1.05 to 1.69), chlorpyrifos (1.27, 1.04 to 1.56), diazinon (1.41, 1.15 to 1.73), permethrin (1.46, 1.20 to 1.78), methyl bromide (1.33, 1.07 to 1.64), and myclobutanil (1.32, 1.09 to 1.60); exposure in the first year of life increased the odds for the disorder with comorbid intellectual disability by up to 50% for some pesticide substances.ConclusionFindings suggest that an offspring’s risk of autism spectrum disorder increases following prenatal exposure to ambient pesticides within 2000 m of their mother’s residence during pregnancy, compared with offspring of women from the same agricultural region without such exposure. Infant exposure could further increase risks for autism spectrum disorder with comorbid intellectual disability.

To address concerns regarding the potential health risks associated with residual chemicals in food products, this study aimed to assess the concentrations of residual Benomyl, Malathion, and Diazinon in cucumbers and evaluate the associated health risks for consumers. This descriptive study involved the collection of 100 cucumber samples from both field and greenhouse cultivation in Mazandaran Province. These samples were subsequently sent to the laboratory for analysis. Following sample preparation and digestion, we determined the levels of residual Malathion, Benomyl, and Diazinon using HPLC. The results showed an average residual Malathion concentration of 2.1 ± 0.04 mg/kg in field-grown cucumbers and 2.04 ± 1.5 mg/kg in greenhouse-cultivated cucumbers. Meanwhile, the average residual Diazinon concentration was 5.1 ± 0.2 mg/kg in field samples and 4.99 ± 3.23 mg/kg in greenhouse samples. The average concentrations of residual Benomyl were found to be 0.94 ± 0.65 mg/kg in field-grown cucumbers and 0.39 ± 0.2 mg/kg in greenhouse-cultivated cucumbers. Furthermore, a health risk assessment model was employed to evaluate the cumulative risk of these residual pesticides in cucumbers. The analysis revealed that residual Benomyl levels ranged from 0 to 24.33 mg/kg, while Malathion ranged from 0 to 9.25 mg/kg, and Diazinon ranged from 0 to 6.8 mg/kg. Notably, in some areas, the average concentration of all three pesticides exceeded the guidelines set by the WHO and the European Union. Additionally, the cumulative risk assessment (represented by MOE value of 2655) indicated that the combined presence of residual Malathion, Benomyl, and Diazinon in field-cultivated cucumbers posed a health risk. Based on current per capita consumption rates, the study's health risk index results raised concerns about the safety of consuming these residual byproducts. Given the growing use of chemicals in agricultural and horticultural practices, it is imperative to monitor residual pesticides to assess dietary intake and ensure consumer safety in food production.

Insecticides allow control of agricultural pests and disease vectors and are vital for global food security and health. The evolution of resistance to insecticides, such as organophosphates (OPs), is a serious and growing concern. OP resistance often involves sequestration or hydrolysis of OPs by carboxylesterases. Inhibiting carboxylesterases could, therefore, restore the effectiveness of OPs for which resistance has evolved. Here, we use covalent virtual screening to produce nano-/picomolar boronic acid inhibitors of the carboxylesterase αE7 from the agricultural pest Lucilia cuprina as well as a common Gly137Asp αE7 mutant that confers OP resistance. These inhibitors, with high selectivity against human acetylcholinesterase and low to no toxicity in human cells and in mice, act synergistically with the OPs diazinon and malathion to reduce the amount of OP required to kill L. cuprina by up to 16-fold and abolish resistance. The compounds exhibit broad utility in significantly potentiating another OP, chlorpyrifos, against the common pest, the peach–potato aphid (Myzus persicae). These compounds represent a solution to OP resistance as well as to environmental concerns regarding overuse of OPs, allowing significant reduction of use without compromising efficacy.

Diazinon insecticide, though associated with human health impacts, is popularly used in the production of Brassica oleracea var. acephala (kale) at the Kimira-Oluch Smallholder Farmers Improvement Project (KOSFIP), Kenya. Diazinon controls insect pests that lower quality and profitability of produce. The preharvest interval of diazinon in kale is 12 days which may not be observed by farmers with inadequate appreciation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Since the extent of GAPs adoption at KOSFIP has not been evaluated, it remains unclear whether diazinon residues levels in kale of KOSFIP could be a health risk to the consumers. Diazinon residues levels and corresponding health risks in farm-gate kal e at KOSFIP were determined. Cross-sectional survey based on snowball sampling identified 40 farms applying diazinon on the vegetable. Triplicate samples were collected from each farm for residue analysis, using the QuEChERS method, and LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. Standard normal distribution function f(z) revealed ≈ 78% of farm-gate samples had detectable residual diazinon levels and 70% were above the Codex MRL of 0.05 mg/kg. Continued application of diazinon on kale at KOSFIP is exposing consumers to short-term health risks. Efforts must be intensified to ensure GAP are adopted. The estimated farm-gate samples with health risk indices for children and adults (HRIc and HRI A ) >1.0 were 64% and 26%, respectively. The residual levels are therefore potential health risks to both children and adults. Farm-gate residual levels and resultant partial HRI were comparatively higher than findings of most previous studies. Inappropriate label PHI and malpractices against GAP may be responsible for high residual levels. There should be regular surveillance and trainings of farmers on GAP for sustainable production of kale in the Lake Victoria region. Use of diazinon on kale should be discouraged and intensive routine pesticide residue screening be enhanced for conventional vegetable produce.