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Background: The polyphagous notorious pest, black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), cause significant production losses due to its distinctive feeding and hiding behavior, making it particularly challenging to control it with conventional methods. Therefore, sustainable agriculture demands more effective and environmentally safe pest control solutions. This study aimed to investigate the toxicity of two insecticide alternatives, the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Beauveria bassiana and Solanum lycopersicum extract (Tomato plant crude extract, TPCE), using two bioassay methods: the poisoned bait method and the leaf dipping method. In addition, the impact of these biological tools on larval development and protein profiles was evaluated. Results: The bait application of both tested materials exhibited higher toxicity than the leaf dipping method, as indicated by the toxicity index. The LC50 values for B. bassiana were 1.6 × 10⁸ and 1.8 × 10⁶ conidia ml−1 using the leaf dipping method and poisoned baits method, respectively. For TPCE, the LC50 values were 4.35 and 1.51 mg ml−1 for the same methods, respectively. In addition, sublethal concentrations of both materials altered the larval and pupal durations. B. bassiana significantly reduced the concentration of larval hemolymph protein. A maximum of 12 protein bands in the control sample, with molecular weights (Mw) ranging between 35 and 120 kDa, were detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). In B. bassiana-treated larvae, ten bands were detected with Mw ranging from 35 to 120 kDa. At least seven bands were detected in TPCE-treated larvae, with Mw ranging from 35 to 97 kDa. Conclusions: The findings of this study can be integrated into management programs for A. ipsilon. In addition, the availability of B. bassiana and TPCE in Egypt and their cost-effectiveness as insecticide alternatives support their use in the management programs of this critical pest. These methods are particularly effective when applied in bait form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The polyphagous notorious pest, black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), cause significant production losses due to its distinctive feeding and hiding behavior, making it particularly challenging to control it with conventional methods. Therefore, sustainable agriculture demands more effective and environmentally safe pest control solutions. This study aimed to investigate the toxicity of two insecticide alternatives, the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Beauveria bassiana and Solanum lycopersicum extract (Tomato plant crude extract, TPCE), using two bioassay methods: the poisoned bait method and the leaf dipping method. In addition, the impact of these biological tools on larval development and protein profiles was evaluated. Results The bait application of both tested materials exhibited higher toxicity than the leaf dipping method, as indicated by the toxicity index. The LC50 values for B. bassiana were 1.6 × 10⁸ and 1.8 × 10⁶ conidia ml−1 using the leaf dipping method and poisoned baits method, respectively. For TPCE, the LC50 values were 4.35 and 1.51 mg ml−1 for the same methods, respectively. In addition, sublethal concentrations of both materials altered the larval and pupal durations. B. bassiana significantly reduced the concentration of larval hemolymph protein. A maximum of 12 protein bands in the control sample, with molecular weights (Mw) ranging between 35 and 120 kDa, were detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). In B. bassiana-treated larvae, ten bands were detected with Mw ranging from 35 to 120 kDa. At least seven bands were detected in TPCE-treated larvae, with Mw ranging from 35 to 97 kDa. Conclusions The findings of this study can be integrated into management programs for A. ipsilon. In addition, the availability of B. bassiana and TPCE in Egypt and their cost-effectiveness as insecticide alternatives support their use in the management programs of this critical pest. These methods are particularly effective when applied in bait form. Graphical Abstract

This research focuses on examining the potential impact of charcoal briquettes and lumps on human health due to the emissions they release, and verifying their quality standards. Quality assessment was conducted using a device capable of measuring toxic gases to identify contaminants from various sources such as biomass, synthetic resins, coal, metals, and mineral matter. Toxicity assessments were carried out on five types of briquettes and two varieties of lump charcoal. All charcoal samples were subjected to elemental analysis (SEM/EDAX), including the examination of Ca, Al, Cr, V, Cu, Fe, S, Sr, Si, Ba, Pb, P, Mn, Rb, K, Ti, and Zn. The results showed that burning lump charcoal had toxicity indexes ranging from 2.5 to 5, primarily due to NOx emissions. Briquettes, on the other hand, exhibited higher toxicity indices between 3.5 and 6.0, with CO2 being the main contributor to toxicity. The average 24-h CO content of all charcoal samples exceeded the World Health Organization’s 24-h Air Quality Guideline of 6.34 ppm, with a measurement of 37 ppm. The data indicates that most of the products tested did not meet the prevailing quality standard (EN 1860-2:2005 (E) in Appliances, solid fuels and firelighters for barbecuing—Part 2: Barbecue charcoal and barbecue charcoal briquettes—Requirements and test method, 2005), which specifies a maximum of 1% contaminants, with some products containing as much as 21% impurities. The SEM analysis revealed irregularly shaped grains with an uneven distribution of particles, and the average particle size distribution is quite broad at 5 μm. Malaysia Charcoal had the highest calorific value at 32.80 MJ/Kg, with the value being influenced by the fixed carbon content—higher carbon content resulting in a higher calorific value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Level of symptom burden for cancer patients can be summarized using simple-summated scoring of multiple patient-reported symptoms. The Toxicity Index (TI) is an alternative that has been used primarily to summarize clinician-reported toxicities. Objective To compare the TI with simple-summated scoring of 28 patient-reported symptoms. Methods This is a secondary analysis of longitudinal data from a clinical trial of women with stage 2 or 3 breast cancer: baseline (n = 2156) and 6 months later (n = 1764). Study participants completed the 28-item Breast Cancer Prevention Trial symptom checklist assessing level of symptom bother in the past 7 days and four criterion items assessing general health and overall quality of life. Results Associations of simple-summated scoring of the 28 cancer-related symptoms with the general health and overall quality of life items tended to be larger than correlations of the TI summary scoring of the symptoms. For example, the Spearman correlation of change in quality of life was − 0.38 with change in the simple-summated score and − 0.23 with change in the TI. Conclusion The findings suggest that simple-summated scoring and differential weighting of the level of symptom bother yield similar results. Implications for Practice Clinicians can use simple-summated scoring rather than more complicated scoring algorithms to obtain an indication of overall level of symptom burden among cancer patients.

Epidemiological studies have suggested that inhalation exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution, especially fine particles (i.e., PM2.5 (PM with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns or less)), is causally associated with cardiovascular health risks. To explore the toxicological mechanisms behind the observed adverse health effects, the hemolytic activity of PM2.5 samples collected during different pollution levels in Beijing was evaluated. The results demonstrated that the hemolysis of PM2.5 ranged from 1.98% to 7.75% and demonstrated a clear dose–response relationship. The exposure toxicity index (TI) is proposed to represent the toxicity potential of PM2.5, which is calculated by the hemolysis percentage of erythrocytes (red blood cells, RBC) multiplied by the mass concentration of PM2.5. In a pollution episode, as the mass concentration increases, TI first increases and then decreases, that is, TI (low pollution levels) < TI (heavy pollution levels) < TI (medium pollution levels). In order to verify the feasibility of the hemolysis method for PM toxicity detection, the hemolytic properties of PM2.5 were compared with the plasmid scission assay (PSA). The hemolysis results had a significant positive correlation with the DNA damage percentages, indicating that the hemolysis assay is feasible for the detection of PM2.5 toxicity, thus providing more corroborating information regarding the risk to human cardiovascular health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ContextSummarizing longitudinal symptomatic adverse events during clinical trials is necessary for understanding treatment tolerability. The Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) provides insight for capturing treatment tolerability within trials. Tolerability summary measures, such as the maximum score, are often used to communicate the potential negative symptoms both in the medical literature and directly to patients. Commonly, the proportions of present and severe symptomatic adverse events are used and reported between treatment arms among adverse event types. The toxicity index is also a summary measure previously applied to clinician-reported CTCAE data.ObjectivesApply the toxicity index to PRO-CTCAE data from the COMET-2 trial alongside the maximum score, then present and discuss considerations for using the toxicity index as a summary measure for communicating tolerability to patients and clinicians.MethodsProportions of maximum PRO-CTCAE severity levels and median toxicity index were computed by arm using all trial data and adjusting for baseline symptoms.ResultsGroup-wise statistical differences were similar whether using severity level proportions or the toxicity index. The impact of adjusting for baseline symptoms was equivalently seen when comparing arms using severity rates or the toxicity index.ConclusionThe toxicity index is a useful method when ranking patients from those with the least to most symptomatic adverse event burden. This study showed the toxicity index can be applied to PRO-CTCAE data. Though as a tolerability summary measure, further study is needed to provide a clear clinical or patient-facing interpretation of the toxicity index.

Abstract Background The gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner), Bihar hairy caterpillar (Spilosoma obliqua Walker), tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura Fabricius) and root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood) are the major insect pest and nematodes infesting mungbean, urdbean and other legumes. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a promising biocontrol agent that helps in managing the above pest. Deploying Bt biopesticides instead of chemical pesticides in legume cultivation enhances the soil health substantially. The present study envisages morphological, molecular cum biochemical characterization, entomotoxicity and nematotoxicity potential of four indigenous Bt strains (Ak2.IIPR, F8.IIPR, F5.IIPR and F6.IIPR) along with HD1 (standard check from BGSC). Results The SEM micrograph analysis of above four Bt strains along with F1.IIPR revealed the presence of different combinations of insecticidal crystal proteins, viz. cuboidal crystal (CC), bipyramidal crystal (BC), spherical crystal (SC) and irregularly pointed crystal (IC). This was further confirmed by PCR amplification of Cry1, Cry2Aa, Cry2Ac, VIP3A and chi36 gene-specific primers and their phylogenetic analysis. F8.IIPR and Ak2.IIPR recorded the highest toxicity index against second-instar S. obliqua larvae (292.56 and 174.55), H. armigera (150.00 and 113.65) and S. litura (210.71 and 114.19) based on probit analysis. F5.IIPR (91.67%) and F8.IIPR (89.00%) recorded the highest juvenile mortality against M. incognita, followed by Ak2.IIPR (70.33%). The protein profiling of supernatant of terrific broth inoculated with F8.IIPR indicated the presence of VIP3A and Cry1I. Conclusion The present study concluded that F8.IIPR and Ak2.IIPR were potential Bt strains isolated from Indo-Gangetic plains which is having both entomocidal and nematicidal properties. Further, these strains were deposited at national repository, ICAR-NBAIM with the following accession no.: NAIMCC-SB-065 and NAIMCC-SB-066, respectively. These strains can be formulated as microbial biopesticide.

Phosphogypsum (PG: CaSO4·2H2O) is a waste product (or by-product) from the production of phosphoric acid, the main component in the production of concentrated simple and complex fertilizers. The world production of phosphogypsum exceeds 200 million tons per year. PG discharged into water bodies (seas, rivers) or disposed of in land dumps may contain elements (including heavy metals and radionuclides) in forms and concentrations that are toxic to ecosystems and human health, which raises concerns about its impact on the environment. The concentrations of these elements vary depending on the region where the raw material is mined and the process used to produce phosphoric acid. Given the significant volumes of phosphogypsum formed, an urgent problem is not only the development of methods for its disposal, but also a special, specific control over its composition after the release of PG and during its use for removal, transportation, and storage in dumps and sludge storages. This article presents the results of comprehensive studies on the determination of the chemical and mineralogical composition of by-products from an experimental plant for the processing of phosphate raw materials of the designed chemical complex of the EuroChem-Karatau company (Republic of Kazakhstan). Based on the conducted studies, it was established that, in terms of the total toxicity index, the studied wastes belong to the fourth hazard class (low-hazardous) with the possibility of processing for the purpose of their further use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner), Bihar hairy caterpillar (Spilosoma obliqua Walker), tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura Fabricius) and root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood) are the major insect pest and nematodes infesting mungbean, urdbean and other legumes. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a promising biocontrol agent that helps in managing the above pest. Deploying Bt biopesticides instead of chemical pesticides in legume cultivation enhances the soil health substantially. The present study envisages morphological, molecular cum biochemical characterization, entomotoxicity and nematotoxicity potential of four indigenous Bt strains (Ak2.IIPR, F8.IIPR, F5.IIPR and F6.IIPR) along with HD1 (standard check from BGSC). Results: The SEM micrograph analysis of above four Bt strains along with F1.IIPR revealed the presence of different combinations of insecticidal crystal proteins, viz. cuboidal crystal (CC), bipyramidal crystal (BC), spherical crystal (SC) and irregularly pointed crystal (IC). This was further confirmed by PCR amplification of Cry1, Cry2Aa, Cry2Ac, VIP3A and chi36 gene-specific primers and their phylogenetic analysis. F8.IIPR and Ak2.IIPR recorded the highest toxicity index against second-instar S. obliqua larvae (292.56 and 174.55), H. armigera (150.00 and 113.65) and S. litura (210.71 and 114.19) based on probit analysis. F5.IIPR (91.67%) and F8.IIPR (89.00%) recorded the highest juvenile mortality against M. incognita, followed by Ak2.IIPR (70.33%). The protein profiling of supernatant of terrific broth inoculated with F8.IIPR indicated the presence of VIP3A and Cry1I. Conclusion: The present study concluded that F8.IIPR and Ak2.IIPR were potential Bt strains isolated from Indo-Gangetic plains which is having both entomocidal and nematicidal properties. Further, these strains were deposited at national repository, ICAR-NBAIM with the following accession no.: NAIMCC-SB-065 and NAIMCC-SB-066, respectively. These strains can be formulated as microbial biopesticide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we performed three tests to measure the fire-retardant performance of power cables installed in utility tunnels. The standards we applied for testing are ISO 5660-1, NES 713, and IEEE 1202. Specifically, we performed a cone calorimetric analysis, calculated the toxicity index, and measured the flame spread length on material surfaces. Even though the same fire-retardant chemical composites were applied, various differences in fire-retardant performance were found depending on the chemical properties of the cable sheath and insulation. We also found that gaseous substances generated during the burning of cables can serve as important risk assessment factors in fires. We determined that, in addition to the heat generated when the cable burns, the toxic gases emitted at this time can also be a risk factor. This is because it is important to consider any potential risk to a person entering as part of an initial response to an event or accident involving cables installed in utility tunnels. Moreover, in the event of a fire in the cable, there is a risk of hazardous substances flowing into the city center as toxic gases are released. Therefore, we determined that the risk of hazardous gases emitted during cable fire should be reflected in the fire-retardant performance standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeThe toxicity index (TI) is a summary index that accounts for toxicity grades associated with cancer symptoms that is more sensitive than other toxicity systems to treatment differences. The TI can be used with patient-reported symptoms but requires that scores for different items represent equivalent severity. The purpose of this article is to provide an example of scoring patient-reported symptoms that satisfies the requirement of equivalent symptom severity.MethodsA sample of 1232 adults with rectal cancer from a Phase III clinical trial self-reported 18 symptoms on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer colorectal cancer measure using a 4-category response scale (not at all, a little bit, quite a bit, or very much). The participants were 22 to 85 years of age (mean age, 57 years), 30% were female, 85% were non-Hispanic white, 59% had stage II cancer, and 41% had stage III cancer. A recoded TI was created using item response theory category thresholds.FindingsThe recoded TI had larger rank-order correlations than the original TI with Karnofsky performance status index, hemoglobin level, symptom bother, and other aspects of health-related quality of life.ImplicationsRecoding items based on category thresholds yielded a more valid TI score that can be used to summarize adverse events.

Research work on the new assessment of environmental indicators using equipment from the PEMS group (Portable Emission Measurement Systems) with motor vehicles is being developed. Due to the miniaturization of equipment, there are new measurement possibilities for more and more numerous groups of vehicles, including two-wheelers. The article presents the research and a summary of the results of a moped equipped with a two-stroke engine, approved in accordance with the Euro 3 standard. The research object is mainly used for driving in urban traffic. Therefore, the research route was created as the first communication frame in the Poznań agglomeration. In the analysis of the results, the author's M toxicity index was proposed, which is based on the assumption that CO2 emission is a measure of the correctness of the combustion process. The equipment from the PEMS-AxionR/S+ group, characterized by small dimensions and low weight, was used to determine the actual motion parameters and the emission of toxic compounds. In the analysis of the measurement results, dimensionless indicators of toxicity M of gaseous compounds were determined and a comparative analysis was made with the values of other objects obtained in the course of previous research (motorcycle, passenger car, off-road vehicle, hybrid bus and agricultural tractor). Due to the engine design (two-stroke type), the worst environmental indicators were obtained for CO and HC compared to other tested vehicles.

BackgroundThe National Cancer Institute Moonshot research initiative calls for improvements in the analysis and reporting of treatment toxicity to advise key stakeholders on treatment tolerability and inform regulatory and clinical decision making. This study illustrates alternative approaches to toxicity evaluation using the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project R-04 clinical trial as an example.MethodsNational Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project R-04 was a neoadjuvant chemoradiation trial in stage II-III rectal cancer patients. A 2 x 2 factorial design was used to evaluate whether the addition of oxaliplatin (Oxa) to 5-fluorouracil (5FU) or capecitabine (Cape) with radiation therapy improved local-regional tumor control. The toxicity index (TI), which accounts for the frequency and severity of toxicities, was compared across treatments using multivariable probabilistic index models, where Pr A

Epidemiological studies have suggested that inhalation exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution, especially fine particles (i.e., PM2.5 (PM with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns or less)), is causally associated with cardiovascular health risks. To explore the toxicological mechanisms behind the observed adverse health effects, the hemolytic activity of PM2.5 samples collected during different pollution levels in Beijing was evaluated. The results demonstrated that the hemolysis of PM2.5 ranged from 1.98% to 7.75% and demonstrated a clear dose–response relationship. The exposure toxicity index (TI) is proposed to represent the toxicity potential of PM2.5, which is calculated by the hemolysis percentage of erythrocytes (red blood cells, RBC) multiplied by the mass concentration of PM2.5. In a pollution episode, as the mass concentration increases, TI first increases and then decreases, that is, TI (low pollution levels) < TI (heavy pollution levels) < TI (medium pollution levels). In order to verify the feasibility of the hemolysis method for PM toxicity detection, the hemolytic properties of PM2.5 were compared with the plasmid scission assay (PSA). The hemolysis results had a significant positive correlation with the DNA damage percentages, indicating that the hemolysis assay is feasible for the detection of PM2.5 toxicity, thus providing more corroborating information regarding the risk to human cardiovascular health.

Buildings in modern society tend to gradually expand in size due to technological development and overcrowding, which increases the risk of fire. Therefore, continuous efforts are being made to ensure the evacuation safety of occupants by installing firefighting facilities and using flame retardant building finishing materials. This study aims to present a fire performance evaluation plan for building finishing materials using simulations and identify risks that arise from not using flame retardant building finishing materials in medical facilities with vulnerable occupants. A control group for fire performance evaluation was selected using polyurethane foam, while two types of cellulose-based building finishing materials with different flame retardants were chosen for analysis. The cellulose-based finishing materials included expanded graphite, magnesium hydroxide, montmorillonite, and ammonium polyphosphate. Fire performance was evaluated using FDS and path detector simulations based on NES 713 and ISO 5660-1. The results of the study showed that there was a difference of three people in the prediction of the number of deaths depending on the scope of analysis, and it was confirmed that the toxic gas detected was different depending on the added flame retardant. Additionally, construction finishing materials with flame retardant performance increased ASET by at least 130 s compared to polyurethane foam, and the evacuation safety exceeded 1, confirming the effectiveness of securing evacuation stability for occupants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research work on the new assessment of environmental indicators using equipment from the PEMS group (Portable Emission Measurement Systems) with motor vehicles is being developed. Due to the miniaturization of equipment, there are new measurement possibilities for more and more numerous groups of vehicles, including twowheelers. The article presents the research and a summary of the results of a moped equipped with a two-stroke engine, approved in accordance with the Euro 3 standard. The research object is mainly used for driving in urban traffic. Therefore, the research route was created as the first communication frame in the Poznań agglomeration. In the analysis of the results, the author's M toxicity index was proposed, which is based on the assumption that CO2 emission is a measure of the correctness of the combustion process. The equipment from the PEMS-AxionR/S+ group, characterized by small dimensions and low weight, was used to determine the actual motion parameters and the emission of toxic compounds. In the analysis of the measurement results, dimensionless indicators of toxicity M of gaseous compounds were determined and a comparative analysis was made with the values of other objects obtained in the course of previous research (motorcycle, passenger car, off-road vehicle, hybrid bus and agricultural tractor). Due to the engine design (two-stroke type), the worst environmental indicators were obtained for CO and HC compared to other tested vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to understand the health status of Karaj River ecosystem as one of the most important rivers in Iran, the physicochemical parameters, toxicity and saprobic indices were analyzed due to sampling from 12 stations in 2021. Identification of benthic organisms and calculation of biological value was performed. Qualitative status, toxicity analysis, measurement of PAHs along with statistical analysis were performed as well. According to the results, the general water quality index decreased in downstream except for the branches. Toxicity had fluctuating and generally decreased from upstream to downstream. The biological value index had the highest rate in Chamran Park and the lowest recorded in Haft Cheshmeh branch. In terms of saprobic index, the river categorized in Oligosaprob, β-mesosaprob and α-amesosaprob classes. Upstream stations had favorable status compared to downstream in both cold and warm seasons. Karaj basin subdivision maps were prepared based on the Munich method, IRWQIsc index and the combination of saprobi map, BOD and land use in the region. The results of the analysis confirmed the important role of human activities in river water quality, especially in rural and garden uses, and in the next stage, roads. From upstream to downstream, the number of pollutant sources has increased and their roles were evident. Development of rural areas negatively increased BOD and benthic index. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor and treat wastewater, to issue the environmental standards for agriculture activities and groundwater uses, as well as deal with violators with the aim of conserving the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Increased agricultural operations result in increased usage of various pesticides to safeguard crops, however, this is done without paying attention to the effects of the amounting potential harm to both humans and the environment. In this present study, a structured study was conducted on the uptake of atrazine, mesotrione, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.4-D), and glyphosate herbicides from contaminated soil and translocation into different maize segments. It was observed that 2.4-D was least absorbed by the soil, however, all the studied herbicide showed high absorption in the leafy segment of the maize plant due to the high polarity of the leaf cuticle. Glyphosate showed a high absorption rate in soil, roots, stalk, and leaves while mesotrione was highly absorbed in corn and tassels in all treatments. The absorption rate of the herbicide increased with increasing growth days. The higher treatment concentration (0.75 µg/l) showed elevated accumulation with the highest concentration (1.0 µg/l) observed for glyphosate in leaves after 140 days and high mesotrione in corn (0.51 µg/l) and tassel (0.42 µg/l) observed after 120 days. The PTi values of all treatments were >1 however, the hi data were below 100% indicating minimal possible health risk linked to the intake of these crops by both adults and children.

Purpose of the study. Assessment of albumin and endogenous intoxication levels in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer receiving immunotherapy with dendritic cell vaccine.Materials and methods. The study included 27 patients with advanced cervical cancer (CC) divided into 3 groups: 1) patients receiving dendritic cell vaccine (DCV) during primary chemoradiation treatment; 2) patients with the disease progression receiving DCV during second‑line chemotherapy; 3) patients with advanced disease with contraindications for chemo‑radiation treatment receiving DCV only. The comparison group included 20 healthy women. All groups were tested for levels of medium‑weight molecules (MWM254 and MWM280), total and effective concentrations of albumin (TCA and ECA), toxicity index (TI) characterizing the sorption capacity of albumin, and the coefficient of intoxication (CI) reflecting the balance between the accumulation and binding of toxic ligands.Results. Initial elevation of MWM was observed in all patients. Levels of MWM254 were the highest in patients with progression. TI in patients with primary and progressive CC was increased before the treatment by 1.7 and 2.2 times, and after CT (without DCV) – by 2.6 and 3.8 times. In group 3, TI was increased by 4 times, and CI by 2.5 times, being 81 % higher than in group 1. In primary patients, TI after 6 and 7 DCVs was similar to the normal values, and CI was increased during the treatment because of the accumulation of MWM254 due to disintegration of tumor masses in these patients, and then it was normalized after 7 DCVs. CI in patients of groups 2 and 3 decreased after each DCV session. 4 and more DCVs restored the functional activity of albumin and normalized the MWM content.Conclusion. Administration of DCV (at least 7–8 sessions) in CC patients receiving anticancer treatment or as monotherapy decreases endotoxicosis and restores detoxification capacity of albumin.

In this study, we performed three tests to measure the fire-retardant performance of power cables installed in utility tunnels. The standards we applied for testing are ISO 5660-1, NES 713, and IEEE 1202. Specifically, we performed a cone calorimetric analysis, calculated the toxicity index, and measured the flame spread length on material surfaces. Even though the same fire-retardant chemical composites were applied, various differences in fire-retardant performance were found depending on the chemical properties of the cable sheath and insulation. We also found that gaseous substances generated during the burning of cables can serve as important risk assessment factors in fires. We determined that, in addition to the heat generated when the cable burns, the toxic gases emitted at this time can also be a risk factor. This is because it is important to consider any potential risk to a person entering as part of an initial response to an event or accident involving cables installed in utility tunnels. Moreover, in the event of a fire in the cable, there is a risk of hazardous substances flowing into the city center as toxic gases are released. Therefore, we determined that the risk of hazardous gases emitted during cable fire should be reflected in the fire-retardant performance standard.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem disease characterized by chronic inflammation and damage to vital organs and systems. Despite the great success achieved in the treatment of SLE, glucocorticoids (GC) remain one of the main methods of therapy. The GC toxicity index is an objective method for assessing adverse events associated with their use, and in future studies can be actively used to monitor the safety of various therapy regimens. Wider introduction of this index in the management of patients with SLE will allow to optimize approaches to the selection of GC doses, to consider earlier prescription of biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, before the development of severe irreversible damage.

The onset of large-scale industrial and household application of nanoobjects has boosted interest in research of interactions between nanoparticles of various nature and biological objects. However, the impact of nanomaterials on biological systems, including humans, is not fully understood. The results obtained recently in various laboratories do not give an accurate answer about their safety. Previously, we found that exposure of bacterial cells to single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes resulted in their decay. To explain this effect, in this work we analyzed the effect of two other types of carbon nanoparticles, diamond and graphite, on bacterial cells. Engineered cells of Escherichia coli strain K12 TGI with a luminous phenotype were used as a test system to study the effects of diamond nanoparticles obtained by the detonation method and of graphite nanoparticles obtained by sonication. Based on bioluminescence and scanning electron microscopy data, it was shown that these types of nanoparticles were not toxic to bacterial cells. Our results demonstrate that the safety of nanomaterials depends not only on their composition, but also on their internal structure. This will help to further develop safety criteria for nanomaterials and to establish the conditions and standards for their use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the primary objectives of any public health programme is to design a protocol that will curtail a population from being predisposed to toxic substances in the environment. Biomarkers help in actualising such an objective by their potential to detect the presence of toxic substances in environmental media such as soil, water and air. The Ostracod Heterocypris incongruens, an already established biomarker for quality evaluation of freshwater, does not quantify toxicity. This work was aimed at modelling Ostracod bioassay as a quantitative whole-water toxicity assay (QWTA) for the determination of potentially chemical contaminated swimming pools. In this modelling approach, a pool water sample was deliberately contaminated with a mixture of Fenton reagent (FR) and Bonny light (BL) crude oil. The mechanism of toxic injury of this mixture is via oxidative stress-mediated superoxide ion and other free radicals. The mortalities and growth factors of the exposed freshly hatched Ostracods to the serial dilutions of the contaminated swimming pool water sample for 6 days were mathematically modelled to toxicity indices (Ti), which were used to construct the toxicity reference curve (TRC). A graph of the "toxic concentrations" of the serially diluted contaminated pool water sample against Ostracod mortality was plotted. The TRC and the linear graph constitute the "Ostracod-linked mathematical model". Against the reference mortality ≤ 20% of the Ostracods, the toxicity index based on the model prediction is ≤ 32.5, and this signifies "no observed toxic effect" for toxicity values below 32.5 units. Using this model, toxicity indices were calculated for 5 randomly selected swimming pools in the study area. The results showed that the outdoor pool SP 5 has a toxic index of 49.0, while outdoor pools SP 2 and SP 3 each has a toxic index of 42.5. The indoor swimming pool (SP 4) and Standard water (control) have zero toxicity, thus suggesting that that the outdoor pools SP 2, SP 3 and SP 5 were possibly contaminated by chemicals from extraneous sources while contamination of SP 1 was very much negligible, hence the "no observed toxic effect". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution in Port Harcourt metropolis exacerbated by ambient air-borne black soot particles in the past 4 years has become a great concern especially for children who indulge in recreational pools' activities. This study was therefore carried out to evaluate the toxicities of recreational pools in Port Harcourt City and hence perform preliminary health risk assessment. Five recreational pools (4 outdoor and 1 indoor) were used out of the randomly selected 8, from 30 that were identified. Toxicity assessment was carried out using "Ostracods-linked mathematical model" while risk assessment was by analysing protein oxidation and hepatotoxicity in the hepatocytes of exposed rats. Questionnaire-based approach was used to elicit relevant information from children (10–13 years) who consistently engaged in recreational pool activities. The pH and temperature and bacteriological examination of the pools were also carried out. Results show that all the pools were in fairly good sanitary conditions based on the highest mean bacterial counts (2.33±0.57/100 ml), while all were slightly acidic and with normal temperature range. The toxicity indices of outdoor pools (SP 1) and (SP 5) are respectively 20.8 and 49.0 units, while that of outdoor pools (SP 2) and (SP 3) are the same (42.5 units). "No-observed-effect-toxicity" (NOET) was observed for the indoor pool (SP 4). Analysis of the structured questionnaires inferred that none of the children traced has or has had any of the recreational water illnesses. However, results of protein oxidation in rats and hepatotoxicity of rats' hepatocytes suggest that the exposed children may be at oxidative stress-related risks in future especially if the children continue, without adequate precaution, in the use of these pools. It is recommended that further monitoring of these children be continued while measures such as frequent changes of the pool water are ensured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Household and industrial wastes that have been accumulated during the last 40-50 years in the territories of organized and spontaneous landfills (garbage dumps) are causes of pollution of natural water bodies near places of their locations. As results of the actions of precipitation and those of solar irradiation, there takes place drainage water formation; such waters are polluted with harmful and toxic ingredients. The known indices of pollution of industrial and surface waters as well as the technique of determination of the class of danger of solid household wastes have been analyzed. The application of this technique to liquid wastes is suggested, since the change of aggregate state must not restrict its application; on the contrary, a new useful unexpected result can emerge with this. A rather simple dimensionless index of toxicity has been chosen on the basis of the following examples: composition of the drainage waters of a specific landfill, content of harmful ingredients in them, excess ratio of their maximum permissible concentration. Such an index takes into account the maximum permissible concentration of the harmful substance in the ground as well as the fraction of the harmful ingredients in the total mass of the liquid waste. Using the dimensionless index of toxicity, there are drawn bar charts from which the sequence of removal of harmful components from the liquid mixture can be determined; starting with the component with the least value of dimensionless index of toxicity which characterizes the most dangerous component.

A significant reason for developing innovative insecticidal active agents is the exponential rise in resistance to traditional chemical pesticides. Exploring new classes of insecticidal compounds with distinct mechanisms of action is one way to address this difficulty. So that, novel aryl thioamides derivatives 3-15 has been synthesized viaone-pot, three-component reaction of aroyl chloride, ammonium thiocyanate, and aromatic amines in dry acetone. The newly synthesized compounds' structures were validated by various spectroscopic methods, including elemental analysis, 1 H-NMR, 13 C NMR, and infrared spectroscopy. Under laboratory circumstances, the synthesized compounds showed good and broad-spectrum insecticidal activities toward S. littorali. When compared to other synthetic target compounds, 2,4-dichloro-N-[(3-fluorophenyl)carbamothioyl]benzamide 11, 2,4-dichloro-N-[(3-fluorophenyl)carbamothioyl]benzenecarbothioamide 13 showed good insecticidal activity, with 46.33 mg/L and LC 50 values of 49.25 mg/L for 2 nd instar larvae. Furthermore, the compound 3 was the least toxic in controlling the second and fourth instar larvae of S. littoralis on tomato leaves. Additionally, several histopathological and biochemical features of the some synthesized compounds under laboratory circumstances were also examined., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Five types of heterocyclic compounds containing trifloromethylpyridine scaffold namely; 3-cyano-2-(N-phenyl)carbamoylmethylthio-6-(thiophen-2-yl)-4-trifluoromethyl-pyridine (6a), thieno[2,3-b]pyridines 3-5 and 7a-c, pyrido[3',2':4,5]thieno[3,2-d] pyrimidines 8-13 and 15a-c, pyrido[3',2':4,5]thieno[3,2-d][1,2,3]triazines 16a,b, and 9-(thiophen-2-yl)-7-(trifluoromethyl) pyrido [3',2':4,5]thieno[2,3-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine (14) were synthesized in excellent yields and very pure state. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by elemental and spectral analyses. Most of the synthesized compounds were evaluated as insecticidal agents toward Aphis gossypii insects and promising results obtained. Among all tested compounds, only 6, 7a, 7c and 15c being the most potent compounds against nymphs and adults of Aphis gossypii and their activities are nearly to that of acetamiprid as a reference. The effect of 6a compounds 7a, 7c and 15c on the Aphis digestive system from histological point of view was also included., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Cancer clinical trials typically generate detailed patient toxicity data. The most common measure used to summarize patient toxicity is the maximum grade among all toxicities and it does not fully represent the toxicity burden experienced by patients. In this article, we study the mathematical and statistical properties of the toxicity index (TI), in an effort to address this deficiency. We introduce a total ordering, (T‐rank), that allows us to fully rank the patients according to how frequently they exhibit toxicities, and show that TI is the only measure that preserves the T‐rank among its competitors. Moreover, we propose a Poisson‐Limit model for sparse toxicity data. Under this model, we develop a general two‐sample test, which can be applied to any summary measure for detecting differences among two population of toxicity data. We derive the asymptotic power function of this class as well as the asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE) of the members of the class. We evaluate the ARE formula empirically and show that if the data are drawn from a random Poisson‐Limit model, the TI is more efficient, with high probability, than the maximum and the average summary measures. Finally, we evaluate our method on clinical trial toxicity data and show that TI has a higher power in detecting the differences in toxicity profile among treatments. The results of this article can be applied beyond toxicity modeling, to any problem where one observes a sparse array of scores on subjects and a ranking based on extreme scores is desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In keeping with our investigation, a simple and practical synthesis of novel heterocyclic compounds with a sulfamoyl moiety that can be employed as insecticidal agents was reported. The compound 2-hydrazinyl- N -(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-2-thioxoacetamide 1 was coupled smoothly with triethylorthoformate or a variety of halo compounds, namely phenacyl chloride, chloroacetyl chloride, chloroacetaldehyde, chloroacetone, 1,3-dichloropropane, 1,2-dichloroethane, ethyl chloroformate, 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone, and chloroanil respectively, which afforded the 1,3,4-thiadiazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazine derivatives. The new products structure was determined using elemental and spectral analysis. Under laboratory conditions, the biological and toxicological effects of the synthetic compounds were also evaluated as insecticides against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). Compounds 3 and 5 had LC 50 values of 6.42 and 6.90 mg/L, respectively. The investigated compounds (from 2 to 11 ) had been undergoing molecular docking investigation for prediction of the optimal arrangement and strength of binding between the ligand (herein, the investigated compounds (from 2 to 11 )) and a receptor (herein, the 2CH5) molecule. The binding affinity within docking score ( S , kcal/mol) ranged between -8.23 (for compound 5 ), -8.12 (for compound 3 ) and -8.03 (for compound 9 ) to -6.01 (for compound 8 ). These compounds were shown to have a variety of binding interactions within the 2CH5 active site, as evidenced by protein-ligand docking configurations. This study gives evidence that those compounds have 2CH5-inhibitory capabilities and hence may be used for 2CH5-targeting development. Furthermore, the three top-ranked compounds ( 5 , 3 , and 9 ) and the standard buprofezin were subjected to density functional theory (DFT) analysis. The highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) energy difference (Δ E ) of compounds 5 , 3 , and 9 was found to be comparable to that of buprofezin. These findings highlighted the potential and relevance of charge transfer at the molecular level.

The household and industrial wastes that have been accumulated during the last 40-50 years organized and spontaneous landfills (garbage dumps) pollution of the natural water bodies near locations. As results of precipitation and solar irradiation, the drainage of water formation occurs; such waters are polluted with harmful and toxic ingredients. The known indices of pollution of industrial and surface waters as well as the technique for determining the class of danger posed by solid household wastes were analyzed. The application of this technique to liquid wastes is suggested, since the change of aggregate state must not restrict its application; on the contrary, a new useful unexpected result can emerge with this. A rather simple dimensionless index of toxicity was chosen on the basis of the following examples: composition of the drainage waters of a specific landfill, content of harmful ingredients in them, excess ratio of their maximum permissible concentration. Such an index takes into account the maximum permissible concentration of the harmful substance in the ground, as well as the fraction of the harmful ingredients in the total mass of the liquid waste. Using the dimensionless index of toxicity, the bar charts were drawn, from which the sequence of removal of harmful components from the liquid mixture can be determined, starting with the component with the least value of dimensionless index of toxicity which characterizes the most dangerous component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine dust (PM2.5) is generated from various sources, and many studies have reported on the sources of PM2.5. However, the current research on PM2.5 toxicity based on its sources is insufficient. In this study, we developed a framework for the prioritization of fine dust (PM2.5) sources on the basis of the multi-endpoint toxicities using the multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM). To obtain the multi-endpoint toxicities of PM2.5 sources, cell mortality, reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammation and mutagenicity were measured for diesel exhaust particles (DEP), gasoline exhaust particles (GEP), rice straw burning particles (RBP), coal combustion particles (CCP) and tunnel dust particles (TDP). The integrative toxicity score (ITS) of the PM2.5 source was calculated using MCDM, which consist of four steps: (1) defining the decision-making matrix, (2) normalization and weighting, (3) calculating the ITS (linear aggregation) and (4) a global sensitivity analysis. The indicator of cell mortality had the highest weight (0.3780) followed by inflammation (0.2471), ROS (0.2178) and mutagenicity (0.1571). Additionally, the ITS based on the sources contributing to PM2.5 resulted in the following order: DEP (0.89), GEP (0.44), RBP (0.40), CCP (0.23) and TDP (0.06). The relative toxicity index (RTI), which represents the ratio of toxicity due to the difference in sources, increases as the contribution of the highly toxic sources increases. The RTI over 1 is closely associated with an increased contribution from highly toxic sources, such as diesel exhaust, gasoline exhaust and biomass burning. It is necessary to investigate the toxicity of various PM2.5 sources and PM2.5 risk based on the sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toxicity of combustion product gas of CR/EPR cables, which are widely used in nuclear power plants, has been investigated according to the aging period. The cable specimens were prepared by thermal acceleration aging method, from non-aged to 40-year-old cables at spans of 10 years. The cable sheath and insulation materials were tested separately. The test was conducted in accordance with the Naval Engineering Standard 713 standard code, which measures the amount of 13 exhaust toxic gases when 1 gram of the test specimen is burnt. The toxicity index and the amount of emission gases were varied irregularly with respect to the aging period, and the reason for this result could not be clearly explained due to the lack of information on cable material. However, the reason could be qualitatively estimated to have two conflicting effects: (1) Reduced flame retardant performance as the devolatilization process proceeded over time, and (2) the enhanced stabilization of double bonds between carbon compounds and flame retardant elements, such as chlorine or bromine, as the cable is aged. The toxicity of the accelerated aging period of 20 years was much higher than that of non-aged cables, which signifies increased probability of fire risks of aged cables from the viewpoint of toxicity. Furthermore, when comparing the adjusted toxicity index calculated without CO, CO2, and NOx emission, it can be clearly determined that the average toxicity index of aged cables is higher than that of non-aged cables. Thus, in conclusion, human hazardousness of a cable fire increases from the viewpoint of toxicity of emission gases as it deteriorates, so safety regulations or maintenance guides for old nuclear power plants should be reinforced considering this toxicity variation. The results obtained from this study can be used to improve the reliability of operator manual actions for safety-shutdown and fire-suppression activities and to provide basic information for studies on fire suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crayfishes (Decapoda) are common inhabitants of agricultural headwater streams in the Midwestern USA that have been impacted by physical habitat degradation and contamination by agricultural pollutants. The frequency and severity of injuries within crayfish communities are indicators of crayfish aggression, which is influenced by physical, chemical, and biotic factors. Previous studies have not evaluated the relationships of the frequency and severity of crayfish injuries with physical habitat quality, water quality, and biotic factors within agricultural headwater streams. Understanding these relationships will assist with determining if crayfish injury variables can serve as an indicator of physical habitat quality or water quality in these small degraded streams. We sampled crayfishes, documented the frequency and type of injuries, and measured instream habitat and water chemistry in 2014 and 2015 within 12 agricultural headwater streams in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. We documented five native crayfish species from 1641 adult captures. The most abundant species were Faxonius rusticus, Faxonius immunis, and Faxonius propinquus. Linear mixed effect model analyses indicated that four crayfish injury response variables were positively correlated (p < 0.05) with crayfish density, physical habitat quality, and water velocity diversity and that crayfish injury response variables were more strongly correlated with crayfish density than physical habitat quality or water quality. Our results indicate that response variables describing the severity and frequency of crayfish injuries can be effective indicators of physical habitat quality in agricultural headwater streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overcoming or reducing the majority of difficulties caused by the use of common pesticides requires the use of developed, secure, unique and selective organic compounds. Due to their clear mechanism of action on pests and lower poisonousness towards vertebrates than conventional insecticides, juvenile hormone analogues as an example of insect growth regulators appear promising. Thus, a unique set of pure insect growth regulators has been synthesized. The structure of these synthesized compounds, which were related to the most well-known insect growth regulator insecticides, was confirmed by elemental and contemporary spectroscopic investigations (IR, UV, 1 H-NMR, 13 C NMR, and Dept 135 spectrum). Under laboratory conditions, the effectiveness of a chemically newly synthesized products was tested against the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis, and compared with Fenoxycarb as a reference insecticide. Compound 7 was discovered to be more effective than the other synthetic compounds, with LC 50 values of 0.907 mg/L for adult female P. solenopsis and 0.377 mg/L for third instar nymphs. Furthermore, this results concluded that the adult female's stage of P. solenopsis was less sensitive to the checked treatments as matched to the third instar nymphs., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

To assess the tolerance, the rye-grass L. grown on soil amended with petroleum wastewater (PWW) containing four metals lead, zinc, nickel and mercury. The PWW (25 to 50%) showed remarkable increase in length and biomass. Chlorophyll 'a and b' increased with an increase of PWW from 25–50% while such contents decreased on increasing the 75–100% compared to control. The mass balance performed on the system showed the removal of 90–97.6% lead, 85.5–92.9% zinc, 78.9–85.5% nickle and 47.6–27.5% mercury. The model for the maximum metal reduction rate (Rmax) was much better for Pb (89.5) and Zn (72.1) with respect to Ni (57.3) and Hg (32.4). Survival of rye-grass (30-days, statics, and renewal exposures) was increased by 50% as compared to control. The toxicity index Y of PWW showed 0–25% deficiency level, 25–50% tolerance level, 50–90% toxic level and 90–100% lethal level. The experimental data showing high correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.98). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emission of harmful substances into the air has been studied for Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, as it has a considerable number of recreational resources. Wastes from electricity production at thermal power plants worsen the environmental situation in the country. Solving the problems associated with environmental protection and improving the quality of its social component is always a topical issue. It is important to reduce the man-made impact on the environment by heat generating companies. The purpose of the article is to analyze and forecast the emissions of pollutants into the air by stationary sources. In the process of research, the authors have solved the issues of analysis of ground level concentration of pollutants at the border of the sanitary protection zone and the forecast estimation of future emissions. The change in emissions of pollutants for a certain period of time has been analyzed. The ground level concentrations of pollutants at the border of the sanitary-protective zone have been calculated to analyze the existing emissions of Burshtynska thermal power plant (TPP) and compare them with the maximum allowable concentrations (MAC). Burshtynska TPP is in the category 2 hazard. The authors have performed the forecast estimation of future emissions and proposed the measures to minimize them. The toxicity index has been calculated taking into account weight coefficients. The analysis of emissions indicates excessive MAC for some pollutants. According to the toxicity index, which takes into account both the substance hazard category and the degree of excessive MPC, the authors have proposed the measures for reducing the emissions of certain substances and using the fuel with their lower content. It is recommended to choose the fuel with the lower content in emissions not only of such substances as nitrogen oxide, suspended solids, sulfur dioxide, but also lead and its compounds. When installing and reconstructing the flue gas cleaning systems for Burshtynska TPP, it is necessary to take into account the equipment filterability for the substances with high toxicity index. The authors have developed the software to unify the calculations, perform analysis for a certain time period, and check the applicability for other business entities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are the most used pesticides worldwide. This widespread dissemination raises the question of non-target effects on a wide range of organisms, including soil micro-organisms. Despite a large body of scientific studies reporting the harmful effects of GBHs, the health and environmental safety of glyphosate and its commercial formulations remains controversial. In particular, contradictory results have been obtained on the possible genotoxicity of these herbicides depending on the organisms or biological systems tested, the modes and durations of exposure and the sensitivity of the detection technique used. We previously showed that the well-characterized soil filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans was highly affected by a commercial GBH formulation containing 450 g/L of glyphosate (R450), even when used at doses far below the agricultural application rate. In the present study, we analysed the possible mutagenicity of R450 in A. nidulans by screening for specific mutants after different modes of exposure to the herbicide. R450 was found to exert a mutagenic effect only after repeated exposure during growth on agar-medium, and depending on the metabolic status of the tested strain. The nature of some mutants and their ability to tolerate the herbicide better than did the wild-type strain suggested that their emergence may reflect an adaptive response of the fungus to offset the herbicide effects. The use of a non-selective molecular approach, the quantitative random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-qPCR), showed that R450 could also exert a mutagenic effect after a one-shot overnight exposure during growth in liquid culture. However, this effect was subtle and no longer detectable when the fungus had previously been repeatedly exposed to the herbicide on a solid medium. This indicated an elevation of the sensitivity threshold of A. nidulans to the R450 mutagenicity, and thus confirmed the adaptive capacity of the fungus to the herbicide. • A Roundup herbicide exerts a mutagenic effect on the soil fungus A. nidulans. • The occurrence of this genotoxic effect required an active metabolism. • The mutagenic effect was dependent on the metabolic status of the fungus. • On solid media, the mutagenic effect displayed only after repeated exposure. • RAPD-PCR showed a subtle mutagenic effect after one-step exposure in liquid culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the toxic effects of parental (maternal/paternal) exposure to heavy fuel oil (HFO) on the adult reproductive state, gamete quality and development of the offspring of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius . Adult sea urchins were exposed to effluents from HFO-oiled gravel columns for 7 days to simulate an oil-contaminated gravel shore, and then gametes of adult sea urchins were used to produce embryos to determine developmental toxicity. For adult sea urchins, no significant difference in the somatic size and weight was found between the various oil loadings tested, while the gonad weight and gonad index were significantly decreased at higher oil loadings. The spawning ability of adults and fecundity of females significantly decreased. For gametes, no effect was observed on the egg size and fertilization success in any of the groups. However, a significant increase in the percentage of anomalies in the offspring was observed and then quantified by an integrative toxicity index (ITI) at 24 and 48 h post fertilization. The offspring from exposed parents showed higher ITI values with more malformed embryos. The results confirmed that parental exposure to HFO can cause adverse effects on the offspring and consequently affect the recruitment and population maintenance of sea urchins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sea urchin embryo-toxicity test is widely used to assess the toxicity of contaminants and environmental matrices. In standard guideline and literature studies, the classical toxicity criteria are based on distinguishing between normal and abnormal embryos at pluteus stage. The aim of this research was to further expand the potentiality of the recently developed Integrative Toxicity Index (ITI), investigating the reversibility of the effects induced by various trace metals (cadmium, copper, lead and zinc) on sea urchin development. For this purpose, embryos were observed after different periods of exposure and recovery to metals. Results were analysed comparing ITI with standard criteria, thus moving from the simple observation of general effects to the classification of their severity. The onset and reversibility of effects by trace metals were more efficiently discriminated by the use of the ITI, which recognized and weighted the delay and degree of various abnormalities. Above, this study was expected to provide new insights into the capability of each metal to induce anomalies leading to a block or delay in embryogenesis of the embryos to recover normal development after metal exposure, thus adding further ecological value to the sea urchin bioassay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of laboratory and field evaluation of Ortus (50% SC). Salut (49.4 EC). Marshal (25% EC) in controlling the Phyllonorycter platani leafminer. showed a superior effect of Salut under laboratory condition which exhibit 86.64% mortality at 2ml/L. conc. The results of field evaluations revealed a significant effect according to the insecticide kind. concentration and time after insecticides application on mortality percentage and efficiency ratio. The Salut insecticide showed a higher average mortality percentage reached 100% at 2ml/L.conc. after 14 days after insecticide application , also the Salut exhibit a superior efficiency ratio in controlling the insect and reached 100% at 2ml/L conc after 14 days after applying the insecticide .