Glyphosate contamination of drinking water and the occurrence of oxidative stress: Exposure assessment to rural Brazilian populations.

Studies reported that continuous application of glyphosate can cause disturbance in aquatic/terrestrial environments. As such, the objective of this study is to discuss the risk of exposure to the herbicide in drinking water and to assess the oxidative stress in the consumers rural populations of Casimiro de Abreu/ RJ and Paraguaçu/ MG, Brazil. For this, water samples (n=69) were analysed from the home of volunteers, by FMOC derivatizing- LC-FLD method. The oxidative stress was analysed determining lipid peroxidation (MAD) and defense enzymes (SOD and CAT) in serum samples from rural population (n=42) compared to urban residents (n= 42). Results of the analysis from drinking water, despite the low and moderate risk, by the hazard quotient (HQ), revealed that the population is environmentally exposed to the glyphosate. The relevant findings showed that is important to implement monitoring/ biomonitoring programs to prevent pollution and toxic effects in the rural populations.

Cost-effectiveness of ivosidenib versus chemotherapy for previously treated IDH1-mutant advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: International guidelines recommend ivosidenib followed by modified FOLFOX (mFOLFOX) for advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) with isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutations. Taiwan National Health Insurance covers only fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) chemotherapy for this ICC group, and there has been no prior economic evaluation of ivosidenib. Therefore, we aimed to assess ivosidenib's cost-effectiveness in previously treated, advanced ICC-presenting IDH1 mutations compared with mFOLFOX or 5-FU/LV. METHODS: A 3-state partitioned survival model was employed to assess ivosidenib's cost-effectiveness over a 10-year horizon with a 3% discount rate, setting the willingness-to-pay threshold at 3 times the 2022 GDP per capita. Efficacy data for Ivosidenib, mFOLFOX, and 5-FU/LV were sourced from the ClarIDHy, ABC06, and NIFTY trials, respectively. Ivosidenib's cost was assumed to be NT$10,402/500 mg. Primary outcomes included incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and net monetary benefit. Deterministic sensitivity analyses (DSA) and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA) were employed to evaluate uncertainty and explore price reduction scenarios. RESULTS: Ivosidenib exhibited ICERs of NT$6,268,528 and NT$5,670,555 compared with mFOLFOX and 5-FU/LV, respectively, both exceeding the established threshold. PSA revealed that ivosidenib was unlikely to be cost-effective, except when it was reduced to NT$4,161 and NT$5,201/500 mg when compared with mFOLFOX and 5-FU/LV, respectively. DSA underscored the significant influence of ivosidenib's cost and utility values on estimate uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS: At NT$10,402/500 mg, ivosidenib was not cost-effective for IDH1-mutant ICC patients compared with mFOLFOX or 5-FU/LV, indicating that a 50-60% price reduction is necessary for ivosidenib to be cost-effective in this patient group.

Mitigating glyphosate levels in surface waters: Long-term assessment in an agricultural catchment in Belgium.

The increasing concern over pesticide pollution in water bodies underscores the need for effective mitigation strategies to support the transition towards sustainable agriculture. This study assesses the effectiveness of landscape mitigation strategies, specifically vegetative buffer strips, in reducing glyphosate loads at the catchment scale under realistic conditions. Conducted over six years (2014-2019) in a small agricultural region in Belgium, our research involved the analysis of 732 water samples from two monitoring stations, differentiated by baseflow and event-driven sampling, and before (baseline) and after the implementation of mitigation measures. The results indicated a decline in both the number and intensity of point source losses over the years. Additionally, there was a general decrease in load intensity; however, the confluence of varying weather conditions (notably dry years during the mitigation period) and management practices (the introduction of buffer strips) posed challenges for a statistically robust evaluation of each contributing factor. A reduction of loads was measured when comparing mitigation with baseline, although this reduction is not statistically significant. Glyphosate loads during rainfall events correlated with a rainfall index and runoff ratio. Overall, focusing the mitigation strategy on runoff and erosion was a valid approach. Nevertheless, challenges remain, as evidenced by the continuous presence of glyphosate in baseflow conditions, highlighting the complex dynamics of pesticide transport. The study concludes that while progress has been made towards reducing pesticide pollution, the complexity of interacting factors necessitates further research. Future directions should focus on enhancing farmer engagement in mitigation programs and developing experiments with more intense data collection that help to assess underlying dynamics of pesticide pollution and the impact of mitigation strategies in more detail, contributing towards the goal of reducing pesticide pollution in water bodies.

Assessment of prolonged proteasome inhibition through ixazomib-based oral regimen on newly diagnosed and first-relapsed multiple myeloma: A real-world Chinese cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and convenience of in-class transition (iCT) from intravenous bortezomib-based induction to ixazomib-based oral regimens. METHODS: This retrospective real-world study was conducted in 16 Chinese hospitals between October 2017 and April 2023 and analyzed newly diagnosed (NDMM) and first-line relapsed multiple myeloma (FRMM) patients who attained at least a partial response from bortezomib-based induction therapy, followed by an ixazomib-based oral regimen for 2 year or until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. RESULTS: The study enrolled 199 patients, median age: 63 years old, male 55.4%, 53% as high risk (HR), and 47% as standard risk. Cytogenetic risk stratification by metaphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH), based on the Mayo Clinic risk stratification system. The median duration of total PI therapy was 11 months, with ixazomib-based treatment spanning 6 months. At the 20-month median follow-up, 53% of patients remained on therapy. The 24-month PFS rate was 84.3% from the initiation of bortezomib-based induction and 83.4% from the start of ixazomib-based treatment. Overall response rate (ORR) was 100% post-bortezomib induction and 90% following 6 cycles of the ixazomib-based regimen. Based on the Sankey diagrams, 89.51% of patients maintained or improved their disease response after 2 cycles of iCT, 6 cycles (90.14%), and 12 cycles (80%). The HR level of Mayo was found to be a significant independent factor in a worse remission (hazard ratio (HR) 2.55; p = 0.033). Ixazomib's safety profile aligned with previous clinical trial data, with 49% of patients experiencing at least one AE of any grade. The most common AEs included peripheral neuropathy, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, and granulocytopenia. CONCLUSION: In the real-world Chinese MM population, NDMM and FRMM patients responded favorably to PI-based continuous therapy, demonstrating substantial response rates. The ixazomib-based iCT allows for sustained PI-based treatment, offering promising efficacy and tolerable AEs.

Legacy of agrochemicals in the circular food economy: Glyphosate-based herbicides introduced via manure fertilizer affect the yield and biochemistry of perennial crop plants during the following year.

Conventional agricultural practices favoring the use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) increase the risk of GBH residues ending up in animal feed, feces, and, eventually, manure. The use of poultry manure as organic fertilizer in the circular food economy increases the unintentional introduction of GBH residues into horticultural and agricultural systems, with reportedly negative effects on the growth and reproduction of crop plants. To understand the potential lasting effects of exposure to GBH residues via organic manure fertilizers, we studied strawberry (Fragaria x vescana) plant performance, yield quantity, biochemistry, folivory, phytochemistry, and soil elemental composition the year after exposure to GBH. Although plants exposed to GBH residues via manure fertilizer were, on average, 23% smaller in the year of exposure, they were able to compensate for their growth during the following growing season. Interestingly, GBH residue exposure in the previous growing season led to a trend in altered plant size preferences of folivores during the following growing season. Furthermore, the plants that had been exposed to GBH residues in the previous growing season produced 20% heavier fruits with an altered composition of phenolic compounds compared to non-exposed plants. Our results indicate that GBHs introduced via manure fertilizer following circular economy practices in one year can have effects on perennial crop plants in the following year, although GBH residues in soil have largely vanished.

Assessment of bioaccumulation of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in marine mussels using capillary electrophoresis with light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence detection.

Glyphosate or N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, widely used as herbicide in agriculture to control weeds and to facilitate harvesting, has been included in Group 2A pollutants (probably carcinogenic to humans) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In intensive agricultural areas, runoff and soil leaching are likely to drive glyphosate to surface waters, where the compound is often detected together with its main microbial metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). In the present study a method based on capillary electrophoresis coupled with light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence detection has been developed and validated for the determination of the two compounds in whole soft mass of marine mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis). The method is based on the acidic hydrolysis of lyophilized tissue using 6 M HCl (oven at 110 °C for 22 h) to release the target analytes; their subsequent derivatization using 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole, was found to be suitable for the sensitive fluorescence detection. To achieve optimum separation of the analytes from the matrix and degradation reagent interferences, the background electrolyte constituted by borate buffer (pH 9.2, 30 mM) was supplemented with 10 mM heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-ß-cyclodextrin. The method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness and sensitivity showing LOQ of 0.2 and 1.0 µg/g in fresh tissues, for AMPA and glyphosate, respectively; the recovery values ranged within 88.5 - 94.6% for glyphosate and 70.4 - 76.6% for AMPA. Experimental samples of Mediterranean mussels M. galloprovincialis treated with 100 µg/L or 500 µg/L of both glyphosate and AMPA, showed a dose dependent bioaccumulation of the compounds reaching maximum level of 77.0 µg/g and 11.3 µg/g of AMPA and glyphosate, respectively. The study demonstrates for the first time M. galloprovincialis as potential sentinel organisms for the environmental occurrence of these small amphoteric pollutants.

Risk assessment of glyphosate and malathion pollution and their potential impact on Oreochromis niloticus: role of organic selenium supplementation.

A field survey was conducted on five fish farms to trace glyphosate and malathion pollution with some physicochemical parameters. A precise half-life time, LC50-96h, of these agrochemicals on Oreochromis niloticus, as well as chronic exposure with organic selenium (OS) supplementation, were experimentally investigated. Oreochromis niloticus was subjected to the following: (negative control); (2 mg L-1 glyphosate); (0.5 mg L-1 malathion); (glyphosate 1.6 mg L-1 and 0.3 mg L-1 malathion); (glyphosate 2 mg L-1 and OS 0.8 g kg-1 diet); (malathion 0.5 mg L-1 and OS 0.8 g kg-1 diet) and (glyphosate 1.6 mg L-1; malathion 0.3 mg L-1 and OS 0.8 g kg-1 diet). Furthermore, data from the analyzed pond revealed a medium risk quotient (RQ) for both agrochemicals. The detected agrochemicals were related to their application, and vegetation type surrounding the farms, also their biodegradation was correlated to water pH, temperature, and salinity. Glyphosate and malathion had half-lives of 2.8 and 2.3 days and LC50-96h of 2.331 and 0.738 mg L-1, respectively. The severest nervous symptoms; increased oxidative stress markers, as well as high bacterial count in the livers and kidneys of fish challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila, were observed in the combined exposure, followed by a single exposure to malathion and then glyphosate. Organic selenium mitigated these impacts.

Developmental and behavioral toxicity assessment of glyphosate and its main metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in zebrafish embryos/larvae.

The relative toxicity of glyphosate (GLY) and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) to zebrafish were compared. Embryos/larvae were exposed to one dose of either GLY (0.1, 1, or 10 µM), AMPA (0.1, 1, or 10 µM), or a 1 µM mixture for 7-days post-fertilization. Survival, success of hatch, and deformity frequency were not different from controls. Neither chemical induced reactive oxygen species in larval fish. GLY increased superoxide dismutase 2 mRNA in larvae while AMPA increased catalase and superoxide dismutase 1 in a concentration-specific manner. GLY increased cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 isoform 1 and citrate synthase mRNA in larvae while AMPA decreased cytochrome c oxidase I and increased 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase transcripts. Hyperactivity was noted in fish treated with GLY, but not AMPA nor the mixture. Anxiety-like behaviors were absent with exposure to GLY or AMPA. GLY and AMPA may exert different effects at the molecular and behavioral level.

Phytotoxic and cytogenotoxic assessment of glyphosate on Lactuca sativa L.

The active ingredient glyphosate is the most commercialized herbicide on the world market due to its capability in eliminating weeds. However, it can harm the development of non-target organisms and threaten environmental quality. This study analyzed the effects of potentially toxic concentrations of glyphosate on germination, growth, cell cycle and genomic stability of Lactuca sativa L., and identified the most sensitive variables for assessing the toxicity of this herbicide to this biomonitor. Seeds of L. sativa were germinated in Petri dishes containing a sheet of filter paper moistened with 5 mL of a concentration of glyphosate (1.34, 3.35, 6.70, 10.05, 13.40 mg L-1). Controls consisted of distilled water (negative) and 3 mg L-1 CuSO4 (positive). Macroscopic and microscopic variables were analyzed. The germination of L. sativa was not affected by the concentrations of glyphosate. Root length and shoot height of the plants and the mitotic index decreased from the lowest concentration tested on. The chromosomal anomaly index and frequency of micronuclei increased by 3.2 and 22 times, respectively, with the presence of the lowest concentration of glyphosate compared to the negative control. The observed phytotoxic and cytogenotoxic effects demonstrate the negative influence that glyphosate has on the development of L. sativa. Root length and microscopic variables showed the highest sensitivity. This study warns of the possible harmful effects that glyphosate can have on non-target organisms and suggests greater control over the use of this herbicide to mitigate its environmental impact.

In vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity assessment of glyphosate and imazethapyr-based herbicides and their association.

Resistance to glyphosate herbicide has initiated usage of combined application of herbicides as a weed control measure. Imazethapyr-based herbicides associated with glyphosate herbicide seem to be an alternative to suppress weed resistance. The aim of this study was to examine the adverse effects of Glyphosate Atanor 48® (ATN) and Imazethapyr Plus Nortox® (IMZT) formulations in both single forms and mixtures using HepG2 cells and zebrafish early-life stages models. Data demonstrated cytotoxicity due to exposure to ATN, IMZT for both models, as follows: (1) ATN (0.5 mg/L), IMZT (5 mg/L), and M3 (0.05 mg/L ATN + 5 mg/L IMZT) increased cytotoxicity by disturbing the mitochondrial activity of HepG2 cells 24 hr after exposure; (2) ATN and IMZT (5 mg/L), and M3 (0.05 mg/L ATN + 5 mg/L IMZT) also decreased the integrity of the membrane of HepG2 cells after 24 hr incubation; (3) only ATN and IMZT (5 mg/L) in their single forms diminished the mitochondrial potential of zebrafish; (4) ATN (single form) at 0.5 mg/L induced apoptosis in zebrafish larvae. In conclusion, these herbicides in their single forms appeared to produce greater cytotoxicity to HepG2 cells and zebrafish compared to the herbicide mixtures.

Engineered resistance and risk assessment associated with insecticidal and weeds resistant transgenic cotton using wister rat model.

Stacking multiple genes into cotton crop to cop up multiple biotic stresses such as insects and weeds is a promising tool to save crop from losses. Transgenic cotton variety, VH-289, with double Bt and cp4EPSPS genes under the control of 35S promoter was used for the expression analyses and biosafety studies. The transgenic cotton plants were screened through PCR amplification of fragments, 1.7 kb for Cry1Ac, 582 bp for Cry2A and 250 bp for cp4EPSPS; which confirmed the presence of all genes transformed in transgenic cotton. The Cry1Ac + Cry2A and cp4EPSPS proteins were quantified through ELISA in transgenic cotton plants. The Glyphosate assay performed by spraying 1900 mL per acre of glyphosate Roundup further confirmed complete survival of transgenic cotton plants as compared to the non-transgenic cotton plants and all weeds. Similarly, insect infestation data determined that almost 99% insect mortality was observed in controlled field grown transgenic cotton plants as compared to the non-transgenic control plants. Evaluation of effect of temperature and soil nutrients availability on transgene expression in cotton plants was done at two different cotton growing regions, Multan and Lahore, Pakistan and results suggested that despite of higher temperature in Multan field, an increased level of Cry and cp4EPSPS proteins was recorded due to higher soil organic matter availability compared to Lahore field. Before commercialization of any transgenic variety its biosafety study is mandatory so, a 90 days biosafety study of the transgenic cotton plants with 40% transgenic cottonseeds in standard diet showed no harmful effect on wister rat model when studied for liver function, renal function and serum electrolyte.

A comprehensive experimental assessment of glyphosate ecological impacts in riparian forest restoration.

Competition with invasive grasses is one of the most important drivers of tree planting failures, especially in tropical forests. A widely disseminated weeding approach has been glyphosate spraying, the most used herbicide globally in forestry and ecosystem restoration. However, glyphosate use in restoration is highly controversial and requires further studies to elucidate its effects on restoration processes and the environment. We evaluated the use of glyphosate in riparian forest restoration and its impacts on tree planting costs, weed control efficiency, planted seedling performance, herbaceous and woody species regeneration, soil bacteria, and environmental contamination, using mowing treatments as a reference and based on a controlled experiment established in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Glyphosate spraying reduced by one-half and one-third the accumulated aboveground biomass of, respectively, weeds in general and of the invasive grass Urochloa decumbens compared to mowing treatments, and it reduced the cost by half. The performance of planted tree seedlings was markedly favored by glyphosate spraying compared to mowing treatments, as expressed by improved seedling height (~twice higher), crown area (~5× higher), and basal area (~5× higher); the regeneration of both native woody and ruderal herbaceous plants were also enhanced. Neither glyphosate nor its metabolite Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) residues were detected in either water runoff or soil samples, but they were found at relatively high concentrations in the runoff sediments (from 1.32 to 24.75 mg/kg for glyphosate and from 1.75 to 76.13 mg/kg for AMPA). Soil bacteria communities differed before and after glyphosate spraying in comparison to mowing plots (without glyphosate). Glyphosate spraying was far more cost effective than mowing for controlling U. decumbens and greatly improved the performance of planted tree seedlings and natural regeneration, while not leaving residues in soil and water. However, the changes in the structure of bacterial communities and high concentration of glyphosate and AMPA residues in runoff sediments highlight the need for caution when using this herbicide in riparian buffers. We present alternatives for reducing glyphosate use and minimizing its risks in tree planting initiatives.

Approaches to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry assessment of glyphosate residues in wine.

The performance of two different analytical methodologies to investigate the presence of glyphosate (GLY) and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) residues in wine samples was evaluated. Transformation of compounds in their fluorene-9-methyloxycarbonyl derivatives permitted their separation under reversed-phase liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) determination. Although the wine matrix severely impaired the efficiency of GLY derivatization, this drawback was solved using a molecularly imprinted sorbent for the previous, selective extraction of GLY and AMPA from wine. Alternatively, the use of a strong anionic exchange, polyvinyl alcohol-based LC column, turned to be the most effective alternative for direct determination of both compounds in diluted wine samples. The chromatographic behavior of this column and the magnitude of matrix effects observed during analysis of diluted wine samples were significantly affected by the composition of the mobile phase. Under final working conditions, this column permitted the separation of AMPA and the fungicide fosetyl (which shows common transitions in tandem MS/MS methods), it improved significantly the sample throughput versus extraction-derivatization-purification method, and it allowed the use of solvent-based calibration standards. Both analytical procedures provided similar limits of quantification (LOQs) for GLY (0.5-1.0 ng mL-1), while the multistep method was 8 times more sensitive to AMPA than the direct procedure. GLY residues stayed above method LOQs in 70% of the processed wines; however, concentrations measured in 95% of positive samples remained 100 times below the maximum residue limit (MRL) set for GLY in vinification grapes.

Glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium in aquaculture ponds and aquatic products: Occurrence and health risk assessment.

As the two most commonly used organophosphorus herbicides, glyphosate (Gly) and glufosinate-ammonium (Glu) have unique properties for weed control and algae removal in aquaculture. However, the occurrences and health risks of Gly and Glu in aquaculture ponds are rare known. This study aimed to investigate the occurrences of Gly, AMPA (primary metabolity of Gly) and Glu in surface water, sediment and aquatic products from the grass carp (ctenopharyngodon idella), crayfish (procambarus clarkii) and crab (eriocheir sinensis) ponds around Lake Honghu, the largest freshwater lake in Hubei province, China where aquaculture has become the local pillar industry. Three age groups (children, young adults, middle-aged and elderly) exposure to these compounds through edible aquatic products (muscle) consumption were also assessed by target hazard quotient (THQ) method. The results indicated that Gly, AMPA and Glu were widely occurred in surface water, sediment and organisms in the fish, crayfish and crab ponds. AMPA was more likely to accumulate in the intestine of aquatic products than Gly and Glu. According to the total THQ value (1.04＞1), muscle consumption of grass carp may pose potential risk to children.

Efficacy, safety, and pharmacoeconomics of sivelestat sodium in the treatment of septic acute respiratory distress syndrome: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the most organ dysfunctions in sepsis. Although the development of therapeutic strategies such as protective mechanical ventilation technology has improved the mortality of ARDS patients, there is currently no effective drug for reducing the associated mortality. Our study aims to investigate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacoeconomics of sivelestat sodium in patients with septic ARDS, for providing the basis on clinical use of this drug. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 140 patients with septic ARDS. Clinical information including general conditions, mechanical ventilation time, drug cost parameters, and adverse reactions. The partial pressure of O2/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation score (APACHE II score) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA score) are for assessing the severity illness. To evaluate the efficacy of sivelestat sodium on septic ARDS patients by comparing length of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization, cost of hospitalization and mortality between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the incidence of organ failure, biochemical data, blood gas analysis, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II score), and SOFA score between the two groups on the day of admission. The PaO2/FiO2, APACHE II score, and SOFA score of the sivelestat sodium group were significantly better than in the control group (P<0.05). The length of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU hospitalization, and cost of ICU hospitalization were all lower in the sivelestat sodium group (P<0.05). No adverse events were reported during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Sivelestat sodium significantly improves the oxygenation in patients with septic ARDS, together with reducing mechanical ventilation, ICU hospitalization, and medical costs.

Detection of the maximum resistance to the herbicides diuron and glyphosate, and evaluation of its phenotypic cost, in freshwater phytoplankton.

One of the most important anthropogenic impacts on freshwater aquatic ecosystems close to intensive agriculture areas is the cumulative increase in herbicide concentrations. The threat is especially relevant for phytoplankton organisms because they have the same physiological targets as the plants for which herbicides have been designed. This led us to explore the evolutionary response of three phytoplanktonic species to increasing concentrations of two herbicides and its consequences in terms of growth and photosynthesis performance. Specifically, we used an experimental ratchet protocol to investigate the differential evolution and the limit of resistance of a cyanobacterium (Microcystis aeruginosa) and two chlorophyceans (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides) to two herbicides in worldwide use: glyphosate and diuron. Initially, the growth rate of M. aeruginosa and D. chlorelloides was completely inhibited when they were exposed to a dose of 0.23 ppm diuron or 40 ppm glyphosate, whereas a higher concentration of both herbicides (0.46 ppm diuron or 90 ppm glyphosate) was necessary to abolish C. reinhardtii growth. However, after running a ratchet protocol, the resistance of the three species to both herbicides increased by an adaptation process. M. aeruginosa and D. chlorelloides were able to grow at 1.84 ppm diuron and 80 ppm glyphosate and C. reinhardtii proliferated at twice these concentrations. Herbicide-resistant strains showed lower growth rates than their wild-type counterparts in the absence of herbicides, as well as changes on morphology and differences on photosynthetic pigment content. Besides, herbicide-resistant cells generally showed a lower photosynthetic performance than wild-type strains in the three species. These results indicate that the introduction of both herbicides in freshwater ecosystems could produce a diminution of primary production due to the selection of herbicide-resistant mutants, that would exhibit lower photosynthetic performance than wild-type populations.

Establishment of a HPLC-MS/MS Detection Method for Glyphosate, Glufosinate-Ammonium, and Aminomethyl Phosphoric Acid in Tea and Its Use for Risk Exposure Assessment.

The tea shrub is grown in long-standing orchards, an environment that is suitable for persistent weed growth, which is increasingly controlled by herbicides. Therefore, there is increasing concern that tea consumers may be exposed to herbicide residues. In this study, the levels of glufosinate-ammonium (GLU), glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine; PMG], and its metabolite aminomethyl phosphoric acid (AMPA) were determined in tea samples by HPLC-MS/MS using several current purification methods and a new method that we developed herein. The matrix effect of our proposed method was between -27.3 and 27.7%, which was lower than that in other methods, indicating that this method effectively reduced the interference of tea matrix in the mass spectrometry process. This method was used to determine the levels of PMG, GLU, and AMPA in 780 samples, including six traditional Chinese teas (green tea, black tea, oolong tea, dark tea, white tea, and yellow tea) and a floral tea, from 14 provinces of China. Probability estimates showed that the 95th percentile risk entropy values of the three pesticide residues were far below the acceptable risk level. The risk assessment results showed that exposure to PMG, GLU, and AMPA caused by drinking tea beverages poses no significant risk to human health.

Urine biomonitoring of glyphosate in children: Exposure and risk assessment.

The use of glyphosate has been increasing over the years, making it one of the most consumed herbicides in the world. Although children are considered a vulnerable population, only four previous published studies determined glyphosate in the urine of non-occupationally exposed children. The paucity of epidemiological data and biomonitoring surveys are considered major gaps, that hinder the implementation of science driven policies in the protection of public health. The aim of the present study was to determine glyphosate in the urine of 41 Portuguese children (2-13 years old) and identify potential determinants of exposure. Glyphosate was detected in 95.1% of the samples (1.77 ± 0.86 µg/L), up to a maximum value of 4.35 µg/L. Glyphosate concentrations were higher in the urine of children aged 7-9 years, living near agricultural areas (<1 km), with a higher percentage of consumption of home-produced foods, and whose parents applied herbicides in the backyard. Risk assessment revealed an exposure representing 1-5.58% of the established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of glyphosate (0.5 mg/kg bw/day). The results should be further analyzed considering the age of the participants, for which no adjusted ADI exists. This was the first published report of glyphosate exposure in the urine of Portuguese children.

Environmental and economic concerns surrounding restrictions on glyphosate use in corn.

Since the commercialization of transgenic glyphosate-tolerant (GT) crops in the mid-1990s, glyphosate has become the dominant herbicide to control weeds in corn, soybean, and other crops in the United States and elsewhere. However, recent public concerns over its potential carcinogenicity in humans have generated calls for glyphosate-restricting policies. Should a policy to restrict glyphosate use, such as a glyphosate tax, be implemented? The decision involves two types of tradeoffs: human health and environmental (HH-E) impacts versus market economic impacts, and the use of glyphosate versus alternative herbicides, where the alternatives potentially have more serious adverse HH-E effects. Accounting for farmers' weed management choices, we provide empirical evaluation of the HH-E welfare and market economic welfare effects of a glyphosate use restriction policy on US corn production. Under a glyphosate tax, farmers would substitute glyphosate for a combination of other herbicides. Should a 10% glyphosate tax be imposed, then the most conservative welfare estimate is a net HH-E welfare gain with a monetized value of US$6 million per annum but also a net market economic loss of US$98 million per annum in the United States, which translates into a net loss in social welfare. This result of overall welfare loss is robust to a wide range of tax rates considered, from 10 to 50%, and to multiple scenarios of glyphosate's HH-E effects, which are the primary sources of uncertainties about glyphosate's effects.

Effects of commercial formulations of glyphosate on marine crustaceans and implications for risk assessment under temperature changes.

Glyphosate-based formulations are the most commonly used herbicides worldwide with the risk of potential contamination of aquatic bodies. The present study assessed the response of four marine crustaceans to three different brands of herbicides Roundup®Platinum, Efesto® and Taifun® MK CL.T, under two selected temperatures of 20 °C and 30 °C. The harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus fulvus, the anostracan Artemia franciscana, the amphipod Corophium insidiosum and the isopod Sphaeroma serratum were chosen as testing organisms. Effects of herbicides and temperatures were assessed by estimating lethal concentrations. The results showed that the high temperature rises the toxicity of glyphosate with an increase of mortality of all the tested species. This is an important aspect for future risk assessments of pesticides under global climate change scenarios. Efesto® resulted the most toxic brand, showing C. insidiosum the most sensitive with 96 h-LC50 values of 3.25 mg/L acid equivalent (a.e.) at 30 °C and 7.94 mg/L a.e. at 20 °C followed by T. fulvus while A. franciscana and S. serratum were the less sensitive. This study provides important information for assessing the toxic effects of three different brands of glyphosate-based herbicides on non-target marine organisms suggesting that they should be carefully managed to minimize any negative impact on marine organisms.