Sequencing and phylogenetic characterization of a novel RNA virus in Arma chinensis.

The complete genome of a novel virus from Arma chinensis was determined by RNA sequencing and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. This virus has a single-stranded RNA genome of 10,540 nucleotides (nt) excluding the poly(A) tail. Two non-overlapping open reading frames (ORFs) in the sense direction were predicted: one long ORF at the 5' end of the genome (6,219 nt) that encodes a polypeptide of 2,072 amino acids (aa), and one short ORF at the 3' end of the genome (3,033 nt) that encodes a polypeptide of 1,010 aa. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the virus clusters within a large cluster of currently unidentified picorna-like viruses with a high bootstrap value. We named the virus isolate Arma chinensis picorna-like virus 1 (AcPV-1). The prevalence of AcPV-1 infection in samples of Arma chinensis from the wild was at a low level (5.48%, 8 positives in 146 samples). Keywords: Arma chinensis; genomic characterization; phylogenetic analysis; Arma chinensis picorna-like virus 1; prevalence.

Combined toxicity of abamectin and carbendazim on enzymatic and transcriptional levels in the soil-earthworm microcosm.

To reveal the toxicological mechanisms of pesticide mixtures on soil organisms, this study concentrated on evaluating enzymatic activity and gene expression changes in the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny 1826). Despite being frequently exposed to multiple pesticides, including the common combination of abamectin (ABA) and carbendazim (CAR), environmental organisms have primarily been studied for the effects of individual pesticides. Acute toxicity results exhibited that the combination of ABA and CAR caused a synergistic impact on E. fetida. The levels of MDA, ROS, T-SOD, and caspase3 demonstrated a significant increase across most individual and combined groups, indicating the induction of oxidative stress and cell death. Additionally, the expression of three genes (hsp70, gst, and crt) exhibited a significant decrease following exposure to individual pesticides and their combinations, pointing toward cellular damage and impaired detoxification function. In contrast, a noteworthy increase in ann expression was observed after exposure to both individual pesticides and their mixtures, suggesting the stimulation of reproductive capacity in E. fetida. The present findings contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of the potential toxicity mechanisms of the ABA and CAR mixture, specifically on oxidative stress, cell death, detoxification dysfunction, and reproductive capacity in earthworms. Collectively, these data offered valuable toxicological insights into the combined effects of pesticides on soil organisms, enhancing our understanding of the underlying risks associated with the coexistence of different pesticides in natural soil environments.

Toxic mechanisms of imazalil, azoxystrobin and their mixture to hook snout carp (Opsariichthys bidens).

While combinations of pesticides better represent actual conditions within aquatic ecosystems, the specific toxic effects of these combinations have not been determined yet. The objective of this research was to assess the combined impact of imazalil and azoxystrobin on the hook snout carp (Opsariichthys bidens) and delve into the underlying causes. Our findings indicated that the 4-day LC50 value for imazalil (1.85 mg L-1) was greater than that for azoxystrobin (0.90 mg L-1). When imazalil and azoxystrobin were combined, they presented a heightened effect on the species. Enzyme activities like SOD, CAT, GST, and CarE, along with androgen and estrogen levels, displayed marked differences in most single and combined treatments in comparison to the baseline group. Moreover, four genes (mn-sod, cu-sod, il-1, and esr) related to oxidative stress, immunity, and the endocrine system exhibited more pronounced expression changes when exposed to combined pesticides rather than individual ones. Our tests revealed that the combined use of imazalil and azoxystrobin had more detrimental effect on aquatic vertebrates than when evaluated individually. This finding suggested that future ecological hazard analyses based only on individual tests might not sufficiently safeguard our aquatic ecosystems.

Joint toxic mechanism of clothianidin and prochloraz in the earthworm (Eisenia fetida).

Pesticides are typically present as combinations within soil ecosystems and have detrimental effects on untamed surroundings. However, the collective impacts and fundamental mechanisms of pesticides on soil living beings are currently inadequately assessed. In our current work, we evaluated the interactive consequences of clothianidin (CLO) and prochloraz (PRO) on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) using several toxicological tests, such as acute adverse effects, biocatalytic activity, and alterations in transcriptional activity. The findings revealed that CLO (with a 14-day LC50 value of 6.08 mg kg-1) exhibited greater toxicity compared to PRO (with a 14-day LC50 value of 79.41 mg kg-1). Moreover, the combinations of CLO and PRO had synergistic acute effects on E. fetida. Additionally, the activities of POD, CAT, and GST were significantly varied in most instances of single and mixed treatments when compared to the control. Surprisingly, the transcriptional levels of four genes (gst, sod, crt, and ann), related to oxidative load, metabolic detoxification systems, endoplasmic reticulum, and oxytocin neuropeptide, respectively, were also altered in response to single and mixture exposures, as compared to the control. Alterations in enzyme activity and gene transcriptional level could serve as early indicators for detecting co-exposure to pesticides. The findings of this research offered valuable holistic understanding regarding the toxicity of pesticide combinations on earthworms. Further research should be conducted to investigate the persistent effects of pesticide mixtures on terrestrial invertebrates in order to draw definitive conclusions about the associated risks.