Assessing the Risks to Bats from Plant Protection Products: A Review of the Recent European Food Safety Authority Statement Regarding Toxicity and Exposure Routes.

Wild birds and mammals that feed in agricultural habitats are potentially exposed to pesticides through various routes. Until recently, it has been implicitly assumed that the existing European Union risk assessment scheme for birds and mammals also covered bats (Chiroptera). However, recent publications raised concerns and, in 2019, a scientific statement was published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that concluded that bats were not adequately covered by the current risk assessment scheme. We review the evidence presented and assumptions made in the EFSA bat statement relating to toxicity, bioaccumulation, and exposure pathways (oral, dermal, and inhalation), in terms of their relevance for bats potentially foraging in agricultural areas in the European Union; we highlight where uncertainties remain and how these could be addressed. Based on our review, it is clear that there is still much uncertainty with regard to the appropriateness of the assumptions made in the EFSA bat statement. Significantly more information needs to be gathered to answer fundamental questions regarding bat behavior in agricultural landscapes, together with the relative sensitivity of bats to pesticide exposure. Given the current critical information gaps, it is recommended that quantitative risk assessments for bats not be performed for pesticides until more robust, reliable, and relevant data are available. The risk to bats can then be compared with that for birds and ground-dwelling mammals, to determine the protectiveness of the existing scheme and thus whether a bat scenario is indeed required and under what circumstances. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2978-2989. © 2021 Cambridge Environmental Assessments, part of RSK ADAS Ltd. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Polysaccharides and phytochemicals: a natural reservoir for the green synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles.

Currently, sustainability initiatives that use green chemistry to improve and/or protect our global environment are becoming focal issues in many fields of research. Instead of using toxic chemicals for the reduction and stabilisation of metallic nanoparticles, the use of various biological entities has received considerable attention in the field of nanobiotechnology. Among the many possible natural products, polysaccharides and biologically active plant products represent excellent scaffolds for this purpose. Polysaccharides have hydroxyl groups, a hemiacetal reducing end, and other functionalities that can play important roles in both the reduction and the stabilisation of metallic nanoparticles. Among the various categories of compounds in plants that have potent biological activities, phytochemicals are emerging as an important natural resource for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles. The focus of this review is the application of polysaccharides and phytochemicals in the green synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles to afford biocomposites with novel uses in nanomedicine and as nanocomposites.

Genotoxicity of AMPA, the environmental metabolite of glyphosate, assessed by the Comet assay and cytogenetic tests.

Formulations containing glyphosate are the most widely used herbicides in the world. AMPA is the major environmental breakdown product of glyphosate. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the in vitro genotoxicity of AMPA using the Comet assay in Hep-2 cells after 4h of incubation and the chromosome aberration (CA) test in human lymphocytes after 48h of exposition. Potential in vivo genotoxicity was evaluated through the micronucleus test in mice. In the Comet assay, the level of DNA damage in exposed cells at 2.5-7.5mM showed a significant increase compared with the control group. In human lymphocytes we found statistically significant clastogenic effect AMPA at 1.8mM compared with the control group. In vivo, the micronucleus test rendered significant statistical increases at 200-400mg/kg. AMPA was genotoxic in the three performed tests. Very scarce data are available about AMPA potential genotoxicity.

Antioxidant capacity of vitamin C in mouse liver and kidney tissues

In the present study, the antioxidant capacity of vitamin C was examined in the liver and the kidney tissues of mice with or without ciprofloxacin (CFX) treatment. The antioxidant capacity of the vitamin was evaluated in terms of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs). The experimental design was 15 days of water (control and CFX groups) or vitamin C (vitamin C and vitamin C plus CFX groups) in drinking water. One dose of CFX was injected, 15 minutes before sacrifice, in the corresponding mice. The initial nmol of lipid hydroperoxides/g of tissue were 137 +/- 11 in the kidney and 145 +/- 15 in the liver, and the nmol of TBARs were 13 +/- 0.7 and 12 +/- 0.6, respectively.Pre-treatment with vitamin C reduced the levels of LOOH in the liver to 45 +/- 11 (p < 0.01) and vitamin C with CFX injection to 54 +/- 9 (p < 0.01). Vitamin C treatment also reduced the LOOH levels in the kidney roughly duplicated by CFX. Through the TBARs method we have not observed these effects. Quantification of LOOH is more sensitive than that of TBARs for estimating lipid peroxidation. CFX is used especially for urinary infections and can produce oxidative stress in the kidney. Pre-treatment with vitamin C may ameliorate this stress and also may improve the oxidative balance in the liver.

Antioxidant capacity of vitamin C in mouse liver and kidney tissues

In the present study, the antioxidant capacity of vitamin C was examined in the liver and the kidney tissues of mice with or without ciprofloxacin (CFX) treatment. The antioxidant capacity of the vitamin was evaluated in terms of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs). The experimental design was 15 days of water (control and CFX groups) or vitamin C (vitamin C and vitamin C plus CFX groups) in drinking water. One dose of CFX was injected, 15 minutes before sacrifice, in the corresponding mice. The initial nmol of lipid hydroperoxides/g of tissue were 137 +/- 11 in the kidney and 145 +/- 15 in the liver, and the nmol of TBARs were 13 +/- 0.7 and 12 +/- 0.6, respectively.Pre-treatment with vitamin C reduced the levels of LOOH in the liver to 45 +/- 11 (p < 0.01) and vitamin C with CFX injection to 54 +/- 9 (p < 0.01). Vitamin C treatment also reduced the LOOH levels in the kidney roughly duplicated by CFX. Through the TBARs method we have not observed these effects. Quantification of LOOH is more sensitive than that of TBARs for estimating lipid peroxidation. CFX is used especially for urinary infections and can produce oxidative stress in the kidney. Pre-treatment with vitamin C may ameliorate this stress and also may improve the oxidative balance in the liver.(AU)

Effects of an 8-week weight-loss program on cardiovascular disease risk factors and regional body composition.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of weight loss on multiple cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. DESIGN: Overweight women (n = 12; mean 44.2% fat) and men (n = 10; mean 30.7% fat) participated in an 8 week weight-loss program that included dietary, exercise, multi-vitamin/mineral supplementation, and behavior modification components. Measurement of total and regional body composition assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), circumferences and blood sampling for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerols, homocysteine, insulin and leptin were performed before and after the weight loss intervention. RESULTS: Subjects increased their physical activity and decreased their energy intake, resulting in a mean decrease in body mass of - 4.3 +/- 3.4 kg in women and -4.7 +/- 3.1 kg in men. Fat accounted for 88 and 58% of the decrease in body mass in men and women, respectively. Proportionally, men lost significantly more fat mass from the trunk region compared to women. Serum total and LDL cholesterol were significantly decreased in men (-11 and -14%, respectively) but not women (-3 and -3%, respectively) and there were no changes in HDL cholesterol and triacylglycerols. Serum leptin was significantly decreased (-36%) and highly correlated to fat mass (r= 0.839). There were no changes in serum insulin and plasma homocysteine. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that short-term weight loss resulting from reducing percentage energy from fat, increasing physical activity and vitamin/mineral supplements including folic acid has a favorable effect on regional body composition and total and LDL cholesterol with minimal effects on HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerols, homocysteine and insulin and the effects are greater in men compared to women. Supplementation with folic acid or emphasis on folic acid-rich foods may be an important component of a weight loss program to prevent increases in homocysteine.

Increase of tissue lipid hydroperoxides as determination of oxidative stress.

Increased levels of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) are frequently associated with the oxidative mechanisms involved in physiological states as ageing and with serious pathological conditions. In the present work the physiological and the CCl4-induced lipid hydroperoxides levels in mice liver and kidney were determined. The analysis of LOOH tissue levels was performed through the oxidation of 1-napthyldiphenylphosphine (NDPP) into its oxide (ONDPP) and further quantification by high pressure liquid chromatography at 292 nm UV detection. The physiological level of lipid hydroperoxides levels was higher in the kidney (245 +/- 8 nmol LOOH/g of tissue) than in liver (164 +/- 5 nmol of LOOH/g tissue). After a single administration of CCl4 (0.25 ml/g) tissue LOOH reached a maximum level after 15 min (416 +/- 21 nmol/g kidney and 303 +/- 6 nmol/g liver) and then slowly decreased. LOOH levels in liver afforded an early indicator (15 min) of oxidative damage. LOOH levels in kidney remained significatively increased up to 60 min post administration. The described HPLC assay is a useful, simple and sensitive method to detect cellular oxidative stress and damage.

Increase of tissue lipid hydroperoxides as determination of oxidative stress

Increased levels of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) are frequently associated with the oxidative mechanisms involved in physiological states as ageing and with serious pathological conditions. In the present work the physiological and the CCl4-induced lipid hydroperoxides levels in mice liver and kidney were determined. The analysis of LOOH tissue levels was performed through the oxidation of 1-napthyldiphenylphosphine (NDPP) into its oxide (ONDPP) and further quantification by high pressure liquid chromatography at 292 nm UV detection. The physiological level of lipid hydroperoxides levels was higher in the kidney (245 +/- 8 nmol LOOH/g of tissue) than in liver (164 +/- 5 nmol of LOOH/g tissue). After a single administration of CCl4 (0.25 ml/g) tissue LOOH reached a maximum level after 15 min (416 +/- 21 nmol/g kidney and 303 +/- 6 nmol/g liver) and then slowly decreased. LOOH levels in liver afforded an early indicator (15 min) of oxidative damage. LOOH levels in kidney remained significatively increased up to 60 min post administration. The described HPLC assay is a useful, simple and sensitive method to detect cellular oxidative stress and damage.

Increase of tissue lipid hydroperoxides as determination of oxidative stress

Increased levels of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) are frequently associated with the oxidative mechanisms involved in physiological states as ageing and with serious pathological conditions. In the present work the physiological and the CCl4-induced lipid hydroperoxides levels in mice liver and kidney were determined. The analysis of LOOH tissue levels was performed through the oxidation of 1-napthyldiphenylphosphine (NDPP) into its oxide (ONDPP) and further quantification by high pressure liquid chromatography at 292 nm UV detection. The physiological level of lipid hydroperoxides levels was higher in the kidney (245 +/- 8 nmol LOOH/g of tissue) than in liver (164 +/- 5 nmol of LOOH/g tissue). After a single administration of CCl4 (0.25 ml/g) tissue LOOH reached a maximum level after 15 min (416 +/- 21 nmol/g kidney and 303 +/- 6 nmol/g liver) and then slowly decreased. LOOH levels in liver afforded an early indicator (15 min) of oxidative damage. LOOH levels in kidney remained significatively increased up to 60 min post administration. The described HPLC assay is a useful, simple and sensitive method to detect cellular oxidative stress and damage.(AU)

Increase of tissue lipid hydroperoxides as determination of oxidative stress.

Increased levels of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) are frequently associated with the oxidative mechanisms involved in physiological states as ageing and with serious pathological conditions. In the present work the physiological and the CCl4-induced lipid hydroperoxides levels in mice liver and kidney were determined. The analysis of LOOH tissue levels was performed through the oxidation of 1-napthyldiphenylphosphine (NDPP) into its oxide (ONDPP) and further quantification by high pressure liquid chromatography at 292 nm UV detection. The physiological level of lipid hydroperoxides levels was higher in the kidney (245 +/- 8 nmol LOOH/g of tissue) than in liver (164 +/- 5 nmol of LOOH/g tissue). After a single administration of CCl4 (0.25 ml/g) tissue LOOH reached a maximum level after 15 min (416 +/- 21 nmol/g kidney and 303 +/- 6 nmol/g liver) and then slowly decreased. LOOH levels in liver afforded an early indicator (15 min) of oxidative damage. LOOH levels in kidney remained significatively increased up to 60 min post administration. The described HPLC assay is a useful, simple and sensitive method to detect cellular oxidative stress and damage.

Algal growth inhibition: effect of the choice of growth rate or biomass as endpoint on the classification and labelling of new substances notified in the EU.

From the complete base set notifications of new substances currently available, we have investigated what effects the choice of using growth rate or biomass in the algal growth inhibition test has on the relative sensitivity of the three aquatic toxicity tests. Both parameters derived from the algal test were more sensitive than either fish or Daphnia tests. Changes in the classification of substances after the removal of either algae, Daphnia or fish data from the base set, when applying current legal practice, occur in 22.9%, 6.6% and 4.8% of the notifications, respectively. When always using growth rate as a parameter, these numbers change to 15.4%, 9.2% and 7.2%, respectively.

HPLC residues of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in eggs of laying hens.

Eggs of 12 laying hens with 5 mg/kg/day oral administration of 5% enrofloxacin (EFX) or ciprofloxacin (CFX) solution during 5 days contained residues from 0.02 to 1.98 microg/g (EFX) or 0.14 to 0.28 microg/g (CFX). At identical dosage regime High Performance Liquid Chromatograhy (HPLC) residues of EFX were 6-fold greater than CFX ones. Maximun concentrations were detected at the second day after the administration withdrawal. The limits of detection were 0.019 microg/g for EFX and 0.156 microg/g for CFX. The recovery was 36-50% for CFX and 49-85% for EFX. The withdrawal treatment periods in hens are six days for EFX and five days for CFX in order to avoid violative levels of egg residues.

Human companion-animal relationships in the veterinary consulting room.

A questionnaire, based on 14 years' private practice experience and psychological principles, was compiled to establish the reasons why veterinary clients are involved with their pets. Questionnaires were sent to South African veterinarians country-wide and only clients visiting veterinarians were requested to complete the questionnaires anonymously. Questionnaires (n = 612) were returned and the data was processed by computer. The results indicated that clients are involved with their companion animals for emotional, social and relaxational reasons, which all have psychological implications. They are, however, also involved with their animals by caring for them, and they keep them for utility or economical reasons and also due to their general interest in nature. The latter reasons could be seen as natural reasons for keeping pets. The same relationship between clients and their pets continue during veterinary consultations. Because of this continuing involvement, some clients may consult veterinarians mainly for psychological reasons and others mainly for clinical reasons. There is a constant interaction between these motivations for veterinary consultations. Client consultations of veterinarians could thus be categorised into psychological consultations which are predominantly human/client orientated and clinical consultations which are predominantly animal/patient orientated.

[Client profile of an animal companion practice]. / Kliëntprofiel van 'n geselskapsdierpraktyk.

The aim of the study was to gather demographic information from consulting clients, to compile a profile of the typical companion animal client in South Africa. This method differed from other studies in that information was collected from actual clients and not from pet owners. Completed questionnaires (n = 612) were received back from veterinary practices (n = 120) in South Africa. The data was processed by a computer. Questionnaires were completed on a voluntary basis and were anonymous. The typical client in this survey was a young married woman, with one or two children, living in a suburban home, with an average income and 2 companion animals. The most common companion animal presented, proved to be a miniature breed of dog. The advantage of this study is that veterinarians may use it to prepare themselves in terms of the most common type of client as well as of a variety of other types. The client profile also gives an indication of the level at which consultations should be conducted, and may aid the veterinarian in developing a specific sensitivity towards certain clients.