Fluoride sensitivity in freshwater snail, Bellamya bengalensis (Lamarck, 1882): An integrative biomarker response assessment of behavioral indices, oxygen consumption, haemocyte and tissue protein levels under environmentally relevant exposure concentrations.

There is limited information on fluoride toxicity and risk overview on ecotoxicological risks to aquatic invertebrate populations particularly molluscan taxa. This necessitated the assessment of toxicity responses in the freshwater snail, Bellamya bengalensis exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of sodium fluoride. Under lethal exposures (150, 200, 250, 300, 400 and 450 mg/l), the median lethal concentrations (LC50) were determined to be 422.36, 347.10, 333.33 and 273.24 mg/l for B. bengalensis at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h respectively. The rate of mortality of the snails was increased significantly with elevated concentrations of the toxicant. The magnitude of toxicity i.e., toxicity factor at different time scale was also higher with increased exposure duration. Altered behavioural changes i.e., crawling movement, tentacle movement, clumping tendency, touch reflex and mucous secretion in exposed snail with elevated concentrations and exposure duration. Similarly, oxygen consumption rate of the treated snail also lowered significantly during 72 and 96 h of exposure. Under 30-day chronic exposures (Control-0.00 mg/L; T1-27.324 mg/L; T2-54.648 mg/L), protein concentrations in gonad and hepatopancreas of exposure groups was significantly lowered. Chronic exposures also revealed lowered haemocytes counts in exposure groups. The potential for loss of coordination, respiratory distress and physiological disruption in organisms exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of fluoride was demonstrated by this study. The estimation and magnitude of toxicity responses are necessary for a more accurate estimation of ecological risks to molluscan taxa and invertebrate populations under acute and chronic fluoride exposures in the wild.

Biochemical, physiological (haematological, oxygen-consumption rate) and behavioural effects of mercury exposures on the freshwater snail, Bellamya bengalensis.

The widespread occurrence of Mercury (Hg) and its derivatives in the aquatic environment and risks to the health of local populations has necessitated investigations into its toxic effects on sessile species. The toxicity of Mercury was observed sequentially from 96 h acute exposure regime (behavioural endpoints) to chronic durations (haematological and biochemical toxicity endpoints) in Bellamya bengalensis. Time-dependent lethal endpoints for acute toxicity (LC50) of mercury i.e., 24,48,72 and 96 h were estimated as 0.94, 0.88, 0.69 and 0.40 mg/l respectively. Threshold effect values i.e., LOEC (Lowest Observed Effect Concentration), NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration) and MATC (Maximum Acceptable Toxicant Concentration) at 96 h were found to be 0.10, 0.05, 0.039 mg/l respectively. The study of oxygen consumption rate and behavioural changes during acute toxicity and haematological and biochemical responses during chronic toxicity to sublethal concentrations (10% and 20% of 96 h LC50) of mercury to the snail were also conducted. The organisms showed initial elevation at 24 h but later gradual decrease in oxygen consumption rate with the increase of concentration of mercury and time of exposure. For behavioural studies, variable test concentrations from 0.00 to 1.00 mg/l were used for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. The crawling activity and clumping tendency decreased with the progress of time at all treatment periods and stopped ultimately at 96 h of exposure from 0.7 mg/l onwards whereas touch reflex was not observed at 96 h exposure at all treatments except at 0.09 mg/l. In haemocyte count, no significant variation was observed among control values between various exposure periods (p > 0.05) though variations were observed in sub-lethal concentrations versus control at all treatment duration (7, 14, 21, 28d, p < 0.05). In biochemical response study, the protein content in hepatopancreas of the snails treated at sublethal concentrations of mercury (10% and 20% of 96 h LC50) reduced significantly versus control after 21d of exposure (p < 0.05). In gonads, the protein content of the treated snails significantly reduced at all treatment concentrations versus control at all exposure times (p < 0.05). Based on the safe levels indicated above, the concentration of 0.01 to 0.04 ppm of mercury can be considered safe for Bellamya bengalensis and any less-hardy aquatic species. These responses elicited by our molluscan model will not only help in biomonitoring of environmental mercury contamination in water bodies but will also provide support to ecological health and risk assessment.

Effects of tributyltin on retinoid X receptor gene expression and global DNA methylation during intracapsular development of the gastropod Tritia mutabilis (Linnaeus, 1758).

The tributyltin (TBT)-mediated induction of imposex in marine snails is considered a common mechanism of endocrine disruption through the retinoid X receptor (RXR)-dependent pathway. However, there is evidence that regulation of RXR also relates to metabolic processes, differentiation, apoptosis, and embryonic development, playing a key role in molluscan neuronal differentiation and organogenesis. In this regard, very little is known about the gastropod Tritia mutabilis especially in relation to the effects of TBT exposure during intracapsular embryonic development. In this study, we have investigated the RXR expression fold changes of T. mutabilis encapsulated embryos exposed to different concentrations (10-10 to 10-12 M) of TBT up to 10 days of treatment. We demonstrate that RXR is sequentially expressed during development and that exposure to the lowest and highest TBT doses induces time-dependent changes in RXR gene transcription. We also show that TBT treatment is associated with global DNA demethylation and reduced DNA-methyltransferase I (DNMT1) expression and activity levels. Overall, our data indicate that RXR has important functions during the early stages of T. mutabilis embryo development and is involved in mediating the potential epigenetic alterations induced by TBT exposure.

Linalool induces relaxation of the mantle of golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible relaxing effect of essential oils (EOs) (Aloysia triphylla and Lippia alba) and phytochemicals (citral and linalool) in the gastropod Pomacea canaliculata. Animals were exposed to compounds at the concentrations range of 25-750 µL L-1. Magnesium chloride (MgCl2, 10-50 g L-1) and control group (ethanol 6.75 mL L-1, highest concentration used for treatment dilution) were also tested. The EOs, citral and MgCl2 had no relaxing effect at the concentrations range tested, and citral caused aversive behavior (closure of the operculum) from 90 µL L-1. Exposure to linalool at 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 µL L-1 relaxed 28, 76, 88, 96 and 100% of the animals, respectively. The concentrations of 25, 50 and 400 µL L-1 differed statistically from each other, while 100 and 200 µL L-1 were equal to 50 and 400 µL L-1. All animals recovered up to 40 min, except at of 400 µL L-1. Linalool is effective for relaxing P. canaliculata and can be useful in management techniques that require relaxation. However, further studies are needed to certify whether linalool is appropriate for maintaining animal welfare in invasive procedures that require total insensitivity.

Application of nanotized formulation in the control of snail intermediate hosts of schistosomes.

Schistosomiasis continues to pose significant public health problems in many developing countries. Mass drug administration (MDA) is the most adopted control option but there is increasing evidence for the development of praziquantel-resistant Schistosoma strains. This shortcoming has necessitated the search for other effective methods for the control of schistosomiasis. The breaking of Schistosoma transmission cycles through the application of molluscicides into snail infested freshwater bodies has yielded positive outcomes when integrated with MDA in some countries. However, few of such effective molluscicides are currently available, and where available, their application is restricted due to toxicity concerns. Some nanotized particles with molluscicidal activities against the different stages of snail intermediate hosts of schistosomes have been reported. Importantly, the curcumin-nisin nanoparticle synthesized by our group was very effective and it showed no significant toxicity in a mouse model and brine shrimps. This, therefore, offers the possibility of developing a molluscicide that is not only safe for man but also is environmentally friendly. This paper reviews nanoparticles with molluscicidal potential. The methods of their formulation, activities, probable mechanisms of actions, and their toxicity profiles are discussed. More research should be made in this field as it offers great potential for the development of new molluscicides.

Lantana camara Essential Oils from Vietnam: Chemical Composition, Molluscicidal, and Mosquito Larvicidal Activity.

Lantana camara is a troublesome invasive plant introduced to many tropical regions, including Southeast Asia. However, the plant does hold promise as a source of essential oils that may be explored for potential use. Fresh water snails such as Pomacea canaliculata, Gyraulus convexiusculus, and Tarebia granifera can be problematic agricultural pests as well as hosts for parasitic worms. Aedes and Culex mosquitoes are notorious vectors of numerous viral pathogens. Control of these vectors is of utmost importance. In this work, the essential oil compositions, molluscicidal, and mosquito larvicidal activities of four collections of L. camara from north-central Vietnam have been investigated. The sesquiterpene-rich L. camara essential oils showed wide variation in their compositions, not only compared to essential oils from other geographical locations (at least six possible chemotypes), but also between the four samples from Vietnam. L. camara essential oils showed molluscicidal activities comparable to the positive control, tea saponin, as well as other botanical agents. The median lethal concentrations (LC50 ) against the snails were 23.6-40.2 µg/mL (P. canaliculata), 7.9-29.6 µg/mL (G. convexiusculus), and 15.0-29.6 µg/mL (T. granifera). The essential oils showed good mosquito larvicidal activities with 24-h LC50 values of 15.1-29.0 µg/mL, 26.4-53.8 µg/mL, and 20.8-59.3 µg/mL against Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Cx. quinquefasciatus, respectively. The essential oils were more toxic to snails and mosquito larvae than they were to the non-target water bug, Diplonychus rusticus (24-h LC50 =103.7-162.5 µg/mL). Sesquiterpene components of the essential oils may be acting as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. These results suggest that the invasive plant, L. camara, may be a renewable botanical pesticidal agent.

Multi-stressor Effects of Ultraviolet Light, Temperature, and Salinity on Louisiana Sweet Crude Oil Toxicity in Larval Estuarine Organisms.

When oil is spilled into the environment its toxicity is affected by abiotic conditions. The cumulative and interactive stressors of chemical contaminants and environmental factors are especially relevant in estuaries where tidal fluctuations cause wide variability in salinity, temperature, and ultraviolet (UV) light penetration, which is an important modifying factor for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) toxicity. Characterizing the interactions of multiple stressors on oil toxicity will improve prediction of environmental impacts under various spill scenarios. This study examined changes in crude oil toxicity with temperature, salinity, and UV light. Oil exposures included high-energy, water-accommodated fractions (HEWAFs) and thin oil sheens. Larval (24-48 h post hatch) estuarine species representing different trophic levels and habitats were evaluated. Mean 96 h LC50 values for oil prepared as a HEWAF and tested under standard conditions (20 ppt, 25 °C, No-UV) were 62.5 µg/L tPAH50 (mud snails), 198.5 µg/L (grass shrimp), and 774.5 µg/L (sheepshead minnows). Thin oil sheen 96 h LC50 values were 5.3 µg/L tPAH50 (mud snails), 14.7 µg/L (grass shrimp), and 22.0 µg/L (sheepshead minnows) under standard conditions. UV light significantly increased the toxicity of oil in all species tested. Oil toxicity also was greater under elevated temperature and lower salinity. Multi-stressor (oil combined with either increased temperature, decreased salinity, or both) LC50 values were reduced to 3 µg/L tPAH50 for HEWAFs and < 1.0 µg/L tPAH50 for thin oil sheens. Environmental conditions at the time of an oil spill will significantly influence oil toxicity and organismal response and should be taken into consideration in toxicity testing and oil spill damage assessments.

Environmental biomonitoring by snails.

Background: Bio-indicator systems are vital in terms of monitoring of pollutants around the world. The impact of environmental change can be monitored by employing the responsive behaviour of snails. Heavy metal and organic pollutants affects snail reproduction, mortality, and normal metabolic activities. Various changes like a discontinuity in food intake, growth rate, twitching, and quenching of tentacles, are the biomarkers of the snails for biomonitoring. Different snails can bio-monitor eco-toxicological urban pollution, oil pollutant, terrestrial pollution, pesticide pollutants, mercury contamination, ammonia, chlorinated paraffin in soil, ethanol in water, ocean acidification pollutions. These animals can also make bio-sense about diverse environment spheres, which include the biosphere, lithosphere, anthroposphere, cryosphere, and hydrosphere.Methods: We examined the scientific literature and related articles listed in Pub-med, Google Scholar reporting on biomonitoring potential and biomarkers expression of various snail species and consequently explore the value of snails in the respective field by discussing various outcomes of a number of studies on the pollution biomonitoring and biosensing capabilities.Results: Several terrestrial, freshwater and sea snail species are characterized by the high sense of biomonitoring and biosensing potential. Various biomarkers such as expression of heat shock proteins and metallothioneins in the body are found to be the essential in-vivo biomarkers for pollution biomonitoring.Conclusion: It is observed that snails offer an environment friendly approach for the environmental bio monitoring by expressing their numerous physiological, biochemical, genetical and histological biomarkers in their body. Thus, it proved to be a critical bio monitoring tool and early warning indicators.

Responsiveness of metallothionein and hemocyanin genes to cadmium and copper exposure in the garden snail Cornu aspersum.

Terrestrial gastropods express metal-selective metallothioneins (MTs) by which they handle metal ions such as Zn2+ , Cd2+ , and Cu+ /Cu2+ through separate metabolic pathways. At the same time, they depend on the availability of sufficient amounts of Cu as an essential constituent of their respiratory protein, hemocyanin (Hc). It was, therefore, suggested that in snails Cu-dependent MT and Hc pathways might be metabolically connected. In fact, the Cu-specific snail MT (CuMT) is exclusively expressed in rhogocytes, a particular molluscan cell type present in the hemocoel and connective tissues. Snail rhogocytes are also the sites of Hc synthesis. In the present study, possible interactions between the metal-regulatory and detoxifying activity of MTs and the Cu demand of Hc isoforms was explored in the edible snail Cornu aspersum, one of the most common European helicid land snails. This species possesses CdMT and CuMT isoforms involved in metal-selective physiological tasks. In addition, C. aspersum expresses three different Hc isoforms (CaH ɑD, CaH ɑN, CaH ß). We have examined the effect of Cd2+ and Cu2+ exposure on metal accumulation in the midgut gland and mantle of C. aspersum, testing the impact of these metals on transcriptional upregulation of CdMT, CuMT, and the three Hc genes in the two organs. We found that the CuMT and CaH ɑD genes exhibit an organ-specific transcriptional upregulation in the midgut gland of Cu-exposed snails. These results are discussed in view of possible interrelationships between the metal-selective activity of snail MT isoforms and the synthesis and metabolism of Hc isoforms.

Impacts of the Invasive Seaweed Asparagopsis armata Exudate on Energetic Metabolism of Rock Pool Invertebrates.

The marine red algae Asparagopsis armata is an invasive species gaining competitive advantage by releasing large amounts of toxic compounds to the surrounding invaded area. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of this invasive seaweed on marine invertebrates by exposing the common prawn Palaemon elegans and the marine snail Gibbula umbilicalis to the exudate of this seaweed. The seaweed was collected and placed in a tank for 12 h in the dark in a 1:10 ratio. Afterwards the seawater medium containing the released secondary metabolites was collected for further testing. Lethal and sublethal effects of A. armata were investigated. Biochemical biomarker responses associated with energy metabolism (lactate dehydrogenase, LDH; electron transport system activity, ETS; lipid, protein and carbohydrate content) were analysed. The biomarker responses showed physiological status impairment of invertebrates after exposure to low concentrations of this algal exudate. The highest concentrations of exudate significantly increased lipid content in both organisms. In the shrimp, protein content, ETS, and LDH were also significantly increased. By contrast, these parameters were significantly decreased in G. umbilicalis. A behavioural impairment was also observed in G. umbilicalis exposed to A. armata exudate, reducing feeding consumption. These results represent an important step in the research of natural toxic exudates released to the environment and prospective effects of this seaweed in invaded communities under increasing global change scenarios.

The effect of ecological environmental changes and mollusciciding on snail intermediate host of Schistosoma in Qianjiang city of China from 1985 to 2015.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis remains prevalent in Africa, Asia and South America with an estimated burden of 1.9 million disability-adjusted life years in 2016. Targeting snails as a key to success for schistosomiasis control has been widely approved, but the long-term quantitative effects of interventions on snail control that would inform and improve future control programmes are unclear. Over the last six decades, schistosomiasis in China had been brought largely under control, and snail control as supplementary methods or part of integrated multisectoral approaches in different historical periods has played an essential role. METHODS: Ecological environment factors, prevalence and control data on Oncomelania hupensis between 1985 and 2015 at 5-year intervals in Qianjiang city, China, were collected. A multilevel growth model approach was used to examine the long-term effects of ecological environmental changes and mollusciciding on snail-infested area (SIA) and living snail density (LSD) during the 30 years. RESULTS: The variation of SIA was 68.4% in spatial distribution, while the variation of LSD was 68.4% in temporal distribution. Continuous mollusciciding could result in significant LSD reduction, but may not lead to significant SIA reduction. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), patch size coefficient of variation (PSCoV) and mean patch size (MPS) reduction, slightly due to eco-environmental changes decreased SIA, while mean perimeter-area ratio (MPAR) and dry farm-land proportion (DFLP) reduction might increase SIA. Only NDVI and MPAR reduction led to a lower LSD. CONCLUSIONS: Mollusciciding was more effective in reducing snail density, but it is not easy to eliminate snails completely. Environmental modifications could completely change the snail breeding environment and reduce its infestation area. Due to difficulty of scaling-up the current environmental modifications in waterway network regions, more effective snail control methods are needed. The experience in China could thereby provide guidance for other schistosomiasis endemic areas with a high snail prevalence.

Molecular Tools and Schistosomiasis Transmission Elimination.

Large-scale control efforts in sub-Saharan Africa may leave long-term lingering transmission. Large-scale screening of snail infection prevalence by loop-mediated isothermal amplification will enable accurate determination of man-to-snail transmission, as well as the effects of biota in snail habitat on host capacity and thus on snail-to-man transmission. Next-generation sequencing will enable identification of gut content of snails and thus their feeding preferences in hot spots and in non-hot spots, as well as for identification of attractive vegetation types for attracting snails to molluscicides.

Effectiveness analysis of spatially targeted mollusciciding for Oncomelania snail control.

A new developed spatially targeted mollusciciding technology for snail control was utilised in a research site. This study aims to analyse whether this technology can achieve rational effectiveness compared with the routine method. Snail density was monitored every spring and autumn from 2010 to 2017 at the research site and routine mollusciciding for snail control was then performed. After snail density monitoring in spring 2018, spatially targeted mollusciciding technology was adopted. Log-linear regression and nonlinear regression models were used for snail density prediction in autumn 2018 and the predicted value was compared with the actual snail density in autumn 2018 to verify the effectiveness of the spatially targeted mollusciciding. Monitoring results showed that overall snail density in the research site decreased from 2010 to 2018. The monitored snail density in autumn 2018 was 0.014/0.1 m2. Predicted by the log-linear regression model, the snail density in autumn 2018 would be 0.028 (95% CI 0.11-0.072)/0.1 m2. Predicted by the nonlinear regression model, the snail density growth in autumn 2018 in contrast to spring 2018 would be 79.79% (95% CI 54.81%-104.77%) and the actual value was 55.56%. Therefore, the effectiveness of the first application of spatially targeted mollusciciding was acceptable. However, the validation of its sustainable effectiveness still needs a replicated study comparing areas where targeted and untargeted methods are applied simultaneously and both snail abundance and human infection are monitored.

Impact of ageing and soil contaminants on telomere length in the land snail.

Telomeres (TLs) are non-coding DNA sequences that are usually shortened with ageing and/or chemical exposure. Bioindicators such as the land snail can be used to assess the environmental risk of contaminated soils. As for most invertebrates, the evolution of TLs with ageing or exposure to contaminants is unknown in this mollusc. The aims of this study were to explore the relationships between ageing, contaminant exposure, sublethal effects and TL length in the terrestrial gastropod Cantareus aspersus. TL length was investigated in haemocytes from five age classes of C. aspersus. The impact of contaminants on sub-adult snails exposed to Cd, Hg or a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils for one or two months was studied. Bioaccumulation, growth, sexual maturity and TLs were measured. TL attrition was significant for the juvenile and sub-adult stages, but not later. Exposure to Cd increased the mortality (around 30%). Exposure to polluted soils inhibited growth (19-40%) and sexual maturity (6-100%). Although the health of the snails exposed to Cd, Hg and PAHs was altered, TL length in haemocytes was not disturbed, suggesting a high capacity of this snail species to maintain its TLs in haemocytes under chemical stress. These results first address TL length in snails and reveal that the relationship commonly proposed for vertebrates between TL shortening and ageing or exposure to contaminants cannot be generalized.

Effects of Copper Ions on Non-target Species: A Case Study Using the Grazer Theodoxus fluviatilis (Gastropoda: Neritidae).

The various uses of copper or copper compounds in industrial, biocidal or pesticidal products lead to inputs of the metal into aquatic environments. To assess effects of copper ions on non-target organisms, the freshwater snail Theodoxus fluviatilis was used as test organism for a three-week laboratory experiment. Snails were exposed to four copper concentrations ranging from 4 to 39 µg Cu2+/L, and besides mortality, several sublethal parameters were evaluated. Concerning survival, an aqueous copper concentration of 6 µg/L was determined as NOEC, and 16 (± 0.1) µg/L as LC50. Negative sublethal effects on reproduction, activity and pathological modifications in the snails were detected in the treatment with an aqueous copper concentration of 15 µg/L. Our results using T. fluviatilis as a mere grazer exclusively feeding on biofilms contribute to findings that field relevant copper concentrations have a significant effect on non-target organisms in aquatic environments.

Metabolic profiles of Oncomelania hupensis after molluscicidal treatment: Carbohydrate metabolism targeted and energy deficiency.

Oncomelania hupensis is the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum, one of the Schistosoma species that can cause human schistosomiasis. Molluscicidal treatment remains the primary means to control snail. Niclosamide is the only molluscicide recommended by the World Health Organization, and it has been used throughout schistosomiasis-endemic areas in China for almost 30 years. In our previous studies on transcriptomics, morphology, and enzymology of snails after molluscicidal treatment, two effective molluscicides were used, 50% wettable powder of niclosamide ethanolamine salt (WPN) and a new molluscicide derived from niclosamide, the salt of quinoid-2', 5-dichloro-4'-nitro-salicylanilide (LDS, simplified for Liu Dai Shui Yang An). Genes involved in cell structure mintenance, inhibition of neurohumoral transmission, and energy metabolism showed significant differential expression after molluscicide treatments. Damages in the structure of liver and muscle cells were accompanied by inhibited activities of enzymes related to carbohydrate metabolism and energy supply. This study was designed to clarify the dynamic metabolic process by metabonomics, together with the previous transcriptomic and enzymological profiles, to identify potential metabolite markers and metabolism pathways that related to the toxic mechanism of the molluscicide. In total, 56 metabolites were identified for O. hupensis, and 75% of these metabolites consisted of amino acids and derivatives, organic acids, and nucleic acid components. The concentration of glucose, maltose, succinate, choline, and alanine changed significantly after molluscicide treatments. These changes in metabolites mainly occurred in the process of carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, and amino acid metabolism, primarily related to glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and transamination by KEGG pathway identification. Most of the identified pathways were also related to those differentially expressed unigenes and observed enzymes from our previous studies. Inhibited aerobic respiration and oxidative phosphorylation, and energy deficiency were implied further to be the leading causes of the final death of snails after molluscicide treatments. The hypothesised mathematical model in this study identified the rational hysteresis to explain the inconsistency of responses of unigenes, enzymes, and metabolites to molluscicide treatments. This study contributes to the comprehensive understanding of the molluscicidal mechanism in the metabolic process and this could assist in improving existing molluscicide formulations or development of new molluscicides.

Toxicity assessment and comparison of the land snail's Cornu aspersum responses against CuO nanoparticles and ZnO nanoparticles.

The goal of the present study was to examine the effects of ZnO NPs and CuO NPs on Cornu aspersum land snail, enlightening their cytotoxic profile. ZnO NPs and CuO NPs were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. Α series of concentrations of either ZnO NPs or CuO NPs were administered in the feed of snails for 20 days. Thereafter, neutral red retention assay was conducted, in order to estimate NRRT50 values. Subsequently, snails were fed with NPs concentrations slightly lower than the concentrations that were corresponding to the NRRT50 values, i.e. 3 mg·L-1 ZnO NPs and 6 mg·L-1 CuO NPs, for 1, 5, 10 and 20 days. Both NPs agglomerates were detected in hemocytes by Transmission Electron Microscopy. Moreover, both effectors resulted to toxicity in the snails' hemocytes. The latter was shown by changes in the NRRT50 values, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation, DNA integrity loss, protein carbonyl content, ubiquitin conjugates and cleaved caspases conjugates levels compared to the untreated animals. Although ZnO NPs exhibited higher toxicity, as indicated by the NRRT50 values, both NPs affected similarly a wide range of the cellular parameters mentioned above. The latter parameters could constitute sensitive biomarkers in biomonitoring studies of terrestrial environment against nanoparticles.

Essential oils as molluscicidal agents against schistosomiasis transmitting snails - a review.

This review aims to describe essential oils with bioactivity on adult snails of the genera Bulinus and Biomphalaria, which are intermediate hosts of schistosomes, and brings together information relating to the importance of molluscicides and the chemical composition and toxicity of such oils for other aquatic species. Analysis of the data of original articles revealed that 50 essential oils obtained from 46 plant species were evaluated for molluscicidal activity against the genera cited. More than 80% of the volatile oils studied were active, according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (LC90 or LC100 ≤100 µg/mL or LC50 <40 µg/mL), and most of the oils came from plants belonging to the Rutaceae, Lamiaceae and Pinaceae. Around 37% of the surveyed plant species were obtained in Brazil and 88% of these plants were collected in the northeast of the country, a region with a high prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni. The essential oils with the highest toxicity against host snails had high levels of hydrocarbon monoterpenes and oxygenated monoterpenes, which may be responsible for the molluscicidal activity. Some volatile components were subjected to molluscicidal evaluation, and the monoterpene compounds exhibited a significant molluscicide effect. This review confirmed the importance of essential oils as a promising alternative for the development of natural molluscicide products. However, in order to be safe for use at sites where schistosome intermediate hosts are found, information on ecotoxicity is required and, to date, few oils have been tested against non-target aquatic species.

Snail-Related Contributions from the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation Program Including Xenomonitoring, Focal Mollusciciding, Biological Control, and Modeling.

The Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE) was created in 2008 to answer questions of importance to program managers working to reduce the burden of schistosomiasis in Africa. In the past, intermediate host snail monitoring and control was an important part of integrated schistosomiasis control. However, in Africa, efforts to control snails have declined dramatically over the last 30 years. A resurgence of interest in the control of snails has been prompted by the realization, backed by a World Health Assembly resolution (WHA65.21), that mass drug administration alone may be insufficient to achieve schistosomiasis elimination. SCORE has supported work on snail identification and mapping and investigated how xenomonitoring techniques can aid in the identification of infected snails and thereby identify potential transmission areas. Focal mollusciciding with niclosamide was undertaken in Zanzibar and Côte d'Ivoire as a part of elimination studies. Two studies involving biological control of snails were conducted: one explored the association of freshwater riverine prawns and snail hosts in Côte d'Ivoire and the other assessed the current distribution of Procambarus clarkii, the invasive Louisiana red swamp crayfish, in Kenya and its association with snail hosts and schistosomiasis transmission. SCORE also supported modeling studies on the importance of snail control in achieving elimination and a meta-analysis of the impact of molluscicide-based snail control programs on human schistosomiasis prevalence and incidence. SCORE's snail control studies contributed to increased investment in building capacity, and specimens collected during SCORE research deposited in the Schistosomiasis Collections at the Natural History Museum (SCAN) will provide a valuable resource for the years to come.

[Effects of copper and cadmium ions on protective enzyme activity in Oncomelania hupensis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Cu2+ and Cd2+ at different concentrations on superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activity in Oncomelania hupensis. METHODS: Cu2+- and Cd2+-containing solutions were prepared at 7 concentrations, and O. hupensis snails were exposed to the solutions for 24 h, of 15 snails in each concentration. Then, the snail body was collected following removal of the snail shell and homogenated, and the SOD, CAT and POS activities were detected in the supernatants. RESULTS: With the increase of the Cu2+ concentration, the SOD activity appeared a rise followed by a reduction in O. hupensis snails, and the CTA activity appeared a decline-rise-decline tendency, while the POD activity showed a tendency towards rise followed by decline. With the increase of the Cd2+ concentration, the SOD activity appeared a rise followed by a reduction in O. hupensis snails, and the CTA activity appeared a decline- rise- decline tendency, while the POD activity showed a decline-rise-decline tendency. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to Cu2+ and Cd2+ at high concentrations results in a decline in the activity of SOD, CAT and POD in O. hupensis at the same time.