The Association of Agent Orange Exposure with the progression of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to multiple myeloma: a population-based study of Vietnam War Era Veterans.

Herbicide and pesticide exposure [e.g., agent orange (AO)] is associated with an increased risk of multiple myeloma (MM) due to the contaminant, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). However, it is unclear whether TCDD/AO exposure (AO exposure hereafter) increases the risk of progression of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to MM. We sought to evaluate the association in a nationwide study of US Veterans. A natural language processing algorithm was used to confirm MGUS and progression to MM. We included Veterans who were diagnosed with MGUS from 10/1/1999 to 12/31/2021 and served during the Vietnam War Era from 1/9/1962 to 5/7/1975. AO exposure was stratified according to three TCDD exposure levels: high (1/9/1962-11/30/1965), medium (12/1/1965-12/31/1970), or low (1/1/1971-5/7/1975). The association between AO exposure and progression was analyzed using multivariable Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model with death as a competing event. The analytic cohort included 10,847 Veterans with MGUS, of whom 26.3% had AO exposure and 7.4% progressed to MM over a median follow-up of 5.2 years. In multivariable analysis, high exposure was associated with an increased progression rate (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio 1.48; 95% confidence interval 1.02-2.16), compared to Veterans with no exposure. This information is critical to inform progression risk in patients diagnosed with MGUS and prior AO exposure. It is also applicable to MGUS patients with occupational TCDD exposure from herbicides and pesticides.

Exposure to phenoxyacetic acids and glyphosate as risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma- pooled analysis of three Swedish case-control studies including the sub-type hairy cell leukemia.

The association between pesticide exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) including hairy cell leukemia (HCL) was analyzed in a pooled study of three case-control studies. Results on exposure to pesticides were based on 1,425 cases and 2,157 controls participating in the studies. Exposures were assessed by self-administered questionnaires completed as needed by phone. In the pooled univariate analyses adjusted by age, gender and year of diagnosis, exposure to herbicides of the phenoxyacetic acid type yielded statistically significant increased risk with odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval CI) = 1.4-2.5. The herbicide glyphosate gave OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.3-3.8. Impregnating agents increased the risk. No clear dose-response effect was seen. OR was highest in the >10-20 years latency group for herbicides and impregnating agents. In the multivariate analysis including main pesticide groups, statistically significant increased risk was found for herbicides, OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2-2.1 and impregnating agents with OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1-1.8. This analysis confirmed an association between NHL including HCL and exposure to certain herbicides.

Glyphosate exposure and urinary oxidative stress biomarkers in the Agricultural Health Study.

BACKGROUND: Glyphosate is the most widely applied herbicide worldwide, and its use has been associated with increased risks of certain hematopoietic cancers in epidemiologic studies. Animal and in vitro experiments suggest that glyphosate may induce oxidative stress, a key characteristic of carcinogens; however, evidence in human populations remains scarce. We investigated associations between glyphosate exposure and urinary oxidative stress biomarkers in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture study, a molecular epidemiologic subcohort in the Agricultural Health Study. METHODS: This analysis included 268 male farmers selected based on self-reported recent and lifetime occupational glyphosate use and 100 age- and geography-matched male nonfarmers. Concentrations of glyphosate and oxidative stress biomarkers (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG], 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α, and malondialdehyde [MDA]) were quantified in first-morning-void urine. We performed multivariable linear regression to evaluate associations of urinary glyphosate and self-reported glyphosate use with each oxidative stress biomarker. RESULTS: Urinary glyphosate concentrations were positively associated with levels of 8-OHdG (highest vs lowest glyphosate quartile; geometric mean ratio = 1.15, 95% confidence interval = 1.03 to 1.28; Ptrend = .02) and MDA (geometric mean ratio = 1.20, 95% confidence interval = 1.03 to 1.40; Ptrend = .06) overall. Among farmers reporting recent glyphosate use (last 7 days), use in the previous day was also associated with statistically significantly increased 8-OHdG and MDA levels. Compared with nonfarmers, we observed elevated 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α levels among farmers with recent, high past 12-month, or high lifetime glyphosate use. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings contribute to the weight of evidence supporting an association between glyphosate exposure and oxidative stress in humans and may inform evaluations of the carcinogenic potential of this herbicide.

Normalized difference vegetation index for desiccation evaluation with glyphosate + 2, 4-D in magnetized spray solution / Índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada para avaliação de dessecação com glyphosate + 2, 4-D em calda magnetizada

Water magnetization and geoprocessing are increasingly utilized tools in weed management. Our objective was to study the influence of water magnetization on herbicide efficiency and to verify whether there is a relationship between control scores and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). In the laboratory experiment, water was subjected to magnetization and evaluated with respect to four characteristics. In the field experiment, plots of Brachiaria grass were subjected to treatments in a factorial scheme (6 × 2 + 1). Six herbicidal factors (doses of glyphosate and glyphosate + 2,4-D) and the magnetization or absence of magnetization of the spray solution were evaluated and compared against the control treatment (without spraying). Weed control assessments were carried out six times. Images were obtained using an embedded multispectral camera to determine the NDVI values. Data related to water characteristics were analyzed using the t test. Weed control and NDVI data were subjected to analysis of variance and are presented in regression graphs. Dispersion analysis of NDVI data was performed according to the control scores. The magnetization process decreased the pH of the water and increased the surface tension, but it did not influence the control scores or the NDVI. As the glyphosate dose was increased, the control scores were higher and the NDVI values were lower. Magnetized water did not affect the biological efficiency of the herbicides, and there was a strong correlation between the control scores and the NDVI values.

A magnetização da água e o geoprocessamento são ferramentas cada vez mais utilizadas no manejo de ervas daninhas. Nosso objetivo foi estudar a influência da magnetização da água na eficiência do herbicida e verificar se existe uma relação entre os escores de controle e o índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada (NDVI). No experimento de laboratório, a água foi submetida à magnetização e avaliada em relação a quatro características. No experimento de campo, parcelas de capim-braquiária foram submetidas a tratamentos em esquema fatorial (6 × 2 + 1). Seis fatores herbicidas (doses de glyphosate e glyphosate + 2,4-D) e a magnetização ou ausência de magnetização da calda foram avaliados e comparados com o tratamento controle (sem pulverização). Avaliações de controle de plantas daninhas foram realizadas seis vezes. As imagens foram obtidas usando uma câmera multiespectral incorporada para determinar os valores de NDVI. Os dados relacionados às características da água foram analisados por meio do teste t. O controle de plantas daninhas e os dados de NDVI foram submetidos à análise de variância e são apresentados em gráficos de regressão. A análise de dispersão dos dados NDVI foi realizada de acordo com os escores de controle. O processo de magnetização diminuiu o pH da água e aumentou a tensão superficial, mas não influenciou nos escores de controle ou no NDVI. Conforme a dose de glyphosate foi aumentada, os escores de controle foram maiores e os valores de NDVI foram menores. A água magnetizada não afetou a eficiência biológica dos herbicidas, e houve uma forte correlação entre os escores de controle e os valores de NDVI.

Herbicide use in farming and other jobs in relation to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) risk.

OBJECTIVES: Given mixed evidence for carcinogenicity of current-use herbicides, we studied the relationship between occupational herbicide use and risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in a large, pooled study. METHODS: We pooled data from 10 case-control studies participating in the International Lymphoma Epidemiology Consortium, including 9229 cases and 9626 controls from North America, the European Union and Australia. Herbicide use was coded from self-report or by expert assessment in the individual studies, for herbicide groups (eg, phenoxy herbicides) and active ingredients (eg, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), glyphosate). The association between each herbicide and NHL risk was estimated using logistic regression to produce ORs and 95% CIs, with adjustment for sociodemographic factors, farming and other pesticides. RESULTS: We found no substantial association of all NHL risk with ever-use of any herbicide (OR=1.10, 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.29), nor with herbicide groups or active ingredients. Elevations in risk were observed for NHL subtypes with longer duration of phenoxy herbicide use, such as for any phenoxy herbicide with multiple myeloma (>25.5 years, OR=1.78, 95% CI: 0.74 to 4.27), 2,4-D with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (>25.5 years, OR=1.47, 95% CI: 0.67 to 3.21) and other (non-2,4-D) phenoxy herbicides with T-cell lymphoma (>6 years, lagged 10 years, OR=3.24, 95% CI: 1.03 to 10.2). An association between glyphosate and follicular lymphoma (lagged 10 years: OR=1.48, 95% CI: 0.98 to 2.25) was fairly consistent across analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the herbicides examined were not associated with NHL risk. However, associations of phenoxy herbicides and glyphosate with particular NHL subtypes underscore the importance of estimating subtype-specific risks.

Identification of environmental factors that promote intestinal inflammation.

Genome-wide association studies have identified risk loci linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)1-a complex chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. The increasing prevalence of IBD in industrialized countries and the augmented disease risk observed in migrants who move into areas of higher disease prevalence suggest that environmental factors are also important determinants of IBD susceptibility and severity2. However, the identification of environmental factors relevant to IBD and the mechanisms by which they influence disease has been hampered by the lack of platforms for their systematic investigation. Here we describe an integrated systems approach, combining publicly available databases, zebrafish chemical screens, machine learning and mouse preclinical models to identify environmental factors that control intestinal inflammation. This approach established that the herbicide propyzamide increases inflammation in the small and large intestine. Moreover, we show that an AHR-NF-κB-C/EBPß signalling axis operates in T cells and dendritic cells to promote intestinal inflammation, and is targeted by propyzamide. In conclusion, we developed a pipeline for the identification of environmental factors and mechanisms of pathogenesis in IBD and, potentially, other inflammatory diseases.

The Association Between 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid and Erectile Dysfunction.

Background: 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most frequently used herbicides in the world, and it has been linked with low testosterone; however, studies regarding its effect on erectile function are limited. The current study aimed to determine the association between the 2,4-D exposure and erectile dysfunction (ED) in men from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods: We analyzed data for urinary 2,4-D levels from 1,311 men (>20 years of age) in the NHANES 2001-2004. ED was assessed by a single, validated survey question. Multivariable logistic regression analysis utilizing sampling weights was performed to determine the relationship between 2,4-D exposure and ED. Results: Multivariable logistic regression models demonstrated no statistically significant association between 2,4-D exposure and ED after full adjustment [odds ratio (OR) 1.02; 95% CI 0.77-1.36; P = 0.882)]. Men in the 2,4-D quartile 4 groups were not associated with an increased risk of ED (OR 1.13; 95% CI 0.74-1.75; P for trend = 0.481). Furthermore, the association between urinary 2,4-D level and ED was not significant in the subgroup analysis stratified by age, BMI, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Conclusion: We demonstrated that there was no association between 2,4-D exposure and ED. Further studies are warranted to corroborate our results.

MPP+-Induced Changes in Cellular Impedance as a Measure for Organic Cation Transporter (SLC22A1-3) Activity and Inhibition.

The organic cation transporters OCT1-3 (SLC22A1-3) facilitate the transport of cationic endo- and xenobiotics and are important mediators of drug distribution and elimination. Their polyspecific nature makes OCTs highly susceptible to drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Currently, screening of OCT inhibitors depends on uptake assays that require labeled substrates to detect transport activity. However, these uptake assays have several limitations. Hence, there is a need to develop novel assays to study OCT activity in a physiological relevant environment without the need to label the substrate. Here, a label-free impedance-based transport assay is established that detects OCT-mediated transport activity and inhibition utilizing the neurotoxin MPP+. Uptake of MPP+ by OCTs induced concentration-dependent changes in cellular impedance that were inhibited by decynium-22, corticosterone, and Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors. OCT-mediated MPP+ transport activity and inhibition were quantified on both OCT1-3 overexpressing cells and HeLa cells endogenously expressing OCT3. Moreover, the method presented here is a valuable tool to identify novel inhibitors and potential DDI partners for MPP+ transporting solute carrier proteins (SLCs) in general.

Leaching of saflufenacil in soils with different organic matter contents

Saflufenacil is a herbicide recommended for use in the main agricultural crops in Brazil to control eudicotyledonous weeds. However, the application of saflufenacil has been carried out without previous knowledge of this herbicide interactions with soil colloids, which may increase environmental contamination risks. In this study, the leaching of saflufenacil in soil samples was estimated with different organic matter contents. Therefore, PVC columns were filled with samples of Xanthic Ferralsol (XF) and Ferralsol (F), with different physical and chemical attributes. Twelve hours after herbicide (70 g i.a. ha-1) application, the PVC columns were subjected to a rainfall of 60 mm. For the evaluation of saflufenacil leaching, the columns were sectioned in ten parts with 5-cm each. Saflufenacil leached up to 50 and 40 cm deep in the samples, with the lowest contents of organic matter of XF and F, respectively. The increase in organic matter content of Ferralsol and Xanthic Ferralsol samples reduced saflufenacil leaching and the symptoms of intoxication in the indicator species. There was an inverse relation between the content of organic matter and the leaching of the herbicide in both soils studied. It was observed that the application of saflufenacil in soils with low organic matter contents may represent a significant environmental contamination risk of soils and watercourses.

Perinatal exposure to an aromatase inhibitor glyphosate-base herbicide reduced male and female social behavior in juvenile age and the sexual behavior at adult female rats / Exposição perinatal ao inibidor da aromatase a base de glifosato reduz o comportamento social de machos e fêmeas e o comportamento sexual de ratas

Objectives: The herbicide glyphosate, a pesticide used in agriculture to control weeds, both in food crops and in other agricultural areas, has been identified as an endocrine modulator through the inhibition of aromatase activity and the activation of estrogen receptors. The present study examined the effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide (Roundup® (GLY-BH) on sexual dimorphism of rats after perinatal exposure to low and high GLY-BH in males and females offspring. Methods: Two groups of pregnant rats were treated with two doses of GLY-BH (50 or 150 mg/kg) from day 15 of gestation (GD15) to postnatal day 7 (PND7). Play fighting behavior was observed at the juvenile stage and during social and sexual behaviors in adulthood. Results: Perinatal GLY-BH exposure reduced male and female body weight at 28, 75, and 90 days of age. The play fighting behavior was decreased in both sexes, but female rats were more affected. The sexual behaviors were reduced only in females. Conclusions: Perinatal exposure to both doses of GLY-BH promoted sexually dimorphic effects in both juvenile and adulthood stages. These effects were attributed to the inhibition of aromatase activity induced by exposure to GLY-BH in the perinatal period.(AU)

Objetivos: O glifosato é um herbicida não seletivo, usado em muitas culturas alimentares e não alimentares e em áreas não agrícolas, sendo que os produtos a base de glifosato atuam como moduladores das funções endócrinas por meio da inibição da atividade da aromatase e da ativação de receptores de estrógeno. O presente estudo avaliou os efeitos do herbicida Roundup® (GLY-BH) à base de glifosato, em comportamentos sexualmente dimórficos de ratos após exposição perinatal a doses baixas e altas de GLY-BH no período perinatal. Métodos: Ratas prenhas foram tratadas com 50 ou 150 mg/kg de GLY-BH do 15º dia de gestação (GD15) ao 7º dia de lactação (LD7). O comportamento de luta/brincar foi observado na fase juvenil e os comportamentos social e sexual na idade adulta. Resultados: a exposição perinatal a GLY-BH reduziu o peso corporal de machos e fêmeas aos 28, 75 e 90 dias de idade. O comportamento de luta/brincar diminuiu em ambos os sexos, sendo as ratas foram as mais afetadas. O comportamento sexual foi reduzido apenas nas fêmeas. Conclusões: A exposição perinatal a ambas as doses do GLY- BH promoveu tanto na idade juvenil como na idade adulta, efeitos sexualmente dimórficos. Esses efeitos foram atribuídos à inibição da atividade da aromatase induzida exposição perinatal ao GLY-BH.(AU)

Insights into ROS-dependent signalling underlying transcriptomic plant responses to the herbicide 2,4-D.

The synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) functions as an agronomic weed control herbicide. High concentrations of 2,4-D induce plant growth defects, particularly leaf epinasty and stem curvature. Although the 2,4-D triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, little is known about its signalling. In this study, by using a null mutant in peroxisomal acyl CoA oxidase 1 (acx1-2), we identified acyl-coenzyme A oxidase 1 (ACX1) as one of the main sources of ROS production and, in part, also causing the epinastic phenotype following 2,4-D application. Transcriptomic analyses of wild type (WT) plants after treatment with 2,4-D revealed a ROS-related peroxisomal footprint in early plant responses, while other organelles, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, are involved in later responses. Interestingly, a group of 2,4-D-responsive ACX1-dependent transcripts previously associated with epinasty is related to auxin biosynthesis, metabolism, and signalling. We found that the auxin receptor auxin signalling F-box 3 (AFB3), a component of Skp, Cullin, F-box containing complex (SCF) (ASK-cullin-F-box) E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes, which mediates auxin/indole acetic acid (AUX/IAA) degradation by the 26S proteasome, acts downstream of ACX1 and is involved in the epinastic phenotype induced by 2,4-D. We also found that protein degradation associated with ubiquitin E3-RING and E3-SCF-FBOX in ACX1-dependent signalling in plant responses to 2,4-D is significantly regulated over longer treatment periods.

Thioredoxin-1 mediates neuroprotection of Schisanhenol against MPP+-induced apoptosis via suppression of ASK1-P38-NF-κB pathway in SH-SY5Y cells.

Oxidative stress-induced dopaminergic neuronal loss and apoptosis play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), and as a vital antioxidant protein, thioredoxin (Trx) exerts neuroprotection against PD. In this study, we investigated the effect of Schisanhenol (Sal), an active component from a traditional Chinese herb Schisandra rubriflora (Franch.), on MPP+-induced apoptosis and its association with thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) in SH-SY5Y cells. The protein levels of Trx1 and apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blot, the expression of Trx1 mRNA by real time qPCR, and apoptosis was detected by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Pretreatment with Sal (1 µM, 10 µM, and 50 µM) dose-dependently ameliorated MPP+-induced neuronal injury, confirmed by the improvement of the viability and morphological changes. Sal decreased the apoptosis rate of cells, suppressed the production of DNA ladder and sub-G1 peak, inhibited the Caspase-3 activity and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Sal enhanced the expression of Trx1 both in the protein and mRNA levels. However, the Trx1 inhibitor PX-12 suppressed the protective effects of Sal. In addition, Sal inhibited NF-κB translocation and activation. These results suggest that Sal has a protective effect against MPP+-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells via up-regulation of Trx1 expression and suppression of ASK1-P38-NF-κB pathway.

Toxicity thresholds of nine herbicides to coral symbionts (Symbiodiniaceae).

Over 30 herbicides have been detected in catchments and waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and their toxicity to key tropical species, including the coral endosymbiotic algae Symbiodiniaceae, is not generally considered in current water quality guideline values (WQGVs). Mutualistic symbionts of the family Symbiodiniaceae are essential for the survival of scleractinian corals. We tested the effects of nine GBR-relevant herbicides on photosynthetic efficiency (ΔF/Fm') and specific growth rate (SGR) over 14 days of cultured coral endosymbiont Cladocopium goreaui (formerly Symbiodinium clade C1). All seven Photosystem II (PSII) herbicides tested inhibited ΔF/Fm' and SGR, with toxicity thresholds for SGR ranging between 2.75 and 320 µg L-1 (no effect concentration) and 2.54-257 µg L-1 (EC10). There was a strong correlation between EC50s for ΔF/Fm' and SGR for all PSII herbicides indicating that inhibition of ΔF/Fm' can be considered a biologically relevant toxicity endpoint for PSII herbicides to this species. The non-PSII herbicides haloxyfop and imazapic did not affect ΔF/Fm' or SGR at the highest concentrations tested. The inclusion of this toxicity data for Symbiodiniaceae will contribute to improving WQGVs to adequately inform risk assessments and the management of herbicides in tropical marine ecosystems.

Pleiotropic Outcomes of Glyphosate Exposure: From Organ Damage to Effects on Inflammation, Cancer, Reproduction and Development.

Glyphosate is widely used worldwide as a potent herbicide. Due to its ubiquitous use, it is detectable in air, water and foodstuffs and can accumulate in human biological fluids and tissues representing a severe human health risk. In plants, glyphosate acts as an inhibitor of the shikimate pathway, which is absent in vertebrates. Due to this, international scientific authorities have long-considered glyphosate as a compound that has no or weak toxicity in humans. However, increasing evidence has highlighted the toxicity of glyphosate and its formulations in animals and human cells and tissues. Thus, despite the extension of the authorization of the use of glyphosate in Europe until 2022, several countries have begun to take precautionary measures to reduce its diffusion. Glyphosate has been detected in urine, blood and maternal milk and has been found to induce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and several cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in vitro and in animal models directly or indirectly through its metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). This review aims to summarize the more relevant findings on the biological effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of glyphosate, with a particular focus on glyphosate's potential to induce inflammation, DNA damage and alterations in gene expression profiles as well as adverse effects on reproduction and development.

Effect of different management techniques on bird taxonomic groups on rice fields in the Republic of Korea.

Many bird species rely on the ecological functions of rice field habitats (e.g., paddy, levee, road, and ditch). However, recent intensive practices are causing rice fields to provide fewer suitable habitats. This study examined bird habitat usage and how it is affected by cultivation methods (e.g., eco-friendly vs conventional fields). Eco-friendly and conventional rice fields in the midwestern region of the Republic of Korea were surveyed from January 2014 to December 2016, and the species presence, number of birds, and locations of observed habitats were recorded. It was found that shorebirds and herons used more eco-friendly rice paddies with lower or no pesticide and/or herbicide use, while waterfowl used paddy habitats more than the other habitats, regardless of the amounts of pesticides and/or herbicides used. Land birds used ditches or roads in conventional rice fields more than those in fields that used pesticides and/or herbicides. Pesticide and/or herbicide use affected bird taxonomic groups differently. Consequently, the use of habitats by different bird taxonomic groups varied depending on the crop cultivation as well as the cultivation methods. These results provided valuable information for managing rice fields, which serve as habitats for birds.

Indaziflam: Control Effectiveness in Monocotyledonous and Eudicotyledonous Weeds as a Function of Herbicide Dose and Soil Texture.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The indaziflam herbicide has efficiency in the control of monocotyledons weeds and is recommended for some eudicotyledonous species. However, the efficiency of the control can vary to the detriment of the species, dose and soil texture. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the effectiveness of the control of indaziflam herbicide for weeds species <i>Mucuna aterrima</i>, <i>Sorghum halepense</i>, <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i>, <i>Rottboellia exaltata</i>, <i>Urochloa decumbens</i>, <i>Merremia aegyptia</i>, <i>Cenchrus echinatus</i>, <i>Digitaria horizontalis</i>, <i>Panicum maximum</i>, <i>Tridax procumbens</i>, <i>Urochloa plantaginea</i> and <i>Eleusine indica</i>, besides elaborating the calculation of DL₈₀, DL₉₀ and DL₉₅ of the product in two types of soil. Material and Methods: Thus, experiments were carried out in a greenhouse, isolated for each weed species, in a completely randomized experimental design, with four replications and a 10×2 factorial scheme, with ten doses of the herbicide indaziflam (0 D, 1/16 D, 1/8 D, 1/4 D, 1/2 D, D, 2 D, 4 D, 8 D, 16 D, being D = 100 g ha¹), applied in pre-emergence and two contrasting soil textures (clayey and sandy). At 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days after weed emergence (DAE), visual control assessments were performed and in the last evaluation, the dry mass of the aerial part was performed. <b>Results:</b> The weeds of the Poaceae family showed greater susceptibility to the indaziflam herbicide, on the other hand, the <i>Mucuna aterrima</i>, <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i> and <i>Merremia aegyptia </i>weeds required a higher dose of active ingredient to be controlled efficiently. <b>Conclusion:</b> In general, the current study concluded that a lesser amount of active ingredient was needed in sandy soil than in clayey soils to promote adequate weed control. Therefore, the difference in the susceptibility of the studied plants as function of dose indaziflam, weeds species and soil texture.

A dual role for glutathione transferase U7 in plant growth and protection from methyl viologen-induced oxidative stress.

Plant glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are glutathione-dependent enzymes with versatile functions, mainly related to detoxification of electrophilic xenobiotics and peroxides. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome codes for 53 GSTs, divided into seven subclasses; however, understanding of their precise functions is limited. A recent study showed that class II TGA transcription factors TGA2, TGA5, and TGA6 are essential for tolerance of UV-B-induced oxidative stress and that this tolerance is associated with an antioxidative function of cytosolic tau-GSTs (GSTUs). Specifically, TGA2 controls the expression of several GSTUs under UV-B light, and constitutive expression of GSTU7 in the tga256 triple mutant is sufficient to revert the UV-B-susceptible phenotype of tga256. To further study the function of GSTU7, we characterized its role in mitigation of oxidative damage caused by the herbicide methyl viologen (MV). Under non-stress conditions, gstu7 null mutants were smaller than wild-type (WT) plants and delayed in the onset of the MV-induced antioxidative response, which led to accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and diminished seedling survival. Complementation of gstu7 by constitutive expression of GSTU7 rescued these phenotypes. Furthermore, live monitoring of the glutathione redox potential in intact cells with the fluorescent probe Grx1-roGFP2 revealed that GSTU7 overexpression completely abolished the MV-induced oxidation of the cytosolic glutathione buffer compared with WT plants. GSTU7 acted as a glutathione peroxidase able to complement the lack of peroxidase-type GSTs in yeast. Together, these findings show that GSTU7 is crucial in the antioxidative response by limiting oxidative damage and thus contributes to oxidative stress resistance in the cell.

Naringenin alleviates paraquat-induced dopaminergic neuronal loss in SH-SY5Y cells and a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD), a common neurodegenerative disease is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The cause of dopaminergic loss in PD remains unknown for a long time, however, recent reports suggest oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of PD. Paraquat (PQ), a widely used herbicide is an oxidative stress inducer that has been implicated as a potential risk factor for the development of PD. Flavonoids are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds that display a variety of therapeutic properties against oxidative stress. Naringenin (NAR), a natural flavonoid, exhibits neuroprotection against PD-related pathology. However, studies on its neuroprotective role and the underlying mechanisms are scarce, therefore the present study explored the potential neuroprotective role of NAR in PQ-induced parkinsonism in SH-SY5Y cells and rat model. The effect of NAR on PQ-induced cellular toxicity was determined by measuring cell viability, oxidative stress, ATP levels and the same effect was determined by assessing behavioral, biochemical, immunohistochemical, qRT-PCR and Western blot in rat model. NAR treatment in SH-SY5Y cells resulted in increased cell viability, reduced oxidative stress, elevated mitochondrial membrane potential, and higher cellular ATP levels. In rats, NAR treatment resulted in significant neuroprotection against PQ-induced behavioral deficits, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and astrocytosis. NAR treatment significantly modulated PQ-induced mRNA expressions of DRD2, DAT, LRRK2, SNCA, ß-catenin, caspase-3, BDNF genes. NAR treatment increased TH protein expression and modulated its immunoreactivity in rat striatum. Also, GFAP decreased in response to NAR treatment. So, in the present study, NAR exhibits neuroprotection against PQ-induced neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration indicating its novel therapeutic potential against PD.