Aldicarb disturbed bile acid, steroid hormone and oxylipin homeostasis in C57BL/6 J mice

Mounting evidence has shown that the gut microbiota plays a key role in human health. The homeostasis of the gut microbiota could be affected by many factors, including environmental chemicals. Aldicarb is a carbamate insecticide used to control a variety of insects and nematode pests in agriculture. Aldicarb is highly toxic and its wide existence has become a global public health concern. In our previous study, we have demonstrated that aldicarb disturbed the gut microbial community structure and composition. However, the impacts of aldicarb on gut microbiota-derived metabolites, bile acids, remain elusive. In present study, we performed targeted metabolomics analysis to explore the effects of aldicarb exposure on bile acids, as well as steroid hormones and oxylipins in the serum, feces and liver of C57BL/6 J mice. Our results showed that aldicarb exposure disturbed the level of various bile acids, steroid hormones and oxylipins in the serum and feces of C57BL/6 J mice. In the liver, the level of cortisol was decreased, meanwhile 15,16-dihydroxyoctadeca-9,12-dienoic acid was increased in aldicarb-treated mice. Metagenomic sequencing analysis showed that the relative abundance of a bile salt hydrolase, choloylglycine hydrolase (EC:3.5.1.24) and a sulfatase enzyme involved in steroid hormone metabolism, arylsulfatase, was significantly increased by aldicarb exposure. Furthermore, correlations were found between gut microbiota and various serum metabolites. The results from this study are helpful to improve the understanding of the impact of carbamate insecticides on host and microbial metabolism.

Neurotoxic pesticides change respiratory parameters in early gill-breathing, but not in skin-breathing life-stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Neurotoxic compounds can interfere with active gill ventilation in fish, which might lead to premature death in adult fish, but not in skin-breathing embryos of zebrafish, since these exclusively rely on passive diffusion across the skin. Regarding lethality, this respiratory failure syndrome (RFS) has been discussed as one of the main reasons for the higher sensitivity of adult fish in the acute fish toxicity test (AFT), if compared to embryos in the fish embryo toxicity test (FET). To further elucidate the relationship between the onset of gill respiration and death by a neurotoxic mode of action, a comparative study into oxygen consumption (MO2), breathing frequency (fv) and amplitude (fampl) was performed with 4 d old skin-breathing and 12 d old early gill-breathing zebrafish. Neurotoxic model substances with an LC50 FET/AFT ratio of > 10 were used: chlorpyrifos, permethrin, aldicarb, ziram, and fluoxetine. Exposure to hypoxia served as a positive control, whereas aniline was tested as an example of a narcotic substance interfering non-specifically with gill membranes. In 12 d old larvae, all substances caused an increase in MO2, fv and partly fampl, whereas effects were minor in 4 d old embryos. An increase of fv in 4 d old embryos following exposure to chlorpyrifos, aldicarb and hypoxia could not be correlated with an increased MO2 and might be attributed either to (1) to the successfully postponed decrease of arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) through support of skin respiration by increased fv, (2) to an unspecific stimulation of the sphincter muscles at the base of the gill filaments, or (3) to the establishment of oxygen sensing for later stages. In gill-breathing 12 d old zebrafish, a concentration-dependent increase of fv was detected for aniline and chlorpyrifos, whereas for aldicarb, fluoxetine and permethrin, a decline of fv at higher substance concentrations was measured, most likely due to the onset of paralysis and/or fatigue of the gill filament sphincter muscles. Since alterations of fv serve to postpone the decrease in arterial PO2 and MO2 increased with decreasing fv, the respiratory failure syndrome could clearly be demonstrated in 12 d old zebrafish larvae. Passive respiration across the skin in zebrafish embryos could thus be confirmed as a probable reason for the lower sensitivity of early life-stages to neurotoxicants. Integration of respiratory markers into existing testing protocols with non-protected developmental stages such as embryos might help to not underestimate the toxicity of early life-stages of fish.

Resistance and Tolerance Screening of Spring Wheat Cultivars to Cereal Cyst Nematode (Heterodera avenae) in Southeastern Idaho

Increased populations of Heterodera avenae in southeastern Idaho are associated with increased planting of susceptible cereal cultivars and lack of crop rotation. Identifying high-yield, resistant spring wheat cultivars with tolerance requires testing new genotypes and susceptibility assessments of marketed cultivars. We conducted two experiments to determine whether cultivars with putative resistance could maintain acceptable yield in the presence of H. avenae. We also evaluated the tolerance response in relation to previously tested cultivars. Seven spring wheat cultivars were planted in two irrigated commercial fields that were naturally infested with high populations of H. avenae. Measures of resistance, tolerance, and grain yield were assessed in aldicarb-treated versus nontreated plots. In aldicarb-treated plots in both years, grain yield of the susceptible cultivars Snow Crest, WestBred 936, WB9411, Patwin-515, and WB9668 was significantly increased. The expected yield increase with aldicarb was limited for the moderately susceptible Expresso due to water stress. 'WB-Rockland', carrying the Cre5 resistance gene, maintained its standard yield, while none of the other cultivars in the experiment showed resistance or tolerance. Our results indicated that aldicarb improves wheat grain yield in irrigated crop production systems, and although removed from the market, it is effective and has utility for research. The results also support the hypothesis that high yield susceptible cultivars can mask the effect of H. avenae on grain yield when managed appropriately.

Elucidation of the nematicidal mode of action of grammicin on Caenorhabditis elegans

Grammicin (Gra) is derived from the endophytic fungus Xylaria grammica EL000614 and shows nematicidal activity against the devastating root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in-vitro, in planta, and in-field experiments. However, the mechanism of the nematicidal action of Gra remains unclear. In this study, Gra exposure to the model genetic organism Caenorhabditis elegans affected its L1, L2/3, L4, and young adult stages. In addition, Gra treatment increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of C. elegans and M. incognita. Molecular docking interaction analysis indicated that Gra could bind and interact with GCS-1, GST-4, and DAF-16a in order of low binding energy, followed by SOD-3, SKN-1, and DAF-16b. This implies that the anthelmintic action of Gra is related to the oxidative stress response. To validate this mechanism, we examined the expression of the genes involved in the oxidative stress responses following treatment with Gra using transgenic C. elegans strains such as the TJ356 strain zIs356 [daf-16p::daf-16a/b::GFP + rol-6 (su1006)], LD1 ldIs7 [skn-1p::skn-1b/c::GFP + rol-6 (su1006)], LD1171 ldIs3 [gcs-1p::GFP + rol-6 (su1006)], CL2166 dvIs19 [(pAF15) gst-4p::GFP::NLS], and CF1553 strain muIs84 [(pAD76) sod-3p::GFP + rol-6 (su1006)]. Gra treatment caused nuclear translocation of DAF-16/FoxO and enhanced gst-4::GFP expression, but it had no change in sod-3::GFP expression. These results indicate that Gra induces oxidative stress response via phase II detoxification without reduced cellular redox machinery. Gra treatment also inhibited the nuclear localization of SKN-1::GFP in the intestine, which may lead to a condition in which oxidative stress tolerance is insufficient to protect C. elegans by the inactivation of SKN-1, thus inducing nematode lethality. Furthermore, Gra caused the mortality of two mutant strains of C. elegans, CB113 and DA1316, which are resistant to aldicarb and ivermectin, respectively. This indicates that the mode of action of Gra is different from the traditional nematicides currently in use, suggesting that it could help develop novel approaches to control plant-parasitic nematodes.

The distinct profiles of the inhibitory effects of fluensulfone, abamectin, aldicarb and fluopyram on Globodera pallida hatching

BACKGROUND

Fluensulfone is a nematicide with a novel mode of action against plant parasitic nematodes. Here, we utilize in vitro hatching assays to investigate fluensufone's ability to inhibit Globodera pallida hatching, relative to the efficacy of other distinct classes of nematicides.

RESULTS

Fluensulfone, abamectin, aldicarb and fluopyram inhibit G. pallida hatching from cysts more potently than from isolated eggs. At 1 μM for cysts, the order of potency is fluensulfone> fluopyram> abamectin> aldicarb. At low concentrations of fluensulfone, inhibition of hatching is reversible, however, more than 50% of the juveniles that hatch from cysts pre-treated with fluensulfone have reduced motility. This is observed to a lesser extent with abamectin, fluopyram and aldicarb. When cysts are exposed to higher concentrations of fluensulfone (≥500 μM), abamectin (≥100 μM) and fluopyram (≥50 μM) inhibition of hatching is irreversible. This results from the loss of encysted juvenile structure giving rise to a granulated appearance consistent with necrosis, suggesting a nematicidal effect. Intriguingly, hatching initiated by root diffusate is arrested when egg populations are subsequently exposed to fluensulfone.

CONCLUSION

Fluensulfone, abamectin, fluopyram and aldicarb inhibit G. pallida hatching. Fluensulfone is a potent inhibitor of hatching and impacts on the viability of the J2 s emerging from the cysts. This activity, and the previously described impaired motility and metabolism of hatched juveniles, show that fluensulfone's distinct mode of action among existing nematicides intersects at two pivotal steps of the parasitic life cycle.

Comparative studies of acetylcholinesterase purified from three field populations of Liposcelis entomophila (enderlein) (psocoptera: liposcelididae)

Acetylcholinesterace (AChE) is known to be the major target for organophophate and carbamate insecticides and biomolecular changes to AChE have been demonstrated to be an important mechanism for insecticide resistance in many insect species. In this study, AChE from three field populations of Liposcelis entomophila (Enderlein) (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) was purified by affinity chromatography and subsequently characterized by its Michaelis-Menten kinetics to determine if detectable changes to AChE have occurred. Bioassays revealed that the potential resistance threat of psocids in Sichuan Province (GH) was greater than either Hubei Province (WH) or Chongqing Municipality (BB). Compared to the other two populations, the WH population possessed the highest specific activity of purified AChE. Kinetic analyses indicated that the purified AChE from GH population expressed a significantly lower affinity to the substrate and a higher catalytic activity toward acetylthiocholine iodide (ATChI) (i.e., higher K(m) and V(max) values) than BB and WH populations. In vitro studies of AChE suggest that five inhibitors (aldicarb, eserine, BW284C51, omethoate, and propoxur) all possess strong inhibitory effects with eserine having the strongest inhibitory effect against purified AChE. According to bimolecular rate constants (k(i)), the purified AChE from GH population was least sensitive to all inhibitors except for omethoate. The differences in AChE among the three populations may be partially attributed to the differences in pesticide application and control practices for psocids among the three locations.

Studies on relative toxicities of six insecticides on epigeic earthworm, Perionyx excavatus

The 96 h LC(50) values of six insecticides were determined on a non-target epigeic earthworm Perionyx excavatus under laboratory conditions. Cypermethrin was found most toxic to P. excavatus (LC(50)-0.008 mg/kg), followed by endosulfan (LC(50)-0.03 mg/kg), carbaryl (LC(50)-6.07 mg/kg), chlorpyrifos (LC(50)-7.3 mg/kg), aldicarb (LC(50)-10.63 mg/kg) and monocrotophos (LC(50)-13.04 mg/kg). When these LC(50) values were compared with their respective recommended agricultural doses, aldicarb and carbaryl appeared more dangerous than other pesticides because of their lower LC(50) values than their respective recommended agricultural dose. Mean lethal time to cause 50% mortality at recommended agricultural dose (LT(50)) also indicated that aldicarb achieved the fastest LT(50) (26 h) followed by endosulfan (38 h) and carbaryl (44 h) indicating the danger of these pesticides to P. excavatus.

Analysis of synaptic transmission in Caenorhabditis elegans using an aldicarb-sensitivity assay

Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as a powerful model system for studying the biology of the synapse. Here we describe a widely used assay for synaptic transmission at the C. elegans neuromuscular junction. This protocol monitors the sensitivity of C. elegans to the paralyzing affects of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, aldicarb. Briefly, adult worms are incubated in the presence of aldicarb and scored for the time-course of aldicarb-induced paralysis. Animals harboring mutations in genes that affect synaptic transmission generally exhibit a change in their sensitivity to aldicarb (either increased sensitivity for enhancements in synaptic transmission or decreased sensitivity for blockage in synaptic transmission). This technique provides a simple assay for the accurate comparative analysis of synaptic transmission in multiple C. elegans strains. The protocol described can be performed relatively quickly and is a practical alternative to other techniques used to study synaptic transmission. This protocol can also be modified to follow the paralytic effects with other pharmacological reagents. The assay can be performed in about 3-6 hours depending on the severity of synaptic transmission defects.

Role of insecticides in reducing thrips injury to plants and incidence of tomato spotted wilt virus in Virginia market-type peanut

Tomato spotted wilt virus (family Bunyaviridae, genus Tospovirus, TSWV), transmitted by many thrips species, is a devastating pathogen of peanut, Arachis hypogaea L. TSWV has become a serious problem in the Virginia/Carolina peanut-growing region of the United States. During 2002, TSWV was present in 47% of the North Carolina hectarage and caused a 5% yield reduction in Virginia. Factors influencing levels of TSWV in runner market-type peanut cultivars, which are primarily grown in Alabama, Flordia, Georgia, and Texas, have been integrated into an advisory to help those peanut growers reduce losses. An advisory based on the southeast runner market-type version is currently under development for virginia market-type peanut cultivars that are grown primarily in the Virginia/ Carolina region. A version based on preliminary field experiments was released in 2003. One factor used in both advisories relates to insecticide use to reduce the vector populations and disease incidence. This research elucidated the influence of insecticides on thrips populations, thrips plant injury, incidence of TSWV, and pod yield in virginia market-type peanut. Eight field trials from 2003 to 2005 were conducted at two locations. In-furrow application of aldicarb and phorate resulted in significant levels of thrips control, significant reductions in thrips injury to seedlings, reduced incidence of TSWV, and significant increases in pod yield. Foliar application of acephate after aldicarb or phorate applied in the seed furrow further reduced thrips plant injury and incidence of TSWV and improved yield. These findings will be used to improve the current virginia market-type TSWV advisory.

Multitrophic interactions involving genetically modified potatoes, nontarget aphids, natural enemies and hyperparasitoids

Genetically modified (GM) potatoes expressing a cysteine proteinase inhibitor (cystatin) have been developed as an option for the management of plant parasitic nematodes. The relative impact of such plants on predators and parasitoids (natural enemies) of nontarget insects was determined in a field trial. The trial consisted of GM plants, control plants grown in soil treated with a nematicide and untreated control plants. The quantity of nontarget aphids and their quality as hosts for natural enemies were studied. Aphid density was significantly reduced by nematicide treatment and few natural enemies were recorded from treated potatoes during the study. In contrast, similar numbers of aphids and their more abundant predators were recorded from the untreated control and the GM potatoes. The size of aphids on GM and control plants was recorded twice during the study. During the first sampling period (2-9 July) aphids clip-caged on GM plants were smaller than those on control plants. During the second sampling period (23-30 July) there was no difference in aphid size between those from the GM and control plants. Host size is an important component of host quality. It can affect the size and fecundity of parasitoid females and the sex ratio of their offspring. However, neither the fitness of females of Aphidius ervi, the most prevalent primary parasitoid, nor the sex ratio of their progeny, were affected when the parasitoids developed on aphids feeding on GM plants. Two guilds of secondary parasitoid were also recorded during the study. The fitness of the most abundant species, Aspahes vulgaris, was not affected when it developed on hosts from GM plants. The transgene product, OC I Delta D86, was not detected in aphids that had fed on GM plants in the field, suggesting that there is minimal secondary exposure of natural enemies to the inhibitor. The results indicate that transgenic nematode resistance is potentially more compatible with aphid biological control than is current nematicide use.

Plant feeding by a predatory mite inhabiting cassava

Plant feeding by arthropod predators may strongly affect the dynamics of bi-and tri-trophic interactions. We tested whether a predatory mite, Typhlodromalus aripo, feeds upon its host plant, cassava. This predator species is an effective biological control agent of Monoychellus tanajoa (the cassava green mite or CGM) a herbivorous mite specific to cassava. We developed a technique to detect plant feeding, based on the use of a systemic insecticide. We found that T. aripo feeds upon plant-borne material, while other predatory mite species, Neoseiulus idaeus and Phytoseiulus persimilis, do not. Subsequently, we measured survival of juveniles and adult females of T. aripo and N. idaeus, both cassava-inhabiting predator species, on cassava leaf discs. Survival of T. aripo was higher than that of N. idaeus. Thus, T. aripo was able to withstand longer periods of prey scarcity. Because CGM populations fluctuate yearly and are heterogeneously distributed within plants, plant feeding may facilitate the persistence of populations of T. aripo in cassava fields and its control of CGM outbreaks.

Artificial carbon dioxide source to attract lesser cornstalk borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae

Different combinations of urea, urease (in jack bean meal, Canavalia DC.), and water were tested as carbon dioxide sources to attract larvae of lesser cornstalk borer, Elasmopalus lignosellus (Zeller), by using olfactory bioassays with an olfactometer and infrared gas analysis. A combination of urea, jack bean meal, and water was necessary to release a high level of carbon dioxide to attract the larvae. Different proportions of the three ingredients had different carbon dioxide release rates and exhibited different levels of attraction to the larvae. When carbon dioxide concentration was too high, attractiveness declined. Combinations with different amounts of water remained attractive for a period of up to 3 d, depending on the moisture of the samples. When Zonolite was used to simulate the soil conditions in the olfactometer, significantly more larvae located the area near the artificial carbon dioxide sources compared with the control. When combined with the artificial carbon dioxide sources, three insecticides (Lorsban, Temik, and Force) did not obviously affect the release rates of carbon dioxide, and more larvae were attracted to samples with the carbon dioxide source than to the samples without carbon dioxide.