• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.377-387
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• 1997

Primary fluorescence characteristics of ten standard solutions of organophosphates, sea water, and water from agricultural land were investigated by fluorescence contour. All the standard solutions of organophosphates has shown characteristics countours. Their emission maxima were shown between 296 nm and 437 nm. According to their numbers of emission maxima on the fluorescence contours, the organophosphates can be categorized in two different groups. Ateric and Diazinon are the first group with two emission maxima. DDVP with other seven standard organophosphates belong to the second group. The second group has two subgroups. One is characterized by the similar emission and excitation maxima, which are 310 nm and 280 nm, respectively. Those are DDVP, Hinosan, Kitazin, Locsion, Meta. The other sub-group shows quite different emission and excitation maxima from the first sub-group. They are Monopho, Thaconyl and Gropho and their emisson maxima were in far longer (437 nm) or shorter wavelength (296 nm). From agricutural samples, one of the investigated organophosphates was detetected by its characteristic retention time $(t_r=12min)$. HPIC-fluorescence data gave an additional parameter for differentiation between two organophosphates which has similar excitation and emission maxima.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.303-308
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• 2001

The potential for a given anticholinesterase pesticide to exhibit age-related toxicity is essential information for an accurate and proper risk assessment of that compound. This investigation was designed to study the age-related toxicity of active metabolites of four organophosphates using in vitro detoxification measurement. The blood samples were collected from 1 month and 18 months old rats. The $IC_{50}$ values of mouse brain recombinant AChE of chlorpyrifos-oxon, diazoxon, malaoxon and paraoxon were 10.35, 112.84, 151.28 and 18.43 nM, respectively. When the plasma of young rats, and $CaCI_2$were added, the $IC_{50}$ values of mouse brain recombinant AChE of chlorpyrfos-oxon, diazoxon, malaoxon and paraoxon were 31.89, 164.25, 139.94 and 16.36 nM, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ values of mouse brain recombinant AChE of chlorpyrifos-oxon, diazoxon, malaoxon and paraoxon were changed to 136.840, 1244.45, 654.54 and 52.66 nM by A-esterases In adult rats. These results suggest that four organophosphates have a potential toxicity to exhibit age-related sensitivity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.278-288
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• 2019

In the present investigation, we attempted to design a protocol to develop a hybrid protein with better bioremediation capacity. Using in silico approaches, a Hybrid Open Reading Frame (Hybrid ORF) is developed targeting the genes of microorganisms known for degradation of organophosphates. Out of 21 genes identified through BLAST search, 8 structurally similar genes (opdA, opd, opaA, pte RO, pdeA, parC, mpd and phnE) involved in biodegradation were screened. Gene conservational analysis categorizes these organophosphates degrading 8 genes into 4 super families i.e., Metallo-dependent hydrolases, Lactamase B, MPP and TM_PBP2 superfamily. Hybrid protein structure was modeled using multi-template homology modeling (3S07_A; 99%, 1P9E_A; 98%, 2ZO9_B; 33%, 2DXL_A; 33%) by $Schr{\ddot{o}}dinger$ software suit version 10.4.018. Structural verification of protein models was done using Ramachandran plot, it was showing 96.0% residue in the favored region, which was verified using RAMPAGE. The phosphotriesterase protein was showing the highest structural similarity with hybrid protein having raw score 984. The 5 binding sites of hybrid protein were identified through binding site prediction. The docking study shows that hybrid protein potentially interacts with 10 different organophosphates. The study results indicate that the hybrid protein designed has the capability of degrading a wide range of organophosphate compounds.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.315-321
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• 2006

Inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase(AchE), such as organophosphates and carbamates, interfere the action of AchE in nerve and may lead to a severe impairment of nerve functions or even death. Therefore, insect AchE is the biological target of predominant insecticides used in agriculture. Biosensors are sensitive and can be used as dispoisable sensors for environmental control. In recent years, the use of AchEs in biosensor technology has gained enormous attention, in particular with respect to insecticide detection. The principle of biosensors using AchE as a biological recognition element is based on the inhibition the catalytic activity by the agents to be detected. We here present a strip-type biosensor based on AchE inhibition. In this study, acetylcholinesterase and PVA-SbQ(polyvinyl alcohol functionalized with methyl pyridinium methyl sulfate) were co-immobilized on immobilone-P membranes. Immobilization of the enzymes showed a stability in 6 months without activity loss in $4^{\circ}C$ storage. Enzymes immobilized on surfaces of membrane responded to organophosphates and carbamate more sensitivitive than enzyme in solution. Organophosphates and carbamates concentrations could be detected by entrapped and surface immobilized enzymes, in 5 min. For chlorpyrifos, carbofuran, cabaryl, and methidathion, the detection limits of AChE-strip were similar to that of HPLC/GC method.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2001

Antidotal efficacy of combinational prophylactics composed of physostigmine plus procyclidine, alone or in combination with antidotes such as atropine plus 2-pralidoxime or atropine plus HI-6, was evaluated in rats. Physostigmine (0.1 mg/kg) plus procyclidine (3 mg/kg), pretreated subcutaneously 30 min prior to subcutaneous exposure to organophosphates of militarily importance, exerted protection ratios of 7.2, 6.5, 4.0, 2.9 and 8.0 fold for tabun, saris, soman, cyclosarin and V-agent, respectively. In comparison, low effects (1.7 fold for soman and 1.3 fold for cyclosarin) were achieved with the traditional antidotes atropine (17.4 mg/kg) plus 2-pralidoxime (30 mg/kg) administered intramuscularly immediately after organophosphate, in contrast to high effects (5.5 fold for soman and 160.0 fold for cyclosarin) with atropine (17.4 mg/kg) plus HI-6 (125 mg/kg), although the protection ratio markedly decreased when treatment of antidotes was delayed. Note- worthy, the combinational prophylactics markedly potentiated the effects of antidotes to higher than 5.0 fold in all cases. In addition, the combinational prophylactics fully prevented the seizures and excitotoxic brain injuries induced by a high dose (100 mg/kg, 1.3 LD$_{50}$) of soman. Taken together, it is suggested that the prophylactics composed of physostigmine and procyclidine, in combination with posttreatment antidotes, could be a promising regimen for the prevention of lethality, seizures and brain injuries induced by organophosphates possessing diverse properties.s.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.66-80
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• 1984

The organic phosphorus compounds have been widely used as an insecticide, since toxicity of these compounds is especially drastic to the insects than to men and other mammals. The organic phosphates are rapidly hydrolized and hence have little cumulative and ecologic effects. However, due to their acute toxic effects organophosphate have recorded rather high fatalities in men and domestic animals. The organic phosphorus compounds are powerful inhibitors to the carboxylic esterase enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase and pseudocholinesterase. As a result of firm binding characteristics of phosphate radicals to the active sites of enzyme, the activities of these enzymes are inhibited by the organophosphates. The organophosphates such as diazinon is easily observed from skin, gastrointestinal tract, conjunctivas and respiratory tract, and it is converted to more toxic form during metabolism in the liver The present study was carried out in order to investigate the hepatotoxicity of diazinon by observing the changes in the ultrastructure of cytoplasmic organelles of hepatic cells in albino mice. The animals were killed at 6, 12 and 24 hours after administration of 25mg/kg diazinon. The piece of hepatic tissue obtained from each animal was ultrathinly sectioned. The specimens stained by uranyl acetate and lead citrate double contrast methods were observed with JEM model 100B electron microscope. The results obtained were as follows: 1) A prominent dilatation and sacculation of the cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum associated with detachment of membrane bound-ribosomes, and disaggregation of the free ribosomes were recognized. 2) The hypertrophy of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum associated with depletion of the glycogen particles was observed. 3) The atrophy of cisternae of Golgi complex was observed. 4) A large number of secondary lysosomes (autophagic vacuoles and residual bodies) were formed. Consequently it is suggested that diazinon would induce disorganization of the cytoplasmic organelles of hepatocytes in albino mice.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2007

Purpose: Organophosphorus insecticides tend to be regarded as a homogeneous single entity. We aimed to determine whether organophosphate poisoning differs by subgroups in clinical features and severity. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients with acute organophophorus poisoning from January 1998 to December 2006. We investigated clinical features, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), laboratory findings, QTc intervals, management, and outcomes. Results: A total of 109 patients were included. The dimethoxy group experienced significantly longer times than the diethoxy group for ventilation duration (0.6 day vs. 0.2 day, p=0.006), ICU duration (2.0 day vs. 0.8 day, p=0.037), and total admission duration (2.8 day vs. 0.9 day, p=0.008), except in cases of dichlorvos poisoning. Also, the GCS of the dimethoxy group (except with dichlorvos) was significantly lower than for the diethoxy group (dimethoxy, $11.2{\pm}5.2$ vs. diethoxy, $13.8{\pm}2.4$, p= 0.021). QTc intervals for the dimethoxy group (except with dichlorvos) tended to be somewhat greater than for the diethoxy group (dimethoxy, $452.9{\pm}16.1\;msec$ vs. diethoxy, $429.6{\pm}40.9\;msec$). There were 65 patients with dichlorvos ingestion, and 2 of these patients (3%) died. Conclusion: When compared to the diethoxy group, the dimethoxy group of organophosphates (with the exception of dichlorvos) were associated with poorer prognostic value for indicators such as GCS, QTc interval, requirement for intubation, ICU duration, and total admission duration. Within the dimethoxy group, patients with dichlorvos poisoning had relatively better prognoses than for the other dimethoxy group organophosphates studied.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.257-267
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• 2012

Occupational neurotoxic diseases have become increasingly common in Taiwan due to industrialization. Over the past 40 years, Taiwan has transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial society. The most common neurotoxic diseases also changed from organophosphate poisoning to heavy metal intoxication, and then to organic solvent and semiconductor agent poisoning. The nervous system is particularly vulnerable to toxic agents because of its high metabolic rate. Neurological manifestations may be transient or permanent, and may range from cognitive dysfunction, cerebellar ataxia, Parkinsonism, sensorimotor neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction to neuromuscular junction disorders. This study attempts to provide a review of the major outbreaks of occupational neurotoxins from 1968 to 2012. A total of 16 occupational neurotoxins, including organophosphates, toxic gases, heavy metals, organic solvents, and other toxic chemicals, were reviewed. Peer-reviewed articles related to the electrophysiology, neuroimaging, treatment and long-term follow up of these neurotoxic diseases were also obtained. The heavy metals involved consisted of lead, manganese, organic tin, mercury, arsenic, and thallium. The organic solvents included n-hexane, toluene, mixed solvents and carbon disulfide. Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide were also included, along with toxic chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, organophosphates, and dimethylamine borane. In addition we attempted to correlate these events to the timeline of industrial development in Taiwan. By researching this topic, the hope is that it may help other developing countries to improve industrial hygiene and promote occupational safety and health care during the process of industrialization.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

Purpose: Extremely hazardous pesticides are classified as World Health Organization (WHO) hazard class Ia. However, data describing the clinical course of WHO class Ia OP (organophosphate) poisonings in humans are very scarce. Here, we compare the clinical features of patients who ingested hazard class Ia OPs. Methods: This retrospective observational case study included 75 patients with a history of ingesting ethyl p-nitrophenol thio-benzene phosphonate (EPN), phosphamidon, or terbufos. The patients were divided according to the chemical formulation of the ingested OP. Data regarding mortality and the development of complications were collected and compared among groups. Results: There were no differences in the baseline characteristics and severity scores at presentation between the three groups. No fatalities were observed in the terbufos group. The fatality rates in the EPN and phosphamidon groups were 11.8% and 28.6%, respectively. Patients poisoned with EPN developed respiratory failure later than those poisoned with phosphamidon and also tended to require longer mechanical ventilatory support than phosphamidon patients. The main cause of death was pneumonia in the EPN group and hypotensive shock in the phosphamidon group. Death occurred later in the EPN group than in the phosphamidon group. Conclusion: Even though all three drugs are classified as WHO class Ia OPs (extremely hazardous pesticides), their clinical courses and the related causes of death in humans varied. Their treatment protocols and predicted outcomes should therefore also be different based on the chemical formulation of the OP.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 1998

The effects of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides were examined inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase activity in the chicken brain with enzyme-inhibition methods. The acetylcholinesterase activity in chicken brain determined by the Ellman method was 167 mmol/min/g protein. The optimum pH of acetycholinesterase was 8.2. $pl_{50}$ of acetycholinesterase by some organophosphorus were 3.80M of phosphorodlthioate, 4.04M of phosphorothioate, 6.33M of phosphate, and 6.60M of phosphrothiolate. pluto of acetycholinesterase by some carbamates were 5.1 OM of XMC, 5. 90M of carbofuran, 6.16M of isoprocarb, 6.30M of carbaryl, 6.47M of BPMC, and 6.77M of propoxur. pluto of carbamates selected was similar to that of phosphorothioate and phosphate organophosphates.