Assessment of phthalic acid esters plasticizers in sediments of coastal Alabama, USA: Occurrence, source, and ecological risk.

Considering the ubiquitous occurrences and ecotoxicity of phthalates (PAEs), it is essential to understand their sources, distribution, and associated ecological risks of PAEs in sediments to assess the environmental health of estuaries and support effective management practices. This study provides the first comprehensive dataset on the occurrence, spatial variation, inventory, and potential ecological risk assessment of PAEs in surface sediments of commercially and ecologically significant estuaries in the southeastern United States, Mobile Bay and adjoining eastern Mississippi Sound. Fifteen PAEs were widely detected in the sediments of the study region, with total concentrations varying between 0.

Sources and composition of natural and anthropogenic hydrocarbons in sediments from an impacted estuary.

Hydrocarbons in estuarine sediments provide information on sources of sedimentary organic matter (OM), and they are thus useful for tracing natural and anthropogenic OM inputs to the estuary. Here, we assessed the amounts, compositions and sources of natural and anthropogenic hydrocarbons from the sediments of a large, ecologically important estuary, Mobile Bay in Southeast USA. TOC/TN ratios and δC of organic carbon suggest that the bulk natural OM was sourced from marine phytoplankton and bacteria mixed with marsh and terrigenous C3 plants.

Quantifying colloid fate and transport through dense vegetation and soil systems using a particle-plugging tempered fractional-derivative model.

Colloid contaminants are widely distributed in surface runoff from crop land and can be effectively removed by vegetative filter strips (VFS), whose quantification however proves difficult. Standard mechanism-based models contain many unknown parameters with intrinsic uncertainty, limiting their applicability and potential extension for other environmental conditions and colloid contaminant types. To remedy this limitation and capture the complex dynamics of colloids through the soil-vegetation system, this study proposes a parsimonious, particle-plugging tempered fractional advection-dispersion eq.

Bacterial community shift in the coastal Gulf of Mexico salt-marsh sediment microcosm in vitro following exposure to the Mississippi Canyon Block 252 oil (MC252).

In this study, we examined the responses by the indigenous bacterial communities in salt-marsh sediment microcosms in vitro following treatment with Mississippi Canyon Block 252 oil (MC252). Microcosms were constructed of sediment and seawater collected from Bayou La Batre located in coastal Alabama on the Gulf of Mexico. We used an amplicon pyrosequencing approach on microcosm sediment metagenome targeting the V3-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene.

Attenuation of trace elements in coal fly ash leachates by surfactant-modified zeolite.

Potential leaching of trace elements from older, unlined fly ash disposal facilities is a serious threat to groundwater and surface water contamination. Therefore, effective methods for containing the pollutant elements within the unlined coal combustion products (CCPs) disposal facilities are required to minimize any potential impact of leachate emanating from such facilities into the nearby environment. Because surfactant-modified zeolite (SMZ) has the potential to sequester both cationic and anionic trace elements from aqueous solutions, bench-scale batch and column experiments were performed to test its ability to remediate trace elements in leachates generated from both alkaline and acidic fly ash samples.

Changes in the plasma proteome follows chronic opiate administration in simian immunodeficiency virus infected rhesus macaques.

Background: Substantive plasma proteomic changes follow lentiviral infection and disease pathobiology. We posit that such protein alterations are modified during drug abuse, further serving to affect the disease. To this end, we investigated the effect of opiate administration on the plasma proteome of Indian-strain rhesus monkeys infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) strain smm9.

Randomised clinical trial: dried plums (prunes) vs. psyllium for constipation.

Background: Treatment of chronic constipation remains challenging with 50% of patients dissatisfied with current therapy. There is an unmet need for natural and safe alternatives. Dried plums (prunes) have been used traditionally for constipation but their efficacy is not known.

Neurometabolite abnormalities in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques with chronic morphine administration.

Opiate abuse increases the risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, while both opiates and HIV may impact the immune and nervous systems. To model potential interactions between opiate drugs and HIV on the brain, neurometabolite levels were evaluated in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques with or without chronic morphine administration. Over the course of the study, 58% of these SIV-infected animals progressed to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Plasma proteomic analysis of simian immunodeficiency virus infection of rhesus macaques.

Lentiviral replication in its target cells affects a delicate balance between cellular cofactors required for virus propagation and immunoregulation for host defense. To better elucidate cellular proteins linked to viral infection, we tested plasma from rhesus macaques infected with the simian immunodeficiency viral strain SIVsmm9, prior to, 10 days (acute), and 49 weeks (chronic) after viral infection. Changes in plasma protein content were measured by quantitative mass spectrometry by isobaric tags for absolute and relative quantitation (iTRAQ) methods.

Modeling arsenic sorption in the subsurface with a dual-site model.

Arsenic is a well-known groundwater contaminant that causes toxicological and carcinogenic effects in humans. Predicting the transport of arsenic in the subsurface is often problematic because of its complex sorption characteristics. Numerous researchers have reported that arsenic sorption on soil material is initially fast and then subsequently slow.

Modeling arsenic desorption from herbicide-contaminated soils.

The application of arsenical herbicides has created legacy environmental problems by contaminating soil in some agricultural areas and at various industrial sites. Numerous previous studies have suggested that the adsorption of arsenic by common soil components is largely controlled by kinetic factors. Four arsenic-contaminated soil samples collected from industrial sites were characterized and subjected to sequential leaching using a synthetic acid rain solution in order to study the release of arsenic.

Probable deceleration of progression of Simian AIDS affected by opiate dependency: studies with a rhesus macaque/SIVsmm9 model.

Objectives: To determine effects of opiate dependency on development of simian AIDS.

Design: Assessments of viral, immune, and clinicopathological status were conducted on rhesus macaques before and after establishment of opiate dependency and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus, sooty mangabey, strain-9 (SIVsmm9) infection. Controls received saline.

The environmental fate of arsenic in surface soil contaminated by historical herbicide application.

Soils from many industrial sites are contaminated with arsenic because of the historical application of herbicide containing arsenic trioxide. The strong affinity of aqueous arsenic species for soil components has led to the retention of significant amounts of arsenic in surface soils decades after the original source application. Soil collected from a site which received a one-time surficial application of arsenical herbicide in the 1950s was investigated to understand the fate of arsenic under natural leaching conditions.

Tissue-specific reduction in DC-SIGN expression correlates with progression of pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus infection.

Studies were undertaken to determine whether previously described reductions in splenic DC-SIGN expression in simian acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are limited to pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. DC-SIGN expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in lymphoid tissues from AIDS-susceptible Asian macaque monkeys as compared with AIDS-resistant sooty mangabey monkeys in the presence and absence of SIV infection. The phenotype of DC-SIGN+ cells in susceptible and resistant species was identical and most consistent with macrophage identity.

In situ chemical fixation of arsenic-contaminated soils: an experimental study.

This paper reports the results of an experimental study testing a low-cost in situ chemical fixation method designed to reclaim arsenic-contaminated subsurface soils. Subsurface soils from several industrial sites in southeastern U.S.

The role of substance abuse in HIV disease progression: reconciling differences from laboratory and epidemiologic investigations.

From the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the use of licit and illicit drugs has been investigated for its potential impact on HIV disease progression. Findings from a large number of laboratory-based studies indicate that drug abuse may exacerbate HIV disease progression; however, epidemiological studies have shown mixed results. This article presents a review of findings from both laboratory-based and epidemiologic investigations.

Modulation by morphine of viral set point in rhesus macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus and simian-human immunodeficiency virus.

Six rhesus macaques were adapted to morphine dependence by injecting three doses of morphine (5 mg/kg of body weight) for a total of 20 weeks. These animals along with six control macaques were infected intravenously with mixture of simian-human immunodeficiency virus KU-1B (SHIV(KU-1B)), SHIV(89.6P), and simian immunodeficiency virus 17E-Fr.

RXR-induced TNF-alpha suppression is reversed by morphine in activated U937 cells.

Deficiency in vitamin A has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes in drug users with HIV-1 infection. Retinoids have been demonstrated to suppress proinflammatory cytokine production by immune cells in vitro. These effects are induced by ligand-mediated activation of the retinoid receptors--retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR).

Multiple ways that drug abuse might influence AIDS progression: clues from a monkey model.

Whether opiates and other drugs of abuse affect AIDS progression has been an unresolved issue for two decades. Credible evidence has suggested that opiates may exacerbate, retard or have 'no effect' on progression of AIDS. Differences may exist in AIDS-progression outcomes after opiate exposures that relate to neural versus, strictly, somatic AIDS; but it is also likely that conditional variables inherent to drug dependency and the nature of the infectious agents involved allow for differing outcomes.

Norepinephrine enhances adhesion of HIV-1-infected leukocytes to cardiac microvascular endothelial cells.

Recent reports have indicated that norepinephrine (NE) enhances HIV replication in infected monocytes and promotes increased expression of select matrix metalloproteinases associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in vitro in co-cultures of HIV-infected leukocytes and human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-C). The influence of NE on HIV infection and leukocyte-endothelial interactions suggests a pathogenic role in AIDS-related cardiovascular disease. This study examined the effects of norepinephrine (NE) and HIV-1 infection on leukocyte adhesion to HMVEC-C.

Does reduced DNA repair capacity play a role in HIV infection and progression in the lymphocytes of opiate addicts?

Opiate use in vivo and in vitro reduces the ability of human peripheral lymphocytes to repair DNA damage caused by both the physical and chemical mutagens that produce single-strand adducts. This decrease in repair leads to increased genetic damage to the individual cell as measured by cytogenetic damage, including sister chromatid exchanges and formation of micronuclei. The expected consequences of this increase in damage can also be established by increases in host cell mutation rate and rate of apoptosis.

Effects of norepinephrine, HIV type 1 infection, and leukocyte interactions with endothelial cells on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases.

The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) associated with AIDS-related cardiomypathies and cocaine abuse was examined in an in vitro coculture model. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), HIV infected or uninfected, were placed in coculture with primary human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-C) in the presence or absence of the cocaine-inducible catecholamine norepinephrine (NE). Culture supernatants were assayed for MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -9, and -13, and for tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Effects of morphine on T-cell recirculation in rhesus monkeys.

A 2-yr study on effects of morphine on lymphocyte circulation in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) showed that, over time, a well-maintained morphine-dependency caused biphasic depressive effects on circulating lymphocyte levels. Depression of T cell circulation by opiates actually was a relative effect. Morphine exposure basically stabilized T cell circulation in the context of concurrent increases in controls.

The morphine-binding site on human activated T-cells is not related to the mu opioid receptor.

Mitogen activation of human T-lymphocytes induces a morphine-binding site. Morphine binding is displaceable by beta-endorphin (1--31) and (--)-naloxone but not DAMGO. This site is not stereoselective for (--)-morphine.