Single-nucleus transcriptomics of epicardial adipose tissue from females reveals exercise control of innate and adaptive immune cells.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death in women. Although exercise mitigates CAD, the mechanisms by which exercise impacts epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) are unknown. We hypothesized that exercise promotes an anti-inflammatory microenvironment in EAT from female pigs.

Core metabolism plasticity in phytoplankton: Response of Dunaliella tertiolecta to oil exposure.

Human alterations to the marine environment such as an oil spill can induce oxidative stress in phytoplankton. Exposure to oil has been shown to be lethal to most phytoplankton species, but some are able to survive and grow at unaffected or reduced growth rates, which appears to be independent of the class and phylum of the phytoplankton and their ability to consume components of oil heterotrophically. The goal of this article is to test the role of core metabolism plasticity in the oil-resisting ability of phytoplankton.

PFASs pollution in Galveston Bay surface waters and biota (shellfish and fish) following AFFFs use during the ITC fire at Deer Park (March 17th-20th 2019), Houston, TX.

The use of aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs) as fire retardants is an critical point-source for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) pollution into the aquatic environment. This study investigated PFASs pollution in the surface waters and biota (shellfish and fish) of Galveston Bay, following AFFFs use to extinguish a petrochemical fire (March 17th to 20th, 2019) of oil storage tanks at the International Terminals Company (ITC) in Deer Park (Houston, TX). The levels of up to twelve EPA priority PFASs were measured in surface waters and biota from March-November 2019.

Correlations between environmental salinity levels, blood biochemistry parameters, and steroid hormones in wild juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis).

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) inhabit freshwater wetlands that are vulnerable to salinization caused by anthropogenic alterations to freshwater flow, in addition to storm surges, sea level rise, and droughts. Salinization of coastal freshwater habitats is a growing concern in a changing climate due to increased frequency and intensity of storm surges and drought conditions. This study opportunistically sampled juvenile male and female wild alligators in various salinities each month excluding November, December, and January for one year at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in coastal Louisiana.

The pharmaceutical prednisone affects sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) metabolism and swimming performance.

High usage of the synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) has led to significant presence of this pharmaceutical group in surface waters where it can affect non-target organisms such as fish. Assessment of a fish's metabolism and swimming performance provide reliable sub-lethal measures of effects of GCs on oxygen-requiring processes and ability to swim. In this study, we determined time-dependent (7, 14 and 21 days) effects of the synthetic GC prednisone (1 μg L) on sheepshead minnow (SHM) (Cyprinodon variegatus).

Short-term exposure to 12‰ brackish water has significant effects on the endocrine physiology of juvenile American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis).

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) mainly inhabit freshwater habitats but can be exposed to a wide range of salinities during storm surges, droughts or from alterations in freshwater flows. Although some salinization events last weeks, others only last a few days. This study assessed changes in the endocrine function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and steroid hormone production (steroidogenesis) in juvenile alligators exposed to brackish water (12‰) for 7 days.

Child-feeding strategies are associated with maternal concern about children becoming overweight, but not children's weight status.

Background: Research suggests that parents use specific child-feeding strategies to influence their child's weight based on perceptions and concerns about their child's overweight risk, but limited data are available on ethnically diverse low-income populations.

Objective: This cross-sectional study examined associations between mothers' perception and concern about children's weight, child-feeding strategies, and child overweight in an ethnically diverse population.

Subjects: Mothers of preschool children (n=967) who participated in a federally funded nutrition program were asked how they fed their child, how they perceived child's weight, and whether or not they were concerned about their child becoming overweight.