Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Chemical and Microbial Contamination in Nonurban Floodwaters.

During major flood events, waterborne contaminants are relatively poorly characterized. This is due to logistical difficulties associated with obtaining water samples in potentially dangerous flood conditions. Herein, we report analyses of water samples from a large, flooded landscape in Victoria, Australia, during a major flood event.

Trace elements in liver and muscle tissues from wild waterfowls in Australia: Risk associated with human consumption in a global context.

Trace elements in game meats remain a point of concern for both the public and policymakers alike due to the human health implications if levels present are above guideline limits. This study aimed to: (1) determine trace element concentrations (As, Cd, Hg, Pb Cr, Cu, Se, Zn) in edible portions (breast meat and liver) of the four most frequently hunted duck Anatidae species inhabiting wetlands in Victoria, Australia, to identify the risk to human health from consumption; (2) investigate landscape-scale variables that may influence the detected concentrations and; (3) review the studies available (n = 41) in duck liver and muscle tissues from the 1970s to 2024, to contextualise the detected concentrations found on a global scale. Our study shows that ducks in Victoria had trace element concentrations below tolerable daily intake (TDI) guidelines for human health with one exception: notably high Hg in a filter-feeding specialist, the Pink-eared duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus).

Complete mitochondrial genome of the introduced Indian walking stick (Lonchodidae, Insecta) from California.

We present the complete mitochondrial genome of from Salinas, CA. The mitochondrial genome of is circular, AT rich (78.1%), and 16,671 bp in length.

Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants in Australian Waterbirds.

There is growing worldwide recognition of the threat posed by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to wildlife populations. We aimed to measure exposure levels to POPs in a Southern Hemisphere aquatic waterbird species, the nomadic gray teal (Anas gracilis), which is found across Australia. We collected wings from 39 ducks harvested by recreational hunters at two sites (one coastal, one inland) in Victoria, southeastern Australia, in 2021.

New and legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in breeding seabirds from the East Antarctic.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are pervasive and a significant threat to the environment worldwide. Yet, reports of POP levels in Antarctic seabirds based on blood are scarce, resulting in significant geographical gaps. Blood concentrations offer a snapshot of contamination within live populations, and have been used widely for Arctic and Northern Hemisphere seabird species but less so in Antarctica.

Bioavailability of Single-Dose SUBA-Itraconazole Compared to Conventional Itraconazole under Fasted and Fed Conditions.

Conventional itraconazole (C-ITZ) suffers from absorption variability. SUBA-itraconazole (S-ITZ) is more bioavailable than C-ITZ at steady state in a fed condition, but there are no data comparing the two under a fasted state. An open-label, single-dose, randomized, bioequivalence study was performed comparing S-ITZ to C-ITZ capsules under fasted and fed conditions in healthy adults measuring itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole plasma levels.

Persistent organic pollutant (POPs) concentrations from great-winged petrels nesting in Western Australia.

Marine animals that traverse coastal and offshore environments are potentially exposed to multiple sources of pollution. Baseline data of pollutant concentrations of these fauna are needed in remote areas as human populations grow and economic development increases because changes may affect local wildlife in unforeseen ways. Persistent organic pollutant (POPs) concentrations were quantified in an understudied seabird, the great-winged petrel (Pterodroma macroptera), that breeds in southern Western Australia.

A baseline for POPs contamination in Australian seabirds: little penguins vs. short-tailed shearwaters.

While globally distributed throughout the world's ecosystems, there is little baseline information on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in marine environments in Australia and, more broadly, the Southern Hemisphere. To fill this knowledge gap, we collected baseline information on POPs in migratory short-tailed shearwaters (Ardenna tenuirostris) from Fisher Island, Tasmania, and resident little penguins (Eudyptula minor) from Phillip Island, Victoria. Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were determined from blood samples, with total contamination ranging 7.

CTLA-4 Blockade, during HIV Virus-Like Particles Immunization, Alters HIV-Specific B-Cell Responses.

Studies have shown that blockade of CTLA-4 promoted the expansion of germinal center B-cells in viral infection or immunization with model antigens. Few studies have evaluated the immunological consequences of CTLA-4 blockade during immunization against relevant vaccine candidates. Here, we investigated the effects of CTLA-4 blockade on HIV virus-like particles (VLPs) vaccination in a C57BL/6J mouse model.

Open-Label Crossover Oral Bioequivalence Pharmacokinetics Comparison for a 3-Day Loading Dose Regimen and 15-Day Steady-State Administration of SUBA-Itraconazole and Conventional Itraconazole Capsules in Healthy Adults.

Super bioavailability (SUBA) itraconazole (S-ITZ), which releases drug in the duodenum, and conventional itraconazole (C-ITZ), which releases drug in the stomach, were compared in two pharmacokinetic (PK) studies: a 3-day loading dose study and a 15-day steady-state administration study. These were crossover oral bioequivalence studies performed under fed conditions in healthy adult volunteers. In the loading dose study, C-ITZ (two doses of 100 mg each) and S-ITZ (two doses of 65 mg each) were administered three times daily for 3 days and once on day 4 ( = 15).

Adélie penguin colonies as indicators of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in East Antarctica.

While persistent organic pollutant (POP) contamination within Antarctica is largely caused by long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT), Antarctic research bases have been shown to be local sources of POPs such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs). This study compared concentrations of seven polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) congeners and five novel flame retardants (NBFRs) found in Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony soils near the Australian research stations, Mawson and Davis, to assess the stations as local sources of these contaminants and provide a much needed baseline for contamination of BFRs in East Antarctica. Soil samples (n = 46) were collected from Adélie colonies at close proximity to the research stations as well as further afield during the 2016-17 austral summer.

The psychoactive pollutant fluoxetine compromises antipredator behaviour in fish.

Pharmaceuticals are increasingly being detected in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Particularly concerning are pharmaceutical pollutants that can adversely impact exposed wildlife, even at extremely low concentrations. One such contaminant is the widely prescribed antidepressant fluoxetine, which can disrupt neurotransmission and behavioural pathways in wildlife.

Toll-like receptor 3 adjuvant in combination with virus-like particles elicit a humoral response against HIV.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) composed of HIV Gag and HIV gp120/gp41 envelope are a pseudovirion vaccine capable of presenting antigens in their native conformations. To enhance the immunogenicity of the HIV Env antigen, VLPs were coupled to VesiVax Conjugatable Adjuvant Lipid Vesicles (CALV) containing one of four toll-like-receptor (TLR) ligands, each activating a receptor with distinct cellular localization and downstream pathways. C57BL/6 mice were vaccinated by intranasal prime followed by two sub-cheek boosts and their sera immunoglobulin and neutralizing potency were measured over a duration of 3months after vaccination.

A Novel Prime and Boost Regimen of HIV Virus-Like Particles with TLR4 Adjuvant MPLA Induces Th1 Oriented Immune Responses against HIV.

HIV virus-like particles (VLPs) present the HIV envelope protein in its native conformation, providing an ideal vaccine antigen. To enhance the immunogenicity of the VLP vaccine, we sought to improve upon two components; the route of administration and the additional adjuvant. Using HIV VLPs, we evaluated sub-cheek as a novel route of vaccine administration when combined with other conventional routes of immunization.