(+) Anatoxin-a elicits differential survival, photolocomotor behavior, and gene expression in two alternative vertebrate models.

Anatoxin-a is a globally occurring, yet understudied, chiral cyanobacterial toxin that threatens public health and the environment. It has led to numerous dog. livestock and bird poisonings and although it has been studied in rodent models, comparatively little research has occurred in aquatic species.

Proteome changes in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) exposed to (±) anatoxin-a.

Anatoxin-a and its analogues are potent neurotoxins produced by several genera of cyanobacteria. Due in part to its high toxicity and potential presence in drinking water, these toxins pose threats to public health, companion animals and the environment. It primarily exerts toxicity as a cholinergic agonist, with high affinity at neuromuscular junctions, but molecular mechanisms by which it elicits toxicological responses are not fully understood.

Experimental arena size alters larval zebrafish photolocomotor behaviors and influences bioactivity responses to a model neurostimulant.

Zebrafish behavior is increasingly common in biomedical and environmental studies of chemical bioactivity. Multiple experimental arena sizes have been used to measure photolocomotion in zebrafish depending on age, endpoints observed, and instrumentation, among other factors. However, the extent to which methodological parameters may influence naïve behavioral performance and detection of behavioral changes is poorly understood.

Identifying Behavioral Response Profiles of Two Common Larval Fish Models to a Salinity Gradient.

Salinization of aquatic systems is an emerging global issue projected to increase in magnitude, frequency, and duration with climate change and landscape modifications. To consider influences of salinity on locomotor activity of common fish models, we examined behavioral response profiles of two species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), across a gradient of sodium chloride. Following each experiment, behavior was recorded with automated tracking software and then behavioral response variables, including locomotor (e.

Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern in Wastewater of Two Counties in Texas, United States.

After its emergence in late November/December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2) rapidly spread globally. Recognizing that this virus is shed in feces of individuals and that viral RNA is detectable in wastewater, testing for SARS-CoV-2 in sewage collections systems has allowed for the monitoring of a community's viral burden. Over a 9 month period, the influents of two regional wastewater treatment facilities were concurrently examined for wild-type SARS-CoV-2 along with variants B.

Differential influences of (±) anatoxin-a on photolocomotor behavior and gene transcription in larval zebrafish and fathead minnows.

Background: Though anatoxin-a (antx-a) is a globally important cyanobacterial neurotoxin in inland waters, information on sublethal toxicological responses of aquatic organisms is limited. We examined influences of (±) antx-a (11-3490 μg/L) on photolocomotor behavioral responses and gene transcription associated with neurotoxicity, oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity, in two of the most common alternative vertebrate and fish models, (zebrafish) and (fathead minnow). We selected environmentally relevant treatment levels from probabilistic exposure distributions, employed standardized experimental designs, and analytically verified treatment levels using isotope-dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Relationships between nitrogen cycling microbial community abundance and composition reveal the indirect effect of soil pH on oak decline.

Tree decline is a global concern and the primary cause is often unknown. Complex interactions between fluctuations in nitrogen (N) and acidifying compounds have been proposed as factors causing nutrient imbalances and decreasing stress tolerance of oak trees. Microorganisms are crucial in regulating soil N available to plants, yet little is known about the relationships between soil N-cycling and tree health.

Multi-approach assessment for the evaluation of spatio-temporal estrogenicity in fish from effluent-dominated surface waters under low instream flow.

Current practices employed by most wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are unable to completely remove endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) from reclaimed waters, and consistently discharge these substances to receiving systems. Effluent-dominated and dependent surface waters, especially during low instream flows, can increase exposure and risks to aquatic organisms due to adverse biological effects associated with EDCs. Given the ecological implications that may arise from exposure to such compounds, the present a multi-approach study examined spatio-temporal estrogenic potential of wastewater effluent to fish in East Canyon Creek (ECC), Utah, USA, a unique urban river with instream flows seasonally influenced by snowmelt.

Global scanning of cylindrospermopsin: Critical review and analysis of aquatic occurrence, bioaccumulation, toxicity and health hazards.

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN), a cyanotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms, has been reported worldwide; however, there remains limited understanding of its potential risks to surface water quality. In the present study, we critically reviewed available literature regarding the global occurrence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of CYN in aquatic systems with a particular focus on freshwater. We subsequently developed environmental exposure distributions (EEDs) for CYN in surface waters and performed probabilistic environmental hazard assessments (PEHAs) using guideline values (GVs).

Pharmaceutical uptake kinetics in rainbow trout: In situ bioaccumulation in an effluent-dominated river influenced by snowmelt.

Whether seasonal instream flow dynamics influence bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals by fish is not well understood, specifically for urban lotic systems in semi-arid regions when flows are influenced by snowmelt. We examined uptake of select pharmaceuticals in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) caged in situ upstream and at incremental distances downstream (0.1, 1.

Agonist-induced CXCR4 and CB2 Heterodimerization Inhibits Gα13/RhoA-mediated Migration.

G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) heterodimerization has emerged as a means by which alternative signaling entities can be created; yet, how receptor heterodimers affect receptor pharmacology remains unknown. Previous observations suggested a biochemical antagonism between GPCRs, CXCR4 and CB2 (CNR2), where agonist-bound CXCR4 and agonist-bound CB2 formed a physiologically nonfunctional heterodimer on the membrane of cancer cells, inhibiting their metastatic potential However, the reduced signaling entities responsible for the observed functional outputs remain elusive. This study now delineates the signaling mechanism whereby heterodimeric association between CXCR4 and CB2, induced by simultaneous agonist treatment, results in decreased CXCR4-mediated cell migration, invasion, and adhesion through inhibition of the Gα13/RhoA signaling axis.

Microbiome and infectivity studies reveal complex polyspecies tree disease in Acute Oak Decline.

Decline-diseases are complex and becoming increasingly problematic to tree health globally. Acute Oak Decline (AOD) is characterized by necrotic stem lesions and galleries of the bark-boring beetle, Agrilus biguttatus, and represents a serious threat to oak. Although multiple novel bacterial species and Agrilus galleries are associated with AOD lesions, the causative agent(s) are unknown.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 469-557.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: : on sp., on , (incl. gen.

Simultaneous Activation of Induced Heterodimerization between CXCR4 Chemokine Receptor and Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB2) Reveals a Mechanism for Regulation of Tumor Progression.

The G-protein-coupled chemokine receptor CXCR4 generates signals that lead to cell migration, cell proliferation, and other survival mechanisms that result in the metastatic spread of primary tumor cells to distal organs. Numerous studies have demonstrated that CXCR4 can form homodimers or can heterodimerize with other G-protein-coupled receptors to form receptor complexes that can amplify or decrease the signaling capacity of each individual receptor. Using biophysical and biochemical approaches, we found that CXCR4 can form an induced heterodimer with cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) in human breast and prostate cancer cells.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 371-399.

Novel species of fungi described in the present study include the following from Australia: Neoseptorioides eucalypti gen. & sp. nov.

The proangiogenic effect of iroquois homeobox transcription factor Irx3 in human microvascular endothelial cells.

Angiogenesis is a dynamic process required for embryonic development. However, postnatal vascular growth is characteristic of multiple disease states. Despite insights into the multistep process in which adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, and their receptors work in concert to form new vessels from the preexisting vasculature, there remains a lack of insight of the nuclear transcriptional mechanisms that occur within endothelial cells (ECs) in response to VEGF.

Decylglucoside-based microemulsions for cutaneous localization of lycopene and ascorbic acid.

Cutaneous delivery of combinations of antioxidants offers the possibility of enhanced protection against UV-radiation. In this study, we investigated the potential of sugar-based microemulsions containing monoglycerides to promote simultaneous cutaneous delivery of lycopene and ascorbic acid, and increase tissue antioxidant activity. Lycopene and ascorbic acid were incorporated (0.