The Impact of Baseline PSMA PET/CT Versus CT on Outcomes of Ra Therapy in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients.

Imaging before Ra-dichloride (Ra) therapy is crucial for selecting metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients with bone-only disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if baseline prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT (bPSMA) versus CT is associated with outcomes of Ra therapy. A secondary analysis of the data of a prospective observational study (NCT04995614) was performed.

Non-targeted proteomics reveals altered immune response in geographically distinct populations of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).

All seven species of sea turtle are facing increasing pressures from human activities that are impacting their health. Changes in circulating blood proteins of an individual, or all members of a population, can provide an early indicator of adverse health outcomes. Non-targeted measurement of all detectable proteins in a blood sample can indicate physiological changes.

Exploring lipid affinities of persistent organic pollutants and MeO-PBDEs in blubber of marine mammals.

Although lipophilic compounds have been the focus of numerous studies in marine mammals, their association with lipids is widely accepted, but rarely scrutinized. This pilot study aimed to investigate potential relationships between individual lipids from different lipid classes identified through a non-targeted Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) based lipidomics approach and legacy POPs in the blubber of long-finned pilot whales, sperm whales, common bottlenose dolphins, and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. Concentrations of selected POPs such as HCB and HCHs in sperm whales from Tasmania were found to differ from those in long-finned pilot whales and common bottlenose dolphins from the same location.

Distribution and toxicity of persistent organic pollutants and methoxylated polybrominated diphenylethers in different tissues of the green turtle Chelonia mydas.

Investigating environmental pollution is important to understand its impact on endangered species such as green turtles (Chelonia mydas). In this study, we investigated the accumulation and potential toxicity of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and naturally occurring MeO-PBDEs in liver, fat, kidney and muscle of turtles (n = 30) of different gender, size, year of death, location and health status. Overall, POP concentrations were low and accumulation was highest in liver and lowest in fat which is likely due to the poor health of several animals, causing a remobilization of lipids and associated compounds.

Concentrations of some legacy pollutants have increased in South Australian bottlenose dolphins from 1989 to 2014.

Information about pollution and its potential impact in Australian marine wildlife is scarce. To fill this knowledge gap, our study investigated concentrations of legacy pollutants as well as naturally produced methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) in blubber, liver, kidney and muscle of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) from two large inverse estuaries in South Australia from 1989 to 1995 and 2009-2014. Our results show that concentrations of most pollutant classes are relatively low compared to the literature but at the higher end of the ranges reported for marine mammals in Australia.

Concentrations of legacy persistent organic pollutants and naturally produced MeO-PBDEs in dugongs (Dugong dugon) from Moreton Bay, Australia.

Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are an iconic and strictly herbivorous species. They inhabit coastal areas, which brings them in contact with urban and agricultural pollutant sources, yet their exposure and susceptibility to environmental pollutants is still largely unknown. The goal of this study was to investigate the presence of several legacy compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and pesticides as well as naturally produced MeO-PBDEs in male and female dugongs from Moreton Bay (n = 24), a semi-enclosed embayment close to Australia's third largest city, Brisbane.

First detection of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) foraging in Antarctic waters.

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are particularly prone to environmental dispersal through long range atmospheric transport. Consequently, they have been detected in biota and environmental matrices at both the North Pole and South Pole. This study shows the first detection of SCCPs in southern hemisphere humpback whales feeding in Antarctic waters.

PCDD/F and PCB levels in different tissues from dugongs (Dugong dugon) inhabiting the Queensland coastline.

Previous studies on PCDD/Fs and PCBs in dugong (Dugong dugon) blubber reported unexpectedly elevated TEQ levels. This study analysed archived blubber, muscle, liver and faeces obtained from dugongs from two areas along the Queensland coast. All samples showed detectable levels of PCDDs and PCBs, while PCDFs were consistently near or below LOQ.

Effect-based approach for screening of chemical mixtures in whole blood of green turtles from the Great Barrier Reef.

Organisms are exposed to mixtures of both known and unknown chemicals which are diverse and variable, and thus difficult and costly to characterise and monitor using traditional target analyses. The objective of this study was to validate and apply in vitro effect-based methods by which whole blood can be used to screen internal exposure to such complex chemical mixtures. For this study, we used whole blood of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).

Screening of organic and metal contaminants in Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) inhabiting an urbanised embayment.

As a marine mammal species that inhabits shallow nearshore waters, humpback dolphins are likely exposed to a wide range of pollutants from adjacent land-based activities. Increased mortality rates of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) in waters off a major urbanised centre triggered investigations into the threats to these species, including their contaminant exposure. The present study utilised archived tissues from 6 stranded animals to screen for a range of pollutants (PCDD/Fs, PBDEs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, PAHs, organotins, essential and non-essential elements) to inform future biopsy based biomonitoring strategies.

Monthly variation in faeces:blood concentration ratio of persistent organic pollutants over the first year of life: a case study of one infant.

Previous studies have found that the concentrations of a range of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in faeces is linearly proportional to the POP concentrations in blood of human adults irrespective of age and gender. In order to investigate the correlation between POP concentrations in faeces and blood in infants, the monthly variation of POP concentrations in faeces over the first year of life of one infant was investigated in this study and compared to modelled blood concentrations. Faecal samples were collected from one male infant daily.

Toxicology of Marine Mammals: New Developments and Opportunities.

It is widely recognized that marine mammals are exposed to a wide variety of pollutants, with a weight of evidence indicating impacts on their health. Since hundreds of new chemicals enter the global market every year,the methods, approaches and technologies used to characterize pollution levels or impacts are also in a constant state of flux. However, legal and ethical constraints often limit the type and extent of toxicological research being carried out in marine mammals.

Xenobiotic and Immune-Relevant Molecular Biomarkers in Harbor Seals as Proxies for Pollutant Burden and Effects.

Harbor seals are exposed to increasing pressure caused by anthropogenic activities in their marine environment. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and trace elements are hazardous contaminants that accumulate in tissues of harbor seals. POPs and trace elements can negatively affect the immune-system and have been reported, e.

Levels and profiles of chlorinated and brominated contaminants in Southern Hemisphere humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae.

The study documents the levels and profiles of selected contaminants [polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs)] in blubber biopsy samples collected from humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Antarctic Peninsula waters. In addition, we investigated year-to-year and sex-related differences in the bioaccumulation patterns. Except for hexachlorobenzene (HCB), whose concentrations were in the same range as those found in whales from the Northern Hemisphere, levels of all other compounds were lower in Southern Hemisphere whales compared to literature data on animals from the Arctic and subarctic region.

Maternal transfer of organohalogenated compounds in sharks and stingrays.

Elasmobranchs can bioaccumulate considerable amounts of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and utilize several reproductive strategies thereby influencing maternal transfer of contaminants. This study provides preliminary data on the POP transfer from pregnant females to offspring of three species (Atlantic stingrays, bonnethead, blacktip sharks) with different reproduction modes (aplacental, placental viviparity). Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels were generally higher than any other POPs.

Bioaccumulation of organohalogenated compounds in sharks and rays from the southeastern USA.

Organohalogenated compounds are widespread in the marine environment and can be a serious threat to organisms in all levels of aquatic food webs, including elasmobranch species. Information about the concentrations of POPs (persistent organic pollutants) and of MeO-PBDEs (methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in elasmobranchs is scarce and potential toxic effects are poorly understood. The aims of the present study were therefore to investigate the occurrence of multiple POP classes (PCBs, PBDEs, DDXs, HCB, CHLs) and of MeO-PBDEs in various elasmobranch species from different trophic levels in estuarine and marine waters of the southeastern United States.

Methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs), hydroxylated PBDEs (HO-PBDEs) and hydroxylated PCBs (HO-PCBs) in the liver of harbor seals from the northwest Atlantic.

Metabolites of PCBs and PBDEs are shown to influence the thyroid hormone homeostasis and therefore, could have an influence on the growth of newborn or young animals. We have investigated the occurrence of hydroxylated PCBs (HO-PCBs), hydroxylated PBDEs (HO-PBDEs), and methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs) in the liver (48 pups; 6 adults) and blubber (4 pups; 1 adult) of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina concolor) from the northwest Atlantic. The sum of HO-PCBs in the liver ranged from 90 to 22,450 pg/g wet weight (ww) for pups and from 410 to 5290 pg/g ww for adults.

Polychlorinated biphenyls still pose significant health risks to northwest Atlantic harbor seals.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been detected at relatively high concentrations in harbor seals, apex predators in the northwest Atlantic. As part of an ongoing assessment of the effects of PCBs on population health, we analyzed tri- to deca-PCBs in the liver of 56 harbor seals (6 adult males, 50 pups) and in 11 blubber samples (4 adult males, 7 pups) and examined tissue-specific accumulation patterns, biomagnification potential, and toxic implications of current PCB concentrations. Hepatic ∑30PCB concentrations (overall mean±standard deviation: 76,860±111,800 ng/g lipid weight, lw) were higher than blubber concentrations (48,180±69,420 ng/g lw).

Lifetime PCB 153 bioaccumulation and pharmacokinetics in pilot whales: Bayesian population PBPK modeling and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for wild animal populations such as marine mammals typically have a high degree of model uncertainty and variability due to the scarcity of information and the embryonic nature of this field. Parameters values used in marine mammals models are usually taken from other mammalian species (e.g.

Relationships between in vitro lymphoproliferative responses and levels of contaminants in blood of free-ranging adult harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from the North Sea.

In vitro culture of peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs) is currently used in toxicological studies of marine mammals. However, blood cells of wild individuals are exposed in vivo to environmental contaminants before being isolated and exposed to contaminants in vitro. The aim of this study was to highlight potential relationships between blood contaminant levels and in vitro peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation in free-ranging adult harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from the North Sea.

Assessing levels of halogenated organic compounds in mass-stranded long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) from Australia.

Pollution is a threat to the health of marine mammals worldwide. Mass-strandings are poorly understood, but often involve pilot whales. However, there is limited information regarding pollution in long-finned pilot whales from Australia.

Application of Bayesian population physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations to pesticide kinetics studies in protected marine mammals: DDT, DDE, and DDD in harbor porpoises.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling in marine mammals is a challenge because of the lack of parameter information and the ban on exposure experiments. To minimize uncertainty and variability, parameter estimation methods are required for the development of reliable PBPK models. The present study is the first to develop PBPK models for the lifetime bioaccumulation of p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDD in harbor porpoises.

Effects of polychlorobiphenyls, polybromodiphenylethers, organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites on vitamin A status in lactating grey seals.

Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), polybromodiphenylethers (PBDEs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), are considered as endocrine disruptors in laboratory and wild animals. This study investigated whether these compounds and their hydroxylated metabolites (HO-PCBs and HO-PBDEs) may affect the homoeostasis of vitamin A, a dietary hormone, in the blubber and serum of twenty lactating grey seals sampled at early and late lactation on the Isle of May, Scotland. The effect of naturally produced compounds such as the methoxylated (MeO)-PBDEs was also examined.

Selective transfer of persistent organic pollutants and their metabolites in grey seals during lactation.

Twenty grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) mother-pup pairs from the colony of the Isle of May (Scotland) were sampled at early and late lactation in order to study the transfer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their metabolites (HO-PCBs and HO-PBDEs) as well as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as DDT and metabolites (DDXs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). The transfer of the naturally produced MeO-PBDEs was also investigated. Generally, concentrations (on a lipid weight basis) of the sum of PCBs, PBDEs and DDXs tended to be higher in all tissues at late lactation (for maternal outer blubber ΣPCBs=3860±2091 ng/g, ΣPBDEs=120±74 ng/g and ΣDDXs=559±207 ng/g; for maternal inner blubber ΣPCBs=4229±3274 ng/g, ΣPBDEs=148±118 ng/g and ΣDDXs=704±353 ng/g; for maternal serum ΣPCBs=1271±796 ng/g, ΣPBDEs=27±16 ng/g and ΣDDXs=242±125 ng/g; for milk ΣPCBs=1190±747 ng/g, ΣPBDEs=55±36 ng/g and ΣDDXs=357±160 ng/g; for pup serum ΣPCBs=1451±901 ng/g, ΣPBDEs=48±31 ng/g and ΣDDXs=395±201 ng/g).