Developmental exposure to minor cannabinoids causes morphological and behavioral adverse outcomes in zebrafish larvae

Objectives: Determine if minor cannabinoid exposure results in adverse morphological and behavioral effects in developing zebrafish as was previously measured following THC and CBD exposures; Understand relative potency of the different cannabinoids for developmental toxicities.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_posters/1007/thumbnail.jp

Effect of ploidy on salinity and temperature tolerance in early life stages of the Eastern oyster (\u3ci\u3eCrassostrea virginica\u3c/i\u3e)

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico contains the largest remaining wild oyster fishery in the world, but populations have declined in recent decades. A growing interest in off-bottom aquaculture that relies on triploid eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) has emerged in the Gulf region, yet these faster growing oysters suffer high mortality as adults during low salinity (\u3c5) events in warmer summer months. The combined effects of low salinity and high temperature stress on early life stages of triploid oysters are unknown. Early life stages are particularly crucial to understand because triploid oysters do not occur naturally and must be reared in hatchery settings, requiring appropriate water conditions to yield the greatest survival and growth. Thus, we tested the effects of different temperatures (28 ºC and 32 ºC) and salinities (5, 10, and 15) on diploid and triploid oysters at three critical production stages: veliger, pediveliger, and spat. Veliger survival was significantly lower for triploids relative to diploid oysters at all experimental conditions, but triploid veligers had faster growth than diploids at 32 ºC and salinity of 15. Pediveliger settlement was not affected by ploidy type and was reduced only at high temperature (32 ºC) and the lowest salinity (5). Diploid spat showed highest survival at 28 ºC and 15 salinity, while triploids survived best at 32 ºC and 15 salinity. Triploid spat attained greater shell height compared to diploids in our 6- day exposures, but growth decreased for both ploidies at lower salinities. At the salinity and temperature levels examined, diploid early life stages performed best at 28 ºC and 15 salinity, whereas triploids were more successful at 32 ºC and 15 salinity. A broader understanding of the combined effects of environmental stressors will improve the success of hatchery production yields and the resulting economic and environmental benefits of the oyster industry

Transcriptomic Changes and the Roles of Cannabinoid Receptors and PPARγin Developmental Toxicities following Exposure to Δ\u3csup\u3e9\u3c/sup\u3e-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol

Human consumption of cannabinoid-containing products during early life or pregnancy is rising. However, information about the molecular mechanisms involved in early life stage Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) toxicities is critically lacking. Here, larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) were used to measure THC- and CBD-mediated changes on transcriptome and the roles of cannabinoid receptors (Cnr) 1 and 2 and peroxisome proliferator activator receptor γ(PPARγ) in developmental toxicities. Transcriptomic profiling of 96-h postfertilization (hpf) cnr+/+ embryos exposed (6 - 96 hpf) to 4 μM THC or 0.5 μM CBD showed differential expression of 904 and 1095 genes for THC and CBD, respectively, with 360 in common. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enriched in the THC and CBD datasets included those related to drug, retinol, and steroid metabolism and PPAR signaling. The THC exposure caused increased mortality and deformities (pericardial and yolk sac edemas, reduction in length) in cnr1-/- and cnr2-/- fish compared with cnr+/+ suggesting Cnr receptors are involved in protective pathways. Conversely, the cnr1-/- larvae were more resistant to CBD-induced malformations, mortality, and behavioral alteration implicating Cnr1 in CBD-mediated toxicity. Behavior (decreased distance travelled) was the most sensitive endpoint to THC and CBD exposure. Coexposure to the PPARγinhibitor GW9662 and CBD in cnr+/+ and cnr2-/- strains caused more adverse outcomes compared with CBD alone, but not in the cnr1-/- fish, suggesting that PPARγplays a role in CBD metabolism downstream of Cnr1. Collectively, PPARγ, Cnr1, and Cnr2 play important roles in the developmental toxicity of cannabinoids with Cnr1 being the most critical

Combined and Independent Effects On Hypoxia and Tributylin On mRNA Expression and Physiology of the Eastern Oyster (\u3ci\u3eCrassostrea virginica\u3c/i\u3e)

Oyster reefs are vital to estuarine health, but they experience multiple stressors and globally declining populations. This study examined effects of hypoxia and tributyltin (TBT) on adult Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed either in the laboratory or the field following a natural hypoxic event. In the laboratory, oysters were exposed to either hypoxia followed by a recovery period, or to hypoxia combined with TBT. mRNA expression of HIF1-α and Tβ-4 along with hemocyte counts, biomarkers of hypoxic stress and immune health, respectively, were measured. In field-deployed oysters, HIF1-α and Tβ-4 expression increased, while no effect on hemocytes was observed. In contrast, after 6 and 8 days of laboratory-based hypoxia exposure, both Tβ-4 expression and hemocyte counts declined. After 8 days of exposure to hypoxia + TBT, oysters substantially up-regulated HIF1-α and down-regulated Tβ-4, although hemocyte counts were unaffected. Results suggest that hypoxic exposure induces immunosuppression which could increase vulnerability to pathogens

Combined and independent effects of hypoxia and tributyltin on mRNA expression and physiology of the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

© 2020, The Author(s). Oyster reefs are vital to estuarine health, but they experience multiple stressors and globally declining populations. This study examined effects of hypoxia and tributyltin (TBT) on adult Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed either in the laboratory or the field following a natural hypoxic event. In the laboratory, oysters were exposed to either hypoxia followed by a recovery period, or to hypoxia combined with TBT. mRNA expression of HIF1-α and Tβ-4 along with hemocyte counts, biomarkers of hypoxic stress and immune health, respectively, were measured. In field-deployed oysters, HIF1-α and Tβ-4 expression increased, while no effect on hemocytes was observed. In contrast, after 6 and 8 days of laboratory-based hypoxia exposure, both Tβ-4 expression and hemocyte counts declined. After 8 days of exposure to hypoxia + TBT, oysters substantially up-regulated HIF1-α and down-regulated Tβ-4, although hemocyte counts were unaffected. Results suggest that hypoxic exposure induces immunosuppression which could increase vulnerability to pathogens

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Community-Engaged Research Surrounding Lead in Drinking Water in the Mississippi Delta

Childhood lead poisoning is a problem requiring interdisciplinary attention from toxicology, public health, social sciences, environmental law, and policy. In the U.S., Mississippi was ranked as one of the worst states for lead poisoning with limited childhood screening measures. We conducted community-engaged research by working with leaders in the largely rural Mississippi Delta region from 2016-2019 to collect household water samples and questionnaires and involve their communities in lead poisoning risk awareness and outreach. Drinking water from 213 homes was collected and analyzed for pH and lead concentrations. Highest lead concentrations were from households served by private wells, and detectable concentrations at or above 0.09 ppb were found in 66.2 percent of all samples. Nine samples exceeded 5 ppb, and these households received certified sink filters. Findings indicated that community-engaged research and outreach could be used to address data gaps relating to lead in drinking water in rural decentralized water systems

Assimilation of Oil-Derived Elements by Oysters Due to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

During and after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (DWHOS), oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were exposed to oil and susceptible to incidental consumption of surface and subsurface oil materials. We determined the contribution of oil materials from the DWHOS to diet of oysters by comparing carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotope ratios in oyster shell to ratios in suspended particulate matter (SPM) and in fresh and weathered oil. Average δ13C and δ15N values in oyster shell (−21 ± 1‰ and 9−11‰, respectively) were consistent with consumption of naturally available SPM as opposed to values in oil (−27 ± 0.2‰, 1.6 ± 0.4‰). Stable isotope ratios in oyster adductor muscle were similar to shell for δ15N but not δ13C, suggesting either a recent shift in diet composition or differential assimilation of C between tissue types. We found no evidence of assimilation of oil-derived C and N and, therefore, no evidence of an oyster-based conduit to higher trophic levels. Trace elements in shell were inconclusive to corroborate oil exposure. These findings are not an indication that oysters were not exposed to oil; rather they imply oysters either did not consume oil-derived materials or consumed too little to be detectable compared to natural diet

Intake of macro- and micronutrients in Danish vegans

BACKGROUND: Since information about macro- and micronutrient intake among vegans is limited we aimed to determine and evaluate their dietary and supplementary intake. METHODS: Seventy 18–61 years old Danish vegans completed a four-day weighed food record from which their daily intake of macro- and micronutrients was assessed and subsequently compared to an age-range-matched group of 1 257 omnivorous individuals from the general Danish population. Moreover, the vegan dietary and supplementary intake was compared to the 2012 Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR). RESULTS: Dietary intake differed significantly between vegans and the general Danish population in all measured macro- and micronutrients (p < 0.05), except for energy intake among women and intake of carbohydrates among men. For vegans the intake of macro- and micronutrients (including supplements) did not reach the NNR for protein, vitamin D, iodine and selenium. Among vegan women vitamin A intake also failed to reach the recommendations. With reference to the NNR, the dietary content of added sugar, sodium and fatty acids, including the ratio of PUFA to SFA, was more favorable among vegans. CONCLUSIONS: At the macronutrient level, the diet of Danish vegans is in better accordance with the NNR than the diet of the general Danish population. At the micronutrient level, considering both diet and supplements, the vegan diet falls short in certain nutrients, suggesting a need for greater attention toward ensuring recommended daily intake of specific vitamins and minerals. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12937-015-0103-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users