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Geopolitical boundaries can present challenges to wildlife conservation because of varying environmental regulations, and increasingly, the existence of border barriers. As of 2024, approximately 1,023 km of border walls (i.e., steel bollard walls 5.5-9.1 m tall with interstitial spaces ≤10 cm) and 169 km of vehicle barriers (i.e., variable steel structures designed to stop vehicles but not pedestrians) exist along the USA-Mexico border. Some small wildlife passages (21.5 x 27.8 cm) were installed in border walls but few other accommodations for wildlife connectivity exist. As such, ecological consequences of border barriers may be severe and documenting the ability of wildlife to traverse these barriers will be essential to conservation efforts. We placed 36 wildlife cameras across 163.5 km of the USA-Mexico border in Arizona, USA and Sonora, MX to evaluate crossing rates through border barriers for 20 terrestrial species. We observed 9,240 wildlife events, including 1,920 successful crossing events. All focal species crossed through vehicle barriers, whereas white-tailed deer, mule deer, American black bear, American badger, wild turkey, and mountain lion appeared unable to cross through interstitial spaces in border walls. Small wildlife passages improved crossing rates for several species, including American badger, collared peccary, coyote, and mountain lion. Yet, small wildlife passages were scarce with only 13 along >130 km of continuous border wall and failed to allow American black bear, deer, and wild turkey to cross. Additional research on the impacts of border barriers and potential mitigation strategies will be critical for effective transboundary conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Late-life depression (LLD) is common and frequently co-occurs with neurodegenerative diseases of aging. Little is known about how heterogeneity within LLD relates to factors typically associated with neurodegeneration. Varying levels of anxiety are one source of heterogeneity in LLD. We examined associations between anxiety symptom severity and factors associated with neurodegeneration, including regional brain volumes, amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, white matter disease, cognitive dysfunction, and functional ability in LLD. Participants and Measurements: Older adults with major depression (N = 121, Ages 65–91) were evaluated for anxiety severity and the following: brain volume (orbitofrontal cortex [OFC], insula), cortical A β standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR), white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, global cognition, and functional ability. Separate linear regression analyses adjusting for age, sex, and concurrent depression severity were conducted to examine associations between anxiety and each of these factors. A global regression analysis was then conducted to examine the relative associations of these variables with anxiety severity. Results: Greater anxiety severity was associated with lower OFC volume (β = −68.25, t = −2.18, p =.031) and greater cognitive dysfunction (β = 0.23, t = 2.46, p =.016). Anxiety severity was not associated with insula volume, Aβ SUVR, WMH, or functional ability. When examining the relative associations of cognitive functioning and OFC volume with anxiety in a global model, cognitive dysfunction (β = 0.24, t = 2.62, p =.010), but not OFC volume, remained significantly associated with anxiety. Conclusions: Among multiple factors typically associated with neurodegeneration, cognitive dysfunction stands out as a key factor associated with anxiety severity in LLD which has implications for cognitive and psychiatric interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Anxiety is a common comorbid feature of late-life depression (LLD) and is associated with poorer global cognitive functioning independent of depression severity. However, little is known about whether comorbid anxiety is associated with a domain-specific pattern of cognitive dysfunction. We therefore examined group differences (LLD with and without comorbid anxiety) in cognitive functioning performance across multiple domains. Method: Older adults with major depressive disorder (N = 228, ages 65–91) were evaluated for anxiety and depression severity, and cognitive functioning (learning, memory, language, processing speed, executive functioning, working memory, and visuospatial functioning). Ordinary least squares regression adjusting for age, sex, education, and concurrent depression severity examined anxiety group differences in performance on tests of cognitive functioning. Results: Significant group differences emerged for confrontation naming and visuospatial functioning, as well as for verbal fluency, working memory, and inhibition with lower performance for LLD with comorbid anxiety compared to LLD only, controlling for depression severity. Conclusions: Performance patterns identified among older adults with LLD and comorbid anxiety resemble neuropsychological profiles typically seen in neurodegenerative diseases of aging. These findings have potential implications for etiological considerations in the interpretation of neuropsychological profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protection and management of water resources continues to be challenged by multiple and ongoing factors such as shifts in demographic, social, economic, and public health requirements. Physical limitations placed on access to potable supplies include natural and human‐caused factors such as aquifer depletion, aging infrastructure, saltwater intrusion, floods, and drought. These factors, although varying in magnitude, spatial extent, and timing, can exacerbate the potential for contaminants of concern (CECs) to be present in sources of drinking water, infrastructure, premise plumbing and associated tap water. This monograph examines how current and emerging scientific efforts and technologies increase our understanding of the range of CECs and drinking water issues facing current and future populations. It is not intended to be read in one sitting, but is instead a starting point for scientists wanting to learn more about the issues surrounding CECs. This text discusses the topical evolution CECs over time (Section 1), improvements in measuring chemical and microbial CECs, through both analysis of concentration and toxicity (Section 2) and modeling CEC exposure and fate (Section 3), forms of treatment effective at removing chemical and microbial CECs (Section 4), and potential for human health impacts from exposure to CECs (Section 5). The paper concludes with how changes to water quantity, both scarcity and surpluses, could affect water quality (Section 6). Taken together, these sections document the past 25 years of CEC research and the regulatory response to these contaminants, the current work to identify and monitor CECs and mitigate exposure, and the challenges facing the future. Plain Language Summary: Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are included in an ever‐evolving list of chemicals and microorganisms that are not currently regulated in drinking, recreational, or environmental waters but may be detrimental to human or ecological health. Advances in analytical technology have allowed the detection of these contaminants at ever decreasing concentrations. Additional techniques, such as nontargeted analyses and bioanalytical tools, have expanded our understanding on the occurrence of CECs both individually and in mixtures. Even with new analytical tools, little is known about the potentially tens of thousands of CECs that may be present in water. Models could be used to predict the fate and occurrence of these contaminants. Information on the toxicity to human and aquatic life, both for individual contaminants and mixtures, can follow environmental detection. Advancements in wastewater and drinking water treatment have increased the capacity for the reduction of contaminants in water. More research would be useful to determine human exposures that are occurring through all exposure routes to determine if, and where, additional treatment would be beneficial. If water resources become more limited due to population increases, climatic change, poor treatment performance, or other factors, CECs may become a larger concern for human and ecological health. Key Points: Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are an ever‐evolving list of chemicals and microorganisms that are not currently regulated in waterAdvances in analytical technology have allowed the detection of individual and mixtures of CECs at ever decreasing concentrationsTransdisciplinary research can be used to address science gaps in water monitoring, treatment optimization, and source water protection [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quitlines offer evidence-based, multisession coaching support for smoking cessation in the 50 U.S. states, Canada, and several other countries. Smokers who enroll in quitline services have, "ipso facto," shown readiness to attempt to quit, but noncompletion of coaching services appears widespread and has not been widely investigated. The current study explored the magnitude and correlates of quitline service abandonment. Method: A state's quitline intake, coaching, and nicotine patch/gum utilization data were obtained for smokers who enrolled during the period July 2007 to June 2008 (n = 20,882). Analyses examined demographic, socioeconomic status, nicotine dependence-related, and nicotine replacement therapy-utilization factors associated with completion of only one coaching session (of five offered). Results: Almost half of enrollees (47.8%) completed only one session. All significant predictors together explained less than 4% of variance; not being sent nicotine replacement therapy was most strongly correlated with completion of only one session. A framework is proposed for directing research toward reducing quitline service nonadherence. Conclusions: Premature user abandonment of coaching calls is widespread within a quitline. Further research should determine the extent of the problem in national quitline systems, increase knowledge of mediators of nonadherence, and develop strategies for increasing coaching completion. (Contains 3 tables.)

This study investigated the possibility that a link exists between an individual's concept of Divinity and concept of self. Participants were 12 Christians (6 Catholic, 6 Methodist) and 8 Buddhists. They answered open-ended questions about sacredness, after-death experience, and humanity's relation to the natural world. Content analyses focused on participants' descriptions of (1) the nature of The Divine and (2) the spiritual nature of human beings. Some between-group overlap did emerge; however, at both levels of analysis Christians were more likely to mention independence-oriented themes and Buddhists were more likely to mention interdependence-oriented themes. These findings suggest that across both religions, individuals' understanding of spiritual reality goes hand-in-hand with their understanding of human nature. (Contains 1 table.)

Infiltrating T cells in the kidney amplify salt-sensitive (SS) hypertension and renal damage, but the mechanisms are not known. Genetic deletion of T cells (SSCD247−/−) or of the p67phox subunit of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2; SSp67phox−/−) attenuates SS hypertension in the Dahl SS rat. We hypothesized that reactive oxygen species produced by NOX2 in T cells drive the SS phenotype and renal damage. T cells were reconstituted by adoptively transferring splenocytes (∼10 million) from the Dahl SS (SS→CD247) rat, the SSp67phox−/− rat (p67phox→CD247), or only PBS (PBS→CD247) into the SSCD247−/− rat on postnatal day 5. Animals were instrumented with radiotelemeters and studied at 8 wk of age. There were no detectable differences in mean arterial pressure (MAP) or albuminuria between groups when rats were maintained on a low-salt (0.4% NaCl) diet. After 21 days of high-salt diet (4.0% NaCl), MAP and albuminuria were significantly greater in SS→CD247 rats compared with p67phox→CD247 and PBS→CD247 rats. Interestingly, there was no difference between p67phox→CD247 and PBS→CD247 rats in albuminuria or MAP after 21 days. The lack of CD3+ cells in PBS→CD247 rats and the presence of CD3+ cells in rats that received the T cell transfer demonstrated the effectiveness of the adoptive transfer. No differences in the number of CD3+, CD4+, or CD8+ cells were observed in the kidneys of SS→CD247 and p67phox→CD247 rats. These results indicate that reactive oxygen species produced by NOX2 in T cells participates in the amplification of SS hypertension and renal damage. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our current work used the adoptive transfer of T cells that lack functional NADPH oxidase 2 into a genetically T cell-deficient Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rat model. The results demonstrated that reactive oxygen species produced by NADPH oxidase 2 in T cells participate in the amplification of SS hypertension and associated renal damage and identifies a potential mechanism that exacerbates the salt-sensitive phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histamine is involved in the regulation of immune response, vasodilation, neurotransmission, and gastric acid secretion. Although elevated histamine levels and increased expression of histamine metabolizing enzymes have been reported in renal disease, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the mechanisms of histamine-related pathways in the kidney. We report here that all four histamine receptors as well as enzymes responsible for the metabolism of histamine are expressed in human and rat kidney tissues. In this study, we hypothesized that the histaminergic system plays a role in salt-induced kidney damage in the Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rat, a model characterized with inflammation-driven renal lesions. To induce renal damage related to salt sensitivity, DSS rats were challenged with 21 days of a high-salt diet (4% NaCl); normal-salt diet (0.4% NaCl)-fed rats were used as a control. We observed lower histamine decarboxylase and higher histamine N-methyltransferase levels in high-salt diet-fed rats, indicative of a shift in histaminergic tone; metabolomics showed higher histamine and histidine levels in the kidneys of high-salt diet-fed rats, whereas plasma levels for both compounds were lower. Acute systemic inhibition of histamine receptor 2 in the DSS rat revealed that it lowered vasopressin receptor 2 in the kidney. In summary, we established here the existence of the local histaminergic system, revealed a shift in the renal histamine balance during salt-induced kidney damage, and provided evidence that blockage of histamine receptor 2 in the DSS rat affects water balance and urine concentrating mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension is a leading risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease‐related dementia (AD/ADRD), which is closely linked with cerebral vascular inflammation and dysfunction. We previously found that high‐salt‐treated Dahl Salt‐Sensitive (SS) rats displayed blood‐brain barrier (BBB) leakage, astrocyte activation, neurodegeneration, and cognitive impairments. CD14 functions in the Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) complex to initiate proinflammatory signaling events in response to LPS. CD14 levels were elevated in the brains of human and animal AD/ADRD models. This study aims to explore the vascular contribution of CD14 to AD/ADRD. Method: The expression of Cd14 was assessed through RT‐PCR in primary cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from TgF344‐AD rats, and the results were compared to cells from control rats. The myogenic response of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was compared between SS (SSCD14+/+), SSCD14‐/‐, and SD rats with and without the induction of hypertension with 4% NaCl diets. BBB function was detected by the leakage of injected Evans blue and fibrinogen. Brain cytokine levels were detected with Bio‐Plex Rat Cytokine 23‐Plex Assay. Result: Cd14 emerged as one of the significantly upregulated top genes in high‐salt‐fed SSCD14+/+ rats, with a subsequent three‐fold increase observed specifically in cerebral VSMCs of AD compared with control rats. Hypertensive SSCD14+/+ rats exhibited an impaired myogenic response of the MCA compared to normotensive SSCD14+/+ rats and SD rats fed with both high‐ and low‐salt diets. Notably, the deletion of CD14 demonstrated a remarkable trend in enhancing the myogenic response of the MCA in female SSCD14‐/‐ rats. Furthermore, high salt‐fed 24‐week SSCD14+/+ rats displayed BBB dysfunction. An augmented pan‐cytokine panel was observed in low salt‐fed 12‐week SSCD14+/+ rats, and this effect was magnified in high salt‐fed 24‐week SSCD14+/+ rats. Conclusion: These results collectively point to the potential role of CD14 in influencing vascular and immune responses, suggesting a link between CD14, hypertension, and cerebrovascular pathologies, particularly in the context of AD. Additional investigations are warranted to delve into the underlying mechanisms and ascertain whether CD14 exhibits a sex‐specific role in AD/ADRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives, We examined the effects of a Spanish-language media campaign on the reach and outcomes of a state-sponsored QuitLine among Latino smokers. Methods. In this quasiexperimental (2-group, pre-post) study, we analyzed data from Colorado QuitLine callers before (April-August 2007) and during (September-November 2007) the media campaign. Call volume, service utilization, and quit rates at 7-month follow-up were compared between Latino (n=243) and non-Latino (n=527) callers. Results. QuitLine calls increased among Latinos during the campaign by 57.6% (1169 vs 1842 in 3-month periods). Compared with precampaign Latino study respondents, Latino respondents during the campaign were significantly younger (younger than 45 years), more often Spanish speaking, uninsured, and less educated. Among Latino enrollees, program completion and nicotine replacement therapy use were similar before and during the campaign, and quit rates during the campaign improved marginally to significantly (7-day abstinence: 29.6% vs 41.0%, P=.07; 6-month abstinence: 9.6% vs 18.8%, P=.04). Conclusions. A well-designed, statewide Spanish-language media campaign increased QuitLine reach and improved cessation outcomes among a young Latino population of low socioeconomic status. QuitLine-supported cessation can be increased among these smokers. (Am J Public Health. 2010;100: S165-S170. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.166322)