Search

LAY SUMMARY Some U.S. student Veterans pursuing higher education are incurring debt despite benefits available through the GI Bill. This exploratory study examines credit card debt accumulated by U.S. student Veterans while pursuing higher education goals. The purpose of this article is to address whether the U.S. GI Bill provides enough revenue for some students and to alert policy makers to the potential need to realign GI Bill benefits to help more student Veterans.

Background Microscopic analysis of plant anatomy is a common procedure in biology to study structure and function that requires high-quality sections for accurate measurements. Hand sectioning of specimens is typically limited to moderately soft tissue while harder samples prohibit sectioning by hand and/or result in inconsistent thicknesses. Results Here we present both a clearly described hand-sectioning method and a novel microtome design that together provide the means to section a variety of plant sample types. The described hand-sectioning method for herbaceous stems works well for softer subjects but is less suitable for samples with secondary growth (e.g., wood production). Instead, the “Rapid-Tome” is a novel tool for sectioning both soft and tougher high-aspect-ratio samples, such as stems and roots, with excellent sample control. The Rapid-Tome can be 3D-printed in approximately 18 h on a mid-quality printer common at university maker spaces. After printing and trimming, Rapid-Tome assembly takes a few minutes with five metal parts common at hardware stores. Users sectioned a variety of plant samples including the hollow internodes of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), fibrous switchgrass roots containing aerenchyma, and woody branches of eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). A comparative analyses with Rapid-Tome-produced sections readily revealed a significant difference in seasonal growth of sycamore xylem vessel area in spring (49%) vs. summer (23%). Additionally, high school students with no prior experience produced sections with the Rapid-Tome adequate for comparative analyses of various plant samples in less than an hour. Conclusions The described hand-sectioning method is suitable for softer tissues, including hollow-stemmed grasses and similar samples. In addition, the Rapid-Tome provides capacity to safely produce high-quality sections of tougher plant materials at a fraction of the cost of traditional microtomes combined with excellent sample control. The Rapid-Tome features rapid sectioning, sample advancement, blade changes, and sample changes; it is highly portable and can be used easily with minimal training making production of thin sections accessible for classroom and outreach use, in addition to research.

House dust and soils can be major sources of lead (Pb) exposure for children. The American Healthy Homes Survey (AHHS) was developed to estimate Pb exposure from house dust and soil, in addition to other potential household contaminants and allergens. We have combined X-ray absorption spectroscopic (XAS) fingerprinting and in vivo mouse relative bioavailability (RBA) measurements of a small set of house dust and residential soils collected in the AHHS, with the primary objective of gaining a better understanding of determinants of house dust Pb bioavailability. Lead speciation was well-related to variations in RBA results, and revealed that highly bioavailable Pb (hydroxy)carbonate (indicative of Pb-based paint) was the major Pb species present in house dusts. Measured Pb RBA was up to 100% and is likely driven by paint Pb. To our knowledge, this is the first report of in vivo Pb RBA in U.S. house dust contaminated in situ with paint Pb and corroborates results from a previous study that demonstrated high RBA of paint Pb added to soil. We also report a relatively low RBA (23%) in a residential soil where the major Pb species was found to be plumbojarosite, consistent with a previous report that plumbojarosite lowers Pb RBA in soils.

The relationship between ingestion of diets amended with a Pb-contaminated soil and the composition of the fecal microbiome was examined in a mouse model. Mice consumed diets amended with a Pb-contaminated soil in its native (untreated) state or after treatment for remediation with phosphoric acid or triple superphosphate alone or in combination with iron-waste material or biosolids compost. Subacute dietary exposure of mice receiving treated soil resulted in modulation of the fecal intestinal flora, which coincided with reduced relative Pb bioavailability in the bone, blood and kidney and differences in Pb speciation compared to untreated soil. Shifts in the relative abundance of several phyla including Verrucomicrobia, Tenericutes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and TM7 (Candidatus Saccharibacteria) were observed. Because the phyla persist in the presence of Pb, it is probable that they are resistant to Pb. This may enable members of the phyla to bind and limit Pb uptake in the intestine. Families Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Prevotellaceae, Lactobacilaceae, and Bacteroidaceae, which have been linked to health or disease, also were modulated. This study is the first to explore the relationship between the murine fecal microbiome and ingested Pb contaminated soils treated with different remediation options designed to reduce bioavailability. Identifying commonalities in the microbiome that are correlated with more positive health outcomes may serve as biomarkers to assist in the selection of remediation approaches that are more effective and pose less risk.

Accurate assessment of adverse health effects attributable to ingestion of inorganic arsenic (As) present in contaminated soils requires determination of the internal dose of metal provided by ingested soil. This calculation requires estimation of the oral bioavailability of soil-borne (As). Animal models to assess the bioavailability of soil (As) are frequently used as surrogates for determination of this variable in humans. A mouse assay has been widely applied to estimate the bioavailability of As in soils at sites impacted by mining, smelting, and pesticides. In the mouse assay, the relative bioavailability (RBA) of soil (As) is determined as the ratio of the fraction of the ingested arsenic dose excreted in urine after consumption of diets containing a test soil or the soluble reference compound, sodium arsenate. The aim of the current study was to compare (As) bioavailability measured in the mouse assay with reported estimates in humans. Here, a pharmacokinetic model based on excretion of arsenic in urine and feces was used to estimate the absolute bioavailability (ABA) of As in mice that received an oral dose of sodium arsenate. Based upon this analysis, in mice that consumed diet amended with sodium arsenate, the ABA was 85%. This estimate of arsenic ABA for the mouse is comparable to estimates in humans who consumed (As) in drinking water and diet, and to estimates of ABA in monkeys and swine exposed to sodium arsenate. The concordance of estimates for ABA in mice and humans provides further support for use of the mouse model in human health risk assessment. Sodium arsenate ABA also provides a basis for estimating soil arsenic ABA from RBA estimates obtained in the mouse model.

Refereed/Peer-reviewed Lead (Pb) contamination of soils is of global concern due to the devastating impacts of Pb exposure in children. Because early-life exposure to Pb has long-lasting health effects, reducing exposure in children is a critical public health goal that has intensified research on the conversion of soil Pb to low bioavailability phases. Recently, plumbojarosite (PLJ) conversion of highly available soil Pb was found to decrease Pb relative bioavailability (RBA

Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs), a contaminant of water and food supplies, is associated with many adverse health effects. A notable feature of iAs metabolism is sequential methylation reactions which produce mono- and di-methylated arsenicals that can contain arsenic in either the trivalent (III) or pentavalent (V) valence states. Because methylated arsenicals containing trivalent arsenic are more potent toxicants than their pentavalent counterparts, the ability to distinguish between the +3 and +5 valence states is a crucial property for physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models of arsenicals to possess if they are to be of use in risk assessment. Unfortunately, current analytic techniques for quantifying arsenicals in tissues disrupt the valence state; hence, pharmacokinetic studies in animals, used for model calibration, only reliably provide data on the sum of the +3 and +5 valence forms of a given metabolite. In this paper we show how mathematical modeling can be used to overcome this obstacle and present a PBPK model for the dimethylated metabolite of iAs, which exists as either dimethylarsinous acid, (CH(3))(2)As(III)OH (abbreviated DMA(III)) or dimethylarsinic acid, (CH(3))(2)As(V)(O)OH (abbreviated DMA(V)). The model distinguishes these two forms and sets a lower bound on how much of an organ’s DMA burden is present in the more reactive and toxic trivalent valence state. We conjoin the PBPK model to a simple model for DMA(III)-induced oxidative stress in liver and use this extended model to predict cytotoxicity in liver in response to the high oral dose of DMA(V). The model incorporates mechanistic details derived from in vitro studies and is iteratively calibrated with lumped-valence-state PK data for intravenous or oral dosing with DMA(V). Model formulation leads us to predict that orally administered DMA(V) undergoes extensive reduction in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to the more toxic trivalent DMA(III).

Arsenic exposure has been reported to alter the gut microbiome in mice. Activity of the gut microbiome derived from fecal microbiota has been found to affect arsenic bioaccessibility in an in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) model. Only a few studies have explored the relation between arsenic exposure and changes in the composition of the gut microbiome and in arsenic bioaccessibility. Here, we used simulated GI model system (GIMS) containing a stomach, small intestine, colon phases and microorganisms obtained from mouse feces (GIMS-F) and cecal contents (GIMS-C) to assess whether exposure to arsenic-contaminated soils affect the gut microbiome and whether composition of the gut microbiome affects arsenic bioaccessibility. Soils contaminated with arsenic did not alter gut microbiome composition in GIMS-F colon phase. In contrast, arsenic exposure resulted in the decline of bacteria in GIMS-C, including members of Clostridiaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Parabacteroides due to greater diversity and variability in microbial sensitivity to arsenic exposure. Arsenic bioaccessibility was greatest in the acidic stomach phase of GIMS (pH 1.5-1.7); except for GIMS-C colon phase exposed to mining-impacted soil in which greater levels of arsenic solubilized likely due to microbiome effects. Physicochemical properties of different test soils likely influenced variability in arsenic bioaccessibility (GIMS-F bioaccessibility range: 8-37%, GIMS-C bioaccessibility range: 2-18%) observed in this study.

Widespread contamination of soil, dust, and food with toxic metal(loid)s pose a significant public health concern. Only a portion of orally ingested metal(loid) contaminants are bioavailable, which is defined as the fraction of ingested metal(loid)s absorbed across the gastrointestinal barrier and into systemic circulation. Bioaccessibility tools are a class of in vitro assays used as a surrogate to estimate risk of oral exposure and bioavailability. Although development and use of bioaccessibility tools have contributed to our understanding of the factors influencing oral bioavailability of metal(loid)s, some of these assays may lack data that support their use in decisions concerning adverse health risks and soil remediation. This review discusses the factors known to influence bioaccessibility of metal(loid) contaminants and evaluates experimental approaches and key findings of SW-846 Test Method 1340, Unified BARGE Method, Simulated Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem, Solubility Bioaccessibility Research Consortium assay, In Vitro Gastrointestinal model, TNO-Gastrointestinal Model, and Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment bioaccessibility models which are used to assess oral absolute bioavailability and relative bioavailability in solid matrices. The aim of this review was to identify emerging knowledge gaps and research needs with an emphasis on research required to evaluate these models on (1) standardization of assay techniques and methodology, and (2) use of common criteria for assessing the performance of bioaccessibility models.

The toxic metalloid inorganic arsenic (iAs) is widely distributed in the environment. Chronic exposure to iAs from environmental sources has been linked to a variety of human diseases. Methylation of iAs is the primary pathway for metabolism of iAs. In humans, methylation of iAs is catalyzed by arsenic (+ 3 oxidation state) methyltransferase (AS3MT). Conversion of iAs to mono- and di-methylated species (MAs and DMAs) detoxifies iAs by increasing the rate of whole body clearance of arsenic. Interindividual differences in iAs metabolism play key roles in pathogenesis of and susceptibility to a range of disease outcomes associated with iAs exposure. These adverse health effects are in part associated with the production of methylated trivalent arsenic species, methylarsonous acid (MAs(III)) and dimethylarsinous acid (DMAs(III)), during AS3MT-catalyzed methylation of iAs. The formation of these metabolites activates iAs to unique forms that cause disease initiation and progression. Taken together, the current evidence suggests that methylation of iAs is a pathway for detoxification and for activation of the metalloid. Beyond this general understanding of the consequences of iAs methylation, many questions remain unanswered. Our knowledge of metabolic targets for MAs(III) and DMAs(III) in human cells and mechanisms for interactions between these arsenicals and targets is incomplete. Development of novel analytical methods for quantitation of MAs(III) and DMAs(III) in biological samples promises to address some of these gaps. Here, we summarize current knowledge of the enzymatic basis of MAs(III) and DMAs(III) formation, the toxic actions of these metabolites, and methods available for their detection and quantification in biomatrices. Major knowledge gaps and future research directions are also discussed.

Significance As a strategy to stabilize soil Pb, we evaluated the effect of PLJ formation on the bioavailability of soil Pb. Our technology for PLJ formation resulted in >90% incorporation of soil Pb into the mineral structure of jarosite. This conversion decreased soil Pb bioavailability greater than 90%, even after pH neutralization to revitalize the soil to agronomic health. PLJ formation may be a more effective remediation method than other soil treatment technologies and may reduce removal clean-up efforts and costs. Because jarosite can sequester both cationic and anionic contaminants, it may be effective for both Pb and arsenic remediation. Furthermore, this treatment is not influenced by initial soil pH or organic matter content and uses an environmentally safe chemical., Exposure to lead (Pb) during early life has persistent adverse health effects. During childhood, ingestion of bioavailable Pb in contaminated soils can be a major route of Pb absorption. Remediation to alter physiochemical properties of soil-borne Pb can reduce Pb bioavailability. Our laboratory-based approach for soil Pb remediation uses addition of iron (Fe) sulfate and application of heat to promote formation of plumbojarosite (PLJ), a sparingly soluble Pb-Fe hydroxysulfate mineral. We treated two soils with anthropogenic Pb contamination and samples of clean topsoil spiked with various Pb compounds (i.e., carbonate, chloride, phosphate [P], or sulfate) to convert native Pb species to PLJ and used a mouse assay to assess relative bioavailability (RBA) of Pb in untreated (U) and remediated soils. Bone and blood Pb levels were significantly lower (P < 0.001, Student's t test) in mice that consumed diets amended with remediated soils than with U soils. Estimated RBA for Pb in both remediated natural soils and Pb-mineral spiked soils were reduced by >90% relative to Pb RBA for U soils, which is substantially more effective than other soil amendments, including P. X-ray absorption spectroscopy showed that >90% of all Pb species in remediated soils were converted to PLJ, and ingested PLJ was not chemically transformed during gastrointestinal tract transit. Post treatment neutralization of soil pH did not affect PLJ stability, indicating the feasibility in field conditions. These results suggest that formation of PLJ in contaminated soils can reduce the RBA of Pb and minimize this medium’s role as a source of Pb exposure for young children.

Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a significant public health problem. Methylation of iAs by arsenic methyltransferase (AS3MT) controls iAs detoxification and modifies risks of iAs-induced diseases. Mechanisms underlying these diseases have been extensively studied using animal models. However, substantive differences between humans and laboratory animals in efficiency of iAs methylation have hindered the translational potential of the laboratory studies.The goal of this study was to determine whether humanization of theWe generated a mouse strain in which theThese results suggest that

Background: Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a significant public health problem. Methylation of iAs by arsenic methyltransferase (AS3MT) controls iAs detoxification and modifies risk...

Hand-to-mouth activity in children can be an important route for ingestion of soil and dust contaminated with inorganic arsenic. Estimating the relative bioavailability of arsenic present in these media is a critical element in assessing the risks associated with aggregate exposure to this toxic metalloid during their early life. Here, we evaluated the performance of a mouse assay for arsenic bioavailability in two laboratories using a suite of 10 soils. This approach allowed us to examine both intralaboratory and interlaboratory variations in assay performance. Use of a single vendor for preparation of all amended test diets and of a single laboratory for arsenic analysis of samples generated in the participating laboratories minimized contributions of these potential sources of variability in assay performance. Intralaboratory assay data showed that food and water intake and cumulative urine and feces production remained stable over several years. The stability of these measurements accounted for the reproducibility of estimates of arsenic bioavailability obtained from repeated intralaboratory assays using sodium arsenate or soils as the test material. Interlaboratory comparisons found that estimates of variables used to evaluate assay performance (recovery and urinary excretion factor) were similar in the two laboratories. For all soils, estimates of arsenic relative bioavailability obtained in the two laboratories were highly correlated (r2 = 0.94 and slope = 0.9) in a linear regression model. Overall, these findings show that this mouse assay for arsenic bioavailability provides reproducible estimates using a variety of test soils. This robust model may be adaptable for use in other laboratory settings. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

A Bonner Sphere spectrometer employing a large, 11 mm diameter × 3 mm thickness, 6LiI(Eu) scintillator (LLBSS), was assembled. The purpose was to produce a BSS similar in sensitivity to those based on 3He sensors, but using alternative sensors. With respect to the traditional BSS based on the 4 mm (diameter) × 4 mm (height) 6LiI(Eu), this new BSS is a factor of 3 more sensitive. LL-BSS response matrix, determined with MCNPX, was experimentally evaluated with monoenergetic reference neutron fields of 144 keV, 565 keV and 1.2 MeV available at NPL (Teddington, UK). The results of the experiment confirmed the correctness of the response matrix within an overall uncertainty lower than ±2%.

Interest in improved understanding of relationships among soil properties and arsenic (As) bioaccessibility has motivated the use of regression models for As bioaccessibility prediction. However, limits in the numbers and types of soils included in previous studies restrict the usefulness of these models beyond the range of soil conditions evaluated, as evidenced by reduced predictive performance when applied to new data. In response, hierarchical models that consider variability in relationships among soil properties and As bioaccessibility across geographic locations and contaminant sources were developed to predict As bioaccessibility in 139 soils on both a mass fraction (mg/kg) and % basis. The hierarchical approach improved the estimation of As bioaccessibility in studied soils. In addition, the number of soil elements identified as statistically significant explanatory variables increased when compared to previous investigations. Specifically, total soil Fe, P, Ca, Co, and V were significant explanatory variables in both models, while total As, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn were also significant in the mass fraction model and Mg was significant in the % model. This developed hierarchical approach provides a novel tool to (1) explore relationships between soil properties and As bioaccessibility across a broad range of soil types and As contaminant sources encountered in the environment and (2) identify areas of future mechanistic research to better understand the complexity of interactions between soil properties and As bioaccessibility. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

In humans, early life exposure to inorganic arsenic is associated with adverse health effects. Inorganic arsenic in utero or in early postnatal life also produces adverse health effects in offspring of pregnant mice that consumed drinking water containing low part per billion levels of inorganic arsenic. Because aggregate exposure of pregnant mice to inorganic arsenic from both drinking water and food has not been fully evaluated in experimental studies, quantifying arsenic exposure of the developing mouse is problematic. Here, we determined levels of total arsenic and arsenic species in natural ingredient rodent diets that are composed of many plant and animal-derived foodstuffs and in a purified ingredient rodent diet that is composed of a more restricted mixture of foodstuffs. In natural ingredient diets, total arsenic levels ranged from ∼60 to ∼400 parts per billion, and in the purified ingredient diet, total arsenic level was 13 parts per billion. Inorganic arsenic was the predominant arsenic species in trifluoroacetic acid extracts of each diet. Various exposure scenarios were evaluated using information on inorganic arsenic levels in diet and drinking water and on daily food and water consumption of pregnant mice. In a scenario in which pregnant mice consumed drinking water with 10 parts per billion of inorganic arsenic and a natural ingredient diet containing 89 parts per billion of inorganic arsenic, drinking water contributed only ∼20% of inorganic arsenic intake. Quantitation of arsenic species in diets used in studies in which drinking water is the nominal source of arsenic exposure provides more accurate dosimetry and improves understanding of dose-response relations. Use of purified ingredient diets will minimize the discrepancy between the target dosage level and the actual dosage level attained in utero exposure studies designed to evaluate effects of low level exposure to inorganic arsenic.

As part of its wide-ranging neutron metrology capabilities, the National Physical Laboratory in the UK has a thermal neutron facility in which accelerator-produced neutrons are moderated within a large assembly or pile of graphite bricks. The neutron field has previously been well characterised in terms of the fluence rate and energy spectrum at various irradiation positions. However, recent changes to the structure (enlarging the central irradiation cavity, for example) have prompted a renewal and extension of this work. We have also used Monte Carlo modelling to improve our understanding of the pile's performance.

Relationships between total soil or bioaccessible lead (Pb), measured using an in vitro bioaccessibility assay, and children’s blood lead levels (BLL) were investigated in an urban neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, with a history of soil Pb contamination. Soil samples from 38 homes were analyzed to determine whether accounting for the bioaccessible Pb fraction improves statistical relationships with children’s BLLs. Total soil Pb ranged from 58 to 2,821 mg/kg; the bioaccessible Pb fraction ranged from 47 to 2,567 mg/kg. Children’s BLLs ranged from 0.3 to 9.8 μg/dL. Hierarchical models were used to compare relationships between total or bioaccessible Pb in soil and children’s BLLs. Total soil Pb as the predictor accounted for 25% of the variability in child BLL; bioaccessible soil Pb as the predictor accounted for 28% of BLL variability. A bootstrapping analysis confirmed a significant increase in R2 for the model using bioaccessible soil Pb as the predictor with 99.3% of bootstraps showing a positive increase. Estimated increases of 1.4 μg/dL and 1.6 μg/dL in BLL per 1,000 mg/kg Pb in soil were observed for this study area using total and bioaccessible Pb, respectively. Children’s age did not contribute significantly to the prediction of BLLs.

Effects of dietary P level on the oral bioavailability of Pb present in soil were examined in a mouse model. Adult female C57BL/6 mice had free access to AIN-93G purified rodent diet amended with Pb as a soluble salt, Pb acetate, or in a soil matrix (NIST SRM 2710a). In these studies, the basal diet contained P at a nutritionally sufficient level (0.3% w/w) and the modified diets contained P at a lower (0.15%) or a higher (1.2%) level. For either dietary Pb source (Pb acetate or NIST SRM 2710a), low dietary P level markedly increased accumulation of Pb in bone, blood, and kidney. Tissue Pb levels in mice fed a high P in diet were not different from mice fed the basal P diet. Dietary P and Pb interacted to affect body weight change and feed efficiency in mice. The relative contribution of different Pb species in diet and feces was also affected by dietary P level. Differences in Pb species between diet and feces indicated that transformation of Pb species can occur during gastrointestinal tract transit. These interactions between Pb and P that alter Pb speciation may be important determinants of the bioavailability of Pb ingested in soil.

New standard (n,f) cross sections other than 235U are important to study the relevant cross sections for Generation-IV power plants. A specific need for such standards is for performing new experiments with quasimonoenergetic neutron beams, such as those produced by Van de Graaf accelerators. Neutrons down-scattered to low energies in the experimental environment, so called room-return, become relevant for this type of measurements. Hence, a standard (n,f) cross section with a fission threshold is of great interest, in order to suppress the contribution from room-return background. For this reason we have performed two experiments at the VDG of the National Physical Laboratory to measure absolutely the (n,f) cross sections of 235U, 238U and 237Np in the fast neutron energy region. Our preliminary results are in agreement with the most up-to-date evaluations.

Between 1990 and 2020, our understanding of the significance of arsenic biomethylation changed in remarkable ways. At the beginning of this period, the conversion of inorganic arsenic into mono- and di-methylated metabolites was viewed primarily as a process that altered the kinetic behavior of arsenic. By increasing the rate of clearance of arsenic, the formation of methylated metabolites reduced exposure to this toxin; that is, methylation was detoxification. By 2020, it was clear that at least some of the toxic effects associated with As exposure depended on formation of methylated metabolites containing trivalent arsenic. Because the trivalent oxidation state of arsenic is associated with increased potency as a cytotoxin and clastogen, these findings were consistent with methylation-related changes in the dynamic behavior of arsenic. That is, methylation was activation. Our current understanding of the role of methylation as a modifier of kinetic and dynamic behaviors of arsenic is the product of research at molecular, cellular, organismic, and population levels. This information provides a basis for refining our estimates of risk associated with long term exposure to inorganic arsenic in environmental media, food, and water. This report summarizes the growth of our knowledge of enzymatically catalyzed methylation of arsenic over this period and considers the prospects for new discoveries.

For much of the world's population, food is the major source of exposure to arsenic. Exposure to this non-essential metalloid at relatively low levels may be linked to a wide range of adverse health effects. Thus, evaluating foods as sources of exposure to arsenic is important in assessing risk and developing strategies that protect public health. Although most emphasis has been placed on inorganic arsenic as human carcinogen and toxicant, an array of arsenic-containing species are found in plants and animals used as foods. Here, we 2evaluate the contribution of complex organic arsenicals (arsenosugars, arsenolipids, and trimethylarsonium compounds) that are found in foods and consider their origins, metabolism, and potential toxicity. Commonalities in the metabolism of arsenosugars and arsenolipids lead to the production of di-methylated arsenicals which are known to exert many toxic effects. Evaluating foods as sources of exposure to these complex organic arsenicals and understanding the formation of reactive metabolites may be critical in assessing their contribution to aggregate exposure to arsenic.

Lead (Pb) in soil is an important exposure source for children. Thus, determining bioavailability of Pb in soil is critical in evaluating risk and selecting appropriate strategies to minimize exposure. A mouse model was developed to estimate relative bioavailability of Pb in NIST SRM 2710a (Montana 1 Soil). Based on Pb levels in tissues, the mean relative bioavailability of this metal in this soil was 0.5. Estimates of relative bioavailabilities derived from mouse compared favorably with those obtained in juvenile swine. The mouse model is thus an efficient and inexpensive method to obtain estimates of relative bioavailability of soil Pb.

Background: Exposure to inorganic and organic arsenic compounds is a major public health problem that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Exposure to arsenic is associated with cancer and noncancer effects in nearly every organ in the body, and evidence is mounting for health effects at lower levels of arsenic exposure than previously thought. Building from a tremendous knowledge base with > 1,000 scientific papers published annually with “arsenic” in the title, the question becomes, what questions would best drive future research directions? Objectives: The objective is to discuss emerging issues in arsenic research and identify data gaps across disciplines. Methods: The National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Superfund Research Program convened a workshop to identify emerging issues and research needs to address the multi-faceted challenges related to arsenic and environmental health. This review summarizes information captured during the workshop. Discussion: More information about aggregate exposure to arsenic is needed, including the amount and forms of arsenic found in foods. New strategies for mitigating arsenic exposures and related health effects range from engineered filtering systems to phytogenetics and nutritional interventions. Furthermore, integration of omics data with mechanistic and epidemiological data is a key step toward the goal of linking biomarkers of exposure and susceptibility to disease mechanisms and outcomes. Conclusions: Promising research strategies and technologies for arsenic exposure and adverse health effect mitigation are being pursued, and future research is moving toward deeper collaborations and integration of information across disciplines to address data gaps. Citation: Carlin DJ, Naujokas MF, Bradham KD, Cowden J, Heacock M, Henry HF, Lee JS, Thomas DJ, Thompson C, Tokar EJ, Waalkes MP, Birnbaum LS, Suk WA. 2016. Arsenic and environmental health: state of the science and future research opportunities. Environ Health Perspect 124:890–899; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1510209

The National Physical Laboratory has provided industry and research with neutron fluence and dose standard neutron fields since the 1960’s. Sectors such as civil nuclear power, defence, radiation-protection and fusion generation rely on NPLs facilities to operate safely and ensure traceability back to an internationally recognised UK primary standard. A central part of the capability is the 3.5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator which, using light ions, generates monoenergetic fields of neutrons ranging from a few keV to 19 MeV and intense thermal neutron fields. This accelerator is reaching the end of its operational life and a project to replace it is underway.

Effects of different treatments on the bioavailability of lead (Pb) in soil from a smelter emission contaminated site in Joplin, Missouri, were evaluated in a mouse model. Similar estimates of relative bioavailability for Pb in untreated or treated soil were obtained in mice and in the well-established juvenile swine model. In the mouse model, treatments that used phosphate (phosphoric acid or triple superphosphate) combined with iron oxide or biosolids compost significantly reduced soil Pb bioavailability. Notably, effects of these remediation procedures were persistent, given that up to 16 years had elapsed between soil treatment and sample collection. Remediation of soils was associated with changes in Pb species present in soil. Differences in Pb species in ingested soil and in feces from treated mice indicated that changes in Pb speciation occurred during transit through the gastrointestinal tract. Use of the mouse model facilitates evaluation of remediation procedures and allows monitoring of the performance of procedures under laboratory and field conditions.

Evaluation of soil arsenic (As) relative bioavailability (RBA) is essential to accurately assess human exposure to As contaminated soils via the incidental ingestion pathway. A variety of animal bioassays have been developed to estimate As RBA in contaminated soils and dusts, with uncertainty regarding how physiological differences between animal models or differences in assay methodologies may influence As RBA estimates. This study compared As RBA estimates across 20 As pesticide and mineimpacted soils in two commonly utilized animal bioassays, a mouse model based on steady state urinary excretion factor (UEF) and two swine models based on UEF and area under the curve (AUC), to elucidate factors influencing As RBA estimates. Multiple regression analysis supported combining the RBAs from swine UEF and swine AUC assays into a single regression model. The weighted least squares regression model derived from these data was as follows: swine RBA (%) = 1.23$ mouse RBA (%) - 0.80 (R-2 = 0.50). The mean relative percent difference between swine and mouse RBAs was +13%. This study extends and confirms conclusions from previous smaller studies to indicate that mouse and swine As RBA assays yield similar RBA estimates when applied to the same soils, although there appears to be a trend for the swine assay to predict higher RBAs than the mouse UEF assay. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Arsenic (As) is the most frequently occurring contaminant on the Priority List of Hazardous Substances, which lists substances of greatest public health concern to people living at or near U.S. National Priorities List sites. Human exposure to arsenic via ingestion of arsenic-contaminated soils can have serious health impacts including increased cancer risk. Accurate assessment of human health risks from exposure to arsenic-contaminated soils depends on estimating its bioavailability, defined as the fraction of ingested arsenic absorbed across the gastrointestinal barrier and available for systemic distribution and metabolism. Arsenic bioavailability varies among soils and is influenced by site-specific soil physical and chemical characteristics and internal biological factors. This review describes the state-of-the science that supports our understanding of oral bioavailability of soil arsenic, the methods that are currently being explored for estimating soil arsenic relative bioavailability (RBA), and future research areas that could improve our prediction of the oral RBA of soil arsenic in humans. The following topics are addressed: (1) arsenic soil geochemistry; (2) arsenic toxicology; (3) in vivo models for estimating arsenic RBA; (4) in vitro bioaccessibility methods; and (5) conclusions and research needs.

The response of neutron personal dosemeters as a function of neutron energy and angle of incidence is typically measured by mounting the dosemeters on a slab phantom and exposing them to neutrons from an accelerator-based or radionuclide source. The phantom is placed close to the source (75 cm) so that the effect of scattered neutrons is negligible. It is usual to mount several dosemeters on the phantom together. Because the source is close, the source distance and the neutron incidence angle vary significantly over the phantom face, and each dosemeter may receive a different dose equivalent. This is particularly important when the phantom is angled away from normal incidence. With accelerator-produced neutrons, the neutron energy and fluence vary with emission angle relative to the charged particle beam that produces the neutrons, contributing further to differences in dose equivalent, particularly when the phantom is located at other than the straight-ahead position (0° to the beam). Corrections for these effects are quantified and discussed in this article.

In vitro bioaccessibility (IVBA) assays estimate arsenic (As) relative bioavailability (RBA) in contaminated soils to improve accuracy in human exposure assessments. Previous studies correlating soil As IVBA with RBA have been limited by the use of few soil types and sources of As, and the predictive value of As IVBA has not been validated using an independent set of As-contaminated soils. In this study, a robust linear model was developed to predict As RBA in mice using IVBA, and the predictive capability of the model was independently validated using a unique set of As-contaminated soils. Forty As-contaminated soils varying in soil type and contaminant source were included in this study, with 31 soils used for initial model development and nine soils used for independent model validation. The initial model reliably predicted As RBA values in the independent data set, with a mean As RBA prediction error of 5.4%. Following validation, 40 soils were used for final model development, resulting in a linear model with the equation RBA = 0.65 × IVBA + 7.8 and an R2 of 0.81. The in vivo-in vitro correlation and independent data validation presented provide critical verification necessary for regulatory acceptance in human health risk assessment. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Although inorganic arsenic has long been recognized as a potent toxicant and carcinogen in humans, recent evidence shows that at least some of its effects are mediated by methylated metabolites. Elucidating the conversion of inorganic arsenic to mono-, di-, and trimethylated species has provided insights into the enzymology of this pathway and identified genetic and environmental factors that influence the susceptibility of individuals to this metalloid's adverse health effects. Notably, almost all work on the formation, fate, and effects of methylated arsenicals has focused on oxoarsenicals in which arsenic is bound to one or more oxygen atoms. However, thioarsenicals are a class of arsenicals in which a sulfur atom has replaced one or more oxygens that are bound to arsenic. Thioarsenicals have been identified as urinary metabolites in humans and other animals following exposure to inorganic arsenic. Studies find that methylated thioarsenicals exhibit kinetic behavior and toxicological properties that distinguish them from methylated oxoarsenicals. This perspective considers that formation, fate, and effects of methylated thioarsenicals with an emphasis on examining the linkages between the molecular processes that underlie both methylation and thiolation reactions. Integrating this information will provide a more comprehensive view of the relationship between the metabolism of arsenic and the risk posed by chronic exposure to this environmental contaminant.

Cross section measurements in the fast energy region are being demanded as one of the key ingredients for modelling Generation-IV nuclear power plants. However, in facilities where there are no time-of-flight possibilities or it is not convenient to use them, using the 235U(n,f) cross section as a benchmark would require a careful knowledge of the room scatter in the experimental area. In this paper we present measurements of two threshold reactions, 238U(n,f) and 237Np(n,f), that could become a standard between their fission threshold and 2.5 MeV, if the discrepancies shown in the evaluations and in some experimental data can be solved. The preliminary results are in agreement with the present ENDF/B-VII.1 evaluation.

Americium-Beryllium neutron sources are certainly the most widely used in neutron dosimetry laboratories, basically due to their long half-life and their energy distribution, which covers the energy domain of interest for many applications in ambient and personal dosimetry. Nevertheless, the spectrum of this source depends on the materials and dimension of the capsule and on the amount and physical-chemical properties of the active material, thus affecting relevant quantities such as the spectrum-averaged fluence-to-dose equivalent conversion coefficient For this reason a project was undertaken to investigate how the neutron spectrum changes for different source sizes and encapsulations with a view to providing improved data for a planned revision of the ISO 8529 Standard Series. A EURAMET project (n. 1104) was consequently initiated to perform the required experiments. The experimental campaign was carried out in the low scatter facility at NPL. Here three different Bonner Sphere Spectrometers, BSSs, were exposed to the neutron fields produced by three different neutron sources formats: one X3 capsule (1 Ci) and two X14 capsules (10 Ci and 15 Ci). The specific advantage of the BSS is the large sensitivity to low-energy neutrons (E 0.1 MeV; (3) understanding whether the ISO-recommended Am-Be spectrum needs to be amended, and for which source formats

Background Oral exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) is associated with adverse health effects. Epidemiological studies suggest differences in susceptibility to these health effects, possibly due to genotypic variation. Genetic polymorphisms in iAs metabolism could lead to increased susceptibility by altering urinary iAs metabolite concentrations. Objective To examine the impact of genotypic polymorphisms on iAs metabolism. Methods We screened 360 publications from PubMed and Web of Science for data on urinary mono- and dimethylated arsenic (MMA and DMA) percentages and polymorphic genes encoding proteins that are hypothesized to play roles in arsenic metabolism. The genes we examined were arsenic (+3) methyltransferase (AS3MT), glutathione-s-transferase omega (GSTO), and purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP). Relevant data were pooled to determine which polymorphisms are associated across studies with changes in urinary metabolite concentration. Results In our review, AS3MT polymorphisms rs3740390, rs11191439, and rs11191453 were associated with statistically significant changes in percent urinary MMA. Studies of GSTO polymorphisms did not indicate statistically significant associations with methylation, and there are insufficient data on PNP polymorphisms to evaluate their impact on metabolism. Discussion Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that AS3MT polymorphisms alter in vivo metabolite concentrations. Preliminary evidence suggests that AS3MT genetic polymorphisms may impact disease susceptibility. GSTO polymorphisms were not associated with iAs-associated health outcomes. Additional data are needed to evaluate the association between PNP polymorphisms and iAs-associated health outcomes. Delineation of these relationships may inform iAs mode(s) of action and the approach for evaluating low-dose health effects for iAs. Conclusions Genotype impacts urinary iAs metabolite concentrations and may be a potential mechanism for iAs-related disease susceptibility.

Early life exposure to arsenic in humans and mice produces similar patterns of disease in later life. Given the long interval between exposure and effect, epigenetic effects of early life exposure to arsenic may account for the development and progression of disease in both species. Mode of action and dosimetric studies in the mouse may help assess the role of age at exposure as a factor in susceptibility to the toxic and carcinogenic effects of arsenic in humans.

The significant rise in consumer products and applications utilizing the antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has increased the possibility of human exposure. The mobility and bioavailability of AgNPs through the ingestion pathway will depend, in part, on properties such as particle size and the surface chemistries that will influence their physical and chemical reactivities during transit through the gastrointestinal tract. This study investigates the interactions between synthetic stomach fluid and AgNPs of different sizes and with different capping agents. Changes in morphology, size and chemical composition were determined during a 30 min exposure to synthetic human stomach fluid (SSF) using Absorbance Spectroscopy, High Resolution Transmission Electron and Scanning Electron Microscopy (TEM/SEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA). AgNPs exposed to SSF were found to aggregate significantly and also released ionic silver which physically associated with the particle aggregates as silver chloride. Generally, the smaller sized AgNPs (

Background Because some adverse health effects associated with chronic arsenic exposure may be mediated by methylated arsenicals, interindividual variation in capacity to convert inorganic arsenic into mono- and di-methylated metabolites may be an important determinant of risk associated with exposure to this metalloid. Hence, identifying biological and behavioral factors that modify an individual’s capacity to methylate inorganic arsenic could provide insights into critical dose-response relations underlying adverse health effects. Methods A total of 904 older adults (≥45 years old) in Churchill County, Nevada, who chronically used home tap water supplies containing up to 1850 μg of arsenic per liter provided urine and toenail samples for determination of total and speciated arsenic levels. Effects of biological factors (gender, age, body mass index) and behavioral factors (smoking, recent fish or shellfish consumption) on patterns of arsenicals in urine were evaluated with bivariate analyses and multivariate regression models. Results Relative contributions of inorganic, mono-, and di-methylated arsenic to total speciated arsenic in urine were unchanged over the range of concentrations of arsenic in home tap water supplies used by study participants. Gender predicted both absolute and relative amounts of arsenicals in urine. Age predicted levels of inorganic arsenic in urine and body mass index predicted relative levels of mono- and di-methylated arsenic in urine. Smoking predicted both absolute and relative levels of arsenicals in urine. Multivariate regression models were developed for both absolute and relative levels of arsenicals in urine. Concentration of arsenic in home tap water and estimated water consumption were strongly predictive of levels of arsenicals in urine as were smoking, body mass index, and gender. Relative contributions of arsenicals to urinary arsenic were not consistently predicted by concentrations of arsenic in drinking water supplies but were more consistently predicted by gender, body mass index, age, and smoking. Conclusions These findings suggest that analyses of dose-response relations in arsenic-exposed populations should account for biological and behavioral factors that modify levels of inorganic and methylated arsenicals in urine. Evidence of significant effects of these factors on arsenic metabolism may also support mode of action studies in appropriate experimental models. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12940-016-0144-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Several investigations have been conducted to develop in vitro bioaccessibility (IVBA) assays that reliably predict in vivo oral relative bioavailability (RBA) of arsenic (As). This study describes a meta-regression model relating soil As RBA and IVBA that is based upon data combined from previous investigations that examined the relationship between As IVBA and RBA when IVBA was determined using an extraction of soil in 0.4 M glycine at pH 1.5. Data used to develop the model included paired IVBA and RBA estimates for 83 soils from various types of sites such as mining, smelting, and pesticide or herbicide application. The following linear regression model accounted for 87% of the observed variance in RBA (R2 = .87): RBA(%) = 0.79 × IVBA(%) + 3.0. This regression model is more robust than previously reported models because it includes a larger number of soil samples, and also accounts for variability in RBA and IVBA measurements made on samples collected from sites contaminated with different As sources and conducted in different labs that have utilized different experimental models for estimating RBA.

International audience; In 2012, the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) performed an intercomparison for neutron dosemeters that are intended to measure personal dose equivalent, Hp(10). A total of 31 participants registered with 34 dosimetry systems. The irradiation tests were chosen to provide the participants with useful information on their dosimetry systems, i.e. linearity, reproducibility, responses for different energies and angles and to simulated workplace fields. This paper gives details of the extensive information derived from the exercise. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase (As3mt) plays a central role in the enzymatically catalyzed conversion of inorganic arsenic into methylated metabolites. Most studies of the metabolism and disposition of arsenicals following exposure to inorganic arsenic focus on the formation and fate of methylated oxyarsenicals. However, recent research has shown methylated thioarsenicals to be another important class of metabolites of inorganic arsenic. Here, we report on the presence of methylated oxy- and thioarsenicals in urine and liver from wild-type mice that efficiently methylate inorganic arsenic and from As3mt knockout mice that lack arsenic methyltransferase activity. Following a single oral dose of 0.5 mg of arsenic as arsenate/kg body weight, urine from wild-type mice contained methylated oxyarsenicals and unknown arsenicals. Further analysis identified one unknown arsenical in urine of wild-type mice as dimethylmonothioarsinic acid. In addition, another unknown arsenical in urine of wild-type mice that occurred in the urine of about 20 % of arsenate-treated mice. The presence of low levels of methylated arsenicals in liver digests of As3mt knockout mice may reflect the activity of other methyltransferases or the absorption of methylated arsenicals formed by the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract. The lack of methylated thioarsenicals in urine of As3mt knockout mice suggests a close link between the processes that form methylated oxy- and thioarsenicals.