The increased prevalence of high-voltage vaping options, where e-liquids are aerosolized at higher battery voltages, has raised concerns regarding the potential health consequences of e-cigarette usage. In this study, rat alveolar type II cells were exposed to vapor generated from unflavored propylene glycol (with and without 24 mg/mL nicotine) and vegetable glycerin e-liquids. Over 30 minutes, L2 cells were exposed to 1800 mL vapor generated at 4.7 V. Cytotoxicity was determined through changes in endocytosis (NRU) and metabolic activity (MTT assay). Level of inflammatory response was determined by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secreted into the basolateral cell media post exposure. All values were normalized against control replicates mock-exposed and processed in parallel with experimental replicates. Only cells exposed to propylene glycol without nicotine exhibited significant decreases in cell viability, as measured by NRU.

Tadpoles have many predators in the wild and are able to escape from them because the structure of their tail allows it to tear off if attacked. We examined the effects of tail damage in the early tadpole stages on the leaping and swimming abilities of Cuban tree frogs after metamorphosis. We obtained 120 Cuban tree frogs, and to simulate predation, we initially removed a piece of the top of the tadpole tails in one experimental group, cut off a piece of the bottom of the tadpole tails in the second experimental group, and did not make any cuts to tails of the control group. Following tail regeneration by all tadpoles in both experimental groups, we treated all experimental tadpoles as one group, and simulated a second predation event by removing 10% of the distal tip of the tail. After tadpoles completed metamorphosis, they were subjected to a swimming endurance test and subsequent measurement of their leaping abilities. We found no significant effect of tail damage on the leaping abilities of frogs after metamorphosis, and no significant difference in body size at metamorphosis among the groups. The experiment was then replicated and tested tadpole corticosterone (CORT) levels to determine if tadpoles exhibited stress from the tail damage. We found significantly elevated CORT levels in tadpoles with tail damage compared to the tadpoles without tail damage. We conclude that the regeneration abilities of the Cuban tree frog tadpoles afford them the opportunity to survive minor predation events and recover with no apparent long-lasting ill effects even though they were physiologically stressed from the damage. These abilities likely contribute to the Cuban tree frogs' success as an invasive species throughout the Florida peninsula.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are transmembrane water channels that facilitate osmotically-driven water flux. AQP1, expressed in vascular endothelium, functions in cell migration, wound healing, and cell volume regulation in response to mechanical stimuli. AQP1 protein abundance is enhanced in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in response to fluid shear stress. Statin drugs suppress the development of vein intimal hyperplasia by affecting endothelial response to shear stress. Statins may also regulate the expression of specific AQPs. Therefore, it is hypothesized that AQP1 may function within the mechanosensory complex in endothelial cells and is subject to shear stress-induced modulation of expression by statins. HUVECs were cultured in microfluidic chambers under static (0 dynes/cm²) and venous fluid shear stress (6 dynes/cm²) in the presence or absence of 5 µM Pravastatin™. Fluorescent immunocytochemistry was used to detect AQP1 protein expression. AQP1 expression increased 1.4-fold (p < 0.05) after 24 hours, and 1.5-fold (p < 0.05) after 48 hours, under venous fluid shear stress as compared to the control. This shear stress-induced expression was blocked by incubation with Pravastatin and reduced by 27% (p < 0.05; control vs. venous shear stress with Pravastatin). Pravastatin had no effect on AQP1 expression in static cultures (p > 0.05 vs. control). Shear stress-dependent induction of AQP1 protein expression is suppressed by Pravastatin. Statin drugs might have a potential function in regulating the expression of AQPs that is independent of their cholesterol-lowering function and related to the regulation of AQP1 in vascular endothelial cells.

Thermal tolerance plays a role in the geographic range over which different species can survive, and temperature fluctuations can affect amphibian physiology. We studied physiological costs associated with low temperatures in green treefrogs (Hyla cinerea), which are native to the United States, and tropical, non-native Cuban treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) that have invaded Florida. Specifically, we examined variation in innate immunity and skin antioxidant capacity. To complete the study, 107 treefrog tadpoles were raised through metamorphosis and, as young frogs, divided into a control group maintained at room temperature of approximately 24°C and an experimental group at approximately 8°C. Individuals in the low temperature group were placed in the cold temperatures for 6-8 hours per day for 14 days to simulate early fall nocturnal ambient temperatures in northern regions of states along the Gulf of Mexico in the United States. Cuban treefrogs had a significantly greater survival rate than green treefrogs in the control group, but there was no significant difference in survival between experimental groups. We also found that each species was negatively affected by low temperatures, with a decrease in bacterial killing ability and antioxidants on their skin, but the Cuban treefrogs were affected to a much greater extent. These findings suggest that the spread of Cuban treefrogs into areas north of their current invasive range may be slowed by physiological costs of low temperatures, but we do not expect significantly greater mortality rates associated with cold alone than treefrogs already occupying such a range.

The term endophyte is a general term used to describe nonpathogenic microorganisms that reside within plants. These microorganisms are diverse, encompassing many orders of both fungi and bacteria, and can either be commensalistic or mutualistic symbionts with their host organisms. Some endophytes can actively fortify their host plant against pathogens by either secreting chemicals that kill or inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, or by stimulating plant immune response via activation of the host plants endogenous signaling pathways. Based on their role in normal plant health, endophytes have a potential application in biocontrol of agriculture pathogens.