Skeletal pathology and bone mineral density changes in wild muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) inhabiting arsenic polluted areas of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (Canada): A radiographic densitometry study

Arsenic and metabolic diseases: New insights from mesenchymal stem cells

Arsenic is a common toxic metal contaminant in the environment. Humans are exposed to arsenic through drinking water, air, food, and medical treatment. Chronic exposure to arsenic is a well-documented risk factor of type 2 diabetes and a potential risk factor of osteoporosis and obesity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells with multiple differentiation potential and immunomodulatory capacity. These cells have shown therapeutic potential in experimental studies of metabolic diseases by differentiating into parenchymal cells of damaged tissues, such as islet-like cells and osteoblasts, and resisting chronic inflammation. Meanwhile, when key functional genes were suppressed in MSCs, experimental animals showed metabolic disease-related changes, such as insulin resistance and obesity. Arsenic exposure inhibits the differentiation capacity of MSCs, leads to changes in the synthesis and secretion of immunomodulatory factors, and induces cellular senescence and apoptosis. Therefore, dysfunction and death of MSCs may be important pathogenesis of arsenic-related metabolic diseases. Future studies on the functional changes of MSCs in arsenic-related metabolic diseases and the role of MSCs in arsenic pathogenesis are worthwhile. In addition, the mechanism of arsenic-induced dysfunction in MSCs needs to be explored in depth.

Review: Abandoned mines as a resource or liability for wildlife

Abandoned Mine Lands (AMLs) are areas where previous mineral extraction or processing has occurred. Hundreds of thousands of AMLs exist within the United States. Contaminated runoff from AMLs can negatively affect the physiology and ecology of surrounding terrestrial and aquatic habitats and species and can be detrimental to human health. As a response, several U.S. federal and state agencies have launched programs to assess health risks associated with AMLs. In some cases, however, AMLs may be beneficial to specific wildlife taxa. There is a relative paucity of studies investigating the physiological and ecological impacts of AMLs on wildlife. We conducted a systematic review examining published scientific articles that assessed the negative and positive impacts of AMLs across invertebrate and vertebrate taxa. We also offer suggestions on evaluating AMLs to develop effective mitigation strategies that reduce their negative tole on human and wildlife communities. Peer-reviewed publications were screened across WebofScience, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Abandoned mine lands were generally detrimental to wildlife, with adverse effects ranging from bioaccumulation of heavy metals to decreased ecological fitness. Conversely, AMLs were an overall benefit to imperiled bat populations and could serve as tools for conservation. Studies were unevenly distributed across different wildlife taxa groups, echoing the necessity for additional taxonomically diverse research. We suggest that standardized wildlife survey methods be used to assess how different species utilize AMLs. Federal and state agencies can use these surveys to establish effective remediation plans for individual AML sites and minimize the risks to both wildlife and humans.