Accumulation of the Toxic Metal Mercury in Multiple Tissues of Marine-Associated Birds from South Florida.

One of the best studied global "hot spots" for ecological mercury (Hg) contamination is south Florida (USA), where elevated Hg concentrations in environmental media and regional wildlife were first described over thirty years ago. While Hg contamination has lessened in this region, it is still critical to monitor Hg uptake and potential risks in south Florida wildlife, especially in marine-associated birds, which are known to accumulate potentially toxic Hg levels. In this study, total Hg (THg) concentrations were measured in liver, kidney, muscle, and feathers of 101 individuals from seven species of south Florida birds: brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis, double-crested cormorant Phalacrocorax auratus, herring gull Larus argentatus, laughing gull Leucophaeus atricilla, northern gannet Morus bassanus, royal tern Thalasseus maximus, and osprey Pandion halietus.

Impact of a Structured Weight Management Program on Worker Productivity.

Objective: To determine the impact of an intensive behavioral weight management program on presenteeism and absenteeism in obese participants employed full-time.

Methods: Participants were recruited from the University of Michigan Weight Management program (WMP), a multidisciplinary lifestyle program targeting 15% body weight loss. Absenteeism and presenteeism were assessed using the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ) at baseline and 6 months.

Metabolic Parameters, Weight Loss, and Comorbidities 4 Years After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Background: Sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is now the predominant bariatric surgery performed, yet there is limited long-term data comparing important outcomes between LSG and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This study compares weight loss and impact on comorbidities of the two procedures.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated weight, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, cholesterol, and medication use for hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia at 1-4 years post-operatively in 380 patients who underwent RYGB and 334 patients who underwent LSG at the University of Michigan from January 2008 to November 2013.

Improvement in the Spatial Distribution of Pain, Somatic Symptoms, and Depression After a Weight Loss Intervention.

Unlabelled: Weight loss is known to improve pain localized to weight-bearing joints but it is not known how weight loss affects the spatial distribution of pain and associated somatic symptoms like fatigue. We sought to determine if weight loss using a low-calorie diet improves pain, affect, and somatic symptoms commonly associated with chronic pain conditions in an observational study. We also documented changes in inflammatory markers in serum before and after weight loss.

A multisite audit to assess how women with complex social factors access and engage with maternity services.

Objective: to audit women with socially complex lives' documented access to and engagement with antenatal care provided by three inner city, UK maternity services in relation to birth and neonatal outcomes, and referral processes.

Background: women living socially complex lives, including young mothers, recently arrived immigrants, non-English speaking, and those experiencing domestic violence, poor mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, and poverty experience high rates of morbidity, mortality and poor birth outcomes. This is associated with late access to and poor engagement with antenatal care.