Forever chemicals don't make hero mutant ninja turtles: Elevated PFAS levels linked to unusual scute development in newly emerged freshwater turtle hatchlings (Emydura macquarii macquarii) and a reduction in turtle populations.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants known to pose significant risks to human and wildlife health. Freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii), as long-lived species inhabiting aquatic ecosystems, are particularly vulnerable to PFAS bioaccumulation. This study investigated the multifaceted impact of PFAS contamination on these turtles, focusing on metabolic disruptions, reproductive success, hatchling health, and population impacts.

Making good decisions in early drug discovery.

The earliest phases of drug discovery require diverse scientific disciplines to work hand in hand to address many unknowns. Good decision making is crucial for success in this context and, yet, the topic of sound planning has rarely been addressed for the earliest stages of drug discovery. We propose a tailored, qualitative 'decision quality' process that can serve as a guide toward generating project plans optimized to address a given project situation.

Metabolic disruptions and impaired reproductive fitness in wild-caught freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) exposed to elevated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose a threat to organisms and ecosystems due to their persistent nature. Ecotoxicology endpoints used in regulatory guidelines may not reflect multiple, low-level but persistent stressors. This study examines the biological effects of PFAS on Eastern short-necked turtles in Queensland, Australia.

Partitioning of PFAS to serum, tissues, eggs, and hatchlings of an Australian freshwater turtle.

Turtles are a potential sentinel species of aquatic ecosystem health as they inhabit aquatic ecosystems, are long lived, and potentially have high exposure to anthropogenic chemicals via food and water. This study investigated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) tissue partitioning in female Emydura macquarii macquarii turtle, and the maternal offloading of (PFAS) into eggs and then hatchlings as well as the accumulation of PFAS in male and female Emydura macquarii macquarii serum. Significantly higher levels of perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) and perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) were measured in the male serum compared to the female turtle serum, whereas perfluoroalkane sulfonamides (FASAs) were significantly higher in the female turtle serum.

Tyre additive chemicals, tyre road wear particles and high production polymers in surface water at 5 urban centres in Queensland, Australia.

Plastics pollution is a global issue impacting every part of our environment. Tyre road wear particle (TRWP) plastics pollution is thought to be one of the largest pollution sources in urban environments. These plastics are also of concern due to the presence of additive chemicals, incorporated during manufacture, that can be released into the surrounding environment.

Host-Gut Microbiome Metabolic Interactions in PFAS-Impacted Freshwater Turtles ().

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a growing concern for humans, wildlife, and more broadly, ecosystem health. Previously, we characterised the microbial and biochemical impact of elevated PFAS on the gut microbiome of freshwater turtles () within a contaminated catchment in Queensland, Australia. However, the understanding of PFAS impacts on this species and other aquatic organisms is still very limited, especially at the host-gut microbiome molecular interaction level.

Perturbation of the gut microbiome in wild-caught freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) exposed to elevated PFAS levels.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent and pervasive. Understanding the toxicity of PFAS to wildlife is difficult, both due to the complexity of biotic and abiotic perturbations in the taxa under study and the practical and ethical problems associated with studying the impacts of environmental pollutants on free living wildlife. One avenue of inquiry into the effects of environmental pollutants, such as PFAS, is assessing the impact on the host gut microbiome.

Bioaccumulation and impact of maternal PFAS offloading on egg biochemistry from wild-caught freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii).

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic contaminants that are pervasive in the environment. Toxicity resulting from elevated PFAS concentrations in wildlife has been studied, yet evidence of their accumulation, developmental toxicity and maternal offloading in egg-laying species is limited. Here we show the maternal offloading of PFAS in freshwater short-necked turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) exposed to elevated PFAS and the resulting biological impact on oviducal eggs.

Bioaccumulation and metabolic response of PFAS mixtures in wild-caught freshwater turtles (Emydura macquariimacquarii) using omics-based ecosurveillance techniques.

PFAS mixtures in the environment are common and identifying PFAS constituents, bioaccumulation, and biological impacts of mixtures remains a challenge. Here, an omics-based ecosurveillance approach was taken to investigate the impacts of PFAS pollution in freshwater turtles (Emydura macquariimacquarii). Four turtles were collected from an impacted waterway downstream from an industrial source of PFAS contamination in Queensland, Australia and analysed for 49 different PFAS.

Irrigated greywater in an urban sub-division as a potential source of metals to soil, groundwater and surface water.

Increased water demands in dry countries such as Australia, have led to increased adoption of various water reuse practices. Irrigation of greywater (all water discharged from the bathrooms, laundry and kitchen apart from toilet waste) is seen as a potential means of easing water demands; however, there is limited knowledge of how greywater irrigation impacts terrestrial and aquatic environments. This study compared four greywater irrigated residential lots to adjacent non-irrigated lots that acted as controls.

The influence of a season of extreme wet weather events on exposure of the World Heritage Area Great Barrier Reef to pesticides.

The 2010-2011 wet season was one of extreme weather for the State of Queensland, Australia. Major rivers adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) were discharging at rates 1.5 to >3 times higher than their long term median.

A Paddock to reef monitoring and modelling framework for the Great Barrier Reef: Paddock and catchment component.

Targets for improvements in water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) have been set through the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan (Reef Plan). To measure and report on progress towards the targets set a program has been established that combines monitoring and modelling at paddock through to catchment and reef scales; the Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program (Paddock to Reef Program). This program aims to provide evidence of links between land management activities, water quality and reef health.

Large-scale pesticide monitoring across Great Barrier Reef catchments--Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program.

The transport and potential toxicity of pesticides in Queensland (QLD) catchments from agricultural areas is a key concern for the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). In 2009, a pesticide monitoring program was established as part of the Australian and QLD Governments' Reef Plan (2009). Samples were collected at eight End of System sites (above the tidal zone) and three sub-catchment sites.

The Peterborough scheme for community specialist optometrists in glaucoma: a feasibility study.

Purpose: This study assessed the role of specialist optometrists who were working in the community and sharing the care for glaucoma patients with, and under close supervision of, a consultant ophthalmologist working in the Hospital Eye Services (HES) to ensure high-quality standards, safety, and care.

Methods: From February 2005 onwards, the majority of all new glaucoma referrals to our eye department were diverted to our specialist optometrists in glaucoma (SOGs) in their own community practices. Selected patients in the HES setting who were already diagnosed with stable glaucoma were also transferred to the SOGs.

Neuropsychological features in primary hyperparathyroidism: a prospective study.

Context: Data regarding the presence, extent, and reversibility of psychological and cognitive features of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) are conflicting.

Objective: This study evaluated psychological symptoms and cognitive function in PHPT.

Design: This is a case-control study in which symptoms and their improvement 6 months after surgical cure of PHPT were assessed.

Implicit and explicit memory for affective passages in temporal lobectomy patients.

Eighteen temporal lobectomy patients (9 left, LTL; 9 right, RTL) were administered four verbal tasks, an Affective Implicit Task, a Neutral Implicit Task, an Affective Explicit Task, and a Neutral Explicit Task. For the Affective and Neutral Implicit Tasks, participants were timed while reading aloud passages with affective or neutral content, respectively, as quickly as possible, but not so quickly that they did not understand. A target verbal passage was repeated three times; this target passage was alternated with other previously unread passages, and all passages had the same number of words.

Affective tasks elicit material-specific memory effects in temporal lobectomy patients.

Eighteen patients who had undergone a right (9) or left (9) temporal lobectomy (RTL, LTL) including removal of the amygdala and hippocampus were evaluated. Sixteen male and sixteen female undergraduate subjects were evaluated for normative comparison. All subjects were administered Verbal (words) and Visual (faces) paired associates tasks.

Gender differences in implicit and explicit memory for affective passages.

Thirty-two participants were administered 4 verbal tasks, an Implicit Affective Task, an Implicit Neutral Task, an Explicit Affective Task, and an Explicit Neutral Task. For the Implicit Tasks, participants were timed while reading passages aloud as quickly as possible, but not so quickly that they did not understand. A target verbal passage was repeated three times, and alternated with other previously unread passages.

Perception and priming of affective faces in temporal lobectomy patients.

Eighteen patients who had undergone standard anterior temporal lobectomy including removal of the amygdala and hippocampus (9 left, LTL; 9 right, RTL) were administered an Affective Task composed of faces depicting negative emotions, and a Neutral Task consisting of faces with different lighting and orientation conditions. Both tasks required judgment of poser identity and indication of decision by pressing a reaction time button. Subjects were shown a set of photos in an Exposure Phase, followed by a Test Phase in which the photos previously seen (primed) were mixed with new photos (unprimed).

Posterior scleritis--an unusual presentation of facial pain.

Defining the aetiology of facial pain can be difficult. While acknowledging the principle of 'common things are common', it is prudent to consider all possible causes. We describe a patient with posterior scleritis that presented as facial pain and was cured by oral prednisolone.

Prevalence of primary open angle glaucoma in general ophthalmic practice in the United Kingdom.

Aim: To estimate the predicted prevalence of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) from the activity of a local ophthalmology department.

Method: Using clinic audit data, the local incidence and prevalence of POAG in the registered population of two primary care trusts were calculated.

Results: The local derived prevalence estimate for POAG was 978 per 100 000 people aged 40-89 years (95% CI 753 to 1272) compared with the expected prevalence from a published model of 1230 people per 100 000 people aged 40-89 years.