Sea duck populations are declining in Alaska. The reasons for the decline are not known; environmental lead exposure is one suspected cause. Thirty wild Steller's eider ducks (Polysticta stelleri) and 40 wild black scoter ducks (Melanitta nigra) were tested for blood lead levels using a portable blood lead analyzer (LeadCare; ESA, Inc., Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824, USA). Sixty-seven and one-tenth percent of the sea ducks had undetectable blood lead levels, 30.0% had values indicating normal or background lead exposure, and 2.9% had values indicating lead exposure. None of the birds had values indicating lead toxicity, and no birds demonstrated clinical signs of toxicity. Birds in areas with higher human population density had higher blood lead levels than those in less densely populated areas. This is the first time a portable blood lead analyzer has been utilized with sea ducks in a field setting. Because it provides immediate results, it is valuable as a screening tool for investigators carrying out surgical procedures on birds in the field as well as establishing baseline blood lead data on sea ducks. Lead exposure does occur in wild sea ducks, and the study indicates that additional research is needed in order to determine the role environmental lead plays in declining sea duck populations.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1638/05-092.1 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Dual neutralization of TGF-β and IL-21 regulates Th17/Treg balance by suppressing inflammatory signalling in the splenic lymphocytes of Staphylococcus aureus infection-induced septic arthritic mice.
Immunol Res
January 2025
Immunology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University Colleges of Science and Technology, University of Calcutta, 92 APC Road, Calcutta, 700009, West Bengal, India.
Septic arthritis (SA) caused by Staphylococcus aureus is a severe inflammatory joint disease, characterized by synovitis accompanied with cartilage destruction and bone erosion. The available antibiotic treatment alone is insufficient to resolve the inflammation that leads to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Among the CD4 T helper lymphocytes, the Th17 and Tregs are key regulators of immune homeostasis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis of Ménétrier's disease: unique contribution.
Rev Esp Enferm Dig
January 2025
Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital. Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China.
Ménétrier's disease is a rare gastritis. Although there were some pathological features under gastroscopy, the depth of mucosal infiltration observed was not enough, and it was difficult to distinguish from other gastric mucosal lesions. A biopsy guided by gastroscopy is not deep enough and may lead to misdiagnosis due to incomplete sampling of the entire gastric mucosa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIschemic cholangiopathy after cholecystectomy in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, a complex differential diagnosis.
Rev Esp Enferm Dig
January 2025
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, España.
Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare genetic disease characterised by mucocutaneous telangiectasias and arteriovenous malformations that can affect multiple organs. Although rare, ischaemic cholangiopathy can occur, a serious complication that can even lead to death. We present the case of a patient with HHT disease with previous mucocutaneous and gastrointestinal manifestations in whom 8 weeks after cholecystectomy a saccular dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct was observed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA systematic review and meta-analysis of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during minimally invasive esophagectomy.
J Thorac Dis
December 2024
Department of Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Background: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) can lead to a severe complication known as recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP). Existing literature supports that recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is the principal etiology of RLNP, a complication potentially mitigated through intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). In this study, we examined the comprehensive effectiveness of IONM during esophageal resection by performing a meta-analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrognostic analysis of acute type A aortic dissection after different surgical interventions: a cohort study.
J Thorac Dis
December 2024
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, and Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing, China.
Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) requires emergency surgery, but the choice of primary surgery remains controversial. It is believed that simple ascending aorta replacement may lead to higher postoperative survival rate, while the Sun procedure [frozen elephant trunk (FET) + total arch replacement (TAR)] performed in the first stage may obtain better long-term results. The study aimed to compare the outcome of ATAAD patients who underwent the Sun procedure with those without TAR + FET.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!