Search

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal with no clear biological benefit that is toxic to wildlife and humans. Although Pb has been banned from several consumer products, it is not regulated in ammunition for big‐game hunting (e.g., cervids) in New York, USA. Wildlife species that scavenge remains of game harvested with Pb ammunition can be exposed to bullet fragments through ingestion and potentially develop toxicosis. To make evidence‐based decisions for reducing risk from bullet‐derived Pb, we first empirically identified avian and mammalian scavengers of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) remains in New York through an online survey during July‐August 2023, where community members submitted images of scavengers from game cameras. We conducted species vulnerability and utility assessments using published evidence and pre‐existing frameworks. Despite inherent limitations, we documented an extensive array of avian (n = 17) and mammalian (n = 14) scavengers. We estimated bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) as most vulnerable to Pb toxicosis, followed collectively by American goshawks (Accipiter atricapillus), American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos), and common ravens (C. corax). We also determined bald eagles to be best‐suited as bioindicators of bullet‐derived Pb, followed by American goshawks. Red‐tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) equally ranked third. Integrating vulnerability and utility assessments point to bald eagles as the most vulnerable scavengers to Pb toxicosis and best‐suited bioindicators of bullet‐derived Pb. Because regulation of Pb ammunition for big‐game hunting is an ongoing socio‐political issue, wildlife managers and conservationists can address health risks through monitoring species vulnerable to toxicosis and instituting surveillance programs using the most effective bioindicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographically expanding and invading ticks are a global concern. The Asian longhorned tick (ALT, Haemaphysalis longicornis) was introduced to the mid‐Atlantic US between 2010 and 2017 and recently invaded Ohio, an inland state. To date, ALTs in the US have been associated with livestock exsanguination and transmission of the agent of bovine theileriosis. To inform management, studies describing tick ecology and epidemiology of associated disease agents are critical. In this study, we described phenology, habitat and host associations, and tested for agents of medical and veterinary concern at the site of the first known established ALT population in Ohio, where pesticide treatment was applied in early fall 2021. In spring–fall 2022, we sampled wildlife (small mammals) and collected ticks from forest, edge, and grassland habitats. We also opportunistically sampled harvested white‐tailed deer at nearby processing stations and fresh wildlife carcasses found near roads. Field‐collected ALTs were tested for five agents using real‐time PCR. We found that ALT nymphs emerged in June, followed by adults, and concluded with larvae in the fall. ALTs were detected in all habitats but not in wildlife. We also found a 4.88% (2/41) prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum across ALT adults and nymphs. Host and habitat associations were similar to other studies in the eastern United States, but two potential differences in phenology were identified. Whether ALTs will acquire more endemic disease agents requires further investigations. Our findings provide the first evidence regarding ALT life history from the Midwest region of the United States and can inform exposure risk and guide integrated management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As evidence regarding the toxicity of lead (Pb) amassed, the heavy metal became banned from several products, such as automotive gasoline and paint. However, Pb bullets are still used for hunting big game animals in most of the world. Although regulatory bans of Pb bullets may appear optimal solutions, stakeholders have reasons to oppose them, favor them, or lie somewhere in between. As the problem has transformed from biophysical to socioecological, we employed a wicked problem lens to dissect the discourse and help inspire targeted solutions. Herein, we identified and critically analyzed 4 relevant traits of a wicked problem: multiple stakeholders are involved, disagreement on a definition, unique nature, and being a symptom of a larger problem. To minimize the impact of these traits, our analysis suggests that voluntary Pb free ammunition programs are more likely to soothe conflict among stakeholders, enable collaborative action upon agreeing on common values, and promote programs tailored to the local landscape of sociopolitical power and values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexor tendon lacerations are primarily treated by surgical repair. Limited intrinsic healing ability means the repair site can remain weak. Furthermore, adhesion formation may reduce range of motion post-operatively. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been trialled for repair and regeneration of multiple musculoskeletal structures. Our goal was to determine the efficacy of MSCs in enhancing the biomechanical properties of surgically repaired flexor tendons. A PRISMA systematic review was conducted using four databases (PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, and CINAHL) to identify studies using MSCs to augment surgical repair of flexor tendon injuries in animals compared to surgical repair alone. Nine studies were included, which investigated either bone marrow- or adipose-derived MSCs. Results of biomechanical testing were extracted and meta-analyses were performed regarding the maximum load, friction and properties relating to viscoelastic behaviour. There was no significant difference in maximum load at final follow-up. However, friction, a surrogate measure of adhesions, was significantly reduced following the application of MSCs (p = 0.04). Other properties showed variable results and dissipation of the therapeutic benefits of MSCs over time. In conclusion, MSCs reduce adhesion formation following tendon injury. This may result from their immunomodulatory function, dampening the inflammatory response. However, this may come at the cost of favourable healing which will restore the tendon's viscoelastic properties. The short duration of some improvements may reflect MSCs' limited survival or poor retention. Further investigation is needed to clarify the effect of MSC therapy and optimise its duration of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Transorbital sonography (TOS) provides a noninvasive tool to detect intracranial pressure by assessing optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and optic disc elevation (ODE). The utility of TOS in the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) has been increasingly recognized. Methods: A single‐center case‐control study sought to compare TOS‐acquired ONSD and ODE among IIH‐cases versus patients with other neurological diseases (controls). Furthermore, a systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted to present pooled mean differences and diagnostic measures of ONSD and ODE between IIH‐cases and controls. Results: In the single‐center study, consisting of 31 IIH‐cases and 34 sex‐ and age‐matched controls, ONSD values were higher among IIH‐cases than controls (p<.001), while ODE was more prevalent in cases (65% vs. 15%; p<.001). The receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC)‐curve analysis revealed that the optimal cutoff value of ONSD for predicting IIH was 5.15 mm, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.914 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.861‐0.967) and sensitivity and specificity values of 85% and 90%, respectively. In a meta‐analysis of 14 included studies with 415 IIH‐cases, ONSD and ODE values were higher in IIH‐cases than controls (mean difference in ONSD 1.20 mm; 95% CI: 0.96‐1.44 mm and in ODE 0.3 mm; 95% CI: 0.33‐0.67 mm). With regard to ONSD, pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio were calculated at 85.5% (95% CI: 77.9‐90.8%), 90.7% (95% CI: 84.6‐94.5%), and 57.394 (95% CI: 24.597‐133.924), respectively. The AUC in summary ROC‐curve analysis was 0.878 (95% CI: 0.858‐0.899) with an optimal cutoff point of 5.0 mm. Conclusions: TOS has a high diagnostic utility for the noninvasive diagnosis of IIH and may deserve wider implementation in everyday clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Contradictory reports have been published regarding the association of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and the use of computer keyboard. Previous studies did not take into account the cumulative exposure to keyboard strokes among computer workers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between cumulative keyboard use (keyboard strokes) and CTS. Methods Employees (461) from a Governmental data entry & processing unit agreed to participate (response rate: 84.1 %) in a cross-sectional study. Α questionnaire was distributed to the participants to obtain information on socio-demographics and risk factors for CTS. The participants were examined for signs and symptoms related to CTS and were asked if they had previous history or surgery for CTS. The cumulative amount of the keyboard strokes per worker per year was calculated by the use of payroll’s registry. Two case definitions for CTS were used. The first included subjects with personal history/surgery for CTS while the second included subjects that belonged to the first case definition plus those participants were identified through clinical examination. Results Multivariate analysis used for both case definitions, indicated that those employees with high cumulative exposure to keyboard strokes were at increased risk of CTS (case definition A: OR = 2.23;95 % CI = 1.09-4.52 and case definition B: OR = 2.41; 95%CI = 1.36-4.25). A dose response pattern between cumulative exposure to keyboard strokes and CTS has been revealed (p Conclusions The present study indicated a possible association between cumulative exposure to keyboard strokes and development of CTS. Cumulative exposure to key-board strokes would be taken into account as an exposure indicator regarding exposure assessment of computer workers. Further research is needed in order to test the results of the current study and assess causality between cumulative keyboard strokes and development of CT.