We captured Nelson's, Saltmarsh and Seaside Sparrows (Ammodramus nelsoni, A. caudacutus and A. maritimus) at three salt marsh sites near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina during five non-breeding seasons (September through April, 2006-2011). We analyzed breast feather samples from all of these seasons and blood and first primary feather (P1) samples from three seasons (2008-2011) for mercury (...

Although infectious disease outbreaks represent a serious threat for wildlife population viability, the environmental factors that underlie such are poorly investigated. The French Guiana breeding of Magnificent frigatebird Fregata magnificens is subjected to recurrent episodes chicks’ mortality likely caused by viral disease. We hypothesized high mercury (Hg) concentrations may be responsible ...

We have investigated exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) and mercury vapor (Hg0) in pregnant women and their newborns in Stockholm. The women were followed for 15 months post delivery. MeHg, inorganic Hg (I-Hg), and total Hg (T-Hg) in maternal and cord blood were determined by automated alkaline solubilization/reduction and cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry. T-Hg in urine was determined ...

BACKGROUND Some studies suggest that high levels of blood and hair mercury (Hg) increase the risk of atherothrombotic diseases, an effect that may be explained by oxidative damage to the vascular endothelium. OBJECTIVES We tested whether high Hg levels impair the vasodilating function of the vascular endothelium or increase blood pressure. METHODS We measured the association between high bl...

Autoregulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) was studied by the arteriovenous oxygen difference method in 13 patients with untreated or ineffectively treated severe hypertension, nine patients with effectively treated, formerly severe hypertension, and ten normotensive controls. Resting mean blood pressure in these three groups was 145 ± 17 (1 SD) mm Hg, 116 ± 18 mm Hg, and 98 ± 10 mm Hg, respec...

Autoregulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) was studied by the arteriovenous oxygen difference method in 13 patients with untreated or ineffectively treated severe hypertension, nine patients with effectively treated, formerly severe hypertension, and ten normotensive controls. Resting mean blood pressure in these three groups was 145 ± 17 (1 SD) mm Hg, 116 ± 18 mm Hg, and 98 ± 10 mm Hg, respec...

BACKGROUND Understanding mercury (Hg) distribution in blood and the importance of hair as an excretory pathway is critical for evaluating risk from long term dietary Hg exposure. The major objective of this study was to characterize changes in total Hg concentrations in specific blood compartments and hair over time due to long term piscivory. METHODS Eight sled dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) ...

In this prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point study, we aimed to establish whether strict blood pressure control ( 140 mm Hg) is superior to moderate blood pressure control ( 140 mm Hg to 150 mm Hg) in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension. We divided 3260 patients aged 70 to 84 years with isolated systolic hyper...

In this prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point study, we aimed to establish whether strict blood pressure control (<140 mm Hg) is superior to moderate blood pressure control (> or =140 mm Hg to <150 mm Hg) in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension. We divided 3260 patients aged 70 to 84 years with isolated systolic...