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- Ecke, Frauke, et al.
(author)
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Sublethal Lead Exposure Alters Movement Behavior in Free-Ranging Golden Eagles
- 2017
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In: Environmental Science and Technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0013-936X .- 1520-5851. ; 51:10, s. 5729-5736
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lead poisoning of animals due to ingestion of fragments from lead-based ammunition in carcasses and offal of shot wildlife is acknowledged globally and raises great concerns about potential behavioral effects leading to increased mortality risks. Lead levels in blood were correlated with progress of the moose hunting season. Based on analyses of tracking data, we found that even sublethal lead concentrations in blood (25 ppb, wet weight), can likely negatively affect movement behavior (flight height and movement rate) of free ranging scavenging Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). Lead levels in liver of recovered post-mortem analyzed eagles suggested that sublethal exposure increases the risk of mortality in eagles. Such adverse effects on animals are probably common worldwide and across species, where game hunting with lead-based ammunition is widespread. Our study highlights lead exposure as a considerably more serious threat to wildlife conservation than previously realized and suggests implementation of bans of lead ammunition for hunting.
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- Gustavsson, Johanna, 1956-, et al.
(author)
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Localization of the insulin receptor in caveolae of adipocyte plasma membrane
- 1999
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In: The FASEB Journal. - 0892-6638 .- 1530-6860. ; 13:14, s. 1961-1971
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The insulin receptor is a transmembrane protein of the plasma membrane, where it recognizes extracellular insulin and transmits signals into the cellular signaling network. We report that insulin receptors are localized and signal in caveolae microdomains of adipocyte plasma membrane. Immunogold electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy show that insulin receptors are restricted to caveolae and are colocalized with caveolin over the plasma membrane. Insulin receptor was enriched in a caveolae-enriched fraction of plasma membrane. By extraction with β-cyclodextrin or destruction with cholesterol oxidase, cholesterol reduction attenuated insulin receptor signaling to protein phosphorylation or glucose transport. Insulin signaling was regained by spontaneous recovery or by exogenous replenishment of cholesterol. β-Cyclodextrin treatment caused a nearly complete annihilation of caveolae invaginations as examined by electron microscopy. This suggests that the receptor is dependent on the caveolae environment for signaling. Insulin stimulation of cells prior to isolation of caveolae or insulin stimulation of the isolated caveolae fraction increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor in caveolae, demonstrating that insulin receptors in caveolae are functional. Our results indicate that insulin receptors are localized to caveolae in the plasma membrane of adipocytes, are signaling in caveolae, and are dependent on caveolae for signaling.
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3. |
- Göthberg, Agneta, 1946-
(author)
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Metal fate and sensitivity in the aquatic tropical vegetable Ipomoea aquatica
- 2008
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The aquatic plant Ipomoea aquatica is a popular vegetable in Southeast Asia, often cultivated in nutrient rich and polluted waters. The overall aim of this thesis was to estimate potential risks for human health and reduced plant growth due to accumulation and toxicity of total-Hg, methyl-Hg, Cd and Pb.In plants from cultivations in Thailand, the concentrations of Cd and Pb in the shoots were well beneath recommended maximum values for human consumption, but at some sites the Hg concentrations were high. It was demonstrated that I. aquatica has the capacity to accumulate much higher Cd and Pb concentrations in the shoots than found in field-cultivations, before exhibiting toxic symptoms. The Hg concentrations, however, occasionally reached levels that are toxic for the plant. Up to11% of total-Hg was methyl-Hg, the most toxic Hg species, though at one site it was 50-100%. To study if methyl-Hg is formed in I. aquatica, plants were exposed to inorganic Hg through the roots. Of the Hg that reached the young, metabolically active parts of the shoots, a part was transformed to methyl-Hg. A major proportion of absorbed metals was retained in the roots, which had a high tolerance for high internal metal concentrations. The nutrient level did influence accumulation and effects of Hg, Cd and Pb in I. aquatica. Low external nutrient levels resulted in increased metal accumulation in the shoots and in metal-induced toxic effects in the plant at low external metal levels. A generous supply of sulphur or nitrogen induced formation of thiol-rich peptides in I. aquatica, compounds that have a metal detoxifying effect in plants. To conclude, the levels of Cd and Pb in field cultivated I. aquatica do not pose any apparent threat to human health or risk for reduced plant growth. The levels of Hg however, were high at some sites and could be a health threat, for children and foetuses in particular, and especially considering the presence of methyl-Hg. The use of fertilizers is favourable as it reduces the risk for increased metal concentrations in I. aquatica and for reduced crop yields.
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5. |
- Sjöstedt, Carin, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Lead and Copper Speciation in Swedish Lakes and Rivers : Iron and Organic Matter as Potential Particulate/Colloidal Carriers
- 2011
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In: 11th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace elements.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is important to monitor the speciation of the potentially toxic metals lead and copper in surface waters. The speciation can be influenced by factors such as adsorption to iron (hydr)oxides and complexation to organic matter. The aim of this study is to explore the speciation of lead and copper in soft-water lakes and rivers in boreal forests, and investigate what kind of potential factors govern the speciation. Methods included 0.45 µm in-line pre-filtration, 1 kDa tangential flow ultrafiltration and geochemical modelling using the Visual MINTEQ program in two boreal lakes, compared with measured and modelled values of 0.45 syringe pre-filtered metals concentrations performed in Swedish lakes and rivers in a larger dataset. Preliminary results indicate that particulate iron can adsorb Pb. On the contrary, Cu in particulate form did not usually appear together with iron particles. Instead, copper was present more in the smaller size fractions and was possibly associated with organic matter.
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