New Methods for the Quantification of Ingested Nano- and Ultrafine Plastics in Seabirds.

Plastic ingestion has been documented in a plethora of taxa. However, there is a significant gap in the detection of nano- and ultrafine particles due to size limitations of commonly used techniques. Using two Australian seabird species as case studies, the flesh-footed shearwater (FFSH) Ardenna carneipes and short-tailed shearwater (STSH) A. tenuirostris, we tested a novel approach of flow cytometry to quantify ingested particles <70 µm in the fecal precursor (guano; colon and cloacal contents) of both species. This method provided the first baseline data set for these species for plastics in the 200 nm-70 µm particle size ranges and detected a mean of 553.50 ± 91.21 and 350.70 ± 52.08 plastics (count/mg fecal precursor, wet mass) in STSH and FFSH, respectively, whereas Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) provided accurate measurements of polymer compositions and quantities in the size range above 5.5 × 5.5 µm2. The abundance of nano- and ultrafine particles in the guano (count/mg) was not significantly different between species (p-value = 0.051), suggesting that foraging distribution or prey items, but not species, may contribute to the consumption of small plastics. In addition, there was no correlation between macroplastics in the stomach compared to the fecal precursor, indicating that small particles are likely bioaccumulating (e.g., through shedding and digestive fragmentation) and/or being directly ingested. Combining flow cytometry with FT-IR provides a powerful quantitative and qualitative analysis tool for detecting particles orders of magnitude smaller than that are currently explored with wider applications across taxa and marine environments.

The prevalence of vegetarians, vegans and other dietary patterns that exclude some animal-source foods in a representative sample of New Zealand adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of vegetarians, vegans and other dietary patterns that exclude some animal-source foods in New Zealand adults. We also examined socio-demographic and lifestyle correlates of these dietary patterns. DESIGN: The New Zealand Health Survey is a representative rolling cross-sectional survey of New Zealanders; data from the 2018/19 and 2019/20 waves were used for this analysis. Participants were asked if they completely excluded red meat, poultry, fish/shellfish, eggs or dairy products from their diet. SETTING: New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: Adults, aged ≥ 15 years (n 23 292). RESULTS: The prevalence of red-meat excluders (2·89 %), pescatarians (1·40 %), vegetarians (2·04 %) and vegans (0·74 %) was low. After adjustment for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, women (OR = 1·54, 95 % CI: 1·22, 1·95), Asian people (OR = 2·56, 95 % CI: 1·96, 4·45), people with tertiary education (OR = 1·71, 95 % CI: 1·18, 2·48) and physically active people (OR = 1·36, 95 % CI: 1·04, 1·76) were more likely to be vegetarian/vegan. Those aged ≥ 75 years (OR = 0·28, 95 % CI: 0·14, 0·53) and current smokers (OR = 0·42, 95 % CI: 0·23, 0·76) were less likely to be vegetarian/vegan. Similar associations were seen between socio-demographic and lifestyle factors and the odds of being a red-meat excluder/pescatarian. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 93 % of New Zealand adults eat red meat and a very small number exclude all animal products from their diets. The Eating and Activity Guidelines for New Zealand adults recommend a plant-based diet with moderate amounts of animal-source foods. A comprehensive national nutrition survey would provide detailed information on the amount of red meat and other animal-source foods that the New Zealand population currently consumes.

Hypothesised cutaneous sites of origin of stage III melanomas with unknown primary: A multicentre study.

Based on molecular evidence that melanomas with unknown primary (MUPs) arise from the skin, we hypothesised that sites of MUPs are disproportionately on trunk and lower limbs, sites that are not readily visible to patients and clinicians. We tested this hypothesis by inferring the anatomic site of origin of MUPs from the corresponding known cutaneous sites of melanoma patients with known primary tumours (MKPs). We analysed data from three separate cohorts of patients from Brisbane, Australia (n = 236); Manchester, UK (n = 51) and Padova, Italy (n = 33), respectively, who first presented with stage III melanoma with lymph node metastases. We matched two MKP patients to each MUP patient based on lymph node dissection (LND) site, age and sex, and imputed cutaneous sites of origin of MUPs from their two matched MKPs for study countries, giving two possible sites for each MUP per centre. Overall, results showed that MUP patients were predominantly male, and trunk was the most likely origin, comprising around a third to a half of MUPs across the three cohorts. The remaining MUP inferred sites varied by country. In the Australian cohort, the legs accounted for a third of imputed sites of MUPs, while in the UK and Italian cohorts, the most frequent site was the arms followed by the legs. Our findings suggest the need for regular and thorough skin examination on trunk and limbs, especially in males, to improve early detection of cutaneous melanoma and reduce the risk of metastatic disease at the time of presentation.

The influence of seabirds on their breeding, roosting and nesting grounds: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Seabird species world-wide are integral to both marine and terrestrial environments, connecting the two systems by transporting vast quantities of marine-derived nutrients and pollutants to terrestrial breeding, roosting and nesting grounds via the deposition of guano and other allochthonous inputs (e.g. eggs, feathers). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis and provide insight into what types of nutrients and pollutants seabirds are transporting, the influence these subsidies are having on recipient environments, with a particular focus on soil, and what may happen if seabird populations decline. The addition of guano to colony soils increased nutrient levels compared to control soils for all seabirds studied, with cascading positive effects observed across a range of habitats. Deposited guano sometimes led to negative impacts, such as guanotrophication, or guano-induced eutrophication, which was often observed where there was an excess of guano or in areas with high seabird densities. While the literature describing nutrients transported by seabirds is extensive, literature regarding pollutant transfer is comparatively limited, with a focus on toxic and bioaccumulative metals. Research on persistent organic pollutants and plastics transported by seabirds is likely to increase in coming years. Studies were limited geographically, with hotspots of research activity in a few locations, but data were lacking from large regions around the world. Studies were also limited to seabird species listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. As seabird populations are impacted by multiple threats and steep declines have been observed for many species world-wide, gaps in the literature are particularly concerning. The loss of seabirds will impact nutrient cycling at localized levels and potentially on a global scale as well, yet it is unknown what may truly happen to areas that rely on seabirds if these populations disappear.

Comparing Laparotomy with Robot-assisted Interval Debulking Surgery for Patients with Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Compare survival of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) undergoing interval debulking surgery (IDS) with either robot-assisted (R-IDS) or open (O-IDS) approach. Second, we assessed the impact of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) cycles as independent variables associated with survival in this patient population. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Single tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Total of 93 patients diagnosed with advanced EOC who underwent NACT before primary debulking surgery after consultation with a gynecologic oncologist. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent IDS after completion of NACT with either R-IDS or O-IDS between 2011 and 2018 at a single tertiary care center. Exclusion criteria included receiving fewer than 3 or more than 6 cycles of NACT or having concurrent diagnoses of other malignancies during the treatment period. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 93 patients were identified (n = 43 R-IDS; n = 50 O-IDS). Median age (63.0 vs 66.2 years) did not differ between the 2 groups (p = .1). Of the total patients, 91% were optimally cytoreduced (57% R0 and 34% R1), and R0 rate was not influenced by surgical modality (52% O-IDS vs 63% R-IDS, p = .4). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) did not differ between patients undergoing O-IDS and those undergoing R-IDS (PFS 15.4 vs 16.7 months, p = .7; OS 38.2 vs 35.6 months, p = .7). Cytoreduction to R0 improved both PFS and OS independent of surgical approach. Subgroup analysis showed that, specifically in patients undergoing R-IDS, receiving >6 total cycles of chemotherapy was independently associated with both decreased PFS (hazard ratio 3.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.52-9.73) and OS (hazard ratio 3.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-14.59). When analyzed separately, neither NACT nor adjuvant cycle numbers had any effect on survival. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study of patients with advanced EOC undergoing IDS after NACT, the use of robot-assisted surgery did not affect debulking success or oncologic survival indices. Receiving >6 total cycles of chemotherapy before IDS was associated with a decrease in both PFS and OS in patients undergoing R-IDS in this cohort and warrants further investigation.

A Systematic Review of Randomized Trials Investigating Methods of Postoperative Void Trials Following Benign Gynecologic and Urogynecologic Surgeries.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying postoperative void trials (VTs) following gynecologic and urogynecologic surgery to investigate (1) the optimal postoperative VT methodology and (2) the optimal time after surgery to perform a VT. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov. METHOD OF STUDY SELECTION: We systematically searched the aforementioned data sources from inception to November 22, 2019, using a combination of subject headings and keywords for the following 3 concepts: gynecologic surgery (prolapse, benign gynecologic, and incontinence surgery), postoperative period, and voiding. We identified any RCT in English that studied VT methodology or timing in patients undergoing benign gynecologic or urogynecologic surgery. Discrepancies were adjudicated by a third reviewer. We followed the standard systematic review methodology and used the Jadad scoring system to assess bias. Extracted study outcomes included the following: proportion of patients discharged home with catheter, proportion of VT failure, surgery for retention, retention after initial VT, postoperative calls and visits, time in postanesthesia care unit (PACU), time to discharge, time to spontaneous void, duration of catheterization, patient and provider burden, and urinary tract infection (UTI). TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: We double screened 618 abstracts and clinical trial descriptions, assessed 56 full-text articles, and ultimately included 21 RCTs. The evidence was of low to moderate quality overall. The studies were divided into the following 2 categories: VT methodology (10 studies) and VT timing (11 studies). VT methodology included backfill-assisted (in operating room vs PACU), autofill, and force of stream studies. One RCT compared backfill-assisted with and without postvoid residual volume check. Outcomes were similar for all VT methods, except backfill-assisted decreased time to spontaneous void compared with autofill. In the VT timing category, earlier VT performance correlated with a shorter time to discharge, time to spontaneous void, duration of catheterization, and lower patient burden and UTI rate but had a higher rate of retention after initial VT. There was no difference between earlier vs later VT timing for proportion of discharged home with catheter or rate of VT failure. No studies reported outcomes of provider burden or postoperative calls. CONCLUSION: In comparing VT methodologies, VT by backfill-assisted (in operating room vs PACU, ± postvoid residual volume), autofill, and force of stream resulted in similar outcomes with no one method being superior. Performing VT at an earlier postoperative time point results in shorter time to discharge and spontaneous void, shorter duration of catheterization, lower patient burden, and lower UTI risk, but it may increase the risk of retention after initial VT.

New insights into naevoid melanomas: a clinicopathological reassessment.

AIMS: Because the term 'naevoid melanoma' has variable clinical and pathological interpretations, we aimed to clarify the features of melanomas referred to as naevoid. METHODS AND RESULTS: A review was undertaken of 102 melanomas diagnosed histopathologically as naevoid melanomas and ascertained by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Melanoma Group Subcommittee pathologists from their records. We found these could be classified morphologically into three groups. Thirteen melanomas were overlying genuine naevi and were therefore excluded. Of the 89 melanomas considered to be naevoid, 11 presented clinically as exophytic papillomatous nodules with little junctional component and composed of small atypical cells showing numerous mitoses and no change with depth; we termed these 'papillomatous naevoid' melanomas. The other 78 were flat or only slightly raised, and had a superficial spreading melanoma-like component with maturation to a small cell, but still an atypical, dermal component; we termed these 'maturing naevoid' melanomas. We showed that papillomatous and maturing naevoid melanomas also have differing immunochemical profiles. Preliminary clinical follow-up suggested different outcomes for these two naevoid melanoma types. CONCLUSIONS: Melanomas that have been classified as naevoid melanomas comprise two types with distinct clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features that may also be prognostically significant.

Animal-specific C-terminal domain links myeloblastosis oncoprotein (Myb) to an ancient repressor complex.

Members of the Myb oncoprotein and E2F-Rb tumor suppressor protein families are present within the same highly conserved multiprotein transcriptional repressor complex, named either as Myb and synthetic multivuval class B (Myb-MuvB) or as Drosophila Rb E2F and Myb-interacting proteins (dREAM). We now report that the animal-specific C terminus of Drosophila Myb but not the more highly conserved N-terminal DNA-binding domain is necessary and sufficient for (i) adult viability, (ii) proper localization to chromosomes in vivo, (iii) regulation of gene expression in vivo, and (iv) interaction with the highly conserved core of the MuvB/dREAM transcriptional repressor complex. In addition, we have identified a conserved peptide motif that is required for this interaction. Our results imply that an ancient function of Myb in regulating G2/M genes in both plants and animals appears to have been transferred from the DNA-binding domain to the animal-specific C-terminal domain. Increased expression of B-MYB/MYBL2, the human ortholog of Drosophila Myb, correlates with poor prognosis in human patients with breast cancer. Therefore, our results imply that the specific interaction of the C terminus of Myb with the MuvB/dREAM core complex may provide an attractive target for the development of cancer therapeutics.

Seabird transported contaminants are dispersed in island ecosystems.

Seabirds are long-range transporters of nutrients and contaminants, linking marine feeding areas with terrestrial breeding and roosting sites. By depositing nutrient-rich guano, which acts as a fertiliser, seabirds can substantially influence the terrestrial environment in which they reside. However, increasing pollution of the marine environment has resulted in guano becoming similarly polluted. Here, we determined metal and metalloid concentrations (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb) in Flesh-footed Shearwater (Ardenna carneipes) guano, soil, terrestrial flora, and primary consumers and used an ecological approach to assess whether the trace elements in guano were bioaccumulating and contaminating the surrounding environment. Concentrations in guano were higher than those of other Procellariiformes documented in the literature, which may be influenced by the high amounts of plastics that this species of shearwater ingests. Soil samples from shearwater colonies had significantly higher concentrations of all metals, except for Pb, than soils from control sites and formerly occupied areas. Concentrations in terrestrial primary producers and primary consumers were not as marked, and for many contaminants there was no significant difference observed across levels of ornithogenic input. We conclude that Flesh-footed Shearwaters are transporters of marine derived contaminants to the Lord Howe Island terrestrial environment.

Frequency of naevus cells in lymph nodes of melanoma and breast cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to study the frequency (prevalence) and histology of benign melanocytic naevus cells in regional lymph nodes in relation to age and sex and nodal location. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Histopathology reports of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsies from melanoma patients, 2002 - 2014, and from breast cancer patients, 2010- 2019, were obtained from records of a single hospital in England. All sections were similarly processed and examined. For standardisation, presence of naevus cells was assessed in a single node per patient: the first SLN biopsied (melanoma) or the node nearest the first SLN (breast cancer). RESULTS: Associations were tested using Fisher's exact test. Naevus cells were found in 10% (60/585) of melanoma patients' index SLNs. Frequency varied significantly by anatomic region: 13% in axillary to 0% cervical SLNs (p = 0.03), but not by sex or age. Within nodes, naevus cells were present in capsular or pericapsular tissue (93%), or trabeculae (7%). In breast cancer patients' index axillary nodes, 6% (11/196) contained naevus cells, all intracapsular. In the predominant 40-69 years age-group, prevalence was similar in breast cancer (7%) and female melanoma (9%) patients, but in those aged 70-100, prevalence was lower in breast cancer (2%) than in female melanoma (15%) patients (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Standard methods of assessment yielded no clear pattern of naevus cell frequency in lymph nodes by age or sex, but confirmed naevus cell location as mostly intracapsular.

Integrating Spatial and Morphological Characteristics into Melanoma Prognosis: A Computational Approach.

In this study, the prognostic value of cellular morphology and spatial configurations in melanoma has been examined, aiming to complement traditional prognostic indicators like mitotic activity and tumor thickness. Through a computational pipeline using machine learning and deep learning methods, we quantified nuclei sizes within different spatial regions and analyzed their prognostic significance using univariate and multivariate Cox models. Nuclei sizes in the invasive band demonstrated a significant hazard ratio (HR) of 1.1 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.18). Similarly, the nuclei sizes of tumor cells and Ki67 S100 co-positive cells in the invasive band achieved HRs of 1.07 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.13) and 1.09 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.16), respectively. Our findings reveal that nuclei sizes, particularly in the invasive band, are potentially prognostic factors. Correlation analyses further demonstrated a meaningful relationship between cellular morphology and tumor progression, notably showing that nuclei size within the invasive band correlates substantially with tumor thickness. These results suggest the potential of integrating spatial and morphological analyses into melanoma prognostication.

The one-two punch of plastic exposure: Macro- and micro-plastics induce multi-organ damage in seabirds.

Plastic pollution in the world's oceans is ubiquitous and increasing. The environment is inundated with microplastics (< 1 mm), and the health effects of these less conspicuous pollutants is poorly known. In addition, there is now evidence that macroplastics can release microplastics in the form of shedding or digestive fragmentation, meaning there is potential for macroplastic exposure to induce direct and indirect pathology through microplastics. Therefore, there is an urgent need for data from wild populations on the relationship between macro- and microplastic exposure and the potential compounding pathological effects of these forms of plastics. We investigated the presence and impact of microplastics in multiple tissues from Flesh-footed Shearwaters Ardenna carneipes, a species that ingests considerable quantities of plastics, and used histopathological techniques to measure physiological responses and inflammation from the plastics. All organs examined (kidney, spleen, proventriculus) had embedded microplastic particles and this correlated with macroplastic exposure. Considerable tissue damage was recorded, including a significant reduction in tubular glands and rugae in the proventriculus, and evidence of inflammation, fibrosis, and loss of organ structures in the kidney and spleen. This indicates macroplastics can induce damage directly at the site of exposure, while microplastics can be mobilised throughout the body causing widespread pathology. Collectively, these results indicate the scope and severity of the health impacts of plastic pollution may be grossly underestimated.

Prospective Association of Parenting Stress with Later Child Behavior Problems in Early Childhood Autism.

PURPOSE: Autistic children are reported to display higher levels of externalizing and internalizing behaviors than neurotypical children, and their parents report more stress than parents of neurotypical children. It is unclear whether child behavior difficulties contribute to increased parenting stress, whether parenting stress contributes to child behavior difficulties, or whether the relationship may be bidirectional. METHODS: We investigated prospective bidirectional associations between parenting stress and child externalizing and internalizing behaviors when autistic children were aged on average 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5 years. Data collected at these three timepoints were examined across two panels: Time 1 to Time 2 (n = 38 parent-child dyads) and Time 2 to Time 3 (n = 27 dyads). RESULTS: Across Time 1 to Time 2, early parenting stress was significantly associated with later child externalizing behavior, and cross-lagged panel analysis supported a uni- rather than a bidirectional association between these factors. There was some evidence of a bidirectional association between parenting stress and child internalizing behavior, though this was non-significant when the strong stability of child internalizing behavior was statistically controlled. In contrast, across Time 2 to Time 3, there were no significant prospective associations found between variables, highlighting the importance of considering the impact of parenting stress early in the course of childhood autism. CONCLUSION: Our results add to research indicating that support targeting parent characteristics, especially parenting stress, could ameliorate subsequent outcomes for both parents and children.

Prognosis of naevoid melanomas.

INTRODUCTION: There appear to be several variants of naevoid melanoma suspected as having different outcomes, but follow-up studies have been few. We aimed to assess the prognosis of naevoid melanomas in a multi-centre study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From histopathology records we ascertained patients in the UK, Australia and Italy diagnosed with maturing naevoid melanoma (n = 65; 14; 7 respectively) and nodular/papillomatous naevoid melanoma (12; 6; 0), and patients with superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) from UK (73) and Australia (26). Melanoma deaths in UK patients were obtained from NHS Digital; in Australia, via the National Death Index and cancer registry; and in Italy, through clinical records. For maturing naevoid vs. SSM, we used Cox-proportional hazard regression models to compare survival adjusted for age, sex, tumour thickness, and ulceration, and additionally Fine-Gray regression analysis, to calculate sub-hazard ratios (SHR) in the UK cohort, accounting for competing causes of death. RESULTS: Among UK patients, there was a non-significantly lower risk of melanoma death in maturing naevoid vs SSM, including after accounting for competing causes of death (SHR 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12-1.31), while among nodular/papillomatous naevoid melanoma patients, there were no melanoma deaths on follow-up. Two melanoma deaths occurred in Australian SSM patients, and none in maturing or nodular/papillomatous naevoid melanoma patients, after 5 years' minimum follow-up. None of the 7 Italian patients with maturing naevoid melanoma died of melanoma after nearly 12 years' average follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in risk of death from melanomas with naevoid features, and SSM. Nodular/ papillomatous naevoid melanoma patients did not carry higher risk of death than SSM patients though the very few cases of the papillomatous naevoid variant limited our assessment.

Metacognitive and social cognition deficits in patients with significant psychiatric and medical adversity: a comparison between participants with schizophrenia and a sample of participants who are HIV-positive.

Research exploring metacognition and social cognition in schizophrenia has tended to use control groups experiencing relatively little adversity. Therefore, it remains unclear whether the deficits found among persons with schizophrenia are merely the result of greater life adversity. To explore this issue, we assessed metacognition and social cognition among 40 participants with schizophrenia and 25 adults with HIV. We chose to explore this phenomenon in people with HIV given the literature suggesting that this group experiences significant adversity. Measures of metacognition and social cognition included the Metacognition Assessment Scale (MAS), the Hinting test, and the Bell-Lysaker Emotion Recognition Test (BLERT). After controlling for education, years since diagnosis, and memory, the schizophrenia group performed more poorly on the MAS and the Hinting test. No differences were found on the BLERT. The results are consistent with the possibility that schizophrenia is linked to decrements in metacognition and some forms of social cognition.

Unilateral Cystic Kidney Disease in a Young Female.

Unilateral renal cystic disease has been mostly reported in older male patients; however, this case is novel as the youngest reported case in the literature and in a female patient. We present a 22-year-old female with no past medical history and no family history of renal disease that was incidentally found to have unilateral renal cystic disease on computed tomography imaging. The patient's renal function was not impaired and the cystic kidney was found to be functioning appropriately on an intravenous pyelogram. The unilateral cystic disease is benign but must be differentiated from autosomal dominant polycystic disease to prevent morbidity and mortality.

Comparing methods for monitoring nest debris using silver gulls as a case study.

Global plastics production is increasing exponentially and contributing to significant pollution of the marine environment. Of particular concern is ingestion and entanglement risks for marine wildlife, including when items such as rope are incorporated into nest structures. These events are commonly documented using photographic and visual surveys, and each presents a number of challenges and benefits for species conservation and monitoring. Here we compare an invasive (i.e., removing debris from nests) and non-invasive (i.e., photographs) sampling method for quantifying nest debris using the silver gull (Chroicocephalus novahollandiae) as a case study. Overall, 17 debris items were detected in 9% of gull nests. While the use of photographs to monitor nest debris is increasingly popular, the invasive method detected one additional debris item not identified using photography. We therefore recommend caution for nest debris and other monitoring programs where identifying small or cryptic items may require a high level of skill.

Evolution of superficial spreading melanoma to resemble desmoplastic melanoma: case report.

Desmoplastic melanoma commonly occurs on the head and neck in a pure form, but occasionally, it occurs in a mixed tumor with another type, usually superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), and rarely as a metastasis from a primary SSM. We report here a primary SSM on the leg of a 32-year-old male which metastasised to lymph nodes, and 10 years later recurred at the primary site initially with mixed features but evolving to resemble a uniformly desmoplastic, deeply invasive melanoma. This unusual case has implications for clinical management and is additionally notable for its reversal in behavior, from metastatic to local infiltrative type, correlating with the change in morphology.

Ingested plastics in beach-washed Fairy Prions Pachyptila turtur from Tasmania.

Plastic is an omnipresent pollutant in marine ecosystems and is widely documented to be ingested among seabird species. Procellariiformes are particularly vulnerable to plastic ingestion, which can cause internal damage, starvation, and occasionally mortality. In this study, 34 fledgling Fairy Prions (Pachyptila turtur) recovered during a wreck event in south-eastern Tasmania in 2022 were examined for ingested plastics and body condition (e.g., wing chord length). While many of the birds exhibited poor body condition, this was not correlated with the count or mass of ingested plastics. We hypothesise the marine heatwave event, and resulting lack of prey, contributed to bird body condition and subsequent mortality. We provide some of the first data on the size of individual plastic particles ingested by seabirds and make recommendations for future studies to report this important metric in a consistent manner that ensures data are comparable.