Seated Pulmonary Artery Pressure Monitoring in Patients With Heart Failure: Results of the PROACTIVE-HF Trial.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring supine pulmonary artery pressures to guide heart failure (HF) management has reduced HF hospitalizations in select patients. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of managing seated mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) with the Cordella Pulmonary Artery sensor on outcomes in patients with HF. METHODS: Following GUIDE-HF (Hemodynamic-GUIDEd Management of Heart Failure Trial), with U.S. Food and Drug Administration input, PROACTIVE-HF (A Prospective, Multi-Center, Open Label, Single Arm Clinical Trial Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of the Cordella Pulmonary Artery Sensor System in NYHA Class III Heart Failure Patients trial) was changed from a randomized to a single-arm, open label trial, conducted at 75 centers in the USA and Europe. Eligible patients had chronic HF with NYHA functional class III symptoms, irrespective of the ejection fraction, and recent HF hospitalization and/or elevated natriuretic peptides. The primary effectiveness endpoint at 6 months required the HF hospitalization or all-cause mortality rate to be lower than a performance goal of 0.43 events/patient, established from previous hemodynamic monitoring trials. Primary safety endpoints at 6 months were freedom from device- or system-related complications or pressure sensor failure. RESULTS: Between February 7, 2020, and March 31, 2023, 456 patients were successfully implanted in modified intent-to-treat cohort. The 6-month event rate was 0.15 (95% CI: 0.12-0.20) which was significantly lower than performance goal (0.15 vs 0.43; P < 0.0001). Freedom from device- or system-related complications was 99.2% and freedom from sensor failure was 99.8% through 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Remote management of seated mPAP is safe and results in a low rate of HF hospitalizations and mortality. These results support the use of seated mPAP monitoring and extend the growing body of evidence that pulmonary artery pressure-guided management improves outcomes in heart failure. (Multi-Center, Open Label, Single Arm Clinical Trial Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of the Cordella Pulmonary Artery Sensor System in NYHA Class III Heart Failure Patients trial [PROACTIVE-HF]; NCT04089059).

Fused Hexabenzocoronene-Porphyrin Conjugates with Tailorable Excited-State Lifetimes.

A new clear-cut strategy for fusing N-heterocyclic and carbon-pure systems is introduced en route to a versatile platform of multi-purpose tetrapyrrolic chromophores. In particular, three novel C-C bond-fused porphyrin-hexabenzocoronene (HBC) conjugates were synthesized under oxidative cyclodehydrogenation conditions, starting from tailor-made nickel porphyrin precursors. The fusion of the individual aromatic systems via 5-membered rings led to highly soluble π-extended porphyrins in excellent yields. The resulting porphyrin-HBC conjugates exhibit absorption cross-sections that are of interdisciplinary interest in the ever-growing field of organic photovoltaics and near-infrared (NIR) dyes. Quantum chemical calculations show that the newly formed 5-membered rings induce biradicaloid character in the porphyrin core, which has a strong impact on excited state lifetimes. This is confirmed by a thorough optoelectronic and time-resolved characterization in order to understand these unique features better. Broadened absorption characteristics go hand-in-hand with short-lived excited states with up to six orders of magnitude faster decay rates.

Empirical examination of working memory performance and its neural correlates in relation to delay discounting in two large samples.

The neurobiological basis of working memory and delay discounting are theorized to overlap, but few studies have empirically examined these relations in large samples. To address this, we investigated the association of neural activation during an fMRI N-Back working memory task with delay discounting area, as well as in- and out-of-scanner working memory measures. These analyses were conducted in two large task fMRI datasets, the Human Connectome Project and the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Although in- and out-of-scanner working memory performance were significantly associated with N-back task brain activation regions, contrary to our hypotheses, there were no significant associations between working memory task activation and delay discounting scores. These findings call into question the extent of the neural overlap in delay discounting and working memory and highlight the need for more investigations directly interrogating overlapping and distinct brain regions across cognitive neuroscience tasks.

A comprehensive overview of liquid biopsy applications in pediatric solid tumors.

Liquid biopsies are emerging as an alternative source for pediatric cancer biomarkers with potential applications during all stages of patient care, from diagnosis to long-term follow-up. While developments within this field are reported, these mainly focus on dedicated items such as a specific liquid biopsy matrix, analyte, and/or single tumor type. To the best of our knowledge, a comprehensive overview is lacking. Here, we review the current state of liquid biopsy research for the most common non-central nervous system pediatric solid tumors. These include neuroblastoma, renal tumors, germ cell tumors, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and other soft tissue sarcomas, and liver tumors. Within this selection, we discuss the most important or recent studies involving liquid biopsy-based biomarkers, anticipated clinical applications, and the current challenges for success. Furthermore, we provide an overview of liquid biopsy-based biomarker publication output for each tumor type based on a comprehensive literature search between 1989 and 2023. Per study identified, we list the relevant liquid biopsy-based biomarkers, matrices (e.g., peripheral blood, bone marrow, or cerebrospinal fluid), analytes (e.g., circulating cell-free and tumor DNA, microRNAs, and circulating tumor cells), methods (e.g., digital droplet PCR and next-generation sequencing), the involved pediatric patient cohort, and proposed applications. As such, we identified 344 unique publications. Taken together, while the liquid biopsy field in pediatric oncology is still behind adult oncology, potentially relevant publications have increased over the last decade. Importantly, steps towards clinical implementation are rapidly gaining ground, notably through validation of liquid biopsy-based biomarkers in pediatric clinical trials.

Ph3PCN2: A stable reagent for carbon-atom transfer.

Precise modification of a chemical site in a molecule at the single-atom level is one of the most elegant yet difficult transformations in chemistry. A reagent specifically designed for chemoselective introduction of monoatomic carbon is a particularly formidable challenge. Here, we report a straightforward, azide-free synthesis of a crystalline and isolable diazophosphorus ylide, Ph3PCN2, a stable compound with a carbon atom bonded to two chemically labile groups, triphenylphosphine (PPh3) and dinitrogen (N2). Without any additives, the diazophosphorus ylide serves as a highly selective transfer reagent for fragments, including Ph3PC, to deliver phosphorus ylide-terminated heterocumulenes and CN2 to produce multisubstituted pyrazoles. Ultimately, even exclusive carbon-atom transfer is possible. In reactions with aldehydes and acyclic and cyclic ketones (R2C=O), the carbon-atom substitution forms a vinylidene (R2C=C:) en route to alkynes or butatrienes.

Rethinking scientific communication in courts: A question of credibility.

The high value placed on forensic information in the criminal justice process is demonstrated by the fallout resulting when questions are raised as to the validity of methods used, deficiencies in the understanding of the limitations of results, or uncertainties around the professional expertise or ethical practices of the provider of the information. To effectively act as the "speaker" for the scientific evidence in court, forensic science needs to have credibility. The workshop "Rethinking scientific communication in courts" held at the Australian National University College of Law in November 2023 explored the subject of science communication in the legal context through the lens of philosophy, law, forensic service provision and meta-science, demonstrating the unique challenges placed on the field of forensic science as a scientific profession confined and defined within a non-scientific system. Stemming from the discussions at the workshop, this paper examines the notion of credibility in science, how forensic science aligns with the hallmarks of a credible scientific community and the influence this has on our understandings of scientific communication in courts.

Cycloadditions of Diazoalkenes with P4 and tBuCP: Access to Diazaphospholes.

Diazoalkenes readily react with tert-butylphosphaalkyne (tBuCP) and white phosphorus (P4) to afford novel phosphorus heterocycles, 3H-1,2,4-diazamonophospholes and 1,2,3,4-diazadiphospholes. Both species represent rare examples of neutral heterophospholes. The mechanism of formation and the electronic structures of these formal (3+2) cycloaddition products were analyzed computationally. The new phospholes form structurally diverse coordination compounds with transition metal and main group elements. Given the growing number of stable diazoalkenes, this work offers a straightforward route to neutral aza(di-)phospholes as a new ligand class.

Comparison of four ventilation tubes commonly used in the pediatric population: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To assess differences in otorrhea, tympanic membrane perforation, and time to extrusion in children receiving one of four commonly used, short-term ventilation tubes for the first time. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 2 years of postoperative follow-up to analyze patient outcomes after insertion of either a Paparella type-I Activent, Armstrong Beveled, Modified Armstrong, or Armstrong Microgel ventilation tube. Incidence of complications was determined by reviewing provider notes. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine odds ratios of complications among the four tube types. Results: A total of 387 patients were reviewed. The mean age was 2.4 years and 35.9% were female. Armstrong beveled tubes had the highest odds of otorrhea. Paparella type-I tube had the shortest time to extrusion of about 9 months, while Armstrong Beveled had the longest, at almost 19 months. When evaluating episodes of otorrhea each child experienced on average, per month, Armstrong beveled tubes had the highest monthly rate of otorrhea and Paparella type-I the least. No significant differences were found regarding tympanic membrane perforation. Conclusions: This retrospective chart review showed that no tube was clinically superior across all complications. The findings from this study may give otolaryngologists an opportunity to consider choosing a specific type of tube according to the clinical situation. The large variations in extrusion times should be considered in terms of patient age, seasonality, and desired duration of tube placement. Level of Evidence: 4.

PFHpA alters lipid metabolism and increases the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in youth-a translational research framework.

To address the growing epidemic of liver disease, particularly in pediatric populations, it is crucial to identify modifiable risk factors for the development and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent ubiquitous chemicals and have emerged as potential risk factors for liver damage. However, their impact on the etiology and severity of MASLD remains largely unexplored in humans. This study aims to bridge the gap between human and in vitro studies to understand how exposure to perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), one of the emerging PFAS replacements which accumulates in high concentrations in the liver, contributes to MASLD risk and progression. First, we showed that PFHpA plasma concentrations were significantly associated with increased risk of MASLD in obese adolescents. Further, we examined the impact of PFHpA on hepatic metabolism using 3D human liver spheroids and single-cell transcriptomics to identify major hepatic pathways affected by PFHpA. Next, we integrated the in vivo and in vitro multi-omics datasets with a novel statistical approach which identified signatures of proteins and metabolites associated with MASLD development triggered by PFHpA exposure. In addition to characterizing the contribution of PFHpA to MASLD progression, our study provides a novel strategy to identify individuals at high risk of PFHpA-induced MASLD and develop early intervention strategies. Notably, our analysis revealed that the proteomic signature exhibited a stronger correlation between both PFHpA exposure and MASLD risk compared to the metabolomic signature. While establishing a clear connection between PFHpA exposure and MASLD progression in humans, our study delved into the molecular mechanisms through which PFHpA disrupts liver metabolism. Our in vitro findings revealed that PFHpA primarily impacts lipid metabolism, leading to a notable increase of lipid accumulation in human hepatocytes after PFHpA exposure. Among the pathways involved in lipid metabolism in hepatocytes, regulation of lipid metabolism by PPAR-a showed a remarkable activation. Moreover, the translational research framework we developed by integrating human and in vitro data provided us biomarkers to identify individuals at a high risk of MASLD due to PFHpA exposure. Our framework can inform policies on PFAS-induced liver disease and identify potential targets for prevention and treatment strategies.

para-Aminoazobenzenes-Bipolar Redox-Active Molecules.

Azobenzenes (ABs) are versatile compounds featured in numerous applications for energy storage systems, such as solar thermal storages or phase change materials. Additionally, the reversible one-electron reduction of these diazenes to the nitrogen-based radical anion has been used in battery applications. Although the oxidation of ABs is normally irreversible, 4,4'-diamino substitution allows a reversible 2e- oxidation, which is attributed to the formation of a stable bis-quinoidal structure. Herein, we present a system that shows a bipolar redox behaviour. In this way, ABs can serve not only as anolytes, but also as catholytes. The resulting redox potentials can be tailored by suitable amine- and ring-substitution. For the first time, the solid-state structure of the oxidized form could be characterized by X-ray diffraction.

Microbially mediated sulfur oxidation coupled with arsenate reduction within oligotrophic mining-impacted habitats.

Arsenate [As(V)] reduction is a major cause of arsenic (As) release from soils, which threatens more than 200 million people worldwide. While heterotrophic As(V) reduction has been investigated extensively, the mechanism of chemolithotrophic As(V) reduction is less studied. Since As is frequently found as a sulfidic mineral in the environment, microbial mediated sulfur oxidation coupled to As(V) reduction (SOAsR), a chemolithotrophic process, may be more favorable in sites impacted by oligotrophic mining (e.g. As-contaminated mine tailings). While SOAsR is thermodynamically favorable, knowledge regarding this biogeochemical process is still limited. The current study suggested that SOAsR was a more prevalent process than heterotrophic As(V) reduction in oligotrophic sites, such as mine tailings. The water-soluble reduced sulfur concentration was predicted to be one of the major geochemical parameters that had a substantial impact on SOAsR potentials. A combination of DNA stable isotope probing and metagenome binning revealed members of the genera Sulfuricella, Ramlibacter, and Sulfuritalea as sulfur oxidizing As(V)-reducing bacteria (SOAsRB) in mine tailings. Genome mining further expanded the list of potential SOAsRB to diverse phylogenetic lineages such as members associated with Burkholderiaceae and Rhodocyclaceae. Metagenome analysis using multiple tailing samples across southern China confirmed that the putative SOAsRB were the dominant As(V) reducers in these sites. Together, the current findings expand our knowledge regarding the chemolithotrophic As(V) reduction process, which may be harnessed to facilitate future remediation practices in mine tailings.

House Sparrows as Sentinels of Childhood Lead Exposure.

Our understanding of connections between human and animal health has advanced substantially since the canary was introduced as a sentinel of toxic conditions in coal mines. Nonetheless, the development of wildlife sentinels for monitoring human exposure to toxins has been limited. Here, we capitalized on a three-decade long child blood lead monitoring program to demonstrate that the globally ubiquitous and human commensal house sparrow (Passer domesticus) can be used as a sentinel of human health risks in urban environments impacted by lead mining. We showed that sparrows are a viable proxy for the measurement of blood lead levels in children at a neighborhood scale (0.28 km2). In support of the generalizability of this approach, the blood lead relationship established in our focal mining city enabled us to accurately predict elevated blood lead levels in children from another mining city using only sparrows from the second location. Using lead concentrations and lead isotopic compositions from environmental and biological matrices, we identified shared sources and pathways of lead exposure in sparrows and children, with strong links to contamination from local mining emissions. Our findings showed how human commensal species can be used to identify and predict human health risks over time and space.

Microbial Sulfur and Arsenic Oxidation Facilitate the Establishment of Biocrusts during Reclamation of Degraded Mine Tailings.

Degraded tailings generated by the mining of metal ores are major environmental threats to the surrounding ecosystems. Tailing reclamation, however, is often impeded due to adverse environmental conditions, with depleted key nutrients (i.e., nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)) and elevated sulfur and metal(loid) concentrations. Formation of biocrusts may significantly accelerate nutrient accumulation and is therefore an essential stage for tailing reclamation. Although suggested to play an important role, the microbial community composition and key metabolisms in biocrusts remain largely unknown and are therefore investigated in the current study. The results suggested that sulfur and arsenic oxidation are potential energy sources utilized by members of predominant biocrust bacterial families, including Beijerinckiaceae, Burkholderiaceae, Hyphomicrobiaceae, and Rhizobiaceae. Accordingly, the S and As oxidation potentials are elevated in biocrusts compared to those in their adjacent tailings. Biocrust growth, as proxied by chlorophyll concentrations, is enhanced in treatments supplemented with S and As. The elevated biocrust growth might benefit from nutrient acquisition services (i.e., nitrogen fixation and phosphorus solubilization) fueled by microbial sulfur and arsenic oxidation. The current study suggests that sulfur- and arsenic-oxidizing microorganisms may play important ecological roles in promoting biocrust formation and facilitating tailing reclamation.

One-year effectiveness of long-term exercise therapy in people with axial spondyloarthritis and severe functional limitations.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of long-term, personalized, supervised exercise therapy on functional ability compared with usual care in people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and severe functional limitations. METHODS: Participants were randomly 1:1 assigned to the intervention(maximal 64 sessions, with 14 additional optional sessions of supervised active exercise therapy(e.g. aerobic and muscle strengthening) with individualized goal-setting, education and self-management regarding physical activity) or usual care(care determined by clinician(s) and participants themselves). Primary end point was the change in the Patient-Specific Complaints activity ranked 1 (PSC1 (0-10)) at 52 weeks. Secondary endpoints were the PSC activities ranked 2 and 3, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, 6-min walk test, Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System-Physical Function-10 and the Short Form-36 Physical and Mental Component Summary Score (SF-36 PCS and MCS). Statistical comparisons comprised independent student t-tests and linear mixed models, based on intention-to-treat. RESULTS: 214 participants(49% female, age 52 (SD 12) years), were randomized to the intervention (n = 110) or usual care (N = 104) group. In the intervention group 93% started treatment, using on average 40.5 sessions (SD 15.1). At 52 weeks, the difference in change in PSC1 between groups favored the intervention group (mean difference [95% CI]; -1.8 [-2.4 to -1.2]). additionally, all secondary outcomes, except the SF-36 MSC, showed significantly greater improvements in the intervention group with effect sizes ranging from 0.4-0.7. CONCLUSION: Long-term, supervised exercise therapy proved more effective than usual care in improving functional disability and physical quality of life in people with axSpA and severe functional limitations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTER NUMBER: Netherlands Trial Register NL8238, included in the International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP) (https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NL8238).

Responsiveness of the condition-specific OVAMA questionnaire to measure symptoms and appearance in patients with vascular malformations.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of vascular malformations are not readily available, possibly due to the diversity in methods used to evaluate treatment efficacy in clinical research, complicating the aggregation and comparison of study results. The OVAMA (Outcome Measures for VAscular Malformations) questionnaire was developed to uniformly measure symptoms and appearance, i.e., condition-specific core outcome domains, in patients with vascular malformations. However, the OVAMA questionnaire needs to be responsive to changes in these constructs in order to assess whether the disease status has altered since treatment. OBJECTIVES: To assess the responsiveness of the OVAMA questionnaire in patients with vascular malformations. METHODS: In a prospective longitudinal study, patients completed the OVAMA questionnaire at baseline and eight weeks follow-up since treatment or watchful waiting policy. Additionally, patients completed the Global rating of change (GRC) scales at follow-up. Responsiveness was evaluated following the criterion approach of testing predefined hypotheses about expected relationships between the OVAMA questionnaire and GRC scales, measuring the same constructs. The OVAMA questionnaire was considered responsive if ≥ 75% of the hypotheses were confirmed. RESULTS: Between July 2020 and September 2022, 89 patients were recruited in a vascular anomaly centre in the Netherlands, of which 63 patients completed the questionnaires at baseline and follow-up. In total, fifteen constructs of the OVAMA questionnaire were assessed for five hypotheses. Of these 75 hypotheses, 63 (84%) hypotheses were confirmed and thereby providing evidence that the OVAMA questionnaire is responsive to change. CONCLUSION: Our study found convincing evidence that the OVAMA questionnaire is responsive to changes in symptoms and appearance in patients with vascular malformations. In addition to determining a baseline of symptoms and appearance, the OVAMA questionnaire can now be used to evaluate the effect of treatment from the patient's perspective. The responsive OVAMA questionnaire allows for uniform evaluation and comparison of the effects of treatment on the condition-specific core outcome domains, tackling heterogeneity in outcome measurement and improving the clinical research of vascular malformations.

Proteomimetic Polymers Trigger Potent Antigen-Specific T Cell Responses to Limit Tumor Growth.

Elicitation of effective antitumor immunity following cancer vaccination requires the selective activation of distinct effector cell populations and pathways. Here we report a therapeutic approach for generating potent T cell responses using a modular vaccination platform technology capable of inducing directed immune activation, termed the Protein-like Polymer (PLP). PLPs demonstrate increased proteolytic resistance, high uptake by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and enhanced payload-specific T cell responses. Key design parameters, namely payload linkage chemistry, degree of polymerization, and side chain composition, were varied to optimize vaccine formulations. Linking antigens to the polymer backbone using an intracellularly cleaved disulfide bond copolymerized with a diluent amount of oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) resulted in the highest payload-specific potentiation of antigen immunogenicity, enhancing dendritic cell (DC) activation and antigen-specific T cell responses. Vaccination with PLPs carrying either gp100, E7, or adpgk peptides significantly increased the survival of mice inoculated with B16F10, TC-1, or MC38 tumors, respectively, without the need for adjuvants. B16F10-bearing mice immunized with gp100-carrying PLPs showed increased antitumor CD8+ T cell immunity, suppressed tumor growth, and treatment synergy when paired with two distinct stimulator of interferon gene (STING) agonists. In a human papillomavirus-associated TC-1 model, combination therapy with PLP and 2'3'-cGAMP resulted in 40% of mice completely eliminating implanted tumors while also displaying curative protection from rechallenge, consistent with conferment of lasting immunological memory. Finally, PLPs can be stored long-term in a lyophilized state and are highly tunable, underscoring the unique properties of the platform for use as generalizable cancer vaccines.

Genome analysis and description of Tunturibacter gen. nov. expands the diversity of Terriglobia in tundra soils.

Increased temperatures in Arctic tundra ecosystems are leading to higher microbial respiration rates of soil organic matter, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide and methane. To understand the effects of this microbial activity, it is important to better characterize the diverse microbial communities in Arctic soil. Our goal is to refine our understanding of the phylogenetic diversity of Terriglobia, a common but elusive group within the Acidobacteriota phylum. This will help us link this diversity to variations in carbon and nitrogen usage patterns. We used long-read Oxford Nanopore MinION sequences in combination with metagenomic short-read sequences to assemble complete Acidobacteriota genomes. This allowed us to build multi-locus phylogenies and annotate pangenome markers to distinguish Acidobacteriota strains from several tundra soil isolates. We identified a phylogenetic cluster containing four new species previously associated with Edaphobacter lichenicola. We conclude that this cluster represents a new genus, which we have named Tunturibacter. We describe four new species: Tunturibacter lichenicola comb. nov., Tunturibacter empetritectus sp. nov., Tunturibacter gelidoferens sp. nov., and Tunturibacter psychrotolerans sp. nov. By uncovering new species and strains within the Terriglobia and improving the accuracy of their phylogenetic placements, we hope to enhance our understanding of this complex phylum and shed light on the mechanisms that shape microbial communities in polar soils.

Measuring transformative virtual reality experiences in children's drawings.

Transformative experiences in an individual's life have a lasting impact on identity, belief system, and values. At the core of these experiences is the complex emotion of awe that promotes learning, making it worthwhile to study from an educational point of view. Drawing studies may provide a useful measure of awe in children-one that is more intuitive and attractive than questionnaires alone. Previous studies conducted with adults indicated that the diminished self, associated with transformative experiences, manifests in an actual decrease in size for figures representing the self in drawings. In the current study, self-representation was investigated in drawings of 10- to 12-year-old primary school children within the context of an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience that elicits the overview effect, known to lead to an intense apperception of awe. We did not replicate the adult findings regarding self-size in this younger age group. However, details and complexity in children's drawings appeared to be impacted by the awe-elicitation procedure in VR. These elements subsequently correlated to learning gains instead of the overview effect, indicating that this measure could be linked to cognitive ability. The findings of the current study contribute to a better understanding of how drawings reflect self-transcendental experiences; however, they also reveal that in younger age groups, they are not necessarily reflected in decreased self-size.

Blood lead increases and haemoglobin decreases in urban birds along a soil contamination gradient in a mining city.

Lead contaminated soil is a persistent global threat to the health of animal populations. Nevertheless, links between soil lead and its adverse effects on exposed wildlife remain poorly understood. Here, we explore local geographic patterns of exposure in urban birds along a gradient of lead contamination in Broken Hill, an Australian mining city. Soil lead concentrations are linked to co-located blood lead measurements in rock pigeons (Columba livia), house sparrows (Passer domesticus), crested pigeons (Ocyphaps lophotes) and white-plumed honeyeaters (Lichenostomus ornatus). Median blood lead levels were highest in crested pigeons (59.6 µg/dL), followed by house sparrows (35.2 µg/dL), rock pigeons (35.1 µg/dL), and white-plumed honeyeaters (27.4 µg/dL). Blood lead levels in all species declined away from mining areas, the primary source of lead contamination in Broken Hill. Blood lead increased significantly and at the greatest rate relative to soil lead in the three ground foraging species (crested pigeons, house sparrows, rock pigeons). For these species, soil lead concentrations below 200 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg were needed to maintain a median blood lead concentration under the lower threshold of the subtoxic (20-50 µg/dL) and toxic (≥50 µg/dL) effect ranges previously identified for some bird species. We also investigated the effects of lead exposure on blood haemoglobin levels as a general measure of physiological condition in birds exposed to different levels of soil lead contamination. Overall, for every 1 µg/dL increase in blood lead, haemoglobin decreased by 0.11 g/L. The rate of this decrease was not significantly different between species, which supports the measurement of haemoglobin as a consistent though insensitive measure of physiological condition in chronically lead exposed birds. Our findings reflect the importance of lead contaminated soil as a widespread source of elevated blood lead and supressed haemoglobin levels in birds inhabiting urbanised and mining impacted environments.