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The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a species often affected by natural and man-made disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills, as well as general human activities; that subsequently receives medical care and rehabilitation. During rehabilitation, blood may be collected for various tests to help with diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. Reference intervals for this species are limited, dated, and typically from small sample sizes. Seventy-one presumed healthy brown pelicans were sampled as part of their pre-release examination from rehabilitation at the Wildlife Center of Texas after a large volume stranding from December 2014 to January 2015, and various venous analytes were measured to establish updated reference intervals for brown pelicans. Fibrinogen was measured via heat precipitation and the Abaxis VSPro equine fibrinogen cartridge to determine reference intervals and in an attempt to validate the VSPro for use in avian species. Abaxis VS2 Avian/Reptile Chemistry panel, iSTAT CG4+, and iSTAT Chem8+ results, in addition to body condition score, spun PCV, cloacal temperature, and fibrinogen were measured. Proposed reference intervals for brown pelicans are presented. Fibrinogen results were not comparable between the gold standard method and the VSPro, indicating that the VSPro is not appropriate for use in brown pelicans.

We report the first chromosome-length genome assemblies for three species in the mammalian order Pholidota: the white-bellied, Chinese, and Sunda pangolins. Surprisingly, we observe extraordinary karyotypic plasticity within this order and, in female white-bellied pangolins, the largest number of chromosomes reported in a Laurasiatherian mammal: 2n = 114. We perform the first karyotype analysis of an African pangolin and report a Y-autosome fusion in white-bellied pangolins, resulting in 2n = 113 for males. We employ a novel strategy to confirm the fusion and identify the autosome involved by finding the pseudoautosomal region (PAR) in the female genome assembly and analyzing the 3D contact frequency between PAR sequences and the rest of the genome in male and female white-bellied pangolins. Analyses of genetic variability show that white-bellied pangolins have intermediate levels of genome-wide heterozygosity relative to Chinese and Sunda pangolins, consistent with two moderate declines of historical effective population size. Our results reveal a remarkable feature of pangolin genome biology and highlight the need for further studies of these unique and endangered mammals.

Venous blood samples were collected from 64 apparently healthy juvenile Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) after sedation with midazolam at the Wildlife Center of Texas located in Houston, Texas, during 2012. Blood gas (pH, PCO2, PO2, base excess, bicarbonate, oxygen saturation), electrolyte (sodium, potassium), biochemical (total CO2, ionized calcium, glucose), and hematologic parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, complete blood count) were determined using the i-STAT point-of-care analyzer. Sex did not affect any analyte. All squirrels recovered uneventfully and were successfully rehabilitated and released. Most values were as expected based on comparison to other young rodent species. These analyte data for healthy juvenile Eastern gray squirrels may be useful in assessment of Eastern gray squirrel population health and management and treatment of individual squirrels presented in need of medical care.

Venous blood samples were collected from 129 apparently healthy, rehabilitated juvenile black-bellied whistling ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) immediately before release from rehabilitation. Blood gas, electrolyte, and select biochemical and hematologic values were analyzed by using a point-of-care analyzer, and complete blood cell counts and osmolality were determined. Most biochemical analyte values were distributed parametrically, while most hematologic values were nonparametrically distributed. Calculated osmolality values were in poor agreement with measured osmolality values, and values of packed cell volume had poor agreement with hematocrit values determined with the i-STAT 1. The physiologic values reported provide vital information to assess individual duck health and guide fluid therapy in captivity and may prove useful to assess free-living population health of this duck species.

Voriconazole is effective for treatment of aspergillosis, a common disease in captive red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis). To determine the disposition and safety of voriconazole after single and multiple, oral doses, 12 adult red-tailed hawks were studied in 2 phases. In phase 1, each bird received a single dose of voriconazole solution (10 mg/kg) by gavage. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 24, and 36 hours after treatment. In phase 2, each of 8 birds received voriconazole oral solution at 10 mg/kg PO q12h for 14 days. Plasma samples were collected on days 0, 5, and 10 and after the final dose and were processed as in phase 1. Plasma samples were submitted for analysis of voriconazole levels by high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet spectrophotometry and for measurement of selected plasma biochemical parameters. After single dosing, voriconazole concentrations reached a (mean ± SD) peak (Cmax) of 4.7 ± 1.3 μg/mL at 2.0 ± 1.2 hours. The disappearance half-life (t1/2) was 2.8 ± 0.7 hours, and the mean residence time (MRT) was 4.6 ± 0.9 hours. After the last dose at 14 days, the mean Cmax of voriconazole was 4.5 ± 2.7 μg/mL at 2.4 ± 1.1 hours. The t1/2 was 2.1 ± 0.8 hours, and the MRT was 3.5 ± 1.1 hours. Although concentrations of several plasma biochemical parameters were significantly different at study end compared with prestudy concentrations, only plasma creatine kinase activity was outside the reference range. No adverse reactions were observed in any of the birds. After both single and multiple dosing at 10 mg/kg, voriconazole concentrations exceeded the minimum inhibitory concentration to inhibit 90% (MIC90) of Aspergillus species (1 μg/mL) by at least fourfold and remained above the MIC90 for 8.8 ± 1.1 hours after single dosing versus 6.5 ± 1.5 hours after multiple dosing (P = .003). This difference suggests that more frequent dosing (eg, up to q8h) may be necessary to maintain target concentrations during prolonged therapy.

Hedgehogs can be challenging patients because of their small size, spiny coat, and tendency to roll into a ball. Because of their short life span, their secretive and aloof nature, and their tendency to suffer from zoonotic and neoplastic diseases, clinical pathologic diagnosis via hematology, plasma biochemistry, and cytology is common in these species. Importation to the United States is strictly controlled, and captive breeding efforts have made many color varieties of the African pygmy hedgehog available. This chapter offers complete information on obtaining samples, performing tests, and interpreting laboratory results in hedgehogs. It emphasizes details on clinical biochemistries, urinalysis, and common laboratory diagnostic tests. Interpretation of specific analytes for hedgehogs is drawn from interpretation for domestic companion carnivores such as dogs, cats, and ferrets. The chapter tabulates reference data for blood values of the African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris), European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), Southern white‐breasted hedgehog (E. concolor), and long‐eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus).

Seven Atlanta and Fulton County high school students have been selected as the Fulton County \"Beat the Odds\" honorees of 2007, which is awarded to teens who overcome challenges. The teens, who were honored recently at a banquet at the Fox Theatre, are Denise Cook, 19, West End Academy; Drakeo Farley, 17, Banneker High School; Angela Gamble, 17, Riverwood High School; Keith Johnson, 18, Southside High School; Michelle Whitfield, 19, Comprehensive High School; and Emma Milan, 17, and Lesley Taylor, 17, Milton High School.

The city's first \"Boundless Playground\" has opened at Wesley Coan Park, 1530 Woodbine Ave. Boundless playgrounds are designed for children, including those with disabilities, to play and learn together. The Coan Park playground, with equipment to suit all ages and abilities, will accommodate 160 children. The park's sponsors include Fulton County's Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs; Atlanta Public Schools; Park Pride; the Boundless Playgrounds organization; the Kirkwood and Edgewood communities; donors and supporters. Children should bring their own baskets to Callanwolde, 980 Briarcliff Road. Tickets are $10 children; adults free. Parking is at Atlanta Metropolitan Cathedral. For information, call 404-872- 5338, or go to www.callanwolde.org. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) will host town hall meetings throughout District 4 on April 21. The meetings will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at Conyers City Hall, 1184 Scott St., Conyers; from noon to 2 p.m. at Bouie Elementary School, 5100 Rock Springs Road, Lithonia; and from 3 to 5 p.m. at Norcross High School, 5300 Spalding Drive, Norcross.

Bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract produce amino acid bile acid amidates that can affect host-mediated metabolic processes 1 – 6 ; however, the bacterial gene(s) responsible for their production remain unknown. Herein, we report that bile salt hydrolase (BSH) possesses dual functions in bile acid metabolism. Specifically, we identified a previously unknown role for BSH as an amine N -acyltransferase that conjugates amines to bile acids, thus forming bacterial bile acid amidates (BBAAs). To characterize this amine N -acyltransferase BSH activity, we used pharmacological inhibition of BSH, heterologous expression of bsh and mutants in Escherichia coli and bsh knockout and complementation in Bacteroides fragilis to demonstrate that BSH generates BBAAs. We further show in a human infant cohort that BBAA production is positively correlated with the colonization of bsh- expressing bacteria. Lastly, we report that in cell culture models, BBAAs activate host ligand-activated transcription factors including the pregnane X receptor and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. These findings enhance our understanding of how gut bacteria, through the promiscuous actions of BSH, have a significant role in regulating the bile acid metabolic network. We find that bile salt hydrolase N -acyltransferase activity can form bacterial bile acid amidates that are positively correlated with the colonization of gut bacteria that assist in the regulation of the bile acid metabolic network.

Piedmont Hospital offers a lung screening test that may detect cancer in its early stages, when the disease is most treatable. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, killing more than 163,000 people each year. It is often detected by conventional chest X-ray only after it has begun to spread and is sometimes untreatable. Low-dose computed tomography scanning can detect tumors that are missed by chest X-rays and can pick them up earlier in their development. For more information on CT lung screenings, call 404-605-1813.