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Simple Summary: The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is frequently impacted by both human activity and natural disasters, such as hurricanes, and is treated by rehabilitation centers. We have established normal values for juvenile brown pelicans at the end of rehabilitation to aid veterinarians and rehabilitation staff in determining if birds are healthy enough for release using analyzers readily available to these groups. We also attempted to validate a test for fibrinogen (Abaxis VSPro equine fibrinogen cartridge) in this species. Fibrinogen is a protein that can be used to measure inflammation. We found that that particular fibrinogen test is not a good way to measure fibrinogen in brown pelicans. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feasibility and effect of midazolam administration on blood analytes and for sedation of Passeriformes being collected in a larger study of genetic biodiversity was assessed. Midazolam (5.6±2.7 mg/kg) was administered intranasally prior to sampling, euthanasia, and specimen preparation of 104 passerine birds. Each bird was assessed for sedation score and then multiple analytes were determined from jugular blood samples using the i-STAT® point of care analyzer at "bird side". Most birds were acceptably sedated, sedation became more pronounced as midazolam dose increased, and only a single bird died. Electrolyte concentrations and venous blood gas analytes were affected by midazolam administration while blood pH, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, and calculated hematocrit were not. Intranasal midazolam gives adequate sedation and is safe for short-term use in free-living Passeriformes. Based on venous blood analyte data, sedation of Passeriformes prior to handling appears to reduce stress but also produces venous blood gas differences consistent with hypoventilation relative to birds which were not given midazolam. Further study is recommended to investigate midazolam's continued use in free-living avian species. Studies should include safety, reversal and recovery, effect upon additional endogenous analytes, and compatibility with studies of ecology and toxicology associated with pollution or other environmental degradation in Passeriformes.

BACKGROUND: Homopolymeric tracts, particularly poly dA.dT, are enriched within the intergenic sequences of eukaryotic genomes where they appear to act as intrinsic regulators of nucleosome positioning. A previous study of the incomplete genome of the human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum reports a higher than expected enrichment of poly dA.dT tracts, far above that anticipated even in this highly AT rich genome. Here we report an analysis of the relative frequency, length and spatial arrangement of homopolymer tracts for the complete P. falciparum genome, extending this analysis to twelve additional genomes of Apicomplexan parasites important to human and animal health. In addition, using nucleosome-positioning data available for P. falciparum, we explore the correlation of poly dA.dT tracts with nucleosome-positioning data over key expression landmarks within intergenic regions. RESULTS: We describe three apparent lineage-specific patterns of homopolymeric tract organization within the intergenic regions of these Apicomplexan parasites. Moreover, a striking pattern of enrichment of overly long poly dA.dT tracts in the intergenic regions of Plasmodium spp. uniquely extends into protein coding sequences. There is a conserved spatial arrangement of poly dA.dT immediately flanking open reading frames and over predicted core promoter sites. These key landmarks are all relatively depleted in nucleosomes in P. falciparum, as would be expected for poly dA.dT acting as nucleosome exclusion sequences. CONCLUSIONS: Previous comparative studies of homopolymer tract organization emphasize evolutionary diversity; this is the first report of such an analysis within a single phylum. Our data provide insights into the evolution of homopolymeric tracts and the selective pressures at play in their maintenance and expansion.

Eastern collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) are growing in popularity as exotic pets in the United States and worldwide. However, clinical biochemistry reference data to support the interpretation of health and disease for this species are lacking. This study evaluated 87 apparently healthy eastern collared lizards (C. collaris). Blood samples were collected from the ventral coccygeal vein and assayed via an Abaxis VetScan VS2 analyzer and avian/reptile profile plus rotor. Although lizard weight and snout–vent length (SVL) were normally distributed, most biochemical analytes, except albumin and total protein, were not. Many analytes were affected, albeit slightly, by lizard age, SVL, body condition score, gravidity and/or recent oviposition, sex, health status, and color and locality. However, except for calcium, phosphorous, and albumin for gravid or immediately postoviposition females, biochemical values remained within the generated reference interval. Limitations of this study included that the VetScan VS2 avian/reptile profile plus rotor was unable to successfully provide values for bile acids for most of these apparently healthy lizards. When compared to biochemistry analyte values of lizards from the suborder Iguania from the western hemisphere, eastern collared lizard biochemistries were similar for some analytes, but a relatively increased plasma glucose and uric acid occurs in this species, which could affect the diagnosis of clinical disease or other health abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this case study, a co-operative inquiry process was used to facilitate the expansion of inclusive early childhood education and care practices in a rural community in the Midwest. A university and a community researcher first engaged in interviews and site visits, during which they learned how a three-member inclusion team of early care and education professionals initiated changes in practice from self-contained to inclusive special education and therapy. Key practices included responding to families' priorities, changing roles, and providing integrated services and support for children's successful transitions into Kindergarten. The second part of the research consisted of action planning during focus groups and community meetings, which resulted in social recognition from the school district, technical assistance through state improvement grant funding, and better preschool options for young children with disabilities.