Health assessment of nesting loggerhead sea turtles () in one of their largest rookeries (central eastern Florida coast, USA).

Reproduction is a physiologically demanding process for sea turtles. Health indicators, including morphometric indices and blood analytes, provide insight into overall health, physiology and organ function for breeding sea turtles as a way to assess population-level effects. The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR) on Florida's central eastern coast is critical nesting habitat for loggerhead sea turtles (), but health variables from this location have not been documented.

Health and nutrition of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the southeastern United States.

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are opportunistic carnivores that feed primarily on benthic invertebrates and fish. Sea turtle rehabilitation requires provision of a species-specific, balanced diet that supplies nutrition similar to that of a wild diet; this can be challenging because free-ranging loggerheads' diets vary depending on their life stage and geographic location, with predominant prey species dictated by local availability. The goal of this study was to better understand the nutritional needs of subadult and adult loggerheads in rehabilitation.

Practical Management of Iron Overload Disorder (IOD) in Black Rhinoceros (BR; ).

Critically endangered black rhinoceros (BR) under human care are predisposed to non-hemochromatosis Iron Overload Disorder (IOD). Over the last 30 years, BR have been documented with diseases that have either been induced by or exacerbated by IOD, prompting significant efforts to investigate and address this disorder. IOD is a multi-factorial chronic disease process requiring an evidence-based and integrative long-term approach.

Introduction and Establishment of Raccoon Rabies on Islands: Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA as a Case Study.

The introduction of rabies virus (RABV) to barrier islands, which are often popular tourist destinations with resource-rich habitats and connectivity and proximity to the mainland, is especially concerning because it can easily become endemic due to factors like dense rabies-vector populations (e.g., raccoons [ Procyon lotor]), high inter- and intraspecies contact rates, and anthropogenic activities such as supplemental feeding of feral cats ( Felis catus).

Lack of Effect of Graded Doses of Vitamin D on Bone Metabolism of Breastfed Infants.

Objective: A range of doses of supplemental vitamin D has been shown to be effective in preventing rickets in breastfed infants, but the effect of different doses of vitamin D on bone metabolism and mineral content has not been delineated.

Methods: In a randomized trial, breastfed infants received from 2 to 9 months daily supplements of vitamin D in doses of 200 IU/d, 400 IU/d, 600 IU/d or 800 IU/d. Measures of bone metabolism (plasma) were determined periodically and bone mineral content (DXA) was determined at study entry and at the end of winter when infants were 5.

Adequacy of Infant Formula With Protein Content of 1.6 g/100 kcal for Infants Between 3 and 12 Months.

Objectives: Infant formulas provide more protein than breast milk. High protein intakes may place infants at risk of later obesity. The present study tested whether a formula with protein content below the regulatory level supports normal growth from age 3 months.

PHARMACOKINETICS OF TRAMADOL AND O-DESMETHYLTRAMADOL IN LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES (CARETTA CARETTA).

The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of two orally administered doses of tramadol (5 and 10 mg/kg) and its major metabolite (O-desmethyltramadol) (M1) in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). After oral administration, the half-life of tramadol administered at 5 and 10 mg/kg was 20.35 and 22.

Factors influencing survivorship of rehabilitating green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) with fibropapillomatosis.

Marine turtle fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a debilitating, infectious neoplastic disease that has reached epizootic proportions in several tropical and subtropical populations of green turtles (Chelonia mydas). FP represents an important health concern in sea turtle rehabilitation facilities. The objectives of this study were to describe the observed epidemiology, biology, and survival rates of turtles affected by FP (FP+ turtles) in a rehabilitation environment; to evaluate clinical parameters as predictors of survival in affected rehabilitating turtles; and to provide information about case progression scenarios and potential outcomes for FP+ sea turtle patients.

Vitamin D supplementation of breastfed infants: a randomized dose-response trial.

Background: Breastfed infants require supplementation with vitamin D (vD), but little is known about the necessary dose. This double blind trial evaluated four different doses of vD.

Methods: Exclusively breastfed infants (N = 213) were randomized at 1 mo to one of four doses, which they received through 9 mo while receiving no formula.

Iron stores of breastfed infants during the first year of life.

The birth iron endowment provides iron for growth in the first months of life. We describe the iron endowment under conditions of low dietary iron supply. Subjects were infants participating in a trial of Vitamin D supplementation from 1 to 9 months.

Low-protein formula slows weight gain in infants of overweight mothers.

Objectives: Infant formulas provide more protein than breast milk. High protein intakes, as well as maternal obesity, are risk factors for later obesity. The present study tested whether a formula with lower protein content slows weight gain of infants of overweight mothers (body mass index [BMI] >25 kg/m).

The WHO growth standards: strengths and limitations.

Purpose Of Review: To describe the creation of the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards (WHO standards) released in 2006, to show their main features and to compare them with existing charts.

Recent Findings: The WHO standards are the first globally representative growth standards. They describe the growth of children worldwide who are living in favorable circumstances.

Growth charts compared.

Growth assessment of children requires comparison of growth measurements with normative references, usually in the form of growth charts. Traditionally growth charts (growth references) have described the growth of children who were considered normal and were living in a defined geographic area. The new WHO growth charts, on the other hand, are growth standards that aim to represent growth as it occurs worldwide.

Iron supplementation of breastfed infants from an early age.

Background: In breastfed infants, iron deficiency at <6 mo of life, although uncommon, is observed in industrialized countries. Iron supplementation starting at an early age may prevent iron deficiency.

Objective: The study assessed the effect of early iron supplementation of breastfed infants and tested the hypothesis that iron supplementation enhances iron status.

Weight gain in the first week of life and overweight in adulthood: a cohort study of European American subjects fed infant formula.

Background: Successful prevention of obesity and related cardiovascular risk factors requires a clear understanding of its determinants over the life course. Rapid infancy weight gain is associated with childhood obesity, whereas low infancy weight is associated with coronary heart disease. Our aim was to identify during which periods in infancy weight gain is associated with adult obesity.

Absorption and loss of iron in toddlers are highly correlated.

For estimating the requirements for dietary iron, it is important to know the amount of iron that is lost from the body. Inevitable losses of iron have been determined in adult humans but not in infants or children. We administered (58)Fe, the least abundant stable isotope of iron, to free-living infants at 168 d of age (5.