Hepatic copper accumulates in ferrets with and without hepatobiliary disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine hepatic copper concentrations and zonal distribution in ferrets with and without hepatobiliary disease, validate rhodanine-based qualitative copper scoring and digital copper quantification in ferret hepatic samples, and ascertain whether clinical features predicted copper accumulation. ANIMALS: 34 ferrets, including 7 with necroinflammatory disease, 5 with hepatocellular carcinoma, 13 with non-necroinflammatory disease, and 9 with no hepatobiliary disease. PROCEDURES: Rhodanine-based digital copper quantification was validated by use of liver dually measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy and digital scanning (R2 = 0.98). Clinical features and hepatic copper scores and concentrations (dry weight liver) were compared between groups. Zonal copper distribution was determined. RESULTS: Hepatic copper concentration was strongly correlated with copper scores (ρ = 0.88). Ferrets with hepatobiliary disease were significantly older and had significantly higher serum alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyltransferase activities and creatinine concentrations. Centrilobular copper accumulated in 23 of 34 (64%) ferrets with (n = 15) and without (8) hepatobiliary disease. Median copper concentrations were not significantly different between ferrets with and without hepatobiliary disease but were significantly higher within neoplastic hepatic tissue in ferrets with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatic copper concentrations exceeded feline (> 180 µg/g) and canine (> 400 µg/g) reference limits in 19 and 9 ferrets, respectively. Hepatic copper > 1,000 µg/g occurred in 5 ferrets with and 2 without hepatobiliary disease. Clinical features did not predict copper accumulation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Rhodanine-based digital copper quantification and qualitative copper scoring discerned liver copper accumulation in ferrets. Ferrets with and without hepatobiliary disease displayed a propensity for centrilobular hepatic copper accumulation of uncertain clinical importance. Clinical and clinicopathologic features could not exclusively implicate pathologic copper accumulation.

Intracoelomic Teratoma in an Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus).

A 26-year-old, male eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus) was presented to its primary care veterinarian for a 10-day history of increased respiratory effort, lethargy, and a single episode of regurgitation. Hepatomegaly, proventricular enlargement, cranial displacement of the ventriculus, and coelomic effusion were suspected based on a 1-view radiographic image, and the patient was referred for further evaluation. On presentation to the referral veterinary hospital, a distended coelom and dyspnea with abnormal respiratory sounds were abnormalities noted upon physical examination of the patient. The bird was hospitalized for supportive care, and diagnostic tests were performed. Initial radiographic images at the referral hospital revealed a large intracoelomic mass. A computed tomographic scan was performed; however, the origin of the mass could not be determined. A fine-needle aspirate and cytologic evaluation of the intracoelomic mass revealed a neoplastic process but no specific tissue type. Two days after presentation to the referral hospital, an exploratory coeliotomy to surgically resect the mass was attempted. The mass occupied most of the coelomic cavity, with multiple adhesions to internal organs. The mass was successfully resected; however, the patient destabilized and died despite resuscitation efforts. Histopathologic examination of submitted tissue from the mass with immunohistochemistry revealed mixed populations of neoplastic cells differentiated from 3 primordial germinal layers, confirming the diagnosis of teratoma. Teratomas appear to be a rare tumor in avian species but should be included in a list of differential disease diagnoses for abnormal tissue masses of unknown origin. Only 2 cases of teratomas have, to our knowledge, been reported in psittacine species.

A qualitative study of racial minority single mothers' work experiences.

There are approximately 12 million single parent-headed families in the United States (U.S.), 80% of which are headed by single mothers (United States Census Bureau, 2017). Research suggests that single mothers experience more vocational difficulties than married or partnered mothers (Weitoft, Haglund, & Rosén, 2000), especially working single mothers. This study explored the work experiences of racial minority working single mothers at lower-middle income level using a consensual qualitative research method (Hill et al., 2005). Six primary domains emerged from the data: (a) job/education decision-making, (b) challenges, (c) characteristics of self, (d) resources, (e) coping, and (f) suggestions. We present the practical implications of the study to increase vocational mobility, inform practitioners, and promote greater overall wellness for this marginalized group at various system levels. Suggestions for future research with racial minority working single mothers and limitations of the current study are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).