Multiple urogenital abnormalities in a Persian cat

A 1.5-year-old female Persian cat was presented for inappetence and azotemia. Ultrasonography and urography revealed multiple abnormalities involving the genitourinary tract, including agenesis of the right kidney and ureter. Gross examination of the abnormal uterus revealed segmental aplasia of right caudal uterine horn causing cranial distension with fluid, a normal left uterine horn, and both normal ovaries. Microscopically, endometrial glands of the right uterine horn were markedly decreased in number. The right uterine horn was hemorrhagic suggesting estrus. This is the first report of this combination of urinary and uterus abnormalities in the veterinary literature.     

Dieckol Isolated from Eisenia bicyclis Ameliorates Wrinkling and Improves Skin Hydration via MAPK/AP-1 and TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathways in UVB-Irradiated Hairless Mice

Repetitive exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) is one of the main causes of skin photoaging. We previously reported that dieckol isolated from Eisenia bicyclis extract has potential anti-photoaging effects in UVB-irradiated Hs68 cells. Here, we aimed to evaluate the anti-photoaging activity of dieckol in a UVB-irradiated hairless mouse model. In this study, hairless mice were exposed to UVB for eight weeks. At the same time, dieckol at two doses (5 or 10 mg/kg) was administered orally three times a week. We found that dieckol suppressed UVB-induced collagen degradation and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-1, -3, and -9 expression by regulating transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)/Smad2/3 and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/activator protein-1 (AP-1) signaling. In addition, dieckol rescued the production of hyaluronic acid (HA) and effectively restored the mRNA expression of hyaluronan synthase (HAS)-1/-2 and hyaluronidase (HYAL)-1/-2 in UVB-irradiated hairless mice. We observed a significant reduction in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), epidermal/dermal thickness, and wrinkle formation in hairless mice administered dieckol. Based on these results, we suggest that dieckol, due to its anti-photoaging role, may be used as a nutricosmetic ingredient for improving skin health.     

A quantitative evaluation and phylogenetic characterization of oligotrophic denitrifying bacteria harbored in subsurface upland soil using improved culturability

This is the first investigation to show that oligotrophic denitrifying bacteria are dominant denitrifiers in subsurface upland soil. We examined the vertical distribution of denitrifying bacterial populations in upland soil using two kinds of enumeration media. The number of denitrifying bacteria, enumerated in subsurface soil layers by a 100-fold diluted nutrient broth (DNB) medium with NO₃ ⁻, was two to three orders of magnitude greater than those enumerated by a conventional nutrient broth medium with NO₃ ⁻, suggesting the dominance of oligotrophic denitrifying bacteria. Seventy-four percent of the total denitrifying bacterial isolates were DNB organisms of the oligotrophic type, which did not show appreciable growth on a conventional nutrient broth medium. The isolates were heterogeneous and were categorized as alpha (35 strains) and beta (19 strains) subdivisions of proteobacteria and high G+C gram-positive bacteria (7 strains) by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The 35-alpha subdivision of proteobacterial isolates was of oligotrophic type and widely distributed from the surface to subsurface soil layers. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that some isolates belonged to groups with few or no cultivated representatives, and that one isolate may be a member of a new genus. This isolation procedure, using diluted media, is valuable in detecting diverse and novel denitrifying bacteria in the subsurface soil.     

Influence mechanism of climate change on paddy farming practices and irrigation water demand

Paddy and Water Environment - Technological and socioeconomic interventions accompanied by climate warming strongly dictate farming practices, lending a direct impact over future irrigation water...