Examination of Physiological and Morphological Differences between Farm-Bred and Wild Black-Spotted Pond Frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus).

Due to the decline in the population and the difficulty of in situ conservation, several anuran species are being reared in captivity. In this study, we identified physiological and morphological differences between farm-bred and wild frogs. Nine different serum components were used as indicators of osmotic pressure, homeostatic state, organ function, and nutritional status of farm-bred frogs and wild frogs, while radiographic techniques were used to visualize differences in bone mineral density and body composition ratio. Additionally, X-ray skeletal images were used for morphological analysis to estimate differences in locomotory performance between the two groups. Wild frogs harbor traits that aid in better locomotory performance than farm-bred frogs. They also have a relatively lower fat content ratio and higher calcium and phosphorus serum levels than farm-bred frogs, suggesting a difference in nutritional status. However, hepatic stress was higher in wild frogs than in farm-bred frogs. Veterinary clinical examinations allow for the identification of differences in nutritional and morphological conditions between farm-bred and wild frogs. Determining the health of animals can help improve their living conditions, eliminate conditions that can negatively affect them, and effectively manage them on farms, in zoos, and at ex situ conservation institutes.

Influence of intensive net cage farming on hydrodynamic and geochemical environmental conditions and the mass mortality of abalone in South Korea.

The abalone aquaculture industry in South Korea has grown rapidly since the 2000s. In this study, we investigated the sedimentary pollution at four major abalone farms responsible for ~60% of all South Korean abalone produced. We also surveyed the current statuses of cage facilities, abalone mass mortality, and current velocities within and outside farm cages. The concentrations of total organic carbon in the study area were 7.92 ± 2.09 mg g-1, indicating a mild level of sedimentary pollution. We observed higher mortality rates in rectangular-shaped shelter cages than in triangular shelters. With increases in the number and size of abalone farming facilities, current velocities inside the cages declined by an average of 45% relative to those outside the cages, leading to poor habitat conditions for farmed abalone. Our results provide insights into the current status of the benthic environments and major causes of mass mortality in the abalone farms of South Korea.

Reference Intervals in Combined Veterinary Clinical Examinations of Male Black-Spotted Pond Frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus).

In conservation physiology, analyzing the physiological response of an organism to understand its ability to adapt to environmental changes is a key technique in establishing a successful conservation strategy. Veterinary clinical examinations determine the physiological condition of animals accurately and safely, and this examination is synergistic when combined. The accuracy and safety of a clinical examination makes it advantageous for use in amphibians with high species diversity and numerous endangered species. However, it is necessary to establish a reference interval (RI) for precise interpretations and identification of animals with abnormalities through individual unit testing. We have established RIs for the immunity, serum components, bone mineral density (BMD), and body composition of black-spotted pond frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus). Black-spotted pond frogs are a common species and are widely distributed in East Asia, with suitable characteristics for environmental monitoring. Serum was extracted from 151 male frogs to establish the RI for bacterial killing ability in order to represent immunity. We also used the serum to establish an RI of ten additional serum components to determine the nutritional status, organ function status, body osmotic pressure, and homeostasis conditions. The BMD and three body composition measures for diagnosing food intake status and nutritional condition were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The RI was recorded as the mean ± standard deviation, median, first (25%) to third (75%) quantile range, 95% confidence interval of the mean and median, and the 95% percentile (2.5%-97.5% range) of all components. The use of combined clinical veterinary examinations aids our understanding of the physiological conditions of an individual according to biotic and abiotic factors on a complex spatiotemporal scale in an ecosystem.

Impact of finfish aquaculture on biogeochemical processes in coastal ecosystems and elemental sulfur as a relevant proxy for assessing farming condition.

We conducted experiments to investigate the effects of finfish aquaculture and to propose appropriate proxies for assessing their environmental impact. Due to enhanced fish feed input, sulfate reduction (SR) and the resulting metabolic products (H2S, NH4+, PO43-) were significantly greater at the farm than at the control site. Benthic release of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and phosphorus (DIP) from farm sediment accounted for 52-837% and 926-1048%, respectively, of the potential DIN and DIP demand for phytoplankton production. The results suggest that excess organic loading in fish farms induces deleterious eutrophication and algal blooms in coastal ecosystems via benthic-pelagic coupling. Direct SR measurement provided the most useful information of all the parameters on organic contamination in fish farms. However, given its abundance, relatively lower chemical reactivity and relative ease of analysis, elemental sulfur was regarded as the most appropriate proxy for assessing the environmental impacts of finfish aquaculture.

Evaluation of phytoplankton community composition in the eutrophic Masan Bay by HPLC pigment analysis.

To assess the spatiotemporal changes in phytoplankton community composition in relation to the environment of Masan Bay, a semi-enclosed bay on the southern coast of Korea, photosynthetic pigments and environmental variables were analyzed in seawater, every month between March and November 2010. The level of dissolved inorganic nutrients was highest between July and September when the freshwater influx was at its peak, whereas chlorophyll a level was highest in April and August. Phosphate concentration was low in April (average: 0.22 +/- 0.17 microM), indicating the role of phosphate as a growth-limiting factor for phytoplankton. The results of pigment analysis indicate that dinoflagellate blooms occurred under favorable conditions, where competition with diatoms occurred. Fucoxanthin- and chlorophyll b-containing phytoplankton dominated the surface layer of Masan Bay from July to September. The composition of phytoplankton community in Masan Bay changed dramatically each month according to variations in the amount and composition of nutrients introduced through surface runoff.

Effect of human bone marrow stromal cell allograft on proliferation and collagen synthesis of diabetic fibroblasts in vitro.

In previous pilot studies, the authors reported that bone marrow stromal cells (BSCs) have a superior effect on healing of acute wounds compared with fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo. The present study was designed to compare the effect of allograft of normal BSCs with that of normal fibroblasts on the activity of diabetic fibroblasts in vitro. Diabetic fibroblasts were cultured in 24-well culture plates. Three groups were evaluated: group I, diabetic fibroblasts only; group II, diabetic fibroblasts co-cultured with normal fibroblasts; group III, diabetic fibroblasts co-cultured with normal BSCs. After 3-day incubation, cell proliferation and collagen synthesis, which are the major contributing factors in wound healing, were measured. Group III showed the highest level in both cell proliferation and collagen synthesis, followed by group II and group I (p<0.05). These results demonstrate that BSCs are superior to fibroblasts in stimulating the activity of diabetic fibroblasts.

A rare case of facial Candida albicans cellulitis in an uncontrolled diabetic patient.

Facial cellulitis is defined as infections or inflammation of the skin or connective tissue in orbital, periorbital area and cheeks, and is known to be caused mainly by bacterial infections, for which treatment with proper antibiotics and incision and drainage are necessary. Candidal cellulitis is a rare disease and only two cases have been reported in the world to our knowledge. Candidal facial cellulitis is a non-haematogenous, deep-seated infection and we should figure out for known risk factors of candidal colonisation or overgrowth and possible routes of infection for candidiasis. We report one case of facial cellulitis caused by Candida albicans in an uncontrolled diabetic woman aged 50.