Effects of winter indoor environment on the skin: Unveiling skin condition changes in Korea.

BACKGROUND: In Korea, winter can cause skin dryness due to low relative humidity (RH); moreover, indoor heating devices promote moisture loss and air pollution. If dryness persists, dead skin cells accumulate, leading to skin problems; therefore, careful skin care is required. This study aimed to compare changes in skin conditions when exposed to an indoor environment for a short period of 6 h in winter, and to suggest proper winter skin care practices. METHODS: A randomized, split-face clinical study was conducted in which healthy female participants with normal skin were exposed to an indoor environment with a heater turned on for a short period at least 6 h per day in the winter season, and cream was applied to one side of the face. Skin temperature, hydration, sebum, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), elasticity, texture, pores, redness, and wrinkles were measured at the treated and nontreated sites. RESULTS: After 6 h of exposure, skin temperature, pores, roughness, redness, and wrinkles significantly increased (p < 0.05) on the face, whereas TEWL significantly increased on the forearm (p < 0.05). However, sebum secretion appeared to function as a barrier to maintain homeostasis in the facial skin. Elasticity, pores, texture, and wrinkles in the cream-treated ceramide site improved compared to those in the nontreated site (p < 0.05). The moisture content was also significantly higher in the forearm (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Changes in skin parameters of participants with healthy skin were observed even after short-term exposure to an indoor environment in winter. Creams containing ceramide maintain skin homeostasis and protect the skin barrier; therefore, it is recommended to use such creams to prevent skin damage and maintain healthy skin, particularly during prolonged exposure to indoor environments during winter.

Dilation of the olfactory bulb cavity concurrent with hydrocephalus in four small breed dogs.

Four small breed dogs were admitted with seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed dilation of the olfactory bulb cavity as well as enlargement of the lateral ventricles. These findings demonstrate that dilation of the olfactory bulb cavity can occur concurrent with hydrocephalus. This is the first description of the clinical and MRI features of dilation of the olfactory bulb cavity concurrent with hydrocephalus in dogs.

Canine model of ischemic stroke with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion: clinical and histopathological findings.

The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical and histopathological findings in a canine model of ischemic stroke. Cerebral ischemic stroke was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in four healthy beagle dogs using silicone plugs. They showed neurological signs of forebrain dysfunction such as reduced responsiveness, head turning, circling, postural reaction deficits, perceptual deficits, and hemianopsia. These signs gradually regressed within 4 weeks without therapy. On magnetic resonance imaging, T2 hyperintensity and T1 hypointensity were found in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. These lesions were well-defined and sharply demarcated from adjacent brain parenchyma with a homogenous appearance. No abnormalities of the cerebrospinal fluid were observed. At necropsy, atrophic and necrotic lesions were observed in the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus were partially unstained with triphenyl- tetrazolium chloride. Histopathologically, typical features of infarction were identified in cortical and thalamic lesions. This study demonstrates that our canine model resembles the conditions of real stroke patients.

Therapeutic trial of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor for dilated cardiomyopathy in three dogs.

Three dogs were presented to us for evaluation of cardiac problems. Electrocardiographic recordings revealed severe tachyarrhythmia and atrial fibrillation with ventricular tachycardia in 2 of the 3 dogs. The echocardiographic findings of the 3 dogs revealed markedly decreased fractional shortening and a marked increase in E-point septal separation. Based on the results of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluation, the 3 dogs were diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The dogs were treated with conventional cardiac medication, but cardiac function did not improve and the clinical signs remained. We subsequently attempted treatment with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF; 10 microg/kg, subcutaneously). The specific purpose of G-CSF therapy for DCM was to improve cardiac function and a significant improvement in cardiac function was confirmed. The three dogs had no treatment side effects. This case report suggests that G-CSF might have therapeutic effects for medically refractory DCM in dogs.

A comparison of combination therapy (cyclosporine plus prednisolone) with sole prednisolone therapy in 7 dogs with necrotizing meningoencephalitis.

Administration of immunosuppressive doses of glucocorticosteroids is the traditional primary treatment in necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) in dogs. However, response is variable and clinical signs often recur quickly with tapering dosage. Prognosis is poor and long-term therapy causes many complications. In the present study, we compared the long-term effects of combination (cyclosporine plus prednisolone) therapy with sole prednisolone therapy in management in dogs with NME. All NME cases in this study were examined with magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and confirmed by histopathologic examination. The mean survival time of combination therapy group was 305.7 +/- 94.7 days. The mean survival time of sole prednisolone therapy group was 58.3 +/- 30.5 days. This case report demonstrates that combination treatment of cyclosporine with prednisolone is more effective in survival time than administration of only prednisolone in NME cases.