Contrasting gut microbiota in captive Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) by age.

Understanding the gut microbiota characteristics of endangered species such as the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), especially in their early stages of life, could be essential for improving their management and ex situ conservation strategies. Here, we analyzed the gut microbiota diversity, composition, and function of captive Eurasian otters at different ages using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We found that: (1) Clostridiaceae was abundant in all age stages; (2) Lactococcus in cubs is thought to predominate for digesting milk; (3) bacteria associated with amino acid metabolism increase with age, while bacteria associated with carbohydrate metabolism decrease with age, which is likely due to decrease in dietary carbohydrate content (e.g., milk) and increase in dietary protein contents (e.g., fishes) with age; and (4) fish-related bacteria were detected in feces of healthy adults and juveniles. Overall, the gut microbiota of captive Eurasian otters was taxonomically and functionally different by age, which is thought to be attributed to the difference in the diet in their life stages. This study provided baseline information regarding the gut microbiota of Eurasian otters for the first time and contributes to improvement in their management in captivity.

Comparison of fecal microbiota of three captive carnivore species inhabiting Korea.

This study aimed at characterizing fecal microbiota of three captive carnivore species of leopard cats Prionailurus bengalensis, Eurasian otters Lutra lutra and raccoon dogs Nyctereutes procyonoides. We used DNA barcoding sequencing to analyze 16S rRNA genes of uncultured bacteria in the feces collected in the Seoul Zoo. The sequencing analyses revealed that: 1) Firmicutes was the most dominant phylum for all three animals; 2) bacterial genus-rank compositions were distinct across species of the animals; and 3) bacterial community memberships were different across species of the studied animals. We expect such baseline information is useful for better understanding of these endangered species and future management of their health in zoos.

Iriomoteolide-3a, a cytotoxic 15-membered macrolide from a marine dinoflagellate amphidinium species.

A 15-membered macrolide, iriomoteolide-3a (1), with an allyl epoxide has been isolated from a marine benthic dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp. (strain HYA024), and the structure was assigned by detailed analyses of 2D NMR data. Relative and absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of conformational studies of 1 and its acetonide (2) and modified Mosher's method of 1, respectively. Iriomoteolide-3a (1) and the acetonide (2) exhibited potently cytotoxic activity against antitumor cells.

Amphidinolides B6 and B7, cytotoxic macrolides from a symbiotic dinoflagellate Amphidinium species.

Two 26-membered macrolides, amphidinolides B6 ( 2) and B7 ( 1), have been isolated from a marine symbiotic dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp., and the structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed analyses of 2D NMR data. The relative and absolute configurations for 1 and 2 were assigned by comparison of NMR data and CD data with those of known amphidinolides.

Iriomoteolides-1b and -1c, 20-membered macrolides from a marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium species.

Two 20-membered macrolides, iriomoteolides-1b ( 1) and -1c ( 2), have been isolated from a marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp. (strain HYA024), and the structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed analyses of 2D NMR data and chemical correlation.

Iriomoteolide-1a, a potent cytotoxic 20-membered macrolide from a benthic dinoflagellate amphidinium species.

A potent cytotoxic 20-membered macrolide, iriomoteolide-1a (1), has been isolated from a benthic dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp. (strain HYA024), and the structure was elucidated on the basis of detailed analyses of 2-D NMR data. The relative and absolute stereochemistries were assigned by the combination of conformational analyses using NMR data and modified Mosher's method of 1.

Influence of heart rate on the detectability and reproducibility of multislice computed tomography for measuring coronary calcium score using a pulsating calcified mock-vessel in comparison with electron beam tomography.

BACKGROUND: The influence of heart rate on detectability and reproducibility of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) for measuring coronary calcium score was evaluated using pulsating calcified mock-vessels and compared with electron beam tomography (EBT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four calcified mock-vessels with 200-350 HU were made to pulsate at a rate of 40-80 beat/min. Retrospective ECG-gating MSCT (Light Speed Ultra 16) scanning with 0.625 mm slice-thickness was performed twice at each pulsation rate. For comparison, EBT (Imatron C150 XP) was performed with 3 and 1.5 mm beam collimation with prospective ECG-gating and calcium scores were measured. RESULTS: The comparison revealed that MSCT did not have better reproducibility than EBT, but the calcium scores with MSCT were less influenced by pulsation rates than those with EBT. Especially in mild calcification, the calcium scores decreased with EBT with 3 mm beam collimation with increasing pulsation rate, but the scores were stable in any rate with MSCT. CONCLUSION: MSCT effectively detects coronary calcification, especially mild calcification, without being influenced by heart rate. This is accomplished by reducing the partial volume effect in the through plane using sub millimeter slice thickness, and using appropriate reconstruction methods, which improve temporal resolution.

[The usefulness of monitoring hepatic venous oxygen saturation and mild hypothermia anesthesia in two patients with portal vein tumor emboli during combined portal vein and pancreas resection].

Two patients, a 48-year-old woman and a 61-year-old man, with portal vein tumor emboli underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with portal vein resection. In order to protect the liver during occlusion of the portal vein, we induced mild hypothermia with surface cooling and hepatic oxygen status was monitored by hepatic venous oxygen saturation (ShvO2). During the temporary occlusion of the portal vein, the woman showed a marked decrease in ShvO2, significantly lower than 20%, and continued for about one hour, but on the other hand the man did not. But as the body temperature was raised, they showed the same tendency of decreased ShvO2. Postoperatively, her serum GOT, GPT, T-bilirubin were 104 UI.dl-1, 58 UI.dl-1, 1.95 mg.dl-1 and his data were 62, 42, 1.01 respectively. No other complication were observed. These results suggest that ShvO2 monitoring and mild hypothermia are clinically useful in detecting hepatic oxygen supply/demand unbalance and in protecting the liver.

[Recurrent cardiac arrest after splenectomy in a patient with ITP and diabetes mellitus].

We report a case of 58-year-old man who had repeated cardiac arrests on the first post-operative day. The patient underwent splenectomy due to ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura). He also had diabetes mellitus and nephrotic syndrome. There was no abnormal finding at the preoperative examination, except bleeding time of 6 minutes. The operation was finished without complications under general anesthesia. Midnight on the day of surgery, the first cardiac arrest occurred, and lasted for about 10 seconds. He recovered soon from the incident, but at 6 o'clock next morning, he developed severe bradycardia and cardiac arrest. He recovered again, but around 10 o'clock, he developed bradycardia and arrest again, and fell into a fit of convulsions and lost his consciousness. Again he recovered soon and no bradycardia and cardiac arrest occurred after this episode. Two years later, he was scheduled for vitrectomy due to diabetic retinosis. There were a few PACs and PVCs in his Holter-ECG, but no typical bradycardia and ST changes. During the operation, we injected atropine sulfate, dopamine hydrochloride and bucladesine sodium to increase his heart rate above 60 per minute. The operation was finished smoothly and there was no trouble perioperatively. A year later, he also underwent bilateral cataract extraction under local anesthesia without any troubles.