Ingestion of fishing gear and Anisakis sp. infection in a beached Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) in the Jeju Island, Republic of Korea: findings from post-mortem computed tomography and necropsy.

BACKGROUND: Human fishing activities have significantly affect environmental concern for marine ecosystems, conservation of marine mammals, and human health. Coastal cetaceans are highly vulnerable to ingestion of fishing gear, bycatching, or entanglement, all of which can be fatal for these animals. In particular, certain coastal dolphins and porpoises are heavily impacted by fishing gear such as angling gear or stownet, as their food often overlap with the target fish species of human fisheries. CASE PRESENTATION: This study presents a case of an Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) beached on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, with ingestion of fishing gear and severe Anisakis infection. Although this species inhabits waters ranging from the Persian Gulf to Taiwan, several stranded carcasses have been reported on Jeju Island in recent years. Post-mortem computed tomography revealed a bundle of four fishing hooks in the forestomach, along with nylon lines and steel lines with connectors, which were assumed to be angling gear for Jeju hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus). Further necroscopic investigation revealed that the forestomach contained a large number of Anisakis spp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae). Histological examination revealed a thickened forestomach wall with pinpoint and volcanic ulcerations, a thickened layer of stratified squamous epithelium, and infiltrated stroma in the squamous epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes the urgent need to address the impact of fishing activities on marine mammals, marine litter pollution, and the bycatch problem in Korean seawater. In addition, the occurrence of N. phocaenoides in seawater around Jeju Island should be raised in future geographical ecology or veterinary pathology studies and when its distribution is updated.

Adhesive Bowel Obstruction (ABO) in a Stranded Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri).

In this case report, we present a rare occurrence of a narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), discovered on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, that was afflicted with adhesive bowel obstruction (ABO), a life-threatening condition that has scarcely been reported in cetaceans. Diagnosis of ABO was confirmed via radiological and clinical assessments. Post-mortem computed tomography and necropsy revealed ABO between two loops of the jejunum at the L8 level. The mesenteric tissue covering the intestinal lesion was severely thickened with increased tension. Both bowel loops were fixed to the mesentery and acutely angulated, leading to asymmetrical thickening of the cross-sectional bowel walls. The intestinal lumen was stenosed because of pressure from the firm mesenteric band, and no fecal matter was observed in the lumen of the posterior bowel or rectum. Calcified nodules were detected, and histological analysis suggested parasitic or suspected post-parasitic infections. The primary cause of the intestinal lesions is presumed to be a reaction related to parasitic infection. However, further investigations would establish a definitive link between parasitic infections and ABO in this species. This case highlights the importance of studying rare medical conditions in wildlife, providing valuable insights into marine mammal health.

Fatal upper aerodigestive tract obstruction in an East Asian finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri): findings in post-mortem computed tomography.

The present case report aims to outline the post-mortem findings of an East Asian finless porpoise with upper aerodigestive tract obstruction using different post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) visualization techniques and discusses the potential cause of death of this individual. A dead-stranded adult male East Asian finless porpoise was recovered from the Northern coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The carcass was frozen in Jeju National University within 2 h upon first reported. The PMCT examinations were performed at 120 kVp, 200 mAs with a section thickness of 1 mm. The scan field of view (sFOV) was set to 400 mm. Four image rendering techniques, including multi-planar reconstruction, three-dimensional volume rendering, perspective volume rendering, and minimum intensity projection technique, were used to aid the diagnosis of upper aerodigestive tract obstruction in the stranded finless porpoise. Conventional necropsy was performed to provide a complete necropsy report. Using PMCT, a Sebastidae of 24 cm measured length was found to be lodged in the left pharyngeal food channel and esophagus of the finless porpoise. Hard rays of the pectoral fin of the lodged fish have impaled the esophageal mucosa. Fishing gear was found to embed at the dorsal side of the lodged fish. The trachea was compressed ventrally and the arytenoepiglottic tube opening has been narrowed, which may precipitate to the finless porpoise difficult breathing. Pulmonary hyperinflation, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, pneumopericardium, and pneumorrhachis were observed. This case report represents the first documentation of potential radiological indicators of upper aerodigestive tract obstruction in the East Asian finless porpoise using PMCT. Spatial location of the lodged item could be rendered in situ as the time of death. It has demonstrated that PMCT could provide objective measurements to adjunct the necropsy findings in diagnosis of fatal aerodigestive tract obstruction in stranded cetaceans.

Combined Phototherapeutic Keratectomy and Peripheral Anterior Stromal Puncture for the Treatment of Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of the combined phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) and peripheral anterior stromal puncture (ASP) compared with that of PTK alone in patients with recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCES). METHODS: The medical records of 25 patients (25 eyes) who underwent combined treatment of PTK and peripheral ASP for RCES from March 2016 to May 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-three patients (23 eyes) treated with PTK alone from March 2015 to February 2016 served as a control group. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. This retrospective clinical study comprised 48 patients (48 eyes) who were followed up for more than 18 months. Clinical records of age, sex, laterality, etiology of RCES, and history of recurrence after treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-five eyes were treated with combined PTK and ASP, and 23 eyes were treated with PTK only. The mean follow-up period was 19.63 ± 2.97 and 19.75 ± 6.83 months, respectively. There were no differences in baseline parameters between the groups. In the combined treatment group, one patient experienced recurrence 6 months after the surgery. In the single treatment group, five patients showed recurrence at 4, 7, 8, 11, and 13 months after the surgery, respectively. Compared to the single treatment group, the combined treatment group showed significantly lower recurrence rate (p < 0.05). All recurred patients required no additional treatment except temporary therapeutic contact lenses and topical lubricants. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that combined treatment of PTK and peripheral ASP is effective in alleviation of symptoms and prevention of recurrence in refractory RCES compared with treatment using PTK alone.

Changes of tear film lipid layer thickness by 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solutions in patients with dry eye syndrome.

AIM: To evaluate the quantitatively changes in lipid layer thickness (LLT) when 3% diquafosol eye drop is used for dry eye patients using the tear film interferometer. METHODS: A total 124 participants (32 males, 92 females; mean age, 28.9y) diagnosed with dry eye disease (DED) received topical instillation of 4 ophthalmic solutions in one eye: diquafosol, normal saline, 0.1% sodium hyaluronate and 0.3% gatifloxacin, in a masked manner. LLT was measured using an interferometer at baseline and 20min after the instillation of each ophthalmic solutions. RESULTS: Changes of LLT after instillation (nm, mean± standard error) were as follows: 12.6±2.0 for diquafosol (P<0.001), 1.2±2.2 for normal saline (P=0.301), 1.5±2.0 for hyaluronate (P=0.495), and 0.5±3.2 for gatifloxacin (P=0.884). CONCLUSION: Topical instillation of diquafosol increases tear film LLT in DED patients. Diquafosol 3% eye drop might be effective treatment option of evaporative DED with meibomian gland dysfunction.

Heavy metal accumulation in and food safety of shark meat from Jeju island, Republic of Korea.

Shark meat is consumed as a food source worldwide, especially in Asian countries. However, since sharks are apex predators in the ocean food chain, they are prone to bioaccumulation of heavy metals. More than 100 million sharks are caught annually for human consumption, and the safety of shark meat cannot be overemphasized. Here, we examined heavy metal concentration in the muscle tissue of 6 shark species including 3 migratory species (Carcharhinus brachyurus, Carcharhinus obscurus, and Isurus oxyrinchus) and 3 local species (Triakis scyllium, Mustelus manazo, and Cephaloscyllium umbratile) from fish markets in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The concentrations of 11 heavy metals (Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Sb, Pb, and Hg) and MeHg were analyzed. The result showed that the average concentrations of all metals, except for that of As, were below the regulatory maximum limits of many organizations, including the Codex standard. Hg and MeHg were significantly correlated with body length, body weight, and age, and the concentration of Hg was expected to exceed the limit in C. brachyurus with a body length or weight of over 130 cm or 25 kg, respectively. Our results indicate that shark meat can expose consumers to a high level of As and that copper sharks bigger than the predicted size should be avoided for excessive Hg. Considering these findings, a detailed guideline on consumption of meat of different shark species should be suggested based on further investigation.

Comparative intraocular penetration of 4 fluoroquinolones after topical instillation.

PURPOSE: To compare the intraocular penetration of 4 fluoroquinolone eye drops after topical instillation into rabbit eyes. METHODS: The tested drugs were levofloxacin 1.5% (LVFX), gatifloxacin 0.3%, moxifloxacin 0.5% (MFLX), and besifloxacin 0.6% (BFLX). Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned into 2 groups. For group 1 (40 rabbits, 80 eyes), single instillation was performed, and tissue samples were acquired after 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours. For group 2 (8 rabbits, 16 eyes), repeated instillation was performed (4 times, every 15 minutes), and tissues were acquired 1 hour after the fourth instillation. The drug concentrations in ocular tissues (cornea, aqueous, conjunctiva, and trisected vitreous) were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The AUC 0-6 h (area under the curve, in microgram.hour/gram) in group 1 and the mean concentration (in micrograms/gram) in group 2 for LVFX, gatifloxacin 0.3%, MFLX, and BFLX, respectively, were 22.97, 6.44, 13.54, and 3.29 and 22.60, 6.99, 13.69, and 1.91 in cornea; 5.66, 1.43, 3.38, and 0.42 and 5.52, 1.29, 2.47, and 0.19 in aqueous humor; 2.33, 0.91, 2.17, and 9.83 and 4.51, 0.78, 1.48, and 2.09 in bulbar conjunctiva; 0.243, 0.051, 0.134, and 0.018 and 0.182, 0.055, 0.122, and 0.015 in anterior vitreous; none of the drugs achieved enough concentration in equatorial and posterior vitreous. Repeated instillation resulted in approximately 2.1 times greater penetration than single instillation. CONCLUSIONS: LVFX and MFLX demonstrated good intraocular penetration particularly in cornea, aqueous humor, and anterior vitreous, and they may be considered the penetrative fluoroquinolones. BFLX showed high concentration in bulbar conjunctiva and may be considered the retentive fluoroquinolone.