Hydrangea is widely grown as an ornamental plant with a high commercial value owing to its appealing features. Although many cultivars exist as genetic resources, they cannot be effectively used for breeding due to insufficient information regarding their genetic relationships and breeding compatibility. Intraspecific and intergeneric hybridizations within the family, Hydrangeaceae present opportunities to create cultivars with desirable traits, however, breeding efforts in Hydrangea through interspecific hybridization have achieved limited success. The low viability of interspecific hybrids may be attributed to cytogenetic incompatibility between the species. Therefore, a deeper cytogenetic understanding of this genus could enhance future breeding programs. This review focuses on the importance of cytogenetic data in the breeding of hydrangeas and the different cytogenetic techniques utilized in this genus. Future directions for cytogenetic research in Hydrangea are also discussed.

A twelve-year-old, spayed female Siamese cat was presented for health screening. Abdominal radiography revealed a large amount of mineral opacity substances of various sizes and shapes, along with mild gaseous dilation proximal to the lesion. Ultrasonography showed hyperechoic surface with acoustic shadowing at the ileum and wall thickening of the ileum. Enterotomy was performed to remove the foreign bodies, which were numerous hairball- and stone-like objects. Analysis of the enteroliths revealed a composition of calcium phosphate. Although enterolithiasis is considered rare in cats, it should be included in the differential diagnosis when numerous pebble-like mineral opacity lesions are observed.

Background: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a prominent technology that can preserve superior genetic traits of animals and expand the population in a short time. Hematological characters and endocrine profiles are important elements that demonstrate the stability of the physiological state of cloned animals. To date, several studies regarding cloned camels with superior genes have been conducted. However, detailed hemato-physiological assessments to prove that cloned camels are physiologically normal are limited. In this study, We evaluated the hemato-physiological characteristics of cloned male and female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries). Methods: Therefore, we analyzed variations in hematological characteristics and endocrine profiles between cloned and non-cloned age-matched male and female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries ). Two groups each of male and female cloned and non-cloned camels were monitored to investigate the differences in hemato-physiological characteristics. Results: All the animals were evaluated by performing complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry, and endocrinological tests. We found no significant difference between the cloned and non-cloned camels. Furthermore, the blood chemistry and endocrine profiles in male and female camels before maturity were similar. Conclusions: These results suggest that cloned and non-cloned camels have similar hematological characteristics and endocrine parameters.

A 9-year-old, intact female, Pungsan dog was referred for purulent vaginal discharge and depression. Abdominal radiographs revealed gas-filled and soft tissue opacity tubular structures in the mid to caudal abdomen. On ultrasonography, fluid-filled uterus and cervix accompanied by hyperechoic foci and reverberation artifacts were identified. Multiple hyperechoic foci were found within the uterine wall, indicating gas content. Escherichia coli was isolated from aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures. Radiological differential diagnosis of tubular shaped, dilated gas-filled structure, and gas in the wall of the structure should consider emphysematous pyometra with endometrial pneumatosis in intact female dogs with vulvar discharge.

Echeveria is a genus belonging to the Crassulaceae family that comprises approximately 170 species. It is a representative plant known as a succulent with economic potential in the floriculture industry. Echeveria plants are widely distributed in dry environments and endemic to Mexico. These plants have a rosette formation and varied leaf colors and shapes, which are characteristics of interest for landscaping, cut flowers, or interior decoration. Given their range of locations in different climates or indoor conditions, it is important to have an understanding and knowledge of their leaf morphology and anatomy and how they function to provide optimum care and management. Owing to high demand in horticultural markets, many breeders have crossed their desired species. However, this method has progressively increased the number of species without proper records of parents or other natural unintended crossings, creating phylogenetic problems and identification issues. The use and understanding of phenotypes, anatomical data, and/or research to aid in taxonomic issues and improve cultural management practices have been reviewed and discussed in this paper. In this review, we have provided a brief background of Echeveria species, focusing on the challenges and studies that have attempted to address these issues.

Temperature is a crucial environmental factor for rice cultivation due to the climate change and can influence the rice growth and development. Therefore, the effect of temperature on plant growth characters was examined during the vegetative growth stage. Plants were grown under three different temperatures: 23°C/13°C for 18°C, 26°C/16°C for 21°C and 29°C/19°C for 24°C in the phytotron. The temperature was treated after transplanting and ended in early panicle initiation stage. Heading date of the two varieties were strongly affected by the temperature and were delayed in the 18°C. The plant height in the 18°C was 21 % shorter than the 21°C and 24°C and the tiller and leaf number were increased in the 18°C. All the growth rates of the characters were the slowest in 18°C. The stem dry weight was significantly increased in 18°C. Nitrogen content was increased in the leaves of 18°C whereas available phosphate and potassium contents was found to be increased in the stems of 21°C and 24°C. OsNRT2.1 was overexpressed in the leaves and stems of 18°C and OsNRT2.3a could be expressed in 18°C and 21°C temperatures whereas more expressed in 21°C. OsPT1 and OsPT6 could be expressed in the leaf of 18°C and 24°C but could be expressed more in the stem of 18°C. OsHAK1 and OsHAK5 could be overexpressed in the leaves and stems of 18°C. For hormone, OsCKX2 gene was found to be up regulated in the leaves of 18°C and OsIAA1 gene could expressed more in the stem of 24°C.

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) is known as an important biomarker for fetal abnormality during first trimester and has a pivotal role in follicle development and corpus luteum formation. And also, it is being revealed that an expression of PAPP-A in various cells and tissues such as cancer and lesion area. PAPP-A is the major IGF binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) protease. Cleavage of IGFBP-4 results in loss of binding affinity for IGF, causing increased IGF bioavailability for proliferation, survival, and migration. Additionally, PAPP-A can be used as a promising therapeutic target for healthy longevity. Despite growing interest, almost nothing is known about how PAPP-A expression is regulated in any tissue. This review will focus on what is currently known about the zinc metalloproteinase, PAPP-A, and its role in cells and tissues. PAPP-A is expressed in proliferating cells such as fetus in uterus, granulosa cells in follicle, dermis in wound, cancer cells, and Sertoli cells in testis. They have common characteristics of proliferation faster than normal cells with stimulating IGFs action and inhibiting IGFBPs. The PAPP-A functions and expression studies in livestock have not yet been conducted much. Further studies are needed to use PAPP-A as a marker for healthy longevity in animal science.

Veronica L., the largest genus in the family Plantaginaceae, is widespread in various habitats. Due to their long-blooming flowers, Veronica species have high horticultural value as indoor potted, garden, and landscape plants. Furthermore, Veronica plants are extremely important owing to their notable diversity in habitat usage, ploidy level, and evolution. Several native taxa, which are of key interest in breeding programs and phylogenetic studies, have been identified in Korea. The genome sizes and chromosomal characteristics are basic cytogenetic features of all taxa, and their knowledge is a prerequisite when commencing genome sequencing projects. It can provide essential information for cytogenetic, taxonomic, phylogenetic, and evolutionary studies. Thus, cytogenetic analysis and genome size estimation of seven Veronica taxa native to Korea were conducted in this study. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) karyotype analysis and chromosome counting was conducted using metaphase chromosomes probed with 5S and 45S rDNA. Nuclear DNA content and genome size were determined using flow cytometry. FISH karyotype analysis revealed a common number of 5S loci and varying 45S signals that create distinctive rDNA distribution patterns in each taxon. The results indicated that the seven investigated Veronica taxa have calculated genome sizes (1C values) ranging from 517.1 to 862.0 Mbp. This study is the first to report the chromosome number and karyomorphology of seven Veronica taxa native to Korea, as well as the use of rDNA markers for identifying individual chromosomes. These findings contribute to the crucial understanding the genomic characteristics of species within the genus Veronica, serve as a basis for studying Veronica phylogeny and evolution, and provide valuable information for future breeding programs.