The First Identification of Cryptosporidium parvum Virus-1 (CSpV1) in Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) Calves in Korea.

Cryptosporidium is an obligate coccidian parasite that causes enteric diseases in bovine species. A double-stranded RNA virus associated with C. parvum oocysts, Cryptosporidium parvum virus-1 (CSpV1), has been characterized. However, the relationship between the abovementioned coccidian parasite and the virus has not been studied in the context of the known clinical outcomes. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence and molecular traits of CSpV1 in diarrheal feces of Hanwoo (Korean indigenous cattle) calves. Of the 140 fecal samples previously tested for C. parvum, which were obtained from Hanwoo calves aged 60 days, 70 tested positive and 70 tested negative. These samples were included in this study. By using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis targeting the RdRp gene of CSpV1, we detected CSpV1 in 28 samples (20.0%), with infection rates of 31.4% (22/70) in C. parvum-positive and 8.6% (6/70) in C. parvum-negative samples. CSpV1 samples detected in the same farm were clustered together. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the prevalence and molecular characteristics of CSpV1 in Hanwoo calves in the Republic of Korea, providing important insights into the relationship between C. parvum and CSpV1 in bovine hosts.

Development of a one-step reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) caused by PRRS virus (PRRSV) is an important disease that severely affects the swine industry and, therefore, warrants rapid and accurate diagnosis for its control. Despite the progress in developing diagnostic tools, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods such as reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to diagnose PRRSV infection, its diagnosis at the genetic level is challenging because of its high genetic variability. Nevertheless, RT-qPCR is the easiest and fastest method for diagnosing PRRSV. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an RT-qPCR assay for rapid and accurate diagnosis of PRRSV by encompassing all publicly available PRRSV sequences. The developed assay using highly specific primers and probes could detect up to 10 copies of PRRSV-1 and -2 subtypes. Furthermore, a comparison of the performance of the developed assay with those of two commercial kits widely used in South Korea demonstrated the higher efficiency of the developed assay in detecting PRRSV infections in field samples. For PRRSV-1 detection, the developed assay showed a diagnostic agreement of 97.7% with the results of ORF5 sequencing, while for commercial kits, it showed 95.3% and 72.1% agreement. For PRRSV-2, the developed assay showed a diagnostic agreement of 97.7%, whereas the commercial kits showed 93% and 90.7% agreement. In conclusion, we developed an assay with higher accuracy than those of the tested commercial kits, which will contribute markedly to global PRRSV control.

Combined effect of polycan, a ß-glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans, and regular resistance exercise on muscle strength, biomarkers, and fitness profiles in adults with relatively low skeletal muscle mass: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Previous studies suggest that when combined with exercise, Aureobasidium pullulans-derived ß-glucan (APßG) may enhance muscle health and fitness profiles because of its ability to improve exercise-induced fatigue and preserve muscle mass. Objectives: The objective was to examine the combined effects and safety of APßG consumption and regular resistance exercise for 12 weeks on muscle strength, biomarkers, and fitness profiles in adults with relatively low skeletal muscle mass. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in adults aged ≥50 years with <110% of the standard lean mass. Eighty participants randomly received either 1000 mg of APßG per day or a placebo for 12 weeks. All participants underwent resistance training three times per week. At baseline and 12 weeks after treatment, we assessed their knee extension/flexion strength, handgrip strength, body composition, and biomarkers. We also evaluated Euro-QoL-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaire, food intake, and physical activity at baseline and 12 weeks after treatment. Results: The combination of APßG and regular resistance exercise over 12 weeks resulted in a higher right knee flexion strength by 4.49 Nm (95% CI; -0.12-8.86 Nm; P = 0.044) than the placebo according to the intention-to-treat analysis. The combination intervention also led to a higher right knee flexion strength of 5.60 Nm (0.18-11.02 Nm; P = 0.043) and left knee flexion strength of 7.25 Nm (0.22-14.28 Nm; P = 0.043) than the placebo according to the per-protocol (PP) analysis. In addition, compared to the placebo, the combined intervention enhanced right-hand grip strength by 1.40 kg (0.19-2.61 kg; P = 0.024) and left-hand grip strength by 1.33 kg (0.01-2.65 kg; P = 0.048) according to PP analysis. The combined intervention also resulted in a more significant reduction in the time required for the 400 m walk test than the placebo. None of the participants experienced adverse events. Conclusion: APßG, in addition to regular resistance exercise, may enhance skeletal muscle strength and fitness in adults with relatively low skeletal muscle mass.

Lactobacillus plantarum LC27 and Bifidobacterium longum LC67 mitigate alcoholic steatosis in mice by inhibiting LPS-mediated NF-κB activation through restoration of the disturbed gut microbiota.

Long-term exposure to ethanol simultaneously causes gastrointestinal inflammation, liver injury, and steatosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Bifidobacterium longum LC67, Lactobacillus plantarum LC27, and their mixture (LM) against ethanol-induced steatosis in mice. Exposure to ethanol caused liver damage: it increased ALT, AST, TG, TC, and lipopolysaccharide levels in the blood and induced NF-κB activation in the liver. Oral administration of LC27, LC67, or LM in mice reduced ethanol-induced ALT, AST, TG, and TC levels in the blood and liver. These also suppressed ethanol-induced NF-κB activation and α-smooth muscle actin expression in the liver and increased ethanol-suppressed AMPK activation. Treatment with LC27, LC67, or LM increased ethanol-suppressed alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase activities in the liver, as well as tight junction protein expression in the liver and colon. Moreover, treatment with LC27, LC67, or LM restored the ethanol-disturbed gut microbiota composition, such as the increased population of Proteobacteria, and inhibited fecal and blood lipopolysaccharide levels. These inhibited NF-κB activation and increased tight junction protein expression in ethanol- or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Caco-2 cells. These findings suggest that LC27, LC67, and LM can alleviate alcoholic steatosis by inhibiting LPS-mediated NF-κB activation through restoration of the disturbed gut microbiota.