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Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an important microsporidian protozoa that causes intestinal disorders in humans. We collected 191 fecal samples from roadkill deer carcasses, among which 13 (6.8%) showed positive reaction for E. bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction assay. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 6 distinct genotypes, 1 of which was novel. All genotypes belonged to Group 1, which has low host specificity, indicating possible transmission through sylvatic cycle. E. bieneusi infection was predominant in female deer (p<0.05).

Background: In aquaculture, feed additives are widely explored. Among them, Panax ginseng Meyer, a natural herbal remedy, has demonstrated its efficacy in many aquaculture species. However, research regarding Penaeus vannamei shrimp, one of the most significant species in aquaculture, remains limited., Methods: This study investigates the benefits of P. ginseng for P. vannamei , specifically its effects on growth, innate immunity, and shrimp microbiome. Juvenile P. vannamei were fed commercial feed mixed with red ginseng extract at 5 concentrations (0.00 %, 0.05 %, 0.10 %, 0.50 %, and 1.00 %) for 6 weeks. Body weight was measured on days 21 and 42. On day 42, three shrimp per group were selected for further analysis., Results: In the growth study, Group 0.10 % displayed significantly improved FBW, WG, SGR, and FCR compared to those in Group 0.00 % on day 42. The qPCR assay showed significantly higher IGF-BP gene expression in Groups 0.05 %, 0.10 %, and 1.00 % compared to Group 0.00 %. In the innate immunity analysis, SOD activity was significantly higher in Groups 0.05 % and 0.50 % compared to that in Group 0.00 %. In the bacterial community analysis, Group 0.10 % exhibited higher Flavobacteriaceae and lower Vibrionaceae at the family level compared to Group 0.00 %. At the genus level, Group 0.10 % showed increased unspecified Flavobacteriaceae and decreased Vibrio compared to Group 0.00 %., Conclusion: Adding P. ginseng to the feed enhanced growth, immune response, and microbiome composition in P. vannamei . Further research on refining dosage levels and utilizing red ginseng residues could boost commercial productivity and economic benefits in aquaculture practices., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Korean Society of Ginseng. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLAs) play important roles in cardiovascular disease and sepsis. Red ginseng extract (RGE) has been well-studied for its antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the potential inhibitory effects of RGE on PLA have not been investigated., Methods: Six-week-old ICR mice were given oral gavage of RGE for 7 days, followed by an intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide. Mice were euthanized 24 h later, and blood samples were collected for further analysis. Flow cytometry was utilized to sort populations of PLAs and platelet-neutrophil aggregates (PNAs). By using confocal microscopy, PNAs were validated. Morphological changes in platelets and leukocytes were visualized with scanning electron microscopy. Expressions of tissue factor (TF) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) were investigated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay., Results: Populations of activated platelets, PLAs and PNAs, were significantly increased with LPS-induction. Treatment with 200 and 400 mg/kg of RGE decreased platelet activation. Moreover, the populations of PLAs and PNAs were reduced. PNAs were visible in the blood of septic mice, and this was attenuated by treatment with 400 mg/kg of RGE. Morphologically, sepsisinduced platelet activation and fibrin formation in the blood. This was reduced with RGE treatment. Sepsis-induced increase in the plasma levels of TF and PF4 was also reduced with RGE treatment., Conclusion: This study shows that RGE is a potential therapeutic that reduces the activation of platelets and targets PLA and PNA formation. Detailed inhibitory mechanisms of RGE should be studied., Competing Interests: The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or nonfinancial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript., (© 2024 The Korean Society of Ginseng. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.)

The increasing economic losses associated with growth retardation caused by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), a microsporidian parasite infecting penaeid shrimp, require effective monitoring. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 region, the non-coding region of ribosomal clusters between 18S and 5.8S rRNA genes, is widely used in phylogenetic studies due to its high variability. In this study, the ITS-1 region sequence (~600-bp) of EHP was first identified, and primers for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting that sequence were designed. A newly developed nested-PCR method successfully detected the EHP in various shrimp ( Penaeus vannamei and P. monodon ) and related samples, including water and feces collected from Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, India, and Malaysia. The primers did not cross-react with other hosts and pathogens, and this PCR assay is more sensitive than existing PCR detection methods targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) and spore wall protein (SWP) genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS-1 sequences indicated that the Indonesian strain was distinct (86.2% nucleotide sequence identity) from other strains collected from Thailand and South Korea, and also showed the internal diversity among Thailand ( N = 7, divided into four branches) and South Korean ( N = 5, divided into two branches) samples. The results revealed the ability of the ITS-1 region to determine the genetic diversity of EHP from different geographical origins.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been the major cause of mortality all around the globe. Lespedeza cuneata abbreviated as L. cuneata with the authority name of Dumont de Courset (G. Don) is a perennial flowering plant commonly grown in Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan. We aimed to investigate the L. cuneata extract's antiplatelet and antithrombotic properties as GC-MS analysis indicated that the extract contained short-chain fatty acids, which have been reported to possess beneficial cardiovascular effects. L. cuneata was extracted using water, 50% EtOH, 70% EtOH, and 100% EtOH. For in vitro antiplatelet analysis, washed platelets were prepared and incubated with L. cuneata with 200  μ g/mL of 50% EtOH in the presence of 1 mM of CaCl 2 for 1 minute followed by agonist (collagen 2.5  μ g/mL or ADP 10  μ M or thrombin 0.1 U/mL) stimulation for 5 minutes over light transmission aggregometer. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to assess platelet shape change. ATP release and intracellular calcium mobilization were quantified to assess the granular content. Fibrinogen-binding assay and clot retraction assay assessed integrin α IIb β 3-mediated inside-out and outside-in signaling. Protein phosphorylation expression was investigated by western blot analysis. Finally, the in vivo antithrombotic efficacy was investigated by oral dosage of L. cuneata 200 and 400 mg/kg and aspirin 100 mg/kg for 7 days, and tail bleeding and FeCl 3 -induced murine thrombus model were performed. In vitro platelet aggregation and platelet shape change were dose-dependently suppressed by L. cuneata . Calcium mobilization, dense granules secretion, integrin α IIb β 3-mediated inside-out and outside-in signaling, and protein phosphorylation of MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways were significantly inhibited. In vivo assays revealed that L. cuneata prevents side effects of synthetic drugs via nonsignificantly increasing bleeding time and improving coronary artery blood flow and animal survival. Our results demonstrate that L. cuneata exhibited potent antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects and can be considered a potential herbal medicine with cardioprotective effects., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Abdul Wahab Akram et al.)