• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.365-377
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• 2024

Exposure to storage mite (SM) and house dust mite (HDM) allergens is a risk factor for sensitization and asthma development; however, the related immune responses and their pathology have not been fully investigated. The HDMs Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and SM Tyrophagus putrescentiae are potent allergens that induce asthma. Most SM-related studies have focused on the allergic reactions of individuals by measuring their immunoglobulin (Ig)E expression. Considering the limited research on this topic, the present study aims to investigate the differences in the immune responses induced by HDMs and SMs and histologically analyze lung tissues in a mouse asthma model to understand the differential effects of HDM and SM. The results revealed that all mite species induced airway inflammation. Mice challenged with T. putrescentiae had the highest airway resistance and total cell, eosinophil, and neutrophil counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The SM-sensitized groups showed more severe lesions and mucus hypersecretions than the HDM-sensitized groups. Although the degree of HDM and SM exposure was the same, the damage to the respiratory lung tissue was more severe in SM-exposed mice, which resulted in excessive mucin secretion and increased fibrosis. Furthermore, these findings suggest that SM sensitization induces a more significant hypersensitivity response in mucosal immunity than HDM sensitization in asthma models.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2024.07a
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• pp.532-539
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• 2024

Among various risk factors that need managing in large scale complex infrastructure projects, geotechnical risk is one of the most prominent factor particularly for underground works like tunnels. Uncertainties in soil conditions cannot be avoided 100% even after extensive geotechnical investigations. Therefore, underground works face large delays and cost overrun especially for hydropower projects in developing countries. Its uncertainty ex ante and ex post directly cause increased transaction cost in terms of contract administration, claims, variation orders and disputes. It also reduces trust and increases opportunistic behaviors due to asymmetric information between the parties. Subsequently, parties are spending more time on claim management rather than handling the project execution. Traditional project management tools are becoming less effective under these conditions. FIDIC published the Conditions of Contract for Underground Works wherein a Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) sets out the allocation of risks between the parties for subsurface physical conditions determining the foreseeable and unforeseeable conditions. At the same time, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is being adopted for efficient design, quality control and cost management. In this study, soil classification along the tunnel alignment for on-going hydropower projects is modelled in the virtual environment of Autodesk Revit (2024). The actual soil encountered along the tunnel during construction stage can be compared with the baseline conditions. In addition, BIM serves as a central source providing symmetric information to the Parties to develop an environment of trust and coordination. It is anticipated that these tools will improve the project management skills for underground works through minimizing the opportunistic behavior and transaction cost.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.241-261
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• 2024

This study analyzes the determinants of greenhouse gas emissions using data from 16 metropolitan municipalities in South Korea. The STIRPAT model, which probabilistically models environmental impacts, was employed for the analysis. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous panel analyses were utilized. Recognizing that results from homogeneous panel analysis could be distorted due to the characteristics of panel data, cross-sectional dependence and slope homogeneity tests were conducted. The tests indicated that it is appropriate to use estimates that consider cross-sectional dependence and reflect slope heterogeneity. Therefore, the results from heterogeneous panel analysis were presented as the main findings. The analysis identified income (per capita GRDP) and energy efficiency (energy intensity) as key determinants of greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, population was found not to be a key factor, and the industrial structure of the regions (share of the service industry in value-added) was also identified as a potential determinant of greenhouse gas emissions. The hypothesis of the Environmental Kuznets Curve was not statistically significant, suggesting that improving energy efficiency, rather than income growth and economic development, would be the most effective policy tool for reducing greenhouse gases in each municipality.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.320-331
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• 2024

Background: MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a crucial role in neuropathic pain (NP) by targeting mRNAs. This study aims to analyze the regulatory function and mechanism of miR-382-5p/dual specificity phosphatase-1 (DUSP1) axis in NP. Methods: We utilized rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve as the NP model. The levels of miR-382-5p and DUSP1 were reduced by intrathecal injection of lentiviral interference vectors targeting miR-382-5p and DUSP1. The mRNA levels of miR-382-5p and DUSP1 in the dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) were measured by RT-qPCR assay. The pain behavior was evaluated by mechanical nociceptive sensitivity and thermal nociceptive sensitivity. The expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the DRGs were analyzed by ELISA assay. The targeting relationship between miR-382-5p and DUSP1 was verified by DLR assay and RIP assay. Results: Compared to the Sham group, the CCI rats exhibited higher levels of miR-382-5p and lower levels of DUSP1. Overexpression of miR-382-5p significantly decreased DUSP1 levels. Reducing miR-382-5p levels can lower the mechanical nociceptive sensitivity and thermal nociceptive sensitivity of CCI rats and inhibit the over-activation of pro-inflammatory factors. Reduced miR-382-5p levels decreased NP in CCI rats. DUSP1 is the target of miR-382-5p, and down-regulation of DUSP1 reverses the inhibitory effect of reduced miR-382-5p levels on NP. Conclusions: Down-regulation of miR-382-5p inhibits the over-activation of pro-inflammatory factors by targeting and regulating the expression of DUPS1, thereby alleviating NP.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.205-216
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• 2022

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease affects the pancreas with upcoming fibrosis and notable parenchymal destruction. CP poses a high risk for pancreatic carcinoma. The present study aimed to investigate, for the first time up to our knowledge, the effect of olive leaf extract on L-arginine induced CP with referral to some of its underlying mechanisms. Forty adult male albino rats were divided equally into four groups; control, olive leaf extract treated (200 mg/kg orally once daily), CP group (300 mg L-arginine/100 g body weight intraperitoneally, once daily for 3 weeks then every 3 days for the subsequent 3 weeks), and CP treated with olive leaf extract group. At the end of the experiment, body weight, serum glucose, serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum amylase and lipase as well as tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed. Pancreatic tissues were subjected to histological and immuno-histochemical studies. The CP group revealed significant decrease in body weight and increase in serum glucose, serum insulin, HOMA-IR score, serum amylase, and serum lipase levels. Significant increase in MDA level and decrease in SOD level were detected. Marked degenerative changes and fibrosis were detected. Upregulation of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), caspase-3, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) immunoreactions were implicated in CP pathogenesis. Olive leaf extract alleviated all the examined parameters via its-antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties. Olive leaf extract can protect against CP and restore pancreatic functions.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.369-383
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• 2024

Annular nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) in intelligent prosthetic hands enhance precision by serving as highly sensitive sensors for detecting pressure, vibrations, and deformations. This improves feedback and control, enabling users to modulate grip strength and tactile interaction with objects more effectively, enhancing prosthetic functionality. This research focuses on the electro-thermal buckling behavior of multi-directional poroelastic annular NEMS used as temperature sensors in airplanes. In the present study, thermal buckling performance of nano-scale annular functionally graded plate structures integrated with piezoelectric layers under electrical and extreme thermal loadings is investigated. In this regard, piezoelectric layers are placed on a disk made of metal matrix composite with graded properties in three radials, thickness and circumferential directions. The grading properties obey the power-law distribution. The whole structure is embedded in thermal environment. To model the mechanical behavior of the structure, a novel four-variable refined quasi-3D sinusoidal shear deformation theory (RQ-3DSSDT) is engaged in obtaining displacement field in the whole structure. The validity of the results is examined by comparing to a similar problem published in literature. The results of the buckling behavior of the structure in different boundary conditions are presented based on the critical temperature rise and critical external voltage. It is demonstrated that increase in the nonlocal and gradient length scale factor have contradicting effects on the critical temperature rise. On the other hand, increase in the applied external voltage cause increase in the critical temperature. Effects of other parameters like geometrical parameters and grading indices are presented and discussed in details.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2022

Purpose: Brucella spp. is a zoonosis that causes undulant fever in humans and abortion in livestock worldwide. Lately, it was conveyed that vaccines developed by irradiation have induced a strong cellular and humoral immune response which have made these types of vaccines highly effective. Materials and Methods: In this study, we aimed to use the gamma-irradiated B. ovis as a vaccine and to study the humoral immune response and cytokines production in order to evaluate it for protecting mice against B. abortus 544, B. melitensis 16M, and B. ovis. Results: The humoral immune response in immunized mice with gamma-irradiated B. ovis showed a lasting for 8 weeks after immunization. Moreover, immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b isotypes antibodies against B. ovis were observed after 4 and 8 weeks of the last immunization. It was noticed that the production of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, and interleukin (IL)-10 continued after 4 and 8 weeks by splenocytes from immunized BALB/c mice, while no production of IL-4 or IL-5 was observed. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the protection of BALB/c mice against B. melitensis 16M, B. abortus 544, and B. ovis was induced and the developed vaccine at our laboratory could stimulate similar protection to those induced by the traditional vaccine.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.2009-2020
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• 2024

Objective: Avian influenza virus (AIV) infections first affect the respiratory tract of chickens. The epithelial cells activate the host immune system, which leads to the induction of immune-related genes and the production of antiviral molecules against external environmental pathogens. In this study, we used chicken tracheal epithelial cells (TECs) in vitro model to investigate the immune response of the chicken respiratory tract against avian respiratory virus infections. Methods: Eighteen-day-old embryonic chicken eggs were used to culture the primary chicken TECs. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) analysis of epithelial cell-specific gene makers were performed to confirm the characteristics, morphology, and growth pattern of primary cultured chicken TECs. Moreover, to investigate the cellular immune response to AIV infection or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly [I:C]) treatment, the TECs were infected with the H5N1 virus or poly (I:C). Then, immune responses were validated by RT-qPCR and western blotting. Results: The TECs exhibited polygonal morphology and formed colony-type cell clusters. The RT-qPCR results showed that H5N1 infection induced a significant expression of antiviral genes in TECs. We found that TECs treated with poly (I:C) and exposed to AIV infection-mediated activation of signaling pathways, leading to the production of antiviral molecules (e.g., pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines), were damaged due to the loss of junction proteins. We observed the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, which are involved in inflammatory response by modulating the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in TECs treated with poly (I:C) and pathway inhibitors. Furthermore, our findings indicated that poly (I:C) treatment compromises the epithelial cell barrier by affecting junction proteins in the cell membrane. Conclusion: Our study highlights the utility of in vitro TEC models for unraveling the mechanisms of viral infection and understanding host immune responses in the chicken respiratory tract.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.169-178
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• 2008

Level of Service (LOS) is one of ways to evaluate operational conditions. It is very important factor in evaluation especially for the facility of highways. However, some studies proved that ${\upsilon}/c$ ratio and accident rate is appeared like a second function which has a U-form. It means there is a gap between LOS and safety of highway facilities. Therefore, this study presents a method for evaluation of a signalized intersection which is considered both smooth traffic operation (delay) and traffic safety (accident). Firstly, as a result of our research, accident rates and EPDO are decreased when it has a big delay. In that reason, it is necessary to make a new Level of Service included traffic safety. Secondly, this study has developed a negative binominal regression model which is based on the relation between accident patterns and stream. Thirdly, standards of LOS are presented which is originated from calculation between annual delay costs and annual accident cost at each intersection. Lastly, worksheet form is presented as an expression to an estimation step of a signalized intersection with traffic accident prediction model and new LOS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.30 no.3 s.151
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• pp.458-469
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to prove that interchange is a primary factor in costume changes through case analysis in costume culture interchange, and further, to assist in gaining understanding of costume changes of the present and the future, and therefore, in this study, cases analysis was conducted focusing on interchange resulting from political factors. In order to present theories that are able to analyse costume culture interchange, culture, cultural exchange, and costume cultures were examined, and based on the results, a costume culture interchange process model and its three steps, propagation, selection, and reinterpretation, were presented. The results of case study on costume culture interchange resulting from political factors based on the costume culture interchange process model presented are as follows. Interchanges that politically uses the possibility of expressing costume as symbols are in most cases aggressive and semi aggressive. In order to exhibit superiority of themselves, the aggressors forced their national costumes onto the receiving culture. Rather than a simple introduction of their costumes, it was an attempt to introduce they values and their ways of life. The conclusion that can be reached through such result is that interchange is an important driving force for changes in costume culture. All interchanges were not greatly affected by methods of propagation and acceptance, and resulted in fusion. Fusion is a process in which existing costume and foreign costume come together constructively to for a new costume culture therefore change in costume style is inevitable.