• The Southeast Asian review
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1-29
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to review the Southeast Asian studies in Korea in a comprehensive way and to set a new task for our academic community. To do this, I tried to analyze the total amount and trends of scholarly achievement (thesis, journal articles, and academic books). The content is divided into research history, research accumulation, and researcher scale. The history of research dates back more than we thought and was decentralized. Research accumulation is becoming more and more pluralistic. The number of researchers from various academic fields was higher than expected. The newly discovered Southeast Asian studies of Korea suggests the task of increasing the inclusiveness of our academic community. The KASEAS (Korean Association of Southeast Asian Studies) seems to be narrow and stagnant compared to the trend of Southeast Asian studies in Korea, which is constantly growing quantitatively, academically spreading, and transcending nationality. In order to increase the inclusiveness of the KASEAS, efforts should be made to open a variety of decentralized and autonomous study groups, to invite domestic graduate students from Southeast Asia, and to spread the university's foothold as a point of contact between pluralistic disciplines.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.403-412
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) status of breastfed infants less than six months old and their mothers, and factors affecting the status. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on breastfed, term, Filipino infants less than six months old who were seen at local health centers and clinics in an urban area. The serum 25(OH)D levels of these infants and their mothers were determined, and their demographic data, nutritional status, sun exposure behavior, and maternal vitamin D intake were analyzed for correlation using regression models. Results: Among the 131 infants, 101 (77%) had vitamin D deficiency (VDD), which was defined as having 25(OH)D levels <37.5 nmol/L, and 13 (10%) had vitamin D insufficiency (VDI), with levels >37.5-50 nmol/L. Conversely, maternal VDD with levels <50 nmol/L was seen in 31 (24%) mothers and maternal VDI with levels 50-75 nmol/L, in 63 (48%) mothers. Infant age and maternal 25(OH)D status were independent predictors of infant VDD. Infants less than three months old were found to have a six-time increased risk of infant VDD (p=0.004). Infants who had mothers with VDD had a six-time increased risk, whereas those with maternal VDI had a four-time increased risk of infant VDD (p=0.049 and p=0.020, respectively). Conclusion: Both infant and maternal VDD and VDI were seen to be highly prevalent in this tropical, urban community. Young infants and maternal VDD/VDI independently increased the risk of infant VDD, whereas lack of sun exposure of the mothers increased the risk for maternal VDI.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.543-556
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• 2021

This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence multicultural adolescents' proficiency in their mother's native language, or their immigrant mother's native language. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed on data from the survey answered by 1,028 multicultural adolescents aged 15 years old and whose mothers were from foreign countries for the 6th Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study(MAPS) conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute (NYPI) in 2016. The main results are as follows. First, multicultural adolescents' minority language proficiency was generally low and significant differences were observed according to their gender, parents' educational level, household income, and mother's native country. More specifically, a higher proficiency in minority language was found for girls than boys, adolescents with a higher parental educational level, adolescents with a higher income, and adolescents whose mothers were from Japan or China, compared with those from the Philippines, Thailand, or Vietnam. Second, a significant positive correlation was observed between multicultural adolescents' minority language proficiency and 1) foreign culture acceptance, 2) parent's educational support, and 3) the use of the minority language at home. Third, foreign culture acceptance, parents' educational support, and the use of the minority language at home were predictors of multicultural adolescents' minority language proficiency. The study is meaningful in that it examined multicultural adolescents' minority language proficiency, elucidating their bilingual development, whereas previous studies have only focused on their proficiency in Korean, which is the majority language.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.1115-1125
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• 2022

Nuclear power plant (NPP) is currently considered as one of the most reliable power sources. However, 182 of them are considered decommissioned and inactive including the one in Bataan, Philippines. The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptance of the reopening of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) by integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and Protection Motivation Theory. A total of 815 Filipinos answered an online questionnaire which consisted of 37 questions. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that knowledge towards nuclear power plants was the key factor in determining people's acceptance towards NPP reopening. In addition, knowing the benefits would lead to positive perceived behavioral control (PBC) and attitude towards intention. Results showed that PBC and attitude are mediators towards the acceptance of people regarding the reopening of BNPP. If an individual's knowledge gravitates towards the perceived risk, then this can lead to the negative acceptance of the NPP reopening. On the other hand, if an individual's knowledge gravitates towards the perceived benefits, then this will lead to positive acceptance. This study is the first study that explored the acceptance of the reopening BNPP. Finally, the study's model construct would also be very beneficial for researchers, government, and even private sectors worldwide.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1173-1183
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• 2022

Adipogenesis is a complex process comprising commitment and a differentiation stages. Through research, many different transcriptional factors were found to mediate preadipocyte commitment and differentiation. Lysine has a potential of regulating the commitment and differentiation of preadipocytes. In the present study, intramuscular stromal vascular cells (SVC) isolated from Hanwoo beef cattle were used to elucidate the effects of low lysine level on adipogenesis. SVC were isolated and incubated with various concentrations of lysine (0, 37.5, 75, 150 and 300 µg/mL). No significant difference were observed in the proliferation of SVC after 24 and 48 h of incubation with different concentration of lysine. On preadipocyte determination, reducing the level of lysine significantly increased the expression of preadipocyte commitment gene Zinc finger protein 423 and Preadipocyte factor-1. Upon differentiation, Oil Red O staining revealed that lipid accumulation and triglyceride content significantly increased with the decreasing lysine levels in the media. Expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT enhancer binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 and stearoyl CoA desaturase were upregulated by the decreased level of lysine. These data suggest the potential mechanism of action for the improved preadipocyte commitment and adipocyte differentiation in bovine intramuscular SVC upon treatment with low levels of lysine. These findings may be valuable in developing feed rations that promote deposition of intramuscular fat in beef cattle through lysine level modification.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.449-456
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• 2022

Recently, fruit farms such as apples tend to have higher productivity and reduce pesticide spraying, and demand in Southeast Asia continues to increase as technology for high-grade work vehicles in the Philippines and Korea's agricultural high-grade work vehicles rise to 3,300mm to 3,800mm, so workers can work at only 4.5m. Therefore, this paper is a study to develop a multi-purpose upright smart high-altitude work vehicle that can secure a work space of more than 7m, up 5.5m, and a structural analysis for design and verification of Multi-purpose Smart Elevation Work Vehicle

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.263-275
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• 2022

Purpose: The present international survey among healthcare providers aimed to collect data on theoretical knowledge and clinical practices in the diagnosis and management of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) and lactose intolerance (LI) in infants. Methods: A global survey was conducted in several countries with diverse health care settings. The survey consisted of multiple-choice questions in 3 main domains: (1) understanding and clinical practices around CMPA and LI; (2) case scenarios; and (3) disease-specific knowledge and potential educational needs. Results: Responses were available from 1,663 participants. About 62% of respondents were general practitioners or general pediatricians, and the remainder were pediatric allergists/gastroenterologists (18%) or other health practitioners (20%). The survey identified knowledge gaps regarding the types of CMPA (IgE-mediated vs. non-IgE-mediated) and the clinical overlap with LI. The survey suggested diverse clinical practices regarding the use of hypoallergenic formulas, as well as misconceptions about the prebiotic benefits of lactose in extensively hydrolyzed formulas in non-breastfed infants with CMPA. Responses to the two case scenarios highlighted varying levels of awareness of the relevant clinical practice guidelines. While respondents generally felt confident in managing infants with CMPA and LI, about 80% expressed an interest for further training in this area. Conclusion: The current survey identified some knowledge gaps and regional differences in the management of infants with CMPA or LI. Local educational activities among general and pediatric healthcare providers may increase the awareness of clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of both conditions and help improve clinical outcomes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.441-448
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• 2023

Brucellosis is a contagious zoonotic disease that infects millions of people annually with hundreds of millions more being exposed. It is caused by Brucella, a highly infectious bacterial species capable of infecting humans with an estimated dose of 10-100 organisms. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) has been reported to contribute to prevention of viral diseases as well as a chronic infection caused by Mycobacterium bovis. Here, we investigated the role of SIRT1 in the establishment of Brucella abortus infection in both in vitro and in vivo systems using the reported SIRT1 activators resveratrol (RES), piceatannol (PIC), and ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3). In RAW264.7 cells, SIRT1 activators did not alter the adherence of Brucella or Salmonella Typhimurium. However, reduced uptake of Brucella was observed in cells treated with PIC and Rg3, and survival of Brucella within the cells was only observed to decrease in cells that were treated with Rg3, while PIC treatment reduced the intracellular survival of Salmonella. SIRT1 treatment in mice via oral route resulted in augmented Brucella resistance for PIC and Rg3, but not RES. PIC treatment favors Th2 immune response despite reduced serum pro-inflammatory cytokine production, while Rg3-treated mice displayed high IL-12 and IFN-γ serum production. Overall, our findings encourage further investigation into the complete mechanisms of action of the different SIRT1 activators used as well as their potential benefit as an effective alternative approach against intracellular and extracellular pathogens.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1006-1012
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated the effects of sodium propionate (SP) treatment on intracellular mechanism of murine macrophages and its contribution to host immunity during Brucella abortus 544 infection. The intracellular growth assay revealed that SP inhibited Brucella replication inside the macrophages. To determine intracellular signaling involved during SP treatment after Brucella infection, we analyzed the change of five different cytokines production relevant to SP such as TNF-α, IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6, and the results indicated that the boost with IL-10 was apparent throughout the culture period for 48 h as well as IL-1β which was apparent at 24 h post-infection and IFN-γ which was apparent at 24 h and 48 h in comparison to SP untreated groups. On the other way, SP-treated cells displayed suppressed production of TNF-α and IL-6 at all time points tested and 48 h post-infection, respectively. Furthermore, we conducted western blot to establish a cellular mechanism, and the result suggested that SP treatment attenuated p50 phosphorylation, part of the NF-κB pathway. These findings indicated that the inhibitory effect of SP against Brucella infection could be attributed through induction of cytokine production and interference on intracellular pathway, suggesting SP as a potential candidate for treating brucellosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.156-171
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• 2023

Purpose: The development of vaccines that confer protection against multiple avian influenza A (AIA) virus strains is necessary to prevent the emergence of highly infectious strains that may result in more severe outbreaks. Thus, this study applied reverse vaccinology approach in strategically constructing messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine construct against avian influenza A (mVAIA) to induce cross-protection while targeting diverse AIA virulence factors. Materials and Methods: Immunoinformatics tools and databases were utilized to identify conserved experimentally validated AIA epitopes. CD8⁺ epitopes were docked with dominant chicken major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) to evaluate complex formation. Conserved epitopes were adjoined in the optimized mVAIA sequence for efficient expression in Gallus gallus. Signal sequence for targeted secretory expression was included. Physicochemical properties, antigenicity, toxicity, and potential cross-reactivity were assessed. The tertiary structure of its protein sequence was modeled and validated in silico to investigate the accessibility of adjoined B-cell epitope. Potential immune responses were also simulated in C-ImmSim. Results: Eighteen experimentally validated epitopes were found conserved (Shannon index <2.0) in the study. These include one B-cell (SLLTEVETPIRNEWGCR) and 17 CD8⁺ epitopes, adjoined in a single mRNA construct. The CD8⁺ epitopes docked favorably with MHC peptidebinding groove, which were further supported by the acceptable ∆G_bind (-28.45 to -40.59 kJ/mol) and Kd (<1.00) values. The incorporated Sec/SPI (secretory/signal peptidase I) cleavage site was also recognized with a high probability (0.964814). Adjoined B-cell epitope was found within the disordered and accessible regions of the vaccine. Immune simulation results projected cytokine production, lymphocyte activation, and memory cell generation after the 1st dose of mVAIA. Conclusion: Results suggest that mVAIA possesses stability, safety, and immunogenicity. In vitro and in vivo confirmation in subsequent studies are anticipated.