• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.347-361
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• 2023

Purpose: Exosomes are membrane vesicles that are present in body fluids and contain proteins, lipids, and microRNA (miRNA). Periodontal tissue examinations assess the degree of periodontal tissue destruction according to the probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing, and X-ray examinations. However, the accurate evaluation of the prognosis of periodontitis is limited. In this study, we collected saliva from patients before and after initial periodontal therapy (IPT) and compared changes in the clinical parameters of periodontitis with changes in the components of salivary exosomes. Methods: Saliva was collected from patients with stage III and IV periodontitis at the first visit and post-IPT. Exosomes were purified from the saliva, and total protein and RNA were extracted. Changes in expression levels of C6, CD81, TSG101, HSP70, and 6 kinds of miRNA were analyzed by western blots and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Patients with increased C6 expression after IPT had significantly higher levels of periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA), miR-142, and miR-144 before and after IPT than patients with decreased C6 expression after IPT. Patients with decreased and unchanged CD81 expression after IPT showed significantly higher PD, CAL, and PISA before IPT than after IPT. Patients with decreased and unchanged TSG101 expression after IPT had significantly higher PD before IPT than after IPT. Patients with increased HSP70 expression after IPT had significantly higher PD and PISA before and after IPT than patients with unchanged HSP70 after IPT. The expression levels of miR-142, miR-144, miR-200b, and miR-223 changed with changes in the levels of C6, CD81, TSG101, and HSP70 in the salivary exosomes of periodontitis patients before and after IPT. Conclusions: The expression levels of proteins and miRNAs in salivary exosomes significantly changed after IPT in periodontitis patients, suggesting that the components of exosomes could serve as biomarkers for periodontitis.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.195-207
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• 2024

This study selected major drought events that occurred in the Jeonnam region from 1991 to 2023, examining both meteorological and hydrological drought occurrence mechanisms. The daily drought index was calculated using rainfall and dam storage as input data, and the drought propagation characteristics from meteorological drought to hydrological drought were analyzed. The characteristics of the 2022-23 drought, which recently occurred in the Jeonnam region and caused serious damage, were evaluated. Compared to historical droughts, the duration of the hydrological drought for 2022-2023 lasted 334 days, the second longest after 2017-2018, the drought severity was evaluated as the most severe at -1.76. As a result of a linked analysis of SPI (StandQardized Precipitation Index), and SRSI (Standardized Reservoir Storage Index), it is possible to suggest a proactive utilization for SPI(6) to respond to hydrological drought. Furthermore, by confirming the similarity between SRSI and SPI(12) in long-term drought monitoring, the applicability of SPI(12) to hydrological drought monitoring in ungauged basins was also confirmed. Through this study, it was confirmed that the long-term dryness that occurs during the summer rainy season can transition into a serious level of hydrological drought. Therefore, for preemptive drought response, it is necessary to use real-time monitoring results of various drought indices and understand the propagation phenomenon from meteorological-agricultural-hydrological drought to secure a sufficient drought response period.

• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.109-119
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• 2023

C4I system is an integrated battlefield information system that automates the five elements of command, control, communications, computers, and information to efficiently manage the battlefield. C4I systems play an important role in collecting and analyzing enemy positions, situations, and operational results to ensure that all services have the same picture in real time and optimize command decisions and mission orders. However, the current C4I has limitations whenever a new weapon system is introduced, as it only provides battlefield visualization in a single area focusing on the battlefield situation for each military service. In a future battlefield that expands not only to land, sea, and air domains but also to cyber and space domains, improved command and control decisions will be possible if organic data from various weapon systems is gathered to quickly visualize the battlefield situation desired by the user. In this study, the visualization technology applicable to the future C4I system is divided into map area, situation map area, and display area. The technological implementation of this future C4I system is based on various data and communication means such as 5G networks, and is expected to enable hyper-connected battlefield visualization that utilizes a variety of high-quality information to enable realistic and efficient battlefield situation awareness.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.297-305
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• 2024

As society changes rapidly, the role and status of general education has produced many changes, and accordingly, it is forming a close relationship with various social and cultural environments around the school. Especially, the direction in which general education should proceed and the development of regional-linked general education models have been actively studied at a time when the relationship between local regions and universities is getting strong. In this study, we have provided significant policy implications related to the development and application of future university-local cooperation models by developing a subject of community service activities based learning (CSAL) to get closer to community service and by analyzing actual educational cases and applying them to real community service organizations. In addition, we closely collaborated with local volunteer organizations operated by this local government system to connect with local community service, and through this, we reviewed actual cooperative classes with a local university and local volunteer organizations for the class curriculum, and developed a model to activate the university-local educational ecosystem.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.627-637
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• 2023

Background: Damage to the healthy intestinal epithelial layer and regulation of the intestinal immune system, closely interrelated, are considered pivotal parts of the curative treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Plant-based diets and phytochemicals can support the immune microenvironment in the intestinal epithelial barrier for a balanced immune system by improving the intestinal microecological balance and may have therapeutic potential in colitis. However, there have been only a few reports on the therapeutic potential of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PENs) and the underlying mechanism in colitis. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of PENs from Panax ginseng, ginseng-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GENs), in a mouse model of IBD, with a focus on the intestinal immune microenvironment. Method: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of GENs on acute colitis, we treated GENs in Caco2 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and analyzed the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Furthermore, we further examined bacterial DNA from feces and determined the alteration of gut microbiota composition in DSS-induced colitis mice after administration of GENs through 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Result: GENs with low toxicity showed a long-lasting intestinal retention effect for 48 h, which could lead to effective suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 production through inhibition of NF-κB in DSS-induced colitis. As a result, it showed longer colon length and suppressed thickening of the colon wall in the mice treated with GENs. Due to the amelioration of the progression of DSS-induced colitis with GENs treatment, the prolonged survival rate was observed for 17 days compared to 9 days in the PBS-treated group. In the gut microbiota analysis, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota was decreased, which means GENs have therapeutic effectiveness against IBD. Ingesting GENs would be expected to slow colitis progression, strengthen the gut microbiota, and maintain gut homeostasis by preventing bacterial dysbiosis. Conclusion: GENs have a therapeutic effect on colitis through modulation of the intestinal microbiota and immune microenvironment. GENs not only ameliorate the inflammation in the damaged intestine by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines but also help balance the microbiota on the intestinal barrier and thereby improve the digestive system.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.20.1-20.15
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• 2024

Background: Avian influenza (AI) is a contagious disease that causes illness and death in poultry and humans. High pathogenicity AI (HPAI) H5N6 outbreaks commonly occur in Quang Ninh province bordering China. In June 2021, the first HPAI H5N8 outbreak occurred at a Quang Ninh chicken farm. Objectives: This study examined the risk factors associated with HPAI H5N6 and H5N8 outbreaks in Quang Ninh. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted in Quang Ninh from Nov 2021 to Jan 2022. The cases were households with susceptible poultry with two or more clinical signs and tested positive by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The controls were households in the same village as the cases but did not show clinical symptoms of the disease. Logistic regression models were constructed to assess the risk factors associated with HPAI outbreaks at the household level. Results: There were 38 cases with H5N6 clade 2.3.4.4h viruses (n = 35) and H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses (n = 3). Compared to the 112 controls, raising poultry in uncovered or partially covered ponds (odds ratio [OR], 7.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44-39.27), poultry traders visiting the farm (OR, 8.66; 95% CI, 2.7-27.69), farms with 50-2,000 birds (OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.06-8-51), and farms with ≥ 2,000 birds (OR, 11.35; 95% CI, 3.07-41.94) were significantly associated with HPAI outbreaks. Conclusions: Combining biosecurity measures, such as restricting visitor entry and vaccination in farms with more than 50 birds, can enhance the control and prevention of HPAI in Quang Ninh and its spread across borders.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.293-304
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• 2024

In this paper, efficient and reliable methodologies for conducting sea trials to evaluate the performance of hull-mounted sonar systems is discussed. These systems undergo performance verification during ship construction via sea trials. However, the evaluation procedures often lack detailed consideration of variabilities in detection performance due to seabed topography, seasonal factors. To resolve this issue, temperature and salinity structure data were collected from 1967 to 2022 using ARGO floats and ocean observers data. The paper proposes an efficient and reliable sea trial method incorporating Bellhop modeling. Furthermore, a machine learning model applying a Physics-Informed Neural Networks was developed using the acquired data. This model predicts the sound speed profile at specific points within the sea trial area, reflecting seasonal elements of performance evaluation. In this study, we predicted the seasonal variations in sound speed structure during sea trial operations at a specific location within the trial area. We then proposed a strategy to account for the variability in detection performance caused by seasonal factors, using results from Bellhop modeling.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.153-168
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• 2024

Sounding rockets are cost-effective and rapidly deployable tools for directly exploring the ionosphere and microgravity environments. These rockets achieve their target altitudes quickly and are equipped with various scientific instruments to collect real-time data. Perigee Aerospace plans its inaugural test launch in the first half of 2024, followed by a second performance test launch in January 2025. The second launch, scheduled off the coast of Jeju Island, aims to reach an altitude of approximately 150 km with a payload of 30 kg, conducting various experiments in the suborbital region. Particularly in mid-latitude regions, the ionosphere sporadically exhibits increased electron densities in the sporadic E layers and magnetic fluctuations caused by the equatorial electrojet. To measure these phenomena, the sounding rocket version of ionospheric anomaly monitoring by magnetometer and plasma-probe (IAMMAP), currently under development at the KAIST Satellite Research Center, will be onboard. This study focuses on enhancing our understanding of the mid-latitude ionosphere and designing observable missions for the forthcoming performance tests.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.260-265
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• 2024

During the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, wastewater-based epidemiology was used for surveying infectious diseases. In this study, wastewater surveillance was employed to monitor COVID-19 outbreaks. Wastewater influent samples were collected from four sewage treatment plants in Ulsan (Gulhwa, Yongyeon, Nongso, and Bangeojin) between August 2022 and August 2023. The samples were concentrated using the polyethylene glycol-sodium chloride pretreatment method. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA was extracted and detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Next generation sequences was used to perform correlation analysis between SARS-CoV-2 concentrations and COVID-19 cases and for COVID-19 variant analysis. A strong correlation was observed between SARS-CoV-2 concentrations and COVID-19 cases (correlation coefficient, r = 0.914). The COVID-19 variant analysis results were similar to the clinical variant genomes of three epidemics during the study period. In conclusion, monitoring COVID-19 via analyzing wastewater facilitates early recognition and prediction of epidemics.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.663-681
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• 2024

Co-infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Haemophilus parasuis (HPS) has severely restricted the healthy development of pig breeding. Exploring disease resistance of non-coding RNAs in pigs co-infected with PRRSV and HPS is therefore critical to complement and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of disease resistance in Kele piglets and to innovate the use of local pig germplasm resources in China. RNA-seq of lungs from Kele piglets with single-infection of PRRSV or HPS and co-infection of both pathogens was performed. Two hundred and twenty-five differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DElncRNAs) and 30 DEmicroRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were identified and characterized in the PRRSV and HPS co-infection (PRRSV-HPS) group. Compared with the single-infection groups, 146 unique DElncRNAs, 17 unique DEmiRNAs, and 206 target differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the PRRSV-HPS group. The expression patterns of 20 DEmiRNAs and DElncRNAs confirmed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were consistent with those determined by high-throughput sequencing. In the PRRSV-HPS group, the target DEGs were enriched in eight immune Gene Ontology terms relating to two unique DEmiRNAs and 16 DElncRNAs, and the unique target DEGs participated the host immune response to pathogens infection by affecting 15 immune-related Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment pathways. Notably, competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks of different groups were constructed, and the ssc-miR-671-5p miRNA was validated as a potential regulatory factor to regulate DTX4 and AEBP1 genes to achieve innate antiviral effects and inhibit pulmonary fibrosis by dual-luciferase reporter assays. These results provided insight into further study on the molecular mechanisms of resistance to PRRSV and HPS co-infection in Kele piglets.