Background: Since chronic ankle instability (CAI) can adversely affect postural control, core stability exercises have been investigated to improve postural control. However, only a few studies have focused on kinetic chain exercises. Objectives: To investigate the effects of open kinetic chain (OKC) and closed kinetic chain (CKC) core stability exercises on static and dynamic balance abilities and vertical jump height in CAI patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The 18 participants enrolled in this study were randomly divided into the OKC group (n=9) and CKC group (n=9). Static and dynamic balance abilities and vertical jump height were measured before and after the intervention. The intervention program comprising OKC or CKC core stability exercises depending on the groups was conducted for 30 min twice a week for 6 weeks in 12 sessions. Results: In the OKC group, static measured with the eyes open or closed and dynamic balance abilities were significantly improved after the intervention (P<.05). In the CKC group, dynamic balance ability was significantly increased (P<.05). A significant difference was observed in static balance ability measured with the eyes open between the two groups (P<.05). Vertical jump height was significantly increased after the intervention in both groups (P<.05). Conclusion: OKC and CKC core stability exercises improve static and dynamic balance abilities and vertical jump height in CAI patients. Specifically, the OKC core stability exercise was more effective in enhancing static balance ability than the CKC core stability exercise.

Traf4 (Tumor necrosis factor Receptor Associated Factor 4) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) - associated factors (TRAFs) family. TRAF4 is overexpressed in tumor cells such as breast cancer and associated with cytoskeleton and membrane fraction. Interestingly, TRAF4 was localized with tight junctions (TJs) proteins including OCLN and TJP1 in mammary epithelial cells. However, the expression patterns and biological function of Traf4 were not examined in preimplantation mouse embryos although Traf4-deficient mouse showed embryonic lethality or various dramatic malformation. In this study, we examined the temporal and spatial expression patterns of mouse Traf4 during preimplantation development by qRT-PCR and immunostaining, and its biological function by using siRNA injection. We found upregulation of Traf4 from the 8-cell stage onwards and apical region of cell – cell contact sites at morula and blastocyst embryos. Moreover, Traf4 knockdown led to defective TJs without alteration of genes associated with TJ assembly but elevated p21 expression at the KD morula. Taken together, Traf4 is required for TJs assembly and cell proliferation during morula to blastocyst transition.

4차 산업혁명 시대의 흐름에 맞춰 농업에서도 ICT 기술을 활용한 스마트팜의 개발 및 보급을 통해 경쟁력을 높이기 위한 노력이 진행되고 있다. 과거 농부의 경험에 의해 축적된 지식을 이용하던 농업에서 각종 센서를 이용하여 다양한 재배 환경을 분석하고 이를 이용하여 최적의 재배 환경을 제어하는 지능형 시스템으로 변 하고 있으며, 네트워크를 통하여 시간과 공간의 제약이 없이 작물 재배가 가능한 환경이 만들어지고 있다. 본 논문에서는 기존에 구축된 클라우드 기반 스마트팜과 연동하여 팜 시뮬레이터를 구현하는 방법을 제안한 다. 클라우드에 누적된 환경 데이터와 제어 데이터를 이용하여 환경 변수에 대한 예측 모델을 학습하고 실제 운영중인 스마트팜의 실시간 환경 데이터를 이용하면 보다 현실감 있는 시뮬레이션이 가능하게 되어 사용자 의 몰입을 유도할 수 있다. 단순 시뮬레이션에서 벗어나 학습 모드를 통해 실제 농부의 스마트팜 운영 데이 터를 학습할 수 있도록 하고, 운영 모드에서는 실제 스마트팜의 운영 결과와 비교를 통하여 경쟁을 통한 성 취감을 얻을 수 있도록 하였다. 이러한 경험이 누적되면 작물재배에 관심이 있는 사용자들에게 실제 스마트 팜을 통한 작물 재배의 경험을 제공할 수 있는 사업 모델로의 확장도 가능할 것이다. 추후 메타버스 (metaverse) 상에 스마트팜을 연동하는 연구를 통하여 가상 공간에서 보다 사실적으로 스마트팜을 운영하는 사용자 경험을 제공해 줄 수 있도록 확장할 수 있을 것이다.

Two new free-living marine nematodes of the genus Belbolla Andrássy, 1973 belonging to family Enchelidiidae are newly described based on specimens obtained from a shallow subtidal sediment of the western and southern outermost islands of Korea. Belbolla koreensis sp. nov. differs from other species of the genus by the combination of the following characteristics: longer body length (3,080-3,462 μm long), eight oesophageal bulbs in the posterior region of pharynx, well-developed two winged precloacal supplements (anterior precloacal supplement slightly longer than posterior one: 47-59 μm vs. 43-46 μm long), strongly arcuated, very thick, L - shaped spicule (122- 127 μm long, 1.7-1.9 anal body diameter (a.b.d.) long) with three separated blunt distal tips, and well-developed relatively long cylindrical shaped gubernacular apophysis with blunt teeth covering two thirds of the dorsal margin (57-58 μm long, 0.8-0.9 a.b.d. long). Belbolla hoonsooi sp. nov. is characterized by the following combination of characteristics: longer body length (3,494 μm long), eight oesophageal bulbs in the posterior region of pharynx, well-developed two winged precloacal supplements (anterior precloacal supplement slightly longer than posterior one: 43 μm vs. 36 μm long), strongly arcuated, L - shaped spicule (119 μm long, 1.5 a.b.d. long) with three separated blunt distal tip, and well-developed relatively long inverted triangle shaped gubernacular apophysis with blunt teeth covering half of the dorsal margin (45 μm long, 0.6 a.b.d. long). Detailed morphological characteristics and illustrations of two new Belbolla nematodes from the Korean seawaters were provided by differential interference contrast microscopy. Comparative tables on biogeographical and morphological characteristics of Belbolla species are also provided herein.

Despite evidence that bacteria-sensing Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are activated in salivary gland tissues of Sjogren syndrome (SS) patients, the role of oral bacteria in SS etiopathogenesis is unclear. We previously reported that two SS-associated oral bacteria, Prevotella melaninogenica (Pm) and Rothia mucilagenosa (Rm), oppositely regulate the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) in human salivary gland (HSG) cells. Here, we elucidated the mechanisms underlying the differential regulation of MHC I expression by these bacteria. The ability of Pm and Rm to activate TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 was examined using TLR reporter cells. HSG cells were stimulated by the TLR ligands, Pm, and Rm. The levels of MHC I expression, bacterial invasion, and viability of HSG cells were examined by flow cytometry. The hypoxic status of HSG cells was examined using Hypoxia Green. HSG cells upregulated MHC I expression in response to TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 activation. Both Pm and Rm activated TLR2 and TLR9 but not TLR4. Rm-induced downregulation of MHC I strongly correlated with bacterial invasion and cell death. Rm-induced cell death was not rescued by inhibitors of the diverse cell death pathways but was associated with hypoxia. In conclusion, Pm upregulated MHC I likely through TLR2 and TLR9 activation, while Rm-induced hypoxia-associated cell death and the downregulation of MHC I, despite its ability to activate TLR2 and TLR9. These findings may provide new insight into how oral dysbiosis can contribute to salivary gland tissue damage in SS.

This study aims at investigating how the international students' attitudes towards English have changed over th last 3 years in Korea. Forty international students participated in the questionnaire survey three times in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The results were shown as follows: Overall, the mean score of attitudes towards English decreased proportionally over time. English use has also decreased over time. When analyzing these attitudes towards English by the degree of English proficiency, the group with higher English proficiency at the time of admission had a more higher score of attitude to English in three year questionnaire surveys. In addition, these attitudes towards English have changed in small in the group of higher English proficiency over time, while the big change appeared to the group of lower English proficiency. The results of this study imply that English-based international students' attitudes towards English are likely to change over time in Korea, and that groups with relatively low English proficiency are more likely to change than groups with higher English proficiency.