This study evaluated the immunogenicity of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in a guinea pig model to refine preclinical assessment methods. 24 guinea pigs were divided into four groups for immunohistochemical, histopathological, and molecular analyses, including qRT-PCR and ELISA. The ELISA results revealed significant elevations in interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN- ), and tuberculosis-specific antibodies in vaccinated guinea pigs, particularly γ notable after 6 weeks. Although lung cytokine levels remained unchanged, spleen gene expression showed significant differences in interleukin-17, interleukin-12, interleukin-1β, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 after 6 weeks. Immunohistochemistry revealed peak IL-2 expression at 8 weeks and significant IFN-γ and TNF-α expression at 6 weeks. This study confirmed the effectiveness of BCG vaccine in guinea pigs, providing crucial insights for future tuberculosis vaccine development and standardizing immune response indicators.

Instagram marketing is a popular tool for communication in the tourism industry. However, research into effective execution tactics has been limited to the content, recipient characteristics, and sender types (e.g., celebrities) (i.e., Ferwerda & Tkalcic, 2018; Jin et al., 2019; Singh, 2020). The layouts of Instagram ads themselves have received little scholarly attention. Instagram ads typically convey multiple pieces of information in a single advertisement unit, raising concerns about the significance of the order in which the information is presented. Specifically, we must understand how different orders of presenting information affect a firm’s performance. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of presentation order on consumer behavioral intentions toward tour programs promoted on Instagram.

Drawing from the uses and gratification theory (UGT), the study intends to investigate audiences’ motivation to watch Livestream and its influence on subscription and donation. The roles of viewers’ parasocial relationships and identification with live streamers were also examined. The results also indicate the presence of a mediation effect.

This study evaluates the gastroprotective effect of cabbage extract with sulforaphane content of 5.19 mg/L and Smethylmethionine content of 469.28 μg/L. In vitro, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated group had an increased NO activity compared to the normal group, and the concentration of NO was reduced when the cabbage extract was treated in the dose manner. The level of IL-6 induced by LPS was dose-dependently reduced when the extract was treated. The cabbage extract concentration was orally administered in rats at 5.75 mg/kg, 11.5 mg/kg, and 23 mg/ kg, and the inhibitory effect on gastric damage by HCl-ethanol was observed. Histological analysis exhibited mucosal erosion in the gastritis model compared to the normal group, while the ameliorating effect of the generated erosion was observed in the cabbage-treated group. The histamine concentration was significantly increased in the gastritis-induced animal model, and the histamine concentration was decreased in the 23 mg/L-treated group of cabbage extract. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that cabbage extract not only down-regulates cytokines in vitro, but is also directly involved in histamine secretion in an animal model of gastritis; therefore, cabbage extract can help inhibit gastrointestinal disorders by improving the protective barrier.

This study identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect the body weight of chickens. Analysis of body weight showed that the Cornish breed had the highest body weight, and the Korean native chicken (Gray Brown) had the lowest body weight. TSH is composed of an α-subunit and a β-subunit, and the TSH-β gene encoding the β-subunit has been reported to be associated with obesity. In chickens, it is located on chromosome 26 and is reported to be associated with growth. The calcium-sensing receptor gene (CaSR) plays a role in the regulation of extracellular calcium homeostasis and is responsible for calcium absorption in the urinary tract, which affects the eggshell quality in poultry. It was shown that TSH-β was strongly correlated with weight in Cornish and Korean native (Gray Brown) chickens, particularly in those with the CC trait. However, CaSR showed no association with body weight in poultry; it was associated with calcium and the eggshell. Thus, selection for TSH-β can be used to produce individuals with more favorable traits in terms of body weight.

Colon cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors, but there are still a few validated biomarkers of colon cancer. Exosome-mediated microRNAs (miRNAs) have been recognized as potential biomarkers in cancers, and miRNAs can regulate a variety of genes. Recently, Fusobacterium nucleatum was discovered in the tissues of human colon cancer patients. Its role in colon cancer was highlighted. F. nucleatum may contribute to the progression of colon cancer through the mechanism of exosome-mediated miRNAs transfer. However, the exosomal miRNAs regulation mechanism by F. nucleatum in colon cancer is not well known. Thus, we performed next-generation sequencing to investigate the overall pattern of exosomal miRNAs expression in the colon cancer cell culture supernatant. We have confirmed the alterations of various exosomal miRNAs. In addition, to investigate the function of exosomal miRNAs, a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis was performed on the target genes of changed miRNAs. Potential target genes were associated with a variety of signaling pathways, and one of these pathways was related to colorectal cancer. These findings suggested that F. nucleatum can alter exosomal miRNAs released from colorectal cancer cells. Furthermore, exosomal miRNAs altered by F. nucleatum could be potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and therapy of colon cancer.

Nilaparvata lugens, brown planthoppers, is one of important pests on rice. Korean N. lugens is migrated from China and causing severe damages on rice in early September in Korea. For identifying biotypes of these N. lugens based on complete mitochondrial genomes, we completed mitochondrial genome of N. lugens captured in Hadong-gun, Gyoungsang-nam province in Korea. The circular mitogenome of N. lugens is 17,610 bp including 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and a single large non-coding region of 2,424 bp. The base composition was AT-biased (89.5%). 112 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 59 insertions and deletions are identified by comparing with Chinese N. lugens. Based on phylogenetic trees together with those of N. lugens captured in China, no clear phylogenetic relationship along with five biotypes, requiring more researches to achieve biotype identification including detailed analysis of sequence variations on mitochondrial genomes and whole genome analysis of N. lugens in near future.

This study was conducted aiming to figure out two things. First, knowledge of the change in spatial distribution of Tetranychus urticae depending on how to control it (using pesticide or natural enemy). Second, spatial association of T. urticae and Phytoseiulus persimilis in biocontrol plot (B.P). The data was analyzed by spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE) using global aggregation index, Ia . Ia values were 0.77-1.37 in conventional plot (C.P) and 0.88-1.68 in B.P, respectively. However, the fluctuation level of Ia in B.P was higher than C.P. Therefore, the results indicated that there was a clear spatial pattern change in B.P, i.e. prey’s spatial distribution is affected by natural enemy. And spatial association analysis showed that T. urticae and P. persimilis have positively associated. It means that T. urticae is relatively low mobile prey, and P. persimilis is relatively high mobile predator.

The present study aimed to investigate rapid weight loss (RWL) and consequent physical and psychological challenges among judo athletes at the national athlete training center in 2017. The following results were obtained. Judo athletes used weight loss methods such as “gradually reduce meal portion,” “skip meals,” “limit water intake,” “wear sweat suit for training,” and “use sauna,” and had physical and mental distress from such unhealthy weight management practices. Information about weight loss was obtained from “colleagues or senior athletes,” “Internet,” and “head coach or coach,” and not experts such as nutritionists or physicians. Thus, athletes are recommended to employ healthy weight control methods based on advice from experts, such as nutritionists and physicians

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae B is a powerful biological control agent against Monochamusalternatus, a crucial mediator of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. In this study, production of destruxins(dtxs), insecticidal cyclic hexadepsipeptides, was monitored in the submerged culture of M. anisopliae B. Three typesof dtxs, i.e., destruxin A, B, and E, were produced during the culture. Among the three dtxs, the production yield ofdestruxin A was best, followed by destruxin B and E. Destruxin A production was increased when pH was controlledat 6.0, whereas production of destruxin E was not affected by the pH control. The highest yield of dtxs A, B, and Ewere 16.4, 7.3, and 6.1 mg L-1, respectively. Considering that process for dtxs production has not been optimized, M.anisopliae B has more powerful implication as a biocontrol agent.