Growth Temperature Influence on Atomic-Layer-Deposited InO Thin Films and Their Application in Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells.

Recently, indium oxide (InO) thin films have emerged as a promising electron transport layer (ETL) for perovskite solar cells; however, solution-processed InO ETL suffered from poor morphology, pinholes, and required annealing at high temperatures. This research aims to carry out and prepare pinhole-free, transparent, and highly conductive InO thin films via atomic layer deposition (ALD) seizing efficiently as an ETL. In order to explore the growth-temperature-dependent properties of InO thin film, it was fabricated by ALD using the triethyl indium (EtIn) precursor.

Peripheral immune tolerance by prolactin-induced protein originated from human invariant natural killer T cells.

invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells have been reported to regulate a diverse set of immunological responses. iNKT cell dysfunction in cytokine secretion is linked to the development of autoimmunity, an immune response against its own tissue. Interestingly, CD4 iNKT cells preferentially secrete regulatory cytokines.

Effects of winter skiing on stress, heart rate, apprehension, and enjoyment in collegiate students: a single randomized controlled trial.

This study investigated the effect of winter skiing on stress levels in collegiate students and also observed psychological factors related to heart rate, apprehension, and enjoyment. Two hundred thirty-eight male students were randomly classified into the control group (n=117) or the ski group (n=121). The control group received lectures on skiing; however, the ski group received practical ski training.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Re-emerging Vivax Malaria in the Republic of Korea (1993-2017).

Historically, Plasmodium vivax malaria has been one of the most highly endemic parasitic diseases in the Korean Peninsula. Until the 1970s, vivax malaria was rarely directly lethal and was controlled through the Korean Government Program administered by the National Malaria Eradication Service in association with the World Health Organization's Global Malaria Eradication Program. Vivax malaria has re-emerged in 1993 near the Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea and has since become an endemic infectious disease that now poses a serious public health threat through local transmission in the Republic of Korea.

Characterization of Echinostoma cinetorchis endoribonuclease, RNase H.

Echinostoma cinetorchis is an oriental intestinal fluke causing significant pathological damage to the small intestine. The aim of this study was to determine a full-length cDNA sequence of E. cinetorchis endoribonuclease (RNase H; EcRNH) and to elucidate its molecular biological characters.

Comparison of the diagnostic performance of microscopic examination with nested polymerase chain reaction for optimum malaria diagnosis in Upper Myanmar.

Background: Accurate diagnosis of Plasmodium infection is crucial for prompt malaria treatment and surveillance. Microscopic examination has been widely applied as the gold standard for malaria diagnosis in most part of malaria endemic areas, but its diagnostic value has been questioned, particularly in submicroscopic malaria. In this study, the diagnostic performance of microscopic examination and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was evaluated to establish optimal malaria diagnosis method in Myanmar.

"Preliminary Seroepidemiological survey of dengue infections in Pakistan, 2009-2014".

Background: Dengue virus is the causative agent of dengue fever, a vector borne infection which causes self-limiting to life threatening disease in humans. A sero-epidemiological study was conducted to understand the current epidemiology of dengue virus in Pakistan which is now known as a dengue endemic country after its first reported outbreak in 1994.

Methods: To investigate the prevalence of dengue virus in Pakistan during 2009-2014, a total of 9,493 blood samples were screened for the detection of anti-dengue IgM antibodies using ELISA.

Sequence conservation of Plasmodium vivax glutamate dehydrogenase among Korean isolates and its application in seroepidemiology.

Background: Glutamate dehydrogenase of malaria parasites (pGDH) is widely used in rapid diagnostic tests for malaria. Variation in the pGDH gene among Korean isolates of Plasmodium vivax was analysed, and a recombinant pGDH protein was evaluated for use as antigens for the serodiagnosis of vivax malaria.

Methods: Genomic DNA was purified from blood samples of 20 patients and the pGDH gene of P.

Role of dendritic cell maturation factors produced by human invariant NKT cells in immune tolerance.

In this study, we used the culture supernatant of iNKT cells to identify human myeloid DC maturation factors produced by human CD4 iNKT cells. S100A8 had a strong maturation effect. Notably, the recombinant S100A8 protein displayed properties of DC maturation functioning, and the induction of DC differentiation by both the purified and the recombinant protein were blocked by anti-S100A8 and anti-TLR-4 mAbs.

Performance of the BacT Alert 3D System Versus Solid Media for Recovery and Drug Susceptibility Testing of in a Tertiary Hospital in Korea.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem, and accurate and rapid diagnosis of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extended drug-resistant (XDR) TB is important for appropriate treatment. In this study, performances of solid and liquid culture methods were compared with respect to MDR- and XDR-TB isolate recovery and drug susceptibility testing.

Methods: Sputum specimens from 304 patients were stained with Ziehl-Neelsen method.

Population genetic structure and natural selection of apical membrane antigen-1 in Plasmodium vivax Korean isolates.

Background: Plasmodium vivax apical membrane antigen-1 (PvAMA-1) is a leading candidate antigen for blood stage malaria vaccine. However, antigenic variation is a major obstacle in the development of an effective vaccine based on this antigen. In this study, the genetic structure and the effect of natural selection of PvAMA-1 among Korean P.

Up-regulated S100 calcium binding protein A8 in Plasmodium-infected patients correlates with CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3 regulatory T cell generation.

Background: The pro-inflammatory S100 calcium binding protein A8 (S100A8) is elevated in the serum of patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, but its function in Plasmodium vivax malaria is not yet clear. This function was investigated in P. vivax-infected patients in this study.

Current situation of scrub typhus in South Korea from 2001-2013.

Background: The bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi is the causative agent of scrub typhus, mite-borne disease, which causes an acute febrile illness in patients. An epidemiologic study was conducted to understand the characteristics of scrub typhus in South Korea.

Findings: Reporting of tsutsugamushi disease is mandatory in South Korea since 1994.

Relationship between Antibody-Positive Rate against Plasmodium vivax Circumsporozoite Protein and Incidence of Malaria.

The relationship between anti- Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein (CSP) antibody levels and the prevalence of malaria in epidemic areas of South Korea was evaluated. Blood samples were collected from inhabitants of Gimpo-si (city), Paju-si, and Yeoncheon-gun (county) in Gyeonggi-do (province), as well as Cheorwon-gun in Gangwon-do from November to December 2004. Microscopic examinations were used to identify malaria parasites.

Detection of antibodies against the CB9 to ICB10 region of merozoite surface protein-1 of Plasmodium vivax among the inhabitants in epidemic areas.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of the conserved block 9 (CB9) to interspecies conserved block (ICB10) region of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1 (ICB910)) as a serodiagnostic tool for understanding malaria transmission.

Methods: Antibody titre in the blood samples collected from the inhabitants of Gimpo city, Paju city and Yeoncheon county of Gyeonggi Province, as well as Cheorwon county of Gangwon Province, South Korea were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Microscopic examination was performed to identify malarial parasites.

Polymorphic patterns of the merozoite surface protein-3β in Korean isolates of Plasmodium vivax.

Background: The merozoite surface protein-3β of Plasmodium vivax (PvMSP-3β) is one of the candidate antigens for blood stage malaria vaccine development. The polymorphisms in PvMSP-3β have been reported in certain P. vivax isolates.

Evaluation of circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium vivax to estimate its prevalence in the Republic of Korea: an observational study of incidence.

Background: Plasmodium vivax re-emerged in 1993. Although the number of infections has been steadily decreasing, it is likely to continue to affect public health until it is eradicated. The aim of this study is to measure anti-circumsporozoite protein (CSP) antibody and compare malaria prevalence.

Development of a polymerase chain reaction applicable to rapid and sensitive detection of Clonorchis sinensis eggs in human stool samples.

Microscopic examination of eggs of parasitic helminths in stool samples has been the most widely used classical diagnostic method for infections, but tiny and low numbers of eggs in stool samples often hamper diagnosis of helminthic infections with classical microscopic examination. Moreover, it is also difficult to differentiate parasite eggs by the classical method, if they have similar morphological characteristics. In this study, we developed a rapid and sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular diagnostic method for detection of Clonorchis sinensis eggs in stool samples.

The persistence of Mode 1 technology in the Korean Late Paleolithic.

Ssangjungri (SJ), an open-air site with several Paleolithic horizons, was recently discovered in South Korea. Most of the identified artifacts are simple core and flake tools that indicate an expedient knapping strategy. Bifacially worked core tools, which might be considered non-classic bifaces, also have been found.

Polymorphism of the parasite lactate dehydrogenase gene from Plasmodium vivax Korean isolates.

Background: Assaying for the parasitic lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) is widely used as a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), but the efficacy of its serological effectiveness in diagnosis, that is antibody detection ability, is not known. The genetic variation of Korean isolates was analysed, and recombinant protein pLDH was evaluated as a serodiagnostic antigen for the detection of Plasmodium vivax malaria.

Methods: Genomic DNA was purified, and the pLDH gene of P.