Experimental Study of the Moisture Resistance of Cement Mortar Using Pozzolan Materials and Calcium Stearate.

Nanosilica and diatomite are pozzolanic resources rich in SiO. In this study, the purpose of this study was to improve the moisture resistance of the specimen by producing a mixed material using pozzolanic materials and calcium stearate and adding it to cement mortar while stirring. The results showed that the hydration reaction was not activated when calcium stearate adhered to the fine particles of nanosilica; it existed simply in the form of a filler inside the specimen.

Intranasal delivery of an adenovirus-vector vaccine co-expressing a modified spike protein and a genetic adjuvant confers lasting mucosal immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection has threatened global health. Since the first case of infection was reported in December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread worldwide and caused millions of deaths. As vaccination is the best way to protect the host from invading pathogens, several vaccines have been developed to prevent the infection of SARS-CoV-2, saving numerous lives thus far.

Protocol for analyzing γδ T cells from the vagina of diet-induced obese mice using single-cell RNA sequencing and flow cytometry.

Obesity affects susceptibility to sexually transmitted diseases like genital herpes, caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) 2. The γδ T cells in the vagina play a major role in HSV-2 suppression. Here, we present a protocol for inducing HSV-2 infection intravaginally in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

Regulation of c-SMAC formation and AKT-mTOR signaling by the TSG101-IFT20 axis in CD4 T cells.

CD4 T cells play major roles in the adaptive immune system, which requires antigen recognition, costimulation, and cytokines for its elaborate orchestration. Recent studies have provided new insight into the importance of the supramolecular activation cluster (SMAC), which comprises concentric circles and is involved in the amplification of CD4 T cell activation. However, the underlying mechanism of SMAC formation remains poorly understood.

The Role of Hypoxia in Brain Tumor Immune Responses.

Oxygen is a vital component of living cells. Low levels of oxygen in body tissues, known as hypoxia, can affect multiple cellular functions across a variety of cell types and are a hallmark of brain tumors. In the tumor microenvironment, abnormal vasculature and enhanced oxygen consumption by tumor cells induce broad hypoxia that affects not only tumor cell characteristics but also the antitumor immune system.

The immune landscape of high-grade brain tumor after treatment with immune checkpoint blockade.

Despite the therapeutic success of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy against multiple tumors, many patients still do not benefit from ICB. In particular, high-grade brain tumors, such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), have a very low response rate to ICB, resulting in several failed clinical trials. This low response rate might be caused by a lack of understanding of the unique characteristics of brain immunity.

Obesity enhances antiviral immunity in the genital mucosa through a microbiota-mediated effect on γδ T cells.

Obesity is detrimental to the immune system. It impairs lymphatics, T cell development, and lymphopoiesis; induces dysfunction of antitumor immunity; and also promotes tumor progression. However, direct evidence of the impact of obesity on viral infection is lacking.

Human allogenic γδ T cells kill patient-derived glioblastoma cells expressing high levels of DNAM-1 ligands.

Adoptive transfer of γδ T cells is a novel immunotherapeutic approach to glioblastoma. Few recent studies have shown the efficacy of γδ T cells against glioblastoma, but no previous studies have identified the ligand-receptor interactions between γδ T cells and glioblastoma cells. Here, we identify those ligand-receptor interactions and provide a basis for using γδ T cells to treat glioblastoma.

Blood monocyte-derived CD169 macrophages contribute to antitumor immunity against glioblastoma.

Infiltrating tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are known to impede immunotherapy against glioblastoma (GBM), however, TAMs are heterogeneous, and there are no clear markers to distinguish immunosuppressive and potentially immune-activating populations. Here we identify a subset of CD169 macrophages promoting an anti-tumoral microenvironment in GBM. Using single-cell transcriptome analysis, we find that CD169 macrophages in human and mouse gliomas produce pro-inflammatory chemokines, leading to the accumulation of T cells and NK cells.

Properties and Durability of Cement Mortar Using Calcium Stearate and Natural Pozzolan for Concrete Surface Treatment.

Applying a concrete surface treatment method (epoxy or primer) can prevent water from penetrating concrete through surface pores. However, if the concrete surface is damaged, the subsequent reconstruction can be expensive and time-consuming. Concrete that is resistant to internal and external water has been extensively developed and used to supplement the surface treatment method.

Protocol to analyze antitumor immunity of orthotopic injection and spontaneous murine high-grade glioma models using flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing.

Despite the recognized importance of antitumor immunity, our understanding of brain tumor immunity is poor. Orthotopic injection models have been widely used for immunological analyses. However, these models have limitations in analysis of antitumor immunity because the approach involves drilling skulls and injecting tumor cells, which can induce adverse effects.

γδ T Cells in Brain Homeostasis and Diseases.

γδ T cells are a distinct subset of T cells expressing γδ T cell receptor (TCR) rather than αβTCR. Since their discovery, the critical roles of γδ T cells in multiple physiological systems and diseases have been investigated. γδ T cells are preferentially located at mucosal surfaces, such as the gut, although a small subset of γδ T cells can circulate the blood.

Survey of Airborne Microorganisms in an Arcade-Type Traditional Market in Anseong, South Korea.

We aimed to analyze airborne microorganisms and assess air quality, temperature, and relative humidity at “J” Market, an arcade-type traditional market in Anseong (South Korea). Measurements were taken 16 times, twice per quarter (January, April, July, and October), at both the entrance and intersection of the market in 2020. The concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi at the entrance and intersection were highest in October and lowest in April; however, they were below the recommended indoor levels (airborne bacteria: <800 CFU/m3, airborne fungi: <500 CFU/m3) in January (second measurement) and April (first and second measurements).

Current Understanding of Hypoxia in Glioblastoma Multiforme and Its Response to Immunotherapy.

Hypoxia is a hallmark of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive cancer of the central nervous system, and is associated with multiple aspects of tumor pathogenesis. For example, hypoxia induces resistance to conventional cancer therapies and inhibits antitumor immune responses. Thus, targeting hypoxia is an attractive strategy for GBM therapy.

Evaluation of the Corrosion Behavior of Reinforced Concrete with an Inhibitor by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy.

In this study, the effect of NaCl and LiNO content on the deterioration of embedded rebars in concrete due to corrosion was examined by measuring the natural potential and impedance. Wet-dry cycles were performed to accelerate the corrosion of embedded rebars in reinforced concrete, following which the potential and impedance corresponding to the cycles were measured. For the reinforced concrete containing only NaCl, the passive film of the embedded rebar surfaces deteriorated after two weeks of accelerated corrosion, and its polarization resistance decreased.

Delivery Routes for COVID-19 Vaccines.

The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, has resulted in a pandemic with millions of deaths. To eradicate SARS-CoV-2 and prevent further infections, many vaccine candidates have been developed. These vaccines include not only traditional subunit vaccines and attenuated or inactivated viral vaccines but also nucleic acid and viral vector vaccines.

Function of γδ T cells in tumor immunology and their application to cancer therapy.

T cells of the γδ lineage are unconventional T cells with functions not restricted to MHC-mediated antigen presentation. Because of their broad antigen specificity and NK-like cytotoxicity, γδ T-cell importance in tumor immunology has been emphasized. However, some γδ T-cell subsets, especially those expressing IL-17, are immunosuppressive or tumor-promoting cells.

Tumor hypoxia represses γδ T cell-mediated antitumor immunity against brain tumors.

The anatomic location and immunologic characteristics of brain tumors result in strong lymphocyte suppression. Consequently, conventional immunotherapies targeting CD8 T cells are ineffective against brain tumors. Tumor cells escape immunosurveillance by various mechanisms and tumor cell metabolism can affect the metabolic states and functions of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

Variation in Service Life on RC Structure According to Concrete Binder Type.

When an additive is used to replace a certain amount of cement, a concrete pore structure becomes dense. Thus, it results in inhibiting the penetration of chlorine ions and suppressing corrosion of reinforcing bars. However, the pH level of the concrete decreases, and it deteriorates the performance of the passive film formed on the surface of the rebars embedded in the concrete.

Re-analysis of Single Cell Transcriptome Reveals That the NR3C1-CXCL8-Neutrophil Axis Determines the Severity of COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 infection has recently been declared a pandemic. Some patients showing severe symptoms exhibit drastic inflammation and airway damage. In this study, we re-analyzed published scRNA-seq data of COVID-19 patient bronchoalveolar lavage fluid to further classify and compare immunological features according to the patient's disease severity.

Autophagic protein ATG5 controls antiviral immunity via glycolytic reprogramming of dendritic cells against respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory tract infections in infants. Macroautophagy/autophagy is a catalytic metabolic process required for cellular homeostasis. Although intracellular metabolism is important for immune responses in dendritic cells, the link between autophagy and immunometabolism remains unknown.

Multivalent DNA vaccine protects against genital herpes by T-cell immune induction in vaginal mucosa.

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and it is mainly caused by the neurotropic herpes simplex virus (HSV-2). Not only does this infection cause ulcers, but HSV-2 can also stay in a latent state in the nervous system of the host throughout their lifespan. As a result, many people do not know that they harbor this infection.

Effect of Curing Condition on Resistance to Chloride Ingress in Concrete Using Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag.

Changes in the salt attack resistance of concrete using ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) were examined based on different curing conditions. These conditions were divided into air and underwater curing. Three concrete mixes with GGBFS replacement ratios of 0% (control group), 30% and 60% were fabricated.

Exogenous Interleukin-33 Contributes to Protective Immunity via Cytotoxic T-Cell Priming against Mucosal Influenza Viral Infection.

Influenza is an infectious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Though vaccines against influenza exist, they have limited efficacy. To additionally develop effective treatments, there is a need to study the mechanisms of host defenses from influenza viral infections.