• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.543-547
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• 2015

We investigated the combined moisturizing effect of liposomal serine and a cosmeceutical base selected in this study. Serine is a major amino acid consisting of natural moisturizing factors and keratin, and the hydroxyl group of serine can actively interact with water molecules. Therefore, we hypothesized that serine efficiently delivered to the stratum corneum (SC) of the skin would enhance the moisturizing capability of the skin. We prepared four different cosmeceutical bases (hydrogel, oil-in-water (O/W) essence, O/W cream, and water-in-oil (W/O) cream); their moisturizing abilities were then assessed using a $Corneometer^{(R)}$. The hydrogel was selected as the optimum base for skin moisturization based on the area under the moisture content change-time curves (AUMCC) values used as a parameter for the water hold capacity of the skin. Liposomal serine prepared by a reverse-phase evaporation method was then incorporated in the hydrogel. The liposomal serine-incorporated hydrogel (serine level=1%) showed an approximately 1.62~1.77 times greater moisturizing effect on the skin than those of hydrogel, hydrogel with serine (1%), and hydrogel with blank liposome. However, the AUMCC values were not dependent on the level of serine in liposomal serine-loaded hydrogels. Together, the delivery of serine to the SC of the skin is a promising strategy for moisturizing the skin. This study is expected to be an important step in developing highly effective moisturizing cosmeceutical products.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.261-276
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• 2020

This study seeks to find an effective support plan through the success factors recognized in the early stages of startup and those recognized after success by grasping the success factors of successful small business entrepreneurs at each stage from the pre-start stage to the growth stage. To this end, a qualitative study through interviews was conducted with successful convenience store franchisees to derive success factors from the start-up preparation stage to the early stage and growth stage. The success factors of starting a small business were studied in consideration of the characteristics of franchise convenience store startups using the ERI model and the ERIS model applied in the study on the performance of startups. The success factors were studied using the multisite service firm life cycle of Sasser et al.(1978) reflecting the results. As a result of the study, the key factors of successful franchisees were the selection of the location of the first store, the selection of strategic additional stores, and the successful renewal of the contract. Depending on the characteristics of the founder, the enterprising franchisees took an active attitude in selecting strategic locations for additional stores and defending the commercial district, while the relatively conservative franchisees showed an active attitude toward store operation and renewal from a management perspective. In particular, the entrepreneur's mind is important in the preparation stage, and the importance of the entrepreneur's management strategy was discovered in the entire business cycle. Based on the results of this study, this study specifically sought out a start-up plan to effectively apply it to the future growth stage.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.175-189
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• 2020

Daejeon City has strived to support the SMEs to innovate technologies based on the capabilities of research and development of the Daedeok Innopolis. It is widely known that technological innovation is the key strategy of Small medium enterprises(SME) to survive and succeed in a market. This study aims to analyze the type and determinants of SME technological innovation in Daejeon. Even though most of firms are the small enterprises which employ less than 10 workers in Daejeon, the number of technology-oriented company per capita in Daejeon is highest in South Korea. The type of technological innovation is divided between product innovation and process innovation. The literature insists that technology-oriented small firm tends to implement product innovation rather than process innovation. SMEs in Daejeon also provided more output from product innovation than process innovation. The empirical analysis provided the results that the determinants of SME's technological innovation depends on its type. The scale of firm, R&D investment, and R&D employees positively influence product innovation of SMEs in Daejeon. However, the impact of R&D employees is not significant on innovating the existing product. Process innovation is positively affected by R&D investment and firm age. The study provides the policy implications to business supporting programs of Daejeon government. The business supporting policy of Daejeon government should focus on supporting each type of technological innovation to promote technological innovation by SME and consider strategies that focus on R&D investment and manpower support.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1991-1998
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of three different diets on the fatty acids (FA) profile and sensory properties of a characteristic Italian fresh cheese: Pecorino "Primo Sale" (PS). Methods: Fifty-four sheep were divided into three feeding groups: total mixed ration (TMR) enriched with extruded linseed (TL), control diet with TMR without any integration (TC), and pasture (P). During cheese production, six cheeses per experimental group were produced each week, stored for 10 days at 4℃, and then analyzed for chemical composition, FA profile, and sensory properties. Results: Saturated fatty acids (SFA) were significantly higher in PS from group TC (82.11%) than in cheese from other two groups (P 75.48% and TL 66.83%). TL and P groups presented higher values of polyunsaturated fatty acids, 4.35 and 3.65%, respectively, than that of TC group (2.31%). The lowest SFA/unsaturated fatty acid ratio was found in TL and P groups, while the highest was found in the TC group. Vaccenic acid and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) were higher in group P (p<0.05) than in groups L and TC. Sensory properties of cheese from group P received the highest scores for odor intensity and friability, while control group had a greater chewing consistency. Overall, all cheeses received good scores for acceptability. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed how the integration of extruded linseed improved the FA profile of fresh pecorino cheese PS preserving its sensory properties. Levels of CLA in the PS group achieved using this approach was not higher than that in a grazing diet. Cheeses from groups P and L contained a higher value of FA, with nutritional implications for humans, when compared with un-supplemented diet. Linseed may be a good feeding strategy when pasture is not available.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.227-253
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to establish a mid-to-long-term comprehensive development plan for the Gimpo library, and to lay out the overall system of the library scattered by region in Gimpo, and to present Gimpo library's unique vision and strategy to differentiate it from other regions. As a research, surveys and interviews were conducted for the residents of Gimpo-si (library users and beneficiaries) and library personnel. As a result, first, all libraries in Gimpo-si have a user-centered multicultural space service with differentiated concepts and themes of each library based on the functions and roles of data collection, information services, and various programs as public libraries. Seems to be oriented. Second, with regard to Gimpo library collections, it is necessary to first collect books with high usage rate by library and expand them to the needs of consumers. Third, in order to provide the services of the Gimpo library, it is necessary to develop a service that can raise satisfaction by using the citizens' participation and utilizing them in order to derive the service by analyzing other local library programs or services.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.649-661
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• 2020

This study examined the laxative effects of hot-water extracts of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (HD), Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel (PM), and a 2:8 mixture of both (HP) in two chronic constipation models. For the loperamide-induced constipation model, animals were divided into an untreated group, negative control group (loperamide 4 mg/kg), positive control group (bisacodyl 4 mg/kg) group, and six treatment groups (HP 100 or 400, HD 50 or 100, and PM 100 or 400 mg/kg). For the low-fiber diet-induced constipation model, animals were divided into an untreated group (normal diet), negative control group (low-fiber diet), positive control group (Agio granule, 620 mg/kg), and the same treatment groups. Fecal number, weight, fecal water content, and intestinal transit ratio were higher in the groups treated with HP, HD, and PM than in the groups treated with loperamide or low-fiber diet. Thickness of colon mucosa and muscle layers were increased in the treated groups. Colon tension increased in the HP groups, and [Ca²⁺]i measurements using fura-2 as an indicator showed that HP inhibits ATP-mediated Ca²⁺ influx in IEC-18 cells. These results showed that the HP mixture has laxative activity by increased mucin secretion and inducing contractile activity and relaxation. It may be a useful therapeutic strategy for ameliorating in chronic constipation.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.148-159
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• 2020

This study investigated the seasonal and inter-annual changes in vertical distribution and size spectrum of walleye pollock, Gadus chalcogrammus inhabiting middle eastern coast of Korea (hear after pollock). Pollock was distributed between 50 m and 600 m depth range, and body size (total length) ranged from 16.6 cm to 81.5 cm. The trends of population body size were increased in autumn and winter and decreased in spring and summer. Vertical distribution of pollock showned depth-dependent patterns with distributing smaller individuals mainly in the upper layer (shallower depth), while larger fish in deeper habitats. Those patterns in vertical distribution of pollock population is probably due to be the results of energy-saving strategy, metabolic effects, and changes in prey selections according to pollock growth, derived from spatial and temporal changes in oceanic condition in habitat grounds. When water temperature in upper layer were increased and that of below thermocline depth became decreased in 2017, the ratio of smaller (<35 cm) and larger (≥35 cm) individuals was biased toward larger fishes, extending their distribution into shallow depth, and consequently main fishing ground was formed in far from coastal area. In addition, the ratio of smaller individual distributing between 100~300 m was increased with decreasing temperature gradient between below thermocline and bottom layer. Changes in spatial and temporal distributions of pollock population likely be related with vertical and horizontal changes in oceanic conditions and, consequently food supplies.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1224-1232
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• 2020

Objective: The QingYu pig is well known for its excellent meat quality attributes in Sichuan province, China. In order to improve its production efficiency, the determination of genetic factors contributing to quantifiable economic traits of livestock is important. Moreover, the cross-breeding of QingYu pigs with western breeds possessing strong growth attributes is an efficient way to improve the performance of this breed. Methods: Here, the genetic parameters of several important reproductive traits of QingYu pigs were estimated, include total number born (TNB), number born alive, litter birth weight, individual birth weight, number of piglets weaned, litter weaning weight, and individual weaning weight. The data was analyzed using the ASReml 3.0 software (NSW Inc., Sydney, Australia). Furthermore, the effects of crossing Berkshire with QingYu (BQ) pigs on carcass and meat quality traits, as well as the effects of slaughter weight on carcass and meat quality of BQ were characterized. Results: QingYu pigs exhibited superior reproductive traits. The TNB available to QingYu pigs was more than 8 per parity. The observed repeatability of the reproductive traits of the QingYu pigs was between 0.10 and 0.23. The significantly correlated genetic and phenotypic of reproduction traits were consistent. Interestingly, the BQ pigs exhibited improved carcass quality, with a significant increase in loin muscle area, lean percentage and reduction in sebum percentage. As a result, BQ had higher L_45min, lower cooking scores, and lower drip loss. In addition, the loin muscle area, body length, and sebum percentage were significantly higher in 90 and 100 kg animals. Cooking loss showed a significant increase at 80 kg, and marbling increased significantly from 90 kg. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that QingYu pigs exhibit excellent reproductive properties and heritability of these traits. Crossing with Berkshire is an efficient strategy to improve the carcass and meat quality of QingYu pigs for commercial operations. Furthermore, it appears as though the optimal slaughter weight of BQ pigs is at approximately 90 kg.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.247-257
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• 2020

Background: Multidrug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapy drugs remains a major challenge in clinical cancer treatment. Here we investigated whether and how ginsenoside Rg5 overcomes the MDR mediated by ABCB1 transporter in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Cytotoxicity and colon formation as well as the intracellular accumulation of ABCB1 substrates were carried out in MDR cancer cells A2780/T and A549/T for evaluating the reversal effects of Rg5. The expressions of ABCB1 and Nrf2/AKT pathway were determined by Western blotting. An A549/T cell xenograft model was established to investigate the MDR reversal activity of Rg5 in vivo. Results: Rg5 significantly reversed ABCB1-mediated MDR by increasing the intracellular accumulation of ABCB1 substrates without altering protein expression of ABCB1. Moreover, Rg5 activated ABCB1 ATPase and reduced verapamil-stimulated ATPase activity, suggesting a high affinity of Rg5 to ABCB1 binding site which was further demonstrated by molecular docking analysis. In addition, co-treatment of Rg5 and docetaxel (TXT) suppressed the expression of Nrf2 and phosphorylation of AKT, indicating that sensitizing effect of Rg5 associated with AKT/Nrf2 pathway. In nude mice bearing A549/T tumor, Rg5 and TXT treatment significantly suppressed the growth of drug-resistant tumors without increase in toxicity when compared to TXT given alone at same dose. Conclusion: Therefore, combination therapy of Rg5 and chemotherapy drugs is a strategy for the adjuvant chemotherapy, which encourages further pharmacokinetic and clinical studies.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2020

Background: The biological and pharmacological effects of BST204, a fermented ginseng extract, have been reported in various disease conditions. However, its molecular action in metabolic disease remains poorly understood. In this study, we identified the antiadipogenic activity of BST204 resulting from its inhibition of the S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) signaling pathway. Methods: The inhibitory effects of BST204 on S6K1 signaling were investigated by immunoblot, nuclear fractionation, immunoprecipitation analyses. The antiadipogenic effect of BST204 was evaluated by measuring mRNA levels of adipogenic genes and by chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results: Treatment with BST204 inhibited activation and nuclear translocation of S6K1, further decreasing the interaction between S6K1 and histone H2B in 10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells. Subsequently, phosphorylation of H2B at serine 36 (H2BS36p) by S6K1 was reduced by BST204, inducing an increase in the mRNA expression of Wnt6, Wnt10a, and Wnt10b, which disturbed adipogenic differentiation and promoted myogenic and early osteogenic gene expression. Consistently, BST204 treatment during adipogenic commitment suppressed the expression of adipogenic marker genes and lipid drop formation. Conclusion: Our results indicate that BST204 blocks adipogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells through the inhibition of S6K1-mediated histone phosphorylation. This study suggests the potential therapeutic strategy using BST204 to combat obesity and musculoskeletal diseases.