• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.69-86
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• 2008

In order to validate the objective efficacy of CBPT on anti-asthma and to develop effective therapeutics for asthma treatments, immunological modulatory mechanism was studied using animal model using OVA-Alum. The results are listed below. When treated with CBPT, survival rate of hFCs at 250 ug/ml was above 90%. AST and ALT, indicators of liver function measurements were in the normal range. Compared to the control group, CBPT treated group showed significant reduction in liver weights at both 400 and 200 mg/kg, and significant decrease of total liver cells at 400 mg/kg. Significant increase in CD4+ and CD8+ cells in DLN was observed in the CBPT treated group. Slight increase in CD3+, CD4+/CD25+ cells were also observed. On the other hand, CBPT significantly reduced the CD3+/CD69+ cell numbers at both concentrations. Slight decrease of CD19+ cells was also observed. CBPT significantly reduced the CD3e+/CD69+, CCR3+ and CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells in lung tissues at both doses. However, significant decrease of CD3e+ and B220+/IgE+ cells was only observed at 400 mg/kg dosed group. The results above strongly suggest the anti-asthmatic effect of CBPT through immunological modulation. By using various concentrations of CBPT, broader clinical applications of CBPT on anti-asthmatic treatment can be developed. The EBM database should provide valuable information in the development of drugs for asthma treatments.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1367-1375
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• 2018

Silver nanoparticles have been widely applied for biomedical areas owing to their potent antiviral and antibacterial activities. Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using biomacromolecules is more efficient, environment-friendly, and cost-saving compared with the traditional approach. In this paper, a novel approach was developed to establish a reaction system with $Ag^+-BH4^--sericin$ to synthesize silver nanoparticles conjugated to sericin (AgNPs-Sericin). Sericin could be as a good dispersant and stabilizing agent, which is able to modify nanoscaled AgNPs, the average diameter of which was only $3.78{\pm}1.14nm$ prepared in a 0.3 mg/ml sericin solution. The characterizations of the AgNPs-Sericin were determined by FTIR, thermogravimetry, and XRD analyses. The results showed that the synthesized AgNPs conjugated with sericin as organic phase. Via SAED and XRD analysis, we showed that these AgNPs formed polycrystalline powder with a face-centered cubic structure of bulk metals. Moreover, we investigated the antiviral and antibacterial activities of AgNPs-Sericin, and the results showed that AgNPs-Sericin exhibited potent anti-HIV-1 activity against CCR5-tropic and CXCR4-tropic strains, but no significant cytotoxicity was found toward human genital epithelial cells compared with free silver ions, which are accepted as a commonly used potent antimicrobial agent. Moreover, its antibacterial activity was determined via flow cytometry. The results showed that AgNPs-Sericin could suppress gram-negative (E. coli) and gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria, but more was potent for the gram-negative one. We concluded that our AgNPs-Sericin could be a potential candidate as a microbicide or antimicrobial agent to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.21-28
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• 2017

Improving efficiency of the telecommunication is crucial to the development and growth of Korean economy. Recently, it has become important with the huge development of information technology and its greater potential for extensive impact on the rest of the economy. Hence, it is useful to determine the factors that help enhance efficiency in telecommunication and consider them in improving the evaluation model. This study applies DEA (data envelopment analysis) to evaluate the relative efficiency of 51 branches of a Korean telecommunication company. Using the super-efficiency approach, we tested outliers which may affect the results and ranked the efficient branches. A method of deriving key variables applied to business operation is proposed to identify the key performance indicators for evaluation that takes environmental (non-discretionary) factors into account. We used the extended CCR model proposed by Banker and Morey to investigate the influence of non-discretionary factor. The information provided by the model (slacks, weights) and the sensitivity analysis shows that the most important indicator that affects the branch performance is operating cost. The results of sensitivity analysis show that average efficient score decreases from 0.972 (base case) to 0.863 for CASE2-COST. The average score of the data proves the priority of operating cost over other indicators. The effect of environmental (non-discretionary) variable was found to be significant. The population effect was positive and improved overall efficiency by 0.91% on average. Non-discretionary factor plays a meaningful role explaining the performance of branches. The performance optimization report can help a manager of an inefficient branch to develop branch strategies. Managers can identify the top-performing units, study best practices and adopt the strategy to the organization.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.1017-1024
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• 2007

Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL-17), produced by keratinocytes, is a CC chemokine known to selectively Th2 type T cells via $CCR4^+$ and is implicated in the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). TARC/CCL17 expression was induced by cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$). We recently found that the wogonin, a flavone isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, suppressed TARC expression via heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) in human keratinocytes induced with mite antigen. However, little is known about the inhibitory mechanism of wogonin on TARC/CCL-17 expression stimulated with cytokines. To investigate the inhibitory mechanism, I determined the inhibitory effects of wogonin on the activation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation, and also examined the activation of p38 MAP kainase in HaCaT keratinocytes stimulated with TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$. Wogonin inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$-DNA complex, NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity, and the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ in a dose dependent manner. Wogonin also inhibited the translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ from cytosol to nucleus. Moreover, the phosphorylation of of p38 MAP kinase in the TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes were suppressed by wogonin in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that wogonin may inhibit cytokine-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation by $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation via suppression of p38 MAP kinase signaling pathway in keratinocytes and modulation of wogonin signaling pathway may be beneficial for the treatment of AD.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.679-687
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to examine closely effect that Onchung-eum(OC) and Samhwangseze-gamibang(SG) used to atopic dermatitis disease patient get in atopy eruption control experimentally. Atopic dermatitis(AD) of molecular mechanism underlying it's effectiveness is unknown. We analyzed the expression the clinical severities in 13 and 16 weeks old NC/Nga mice, and the spleen weight of OC with SG treated NC/Nga mice, and mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-5, and CCR3 in the skin tissues of OC with SG treated NC/Nga mice, and IL-1${\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 express of gene, and Histological observation of the ear and skin tissues, and than IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IgM, IgGl levels in the serum of OC with SG treated NC/Nga mouse group compared to the untreated control mouse group. Also, We examined cell toxicity that of OC is safety the strength of 10, 50, 100ppm and inflammatory RAW 264.7 in the serum of OC. Thus in these present study diverse immune responses in terms of chemical mediators related to AD were investigated using an atopic mouse model NC/Nga after OC along with 5G. At the result that OC along with SG treat is can effective use for the treatment of atopic dermatitis(AD).

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.43-52
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• 2019

Purpose: As a research on the effects of the characteristics of franchise educational institution and contents on the educational transition, commitment, and recommendation intention, this study aimed to suggest the basic data that could be used for the performance of educational training of franchise headquarters, and also to suggest an empirical research helpful for the development of actual educational system and the operation of curriculum for franchise educational institutions. Research design, data, and methodology: This study selected the trainees who recently completed the training in a franchise educational institution as the samples. The survey was conducted for 20 days from October 1st to October 20th 2018, targeting total 230 people, and total 207 questionnaires were collected (Missing value 23). To verify the validity of the measurement tool used for this study, this study reviewed the factor loading of each factor by conducting the confirmatory factor analysis(CFA), and then verified the average variance extracted(AVE) and the composite construct reliability(CCR). Lastly, the structural equation model(SEM) was verified based on the research hypotheses and research model. The SPSS Win Ver. 20.0 & AMOS 20.0 were used for every analysis of this study. Results: The results of this study could be summarized as follows. First, the reputation and interaction of the characteristics of franchise educational institution had significantly positive(+) effects on the educational transition. Second, all the sub - variables of educational contents such as job relevance, education method, and instructors' professionalism had positive(+) effects on the educational transition while the educational transition had positive effects on the organizational commitment, career commitment, and job commitment. Lastly, the organizational commitment and job commitment had positive(+) effects on the recommendation intention. Thus, the trainees with higher organizational commitment and job commitment in a franchise educational institution, showed higher intention to recommend the educational institution to others. Conclusions: The results of this study imply that the franchise educational institutions could increase the actual performance of education such as educational transition, commitment, and recommendation intention by increasing interactions within educational institutions and also designing effective educational contents, so that the trainees could highly perceive the educational transition of education.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.29-37
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• 2009

Objectives : The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Trichosanthis Radix extract (TRE) on the proliferation and activation of eosinophils which were prepared from lung cells of asthma-induced mice by ovalbumin (OVA) treatment. Methods : C57BL/6 mouse was exposed to OVA three times a week for 6 weeks. The mouse lung tissues were dissected out, chopped and dossiciated with collagenase (1 $\mu$g/ml). Eosinophils were activated by rmIL-3/rmIL-5 co-treatments. The lung cells were treated with TRE, incubated for 48 hr at 37$^{\circ}C$, and analyzed by flow cytometer, ELISA and RT-PCR methods Results : To measure cytotoxicity, mouse lung fibroblast cells (mLFCs) were pretreated with various concentrations of TRE. TRE at 100 $\mu$g/ml, the highest concentration, examined did not have any cytotoxic effects on mLFCs. In FACS analysis, number of granulocyte/lymphocyte, CD3e-/CCR3+, CD3e+/CD69+, CD4+/CD8+ T cells in asthma-induced lung cells were significantly decreased by TRE treatment compared to the control group. But CD4+/CD25+ T cells were not examined significant change in lung cells treated with TRE. In ELISA analysis, production levels of IL-3, IL-5, IL-13 and histamine in asthma-induced lung cells, which were induced by rIL-3 plus rmIL-5 co-treatment, were significantly decreased by TRE treatment. Conclusions : The present data suggested that Trichosanthis Radix on the inhibition of parameters associated with asthma responses in eosinpophils, and thus implicate the possibility for the clinical application of Trichosanthis Radix.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 2009

Objectives : To clarify the possible effect of JS (Juglans sinensis), PCF (Psoralea corylifolia L.), and J+P(JS+PCF), we examined their influence on the development of pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation in the asthmatic murine model. Methods : All mice were immunized on two different days (21 days and 7 days before inhalational exposure) by intraperitonial injections of 0.2 ml alum-precipitated Ag containing 100 ${\mu}$g of OVA bound to 4 mg of aluminum hydroxide in PBS. Seven days after the second sensitization, mice were exposed to aerosolized ovalbumin for 30 minutes/day on 3 days/week for 8 weeks (at a flow rate of 250 L/min, 2.5% ovalbumin in normal saline) and, JS, PCF and J+P (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg) were orally administered 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Results : The suppressive effects of JS, PCF, and J+P were demonstrated by the accumulation of eosinophils into airways, with the reduction of eosinophils and lung leukocytes. These were correlated with the marked reduction of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 levels in the BALF and serum. OVA-specific IgE levels were also decreased in serum and BAL from these mice. And also JS, PCF, and J+P decreased eosinophilic CCR3 and CD11b expression in lung tissue. Conclusions : These results indicate that JS, PCF, and J+P have deep inhibitory effects on airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in the asthmatic murine model. The suppression of IL-5, IgE, and eosinophilils and the increase of IFN-${\gamma}$ production in BALF seem to contribute to these effects. Specially, esosinophils and TNF-a in J+P combination group were significantly reduced in BALF and lung tissue. Hence, the results indicated that JS, PCF, and J+P could act as an immuno-modulator which possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic property by modulating the imbalance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines.

• The Journal of Economics, Marketing and Management
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.1-16
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• 2018

Purpose - This study will investigate and identify the relationship between brand image, brand attitude and intent to purchase based on subjects that have remembered or watched more than one storytelling marketing ad related to airlines. The purpose of the project is to secure market competitiveness by presenting the basis for and use of the marketing strategy using storytelling, which can capture the goodwill of the aerospace competition market in the future. Research, design, data, and methodology - Prior to the research model and hypothesis testing phase, a verification factor analysis was conducted to assess internal consistency among each measurement item and to ensure reliability and validity of the measurement tool. Further, the organization was assessed for validity by calculating the mean variance estimation (AVE) and the construction concept reliability (CCR) through a positive factor analysis. Hypothesis verification was analyzed through a structural equation model, and each concept set in the hypothesis was entered as a potential variable, and each measurement item was entered as an observation variable. Results - Airline's storytelling marketing has a significant impact on the brand image and two emotional and cognitive responses have been shown to influence the brand image. In addition, airline storytelling marketing has a significant impact on brand attitudes and airline storytelling marketing derived from factor analysis has shown two emotional and cognitive responses to brand attitudes. Conclusions - The parts derived based on the research results show that storytelling marketing has a strong influence on the airline's brand image and attitude, and that it is necessary for airlines to have a brand image and attitude. Also, forming a favorable brand image has a significant impact on brand attitudes. We believe that by presenting basic data to the aviation industry in future research on airline storytelling, we will be able to increase understanding and contribution to development of storytelling marketing in aviation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.17.1-17.10
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• 2021

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic dilation of the aorta with a tendency to enlarge and eventually rupture, which constitutes a major cause of cardiovascular mortality. Although T-cell infiltrates have been observed in AAA, the cellular, phenotypic, and functional characteristics of these tissue-infiltrating T cells are not fully understood. Here, we investigated the proportional changes of T-cell subsets-including CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, and γδ T cells-and their effector functions in AAAs. We found that Vδ2⁺ T cells were presented at a higher frequency in aortic aneurysmal tissue compared to normal aortic tissue and PBMCs from patients with AAA. In contrast, no differences were observed in the frequencies of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, and Vδ1⁺ T cells. Moreover, we observed that the Vδ2⁺ T cells from AAA tissue displayed immunophenotypes indicative of CCR5⁺ non-exhausted effector memory cells, with a decreased proportion of CD16⁺ cells. Finally, we found that these Vδ2⁺ T cells were the main source of IL-17A in abdominal aortic aneurysmal tissue. In conclusion, our results suggest that increased Vδ2⁺ T cells that robustly produce IL-17A in aortic aneurysmal tissue may contribute to AAA pathogenesis and progression.