• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.197-206
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• 2021

Carnosol is a phenolic diterpene phytochemical found in rosemary and sage with reported anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of carnosol on the lineage commitment of mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (mBMSCs) into osteoblasts and adipocytes. Interestingly, carnosol stimulated the early commitment of mBMSCs into osteoblasts in dose-dependent manner as demonstrated by increased levels of alkaline phosphatase activity and Alizarin red staining for matrix mineralization. On the other hand, carnosol significantly suppressed adipogenesis of mBMSCs and downregulated both early and late markers of adipogenesis. Carnosol showed to induce osteogenesis in a mechanism mediated by activating BMP signaling pathway and subsequently upregulating the expression of BMPs downstream osteogenic target genes. In this context, treatment of mBMSCs with LDN-193189, BMPR1 selective inhibitor showed to abolish the stimulatory effect of carnosol on BMP2-induced osteogenesis. In conclusion, our data identified carnosol as a novel osteoanabolic phytochemical that can promote the differentiation of mBMSCs into osteoblasts versus adipocytes by activating BMP-signaling.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.49-61
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• 2019

As the technological gap amongst manufacturers decreases, the life cycle of products has shortened, and competition accelerates due to the development of technology, incumbent manufacturing companies face growth limitations. In order to overcome such business issues, manufacturing companies are increasingly interested in changes in business models and innovations, especially in the direction of providing services where they can maintain the competitive advantage of their products. In such context, this empirical study examines managerial leadership, differentiation strategies, and products and services pricing as 'servitization factors', which can be driving forces for moving into a new era of growth for Korean SMEs, focusing on the mediating effects of servitization competency. The results are as follows : First, it was confirmed that executive leadership, differentiation strategy, and information & communication technology capability have a direct effect on service sales. Second, the process competency, partnership competency, and ICT competency, which are presented as the service competence of SMEs, were found to play an important role in inducing service sales in managerial leadership, differentiation strategy, product and services pricing. It also emphasized the role of the public policy such as helping to foster SMEs as key partners in the expansion of social facilities and establishing platforms through ICT and data utilization for the convergence of manufacturing services.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2024

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells, and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-hESCs can permanently self-renew while maintaining their capacity to differentiate into any type of somatic cells, thereby serving as an important cell source for cell therapy. However, there are persistent challenges in the application of hPSCs in clinical trials, where one of the most significant is graft rejection by the patient immune system in response to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch when transplants are obtained from an allogeneic (non-self) cell source. Homozygous SCNT-hESCs (homo-SCNT-hESCs) were used to simplify the clinical application and to reduce HLA mismatch. Here, we present a xeno-free protocol that confirms the efficient generation of neural precursor cells in hPSCs and also the differentiation of dopaminergic neurons. Additionally, there was no difference when comparing the HLA expression patterns of hESC, homo-SCNT-hESCs and hetero-SCNT-hESCs. We propose that there are no differences in the differentiation capacity and HLA expression among hPSCs that can be cultured in vitro. Thus, it is expected that homo-SCNT-hESCs will possess a wider range of applications when transplanted with neural precursor cells in the context of clinical trials.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.61-70
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• 2021

Within the article, forms of innovation structures are systematized, and those that exist in Ukraine are identified, their features, purpose and functions are clarified, activities and current state of their functioning are analyzed. It is proved that in the conditions of digital economy, domestic innovation structures are underdeveloped and do not fulfill their leading role at the present stage of innovative development of the country. To understand the importance of effective operation of innovation infrastructure, the main world models of innovation development are considered, and the directions of using the experience of their functioning for Ukraine are determined. The main indicators of innovation activity of Ukraine in the context of regions are analyzed. There is a significant differentiation of innovation indicators in the regional context. The cartographic analysis of innovative activity of regions is presented. The mechanism of definition and implementation of priority directions of innovative activity in the context of the digital economy development is offered.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

Purpose - Exports have long been regarded as significant drivers of sustainable competitive advantage and growth among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The export activities of SMEs are particularly important in the context of export-oriented economies such as Korea. Although many studies have examined the determinants of exports, it is difficult to find empirical studies about the determinants of the export performance of regional SMEs. This study investigates the determinants of export performance in the regional SME context based on an integrated approach that combines the environment factor of industrial organization theory, competitive strategy theory, and the competences of the resource-based view. Research design, data, and methodology - To empirically analyze the determinants of export performance in the regional SMEs, data were collected from firms in the Daegu metropolitan area. Data were collected directly through questionnaire surveys; in addition, secondary financial data were also taken from the KIS-VALUE database. Out of the 175 responses that were received, 143 were considered to be worth examining. After testing the reliability and validity of the variables through multiple items such as environmental turbulence and competitive strategy, hypotheses were verified by using five multi-regression models. These models were: a control model with organizational size and age, an environmental model with technology and market turbulence, a competency model with R&D and foreign distribution channels, a strategy model with product and market differentiation, and an integrated model including all of these variables. Results - First, as a control variable, the organization size has significant positive effects on export performance. Second, technology turbulence based on industrial organization theory has significant positive effects on export performance, but market turbulence does not affect export performance. Third, the foreign market distribution competency of the resource-based view has strong positive effects on export performance, but the R&D competency does not affect export performance. Fourth, the product differentiation strategy from competitive strategy theory positively impacts export performance, but market differentiation does not affect export performance. Finally, in the integrated model, only the foreign distribution competency of the resource-based view has a significant effect on export performance. Conclusions - The empirical results of this study verified the usefulness of the rationales behind the three theories to explain the export performance of the regional SMEs, especially the importance of the foreign market distribution competency from the resource-based view. With regard to practical considerations, this study's implications suggest that the use of technological environmental changes by industries is better than the use of market changes. Further, the use of the product differentiation strategy is more effective than the use of the market-driving strategy, and the distribution channel competency plays a stronger role than the technology-oriented competency with regard to the export performance position of regional SMEs. Future studies should examine relational perspectives, such as trust among channel partners. Therefore, the configuration approach is more useful in enhancing pragmatism by comparing high- and low-export companies.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1061-1071
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• 2018

From Xenopus embryo studies, the BMP4/Smad1-targeted gene circuit is a key signaling pathway for specifying the cell fate between the ectoderm and neuro-ectoderm as well as the ventral and dorsal mesoderm. In this context, several BMP4/Smad1 target transcriptional factors have been identified as repressors of the neuro-ectoderm. However, none of these direct target transcription factors in this pathway, including GATA1b, Msx1 and Ventx1.1 have yet been proven as direct repressors of early neuro-ectodermal gene expression. In order to demonstrate that Ventx1.1 is a direct repressor of neuro-ectoderm genes, a genome-wide Xenopus ChIP-Seq of Ventx1.1 was performed. In this study, we demonstrated that Ventx1.1 bound to the Ventx1.1 response cis-acting element 1 and 2 (VRE1 and VRE2) on the promoter for zic3, which is a key early neuro-ectoderm gene, and this Ventx1.1 binding led to repression of zic3 transcription. Site-directed mutagenesis of VRE1 and VRE2 within zic3 promoter completely abolished the repression caused by Ventx1.1. In addition, we found both the positive and negative regulation of zic3 promoter activity by FoxD5b and Xcad2, respectively, and that these occur through the VREs and via modulation of Ventx1.1 levels. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the BMP4/Smad1 target gene, Ventx1.1, is a direct repressor of neuro-ectodermal gene zic3 during early Xenopus embryogenesis.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.145-154
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• 2011

Identity of the place where the physical location and time and spatial context, and is structured as socially agreed symbols to build a consistent image, while fraught with Differentiation can be achieved through integration. And discrimination and the practical and effective deployment of an integrated image to be useful as a guide for the top design 'Design Guidelines' are, The findings, where the identity used to establish guidelines for the design for the following conclusions can be drawn. First, of public space design guidelines agreed upon by the public and social identity as the basis to establish a new identity as a contemporary and practical plan for this is to provide guidance. Second, the design guidelines in principle, the physical elements and activities of the parent and the temporal and spatial context and meaning were overridden. Third, the horizontal axis with respect to the identity and principles to guide development in the detail, and the vertical axis as a place to build an image in order for the specific design items are listed. Fourth, the guidelines can set a specific motif, and coverage including identity of the place. Fifth, by applying image and schematic the identity can be Implemented effectively and clearly. Without interfering with the designer's creativity and implement new image of the place, Design guidelines should study how a reasonable instructions.

• Fashion, Industry and Education
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.30-39
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• 2018

This study investigates the importance of brand and retailer associations when consumers evaluate a product category extension in the context of brand and retailer collaborations. Although brand extensions are considered to reduce costs for introducing a new product category, limited study has focused on the role of brand and retailer associations in the context of brand and retailer collaborations. Using a total of 440 participants, a hypothesized model was tested using a structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that brand and retailer associations influence the perceived fit between a brand and a retailer. In addition, the image fit and quality fit are significantly related to brand and retailer attitudes as well as brand extension evaluation. Since consumers may use their associations with brands or retailers when they perceive product differentiation, market position, and brand extensions, the role of brand or retailer associations is important to marketers, retailers, and consumers. Given the importance of brand and retailer collaborations as a brand positioning strategy in the global branding and retail setting, the findings of this study contribute to brand and retail management by providing empirical evidence on how consumers perceive new products from extended brands in the marketplace when a brand collaborates with a retailer.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.211-232
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• 2005

Recently, Korean agriculture and rural areas face a huge crisis due to the change in the market environment of agricultural products under WTO and FTA. Thus, rural policy needs to break from the agriculture-centered sectoral perspective and to develop the various potentials in rural areas. The transformation of rural policy is also required from the aspect of increasing regional differentiation in rural areas. In this context, the paper aims to classify the regional types of rural areas and analyse their features in geographical location, population, farming, public finance and so an. The result of analysis shows that rural areas can be classified into 5, 9 or 15 regional types by stages. This implies that there is significant regional differentiation ill rural areas. However, there is regional polarization as much as differentiation in rural areas. In this point, rural policy should catch up regional polarization as well as diversity in rural areas.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.494-498
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• 2007

Pleiotrophin or osteoblast-specific factor 1(HOSF-1) is a growth-associated protein present in bone matrix. This study was designed to study pleiotrophin expression in osteoblastic cells. Pleiotrophin was expressed by osteoblast-like cell line. Pleiotrophin expression increased following the proliferative phase and was minimal at the terminal phases of the induced differentiation of cultured MC3T3-E1 cells. Pleiotrophin expression represents another autocrine factor that may contribute to the physiologic control of induced bone formation. In this study, induced osteogenesis will be examined in the context of the osteoblast expression of and regulation by PTN. I hypothesized that PDGF-BB stimulation of PTN expression represents an important paracrine signal during the induced osteogenesis associated with periodontal and implant surgeries. The possible mediation by PTN of anabolic effects attributed to PDGF-BB stimulation was examined in cell culture models of osteoblast differentiation. These studies will contribute fundamental insights to osteoblast biology and insights regarding the potential use of factors such as PTN in the clinical environment.