• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.249-255
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• 2009

Esculetin, a coumarin compound, has been known to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in several types of human cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in esculetin-induced apoptosis are still uncharacterized in human leukemia cells. In this study, we have investigated whether esculetin exerts anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on human leukemia U937 cells. It was found that esculetin could inhibit cell viability in a time-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death such as increased populations of apoptotic- sub G1 phase. Apoptosis of U937 cells by esculetin was associated with an inhibition of Bcl-2/Bax binding activity, formation of tBid, down-regulation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptotic protein (XIAP) expression, and up-regulation of death receptor 4 (DR4) and FasL expression. Esculetin treatment also induced the degradation of ${\beta}$-catenin and DNA fragmentation factor 45/inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (DFF45/ICAD). Furthermore, a caspase-3 specific inhibitor, z-DEVD-fmk, significantly inhibited sub-G1 phase DNA content, morphological changes and degradation of ${\beta}$-catenin and DEE45/ICAD. These results indicated that a key regulator in esculetin-induced apoptosis was caspase-3 in human leukemia U937 cells.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.315-321
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• 1999

This study has been performed to deveope a yeast strain having high ${\alpha}$-amylase production ability using nuclear transfer method. Hybrids formed between the strains of Saccharomyces fiburigera KCTC 7393 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae KCTC 7049 (tyr-, ura-)were obtained by nuclear transfer technique. Nuclei isolated from the wild type S. fiburigera strain were transfered into auxotrophic mutants S. cerevisiae and selected the hybrids showing an increased starch degrading capability were selected (MN-16). This transformant grew best and produced maximal ${\alpha}$-amylase activity on the medium containing 2% (V/V) soluble starch. ${\alpha}$-Amylase from MN-16 was purified electrophoretically homogenety and its properties were investigated. The enzyme was purified about 10.6 fold with an overall yield 9.7% from the culture medium by ammonium sulfate fractionation. DEAE-Sephacel column chromatography, and Sephacryl S-200 column chromatography. The purified enzyme showed a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the ${\alpha}$-amylase was estimated to be 53,000 daltons by SDS-PAGE and by gel permeation chromatography on Sephacryl S-200. The purified enzyme showed the maximum activity at pH 5.5 and 40${\circ}C$. The km value for soluble starch was 2.5㎎/㎖. The enzyme activity increased in the presence of $Ca^{2+}, Co^{2+}, EDTA, Mg^{2+}, Mn^{2+}, Zn^{2+}$, but inhibited by $Cu^{2+}, Fe^{2+}$, and $Ni^{2+}$

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.522-527
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• 2002

The experiment was conducted for a period of 56 days with twelve Bangladeshi bull calves of average body weight of $127.20{\pm}11.34$ kg. The calves were divided into 3 groups having 4 animals in each. The animals were fed urea-treated rice straw designated as A) 4% urea-treated rice straw, B) 4% urea+4% soybean-treated rice straw and C) 4% urea+6% soybean-treated rice straw. In addition, all the animals were supplied 2 kg green grass, 350 g Til-oil-cake and 100 g common salt per 100 kg body weight of animals. Straw was treated with 4% urea solution and soybean meal at 4 and 6% were added to treated straw and kept for 48 h in double layer polythene bags under anaerobic condition. Urea treatment improved crude protein (CP) content of rice straw from 2.68 to 8.70% and it was further increased by 10.74 and 12.12% with the addition of 4 and 6% soybean meal. Dry matter (DM) intake (kg) was higher (p<0.05) in C (4.2) followed by B (4.1) and A (4.0). Crude protein intake was significantly higher (p<0.05) in group B and C than group A. Total live weight gains were 20.2, 24.8 and 25.6 kg for calves of group A, B and C respectively (p<0.01). The addition of soybean meal to treated rice straw did not affect the coefficients of digestibility of DM, OM, EE and NFE. However, CP and CF digestibility were significantly higher in group B and C (p<0.05). The values for digestible crude protein (DCP), digestible ether extract (DEE), digestible nitrogen free extract (DNFE) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in diet C and B in comparison to diet A, but there were no significant difference in digestible organic matter (DOM) and digestible crude fibre (DCF) value among the groups. It may be concluded that 4% urea treated rice straw can be fed to growing bull calves with 2 kg green grass and a small quantity of concentrate without any adverse effect on feed intake and growth. Moreover, soybean meal at 4 and 6% can be added to urea treated rice straw at the time of treatment for rapid hydrolyzing of urea, which resulted an improvement in nutrient digestibility and better utilization of rice straw for growth of growing bull calves.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.203-213
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• 1998

To investigate impacts of waste disposal on the marine environment for 9 years since dumping activity commenced in the Yellow Sea, chemical analysis of seawater has been done in and around the ocean dumping site. Results show that biogeochemical changes have occurred locally in the dumping area compared with the reference area, resulting in low dissolved oxygen saturation, low pH, and high accumulation of nutrients in the bottom layer. According to cluster analysis, chemical environment of the study area can be largely divided into surface layer and bottom layer, and again the bottom layer can be divided into that of dumping area where nutrients are accumulated and that of reference area. Low pH, low dissolved oxygen, high COD and accumulation of nutrients mainly characterize the dumping area. Average concentration of total inorganic nitrogen in the bottom layer below the thermocline has increased from $3.7{\mu}M$ to $9.5{\mu}M$, 250% accumulation in the dumping area since 1988. Therefore, the present results clearly show that the dumping site of Yellow Sea has received excessive sewage input beyond the environmental assimilatory capacity during the last decade. It may result in serious aggravation of seawater quality and basic ecosystem, and devastation of overall fishing grounds of Yellow Sea in the near future.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.201-207
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• 2005

Purpose: Submandibular gland tumor is rare, less than 6% of head and neck tumor. The purpose of this article is to analysis the clinical experience and treatment outcomes of malignant submandibular gland tumor, suggesting a guideline of management. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 26 patients who underwent operation for malignant submandibular gland tumor at Severence hospital between 1986 and 2004. Statistical analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, log rank test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test using SPSS v12.0 for Windows. Results: They consisted of 18 males and 8 females whose median age was 47 years(range: 20-71). 10 cases of adenocystic carcinoma, 8 cases of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma, 4 cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 1 case each for acinic cell carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, adeno carcinoma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. Sialoadenectomy only was performed in 10 cases(36.5%) and sialoadenectomy with neck node dissection was performed in 16 cases(63.5%). Adjuvant radiotherapy was done in 22 cases(84.6%). 10 year disease free survival rate for malignant submandibular gland tumor was 63.1 % and 10 year overall survival rate for malignant submandibular gland tumor was 70.1%. In univariate analysis, prognostic factors affecting recurrence of malignant submandibular gland tumor was initially papable lateral neck node in physical examination and metastasis of lateral neck node in pathologic confirmation. The prognostic factors affecting survival of malignant submandibular gland tumor was tumor size, TNM stage, recurrence and type of recurrence. Conclusion: In this study, prognostic factors affecting recurrence of malignant submandibular gland tumor was initially papable lateral neck node in physical examination and metastasis of lateral neck node in pathologic confirmation. The prognostic factors affecting survival of malignant submandibular gland tumor was tumor size, TNM stage, recurrence and type of recurrence. To prevent recurrence and to improve survival, early diagnosis and aggressive surgery must be considered.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2008

Purpose：The incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC) has increased due to the widespread use of high resolution ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy. However, the clinical and biologic behaviors of PTMC is debatable. The aim of this study was to describe clinicopathologic features of PTMC and to suggest whether tumor size(5mm) might prove the useful parameter for determining the surgical strategy in PTMC. Material and Methods：From Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2005, 1355 of 2678 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were identified as having PTMC, based on tumor size${\leq}$10mm(50.6%). Among patients with PTMC, we further separated tumors<5mm(minute group：group M) from those 5 to 10mm(tiny group：group T). We compared the clinicopathological characteristics and the TNM stagings between two groups. Results：There were 114(8.4%) men and 1241(91.6%) women with a median age of 47 years(range；13-79). During a mean follow-up of 47.3(range；22-93), 13 patients(1.0%) developed locoregional recurrences and 3 patients(0.2%) showed distant metastases at initial presentation. Statistical analysis revealed that the presence of extracapsular invasion(p<0.0001), invasion to adjacent structure(p<0.0001), multifocality(p<0.0001), central lymph node metastasis(p<0.0001), and lateral lymph node metastasis(p<0.0001) were all significantly higher in tiny group(tumor${\geq}$5mm). Furthermore, minute group demonstrated a significantly lower tumor stage(AJCC TNM classification) compared with tiny group(p<0.0001). Conclusion：Patients with PTMC have a favorable treatment outcomes, although the distinction needs to be made with reference to the clinicopathologic behaviors. It would be reasonable to consider that tumor size(5mm) would be useful parameter for the treatment strategy of PTMC.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.28 no.12 s.138
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• pp.1583-1595
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• 2004

Simon and Sullivan(l993) estimated that clothing and textile related brand equity had the highest magnitude comparing any other industry category. It reflects that fashion brands reinforce the symbolic, social values and emotional characteristics being different from generic brands. Recently, Kim and Lim(2002) developed a fashion brand equity scale to measure a brand's psychometric properties. However, they suggested that additional psychometric tests were needed to compare the relative magnitude of each brand's equity. The purpose of this study was to recognize the psychometric constructs of fashion brand equity and validate Kim and Lim's fashion brand equity scale using the measurement invariance test of cross-group comparison. First, we identified the constructs of fashion brand equity using confirmatory factor analysis through structural equation modeling. Second, we compared the relative magnitude of two brands' equity using the measurement invariance test of multi-group simultaneous factor analysis. Data were collected at six major universities in Seoul, Korea. There were 696 usable surveys for data analysis. The results showed that fashion brand equity was comprised of 16 items representing six dimensions: customer-brand resonance, customer feeling, customer judgment, brand imagery, brand performance and brand awareness. Also, we could support the measurement invariance of two brands' equities by configural and metric invariance tests. There were significant differences in five constructs' mean values. The greatest difference was in customer feeling; the smallest, in customer judgment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.29 no.12 s.148
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• pp.1571-1581
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• 2005

In a highly competitive marketplace, U.S. retailers are challenged to attract, recruit, and retain a skilled workforce. The purpose of our research was to examine the impact of young retail employees' work experiences on their job performance, job satisfaction, and career intention using a comprehensive approach to model development. The model was developed in three phases over a four-year period using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. During Phase 1, we conducted focus group interviews to guide the development of the questionnaire. Work experience was initially operationalized as role conflict, role ambiguity, supervisory support, and work involvement. Using a student sample(n=470) from U.S. universities, we employed multiple regression to determine the significance of relationships between their work experience, job satisfaction, and retail career intention. During Phase 2, we expanded our investigation to include retail work experiences of teens employed while they were in high school. The teen sample(n=898) was drawn from students enrolled in work-study programs in 16 U.S. high schools, and data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (hereafter SEM). During Phase 3, we expanded our model to include two new variables, job characteristics and job performance. Based on a national sample(n=803) of U.S. university students, we employed SEM to holistically determine if retail employees' work experience impacted their job performance, job satisfaction, and retail career intention. During each phase, job satisfaction consistently was the superior antecedent of retail career intention. Among the work experience variables, supervisory support had a positive impact on job satisfaction, while role conflict, role ambiguity, and work involvement exhibited inconsistent effects on job outcomes. The strong relationship between job satisfaction and retail career intention should make job satisfaction a priority for retailers.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2010

During the past 10 years, sales of luxury goods increased significantly to more than US$ 130 billion in 2007. In this industry, more than half of the revenue comes from Asia where the average income has risen significantly, and the demand for luxury products is forecast to grow rapidly. Purchasing luxury brands appears to be an intriguing social phenomenon that is profitable for companies in this region. As a newly developed country, Korea is one of the most attractive luxury markets in Asia. Currently, a total of 120 luxury fashion brands have entered the Korean market, primarily in luxury districts in Seoul where the competition is fierce. The purposes of this study are to: (1) identify antecedents of attitude toward luxury brands, (2) examine the effect of attitudes toward luxury brands on customer equity, (3) determine the impact of attitudes toward luxury brands on customer lifetime value, and (4) investigate the influence of customer equity on customer life time value. Previous studies have examined materialism, social need, experiential need, need for uniqueness, conformity, and fashion involvement as antecedents of attitude toward luxury brands. Richins and Dowson (1992) suggested that that materialism influences consumption behavior relative to quantity of goods purchased. Nueno and Quelch (1998) reported that the ownership of luxury brands conveys information related to the owner's social status, communicates an image of success and prestige, and is a determinant of purchase behavior. Experiential need is recognized as an important aspect of consumption, especially for new products developed to meet consumer demand. Since luxury goods, by definition are relatively scarce, ownership of these types of products may fulfill consumers' need for uniqueness. In this study, value equity, relationship equity, and brand equity are examined as drivers of customer equity. The sample (n = 114) was undergraduate and graduate students at two private women's universities in Seoul, Korea. Data collection was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire survey in March, 2009. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, factor analysis, reliability analysis, and regression analysis using SPSS 15.0 software. Data analysis resulted in a number of conclusions. First, experiential need and fashion involvement positively influence participants' attitude toward luxury brands. Second, attitude toward luxury brands positively influences brand equity, followed by value equity and relationship equity. However, there is no significant relationship between attitude toward luxury brand and customer lifetime value. Finally, relationship equity positively influences customer lifetime value. In conclusion, young consumers are an important potential consumer group that tries different brands to discover the ones most suitable for them. Luxury marketers that use effective marketing strategies to attract and engender loyalty among this potentially lucrative consumer group may increase customer equity and lifetime value.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2013

The isotope ratios of $^{13}C/^{12}C$ and $^{18}O/^{16}O$ for a sample in a mass spectrometer are measured relative to those of a pure $CO_2$ reference gas (i.e., laboratory working standard). Thus, the calibration of a laboratory working standard gas to the international isotope scales (Pee Dee Belemnite (PDB) for ${\delta}^{13}C$ and Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water (V-SMOW) for ${\delta}^{18}O$) is essential for comparisons between data sets obtained by other groups on other mass spectrometers. However, one often finds difficulties in getting well-calibrated standard gases, because of their production time and high price. Additional difficulty is that fractionation processes can occur inside the gas cylinder most likely due to pressure drop in long-term use. Therefore, studies on laboratory production of pure $CO_2$ isotope standard gas from stable solid calcium carbonate standard materials, have been performed. For this study, we propose a method to extract pure $CO_2$ gas without isotope fractionation from a solid calcium carbonate material. The method is similar to that suggested by Coplen et al., (1983), but is better optimized particularly to make a large amount of pure $CO_2$ gas from calcium carbonate material. The $CaCO_3$ releases $CO_2$ in reaction with 100% pure phosphoric acid at $25^{\circ}C$ in a custom designed, evacuated reaction vessel. Here we introduce optimal procedure, reaction conditions, and samples/reactants size for calcium carbonate-phosphoric acid reaction and also provide the details for extracting, purifying and collecting $CO_2$ gas out of the reaction vessel. The measurements for ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}^{13}C$ of $CO_2$ were performed at Seoul National University using a stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (VG Isotech, SIRA Series II) operated in dual-inlet mode. The entire analysis precisions for ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}^{13}C$ were evaluated based on the standard deviations of multiple measurements on 15 separate samples of purified $CO_2$. The pure $CO_2$ samples were taken from 100-mg aliquots of a solid calcium carbonate (Solenhofen-ori $CaCO_3$) during 8-day experimental period. The multiple measurements yielded the $1{\sigma}$ precisions of ${\pm}0.01$‰ for ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\pm}0.05$‰ for ${\delta}^{18}O$, comparable to the internal instrumental precisions of SIRA. Therefore, we conclude the method proposed in this study can serve as a way to produce an accurate secondary and/or laboratory $CO_2$ standard gas. We hope this study helps resolve difficulties in placing a laboratory working standard onto the international isotope scales and does make accurate comparisons with other data sets from other groups.