• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.521-530
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• 2013

Direct cell-cell communication via the transfer of small molecules between neighboring cells in tissue is accomplished by gap junctions composed of various connexins (Cxs). Proper postnatal development of the epididymis is important for acquisition of male reproduction. The epididymal epithelium is composed of several cell types, and some of these cells are connected by gap junctions. The present study was conducted to determine the presence of Cx transcripts in the corpus and cauda epididymis. In addition, transcriptional changes of Cxs expressed during different postnatal stages were examined by real-time PCR analysis. In both epididymal regions, the same nine Cx transcripts of thirteen Cxs tested were detected. In the corpus epididymis, the highest levels of Cxs31.1 and 37 transcripts were observed at 45 days of age, and amounts of Cxs26, 30.3, and 32 transcripts increased with age and subsequently decreased in the elderly. Expression of Cx31 was greatly increased in the adult and elder stages, while Cxs40, 43, and 45 were abundant in the early postnatal stages. In the cauda epididymis, expression of Cxs26, 30.3, 31.1, 37, and 40 reached the highest levels at 5 months of age. The levels of Cxs31 and 32 mRNAs fluctuated throughout the postnatal period. The amounts of Cxs43 and 45 transcripts were more abundant during the late neonatal and prepubertal ages than later ages. These findings suggest that regional specification of the epididymis is partly regulated by differential expression of Cx genes during the postnatal developmental period.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1640-1646
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• 2005

An oriental medicinal drugs Jahageo (JHG, Hominis placenta) were examined to determine its effects on the responsiveness of central nervous system neurons after injury. We found that JHG was involved in neurite outgrowth of DRG sensory axons. JHG treatment also increased expression of axonal growth-associated protein GAP-43 in DRG sensory neurons after sciatic nerve injury and in the injured spinal cord. JHG treatment during the spinal cord injury increased induction levels of cell division cycle 2 (Cdc2) protein in DRG as well as in the spinal cord. Histochemical investigation showed that induced Cdc2 in the injured spinal cord was found in non-neuronal cells. These results suggest that JHG regulates activities of non-neuronal cells such as oligodendrocyte and astrocyte in responses to spinal cord injury and protects neuronal responsiveness after axonal damage.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.1-13
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• 2008

Objective : This study is investigate the effects of Sagunjatang-Ga-Nokyong(SGJ-NY) treatment on regenerative responses of corticospinal tract(CST) axons in the injured spinal cord. Methods :Using rats, we damaged their spinal cord, and then applied SGJ-NY extract to the lesion. Then we observed GAP-43 and NGF protein, astrcyte, axonal regeneration responses and axonal elongation. Result :Determination of GAP-43 and NGF protein levels were increased. And increased proliferation of astrocyte and enhanced processes in astrocytes were observed by SGJ-NY treatment. Higher number of astrocytes within the injury cavity in SGJ-NY treated group were showed, yet CSPG proteins were a weaker staining in the cavity in SGJ-NY. CST axons extended into the cavity and to the caudal area in SGJ-NY treated group were increased. Conclusion : SGJ-NY treatment might increase neural activity in the injured spinal cord tissue, and improved axonal regeneration responses. In this process, activation of astrocytes may play a role in promoting enhanced axonal elongation. the current study show that SGJ-NY exerts positive activity on inducing nerve regeneration responses by elevating neural tissue migration activities.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1303-1310
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• 2006

In oriental medicine, Samul-tang (SMT) has been used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and neuronal disorders. Here, possible effects of SMT on axonal regeneration after the spinal cord injury were examined. SMT treatment induced increases in regeneration-related proteins GAP-43, cell division cycle 2 (Cdc2) and phospho-Erk1/2 in the peripheral sciatic nerves after crush injury. Increased levels of Cdc2 and phospho-Erk1/2 were observe mostly in the gray matter area and some in the dorsomedial white matter. These increases correlated with increased cell numbers in affected areas. Moreover, axons of corticospinal tract (CST) showed increased sprouting in the injured spinal cord when administrated with SMT compared with saline-treated control. Thus, the present data indicate that SMT may be useful for identifying active components and for therapeutic application toward the treatment of spinal cord disorders after injury.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.43-57
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• 2022

Purpose: This study discusses the phenomenon of the uncertain sustainability of SMEs in developing countries. SMEs face various challenges in the dynamics of a competitive environment, which threaten their growth and sustainability. This study aims to address a research gap between company's internal resources, in the form of absorptive capacity, and its business performance. By using product quality as a mediator, which has never been studied before, this research presents a novelty to answer the existing research gap using the Resource Based Theory (RBT) perspective. Research design, data and methodology: Using quantitative method, data are collected from 164 respondents, who are owners or managers of furniture manufacturing SMEs in Gerbangkertosusila Area, East Java, Indonesia. The data are analyzed using Partial Least Square (PLS) - Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results: The findings show that absorptive capacity has a direct and significant effect on business performance and indirectly through product quality. Conclusion: Furniture manufacturing SMEs are advised to focus on developing absorptive capacity reflected in good product quality, in order to improve their business performance. This is especially important to survive the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, the results of this study contribute to the development of RBT, and there are several suggestions for further research.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.43 no.1 s.284
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• pp.22-27
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• 2006

The electronic band structures of Metal-doped titanium dioxide, M-doped $TiO_2$ (M=Co, Cr, Fe), have been studied by using XRD, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrometer and FP-LAPW (Full-Potential Linearized Augmented-Plane-Wave) method. The UV-vis of M-doped $TiO_2$ (M=Co, Cr, Fe) showed two absorption edges; the main edge due to the titanium dioxide at 387 nm and a shoulder due to the doped metals at around 560 nm. The band gap energies of Co, Cr and Fe-doped $TiO_2$ calculated by FP-LAPW method were 2.6, 2.0, and 2.5 eV, respectively. The theoretically calculated band gap energy of $TiO_2$ by using FP-LAPW method was the same as experimental results. FP-LAPW method will be useful for fabrication and development of photo catalysts working under visible light.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.65-65
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• 2003

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on the oxidative stress-induced inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in HaCaT keratinocyte. Anti-oxidative activity of resveratrol was measured by a,a-diphenyl-b-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate oxidation assay. GJIC of HaCaT keratinocyte was assessed using the scrape loading/dye transfer technique. Western blots and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were also analyzed for Connexin 43 protein and mRNA expression, respectively. Resveratrol scavenged directly the stable DPPH radical over a concentration range of 4 mg/$\mell$ (78.2 $\pm$ 2.7% of control) to 500 mg/$\mell$ (29.9 $\pm$ 4.2% of control) and prevent to increase the intracellular fluorescence induced by oxidative stress significantly. Ultraviolet A irradiation (UVA) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate markedly reduced GJIC, which was restored by resveratrol. There were no significant differences in the level of Connexin 43 protein and mRNA expression among any of the experimental groups. Our data suggests that resveratrol has the protective effect on the oxidative stress-induced inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication in HaCaT keratinocyte and this protection is likely due to the scavenging of reactive oxygen species.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.1015-1024
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• 2015

An experiment of composite beam was performed which utilized glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) plank as the permanent formwork with cast-in-place high strength concrete. This research analyzed the flexural failure behavior of composite beam by setting the sand coated at GFRP bottom surface, the perforation and interval of the GFRP plank web, and the width of the top flange as the experimental variables. As a result of the experiments for effectiveness of sand attachment in case of not perforated web, approximately 43% higher ultimate load value was obtained when the sand was coated than not coated case. For effectiveness of perforation and interval of gap, approximately 23% higher maximum load value was seen when interval of the perforation gap was 3 times and the fine aggregate was not coated, and approximately 11% higher value was observed when the perforation gap was 5 times on the coated specimen. For effectiveness of top flange breadth, the ultimate load value was approximately 12% higher in case of 20mm than 40mm width.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.191-203
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• 2020

This study aims to present the differentiating factors of B2B salesperson competency through comparing the suppliers and buyers in Korean steel industry in their perception on the importance and priority of B2B salesperson competency. Based on previous studies, analysis on B2B salesperson competency has been analyzed using the B2B salesperson performance competency measure factors and appropriately reorganizing them for better application to the steel industry. The required performance competencies of B2B salesperson can be categorized into 3 different types, namely social exchange competency, advisory sales competency, and skill & knowledge competency. AHP analysis was performed for analyzing the relative importance of B2B salesperson competency based on the factors of previous studies, in which categorization of the aforementioned types had been done. As the result, first, it has been confirmed that there is a difference in 1st layer main factors between the supplier group and buyer group. The supplier group valued the advisory sales competency, while the buyer group valued skill & knowledge competency. Second, it has been proved that there is same result of relative importance in 2nd detailed factors between the supplier group and buyer group. Both group confirmed that customer member, identify customer needs and communication skill are very important factors. Third, as the result of analysis on the gap between B2B salesperson competency of the suppliers and buyers, the gap in the product knowledge and sales team member need improvement for buyer's satisfaction according to overall results of relative importance and priority. The steel supplier was able to develop B2B salesperson competency according to the buyers' needs based on the result of this study, and furthermore it is expected that this study will be able to contribute to increase in buyer competitiveness through differentiation in B2B salesperson competency.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.15-32
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this Study was to identify the effect of Dokhwalgisaeng-tang(Duhuoqisheng-tang) and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture on pain control and nerve regeneration after crush injury in rat sciatic nerve. Methods : Neuropathic pain was induced by crush-induced model of right sciatic nerve. Animal groups were divided as follows; Group I: no treatment control group, Group II : experimental group treated with Dokhwalgisaeng-tang(Duhuoqisheng-tang), Group III : experimental group treated with Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture, and Group IV : experimental group treated with Dokhwalgisaeng-tang(Duhuoqisheng-tang) and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture. To evaluate pain intensity, each group was observed paw withdrawal threshold and immunoreactivity on the c-fos before and after respective treatments in five hours, first, third, and fifth day. To evaluate nerve regeneration, those were observed SFI(Sciatic Functional Index) and GAP-43(Growth Associated Protein 43) after each treatment in seventh and thirteenth day. Results : 1. Paw withdrawal threshold to the mechanical stimuli made the significant difference between group IV and the control group after five days of the experiment. 2. Paw withdrawal threshold to the thermal stimuli made the significant difference between group I and III, I and IV, II and IV. 3. In immunohistochemical response of c-fos, as time passes, the immunoreactivity of all groups was decreased gradually. Especially, group IV was observed the lowest after three days. 4. The differences of sciatic function indexes in each group were significantly between group I and III, I and IV, II and IV after 14 days, and between group I and III, I and IV, II and IV, III and IV after 21 days. 5. In immunohistochemical response of GAP-43, all groups had higher GAP-43 immunoreactivity at the 14 days from post-injury and group IV showed highest immunoreactivity. Conclusions : Based on above the results, it is proposed that Dokhwalgisaeng-tang(Duhuoqisheng-tang) and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture may be helpful as a treatment in neuropathic pain and nerve regeneration in rat model.