• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.155-161
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• 2016

A recent study reported that Pleurotus ostreatus has the potential to be used as a ${\beta}-glucan-based$ cream for supportive complementary therapy of atopic dermatitis. KH054 is a new herbal prescription consisting of P. ostreatus and Panax ginseng. The effects of atopic dermatitis-induced materials on the expression of cytokine genes in human monocytes (THP-1, EoL- 1) have been examined. Some reports demonstrated that P. ginseng augments the activity of natural killer cells, which plays an important role in innate immunity against infection and tumor development. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 have important roles in mediating the infiltration of various cells into the skin of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. The present study investigated whether KH054 on induced IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 secretion by house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronissinus) in THP-1 (human acute monocytic leukemia) and EoL-1(Human eosinophilic leukemia) cell. D. pteronissinus functions in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis and asthma. The inhibitory effect of KH054 on the induction of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 secretion by D. pteronissinus extract in THP-1 and EoL-1 cells was examined. KH054 potently suppressed the elevated production of IL-6 and IL-8 induced by D. pteronissinus treatment in THP-1 and EoL-1 cells. Based on the present results, KH054 may be useful for developing functional foods to treat atopic dermatitis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.16-26
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• 2007

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a serine protease catalyzing the proteolytic conversion of plasminogen into plasmin, which is involved in thrombolysis. During last two decades, the role of tPA in brain physiology and pathology has been extensively investigated. tPA is expressed in brain regions such as cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and cerebellum, and major neural cell types such as neuron, astrocyte, microglia and endothelial cells express tPA in basal status. After strong neural stimulation such as seizure, tPA behaves as an immediate early gene increasing the expression level within an hour. Neural activity and/or postsynaptic stimulation increased the release of tPA from axonal terminal and presumably from dendritic compartment. Neuronal tPA regulates plastic changes in neuronal function and structure mediating key neurologic processes such as visual cortex plasticity, seizure spreading, cerebellar motor learning, long term potentiation and addictive or withdrawal behavior after morphine discontinuance. In addition to these physiological roles, tPA mediates excitotoxicity leading to the neurodegeneration in several pathological conditions including ischemic stroke. Increasing amount of evidence also suggest the role of tPA in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis even though beneficial effects was also reported in case of Alzheimer's disease based on the observation of tPA-induced degradation of $A{\beta}$ aggregates. Target proteins of tPA action include extracellular matrix protein laminin, proteoglycans and NMDA receptor. In addition, several receptors (or binding partners) for tPA has been reported such as low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) and annexin II, even though intracellular signaling mechanism underlying tPA action is not clear yet. Interestingly, the action of tPA comprises both proteolytic and non-proteolytic mechanism. In case of microglial activation, tPA showed non-proteolytic cytokine-like function. The search for exact target proteins and receptor molecules for tPA along with the identification of the mechanism regulating tPA expression and release in the nervous system will enable us to better understand several key neurological processes like teaming and memory as well as to obtain therapeutic tools against neurodegenerative diseases.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.394-405
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• 2017

The predominant concern of the study consist of: (1) the effect of young Chinese's consuming of Korean cultural wave contents including Korean TV drama, film, and K-pop on their anti-Korean sentiment; (2) the second-order mediating effects of both liking for Korean wave and positive perceptions of Koreans. The research is based on a survey conducted with 695 chinese people between high-teen and 20's, located in eleven cities of seven provinces. The notable findings are as follow: First, the higher consuming of Korean cultural wave contents, the higher anti-Korean sentiment. Second, young Chinese, consuming more Korean cultural contents, show more liking for Korean wave. The more favor of Korean cultural contents, the more positive perceptions of Koreans. The more liking for Koreans wave contests and the more positive perception of Koreans, the less anti-Korean sentiment. Therefore, it is proved that liking for Korean cultural wave contents and perceiving Koreans with a positive view are important mediator to reduce the anti-Korean sentiment. Some practical implications are discussed based on this study's findings above.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.211-222
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• 2020

In today's society, competition of talents is a critical factor of success in modern enterprises due to living in the era of knowledge economy. Also, success of a modern enterprise can be defined by the brand equity or value of the company name defined by general public (functional) and its employees (symbolic). Company brand equity is a subjectively defined by each employee. This article aims to link the relations between employee's perception of employer brand equity to employees' job performance and turnover intention. In order to empirically verify the effects of employer brand on employee's organizational commitment, performance, and turnover intention, study conducted the general employees working for MNC in the field of e-commerce, IT, and Networking business based in China. Total 235 questionnaires were used for the empirical analysis and SPSS 21.0 statistics package was used to analyze the collected data. The results can be summarized as follows: (1) Both the functional employer brand and the symbolic employer brand equity have a significantly positive impact on organizational commitment. (2) Both the functional employer brand equity and the symbolic employer brand equity have a significant positive impact on employee performance. (3) Neither the functional employer brand equity nor the symbolic employer brand equity confirmed the negative relationship between turnover intentions. (4) Organizational commitment play the intermediary role in the impact of employer brand equity on employees' work performance.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.197-208
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to construct and test a structural equation model for college student's gambling behavior. A structured questionnaire was completed by 246 college students to analyze the relationships between perspective factors(irrational gambling belief), psychological factors(depression, anxiety), social factors(parental monitoring, parental support, friend support), self-control and gambling behavior. The moderating effects of gender, friends and family's gambling behaviors were examined. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21,0 and AMOS 20.0 programs. Self-control and psychological factors directly affected the college student's gambling behavior, while perspective factors and social factors affected it indirectly. The model fit indices of the modified model were suitable for the recommended levels. The overall study findings suggest the need to develop a gambling prevention program for college students that reinforces self-control, parental monitoring and support, and friend support while reducing irrational gambling belief, depression, and anxiety. An approach that considers gender and a development of a group counseling program for family or friends are also required.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.870-883
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• 2011

The primary purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between market orientation and new product performance in a manufacturing firms, and examines how product quality, employee satisfaction, and innovation speed play a mediating role between market orientation and new product performance. Based on relevant literature reviews, this study posits three mediators, that is, product quality, employee satisfaction, and innovation speed as key determinants of new product performance. And then we structured a research model and hypotheses about relationship between these variables. A total 159 usable survey responses of Korean food/pharmaceutical firms have been employed in the analysis. The data were analyzed with Amos12.0K. The results be summarized as follows: First, market orientation had a positive influence upon product quality, employee satisfaction, and innovation speed. Second, two mediators of employee satisfaction, innovation speed had a positive influence upon new product performance. Third, employee satisfaction had a positive influence upon product quality and innovation speed. According to the result of this research, a manufacturing firms have to focus on the market orientation and understand the role of product quality, employee satisfaction, and innovation speed mediators on the process between the market orientation and the new product performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1075-1083
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• 2015

Adipose tissue deposited within muscle fibers, known as intramuscular fat (IMF or marbling), is a major determinant of meat quality and thereby affects its economic value. The biological mechanisms that determine IMF content are therefore of interest. In this study, 48 genes involved in the bovine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, which is involved in lipid metabolism, were investigated to identify candidate genes associated with IMF in the longissimus dorsi of Hanwoo (Korean cattle). Ten genes, retinoid X receptor alpha, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), phospholipid transfer protein, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group H member 3, fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3), carnitine palmitoyltransferase II, acyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase long chain (ACADL), acyl-Coenzyme A oxidase 2 branched chain, and fatty acid binding protein 4, showed significant effects with regard to IMF and were differentially expressed between the low- and high-marbled groups (p<0.05). Analysis of the gene co-expression network based on Pearson's correlation coefficients identified 10 up-regulated genes in the high-marbled group that formed a major cluster. Among these genes, the PPARG-FABP4 gene pair exhibited the strongest correlation in the network. Glycerol kinase was found to play a role in mediating activation of the differentially expressed genes. We categorized the 10 significantly differentially expressed genes into the corresponding downstream pathways and investigated the direct interactive relationships among these genes. We suggest that fatty acid oxidation is the major downstream pathway affecting IMF content. The PPARG/RXRA complex triggers activation of target genes involved in fatty acid oxidation resulting in increased triglyceride formation by ATP production. Our findings highlight candidate genes associated with the IMF content of the loin muscle of Korean cattle and provide insight into the biological mechanisms that determine adipose deposition within muscle.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.71-81
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• 2018

Purpose - Our research aims to investigate the mediating effect of employee creativity on the relationship between intrinsic motivation and job performance using relationship using Chinese department salespeople samples. Another objective of this study is to be clear boundary conditions that strengthen or weaken the effects of intrinsic motivation on work outcomes (i.e., employee creativity and job performance). Drawing on JD-R theory, we suggest that the two types of coworker support play differential moderating roles in the intrinsic motivation, employee creativity relationship by increasing or decreasing job resources and demands in different ways. Research design, data, and methodology - This empirical study data were collected from gathered from a sample of full time salespeople in China. A total of 550 questionnaires were distributed and 300 responses were collected, indicating a response rate of 84.0%. Working with a sample of 300 salespeople working in a department store in China. SPSS 18.0, Process 2.16 Macro, and M-Plus 8.0 software were used in the data analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the distribution of the employee profiles and correlations between variables. M-Plus 8.0 software was used to test the model fit, validity and reliability of the variables. Finally, all research hypotheses was estimated by SPSS Macro 2.16. Results - To test our research hypotheses, we employed an analytical strategy suggested by Hayes (2013; 2015) and Shrout and Bolger (2002). In this study, we tested the relationship between intrinsic motivation and job performance throughout employee creativity. Results showed intrinsic motivation and job performance was partially mediated by employee creativity. The positive relationship between intrinsic motivation and employee creativity when coworker emotional support was high than when it was low. In contrast, the positive association between intrinsic motivation and employee creativity was stronger when coworker instrumental support was low than when it was high. Coworker emotional and instrumental support further moderated the indirect effect of intrinsic motivation on job performance through employee creativity. Conclusions - This study extends the conceptual model and empirical researches in coworker supports literature by representing a fundamental mechanism of how salespeople's intrinsic motivation and job performance throughout employee creativity.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.89-98
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• 2018

Purpose - Despite the global economic crisis, the numbers of coffee shops used for providing a place for social and cultural interactions show an upward trend and have become an indispensable part in people's daily life in recent years. Under the circumstance of tremendous efforts of searching new management strategies and projects, the concept of servicescape(which has physical environment characteristics) may provide a better alternative. Therefore, the purpose of this study can be broadly divided into 3 key points. First is to investigate the effects of servicescape on customer satisfaction, service value and customer loyalty about Coffee Shops in Jeonju area. Second is to examine the mediating effect of customer satisfaction and service value between servicescape and customer loyalty. Third, there is evidence that indicates the moderating effect among the interaction of customer and staff, brand image and the composition of servicescape, customer satisfaction, service value and customer loyalty. Research design, data, and methodology - This study begins empirical research about users of coffee shops' services. The data of the study is collected from 285 samples of a questionnaire which has been made from Korea and analysed by IBM SPSS 24.0 and IBM AMOS 24.0. Results - The results are reported below: First of all, the composition of condition, functionality, cleanliness and aesthetic characteristics of the servicescape has a significant impact on customer satisfaction and service value. Furthermore, customer satisfaction is identified as a factor to influence service value. Moreover, customer satisfaction and service value are identified as the causal relationship with customer loyalty. Besides, customer satisfaction and service value illustrated the mediation effect between the composition of servicescape and customer loyalty. Finally, the interaction between customer and staff, brand image illustrates the moderated effect. Conclusions - The composition of servicescape contributes to the formation of customer satisfaction and enhancing the customer's perceived service value in coffee shops. By meeting diverse and complex needs of consumers in coffee shop, the service value will not only attract loyal customers, but also increase customer loyalty and profitability. In a word, managers should rely on servicescape to enhance service experience by making differences with other competitors.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.77-89
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• 2019

Purpose - This study presents the relationships between parent brand-self image congruence, parent brand -functional congruity, perceived fit between parent brand and extension product, and consumer's attitude toward extension product using the structural equation model. As for preceding concepts having a direct effect on consumer's attitude toward brand extension, the study focuses on parent brand-self image congruence and parent brand-functional congruity. It also looks at the effect of parent brand-self image congruence and parent brand-functional congruity on the consumer's attitude toward extension product and identifies if the perceived fit between parent brand and extension product is a concept playing a mediating role between parent brand-self image congruence or parent brand-functional congruity and consumer's attitude toward brand extension product. Research design, data, and Methodology - SPSS for Windows 18.0 and AMOS 18.0 were used for data analysis. Then, the Cronbach's α coefficient was obtained using SPSS for Windows 18.0 to measure reliability. In addition, the convergence and discriminative measures of the measured items were statistically verified using AMOS 18.0. Finally, we have validated a path model and a parameter model in which brand personality-self-matched attitude toward brand extension. Results - Studies have shown that the impact of parent brand-self image consistency and parent brand-functional consistency on the attitude of extended products was positive. Perceived fit between parent brand and extension products has been shown to play a role of intermediary between parent brand-self image congruence and consumer attitudes to extended products. However, perceived fit between parent brand and extension products did not play a role as intermediary between the parent brand-functional congruity and the attitude toward the extended product. Finally, in relation to the causal relationship between parent brand-congruity (self image/functionality) and attitudes to extended products. The effect of parent brand-functional coherency on attitudes toward extended products was found to be greater in groups with higher involvement than in those with lower involvement. Conclusions - Although few studies have been done on what variables mediated when parent brand-self image consistency and parent brand-functional coherency affect consumer attitude, this paper is significant in finding whether perceived fitness between the parent brand-congruity and the extension product is mediated.