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A Study on the Variables Affecting the Intention to Use Healing Agriculture (치유농업 이용의도에 영향을 미치는 변인 고찰)

  • Kim, Ok Ja;Ha, Kyu Soo
    • Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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    • v.13 no.4
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    • pp.59-72
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    • 2018
  • The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting the intention to use healing farming by setting aged readiness, rural healing supply condition, and rural healing service as independent variables. This study has been started based on the idea that it is necessary to provide healing service through healing agriculture to the rapidly increasing elderly people and urban people who need mental rest. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find out the various factors influencing intention to use healing agriculture through empirical analysis. Second, we want to examine whether the variables influenced the intention to use more. Third, based on the results of these tests, we suggest the policy for activation of healing agriculture by examining the factors necessary for the promotion of physical and mental health of the elderly in the aging society and the revitalization of healing agriculture for the mental healing of the urban people. For this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted for men and women over 30 years old, and the final 356 copies were analyzed. The validity of the research hypothesis was verified by linear regression analysis. The results of the analysis are as follows. First, the physical preparation, emotional preparation, and economic preparation of aged care preparations were found to have a significant effect on intention to use. Second, natural landscape, accessibility, and stability of rural healing supply conditions were found to have a significant effect on intention to use. But economics and expertise were dismissed. Third, crop cultivation, animal medication and healing facilities of rural healing service were proved to have significant influence on intention to use. In order to increase the utilization of healing agriculture, it is necessary for the consumer to be well prepared for aging. In rural healing supply conditions, accessibility and safety should be provided for healing facilities in rural healing services.And to increase the intention to use it.

A Study on the Impact of Visual Merchandising Cognitive Dimension of Food & Beverage Stores on Consumer Behavior Intention: Focusing on the Mediating Effect of Emotional Response (외식음료매장의 비주얼머천다이징 인지차원이 소비자 행동의도에 미치는 영향: 감정반응 매개효과를 중심으로)

  • Park, Hyoung Kuk;Yang, Dong Woo
    • Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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    • v.13 no.5
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    • pp.103-118
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    • 2018
  • This study would provide the basic data informative for establishing a VMD strategy, covering design and marketing for business owners and prospective entrepreneurs, including the persons concerned with the food and beverage industries by investigating the relationships of the impacts of several factors in the cognitive dimension factors of VMD in food and beverage stores on consumers' emotional response and behavior intention and the mediating effect of emotional responses, applying the concept of VMD to the food and beverage industries. To check this research purpose, data were collected through a survey, conducted with various consumers in their 20s through 60s who have experienced the use of food and beverage stores. The period of the survey was from September 20 through October 10, 2017, 202 copies of questionnaires were collected without missing values and used as data for the final analysis. As for the analysis of the data, using SPSS statistical software, frequency analysis and descriptive statistics, analysis of reliability and validity, correlation analysis, single and multiple regression analysis were conducted. According to the results of this study, first, the relationship of the impact between the VMD cognitive dimension of food and beverage stores and customers' emotional responses was statistically significant. In concrete, all factors of VMD cognitive dimension, including the factors of suitability and daily escape had positive (+) impacts on positive emotions. Second, as a result of an analysis of the impact of emotional responses felt in the process of visiting the food and beverage stores on customers' behavior intention, it turned out that positive emotions had a positive (+) impacts on visit intention and recommendation intention while negative emotions did not have any impacts on visit intention and recommendation intention. Third, as a result of an analysis of the impact of VMD cognitive dimension on behavior intention, the suitability and balance of the VMD cognitive dimension had positive (+) impacts on visit intention while daily escape and functionality had positive (+) impacts on recommendation intention. Fourth, as a result of checking if emotional responses had a mediating effect in the relationship between the VMD cognitive dimension and behavior intention, positive emotions had a full mediating effect while there was no mediating effect of negative emotions between the VMD cognitive dimension and behavior intention. In conclusion, this study found that the VMD cognitive dimension of food and beverage stores affected consumers' emotional responses and that emotional responses were a factor affecting behavior intention and proved that consumers' emotional responses differed depending on the factors in the cognitive dimension. Thus, in food and beverage stores, it would be necessary to make effective designs of the stores and differentiate the presentation of them through utilizing detailed factors of the cognitive dimension of VMD. Also, the results of this study could be utilized as the appropriate marketing tools for customers in food and beverage stores and as the basic data for establishing the strategy.

The Effect of using Computer & Smart-phone on Decreased Work Efficiency due to Musculoskeletal Disorders ; Mediating Effect of Perceived Musculoskeletal Disorders (컴퓨터 및 스마트폰 사용이 근골격계질환으로 인한 업무능력 저하에 미치는 영향 : 근골격계 질환의 매개효과)

  • Park, Jong-Ho
    • Journal of Distribution Science
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    • v.14 no.3
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    • pp.55-62
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    • 2016
  • Purpose - Average using time of smart-phone for Korean people is 3 hours 39 minutes and most people who are using a computer at home and their workplace can be affected over force to neck and shoulder due to unstable body posture. musculoskeletal disorders which caused by unstable body posture can affect strongly to decrease work efficiency. So this research is designed to measure the effect of using computer & smart-phone on decreased work efficiency due to musculoskeletal disorders and mediating effect between decreased work efficiency and musculoskeletal disorders. Research Design, Data, and Methodology - The author has developed a questionnaire with 6 hypothesis on the basis of previous research result with 5 constructs. The questionnaires were also made by interview and E-mail. 300 copies of questionnaires were distributed and 282 questionnaire were used for the analysis as valid data responses. SPSS ver.21.0 were used and made Cronbach's α and reliability test, correlation, Baron & Kenny 3 step mediated regression analysis. Result - Cronbach's α shows 0.770~0.954 and C.R. is 0.963~0.997 which is higher than 0.7. and AVE was 0.867~0.933. So the data are all acceptable condition. Using for a long time of a computer & smart-phone has a positive effect on musculoskeletal disorders. This means, it can cause musculoskeletal disorders if people use a computer & smart-phone for a long time due to unstable body posture. And musculoskeletal disorders can effect strongly decrease work efficiency. This study also found out that a long time of using computer can cause musculoskeletal disorders rather than using smart-phone a long time. To check mediate effect of musculoskeletal disorders between using a computer & smart-phone and Decreased Work Efficiency, author used 3-step mediated regression analysis of Baron & Kenny (1986). Using a computer for a long time mediate partially and using a smart-phone for a long time mediate completely. This means that using a smart-phone a long time is not the actual reason to decrease work efficiency. But using level of smart-phone is increasing rapidly day by day. So we need to make additional research about this matter seriously. Conclusion - Nowadays, people can not live on without a computer & smart-phone even a moment. But, using a computer for a long time will affect to cause musculoskeletal disorders and it will effect strongly to decrease work efficiency. Before, we thought over that musculoskeletal disorders were diseases of elder people. But, we found out from this study that musculoskeletal disorders can be happen to any people, even children, or workers in heavy industry or engaged in brain work. So we need to be careful when we use a computer for a long time. People also need to be careful to keep correct body posture when using both a computer and smart-phone since a smart-phone became more popular and using time level became longer. Due to increased income and living standard of people, physical growth of young people is so rapid. But the physical environment of society is not suitable for them since it can not follow up the speed of growth. Suitable work table is very important to prevent musculoskeletal disorder which can affect decrease work efficiency. For a person, a society or country, increased productivity is very important since it can directly connected to the job satisfaction. Education and reeducation for the people is also important, but to teach them how to keep good condition of health will be more important since it can increase the quality of work efficiency and quality of life. Computer and Smart-phone is one the best invention of modern society, but it can cause mental and physical disease which can affect decrease work efficiency and productivity. So it is necessary to observe attentively for the situation continually.

Long Term Effects of Lamivudine and Adefovir dipivoxil in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients on the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (만성 B형간질환에서 HBV백신 및 항바이러스치료가 간세포암종 발생에 미치는 효과)

  • Lee, Heon-Ju
    • Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.1-18
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    • 2008
  • Although Lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil are efficacious drugs for preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B patients, their efficacy is far from completely satisfactory. The risk of liver cirrhosis and HCC begins to increase at an HBV DNA level of $10^4$ copies/ml. Even with latent or past HBV infection, episomal covalently closed circular DNA(cccDNA) plays a key rolein the persistence, relapse and resistance of HBV in its natural course or during therapy. The annual incidence of HCC in YUMC is 1.8% and 4.7% patients/year in the antiviral treatment and control groups, respectively. The ability to achieve a high rate of sustained HBV suppression with low risk of drug resistance is the ultimate goal in the treatment of chronic HBV infection. The efficacy of universal immunization with striking reductions in the prevalence of HBV in localized countries needs to be spread worldwide. With hepatitis B immunization and effective antiviral therapy, global control of HBV infection and HBV-related complications, including HCC, are possible by the end of the first half of the $21^{st}$ century.

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Verification of Clinical Usefulness of Jaw Tracking in IMRT (IMRT에 있어 Jaw Tracking 의 임상적 유용성 검증)

  • Kim, Jin-young;Kim, Ki-Hwan
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.105-109
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    • 2020
  • Intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT) has disadvantages such as increasing the low doses of irradiation to normal tissues and accumulated dose for the whole volume by leakage and transmission of the Multi Leaf Collimator (MLC). The accumulated dose and low dose may increase the occurrence of secondary malignant neoplasms. For this reasons, the jaw tracking function of the TrueBeam (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) was developed to reduce the leakage and transmission dose of the MLC with existing linear accelerators. But quantitative analysis of the dose reduction has not been verified. Therefore, in the present study, we intended to verify the clinical possibility of utilizing the jaw tracking function in brain tumor with comparison of treatment plans. To accomplish this, 3 types of original treatment plans were made using Eclipse11 (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA): 1) beyond 2 cm distance from the Organs At Risk (OARs); 2) within 2 cm distance from the OARs; and 3) intersecting with the OARs. Jaw tracking treatment plans were also made with copies of the original treatment planning using Smart LMC Version 11.0.31 (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). A comparison between the 2 types of treatment planning methods was performed using the difference of the mean dose and maximum dose to the OARs in cumulative Dose Volume Histogram (DVH). In the DVH comparison, the maximum difference of 0.5 % was observed between the planning methods in the case of over 2 cm distance, and the maximum of 0.6 % was obtained for within the 2 cm distance. For the case intersecting with the OAR, the maximum difference of 2 % was achieved. According to these results, it could be realized that the differences of mean dose and maximum dose to the OARs was larger when the OARs and PTV were closer. Therefore, treatment plans with the jaw tracking function consistently affected the dose reduction and the clinical possibility could be verified.

A Model to Measure the Success of a Web-based Information System at a Government Agency - the Chungwadae Case (공공기관 업무관리시스템 성과평가 모형 개발에 관한 연구: 청와대 업무관리시스템(e지원시스템)을 중심으로)

  • Bae, Lee-Chul;Hong, Il-Yoo
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.97-115
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    • 2008
  • Introduction The e-government is concerned with using Internet and Web technologies to exchange information and services with citizens, businesses and other related organizations, and it centers on three functions, namely informational, interactive, and transactional [UN, 2001]. Many developed countries like the U.S. have been actively involved in e-government projects, since they enable both more effective public services for citizens and more efficient internal operations. Korea is among these leading countries that are planning to leverage computer and communication technologies to provide for integration of work processes and information as well as convenient access to information and services. For this reason, evaluating e-government projects is becoming a crucial issue for both researchers and policy-makers. However, most research to date has primarily focused on a model of success of an e-government system designed for citizens, overlooking internal systems specifically created for employees working in a public organization. This paper is intended to propose a model to measure the success of a Web-based information system designed for use by internal users at Chungwadae, the executive branch of Korea's central government. The paper is also aimed at applying the model to the assessment of the present system being used at Chungwadae in comparison with the preceding system. Evaluating an e-Government System The most widely cited model of information systems success today is that of DeLone and McLean[1992, 2003, 2004]. The original model states that the success of an information system can be measured using six dimensions, including system quality, information quality, use, user satisfaction, individual impact, and organizational impact. Although the ultimate success of an information system may be reflected in the impact that the system has upon individuals as well as an organization, aspects of using the system such as system use and user satisfaction can play an important role in determining the system success, because the system would be a sheer failure if users don't like and use the system. As a response to criticisms given by numerous researchers, the authors adapted their model to fit the emerging Web-based environment. The revised model[DeLone and McLean, 2003] they offered included an additional quality dimension, namely service quality, and combined individual and organizational impacts into net benefits which can also influence user satisfaction. The e-government system success model can be built around this updated model. Our model incorporates information quality, system quality, and service quality as in the DeLone and McLean model. However, the 'system use' dimension has been replaced by perceived usefulness, as suggested by Seddon[1998]. In addition, because the e-government systems that this paper focuses on are internal public systems used in government agencies, the 'net benefits' dimension has been replaced by perceived work efficiency. Based on the proposed model, a total of nine hypotheses have been formulated which we tested using an empirical analysis. Methods A questionnaire form has been created with items that are designed to examine the relationships among the variables in the model. The questionnaire has been handed over, in person, to 65 members of Chungwadae staff who are now actively using the E-Support System, the present information system created to support internal work at Chungwadae. We made arrangements to meet with each individual who agreed to participate in our survey, and helped to fill out the survey form with explanations. Of the 65 copies that were delivered, only 33 were returned, and 30 responses of these have been adopted for our analysis, since three were not valid. The extremely small sample size was due to the limited number of staff members who had adequate experience required of this study. Results We gathered data from the questionnaire survey and analyzed them using a regression analysis to test the hypotheses. As shown in the table below, the results indicated that all three dimensions of an information system’s quality are positively related to user satisfaction. However, information quality and system quality were found to be positively related to perceived usefulness, while service quality was not. In addition, perceived usefulness is not positively related to user satisfaction, implying that a user may find a system useful, but may not be satisfied with it. Finally, user satisfaction and perceived usefulness both are positively related to perceived work efficiency. This suggests that workers' positive experience with the system is important to guarantee favorable work efficiency. Conclusions We conclude that the proposed model proved useful in measuring the success of an internal information system used by a government agency. To demonstrate the applicability and usefulness of the model in the paper, we applied the model to the assessment of the present internal system used at Chungwadae in comparison with the preceding system. The results showed that the present system outperforms the preceding one in a statistically significant way. Future research will have to focus on applying the model to Korea's governmental agencies other than Chungwadae and examine whether it proves applicable in different types of governmental organizations.

Analytical Performance of Sensitivity and Specificity for Rapid Multiplex High Risk Human Papillomavirus Detection Kit: HPV ViroCheck (고위험군 HPV 검출을 위한 분석적 민감도와 특이도 성능평가)

  • Park, Sunyoung;Yoon, Hyeonseok;Bang, Hyeeun;Kim, Yeun;Choi, Seongkyung;Ahn, Sungwoo;Kim, Jungho;Lee, Suji;Yang, Ji Yeong;Lee, Dongsup
    • Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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    • v.49 no.4
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    • pp.446-454
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    • 2017
  • Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are major causes of cervical cancer. Sixteen high risk HPVs, including HPV 16, HPV 18, HPV31, HPV 33, HPV 35, HPV 39, HPV 45, HPV 51, HPV 52, HPV 53, HPV 56, HPV 58, HPV 59, HPV 66, HPV 68, and HPV 69 are found in cervical cancer. HPVs 16 and 18 are mainly presented in 70% of cervical cancer. Therefore, identifying the presence of these high-risk HPVs is crucial. The objective of this study is to establish the HPV ViroCheck for detecting 16 HR-HPVs and genotypes of HPVs 16 and 18, as well as to analyze the analytical performance of HPV ViroCheck. We performed the analytical sensitivity of HPV E6 / E7 genes of 16 high risk HPVs to confirm the limit of detection. Then, a cross reactivity of HPV ViroCheck with microorganisms and viruses related to the cervix were analyzed for analytical specificity. Analytical sensitivity of high risk HPV genotypes ranged from 1 to 100 copies when using cloned DNAs. The limit of detection was 10 cells for both SiHa and HeLa cells. Cervical-related microorganisms and viruses did not show cross-reactivity to HPV DNA. Moreover, the intra- and inter-assay coefficient variations (CVs) were below 5%. In conclusion, HPV Virocheck will be useful for the detection of 16 HR HPVs, as well as HPV 16 and HPV 18 genotypes rapidly.

Original expression of the creative chidren's picture-book (창작그림동화의 독창성 연구)

  • 안경환
    • Archives of design research
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.185-197
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    • 1998
  • The domestic publishing market has heen ranked at No.7 in the word publishing market(stastics material in Cultu re and Gymnastics m inistrv )Es pe cia Ill'. publishing quantity of children'book is about to reacb No.3. Such a publishing condition i." showing that Korean publishing world has limit,llion of kind and genre despite of its quant.iative improvement On the ot.her hand. t',reign juvenile publi."hing has multi-publishing form, which is a simultaneous publishing with dolls, audio stuff, game programs and CD-ROM t.itles. Even the animation is considered as of the publication at the planning s tsge. However, when we take a look at domestic condition we come to know that Korean juvenile publishing has been occupied mostly by the studying book. Also, the cautious book selection by the well educated parents in l990's has brought up the change of juvenile publishing world. Such a presen t condition bears of juvenlie publi.,;hing world. Such a present condition bears problem, which is the checking 190 translat.ions among the published picture- books of the last ye ar children's book Nevertheless, there was a sucessful domestic planned creative picture book last year. That is "Puppy s shit", which was sold out 15 000 copies and be st se ller of children's book. Whe n we take a look at the commercial success of "Puppy s shit", it is possible that domestic work holds a position in the publishing market. "Puppy s shit" is the story about valuable nature with Korean styled illustration, which tells the prefemece of Korean book in do mestic pu blis hin f.i market. With the motto "Finding prospect of the Korean creative children's book", this paper was went throu gh. By searchinf.i for creative com ponent.s of picture-book planning such as theme, story, illustration, and edit design through the foreign picture-book "What 1 want. to know from the little mole is who made it on top of his head"-and domestic creative picture/book 'Puppy's shit", this study tried to tell a couple of things like followings publication of Korean creative picture book in t.he world. professional and more artistic inner fabric and originality(the relatio nship be tween stort and illu,tration), improvement of illustration through new formative language with well expressed con ten t, planning improvem ent of Korean creative pictive picture book including literary, artistic and educative component and finally examples of planning, artict and educative component and finally example, of planning the good book with a story and illu,;tration which can in the long run improve the value of life for the children.h can in the long run improve the value of life for the children.

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The Conditions of Patients' Oral Health and Their Quality of Life at 'E' College Dental Practice (E대학 실습환자의 구강건강관리실태와 삶의 질에 대한 조사)

  • Kim, Ki-Eun;Choi, Moon-Sil;Han, Ji-Hyoung
    • Journal of dental hygiene science
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    • v.7 no.3
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    • pp.141-146
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    • 2007
  • A questionnaire survey of patients for practical training of dental hygiene department of E college was conducted from August 28th 2006 to December 8th 2006. Before scaling, the purpose of the study and the questionnaires were fully explained and the patients were requested to complete the questions personally. The survey were conducted under their consent and 256 copies were collected and used for the analysis. The survey shows the patients' habit for oral health care according to the gender and age and their standards for the quality of life. 1. For gender, male occupied 117(45.7%) and female occupied 139(54.3%). For age, 158 of the patients were in their twenties(61.7%) and 60 of them were aged from 10 to 19(23,4%). 16 patients were aged from 40 to 49(6.3%) and 11 patients were aged from 30 to 39(4.3%) and the number of patients who are older than 50 was 11(4.3%). 2. For the mouth health care, according to gender, 37.6% of male answered that they had scaling and 46.8% of female patients answered that they had scaling experiences. Without distinction of gender, most patients answered they brushed their teeth twice a day. For 91.5% of male patients and 89.9% of female patients answered that they brushed their teeth after meals. Also, 41% of male patients and 53.2% of female patients use rolling method. For using mouth aids, 68.4% of male patients and 65.5% of female patients do not use any aids. 3. For brushing way, most teenagers and patients in their twenties use rolling method and patients older than thirty use vertical and horizontal method. The frequency of brushing shows that most of the respondents brush their teeth twice a day after meals. 4. The standard of quality of life according to gender, under 'clear pronunciation' head, male patients mark 4.42 points and female patients mark 4.17 points. Under 'every day going out' head, male patients mark 4.53 points and female patients mark 4.29 points. Under 'maintenance of emotion' male patients mark 4.27 points and female patients mark 4.27 points. 5. The standard of quality of life according to age, teenage patients show 4.28 points under 'having meals' and under 'clear pronunciation' head, patients in their forties mark 4.44 points. Under 'keeping teeth or denture clean' head, patients in their thirties mark 4.55 points. Patients in their fifties show the lowest grades in most questionnaires.

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Recent Advancement in the Stem Cell Biology (Stem Cell Biology, 최근의 진보)

  • Harn, Chang-Yawl
    • Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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    • v.33 no.3
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    • pp.195-207
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    • 2006
  • Stem cells are the primordial, initial cells which usually divide asymmetrically giving rise to on the one hand self-renewals and on the other hand progenitor cells with potential for differentiation. Zygote (fertilized egg), with totipotency, deserves the top-ranking stem cell - he totipotent stem cell (TSC). Both the ICM (inner cell mass) taken from the 6 days-old human blastocyst and ESC (embryonic stem cell) derived from the in vitro cultured ICM have slightly less potency for differentiation than the zygote, and are termed pluripotent stem cells. Stem cells in the tissues and organs of fetus, infant, and adult have highly reduced potency and committed to produce only progenitor cells for particular tissues. These tissue-specific stem cells are called multipotent stem cells. These tissue-specific/committed multipotent stem cells, when placed in altered environment other than their original niche, can yield cells characteristic of the altered environment. These findings are certainly of potential interest from the clinical, therapeutic perspective. The controversial terminology 'somatic stem cell plasticity' coined by the stem cell community seems to have been proved true. Followings are some of the recent knowledges related to the stem cell. Just as the tissues of our body have their own multipotent stem cells, cancerous tumor has undifferentiated cells known as cancer stem cell (CSC). Each time CSC cleaves, it makes two daughter cells with different fate. One is endowed with immortality, the remarkable ability to divide indefinitely, while the other progeny cell divides occasionally but lives forever. In the cancer tumor, CSC is minority being as few as 3-5% of the tumor mass but it is the culprit behind the tumor-malignancy, metastasis, and recurrence of cancer. CSC is like a master print. As long as the original exists, copies can be made and the disease can persist. If the CSC is destroyed, cancer tumor can't grow. In the decades-long cancer therapy, efforts were focused on the reducing of the bulk of cancerous growth. How cancer therapy is changing to destroy the origin of tumor, the CSC. The next generation of treatments should be to recognize and target the root cause of cancerous growth, the CSC, rather than the reducing of the bulk of tumor, Now the strategy is to find a way to identify and isolate the stem cells. The surfaces of normal as well as the cancer stem cells are studded with proteins. In leukaemia stem cell, for example, protein CD 34 is identified. In the new treatment of cancer disease it is needed to look for protein unique to the CSC. Blocking the stem cell's source of nutrients might be another effective strategy. The mystery of sternness of stem cells has begun to be deciphered. ESC can replicate indefinitely and yet retains the potential to turn into any kind of differentiated cells. Polycomb group protein such as Suz 12 repress most of the regulatory genes which, activated, are turned to be developmental genes. These protein molecules keep the ESC in an undifferentiated state. Many of the regulator genes silenced by polycomb proteins are also occupied by such ESC transcription factors as Oct 4, Sox 2, and Nanog. Both polycomb and transcription factor proteins seem to cooperate to keep the ESC in an undifferentiated state, pluripotent, and self-renewable. A normal prion protein (PrP) is found throughout the body from blood to the brain. Prion diseases such as mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) are caused when a normal prion protein misfolds to give rise to PrP$^{SC}$ and assault brain tissue. Why has human body kept such a deadly and enigmatic protein? Although our body has preserved the prion protein, prion diseases are of rare occurrence. Deadly prion diseases have been intensively studied, but normal prion problems are not. Very few facts on the benefit of prion proteins have been known so far. It was found that PrP was hugely expressed on the stem cell surface of bone marrow and on the cells of neural progenitor, PrP seems to have some function in cell maturation and facilitate the division of stem cells and their self-renewal. PrP also might help guide the decision of neural progenitor cell to become a neuron.