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Correlation Between Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme(ACE) Inhibitor Induced Dry Cough and ACE Gene Insertion/Deletion(I/D) Polymorphism (안지오텐신 전환효소 억제제에 의한 건성 기침의 발생과 안지오텐신 전환효소 유전자 다형성과의 관계)

  • Kim, Je-Hyeong;Jeong, Hye-Cheol;Kim, Kyung-Kyu;Lee, Sung-Yong;Kwon, Young-Hwan;Lee, So-Ra;Lee, Sang-Youb;Lee, Sin-Hyung;Cha, Dae-Ryong;Cho, Jae-Youn;Shim, Jae-Jeong;Cho, Won-Yong;Kang, Kyung-Ho;Kim, Hyoung-Kyu;Yoo, Se-Hwa;In, Kwang-Ho
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.46 no.2
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    • pp.241-250
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    • 1999
  • Background: Persistent nonproductive cough is a major adverse effect encountered with ACE inhibitor treatment and the most frequent reason for withdrawal of the drug. The mechanism of cough was postulated to be associated with accumulation of bronchial irritants which are substrates of ACE. It has been speculated that occurrence of this adverse effect is genetically predetermined ; in particular, variants of the genes encoding ACE. To investigate this relationship, we determined ACE gene Insertion/Deletion polymorphism in subjects with and without a history of ACE inhibitor-induced cough. Methods: Among the 339 patients with ACE inhibitor treatment, subjects who developed cough that resolved when not taking medication were designated to cough group and other subjects who did not complain cough were designated to non-cough group. Clinical characteristics of the patients were collected by review of medical records. ACE genotypes were determined by PCR amplification of DNA from peripheral blood and agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: 37 patients complained of dry cough(cough group) and 302 patients did not complained of cough(non-cough group). The incidence of ACE inhibitor induced dry cough was 10.9%. There was a preponderance of females in the cough group (M : F=24.3% : 75.7%) compared to the non-cough group (M : F=49.7% : 50.3%, p=0.004). There was no significant difference in mean age, underlying diseases, and kinds and frequencies of ACE inhibitors and their mean dosage between the both groups. ACE genotypic frequencies were I/I : I/D : D/D=16.2% : 18.9% : 64.9% in the cough group and 18.9% : 18.2% : 62.9% in the non-cough group which showed no significant difference between the both groups(p=0.926). Allelic frequencies were I : D = 25.7% : 74.3% and 28.0% : 72.0% in the cough and non-cough group respectively and the difference was not significant(p = 0.676). Conclusion: The incidence of ACE inhibitor-induced cough are 10.9%, and women are more susceptible to ACE inhibitor-induced cough. ACE inhibitor-induced dry cough is not associated with ACE gene Insertion/Deletion polymorphism.

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The Cognitive Performance, Emotional and Behavioral Problems of the Children with ADHD Showing the Difference between Visual and Auditory Attention (시각 주의력과 청각 주의력의 차이를 보이는 주의력 결핍.과잉활동장애 아동의 인지기능과 정서 및 행동 문제)

  • Son, Jung Woo
    • Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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    • v.13 no.2
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    • pp.70-81
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    • 2006
  • Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of the cognitive performance, emotional and behavioral problems among the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) groups that show the difference between visual and auditory attention. Method : Using 'ADHD Diagnostic System(ADS)', visual attention and auditory attention of 98 children diagnosed as ADHD were measured. According to the omission and commission error of ADS, they were divided into three groups ; 1) the group whose each visual omission and commission error scores were higher than each auditory omission and commission error scores(VV group), 2) the group whose each auditory omission and commission error scores were higher than each visual omission and commission error scores(AA group), 3) the group that was the rest of VV and AA group(M group). And the results of both the subscales of Korean Educational Development Institute-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children(KEDI-WISC) and the subscales of Korean Child Behavior Checklist(K-CBCL) among three groups were compared. Finally, the correlation between the visual omission, visual commission, auditory omission, auditory commission error and the results of KEDI-WISC, K-CBCL were investigated. Results : The results were as follows ; 1) In 98 ADHD children, the number of VV group(N=56) was higher than that of AA (N=10) and M group (N=32). 2) All mean scores of the subscales of KEDI-WISC of VV group were higher than those of M and AA group. The score of verbal IQ(p=.039) of VV group was significantly higher than that of AA group and the scores of block design(p=.015), Kaufman's factor 2(p=.045), performance IQ(p=.004) were significantly higher than those of M group. The score of full IQ(p=.004) were significantly higher than that of M and AA group. 3) The mean scores of all K-CBCL subscales of VV group were higher than those of M and AA group, except the score of Somatic complaint subscale. The score of Social subscale(p=.041) of VV group was significantly higher than that of AA group. The score of Withdrawn subscale(p=.021) of AA group was significantly higher than that of VV group. 4) There were no significant correlation between the scores of visual omission/commission error and those of each subscale of KEDI-WISC. But, there were many significant correlations between the scores of auditory omission/commission error and those of each subscale of KEDI-WISC. 5) There were significant correlation between the score of the visual omission error and that of Thought problem subscale(r=.205, p=.043) of K-CBCL. There were significant correlation between the scores of the auditory omission error and those of Social subscale(r=-.319, p=.001), Social problems subscale(r=.206, p=.042), Thought problem subscale(r=.235, p=.021). Finally, there were significant correlation between the scores of auditory commission error and those of Social subscale(r=-.241, p=.017), Thought problem subscale(r=.235, p=.020). Conclusion : The ADHD children whose auditory attention ability were higher than visual attention ability had relatively better cognitive performance and less emotional/behavioral problems than the others. The more comprehensive experiment will be needed about the cognitive performance, emotion and behavior problems of the ADHD children showing the difference between visual and auditory attention.

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The comparison of predicted adult height change and height gain after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and combined growth hormone treatment in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (진성 성조숙증으로 진단 받은 여아에서 gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist 단독치료 및 growth hormone의 병합치료 시 예측 성인키의 변화 및 성장 획득의 비교)

  • Seo, Ji-Young;Yoon, In-Suk;Shin, Choong-Ho;Yang, Sei-Won
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.49 no.3
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    • pp.305-311
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    • 2006
  • Purpose : GnRH analogues(GnRHa) are used to treat central precocious puberty(CPP). However, in some patients, the GV decrease is so remarkable that it impairs predicted adult height(PAH); and there fore, the addition of growth hormone(GH) is suggested. We analysed the growth changes during two years and final adult height(FAH) in girls with idiopathic CPP treated with combined therapy, compared with those of girls treated with GnRHa alone. Methods : For the analysis, we classified the patients, who was treated for longer than two years, into three groups depending on the initial PAH and combination of GH; PAH_L, treated with GnRHa and PAH less than midparental height(MPH) - 5 cm. PAH_H, treated with GnRHa and PAH greater than MPH - 5 cm. GnRHa+GH, combined GH treatment, regardless of PAH before treatment. We analysed the GV and PAH change during the first two years and FAH. Results : In PAH_L, the PAH(SDS) at first year of therapy was significantly increased to $153.5{\pm}6.5cm(-1.4{\pm}1.3)$ from $149.7{\pm}6.4cm(-2.1{\pm}1.3)$ before treatment(P=0.004). In PAH_H, there was no significant increase in PAH during the two years of treatment. During the first year of combination of GH and GnRHa, GV and PAH increased significantly. We observed significant increases in FAH, comparing to the initial PAH in the PAH_L and GnRHa+GH groups. The height gains(FAH - initial PAH) were significantly higher in the PAH_L and GnRHa+GH groups than that in the PAH_H group. Conclusion : This study suggests the FAH and height gains are improved in patients, whose predicted adult height before treatment was shorter than those with higher predicted adult height, with the treatment of GnRHa alone or in combination with GH. GH could not improve the final adult height, but compensated the growth in patients whose growth velocity was decelerated by GnRHa alone.

Association of Serum Copper and Zinc Levels with Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (간경변 및 간암과 혈청 구리와 아연농도와의 관련성)

  • Hyun, Myung-Soo;Suh, Suk-Kwon;Yoon, Nung-Ki;Lee, Jong-Young;Lee, Seoung-Hoon;Lee, Mu-Sik
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.25 no.2 s.38
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    • pp.127-140
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    • 1992
  • This study was done to identify the association between serum copper and zinc levels and the cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), and to evaluate its diagnostic value on liver diseases. Sixty-three healthy persons, 60 patients with cirrhosis and 33 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were rendomly selected and investigated for their general characteristics from October 1990 to August 1991. For analysis of the biochemical markers in liver function test and the serum copper and zinc levels, their fasting venous blood were sampled at 9:00 to 11:00 in the morning and centrifuged to separate the serum within one hour. All the samples were immediately analysed for biochemical markers and stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ in polypropylene tubes further copper and zinc analysis. Mean of serum coppper levels was $91.97{\pm}4.76{\mu}g/dl$ in control, $106.21{\pm}2.73{\mu}g/dl$ in cirrhosis and $127.05{\pm}0.77{\mu}g/dl$ in HCC. The value of HCC was statistically significantly higher than that of the control and cirrhosis(p<0.05). Serum zinc levels were $110.82{\pm}7.24{\mu}g/dl$ in control, $68.10{\pm}5.43{\mu}g/dl$ in cirrhosis and $63.78{\pm}2.20{\mu}g/dl$ in HCC. The values of cirrhosis and HCC were statistically significantly lower than that of control(p<0.05). The Cu/Zn ratio was statiatically significantly different among three groups(p<0.05). Test total protein, albumin, ALP and total bilirubin of biochemical markers of liver function were statistically significantly different among three groups(p<0.05). Differences between cirrhosis and HCC for ALT and AST, and between the control and HCC for direct bilirubin were not statistically significant. Biochemical markers statistically significantly correlated with serum copper and zinc levels and Cu/Zn ratio(p<0.05), were variable in three groups. In multiple logistic regression, odds ratio of serum copper level and Cu/Zn ratio had no statistical significance on the cirrhosis and the HCC, but that of serum sinc was statistically significant as 0.951 and 0.952(p<0.05). Serum copper and zinc levels and Cu/Zn ratio were not statistically significantly different between the cirrhosis and HCC. H\Albumin, ALP, zinc, total bilirubin and age among all variables were selected as main variables for three-group discriminant analysis. Percentage of 'grouped' cases correctly classified by these five variables was 98.4 for control, 73.4 for cirrhosis, 75.7 for HCC and 84.0 for all subjects. This study suggests that zinc level is considered to play a role as diagnostic marker on the hepatic disorders and be more useful than serum copper level and Cu/Zn ratio in diagnosis of the liver diseases.

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Changes of Pepper Yield and Chemical Properties of Soil in the Application of Different Green Manure Crops and No-Tillage Organic Cultivation (무경운 유기재배에서 녹비작물별 고추의 수량과 토양 화학성 변화)

  • Yang, Seung-Koo;Seo, Youn-Won;Kim, Yong-Soon;Kim, Sun-Kook;Lim, Kyeong-Ho;Choi, Kyung-Ju;Lee, Jeong-Hyun;Jung, Woo-Jin
    • Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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    • v.19 no.2
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    • pp.255-272
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    • 2011
  • This work studied the growth and yield of green crops, changes of mineral composition in greenhouse soil and green crops, and infection with wintering green crops cultivation in greenhouse field. At 74 days after seeding of wintering green crops, dry matter was 710kg/10a in rye, 530kg/10a in barley, 230kg/10a in hairy vetch, and 240kg/10a in bean or weeds. Total nitrogen content in green crops was 4.5% in pea and hairy vetch, and 3~4% in barley and rye. $P_2O_5$, CaO, and MgO contents in all green crops were about 1.0%, and $K_2O$ content was the highest level by 4~5% among macro elements. Total nitrogen fixing content in shoot green crops uptaken from soil was 22.1kg/10a in rye, 20.6kg/10a in barley, 10.6kg/10a in hairy vetch, and 9.6kg/10a in pea and giant chickweed. $P_2O_5$ fixing content in shoot green crops uptaken from soil was 8.4kg/10a in rye, 6.3kg/10a in barley, and 2.3 kg/10a in hairy vetch and pea. $K_2O$ fixing content in shoot green crops uptaken from soil was 28kg/10a in rye, 24.7kg/10a in barley, and 11kg/10a in hairy vetch and pea. CaO fixing content in shoot green crops uptaken from soil was 2~3kg/ 10a in all green crops, and MgO fixing content was 1.7~2.6kg/10a in all green crops. Pepper growth in no-tillage was not a significant difference at all green manure crops. The number of fruit and fruit weight were higher in control, pea, hairy vetch and harvest barley than rye and barley. Soil mineral compositions in wintering green crops increased at pH, organic matter, CEC compared with control. Soil chemical compositions were stable level at green crops cultivation according as decreases of EC, available phosphoric acid, Ca, and Mg contents. After no-tillage by green manure crops, pH in soils was higher in green manure crops than control. EC content in soils was lower in green manure crops than control, and was remarkably low level in barley harvest. Organic matter content in soils increased in hairy vetch and barley green manure but decreased by 35% in barley harvest. Total nitrogen and avaliable $P_2O_4$ content in soils remarkably increased but was not a significant difference at all green manure crops. Cation (K, Ca, and Mg) content in soils decreased by 15~20% in K, 2~11% in Ca, and 3~6% in Mg at rye, barley and pea compared with control.

Randomized Trial of Early Versus Late Alternating Radiotherapy/ Chemotherapy in Limited-Disease Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer (국한성병기 소세포폐암 환자에서 조기 혹은 지연 교대 방사선-항암제치료의 전향적 비교연구)

  • Lee Chang Geol;Kim Joo Hang;Kim Sung Kyu;Kim Sei Kyu;Kim Gwi Eon;Suh Chang Ok
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.116-122
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    • 2002
  • Purpose : A randomized prospective study was conducted to compare the efficacy of early or late alternating schedules of radiotherapy, and carboplatin and ifosfamide chemotherapy in patients with limited-disease small cell lung cancer. Materials and Methods: From August 1993 to August 1996, a total of 44 patients with newly diagnosed, limited-disease small cell lung cancer, PS $H0\~2$, wt $loss<10\%$ were enrolled in a randomized trial which compared early alternating radiotherapy (RT)/chemotherapy (CT) and late alternating RT/CT. The CT regimen included ifosfamide $1.5\;g/m^2$ IV, d1-5 and carboplatin AUC 5/d IV, d2 peformed at 4 week intervals for a total of 6 cycles. RT (54 Gy/30 fr) was started after the first cycle of CT (early arm, N=22) or after the third cycle of CT (late arm, N=22) with a split course of treatment. Results : The pretreatment characteristics between the two arms were well balanced. The response rates in the early $(86\%)$ and late $(85\%)$ arm were similar. The median survival durations and 2-year survival rates were 15 months and $22.7\%$ in the early arm, and 17 months and $14.9\%$ in the late arm (p=0.47 by the log-rank test). The two-year progression free survival rates were $19.1\%$ in the early arm and $19.6\%$ in the late arm (p=0.52 by the log-rank test). Acute grade 3 or 4 hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities were similar between the two arms. Eighteen patients $(82\%)$ completed 6 cycles of CT in the early arm and 17 $(77\%)$ in the late arm. Four patients received less than 45 Gy of RT in the early arm and two in the late arm. There was no significant difference in the failure patterns. The local failure rate was $43\%$ in the early arm and $45\%$ in the late arm. The first site of failure was the brain in $24\%$ of the early arm patients compared to $35\%$ in the late arm (p=0.51). Conclusion : There were no statistical differences in the overall survival rate and the pattern of failure between the early and late alternating RT/CT in patients with limited-disease small cell lung cancer.

A Therapeutic Effect of Ozonated Oil on Bovine Mastitis (젖소 유방염에 대한 Ozonated oil의 치료효과)

  • Jo Sung-Nam;Liu Jianzhu;Lee Sang-Eun;Hong Min-Sung;Kim Duck-Hwan;Kim Myung-Cheol;Cho Sung-Whan;Jun Moo-Hyung
    • Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.318-321
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    • 2005
  • Forty- nine quarters from 24 lactating cows with chronic mastitis were selected. The cows were raised on dairy farms in Gongju, Jochiwon and Yeongi in Chungnam province, and Iksan in Jeonbuk province, Korea. The 49 quarters with bovine mastitis were divided into control (7 quarters) and experimental (42 quarters) groups. The experimental quarters were assigned to experimental group A (10 quarters, somatic cell count: $50-100\times10^4/ml)$, experimental group B (14 quarters, somatic cells count: $100-300{\times}10^4/ml)$, and experimental group C (18 quarters, somatic cells count: $>300\times10^4/ml$), according to the number of the somatic cells in their milk. The quarters of control group were treated with norfloxacin ointment (10 g/tube) based on the result of sensitivity, twice a day for 3 days. The quarters or experimental groups were infused 10ml or ozonated oils twice a day for 3 days. After treatment, the milk of the control group contained non-significantly lower numbers of somatic cells and bacteria on day 7, compared with pretreatment levels. Experimental groups A, B and C had lower somatic and bacterial cells in their milk on day 7, compared with pretreatment levels. Experimental group B and C had significantly lower numbers of somatic cells in their milk ell day 7 than before treatment (p<0.01). However, no significant difference in somatic cell numbers was detected between the control alld experimental groups. It was concluded that ozone therapy with ozonated oil applied on bovine mastitis might be effective.

Distribution of Indicator Organisms and Influence of Storage Temperature and Period in Commercial Animal Foods (시판 동물성 식품의 오염지표세균 분포 및 저장온도, 기간별 오염지표세균의 변화)

  • 이용욱;박석기
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.13 no.4
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    • pp.430-440
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    • 1998
  • The average number of total viable counts for the commercial pork tested was 19/g, coliform 1.8/g, psychrophilic bacteria 15/g, heterotrophic bacteria 12/g, fecal streptococcus 6.2/100 g, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 13/100 g and none of heat-resistant bacteria and Staphylococcus was detected. That for the commercial beef tested was 130/g, coliform 5.2/g, psychrophile 140/g, heterotroph 28/g, Staphylococcus 1.2/g, fecal streptococcus 9.5/100 g, Pseud. aeruginosa 1.9/100 g and heat-resistant bacteria was not detected. That for the commercial chicken tested was 8800/g, coliform 53/g, psychrophile 4600/g, heterotroph 4700/g, fecal streptococcus 9.9/100 g, Pseudo aeruginosa 2.5/100 g. That for milk was 4700/ml, psychrophile 120/ml, heterotroph 420/ml and the others were not detected. That for the commercial cheese was 3.2/g, psychrophile 2.3/g, heterotroph 1.6/g, Staphylococcus l/g, fecal streptococcus 9.1/g. That for fermented milk was $10^{7}/ml$, heatresistant bacteria $10^{6}/ml$, fecal streptococcus 2400/100 ml, lactobacillus $3.2{\times}10^{15}/ml$, in accordance with lactic acid bacteria and the others were not detected. There was not detected any indicator organisms from ham, sausage, butter, eggs and quails in the commercial fooods tested. SPC, coliform, psychrophile and heterotroph in commercial meats stored at $10^{\circ}C$ were increased rapidly as time goes on but heat-resistant bacteria, staphylococcus, fecal streptococcus and Pseudo aeruginosa were constant. At $20^{\circ}C$, SPC, coliform, psychrophile, heterotroph and fecal streptococcus were the highest at 7 days and heat-resistant bacteria, staphylococcus and Pseudo aeruginosa were increased a little. At $30^{\circ}C$, all indicators were increased rapidly for 3 and 7 days and then decreased rapidly. All indicator organisms were increased at the level of 10/g for 14 days in meat products stored at $10^{\circ}C$, but SPC, psychrophile and heterotroph in meat products stored at $20^{\circ}C$ were increased at the level of $lO^5/g$. It showed that the indicators in meat products stored at $30^{\circ}C$ had a tendency to increase at the level of $10^{2}/g$ relative to those stored at $20^{\circ}C$. SPC, psychrophile and heterotroph in milk stored at $10^{\circ}C$ increased up to the level of $10^4/ml$, but coliform, staphylococcus, fecal streptococcus and Pseudo aeruginosa were not detected. As stored at $20^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$, they were increased rapidly for 1 or 3 days and then constant for a long time.

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A Study on Antiulcer Effects of Opuntia dillenii Haw. on Stomach Ulcer Induced by Water-immersion Stress in Rats (랫드의 스트레스성 위궤양에 대한 Opuntia dillenii Haw.(선인장)의 항궤양작용에 관한 연구)

  • 이후장;이용욱;김정현
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.53-61
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    • 1998
  • This study was performed to investigate the antiulcer effects of Opuntia dillenii Haw. on the stomach ulcer induced by restraint and water-immersion stress in rats. For this experiment, 48 male Sprague-Dawley strain were used. The experimental groups were divided into four: a control (C) and 3 Opuntia dillenii Haw. treatment groups (E-1, E-2, E-3). Each dose of Opuntia dillenii Haw. was 30 mg/kg bw (E-1), 60 mgfKg bw (E-2) and 120 mg/kg bw (E-3). The rats were allocated to each group by 12 and observed for 4 weeks. The results were as following: 1. The stomach surface pH in each group showed no significant difference, but the values of Opuntia dillenii Haw. treatment groups were higher than the value of the control group. 2. The gastric wall mucus was increased in all Opuntia dillenii Haw. treatment groups compared with the control group. Especially in E-1 difference was higher (p<0.05) and in E-2 difference was significantly higher (p<0.01). 3. At shear rate 11.25, 45.0, 90.0, $225\;sec^{-1}$, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity were measured. Most of the values of Opuntia dillenii Haw. treatment groups were low compared with that of the control group. At shear rate 90.0, $225\;sec^{-1}$ the values of whole blood viscosity in E-1 were significantly low (p<0.05) and at shear rate 11.25, $45.0\;sec^{-1}$, more significant (p<0.01). At shear rate 11.25, 45.0, 90.0, $225\;sec^{-1}$ the values of whole blood viscosity in E-2 were significantly low (p<0.01). At shear rate $90.0\;sec^{-1}$ the value of plasma viscosity in E-1 was significantly low (p<0.05) and at shear rate 90.0, $225\;sec^{-1}$ the values of plasma viscosity in E-2 we resignificantly low (p<0.01). 4. Less severe ulcers were obsered in Opuntia dillenii Haw. treatment groups than in the control group. Especially E-1 groups tissues had only slight ulcers and necrosis of tissue was not observed in this group. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the oral administratio-n of Opuntia dillenii Haw. results in protection of stomach ulcer by stimulating the secretion of gastric mucus and improving the gastric mucosal microcirculation.

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Categorizing Quality Features of Franchisees: In the case of Korean Food Service Industry (프랜차이즈 매장 품질요인의 속성분류: 국내 외식업을 중심으로)

  • Byun, Sook-Eun;Cho, Eun-Seong
    • Journal of Distribution Research
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.95-115
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    • 2011
  • Food service is the major part of franchise business in Korea, accounting for 69.9% of the brands in the market. As the food service industry becomes mature, many franchisees have struggled to survive in the market. In general, consumers have higher levels of expectation toward service quality of franchised outlets compared that of (non-franchised) independent ones. They also tend to believe that franchisees deliver standardized service at the uniform food price, regardless of their locations. Such beliefs seem to be important reasons that consumers prefer franchised outlets to independent ones. Nevertheless, few studies examined the impact of qualify features of franchisees on customer satisfaction so far. To this end, this study examined the characteristics of various quality features of franchisees in the food service industry, regarding their relationship with customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The quality perception of heavy-users was also compared with that of light-users in order to find insights for developing differentiated marketing strategy for the two segments. Customer satisfaction has been understood as a one-dimensional construct while there are recent studies that insist two-dimensional nature of the construct. In this regard, Kano et al. (1984) suggested to categorize quality features of a product or service into five types, based on their relation to customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction: Must-be quality, Attractive quality, One-dimensional quality, Indifferent quality, and Reverse quality. According to the Kano model, customers are more dissatisfied when Must-be quality(M) are not fulfilled, but their satisfaction does not arise above neutral no matter how fully the quality fulfilled. In comparison, customers are more satisfied with a full provision of Attactive quality(A) but manage to accept its dysfunction. One-dimensional quality(O) results in satisfaction when fulfilled and dissatisfaction when not fulfilled. For Indifferent quality(I), its presence or absence influences neither customer satisfaction nor dissatisfaction. Lastly, Reverse quality(R) refers to the features whose high degree of achievement results in customer dissatisfaction rather than satisfaction. Meanwhile, the basic guidelines of the Kano model have a limitation in that the quality type of each feature is simply determined by calculating the mode statistics. In order to overcome such limitation, the relative importance of each feature on customer satisfaction (Better value; b) and dissatisfaction (Worse value; w) were calculated following the formulas below (Timko, 1993). The Better value indicates how much customer satisfaction is increased by providing the quality feature in question. In contrast, the Worse value indicates how much customer dissatisfaction is decreased by providing the quality feature. Better = (A + O)/(A+O+M+I) Worse = (O+M)/(A+O+M+I)(-1) An on-line survey was performed in order to understand the nature of quality features of franchisees in the food service industry by applying the Kano Model. A total of twenty quality features (refer to the Table 2) were identified as the result of literature review in franchise business and a pre-test with fifty college students in Seoul. The potential respondents of our main survey was limited to the customers who have visited more than two restaurants/stores of the same franchise brand. Survey invitation e-mails were sent out to the panels of a market research company and a total of 257 responses were used for analysis. Following the guidelines of Kano model, each of the twenty quality features was classified into one of the five types based on customers' responses to a set of questions: "(1) how do you feel if the following quality feature is fulfilled in the franchise restaurant that you visit," and "(2) how do you feel if the following quality feature is not fulfilled in the franchise restaurant that you visit." The analyses revealed that customers' dissatisfaction with franchisees is commonly associated with the poor level of cleanliness of the store (w=-0.872), kindness of the staffs(w=-0.890), conveniences such as parking lot and restroom(w=-0.669), and expertise of the staffs(w=-0.492). Such quality features were categorized as Must-be quality in this study. While standardization or uniformity across franchisees has been emphasized in franchise business, this study found that consumers are interested only in uniformity of price across franchisees(w=-0.608), but not interested in standardizations of menu items, interior designs, customer service procedures, and food tastes. Customers appeared to be more satisfied when the franchise brand has promotional events such as giveaways(b=0.767), good accessibility(b=0.699), customer loyalty programs(b=0.659), award winning history(b=0.641), and outlets in the overseas market(b=0.506). The results are summarized in a matrix form in Table 1. Better(b) and Worse(w) index indicate relative importance of each quality feature on customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction, respectively. Meanwhile, there were differences in perceiving the quality features between light users and heavy users of any specific franchise brand in the food service industry. Expertise of the staffs was labeled as Must-be quality for heavy users but Indifferent quality for light users. Light users seemed indifferent to overseas expansion of the brand and offering new menu items on a regular basis, while heavy users appeared to perceive them as Attractive quality. Such difference may come from their different levels of involvement when they eat out. The results are shown in Table 2. The findings of this study help practitioners understand the quality features they need to focus on to strengthen the competitive power in the food service market. Above all, removing the factors that cause customer dissatisfaction seems to be the most critical for franchisees. To retain loyal customers of the franchise brand, it is also recommended for franchisor to invest resources in the development of new menu items as well as training programs for the staffs. Lastly, if resources allow, promotional events, loyalty programs, overseas expansion, award-winning history can be considered as tools for attracting more customers to the business.

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