• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.5-16
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• 2012

Purpose - Distribution channels cannot function without cooperation. While evidence suggests channel power plays a fundamental role in fostering successful manufacturer-dealer channel cooperation in Western countries distribution systems, little is known empirically as to how dealers' possession of non-mediated powers influence SME manufacturers' cooperation in Asian developing countries. Research design, data, methodology - Drawing upon the extant distribution channels literatures; this study conceptualizes a model and examines the effects of dealer's non-mediated powers on manufacturing SME firms, as well as the mediating influence of trust, relationship satisfaction and commitment. A survey of 400 manufacturing SMEs in Taiwan empirically supports the proposed hypothesis. Results - The model is acceptable in terms of overall goodness of fit. Acceptable model fit are indicated by χ²/(df): 2.35, GFI≧.90; RMSEA values≦ .08; IFI, TLI and CFI values≧.90. Our results indicate that, GFI (0.910), IFI (0.937), TLI (0.903), CFI (0.936), and RMSEA (0.079) and therefore, achieved the suggested thresholds. Conclusions - The results of this study have some managerial implications for managers in the dealer's firms. The overall implication from the findings is that managers can utilize expert, referent and traditional legitimate powers to attain channel cooperation with manufacturing SMEs in addition to garnering their trust, relationship satisfaction and commitment.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.97-105
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to analyze and prove the effect of logistic capability and Total Quality Management practices on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) performance directly or mediated by non-financial performance. Research design, data and methodology: This study tested the hypothesis using Hierarchical multiple regression analysis, the method of data collection in this study was using questionnaire, the sampling technique was purposive sampling technique, with SME that has been established for more than 5 years and manufacturing. The data analyzed were 180 respondents using SPSS 25. Results: The findings showed that logistic capability has direct and indirect effects on SME financial performance and has a positive effect on SME financial performance mediated by non-financial performance. While the total quality management practices have a positive effect on SME financial performance mediated by non-financial performance. Thus, companies can achieve maximum financial performance if they invest in developing employee knowledge and concerning on non-financial actions, such as employee satisfaction, innovation and proactively seeking market opportunities. Conclusions: In conclusion, one of the main factors that companies need to consider to improve financial performance is non-financial performance in mediating the effect of logistic capability and TQM practices on the financial performance of SMEs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.675-682
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• 2022

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) was reported to play an anti-inflammatory role, however, previous studies largely focused on the effects of KRG on priming step, the inflammation-preparing step, and the anti-inflammatory effect of KRG on triggering, the inflammation-activating step has been poorly understood. This study demonstrated anti-inflammatory role of KRG in caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome activation in macrophages during triggering of inflammatory responses. Methods: Caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome-activated J774A.1 macrophages were established by priming with Pam3CSK4 and triggering with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell viability and pyroptosis were examined by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Nitric oxide (NO)-inhibitory effect of KRG was assessed using a NO production assay. Expression and proteolytic cleavage of proteins were examined by Western blotting analysis. In vivo anti-inflammatory action of KRG was evaluated with the LPS-injected sepsis model in mice. Results: KRG reduced LPS-stimulated NO production in J774A.1 cells and suppressed pyroptosis and IL-1β secretion in caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome-activated J774A.1 cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that KRG suppressed the direct interaction between LPS and caspase-11 and inhibited proteolytic processing of both caspase-11 and gasdermin D in caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome-activated J774A.1 cells. Furthermore, KRG significantly ameliorated LPS-mediated lethal septic shock in mice. Conclusion: The results demonstrate a novel mechanism of KRG-mediated anti-inflammatory action that operates through targeting the caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome at triggering step of macrophage-mediated inflammatory response.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.513-519
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• 2014

Videoconferencing technology is increasingly used in classrooms to introduce children to people from other countries and cultures in order to provide a wider learning experience. However, with traditional screen-based video conferencing technology, research has shown that it is easy for students to miss non-verbal cues that play a key role in developing human relationships. To investigate how children interact differently when their interactions are mediated through screen-based video communication versus robot-mediated communication, we conducted a study with elementary students in Korea, comparing the use of both technologies to introduce classroom students with peer-aged individuals in America. Our findings show that the children displayed more positive emotions during certain tasks and exhibited more interest and intimacy to remote participants in the context of robot-mediated communication than with video-mediated communication.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.135-143
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• 2018

Normally there is a one-time relationship between stakeholders in the construction projects. Thus, project participants are easily exposed to opportunistic behavior. According to the theory of transaction costs, a contract effectively influence the behavior of counter-party. The important role of contracts in limiting opponent opportunistic behavior has been academically acknowledged and studied in inter-firm relationships. The purpose of this study is to reveal the mediating effect of the contract on the power of the contractor in the contractor's behavior. Power is divided into mediated and non-mediated power. We surveyed construction companies' employees who have conducted construction projects. Based on the questionnaire response, we examined the influence of the Employer's power on the behavior of the contractor. Both non-mediated power and mediated power were significant for in-role and out-role behaviors. Both non-mediated power and mediated power were found to have a significant effect on the control and coordination function of contracts. The results show that the control function of the contract is significant for the in-role behavior and the extra-role behavior. Finally, the mediating effect of the contract function was significant only in the control function.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8239-8245
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• 2016

The p53 gene is inactivated by the human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 protein in the majority of cervical cancers. Treatment of HeLa S3 cells with siRNA for HPV E6 permitted adenovirus-mediated transduction of a p53 gene linked to an upstream estrogen response element (ERE). Our previous study in non-siRNA treated HHUA cells, which are derived from an endometrial cancer and express estrogen receptor ${\beta}$, showed enhancing effects of an upstream ERE on adenovirus-mediated p53 gene transduction. In HeLa S3 cells treated with siRNA for HPV E6, adenovirus-mediated transduction was enhanced by an upstream ERE linked to a p53 gene carrying a proline variant at codon 72, but not for a p53 gene with arginine variant at codon 72. Expression levels of p53 mRNA and Coxsackie/adenovirus receptor (CAR) mRNA after adenovirus-mediated transfer of an ERE-linked p53 gene (proline variant at codon 72) were higher compared with those after non-ERE-linked p53 gene transfer in siRNA-treated HeLa S3 cells. Western blot analysis showed lower ${\beta}$-tubulin levels and comparatively higher p53/${\beta}$-tubulin or CAR/${\beta}$-tubulin ratios in siRNA-treated HeLa S3 cells after adenovirus-mediated ERE-linked p53 gene (proline variant at codon 72) transfer compared with those in non-siRNA-treated cells. Apoptosis, as measured by annexin V binding, was higher after adenovirus-mediated ERE-linked p53 gene (proline variant at codon 72) transfer compared with that after non-ERE-linked p53 gene transfer in siRNA-treated cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2010

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) genotype is the most important predictive marker to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and first-line gefitinib treatment will be approved in the near future for use in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with the EGFR mutation. Direct sequencing is known to be the standard for detecting EGFR mutations; however, it has limited sensitivity. Peptide nucleic acids (PNA)-mediated PCR clamping method is a newly introduced method for analyzing EGFR mutations with increased sensitivity and stability. Methods: A total of 71 NSCLC patients were analyzed for EGFR mutations using the PNA-mediated PCR clamping technique. Sixty-nine patients were analyzed for clinicopathologic correlation with EGFR genotype; 2 patients with indeterminate results were excluded. In order to determine EGFR-TKI drug response, 57 patients (42 gefitinib, 15 erlotinib) were included in the analysis. Results: The EGFR mutation rate was 47.8%. Being female, a non-smoker, and having adenocarcinoma were favorable clinicopathologic factors, as expected. However, more than a few smokers (33.3%), male (28.1%), and patients with non-adenocarcinoma (28.6%) had the EGFR mutation. Having a combination of favorable clinicopathologic factors did not increase the EGFR mutation rate significantly. Drug response to EGFR-TKIs showed significant differences depending on the EGFR genotype; ORR was 14.3% for wild type vs 69.0% for mutant type; DCR is 28.6% for wild type vs 96.6% for mutant type. The median EGFR-TKI treatment duration is 7.6 months for mutant type group and 1.4 months for wild type group. Conclusion: EGFR genotype determined using the PNA-mediated PCR clamping method is significantly correlated with the clinical EGFR-TKI responses and PNA-mediated PCR.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.59-63
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• 2003

The medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons are controlled by excitatory synaptic transmission from the vestibular afferent and commissural projections, and by inhibitory transmission from interneurons. Spontaneous synaptic currents of MVN neurons were studied using whole cell patch clamp recording in slices prepared from 13- to 17-day-old rats. The spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) were significantly reduced by the $GABA_A$ antagonist bicuculline ($20{\mu}M$), but were not affected by the glycine antagonist strychnine ($1{\mu}M$). The frequency, amplitude, and decay time constant of sIPSCs were $4.3{\pm}0.9$ Hz, $18.1{\pm}2.0$ pA, and $8.9{\pm}0.4$ ms, respectively. Spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) were mediated by non-NMDA and NMDA receptors. The specific AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI-52466 ($50{\mu}M$) completely blocked the non-NMDA mediated sEPSCs, indicating that they are mediated by an AMPA-preferring receptor. The AMPA mediated sEPSCs were characterized by low frequency ($1.5{\pm}0.4$ Hz), small amplitude ($13.9{\pm}1.9$ pA), and rapid decay kinetics ($2.8{\pm}0.2$ ms). The majority (15/21) displayed linear I-V relationships, suggesting the presence of GluR2-containing AMPA receptors. Only 35% of recorded MVN neurons showed NMDA mediated currents, which were characterized by small amplitude and low frequency. These results suggest that the MVN neurons receive excitatory inputs mediated by AMPA, but not kainate, and NMDA receptors, and inhibitory transmission mediated by $GABA_A$ receptors in neonatal rats.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.434-436
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• 2017

Nine dogs with history of lameness and anorexia were presented. On physical examination, all dogs had gait abnormality and six dogs had high body temperature. Their clinical signs were mostly episodic, and only non-specific symptoms were occasionally observed. Arthrocentesis was performed in all dogs, and immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) was diagnosed. Definitive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) were diagnosed in one dogs, one each. Prednisolone (PDS) was chosen as the first-line therapy for all dogs, except for the one with RA. Most cases responded to PDS but some cases including those of SLE and RA were refractory to PDS. IMPA can be challenging to diagnose due to its vague symptom and is commonly implicated in 'fever of unknown origin'. Therefore, clinicians should consider IMPA as a differential diagnosis when the patient has fever with systemic, non-specific signs, such as anorexia and depression, but does not respond to antibiotics.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.43-43
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated in vitro inhibitory activity of wild-simulated ginseng (WSG) against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using HepG-2 cells. T0901317 treatment increased the lipid accumulation in HepG-2 cells, but WSG treatment inhibited T0901317-mediated lipid accumulation. In addition, WSG downregulated T0901317-mediated expression of SREBP-1c, ACC, FAS and SCD-1 protein. In addition, WSG increased the phosphorylation level of LKB1 and AMPK. Compound C treatment blocked WSG-mediated downregulation of SREBP-1c protein. In conclusion, WSG is considered to inhibit the accumulation of lipids and triglycerides in HepG-2 cells by inducing the activation of LKB1 and AMPK successively, thereby reducing the expression of FAS, ACC, and SCD-1 through suppression of SREBP-1c expression.