• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Gabyeobda tea (GT) on anti-inflammation in ice induced high fat diet (HFD). Methods: The C57BL/6 mice fed HFD were administrated with GT once daily for 8 weeks. The changes of body weight, calorie intake levels were measured in mice. The level of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were measured in mice by enzyme-based assay. It was also observed the histological changes of liver, and fat tissues with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Further real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were employed to detect inflammatory cytokine levels such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-𝛼, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1𝛽. Results: HFD+GT group, which was administered with GT with HFD, showed no body weight gain compared with HFD group. However, levels of GOT, GPT, and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-𝛼, IL-6, and IL-1𝛽 in the blood of HFD+GT group were significantly reduced compared with HFD group. In addition, the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level of the IL-12 gene was significantly reduced and the mRNA expression level of the IL-10 was increased in the liver. Conclusions: It suggests that Gabyeobda tea can alleviate inflammatory responses induced by high fat diet by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines production.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.2-13
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• 2022

Purpose: This study assessed the status of the Development and Utilization of critical pathways (CP) in South Korea. Methods: We surveyed 195 hospitals obtained on the Korean Hospital Association website. Data were collected using structured questionnaires for staff members in charge of CP management personnel in these hospitals. The questionnaire included CP developed by the institutions, the coverage rates and completion rates of CP in the current year, and management indicators related to CP. The questionnaire also included CP support systems and content within the institutions and questions regarding the advantages of CP utilization and obstacles associated with the CP development process. Results: Analysis of the responses from 70 hospitals (35.9% response rate) showed that a total of 1,370 CP sets were developed. The number of CP related to surgery departments was 365 (26.6%), and CP related to surgery and procedure was 1,093 (79.8%), respectively. The CP coverage rate was the most frequently used indicator to monitor the effect of CP (97.1%), followed by the completion rate (90.0%) and the length of stay in hospital (61.4%). CP managers reported that CP were highly useful for communication (3.39±0.493) and accurate information provision (3.39±0.491). The perception that CP violated doctors' autonomy in treatment was relatively low (2.87±0.645). Conclusion: It is necessary to establish an infrastructure in hospitals for CP. CP can facilitate communication and provide accurate information.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.121-144
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the information needs, information seeking behavior, and information use of people who seek information on Korea overseas. A total of 382 survey responses from 52 countries and in-depth interview data from 26 participants were collected and analyzed. As a result, the respondents were categorized into three groups, namely Hallyu culture enjoyment, Korean language learning, and Korean studies research groups, by their unique information needs and information seeking behaviors. Pandemic boosted the demand for digital data expansion and digital archiving efforts. Various information problems caused by language, technology and policy obstacles were revealed. Findings suggest strategies to assist Korea-related information users.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.57-71
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• 2021

Objectives : Computer-based test (CBT) will be introduced in the national examination of Korean medicine doctors from 2023. This study was aimed to provide some information, including prior considerations, to those preparing for CBT, by presenting a summary of the survey results from participants in a CBT simulation test. Methods : In December 2020, applicants from the graduating class of the college of Korean medicine from four universities participated in the simulation test for CBT. An online anonymous survey on the applicants' preference for CBT versus paper-based tests (PBT) was conducted. The questionnaire consisted of multiple-choice questions on a 5-point Likert scale and free-form questions. Results : A total of 176 students responded to the survey. Their response to CBT was generally positive. The item with the highest agreement was that it should provide a sufficient opportunity to experience CBT in the undergraduate exam (4.38±0.839). Concerns about the possibility of cheating or poor concentration were also detected. In addition to guaranteeing the stability of the CBT system, there were many comments expressing the need to supplement functions within the CBT system, including the memo or highlighter function. Conclusions : This study confirmed the feasibility of CBT including multimedia questions in the field of Korean medicine education and identified overall positive responses from those who experienced the CBT simulation test. Although time is short and there is so much to prepare, we hope this will be a leap forward for effective educational innovation in line with the changing environment of the health care education field.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.389-394
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• 2022

In particular, the phenomenon of c-Jun degradation within the inflammatory response has not yet been fully analyzed. In order to verify this, we investigated LPS-stimulated murine macrophages pre-treated with sodium orthovanadate (SO) in order to uncover the regulatory mechanisms of the MAPKs which regulate c-Jun degradation within the inflammatory response. Through our study, we found that SO suppressed the production of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and the expression of COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, SO decreased total c-Jun levels, without altering the amount of mRNA, although the phospho-levels of p38, ERK, and JNK were strongly enhanced. Through the usage of selective MAPK inhibitors, and knockdown and overexpression strategies, p38 was revealed to be a major MAPK which regulates c-Jun degradation. Further analysis indicates that the phosphorylation of p38 is a determinant for c-Jun degradation, and is sufficient to induce ubiquitination-dependent c-Jun degradation, recovered through MG132 treatment. Therefore, our results suggest that the hyperphosphorylation of p38 by SO contributes to c-Jun degradation, which is linked to the suppression of PGE₂ secretion in inflammatory responses; and thus, finding drugs to increase p38 activity could be a novel strategy for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.13-22
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• 2022

Purpose: Brand hearsay refers to information that can be acquired from advertisement, media publicity, and word-of-mouth prior to experiencing products or services of brands. Previous information about brands obtained through brand hearsay affects consumer behavior in choosing brands. Moreover, brand hearsay is an effective communication method in promoting brands to consumers. Thus, bakery franchises need to improve strengths and differentiate characteristics of their brand, thereby attracting more consumers. Therefore, this study investigates relationships the effect of brand hearsay on consumers' brand attitude and brand loyalty in the context of franchised bakery brands. Research design, data, and methodology: A research model was proposed to examine structural relationships between brand hearsay (advertising, publicity, word-of-mouth), brand attitude, and brand loyalty. An online survey was conducted to consumers who had an experience of visiting a franchise bakery. A total of 513 responses were used for data analysis. SPSS 22.0 was used for analyzing general demographics, and SmartPLS 4.0 was used to test validity and reliability of the proposed model. Result: Among attributes of brand hearsay, advertisement and word-of-mouth had positively significant effects on brand attitude, but no significant effect was found between publicity and attitude. Advertisement had a positively significant impact on brand loyalty, while publicity had a negative effect on brand loyalty opposite to hypothesis. Moreover, brand attitude had a statistically significant effect on brand loyalty. Conclusions: In the context of franchise bakeries, brand hearsay contents may change consumers' attitude toward brands but does not increase brand loyalty. Though media publicity does not affect consumers' attitude toward brands, it may decrease brand loyalty when consumers are too exposed to it. In addition, it is necessary to enhance brand attitude to increase brand loyalty of customers. This study provides bakery franchisors and franchisees information about which type of brand hearsay (e.g., advertisement, word-of-mouth, media, publicity) is effective in enhancing brand attitudes and loyalty of consumers. Further studies may include other variables (e.g., trust) in addition to attitude and loyalty, or compare findings based on brand characteristics (e.g., low-to-medium/high prices, store size).

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.273-284
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• 2022

PURPOSE. Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD-CAM) of implant abutments has been shown to result in surface contamination from site-specific milling and fabrication processes. If not removed, these contaminants can have a potentially adverse effect and may trigger inflammatory responses of the peri-implant tissues. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the bacterial disinfection and cleaning efficacy of ultrasonic reprocessing in approved disinfectants to reduce the microbial load of CAD-CAM abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Four different types of custom implant abutments (total N = 32) with eight specimens in each test group (type I to IV) were CAD-CAM manufactured. In two separate contamination experiments, specimens were contaminated with heparinized sheep blood alone and with heparinized sheep blood and the test bacterium Enterococcus faecium. Abutments in the test group were processed according to a three-stage ultrasonic protocol and assessed qualitatively and quantitatively by determination of residual protein. Ultrasonicated specimens contaminated with sheep blood and E. faecium were additionally eluted and the dilutions were incubated on agar plates for seven days. The determined bacterial counts were expressed as colony-forming units (CFU). RESULTS. Ultrasonic reprocessing resulted in a substantial decrease in residual bacterial protein to less than 80 ㎍ and a reduction in microbiota of more than 7 log levels of CFU for all abutment types, exceeding the effect required for disinfection. CONCLUSION. A three-stage ultrasonic cleaning and disinfection protocol results in effective bacterial decontamination. The procedure is reproducible and complies with the standardized reprocessing and disinfection specifications for one- or two-piece CAD-CAM implant abutments.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.517-532
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to propose useful suggestions by analyzing causal effect relationship between perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease-of-use (PEOU), symbolic adoption (SA) which have four constructs, and ATCIS-II usage in mandatory context. Methods: Based on prior research, a research model was constructed using the variables of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the symbolic adoption theory, and the post-adoptive behavior variables. A structured questionnaire was conducted for those who use ATCIS-II in Republic of Korea Army (ROKA), and a total of 183 usable responses were collected and empirically analyzed using SmartPLS 3.3.9. Results: The results of this study are as follows; PEOU have a significant effect on PU and two constructs of SA (heightened enthusiasm, effort worthiness). PU have a significant effect on every construct of SA (heightened enthusiasm, mental acceptance, effort worthiness, use commitment). In addition, it was found that heightened enthusiasm have a significant effect on both expanded usage and exploratory usage. Also, mental acceptance and use commitment have a significant effect on exploratory usage. Conclusion: The findings of this empirical study have implications for proposing SA can explain mandated user's behavior and giving possible way that improve organization performance which adopt Information System (IS) by motivating end-user to extend IS's feature and explore new ways of using IS at work.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.200-211
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• 2021

This study examines the effects of fashion influencers' body types (realistic versus ideal body types) on self-expression, self-representation, and recommendation intentions, as mediated by familiarity toward influencers. Although fashion influencers lead to a positive consumer response compared to traditional advertisements, previous research on the effects of fashion influencers on consumers is limited. Thus, this study tests the role of consumers' socio-psychological aspects in understanding how and why fashion influencers affect consumers' behavioral intentions associated with self-expression, self-representation, and influencer recommendation. A total of 180 women in their 20s and 30s participated in the survey. The responses were collected after showing them stimuli featuring fashion influencers with either ideal or realistic body shapes. The data were analyzed using SPSS18.0 for descriptive statistics, and AMOS 18.0 for confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results showed that participants who were shown realistic body types perceived familiarity, which generated positive effects on self-expression, self-representation, and recommendation intentions. Hence, the effects of influencers' body types on recommendation intention are mediated by familiarity. Self-expression and self-representation intentions also increase influencer recommendation intention. Comparatively, participants who were shown ideal body types only induced higher self-representation intention, which increased their recommendation intention. The current findings can help fashion marketers select the appropriate influencers who fit their target customers as promotional models, as well as to induce changes in consumers' behavioral intention.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.18-33
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• 2021

This study sought to understand the clothing consumption values of male consumers and analyze the attributes of online fashion multi-brand stores. The study examined the effect of clothing consumption values of male consumers on the perceived attributes of online fashion multi-brand stores and use intention. The study also aimed to investigate whether online information search moderated the relationship between the perceived attributes of online fashion multi-brand stores and use intention. An online survey of male consumers in their 20s and 30s was conducted, and a total of 338 responses were analyzed. The SPSS 24.0 program was used to perform frequency analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, regression analysis, and stepwise-regression analysis. The results are as follows. First, fashionableness out of the four attributes of online fashion multi-brand stores (fashionableness, entertainment, variety, and scarcity) influenced the practical and conspicuous values of clothing consumption values. Entertainment had a significant effect on all clothing consumption values. Variety had a significant impact on practical and conspicuous values and the scarcity factor influenced epistemic and conspicuous values. Second, while entertainment, variety, and scarcity influenced sharing intention, fashion, entertainment, and variety influenced purchase intention. Third, online information search moderated the relationship between the perceived attributes of online fashion multi-brand stores and sharing intention but not purchase intention.