Seo Young Kim

Phenolic Phytochemicals Derived from Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) Inhibit the Invasion and Migration of SK‐Hep‐1 Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Abstract:  Considerable attention has recently been focused on identifying chemopreventive phytochemicals derived from medicinal plants. Here, we analyzed phenolic phytochemicals from red pine (RP) leaves and found epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epigallocatechin (EGC), and catechin gallate (CG) as their major phenolic phytochemicals. This article also investigated whether RP leaf extract and its phenolic phytochemicals inhibit the invasion of SK‐Hep‐1 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (SK‐Hep‐1 cells). RP suppressed the invasion and the migration of SK‐Hep‐1 cells. EGCG and CG also inhibited the invasion and migration, with EGC exhibiting a lower efficacy. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly gelatinase‐A (MMP‐2) and gelatinase‐B (MMP‐9), degrade components of the basement membrane and are strongly implicated in invasion and metastasis formation of malignant tumors. RP suppressed both MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 activities. EGCG and CG reduced the activities of MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 in a dose‐dependent manner, with EGC exhibiting a lower efficacy on both MMPs. Our results suggest that RP inhibits tumor invasion and migration, which may be attributed to the effects of EGCG and CG. In particular, EGCG plays a key role in the efficacy of RP against hepatocarcinogenesis.

Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis Inhibits the Proliferation of SNU-1 Human Stomach Cancer Cells through Induction of G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis via p53 and p21 Expression

We investigated the antiproliferative effects of the cytoplasmic fraction of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis (L.lac CF) on the SNU‐1 human stomach cancer cell line. The proliferation of SNU‐1 cells was inhibited by treatment with L.lac CF in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. L.lac CF caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, which was associated with an increase in p53 and p21 expression, the reduction of cyclin D1 expression, and retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation. L.lac CF induced apoptosis in SNU‐1 cells, as demonstrated by increased nucleus condensation and a sub‐G1 peak. Caspase‐3 activation, the induction of p53, and the downregulation of Bcl‐2 were also observed in L.lac CF‐treated cells. Thus, the inhibitory effect of L.lac CF on SNU‐1 cell growth is mainly attributable to the induction of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Ag Seed-Layer Formation by Electroless Plating for Ultra-Large-Scale Integration Interconnection

A high density of Pd catalytic particles is an important factor for obtaining a uniform and continuous Ag seed layer in electroless plating. Adequate surface pretreatment is critical for the formation of such a Pd catalytic particle population. In this study, electroless plating of Ag thin films on TiN substrates was performed using Sn sensitization and Pd activation as pretreatment methods. Sn surface sensitization improves surface wetting and aids in the formation of a Pd catalytic layer in surface-oxidative Pd activation. The Pd activation supported by Sn sensitization also accelerated the formation of a continuous thin Ag film. Furthermore, a thin Ag seed layer deposited on a patterned structure showed excellent conformality.

Introduction of the ‘Service Industry Development Index’: Initial thoughts on the new paradigm shift

The current world economy is facing a huge paradigm shift. Many argue that the period of rapid growth, which lasted for about 200 years, has come to an end, and we are facing a period of stagnation and low growth. The economy of tangibles has reached its limits, and the world is in need of a new industrial revolution. In this new industrial revolution, the world economy needs to focus on the intangible goods to increase consumption and employment. Unlike tangibles, intangible goods are infinite resources that are based on the infinite needs of consumers. We suggest that the world economy needs a shift to focus on the intangible services sector to overcome the current low growth. In the current research, we suggest a new framework to measure the degree of development for service sectors, which in turn, will expedite the development of the service industry. In the newly developed “Service Industry Development Index (SIDI),” we suggest to include dimensions such as productivity of added value, perception of services, business environment, horizontality of industry, legal and institutional advancement, subdivision of occupations, and globalization. In the current research, we initiate the efforts in developing a standardized index, however, we suggest different parties around the world take part in discussing this issue for development of a refined SIDI in the future.

Negative word of mouth intentions during self-service technology failures: The mediating role of regret

Adoption of self-service technologies (SSTs) is changing the current service landscape in many ways. However, most previous research focused on customer’s acceptance of such technologies, neglecting the consequences of technology adoption. In the current research, a specific behavioral consequence, negative word of mouth (NWOM) during SST failure is investigated. Through an experimental study, the effect of SST failure on customer’s NWOM intentions and the underlying mechanism of the relationship are demonstrated. Specifically, customers who have experienced SST failures were more likely to engage in NWOM because of the heightened regret felt at the moment, which is a specific negative emotion associated with self-blame. In addition, the moderated mediation effect of an individual difference, fear of negative evaluation is suggested to moderate the relationship between regret and NWOM intentions. Taken together, the current research highlights the role of a negative emotion during service failures.

Inter-customer helping during service failures: The mediating role of disappointment

Customers give and receive help from others during service encounters, which is called intercustomer helping. Inter-customer helping is a form of customer-to-customer interactions (CCI). CCIs are more common in the current economy where more customers deliver services on their own, without involvement of service workers through self-service technologies, and therefore, it is critical to understand CCI. However, there have been only limited efforts to understand interactions between customers, and more emphasis was on understanding the interactions between employees and customers. Thus, the current research fills this gap through investigating the effect of receiving help from another customer (vs. no help) on customer satisfaction during service failures. In particular, the current research suggests that receiving inter-customer helping (vs. receiving no help) would increase customer satisfaction through mitigating disappointment.

PM500. Qantitative EEG as a predictor of prognosis in First Episode psychosis

Objective: Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) is a well established method for evaluating brain functioning. Abnormal oscillatory activity measured with QEEG during resting state has been consistently reported in patients with schizophrenia. We aimed to examine whether resting state EEG is associated with 1 year outcome in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP). Method: Twenty five FEP patients participated in resting state EEG recording with their eyes closed. Clinical symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at the time of EEG recording, and then were reassessed after 1 year of follow-up period. In addition, neurocognitive function test was performed twice with same 1 year interval. Resting state continuous EEG data were analyzed quantitatively and frequency band power at each electrode site were extracted. Multiple regressive analysis with backward method was used to identify factors significantly predictive of symptomatic improvement in subjects. Delta and alpha band activity, age, sex, education years, use of medication, baseline clinical scale scores were considered as independent variables. Result: We found that delta band activity at Oz electrode site significantly predicted improvement in the PANSS positive subscale score (β=-0.238, p=0.019) during 1 year of follow-up period. In addition, alpha band activity at CP4 electrode site was associated with later improvement in the working memory which was measured with the perseverative response of Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (β=0.244, p=0.033) Conclusion: QEEG parameters effectively predicted improvement in both positive symptom and neurocognitive functioning in FEP patients during 1 year of follow-up period. Our results suggest that QEEG analysis would be a possible predictor of prognosis in patients with FEP.