The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of total factor productivity (TFP), institutional quality, and interactive variable between them on economic growth in 13 low-middle income countries in Asia for the period 2000-2018. The paper uses the difference Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) to explore the dataset provided by the World Bank. The empirical results show that TFP and the interactive variable positively impact on the economic growth, while the institutional determinants have a negative influence. The negative effect is explained by the weak institutions in these low-middle income countries. The findings of the study suggest two points. First, the government should continue to improve TFP, which is associated with the application of technical advances, technological innovations, improvement of management methods, and skilled workers. Second, far more important, is that the authorities should pay special attention to implement institutional reform and strengthen the governance in the future. The successful experiences from Japan, Korea and Singapore will help other governments in Asian low-middle income countries to build developmental state. Probably, the developmental state actively interfere in the market to promote and realize the development goals. By doing so, these economies might overcome the so-called “middle-income trap”.

The paper aims to investigate relationships between technology and innovation management, total factor productivity and economic growth in China. By comparing the trends in total factor productivity growth of industrialized economies (i.e. OECD), this study intends to showcase the importance of total factor productivity progress in the Chinese economy. The study employs time series data of an annual basis for the period from 1977 to 2016 retrieved from the World Development Indicator. The study employs unit root test, cointegration test, fully modified least squares estimation method, canonical cointegrating regression and dynamic least squares estimation method to test the hypotheses. The results of the cointegrating regression analysis show that manufacturing growth leads to an increase of total factor productivity in the short-run in China. The findings of the study suggest that manufacturing (i.e. technology and product innovation) is positively related to the increase of total factor productivity in the short-run and total output growth in the long-run. The findings suggest that promoting technology and innovation management and supporting R&D subsidies may reduce the marginal cost of conducting R&D and increase the rate of technology and innovation management and R&D activity and therefore, the total factor productivity growth rate.

This study was conducted to investigate stimulatory effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on nuclear maturation and the expression level of EGF-receptor (EGFR), GM-130 (a marker of Golgi apparatus), transport protein Sec61 subunit beta (Sec61β), and coatomer protein complex subunit gamma 2 (COPG2) in porcine oocytes. The cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected from follicle with 3-6 mm in diameter. They were incubated in medium with/without EGF for 22 h (IVMⅠ) and subsequently incubated hormone-free medium with/without EGF for 22 h (IVMⅡ). Nuclear maturation state was checked by aceto-orcein stain. Protein expression of EGFR, GM-130, Sec61β, and COPG2 were measured by immunofluorescence. In results, nuclear maturation of oocytes in EGF non-treated oocytes were significantly lower than EGF-treated groups at IVMⅠ or IVMⅡ stage (P<0.05), whereas maturational rate in EGF treatment groups at both of IVM stage was higher in among the all treatment groups (P<0.05). EGFR, GM-130, Sec61β and COPG2 were expressed in the cytoplasm of oocytes. Especially, GM-130 and EGFR were strongly expressed, but Sec61β and COPG2 were weakly expressed in cortical area of cytoplasm. The protein level of GM-130, Sec61β, and COPG2 were significantly higher in the EGF-treated groups (P<0.05). However EGFR was no difference between non EGF-treated groups and control. In conclusion, EGF plays an important role in the systems for oocyte maturation with endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. In addition, the protein levels of Sec61β and COPG2 could be changed by EGF in the porcine oocytes during maturation.

Background : Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) appears to enhance the differentiation of osteoblasts and to activate the mineralization of bone. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ginseng complex on the remodeling of rats tibia. Methods and Results : Ginseng complex significantly increased serum IGF-1 by 58% and 34.5% than the control, respectively. Treatment with α-amylase when manufacturing these extracts remarkably increased the concentration of IGF-1 by 63% and 36% above the control, respectively. This ways that this ginseng complex, especially α-amylase treated extracts, contained a higher level of IGF-1 secretion in the ginseng complex groups. In addition, increases of 8% in femuf length were found after 12 weeks of oral administration with ginseng complex (300mg/kg). Conclusion : These results mean that ginseng complex have beneficial effects on bone effects on bone growth via IGF-1.

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway is a key signal transduction pathway involved in cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. In dairy cows, IGF family proteins and binding receptors, including their intracellular binding partners, regulate mammary gland development. IGFs and IGF receptor interactions in mammary glands influence the early stages of mammogenesis, i.e., mammary ductal genesis until puberty. The IGF pathway includes three major components, IGFs (such as IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin), their specific receptors, and their high-affinity binding partners (IGF binding proteins [IGFBPs]; i.e., IGFBP1–6), including specific proteases for each IGFBP. Additionally, IGFs and IGFBP interactions are critical for the bioactivities of various intracellular mechanisms, including cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Notably, the interactions between IGFs and IGFBPs in the IGF pathway have been difficult to characterize during specific stages of bovine mammary gland development. In this review, we aim to describe the role of the interaction between IGFs and IGFBPs in overall mammary gland development in dairy cows.

여드름은 면포, 구진, 낭종, 결절, 색소 침착 등 다양한 피부병변으로 나타나는 모낭피지선의 만성 염증질 환으로 사춘기부터 성인기까지 발생 연령대가 다양해지고 있다. 한편, 약물 부작용으로 여드름이 발생하기도 하 는데, 표피성장인자(epidermal grouwth factor, EGF) 수용체 억제제 항암제를 사용할 경우 75 ∼ 100%에서 여드름양 모낭염이 발생된다고 보고되고 있다. 여드름의 치료로 항생제, 레티노이드 경구 복용 및 외용 약제 도 포 등 다양한 방법이 이용되고 있다. 그러나 최근 들어 레티노이드 기형 유발 가능성 및 Propionibacterium acne의 항생제 내성률 증가는 기존 치료의 한계로 여겨진다. 따라서 본 연구는 최근 여드름양 발진에 효과가 있다고 알려진 EGF를 함유한 외용제가 여드름 치료에 미치는 효과와 안정성을 평가하였다. 한국 성인 10 ∼ 29세 23명을 대상으로 EGF 함유 제품(트러블컨트롤 EGF)과 3종 제품(트러블컨트롤 클래리파잉 클렌징폼, 트 러블컨트롤 올-클리어 필링토너, 레드롤 카밍 모이스처)을 하루 두 번 사용하도록 하였다. 사용 후 영상 피지량, 경표피수분손실량, 피부 홍조 측정, 전문가 육안 평가, 사용 후 만족도 설문조사를 평가하였다. 최종 측정 시, 피부 피지량, 경피수분손실량, 피부 홍조가 통계학적으로 감소하였으며, 전문가 육안 평가에서 여드름 병변(면 포, 구진)도 통계학적으로 감소하였다. 연구동안 심각한 부작용은 관찰되지 않았다. 표피성장인자 함유 외용제는 경도의 여드름에 안전하면서도 효과적으로 사용할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

Myo-inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate (InsP6), also known as phytic acid, accumulates in large quantities in plant seeds, serving as a phosphorus reservoir, but is an animal antinutrient and an important source of water pollution. Here we report that Gle1 (GLFG lethal 1) in conjunction with InsP6 functions as an activator of the ATPase/RNA helicase LOS4 (Low expression of osmotically responsive genes 4), which is involved in mRNA export in plants, supporting the Gle1-InsP6-Dbp5 (LOS4 homolog) paradigm proposed in yeast. Interestingly, plant Gle1 proteins have modifications in several key residues of the InsP6-binding pocket, which reduce the basicity of the surface charge. Arabidopsis Gle1 variants containing mutations that increase the basic charge of the InsP6-binding surface show increased sensitivity to InsP6 concentrations for the stimulation of LOS4 ATPase activity in vitro. Expression of the Gle1 variants with enhanced InsP6 sensitivity rescues the mRNA export defect of the ipk1 (inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate 2-kinase) InsP6-deficient mutant, and furthermore, significantly improves vegetative growth, seed yield, and seed performance of the mutant. These results suggest that Gle1 is an important factor responsible for mediating InsP6 functions in plant growth and reproduction, and that Gle1 variants with increased InsP6 sensitivity may be useful for engineering high-yielding low-phytate crops.

코르티코트로핀분비인자(Corticotropin-releasing factor)는 스트레스 반응에 관여하는 호르몬으로, 최근 스트레스가 탈모와 같은 피부질환에 영향을 미친다는 보고들이 많아지고 있다. 보고에 따르면, 사람 모낭 배양에서 코르티코트로핀분비인자는 길이생장을 억제하며, 모낭의 조기퇴행을 유도하고 모기질각질형성세포(hair matrix keratinocyte)의 세포사멸을 촉진시킨다. 본 연구에서는 코르티코트로핀분비인자가 모발성장과 모주기조절에 핵심적으로 역할하는 모유두세포에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보고자 했다. 시상하부-뇌하수체-부신축의 주요 스트레스호르몬들인 코르티코트로핀분비인자, 부신피질자극호르몬, 그리고 코르티솔을 사람 모유두세포에 처리하였다. 흥미롭게도, 코르티코트로핀분비인자가 모발성장과 관련된 사이토카인(KGF, Wnt5a, TGFβ-2, Nexin)의 발현을 변화시키는 것을 관찰하였으며, 세포 내 cAMP의 수준을 증가시켰고, 수용체의 발현을 억제시켰다. 이러한 변화는 수용체의 길항제인 antalarmin과 astressin2B, 또는 PKA 억제제의 전처리로 인해 막을 수 있었다. 코르티코트로핀분비인자는 cAMP/PKA경로를 통해 POMC의 발현을 유도하는데, 사람 모유두세포에서도 이 호르몬의 처리가 POMC mRNA의 발현을 증가시키는 것을 확인할 수 있었으나 부신피질자극호르몬의 변화는 western blot으로는 확인할 수 없었다. 이러한 결과들을 바탕으로, 코르티코트로핀분비인자가 그 수용체를 통해 사람 모유두세포 내 모발성장 관련 사이토카인의 발현을 조절함을 확인하였으며, 이는 코르티코트로핀분비인자의 수용체 길항제가 스트레스성 탈모환자를 위한 치료제 혹은 화장품 소재로써 활용될 수 있음을 보여준다.

We determined intravitreal levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) in patients with early phase rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Twenty five eyes of 25 RRD patients with symptom onset from one day to 21 days prior to vitrectomy were selected. Concentrations of VEGF and PEDF in vitreous were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and relationships between these concentrations and durations and involved quadrants were analyzed. Duration of RRD was found to show significant correlation with PEDF concentration. However, number of involved quadrants did not show correlation with PEDF concentration in vitreous.

Purpose - The article studies aims to construct the center of economy in the upriver area of Chang Jiang, and has realistic significance probing into the contribution of insurance essential factor market to economic development on the contribution role of essential factor market of insurance in financial industry development to economic growth in Chongqing in both aspects of direct and indirect contribution by the way of demonstration analysis. Research data and methodology - The data are from Statistic Yearbook in Chongqing in 1997-2008.The conclusion shows that essential factor market of insurance development falls behind of economic growth in direct aspect; BBD, BLD and FIR could pull economic growth, but ID just restrain economic growth in Chongqing. Results -The estimate coefficient sigh of BDD, BLD, FIR are plus but ID is not, it is to say the increase of bank deposit dump could impel economic growth, which is accord with general thought. Conclusions - At last, the article Having Studied on the contribution role of essential factor market of insurance in financial industry development to economic growth in Chongqing by the way of demonstration analysis.

Previously we have succeeded to isolate stem cells (HEAC) from human eyelid adipose tissue, and functionally differentiate them into insulin-secreting cells. In the present study, we examined whether insulin family members might affect the insulinogenic differentiation of HEAC. Insulin treatment during culture affected little on the insulin and c-peptide secretions from HEAC after culture. However, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 treatment decreased both secretions, whereas IGF2 greatly increased the secretions in a glucose-dependent manner. HEAC treated with IGF2 showed stronger expression of Pdx1, Isl1, Pax6 and PC1/3 genes compared to the control. They also showed distinct staining with insulin and c-peptide antibodies, and dithizone. While insulin or IGF2 treatment increased total cell number by 1.3- or 1.5-fold, respectively, each treatment increased the amount of insulin secretion by 27.1- or 78.1-fold, respectively. IGF2-enhanced insulinogenic differentiation was completely blocked by an antibody against insulin receptor (IR), but not by an antibody against IGF1 receptor (IGF1R). Differentiated HEAC showed expression of both IR and IGF1R genes while they expressed neither IGF2 nor IGF2R genes. Based upon these results, it is suggested that whereas IGF1 might inhibit the insulinogenic differentiation of HEAC, insulin and IGF2 could enhance the differentiation, and that the enhancing effect could be mediated via IR.

난분 함수량에 따른 생육반응에서 건중에 비해 생체중의 변화가 현저하였다. 특히 난분 함수량이 0%± 5인 C point는 100%± 5인 A point에 비해 16.1g에서 4.7g으로 지하부의 생체중 감소가 매우 격감하였으나, 지상부의 생체중에서는 3.5g에서 2.1g으로 다소 감소하는 경향을 볼 수 있었다. 건중에서는 현저한 차이를 볼 수 없었다. 또한 엽록소와 총수용성 탄수화물(Total soluble carbohydrate)에서 용토 내의 함수량에 따른 현저한 차이를 볼 수 있었으나, 지상부와 지하부에 따른 다른 현상을 볼 수 있었다. 체내 총수용성 탄수화물량의 변화를 살펴보면, 지상부는 난분 내의 함수량이 0%± 5의 C point시점에서 0.2mg/g DW로 다소 감소함을 알 수 있었으나, 근권부에서는 100%± 5인 A point에서 0.14mg/g DW에 비해 50%± 5(B point) 그리고 0%± 5(C point)의 시점에서 0.22mg/g DW로 보다 증가함을 알 수 있었다. 난분 함수량에 따른 proline 축적량 변화는 100%± 5인 A point에 0.05mg/g FW 비해 0%± 5인 C point의 시점에서 0.6mg/g FW로 큰 변화를 볼 수 없었다. 한편, glycinebetaine에서는 지상부에서는 변화가 없었으나, 근권부인 뿌리에서 함수량이 100%± 5(A point)의 0.11mg/g DW에서 0%± 5인 C point의 시점에서 0.26mg/g DW로 2배의 증가를 불 수 있었다.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces well-documented mitogenic and differentiating effects on murine and bovine preimplantation embryos. However, the effects of EGF on apoptosis and implantation-related gene expression in bovine embryos developing in vitro have not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of exogenous EGF in the presence and absence of BSA on the preimplantation development of bovine embryos. In addition, we measured cell number, apoptosis, and expression of apoptosis and implantation-related genes of the blastocysts that developed in these culture conditions. In vitro produced bovine embryos were randomly cultured in the same medium containing 0 or 10 ng/ml EGF in the presence and absence of 0.8% BSA. More 2-cell embryos developed into blastocysts at day 7 when BSA was present than when BSA was absent. The addition of 10 ng/ EGF into the medium did not significantly increase the developmental rate and the cell numbers per blastocyst. However, addition of EGF in the presence of 0.8% BSA significantly reduced the degree of apoptosis in the blastocysts (P<0.01). To investigate whether EGF modulates mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes, mRNA was prepared from single blastocysts and each preparation was subjected to RT-PCR for Bcl-2 and Bax transcripts. EGF did not alter the relative abundance of Bax gene expression in the presence of BSA, but increase Bcl-2 (P<0.01) The relative abundance of Interferon tau expression was increased by EGF treatment in the presence of BSA. These results suggest that EGF and BSA synergistically enhance Bcl-2 and interferone tau gene expression, which may result in a net increase in viability in bovine embryos.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells proliferate extensively in the undifferentiated state and have the potential to differentiate into a variety of cell types in response to various environmental cues. The generation of functional dopaminergic neurons from ES cells is promising for cell replacement therapy to treat Parkinson's disease. We compared the in vitro differentiation potential of pluripotent human embryonic stem (hES, MB03) cells induced with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or retinoic acid (RA). Both types of treatment resulted in similar neural cell differentiation patterns at the terminal differentiation stage, specifically, 75% neurons and 11% glial cells. Additionally, treatment of hES cells with brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or transforming growth factor (TGF)- during the terminal differentiation stage led to significantly increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression, compared to control (P<0.05). In contrast, no effect was observed on the rate of mature or glutamic acid decarboxylase-positive neurons. Immunostaining and HPLC analyses revealed the higher levels of TH (20.3%) and dopamine in bFGF and TGF- treated hES cells than in RA or BDNF treated hES cells. The results indicate that TGF- may be successfully used in the bFGF induction protocol to yield higher numbers of functional dopaminergic neurons from hES cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces well-documented mitegenic and differentiating effects on murine and bovine preimplantation embryos. However, the effects of EGF on apoptosis and implantation-related gene expression in bovine embryos developing in vitro have not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of exogenous EGF in the presence and absence of BSA on the preimplantation development of bovine embryos. In addition, we measured cell number, apoptosis, and expression of apoptosis and implantation-related genes of the blastocysts that developed in these culture conditions. In vitro produced bovine embryos were randomly cultured in the same medium containing 0 or 10 ng/ EGF in the presence and absence of 0.8% BSA. More 2-cell embryos developed into blastocysts at day 7 when BSA was present than when BSA was absent. The addition of 10 ng/ EGF into the medium did not significantly increase the developmental rate and the cell numbers per blastocyst. However, addition of EGF in the presence of 0.8% BSA significantly reduced the degree of apoptosis in the blastocysts (P< 0.01). To investigate whether EGF modulates mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes, mRNA was prepared from single blastocysts and each preparation was subjected to RT-PCR for Bcl-2 and Bax transcripts. EGF did not alter the relative abundance of Bax gene expression in the presence of BSA, but increase Bcl-2 (P < 0.01). The relative abundance of Interferon tau expression was increased by EGF treatment in the presence of BSA. These results suggest that EGF and BSA synergistically enhance Bcl-2 and interferone tau gene expression, which may result in a net increase in viability in bovine embryos.

생쥐에서 페르몬으로 알려진 소수성의 분자와 결합하는 major urinary proteins(MUPs)는 부분적으로 성장 호르몬(GH)의 조절을 받는다. 본 연구에서는 MT-GRF로 형질전환되어 성장호르몬이 증가된 생쥐에서 MUP의 발현을 조사하였다. 이 MT-GRF로 형질전환된 생쥐의 소변에서 MUP이 대조군보다 심하게 저하되어 나타났고, 암컷보다 수컷에서 더 저하되어 나타났다. 또한 MT-GRF를 근육에 주사한 생쥐에서도 MUP는 저하되어 나타났다.

Growth/differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9)은 transforming growth factor (TGF-) superfamily의 member로서 난소의 난자에서만 특이적으로 발현되며 정상적인 난포발달에 있어 필수적인 성숙인자로 최근에 알려졌다. 본 연구는 RT-PCR을 통해 생쥐의 원시난포에서의 GDF-9 mRNA의 발현 여부와 함께 난포의 발달단계에 따른 상대적인 발현량을 분석하고자 실시하였다. 본 실험에는 ICR 생쥐를