Purpose




The purpose of this paper is to explore both the cognitive and affective images and examine the effects of destination image through both aspects on satisfaction levels and tourist loyalty.




Design/methodology/approach




Data collection was conducted using the convenience sampling method. The on-site survey was carried out with Chinese tourists at the popular tourist sites in Seoul City.




Findings




The results showed that the cognitive image had a direct influence on the affective image and confirmed the formation process of the destination image. Both cognitive and affective images had positive influences on satisfaction, and in turn, satisfaction predicted tourist loyalty. Moreover, the relationship between destination image and loyalty revealed that the affective image had a direct influence on tourist loyalty. Although the cognitive image showed no direct linkage to tourist loyalty, the authors found that it had an indirect influence on tourist loyalty through affective image and satisfaction.




Originality/value




The findings of this study provide a better understanding of the process that determines Chinese tourists’ destination choices and loyalty. Moreover, it provides insightful implications for the Korean Government, the Korea Tourism Organization and tourism operators.

The influence of destination image and tourist satisfaction on tourist loyalty: a case study of Chinese tourists in Korea

https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/ws/files/9259062/1_s2.0_S2211383515000891_main.pdf

Regulation of AMP-activated protein kinase by natural and synthetic activators

Sargassum wightii-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles reduce the fitness and reproduction of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi and cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera

The main active constituents and detoxification process of Ginkgo biloba seeds and their potential use in functional health foods

Sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas ) is a global food crop, now being recognized as a functional food due to several of its nutraceutical components. Several experimental studies have reported that sweet potato can generally be beneficial in the prevention or treatment of chronic diseases through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anticancer/antitumour, antimicrobial and antiulcer activities. Studies on the haematinic effect of potato leaves and their ability to enhance some haemotological parameters are reviewed in this paper. Furthermore, the review provides an overview of the significance and influence of cultivar on the composition and pharmacological activities of sweet potato. Sweet potato contains a lot of beneficial phytochemicals, some of which are peculiar to certain varieties. There is, therefore, a need for the continuous evaluation and selection of cultivars with the appropriate phytochemical composition and bioactivities to be able to fully explore the medicinal value of sweet potato. Studies aimed at the isolation, characterization and toxicological evaluation of its bioactive compounds may help to strengthen and confirm the possible role of sweet potato as a health promoting food and an alternative remedy for chronic diseases. This review highlights the pharmacological reports on different forms of sweet potato and their potential medicinal values. Keywords: Sweet potato, Cultivar influence, Chronic diseases, Ipomoea batatas, Diabetes, Anticancer, Haematological effect

/pdf/a-review-of-therapeutic-potentials-of-sweet-potato-418pqqft9y.pdf

A review of therapeutic potentials of sweet potato: Pharmacological activities and influence of the cultivar

We examined South Korea’s destination image for Chinese tourists and compared the differences between visitors who had come to that destination because of exposure to movies or television dramas filmed at their destination (film tourists) and those who were nonfilm tourists. A survey of 311 Chinese tourists, consisting of film tourists ( n = 132) and nonfilm tourists ( n = 179) revealed that South Korea is perceived as a safe, friendly, and clean tourism destination, and that Chinese tourists feel happy and relaxed during their trip. We also found that Chinese tourists believe that Korea lacks food variety and historical attractions, and is not easy to get around. Moreover, we also found that there was a difference between film and nonfilm tourists in regard to cognitive image of the destination, in that film tourists had a more positive image than did nonfilm tourists. However, there was no significant difference in affective destination image between film and nonfilm tourists. Our findings contribute to understanding of Chinese tourists’ perceptions and behaviors in regard to South Korea as a tourism destination. In addition, the implications for film and tourism destination marketers are discussed.

South Korea’s destination image: Comparing perceptions of film and nonfilm Chinese tourists

Context: Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (Saururaceae) is used traditionally in Asian countries to treat various disease symptoms.Objective: To study the effect of H. cordata ethyl acetate (HC-EA) extract on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis.Materials and methods: HFD fed rats were orally dosed with HC-EA (100, 200, or 300 mg/kg) once daily for 8 weeks and the lipid profiles and protein expressions in hepatocytes were evaluated.Results: HFD rats showed an increase (p < 0.05) in the plasma lipid levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), free fatty acids (FFAs), and reduced the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Treatment with HC-EA extract (300 mg/kg) restored the changes in plasma lipid levels of TC, TG, LDL, FFA, and HDL in HFD-fed rats by 34.8, 31.1, 51.4, 32.4, and 56.3%, respectively, compared with control rats (p < 0.01). HC-EA treatment also decreased the hepatic lipid accumulation (p < 0.001 at 300 mg/kg) and improved hepatic histological ...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3109/13880209.2014.923002

Houttuynia cordata alleviates high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver in experimental rats.

Houttuynia cordata (H. cordata) from the family Saururaceae is a perennial herb native to Southeast Asia. It possesses a range of medicinal properties to treat several disease symptoms including allergic inflammation and anaphylaxis. In the present investigation, we provided the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of H. cordata extract (HCE) in the prevention of high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in human HepG2 hepatocytes. HepG2 cells were pre-treated with various concentrations of HCE (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μg/mL) and treated with serum-free medium with normal glucose (5 mM) for 1 h, followed by exposure to high glucose (25 mM D-glucose) for 24 h. HCE significantly and dose-dependently attenuated lipid accumulation in human HepG2 hepatocytes when exposed to high glucose (25 mM D-glucose) (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 at 20, 40, and 80 μg/mL concentrations, respectively). Further, HCE attenuated the expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferases (GPATs). The adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was also activated by HCE treatment when exposed to high glucose (25 mM D-glucose) in human HepG2 hepatocytes. This study suggests the hypolipidemic effects of HCE by the inhibition of lipid biosynthesis mediated through AMPK signaling, which may play an active role and can be developed as an anti-obesity agent.

Houttuynia cordata attenuates lipid accumulation via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in HepG2 cells.

Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Ginkgo biloba Seeds Extract from High Fat Diet Mice

Purpose : To evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the Sargassum thunbergii  extract (Mertens ex Roth) Kuntze (STE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells in vitro. Methods : STE antioxidative activity was evaluated with an Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectrometer, which measured 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Cell viabilities were estimated using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia were used to study the expression and production of inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α). Results : LPS treatment, following STE pretreatment, decreased NO production by 13 ~ 65% in a dosedependent manner (p < 0.001 at 20, 40, 80 and 100 μg/mL), and was associated with the downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. STE also attenuated the TNF-α soluble protein by 16 ~ 47% (p < 0.01at 20, 40 and 80 μg/mL) in activated murine microglia. Furthermore, the DPPH-generated free radicals were inhibited by STE concentration-dependently. Conclusion : STE has therapeutic potential in the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative and oxidative stress-related disorders. Keywords : Sargassum thunbergii, Neurodegenerative diseases, Anti-inflammatory, Microglial cells, Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α

/pdf/neuroprotective-effect-of-sargassum-thunbergii-mertens-ex-1jfsoaefj2.pdf

Hyun Kang

Papers

South Korea’s destination image: Comparing perceptions of film and nonfilm Chinese tourists

Houttuynia cordata alleviates high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver in experimental rats.

Houttuynia cordata attenuates lipid accumulation via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in HepG2 cells.

Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Ginkgo biloba Seeds Extract from High Fat Diet Mice

Neuroprotective Effect of Sargassum thunbergii (Mertens ex Roth) Kuntze in Activated Murine Microglial Cells