applying-an-emass-customization-program-as-research-tool-to-evaluate

Applying an eMASS Customization Program as a Research Tool to Evaluate Consumer Benefits

As many scholars and practitioners study personalization and relationship marketing, it is important to provide personalization such as mass customization ...

Ewha Womans University

Podocyte apoptosis induced by hyperglycemia is considered a critical factor in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Recent studies have implicated Notch signaling in podocyte apoptosis; however, its regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we found that high-glucose treatment increased Notch1 and Jagged-1 expression, the transcriptional activity of Hes, and podocyte apoptosis, and decreased the expression of coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) in rat podocytes. Transient transfection of CARM1 reversed high-glucose-induced Notch1 expression, the transcriptional activity of Hes, and podocyte apoptosis. Moreover, the silencing of CARM1 using siRNA increased Notch1 expression, the transcriptional activity of Hes, and podocyte apoptosis. However, the Glu(266)-mediated enzymatic activity of CARM1 was not necessary for Notch signaling activation and podocyte apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate that AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα) and cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) are regulated by CARM1 and that high-glucose-induced podocyte apoptosis is mediated by a CARM1-AMPKα-Notch1-CB1R signaling axis. We also show that high-glucose-induced CARM1 downregulation is due to ubiquitination-dependent CARM1 degradation. Finally, we demonstrate that CARM1 expression in podocytes was diminished in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes compared to vehicle-treated rats. Together, our data provide evidence that ubiquitination-dependent CARM1 degradation in podocytes in diabetes promotes podocyte apoptosis via Notch1 activation. Strategies to preserve CARM1 expression or reduce the enzymatic activity of a ubiquitin ligase specific for CARM1 could be used to prevent podocyte loss in diabetic nephropathy.

Ubiquitination-dependent CARM1 degradation facilitates Notch1-mediated podocyte apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy.

The objective of this study was to explore impacts and benefits of mass customized products on emotional product attachment, favorable attitudes toward a mass customization program, and the ongoing effect on loyalty intentions. This study further investigated how benefits, attachment, attitudes, and loyalty intentions differed as a function of involvement and fashion innovativeness. 290 female online shoppers in South Korea participated in an online survey. Results of this study revealed that perceived benefits positively influenced emotional product attachment and attitudes toward a mass customization program. In addition, attachment positively influenced attitudes, which in turn affected loyalty intentions. This study also found that benefits, attachment, attitudes, and loyalty intentions were all higher in highly involved consumers (high fashion innovators) than those in less involved consumers (low fashion innovators). This study concludes with theoretical and practical implications for mass customization programs.

Minjung Park

Department of Fashion Industry

Ewha Womans University

Applying an eMASS Customization Program as a Research Tool to Evaluate Consumer Benefits

Minjung Park

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Department of Fashion Industry

Ewha Womans University

Applying an eMASS Customization Program as a Research Tool to Evaluate Consumer Benefits

Department of Fashion Industry