The effects of cheonggukjang (traditional fermented soybean food, CK) and cheonggukjang added Agaricus blazei (CKA) on lipid metabolism were investigated in female Sprague-Dawley rats (20 weeks old). The rats were fed a purified hyperlipidemic diet (control diet: 0.1% cholesterol, 10% fat, 18% casein) for 4 weeks. The rats were randomly assigned to each treatment group: control, two kinds of CK or CKA (powders of CK or CKA as dietary protein sources). After 8 weeks of experimental diets consumption, the body weights, and the uterine fat pad weights of CK and CKA diets groups were more significantly decreased than those of the control diet group. The liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in both the CK and CKA diets groups than those in the control group. The concentrations in serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and atherogenic index ratios were significantly decreased in the CK and CKA diets groups compared with those in the control group. The HDL-cholesterol/total-cholesterol ratios were significantly increased in the CK and CKA diets groups compared with those in the control group. The fecal cholesterol and triglyceride excretion in the CK and CKA diets groups were more increased than those in the control group. These results showed that both the feeding the rats with cheonggukjang and cheonggukjang added Agaricus blazei decreased the triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in serum as well as the triglyceride and cholesterol in liver, and increased the HDL-cholesterol/ total-cholesterol ratio in serum.
Adipose Tissue ; Agaricus ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Dietary Proteins ; Female* ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Liver ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Soybeans ; Triglycerides ; Weights and Measures

The effects of liquid culture of Coriolus versicolor on weight gain, food intakes, food efficiency ratios, serum and hepatic lipid concentrations, serum protein levels and serum enzyme activities, were studied in growing male rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were given four different types of diets for a succeeding period of 5 weeks, respectively : a normal diet group (7% corn oil), a high fat diet group (7% corn oil + 15% lard), a 20% or 30% C. versicolor diet groups (high fat diet + 20% or 30% C. versicolor in water) according to the levels of C. versicolor supplementation. The body weight gains of the rats fed the 30% C. versicolor diets were lower than those in the rats fed high fat diet. The epididymal fat pad weight of the rats fed high fat diet and 20% or 30% C. versicolor diets were significantly higher than that of the rats fed normal diet. The concentrations of triglyceride in the serum and the liver of the rats fed the 30% C. versicolor diets were more significantly decreased compared to rats on the high fat diet. The concentrations of total cholesterol in the serum and the liver of rats fed the high fat diet, 20% and 30% C. versicolor diets were similar to those of rats fed the normal diet. The HDL-cholesterol concentration and the HDL-cholesterol/total-cholesterol ratio of the rats fed 20% and 30% C. versicolor diets were significantly lower than those of the rats fed high fat diet. But the atherogenic index of the rats fed 20% or 30% C. versicolor diets were significantly higher than those of the rats fed high fat diet. There were no differences in the activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in the serum among the experimental groups. These results showed that the 30% C. versicolor diet feeding decreased the triglyceride in serum and liver of the rats.
Adipose Tissue ; Agaricales ; Alanine Transaminase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Corn Oil ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat* ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Liver ; Male ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triglycerides ; Weight Gain ; Zea mays

This study was performed to investigate the effects of liquid culture of Agaricus blazei on the lipid metabolism and enzyme activities in growing male rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were given four different types of diets for a succeeding period of 5 weeks, respectively: a normal diet group (7% corn oil), a high fat diet group (7% com oil + 15% lard), a 20 or 30% Agaricus diet groups (high fat diet + 20 or 30% Agaricus in water) according to the levels of Agaricus supplementation. The body weight gains, food intake, food efficiency ratios, and hepatic, kidney, spleen and pancreas weights of the rats fed 20 or 30% Agaricus diets were similar to those of the rats fed high fat diet. The epididymal fat pad weight of the rats fed high fat diet and 20 or 30% Agaricus diets were significantly higher than that of the rats fed normal diet. The concentrations of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, and the activity of glutamic pyruvic transaminase in the rats fed 30% Agaricus diet were significantly lower than those in the rats 114 high fat diet. But the concentrations of hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride of rats fed the 20 or 30% Agaricus diets were similar to those of rats fed the high fat diet. The HDL-oholesterol/total-cholesterol ratio of the rat fed 30% Agaricus diet was significantly higher than that of the rats fed high fat diet, The activity of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in the rats fed 20 or 30% Agaricus diets were similar to those in the rats fed high fat diet. There were no differences in the concentrations of total protein, hemoglobin and glucose, and the activities of alkaline phosphatase, and the atherogenic index in the serum among the experimental groups. These results showed that the 30% Agaricus diet feeding decreased the total cholesterol, the triglyceride and the LDL-cholesterol, and increased the HDL-oholesterol/total cholesterol ratio in serum of rats.
Adipose Tissue ; Agaricus* ; Alanine Transaminase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat* ; Eating ; Glucose ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Male ; Pancreas ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; Triglycerides ; Weights and Measures ; Zea mays

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to investigate if the measurement of range of motion(ROM) could be applied in the diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome(MPS) and to determine the severity by analyzing ROM in MPS patients. METHODS: The study subjects were 476 female telephone number information service workers. Southampton Protocol and Pittsburgh Protocol were used to diagnose MPS and to measure ROM. ROMs were measured by 2 inclinometers exercising each shoulder passively and actively in 5 directions ; abduction, forward flexion, extension, external rotation, and internal rotation. RESULTS: Compared to the normal group (n=147), the mean of right side ROM in the subjects (n=270) with same side MPS was 2.1 degrees(SD=11.5) lesser in active extension and 1.7 degrees(SD=10.4) lesser in passive extension. Compared to the mild group (n=210), the mean of right side ROM in the patients with same side severe MPS (n=58) was lesser in all directions. Especially in active forward flexion, passive forward flexion, active extension, passive extension and active external rotation, ROM in the subjects with severe MPS was lesser by 6.5 degrees(SD=13.1), 5.1 degrees(SD=12.8), 5.9 degrees(SD=11.8), 5.0 degrees(SD=10.6) and 3.9 degrees(SD=9.8), respectively, than those of the subjects with mild MPS. Compared to the subjects with left side mild MPS(n=172), ROM in the subjects with left side severe MPS (n=59) was 5.3 degrees(SD=13.3) lesser in active forward flexion. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, ROMs in the subjects with severe MPS tended to be lesser than those in mild patients. This tendency was more prominent in the right side than the left, active range of motion than passive and forward flexion and extension than others. The results of this study are expected to help diagnose shoulder MPS and determine severity.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Information Services ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes* ; Range of Motion, Articular* ; Shoulder* ; Telephone

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) of some music college freshmen majoring in string instruments. METHODS: The study subjects were 199 freshmen majoring in strings at three colleges in Seoul and surrounds. The symptom prevalence and related factors of PRMDs were surveyed with a self-administered questionnaire. The Southampton Protocol was used to diagnose PRMDs. RESULTS: The freshmen had played for 9 years and 7 months on average. The symptom prevalence of PRMDs according to the modified-NIOSH surveillance criteria was 73.4%. The shoulder was the most prevalent symptom complaint site. The prevalence of PRMDs by the Southampton Protocol was 54.3% and myofascial pain syndrome was the most common. The instrument (violin or viola vs. cello or bass), regular breaks, self perceived evaluation of playing posture and regular computer use had a significant association with the symptom prevalence of PRMDs in univariate logistic regression analysis (p<0.05). The instrument, regular breaks and regular computer use were significant variables affecting the symptom prevalence of PRMDs in multivariate logistic regression analysis (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that music college freshmen playing strings are a high risk group for musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, the prevention of PRMDs requires the establishment of an ergonomic playing-environment, and the education of comfortable posture and stretching program such as musical warming up and physical stretching. It is especially important to form an effective treatment and rehabilitation system based on earlier diagnosis for musicians who are suffering from the PRMDs.
Diagnosis ; Education ; Logistic Models ; Music* ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes ; Posture ; Prevalence* ; Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation ; Seoul ; Shoulder ; Viola

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of intravenous infusion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (mPBMC) mobilized by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on upper extremity function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Fifty-seven children with CP were enrolled. Ten patients were excluded due to follow-up loss. In total, 47 patients (30 males and 17 females) were analyzed. All patients' parents provided signed consent before the start of the study. After administration of G-CSF for 5 days, mPBMC was collected and cryopreserved. Patients were randomized into two groups 1 month later. Twenty-two patients were administered mPBMC and 25 patients received normal saline as placebo. Six months later, the two groups were switched, and administered mPBMC and placebo, respectively. Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) and the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) were used to evaluate upper motor function. RESULTS: All subdomain and total scores of QUEST were significantly improved after mPBMC and placebo infusion, without significant differences between mPBMC and placebo groups. A month after G-CSF, all subdomain and total scores of QUEST were improved. The level of MACS remained unchanged in both mPBMC and placebo groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, intravenously infused mPBMC showed no significant effect on upper extremity function in children with CP, as compared to placebo. The effect of mPBMC was likely masked by the effect of G-CSF, which was used in both groups and/or G-CSF itself might have other neurotrophic potentials in children with CP.
Cerebral Palsy* ; Child* ; Classification ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous* ; Male ; Masks ; Parents ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Upper Extremity*