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: To investigate the changes of the intramuscular temperature on buttock according to the application methods of cold jet-stream and to find the more effective method which reduces the intramuscular temperature. METHOD: Twenty eight healthy volunteers were examined. Cold-jet stream (CS) was applied on buttock (5 cm below of iliac crest, surface of gluteus medius muscle). We measured the time that skin temperature fall from room temperature to 10 degrees C (first period), the time rewarmed from 10 degrees C to 20 degrees C (second period), the time fall again to 10 degrees C (third period) and the time rewarmed again to 20 degrees C (fourth period). Cold-jet stream with infrared combination (CSIC) therapy was performed with the same method. RESULTS: At the first and third cooling periods, It took longer in CSIC group than CS group to decrease skin temperature. At fourth period, It took longer in CSIC group than CS group to rewarm skin. In CS and CSIC groups, fourth period is longer than second period. CONCLUSION: It took longer in CSIC method than CS only to decrease skin temperature to 10degrees C. Rewarming speed of skin temperature was slower twice cold-jet stream applies than once. Rewarming speed of skin temperature was slower at old-jet stream and infrared combination therapy than cold-jet only.
Buttocks* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Rewarming ; Rivers* ; Skin Temperature* ; Skin*

Three-types of expandable metallic stents were constructed to evaluate the differences between the stents : one, formed in a cylindrical zigzag pattern with stainless steel wire (Gianturco stent), another, made by coating the Gianturco stent with silicone rubber(Silicone stent), the third, made by coating the Gianturco stent with 24 carat gold(God stent) for tissue acceptance. A total of 69 stents(each 23 stents of Glanturco, Silicone, and Gold stents) of 8-12 mm in diameter and 20 mm long were placed into normal abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava and iliac artery of nine adult dogs for 2 weeks to 11 months. It was more difficult to introcuce Silicone stent into an introducing sheath than Gianturco or Gold stent due to the thickness of silicone rubber, Four Gianturco stents and three Silicone stents showed migration but Gold stent did not. Luminal narrowing or occlusion was noted in 3 Silicone stents, in 2 Gianturco stents, and in 1 Gold stent. Neointimal proliferation over the stent wires was more rapid and even in God stent than Silicone or Gianturco stent. Although further study is needed, Gold stent seems to be better than Gianturco or Silicone stent as an endovascular graft material.
Adult ; Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Dogs* ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Phenobarbital ; Silicon ; Silicone Elastomers ; Silicones ; Stainless Steel ; Stents* ; Transplants ; Vena Cava, Inferior

Objectives: The prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders of upper extremities mons watch assembly workers in small-scaled industry was studied. Methods: In 83 workers at five watch assembly factories, symptoms and psychosocial questionnaire, ergonomic Interview, physical examination were conducted. Results: Prevalence of self-reported symptoms was 54.2% and neck 34.9%, wrist/hand 31.3%, shoulder 30.1%, elbow/arm 18.0% by anatomical site. Prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders was 45.8%. Most common disease was myofascial pain syndrome (31.3%). The other diseases were De Quervain disease (9.6%), tenosynovitis/tendinitis at wrist/hand (9.6%), bicipital tendinitis(6.0%), fat. epicondylitis(4.8%), meIn. epicondylitis(2.4%), and cervical disc disease(2.4%). As result of ergonomic interview, repetitiveness was 79(98.8%). There were no differences in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms and cumulative trauma disorders for age, sex, marital status, duration of work In the study, The significant factors of cumulative trauma disorders were occupational task and psychosocial stress in the study. The prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders in high strain group was hlgher (68.4%) than other three groups. The prevalence of self-reported symptoms and cumulative trauma disorders in assembly task was higher (70.0%, 64.0%) than other two tasks. Conclusions: Prevalence of self-reported symptoms was 54.2%, prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders was 45.8% in watch assembly workers. In this study, factor related to self-reported symptoms was occupational task and factors relaxed to cumulative trauma disorders were occupational task and psychosocial stress. This results suggest that differences of ergonomics and environment in occupational task cause differences of prevalence of self-reported symptoms and cumulatlve trauma disorders.
Cumulative Trauma Disorders* ; De Quervain Disease ; Human Engineering ; Marital Status ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes ; Neck ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence* ; Questionnaires ; Shoulder ; Upper Extremity*

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent cervical magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography angiography for preoperative ACDF evaluation. The segments were classified according to the presence of foraminal stenosis. The height, thickness, anteroposterior length, horizontal distance from the uncinate process to the VA, and vertical distance from the uncinate process baseline to the VA of the uncinate process were measured. The distance between the uncinate anterior margin and the resection trajectory (UAM-to-RT) was measured. Results: There were no VA injuries or root injuries among the 101 patients who underwent ACDF (163 segments, mean age of 56.3±12.2). Uncinate anteroposterior length was considerably longer in foramens with foraminal stenosis, whereas uncinate process height, thickness, and distance between the uncinate process and VA were not significantly associated with foraminal stenosis. There were no significant differences in radiographic parameters based on uncinate degeneration. The UAM-to-RT distances for adequate decompression were 1.6±1.4 mm (range, 0–4.8 mm), 3.4±1.7 mm (range, 0–7.1 mm), 4.0±1.7 mm (range, 0–9.0 mm), and 4.5±1.2 mm (range, 2.5–7.5 mm) for C3–C4, C4–C5, C5–C6, and C6–C7, respectively. Conclusions More than half of the uncinate process in the anteroposterior plane should be removed for adequate neural foramen decompression. Foraminal stenosis or uncinate degeneration did not alter the relative anatomy of the uncinate process and the VA and did not impact VA injury risk.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is an uncommon histologic variant of adenocarcinoma which usuallyy arises from the salivary, lacrimal, or other exocrine glands. Characteristics of adenoid cystic carcinoma are its potential fo extending long distance submucosally and for perineural invasion. It grows slowly and may have a prolongec course before diagnosis and after treatment. Recently, we have experienced 2 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma arising from main bronchus and trachea. One case was 58 years old female patient. Her symptoms were productive cough with dyspnea. She ha been history of shortness of breath, wheezing and cough during 4 years, which was initially diagnosed a bronchial asthma. The tumor was located on the left main stem bronchus which was obstructed the lumei nearly complete, by CT demonstration.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenoids* ; Asthma ; Bronchi* ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic* ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Exocrine Glands ; Female ; Humans ; Respiratory Sounds ; Trachea*

The purpose of this study was to measure the transmittance change of composites during light curing in real time according to different shades and thicknesses. An instrument using pulse width modulation-curing light was developed to measure the transmittance of composites in real time. A micro-hybrid composite, Filtek Z250, was used for %transmittance measurement with five different shades (A1, A2, A3, A3.5, A4) and 4 different thicknesses (0.16, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mm). The maximum value of d(%Transmittance)/dt and peak time were used to observe polymerization kinetics. Attenuation coefficient was also compared between pre and post cured specimens. The transmittance increased in all specimens after polymerization. A2 showed the highest and A1 showed the lowest transmittance in both pre and post curing. The transmittance change and maximum rate of change were highest in A2 and lowest in A3.5, and the peak time, which ranged in 3.10 to 4.07, was not significantly different among shades. As the specimen became thinner, both the transmittance and rate of change increased, and the peak time was maximum at 1.5 mm thickness. The absolute value of attenuation coefficient decreased after polymerization in all specimens. In conclusion, the transmittance of composite increased after polymerization. Each shade showed different transmittance value for both pre and post curing state, and thinner specimen showed higher transmittance value. Polymerization kinetics could also be observed through the rate of transmittance change over time.

The purpose of this study was to measure the transmittance change of composites during light curing in real time according to different shades and thicknesses. An instrument using pulse width modulation-curing light was developed to measure the transmittance of composites in real time. A micro-hybrid composite, Filtek Z250, was used for %transmittance measurement with five different shades (A1, A2, A3, A3.5, A4) and 4 different thicknesses (0.16, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mm). The maximum value of d(%Transmittance)/dt and peak time were used to observe polymerization kinetics. Attenuation coefficient was also compared between pre and post cured specimens. The transmittance increased in all specimens after polymerization. A2 showed the highest and A1 showed the lowest transmittance in both pre and post curing. The transmittance change and maximum rate of change were highest in A2 and lowest in A3.5, and the peak time, which ranged in 3.10 to 4.07, was not significantly different among shades. As the specimen became thinner, both the transmittance and rate of change increased, and the peak time was maximum at 1.5 mm thickness. The absolute value of attenuation coefficient decreased after polymerization in all specimens. In conclusion, the transmittance of composite increased after polymerization. Each shade showed different transmittance value for both pre and post curing state, and thinner specimen showed higher transmittance value. Polymerization kinetics could also be observed through the rate of transmittance change over time.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change in plantar skin temperature in normal subjects wearing five different kinds of insoles. METHOD: Twenty normal subjects were chosen and were made to walk on a treadmill for five 30-minute sessions wearing the same shoes, and wearing five different kinds of insoles (four types were endothermic insoles, but one type was a normal insole) respectively. Subjects sat on a chair for 10 minutes before and after walking. The plantar skin temperature was recorded on 4 sites (from channel 1 to 4) on each left insole. The plantar skin temperature was recorded every 10 seconds for a total of 50 minutes, with T-type Thermocouple(R). RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in the change of plantar skin temperature for each insole before, during and after walking. No statistical differences in subjective thermal sense and Borg Rating on perceived exertion scale for each insole before, during and after walking. Time in peak plantar temperature was 25.9~28.3 minutes (after subjects starts walking), wearing normal insole. CONCLUSION: There was no statistical difference in the change of plantar skin temperature for the five different kinds of insoles However, we found this method to be effective in examining plantar skin temperature during walking.
Foot ; Shoes* ; Skin Temperature ; Walking

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of ankle bracing (Aircast) on postural sway and limb load asymmetry (LLA) in normal adults. METHOD: 263 healthy subjects volunteered. These subjects were performed the balance test on three different conditions, 1st test fulfilled without ankle brace, 2nd test with aircast on one ankle and 3rd test with aircast on the other ankle. All subjects were divided into two groups; younger(<65 years) and older (> or = 65 years) group. Postural sway and body weight distribution were recorded while the subjects were standing on two adjacent force platforms during 30 seconds trial. All subjects chose a comfortable stance with feet apart and asked to look straight ahead at a fixed point in a quiet room. RESULTS: There were significant differences not only in LLA but also in postural sway between younger and older group. The difference of postural sway and LLA in older group was more prominent that in younger group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that ankle bracing improved postural sway irrespective of age. Moreover in older group, ankle bracing on one ankle that was in the absence of LLA improved postural sway by far.
Adult ; Ankle* ; Body Weight ; Braces* ; Extremities* ; Foot ; Humans