This study was conducted to investigate the anti-obesity effect of Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus After inducing obesity by feeding hight fat diet (diet induced obesity model: DIO) for four weeks, each 8 rats were assigned to normal (Nor), high fat diet (HF), high fat diet containing orlistat (PC), high fat diet containing different concentration of Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus (UPDM_L, UPDM_H) and Discorea Japonica Thunb. (UPD) extract. Although the UPD, UPDM_L (ultrafine pulverized Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus: 400 mg/kg) and UPDM_H (DIO oral administration ultrafine pulverized Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus: 800 mg/kg) showed weight gain inhibition effects, the results of poor obesity inhibition rather than PC were confirmed. However, it showed a more effective weight loss effect in UPDM_H than UPD, and significantly reduced the weight of epididymal fat and subcutaneous fat. Furthermore, the possibility of anti-obesity effects of Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus can be confirmed by observing the effects of reducing serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL concentrations, reducing ALT and AST levels, and inhibiting fat build-up in liver tissue. It is believed that Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus can be expected to utilize as a functional material that is important to improve anti-obesity and metabolic syndrome.

본 연구는 역삼투 해수담수화 플랜트의 실 데이터 분석을 통해 에너지 소모를 줄이는 방안을 제안한다. 이를 위해 10,000m3/d 이상의 플랜트를 대상으로 70여개의 데이터를 수집하고 분석하였다. 역삼투 해수담수화 플랜트의 에너지 소모는 에너지회수장치 발전으로 인해 크게 감소하였으나 각 요인에 따라 다른 값을 보였다. 에너지 소모는 유입수 수질에 영향을 받고, 높은 수질의 생산수를 얻기 위해선 더 많은 에너지가 소모됨을 확인하였다. 또한, 플랜트 규모가 커지면 에너지 소모가 줄어든다고 알려져 있으나 반드시 그런 것은 아니며, 역삼투시스템 운영 시 에너지 소모가 최소가 되는 회수율이 있음을 알아냈다. 마지막으로 에너지 소모와 관련된 요인을 정리하고 이를 바탕으로 저에너지 소모를 위한 3가지 방안을 제시한다.

This study was performed to investigate the body fat-lowering effect of garlic powder in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 α (PGC-1α)-luciferase transgenic mice (TG). In this study, we generated transgenic mice with a PGC-1α promoter (—970/+412 bp) containing luciferase as a reporter gene. Mice were fed a 45% high-fat diet for 8 weeks to induce obesity. Subsequently, mice were maintained on either a high-fat control diet (CON), or high-fat diets supplemented with 2% (GP2) or 5% (GP5) garlic powder for an additional 8 weeks. Dietary garlic powder reduced the body weight in the GP2 and GP5 groups, compared to the CON group. Furthermore, garlic supplementation significantly decreased the plasma levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and leptin in the GP5 group, compared to the CON group. Specifically, luciferase activity in liver, white adipose tissue (WAT), and brown adipose tissue (BAT) was increased by garlic supplementation in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the body fat-lowering effect of garlic powder might be related to PGC-1α by the increase in luciferase activity in liver, WAT, and BAT. Furthermore, transgenic mice might be useful for evaluating the body fat-lowering effect of various health functional foods.

Even though two-hands lifting/lowering activity of manual materials handling tasks are prevalent at the industrial site, many manual materials handling tasks which require the worker to perform one-hand lifting/lowering are also very common at the industrial site, forestry, farming, and daily life. The objective of this study was to compare one-hand lowering activity to lifting activity in terms of biomechanical stress for the range of lowering heights from knuckle height to 10cm above floor level with two workload 7.5kg and 15.0kg. Eight male subjects with LMM were asked to perform lifting/lowering tasks using both a one-handed (left-hand and right-hand) as well as a two-handed technique. Spinal loading was estimated through an EMG-assisted free-dynamic biomechanical model. The biomechanical stress of one-hand lowering activity was shown to be 43% lower than that of one-hand lifting activity. It was claimed that the biomechanical stress for one-hand lifting/lowering activity is almost twice (194%) of the one for two-hands lifting/lowering activity. It was also found that biomechanical stress by one-hand lowering/lifting activity with the half workload of two-hands lowering/lifting activity was greater than that of the two-hands lowering/lifting activity. Therefore, it might be a risk to consider the RWL of one-hand lowering/lifting activity to simply be a half of the RWL of two-hands lowering/lifting activity recommended by NIOSH.

This study was carried out to determine the action mechanism of sulfur-grain larvae extract (SGE) on anti-obesity and the reduction of blood lipid level in high-fat diet induced obese model animals. Animals were classified into a normal diet group (NC, normal control), HFD (high-fat diet without SGE), HFD 15 (high-fat diet + oral administration of 15 mg of SGE extract per 100 g body weight) and HFD 30 (high-fat diet + oral administration of 30 mg of SGE extract per 100 g body weight). The body weight gain declined in HFD 15 and HFD 30 groups compared with the HFD group, even though the diet intake increased significantly. The weight of liver and adipose tissue increased significantly in HFD group compared with in the HFD 15 and HFD 30 groups. Triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C and AI decreased in HFD 15 and HFD 30 groups compared with in the HFD group, but the contents of HDL-C increased significantly. Expression of SREPB-1α, SREPB-2 mRNA in the liver was lower in the high-fat diet group compared with the HFD group, but the expression of LPL mRNA in adipose tissue and PPARα increased significantly. Fat accumulation in the liver tissues and liver damage were greatly reduced in HFD 15 and HFD 30 groups compared with in the HFD group. The size of adipocytes became smaller in the HFD 15 and HFD 30 groups compared with HFD group. In conclusion, this research discovered for the first time that grain maggot has anti-obesity effects, by reducing the abdominal fat of obese model animals and lowering blood lipid level through the down-regulation of PPAR-1α and SREPB-2 mRNA and the up-regulation of PPAR-α mRNA.

Conductive polymer composites (CPCs) consist of a polymeric matrix and a conductive fil-er, for example, carbon black, carbon fibers,graphite or carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The criti-cal amount of the electrically conductive fillernecessary to build up a continuous conductive network, and accordingly, to make the material conductive; is referred to as the percolation threshold. From technical and economical viewpoints, it is desirable to decrease the conduc-tive-fillerpercolation-threshold as much as possible. In this study, we investigated the effect of polymer/conductive-fillerinteractions, as well as the processing and morphological devel-opment of low-percolation-threshold (Φc) conductive-polymer composites. The aim of the study was to produce conductive composites containing less multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) than required for pure polypropylene (PP) through two approaches: one using various mix-ing methods and the other using immiscible polymer blends. Variants of the conductive PP composite filledwith MWCNT was prepared by dry mixing, melt mixing, mechanofusion, and compression molding. The percolation threshold (Φc) of the MWCNT-PP composites was most successfully lowered using the mechanofusion process than with any other mixing method (2-5 wt%). The mechanofusion process was found to enhance formation of a perco-lation network structure, and to ensure a more uniform state of dispersion in the CPCs. The immiscible-polymer blends were prepared by melt mixing (internal mixer) poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVD, PP/PVDF, volume ratio 1:1) filled with MWCN.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Takju lees hot water extracts on the blood pressure in spontaneously hypertension rats (SHR). Twenty eight male SHR were grouped by their blood pressure and fed a control diet or experimental diets containing 1% (G1), 2% (G2), or 4% (G4) Takju lees extracts for 4 weeks. Food intake was not significantly different among the groups. However, body weight gain was significantly lower in groups fed the Takju lees extract than the control group. The systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the Takju lees extract containing groups (especially in G4 group) than the control groups. In addition, mean blood pressure {(systolic+dyastolic)/2} decreased with an increase in the amount of Takju lees extract in the diet and feeding period. Takju lees extract decreased angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) activity in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the Takju lees extract exert an antihypertensive effect by decreasing ACE activity.

To reduce winging scapula, various exercise protocols have been widely used by clinicians. Selective serratus anterior strengthening, and restoring balanced function, are especially recommended to reduce winging scapula. The purpose of this study was to investigate visual biofeedback using a real time video camera display system for monitoring scapular winging during arm lowering. For this study, 13 males with winging scapular were recruited during arm lowering. Electromyography (EMG) activity was recorded from the serratus anterior (SA) and upper trapezius (UT) of the right side and compared with normal EMG activity using a paired t-test. The study showed, through visual biofeedback, that EMG activity significantly increased in the SA and significantly decreased in the UT (p<.05). These results suggest that visual biofeedback can be recommended as an effective method for scapular eccentric control, to prevent scapular winging during arm lowering.

To improve abdominal muscles strengthening, double straight leg lowering (DSLL) has been widely used in physical therapy, fitness program, and athletic program. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the lumbar stabilization maneuver with a pressure biofeedback unit on the muscle activity of rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) during DSLL. Fourteen healthy young men were recruited from university population. The electromyography (EMG) activity was recorded from the RA, EO, and IO of both sides. The normalized EMG activity was compared using a paired t-test. The study showed that EMG activity in the RA, EO, and IO was significantly higher during DSLL with lumbar stabilization (DSLL-LS) compared to performed DSLL (p<.05). These results suggest that DSLL-LS is recommended as an effective method for strengthening exercise for the abdominal muscles.

The purposes of this study were to examine the effect of two different pelvic alignments and the Valsalva maneuver on electromyographic (EMG) activity of the erector spinae during squat lifting and lowering, and to find an efficient method for squat lifting and lowering. Twenty hea1thy men in their twenties lifted and lowered loads using four different methods: 1) anterior pelvic tilt position with the Valsalva maneuver, 2) anterior pelvic tilt position without the Valsalva maneuver, 3) posterior pelvic tilt with the Valsalva maneuver, 4) posterior pelvic tilt without the Valsalva maneuver. The EMG activity of erector spinae was recorded during both lifting and lowering with each method. The EMG activity of each individual was normalized to EMG activity produced by muscle during maximal voluntary contraction. Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures () was used to analyze the effect of the two factors: 1) pelvic tilt position (anterior pelvic tilt, posterior pelvic tilt), 2) the Valsalva maneuver (with and without). Analysis was performed separately for the lifting and lowering. The results were as follows: 1) EMG activity of erector spinae was greater when the pelvis was tilted anteriorly than when the pelvis was tilted posteriorly during squat lifting and squat lowering. 2) There was no difference between EMG activity of erector spinae with the Valsalva maneuver and EMG activity of erector spinae without the Valsalva maneuver during squat lifting and squat lowering. These results suggest that the greater EMG activity of erector spinae with an anterior pelvic tilt position during squat lifting and squat lowering may ensure optimal muscular support for the spine while handling loads, but the Valsalva maneuver may have less effect on erector spinae.

The effects of dietary magnesium, calcium on the serum cholesterol concentration in rabbit was studied for a period of 21 days using isocalorids and isonitrogenous basal diet. It is investigated that the serum cholesterol level lowering by feeding with calcium, magnesium, sesame oil and perilla oil, did not appeared but perilla oil and magnesium feeding group appeared a little bit lowering. There was no effect for the total protein, but there was some sort of effect for albumin and globulin. Particulary, alpa-globulin was increased by calcium, magnesium, sesame oil and perilla oil feeding groups. The esterified cholesterol was increased at the magnesium and perilla oil diet group. It is also, investigate that there is almost no effect for the electrolytes concentration and transport phenomena in the cell through magnesium, calcium, sesame oil and perilla oil diet groups.

백쥐의 사료(飼料)에 석이버섯의 수용성(水溶性) 및 EtOH 추출물(抽出物)을 지(知)하여 지질대사(脂質代謝) 및 cholesterol대사(代謝)에 미치는 영향을 검토(檢討)한 결과(缺課), 다음과 같은 결론(結論)을 얻었다. (1) 간희(肝曦) 및 혈(血) cholesterol 저하작용(低下作用)에 관해서는 수용성(水溶性) 추출물(抽出物)이나 EtOH 추출물(抽出物)이 동시(同時)에 유핵(有劾)하다는 결과(結果)를 얻었다. 그리고 EtOH 추출물(抽出物)이 수용성(水溶性) 추출물(抽出物)보다 약간 높은 경향을 보였다. (2) 이 cholesterol 저하작용(低下作用)에 관여하는 유핵성출(有劾性物)은 물이나 EtOH의 추출(抽出)에 따라서 어느 쪽의 추출액으로도 이행(移行)되는 성질(性質)을 가지고 있다고 추정(推定)된다.

We selected lactic acid bacteria to reduce cholesterol levels in vitro and in vivo. Among the 140 strains tested, a strain ID9201 was shown to reduce cholesterol in the spent medium over 30% and to increase cholesterol in cell pellet. A strain ID9201 isolated from breast milk-fed Korean infant feces was identified as Enterococcus faecium on the basis of morphological analysis, biochemical analysis (API kit), and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. A freeze-dried powder of the strain was fed to Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats with high cholesterol diet for 6 wk. In the control group fed cholesterol enriched diet without probiotics, the serum cholesterol increased by 1.9 times in comparison with the initial value. Among the test group, ID9201 group showed the lowest cholesterol increase, 1.5 times of initial serum cholesterol, as in the blank group fed normal diet without probiotics. Based on these data, we assumed that ID9201 inhibited intestinal absorption of dietary cholesterol.

The cholesterol lowering effect of vegetables fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum HY7712 was evaluated in rats fed high fat/high cholesterol diet. SD Rats were randomly divided into three groups, then fed a normal diet (ND), a highfat high-cholesterol diet (HFCD), or HFCD and vegetables fermented by HY7712 (VFLAB) for 5 weeks, and the biomarkers in the blood, liver, and feces of rats were measured. Antioxidant status such as SOD, CAT, GSH/GSSG, and MDA was significantly deteriorated in HFCD compared with ND (p<0.01) but was improved in VFLAB to the level of ND. In addition, the level of MDA in VFLAB was significantly decreased in comparison with HFCD (p<0.05). Total cholesterol, LDLcholesterol, and atherogenic index (AI) were significantly increased in HFCD, but significantly decreased in VFLAB (p<0.05). In addition, administration of a HFCD diet increased the fecal bile acid in rats and the concentration of fecal bile acid was higher in VFLAB than in HFCD. In conclusion, the vegetables fermented by L. plantarum HY7712 improved antioxidant status and hypercholesterolemia induced by HFCD diet, which may be due to the synergic effect of lactic acid bacteria and fermented vegetables.

This study was investigate the influences of wild haw (Crataegus pinnatifida BUNGE) on lowering blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations in dyslipidemic rats. Four groups of rats were fed different diets for 5 weeks: basal diet (BD group), nondyslipidemic diet+feral haw extract (NDF group), dyslipidemic diet (DLD group), dyslipidemic diet+feral haw extract (DFH group). BUN, creatinine and uric acid concentrations were significantly higher in the DLD group than in the BD group. However, DFH group significantly lowered BUN, creatinine and uric acid concentrations compared to the DLD group. Amylase activity was significantly lower in the DLD group than in the BD group, while DFH group significantly higher compared to the DLD group. Lipase activity was also also significantly lower in the DLD group than the other group. Accordingly, these results suggest that haw extract could be effective for improving kidney function in dyslipidemic rats.