Monascus pilosus-fermented black soybean inhibits lipid accumulation in adipocytes and in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the anti-obesity effects and the mechanism of action of Monascus pilosus(M. pilosus)-fermented black soybean (MFBS) extracts (MFBSE) and MFBS powders (MFBSP) in adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice, respectively.@*METHODS@#Black soybean was fermented with M. pilosus, and the main constituents in MFBS were analyzed by HPLC analysis. In vitro, MFBSE were examined for anti-adipogenic effects using Oil-Red O staining. In vivo, mice were fed a normal-fat diet (NFD) control, HFD control or HFD containing 1 g/kg MFBSP for 12 weeks, and then body weight gain and tissues weight measured. Real-time PCR and western blot assay were used to determine the mechanism of anti-adipogenic effects.@*RESULTS@#MFBSE inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without exerting cell cytotoxicity. MFBSP treatment in HFD-fed mice significantly decreased the body weight gain compared with the HFD control mice. MFBSE and MFBSP treatment resulted in significantly lower mRNA levels of adipogenesis-related genes, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPAR γ), fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), and fatty acid synthase (FAS), in adipocytes and in white adipose tissue (WAT) of HFD-induced obese mice.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These results suggest that the anti-obesity effects of MFBS are elicited by regulating the expression of adipogenesis-related genes in adipocytes and WAT of HFD-induced obese mice.

Monascus pilosus-fermented black soybean inhibits lipid accumulation in adipocytes and in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Objective: To explore the anti-obesity effects and the mechanism of action of Monascus pilosus(M. pilosus)-fermented black soybean (MFBS) extracts (MFBSE) and MFBS powders (MFBSP) in adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice, respectively. Methods: Black soybean was fermented with M. pilosus, and the main constituents in MFBS were analyzed by HPLC analysis. In vitro, MFBSE were examined for anti-adipogenic effects using Oil-Red O staining. In vivo, mice were fed a normal-fat diet (NFD) control, HFD control or HFD containing 1 g/kg MFBSP for 12 weeks, and then body weight gain and tissues weight measured. Real-time PCR and western blot assay were used to determine the mechanism of anti-adipogenic effects. Results: MFBSE inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without exerting cell cytotoxicity. MFBSP treatment in HFD-fed mice significantly decreased the body weight gain compared with the HFD control mice. MFBSE and MFBSP treatment resulted in significantly lower mRNA levels of adipogenesis-related genes, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPAR γ), fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), and fatty acid synthase (FAS), in adipocytes and in white adipose tissue (WAT) of HFD-induced obese mice. Conclusions: These results suggest that the anti-obesity effects of MFBS are elicited by regulating the expression of adipogenesis-related genes in adipocytes and WAT of HFD-induced obese mice.

The Effect on Age, Body Weight, Height, Body Mass Index and Smoking to Coagulation Factor VII, VIII and Fibrinogen in Pilots

BACKGROUND: The pilots with cardiovascular events have a possibility for a risk of suffering from sudden incapacitation which is closely related to flying safety. The coagulation factors such as fibrinogen, factor VII, and factor VIII are possibly related to cardiovascular events. Several studies for general population have shown that an increase of those coagulation factors with age, a correlation of Factor VII and fibrinogen with BMI, and of fibrinogen with smoking. However, this study is to find out whether pilots' age, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and smoking are related to the baseline measurement of coagulation factor VII, factor VIII and fibrinogen. METHOD: Samples were taken from 21 pilots from Asiana Airlines: 11 smokers and 10 non-smokers. In order to measure the relationship between age, body weight, BMI, and the coagulation factors, Pearson correlation was used in this analysis. Independent two sampled t-test was used to analyze the correlation between smoking and the coagulation factors. RESULTS: Mean age, mean height, mean body weight and mean BMI of pilots were examined: 38 years, 171.81 cm, 70.67 Kg and 23.94 Kg/m(2). Mean fibrinogen, mean factor VII, and mean factor VIII were also obtained: 236.0 mg/dl, 92.93%, and 60.16%. The coagulation factor VII, factor VIII and fibrinogen were not significant related to age, body weight, BMI, smoking of pilots. CONCLUSION: This study has no correlation between age, body weight, BMI, smoking and the coagulation factors because the age of this study does not have pilots with over 60 years old and healthy behaviors (e.g., exercise, smoking, drinking, etc.) of most pilots are relatively well.

Difference of Hypoxia Tolerance with Reference to Sex

BACKGROUND: Time of useful consciousness is related with various factors including smoking, age, sex, drug, and temperature. It is still unclear whether acute hypoxia tolerance is different between male and female. METHOD: We included 32 healthy students (male, n=16; female, n=16) volunteered to participate in this study. The blood hemoglobin concentration was measured at a day before flight. With high altitude rapid decompression flight training chamber, flight to simulated altitude of 25,000 ft was performed after nitrogen extraction breath. At 25,000 ft, heart rate and arterial O2 saturation (SaO2) were measured by using pulse oximeter after taking off oxygen mask. We compared the duration from mask-off to the time at 60% SaO2 between male and female and correlated the time at 60% SaO2 with hemoglobin concentration. RESULTS: The duration from mask-off to SaO2 reaching 60% were significantly longer in the male group. There was a linear relationship between hemoglobin concentration and time at 60% SaO2. CONCLUSION: Acute hypoxia tolerance differs from the two sexes and the difference of hemoglobin concentration is one of possible causative factors of this difference.

Relationship between Body Weight and Pulmonary Function in Pilots from a Airlines: The Comparison of Data from 1996 with 2002

BACKGROUND: Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other disorders. Several studies have shown that excess weight or weight gain was related to the decline of pulmonary function. This study is to find out whether pilot's age, height, body weight, body mass index(BMI) and smoking are related to the baseline measurement of pulmonary function in order to promote the healthy behavior of pilots. METHOD: The analysis was based on data from the annual physical examination of pilots which was conducted in one airlines company of Korea. This study compared the data obtained from 73 pilots in 1996 with the data in 2002. Pulmonary function(forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and maximal mid expiratory flow (MMEF), peak expiratory flow (PEF)), age, height, body weight and body mass index were measured in both surveys. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to examine the relationship weight gain, smoking and pulmonary function. RESULTS: According to the data from 2002, mean age, mean height, mean body weight and mean BMI of pilots were examined: 47.62 years, 171.60 cm, 70.6 Kg and 24.03 Kg/m(2). Age was significantly related to FVC, FEV1 and MMEF. Height was significantly related to FVC and FEV1. However, body weight was significantly related to PEF and MMEF. The effect of smoking on pulmonary function was not significant. Pilots who gained body weight and BMI after 7 years were not related significantly to the pulmonary function. CONCLUSION: This study shows that age, height, weight are significantly related to pulmonary function. And other studies show that weight gain is significantly related to the decline of pulmonary function, but the relationship from this study is not significant because the number of sample is not enough and healthy behaviors of most pilots are relatively well.

The Relationship between Sick Leave and Pilot's Depression & Anxiety Tendency Using BDI & STAI

BACKGROUND: It is known that depression and anxiety tendency causes physical or social dysfunction. Nowadays, the air travel is increasing as the life condition has been improved so the health of pilots who are in charge of passengers become a very important issue. However, few studies have been done on this issue, especially the relationship between depression & anxiety and medical diseases among them. This study was performed to know the factors affection pilots' sick leave and the correlation between depression & anxiety and sick leave. METHODS: Self administered questionaires were obtained from 123 pilots of one of the airline companies at Seoul from 1st April to 30th may 2003. Depression tendency was measured based upon BDI, the level of anxiety was measured by the standardised STAI and obesity was diagnosed if a BMI is over 25 kg/m2. The data on the subjects' age, position, airlines and the days of sick leave were obtained from personal record. RESULTS: All the study subjects were male with the average age of 40.23+/-7.48 (ranging from 30 to 60). The average age for those who had sick leave was 34.58+/-3.50 and that for those who had not was 40.48+/-7.55 and these two average ages showed difference with statistical significance (P value 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the average age of sick leave group was lower than that of non-sick leave group (P<0.001). The level of depression and anxiety were not related to the sick leave. The reasons for this seems to be the fact that pilots are healthier than general population and also they pay more attention to their own health. The younger pilots tended to have more days of sick leave, which might be explain that the older pilots were more cautious about the disadvantages of having sick leave but, the younger pilots tend to have strong individualistic personalities.

Medical Guidelines for Airline Travel of Invalid Passengers

No abstract available.

The Health Promotion Behavior of Pilot and Ground Staff in A-Airlines

BACKGROUND: At present, there is close correlation between health status and lifestyle. Personal lifestyle has influence on health, disease, disorder and early death. Health promotion elements are nutrition, exercise, body weight, alcohol drinking, smoking, stress and so forth. These elements are important on physical and psychosocial well being. A good physical and psychosocial status can increase a personal ability of psychosocial activities. This study surveyed to assess healthy behaviors and to encourage pursuing more health promotion. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 91 pilots and 90 ground staffs in A-Airlines and the period of survey was from march, 2002 to June, 2002. This survey used Wilson's Fantastic Lifestyle Assessment and this assessment was designed to assess healthy behaviors. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire including 12 items (.relationship of family and friends, activity, nutrition, smoking, toxin, alcohol drinking, sleep, seatbelt, stress, personality, insight, career satisfaction). These data were analyzed statistically by t-test. RESULTS: Mean score of this assessment is 39.16 in pilot, 31.99 in ground staff. Pilot had better healthy behaviors than ground staff in the aspect of all 12 items. Especially, Pilot had better healthy behaviors than ground staff in the aspect of relationship of family and friends, activity, nutrition, smoking, alcohol drinking (drunken amount), sleep, stress, personality, insight, career satisfaction. There were statistically significance (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In comparing pilot and ground staff were significant difference except drug, seatbelt, frequency of drinking, which means that pilot had better healthy behaviors than ground staff. The result suggests that medical services supply pilots with more thorough and frequently periodic health education. In the future, the role of medical team needs to give a continuous health education of pilots and also, ground staff.

Correlation Between Total Cholesterol and Body Mass Index, Waist-Hip Ratio of Flight Attendants

BACKGROUND: Number of people who suffer from obesity tends to increase throughout the world. The obesity may cause various illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, arteriosclerosis etc. However, obesity can be prevented by diet and weight control. This study is to find the relationship between severity of obesity and amount of blood cholesterol which is closely related to hypertension. There are two ways to indicate the severity of obesity; body mass index and waist hip ratio. Especially, the latter is favored for abdominal obesity. The goal of this study is to find out which method is more closely related to the serum total cholesterol. METHODS: From Oct. 1st 2000 to Sept. 30th 2001, the experiment is based on 585 people who are flight attendants in the A airline company. This study measured body mass index, waist hip ratio and serum total cholesterol against sex, age, height, and weight. We analyzed the data by t-test, analysis of covariance, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression analysis. As a result, we will study the correlation between serum total cholesterol and age, sex, height, and weight by defining the serum total cholesterol as a dependent variable and any other variables that affect changes in the serum total cholesterol as independent variables. RESULTS: The 585 flight attendants (78 male and 507 female)were statistically analyzed. The average serum total cholesterol (ASTC) was significantly higher for male; ASTC of male was 175.67+/-30.23 and that of female was 166.37+/-25.57 (P=.011). ASTC was peak at the age group of 30s for male (177.97+/-30.54 , P=.0443), but female did not have much difference between the age group of 20s and that of 30s (166.33+/-24.54, 166.34+/-29.26, P=0.880). As a result from analyzing the relationship among the variables. ASTC and waist hip ratio were positively related for both male and female. Moreover, body mass index and waist hip ratio were also positively related for both genders. However, the relationship between ASTC and waist hip ratio for male was more closely related than for female (P=.033). CONCLUSION: Age, body mass index and waist hip ratio are positively related for both genders. Therefore, an appropriate exercise and a diet control for ages are necessary as getting older in order to prevent disease caused by obesity. Besides, serum total cholesterol for male was higher for 30s than 20s. Thus, especially, male within the age group of 30s should be alert to the obesity carefully with performing exercise regularly and diet control by lowering the intake of fat and alcohol.

Relationship between Low Back Pain and Physical Characteristics in Flight Attendants

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is known to be the significant reason for absenteeism and can develop long-term disability. So the airline authorities have made an effort to reduce the incidence of LBP by applying their physical standards. As a LBP Prevention Program, Airline A has provided health education, counseling and physical examinations. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between LBP and physical characteristics, age and work duration, and this result will provide basic information for improving the LBP Prevention Program. METHOD: The subjects were the 585 flight attendants who had undergone regular physical check-ups with Airline A Medical Center from October 2000 to September 2001. We reviewed their absence records and physical characteristics, age and work duration. These data were analyzed statistically by the t-test and Lositic regression. RESULT: The LBP history group accounted for 18% of the study group. The male LBP history group had the more thin waist than the no history group. There were no differences (P<0.05) between LBP and other male and female physical characteristics. The age and work duration of male LBP history group was lower than the no history group (P<0.05). But the female comparison revealed that only the work experience in the LBP history group was lower than the No history group (P<0.05). Waist, age, work duration was analyzed statistically by logistic regression. Only female's work experience was significant. The fewer work experience was the more LBP. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest LBP is associated with work experience rather than physical characteristics. This is the first step toward improving a LBP Prevention Program for the cabin crew. It will be useful to conduct another review to assess various other reasons, such as psychosocial job factors, duration of work disability and muscle strength, related to LBP.

The Effect of Long Distance Air-travel on Serum Viscosity and Prothrombin Time

BACKGROUND: Economy class syndrome is medically described as deep vein thrombosis, it is worldwide issued that Long-Distance Air-Travel is a risk factor for venous thromboemborism. Some study provides evidence and theoretical explanations for the hypothesis that long-distance is a risk factor for venous thromboembolism. The purpose of this study is to provide the useful prevention of venous thromboembolism for long-distance travelers in comparison to the effect of long distance air-travel on serum viscosity and prothrombin time between flight level and ground level. METHODS: Subjects selected healthy volunteers that had no abnormal findings in evaluation (alpha2-plasmin inhibitor, plasminogen, anti-thrombin III, protein C, protein S) for hypercoagulability. 5subjects (1 male, 4 females) had a seat on economy class of ground training facility designed for flight attendant and their activities limited as possible during about 8 hours at Sep. 16, 2001. Also, 5 subjects had a seat on the economy class of Asiana Airlines (B-777) from Sydney in Australia to Seoul in Korea at Mar. 3, 2002. In the flight, Actual flight altitude was 31,000 feet, cabin altitude was 4,800 feet and cabin temperature was 25degrees C. We have investigated the serum viscosity used by viscometer and prothrombin time. These data were analyzed statistically by General linear model (spsswin ver. 10.0). RESULTS: The results showed that there were no differcence between Flight Group and Ground Group statistically. However, the serum viscosity of flight group by position was some higher than ground group but these defference was not statistically significance (P=0.419). Also, the serum viscosity of flight group by time had a decreased trend but these trend was not statistically significance (P=0.061). The prothrombin time of flight group by position was some lower than ground group but these defference was not statistically significance (P=0.472). Also, the prothrombin time of ground group by time had a decreased trend but these trend was not statistically significance (P=0.217). CONCLUSION: This study shows the prediction to venous thrombosis more closely relates to prothrombin time than serum viscosity under immobilization to healthy people on the ground environment. Exercise is more useful method than hydration to prevent venous thrombosis on the ground environment. In the flight environment, we think that hydration is also useful method to prevent venous thrombosis because of more dry environment inside flying aircraft. But, this study was decreased serum viscosity between samples according to time. I think serum viscosity can be reduced by vibration effect inside flying aircraft. Serum viscosity and prothrombin time between samples according to position were not statistically significant. I think that risk for the healthy people is poorly quantified and possibly overestimated that long-distance air-travel is a risk factor for venous thromboembolism.

Effect of Age and Flight time on the Audition of Pilots in Asiana Airlines

BACKGROUND: This is to evaluate the noisy environment, and to improve the hearing conservation program by analyzing the status of hearing loss and risk factors which cause hearing loss of Airlines pilots. METHODS: We reviewed Audiometric, Medical and Flying records of total 92 pilots under 55 years old . These subjects selected after excluding pilots with history of ear disease and ototoxic drug administration. The significance of the factors was analyzed by ANOVA and Regression test. RESULT: The mean age of pilots was 39.96 years old and the mean flight time was 5665.39 hours. The noise levels by aircrafts were mean 76.9dB and maximum 144.4dB in B737, mean 78.5dB and maximum 143.2dB in B747. The noise levels by headset were mean 72.1dB and maximum 144.1dB. The mean hearing threshold level was different with age groups. The older in age, the higher in the mean hearing threshold level at high frequency and left ear. It was increased the mean hearing threshold level (dB) at high frequency (4,000 Hz) by total flight time The effect on hearing threshold level at high frequency in left ear was statistically significant in total flight time (p=0.032). CONCLUSION: The noise level of aircrafts could cause noise-induced hearing loss in some pilots. Age and total flight time are within the range of possibility of hearing loss. The result of this study ascertained the possibility of hearing loss due to monaural-headsets on the left ear at 4,000 Hz. It is recommended that an effective hearing conservation program should be provided for the headset-wearing communication pilots.

Subtypes of Epstein - Barr Virus in Malignant Lymphoma in Korea / 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) exists in the human population in two genetic forms, usually referred to as type 1 and type 2 which have been defined on the basis of sequence divergence in the EBNA-2 and EBNA-3 family genes. In this study, we were intended to investigate whether the subtypes of EBV in malignant lymphoma in Korea were associated with specific disease entities and geographical distribution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopsy samples obtained from 18 Korean patients with malignant lymphoma including Hodgkin's disease(3 cases), B cell lymphoma(1 case), and NK/T cell lymphoma(14 cases) were analyzed to determine the subtype of EBV infected therein. DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embeded tissues by ordinary method and specific viral sequences were sought using the polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and Southern blot hybridization assay. Oligonucleotide primers used for examination of EBV strain type were derived from the EBNA-3B and EBNA-3C coding regions. As a control, four cases of reactive hyperplasia were analyzed. RESULTS: The two of four reactive hyperplasia cases were associated with type 1 and the rest of two cases with both types. Among the 18 cases with malignant lymphoma, thirteen cases(72%) had type 1, one(6%) had type 2, and four(22%) had dual infections with both types. In case of NK/T cell lymphoma(14 cases) occupying 78% of 18 biopsy samples, 86%(12 cases) were associated with type 1, 7%(1 case) with type 2, and 7%(1 case) with both types. In case of Hodgkin's disease, all of three cases had both types. B cell lymphoma taking only one case of twenty two cases was determined as type 1. CONCLUSION: These observations indicated that type 1 EBV was predominant in Korean patients with malignant lymphoma, especially NK/T cell lymphoma and showed high frequency of dual viral infections(22%) in Hodgkin's disease as well as in reactive hyperplasia.

Influence of weight gain to cardiovascular risk factors

BACKGROUND: The obese patients increased recently in Korea due to excessive energy intake and decreased physical activity. We are well known that obesity is associted with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, angina pectoris, hypertension, but not known to influence of weight gain to change in cardio-vascular risk factors. Once, the study of obesity are many but the study of influence of weight gain are small in Korea. This study investigated to influence of weight gain in cardio-vascular risk factors. METHODS: We gatherd case and control group among persons who has taken twice medical examination except disease person from October 1990 to October 1995 at SungAe General hospital. In our study, total 167 case, compare weight gain group(>3kg) with control group to change in cardiovascular risk factor. RESULTS: Sex, age, smoking history, obesity index were not statistically significant difference between two group in the first medical examination. systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, HDL, total cholesterol/HDL were not statistically significant difference between two group for weight gain. Total cholesterol and triglyceride, LDL were stastistically significant increased. CONCLUSIONS: Weight gain was increased of total cholestrol and triglyceride, LDL, so weight control was important.

The housewives' feeding trends in an area of Seoul, Korea

No abstract available.