We determined the effects of dietary manipulations on messenger RNA of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor isoforms (i.e., PPAR alpha, beta/delta, gamma)in red vastus lateralis muscle of rats. Total 16 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used, and animals were divided into one of two dietary conditions :either chow diet group (CHOW ;n =8 )in which animals were fed with standard rodent chow (61.8% carbohydrate, 15.7% fat, 22.5% protein )or high fat diet group (FAT n =8 ) in which animals were fed 24.3% carbohydrate, 52.8% fat, 22.9% protein. At the end of the 8 weeks of experimental pe-riod, red vastus lateralis muscle was dissected out from all animals, and PPAR alpha, beta/delta, gamma mRNA expression was deter-mined. There was no significant difference in body mass (BM )between CHOW and FAT. As expected, blood glucose and free fatty acid (FFA )concentration was higher in FAT than CHOW (p <0.05 ), and lactate concentration was significan-tly lower in FAT compared to CHOW (p <0.05 ). Insulin concentration tended to higher in FAT than CHOW (67.2 +/- 21.9 vs. 27.0 +/-5.2 pmol/L ), but it did not reach to the statistical significance. Gene expression of PPAR alpha was not signifi-cantly different between CHOW and FAT. It was not also significantly different in PPAR beta/delta. Interestingly, expression of mRNA in PPAR gamma however, was markedly depressed in FAT compared to CHOW (approximately 3 fold higher in CHOW ; p <0.05 ). Results obtained from present study implies that PPAR gamma (as compensatory function of PPAR alpha is expressed ) possibly exerts another major tuning roles in fatty acid transport, utilization, as well as biosynthesis in skeletal muscle cells. The situations and conditions that can be postulated for this implication need to be further examined.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Insulin ; Lactic Acid ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors ; Peroxisome Proliferators ; Peroxisomes* ; PPAR alpha ; PPAR gamma ; Protein Isoforms* ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger* ; Rodentia

Recent studies have suggested an association of genetic and neurodevelopmental factors with development of paraphilia. In this case report on monozygotic twins with pedophilia, we aim to offer additional evidence indicating that genetic vulnerability may be a significant risk factor along with environmental influences on development of pedophilia. These twin pairs, who have been arrested for sexual offenses against boys, had experienced emotional and physical abuse during their childhood, and the older twin brother is reported to have a history of sexual abuse. Both showed homosexual tendencies, and the younger twin brother was also diagnosed as exhibitionism. This case implies greater involvement of genetic factors and associated vulnerabilities in the etiology of paraphilia, including pedophilia, than environmental factors such as childhood abuse. In the future, conduct of research will be needed in order to determine the biological markers related to the etiology of pedophilia.
Biomarkers ; Exhibitionism ; Homosexuality ; Humans ; Paraphilic Disorders ; Pedophilia* ; Risk Factors ; Sex Offenses ; Siblings ; Twins, Monozygotic*

Systemic corticosteroid arrests the progression of vitiligo and leads to repigmentation, but it may produce side effects. It has been reported that the maximum effect for corticosteroid can be achieved without major side effects when it is used at high doses over a short period of time. Recently, narrowband UVB has been used to treat vitiligo. However, there have been no reports on the effectiveness for a combined treatment with narrowband UVB and systemic corticosteroid. We encountered 2 cases of vitiligo patients who had rapid and effective repigmentation after combination therapy with high dose methylprednisolone and narrowband UVB. Intravenous high dose (25 mg/kg) of methylprednisolone for 3 days was followed by narrowband UVB once or twice weekly. After 2 months, rapid improvements were seen in both patients with >75% repigmentation. Combination treatment with high dose methylprednisolone therapy and narrowband UVB may be an effective therapeutic option for vitiligo.
Humans ; Methylprednisolone ; Vitiligo

The purpose of this study was to investigate that the effect of dietary fatty acid composition on pro- and macro-glycogen utilization and resynthesis. The analyses were further extended for different muscle fibers (type I, type II, & type IIb ) as well as tissues (i.e., liver & heart ). Total one hundred sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were used, and rats were randomly allocated into four experimental groups :animals fed standard chow diet (n =40 ), animals fed saturated fatty acid diet (n =40 ), animals fed monounsaturated fatty acid (n =40 ), and animals fed polyunsaturated fatty acid (n =40 ). Animals in each groups were further divided into five subgroups :sacrificed at REST (n =8 ), sacrificed at immediately after 3 hr swim exercise (P-0HR, n =8 ), sacrificed at one hour after 3 hr swim exercise (P-1HR, n =8 ), sacrificed at four hour after 3 hr swim exercise (P-4HR, n =8 ), and sacrificed at twenty-four hour after 3 hr swim exercise (P-24HR, n =8 ). Soleus (type I ), red gastrocnemius (type IIa ), white gastrocnemius (type IIb ), liver, and heart were dissected out at appropriated time point from all animals, and were used for analyses of pro- & macro-glycogen concentrations. After 8 weeks of dietary interventions, there was no significant difference in body mass in any of dietary conditions (p >.05 ). After 3 hr swim exercise, blood lactate level was higher compared to resting conditions in all groups, but it was returned to resting value after 1 hr rest (p <.05 ). Free fatty acid concentration was higher in all high fat fed groups (regardless of fatty acid composition )than CHOW consumed group. At rest, pro- & macro-glycogen concentration was not different from any of experimental groups (p >.05 ). Regardless of forms of glycogen, the highest level was observed in liver (p <.01 ), and most cases of supercompensation after 3hr exercise observed in this study were occurred in CHOW fed tissues. Except heart muscle, all tissues used in this study showed that pro- and macro-glycogen concentration was significantly decreased after 3 hr exercise. Based on these results, two conclusions were made :first, there is no different level of glycogen content in various tissues regardless of types of fatty acids consumed and second, the highest mobilization rate would be demon-strated from CHOW fed animals compare to animals that consumed any kinds of fatty acid diet if prolonged exercise is applied.
Animals ; Diet ; Fatty Acids ; Glycogen ; Heart ; Lactic Acid ; Liver ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Myocardium ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the personality characteristics in parricide offenders, by using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) test, which is commonly used in clinical medicine. METHODS: A total of 73 parricide offenders with schizophrenia who were admitted to National Forensic Hospital in Gongju city between September 2014 and February 2015, and 104 comparison schizophrenia patients who had been admitted to Dankook University Hospital in Cheonan city the same hospital, completed the Korean version of the MMPI. RESULTS: The parricide offender group showed significantly higher on L, F, Hs, Hy and Pd than the comparison group. The result of the regression analysis indicated that Pd and Si significantly increased the odd ratio of the sexual offender group by 2.77 times and 0.32 times, respectively (p=0.029 and p=0.023). The offenders of parricide may have developed the following characteristics: hypochondriasis, hysteria and psychopathic deviate. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the psychopatholgy in the offenders of parricide might be different, compared to the control group.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Clinical Medicine ; Criminals* ; Humans ; Hypochondriasis ; Hysteria ; Korea* ; Minnesota* ; MMPI* ; Psychopathology ; Schizophrenia*

BACKGROUND: Topical 5% minoxidil solution stimulates new hair growth and it helps stop the loss of hair on individuals with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). OBJECTIVE: We wanted to assess the efficacy and safety of topical 5% minoxidil solution for treating Korean men with AGA. METHODS: This was a 24-week, open label, clinical trial that was conducted at 14 university dermatologic centers nationwide throughout South Korea as a multicenter study of the Korean Hair Research Society. The eligible subjects for this study were 18- to 65 year-old men with androgenetic alopecia, as defined by the Norwood scale as type III vertex, IV and IVA. A total of 175 men (20~62 years old) with AGA applied topical 5% minoxidil solution twice daily. Efficacy was evaluated by 1) the total hair count per 1 cm2 and 2) the mean hair diameter and 3) the patient assessment and 4) the investigator assessment of the change in scalp coverage and the benefit of treatment. RESULTS: At week 24 as compared with baseline, there was a statistically significant increase in the total hair counts and the mean hair diameter (p<.0001). Topical 5% minoxidil solution helped improve the investigator and patient assessments. The topical 5% minoxidil solution was well tolerated over a 24-week period. CONCLUSION: We believe that topical 5% minoxidil solution is a safe and effective drug for Korean men with AGA.
Alopecia ; Hair ; Humans ; Male ; Minoxidil ; Republic of Korea ; Research Personnel ; Scalp