Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain disorder caused by nervous system lesions as a direct consequence of a lesion or by disease of the portions of the nervous system that normally signal pain. The spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model in rats that reflect some components of clinical pain have played a crucial role in the understanding of neuropathic pain. To investigate the direct effects of gabapentin on differential gene expression in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells of SNL model rats, we performed a differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis with random priming approach using annealing control primer. Genes encoding metallothionein 1a, transforming growth factor-beta1 and palmitoyl-protein thioesterase-2 were up-regulated in gabapentin-treated DRG cells of SNL model rats. The functional roles of these differentially expressed genes were previously suggested as neuroprotective genes. Further study of these genes is expected to reveal potential targets of gabapentin.
Animals ; Chronic Pain ; Diagnosis-Related Groups ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Gene Expression ; Ligation ; Metallothionein ; Nervous System ; Neuralgia* ; Rats* ; Spinal Nerve Roots* ; Spinal Nerves

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a very powerful instrument that can be used to analyze a wide range of materials such as proteins, peptides, DNA, drugs, and polymers. The process typically involves either chemical or electron (impact) ionization of the analyte. The resulting charged species or fragment is subsequently identified by the detector. Usually, single mass uses source-induced dissociation (SID), whereas mass/mass uses collision-induced dissociation (CID) to analyze the chemical fragmentations Each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages. While CID is most effective for the analysis of pure substances, multiple-step MS is a powerful technique to get structural data. Analysis of veterinary drugs ampicillin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, and oxytetracycline serves to highlight the slight differences between SID and CID. For example, minor differences were observed between ciprofloxacin and oxytetracycline via SID or CID. However, distinct fragmentation patterns were observed for ampicllin depending on the analysis method. Both SID and CID showed similar fragmentation spectra but different signal intensities for chloramphenicol. There are several factors that can influence the fragmentation spectra, such as the collision energy, major precursor ion, electrospray mode (positive or negative), and sample homogeneity. Therefore, one must select a fragmentation method on an empirical and case-by-case basis.
Ampicillin ; Chloramphenicol ; Ciprofloxacin ; Dissociative Disorders ; DNA ; Electrons ; Mass Spectrometry ; Oxytetracycline ; Peptides ; Polymers ; Proteins ; Sudden Infant Death ; Veterinary Drugs

To prepare measures for practical policy utilization and the control of heavy metals, hazard control related institutions by country, present states of control by country, and present states of control by heavy metals were examined. Hazard control cases by heavy metals in various countries were compared and analyzed. In certain countries (e.g., the U.S., the U.K., and Japan), hazardous substances found in foods (e.g., arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury) are controlled. In addition, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) recommends calculating the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of individual heavy metals instead of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) to compare their pollution levels considering their toxicity accumulated in the human body. In Korea, exposure assessments have been conducted, and in other countries, hazardous substances are controlled by various governing bodies. As such, in Korea and other countries, diverse food heavy metal monitoring and human body exposure assessments are conducted, and reducing measures are prepared accordingly. To reduce the danger of hazardous substances, many countries provide leaflets and guidelines, develop hazardous heavy metal intake recommendations, and take necessary actions. Hazard control case analyses can assist in securing consumer safety by establishing systematic and reliable hazard control methods.
Arsenic ; Cadmium ; Food Additives ; Hazardous Substances ; Human Body ; Joints ; Korea ; Metals, Heavy ; Risk Management ; Safety Management

The aim of this project was to use 3D scanning data collected at incident scenes and various evidence to 1) develop surveying methods based on 3D data consisting of overall and detailed scene evidence, captured by long-range and micros-canner, which can be shared by personnel working in different fields such as forensic medicine, video analysis, physical analysis, traffic engineering, and fire investigation; 2) create digital storage for human skeletons and set the foundation for virtual anthropology; and 3) improve the credibility of 3D evidence by virtual remodeling and simulation of incident scenes and evidence to provide a basis for advanced and high-tech scientific investigation. Two complete skeletons of male and female were scanned using 3D micro-scanner. Each bone was successfully reproduced and assembled in virtual space. In addition, recreating evidence scheduled for invasive examination by creating RP (rapid prototype) was possible. These outcomes could play an important role in setting up the new field of virtual anthropology. Case-specific surveying methods were developed through analysis of 3D scanning data collected by long-range surface scanners at the scenes of vehicular accidents, falls, shootings, and violent crimes. A technique and recording method was also developed for detecting forged seals by micro-scanning the pressure exerted on the seal. Appraisal methods developed in this project could be utilized to secure 3D data of human skeletal remains and incident scenes, create a standard for application, and increase objectivity, reproducibility, and accuracy of scanning methods. We plan to develop case-specific 3D data analysis techniques to improve the credibility of analysis at the NFS and to establish a 3D data collection and analysis team.
Crime ; Data Collection ; Female ; Fires ; Forensic Medicine ; Forensic Sciences ; Humans ; Male ; Skeleton ; Statistics as Topic

This study has attempted to establish an analysis method through validation against heavy metals in the body (Pb, Cd and Hg) using ICP-MS and Gold amalgamation and find out the relevance between heavy metal and Alzheimer's disease after analyzing the distribution of heavy metal concentration (Pb, Cd and Hg) and correlations between a control group and Alzheimer's disease group. In this study, Pb and Cd levels in the blood and serum were validation using ICP-MS. For analysis of Hg levels in the blood and serum, the gold amalgamation-based 'Direct Mercury Analyzer' has been used. According to an analysis on the heavy metal concentration (Pb, Cd and Hg concentration) in the blood, Cd concentration was high in the Alzheimer's disease group. In the serum, on the contrary, Pb and Hg were high in the Alzheimer's disease group. For analysis of correlations between heavy metal levels in the blood and serum and Alzheimer's disease, t-test has been performed. Even though correlations were observed between the blood lead levels and Alzheimer's disease, they were statistically insignificant because the concentration was higher in a control group. No significance was found in Cd and Hg. In the serum, on the other hand, no statistical significance was found between the heavy metal (Pb, Cd and Hg) and Alzheimer's disease. In this study, no statistical significance was observed between heavy metal and decrease in cognitive intelligence. However, it appears that a further study needs to be performed because the results of the conventional studies were inconsistent.
Alzheimer Disease ; Hand ; Intelligence ; Metals, Heavy

The aims of this study were to evaluate obesity-related dietary behaviors and to determine long-term exercise effects on obesity and blood lipid profiles in elderly Korean subjects. A total of 120 subjects, aged 60-75 yr, were recruited, and obesity-related dietary behaviors were determined. An exercise intervention was conducted with 35 qualified elderly females for 6 months, and body composition and blood lipids were measured 6 times at 4 week intervals. At baseline, mean BMI (kg/m2) was 24.8 for males and 23.1 for females. The females had better eating habits than the males and were more concerned with reading nutrition labels on food products (P < 0.001); they also preferred convenience foods less than the male subjects (P < 0.05). Obese individuals were more likely than overweight or normal weight individuals to misperceive their weight (P < 0.001). Those with a high BMI responded feeling more depressed (P < 0.01), lacking self-confidence (P < 0.01), and feeling isolated (P < 0.01), as well as having more difficulty doing outdoor activities (P < 0.01). After exercise, body fat (%) and WHR were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), while body weight and BMI were also decreased without statistical significance. Total cholesterol and blood HDL were significantly improved (207.1 mg/dl vs. 182.6 mg/dl, HDL: 45.6 mg/dl vs. 50.6 mg/dl, P < 0.05). Other benefits obtained from exercise were improvements in self-confidence (26.4%), movement (22.6%), stress-relief (18.9%), and depression (13.2%). In conclusion, elderly females had better eating habits and were more concerned with nutrition information and healthy diets compared to elderly males. However, misperceptions of weight and obesity-related stress tended to be very high in females who were overweight and obese, which can be a barrier to maintain normal weight. Long-term Danhak practice, a traditional Korean exercise, was effective at reducing body fat (%) and abdominal obesity, and improved lipid profiles, self-confidence, and stress.
Adipose Tissue ; Aged ; Body Composition ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Depression ; Diet ; Eating ; Fast Foods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Overweight

Stem cells can give rise to various cell types and are capable of regenerating themselves over multiple cell divisions. Pluripotency and self-renewal potential of stem cells have drawn vast interest from different disciplines, with studies on the molecular properties of stem cells being one example. Current investigations on the molecular basis of stem cells pluripotency and self-renewal entail traditional techniques from chemistry and molecular biology. In this mini review, we discuss progress in stem cell research that employs proteomics approaches. Specifically, we focus on studies on human stem cells from proteomics perspective. To our best knowledge, only the following types of human stem cells have been examined via proteomics analysis: human neuronal stem cells, human mesenchymal stem cells, and human embryonic stem cells. Protein expression serves as biomarkers of stem cells and identification and expression level of such biomarkers are usually determined using two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled mass spectrometry or non-gel based mass spectrometry.
*Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Genetic Techniques ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry/*methods ; Neurons/*cytology/physiology ; Proteomics/*methods ; Stem Cells/*metabolism

Facial Expression ; Humans ; Lip ; Microstomia ; Mouth ; Surgery, Oral

The present study was carried out to investigate morphological characteristics of pseudosclerotia of Grifola umbellata formed by artificial cultures. Isolate G. umbellata DUM GUS-01 was obtained from sclerotium cultivated in field. The fungal isolate was cultured on PDYM broth, PDYMA(potato dextrose yeast malt agar) and oak sawdust media at 20degrees C under the dark condition. G. umbellata DUM GUS-01 showed a volumetric increment of fungal lumps rather than mycelial growth. Particularly, G. umbellata DUM GUS-01 produced a large amount of melanin pigments in all culture treatments. The color of the fungal mass has been changed into grey gradually, and then formed melanized rind-like structure on its superficial part. The fungal structures which were covered with melanized rind-like layer were named as pseudosclerotia of G. umbellata. The pseudosclerotia of G. umbellata DUM GUS-01 formed a new white mycelial mass, which was swollen out of the melanized rind structure for its volumetric increment. When the pseudosclerotia were sectioned, their structure was discriminated from two structures such as a melanized rind-like structure layer formed by aggregation of aged mycelia and a white mycelial mass with high density. As results of scanning electron microscopic examination, the pseudosclerotia of G. umbellata DUM GUS-01 which were formed in in vitro conditions were similar to the sclerotia of G. umbellata cultivated in natural conditions except for the crystals formed in medula layer of natural sclerotia. Although size, solidity of rind structure and mycelial compactness of pseudosclerotia were more poor than those of natural sclerotia, the morphological structure and growth pattern of pseudosclerotia were very similar to those of natural sclerotia. Therefore, it is probable to induce pseudosclerotia to sclerotia of G. umbellata in in vitro conditions. Consequently, it seems that the induced pseudosclerotia can be used as inoculum sources to substitute natural sclerotia in field cultivation.
Fungal Structures ; Glucose ; Grifola* ; Melanins ; Yeasts

Six strains of Sparassis crispa such as S. crispa DUM-01, DUM-02, DUM-03, DUM-04, DUM-05, and DUM-06 were tested for their mycelial growth on 6 different kinds of sawdust media and primordial formation on 10 different compositions of larch sawdust media. The highest mycelial growth was recorded on the larch sawdust. Of the 6 strains of S. crispa, S. crispa DUM-04 recorded the favorable formation of primordia. The primordial formation of S. crispa DUM-04 was more favorable on L-3 medium than 9 kinds of larch sawdust media. When S. crispa DUM-04 was cultured on the media of larch sawdust+pine sawdust, the formation of its fruiting bodies was more outstanding on the media of larch sawdust+pine sawdust than those of larch sawdust.
Fruit* ; Larix