• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.254-264
• /
• 2008

Objectives : The neural substrate of fear is thought to be highly conserved among species including human. The purpose of this review was to address the neural substrates of fear based on recent findings obtained from animal and human studies. Methods : Recent studies on brain regions related to fear, particularly fear conditioning in rodents and humans, were extensively reviewed. Results : This paper suggests high consistency in anatomical structure and physiological mechanisms for fear perception, response, learning and modulation in animals and humans. Conclusions : Fear is manifested and modulated by well conserved neural circuits among species interconnected with the amygdala, such as the hippocampus and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Further research is required to incorporate findings from animal studies into a better understanding of neural circuitry of fear in human in a translational approach.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.27-31
• /
• 2000

Recently, there is a worldwide concern that a great number of man-made chemicals have a hormone-like action both in humans and in animals. EPA and OECD are developing screening programs using validated test systems to determine whether certain substances may have an effect on humans. In the present study, the establishment of in vivo short-term test system for pubertal female assay with thyroid to detect endocrine disrupting chemicals was tried using a model substance, methoxychlor (MC), a chlorinated hydrocarbon insencticide. Forty female rats were assigned to four groups. MC was administered at dose levels of 0, 8, 40 and 200mg/kg by gavage to female rats from day 21 post partum to the completion of vaginal opening. We evaluated body weight change, age at vaginal opening, onset of estrous cyclicity, age at first esturs, ovary weight, and serum concentrations of thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone in female rats. The age at vaginal opening of females receiving 40 200mg/kg was significantly younger than control. The onset of estrus cyclicity and age at first estrus of females receiving 200mg/kg was also younger than controls. There was no effect of treatment on body weight, ovary weight, and hormone concentration. Based on these results, it can be concluded that application of MC at dose level of 40mg/kg affects the vaginal opening and application of MC at dose level of 200mg/kg accelerates the vaginal opening and the onset of estrus cylicity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.263-267
• /
• 2012

The present study was performed to describe 2 human cases infected by the horsehair worm, Parachordodes sp., in Japan. Two gordiid worms were collected in the vomit and excreta of an 80-year-old woman in November 2009 in Kyoto city, and in the mouth of 1-year-old boy in December 2009 in Nara city, Japan, respectively. Both worms were males having bifurcated posterior ends and male gonads in cross sectional specimens. They were identified as Parachordodes sp. (Nematomorpha: Chordodidae) based on the characteristic morphologies of cross sections and areoles in the cuticle. DNA analysis on 18S rRNA partial sequence arrangements was also carried out and both worms were assumed to be close to the genus Paragordionus based on tree analysis, and far from Gordius sp. which has already been reported in humans in Japan. DNA sequencing of the Parachordodes worm does not appear on the database; therefore, more information on the gene sequences of the genus Parachordodes from humans, animals, or intermediates is required.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.5
• /
• pp.573-583
• /
• 2016

The review article presents some of the history of how paleoparasitology started in Brazil, making highlight the great responsible Dr. Luiz Fernando Ferreira and Dr. Adauto Araujo, the trajectory of paleoparasitology in Brazil since 1978 and its performance in science to the present day. In sequence, it is made a presentation of parasitological findings on human remains found in archaeological sites in South America, highlighting Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru, where major discoveries have occurred. Many of the parasites found in archaeological material and mentioned in this review went out of Africa with the peopling of Europe and from there they dispersed around the world, where climatic conditions allow the transmission. However, humans have acquired other parasites of animals, since humans invaded new habitats or creating new habits adopting new technologies, thus expanding its range of influence on the environment. Thus, this review article is finalized with information that explain the importance of these findings in the interaction between parasites, human host, and ambient.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.321-323
• /
• 2014

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidian parasite commonly found in rabbits that can infect humans, causing encephalitozoonosis. The prevalence of encephalitozoonosis is not well documented, even when many clinics suspect pet rabbits as being highly infected. This study investigated the seropositivity of E. cuniculi using ELISA. The examination of 186 rabbits using ELISA showed that 22.6% (42/186) were seropositive against E. cuniculi. In analysis with healthy status, all 42 seropositive sera were collected from clinically normal rabbits. Moreover, the gender and age of pet rabbits did not have anysignificant effect on E. cuniculi infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the seroprevalence of E. cuniculi in pet rabbits and suggests that pet rabbits could act as an important reservoir of encephalitozoonosis for both pet animals and humans in Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.131-146
• /
• 2002

In the last years, it has become possible to regain some locomotor activity in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) through intense training on a treadmill. The ideas behind this approach owe much to insights derived from animal studies. Many studies showed that cats with complete spinal cord transection(spinalized animals) can recover locomotor function. These observations were at the basis of the concept of the central pattern generator located at spinal level. The neural system responsible for the locomotor restoration in both cats and humans is thought to be located at spinal level and is referred to as the central pattern generator(CPG). The evidence for such a spinal CPG in human is emphasis on some recent developments which support the view that there is a human spinal CPG for locomotion. An important element in afferent inputs for both spinal injured cats and humans is the provision of adequate sensory input related locomotor, which can possibly activate and/or regulate the spinal locomotor circuitry This review article deals with the afferent control of the central pattern generator. Furthermore, the application of adequate afferent inputs related locomotor for stroke patients will be able to facilitate locomotion ability, which is automatic, cyclic, rhythmic. These insights can possibly contribute to a better therapeutic approach for the rehabilitation of gait in patients with stroke.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.333-337
• /
• 2021

Companion animals are physically, mentally, and socially beneficial to humans, giving us great comfort in living in the Corona19 (COVID-19) era. It is also an era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, featuring the convergence of information and communication technology. Korea, which is facing a super-aged society, has the highest suicide rate among OECD countries, and companion animals that are effective in emotional stability can be the answer. This study is about companion animals that are effective in stabilizing the emotions of the elderly, one of the major problems in the Republic of Korea, which is about to solve in a super-aged society with more than 20 percent of the elderly aged 65 or older, needs to solve. The impact of knowledge of raising companion animals on the satisfaction level of the elderly was investigated through the management and awareness of infectious diseases. Although the level of care of companion animals had a very significant (p<0.001) effect on the satisfaction of the companion animals, the recognition of infectious diseases has no statistical significance (p>0.05). Raising companion animals with knowledge of rearing increases the satisfaction level and can lead to a happier life. While personal learning is important, it is also believed that supporting education will be necessary as a policy consideration.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 2015

Antimicrobial resistant bacteria has recently emerged and been disseminated in livestock environments because of excessive use of antimicrobial agents for the therapeutic and growth promotion purposes to food animals. In particular, there is potential for multidrug-resistant bacteria that can be transmitted from animals to mankind. In this study, we investigated the genotypes of E. coli strains isolated from humans and chickens using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and antimicrobial resistance patterns by disk diffusion method along with integron study involving antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. From July 2013 to July 2014, E. coli strains isolated from clinical specimens (n=44) and poultry chickens (n=34). ST131 (n=20) was most common in human-derived E. coli. ST752 (n=7) was most common in chicken-derived E. coli, with four isolates each for ST117, ST189, and ST69. Of the 44 E. coli strains isolated from humans, 25 of had a class 1 integron, as opposed to only 11 of 34 strains in the E. coli isolated from chickens. There were differences in genotypes and antimicrobial resistance patterns between the chicken-derived and the human-derived E. coli.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.2
• /
• pp.153-159
• /
• 2019

Echinococcus granulosus is an important zoonotic parasite globally causing cystic echinococcosis (CE) in humans and animals. In this study, prevalence of CE and variation of cox1 gene sequence were analyzed with isolates E. granulosus collected from different areas in northern Xinjiang, China. The survey showed that 3.5% of sheep and 4.1% of cattle were infected with CE. Fragment of cox1 was amplified from all the positive sheep and cattle samples by PCR. In addition, 26 positive samples across the 4 areas were included. The isolates were all E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) containing 15 haplotypes (Hap1-15), and clustered into 2 genotypes, G1 (90.1%, 91/101) and G3 (9.9%, 10/101). Hap1 was the most common haplotype (48.5%, 49/101). Hap9 were found in humans samples, indicating that sheep and cattle reservoir human CE. It is indicate that E. granulosus may impact on control of CE in livestock and humans in the region.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.17
• /
• pp.227-236
• /
• 2001

The IARC Monographs Programme on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans has reviewed, summarized and evaluated 869 environmental agents and exposures as oj June 2000. This large collection includes all relevant published epidemiological data on cancer in exposed humans and results of bioassays for carcinogenicity in experimental animals. Since 1986. cancer data have been systematically supplemented by summaries of other toxicological data that are relevant to assessments of carcinogenic hazard. These include summaries qf genetic and related effects of chemicals. which have been prepared as Genetic Activity Profiles (GAP) by the U.S. EPA in collaboration with IARC. As the Mono-graphs have proved increasingly valuable and influential worldwide. they have evolved into an encyclopedia on environmental carcinogenic risks to humans. However. the Monographs have historically been prepared only as printed books with limited distribution. and the Monographs Programme has needed to adjust to expectations oj wider availability. Since 1998 the evaluations and summaries have been globally accessible by Internet from IARC (http://www.iarc.fr) and the GAP profiles by Internet from EPA (http://www.epa.gov/gapdb/). with the two web sites linked. Improved EPN/ARC GAP database and software. GAP2000. now link GAP profiles directly to the appropriate IARC web pages for summaries of evaluations of a given compound and its overall IARC classification. During the year 2000. by means of optical character recognition (OCR) technology the entire series of IARC Monographs is being converted to an electronic version. The first edition is now available commercially in CD-ROM format and will soon become available on-line at .