The aim of this study was to assess the histomorphological features of the fourth rib and to develop age-predicting equations for Koreans. Sixty-four rib samples (36 males and 28 females) obtained from forensic cases were used for developing equations. Two thin sections (<100-microm thick) per sample were prepared by manual grinding. Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed statistically significant differences in age-adjusted histomorphological variables between sexes. Using stepwise regression analysis, osteon population density and average osteon area were correlated with unknown sex (r2 = 0.826), and sex plus two histomorphological variables provided the best results for an age-predicting equation given the assumption of knowing the sex of a specimen (r2 = 0.839). Average Haversian canal area had little influence on age estimation for male or female samples, and relative cortical area was not significantly related to age for any specimen.

To study the peripheral effects of melanocortin on fuel homeostasis in skeletal muscle, we assessed palmitate oxidation and AMP kinase activity in ␣-melanocyte-stimulating hormone

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In order to investigate the residual amounts of organochlorines and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Korean human tissues (blood, adipose tissue, liver, kidney cortex, and lung), the samples were collected from the autopsied cadavers of 40 men and 40 women (from teens to seventies of age). Alpha-BHC, beta-BHC, gamma-BHC, delta-BHC, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, endrin, dieldein, aldrin, and 7 marker PCBs (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180) were determined in human tissues. The levels of organochlorines and PCB congeners indicated that they have been widely distributed in Korean human body. Positive correlations in terms of age were observed for the following cases: p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, Sigma-DDT, PCB 118, PCB 138, PCB 153, and Sigma-PCB in the adipose tissue, and p,p'-DDE in the lung. Concentration of these compounds showed a significant age-related increase. Accumulation of these compounds in aged people revealed that these compounds were more slowly eliminated in our environment and risk assessment was necessary for further proper action. Significant differences in the levels of PCBs between genders were found for PCB 118 in the adipose tissue and PCB 138 in the liver. Positive correlation coefficients between tissues were detected with p,p'-DDE and p-BHC.

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