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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.03.024 Byline: Oc-Yeub Jeon (a), Sang-Hyeon Kim (a), Joong Lee (b), Jong-Taek Park (a), Tae-Hoon Kim (a), Hak-Soo Park (c), Il-Kwon Huh (c), Hyung-Tae Kang (c) Keywords: Forensic science; Nondestructive investigation; X-ray; Radiograph; Metal testing; Restoration Abstract: In this case, we investigated the modified license plates. The evidences had new embossing pressed serial numbers after erasing the original numbers on the license plates by hammering. The X-ray radiograph could visualize the hidden figures; those were virtually unseen by naked eyes or undetectable by ordinary photography. To reveal the erased figures, we performed image processing with computer software after X-ray radiographs. It proved to be an efficient nondestructive way to visualize the hidden original figures on metals. Author Affiliation: (a) Physical Analysis Division, National Institute of Scientific Investigation, 331-1 Shin-Wol-7-Dong, Yang-Cheon-Gu, Seoul 158-707, Republic of Korea (b) Document and Image Division, National Institute of Scientific Investigation, Seoul 158-707, Republic of Korea (c) Conservation Science Laboratory, National Museum of Korea, Seoul 140-026, Republic of Korea Article History: Received 29 September 2008; Revised 26 March 2009; Accepted 26 March 2009

Abstract: Pelvic ganglia (PG) play critical roles in relaying sympathetic and parasympathetic information from the spinal cord to the penile vasculature and, controlling the penile reflex. Animal studies have shown that androgen deprivation by castration causes erectile dysfunction (ED). Until now, however, neural mechanisms underlying castration-induced ED remain unclear. Therefore, we examined whether androgen deprivation down-regulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs), which mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the PG. Toward this end, neurogenic ED was demonstrated by measuring the intracavernous pressure in castrated rats. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that the transcripts encoding nAchR α3/α5/β4 subunits were significantly down-regulated in the PG neurons. In addition, down-regulation of the nAchR subunits was reversed by replacement of testosterone. Patch-clamp experiments showed that the nAchR currents were selectively attenuated in the parasympathetic PG neurons innervating the penile vasculature, activation of which elicits penile erection. Taken together, our data suggest that phenotype-specific down-regulation of nAchRs in the PG neurons may contribute to the neurogenic ED in castrated rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]