Insect metabolism and the inter-species communication among insects are fascinating fields of science. The underlying chemical principles are difficult to elucidate since minute amounts of chemicals, often of unknown structures, are involved. The talk highlights recent examples of work where chemical analysis and biological research went hand in hand to unravel ecological mysteries. Focus will be on the use of modern and sensitivity improved nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy serving as analytical key technology.

Quantitative analysis of MR spectrum depending on mole concentration of the contrast media in cereberal metabolite phantom was performed. PRESS pulse sequence was used to obtain MR spectrum at 3.0T MRI system (Archieva, Philips Healthcare, Best, Netherland), and the phantom contains brain metabolites such as N-Acetyl Asparatate (NAA), Choline (Cho), Creatine (Cr) and Lactate (Lac). In this study, optimization of MRS PRESS pulse sequency depending on the concentration of contrast media (0, 0.1 and 0.3 mmol/ℓ) was evaluated for various repetition time (TR; 1500, 1700 and 2000 ms). In control (cotrast-media-free) group, NAA and Cho signals were the highest at TR 2000 ms than at 1700 and 1500 ms. Cr had the highest peak signal at TR 1500 ms. When concentration of contrast media was 0.1 mmol/ℓ, the metabolites were increased NAA 73%, Cho 249%, Cr 37% at TR 1700 ms compared with other TR, and also signal increased at 0.3 mmol/ℓ, In 0.5 mmol/ℓ of contrast agent, cerebral metabolite peaks reduced, especially when TR 1500 ms and 2000 ms they decreased below those of control group. The ratio of metabolite peaks such as NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr decreased as the concentration of the contrast agent increased from 0.1 to 0.5 mmol/ℓ. Authors found that the optimization of PRESS sequence for 0.3T MRS was as follows: low density of contrast agent (0.1 mmol/ℓ and 0.3 mmol/ℓ) made the highest signal intensity, while high density of contrast agent reveals the least reduction of signal intensity at 1700 ms. In conclusion, authors believe that it is helpful to reduce TR for acquiring maximum signal intensity.

본 연구의 목적은 단일 복셀 자기공명 분광법을 이용하여 비정상적인 뇌질환을 가진 환자의 뇌대사물질이 어떻게 다른지를 알아보는데 있다. 수소 자기공명분광법의 정량적 분석의 결과 부신백질이영양증, 간선뇌병증, 뇌경색은 백질에 관련된 대사물질에 변화를 보였다. 세질환 모두 NAA가 감소하였고, ALD에서는 Cho, mI 과 Lac가 증가하였고, 간성뇌병변에서는 Cho가 감소, 그리고 뇌경색에서는 β․γ-Glx와 Lac가 증가되었다. 결론적으로 수소 자기공명분광법은 비정상적으로 발전하는 뇌질환의 대사물질의 변화를 관찰하여 병을 진단할 수 있고 이는 임상에서 뇌질환의 진단과 예후를 평가하는데 유용할 것이다.