Biomedical subjects

B S Kim

Publications and source records attributed to B S Kim.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Adjuvant 5-fluorouracil plus doxorubicin in D2-3 resected gastric carcinoma: 15-year experience at a single institute.

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus doxorubicin in gastric carcinoma after D2-3 curative resection. They also evaluated the effect of dose-related factors (delivered total dose/m(2), actual dose intensity [ADI], relative dose intensity [RDI]) of this regimen on patient survival. METHODS: A total of 301 patients with Stage II to IV (en bloc resected T4b; 1984 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging) were accrued between 1984 and 1996. Chemotherapy was started within 4 weeks of surgery according to the following schedule: intravenous bolus injection of doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 12 cycles and 5-FU 400 mg/m2 weekly for 60 weeks. The toxicity and survival were evaluated. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 58 months. Sixty-four percent of the total patients and 71.7% of the patients who did not experience recurrence during the chemotherapy finished the protocol completely with acceptable toxicities. The 5- and 10-year disease free survival rates of total 301 patients were 58.4% and 46.5%, and the overall survival rates were 62.1% and 50.5%, respectively. Treatment completion group showed survival benefit over the early termination group in 5-year survival (75.2% vs. 52.9%; P = 0.0005). The median ADI of 5-FU and doxorubicin were 349 and 11 mg/m2/week, and the median RDIs of 5-FU and doxorubicin were 0.87 and 0.83, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that completion of chemotherapy is an independent prognostic factor of both disease free and overall survival. However, ADI and RDI did now show any effect on survival. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU plus doxorubicin for 60 weeks after D2-3 dissection induced promising survival duration with acceptable toxicities. Full administration of the planned dosage of the combined drugs is recommendable as opposed to early termination of the chemotherapy in gastric carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2001

Enhanced susceptibility to Theiler's virus-induced demyelinating disease in perforin-deficient mice.

Theiler's virus induces immune-mediated demyelinating disease similar to human MS in susceptible mice. Though the MHC class II-restricted T cell response is critical, susceptibility/resistance is also associated with a MHC class I haplotype. Here we report that perforin-deficient C57BL/6 mice (pKO) are susceptible to demyelination and develop clinical disease. The levels of primary demyelination, proliferation, Th1 responses, and viral load were also markedly enhanced. In addition, immunization of pKO mice with UV-inactivated virus further enhanced clinical incidence and accelerated the disease course. Thus, perforin is most likely involved in viral clearance, hence protection from the disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Increases in cell proliferation and apoptosis in dentate gyrus of anorexia (anx/anx) mice.

The homozygous anorexia mutant (anx/anx) mice present with premature death during the third or fourth postnatal week: this phenotype is caused by a lethal mutation, anx, on chromosome 2, which has an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. These animals also present phenotypically with decreased food intake, weight loss, and neurological deficits such as hyperactivity, body tremors, uncoordinated gait, and head weaving. In order to investigate changes in the occurrence of cell proliferation and apoptosis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus of anx/anx mice, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay were performed in this study. In addition, the volume of the dentate gyrus was estimated via stereological analysis. anx/anx mice showed significantly higher numbers of both BrdU- and TUNEL-positive cells in the dentate gyrus than those of the control mice. Furthermore, the volume of the dentate gyrus of anx/anx mice was significantly reduced compared to that of the control mice.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Requirement for math5 in the development of retinal ganglion cells.

math5 is a murine orthologue of atonal, a bHLH proneural gene essential for the formation of photoreceptors and chordotonal organs in Drosophila. The expression of math5 coincides with the onset of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) differentiation. Targeted deletion of math5 blocks the initial differentiation of 80% of RGCs and results in an increase in differentiated amacrine cells. Furthermore, the absence of math5 abolishes the retinal expression of brn-3b and the formation of virtually all brn-3b-expressing RGCs. These results imply that math5 is a proneural gene essential for RGC differentiation and that math5 acts upstream to activate brn-3b-dependent differentiation processes in RGCs.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Rudimentary meningocele: remnant of a neural tube defect?

BACKGROUND: Rudimentary meningocele, a malformation in which meningothelial elements are present in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, has been described in the past under a variety of different terms and has also been referred to as cutaneous meningioma. There has been debate as to whether rudimentary meningocele is an atretic form of meningocele or results from growth of meningeal cells displaced along cutaneous nerves OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical characteristics of rudimentary meningocele in an attempt to assess the most likely pathologic mechanism for it. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospitals. PATIENTS: Thirteen children with rudimentary meningocele. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Medical records were reviewed and histopathologic examination as well as immunohistochemistry studies were performed for each case. A panel of immunoperoxidase reagents (EMA, CD31, CD34, CD57, S-100, and CAM 5.2) was used to assess lineage and to confirm the meningothelial nature of these lesions. RESULTS: Recent evidence indicating a multisite closure of the neural tube in humans suggests that classic meningocele and rudimentary meningocele are on a continuous spectrum. CONCLUSION: Rudimentary meningocele seems to be a remnant of a neural tube defect in which abnormal attachment of the developing neural tube to skin (comparable to that in classic meningocele) could explain the presence of ectopic meningeal tissue. In the majority of cases, no underlying bony defect or communication to the meninges could be detected. However, in light of the probable pathogenesis, imaging studies to exclude any communication to the central nervous system should precede any invasive evaluation or intervention.

Child↗

PubMed2001

Response to high-dose intravenous immune globulin as a valuable factor predicting the effect of splenectomy in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura patients.

This study was conducted to verify whether the response to high-dose intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) was related to the effect of splenectomy in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients. A total of 79 patients over 16 years of age were enrolled in this study. The response to the treatment was classified on the basis of the platelet count as no response (NR, <50 x 10(9)/l), incomplete response (IR, (50-150) x 10(9)/l), and complete response (CR, >150 x 10(9)/l). The response was evaluated after the infusion of high-dose IVIG, within 2 weeks after splenectomy (immediate response), and during a follow-up period of more than 6 months after splenectomy (sustained response), respectively. 58 patients (73.4%) showed responses (CR or IR) to high-dose IVIG. After splenectomy, immediate responses were observed in 73 patients (92%). The response to high-dose IVIG had no relationship with the immediate response to splenectomy (P = 0.333). A follow-up evaluation was possible with 58 patients; 6 patients with NR in immediate responses did not show any response during the follow-up period, and 17 patients relapsed within 6 months after immediate responses, so 35 patients (60.3%) had sustained responses. Responders to IVIG had significantly higher sustained response rates to splenectomy than non-responders (62% vs. 38%, P = 0.001). These results indicate that the response to high-dose IVIG could be a valuable factor predicting the sustained response to splenectomy in chronic ITP patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

In vitro biocompatibility assessment of naturally derived and synthetic biomaterials using normal human urothelial cells.

The reconstruction of urinary tissues often employs various types of biomaterials, and adequate material biocompatibility is essential for the successful reconstruction of urinary tissues. In this study we utilized a primary normal human urothelial cell culture system to evaluate the in vitro biocompatibility of a number of naturally derived biomaterials [i.e., bladder submucosa, small intestinal submucosa, collagen, and alginate] and polymeric biomaterials [i.e., poly(glycolic acid), poly(L-lactic acid), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), and silicone] that are either experimentally or clinically used in urinary reconstructive surgery. To determine the cytotoxic and bioactive effects of these biomaterials, the cell viability, metabolic activity, apoptotic properties, and DNA-synthesis activity were measured with four types of assays [Neutral Red, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, apoptotic activity, and tritiated thymidine incorporation assays] using extract and direct contact methods. Most of the biomaterials tested did not induce significant cytotoxic effects and exhibited normal metabolic function and cell growth in vitro. This normal primary human urothelial cell culture model is suitable for in vitro biocompatibility assessments and is able to provide information on the cell-biomaterial interactions and the ability of biomaterials to support bioactive cell functions.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2001

Cloning and expression of a ferritin subunit for Galleria mellonella.

Ferritin was purified from iron-fed Galleria mellonella hemolymph by ultra centrifugation and FPLC (Superose 6). SDS-PAGE revealed three bands of 26, 30, and 32 kDa. The ferritin 26 kDa subunit cDNA was obtained from RT-PCR using primer designed from N-terminal sequence analysis. 5'-RACE was used to obtain the complete protein coding sequence. The sequence encodes a 211 amino acid polypeptide including a 20 amino acid leader peptide. An IRE (iron-responsive element) sequence with a predicted stem-loop structure was present in the 5'-UTR of ferritin mRNA. Sequence alignment has a sequence identity with Calpodes ethlius (S)(74%), Drosophila melanogaster (50%), and Aedes aegypti (39%). Northern blot analysis indicated that there were 1.5- and 1.75-fold increases in the expression of ferritin mRNA after iron-fed fat body and midgut, respectively. Also, we confirmed that the ferritin mRNA is not expressed in adult ovary and testis. Arch.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Anticoagulant activity of sulfoalkyl derivatives of curdlan.

Curdlan is a natural beta-1,3-glucan produced by Agrobacterium biovar 1. In this study, the anticoagulant activity of sulfoalkyl derivatives of curdlan was investigated by carrying out activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay and compared with that of o-sulfonated curdlan. Approximately 100-fold higher concentration of o-sulfonated curdlan than heparin was required to obtain the same level of the clotting time. Anticoagulant activity of curdlan derivatives was dependent on the degree of sulfation in prolonging the clotting time. However, the chain length of the substituent did not play a role in prolonging the clotting time. The curdlan derivatives enhanced thrombin inhibition by mediating through antithrombin III. The inhibition of thrombin by o-sulfonated curdlan was found to be approximately 10-fold weaker than that by heparin.

Anticoagulants↗

PubMed2001

Long-term engraftment stability of peripheral blood stem cells cryopreserved using the dump-freezing method in a -80 degrees C mechanical freezer with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide.

In this study, we summarize our long-term follow-up data of 24 patients who underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) using the dump-freezing method in a -80 degrees C freezer. Collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells were mixed with a cryoprotectant solution consisting of autologous plasma and 20% dimethyl sulfoxide, then placed in a -80 degrees C freezer. The recovery rate of mononuclear cells (MNCs), colony-forming unit-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) colonies, and CD34+ cells were calculated. Engraftment time (with neutrophil count > 0.5 x 10(9)/L, platelet count > 50 x 10(9)/L) and normal hemopoiesis (neutrophil count > 2 x 10(9)/L, platelet count > 100 x 10(9)/L) were evaluated. Median duration of cryopreservation was 76 days. The mean recovery rates of MNCs, CFU-GM colonies, and CD34+ cells were 93.4%, 78.4%, and 95.3%, respectively. The median engraftment times of neutrophils and platelets were 8 and 27 days, respectively. The median normal hemopoiesis times of neutrophil and platelet were 31 and 45 days, respectively. Nine patients are alive and in complete remission (CR). Seven patients in first CR sustained normal hemopoiesis with a median duration of 35 months. Two patients, who achieved second CR after salvage chemotherapy due to a leukemia relapse after PBSCT, maintained engraftment status for 24 and 28 months, and 1 reached normal hemopoiesis. These results demonstrate that PBSCT using the dump-freezing method in a -80 degrees C freezer leads to acceptable long-term engraftment stability.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Dilated cardiomyopathy in thyrotoxicosis and Moyamoya disease.

A 37-year-old Korean woman was admitted at 31 weeks gestation with exertional dyspnea. Three years ago she was diagnosed as having Graves' disease. Thyrotoxicosis-induced dilated cardiomyopathy was diagnosed by echocardiography. During management, a first attack of seizure occurred. Brain MRI and MRA showed occlusion of both internal carotid arteries, which confirmed the diagnosis of Moyamoya disease. Coexistence of dilated cardiomyopathy in thyrotoxicosis and Moyamoya disease is rare and the pathogenic correlation is discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Serological evidence that Mus musculus is the natural host of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus.

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection is maintained in mouse colonies by fecal-oral spread (with no apparent role for persistent central nervous system infection) from an acutely infected animal to another. Therefore, serological methods offer the principal way to assess infection in mice and related rodent populations. Infection of mouse colonies with TMEV appears to be worldwide, yet no systematic serologic studies have been reported. In this study, enzyme-linked immunoassay and neutralization analysis of sera from feral Mus musculus obtained from four locations in the United States and one in Russia revealed antibodies to purified TMEV and two linear viral peptide epitopes in more than 50% of the sera derived from the five different locations. A similar analysis of sera from 26 species of related rodents trapped at multiple locations in North America and Europe indicated the presence of anti-TMEV antibodies only in a small proportion of water and bank voles that belong to a different subfamily. These results indicate that Mus musculus is the natural host of TMEV.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Characterization and immunological analysis of ferritin from the hemolymph of Galleria mellonella.

Ferritin, an iron-binding protein, was purified from the larval hemolymph of the wax moth, Galleria mellonella by KBr density ultracentrifugation and FPLC (Superose 6). The iron content of ferritin was determined by atomic emission spectroscopy and Ferene S stain. Native molecular mass of ferritin was estimated as 630 kDa. SDS-PAGE revealed that the ferritin consists of two major polypeptides of 26 and 32 kDa and one minor polypeptide of 30 kDa. An isoelectric point of ferritin was measured to be approximately 7.3 and only the 32-kDa subunit is glycosylated. The ferritin contains large amounts of lysine, glutamine, glutamic acid and leucine but tryptophan was not detected. Electron microscopic examination of negatively stained preparations showed an 11-nm particle in external diameter and 7-nm iron core. Ferritin is present in both the ovary and testis. Localization of ferritin by immunoelectron microscopy in ovary and testis revealed that the gold particles were located in vitelline membrane and yolk granules but not in follicular epithelium of ovary. In the testis, the gold particles were located in testicular fluid and lumen of vas deferens.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2001

Cultured human-cell-based bioassay for environmental risk management.

Among bioassays for evaluating various impacts of chemicals on humans and ecosystems, those based on cultured mammalian-cells can best predict acute lethal toxicity to humans. We expect them to be employed in the future in environmental risk management alongside mutagenicity tests and endocrine-disrupting activity tests. We recently developed a disposable bioassay device that immobilizes human hepatocarcinoma cells in a small micropipette tip. This enables very quick (within 2 h) evaluation of acute lethal toxicity to humans. For bioassay-based environmental management, 2 promising approaches have been demonstrated by the US-EPA: toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) and toxicity reduction evaluation (TRE). The Japanese Ministry of Environment has been supporting a multi-center validation project, aimed at assembling a bioassay database. To make full use of these resources, we present a numerical model that describes contribution of individual chemical to observed toxicity. This will allow the selection of the most effective countermeasure to reduce the toxicity. Bioassay-based environmental risk management works retrospectively, whereas impact assessment using substance flow models and toxicity databases works prospective. We expect that these 2 approaches will exchange information, act complementarily, and work effectively in keeping our environment healthy in the 21 st century.

Biological Assay↗

PubMed2001

Metastatic seeding of the stereotactic biopsy tract in glioblastoma multiforme: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: The first case was recently reported of tumor seeding by glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) after stereotactic biopsy. This occurred despite radiosurgical treatment of the lesion post-biopsy. We report the first case of metastatic seeding along the needle biopsy tract of a GBM in which the tract was within the treatment field of subsequent fractionated radiation therapy. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old man presented with left-sided focal motor seizures. An MRI showed an enhancing right cingulate gyrus lesion. INTERVENTION: A stereotactic biopsy of the lesion disclosed GBM. Radiation therapy was begun 25 days after biopsy and was completed 39 days thereafter. The biopsy tract received a minimum of 60 Gy. Subsequent magnetic resonance scanning showed the lesion to have doubled in size and evidence of enhancement along the biopsy tract. At surgery, specimens obtained from the biopsy tract, as determined using surgical navigation, revealed GBM. CONCLUSION: Seeding of the biopsy tract, radioresistance and the time interval until radiotherapy are the most likely explanations for tumor growth along the biopsy tract in this case. Consideration should be given for an early start to radiotherapy among those who undergo stereotactic biopsy for GBM. Further research will allow one to determine the radiosensitivity of these tumors and determine which patients may benefit from a radiosurgical or fractionated radiotherapy boost to the biopsy tract.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗

PubMed2001

Cultural value similarities and differences among Asian American ethnic groups.

Using data on 570 Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Japanese American college students from 3 previous studies (1 published [B. S. K. Kim, D. R. Atkinson, & P. H. Yang, 1999] and 2 unpublished [B. S. K. Kim, 1999; E. C. Wong, B. S. K. Kim, N. W. S. Zane, I. J. Kim, & J. S. Huang, 1999]), the authors subjected 22 items constituting 6 value dimensions of the Asian Values Scale (AVS; B. S. K. Kim et al., 1999) to the following structural equation modeling procedures: confirmatory factor analysis, factorial invariance analysis, and structured means analysis. The results of confirmatory factor analysis provided support for a hierarchical factor model when this model was compared with 2 competing models. The results of factorial invariance analysis indicated that the meanings of the factors within the hierarchical model were conceived similarly among the 4 Asian American ethnic groups. On the basis of these results, a structured means analysis was conducted, revealing similarities and differences between the ethnic groups' adherence to 6 cultural value dimensions. Implications regarding psychological services for these Asian Americans are discussed, and suggestions for future research are offered.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

The prevalence and types of androgenetic alopecia in Korean men and women.

BACKGROUND: There are racial differences in the prevalence and types of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). There have been several reports on the prevalence and types of AGA in the general population of caucasians, but few studies on Koreans with samples of sufficient numbers have been reported. OBJECTIVES: To obtain a more precise estimate of the prevalence and types of AGA in Korean men and women and to compare the results with those in caucasians. METHODS: The prevalence and types of AGA were analysed in 10,132 Koreans (5531 men and 4601 women) who had visited the Health Examination Centre at Kyung Hee University Hospital for regular health examinations between December 1997 and July 1999. To classify the degree of hair loss for each subject, the Norwood classification was used in men and the Ludwig classification in women. For AGA in men, 'female pattern' was added to the Norwood classification. RESULTS: In Korean men, the prevalence of AGA (Norwood III or above) at all ages was 14.1%. It increased steadily with advancing age, but was lower than that of caucasians: 2.3% in the third decade, 4.0% in the fourth decade, 10.8% in the fifth decade, 24.5% in the sixth decade, 34.3% in the seventh decade and 46.9% over 70 years. Type III vertex involvement was the most common type in the third decade to the seventh decade; over 70 years, type VI was most common. A 'female pattern' was observed in 11.1% of cases. In Korean women, the prevalence of AGA (Ludwig I or above) at all ages was 5.6%. It also increased steadily with advancing age: 0.2% in the third decade, 2.3% in the fourth decade, 3.8% in the fifth decade, 7.4% in the sixth decade, 11.7% in the seventh decade and 24.7% over 70 years. Grade I was the most common type up to the sixth decade; over 60 years, grade I and II were similar in prevalence. Grade III (total baldness) was not observed. A family history of baldness was present in 48.5% of men and 45.2% of women with AGA. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of AGA in Korean men and women was lower than that in caucasians, as recorded in the literature. Korean men tend to have more frontal hairline preservation and show a more 'female pattern' of hair thinning than caucasians. Therefore, 'female pattern' should be added to the classification of AGA.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Diagnostic value of preoperative RT-PCR-based screening method to detect carcinoembryonic antigen-expressing free cancer cells in the peritoneal cavity from patients with gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: At present the most reliable method for the diagnosis of peritoneal micrometastasis of gastric cancer is peritoneal wash cytology, but the sensitivity of this method is low. The aim of the present study was to verify whether carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay can enhance the sensitivity and specificity of conventional cytology, and to determine how this technique can improve the accuracy of peritoneal recurrence. METHODS: The present study included 230 patients with gastric cancer. Preoperative peritoneal wash was done by a paracentesis, followed by conventional cytology, CEA measurement, and CEA RT-PCR of recovered fluid. RESULTS: The CEA RT-PCR assay yielded 40 (17%) positives, which included none of the 26 patients with benign disease. The incidence of positive cytology and CEA level in wash fluid was 19% and 15%, respectively. Logistic stepwise regression analysis revealed that lymph node status, depth of invasion, venous invasion, and the results of peritoneal cytological examination, and CEA RT-PCR assay were independently related to peritoneal recurrence. The CEA level in the wash fluid was not related to peritoneal recurrence. Peritoneal cytological examination was the most significant predictive factor for peritoneal recurrence with a sensitivity of 46%, specificity of 94% and accuracy of 73%, while the corresponding values of the CEA RT-PCR assay were 31%, 95%, and 73%. Combining cytological examination with CEA RT-PCR assay resulted in a sensitivity rate for peritoneal recurrence of 57%, an 11% improvement over that of cytology alone. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that the use of a combination of CEA RT-PCR and cytological assay is more likely to identify patients who will develop peritoneal recurrence. This may be useful for the classification of patients for the most suitable therapeutic trials.

Adult↗