Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C J Kim

Publications and source records attributed to C J Kim.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Expression of the HMGI(Y) gene products in human neuroblastic tumours correlates with differentiation status.

HMGI and HMGY are splicing variants of the HMGI(Y) gene and together with HMGI-C, belong to a family of DNA binding proteins involved in maintaining active chromatin conformation and in the regulation of gene transcription. The expression of the HMGI(Y) gene is maximal during embryonic development, declines in adult differentiated tissues and is reactivated in most transformed cells in vitro and in many human cancers in vivo. The HMGI(Y) genomic locus is frequently rearranged in mesenchymal tumours, suggesting a biological role for HMGI(Y) gene products in tumour biology. HMGIs are both target and modulators of retinoic acid activity. In fact, HMGI(Y) gene expression is differentially regulated by retinoic acid in retinoid-sensitive and -resistant neuroblastoma cells, while HMGI-C participates in conferring retinoic acid resistance in some neuroblastoma cells. In this paper we show that HMGI and HMGY isoforms are equally regulated by retinoic acid in neuroblastoma cell lines at both RNA and protein levels. More importantly our immunohistochemical analysis shows that, although HMGI(Y) is expressed in all neuroblastic tumours, consistently higher levels are observed in less differentiated neuroblastomas compared to more differentiated ganglioneuromas, indicating that HMGI(Y) expression should be evaluated as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker in neuroblastic tumours.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2000

Fetal exposure to an intra-amniotic inflammation and the development of cerebral palsy at the age of three years.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether fetal exposure to intra-amniotic inflammation and a systemic fetal inflammatory response (funisitis) are associated with the development of cerebral palsy at the age of 3 years. STUDY DESIGN: This cohort study included 123 preterm singleton newborns (gestational age at birth, </=35 weeks) born to mothers who underwent amniocentesis and were followed up for >/=3 years. The presence of intra-amniotic inflammation was determined by elevated amniotic fluid concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukins 6 and 8 and by amniotic fluid white blood cell count. Cytokine concentrations were measured with sensitive and specific immunoassays. Funisitis was diagnosed in the presence of neutrophil infiltration into the umbilical vessel walls or Wharton jelly. Cerebral palsy was diagnosed by neurologic examination at the age of 3 years. RESULTS: Newborns with subsequent development of cerebral palsy had a higher rate of funisitis and were born to mothers with higher median concentrations of interleukins 6 and 8 and higher white blood cell counts in the amniotic fluid compared with newborns without subsequent development of cerebral palsy (funisitis: 75% [9/12] vs 23% [24/105]; interleukin 6: median, 18.9 ng/mL; range, 0. 02-92.5 ng/mL; vs median, 1.0 ng/mL; range, 0.01-115.2 ng/mL; interleukin 8: median, 13.0 ng/mL; range, 0.1-294.5 ng/mL; vs median, 1.2 ng/mL; range, 0.05-285.0 ng/mL; white blood cell count: median, 198 cells/mm(3); range, 0->1000 cells/mm(3); vs median, 3 cells/mm(3); range, 0-19,764 cells/mm(3); P <.01 for each). After adjustment for the gestational age at birth, the presence of funisitis and elevated concentrations of interleukins 6 and 8 in amniotic fluid significantly increased the odds of development of cerebral palsy (funisitis: odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-24.5; interleukin 6: odds ratio, 6.4; 95% confidence interval, 1. 3-33.0; interleukin 8: odds ratio, 5.9; 95% confidence interval, 1. 1-30.7; P <.05 for each). CONCLUSION: Antenatal exposure to intra-amniotic inflammation and evidence of a systemic fetal inflammatory response (funisitis) are strong and independent risk factors for the subsequent development of cerebral palsy at the age of 3 years.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2000

The relationship among inflammatory lesions of the umbilical cord (funisitis), umbilical cord plasma interleukin 6 concentration, amniotic fluid infection, and neonatal sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether funisitis (inflammation of the umbilical cord detected by histologic examination of the placenta) is associated with changes in the umbilical cord plasma concentration of interleukin 6, microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, and neonatal sepsis. STUDY DESIGN: The relationship among the presence of funisitis, interleukin 6 concentrations in umbilical cord plasma at birth, the results of amniotic fluid culture performed within 3 days of birth, and the occurrence of congenital neonatal sepsis was examined in 315 consecutive singleton preterm births (20-35 weeks' gestation). Funisitis was diagnosed in the presence of neutrophil infiltration into the umbilical vessel walls or Wharton jelly. The interleukin 6 concentration was measured with a specific immunoassay. Amniocentesis was performed in 106 patients within 3 days of birth. Amniotic fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and for mycoplasmas. RESULTS: (1) Funisitis was present in 25% of patients (78/315). (2) Patients with funisitis had a significantly higher median cord plasma interleukin 6 and a lower gestational age at birth than did those without funisitis (cord interleukin 6: median, 52.4 pg/mL; range, 0.9-19,230 pg/mL; vs median, 4.6 pg/mL; range, 0-18,108 pg/mL; gestational age: median, 31.1 weeks' gestation; range, 21.0-35.0 weeks' gestation; vs median, 32.9 weeks' gestation; range, 21.4-35.0 weeks' gestation; P<.001 for each comparison). (3) A cord plasma interleukin 6 of > or =17.5 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 78% in the identification of funisitis. (4) Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and clinical chorioamnionitis were more common among patients with funisitis than among those without funisitis (positive amniotic fluid culture: 53% [20/38]; vs. 12% [8/68]; clinical chorioamnionitis: 18% [14/78]; vs. 4% [9/237]; P<.001 for each comparison). (5) Neonates with funisitis had a significantly higher rate of congenital sepsis than did those without this lesion (12% [8/66] vs. 1% [3/216]; P<.001); this difference remained significant after adjustment for gestational age at birth (odds ratio, 7.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-29.0). CONCLUSION: (1) Umbilical cord plasma interleukin 6 concentrations were higher in neonates born with funisitis than in those without this lesion. (2) Funisitis is associated with amniotic fluid infection, congenital neonatal sepsis, and the fetal inflammatory response syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

MR imaging of changes of the growth plate after partial physeal removal and fat graft interposition in rabbits.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The most important complication of skeletal injuries involving the growth plate is growth disturbance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate MR features of growth plate modification after fat graft interposition in growth plate injury and to correlate these findings with pathological findings. METHODS: A growth plate injury model was used in 12 skeletally immature rabbits. A longitudinal drill hole 5 mm in diameter was created in the central part of the growth plate in the distal femur, bilaterally. One side was filled with autologous fat, and the contralateral defect was left empty as a control. Magnetic resonance imaging was obtained 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, and routine histological study was performed. The authors evaluated sequential changes in MR images and the histological basis of MR findings. RESULTS: In grafted femur, the signal intensity of the grafted area was lower than that of the surrounding bone on T2-weighted images at 1 month. The growth plate defect at 3 to 6 months was modified and had a proximally tapering appearance. The ratio of the growth plate defect was smaller in the grafted femur than in the control femur after surgery. Histologically, the fat-grafted area was replaced by fibrous connective tissue. In the control femur, a bony bridge was rectangular in the longitudinal direction and showed isosignal intensity with a rim of low signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging. Histologically, the defect was filled with mature fatty marrow with new bone formation in the control femur. CONCLUSIONS: The proximally pointing appearance and the low signal intensity of the grafted area on MR suggested fibrous degeneration of grafted fat that prevented solid bony bridge formation in experimentally induced growth plate injury.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

Rhodococcus pyridinivorans sp. nov., a pyridine-degrading bacterium.

The taxonomic position of a bacterial strain (PDB9T) that is capable of degrading pyridine was clarified by a polyphasic taxonomic approach using phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genetic methods. The cells, which are rods and branched filaments during the early growth phase, fragment into short rods or cocci, thereby completing the growth cycle. Strain PDB9T was found to have a cell wall of chemotype IV, MK-8(H2) as the predominant menaquinone, mycolic acids with 36-46 carbon atoms and C16:0' C18:1 cis9, 10-methyl-C18:0 (TBSA) as the major fatty acids. The G+C content of the DNA was 66 mol%. The phylogenetic tree showed that strain PDB9T falls within an evolutionary radiation comprising Rhodococcus species and is most closely related to the type strain of Rhodococcus rhodochrous, sharing 99% 16S rDNA similarity. The differences in some phenotypic characteristics and the genetic distinctiveness distinguish strain PDB9T from the Rhodococcus species described previously. Therefore, strain PDB9T should be placed in the genus Rhodococcus as a new species, for which the new name Rhodococcus pyridinivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the new species is strain PDB9T (= KCTC 0647BPT = KCCM 80005T).

DNA, Ribosomal↗
PubMed2000

Polymerase chain reaction-based method for quantifying recruitment of monocytes to mouse atherosclerotic lesions in vivo: enhancement by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta.

The critical role of monocyte recruitment in atherogenesis has been appreciated for some time. However, until recently, there have been no sufficiently sensitive methods for measuring rates of monocyte recruitment to the arterial wall in vivo. We have developed a novel highly sensitive method, based on the polymerase chain reaction, for quantitatively tracking DNA-marked monocytes and have adapted it for use in mice. We use the uniquely male gene, SRY:, on the Y chromosome as a gene marker. We transfuse monocytes from a male donor into a congenic female mouse, euthanize the mouse after 24 to 48 hours, and then quantify the arterial uptake of monocytes by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. This study describes the techniques used and their sensitivity and reproducibility and demonstrates the approach by assessing the effects of cytokines. In control low density lipoprotein receptor-negative mice, monocyte recruitment decreased slightly but significantly as lesions progressed. Intraperitoneal injection of a combination of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta more than doubled the rate of monocyte recruitment into developing lesions. However, the response to the cytokines was much greater in younger mice with less advanced lesions than in older animals with more advanced lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Serotonin induces apoptosis in PGT-beta pineal gland tumor cells.

Serotonin-induced neuronal cell death has been implicated as a possible cause of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. To investigate the involvement of serotonin-induced apoptosis as a potential mechanism in the pathophysiology of serotonin-related diseases, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining, TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling) assay and flow cytometric analysis were performed using the immortalized pineal cell line PGT-beta. Through morphological and biochemical analyses, it was demonstrated that cell death induced by serotonin in PGT-beta cells shows classic apoptotic features. These data suggest that serotonin induces apoptosis in PGT-beta cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Total activation change of visual and motor area due to various disturbances.

Brain activation is affected by gradient acoustic noise and various disturbances as well as by other primary tasks. Therefore, we have studied the effects of various disturbances of two different levels of difficulty, that is, weak and strong difficulty levels for primary visual and motor tasks. In the case of visual task with motor and mental disturbances, we found it decreased as motor and mental disturbance difficulty-level increased, compared with the case of without motor and mental disturbances. To the contrary, in the case of motor activity, the total activation of motor cortex with weak and with strong mental disturbance increased as mental disturbance difficulty-levels increased. Therefore, one can conclude that when mental disturbance is added, the visual cortex and motor cortex have an opposite result and when the difficulty-level of the disturbance is increased, the primary tasks are affected more significantly. Although the current observation is preliminary and requires more careful experimental study, it appears that various disturbance effects on brain functions (such as motor and visual cortical responses) produce significant differences in data observations.

Brain Mapping↗
PubMed2000

Successful allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for childhood-onset refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts.

Refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS) is an extremely rare type of myelodysplastic syndrome in children. We describe a 10-year-old boy with RARS presented with pancytopenia. He remained relatively stable with only a few transfusions until age of 20 years, when he underwent an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) because of increased transfusion requirements. He remains in complete chimeric state at 20 months posttransplant with normal hematologic parameters. To our knowledge, this is the first description of successful BMT in a patient with childhood-onset RARS. The indication of BMT for this rare disorder in children is discussed.

Anemia, Refractory↗
PubMed2000

Influence of menopause on high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and lipids.

It has been generally accepted that high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level decreases with menopause in women. However, recent reports show different results. There is very little data concerning perimenopausal women. To verify these findings, lipids and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels were compared among pre-, peri- and postmenopausal women of similar mean ages. Postmenopausal women had higher HDL-C levels than premenopausal women (p<0.001) and there was no difference between peri- and postmenopausal women. LDL-C level in perimenopausal women was lower than in postmenopausal women (p<0.001) and higher than in premenopausal women with borderline significance (p=.051). Total cholesterol levels showed stepwise elevation from premenopause to postmenopause. Perimenopausal women had lower Lp(a) levels than postmenopausal women (p<0.0005) and similar levels to premenopausal women. Lp(a) levels between 0.1 to 10.0 mg/dL were the most prevalent in pre- and perimenopausal women, and those between 10.1 to 20.0 mg/dL in postmenopausal women. In conclusion, menopause itself is associated with the elevation of HDL-C level, and the postmenopausal increase of coronary artery disease is not related to postmenopausal change of HDL-C level. Perimenopausal status, although transient, may favor Lp(a) and lipid profiles for delaying atherosclerosis.

Apolipoproteins A↗
PubMed2000

Clinicopathologic study of Castleman's disease in Korea.

Castleman's disease represents an atypical lymphoproliferative disorder, infrequently associated with various immunologic abnormalities or subsequent development of malignancy such as Kaposi sarcoma, malignant lymphoma and plasmacytoma. Its clinicopathologic features depend on various etiologic factors such as Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), oversecretion of IL-6, adhesion molecule and follicular dendritic cell dysplasia, etc. To investigate the relationship of Castleman's disease (CD) and the above factors, we reviewed 22 cases of CD. Four cases of KSHV positive CD were detected, all multicentric, plasma cell type, and these cases displayed prominent vascular proliferation, characteristic 'Kaposi-like lesion'. IL-6 and CD54 positive mononuclear cells were scattered in interfollicular areas of KSHV positive cases. Follicular dendritic cell hyperplasia, vascular proliferation, expression of IL-6 and CD54 did not show any significant difference between solitary vs multicentric type, and plasma cell type vs hyaline vascular type. Our study suggests that KSHV positive CD reveals unique pathologic features, and the probable relationship of KSHV and IL-6 and CD54 is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Colorectal adenocarcinoma as a second malignant neoplasm following rhabdomyosarcoma of the urinary bladder: a case report.

Following improvements in therapy for childhood malignancies, the striking increase in survival rate over the past 30 years has led to the increase risk of developing second malignant neoplasms (SMNs). We report a case of colorectal carcinoma as a SMN, following treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma of the urinary bladder at his age of three years, and developed adenocarcinoma in the colon 13 years later. Histologic examination of the surgical specimen revealed adenocarcinoma involving the rectosigmoid area with radiation colitis in its background. The tumor cells showed strong immunoreactivity for p53 protein, suggesting the role of irradiation and p53 mutation in carcinogenesis. This case emphasizes the need for dose observation in survivors of early childhood malignancies treated with radiation and multiagent chemotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

Achondrogenesis type II (Langer-Saldino achondrogenesis): a case report.

Achondrogenesis is a lethal form of congenital chondrodystrophy characterized by extreme micromelia. We describe a case of achondrogenesis type II (Langer-Saldino achondrogenesis) detected by prenatal ultrasonography at 20-week gestation. A dwarfed fetus with large head, short neck and chest, prominent abdomen and short limbs was terminated transvaginally. Radiologic and histopathologic examination revealed features of mild form of achondrogenesis type II. Although the case had no known risk factor and the phenotypic abnormality was mild, modern development in prenatal screening made the early detection possible.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed2000

Fungal discitis due to Aspergillus terreus in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We report a case of Aspergillus terreus discitis which developed in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia following induction chemotherapy. A. terreus was isolated from sputum, one month earlier, but the physician did not consider it significant at the time. Magnetic resonance imaging study showed the involvement of L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1 intervertebral discs. Etiology was established by means of histology and culturing a surgical specimen of disc materials. Our patient survived after a surgical debridement and amphotericin B administration with a total dose of 2.0 g. Discitis caused by Aspergillus terreus is a very rare event. A. terreus is one of the invasive Aspergillus species. The pathogenetic mechanism is discussed and the literature is reviewed.

Aspergillosis↗
PubMed2000

Recurrent asystoles associated with vasovagal reaction during venipuncture.

A 17-year-old high school student presented with a history of habitual faintings. On 24-hour Holter monitoring, cardiac asystoles were recorded, the longest lasting approximately 7 or 8 seconds during venipuncture procedures. The asystole associated with venipuncture demonstrated the cardioinhibitory effects of vasovagal reaction with blood-injury phobia. He also had a positive response during head-up tilt test showing hypotension and relative bradycardia after intravenous isoproterenol injection. After administration of oral beta blocker, he did not show further or recurrent cardiac asystole during blood injury procedure on electrocardiographic examination. Venipuncture is the most common invasive medical procedure performed in hospital settings. While venipuncture is considered to be reasonably safe, serious complication may occur even when only a small volume of blood is withdrawn. Therefore, medical personnel should be prepared to provide appropriate care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Cyclo(dehydroala-L-Leu), an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor from Penicillium sp. F70614.

A diketopiperazine (1) has been isolated from the culture broth of Penicillium sp. F70614 and its structure has been determined to be cyclo(dehydroala-L-Leu) by various spectroscopic analyses. This compound selectively inhibited yeast alpha-glucosidase and porcine intestinal alpha-glucosidase with IC50 values of 35 and 50 microg/ml, respectively. However, it did not show significant inhibitory effects against almond beta3-glucosidase, Aspergillus alpha-galactosidase, Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase and jack bean alpha-mannosidase.

Binding, Competitive↗