Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Y Kim

Publications and source records attributed to D Y Kim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The cerebrovascular response to traditional acupuncture after stroke.

Acupuncture is useful in treating the nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy, adult postoperative surgery pain and postoperative dental pain. We obtained single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain perfusion images of six patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion obtained before and after acupuncture and compared the changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) to those in normal control. Images were obtained before and after acupuncture at six traditional acupoints (LI 4, 10, 11, 15 and 16 and TE5) in the affected arm. The baseline image was subtracted from the postacupuncture image, to produce a subtraction image displaying only voxels with values >2 SD from the mean and those voxels were coregistered to the baseline SPECT or T2-weighted MRI. Similar images were obtained before and after acupuncture of eight normal volunteers. Statistical parametric mapping with a threshold of P =0.001 and a corrected P of 0.05 was performed for group comparison between postacupuncture and baseline SPECT. Focally increased CBF was seen in all patients especially in the hypoperfused zone surrounding the ischaemic lesion, the ipsilateral or contralateral sensorimotor area, or both. Normal subjects showed increased rCBF mainly in the parahippocampal gyrus, premotor area, frontal and temporal areas bilaterally and ipsilateral globus pallidus. Acupuncture stimulation after stroke patients appears to activate perilesional or use-dependent reorganised sites and might be a way of looking at brain reorganisation.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

Clinicopathological characteristics of gastric carcinoma in young patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastric carcinoma is a common disease that usually affects older patients, rarely younger patients. Although the relationship between prognosis and the age of patients with gastric carcinoma is controversial, most investigators have suggested that young patients have a poorer prognosis. This study examined the clinicopathological features of young patients with gastric carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of 1,833 patients with gastric carcinoma to compare the clinicopathological findings in young (aged <36 years) and older (aged >/= 36 years) patients during the period 1988 to 1998 in a tertiary referral center in Gwangju City. Overall survival was the main outcome measure. RESULTS: Of the 1,833 patients, 137 (7.5%) were in the young age group. There were no significant differences in depth of invasion, lymph node invasion, hepatic metastasis, peritoneal dissemination, tumor stage or rate of curative resection. A significantly higher percentage of young patients had poorly differentiated histology ( P=0.0001). The young patients with curatively resected gastric carcinoma had a better survival rate than young patients with non-resected gastric carcinoma ( P<0.001). The 5-year survival rates of young and older patients did not differ statistically (39.6% vs 42.4%; P=0.254). CONCLUSION: Young patients with gastric carcinoma do not have a worse prognosis than older patients. The important prognostic factor was whether the patients underwent curative resection.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Effect of maturation media and oocytes derived from sows or gilts on the development of cloned pig embryos.

In order to develop a culture system and recipient cytoplasm that could improve the developmental competence of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos for successful cloning of pigs, we evaluated the effect of donor oocytes and in vitro maturation (IVM) media on maturation of oocytes and developmental competence of SCNT embryos. In Experiment 1, oocytes derived from sows or gilts were matured in two IVM media (TCM-199 versus NCSU-23) and maturation of oocytes was evaluated by the status of chromatin configuration, the diameter of matured oocytes, the thickness of the zona pellucida, and the size of the perivitelline space (PVS). Sow oocytes matured in TCM-199 (S-TCM group) and NCSU-23 (S-NCSU group) showed significantly higher (P<0.05) maturation rates (S-TCM and S-NSCU, 86+/-4 and 82+/-4%, respectively) when evaluated by metaphase-II status than the gilt oocytes matured in TCM-199 (G-TCM group, 71+/-3%) and in NCSU-23 (G-NCSU-23 group, 71+/-3%). Oocyte diameter, the thickness of the zona pellucida, and the perivitelline space of sow oocytes (S-TCM and S-NCSU) were larger than those of gilt oocytes (G-TCM and G-NCSU) after IVM (P<0.05). In Experiment 2, SCNT was performed, using in vitro-matured oocytes from each group as recipient cytoplasm and porcine fetal fibroblasts as karyoplasts. The reconstructed embryos were electrically fused and activated, and cleavage and blastocyst formation were monitored under a stereomicroscope. The total cell number of flattened blastocysts stained with 5 microM bisbenzimide on day 7 were counted. In addition, in vitro matured non-enucleated oocytes were also electrically activated (parthenogenetic activation) and pronuclear formation was monitored. No difference in pronuclear formation rate after parthenogenetic activation and fusion rate after SCNT was observed among experimental groups. A significantly higher cleavage rate (P<0.05) was observed in S-TCM (69+/-4%) when compared with only G-NCSU (58+/-4%), but not with G-TCM (60+/-4%) or S-NCSU (68+/-4%). The rate of blastocyst formation was significantly higher (P<0.05) in sow oocytes (24% in S-TCM and S-NCSU), when compared to that observed in G-TCM (15%), and G-NCSU (14%). When the same source of oocytes was used, there was no significant difference in rate of blastocyst formation in the two culture media. Total cell number of blastocysts were not significantly different among experimental groups. In conclusion, the present study clearly demonstrated that sow oocytes have a greater developmental competence than gilt oocytes, regardless of the maturation medium examined.

Animals↗

Biodegradation of microbial and synthetic polyesters by fungi.

A variety of biodegradable polyesters have been developed in order to obtain useful biomaterials and to reduce the impact of environmental pollution caused by the large-scale accumulation of non-degradable waste plastics. Polyhydroxyalkanoates, poly(epsilon-caprolactone), poly( l-lactide), and both aliphatic and aromatic polyalkylene dicarboxylic acids are examples of biodegradable polyesters. In general, most aliphatic polyesters are readily mineralized by a number of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms that are widely distributed in nature. However, aromatic polyesters are more resistant to microbial attack than aliphatic polyesters. The fungal biomass in soils generally exceeds the bacterial biomass and thus it is likely that fungi may play a considerable role in degrading polyesters, just as they predominantly perform the decomposition of organic matter in the soil ecosystem. However, in contrast to bacterial polyester degradation, which has been extensively investigated, the microbiological and environmental aspects of fungal degradation of polyesters are unclear. This review reports recent advances in our knowledge of the fungal degradation of microbial and synthetic polyesters and discusses the ecological importance and contribution of fungi in the biological recycling of waste polymeric materials in the biosphere.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Articular chondrocyte apoptosis in equine osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease in horses. Chondrocyte apoptosis has been implicated as a major pathological OA change in humans and experimental animals but no studies have been performed on equine OA. Articular cartilage was collected from three normal and five OA horses. Histopathological changes were scored by a modified Mankin grading system. A terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to identify chondrocyte apoptosis. Nitric oxide (NO) production from chondrocytes was indirectly evaluated by immunohistochemistry with polyclonal antibody to nitrotyrosine. The histopathological score and percentage of chondrocyte apoptosis from the OA cartilages were significantly higher than from normal cartilages. There was a significant correlation between histopathological grade and the percentage of chondrocyte apoptosis. OA cartilages exhibited stronger immunoreactivity to nitrotyrosine than normal cartilage. Topographical distributions of chondrocyte apoptosis, cartilage matrix degeneration, and NO production overlapped in equine OA cartilages, suggesting that these pathological phenomena are closely interrelated.

Animals↗

Long-term evaluation of mice model infected with Helicobacter pylori: focus on gastric pathology including gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Long-term evaluation of gastric pathology after H. pylori infection is very important in order to reveal its clinical implications, since debate still exists on the gastric carcinogenesis provoked by H. pylori infection in animal models. AIM: Either to evaluate the long-term outcome of H. pylori infection or to determine how H. pylori could provoke gastric cancer in the mice model. METHODS: Four-week-old specific pathogen free C57BL/6 mice (n = 115) were infected with SS1, the mouse-adapted H. pylori strain. After 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, 50 and 80 weeks of bacterial infection, the H. pylori-infected mice were sacrificed. RESULTS: After 80 weeks of infection, almost all the H. pylori-infected mice developed hyperplastic gastritis, but did not show any evidence of gastric adenoma, dysplasia or carcinoma. PCNA positive cells were most abundant after 50 weeks and tended to decrease thereafter up to 80 weeks, whereas apoptosis began to be noted 8 weeks after H. pylori infection, showing 7-8 apoptotic cells/high power field, and tending to increase as time passed. Normally observed neutral mucin decreased during the experiment, showing the most marked decrease 50 weeks after H. pylori infection. In contrast, acidic mucin was noted from 50 weeks after infection. CONCLUSION: The SS1-infected mouse seems to be a suitable animal model for H. pylori-related research, and H. pylori itself does not induce gastric cancer in normal wild-type mouse model following long-term exposure, which could be explained by the balance that exists between cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Animals↗

Phase II study of oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in previously platinum-treated patients with advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin shows preclinical activity in many cancer cell lines that are resistant to cisplatin, and also has synergism with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). We undertook this study to evaluate the efficacy and toxicities of a combined oxaliplatin, 5-FU and leucovorin (LV) continuous infusion regimen in patients with advanced gastric cancer who progressed during or after treatment with 5-FU and platinum compounds. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with advanced gastric cancer, whose disease progressed while receiving, or after discontinuing, chemotherapy with a 5-FU and platinum regimen, were enrolled in this study. Treatment comprised oxaliplatin (85 mg/m2 on day 1) as a 2-h infusion followed by bolus 5-FU (400 mg/m2 on day 1), and 48-h infusion of 5-FU 2.4-3.0 g/m2 concurrently with LV 150 mg/m2. Cycles were repeated at 2-week intervals. RESULTS: Of the 23 evaluable patients, there were six partial responses (response rate 26%). All responding patients were among those who entered into this trial immediately after failure of previous chemotherapy with 5-FU and cisplatin. The median time to progression was 4.3 months and the median overall survival was 7.3 months. The most common hematologic toxicity was grade 1-2 anemia in 39 cycles (39%). No grade 4 leukopenia or thrombocytopenia were observed. The most common non-hematologic toxicity was nausea/vomiting (33%). Peripheral neuropathy of grade 1 or 2 was noted (27%), but there was no grade 3 or 4 neurotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: This phase II study of oxaliplatin, 5-FU and LV continuous infusion showed activity in previously platinum-treated patients with advanced gastric cancer, with acceptable toxicities.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Postoperative chemoradiotherapy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: We report the results of postoperative chemoradiotherapy after curative resection in gastric cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with gastric cancer staged IB to IV(M0) were treated with chemoradiotherapy after curative resection with extensive (D2) lymph node dissection. Nodal metastases were observed in 261 (90%) patients. The chemotherapy consisted of fluorouracil 400 mg/m(2) plus leucovorin 20 mg/m(2) for 5 days, followed by 4500 cGy of radiotherapy for 5 weeks with fluorouracil and leucovorin on the first 4 days and the last 3 days of radiotherapy. Two 5-day cycles of chemotherapy were given 4 weeks after the completion of radiotherapy. RESULTS: Of 290 patients accrued, 229 (79%) patients completed chemoradiotherapy as planned. With a median follow-up of 49 months, 114 (34%) patients have relapsed: 33 (29%) locoregional relapses, 76 (67%) peritoneal relapses and 41 (36%) distant metastases. The 5-year overall and relapse-free survivals were 60% and 57%, respectively. Tolerance was acceptable, the main toxicity being neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS: This postoperative chemoradiotherapy after curative resection of gastric cancer was feasible, with acceptable toxicities. Whether this adjuvant therapy in gastric cancer patients that have undergone a D2 lymph node dissection impacts on survival or reduces the incidence of relapses remains to be studied.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A high statistics measurement of the Lambda(+)(c) lifetime.

A high statistics measurement of the Lambda(+)(c) lifetime from the Fermilab fixed-target FOCUS photoproduction experiment is presented. We describe the analysis technique with particular attention to the determination of the systematic uncertainty. The measured value of 204.6 +/- 3.4 (stat) +/- 2.5 (syst) fs from 8034 +/- 122 Lambda(+)(c)-->pK(-)pi(+) decays represents a significant improvement over the present world average.

Journal Article↗

Search for CP violation in the decays D+--> K(S)pi+ and D+-->K(S)K+.

A high-statistics sample of photoproduced charm from the FOCUS experiment has been used to search for direct CP violation in the decay rates for D+-->K(S)pi+ and D+-->K(S)K+. We have measured the following asymmetry parameters relative to D+-->K-pi+pi+: A(CP)(K(S)pi+) = (-1.6+/-1.5+/-0.9)%, A(CP)(K(S)K+) = (+6.9+/-6.0+/-1.5)%, and A(CP)(K(S)K+) = (+7.1+/-6.1+/-1.2)% relative to D+-->K(S)pi+. We have also measured the relative branching ratios and found Gamma(D+-->K(0)pi+)/Gamma(D+-->K-pi+pi+) = (30.60+/-0.46+/-0.32)%, Gamma(D+-->K(0)K+)/Gamma(D+-->K-pi+pi+) = (6.04+/-0.35+/-0.30)%, and Gamma(D+-->K(0)K+)/Gamma(D+-->K(0)pi+) = (19.96+/-1.19+/-0.96)%.

Journal Article↗

Effect of transfusion of fresh-frozen plasma on recipients' antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B surface antigen status in countries where hepatitis B virus is endemic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Antibodies to hepatitis B virus (HBV) that are passively acquired through transfusions may lead to confusion and inappropriate clinical decisions. We evaluated the effects of transfusing fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) on serological tests for HBV antibodies in patients without such antibodies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tests for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and for antibodies to HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) and HBV core antigen (anti-HBc), were carried out using enzyme immunoassay on the FFP and sera of 50 patients transfused with FFP containing anti-HBs. RESULTS: After FFP transfusion, the incidences of 'false' positivity for anti-HBs and anti-HBc were 64% (32/50) and 100% (seven of seven), respectively, and of 'false' negativity for HBsAg was 18.8% (three of 16) in previously positive patients. The post-transfusion seropositivity for antibodies results from passive transmission, whereas the inability to detect HBsAg is the result of decreased detectable levels. CONCLUSIONS: Laboratory staff and clinicians alike should be cautious in interpreting the results of the HBV marker tests in patients who have recently been transfused, and in obtaining specimens for such studies.

Blood Transfusion↗

Comparison of two fibrin glues in anastomoses and skin closure.

To control intra-operative haemorrhage, fibrin glues are preferred by many surgeons because of their biological advantages and convenience of application. Manufacturers have developed a few kinds of fibrin glues with a little difference in their composition. This study was to compare the effectiveness of two commercially available fibrin glues; Greenplast (Green Cross P. D. Company, Yongin, Korea) and Tisseel (Baxter-Immuno AG, Vienna, Austria). They were applied experimentally to several kinds of surgery in dogs - renal vessel anastomosis, partial splenectomy, intestinal anastomosis and incision skin wound - and evaluated for their haemostatic and adhesive effects. When the two glues were applied in renal vessel anastomosis, the amount of haemorrhage in artery and vein decreased significantly. They also decreased the haemorrhage in partial splenectomy. At 10 min after application of the glues to an incision skin wound, the tensile strengths developed were significantly higher than that of control. The present study indicates that two-component fibrin glues have a haemostatic effect as a mechanical barrier in renal vessel anastomosis and an adhesive effect in the early stage of incision skin wound closure, and the two glues have similar effects with no complications.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Thermoluminescence characteristics of teflon embedded CaSO4:Dy TLD.

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) is manufacturing CaSO4:Dy Teflon TL pellets which have more sensitivity and stability than commercial TLD. A method is presented of preparing the CaSO4:Dy phosphor-embedded Teflon powder, which is then compressed to a thin pellet form used as the TLD element. Investigations are made to determine optimum preparation conditions and dosimetric characteristics of the CaSO4:Dy Teflon pellet such as the sensitivity, energy response, dose response, fading, re-usability, and lowest level of detection. The results show that the sensitivity of the CaSO4:Dy pellet is 2 times higher than that of the commercial Teledyne CaSO4:Dy pellet. A dose-response was observed to be linear in the range from 10(-5) to 10 Gy. The relative energy response in the low energy region was 9.6 (normalised to the 137Cs gamma source), and the fading rate was about 10% for five months. The re-usability was estimated to be more than 60 cycles, and the low level of detection dose was 22 microGy. From the results, the CaSO4:Dy pellet developed in KAERI can be successfully used in personal dosemeters through appropriate filter design for compensating the energy response.

Calcium Sulfate↗

Clinicopathologic features of mucinous gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Mucinous gastric carcinoma (MGC) is a histopathologic subtype of gastric carcinoma with a poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the disease course of MGC with non-mucinous gastric carcinoma (NMGC) and study the clinicopathologic features that influence the prognosis of MGC patients. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 2,383 patients with a confirmed histologic diagnosis of gastric carcinoma. There were 157 patients with MGC compared to 2,226 with NMGC. RESULTS: A depth of invasion greater than T3 was more frequently found in MGC than in NMGC. The mean number of lymph nodes with metastases was 2.78 in MGC and 2.28 in NMGC (p < 0.001). There were more MGC patients with TNM stages II through IV (UICC classification). The overall survival rate was lower for the MGC group (46.5%) than for the NMGC group (64.0%; p < 0.05). Depth of invasion, lymph node metastases, and stage at diagnosis were significant factors affecting the outcome. CONCLUSION: The factors influencing the poorer prognosis (lower 5-year survival rate) of MGC are the advanced stage at the time of diagnosis, lymph node metastases, and a higher TNM status. Mucinous histologic type itself was not an independent predictive factor in survival.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

Encephalomyelitis associated with akabane virus infection in adult cows.

Between August and September 2000, five 2-7-year-old cows in Korea exhibited neurologic signs and were diagnosed as infected with Akabane virus based on the results of histopathology, immunohistochemistry, serology, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were equally effective and sensitive for diagnosing Akabane virus infection during the early stage of infection. Typical lymphohistiocytic inflammation characterized by perivascular mononuclear cell infiltration, gliosis, neuronophagia, and neuronal loss was noted in the brain and the ventral horn gray matter of the spinal cord. The lesions in the brain were most prominent in the pons and medulla oblongata. Akabane virus antigen was detected in the brain and spinal cord, mainly in degenerating neurons and glial cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed a target band of expected size in four cows. This is the first report on an outbreak of natural Akabane virus infection in adult cattle.

Animals↗