Biomedical subjects

E K Kim

Publications and source records attributed to E K Kim.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Lipase and its modulator from Pseudomonas sp. strain KFCC 10818: proline-to-glutamine substitution at position 112 induces formation of enzymatically active lipase in the absence of the modulator.

A lipase gene, lipK, and a lipase modulator gene, limK, of Pseudomonas sp. strain KFCC 10818 have been cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The limK gene is located immediately downstream of the lipK gene. Enzymatically active lipase was produced only in the presence of the limK gene. The effect of the lipase modulator LimK on the expression of active lipase was similar to those of the Pseudomonas subfamily I.1 and I.2 lipase-specific foldases (Lifs). The deduced amino acid sequence of LimK shares low homology (17 to 19%) with the known Pseudomonas Lifs, suggesting that Pseudomonas sp. strain KFCC 10818 is only distantly related to the subfamily I.1 and I.2 Pseudomonas species. Surprisingly, a lipase variant that does not require LimK for its correct folding was isolated in the study to investigate the functional interaction between LipK and LimK. When expressed in the absence of LimK, the P112Q variant of LipK formed an active enzyme and displayed 63% of the activity of wild-type LipK expressed in the presence of LimK. These results suggest that the Pro(112) residue of LipK is involved in a key step of lipase folding. We expect that the novel finding of this study may contribute to future research on efficient expression or refolding of industrially important lipases and on the mechanism of lipase folding.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2001

Obstetric prognosis of the gestational thrombocytopenia.

To define clinical outcomes of marked gestational thrombocytopenia (GT) (<100,000/mm3) we identified twenty-nine infants born to 28 pregnancies at 26 women with GT among 8,364 deliveries during the years 1993- 1999. Cordocentesis was performed in 7 mothers with platelet counts less than 75,000/mm3. Cord blood platelet count was checked in all cases at delivery. The most significant decrease of platelet count in pregnancy with GT was less than 50,000/mm3 in 6 pregnancies (21.4%) and between 50,000 and 100,000/mm3 in 22 pregnancies (78.6%). In pregnancies with GT, 2 neonates (6.9%) had mild thrombocytopenia and 1 neonate (3.4%) moderate thrombocytopenia. Severe thrombocytopenia was not observed in any neonate born to mothers with GT. There were no cases of coagulation disturbance at delivery or in the postpartum period. Fourteen cases for which follow-up was carried out recovered platelet counts to more than 100,000/mm3 within one month postpartum. Two patients who became pregnant twice noticed recurrence of GT. In conclusion, GT is not associated with bleeding diathesis in the mother, resolves spontaneously during the postpartum period, and can recur in subsequent gestations, and the association of severe fetal/neonatal thrombocytopenia is very rare. No intervention is necessary during pregnancy or delivery, apart from a careful maternal and fetal surveillance if there is no obstetric indication.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) immunoreactivity and its relationship to cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, clinicopathologic characteristics, and patient survival in pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The clinicopathological and biological significance of the expression of iNOS in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. The goal of this study was to determine the possible roles and clinical significance of iNOS expression in pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Seventy-two pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissue specimens were obtained by surgical resection. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of iNOS in 72 patients with pancreatic cancer with respect to variable clinicopathological characteristics, proliferation activity (assessed by Ki-67 expression), apoptosis (assessed by TUNEL stain), and microvessel density (assessed by CD34 expression; angiogenesis). RESULTS: Immunohistochemical investigations demonstrated immunolabeling of tumor cells with anti-iNOS antibody. Positivity for iNOS was observed in 48/72 (66.7%). The expression of iNOS protein did not correlate with age, bilirubin, tumor marker, location, size, AJCC stage, differentiation, distant metastasis, or patient survival. No significant association was found between iNOS expression and proliferation or microvessel density in pancreatic cancer. Apoptotic index (AI) of positive iNOS expressions were significantly higher than negative expression (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is expressed by human pancreatic cancer, and its presence is positively correlated with apoptosis of cancer cells that could provide the basis for the development of therapeutic strategies in human pancreatic cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2001

Protective effect of 4',5-dihydroxy-3',6,7-trimethoxyflavone from Artemisia asiatica against Abeta-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells.

Amyloid beta protein (Abeta)-induced free radical-mediated neurotoxicity is a leading hypothesis as a cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abeta increased free radical production and lipid peroxidation in PC12 nerve cells, leading to apoptosis and cell death. The effect of 4',5-dihydroxy-3',6,7-trimethoxyflavone from Artemisia asiatica on Abeta induced neurotoxicity was investigated using PC12 cells. Pretreatment with isolated 4',5-dihydroxy-3',6,7-trimethoxyflavone and vitamin E prevented the Abeta-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). The 4',5-dihydroxy-3',6,7-trimethoxyflavone resulted in concentration-dependant decreased Abeta toxicity assessed by 3-(4, 5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. However, treatment with these antioxidants inhibited the Abeta-induced neurotoxic effect. Therefore, these results indicate that micromolecular Abeta-induced oxidative cell stress is reduced by 4,5-dihydroxy-3',6,7-trimethoxyflavone from Artemisia asiatica.

Adrenal Medulla↗

PubMed2001

Retroperitoneal fibrosis with duodenal stenosis.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a rare disease characterized by the formation of dense plaque of fibrous tissue covering the retroperitoneal structures. This disease is commonly presented as ureteral obstruction, but the involvement of duodenum is rare. We report a case of retroperitoneal fibrosis which was complicated with duodenal stenosis and was successfully treated with corticosteroids. A 58-yr-old man, who had history of aorto-iliac bypass graft due to arteriosclerosis obliterans with infrarenal aortic occlusion was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain and a mass. Abdominal CT scan revealed the periaortic soft tissue mass encircling grafted aorta and stenosis of duodenal third portion. Retroperitoneal fibrosis with duodenal stenosis was diagnosed and prednisolone therapy was initiated. Follow-up CT scan showed that the patient responded to prednisolone therapy with eased pain, shrinking periaortic mass, and reduced duodenal stenosis.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

PubMed2001

Sonographic findings of metastatic disease to the thyroid.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the sonographic findings of thyroid metastases arising from non-thyroid primaries. The study over a 5-year period comprised nine patients who had histopathologically proven metastatic disease to the thyroid. Ultrasonography was available in all cases. Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration was performed on 10 suspected nodules as determined by ultrasound. The Ultrasonographic findings were analyzed in two different ways. The first analysis included only those nodules biopsed, and the second analysis included all the nodules, biopsed and non-biopsed. The primary neoplasms were breast carcinoma (n=6), uterine leiomyosarcoma (n=1), cervical carcinoma (n=1), and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (n=1). Excluding 2 nodules, the 8 remaining metastatic nodules exhibited ill-defined hypoechoic character with heterogeneous texture. The other two nodules showed relatively circumscribed iso- or hypo-echoic character with cystic portion. From the analysis of ultrasonographic findings including all thyroid nodules irrespective of pathologic proof, 7 cases - excluding the 2 cases from the 9 cases - showed unilateral or bilateral multiple nodules suspected of metastasis. There was no evidence of microcalcification in any thyroid nodules. In conclusion, the sonographic findings of the thyroid metastatic nodules were not specific, but unilateral or bilateral multiple suspected thyroid nodules without evidence of microcalcification may be suggestive of metastatic nodules among patients with a known primary non-thyroidal tumor.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Squamous cell carcinoma of the cornea.

In this paper, a case of corneal squamous cell carcinoma is reported. Invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cornea is a rare disorder and has not been previously described in the Korean literature. In this case, the invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cornea was treated by complete excision and cryotherapy. No evidence of metastasis or recurrence has been found since the procedure. Complete excision and adjunctive cryotherapy has become the treatment of choice because of the higher recurrence rate following a simple excision.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

The prognosis of respiratory failure in patients with tuberculous destroyed lung.

SETTING: The medical intensive care unit of a tertiary referral hospital. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognosis of patients whose lungs are damaged by previous and/or present tuberculosis infection and who have subsequently been presented with acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: A consecutive series of 38 patient cases with retrospective data analysis. RESULTS: Pulmonary function test results for tests performed within the previous year were made available in 21 of the 38 cases (55%). These showed a mean (+/- SD) forced vital capacity (FVC) of 1.52 +/- 0.46 L (41.0 +/- 14.5% predicted), a forced expiratory volume/second (FEV1) of 0.77 +/- 0.18 L (29.3 +/- 13.6% predicted), and an FEV1/FVC ratio of 55.1 +/- 16.2%. The acid-fast bacilli (AFB) positive group had a significantly higher mortality and more severe lung destruction when compared with the AFB-negative group. Patients with positive AFB were significantly more hypocapnic than those with negative AFB (6.4 +/- 2.7 vs. 9.3 +/- 3.9 kPa, P = 0.020). In multivariate analysis, the level of PaCO2 on admission was identified as the only significant prognostic index (OR 0.76, 95%CI 0.60-0.96). CONCLUSION: Patients with positive AFB smears or cultures may have higher mortality rates than those with negative AFB in the tuberculosis destroyed lung patients with acute respiratory failure. A higher PaCO2 measurement could indicate a better survival rate in this group of patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Nucleolar localization of human methionyl-tRNA synthetase and its role in ribosomal RNA synthesis.

Human aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are normally located in cytoplasm and are involved in protein synthesis. In the present work, we found that human methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MRS) was translocated to nucleolus in proliferative cells, but disappeared in quiescent cells. The nucleolar localization of MRS was triggered by various growth factors such as insulin, PDGF, and EGF. The presence of MRS in nucleoli depended on the integrity of RNA and the activity of RNA polymerase I in the nucleolus. The ribosomal RNA synthesis was specifically decreased by the treatment of anti-MRS antibody as determined by nuclear run-on assay and immunostaining with anti-Br antibody after incorporating Br-UTP into nascent RNA. Thus, human MRS plays a role in the biogenesis of rRNA in nucleoli, while it is catalytically involved in protein synthesis in cytoplasm.

Antibodies↗

PubMed2000

Laparoscopic procedures during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Pregnancy no longer is considered to be an absolute contraindication for laparoscopic procedures. Furthermore, clinically helpful guidelines are in place for laparoscopic procedures during pregnancy. However, laparoscopic operations in women in the third trimester have not yet been reported fully. We successfully operated on torsion of an ovarian cyst in a woman during her third trimester using laparascopic procedure. The patient experienced an uneventful recovery.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Design and synthesis of anticonvulsive agents as gamma-vinyl GABA-based potential dual acting prodrugs and their biological activities.

For the development of new anticonvulsive agents, gamma-vinyl GABA (vigabatrin) and GABA mimetics derivatives were covalently coupled as potential dual acting prodrugs and evaluated for their anticonvulsive activities. Among the prepared compounds, 11 showed the most potent anticonvulsive activity, a shorter onset time and a broader spectrum compared to vigabatrin.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

The terminal protein of a linear mitochondrial plasmid is encoded in the N-terminus of the DNA polymerase gene in white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus.

The gene structure and expression of the linear mitochondrial plasmids of the white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus, pMLP1 and pMLP2, were analyzed. Cleavage by proteinase K and exonucleases indicated that the 5' ends of pMLP1 and pMLP2 DNAs were associated with terminal proteins. Nucleotide sequencing of the entire pMLP1 DNA revealed that it consists of 9,879 bp with terminal inverted repeat (TIR) sequences of 381 bp. The end sequence of TIR in pMLP1 is 3'-CCCCC-5', similar to those of Escherichia coli phage PRDI. The pMLP1 plasmid harbors two long open reading frames (ORFI and ORF2) and at least one minor ORF (mORF1). The deduced product of ORF1 is homologous to RNA polymerases of yeast mitochondria and several bacteriophages, whereas that of ORF2 is homologous to the protein-primed DNA polymerases of family B type. The mORF1 encodes a highly basic protein, most likely a TIR-binding protein, with no apparent sequence homology in the database. Expression of the predicted gene products from pMLP1 in mitochondria was demonstrated by Western blot analysis using antibodies against various expressed regions of pMLP1 ORFs. A plasmid-free strain, generated by curing with ethidium bromide, did not express any of these gene products. Terminal proteins of 70 kDa (TP1) and 73 kDa (TP2) were identified from pMLP1 and pMLP2, respectively. Western blot analysis indicated that TP1 was generated from the N-terminal half of the full-length product of ORF2 encoding a putative DNA polymerase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Delayed interval delivery in multiple gestations.

Two multiple pregnancies with delayed delivery after expulsion of dead fetus are presented. Case 1: A woman with a twin pregnancy and one intrauterine fetal death at 20 weeks' gestation delivered a dead fetus at 27 weeks' gestation. She delivered a healthy male infant weighing 2430 g at 33 weeks' gestation (42 d after the delivery of the first twin). Case 2: A woman with quadruplets pregnancy (2 live fetuses, one empty sac, and one fetocide at 7 weeks' gestation) got a intrauterine fetal death at 21 weeks' gestation at one fetus among 2 live fetuses and delivered a dead fetus at 24 weeks' gestation. She delivered a healthy female infant weighing 2110 g at 33 weeks' gestation (58 d after the delivery of a dead fetus). On the basis of our experience and the review of literature, delayed delivery with careful observation of fetal and maternal condition is recommended for improved survival and decreased morbidity among latter-born siblings.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Fetal weight prediction by thigh volume measurement with three-dimensional ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of a simple method of predicting fetal weight by measuring fetal thigh volume with three-dimensional ultrasonography. METHODS: In 84 pregnant women, fetuses without structural or chromosomal anomalies were studied prospectively and cross-sectionally. Biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) were measured by two-dimensional ultrasound. Fetal thigh volume was measured by three-dimensional ultrasound, using three cross-sectional images of femur, from proximal, middle, and distal parts of femur diaphysis. Infants were delivered within 48 hours after ultrasound examinations. RESULTS: Modified thigh volume measurements using three cross-sectional images of femur by three-dimensional ultrasound were correlated strongly with birth weight (R(2) = 0.921, P <.001). Using linear and polynomial regression, we calculated a new best-fit formula: Birth weight (g) = 165.32 + 28.78 x modified thigh volume (mL). The mean and standard deviation of the residual were 121.8 and 110.4, respectively, in three-dimensional formulas, which were significantly smaller than those of two-dimensional formulas. CONCLUSION: Thigh volume measurement using three cross-sectional images of femur by three-dimensional ultrasound was simple, and there was better accuracy with this method than with two-dimensional ultrasound methods for predicting fetal weight during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Comparison of tear secretion and tear film instability after photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare tear secretion and tear film instability following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. METHODS: In a prospective study, 36 eyes (21 patients) had PRK and 39 eyes (25 patients) had LASIK to correct myopia. Tear secretion and tear film instability were tested preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively using Schirmer test values, tear breakup time (BUT) scores, and tear osmolarity. RESULTS: Six months after surgery, the change in Schirmer test values from preoperative levels was -14.57% +/- 6.39% (SD) in the PRK eyes and -23.40% +/- 5.94% in the LASIK eyes and the change in BUT scores, -12.54% +/- 8.28% and -18.79% +/- 13.01%, respectively. The change in tear osmolarity was 14.95% +/- 6.46% and 35.63% +/- 8.51%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in tear secretion was greater after LASIK than after PRK at 6 months. Proper treatment of dry eye is required after LASIK and PRK, particularly in the LASIK postoperative period.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in Korean dairy products determined by ELISA and HPLC.

The occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in pasteurized milk and dairy products was investigated by using direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The recoveries of AFM1 from the samples spiked at levels between 5 and 500 pg/ml were 88.0-106.5% for pasteurized milk and 84.0-94.0% for yoghurt by ELISA. By HPLC, the recoveries were 103-120% for pasteurized milk and 87.0-93.0% for yoghurt. The limits of detection were found to be 2 pg/ml by ELISA and 10 pg/ml by HPLC. Among a total of 180 samples collected in Seoul, Korea, the incidence of AFM1 in pasteurized milk, infant formula, powdered milk and yoghurt was 76, 85, 75, and 83%, respectively, with a mean concentration of 18, 46, 200, and 29 pg/g, respectively, when determined by ELISA. These results obtained by ELISA were closely related to those by HPLC for AFM1 (r2 = 0.9783).

Aflatoxin M1↗

PubMed2000

Prenatal diagnosis of severe tricuspid insufficiency in Ebstein's anomaly with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum: a case report.

Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum is an uncommon congenital cardiac anomaly which very often present varying degrees of downward displacement and dysplasia of the tricuspid valve. A 23-year-old woman was referred at 23 weeks' gestation because of fetal cardiomegaly detected by routine ultrasonography. Ebstein's anomaly with pulmonary atresia was diagnosed by fetal echocardiography. On pulsed Doppler examination, a severe tricuspid regurgitation was detected. Pulmonary atresia was suspected, as forward flow was not detected into pulmonary artery. The fetus was terminated at 25 weeks. At the postmorterm examination Ebstein's anomaly with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum were confirmed. The finding of right atrial enlargement on an early sonogram should prompt the search for tricuspid valve abnormalities with tricuspid regurgitation and the presence or development of pulmonary atresia or stenosis. With the information provided, early detection of tricuspid valve disease should be possible so that the option of therapeutic abortion can be offered.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed2000

Toxic amebic colitis coexisting with intestinal tuberculosis.

A patient with a fulminant amebic colitis coexisting with intestinal tuberculosis had a sudden onset of crampy abdominal pain, mucoid diarrhea, anorexia, fever and vomiting with signs of positive peritoneal irritation. Fulminant amebic colitis occurring together with intestinal tuberculosis is an uncommon event and may present an interesting patho-etiological relationship. The diagnosis was proven by histopathologic examination of resected specimen. Subtotal colectomy including segmental resection of ileum, about 80 cm in length, followed by exteriorization of both ends, was performed in an emergency basis. Despite all measures, the patient died on the sixth postoperative day. The exact relationship of fulminant amebic colitis and intestinal tuberculosis is speculative but the possibility of a cause and effect relationship exists. Fulminant amebic colitis may readily be confused with other types of inflammatory bowel disease, such as idiopathic ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, perforated diverticulitis and appendicitis with perforation. This report draws attention to the resurgence of tuberculosis and amebiasis in Korea, and the need for the high degree of caution required to detect it.

Diagnosis, Differential↗