Biomedical subjects

H Kim

Publications and source records attributed to H Kim.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

[Alcohol consumption and change of activity of daily living among the elderly living in an urban community].

Alcohol consumption has both adverse and beneficial effects on survival. We examined the baseline status of alcohol consumption and the changes of instrumental activity of daily living (I-ADL) by a prospective survey for the elderly living in an urban community who were participants in the "Longitudinal and Interdisciplinary Study on Aging by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG-LISA)". Detailed information on alcohol intake was collected during a structured interview. At a baseline survey in 1991, 1) the frequency of current drinkers decreased lineally by age. 2) the most popular alcohol beverage was beer for both sexes and average ethanol intake per day were 41 (10-45) g in men and 24 (8-28) g in women. Current drinkers had significantly stronger grip strength, higher velocity in maximum walking and higher score on the TMIG Index of Competence, designed to measure the higher-level competence in elderly community residents. After 4 years follow-up, in 1995, 73.3 percent of the participants completed the examination. They were classified into five categories as "current drinkers", "lifetime abstainers", "beginning to drink during follow-up period", "quit drinking during follow-up period" and "quit drinking at baseline". The decline of I-ADL was significantly greater among the elderly who "quit drinking during follow-up period" than "current drinkers". Further "current drinkers" had significantly lower decline of I-ADL than "lifetime abstainers". Our findings show beneficial effects of moderate alcohol intake in the maintenance of a higher level of competence in the elderly living in a community.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2000

Volume reduction in the caudate nucleus following stereotactic placement of lesions in the anterior cingulate cortex in humans: a morphometric magnetic resonance imaging study.

OBJECT: The goal of this study was to test hypotheses regarding changes in volume in subcortical structures following anterior cingulotomy. METHODS: Morphometric magnetic resonance (MR) imaging methods were used to assess volume reductions in subcortical regions following anterior cingulate lesioning in nine patients. Magnetic resonance imaging data obtained before and 9 +/- 6 months following anterior cingulotomy were subjected to segmentation and subcortical parcellation. Significant volume reductions were predicted and found bilaterally within the caudate nucleus, but not in the amygdala, thalamus, lenticular nuclei, or hippocampus. Subcortical parcellation revealed that the volume reduction in the caudate nucleus was principally referrable to the body, rather than the head. Furthermore, the magnitude of volume reduction in the caudate body was significantly correlated with total lesion volume. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these findings implicate significant connectivity between a region of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) lesioned during cingulotomy and the caudate body. This unique data set complements published findings in nonhuman primates, and advances our knowledge regarding patterns of cortical-subcortical connectivity involving the ACC in humans. Moreover, these findings indicate changes distant from the site of anterior cingulotomy lesions that may play a role in the clinical response to this neurosurgical procedure.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

p53 protein expression and its prognostic importance in patients with nodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

To determine whether the p53 expression might be a predictor for treatment response and overall survival in nodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), we analyzed the expression of p53 in 69 NHL patients. p53 protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry with long-term follow up (1-148 months: median 12.2). p53 expression was noted in 23/69 (33.3%) patients. Complete response (CR) rate to systemic chemotherapy was correlated with stage (I/II) (p=0.038), but not with p53 expression (p=0.2856). Poor overall survival was associated with stage (p=0.0010) or IPI score (p=0.0076), but not with p53 expression (p=0.8601). From stratification analysis by stage, in stage III/IV patients, the p53 positive group had a trend to be associated with poor overall survival than the p53 negative group. Multivariate analysis revealed that p53 positive group was associated with less CR rate compared to the p53 negative group (p=0.046), whereas overall survival was correlated with stage (p=0.0320), not with p53 status. p53 expression was associated with less CR rate in patients with DLBL. Further studies with large numbers of samples and homogenous group of NHL are needed to determine the prognostic value of cell cycle regulator, p53 in NHL.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed2000

Eosinophilic fasciitis preceding relapse of peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

Although eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) may precede hematologic malignancy or Hodgkin's disease, association with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is extremely rare. Only four cases of EF preceding or concomitant PTCL have been reported in the world literature. We experienced the first Korean case of EF complicated by the later relapse of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. A 63-year-old Korean male has been followed at our outpatient clinic periodically after treatment for stage IV PTCL. He had been in complete remission for seven and a half years when he developed edema of both lower extremities followed by sclerodermatous skin change in both hands with peripheral eosinophilia. Biopsy from the left hand showed fibrous thickening of the fascia with lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic infiltrate, consistent with EF. Twenty-five months later, a newly developed lymph node from the left neck showed recurrence of PTCL. EF may occur as a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with the relapse of PTCL. Therefore, in a patient with EF, the possibility of coexisting and/or future occurrence of hematologic neoplasm should be considered.

Eosinophilia↗

PubMed2000

Extensive acute lung injury following limited thoracic irradiation: radiologic findings in three patients.

The aim of our study was to describe the radiologic findings of extensive acute lung injury associated with limited thoracic irradiation. Limited thoracic irradiation occasionally results in acute lung injury. In this condition, chest radiograph shows diffuse ground-glass appearance in both lungs and thin-section CT scans show diffuse bilateral ground-glass attenuation with traction bronchiectasis, interlobular septal thickening and intralobular smooth linear opacities.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

NF-kappaB and cytokines in pancreatic acinar cells.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by infiltrating neutrophils, are considered as an important regulator in the pathogenesis and deveolpment of pancreatitis. A hallmark of the inflammatory response is the induction of cytokine gene expression, which may be regulated by oxidant-sensitive transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-KB). Present study aims to investigate whether neutrophils primed by 4beta-phorbol 12beta-myristate 13alpha-acetate (PMA) affect the productions of H2O2 and lipid peroxide (LPO), NF-kappaB activation and cytokine production in pancreatic acinar cells, and whether these alterations were inhibited by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). ROS generation in neutrophils increased by PMA, which was inhibited by NAC and SOD. The productions of H2O2, LPO and TNF-alpha were increased with the amounts of PMA-primed neutrophils added to acinar cells while the productions of H2O2, LPO and cytokines increased with time. PMA-primed neutrophils resulted in the activation of two species of NF-kappaB dimers (a p50/p65 heterodimer and a p50 homodimer). Both NAC and SOD inhibited neutrophil-induced alterations in acinar cells. In conclusion, ROS, generated by neutrophils, activates NF-kappaB, resulting in upregulation of inflammatory cytokines in acinar cells. Antioxidants such as NAC might be clinically useful antiinflammatory agents by inhibiting oxidant-mediated activation of NF-KB and decreasing cytokine production.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

A small-scale survey on the status of intestinal parasite infections in rural villages in Nepal.

The status of intestinal parasite infections was investigated in two rural villages (Chitrasar, Jerona) in Chitwan District, Nepal in 1999. Stool examination was performed with a total of 300 specimens from schoolchildren by formalin-ether sedimentation technique. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasite infections in the surveyed areas was 44.0%. The prevalence rate in Jerona was slightly higher than that in Chitrasar. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasite infections in female was slightly higher than that in male without statistically significant difference. Entamoeba coli was the most commonly found protozoan parasite (21.0%) followed by Giardia lamblia (13.7%) and others (5.3%). Hookworm was the most prevalent intestinal helminth (13.0%) followed by Trichuris trichiura (3.0%) and others (5.0%). Forty-three specimens (14.3%) showed mixed infections. It is necessary to implement large-scale treatment with anthelminthics, health education and sanitary improvement for intestinal parasite control in the surveyed areas.

Child↗

PubMed2000

Clinicopathologic characteristics of early gastric cancer in Korea.

Gastric cancer is the most common cause of cancer related death in Korea. Early gastric cancer (EGC), confined to mucosa or submucosa, regardless of lymph node metastasis, is known to have a favorable prognosis. From 1976 to 1995, four thousand nine hundred and twenty eight gastric cancer patients underwent operation at the Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Of these, 1,117 patients (22.6%) were diagnosed as EGC and underwent curative operation. Clinicopathologic characteristics were reviewed and survival data was analyzed. The proportion of EGC has increased during the last two decades, from 14.9% during 1976-1985 to 25.8% for 1986-1995. EGC has a wide age distribution range from the thirties to the sixties, with highest incidence in the sixties. The male to female ratio is 1.8:1, without any significant change in last two decades. Most lesions are located in the lower third of stomach (52.3%), and the lesser curvature (52.2%) was the most frequent site in the transverse axis. Macroscopically, the depressed type was the most common (66.1%) followed by the elevated, flat and mixed types, in that order. Tumor confined to the mucosa layer was seen in 52.5%, and lymph node involvement in 11.7%. The depth of tumor invasion correlated with tumor size and regional lymph node involvement. On histopathologic examination, signet ring cell type accounted for 29.6% of all EGCs. Overall 5-year survival rate was 92.7% and the presence of lymph node metastasis significantly affected survival (84.6% versus 96.2%) (p<0.05). In conclusion, the proportion of EGC, in terms of the gastric cancers operated upon, has been increasing in Korea over the last two decades. The introduction of active diagnostic approaches and diagnostic modalities could improve early diagnosis and the cure rate of gastric cancer in Korea.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Frequent chromosomal instability but no microsatellite instability in hepatocellular carcinomas.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype, caused by a deficiency of DNA mismatch repair genes, has been detected in a subset of tumors in the gastrointestinal tract. However, it is not clear how MSI is involved in the tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Results with HCC are controversial, with positive results published with American and European tumors, but negative with Japanese tumors. We report the absence of MSI in 39 Korean HCCs after analysis with 6 mononucleotide- and over 150 dinucleotide-repeat markers. Only one such dinucleotide-repeat (D2S213) exhibited a reproducible shift in mobility, representing a somatic mutation present in only some of the tumor cells. This may be the result of a spontaneous error of replication due to the intrinsic mutability of these unstable sequences and without any connection to true genomic instability. In support of this interpretation, no frameshift mutations were found at the coding repeats of target genes for the microsatellite mutator phenotype including TGF-betaRII, BAX, hMSH3, and hMSH6. In contrast, we observed frequent allelic losses on chromosomes 4q, 8p, 16q, and 17p by the analysis of dinucleotide repeats (microallelotyping), reflecting a high degree of tumor chromosomal instability, which was significantly associated to the tumor differentiation (p=0.036, Fisher's exact test). These results suggest that, unlike chromosomal instability, widespread MSI plays no role in the development or progression of HCC.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Development of new tracheal prosthesis: autogenous mucosa-lined prosthesis made from polypropylene mesh.

Reliable tracheal or tissue graft has not been developed yet for the reconstruction of large, circumferential tracheal defects. Major limitations were anastomotic dehishence and stenosis, which were attributed to the poor epithelisation of the prosthetic graft. We developed a new tracheal prosthesis that has a viable lined and well-vascularized mucosa. The prosthesis consists of Prolene mesh reinforced with polypropylene rings, and is coated with gelatin. In addition, we lined the luminal surface of the prosthesis with transplanted autogenous oral mucosa and wrapped the prosthesis with greater omentum. Animal experiments were performed using 10 adult mongrel dogs. The transplanted mucosa and wrapped greater omentum tightly adhered to the prosthesis to make a single unit within two weeks. The mucosa survived well, was well vascularised by new vessels from greater omentum and showed normal histology. Complete surgical resection and replacement of a thoracic trachea (3 cm in length, 6 tracheal rings) were carried out in 2 dogs, which survived well with normal activity. We concluded that this highly biocompatible tracheal prosthesis could be very useful for step-wise reconstruction of tracheal defects.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Polymorphisms of N-acetyltransferase 2, glutathione S-transferase mu and theta genes as risk factors of bladder cancer in relation to asthma and tuberculosis.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether the polymorphisms of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2), glutathione S-transferase-mu (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase-theta (GSTT1) genes were risk factors of bladder cancer among Korean people in relation to other risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control investigation of 113 patients with primary bladder cancer and 221 control subjects, we compared the association of bladder cancer with genetic polymorphisms of NAT2, GSTM1 and GSTT1, demographic characteristics, smoking status, and medical histories in a molecular epidemiological way. RESULTS: The risk of bladder cancer was significantly increased in patients with a medical history of tuberculosis (OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.57 to 8.26) and bronchial asthma (OR 4.15, 95% CI 1.61 to 10.75), while smoking history turned out to be insignificant. GSTM1 null genotype was a significant risk factor of bladder cancer (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.93). On the other hand, slow acetylator and GSTT1 genotypes were insignificant. Also, we could not find any association between GSTM1, GSTT1, slow acetylator genotypes and bladder cancer risk among smokers. The rapid acetylator, GSTM1 null and GSTT1 null genotypes with a medical history of asthma or tuberculosis combinations were significant risk factors in Korean subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Among Korean subjects, GSTM1 null genotype was a significant risk factor for bladder cancer. The reason why bronchial asthma and tuberculosis are risk factors in Korean subjects is yet unknown, but a variety of factors, including enzyme activities for detoxification, medication for these diseases and immunological background might be involved.

Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase↗

PubMed2000

Modeling and control of a magnetic bearing system for the magnetically suspended centrifugal blood pump.

We have developed a centrifugal blood pump with a magnetically suspended impeller to reduce the hemolysis level for long-term use. The main advance we have made was simplifying the traditional 5 axes controlled magnetic bearing system, since the total device should ultimately be small enough to implant into a human body. A simplified magnetic bearing system with only 3 actively controlled axes was designed to levitate the impeller. The state equations of the magnetic bearing plant were established using Lagrange's methods, and using the results, a linear quadratic optimal controller was designed to regulate the position of the impeller. Flow rate and differential pressure of 5L/min and 300 mmHg, respectively at a motor speed of 2750 rpm was achieved from a mock circulation setup. These results show satisfactory performance as a cardiopulmonary bypass device. The lowering of pumping efficiency as the clearance between the impeller and pump housing increased was negligible. Thus for power efficiency, the smallest gap not leading to a hemolysis level rise can be determined as a feasible operation clearance.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2000

[Study of the radioprotective effects of TMG on teratogenic malformations in irradiated mice].

ICR mice fetuses in the organogenesis stage were used to clarify experimentally the mechanism of the protective effect of vitamin E derivant (TMG: 2-(alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl) methyl-2, -5, -7, -8-Teramethylchorman-6-working woman) on the effects of radiation. The authors paid careful attention to radiation, and the radioprotective effects of TMG on the induction of malformations was examined. Radiation is an important consideration because of its widespread use in the areas of medicine, nuclear energy, and industry. Malformations induced by radiation at the organogenesis stage, skeletal malformations, and the effects at the cellular level of embryos were examined in this research. Further, the mechanism of the protection effect of TMG against radiation-induced malformations was analyzed and observed experimentally. Thus, this study was done to provide fundamental data on the radioprotective agent TMG. It was clear that TMG exerted radioprotective effects against embryonic death and the rate of teratogenesis when administered before exposure. Such effects were also exerted against skeletal malformations and fetal body weight. In summary, radioprotective effects were observed at the whole-body level as well as at the cellular level.

Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced↗

PubMed2000

Patient-reported complications after cryoablation therapy for prostate cancer.

To define the patient-reported complications after cryoablation therapy for prostate cancer and to compare these results to previously published patient-reported complications for radical prostatectomy and external beam irradiation. A questionnaire similar to previously published patient-reported complication studies was sent to the first 290 patients treated by cryoablation therapy at our Institution. The questionnaire was returned by 267 patients. Forty-four patients were excluded from analysis because of prior irradiation, transurethral prostatectomy, or cryoablation, resulting in a study group of 223 patients. Of the 208 patients with good urinary control preoperatively, 9 (4.3%) patients used incontinence pads after cryoablation. Seven of the 8 patients who used one pad daily reported leakage of only a few drops. Impotency, defined as an inability to obtain erections adequate for vaginal penetration, occurred in 85% of men who were potent preoperatively. Urethrorectal fistula occurred in 1 patient (0.4%). Bladder outlet obstruction caused by stricture of sloughed necrotic prostatic tissue required dilation or transurethral resection in 10% of patients. Scrotal swelling, penile tingling, and pelvic pain occurred in 18, 15, and 12% of patients, respectively; typically, these resolved spontaneously within 3 months. Patient-reported complications for cryoblation compared favorably to those reported for radical prostatectomy and external beam irradiation. Patient satisfaction was high; 96% of patients reported that they would choose cryosurgery as a treatment option again.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Enhanced expression of constitutive and inducible forms of nitric oxide synthase in autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

To elucidate the role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we analyzed the expression of constitutive neuronal NOS (nNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS), and inducible NOS (iNOS) in the spinal cords of rats with EAE. We further examined the structural interaction between apoptotic cells and spinal cord cells including neurons and astrocytes, which are potent cell types of nitric oxide (NO) production in the brain. Western blot analysis showed that three forms of NOS significantly increased in the spinal cords of rats at the peak stage of EAE, while small amounts of these enzymes were identified in the spinal cords of rats without EAE. Immunohistochemical study showed that the expression of either nNOS or eNOS increased in the brain cells including neurons and astrocytes during the peak and recovery stages of EAE, while the expression of iNOS was found mainly in the inflammatory macrophages in the perivascular EAE lesions. Double labeling showed that apoptotic cells had intimate contacts with either neurons or astrocytes, which are major cell types to express nNOS and eNOS constitutively. Our results suggest that the three NOS may play an important role in the recovery of EAE.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Assessment of biomarkers in paired primary and recurrent colorectal adenocarcinomas.

PURPOSE: Recurrent colorectal cancers respond poorly to anticancer treatment including radiotherapy. To better understand the biological characteristics of the recurrent colorectal tumor, we investigated various biomarkers regulating cell proliferation and cell loss in paired primary and recurrent colorectal tumor specimens within each individual. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From a total of 11 colorectal adenocarcinoma patients, 22 specimens of paired primary and recurrent tumors were obtained for analysis. Apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL labeling of apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Other biomarkers including proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), p53, WAF1, p34cdc2, and cyclins B1 and D1 were analyzed by immunohistochemical stains. RESULTS: PCNA index (PCNAI) showed an increase in 6 and a decrease in 5 recurrent tumors compared to primary tumors. Median PCNAI in primary and recurrent tumors were 33.5 and 48.3, respectively (p = 0.16). In contrast, the apoptotic index (AI) decreased in 9 of 11 recurrent tumors compared to primary tumors. Median AI decreased from 4.3 in primary tumors to 1.4 in recurrent tumors (p = 0.04). The p53 expression increased in more than half of recurrent tumors compared to primary tumors. Mean staining score increased from 0.7 in primary tumors to 1.2 in recurrent tumors (p = 0.059). WAF1 and cyclin B1 did not show significant change. In contrast, both cyclin D1 and p34cdc2 increased significantly in recurrent tumors. These two biomarkers showed increased expression in 8 (cyclin D1) and 7 (p34cdc2) recurrent tumors, respectively, compared to their primary counterparts. Mean staining scores of both biomarkers in recurrent tumors increased by more than twofold compared to those in primary tumors and these differences were statistically significant (cyclin D1, p = 0.007; p34cdc2, p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This study showed significantly decreased apoptosis in recurrent colorectal tumors compared to their primary counterparts. The underlying regulatory mechanisms included increased expression of p53 and altered cell cycle regulators such as increased cyclin D1 and p34cdc2. With further study, it may be used for developing a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of recurrent colorectal cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the D4 receptor antagonist SCH 66712 in rat plasma.

SCH 66712 is a potent and selective dopamine D4 receptor antagonist. An HPLC method was developed for the analysis of SCH 66712 in the plasma of rats, a species used for safety evaluation of this compound. The method involved solid-phase extraction on an ethyl cartridge and HPLC separation on a reversed-phase C8 column with quantitation using a fluorescence detector. The calibration curve was linear over a concentration range of 5-100 ng/ml. The limit of quantitation was 5 ng/ml, where the coefficient of variation (C.V.) was 2.9% and the bias was 6%. The precision of the method was satisfactory as indicated by an intra-day C.V. of < or = 4% and an inter-day C.V. of < or = 6%. The accuracy was also satisfactory as shown by an intra-day bias of < or = 8% and an inter-day bias of < or = 9%. The assay was shown to be sensitive, specific, accurate, precise, and reliable for use in pharmacokinetic or toxicokinetic studies.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The role of the epidermal growth factor receptor family in mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis.

A number of receptor systems have been implicated to play an important role in the development and progression of many human cancers. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor tyrosine kinase family has been found to consistently play a leading role in tumor progression. Indeed, in human breast cancer cases the prognosis of a patient is inversely correlated with the overexpression and/or amplification of this receptor family. Furthermore, downstream signaling components such as the Src kinases, PI3'K, and the Ras pathway display evidence of deregulation that can accelerate tumor progression. The transgenic mouse system has been ideal in elucidating the biological significance of this receptor family in mammary tumorigenesis. Molecular events involved in mammary tumorigenesis such as ligand binding, receptor dimerization, and the activation of downstream pathways have been addressed using this system. Although there are many molecular steps that appear to drive each stage of tumor development, the EGF receptor family appears to play a causal role in the progression to a transformed phenotype.

Animals↗