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J C Kim

Publications and source records attributed to J C Kim.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

The clinicopathological significance of inferior mesenteric lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer.

AIMS: There are few studies reporting survival or recurrence patterns in colorectal cancer patients with inferior mesenteric lymph node metastasis (IMLN+). The present study evaluated the prognostic significance of patients being IMLN+ or IMLN- in colorectal cancer. METHODS: Survival, recurrence pattern and treatment protocols were compared between 63 IMLN+ patients and 108 IMLN- patients with stage III and IV rectal and sigmoid cancer undergoing curative surgery. Lymph node sampling was routinely performed prior to inferior mesenteric artery ligation and excision flush with aorta. Limited principal node dissection including IMLN was performed in cases of identified node metastasis. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-free survival rates were 50% in IMLN- and 31% in IMLN+ patients (P=0.004). The 5-year disease-free survival rate was greater in the N1 group than the N2 group (P=0.038). Cox regression analysis showed IMLN+, lymphovascular tumour invasion, T4, M1, and pre-operative serum CEA level over 6 ng/ml were independently associated with unfavorable disease-free survival. The prognostic significance of M category was greater when the IMLN+ was included in the M1 as opposed to the N category. In patients undergoing absolute curative surgery, post-operative recurrence rates were 34% for IMLN- and 57% for IMLN+ patients (P=0.009; OR, 2.611; 95% CI, 1.313-5.194). For IMLN+ patients, post-operative adjuvant treatment independently correlated with disease-free survival (P=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: IMLN+ is an independent survival factor enhancing the prognostic significance of the M category in the AJCC staging. Curative radical surgery and post-operative chemoradiotherapy appears to be warranted for IMLN+ colorectal cancer patients as it resulted in 5-year disease-free survival rates of up to 31% compared to 50% in IMLN- patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Subacute toxicity evaluation of a new camptothecin anticancer agent CKD-602 administered by intravenous injection to rats.

The subacute toxicity of a new camptothecin anticancer agent, CKD-602, was investigated after 4-week repeated intravenous administration of the chemical in Sprague-Dawley rats. The test chemical was administered intravenously to rats at dose levels of 0, 0.003, 0.013, or 0.067 mg/kg/day for males and 0, 0.004, 0.018, or 0.089 mg/kg/day for females. At the end of the treatment period, 10 rats/sex/group were sacrificed. The remaining 5 rats/sex in the vehicle control and high dose groups continued the study without treatment for 2 weeks (recovery period). During the test period, clinical signs, mortality, body weights, food and water consumption, ophthalmoscopy, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, gross findings, organ weights, and histopathology were examined. In both sexes of the high dose group, an increase in the incidence of abnormal clinical signs and paleness of the eyes, a reduction in the body weight gain, food consumption and urine protein, and an increase in the water consumption were observed. Hematological investigations revealed a decrease in the red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit and an increase in the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, platelets, and reticulocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Serum total cholesterol and total protein values were lower in females than those of controls, but not in males. An increase in the heart and liver weights and a decrease in the thymus weight were also found. Histopathological alterations included an increase in the incidence of atrophy of the sternal marrow, atrophy, fibrosis and mast cell hyperplasia of the femoral marrow, atrophy of the white pulp and extramedullary hematopoiesis of the spleen, atrophy of the thymus, auricular hypertrophy of the heart, extramedullary hematopoiesis and centriacinar telangiectasis of the liver, follicular degeneration of the ovary, and inflammation of the tail. The major treatment-related effects were not recovered at the end of 2-week recovery period. There were no adverse effects in the low and middle dose groups of both genders. In the present experimental conditions, the target organs were determined to be bone marrow, blood cells, spleen, liver, thymus, and heart. The no-observed-adverse-effect level was considered to be 0.013 mg/kg/day for males and 0.018 mg/kg/day for females.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Involvement of bone marrow-derived stem and progenitor cells in the pathogenesis of pterygium.

AIMS: To evaluate the involvement of multipotential stem and progenitor cells in the pathogenesis of pterygium. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded and snap-frozen primary pterygium (n = 10) were serially sectioned and analysed immunohistochemically to determine the expression level of AC133 (marker for the primitive haematopoietic progenitors), CD34 (marker for the haematopoietic progenitor cells and endothelium), c-Kit (marker for haematopoietic and stromal progenitor cells), and STRO-1 (a differentiation antigen present on bone marrow fibroblast cells and on various nonhaematopoietic progenitor cells). RESULTS: In all the primary pterygium, immunoreactivity of AC133 and STRO-1 was found in some of the epithelial and stromal cells, CD34 was observed in the vascular endothelium, and some scattered ovoidal cells were found in the subepithelial connective tissue. C-Kit was expressed mainly in the basal epithelium of the head portions, and some spindle-shaped stromal cells. There is no immunoreactivity of AC133, c-Kit, and STRO-1 in normal conjunctiva, whereas CD34 was mildly stained with vessel wall. CONCLUSION: Multipotential stem and progenitor cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of pterygium through its differentiation into fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells.

AC133 Antigen↗
PubMed2004

Atypical endoscopic features of rectal carcinoids.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: It is not normally difficult to diagnose carcinoid tumors (well-differentiated endocrine neoplasms) of the rectum endoscopically, as they usually have a characteristic appearance. However, little is known about the atypical endoscopic findings in some rectal carcinoids and the present study was performed to analyze these. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The endoscopic findings in 67 consecutive patients with rectal carcinoids (37 men, 30 women; age range 23 - 76) were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Tumor size ranged from 2 mm to 30 mm (average 7.4 mm). Of the 67 patients, 52 (78 %) displayed the characteristic endoscopic findings of smooth, round, sessile elevations covered with normal-appearing or yellow-discolored mucosa; in 15 (22 %) there were one or more atypical endoscopic findings. These included a semipedunculated appearance (n = 6), hyperemia (n = 5), a central depression (n = 6), erosion (n = 5), and ulceration (n = 4). Atypical findings were noted in none of 20 carcinoids &lambda< 5 mm in diameter; in six (20 %) of the 30 carcinoids between 5 mm and 9 mm; in six (43 %) of the 14 carcinoids between 10 mm and 19 mm; and in three (100 %) of the three carcinoids >/= 20 mm in diameter ( P < 0.001). Invasion into the muscularis propria or metastasis to the liver or lymph nodes occurred in three of the four patients with ulceration, but it was confirmed in only one of the 63 patients without ulceration ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Atypical endoscopic appearances of rectal carcinoids are observed more frequently as the size of the tumor increases and a finding of ulceration may have a prognostic value.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Optimum electrode configuration for detection of arm movement using bio-impedance.

A four-channel impedance measurement system, including a two-channel goniometer, to analyse human arm movement, was constructed. Impedances and joint angles were simultaneously measured for wrist and elbow movements. As the impedance changes resulting from wrist and elbow movements depended heavily on electrode placement, the optimum electrode configurations for those movements were determined by searching for high correlation coefficients, large impedance changes and minimum interferences in ten subjects (age: 29 +/- 6 years). The optimum electrode configurations showed very strong relationships between the wrist joint angle and forearm impedance (correlation coefficient= 0.95 +/- 0.04) and between the elbow joint angle and upper arm impedance (correlation coefficient= -0.97 +/- 0.03). Although the measured impedance changes of the wrist (1.1 +/-1.5 ohms) and elbow (-5.0 +/-2.9 ohms) varied between individuals, the reproducibilities of wrist and elbow impedance changes of five subjects were 5.8 +/- 1.8% and 4.6 +/- 1.4% for the optimum electrode pairs, respectively. It is proposed that this optimum electrode configuration would be useful for future studies involving the accurate measurement of arm movements by the impedance method.

Arm↗
PubMed2003

Differences in the fetal interleukin-6 response to microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity between term and preterm gestation.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Fetal inflammatory response has been implicated as a mechanism of multi-system organ injury in preterm and term neonates. Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) is frequently associated with a fetal inflammatory response. However, there are no studies comparing the fetal response to MIAC in term and preterm gestations. The purpose of this study was to compare the umbilical cord plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations in term and preterm neonates in the presence or absence of MIAC. STUDY DESIGN: Umbilical cord blood was obtained at birth from 252 neonates whose mothers had an amniocentesis within 48 h of delivery (preterm delivery, n = 62; term delivery, n = 190). MIAC was defined as a positive amniotic fluid culture for bacteria or genital mycoplasmas. IL-6 was measured by a sensitive and specific immunoassay. RESULTS: The median IL-6 concentration in umbilical cord plasma was significantly higher in preterm neonates than in term neonates (median 13.4 pg/ml, range 0.1-676 pg/ml vs. median 3.2 pg/ml, range 0.1-408 pg/ml; p < 0.0001). In the context of MIAC, the median umbilical cord plasma IL-6 concentration was significantly higher in preterm than in term neonates (median 31.6 pg/ml, range 1.4-676 pg/ml vs. median 11.7 pg/ml, range 1.3-82 pg/ml, respectively; p < 0.05). Neonates born to mothers with a positive amniotic fluid culture had a significantly higher median IL-6 concentration than neonates born to mothers with a negative amniotic fluid culture (preterm: median 31.6, range 1.4-676 pg/ml vs. median 8.0, range 0.1-656 pg/ml; p < 0.05 and term: median 11.7, range 1.3-82 pg/ml vs. median 3.1, range 0.1-408 pg/ml; p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The preterm fetus is capable of mounting a systemic cytokine response as measured by IL-6 in its peripheral blood. In the setting of MIAC, a fetal IL-6 response is higher in preterm than in term gestation.

Amnion↗
PubMed2002

Comparative study of three-dimensional and conventional endorectal ultrasonography used in rectal cancer staging.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) imaging offers improved knowledge of various anatomic structures and tumors by providing 3D images. This prospective study was performed to verify whether 3D endorectal ultrasonography (EUS) enhances the accuracy of rectal cancer staging, as compared with conventional EUS. METHODS: Using both 3D and conventional EUS, 33 consecutive patients with operable rectal cancer were preoperatively staged. A rigid 3D probe with a scanner was used for 3D EUS, and a rigid endorectal probe with a scanner was used for conventional EUS. RESULTS: The accuracy of 3D EUS was 90.9% for pT2 and 84.8% for pT3, whereas that of conventional EUS was 84.8% and 75.8%, respectively, thereby showing no difference between these two methods. The lymph node metastasis was accurately predicted by 3D EUS in 28 patients (84.8%), whereas conventional EUS predicted the disorder in 22 patients (66.7%). The difference was not statistically significant. The average infiltration grade of the circumference on transverse 3D EUS scans was associated closely with advancement of the TNM stage (p <0.001-0.006) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.003). The presence of a cone-shaped surface on the deep tumor border correlated with the infiltration grade shown on all of the sectional displays (p <0.001-0.042) and with advancement of the TNM stage (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Although the findings did not show 3D EUS to have a significant advantage over conventional EUS for the accurate evaluation of rectal cancer, a numeric advantage may possibly be statistically significant in a further study with larger cases. Furthermore, stereoscopic visualization provided easier and complete understanding of both focal lesions and lymph nodes.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The role of nitric oxide in ocular surface diseases.

For the first time, the current series of studies provide a possible pathophysiologic mechanism of NO-induced ocular surface disease. NO is present in tear and aqueous humor and is suspected of having an important physiological role in maintaining normal homeostasis of the ocular surface. NO concentrations are higher in aqueous humor compared to tears, though some variability exists between different species. When inflammation was induced by PTK wounding or LPS, three forms of NOS expression were seen in corneal cells. Each isoform of NOS was expressed uniquely according to the specific location of inflammation. When concentrations of NO peaked, the levels of iNOS were markedly increased in fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. The correlation between NO and inflammation was confirmed by treatment with NOS inhibitor, which abrogated the amount of both NO and inflammation. The tissue damage by NO was measured by nitrotyrosine formation. Damage was detected mainly in inflammatory cells, especially those localized in and around the limbal vessel. It is likely that expression of iNOS in limbal fibroblasts has other roles related to survival of limbal stem cells and fibroblasts as well. Because the main source of NO are fibroblasts, we were able to determine the effect of various concentrations of NO on cell viability using a fibroblast culture system. Cell viability increased in dose dependent manner from 10 microM to 500 microM of the NO generator SNAP, but decreased at concentrations above 1000 microM, suggesting that the in vivo mechanism of cell death was indirect, through specific biologic pathways. Therefore, the pathophysiological mechanism of NO action is bimodal with a toxicological component in ocular surface diseases. Furthermore, its concentration and interaction with other oxygen mediators appear to vary depending on the degree of inflammation.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Introduction of voluntary counselling and rapid testing for HIV in rural South Africa: from theory to practice.

Expanding access to voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV is an important first step in the development of a comprehensive package of HIV services. This article describes the introduction of VCT among five primary health care (PHC) facilities in a rural South African setting, alongside a multidimensional impact assessment as part of a national pilot programme. A baseline review of services demonstrated low levels of VCT, which were predominantly hospital-based. Twenty health workers in five PHC facilities were trained to provide VCT using rapid-testing assays. The feasibility of VCT introduction and its overall acceptability to clients and providers were evaluated using clinic testing registers, semi-structured interviews with counsellors and mock client encounters. One year after its introduction, a major increase in the quantity of HIV testing, the proportion of clients who receive their results, and the proportion who present voluntarily was observed. The majority of those presenting were women, and 20-40 year olds predominated. There was a high level of acceptance among health workers, and the quality of VCT was rated very good in mock client encounters. This work demonstrates one effective model for improving access to VCT through existing primary health care services in a rural South African context.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Funisitis and chorionic vasculitis: the histological counterpart of the fetal inflammatory response syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a relationship between the presence of histological signs of inflammation in the extraplacental membranes and umbilical cord and the concentrations of fetal plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6). METHODS: The study examined a cohort of patients who were admitted with preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) and who underwent cordocentesis. Inclusion criteria included fetal plasma available for IL-6 determination, histological examination of the umbilical cord and placenta, and delivery within 48 h of the procedure. This last criterion was used to preserve a meaningful temporal relationship between fetal plasma IL-6 and the results of histological examination of the placenta. Fetal plasma IL-6 was determined by a high sensitivity ELISA. Forty-five patients were available for study: 18 patients had preterm labor with intact membranes and 27 had preterm PROM. RESULTS: The incidence of funisitis was 44.4% (20/45): 27.8% (5/18) in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes and 55.6% (15/27) in patients with preterm PROM. The median values of fetal plasma IL-6 in patients with funisitis, chorioamnionitis without funisitis, and non-inflamed membranes were 51.4, 18.4 and 5.2 pg/ml, respectively. After log transformation of the fetal plasma IL-6 concentration, the means differed significantly from each other (ANOVA, p < 0.02). There was no difference in log fetal plasma IL-6 concentration between patients with funisitis and those with chorioamnionitis without funisitis. The difference in mean concentration of log fetal plasma IL-6 between patients with funisitis or chorionic vasculitis and those without inflammation was highly significant (post-hoc test, p = 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). Fetuses with fetal plasma IL-6 > 11 pg/ml had a significantly higher rate of histological signs of inflammation in the extra-placental membranes and umbilical cord than those with fetal plasma IL-6 < 11 pg/ml (funisitis: 55.6% (15/27) vs. 27.8% (5/18), p < 0.05; chorionic vasculitis: 55.6% (15/27) vs. 12.5% (2/16), p < 0.01; chorioamnionitis only: 25.9% (7/27) vs. 16.7% (3/18), p < 0.05; no inflammation: 18.5% (5/27) vs. 55.6% (10/18), p < 0.05, respectively). Fetuses with funisitis had significantly higher rates of clinical and histological chorioamnionitis, and neonatal infectious morbidity (proven + suspected sepsis) than fetuses without funisitis (40% (8/20) vs. 8% (2/25), 90% (18/20) vs. 36% (9/25), and 40% (8/20) vs. 4% (1/25), respectively; p < 0.01 for each). Fetuses with chorionic vasculitis had significantly higher rates of clinical and histological chorioamnionitis as well as neonatal infectious morbidity (proven + suspected sepsis) than fetuses without chorionic vasculitis (100% (17/17) vs. 42.3% (11/26), p < 0.01; 82.4% (14/17) vs. 50.0% (13/26), p = 0.05; and 41.2% (7/17) vs. 7.7% (2/26), p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Fetal plasma IL-6 concentration is significantly associated with the presence of inflammatory lesions in the extraplacental membranes and umbilical cord. Fetuses with fetal plasma IL-6 > 11 pg/ml had a significantly higher rate of funisitis and/or chorionic vasculitis than fetuses with fetal plasma IL-6 < 11 pg/ml. These findings suggest that funisitis/chorionic vasculitis is the histological manifestation of the fetal inflammatory response syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Maternal intravascular inflammation in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVE: Intrauterine inflammation has been implicated in the mechanisms responsible for preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM). However, it is unclear whether this inflammatory process remains localized to the uterus, at the site of membrane rupture, or extends to the maternal compartment. Flow cytometric analysis is a sensitive method to assess the presence and magnitude of in vivo inflammation. This study was conducted to determine whether preterm PROM is associated with changes in the phenotypic and metabolic characteristics of maternal granulocytes and monocytes consistent with the presence of maternal intravascular inflammation. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed including patients with preterm PROM (n = 43) and normal pregnancy (n = 51). Maternal intravascular inflammation was studied using flow cytometry. Maternal blood was assayed to determine granulocyte and monocyte phenotype using monoclonal antibodies, which included cluster differentiation (CD) markers CD11b, CD14, CD15, CD16, CD18, CD49d, CD62L, CD64, CD66b and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR. The quantities of basal intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS) and oxidative burst was assessed. Statistical analysis was conducted with the use of non-parametric methods. A p value < 0.01 was considered significant. RESULTS: Preterm PROM was associated with a significant increase in the median mean channel brightness (MCB) of CD11b, CD14, CD64 and CD66b on granulocytes and median MCB of CD11b on monocytes. The oxidative burst and the stimulation index in both cell types were higher in preterm PROM than in normal pregnancy (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Preterm PROM is associated with phenotypic and metabolic changes in circulating granulocytes and monocytes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Elevated monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in amniotic fluid is a risk factor for pregnancy loss.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy loss after mid-trimester amniocentesis occurs in 0.5-1% of cases and is frequently attributed to the procedure. Accumulating evidence implicates a pre-existing, but clinically silent, intra-amniotic inflammation in the etiology of adverse pregnancy outcome after mid-trimester amniocentesis. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) is a potent chemokine produced by a wide variety of cells during the course of an inflammatory response. This study was designed to assess if the amniotic fluid concentration of this chemokine identifies patients at risk for spontaneous abortion and/or fetal death. METHOD: A retrospective case-control study of women who had a mid-trimester amniocentesis was designed. Cases (n = 10) consisted of patients who had a spontaneous pregnancy loss after the procedure, while the control group (n = 84) consisted of patients who had a normal pregnancy outcome after mid-trimester amniocentesis. MCP-1 was measured by a specific enzyme immunoassay (sensitivity, 18.3 pg/ml). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was utilized to assess normal distribution of the data. Logarithmic transformation was applied to achieve normality. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t test. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to select a cut-off to dichotomize amniotic fluid concentrations of MCP-1. RESULTS: MCP-1 was detectable in all amniotic fluid samples. Patients who had a mid-trimester amniocentesis and a subsequent pregnancy loss had a higher mean amniotic fluid log MCP-1 concentration than those with a normal pregnancy outcome (pregnancy loss, mean 2.95 +/- 0.19 pg/ml vs. normal outcome, mean 2.78 +/- 0.19 pg/ml; p = 0.01). A cut-off of > 765 pg/ml was selected by ROC curve analysis (area under the curve, 0.74; p = 0.01). An amniotic fluid concentration of MCP-1 above this level was strongly associated with pregnancy loss (odds ratio, 7.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-31.1), a sensitivity of 70%, and a specificity of 76%. CONCLUSION: A subset of women who had a pregnancy loss after a mid-trimester amniocentesis had higher concentrations of the chemokine MCP-1 than those who had a normal pregnancy outcome. Subclinical intra-amniotic inflammation is a risk factor for pregnancy loss after mid-trimester amniocentesis. This observation may have medicolegal and clinical implications. An elevated MCP-1 concentration in amniotic fluid of patients with a pregnancy loss after a mid-trimester amniocentesis indicates that a pathological condition was present at the time of the procedure.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2002

Evidence of participation of soluble CD14 in the host response to microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and intra-amniotic inflammation in term and preterm gestations.

OBJECTIVE: Endotoxin has been implicated in the mechanism responsible for the setting of infection in preterm labor. To exert its biological effects, endotoxin binds to a circulating protein known as lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and presents endotoxin monomers to CD14, which may be a membrane-bound receptor or a soluble molecule. The endotoxin-LBP-CD14 complex interacts with Toll-like receptor 4 and other regulatory proteins leading to cellular activation and an inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to determine whether microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC)/intra-amniotic inflammation (both preterm and term) and parturition at term are associated with changes in the amniotic fluid and umbilical plasma soluble concentrations of CD14 (sCD14). STUDY DESIGN: Amniotic fluid was retrieved by amniocentesis from 88 patients in the following groups: group 1, preterm labor with intact membranes with MIAC/intra-amniotic inflammation (n = 18) and without these conditions (n = 26); group 2, term gestations not in labor without MIAC/intra-amniotic inflammation (n = 11), in labor without MIAC/intra-amniotic inflammation (n = 12) and in labor with MIAC/intra-amniotic inflammation (n = 13); and group 3, patients who underwent genetic amniocentesis at mid-trimester (n = 8). A sample of cord blood was obtained after delivery in all patients except those in group 3. sCD14 was assayed with a sensitive and specific immunoassay. Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: sCD14 was detectable in 97% (85/88) of the amniotic fluid samples. Amniotic fluid sCD14 concentrations were lower in patients at term than in the mid-trimester of pregnancy (mid-trimester: median 482 ng/ml, range 258-838 ng/ml vs. term no labor: median 7 ng/ml, range 2-274 ng/ml, p = 0.01). Among patients with preterm labor with intact membranes, the median amniotic fluid sCD14 level of patients with MIAC/intra-amniotic inflammation was higher than in patients without these conditions (median 1568 ng/ml, range 98-5887 ng/ml vs. median 645 ng/ml, range 0-3961 ng/ml, respectively; p = 0.01). Among women at term in labor, those with MIAC/intra-amniotic inflammation had a higher median amniotic fluid sCD14 concentration than those without these conditions (median 85 ng/ml, range 2-1113 ng/ml vs. median 17 ng/ml, range 0-186 ng/ml; p = 0.01). MIAC/intra-amniotic inflammation in women with preterm labor with intact membranes was associated with a higher median umbilical venous plasma sCD14 concentration (median 744 ng/ml, range 0-3620 ng/ml vs. median 0 ng/ml, range 0-2060 ng/ml; p = 0.04). sCD14 was undetectable in plasma from umbilical cords of all neonates born to women at term. An increase in amniotic fluid concentration of sCD14 was observed in cases of intrauterine infection, not only by gram-negative bacteria, but also gram-positive bacteria and Ureaplasma spp. CONCLUSION: sCD14 is a physiological constituent of amniotic fluid, and its concentrations at term are lower than in the mid-trimester. Intrauterine infection/inflammation is associated with a higher median amniotic fluid sCD14 concentration in both preterm and term parturition. Neonates born from mothers with preterm labor with intact membranes and MIAC/intra-amniotic inflammation had a higher median concentration of sCD14 in umbilical cord plasma than those without these conditions. sCD14 concentrations are increased in the amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood even in the absence of a microbiologically proven gram-negative infection. CD14 appears to participate in the host response to intrauterine infection even in cases involving genital mycoplasmas.

Amniocentesis↗
PubMed2002

Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein in microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and human parturition.

OBJECTIVE: Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) is an acute-phase protein of predominantly hepatic origin, capable of binding the lipid A fraction of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The complex LBP-LPS binds to CD14, and has been implicated in the host response to gram-negative infection. The purpose of this study was to determine whether microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and parturition (term and preterm) are associated with changes in the amniotic fluid concentration of LBP. STUDY DESIGN: Amniotic fluid was retrieved by amniocentesis from 343 patients in the following groups: (1) those in mid-trimester with a subsequent normal pregnancy outcome (n = 84); (2) those in mid-trimester with a fetal loss after the procedure (n = 10); (3) those with preterm labor and intact membranes without MIAC who delivered at term (n = 36) or prematurely (n = 52), and those with preterm labor with MIAC (n = 26); (4) those with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM) with (n = 26) and without (n = 26) MIAC; and (5) those delivering at term with intact membranes in the absence of MIAC, in labor (n = 52) and not in labor (n = 31). The concentration of LBP in amniotic fluid was determined with a specific and sensitive immunoassay. Non-parametric statistics were used. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: LBP was detected in 98% (335/343) of the amniotic fluid samples. MIAC was associated with a significant increase in amniotic fluid concentration of LBP in women with preterm labor and intact membranes, but not in preterm PROM. Spontaneous preterm parturition was associated with a significant increase in amniotic fluid concentration of LBP. Patients who had a spontaneous fetal loss after a mid-trimester amniocentesis had a significantly higher median amniotic fluid LBP concentration than those who had a mid-trimester amniocentesis and a normal perinatal outcome. CONCLUSION: Preterm labor with MIAC and preterm parturition are associated with higher amniotic fluid concentrations of LBP than those with sterile amniotic fluid.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Cold accumulation of SCOF-1 transcripts is associated with transcriptional activation and mRNA stability.

Cold acclimation enhances the transcription of several cold regulated (COR) genes. However, little is known about whether the elevation of the transcriptional level of the COR genes is due to transcriptional activation, or mRNA stability by a low temperature. Recently, we cloned a novel cold-inducible zinc finger protein gene from soybean, SCOF-1, which may function as a positive regulator of the COR gene expression . Here we report that the elevation of the SCOF-1 transcript level by cold stress is associated with both transcriptional activation and post-transcriptional mRNA stability under a low temperature. A nuclear run-on assay reveals that cold acclimation elevates the SCOF-1 transcript about three-fold compared to that of non-acclimated soybean nuclei. Furthermore, SCOF-1 transcripts increased substantially by a low temperature in transgenic tobacco plants that constitutively expressed SCOF-1 under the control of a constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. When a transcription inhibitor, cordycepin, was treated with the deacclimating soybean cell, the decay level of the SCOF-1 transcripts was delayed significantly. This suggests that it may affect de novo protein synthesis, which degrades the SCOF-1 mRNA at room temperature. In addition, a secondary structure may be involved in the mRNA stability of SCOF-1 under a low temperature.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of developmental toxicity in rats exposed to the environmental estrogen bisphenol A during pregnancy.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an essential component of epoxy resins used in the lacquer lining of metal food cans, as a component of polycarbonates, and in dental sealants. The present study was conducted in an attempt to evaluate the adverse effects of the environmental estrogen BPA on initiation and maintenance of pregnancy and embryofetal development after maternal exposure during the entire period of pregnancy in Sprague-Dawley rats. The test chemical was administered by gavage to mated females from days 1 to 20 of gestation (sperm in varginal lavage = day 0) at dose levels of 0, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg. All females were subjected to caesarean section on day 21 of gestation and their fetuses were examined for external, visceral and skeletal abnormalities. In the 1000 mg/kg group, significant toxic effects including abnormal clinical signs, decreased maternal body weight and body weight gain, and reduced food consumption were observed in pregnant rats. An increase in pregnancy failure was also found in the successfully mated females. In addition, increased number of embryonal deaths, increased postimplantation loss, reduced litter size and fetal body weight, and decreased number of fetal ossification centers of several skeletal districts were seen. On the contrary, no significant changes induced by BPA were detected in the number of corpora lutea and implantation sites and by fetal morphological examinations. In the 300 mg/kg group, suppressed maternal body weight and body weight gain, decreased food intake and reduced body weight of male fetuses were seen. There were no adverse signs of either maternal toxicity or developmental toxicity in the 100 mg/kg group. It was concluded that BPA administration during the entire period of pregnancy in rats produced pregnancy failure, pre- and postimplantation loss, fetal developmental delay and severe maternal toxicity, but no embryo-fetal dysmorphogenesis at an oral exposure level of 1000 mg/kg.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2001

Cell type-dependent regulation of human DNA topoisomerase III alpha gene expression by upstream stimulatory factor 2.

Here, we report that an E-box element located within the human topoisomerase III alpha (hTOP3 alpha) gene promoter acts as a cell type-specific enhancer. The upstream stimulatory factor (USF) was shown to specifically recognize the mutationally sensitive E-box element. When assayed by transient transfection with hTOP3 alpha promoter-dependent reporter genes, USF is transcriptionally active in HeLa cells but lacks transcriptional activity in Saos-2 cells. The hTOP3 alpha mRNA level in Saos-2 cells was reduced to about 30% of the level observed for HeLa cells, suggesting that the inactivity of USF in hTOP3 alpha promoter activity may be the cause of the marked reduction of hTOP3 alpha mRNA levels in Saos-2 cells. Using transient transfection assays in HeLa cells, we demonstrated that ectopically expressed USF2, but not USF1, was capable of activating hTOP3 alpha transcription through the E-box element. However, USF2 did not stimulate hTOP3 alpha promoter activity in Saos-2 cells. This cell type-specific regulation of promoter activity by USF2 may provide a mechanism for the differential expression of hTOP3 alpha in various tissues and during developmental stages.

Base Sequence↗