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J H Kim

Publications and source records attributed to J H Kim.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Effect of basiliximab on renal allograft rejection within 1 year after transplantation.

Basiliximab is widely used in clinical practice for initial immunosuppressive treatment of renal transplant recipients, seeking to reduce the incidence of acute rejection episodes without adverse events. This retrospective study included 123 renal allograft recipients transplanted at a single center. All were followed for longer than 1 year after transplantation and treated with calcineurin inhibitor and steroid (methylprednisolone) for prophylactic immunosuppression, but basiliximab and mycophenolate mofetil were optional. We compared the outcomes of renal transplant recipients who were versus treated were not with basiliximab as initial immunosuppressive therapy. Basiliximab was used for initial immunosuppression in 42 patients. Their maintenance immunosuppressive treatment included triple (n = 44) or double (n = 79) regimens, including a calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporine [n = 87] or tacrolimus [n = 36]), methylprednisolone with or without mycophenolate mofetil. Twenty-six (21.1%) patients had a rejection episode within 1 year after transplantation and 22 (17.9%) had infections. Within the first year after transplantation the patients who were treated with basiliximab showed fewer rejection episodes (n = 6, 14.3%) than the patients without this therapy (n = 20, 24.7%), which was not statistically significant (P = .245). However, basiliximab significantly affected the occurrence of rejection episodes among the double immunosuppressive regimen group (P = .006), but not the triple regimen group (P = .098) without an impact on infection episodes (P value of double, triple = .291, .414) within 1 year after transplantation. We concluded that basiliximab was more useful for the recipients treated with double immunosuppression with a calcineurin inhibitor and steroid than for those on a triple regimen including mycophenolate mofetil.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Risk factors for changes in bone mineral density and the effect of antiosteoporosis management after renal transplantation.

Using the pretransplant bone mineral density (BMD) data records of renal recipients, we retrospectively examined risk factors affecting posttransplant changes in BMD and the effect of antiosteoporosis management. For 294 kidney transplant recipients from January 1996 to September 2003, BMD values were expressed as spine and femur T-scores. Gender, age, pretransplant diabetes, blood type compatibility, mode and duration of dialysis, and previous transplantation were considered to be variables affecting BMD changes. T-test or ANOVA was used to compare risk factors. At the time of transplantation, mean spine T-scores were significantly lower among the retransplant group. Mean femur T-scores were significantly lower among the retransplant group, older patients (older than 45 years), and female recipients. Prolonged hemodialysis (>12 months) and retransplant were risk factors for BMD loss during the first year posttransplant. Early application of antiosteoporosis management was effective to ameliorate posttransplant BMD loss. However, antiosteoporosis management after 1 year posttransplant was relatively ineffective. Pretransplant evaluation of BMD and the possibility of significant BMD loss during the first posttransplant year should not be overlooked. Prophylaxis against bone loss and treatment should be started as soon as possible after transplantation for recipients with either normal or abnormal pretransplant BMD.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Systemic armed oncolytic and immunologic therapy for cancer with JX-594, a targeted poxvirus expressing GM-CSF.

Targeted oncolytic viruses and immunostimulatory therapeutics are being developed as novel cancer treatment platforms. These approaches can be combined through the expression of immunostimulatory cytokines from targeted viruses, including adenoviruses and herpesviruses. Although intratumoral injection of such viruses has been associated with tumor growth inhibition, eradication of distant metastases was not reported. The major limitations for this approach to date have been (1) inefficient intravenous virus delivery to tumors and (2) the lack of predictive, immunocompetent preclinical models. To overcome these hurdles, we developed JX-594, a targeted, thymidine kinase(-) vaccinia virus expressing human GM-CSF (hGM-CSF), for intravenous (i.v.) delivery. We evaluated two immunocompetent liver tumor models: a rabbit model with reproducible, time-dependent metastases to the lungs and a carcinogen-induced rat liver cancer model. Intravenous JX-594 was well tolerated and had highly significant efficacy, including complete responses, against intrahepatic primary tumors in both models. In addition, whereas lung metastases developed in all control rabbits, none of the i.v. JX-594-treated rabbits developed detectable metastases. Tumor-specific virus replication and gene expression, systemically detectable levels of hGM-CSF, and tumor-infiltrating CTLs were also demonstrated. JX-594 holds promise as an i.v.-delivered, targeted virotherapeutic. These two tumor models hold promise for the optimization of this approach.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 400 DA) vehicle improves gene expression of adenovirus mediated gene therapy.

PURPOSE: A significant limitation of adenoviral mediated suicide gene therapy is poor gene distribution in vivo. The choice of vehicle has been demonstrated to affect the level of adenoviral delivered gene transduction. We examined the hypotheses that 1) adenovirus suspended in PEG400 improves gene expression in the naïve canine prostate model, 2) improved transgene expression with PEG400 results in improved tumor control and 3) vehicle affects the initial adenoviral spread from a single intratumor injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The magnitude and volume of gene expression were measured 24 hours following intraprostatic injection of adenovirus suspended in PEG400 (12.5% weight per volume) or saline as vehicle. Tumor growth delay was measured in mice bearing human tumor xenografts following the injection of adenovirus in PEG400 and saline. The initial spread of adenovirus was measured by confocal microscopy following a single injection of fluorescently labeled adenoviral particles in human tumor xenografts using each vehicle. RESULTS: Adenovirus suspended in PEG400 provided an average of twice the level of gene expression in the canine prostate and significantly better tumor control relative to saline in preclinical tumor models (p = 0.046 and 0.036, respectively). The initial spread of adenovirus with PEG400 was superior to that of adenovirus in saline and the latter was largely limited to the needle tract. CONCLUSIONS: Adenoviral gene therapy vectors suspended in PEG400 results in improved tumor control because of greater initial adenoviral spread, and the increased volume and magnitude of gene expression in vivo.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2006

Endoscopic submucosal resection with double ligation technique for treatment of small rectal carcinoid tumors.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: It is difficult to achieve complete endoscopic resection of rectal carcinoid tumors without any procedure-related complications. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal resection with double ligation (ESMR-DL) for the treatment of small rectal carcinoid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven rectal carcinoid tumors (in 11 patients) were resected by ESMR-DL between November 2001 and April 2004, using a conventional single-channel endoscope with an attached band-ligator device. The lesion was aspirated into the ligator device and an elastic band was placed around the base; a detachable snare was then used to ligate the stalk below the elastic band; and snare resection was performed above the elastic band. The resected specimens were examined with respect to size, histological atypia, depth of invasion, and the histological appearance of the resection margins. RESULTS: All the lesions were excised completely without any complications. There was no tumor invasion beyond the submucosal layer and there was no evidence of atypia in any of the specimens. Tumor diameter varied from 2.0 mm to 10.0 mm (average 6.2 mm). None of the 11 specimens showed histopathological evidence of tumor involvement at the resection margins. There were no immediate or late complications (bleeding or perforation) after ESMR-DL. There was no local recurrence and there were no distant metastases in any patients during the mean follow-up period of 18 months. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic submucosal resection with double ligation is a useful and safe method for the treatment of small rectal carcinoid tumors.

Carcinoid Tumor↗
PubMed2006

Clinical utility of multislice computed tomographic angiography for detection of cerebral vasospasm in acute subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has been used as the standard method for detecting cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Multislice computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is a relatively recent method used for evaluating the vasculature of the intracranial arteries. The purpose of this study was to compare multislice CTA and DSA for the detection and quantification of cerebral vasospasm after SAH, and to analyze the usefulness of multislice CTA. Eight patients with SAH underwent initial CTA with DSA within 72 hours after the onset of symptoms and follow-up multislice CTA and DSA 8 to 48 days after SAH. Five arterial locations were established in the A1 and A2 segments of the anterior cerebral artery, the M1 and M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery and the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) on both multislice CTA and DSA images. Vasospasm was classified as none, mild (up to 30% reduction in luminal diameter), moderate (31-60% reduction), and marked (at least 60% reduction) using the scale of Schneck and Kricheff. The multislice CT system used the following parameters: 1.25 mm collimation and 3.75 pitch with a 4-channel system. The degree of vasospasm revealed by the multislice CTA was significantly correlated with the degree of vasospasm revealed by DSA. In general, most discrepancies between CTA and DSA were in the detection of mild and moderate vasospasm. We found that the consistency between multislice CTA and DSA was greater for mild (100%, n=3) or moderate (100%, n=3) vasospasm than none (n=1) or marked vasospasm (n=1). However, it was unclear whether multislice CTA was more specific for a proximal location (A1, M1, PCA) or distal location (A2, M2) for evaluation of cerebral arteries. Multislice CTA can detect angiographic vasospasm after SAH with an accuracy similar to that of DSA. Multislice CTA is highly sensitive, specific and accurate in detecting mild and moderate cerebral vasospasm. It is less accurate for detecting no vasospasm and marked vasospasm. Therefore, the authors propose that multislice CTA be considered as a useful tool for the detection and management of intracranial vasospasm after SAH.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Adult granulosa cell tumor of the ovary: 35 cases in a single Korean Institute.

BACKGROUND: Adult granulosa cell tumor of the ovary is an uncommon neoplasm. The overall prognosis is favorable. The prognostic factors that are related to survival have not been well defined and are discussed in the literature amidst controversy. METHODS: Thirty-five patients diagnosed with adult granulosa cell tumor of the ovary were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data, pathologic findings, treatments, and survival times were reviewed and analyzed for prognostic significance. RESULTS: Of the 35 cases, there were 30 cases representing stage I tumors, one case at stage II, four cases at stage III, and no cases at stage IV. The mean overall survival time of all patients was 140.3 months. The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 92.0% and 85.8% respectively. The FIGO stage was the only independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small number of patients, the study showed that the less advanced stage is the only favorable prognostic factor of significance.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Antibiotic use during the last days of life in cancer patients.

The purpose of this study is to document infection and to better understand current practice relating to antibiotic use and its effect in terminal cancer patients. We retrospectively reviewed patients with terminal stage cancer who were admitted to Seoul National University Boramae Hospital for symptom control only, and who finally died between March 2003 and April 2004. A total of 141 patients were enrolled. Mean duration from admission to death was 31.2 days. A total of 104 patients (75.2%) experienced a febrile episode, and physicians considered 113 patients (80.1%) developed a clinical infection. Total 119 patients (84.4%) received antibiotics. For 90 patients (63.8%), antibiotics were used until the day of death. After using antibiotics, 48% of fevers were controlled, and 31% of organism-proven cases were resolved. Symptomatic improvement of infection was achieved in 18 patients (15.1%), but 66 patients (55.4%) showed no improvement. Improved leucocytosis was achieved by 17% and C Reactive Protein elevation by 29%. In conclusion, our study reveals a high rate of infection and a high rate of antibiotic prescription during the last month of life in cancer patients. But symptomatic improvement was not achieved in more than half of the patients. Further study should be undertaken to clarify the benefit of antibiotics in terminal stage cancer patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Targeting antioxidative signal transduction and stress response system: control of pathogenic Aspergillus with phenolics that inhibit mitochondrial function.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to show whether antioxidative response systems are potentially useful molecular targets for control of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. Selected phenolic agents are used in target-gene-based bioassays to determine their impact on mitochondrial respiration. METHODS AND RESULTS: Vanillyl acetone, vanillic acid, vanillin, cinnamic acid, veratraldehyde, m-coumaric acid (phenolic agents to which Saccharomyces cerevisiae sod2delta mutant showed sensitivity), carboxin (inhibits complex II of the mitochondrial respiratory chain), strobilurins/antimycin A (inhibits complex III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain) and fludioxonil/fenpiclonil [antifungals potentiated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)] were examined in A. fumigatus, A. flavus and S. cerevisiae. Individual or combined application of phenolics with inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration showed some of the phenolics effectively inhibited fungal growth. Target-gene bioassays were performed using a sakAdelta (MAPK deletion) strain of A. fumigatus and a complementation analysis using the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) gene (sodA) of A. flavus in the ortholog mutant, sod2delta, of S. cerevisiae. The results demonstrated that mitochondrial antioxidative stress system plays important roles in fungal response to antifungal agents tested. CONCLUSIONS: Antioxidative response systems of fungi can be an efficient molecular target of phenolics for pathogen control. Combined application of phenolics with inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration can effectively suppress the growth of fungi. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Natural compounds that do not pose any significant medical or environmental risks could serve as useful alternatives or additives to conventional antifungals. Identifying the antioxidative response systems in other pathogens could improve methods for fungal control.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of and risk factors for extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis in Korean Type 2 diabetic patients.

AIMS: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis in Type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: This study included 406 patients aged 40-79 years with Type 2 diabetes (male 55.4%, female 44.6%). Both carotid arteries of each patient were examined by carotid duplex scanning. The duplex ultrasound criteria based on the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) measurement method were used for the identification of carotid stenosis. RESULTS: Extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis >or= 40% by velocity criteria was detected in 5.2% of the patients. The prevalence of carotid stenosis increased with advancing age: 1.0% at 40-49 years of age, 5.0% at 50-59 years, 7.3% at 60-69 years and 9.5% at 70-79 years. The degree of stenosis was > 70% in 42.9% of patients with stenosis, Bilateral stenosis was detected in 14% of patients. Of the patients with >or= 40% carotid stenosis, 33% had a decreased ankle-brachial index, 38% had a previous history of stroke, and only one patient (5%) had a documented history of coronary artery disease. Multivariate analysis, including variables determined to be significantly different by univariate analysis between patients with or without >or= 40% stenosis, indicated that age, systolic blood pressure and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (inverse correlation) were independent risk factors associated with carotid stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid duplex scanning is a useful strategy in identifying carotid stenosis in older Type 2 diabetic patients with high systolic blood pressure, or low levels of HDL cholesterol. The early identification and subsequent appropriate management of carotid stenosis, particularly in this group of patients, may facilitate efforts to reduce the incidence of macrovascular complications.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Adhesion and growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells on collagen-treated PU/PEGDA IPNs.

For ideal non-thrombogenicity under normal physiologic conditions, we propose endothelialization. Endothelialization means that synthetic biomaterials are seeded by endothelial cells to mimic natural blood vessels. In our study, we synthesized amphiphilic polyurethane (PU)/poly(ethyleneglycol)diacrylate (PEGDA) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) with different levels of surface energy to investigate the effect of adhesion and the growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Collagen with cell-binding molecules was adsorbed on the surface of PU/PEGDA IPNs to enhance the adhesion of HUVECs. The morphology of collagens adsorbed on the IPN surfaces depends highly on the surface energy of the IPNs. As the surface becomes hydrophilic, there is greater aggregation of the adsorbed collagens on the IPN surface. The HUVECs successfully adhere to the collagen-immobilized IPN surface. The morphology of the endothelial cells (ECs) that adhere to IPN 2k-C and IPN 2k after 1 day and after 3 days incubation shows that ECs were successfully spread. The adhesion and the proliferation of ECs increase on non-treated IPN surfaces as the hydrophobicity of the IPNs increases. The surface energy of IPN 2k-C is suitable for the adhesion and proliferation of ECs. Therefore, platelet adhesion is significantly reduced on the EC-hybridized surface of IPNs.

Biopolymers↗
PubMed2006

Deep tracheal laceration after balloon dilation for benign tracheobronchial stenosis: case reports of two patients.

We report two cases of deep tracheal laceration in female patients after balloon dilation for benign tracheobronchial stenosis. Immediate post-procedure bronchoscopy and CT including 3D reconstructions showed deep lacerations in the posterior tracheal wall. Clinically, the patients' dyspnoea subsided and there has been no recurrence during follow-up after balloon dilation. On the follow-up 3D-reconstructed CT scans obtained 2 months and 8 months following balloon dilation, respectively, the lacerations had healed completely and there was considerable improvement in lumen size.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

A review of recent unexpected animal disease events in Japan and Korea and the follow-up action taken.

In Japan, the need to improve countermeasures against biological weapons was recognised after the Aum Shinrikyo cult attempted to use biological weapons in 1995. This paper describes how the two relevant ministries in Japan worked together to cope with recent disease outbreaks, including cases of classical swine fever (CSF) and avian influenza, which evidence suggests might have been the result of the deliberate misuse of unauthorised vaccines that had been illegally imported. By implementing successful control measures the two ministries were able to eradicate all the diseases within very short periods. In the past few years, the Republic of Korea has also experienced outbreaks of foot and mouth disease, highly pathogenic avian influenza, and CSF, all of which had previously been absent (or had been eradicated) in Korea. A review of the historical background, major events of the outbreaks and the control measures which were implemented are presented here.

Animal Diseases↗
PubMed2006

Gamma radiation sensitivity of Enterobacter sakazakii in dehydrated powdered infant formula.

The observed Enterobacter sakazakii D10-values for tryptic soy broth and dehydrated powdered infant formula were 0.27 +/- 0.05 and 0.76 +/- 0.08 kGy, respectively. A decrease of approximately 3 log in the dehydrated powdered infant formula was obtained by irradiation with 3.0 kGy or rehydration with hot water at 80 degrees C. No recoverable bacteria were found in the powdered infant formula irradiated at 5.0 kGy and stored, either before or after rehydration. A radiation dose of up to 5.0 kGy had no marked effect on the sensory properties of the dehydrated powdered infant formula after rehydration and heating. Gamma radiation could potentially be used to inactivate E. sakazakii in dehydrated powdered infant formula; however, nutritional studies need to be conducted before the use of radiation can be recommended.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed2006

Expression profiling of cyclin B1 and D1 in cervical carcinoma.

AIM: Cyclins are a family of regulatory proteins that play a key role in controlling the cell cycle. Abnormalities of cell cycle regulators, including cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases, have been reported in various malignant tumors. This study was undertaken to quantitatively detect cyclin B1 and D1 in cervical cancer. METHODS: A quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay were used to analyze the expression of cyclin B1/D1 mRNA and proteins, respectively, in fresh invasive cervical cancer (n = 41) and normal cervical tissues (n = 10). RESULTS: There was significantly greater cyclin B1 expression in invasive cervical cancer than in normal cervical tissue (P = 0.019). However, cyclin D1 expression was not significantly different. A Western blot assay yielded similar results. CONCLUSION: Our results were consistent with the concept that up-regulation of cyclin B1 expression occurred in cervical cancer and an aberrant expression of cyclin B1 might play an important role in cervical carcinogenesis.

Blotting, Western↗