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Biomedical subjects

J H Kim

Publications and source records attributed to J H Kim.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The local prevalence of COPD by post-bronchodilator GOLD criteria in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease characterised by not fully reversible airflow limitation. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) committee decided to diagnose COPD using post-bronchodilator spirometry values. We aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors of COPD in Ansan, an industrialised city of Korea, by using the post-bronchodilator GOLD criteria. We then investigated the implications of brenchodilation on the prevalence of COPD. DESIGN: A total of 3642 participants in the Korean Health and Genome Study were interviewed about age, income, smoking status and respiratory symptoms and completed pulmonary function tests, including postbronchodilator spirometry. RESULTS: COPD prevalence by post-bronchodilator spirometry was 3.7% (134/3642), which was significantly different from that estimated using pre-bronchodilator criteria (7.7%, 282/3642). Exclusion of subjects with significant bronchodilator response (BDR) significantly lowered the prevalence of COPD to 3.3% (117/3572), compared with including subjects with post-bronchodilatory residual obstruction with significant BDR. Prevalence was associated with old age, smoking history, male sex and respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSION: COPD prevalence by post-bronchodilator GOLD criteria was 3.7%, which was much lower than that of pre-bronchodilator criteria. The bronchodilator reversibility test substantially affects estimations of COPD prevalence.

Adult↗

Paired-organ and other selected absorbed fraction for the Korean Reference Adult Male model.

The authors have developed a mathematical model for calculating internal radionuclide dosimetry for the Korean Reference Adult Male, and have also derived paired-organ and other selected inter-organ photon-specific absorbed fractions for this model. Each lung, kidney and adrenal gland was set as a separate source region even though each of them shares an identical physiological function with their complementary half. The thyroid gland was also set as a source region. Specific absorbed fractions (SAFs) were then derived by selecting 10 photon energies from 0.02 to 4.0 MeV inclusive. For this purpose the Monte Carlo methodology was used, and the derived SAF was compared with the resulting value of MIRD Pamphlet No. 5 and ORNL TM-8381, both of which were derived on the basis of the ICRP-23 reference man. The comparison showed that MIRD No. 5 and ORNL TM-8381 resulted in a higher absorbed fraction, but the phantom created on the basis of the Korean reference man led to a higher SAF. The weight of the organs of the phantom, and the size and location of the trunk seem to account for the differences. The energy-dependent differences in the SAFs are considered to be related to the distance between the source and target regions, the composition of the intervening tissues, and the photon energies and mean free paths. Also, as a result of deriving SAFs after setting each separate lung, kidney and adrenal gland as a source region, it was found that, although they are of the same physiological function, each individual organ serves as a source region on its own. Differences were noted in SAFs exerted on the source and target organs in accordance with the location of the organs, that is, whether they were located to the left or right of the source organs. The SAF derived in this study can be used for a more accurate internal radionuclide dosimetry for Koreans and other Orientals whose physiology, lifestyle and dietary habits are similar to those of Koreans.

Adrenal Glands↗

Measurements of B decays to two kaons.

We report measurements of B meson decays to two kaons using 253 fb(-1) of data collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e+ e- collider. We find evidence for signals in B+ --> K0 K+ and B0 --> K0 K0 with significances of 3.0sigma and 3.5sigma, respectively. (Charge-conjugate modes are included.) The corresponding branching fractions are measured to be [symbol: see text](B+ --> K0 K+) = (1.0 +/- 0.4 +/- 0.1) x 10(-6) and [symbol: see text](B0 --> K0 K0) = (0.8 +/- 0.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(-6). These decay modes are examples of hadronic bd transitions. No signal is observed in the decay B0 --> K+ K-, and we set an upper limit of 3.7 x 10(-7) at 90% confidence level.

Journal Article↗

Gabapentin reduces rectal mechanosensitivity and increases rectal compliance in patients with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Gabapentin has been shown to reduce elements of central sensitization in human experimental hyperalgesia. It remains uninvestigated whether gabapentin has beneficial effects for irritable bowel syndrome associated with visceral hypersensitivity. AIMS: To evaluate the effects of gabapentin on sensory and motor function of the rectum in patients with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. METHODS: Forty patients with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome completed this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-grouped study. All patients received a barostat study and were subsequently randomized for 5-day treatment with gabapentin 300 mg/day and then 600 mg/day or placebo. On day 6, after subjects had their morning dose, the barostat experiment was repeated. RESULTS: The threshold pressures for bloating, discomfort and pain significantly increased after gabapentin, but not after placebo. Significant increase in the pressure and corresponding wall tension inducing discomfort or pain were observed in the gabapentin group, but not in the placebo group. Rectal compliance significantly increased after gabapentin, but not after placebo. The postprandial increase of rectal tone was not affected by gabapentin. CONCLUSION: Our results show that gabapentin reduces rectal sensory thresholds through attenuating rectal sensitivity to distension and enhancing rectal compliance in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients. The clinical efficacy of this drug in irritable bowel syndrome patients warrants investigation.

Adult↗

Association of a polymorphism in the gene encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 with high-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) is the key enzyme involved in the regulation of gluconeogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify genetic polymorphisms in potential candidate genes for type 2 diabetes by sequencing all exons in the PCK genes (PCK1 and PCK2), and examining the association with type 2 diabetes and diabetic phenotypes in a Korean population (775 type 2 diabetic patients and 316 normal control subjects). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two polymorphisms in PCK1 and PCK2 were identified in a Korean population (n=24) by direct DNA sequencing. The TaqMan genotyping method was applied for genotyping the remainder of the study population. Associations of PCK polymorphisms with the risk of type 2 diabetes and diabetic phenotypes were analysed using logistic and multiple regressions, adjusting for age, sex and BMI. RESULTS: Although no significant associations between the genetic polymorphisms in PCK genes and the risk of type 2 diabetes were detected, in further haplotype analysis, one of the common haplotypes, PCK1 ht3, revealed susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (p=0.006). One 3' untranslated region (UTR) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) also showed an association with HDL levels among non-diabetic control subjects: individuals homozygous for the major allele (T/T) had the lowest HDL level (1.11+/-0.32 mmol/l), heterozygotes (T/C) had an intermediate level (1.27+/-0.37 mmol/l), and those homozygous for the minor allele (C/C) had the highest level (1.39+/-0.28 mmol/l) (p=0.000003). This 3' UTR SNP was also associated with triglyceride levels, with a lower triglyceride level observed among individuals who were homozygous for the minor allele (C/C) than among those who were not. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The strong genetic association of HDL and triglyceride levels with variation/haplotype information identified in this study would be useful for further genetic epidemiological studies of this important gene.

5' Flanking Region↗

Novel action of gastric proton pump inhibitor on suppression of Helicobacter pylori induced angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Although activation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) by Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with induction of host angiogenesis, which may contribute to H pylori associated gastric carcinogenesis, the strategy for its prevention has not been identified. As we previously reported a strong inhibitory action of gastric proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on MAPK extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation, we investigated whether PPIs could suppress the H pylori induced angiogenesis via inhibition of MAPK ERK1/2. METHODS: To address the relationship between H pylori infection and angiogenesis, comparative analysis of density of CD34(+) blood vessel was performed in tissues obtained from 20 H pylori positive gastritis and 18 H pylori negative gastritis patients. Expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and secretion of interleukin 8, and VEGF was measured by ELISA. To evaluate the direct effect of H pylori infection on the tubular formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), an in vitro angiogenesis assay was employed. Activation of MAPK and nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) was detected by immunoblotting. RESULTS: H pylori positive gastritis patients showed a higher density of CD34(+) blood vessels (mean 40.9 (SEM 4.4)) than H pylori negative gastritis patients (7.2+/-0.8), which was well correlated with expression of HIF-1alpha. Conditioned media from H pylori infected gastric epithelial cells directly induced tubular formation of HUVEC and the increase of in vitro angiogenesis was suppressed by PPI treatment. Infection of H pylori significantly upregulated expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF in gastric epithelial cells and expression of proangiogenic factors was mediated by MAPK activation and partially responsible for NFkappaB activation. PPIs effectively inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPK ERK1/2 that is a principal signal for H pylori induced angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that PPIs could downregulate H pylori induced angiogenesis indicates that antiangiogenic treatment using a PPI could be a promising protective therapeutic approach for H pylori associated carcinogenesis.

Adult↗

Association between polymorphisms in the nuclear respiratory factor 1 gene and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Korean population.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Dysfunction in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation plays a central role in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) is a transcription factor that acts on nuclear genes encoding respiratory subunits and components of the mitochondrial transcription and replication machinery. Thus, we investigated its genetic association with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The NRF1 gene was sequenced to identify polymorphisms in 24 Korean DNA samples and then common variants were genotyped in 766 patients with type 2 diabetes and 303 non-diabetic subjects. RESULTS: Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms and one insertion/deletion polymorphism were identified. Six common variants among them were genotyped in a larger study. Although three individual polymorphisms appeared to be associated with type 2 diabetes (g.-46350insdel A, g.+141G>T and g.+54529A>G), the effects were only marginal. However, a haplotype (H2) was associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and another haplotype (H4) was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (p values for the Haplo. Score test were 0.009 and 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: We demonstrated that two common haplotypes of NRF1 gene are associated with type 2 diabetes in the Korean population.

Aged↗

Correlation of bispectral index with end-tidal sevoflurane concentration and age in infants and children.

BACKGROUND: The bispectral index (BIS) has been evaluated as a tool for measuring depth of anaesthesia, but the use of BIS in a paediatric population is still controversial. This study was designed to evaluate the correlation of BIS with end-tidal sevoflurane concentration and age in infants and children. METHODS: Eighty-one patients undergoing elective urology surgery were allocated into three age groups; 6 months to 2 yr (n=28), 3-7 yr (n=33), and 8-12 yr (n=20). Sevoflurane was administered to achieve steady-state end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations (ET(sevo)) of 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0%; these were achieved consecutively either from the lowest or from the highest concentration. The BIS (version XP) was monitored continuously. RESULTS: In all three groups, BIS decreased significantly when ET(sevo) increased from 2.0 to 3.0% but there was a paradoxical increase in BIS values when ET(sevo) increased from 3.0 to 4.0%. The non-linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between BIS and age at each ET(sevo). The younger patients showed the higher BIS values. CONCLUSIONS: In children aged 6 months to 12 yr, the BIS increased paradoxically as ET(sevo) increased from 3.0 to 4.0%. BIS values showed a wide variation in the same ET(sevo) and the age itself was considered to be a factor affecting the BIS values.

Aging↗

Observation of the D1(2420)-->Dpi + pi- decays.

We report on the first observation of D0/1(2420)-->D0pi- pi+ and D+/1(2420-->D+ pi- pi+ decays (where the contribution from the dominant known D1-->D*pi decay mode is excluded) in the B- -->D0/1pi-) and (-)B0-->D+/1pi- decays, respectively. The observation is based on 15.2 x 10(7) B(-)B events collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB collider. We also set 90% confidence level upper limits for the branching fractions of the four following decays: B- -->D0/1pi-, D01-->D(*0)pi- pi+, (-)B0-->D+/1pi-, D+/1-->D(*+) pi- pi+, B- -->D(*0)2(2460)pi-, D(*0)2 -->D(*0) pi- pi+, (-)B0-->D(*+)2(2460)pi-, D(*+)2-->D(*+)pi- pi+.

Journal Article↗

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha promoter polymorphisms are associated with early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Korean population.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1alpha) is a transcriptional coactivator implicated in insulin release by beta cells and in insulin resistance. Therefore, genetic variation of PPARGC1A could be implicated in the onset of type 2 diabetes. In this study, we examined whether the PPARGC1A gene locus is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We also investigated its association with clinical and metabolic parameters in healthy and diabetic subjects. METHODS: After sequencing exons and their boundaries of the PPARGC1A gene, including the promoter region ( approximately 1.5 kb), we genotyped eight common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in an association study comprising 762 unrelated patients with type 2 diabetes and 303 non-diabetic control patients. We divided the patients with type 2 diabetes into quartiles or three groups according to age at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (early-onset: <40 years of age, average-onset: 40< or = <60 years, and late-onset: > or =60 years). RESULTS: There was no strong association between SNPs or haplotypes of PPARGC1A and type 2 diabetes. However, the SNPs of g.-1789G>A and g.-1437C>T were associated with the age at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (p=0.042 and p=0.032, respectively). In addition, the promoter SNPs of g.-1789G>A and g.-1437C>T and the haplotypes ht2 (-1789A and -1437T) were significantly associated with early-onset type 2 diabetes (p=0.002, p=0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our results suggest that PPARGC1A promoter polymorphisms are associated with age at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and early-onset type 2 diabetes in the Korean population.

Age of Onset↗

Observation of B0-->pi0pi0.

We report the observation of the decay B0-->pi(0)pi(0), using a 253 fb(-1) data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider. The measured branching fraction is B(B0-->pi(0)pi(0))=(2.3(+0.4+0.2)(-0.5-0.3))x10(-6), with a significance of 5.8 standard deviations including systematic uncertainties. We also make a measurement of the direct CP violating asymmetry in this mode.

Journal Article↗

Does this patient have oesophageal motility abnormality or pathological acid reflux?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The diagnostic values of particular symptoms centred on oesophagus, among patients with suspected oesophageal motility abnormality or pathological acid exposure, are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive accuracy of these symptoms in diagnosis of oesophageal motility disorder or pathological acid exposure. PATIENTS AND METHODS.: A total of 462 patients who had undergone conventional oesophageal manometry and ambulatory 24-h pH monitoring to investigate a clinical suspicion of oesophageal motility disorder and pathological acid exposure were enrolled in this study. According to their principal complaints, the patients were divided into the dysphagia category, the non-cardiac chest pain category, the gastrooesophageal reflux disease-related symptom category and the extraoesophageal symptom category. RESULTS: Two hundred and two (44%) out of 462 patients yielded abnormal findings on manometry and/or pH monitoring. Dysphagia was associated with a likelihood ratio (LR) of 2.11 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-4.00)] in patients exhibiting a combination of oesophageal motility abnormality and pathological acid exposure. During oesophageal manometry, the dysphagia substantially increased the likelihood of classic achalasia (LR, 6.24; 95% CI, 3.32-8.78) and diffuse oesophageal spasm (LR, 3.58; 95% CI, 1.03-7.12). When the patients with dysphagia were divided into two groups according to the severity of their symptoms, classic achalasia was significantly frequent in patients with severe dysphagia (P = 0.016). On the other hand, non-cardiac chest pain was the clinical factor that reduced the likelihood of classic achalasia (LR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.04-0.93). The distribution of pathological acid exposure was significantly frequent between the groups of patients with and without gastrooesophageal reflux disease-related symptom (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: A small number of oesophageal symptoms are helpful in predicting the likelihood of abnormal findings on oesophageal tests among patients with a clinical suspicion of oesophageal motility disorder and pathological acid exposure. The most useful finding is a severe dysphagia, which is likely to have classic achalasia.

Adult↗

Observation of an isotriplet of excited charmed baryons decaying to lambda+c pi.

We report the observation of an isotriplet of excited charmed baryons, decaying into Lambda(+)(c)pi(-), Lambda(+)(c)pi(0), and Lambda(+)(c)pi(+). We measure the mass differences M(Lambda(+)(c)pi)-M(Lambda(+)(c)) and widths to be 515.4(+3.2+2.1)(-3.1-6.0) MeV/c(2), 61(+18+22)(-13-13) MeV for the neutral state; 505.4(+5.8+12.4)(-4.6-2.0) MeV/c(2), 62(+37+52)(-23-38) MeV for the charged state; and 514.5(+3.4+2.8)(-3.1-4.9) MeV/c(2), 75(+18+12)(-13-11) MeV for the doubly charged state, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. These results are obtained from a 281 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector near the Upsilon(4S) resonance, at the KEKB asymmetric energy e(+)e(-) collider.

Journal Article↗

Observation of B+-->K1(1270)+gamma.

We report the observation of the radiative decay B+-->K1(1270)(+) gamma using a data sample of 140 fb(-1) taken at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- collider. We find the branching fraction to be B(B+-->K1(1270)(+)gamma)=(4.3+/-0.9(stat.)+/-0.9(syst.))x10(-5) with a significance of 7.3sigma. We find no significant signal for B+-->K1(1400)(+)gamma and set an upper limit B(B+-->K1(1400)(+)gamma)<1.5 x 10(-5) at the 90% confidence level. We also measure inclusive branching fractions for B+-->K+pi+pi-gamma and B0-->K0pi+pi-gamma in the mass range 1 GeV/c(2)<M(K+(0)pi+pi-)<2 GeV/c(2).

Journal Article↗

Search for D0-D0 mixing in D0 --> K+ pi(-) decays and measurement of the doubly-Cabibbo-suppressed decay rate.

We have searched for mixing in the D(0)-D (0) system by measuring the decay-time distribution of D(0) --> K(+) pi(-) decays. The analysis uses 90 fb(-1) of data collected by the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+) e(-) collider. We fit the decay-time distribution for the mixing parameters x' and y' and also for the parameter R(D), which is the ratio of the rate for the doubly-Cabibbo-suppressed decay D(0)--> K+ pi(-) to that for the Cabibbo-favored decay D(0)--> K-pi(+). We do these fits both assuming CP conservation and allowing for CP violation. We use a frequentist method to obtain a 95% C.L. region in the x'(2) - y' plane. Assuming no mixing, we measure R(D) = (0.381 +/- 0.017(+0.008)(-0.016))%.

Journal Article↗

Observation of B0-->D*sJ(2317)+K- decay.

The decays B0-->D+sJK- and B0-->D-sJpi+ are studied for the first time. A significant signal is observed in the B0-->D*sJ(2317)+K- decay channel with B(B0-->D*sJ(2317)+K-) x B(D*sJ(2317)+-->D+spi0)=(5.3(+1.5)(-1.3)+/-0.7+/-1.4) x 10(-5). No signals are observed in the B0-->D*sJ(2317)-pi+, B0-->DsJ(2460)+K-, and B 0-->DsJ(2460)-pi+ decay modes, and upper limits are obtained. The analysis is based on a data set of 140 fb(-1) collected by the Belle experiment at the asymmetric e+e- collider KEKB.

Journal Article↗

Measurement of the branching fraction and CP asymmetry in B+ --> rho+pi0.

We report a measurement of the branching fraction for the decay B+ --> rho(+) pi(0) based on a 140 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. We measure the branching fraction B(B(+) --> rho(+)pi(0)) = (13.2 +/- 2.3(stat)(+1.4)(-1.9)(syst)) x 10(-6), and the CP-violating asymmetry A(CP)(B-/+ -->rho(-/+)pi(0))=0.06 +/- 0.17(stat)(+0.04)(-0.05)(syst).

Journal Article↗