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Biomedical subjects

J M Kim

Publications and source records attributed to J M Kim.

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

Synergic in-vitro activity of imipenem and sulbactam against Acinetobacter baumannii.

The interaction between sulbactam and imipenem was evaluated with four clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii, including two isolates resistant to imipenem, one of which produced IMP-1 metallo-beta-lactamase. Two isolates (one of which was imipenem-resistant) were sulbactam-resistant by undefined mechanisms. MICs were determined by standard broth microdilution methods. Time-kill assays with imipenem and sulbactam, alone or in combination at 0.5 x MIC and 1 x MIC, showed a synergic effect in all four isolates of A. baumannii after incubation for 0, 4, 8 and > 24 h at 35 degrees C.

Acinetobacter baumannii↗
PubMed2004

The relation of Graves' ophthalmopathy to circulating thyroid hormone status.

AIM: The risk factors and epidemiological data for Graves' ophthalmopathy with and without abnormal circulating thyroid levels were examined to determine the relation of thyroid dysfunction to ophthalmopathy. METHODS: The authors retrospectively evaluated 482 patients seen with Graves' ophthalmopathy. Of these, 413 were classified as having abnormal levels of circulating thyroid hormone (ALTH) and 69 as having normal levels of circulating thyroid hormone (NLTH). RESULTS: Patients in the NLTH group, compared to the ALTH group, were older on average (56 (SD 13.5) v 52 (15.4)) and had a higher age adjusted body mass index (26.1 (0.8) v 23.4 (0.3)). In addition, a higher percentage of NLTH patients had hypercholesterolaemia. Those in the ALTH group were more likely to be female (76% v 51%), to have a family history of thyroid problems, and to have had eye surgery. CONCLUSION: NLTH and ALTH appear to differ from each other in terms of risk factors and epidemiological characteristics. Additionally, thyroid dysfunction seems to be associated with a more severe ophthalmopathy compared to the euthyroid state.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Clinical analysis of extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the sinonasal tract.

We investigated the clinical analysis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the sinonasal tract, including the survival rate and treatment outcome. Fifty patients who had previously received a diagnosis of extranodal NHL of the sinonasal cavity from May 1992 to April 2001 were included. We reviewed the patients' clinical characteristics and the survival rates, retrospectively. Of 50 patients, 49 were classified as having extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma and only one patient as having diffuse large B cell (DLBC) lymphoma according to the new WHO classification. Even though higher mortality rates were observed in patients receiving chemotherapy alone than in those receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the advanced stage, the combination treatment of chemotherapy and radiation therapy failed to demonstrate a significantly higher survival rate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Anomaly of the height-height correlation functions in self-flattening surface growth.

By Monte Carlo simulations and scaling theories, we consider the height-height correlation function G(r,t;L) of the one-dimensional equilibrium self-flattening surface growths, where the deposition (evaporation) attempt only at the globally highest (lowest) site is suppressed. G(r,t:L) is shown to satisfy the anomalous scaling behavior G(r,t;L)=L(2alpha)g(1)(r/L(delta),t/L(z)) or G(r,t;L)=t(2beta)g(2)(r/t(1/z(')),L/t(1/z)). Here alpha, beta, and z are the roughness, growth, and dynamic exponents, respectively, for the surface width, with alpha=1/3 and z=alpha/beta=3/2. Anomalous exponents z(') and delta are found to satisfy z(')=9/4 and delta=z/z('). We also show that anomalous behavior of G(r,t;L) can be understood from a scaling theory based on the competition between local random-walk-like behavior and the global-length-scale suppression.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Inhibitory effects of the stem bark of Catalpa ovata G. Don. (Bignoniaceae) on the productions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide by the lipopolisaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

In order to validate the use of the stem bark of Catalpa ovata G. Don. (Bignoniaceae) as an anti-inflammatory drug in the traditional Korean medicine, we have investigated the effects of the methanol extract of this folk medicine on the productions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) on RAW 264.7 macrophages activated with the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide. The extract inhibited the productions of TNF-alpha and NO with significant decreases in mRNA levels of TNF-alpha and inducible NO synthase, suggesting that the stem bark of Catalpa ovata may have therapeutic potential in the control of inflammatory disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The effect of rebamipide on the expression of proinflammatory mediators and apoptosis in human neutrophils by Helicobacter pylori water-soluble surface proteins.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection elicits persistent neutrophil infiltration in gastric mucosa. The expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inhibition of apoptosis in the neutrophils could contribute to the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection. Rebamipide, a mucosal protective and ulcer-healing drug, has been known to inhibit neutrophil activation. AIM: To evaluate the effect of rebamipide on the neutrophils activated by H. pylori water-soluble proteins. METHODS: After neutrophils were stimulated with H. pylori water extract (HPWE) or pre-treated with rebamipide, the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Prostaglandin (PG) E2 synthesis was determined by radioimmunoassay. Neutrophil apoptosis was evaluated by cytosolic oligonucleosome-bound DNA ELISA and caspase-3 activity was measured by the detection of p-nitroanilide after cleavage from labelled substrate. RESULTS: Stimulation with HPWE up-regulated COX-2 expression and PGE2 secretion, and inhibited neutrophil apoptosis. Rebamipide suppressed PGE2 secretion from neutrophils dose-dependently. Rebamipide, however, did not affect neutrophil apoptosis and caspase-3 activity. CONCLUSIONS: Rebamipide effectively suppressed PGE2 secretion from neutrophils activated by H. pylori water-soluble proteins. This is another possible mechanism of gastric mucosal protection by rebamipide.

Alanine↗
PubMed2003

Suppressive effects of PG201, an ethanol extract from herbs, on collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

OBJECTIVE: PG201 has been formulated using 12 herbs known to have anti-inflammatory and protective effects on damaged tissue and bone among other functions. The present study was done in order to assess the therapeutic effects of PG201 in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. METHODS: DBA/1 mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen. After a second collagen immunization, mice were treated with PG201 orally at 10 mg/kg once a day for 18 days. Paws were evaluated macroscopically for redness, swelling and deformities. The levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in the ankle were examined. The severity of arthritis within the knee joints was evaluated by histological assessment of cartilage destruction and pannus formation. Molecular indicators related to CIA pathology were analysed by measuring the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) and the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10. RESULTS: Administration of PG201 significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and inhibited the production of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in the paws. The erosion of cartilage was dramatically reduced in mouse knees after treatment with PG201. In the serum of PG201-treated mice, the level of TIMP-2 and the ratio of TIMP-2 to MMP-2 were significantly elevated, and the level of IL-4, but not of IL-10, was increased. CONCLUSION: Administration of PG201 has therapeutic effects on CIA. Protection of cartilage was particularly prominent. PG201 is a potential therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Antimicrobial performance of alkaline ionic fluid (GC-100X) and its ability to remove Escherichia coli O157:H7 from the surface of tomatoes.

An efficacy test of GC-100X, a noncorrosive alkaline ionic fluid (pH 12) composed of free radicals and supplemented with xylitol, was carried out against six major foodborne pathogens-Staphylococcus aureus FRI 913, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis ATCC 13076, S. enterica serovar Typhimurium DT104 Korean isolate, Vibrio parahaemolyticus ATCC 17803, Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 43894, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa KCTC 1637-at three different temperatures (4, 25, and 36 degrees C) with or without organic load (2% yeast extract). Results revealed a more than 4-log10 (CFU/ml) reduction (1.0 x 10(4) CFU/ml reduction) against all pathogens reacted at 37 degrees C for 3 h in the absence of organic material. GC-100X solution diluted with an equal volume of distilled or standard hard water (300 ppm CaCO3) showed effective bactericidal activity, particularly against gram-negative bacteria. Washing efficacy of GC-100X solution was compared against E. coli O157:H7 on cherry tomato surfaces with those of a commercially used detergent and chlorine water (100 ppm). Viable cell counts of E. coli O157:H7 that had penetrated to the cores of tomatoes after sanitizing treatment revealed that GC-100X stock and its 5% diluted solutions had similar washing effects to 100-ppm chlorine water and were more effective than the other kitchen detergent. These results indicate that GC-100X has good bactericidal and sanitizing activities and is useful as a new sanitizer for food safety and kitchen hygiene.

Chlorine↗
PubMed2002

Localization accuracy of single current dipoles from tangential components of auditory evoked fields.

We investigated the localization accuracy of single current dipoles from the tangential components of auditory evoked fields. The tangential fields were measured using planar gradiometers arranged in a way so as to detect two orthogonal field components parallel to a flat plane. Field responses to 1 kHz pure tones were recorded and equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) of N1m peak were estimated based on a locally fitted spherical conductor model. As a measure of localization accuracy, the standard deviation of the coordinates of the ECDs of N1m was obtained from repeated measurements for one subject. The estimated ECDs had a standard deviation of 5.5 mm and their mean location was at the supratemporal plane in the sylvian fissure on the MR image of the subject. In order to investigate the contribution of various errors to the localization accuracy, simulations using a sphere model and experiments using a realistically shaped skull phantom were performed. It was found that the background noise, which consisted of instrumental noise and spontaneous brain fields, was the main source of the errors that could explain the observed standard deviation. Further, the amount of systematic error was much less than the standard deviation due to the background noise. These results suggest that the volume currents in a non-spherical conductor shape such as the temporal region do not produce substantial errors in the localization of current dipoles from tangential components of auditory evoked fields.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2002

Prenatal diagnosis of a familial complex chromosomal rearrangement involving chromosomes 5, 10, 16 and 18.

We report one case of a familial complex chromosomal rearrangement (CCR) involving four different chromosomes 5, 10, 16 and 18. The CCR was detected prenatally at 20 weeks' gestation because of advanced maternal age and history of recurrent miscarriages. Cytogenetic analysis of cultured amniotic fluid cells with GTG banding showed a 46,XX,t(5;16;10;18)(q13;q22;q11.2;q21) karyotype. Parental cytogenetic study revealed that the mother has the same CCR. RBG banding, high resolution banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to characterize further and confirm the conventional banding data. No physical abnormalities were shown in the targeted fetal ultrasonography examination. The parents decided to continue the pregnancy. The child is now 2 years old and has neither congenital anomalies nor evidence of delayed psychomotor development. The fetal targeted ultrasound and FISH analysis helped us reassure fetal status.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed2002

Near-field optical microscopy with video signal processor to apply a CCD imaging device as a variable area photo-sensor for improving operability and spectrum mode imaging.

We have developed a video signal processor for improving the operability and function of scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). The video signal processor applies a CCD imaging device as a variable area photo-sensor in the SNOM unit instead of conventional photo-detectors. The signal processor converts the intensity of a selected area in video frames to a numerical value with a rate of 30 Hz. Consequently, the CCD imaging device can be used as a photo-detector of variable areas and positions for detecting a small area of a optical probe position. The need for a precise optical axis alignment is relaxed due to the large sensing area of the CCD device. Using the video signal processor, near-field optical and topographic images have been obtained by SNOM/AFM system simultaneously. By adding a spectrometer between the SNOM unit and the CCD device, the spectrum signal of selected wavelength ranges has been monitored by the video signal processor to provide an optical image.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

DC electric-field-induced DNA stretching for AFM and SNOM studies.

An effective method of DNA stretching on mica surfaces is proposed for an extremely low concentration of DNA. The method is based on an electric field and well applied on the concentration range from 57 x 10(-3) to 57 x 10(-6) ng/ml. The stretching exists in a gap between positive and negative electrodes. The difference in the stretching efficiency among the different surfaces of bare mica, Mg2+ soaked mica and AP-mica is discussed. The best performance of the stretching is found from the surface of AP-mica for the same experimental condition of sample concentration and applied voltage. Finally, from a Scanning near-field optical microscope image, it is found that well-stretched DNA molecules have shown more similar optical resolution, which is inferred from an optical fiber probe, itself.

Aluminum Silicates↗
PubMed2002

Polyethylenimine-mediated cellular uptake, nucleus trafficking and expression of cytokine plasmid DNA.

Although polyethylenimine (PEI) has been widely used as a nonviral vector, there is little mechanistic understanding on PEI-mediated delivery. Here, we studied whether the expression of murine interleukin-2 (mIL-2) plasmids could be improved by complexation with PEI at various N/P ratios, and whether the cellular uptake, nuclear translocation, and retention of plasmids could be affected by the N/P ratios. Compared with the naked mIL-2, PEI/mIL-2 complexes showed at least two orders of magnitude higher expression at Raw264 cells in the N/P ratio-dependent manner. PEI-mediated cellular uptake and nuclear trafficking of plasmids, quantitated by competitive polymerase chain reaction, also depended on the N/P ratios showing the highest cell and nuclear levels of plasmids at 10/1. The higher cellular levels of plasmid DNA after PEI-mediated delivery were also observed in other cell lines. Unlike naked plasmids, PEI/mIL-2 complexes (N/P ratios >/=4/1) showed prolonged cellular and nuclear retention of mIL-2 plasmids. The nuclear translocation and higher cellular level of plasmids given in PEI complexes were similarly observed by fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, PEI/mIL-2 complexes revealed high stability against DNase I, partly explaining the prolonged subcellular retention. These results indicate that the expression of plasmid mIL-2 might be highly enhanced by complexation with PEI and that such increased expression could be attributed by the higher cellular uptake, nuclear translocation and prolonged retention.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed2002

Optimization of submerged culture conditions for the production of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor from Flammulina velutipes.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory effect was tested in the culture broth from submerged mycelial cultures of 20 basidiomycetes. The ACE inhibitory effect of culture broth from Flammulina velutipes strain 414 was the highest (52.8%), followed by Lentinus edodes strains 2 (44.4%) and 16 (41.3%). Nutritional requirements for the production of ACE inhibitory substance from F. velutipes were studied. Sucrose, ammonium acetate, and glutamic acid were chosen for the maximum production of ACE inhibitory substance. The optimal medium composition was (g/l): sucrose 20, ammonium acetate 5, glutamic acid 2, KH(2)PO(4) 3, MgSO(4).7H(2)O 0.8, and yeast extract 0.5. Under optimal culture conditions, the ACE inhibitory effect was more than 80%.

Agaricales↗
PubMed2002

Nuclear factor-kappa B activation pathway in intestinal epithelial cells is a major regulator of chemokine gene expression and neutrophil migration induced by Bacteroides fragilis enterotoxin.

Although intestinal epithelial cells are known to up-regulate the expression of several chemokine genes in response to the stimulation with B. fragilis enterotoxin (BFT), there has been little understanding on the cellular mechanisms of BFT-induced mucosal inflammation. To test whether nuclear transcriptional factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is involved in the process, we stimulated intestinal epithelial cells with BFT, and evaluated the signalling NF-kappaB pathways. BFT increased signals of NF-kappaB in HT-29 and T84 epithelial cell lines as well as primary human colon epithelial cells. NF-kappaB molecules activated by BFT stimulation were composed of p65 and p50 heterodimers. In contrast, BFT decreased the signals of IkappaBalpha and IkappaB epsilon, as assessed by immunoblot. Super-repressors of IkappaBalpha, IkappaB kinase (IKK)beta, and NF-kappaB inducing kinase (NIK) inhibited an up-regulated transcription of downstream target gene (CXCL8) of NF-kappaB. Moreover, blocking the activation of NF-kappaB by MG-132 or antisense p50 oligonucleotide transfection resulted in down-regulated expression of chemokines such as CXCL1, CXCL8, and CCL2 in BFT-stimulated HT-29 cells. In addition, NF-kappaB inhibition suppressed the BFT-induced neutrophil transepithelial migration in T84 cells. These results indicate that NF-kappaB can be a central regulator of chemokine gene expression in BFT-stimulated intestinal epithelial cells and may be an important regulator of neutrophil migration.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Does race protect an oriental population from developing lipodystrophy in HIV-infected individuals on HAART?

OBJECTIVES: Lipodystrophy, hyperlipidaemia and hyperinsulinaemia are common metabolic complications of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected Caucasians. We questioned whether such complications also occur in other races. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed in an outpatient clinic of a university teaching hospital with 156 Koreans, divided into HIV-infected subjects receiving HAART (n=57, group 1), HAART-naïve subjects (n=42, group 2), and healthy controls (n=57, group 3). Lipodystrophy was assessed by physical examination and questionnaire and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasting triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, free fatty acid (FFA), Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), glucose, insulin, c-peptide, leptin, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), CD4, CD8 lymphocyte counts and HIV RNA load were measured. RESULTS: Lipodystrophy was observed in only 3.5% of HAART-treated HIV-infected Koreans. No statistical difference in regional fat accumulation or peripheral fat wasting was observed between groups 1, 2 and 3. No statistical difference in triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, FFA, ApoA1, ApoB, glucose, insulin, C-peptide, leptin, cortisol, and DHEA were observed between groups 1, 2 and 3. HDL cholesterol was significantly lower in HIV-infected individuals compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Lipodystrophy, hyperlipidaemia, and insulin resistance are rare metabolic complications of HAART in an oriental HIV-infected group of individuals. These findings warrant further race-specific metabolic complication studies in HIV-infected subjects receiving HAART.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2001

Phototriggering of liposomal drug delivery systems.

Over the past several years, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been approved for the treatment of various cancers. Additional applications of photochemical processes for triggering site-specific drug delivery are in early stages of development at this time. This review focuses on the literature appearing between January 1996-June 2001 that describe new and ongoing studies of phototriggering mechanisms that may ultimately find utility in drug delivery applications.

Animals↗