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Biomedical subjects

J W Kim

Publications and source records attributed to J W Kim.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Association of the metabolic syndrome with intracranial atherosclerotic stroke.

To investigate the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetSD) on the development of intracranial atherosclerotic stroke, the authors evaluated the components of the MetSD in 512 patients with stroke. The MetSD was observed most frequently in patients with intracranial atherosclerosis (p = 0.007). In multiple regression analysis, the MetSD, but not conventional risk factors, was independently associated with intracranial atherosclerosis (p = 0.005). The results suggest that treatment of metabolic abnormalities may be an important prevention strategy for intracranial atherosclerosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Prognostic significance of DNA quantification by flow cytometry in ovarian tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study is to evaluate prognostic significance of DNA quantification by flow cytometry in ovarian tumor. METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed on 56 ovarian tumor patients treated in the Yonsei Medical Center from Feb. 2000 to Jan. 2003. RESULTS: Regarding the association between tumor grade and the DNA quantitative analysis, as tumor grade increased, the quantity of aneuploid cells and S-phase fraction (SPF) increased. In addition, SPF was increased significantly in the advanced staged patients (P=0.04) and SPF was significantly increased in aneuploid tumors (P=0.03). The overall survival rate was poor for patients with aneuploid tumors and for patients with tumors showing over SPF (10%). CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that the prognosis was poor for patients with aneuploid cancers or increased SPF. Therefore, DNA quantification by flow cytometry may provide important information for predicting the prognosis of the disease.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed2005

Assessing clinical performance of gynecology residents: sonographic evaluation of adnexal masses based on morphological scoring systems.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of inexperienced gynecology residents in the evaluation of adnexal masses using sonographic scoring systems. METHODS: From April 2003 to October 2004, transvaginal sonography was performed preoperatively by junior gynecology residents on 1-month shifts on 123 patients suspected of having adnexal masses. A total of 137 adnexal masses were found and evaluated using two different morphological scoring systems (those of DePriest and Lerner). The diagnostic performance of the sonographic scoring systems was assessed using the McNemar test and receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used for lesion characterization. The diagnostic accuracy when the results of both scoring systems satisfied malignancy cut-off values was also investigated. RESULTS: Histopathological analysis revealed that, of the 137 lesions, 109 were benign, 23 were malignant and five were borderline. Best clinical cut-off levels were > or = 5 on the DePriest and > or = 3 on the Lerner scores. Both systems achieved good performance for characterizing malignancy. No significant difference was found in terms of the accuracy of the two systems as determined by mean areas under the ROC curves (0.816 and 0.783, P = 0.562). The combined approach using both scoring systems resulted in higher specificity (77.1%, P < 0.05) and positive predictive value without a significant decrease in sensitivity (82.1%) compared with either system alone. Of the 43 histologically confirmed false-positive cases, mature cystic teratoma was most common, with 13/22 (59%) cases being misinterpreted as malignancies. CONCLUSION: Junior residents, inexperienced at sonography, performed fairly in terms of evaluating adnexal masses with the help of morphological scoring systems.

Adnexal Diseases↗
PubMed2005

Pretreatment levels of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen and urine polyamines in women with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether pretreatment levels of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) and urine polyamines can predict lymph node metastases in patients with early stage cervical carcinoma. METHODS: Pretreatment measurement of serum SCCA and urine polyamine levels was carried out for 419 women. Of those women, 104 with stage IB and IIA cancer received radical surgery and had tumor size reassessed postoperatively. RESULTS: The women had increased levels of serum SCCA (>2.0 ng/mL) and elevated urine polyamines (>45 micromol/g of creatinine) with advanced cancer stage (P<0.01). The median SCCA level was significantly higher in women with metastatic disease than that in those without lymph node involvement (3.9 vs. 1.1; P<0.01). Women with nodal involvement also had significantly higher median levels of urine polyamines than those without nodal disease. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment measurement of SCCA and urine polyamine levels may help in predicting lymph node metastases in women with early stage cervical carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

CD19 signalling improves the Epstein-Barr virus-induced immortalization of human B cell.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in vitro immortalizes primary B cells and generates B lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). These EBV-LCLs have been used for several purposes in immunological and genetic studies, but some trials involving these transformations fail for unknown reasons, and several EBV-LCLs do not grow in normal culture. In this study, we improved the immortalization method by CD19 and B-cell receptor (BCR) co-ligation. This method shortens the time required for the immortalization and generation of EBV-LCLs but does not alter the cell phenotype of the LCLs nor the expression of the EBV genes. In particular, the CD19 and BCR co-ligation method was found to be the most effective method examined. EBV-infected B cells induced by CD19 and/or BCR ligation expressed the intracellular latent membrane protein LMP-1 earlier than EBV-infected B cells, and the expression of intracellular LMP-1 was found to be closely related to the time of immortalization. These results suggest that the modified method, using CD19 and/or BCR ligation, may efficiently generate EBV-LCLs, by expressing intracellular LMP-1 at an early stage.

Antigens, CD19↗
PubMed2005

Effect of cryogenic treatment on nickel-titanium endodontic instruments.

AIM: To investigate the effects of cryogenic treatment on nickel-titanium endodontic instruments. The null hypothesis was that cryogenic treatment would result in no changes in composition, microhardness or cutting efficiency of nickel-titanium instruments. METHODOLOGY: Microhardness was measured on 30 nickel-titanium K-files (ISO size 25) using a Vicker's indenter. Elemental composition was measured on two instruments using X-ray spectroscopy. A nickel-titanium bulk specimen was analysed for crystalline phase composition using X-ray diffraction. Half of the specimens to be used for each analysis were subjected to a cryogenic treatment in liquid nitrogen (-196 degrees C) for either 3 s (microhardness specimens) or 10 min (other specimens). Cutting efficiency was assessed by recording operator choice using 80 nickel-titanium rotary instruments (ProFile 20, .06) half of which had been cryogenically treated and had been distributed amongst 14 clinicians. After conditioning by preparing four corresponding canals, each pair of instruments were evaluated for cutting efficiency by a clinician during preparation of one canal system in vitro. A Student's t-test was used to analyse the microhardness data, and a binomial test was used to analyse the observer choice data. Composition data were analysed qualitatively. RESULTS: Cryogenically treated specimens had a significantly higher microhardness than the controls (P < 0.001; beta > 0.999). Observers showed a preference for cryogenically treated instruments (61%), but this was not significant (P = 0.21). Both treated and control specimens were composed of 56% Ni, 44% Ti, 0% N (by weight) with a majority in the austenite phase. CONCLUSIONS: Cryogenic treatment resulted in increased microhardness, but this increase was not detected clinically. There was no measurable change in elemental or crystalline phase composition.

Cold Temperature↗
PubMed2005

Delayed severe multivessel spasm and aborted sudden death after Taxus stent implantation.

Sudden cardiac arrest associated with major spasm of three coronary arteries was observed about 10 hours after Taxus stent insertion in a three vessel lesion and was successfully treated by intracoronary glyceryl trinitrate infusion. This case illustrates a potential risk associated with drug eluting stent and alerts clinicians to the life threatening risk of spasm when stenting multiple vessels with drug eluting stent (especially the Taxus stent).

Blood Vessel Prosthesis↗
PubMed2005

Novel oncogene HCCR: its diagnostic and therapeutic implications for cancer.

Identification of robust diagnostic and therapeutic target molecules for human malignancy is still an important issue. If we identify novel proteins which play a stem-line role for cellular transformation or aggravation of malignancy, it could give us a clue to diagnose a tumor in an earlier stage and to develop more reliable therapeutic tools. For this purpose, we have screened abnormally expressed genes in various human cancers by differential display RT-PCR. One of the overexpressed genes was a human cervical cancer oncogene (HCCR). HCCR was not only identified in cervical cancer tissues, but also found to be overexpressed in various human malignancies such as leukemia/lymphoma, breast, kidney, stomach, colon, liver and ovarian cancer. This molecule appeared to be a negative regulator of p53. In this paper, we discuss the biological functions of HCCR molecules and its implications for early diagnosis and future development of therapeutic devices of cancer.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Sequence variation in the gene encoding the major capsid protein of Korean fish iridoviruses.

Ten iridoviruses were isolated from cultured fish from various regions in Korea; 7 from rock bream, 1 from red sea bream, 1 from sea bass, and 1 from rockfish. The full open-reading frame (ORF) encoding the major capsid protein (MCP) (1362 bp) from ten iridoviruses were sequenced and the nucleotide sequences were phylogenetically analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the ten Korean isolates were classified into one cluster. However, their sequences were not identical and, based on the nucleotide sequence variation, they could be further divided into two subgroups. While nine Korean isolates were similar to the Japanese isolate red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV), one isolate was distinct from other iridovirus isolates. These results suggest that a diversity of iridoviruses exist in Korea and that a new variant strain has emerged.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Mesenchymal progenitor cells in the human umbilical cord.

Mesenchymal progenitor or stem cells (MPCs) isolated from fetal blood, liver, and bone marrow are a population of multipotential cells that can proliferate and differentiate into multiple mesodermal tissues including bone, cartilage, muscle, ligament, tendon, fat, and stroma. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize MPCs in the human umbilical cord. The suspensions of endothelial and subendothelial cells in cord vein were collected and cultured in M199 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Of 50 umbilical cord samples, 3 had numerous fibroblastoid cells morphologically distinguishable from endothelial cells. Fibroblastic cells displayed lack of expression of vWF, Flk-1, and PECAM-1, indicating the endothelial cell-specific marker. To investigate the differentiation potentials, the cells were cultured in adipogenic or osteogenic medium for 2 weeks. Fibroblast-like cells treated with adipogenic supplementation showed Oil red O-positive staining and expressed adipsin, FABP4, LPL, and PPARgamma2 genes by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In osteogenic differentiation, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium accumulation were detected. RT-PCR studies determined that Cx43, osteopontin, and Runx2 genes were expressed in the osteogenic cultures. Among three cell lines cultured continuously for passage 10, two had normal karyotypes; however, one retained a karyotype of mos 46,XY[19]/47,XY,+mar[3]. These observations suggest that MPCs are present in human umbilical cord and possess several typical traits of MPCs.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2004

A novel splice acceptor mutation in the DSPP gene causing dentinogenesis imperfecta type II.

The dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) gene (4q21.3) encodes two major noncollagenous dentin matrix proteins: dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and dentin phosphoprotein (DPP). Defects in the human gene encoding DSPP cause inherited dentin defects, and these defects can be associated with bilateral progressive high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Clinically, five different patterns of inherited dentin defects are distinguished and are classified as dentinogenesis imperfecta (DGI) types I, II, and III, and dentin dysplasia types I and II. The genetic basis for this clinical heterogeneity is unknown. Among the 11 members recruited from the studied kindred, five were affected with autosomal dominant DGI type II. The mutation (g.1188C-->G, IVS2-3C-->G) lay in the third from the last nucleotide of intron 2 and changed its sequence from CAG to GAG. The mutation was correlated with the affection status and was absent in 104 unaffected individuals (208 alleles) with the same ethnic and geological background. The proband was in the primary dentition stage and presented with multiple pulp exposures. The occlusal surface of his dental enamel was generally abraded, and the dentin was heavily worn and uniformly shaded brown. The dental pulp chambers appeared originally to be within normal limits without any sign of obliteration, but over time (by age 4), the pulp chambers became partially or completely obliterated. The oldest affected member (age 59) showed mild hearing loss at high-frequency (8 kHz). Permanent dentition was severely affected in the adults, who had advanced dental attrition, premature loss of teeth, and extensive dental reconstruction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Differences in p53 gene polymorphisms between Korean schizophrenia and lung cancer patients.

The reduced incidence of cancer observed in schizophrenia patients may be related to differences in genetic background. It has been suggested that genetic predisposition towards schizophrenia is associated with reduced vulnerability to lung cancer, and p53 gene is one of the candidate genes. We tested the genetic association between schizophrenia and lung cancer by analyzing polymorphic sites in the p53 gene. Genotype and allele frequencies at two polymorphic sites in the p53 gene (BstUI and MspI restriction sites in exon 4 and intron 6, respectively) were studied in Korean schizophrenia (n=179) and lung cancer patients (n=104). Comparisons of the genotype and allele frequencies of the MspI polymorphism revealed significant differences between schizophrenia and lung cancer patients. The results suggest that the p53 polymorphism specifically found in schizophrenia patients may be associated with reduced vulnerability to lung cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Perivascular-submandibular lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and floor of mouth.

AIMS: The goal of this study was to investigate the incidence of occult metastasis in perivascular lymph node and nodal recurrence in these nodal pads in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue and floor of mouth. METHODS: We performed a prospective analysis of the incidence of an occult metastasis in the perivascular lymph nodes in 55 patients (41 with an oral tongue carcinoma and 14 with a mouth floor carcinoma) who underwent an elective supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND) for SCC of the tongue and floor of mouth, from 1997 to 2002. 99 SOHND procedures were performed as follows: 72 in tongue carcinomas and 27 in the mouth floor carcinomas. RESULT: Clinically occult, but pathologically positive perivascular lymph nodes occurred in four of 72 of the tongue carcinomas and two of 27 of the mouth floor carcinomas. The incidence of the regional recurrence at level I was three of 45. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary report reveals a small incidence of perivascular lymph-node metastases and the infrequent nodal recurrence in this area after SOHND in early-staged tongue and floor of mouth SCC.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of human polyomavirus-associated nephropathy in renal transplant recipients.

Human polyomavirus type BK may be related to interstitial nephropathy or renal-allograft dysfunction. Patients with nephropathy due to infection with human polyomavirus may be identified early using the polymerase chain reaction(PCR). We attempted to evaluate whether the positive response in the PCR test of BK virus DNA in the plasma of renal transplant recipients affects the function of the renal allograft. Seventy-seven patients were prospectively analyzed according to the operative sex, age, sources of allograft, serum creatinine levels during PCR test for BK virus, postoperative type of immunosuppressant, and presence of graft rejection. Two groups were distinguished according to the PCR result for BK virus: group 1 (n = 12) positive PCR reaction and group 2 (n = 65) negative reaction. The mean follow-up was 32.6 weeks. The incidence of positive PCR tests for BK virus replication after renal transplantation was 15.6%. Decoy cells in the urine were detected in 20.7%. The incidence of BK virus nephropathy was 1.3%. The mean serum creatinine levels of group 1 and 2 at the time of the PCR tests were 1.34 and 1.22, respectively. The rejection rates in group 1 and 2 were 8% and 4.5%, respectively (P > .05). We consider that a PCR assay to detect BK virus in renal recipients blood may be useful to identify patients at risk for nephropathy. It may serve as a noninvasive indicator of BK virus replication, although this study is limited by the short follow-up and small numbers.

Adolescent↗