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Biomedical subjects

K Jung

Publications and source records attributed to K Jung.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Ratio of free-to-total prostate specific antigen in serum cannot distinguish patients with prostate cancer from those with chronic inflammation of the prostate.

PURPOSE: We demonstrate the effect of chronic inflammation of the prostate on the ratio of free-to-total prostate specific antigen (PSA) in serum calculated as a percentage of free PSA and, therefore, that percentage of free PSA is an unspecific means to distinguish among prostate cancer, chronic prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total, free and percentage of free PSA was measured in 66 men with prostate cancer, 119 with BPH and 17 with asymptomatic chronic prostatitis. In all patients the diagnosis was histopathologically confirmed by microscopic examination of prostatic specimens after sextant biopsy, transurethral prostatic resection or prostatectomy. RESULTS: The median values of total, free and percentage of free PSA were 4.11 microg./l., 0.75 microg./l. and 20.4% in patients with BPH, 10.0 microg./l., 0.84 microg./l. and 8.5% in those with prostate cancer, and 7.60 microg./l., 1.23 microg./l. and 10.6% in those with chronic prostatitis. Patients with prostate cancer and chronic prostatitis had a significantly lower percentage of free PSA than those with BPH. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis showed that percentage of free PSA as a discriminator between prostate cancer and BPH was not suitable for differentiating between prostate cancer and chronic prostatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic prostatitis is not characterized by elevated total PSA concentrations alone but also by a decreased percentage of free PSA, a tendency similar to that in prostate cancer. This unspecific change in percentage of free PSA must be considered to interpret the percentage of free PSA correctly.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Postnatal development of urea synthesis capacity in preterm infants with intrauterine growth retardation.

The postnatal development of the urea-synthesizing capacity was studied in 21 preterm infants with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and compared with results found in 12 infants without IUGR as controls. The urea-synthesizing capacity was estimated by the ratio Q of 15N abundance of ammonia and urea in 6-hour urine samples collected after enteral administration of 3 mg [15N]H4Cl/kg body weight. The measurements were performed on the first day when a protein intake of 3.0-3.5 g/kg/day and an energy intake of 120 kcal/kg/day were tolerated (study day 1: postnatal 14-21 days) and on the day of discharge from the hospital (study day 2: postnatal age 39-56 days). The group of infants with IUGR was subdivided in one group of infants who developed catch-up growth (n = 12) and one group who did not demonstrate catch-up growth (n = 9). On study day 1, the Q values of the IUGR infants without catch-up growth were significantly higher than those of the IUGR infants with catch-up growth (13.4 +/- 2.3 vs. 9.2 +/- 2.2) or of the control infants without IUGR. During the time period from study day 1 to study day 2 the Q values of the IUGR infants with catch-up growth decreased significantly (9.2 +/- 2.2 vs. 4.8 +/- 2.0; p < 0.001) and were in the range of the control infants without IUGR. In contrast, the Q values of the IUGR infants without catch-up growth did not significantly change during the study period (13.4 +/- 2.3 vs. 11.3 +/- 2.8; p = 0.097). On both study days there was a significant correlation between the Q values and the degree of IUGR (study day 1: r = 0.652, p < 0.01; study day 2: r = 0.842, p < 0.001). The data indicate that the urea-synthesizing capacity of preterm infants increases during early postnatal life and that severe IUGR may impair this development. Metabolic investigations using urea as marker for evaluation of optimal quantity or quality of dietary proteins should carefully be interpreted when infants with severe IUGR are studied.

Child Development↗
PubMed1998

Age-related changes in antioxidant enzyme activities in the small intestine and liver from Wistar rats.

The present study was designed to determine age-related changes in intestinal and hepatic antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and lipid peroxidation in male Wistar rats (n = 8) aged 2 wk, 2.5 mon, 5 mon, 10 mon, and 23 mon. In the small intestine, cytosolic SOD, GSH-PX activities and lipid peroxidation were not affected by age, but intestinal GST activity was noticeably enhanced as age increased. In particular, intestinal GST activity in 23 mon old rats was 3 times as strong as that in 2 wk old rats. In the liver, the activity of hepatic cytosolic SOD was not affected by age, whereas GSH-PX and GST activities in rats aged 10 mon and 23 mon were much stronger than those in rats aged 2 wk, 2.5 mon, and 5 mon. The increased lipid peroxidation in 2.5 mon and 5 mon old rats was observed when compared with that of other groups. It is therefore concluded from the results presented here that age greatly increases GST activity in the small intestinal mucosae and increasing GSH-PX, GST activities and lipid peroxidation in the liver from male Wistar rats.

Aging↗
PubMed1998

Relation of free PSA/total PSA in serum for differentiating between patients with prostatic cancer and benign hyperplasia of the prostate: which cutoff should be used?

A review on literature data is given concerning free prostate-specific antigen (f-PSA) and the corresponding cutoffs of f-PSA/t-PSA for differentiating patients with cancer of the prostate from those with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The special importance of the diagnostic criterion (sensitivity, specificity, efficiency) for establishing the cutoff is demonstrated. On the basis of our own data, the application of the f-PSA% is recommended as an additional decision criterion for biopsy.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1998

The effect of N-alkyloxycarbonyl group on the anticonvulsant activities of N-alkyloxycarbonyl-alpha-amino-N-methylsuccinimides.

In connection with the development of new anticonvulsant agents with a broad spectrum, we found that N-Cbz-alpha-amino-N-alkylsuccinimides showed significant anticonvulsant activities, and the pharmacological activities of these compounds were dependent on their stereochemistry and N-substituted alkyl group. These results prompted us to define the effects of other functional group on the anticonvulsant activities of these compounds. Therefore a series of N-alkoxycarbonyl-alpha-amino-N-methylsuccinimide were prepared from N-Cbz-aspartic acid and were evaluated with their anticonvulsant activities against the MES and PTZ tests, in order to define the effect of N-substituted alkoxy carbonyl group with the anticonvulsant activities. From these studies, it was found that all the tested N-alkoxycarbonyl-alpha-amino-N-methylsuccinimides exhibited significant anticonvulsant activities in the PTZ test and were not active in the MES test. The most active compound in the PTZ test was (S) N-ethoxycarbonyl-alpha-amino-N-methyl-succinimide. We found that the pharmacological activities in the PTZ test were dependent on their N-alkoxycarbonyl groups. They follow as such; The order of anticonvulsant activities for (R) series as evaluated by ED50 was N-phenoxycarbonyl = N-4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl > N-ethoxycarbonyl > N-allyloxycarbonyl > N-tert. butoxycarbonyl compound; For the (S) series N-ethoxycarbonyl > N-phenoxycarbonyl > N-allyloxycarbonyl compound. From the above results, it was conceivable that N-substituted alkoxycarbonyl group had certain effects on the anticonvulsant activities of N-alkoxycarbonyl-alpha-amino-N-methylsuccinimides.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The effect of N-alkyloxycarbonyl group on the anticonvulsant activities of N-alkyloxycarbonyl-alpha-aminoglutarimides.

In connection with the development of new anticonvulsant agents with a broad spectrum, we reported that N-Cbz-alpha-aminoglutarimides, combining common structures of other anticonvulsants such as N-CO-C-N and cyclic imides in a single molecule, showed significant anticonvulsant activities in the MES (maximal electroshock seizure) and PTZ (pentylenetetrazole induced seizure) tests. In these studies, a series of (R) and (S) N-alkyloxycarbonyl-alpha-aminoglutarimides 7a-7e and 8a-8e, which were substituted with various alkyloxycarbonyl group instead of Cbz group, were prepared from the corresponding (R) and (S) N-Cbz-glutamic acid 3 and 4, and were evaluated with their anticonvulsant activities against the MES and PTZ tests, including neurotoxicity, in order to define the effect of N-alkyloxycarbonyl group on the anticonvulsant activities of N-alkyloxycarbonyl-alpha-aminoglutarimides. Among them, (S) N-4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl-alpha-amino-N-methylglutarimide 8e was the most active in MES (ED50 = 35.6 mg/kg, PI = 2.7) and PTZ tests (ED50 = 15.6, PI = 6.1). Interestingly, (R) and (S) N-4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl-alpha-amino-N-methylglutarimide 7e and 8e and (R) N-phenoxycarbonyl-alpha-amino-N-methylglutrimide 7d showed significant anticonvulsant activities in both the MES and PTZ tests and other compounds showed anticonvulsant activities in only the PTZ test. In addition, it was found that their anticonvulsant activities were dependent on their stereochemistries and N-substituted alkyloxycarbonyl groups.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Factors influencing the ratio of free to total prostate-specific antigen in serum.

The ratio of free prostate-specific antigen (f-PSA) to total PSA (t-PSA) in serum, calculated as percent free PSA (f-PSA%), is lower in patients with prostate carcinoma (PCa) than in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). This parameter facilitates discrimination between the 2 groups of patients, but there is an overlapping of data. A better understanding of factors influencing this ratio is of practical importance. Therefore, f-PSA% was measured in controls and patients suffering from BPH, PCa and chronic prostatic inflammation with t-PSA concentrations up to 20 microg/l using the IMMULITE assays. The relationships of f-PSA% to clinical situation, age, prostate volume, kind of treatment, and stage and grade of tumor were calculated. Compared with controls or BPH patients, mean f-PSA% values were reduced in PCa patients and in patients with chronic prostatic inflammation. The prostate volume was the most important factor to influence f-PSA%. The difference of f-PSA% between PCa and BPH patients with prostate volumes smaller than 40 cm3 was lost if the prostate volumes exceeded 40 cm3. No relationship of f-PSA% to pTNM stage or grade of tumor was observed. In contrast to t-PSA concentrations, the f-PSA% values were not age-dependent and were not influenced by any kind of treatment in BPH and PCa patients either, which simplifies the use of f-PSA% compared with t-PSA. Thus, for using f-PSA% in clinical practice and for interpreting the data correctly, the advantages shown have to be considered along with the potential limitations of f-PSA%.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

CD40-activated human B cells: an alternative source of highly efficient antigen presenting cells to generate autologous antigen-specific T cells for adoptive immunotherapy.

Multiple clinical trials have shown the efficacy of adoptively transferred allogeneic antigen-specific T cells for the treatment of viral infections and relapsed hematologic malignancies. In contrast, the therapeutic potential of autologous antigen-specific T cells has yet to be established since it has been technically difficult to generate sufficient numbers of these T cells, ex vivo. A major obstacle to the success of this objective derives from our inability to simply and rapidly isolate and/or expand large numbers of highly efficient antigen presenting cells (APCs) for repetitive stimulations of antigen-specific T cells in vitro. We show that autologous CD40-activated B cells represent a readily available source of highly efficient APC that appear to have several important advantages over other APCs for ex vivo T cell expansion including: (a) methodological simplicity necessary to generate continuously large numbers of APCs from just 50 cm3 of peripheral blood without loss of APC function; (b) capacity to induce high peak T cell proliferation and interferon-gamma production without IL-10 production; (c) ease in cryopreservation; and (d) markedly reduced cost. We, therefore, contend that CD40-activated B cells are an alternative source of highly efficient APCs with which to generate antigen-specific T cells ex vivo for autologous adoptive immunotherapy.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1997

Betaine improves the PCR amplification of GC-rich DNA sequences.

Betaine improves the co-amplification of the two alternatively spliced variants of the prostate-specific membrane antigen mRNA as well as the amplification of the coding cDNA region of c-jun. It is suggested that betaine improves the amplification of these genes by reducing the formation of secondary structure caused by GC-rich regions and, therefore, may be generally applicable to ameliorate the amplification of GC-rich DNA sequences.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1997

Matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and the complex of metalloproteinase-1/tissue inhibitor in plasma of patients with prostate cancer.

We analyzed blood plasma concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -3 (MMP-1; MMP-3), the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and the complex MMP-1/TIMP-1, and looked for any correlation with prostate cancer stage. These components were measured by ELISA tests specific for these proteins in healthy male controls (n = 35), and in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; n = 29), with prostate cancer (PCa) without metastasis (T2,3pN0M0; n = 29) and with PCa with metastatic disease (T2,3,4pN1,2M1; n = 18). Mean values of MMP-1 and of the complex MMP-1/TIMP-1 were not different among the 4 groups studied. The mean MMP-3 and especially TIMP-1 concentrations were significantly higher in PCa patients with metastases compared with controls, BPH and PCa patients without metastases. Ten of these 18 patients had TIMP-1 concentrations higher than the upper reference limit. TIMP-1 concentrations were correlated with staging but not with grading. Our results point towards plasma TIMP-1 concentration as a potential marker of malignant progression of PCa.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Purification, reconstitution, and characterization of KdpD, the turgor sensor of Escherichia coli.

In response to K+ availability or medium osmolality, the sensor kinase KdpD and the response regulator KdpE control the expression of the kdpFABC operon, coding for the high affinity K+-translocating Kdp ATPase of Escherichia coli. The stimulus for KdpD to undergo autophosphorylation is believed to be a change in turgor or some effect thereof, reflecting the role of K+ as an important cytoplasmic osmotic solute. The membrane-bound sensor kinase KdpD was overproduced as a fusion protein containing six contiguous histidine residues two amino acids before the C terminus. This KdpD-His6 protein was functional in vitro and in vivo. KdpD-His6 was purified from everted membrane vesicles by solubilization with the zwitterionic detergent lauryldimethylamine oxide followed by nickel chelate chromatography and ion exchange chromatography to >99% homogeneity. The solubilized protein was not active with respect to autophosphorylation, but retained the ability to bind 2-azido-ATP. KdpD-His6 was reconstituted into proteoliposomes in a unidirectional inside-out orientation as revealed by ATP accessibility and protease susceptibility. Purified and reconstituted KdpD-His6 exhibited autokinase activity, and the phosphoryl group could be transferred to KdpE. Furthermore, KdpD-His6 was found to be the only protein that mediates dephosphorylation of KdpE approximately P.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1997

Increased analytical sensitivity of RT-PCR of PSA mRNA decreases diagnostic specificity of detection of prostatic cells in blood.

The diagnostic specificity of the detection of disseminated prostatic cells by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of PSA mRNA was investigated. A sensitive nested PCR was developed. In blood samples from 10 healthy female and 10 healthy male persons examined by RT-PCR, mRNA of PSA was detected 3 times in each group. In the groups of patients suffering from benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer, 6 of 11 and 5 of 12, respectively, gave positive RT-PCR results. With increasing analytical sensitivity of the RT-PCR of PSA mRNA, the diagnostic specificity of the assay is decreased. Further development of this diagnostic method requires the introduction of the quantitative PCR which may make possible discrimination between prostatic and non-prostatic source of PSA mRNA by quantification.

Female↗
PubMed1997

The influence of prostate volume on the ratio of free to total prostate specific antigen in serum of patients with prostate carcinoma and benign prostate hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: Determining the ratio of free to total prostate specific antigen (f-PSA to t-PSA, calculated as the percentage of f-PSA [f-PSA%]) in serum allow for a clearer distinction between patients with prostate carcinoma (PCa) and patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) than determining the level of t-PSA alone. To find influencing factors on f-PSA%, the authors investigated prostate volume, TNM classification, and tumor stage. METHODS: The authors measured f-PSA and t-PSA in 36 men with untreated PCa (tumor classification: T1, 2, 3pNO, MO), 44 patients with BPH, and 54 healthy controls. Prostate volume was determined by transrectal ultrasound. RESULTS: The median values of t-PSA and f-PSA% were 7.8 micrograms/L and 10.5% in PCa patients, 4.3 micrograms/L and 20.8% in patients with BPH, and 1.4 micrograms/L and 23.6% in the control group. Patients with PCa had a significantly lower proportion of f-PSA than BPH patients and healthy men. There was no correlation of f-PSA% to TNM stage or tumor grade. In PCa patients a significant positive correlation (correlation coefficient [r] = 0.51, P < 0.001) was found between f-PSA% and prostate volume, whereas there was no significant correlation in BPH patients (r = -0.27, P > 0.05). There was a significant difference in f-PSA% between PCa and BPH patients with prostate volumes smaller than 40 cm3 (9.0% vs. 21.6%, P < 0.01) but not between patients in these 2 groups with prostate volumes exceeding 40 cm3 (15.1% vs. 18.2%, P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Determining the ratio of f-PSA to t-PSA to discriminate between PCa and BPH patients yields significant results only in men with a prostate volume of less than 40 cm3.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Differential response of oxygen radical metabolism in rat heart, liver and kidney to cyclosporine A treatment.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: The study was designed to elucidate whether cyclosporine A (Cy A) induces oxidative stress in heart, liver and kidney. MATERIAL AND TREATMENT: Male Wistar rats were treated with NaCl (n = 7), cremophor (vehicle for Cy A: n = 7) and 30 mg/kg b.w. Cy A in cremophor (n = 7) daily for 4 weeks. METHODS: Oxidized (GSSG) and reduced (GSH) glutathione, lipid peroxides and superoxide dismutase were measured in the organs. RESULTS: Increases in GSSG [nmol/mg prot.] and a compensatory rise in total GSH [nmol/mg prot.] indicating Cy A-induced oxidative stress were found in kidney (0.39 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.47 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.64 +/- 0.18; 20.71 +/- 3.86 vs. 21.07 +/- 3.86 vs. 28.14 +/- 3.37) and liver (0.51 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.51 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.65 +/- 0.25; 33.35 +/- 5.06 vs. 32.88 +/- 5.12 vs. 44.12 +/- 6.06) but not in heart. CONCLUSION: Cy A-induced oxidative stress may contribute to the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of this drug. After heart transplantation, accelerated allograft atherosclerosis limits transplantation success. We did not find any evidence that Cy A induces oxidative stress in the heart which might favour atherogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Analytical aspects regarding the measurement of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in blood.

OBJECTIVE: Both in vitro and in vivo investigations have shown that the balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP) seems to be important in physiological and pathological processes which involve tissue remodeling and repair. DESIGN AND METHODS: In order to investigate the analytical reliability of new commercial ELISA tests. BIOTRAK test kits (Amersham Int.) were used for the determination of metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and the MMP-1/TIMP-1 complex in blood. RESULTS: The detection limits and the precision data were in the usual ranges of ELISA tests so that concentrations found in blood could be determined reliably. Since all three analytes were lower in heparin plasma than in serum or EDTA plasma, heparin plasma was selected as the specimen of choice. Measurement of diluted samples gave higher values than those of undiluted native plasma samples because the inhibitory effects of specific/unspecific inhibitors or other matrix components were apparently reduced. To obtain comparable data from different laboratories, the predilution of samples must be defined. We recommend to use diluted plasma samples of 1:5, 1:21, and 1:11 for the determination of MMP-1, TIMP-1, and the complex MMP-1/TIMP1, respectively. The preliminary upper 95% reference limits measured under these conditions in healthy subjects (40 females: 40 males) were 14.4 micrograms/L for MMP-1 in females, 20 micrograms/L for MMP-1 in males. 1668 micrograms/L for TIMP-1 and 116 micrograms/L for the complex MMP-1/TIMP-1. CONCLUSION: The study has shown that the BIOTRAK test combinations for MMP-1, TIMP-1, and MMP-1/TIMP-1 complex allow a reliable measurement of the analyte concentrations in heparin plasma. In order to avoid preanalytical misinterpretations only heparin plasma samples in defined dilutions should be used.

Adult↗