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Biomedical subjects

M H Kim

Publications and source records attributed to M H Kim.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

The effects of the progesterone antagonist RU-486 on mouse preimplantation development in vitro and in vivo.

We have evaluated the effects of RU-486 on preimplantation development in the mouse. Female mice received a subcutaneous injection of 1mg RU-486 with hCG on the morning post-coitus. Two-cell embryos were recovered from the oviducts and cultured in the presence or absence of RU-486. Three days later we found that 2-cell embryos exposed to RU-486 in vivo developed to the blastocyst stage at rates similar to control regardless of whether RU-486 was present in culture medium. Transfer experiments revealed that embryos retrieved from RU-486-treated females developed normally in the reproductive tracts of non-treated control foster mothers. However, when control 2-cell embryos were transferred to RU-486-treated foster mothers, development was not supported. We conclude that the contragestational properties of periovulatory treatment with RU-486 is not the result of a direct effect on the cleavage stage embryo but on the reproductive tract of the mother.

Animals↗

Behavioral and neural correlates of postnatal olfactory conditioning: I. Effect of respiration on conditioned neural responses.

Following olfactory classical conditioning, infant rats exhibit a preference for the conditioned odor and exhibit enhanced uptake of focal 14C 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) within the olfactory bulb. The present experiments assessed the role of respiration on the expression of the enhanced 2-DG uptake response. Pups were conditioned from postnatal day (PN) 1-18 with an olfactory stimulus paired with a reinforcing tactile stimulus which mimics maternal contact (Odor-Stroke). Control pups received odor only or tactile stimulation only. On PN 19, pups received 1 of 3 tests: 1) a two-odor choice test, 2) an odor/2-DG test with normal respiration allowed, or 3) an odor/2-DG test with respiration experimentally controlled. The results indicated that: 1) Odor-Stroke pups learned the conditioned odor preference, 2) Odor-Stroke, normally respiring pups exhibited enhanced olfactory bulb 2-DG uptake when compared to control pups. No difference in respiration rate was detected between groups in normally respiring pups. 3) Odor Stroke pups whose breathing was experimentally controlled exhibited enhanced olfactory bulb 2-DG uptake when compared to control pups with an identical number of respirations. Together, these results demonstrate that modified respiration during testing is not required for the expression of a modified olfactory bulb response to learned attractive odors. Therefore, the data suggest that the olfactory system itself is modified by early learning.

Animals↗

In vitro fertilization with concurrent pelvic reconstructive surgery.

The recent advent of ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration by various approaches now allows access to ovaries previously deemed inaccessible by laparoscopy; however, a small group of candidates for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) require laparotomy for associated gynecologic disorders. Twenty-five IVF-ET cycles at the time of laparotomy were compared with 309 IVF-ET cycles in which oocytes were retrieved laparoscopically. Five pregnancies occurred in the IVF-ET cycle with laparotomy and one pregnancy occurred spontaneously following microsurgical tubal reconstruction. The pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was 25% in the laparotomy IVF-ET patients compared with 15.4% for the laparoscopy IVF-ET group. Obvious advantages of combining IVF-ET and pelvic reconstructive surgery include a single anesthesia exposure and economic benefits. Patients with a long history of infertility undergoing tubal reconstructive surgery may be offered combined IVF-ET. Extended anesthesia exposure with pelvic surgery demonstrated no adverse effects on the pregnancy rate.

Adult↗

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus and delayed contralateral hemiparesis.

Central nervous system is often involved by herpes zoster but it is very rarely seen that contralateral hemiparesis or hemiplegia developed after herpes zoster ophthalmicus. We report a case of herpes zoster ophthalmicus followed by the delayed contralateral hemiparesis. A 33-year-old man developed acute cerebral infarction and resultant right hemiparesis 44 days after herpes zoster ophthalmicus in the left side. Brain CT disclosed hypodense area in the left basal ganglia. Cerebral angiography revealed segmental narrowing of M1 portion of the right middle cerebral artery.

Adult↗

Membrane reconstitution of high-affinity alpha 2 adrenergic agonist binding with guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins.

Regulation of adenylate cyclase by alpha 2 adrenergic receptors requires the inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein Ni. A role for this protein has also been suggested in the high-affinity binding of agonists to the alpha 2 receptor. We recently reported that alkaline treatment can selectively inactivate alpha 2 agonist binding and Ni in human platelet plasma membranes [Kim, M.H. & Neubig, R.R. (1985) FEBS Lett. 192, 321-325]. Binding of the full alpha 2 agonists epinephrine and 5-bromo-6-[N-(4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-yl)amino]quinoxaline (UK 14,304) to these membranes was determined by competition and direct radioligand binding, respectively. The high-affinity GTP-sensitive binding of the agonists is lost after alkaline treatment. Binding of [3H]UK 14,304 was reconstituted by poly(ethylene glycol)-induced fusion of alkaline-treated platelet membranes with cell membranes containing Ni but no alpha 2 receptor or with lipid vesicles containing purified guanine nucleotide binding proteins (N-proteins) from bovine brain. The reconstituted binding was of high affinity (Kd = 0.4 +/- 0.1 nM), accounted for a substantial fraction of the total alpha 2 receptors (Bmax for [3H]UK 14,304 was 78 +/- 23% of the Bmax for [3H]yohimbine), and was abolished in the presence of guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imidotriphosphate) (GppNHp). The brain-specific protein No (predominant guanine nucleotide regulatory protein from bovine brain) was also effective in reconstituting high-affinity alpha 2 agonist binding. The results presented here show that a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein of the No or Ni type is necessary for high-affinity alpha 2 agonist binding. These methods should also prove useful for future studies of receptor N-protein interactions.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗

Acute effects of exercise on plasma catecholamines in sedentary and athletic women with normal and abnormal menses.

Norepinephrine plays a role in the regulation of luteinizing hormone secretion and may therefore be involved in the etiology of exercise-induced menstrual dysfunction. This study evaluated both intraexercise and postexercise responses of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in sedentary women and women runners with normal and abnormal menstruation. Five eumenorrheic nonrunners and five eumenorrheic, four oligomenorrheic, and five amenorrheic runners were evaluated on 2 consecutive days. On day 1, the women cycled on a bicycle ergometer against an increasing work load until exhaustion, and on day 2, the women underwent a submaximal exercise regimen. Serial blood draws were taken at specified time intervals during intraexercise and postexercise periods on both days. The data collected during exercise for all groups showed that epinephrine and norepinephrine had a sixfold to sevenfold rise on day 1 and had a threefold rise on day 2. Dopamine increased twofold during both exercise protocols. On day 1 norepinephrine displayed a significantly higher percentage change from baseline to peak levels for oligomenorrheic and amenorrheic runners than for eumenorrheic runners and sedentary women. This latter finding is consistent with the hypothesis that periodic marked elevations in norepinephrine levels during maximal exercise may interfere with pulsatile luteinizing hormone release and hence may play a role in the occurrence of menstrual dysfunction in women runners.

Adult↗

Local peritoneal factors: their role in infertility associated with endometriosis.

In order to detect peritoneal abnormalities that could account for infertility associated with endometriosis, 122 infertile individuals were studied at the time of laparoscopy for diagnostic purposes or for in vitro fertilization. Four groups were defined: group 1, laparoscopy without endometriosis; group 2, laparoscopy with endometriosis; group 3, in vitro fertilization without endometriosis; and group 4, in vitro fertilization with endometriosis. Mean peritoneal fluid volume was greater, although not significantly so, in group 4 (29.0 +/- 6.6 ml, mean +/- SEM) than in group 3 (18.2 +/- 2 ml). The concentration and total number of pelvic macrophages were similar for groups 1 and 2. The total number of pelvic macrophages was increased in group 4 (16.9 +/- 4.2 x 10(6)) versus group 3 (10.0 +/- 1.8 x 10(6)) (p = 0.08). The mean sperm phagocytosis in vitro did not differ among the four groups studied. Interleukin 1 activity within the peritoneal fluid and the in vitro interleukin 1 production rate did not differ between individuals with and without endometriosis. Peritoneal fluid and macrophage supernatants from individuals with endometriosis were not embryotoxic when studied in an in vitro mouse embryo system.

Adult↗

Adnexal torsion as a complication of superovulation for ovum retrieval.

Adnexal torsion has not been reported previously following hMG/hCG for superovulation induction during an IVF cycle. It is clear that the enlarged ovary from the superstimulation cycle and coital activity contributed to the torsion in this case. Portable ultrasonography helped in making the diagnosis and may be an aid for diagnosis in future cases. Medications used for ovulation induction should be used cautiously and judiciously with close monitoring. Clinicians involved with this type of therapy are obligated to keep a constant watch for such infrequent but devastating complications.

Adnexal Diseases↗

Follicular stimulation for in vitro fertilization using pituitary suppression and human menopausal gonadotropins.

Multiple follicular stimulation is a prerequisite to the efficient use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT). For some individuals, however, this stimulation may be difficult using standard superovulation protocols because of dominant follicle formation, suboptimal estradiol response, or premature luteinizing hormone surge. A group of such individuals with several previous failed attempts at superovulation were studied. Follicular stimulation was accomplished using a long-acting agonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for pituitary suppression followed by human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) for follicular stimulation. Fourteen cycles (12 IVF, 2 GIFT) were completed in 12 individuals. There were no cycle cancellations. Mean number of prior cycle cancellations per patient was 3.1 +/- 0.4. Mean number of mature oocytes recovered was 3.9 +/- 0.5. Two pregnancies resulted. Pituitary suppression with a long-acting agonist of GnRH followed by hMG appears to be an effective adjunct to current superovulation regimens.

Adult↗

In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: treatment-dependent versus -independent pregnancies.

In order to determine the true incidence of treatment-dependent versus -independent pregnancy in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program, 274 women who underwent 492 cycles of superovulation were studied. Overall, the treatment-dependent pregnancy rate was 15%. The treatment-independent pregnancy rate was 6.6%. When a subgroup of individuals with at least one patent fallopian tube was selected for analysis, the treatment-dependent and -independent pregnancy rates were 13.9% and 11.9%, respectively. While the mean observation interval following an attempt at IVF was 2 years, 83.3% of all treatment-independent pregnancies occurred within 6 months after a trial of IVF-ET (embryo transfer). Patient characteristics that predispose to treatment-independent pregnancy are discussed.

Adult↗

Isolation usage in a pediatric hospital.

In a prospective 12-month study at a university-affiliated pediatric hospital, isolation usage was quantitated by ward/service, season, isolation category and type of infection (community-acquired vs nosocomial). Such information may be helpful in designing hospitals, recognizing time utilization of the pediatric infection control nurse, and defining educational and isolation needs. Hospitals with multiple bed rooms and inadequate numbers of single rooms may be unable to meet current federal isolation guidelines. The mean number of isolation days was 153 per 1000 patient days or 15.3% of bed days used. This ranged from 18.5% on the infant/toddler/preschool medical ward to 2.8% on child/teenage orthopedic surgery. Isolation requirements vary seasonally and rose to 32% in winter on one ward. Proportional frequencies of isolation category included enteric--29%, protective--28%, strict--16%, barrier (contact)--10%, multiply resistant organism (MRO)--8%, wound--5%, pregnant women (careful handwashing)--3%, blood and body fluid precautions--1%. Isolation of patients with and contacts of nosocomial infections account for 32% of isolation usage. During one third of the 365-day year, the hospital is unable to provide adequate numbers of single rooms for one to 20 patients.

Adolescent↗

Intrapartum rupture of the falciform ligament and umbilical vein. A rare cause of hemoperitoneum in the newborn.

Intra-abdominal hemorrhage in the newborn is uncommon, but it must be considered in the first 48 hours of life in the infant with pallor, anemia, abdominal distension, and shock. The injured liver is the most common source of bleeding, with the spleen and kidney less often involved. In the case presented, the hallmarks of intra-abdominal hemorrhage were evident. Exploratory laparotomy revealed intraperitoneal bleeding emanating from the disruption of the umbilical vein and its enveloping falciform ligament. There was no other site of intra-abdominal bleeding and there were no intrinsic abnormalities of the umbilical cord or the placenta. Disruption of the intra-abdominal umbilical vein represented the sole source of intra-abdominal bleeding in this patient. The case is reported to document disruption of the intra-abdominal umbilical vein as a rare cause of neonatal hemoperitoneum.

Adult↗

Actinomycosis: CT findings in six patients.

Actinomycosis is an uncommon disease with clinical and radiographic findings that overlap those of other inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. A retrospective review of CT scans in six proved cases revealed a spectrum of findings, including soft-tissue mass with various degrees of infiltration and abscess formation. Administration of IV contrast material was helpful in defining the loculations of the abscess in two cases. Areas of involvement included the neck (two cases), liver (one case), abdominal wall (one case), thorax (one case) and kidney and retroperitoneum (one case). CT findings of a soft-tissue mass in the neck, lungs, or abdomen, with or without a draining sinus or fistula, raise the possibility of actinomycosis in patients with clinical findings that suggest a subacute or chronic inflammatory process.

Actinomycosis↗

A case of aneurysm of the vein of Galen.

Aneurysm of the vein of Galen is a very rare disease. The authors present a case of secondary aneurysm of the vein of Galen which was confirmed by characteristic clinical symptoms, brain CT and angiographic findings. The patient was a 14-year-old right handed girl with intermittent headache, nausea, vomiting, dysphasia and gait disturbance. Neurologic examination revealed dysarthria, nasal voice, blurring of both margins of optic discs, truncal ataxia and dysdiadochokinesia. Sensory function was normal but right hemiparesis was seen. Roentgenogram of the skull revealed diffuse thinning of the calvarium, widening of sella turcica and erosion of clinoid processes. Computed tomogram of the brain showed dilatation of all ventricles and round hyperdense mass behind the third ventricle in the midline. The lesion was enhanced markedly and homogeneously. Left and right internal carotid angiograms showed arteriovenousmal-formation with drainage to the aneurysm of the vein of Galen.

Adolescent↗