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Biomedical subjects

M J Kim

Publications and source records attributed to M J Kim.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Hepatic cavernous hemangioma: sonographic patterns and speed of contrast enhancement on multiphase dynamic MR imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate a correlation between the speed of contrast enhancement in patients with hepatic cavernous hemangioma revealed by dynamic MR imaging and the internal echo pattern revealed by sonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients underwent multiphase IV contrast-enhanced dynamic MR imaging that revealed 71 hepatic cavernous hemangiomas less than 4 cm in diameter; the MR findings were compared with the sonographic findings in these patients. On MR imaging, the hemangiomas were classified as rapid-, intermediate-, and slow-enhancing. We classified sonographic features as hypoechoic, iso- or mixed-echoic, and hyperechoic according to the relative echogenicity seen between lesions and the surrounding hepatic parenchyma. Sonographic patterns and MR imaging findings of individual lesions were then compared. RESULTS: Rapid-enhancing hemangiomas revealed on dynamic MR imaging tended to be hypoechoic on sonography (18/24, 75%; p = .0143), and lesions that were slow-enhancing on MR imaging tended to be hyperechoic (26/29, 90%; p < .0001). Hypoechoic lesions on sonography tended to be rapid-enhancing on dynamic MR imaging (18/18, 100%). Likewise, hyperechoic lesions on sonography tended to be slow-enhancing on MR imaging (26/33, 79%; p = .0009). CONCLUSION: In most patients with hepatic cavernous hemangiomas, we found that the speed of contrast enhancement on multiphase dynamic MR imaging enabled us to predict the echo pattern in sonography and vice versa.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed1998

Role of mononuclear cells of IgA nephropathy on ICAM-1 expression in mesangial cells.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possible role of mononuclear cells and their products in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy, in vitro expression of ICAM-1 on cultured mouse mesangial cell (MC) was examined after stimulation with mononuclear cell culture supernatant from patients with IgA nephropathy. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated and cultured from 18 patients with primary IgA nephropathy, 8 normal controls and 5 patients with non-IgA nephropathy (FSGS 1, MGN 3, MPGN 1). ICAM-1 expression on cultured mouse MC by TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and culture supernants of PBMC were analyzed using a cell ELISA method. The concentration of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha in culture supernatants was measured by using a commercially available radioimmunoassay kit. RESULTS: Addition of human recombinant TNF-alpha induced an increased ICAM-1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of ICAM-1 was further increased after co-stimulation with TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta. Addition of PBMC culture supernatants into mouse MC induced significantly higher expression of ICAM-1 by supernatants from the patients with IgA nephropathy compared with that from normal controls. The concentration of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta in supernatants from the patients with IgA nephropathy was significantly higher than that from those with non-IgA nephropathy. CONCLUSION: TNF-alpha and IL-1 released from mononuclear cells induced the up-regulation of ICAM-1 expression and this may be related to the immune pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Gastroesophageal reflux disease in CAPD patients.

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently observed in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. We conducted esophageal manometry and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring in 4 CAPD patients (Group I) who had upper GI symptoms such as nausea and vomiting and compared them with 9 patients (Group II) who did not. The mean age in Group I was 48.5 +/- 13.7 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1:3. One patient was diabetic. There were no significant differences in clinical and biochemical data between the two groups. Comparing the results of esophageal manometry, supine lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) at 2000 mL of infused dialysate was significantly lower in Group I than in Group II (23.2 +/- 4.4 vs 31.2 7.1 mmHg, P < 0.05), but supine LESPs at empty state and sitting LESPs were not different. Group I had a significantly higher total number of reflux episodes (89.0 +/- 16.5 vs 26.5 +/- 19.4, P < 0.05), number of reflux episodes longer than 5 minutes (2.3 +/- 2.6 vs 0.3 +/- 0.5, P < 0.05), total time of pH < 4.0 (75.5 +/- 55.5 vs 11.0 +/- 6.8, P < 0.05), and total reflux score (19.7 +/- 10.2 vs 4.2 +/- 2.3, P < 0.05) in 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. Three of 4 Group I patients met the criteria for abnormal gastroesophageal reflux set by the DeMeester scoring system. CAPD patients with upper GI symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and epigastric discomfort should be evaluated for gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophageal manometry and pH monitoring.

Esophagus↗
PubMed1998

Determination of aloesin in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of aloesin in human plasma. The method involved deproteinization of biological samples with 1 volume of each 0.04 M Ba(OH)2 and 10% ZnSO4 aqueous solution. A 50-microliter aliquot of the supernatant was injected onto a C18 reversed-phase column. The mobile phase, methanol-H2O (20:80, v/v), was run at a flow-rate 1.5 ml/min. The column effluent was monitored by a ultraviolet detector at 254 nm. The retention time of aloesin was 7 min. The detection limit for aloesin in human plasma was 0.1 microgram/ml. The coefficient of variation of the assay was generally low (below 5.04%) for human plasma. No interferences from endogenous substances were observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Overexpression of phospholipase C-gamma1 in rat 3Y1 fibroblast cells leads to malignant transformation.

Phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1) mediates signals from various extracellular origins to evoke cellular events such as mitogenesis. Previously, we reported that PLC-gamma1 was highly expressed in colorectal cancer and familial adenomatous polyposis, suggesting that PLC-gamma1 might be oncogenic. In this study, we have established rat 3Y1 fibroblasts that overexpress whole PLC-gamma1 and src homology 2 (SH2)-SH2-SH3 domain of PLC-gamma1. These cells showed a transformed phenotype and were tumorigenic when transplanted into nude mice. These results indicate that overexpression of PLC-gamma1 could transform rat fibroblasts, and the transformation is mediated by SH2-SH2-SH3 domain of PLC-gamma1.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Human MafG is a functional partner for p45 NF-E2 in activating globin gene expression.

Mammalian globin gene expression is activated through NF-E2 elements recognized by basic-leucine zipper proteins of the AP-1 superfamily. The specificity of NF-E2 DNA binding is determined by several nucleotides adjacent to a core AP-1 motif, comprising a recognition site for transcription factors of the Maf subfamily. Earlier work proposed that p18(MafK) forms a heterodimer with hematopoietic-specific protein p45 NF-E2 to activate transcription through NF-E2 sites. However, there was no direct evidence that p18(MafK) serves this function in vivo; in fact, mice lacking p18(MafK) have no phenotype. Here we describe a novel cDNA clone that encodes the human homolog of chicken MafG. Human MafG heterodimerizes with p45 NF-E2 and binds DNA with specificity identical to that of purified NF-E2 DNA binding activity. A tethered heterodimer of p45 and MafG is fully functional in supporting expression of alpha- and beta-globin, and in promoting erythroid differentiation in CB3, a p45-deficient mouse erythroleukemia cell line. These results indicate that human MafG can serve as a functional partner for p45 NF-E2, and suggest that the p45/MafG heterodimer plays a role in the regulation of erythropoiesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Sonographic findings in tuberculous epididymitis and epididymo-orchitis.

PURPOSE: This paper presents the sonographic findings in scrotums of patients affected with tuberculous epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis. METHODS: Eighteen patients with a total of 22 abnormal hemiscrotums (4 patients had bilateral lesions) underwent scrotal sonography. Pathologic confirmation was obtained via epididymectomy in 10 cases, epididymo-orchiectomy in 7 cases, and scrotal exploration and biopsy in 3 cases. The histopathologic diagnosis was tuberculous epididymitis in 12 cases and epididymo-orchitis in 8 cases. RESULTS: Lesions involved the head of the epididymis in 8 cases, the tail in 5 cases, and the entire epididymis in 9 cases. The enlarged epididymis was hypoechoic in 13 cases, hyperechoic in 2 cases, and of mixed echogenicity in 7 cases. The echotexture was heterogeneous in 17 cases and homogeneous in 5 cases. Testicular involvement in 7 cases appeared as a diffusely enlarged hypoechoic testis in 2 cases, an ill-defined hypoechoic lesion in 1 case, a well-demarcated hypoechoic lesion in 2 cases, and multiple small hypoechoic nodules in an enlarged testis in 2 cases. Hydrocele, sinus tract, and extratesticular calcifications were seen in 12, 4, and 2 cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneous and hypoechoic swelling of the epididymis or the concomitant hypoechoic lesion of the testis with associated sinus tract or extratesticular calcifications may be helpful in the diagnosis of tuberculous epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis, especially in patients with known genitourinary tuberculosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Identification and expression of uvi31+, a UV-inducible gene from Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe uvi31+ gene has been previously isolated as a UV-inducible gene [Lee JK et al. (1994) Biochem Biophys Res Commun 202:1113-1119]. This gene encodes a protein of about 12 kDa with 57% amino acid sequence similarity to Escherichia coli BolA protein which is known to be involved in switching between the cell elongation and septation systems during the cell division cycle. The putative Mlul cell cycle box (MCB), SWI4/6-dependent cell cycle box (SCB), and gear-box elements are found in the upstream region of uvi31+ gene, suggesting that this gene shows the cell cycle-regulated and growth phase-dependent expression. Interestingly, the level of uvi31+ transcript varies throughout the cell cycle, peaking in G1 phase before septation, and also shows the growth phase-dependent pattern during cellular growth, increasing maximally at the diauxic shift phase just before stationary phase. Furthermore, the transcript level of this gene is raised after S phase arrest, and is also increased maximally at 4 hr after UV irradiation of 240 J/m2. These results suggest that the delayed induction of uvi31+ gene after UV irradiation may be caused by cell cycle control of this gene after DNA replication checkpoint arrest. Thus, the uvi31+ gene may play a role in controlling the progress of the cell cycle after DNA damage (UV irradiation).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Serum 13C-bicarbonate assay for the diagnosis of gastric Helicobacter pylori infection and response to treatment.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Current serological tests for Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection are not useful in assessing active infection or eradication. The feasibility, sensitivity, and specificity of serum 13C-bicarbonate (13C-HCO3) measurement in determining gastric HP before and after eradication by antibiotics were investigated. METHODS: Twenty-seven symptomatic patients underwent endoscopy, biopsy, and CLOtest. Patients then consumed a 13C-urea-rich meal; serum was collected before and 1 hour after meal ingestion for quantitative determination of 13C by mass spectrometry. Postprandial fractional elevation of 13C (delta 13C-HCO3) was correlated with endoscopy, histology, and CLOtest at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks after therapy. RESULTS: delta 13C-HCO3 +/- SEM was 17.02 +/- 2.94 in HP-positive patients and 2.77 +/- 044 in HP-negative patients (P < 0.0001). In HP-positive patients who responded to therapy, the mean change was initially 20.5 +/- 3.1, 3.2 +/- 0.9 1 month after therapy, and 2.8 +/- 0.4 2 months after therapy (P < 0.001). The overall sensitivity of this method was 90.6% (95% confidence interval, 74.9-98.0), and its specificity was 85.7% (95% confidence interval, 42.1%-99.6%). delta 13C-HCO3 correlated positively with the degree of histological gastritis and the number of HP organisms. CONCLUSIONS: Serum 13C-HCO3 analysis is a novel, simple, and noninvasive method for diagnosis and assessment of eradication of HP infection.

Amoxicillin↗
PubMed1997

Acquired choledochal cyst from anomalous pancreatobiliary duct union.

The high incidence of anomalous pancreatobiliary duct union (APBDU) in children who have a choledochal cyst has been well documented. Additionally, cylindrical dilatation of the bile duct has been reproduced in animal models by anastomosing the pancreatic duct to the bile duct. In recent years, APBDU has been considered a possible etiologic factor in the formation of a choledochal cyst. The authors observed a progressive cylindrical dilatation of the common bile duct in a 6-year-old boy over an 18-month period. An operative cholangiogram showed a type Ic choledochal cyst and a type B APBDU (Todani classification). This clinical experience suggests that a normal common bile duct in children can be progressively dilated and become an acquired choledochal cyst arising as a complication of the preexisting APBDU.

Bile Ducts↗
PubMed1997

Adult-onset energy restriction of rhesus monkeys attenuates oxidative stress-induced cytokine expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

We previously reported that energy restriction (ER) of mice attenuated age-associated increases in serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Here, we studied peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from male rhesus monkeys to investigate the following: 1) the production of IL-6 and other cytokines become dysregulated with aging; 2) ER influences cytokine production and mRNA expression; and, 3) oxidative stress, as induced in vitro by xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X/XOD), influences cytokine mRNA and protein levels. Two types of comparisons were made as follows: 1) between normally fed young (6-9 y) and old monkeys (22-33 y); and 2) between middle-aged monkeys (15-21 y) fed either a normal energy intake or subjected to ER (for 5.5 y at 30% less than base-line intake). IL-6 protein levels and X/XOD-induced IL-6 mRNA levels in PBMC from old monkeys were significantly greater than those in PBMC from young animals. In contrast, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-8 mRNA levels were not strongly influenced by advancing age. X/XOD, which increased levels of protein carbonyls (indicative of oxidative damage) in PBMC, induced the expression of all three cytokines. ER reduced IL-6 protein and mRNA levels induced by X/XOD and the unstimulated mRNA levels of IL-1beta. These results indicate that, in a nonhuman primate model, oxidative stress may contribute to age-associated increases in the levels of certain cytokines and that adult-onset ER partially ameliorates this alteration.

Aging↗
PubMed1997

Nodular hepatocellular carcinomas: detection with arterial-, portal-, and delayed-phase images at spiral CT.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of three-phase spiral computed tomography (CT) for the evaluation of nodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Images obtained at three-phase spiral CT in 45 patients with 81 nodular HCCs were reviewed. Images were obtained with 10-mm collimation and 10 mm/sec table speed during intravenous administration of 2 mL/kg 68% nonionic contrast material at a rate of 3 mL/sec. Hepatic arterial-phase (AP), portal-phase (PP), and delayed-phase (DP) images were obtained 25-30 seconds, 60-70 seconds, and 300 seconds, respectively, after injection of the contrast material. Lesion detectability and conspicuity were compared among these three protocols by two readers. RESULTS: The AP images depicted a statistically significantly larger number of lesions (n = 67), although the differences in the number of lesions depicted between the PP and DP images were not statistically significant. Twenty-one lesions were detected only with the AP images, three with the PP images, and seven with the DP images. The most clearly visualized lesions were most commonly depicted on the AP images (n = 47) rather than the PP images (n = 11) or the DP images (n = 23). CONCLUSION: Lesion detection and conspicuity were best with the AP images. However, some lesions were detected only with the DP and PP images, so that maximum lesion visualization is achieved by using all three phases.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of the use of the transrectal surface coil and the pelvic phased-array coil in MR imaging for preoperative evaluation of uterine cervical carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of fast spin-echo MR imaging that uses a transrectal surface coil with the accuracy of fast spin-echo MR imaging that uses a pelvic phased-array coil for preoperative local staging of uterine cervical carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients with pathologically confirmed invasive cervical carcinoma who underwent MR imaging using both a pelvic phased-array coil and a transrectal surface coil were retrospectively evaluated. Both sets of images were reviewed in random order by three observers who then reached a consensus opinion at a second session. Among the 28 patients who underwent radical hysterectomy, findings from MR imaging and pathologic staging were compared. In the remaining nonsurgical cases, findings from MR imaging using a transrectal surface coil and MR imaging using a pelvic phased-array coil were compared with findings from pelvic examinations under general anesthesia. RESULTS: MR imaging using a transrectal surface coil revealed 50 (88%) of the 57 tumors found at surgery, and MR imaging using a pelvic phased-array coil revealed 44 (77%) of the 57 tumors, resulting in a statistically significant (p < .05) difference. In patients who underwent surgery (n = 28), the accuracy of the overall staging and the parametrial evaluation were not significantly different for MR imaging using a transrectal surface coil and MR imaging using a pelvic phased-array coil (89% and 96%, respectively, on MR imaging using a transrectal surface coil; 89% and 93%, respectively, on MR imaging using a pelvic phased-array coil). For the patients who did not undergo surgery (n = 34), MR imaging using a transrectal surface coil and MR imaging using a pelvic phased-array coil corresponded in 82% for overall staging and in 92% for parametrial invasion. CONCLUSION: The use of a transrectal surface coil improved detection of small tumors of the uterine cervix but did not significantly improve the accuracy of overall staging or the accuracy of assessment of parametrial invasion.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with features of CD30-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma--a case report.

We experienced a 58-year-old Korean man with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with features of histologically anaplastic large cell lymphoma involving the skin and testis. The patient had cutaneous nodules in both extremities and a palpable right testicular mass. Right orchiectomy was performed and specimens of removed testicle and skin nodules showed immunohistologically anaplastic large cell lymphoma with T-cell phenotype, and CD30 antigen was positive. A human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) antibody titer was over 1 : 256 and integration of HTLV-1 proviral DNA pX gene was identified in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lymphoma tissue by polymerase chain reaction. Peripheral blood and bone marrow did not show any evidence of characteristic neoplastic T-cells.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1997

Circulating factors in sera or peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with membranous nephropathy or diabetic nephropathy.

In order to investigate the status of some circulating factors in nephrotic syndrome, we examined the secretion of monocyte chemotactic peptide (MCP)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha or fibronectin in sera or by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with membranous nephropathy (MN), diabetic nephropathy (DN) or minimal change disease (MCD). Also the effects of PBMC or sera on human mesangial cells (MC) were evaluated. Serum TNF alpha levels were higher in patients with MN than in controls, but PBMC exhibited no differences in TNF alpha production between patients and controls. Serum fibronectin levels were higher in patients with MN than in controls. PBMC from diabetic patients with or without nephropathy produced more MCP-1 than cells from controls. When MC were cultured with PBMC supernatants from patients, TNF alpha levels in PBMC supernatants correlated with production of MCP-1 or fibronectin by MC. PBMC supernatants obtained from patients with MCD and MN decreased MCP-1 production by MC, but did not affect thymidine incorporation or fibronectin production by MC. Sera obtained from patients with DN and MCD reduced thymidine incorporation in MC. In summary, serum TNF alpha or fibronectin levels were increased in patients with MN that is known to progress to renal failure. MCP-1 Production was increased by PBMC obtained from diabetic patients with or without nephropathy. Also TNF alpha production by PBMC in individual patients may affect the pathophysiology of their MC.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Magnetic resonance imaging in hemospermia.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the prostate and seminal tract with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with hemospermia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the prostate and seminal tract in 17 patients 20 to 59 years old (mean age 44) with hemospermia we performed transrectal ultrasound and MRI using an endorectal surface coil with a 1.5 tesla unit. Mean duration of hemospermia was 32 months (1 week to 16 years). RESULTS: Abnormalities were noted on transrectal ultrasound in 15 of the 17 patients (88%) and on MRI in all. Of the 12 cases of hemorrhage 10 involved the seminal vesicle and 2 involved the ejaculatory duct. There were 12 cystic lesions, including 7 in the müllerian and 5 in the ejaculatory ducts. Of 19 cases calculi were detected in the prostate in 5, seminal vesicle in 8, and ejaculatory and müllerian duct cysts in 4 and 2, respectively. There was 1 case of prostatic atrophy and 1 wolffian duct anomaly associated with an ejaculatory duct cyst, ectopic ureterocele and absence of the left kidney. CONCLUSIONS: MRI with an endorectal surface coil is a powerful modality for evaluating the seminal tracts of patients with hemospermia. It can be performed clinically when transrectal ultrasonography is not satisfactory.

Adult↗