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Biomedical subjects

S H Kim

Publications and source records attributed to S H Kim.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Dendritic cells genetically engineered to express IL-4 exhibit enhanced IL-12p70 production in response to CD40 ligation and accelerate organ allograft rejection.

C57BL/10 (B10; H2(b)) bone marrow-derived myeloid dendritic cells (DC) propagated in GM-CSF + IL-4 were transduced with r adenoviral (Ad) vectors encoding either control neomycin-resistance gene (Ad-Neo) or murine IL-4 (Ad-IL-4) on day 5 of culture following CD11c immunomagnetic bead purification. Both Ad-Neo- and Ad-IL-4-transduced DC displayed upregulated surface MHC class II and costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80, CD86). Ad-IL-4 DC secreted higher levels of bioactive IL-12p70 after CD40 ligation or LPS stimulation than either Ad-Neo or unmodified DC. Only Ad-IL-4 DC produced IL-12p70 in primary MLR, in which they induced augmented proliferative responses of naïve allogeneic C3H/HeJ (C3H; H2(k)) T-cells. Compared with Ad-Neo DC, Ad-IL-4 DC were also more effective in priming naïve allogeneic recipients to exhibit specifically enhanced anti-donor T-cell proliferative and CTL responses. T-cells primed in vivo 7 days previously with Ad-IL-4 DC displayed enhanced secretion of Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) but also higher Th1 cytokine (IFNgamma) production following ex vivo challenge with donor alloAg. Moreover, pretreatment of vascularized heart graft recipients with i.v. Ad-IL-4 DC, 1 week before transplant, significantly accelerated rejection and antagonized the therapeutic effect of anti-CD40L (CD154) mAb. These data contrast markedly with recently reported inhibitory effects of autologous Ad-IL-4 DC on autoimmune inflammatory disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition does not affect the healing of cutaneous full-thickness incisional wounds in SKH-1 mice.

BACKGROUND: The inducible cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme is upregulated in inflammatory diseases, as well as in epithelial cancers, and has an established role in angiogenesis and tissue repair. OBJECTIVE: Because of these physiological effects and the widespread use of the selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, we wanted to determine if inhibition of COX-2 would affect incisional skin wound healing. METHODS: Using a cutaneous full-thickness, sutured, incisional wound model in hairless SKH-1 mice, we evaluated the role of COX-2 in the wound healing process by comparing the effects of a nonselective COX inhibitor, diclofenac, with a selective COX-2 inhibitor, SC-791. Healing was monitored for up to 28 days postincision histologically and for recovery of wound strength. RESULTS: COX-2 expression was observed over the first week of healing, peaking at day 3 and was not affected by treatment with the selective COX-2 or nonselective COX inhibitors. Infiltrating macrophages, as well as keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts at the wound site, expressed COX-2. Neither selective COX-2, nor nonselective COX inhibition had a significant effect on the macroscopic or microscopic morphology of the wounds, whereas dexamethasone treatment resulted in epidermal and granulation tissue atrophy. In addition, neither selective COX-2, nor nonselective COX inhibition altered keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, dermal angiogenesis or the recovery of wound tensile strength, whereas dexamethasone reduced the tensile strength of the wounds by 30-38% throughout the healing period. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that selective COX-2 inhibition does not affect the healing of surgical skin wounds.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Clinicopathological and genotypic aspects of anticonvulsant-induced pseudolymphoma syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Pseudolymphoma syndrome (PLS) is relatively rare but can lead to death if there are extensive skin lesions, severe hepatitis, agranulocytosis and neutropenia. PLS may also give rise to harmful effects if misdiagnosed as malignant lymphoma and patients with PLS are treated unnecessarily with chemotherapy, because it may mimic histologically other lymphomas, including mycosis fungoides (MF). OBJECTIVES: To examine the clinicopathological and genotypic features of anticonvulsant-induced PLS. Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed clinical, laboratory and histological findings for eight cases of anticonvulsant-induced PLS, and performed T-cell receptor gene rearrangement using polymerase chain reaction with paraffin-embedded specimens from each case. RESULTS: The causative agents were carbamazepine (four cases), phenytoin (two cases), phenobarbital (one case) and valproic acid (one case). A cross-reaction between phenobarbital and phenytoin was observed in one case. The duration from the start of anticonvulsant therapy to skin eruption was 3-24 weeks (mean 7 weeks). The skin lesions were generalized maculopapular eruptions in all cases, including one case accompanied by vesiculopustular lesions. The frequencies of the associated features were as follows: facial oedema (88%), fever (75%), lymphadenopathy (63%), and hepatomegaly (25%). Laboratory findings revealed leukocytosis, atypical lymphocytes, eosinophilia, monocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphocytosis and abnormal liver function. Histopathologically, there was similarity between PLS and MF in that epidermotrophism of atypical lymphocytes (100%) and Pautrier's microabscess-like structures (38%) were observed. However, PLS has some differences from MF that include moderate to marked spongiosis (75%), necrotic keratinocytes (63%), and infiltration of eosinophils (25%) in the epidermis and, in the dermis, papillary dermal oedema (100%), extravasated erythrocytes (100%), lymphocytes within the dermis larger than those within the epidermis (63%), and infiltration of various inflammatory cells including neutrophils (50%). Genotypic analysis demonstrated a rearrangement of the T-cell receptor-gamma gene in one of eight cases studied. There were no deaths and all cases were improved at 2-9 weeks (mean 6 weeks), after the cessation of causative agents, systemic and topical corticosteroid therapy, and symptomatic therapy. There were no significant differences in clinical, laboratory and histological findings between the causative agents. CONCLUSIONS: PLS may show histopathological findings similar to MF and take a prolonged course even after the cessation of causative agents. Thus, a clear understanding and diagnosis of this disease is considered to have an important effect on treatment and prognosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Thyrotoxic autoimmune encephalopathy: a repeat positron emission tomography study.

Thyroid related autoantibodies have been related to the development of encephalopathy, known as Hashimoto's encephalopathy. However, their relation with the encephalopathy occurring in patients with Graves' disease has not been well established. The case is reported of a 51 year old woman presenting with subacute progressive dementia with evidence of hyperthyroidism. She had Graves' disease associated with high titres of thyroid related autoantibodies. Her encephalopathy was not improved by antithyroid drugs, but promptly responded to corticosteroid treatment, and stabilised with a gradual reduction of thyroid related autoantibody titres. Brain positron emission tomography initially showed a diffuse and multifocal cerebral hypometabolism with subsequent normalisation on her clinical recovery, which was consistent with the acute and reversible cerebral inflammation probably mediated by autoimmune mechanisms.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed2003

Idiopathic presacral retroperitoneal fibrosis: report of two cases.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is characteristic plaques of dense fibrous tissue, typically extending from the level of the kidney down to the sacral promontory. Involvement of the presacral space is extremely rare in retroperitoneal fibrosis. We report two cases of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis manifested by a presacral mass.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Functionality and physico-chemical characteristics of bovine and caprine mozzarella cheeses during refrigerated storage.

Low moisture part-skim Mozzarella cheeses (MC) were manufactured using fresh bovine and caprine milk to study melting, physico-chemical, textural, and microstructural properties of the cheeses during 8 wk of refrigerated storage. Structural changes in cheese matrix were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and by proteolytic patterns using nitrogen solubility, SDS-PAGE, and Gel-pro analyzer. Meltability of ripened cow and goat MC were not different when fat content of both milks were standardized, whereas bovine MC formed a significantly larger amount of free oil throughout the experiment. The results of the proteolytic patterns, texture attribute (cohesiveness), and microstructure revealed that bovine MC had a greater structural degradation of cheese matrix than caprine MC during the storage. Elevated protein degradation in bovine MC led to more intense brown color formation than the goat counterpart when the cheeses were baked. The melting characteristics showed high positive correlation (r = 0.51 to 0.80) with proteolysis, whereas it was negatively correlated with textural characteristics. Among textural attributes, cohesiveness was highly inversely correlated with melting characteristics (r = -0.69 to -0.88). High negative correlations were also observed between proteolytic parameters and textural attributes (r = -0.48 to -0.81).

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↗
PubMed2003

No association of the TGF-beta1 gene polymorphisms with the renal progression in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients.

BACKGROUND: Two genetic loci, PKD I and PKD2, have been identified as being responsible for ADPKD, and PKD1 is known to be associated with a poor prognosis. However, the presence of an intrafamilial study clinical diversity suggests that there are disease-modifying loci. Because the mechanism ofthe renal failure in ADPKD includes a cystic growth and tubulointerstitial atrophy and fibrosis, we studied the associations between 2 polymorphisms in the TGF-beta1 gene, which are known to be associated with chronic tubulointerstitial inflammation, and ADPKD progression in Korean patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five individuals who had ADPKD and 47 normal control subjects were genotyped by PCR-RFLP, the T869C (Leu10Pro) variant of TGF-beta gene leader sequence was discriminated with MspA1I and the G915C (Arg25Pro) variants with Bg1I. Statistical significances were determined using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The distribution of the alleles for the TGF beta1 Leu10Pro polymorphism in ADPKD was: T 54%, C 46%, which was similar to the Korean (56: 44, p = 0.887) and Western controls (65: 35). In addition, no differences were found between the ESRD and the non-ESRD groups (p = 0.888) or the early hypertension and the normotension groups (p = 0.249). The distribution of alleles for the TGF beta1 Arg25Pro polymorphism showed only the GG type which was different from the Western population controls (G:C = 90:10, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the polymorphism at Arg25Pro of TGF-beta1 in the Korean population has an allele distribution different from that ofthe Western population and that the polymorphism at Leu10Pro of TGF-beta1 has no association with the renal progression in Korean ADPKD patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption in tertiary wastewater treatment: experiments and models.

Wastewater treatment has always been a major concern in the developed countries. Over the last few decades, activated carbon adsorption has gained importance as an alternative tertiary wastewater treatment and purification process. In this study, granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption was evaluated in terms of total organic carbon (TOC) removal from low strength synthetic wastewater. This paper provides details on adsorption experiments conducted on synthetic wastewater to develop suitable adsorption isotherms. Although the inorganics used in the synthetic wastewater solution had an overall unfavourable effect on adsorption of organics, the GAC adsorption system was found to be effective in removing TOC from the wastewater. This study showed that equation of state (EOS) theory was able to fit the adsorption isotherm results more precisely than the most commonly used Freundlich isotherm. Biodegradation of the organics with time was the most crucial and important aspect of the system and it was taken into account in determining the isotherm parameters. Initial organic concentration of the wastewater was the determining factor of the model parameters, and hence the isotherm parameters were determined covering a wide range of initial organic concentrations of the wastewater. As such, the isotherm parameters derived using the EOS theory could predict the batch adsorption and fixed bed adsorption results of the multi-component system successfully. The isotherm parameters showed a significant effect on the determination of the mass transfer coefficients in batch and fixed bed systems.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2003

Inhibitory effects of long-chain fatty acids on VFA degradation and beta-oxidation.

The inhibitory effects of major long-chain fatty acids (LCFA), which have 16 or 18 carbons, not only on acetate degradation, but also on propionate degradation and beta-oxidation were examined in anaerobic serum bottle tests at 35 degrees C with the acclimated granular sludges. A modified Gompertz equation described cumulative methane production to assess the rates of VFA degradation and beta-oxidation, which were applied to a simplified noncompetitive model and a simplified substrate inhibition model, respectively. The specific methane production rates on acetate decreased as LCFA concentration increased, which was in good agreement with the noncompetitive inhibition model. Unsaturated oleate (C18:1) and linoleate (C18:2) were more inhibitory than saturated stearate (C18:0) and palmitate (C16:0) on acetate degradation. LCFA inhibition on propionate degradation was similar to that for acetate; however, propionate degradation was less inhibited than acetate degradation. Beta-oxidation was the rate-limiting step in LCFA degradation in most cases. As LCFA concentration increased, beta-oxidation rate reached the maximum value, and then decreased, which confirmed the substrate inhibition of LCFA. Oleate, the most abundant LCFA in wastewater, could be degraded more quickly than saturated LCFA containing the same or even less carbon in spite of relatively high toxicity on acetate degradation.

Acetates↗
PubMed2002

Acute encephalitis associated with measles: MRI features.

We document the MRI features in six patients aged 5-14 years with acute encephalitis following measles. The diagnosis was made on a characteristic morbiliform rash and detection of specific IgM and IgG antibodies. The symptoms of encephalitis occurred 1-11 days after the appearance of the rash. All patients underwent MRI within 1-4 days of the onset of neurological symptoms. Diffusion weighted images (DWI) were obtained in three patients. In all patients, T2-weighted images showed widely distributed, multifocal high signal in both cerebral hemispheres with swelling of the cortex, with bilateral, symmetrical involvement of the putamen and caudate nucleus. The lesions had showed low apparent diffusion coefficients. Three patients showed subacute gyriform haemorrhage, and asymmetrical gyriform contrast enhancement on follow-up MRI.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Adhesion and growth of endothelial cell on amphiphilic PU/PS IPN surface: effect of amphiphilic balance and immobilized collagen.

Since natural blood vessels are lined with an endothelial cell (EC) monolayer, it is proposed that synthetic biomaterial surfaces be covered or seeded with endothelial cells for ideal nonthrombogenicity under normal conditions. The effects of the surface energy of hydrophilic-hydrophobic IPN on EC adhesion and growth were investigated. The human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured on polyurethane (PU)/polystyrene (PS) IPN prepared by changing only the amphiphilic balance and controlling the microphase separated surface structure. The collagens were immobilized on the IPN surfaces for enhanced adhesion of HUVECs, and the morphology of the collagens immobilized highly depended on the surface energy of the IPNs. The stranded rope structure of the collagen molecules in the solution state was maintained only on the surface of the IPN with intermediate hydrophilicity. The adhesion and the proliferation of ECs on the nontreated IPN surfaces increased by increasing the hydrophobicity of the IPNs, and they were optimized on the collagen-treated IPN surface having an intermediate hydrophilicity. Finally, platelet adhesion was significantly reduced on the EC-hybridized surface of the IPNs.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed2002

Inactivation of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase by promoter CpG island hypermethylation in gastric cancers.

Promoter hypermethylation of CpG islands in tumour suppressor genes can lead to transcriptional inactivation. To investigate the association between methylation and expression at O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, we performed methylation-specific PCR and immunohistochemistry in 149 gastric carcinomas. Promoter methylation was found in 14.1% of tumours and loss of expression was detected in 11.4% of tumours. To examine correlation between the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase expression and the clinical data, we investigated O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase expression in 315 consecutive gastric carcinomas. A similar frequency of loss of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase expression was confirmed in these cases. The loss of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase expression was significantly associated with pTNM stage (P=0.037), tumour invasion (P=0.02), microsatellite instability (P=0.041) and overall survival (P=0.01). Among 11 gastric cancer cell lines, SNU-620 showed the loss of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase expression as well as promoter methylation. After treatment with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine, a demethylating agent, SNU-620 re-expressed O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase mRNA. In summary, we suggest that during gastric carcinogenesis, the loss of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase expression frequently occurs via the hypermethylation of the CpG islands of the promoter region, and that this is significantly associated with the clinicopathological characteristics.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed2002

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ increases ANP secretion in neonatal cardiac myocytes.

Nociceptin (N/OFQ) is a novel heptadecapeptide with an amino acid sequence similar to that of endogenous opioid peptide dynorphin A. Dynorphin have been reported to increase the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) via selective activation of kappa-opioid receptor in cultured atrial cardiocytes. The present study was designed to investigate the direct effect of N/OFQ on the ANP secretion in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes via N/OFQ receptor (NOP) activation. The secretion of ANP from cultured neonatal cardiac myocytes was increased in terms of incubation time. N/OFQ, at a dose of 0.3, 1, 3, and 10 microM, caused increases in ANP secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The N/OFQ-induced ANP secretion was completely antagonized by antagonists of NOP, 1 microM each of [Phe1 (CH2-NH) Gly2] nociceptin (1-13)-NH2 ([FG]N/OFQ(1-13)NH2) or naloxone benzoylhydrazone. In contrast, naloxone (1 microM), the non-selective opioid receptor antagonist, did not alter ANP response to N/OFQ. N/OFQ at 3 microM inhibited basal and forskolin-stimulated cAMP production, which was partially antagonized with the pretreatment of [FG]N/OFQ(1-13)NH2. An increase in ANP secretion by N/OFQ was also partially blocked by the pretreatment of forskolin. Homologous competition studies in neonatal cardiomyocyte membranes revealed the presence of two distinct sites. The high affinity site (10.9 +/- 1.6 nM) was far less abundant than the low affinity site. Therefore, these results suggest that N/OFQ causes an increase in ANP secretion in cultured neonatal cardiac myocytes by decreasing cAMP through its binding sites.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

239+240Pu and 137Cs concentrations for zooplankton and nekton in the Northwest Pacific and Antarctic Oceans (1993-1996).

The concentrations of 239+240Pu and 137Cs in zooplankton and nekton in the Northwest Pacific and Southern Oceans were measured during the period 1993-1996. The object of the sampling was to assess the potential impacts of existing submerged anthropogenic-radioactive materials in the western North Pacific as well as the East China Sea. Samples from the Bransfield Strait of the Antarctic Ocean provided a control source impacted by only atmospheric bomb fallout. No particularly elevated levels of 239+240Pu were found in zooplankton samples from the Northwest Pacific, although significantly lower levels of 239+240Pu were found in three mixed zooplankton samples from the Bransfield Strait. The body burden of 239+240Pu in zooplankton appears to reflect concentrations in ambient seawater with some variation. Some additional measurements of 137Cs in fish are also reported here to complement existing databases and for future reference in the regional marine environmental radioactivity monitoring effort.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Enhancement of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)-induced differentiation of human leukaemia HL-60 cells into monocytes by parthenolide via inhibition of NF-kappa B activity.

1. Transcription factors such as NF-kappa B provide powerful targets for drugs to use in the treatment of cancer. In this report parthenolide (PT), a sesquiterpene lactone of herbal remedies such as feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) with NF-kappa B inhibitory activity, markedly increased the degree of human leukaemia HL-60 cell differentiation when simultaneously combined with 5 nM 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)). PT by itself did not induce HL-60 cell differentiation. 2. Cytofluorometric analysis indicated that PT stimulated 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells predominantly into monocytes. 3. Pretreatment of HL-60 cells with PT before the 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) addition also potentiated the 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)-induced HL-60 cell differentiation in both a dose- and a time-dependent manner, in which the enhanced levels of cell differentiation closely correlated with the inhibitory levels of NF-kappa B binding activity by PT. 4. In contrast, santonin, a sesquiterpene lactone without an inhibitory activity of NF-kappa B binding to the kappa B sites, did not enhance the 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)-induced HL-60 cell differentiation. 5. In transfection experiments, PT enhanced 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)-induced VDRE-dependent promoter activity. Furthermore, PT restored 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)-induced VDRE-dependent promoter activity inhibited by TNF-alpha, an activator of NF-kappa B signalling pathway. 6. These results indicate that PT strongly potentiates the 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)-induced HL-60 cell differentiation into monocytes via the inhibition of NF-kappa B activity and provide evidence that inhibition of NF-kappa B activation can be a pre-requisite to the efficient entry of promyelocytic leukaemia cells into a differentiation pathway.

Cell Differentiation↗
PubMed2002

Role of rho-kinase activity in angiotensin II-induced contraction of rabbit clitoral cavernosum smooth muscle.

Isometric tension measurement using a selective Rho-kinase inhibitor (+)- (R)-trans4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide (Y-27632) and a selective myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitor 1-(5-iodonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H-hexahydro-1,4-diazepine hydrochloride (ML7) were used in rabbit clitoral cavernosum smooth muscle (CSM). N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was used to evaluate the relationship between NO release and Rho-kinase. Y-27632 significantly attenuated contractions induced by ANG II, dose-dependently. However, ML7 did not affect the contractile response to ANG II except in the high concentrations of ML7. Y-27632 inhibited contraction with phenylephrine (PhE), but ML7 did not inhibit contraction with PhE. Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (NAME) did not affect the Y-27632-induced relaxation in the pre-contracted strip with PhE. The present study demonstrates that G-protein-coupled increase in myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity mediated through the RhoA/Rho-kinase signal pathway is involved in the control by ANG II of the clitoral CSM tone. RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway acts in the ANG II-induced contraction independently of the NO pathway.

Amides↗