Biomedical subjects

S J Kim

Publications and source records attributed to S J Kim.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

Outcomes of hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation.

The introduction of high doses of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and lamivudine for liver transplantation (OLT) prophylaxis has reduced the risk of hepatitis B recurrence and improved the survival of patients transplanted for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver disease. But, posttransplant prophylaxis strategies to treat the recurrence of HBV have not yet been standardized. We analyzed 23 patients with HBV recurrence among 340 HBV-associated liver transplants performed from September 1996 to April 2004 (6.7%). Nine patients underwent deceased donor OLT and 14, living donor OLT. Mean follow-up was 37 months. Seroconversion after recurrence was observed in 6 of 23 patients (26%). Mean time to HBV recurrence tended to be shorter among the seroconversion (+) patients compared to seroconversion (-) patients (10 months vs 19.7 months; P = .062). Seroconversion rate after HBIG and lamivudine combination therapy for patients with HBV recurrence was 37.5% and time to seroconversion after HBV recurrence was 1.7 months. Seroconversion was best achieved when the pretransplant HBV DNA level was high and HBeAg was positive. Also, seroconversion rate was increased when HBV DNA level was low and the alanine transferase level high at the time of recurrence and when the time to recurrence after transplantation was short. Seroconversion after HBV recurrence, which was observed in 26%, may be increased in selected cases. Accordingly, aggressive treatment should be undertaken after HBV recurrence.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed2006

Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct thrombi.

In a few cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), jaundice results from obstructive causes, including tumor invasion or thrombi in the bile duct. We have reported herein our experience with liver transplantation (OLT) for HCC cares showing bile duct thrombi (BDT). From September 1996 to August 2004, 140 adult patients underwent OLT for HCC at our center. Four patients (2.9%) who had OLT performed for HCC had BDT and were included in this study. The patients were all men of mean age 57.0 years. The initial total bilirubin levels were in the range of 2.0 to 30.5 mg/dL. The sizes of the tumors ranged from 2.0 cm to 3.0 cm in diameter, all were single lesions. The median follow-up period was 20.6 months (range: 17.6 to 28.1 months). The only case in which the BDT was identified intraoperatively died 20 months after OLT due to multiple intrahepatic recurrences. The other three patients were alive, showing no evidence of recurrence at the end of follow-up. Although a series of four is too small to reach any conclusion, we suggest that OLT may be a treatment option for HCC with BDT in selected cases.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Safety of donors with fatty liver in liver transplantation.

Steatotic liver graft transplantation affect donor safety as well as recipient survival. We investigated safety of donors according to the extent of fatty change. We retrospectively reviewed donors who underwent right hepatectomy from September 1999 to April 2005, dividing them into three groups according to degree of macrovesicular fatty change upon intraoperative liver biopsy. Group 1 included patients with macrovesicular steatosis of 0 approximately 9%: group 2, 10 approximately 19% and group 3, at least 20%. Two hundred forty-five donors were enrolled with a male to female ratio of 2.02:1 and mean age of 31.8 years. There were 163 donors in group 1, 75 in group 2, and seven in group 3. There was no statistically significant difference in body mass index, operative time, blood loss, postoperative peak serum bilirubin, and aspartate transaminase levels among groups 1, 2, and 3. Overall complication rate, including reoperation, biliary stricture, wound infection, ileus, transfusion, bile leak and fluid collection were not different between the groups. Postoperative hospital stay was also not different. Peak alanine transaminase level was different between each group, and prothrombin time between group 1 and 3, but days until return to normal levels in all measured laboratory parameters were not different. Residual liver volume percent was significantly smaller among group 1 compared to others. In conclusion, fatty livers with less than 30% macrovesicular steatosis may be good donor candidates without significant complications as long as sufficient residual liver volume is left for the donor.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Synergistic antinociception between zaprinast and morphine in the spinal cord of rats on the formalin test.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The cyclic guanosine monophosphate level, which causes an antinociception, is increased in cells as a direct result of phosphodiesterase inhibition. This study used a nociceptive test to examine the nature of the pharmacological interaction between intrathecal zaprinast, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and morphine. METHODS: Catheters were inserted into the intrathecal space through an incision in the atlantooccipital membrane of male Sprague-Dawley rats. As a nociceptive model, 50 microL of a 5% formalin solution was injected into the hind paw. After observing the effect of zaprinast (37, 111, 369 nmol) and morphine (1, 4, 10, 40 nmol) alone, the interactions of their combination were examined by an isobolographic analysis. RESULTS: Intrathecal zaprinast (P < 0.05) and morphine (P < 0.05) dose-dependently suppressed the flinching observed during phase 1 and phase 2 in the formalin test. The ED50 values (95% confidence intervals) of zaprinast and morphine in phase 1 were 161.9 (87.9-298.3) and 11.6 nmol (4.8-27.9 nmol), respectively. The phase 2 ED50 values (95% confidence intervals) of zaprinast and morphine were 229.9 (142.5-370.9) and 3.9 nmol (1.9-7.6 nmol), respectively. Isobolographic analysis revealed a synergistic interaction after intrathecal delivery a zaprinast-morphine mixture in both phases. The ED50 values of (95% confidence intervals) zaprinast in the combination of zaprinast with morphine in phase 1 and phase 2 were 14.2 (4.9-40.6) and 10.4 nmol (3-35.9 nmol), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal zaprinast and morphine are effective against acute pain and facilitated pain state. Zaprinast interacts synergistically with morphine.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed2006

Mortality after kidney transplantation: a comparison between the United States and Canada.

There is a paucity of comparative studies on country-specific outcomes in kidney transplantation. We compared post-transplant mortality among primary, adult, solitary kidney transplant recipients (KTR) from the United States (n = 70 708) and Canada (n = 5773), between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 1998, using data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and the Canadian Organ Replacement Register. Multivariable Cox regression revealed higher adjusted post-transplant mortality among U.S. (vs. Canadian) KTR (HR = 1.35 [95% CI 1.24, 1.47; p < 0.005]). Mortality risk in the first post-transplant year was similar in both countries but higher in the United States beyond the first year (HR = 1.49-1.53; p < 0.005). There was no difference in mortality among patients transplanted within 1 year of starting dialysis, but mortality was increased in U.S. (vs. Canadian) patients after 1-2 and 4+ years on dialysis (HR = 1.36-1.66; p < 0.005). Greater mortality was also seen in U.S. patients with diabetes mellitus and/or graft failure. In conclusion, there are considerable differences in the survival of KTR in the United States and Canada. A detailed examination of factors contributing to this variation may yield important insights into improving outcomes for all KTR.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Diagnostic radiopacity and hepatotoxicity following chloroform ingestion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic imaging can help in the management of toxicologic emergencies. The authors report on a patient who presented to the emergency department with coma and suppressed respirations after ingestion of an unknown substance. METHODS: Ingestion of chloroform with radiopaque material in the bowel on abdominal radiograph was documented. The patient was treated with haemoperfusion, activated charcoal, and laxatives to decrease the toxicities. RESULTS: Hepatotoxicity occurred on post-ingestion day 3 and elevation of liver enzymes reached peak levels on post-ingestion day 5. The patient received N-acetylsystein and supportive care during hospitalisation. The patient improved from hepatic dysfunction and was discharged without complication on post-ingestion day 11. CONCLUSION: Radiographic studies in toxicology may confirm a diagnosis and assist in therapeutic intervention.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Life-threatening common carotid artery blowout: rescue treatment with a newly designed self-expanding covered nitinol stent.

Carotid blowout is a devastating complication in patients with head and neck malignancy. A covered stent offers an alternative to treatment of a carotid blowout patient thought to be at high risk for surgery or carotid occlusion. Stent placement in the common carotid artery or carotid bulb is a technical challenge because of large luminal diameter and luminal calibre discrepancy between internal carotid artery and common carotid artery. We present four patients with common carotid rupture and massive bleeding who were treated with self-expanding covered stents, among them, two cases were treated with newly designed self-expanding polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered nitinol stents.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Bio-anaerobic treatability study for PCBs-contaminated oil.

This study investigated the bio-treatability of PCB contaminated oil for the development of design and operational parameters for the bioreactor. Input of external carbon and nutrient source in the aqueous phase was found to be required for the treatment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)-contaminated oil. Addition of surfactant was investigated for the emulsification of oil to reduce interference of contact with microorganisms and PCBs. The ratio of surfactant to oil was empirically optimized to 1 : 1. The higher PCB removal efficiency was obtained at 30 days of hydraulic retention time (HRT) in the semi-batch reactor study without cell recycle. The removal efficiency measured in mixed liquor was maintained at over 85% on average at 32 +/- 2 degrees C and 30% at 22 +/- 2 degrees C. More than 0.2 g/l/d of the organic loading rate was suggested to be maintained for various PCB loading rates (0.02-0.6 mg-PCB/l/d). For high biomass retaining and easy collection of treated oil, an Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor (ASBR) was investigated. The removal of Aroclor was observed as more than 50% in the oil phase with 3 days reaction time and about 40% in overall phases, i.e. oil, liquid, biomass phases at 22 +/- 2 degrees C. US EPA verification results on the process performance are included in this presentation.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2006

Clinical significance of class III beta-tubulin expression and its predictive value for resistance to docetaxel-based chemotherapy in gastric cancer.

Docetaxel, one of the most effective anticancer drugs for gastric cancer, targets beta-tubulin, the major protein in mitotic spindles. Eight isotypes of beta-tubulin, with tissue and organ-specific expression, have been identified in mammalian cells. We examined class III beta-tubulin expression in gastric cancer and assessed its relationship with sensitivity to docetaxel-based chemotherapy. A total of 115 paraffin-embedded gastric tumors were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for class III beta-tubulin expression. Twenty patients with advanced gastric cancer received preoperative docetaxel-based chemotherapy. Their biopsied specimens, obtained by endoscopy before chemotherapy were examined for class III beta-tubulin expression. The relationship between expression and chemosensitivity was assessed. Forty-two (36.4%) of 115 cases were confirmed to be positive for class III beta-tubulin expression. There was no association between clinicopathological status and prognosis. Among the patients positive for class III beta-tubulin expression, only 16.7% showed no response to chemotherapy, while 64.3% responded to the chemotherapy in the negative group. Our results suggest that class III beta-tubulin is a simple and useful predictive marker for the clinical response to docetaxel-based chemotherapy in gastric cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

An Internet-based surveillance system for tuberculosis in Korea.

SETTING: The Korea Tuberculosis Surveillance (KTBS) network includes 248 health centres throughout the country, as well as other public and private health institutions. OBJECTIVE: To develop a web-based surveillance system for tuberculosis (TB) and to monitor implementation of the National TB Control Programme (NTP) on an ongoing basis. DESIGN: A TB notification form was developed with new case definitions, and standardised to obtain uniform essential information of the cases with ease and speed. Data collection, compilation, analysis and feedback were made available at every level of the health authority via the Internet without restrictions of time and space. RESULTS: The Internet-based surveillance system was successfully implemented across the country, providing real-time national figures of TB using different variables-patient, time, area, site and type of disease--and facilitating on-line evaluation of NTP implementation. CONCLUSION: The web-based surveillance system has been well established within the existing health infrastructure, providing real-time figures on the TB burden. However, it requires continued improvement of the quality of information and of case reporting activities.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

The local prevalence of COPD by post-bronchodilator GOLD criteria in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease characterised by not fully reversible airflow limitation. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) committee decided to diagnose COPD using post-bronchodilator spirometry values. We aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors of COPD in Ansan, an industrialised city of Korea, by using the post-bronchodilator GOLD criteria. We then investigated the implications of brenchodilation on the prevalence of COPD. DESIGN: A total of 3642 participants in the Korean Health and Genome Study were interviewed about age, income, smoking status and respiratory symptoms and completed pulmonary function tests, including postbronchodilator spirometry. RESULTS: COPD prevalence by post-bronchodilator spirometry was 3.7% (134/3642), which was significantly different from that estimated using pre-bronchodilator criteria (7.7%, 282/3642). Exclusion of subjects with significant bronchodilator response (BDR) significantly lowered the prevalence of COPD to 3.3% (117/3572), compared with including subjects with post-bronchodilatory residual obstruction with significant BDR. Prevalence was associated with old age, smoking history, male sex and respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSION: COPD prevalence by post-bronchodilator GOLD criteria was 3.7%, which was much lower than that of pre-bronchodilator criteria. The bronchodilator reversibility test substantially affects estimations of COPD prevalence.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Dihydroartemisinin enhances radiosensitivity of human glioma cells in vitro.

PURPOSE: The antimalarial agent, artemisinin, also confers cancer-specific cytotoxic effects by reacting with ferrous iron atoms to form free radicals. Here, we investigated the radiosensitizing effects of dihydroartemisinin on glioma cells and assessed some possible mechanisms for these effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: U373MG glioma cells treated with various concentrations of dihydroartemisinin plus radiation, and efficiency of radiosensitization was assessed by clonogenic survival assay. Expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were quantified by western blot and enzymatic activity analyses, respectively. RESULTS: Dihydroartemisinin showed higher cytotoxicity in the glioma cell lines than in the liver, breast or cervical cancer cell lines. In clonogenic survival assays, treatment with dihydroartemisinin alone dose-dependently reduced the number of U373MG colonies, while treatment with dihydroartemisinin plus gamma-irradiation showed far lower clonal survival than cultures treated with radiation or dihydroartemisinin alone. The radiosensitizing effect of dihydroartemisinin was blocked significantly by the free radical scavengers, NAC and TIRON, indicating association with dihydroartemisinin-induced ROS generation. In addition, the radiation-induced expression of endogenous GST was suppressed by treatment with dihydroartemisinin. The radiosensitizing effect of dihydroartemisinin was also markedly enhanced by the addition of holotransferrin CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results strongly suggest that dihydroartemisinin triggers production of ROS and inhibits GST activity, leading to effective and therapeutically relevant radiosensitization of human glioma cells.

1,2-Dihydroxybenzene-3,5-Disulfonic Acid Disodium ↗

PubMed2005

Dual inhibition of the epidermal growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor phosphorylation for antivascular therapy of human prostate cancer in the prostate of nude mice.

BACKGROUND: Androgen-independent prostate cancer (PCa) may be susceptible to modulation of the tumor microenvironment. We determined whether a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor (AEE788) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R) combined with chemotherapy can produce therapy of human PCa in nude mice. METHODS: PC-3MM2 human PCa cells were injected into the prostate of nude mice. Three days later, the mice were randomized into four groups: saline control, paclitaxel, AEE788, and AEE788 and paclitaxel. The mice were treated for 5 weeks and necropsied. Tumor incidence, weight, and incidence of lymph node metastasis were recorded. Tumor tissue was analyzed immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Treatment of mice with AEE788 or AEE788 plus paclitaxel significantly decreased tumor incidence, total tumor weight, and incidence of lymph node metastasis. AEE788 treatment alone or in combination with paclitaxel inhibited the phosphorylation of EGF-R and VEGF-R on tumor cells and tumor-associated endothelial cells. Therapeutic efficacy correlated with an increase in apoptosis of tumor cells and tumor-associated endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: Blockade of EGF-R and VEGF-R signaling pathways coupled with chemotherapy suppressed the progressive growth and metastasis of human PCa cells growing orthotopically in nude mice.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Induction of MMP-13 expression by soluble human glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor in fibroblast-like synovial cells.

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that human glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (hGITR/TR11) expressed on the surface of activated CD4(+) T cells is responsible for up-regulating the production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 by fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs). METHODS: The level of MMP-13 was measured by Western blot and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expressions of hGITR ligand (hGITRL) on the surface of FLSs and hGITR on the surface of human CD4(+) T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and RT-PCR. Neutralizing antibodies (Abs) were used to block hGITRL and hGITR on the surface of FLSs and human CD4(+) T cells, respectively. Human CD4(+) T cells were cocultured with FLSs to facilitate interaction between hGITR on CD4(+) T cells and hGITRL on FLSs. RESULTS: Soluble hGITR (shGITR) stimulated FLSs to produce MMP-13, and blockade of hGITRL reduced this effect. Direct contact between activated CD4(+) T and FLSs also induced the production of MMP-13, and neutralization of hGITR on activated CD4(+) T cells during coculture decreased the amount of MMP-13 produced by FLSs. CONCLUSION: shGITR stimulated FLSs to produce MMP-13 via a signal through hGITRL. Direct contact between activated CD4(+) T cells and FLSs facilitated hGITR-hGITRL interaction, and resulted in inducing MMP-13. This effect may increase tissue destruction in chronic inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Arthritis↗

PubMed2005

Docetaxel (Taxotere), cisplatin, UFT, and leucovorin combination chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer.

We conducted this study to ascertain the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel and cisplatin combined with oral UFT and leucovorin as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced gastric cancer. In all, 52 patients received courses of docetaxel 60 mg m(-2) intravenously (i.v.) for 1 h and then cisplatin 75 mg m(-2) i.v. for 2 h on day 1. Oral UFT at 400-600 mg day(-1), as determined by body surface area, and leucovorin at 75 mg day(-1) were administered for 21 consecutive days from day 1, and this was followed by a 7-day drug-free interval. A total of 225 courses were administered, and the median number of courses per patient was four. Four complete responses (7.7%) and 22 partial responses (42.3%) were achieved, giving an overall response rate of 50% (95% Confidence Interval: 36.4-63.6%). The major toxicity was neutropenia, which reached grade 3/4 in 36 patients (69.3%). Grade 3/4 nausea and vomiting was observed in 12 patients (23.1%). Median time to progression was 22 weeks (4 to 156+ weeks), median survival duration was 48 weeks (4 to 156+ weeks), and median response duration was 24 weeks (6-152 weeks). We conclude that docetaxel, cisplatin, oral UFT, and leucovorin combination chemotherapy is effective and tolerable for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2005

Robust design of finger probe in non-invasive total haemoglobin monitor.

The development of a non-invasive monitor of total haemoglobin has been reported previously. The paper presents the design and testing of a finger probe used in that optical haemoglobin monitor. When a finger is inserted into the probe, light is radiated onto the nail, and a silicon detector measures transmitted light. This finger probe can have different values or settings for design parameters such as the internal colour, detector area, the emission area of a light source and the distance between the light source and detector. Design of experiment (DOE) was introduced to select the best combination of design parameters that were robust to external conditions such as finger alignment and ambient light. An optimally designed finger probe from DOE analysis, compared with the initial design, increased the correlation coefficient from 0.696 to 0.869 and improved the standard deviation from 1.18 to 0.81 g dl(-1) in predicting total haemoglobin. This was under different conditions of finger-probe alignment. Under different ambient light conditions, the optimum design improved the correlation coefficient from 0.735 to 0.870 and reduced the standard deviation from 1.14 to 0.83 g dl(-1).

Equipment Design↗

PubMed2005

Effect of PK11195, a peripheral benzodiazepine receptor agonist, on insulinoma cell death and insulin secretion.

Functional role of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor on mitochondrial membrane in apoptosis and insulin secretion from insulinoma cells was studied. A prototypic peripheral benzodiazepine receptor agonist PK11195 induced insulinoma cell apoptosis, while a central benzodiazepine receptor agonist did not. Death of insulinoma cells by PK11195 was inhibited by cyclosporin A, a blocker of mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Caspase inhibitors further inhibited MIN6N8 cell death. PK11195 induced dissipation of mitochondrial potential and cytochrome c translocation to cytoplasm. PK11195 induced an increase in cytoplasmic [Ca(2+)], which was reversed by cyclosporin A. Rhod-2 staining showed decreased mitochondrial [Ca(2+)] after PK11195 treatment. PK11195 potentiated glucose-induced insulin secretion probably due to the increased cytoplasmic [Ca(2+)]. Calpain was activated following Ca(2+) release, and calpain inhibitors attenuated death of insulinoma cells by PK11195. These results suggest that PK11195 induces mitochondrial potential loss, cytochrome c translocation, increased insulin secretion in conjunction with an increase in cytoplasmic [Ca(2+)] and calpain activation, which collectively leads to apoptosis of insulinoma cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Genotypic resistance of hepatitis B virus to lamivudine in renal transplant recipients.

Renal recipients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) should be treated with prolonged lamivudine. However, lamivudine resistance usually results after YMDD mutation within the HBV polymerase gene. Thereupon, the aim of this study was to investigate the genotypic resistance to lamivudine among renal transplant recipients to identify its effect on the clinical course of HBV in these patients. Between March 1997 and September 2003, eight of 17 renal transplant patients with hepatitis B virus were enrolled into this study and treated with 100 mg of lamivudine once each day. We amplified a selected region of the polymerase gene of HBV in order to confirm mutations in the YMDD motif. Mutations of YMDD region were observed in five of eight patients (62.5%). Out of five patients positive for HBV DNA, three (60%) showed genotypic resistance (YMDD mutation) with a normal ALT level. Two patients converted to HBV DNA negative. But, they were not associated with HBeAg seroconversion. Out of three patients who were pretransplant HBV DNA negative, genotypic resistance was observed in two patients (67%) revealing both positivity of HBe antibody and negativity of HBV DNA. In conclusion, although a normal ALT level and HBV DNA negative are maintained, the mutation of the YMDD locus may develop. Accordingly, we suggest that if the YMDD mutation is not involved in the progression of hepatitis B, lamivudine therapy should be continued despite genotypic resistance.

Adult↗