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S J Kim

Publications and source records attributed to S J Kim.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

A case of laryngeal posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease.

The development of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is strongly linked to infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), immunosuppression-state, the type of allograft, and EBV-seronegativity. A 18-month-old girl who had undergone living donor liver transplantation using the left lateral segment from her father was treated with tacrolimus and corticosteroid as an immunosuppressant regimen. She was readmitted 3 months after the transplant to evaluate the etiology of dyspnea and abdominal fullness as well as a decreased urine volume. She was diagnosed as an anastomotic stenosis of the hepatic vein for which she underwent balloon angioplasty. The treatment was repeated at postoperative month 5, 8, and 11. As postoperative 6 months, the result of the serological EBV-CA (IgG/IgM) was positive. In postoperative month 10, the EBV PCR serologic test become positive, and a laryngeal biopsy revealed PTLD. She was treated with acyclovir and gangyclovir as well as reduced immunosuppression. We report herein a rare case of laryngeal PTLD in a patient who had undergone living donor liver transplant with paternal allograft.

Female↗

Sustained release of vascular endothelial growth factor from calcium-induced alginate hydrogels reinforced by heparin and chitosan.

A possible alternative for immunosuppression is a microencapsulation technique using hydrogels, which have been utilized for cell immobilization and drug delivery systems. Angiogenesis is crucial for delivery of the metabolic products to the host tissues as well as to supply oxygen and nutrients to cells. The local delivery of angiogenic growth factors, such as VEGF and basic FGF, has been recently studied to enhance angiogenesis on peripheral tissue of graft. In this study, we evaluated sustained VEGF release with a model using hydrogels coated with chitosan and heparin in vitro. We fabricated calcium alginate gels and chitosan-coated calcium alginate gels. Heparinized chitosan-coated calcium-induced alginate hydrogel beads were prepared by soaking chitosan-coated calcium alginate gels in heparin solution. We compared the stability and VEGF release manner between three kinds of hydrogels. To compare the stability, 5 mL of each hydrogel was incubated with 20 mL PBS under the rotational culture. Compression forces were measured using a rheometer. The amount of VEGF released from the gels was measured by ELISA. The heparin-coated chitosan alginate hydrogels showed the highest surface stability among the three hydrogels. VEGF from the heparinized gel was released in sustained manner up to 10 days in vitro. Chitosan-coated alginate gels released 90% of loaded VEGF within 5 days. These results suggest that local delivery of VEGF using a heparinized hydrogel may provide a long-term supply of angiogenic growth factor that might induce new vessel formation in vivo.

Alginates↗

Interpostion vein graft in living donor liver transplantation.

UNLABELLED: In adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), right lobe grafts without a middle hepatic vein can cause hepatic congestion and disturbance of venous drainage. To solve this problem, various types of interposition vein graft have been used. OBJECTIVES: We used various types of interposition vein grafts for drainage of the paramedian portion of the right lobe in living donor liver transplantation. METHODS: From June 1996 to June 2003, 37 of 176 patients (128 adults, 48 pediatric) who underwent LDLT received vein grafts for drainage of segments V, VIII, or the inferior portion of the right lobe. RESULTS: In 36 adult cases the reconstruction included the inferior mesenteric vein of the donor (n = 14); cadaveric iliac vein stored at cold (4 degrees C) temperature (n = 5); cryopreserved (-180 degrees C) cadaveric iliac vein (n = 10); cryopreserved cadaveric iliac artery (n = 1 case); donor ovarian vein (n = 1); recipient umbilical vein (n = 3); recipient saphenous vein (n = 1); recipient left portal vein (n = 1); recipient left hepatic vein (n = 1). In a pediatric case with malignant hemangioendothelioma that encased and compressed the inferior vena cava, we used an interposition vein graft to replace the inferior vena cava. CONCLUSION: Various types of interposition vein grafts can be used in living donor liver transplantation. Cryopreserved cadaveric iliac vein and artery are useful to solve these drainage problems.

Adult↗

Case of living donor liver transplantation in a patient with biliary atresia combined with situs inversus.

Until recently, situs inversus was considered to be an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation. However, recent reports have suggested that situs inversus should not be considered a contraindication. This study presents a successful living donor liver transplantation performed in a 4-month-old male infant with biliary atresia and situs inversus. The surgical findings revealed abdominal situs inversus with polysplenia and an absent retrohepatic inferior vena cava and intestinal malrotation.

Adult↗

Polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of human polyomavirus-associated nephropathy in renal transplant recipients.

Human polyomavirus type BK may be related to interstitial nephropathy or renal-allograft dysfunction. Patients with nephropathy due to infection with human polyomavirus may be identified early using the polymerase chain reaction(PCR). We attempted to evaluate whether the positive response in the PCR test of BK virus DNA in the plasma of renal transplant recipients affects the function of the renal allograft. Seventy-seven patients were prospectively analyzed according to the operative sex, age, sources of allograft, serum creatinine levels during PCR test for BK virus, postoperative type of immunosuppressant, and presence of graft rejection. Two groups were distinguished according to the PCR result for BK virus: group 1 (n = 12) positive PCR reaction and group 2 (n = 65) negative reaction. The mean follow-up was 32.6 weeks. The incidence of positive PCR tests for BK virus replication after renal transplantation was 15.6%. Decoy cells in the urine were detected in 20.7%. The incidence of BK virus nephropathy was 1.3%. The mean serum creatinine levels of group 1 and 2 at the time of the PCR tests were 1.34 and 1.22, respectively. The rejection rates in group 1 and 2 were 8% and 4.5%, respectively (P > .05). We consider that a PCR assay to detect BK virus in renal recipients blood may be useful to identify patients at risk for nephropathy. It may serve as a noninvasive indicator of BK virus replication, although this study is limited by the short follow-up and small numbers.

Adolescent↗

Changes in expression of T-cell activation-related molecules and cytokines during tolerance induction in an allogeneic skin transplantation murine model.

Bone marrow transplantation after treatment with busulfan and costimulatory blockade with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4)-Ig and anti-CD154 mAb or two-signal blockade using anti-CD45RB and anti-CD154 mAb are nonmyeloablative treatment regimens for allogeneic transplantation. There may be differences in the mechanisms of donor cell engraftment and reactive cell deletion by which these regimens induce donor-specific tolerance. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate changes in T cells and cytokines during tolerance induction toward allogeneic skin grafts. BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were used as donors and recipients, respectively. Skin and bone marrow transplantations were performed and busulfan was administered. Three groups were treated with mAb as follows: group 1, anti-CD154 mAb; group 2, anti-CD154 plus anti-CD45RB mAb; and group 3, anti-CD154 mAb plus CTLA4-Ig. The proportions of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells and the expression of CD45RB isoforms on splenocytes were measured using flow cytometry and the production of cytokines by CD4+ T cells using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Group 2 showed a significant reduction in the proportions of CD8+ T cells and CD45RB high isoforms compared with groups 1 and 3. The levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 in group 2 were lower and higher than those of groups 1 and 3, respectively. In conclusion, the combined use of anti-CD154 and anti-CD45RB mAb decreases the CD8+ T-cell population and the expression of CD45RB, resulting in a Th2 cytokine profile, which may be a characteristic mechanism leading to donor cell engraftment and reactive cell deletion for donor-specific tolerance.

Animals↗

Effect of panel-reactive antibody positivity on graft rejection before or after kidney transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Because it is well known that kidney transplant recipients with preformed lymphocytotoxic antibodies against HLA antigens have increased graft rejection rates, a serological crossmatch is routinely performed before kidney transplantation. But, the presence of these antibodies is not routinely monitored after transplantation. We investigated the panel-reactive antibody (PRA) response to know whether variations before or after kidney transplantation were associated with graft rejection. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed sera from 350 renal allograft recipients from September 1998 to March 2003. Pretransplantation and posttransplantation sera at 3 or 5 weeks postoperatively were tested in PRA. Recipients were stratified into 3 groups according to their PRA levels group I, PRA = 0; group II, PRA = less than 50%, and group III, PRA = more than 50%. RESULTS: The total graft rejection rate among 350 recipients was 9.4% (n = 33). Twenty-four pretransplantation PRA-positive recipients had a graft rejection rate of 20.8% (n = 5), compared with an 8.6% (n = 28) rate among 326 pretransplantation PRA-negative recipients. Six of 24 posttransplantation PRA-positive recipients (25%) experienced a graft rejection versus 27 (8.3%) of 326 posttransplantation PRA-negative subjects. Among the pretransplantation PRA stratae, the rejection rate in group III was 25% (1 of 4) versus 20% (4 of 20) in group II and 8.6% (28 of 326) in group I (P < .05). According to the postransplantation PRA level, 37.5% (3 of 8) in group III versus 18.8% (3 of 16) in group II and 8.3% (27 of 326) in group I (P < .05) had a graft rejection. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the PRA response pretransplantation and in the early posttransplantation period correlates with the kidney allograft rejection rate.

Adolescent↗

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder in pediatric liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of risk factors for posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in pediatric liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 1996 and June 2002, among 41 pediatric patients who underwent liver transplantation, 7 died in the postoperative period. Thirty-five patients, including 1 patient who died of PTLD, were reviewed. Based on the serology results, patients were divided into a high-risk group (EBV-naive recipients of EBV-positive grafts) and a low-risk group (patients other than those in the high-risk group). RESULTS: Five of 41 patients (12.2%) developed PTLD. All of them belonged to the high-risk group. The incidence of PTLD in the high-risk group was 31.3% (5 of 16). The mean duration between operation and diagnosis for PTLD was 9.8 months. Primary EBV infection developed at a median of 6 months after transplantation. Three of 5 patients developed rejection before the diagnosis of PTLD. One patient was diagnosed with laryngeal and gastrointestinal PTLD, whereas the other 4 had gastrointestinal PTLD. They experienced the following symptoms and signs: anemia (100%), hypoalbuminemia (100%), fever (80%), diarrhea (80%), gastrointestinal bleeding (80%), and anorexia (60%). CONCLUSION: The common features of PTLD development were as follows: (1) EBV-positive donors placed into EBV-naive recipients, (2) primary EBV infection approximately 6 months after transplantation, (3) young age, 1 year old at operation, and (4) requirement for intensive posttransplantation immunosuppression.

Child↗

Prevention of de novo hepatitis B infection from HbcAb-positive donors in living donor liver transplantation.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prophylaxis is necessary to prevent de novo hepatitis B infection from HbcAb-positive donors. However, which protocol is more effective is somewhat controversial. Also, it is uncertain whether it is necessary to administer HBV prophylaxis for HbsAb-positive recipients. This study attempted to determine whether it is necessary to administer HBV prophylaxis for HbsAb-positive patients and to evaluate the efficacy of an HBIG monotherapy protocol. From May 1996 to July 2001, among 128 donors examined for HbcAb, 58 donors (45.3%) were HbcAb-positive. Eighteen HbcAb-positive grafts were transplanted to HbsAg-negative recipients. The 4 patients who died of unrelated causes were excluded from this study. Of 14 study cases, 12 recipients were HbsAb-positive, and 2 were HbsAb-naive. Prior to late 1998, we used HBV vaccination only for de novo infection prophylaxis. However, starting from December 1998, HBIG was administered from the time of the liver transplantation regardless of HBsAb positivity. The overall rate of de novo HBV infections from HbcAb-positive donors was 21.4% (3 of 14). All 3 recipients without HBIG prophylaxis presented with de novo HBV infections. Two were HbsAb-positive preoperatively. No de novo HBV infections occurred among recipients with HBIG prophylaxis. Therefore, it is essential to administer HBV prophylaxis even for vaccinated HbsAb-positive patients. HBIG monotherapy is effective to prevent de novo hepatitis B infections from HbcAb-positive donors in living donor liver transplantation.

Child↗

Can we expand the Milan criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma in living donor liver transplantation?

INTRODUCTION: The Milan criteria, namely, tumors 5 cm or less in diameter in patients with single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), no more than 3 tumor nodules, and each 3 cm or less in diameter in patients with multiple tumors, are accepted for cadaveric liver allocation. However, in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), graft donation may only depend on the donor's intention. The aim of this study was to elucidate the feasibility of Milan criteria in LDLT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to December 2002, 46 cases of liver transplantation (LT) for HCC included 5 hospital mortalities and 3 cadaveric transplantations, all of which were excluded. We classified the patients into Group I cases that met the Milan criteria and Group II cases that did not meet the Milan criteria. The analyses examined tumor-related risk factors affecting recurrence and survival, such as tumor size, number of tumor nodules, and presence of microvascular and macrovascular invasion. RESULTS: Twenty-one cases belonged to Group I and 17 to Group II. There was no significant difference in the recurrence or survival rates between Groups I and II. The risk factors affecting recurrence were macrovascular invasion and tumor size (5 cm). The number of tumor nodules and microvascular invasion did not appear to affect recurrence. The risk factor affecting survival was macrovascular invasion. CONCLUSION: We suggest that in selected cases the Milan criteria could be extended to increase the number of tumor nodules as long as the HCC were small and did not macrovascular invasion.

Cadaver↗

Small-for-size graft in adult living-donor liver transplantation.

In the era of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), graft size is related to recipient prognosis. This study was performed to compare the clinical outcomes according to the graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) in adult LDLT. Seventy-nine adult patients who had undergone LDLT between June 1997 and June 2002 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the GRWR (group I, GRWR < 0.8%, n = 11; group II, GRWR > or = 0.8%, n = 68). The mean follow-up period was 19.4 (range 1 to 48) months. The recipients were 62 men (78.5%) and 17 women (21.5%) of mean age 45.2 (range 18 to 63) years. The overall patient survival rates were 74.7% at 1 year and 70.7% at 2 years. The patient survival rate in group I was 54.6% at 1 year and 40.9% at 2 years, whereas that in group II was 77.9% at 1 year and 75.3% at 2 years, showing a significant difference (P = .03). There were no significant differences in postoperative total bilirubin, transaminase enzyme level, prothrombin time (INR), portal vein flow on Doppler sonography, amount of ascites through the drain, complications, or acute rejection rates between the two groups. In conclusion, the minimum acceptable graft size in an adult-to-adult LDLT is GRWR of 0.8%. This study suggests that careful postoperative management and/or technical modifications during surgery are necessary, because small-for-size grafts (GRWR < 0.8%) result in lower patient survival rates.

Adult↗

Potentiation of UVB-induced apoptosis by novel phytosphingosine derivative, tetraacetyl phytosphingosine in HaCaT cell and mouse skin.

Inappropriate apoptosis results in the epidermal hyperplasia as in psoriasis and UVB irradiation has been successfully used to treat this kind of skin disorders. Previously, we reported that the novel phytosphingosine derivative, tetraacetyl phytosphingosine (TAPS) induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells. This study examined the effect of UVB irradiation and/or TAPS on the induction of apoptosis in HaCaT. 10 mJ/cm2 of UVB irradiation or 10 microM of TAPS alone exhibited weak cytotoxicity but co-treatment of UVB and TAPS synergistically enhanced the cytotoxicity and apoptosis in HaCaT. The cells treated with UVB and TAPS showed much higher levels of cleaved caspase-3, -8, -9 and Bax than with UVB or TAPS alone, whereas Bcl-2 level was decreased by co-administration of UVB and TAPS. In hairless mice, co-treatment of UVB and TAPS synergistically increased apoptosis, as shown in the HaCaT co-treated with UVB and TAPS. Furthermore, UVB irradiation caused an increase of apoptotic cells in the epidermis and the TAPS-treated mice showed an increase of apoptotic cells in the dermis as well as in the epidermis. These results suggest that the TAPS co-treatment synergistically increases the level of UVB-induced apoptosis via caspase activation by regulating the level of pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2.

Acetylation↗

Overexpression of LIM kinase 1 renders resistance to apoptosis in PC12 cells by inhibition of caspase activation.

LIM kinases (LIMKs) regulate actin polymerization by phosphorylating cofilin and are predominantly expressed in neural tissue. In this study, the effect of LIMK1 overexpression in PC12 cell apoptosis was investigated. PC12 cells overexpressing the wild-type LIMK1 were more resistant to serum-withdrawal-induced cell death and the level of caspase 3 activation in these cells was lower than in the control PC12 cells or than in the PC12 cells expressing a mutant LIMK1 lacking the kinase domain. The inhibition of JNK activation was observed in the PC12 cells overexpressing the wild-type LIMK1 after serum withdrawal. These results suggest that the LIMK1 might allow resistance to apoptosis in PC12 cells by inhibiting JNK activation.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Endoscopic band ligation for control of acute peptic ulcer bleeding.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The use of endoscopic band ligation (EBL) is being extended to treat various causes of upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of EBL for control of acute peptic ulcer bleeding and to define the lesions that are most suitable for this technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 19 patients with major stigmata of acute peptic ulcer bleeding were treated using EBL; 11 patients had active bleeding and eight patients had a nonbleeding visible vessel. RESULTS: The site of acute peptic ulcer bleeding was the stomach in 12 patients, the duodenum in four patients, and Billroth II anastomosis in three. Initial hemostasis was achieved in 19 patients (100 %) in a single session. There were no rebleeding episodes in any of the patients, and there was no bleeding-related or procedure-related death. During long-term outpatient follow-up, bleeding did not recur. CONCLUSIONS: EBL is an effective and safe endoscopic treatment for small-sized nonfibrotic acute peptic ulcer bleeding. Larger studies in patients with acute peptic ulcer bleeding are needed to confirm these promising results.

Acute Disease↗

A prospective, randomized trial of endoscopic band ligation versus endoscopic hemoclip placement for bleeding gastric Dieulafoy's lesions.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Dieulafoy's lesion is a rare cause of massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage, most commonly in the proximal stomach. Mechanical endoscopic methods have recently become the standard therapeutic approach. However, there have been few studies comparing the efficacy of different mechanical endoscopic methods in treating gastric Dieulafoy's lesions. This study was therefore carried out to compare the hemostatic efficacy and safety of endoscopic band ligation (EBL) and endoscopic hemoclip placement (EHP) in the treatment of bleeding gastric Dieulafoy's lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and October 2003, 26 consecutive patients with bleeding gastric Dieulafoy's lesions were prospectively enrolled and were randomly assigned to undergo EBL (13 patients) or EHP (13 patients). Demographic characteristics, endoscopic variables, and outcome parameters, including rates of hemostasis and recurrent bleeding, were analyzed. RESULTS: One O-ring was applied in each case in the EBL group, and the median number of hemoclips applied was one (range one to four) in the EHP group. There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to age, sex, presence of shock, initial hemoglobin level, coagulopathy, concurrent diseases, location of the lesion, type of bleeding stigmata, blood transfusion requirements, or hospitalization periods. Primary hemostasis was achieved in all 26 patients. There was one case of recurrent bleeding in each group; secondary hemostasis was achieved with EBL in one of these patients and by endoscopic epinephrine injection in the other. There were no second episodes of recurrent bleeding, no procedure-related complications, no cases in which surgery was needed, and no bleeding-related deaths in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In this small study, no differences were detected in the efficacy or the safety of EBL vs. EHP in the management of bleeding gastric Dieulafoy's lesions.

Adult↗

Impact of IL-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism on schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVES: Variable levels of cytokines were observed in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and an especially high level of interleukin-1 (IL-1) was detected in schizophrenia patients. It is known that IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) binds to IL-1 receptors and inhibits the receptor binding of IL-1alpha and IL-1beta. METHODS: In this study, the association between the variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism of the IL-1RA gene and schizophrenia (n=269) and bipolar disorder (n=83) was investigated. RESULTS: The genotype distribution and allele frequency were significantly different between schizophrenic patients and the control group (P<0.05); however, there were no prominent differences between bipolar patients and the control group. The carriage rate for the IL1RN*2 allele was associated with higher risk of schizophrenia (odds ratio=2.24). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that IL-1RA could be a candidate gene for susceptibility to schizophrenia.

Adult↗

TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 gene polymorphisms and renal allograft rejection in Koreans.

This study was performed in order to evaluate the association of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) gene polymorphisms with renal allograft rejection in Koreans. Five TNF-alpha (-1031T/C, -863C/A, -857C/T, -308G/A and -238G/A) and two TGF-beta1 (codon 10 T/C and codon 25 G/C) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites were studied by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) single-strand conformation polymorphism and PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism methods in 100 controls and 164 patients. The patients underwent renal transplantation, having one or more Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, HLA-B and HLA-DR antigens mismatched with their donors. For the TGF-beta1 gene, we also studied the polymorphism of donors. The allele frequencies of each SNP site in controls were not different from those of patients. The frequency of TNF-alpha high-producer genotype, -308GA, and TGF-beta1 lower (intermediate)-producer genotype, codon 10 CC and codon 25 GG, were significantly higher in patients with recurrent acute rejection episodes (REs), compared to those in patients with no or one RE. The highest risk group for developing recurrent REs showed the combination of TNF-alpha high- and TGF-beta1 lower-producer genotypes. Analysis of chronic renal allograft dysfunction (CRAD) revealed that TGF-beta1 high-producer genotype of donors, codon 10 TT/TC and codon 25 GG, is associated with CRAD especially in patients with recurrent REs. The highest risk group for developing CRAD showed the combination of recipient's TNF-alpha high- and donor's TGF-beta1 high-producer genotypes. These results would be useful for predicting high-risk group for acute rejection or CRAD in renal transplantation.

Chronic Disease↗