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Biomedical subjects

S J Lee

Publications and source records attributed to S J Lee.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Cardiorespiratory fitness and abdominal adiposity in youth.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with lower abdominal adiposity in youth. Subjects included healthy 61 African-American and 52 white children and adolescents (age: 8-17 years). Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography. CRF (VO(2max)) was assessed using a graded maximal treadmill test. CRF was inversely related (P<0.05) to total adiposity, waist circumference, and visceral and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT) independent of race. These findings remained significant (P<0.05) after adjusting for age, gender and pubertal status. Multiple regression analyses revealed that CRF is an independent contributor (P<0.05) of waist circumference, and visceral and abdominal subcutaneous AT after accounting for age, pubertal status, gender and body mass index percentile. Our observation suggest that in youth, CRF is associated with lower visceral and abdominal subcutaneous AT, and reinforces the notion that youth should engage in regular physical activity to improve aerobic fitness and reduce abdominal adiposity.

Abdominal Fat↗
PubMed2006

Chronic graft-versus-host disease: implications of the National Institutes of Health consensus development project on criteria for clinical trials.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has been a difficult problem to address and clinical research in this area lags behind other innovations in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). Recently the international transplant community has focused more on chronic GVHD. This new focus is well represented by the development of the National Institutes of Health sponsored chronic GVHD consensus project, which has unified the transplant community's approach to chronic GVHD through the activities of focused working groups. From December 2005 through May 2006, a series of consensus documents have been published addressing the areas of diagnosis and staging, histopathology, strategies for the development and validation of biomarkers, response criteria, ancillary therapy and supportive care and the design of clinical trials. This paper summarizes and discusses these reports, focusing specifically on diagnosis and scoring and response criteria. Although these documents represent a huge effort by the research community, they must be prospectively implemented and validated. These new criteria should advance the standards and uniformity of chronic GVHD clinical research. The ultimate success of this project is dependent on whether these recommendations move the field forward. This is an opportunity for the transplant community to unite and make a significant impact in chronic GVHD.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2006

Mitochondrial factors with dual roles in death and survival.

At least in mammals, we have some understanding of how caspases facilitate mitochondria-mediated cell death, but the biochemical mechanisms by which other factors promote or inhibit programmed cell death are not understood. Moreover, most of these factors are only studied after treating cells with a death stimulus. A growing body of new evidence suggests that cell death regulators also have 'day jobs' in healthy cells. Even caspases, mitochondrial fission proteins and pro-death Bcl-2 family proteins appear to have normal cellular functions that promote cell survival. Here, we review some of the supporting evidence and stretch beyond the evidence to seek an understanding of the remaining questions.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Quality of life associated with acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Acute and chronic graft-versus-host diseases (GVHD) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). We prospectively measured the quality of life (QOL) of patients undergoing allogeneic transplantation. Ninety-six subjects completed self-assessment surveys before HCT, and at 6 and/or 12 months post-HCT that included the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 (SF12) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant scale. Eighty-three percent of survivors responded at 6 and 12 months. Physical and mental functioning assessed by the SF12 was not associated with either acute or chronic GVHD. In contrast, the trial outcome index (TOI) of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant was sensitive to occurrence of either acute or chronic GVHD. GVHD is a major determinant of the long-term QOL of survivors. The adverse effects of acute GVHD are detectable with the TOI at 6 months post transplantation after which development of chronic GVHD is the most strongly correlated with worse QOL.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

The effect of epidural sufentanil in ropivacaine on urinary retention in patients undergoing gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Although epidural opioids have excellent analgesic property, their side-effects limit its use in patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA). This study was designed to compare side-effects of epidural sufentanil in ropivacaine with that of morphine in ropivacaine focusing on lower urinary tract function after major abdominal surgery. METHODS: In total 60 patients undergoing gastrectomy were randomly allocated to receive either sufentanil in ropivacaine (Group S, n=30) or morphine in ropivacaine (Group M, n=30) for their PCEA. Epidural catheter was inserted between the 7th and 8th thoracic spine. Visual analogue pain score and side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, pruritus, hypotension and urinary retention were evaluated during postoperative days (PODs) 1 and 2 in the postanaesthetic care unit. RESULTS: The incidence of serious to major micturition problem in Group S was lower than that in Group M (P<0.001). The incidence of pruritus, nausea and vomiting was also lower in Group S than in Group M on POD 1. CONCLUSIONS: The lower incidence of major/serious micturition problem in patients receiving sufentanil in ropivacaine thoracic epidural analgesia suggests that continuation of urinary drainage may not be necessary from POD 1 onwards.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Endoscopy-assisted ultrasonic surgical aspiration of axillary osmidrosis: a retrospective review of 896 consecutive patients from 1998 to 2004.

Axillary osmidrosis is a distressing and troublesome problem that causes a serious handicap in personal and social life. Many different methods have been introduced to treat axillary osmidrosis, however, they are often accompanied by marked complications. We analysed our experiences using endoscopy-assisted ultrasonic surgical aspiration in treating the axillary osmidrosis. From June 1998 to February 2004, a total of 896 patients (562 females, 334 males) were treated for axillary osmidrosis using endoscopy-assisted ultrasonic surgical aspiration. Our method was satisfactory in 815 patients (91%) and recurrence of odour occurred only in 29 (3.2%) patients. It also showed complications in 28 (3.1%) patients. Our method leaves a small inconspicuous scar and no contracture of the axillary skin after a short and comfortable recovery period and maintains normal axillary hair growth patterns. Axillary osmidrosis can be best treated by endoscopy-assisted ultrasonic surgical aspiration and this operation has many advantages with a high success rate, a low complication rate, and a rapid recovery period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The effect of thrombin on ACL fibroblast interactions with collagen hydrogels.

Premature loss of provisional scaffold formation has been identified as one of the factors responsible for poor healing of intraarticular tissues. To address this deficiency, substitute provisional scaffolds are being developed. The function of these scaffolds can be enhanced by the addition of specific extracellular matrix proteins. In this study, it was hypothesized that the addition of thrombin to a provisional scaffold material would result in increases in cell proliferation, collagen production, and cell migration within the scaffold. These three parameters are thought to be critical components of wound healing. Gels containing fibrin and collagen supplemented with either 0, 10.5, 21, or 42 U/mL of thrombin were placed in contact with explants of tissue from the anterior cruciate ligament. The addition of thrombin stimulated cell migration at low concentrations and impaired migration at higher concentrations, and had no significant effect on cell proliferation or collagen production. The use of all concentrations of thrombin resulted in mechanically weaker gels. Thus, the use of thrombin to optimize a collagen-platelet rich plasma (PRP) provisional scaffold must be done with caution, and use of high concentrations of thrombin (>42 IU/mL) should be avoided specifically in situations where gel strength or cell ingrowth is important. Use of low concentrations of thrombin (10.5 IU/mL) may be beneficial in applications where a faster set time and enhanced cell migration are desirable and the gel mechanical strength is of secondary importance.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Recommended screening and preventive practices for long-term survivors after hematopoietic cell transplantation: joint recommendations of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, and the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT/CIBMTR/ASBMT).

More than 40,000 hematopoietic cell transplants (HCTs) are performed worldwide each year. With improvements in transplant technology, larger numbers of transplant recipients survive free of the disease for which they were transplanted. However, there are late complications that can cause substantial morbidity. Many survivors are no longer under the care of transplant centers and many community health-care providers may be unfamiliar with health matters relevant to HCT. The Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), and American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) have developed these recommendations to offer care providers suggested screening and prevention practices for autologous and allogeneic HCT survivors.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed2006

HLA-C mismatch is associated with inferior survival after unrelated donor non-myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

HLA-C matching is an important determinant of outcome after myeloablative unrelated donor (URD) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, its importance in non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation (NST) is not known. We report a retrospective analysis of 111 patients who underwent URD NST, of whom 78 were 10/10 matched at HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DQB1 and 33 were mismatched at one or more HLA-C antigen/allele (24 HLA-C only; nine HLA-C+other locus mismatch). Patients were conditioned with busulfan (0.8 mg/kg/day i.v. x 4 days) and fludarabine (30 mg/m(2)/day i.v. x 4 days). Graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis included cyclosporine/prednisone- or tacrolimus/mini-methotrexate-based regimens. HLA-C disparity did not impair engraftment. Median marrow donor chimerisms were >or=90% donor at day+30 and +100 in both groups. Overall survival at 2 years was 30% in HLA-C-mismatched and 51% in 10/10-matched patients (P=0.008). In Cox regression, HLA-C mismatch was an independent predictor of death (hazard ratio 1.85, P=0.04). Treatment-related mortality was higher in the HLA-C-mismatched group: 48 versus 16% (P=0.0001). Cumulative relapse incidence was 35% in the HLA-C-mismatched and 55% in the 10/10-matched cohort, P=0.09. HLA-C mismatch is associated with inferior survival after URD NST.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Pre-transplantation physical and mental functioning is strongly associated with self-reported recovery from stem cell transplantation.

Previous studies of quality of life (QOL) note compromised QOL after stem cell transplantation (HCT), but do not usually consider the impact of pre-transplantation deficits in QOL on post transplantation outcomes. To examine these associations, multivariate models for six self-reported QOL outcomes at 6 and 12 months were constructed, considering pre-transplantation clinical status and QOL, and subsequent clinical events. Outcomes measured overall subjective health, social functioning and agreement with statements such as 'Life has returned to normal.' Of 320 autologous and allogeneic HCT recipients who completed pre-transplantation surveys, 197 completed 6-month surveys and 175 completed 12-month surveys. Pre-transplantation overall health and mental health were independent predictors of all QOL outcomes at 6 months. Baseline physical health was also predictive of four of six outcomes at 12 months. In contrast, disease risk was predictive only of enjoying normal activities at 6 months. Relapse and chronic graft-versus-host disease were associated with poorer QOL. In conclusion, pre-transplantation self-reported physical and mental health are more strongly associated with QOL after HCT than commonly noted baseline clinical predictors such as age and disease risk. Measurement of baseline QOL can help place the effects of the transplantation procedure in context.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Isolation and characterization of outer root sheath melanocytes of human hair follicles.

BACKGROUND: Outer root sheath melanocytes (ORSM) are not yet routinely cultured and their biology is not known in detail because of their relatively low numbers in the hair follicle and their limited proliferative capacity in in vitro culture in routine media. OBJECTIVES: To develop a method for culturing ORSM more easily and to investigate the length of telomeres and antigenic characteristics of ORSM compared with epidermal melanocytes (EM). METHODS: Hair follicles were obtained from three Korean individuals during hair transplantation surgery. Single-cell suspensions of the outer root sheath were made and cultured in melanocyte growth medium with stem cell factor. After 21 days, second-passage outer root sheath keratinocytes (ORSK) (2 x 10(4) mL(-1) MGM) were added into the culture plates. We studied the proliferation pattern, morphological and antigenic characteristics of ORSM for each passage of cultured cells, and observed ORSM telomere length. RESULTS: We established an ORSM culture method using ORSK. Two morphologically different ORSM types were obtained in the primary cultures. At the end of primary culture, ORSM appeared as whitish-cream pellets. The proliferation pattern of ORSM showed a sigmoidal shape, the accumulated numbers of population doublings showed a plateau after approximately 5 months, and senescence occurred at approximately 33 +/- 5 accumulated population doublings. The length of ORSM telomeres continued to shorten as the cells proliferated. In contrast, EM showed a marked proliferation from the early proliferation period which formed a plateau pattern towards the later period, and the number of accumulated population doublings was estimated to be 18 +/- 5 after 2 months. ORSM in the primary culture reacted variably with l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA): some cells were DOPA negative, some DOPA positive. There were some different antigenic expressions of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) showing cytoplasmic expression in ORSM and nuclear expression in EM. By nuclear extraction and Western blotting, we showed that MITF expression of ORSM was marked in the cytoplasm and minimal in the nucleus. Antigenic expression of MITF and Bcl-2 gradually decreased with increasing passage number, whereas tyrosinase-related protein-1 expression did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Culture of ORSM requires ORSK or ORSK-related factors; ORSM have greater proliferation potential and show different MITF antigenic expression compared with EM; and the length of ORSM telomeres shortens with repeated proliferation.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Seasonal patterns and preterm birth: a systematic review of the literature and an analysis in a London-based cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study included a systematic review of the countries in which a seasonal pattern of preterm birth has been reported and an analysis on the seasonal variability of preterm birth in a London-based cohort. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Eighteen maternity units in a London health region from 1988 to 2000. POPULATION: The study population comprised 482,765, live singleton births born after 24 weeks of gestation and weighing more than 200 g. METHODS: Systematic review and secondary analysis of seasonality over 13 years of births from the St Mary's Maternity Information System (SMMIS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Annual patterns of preterm birth and a comparison of risk by seasons. RESULTS: Three studies from developing countries and three from developed countries reported a seasonal pattern of preterm birth. One study from the USA reported no seasonal pattern of preterm birth. No British studies were located. Rates of preterm birth in developed countries were highest twice a year (once in winter and again in summer). In London (SMMIS data set), however, preterm births peaked only once a year, in winter. Babies born in winter were 10% more likely to be preterm compared with those born in spring (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.07-1.14). CONCLUSION: Establishing a seasonal pattern of birth can have important implications for the delivery of healthcare services. Most studies from both developed and developing countries support the existence of preterm birth seasonality. This study has shown that the seasonality of preterm births in this London-based cohort differs from other developed countries that have previously reported a seasonal pattern of preterm birth.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed2006

Desipramine inhibits Na+/H+ exchanger in human submandibular cells.

A common and significant side-effect of the antidepressant desipramine is xerostomia (dry mouth). We investigated the effect of desipramine on Na(+)/H(+) exchanger, which is an important modulator of salivary secretion. In dissociated human submandibular acinar cells, desipramine inhibited intracellular pH recovery in a concentration-dependent manner. Likewise, 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA), a Na(+)/H(+) exchanger inhibitor, had the same effect as desipramine, whereas the effect of 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS), a Na(+)/HCO(3)(-) co-transporter inhibitor, was not dramatic. Although desipramine is known to inhibit catecholamine re-uptake, desipramine also inhibited pH recovery in the human submandibular gland cell line, HSG cells, which lack nerve inputs. Our results suggest that desipramine directly inhibits Na(+)/H(+) exchange in human submandibular glands without the involvement of catecholamine re-uptake, revealing the cellular mechanism of desipramine-evoked xerostomia.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Eugenol inhibits sodium currents in dental afferent neurons.

Although eugenol is widely used in dentistry, little is known about the molecular mechanisms responsible for its anesthetic properties. In addition to calcium channels, recently demonstrated by our group, there could be another molecular target for eugenol. Using a whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we investigated the effect of eugenol on voltage-gated sodium channel currents (I(Na)) in rat dental primary afferent neurons identified by retrograde labeling with a fluorescent dye in maxillary molars. Eugenol inhibited action potentials and I(Na) in both capsaicin-sensitive and capsaicin-insensitive neurons. The pre-treatment with capsazepine, a competitive antagonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), failed to block the inhibitory effect of eugenol on I(Na), suggesting no involvement of TRPV1. Two types of I(Na), tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant and TTX-sensitive I(Na), were inhibited by eugenol. Our results demonstrated that eugenol inhibits I(Na) in a TRPV1-independent manner. We suggest that I(Na) inhibition by eugenol contributes to its analgesic effect.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2006

Examining the effect of length/width ratio on the hydro-dynamic behaviour in a DAF system using CFD and ADV techniques.

Dissolved air flotation (DAF) is a solid-liquid separation system that uses fine bubbles rising from the bottom to remove particles in water. In this study, we investigated the effect of L/W(L; length, W; width) on the hydrodynamic behavior in a DAF system using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) and ADV (acoustic Doppler velocimetry) technique. The factual full-scale DAF system, L/W ratio of 1:1, was selected and various UW ratio conditions (2:1, 3:1,4:1 and 5:1) were simulated with CFD. For modelling, 2-phase (gas-liquid) flow equations for the conservation of mass, momentum and turbulence quantities were solved using a Eulerian-Eulerian approach based on the assumption that a very small particle is applied in the DAF system. Also, for verification of CFD simulation results, we measured the actual velocity at some points in the full-scale DAF system with the ADV technique. Both the simulation and the measurement results were in good accordance with each other. We concluded that the L/W ratio and outlet geometry play an important role for flow pattern and fine bubble distribution in the flotation zone. In the ratio of 1:1, the dead zone is less than those in other cases. On the other hand, in the ratio of 5:1, the fine bubbles were more evenly distributed.

Waste Disposal, Fluid↗
PubMed2006

Effects of frozen and refrigerated storage on organic acid profiles of goat milk plain soft and Monterey Jack cheeses.

The effects of 6 mo of freezing and refrigeration on organic acid profiles of 2 types of goat milk cheese [plain soft (PS) and Monterey Jack (MJ)] were studied in comparison with those of a nonfrozen control (NFC). Three lots of commercial PS cheeses were purchased, and 3 lots of MJ cheeses were manufactured at the University dairy plant. Each lot of the 2 types of cheeses was subdivided into 4 equal portions, and one subsample of each cheese was immediately stored at 4 degrees C as the NFC for 0, 14, and 28 d. The other 3 were immediately frozen (-20 degrees C) for 0, 3, and 6 mo (0MF, 3MF, and 6MF) and subsequently thawed the next day at 4 degrees C. The samples were then stored at 4 degrees C for 0, 14, and 28 d. Organic acids were quantified using an HPLC. The PS had no pyruvic acid, and MJ contained no isotartaric acid; however, several unknown large peaks appeared between propionic and butyric acids. Differences in organic acid contents between PS and MJ cheeses were significant for all acids except citric and lactic acid. Lot effect was significant for most of the known acids, indicating that variations existed in milk composition and manufacturing parameters. Effects of storage treatments (NFC, 0MF, 3MF, and 6MF) were significant for most organic acids, except for orotic and a few unidentified acids. Aging at 4 degrees C for 4 wk had little influence on all organic acids, except butyric acid. Concentrations of butyric, lactic, propionic, tartaric, and uric acids were significantly elevated as the frozen storage period advanced. At the initial stage, there were no differences in pH and acid degree values between NFC and frozen-stored groups of both cheeses. However, acid degree values gradually increased as the refrigerated storage extended up to 4 wk, indicating that lipolysis increased as the refrigeration storage at 4 degrees C advanced. Although levels of several organic acids were changed in the goat cheeses, the prolonged frozen storage, up to 6 mo, was apparently feasible for extending storage.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2006

Association between arterial stiffness and the deformability of red blood cells (RBCs).

The relationship between the flexibility of atherosclerotic vessels and RBC deformability has been investigated. A significant difference of RBC deformability was found among the arterial stiffness groups classified by oscillometric measurement of blood pressure. The deformability was determined by direct microscopic observation of RBCs subjected to shear stress of 0.3 to 40.0 Pa with a rotating rheoscope. The deformability of stiffen group - abnormal pulse wave pattern group or moderate cardiovascular risk group - was found to be much higher than that of normal groups in wide shear stress region (3.0, 10.0, 30.0, and 40.0 Pa). We postulate that the body adapts high shear stress in vivo by making RBCs more distensible, and therefore less likely to rupture under strain or microcirculatory alterations.

Adult↗