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Biomedical subjects

S P Kim

Publications and source records attributed to S P Kim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Supportive management of pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia treated with supportive care. METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2004, 14 women newly diagnosed as having pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia were recruited for the study. RESULTS: Diagnosis was made during the second or third trimester for 11 (78%) of the 14 patients, and 3 of the 8 severe cases of aplastic anemia were diagnosed at initial presentation. All patients had conservative management with transfusions but no specific immunologic or hormonal therapy during pregnancy. Of the 12 women eligible for follow-up, 1 achieved complete remission and 8 achieved partial remission after delivery. The pregnancies progressed uneventfully in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes with transfusion support alone for pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Elective vs. conservative management of ovarian tumors in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine optimal management of the ovarian tumors in pregnancy. METHODS: This study included 89 cases of the ovarian tumor in pregnancy that required surgery at Holy Family hospital of the Catholic University from January, 1990 to December, 2001. Among 89 cases, 36 and 53 were emergency and elective surgery, respectively. Student's t-test and the chi(2)-test were used for statistical analysis and a P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The most common size of torsion of ovarian tumors during pregnancy was 6-10 cm and the incidence was the most frequent during the first trimester of pregnancy. The incidence of preterm delivery (<37 weeks) was higher in emergency surgery, but there was no difference in the gestational age at delivery, also no difference in the birth weight or the method of delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Although surgery for ovarian tumors in pregnancy is delayed until the onset of symptoms, adverse pregnancy outcome is not worsened when compared with that after elective surgery. We propose that conservative management would be used in optimal management of pregnant women with ovarian tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Ultrastructural evaluation of the protective effect of nitroglycerin in preservation-reperfusion injury of rat lungs.

AIM OF STUDY: Nitric oxide (NO) has been reported as a favorable protective supplement in donor lung preservation, but related ultrastructural studies are rare in the literature. This study was performed to assess the ultrastructural changes and to evaluate the protective effect of NO as donor nitroglycerin (NTG) treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat lungs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300 to 350 g were used in this study. The NTG group (n = 5) used intravenous administration followed by mixture in the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution. For the non-NTG group (n = 5), we injected the same amount of normal saline intravenously followed by admixture in the UW solution. The heart-lung blocks were removed, weighed, and kept in UW solution for 24 hours at 10 degrees C. Reperfusion using human blood diluted in Krebs-Hensleit solution was done for 60 minutes. For the control group (n = 5), we injected the same amount of normal saline intravenously, and removed the lungs with no preservation and reperfusion procedures. RESULTS: The non-NTG group showed multiple patchy areas of alveolar collapse with marked swelling and destruction of type I epithelial cells, loss of type II cell surfactant granules, endothelial swelling and papillary projection, interstitial edema, and alveolar macrophages with active phagocytosis of the destroyed materials. The NTG group showed similar ultrastructural changes, but in a lesser severity compared with the non-NTG group. CONCLUSION: Administration of the NTG reduced the ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat donor lungs. Ultrastructural examination was an effective tool to evaluate the protective effect of NTG in ischemia-reperfusion procedures of donor lungs.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effect of artificial cells on hepatic function after ischemia-reperfusion injury in liver.

BACKGROUND: The liver suffers from ischemia/reperfusion injury during transplantation. Reactive oxygen species generated by xanthine oxidase during reperfusion of the ischemic liver may be partially responsible for the hepatic injury. Oxygen free radicals are removed by antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Using glutaraldehyde and lysine we constructed crosslinked hemoglobin, containing SOD and catalase, and assessed its ability to protect against ischemia/reperfusion injury during transplantation. METHODS: In contrast to the sham-operated control groups, blood was exchanged using crosslinked hemoglobin (polyHb) a PolyHb-SOD-catalase (PSC) group. After ischemia/reperfusion injury, several parameters of hepatic damage and oxygen free radicals were measured as well as microscopic examination. RESULTS: Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, superoxide production, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde levels were higher among the PolyHb group than sham-operated controls. The PolyHb group revealed a few apoptotic bodies, some acute inflammatory infiltrates in the sinusoids, nuclear fragmentations, cell shrinkage, and chromatin clumping with formation of apoptotic bodies in the apoptotic cells under microscopic examination. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, superoxide production, and hydrogen peroxide levels were lower in the PSC than the PolyHb group. Hepatic structures were well preserved in the PSC group. CONCLUSIONS: Reactive oxygen species contribute to hepatic dysfunction with morphologic changes. PSC is effective to reduce hepatic damage by lowering oxygen free radical-mediated injury after ischemia/reperfusion in the liver.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effects of polyhemoglobin-antioxidant enzyme complex on ischemia-reperfusion in kidney.

INTRODUCTION: The kidney suffers ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury during transplantation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of artificials cells on renal I/R injury through biochemical assays and histological examination. METHODS: We prepared artificial cells using cross-linked hemoglobin (Hb), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase. Normal male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups: the sham-operated control group, the group treated with polyHb,and the group treated with polyHb-SOD-catalase (PSC) (per groups were subjected to ischemia for 1 hour or 2 hours). After reperfusion for 4 hours, kidney and blood samples were obtained. RESULTS: The levels of SOD and catalase in the PSC group were 15 and 50 times higher than those of the control group, respectively. In the polyHb group, the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, renal hydrogen peroxide, and renal malondialdehyde were increased. However, their levels were significantly decreased by PSC administration. Renal SOD activity did not show any significant changes in the polyHb group, but renal catalase activity was decreased by polyHb treatment in comparison with the control group. The activities of renal SOD and catalase were increased using PSC treatment. In the histological findings, the PSC group showed no evidence of acute tubular necrosis in proximal convoluted tubules; their microvilli and cytoplasmic microorganelles were relatively well preserved. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that PSC effectively reduces renal damage via diminished oxygen free radical-mediated injury after I/R.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-II and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 in the placental basal plate from pre-eclamptic pregnancies.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether expressions of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) are altered in pre-eclamptic placenta and to elucidate the possible relationship between their expressions and a mechanism for inadequate trophoblast invasion in pre-eclampsia. METHODS: Placental tissues were obtained at cesarean delivery from five normotensive, nine mild pre-eclamptic and five severe pre-eclamptic women at 33-39 completed weeks of gestation. After total ribonucleic acid was extracted, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine IGF-II and IGFBP-1 mRNA expression. Product bands were quantitated by scanning densitometry and results were expressed as ratio of cytokines/beta-actin. Western blot analysis was also done to determine IGF-II and IGFBP-1 protein expression. Statistical analysis was determined by Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance with the Scheffe multiple post-hoc test. RESULTS: The IGF-II mRNA levels of mild and severe pre-eclamptic placenta were significantly lower than that of uncomplicated placenta (P<0.005, P<0.001, respectively), with the level of severe pre-eclamptic placenta being significantly lower than that of mild pre-eclamptic placenta (P<0.05). As for the IGF-II protein expression, a significant decrease was found among the three groups (P<0.001), correlating with the IGF-II mRNA results. However, the mean IGFBP-1 mRNA levels of mild and severe pre-eclamptic placenta were significantly higher than that of uncomplicated placenta (P<0.05, P<0.005, respectively), with the level of severe pre-eclamptic placenta being significantly raised compared with that of mild pre-eclamptic placenta (P<0.05). Finally, a significant increase of IGFBP-1 protein expression was noted among the three groups (P<0.001), correlating with the IGFBP-1 mRNA results. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that IGF-II and IGFBP-1 might be associated with the impaired trophoblastic invasion that may lead to pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

Actins↗
PubMed2001

Ether fraction of methanol extracts of Gastrodia elata, a traditional medicinal herb, protects against kainic acid-induced neuronal damage in the mouse hippocampus.

Gastrodia elata (GE) has been used traditionally for the treatment of convulsive diseases such as epilepsy in oriental countries including South Korea and still occupies an important place in traditional medicine in Asia. We studied the anticonvulsive effect and protective effect of the ether fraction of methanol extracts (EFME) of GE against hippocampal neuronal damage after kainic acid administration in mice. Mice were treated with the EFME of GE (200 or 500 mg/kg per day, p.o.) for 14 days before kainic acid injection (45 mg/kg, i.p.). The EFME of GE (at the dose of 500 mg/kg) delayed the onset time of neurobehavioral change (P<0.01) and reduced the severity of convulsions (P<0.05) and hippocampal neuronal damage in the CA1 (P<0.01) and CA3 (P<0.05) regions. Our results show that The EFME of GE has anticonvulsive effect and putative neuroprotective effect against excitotoxicity induced by kainic acid.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Spectral analysis of fetal heart rate variability as a predictor of intrapartum fetal distress.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of power spectral analysis on fetal heart rate variability as a new diagnostic method of fetal distress. STUDY DESIGN: Among 76 pregnant women who underwent computerized electronic fetal monitoring and cord blood gas analysis, we divided them into three groups: normal fetus group (36); presumed distress group (26); and acidemic distress group (14). In order to perform linear analysis on the raw data of the fetal heart rate, after resampling, we performed Fourier transformation and investigated power distributions among very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) bands, and autonomic balance (LF/HF). RESULTS: The results of the spectral analysis showed that in normal fetus group, the difference in the distribution of power spectrums of VLF, LF and HF was significantly higher than in presumed distress group and acidemic distress group. In fetal distress, the LF and VLF value (< or = 0.0023, > or = 0.0437) were good predictors (sensitivity 97.5%, 75.0% and specificity 86.1%, 94.4%). The LF value (< or = 0.0013) was a good predictor in fetal acidemia (sensitivity 97.5% and specificity 86.1%). CONCLUSIONS: A computerized spectral analysis of fetal heart rate variation is a good predictor of fetal distress, which is made automatically and objectively.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Melatonin reduces X-ray irradiation-induced oxidative damages in cultured human skin fibroblasts.

Melatonin is a hormone with multiple functions in humans, produced by the pineal gland and stimulated by beta-adrenergic receptors. Melatonin has been shown to have radioprotection properties, but there has been little progress toward identifying the specific mechanisms of its action. To clarify the role of melatonin as a radioprotective compound, in response to X-ray irradiation, we investigated the effects of X-ray irradiation and melatonin on cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidation and alteration of the cell cycle in cultured skin fibroblast. An 8 Gy dose of X radiation resulted in cell death in 63% of irradiated cells, i.e. the cell viability was 37%. The damage was associated with lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane, as shown by the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA). By pre-incubation with melatonin (10(-5) M), a significant preventive effect was noted on the increase in the absolute number of surviving cells (up to 68% of cells were survived), and the levels of MDA were markedly decreased. These findings suggest a close correlation between an increase of lipid peroxidation and a rate of cell death. Morphological changes associated with apoptotic cell death were demonstrated by TEM. DNA flow-cytometry analysis revealed that X radiation increased pre-G1 apoptotic population by 7.6% compared to a very low level (1.3%) of non-irradiated cells. However, in the presence of melatonin, this apoptotic population decreased up to 4.5% at 10(-5) M. The p53 and p21 protein levels of skin fibroblasts increased 4 h after 8 Gy irradiation, but melatonin pretreatment did not change those levels. This study suggests that melatonin pretreatment inhibits radiation-induced apoptosis, and melatonin exerts its radioprotective effect by inhibition of lipid peroxidation and without any involvement of the p53/p21 pathway.

Cell Survival↗
PubMed2001

Equivalencies regarding the measurement and constructs of self-esteem and major life events in an Asian/Pacific islander sample.

Construct, scalar, and functional measurement equivalencies of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Major Life Events checklist (MLE) and the constructs assessed were investigated across groups differentiated on Hawaiian/part-Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian (e.g., Caucasian, Filipino, Hispanic, Japanese, and mixed/2 or more) ethnicity and gender. Initial results from maximum likelihood factoring with promax rotation showed that RSES negatively worded Item 5 loaded with the positively worded Items 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 on 1 of 2 factors for Hawaiian/part-Hawaiian female participants. Similarly, negatively worded Item 8 and the same positively worded items comprised 1 of 2 factors for non-Hawaiian male participants. For the other 2 Ethnicity x Gender groups, factors were respectively comprised of the 5 positively and 5 negatively worded RSES items. Construct equivalence or simple (2-factor) structure underlying the RSES was indicated across the 4 groups after Items 5 and 8 were excluded from a subsequent factoring procedure. Simple structure showed that Factor 1 comprised the positively worded Items 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7, and the remaining negatively worded Items 3, 9, and 10 loaded on Factor 2. Scalar equivalence of the self-esteem and major life events measures was supported by the statistical nonsignificance of the Major Life Events x Ethnicity x Gender interaction effect in multiple regression models. The consistency in the absolute size and direction of the intercorrelations between overall self-esteem, self-esteem Factors 1 and 2, and major life events variables indicated the functional equivalence of respective measures and constructs assessed. Measurement equivalency findings concerning the RSES and MLE, the constructs measured, and their utility versus caution against their use in multiethnic studies were discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Health literacy and shared decision making for prostate cancer patients with low socioeconomic status.

Quality of life (QOL) considerations are important in the treatment decision making process for prostate cancer patients. Although patient involvement in the treatment decision process has been encouraged, low health literacy can limit patient understanding of the complex information about treatments and their probable QOL outcomes and is a barrier to patient participation in the decision-making process. The objectives of the study were to evaluate (i) knowledge, level of satisfaction, and treatment preferences and intentions of men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer after participation in a CD-ROM shared decision making program; and (ii) the relationship between prostate cancer knowledge and health literacy. Thirty newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients from two Veteran's Administration (VA) hospitals in Chicago completed a demographic questionnaire and participated in an interactive CD-ROM shared decision making program. Subsequently, knowledge of prostate cancer, satisfaction with the information in the computer CD-ROM program, treatment preferences, and likelihood of following treatment preferences were assessed using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Health literacy was assessed using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM). The Pearson correlation test was used to assess the relationship between health literacy and prostate cancer knowledge. The chi2 test and the Fischer exact test were used to evaluate relationships between patient demographics and other variables. More than three-quarters of the patients rated the information in the CD-ROM as "very satisfactory" (highest possible rating). Two-thirds of the patients (21 of 30) selected a treatment after participation in the CD-ROM program and 90.5% of these patients stated that they were very or somewhat likely to adhere to their selection. However, prostate cancer knowledge was variable, with one-third of the patients scoring 69.9% or lower. Participants' health literacy was equivalent to a 7th-8th grade reading level (mean = 57.1+/-10.9), and more than one-third of participants (36.7%) had lower than 9th grade literacy levels. Participants' prostate cancer knowledge was correlated with health literacy (Pearson correlation rhor = 0.65, rhop = 0.0001). Patients were satisfied with the interactive shared decision making CD-ROM program, and two-thirds of patients were able to select a preferred treatment based on the information presented in the program that they intended to follow. However, prostate cancer knowledge scores varied among participants after participation in the CD-ROM program, raising doubts that patients were adequately informed to make appropriate choices regarding their treatment. Lower prostate cancer knowledge scores corresponded to lower literacy scores, indicating that low literacy may have hindered patient understanding of the shared decision making program. The development of shared decision making tools should include collaborative efforts with the target population to improve the success of shared decision making programs among patients with low health literacy.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Central role of the adipocyte in the metabolic syndrome.

Insulin resistance is associated with a plethora of chronic illnesses, including Type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, clotting dysfunction, and colon cancer. The relationship between obesity and insulin resistance is well established, and an increase in obesity in Western countries is implicated in increased incidence of diabetes and other diseases. Central, or visceral, adiposity has been particularly associated with insulin resistance; however, the mechanisms responsible for this association are unclear. Our laboratory has been studying the physiological mechanisms relating visceral adiposity and insulin resistance. Moderate fat feeding of the dog yields a model reminiscent of the metabolic syndrome, including visceral adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance. We propose that insulin resistance of the liver derives from a relative increase in the delivery of free fatty acids (FFA) from the omental fat depot to the liver (via the portal vein). Increased delivery results from 1) more stored lipids in omental depot, 2) severe insulin resistance of the central fat depot, and 3) possible regulation of visceral lipolysis by the central nervous system. The significance of portal FFA delivery results from the importance of FFA in the control of liver glucose production. Insulin regulates liver glucose output primarily via control of adipocyte lipolysis. Thus, because FFA regulate the liver, it is expected that visceral adiposity will enhance delivery of FFA to the liver and make the liver relatively insulin resistant. It is of interest how the intact organism compensates for insulin resistance secondary to visceral fat deposition. While part of the compensation is enhanced B-cell sensitivity to glucose, an equally important component is reduced liver insulin clearance, which allows for a greater fraction of B-cell insulin secretion to bypass liver degradation, to enter the systemic circulation, and to result in hyperinsulinemic compensation. The signal(s) resulting in B-cell up-regulation and reduced liver insulin clearance with visceral adiposity is (are) unknown, but it appears that the glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) hormone plays an important role. The integrated response of the organism to central adiposity is complex, involving several organs and tissue beds. An investigation into the integrated response may help to explain the features of the metabolic syndrome.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2001

Vestibular schwannoma with malignant transformation: a case report.

We describe a rare case of malignant transformation in a vestibular schwannoma in a 33-yr-old woman. She presented herself with headache, tinnitus, and hearing loss and underwent posterior fossa explorations three times during the short period of 3 months. The clinicopathological features of the original tumor were typical of benign vestibular schwannoma. Despite a complete microsurgical excision, two months later, the tumor recurred locally with a rapid increase in size causing a progressive worsening of neurological symptoms. A diagnosis of malignant schwannoma was made for the recurrent tumor on the basis of the microscopic findings of high cellularity, moderate pleomorphism, and the presence of mitotic cells. Repeat magnetic resonance imaging performed a month after the second surgery unexpectedly showed definite tumor enlargement. She remained clinically stable following the third debulking of the tumor and adjuvant radiotherapy. We propose that this recurrent tumor represent malignant transformation from a benign vestibular schwannoma which was an unusual occurrence in a patient without neurofibromatosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of the petrifilm plate method for the enumeration of aerobic microorganisms and coliforms in retailed meat samples.

This study was designed to compare the effectiveness and applicability of the Petrifilm plate method with the Association of Official Analytical Chemists' (AOAC) standard aerobic count method and violet red bile agar method for meat products. The comparison was carried out using 303 meat samples collected from various retailers: 110 pork samples, 87 chicken samples, and 107 beef samples. In the comparison of the correlation coefficient (R) between the conventional method and the Petrifilm plate method by a linear regression analysis, the correlation coefficient in total microorganisms was 0.99, 0.95, and 0.94 in pork, beef, and chicken samples, respectively. The correlation coefficient in coliform count was 0.83, 0.96, and 0.81 in pork, beef, and chicken samples, respectively. Based on the high correlation in the total microorganism count, it might be possible to replace the conventional methods with the Petrifilm plate method. For coliform counts, the Petrifilm plate method also showed a generally high correlation coefficient, except for pork samples, which are more subject to contamination. The Petrifilm plate method was simpler and less time-consuming in sample preparation and, in procedures, faster than the conventional method. These results suggested that the 3M Petrifilm plate method could replace the conventional methods in the analysis of microorganism contamination measurement in meat products.

Agar↗
PubMed2000

Protective effect of topiramate against hippocampal neuronal damage after global ischemia in the gerbils.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether topiramate would reduce neuronal damage after transient global ischemia in the gerbils because topiramate blocks voltage sensitive sodium channels and non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and enhances gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated inhibitory transmission. Both common carotid arteries were occluded for 3 min with microaneurysmal clips. The gerbils were treated with topiramate (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg, i.p.) immediately after ischemia. Neuronal cell damage in the hippocampal CA1 region was evaluated quantitatively 7 days after ischemia. Topiramate at the dose of 50 mg/kg failed to reduce hippocampal neuronal damage. However, topiramate when administered at the dose of 100 or 200 mg/kg significantly reduced hippocampal neuronal damage in dose-dependent manner (P<0.001 and P<0.0005, respectively). These results suggest that topiramate has a neuroprotective effect against neuronal damage following global ischemia in the gerbils.

Animals↗