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Y H Lee

Publications and source records attributed to Y H Lee.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Averaging algorithm based on data statistics in magnetocardiography.

An algorithm for automatic averaging of a magnetocardiogram (MCG) is described. Due to the relatively low signal-to-noise ratio in the MCG, the measured MCG data are often averaged to be analyzed. Generally, R-peaks are used as trigger points, which become anchors for superposition and we can obtain an averaged epoch eventually. However, we have to determine several parameters, such as the threshold magnitude for recognizing R-peak, the time-period of the epoch window, and which channel has dominant R-peaks. In order to determine these parameters automatically, we utilize the magnitude histogram of the root-mean-square waveform of all the channels. We can determine the threshold magnitudes for recognizing R-peaks and T-peaks, respectively, by using the characteristic distribution of the MCG signal histogram. Peak detection procedure using these thresholds records all the locations of the R-peaks and T-peaks, thus we get the average latencies of the R-T intervals and the R-R intervals. From these latencies, we estimate the full width of the epoch window. By adding a routine for processing double R-peaks, our algorithm could conduct the MCG averaging sequence fully automatically. The algorithm has been tested on recordings of 40 normal subjects and 15 patients suffering from myocardial ischemia, and we conclude that this algorithm reliably performs the averaging sequence. The MCG recordings are measured by our 62-channel planar gradiometer system in a magnetically shielded room.

Algorithms↗

A new selection method for pepper transformation: callus-mediated shoot formation.

We used two genes, TMV-CP and PPI1 (pepper-PMMV interaction 1 transcription factor), to transform commercially important chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) inbred lines (P915, P409) by means of Agrobacterium co-culture. Eighteen independently transformed T0 plants were obtained. The most critical point in the pepper transformation protocol was the selection of shoots growing on calli--referred to as callus-mediated shoot formation (indirect shooting)--because shoots not grown from the callus (direct shooting from the wounded surface) developed into non-transformants. Selection of the correct right callus type also proved to be an important requirement for obtaining transformed peppers. Six different types of callus developed during the selection process. Shoots regenerated from two of these types, while one type regenerated significantly more shoots than the other types, suggesting that the capacity for shoot formation is callus type-specific. Although the transformation rate was low, transformation via callus-mediated shoot formation proved to be reproducible and was confirmed by Southern and Northern blot analyses. Based on the experimental data, we have succeeded in developing a new protocol for the selection and transformation of pepper and expect that it will be used in the future for pepper transformation.

Capsicum↗

11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1: genetic polymorphisms are associated with Type 2 diabetes in Pima Indians independently of obesity and expression in adipocyte and muscle.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) modulates tissue-specific glucocorticoid concentrations by generating active cortisol. We have shown that adipose tissue 11beta-HSD1 mRNA levels were associated with adiposity and insulinaemia. Here we conducted further expression and genetic association studies in Pima Indians. METHODS: The 11beta-HSD1 mRNA concentrations were measured in abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes (n=61) and skeletal muscle tissues (n=64). Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the HSD11B1 gene were genotyped in a larger group of full-blooded Pima Indians. RESULTS: Two representative SNPs (SNP1, n=706; SNP5, n=839) were associated with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (p=0.01), although neither SNP was associated with obesity. Among subjects with normal glucose tolerance, SNP1 (n=127) and SNP5 (n=159) were associated with insulin-mediated glucose uptake rates (p=0.03 and p=0.04), and SNP1 was further associated with fasting, 30-min, and 2-h plasma insulin concentrations (p=0.002, p=0.002 and p=0.03). Adipocyte 11beta-HSD1 mRNA concentrations were correlated positively with adiposity and insulinaemia, and were additionally negatively correlated with insulin-mediated glucose uptake rates; nevertheless, the adipocyte 11beta-HSD1 expression did not correlate with genotypes of the donors. The muscle 11beta-HSD1 mRNA concentrations did not correlate with any anthropometric or metabolic variables. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: We confirmed that adipocyte 11beta-HSD1 mRNA concentrations were associated with adiposity, and showed that genetic variations in the HSD11B1 gene were associated with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, plasma insulin concentrations and insulin action, independent of obesity. The variable adipose expression might not be a primary consequence of these HSD11B1 SNPs. Therefore, it is possible that the HSD11B1 gene is under tissue-specific regulation, and has tissue-specific consequences.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1↗

Congenital curly toe of the fetus.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence, prenatal detection rate, and associated anomalies of congenital curly toe in an unselected obstetric population. METHODS: Between September 2001 and July 2002, 1167 singleton fetuses in the second and third trimesters underwent routine prenatal ultrasound at our hospital. Congenital curly toe was diagnosed when the fourth or fifth toe was not fully delineated on the axial image with medial and plantar flexion on the coronal image. All neonates underwent a physical examination within 3 days after delivery. Radiography was performed on those infants with curly toe. We assessed the prevalence, prenatal detection rate, and associated anomalies of the condition. RESULTS: There were 38 congenital curly toes among the 1167 neonates, yielding a total prevalence of 32.6 per 1000. In 26 of the 38 the fourth toe was curly and in 12 the fifth toe was curly. Of those in which the fourth toe was curly, 26.9% involved the right toe, 65.4% the left, and 7.7% involved both toes. For a curly fifth toe, these values were 25.0%, 16.7% and 58.3%, respectively. There was no associated structural anomaly, chromosomal abnormality, or syndrome in any case. Sixteen of the 38 curly toes were detected on prenatal ultrasound, including 13 of 26 with the fourth toe being curly and three of 12 with the fifth being curly. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital curly toe is not an uncommon condition, and can be detected on the prenatal ultrasound. Although it usually appears as an isolated finding without clinical significance, thorough ultrasound examination of the fetus should be recommended.

Female↗

Deficits of organizational strategy and visual memory in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

This study was conducted to investigate the deficits of organizational strategy and visual memory in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Thirty OCD patients and 30 healthy controls aged 20-35 years participated. The Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) test were administered to participants. The authors scored ROCF performances using the Boston Qualitative Scoring System. The OCD patients showed poorer planning ability and higher fragmentation than did healthy controls when copying the ROCF, and they showed even poorer performances in the immediate and delayed recall conditions. The authors found that the Organization score in the copy condition mediated the difference between the OCD group and the healthy group in immediate recall. The direct effect of diagnosis (OCD or healthy) on the immediate recall condition of the ROCF was also significant. This study indicates that people with OCD have poor memory function and organizational deficits.

Adult↗

Immune responses of different mouse strains after challenge with equivalent lethal doses of Toxoplasma gondii.

Most immunological studies that utilize different strains of inbred mice following T. gondii infection fail to compensate for differences in host susceptibility to the size of the parasite innoculum. To address this concern, susceptible C57BL/6 and resistant CBA/J mice were orally infected with either an equivalent 50% lethal dose (LD50) of brain cysts of the 76K strain of T. gondii (15 cysts in C57BL/6, 400 cysts in CBA/J) or the same dose of parasites in each mouse strain. C57BL/6 mice receiving 400 cysts (LD50 of CBA/J mice) died post infection, whereas CBA/J mice that received 15 cysts (LD50 of C57BL/6 mice) survived. Parasite loads in the brains and serum Toxoplasma-specific IgG1 titers of LD50-infected C57BL/6 mice were significantly higher than those in LD50- or 15 cysts-infected CBA/J mice, whereas splenocyte proliferation to Toxoplasma antigen and the percentage of CD8 alpha+ T cells were reduced in LD50-infected C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, serum IgG2a and IgM titers, the percentage of gamma delta T cells and IFN-gamma expression of spleen of LD50-infected CBA/J mice were higher than those of either 15 cysts-infected CBA/J mice or LD50-infected C57BL/6 mice. These observations demonstrate that the immune response between LD50-infected C57BL/6 and CBA/J mice was more prominent when compared to C57BL/6 or CBA/J mice receiving the same parasite inoculum. These observations would suggest that caution must be excersized in the planning and interpretation of data when the size of the parasite inoculum has not been adjusted for mouse strain.

Animals↗

Platelet-derived growth factor-AA increases IL-1beta and IL-8 expression and activates NF-kappaB in rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

The effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA on the inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) was investigated using cultured fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) obtained from RA and OA patients as well as control nonarthritic (NA) individuals. PDGF-AA increased the mRNA and protein expressions of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-8 in RA FLS. Biological activity of IL-1 in the culture supernatant of RA FLS was also increased by PDGF-AA stimulation. Interestingly, PDGF-AA synergized with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha to upregulate the protein expressions of IL-1beta and IL-8. PDGF-induced enhancement of the IL-1beta and IL-8 mRNA expressions was also observed in OA FLS. However, the expression of these proinflammatory cytokines in NA FLS did not change by PDGF treatment, suggesting that the inflammatory condition might have modified the biological effects of PDGF. In accordance with the enhanced expression of inflammatory cytokines, the activity of nuclear factor kappaB was also induced in response to PDGF-AA in RA FLS. These results suggest that PDGF-AA plays an important role in the progression of RA inflammation, and inhibiting PDGF activity may be useful for the effective RA treatment.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis and management of breast cancer.

A review of the literature on the current applications of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indications, their rationale and their place in diagnosis and management of breast cancer was given. Contrast-enhanced breast MRI is developing as a valuable adjunct to mammography and sonography. Its high sensitivity for invasive breast cancer establishes its superiority in evaluation of multifocality/multicentricity, tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, detection of recurrence, and staging. Emerging applications include spectroscopy, usage of new contrast agents, and MRI-guided interventions, including noninvasive treatment of breast cancer. Its potential benefit in screening high-risk women has yet to be established with prospective studies, particularly with regard to false positive results.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Intron 4 polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene is associated with the development of lupus nephritis.

The objective was to investigate whether the functional polymorphism of intron 4 in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene is associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its clinical features. The 27-bp repeat polymorphism in intron 4 of the eNOS gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction in 88 SLE patients and 95 healthy control subjects. Clinical manifestations were analysed in each patient and correlated with the genotypes. The genotype distribution of the intron 4 of the eNOS did not differ between SLE patients and control subjects (aa, ab, bb genotypes 0, 15, 73 versus 2, 19, 74 controls respectively, chi-squared = 2.21, 2 df, P = 0.331). In the lupus patients according to the intron 4 genotypes of the eNOS, there was no clinically significant difference in age at onset, anti-dsDNA titre, C3, C4 level, SLEDAI, SLICC/ACR Damage Index, or autoantibodies such as RF, anti-Ro, La, RNP, Sm, or phospholipid antibodies. However, renal involvement was higher in patients with ab genotypes than in those with bb genotypes (53% versus 26%), but it did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.062). Logistic regression showed that having the ab genotype was a significant risk factor for the development of lupus nephritis (odds ratio = 3.28, 95%CI: 1.04-10.2, P = 0.04). In conclusion, our data show that the eNOS ab genotypes may be associated with the development of lupus nephritis, suggesting individuals who carry the 'a' allele are more susceptible to lupus nephritis than those with the 'b' allele.

Adolescent↗

Investigation of biological and fouling characteristics of submerged membrane bioreactor process for wastewater treatment by model sensitivity analysis.

In this study, a mathematical model for the submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) was developed. The activated sludge model No. 1 (ASM1) was modified to be suitable for describing the characteristics of the SMBR, and the resistance-in-series model was integrated into the ASM1 to describe membrane fouling. Using the newly developed model, the biological and fouling characteristics of the submerged membrane bioreactor process for wastewater treatment was investigated by sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity of effluent COD and nitrogen, TSS in the reactor and membrane flux with respect to each parameter (K(h), mu(H), K(S), K(NHH), K(NOH), b(H), Y(H), mu(A), K(NHA), b(A), Y(A), K(m) and alpha) was investigated by model simulation. As a result, the most important factors affecting membrane fouling were hydrolysis rate constant (K(h)) and cross-flow effect coefficient (K(m)). Heterotrophic yield coefficient (Y(H)) had a great influence on effluent quality. Effluent quality was also somewhat sensitive to K(h). Peculiar operating conditions of the SMBR such as long solids retention time (SRT), absolute retention of solids by membrane and high biomass concentration in bioreactor could explain these model simulation results. The model developed in this study would be very helpful to optimize operating conditions as well as design parameters for a SMBR system.

Biofilms↗

Identification of differentially expressed genes in skeletal muscle of non-diabetic insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive Pima Indians by differential display PCR.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Whole body insulin resistance results largely from impaired insulin-stimulated glucose disposal into skeletal muscle. We carried out muscle gene expression profiling to identify differentially expressed genes associated with insulin resistance. METHODS: Skeletal muscle total RNA samples from six pairs of non-diabetic insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive Pima Indians matched for percent body fat were analyzed by DDPCR with 90 primer combinations. The mRNA expression concentrations of selected 13 known genes and four expressed sequences tags were measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR in 50 non-diabetic Pima subjects. RESULTS: From over 6500 displayed DDPCR cDNA bands, 36 of the most differentially expressed cDNAs were identified, revealing 29 unique sequences: 16 known genes, 10 expressed sequences tags and three unknown transcripts. Multiple regression analyses indicated that whole body insulin-mediated glucose disposal rates of the subjects, independent of age, sex, and percent body fat, were negatively correlated with mRNA concentrations of an EST (DD23; r=-0.38, p=0.007), ATP1A2 (r=-0.27, p=0.05), MAP2K4 (r=-0.34, p=0.02), and PRPSAP1 (r=-0.37, p=0.008). Transcript concentrations of DD23 (r=0.27, p=0.05) and MTND4 (r=-0.29, p=0.05) were correlated with plasma insulin concentration, independent of age, sex, and percent body fat. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Altered expression concentrations of these genes might be causes or consequences of insulin resistance, and these genes serve as candidate susceptibility genes for insulin resistance.

Adipose Tissue↗

Sampling and analysis of gas-phase methylmercury in ambient air.

A procedure for sampling gaseous methylmercury (MeHg) in ambient air using a refluxing mist chamber (MC) has been developed. The MC consists of a glass bulb with an air inlet tube at the bottom. Via a capillary mounted adjacent to the inlet tube, the solution inside the MC is pulled from the bottom of the bulb to form a mist inside the chamber. Two different aqueous sampling solutions were tested and evaluated, a dilute HCl (0.003 M) solution and a solution containing the chelating agent ammonium salt of pyrrolidine-1-dithiocarboxylic acid. The airflow rate through the sampler was 10-15 l min(-1). The sampling time was 6 h when using dilute HCl as an extraction solution, and 3 h when using the solution containing the chelating solution. Determination of atmospheric MeHg collected in the aerated water sample was accomplished using GC/CVAFS after aqueous phase ethylation, and pre-collection onto carbotrap column. To test the reproducibility and accuracy of the method, parallel sampling, and standard additions tests were carried out. Other quality control tests, i.e. procedure blanks and duplicated analysis have also been performed. The detection limit, based on three times the standard deviation of total blank (including sampling, distillation, and analysis) is 2 pg, which corresponds to a procedural detection limit of approximately 1 pgm(-3) in ambient air when sampling for 3 h. Measurements performed on the roof of the IVL building yielded concentrations from 3 to 22 pgm(-3) corresponding to 0.3-1% of the total gaseous mercury in ambient air.

Air Pollutants↗

Ganglioneuroblastoma presenting as dilated cardiomyopathy.

We report an unusual presentation of ganglioneuroblastoma with features of dilated cardiomyopathy in a 22 month old girl. She was admitted with cardiomegaly; during echocardiography a suspicious abdominal mass was detected by chance. Further imaging studies, including abdominal ultrasonography and spiral computed tomography, revealed a solid mass originating in the right adrenal gland. Metabolic studies and pathological findings were compatible with ganglioneuroblastoma. Following tumour removal and supportive therapy for cardiomyopathy, her clinical condition and laboratory findings improved. Although ganglioneuroblastoma with features of dilated cardiomyopathy is rare, because neurogenic tumours may be involved in its development, measurement of catecholamines in children with dilated cardiomyopathy is strongly recommended.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Functional polymorphisms in matrix metalloproteinase-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the functional polymorphisms in the promoter of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and in the regulatory region of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) gene are associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its clinical features. The MMP-1 1G/2G polymorphism and the MCP-1 promoter A/G polymorphism were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 117 RA patients and 97 healthy controls. The genotype distribution of the MMP-1 promoter did not differ between RA patients and control subjects. However, in the 2G/2G genotype, ESR and Plat were higher than the 1G/1G genotype. The genotype distribution of the MCP-1 promoter did not differ between the RA and control groups. Clinically there was no significant difference among RA patients according to the MCP-1 promoter genotypes. Our data show that the functional promoter polymorphism in the MMP-1 promoter may not play an important role in the susceptibility of RA, but the polymorphism may be related to clinical phenotypes.

Adolescent↗

Localization accuracy of single current dipoles from tangential components of auditory evoked fields.

We investigated the localization accuracy of single current dipoles from the tangential components of auditory evoked fields. The tangential fields were measured using planar gradiometers arranged in a way so as to detect two orthogonal field components parallel to a flat plane. Field responses to 1 kHz pure tones were recorded and equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) of N1m peak were estimated based on a locally fitted spherical conductor model. As a measure of localization accuracy, the standard deviation of the coordinates of the ECDs of N1m was obtained from repeated measurements for one subject. The estimated ECDs had a standard deviation of 5.5 mm and their mean location was at the supratemporal plane in the sylvian fissure on the MR image of the subject. In order to investigate the contribution of various errors to the localization accuracy, simulations using a sphere model and experiments using a realistically shaped skull phantom were performed. It was found that the background noise, which consisted of instrumental noise and spontaneous brain fields, was the main source of the errors that could explain the observed standard deviation. Further, the amount of systematic error was much less than the standard deviation due to the background noise. These results suggest that the volume currents in a non-spherical conductor shape such as the temporal region do not produce substantial errors in the localization of current dipoles from tangential components of auditory evoked fields.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

A study of purified montmorillonite intercalated with 5-fluorouracil as drug carrier.

Since its introduction over 40 years ago, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has remained the only effective chemotherapy option available for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, this cytotoxic anticancer drug often causes severe side effects because it does not act selectively on the tumor. It has been reported that the 5-FU showed considerable toxicity when administered by intravenous injections or via alimentary tract. Although, many materials have been developed for carrying 5-FU, there has been no clinically acceptable carrier for 5-FU till now. Montmorillonite, one of the clay minerals, consists of hydrated aluminum silicates with fine grains and large spaces between the layers. Isomorphous substitution of cations is common. In the study, we attempt to intercalate 5-FU into interlayers of montmorillonite through ion exchange. Montmorillonite was purified from crude clays of bentonite in Tai-dong, Taiwan by filtration and sedimentation. Solutions of 5-FU with different concentrations were prepared by dissolving various amounts of 5-FU into 10 ml NaOH solution. Purified montmorillonite powder was soaked in 5-FU solution for a period of time with different pH values and temperatures. In this study, we try to intercalate 5-FU into interlayers of montmorillonite to find out optimum conditions, such as soaking time, temperature, pH value, initial 5-FU concentration, etc., to prepare composites of 5-FU and montmorillonite (5-FU/mont). UV, SDT, FTIR, XRD are used to characterize the 5-FU/mont composite. From the results. 5-FU was successfully intercalated into the interlayer of montmorillonite both by free surface absorption and OH replacement. The optimum condition for 5-FU/mont preparations is 1.185 wt% of 5-FU as initial concentration under a pH value of 11.6 at a temperature of 80 degrees C and a soaking time of 2 h. The total amount of 5-FU in montmorillonite is about 87.5 mg for each gram of montmorillonite, which can be proved by thermal gravimetric analysis. The composite of 5-FU/mont is expected to achieve in situ release for colorectal cancer therapy in future applications.

Aluminum Silicates↗

Synergistic effects of corticosterone and kainic acid on neurite outgrowth in axotomized dorsal root ganglion.

Corticosterone is the main adrenal glucocorticoids induced by stress in rats. Therapeutic use of high concentration of synthetic glucocorticoids in clinical treatment of spinal cord injury suggests that pharmacological action of glucocorticoids might be beneficial for nerve repair. In this article we cultured axotomized rat dorsal root ganglion neurons to investigate the effects of corticosterone and a glutamate receptor agonist kainic acid on neurite outgrowth. Our results revealed a synergistic effect of corticosterone and kainic acid in promoting neurite outgrowth when applied as early as one and two days in vitro, but not effective at three and four days in vitro. In addition, applied corticosterone and kainic acid were neurotoxic at three and four days in vitro but not at one and two days in vitro. The minimal concentrations of corticosterone and kainic acid to be effective were 10 microM and 1 mM, respectively. The neurotrophic effect of corticosterone and kainic acid was attenuated by the receptor tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) inhibitor AG-879. Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical studies revealed an increase of expressions of both TrkA and growth-associated protein GAP-43 in dorsal root ganglion neurons with combined treatment of corticosterone and kainic acid. Immunocytochemistry showed that corticosterone+kainic acid increase nerve growth factor immunoreactivity in dorsal root ganglion neurites and enhance GAP-43 immunointensity in dorsal root ganglion neurons. These results suggest that the neurotrophic effect of glucocorticoids on axonal regeneration might require facilitation of excitatory stimulation at an early stage of nerve injury, and nerve growth factor may mediate a growth signaling to accomplish the effect.

Animals↗

Kinetics and inhibition during the decolorization of reactive anthraquinone dyes under methanogenic conditions.

The objective of this study was to assess the biological decolorization of two reactive anthraquinone dyes (Reactive Blue 4, RB 4; Reactive Blue 19, RB 19) under methanogenic conditions. Using a mixed, methanogenic culture, batch assays were performed to evaluate both the rate and extent of color removal as well as any potential inhibition. The effect of initial dye, biomass, and organic feed concentration, as well as the effect of repetitive dye addition on color removal kinetics and culture inhibition were assessed. Overall, a lower rate and extent of color removal was observed in RB 4-amended cultures as opposed to the RB 19-amended cultures. For an incubation time of ca. 15 days and an initial dye concentration of 2000 mg/L, the extent of color removal was 50 and 95% for RB 4 and RB 19, respectively. Inhibition of acidogenesis and to a larger degree of methanogenesis, resulting in accumulation of volatile fatty acids, was observed in both RB 4- and RB 19-amended cultures. Although the degree of inhibition varied among the two dyes tested (RB 19 was more inhibitory than RB 4), an increase of inhibition was observed with increasing initial dye concentration. At an initial dye concentration of 500 mg/L or higher, methane production was lower than 6% of that of the control culture for both RB 4 and RB 19. However, color removal occurred despite culture inhibition.

Anthraquinones↗