Effective topical anesthesia for awake tracheal intubation.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Anesthesia, Local↗
Biomedical subjects
Y K Choi
Publications and source records attributed to Y K Choi.
Identification of glucocorticoid response element of the rat TRH gene.
OBJECTIVES: It was suggested that glucocorticoid exerts cell-specific effects on thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) gene expression at the transcriptional level. Although there is no typical palindromic glucocorticoid response element (GRE) on the rat TRH gene promoter, a perfect GRE half-site is found between -205 bp and -211 bp. We investigated whether the segment between -242 bp and -200 bp of the rat TRH gene promoter is responsible for glucocorticoid response. METHODS: For the 5' deletion study of the TRH gene, four different plasmid constructs, pTRH(- 554/84), pTRH(-242/84), pTRH(-200/6), pTRH(-113/84) were used for transient transfection study. The plasmid pMAMneo-LUC was used as a positive control and pRSV-GR expression vector, as a co-transfection study. Transfection was performed by the modified calcium precipitation method with 2 micrograms of each lasmid on the HeLa cells. RESULTS: Dexamethasone (DEX) stimulated the transcriptional activity of pTRH(-554/84)-LUC and pTRH(-242/84)-LUC by approximately 3.2 fold at 10(-8) M and 5.4 fold at 10(-8) M. On the contrary, deletion of the region between -242 to -200 bp reduced the basal transcriptional activity by 90% and also completely abolished the DEX-induced transcriptional activation of the luciferase gene. The DEX-induced transcriptional activation of pTRH(-242/84)-LUC was in dose-dependent manner. While the co-transfection of glucocorticoid receptor expression vector (pRSV-GR) did not increase the basal transcriptional activity of pMAMneo-LUC, it increased the basal transcription of pTRH(-242/84)-LUC by 1.8 fold. The pRSV-GR co-transfection and DEX treatment further increased the transcription of pTRH(-242/84)-LUC by 2-4 fold at the concentration of 10(-8) M. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that a cis-acting element(s) which is important for the basal transcriptional activation and glucocorticoid response of the rat TRH gene is located between -242 bp and -200 bp. The gene has a weak GRE glucocorticoid response and seems to be mediated by an interaction between glucocorticoid receptor and other transcriptional factor (s).
Animals↗
Characteristics of acromegalic patients with a good response to octreotide, a somatostatin analogue.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In GH-secreting pituitary tumours somatostatin receptor density has been correlated with octreotide responsiveness. Little is known about the other endocrine characteristics of patients with good responses to octreotide. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of these patients. PATIENTS: We studied 30 patients with active acromegaly. Five had been treated with either transsphenoidal adenomectomy or conventional radiotherapy without cure of GH excess. DESIGN: Patients were divided into good or poor octreotide responders. Patients whose GH level decreased to less than 20% of basal and below 20 mU/I after a subcutaneous injection of 100 micrograms of octreotide were defined as good octreotide responders. We compared tumour size, basal GH secretory pattern, responses to TRH, GnRH and bromocriptine, and mutation of the alpha-subunit of stimulatory GTP-binding protein (G alpha s) between the two groups. MEASUREMENT: Tumour size was determined by CT or MRI. Basal GH level was measured hourly between 0800 and 1600 h. GH responses to TRH and GnRH were measured every 30 minutes for 2 hours, and the GH response to oral bromocriptine was measured hourly for 6 hours. The mutation of G alpha s gene between codons 184 and 251 was examined by direct sequencing using PCR in 5 patients of each group whose tumour tissues were available for the genomic DNA extraction. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (57%) were good octreotide responders (group I) and 13 (43%) were poor responders (group II). The mean age, sex, tumour size, tumour grade and the basal GH secretory pattern were not significant different between the two groups. Group I responded more frequently than group II to TRH (65 vs 25%). Fifty-three per cent of group I patients and none of group II were good bromocriptine responders. Forty-one per cent of group I patients responded to both TRH and bromocriptine. Three of 5 group I tumours had point mutations at codon 201 of the G alpha s gene, none of 5 group II tumours had mutations. CGT(Arg) was replaced with TGT(Cys) in two tumours and with AGT(Ser) in one. No mutations were found at codon 227. All three tumours with mutations were from patients responsive to TRH. Two of the three were also good bromocriptine responders. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that good octreotide responders are more likely to respond to TRH or bromocriptine. Good octreotide responders may include subgroups with different levels of TRH and dopamine receptor expression. A possible relation between octreotide response and the mutation of G alpha s gene should be investigated.
Acromegaly↗
Antibodies prevalence against HPV-6b and -16 recombinant fusion proteins in Korean patients with cervical neoplasia.
OBJECTIVES: This study was to investigate the adjunctive diagnostic utility of HPV fusion proteins from the sera in the patients with cervical neoplasia. Immunologic researches on host factors in HPV infection could contribute to better understanding of patho-physiologic mechanisms of cervical carcinogenesis, and provide valuable information for HPV vaccine development. METHODS: Prevalence of antibodies against human papillomavirus (HPV) in sera of the patients with carcinoma (n = 81), precancers (n = 25) of uterine cervix and normal controls (n = 40) in Korean women were investigated by Western blot immunoassay using partially purified TrpE fusion recombinant proteins for HPV-6b and HPV-16. RESULTS: In 81 patients with cervical cancer, 15 (19%) and 54 (67%) patients were positive for antibodies to at least one of the tested recombinant proteins related to HPV-6b or HPV-16, respectively. And in 25 patients with HPV-related squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) of cervix, 10 were positive for at least one of the tested antibodies for HPV-6b gene products (40%) and 11 were positive for HPV-16 related antibodies (44%). The prevalence rates of antibodies for HPV-6b in the sera of SIL patients were significantly higher than those from the sera of cervical cancer patients (p < 0.05). There was an inverse correlation between increasing the positivity against HPV-16 E6 protein and progression of cervical lesions, but there was no significant correlation between the positivities of the other antibodies to HPV-16 and the severity of disease. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the recombinant proteins related to HPV-6b and HPV-16 could be useful in evaluation of the patients with HPV-related cervical lesions and these might play an adjunctive role in diagnosis and management of cervical neoplasia.
Antibodies, Viral↗
Synthesis and activity of benzotriazolium cephalosporins.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Cephalosporins↗
Allelic divergence in the human insulin gene provides evidence for intragenic recombination events in the non-coding regions: evidence for existence of new alleles.
Intragenic polymorphism of the human insulin gene (INS) was investigated in Korean subjects. The 1.9 kb INS sequence, including the 5' to 3' flanking regions, was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and analyzed by direct sequencing. All nucleotide sequences in the coding regions were the same as INS sequences previously reported, and four nucleotides, at positions +216, +1045, +1367, and +1380 in the non-coding regions, were found to be polymorphic. In addition to the previously identified polymorphic alleles alpha 1 (A-C-C-C) and beta 1 (T-G-T-A), new nucleotide arrangements were also identified and designated alpha 4 (A-C-C-A), alpha 5 (A-G-C-C), alpha 6 (A-C-T-C), and beta 2 (T-C-C-C). It was concluded that the new alleles may originate by intragenic recombination within INS during chromosomal crossing-over between the alpha 1 and beta 1 alleles. The allele alpha 1 was the predominant form in our sample; the new variant alleles, as well as allele beta 1, appeared to be much less frequent in INSs genes of the Korean subjects studied. Furthermore, the new alleles were detected only in heterozygous form. These results suggest that intragenic recombination can account for allelic divergence in INS.
Alleles↗
A new Synechococcus cyanophage from a reservoir in Korea.
A unicellular cyanobacterium (Synechococcus) and its cyanophage were both isolated from a reservoir in Korea. Although morphologically similar to AS-1, the cyanophage differs from cyanophage AS-1 in some respects. The burst size in the light is approximately 100 plaque-forming units (PFU)/cell. Replication of the virus also occurs in the dark, releasing about 10% of the virus particles observed in the light. Na+ is not necessary for adsorption.
Bacteriophages↗
Bilateral primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease--a case of report describing a rare cause of Cushing's syndrome.
A case of Cushing's syndrome due to bilateral pigmented nodular adrenal disease in a 35-year-old male is presented. The adrenals showed multiple, black, variable sized nodules. Histologically the cells contained lipofuscin and either had a clear cytoplasm or an eosinophilic cytoplasm with a prominent nucleus. Lymphocytic infiltration and fatty metaplasia within the nodules are two of the prominent histological features. There is extreme internodular atrophy which suggests that primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease is a non-adrenocorticotropic hormone dependent condition. Since the disorder appears to involve primarily the cortex of both adrenals, the treatment of choice is bilateral adrenalectomy followed by steroid replacement. The characteristic clinicopathological manifestations that separate this diagnosis from other types of adrenal disease are also discussed. This is the first reported case in Korea to be documented with the pertinent clinicopathological findings.
Adipose Tissue↗
Polymorphism of glucokinase gene in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
Several lines of evidence suggest a strong genetic component to NIDDM. To clarify the role of glucokinase gene in the development of NIDDM, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of glucokinase gene and 3' microsatellite polymorphism analyses by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) were performed in NIDDM and control subjects. Compared to NIDDM with 1.3 kb allele/Pvu I digestion of glucokinase, 10% of NIDDM did not demonstrate 1.3 kb allele and these patients were characterized by increased insulin secretion. In 3' microsatellite polymorphism analysis, autoradiography of PCR products revealed three different alleles, including Z, Z + 2 and Z + 4. Z was the most common allele in both NIDDM and nondiabetic controls. There was no significant allele associated with NIDDM. Frequency of the homozygote Z/Z genotype was significantly lower in NIDDM subjects (16.7%) compared to normal control (46.7%)(p < 0.05). There was no difference in clinical findings according to 3' microsatellite genotypes in NIDDM. These data suggest that there does not appear to be a significant glucokinase allele associated with NIDDM but Z/Z genotype may play a suppressive role in the pathogenesis of a certain type of NIDDM in Korea. Further studies may be required to identify the molecular basis of this association.
Base Sequence↗
Apolipoprotein E genotypes of normal and hyperlipidemic subjects.
Apolipoprotein E (apo E) plays a role in the regulation of the lipid metabolism of humans. Apo E, 229 amino acid polypeptide, is classified into three major isoform (E2, E3, E4) according to the differences of amino acid in position 112 and 158. In the normal population apo E3 isoform is most prevalent and apo E2 or E4 is frequently associated with hyperlipoproteinemia. To find out the frequency of apo E isoform distribution in the Korean population, apo E genotyping was performed. After amplification of apoE gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction isotyping was done by cleavage with restriction enzyme Hha I and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The apo E allele frequency in 73 normal subjects was 4.8% for E2, 84.9% for E3 and 10.3% for E4. In diabetic patient with hyperlipoproteinemia, the frequency of apo E allele was 6.3% for E2, 81.0% for E3 and 12.7% for E4. There was no significant difference in apo E isoform distribution between diabetics and normal populations. But in patients with cardiovascular disease with hyperlipidemia, the apo E4 allele frequency was significantly higher than normal (20.0% vs 10.3%, p < 0.005). Apo E3 was the most common isoform in normal and diabetic subjects and apo E2 isoform was rather low frequency compared to Caucasians. This pattern is similar to the Japanese population but somewhat different from other populations. From the data of a high association of apo E4 allele and cardiovascular disease with hypercholesterolemia, apo E isoform may be one of the determinants of hyperlipoproteinemia. The PCR method may be useful in apo E genotyping.
Apolipoproteins E↗
[Identification of surface antigens of Trichomonas vaginalis].
Surface proteins of Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) were analyzed to study the antigenic variation. The surface proteins of protozoa were labelled by N-hydroxysuccinimide-biotin (NHS-biotin), the NHS-biotin-labelled proteins were immunoprecipitated with rabbit antiserum to purify the antigenic fractions and analysed by SDS-PAGE plus electroblotting. The results obtained in this study were as follows; Biotinylated T. vaginalis-proteins obtained from intact cell and cells disrupted prior to labelling were detected by anti-biotin-peroxidase in Western blots. Labelled proteins were immunoprecipitated by T. vaginalis-immunized rabbit serum and the six bands with the molecular weights of 46, 60, 68, 90, 130 and 220 kDa were identified as having antigenicity. T. vaginalis HY-1, HY-15 and ATCC 50148 were immunoprecipitated by immune rabbit serum after biotinylation and there were no difference from antigenic bands among these strains by this technique. In conclusion with the results obtained in the present study, it was assumed that surface proteins of T. vaginalis were labelled by biotinylation and the six labelled bands at 46, 60, 68, 90, 130 and 220 kDa in their molecular weight were identified as having antigenicity by immunoprecipitation (IP) and this biotinylation-IP technique may be used for further study of surface antigen of T. vaginalis.
Animals↗
[Comparative antigen analysis of Trichomonas vaginalis by enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot technique].
Analysis of six isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis was carried out with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB). Trichloroacetic acid-treated antigens of the 6 isolates revealed 25 protein profiles ranging 12-170 kDa of molecular weight in SDS-PAGE. In EITB, the specific immunogenic bands were visualized at 51 kDa and 96 kDa when HY-1 antigen was probed with different mice sera immunized with 6 isolates of T. vaginalis. The banding patterns with different sera showed isolate-to-isolate variability. In EITB, homologous antigen (HY-1) did not show any enhanced response in reacting to homologous antiserum (HY-1) when 6 isolates of T. vaginalis were probed with a single serum (HY-1). It is assumed that the different banding patterns of six isolates show isolate-to-isolate variability and immunogenic common bands in 41, 47, 74 and 94 kDa on EITB may connote the important significance on immune response in T. vaginalis infection.
Animals↗
Responses of osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1 cell to the calcium channel blocker diltiazem and verapamil.
The effects of the calcium channel blockers, diltiazem and verapamil, on osteoblastic functions were investigated in cultured osteoblastic cells MC3T3-E1. DNA synthesis was evaluated by the incorporation of [3H]thymidine, and collagen synthesis by measuring the incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase-digestible protein (CDP) and noncollagen protein (NCP). Diltiazem inhibited the DNA synthesis of osteoblastic cells by up to 57.6 and 54.6% at concentrations of 25 and 50 microM. Verapamil also significantly inhibited DNA synthesis by up to 61.6 and 40.9% at concentrations of 25 and 50 microM. The percent control of CDP formation were decreased by up to 76.7% in 5 microM and 44.3% in 50 microM of diltiazem. Verapamil also decreased CDP synthesis to 49.7% at 10 microM and 32.6% at 50 microM. NCP synthesis was decreased by the calcium channel blocker but inhibition of the CDP formation was greater than that of NCP. The calculated percent collagen synthesis was decreased at a calcium channel blocker concentration of 10 microM. The inhibitory effects of diltiazem and verapamil on percent collagen synthesis were not reversed by increasing the calcium concentration of culture media by either 1 or 5 mM. From this study, we conclude that calcium channel blockers have a direct inhibitory effect on osteoblastic function. Long-term administration of diltiazem or verapamil produces adverse effects on normal bone metabolism.
Animals↗
Effect of glucose on the expression of c-myc gene in cultured RINm5F cell.
The study was designed to examine the effect of glucose on the expression of c-myc gene in cultured RINm5F cells. After monolayer culture was established in RPMI 1640 media supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), the cells were cultured in various concentrations of glucose and 1 or 10% FCS for another 24 hours. A mRNA was extracted from the cultured cells by a single step method, and Northern analysis was done to detect RNA band. A 0.5 kilobase single band was detected as c-myc mRNA. The expression of c-myc gene mRNA was reduced with increased concentration of glucose with 1% FCS. However, supplementation of 10% FCS abolished the effect of glucose on expression of c-myc gene. These findings suggested that glucose in conjunction with other growth promoting factors played an important role in expression of oncogene and cell growth in RINm5F cells.
Animals↗
Prenatal diagnosis of a heterozygote of salt wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency by genetic linkage analysis.
For the purpose of prenatal diagnosis of CAH, genetic linkage analysis by HLA genotyping with lymphocytes and cultured amniotic cells were performed in a family at risk in which two consecutive children had been affected with SW CAH. In addition, the response of serum 17-OHP to intravenous ACTH was determined in obligate carrier parents, and 17-OHP concentration of amniotic fluid was also measured at 16 weeks of gestation. As might be expected, the baseline levels of 17-OHP in obligate parents were significantly higher than that of normal control. Although the post stimulation response of 17-OHP to ACTH in the mother (I-2) was significantly higher than that of normal control, the post stimulation levels of 17-OHP were in normal range in the father (I-1). The 17-OHP level (5.7 ng/ml) in the amniotic fluid showed intermediate value compared to Pang's report (normal less than 30 ng/ml, CAH greater than 12.0 ng/ml) suggesting heterozygote of the fetus. Genetic linkage analysis by HLA genotyping with cultured amniotic cells revealed heterozygote in their fetus (II-3) who has received one chromosome No,6 containing HLA haplotype A24, B40, Cw3 (normal allele for 21-OH) from the father and the other chromosome No,6 containing HLA haplotype A2, Bw62, Cw4 (mutant allele for 21-OH D) from the mother. In conclusion, attempts to detect heterozygote for 21-OH deficiency by ACTH stimulation test were partially successful and prenatal diagnosis of CAH by the hormone studies in ammiotic fluid requires reliable values in normal, heterozygotes and patients group, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗
GH secretory dynamics and responsiveness to SMS 201-995 treatment in acromegaly.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Acromegaly↗
Development of immunoassay methods by use of liposomes.
In order to develop liposomes for use in an immunoassay system, the preparation of immune liposomes and their characterization have been investigated. Liposomes have potential use in extremely sensitive analytical immunoassays, in addition to serving as an attractive drug delivery system. This liposome immunoassay system is based on membrane immunochemistry and an enzymatic reaction. An intense yellow color, easily detectable with the naked eye, was produced quite rapidly by the lysis of bovine serum albumin (BSA)-labeled, alkaline phosphatase-entrapped liposomes in the presence of anti-BSA rabbit serum and active complement under alkaline conditions. Sensitive detection is possible because of the antigen-antibody complex reaction, which leads to liposome lysis and an enzymatic reaction. The liposome immunoassay method offers a rapid, simple, and sensitive testing procedure which can quantitatively and qualitatively determine the presence or absence of antigenic materials and antibodies.
Amines↗
Epidemiological characteristics of ketoacidosis among Korean diabetic patients.
An epidemiological study on diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was done by analysis of 207 cases collected from the medical records of 6 major general hospitals in Seoul area during the period of 5 years between 1979 and 1984. There was female predominance in the occurrence of DKA (male/female ratio, 0.71) in spite of the male predominance in general prevalence of diabetes mellitus (1.80). This female predominance in DKA was most striking in the age group under 40. There was a significant seasonal variation in the occurrence of DKA. DKA occurred most frequently in colder season with the highest peak in December. In July and August, the hottest season in Korea, not even a single case of DKA was recorded in this series. No discernible precipitating factor was found in 39.3% of DKA cases and infections was present as a cause of DKA in 30% of cases. In 27.5%, DKA was the first clinical presentation of diabetes and in the remainders of cases, diabetes was known to be present for average of 6.4 years. Mortality of DKA was 13.2% in this series. As to the socioeconomic status, the education level, the style of living and the duration of diabetes, there were not ascertainable differences between the DKA cases and other diabetic cases. The prospective epidemiological study of diabetic population in Korea, especially in female group, would be necessary for elucidation of the characteristics of DKA in Koreans such as the female predominance and the seasonal difference of the occurrence.
Adolescent↗