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Biomedical subjects

D I Kim

Publications and source records attributed to D I Kim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Detection of antibodies to human nerve antigens in sera from leprosy patients by ELISA.

Anti-neural antibodies have been implicated to play a role in the pathogenesis of nerve damage in leprosy patients. To find the relationship between anti-neural antibodies and clinical findings, we attempted to detect antibodies against neurofilament-enriched proteins by ELISA in sera from leprosy patients. Of 289 sera from leprosy patients, 74 (25.6%) had significant anti-neural antibodies; in contrast, 1 (5.0%) of 20 tuberculosis patients and 11 (7.1%) of 154 controls were seroreactive to nerve antigen. When clinical types were considered, a significant level of anti-neural IgG antibodies was detectable in 53 (30.1%) of 176 sera from lepromatous patients compared with 21 (18.6%) of 113 sera from tuberculoid patients, indicating that lepromatous patients were more likely to be seropositive to nerve antigens in ELISA. Some of the ELISA-reactive sera showed antibody reactivity with 38-kD, 40-kD and 43-kD nerve antigens in Western blotting analysis. There was no apparent correlation between seroreactivity to nerve antigens and bacterial load in leprosy patients. Although there was no statistical significance, anti-neural antibodies were detectable more often among the patients on chemotherapy than the untreated and among the patients with erythema nodosum leprosum than without. The results, therefore, suggest that anti-neural antibodies are elicited during the course of leprosy and may be associated with the extensiveness of nerve involvement in the patients.

Animals

Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary microadenoma.

We present a 45-yr-old male with clinical signs and symptoms of mild hyperthyroidism, high serum levels of T3, T4, and FT4 as well as serum TSH concentration. The elevated alpha-subunit level and alpha-subunit/TSH molar ratio were also observed. These findings indicated the presence of hyperthyroidism due to inappropriate secretion of TSH, whose neoplastic origin was documented by nuclear magnetic resonance scan showing a 0. 6 cm pituitary adenoma. Selective pituitary adenomectomy was completely successful; alpha-subunit, TSH, T3, T 4, and FT4 normalized, and euthyroidism was restored. Light microscopic immunohistochemistry showed that the adenoma was composed of TSH-secreting cells.

Adenoma

Computed tomographic correlation with pituitary function in Sheehan's syndrome.

Twenty six patients with Sheehan's syndrome were studied with high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and the sequential pituitary stimulation test in order to correlate the CT findings of the sella turcica with the pituitary reserve functions. CT revealed 21 completely empty sella (CES), 4 partially empty sella (PES) and 1 normal sella. Panhypopituitarism occurred in 1 of 4 patients with PES and 20 of 21 with CES. One patient showing normal sella had a normal preservation of prolactin (PRL), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutenizing hormone (LH). In all patients with PES and CES, growth hormone (GH) responses to hypoglycemia and PRL responses to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) were blunted. Three (75.0%) with PES had normal basal cortisol levels, which were more frequent than two (9.6%) with CES; however, most of the PES (3 of 4) and CES (20 of 21) demonstrated blunted cortisol responses to hypoglycemia. Three (75.0%) with PES and only one (4.8%) with CES had normal thyroxine levels and TSH responses to TRH. None with PES showed decreased basal and stimulated levels of FSH and LH, whereas 15 of 21 with CES did. The pituitary functions of the patients having considerable amounts of pituitary remnants visualized by CT were relatively preserved for TSH, cortisol, FSH and LH. Considering the above results, changes in the amounts of pituitary remnants detected by CT might correlate with hormonal secretory capacity.

Adult

A hybrid bioreactor for high density cultivation of plant cell suspensions.

A hybrid bioreactor was developed for the production of secondary metabolites from high density cultivation of plant cell suspensions. Some of the advantages of both air-lift and cell-lift by agitation were combined. The addition of a decanting column also made it possible to run a perfusion system for high density culture or to run a two-stage culture efficiently. Cell growth and the production of berberine from Thalictrum rugosum in the hybrid bioreactor are reported in this paper. A cell density up to 31 g/l was obtained by perfusion without any problems in mixing or loss of cell viability and the specific berberine productivity was comparable to that in shake flasks. The maximum berberine concentration was 88 mg/l at 3 weeks of operation and declined thereafter.

Berberine

Growth rate control in fed-batch cultures of recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae producing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).

A recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae producing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) exhibited growth-associated product formation. By controlling the medium feed rate, based on the calculated amount of medium required for 1 h, a constant specific growth rate was obtained in the range of 0.12-0.18 h-1. In order to prolong the exponential growth phase, the medium feed rate was increased exponentially. A fed-batch cultivation method based on the production kinetics of batch culture enhanced HBsAg production ten times more than in batch culture. The reason for the increase can be explained by the fact that the production of HBsAg is expressed as an exponential function of time when the specific growth rate is controlled to a constant value in growth-associated product formation kinetics. In the scale-up of this culture to 91, the specific growth rate could also be maintained constant and the HBsAg production trend was similar to that in a 1-1 culture. However, ethanol accumulation occurred at a late stage in fed-bach culture. Ethanol produced was not reutilized and inhibited further cell growth.

Cell Division

A case of herpes zoster myelitis: positive magnetic resonance imaging finding.

A 33-year-old man developed a progressive myelopathy after a characteristic skin lesion of herpes zoster involving the right C3 and C4 dermatomes. The lesions were recognizable in the T2-weighted image of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as increased signal intensities throughout the long segments of the spinal cord with maximal in the cervical portion, which was compatible with the pathological findings reported in autopsy studies.

Adult

A sacral dural arteriovenous fistula presenting with an intermittent myelopathy aggravated by menstruation. Case report.

The case is reported of a woman with a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula whose intermittent myelopathy became aggravated with menstruation. Her symptoms recurred in spite of successful acrylic embolization of the lateral sacral arteriovenous fistula. Repeat angiography showed venous drainage from the uterus toward the medullary vein. Total abdominal hysterectomy cured her symptoms. The pathophysiological basis for this peculiar clinical manifestation and its management are discussed.

Arteries

Benign brainstem hemorrhage simulating transient ischemic attack.

A 48-year-old hypertensive man had sudden onset of symptoms suggesting vertebrobasilar insufficiency, which were transient in nature lasted for only 4 hours. Brain computed tomography revealed a small hematoma in the pontomedullary junction. This is an uncommon presentation of benign brainstem hemorrhage simulating transient ischemic attack. We propose that computed tomographic scan using thin slices of 3mm to 5mm thickness at the level of brainstem is required before starting anticoagulation therapy for vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attack.

Brain Stem

Two stage cultures for the production of berberine in cell suspension cultures of Thalictrum rugosum.

Two stage culture systems were examined in cell suspensions of Thalictrum rugosum which produce berberine in a growth associated manner. The utilization of indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) as a growth regulator, in place of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), at various growth phases was investigated. Although the enhancing effect was clear when it was used separately, in combination with 2,4-D effect of IAA was suppressed and medium change from 2,4-D to IAA was detrimental to product formation. The decrease of berberine production in this two stage culture may be due to the loss of conditioning factors associated with medium replacement.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

Nodular hepatocellular carcinoma--treatment with intraarterial injection of I-131 Lipiodol.

Twenty four patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who refused surgery or had unresectable tumor ranging 2.5 to 8.0 cm in size were treated with intrahepatic arterial injection of iodine-131-labeled iodized oil (I-131 Lipodol) in an attempt to achieve internal radiation of tumor. 555-2,220 MBq in 3-8 ml of I-131 Lipiodol was injected into the hepatic artery or proximal to the tumor feeding vessel depending on the tumor size. Tumor size reduction was observed in 88.9% of tumor smaller than 4.0 cm in diameter, 65.5% between 4.1 to 6.0 cm, and 25.0% of larger than 6.1cm, respectively. The tumor size reduction was corresponded to the gradual drop of serum AFP levels, decreased uptake on gallium-67 scintigraphy, and devascularization on follow-up angiography. Tumors having significant A-V shunts revealed further tumor growth. Adverse reactions from the treatment include fever, mild abdominal pain, nausea and elevation of transaminases. These have been mild and well-tolerated by the patients. This method was able to provide long term local control without complications related to thyroid, lung, GI tract and bone marrow.

Adult

Joint chemotherapy trials in lepromatous leprosy conducted in Thailand, the Philippines, and Korea.

Chemotherapy trials in lepromatous leprosy using various combinations of existing antileprosy drugs were conducted jointly by Korea, The Philippines, and Thailand. The general objective of these trials was to determine the most effective and practicable regimen or regimens for field application. Lepromatous patients were divided into two groups: Group I was comprised of new, untreated patients infected with dapsone-sensitive Mycobacterium leprae and Group II consisted of relapsed patients with dapsone-resistant disease. Four different regimens were administered to each group for 5 years. Comparison among the regimens was based on antileprotic efficacy, drug safety, acceptability, field practicability, and economic feasibility. No significant differences were noted among the various regimens as judged by the reduction in the bacterial index (BI), clinical response, and change in biopsy index. Toxicity was seen only in the regimens containing prothionamide and rifampin. The regimens were acceptable to the patients and all were found practical for field use. Clofazimine, even in low doses, was found to suppress the frequency and severity of erythema nodosum leprosum. A multidrug regimen effective against both new and relapsed cases of lepromatous leprosy, whether dapsone sensitive or dapsone resistant, is recommended for field use. Given priority, the cost of the regimens is affordable in the three countries.

Adolescent

Radioiodinated fatty acid esters in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: preliminary findings.

Radioiodinated fatty acid esters, such as lipiodol or ethiodol, are localized in the hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for a long time following intra-arterial hepatic injection, enabling delivery of high internal radiation to the tumor. The desired radiation can easily be delivered to small HCC, less than 5 cm in diameter, in single or multiple procedures with an 8-week interval. For larger tumors, [131I]lipiodol or [131I]ethiodol in conjunction with chemotherapy emulsion, Ivalon embolization or all three combinations should be considered for maximal clinical results. A strong beta emitter with shorter physical half-life, i.e. 90Y will be more effective in the management of HCC if one can label lipiodol with 90Y.

Adult

CT findings of the nose and paranasal sinuses in chromium intoxication.

We performed computed tomography (CT) of the nose and paranasal sinuses in 21 patients with chromium induced septal perforation or thinning. Twenty patients showed various magnitudes of septal perforation. Twelve of 20 had perforation at the mid portion of the cartilaginous nasal septum. One patient had a sheet-like thinning of septal cartilage. Sixteen patients had mucosal thinning of the nasal conchas. In most cases, unilateral involvement of the inferior concha was seen. Eleven of 21 cases showed paranasal sinus mucosal thickening and one patient had a cyst or polyp in the sinus cavity. The main finding was nodular thickening of mucosa. Septal perforation by inhalation of chromic acid was located in the cartilaginous septum and there was no destruction of the bony septum and wall of the sinuses.

Adult

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with radiolabeled Lipiodol: a preliminary report.

Fatty acid esters such as Lipiodol or Ethiodol (Savage Laboratories, Melville, New York) are known to selectively localize in vascular hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), following intra-arterial hepatic administration. Lipiodol was labeled with radioactive 131I and administered in 47 patients with HCC for both imaging and therapy. The short term preliminary results suggest radiolabeled Lipiodol is effective in eliminating ascites, shrinking the tumor by a high internal radiation dose, and in improving symptomatology of these tumors. In the future, 90Y, which is a stronger pure beta-emitter (maximum beta energy of 2.27 MeV, a half life of 64 h, and a maximum penetration or beta range of 11mm), than 131I will be used for more effective treatment of HCC.

Adult