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Biomedical subjects

I S Kim

Publications and source records attributed to I S Kim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Determination of volatile flavor components in danggui cultivars by solvent free injection and hydrodistillation followed by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis.

The rhizome of Angelica gigas Nakai, Angelica sinensis Diels and Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa (Umbelliferae) were chopped and extracted by hydrodistillation (HD) and solvent free solid injector (SFSI) methods to obtain the volatile compounds that were then characterized and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). SFSI extraction yielded a generally higher amount of volatile compounds than that produced by HD. A total of 48 components [including terpenes (8), aldehydes (4), alcohol (2), coumarins (9), Phthalide (3), acids (2) and sterols (2)] were identified by SFSI and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from the three species of danggui cultivars, whereas, 24-essential oil was obtained by HD for Korean danggui only. According to these analyses, several coumarin derivatives such as decursinol angelate (16.83%) and decursin (29.34%) were found to be the dominant ones, followed by lomatin (10.25%) and marmesin (9.33%) in Korean danggui. Furfural and butylidene phthalide were the main components in Japanese in addition to butylidene dihydro-phthalide in Chinese danggui. Some parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as injector temperature, injection time and pre-heating time were optimized. The results showed that the SFSI-method gave a higher yield of components with higher molecular mass than hydrodistillation. SFSI required little time to prepare the sample, little sample mass and a small quantity of organic solvent was needed. It can be concluded that analysis of volatile flavor compounds by SFSI in combination with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is a suitable monitoring technique to differentiate danggui cultivars.

Angelica↗
PubMed2006

A DNA vaccine encoding a fatty acid-binding protein of Clonorchis sinensis induces protective immune response in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Clonorchis sinensis, the Chinese liver fluke, resides chronically in the biliary tract, and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) is known to play an important role in the intracellular transport of long-chain fatty acids obtained from the host. Although FABP has stimulated considerable interest as a vaccine candidate, the nature of C. sinensis FABP (CsFABP) remains unclear. We investigated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine encoding CsFABP. The intradermal injection of plasmid DNA carrying the CsFABP gene (pcDNA3.1-FABP) into Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats induced both humoural and cellular immune responses. Animals injected with pcDNA3.1-FABP developed FABP-specific antibody, which is dominance of IgG2a in sera. In addition, the DNA vaccine elicited the production of IFN-gamma, but not the production of IL-4 in spleen cells stimulated with recombinant FABP. Moreover, pcDNA3.1-FABP induced a significant level of protection, decreased worm burden (40.9%, P<0.05) in SD rats against C. sinensis metacerariae challenge. These results suggest that pcDNA3.1-FABP induces a typical T helper-1-dominated immune response and it is a good candidate for use in future clonorchiasis vaccination studies.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2006

Comparison of membrane biofouling in nitrification and denitrification for the membrane bioreactor (MBR).

Batch filtration tests were conducted to compare the characteristics of membrane biofouling with regard to nitrification and denitrification. A Modified Fouling Index (MFI) was obtained using a stirred cell tester. The denitrification assays showed higher membrane fouling rates than the nitrification assays. The fouling became worse, not only due to pore blocking resistance, but also from cake layer resistance after denitrification. The Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) concentration and relative hydrophobicity were decreased after denitrification, resulting in floc deterioration. The floc deterioration was assumed to have increased the cake layer resistance in the filtration test. The protein Soluble Microbial Products (SMP) concentration, portion of high molecular weight in carbohydrate SMP and relative hydrophobicity were increased after denitrification, which was assumed to cause membrane pore blocking. The changes in the EPS and SMP characteristics were the main fouling parameters in denitrification.

Biomass↗
PubMed2005

A study on the treatment of antifouling paint waste from shipyard.

A study on the treatment of antifouling paint waste from shipyards, including sandblast waste and ship hull washing wastewater, was performed. The sandblast waste could be effectively detoxified by heat treatment, and the efficiency was affected by the temperature of the heating vessel and treatment time. The removal efficiency of total organotin compounds from the sandblast waste was over 99% at 1000 degrees C and treatment for 1 h. For the treatment of ship hull washing wastewater by the solvent extraction, ship diesel was a good solvent for the tributyltin (TBT) extraction, and the proper amount of solvent was about 10 mL for TBT extraction from 1L of wastewater. The extraction efficiency of TBT was significantly affected by the agitation intensity. The TBT in the wash wastewater was rapidly extracted within 1 h. The level of the TBT residual in the wastewater extracted for 1h was 2.8 microg L(-1), and this was further decreased to 0.8 after 5 h extraction.

Gasoline↗
PubMed2005

Morphometric studies on the testis of Korean ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus karpowi) during the breeding and non-breeding seasons.

The purpose of this study was to obtain detailed quantitative information on all cell types in the testis interstitium of Korean ring-necked pheasants and to combine these data with changes in the steroidogenic function of the testis during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. For animals collected during the breeding season, their testis weights, sperm production, serum testosterone levels and leuteinizing hormone (LH)-stimulated testosterone secretion were significantly (p < 0.01) increased compared to the non-breeding season. Testes of the pheasants during the non-breeding season displayed a 98% reduction in testis volume that was associated with a decrease in the absolute volume of seminiferous tubules (98% reduction), tubular lumen (100%), interstitium (90%), blood vessels (84%), lymphatic spaces (97%), Leydig cells (79%), mesenchymal cells (51%) and myoid cells (61%) compared to the breeding season. The numbers of Leydig cells, mesenchymal cells and myoid cells per testis in the breeding season were much higher than in the non-breeding season. Although the mean volume of a Leydig cell was 74% lower in the non-breeding season, the mean volumes of myoid and mesenchymal cells remained unchanged. These results demonstrate that there are striking differences in the testicular structure of the Korean ring-necked pheasant during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Every structural parameter of the Leydig cell was positively correlated with both testosterone serum levels and LH-stimulated testosterone secretion. The correlation of changes in hormonal status with the morphometric alterations of Leydig cells suggests that the Korean-ring necked pheasant may be used as a model to study structure-function relationships in the avian testis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Urinary concentration of transforming growth factor-beta-inducible gene-h3(beta ig-h3) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: The expression of TGF beta-inducible gene h3(beta ig-h3) has been used to assess the biological activity of TGF beta in the kidney. In this study, we investigated whether the urinary concentration of beta ig-h3 is associated with diabetic nephropathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. We also evaluated the relationship between the urinary concentration of beta ig-3 and proteinuria and microalbuminuria (AER) in a normal healthy population and in Type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: Four hundred and seventy-nine Type 2 diabetic patients without non-diabetic kidney diseases and 528 healthy control subjects were enrolled. The study subjects were divided into five groups: a non-diabetic healthy control group with normal ACR (n = 443), a non-diabetic healthy control group with microalbuminuria (n = 85), a normoalbuminuric diabetic group (n = 198), a microalbuminuric diabetic group (n = 155) and an overt proteinuria group (n = 126). Urinary levels of beta ig-h3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: (i) Urinary excretion of beta ig-h3 was significantly higher in the diabetic groups than in the controls, even in the normoalbuminuric stage (25.02 +/- 8.84 vs. 18.67 +/- 6.56, P = 0.03). In diabetic patients, urinary beta ig-h3 levels increased significantly as diabetic nephropathy advanced (25.02 +/- 8.84 vs. 34.06 +/- 24.55 vs. 169.63 +/- 57.33, P < 0.001). (ii) Proteinuria was found to be significantly correlated with urinary beta ig-h3 (healthy control; r = 0.137, P = 0.019, diabetic patients; r = 0.604, P < 0.001). ACR was also found to be significantly related with urinary beta ig-h3 in diabetic patients (r = 0.383, P = 0.006). (iii) In diabetic patients, urinary beta ig-h3 was significantly related with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (systolic blood pressure: r = 0.436, P = 0.024; diastolic blood pressure, r = 0.365, P = 0.042), total cholesterol and HbA(1c) (cholesterol: r = 0.169, P = 0.03, HbA(1c); r = 0.387, P = 0.044). Logistic regression analyses showed that urinary beta ig-h3 was associated with a significant increase in the risk of microalbuminuria and proteinuria in diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal monitoring of urinary beta ig-h3 may improve the likelihood of detecting diabetic nephropathy at an earlier stage and beta ig-h3 could be a sensitive marker of diabetic kidney disease progression.

Albuminuria↗
PubMed2005

Association of C-509T and T869C polymorphisms of transforming growth factor-beta1 gene with susceptibility to and progression of IgA nephropathy.

AIMS: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is a cytokine with both beneficial anti-inflammatory effects and detrimental profibrotic activity in the pathophysiology and progression of glomerulonephritides. The transcriptional activity of the gene for TGF-beta1 and the plasma levels of TGF-beta1 protein are associated with C-509T polymorphism at the promoter region, and with T869C (Leu 10Pro) polymorphism at codon 10, of the TGF-beta1 gene. METHODS: Using PCR-RFLP and the amplification refractory mutation system PCR, we investigated the C-509T and T869C polymorphisms, respectively, to elucidate whether allele frequency differences exist between IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients who were followed up for at least 3 years (n = 108) and a normal population (n = 55). We also determined the correlations between the TGF-beta1 polymorphisms and the progression of IgAN. RESULTS: In C-509T polymorphism, there were significant differences in genotype frequency between IgAN patients and normal controls (CC: CT: TT, 20:29:33 vs. 11:31:13, chi2 = 6.299, p = 0.043). In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the patients with TT genotype showed a poorer renal survival than those with CC + CT genotypes (p = 0.042). In T869C polymorphism, there were also significant differences in genotype frequency between IgAN patients and normal controls (TT : TC : CC, 4 : 79 : 25 vs. 0 : 52 : 2, chi2 = 12.552, p = 0.002). The initial serum creatinine (Scr) level was higher in the patients with CC genotype than in those with TT + TC genotypes. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the patients with CC genotype showed a poorer renal survival than those with TT + TC genotypes, but not to a statistically significant extent (p = 0.076). In the combined survival analyses, the high TGF-beta1 producer group showed a poor renal survival rate (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Compared to normal population, the frequencies of genotypes producing high TGF-beta1 protein were higher in IgAN patients. Moreover, patients with genotypes producing high TGF-beta1 plasma levels showed a poor renal survival rate.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Optimal sensor distribution for measuring the tangential field components in MCG.

We discuss the optimal arrangement of detectors for a 52-channel magnetocardiogram (MCG) system measuring tangential components of the cardiac magnetic fields. Nowadays, most MCG instruments are designed to cover the whole heart area to maximize the information available from the myocardial magnetic field in a simultaneous measurement. In such a system, detectors should be spread over a sufficiently wide area. However, an increased diameter of the cooling dewar will result in more heat-loss and higher production and maintenance costs. Therefore, we reviewed the spatial sampling theory to determine the proper interval between detectors, and we decided on the number of channels to cover the whole heart area. In order to fit the detector array on the cylindrical dewar economically, we removed the detectors at the corners of the square array. Through simulations using the confidence region method, we verified that our design of the detector array is enough to obtain adequate information from the heart. Simulations also suggested that tangential-component MCG measurement can localize deep current dipoles better than normal-component measurement with the same confidence volume; therefore, we conclude that measurement of the tangential component is more suitable to an MCG system than the normal component.

Body Surface Potential Mapping↗
PubMed2004

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↗
PubMed2004

Auranofin induces apoptosis and when combined with retinoic acid enhances differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukaemia cells in vitro.

1. Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is characterized by a block in differentiation at the promyelocyte stage. Here, we describe the effects of auranofin (AF), a coordinated gold compound, on apoptosis and differentiation of APL cells. 2. Nucleosomal DNA fragmentation assay and Hoechst 33342 staining indicated that AF induced apoptosis in APL-derived NB4 cells at low concentrations (0.5-1.0 microm). The AF-induced apoptosis involved caspase-3 activation and specific cleavage of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase. 3. The AF-treated NB4 cells also produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cotreatment with N-acetyl-l-cysteine protected the NB4 cells from AF-induced apoptosis. 4. Expression of the CD11b cell surface marker and C/EBPepsilon was increased when the cells were treated for 4 days with 0.3 microm AF and a physiological concentration of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA, 5 nm). Treatment with AF in combination with ATRA markedly increased the number of cells with differentiated features, such as lobed or multiple nuclei and numerous granules and vacuoles. At these low concentrations, neither AF nor ATRA alone induced significant cell differentiation. 5. These findings suggest not only that AF induces caspase-3-dependent apoptosis via a mechanism involving ROS, but also that the combined treatment with AF and ATRA induces differentiation of NB4 cells. Our results demonstrate a novel characteristic of AF from which an effective drug treatment of APL might be developed.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed2004

Domestic wastewater reclamation by submerged membrane bioreactor with high concentration powdered activated carbon for stream restoration.

This study focuses on the practical application of high concentration powdered activated carbon coupled membrane bio-reactor to domestic wastewater reclamation. The study was conducted in three parts, such as analysis of secondary domestic wastewater effluent, design and operation parameter evaluation and reclaimed water quality estimation for stream restoration. The organic concentration was 25.2-80.2 mgCOD(Cr)/L for the effluent of three domestic wastewater treatment plants. Around 50-75% of the COD was low molecular substances less than 1,000 which were quite biodegradable. The sawdust PAC was estimated to be proper adsorbent for the organics in the secondary effluents. Its Freundlich constant, K value was 5.847 and 1/n, 0.36. Using a system consists of single reactor with high concentration PAC (80 g/L) and submerged hollow fiber MF membrane module with nominal pore size of 0.1 microm, design and operation parameters were obtained, such as HRT of the bioreactor (2.5 hr), PAC concentration (80 g/L), the initial flux (less than 0.5 m/day) and intermittent suction cycle (12 min. suction and 3 min. idling). Organic removal by the system was high enough to produce reclaimed water for urban stream restoration The effluent organic concentration was at the level of 2 mg/L in terms of TOC (around 5 mg/L as COD(Cr)). Substances with molecular weight cut off < 1,000 were removed mostly by adsorption and biodegradation. Those above 1,000 were rejected at PAC cake layer on the membrane and gradually degraded by microorganisms during extended contact.

Bioreactors↗
PubMed2004

Pharmaceutical rejection by membranes for wastewater reclamation and reuse.

Various membranes, which have different materials and nominal molecular weight cut-offs (MWCO), were compared in terms of rejection of ibuprofen and removal of effluent organic matter (EfOM) from membrane bioreactor (MBR), because pharmaceutical compounds contain a potential risk and EfOM is the precursor of carcinogenic disinfection by-products when reusing for drinking water source. To provide equivalent comparison with respect to hydrodynamic condition, mass transfer parameter, J0/k ratio, was used. A tight-UF membrane with a molecular weight cut off of 8,000 daltons exhibited 25 approximately 95% removal efficiencies of ibuprofen with a molecular weight of 206 with and without presence of EfOM(MBR). EfOM(MBR) caused the reduction of ibuprofen removal efficiency for UF membrane. Rejection of EfOM(MBR) by UF and NF membranes ranged 29 approximately 47% and 69 approximately 86%, respectively. UF membrane could successfully remove ibuprofen at lower J0/k ratio range (< or = 1) in organic free water but could not efficiently reject ibuprofen with a relatively hydrophilic EfOM(MBR) (SUVA < or = 3).

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of wastewater effluents for soil aquifer treatment in South Korea.

Soil batch and column experiments were performed to characterize the wastewater effluents from seven different wastewater treatment plants in the Jonnam province, South Korea, with the purpose of evaluating the effluents for possible application of a soil aquifer treatment (SAT) in Korea. Batch experiments were conducted to measure the biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) while 1 m soil columns, for simulating SAT, were employed to further analyze dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal. The soils were collected from a river bottom in Jonnam. The BDOC fractions and the residual DOC concentrations for the effluents ranged from 19.3 to 59.9% and from 1.0 to 7.5 mg/L, respectively, depending on the reaction time. Applying the tentative criteria based on the data obtained for the BDOC and residual DOC, three effluents, from Gwangju, Hwasoon, and Jangsung, were found to be the most suitable for SAT applications. It was also concluded that the site characteristics should be also considered with regard to the retention time when evaluating the feasibility of SAT application in a certain region.

Carbon↗
PubMed2004

Enhanced aerobic floc-like granulation and nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch reactor by selection of settling velocity.

In order to enhance the solid-liquid separation properties and nitrogen removal efficiency of SBR, the aerobic floc-like granules were cultivated under temporal alternating aerobic and anoxic conditions without the presence of carrier material in a SBR having 15 H/D (height/diameter) ratio. Two different effluent port positions were applied to the SBR for different selection of minimum settling velocities (over 0.6 and 0.7 m/h) of granules retained in the SBR during aerobic floc-like granule formation. The effect of different minimum settling velocities as an operational parameter on the size and solid-liquid separation properties of floc-like granules and also the COD and nitrogen removal of SBR were evaluated. The reactor was operated 6 hours per cycle (aerobic 4.75 hours, anoxic 1.25 hours) under chemical oxygen demand (COD) loading rate of 2.5 kg/m3 x d (1.3 kg acetate-COD and 1.2 kg glucose-COD). When increasing the minimum settling velocity by 0.1 m/h, the following results were observed at steady state. The nitrification efficiency was not changed at about 97% but the denitrification efficiency was improved from 78 to 97%. The COD removal efficiency was improved from 82 to 97% and the concentration of biomass in the reactor was retained at lower level at about 3,000 mg MLSS/L. The average sludge volume index (SVI) value of granules was decreased about 85 to 50 mL/g and the granule sizes were increased 0.1-0.5 mm to 1.0-2.0 mm. The required time to form granules and reach steady state was significantly shortened. Based on the results, the selection of the minimum settling velocity had a significant effect on both the physical properties of granules and the SBR performance, so it is suggested to use the minimum settling velocity as an operational parameter.

Acetates↗
PubMed2003

Use of the Keele injector for sample introduction for gas chromatographic analysis of vinclozolin in lettuces.

We examined a Keele injector for sample introduction for gas chromatographic analysis of vinclozolin treated in lettuces. Samples in milligram quantity were introduced into a glass tube in a Keele injector at a gas chromatograph injection port. The glass tube was then crushed to allow the sample to carry onto a capillary column in a normal manner. The standard calibration curve for quantitative detection of vinclozolin was obtained by determining vinclozolin spiked in samples at variable concentrations. The calibration curve showed a linear response to vinclozolin ranging from 0.05 to 1.0 microg/g, giving a slope value of 174.8, the y-intercept value of -2.8146 and the mean r2-value of 0.9994. Limit of quantification for vinclozolin was 0.05 microg/g by this method, comparable to 0.01 microg/g by a normal injector. When samples treated previously with vinclozolin were determined by the Keele injector, vinclozolin was found to be about 30% lower as compared to a normal method, suggesting about 70% recovery of the spiked vinclozolin by the Keele injector. From these results, the Keele injector was suggested to be potential for sample introduction in gas chromatographic analysis of vinclozolin in lettuce samples.

Chromatography, Gas↗