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Biomedical subjects

Il-Hwan Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Il-Hwan Kim.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Phosphorylation of peptides derived from isolated soybean protein: effects on calcium binding, solubility and influx into Caco-2 cells.

Calcium homeostasis in the human body is maintained primarily via the absorption of calcium through the intestine. In order to maintain an efficient absorption of calcium with minimal calcium loss due to the formation of calcium phosphate precipitates in the small intestinal lumen, we developed a calcium-binding mediator using peptides derived from isolated soybean protein (ISP). ISP was modified via tryptic digestion and chemical phosphorylation using sodium trimetaphosphate, thereby generating soybean phosphopeptides (SPP), and this was followed by conducting a binding reaction with calcium chloride. We have established an optimized procedure and reaction conditions for maximal phosphorylation and calcium binding. Consequently, the phosphorylation of soybean peptides resulted in considerable improvement in their calcium binding activities. Next, we demonstrated that SPP was able to render calcium ions resistant to precipitate formation with inorganic phosphates, which suggested the enhancement of calcium bioavailability. Finally, we noted that the addition of calcium-bound SPP induced an increase in cytosolic calcium concentration in the intestinal Caco-2 cells, due to an influx of calcium. These findings provide a new basis by which we may assess the possibility that SPP, as a potent calcium carrier, can be utilized in the prevention of poor absorption of dietary calcium in animals.

Biological Availability↗

Effects of myofascial-meridian stimulation therapy (mmst) on shoulder pain.

Fifty patients with shoulder pain were classified into two groups according to the type of pain: a capsular-pattern group (N = 22) and a non-capsular-pattern group (N = 28). Both groups received myofascial-meridian stimulation therapy four times in two weeks. After therapy, the pain level was significantly lower in the capsular-pattern than in the non-capsular-pattern group. The capsular-pattern group showed a nonsignificant trend toward greater range of motion than the non-capsular-pattern group. These data suggest that myofascial-meridian stimulation therapy might be useful as a new treatment to reduce pain and increase range of motion in patients with shoulder pain.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

A novel computer-assisted algorithmic method for differential diagnosis of dermatological diseases.

To deal with human surface locations electronically, it is essential to establish a designation method to code the sites. For the development of site designation methods and databases, dermatological textbooks, atlantes and clinical photographs were collected and reviewed. The sites were systematically named, numbered, and mapped on human models. The whole human surface was divided into 484 segments, and then assembled into 15 groups and 29 subgroups. After establishing the site designation method, we constructed a database of the sites of occurrence of dermatological diseases, and a database of age, sex, signs and symptoms. More than 700 diseases were analyzed and coded into the database. To gather information on the site of a particular disease, not only textbooks, and atlantes of dermatology, but also photographs obtained during clinical practices were reviewed, as clinical photos of patients can be more delicate than the descriptions in textbooks. The prototype of a computer assisted dermatological diagnosing system was made using site a designation method and the databases. This interactive computer program worked relatively well as a helpful guide or dermatological diagnosing tool. Further diseases are being added to the databases.

Algorithms↗

Quantitative evaluation of severity in psoriatic lesions using three-dimensional morphometry.

The severity of psoriasis has been traditionally assessed by measures, such as the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), the psoriasis severity scores, and the lesional severity scores. As a result, even experienced dermatologists show variations when attempting to determine the severity of psoriasis. Therefore, a better non-invasive and objective measurement of clinical signs is needed. In this study, an instrument, a so-called 'stereoimage optical topometer' (SOT), based on a new concept of 'stereoimaging' was used to measure the three-dimensional skin surface. The aim of this study was to compare the results obtained by the SOT with the visual score of psoriasis lesion. Thirty psoriatic patients were enrolled in this study. Initially, the severity of the infiltration and the scale of 134 psoriatic lesions were assessed by using a visual scoring system (0: none, 1: mild, 2: moderate, 3: severe, and 4: very severe), as scored by five dermatologists. The SOT was then used to quantify the severity of each psoriatic lesion using four three-dimensional SOT parameters (Sa, SL, SA, and SV). Secondly, the involved skin-surface area in the psoriasis cases was scored by the naked eye by the five dermatologists and by image analysis. Statistically significant differences were observed between grades 0, 1, 2, and 3 in terms of the severity measurements of the individual psoriatic lesions by SOT when using the parameters Sa, SL, SA, and SV. Therefore, it was concluded that there is a strong correlation between the results measured by visual scoring and by SOT in psoriasis.

Adult↗

Zearalenone induces male germ cell apoptosis in rats.

Zearalenone (ZEA), a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin, is known to cause toxicity of testis in male rats. To investigate whether apoptosis is involved in ZEA-induced testicular toxicity and to identify the stage and target germ cell type, 10-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were treated with a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of ZEA (5 mg/kg) and euthanized at 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 h subsequently. Histopathologically, germ cell degeneration was found at stages I-VI 12 h after dosing. Degenerating germ cells were shown to undergo apoptosis as revealed by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The frequency of TUNEL-labeled germ cells increased in a stage-specific manner, the peak frequency gradually progressing at stages I-VI of seminiferous tubules with time after dosing, suggesting that the damaged germ cells, especially spermatogonia and spermatocytes, gradually underwent the processes leading to apoptosis. DNA laddering on gel electrophoresis was apparent 12 h after dosing. The results demonstrated that a single dose of ZEA induces testicular germ cell apoptosis in a time-dependent and stage-specific pattern. This study has established that apoptosis is the principal mechanism contributing to germ cell depletion and testicular atrophy following ZEA exposure.

Animals↗

Objective assessment of involved surface area in patients with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although difficult, it is essential to assess the disease severity of psoriasis objectively. The visual grading method currently used for assessing the involved surface area in patients with psoriasis, which is included on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scoring system, is a subjective method. The aim of this study was to establish the reliable objective method, in estimating the involved surface area in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: Thirty patients with psoriasis participated in this study. The skin lesions of each patient were estimated using the visual grading method and an image analysis system. RESULTS: The differences between five dermatologists' estimates of the involved surface area obtained from the visual grading method were highly significant (P<0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test). The comparison between the visual grading method and the image analysis system showed that the involved areas measured by the visual grading method were significantly higher than those from the image analysis (P<0.05, Wilcoxon signed rank test). CONCLUSIONS: The visual grading method was neither objective nor reproducible. On the other hand, the image analysis system can be used as an objective method of measuring the involved surface area of patients with psoriasis. Therefore, the image analysis system can be used as a standard for the assessment of the involved area of patients with psoriasis.

Adult↗

Salicylic acid peels for the treatment of acne vulgaris in Asian patients.

BACKGROUND: Salicylic acid peels have been introduced as a useful modality in acne treatment. Few studies have examined its efficacy and safety, especially in darker skin. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of salicylic acid peels as a treatment for acne vulgaris in Asian patients. METHODS: Thirty-five Korean patients with facial acne were treated with 30% salicylic acid peels biweekly for 12 weeks. Lesion counts and Dr. Cunliffe's score were assessed by a blinded evaluator. Safety assessments and patient's evaluations were also recorded. RESULTS: Both inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesion counts were decreased in proportion to the duration of treatment. Dr. Cunliffe's acne grade was statistically significantly decreased after treatment. The side effects were tolerable in most cases, and all patients were pleased with their peel results. Stratum corneum hydration, skin surface lipid, skin pH, and transepidermal water loss were unchanged from baseline levels. CONCLUSION: Salicylic acid peels are an effective and safe therapy for acne vulgaris in Asian patients.

Acne Vulgaris↗

Inhibitory mechanism of bromocriptine on catecholamine release evoked by cholinergic stimulation and membrane depolarization from the rat adrenal medulla.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether bromocriptine affects the catecholamines (CA) secretion evoked in isolated perfused rat adrenal glands, by cholinergic stimulation, membrane depolarization and calcium mobilization, and to establish the mechanism of its action. The perfusion of bromocriptine (1-10 microM) into an adrenal vein, for 60 min, produced relatively dose-dependent inhibition in the secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by acetylcholine (ACh, 5.32 mM), DMPP (100 microM for 2 min), McN-A-343 (100 microM for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 10 microM for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 (10 microM for 4 min). High K+ (56 mM)-evoked CA release was also inhibited, although not in a dose-dependent fashion. Also, in the presence of apomorphine (100 microM), which is also known to be a selective D2-agonist, the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were also significantly depressed. However, in adrenal glands preloaded with bromocriptine (3 microM) in the presence of metoclopramide (15 microM), a selective D2-antagonist, the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid considerably recovered as compared to that of bromocriptine only. Taken together, these results suggest that bromocriptine can inhibit the CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic receptors, as well as by membrane depolarization, in the perfused rat adrenal medulla. It is thought this inhibitory effect of bromocriptine may be mediated by inhibiting the influx of extracellular calcium and the release from intracellular calcium stores, through the activation of dopaminergic D2-receptors located in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. Furthermore, these findings also suggest that the dopaminergic D2-receptors may play an important role in regulating adrenomedullary CA secretion.

(4-(m-Chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyl)trimethy↗