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Biomedical subjects

J-H Kim

Publications and source records attributed to J-H Kim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Characterization of the mitochondrial genome of Diphyllobothrium latum (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) - implications for the phylogeny of eucestodes.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome was determined for the fish tapeworm Diphyllobothrium latum. This genome is 13,608 bp in length and encodes 12 protein-coding genes (but lacks the atp8), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) and 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, corresponding to the gene complement found thus far in other flatworm mitochondrial (mt) DNAs. The gene arrangement of this pseudophyllidean cestode is the same as the 6 cyclophyllidean cestodes characterized to date, with only minor variation in structure among these other genomes; the relative position of trnS2 and trnL1 is switched in Hymenolepis diminuta. Phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated amino acid sequences for 12 protein-coding genes of all complete cestode mtDNAs confirmed taxonomic and previous phylogenetic assessments, with D. latum being a sister taxon to the cyclophyllideans. High nodal support and phylogenetic congruence between different methods suggest that mt genomes may be of utility in resolving ordinal relationships within the cestodes. All species of Diphyllobothrium infect fish-eating vertebrates, and D. latum commonly infects humans through the ingestion of raw, poorly cooked or pickled fish. The complete mitochondrial genome provides a wealth of genetic markers which could be useful for identifying different life-cycle stages and for investigating their population genetics, ecology and epidemiology.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Tracheal shortening during laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.

BACKGROUND: During laparoscopic gynecologic surgery, pneumoperitoneum combined with the Trendelenburg position moves the carina towards the tip of the endotracheal tube (ETT), decreasing the margin of safety for the ETT position and increasing accidental endobronchial intubation. However, it remains to be established whether the tracheal length itself is actually changed. We conducted a prospective observational study to measure the change in the length of the trachea and the distance between the ETT tip and the carina in patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: Twenty-three patients scheduled for laparoscopic gynecologic surgery were enrolled. In the neutral position, the tracheal length was measured using a fiberoptic bronchoscope. The distance between the ETT tip and the carina was also measured. The tracheal length and the distance between the ETT tip and the carina were measured again 10 min after carbon dioxide (CO(2)) pneumoperitoneum (12-14 mmHg) combined with the Trendelenburg position (15 degrees ). RESULTS: In the neutral position, the tracheal length was 11.09 +/- 0.90 cm and the distance between the ETT tip and the carina was 3.36 +/- 1.04 cm. After pneumoperitoneum combined with the Trendelenburg position, the distance between the ETT tip and the carina had decreased by 0.85 +/- 0.28 cm. The tracheal length had also decreased by 0.42 +/- 0.19 cm, which was equivalent to 49.7% of the decrease in the distance between the ETT tip and the carina. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that tracheal shortening may contribute to a decrease in the distance between the ETT tip and the carina, increasing the risk of accidental endobronchial intubation during laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Gene expression signatures associated with the resistance to imatinib.

Imatinib (imatinib mesylate, STI-571, Gleevec) is a selective BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has been used as a highly effective chemoagent for treating chronic myelogenous leukemia. However, the initial response to imatinib is often followed by the recurrence of a resistant form of the disease, which is major obstacle to many therapeutic modalities. The aim of this study was to identify the gene expression signatures that confer resistance to imatinib. A series of four resistant K562 sublines was established with different imatinib dosage (200, 400, 600 and 800 nM) and analyzed using microarray technology. The transcripts of the genes showing universal or dose-dependent expression changes across the resistant sublines were identified. The gene sets associated with the imatinib-resistance were also identified using gene set enrichment analysis. In the resistant K562 sublines, the transcription- and apoptosis-related expression signatures were upregulated, whereas those related to the protein and energy metabolism were downregulated. Several genes identified in this study such as IGF1 and RAB11A have the potential to become surrogate markers useful in a clinical evaluation of imatinib-resistant patients without BCR-ABL mutation. The expression signatures identified in this study provide insights into the mechanism of imatinib-resistance and are expected to facilitate the development of an effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategy.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2006

Intracellular domains of amyloid precursor-like protein 2 interact with CP2 transcription factor in the nucleus and induce glycogen synthase kinase-3beta expression.

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a member of a gene family that includes two APP-like proteins, APLP1 and 2. Recently, it has been reported that APLP1 and 2 undergo presenilin-dependent gamma-secretase cleavage, as does APP, resulting in the release of an approximately 6 kDa intracellular C-terminal domain (ICD), which can translocate into the nucleus. In this study, we demonstrate that the APLP2-ICDs interact with CP2/LSF/LBP1 (CP2) transcription factor in the nucleus and induce the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta), which has broad-ranged substrates such as tau- and beta-catenin. The significance of this finding is substantiated by the in vivo evidence of the increase in the immunoreactivities for the nuclear C-terminal fragments of APLP2, and for GSK-3beta in the AD patients' brain. Taken together, these results suggest that APLP2-ICDs contribute to the AD pathogenesis, by inducing GSK-3beta expression through the interaction with CP2 transcription factor in the nucleus.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed2006

Analysis of colonoscopic findings in the differential diagnosis between intestinal tuberculosis and Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Intestinal tuberculosis and Crohn's disease are chronic inflammatory bowel disorders that are difficult to differentiate from one another. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of various colonoscopic findings in the differential diagnosis between intestinal tuberculosis and Crohn's disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Colonoscopic findings on initial work-up were prospectively recorded in patients with an initial diagnosis of either intestinal tuberculosis or Crohn's disease. These findings were analyzed after a final diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis (n = 44) or Crohn's disease (n = 44) had been made after follow-up. RESULTS: Four parameters (anorectal lesions, longitudinal ulcers, aphthous ulcers, and cobblestone appearance) were significantly more common in patients with Crohn's disease than in patients with intestinal tuberculosis. Four other parameters (involvement of fewer than four segments, a patulous ileocecal valve, transverse ulcers, and scars or pseudopolyps) were observed more frequently in patients with intestinal tuberculosis than in patients with Crohn's disease. We hypothesized that a diagnosis of Crohn's disease could be made when the number of parameters characteristic of Crohn's disease was higher than the number of parameters characteristic of intestinal tuberculosis, and vice versa. Making these assumptions, we calculated that the diagnosis of either intestinal tuberculosis or Crohn's disease would have been made made correctly in 77 of our 88 patients (87.5 %), incorrectly in seven patients (8.0 %), and would not have been made in four patients (4.5 %). CONCLUSIONS: A systematic analysis of colonoscopic findings is very useful in the differential diagnosis between intestinal tuberculosis and Crohn's disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Circulating levels of MCP-1 and IL-8 are elevated in human obese subjects and associated with obesity-related parameters.

BACKGROUND: Chemotactic cytokines, referred to as chemokines, play an important role in leukocyte trafficking. The circulating levels of chemokines have been shown to increase in inflammatory processes including obesity-related pathologies (e.g. atherosclerosis and diabetes). However, little is currently known about the relationship between chemokines and human obesity. In the present study, we investigated the circulating levels of selected chemokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), leukotactin-1, interleukin-8 (IL-8)) and the association between the chemokine levels and obesity-related parameters: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, fasting glucose and insulin levels, lipids profile, and the level of C-reactive protein (CRP). METHODS: A total of 100 subjects, 50 obese (BMI>or=25 kg/m2) and 50 who were not obese (BMI<25 kg/m2) participated in the present study. The levels of chemokines and CRP were measured in a fasting state serum by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, and insulin levels were measured by enzymatic analysis and immunoassay. RESULTS: The circulating levels of MCP-1 and IL-8 in the serum were significantly (P<0.05) higher in obese subjects (BMI>30 kg/m2) compared with those of nonobese controls (BMI<25 kg/m2). The levels of CRP were positively correlated with BMI (P<0.001) or waist circumference (P<0.0001). The levels of MCP-1 and IL-8 were positively related to BMI (MCP-1, P<0.02; IL-8, P<0.01) and/or waist circumference (MCP-1, P<0.009; IL-8, P<0.03). The levels of MCP-1 were positively related to the levels of CRP (P<0.007) or interleukin-6 (IL-6) (P<0.0001), and negatively related to the levels of HDL-cholesterol (P<0.01). Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score was positively related to the levels of MCP-1 (P<0.02) or IL-8 (P<0.03) in obese subject. DISCUSSION: Our data demonstrated that the circulating levels of MCP-1 and IL-8 are related to obesity-related parameters such as BMI, waist circumference, CRP, IL-6, HOMA and HDL-cholesterol. These findings suggest that the circulating MCP-1 and/or IL-8 may be a potential candidate linking obesity with obesity-related metabolic complications such as atherosclerosis and diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Concurrent delivery of GM-CSF and B7-1 using an oncolytic adenovirus elicits potent antitumor effect.

Oncolytic adenoviral vectors are currently being developed as biologic anticancer agents. Coupling the lytic function of an oncolytic adenovirus (Ad) with its ability as a transgene delivery system represents a powerful extension of this methodology. A clear advantage is the amplification of a therapeutic gene, as replicating vectors would be able to infect and deliver the gene of interest to neighboring cells. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is one of the most potent stimulators of a specific and long-lasting antitumor immunity and its important role in the maturation of antigen-presenting cells to induce T-cell activation has been well documented. Similarly, the B7 family has also been shown to play an integral role in mediating an antitumor response. Most tumor cells, however, lack the expression of these costimulatory molecules on their surface, thus escaping immune system recognition. To increase the antitumor effect of an oncolytic Ad, we have generated an E1B 55 kDa-deleted oncolytic adenoviral vector, YKL-GB, that expresses both GM-CSF and B7-1. The therapeutic efficacy of YKL-GB Ad was evaluated in immunocompetent mice bearing murine melanoma B16-F10 tumors. Significant inhibition of tumor growth was seen in mice treated with YKL-GB compared to those treated with the analogous vector, YKL-1. Moreover, YKL-GB oncolytic Ad demonstrated enhanced antitumor activity and higher incidences of tumor regression compared to a replication-incompetent Ad, dl-GB, which coexpresses GM-CSF and B7-1. Localized GM-CSF and B7-1 gene transfer also conferred long-lasting immunity against a tumor re-challenge. To establish that the observed antitumor effect is associated with the generation of a tumor-specific immune response, we carried out interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immune spot assay. We observed that YKL-GB induced significantly higher immune cell activation than YKL-1. Furthermore, immunohistochemical studies demonstrated robust dendritic cells and CD4(+)/CD8(+) T-cell infiltration in these mice compared to the YKL-1-treated groups. In agreement with these results, splenocytes from tumor-bearing mice treated with YKL-GB expressed high levels of the costimulatory and activation molecules. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of enhancing the immune response against tumors with an oncolytic Ad expressing both GM-CSF and B7-1 and provide a potential therapeutic strategy for the management of neoplasia.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2006

Mitochondria are impaired in the adipocytes of type 2 diabetic mice.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to confirm a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cellular levels of mitochondrial proteins, cellular mitochondrial DNA content, and mitochondrial function and morphology were assessed by MitoTracker staining and electron microscopy, in white adipose tissue of 12-week-old male wild-type, obese (ob/ob), and diabetic (db/db) mice. RESULTS: Levels of mitochondrial proteins were found to be very similar in the livers and muscles of all the mice studied. However, levels were greatly decreased in the adipocytes of db/db mice, but not in those of the wild-type and ob/ob mice. Levels of mitochondrial DNA were also found to be considerably reduced in the adipocytes of db/db mice. MitoTracker staining and under electron microscopy revealed that the number of mitochondria was reduced in adipocytes of db/db mice. Respiration and fatty acid oxidation studies indicated mitochondrial dysfunction in adipocytes of db/db mice. Interestingly, there was an increase in mitochondria and mitochondrial protein production in adipocytes of db/db mice treated with rosiglitazone, an agent that enhances insulin sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Taken together, these data indicate that mitochondrial loss in adipose tissue is correlated with the development of type 2 diabetes.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2006

Characterization of a mutated Geobacillus stearothermophilus L-arabinose isomerase that increases the production rate of D-tagatose.

AIMS: Characterization of a mutated Geobacillus stearothermophilus L-arabinose isomerase used to increase the production rate of D-tagatose. METHODS AND RESULTS: A mutated gene was obtained by an error-prone polymerase chain reaction using L-arabinose isomerase gene from G. stearothermophilus as a template and the gene was expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed mutated L-arabinose isomerase exhibited the change of three amino acids (Met322-->Val, Ser393-->Thr, and Val408-->Ala), compared with the wild-type enzyme and was then purified to homogeneity. The mutated enzyme had a maximum galactose isomerization activity at pH 8.0, 65 degrees C, and 1.0 mM Co2+, while the wild-type enzyme had a maximum activity at pH 8.0, 60 degrees C, and 1.0-mM Mn2+. The mutated L-arabinose isomerase exhibited increases in D-galactose isomerization activity, optimum temperature, catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) for D-galactose, and the production rate of D-tagatose from D-galactose. CONCLUSIONS: The mutated L-arabinose isomerase from G. stearothermophilus is valuable for the commercial production of D-tagatose. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work contributes knowledge on the characterization of a mutated L-arabinose isomerase, and allows an increased production rate for D-tagatose from D-galactose using the mutated enzyme.

Aldose-Ketose Isomerases↗
PubMed2006

The effect of esmolol-induced controlled hypotension in combination with acute normovolemic hemodilution on cerebral oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: It is possible to perform acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) in combination with controlled hypotension (CH). In this randomized prospective study, we examined the effect of the combination of ANH and CH on cerebral oxygenation using near-infrared spectroscopy. METHODS: Fifty-six patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery were randomly assigned to either group A (ANH only) or group CH (CH in combination with ANH). In group CH, CH was induced with esmolol. The regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO(2)) was monitored continuously and was compared between the two groups before and after ANH, 30 min (OP(30)) and 90 min (OP(90)) after the beginning of surgery and after the completion of surgery. RESULTS: The value of rSO(2) was the same in both groups in the absence of CH (at baseline: group A, 70.1 +/- 6.0%; group CH, 69.9 +/- 6.7%; after surgery: group A, 64.5 +/- 4.9%; group CH, 64.3 +/- 5.8%). However, in the presence of CH, rSO(2) values were significantly lower in group CH than in group A (at OP(30): group A: 60.4 +/- 3.4%; group CH, 55.9 +/- 7.3%; P < 0.01; at OP(90): group A, 58.3 +/- 5.2%; group CH, 53.5 +/- 6.5%; P < 0.001). The number of patients with rSO(2) < 50% was significantly higher in group CH (14.3%) than in group A (3.8%). CONCLUSION: ANH in combination with esmolol-induced CH causes a significant decrease in cerebral oxygen saturation compared with ANH alone.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2006

The effect of the lateral decubitus position on the intraocular pressure in anesthetized patients undergoing lung surgery.

BACKGROUND: Changing the body position alters the intraocular pressure (IOP). The aim of this study was to investigate the alteration in IOP of the eyes after a positional change from a supine position to a lateral decubitus position in anesthetized patients, in order to detect differences in IOP between the two eyes, possibly due to a gravity effect, in the lateral decubitus position. METHODS: IOP was measured in 20 patients undergoing lung surgery. IOP in both eyes was recorded prior to anesthesia in the supine position (baseline), after anesthetic induction but before tracheal intubation in the supine position, at the end of central venous catheterization in the Trendelenburg position, 5 min after a positional change to the lateral decubitus position, once every 30 min until the end of surgery in the lateral decubitus position, and 5 min after changing back to the supine position. RESULTS: The median IOP (16.3 mmHg; 25-75% percentile, 13-20 mmHg) in the dependent eye 5 min after changing to the lateral decubitus position increased significantly from the baseline median IOP (14.3 mmHg; 13-17.3 mmHg; P < 0.05). The increase in median IOP in the dependent eye persisted until the end of surgery in the lateral decubitus position (19 mmHg; 16.5-22.3 mmHg; P < 0.01 vs. baseline). The median IOP in the dependent eye was significantly higher than that in the non-dependent eye when anesthetized patients were placed in the lateral decubitus position (P < 0.01), and the mean differences in IOP between the eyes in the lateral decubitus position ranged from 2.9 to 4.1 mmHg. CONCLUSION: The IOP was higher in the dependent eye than in the non-dependent eye in anesthetized patients in the lateral decubitus position, and the IOP in the dependent eye increased in anesthetized patients compared with that in awakened and supine-positioned patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Russell body gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori infection: a case report.

An unusual and rare gastric mucosal lesion histologically consisting of a localised accumulation of Russell bodies and Russell body-containing plasma cells, the so-called Mott cells, has been recognised only recently and termed as "Russell body gastritis". This lesion, despite its densely monomorphous appearance is easily confirmed to be non-neoplastic by its polyclonal immunoreactive pattern to immunoglobulin light chains. However, the aetiology of Russell body gastritis is controversial and hence the optimal treatment for this disease has not been established. Two cases of Russell body gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori infection are reported, and the possible role of H pylori infection in the pathogenesis is discussed.

Female↗
PubMed2006

Disseminated visceral coccidiosis in a wild white-naped crane (Grus vipio).

Disseminated visceral coccidiosis (DVC) was unexpectedly recognized in a wild white-naped crane (Grus vipio) killed by phosphamidon insecticide. On gross pathologic examination, widely disseminated white nodules were found on the serosa of the pro-ventriculus, gizzard, and intestine, as well as on the surface and in the parenchyma of liver, spleen, and cardiac muscle. Microscopically, asexual stages of a coccidia were observed in some nodules. However, the species of coccidia could not be determined because no oocysts were found on fecal examination. This is believed to be the first reported case of DVC in a wild white-naped crane infected with Eimeria spp.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

METIS: multiple extraction techniques for informative sentences.

SUMMARY: METIS is a web-based integrated annotation tool. From single query sequences, the PRECIS component allows users to generate structured protein family reports from sets of related Swiss-Prot entries. These reports may then be augmented with pertinent sentences extracted from online biomedical literature via support vector machine and rule-based sentence classification systems. AVAILABILITY: http://umber.sbs.man.ac.uk/dbbrowser/metis/

Algorithms↗