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Biomedical subjects

J-J Kim

Publications and source records attributed to J-J Kim.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Altered neural circuit for working memory before and after symptom provocation in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The authors compared the neural circuits recruited for working memory (WM) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients both at a neutral state and at a symptom provoked state. METHOD: Twelve OCD patients, and 12 age-, and sex-matched healthy subjects underwent [(15)O]H(2)O positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, while performing WM task. In the patients, the tasks were performed both in the neutral and in the symptom provoked states. RESULTS: In the OCD patients, the right caudate and the right superior parietal cortex (rSPC) displayed activations for WM at the neutral state, while the right cingulate cortex and rSPC displayed activations for WM at the symptom provoked state. Path analysis revealed that the activity of the caudate and orbitofrontal cortex was altered according to the interaction between WM and symptom provocation. CONCLUSION: The interaction between symptom provocation and WM occurring in the fronto-striatal system may hold the key to the neurobiology of OCD.

Adult↗

Interaction analysis between 5-HTTLPR and TNFA -238/-308 polymorphisms in schizophrenia.

This study investigated the potential interaction between the polymorphisms of serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4, a 44 base pair insertion/deletion in the promoter region, 5-HTTLPR) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene (TNFA; -238G/A and -308G/A polymorphisms) on the development of schizophrenia, as well as the interaction of the three polymorphisms in relation to symptomatology, family history, onset age and antipsychotic treatment response. Genomic DNA analyses with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the genotyping. One hundred and fifty-two (152) patients with schizophrenia and 152 normal controls participated in the study. Any associations between the individual polymorphism and schizophrenia were not found. However, marginal association between subjects with both TNFA -238 A allele (genotype AA plus AG) and 5-HTTLPR s allele (ss plus sl) and presence of family history was found (p = 0.023; p = 0.026). The subjects with TNFA -308 AG genotype showed higher change in PANSS total score (p = 0.028). No significant interaction effect between 5-HTTLPR and TNFA -238/-308 polymorphisms either on the development of schizophrenia or on antipsychotics treatment response and psychopathology was found, although a significant interaction effect for subjects carrying TNFA -238 AG and -308 AA genotypes on a positive family history was observed (p = 0.017). These results suggest that the interaction effects between 5-HTTLPR and TNFA -238/-308 polymorphisms gives no significant contribution to the susceptibility to schizophrenia, and is not associated with clinical variables, antipsychotic treatment response and psychopathological features, except for family history of disease, at least in the Korean population.

Adult↗

Effects of pinitol isolated from soybeans on glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in Korean patients with type II diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of soybean-derived pinitol on glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in Korean patients with type II diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. SETTING: Pusan Paik Hospital, Pusan, Republic of Korea. INTERVENTIONS: A total of 30 patients with type II diabetes received an oral dose of 600 mg soybean-derived pinitol or placebo twice daily for 13 weeks. RESULTS: Pinitol significantly decreased mean fasting plasma glucose, insulin, fructosamine, HbA1c, and the homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR, P<0.001). Pinitol significantly decreased total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, the LDL/HDL-cholesterol ratio, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and increased HDL-cholesterol (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that soybean-derived pinitol may be beneficial in reducing cardiovascular risk in Korean type II diabetes.

Blood Glucose↗

Identification of a novel HLA-DMB allele (DMB*0107) in the Korean population.

A novel allele for human leukocyte antigen-DMB was identified in the Korean population. DMB*0107 was identical to DMB*0101 at exon 2, apart from three mismatches at nucleotide positions 82 (A-->G), 146 (A-->T) and 212 (G-->A). These mutations resulted in codon changes at positions 10 (Thr-->Ala), 31 (Asp-->Val) and 53 (Ser-->Asn).

Alleles↗

Identification of four novel HLA-DOA alleles, DOA*010106, DOA*0102, DOA*0103, and DOA*0104N, by sequence-based typing*.

DOA sequences are currently known to have identical protein sequences. However, in this study, we report four novel allele types of human leucocyte antigen-DOA, including one synonymous and three non- synonymous amino acid changes from the Korean population. DOA*010106 has identical protein sequence with previously known DOA*010103 except one nucleotide difference at codon 45 (TCG-->TCA). In contrast, DOA*0102 and DOA*0103 have a sequence change at codon 99 (CTG-->GTG) and codon 105 (CGC-->TGC), causing non-synonymous amino acid changes, Leu99Val and Arg105Cys, respectively. In addition, DOA*0104N has a sequence deletion at codon 36 (CCC-->CC-), resulting in a frame shift leading to a stop codon at codon 62.

Alleles↗

Joint analysis of two breed cross populations in pigs to improve detection and characterization of quantitative trait loci.

The purpose of this study was to develop and implement least squares interval-mapping models for joint analysis of breed cross QTL mapping populations and to evaluate the effect of joint analysis on QTL detected for economic traits in data from two breed crosses in pigs. Data on 26 growth, carcass composition, and meat quality traits from F2 crosses between commercially relevant pig breeds were used: a Berkshire x Yorkshire cross at Iowa State University (ISU) and a Berkshire x Duroc cross at the University of Illinois (UOI). All animals were genotyped for a total of 39 (ISU) and 32 (UOI) markers on chromosomes 2, 6, 13, and 18. Marker linkage maps derived from the individual and joint data were similar with regard to order and relative position, but some differences in absolute distances existed. Maps from the joint data were used in all analyses. The individual and joint data sets were analyzed using several least squares interval-mapping models: line-cross (LC) models with Mendelian and parent-of-origin effects; halfsib models (HS); and combined models (CB) that included LC and HS effects. Lack-of-fit tests between the models were used to characterize QTL for mode of expression and to identify segregation of QTL within parental breeds. A total of 26 (8), 47 (18), and 53 (16) QTL were detected at the 5% chromosome (genome)-wise level in the ISU, UOI, and joint data for the 26 analyzed traits. Of the 53 QTL detected in the joint data, only six were detected in both populations and for many, allele effects differed between the two crosses. Despite the lack of overlap between the two populations, joint analysis resulted in an increase in significance for many QTL, including detection of ten QTL that did not reach significance in either population. Confidence intervals for position also were smaller for several QTL. In contrast, 24 QTL, most of which were detected at chromosome-wise levels in the ISU or UOI population, were not detected in the joint data. Presence of paternally expressed QTL near the IGF2 region of SSC2 was confirmed, with major effects on backfat and loin muscle area, particularly in the UOI population, as well as one or more QTL for carcass composition in the distal arm of Chromosome 6. Results of this study suggest that joint analysis using a range of QTL models increases the power of QTL mapping and QTL characterization, which helps to identify genes for subsequent marker-assisted selection.

Animals↗

Characterization of an X-chromosome PCR-RFLP marker associated with fat deposition and growth in the pig.

The X-chromosome, highly conserved within mammals, has been shown to contain major quantitative trait loci (QTL) for growth and fat deposition in the pig. We have discovered a BamHI polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) marker that was assigned to the porcine X-chromosome by two-point and multi-point linkage analysis following genotyping of a three-generation Berkshire by Yorkshire reference family. The marker was positioned 9 cM telomeric to SW2126 and 15.6 cM centromeric to SW1943. Sequence flanking the marker was found to have high similarity to existing database porcine DNA repeat elements. Association analyses of the BamHI marker for growth and meat quality traits in the reference family revealed significant association with marbling (P < 0.03), 10th rib back fat (P < 0.09) and total lipid percentage (P < 0.05), as well as with loin eye area (P < 0.04), average glycolytic potential (P < 0.03) and average lactate content (P < 0.04). Further studies are required to determine the X-chromosome functional gene affecting fat deposition and growth in the pig.

Animals↗

Brain glucose metabolic changes associated with neuropsychological improvements after 4 months of treatment in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to elucidate regional brain metabolic changes according to a treatment and their relationship with neuropsychological performance changes in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). METHOD: Cerebral glucose metabolic rates were repeatedly measured before and after treatment in 10 patients with OCD using [18F]-2-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET). They were compared on a voxel-basis, and the correlations were counted between the regional metabolic changes and the degree to improvement on the neuropsychological assessments. RESULTS: After treatment, the patients showed significant (P < 0.005, two-tailed) regional metabolic changes in multiple brain areas involving frontal-subcortical circuits and parietal-cerebellar networks. Especially, the metabolic changes of the putamen, the cerebellum, and the hippocampus were significantly correlated with the improvement of the immediate- and delayed-recall scores of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT). CONCLUSION: These results suggest a possibility that metabolic changes of frontal-subcortical and parietal-cerebellar circuit changes may underlie cognitive improvements in patients with OCD.

Adult↗

Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in a heart transplant recipient in Korea, with emphasis on microbial diagnosis.

Rhodococcus equi is an opportunistic pathogen that usually causes infection in immunocompromised hosts. A heart transplant recipient who had been treated with amphotericin B for pulmonary aspergillosis showed newly developed multiple nodules with a central necrotic area in the right lower lobes. Cultures of several blood samples and an aspirate of the lung nodule yielded a Gram-positive coccobacillary bacterium, which was initially reported as a Corynebacterium species, but was later identified as R. equi by API CORYNE (bioMerieux SA, Marcy l'Etoile, France) and by demonstrating the production of 'equi factor'. The identification was subsequently confirmed by an R. equi-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The patient was successfully treated with ciprofloxacin and azithromycin for 14 weeks. This is the first documented case of R. equi infection in Korea. There is a possibility of underestimation of R. equi infections due to the misidentification of the organism as a contaminating diphtheroid. Because R. equi will not respond to the conventional empirical therapy, the microbiology laboratory should identify R. equi in a timely manner. R. equi-specific PCR will be a useful confirmatory test in human infection.

Actinomycetales Infections↗

Similarity and disparity of obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia in MR volumetric abnormalities of the hippocampus-amygdala complex.

OBJECTIVES: Given that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia may share clinical symptoms as well as functional brain abnormalities, this study was designed to clarify common and different morphological abnormalities in OCD and schizophrenia. METHODS: Volumes of the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the thalamus were measured in three age and sex matched groups of 22 patients with OCD, 22 patients with schizophrenia, and 22 normal subjects using three dimensional magnetic resonance imaging. Volume tracing was performed manually on serial coronal slices with the references of sagittal or axial planes using internal landmarks. RESULTS: Hippocampal volume was bilaterally reduced in both OCD and schizophrenic patients versus the normal controls. Left amygdala volume was significantly enlarged in patients with OCD but not in patients with schizophrenia versus the normal controls. The thalamus did not show any volumetric group differences. CONCLUSIONS: Non-specific hippocampal reduction in both the OCD and schizophrenic groups is likely to link to a clinical overlap between the two illnesses, whereas the left amygdala enlargement observed only in the OCD patients seems to be suggestive of a unique role for the amygdala in the pathophysiology of OCD.

Adult↗