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Biomedical subjects

Jung-Min Park

Publications and source records attributed to Jung-Min Park.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Foreign body removal and immediate nasal reconstruction with superficial temporal fascia.

For nasal augmentation, various materials have been used for many years. The injection of foreign body has been carried on, although it is performed mostly by laymen. Because many complications arise after augmentation rhinoplasty by foreign body injection, secondary correction has been needed. These complications have included headaches, swelling, redness, palpable mass, skin discoloration, telangiectasia and fear of cancer. The authors treated 10 patients who had undergone injection of foreign body to the nose. After the foreign body was removed, we immediately reconstructed nasal deformity by silicone implant wrapping with superficial temporal fascia. This method has many advantages including easy contouring of nasal shape and fixation, absence of foreign body reaction, reduced inflammatory reaction, no or minimal concerns regarding the migration or extrusion of the implants, and nonvisible donor scar. The mean follow-up period was 8 months, and no complications occurred. The authors conclude that nasal deformity can be successfully reconstructed immediately using silicone implant wrapping with superficial temporal fascia after foreign body is removed from the nose. In the authors' experience, this procedure has improved aesthetic appearance and met patients' expectations.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Reduction malarplasty by 3-mm percutaneous osteotomy.

Oriental people usually have a wide midface and a prominent malar curve. The zygomatic bone forms the prominence of the cheek, and it is the most important part in determining the ideal oval shape of the face on the frontal view and the character of the oblique profile. Therefore, zygoma contouring is commonly performed. Women with a prominent zygoma have an inferiority complex associated with unattractive facial features resembling aged, melancholic, and strong characters in oriental culture. Zygoma is the highlighted area of the midface and a major determinant of midfacial shape, but harmony with the adjacent area is very important. Therefore, to obtain the optimal outcome of reduction malarplasty, various ancillary procedures must be performed simultaneously. The authors performed 30 reduction malarplasties during the past 2 years. The amount of bone to be removed was determined by the preoperative interview, physical examination, and x-rays. Intraoral incisions provided access to the zygomatic body and lateral orbital rim. After the L-shaped osteotomy, two parallel vertical and transverse osteotomies in the medial part of the zygomatic body, the midsegment was removed. The posterior portion of the zygomatic arch was approached through a stab incision in the preauricular area. A 3-mm osteotome was used. After completion of the osteotomy, the movable zygomatic complex was reduced medially and superiorly, then fixed with miniplates and screws on the zygmaticomaxillary buttress. The combined operations with reduction malarplasty were as follows: reduction of the mandibular angle in 15 cases, rhinoplasty in 14 cases, and double-fold operation in 11 cases. The follow-up period was 2 months to 2 years, and all the patients were satisfied with the results. In conclusion, this method is a very simple, easy, and safe method that reduces the operating time to 1 h and minimizes postoperative edema and swelling. Consequently, recovery time is relatively short, and no conspicuous scars in the preauricular area are left. The authors also performed many ancillary procedures, thereby obtaining optimal satisfaction with their results, including decreased facial width and superior mobilization of the prominent area. They were able to prevent postoperative cheek drooping, and to give the patients a more youthful, charming look.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The multifunctional RNA-binding protein La is required for mouse development and for the establishment of embryonic stem cells.

The La protein is a target of autoantibodies in patients suffering from Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and neonatal lupus. Ubiquitous in eukaryotes, La functions as a RNA-binding protein that promotes the maturation of tRNA precursors and other nascent transcripts synthesized by RNA polymerase III as well as other noncoding RNAs. La also associates with a class of mRNAs that encode ribosome subunits and precursors to snoRNAs involved in ribosome biogenesis. Thus, it was surprising that La is dispensable in the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the organisms from which it has been characterized most extensively. To determine whether La is essential in mammals and if so, at which developmental stage it is required, mice were created with a disrupted La gene, and the offspring from La+/-intercrosses were analyzed. La-/- offspring were detected at the expected frequency among blastocysts prior to implantation, whereas no nullizygotes were detected after implantation, indicating that La is required early in development. Blastocysts derived from La+/- intercrosses yielded 38 La+/+ and La+/- embryonic stem (ES) cell lines but no La-/- ES cell lines, suggesting that La contributes a critical function toward the establishment or survival of ES cells. Consistent with this, La-/- blastocyst outgrowths revealed loss of the inner cell mass (ICM). The results indicate that in contrast to the situation in yeasts, La is essential in mammals and is one of a limited number of genes required as early as the development of the ICM.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

C-terminal domain of hepatitis C virus core protein is essential for secretion.

AIM: We have previously demonstrated that hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is efficiently released into the culture medium in insect cells. The objective of this study is to characterize the HCV core secretion in insect cells. METHODS: We constructed recombinant baculoviruses expressing various-length of mutant core proteins, expressed these proteins in insect cells, and examined core protein secretion in insect cells. RESULTS: Only wild type core was efficiently released into the culture medium, although the protein expression level of wild type core was lower than those of other mutant core proteins. We found that the shorter form of the core construct expressed the higher level of protein. However, if more than 18 amino acids of the core were truncated at the C-terminus, core proteins were no longer secreted into the culture medium. Membrane flotation data show that the secreted core proteins are associated with the cellular membrane protein, indicating that HCV core is secreted as a membrane complex. CONCLUSION: The C-terminal 18 amino acids of HCV core were crucial for core secretion into the culture media. Since HCV replication occurs on lipid raft membrane structure, these results suggest that HCV may utilize a unique core release mechanism to escape immune surveillance, thereby potentially representing the feature of HCV morphogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Mulliken method of bilateral cleft lip repair: anthropometric evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous surgical correction of bilateral cleft lip and nasal deformity is becoming more common. This is a major change from the conventional strategy of secondary nasal correction. METHODS: Thirty patients with bilateral cleft lip and nasal deformity were repaired using the Mulliken method between July of 1997 and December of 2002. This series was composed of 10 infants with bilateral complete cleft lip, 12 with bilateral incomplete cleft lip, and eight with bilateral asymmetric cleft lip, defined as complete on one side and incomplete on the other. A preoperative orthopedic appliance was employed in five infants who had severe collapse of the lateral maxillary segments. Mean age at the time of repair was 3.8 months. RESULT: Postoperative results were evaluated anthropometrically. The mean follow-up period was 3.8 years (range, 1.2 to 5.5 years). Nasal tip protrusion was low; interalar dimension was wide; columellar length was slightly short; upper cutaneous labial height was short; and vermilion-mucosal height was near normal. All anthropometric values approached controls by 5 years. CONCLUSION: Our modified Mulliken method is effective in correction of all forms of bilateral cleft lip and nasal deformity. Further evaluation is needed for possible differences in outcome based on race and age at the time of operation.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed2004

Nasal tip plasty using various techniques in rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty is one of the most common aesthetic surgical procedures in Korea today. However, simple augmentation rhinoplasty results often failed to satisfy the high expectations of patients. As a result, many procedures have been developed to improve the appearance of the nasal tip and nasal projection. However, the characteristics of Korean nasal tips including the bulbous appearance (attributable to the thickness of the skin), flared nostrils, and restriction of the nasal tip attributable to an underdeveloped medical crus of the alar cartilage and a short columella have made such procedures difficult. Currently, most plastic surgeons perform rhinoplasty simultaneously with various nasal tip plasty techniques to improve the surgical results. An important part of an aesthetically pleasing result is to ensure an adequate nasal tip positioned slightly higher than the proper dorsum, with the two tip defining points in close proximity to each other, giving the nose a triangular shape from the caudal view. From June 2002 to November 2003, the authors performed rhinoplasty with simultaneous nasal tip plasty using various techniques according to the tip status of 55 patients (25 deviated noses, 9 broad noses, 15 low noses, and 6 secondary cleft lip and nose deformities). The surgery included realignment of alar cartilage by resection and suture, fibroareolar and subcutaneous tissue resection, tip graft, and columellar strut. The postoperative results over an average period of 10 months were entirely satisfactory. There were no patient complaints, nor complications resulting from the procedures. Good nasal tip projection, natural columellar appearance, and improvement of the nasolabial angle were achieved for most patients. In conclusion, rhinoplasty with simultaneous nasal tip plasty, achieved by a variety of techniques according to patients' tip status, is an effective method for improving the appearance of the nose and satisfying the desires of the patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Primary correction of unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity in Asian patients: anthropometric evaluation.

Previously it was thought that primary correction of nasal deformity in cleft lip patients would cause developmental impairment of the nose. It is now widely accepted that simultaneous correction of the cleft lip nasal deformity has no adverse effect on nasal growth. Thus, the authors tried to evaluate the results of primary correction of cleft lip in Asian patients. Of 412 cases of cleft lip, 195 cases were corrected by means of the conventional method from June of 1992 to June of 1997, and 217 cases were corrected by simultaneous rhinoplasty from July of 1997 to October of 2001. The average patient age was 3 months. Photographs and anthropometric evaluation were used to evaluate the results. Nasal tip projection, columellar length, and nasal width were measured in 60 randomized normal children, 30 randomized children treated with the conventional method, and 30 randomized children with primary nasal repair. Data were analyzed using t tests, and the level of significance was 5 percent (p < 0.05). In cases of simultaneous repair, nasal tip projection and columellar length were increased 24.8 percent and 28.8 percent, respectively. Nasal width was increased 12.3 percent in the cases of simultaneous repair and 12.6 percent in the cases without primary rhinoplasty. Simultaneous repair of cleft lip and nasal deformity in Asian patients showed that more symmetry of nostril and nasal dome projection and better correction of buckling and alar flaring were achieved. More balanced growth and development of the alar complex was achieved, and no interference with nasal growth was encountered.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed2003

1Hepatitis C virus NS5A protein modulates c-Jun N-terminal kinase through interaction with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2.

The nonstructural 5A (NS5A) protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a phosphoprotein possessing various functions. We have previously reported that the HCV NS5A protein interacts with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor (TRAF) domain of TRAF2 (Park, K.-J., Choi, S.-H., Lee, S. Y., Hwang, S. B., and Lai, M. M. C. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 13122-13128). Both TNF-alpha- and TRAF2-mediated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activations were inhibited by NS5A-TRAF2 interaction. Because TRAF2 is required for the activation of both NF-kappaB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), we investigated HCV NS5A protein for its potential capacity to modulate TRAF2-mediated JNK activity. Using in vitro kinase assay, we have found that NS5A protein synergistically activated both TNF-alpha- and TRAF2-mediated JNK in human embryonic kidney 293T cells. Furthermore, synergism of NS5A-mediated JNK activation was inhibited by dominant-negative form of MEK kinase 1. Our in vivo binding data show that NS5A does not inhibit interaction between TNF receptor-associated death domain and TRAF2 protein, indicating that NS5A and TRAF2 may form a ternary complex with TNF receptor-associated death domain. These results indicate that HCV NS5A protein modulates TNF signaling of the host cells and may play a role in HCV pathogenesis.

Cell Line↗
PubMed2003

Characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein Ser/Thr phosphatase T1 and comparison to its mammalian homolog PP5.

BACKGROUND: Protein Ser/Thr phosphatase 5 (PP5) and its Saccharomyces cerevisiae homolog protein phosphatase T1 (Ppt1p) each contain an N-terminal domain consisting of several tetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs) and a C-terminal catalytic domain that is related to the catalytic subunits of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, and calcineurin. Analysis of yeast Ppt1p could provide important clues to the function of PP5 and its homologs, however it has not yet been characterized at the biochemical or cellular level. RESULTS: The specific activity of recombinant Ppt1p toward the artificial substrates 32P-myelin basic protein (MBP) and 32P-casein was similar to that of PP5. Dephosphorylation of 32P-MBP, but not 32P-casein, was stimulated by unsaturated fatty acids and by arachidoyl coenzyme A. Limited proteolysis of Ppt1p removed the TPR domain and abrogated lipid stimulation. The remaining catalytic fragment exhibited a two-fold increase in activity toward 32P-MBP, but not 32P-casein. Removal of the C terminus increased Ppt1p activity toward both substrates two fold, but did not prevent further stimulation of activity toward 32P-MBP by lipid treatment. Ppt1p was localized throughout the cell including the nucleus. Levels of PPT1 mRNA and protein peaked in early log phase growth. CONCLUSIONS: Many characteristics of Ppt1p are similar to those of PP5, including stimulation of phosphatase activity with some substrates by lipids, and peak expression during periods of rapid cell growth. Unlike PP5, however, proteolytic removal of the TPR domain or C-terminal truncation only modestly increased its activity. In addition, C-terminal truncation did not prevent further activation by lipid. This suggests that these regions play only a minor role in controlling its activity compared to PP5. Ppt1p is present in both the nucleus and cytoplasm, indicating that it may function in multiple compartments. The observation that Ppt1p is most highly expressed during early log phase growth suggests that this enzyme is involved in cell growth or its expression is controlled by metabolic or nutritional signals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

The activity of Mblk-1, a mushroom body-selective transcription factor from the honeybee, is modulated by the ras/MAPK pathway.

We previously identified a gene, termed Mblk-1, that encodes a putative transcription factor with two DNA-binding motifs expressed preferentially in the mushroom body of the honeybee brain, and its preferred binding sequence, termed Mblk-1-binding element (MBE) (Takeuchi, H., Kage, E., Sawata, M., Kamikouchi, A., Ohashi, K., Ohara, M., Fujiyuki, T., Kunieda, T., Sekimizu, K., Natori, S., and Kubo, T. (2001) Insect Mol Biol 10, 487-494; Park, J.-M., Kunieda. T., Takeuchi, H., and Kubo, T. (2002) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 291, 23-28). In the present study, the effect of Mblk-1 on transcription of genes containing MBE in Drosophila Schneider's Line 2 cells was examined using a luciferase assay. Mblk-1 expression transactivated promoters containing MBEs approximately 2-7-fold. Deletion experiments revealed that RHF2, the second DNA-binding domain of Mblk-1, was necessary for the transcriptional activity. Furthermore, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylated Mblk-1 at Ser-444 in vitro, and the Mblk-1-induced transactivation was stimulated by phosphorylation of Ser-444 by the Ras/MAPK pathway in the luciferase assay. These results suggest that Mblk-1 is a transcription factor that might function in the mushroom body neuronal circuits downstream of the Ras/MAPK pathway in the honeybee brain.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Identification and characterization of Mlr1,2: two mouse homologues of Mblk-1, a transcription factor from the honeybee brain(1).

We previously identified the Mblk-1 gene in the honeybee brain, which encodes a transcription factor containing two DNA binding motifs, termed RHF1 and 2 (Takeuchi et al. (2001) Insect Mol. Biol. 121, 134-140). Here, we identified two mouse Mblk1 homologues, Mlr1 and Mlr2. Both encode proteins containing a single DNA-binding motif highly conserved with RHF2 and activate transcription mediated by a DNA element recognized by honeybee Mblk-1. Mlr1 was expressed predominantly in the spermatocytes of the testis, while Mlr2 was expressed in various tissues other than testis. Mlr1 transcripts were lost in the testis of W/W(v) mutant mice, suggesting a role in spermatogenesis.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed2002

DNA-binding properties of Mblk-1, a putative transcription factor from the honeybee.

We previously identified a gene, Mblk-1, that encodes a putative transcription factor with two DNA-binding motifs expressed preferentially in the honeybee brain [H. Takeuchi et al., Insect Mol. Biol. 10, 487-494 (2001)]. In the present study, we identified its preferred binding sequence as 5'-CCCTATCGATCGATCTCTACCT-3' and characterized its DNA-binding properties using truncated Mblk-1 mutants. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that the full-length Mblk-1 binds to the sequence with high affinity, whereas each truncated DNA-binding motif of Mblk-1 binds with much lower affinities. An in vitro pull-down assay indicated that each DNA-binding motif affords homodimeric bindings, suggesting that Mblk-1 functions as a dimer.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed2002

Weissella kimchii sp. nov., a novel lactic acid bacterium from kimchi.

A gram-positive, catalase-negative, non-sporulating, facultatively anaerobic, short rod-shaped bacterium, with cells measuring 0.3-0.5 x 1-2 microm and designated strain CHJ3T, was isolated from partially fermented kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented vegetable food. The strain produced CO2 gas, D-lactate from glucose and dextran from sucrose and hydrolysed aesculin and arginine. It also fermented N-acetylglucosamine, amygdalin, arbutin, cellobiose, D-fructose, galactose, beta-gentiobiose, gluconate, D-glucose, maltose, D-mannose, salicin, sucrose and D-xylose. The G+C content of the DNA was 48.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA showed that strain CHJ3T is a member of the genus Weissella. The nearest phylogenetic relative of strain CHJ3T was Weissella confusa, with 16S rRNA similarity of 98.3%. However, strain CHJ3T could be differentiated from W. confusa on the basis of some phenotypic characteristics, analysis of whole-cell protein patterns and DNA-DNA hybridization data. These data suggest that strain CHJ3T be classified in the genus Weissella as a novel species, Weissella kimchii sp. nov. The type strain is CHJ3T (= KCCM 41287T = DSM 14295T = KCTC 3746T).

Anaerobiosis↗