Biomedical subjects

Min Chan Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Min Chan Kim.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Role of serum tumor markers in monitoring for recurrence of gastric cancer following radical gastrectomy.

It has been suggested that the serum tumor markers AFP, CEA, and CA19-9 may serve as prognostic factors or indicators for recurrence after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. We compared the value of these markers in a group with (n=52) and a group without recurrent gastric cancer (n=52) according to the site of recurrence. Serum levels of tumor markers were measured at the time of preoperative diagnosis and at follow-up. At least one tumor marker was positive preoperatively in 20 with recurrence vs. 7 controls (p=0.007). The peritoneum was the most common recurrent site. The positive predictive value of AFP was high at the time of diagnosis and CA19-9 positivity was high at the time of recurrence. Positive CEA suggested recurrence to the liver. In summary, an elevated tumor marker at diagnosis or during follow up may identify patients at higher risk for a recurrence. CA19-9 may be especially useful as a marker for peritoneal recurrence of the gastric cancer, and CEA for recurrence to liver.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[A case of splenic pseudocyst difficult to differentiate from splenic lymphangioma].

Splenic pseudocyst is a rare complication of abdominal trauma. Although it is rare, splenic pseudocyst is well-documented in the literature. According to the current classification, approximately 30% of all splenic cysts or pseudocysts result from direct abdominal trauma. In addition, chronic pancreatitis leads to change of nearby organs with possible acute and chronic complications including splenic lesions. This unusual complication can occur in both emergent and non-emergent conditions. The useful diagnostic procedures to assess intrasplenic pseudocyst are sonogram, CT scan, splenic scan, and occasionally angiography. However, definite diagnosis of pseudocyst is possible only after splenectomy when the absence of epithelial lining is confirmed histologically. Splenic pseudocyst requires surgical resection. We experienced a 31-year-old man who confirmed of warmness in the left side of back with left upper quadrant abdominal pain for several months. First impression was splenic lymphangioma based on CT scan and sonogram finding. Splenectomy was performed. Microscopic examination revealed splenic pseudocyst with fibrous capsule without epithelial lining.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Dynamic electrical impedance imaging with the interacting multiple model scheme.

In this paper, an effective dynamical EIT imaging scheme is presented for on-line monitoring of the abruptly changing resistivity distribution inside the object, based on the interacting multiple model (IMM) algorithm. The inverse problem is treated as a stochastic nonlinear state estimation problem with the time-varying resistivity (state) being estimated on-line with the aid of the IMM algorithm. In the design of the IMM algorithm multiple models with different process noise covariance are incorporated to reduce the modeling uncertainty. Simulations and phantom experiments are provided to illustrate the proposed algorithm.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2004

Gene expression profiling of breast cancers with emphasis of beta-catenin regulation.

To gain molecular understanding of carcinogenesis of breast cancer, gene expression profiles were analyzed using cDNA microarray representing 4,600 cDNAs in 10 breast cancer samples and the adjacent noncancerous breast tissues from the same patients. The alterations in gene expression levels were confirmed by reversetranscription PCR in four randomly selected genes. Genes that were differently expressed in cancer and noncancerous tissues were identified. 106 (of which 55 were known) and 49 (of which 28 were known) genes were up- or down-regulated, respectively, in greater than 60% of the breast cancer samples. In cancer tissues, genes related to cell cycle, transcription, metabolism, cell structure/motility and signal transduction were mostly up-regulated. Furthermore, three cancer tissues showing immunohistochemically aberrant accumulation of beta-catenin in the nucleus and/or cytoplasm revealed down-regulation of Siah and Axin genes and up-regulation of Wnt and c-myc genes. These findings were highly consistent with Wnt signaling pathway associated with beta-catenin regulation previously suggested by others. Our studies, therefore, provide not only a molecular basis to understand biological processes of breast cancer but also useful resources to define the mechanism of beta-catenin expression in tumorigenesis of breast cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Long-term results in patients after rectosigmoid vaginoplasty.

Many methods are used for vaginoplasty, including the split-thickness skin graft, full-thickness skin graft, and inverted penile skin flap. However, these procedures are not entirely satisfactory in cases of reconstructed vaginal stenosis, inadequate vaginal length, or poor lubrication. The small intestine, ascending colon, and sigmoid colon can be used in the intestinal flap method, and the authors modified the operation first described by Baldwin in which a loop of rectosigmoid is isolated, closed at one end, and brought down on its vascular pedicle as a neovagina and then anastomosed to the perineum. Vaginoplasty using the rectosigmoid was performed in 36 patients (28 male-to-female transsexual patients, five patients with congenital vaginal atresia, and three with cervical cancer). The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 10 years. The postoperative results were analyzed through physical examination and interview regarding the patient's functional status and satisfaction during sexual intercourse. The mean depth and width of the vaginal cavity were 12.5 cm and 3.9 cm, respectively. Excessive mucosal discharge was seen in 8.3 percent, and malodor was found in 8.3 percent. All patients who had partners were able to have sexual intercourse; 2.8 percent of patients used lubricants and 5.6 percent used dilators before intercourse for more than a year postoperatively. During intercourse, 88.9 percent of the patients experienced orgasm. The cosmetic and functional results of rectosigmoid vaginoplasty were excellent. Thus, the advantages of rectosigmoid vaginoplasty are (1) rare contraction of the reconstructed vagina, (2) vaginal width and depth maintained without long-term vaginal stent, (3) spontaneous mucus production facilitating sexual intercourse, (4) avoidance of the malodor frequently accompanying skin graft, and (5) texture and appearance similar to that of the natural vagina. The authors concluded that rectosigmoid vaginoplasty is the best choice for transsexual patients who have previously undergone penectomy and orchiectomy, patients with unfavorable previous vaginoplasty, those with short vaginal length after cervical cancer surgery, and patients with congenital vaginal atresia.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 translocates to mitochondria in the early phase of apoptosis induced by synthetic chenodeoxycholic acid derivatives in human stomach cancer cell line SNU-1.

Apoptosis-inducing activity of synthetic CDCA derivatives, HS-1199 and HS-1200, on gastric cancer cell line SNU-1 cells was explored. CDCA derivatives demonstrated various apoptosis hallmarks, such as mitochondrial changes, activation of caspase, DNA fragmentation, and nuclear condensation. Importantly, the orphan receptor Nur77 (TR3) was shown to translocate from the nucleus to mitochondria at the early time points after CDCA derivatives treatment. These data support the theory that CDCA derivatives-induced apoptosis of SNU-1 gastric cancer cell lines is mediated by mitochondria and caspase, and, at least in part, by Nur77.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2003

A gene expression in study human gastric adenocarcinoma using a cDNA microarray.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: cDNA microarray provides a powerful alternative with an unprecedented view scope in monitoring gene expression levels and leads to discoveries of regulatory pathways involved in complicated biological processes. Our aim was to explore the different gene expression patterns in early and advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: By using a cDNA microarray representing 4,608 cDNA clusters, we studied the expression profiling in 10 paired gastric adenocarcinoma samples and the adjacent noncancerous gastric tissues. The alterations in gene expression levels were confirmed by Northern blot and reverse-transcription (RT) PCR. RESULTS: Genes that were differently expressed in cancer and noncancerous tissues were identified. Forty-four and 92 (26 and 43 of them were known, respectively) genes or cDNA were up- and down-regulated, respectively, in more than 80% of gastric adenocarcinoma samples. The semi-quantitative RT-PCR results were consistent with the microarray findings. To distinguish between early and advanced gastric cancers, we used a supervised learning classification approach. When we used 16 and 20 genes as predictors, the prediction was all yielded statistically significant. Moreover, when we used 9 genes, we could predict with the highest accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: These results may provide not only a new molecular basis for understanding biological properties of gastric adenocarcinoma, but also useful resources for future development of therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2003

Sentinel lymph node biopsy with 99mTC tin-colloid in patients with gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is defined as the first draining node from the primary lesion. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of SLN biopsy in patients with gastric cancer for assessment of lymph node status. METHODOLOGY: From November 2001 through to July 2002, SLN biopsy was performed in twenty-two consecutive patients whose preoperative imaging studies showed T2 or T1 and no lymph node metastasis. Three hours prior to each operation, 99mTc tin-colloid (2.0ml, 1.0mCi) was injected into the submucosa of gastric tumor via endoscope. After SLN biopsy had been performed using gamma probe (NEO2000 Gamma Detection System, Neoprobe CO, 1999, USA), all the patients underwent radical gastrectomy. The SLN was cut and immediately manipulated for frozen section, and processed to make paraffin block for H&E and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. RESULTS: On average, 1.8 (range 1-5) SLNs were identified per patient. The location of all SLNs was in the perigastric area. No skip metastases were found. SLNs were identified in 20 of the 22 patients (success rate, 90.9%). The sensitivity of the SLN status in the diagnosis of the lymph node status was 82.2% (5/6) and the specificity was 100.0% (14/14). The diagnostic accuracy according to SLN status was 95.0% (19 of 20). CONCLUSIONS: SLN biopsy using radioisotope in patients with gastric cancer was a technically feasible procedure and a minimally invasive approach in the assessment of the nodal status in each patient.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnostic utility of GLUT1 in the differential diagnosis of liver carcinomas.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Malignant cells require high energy via glycolytic generation of ATP for cell proliferation and survival. This process is thought to be mediated by glucose transporters (GLUTs). GLUT1 appears to be expressed aberrantly in many cancers. The liver is the main organ closely related to glycogen metabolism and it is thought that GLUT expression might be altered in the tumors arising in the liver. METHODOLOGY: We studied GLUT1 expression in 22 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and 16 cholangiocarcinomas (CC) and compared it to the expression of hepatocyte specific antigen (HSA) and cytokeratin 19 (CK19) by immunohistochemical studies. RESULTS: In HCC, GLUT1 was expressed in 4.5% (1/22), HSA in 77.3% (17/22) and CK19 in none (0/22). In CC, GLUT1 was expressed in 81.3% (13/16), HSA in none (0/16) and CK19 in 100% (16/16). Interestingly, GLUT1 was not expressed in normal hepatocytes and bile duct epithelium around the tumor, whereas CK19 was expressed in normal bile ducts and tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that GLUT1 might be related to development of bile duct carcinoma and its expression was a more reliable marker for detection of bile duct carcinoma than CK19. Additionally, GLUT1 might potentially be useful as a means of distinguishing CC from HCC.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗