• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.05
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• pp.223-226
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• 1997

X-Ray Angiography has been gold standard for imaging of blood flow. However, patients have to take many risks such as catheterization procedure, iodine contrast agent and ionizing X-rays. MR Angiography has been suggested as a substitute for its non-hazard to patient. But the resolution and contrast was inferior to that of X-ray Angiography. Recently the resolution and the contrast have been much improved due to the development of fast imaging technique. Here we report some preliminary results of the MR Angiography we have implemented on 1 Tesla MRI unit.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.254-259
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• 2011

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess variations in caudate volume according to dopamin receptor D2/ankyin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (DRD2/ANKK1) Taq 1a polymorphisms in young healthy adults and to evaluate the relationship between caudate volumes and psychiatric symptoms as measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Methods Genetic information regarding DRD2/ANKK1 Taq 1a and T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance images were acquired from 30 young healthy adults. Automatic segmentation of caudate was performed using the FreeSurfer program. Results Individuals with A2 homozygotes of DRD2/ANKK1 Taq 1a polymorphisms (n = 10) had greater right caudate volumes compared to those with A1 allele (s)(18.4% greater ; p = 0.019). Right caudate volumes were negatively associated with total scores of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (${\beta}$=-0.50 ; p = 0.016). Conclusions Our findings suggest the possibility that DRD2/ANKK1 Taq 1a polymorphisms may underlie the psychiatric symptoms by influencing the structure of the right caudate.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2009

Purpose : A method to estimate a real k-space trajectory based on a circuit model of the gradient system is proposed for spiral imaging. The estimated k-space trajectory instead of the ideal trajectory is used in the reconstruction to improve the image quality in the spiral imaging. Materials and Methods : Since the gradient system has self resistance, capacitance, and inductance, as well as the mutual inductance between the magnet and the gradient coils, the generated gradient fields have delays and transient responses compared to the input waveform to the gradient system. The real gradient fields and their trajectory in k-space play an important role in the reconstruction. In this paper, the gradient system is modeled with R-L-C circuits, and real gradient fields are estimated from the input to the model. An experimental method to determine the model parameters (R, L, C values) is also suggested from the quality of the reconstructed image. Results : The gradient fields are estimated from the circuit model of the gradient system at 1.5 Tesla MRI system. The spiral trajectory obtained by the integration of the estimated gradient fields is used for the reconstruction. From experiments, the reconstructed images using the estimated trajectory show improved uniformity, reduced overshoots near the edges, and enhanced resolutions compared to those using the ideal trajectory without model. Conclusion : The gradient system was successfully modeled by the R-L-C circuits. Much improved reconstruction was achieved in the spiral imaging using the trajectory estimated by the proposed model.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.124-128
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• 2009

Magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by using the sonochemical method with oleic acid as a surfactant. The average size of the magnetite nanoparticles was controlled by varying the ratio R=[$H_2O$]/[surfactant] in the range of 2 to 9 nm. To prepare chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles, chitosan solution was added to a magnetite colloid suspension under ultrasonication at room temperature for 20 min. The chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles were characterized by several techniques. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to image the chitosan-coated nanoparticles. Magnetic hysteresis measurement was performed by using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer to investigate the magnetic properties of the magnetite nanoparticles and the chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles. The SQUID measurements revealed the superparamagnetism of both nanoparticles. The T1- and T2-weighted MR images of these chitosan-coated magnetite colloidal suspensions were obtained with a 4.7 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The chitosancoated magnetite colloidal suspensions exhibited enhanced MRI contrasts in vitro.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 1998

Purpose : To investigate the phosphorus metabolic abnormalities in skeletal muscle of patients with mitochondrial myopathy using in vivo $^{31}P$ magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS). Materials and Methods : Patients with mitochondrial myopathy(N=10) and normal control subjects (N=10) participated. All in vivo $^{31}P$ MRS examinations were performed on 1.5T whole-body MRI/MRS system by using an image selected in vivo spectroscopy (ISIS) pulse sequence that provided a $4{\times}4{\times}4{\;}cm^{3}$ volume of interest (VOI) in the right thigh muscle tissue. Peak areas for each phophorus methabolite were measured using a Marquart algorithm. Results : The specific features in patients with mitochondrial myopathy were a significant increase of Pi/PCr ratio (p=0.003) and a significant decrease of ATP/PCr ratio (p=0.004) as compared with normal controls. In particular, the ${\beta}-ATP/PCr$ ratio between controls and patients with mitochondrial myopathy was predominantly altered. Conclusions : In vivo $^{31}P$ MRS may be a useful modality in the clinical evaluation of patients with mitochondrial myopathy based on ATP/PCr and Pi/PCr ratios in skeletal muscle tissue and provides a valuable information in further understanding disorders of muscle metabolism.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1211-1216
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• 2008

A series of DTPA-bis(amides) functionalized by pyridine (1a-c) and N-phenylpicolinamide) (1d-e) and their Gd(III)-complexes of the type [Gd(1)($H_2O$)]·x$H_2O$ (2a-e) were prepared and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Potentiality of 2a-e as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI CA) was investigated by measuring relevant physicochemical properties and relaxivities and compared with [Gd(DTPA-BMA)($H_2O$)] (DTPA-BMA=N,N''-di(methylcarbamoylmethyl)diethylenetriamine-N,N',N''-triacetate) ($Omniscan^{(R)}$). The R1 relaxivities of aqueous solutions of 2a-c are in the range of 3.33 -5.02 $mM^{-1}$$sec^{-1}$, which are comparable with those of $Omniscan^{(R)}$ (r1=4.58 $mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$). Complexes 2d-e, insoluble in water, exhibit relatively higher R1 values (8.1- 8.3 $mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$) in HP-$\beta$-CD solutions.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1606-1611
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• 2000

Objective : To obtain more reliable sample in stereotactic biopsy, authors adopted proton chemical shift imaging ($^1H$-CSI)-directed biopsy. Until now, proton single voxel spectroscopy($^1H$-SVS) technique has been reported as a technique using metabolic information in stereotactic biopsy. The authors performed $^1H$-CSI with a stereotactic headframe in place and evaluated the pathologic results obtained from local metabolic information through $^1H$-CSI. Methods : $^1H$ CSI-directed stereotactic biopsy was performed in four patients. $^1H$-CSI and conventional Gd-enhancement stereotactic MRI was done simultaneously after application of the stereotatic frame. After reconstruction of metabolic maps of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and Lactate/Cr ratios, the focal areas of increased Cho/Cr ratios and decreased NAA/Cr ratios were selected for target sites in the MR images Results : There was no difficulty in performing $^1H$-CSI with the stereotactic headframe in place. In pathologic examinations, the samples taken in area of increased Cho/Cr ratios and decreased NAA/Cr ratios showed the features of increased cellularity, mitoses and cellular atypism, thus facilitated the diagnosis. The pathologic samples taken from the area of increased Lactate/Cr ratios showed prominent feature of necrosis. Conclusion : $^1H$-CSI was feasible with stereotactic head frame in place. The final pathologic results obtained in our samples were concordant with the local metabolic informations from $^1H$-CSI. Authors believe that $^1H$ CSI-directed stereotactic biopsy may provide us advantages in obtaining more reliable tissue specimen in stereotactic biopsy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.466-470
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• 2016

Objective : To determine imaging features that may separate adamantinomatous and papillary variants of craniopharyngiomas given that tumors with adamantinomatous signature features are associated with higher recurrence rates, morbidity, and mortality. We specifically reviewed calcification on CT, T1 bright signal intensity, and cystic change on T2 weighted images for differentiating these two types. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the MRI and CT studies in 38 consecutive patients with pathologically proven craniopharyngiomas between January 2004 and February 2014 for the presence of calcification on CT scans, bright signal intensity on T1 weighted images, and cystic change on T2 weighted images. Results : Of the 38 craniopharyngiomas, 30 were adamantinomatous type and 8 were papillary type. On CT scans, calcification was present in 25 of 38 tumors. All calcified tumors were adamantinomatous type. Twenty four of 38 tumors had bright signal intensity on T1 weighted images. Of these 24 tumors, 22 (91.7%) were adamantinomatous and 2 were papillary type. Cystic change on T2 weighted images was noted in 37 of 38 tumors; only 1 tumor with papillary type did not show cystic change. Conclusion : T1 bright signal intensity and calcification on CT scans uniformly favor the adamantinomatous type over papillary type of craniopharyngioma in children. However, these findings are more variable in adults where calcification and T1 bright signal intensity occur in 70.6% and 58.8% respectively of adult adamantinomatous types of craniopharyngiomas.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2016

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Nps), composed of magnetite, $Fe_3O_4$, or maghemite, ${\gamma}-Fe_2O_3$, core and biocompatible polymer shell, such as dextran or chitozan, have recently found wide applications in magnetic resonance imaging, contrast enhancement and hyperthermia therapy. For different diagnostic and therapeutic applications, current attempt is focusing on the synthesis and biomedical applications of various ferrite Nps, such as $CoFe_2O_4$ and $MnFe_2O_4$, differing from iron oxide Nps in charge, surface chemistry and magnetic properties. This study is focused on the synthesis of manganese ferrite, $MnFe_2O_4$, Nps by most commonly used chemical way pursuing better control of their size, purity and magnetic properties. Co-precipitation syntheses were performed using aqueous alkaline solutions of Mn(II) and Fe(III) salts and NaOH within a wide pH range using various hydrothermal treatment regimes. Different additives, such as citric acid, cysteine, glicine, polyetylene glycol, triethanolamine, chitosan, etc., were tested on purpose to obtain good yield of pure phase and monodispersed Nps with average size of ${\leq}20nm$. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), $M\ddot{o}ssbauer$ spectroscopy down to cryogenic temperatures, magnetic measurements and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were employed in this study.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.74-74
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• 2003

Purpose: To investigate whether there are significant changes in regional brain metabolism in patients with Parkinson's disease after thalamotomy using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (lH MRS). Methods: Fifteen patients with Parkinson's disease of mean age 56.5 years (7 males and 8 females; mean age, 56.5 years) that have treated with levodopa were included. All patients with tremor experienced amelioration of their symptoms on the side contralateral to the thalamotomy. As a single-voxel technique, 1H MR spectra were obtained from the volume of interested regions in thalamus and primary motor cortex. Spectral parameters were: 20 ms TE, 2000 ms TR, 128 averages, 2500 Hz spectral width, and 2048 data points. Results: We found that NAA/Cho ratios showed generally low levels in thalamus in Parkinson's disease patients with clinical improvement following thalamotomy. Conclusions: 1H MRS may be a useful utility for the aid in better understanding the pathophy-siologic process in Parkinson's disease patients on the basis of the variation of NAA/Cho ratio. Acknowledgement: This study was supported by a grant of the Center for Functional and Metabolic Imaging Technology, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (02-PJ3-PG6-EV07-0002).