• Title/Summary/Keyword: $N_2O$ Emission

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Nucleophilic Fluorination Reactions in Novel Reaction Media for $^{18}F$-Fluorine Labeling Method ($^{18}F$-플루오린 표지를 위한 신개념 반응용매에서 친핵성 불소화 반응)

  • Kim, Dong-Wook;Jeong, Hwan-Jeong;Lim, Seok-Tae;Sohn, Myung-Hee
    • Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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    • v.43 no.2
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    • pp.91-99
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    • 2009
  • Noninvasive imaging of molecular and biological processes in living subjects with positron emission tomography(PET) provides exciting opportunities to monitor metabolism and detect diseases in humans. Measuring these processes with PET requires the preparation of specific molecular imaging probes labeled with $^{18}F$-fluorine. In this review we describe recent methods and novel trends for the introduction of $^{18}F$-fluorine into molecules which in turn are intended to serve as imaging agents for PET study. Nucleophilic $^{18}F$-fluorination of some halo- and mesyloxyalkanes to the corresponding $^{18}F$-fluoroalkanes with $^{18}F$-fluoride obtained from an $^{18}O(p,n)^{18}F$ reaction, using novel reaction media system such as an ionic liquidor tert-alcohol, has been studied as a new method for $^{18}F$-fluorine labeling. Ionic liquid method is rapid and particularly convenient because $^{18}F$-fluoride in $H_2O$ can be added directly to the reaction media, obviating the careful drying that is typically required for currently used radiofluorination methods. The nonpolar protic tert-alcohol enhances the nucleophilicity of the fluoride ion dramatically in the absence of any kind of catalyst, greatly increasing the rate of the nucleophilic fluorination and reducing formation of byproducts compared with conventional methods using dipolar aprotic solvents. The great efficacy of this method is a particular advantage in labeling radiopharmaceuticals with $^{18}F$-fluorine for PETimaging, and it is illustrated by the synthesis of $^{18}F$-fluoride radiolabeled molecular imaging probes, such as $^{18}F$-FDG, $^{18}F$-FLT, $^{18}F$-FP-CIT, and $^{18}F$-FMISO, in high yield and purity and in shorter times compared to conventional syntheses.

Si 함유 다이아몬드상 카본 필름의 환경 변화에 따른 마찰거동 연구

  • 박세준;이광렬;공호성;양승호
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 2000.02a
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    • pp.126-126
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    • 2000
  • 다이아몬드상 카본(DLC) 필름은 경도가 높고, 마찰계수가 낮다는 장점을 가지고 있기 때문에 내마모성 코팅이나 윤활성코팅에 응용을 위한 연구가 활발히 진행중이다. 하지만 마찰계수가 주변환경에 매우 큰 영향을 받는다는 단점이 있다. 이러한 단점은 DLC필름의 응용에 대한 저해 요인이 되며, 이 점을 보완하기 위해서 DLC 필름에 Si을 첨가하는 연구들이 진행되고 있다. 본 실험에서는 r.f-PACVD 법을 이용하여 Si이 첨가된 DLC 필름의 주위 환경 변화에 따른 마찰특성의 변화를 연구하였다. 사용한 반응 가스는 벤젠(C6H)과 희석된 Silane(SiH4 : H2 = 10 : 90)이며, 희석된 Silane과 벤젠의 첨가비율을 조절하여 필름내 Si의 함량을 조절하였고, 증착시 바이아스의 전압은 -400V로 하였다. 마찰테스트는 Ball-on-Disk type의 조건에서 대기, 건조공기, 진공의 세가지 분위기에서 마찰테스트를 실행하였다. 실험결과 마찰계수는 건조공기, 대기, 진공의 순으로 증가하였고, 필름내에 포함되어 있는 Si의 양이 증가할수록 마찰계수는 낮고 안정한 값을 나타내었다. Tribochemiacal 분석과, ball과 track의 전자현미경 사진 분석 결과, 진공에 비해서 건조공기와 대기중에서 마찰계수가 낮은 것은 DLC 필름내에 마모 track 중심부에 Si-C-O 계의 화합물이 형성되어, 이 화합물이 마찰계면에 존재하여 마찰계수를 낮추었음을 확인하였다. 그리고 대기중에서 실험한 경우, 습기의 존재로 인해 마모입자가 볼의 표면에서 엉김으로써 건조공기의 상태에서 보다 높은 마찰저항을 갖게 됨으로 인하여 마찰계수가 높아짐을 알 수 있었다.a)는 as-deposit 상태이며, 그림 1(b)는 45$0^{\circ}C$, 60min 열처리한 plan-view TEM 사진이다.dical의 영향을 조사하였으며 oxygen radical의 rf power에 따른 변화는 OES(Optical emission spectroscopy)를 사용하였다. 너무 적은 oxygen ion beam flux나 oxygen radical은 film의 전도도 및 투과도를 저하시켰고 반면 너무 과도한 flux의 증가 시는 전도도는 감소하였고 투과도는 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 기판에 도달하는 oxygen ion flux는 faraday cup을 이용하여 측정하였으며 증착된 ITO film은 XPS, UV-spectrometer, 4-point probe를 이용하여 분석하였다. 때문으로 생각되어진다. 또한, 성장 온도가 낮아짐에 따라 AlGaN의 성장을 저해하기 때문으로 판단된다. 성장 온도 변화에 따라 성장된 V의 구조적 특성 및 표면 거칠기 변화를 관찰하여 AlGaN의 성장 거동을 논의하겠다.034, 0.005 정도로 다시 감소하였다. 박막의 유전율은 약 35 정도의 값을 나타내었으며 X-선 회절 data로부터 분석한 박막의 변형은 증온도에 따라 7.2%에서 0.04%로 감소하였고 이 이경향은 유전손실은 감소경향과 일치하였다.는 현저하게 향상되었다. 그 원인은 SB power의 인가에 의해 활성화된 precursor 분자들이 큰 에너지를 가지고 기판에 유입되어 치밀한 박막이 형성되었기 때문으로 사료된다.을수 있었다.보았다.다.다양한 기능을 가진 신소재 제조에 있다. 또한 경제적인 측면에서도 고부가 가치의 제품

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Intratumoral distribution of 64Cu-ATSM and 18F-FDG in VX2tumor xenografted rabbit

  • Yoo, Ran Ji;Lee, Ji Woong;Lee, Kyo Chul;An, Gwang Il;Ko, In Ok;Chung, Wee Sup;Park, Ji Ae;Kim, Kyeong Min;Choi, Yang-Kyu;Kang, Joo Hyun;Lim, Sang Moo;Lee, Yong Jin
    • Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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    • v.1 no.2
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    • pp.123-129
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    • 2015
  • $^{64}Cu$-labeled diacetyl-bis($N^4$-methylthiosemicarbazone) is a promising agent for internal radiation therapy and imaging of hypoxic tissues. In the study, we confirmed hypoxia regions in VX2 tumor implanted rabbits with injection $^{64}Cu$-ATSM and $^{18}F$-FDG using positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). PET images with $^{18}F$-FDG and $^{64}Cu$-ATSM were obtained for 40 min by dynamic scan and additional delayed PET images of $^{64}Cu$-ATSM the acquired up to 48 hours. Correlation between intratumoral $O_2$ level and $^{64}Cu$-ATSM PET image was analyzed. $^{64}Cu$-ATSM and $^{18}F$-FDG were intravenously co-injected and the tumor was dissected and cut into slices for a dual-tracer autoradiographic analysis. In the PET imaging, $^{64}Cu$-ATSM in VX2 tumors displayed a specific uptake in hypoxic region for48 h. The uptake pattern of $^{64}Cu$-ATSM in VX2 tumor at 24 and 48 h did not match to the $^{18}F$-FDG. Through ROI analysis, in the early phase (dynamic scan), $^{18}F$-FDG has positive correlation with $^{64}Cu$-ATSM but late phase (24 and 48 h) of the $^{64}Cu$-ATSM showed negative correlation with $^{18}F$-FDG. High uptake of $^{64}Cu$-ATSM in hypoxic region was responded with significant decrease of oxygen pressure, which confirmed by $^{64}Cu$-ATSM PET imaging and autoradiographic analysis. In conclusion, $^{64}Cu$-ATSM can utilize for specific targeting of hypoxic region in tumor, and discrimination between necrotic- and viable hypoxic tissue.

레이저 유도 형광법(Laser Induced Fluorescence)을 이용한 플라즈마 방전 표시기(Plasma Display Panel)내의 전계 측정에 관한 연구

  • 김정훈;이준학;최영욱;양진호;황기웅
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 1999.07a
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    • pp.232-232
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    • 1999
  • 교류형 플라즈마 방전 표시기(AC Plasma Display Panel, AC PDP)에 사용되는 플라즈마는 그 부피가 너무 작아서 플라즈마에 변화를 일으키지 않고 그 물성을 관측하기란 쉬운일이 아니다. 그래서 주로 PDP 내의 물성을 관측하는 데 시뮬레이션에 의존하게 된다. 그 물성중에 PDP내의 전계 분포에 대한 정보는 방전의 형성 및 소멸에 대한 많은 단서를 제공하고 있다. 특히 AC PDP의 경우, 유전체에 형성되는 벽적하(wall charge)가 방전의 형성 및 PDP 구동에 중요한 역할을 하는데, 이는 PDP 내의 전계 분포를 살펴봄으로써 대략 예측할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 시뮬레이션에 의존하지 않고, 직접 레이저 유도 형광법을 이용하여 AC PDP 내의 전계를 측정하였다. 방전 가스인 헬륨(He)의 에너지 준위는 전계의 크기에 따라 에너지 준위가 변화하여, Rydberg(n$\geq$8) 준위가 여러 개의 준위로 나누어지는 현상이 일어나는데, 이를 Stack 효과라고 한다. 따라서 전계의 세기가 커짐에 따라서 각 준위와 준위 사이 값(splitting)이 커지는데, 이를 이용하면 전계를 측정할 수 있다. 즉, 헬륨 원자를 여기시키는 레이저 파장을 변화시키면서 관측되는 레이저 유도 형광 신호를 관측하면, 준위의 splitting을 관측할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 PDP 내의 전계의 시간적 변화를 관측하였다. 50%, 40kHz의 구형파를 PDP의 두 전극에 가하였을 때, 플라즈마가 켜진 상태뿐만 아니라 플라즈마가 꺼진 후에도 전계에 의한 Splitting 신호가 관측이 되었는데, 전계로 환산하였을 때, 그 값은 대략 수 kV/cm의 값을 갖았는데, 이는 wall charge에 의한 값으로 사료된다.결과로 생각되어진다.플라즈마의 강도값을 입력하여 플라즈마의 radiation을 검출하고, 스퍼터링 공정중 실질적인 in-situ 정보로 이용하였다. PEM을 통하여 In/Sn의 플라즈마 강도변화를 조사하였다. 초기 In/Sn의 플라즈마 강도(intensity)는 강도를 100하여, 산소를 주입한 결과, plasma intensity가 35 줄어들었고, 이때 우수한 ITO 박막을 얻을 수 있었다. Pulsed DC power를 사용하여 아크 현상을 방지하였다. PET 상에 coating 된 ITO 박막의 표면저항과 광투과도는 4-point prove와 spectrophotometer를 이용하여 분석하였고, AES로 박막의 두께에 따른 성분비를 확인하였다. ITO 박막의 광투과도는 산소의 유량과 sputter 된 In/Sn ion의 plasma emission peak에 따라 72%-92%까지 변화하였으며, 저항은 37$\Omega$/$\square$ 이상을 나타내었다. 박막의 Sn/In atomic ratio는 0.12, O/In의 비율은 In2O3의 화학양론적 비율인 1.5보다 작은 1.3을 나타내었다.로 보인다.하면 수평축과 수직축의 분산 장벽의 비에 따라 cluster의 두께비가 달라지는 성장을 볼 수 있었고, 한 축 방향으로의 팔 넓이는 fcc(100) 표면의 경우 동일한 Ed+Ep값에 대응하는 팔 넓이와 거의 동일한 결과가 나타나는 것을 볼 수 있다. 따라서 이러한 비대칭적인 모양을 가지는 성장의 경우도 cluster 밀도, cluster 모양, cluster의 양 축 방향 길이 비, 양 축 방향의 평균 팔 넓이로부터 각 축 방향의 분산 장벽을 얻어낼 수 있을 것으로 보인다. 기대할 수 있는 여러

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Evaluation of shear-bond strength between different self-adhesive resin cements with phosphate monomer and zirconia ceramic before and after thermocycling (인산염계 기능성 단량체가 첨가된 수종의 자가 접착 레진시멘트와 지르코니아 세라믹 사이 열순환 전후 전단결합강도 비교)

  • Lee, Ji-Hun;Kim, Min-Kyung;Lee, Jung-Jin;Ahn, Seung-Geun;Park, Ju-Mi;Seo, Jae-Min
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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    • v.53 no.4
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    • pp.318-324
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    • 2015
  • Purpose: This study compared shear bond strengths of five self-adhesive cements with phosphate monomer to zirconium oxide ceramic with and without airborn particle abrasion. Materials and methods: One hundred zirconia samples were air-abraded ($50{\mu}mAl_2O_3$). One hundred composite resin cylinders were fabricated. Composite cylinders were bonded to the zirconia samples with either Permacem 2.0 (P), $Clearfil^{TM}$ SA Luting (C), $Multilink^{(R)}$ Speed (M), $RelyX^{TM}$ U200 Automix (R), G-Cem $LinkAce^{TM}$ (G). All bonded specimens were stored in distilled water ($37^{\circ}C$) for 24 h and half of them were additionally aged by thermocycling ($5^{\circ}C$, $55^{\circ}C$, 5,000 times). The bonded specimens were loaded in shear force until fracture (1 mm/min) by using Universal Testing Machine (Model 4201, Instron Co, Canton, MA, USA). The failure sites were inspected under field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The data was analyzed with ANOVA, Tukey HSD post-hoc test and paired samples t-test ($\alpha$=.05). Results: Before and after thermocycling, $Multilink^{(R)}$ Speed (M) revealed higher shear-bond strength than the other cements. G-Cem $LinkAce^{TM}$ (G) showed significantly lower bond strengths after thermocycling than before treatment (P<.05), but the other groups were not significantly different (P>.05). Conclusion: Most self-adhesive cements with phosphate monomer showed high shear bond strength with zirconia ceramic and weren't influenced by thermocycling, so they seem to valuable to zirconia ceramic bonding.

The Characteristics of Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma Presenting with Solitary Pulmonary Nodule (고립성 폐결절로 나타난 기관지폐포암의 임상적 고찰)

  • Kim, Ho-Cheol;Cheon, Eun-Mee;Suh, Gee-Young;Chung, Man-Pyo;Kim, Ho-Joong;Kwon, O-Jung;Rhee, Chong-H.;Han, Yong-Chol;Lee, Kyoung-Soo;Han, Jung-Ho
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.44 no.2
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    • pp.280-289
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    • 1997
  • Background : Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) has been reported to diveres spectrum of chinical presentations and radiologic patterns. The three representative radiologic patterns are followings ; 1) a solitary nodule or mass, 2) a localized consolidation, and 3) multicentric or diffuse disease. While, the localized consolidation and solitary nodular patterns has favorable prognosis, the multicentric of diffuse pattern has worse prognosis regardless of treatment. BAC presenting as a solitary pulmonary nodule is often misdiagnosed as other benign disease such as tuberculoma. Therefore it is very important to make proper diagnosis of BAC with solitary nodular pattern, since this pattern of BAC is usually curable with a surgical resection. Methods : We reviewed the clinical and radiologic features of patients with pathologically-proven BAC with solitary nodular pattern from January 1995 to September 1996 at Samsung Medical Center. Results : Total 11 patients were identified. 6 were men and 5 were women. Age ranged from 37 to 69. Median age was 60. Most patients with BAC with solitary nodular pattern were asymptomatic and were detected by incidental radiologic abnormality. The chest radiograph showed poorly defined opacity or nodule and computed tomography showed consolidation, ground glass appearance, internal bubble-like lucencies, air bronchogram, open bronchus sign, spiculated margin or pleural tag in most patients. The initial diagnosis on chest X-ray were pulmonary tuberculosis in 4 patients, benign nodule in 2 patients and malignant nodule in 5 patients. The FDG-positron emission tomogram was performed in eight patients. The FDG-PET revealed suggestive findings of malignancy in only 3 patients. The pathologic diagnosis was obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy in 1 patient, by CT guided percutaneous needle aspiration in 2 patients, and by lung biopsy via video-assited thoracocopy in 8 patients. Lobectomy was performed in all patients and postoperative pathologic staging were $T_1N_0N_0$ in 8 patients and $T_2N_0M_0$ in 3 patients. Conclusion : Patients of BAC presenting with solitary nodular pattern were most often asymptomatic and incidentally detected by radiologic abnormality. The chest X-ray showed poorly defined nodule or opacity and these findings were often regarded as benign lesion. If poorly nodule or opacity does not disappear on follow up chest X-ray, computed tomography should be performed. If consolidation, ground glass appearance, open bronchus sign, air bronchogram, internal bubble like lucency, pleural tag or spiculated margin are found on computed tomography, further diagnostic procedures, including open thoracotomy, should be performed to exclude the possiblity of BAC with solitary nodular pattern.

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Evaluation on Cooling Effects of Geothermal Heat Pump System in Farrowing House (지열 냉방시스템을 이용한 분만돈사의 냉방효과 분석)

  • Choi, H.C.;Song, J.I.;Na, J.C.;Kim, M.J.;Bang, H.T.;Kang, H.G.;Park, S.B.;Chae, H.S.;Suh, O.S.;Yoo, Y.S.;Kim, T.W.;Park, J.H.
    • Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.99-108
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    • 2010
  • The principal objective of this study was to investigate the cooling effects of geothermal heat pump system (GHPS) in farrowing house. A total of 96 sows were allocated to 2 pig housings (GHPS and conventional housing) with 48 for four weeks in summer season. During the experimental period of four weeks, the highest outside temperature observed was approximately $34.1^{\circ}C$, GHPS decrease indoor temperature of pig housing up to $30.9^{\circ}C$, but conventional pig housing was similar to outside temperature. Dust concentrations (maximum 61.4%) of particulate matter less than $10{\mu}m$ (PM 10) in GHPS-housing were lower than the conventional housing. GHPS showed no signigicant difference in carbon dioxide emission, whereas the ammonia gas concentration was significantly decreased in GHPS-housing compared to that of conventional housing. Sows in GHPS-housing showed significantly lower respiratory rate than those of the control group. GHPS did not affect hormone level, litter size and birth weight, but weaning weight of piglets was influenced by GHPS. Feed consumption of sows was significantly increased in GHPS-housing compared to the conventional hosing. These results suggest that GHPS decrease dust concentration, ammonia gas emission and indoor temperature of pig housing and may affect performance in sows and weaned piglets.

Optical Diagnostics of Nanopowder Processed in Liquid Plasmas

  • Bratescu, M.A.;Saito, N.;Takai, O.
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 2011.02a
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    • pp.17-18
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    • 2011
  • Plasma in liquid phase has attracted great attention in the last few years by the wide domain of applications in material processing, decomposition of organic and inorganic chemical compounds and sterilization of water. The plasma in liquid is characterized by three main regions which interact each - other during the plasma operation: the liquid phase, which supply the plasma gas phase with various chemical compounds and ions, the plasma in the gas phase at atmospheric pressure and the interface between these two regions. The most complex region, but extremely interesting from the fundamental, chemical and physical processes which occur here, is the boundary between the liquid phase and the plasma gas phase. In our laboratory, plasma in liquid which behaves as a glow discharge type, is generated by using a bipolar pulsed power supply, with variable pulse width, in the range of 0.5~10 ${\mu}s$ and 10 to 30 kHz repetition rate. Plasma in water and other different solutions was characterized by electrical and optical measurements. Strong emissions of OH and H radicals dominate the optical spectra. Generally water with 500 ${\mu}S/cm$ conductivity has a breakdown voltage around 2 kV, depending on the pulse width and the repetition rate of the power supply. The characteristics of the plasma initiated in ultrapure water between pairs of different materials used for electrodes (W and Ta) were investigated by the time-resolved optical emission and the broad-band absorption spectroscopy. The deexcitation processes of the reactive species formed in the water plasma depend on the electrode material, but have been independent on the polarity of the applied voltage pulses. Recently, Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy method was employed to investigate the chemistry in the liquid phase and at the interface between the gas and the liquid phases of the solution plasma system. The use of the solution plasma allows rapid fabrication of the metal nanoparticles without being necessary the addition of different reducing agents, because plasma in the liquid phase provides a reaction field with a highly excited energy radicals. We successfully synthesized gold nanoparticles using a glow discharge in aqueous solution. Nanoparticles with an average size of less than 10 nm were obtained using chlorauric acid solutions as the metal source. Carbon/Pt hybrid nanostructures have been obtained by treating carbon balls, synthesized in a CVD chamber, with hexachloro- platinum acid in a solution plasma system. The solution plasma was successfully used to remove the template remained after the mesoporous silica synthesis. Surface functionalization of the carbon structures and the silica surface with different chemical groups and nanoparticles, was also performed by processing these materials in the liquid plasma.

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THE COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT CANAL IRRIGATION METHODS TO PREVENT REACTION PRECIPITATE BETWEEN SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE AND CHLORHEXIDINE (차아염소산나트륨과 클로르헥시딘의 반응침전물 형성방지를 위한 여러 가지 근관세척 방법의 비교)

  • Choi, Moon-Sun;Park, Se-Hee;Cho, Kyung-Mo;Kim, Jin-Woo
    • Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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    • v.35 no.2
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    • pp.80-87
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    • 2010
  • The purpose of this study was to compare the different canal irrigation methods to prevent the formation of precipitate between sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine (CHX). Extracted 50 human single-rooted teeth were used. The root canals were instrumented using NiTi rotary file (Profile .04/#40) with 2.5% NaOCl and 17% EDTA as irrigants. Teeth were randomly divided into four experimental groups and one control group as follows; Control group: 2.5% NaOCl only, Group 1: 2.5% NaOCl + 2% CHX, Group 2: 2.5% NaOCl + paper points + 2% CHX, Group 3: 2.5% NaOCl + preparation with one large sized-file + 2% CHX, Group 4: 2.5% NaOCl +95% alcohol+ 2% CHX. The teeth were split in bucco-lingual aspect and the specimens were observed using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. The percentages of remaining debris and patent dentinal tubules were determined. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Energy Dispersive x-ray Spectroscopy was used for analyzing the occluded materials in dentinal tubule for elementary analysis. There were no significant differences in percentage of remaining debris and patent tubules between all experimental groups at all levels (p > .05). In elementary analysis, the most occluded materials in dentinal tubule were dentin debris. NaOCl/CHX precipitate was detected in one tooth specimen of Group 1. In conclusion, there were no significant precipitate on root canal, but suspected material was detected on Group 1. The irrigation system used in this study could be prevent the precipitate formation.

Current Status and Future Perspective of PET (PET 이용 현황 및 전망)

  • Lee, Myung-Chul
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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    • v.36 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2002
  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging modality that consists of systemic administration to a subject of a radiopharmaceutical labeled with a positron-emitting radionuclide. Following administration, its distribution in the organ or structure under study can be assessed as a function of time and space by (1) defecting the annihilation radiation resulting from the interaction of the positrons with matter, and (2) reconstructing the distribution of the radioactivity from a series of that used in computed tomography (CT). The nuclides most generally exhibit chemical properties that render them particularly desirable in physiological studies. The radionuclides most widely used in PET are F-18, C-11, O-15 and N-13. Regarding to the number of the current PET Centers worldwide (based on ICP data), more than 300 PET Centers were in operation in 2000. The use of PET technology grew rapidly compared to that in 1992 and 1996, particularly in the USA, which demonstrates a three-fold rise in PET installations. In 2001, 194 PET Centers were operating in the USA. In 1994, two clinical and research-oriented PET Centers at Seoul National University Hospital and Samsung Medical Center, was established as the first dedicated PET and Cyclotron machines in Korea, followed by two more PET facilities at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Ajou Medical Center, Yonsei University Medical Center, National Cancer Center and established their PET Center. Catholic Medical School and Pusan National University Hospital have finalized a plan to install PET machine in 2002, which results in total of nine PET Centers in Korea. Considering annual trends of PET application in four major PET centers in Korea in Asan Medical Center recent six years (from 1995 to 2000), a total of 11,564 patients have been studied every year and the number of PET studies has shown steep growth year upon year. We had 1,020 PET patients in 1995. This number increased to 1,196, 1,756, 2,379, 3,015 and 4,414 in 1996,1997,1998,1999 and 2000, respectively. The application in cardiac disorders is minimal, and among various neuropsychiatric diseases, patients with epilepsy or dementia can benefit from PET studios. Recently, we investigated brain mapping and neuroreceptor works. PET is not a key application for evaluation of the cardiac patients in Korea because of the relatively low incidence of cardiac disease and less costly procedures such as SPECT can now be performed. The changes in the application of PET studios indicate that, initially, brain PET occupied almost 60% in 1995, followed by a gradual decrease in brain application. However, overall PET use in the diagnosis and management of patients with cancer was up to 63% in 2000. The current medicare coverage policy in the USA is very important because reimbursement policy is critical for the promotion of PET. In May 1995, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) began covering the PET perfusion study using Rubidium-82, evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule and pathologically proven non-small cell lung cancer. As of July 1999, Medicare's coverage policy expanded to include additional indications: evaluation of recurrent colorectal cancer with a rising CEA level, staging of lymphoma and detection of recurrent or metastatic melanoma. In December of 2001, National Coverage decided to expand Medicare reimbursement for broad use in 6 cancers: lung, colorecctal, lymphoma, melanoma, head and neck, and esophageal cancers; for determining revascularization in heart diseases; and for identifying epilepsy patients. In addition, PET coverage is expected to further expand to diseases affecting women, such as breast, ovarian, uterine and vaginal cancers as well as diseases like prostate cancer and Alzheimer's disease.