• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.101-106
• /
• 2009

Purpose of this study is to compare the signal intensity (SI) and CNR with T1 weighted image using FLASH at 3T abdominal MRI by varying flip angle (FA). Totally 20 patients (male : 12, female : 8, Age : $28{\sim}63$ years with mean : 51) were examined by 3 Tesla MR scanner (Magnetom Tim Trio, SIEMENS, Germany) with 8 channel body array coil between september and October 2008. Imaging parameters were as follows : FLASH sequence, TR : 120 ms, TE : minimum, FOV (field of view) : $360{\times}300\;mm$, Matrix : $256{\times}224$, slice : 6 mm, scan time : 15 sec and Breath-hold technique. Abdominal image, with a 50 ml syringe filled with water placed in the FOV measuring the water signal, were acquired with varying FA through $10^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$ with $10^{\circ}$ interval. SI's were measured three times at liver parenchyme, water, spleen and background and averaged. The CNR's were measured between the ROIs (region of interest). Statistic analysis was performed with ANOVA test using SPSS software (version 17.0). Less than FA $30^{\circ}$, abdominal images were severely inhomogeneity. Especially, T1 effect of water signal was weak. As the flip angle increased, the signal intensity decreased at all the regions. Especially, flip angle of the highest signal intensity was observed with $40^{\circ}$ at the liver parenchyme, $20^{\circ}$ at water, $30^{\circ}$ at the spleen, respectively. The CNR between liver and water was -60.92 at FA $10^{\circ}$ and 15.16 at FA $80^{\circ}$. The CNR between liver and spleen was -3.18 at FA $10^{\circ}$ and 9.65 at $80^{\circ}$. In conclusion, FA $80^{\circ}$ is optimal for T1 weighted effect using FLASH pulse sequence at 3.0 T abdominal MRI.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.166-172
• /
• 2007

Purpose: It has recently been reported that de novo HBV infection following liver transplantation is caused by grafts from HBcAb positive donors, and this phenomenon has been observed in one third of the liver transplant patients in our center. Therefore, we investigated the presence of HBV virus DNA in liver tissues obtained from HBcAb positive donors to determine the mechanism by which de novo HBV infection occurs. Methods: This study was conducted on 6 patients that were HBsAg negative, HBsAb positive, and HBcAb positive who were donors for liver transplantation between November 1997 and November 1998 at Asan Medical Center. We isolated DNA from a portion of liver biopsy tissues that were obtained during the operation, and then identified the surface and core region of HBV DNA using nested PCR. In addition, four children who received liver grafts from these donors were monitored to determine if they became afflicted with non-HBV related diseases while receiving prophylaxis consisting of short-term HBIG treatment and long-term treatment with an antiviral agent. Results: The surface antigen region was identified in all 6 donors and the core antigen region was observed in 4 of the 6 donors. However, no episodes of de novo HBV infection with prophylaxis were observed. Conclusion: The results of this study support the results of previous studies, which indicated that HBV infection may be the main cause of de novo HBV infection in patients that receive HBsAb positive and HBcAb positive donor grafts.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.151-160
• /
• 1997

This study was planned to evaluate the urinary ascorbic acid as a new biological marker for the intoxication of cadmium, which could possibly be driven by its increased utilization and environmental pollution. In order to meet this goal, we have peformed measurement of urinary ascorbic acid concentration, histopathological examination of the kidney, and biochemical test for the liver function using cadmium-intoxicated rats by oral administration. The average concentrations of urinary ascorbic acid in the $CdCl_2$-treated rats were 214.0 mg/dl for 100 ppm group and 254.3 mg/dl for 200 ppm group during experimental period of 50 days. These levels are 24 and 28 times higher than one in the control group (9.0 mg/dl), respectively. Ultrastructural study showed the eosinophilic hyaline cast and focal effacement, fusion in the renal tubules, as well as loss of foot processes on the glomerular epithelial cells. These results suggested that cadmium may be responsible for renal glomerular injury. The blood levels of AST, ALT and LDH in the treated groups (199 IU/I, 88 IU/I, 1190 U/I for the 100 ppm group and 270 IU/I, 226 IU/I, 760 U/I for the 200 ppm group) were higher than ones in the control group(143 IU/I, 50 IU/I, 334 U/I). These results indicated the cadmium induced the damage of liver function. In conclusion, the administration of cadmium showed a remarkable increase of urinary ascorbic acid with renal and hepatic damage. Therefore, it is expected that measurement of urinary ascorbic acid would be an powerful method as a noninvasive biomarker for cadmium intoxication.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.767-772
• /
• 2006

This study was to investigate the effect of betaine on the hypoglycemia and hepatoprotection of streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing around 280 g were randomly assigned to the three experimental groups: a healthy normal group and two groups with STZ-induced diabetes and fed either control diet or betaine diet. Betaine given to the STZ-diabetic rats had significant effect in lowering the serum glucose concentrations compared to the STZ-diabetic rats. The alanine aminotransferase (AST) and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) activities and triglyceride contents in serum were dramatically higher in the STZ-diabetic rats, but these increases in relation to diabetes also decreased in the STZ-diabetic rats fed betaine. However, the total-cholesterol concentration in the STZ-diabetic rats was even increased by betaine. The morphology of the pancreatic islets in the normal rats showed a typical round form, but most of the islets in the STZ-diabetic rats showed severe morphological alterations by being markedly destroyed. However, the islet morphology of STZ-diabetic rats given betaine mostly maintained a normal rounded appearance. The present study strongly suggests that the administration of betaine showed a moderate hypoglycemic effect by protecting the pancreatic beta-cells by morphological examination from STZ-induced destruction.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.794-801
• /
• 1999

This study was conducted to investigate sorbitol utilization of Lactobacillus species isolated from Kimchi and the effects of sugar, starch syrup and sorbitol on the pH, titratable acidity, microorganism and sensory evaluation of baechu Kimchi during fermentation at $10^{\circ}C$. Three species among ten Lactobacillus species isolated from Kimchi could not utilized medium with sorbitol. The pH of baechu Kimchi with addition of 1% sugar sources and sorbitol were similar to pH of control baechu Kimchi, while the titratable acidity were different between samples. The titratable acidity of baechu Kimchi with addition of sugar sources was higher than control. Increasing in sorbitol addition, the titratable acidity of haechu Kimchi was more remarkable lower than control during fermentation proceeded. The total number of viable cells and Lactic acid bacteria were not significantly difference among those of Kimchi samples. In the chewiness of textural properties, baechu Kimchi with addition sorbitol showed higher score than control. However, Kimchi samples prepared with 1% sugar sources were not significantly differences in sensory properties, while the Kimchi samples with 5, 10% sorbitol were higher score than control in the overall acceptability and texture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.35 no.8
• /
• pp.1038-1044
• /
• 2006

The effects of the addition of soybeans cultured by mycelia of Pleurotus eryngii (SMP) on the characteristics of tofu were studied. Protein and ash contents of SMP were higher than those of untreated soybeans: 43.23 and 6.34% for treated soybeans, respectively, and 40.42 and 5.90% for untreated soybeans. But lipid and carbohydrate contents of SMP were lower. For minor elements, Mg and Ca contents of SMP were higher and P was lower than control. Tofu could be manufactured when SMP was added below 25% to the untreated soybean. In scanning electron microscopic observation, tofu tended to break down as the ratio of SMP was over 25% to the untreated soybean. The addition of SMP $(5{\sim}15%)$ increased the yield of tofu to $1.5{\sim}3.5%$. In textural characteristics, hardness of tofu increased as the ratio of SMP increased up to 20%. Cohesiveness, chewiness, springiness and gumminess were high in tofu which was made with $5{\sim}15%$ SMP. Savory taste and overall acceptability of the tofu prepared with $5{\sim}15%$ SMP were higher than those of control when evaluated by sensory test.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.128-136
• /
• 2009

In this study, Korean wheat wet noodles were prepared with 1, 3, 5, and 7% pomegranate cortex powder(PGCP). The samples and a control were compared in terms of quality characteristics, including cooking properties, colors, textural characteristics, and sensory evaluation in order to determine the optimal ratio of PGCP in the formulation. With regard to the cooking properties, weight, volume, and water absorption decreased with PGCP content increased. As for colors, the PGCP content L, a, b value increased. For the textural characteristics, springiness and cohesiveness were not significantly different among the samples. The PGCP samples had significantly higher hardness, chewiness, brittleness, and gumminess than the control group. However, strength showed the reverse effect. In the sensory evaluation, the control group had significantly higher scores in colors, texture, and chewiness as compared to the PGCP samples. Overall acceptability decreased with PGCP content increased while bitterness, astringency, and off-flavor increased. Furthermore, saltiness and gumminess were not significantly different among the samples. In conclusion, the results show that 1% of PGCP was proved very useful as a substitute for Korean wheat flour in the production of wet noodles, providing good nutritional and functional properties.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.39 no.10
• /
• pp.1509-1515
• /
• 2010

In this study, sponge cakes were prepared with substitution of 5, 10, 15, and 20% banana powder. The specific gravity and viscosity tended to increase as the ratio of banana powder increased. The foaming stability was highest at the 10% substitution level. The control group had significantly higher moisture content and volume index than the banana powder samples. The crust color values (a, b) decreased significantly with increased content of banana powder, but the a value increased. Crumb colors values (L, b) decreased as banana powder content increased while the a value increased. In terms of textural characteristics, the samples containing 5, 15, and 20% banana powder had significantly higher hardness than the 0 and 10% samples. Fracturability and resilience were maximal with 15% and 5%, respectively. Adhesiveness and chewiness were not significantly different among the samples. In the sensory evaluation, scores for banana flavor, coarseness, color, flavor, softness, and overall acceptability increased as the level of banana powder content increased. Sweetness was not significantly different among the samples. The control group had significantly higher egg-flavor as compared to the samples containing banana powder. The results indicated that substituting 10% banana powder to sponge cake is optimal for quality and provides a product with reasonably high overall acceptability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.34 no.7
• /
• pp.973-979
• /
• 2005

To investigate the effect of Pinus densiflora on biochemical parameters in type I diabetic rats, we evaluated the changes of body weight, fasting blood glucose level, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and biochemical parameters after the intraperitoneal injection of distilled solution of Pinus densiflora in streptozotocin (STZ)­induced rats. Thirty-seven male Sprague Dawley rats $(180\pm10g)$ were divided into four groups; diabetic mellitus (DM) group received STZ (50 mg/kg BW, i.v.); low level of pine extract (LP) group received Pinus densiflora (5 mg/kg BW, i.p.), high level of pine extract (HP) group received Pinus densiflora (10 mg/kg BW, i.p.) after the single injection of STZ (50 mg/kg BW, i.v.), respectively. Normal control (NC) group received saline. The change of fasting blood glucose level and OGTT were measured using glucocard II, and the change of biochemical parameter were measured by Automatic Chemistry Analyzer (Hitach-747, Japan). Mean body weight change of DM group was retarded greatly by STZ-exposure. While, body weights of LP and HP groups were progressively increased with some fluctuation, although the increase rates were slower than that of NC group. Fasting blood glucose levels of LP and HP groups were reduced by Pinus densiflora injection, although the fasting blood glucose levels were higher than that of NC group. The results of OGTT was significantly improved in both of LP and HP group compared to DM group. Increases of blood glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels by STZ-exposure were attenuated by the Pinus densiflora treatment (p<0.05). From the results, it was suggested that Pinus densiflora has a tendency to decrease STZ-induced toxicity in terms of monitoring fasting blood glucose, OGTT and some biochemical parameters of rat.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.192-199
• /
• 2013

Purpose : To retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI) in detecting recurrent prostate cancer after HIFU of clinically localized cancer, as compared with T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). Materials and Methods: Twenty-six patients with increased prostate-specific antigen levels after HIFU were included in this study. All MR examinations were performed using T2WI and DCE-MRI, followed by transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy. MRI and biopsy results were correlated in six prostate sectors. Residual or recurrent cancer after HIFU was defined as local tumor progression if biopsy results showed any cancer foci. Two independent readers interpreted the MR images. Results: Of 156 prostate sectors, 51 (33%) were positive for cancer in 17 patients. For detecting local tumor progression, the sensitivity of DCE-MRI and T2WI was 80% and 57% for reader 1 (P < 0.001) versus 84% and 61% for reader 2 (P < 0.001), respectively. The specificity and overall accuracy between DCE-MRI and T2WI showed no statistical difference in both readers (P > 0.05). Interobserver agreement of DCE-MRI and T2WI was moderate and fair, respectively. Conclusion: For detecting local tumor progression of prostate cancer after HIFU, DCE-MRI was more sensitive than T2WI, with less interobserver variability.