• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2006

Purpose: Incidence of lung canter in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is known to be higher than that in general population. However, it is difficult to discriminate pulmonary nodule in patients with IPF, because underlying IPF can be expressed as lung nodules. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of FDG PET in discriminating lung nodule in patients with IPF. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 28 lung nodules in 16 subjects (age; $67.53{\pm}9.53$, M:F=14:2). Two patients had previous history of malignant cancer (small cell lung cancer and subglottic cancer). The diagnostic criteria on chest CT were size, morphology and serial changes of size. FDG PET was visually interpreted, and maximal SUV was calculated for quantitative analysis. Results: from 28 nodules, 18 nodules were interpreted as benign nodules, 10 nodules as malignant nodules by histopahthology or follow-up chest CT. The sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET were 100% and 94.4%, while those of CT were 70.0% and 44.4%, respectively. Malignant nodule was higher maxSUV than that of benign lung nodules ($7.68{\pm}3.96\;vs.\;1.22{\pm}0.65$, p<0.001). Inflammatory lesion in underlying IPF was significantly lower maxSUV than that of malignant nodules ($1.80{\pm}0.43$, p<0.001). The size of malignant and benign nodule were $23.95{\pm}10.15mm\;and\;10.83{\pm}5.23mm$ (p<0.01). Conclusion: FDG PET showed superior diagnostic performance to chest CT in differentiating lung nodules in patients with underlying IPF. FDG PET could be used to evaluate suspicious malignant lung nodule detected by chest in patients with IPF.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.984-988
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• 2006

Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) was posttreated after the 14 day-pretreatment of Ulva lactuca fractions(ULF), and their correlativity to enzymatic activity alteration was investigated in the liver of rats. ULF was intraperitoneally administered into rats at dose of $1m{\ell}/kg$ of 100 mg/kg concentration for 14 days. On the day 15, $1m{\ell}/kg$ of LPS was injected. The corelativity was examined by measuring the changed values of superoxide dismutase(SOD) in mitochondrial fraction and catalase(CAT), glutathione peroxidase(GPx) in liver homogenate. The results showed that LPS treatment decreased the high values of SOD, CAT, GPx to the low values, but ULF pretreatment increased the low values of SOD, CAT, GPx to the high values. It was suggested that ULF, LPS and antioxidative enzymes like SOD, CAT, GPx had the corelativity of the high-low-high pattern and that the ULF pretreatment played the proper preventive role in the protection against the LPS treatment-induced enzymatic inactivity in the water fraction.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 1997

Cytogenetic studies were performed in peripheral blood lymphocytes from hospital workers occupationally exposed to low doses of radiation (0.30 - 40.07mSv). The workers were divided into three groups according to their job area : 18 diagnostic radiology, 17 therapeutic radiology, and 16 nuclear medicine. The control group consisted of 49 non-radiation workers with no history of exposure to radiation. A higher percentage of cells with aberration(1.275%) was observed in the workers compared to the controls(0.677%) and the difference was statistically significant(p<0.001). The frequency of chromosomal aberration was $0.706{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the exposed and $0.344{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the control(p<0.05). Chromosomal exchange frequency was $0.083{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the control vs $0.245{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the workers. There was no evidence of significant increase of chromosome aberration related to age or to the duration of employment. The frequency of chromosomal exchange in workers of nuclear medicine was $0.313{\times}10^{-2}$/cell, which was significantly higher than in the control($0.083{\times}10^{-2}$/cell) or other working groups: therapeutic radiology($0.265{\times}10^{-2}$/cell), and diagnostic radiology($0.167{\times}10^{-2}$/cell). No dose-effect relation was found between chromosome aberration and total cumulative doses, recent 5 yr, recent 2 yr cumulative dose. But in case of last 1 yr cumulative dose, dose-dependant increase was observed when controls were considered(p<0.05). The radiation dose which workers have received was much lower than the maximum permissible dose, but there was a significant difference in the frequency of chromosome aberration between occupationally exposed workers and control. So, it is clear that chromosome aberration is a quite sensitive indicator of radiation exposure and it can be detected at very low dose level of occupational exposure.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.209-217
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• 2002

There have been many studies on the application of the reciprocal advantages of multimodality image to define accurate target volume in the Process of radiation treatment planning. For the proper use of the multimodality images, the registration works between different modality images should be performed in advance. In this study, we selected chamfer matching method and mutual information method as most popular methods in recent image registration studies considering the registration accuracy and clinical practicality. And the two registration methods were analyzed to deduce the optimal registration method according to the characteristics of images. Lung phantom of which multimodality images could be acquired was fabricated and CT, MRI and SPECT images of the phantom were used in this study. We developed the registration program which can perform the two registration methods properly and analyzed the registration results which were produced by the developed program in many different images' conditions. Although the overall accuracy of the registration in both chamfer matching method and mutual information method was acceptable, the registration errors in SPECT images which had lower resolution and in degraded images of which data were removed in some part were increased when chamfer matching method was applied. Especially in the case of degraded reference image, chamfer matching methods produce relatively large errors compared with mutual information method. Mutual information method can be estimated as more robust registration method than chamfer matching method in this study because it did not need the prerequisite works, the extraction of accurate contour points, and it produced more accurate registration results consistently regardless of the images' characteristics. The analysis of the registration methods in this study can be expected to provide useful information to the utilization of multimodality images in delineating target volume for radiation treatment planning and in many other clinical applications.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.307-319
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• 2010

Objective: Vitrification requires a high concentration of cyroprotectant (CPA) and an elevated cooling speed to avoid ice crystal formation. We have evaluated the effect of different combinations of cooling rate and CPA on embryonic integrity (developmental competence) in order to increase the efficiency of vitrification without impairing embryo viabilit. We hypothesized that the combination of CPA or the increase of cooling rates can reduce the concentration of toxic CPA for vitrification. As consequently, we performed experiments to evaluate the effect of various composition of CPA or slush nitrogen ($SN_2$) on the mouse embryonic development following vitrification using low CPA concentration. Methods: Vitrification of mouse embryos was performed with EM grid using liquid nitrogen ($LN_2$) or $SN_2$ and different composition of CPAs, ethylene glycol (EG) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). After vitrification-warming process, their survival and blastocyst formation rates were examined. For analyzing long-term effect, these blastocysts were transferred into the uterus of foster mothers. Results: Survival and blastocyst formation rates of vitrified embryos were higher in EG+DMSO group than those in EG only. Furthermor, the group using $SN_2$ with a lower CPA concentration showed a higher survival of embryos and developmental rates than group using $LN_2$. Conclusion: The combination of EG and DMSO as CPAs may enhance the survival of mouse embryos and further embryonic development after vitrification. $SN_2$ can generate high survival and developmental rate of vitrified/warmed mouse embryos when a lower concentration of CPA was applied. Therefore, these systems may contribute in the improvement of cryopreservation for fertility preservation.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2014

Purpose : This study aims to evaluate 3D dosimetric impact for MIP image and each phase image in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung cancer using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Materials and Methods : For each of 5 patients with non-small-cell pulmonary tumors, a respiration-correlated four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) study was performed. We obtain ten 3D CT images corresponding to phases of a breathing cycle. Treatment plans were generated using MIP CT image and each phases 3D CT. We performed the dose verification of the TPS with use of the Ion chamber and COMPASS. The dose distribution that were 3D reconstructed using MIP CT image compared with dose distribution on the corresponding phase of the 4D CT data. Results : Gamma evaluation was performed to evaluate the accuracy of dose delivery for MIP CT data and 4D CT data of 5 patients. The average percentage of points passing the gamma criteria of 2 mm/2% about 99%. The average Homogeneity Index difference between MIP and each 3D data of patient dose was 0.03~0.04. The average difference between PTV maximum dose was 3.30 cGy, The average different Spinal Coad dose was 3.30 cGy, The average of difference with $V_{20}$, $V_{10}$, $V_5$ of Lung was -0.04%~2.32%. The average Homogeneity Index difference between MIP and each phase 3d data of all patient was -0.03~0.03. The average PTV maximum dose difference was minimum for 10% phase and maximum for 70% phase. The average Spain cord maximum dose difference was minimum for 0% phase and maximum for 50% phase. The average difference of $V_{20}$, $V_{10}$, $V_5$ of Lung show bo certain trend. Conclusion : There is no tendency of dose difference between MIP with 3D CT data of each phase. But there are appreciable difference for specific phase. It is need to study about patient group which has similar tumor location and breathing motion. Then we compare with dose distribution for each phase 3D image data or MIP image data. we will determine appropriate image data for treatment plan.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.191-195
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• 2002

In this study, we like to examine whether Panax ginseng water extract (PGWE) exerts antidiabetic activities in prevention and treatment modes in multiple low dose (MLD) streptozotocin (STZ) (20 mg/kg i.p injection for 5 days) induced diabetic SD rats. In the prevention mode,150 mg/kg of GRWE was administered intraperitoneally with STG for 3 weeks, and this group is called CO 150. In the treatment mode, we started to administer the same dose of PGWE on day 8 and for 3 weeks, and this group is called POST150. PGWE exerted significant hypoglycemic activities in both prevention (normal control, 97 ${\pm}$ 6 mg/dl; diabetic control, 331${\pm}$23; CO150, 211${\pm}$37) and treatment groups (normal control, 128${\pm}$4 mg/dl; diabetic control, 392${\pm}$33: POST150, 263${\pm}$44). Of great importance is the fact that plasma insulin levels in both groups were markedly increased as compared to the diabetic control (normal control,428.7${\pm}$62.1 pg/dl; diabetic control, 167.0${\pm}$91.7; CO150, 377.6${\pm}$68.7 in prevention mode, and in treatment mode normal control 417.9${\pm}$84.6 pg/dl; diabetic control, 166.1${\pm}$104.7; POST150, 315.2${\pm}$47.4). Blood glucose levels were closely associated with plasma insulin levels, and this result may suggest that PGWE showed the activity to enhance insulin secretion as well as preventing destruction of pancreatic islet cells. Food and water intakes were also determined at the last week of treatment i n both groups. Characteristic symptoms of diabetes were significantly improved in both groups. In the prevention mode, water intake (ml/rat/day) in normal control was increased from 30.6${\pm}$1.5 to 122.2${\pm}$3.4 in diabetic control rats. In the CO150-treated group, water intake was dramatically reduced to 68.3${\pm}$4.4 (p<0.001 vs. diabetic control). In the treatment mode, POST-treated group also reduced the water intake from 128.9${\pm}$2.2 to 113.3${\pm}$1.7. Taken together, our data suggest that PGWE showed comparable antidiabetic activities in prevention and treatment modes. Therefore, PGWE may have a potential as a prophylactic as well as therapeutic agent fur type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.455-464
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• 1995

Background: Considering that both humoral and cell mediated immunities play an important role for human tuberculosis infection, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) measurement of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to mycobacterial antigens can be used for the serologic diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion. Method: We measured absorbance values of IgG antibodies to purified-protein-derivative (PPD) and lipoarabinomannan-B (LAM-B) in the pleural fluid (PF) and the serum in 40 tuberculous (TPE) and 19 nontuberculous pleural effusions (NTPE). Results: 1) The IgG antibodies to PPD and LAM-B were significantly (P<0.0005) higher in the PF and the serum of TPE compared to NTPE. 2) The IgG antibodies to PPD and LAM-B in the serum were higher than that in PF. 3) Significant correlations were found between pleural and serum IgG antibodies to PPD and LAM-B. 4) With a cutoff value for IgG antibody to PPD in the PF of 0.091, sensitivity was 55.0% and specificity 94.7% in the diagnosis of TPE. 5) With a cutoff value for IgG antibody to LAM-B in the PF of 0.337, sensitivity was 50.0% and specificity 94.7% in the diagnosis of TPE. 6) The seropositive rates in TPE were not related to PPD skin test status, the amount of PF and coexisting active pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusion: The assay of IgG antibodies to PPD and LAM-B might be useful for the diagnosis of TPE. Our study suggests the mechanism of passive transfer of IgG antibodies to PPD and LAM-B from the serum to the PF through pleural tissue.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.311-318
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• 1997

Bypassing acrosome reaction and fusion process in intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI), most of injected spermatozoa still contain intact acrosome contents and plasma membrane. It Is not known yet what acrosome contents and plasma membrane of spermatozoa have effect on the development of embryo. For further understanding of fertilization process after ICSI, we studied the time of pronucleus formation, disappearance and first cleavage in human zygote, and pregnancy rate in relation to acrosome reaction rate of spermatozoa after ICSI. Seventy cycles undergoing ICSI program were randomly selected. Sperm suspension from 38 cycles were treated 50% human follicular fluid(hFF) for 3 hours in order to induce acrosome reaction, others were not treated as control. Acrosome reaction in hFF treated and non-treated group was assessed by fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)-conjugated Arachis hypogea(PNA) and Pisum sativum agglutinin(PSA). Oocytes were classified into 'good' and 'poor' according to their morphology. After ICSI, fertilization of oocytes were assessed by detection of two pronuclei at 16 hours. The pronuclei disappearance and first cleavage of zygotes were observed at 24 hours, and then embryos were transferred to uterus after culture for 72 hours. The rate of acrosome reaction of spermatozoa in hFF treated group was significantly higher than that in control(p<0.01). Fertilization rates of good oocytes were not different both control and hFF treated group(81.3%(174/206) vs. 72.1%(102/130)). But, in poor oocytes, the fertilization rates in hFF treated group(72.1%(149/183)) were increased compared than those of control group (63.6%(98/140), p<0.01). In either good or poor oocytes, the rates of pronuclei disappearance in hFF treated-spermatozoa injected oocytes were higher than control (59.1%(103/174), 56.4%(84/149) vs. 32.4%(33/102), 37.8%(37/98), p<0.01). Also, the rates of thirst cleavage were increased in hFF treated group (31%(54/174), 24.1%(36/149)) compared than those of control group (10.8%(11/102), 13.2%(13/98), p<0.01). The pregnancy rates of hFF treated group (42.1%(16/38)) were slightly higher than control group (28.1%(9/32), p>0.05). But, the pregnancy rate of group which possessed more than one cleavaged zygote at 24 hours was higher than group which did not (45.2%(19/42) vs. 21.4%(6/28), p<0.05). From these results, the development of zygotes were faster in higher acrosome reacted sperm group than lower acrosome reacted sperm group after ICSI. Our results may be explained that acrosomal membrane and plasma membrane are easily detached from spermatozoa in acrosome reacted spermatozoa compared with acrosome intact sperm in the cytoplasm of oocyte during pronuclear formation. We conclude that the injection of acrosome reacted spermatozoa will increase the pregnancy rate as they can induce fast embryonic development in ICSI.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.495-509
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• 2003

Background : Neutrophil-mediated inflammation is usually self-limiting, because neutrophils have a remarkably short life span. Prolonged neutrophil survival, which is caused by decreased spontaneous apoptosis, leads to persistent inflammation in sepsis. Because many inflammatory cytokines, which generate signals that delay apoptosis, are regulated by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ transcription factor, we hypothesized that nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ might be related to the reduced neutrophil apoptosis observed in sepsis. Methods : Neutrophils of healthy volunteers and sepsis patients were freshly isolated from venous blood. Neutrophil apoptosis was assayed with two approaches : by counting apoptotic cells under a microscope and by flow cytometry using Annexin V. The activity of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ was assessed by immunofluorescent staining or electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis was measured by western blot assay. Results : We confirmed reduced spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis in patients with sepsis. The number of apoptotic neutrophils in patients with sepsis increased to the level of that in healthy controls after cycloheximide treatment, suggesting that decreased spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis is dependent on de novo protein synthesis. In patients with sepsis, basal neutrophil nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ was activated compared to the level in healthy controls. Moreover, a blockade of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ activity reversed the decreased spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis in sepsis patients. Meanwhile, X-linked inhibition of apoptosis expression, which is regulated by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$, decreased 24 hours after incubation in healthy persons, but persisted for 24 hours in patients with sepsis. Conclusion : These observations suggest that the reduced spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis observed in patients with sepsis may be related to the induction of survival protein by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$.