• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.555-564
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• 2021

Thalamus is known to play an important role in the regulation of nerve function. Thalamus, located in the center of the brain, is involved in sleep, arousal, and emotional regulation, and has been reported to be associated with multiple sclerosis, essential tremors, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. In addition, it has been reported that iron deposits in the thalamus can cause depressive symptoms with age. Although there are discrepancies between studies, it can be deduced that the thalamus region has a clear effect on neurological disorders due to a strong relationship between the thalamus and neurological functions such as emotional control and processing. Through tractography analysis, the connectivity between the detailed areas of each subcortical region was investigated in the form of a matrix, showing strong connectivity and weak interhemispheric connectivity. In the 59> group, the WM connectivity of thalamus was found to be weaker than those of the two groups. Comparisons between the two groups showed that the young groups (10-39 and 40-59) had higher connection intensity than the 59> group and that statistically significant differences in 3 connection pathways were found in each hemisphere. A decrease in thalamus-related connection strength in aging has shown that it can affect emotional and neurological disorders such as anxiety and depression, and network measurements can help assess cognitive impairment across clinical conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.438-444
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• 2005

Purpose: Anhedonia has been proposed to be the result of a basic neurophysiologic dysfunction and a vulnerability marker that precede and contribute to the liability of developing schizophrenia. We hypothesized that anhedonia, as a construct reflecting the decreased capacity to experience pleasure, should be associated with decreased positive hedonic affect trait. This study examined the relationship between anhedonia and positive hedonic affect trait and searched for the brain legions which correlate with anhedonia in normal subjects. Materials and Methods: Using $^{18}F$-FDG PET scan, we investigated the brain activity of twenty one subjects during resting state. Questionnaires were administrated after the scan in order to assess the self-rated individual differences in physical/social anhedonia and positive/negative affect traits. Results: Negative correlation between physical anhedonia score and positive affect trait score was significant (Pearson coefficient =-0.440, p<0.05). The subjects physical and social anhedonia scores showed positive correlation with metabolic rates in the cerebellum and negative correlation with metabolic rates in the inferior temporal gyrus and middie frontal gyrus. In addition, the positive affect trait score positively correlated with various areas, most prominent with the inferior temporal gyrus. Conclusion: These results suggest that neural substrates, such as the inferior temporal gyrus and prefrontal-cerebellar circuit, which dysfunction has been proposed to be involved with the cognitive deficits of schizophrenia, may also play a significant role in the liability of affective deficits like anhedonia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.891-895
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• 2007

Purpose : Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and mostly develops after viral illness or vaccinations. We investigated the clinical differences and neurologic outcomes according to the distribution of the lesions on brain MRI. Methods : The study group was composed of 21 patients from January 1995 to August 2003 in Kyunghee University hospital. We grouped the patients according to the MRI findings as follows. Group I (14 cases): Multi- or unifocal lesions only in the cerebral white matter. Group II (7 cases): lesions in the gray matter with or without white matter involvement. Results : 1. Preceding events were as follows: no defined prodrome (38.1%), upper respiratory tract infection (28.6%), nonspecific febrile illness (19.0%), gastointestinal disturbance and vaccination. 2. Presenting symptoms were as follows: seizures (76.2%), headache/vomiting (47.6%), altered consciousness (38.1%), hemiparesis, cerebellar ataxia, visual disturbance and facial nerve palsy. 3. Laboratory findings were as follows: CSF pleocytosis (76.2%), leucocytosis (38.1%) and elevated CSF protein (28.6%). 4. Fifteen patients were recovered completely without neurological sequelae. Three patients in group I and 1 patient in group II had intractable seizures. Two patients in group I and 2 patients in group II had motor disturbance. Conclusion : There were no statistically significant differences in preceding events, presenting symptoms, and neurological outcomes according to the distribution of the lesions on brain MRI. However, the ADEM have quite diverse clinical manifestations and neuroimage findings. MRI plays an important role in making diagnosis of the patients who are suspected of ADEM.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.157-168
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• 2008

Statement of problem: Over the past two decades, implant supported fixed prosthesis have been widely used. However, there are few studies conducted systematically and intensively on the splinting effect of implant systems in mandible. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in stress distributions in the mandibular implants with splinting or non-splinting crowns by performing finite element analysis. Materials and methods: Cortical and cancellous bone were modeled as homogeneous, transversely isotropic, linearly elastic. Perfect bonding was assumed at all interfaces. Implant models were classified as follows. Group 1: $Br{{\aa}}nemark$ length 8.5mm 13mm splinting type Group 2: $Br{{\aa}}nemark$ length 8.5mm 13mm Non-splinting type Group 3: ITI length 8.5mm 13mm splinting type Group 4: ITI length 8.5mm 13mm Non-splinting type An load of 100N was applied vertically and horizontally. Stress levels were calculated using von Mises stresses values. Results: 1. The stress distribution and maximum von Mises stress of two-length implants (8.5mm, 13mm) was similar. 2. The stress of vertical load concentrated on mesial side of implant while the stress of horizontal load was distributed on both side of implant. 3. Stress of internal connection type was spreading through abutment screw but the stress of external connection type was concentrated on cortical bone level. 4. Degree of stress reduction was higher in the external connection type than in the internal connection type.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.437-445
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• 2001

This study was performed to validate the procedure of transarterial embolization of the renal artery (TAE-RA) using iohexol-ethanol solution in dogs with unilateral experimental hydronephrosis and to evaluate the embolized kidney using B-mode ultrasonography and selective angiography. Experimental hydronephrosis was induced by ligation of unilateral ureter in 12 dogs. Ultrasonographic findings revealed that size of the kidney was significantly increased at 9 days and 17 days and the length of renal cortex was significantly decreased at 17 days after ligation of the unilateral ureter and it was in accordance with dilation of ipsilateral renal pelvis. No significant change of BUN, creatinine, ALT, calcium, and phosphorus was found immediately after unilateral experimental hydronephrosis. Therefore, it was concluded that unilateral hydronephrosis was established in 12 dogs at 17 days after ligation of ureter. Renal artery embolization was performed using selective catheterization in the hydronephrotic kidney of seven dogs and EKG, $SpO_2$, body temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate were within normal ranges during procedures. Iohexol-ethanol solution was used as embolic material. Average ethanol dose for renal artery embolization was $1.94{\pm}1.24ml/kg$. There were no dogs expired after TAE-RA and no side effects associated with regurgitation of iohexol-ethanol solution. Revascularization of renal artery was not found in angiography in dogs treated by TAE-RA at immediately after TAE-RA and 14 days after TAE-RA. Ultrasonographically, the mean longitudinal length of the embolized kidney decreased significantly at 2 and 3 months after TAE-RA compared to that of contralateral normal kidney. In summary, marked shrinkage of the embolized kidney was observed in dogs with unilateral experimental hydronephrosis treated by TAE-RA with iohexol-ethanol and no adverse effects were observed throughout the observation period. It is concluded that TAE-RA with iohexol-ethanol solution is a viable alternative to nephrectomy in dogs with unilateral hydronephrosis.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 1999

Purpose : The purpose of this study was aimed to evaluate the BOLD(blood oxygen level dependent) contrast fMRI(functional MR imaging) in the occipital lobe and to compare with the metabolic changes based on H MRS (MR spectroscopy) and MRSI (MR spectroscopic imaging) before and after visual stimulation Materials and Methods : Healthy human volunteers (eight males and two females with 24-30 year age) participated in this study. All of the BOLD fMRI were acquired on a 1.5T MR with EPI during supervised visual stimulation in the occipital lobe. The red flicker with 8Hz was used for visual stimulation. After imaging acquisition, the MR images were transferred into unix workstation and processed with acquired from the same location based on the activation map. MRSI (magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging) was also acquired to analyze the lactate changes before and after stimulation. Results : The activation maps were successfully produced by BOLD effect due to visual stimulation. NAA (N-acetyle aspartate)/Cr (creatine) ratio varied only from $1.79{\pm}0.28{\;}to{\;}1.88{\pm}0.20$ in activation area before and after stimulation. However, the signal intensity of lactate was elevated $9.48{\pm}4.38$ times higher than before activation. Lactate metabolite images were consistent with the activation maps. Conclusion : The BOLD contrast fMRI is enough sensitive to detect the activated area in human brain during the visual stimulation. Lactate metabolite map presents the evidence of lactate elevation on the same area of activation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.131-141
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• 2001

Purpose: We evaluated the sensitivity of the F-18 FDG PET by visual assessment and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis for the localization of the epileptogenic zones in frontal lobe epilepsy. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four patients with frontal lobe epilepsy were examined. All patients exhibited improvements after surgical resection (Engel class I or II). Upon pathological examination, 18 patients revealed cortical dysplasia, 4 patients revealed tumor, and 2 patients revealed cortical scar. The hypometabolic lesions were found in F-18 FDG PET by visual assessment and SPM analysis. On SPM analysis, cutoff threshold was changed. Results: MRI showed structural lesions in 12 patients and normal results in the remaining 12. F-18 FDG PET correctly localized epileptogenic zones in 13 patients (54%) by visual assessment. Sensitivity of F-18 FDG PET in MR-negative patients (50%) was similar to that in MR-positive patients (67%). On SPM analysis, sensitivity decreased according to the decrease of p value. Using uncorrected p value of 0.05 as threshold, sensitivity of SPM analysis was 53%, which was not statistically different from that of visual assessment. Conclusion: F-18 FDG PET was sensitive in finding epileptogenic zones by revealing hypometabolic areas even in MR-negative patients with frontal lobe epilepsy as well as in MR-positive patients. SPM analysis showed comparable sensitivity to visual assessment and could be used as an aid in the diagnosis of epileptogenic zones in frontal lobe epilepsy.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2010

Purpose: To compare the obliquity of femoral tunnels prepared with transtibial (TT) versus anteromedial portal technique (AM) using x-ray in single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Materials and Methods: Among one-hundred thirty two patients who were undergoing ACL reconstruction from January 2007 to December 2009, thirty patients using TT and twenty patients using AM, those who had single-bundle ACL reconstruction, were evaluated with plain radiographs including anteroposterior, intercondylar notch and lateral view to compare the obliquity of bone tunnels. Results: The mean coronal obliquity of femoral tunnel for TT was $71^{\circ}$ (range; $65^{\circ}{\sim}77^{\circ}$), while for AM was $51^{\circ}$ (range; $39^{\circ}{\sim}60^{\circ}$) and the mean sagittal obliquity of femoral tunnel for TT was $22.7^{\circ}{\pm}7.8$, while for AM was $30.2^{\circ}{\pm}6.9$, their differences between them were statistically significant (P<0.05). However, there were no differences between two techniques on the tibial tunnel obliquity in coronal and sagittal plane. Conclusion: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using AM portal technique allows more horizontally oriented and divergent femoral tunnel compared to that of transtibial technique. This seems to enable the graft placement into the femoral footprint and preserve the posterior cortical wall.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.629-636
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• 2002

Purpose : Our study was aimed to investigate the characteristics of seizures as well as to determine whether the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression(nNOS) of hippocampus has an affect in the hyperthermic seizure in developing rat. Methods : Hyperthermic seizures were repeatedly induced twice a week for four weeks in 20-day old Spraque-Dowley rats. Fifty two rats were used as a hyperthermic group and 30 rats used as a normothermic control group. Hyperthermic seizures were induced in a water bath at $45^{\circ}C{\pm}1$ for 4 min. The characteristics of seizures were recorded. Using western blot, hippocampal nNOS expression was measured in normothermic control, hyperthermic non-seizure, and hyperthermic seizure groups, respectively. Results : Eighty seven percent of hyperthermia exposed rats showed generalized tonic-clonic seizure most frequently. The duration of seizure was ranged from 12 to 145 sec(mean 55 sec) and the latency to seizure ranged from 158 to 240 sec(mean 204 sec). The duration of seizure was prolonged but there was no significant difference in the seizure latency as the rat exposed more number of hyperthermia. Interestingly, the expression level of hippocampal nNOS in hyperthermic seizure and hyperthermic non-seizure groups was not different from each other, however, the expression in these groups was lower than that of the control group. Conclusion : Our results indicate that nNOS do not have an affect in this repeated hyperthermic seizures. Further studies are required to clarify a role of nNOS in hyperthermic seizure.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1234-1243
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• 2011

Liriope platyphylla has been used in oriental medicine as an effective medical plant to improve symptoms of cough, sputum production, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity and diabetes for long time. In order to investigate the effects of novel extracts on nerve growth factors (NGF)-stimulated neuritic outgrowth, the alteration of NGF expression and NGF receptor signaling pathway were detected in neuroblastoma cells and C57BL/6 mice. Of a total of 13 novel extracts, 4 extracts (LP-E, LP-M, LP-M50, LP2E17PJ) showed high viability on MTT assay. Also, all of these extracts induced NGF secretion and NGF mRNA expression in neuroblastoma cells. However, the NGF-induced neuritic outgrowth from PC12 cells was only stimulated by LP-E, LP-M and LP-M50. Furthermore, we selected LP-M as a best candidate, based on method and amounts of extraction, in order to verify its effect in mice. C57BL/6 mice were treated with 50 mg/kg of LP-M for 2 weeks and the effects on NGF regulation were analyzed with various methods. The expression of NGF mRNA was significantly increased in LP-M treated mice compared to vehicle treated mice. Also, the signaling pathway of p75NTR was inhibited in the cortex by LP-M treatment, with no change in the hippocampus of brain. However, the signaling pathway of TrkA was dramatically activated in only hippocampus via LP-M treatment. Therefore, these results suggest that the novel four extracts of L. platyphylla may contribute to the regulation of NGF expression and secretion in neuronal cells. LP-M was especially considered to be an excellent candidate for a neurodegenerative disease-therapeutic drug.