• IEIE Transactions on Smart Processing and Computing
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.124-128
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• 2017

A light guide improves the spatial resolution of a gamma ray imaging system by diffusing the scintillation light. Similarly, light diffusion film, which has been applied to flat-panel-display engineering, spreads the light from the light guide panel. In this study, we adopted light diffusion film for the light guide of a gamma ray imaging system, and evaluated its diffusion characteristics. We compared the light diffusion performance of the film to an ordinary acrylic plate. As a result, the diffusion film widely spreads scintillation light. As for the thickness of the light guide, we acquired more distinct images with three films overlapped than with an acrylic plate. We expect light diffusion film to be a promising candidate for light guides in gamma ray imaging systems.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.586-592
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• 2009

The bactenecin is an antibacterial peptide with an intramolecular disulfide bond. We recently found that homodimeric bactenecin exhibits more potent antibacterial activity than the monomeric form and retains its activity at physiological conditions. Here we assess the difference in the modes of antibiotic action of homodimeric and monomeric bactenecins. Both monomeric and dimeric bactenecins almost completely killed both Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli within 10-30 min at concentrations of $8-16\;{\mu}M$. However, exposure to liposomes elicited an increase in the fluorescence quantum yield from a tryptophan-containing monomeric analog, while the homodimeric analog showed a significant reduction in fluorescence intensity. Moreover, unlike the monomer, the homodimer displayed apparent membrane-lytic activity enabling release of various sized dyes from liposomes, and rapidly and fully depolarized the S. aureus membrane. Together, our results suggest that homodimeric bactenecin forms pores in the bacterial membrane, while monomeric one penetrates through the membrane to target intracellular molecules/organelles.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.741-741
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• 2015

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.259-270
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• 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been studied in various fields of medical imaging. Currently, top-notch deep learning (DL) techniques have led to high diagnostic accuracy and fast computation. However, they are rarely used in real clinical practices because of a lack of reliability concerning their results. Most DL models can achieve high performance by extracting features from large volumes of data. However, increasing model complexity and nonlinearity turn such models into black boxes that are seldom accessible, interpretable, and transparent. As a result, scientific interest in the field of explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) is gradually emerging. This study aims to review diverse XAI approaches currently exploited in medical imaging. We identify the concepts of the methods, introduce studies applying them to imaging modalities such as computational tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and endoscopy, and lastly discuss limitations and challenges faced by XAI for future studies.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.7
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• pp.349-356
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• 2020

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an ideal tool for analyzing multiple types of (bio)molecular information simultaneously in complex biological systems. In addition, MS provides structural information on targets, and can easily discriminate between true analytes and background. Therefore, imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) enables not only visualization of tissues to give positional information on targets but also allows for molecular analysis of targets by affording the molecular weights. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) MS is particularly effective and is generally used for IMS. However, the requirement for an organic matrix raises several limitations that get in the way of accurate and reliable images and hampers imaging of small molecules such as drugs and their metabolites. To overcome these problems, various organic matrix-free LDI IMS systems have been developed, mostly utilizing nanostructured surfaces and inorganic nanoparticles as an alternative to the organic matrix. This minireview highlights and focuses on the progress in organic matrix-free LDI IMS and briefly discusses the use of other IMS techniques such as desorption electrospray ionization, laser ablation electrospray ionization, and secondary ion mass spectrometry.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.445-454
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• 2019

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanoparticles have emerged as novel nanomaterials for bio-imaging applications due to its unique layered structure, physicochemical properties, and good biocompatibility. Bio-imaging is one of the most important fields for medical applications in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics of various diseases. Enhanced diagnostic techniques are needed to realize new paradigm for next-generation personalized medicine through nanoscale materials. When nanotechnology is introduced into bio-imaging system, nanoparticle probes can endow imaging techniques with enhanced ability to obtain information about biological system at the molecular level. In this review, we summarize structural features of LDH nanoparticles with current issues of bio-imaging system. LDH nanoparticle probes are also discussed through in vitro as well as in vivo studies in various bio-imaging techniques including fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and computed X-ray tomography (CT), which will have the potential in the development of the advanced nanoparticles with high sensitivity and selectivity.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.207-210
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• 2013

We report the construction of a MALDI imaging mass spectrometer equipped with a specially designed laser focusing lens, a compact aspherical singlet lens, that obtains a high-lateral imaging resolution in the microprobe mode. The lens is specially designed to focus the ionization laser (${\lambda}$ = 355 nm) down to a $1{\mu}m$ diameter with a long working distance of 34.5 mm. With the lens being perpendicular to the sample surface and sharing the optical axis with the ion path, the imaging mass spectrometer achieved an imaging resolution of as good as $5{\mu}m$ along with a high detection sensitivity of 100 fmol for peptides. The mass resolution was about 900 (m/${\Delta}m$) in the linear TOF mode. The high-resolution capability of this instrument will provide a new research opportunity for label-free imaging studies of various samples including tissues and biochips, even for the study at a single cell level in the future.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2016

Peptides have been developed for in vivo imaging probes against to the specific biomarker in the biological process of living systems. Peptide based imaging probes have been applied to identify and detect their active sites using imaging modalities, such as PET, SPECT and MRI. Especially, tumor receptor imaging with the peptides has been widely used to specific tumor detection. This review discusses the targeting peptides that have been successfully characterized for tumor diagnosis by receptor imaging.

• IEIE Transactions on Smart Processing and Computing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 2017

Radioactive materials are used in medicine, non-destructive testing, and nuclear plants. Source localization is especially important during nuclear decommissioning and decontamination because the actual location of the radioactive source within nuclear waste is often unknown. The coded-aperture imaging technique started with space exploration and moved into X-ray and gamma ray imaging, which have imaging process characteristics similar to each other. In this study, we simulated $21{\times}21$ and $37{\times}37$ coded aperture collimators based on a modified uniformly redundant array (MURA) pattern to make a gamma imaging system that can localize a gamma-ray source. We designed a $21{\times}21$ coded aperture collimator that matches our gamma imaging detector and did feasibility experiments with the coded aperture imaging system. We evaluated the performance of each collimator, from 2 mm to 10 mm thicknesses (at 2 mm intervals) using root mean square error (RMSE) and sensitivity in a simulation. In experimental results, the full width half maximum (FWHM) of the point source was $5.09^{\circ}$ at the center and $4.82^{\circ}$ at the location of the source was $9^{\circ}$. We will continue to improve the decoding algorithm and optimize the collimator for high-energy gamma rays emitted from a nuclear power plant.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 2016

Molecular imaging technologies have been used to provide a new pathway for therapies and diagnosis of human disease. Especially, imaging probes have been much development in the molecular imaging field. Combining imaging probes for positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have suggested the potential of multiple methods in living body. This review discusses the cancer or lymph node-targeting probes that are suitable for PET/MRI based diagnosis.