• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.603-615
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• 2016

In this study, in order to determine the validity and accuracy of MR imaging of 3D gradient dual echo 2-point DIXON technique for measuring abdominal adipose tissue volume and distribution, the measurements obtained by CT were set as a reference for comparison and their correlations were evaluated. CT and MRI scans were performed on each subject (17 healthy male volunteers who were fully informed about this study) to measure abdominal adipose tissue volume. Two skilled investigators individually observed the images acquired by CT and MRI in an independent environment, and directly separated the total volume using region-based thresholding segmentation method, and based on this, the total adipose tissue volume, subcutaneous adipose tissue volume and visceral adipose tissue volume were respectively measured. The correlation of the adipose tissue volume measurements with respect to the observer was examined using the Spearman test and the inter-observer agreement was evaluated using the intra-class correlation test. The correlation of the adipose tissue volume measurements by CT and MRI imaging methods was examined by simple regression analysis. In addition, using the Bland-Altman plot, the degree of agreement between the two imaging methods was evaluated. All of the statistical analysis results showed highly statistically significant correlation (p<0.05) respectively from the results of each adipose tissue volume measurements. In conclusion, MR abdominal adipose volumetry using the technique of 3D gradient dual echo 2-point DIXON showed a very high level of concordance even when compared with the adipose tissue measuring method using CT as reference.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2022

Purpose: This study explored the validity of a new type of thermometer and parent satisfaction with the new device. This 24-hour continuous monitoring smart wearable wireless thermometer (TempTraq^®) uses a very small semiconductor sensor with a thin patch-like shape. Methods: We obtained 397 sets of TempTraq^® axillary temperatures and tympanic temperatures from 44 pediatric patients. Agreement between the axillary and tympanic measurements, as well as the validity of the TempTraq^® axillary temperatures, were evaluated. Satisfaction surveys were completed by 41 caregivers after the measurements. Results: The TempTraq^® axillary temperatures demonstrated a strong positive correlation with the tympanic temperatures. The Bland-Altman plot and analysis of TempTraq^® axillary temperatures and tympanic temperatures showed that the mean difference was +0.45 ℃, the 95% limits of agreement were -0.57 to +1.46 ℃. Based on a tympanic temperature of 38 ℃, the results of validity of fever detection were sensitivity 0.85 and specificity 0.86. Satisfaction scores for TempTraq^® temperature measurement were all > 4 points (satisfactory). Conclusion: TempTraq^® smart axillary temperature measurement is an appropriate method for measuring children's temperatures since it was highly correlated to tympanic temperatures, had a reliable level of sensitivity and specificity, and could be used safely and conveniently.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.688-698
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• 2021

Objective: To compare the lumen parameters measured by the location-adaptive threshold method (LATM), in which the inter- and intra-scan attenuation variabilities of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) were corrected, and the scan-adaptive threshold method (SATM), in which only the inter-scan variability was corrected, with the reference standard measurement by intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS). Materials and Methods: The Hounsfield unit (HU) values of whole voxels and the centerline in each of the cross-sections of the 22 target coronary artery segments were obtained from 15 patients between March 2009 and June 2010, in addition to the corresponding voxel size. Lumen volume was calculated mathematically as the voxel volume multiplied by the number of voxels with HU within a given range, defined as the lumen for each method, and compared with the IVUS-derived reference standard. Subgroup analysis of the lumen area was performed to investigate the effect of lumen size on the studied methods. Bland-Altman plots were used to evaluate the agreement between the measurements. Results: Lumen volumes measured by SATM was significantly smaller than that measured by IVUS (mean difference, 14.6 mm³; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.9-24.3 mm³); the lumen volumes measured by LATM and IVUS were not significantly different (mean difference, -0.7 mm³; 95% CI, -9.1-7.7 mm³). The lumen area measured by SATM was significantly smaller than that measured by LATM in the smaller lumen area group (mean of difference, 1.07 mm²; 95% CI, 0.89-1.25 mm²) but not in the larger lumen area group (mean of difference, -0.07 mm²; 95% CI, -0.22-0.08 mm²). In the smaller lumen group, the mean difference was lower in the Bland-Altman plot of IVUS and LATM (0.46 mm²; 95% CI, 0.27-0.65 mm²) than in that of IVUS and SATM (1.53 mm²; 95% CI, 1.27-1.79 mm²). Conclusion: SATM underestimated the lumen parameters for computed lumen segmentation in CCTA, and this may be overcome by using LATM.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.135-146
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• 2024

Urinalysis is a fundamental diagnostic test routinely performed in clinical laboratories. We evaluated two manual microscopy methods, including a novel protocol, against the standardized chamber method. A total of 402 specimens, comprising 201 positive each for red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) by the strip test and automated urine sediment analyzer, were selected for the analysis. The correlation coefficients between the standardized chamber method and the novel protocol RBC and WBC test were both r=0.98, indicating a high degree of correlation. The pair-wise agreement rates for the same grade between these two methods were 86.1% for RBCs and 88.6% for WBCs, with rates within one grade difference of both at 99.5%. In contrast, the agreement rates between the standardized chamber method and smaller or medium-sized laboratory methods were notably lower, with the same-grade rates at 11.9% for RBCs and 13.4% for WBCs, and within one grade difference at 67.2% and 74.1%, respectively. Additional analyses using the intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots confirmed that the novel protocol exhibited superior agreement compared to the other three manual microscopy methods tested. Therefore, we recommend the novel protocol as a standardized procedure for urine sediment preparation, given its high correlation and agreement with the standardized chamber method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.591-602
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• 2021

Acute ischemic stroke(AIS) should be diagnosed within a few hours of onset of cerebral infarction symptoms using diagnostic radiology. In this study, we evaluated the clinical usefulness of SVD and the Bayesian algorithm to measure the volume of cerebral infarction using computed tomography perfusion(CTP) imaging and magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging(MR DWI). We retrospectively included 50 patients (male : female = 33 : 17) who visited the emergency department with symptoms of AIS from September 2017 to September 2020. The cerebral infarct volume measured by SVD and the Bayesian algorithm was analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and expressed as a median value and an interquartile range of 25 - 75 %. The core volume measured by SVD and the Bayesian algorithm using was CTP imaging was 18.07 (7.76 - 33.98) cc and 47.3 (23.76 - 79.11) cc, respectively, while the penumbra volume was 140.24 (117.8 - 176.89) cc and 105.05 (72.52 - 141.98) cc, respectively. The mismatch ratio was 7.56 % (4.36 - 15.26 %) and 2.08 % (1.68 - 2.77 %) for SVD and the Bayesian algorithm, respectively, and all the measured values had statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Spearman's correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficient of the cerebral infarct volume measured by the Bayesian algorithm using CTP imaging and MR DWI was higher than that of the cerebral infarct volume measured by SVD using CTP imaging and MR DWI (r = 0.915 vs. r = 0.763 ; p < 0.01). Furthermore, the results of the Bland Altman plot analysis demonstrated that the slope of the scatter plot of the cerebral infarct volume measured by the Bayesian algorithm using CTP imaging and MR DWI was more steady than that of the cerebral infarct volume measured by SVD using CTP imaging and MR DWI (y = -0.065 vs. y = -0.749), indicating that the Bayesian algorithm was more reliable than SVD. In conclusion, the Bayesian algorithm is more accurate than SVD in measuring cerebral infarct volume. Therefore, it can be useful in clinical utility.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of linear measurements in the horizontal and vertical dimensions based on object position and slice inclination in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods: Ten dry sheep hemi-mandibles, each with 4 sites (incisor, canine, premolar, and molar), were evaluated when either centrally or peripherally positioned within the field of view (FOV) with the image slices subjected to either oblique or orthogonal inclinations. Four types of images were created of each region: central/cross-sectional, central/coronal, peripheral/cross-sectional, and peripheral/coronal. The horizontal and vertical dimensions were measured for each region of each image type. Direct measurements of each region were obtained using a digital caliper in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. CBCT and direct measurements were compared using the Bland-Altman plot method. P values <0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: The buccolingual dimension of the incisor and premolar areas and the height of the incisor, canine, and molar areas showed statistically significant differences on the peripheral/coronal images compared to the direct measurements (P<0.05). Molar area height in the central/coronal slices also differed significantly from the direct measurements (P<0.05). Cross-sectional images of either the central or peripheral position had no marked difference from the gold-standard values, indicating sufficient accuracy. Conclusion: Peripheral object positioning within the FOV in combination with applying an orthogonal inclination to the slices resulted in significant inaccuracies in the horizontal and vertical measurements. The most undesirable effect was observed in the molar area and the vertical dimension.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 2013

Objective : The Leksell Gamma Knife$^{(R)}$ (LGK) is based on a single-fraction high dose treatment strategy. Therefore, independent verification of the Leksell GammaPlan$^{(R)}$ (LGP) is important for ensuring patient safety and minimizing the risk of treatment errors. Although several verification techniques have been previously developed and reported, no method has ever been tested statistically on multiple LGK target treatments. The purpose of this study was to perform and to evaluate the accuracy of a verification method (modified variable ellipsoid modeling technique, MVEMT) for multiple target treatments. Methods : A total of 500 locations in 10 consecutive patients with multiple brain tumor targets were included in this study. We compared the data from an LGP planning system and MVEMT in terms of dose at random points, maximal dose points, and target volumes. All data was analyzed by t-test and the Bland-Altman plot, which are statistical methods used to compare two different measurement techniques. Results : No statistical difference in dose at the 500 random points was observed between LGP and MVEMT. Differences in maximal dose ranged from -2.4% to 6.1%. An average distance of 1.6 mm between the maximal dose points was observed when comparing the two methods. Conclusion : Statistical analyses demonstrated that MVEMT was in excellent agreement with LGP when planning for radiosurgery involving multiple target treatments. MVEMT is a useful, independent tool for planning multiple target treatment that provides statistically identical data to that produced by LGP. Findings from the present study indicate that MVEMT can be used as a reference dose verification system for multiple tumors.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers P
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2010

In this paper, we proposed a wearable respiration measurement system with textile capacitive pressure sensor. Belt typed textile capacitive pressure sensor approach of respiration measurement, from which respiration signatures and rates can be derived in real-time for long-term monitoring, are presented. Belt typed textile capacitive pressure sensor has been developed for this measurement system. the distance change of two plates by the pressure of motion has been used for the respiration measurement in chest area. Respiration rates measured with the textile capacitive pressure sensor was compared with standard techniques on 8 human subjects. Accurate measurement of respiration rate with developed sensor system is shown. The data from the method comparison study is used to confirm theoretical estimates of change in capacitance by the distance change. The current version of respiratory rate detection system using textile capacitive pressure sensor can successfully measure respiration rate. It showed upper limit agreement of $3.7997{\times}10^{-7}$ RPM, and lower limit of agreement of $-3.8428{\times}10^{-7}$ RPM in Bland-Altman plot. From all subject, high correlation were shown(p<0.0001). The proposed measurement method could be used to monitor unconscious persons, avoiding the need to apply electrodes to the directly skin or other sensors in the correct position and to wire the subject to the monitor. Monitoring respiration using textile capacitive pressure sensor offers a promising possibility of convenient measurement of respiration rates. Especially, this technology offers a potentially inexpensive implementation that could extend applications to consumer home-healthcare and mobile-healthcare products. Further advances in the sensor design, system design and signal processing can increase the range and quality of the rate-finding, broadening the potential application areas of this technology.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.76-84
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• 2020

Background: Determination of inter-method differences between clinically available volumetry methods are essential for the clinical application of brain volumetry in a wider context. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the inter-method reliability and differences between the Siemens morphometry (SM) software and the NeuroQuant (NQ) software. Materials and Methods: MR images of 86 subjects with subjective or objective cognitive impairment were included in this retrospective study. For this study, 3D T1 volume images were obtained in all subjects using a 3T MR scanner (Skyra 3T, Siemens). Volumetric analysis of the 3D T1 volume images was performed using SM and NQ. To analyze the inter-method difference, correlation, and reliability, we used the paired t-test, Bland-Altman plot, Pearson's correlation coefficient, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and effect size (ES) using the MedCalc and SPSS software. Results: SM and NQ showed excellent reliability for cortical gray matter, cerebral white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid; and good reliability for intracranial volume, whole brain volume, both thalami, and both hippocampi. In contrast, poor reliability was observed for both basal ganglia including the caudate nucleus, putamen, and pallidum. Paired comparison revealed that while the mean volume of the right hippocampus was not different between the two software, the mean difference in the left hippocampus volume between the two methods was 0.17 ml (P < 0.001). The other brain regions showed significant differences in terms of measured volumes between the two software. Conclusion: SM and NQ provided good-to-excellent reliability in evaluating most brain structures, except for the basal ganglia in patients with cognitive impairment. Researchers and clinicians should be aware of the potential differences in the measured volumes when using these two different software interchangeably.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.49-54
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• 2010

The reliability of the thickness measurement of the lumbar multifidus (LMD using real-time ultrasonography (US) was determined in only the superficial fiber of the lumbar multifidus (SM). However, previous studies have not examined the reliability of the deep fiber of the LM (DM). The purpose of this study was to determine the intrarater and the interrater reliability of the thickness measurements of DM using US. Eleven heathy males participated in the study. The thickness of the DM was measured with an US in the prone position. Reliability was examined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of the measurement (SEM), and the Bland and Altman plot. ICC(3,1) was used to calculate the interrater reliability of the thickness measurement of DM using the values from both the first and second test sessions. Additionally, ICC(3,1) was used to calculate the intrarater reliability of the measurements over two days using the measurements obtained in test session 1 and lest session 2. The results of this study were as follows: 1) the ICC(3,1) value for interrater reliability was .94 in the first test session, and .93 in the second test session. 2) the ICC(3,1) values for intrarater reliability of the measurements over two days was .90 in both the first examiner and the second examiner. The interrater reliability and interrater reliability of the DM measurements, obtained via the US protocol used in this research was excellent. Therefore, we conclude that the thickness measurement of the DM obtaioned from the US protocol used in this research would be useful for clinician assessment of the thickness of the DM.