• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 2019

Purpose At now, there are many kind of dedicated heart SPECT machine in clinical nuclear medicine. Among those, the fixed focusing type SPECT can make a good quality, quantity image because a detectors of this SPECT arranged forward a special ROI and didn't rotate around of body. So, in this paper, we will evaluate a spatial uniformity about resolution and sensitivity at a same plane of a fixed focusing type SPECT. Materials and Methods We used D-SPECT as a fixed focusing type SPECT and Cario MD as a rotated parallel type SPECT to comparing each other. We injected $^{99m}Tc(14.8MBq/1cc)$ to 10 capillary tube (diameter=1mm), and we set those line sources a tfield of view of each SPECT. And then we acquired SPECT date, we applied are construction by recommended methods. By using two tomography images, we calculated a full width of half maximum as a resolution and total counts as a sensitivity, and we compared a CV (coefficientofvariation) values between two images as a spatial uniformity. Results In case of D-SPECT, a CV of resolution and sensitivity are 7.45%, 12.34%. In case of Cario MD, an CV of resolution and sensitivity are 12.49%, 21.84% Conclusion As a results, CV of resolution and sensitivity of a fixed focusing type SPECT is 67.75%, 77.00% higher than ones of a rotated parallel type SPECT. It means that a fixed focusing type SPECT is more uniformed, because this new SPECT can reduce a motion blur artifact by rotating detector around body, also all of detector that made by semiconductor arrange forward a special FOV like heart.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2013

Purpose: We are to find out the difference of calculated dose of treatment planning system (TPS) and measured dose in case of inhomogeneous organ structure. Materials and Methods: Inhomogeneous phantom is made with solid water phantom and cork plate. CT image of inhomogeneous phantom is acquired. Treatment plan is made with TPS (Pinnacle3 9.2. Royal Philips Electronics, Netherlands) and calculated dose of point of interest is acquired. Treatment plan was delivered in the inhomogeneous phantom by ARTISTE (Siemens AG, Germany) measured dose of each point of interest is obtained with Gafchromic EBT2 film (International Specialty Products, US) in the gap between solid water phantom or cork plate. To simulate lung cancer radiation treatment, artificial tumor target of paraffin is inserted in the cork volume of inhomogeneous phantom. Calculated dose and measured dose are acquired as above. Results: In case of inhomogeneous phantom experiment, dose difference of calculated dose and measured dose is about -8.5% at solid water phantom-cork gap and about -7% lower in measured dose at cork-solid water phantom gap. In case of inhomogeneous phantom inserted paraffin target experiment, dose difference is about 5% lower in measured dose at cork-paraffin gap. There is no significant difference at same material gap in both experiments. Conclusion: Radiation dose at the gap between two organs with different electron density is significantly lower than calculated dose with TPS. Therefore, we must be aware of dose calculation error in TPS and great care is suggested in case of radiation treatment planning on inhomogeneous organ structure.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.55-63
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was performed to objectively evaluate the rate of tumor response to hypofractionated radiotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, who were treated by hypofractionated radiotherapy with 3 Gy per fraction for palliative purpose between 1998 and 2008, were reviewed retrospectively. Every tumor-volume was measured and evaluated from CT (computed tomography) images obtained before and 2~3 months after radiotherapy. The radiation toxicity was assessed during and after radiotherapy. A statistical analysis was performed to investigate overall survival, progressionfree survival, and the prognostic factors for survival and response. Results: The median age of the study patients was 70 years. In addition, 85% of the patients were in stage 4 cancer and 66.7% had an ECOG performance status of 1~2. The mean tumor-volume was 128.4 cc. Radiotherapy was administered with a total dose of 24~45 Gy (median: 36 Gy) over 10~25 days. Twenty-nine patients were treated with 30 Gy or more. The observed complete response rate was 12.9% and the partial response rate was 61.3%. Median survival time was 8.9 months and the 1-year progression-free survival rate was 12.9%. The treatment response rate was confirmed as a prognostic factor in the rate of survival. The primary site, stage, tumor-volume, radiotherapy field and overall radiation-dose showed a significant relationship with survival and treatment response. No grade 4 toxicity was observed during and after radiotherapy. Conclusion: There was an objective tumor-regression in about 74% of patients treated by hypofractionated radiotherapy. Further evaluation is needed to select the appropriate fraction-size and patient who may require the additional radiotherapy.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.291-297
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• 2010

This study examined the dosimetric influence of implanted gold markers in proton therapy and the effects of their positions in the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) proton beam. The implanted cylindrical gold markers were 3 mm long and 1.2 mm in diameter. The dosimetric influence of the gold markers was determined with markers at various locations in a proton-beam field. Spatial dose distributions were measured using a three-dimensional moving water phantom and a stereotactic diode detector with an effective diameter of 0.5 mm. Also, a film dosimetry was performed using Gafchromic External Beam Treatment (EBT) film. The GEANT4 simulation toolkit was used for Monte-Carlo simulations to confirm the measurements and to construct the dose-volume histogram with implanting markers. Motion data were obtained from the portal images of 10 patients to investigate the effect of organ motions on the dosimetric influence of markers in the presence of a rectal balloon. The underdosed volume due to a single gold marker, in which the dose was less than 95% of a prescribed amount, was 0.15 cc. The underdosed volume due to the presence of a gold marker is much smaller than the target volume. However, the underdosed volume is inside the gross tumor volume and is not smeared out due to translational prostate motions. The positions of gold markers and the conditions of the proton-beam field give different impacts on the dose distribution of a target with implanted gold markers, and should be considered in all clinical proton-based therapies.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of IMRT in our clinic from based on TG119 procedure and establish action level. Five IMRT test cases were described in TG119: multi-target, head&neck, prostate, and two C-shapes (easy&hard). There were used and delivered to water-equivalent solid phantom for IMRT. Absolute dose for points in target and OAR was measured by using an ion chamber (CC13, IBA). EBT2 film was utilized to compare the measured two-dimensional dose distribution with the calculated one by treatment planning system. All collected data were analyzed using the TG119 specifications to determine the confidence limit. The mean of relative error (%) between measured and calculated value was $1.2{\pm}1.1%$ and $1.2{\pm}0.7%$ for target and OAR, respectively. The resulting confidence limits were 3.4% and 2.6%. In EBT2 film dosimetry, the average percentage of points passing the gamma criteria (3%/3 mm) was $97.7{\pm}0.8%$. Confidence limit values determined by EBT2 film analysis was 3.9%. This study has focused on IMRT commissioning and quality assurance based on TG119 guideline. It is concluded that action level were ${\pm}4%$ and ${\pm}3%$ for target and OAR and 97% for film measurement, respectively. It is expected that TG119-based procedure can be used as reference to evaluate the accuracy of IMRT for each institution.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.135-144
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is that through production of phantom for respiration gated radiotherapy, assessing appropriacy of exposure dose for the therapy using RPM (Real-time Position Management). Materials and Methods: We located measurement object on the phantom for respiration gated radiotherapy made of 2 linear actuator, acrylic panel, stanchion, iron plate ets. to drive (up, down, front, back). Using 4D CT scan, we analyzed patient's respiration and reproduced the movement by computer. On the phantom, we located a 2D-Array (PTW) and an White water phantom (4.5 cm) and used DMLC (interval 2 cm) in the field size $10{\times}10\;cm$, then exposed 21EX X-ray 100 MU, in the case of phantom was (1) static (2) moving (3) gated using RPM respectively gantry $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ We measured with a 0.125 CC ionization chamber (PTW) on the phantom (7.5 cm) in the same condition. Results: Ionization chamber: There were within 0.3% of error with gating respiration and approximately 2% of error without gating in the same condition. 2D-Array: Gantry $90^{\circ}$, field size $10{\times}10\;cm$, using DMLC. There were within 3% of error with gating respiration and approximately 16% of error without gating. Conclusion: The phantom for respiration gated radiotherapy makes plans considering patient's movement, quantitative analysis of exposure dose and proper assessment therapy for IMRT patients using RPM possible.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.83-100
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• 2020

This study evaluated the accuracy of soil moisture and evapotranspiration by calculating the hydrological parameters in Korean peninsula using Land Information System(LIS) developed by US NASA. We used Noah-MP surface model to calculate hydrological parameters, and used MERRA2(Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2) for hydrological forcing data. And, International Geosphere-Biosphere Program(IGBP) and University of Maryland(UMD) land cover maps were applied to compare the output accuracy, and Automated Synoptic Observing System(ASOS) of KMA was used as ground observation data. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the output data, the correlation coefficient(CC), BIAS, and efficiency factor (NSE, Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency) were analyzed with soil moisture and evapotranspiration by ASOS ground observation data. As a result, the correlation coefficient of soil moisture using IGBP was 0.56 on average, and evapotranspiration was about 0.71. On the other hand, soil moisture using UMD was 0.68 on average and evapotranspiration was about 0.72, and the correlation coefficient by UMD was evaluated as high accuracy compared to the results by using IGBP. The correlation coefficient of soil moisture was an average of 0.68 and evapotranspiration was an average of 0.72 when MERRA2 was used as hydrological forcing data. On the other hand, the soil moisture applied with ASOS was an average of 0.66, and evapotranspiration was an average of 0.72. It is judged that the ASOS point data was reanalyzed as 0.65°× 0.5°grids, which is the same spatial resolution with MERRA2, resulting in differences in accuracy depending on the region.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.178-185
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• 2005

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of children with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia(JMML) treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT). Methods : Eleven JMML patients aged 8-39 months underwent allo-HSCT. The sources of grafts were unrelated donors(n=7), HLA-matched siblings(n=3) and an HLA 1-antigen mismatched familial donor. All patients had received chemotherapy ${\pm}13$-cis-retinoic acid(CRA) before transplant, and CRA was used, posttransplant, in six patients. Results : Only three patients were in complete remission(CR) at the time of transplantation. Initial chimeric status revealed complete donor chimerism(CC) in five patients, mixed chimerism(MC) in five and autologous recovery(AR) in one. One patient with MC having persistent splenomegaly eventually turned to CC and CR after rapid tapering of cyclosporine, combined with daily use of CRA. An AR case relapsed shortly after transplant but was rescued with second, unrelated cord blood transplantation. Ultimately, six patients are alive, event-free, with a median follow-up of 15.5 months posttransplant. All three deaths occurred in patients who failed to achieve CC, leading to disease progression. Conclusion : We suggest that graft-versus-leukemia effect play an important role and CRA a possible role in posttransplant leukemic involution in JMML. In patients whose leukemic burden is still high with MC after transplant, early tapering of immunosuppressants and introduction of CRA might provide a chance of a cure for some patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.194-200
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• 2009

Purpose: This aim of this study was to evaluate changes in gastric volume and organ position as a result of delayed gastric emptying after a subtotal gastrectomy performed as part of the treatment of stomach cancer. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 32 patients who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy after a subtotal gastrectomy from March 2005 to December 2008 were reviewed. Of these, 5 patients that had more than 50 cc of residual gastric food detected at computed tomography (CT) simulation, were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Gastric volume and organ location was measured from CT images obtained before radiotherapy, twice weekly. In addition, authors evaluated the change of radiation dose distribution to planning the target volume and normal organ in a constant radiation therapy plan regardless of gastric volume variation. Results: A variation in the gastric volume was observed during the radiotherapy period (64.2~340.8 cc; mean, 188.2 cc). According to the change in gastric volume, the location of the left kidney was shifted up to 0.7 - 2.2 cm (mean, 1.2 cm) in the z-axis. Under-dose to planning target volume (V43, 79.5${\pm}$10.4%) and over-dose to left kidney (V20, 34.1${\pm}$12.1%; Mean dose, 23.5${\pm}$8.3 Gy) was expected, given that gastric volume change due to delayed gastric emptying wasn't taken into account. Conclusion: This study has shown that a great change in gastric volume and left kidney location may occur during the radiation therapy period following a subtotal gastrectomy, as a result of delayed gastric emptying. Detection of patients who experienced delayed gastric emptying and the application of gastric volume variation to radiation therapy planning will be very important.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.517-524
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• 1999

Background : Airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness are recognized as major characteristics of bronchial asthma. Airway inflammation has usually been assessed by invasive methods, e.g. BAL or bronchial biopsy, but recent studies proposed induced sputum as another reliable and non-invasive tool to investigate airway inflammation in asthmatic patients. Thus, the relationship between airway inflammation assessed by induced sputum and airway hyperresponsiveness was investigated in asthmatic patient. Method : Airway responsiveness was determined by the concentration that caused a 20% decrease in $FEV_1$($PC_{20}$) after inhaling incremental concentrations of methacholine. The numbers of inflammatory cells and the concentration of eosinophilic cationic protein(ECP) were assessed in induced sputum obtained by inhalation of hypertonic saline(3%). Result: We analyzed sputum induced in 15 stable asthmatic patients. The differential cell count(%) of macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes in induced sputum were $39.1{\pm}27.0%$, $29.6{\pm}21.0%$, $28.8{\pm}18.8%$, $1.3{\pm}3.1%$ respectively. The mean value of baseline FEV1(predicted) and ECP were $76.3{\pm}30.3%$ and $1,101{\pm}833{\mu}g/L$ respectively. The geometric mean value of $PC_{20}$ was 0.56 mg/mL. The relationships between the sputum eosinophil and ECP in induced sputum, and between sputum eosinophil and degree of airway responsiveness($PC_{20}$) were found to be significantly correlated (r=0.81, p<0.05 and r=-0.78, p<0.05, respectively). Sputum neutrophils and $PC_{20}$ were not correlated to each other (r=0.11, p=0.69) and a significant negative correlation was found between ECP and baseline $FEV_1$(predicted)(r=-0.62, p<0.05). Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that an induced sputum via a inhalation of hypertonic saline is useful to determine a patient's status of airway inflammation, and airway inflammation is one of the major causal factors in the development of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic patients.