• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.31-35
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• 2012

Background and Objectives: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents approximately 80% of all lung cancers. Unfortunately, at their time of diagnosis, most patients have advanced to unresectable disease with a very poor prognosis. The oriental herbal medicine HangAm-Plus (HAP) has been developed for antitumor purposes, and several previous studies have reported its therapeutic effects. In this study, the efficacy of HAP was evaluated as a third-line treatment for advanced-stage IIIb/IV NSCLC. Methods: The study involved six patients treated at the East- West Cancer Center (EWCC) from April 2010 to October 2011. Inoperable advanced-stage IIIb/IV NSCLC patients received 3,000 or 6,000 mg of HAP on a daily basis over a 12-week period. Computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained from the patients at the time of the initial administration and after 12 weeks of treatment. We observed and analyzed the patients overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Of the six patients, three expired during the study, and the three remaining patients were alive as of October 31, 2011. The OS ranged from 234 to 512 days, with a median survival of 397 days and a one-year survival rate of 66.7%. In the 12-week-interval chest CT assessment, three patients showed stable disease (SD), and the other three showed progressive disease (PD). The PFS of patients ranged from 88 to 512 days, the median PFS being 96 days. Longer OS and PFS were correlated with SD. Although not directly comparable, the OS and the PFS of this study were greater than those of the docetaxel or the best supportive care group in other studies. Conclusion: HAP may prolong the OS and the PFS of inoperable stage IIIb/IV NSCLC patients without significant adverse effects. In the future, more controlled clinical trials with larger samples from multi-centers should be conducted to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of HAP.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.171-181
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to analyse stress distribution of maxillary complex by use of face mask. The construction of the three-dimensional FEM model was based on the computed tomography(CT) scans of 13.5 years-old male subject. The CT image were digitized and converted to the finite element model by using the mimics program, with PATRAN. An anteriorly directed force of 500g was applied at the first premolar 45 degrees downwards to the FH plane and at the first molar 20 degrees downwards to the FH plane. When 45 degrees force was applied at maxillary first premolar, there were observed expansion at molar part and constriction at premolar part. The largest displacement was 0.00011mm in the x-axis. In the y-axis, anterior displacement observed generally 0.00030mm at maximum. In the z-axis, maxillary complex was displaced 0.00036 mm forward and downward. When 20 degrees force was applied at maxilla first molar, there were observed expansion at lateral nasal wall and constriction at molar part. The largest displacement was 0.001mm in the X-axis. In the Y-axis, anterior displacement observed generally 0.004mm at maximum. In the Z-axis, ANS was displaced upward and pterygoid complex was displaced downward. The largest displacement was 0.002mm.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.4
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• pp.347-351
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• 2011

We report here an unusual case of pericardial tuberculoma that was misdiagnosed as thymic carcinoma on an imaging study. A 48-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of an anterior mediastinal mass. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest displayed cystic masses mimicking thymic carcinoma at the anterior mediastinum. Pericardiotomy and surgical drainage of the cystic masses were done, and pathologic examination of the excised pericardial specimen showed a chronic granulomatous inflammation with necrosis, compatible with tuberculosis. Acid-fast bacilli were also identified in the specimen. After treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs and steroids, the patient showed clinical improvement. Although tuberculous pericarditis usually presents as pericardial effusion or constrictive pericarditis, it can also present as a pericardial mass mimicking thymic carcinoma on CT. Therefore, we suggest that tuberculous pericardial abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of a mediastinal mass in Korea, with intermediate tuberculosis prevalence.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.351-360
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• 2015

Human influence on soil formation has dramatically increased with human civilization and industry development. Increase of anthropogenic soils induced researches on the anthropogenic soils; classification, chemical and physical characteristics of anthropogenic soils and plant growth from anthropogenic soils. However there have been no comprehensive analyses on soil pore or physical properties of anthropogenic soils from 3 dimensional images in Korea. The objectives of this study were to characterize physical properties of anthropogenic paddy field soils by depth and to find differences between natural and anthropogenic paddy field soils. Soil samples were taken from two anthropogenic and natural paddy field soils; anthropogenic (A_c) and natural (N_c) paddy soils with topsoil of coarse texture and anthropogenic (A_f) and natural (N_f) paddy soils with topsoil of fine texture. The anthropogenic paddy fields were reestablished during the Arable Land Remodeling Project from 2011 to 2012 and continued rice farming after the project. Natural paddy fields had no artificial changes or disturbance in soil layers up to 1m depth. Samples were taken at three different depths and analyzed for routine physical properties (texture, bulk density, etc.) and pore properties with computer tomography (CT) scans. The CT scan provided 3 dimensional images at resolution of 0.01 mm to calculate pore radius size, length, and tortuosity of soil pores. Fractal and configuration entropy analyses were applied to quantify pore structure and analyze spatial distribution of pores within soil images. The results of measured physical properties showed no clear trend or significant differences across depths or sites from all samples, except the properties from topsoils. The results of pore morphology and spatial distribution analyses provided detailed information of pores affected by human influences. Pore length and size showed significant decrease in anthropogenic soils. Especially, pores of A_c had great decrease in length compared to N_c. Fractal and entropy analyses showed clear changes of pore distributions across sites. The topsoil layer of A_c showed more degradation of pore structure than that of N_c, while pores of A_f topsoil did not show significant degradation compared with those of N_f. These results concluded that anthropogenic soils with coarse texture may have more effects on pore properties than ones with fine texture. The reestablished paddy fields may need more fundamental remediation to improve physical conditions.

• Investigative and Clinical Urology
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.357-362
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• 2018

Purpose: Classic angiomyolipoma (AML) is common benign kidney tumor. However, some studies have claimed that epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) has malignant potential. We compared the patient characteristics and prognosis of EAML and classic AML to demonstrate predicting factors and poorer prognosis of EAML. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 231 patients who were diagnosed with EAML (n=27, 11.7%) or classic AML (n=204, 88.3%), were reviewed. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scans before operation or needle biopsy. We assessed the age, sex, tumor size, body mass index, comorbidities, and Hounsfield unit (HU) according to each CT phase. We defined the unfavorable group as patients with recurrence, metastasis and death due to tumor progression. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict EAML. Results: EAML patients were younger (41.2 years vs. 49.1 years, p=0.001), predominantly male (55.6% vs. 28.4%, p=0.005), and had a larger tumor (7.5 cm vs. 4.2 cm, p<0.001). The median pre-contrast HU was not significantly different between EAML and classic AML ($29.9{\pm}23.7$ vs. $14.7{\pm}41.0$, p=0.071). In multivariable analysis, younger age (odds ratio [OR], 0.96; p=0.032), male sex (OR, 3.33; p=0.013), and tumor larger than 4 cm (OR, 3.8; p=0.009) were significant predictive factors. Five patients (18.5%) had unfavorable outcomes, two patients had lymph node metastasis, and three patients had lung metastasis. Conclusions: Patient and tumor characteristics can be helpful in determining the type of AML preoperatively. Younger age, male sex, and larger tumor mass may increase the possibility of diagnosing EAML. EAML has malignant potential and requires careful follow-up.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.801-806
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• 2018

Germanium crystals have a dead layer that causes efficiency deterioration because the layer is not useful for detection but strongly weakens the photons. Thus, when the data provided by the manufacturer is used in the detector simulation model, there is a slight difference between the calculated efficiency and the measured efficiency.The shape and dimensions of the high purity germanium (HPGe) detector were determined by CT scans to accurately characterize the shape for the Monte Carlo roll simulation. It is found that the adjustment of the dead layer is a good match with the relative deviation of ${\pm}3%$ between the measurement efficiency and the simulation efficiency at the energy range of 50 - 1500 keV. Simulation data were compared by varying the thickness of the dead layer. The new Monte Carlo simulations were compared with the experimental results to obtain new blank layer thicknesses. The difference in dead layer results for the 1.5 mm thick end cap simulation model in 1.4 and 1.6 mm thick End Cap simulation models was a systematic error due to the accuracy of the end cap dimensions. After considering all errors including statistical errors and systematic errors, the thickness of the detector was calculated as $1.02{\pm}0.14mm$. Therefore, it was confirmed that the increase in the thickness of the dead layer causes the effect to be effected on the efficiency reduction.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.42-51
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• 2022

Esthetic restoration of maxillary anterior implant heavily depends on the direction of installation of implant fixture. In patients with malpositioned implant, it is crucial to communicate the limitations of prosthetic outcome with the patient before starting on a restoration. To facilitate the communication, three-dimensional virtual representation by superimposing facial and intraoral digital scans with Computed Tomography (CT, dicom file) was used for visualization of the limitations of prosthesis. Through digital diagnostic wax-up, the profile of right maxillary anterior incisor implant was expected to be protrusive, which the patient was not satisfied with. Since the patient already had done root canal treatment on left maxillary anterior incisor due to previous trauma, a new prosthetic design including both right and left maxillary anterior incisors was presented to the patient. The second design was chosen and his comments were delivered to dental lab. The patient was satisfied with the new prosthesis, aesthetically and functionally.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.423-431
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors affecting the classification of the severity of contrast media side effects based on the patient's body information using artificial intelligence techniques to be used as basic data to reduce the degree of contrast medium side effects. The data used in this study were 606 examiners who had no contrast medium side effects in the past history survey among 1,235 cases of contrast medium side effects among 58,000 CT scans performed at a general hospital in Seoul. The total data is 606, of which 70% was used as a training set and the remaining 30% was used as a test set for validation. Age, BMI(Body Mass Index), GFR(Glomerular Filtration Rate), BUN(Blood Urea Nitrogen), GGT(Gamma Glutamyl Transgerase), AST(Aspartate Amino Transferase,), and ALT(Alanine Amiono Transferase) features were used as independent variables, and contrast media severity was used as a target variable. AUC(Area under curve), CA(Classification Accuracy), F1, Precision, and Recall were identified through AdaBoost, Tree, Neural network, SVM, and Random foest algorithm. AdaBoost and Random Forest show the highest evaluation index in the classification prediction algorithm. The largest factors in the predictions of all models were GFR, BMI, and GGT. It was found that the difference in the amount of contrast media injected according to renal filtration function and obesity, and the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome affected the severity of contrast medium side effects.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.384-394
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the image quality of novel dark-blood computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging combined with deep learning reconstruction (DLR) compared to delayed-phase CTA images with hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), to visualize the cervical artery wall in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Materials and Methods: This prospective study continuously recruited 53 patients with TAK (mean age: 33.8 ± 10.2 years; 49 females) between January and July 2022 who underwent head-neck CTA scans. The arterial- and delayed-phase images were reconstructed using HIR and DLR. Subtracted images of the arterial-phase from the delayed-phase were then added to the original delayed-phase using a denoising filter to generate the final-dark-blood images. Qualitative image quality scores and quantitative parameters were obtained and compared among the three groups of images: Delayed-HIR, Dark-blood-HIR, and Dark-blood-DLR. Results: Compared to Delayed-HIR, Dark-blood-HIR images demonstrated higher qualitative scores in terms of vascular wall visualization and diagnostic confidence index (all P < 0.001). These qualitative scores further improved after applying DLR (Dark-blood-DLR compared to Dark-blood-HIR, all P < 0.001). Dark-blood DLR also showed higher scores for overall image noise than Dark-blood-HIR (P < 0.001). In the quantitative analysis, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values between the vessel wall and lumen for the bilateral common carotid arteries and brachiocephalic trunk were significantly higher on Dark-blood-HIR images than on Delayed-HIR images (all P < 0.05). The CNR values were significantly higher for Dark-blood-DLR than for Dark-blood-HIR in all cervical arteries (all P < 0.001). Conclusion: Compared with Delayed-HIR CTA, the dark-blood method combined with DLR improved CTA image quality and enhanced visualization of the cervical artery wall in patients with TAK.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.464-475
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the tumor doubling time of invasive lung adenocarcinoma according to the International Association of the Study for Lung Cancer (IASLC)/American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) histologic classification. Materials and Methods: Among the 2905 patients with surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma, we retrospectively included 172 patients (mean age, 65.6 ± 9.0 years) who had paired thin-section non-contrast chest computed tomography (CT) scans at least 84 days apart with the same CT parameters, along with 10 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (mean age, 70.9 ± 7.4 years) for comparison. Three-dimensional semiautomatic segmentation of nodules was performed to calculate the volume doubling time (VDT), mass doubling time (MDT), and specific growth rate (SGR) of volume and mass. Multivariate linear regression, one-way analysis of variance, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed. Results: The median VDT and MDT of lung cancers were as follows: acinar, 603.2 and 639.5 days; lepidic, 1140.6 and 970.1 days; solid/micropapillary, 232.7 and 221.8 days; papillary, 599.0 and 624.3 days; invasive mucinous, 440.7 and 438.2 days; and squamous cell carcinoma, 149.1 and 146.1 days, respectively. The adjusted SGR of volume and mass of the solid-/micropapillary-predominant subtypes were significantly shorter than those of the acinar-, lepidic-, and papillary-predominant subtypes. The histologic subtype was independently associated with tumor doubling time. A VDT of 465.2 days and an MDT of 437.5 days yielded areas under the curve of 0.791 and 0.795, respectively, for distinguishing solid-/micropapillary-predominant subtypes from other subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: The tumor doubling time of invasive lung adenocarcinoma differed according to the IASCL/ATS/ERS histologic classification.