• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.402-410
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and malignant rate of incidental asymmetric palatine tonsillar uptake (ATU) on $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT in various clinical indications and to evaluate the clinical and PET/CT findings suggesting malignancy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a total of 2,901 patients ($58.4{\pm}12.3$ yrs, range 20~88 yrs, M:F = 1,841:1,060) who underwent $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT during an 1-year period with various indications except primary tonsillar cancer and lymphoma evaluation. On $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT, metabolic abnormality of the palatine tonsil and cervical lymph node were visually assessed. ATU was defined as increased palatine tonsillar uptake with diffuse, focal, or irregular pattern compared to contralateral side. The incidence and malignant ratio of ATU were evaluated according to clinical and PET/CT findings. Results: Of 2,901 cases, 290(10,0%) showed ATU. The incidence of ATU showed seasonal variation and was high in the winter (12.1%). Of 209 cases with ATU confirmed pathologically and/or clinically, five (2.4%) were malignant lesions. ATU with irregular uptake pattern (2/2) and in cases referred for cervical lymph node metastasis of unknown origin (3/5) were frequently associated with malignant lesion (p<0.05). Conclusion: ATU was not infrequently observed on $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT, and the malignant risk of ATU was low. However, ATU with cervical lymph node metastasis or with irregular pattern on PET/CT would be further evaluated by the histopathologic examination.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.317-322
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• 2009

Purpose: $^{18}$F-flurodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography (PET) scan has been found to reflect tumor aggressiveness and prognosis in various types of cancer. However, pattern of FDG uptake in biliary malignancies and its clinical significance have not been studied well. The purpose of this study was to assess the additional value of $^{18}$F-FDG PET in differential diagnosis and prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma (CC) according to the tumor location and tumor morphology. Materials and Methods: From April 2005 to May 2008, eighty two patients (M:F = 55:27, age 66.2$\pm$9.6 yrs) with CC underwent $^{18}$F-FDG PET. For semiquantitative analysis, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV$_{max}$) was obtained from the primary tumor. The difference of SUV$_{max}$ according to the tumor location and tumor growth pattern, such as scirrhous type, nodular type, polypoid type were compared. Results: Overall sensitivity of PET scan was 81.7% in CC. SUV$_{max}$ on PET scan in intrahepatic CC was significantly higher compared to extrahepatic CC. In extrahepatic CC, polypoid type showed significantly higher SUV$_{max}$ compared to scirrhous type. Conclusion: $^{18}$F-FDG PET may have a significant impact on clinical decision-making and on the management of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. And it is related to the shape of the tumor and the sensitivity of detection is higher in the mass-forming type than in the scirrhous type.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2014

Purpose: Integrated PET/MRI has been developed recently has become a lot of help to the point oncologic, neological, cardiological nuclear medicine. By using this PET/MRI, a ${\mu}-map$ is created some special MRI sequence which may be divided parts of the body for attenuation correction. However, because an MRI contrast agent is necessary in order to obtain an more MRI information, we will evaluate to see an effect of SUV on PET image that corrected attenuation by MRI with contrast agent. Materials and Methods: As PET/MRI machine, Biograph mMR (Siemens, Germany) was used. For phantom test, 1mCi $^{18}F-FDG$ was injected in cylinderical uniformity phantom, and then acquire PET data about 10 minutes with VIBE-DIXON, UTE MRI sequence image for attenuation correction. T1 weighted contrast media, 4 cc DOTAREM (GUERBET, FRANCE) was injected in a same phatnom, and then PET data, MRI data were acquired by same methodes. Using this PET, non-contrast MRI and contrast MRI, it was reconstructed attenuation correction PET image, in which we evanuated the difference of SUVs. Additionally, for let a high desity of contrast media, 500 cc 2 plastic bottles were used. We injected $^{18}F-FDG$ with 5 cc DOTAREM in first bottle. At second bottle, only $^{18}F-FDG$ was injected. and then we evaluated a SUVs reconstructed by same methods. For clinical patient study, rectal caner-pancreas cancer patients were selected. we evaluated SUVs of PET image corrected attenuastion by contrast weighted MRI and non-contrast MRI. Results: For a phantom study, although VIBE DIXON MRI signal with contrast media is 433% higher than non-contrast media MRI, the signals intensity of ${\mu}-map$, attenuation corrected PET are same together. In case of high contrast media density, image distortion is appeared on ${\mu}-map$ and PET images. For clinical a patient study, VIBE DIXON MRI signal on lesion portion is increased in 495% by using DOTAREM. But there are no significant differences at ${\mu}-map$, non AC PET, AC-PET image whether using contrast media or not. In case of whole body PET/MRI study, %diff between contras and non contrast MRAC at lung, liver, renal cortex, femoral head, myocardium, bladder, muscle are -4.32%, -2.48%, -8.05%, -3.14%, 2.30%, 1.53%, 6.49% at each other. Conclusion: In integrated PET/MRI, a segmentation ${\mu}-map$ method is used for correcting attenuation of PET signal. although MRI signal for attenuation correciton change by using contrast media, ${\mu}-map$ will not change, and then MRAC PET signal will not change too. Therefore, MRI contrast media dose not affect for attenuation correction PET. As well, not only When we make a flow of PET/MRI protocol, order of PET and MRI sequence dose not matter, but It's possible to compare PET images before and after contrast agent injection.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.135-144
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• 1989

Celiac plexus block is recommended in patients with intractable upper abdominal cancer pain. The success rate of a celiac plexus block is variable among the authors. One of the causes of this is the anatomical variations of the celiac plexus. There has not been a study concerning anatomical observations of the celiac plexus in Korean cadavers. So, anatomical dissections were performed and observations were made of the celiac plexus and related structures in Korean cadavers. The results were as follows: 1) The subjects were 21 male bodies and 5 female bodies. The mean age at death was $69.9{\pm}15.5$ years (range 37~93). The mean height was $155.5{\pm}8.3\;cm$ (range 143~172). 2) The number of celiac ganglia ranged from 1~4. The mean numbers were $2.3{\pm}1.9$ in the right plexus and $1.9{\pm}0.8$ in the left, and the mean sizes were $18.9{\pm}7.7{\times}8.0{\pm}3.8\;mm^2$ and $18.5{\pm}8.3{\times}9.5{\pm}3.9\;mm^2$ respectively. 3) Celiac ganglia were most frequently located at the level of the upper third and middle third of L1 in both sides (65.5% in right, 64.0% in left). The vertical range of celiac ganglia ranged from 1 space, which is one third the height of one vertebral body, to 4 spaces. Mean vertical ranges were $1.5{\pm}0.6$ spaces in the right plexus and $1.6{\pm}0.7$ spaces in the left. The celiac ganglia located at the level of the upper third of L1 in the right and the lower third of L1 in the left side, had the largest vertical ranges respectively ($1.8{\pm}0.5$ spaces in right, $2.3{\pm}0.6$ spaces in left) 4) Right side celiac ganglia were located near the midline of the vertebrae compared to the left ones (mean 5.0 mm) The horizontal dimension was greater in the right ganglia ($24.2{\pm}9.2\;mm$) than in the left ganglia ($l8.8{\pm}7.0\;mm$). 5) There was no vertebral level difference between both celiac ganglia in most cases (60%). However, of the 40% of cases at different levels, in half of these (20%) the right ganglia were located higher than the left ganglia; and in the other 20%, this was reversed. 6) The origin sites of the celiac artery were most frequently in the upper third and middle third of L1 (61.6%). The celiac ganglia were usually located at the same level as the site of origin of the celiac artery (61.6% in right, 52.0% in left). 7) The vertebral level of the splanchnic nerves piercing the abdominal surface of the diaphragm was most frequently in the upper third and middle third of L1 (66.6% in right, 66.7% in left). 8) The level of the origin of diaphragmatic crura from the anterior surface of the vertebral bodies varied from the L1-L2 interspace to the L3-L4 interspace. Right crura most frequently originated at the level of the lower third of L2 to the upper third of L3 (57.6%), while left crura originated from the level of the L2-L3 interspace to the middle third of L3 (69.3%). From the above results, we realized that there were some anatomical variations of the celiac plexus and its relations to adjacent structures in Korean bodies. However, when the needle point is behind the anterior margin of the upper third of L1, it is possible to perform a successful retrocrural splanchnic nerve block.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.621-626
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• 2018

We introduced the physiological responses of aging, active aging and also suggest the impact of physical exercise on body health status and elderly immunity. In this purpose, we searched the Pub Med data base for the articles (include our experimental papers) and review papers having the terms 'Aging', 'Active aging' and 'Physical activity and elderly' in the title, published from 1999 until 2018. The results were as follows: Exercise training has been extensively studied about the reduction of inflammation, oxidative stress, disease, and aging in syndrome X patients and elderly. Combined and aerobic or resistance exercise training could reduce obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Exercise training has been extensively studied in cancer settings as part of prevention or treatment strategies. From this research, regular exercise has the potential to target tumor growth through regulation of inflammation and immune responses such as lactate clearance, NK cell activation (innate immunity), activation of cytotoxic immune cells, T cell activation (adaptive immunity), and immune surveillance. However, Endurance physical activity not only induces thermogenesis and diverse sports injuries but also elicits mobilization and functional enhancement of monocytes, neutrophils (which is caused by the cytokine changes such as TNF-alpha, IL-1) whereas it suppresses cell mediated immunity causing to increased susceptibility to inflammation and infections like cough and URTIs (upper respiratory track infections) in young and especially in elderly people. Therefore, Strategies to prevent physical fatigue, sports injuries include avoid overtraining, Adequate recovery and various type of rest during and after physical activity and assuring adequate nutrition supplementation such as glutamine, vitamin B, vitamin C, carbohydrate, ion or berry-contain sports beverages is helpful in physically active elderly.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.238-248
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• 2010

Purpose: To compare the dose distributions between three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) radiation treatment plans calculated by Ray-tracing or the Monte Carlo algorithm, and to highlight the difference of dose calculation between two algorithms for lung heterogeneity correction in lung cancers. Materials and Methods: Prospectively gated 4D CTs in seven patients were obtained with a Brilliance CT64-Channel scanner along with a respiratory bellows gating device. After 4D treatment planning with the Ray Tracing algorithm in Multiplan 3.5.1, a CyberKnife stereotactic radiotherapy planning system, 3D Ray Tracing, 3D and 4D Monte Carlo dose calculations were performed under the same beam conditions (same number, directions, monitor units of beams). The 3D plan was performed in a primary CT image setting corresponding to middle phase expiration (50%). Relative dose coverage, D95 of gross tumor volume and planning target volume, maximum doses of tumor, and the spinal cord were compared for each plan, taking into consideration the tumor location. Results: According to the Monte Carlo calculations, mean tumor volume coverage of the 4D plans was 4.4% higher than the 3D plans when tumors were located in the lower lobes of the lung, but were 4.6% lower when tumors were located in the upper lobes of the lung. Similarly, the D95 of 4D plans was 4.8% higher than 3D plans when tumors were located in the lower lobes of lung, but was 1.7% lower when tumors were located in the upper lobes of lung. This tendency was also observed at the maximum dose of the spinal cord. Lastly, a 30% reduction in the PTV volume coverage was observed for the Monte Carlo calculation compared with the Ray-tracing calculation. Conclusion: 3D and 4D robotic radiotherapy treatment plans for lung cancers were compared according to a dosimetric viewpoint for a tumor and the spinal cord. The difference of tumor dose distributions between 3D and 4D treatment plans was only significant when large tumor movement and deformation was suspected. Therefore, 4D treatment planning is only necessary for large tumor motion and deformation. However, a Monte Carlo calculation is always necessary, independent of tumor motion in the lung.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.257-262
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• 2008

Purpose: Oral mucositis induced by radiotherapy to the head and neck area, is a common acute complication and is considered as the most severe symptom for cancer patients in the early stages of treatment. This study was proposed to establish the oral mucositis mouse model induced by a single dose of radiation for the facility of testing therapeutic candidates which can be used for the oral mucositis treatments. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: control, 16 Gy, 18 Gy, and 20 Gy. Oral mucositis was induced by a single dose of radiation to the head and neck using 6 MV x-Ray from linear accelerator. After irradiation, body weight and physical abnormalities were checked daily. Tongue tissues from all groups were taken on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 14, respectively and H&E staining was conducted to examine morphological changes. Results: Body weight dramatically decreased after day 5 in all irradiated mice. In the 16 Gy treatment group, body weight was recovered on day 14. The histology data showed that the thickness of the epithelial cell layer was decreased by the accumulated time after radiation treatment, up to day 9. Severe ulceration was revealed on day 9. Conclusion: A single dose of 16 Gy is sufficient dose to induce oral mucositis in Balb/C mice. Significant changes were observed in the Balb/C mice on days 7 and 9 after radiation. It is suggested that this mouse model might be a useful standard tool for studying oral mucositis induced by radiation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.710-720
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• 2013

Radiotherapy is commonly used in treating many kinds of cancers which cannot be cured by other therapeutic strategies. However, radiotherapy also induces the damages on the normal tissues. Radiation-induced fibrosis is frequently observed in the patients undergoing radiotherapy, and becomes a major obstacle in the treatment of intrahepatic cancer. Hedgehog (Hh) that is an essential in the liver formation during embryogenesis is not detected in the healthy liver, but activated and modulates the repair process in damaged livers in adult. The expression of Hh increases with the degree of liver damage, regulating the proliferation of hepatic progenitors and hepatic stellate cells (HSC). In addition, Hh induces epithelial-to-mesencymal transition (EMT) and activation of myofibroblasts. In the irradiated livers, up-regulated expression of Hh signaling was associated with proliferation of progenitors, EMT induction, and increased fibrosis. Female-specific expression of Hh leaded to the expansion of progenitors and the accumulation of collagen in the irradiated livers of female mice, indicating that gender disparity in Hh expression may be related with radiation-susceptibility in female. Hence, Hh signaling becomes a novel object of studies for fibrogenesis induced by radiation. However, the absence of the established experimental animal models showing the similar physiopathology with human liver diseases and fibrosis-favorable microenvironment hamper the studies for the radiation-induced fibrosis, providing a few descriptive results. Therefore, further research on the association of Hh with radiation-induced fibrosis can identify the cell and tissue-specific effects of Hh and provides the basic knowledge for underlying mechanisms, contributing to developing therapies for preventing the radiation-induced fibrosis.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2014

Purpose : To derive the most appropriate factors by considering the effects of the major factors when applied to the optimization algorithm, thereby aiding the effective designing of a ideal treatment plan. Materials and Methods : The eclipse treatment planning system(Eclipse 10.0, Varian, USA) was used in this study. The PBC (Pencil Beam Convolution) algorithm was used for dose calculation, and the DVO (Dose Volume Optimizer 10.0.28) Optimization algorithm was used for intensity modulated radiation therapy. The experimental group consists of patients receiving intensity modulated radiation therapy for the head and neck cancer and dose prescription to two planned target volume was 2.2 Gy and 2.0 Gy simultaneously. Treatment plan was done with inverse dose calculation methods utilizing 6 MV beam and 7 fields. The optimal algorithm parameter of the established plan was selected based on volume dose-priority(Constrain), dose fluence smooth value and the impact of the treatment plan was analyzed according to the variation of each factors. Volume dose-priority determines the reference conditions and the optimization process was carried out under the condition using same ratio, but different absolute values. We evaluated the surrounding normal organs of treatment volume according to the changing conditions of the absolute values of the volume dose-priority. Dose fluence smooth value was applied by simply changing the reference conditions (absolute value) and by changing the related volume dose-priority. The treatment plan was evaluated using Conformal Index, Paddick's Conformal Index, Homogeneity Index and the average dose of each organs. Results : When the volume dose-priority values were directly proportioned by changing the absolute values, the CI values were found to be different. However PCI was $1.299{\pm}0.006$ and HI was $1.095{\pm}0.004$ while D5%/D95% was $1.090{\pm}1.011$. The impact on the prescribed dose were similar. The average dose of parotid gland decreased to 67.4, 50.3, 51.2, 47.1 Gy when the absolute values of the volume dose-priority increased by 40,60,70,90. When the dose smooth strength from each treatment plan was increased, PCI value increased to $1.338{\pm}0.006$. Conclusion : The optimization algorithm was more influenced by the ratio of each condition than the absolute value of volume dose-priority. If the same ratio was maintained, similar treatment plan was established even if the absolute values were different. Volume dose-priority of the treatment volume should be more than 50% of the normal organ volume dose-priority in order to achieve a successful treatment plan. Dose fluence smooth value should increase or decrease proportional to the volume dose-priority. Volume dose-priority is not enough to satisfy the conditions when the absolute value are applied solely.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.525-532
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• 1999

The parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) is the most common causative peptide of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. In contrast, the serum level of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is low to undetectable in the majority of patients with malignancy associated hypercalcemia. Few cases exist in which the production and secretion of PTH by malignant nonparathyroid tumors have been authenticated. To our knowledge, there is very rare case in which a nonparathyroid tumor expressed simultaneously both the PTH and PTHrP. We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung with hypercalcemia which presented with simultaneous elevation of serum PTH and PTHrP. Severe hypercalcemia (serum calcium, 7.5 mEq/L) was found in a 65-year-old man who had a squamous cell carcinoma of the lung without any bony metastasis and detectable parathyroid abnormalities on isotope scintigraphy. The serum level of intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) con centration was markedly elevated as measured in two site radioimmunoreactive PTH assays (intact PTH 150 pg/mL ; normal 9~55). The serum level of a PTHrP was also increased as measured in C-terminal region specific radioimmunoassay (PTHrP 99.1 pmol/L; normal 13.8~55.3). There are no evidences of coincidental primary hyperparathyroidism in parathyroid MIBI scan and other imaging studies including neck ultrasonography and computed tomography. These results suggest that simultaneous elevation of serum PTH and PTHrP in this patient can be caused by production of both PTHrP and PTH in other nonparathyroid lesions such as squamous cell carcinoma.