• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.462-470
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• 2008

This study applies fuzzy functions to improve image quality under the assumption that uncertainty of image information due to low contrast is based on vagueness and ambiguity of the brightness pixel values. To solve the problem of low contrast images whose brightness distribution is inclined, we use the k-means algorithm as a parameter of the fuzzy function, through which automatic critical points can be found to differentiate objects from background and contrast between bright and dark points can be improved. The fuzzy function is presented at the three main stages presented to improve image quality: fuzzification, contrast enhancement and defuzzification. To measure improved image quality, we present the fuzzy index and entropy index and in comparison with those of histogram equalization technique, it shows outstanding performance.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2011

We have developed a simple model of a bright-room contrast ratio (BRCR) measurement system for plasma display panels (PDPs) adopting a contrast enhancement film (CEF) by using an illumination design tool. Only four model parameters were used, namely, total ambient illumination power delivered by fluorescent lamps, a panel scattering rate, illuminance of PDP white patterns, and the absorption coefficient of a color adjusting film. These parameters were determined by simple optical measurements and matching simulations. The proposed model was employed to predict the BRCR values of four different CEF samples, and the simulated ones were found to be in agreement with measured ones within about 10% relative-error.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Computer Information Conference
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• 2019.01a
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• pp.83-86
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• 2019

Histogram equalization is extensively used for image contrast enhancement in various applications due to its effectiveness and its modest functions. In image research, image enhancement is one of the most significant and arduous technique. The image enhancement aim is to improve the visual appearance of an image. Different kinds of images such as satellite images, medical images, aerial images are affected from noise and poor contrast. So it is important to remove the noise and improve the contrast of the image. Therefore, for this purpose, we apply a median filter on MR image as the median filter remove the noise and preserve the edges effectively. After applying median filter on MR image we have used intensity transformation function on the filtered image to increase the contrast of the image. Than applied the histogram equalization (HE) technique on the filtered image. The simple histogram equalization technique over enhances the brightness of the image due to which the important information can be lost. Therefore, adaptive histogram equalization (AHE) and contrast limited histogram equalization (CLAHE) techniques are used to enhance the image without losing any information.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2019

Contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is a major concern when iodinated contrast material is administered, especially in patients at risk. Efforts have been undertaken to understand the detrimental effects of contrast media (CM). With the use of low-osmolar or iso-osmolar CM the incidence of CA-AKI has steadily decreased within the past decade; however, especially in the pediatric population information is scarce. Incidence rates have been reported to range between 0% to 18.75%, particularly depending on indication, selection of population (i.e. preexisting co-morbidities), and definition of AKI. Different biomarkers have been proposed, but confirmatory studies are either lacking or have contributed to their lack of diagnostic power. Proteomic approaches have been employed and may pave the way to such discovery. Prevention strategies have been tested and proposed, but the recently published AMACING and PRESERVE trials have shown that commonly used strategies (such as systematic hydration or administration of N-acetylcysteine) have no role in the prevention of CA-AKI. We propose that thoughtful assessment of one's fluid state is the most appropriate approach and depending on the hydration status diuretics or fluid administration should be provided to achieve an euvolemic state ahead of contrast exposure.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.863-879
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• 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be noninvasively diagnosed on the basis of its characteristic imaging findings of arterial phase enhancement and portal/delayed "washout" on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cirrhotic patients. However, different specific diagnostic criteria have been proposed by several countries and major academic societies. In 2018, major guideline updates were proposed by the Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), Korean Liver Cancer Association and National Cancer Center (KLCA-NCC) of Korea. In addition to dynamic CT and MRI using extracellular contrast media, these new guidelines now include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using hepatobiliary contrast media as the first-line diagnostic test, while the KLCA-NCC and EASL guidelines also include contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as the second-line diagnostic test. Therefore, hepatobiliary MR contrast media and CEUS will be increasingly used for the noninvasive diagnosis and staging of HCC. In this review, we discuss the emerging role of hepatobiliary phase MRI and CEUS for the diagnosis of HCC and also review the changes in the HCC diagnostic criteria in major guidelines, including the KLCA-NCC practice guidelines version 2018. In addition, we aimed to pay particular attention to some remaining issues in the noninvasive diagnosis of HCC.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.485-495
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• 2022

Coronary artery disease is highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is a risk factor for contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI), a complication of cardiovascular procedures that require contrast administration (e.g., coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]). CA-AKI has a major impact on morbidity, mortality, and healthcare resource utilization. The incidence of CA-AKI is particularly high in patients with pre-existing CKD, advanced age and comorbidities that increase the likelihood of CKD. The focus of the present review is to provide a brief overview on the assessment of the risk for and prevention of CA-AKI in patients undergoing angiography and PCI, including recognition of the important patient- and procedure-related factors that may contribute to CA-AKI. Preventive and treatment strategies, the mainstay of which is volume repletion by normal saline, are briefly discussed. The main focus of the review is placed on technical details of contrast minimization techniques, including ultra-low contrast angiography and zerocontrast PCI. Operator competence in such techniques is important to ensure that procedural challenges in patients with CKD, like vessel calcification, multivessel disease and complex anatomical subsets, are effectively addressed by PCI while minimizing the risk of CA-AKI.

• Ultrasonography
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to establish the methodology regarding synthesis of ultrasound contrast agent imaging, and to evaluate the characteristics of the synthesized ultrasound contrast agents, including size or degradation interval and image quality. Materials and Methods: The ultrasound contrast agent, composed of liposome and SF6, was synthesized from the mixture solution of $21{\mu}mol$ DPPC (1, 2-Dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, $C_{40}H_{80}NO_8P$), $9{\mu}mol$ cholesterol, $1.9{\mu}mol$ of DCP (Dihexadecylphosphate, $[CH_3(CH_2)_{15}O]_2P(O)OH$), and chloroform. After evaporation in a warm water bath and drying during a period of 12-24 hours, the contrast agent was synthesized by the sonication process by addition of buffer and SF6 gas. The size of the contrast agent was controlled by use of either extruder or sonication methods. After synthesis of contrast agents, analysis of the size distribution of the bubbles was performed using dynamic light scattering measurement methods. The degradation curve was also evaluated by changes in the number of contrast agents via light microscopy immediate, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, 60 hours, 72 hours, and 84 hours after synthesis. For evaluation of the role as an US contrast agent, the echogenicity of the synthesized microbubble was compared with commercially available microbubbles (SonoVue, Bracco, Milan, Italy) using a clinical ultrasound machine and phantom. Results: The contrast agents were synthesized successfully using an evaporation-drying-sonication method. The majority of bubbles showed a mean size of 154.2 nanometers, and they showed marked degradation 24 hours after synthesis. ANOVA test revealed a significant difference among SonoVue, synthesized contrast agent, and saline (p < 0.001). Although no significant difference was observed between SonoVue and the synthesized contrast agent, difference in echogenicity was observed between synthesized contrast agent and saline (p < 0.01). Conclusion: We could synthesize ultrasound contrast agents using an evaporation-drying-sonication method. On the basis of these results, many prospective types of research, such as anticancer drug delivery, gene delivery, including siRNA or microRNA, targeted molecular imaging, and targeted therapy can be performed.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 2007

Contrast medium is a useful drug for radiological examinations and usability of it gradually increases while it has some inevitable adverse reaction and it is difficult to predict the occurrence and the degree of adverse reactions. Although the patient consented permission for the use of contrast media, the hospital could not be exempted from the responsibility for the adverse contrast media reaction. During radiological contrast media examination, the radiologist and the contrast media producer have the duty of precaution, prediction and avoid adverse results. In addition, they have reliabi lity of patient remedy for neglecting the duty. Since contrast medium are manufactured or processed as movable properties, the manufacturers are bound to the product liability if damages occur due to the defects in pharmaceuticals. In consideration of the characteristics of product liability, it is necessary to demand high degree of duty of care and diligence from producer or to reduce patient's burden of proof in a product liability lawsuit. For securing compensation ability and liability implementation, products compensation liability insurance is required for contrast medium manufacturers. In conclusion, contrast medium producer has legal liability for adverse reactions and the contract concluded with producer and hospital including legal liability will reduce liability of hospital and radiologist, patient.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.261-270
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• 2014

Purpose: To study the effect of an artificially induced dioptric blur on acuity and contrast sensitivity using the $Optec^{(R)}$ 6500. Methods: Healthy 31 subjects aged $22.90{\pm}1.92$ (male 16, female 15) who were recruited from university students with 6/6 (20/20) or better corrected visual acuity and normal binocularity. They were measured objective and subjective refraction for full correction and dioptric blur using 0.00 ~ +3.00 D (+0.50 D steps) trial lenses and trial frame. They were measured binocularly visual acuity and contrast sensitivity with the $Optec^{(R)}$ 6500 (Stereo Optical Co., Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA) under day conditions (photopic condition, $85cd/m^2$). Results: The higher dioptric blur, the less distance visual acuity and decrease rate of visual acuity. The higher dioptric blur, the less contrast sensitivity at all frequencies, and the peak of contrast sensitivity was shifted from middle frequency (6 cpd) to low frequency (1.5 cpd). When the visual acuity was best visual acuity to 0.77, there was the peak point at 6 cpd which was normal contrast sensitivity peak point. Conclusions: If the low refractive error is uncorrected or the refractive error is inappropriate, the contrast sensitivity is decreased and the peak point of contrast sensitivity frequency is shifted abnormally though small uncorrected refractive error. So it will be considered that regular eye test and decision of refractive error correction is important.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of visualizing soft tissue lesions and vascular structures using contrast-enhanced cone-beam computed tomography (CE-CBCT) after the intravenous administration of a contrast medium in an animal model. Materials and Methods: CBCT was performed on six rabbits after a contrast medium was administered using an injection dose of 2 mL/kg body weight and an injection rate of 1 mL/s via the ear vein or femoral vein under general anesthesia. Artificial soft tissue lesions were created through the transplantation of autologous fatty tissue into the salivary gland. Volume rendering reconstruction, maximum intensity projection, and multiplanar reconstruction images were reconstructed and evaluated in order to visualize soft tissue contrast and vascular structures. Results: The contrast enhancement of soft tissue was possible using all contrast medium injection parameters. An adequate contrast medium injection parameter for facilitating effective CE-CBCT was a 5-mL injection before exposure combined with a continuous 5-mL injection during scanning. Artificial soft tissue lesions were successfully created in the animals. The CE-CBCT images demonstrated adequate opacification of the soft tissues and vascular structures. Conclusion: Despite limited soft tissue resolution, the opacification of vascular structures was observed and artificial soft tissue lesions were visualized with sufficient contrast to the surrounding structures. The vascular structures and soft tissue lesions appeared well delineated in the CE-CBCT images, which was probably due to the superior spatial resolution of CE-CBCT compared to other techniques, such as multislice computed tomography.