• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.76-76
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• 2003

Purpose: To assess clinical proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) as a noninvasive method for evaluating tumor malignancy at 3T high field system. Methods: Using 3T MRI/MRS system, localized water-suppressed single-voxel technique in patients with brain tumors was employed to evaluate spectra with peaks of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho), creatine/phosphocreatine (Cr) and lactate. On the basis of Cr, these peak areas were quantificated as a relative ratio. Results: The variation of metabolites measurements of the designated region in 10 normal volunteers was less than 10%. Normal ranges of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios were 1.67$\pm$018 and 1.16:1:0.15, respectively. NAA/Cr ratio of all tumor tissues was significantly lower than that of the normal tissues (P=0.005). Cho/Cr ratio of high-grade gliomas was significantly higher than that of low-grade gliomas (P= 0.001), Except 4 menigiomas, lactate signal was observed in all tumor cases. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the neuronal degradation or loss was observed in all tumor tissues. Higher grade of brain tumors was correlated with higher Cho/Cr ratio, indicating a significant dependence of Cho levels on malignancy of gliomas. This results suggest that clinical proton MR spectroscopy could be useful to predict tumor malignancy. Acknowledgement: This study was supported by a grant of the Mid and Long Term Nuclear R/D Plan Program, Ministry of Science and Technology, Republic of Korea.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect and the mechanism of Geumgoeshingi-whan (GGSGW) Pharmacopuncture at the acupoint GV 4 on the blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: SHR were injected with normal saline solution (Control-SHR group)or GGSGW Pharmacopuncture (GGSGW-SHR group) at the acupoint GV 4. The systolic arterial blood pressure and renal parameters were measured for two weeks. Results: The systolic arterial blood pressure was decreased significantly after GGSGW Pharmacopuncture at the acupoint GV 4 in SHR, followed by a significant rise in creatine clearance. The plasma levels of aldosterone were decreased significantly after GGSGW Pharmacopunctureas were the plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Conclusion: These results suggest that the blood pressure was decreased significantly after GGSGW Pharmacopuncture at the acupoint GV 4 in SHR and that the depressor response of the blood pressure was related to decreases in the plasma levels of aldosterone and ANP.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.237-243
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• 2004

In recent, many cardiac centers have preferred off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to on-pump CABG to prevent the adverse effects of cardiopulmonary bypass. The present study was performed to prove beneficial effects of off-pump CABG. Sixty adult patients scheduled for elective CABG were randomly assigned to On-pump group (n=30) or Off-pump group (n=30). Arterial blood samples were drawn before and after the operation (Pre-OP and Post-OP, respectively) for measuring CBC, prothrombin time, activated thromboplastine time, blood gas analysis, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) level, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. Perioperative parameters including heparin and protamine usages, complications, blood components usages, blood loss, ventilation and ICU-staying time, and hospitalization were also evaluated. Platelet count at Post-OP was high in Off-pump group whereas CK-MB and LDH levels were low compared with On-pump group. Off-pump group had significantly lower heparin and protamine usages, lower total leukocyte count, higher hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, less blood loss, lower usages of blood components, shorter ventilation and ICU-staying time, and lower incidence of pleural effusion than On-pump group. Other variables did not significantly differ between two groups. These results showed that Off-pump CABG was a satisfactory technique with less inflammatory reaction, less cardiac damage, less postoperative complications, and less cost.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.281-283
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• 2012

An 8-year-old female, German Shepherd dog was presented with history of dyspnea and seizure. One Year Previously a lumpectomy had been performed for surgical resection of mammary mass. In serum chemistry, severe hypoglycemia and elevation of aspartate aminitransferase and creatine kinase were shown. In thoracic radiography, there were variable sized nodules in the overall lung field. On computed tomography examination, the mass was shown in left longissimus lumborum muscle. Histopathological examination revealed adenocarcinoma derived from the mammary gland. Muscular metastasis of mammary gland tumor is uncommon. This is a rare observation and could easily be overlooked or misinterpreted.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.979-983
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• 1988

Calcium channel blockers may prevent myocardial injury during cardioplegia and reperfusion. This study was done to evaluate the effects of diltiazem cardioplegia on myocardial protection during ischemic arrest and recovery of myocardial function after reperfusion. Four formulations of crystalloid cardioplegic solutions, GIK solution[group I, n=12], diltiazem[lug/ml GIK] in GIK solution[group II, n=7], ],diltiazem[2ug/ml GIK] in GIK solution[group III, n=6] and diltiazem[4ug/ml GIK] in GIK solution[group IV, n=6] were compared in isolated working rat heart subjected to a long period [2 hours] of hypothermic arrest with multi-dose infusion. Diltiazem cardioplegia[group II, III and IV]was found to be superior in nearly all aspects. Diltiazem cardioplegia showed faster recovery of regular rhythm and lower incidence of ventricular fibrillation than group I did. In comparing mechanical function in all experimental hearts, the mean postischemic recoveries of aortic flow, cardiac output, peak aortic pressure, stroke volume and stroke work[expressed as a percentage of its preischemic control] were significantly greater in group II, III and IV[diltiazem cardioplegia] than in group I. The infused amount of cardioplegic solution was more increased by the addition of diltiazem to GI K solution. [p < 0.01] Creatine kinase leakage tended to be lower in hearts receiving diltiazem cardioplegia, especially in group III and IV[p<0.05] than in those receiving GIK solution only[group I]. Diltiazem cardioplegia results in the increased flow of cardioplegic solution and the decreased ischemic injury of myocardium during ischemic arrest and the improved recovery of myocardial function after reperfusion, and a dose-response relation must be established before clinical use.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.738-745
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• 1994

In order to evaluate the myocardial injury in cardiac valvular and coronary surgery, variables of creatine kinase[CK], myocardial band of CK[CK-MB], lactate dehydrogenase[LDH], aspartate aminotrasferase[AST] were measured in the preoperative[Preop], the operation day[POD0], and the first[POD1], third[POD3], fifth[POD5], seventh[POD7], ninth[POD9] day after operation in 29 patients. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the diseases: group V [valvular disease, n=16] and group C[coronary artery disease, n=13]. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups according to the duration of aortic crossclamping time[ACT]; group VI[ACT 120min, n=7] and group VII[ACT>120min, n=9]; group CI[ACT 120min, n=6] and group CII[ACT>120min, n=7]. The results were as followed 1. The values of CK between group V and group C had no significant difference. The values of CK in group CII were significantly greater than those in group CI and the values of CK in group VII were significantly greater than those in group VI. 2. Percentages of CK-MB between groups had no significant difference. 3. The serum levels of LDH in group V were significantly greater than those in group C. The serum levels of LDH in group VII were significantly greater than those in group VI. 4. The serum levels of AST in group VII were significantly greater than that in group VI. We were concluded that myocardial injury was more related with the duration of aortic cross clamping time rather than the type of diseases.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.151-153
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• 2004

Causes of rhabdomyolysis can be divided into traumatic and nontraumatic, Among the nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis, it is known that ingestion of drugs is one of the common causes. However, there have been few reports that benzodiazepine overdose causes rhabdomyolysis, moreover there was no report about rhabdomyolysis after alprazolam overdose. We experienced a case of rhabdomyolysis after alprazolam overdose. A 51-year-old woman was brought to the emergency room 11 hours after ingestion of 30 tablets (15 mg) of alprazolam in a suicidal attempt. On admission she was comatose and her CK level was 8,290 lUlL. The CK level increased up to 25,598 IU/L 10 hours after admission, but she became alert on the third day. Subsequently the CK level decreased gradually with supportive care without renal impairment and she discharged from the hospital on the $10^{th}$ day. Although a pressure effect on the dependent portion of the body due to mental alteration before admission might have caused the rhabdomyolysis, the alprazolam, per se, cannat be ruled out for the cause.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2014

Normal aging causes changes in the brain volume, connection, function and cognition. The brain changes with increases in age and difference of gender varies at all levels. Studies about normal brain aging using various brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) variables such as gray and white matter structural imaging, proton spectroscopy, apparent diffusion coefficient, diffusion tensor imaging and functional MRI are reviewed. Total volume of brain increases after birth but decreases after 9 years old. During adulthood, total volume of brain is relatively stable. After 35 years old, brain shrinks gradually. The changes of gray and white matters by aging show different features. N-acetylaspartate decreases or remains unchanged but choline, creatine and myo-inositol increase with aging. Apparent diffusion coefficient decreases till 20 years old and then becomes stable during adulthood and increase after 60 years old. Diffusion tensor properties in white matter tissue are variable during aging. Resting-state functional connectivity decreases after middle age. Structural and functional brain changes with normal aging are important for studying various psychiatric diseases such as dementia, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Our review may be helpful for studying longitudinal changes of these diseases and successful aging.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.89-93
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• 2017

Purpose: Virus-associated rhabdomyolysis is very rare. We report 15 patients with rhabdomyolysis caused by various viruses. Methods: Fifteen patients who were diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and a viral infection were included in this study. Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings were evaluated through retrospective chart reviews. Results: Chief complaints were severe bilateral lower leg pain and leg weakness. The median age was 5.7 years. The male:female ratio was 2:5. The viral infections were caused by influenza virus B, parainfluenza virus, and rhinovirus. One patient with influenza virus B had coinfection with coronavirus. Median initial laboratory values and ranges were as follows: serum creatinine, 0.4 (0.1-0.5) mg/dL; serum aspartate transaminase, 124 (48-1,098) IU/L; serum alanine transaminase, 30 (16- 1,455) IU/L; serum creatine kinase, 2,965 (672-16,594) IU; serum lactate dehydrogenase, 400 (269-7,394) IU/L; serum myoglobin, 644 (314-3,867) ng/mL; urine myoglobin, 3 (3-10,431) ng/mL. All patients recovered without complications. Conclusion: This is the first report of the simultaneous occurrence of rhabdomyolysis caused by various viruses. This is also the first report of rhinovirus-associated rhabdomyolysis.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

Among semi-quantitative or fully quantitative lateral flow assay readers, an image sensor-based instrument has been widely used because of its simple setup, cheap sensor price, and compact equipment size. For all previous approaches, monochrome CCD or CMOS cameras were used for lateral flow assay imaging in which the overall intensities of all colors were taken into consideration to estimate the analyte content, although the analyte related color information is only limited to a narrow wavelength range. In the present work, we introduced a color CCD camera as a sensor and a color decomposition method to improve the sensitivity of the quantitative biosensor system which utilizes the lateral flow assay successfully. The proposed setup and image processing method were applied to achieve the quantification of imitatively dispensed particles on the surface of a porous membrane first, and the measurement result was then compared with that using a monochrome CCD. The compensation method was proposed in different illumination conditions. Eventually, the color decomposition method was introduced to the commercially available lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. The measurement sensitivity utilizing the color image sensor is significantly improved since the slopes of the linear curve fit are enhanced from 0.0026 to 0.0040 and from 0.0802 to 0.1141 for myoglobin and creatine kinase (CK)-MB detection, respectively.