• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.145-152
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• 2020

Purpose: In ionization-chamber dosimetry for high-dose-rate electron beams-above 20 mGy/pulse-the ion-recombination correction methods recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) are not appropriate, because they overestimate the correction factor. In this study, we suggest a practical ion-recombination correction method, based on Boag's improved model, and apply it to reference dosimetry for electron beams of about 100 mGy/pulse generated from an electron linear accelerator (LINAC). Methods: This study employed a theoretical model of the ion-collection efficiency developed by Boag and physical parameters used by Laitano et al. We recalculated the ion-recombination correction factors using two-voltage analysis and obtained an empirical fitting formula to represent the results. Next, we compared the calculated correction factors with published results for the same calculation conditions. Additionally, we performed dosimetry for electron beams from a 6 MeV electron LINAC using an Advanced Markus^® ionization chamber to determine the reference dose in water at the source-to-surface distance (SSD)=100 cm, using the correction factors obtained in this study. Results: The values of the correction factors obtained in this work are in good agreement with the published data. The measured dose-per-pulse for electron beams at the depth of maximum dose for SSD=100 cm was 115 mGy/pulse, with a standard uncertainty of 2.4%. In contrast, the k_s values determined using the IAEA and AAPM methods are, respectively, 8.9% and 8.2% higher than our results. Conclusions: The new method based on Boag's improved model provides a practical method of determining the ion-recombination correction factors for high dose-per-pulse radiation beams up to about 120 mGy/pulse. This method can be applied to electron beams with even higher dose-per-pulse, subject to independent verification.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.1289-1296
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• 2021

In this study, an electron-scattering device was fabricated to practically use the ultra-high dose rate electron beams for the FLASH preclinical research in Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences. The Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences has been involved in the investigation of linear accelerators for preclinical research and has recently implemented FLASH electron beams. To determine the geometry of the scattering device for the FLASH preclinical research with a 6-MeV linear accelerator, the Monte Carlo N-particle transport code was exploited. By employing the fabricated scattering device, the off-axis and depth dose distributions were measured with radiochromic films. The generated mean energy of electron beams via the scattering device was 4.3 MeV, and the symmetry and flatness of the off-axis dose distribution were 0.11% and 2.33%, respectively. Finally, the doses per pulse were obtained as a function of the source to surface distance (SSD); the measured dose per pulse varied from 4.0 to 0.2 Gy/pulse at an SSD range of 20-90 cm. At an SSD of 30 cm with a 100-Hz repetition rate, the dose rate was 180 Gy/s, which is sufficient for the preclinical FLASH studies.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.33-39
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• 2023

Purpose: FLASH radiotherapy (RT) using ultra-high dose rate (>40 Gy/s) radiation is being studied worldwide. However, experimental studies such as preclinical studies using small animals are difficult to perform due to the limited availability of irradiation devices and methods for generating a FLASH beam. In this paper, we report the initial dosimetry results of a prototype electron linear accelerator (LINAC)-based irradiation system to perform ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) preclinical experiments. Methods: The present study used the prototype electron LINAC developed by the Research Center of Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences (DIRAMS) in Korea. We investigated the beam current dependence of the depth dose to determine the optimal beam current for preclinical experiments. The dose rate in the UHDR region was measured by film dosimetry. Results: Depth dose measurements showed that the optimal beam current for preclinical experiments was approximately 33 mA, corresponding to a mean energy of 4.4 MeV. Additionally, the average dose rates of 80.4 Gy/s and 162.0 Gy/s at a source-to-phantom surface distance of 30 cm were obtained at pulse repetition frequencies of 100 Hz and 200 Hz, respectively. The dose per pulse and instantaneous dose rate were estimated to be approximately 0.80 Gy and 3.8×10⁵ Gy/s, respectively. Conclusions: Film dosimetry verified the appropriate dose rates to perform FLASH RT preclinical studies using the developed electron-beam irradiator. However, further research on the development of innovative beam monitoring systems and stabilization of the accelerator beam is required.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 2022

Purpose: This pilot study assessed the immediate in vivo effect of high peak pulse power neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser monotherapy on selected red/orange complex periodontal pathogens in deep human periodontal pockets. Methods: Twelve adults with severe periodontitis were treated with the Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP®) surgical protocol, wherein a free-running, digitally pulsed, Nd:YAG dental laser was used as the initial therapeutic step before mechanical root debridement. Using a flexible optical fiber in a handpiece, Nd:YAG laser energy, at a density of 196 J/cm² and a high peak pulse power of 1,333 W/pulse, was directed parallel to untreated tooth root surfaces in sequential coronal-apical passes to clinical periodontal probing depths, for a total applied energy dose of approximately 8-12 joules per millimeter of periodontal probing depth at each periodontal site. Subgingival biofilm specimens were collected from each patient before and immediately after Nd:YAG laser monotherapy from periodontal pockets exhibiting ≥6 mm probing depths and bleeding on probing. Selected red/orange complex periodontal pathogens (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Prevotella intermedia/nigrescens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Parvimonas micra, and Campylobacter species) were quantified in the subgingival samples using established anaerobic culture techniques. Results: All immediate post-treatment subgingival biofilm specimens continued to yield microbial growth after Nd:YAG laser monotherapy. The mean levels of total cultivable red/orange complex periodontal pathogens per patient significantly decreased from 12.0% pretreatment to 4.9% (a 59.2% decrease) immediately after Nd:YAG laser monotherapy, with 3 (25%) patients rendered culture-negative for all evaluated red/orange complex periodontal pathogens. Conclusions: High peak pulse power Nd:YAG laser monotherapy, used as the initial step in the LANAP® surgical protocol on mature subgingival biofilms, immediately induced significant reductions of nearly 60% in the mean total cultivable red/orange complex periodontal pathogen proportions per patient prior to mechanical root instrumentation and the rest of the LANAP® surgical protocol.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.188-196
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• 2006

Background: Ma-huang (Ephedra sinica) has been widely used to treat respiratory disease in oriental medicine for over a hundred years. Ma-huang preparations contain approximately 1.25% ephedrine alkaloids. Recently, the ephedra alkaloids have received much press lately due to adverse effects in those using whole extracts as 'dietary supplements' for weight loss or athletic performance enhancement, and these reports are troubling given the increasing use of Ma-huang by the general public. The purpose of this report is to determine the proper dosage to minimize adverse effects and maximize the potential curative value. Objectives : The object of this study was to find an effective yet low risk dosage of Ma-huang. Methods : The study was designed as a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. The subjects of this study were 26 adults between 20 to 40 of age who agreed to participate in this study. They were allocated through randomization into three groups. Each group took three opaque capsules three times a day. A group (N=9) took one Ma-huang capsule and two placebo capsules, B group (N=8) took two Ma-huang capsules and one placebo capsule, C group (N=9) took three Ma-huang capsules. The total trial periods was two days. To compare the adverse effects of Ma-huang according to dosage, blood pressure and pulse were checked, and other adverse effects were assessed using a morning questionnaire, patient's global assessment scale and Wong-Baker faces pain rating. Results : The following result were obtained: 1. After taking 18 g of Ma-huang per day, pulse rate had a significant increase. 2. After taking more than 6 g of Ma-huang per day, palpitation would be increased significantly. 3. After taking more than 18 g of Ma-huang per day, tiredness would be increased significantly. Conclusion: According to the results, 12 g of Ma-huang per day will minimize adverse effects and maximize the potential curative value.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 1988

Continuous cervical epidural anesthesia with two different concentrations of bupivacaine had been performed in 43 cases for surgery of upper extremity and cervical spine. After the initial dose of 0.33% bupivacaine 15ml to Group I(n=22) and 0.5% bupivacaine 15ml to Group II(n=21) was injected respectively, we observed the circulatory and pulmonary functions to be changed, and evaluated the duration of those analgesic action. The number of spinal segment to be affected and the complications were checked. Statistical significance of changes after the initial dose in both groups was determined by student's t-test. All values are impresed as mean$\pm$1S.D.. The results were as follows: 1) Circulatory functions; Systolic B.P. and Pulse rate were decreased by 10~15torr and 5~6 beats per minute respectively between 10~30 minutes following the initial dose, which were statistically significant in both groups. 2) Pulmonary functions; The diminution of minute volume showed to 20% and a rise of $PaCO_2$ level to 5~6 torr respectively between 30~60 minutes following the initial dose, which were statistically significant in both groups. There were no significant changes in self respiration and respiratory rate in both groups. 3) The duration of analgesic action was $72.3{\pm}25.7$(min) in Group I and $83.5{\pm}28.5$(min) in Group II which was not statistically significant between two groups, and the number of affected spinal segment at ore hour following the Anesthusia was $8.7{\pm}2.0$ in Group I and $10.5{\pm}2.4$ in Group II which was statistically significant between two groups. 4) Complications; a. Hypotension(below 80torr in systolic pressure) was appeared in 5% of all patients. b. Bradycardia(below 60 beats per minutes) was appeared in 25% of all patients. c. Inadvertent dural puncture was developed in only one patient, In conclusion, the 0.33% bupivacaine as well as 0.5% bupivacaine were enough for those analgesic effect in the above mentioned surgery even though the duration of analgesic action was about 10 minutes shorter in Group I than that of Group II. The cardiopulmonary function was clinically rather stable in Group I than that of Group II. Therefore we thought 0.33% bupivacaine was satisfactory for the clinical practicality in the cervical epidural anesthesia.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2015

The C-band compact linear accelerator (linac) is being developed at Dongnam Institute of radiological & Medical Sciences (DIRAMS) for medical and industrial applications. This paper was focused on the output measurement of the electron beam generated from the prototype electron linac. The dose rate was measured in unit of cGy/min per unit pulse frequency according to the IAEA TRS-398 protocol. Exradin-A10 Markus type plane parallel chamber used for the measurement was calibrated in terms of dose to water at the reference depth in water. The beam quality index ($R_{50}$) was determined by the radiochromic film with a solid water phantom approximately due to low energy electrons. As a result, the determined electron beam output was $17.0cGy/(min{\cdot}Hz$. The results were used to monitor the accelerator performance during the development procedure.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.783-789
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• 2002

Purpose : We evaluated the epidemiologic characteristics and incidence of coronary artery sequele of children with KD according to treatment. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 506 medical records of children with KD, who were admitted at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital from Jan. 1987 to Dec. 2000. Results : The mean annual incidence was $36.1{\pm}11.1$ cases per year. There was a slightly higher occurrence in summer with no significant difference in monthly incidence. The mean age was $2.4{\pm}1.7$ years and 450 children(88.9%) were below four years of age. The male to female ratio was 1.7 : 1. When the 345 cases between 1987 and 1994 were divided into three groups according to treatment, incidences of the coronary abnormality(above grade II) of aspirin-treated(54 cases; 15.6%), divided-intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) treated($400-500mg/day{\times}4-5days$, 224 cases; 64.9%), and one-dose IVIG treated(2.0 g/day, 67 cases; 19.5%) groups were 8.3%, 6.0%, and 7.5%, respectively. Between 1995 and 2000, 143 cases were treated with only one-dose IVIG and 21 cases(14.7%) showed coronary artery abnormalities(grade I, 15 cases; grade II, two cases; and grade III, four cases). Among the 143 cases, 22 cases(15.1%) were retreated with IVIG and/or steroid pulse therapy. The incidence of coronary artery abnormality in this group was 50.0%. Incidences of cases in recurrence and among siblings were 0.6% and 0.4% respectively. There was no fatal case. Conclusion : In Daejeon, Korea, the epidemiologic feature of KD showed slight annual variations without monthly differences. The incidence of coronary abnormality with one-dose IVIG therapy was 14.7%. The nonresponse of this therapy was 15.1% with a coronary abnormality of 50.0%.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.175-183
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• 1993

There are many report suggesting that influx and intracellular calcium concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ are related to cell signalling in various cells. However, it has not been reported that calcium channel activation is affected by the substances involved in signal transduction pathways in the mouse eggs. In this study, the effects of isoprenaline (ISP) and cyclic AMP on calcium influx through calcium channels were investigated to show their relationship with the signal transduction process in unfertilized mouse eggs. Using whole cell voltage clamp techniques, calcium currents, elicited by the depolarizing pulses of 300 ms duration (from -50 mV to 50 mV in 10 mV increments) from a holding potential of -80 mV, were recorded. The current-voltage (I-V) relation of calcium currents was shown to be bell-shaped; the current began to activate at -50 mV and reached its maximum $(-1.33{\pm}0.16\;nA:\;mean{\pm}S.E.,\;n=7)$ at -10 mV, then decayed at around 50 mV. Calcium currents were fully activated within $7\;ms{\sim}20\;ms$ and completely inactivated 200 ms after onset of the step pulse. ISP within the concentration ranges of $10^{-8}\;M{\sim}10^{-4}\;M$ dose-dependently increased the amplitude calcium current. The permeable cyclic AMP analogue,8-bromocyclic AMP, also increased its maximal amplitude by 46ft at $10^{-5}\;M$, while protein kinase inhibitor (PKI), which is known to inhibit 0.02 phosphorylating units of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) per microgram decreased calcium currents. Currents recorded in the presence of PKI were resistant to increase by the application of $10^{-5}\;M$. Also, PKI inhibited the calcium current increase elicited by ISP treatment. These results suggest that $\beta-adrenergic$ regulation of the calcium channel is mediated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. This signal transduction pathway might play a role in regulating $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, level due to the increase of calcium influx in mouse eggs.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.269-277
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• 1996

The vacuum systems of PLS linac provides average pressure of $2.6\times 10^{-6}$Pa under high power microwave of 54 MW peak with 4.1 $\mu \textrm s$ pulse width and 10 Hz repetition rates. The base pressure of system is$2.4\times 10^{-6}$Pa with 45$^{\circ}C$ cooling water. The outgassing rate of the system is decreased from $3.0\times 10^{-11}Torr-l/sec-\textrm{cm}^2$ at the initial stage after installation to $1\times 10^{-12}Torr-l/sec-\textrm{cm}^2$ at present. Total accumulated microwave energy dose is about 140 GJ per module. All ion pumps are working under saturated regime and effective pumping speeds of 60 I/s, 230 I/s ion pumps are 45 I/s, 65 I/s, 140 I/s under the operating range. Main problems occurred in recent year are troubles of ion pump controller and vacuum gauge controller, vacuum leak of energy doubler window and electron gun ceramic, and water leak in the dummy load of acceleraing columns. Total of 41 troubles with 140. 8 hours down time give good system availability of 98%. Down time can be reduced by high power waveguide valves and water dummy loads under development, and then availability is expected to be increased up to 99.5%.