• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2000

The performance of an electrometer directly affects on the accuracy and precision in radiation dosimetry. This study is to list of the quality control for maintaining performance and to perform evaluation tests of an electrometer. Performance tests selected include proper polarizing voltages, warm-up and equalization time, leakages, long-term stability, linearity, and effect of ambient conditions. An electrometer connected with a rigid stem ionization chamber was evaluated with a Strontium-90 check device. Bias voltage was measured directly on the input socket. Equalization time is the time required for reaching threshold of charged state after the power is on or the bias voltage is changed. Pre- and post-signal leakages are defined as the accumulation of signal with no exposure and after exposure, respectively. Over three months period, the electrometer's long-term stability was measured by comparison of the temperature-pressure corrected readings. Linearity was expressed as the deviation of readings from multiple short exposures from one continuous exposure. Effect of ambient conditions was expressed as the zero drift of the electrometer over 17-34$^{\circ}C$ temperature ranges. For two nominal values, 300 and 500 volts, measured voltages were lower by 2.5 and 5.8%, respectively. The warm-up time, 20 minutes, was longer than the lamp time by 9 minutes and the equalization time was less than 1 minute. Without exposure, the zero-drift was 0.002 scale-unit in 15 minutes and the leakage after 10 minutes exposure was minimal. The IQ-4 was stable over 99.4% for three-month periods. Deviation from the linearity was 0.9% for measurement scale, 0.000-9.991. Over 17-34$^{\circ}C$ temperature range, the zero-drift was minimal, less than 0.2%. For a clinically-used electrometer, a list for the basic peformance evaluations is proposed. By running this program, the measurement error using an electrometer can be reduced and in turn the improvement in accuracy and precision of radiation dosimetry can be achieved.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.32
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• pp.7-15
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• 2020

Purpose: In modern radiotherapy technology, several methods of image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) are used to deliver accurate doses to tumor target locations and normal organs, including CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) and other devices, ExacTrac System, other than CBCT equipped with linear accelerators. In previous studies comparing the two systems, positional errors were analysed rearwards using Offline-view or evaluated only with a Yaw rotation with the X, Y, and Z axes. In this study, when using CBCT and ExacTrac to perform 6 Degree of the Freedom(DoF) Online IGRT in a treatment center with two equipment, the difference between the set-up calibration values seen in each system, the time taken for patient set-up, and the radiation usefulness of the imaging device is evaluated. Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the difference between mobile calibrations and exposure radiation dose, the glass dosimetry and Rando Phantom were used for 11 cancer patients with head circumference from March to October 2017 in order to assess the difference between mobile calibrations and the time taken from Set-up to shortly before IGRT. CBCT and ExacTrac System were used for IGRT of all patients. An average of 10 CBCT and ExacTrac images were obtained per patient during the total treatment period, and the difference in 6D Online Automation values between the two systems was calculated within the ROI setting. In this case, the area of interest designation in the image obtained from CBCT was fixed to the same anatomical structure as the image obtained through ExacTrac. The difference in positional values for the six axes (SI, AP, LR; Rotation group: Pitch, Roll, Rtn) between the two systems, the total time taken from patient set-up to just before IGRT, and exposure dose were measured and compared respectively with the RandoPhantom. Results: the set-up error in the phantom and patient was less than 1mm in the translation group and less than 1.5° in the rotation group, and the RMS values of all axes except the Rtn value were less than 1mm and 1°. The time taken to correct the set-up error in each system was an average of 256±47.6sec for IGRT using CBCT and 84±3.5sec for ExacTrac, respectively. Radiation exposure dose by IGRT per treatment was measured at 37 times higher than ExacTrac in CBCT and ExacTrac at 2.468mGy and 0.066mGy at Oral Mucosa among the 7 measurement locations in the head and neck area. Conclusion: Through 6D online automatic positioning between the CBCT and ExacTrac systems, the set-up error was found to be less than 1mm, 1.02°, including the patient's movement (random error), as well as the systematic error of the two systems. This error range is considered to be reasonable when considering that the PTV Margin is 3mm during the head and neck IMRT treatment in the present study. However, considering the changes in target and risk organs due to changes in patient weight during the treatment period, it is considered to be appropriately used in combination with CBCT.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.61-64
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• 2014

Radioactive materials are in use and have many applications from the generation of electricity to the purposes of research, industry and medicine such as diagnosis and therapy. In the course of their use some of radioactive substances may be discharged into the environment from facilities using the unsealed radioactive materials, which are main artificial sources occurring the public exposure. Discharges are in the form of gases, particles or liquids. This paper provides procedures to estimate the level of the public exposure based on the conservative assumptions and simple calculations in the facility using unsealed liquid sources. They consist of two processes; (1) to calculate maximum concentration of gaseous effluents discharged through the exhaust pipe and average concentration of liquid effluents discharged through the drain of the storage tank, (2) to compare each of them to numerical guidances for the discharges of radioactive gaseous and liquid effluents mentioned in the related notification. For this purpose followings are assumed properly; daily usage, form and dispersion rate of radionuclides, daily amount of radioactive liquid waste and exhaust and drainage equipment. The procedures are readily applicable to evaluate environmental effects by planned effluent discharges from facilities using the unsealed radioactive materials. In addition they may be utilized to obtain practical requirements for radiation safety control necessary for the reductions of the public exposure.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to compare DNA repair characteristics of normal fibroblast cell (MRC-5) and neuroblastoma cell (SK-N-SH) induced by proton beam. Cells were irradiated with 2Gy, 5Gy and 8Gy proton beam. The rate of DNA rejoining was measured by alkaline version of the comet assay. After a repair time, tail moment was measured again. The tail moment of MRC-5 was lower than SK-N-SH. However, after 8Gy of exposure, the tail moment of MRC-5 was measured as 50.320223.17155 which represents dangerous level of DNA damage. The cells were repaired practically within 25 hours after 2 and 5Gy of exposure while they were not fully recovered after 8Gy of exposure. Especially, tail moment of MRC-5 after 25 hours was 18.15364.42849. In the distal declining edge of SOBP, the RBE value is increased by high LET. The RBE differences of SOBP in high-dose were greater than low-dose. After the high-dose exposure, MRC-5 of normal fibroblast cell could lead to lasting DNA damage as shown in this study. In conclusion, we has to pay special attention when the region of the treatment volume is close to sensitive tissues.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.421-425
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• 2018

Methanol is a clear, colorless, volatile, and poisonous liquid that is commonly used as an industrial solvent. Visual impairment is a common symptom of methanol poisoning; however, visual impairment rarely occurs after exposure through inhalation. Therefore, visual loss after methanol intoxication via respiration has rarely been reported. We report a case of visual damage associated with methanol poisoning via respiratory exposure in an industrial setting. In this case in South Korea, a 28-year-old woman who worked at a cell phone factory was admitted to the emergency department with mental changes. She had blurred vision that began two days prior, but she did not come to the hospital until she experienced mental changes. She ranked 9 on the Glasgow Coma Scale and presented with severe metabolic acidosis. So, she was admitted to intensive care, and continuous renal replacement therapy was performed. Finally, she was discharged after recovery of her mental state, but had to undergo rehabilitation for six months. Also, her visual impairment was permanent. Methanol intoxication can occur through inhalation, which is difficult to detect initially. However, treatment of methanol poisoning is time-critical. Therefore, doctors should always keep in mind that methanol intoxication may occur via respiration. If in doubt, treatment should be given as soon as possible.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.347-353
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• 2022

In this study, the radiation dose rate was measured by time and distance and evaluated whether radiation dose rate was suitable for domestic and international discharge criteria. In addition, the radiation dose emitted from the patient was measured with a glass dosimeter to evaluate the exposure dose if the caregiver stays in the isolated ward by placing a humanoid phantom instead of the caregiver at a distance of 1 m from the patient, on the second day of treatment. After 23 hours of isolation, the radiation dose rates at a distance of 1 m were 20.54 ± 6.21 µSv/h at 2.96 GBq administration and 27.94 ± 12.33 µSv/h at 3.70 GBq administration. The radiation dose rates at a distance of 1 m were 25.90 ± 2.21 µSv/h when 2.96 GBq was administered and 34.22 ± 10.06 µSv/h when 3.70 GBq was administered after 18 hours of isolation. However, if the isolation period is short may cause unnecessary radiation exposure to the third person. The reading of the attached dosimeter from the morning of the second day of treatment until removal was 0.01 to 0.95 mSv, which is a surface dose determined by the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements. And the depth dose was 0.01 to 0.99 mSv. On the second day of treatment, even if the patient caregivers stayed in the isolation ward, the exposure dose of the patient family did not exceed the effective dose limit of 5 mSv recommended by the ICRP and NCRP.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.9.1-9.5
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• 2016

Objectives There have been developed to use targeting ability for antimicrobial, anticancerous, gene therapy and cosmetics through analysis of various membrane proteins isolated from cell organelles. Methods It was examined about the lysosomal membrane protein extracted from lysosome isolated from HeLa cell treated by 100 ppm melanin for 24 hours in order to find associated with targeting ability to melanin using by 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Results The result showed 14 up-regulated (1.5-fold) and 13 down-regulated (2.0-fold) spots in relation to melanin exposure. Conclusions It has been found that lysosomal membrane proteins are associated with melanin to decolorize and quantity through cellular activation of lysosome.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.920-931
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• 2011

Nerve agents are irreversible inhibitors of the cholinesterase enzyme. Exposure causes a progression of toxic signs, including hypersecretions, fasciculations, tremor, convulsions, respiratory distress, epileptiform seizures, brain injuries and death. A combined regimen of prophylaxis and therapy is the most effective medical countermeasure for dealing with the threat of nerve agent poisoning to military personnel. In this paper, the author investigated the updated technologies regarding various pre- and post-treatment drugs for nerve agents detoxification which are under development in several countries including Korea. Some characteristics of active ingredients in the formulations of drugs, their action mechanisms, and effectiveness were analyzed. Additionally, part of experimental data on the transdermal patch studied in ADD using beagle dogs was introduced.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.765-772
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• 2001

Paraquat has been widely used as herbcide since 1960s. Paraquat played a great role in agriculture history and rescued many people from starvation. On the other hand, it also killed lots of people. Paraquat is so lethally toxic that most of them who taken it come to die, even small amounts of ingestions. Therefore many methods has been tried for treating Paraquat intoxication, but they're still in controversial. In this study, the author report a case of Paraquat intoxication by using 8 constitutional acupuncture therapy, diet and herbal medication. The result was relatively acceptable.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.359-362
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• 2011

There is a delicate balance between too little and too much supplemental oxygen exposure in premature infants. Since underuse and overuse of supplemental oxygen can harm premature infants, oxygen saturation levels must be monitored and kept at less than 95% to prevent reactive oxygen species-related diseases, such as retinopathy of prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. At the same time, desaturation below 80 to 85% must be avoided to prevent adverse consequences, such as cerebral palsy. It is still unclear what range of oxygen saturation is appropriate for premature infants; however, until the results of further studies are available, a reasonable target for pulse oxygen saturation ($SpO_2$) is 90 to 93% with an intermittent review of the correlation between $SpO_2$ and the partial pressure of arterial oxygen tension ($PaO_2$). Because optimal oxygenation depends on individuals at the bedside making ongoing adjustments, each unit must define an optimal target range and set alarm limits according to their own equipment or conditions. All staff must be aware of these values and adjust the concentration of supplemental oxygen frequently.