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Monitoring of Heavy Metal Content in Alcoholic Beverages (국내 유통 주류 중 중금속 실태조사)

  • No, Ki-Mi;Kang, Kyung-Mo;Baek, Seung-Lim;Choi, Hoon;Park, Sung-Kug;Kim, Dong-Sul
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.24-29
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    • 2010
  • This study was conducted to estimate the contents of heavy metals including lead, cadmium, arsenic and total mercury in alcoholic beverages in Korea. Concentration of Hg was analyzed by gold amalgamation method, using mercury analyzer, while concentration of Pb, Cd and As was analyzed by ICP-MS. Concentration (${\mu}g/kg$) of heavy metal in fermented liquors were; for Pb $9.9\;{\pm}\;8.4$(0~38.0), Cd $5.8\;{\pm}\;4.9$(0~5.4), As $28.6\;{\pm}\;19.4$(1~96.4), Hg $0.7\;{\pm}\;1.2$(0~10.6). Concentration (${\mu}g/kg$) of distilled liquors were ; for Pb $4.4\;{\pm}\;5.7$(0~29.3), Cd $2.0\;{\pm}\;2.5$(0~10.3), As $12.0\;{\pm}\;17.0$(0~95.6), Hg $0.2\;{\pm}\;0.3$(0~2.3). Concentration(${\mu}g/kg$ of other liquous were ; for Pb $7.5\;{\pm}\;5.1$(0~13.7), Cd $5.8\;{\pm}\;3.9$(0.6~11.2), As $25.2\;{\pm}\;39.0$(0.5~103.3), Hg $0.3\;{\pm}\;0.1$(0.1~0.5). The present study showed that difference of the amount of constituent in a same category of food are not affect to the content of heavy metals among them. The residual levels of takju, yakju, sake, beer, fruit wine, soju, whiskey, brandy, general distilled liquor, liquor, other liquors are within the maximum levels, prescribed by Korea food code. It is given that heavy metal exposure of Pb, Cd, As, Hg from consumption of alcoholic beverages (takju, yakju, sake, beer, fruit wine, soju, whiskey, brandy, general distilled liquor, liquor, other liquors) are less than 0.03%, 0.06%, 0.01%, 0.01% (mean) in provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) respectively, indicated by FAO/WHO.

Novel Real Time PCR Method for Detection of Plasmodium vivax (새로운 Real Time PCR 방법을 통한 Malaria(Plasmodium vivax)의 검출)

  • Ki, Yeon-Ah;Kim, So-Youn
    • Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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    • v.33 no.2
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    • pp.148-153
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    • 2005
  • Malaria is a re-emerging infectious disease that is spreading to areas where it had been eradicated, such as Eastern Europe and Central Asia. To avoid the mortality from malaria, early detection of the parasite is a very important issue. The peripheral blood smear has been the gold standard method for the diagnosis of malaria infection. Recently, several other methods have been introduced for quantitative detection of malaria parasites. Real time PCR that employs fluorescent labels to enable the continuous monitoring of PCR product formation throughout the reaction has recently been used to detect several human malaria parasites. 18S rRNA sequences from malaria parasites have been amplified using Taqman real time PCR assay. Here, a SYBR Green-based real time quantitative PCR assay for the detection of malaria parasite-especially, Plasmodium vivax - was applied for the evaluation of 26 blood samples from Korean malaria patients. Even though SYBR Green-based real time PCR is easier and cheaper than Taqman-based assay, SYBR Green-based assay cannot be used because 18S rRNA cannot be specifically amplified using 1 primer set. Therefore, we used DBP gene sequences from Plasmodium vivax, which is specific for the SYBR Green based assays. We amplified the DBP gene from the 26 blood samples of malaria patients using SYBR Green based assay and obtained the copy numbers of DBP genes for each sample. Also, we selected optimal reference gene between ACTB and B2M using real time assay to get the stable genes regardless of Malaria titer. Using selected ACTB reference genes, we successfully converted the copy numbers from samples into titer, ${\sharp}$ of parasites per microliter. Using the resultant titer from DBP based SYBER Green assay with ACTB reference gene, we compared the results from our study with the titer from Taqman-based assay. We found that our results showed identical tendency with the results of 18S rRNA Taqman assay, especially in lower titer range. Thus, our DBP gene-utilized real time assay can detect Plasmodium vivax in Korean patient group semi-quantitatively and easily.

A Study on Angels' Costumes in Religious Paintings (종교화에 나타난 천사의 복식에 관한 연구)

  • Kim Hae Jon
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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    • v.3 no.1
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    • pp.1-11
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    • 1979
  • This is a study on angels' costumes in religious paintings, especially as this relates to the questions of concepts and theological symbolism. Angels, as spiritual creatures in Christian thought, play the role of praising God's glory, as messengers of God, the role of guarding Israel and the Church, and protecting or punishing human beings. Sometimes the angels appear in incarnate form. They display no sexual differences and are not able to procreate. The angels' funtional classification being thus; nevertheless, they are pictured in various costumes and appearances according to characteristics of the paintings. The angel Michael appears as a man of dignity when pictured as a guard; the angel Gabriel in the annunciation is often portrayed as a woman of mystical beauty. Under the Renaissance, the mighty cherubim and seraphim at Yahweh's throne are degraded as plump child-angels, or winged child-heads looking alike Eros or Cupid. They have become playful and all too obviously non-heavenly chrubs, accepted features of the Temple decorations. However, cherubim are often depicted as naked or wrapped around with a piece of cloth and accompanied with wind, which symbolizes the Glory of God. The angels, costumes without seam are hung over or wrapped around the body, and when sewn they are simple and ample enough that they fall in a great many folds. However, by the 14C. angels are mostly dressed in costumes common to all Europe, and after that angels gradually appear in folk costumes; for example Italian, Flemish, etc. Dalmatic, the typical costume of Byzantine often shows up as angels' dresses even after the period. Originally the dalmatic was the Roman tunic to which Eastern influences added. The Roman clavus on the tunic had gradually lost distinction until, by the Imperial epoch, it was worn by the lowest servants. It was proudly therefore, as 'The servants of God', that the early Christians are shown wearing the clavus on their wide, ungirdled, sleeved dalmatics. In addition to their costume, angels have some other distinct charateristics. First, angels have a halo around their head; this symbolizes their holiness. Second, angels wear a narrow diadem or a queen's crown that seems to denote their glorious status close to God's throne. Third, the cloth band across the breast resembles a priest's stole, which suggests the sacred role of a priest and symbolizes the grace santified. Fourth, lilies in the annunciations are symbols of Mary's virginity. chastity, innocence and heavenly bliss. Angels hold palms or olives in their hands. The former denote prosperity. beauty and the Christians' reward after death; the latter represent peace and amity. the imperial crown made of olives means victory. Fifth, angels in paintings always have a pair of wings, which can be traced to scripture where cherubim and seraphim are described as having pairs of wings. Angels' wings often have colors of the rainbow, and the rainbow is compared to God's glory. Sixth, generally artists paint angels' costumes as white, blue, green, gold and purple. Other colors such as red rarely appear. According, to scriptures it is believed that angels should be depicted 'as white as snow'. According to the biblical expressions of angels as lightning, sun or a pillar of fire, angels should be described as creatures of light. Nevertheless being a form of art, religious paintings may differ in their presentation according to an artist's inspiration and intention. Since religious paintings illustrated above were almost all done before the Reformation, symbols of colors used in the Catholic Church will also be mentioned. The white color symbolizes chastity, purity, brightness, delight and divinity. Green represents new birth, eternal life, spiritual revival and the expectance of the grace of God. Blue, the color of sapphires, denotes chastity and truth. Red, the color of rubies, represents divinity, love and religious passion. Violet is the color of dignity, indicating the sovereign, royal or imperial power and the great Sacrifice of Christ. As mentionad above, angels' costumes were expressed in accordance with contemporary patterns or as indicated in the Bible, and accesories and colors correspond with Christian symbols. Therefore these facts should be taken into consideration when it comes to the study of costume history.

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Comparison of Movement Distance and Home Range Size of Gold-spotted Pond Frog (Pelophylax chosenicus) between Rice Paddy and Ecological park - Focus on the Planning Alternative Habitat - (논과 생태공원에서 금개구리 이동 거리 및 서식영역 크기 비교 - 대체서식지 조성 중심으로 -)

  • Park, Su-Gon;Ra, Nam-Yong;Jang, Young-Soo;Woo, Seung Hyun;Koo, Kyo Soung;Chang, Min-Ho
    • Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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    • v.6 no.4
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    • pp.200-207
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    • 2019
  • The movement distance and home range size of Pelophylax chosenicus were identified in the rice paddy and ecological park as alternative habitats from July to November 2017. A total of 39 frogs were tracked by radio tracking method. As a result, the average move distance in the population of rice paddy was 11.7 ± 1.9 m (n = 64) and the population of ecological park was 24.7 ± 4.3 m (n = 39). The move distance between the two populations was significantly different. The mean MCP of the population of rice paddy was 181.2 ± 110.8 m2 (n = 11) and the population of ecological park was 416.1 ± 276.2 m2 (n = 10), but there was no significant difference. The population area of rice paddy was 4,160 m2 (Kernel density 95%) and the core area was 1,080 m2 (Kernel density 50%). The population area (Kernel density 95%) of ecological park was 5,391 m2 and the core area (Kernel density 50%) was 736 m2. This study shows that it is appropriate to construct the area of alternative habitat for P. chosenicus at least 1.33 ha, and it is more advantageous for the ecological park to be constructed than the paddy field with high development pressure and human interference. If the rice paddies were to be abandoned for several years, or to be used traditional farming methods, such as refraining from using agricultural machinery and chemicals, they could be used as alternative habitat for P. chosenicus.

The development of conductive 10B thin film for neutron monitoring (중성자 모니터링을 위한 전도성 10B 박막 개발)

  • Lim, Chang Hwy;Kim, Jongyul;Lee, Suhyun;Jung, Yongju;Choi, Young-Hyun;Baek, Cheol-Ha;Moon, Myung-Kook
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.39 no.4
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    • pp.199-205
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    • 2014
  • In the field of neutron detections, $^3He$ gas, the so-called "the gold standard," is the most widely used material for neutron detections because of its high efficiency in neutron capturing. However, from variable causes since early 2009, $^3He$ is being depleted, which has maintained an upward pressure on its cost. For this reason, the demands for $^3He$ replacements are rising sharply. Research into neutron converting materials, which has not been used well due to a neutron detection efficiency lower than the efficiency of $^3He$, although it can be chosen for use in a neutron detector, has been highlighted again. $^{10}B$, which is one of the $^3He$ replacements, such as $BF_3$, $^6Li$, $^{10}B$, $Gd_2O_2S$, is being researched by various detector development groups owing to a number of advantages such as easy gamma-ray discrimination, non-toxicity, low cost, etc. One of the possible techniques for the detection is an indirect neutron detection method measuring secondary radiation generated by interactions between neutrons and $^{10}B$. Because of the mean free path of alpha particle from interactions that are very short in a solid material, the thickness of $^{10}B$ should be thin. Therefore, to increase the neutron detection efficiency, it is important to make a $^{10}B$ thin film. In this study, we fabricated a $^{10}B$ thin film that is about 60 um in thickness for neutron detection using well-known technology for the manufacturing of a thin electrode for use in lithium ion batteries. In addition, by performing simple physical tests on the conductivity, dispersion, adhesion, and flexibility, we confirmed that the physical characteristics of the fabricated $^{10}B$ thin film are good. Using the fabricated $^{10}B$ thin film, we made a proportional counter for neutron monitoring and measured the neutron pulse height spectrum at a neutron facility at KAERI. Furthermore, we calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation the change of neutron detection efficiency according to the number of thin film layers. In conclusion, we suggest a fabrication method of a $^{10}B$ thin film using the technology used in making a thin electrode of lithium ion batteries and made the $^{10}B$ thin film for neutron detection using suggested method.

The Effectiveness of Spiral Computed Tomography as a Diagnostic Tool in Pulmonary Embolism(Comparison of Spiral CT with Ventilation-Perfusion Scan) (폐색전증 진단의 도구로서의 Spiral Computed Tomography의 유용성(폐환기관류주사와의 비교))

  • Koh, Jae-Hyun;Oh, Eun-Young;Park, Jung-Ho;Park, Sang-Joon;Yun, Jung-Hwan;Park, Jung-Woong;Suh, Gee-Young;Chung, Man-Pyo;Lee, Kyung-Soo;Kwon, O-Jung;Rhee, Chong-H.
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.46 no.4
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    • pp.564-573
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    • 1999
  • Background: With variable symptoms and nonspecific radiographic appearances, pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequent and often undiagnosed cause of mortality and morbidity. The Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED) study suggested that the majority of patients undergoing ventilation-perfusion (V-Q) scan would require additional studies to establish or to exclude the diagnosis of PE. Pulmonary angiography has been regarded as gold standard for diagnosis of PE. However, it is an invasive procedure that may be associated with significant notable morbidity and mortality. Thus, availability of an accurate, noninvasive screening examination is highly desirable. Method: From October 1994 to February 1997, twenty patients (male 13, female 7, range 23-91 years, median 58 years) who were suspected as pulmonary embolism on the basis of clinical evidence and underwent the spiral volumetric computed tomography (spiral CT), were studied retrospectively to evaluate the effectiveness of spiral CT as a diagnostic tool in PE. Results: PE could be excluded with spiral CT in 4 patients ; diagnoses of these patients were lung cancer, pneumonia with lung abscess, bilateral pleural effusion due to congestive heart failure, nonspecific pulmonary abnormality retrospectively. One patient who disclosed high probability in V/Q scan, could be diagnosed as pneumonia with lung abscess and underlying emphysema with spiral CT. Among 4 patients who showed intermediate and low probability in V/Q scan, 3 patients could be confirmed as PE with spiral CT. Spiral CT was helpful in 3 patients, in whom V/Q scan could not be performed due to other reasons (e.g. night time, mechanical ventilation) to confirm the diagnosis of PE. Spiral CT could demonstrate embolus above lobar artery level in 11 patients, and up to segmental artery level in 5 patients. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that spiral CT could allow accurate demonstration of thrombotic clots in centrally localized embolism. Spiral CT could be effective, specific, noninvasive and useful diagnostic screening modality for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

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Diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease -Comparison of HRCT, Transbronchial Lung Biopsy and Open Lung Biopsy- (간질성 폐질환의 진단 -HRCT, 경기관지폐생검, 개흉폐생검의 비교-)

  • Park, Jae-Seuk
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.46 no.1
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    • pp.65-74
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    • 1999
  • Background : Open lung biopsy(OLB) has conventionally been regarded as the gold standard for the diagnosis in interstitial lung disease. With recent advances in diagnostic technique such as high resolution computed tomography(HRCT), and transbronchial lung biopsy(TBLB) which provide relatively accurate diagnosis of ILD, it is necessary to reevaluate the role of these methods in the diagnosis of ILD. Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of nineteen patients who underwent OLB at Dankook University Hospital for the diagnosis of acute and chronic ILD, between May 1995 and June 1998. By reviewing the medical records, the demographic findings, underlying conditions, HRCT and TBLB findings, OLB diagnosis, therapy after OLB, and complication of OLB were evaluated. Results: Thirteen patients(68.4%) had chronic ILD(symptom duration over 2 weeks prior to OLB), and six patients(31.6%) had acute ILD(symptom duration less than 2 weeks). Specific diagnosis were reached in 92%(12/13) of chronic ILD(5 bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia(BOOP), 2 constrictive bronchiolitis, 3 usual interstitial pneumonia, 1 hypersensitivity pneumonitis, 1 eosinophilic pneumonia), and in all patients of acute ILD(5 acute interstitial pneumonia, 1 pneumocystis carinii pneumonia). HRCT were performed in all patients and a correct first choice diagnosis rate of HRCT was 42%(5/12) in chronic ILD. In chronic ILD patients, 62%(8/13) received specific therapy(steroid therapy in 7 patients and moving in one patient), after OLB, but in acute ILD, all patients received specific therapy(steroid therapy in 5 patients and steroid and antibiotic therapy in one patient) after OLB. The in-hospital mortality after OLB was 5.3%(1/19). Conclusion: OLB is an excellent diagnostic technique with relatively low complications in patients with ILD. Therefore OLB should be considered in patients with ILD when the specific diagnosis is important for the treatment, especially in patients with acute ILD.

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The Role of Open Lung Biopsy in Diagnosis and Treatment of Diffuse Interstitial Lung Disease in High-resolution Computed Tomography Era (고해상도 전산화단층촬영 시대에 있어서 미만성 간질성 폐질환의 진단 및 치료에서의 개흉폐생검의 역할)

  • Kim, Gye Su;Lee, Jae Chul;Lee, Seung Joon;Yoo, Chul-Gyu;Kim, Young Whan;Han, Sung Koo;Min, Kyung Up;Im, Jung-Gi;Kim, You Young;Shim, Young-Soo
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.43 no.5
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    • pp.746-754
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    • 1996
  • Objective: Diffuse interstitial lung disease (DILD) is a group of diverse diseases that share conUTIon clinical, radiologic, and pulomonary function features. Open lung biopsy (OLB) has been regarded as gold standard in differential diagnosis of DILD. However open lung biopsy is a invasive diagnostic tool not free of its own risk or complications. These days, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCf) has become an important diagnostic tool in DILD through its precise image analysis. In many instances, HRCT could provide specific diagnosis or, at least, provide infonnation on the disease activity of DILD. The authors re-evaluate the role of open lung biopsy in this "HRCT era" by investigating the additional diagnostic gain and impacts on the treannent plan in patients who have undergone high-resolution CT. Method : Diagnoses obtained by high-resolution CT and open lung biopsy were compared and changes of treatment plans were evaluated retrospectively in 30 patients who had undergone open lung biopsy for the purpose of diagnosis of diffuse interstitial lung disease from March 1988 to June 1994. Results : High-resolution cr suggeted specific diagnoses in 22 out of 28 patients (78.6%) and the diagnoses were confinned (0 be correct by open lung biopy in 20 of those 22 cases (91%). Open lung biopsy could not give specific diagnosis in 5 out of 30 cases (16.7%). In 5 out of 6 cases (83.3%) in whom high reolution cr was not able to suggest specific diagnosis, open lung biopsy gave specific diagnoses. Treatment plan was altered by the result of open lWlg biopsy in only 2 cases. Conclusion: The aoove fmdings suggest that in "HRCT era", when HRCT could suggest specific diagnosis, the need for open lung biopsy should be re-evaluated.

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Depression and Anxiety in Outpatients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (만성폐쇄성폐질환 환자에서 우울과 불안심리 평가)

  • Ryu, Yon Ju;Chun, Eun Mi;Sim, Yun Su;Lee, Jin Hwa
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.62 no.1
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    • pp.11-18
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    • 2007
  • Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have often been reported to suffer from depression and anxiety possibly due to the exacerbation, hospitalization and mortality of COPD. However,scarce data are available in Korea. This study assessed degree of depression and anxiety, and evaluated the factors associated with depressive symptoms in COPD. Methods: The cross-sectional data on the lung function measurements, smoking behavior, body mass index (BMI), age, gender, depressive symptoms using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were evaluated in 72 outpatients with COPD and 50 controls without underling lung diseases from September, 2005 to October, 2006 in the Ewha medical center. Results: 1) The age, body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin levels were similar in the patients and controls. The BDI scores (16(0-37) vs. 12(1-30), p=0.001) and the prevalence of depression (36% vs. 6%, p<0.0001) were higher in the COPD patients than in the controls. In the COPD group, the prevalence of depression increased with increasing GOLD stage (p=0.008). The prevalence was 18%(4/22), in mild cases, 30%(6/20) in moderate cases, 52%(13/25) in severe cases and 60%(3/5) in very severe cases. 2) The SAI and TAI scores were higher in the COPD patients (44(20-67) and 47(20-66)) than in the healthy controls (39(26-65) and 44(33-90)). There were a significant correlation between the depression and anxiety scores (p<0.001). 3) A lower BMI, lower postbronchodilator $FEV_1$, current smoking behavior and severity of COPD were univariately associated with the depressive group in COPD, 4) while multivariate logistic analysis revealed only the severe-to-very severe group (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 12.9) to be independently associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion: COPD is strongly associated with depression and anxiety. Therfore, screening for psychological problems in COPD patients is essential, particularly in patients with severe-to-very severe COPD.

Quantitative Evaluation of the Accuracy of 3D Imaging with Multi-Detector Computed Tomography Using Human Skull Phantom (두개골 팬텀을 이용한 다검출기 CT 3차원 영상에서의 거리측정을 통한 정량적 영상특성 평가)

  • 김동욱;정해조;김새롬;유영일;김기덕;김희중
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.131-140
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    • 2003
  • As the importance of accuracy in measurings of 3-D anatomical structures continues to be stressed, an objective and quantitative of assessing image quality and accuracy of 3-D volume-rendered images is required. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quantitative accuracy of 3-D rendered images obtained with MDCT, scanned at various scanning parameters (scan modes, slice thicknesses and reconstruction slice thickness). Twelve clinically significant points that play an important role for the craniofacial bone in plastic surgery and dentistry were marked on the surface of a dry human skull. The direct distances between the reference points were defined as gold standards to assess the measuring errors of 3-D images. Then, we scanned the specimen with acquisition parameters of 300 mA, In kVp, and 1.0 sec scan time in axial and helical scan modes (pitch 3:1 and 6:1) at 1,25 mm, 2.50 mm, 3.75 mm and 5.00 mm slice thicknesses. We performed 3-D visualizations and distance measurements with volumetric analysis software and statistically evaluated the quantitative accuracy of distance measurements. The accuracy of distance measurements on the 3-D images acquired with 1.25, 2.50, 3,75 and 5.00 mm slice thickness were 48%, 33%, 23%, 14%, respectively, and those of the reconstructed 1.25 mm were 53%, 41%, 43%, 36% respectively. Meanwhile, there were insignificant statistical differences (P-value<0.05) in the accuracy of the distance measurements of 3-D images reconstructed with 1.25 mm thickness. In conclusion, slice thickness, rather than scan mode, influenced the quantitative accuracy of distance measurements in 3-D rendered images with MDCT. The quantitative analysis of distance measurements may be a useful tool for evaluating the accuracy of 3-D rendered images used in diagnosis, surgical planning, and radiotherapeutic treatment.

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