• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.218-227
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• 2006

Purpose: The HSV1-tk reporter gene system is the most widely used system because of its advantage that direct monitoring is possible without the introduction of a separate reporter gene in case of HSV1-tk suicide gene therapy. In this study, we investigate the usefulness of the reporter probe (substrate), $9-(4-[^{18}F]Fluoro-3-hydroxymethylbutyl)$guanine ($[^{18}F]FHBG$) for non-invasive reporter gene imaging using PET in HSV1-tk expressing hepatoma model. Materials and Methods: Radiolabeled FHBG was prepared in 8 steps from a commercially available triester. The labeling reaction was carried out by NCA nucleophilic substitution with $K[^{18}F]/K2.2.2.$ in acetonitrile using N2-monomethoxytrityl-9-14-(tosyl)-3-monomethoxytritylmethylbutyl]guanine as a precursor, followed by deprotection with 1 N HCl. Preliminary biological properties of the probe were evaluated with MCA cells and MCA-tk cells transduced with HSV1-tk reporter gene. In vitro uptake and release-out studies of $[^{18}F]FHBG$ were performed, and was analyzed correlation between $[^{18}F]FHBG$ uptake ratio according to increasing numeric count of MCA-tk cells and degree of gene expression. MicroPET scan image was obtained with MCA and MCA-tk tumor bearing Balb/c-nude mouse model. Results: $[^{18}F]FHBG$ was purified by reverse phase semi-HPLC system and collected at around 16-18 min. Radiothemical yield was about 20-25%) (corrected for decay), radiochemical purity was >95% and specific activity was around >55.5 $GBq/{\mu}\;mol$. Specific accumulation of $[^{18}F]FHBG$ was observed in HSV1-tk gene transduced MCA-tk cells but not in MCA cells, and consecutive 1 hour release-out results showed more than 86% of uptaked $[^{18}F]FHBG$ was retained inside of cells. The uptake of $[^{18}F]FHBG$ was showed a highly significant linear correlation ($R^2=0.995$) with increasing percentage of MCA-tk numeric cell count. In microPET scan images, remarkable difference of accumulation was observed for the two type of tumors. Conclusion: $[^{18}F]FHBG$ appears to be a useful as non-invasive PET imaging substrate in HSV1-tk expressing hepatoma model.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2014

Purpose: In the PET/CT images, The SUV (standardized uptake value) enables the quantitative assessment according to the biological changes of organs as the index of distinction whether lesion is malignant or not. Therefore, It is too important to enter parameters correctly that affect to the SUV. The purpose of this study is to evaluate an allowable error range of SUV as measuring the difference of results according to input errors of Activity, Weight, uptake Time among the parameters. Materials and Methods: Three inserts, Hot, Teflon and Air, were situated in the 1994 NEMA Phantom. Phantom was filled with 27.3 MBq/mL of 18F-FDG. The ratio of hotspot area activity to background area activity was regulated as 4:1. After scanning, Image was re-reconstructed after incurring input errors in Activity, Weight, uptake Time parameters as ${\pm}5%$, 10%, 15%, 30%, 50% from original data. ROIs (region of interests) were set one in the each insert areas and four in the background areas. $SUV_{mean}$ and percentage differences were calculated and compared in each areas. Results: $SUV_{mean}$ of Hot. Teflon, Air and BKG (Background) areas of original images were 4.5, 0.02. 0.1 and 1.0. The min and max value of $SUV_{mean}$ according to change of Activity error were 3.0 and 9.0 in Hot, 0.01 and 0.04 in Teflon, 0.1 and 0.3 in Air, 0.6 and 2.0 in BKG areas. And percentage differences were equally from -33% to 100%. In case of Weight error showed $SUV_{mean}$ as 2.2 and 6.7 in Hot, 0.01 and 0.03 in Tefron, 0.09 and 0.28 in Air, 0.5 and 1.5 in BKG areas. And percentage differences were equally from -50% to 50% except Teflon area's percentage deference that was from -50% to 52%. In case of uptake Time error showed $SUV_{mean}$ as 3.8 and 5.3 in Hot, 0.01 and 0.02 in Teflon, 0.1 and 0.2 in Air, 0.8 and 1.2 in BKG areas. And percentage differences were equally from 17% to -14% in Hot and BKG areas. Teflon area's percentage difference was from -50% to 52% and Air area's one was from -12% to 20%. Conclusion: As shown in the results, It was applied within ${\pm}5%$ of Activity and Weight errors if the allowable error range was configured within 5%. So, The calibration of dose calibrator and weighing machine has to conduct within ${\pm}5%$ error range because they can affect to Activity and Weight rates. In case of Time error, it showed separate error ranges according to the type of inserts. It showed within 5% error when Hot and BKG areas error were within ${\pm}15%$. So we have to consider each time errors if we use more than two clocks included scanner's one during the examinations.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.208-213
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• 2008

Purpose: Generally a whole body bone scan has been known as one of the most frequently executed exams in the nuclear medicine fields. Asan medical center, usually use various gamma camera systems - manufactured by PHILIPS (PRECEDENCE, BRIGHTVIEW), SIEMENS (ECAM, ECAM signature, ECAM plus, SYMBIA T2), GE (INFINIA) - to execute whole body scan. But, as we know, each camera's sensitivity is not same so it is hard to consistent diagnosis of patients. So our purpose is when we execute whole body bone scans, we exclude uncontrollable factors and try to correct controllable factors such as inherent sensitivity of gamma camera. In this study, we're going to measure each gamma camera's sensitivity and study about reasonable correction factors of whole body bone scan to follow up patient's condition using different gamma cameras. Materials and Methods: We used the $^{99m}Tc$ flood phantom, it recommend by IAEA recommendation based on general counts rate of a whole body scan and measured counts rates by the use of various gamma cameras - PRECEDENCE, BRIGHTVIEW, ECAM, ECAM signature, ECAM plus, IFINIA - in Asan medical center nuclear medicine department. For measuring sensitivity, all gamma camera equipped LEHR collimator (Low Energy High Resolution multi parallel Collimator) and the $^{99m}Tc$ gamma spectrum was adjusted around 15% window level, the photo peak was set to 140-kev and acquirded for 60 sec and 120 sec in all gamma cameras. In order to verify whether can apply calculated correction factors to whole body bone scan or not, we actually conducted the whole body bone scan to 27 patients and we compared it analyzed that results. Results: After experimenting using $^{99m}Tc$ flood phantom, sensitivity of ECAM plus was highest and other sensitivity order of all gamma camera is ECAM signature, SYMBIA T2, ECAM, BRIGHTVIEW, IFINIA, PRECEDENCE. And yield sensitivity correction factor show each gamma camera's relative sensitivity ratio by yielded based on ECAM's sensitivity. (ECAM plus 1.07, ECAM signature 1.05, SYMBIA T2 1.03, ECAM 1.00, BRIGHTVIEW 0.90, INFINIA 0.83, PRECEDENCE 0.72) When analyzing the correction factor yielded by $^{99m}Tc$ experiment and another correction factor yielded by whole body bone scan, it shows statistically insignificant value (p<0.05) in whole body bone scan diagnosis. Conclusion: In diagnosing the bone metastasis of patients undergoing cancer, whole body bone scan has been conducted as follow up tests due to its good points (high sensitivity, non invasive, easily conducted). But as a follow up study, it's hard to perform whole body bone scan continuously using same gamma camera. If we use same gamma camera to patients, we have to consider effectiveness of equipment's change by time elapsed. So we expect that applying sensitivity correction factor to patients who tested whole body bone scan regularly will add consistence in diagnosis of patients.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.390-398
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the apical fitness of non-standardized gutta-percha cones in root canals prepared with rotary Ni-Ti root canal instruments of various tapers and apical tip sizes. Simulated sixty curved root canals of plastic blocks were prepared with crown-down technique using rotary root canal instruments of Maillefer ProFile$^{(R)}$ .04 and .06 taper (Maillefer Instrument SA, Switzerland). Specimens were divided into six groups and prepared as follows: Group 1, prepared up to size 25 of .04 taper ; Group 2, prepared up to size 30 of .04 taper ; Group 3, prepared up to size 35 of .04 taper ; Group 4, prepared up to size 25 of .06 taper ; Group 5, prepared up to size 30 of .06 taper ; Group 6 ; prepared up to size 35 of .06 taper. After cutting off the coronal portion of plastic, blocks perpendicular to the long axis of the canal with the use of a diamond saw, apical 5mm of canal space was analyzed. Prepared apical canal spaces were duplicated using rubber base impression material to evaluate two dimensional total area of apical canal space. Various sized gutta-percha cones were applied in the 5mm-apical canal space, which were size 25, size 30 and size 35 standardized gutta-percha cone, Diadent Dia-Pro ISO-.04$^{TM}$ and .06$^{TM}$(Diadent, Korea), and medium-fine (MF), fine (F), fine-medium (FM) and medium (M) sized non-standardized gutta-percha cones (Diadent, Korea). Coronal excess gutta-percha were cut off with a sharp blade. Photographs of impressed apical canal spaces and gutta-percha cones were taken with a CCD camera under a stereomicroscope and stored in a computer. Areas of the total canal space and gutta-percha cones were calculated using a digitalized image analysing program, CompuScope (Sungjin Multimedia Co., Korea). Ratio of apical fitness was obtained by calculating the area of gutta-percha cone to the total area of the canal space. The data were analysed statistically using One-way Analysis of Variance and Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The results were as follows: 1. In canals prepared up to size 25 ProFile$^{(R)}$ of .04 taper, non-standardized MF and F cones occupied significantly more canal space than Dia-Pro ISO-.04$^{TM}$ or size 25 standardized ones (p<0.05). 2. In canals prepared up to size 30 ProFile$^{(R)}$ of .04 taper, non-standardized F cones occupied significantly more canal space than Dia-Pro ISO-.04$^{TM}$ or size 30 standardized ones (p<0.05), and non-standardized MF cones occupied more canal space than size 30 standardized ones (p<0.05). 3. In canals prepared up to size 35 ProFile$^{(R)}$ of .04 taper, there was no significant difference in canal space occupation among non-standardized MF and F, size 35 standardized, and Dia-Pro ISO-.04$^{TM}$ cones (p>0.05). 4. In canals prepared up to size 25 ProFile$^{(R)}$ of .06 taper, non-standardized MF and F cones occupied significantly more canal space than Dia-Pro ISO-.06$^{TM}$, or size 25 standardized ones (p<0.05), and Dia-Pro ISO-.06$^{TM}$, cones occupied significantly more space than size 25 standardized ones (p<0.05). 5. In canals prepared up to size 30 ProFile$^{(R)}$ of .06 taper, non-standardized FM cones occupied significantly more canal space than Dia-Pro ISO-.06$^{TM}$ or size 30 standardized ones (p<0.05), and non-standardized F cones occupied significantly more canal space than size 30 standardized ones (p<0.05). 6. In canals prepared up to size 35 ProFile$^{(R)}$ of .06 taper, non-standardized M and FM, Dia-Pro ISO-.06$^{TM}$ occupied significantly more canal space than size 35 standardized ones (p<0.05). In summary, in both canals prepared with .04 or .06 taper ProFile$^{(R)}$, non-standardized cones showed better fitness than Dia-Pro ISO$^{TM}$ or standardized ones, which was more characteristic in smaller canals.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1308-1317
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• 1997

Background : Pulmonary aspergillomas usually arise from colonization and proliferation of Aspergillus in preexisting cavitary lung disease of any cause. About 15% of patients with tuberculous pulmonary cavities were found to have aspergilloma. We analyzed the clinical features and course of 91 patients with pulmonary aspergilloma. Method : During the ten-year period from June 1986 to May 1996, 91 patients whose condition was diagnosed as pulmonary aspergilloma at 4 university hospitals in Taegu city were reviewed. All patients fulfilled one of the following criteria : 1) histologic evidence of aspergilloma within abnormal air space in tissue sections, or 2) a positive Aspergillus serum precipitin test with the radiologic finding of a fungus ball. The histological diagno-sis was established in 81 patients(89.0%) and clinical diagnosis in 10 patients(11.0%). Results : 1) The age range was 22 to 65 years, with an average of 45 years. A male and female ratio was 1.7 : 1 (57 men and 34 women). 2) Hemoptysis was far the most frequent symptom(89%), followed by cough, dyspnea, weakness, weight loss, fever, chest pain. 3) In all but 14 cases(15.4%) there had been associated conditions. Pulmonary tuberculosis was far the most frequent underlying condition found(74.7%), followed by bronchiectasis (6.6%), cavitary neoplasm(2.2%), pulmonary sequestration(1.1%). 4) The involved area was usually in the upper lobes; the right upper lobe was involved in 39(42.9%), the left upper lobe in 31(34.1%), the left lower lobe in 13(14.3%), the right lower lobe in 7(7.7%), and the right middle lobe in 1(1.1%). 5) On standard chest roent geno gram the classic "bell-like" image of a fungus ball was found in 62.6% of the subjects. On CT scan, 88.1% of the subjects in which they were done. 6) The surgical therapy was undertaken in 76 patients, and medical therapy in 15 patients, including 4 patients with intracavitary instillation of amphotericin B. 7) The surgical modality was lobectomy in 55 patients(72.4%), segmentectomy in 16 patients(21.1%), pneumonectomy in 4 patients(5.3%), wedge resection in 1 patient(1.3%). The mortality rate was 3.9% (3 patients) ; 2 patients died of sepsis and 1 died of hemoptysis. The postoperative complications were encountered in 6 patients (7.9%), including each one patient with respiratory failure, bleeding, bronchopleural fistula, empyema, and vocal cord paralysis. 8) In the follow-up cases, each 2 patients of 71 patients with surgical treatment and 10 patients with medical treatment had recurrent hemoptysis. Conclusion : During follow-up of the chronic pulmonary disease with abnormal air space, if the standard chest roentgenograms are insufficient to detect a fungus ball, computed tomographic scan and serum precipitin test are likely to aid the diagnosis of patients with suspected pulmonary aspergilloma. A reasonable recommendation for management of a patient with aspergilloma would be to reserve surgical resection for those patients who have had severe, recurrent hemoptysis. And a well controlled cooperative study to the medical treatment such as intracavitary antifungal therapy is further needed.