• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2009

Purpose: Diagnostic and functional imaging softwares in Nuclear Medicine have been developed significantly. But, there are some limitations which like take a lot of time. In this article, we introduced that the basic concept of macro to help understanding macro and its application to Brain SPECT processing. We adopted macro software to SPM processing and PACS verify processing of Brain SPECT processing. Materials and Methods: In Brain SPECT, we choose SPM processing and two PACS works which have large portion of a work. SPM is the software package to analyze neuroimaging data. And purpose of SPM is quantitative analysis between groups. Results are made by complicated process such as realignment, normalization, smoothing and mapping. We made this process to be more simple by using macro program. After sending image to PACS, we directly input coordinates of mouse using simple macro program for processes of color mapping, adjustment of gray scale, copy, cut and match. So we compared time for making result by hand with making result by macro program. Finally, we got results by applying times to number of studies in 2007. Results: In 2007, the number of SPM studies were 115 and the number of PACS studies were 834 according to Diamox study. It was taken 10 to 15 minutes for SPM work by hand according to expertness and 5 minutes and a half was uniformly needed using Macro. After applying needed time to the number of studies, we calculated an average time per a year. When using SPM work by hand according to expertness, 1150 to 1725 minutes (19 to 29 hours) were needed and 632 seconds (11 hours) were needed for using Macro. When using PACS work by hand, 2 to 3 minutes were needed and for using Macro, 45 seconds were needed. After applying theses time to the number of studies, when working by hand, 1668 to 2502 minutes (28 to 42 hours) were needed and for using Macro, 625 minutes (10 hours) were needed. Following by these results, it was shown that 1043 to 1877 (17 to 31 hours were saved. Therefore, we could save 45 to 63% for SPM, 62 to 75% for PACS work and 55 to 70% for total brain SPECT processing in 2007. Conclusions: On the basis of the number of studies, there was significant time saved when we applied Macro to brain SPECT processing and also it was shown that even though work is taken a little time, there is a possibility to save lots of time according to the number of studies. It gives time on technologist's side which makes radiological technologist more concentrate for patients and reduce probability of mistake. Appling Macro to brain SPECT processing helps for both of radiological technologists and patients and contribute to improve quality of hospital service.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.122-126
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• 2010

Purpose: F-18-FPCIT that shows strong familiarity with DAT located at a neural terminal site offers diagnostic information about DAT density state in the region of the striatum especially Parkinson's disease. In this study, we altered the iteration and subset and measured SUV${\pm}$SD and Contrasts from phantom images which set up to specific iteration and subset. So, we are going to suggest the appropriate range of the iteration and subset. Materials and Methods: This study has been performed with 10 normal volunteers who don't have any history of Parkinson's disease or cerebral disease and Flangeless Esser PET Phantom from Data Spectrum Corporation. $5.3{\pm}0.2$ mCi of F-18-FPCIT was injected to the normal group and PET Phantom was assembled by ACR PET Phantom Instructions and it's actual ratio between hot spheres and background was 2.35 to 1. Brain and Phantom images were acquired after 3 hours from the time of the injection and images were acquired for ten minutes. Basically, SIEMENS Bio graph 40 True-point was used and True-X method was applied for image reconstruction method. The iteration and Subset were set to 2 iterations, 8 subsets, 3 iterations, 16 subsets, 6 iterations, 16 subsets, 8 iterations, 16 subsets and 8 iterations, 21 subsets respectively. To measure SUVs on the brain images, ROIs were drawn on the right Putamen. Also, Coefficient of variance (CV) was calculated to indicate the uniformity at each iteration and subset combinations. On the phantom study, we measured the actual ratio between hot spheres and back ground at each combinations. Same size's ROIs were drawn on the same slide and location. Results: Mean SUVs were 10.60, 12.83, 13.87, 13.98 and 13.5 at each combination. The range of fluctuation by sets were 22.36%, 10.34%, 1.1%, and 4.8% respectively. The range of fluctuation of mean SUV was lowest between 6 iterations 16 subsets and 8 iterations 16 subsets. CV showed 9.07%, 11.46%, 13.56%, 14.91% and 19.47% respectively. This means that the numerical value of the iteration and subset gets higher the image's uniformity gets worse. The range of fluctuation of CV by sets were 2.39, 2.1, 1.35, and 4.56. The range of fluctuation of uniformity was lowest between 6 iterations, 16 subsets and 8 iterations, 16 subsets. In the contrast test, it showed 1.92:1, 2.12:1, 2.10:1, 2.13:1 and 2.11:1 at each iteration and subset combinations. A Setting of 8 iterations and 16 subsets reappeared most close ratio between hot spheres and background. Conclusion: Findings on this study, SUVs and uniformity might be calculated differently caused by variable reconstruction parameters like filter or FWHM. Mean SUV and uniformity showed the lowest range of fluctuation at 6 iterations 16 subsets and 8 iterations 16 subsets. Also, 8 iterations 16 subsets showed the nearest hot sphere to background ratio compared with others. But it can not be concluded that only 6 iterations 16 subsets and 8 iterations 16 subsets can make right images for the clinical diagnosis. There might be more factors that can make better images. For more exact clinical diagnosis through the quantitative analysis of DAT density in the region of striatum we need to secure healthy people's quantitative values.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2011

This study was carried out to improve service efficiency and to cope with a emergency situation in emergency radiography, through analysis of the radiographic distriution and literature cited about emergency care. Data collection of radiographic distribution was surveyed for 1270 emergency outpatients who visit during JAN, 2009at ER of the general hospital in Gwang city. The results is as follows : Emergency radiography rate of simple radiography was 56.6%, special radiography 2. 5%, CT 34.2%, and ultrasonography 6.7%, In simple radiography rate. a high rate was distributed on male(63.6%), thoracicsurgery part(90.0%), admission patient(77.9%), and long stayed patient at ER. In special raiography rate, a high rate was obsurved in urologic part(28.6%), and in CT rate, observed neurosurgerty part(49.2%) and neurologic part(36.7%). Ultrasonography rate was high for female(8.8%) and internal medicine part(15.9%). There are distributed regional radiography rate in radio-graphic type that chest(55.3%) is high in the simple radiography, urinary system(1.2%) in the special study, and brain(40.0%) in the CT. Regional radiography rate according to diagnostic department also was showed highly for head(64.6%) in neuro surgery, chest(90.0%) in thoracic surgery, abdomen(58.0%) in general surgery, spine(40.0%) in neuro surgery, and pelvis(15.9%), upper extrimity(20.5%), and lower extrimity(31.8%) in orthopedic surgery each. Mean radiographic case number per patient of simple radiography was sinificant on sex, age, transfer relation in both total and radiopraphic patients(p<0.05). Mean radiographic case number was highly distributed on male(2.2 case number) in sex, on thirties(2.7) in age, transferred patient(2.7) in patient type, and on nurosurgery(3.4) in diagnostic charged part. Total radiographic case number in regional party was highly distributed on chest(998 case number.) Considering the above results, emergency radiographer should take care of the elder patient in emergency radiography and get hold of injury mechanism to decrease possible secondary injury during radiography. Because of high radiography rate of urinary system in special study, related instrument. All radiographer who take charge emergency patient should cope with a emergency situation during radiography. Because head trauma patients is very important in patient care, especilly in CT at night, charged doctor should be always sitted with CT room and monitoring patient. Radiography was reqested by many diagnostic department in ER. Considering that rate of simple radiography is high, special room for emergency radiopraphy should be established in ER area, and the radioprapher of this room should be stationed radiologic technician who is career and can implement emergency patient care and The disposition of men which is appropriate with emergency patient increase is necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.401-407
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to know the differences of MR spectra, obtained from normal volunteers by variable TE value, through the quantitative analysis of brain metabolites by peak integral and SNR between 1.5T and 3.0T, together with PRESS and STEAM pulse sequence. Single-voxel MR proton spectra of the human brain obtained from normal volunteers at both 3.0T MR system (Magnetom Trio, SIEMENS, Germany) and 1.5T MR system (Signa Twinspeed, GE, USA) using the STEAM and PRESS pulse sequence. 10 healthy volunteers (3.0T:3 males, 2 females; 1.5T : 3 males, 2 females) with the range from 22 to 30 years old (mean 26 years) participated in our study. They had no personal or familial history of neurological diseases and had a normal neurological examination. Data acquisition parameters were closely matched between the two field strengths. Spectra were recorded in the white matter of the occipital lobe. Spectra were compared in terms of resolution and signal-to-noise ratio(SNR), and echo time(TE) were estimated at both field strengths. Imaging parameters was used for acquisition of the proton spectrum were as follow : TR 2000msec, TE 30ms, 40ms, 50ms, 60ms, 90ms, 144ms, 288ms, NA=96, VOI=$20{\times}20{\times}20mm3$. As the echo times were increased, the spectra obtained from 3.0T and 1.5T show decreased peak integral and SNR at both pulse sequence. PRESS pulse sequence shows higher SNR and signal intensity than those of STEAM. Especially, Spectra in normal volunteers at 3.0T demonstrated significantly improved overall SNR and spectral resolution compared to 1.5T(Fig1). The spectra acquired at short echo time, 3T MR system shows a twice improvement in SNR compared to 1.5T MR system(Table. 1). But, there was no significant difference between 3.0Tand 1.5T at long TE It is concluded that PRESS and short TE is useful for quantification of the brain metabolites at 3.0T MRS, our standardized protocol for quantification of the brain metabolites at 3.0T MRS is useful to evaluate the brain diseases by monitoring the systematic changes of biochemical metabolites concentration in vivo.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-21
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• 1997

In order to analyze the shifts in the volume and profits of Computed Tomography(CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) utilization for a year before and after the implementation of insurance coverage for CT, this study has been undertaken examining CT and MRI cost data from 'Y' University Hospital situated in Seoul, Korea. Following are the results of this study: 1. The medical insurance payment for CT, implemented on January 1, 1996, increased CT utilization from January 1996 to April 1996 due to low insurance premiums: however, from May 1996 the number of CT cases significantly decreased as a result of strengthened medical cost reviews and the new 'Detailed standards for approval of CT' announced near the end of April 1996 by the insurer. 2. Since the implementation of insurance coverage for CT, CT fee reduction rates for reimbursements by the insurer to the hospital were 50% and 40% for January and February, respectively, and 31% and 15% for March and April. A significant point in the lowering of the reduction rate was reached in May at 11%; furthermore, since June the reduction rate fell below the average reduction rate for reimbursements for all procedures. If the 'Detailed standards for approval of CT' had been announced before the implementation of insurance coverage for CT, CT utilization would not have been so high due to the need to meet those 'standards'. In addition, loss of hospital profits resulting from the reduction for reimbursements would not have occurred. 3. The shifts in MRI utilization showed that there was no particular change with the beginning of insurance coverage for CT, and the introduction of the 'Detailed standards for approval of CT' made MRI utilization increase because MRI is free of restrictions imposed by the insurer. 4. The relationship between CT utilization and MRI utilization showed that they were supplementary to each other before insurance coverage for CT, but that CT was substituted for MRI because of strengthened medical cost reviews after t~e beginning of insurance coverage for CT. 5. The shifts in volume by patient characteristics showed that the number of inappropriate case patients, according to the insurer's "Standards for approval", decreased more than the number of appropriate case patients after the introduction of insurance coverage for CT. Therefore, the health insurance fee schemes for CT have influenced patient care. 6. The shifts in profits from CT utilization showed a net profit decrease of 31.6%. In order to match the pre-coverage profit level, 5,471 more cases would need to be seen and productivity would need to be increased by 32.7%. This profit decrease resulted from a decrease of CT utilization and low reimbursements. With insurance coverage, net profits from CT were 24.4%, and a margin of safety ratio was 39.6%. Because of the net profits and margin of safety ratio, CT utilization fees for insured appropriate cases could not be considered inappropriate. 7. The shifts in profits from MRI utilization before and after the introduction of CT coverage showed that in order to match pre-CT coverage profit levels, 2,011 more cases would need to be seen and productivity would need to be increased by 9.2%. The reasons for needing to increase the number of cases and productivity result from cost burdens created by adding new MRI units. But with CT coverage already begun, MRI utilization increased. Combined with a minor increase in the MRI fee schedule, MRI utilization showed a net profit increase of 18.5%. Net profits of 62.8% and a 'margin of safety ratio' of 43.1% for MRI utilization showed that the hospital relied on this non-covered procedure for profits. 8. The shifts in profits from CT and MRI utilization showed the net profits from CT decreased by 2.33billion Won while the net profits from MRI increased by 815.7million Won. Overall, these two together showed a net profit decrease of 1.51billion Won. The shifts in utilization showed a functional substitutionary relationship, but the shifts in profits did not show a substitutionary relationship. From these results, We can conclude that if insurance is to be expanded to include previously uncovered procedures using expensive medical equipment, detailed standards should be prepared in advance. The decrease in profits from the shifts in coverage and changes in fees is a difficult burden that should be shared, not carried by the hospital alone. Also, a new or improved fee schedule system should include revised standards between items listed and the appropriateness of the fee schedule should constantly be ensured. This study focused on one university hospital in Seoul and is therefore limited in general applicability. But it is valuable for considering current issues and problems, such as the influence of CT coverage on hospital management. Future studies will hopefully expand the scope of the issues considered here.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.303-313
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• 2014

Purpose : In-vivo conductivity reconstruction using transmit field ($B_1{^+}$) information of MRI was proposed. We assessed the accuracy of conductivity reconstruction in the presence of statistical noise in complex $B_1{^+}$ map and provided a parametric model of the conductivity-to-noise ratio value. Materials and Methods: The $B_1{^+}$ distribution was simulated for a cylindrical phantom model. By adding complex Gaussian noise to the simulated $B_1{^+}$ map, quantitative conductivity estimation error was evaluated. The quantitative evaluation process was repeated over several different parameters such as Larmor frequency, object radius and SNR of $B_1{^+}$ map. A parametric model for the conductivity-to-noise ratio was developed according to these various parameters. Results: According to the simulation results, conductivity estimation is more sensitive to statistical noise in $B_1{^+}$ phase than to noise in $B_1{^+}$ magnitude. The conductivity estimate of the object of interest does not depend on the external object surrounding it. The conductivity-to-noise ratio is proportional to the signal-to-noise ratio of the $B_1{^+}$ map, Larmor frequency, the conductivity value itself and the number of averaged pixels. To estimate accurate conductivity value of the targeted tissue, SNR of $B_1{^+}$ map and adequate filtering size have to be taken into account for conductivity reconstruction process. In addition, the simulation result was verified at 3T conventional MRI scanner. Conclusion: Through all these relationships, quantitative conductivity estimation error due to statistical noise in $B_1{^+}$ map is modeled. By using this model, further issues regarding filtering and reconstruction algorithms can be investigated for MREPT.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 2003

Purpose : Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) play an important role in regulating blood flow by releasing vasoactive substances. It has been reported that endothelial impairment and dysfunction might be a primary cause of placental vascular disease, which is manifested clinically as preeclampsia in mother and intrauterine growth restriction in fetus. Furthermore, the frequency of apoptotic changes is increased in umbilical and placental tissues from growth-restricted pregnancies. However, the various mechanisms of umbilical endothelial cell apoptosis have not been broadly proposed. We investigate the effects of amiloride derivatives on apoptotic death of HUVECs and identify their ionic mechanism. Methods : HUVECs were purchased from Clonetics, and cultured on endothelial cell growth medium. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used for assessing cytotoxic effect and confirming the apoptosis. Changes in intracellular ion concentrations were measured with specific fluorescent dyes and fluorescence imaging analysis system. Results : Amiloride derivatives elicited cytotoxic effects on HUVECs with dose-dependent manners and the rank order of potency is HMA($IC_{50}\;11.2{\mu}M$), MIA>EIPA>>amiloride. HMA-induced cytotoxicity is dependent on extra- and intracellular pH, that is, increase extra- and intracellular pH augmented the cytotoxic effects of HMA. HMA dose-dependently reduced intracellular major ions, such as $K^+$ and $Cl^-$. Interestingly, the depletion of intracellular ions induced by HMA was also significantly enhanced at alkaline extracellular pH. Conclusion : Amiloride derivatives induce apoptosis of HUVECs with dose and pH dependent manners. They reduce intracellular $K^+$ and $Cl^-$ concentration, which is also extracellular pH dependent.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.173-179
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• 2012

The experiments, which analyze the injury symptoms and diagnose growth conditions utilizing IRVT and analyzing each parts of H. helix L., had been held under a low temperature. Greenhouse and outdoor growing Genus hedera had been prepared and compared with each Genus hedera's peak and bottom leaves' surface temperature under the experimental categories $-6^{\circ}C$ and $-12^{\circ}C$. As results, analyzing the surface thermal property of peak part leaves' of outdoor growing Genus hedera, at experimental categories $-6^{\circ}C$, $-12^{\circ}C$ were ranged from $-2^{\circ}C{\sim}-7^{\circ}C$ and $-2^{\circ}C{\sim}-15^{\circ}C$. On the other hand, the surface thermal property of bottom part leaves at experimental categories $-6^{\circ}C$, $-12^{\circ}C$ were ranged $-2^{\circ}C{\sim}-11^{\circ}C$ and $-1^{\circ}C{\sim}-12^{\circ}C$. It appears that the thermal properties of leaves' surface on $-6^{\circ}C$ peaks and $-12^{\circ}C$ bottoms were more broadband than bottoms and peaks. It means that the peaks were more sensitive than bottoms, as like $-2^{\circ}C{\sim}-15^{\circ}C$, $-1{\sim}-12^{\circ}C$. Moreover, as similar results had seen to leaves surface temperature added to cold wind conditions. How the cold wind damaged the outdoor growing Genus hedera, analyzed the surface thermal property by IRVT data under $0^{\circ}C$, $-2^{\circ}C$, $-4^{\circ}C$ condition, it resulted to $-6.2^{\circ}C$, $-6.8^{\circ}C$, $-7.5^{\circ}C$. It appeared more $3.5{\sim}6.2^{\circ}C$ low temperature than experimental setting point. In addition, each parts thurmal property of peaks and bottoms was not similar, it referred to each parts' sensitivities of low temperature were different on the peak and bottom leaves surface temperature.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 2013

To investigate effects of phase mask on susceptibility-weighted images (SWI) using voxel-based analyses in normal elderly subjects. A three-dimensional (3D) gradient echo sequence ran to obtain SWIs in 20 healthy elderly subjects. SWIs with two (SWI2) and four (SWI4) phase multiplications were achieved with positive (PSWI) and negative (NSWI) phase masks to investigate phase mask effects. The voxel-based comparisons were performed using paired t-tests between PSWI and NSWI and between SWI2 and SWI4. Differences of signal intensities between magnitude images and SWI4 were larger than those between magnitude images and SWI2s. Differences of signal intensities between magnitude images and PSWIs were larger than those between magnitude images and NSWIs. Moreover, the signal intensities from NSWI2s and NSWI4s were greater than those from PSWI2s and PSWI4s, respectively. More differences of signal intensities between NSWI4 and PSWI4s were found than those between NSWI2s and PSWI2s in the whole brain images. The voxel-based analyses of SWI could be beneficial to investigate susceptibility differences on the entire brain areas. The phase masking method could be chosen to enhance brain tissue contrast rather than to enhance venous blood vessels. Therefore, it is recommended to apply voxel-based analyses of SWI to investigate clinical applications.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.441-467
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• 2016

This fMRI study is aim to investigate effects of competitive environment in cognitive empathic process in human brain. Empathy is known as a crucial factor for human's adaptive behavior in aspects of social cognition and it is almost automatic process, on the other hand competitive situation is psychologically devastated environment to win someone for getting rewards. We hypnotized that reading and understanding of other person's mind are a specific characteristic related to survival evolutionarily, however competition would have an effect on the empathic cognitive process because of mechanisms of competition. To manipulate the competitive atmosphere, one researcher took a role of competitor against participants and they were instructed to get monetary rewards when their performance was better than a competitor. 21 participants(9 males and 12 females) performed to judge the emotional valence of the empathic task consisted of illustrated images with various situation could be experienced in real world as on $1^{st}$ person perspective in both competitive and non-competitive condition, and did same performance with objects stimulus in control condition. In order to examine the competition effects on empathic process,, hemodynamic response were obtained during fMRI session and the imaging data were analyzed to identify brain regions where responses to each condition across the two consecutive runs. Participants' reaction time in competitive condition was faster statistically significant than non-competitive one. Activation for competitive condition increased in the following areas: ACC, mPFC, SMG, thalamus extended caudate and Nacc, parahippocampal gyrus, and for non-competitive condition increased paracingulate gyrus, temporal pole, vmPFC, superior occipital gyrus. As a result of regression analysis using empathic scores as covariance, the rSMG, IFG, fusiform gyrus, thalamus, putamen were correlated with higher empathic levels, and TPJ were correlated with lower empathic scores. We suggest that these observations could mean competitive environment have an effect on neural base of cognitive empathic process.