• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.311-320
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• 2019

Discogenic pain which develops during the degenerative process of intervertebral disc is an intractable disease of musculoskeletal system. Unlike other diseases in modern medical science, it is not clinically confirmed through objective imaging and clinicopathologic index. Moreover, current technology has been facing difficulties finding fundamental treatment. This study examined through reviewing literature whether the therapeutic rationales of interventional procedures for the discogenic pain, such as nerve block, intradiscal electrothermal therapy and nucleoplasty, are valid and whether safety reviews such as preclinical tests are carried out faithfully during the technology development process. As a result, it is presumed that there is not yet an interventional treatment for discogenic pain, whose therapeutic rationale has been objectively verified. And there are some cases of interventional treatment that have not been adequately equipped with the preclinical test steps necessary to review the safety of the procedure during the technology development process. In conclusion, since there is still no interventional treatment for discogenic pain which has clear therapeutic rationale, it is necessary to recognize that a more careful approach is needed to judge whether the procedure is performed in clinical settings. And medical ethical issues may arise for some interventional treatment that are deemed to have been carried out without a thorough review of safety.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2023

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in deep learning-based animal pose estimation, especially in the areas of animal behavior analysis and healthcare. However, existing animal pose estimation techniques do not perform well when body parts are occluded or not present. In particular, the occlusion of dog tail or ear might lead to a significant degradation of performance in pet behavior and emotion recognition. In this paper, to solve this intractable problem, we propose a simple yet novel framework for pet pose estimation where pet pose is predicted on an outpainted image where some body parts hidden outside the input image are reconstructed by the image inpainting network preceding the pose estimation network, and we performed a preliminary study to test the feasibility of the proposed approach. We assessed CE-GAN and BAT-Fill for image outpainting, and evaluated SimpleBaseline for pet pose estimation. Our experimental results show that pet pose estimation on outpainted images generated using BAT-Fill outperforms the existing methods of pose estimation on outpainting-less input image.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.59-72
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• 2020

Artificial Intelligence is establishing itself as a familiar tool from an intractable concept. In this trend, financial sector is also looking to improve the problem of existing system which includes Fraud Detection System (FDS). It is being difficult to detect sophisticated cyber financial fraud using original rule-based FDS. This is because diversification of payment environment and increasing number of electronic financial transactions has been emerged. In order to overcome present FDS, this paper suggests 3 types of artificial intelligence models, Generative Adversarial Network (GAN), Deep Neural Network (DNN), and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). GAN proves how data imbalance problem can be developed while DNN and CNN show how abnormal financial trading patterns can be precisely detected. In conclusion, among the experiments on this paper, WGAN has the highest improvement effects on data imbalance problem. DNN model reflects more effects on fraud classification comparatively.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.540-549
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• 2024

Objective: This study investigated the feasibility and prognostic relevance of threshold-based quantification of myocardial delayed enhancement (MDE) on CT in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM). Materials and Methods: Forty-three patients with NIDCM (59.3 ± 17.1 years; 21 male) were included in the study and underwent cardiac CT and MRI. MDE was quantified manually and with a threshold-based quantification method using cutoffs of 2, 3, and 4 standard deviations (SDs) on three sets of CT images (100 kVp, 120 kVp, and 70 keV). Interobserver agreement in MDE quantification was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Agreement between CT and MRI was evaluated using the Bland-Altman method and the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). Patients were followed up for the subsequent occurrence of the primary composite outcome, including cardiac death, heart transplantation, heart failure hospitalization, or appropriate use of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate event-free survival according to MDE levels. Results: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was observed in 29 patients (67%, 29/43), and the mean LGE found with the 5-SD threshold was 4.1% ± 3.6%. The 4-SD threshold on 70-keV CT showed excellent interobserver agreement (ICC = 0.810) and the highest concordance with MRI (CCC = 0.803). This method also yielded the smallest bias with the narrowest range of 95% limits of agreement compared to MRI (bias, -0.119%; 95% limits of agreement, -4.216% to 3.978%). During a median follow-up of 1625 days (interquartile range, 712-1430 days), 10 patients (23%, 10/43) experienced the primary composite outcome. Event-free survival significantly differed between risk subgroups divided by the optimal MDE cutoff of 4.3% (log-rank P = 0.005). Conclusion: The 4-SD threshold on 70-keV monochromatic CT yielded results comparable to those of MRI for quantifying MDE as a marker of myocardial fibrosis, which showed prognostic value in patients with NIDCM.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.26.1-26.28
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• 2021

Asthma exacerbations are a major cause of intractable morbidity, increases in health care costs, and a greater progressive loss of lung function. Asthma exacerbations are most commonly triggered by respiratory viral infections, particularly with human rhinovirus (hRV). Respiratory viral infections are believed to affect the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a limiting enzyme in tryptophan catabolism, which is presumed to alter asthmatic airway inflammation. Here, we explored the detailed role of IDO in the progression of asthma exacerbations using a mouse model for asthma exacerbation caused by hRV infection. Our results reveal that IDO is required to prevent neutrophilic inflammation in the course of asthma exacerbation caused by an hRV infection, as corroborated by markedly enhanced Th17- and Th1-type neutrophilia in the airways of IDO-deficient mice. This neutrophilia was closely associated with disrupted expression of tight junctions and enhanced expression of inflammasome-related molecules and mucin-inducing genes. In addition, IDO ablation enhanced allergen-specific Th17- and Th1-biased CD4⁺ T-cell responses following hRV infection. The role of IDO in attenuating Th17- and Th1-type neutrophilic airway inflammation became more apparent in chronic asthma exacerbations after repeated allergen exposures and hRV infections. Furthermore, IDO enzymatic induction in leukocytes derived from the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) lineage appeared to play a dominant role in attenuating Th17- and Th1-type neutrophilic inflammation in the airway following hRV infection. Therefore, IDO activity in HSC-derived leukocytes is required to regulate Th17- and Th1-type neutrophilic inflammation in the airway during asthma exacerbations caused by hRV infections.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2000

Objective: The purpose of our study was to determine the ability of H-1 MR spectroscopy (MRS) to lateralize the lesion in patients with hippocampal sclerosis. Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers and 25 patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy whose MR imaging diagnosis was unilateral hippocampal sclerosis were included. This diagnosis was based on the presence of unilateral atrophy and/or high T2 signal intensity of the hippocampus. Single-voxel H-1 MRS was carried out on a 1.5-T unit using PRESS sequence (TE, 136 msec). Spectra were obtained from hippocampal areas bilaterally with volumes of interest (VOIs) of 6.0 cm³ and 2.25 cm³ in healthy volunteers, and of either 6.0 cm³ (n = 14) or 2.25 cm³ (n = 11) in patients. Metabolite ratios of NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr were calculated from relative peak height measurements. The capability of MRS to lateralize the lesion and to detect bilateral abnormalities was compared with MR imaging diagnosis as a standard of reference. Results: In healthy volunteers, NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratios were greater than 0.8 and 1.0, respectively. In patients, the mean values of these ratios were significantly lower on the lesion side than on the contralateral side, and lower than those of healthy volunteers (p < .05). The overall correct lateralization rate of MRS was 72% (18/25); this rate was lower with a VOI of 6.0 cm³ than of 2.25 cm³ (64% versus 82%, p < .05). Bilateral abnormalities on MRS were found in 24% (6/25) of cases. Conclusion: Although its rate of correct lateralization is low, single-voxel H-1 MRS is a useful and promising diagnostic tool in the evaluation of hippocampal sclerosis, particularly for the detection of bilateral abnormalities. To improve the diagnostic accuracy of H-1 MRS, further investigation, including the use of a smaller VOI and measurement of the absolute amount of metabolites, are needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.458-463
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• 2009

Purpose : Schizencephaly is a uncommon congenital brain anomaly characterized by congenital clefts spanning the cerebral hemispheres from pial surface to lateral ventricles and lined by gray matter. In this study, we investigated the clinical manifestation and radiologic findings of pediatric schizencephaly. Methods : The data of 13 patients who were diagnosed with schizencephaly in Severance Childrens Hospital and Yongdong Severance Hospital from January 2005 to December 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Results : The mean age at diagnosis was $9.08{\pm}2.67$ months old and ranged from 1 to 30 months. The ratio of male to female patients was 3.33:1. Five (38.5%) patients had bilateral clefts, while 8 (61.5%) had unilateral clefts. Five (38.5%) patients had closed lip clefts, and 4 (30.8%) had opened lip clefts. Four (30.8%) patients had multiple clefts. Associated anomalies showed in all cases. The clinical features consisted of mild unilateral weakness in 7 (53.8%) cases and a hemiparesis was present in 3 (23.1%) patients. A tetraparesis was in 3 (23.1%) patients. There was no difference in motor deficit between unilateral and bilateral clefts. Delayed development was observed in all cases. Epilepsy was present in 7 (53.8%) patients, 5 patients with unilateral clefts and 2 patients with bilateral clefts. Three (42.8%) patients showed intractable seizures. Conclusion : Schizencephaly showed variable clinical manifestations and radiologic findings in association with the types and locations of the clefts. It is necessary to diagnose schizencephaly early and to detect the development of epilepsy. Intensive and large studies of the correlation of clinical outcomes and radiologic findings should be continued for more effective treatment.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 1987

The effect of intravesical formalin instillation as a therapeutic modality for intractable bladder hemorrhage is well known. And despite clear evidence of therapeutic efficacy of intravesical cytotoxic drugs and/or BCG immunotherapy, there have been substantial recurrences during followup after transurethral resection for superficial bladder tumor. If formalin injected at the bed of superficial bladder tumor is able to coagulate and necrotize the tumor, it will be greatly helpful to the patients With recurrent bladder tumor developed during followup. Since this technique is applicable on outpatient basis, an economical as well as a psychological burden of the patients can be reduced considerably. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of submucosal formalin injection on rat bladder wall, 36 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 350gm in average) were divided into 3 groups: In Group I (control group), 0.01ml of normal saline was injected submucosally at the left posterolateral wall of the bladder opened under intraperitoneal Nembutal anesthesia ; In Group II and III, 0.01 ml of 10% and 4% formalin, respectively, were administered at the same site as in the Group I, two rats in each group were sacrificed at day 1, 2, and 3, and week 1, 2 and 4 after injection, respectively. Gross and microscopic examination of the cystectomized specimen were done in each group. In the Group II, bladder stones were formed at week I, and in both the Group I and III, stones were seen at week 2 post injection. There was no significant difference III histologic findings of the bladder between the group II and III. Mucosal ulcer and/or prominent mucosal disruption was observed at 24 hours after injection in both Group II and III. Epithelial regeneration began at day 2, and was marked at day 3, and epithelial lining was almost normalized one week after injection. Subepithelial edema, telangiectasia and inflammatory reaction were prominent at 24 hours post formalin injection. Subepithelial edema persisted in moderate degree for 1 week. Telangiectasia and inflammatory reaction were noted for 4 weeks. Mild degree of these findings also appeared In the control group. Fibroblastic proliferation appeared at day 2 and persisted in moderate degree for 4 weeks. There has been no mortality or bladder perforation. These results suggest that clinical application of this technique is feasible for the selected cases of recurrent, solitary superficial bladder tumor. However, optimal dosage of formalin in relation to the size of the lesion remains to be investigated.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.655-662
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• 2010

Background: Despite the rapid expansion of percutaneous endovascular repair, open surgical repair is still recognized as an option to achieve a cure. We retrospectively analyzed over a 6 year period the surgical outcomes, the complications and the mortality-related factors for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Material and Method: We analyzed 36 patients who underwent surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysms between May 2001 and June 2005, and between April 2007 and November 2009. The indications for surgery were rupture, a maximal aortic diameter > 50 mm, and medically intractable hypertension or pain. Result: The mean patient age was $69.67{\pm}6.97$ years (range: 57 to 84 years). Thirty two patients (88.9%) were males and 4 patients (11.1%) were females. Extension to the iliac artery existed in 28 patients (77.8%). Thirteen patients (36.1%) had ruptured aortic aneurysms. The mean maximal diameter of the aorta was $73.7{\pm}13.3$ mm (60 to 100 mm). Surgery was performed by a midline laparotomy and 10 patients (27.8%) underwent emergency surgery. The mortality rate was 8.3%; the mortality rate for the patients with ruptured aneurysms was 23.1 % and the mortality rate for patients with unruptured aneurysms was 0%. The postoperative complications included wound infection (3 cases), sepsis (2 cases), renal failure (2 cases) and pneumonia (1 case). Unstable vital signs, pre-operative transfusion, ruptured aneurysm, emergency surgery, comorbidity (DM and syncope) and complications (sepsis and renal failure) were the statistically significant mortality-related factors (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Emergency surgery for ruptured aortic aneurysms continues to have high mortality, but the unruptured cases are repaired with relative safety. Even though endovascular aortic repair is the trend for abdominal aortic aneurysms, an elective operation of the unruptured aneurysms could decrease the procedure's morbidity and the inconvenient for repeat evaluation with good surgical results.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.177-196
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• 2004

Objective : Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that pathogenesis is not fully understood and one of the most intractable musculoskeletal diseases. The concern in the immunopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis has been increased since 1980's and many immunotherapeutic agents including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were developed and became the mainstay of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, the cure of the disease has hardly been achieved. In oriental medicine, rheumatoid arthritis is related to Bi-Zheng(痺證), that presents pain, swelling, andlor loss of joint function as major clinical manifestations, and also known to be deeply involved in suppression of immune function related to weakness of Jung-Ki(正氣). The herbal medicine, empirically used, could be a potential resource of development of new immunotherapeutic agents for rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : We developed a search strategy using terms to include "rheumatoid arthritis and herbal medicine" combined with "Chinese medicine" and/or "Oriental medicine". The search was focused on experimental studies of herbal medicine (January 1999 to May 2004), which is known to have effects on immune function of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Computerized search used Internet databases including KISS and RISS4U (Korea), CNKI (China), MOMJ (Main Oriental Medicine Journal, Japan), and PubMed. The articles were selected from journals of universities or major research institutes. Results : The literature search for experimental studies on effects of herbal medicine on immunity of rheumatoid arthritis retrieved a total of 21 articles (Korea; 8, China ; 12, Japan ; 1). Of 21 articles, 10 were related to single-drug formula, 2 to drug interaction, and 9 to multi-drug formula. Single-drug formula was mainly used for aqua-acupuncture and researches on active components. Studies of drug interaction emphasized harmony of Ki-Hyul(氣血) and balance of Han-Yeul(寒熱). Multi-drug regimen was mainly found among formulas for Bo-Ki-Hyul(補氣血) and Bo-Sin(補腎). Conclusion : Studies on rheumatoid arthritis were performed both in vitro and in vivo in vitro study, LPS-stimulated splenocytes and synoviocytes were treated with herbal medicine, resulting in proliferation and activation of immune cells and suppression of cytokine activities in vivo study CIA animal model demonstrated that herbal medicine decreased antibody production and improved function of immune cells. In cellular and molecular study herbal medicine showed profound effects on the level of mRNA expression of certain cytokines related to immune function. This study revealed that herbal medicine has significant immune modulatory action and could be used for recovery of immune dysfunction of rheumatoid arthritis patients.