• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2016

Acoustic noise during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the main source for patient discomfort. we report our preliminary experience with this technique in neuroimaging with regard to subjective and objective noise levels and image quality. 60 patients(29 males, 31 females, average age of 60.1) underwent routine brain MRI with 3.0 Tesla (MAGNETOM Tim Trio; Siemens, Germany) system and 12-channel head coil. Q-$T_2$ and $T_2$ sequence were performed. Measurement of sound pressure levels (SPL) and heart rate on Q-$T_2$ and $T_2$ was performed respectively. Quantitative analysis was carried out by measuring the SNR, CNR, and SIR values of Q-$T_2$, $T_2$ and a statistical analysis was performed using independent sample T-test. Qualitative analysis was evaluated by the eyes for the overall quality image of Q-$T_2$ and $T_2$. A 5-point evaluation scale was used, including excellent(5), good(4), fair(3), poor(2), and unacceptable(1). The average noise and peak noise decreased by $15dB_A$ and $10dB_A$ on $T_2$ and Q-$T_2$ test. Also, the average value of heartbeat rate was lower in Q-$T_2$ for 120 seconds in each test, but there was no statistical significance. The quantitative analysis showed that there was no significant difference between CNR and SIR, and there was a significant difference (p<0.05) as SNR had a lower average value on Q-$T_2$. According to the qualitative analysis, the overall quality image of 59 case $T_2$ and Q-$T_2$ was evaluated as excellent at 5 points, and 1 case was evaluated as good at 4 points due to a motion artifact. Q-$T_2$ is a promising technique for acoustic noise reduction and improved patient comfort.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1525-1536
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of cine three-dimensional (3D) balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) imaging combined with a non-local means (NLM) algorithm for image denoising in evaluating cardiac function in children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients with rTOF (mean age, 12 years; range, 7-18 years) were enrolled to undergo cardiac cine image acquisition, including two-dimensional (2D) b-SSFP, 3D b-SSFP, and 3D b-SSFP combined with NLM. End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF) of the two ventricles were measured and indexed by body surface index. Acquisition time and image quality were recorded and compared among the three imaging sequences. Results: 3D b-SSFP with denoising vs. 2D b-SSFP had high correlation coefficients for EDV, ESV, SV, and EF of the left (0.959-0.991; p < 0.001) as well as right (0.755-0.965; p < 0.001) ventricular metrics. The image acquisition time ± standard deviation (SD) was 25.1 ± 2.4 seconds for 3D b-SSFP compared with 277.6 ± 0.7 seconds for 2D b-SSFP, indicating a significantly shorter time with the 3D than the 2D sequence (p < 0.001). Image quality score was better with 3D b-SSFP combined with denoising than with 3D b-SSFP (mean ± SD, 3.8 ± 0.6 vs. 3.5 ± 0.6; p = 0.005). Signal-to-noise ratios for blood and myocardium as well as contrast between blood and myocardium were higher for 3D b-SSFP combined with denoising than for 3D b-SSFP (p < 0.05 for all but septal myocardium). Conclusion: The 3D b-SSFP sequence can significantly reduce acquisition time compared to the 2D b-SSFP sequence for cine imaging in the evaluation of ventricular function in children with rTOF, and its quality can be further improved by combining it with an NLM denoising method.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.191-197
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• 2013

Conventional CT and MRI scans produce cross-section slices of body that are viewed sequentially by radiologists who must imagine or extrapolate from these views what the 3 dimensional anatomy should be. By using sophisticated algorithm and high performance computing, these cross-sections may be rendered as direct 3D representations of human anatomy. The 2D medical image analysis forced to use time-consuming, subjective, error-prone manual techniques, such as slice tracing and region painting, for extracting regions of interest. To overcome the drawbacks of 2D medical image analysis, combining with medical image processing, 3D visualization is essential for extracting anatomical structures and making measurements. We used the gray-level thresholding, region growing, contour following, deformable model to segment human organ and used the feature vectors from texture analysis to detect harmful cancer. We used the perspective projection and marching cube algorithm to render the surface from volumetric MR and CT image data. The 3D visualization of human anatomy and segmented human organ provides valuable benefits for radiation treatment planning, surgical planning, surgery simulation, image guided surgery and interventional imaging applications.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2002

This study was carried out to study the viability of oocytes when vitrified at various maturation stages. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes were recovered from ovaries at a slaughter and then divided into five groups: control group(unvitrified oocytes), 0 hr. group(composed of oocytes vitrified before the onset of maturation) and 10, 14, and 20 hrs groups(vitrified at 10, 14 and 20 hrs after the onset of maturation, respectively). The oocytes remained vitrified for 24 hrs, and then were thawed in 3$0^{\circ}C$. Survival and cleavage rates were investigated by results of in vitro culture and aceto-orcein staining or FDA test. No difference in the incidence of diploid oocytes was observed among the control, non-vitrified group(3.6%) and oocytes vitrified at 14 hrs(6.7%) or 20 hrs(1.7%). However, more diploid oocytes were detected after vitrification at 0 hr.(26.7%) and 10 hrs(21.7%) post maturation. The survival rate of all vitrified immature oocytes(12.0~38.0%) was low, 48.0% of unvitrified oocytes and oocytes vitrified before maturation or 0~ 10 hrs after the onset of maturation were higher than that of other groups. The overall fertilization and cleavage rates of vitrified immature oocytes (32.3 ~ 64.6% and 4.6 ~ 32.3%) were low, and 55.0% of unvitrified oocytes and the rate of immature oocytes were very higher than that of mature oocytes.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 1992

Recently, stereotactic radiosurgery plan is required with the information of 3-D image and dose distribution. The purpose of this research is to develop 3-D radiosurgery planning system using personal computer. The procedure of this research is based on three steps. The first step is to input the image information of the patient obtained from CT or MR scan into personal computer through on-line or digitizer. The position and shape of target are also transferred into computer using Angio or CT localization. The second step is to compute dose distribution on image plane, which is transformed into stereotactic frame coordinate. and to optimize dose distribution through the selection of optimal treatment parameters. The third step is to display both isodose distribution and patient image simultaneously using superimpose technique. This prototype of radiosurgery planning system was applied recently for several clinical cases. It was shown that our planning system is fast, accurate and efficient while making it possible to handle various kinds of image modelities such as angio, CT and MRI. It is also possible to develop 3-D planning system in radiation therapy using beam's eye view or CT simulation in future.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.121-125
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 3.0-T breast MRI for detecting additional breast cancer soon after the initial diagnosis of breast cancer. Materials and Methods : From March to June 2009, 101 patients recently diagnosed breast cancer underwent breast MRI and surgery. Parameters analyzed on MRI were total extent of tumor, suspicious findings of multifocal, multicentric, or contralateral cancer. The diagnosis of MRI-detected cancer was confirmed by means of biopsy or surgical specimen evaluation after the localization. Results : MRI showed 37 additional suspicious findings in 34 patients. Twenty nine findings were true-positive (29/37, 78.4%), including 16 cases of multifocality, 11 cases of multicentricity and 2 cases of contralateral cancer. Among these cancers, 13 (44.8%) were ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 16 (55.1%) were infiltrating cancer. Eight findings were false-positive (8/37, 21.6%) including 6 cases of benign disease and 2 cases of high-risk lesions. Conclusion : In women with recently diagnosed breast cancer, 3.0-T MR imaging showed additional suspicious findings in 33.7%. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting additional breast cancer was 100% and 89.3%, respectively.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.261-271
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• 2015

Toxicity results of metals, nanoparticles (NPs), and soils contaminated with metals were introduced on this review. Following methods were used: seed germination, bioluminescence, enzyme activity, and mutation. In general, different sensitivities were observed, depending on types of bioassays and pollutants. Among tested seeds, sensitivities of Lactucus and Raphanus were greater than others. Of single metal exposure, effect by As(III) was greater than others, and high revertant mutation ratio (5.1) was observed at 1 mg/L arsenite, indicating high mutagenicity. No general pattern was observed on the effect of metal mixture, but synergistic effect was observed with seeds. In case of soils, no correlation was observed between total metal contents and toxicity. Toxicity of NPs was observed as follows: CuO > ZnO > NiO > $TiO_2$, $Fe_2O_3$, $Co_3O_4$. Especially, no considerable effects were observed by $TiO_2$, $Fe_2O_3$, and $Co_3O_4$ under tested concentration (max. 1,000 mg/L). The evaluation results of interactive toxic effects using various bioassays may comprise a useful tool for the bioassessment of various environmental pollutants.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.443-447
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• 2014

Biosynthesis of lactate-containing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) was examined in recombinant Escherichia coli W strain from sucrose. The Pseudomonas sp. MBEL 6-19 phaC1437 gene and the Clostridium propionicum pct540 gene, which encode engineered Pseudomonas sp. MBEL 6-19 PHA synthase 1 ($PhaC1_{Ps6-19}$) and engineered C. propionicum propionyl-CoA transferase ($Pct_{Cp}$), respectively, were expressed in E. coli W to construct key metabolic pathway to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-lactate) [P(3HB-co-LA)]. The recombinant E. coli W expressing the phaC1437 gene and the pct540 gene could synthesize P(3HB-co-13mol%LA) up to the polymer content of 31.3 wt% when it was cultured in chemically defined MR medium containing 20 g/L of sucrose and 2 g/L of sodium 3-hydroxybutyrate. When Ralstonia eutropha phaAB genes were additionally expressed to provide 3-hydroxybutyrate-CoA (3HB-CoA) from sucrose, P(3HB-co-16mol%LA) could be synthesized from sucrose as a sole carbon source without supplement of sodium 3-hydroxybutyrate in culture medium, but the PHA content was decreased to 12.2 wt%. The molecular weight of P(3HB-co-16 mol%LA) synthesized in E. coli W using sucrose as carbon source were $1.53{\times}10^4$ ($M_n$) and $2.78{\times}10^4$ ($M_w$), respectively, which are not different from those that have previously been reported by other recombinant E. coli strains. Engineered E. coli strains developed in this study should be useful for the production of lactate-containing PHAs from sucrose, one of the most abundant and least expensive carbon sources.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2013

Purpose : The Carotid Angio inspection including Aortic arch applied to wide area is conducted as the Contrast Enhance MR Angiography(CEA) which is using a contrast medium. However it is a burden not only for someone such as infants, pregnant women and patients suffering from kidney failure but continuous use of contrast medium also can be a burden for patients who has been taken follow up inspection since diagnose lesion already. The purpose of this study is to estimate a usefulness of the Time of Flight (TOF) by comparing with CEA. Materials and methods : 10 patients with an average age of 58 (from 45 to 75) who had MRA inspection in our hospital were studied using 3.0 Tesla Aachieva (Philips, Netherland) MRI system and Sense Neuro-Vascular 16 Channels Coil. The same patient was inspected both TOF and CEA simultaneously. The TOF inspection included from Aortic arch to Willis Circle by connecting 3 TOF stacks and so did CEA inspection. The quantitative analysis was conducted through signal to noise ratio(SNR) and contrast to noise ratio(CNR) with soft tissue by setting up an area of interest on CCA bifurcatoin, ICA, ECA, MCA and VA concerning obtained image. In case of qualitative analysis, 3 radiological technologists and 1 radiologist evaluated 4 items (1: Visibility of the blood vessel, 2: Image distortion measure, 3: Overlapping measure with vein, 4: Peripheral blood vessel description measure) into five points scale (1: Very bad, 2: Bad, 3: Normal 4: Good, 5: Very good). Results : Results for the quantitative analysis was obtained by calculating the average of 5 ROIs in case of SNR and CNR separately. Results of SNR, TOF were generally measured higher than CEA (In case of TOF were 166.1, 205.2, 154.39, 172.23, 161.95, and CEA were 92.05, 95.43, 84.76, 73.69, 88.3). But according to the result of CNR, both TOF and CEA were measured similarly as 67.62, 106.71, 55.9, 73.74, 63.46 for TOF and 67.82, 71.19, 60.52, 49.45, 64.07 for CEA. Throughout every results of each ROI, SNR showed statistically meaningful consequence (0.050.05). In case of qualitative analysis the average of each evaluated item was 4.2points and 4.28points in the item1, 2.93points and 4.55points in the item2, 4.6points and 3.13points in the item3, 2.88points and 4.6points in the item4. According to the results TOF was measured higher in the item3 while in the item2 and item4 CEA was higher and in case of the item1, both CEA and TOF were similar. To sum up statistically meaningful results (p<0.05) were shown in the item2, item3 and item4 but not in the item1 (p>0.05). Conclusions : Both TOF and CEA are complementary because each inspection has pros and cons, but when inspect wide area including Aortic arch normally CEA is conducted. But TOF inspection also can be considered as alternative in terms of patients who has difficulty in the contrast medium such as infants, pregnant women and patients suffering from kidney failure and patients during follow up.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2002

Propose : The purpose of this retrospective study was to test the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL index) for diagnosis of a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) by means of MR imaging. Materials and Methods : From Mar. 1997 to Feb. 2001, concomitant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and knee joint arthroscopy were performed in 56 patients of either pain or instability of the knee. The shortest distance between the femoral and tibial attachment of PCL (X) and the distance from that line to the tip of the arc marked by the PCL (Y) on the sagittal plane images were measured. The quotient of these two parameters (Y/X) defined the PCL index. Results : Using MRI diagnosis, there were 35 patients diagnosed with ACL rupture and 21 patients were ruled out of ACL injury. Using arthroscopy, 32 of the 35 patients diagnosed by MRI showed ACL rupture, and 20 of the 21 patients were ruled out of ACL injury. The mean PCL index was 0.40 in the 33 patients diagnosed with ACL rupture through arthroscopy. The mean PCL index was 0.23 in 23 patients with an uninjured ACL through arthroscopy. In 33 patients with ruptured ACL, this value exceeds 0.31. The index value was 0.31 in 3 patients with uninjured ACL. The value of the index was not above 0.31 with an uninjured ACL. PCL index on MRI had a sensitivity of $91\%$ and a specificity of $94\%$ for determining the status of the anterior cruciate ligament. Conclusion : Injury to the ACL changes the PCL index markedly. In diagnostically unreliable MR images, amelioration of the PCL index could help in the diagnosis of ACL injury.