• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

Many types of small animal imaging modalities, like micro-CT, micro-PET, and micro-SPECT, have been recently developed worldwide. Small animal imaging systems are now recognized as indispensable tools to validate efficacy and safety of new drugs or new therapeutic methods using the animal disease models. With increasing demands for small animal imaging in biomedical research, multimodal small animal imaging systems, like micro-PET/CT or micro PET/MRI, are now also being developed. Small animal imaging with spatial resolution and sensitivity comparable to human imaging is quite challenging since laboratory small animals are much smaller than human beings. Research activities in Korea on small animal imaging systems are reviewed in this paper. In the field of micro-CT and micro-PET, many world-class technologies have been developed successfully in Korea. It is expected that the developed animal imaging system technologies can be used in the development of clinical imaging systems in Korea in the near future.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety, injury mechanism, complication and adverse reactions associated with Chuna manual theraphy(CMT), to report one case of adverse reaction with Thai Massage(TM). Methods: A 76-year-old woman presented with chest pain and dorsalgia. The patient undertook a TM. The patient's chest pain didn't improve by Korean medecine. In MRI study, sternal fracture was diagnosed. Results and Conclusions : It is supposed that this patient suffered chest pain and dorsalgia due to a TM. From this case, we can understand the etiology of sternal fracture to some extent and consider the complication of Chuna manual theraphy through TM. In addition, This study raises the awareness of the possibility of a sternal fracture caused by a low-energy CMT technique.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.180-185
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• 2005

Purpose: To purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of arthroscopic meniscus repair using Rapid Loc device. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 44 cases which had been turned out longitudinal tear without degeneration. We repaired all cases with Rapid Loc device. Patients were evaluated using clinical examination, Orthopaedische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Knie (OAK) scheme, and MRI. We regarded patients with joint line tenderness, swelling or McMurray positive test as clinical failure. Results: A mean age was 33.3 years and follow-up period was average 15 months. Clinical results were excellent 15 cases(34.1%), good 20 cases(45.5%), fair 7 cases(15.9%), poor 2 cases(4.5%). MRI showed grade 115 cases(33.3%), grade II 22 cases(50%), grade III 7 cases(16.7%). Clinical failures were 8 cases and only one complication was developed. Conclusion: Rapid Loc device showed the excellent results in meniscus repair. We regard it has a lot of advantages in safety, softness, ease, ability to control tension at repair site.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.667-675
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• 2017

Objective : Total resection without consecutive postoperative whole brain radiation therapy is indicated for patients with a single or two sites of brain metastasis, with close follow-up by serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this study, we explored the effectiveness, usefulness, and safety of this follow-up regimen. Methods : From January 2006 to December 2015, a total of 109 patients (76 males, 33 females) underwent tumor resection as the first treatment for brain metastases (97 patients with single metastases, 12 with two metastases). The mean age was 59.8 years (range 27-80). The location of the 121 tumors in the 109 patients was supratentorial (n=98) and in the cerebellum (n=23). The origin of the primary cancers was lung (n=45), breast (n=17), gastrointestinal tract (n=18), hepatobiliary system (n=8), kidney (n=7), others (n=11), and unknown origin (n=3). The 121 tumors were totally resected. Follow-up involved regular clinical and MRI assessments. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after tumor resection were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier methods based on clinical prognostic factors. Results : During the follow-up, MRI scans were done for 85 patients (78%) with 97 tumors. Fifty-six of the 97 tumors showed no recurrence without adjuvant local treatment, representing a numerical tumor recurrence-free rate of 57.7%. Mean and median RFS was 13.6 and 5.3 months, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed the cerebellar location of the tumor as the only statistically significant prognostic factor related to RFS (p=0.020). Mean and median OS was 15.2 and 8.1 months, respectively. There were no significant prognostic factors related to OS. The survival rate at one year was 8.2% (9 of 109). Conclusion : With close and regular clinical and image follow-up, initial postoperative observation without prompt postoperative radiation therapy can be applied in patients of brain metastasi(e)s when both the tumor(s) are completely resected.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.218-228
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• 2018

Purpose: The objective of this study is to determine the effect of physical changes on MR temperature imaging at 7.0T and to examine proton-resonance-frequency related changes of MR phase images and T1 related changes of MR magnitude images, which are obtained for MR thermometry at various magnetic field strengths. Materials and Methods: An MR-compatible capacitive-coupled radio-frequency hyperthermia system was implemented for heating a phantom and swine muscle tissue, which can be used for both 7.0T and 3.0T MRI. To determine the effect of flip angle correction on T1-based MR thermometry, proton resonance frequency, apparent T1, actual flip angle, and T1 images were obtained. For this purpose, three types of imaging sequences are used, namely, T1-weighted fast field echo with variable flip angle method, dual repetition time method, and variable flip angle method with radio-frequency field nonuniformity correction. Results: Signal-to-noise ratio of the proton resonance frequency shift-based temperature images obtained at 7.0T was five-fold higher than that at 3.0T. The T1 value increases with increasing temperature at both 3.0T and 7.0T. However, temperature measurement using apparent T1-based MR thermometry results in bias and error because B1 varies with temperature. After correcting for the effect of B1 changes, our experimental results confirmed that the calculated T1 increases with increasing temperature both at 3.0T and 7.0T. Conclusion: This study suggests that the temperature-induced flip angle variations need to be considered for accurate temperature measurements in T1-based MR thermometry.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.563-569
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• 2020

Oncoplastic surgery (OPS) combines oncologically safe tumor resection with aesthetically satisfying reconstruction of defects using established plastic surgery techniques. OPS is characterized by initial excision as extensive as is beneficial for oncological safety, and, once sufficient resection is complete, displacement or replacement techniques are selected based on remnant volume. The size of the lesion and the individual patient are important factors when considering the appropriate approach, and when pre-operative imaging, including MRI, is used to determine the technique, the complete removal of cancer cells by permanent pathology is essential. A frozen section is used during the operation to reduce the reoperation rate, but it is difficult to cover the entire margin surface theoretically and even harder in practice. A recent report about adequate margins has empowered OPS in its oncological safety. Considering the patients to whom each modality could be applied, basic breast volume is an important factor, and this is influenced by ethnic differences. In Europe or the US, for example, the average breast size is 36D (600 ㎤) and reduction mammoplasty is predominantly used. However, the average size of patients in our institution is 33A (300 ㎤), and so quite different approaches are selected in most cases. New techniques involving radiofrequency and fluorescence have been proposed as safe and easily accessible ways of reducing complications.

• Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.37-43
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• 2012

The purpose of this research is to obtain and analyze dynamic responses from human volunteers for the development of the human-like mechanical or mathematical model for Korean males in automotive rear collisions. This paper focused on the introduction to a low-speed rear impact sled test involving Korean male subjects, and the accumulation of the motion of head and neck. A total of 50 dynamic rear impact sled tests were performed with 50 human volunteers, who are 30-50 year-old males. Each subject can be involved in only one case to prevent any injury in which he was exposed to the impulse that was equivalent to a low-speed rear-end collision of cars at 5-8 km/h for change of velocity, so called, ${\Delta}V$. All subjects were examined by an orthopedist to qualify for the test through the medical check-up of their necks and low backs prior to the test. The impact device is the pendulum type, tuned to simulate the crash pulse of a real vehicle. All motions and impulses were captured and measured by motion capture systems and pressure sensors on the seat. Dynamic responses of head and T1 were analyzed in two cases(5 km/h, 8 km/h) to compare with the results in the previous studies. After the experiments, human subjects were examined to check up any change in the post medical analysis. As a result, there was no change in MRI and no injury reported. Six subjects experienced a minor stiffness on their back for no more than 2 days and got back to normal without any medical treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2006

Background: A cervical transforaminal steroid injection is an effective therapeutic modality for radiculopathy of a herniated cervical disc or a cervical foraminal stenosis. However, there is some debate regarding the safety of the transforaminal approach under C-arm guidance compared with the posterior interlaminar approach. We report a new technique for cervical transforaminal steroid injection guided by MDCT. Methods: Patients presenting with radiating pain on their shoulder or arm were diagnosed using CT or MRI of a cervical herniated disc or a foraminal stenosis. Each patient whose symptoms were compatible with the image scan was enrolled in this study. They received a cervical transforaminal steroid injection under CT guidance, and the effectiveness and complications of this technique were evaluated over a 2-month period. Results: According to the CT scan, none of the participants had an internal jugular vein or a carotid artery invasion during the procedure. No vertebral artery injection was noted, and no patient developed a hematoma after the injection. The VAS score had improved significantly by 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the injection. Conclusions: While a conventional C-arm guided cervical transforaminal steroid injection does not appear to differentiate between the major vessels and structures in images, a CT guided approach is a more useful and safer technique for the precise placement of a needle.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2057-2060
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• 2014

Purpose: To assess the effect and safety of lobaplatin combinated floxuridine /pirarubicin in transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization(TACE) of unresectable primary liver cancer. Patients and Methods: TACE combined with the chemotherapy regimen was used to treat 34 unresectable primary liver cancer patients. DSA/MRI/CT/blood routine examinations were used to evaluate short term activity and toxicity after 4-5 weeks, the process being repeated if necessary. Results: Among the 34 cases, 1 (2.9%) showed a complete response, 21 (61.7%) a partial response, 8 (23.5%) stable disease, and 4 progressive disease, with a total effective rate of 67.6%. The content of alpha fetoprotein dropped by over 50% in 20 cases (58.8%). The rate of recovery was hepatalgia (88.2%), ascites (47.1%), appetite (55.9%), Performance Status(30.4%). The median follow-up time (MFT) was 281 days (63-558 days), and median progression-free survival was 118.5 days (95%, CI:88.8-148.2days). Adverse reactions (III-IV grade) were not common, with only 4 cases of vomiting and 2 cases of thrombocytopenia (III grade). Conclusions: Lobaplatin-based TACE is an effective and safe treatment for primary liver cancer.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.199-216
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• 2017

Purpose: This study reviewed the major nondestructive measurement techniques used to assess internal properties of agricultural materials that significantly influence the quality, safety, and value of the products in markets. Methods: Imaging technologies are powerful nondestructive analytical tools that possess specific advantages in revealing the internal properties of products. Results: This review was exploring the application of various imaging techniques, specifically, hyperspectral imaging (HSI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), soft X-ray, X-ray computed tomography (XRI-CT), thermal imaging (TI), and ultrasound imaging (UI), to investigate the internal properties of agricultural commodities. Conclusions: The basic instruments used in these techniques are discussed in the initial part of the review. In the context of an investigation of the internal properties of agricultural products, including crops, fruits, vegetables, poultry, meat, fish, and seeds, various extant studies are examined to understand the potential of these imaging technologies. Future trends for these imaging techniques are also presented.