• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권8호
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• pp.3030-3038
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• 2023

Nowadays, mobile robots have been used to search for uncontrolled radioactive source in indoor environments to avoid radiation exposure for technicians. However, in the indoor environments, especially in the presence of obstacles, how to make the robots with limited sensing capabilities automatically search for the radioactive source remains a major challenge. Also, the source search efficiency of robots needs to be further improved to meet practical scenarios such as limited exploration time. This paper proposes an automatic source search strategy, abbreviated as ACA: the location of source is estimated by a convolutional neural network (CNN), and the path is planned by the A-star algorithm. First, the search area is represented as an occupancy grid map. Then, the radiation dose distribution of the radioactive source in the occupancy grid map is obtained by Monte Carlo (MC) method simulation, and multiple sets of radiation data are collected through the eight neighborhood self-avoiding random walk (ENSAW) algorithm as the radiation data set. Further, the radiation data set is fed into the designed CNN architecture to train the network model in advance. When the searcher enters the search area where the radioactive source exists, the location of source is estimated by the network model and the search path is planned by the A-star algorithm, and this process is iterated continuously until the searcher reaches the location of radioactive source. The experimental results show that the average number of radiometric measurements and the average number of moving steps of the ACA algorithm are only 2.1% and 33.2% of those of the gradient search (GS) algorithm in the indoor environment without obstacles. In the indoor environment shielded by concrete walls, the GS algorithm fails to search for the source, while the ACA algorithm successfully searches for the source with fewer moving steps and sparse radiometric data.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.259-266
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• 2023

Today, environmental pollution has been found to be one of the causes of various diseases, including brain and nervous system diseases. In particular, neurodegenerative diseases have been found to be caused by hyperactivation of immune system cells such as microglia. Preventive and therapeutic measures are needed to suppress them. Hirudo is known as a traditional herbal medicine, based on its multiple biological activities such as anti-eczema and anti-coagulation. In the present study, the anti-neuroinflammatory potential of hirudo extract was investigated in lipopolysccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells and in mice. Hirudo extract significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production and cytokine (IL-1Ra, KC, MCP-5, and RANTES) expression in a dose-dependent manner without causing cytotoxicity. Pretreatment with hirudo extract suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. Moreover, hirudo extract reduced LPS-stimulated microglial acitivation and improved memory impairments. The results demonstrated that hirudo extract exerts anti-neuroinflammation activities, partly through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggest that hirudo extract might have therapeutic potential with respect to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제16권sup1호
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• pp.21-36
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The long-term health impacts of dietary sugar have begun to be reported. The committee on the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans for sugar intended to update the scientific evidence on the association of added sugar intake with health outcomes, including mortality. This study evaluated the evidence on the association of dietary sugar with the all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality from cohort studies. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched until July 2021. The search terms were based on multiple combinations of keywords, such as added sugar, beverage, and mortality, included in the title or abstract. Two authors independently assessed the eligibility criteria of study selection and extracted the information from each selected article for this systematic review. RESULTS: The literature search identified 276 articles. Seventeen cohort studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. This study extracted information on the cohort and participants, dietary assessment methods, exposure and its comparison groups, health outcomes, and risk measures. Five articles reported added sugar intake, and 15 articles reported the food sources of the added sugar in the association with mortality. Increased mortality was observed in higher added sugar intake and a lower intake of less than 5% of energy, while higher discrepancies between gender, age groups, and countries were noted. In addition, nutritious sugary foods and beverages did not increase mortality. CONCLUSIONS: A 'U' or 'J' shaped relationship between the added sugar intake and mortality was estimated. The observed discrepancy indicated the need for more evidence to establish the dose-response relationship for Koreans.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.600-606
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• 2023

Dengue virus (DENV) is a widespread arbovirus. To efficiently establish infection, DENV evolves multiple strategies to hijack the host innate immune response. Herein, we examined the inhibitory effects of DENV serotype 2 (DENV2) nonstructural proteins on RIG-I-directed antiviral immune response. We found that DENV2 NS2A, NS2B, NS4A, and NS4B significantly inhibited RIG-I-mediated IFN-β promoter activation. The roles of NS2B in RIG-I-directed antiviral immune response are unknown. Our study further showed that NS2B could dose-dependently suppress RIG-I/MAVS-induced activation of IFN-β promoter. Consistently, NS2B significantly decreased RIG-I- and MAVS-induced transcription of IFNB1, ISG15, and ISG56. Mechanistically, NS2B was found to interact with MAVS and IKKε to impair RIG-I-directed antiviral response. Our findings demonstrated a previously uncharacterized function of NS2B in RIG-I-mediated antiviral response, making it a promising drug target for anti-DENV treatments.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.401-408
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• 2023

Thyroid uptake measurements can be subject to measurement errors due to the scoping and positioning of the thyroid gland. To compensate for these limitations, the clinical utility of the thyroid simultaneous counting method as an alternative to thyroid uptake measurement was analyzed and evaluated experimentally through quantitative analysis of images acquired after thyroid scanning. Experimental data were obtained using a Gamma camera (GE infinia), a thyroid uptake system (KOROID 1), and a thyroid neck phantom. Based on the thyroid uptake rate of 1-5% according to the protocol of thyroid scan test (^99mTcO₄ - , 370 MBq) in normal results, ^99mTcO₄ - was set in the range of 3.7-18.5 MBq (Matrix: 256×256, Scan time: 1 min, collimator: pin hole, phantom-collimator distances: 7 cm). The acquired images were corrected for the attenuation of isotopes due to the set-up time and half-life by applying the Auto Region of interest (ROI) drawing system, and the significance of the experimental results was evaluated by Multiple linear regression analysis (SPSS, ver. 22, IBM). The thyroid uptake rate showed a significant correlation between the dose and the measured counts when using the thyroid uptake system equipment. Meanwhile, the quantitative analysis counts of phantom images using Gamma camera also showed a significant correlation. Thus confirmed that the correlation between these two experiments was statistically significant (P<0.05). The simultaneous counting protocol, which indirectly measures thyroid uptake from thyroid scans, is likely to be clinically relevant if complemented by additional studies with different variables in patients with thyroid disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.156-171
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• 2023

Purpose: The development of vaccines that confer protection against multiple avian influenza A (AIA) virus strains is necessary to prevent the emergence of highly infectious strains that may result in more severe outbreaks. Thus, this study applied reverse vaccinology approach in strategically constructing messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine construct against avian influenza A (mVAIA) to induce cross-protection while targeting diverse AIA virulence factors. Materials and Methods: Immunoinformatics tools and databases were utilized to identify conserved experimentally validated AIA epitopes. CD8⁺ epitopes were docked with dominant chicken major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) to evaluate complex formation. Conserved epitopes were adjoined in the optimized mVAIA sequence for efficient expression in Gallus gallus. Signal sequence for targeted secretory expression was included. Physicochemical properties, antigenicity, toxicity, and potential cross-reactivity were assessed. The tertiary structure of its protein sequence was modeled and validated in silico to investigate the accessibility of adjoined B-cell epitope. Potential immune responses were also simulated in C-ImmSim. Results: Eighteen experimentally validated epitopes were found conserved (Shannon index <2.0) in the study. These include one B-cell (SLLTEVETPIRNEWGCR) and 17 CD8⁺ epitopes, adjoined in a single mRNA construct. The CD8⁺ epitopes docked favorably with MHC peptidebinding groove, which were further supported by the acceptable ∆G_bind (-28.45 to -40.59 kJ/mol) and Kd (<1.00) values. The incorporated Sec/SPI (secretory/signal peptidase I) cleavage site was also recognized with a high probability (0.964814). Adjoined B-cell epitope was found within the disordered and accessible regions of the vaccine. Immune simulation results projected cytokine production, lymphocyte activation, and memory cell generation after the 1st dose of mVAIA. Conclusion: Results suggest that mVAIA possesses stability, safety, and immunogenicity. In vitro and in vivo confirmation in subsequent studies are anticipated.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.19-26
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• 1997

목적 : 근치적 방사선치료 후 국소 재발된 비인강암의 방사선 재치료의 방법으로서 정위적 방사선 분할치료를 적용하여 그 치료 효과를 보고자 한다. 대상 및 방법 : 1995년 9월부터 1996년 8월까지 삼성 서울 병원 치료방사선과에서 정위적 방사선 분할치료를 시행받은 3명의 국소 재발 비인강암 환자들을 대상으로 하였다. 2명은 정위적 방사선 분할치료의 적용이 세 번째 방사선치료였다. 2명은 방사선 민감제로서 항암치료를 함께 시행하였다. 정위적 방사선 분할치료는 환자 개별적으로 제작되어 재장착이 용이한 Gill-Thomas-Cosman(GTC) 정위틀의 좌표계를 기준으로 하였으며 XKnife-3를 이용하여 multiple non-coplanar arc therapy의 치료 계획을 수립하여 일회당 2.5Gy씩 모두 45Gy 또는 50Gy를 조사하였다. 결과 : 3명 모두에서 만족할 만한 자각 증상의 호전을 경험하였으며 치료 종료 후 1개월에 시행한 자기 공명 영상에서 종양 크기의 현저한 감소를 확인하였으며 방사선으로 인한 뇌신경 장애의 부작용은 없었다. 2명은 정위적 방사선 분할치료의 치료 범위 바깥에서 다시 재발하여 7개월 및 9개월에 사망하였으며 1명은 4개월째 생존해 있다. 결론 : 정위적 방사선 분할치료는 국소 재발 비인강암의 방사선 재치료의 방법으로서 비교적 안전하고 효과적인 치료 방법을 확인하였으며 원격 전이에 대한 보다 효과적인 항암치료의 개발이 요구된다.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.156-163
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• 1998

Background & Objectives: Frameless fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy(FFSRT) is a modification of stereotactic radiosurgery(SRS) with radiobiologic advantage of fractionation without losing mechanical accuracy of SRS. Local recurrence of head and neck cancer at or near skull base benefit from reirradiation. Main barrier to successful palliation is dose limitation secondary to normal tissue tolerance. We try to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FFSRT as a new modality of reirradaton in these challenging patients. Materials & Methods: Seven patients with recurrent head & neck cancer involving at or near skull base received FFSRT from September 1995 to November 1997. Six patients with nasopharyngeal cancer had received induction chemotherapy and curative radiation therapy. One patient with maxillary sinus cancer had received total maxillectomy and postoperative radiation therapy as a initial treatment. Follow-up ranged from 11 to 32 months with median of 24 months. Three of 7 patients received hyperfractionated radiation therapy(1.1-1.2Gy/fraction, bid, total 19.8-24Gy) just before FFSRT. All patients received FFSRT(3-5Gy/fraction, total 15-30Gy/5-10fractions). Chemotherapy(cis-platin $100mg/m^2$) were given concurrently with FFSRT in four patients. Second course of FFSRT were given in 4 patients with progression or recurrence after initial FFSRT. Because IF(irregularity factor; ratio of surface area of target to the surface area of sphere with same volume as a target) is too big to use conventional stereotactic RT using multiple arc method for protection of radiation damage to critical normal tissue, all patients received FFSRT with conformal method using irregular static ports. Results: Five of 7 patients showed complete remission in follow-up CT &/or MRI. Three of these five patients who developed marginal, in-field, and out-field recurrences, respectively. Another one of complete responders has been dead of G-I bleeding without evidence of local recurrence. One partial responder who showed progressive disease 15 months after initial FFSRT has received additional FFSRT, and then he is well-being with symptomatic improvement. One minmal responder who showed progression of locoregional disease 9 months after $1^{st}$ FFSRT has received 2nd FFSRT, and then he is alive with stable disease. Five of 7 case had showed direct invasion to skull base and had complaint headache and various symptoms of cranial nerve involvement. Four of these five case showed improvement of neurologic symptoms after FFSRT. No significant neurologic complicaltion related to FFSRT was observed during follow-up periods. Tumor volumes were ranged from 3.9 to 50.7 cc and surface area ranged from 16.1 to $114.9cm^2$. IF ranged from 1.21 to 1.74. The average ratio of volume of prescription isodose shell to target volume was 1.02 that indicated the improvement of target coverage and dose distribution with FFSRT with conformal method compared to target coverage with FFSRT with multiple arc method. Conclusion: Our initial experience suggests that FFSRT with conformal method was relatively effective and safe modality in the treatment of recurrent head and neck cancer involving at or near skull base. Treatment benefit included good palliation of symptoms and reasonable radiographic response. However, more experience and additional follow-up are needed to better assess its ultimate role in treating these challenging patients.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제17권8호
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• pp.442-448
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• 2016

연구목적은 의료용 방사선 장비를 운용하는 병원의 근무지별 종사자와 동일한 구역에서 임상실습을 수행한 학생과의 피폭선량을 비교하여 실습학생의 체계적인 피폭관리의 당위성을 제시하고자 하였다. 연구대상은 2014년 7월부터 8월까지 C대학병원 방사선구역에서 임상실습을 이수한 121명의 학생과 동 의료기관에 재직중인 종사자 62명(영상의학과 47명, 방사선종양학과 8명, 핵의학과 7명)을 대상으로 연구하였다. 연구방법은 측정을 위해 임상실습 기간인 8주간의 피폭선량을 측정하였으며, 종사자는 영상의학, 방사선종양학, 핵의학분야 종사자의 4개 그룹으로 구분하여 8주간의 심부선량과 표층선량을 비교하였다. 선량측정은 OSLD를 이용하였으며, 각 그룹의 평균의 차이는 분산분석(ANOVA)을 수행하였고 사후검정으로는 Duncan의 중다검정방법(muliple range test)을 이용하여 유의성을 분석하였다. 연구결과 심부선량은 영상의학과 $0.127{\pm}0.331mSv$, 방사선종양학과 $0.01{\pm}0.003mSv$, 핵의학과 $0.431{\pm}0.205mSv$, 실습생 $0.143{\pm}0.136mSv$로 나타났다. 표층선량은 영상의학과 $0.131{\pm}0.331mSv$, 방사선종양학과 $0.009{\pm}0.003mSv$, 핵의학과 $0.445{\pm}0.198mSv$, 실습생 $0.151{\pm}0.14mSv$로 나타났으며, 두 선량에서 모두 통계적으로 매우 유의한 차이를 보였다(p<.01). 연구결과를 통하여 실습생의 평균선량이 핵의학 종사자를 제외한 나머지 그룹보다 높게 나타났으므로 향후 방사선방어 측면에서 관리 대상자에 포함하여 체계적인 개인피폭 관리가 이루어지도록 개선이 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.59-69
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• 2016

Computed tomographic angiography (CTA)의 (조영제 집적 정점시간에 영향을 미치는 특성 인자를 분석하여: analyzing factors influencing on the integrated bolus peak timing in contrast-enhanced) 개인별 정점 시간을 계량적(Systems analysis)으로 산정해 검사에 직접 적용함으로써 예비검사(monitoring scan)에 의한 불필요한 방사선 피폭을 예방하는데 목적이 있다. CTA의 예비검사(monitoring scan)을 통해 얻은 조영제 집적 정점시간과 개인별 측정치들 간의 상관관계분석을 통해 영향인자를 파악한 다음, 다중선형회귀분석에 의한 회귀식으로 적정시간을 산출하였다. 결과로는 CTA의 평균 방사선 노출량은 $716.53mGy{\cdot}cm$였고, 예비검사(monitoring scan) 15.52 mGy (2 ~ 34 mGy)로 나타났다. 장기별 변환요소(conversion factor)를 적용한 결과, 전체 선량은 평균 1.5 mSv였고, 예비검사 선량은 0.23 mSv로 나타났다. 특성인자의 측정치와 조영제 정점시간의 상관관계분석 결과, 남성은 심박동수에서, 여성은 심박동수와 최저혈압, 혈당에서 음의 상관관계를 보였으며, 통계적으로 매우 유의하였다(p<.01). 회귀분석결과, 남성은 심박동수가 한 단계 증가할 때마다 -0.160배로, 여성은 최저혈압과 심박동수, 혈당에 따라 각각 -0.004, -0.174, -0.006배로 유의하게 감소하였다. 실측한 조영제 정점시간과 회귀식에 의해 산출된 정점시간의 일치도 검사에서 남여 대상자 모두에서 일치도가 매우 높았다. 본 연구에서는 검사 전에 환자 개인별 조영제 집적 정점시간을 산정하여 적용하면 예비검사를 생략함으로써 불필요한 방사선피폭을 예방할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.