• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.611-615
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• 2004

A neural prostheses can be designed to permit stimulation of specific sites in the nervous system to restore their functions, lost due to disease or trauma. This study focuses on the feasibility of optoelecronic stimulation into nervous system. Optoelectronic stimulation supplies, power and signal into the implanted optical detector inside the body by optics. It can be effective strategy especially on the retinal prosthesis, because it enables the non-invasive connection between the external source and internal detector through natural optical window 'eye'. Therefore, we designed an effective neural stimulating setup by optically based stimulation. Stimulating on the sciatic nerve of a rat with proper depth probe through optical stimulation needs higher ratio of current spreading through the neural surface, because of high impedance of neural interface. To increase the insertion current spreading into the neuron, we used a parallel low resistance compared to load resistance organic interface and calculated the optimized outer parallel resistance for maximum insertion current with the assumption of limited current by photodiode. Optimized outer parallel resistance was at a range of 500Ω-700Ω and a current was at a level between 580uA and 650uA. Stimulating current efficiency from initial photodiode induced current was between 47.5 and 59.7%. Various amplitude and frequency of the optical stimulation on the sciatic nerve showed the reliable visual tremble, and the action potential was also recorded near the stimulating area. These result demonstrate that optoelectronic stimulation with no bias can be applied to the retinal prosthesis and other neuroprosthetic area.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.462-465
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• 2011

A pulse oximeter is a device which provides non-invasive estimate of percentage oxygen saturation of haemoglobin (SpO2). Due to the limitations of resources of personal health devices (PHDs) including pulse oximeters, they generally transmit the estimated data to a remote monitoring server through a close manager (e.g. mobile device or PC). Therefore, communication protocols between PHDs and a manager is an important research topic in terms of interoperability. In this paper, we present design results of an SpO2 transmission agent based on the ISO/IEEE 11073 (X73) protocol. The protocol is an international standard for PHDs. The agent is an embedded program which generates X73 messages from the estimated pulse rates and SpO2, and transmits the messages to a close manager. The agent consists of a Session, Message and Memory Handler. The Session Handler manages a communication session with the manager, and the Message Handler generates and analyzes the exchanged messages according to the X73 protocol. The Memory Handler extracts pulse rates and SpO2s which are stored in a memory of the pulse oximeter. The SpO2 transmission agent allows pulse oximeters to communicate with managers based on x73 standard. Consequently, the interoperability between the pulse oximeters and the managers is guaranteed.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.166-172
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• 1979

A series of experiments was planned for practical application of rhizobia in grass lands in Korea. This is the report for the studies mainly on the isolation and characterization of alfalfa nodule bacteria, and on the assessment of their nodulation abilities and nitrogen fixation capacities. 1. Total number of 47 strains was isolated from nodules which were taken from alfalfa grown in Daekwanyong, Cheju and other places. 2. Morphological and cultural characteristics of the strains were studied, and attempts. were also made to investigate their antigenic properties and to demonstrate lysogenic strains. The results were; i) the isolates varied in their cultural characteristics on yeast mannitol broth and agar, and in degree of congo red absorption; ii) similarities in their antigenic prorerties were found between the strains: SU 47/M-11, M-13/M-15, and M-3/M-5; iii) no lysogeny was found in the strains. 3. Plant infection test by test tube method in light room were carried out to elucidate the ability of the strains to nodulate Luna alfalfa and of the capacity of such nodules to fix atmospheric nitrogen. The isolates were grouped info non-invasive, ineffective, or effective to the legumes. Those strains which produced effective nodules, supporting similar/higher level of growth as nitrate control were: M-8, 9, 14, 20, 21, 25 and 34.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.4021-4030
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• 2015

Pulse wave is the physiological responses through the autonomic nervous system such as ECG. It is relatively convenient because it can measure the signal just by applying a sensor on a finger. So, it can be usefully employed in the field of U-Healthcare. The objects of this study are acquiring the PPG (Photoplethysmography) one of the way of measuring the pulse waves in non-invasive way using the CMOS image sensor on a smartphone camera, developing the portable system judging stressful or not, and confirming the applicability in the field of u-Healthcare. PPG was acquired by using image data from smartphone camera without separate sensors and analyzed. Also, with that image signal data, HRV (Heart Rate Variability) and stress index were offered users by just using smartphone without separate host equipment. In addition, the reliability and accuracy of acquired data were improved by developing additional hardware device. From these experiments, we can confirm that measuring heart rate through the PPG, and the stress index for analysis the stress degree using the image of a smartphone camera are possible. In this study, we used a smartphone camera, not commercialized product or standardized sensor, so it has low resolution than those of using commercialized external sensor. However, despite this disadvantage, it can be usefully employed as the u-Healthcare device because it can obtain the promising data by developing additional external device for improvement reliability of result and optimization algorithm.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.7-12
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• 2004

MDCT is a useful, non-invasive, diagnostic tool in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. However, the image quality is affected by an irregular heart rhythm of the patients. Especially, premature ventricular contraction induced stair-step artifacts in the reconstruction of 2-D or 3-D images of the heart including coronary arteries. In recent, we experienced some improving of the image quality after correcting the PVC. Accordingly, the purpose of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the arrhythmia correction method, which was commercially available software, in improving the quality of the reconstruction images of the heart. Image analysis was performed, in consensus, by two radiologists. The scores for image quality were ranked as follows; excellent is 4 (image quality is markedly improved and is helpful in the image evaluation), good is 3 (image quality is mildly improved, but is somewhat helpful in the image evaluation), fair is 2 (image quality is improved and is not helpful in the image evaluation), and poor is 1 (image quality is not improved). We used ANOVA method to evaluate the statistical significant differences in the image qualities among the correction methods of the arrhythmia with below 0.05 of p-value. The method of moving the R-R interval showed statistically significant differences in improving of the image quality in patients with arrhythmia. We concluded that the regulation of R-R interval in patients with arrhythmia was an effective method to improve the image quality in the reconstructions of the MDCT coronary angiograms.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.210-217
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• 2018

Purpose: Pancreatic cancer (PC) has not changed overall survival in recent years despite therapeutic efforts. Surgery with curative intent has shown the best long-term oncological results. However, 80%-85% of patients with these tumors are unresectable at the time of diagnosis. In those patients, first therapeutic attempts are minimally invasive or surgical procedures to alleviate symptoms. The addition of radiotherapy (RT) to standard chemotherapy, ergo chemoradiation, in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is still controversial. The study aims to compare outcomes in patients with a double bypass surgery due to LAPC treated or not with RT. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients with double bypass for LAPC were registered and divided into two groups: treated or not with postoperative RT. Baseline characteristics, postoperative complications, those related to RT and their relation to the main event (mortality) were compared. Results: Seventy-four patients were included. Surgical complications between the groups did not offer significant differences. Complications related to RT were mostly mild, and 86% of patients completed the treatment. Overall survival at 1 and 2 years for patients in the exposed group was 64% and 35% vs. 50% and 28% in the non-exposed group, respectively (p = 0.11; power 72%; hazard ratio = 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-1.18). Conclusion: We observed a tendency for survival improvement in patients with postoperative RT. However, we've not had enough power to demonstrate this difference, possibly due to the small sample size. It is indispensable to develop randomized and prospective trials to guide more specific treatment lines in this patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.434-446
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• 2020

Objectives: The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) are non-invasive methods to evaluate cardiovascular disease and arteriosclerosis. This study investigated the relationship between CAVI, ABI, and factors related to arteriosclerosis. Methods: This study included 535 healthy adults who underwent health examinations in 2019. We analyzed the correlation between CAVI, ABI and clinical variables. Multiple regression analysis was performed on the independent clinical variables associated with CAVI and ABI. Results: The correlation analysis of CAVI showed that body mass index (BMI) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) had a negative correlation, and the other variables had a significant positive correlation. The correlation analysis with ABI on the right side showed that age, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), gender, and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) had a significant positive correlation, while HDL-C had a significant negative correlation. There was no statistical significance on the left. In the multiple regression analysis, DBP, age, BMI, gender, and HDL-C were proved to be independent factors in CAVI (right) (R²=0.365); DBP, age, gender, BMI, fasting blood sugar, and total cholesterol in CAVI (left) (R²=0.357); and age, gender, DBP, and systolic blood pressure in ABI (right) (R²=0.133). There were no statistically significant factors in ABI (left). It could be inferred that smoking and drinking are determinants that play an important role in CAVI. Conclusion: CAVI showed a high correlation with gender, age, and blood pressure. A significant correlation between CAVI and serum lipid values could be observed, but this showed a low correlation coefficient. ABI showed a high correlation with age and DBP. These results support the use of CAVI and ABI as primary diagnostic devices in medical treatment.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.189-192
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• 2016

$^{68}Ga$ has emerged as a promising candidate for non-invasive diagnostic imaging within Positron Emission Tomography (PET) because of its advantageous radiochemical characteristics ($t_{1/2}=68min$, ${\beta}^+$ yield ~89%). $^{68}Ga$ forms a stable chelation with various ligands and it is possible to be quickly and easily study using a $^{68}Ge/^{68}Ga$ generator. Commercial $^{68}Ge/^{68}Ga$ generators are chromatographic system using the inorganic materials such as alumina and tin dioxide which are employed as column matrixes for $^{68}Ge$. In this study, we tried out to make $^{68}Ge/^{68}Ga$ generator system with the $^{68}GeO_2$ microstructures for column matrix. $^{68}Ge$ tends to have stable bond with oxide as $^{68}GeO_2$ microstructures. The $^{68}GeO_2$ has been synthesized by hydrolysis of $GeCl_4$ (sol-gel method) and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope for geometrical analysis. The stability of $GeO_2$ was tested using eluents with diverse solvents(water, ethanol and 0.1 N HCl). The radioactivity of $^{68}Ga^{3+}$ in eluate through $GeO_2$ was measured to prove a function as column material for a generator.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.30-47
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• 2015

Objective : Melanoma is a very critical and devastating disease. Although many people have depended on surgical operation in melanoma treatment, they have placed importance on non-invasive methods constantly. So we planned to establish a research methodology by analysing existing articles containing conservative melanoma treatments in Journals of Korean Medicine published in Korea.Methods : Using search words of anti-cancer, B16, cancer, lung metastasis, melanoma, metastasis, S-100, SK-MEL, tumor, tyrosinase, we collected 26 articles by searching internet portal sites as following;Using search words of anti-cancer, B16, cancer, lung metastasis, melanoma, metastasis, S-100, SK-MEL, tumor, tyrosinase, we collected 26 articles by searching internet portal sites as followinghttp://oasis.kiom.re.kr,http://www.koreantk.com,http://www.riss.kr,http://www.dbpia.co.kr,http://www.ndsl.kr,http://kiss.kstudy.com,http://www.naver.com,http://www.google.com.Result : The number of articles is 26 and in the year of 2003, 2004 is ranked the highest number in publication. The journal of acupuncture & moxibustion society ranked the highest(30.8%). 2 and 4 authors ranked the highest(26.9%) in number of authors. T-test ranked the highest(58.1%) in statistics methods. P.O. med indicated in 11 articles and Pharmacopuncture in 15 articles. B16 murine melanoma cell was indicated in 25 articles by cancer-induced methods. In measurement, T cell activity was indicated in 14 articles, NK activity in 4 articles, IL-2 in 6 articles, apoptosis in 1 article, lung metastasis in 14 articles.Conclusion : Considering overall results, it is necessary to diversify cancer-induced methods and measurement methods in experimental melanoma research.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.119-130
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• 2021

Purpose : We aimed to validate a new manual therapy to treat tension type headache(TTH) by applying myofascial release techniques to the scalp and to examine the changes in the quality of life and the headache characteristics after treatment and at the 6-month follow-up. Methods : Thirty patients were recruited in this study and were assigned to two groups through simple random sampling. Fifteen patients were assigned to the manual therapy group (MT) and 15 patients to the scalp myofascial release technique (SMT) group. However, five patients from the MT group and one from the SMT group were excluded. Therefore, 24 patients with TTH (10 males, 14 females) participated in the study. Patients underwent either MT or SMT. The procedures were performed by a physical therapist twice per week for 4 weeks. The quality of life [using the brief pain inventory (BPI) and the headache impact test (HIT)], and the frequency, duration, and intensity of the headache [on a visual analog scale (VAS)] were assessed before and after the treatment, and at the follow-up. Results : After 4 weeks of SMT, the frequency (p<.001), duration (p<.05), and intensity (p<.001) of the headache and the quality of life (HIT; p <.001, BPI; p<.001) significantly improved in the patients with TTH. The improvement in these parameters remained significant even after 6 months of follow-up. Similarly, After 4 weeks of MT, the frequency (p<.05), duration (p<.05), and intensity (p<.01) of the headache, and the quality of life (HIT; p<.05, BPI; p<.001) significantly improved in the patients with TTH. The improvement in these parameters remained significant even after 6 months of follow-up. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the two groups. Conclusion : It has been suggested that MT using the SMT can be used as a non-invasive treatment to treat the frequency, duration, and intensity of the TTH, and to improve the quality of life.