• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.98-107
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• 2006

Magnetization Transfer (MT) imaging generates contrast dependent on the phenomenon of magnetization exchange between free water proton and restricted proton in macromolecules. In biological materials in knee, MT or cross-relaxation is commonly modeled using two spin pools identified by their different T2 relaxation times. Two models for cross-relaxation emphasize the role of proton chemical exchange between protons of water and exchangeable protons on macromolecules, as well as through dipole-dipole interaction between the water and macromolecule protons. The most essential tool in medical image manipulation is the ability to adjust the contrast and intensity. Thus, it is desirable to adjust the contrast and intensity of an image interactively in the real time. The proton density (PD) and T2-weighted SE MR images allow the depiction of knee structures and can demonstrate defects and gross morphologic changes. The PD- and T2-weighted images also show the cartilage internal pathology due to the more intermediate signal of the knee joint in these sequences. Suppression of fat extends the dynamic range of tissue contrast, removes chemical shift artifacts, and decreases motion-related ghost artifacts. Like fat saturation, phase sensitive methods are also based on the difference in precession frequencies of water and fat. In this study, phase sensitive methods look at the phase difference that is accumulated in time as a result of Larmor frequency differences rather than using this difference directly. Although how MT work was given with clinical evidence that leads to quantitative model for MT in tissues, the mathematical formalism used to describe the MT effect applies to explaining to evaluate knee disorder, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and meniscal tear. Calculation of the effect of the effect of the MT saturation is given in the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) which is a quantitative measure of the relative decrease in signal intensity due to the MT pulse.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.94-99
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• 2004

Purpose : To investigate the signal enhancement ratio by NOE effect on in vivo $^{31}P$ MRS in human heart muscle and liver. we also evaluated the enhancement ratios of different phosphorus metabolites, which are important in 31P MRS for each organ. Materials and Methods : Ten normal subjects (M:F = 8:2, age range = 24-32 yrs) were included for in vivo $^{31}P$ MRS measurements on a 1.5 T whole-body MRI/MRS system using $^1H-^{31}P$ dual tuned surface coil. Two-dimensional Chemical Shift Imaging (2D CSI) pulse sequence for $^{31}P$ MRS was employed in all $^{31}P$ MRS measurements. First, $^{31}P$ MRS performed without NOE effect and then the same 2D CSI data acquisitions were repeated with NOE effect. After postprocessing the MRS raw data in the time domain, the signal enhancements in percent were estimated from the major metabolites. Results : The calculated NOE enhancement for liver $^{31}P$ MRS were $\alpha-ATP\;(7\%),\;\beta-ATP\;(9\%),\;\gamma-ATP\;(17\%),\;Pi\;(1\%),\;PDE\;(19\%)$ and $PME\;(31\%)$. Because there is no creatine kinase activity in liver, PCr signal is absent. For cardiac $^{31}P$ MRS, whole body coil gave better scout images and thus better localization than surface coil. In $^{31}P$cardiac multi-voxel spectra, DPG signal increased from left to right according to the amount of blood included. The calculated enhancement for cardiac $^{31}P$ MRS were : $\alpha-ATP\;(12\%),\;\beta-ATP\;(19\%),\;\gamma-ATP\;(30\%),\;PCr\;(34\%),\;Pi\;(20\%),\;(PDE)\;(51\%),\;and\;DPG\;(72\%)$. Conclusion : Our results revealed that the NOE effect was more pronounced in heart muscle than in liver with different coupling to 1H spin system and thus different heteronuclear cross-relaxation.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.146-153
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• 2011

Purpose : To describe normal anatomy and compare the differences of external genital organs and urethra on MR imaging in pre- and postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods : A total of 19 pre- and 18 postmenopausal healthy women underwent pelvis MR imaging at 1.5 T. Two radiologists retrospectively scored and compared the image quality of female external genitalia and urethra on axial T2-weighted images (T2WI) and axial fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (FSCE-T1WI) by using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The radiologists compared the wall thickness or size of external genital organs and urethra on FSCE-T1WI between two groups by using Student t test. Results : Image quality was better with FSCE-T1WI than with T2WI in all subjects (p < 0.05). The vestibular bulb, clitoris and labium minor were more clearly visualized on FSCE-T1WI in premenopausal subjects rather than in postmenopausal subjects (p < 0.05). The urethra had a target-like appearance with three layers in premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects. Postmenopausal subjects were observed to have significantly smaller vaginal wall thickness, urethral wall thickness and vestibular bulb width than premenopausal subjects (p < 0.05). Conclusion : The anatomy and morphologic changes of female external genital organs and urethra were well discernible on FSCE-T1WI.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this survey was to analyze the choice of sedative drugs and their side effects during pediatric endoscopic sedation in Korea. We also evaluated doctors, caretakers and patient satisfaction with the procedures. Methods: Between June 2006 and July 2006, a 16-item survey regarding current sedation practices, during one month, was mailed to 28 hospitals in Korea. The results of the survey responses were then analyzed. Results: Endoscopy performed under conscious sedation was reported in 89.0% of the responders and endoscopy under general anesthesia in 0.9% of 465 endoscopic procedures. Endoscopy under conscious sedation was performed in 89.1% for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (GFS) and 88.1% for lower GFS. Midazolam was used for conscious sedation during the endoscopy in 84.5% of cases and propofol was used in two cases (0.5%). In addition, a bezodiazepine/opioid combination was used iin 84.6% (44 cases) for lower GFS. Patients were monitored with pulse oxymetry, EKG (91.4%) as well as automatic BP (5.1%). Transient hypoxia was the only side effect noted and was treated with supplemental oxygen (4.6%). Flumazenil was used in 2.71% of cases. The choice of sedation was made by the endoscopist (84%). The satisfaction rate for endoscopists was 68%, and for the patients and caretakers was 84% (as reported by the endoscopists). Conclusion: Midazolam was used only for the upper GFS and benzodiazepine/opioid combination was used for the lower GFS in Korea. The rate of satisfaction was relatively high and there were no significant side effects noted during the endoscopy under conscious sedation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.1 s.246
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• pp.13-22
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• 2005

It has been known that pulsatile flow is physiologic and more favorable to tissue perfusion than nonpulsatile flow. The purpose of this study is to directly compare the effect of pulsatile versus nonpulsatile blood flow to renal tissue perfusion in extracorporeal circulation by using a tissue perfusion measurement system. Material and Method: Total cardiopulmonary bypass circuit was constructed to twelve Yorkshire swines, weighing 20$\~ $30 kg. Animals were randomly assigned to group 1 (n=6, non pulsatile centrifugal pump) or group 2 (n=6, pulsatile T-PLS pump). A probe of the tissue perfusion measurement system $(QFlow^{TM}-500)$ was inserted into the renal pa­renchymal tissue. Extracorporeal circulation was maintained for an hour at a pump flow of 2 L/min after aortic cross-clamping. Tissue perfusion flow of the kidney was measured at baseline (before bypass) and every 10 minutes after bypass. Serologic parameters were collected at baseline and 60 minutes after bypass. Result: Baseline parameters were not different between the groups. Renal tissue perfusion flow was substantially higher in the pulsatile group throughout the bypass (ranged 48.5$\~$ 64 in group 1 vs. 65.8$\~$88.3 mL/min/100 g in group 2, p=0.026$\~$ 0.45) The difference was significant at 30 minutes bypass $(47.5{\pm}18.3\;in\;group\;1\;vs.\;83.4{\pm}28.5$ mL/min/100 g in group 2, p=0.026). Serologic parameters including plasma free hemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine showed no differences between the groups at 60 minutes after bypass (p=NS). Conclusion: Pulsatile flow is more beneficial to tissue perfusion of the kidney in short-term extracorporeal circulation. Further study is suggested to observe the effects to other vital organs or long-term significance.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 1983

A possibility whether the appearance of adaptation to cold climate during winter could occur or not in Taegu area was evaluated by comparing the data obtained in winter with that obtained by the same method in summer. Circulatory response was induced by the immersion of one hand in the cold water. The systemic and local responses in the blood circulation from the immersed hand and the unimmersed opposite hand were observed simultaneously. In addition Galvanic skin resistance(GSR) that is influenced by the activity of autonomic nervous system and the vascular tonicity was recorded. The experiment was performed by examining sixty healthy college students in winter and fifty in summer, whose mean age was 21.0, mean weight $60.6{\pm}0.90\;kg(male)$ and $48.3{\pm}0.98\;kg(female)$. The cold stimulus was applied by immersing the left hand into the cold water of $5^{\circ}C$ for 3 minutes, and the response was observed on immersed left hand and unimmersed right hand simultaneously. The observation was made through determining mean blood pressure, heart rate, amplitude of photoelectric capillary pulse (APCP) and GSR. The results obtained are as follows: The mean blood pressure was elevated during the cold stimulation. The increase of blood pressure in summer was more remarkable than in winter. At the recovery period the blood pressure was decreased to the control level in winter but the decrease below the control level was observed in summer. The increase of heart rate in summer was more remarkable than in winter during the cold stimulation. At the recovery period heart rate in both winter and summer was decreased below the control level. During the cold stimulation the APCP was decreased on both hands in winter. However it was more prominent on left hand indicating additional direct cold effect on immersed hand. In summer, the decrease of APCP during immersion was less remarkable than that in winter, but the regain of APCP was faster than that in winter at the recovery period. And the prompt increase of APCP over the control level has been obtained at the 3 minutes of the recovery period. The GSR was remarkably increased on immersed hand but slightly decreased on unimmersed opposite hand during the cold stimulation. Thus the finding on immersed hand indicates that the local direct effect of cold water is more prominent than the systemic effect, where as the finding on unimmersed hand indicates that the circulatory response to painful stress elicited by the cold stimulation is more prominent than cold temperature itself. In summary, it seems that the systemic circulatory response to the local cold stimulation of the one hand is arised more from the secondary elicited pain sensation and less from the low water temperature. On the contrary to the report of Kim et $al^{39)}$, the adaptation phenomena in blood pressure to the relatively mild cold climate in winter was not observed in this study. The difference of circulatory response observed in this study between winter and summer may be due to the difference of the magnitude of subjective sensation of the cold water stimulation by the seasonal changes in air temperature.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.783-789
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• 2002

Purpose : We evaluated the epidemiologic characteristics and incidence of coronary artery sequele of children with KD according to treatment. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 506 medical records of children with KD, who were admitted at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital from Jan. 1987 to Dec. 2000. Results : The mean annual incidence was $36.1{\pm}11.1$ cases per year. There was a slightly higher occurrence in summer with no significant difference in monthly incidence. The mean age was $2.4{\pm}1.7$ years and 450 children(88.9%) were below four years of age. The male to female ratio was 1.7 : 1. When the 345 cases between 1987 and 1994 were divided into three groups according to treatment, incidences of the coronary abnormality(above grade II) of aspirin-treated(54 cases; 15.6%), divided-intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) treated($400-500mg/day{\times}4-5days$, 224 cases; 64.9%), and one-dose IVIG treated(2.0 g/day, 67 cases; 19.5%) groups were 8.3%, 6.0%, and 7.5%, respectively. Between 1995 and 2000, 143 cases were treated with only one-dose IVIG and 21 cases(14.7%) showed coronary artery abnormalities(grade I, 15 cases; grade II, two cases; and grade III, four cases). Among the 143 cases, 22 cases(15.1%) were retreated with IVIG and/or steroid pulse therapy. The incidence of coronary artery abnormality in this group was 50.0%. Incidences of cases in recurrence and among siblings were 0.6% and 0.4% respectively. There was no fatal case. Conclusion : In Daejeon, Korea, the epidemiologic feature of KD showed slight annual variations without monthly differences. The incidence of coronary abnormality with one-dose IVIG therapy was 14.7%. The nonresponse of this therapy was 15.1% with a coronary abnormality of 50.0%.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.769-777
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks Self-Myofascial Release exercise on body composition, vascular and metabolic functions in obese female college students. The subjects were 19 obese female college students (n = 9) who were randomly assigned to an exercise group(n=9) and control group(n=9), with an exception of except 1 abandonment. The Self-Myofascial Release exercise group performed exercises twice a week for 8 weeks and for 40 minutes at one time using a foam roller, and the control group maintained normal life pattern for the same period. Body composition was measured by body weight, body fat percentage, vascular function was measured by pulse wave velocity(PWV), augmentation index(AIx), brachial artery vascular flow-mediated dilation(FMD), and metabolic function was measured by fasting glucose and triglyceride levels. The Self-Myofascial Release exercise with foam roller showed no significant effect on body weight and body fat percentage. The Self-Myofascial Release exercise with foam roller showed no significant effect on heart rate, FMD, PWV but, SBP, CSBP and AIx were significant decreased. The Self-Myofascial Release exercise with foam roller showed no significant effect on fasting glucose and triglyceride levels. In conclusion, 8-week Self-Myofascial Release exercise for obese female college students showed no significant effect on body composition and metabolic function, but improved SBP, CSBP and AIx levels significantly. Therefore, Self-Myofascial Release exercise will be an effective way to improve the vascular function of obese female college students.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.1235-1241
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• 2003

Purpose : We assessed the dynamic characteristics of 16 nebulizer/compressor combinations currently available in Korea. Methods : The 16 nebulizer/compressor combinations(Pariboy Type 38/Long life, Pariboy Type N/Long life, Pariboy Type N/Salter 8900, Pariboy Type N/LC, Devilbiss pulmoaid-LT/Hudson, Devilbiss pulmoaid/Hudson, Mesmed neb-300/Own, San-up 3040/Hudson, Midas(Basic)/Own, AirJolie 2/Hudson, Thomas 1127/Salter 8900, Noel NE-2000/Salter 8900, Omron CX3/Hudson, Chang Woo CWN-100/Salter 8900, Voyage/Mefar, Chang Woo ASI-Pro/Medel jet pulse) were evaluated in terms of particle size and mass output. In addition, we determined the effects of nebulizer fill volume on mass output. Results : Pariboy Type N/Long life has the highest respirable mass of 0.184 mg/min and Mesmed Neb-300/Own has the lowest 0.019 mg/min. Pariboy Type N/Long life has the highest mass output of 0.68 mg/min and the shortest mass median aerodynamic diameter(MMAD) of $3.76{\mu}m$. All combinations other than Pariboy Type N/Long life produced a MMAD of over $5{\mu}m$. MMAD over a 5 min nebulization ranged 3.76 to $9.83{\mu}m$. There were no significant effects of fill volume on mass output. Conclusion : We concluded that there is a wide variation in performance of nebulizer/compressor combinations. The characteristics of nebulizer/compressor combinations should be considered in selecting products.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2008

Purpose : This study was aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with acute interstitial pneumonia who had presented similar clinical patterns from March to June, 2006 and to describe our experience of treatment and to identify risk factors associated with prognosis. Methods : The clinical characteristics, radiologic and histopathologic findings and response to steroids of 15 patients (non-survival group [n=7] and survival group [control, n=8]) with acute interstitial pneumonia were investigated through the review of medical records. Results : The mean age of the patients was 26 (range: 3-48) months. Cough, cyanosis and fever were frequent symptoms. The most frequent radiologic findings on admission were pneumomediastium and extensive ground glass opacity. Surgical lung biopsy was performed on 8/15 (53.3%) patients and diffuse alveolar damage was found. Mechanical ventilation was applied for 9/15 (60.0%) patients for 40 (range: 1-99) days. Five patients in survival group received steroid treatment and 7 patients in non-survivial group (P=0.20). One patient in survival group received steroid pulse treatment and 4 patients in non-survival group (P=0.12). Seven patients died all of respiratory failure. The survival rate was 53.4%. Conclusion : The patients with acute interstitial pneumonia which occurred on spring 2006 showed high mortality because of rapidly and extensively progressing pulmonary fibrosis and air leakage. Therefore, we should consider surgical lung biopsy and steroid application earlier. We should recognize this acute interstitial pneumonia occurring on spring in domestics and need to investigate the cause and treatment in large scale.