• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.298-304
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• 2008

Current digital radiographic systems are rapidly growing in clinical applications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR) at different tube voltages in the detection of simulated chest lesions. Patterns of simulated interstitial lung disease, incipient infiltration, and nodules were superimposed over an anthropomorphic chest phantom. A simulated chest phantom radiograph was obtained with CR and DR at different tube voltages (70 kV, 90 kV, and 120 kV). A total of 18,000 observations were analyzed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The detection of all lesions showed higher $A_z$ values at 70 kV than 120 kV with CR. For the DR, mean $A_z$ values at 70 kV were higher than other tube voltages not all lesions but for micro-nodule interstitial lung disease, linear interstitial lung disease, and incipient infiltration. Based on these results, a clinical study should be performed to judge the use of suitable tube voltage according to the type of detector system and lesions.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.24-30
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• 2009

Purpose: Today, Prostate cancer has been gradually increasing, according to the change of internal incidence rate of cancer. Generally, prostate cancer has lead to dead over 90%, in case of metastasis of lymph node and bone. So, innovative development of new radiopharmaceutical and imaging modality is progressed for detection of that metastasis, in nuclear medicine, now. Therefore, this study shows the usefulness of $^{18}F$-Fluoride PET/CT improved diagnosability on bone metastasis of prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: In this study, 33 male patients with prostate cancer were examined (The mean age: $67.8{\pm}10.2$ years old). Every patient was done each whole body bone scan (WBBS) and $^{18}F$-Fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography ($^{18}F$-Fluoride PET/CT). And then, using Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC curve), each sensitivity and specificity of two modalities was measured and compared with. Results: In 22 patients (66.6%) of all, bone metastasis was detected. And, in WBBS, sensitivity was 63.6%, specificity, 81.8%; in $^{18}F$-Fluoride PET/CT, sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 90.9%. As a result of ROC curve, AUROC (The Area under an ROC) of WBBS was 0.778, and that of $^{18}F$-Fluoride PET/CT, 0.942. Conclusions: $^{18}F$-Fluoride PET/CT was higher both sensitivity and specificity than WBBS, and it was valuable to detect bone metastasis of prostate cancer more definitely, with 3D imaging realization. Also, in $^{18}F$-Fluoride PET/CT, physiological images were acquired in more short time than WBBS, so, it was possible to reduce patient's waiting time and complaint. Therefore, it is considered that $^{18}F$-Fluoride PET/CT is able to improve diagnosability by offering more accurate images, as cuts in a share of high cost.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.829-839
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• 2013

This study is a descriptive research study with the purpose of predicting and comparing factors of depression affecting residents in a metropolitan city by using logistic regression analysis and decision-making tree analysis. The subjects for the study were 462 residents ($20{\leq}aged{\angle}65$) in a metropolitan city. This study collected data between October 7, 2011 and October 21, 2011 and analyzed them with frequency analysis, percentage, the mean and standard deviation, ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, logistic regression analysis, roc curve, and a decision-making tree by using SPSS 18.0 program. The common predicting variables of depression in community residents were social dysfunction, perceived physical symptom, and family support. The specialty and sensitivity of logistic regression explained 93.8% and 42.5%. The receiver operating characteristic (roc) curve was used to determine an optimal model. The AUC (area under the curve) was .84. Roc curve was found to be statistically significant (p=<.001). The specialty and sensitivity of decision-making tree analysis were 98.3% and 20.8% respectively. As for the whole classification accuracy, the logistic regression explained 82.0% and the decision making tree analysis explained 80.5%. From the results of this study, it is believed that the sensitivity, the classification accuracy, and the logistics regression analysis as shown in a higher degree may be useful materials to establish a depression prediction model for the community residents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3451-3455
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• 2015

Objective: To explore the application of joint detection of serum AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA in identification and diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma (CC). Materials and Methods: The levels of serum AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA of both 30 patients with CC and 30 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic effects of single and joint detection of those 4 kinds of tumor markers for CC. Results: The levels of serum CA19-9, CA125 and CEA in CC patients were higher than that in HCC patients,whereas that of serum AFP was significantly lower s. The area under ROC curve of single detection of serum AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA were 0.05, 0.86, 0.84 and 0.83, with the optimal cutoff values of 15.4 ng/ml, 125.1 U/ml, 95.7 U/ml and 25.9 ng/ml, correspondingly, and the percentage correct single diagnosis was <79%. With joint detection, the diagnostic effect of combined AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA was the highest, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.94 (95%CI 0.88~0.99). Conclusions: Single detection of serum CA19-9, CA125 and EA is not meaningful. The sensitivity, specificity, the rate of correct diagnosis and the area under ROC curve of joint detection of AFP, CA19-9, CA125 and CEA are highest, indicating that the joint detection of these 4 tumor markers is of great importance in the diagnosis of CC.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.387-392
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• 2017

When an infant has visited a hospital due to skull fracture, the rupture of a blood vessel, or skin wounds on the head resulted from an incident, accident, traffic accident, or disease, he/she becomes to undergo anterior/posterior and lateral skull imaging, which is a head test at the department of radiology. In the head test, if the adult skull imaging grid is applied to the imaging, the secondary radiation will be removed to enhance the contrast of the image. However, among the radiation exposure conditions, the tube voltage should be enhanced by 8~10 kVp leading to an increase in the patient exposure. The present study was conducted under assumption that if the same images can be obtained from infant skull imaging without using the skull imaging grid, the exposure dose will be reduced and the artifacts due to grid cut off can be prevented. The researcher measured the radiation dosage using a radiation meter and conducted the subjective evaluation (ROC, receiver operating characteristic) among medical image evaluation methods. Based on the results, when the images were taken without using the grid, the exposure dose was reduced by 0.019 mGy in the anterior/posterior imaging and by 0.02 mGy in the lateral imaging and the image evaluation score was higher by 4 points. In conclusion, if the images of the skulls of infants that visited the hospital are taken with out using the grid, the exposure dose can be reduced, the image artifacts due to grid cut off can be prevented, and the lifespan of the X-ray tube will be extended.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.10
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• pp.451-456
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• 2014

Purpose: We evaluated serum procalcitonin (PCT) as a diagnostic marker of neonatal sepsis, and compared PCT levels with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 269 neonates with a suspected infection, admitted to Wonkwang University School of Medicine & Hospital between January 2011 and December 2012, for whom PCT and CRP values had been obtained. Neonates were categorized into 4 groups according to infection severity. CRP and PCT values were analyzed and compared, and their effectiveness as diagnostic markers was determined by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We also calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive, and negative predictive values. Results: The mean PCT and CRP concentrations were respectively $56.27{\pm}81.89$ and $71.14{\pm}37.17mg/L$ in the "confirmed sepsis" group; $15.64{\pm}32.64$ and $39.23{\pm}41.41mg/L$ in the "suspected sepsis" group; $9.49{\pm}4.30$ and $0.97{\pm}1.16mg/L$ in the "mild infection" group; and $0.21{\pm}0.12$ and $0.72{\pm}0.7mg/L$ in the control group. High concentrations indicated greater severity of infection (P<0.001). Five of 18 patients with confirmed sepsis had low PCT levels (<1.0 mg/L) despite high CRP levels. In the ROC analysis, the area under the curve was 0.951 for CRP and 0.803 for PCT. The cutoff concentrations of 0.5 mg/L for PCT and 1.0 mg/L for CRP were optimal for diagnosing neonatal sepsis (sensitivity, 88.29% vs. 100%; specificity, 58.17% vs. 85.66%; positive predictive value, 13.2% vs. 33.3%; negative predictive value, 98.6% vs. 100%, respectively). Conclusion: PCT is a highly effective early diagnostic marker of neonatal infection. However, it may not be as reliable as CRP.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.95-102
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to define the cut off values of cold hypersensitivity of hands by using digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI). Methods: Thermographic images of 130 patients with cold hypersensitivity of hands(CHHG, n=65) and non-cold hypersensitivity of hands(NCHHG, n=65) were retrospectively reviewed. We used the temperature difference the palm(PC8) and the upper arm(LU4) for diagnosing cold hypersensitivity of hands. The temperature differences of between two groups were analysed using independent samples t-tests. The cut off values were calculated by ROC curve analysis. Analyses were undertaken using SPSS version 17.0. P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The temperature difference the palm(PC8) and the upper arm(LU4) were significantly different between groups(p < 0.001). Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were 70.8%, 73.8%, respectively both hands. The AUC was 0.822 on right hand and 0.818 on left hand. The optimum cut-off value was defined as $-0.05^{\circ}C$. Conclusions: These results suggest that DITI is a reliable instrument for estimating the cold hypersensitivity of hands.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.409-418
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• 2012

A modified standardized precipitation index was developed by considering the length of dry period and surface run-off effect. The official reports and newspapers on drought from 1973 to 2009 were quantified to evaluate drought indices. The developed index was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic analysis. In order to suggest improved drought index, we cut the precipitation amount that may do not contribute the mitigation of drought and weight dry period by considering cumulative distribution, decile distribution of dry periods. Drought detection capability of the suggested index has improved by weighting of dry period effects and considering precipitation amounts contributing drought mitigation.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible differences in the location of the inferior alveolar canal in male and female Egyptians. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study involved the evaluation of 210 CBCT scans of Egyptian individuals (18-70 years old). The inferior alveolar canal was localized by measuring 8 linear dimensions: 2 for the vertical localization of the mental foramen (superior and inferior to the mental foramen), 4 at the first molar bifurcation for the vertical and horizontal localization of the inferior alveolar canal (superior, inferior, buccal, and lingual to the inferior alveolar canal), and 2 for the horizontal localization of the mandibular foramen (anterior and posterior to the mandibular foramen). The measurements were statistically analyzed via comparative analysis, stepwise logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Six of the 8 measured distances differed to a statistically significant extent between the sexes. Regression analysis suggested a logistic function with a concordance index of 84%. The diagnostic accuracy capabilities of the linear measurements as sex predictors were calculated using ROC analysis, and the 6 best predictors for sex determination were selected and ranked from highest to lowest predictive power. Moreover, combining these 6 predictors increased the predictive power to 84%. Conclusion: The location of the inferior alveolar canal in the Egyptian population varies significantly by sex; accordingly, this anatomic landmark could be used as a reliable indicator of sexual dimorphism.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5483-5488
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• 2012

Background: Although nicotine dependence plays a role as a main barrier for smoking cessation, there is still a lack of solid evidence on the validity of biomarkers to determine nicotine dependence in clinical settings. This study aimed to investigate whether urinary cotinine levels could reflect the severity of nicotine dependence in active smokers. Materials and Methods: Data regarding general characteristics and smoking status was collected using a self-administered smoking questionnaire. The Fagerstr$\ddot{o}$m test for nicotine dependence (FTND) was used to determine nicotine dependence of the participants, and a total of 381 participants were classified into 3 groups of nicotine dependence: low (n=205, 53.8%), moderate (n=127, 33.3%), and high dependence groups (n=49, 12.9%). Stepwise multiple linear regression model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analyses were used to determine the validity of urinary cotinine for high nicotine dependence. Results: In correlation analysis, urinary cotinine levels increased with FTND score (r=0.567, P<0.001). ROC curves analysis showed that urinary cotinine levels predicted the high-dependence group with reasonable accuracy (optimal cut-off value=1,000 ng/mL; AUC=0.82; P<0.001; sensitivity=71.4%; specificity=74.4%). In stepwise multiple regression analysis, the total smoking period (${\beta}$=0.042, P=0.001) and urinary cotinine levels (${\beta}$=0.234, P<0.001) were positively associated with nicotine dependence, whereas an inverse association was observed between highest education levels (>16 years) and nicotine dependence (${\beta}$=-0.573, P=0.034). Conclusions: The results of this study support the validity of using urinary cotinine levels for assessment of nicotine dependence in active smokers.