• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.329-335
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• 2013

Objective : Brain metastases in primary breast cancer patients are considerable sources of morbidity and mortality. Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has gained popularity as an up-front therapy in treating such metastases over traditional radiation therapy due to better neurocognitive function preservation. The aim of this study was to clarify the prognostic factors for local tumor control and survival in radiosurgery for brain metastases from primary breast cancer. Methods : From March 2001 to May 2011, 124 women with metastatic brain lesions originating from a primary breast cancer underwent GKRS at a tertiary medical center in Seoul, Korea. All patients had radiosurgery as a primary treatment or salvage therapy. We retrospectively reviewed their clinical outcomes and radiological responses. The end point of this study was the date of patient's death or the last follow-up examination. Results : In total, 106 patients (268 lesions) were available for follow-up imaging. The median follow-up time was 7.5 months. The mean treated tumor volume at the time of GKRS was 6273 $mm^3$ (range, 4.5-27745 mm3) and the median dose delivered to the tumor margin was 22 Gy (range, 20-25 Gy). Local recurrence was assessed in 86 patients (216 lesions) and found to have occurred in 36 patients (83 lesions, 38.6%) with a median time of 6 months (range, 4-16 months). A treated tumor volume >5000 $mm^3$ was significantly correlated with poor local tumor control through a multivariate analysis (hazard risk=7.091, p=0.01). Overall survival was 79.9%, 48.3%, and 15.3% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. The median overall survival was 11 months after GKRS (range, 6 days-113 months). Multivariate analysis showed that the pre-GKRS Karnofsky performance status, leptomeningeal seeding prior to initial GKRS, and multiple metastatic lesions were significant prognostic factors for reduced overall survival (hazard risk=1.94, p=0.001, hazard risk=7.13, p<0.001, and hazard risk=1.46, p=0.046, respectively). Conclusion : GKRS has shown to be an effective and safe treatment modality for treating brain metastases of primary breast cancer. Most metastatic brain lesions initially respond to GKRS, though, many patients have further CNS progression in subsequent periods. Patients with poor Karnofsky performance status and multiple metastatic lesions are at risk of CNS progression and poor survival, and a more frequent and strict surveillance protocol is suggested in such high-risk groups.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2006

Purpose: The radioprotective effects of white and fermented ginseng on liver damage induced by $^{60}Co\;{\gamma}$-ray were investigated. Materials and Methods: To one group of ICR male mice were given white(150 mg/kg/day for 7 days, orally) and fermented ginseng(150 mg/kg/day for 7 days, orally) before $^{60}Co\;{\gamma}$-ray irradiation. To another group were irradiated by 5 Gy(1.01 Gy/min) dose of $^{60}Co\;{\gamma}$-ray. Contrast group were given with saline(0.1 mL). The levels of reduced(GSH) and oxidized(GSSG) glutathione in liver tissue were measured. Results: In the fermented(150 mg/kg) and white ginseng(150 mg/kg) groups than irradiation group, the GSH levels were significantly increased, but the GSSG levels were significantly decreased. The ratio of GSSG/total GSH was significantly decreased in the fermented(150 mg/kg) and white ginseng(150 mg/kg) groups than irradiation group. Conclusion: In the fermented(150 mg/kg) groups than white ginseng(150 mg/kg) groups the GSH levels were significantly increased. The radioprotective effects of fermented(150 mg/kg) groups than white ginseng(150 mg/kg) groups were increased.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.139-148
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to propose a method to optimize the performance of Digital Radiography (DR) by analyzing the effect of exposure time change on the stability of radiation output and image quality. The experimental method was used to change the exposure time to 50 msec, 100 msec, 200 msec, and 400 msec so that the Percentage Average Error (PAE), Time-to-Radiation Dose Curve, Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR) and theses analysis were performed to evaluate the normal operation of parameters, radiation output and image quality. As a result, all the parameters used in the experiment showed the Percentage Average Error in the normal range, and the shorter the exposure time, the stability of radiation output and image quality decrease. In conclusion, it was found that the performance of Digital Radiography can be optimized when stable radiation output and image quality are applied by applying 100 msec ~ 200 msec exposure time.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.92-97
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• 2014

Purpose: Bisphosphonates are widely used for the management steroid-induced osteoporosis (SIO) in children. With the increasing use of bisphosphonates, there have been reports of abnormal radiological findings in the growing skeleton. Therefore, their use in pediatric patients remains controversial. The present study was conducted to evaluate the long-term follow-up radiographic features, particularly metaphyseal sclerotic lines, in children who receive pamidronate therapy for nephropathy. Methods: Twenty-four children with nephropathy treated with oral calcium and pamidronate (mean duration, 9 months; dose, 100 mg daily), were evaluated retrospectively. All patients had SIO secondary to chronic glucocorticoid therapy for treating nephropathy. Long bone radiographic imaging was performed before treatment with pamidronate, and at follow-up, several years later. Physeal growth rates were estimated by measuring the distance that the sclerotic lines moved on the radiographs during the corresponding time intervals. Results: The mean follow-up period was 138 months. Long bone radiographs showed well-defined sclerotic lines at the metaphyseal ends, progressively moving from the physeal plate to the diaphysis, in all patients. The mean rate of movement of the sclerotic line was 6.21 mm per year. In 12 patients, the lines disappeared. The mean rate of growth in height was 7.33 cm per year. Conclusions: Results of long-term follow-up suggest that the metaphyseal sclerotic lines associated with pamidronate treatment tend to disappear without affecting overall skeletal growth. Bisphosphonate treatment for SIO in children with nephropathy seems to be safe, although further studies in larger number of patients are needed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.548-555
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• 2017

Background: Korean Red Ginseng has been used for several decades to treat many diseases, enhancing both immunity and physical strength. Previous studies have documented the therapeutic effects of ginseng, including its anticancer, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory activities. These activities are mediated by ginsenosides present in the ginseng plant. Ginsenoside Rg3, an effective compound from red ginseng, has been shown to have antiplatelet activity in addition to its anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Platelets are important for both primary hemostasis and the repair of the vessels after injury; however, they also play a crucial role in the development of acute coronary diseases. We prepared ginsenoside Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) to examine its role in platelet physiology. Methods: To examine the effect of Rg3-RGE on platelet activation in vitro, platelet aggregation, granule secretion, intracellular calcium ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) mobilization, flow cytometry, and immunoblot analysis were carried out using rat platelets. To examine the effect of Rg3-RGE on platelet activation in vivo, a collagen plus epinephrine-induced acute pulmonary thromboembolism mouse model was used. Results: We found that Rg3-RGE significantly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization in a dose-dependent manner in addition to reducing ATP release from collagen-stimulated platelets. Furthermore, using immunoblot analysis, we found that Rg3-RGE markedly suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation (i.e., extracellular stimuli-responsive kinase, Jun N-terminal kinase, p38) as well as the PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase)/Akt pathway. Moreover, Rg3-RGE effectively reduced collagen plus epinephrine-induced mortality in mice. Conclusion: These data suggest that ginsenoside Rg3-RGE could be potentially be used as an antiplatelet therapeutic agent against platelet-mediated cardiovascular disorders.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.209-219
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• 2005

This study was carried out to examine the effect of the DNA repair inhibitors, Cytosine Arabinoside(Ara C), 3-Aminobenzamide(3AB) and Hydroxyurea(HU) on the frequencies of radiation-induced micronuclei(MNi) and aneuploidy. Irradiated lymphocytes(1-3Gy) were treated with DNA repair inhibitors, Ara C, 3AB and HU for 3 hours and CBMN assay - FISH technique with DNA probe for chromosome 1 and 4 was performed. The frequencies of x-ray induced MNi and aneuploidy of chromosome 1 and 4 were increased in a dose-dependent manner. Ara C, 3AB and HU enhanced the frequencies of radiation-induced MNi and the frequencies of radiation-induced aneuploidy of chromosome 1 and 4 were enhanced by HU and Ara C while no effect was observed by 3AB. The frequency of radiation-induced aneuploidy of chromosome 1 was higher than that of chromosome 4. These results suggest that there are different mechanisms involved in the formation of MNi and aneuploidy by radiation.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.129-139
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• 2004

Recently, much attentions are paid to the risk associated with increased uses of medium size radiation sources in medical and industrial fields. In this study, radiation risks to the worker and to the general public due to $^{99m}Tc$ generator were assessed for both normal and accident conditions. Based on the event tree technique, exposure scenarios for various situations were derived. Uncertainty analysis based on the Monte-Carlo technique was applied to the risk assessment for workers and members of the public in the vicinity of the work place. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed on each of the five independent input parameters to identify importance of the parameters with respect to the resulting risk. Because the frequencies of normal tasks are fat higher than those of accidents, the total risk associated with normal tasks were higher than the accident risk. The annual dose due to normal tasks were $0.6mSv\;y^{-1}$ for workers and $0.014mSv\;y^{-1}$ for public, while in accident conditions $3.96mSv\;y^{-1}\;and\;0.0016mSv\;y^{-1}$, respectively. Uncertainty range of accident risk was higher by 10 times than that of normal risk. Sensitivity analysis revealed that source strength, working distance and working time were crucial factors affecting risk. This risk analysis methodology and its results will contribute to establishment of risk-informed regulation for medium and large radioactive sources.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.116-122
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• 2012

A short-term atmospheric dispersion factor (${\chi}/Q$) is an essential element for radiological dose assessment following a hypothetical accidental releases of light-water nuclear power plants. The U. S. NRC developed PAVAN program to comply with the U. S. NRC's Regulatory Guide 1.145. Meteorological data is an essential element for atmospheric dispersion, and PAVAN uses a joint frequency distribution data, which represents the occurrence probability of wind speed and wind direction for atmospheric stability. Using the meteorological data measured at Kori and Wolsung sites for the last 5 years (from 2006 to 2010), a variety of joint frequency distribution data were prepared to evaluate ${\chi}/Q$ values with different wind speed classifications (U. S. NRC's recommendation and even distribution of occurrence probability) and periods of meteorological data to be analyzed (1 year, 2 year, 3 year, 4 year, 5 year). As a result, it was found that the influence of the wind speed classification on ${\chi}/Q$ values is little, while the influence of the periods of meteorological data to be analyzed is relatively significant, representing more than 1.5 times in the ratio of maximum to minimum values.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.749-755
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the effects of tube voltage (kVp) and tube current (mAs) on an exposure index (EI) applied to a digital radiography. There used an inverter type digital X-ray generator and an image receptor (IR) utilized a portable wireless detector without a grid. Radiographic images were acquired using a cone pyramid phantom produced using a 3D printer. The X-ray tube voltage was increased from 40 kVp to 120 kVp with 10 kVp increment, and the tube current was increased from 1 mAs to 128 mAs with the twice increment. As a result, kVp had logarithmic relationship with the EI as high $R^2$ value, and mAs had a very high linear relationship too. Also, there was a high correlation between the area dose and the EI of the IR, with the $R^2$ value being 0.76 or more. In conclusion, it had showed that mAs affected the EI linearly, and that it could be advantageous to adjust the easy-to-predict mAs to maintain proper image qualities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.141-146
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• 2019

Radiation sources used in the field of industrial non-destructive pose a risk of exposure due to ageing equipment and operator carelessness. Thus, the need for a safety management system to trace the location of the source is being added. In this study, Monte Carlo Simulation was performed to analyse the angle dependence of the unit-cell comprising the line-array dosimeter for tracking the location of radiation sources. As a result, the margin of error for the top 10% of each slope was 5.90% at $0^{\circ}$, 8.08% at $30^{\circ}$, and 20.90% at $60^{\circ}$. The ratio of the total absorbed dose was 83.77% at $30^{\circ}$ and 53.36% at $60^{\circ}$ based on $0^{\circ}$(100%) and showed a tendency to decrease with increasing slope. For all gradients, the maximum number was shown at $30^{\circ}$ No. 9 pixels, and for No. 10, there was a tendency to drop 7.24 percent. This study has shown a large amount of angle dependence, and it is estimated that the proper distance between the source and line-array dosimeters should be maintained at a distance of not less than 1 cm to reduce them.