• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.9-17
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The tissue description and electron density indicated by the Computed Tomography(CT) number (also known as Hounsfield Unit) in radiotherapy are important in ensuring the accuracy of CT-based computerized radiotherapy planning. The internal metal implants, however, not only reduce the accuracy of CT number but also introduce uncertainty into tissue description, leading to development of many clinical algorithms for reducing metal artifacts. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate the accuracy and the clinical applicability by analyzing date from SMART MAR (GE) used in our institution. Methode: and material: For assessment of images, the original images were obtained after forming ROIs with identical volumes by using CIRS ED phantom and inserting rods of six tissues and then non-SMART MAR and SMART MAR images were obtained and compared in terms of CT number and SD value. For determination of the difference in dose by the changes in CT number due to metal artifacts, the original images were obtained by forming PTV at two sites of CIRS ED phantom CT images with Computerized Treatment Planning (CTP system), the identical treatment plans were established for non-SMART MAR and SMART MAR images by obtaining unilateral and bilateral titanium insertion images, and mean doses, Homogeneity Index(HI), and Conformity Index(CI) for both PTVs were compared. The absorbed doses at both sites were measured by calculating the dose conversion constant (cCy/nC) from ylinder acrylic phantom, 0.125cc ionchamber, and electrometer and obtaining non-SMART MAR and SMART MAR images from images resulting from insertions of unilateral and bilateral titanium rods, and compared with point doses from CTP. Result: The results of image assessment showed that the CT number of SMART MAR images compared to those of non-SMART MAR images were more close to those of original images, and the SD decreased more in SMART compared to non-SMART ones. The results of dose determinations showed that the mean doses, HI and CI of non-SMART MAR images compared to those of SMART MAR images were more close to those of original images, however the differences did not reach statistical significance. The results of absorbed dose measurement showed that the difference between actual absorbed dose and point dose on CTP in absorbed dose were 2.69 and 3.63 % in non-SMRT MAR images, however decreased to 0.56 and 0.68 %, respectively in SMART MAR images. Conclusion: The application of SMART MAR in CT images from patients with metal implants improved quality of images, being demonstrated by improvement in accuracy of CT number and decrease in SD, therefore it is considered that this method is useful in dose calculation and forming contour between tumor and normal tissues.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.77 no.4
• /
• pp.453-459
• /
• 1988

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effects of acid rain on tree growth and on the mycorrhizal formation and the effects of mycorrhizae on the host tolerance to acid rain. Simulated acid rain was applied for five months to Pinus $rigida{\times}taeda$ seedlings in pots inoculated with Pisolithus tinctorius (Pt) and Suillus luteus (Sl). Mycelial inocula of Pt and Sl were either mixed with entire pot soil (Mix) or casted as a band (Band) after soil sterilization. Three pH levels of acid rain (pH 3.0, 4.5 and 6.4 adjusted by 3 : 1 mixture of sulfuric and nitric acids) were tested. Pt-Mix was most effective in growth stimulation and resulted in 45-90% increase in tree height in sandy loam. Pt-Band was less effective than Pt-Mix in growth stimulation and mycorrhizal formation. Simulated acid rain at pH 4.5 stimulated height growth by 10-55%, while acid rain at pH 3.0 did not significantly affect the height growth. The top/root ratio was increased by pH 4.5 treatment, while pH 3.0 treatment reduced it. Mycorrhizal infection rate was not affected by acid rain. Pt inoculation reduced acid-induced leaf injury by 28-58% in both pH 3.0 and 4.5 compared with un-inoculated plants. Sl was also effective in growth enhancement, but was less effective than Pt in both mycorrhizal infection and reducing leaf injury.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.24-33
• /
• 2002

Purpose : In order to improve dose homogeneity and to reduce acute toxicity in tangential whole breast radiotherapy, we evaluated two treatment techniques using multiple static fields or universal compensators. Materials and Methods : 1) Multistatic field technique : Using a three dimensional radiation treatment planning system, Adac Pinnacle 4.0, we accomplished a conventional wedged tangential plan. Examining the isodose distributions, a third field which blocked overdose regions was designed and an opposing field was created by using an automatic function of RTPS. Weighting of the beams was tuned until an ideal dose distribution was obtained. Another pair of beams were added when the dose homogeneity was not satisfactory. 2) Universal compensator technique : The breast shapes and sizes were obtained from the CT images of 20 patients who received whole breast radiation therapy at our institution. The data obtained were averaged and a pair of universal physical compensators were designed for the averaged data. DII (Dose Inhomogeneity Index : percentage volume of PTV outside $95\~105\%$ of the prescribed dose) $D_{max}$ (the maximum point dose in the PTV) and isodose distributions for each technique were compared. Results : The multistatic field technique was found to be superior to the conventional technique, reducing the mean value of DII by $14.6\%$ (p value<0.000) and the $D_{max}$ by $4.7\%$ (p value<0.000). The universal compensator was not significantly superior to the conventional technique since it decreased $D_{max}$ by $0.3\%$ (p value=0.867) and reduced DII by $3.7\%$ (p value=0.260). However, it decreased the value of DII by maximum $18\%$ when patients' breast shapes fitted in with the compensator geometry. Conclusion : The multistatic field technique is effective for improving dose homogeneity for whole breast radiation therapy and is applicable to all patients, whereas the use of universal compensators is effective only in patients whose breast shapes fit inwith the universal compensator geometry, and thus has limited applicability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.39 no.12
• /
• pp.1898-1902
• /
• 2010

This study was designed to evaluate antioxidant activity of low-quality Codonopsis lanceolata treated by fermentation process followed by hydraulic high pressure extraction. C. lanceolata was subjected to 5,000 bar for 30 min at $25^{\circ}C$. The highest phenolics content was observed in the combined treatment of fermentation and high pressure extraction (35.11 mg/100 g), followed by high pressure extraction alone (14.78 mg/100 g) and conventional extraction (14.56 mg/100 g). The content of flavonoids followed the similar pattern as that of total phenolics, showing 280.86 mg/100 g of C. lanceolata treated by the combined fermentation with high pressure extraction whereas 193.05 mg/100 g of C. lanceolata treated by the conventional extraction. The DPPH scavenging activity was 69.32% at 0.6 mg/mL of C. lanceolata treated by the combined process, while the DPPH scavenging activities of C. lanceolata treated by high pressure extraction alone and the conventional extraction were 60.35% and 30.92%, respectively. The highest reducing power of C. lanceolata extract (1.0 mg/mL) was observed at the combined treatment (0.926), followed by high pressure extraction alone (0.881) and the conventional extraction (0.733). The combination of fermentation with high pressure extraction significantly increased the contents of phenolics and flavonoids and also enhanced the antioxidant activity. Therefore, the combined application of fermentation and high pressure extraction can be an alternative technique for the extraction of C. lanceolata. These results provide useful information for enhancing biological properties of low-quality C. lanceolata.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.11
• /
• pp.1070-1075
• /
• 1998

Background: With the advent of thoracoscopy, there has been increasing interest in less invasive surgical bullectomy and pleurodesis. The recurrence rate, however, has been reported higher in surgery with thoracoscopy than with open thoracotomy and it is thought to be caused by inappropriate mechanical pleurodesis during thoracoscopic surgery. Materials and methods: We compared the short-term recurrence rates according to the intensities of pleural abrasion in 62 patients who underwent VATS for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax from April 1996 to August 1997. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group A(n=32) included patients who received relatively weak pleural abrasion using Endo-forcep instrument for grasping the gauze, and group B(n=30) received strong pleural abrasion using conventional instrument wrapped tightly with gauze. Each intensity of pleural abrasion allowed petechia on the parietal pleura in group A, and some tearing and bleeding in group B. Results: Indications for operation, sex distribution, and age were comparable in both groups. There were no differences in chest tube indwelling time(3.78±3.35 vs 3.80±2.49 days), hospital stay(4.72±1.87 vs 4.67±2.20 days), and the amount and duration of analgesics required postoperatively. Persistent air-leak more than 7 days after surgery occurred in 4/32(12.5%) and 2/30(6.7%) in group A and B, respectively. No bleeding-related complication occured. Pneumothorax recurred 12.5%(4/32) and 0%(0/30) of patients at a mean follow-up of 9.7 and 9.6 months in group A and B, respectively, and it was statistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusions: Proper intensity of pleural abrasion is very important factor to reduce recurrence after VATS for spontaneous pneumothorax. During short-term follow-upafter surgery, we could achieve excellent result in reducing recurrence rate with VATS and strong pleural abrasion which is comparable to thoracotomy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.8
• /
• pp.869-874
• /
• 2009

Purpose : Short attacks of headache are present in the pediatric age group. Short-lasting headaches (SLH) have been infrequently reported in children and adolescents. This study aims to assess the prevalence, clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of short-lasting headaches in children and adolescents. Methods : One hundred twenty-three consecutive patients attended the Chosun University Hospital Headache Center between March 2006 and July 2007. Among 123 headache patients, 44 patients with one key criterion, namely, recurrent headaches episodes of a few seconds to less than 30 minutes, were selected. Results : Of the 123 headache patients, 44 (35.8%, males 18, females 26) had SLH. The mean age was 9.24 years (range 2.3-14.2). The mean headache frequency was $11.50{\pm}10.30$ per month, mean severity was $4.86{\pm}1.36$ out of 10, and the mean PedMIDAS score was $7.97{\pm}17.51$. SLH was significantly more common in children <6 years old (10/22, 45.5%) than in ${\geq}6$ years old (34/101, 33.7%) (P=0.015). The nature of pain was pressure in 30.2%, stabbing in 27.9%, throbbing in 18.6%, and dull in 11.7%. In 52.4% patients, the pain occurred in the front, one side of the temple in 28.5%, both sides of the temple in 7.1%, and back in 4.8% patients. The duration of attacks was <6 minutes in 38% and ${\geq}6$ minutes in 61.4%. The intensity of the pain was 4-6 out of 10 in 75.0%, in 13.6% 1-3, and in 11.4% 7-10. Treatment was significantly effective in reducing the frequency, duration, and severity of headaches and the PedMIDAS score after 3 months (P<0.05). Conclusion : Short attacks of headache are common (35.8%) in children and adolescents. These are difficult to classify according to International Headache Society criteria. The outcome, after a period of 3 months to 2 years, was favorable in most patients. Further studies are needed to gather more data and to obtain a better description of these forms of headache in the pediatric group.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.39 no.6 s.181
• /
• pp.699-710
• /
• 2006

Batch scale experiments to investigate the efficiency of the solidification process for metal mine tailing treatment were performed. Portland and MSG (micro silica pouting) cements were used as solidifier and three kinds of mine tailings (located at Gishi, Daeryang, and Aujeon mine) were mixed with cements to paste solidified matrices. Single axis com-pressible strengths of solidified matrices were measured and their heavy metal extraction ratios were calculated to investigate the solidification efficiency of solidified matrices created in experiments. Solidified matrices ($5cm{\times}5cm{\times}5cm$) were molded from the paste of tailing and cements at various conditions such as different tailing/cement ratio, cement/water ratio, and different cement or tailing types. Compressible strengths of solidified matrices after 7, 14, and 28 day cementation were measured and their strengths ranged from 1 to $2kgf/mm^2$, which were higher than Korean limit of compressible strength for the inside wall of the isolated landfill facility ($0.21kgf/mm^2$). Heavy metal extractions from intact tailings and powdered matrices by using the weak acidic solution were performed. As concentration of extraction solution for the powdered solidified matrix (Portland cement + Gishi tailing at 1:1 w.t. ratio) decreased down to 9.7 mg/L, which was one fifth of As extraction concentration for intact Gishi tailings. Pb extraction concentration of the solidified matrix also decreased to lower than one fourth of intact tailing extraction concentration. Heavy metal extraction batch experiments by using various pH conditions of solution were also performed to investigate the solidification efficiency reducing heavy metal extraction rate from the solidified matrix. With pH 1 and 13 of solution, Zn and Pb concentration of solution were over the groundwater tolerance limit, but at pH $1{\sim}13$ of solution, heavy metal concentrations dramatically decreased and were lower than the groundwater tolerance limit. While the solidified matrix was immerged Into very acidic or basic solution (pH 1 and 13), pH of solution changed to $9{\sim}10$ because of the buffering effect of the matrix. It was suggested that the continuous extraction of heavy metals from the solidified matrix is limited even in the extremely high or low pH of contact water. Results of experiments suggested that the solidification process by using Portland and MSG cements has a great possibility to treat heavy metal contaminated mine tailing.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.569-576
• /
• 2003

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of microbial phytase (Natuphos$^{\circledR}$) supplementation, individually and in combination with carbohydrase enzyme complex (composed of enzymes targeted to SBM dietary components such as $\alpha$-galactosides and galactomannans; ENDO-POWER$^{\circledR}$) to corn-soy basis diet with low nutrient levels on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of growing pigs. A total of 48 crossbred weaned pigs (Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire${\times}$Duroc), 29.1$\pm$0.14 kg of initial body weight, were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments, based on weight and age, according to a Randomized Complete Block Design. There were three pens per treatment and 4 pigs per pen. The dietary treatments were 1) CON (control diet with 3,380 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy, 18.96% of crude protein, 1.10% of lysine, 0.75% of calcium and 0.35% of available phosphorus), 2) LP+NTPS (CON diet with 0.15% unit lower available P levels+0.1% phytase (500 FTU/kg; Natuphos$^{\circledR}$)), 3) LEL+ENP (CON diet with 3.0% unit lower ME and lysine levels + 0.1% carbohydrase enzyme complex (ENDO-POWER$^{\circledR}$), and 4) LPEL+ENZ (CON diet with 0.15% unit lower available P levels and 3.0% unit lower ME and lysine levels+0.1% ENDO-POWER$^{\circledR}$ and 0.1% Natuphos$^{\circledR}$ (500 FTU/kg). There was no significant difference (p〉0.05) in average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among dietary treatments during the whole experimental period (0 to 4 weeks). Apparent digestibility of gross energy was greater in LP+NTPS and LPEL+ENZ groups than in the LEL+ENP (p<0.05). Apparent digestibility of phosphorus was greater in LP+NTPS than in LEL+ENP (p<0.05). Dry matter excretion was lowest in LPEL+ENZ and phosphorus excretion was lowest in LP+NTPS (p<0.05). Overall, pigs fed on LPEL+ENZ group tended to have better nutrient digestibility (dry matter, gross energy, crude protein and phosphorus) than pigs fed on control group. All dietary enzyme treatment groups showed lower feed cost/body weight gain of pigs than control group. In conclusion, the results from the present study suggest that the simultaneous inclusion of phytase and carbohydrase enzyme complex to diets is advantageous with respect to reducing nutrient excretion of growing pigs and may contribute to increased economic return when added to corn-soy based growing pig diets.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.44-53
• /
• 1992

We compared the efficacy of each modality of treatment group in reducing the frequency of coronary artery abnormalities and changes of clinical courses in children with kawasaki disease in the children of 81 cases who were admitted in pediatric department of Yeungnam University Hospital from September 1985 to August 1990, Group A(37 cases)-aspirin alone, Group B(44 cases)-intravenous gammaglobulin(400mmg/kg/day) for 5 consecutive days, plus aspirin. We studied the frequency of echocardiographic abnormalities, the duration of fever, and changes in the total white blood cell counts, platelet counts, ESR and CRP value at 1, 2 and 3 weeks of the illness and compared the results between the two groups. The results were as follows, 1) There as no significant intergroup difference in age and sex ratio. 2) The duration of the febrile period after the initiation of the therapy was significant shorter in group B($2.5{\pm}1.2$ days) than in group A:($5.2{\pm}3.5$ days)(p<0.01). 3) No significant difference was noticed in the WBC and platelet counts in two groups as measured at admission day, 1 and 2 weeks of the illness. However, at 3weeks of illness significant difference was noted. 4) The CRP values measured at 1, 2 and 3 weeks after treatment were significantly lower in group B($2.42{\pm}1.8$, $2.00{\pm}1.2$, $1.16{\pm}1.0$) than in group A($7.22{\pm}5.3$, $5.25{\pm}3.9$, $1.85{\pm}1.2$) respectively(p<0.01). 5) In 2D- Echocardiogram, coronary artery dilataton was more frequent in Group A than in Group B at 6month of illness(p<0.01). In conclusion, intravenous gammaglobulin therapy was effective in the shortening of the duration of fever and in the antiinflammatory action and somewhat effective in prevention of coronary artery aneurysm.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.289-295
• /
• 1993

The present paper was investigated in the inhibitory action of vegetable and seaweed water-soluble extracts on the formation of carcinogenic N-nitrosodimethylamine(NDMA). The vegetable and seaweed extracts obtained from garlic(Allium sativum), onion(Allium cepa), green onion(Allium fistuiosum), chinese pepper(Fagara mandshurica), green pepper(Capsicum annuum), red pepper(Capsicum annuum), ginger(Zingiber officinale), carrot(Daucus carota), laver(Porphyra tenera), sea lettuce(Entero compresa), sea mustard(Undaria pinnatifida) and sea staghorn(Codium fragile) were incubated with sodium nitrite-dimethylamine mixtures at $37^{\circ}C$ under different pH conditions The formation of NDMA was reduced to $10{\sim}40\%\;and\;25{\sim}50\%$ by the addition of vegetable and seaweed extracts 30mg at pH 1.2, respectively. The inhibition degree by the extracts at pH 1.2 was similiar to that at pH 4.2 and to that by ascorbic acid at pH 1.2. The inhibitory action of the extracts against NDMA formation was not decreased by heat treatment at $80^{\circ}C$ for 10min, but decreased by the treatment of sodium borohydride. It is assumed that reducing powers of the extracts participated in their inhibitory actions.