• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2010

Purpose: The nuclear medicine technology has been changed. The hard ware is developed so much. Also the soft ware performs a meritorious deed for the development of nuclear medicine technology. We could use the automated region of interest (ROI) instead of manual ROI. We want to know that what difference of quantitative analysis is there between automated ROI and manual ROI Materials and Methods: There are three experimental to make results. The first is what comparing the renal automated ROI and manual ROI. The second is that we compared three threshold ROI that size is difference each others with visible decision. The third is that we compared full, half, quarter automated background, and survey relative function. Results: Although the first has statistically not significant difference, the second and third have significant difference. Threshold, setting smaller threshold then renal outline or bigger, has statistically significant difference (p<0.01). The third is performed with the first experimental. Full background has significant difference, comparing each three type background (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results that there is not significant difference between automated ROI and manual ROI will increase objectivity and operator's convenience. We could know that smaller threshold then renal out line has significant difference in the second experimental. And the third experimental has results because of a increased background nearby live and spleen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.237-242
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• 2001

Colostrum deprived, newborn pigs (N=12, $1.64{\pm}0.05kg$) were used to study the renal threshold of carnitine, and effects of emulsified medium-chain triglyceride (MCT, tri-8:0) feeding on kinetics of plasma carnitine and urinary carnitine excretion. An arterial catheter was inserted through an umbilical artery, and a bladder catheter was inserted via the urachus. Piglets were oro-gastrically gavaged with one of six carnitine levels (0, 60, 120, 180, 240, $480{\mu}mol/kg\;W^{0.75}$) with (+MCT) or without medium-chain triglycerides (-MCT) in 0.9% NaCl solution. Blood was sampled into heparinized tubes at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 14, and 20 h after gavage, and urine was collected and pooled into 1 h or 2 h composite samples to determine free- and short-chain carnitine concentrations. Plasma from the 12 newborn piglets before gavage contained $10.6{\pm}1.2{\mu}mol/L$ free carnitine and $7.2{\pm}0.6{\mu}mol/L$ acid-soluble acyl carnitine. The renal threshold for carnitine was similar between the MCT and the +MCT group (42.6 13.1 and $46.4{\pm}2.0{\mu}mol/L$, respectively), but the correlation between plasma free carnitine and urinary excretion was altered. Plasma free carnitine linearly increased with increasing carnitine dosage (-MCT group, $R^2=0.95$, p<0.001; +MCT group, $R^2=0.91$, p<0.001), but was decreased by 50% when medium-chain triglycerides were fed. The peak in plasma free carnitine concentration was depressed by medium-chain triglycerides feeding also. Therefore, the plasma and urinary short-chain/free carnitine ratio of the +MCT group was increased by 100% and 40%, respectively (p<0.01). Feeding of medium-chain triglycerides may delay plasma carnitine elevation via altering the kinetics of absorption. Similarly, the plasma and urinary short-chain/free carnitine ratio were affected by interaction between medium-chain triglycerides and time (p<0.01). The present study suggests that an oral carnitine dose over $480{\mu}mol/kg\;W^{0.75}$ may be needed to reach the free carnitine renal threshold within a short period, especially when provided together with medium-chain triglyceride.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.420-423
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• 2005

A 2-year-old 16-kg, intact female lindo was presented with weight loss and poor hair coat. Abnormal serum biochemical values included mild hypokalemia (3.9 mmol/L, reference range 4.37 to 5.35 mmol/L) and mild hyperglycemia (124 mg/dl, reference range 65 to 118 mg/dl). in the complete blood count and diagnostic imaging examination, abnormal changes wer not seen. The analysis of urine sample obtained from cystocentesis revealed glucosuria (> 100 mg/dl) and mild proteinuria. Repeated analysis after admission showed persistent glucosuria and hypokalemia. But blood glucose values did not exceed the renal threshold fur glucose reabsorption. To differentiate cause of the glucosuria, the glucose tolerance test and the low-dosage dexamethasone suppression test were indicated. Results of both tests were normal. In addition, the serum total thyroxine $(T_4)$ value was within normal range. The arterial blood gas analysis showed no remarkable changes. The fractional reabsorption rates of amino acids and phosphorus were calculated above $97\%$. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed as renal glucosuria due to proximal renal tubular dysfunction. But this persistent renal glucosuria with hypokalemia may be the initial sign of Fanconi's syndrome or proximal renal tubular acidosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.351-356
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• 1999

The present study was aimed at investigating whether the calcium current in the vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells is altered in renal hypertension. Two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension were made in Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats without clipping the renal artery or implanting DOCA were used as control for 2K1C and DOCA-salt hypertension, respectively. Four weeks after clipping, systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in 2K1C rats than in control $(192{\pm}24\;and\;119{\pm}4$ mmHg, respectively, n=16 each). DOCA-salt rats also showed a higher blood pressure $(180{\pm}15$ mmHg, n=18) compared with control $(121{\pm}6$ mmHg, n=14). VSM cells were enzymatically and mechanically isolated from basilar arteries. Single relaxed VSM cells measured $5{\sim}10\;{\mu}m$ in width and $70{\sim}150\;{\mu}m$ in length were obtained. VSM cells could not be differentiated in size and shape between hypertensive and normotensive rats under light microscopy. High-threshold (L-type) calcium currents were recorded using whole-cell patch clamp technique. The amplitude of the current recorded from VSM cells was larger in 2K1C hypertension than in control. Neither the voltage-dependence of the calcium current nor the cell capacitance was significantly affected by 2K1C hypertension. By contrast, the amplitude of the calcium current was not altered in DOCA-salt hypertension. These results suggest that high-threshold calcium current of the VSM cells is altered in 2K1C hypertension, and that calcium channel may not be involved in calcium recruitment of VSM in DOCA-salt hypertension.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2001

The quantification analysis of renal scintigraphy is strongly affected by the location, shape and size of region of interest(ROI). When ROIs are drawn manually, these ROIs are not reproducible due to the operators' subjective point of view, and may lead to inconsistent results even if the same data were analyzed. In this study, the effect of the ROI variation on the analysis of renal scintigraphy when the ROIs are drawn manually was investigated, and in order to obtain more consistent results, methods for automated ROI definition were developed and the results from the application of the developed methods were analyzed. Relative renal function, glomerular filtration rate and mean transit time were selected as clinical parameters for the analysis of the effect of ROI and the analysis tools were designed with the programming language of IDL5.2. To obtain renal scintigraphy, $^{99m}$Tc-DTPA was injected to the 11 adults of normal condition and to study the inter-operator variability, 9 researchers executed the analyses. The calculation of threshold using the gradient value of pixels and border tracing technique were used to define renal ROI and then the background ROI and aorta ROI were defined automatically considering anatomical information and pixel value. The automatic methods to define renal ROI were classified to 4 groups according to the exclusion of operator's subjectiveness. These automatic methods reduced the inter-operator variability remarkably in comparison with manual method and proved the effective tool to obtain reasonable and consistent results in analyzing the renal scintigraphy quantitatively.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.129-137
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• 2013

Purpose: Modeling has been used for elucidating the mechanism of complex biosystems. In spite of importance and uniqueness of adolescent calcium (Ca) metabolism characterized by a threshold Ca intake, its regulatory mechanism has not been covered and even not proposed. Hence, this study aims at model-based proposing potential mechanisms regulating adolescent Ca metabolism. Methods: Two different hypothetic mechanisms were proposed. The main mechanism is conceived based on Ca-protein binding which induces renal Ca filtration, while additional mechanism assumed that active renal Ca re-absorption regulated Ca metabolism in adolescents. Mathematical models were developed to represent the proposed mechanism and simulated them whether they could produce adolescent Ca profiles in serum and urine. Results: Simulation showed that both mechanisms resulted in the unique behavior of Ca metabolism in adolescents. Based on the simulation insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is suggested as a potential regulator because it is related to both growth, a remarkable characteristic of adolescence, and Ca metabolism including absorption and bone accretion. Then, descriptive modeling is employed to conceptualize the hypothesized mechanisms governing adolescent Ca metabolism. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that modeling is a powerful tool for elucidating an unknown mechanism by simulating potential regulatory mechanisms in adolescent Ca metabolism. It is expected that various analytic applications would be plausible in the study of biosystems, particularly with combination of experimental and modeling approaches.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.258-267
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• 2002

In this study the general pharmacological profiles of AS6 on the central nervous system, cardiovascular and the other organs were investigated. The dosages given were 0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg and drugs were orally administered. The animals used for this study were mice, rats and guinea pigs. Significant increases (p<0.01) in the charcoal transport capacity were observed at the high dose of 1000 mg/kg and significant increases in retardation of pain threshold were observed in the test using acetic acid in all dosed animals. However, AS6 showed no noticeable effects on general behavior, motor coordination, spontaneous locomotor activity, hexobarbital-induced sleep time, body temperature, analgesic activity in the test using hot plate method and anticonvulsant activity. Furthermore no noticeable effects were observed in cardiovascular functions in the isolated rat heart, contraction and relaxation of the smooth muscle in the isolated guinea ileum, gastric secretion and renal function.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.706-716
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• 2005

High blood pressure is an important determinant of the incidence of coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, renal failure, and peripheral vascular disease. Recommendations for control of high blood pressure emphasize lifestyle modification, including weight control, reduced sodium intake, increased physical activity. Subjects who were normotensive (n=19, $47.2\pm9.0$ y, BP l16/81 mmHg) ,treatment hypertensive (n=33, $54.2\pm6.9$ y, BP 132/85 mmHg) and non-treatment hypertensive (n=14, $50.1\pm11.0$ y, 149/94 mmHg) recruited. Anthropometric assessment (height weight waist circumference, hip circumference, fat$\%$, fat mass, and lean body mass) and dietary assessments (using 3-days food records, daily nutrient intakes were inuysed by CAN PRO 2.0 were carried out. Blood and 24-hour urine were collected). Test of recognition for salt taste threshold were performed. In non-treatment hypertensive male subjects, weight, $\%$IBW, BMI, and waist circumference were significantly higher than those of normotensive and treatment hypertensive subjects (p<0.05) .Food habits were not significantly different among the three groups. Intakes of vitamin A, vitamin B,, and vitamin B, were significantly higher in normotensive group (p<0.05). Intakes of sodium and salt taste recognition threshold were the highest in normotensive group and the lowest in treatment hypertensive group (p<0.05). Blood levels of lipids and minerals were not significantly different among the three groups. Urinary calcium level of normotensive group were significantly higher than that of treatment hypertensive and non-treatment hypertensive groups (p<0.05). These results indicate that continuous management of hypertension by drug and non-drug treatment affects salt taste recognition threshold and reduced the consumption of sodium. However, dietary sodium intake exceed recommended sodium intake to prevent and treat hypertension. It is necessary to develop the lifestyle modification program that may have beneficial effects on hypertension treatment.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.115-125
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• 2023

Arteriovenous fistula flow dysfunction is the leading cause of vascular access thrombosis and loss in patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, data regarding the influence of access flow rate measurements on the long-term outcomes of access are limited. This study aims to identify accesses at a high risk of thrombosis and loss among patients undergoing hemodialysis by measuring the access flow rate and exploring an optimal threshold value for predicting future access thrombosis. We enrolled 220 patients with arteriovenous fistula undergoing hemodialysis. The primary outcome was the occurrence of access thrombosis. Access flow rates were measured monthly using the ultrasound dilution method and were averaged using all measurements from patients with patent access. In patients experienced access thrombosis, those immediately before the thrombosis were selected. Using these data, we calculated the access flow rate threshold for thrombosis occurrence by analyzing the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the patients were divided into two groups according to whether access flow rates were higher or lower than 400 mL/min. During a median follow-up period of 3.1 years, 4,510 access flows were measured (median measurements per patient, 33 times; interquartile range, 11-54). A total of 65 access thromboses and 19 abandonments were observed. Access thrombosis and loss were higher in the lowflow group than in the high-flow group. This study revealed that low access flow rates are strongly associated with access thrombosis occurrence and subsequent loss of arteriovenous fistulas in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.30-39
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• 2009

Extraction of glomeruli region plays a very important role for diagnosing nephritis automatically. However, it is not easy to extract glomeruli region correctly because the difference between glomeruli region and other region is not obvious, simultaneously unevennesses that is brought in the sampling process and in the imaging process. In this study, a new method for extracting renal glomeruli region using genetic algorithm is proposed. The first, low and high resolution images are obtained by using Laplacian-Gaussian filter with ${\sigma}=2.1$ and ${\sigma}=1.8$, then, binary images by setting the threshold value to zero are obtained. And then border edge is detected from low resolution images, the border of glomeruli is expressed by a closed B-splines' curve line. The parameters that decide the closed curve line with this low resolution image prevent the noises and the border lines from breaking off in the middle by searching using genetic algorithm. Next, in order to obtain more precise border edges of glomeruli, the number of node points is increased and corrected in order from eight to sixteen and thirty two from high resolution images. Finally, the validity of this proposed method is shown to be effective by applying to the real images.