• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1549-1555
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• 2010

Streptococcus suis is a worldwide pathogen of a variety of porcine infection and has also been described as a pathogen for humans. We studied biochemical characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility, and identification of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of S. suis isolated from diseased pigs in Gyeongbuk province from 2004 to 2009. Sixty-one isolates were identified as S. suis by biochemical characteristics and PCR from 40 farms. The biochemical characteristics of S. suis isolates were production of VP-negative, hippurate, esculin, and arginine decarboxylase-positive, and fermentation of carbohydrate was variable lactose, trehalose, inulin, and raffinose, which was typeable 11 phenotype. In an antimicrobial susceptibility test, the majority of isolates were highly susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ampicillin, cephalothin, cefoperazone and florfenicol, while being highly resistant to streptomycin, kanamycin, amikacin, neomycin, erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline. The isolates were divided into 11 phenotypes of biochemistry. By using PCR, the 16S-rRNA gene DNA fragment was detected at 304 bp from all of isolates. These results may provide the basic information needed to establish strategies for the prevention of S. suis infection in pigs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.771-778
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to present a method of measuring noise by the percentage of effective line attenuation coefficient of water that can be used for quality control of CT image noise using AAPM CT performance phantom in clinical practice. In the CT images obtained by scanning the AAPM CT performance phantom with a 120 kVp CT X-ray beam, the mean CT number was measured for each pin and water in the CT number linearity insert part. The effective energy was determined as the photon energy with the largest correlation coefficient from the correlation coefficients of the linear regression analysis of the measured mean CT number for each pin and water and the linear attenuation coefficient for each photon energy. And for water and acrylic, the contrast scale was calculated as 0.000188 cm^-1 · HU^-1 from the measured mean CT number and effective line attenuation coefficient. Using the calculated contrast scale, the effective line attenuation coefficient of water, and the standard deviation measured in the water of the alignment pin part of the AAPM CT performance phantom, The noise measurement value by the percentage of effective line attenuation coefficient of water obtained 0.31 ~ 0.52% in the range of 100 ~ 300 mAs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.435-442
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• 2022

The heel effect creates a density difference in the X-ray images because the intensity of the anode and cathode side of the X-ray tube is not equal. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the density difference due to the heel effect by rotating the step wedge by 180 degrees and then changing the distance. After fixing the tube voltage and tube current to 72 kVp and 10 mAs, the forward and reverse directions were taken using a step wedge. At this time, the distance (80 cm ~ 130 cm) was taken at 10 cm intervals, and the density value was measured by setting the region of interest for each step of the step wedge through the M6 program. First, the difference in intensity between the anode and the cathode was confirmed through the radiation exposure test. In addition, when the distance (from 80 cm to 130 cm) was changed, the difference in density between the cathode and the anode decreased as the projection distance increased. As a result, images of uniform density can be obtained as the projection distance increases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.685-691
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• 2023

This study aims to raise awareness of the exposure index according to the Sub-ROI in clinical use by studying the effect of Sub-ROI's change on exposure index and dose during Chest PA examination. In this study, to examine the changes in EI and ESD according to the Sub-ROI setting, the irradiation conditions were set to 120 kVp, 200 mA, 2 mAs, and the SID was fixed to 180cm. Five types of Sub-ROI were used. The average value of EI according to the Sub-ROI's change was 135.58 ± 0.89 in AEC, 100.80 ± 0.80 in VR, 143.43 ± 0.76 in HR, 103.22 ± 0.68 in LS, and 102.79 ± 0.84 in SS. The mean value of ESD was 30.28±0.50 µGy in AEC, 30.16 ± 0.44 µGy in VR, 30.30 ± 0.46 µGy in HR, 30.23 ± 0.46 µGy in LS, and 30.28 ± 0.51 µGy in SS. As a result of this study, based on the AEC mode recommended by the manufacturer, the VR (25.7%), LS (23.9%), and SS (24.2%) modes decreased, and the HR mode increased by 5.7%. However, ESD was not affected by the Sub-ROI's change. Therefore, Sub-ROI may change EI during the Chest PA examination, it is considered that Sub-ROI should be used appropriately when setting protocols in clinical use.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.29-34
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• 2012

Purpose : Presently, hardwares and softwares for reducing radiation exposure are continually developed for PET/CT examination. Purpose of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of reducing radiation exposure dose of CT and SUV changes of PET when applied each kernel to ACCT (Attenuation Correction Computed Tomography) according to adopted IRIS (Iterative Reconstruction in Image Space) software. Materials and Methods : Biograph mCT (Siemens, Germany) was used as a PET/CT scanner. Using AAPM CT performance phantom, from standard (120 kVp, 100 mAs), 7 scans were conducted by reducing 15 mAs each. After image reconstruction by FBP (Filtered Back Projection) and IRIS, noise and spatial resolution were evaluated. The same method was applied to anthropomorphic chest phantom and acquired images were compared. NEMA IEC body phantom was used for SUV evaluation. Injected dose rate for hot sphere (hot) and background cylinder (BKG) were 1:8. CT dose condition (120 kVp, 50 mAs) was the same for each scan and PET scan durations were 1, 2, 3 and 4min. After scanning, each kernel of IRIS was applied to ACCT. And PET images were reconstructed by ACCT adopted IRIS for comparing SUV changes. Results : AAPM phantom test for noise evaluation, SD for FBP 100 mAs, IRIS 55 mAs were 8.8 and 8.9. FBP 85 mAs, IRIS 40 mAs were 9.5 and 9.7. FBP 70 mAs, IRIS 25 mAs were 11.9 and 11.1. Above mAs condition for FBP and IRIS, SD showed similar values. And for spatial resolution test, there was no significant difference. For chest phantom test, when applied the same mAs and kernel to both of FBP and IRIS, every applied kernels showed reduced noise. Lower mAs and higher kernel value showed higher noise reduction. There was no considerable difference only except for I70 very sharp kernel for SUV comparison using NEMA IEC body phantom. Conclusion : In this study, low mAs (55 mAs) applied IRIS and standard mAs (100 mAs) applied FBP showed similar noise. And only except for I70 kernel, there was no significant SUV changes. It is possible to reduce needless radiation exposure and acquire better image quality than FBP's through applying appropriate kernel of IRIS to PET/CT.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.149-155
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• 2006

This paper presents a torsional micromirror detached from PZT actuators (TMD), whose rotational motion is achieved by push bars in the PZT actuators detached from the micromirror. The push bar mechanism is intended to reduce the bending, tensile and torsional constraints generated by the conventional bending bar mechanism, where the torsional micromirror is attached to the PZT actuators (TMA). We have designed, fabricated and tested prototypes of TMDs for single-axis and dual-axis rotation, respectively. The single-axis TMD generates the static rotational angle of $6.1^{\circ}$ at 16 VDC, which is 6 times larger than that of single-axis TMA, $0.9^{\circ}$. However, the rotational response curve of TMD shows hysteresis due to the static friction between the cover and the push bar in the PZT actuator. We have shown that 63.2% of the hysteresis is due to the static friction caused by the initial contact force of the PZT actuaor. Without the initial contact force, the rotational response curve of TMD shows linear voltage-angle characteristics. The dual-axis TMD generates the static rotational angles of $5.5^{\circ}$ and $4.7^{\circ}$ in x-axis and y-axis, respectively at 16 VDC. The measured resonant frequencies of dual-axis TMD are $2.1\pm0.1$ kHz in x-axis and $1.7\pm0.1$ kHz in y-axis. The dual-axis TMD shows stable operation without severe wear for 21.6 million cycles driven by 16 Vp-p sinusoidal wave signal at room temperature.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.367-377
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• 1993

Background: The benefits of combination chemotherapy in unresectable non-small cell lung cancer remain uncertain. But, according to the recent reports, the response rates of cisplatin-based polychemotherapy regimens are higher than those of single agent. Also, the response rates of high-dose cisplatin group are higher than those of low-dose cisplatin group. In attemp to answer the question whether treatments, combination chemotherapy (high VPP) and combination chemotherapy with radiation therapy, improve survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer, we begin to study. Method: Thirty-five patients above stage III, diagnosed histologically as non-small cell lung cancer, were enrolled. Among them, nineteen received a combination chemotherapy consisting of VP-16 & high-dose cisplatin (100 $mg/m^2$) and/or radiation therapy. The other group (16 subjects) received no therapy. To investigate the differences of survival and response rates between two groups and the side effects related to therapy, we reviewed patients' records. Results: 1) The overall objective response rate was 47%(9/19) with one complete remission. 2) In patients who received polychemotherapy and radiation therapy, the response rate was 60%(6/10) with one complete remission and survival rates of 3 months, 6 months and 12 months were 100%, 70% and 40%. 3) In patients who received polychemotherapy, the response rate was 33% (3/9) with no complete remission and survival rates of 3 months, 6 months and 12 months were 78%, 67% and 33%. 4) Overall, treated patients survived significantly longer (p<0.05) than non-treated patients (median survival 307 days versus 95 days). 5) Analysis of the various prognostic factors disclosed that good performance status, stage III and squamous cell type showed the good response rates. 6) The toxicities were nausea and/or vomiting (100%), alopecia (90%), anemia (79%), leukopenia (69%), thrombocytopenia (2%), increased creatinine (16%) and neurotoxicity (5%). Conclusion: According to above results, there are relatively good results that high VPP combination chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer improves survival in the treated group than in the non-treated group. Thus, it is considerd that we select the patients with proper indications and treat them with effective chemotherpy and radiation therapy. But, because improvement related to high VPP ploychemotherapy is not marked in this study, it is necessary that we should investigate follow-up studies in many cases.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.15-24
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• 2013

Purpose: With the demand of SPECT/CT increasing, the interest in complex diagnostic information of CT is rising along with the expansion of various studies on potential performance value. But the study on reduction of exposure dose generated by CT is not being conducted enough. Therefore, in this study, the goal is to identify how much dose reduction exists when performing the extremity bone SPECT/CT using the flat-panel CT. Materials and Methods: The extremity bone SPECT/CT was performed with two equipments -BrightView XCT (Philips Healthcare, Cleveland, USA) and Brilliance 16 CT (Philips Healthcare, Cleveland, USA)-to identify the exposed dose and image quality resulted by changing scan parameter (mAs) applying for both equipment respectively. The noise value of image and spatial resolution were measured with AAPM CT phantom. Tube voltage (kVp) was fixed to 120 kVp, tube current (mAs) calculated at different mA (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80) was applied to both equipments respectively. DLP (dose length product) were calculated at the same distance at respective mAs. Also, we acquired images and % contrast with NEMA IEC body phantom to confirm the effect on image. The output of statistics was analyzed by SPSS ver.18. Results: Regarding AAPM phantom, the noise decreased as the tube current (mAs) increased and flat-panel had less noise than Helical CT. This difference increased at lower dose exposure. As to the evaluation of spatial resolution, we can differentiate the space up to 0.75 mm with both equipments. With scan parameter (mA) growing, the value of DLP increased up to 54-216 mGy cm at flat-panel CT and up to 177-709 mGy cm at Helical CT. Regarding NEMA IEC body phantom, same sphere with varied parameter (mA) shows that similar results. Conclusion: There is no significant differences of image quality in both flat-panel and Helical CT when the scan parameter (mA) is changed respectively. Moreover, we can identify the reduction of exposure dose and confirm %contrast analysis value with maintaining image quality. Therefore, at the extremity bone SPECT/CT requiring high spital resolution without the wide ROI, the flat-panel CT is considered to be more useful and it expected to result in the similar image quality with lower exposure dose compared to Helical CT. Additionally, through this study, we expect to help the reduction of the unnecessary exposure dose.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2001

In order to investigate the pathogenicity and development of differential identification technique in the Yersinia species and other entericbacteria, we isolated 5 strains of Y.pseudotuberculosis from spring water sites in Seoul. The biochemical characteristics of isolated strains revealed that indole, VP($25^{\circ}C$, $37^{\circ}C$), $H_2S$, phenylalanine, lysine, arginine, ornithine, gas from glucose, lactose, sucrose, sorbitol, oxidase and motility($37^{\circ}C$) were all negative and urease, glucose, mannitol, salicin, catalase and motility($25^{\circ}C$) were all positive. To detect the causative agent of pseudotuberculosis(Y.pseudotuberculosis), we carried out a study using a PCR with inv primers complementary to the pathogenic region and found that all strains were positive, this revealed that strains from spring waters were pathogenic. Also 16S rDNA for total 5 strains of Y. pseudotuberculosis were amplified and a stretch of approximately 1,450 nucleotides were sequenced and analyzed. The 16S rDNA nucleotide sequence homologies among Yersinia species ranged 97.5% to 100% and between Y.pseudotuberculosis and other entericbacteria they ranged 93.0% to 95.1%. The Phylogenetic tree generated from the sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA gene showed 3 coherent clusters that could be separated into Y.pseudotuberculsis strains, some Yersinia species strains and other entericbacteria strains.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 1999

The aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a cytosolic protein that binds the environmental pollutant, dioxin. The liganded AhR translocates into the nucleus where it heterimerizes with a constitutive nuclear protein, AhR nuclear translocator (Arnt). The N-terminal regions of both AhR and Arnt contain basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) and Per-AhR-Arnt-Sim (PAS) motifs that are required for DNA binding, dimerization, and ligand binding whereas the C-terminal regions of both AhR and Arnt contain transactivation domains. Here, results from the mammalian two-hybrid system indicate that Arnt can make a homodimer but AhR cannot. In the presence of dioxin, the interaction between AhR and Arnt is stronger than that of the Arnt homodimer, suggesting that Arnt prefers to make a heterodimer with the liganded AhR rather than a homodimer. Transfection analyses using the GAL4-driven reporter system suggest that AhR's N-terminal region represses its own transactivation domain, as well as exogenous transactivation domains such as Sp 1 and VP16. Interestingly, the repressed transactivation domains of AhR are activated by ligand-dependent heterodimerization with Arnt. These observations suggest that heterodimerzation with Arnt is necessary not only for DNA binding but also for activation of the repressed transactivation capability of AhR.