• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• 제21권7호
• /
• pp.859-868
• /
• 2020

Objective: To investigate the value of initial CT quantitative analysis of ground-glass opacity (GGO), consolidation, and total lesion volume and its relationship with clinical features for assessing the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: A total of 84 patients with COVID-19 were retrospectively reviewed from January 23, 2020 to February 19, 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: severe group (n = 23) and non-severe group (n = 61). Clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and CT findings on admission were analyzed. CT quantitative parameters, including GGO, consolidation, total lesion score, percentage GGO, and percentage consolidation (both relative to total lesion volume) were calculated. Relationships between the CT findings and laboratory data were estimated. Finally, a discrimination model was established to assess the severity of COVID-19. Results: Patients in the severe group had higher baseline neutrophil percentage, increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and procalcitonin levels, and lower baseline lymphocyte count and lymphocyte percentage (p < 0.001). The severe group also had higher GGO score (p < 0.001), consolidation score (p < 0.001), total lesion score (p < 0.001), and percentage consolidation (p = 0.002), but had a lower percentage GGO (p = 0.008). These CT quantitative parameters were significantly correlated with laboratory inflammatory marker levels, including neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte count, lymphocyte percentage, hs-CRP level, and procalcitonin level (p < 0.05). The total lesion score demonstrated the best performance when the data cut-off was 8.2%. Furthermore, the area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 93.8% (confidence interval [CI]: 86.8-100%), 91.3% (CI: 69.6-100%), and 91.8% (CI: 23.0-98.4%), respectively. Conclusion: CT quantitative parameters showed strong correlations with laboratory inflammatory markers, suggesting that CT quantitative analysis might be an effective and important method for assessing the severity of COVID-19, and may provide additional guidance for planning clinical treatment strategies.

• 대한핵의학회지
• /
• 제37권5호
• /
• pp.278-287
• /
• 2003

목적: 생존심근 진단에 있어 니트로글리세린 투여 Tc-99m-MIBI 게이트 심근SPECT의 진단성능을 휴식/지연재분포 Tl-201 심근SPECT와 비교하였다. 대상 및 방법: 22명의 관상동맥질환자에서 Tl-201 휴식/디피리다몰 부하 Tc-99m-MIBI 게이트 지연재분포 Tl-201 심근SPECT를 시행하였다. 이 때 게이트SPECT 시행 후 니트로글리세린 0.6 mg을 설하투여하고 연이어 그 자리에서 게이트SPECT를 1회 더 반복 시행하였다. 환자들에게 관상동맥우회로술을 시행하고 3개월 후 게이트 심근SPECT를 추적검사로 시행하였다. 20 분절 모델을 이용하여 각 분절에서 휴식, 지연재분포, 기저상태와 니트로글리세린투여 후의 심벽운동 및 수축기비후화 등을 정량하였다. 정량화된 생존심근 예측지표들 중, (1) 휴식기 Tl-201 섭취, (2) Tl-201 지연재분포, (3) 기저상태의 수축기비후화, (4) 니트로글리세린 투여 후의 수축 기비후화, 네 가지의 예측성능을 평가하고 비교하였다. 결과: 총 100개의 분절이 분석에 포함되었으며, 이 중 66개(66%)의 분절이 재관류 후 기능 회복을 보였다. 최적 기준점인 50%를 기준으로 하였을 때, ROC 곡선 분석에서 휴식기 Tl-201 섭취와 Tl-201 지연재분포의 민감도, 특이도는 각각 79%와 44%, 그리고 82%와 44%였다. 또한 15%를 기준으로 하여, 기저상태 수축기비후화와 니트로글리세린 투여 후 수축기비후화의 민감도, 특이도는, 각각 49%, 50%와 64%, 65%였다. ROC 곡선의 AUC는 니트로 글리세린 투여 후 수축기비후화가 기저시 수축기비후화에 비하여 유의하게 높았다(p=0.004). 결론: 니트로글리세린 투여 Tc-99m-MIBI 정량적 게이트 심근SPECT는 기능이상 심근에서 기능 회복을 예측하는데 유용한 검사이다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제67권4호
• /
• pp.311-317
• /
• 2009

Background: The methacholine bronchial provocation test is a useful tool for evaluating asthma in patients with normal or near normal baseline lung function. However, the sensitivity of this test is 82~92% at most. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical usefulness of $FEF_{25-75%}$ in identification of airway hyperresponsiveness in patients with suspected asthmatic symptoms. Methods: One hundred twenty-five patients who experienced cough and wheezing within one week prior to their visiting the clinic were enrolled. Results: Sixty-four subjects showed no significant reduction of $FEV_{1}$ or $FEF_{25-75%}$ on the methacholine bronchial provocation test (Group I). In 24 patients, $FEF_{25-75%}$ fell more than 20% from baseline without a 20% fall of $FEV_{1}$ during methacholine challenge (Group II). All patients who had more than 20% fall of $FEV_{1}$ (n=37) also showed more than 20% of reduction in $FEF_{25-75%}$ (Group III). Baseline $FEV_{1}$/FVC (%) and $FEF_{25-75%}$ (L) were higher in group II than group III (81.51${\pm}$1.56% vs. 75.02${\pm}$1.60%, p<0.001, 3.25${\pm}$0.21 L vs. 2.45${\pm}$0.21 L, p=0.013, respectively). Group II had greater reductions of both $FEV_{1}$ and $FEF_{25-75%}$ than group I at 25 mg/mL of methacholine (p<0.001). The provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in $FEF_{25-75%}$ in group II was about three-fold higher than that in group III. Conclusion: A 20% fall of $FEF_{25-75%}$ by methacholine provocation can be more sensitive indicator for detecting a milder form of airway hyperresponsiveness than $FEV_{1}$ criteria.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
• /
• 제59권9호
• /
• pp.1138-1142
• /
• 2018

This study aimed to analyze the impact of sleep deprivation (SD) on cardiac, hemodynamic, and endothelial parameters and to determine whether these are sustained with increased periods of SD. The study included 60 healthy men (mean: age $31.2{\pm}6.3years$; body mass index $24.6{\pm}2.6kg/m^2$). Hemodynamic parameters, parameters of myocardial contractility, spectral analysis of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) variability, and the sensitivity of arterial baroreflex function were evaluated. Biochemical tests were performed to assess L-arginine (L-Arg) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in reflection of endothelial nitric oxide synthase ability. Measurements of cardiovascular system parameters were obtained at 9 a.m. (baseline) on the first day of the study and 9 a.m. (24-h SD), 1 p.m. (28-h SD), and 5 p.m. (32-h SD) on the second day. Blood samples for evaluating biochemical parameters were obtained at baseline and after 24-h SD. ANOVA Friedman's test revealed a significant effect for time in relation to HR (${\chi}^2=26.04$, df=5, p=0.000), systolic BP (${\chi}^2=35.98$, df=5, p=0.000), diastolic BP (${\chi}^2=18.01$, df=5, p=0.003), and mean BP (${\chi}^2=28.32$, df=5, p=0.000). L-Arg and ADMA levels changed from $78.2{\pm}12.9$ and $0.3{\pm}0.1$ at baseline to $68.8{\pm}10.2$ and $0.4{\pm}0.1$ after 24-hr SD, respectively (p=0.001, p=0.004). SD in healthy men is associated with increases in BP, which appear to occur after 24 hours of SD and are maintained over increasing periods of SD. The observed hemodynamic changes may have resulted due to disordered vascular endothelial function, as reflected in alterations in L-Arg and ADMA levels.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• 제20권1호
• /
• pp.83-93
• /
• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the value of the myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV) in predicting myocardial functional outcome after revascularization of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with CTO underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) before and 6 months after revascularization. Three baseline markers of functional outcome were evaluated in the dysfunctional segments assigned to the CTO vessels: ECV, transmural extent of infarction (TEI), and unenhanced rim thickness (RIM). At the global level, the ECV values of the whole myocardium with and without a hyperenhanced region (global and remote ECV) were respectively measured. Results: In per-segment analysis, ECV was superior to TEI and RIM in predicting functional recovery (area under receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]: 0.86 vs. 0.75 and 0.73, all p values < 0.010), and it emerged as the only independent predictor of regional functional outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77-0.89; p < 0.001) independent of collateral circulation. In per-patient analysis, global baseline ECV was indicative of ejection fraction (EF) at the follow-up examination (β = -0.61, p < 0.001) and changes in EF (β = -0.57, p = 0.001) in multivariate regression analysis. A patient with global baseline ECV less than 30.0% (AUC, 0.93; sensitivity 94%, specificity 80%) was more likely to demonstrate significant EF improvement (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.17-0.85; p = 0.019). Conclusion: Extracellular volume fraction obtained by CMR may provide incremental value for the prediction of functional recovery both at the segmental and global levels in CTO patients, and may facilitate the identification of patients who can benefit from revascularization.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제17권5호
• /
• pp.2643-2648
• /
• 2016

Background: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels are lower in Japanese compared with Western subjects. Since it is uncertain whether hsCRP is a potent predictor of mortality at low CRP concentrations, the present study examined associations with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a large population of Japanese. Materials and Methods: Subjects were 4,737 men and 6,343 women aged 49-76 years participating in the baseline survey of an ongoing cohort study of lifestyle-related diseases between February 2004 and July 2006. Hazard ratios for all-cause and cause-specific mortality associated with hsCRP levels were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: A total of 436 all-cause deaths occurred during a median follow-up of 8 years. The main cause of death was cancer. In men, hsCRP levels were positively associated with the risk of all-cause mortality as well as deaths from cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD). All-cause mortality hazards for the 2nd (0.34-0.84 mg/L) and the 3rd (${\geq}0.85mg/L$) tertiles of hsCRP were 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93-1.73) and 1.75 (1.30-2.37), respectively (p for trend=0.001). In women, increased risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality associated with elevated hsCRP levels was observed, but the associations were not statistically significant. Conclusions: HsCRP may be an independent predictor of all-cause, cancer and CVD mortality in apparently healthy Japanese men, but not women. The differential effect of hsCRP in predicting mortality risk by sex warrants further investigation.

• 센서학회지
• /
• 제23권5호
• /
• pp.310-313
• /
• 2014

We report a way to improve the ability of graphene to operate as a gas sensor by applying single stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The sensitivity and recovery of the DNA-graphene sensor depending on the different DNA sequences are analyzed. The different sensor responses to reactive chemical vapors are demonstrated in the time domain. Because of the chemical gating effect of the deposited DNA, the resulting devices show complete and rapid recovery to baseline unlike the bare graphene at room temperature. The application of the pattern recognition technique can increase the potential of DNA-graphene sensors as a chemical vapor classifier.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• 제10권4호
• /
• pp.411-417
• /
• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a set of interrelated metabolic risk factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Studies regarding the specificity and sensitivity of serum levels of leptin and uric acid as predictors of MetS are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of leptin and uric acid in terms of their specificity and sensitivity as predictors of MetS in the studied Jordanian group. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this cross sectional study, 630 adult subjects (308 men and 322 women) were recruited from the King Hussein Medical Center (Amman, Jordan). The diagnosis of MetS was made according to the 2005 International Diabetes Federation criteria. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the efficacy of serum levels of leptin and uric acid as predictors of MetS in the studied Jordanian group. RESULTS: Study results showed that for identification of subjects with MetS risk, area under the curve (AUC) for leptin was 0.721 and 0.683 in men and women, respectively. Serum uric acid levels in men showed no significant association with any MetS risk factors and no significant AUC, while uric acid AUC was 0.706 in women. CONCLUSION: Serum leptin levels can be useful biomarkers for evaluation of the risk of MetS independent of baseline obesity in both men and women. On the other hand, serum uric acid levels predicted the risk of MetS only in women.

• 한국식생활문화학회지
• /
• 제28권6호
• /
• pp.585-593
• /
• 2013

This study was designed to measure taste sensitivity and the five basic senses by an educational classification instrument. The instrument was a rice kit that could use samples in a dry powder form or oil extract after long-term storage To test for taste, sucrose, salt, citric acid, and quinine sulfate were made at different concentrations and taste sensitivity was measured on a scale from level 1 to level 5. To obtain baseline data, an inspection tool for the five senses was used and randomly applied on 101 schoolchildren in the third and fourth grade in the city of Cheonan in Korea. The inspection tool was composed of 17 questions; 5 questions regarding visual characteristics and three questions each for characteristics regarding taste, hearing, smell, and touch. The average age of the schoolchildren was 9.5 years old and there were 49 third grade students (9 years of age), and 52 fourth grade students (ten years of age). There were slightly more male students than female students, 56 (55.4%) compared to 45 (44.6%), respectively. The average height of female students was higher than that of males, but the average BMI (body mass index) of the male students was slightly higher than that of female students (18.28 compared to 18.09, respectively). Female students were slightly more sensitive to salty tastes than male students (2.8 compared to 2.5, respectively). In the score distribution for each sense, touch sense was the highest at 7.59, sight sense was 7.49, hearing sense was 5.43, smell sense was 5.24, and taste sense was lowest at 3.69. Therefore, schoolchildren first tend to recognize and deem important the touch and sight of food before its taste.

• 센서학회지
• /
• 제7권4호
• /
• pp.271-278
• /
• 1998

ISFET를 바탕으로 한 포도당 센서일 경우에 저감도, 드리프트 현상, 긴 응답시간의 문제점들을 가지고 있다. 이러한 이유로, ISFET 포도당센서에 백금 엑츄에이터(Pt actuator)를 내장시켜 반응부산물인 $H_2O_2$를 전기분해하는 전류법적인 엑츄에이션(amperometric actuation) 기법을 도입하여 감도를 높였다. 또한 출력신호의 기준선(baseline)을 확인한 후, $H_2O_2$ 전기분해에 의한 pH 변화분만을 검출하여 출력신호로 사용하는 새로운 측정법을 고안하여 심각한 드리프트를 배제하였다. 이러한 전류법적 엑츄에이션과 측정 기술로써 ISFET 포도당 센서의 동작특성이 개선되었다. 제작된 ISFET 포도당센서는 포도당 농도에 따른 응답의 크기가 30mM의 인산완충용액인 PBS(phosphate buffer solution)에서 약 26mV/decade의 높은 감도와 선형성을 보였다. 이 센서를 사용하여 높은 정밀도를 갖는 휴대용 포도당 측정기를 개발하고 그 특성을 평가하였다.