• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.108-118
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• 2013

Currently, an arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique does not routinely used in clinical studies to measure perfusion in brain because optimization of imaging protocol is required to obtain optimal perfusion signals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate changes of perfusion-weighed signal intensities with varying several parameters on a pulsed arterial spin labeling MRI technique obtained from a 3T MRI system. We especially evaluated alternations of ASL-MRI signal intensities on special brain areas, including in brain tissues and lobes. The signal targeting with alternating radiofrequency (STAR) pulsed ASL method was scanned on five normal subjects (mean age: 36 years, range: 29~41 years) on a 3T MRI system. Four parameters were evaluated with varying: 1) the labeling gap, 2) the labeling delay time, 3) the labeling thickness, and 4) the slice scan order. Signal intensities were obtained from the perfusion-weighted imaging on the gray and white matters and brain lobes of the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital areas. The results of this study were summarized: 1) Perfusion-weighted signal intensities were decreased with increasing the labeling gap in the bilateral gray matter areas and were least affected on the parietal lobe, but most affected on the occipital lobe. 2) Perfusion-weighted signal intensities were decreased with increasing the labeling delay time until 400 ms, but increased up to 1,000 ms in the bilateral gray matter areas. 3) Perfusion-weighted signal intensities were increased with increasing the labeling thickness until 120 mm in both the gray and white matter. 4) Perfusion-weighted signal intensities were higher descending scans than asending scans in both the gray and white matter. We investigated changes of perfusion-weighted signal intensities with varying several parameters in the STAR ASL method. It should require having protocol optimization processing before applying in patients. It has limitations to apply the ASL method in the white matter on a 3T MRI system.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2000

Purpose: To determine the electronic spin relaxation times, $T_{le}$, of three commercially available Gd-chelated MR contrast agents, Gd-DTPA, Gd-DTPA-BMA and Gd-DOTA, using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance(EPR) technique. Material and Methods: The paramagnetic MR contrast agents, Gd-DTFA(Magnevist) , Gd-DTFA-BMA(OMNISCAN) and Gd-DOTA(Dotarem), were used for this study, The EPR spectra of these contrast agents, which were prepared 2:1 methanol/water solution, were obtained at low temperatures, from $-160^{\circ}C~20^{\circ}C$. The glassy-state EPR spectra for these contrast agents were then fitted by the simulation spectra generated with different zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters by a computer simulation program 'GEN', which generates the EPR powder spectrum using a given ZFS in $3{\times}3$ tensor. Finally, the spin relaxation times of the contrast agents were then determined from the $T_{2e}$, D, and E values of the best simulation spectra using the McLachlan's theory of average relaxation rate. Results: The electronic transverse spin relaxation times, $T_{2e}'s$, of Gd-DTPA, Gd-DTPA-BMA and Gd-DOTA were 0.113ns, 0.147ns and 1.81ns respectively. The g-values were 1.9737, 1.9735 and 1.9830 and the electronic spin relaxation times, $T_{1e}'s$, were 18.70ns, 33.40ns and $1.66{\mu}s$, respectively. Conclusion: The results of these studies reconfirm that the paramagnetic MR contrast agents with larger ZFS parameters should have shorter $T_{1e}'s$. Among three contrast agents used for this study, Gd-DOTA chelated with cyclic ligand structure shows better electronic property then the others with linear structure. Thus, it is concluded that the exact determination of ZFS parameters is the important factor in evaluating relaxation enhancement effect of the agents and in developing new contrast agents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.2
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• pp.406-416
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• 2021

Purpose To evaluate the association between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based texture parameters and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutation in patients with non-mucinous rectal cancer. Materials and Methods Seventy-nine patients who had pathologically confirmed rectal non-mucinous adenocarcinoma with or without KRAS-mutation and had undergone rectal MRI were divided into a training (n = 46) and validation dataset (n = 33). A texture analysis was performed on the axial T2-weighted images. The association was statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. To extract an optimal cut-off value for the prediction of KRAS mutation, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed. The cut-off value was verified using the validation dataset. Results In the training dataset, skewness in the mutant group (n = 22) was significantly higher than in the wild-type group (n = 24) (0.221 ± 0.283; -0.006 ± 0.178, respectively, p = 0.003). The area under the curve of the skewness was 0.757 (95% confidence interval, 0.606 to 0.872) with a maximum accuracy of 71%, a sensitivity of 64%, and a specificity of 78%. None of the other texture parameters were associated with KRAS mutation (p > 0.05). When a cut-off value of 0.078 was applied to the validation dataset, this had an accuracy of 76%, a sensitivity of 86%, and a specificity of 68%. Conclusion Skewness was associated with KRAS mutation in patients with non-mucinous rectal cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2004

The iron doped colossal magnetoresistance materials with La-Ba-Mn-O perovskites structure have been synthesized by chemical reaction of sol-gel methods. Their crystallographic and magnetic properties have been studied with x-ray diffraction, VSM, RBS, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and magnetoresistance measurements. The crystal structure of the La$\_$0.67/Ba$\_$0.33/Mn$\_$0.99/Fe$\_$0.01/ $O_3$ at room temperature was determined to be orthorhombic of Pnma. The lattice parameters a$\_$0/ and c$\_$0/ increased gradually, but b$\_$0/ deceased with increase of iron substitution. The magnetization and coercivity deceased, also the Curie temperature decreased from 360 K as x increased from 0.00 to 0.05. Magnetoresistence measurements were carried out, and the maximum MR ($\Delta$$\rho$/$\rho$(0)) was observed at 281 K, about 9.5 % in 10 kOe. The temperature of maximum resistance (R$\_$MAX/) decreased with increasing substitution of Fe ions and a semiconductor-metal transition temperature (T$\_$SC-M/) decreased too. This phenomena show that ferromagnetic transition temperature decreased by substituting Fe for Mn ions, it decreases double exchange interaction. This result accords with magnetic structure of neutron diffraction. Mossbauer spectra of La$\_$0.67/Ba$\_$0.33/Mn$\_$0.99/Fe$\_$0.01/ $O_3$were taken at various temperatures ranging from 15 to 350 K. With lowering temperature of the sample, two magnetic phases were increased and finally it showed the two sharp sextets of spectra at 15 K. The isomer shift at all temperature range is about 0.3 mm/s relative to Fe metal, which means that both Fe ions are Fe$\^$3+/ states.Fe$\^$3+/ states.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.138-148
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• 2001

Purpose : Within a clinically acceptable time frame, we obtained the high resolution MR images of the human brain, knee, foot and wrist from 3T whole-body MRI system which was equipped with the world first 37 active shield magnet. Materials and Methods : Spin echo (SE) and Fast Spin Echo (FSE) images were obtained from the human brain, knee, foot and wrist of normal subjects using a homemade birdcage and transverse electromagnetic (TEM) resonators operating in quadrature and tuned to 128 MHz. For acquisition of MR images of knee, foot and wrist, we employed a homemade saddle shaped RF coil. Topical common acquisition parameters were as follows: matrix=$512{\times}512$, field of view (FOV) =20 cm, slice thickness = 3 mm, number of excitations (NEX)=1. For T1-weighted MR images, we used TR = 500 ms, TE = 10 or 17.4 ms. For T2-weighted MR images, we used TR=4000 ms, TE = 108 ms. Results : Signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 3T system was measured 2.7 times greater than that of prevalent 1.5T system. MR images obtained from 3T system revealed numerous small venous structures throughout the image plane and provided reasonable delineation between gray and white matter. Conclusion The present results demonstrate that the MR images from 3T system could provide better diagnostic quali\ulcorner of resolution and sensitivity than those of 1.5T system. The elevated SNR observed in the 3T high field magnetic resonance imaging can be utilized to acquire images with a level of resolution approaching the microscopic structural level under in vivo conditions. These images represent a significant advance in our ability to examine small anatomical features with noninvasive imaging methods.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2003

M-type hexagonal BaF $e_{12-2x}$ $Co_{x}$ $Ti_{x}$ $O_{19}$ (0$\leq$x$\leq$1.0) ferrite powders prepared by a sol-gel method. The crystallographic and magnetic properties were characterized with a x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DIA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The result of XRD measurements show that the a and c lattice parameters increase with increasing x from $\alpha$=5.882 and c=23.215 $\AA$ for $\chi$=0.0, to $\alpha$=5.895 and c=23.295 $\AA$ for $\chi$=1.0. From the Mossbauer results, the $Co^{2+}$- $Ti^{4+}$ site occupancies have been affected the changes in the magnetization and in the coercivity. The Curie temperature linearly decreases with increasing $Co^{2+}$- $Ti^{4+}$ concentration x.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2002

The iron-doped perovskite La$_{0.67}$Sr$_{0.33}$Mn$_{0.99}$$^{57}$Fe$_{0.01}$O$_3$compound has been studied by x-ray diffraction, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The single phase of the polycrystalline La$_{0.67}$Sr$_{0.33}$Mn$_{0.99}$$^{57}$Fe$_{0.01}$O$_3$powder has been prepared by a waterbased solgel method. Crystalline La$_{0.67}$Sr$_{0.33}$Mn$_{0.99}$$^{57}$Fe$_{0.01}$O$_3$was a rombohedral structure with lattice parameters a$_{0}$=5.480 $AA$, $alpha$=60.259$^{circ}$. Mossbauer spectra of La$_{0.67}$Sr$_{0.3}$/Mn$_{0.99}$$^{57}$Fe$_{0.01}$O$_3$have been taken at various temperatures ranging from 20 to 400 K. As the temperature increases toward the Curie temperature, T$_{c}$=375 K, the Mossbauer spectra show line broadening and the difference between the 1,6 and 3,4 linewidths is caused by the anisotropic hyperfine field fluctuation. The anisotropic field fluctuation of +H (P$_{+}$=0.80) is greater than -H (P$_{-}$=0.20). We calculated that the anisotropy energy was 124.01 erg/cm$^3$for T=150 K which is associated with the large line broadening.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 1994

After proving home-made imaging pulse sequences including tailored RF pulse by phantom, susceptibility-contrast-enhanced MR venograms of cat brain were obtained using tailored RF gradient-echo(TRGE) method. Sagittal MR imaging of the cat brain obtained by TRGE technique shows several veins, for example, dorsal sagittal sinus, straight sinus, vein of corpus callosum and internal cerebral vein, etc., compared with cats anatomical figure. Tailored RF waveform was generated by PASCAL language in ASPECT 3000 computer(Switzland, Bruker). Rectangular-shaped slice profile with bi-linear ramp function as phase distribution in the slice, at which maximum value was 2$\pi$, was fourier transformed to make tailored RF pulse. Experimental MR imaging parameters were TR/TE=205/10 msec, slice thickness TH=7mm, maxtrix size=256$\times$256, in-plane resolution=0.62$\times$0.31mm$^2$, and field of view(FOV)=8cm for both conventional gradient-echo(GE) imaging and TRGE imaging techniques.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.17-27
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• 2003

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) modulates cortical excitability beyond the duration of the rTMS trains themselves. Depending on rTMS parameters, a lasting inhibition or facilitation of cortical excitability can be induced. Therefore, rTMS of high or low frequency over motor cortex may change certain aspects of motor learning performance and cortical activation. This study investigated the effect of high and low frequency subthreshold rTMS applied to the motor cortex on motor learning of sequential finger movements and brain activation using functional MRI (fMRI). Three healthy right-handed subjects (mean age 23.3) were enrolled. All subjects were trained with sequences of seven-digit rapid sequential finger movements, 30 minutes per day for 5 consecutive days using their left hand. 10 Hz (high frequency) and 1 Hz (low frequency) trains of rTMS with 80% of resting motor threshold and sham stimulation were applied for each subject during the period of motor learning. rTMS was delivered on the scalp over the right primary motor cortex using a figure-eight shaped coil and a Rapid(R) stimulator with two Booster Modules (Magstim Co. Ltd, UK). Functional MRI (fMRI) was performed on a 3T ISOL Forte scanner before and after training in all subjects (35 slices per one brain volume TR/TE = 3000/30 ms, Flip angle $60^{\circ}$, FOV 220 mm, $64{\times}64$ matrix, slice thickness 4 mm). Response time (RT) and target scores (TS) of sequential finger movements were monitored during the training period and fMRl scanning. All subjects showed decreased RT and increased TS which reflecting learning effects over the training session. The subject who received high frequency rTMS showed better performance in TS and RT than those of the subjects with low frequency or sham stimulation of rTMS. In fMRI, the subject who received high frequency rTMS showed increased activation of primary motor cortex, premotor, and medial cerebellar areas after the motor sequence learning after the training, but the subject with low frequency rTMS showed decreased activation in above areas. High frequency subthreshold rTMS on the motor cortex may facilitate the excitability of motor cortex and improve the performance of motor sequence learning in normal subject.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2002

Purpose : The minimum stimulus onset asynchronoy(SOAmin) is one of important experimental parameters for an event-related fMRI experiment designed with the stochastic stimulus. In this study, the most efficient SOAmin is explored for the stronger activation in motor and language tasks with the stimulus designed stochastically. Materials and methods : The event-related fMRI during motor and language tasks were obtained in four normal right-handed subjects. EPI-BOLD sequence is used at 1.5Tesla MR system for the acquisition of event-related fMRI. For each task the subjects are responded for the stimulus' with 2, 3, 4, and 6 seconds SOAmin. The obtained images are processed with SPM99, and the p value is set as 0.05 for the significant activation detection. The Z value and the number of activated pixels are compared for each task. Results : For the motor task, the primary and supplementary motor areas are activated, and for the language task the consistent activated signals are detected in the Broca's. The activated signal is to be stronger for the shorter SOAmin for both motor and language tasks. At primary motor area, the activated signals is the strongest for 3 seconds SOAmin and for the supplementary motor area the result with 2 seconds SOAmin shows the strongest activation. And the result of language task shows the strongest activation at the 2 seconds SOAmin. Conclusion : In the event-related fMRI of motor and language tasks with the stochastically designed stimulus, the 2 or 3 seconds SOAmin is efficient for more activated and clustered activation.