• 대한임베디드공학회논문지
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.265-272
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• 2022

As the risk of lung cancer has increased, early-stage detection and treatment of cancers have received a lot of attention. Among various medical imaging approaches, computer tomography (CT) has been widely utilized to examine the size and growth rate of lung nodules. However, the process of manual examination is a time-consuming task, and it causes physical and mental fatigue for medical professionals. Recently, many computer-aided diagnostic methods have been proposed to reduce the workload of medical professionals. In recent studies, encoder-decoder architectures have shown reliable performances in medical image segmentation, and it is adopted to predict lesion candidates. However, localizing nodules in lung CT images is a challenging problem due to the extremely small sizes and unstructured shapes of nodules. To solve these problems, we utilize atrous spatial pyramid pooling (ASPP) to minimize the loss of information for a general U-Net baseline model to extract rich representations from various receptive fields. Moreover, we propose mixed-up attention mechanism of reverse, boundary and convolutional block attention module (CBAM) to improve the accuracy of segmentation small scale of various shapes. The performance of the proposed model is compared with several previous attention mechanisms on the LIDC-IDRI dataset, and experimental results demonstrate that reverse, boundary, and CBAM (RB-CBAM) are effective in the segmentation of small nodules.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제82권6호
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• pp.1589-1593
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• 2021

류마티스 결절은 류마티스관절염의 가장 흔한 관절 외 증상이다. 류마티스 결절은 우리 몸의 어느 곳에서나 발생할 수 있지만 반복적인 외상이나 압력에 쉽게 노출되는 피하 부위에서 가장 흔하게 발생한다. 그러나 견갑하부에 자란 류마티스 결절은 보고된 바가 없었고, 이에 저자는 배부 탄성섬유종과 영상의학적으로 구분이 어려웠던 견갑하부에 발생한 류마티스 결절의 사례를 보고하고자 한다.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.98-105
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• 1986

Rhizobium melitoli 102F51에 N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine 및 UV를 처리하여 heme 합성 특성이 다른 세 그룹의 mutant 즉 백색, 적백색 및 적색근류형성 mutant를 선별하여 이들 중 mutant들의 acetylene 환원력, 및 ${\delta}-aminolevulinic$ acid dehydratase (ALAD)를 free living 및 bacteriod 상태하에서 서로 비교하였다. 백색 근류를 형성하는 mutant는 적색 근류형성 mutant에 비하여 acetylene 환원력이 훨씬 낮았으며 ALAS 및 ALAD 활성은 free-living 상태에서는 각 mutant group 사이에서 큰 차이를 보이지 않았으나 bacteriod 상태에서는 백색근류생성 mutant에서 적색 근류형성 mutant group에 비하여 ALAS 및 ALAD 공히 현저히 낮았다. 근류에서 ALAS 활성은 heme 합성양에 비례하여 급진적으로 증가하였으나 ALAD 활성은 plant fraction에서는 감소하는 반면 bacteroid fraction에서는 완만하게 증가하였다.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.17-23
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• 2015

A fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the primary means of distinguishing benign from malignant in thyroid nodules. However, between 10 and 30% of the FNABs of thyroid nodules are diagnosed as 'indeterminate'. A molecular method is needed to reduce unnecessary surgery in this group. In Korea, most thyroid cancer is classic papillary type and BRAFV600E mutation is highly prevalent. Thus, this study compared the pyrosequencing method with the conventional direct DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP analysis and investigated the evaluation of preoperative BRAFV600E mutation analysis as an adjunct diagnostic method with routine FNABs. Sixty-five (78.3%) of 83 histopathologically diagnosed malignant nodule revealed positive BRAFV600E mutation on pyrosequencing analysis. In detail, 65 (83.8%) of 78 papillary thyroid carcinomas sample showed positive BRAFV600E mutation. None of 29 benign nodules had in pyrodequencing, direct DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP. Out of 31 thyroid nodules classified as 'indeterminate' on cytological examination preoperatively, 28 cases turned out to be malignant: 24 papillary thyroid carcinomas. Among that, 16 (66.7%) classic papillary thyroid carcinomas had BRAFV600E mutation. Among 65 papillary thyroid carcinomas with positive BRAFV600E mutation detected by pyrosequencing analysis, each 3 cases and 5 cases did not show BRAFV600E mutation by direct DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP analysis. Therefore, pyrosequencing was superior to direct DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP in detecting the BRAFV600E mutation of thyroid nodules (p =0.027). Detecting BRAFV600E mutation by pyrosequencing was more sensitivity, faster than direct DNA sequencing or PCR-RFLP.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권22호
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• pp.10039-10043
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• 2014

Background: In Pakistan thyroid cancer is responsible for 1.2% cases of all malignant tumors. Ultrasonography (US) is helpful in detecting cancerous thyroid nodules on basis of different features like echogenicity, margins, microcalcifications, size, shape and abnormal neck lymph nodes. We therefore aimed to calculate diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in detection of carcinoma in thyroid nodules taking fine needle aspiration cytology as the reference standard. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was designed to prospectively collect data from December 2010 till December 2012 from the Department of Radiology in Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 100 patients of both genders were enrolled after informed consent via applying non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Patients referred to Radiology department of Aga Khan University to perform thyroid ultrasound followed by fine-needle aspiration cytology of thyroid nodules were included. They were excluded if proven for thyroid malignancy or if their US or FNAC was conducted outside our institution. Results: The subjects comprised 76 (76%) females and 24 males. Mean age was $41.8{\pm}SD$ 12.3 years. Sensitivity and specificity with 95%CI of ultrasound in differentiating malignant thyroid nodule from benign thyroid nodule calculated to be 91.7% (95%CI, 0.72-0.98) and 78.94% (0.68-0.87) respectively. Reported positive predictive value and negative PV were 57.9% (0.41-0.73) and 96.8% (0.88-0.99) and overall accuracy was 82%. Likelihood ratio (LR) positive was computed to be 4.3 and LR negative was 0.1. Conclusions: Ultrasonography has a high diagnostic accuracy in detecting malignancy in thyroid nodules on the basis of features like echogenicity, margins, micro calcifications and shape.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권23호
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• pp.10307-10311
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• 2015

Background: The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology is one of the main classification systems for thyroid nodules. It expects that 7% of all fine needle aspiration biopsies will be reported as atypia or follicular lesions of undetermined significance, and 5-15% of these undetermined nodules are malignant. Our study is a retrospective analysis of variables that may be associated with outcome in patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent thyroidectomy in our institution between 2010 and 2014 were retrieved from the institutional records database. Patient demographics and medical histories were recorded. All ultrasonography reports were examined for nodule features and biochemical blood levels, hormone levels and complete blood counts were recorded. Results: A total of 103 patient cytopathology reports were regarded as belonging to the undetermined category. Some 35% of patients had malignant nodules. Median preoperative red cell distribution width (RDW) level was 13.6 inthe benign group, while it was 14.3 in patients with malignancy, demonstrating a significant correlation (p=0.003). Only calcification presence was significantly different between benign and malignant groups on ultrasonography (p=0.034). Conclusions: Ultrasonography is one of the primary tools for this matter. RDW levels may become another promising tool to predict malignancy.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.81-90
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• 2015

International Seabed Authority (ISA) is currently developing rules with regard to exploitation of manganese nodules which will be contained in its first regulations governing the exploitation of deep seabed mineral resources. A stakeholder survey was conducted in the early 2014 by ISA with the aim of facilitating participation of interested entities in the development process of the rules. The stakeholders who had replied to the survey included existing contractors, sponsoring States, environmentalists, academics, and nongovernmental organizations. Opinions given by them largely reflect their own interests. This paper aims to clarify the scope of the obligations regarding the environmental protection which may be imposed on contractors under the new regulations for the exploitation of manganese nodules. To do so, it first analyses the express provisions on environmental protection applicable to deep seabed mining included in the Law of the Sea Convention, its agreement on implementation of Part XI, and the regulations on exploration for manganese nodules. Secondly, it categorizes these obligations based on the categories of international obligations suggested by Combacau and Alland. Based on the categorizations this paper concludes that, in addition to the existing duties to protect deep seabed environment within the Law of the Sea Convention system, the following new obligations could be added: conservation of exploitation sites for a limited time after the contract is ceased; taking all necessary measures for rehabilitation of destroyed ecosystems that occurredas a result of mining activities; monitoring exploitation sites for a limited period time after the contract is ceased; observing rules and standards on safety of ships and environmental protection adopted under IMO instruments; regulation on the discharge of mine tailings from the facilities used for exploitation of deep sea minerals. Lastly, this paper attempts to provide ways of reflecting national interests in terms of potential obligations which may be included in the new regulations.

• 한국해양학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.248-257
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• 1994

심해저 망간단괴가 성장할 때 단괴 주변에서 작용하는 지화학적 과정들을 규명하 기 위하여 클라리온-클리퍼톤 균열대의 한국심해연구 (KODOS-89) 지역에서 채취한 망 간 단괴에 대하여 우라늄계열 비평형기법을 적용하여 성장속도가 추정되고 그 지화학 적 의미가 해석되었다. 과잉 230-Th 방사능과 이 값이 232-Th 에 대한 방사능비의 수 직적 분포로부터 추정된 두 망간단괴의 성장 속도는 백만년 당수 밀리미터 정도였다. 퇴적물과 접해 있는 단괴 아래쪽 부분의 성장속도는 해수와 접해있는 윗쪽 부분의 성 장속도보다 2∼3배 빠르다. 단괴의 바닥부분이 빠르게 성장하는 것은 속성작용에 의한 망간의 공급으로 인한 것으로 사료된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.6331-6335
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• 2013

Objective:To evaluate the performance of combined quantitative analysis of thyroid blood flow and static imaging data in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Method: Thyroid blood flow and static imaging were performed in 165 patients with thyroid nodules. Patients were divided into a benign thyroid nodule group (BTN, n=135) and a malignant thyroid nodule group (MTN, n=30) based on the results of post-surgical pathologic examination. Carotid artery thyroid transit times (CTTT), perfusion ratio of thyroid nodule blood/thyroid blood (TNB/TB), and perfusion ratio of thyroid nodule blood/carotid artery blood (TNB/CAB) were measured using thyroid blood flow imaging. The ratios between thyroid nodule and ipsilateral submandibular gland (TN/SG) and thyroid nodule and normal thyroid tissue (TN/T) were measured from thyroid static imaging. The differences between the BTN and MTN groups were compared. Results: 1) CTTT was markedly lower in the MTN group than the BTN group, the difference being statistically significant. 2) TNB/TB and TNB/CAB were both significantly higher in MTN than BTN groups. 3) TN/T was significantly lower in MTN group than BTN group. 4) TN/SG was lower in MTN group than BTN group, but the difference was not statistically significant. 5) Using the combination of CTTT and TN/T, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 93.1%, 95.3% and 94.9% respectively for the diagnosis of MTN. Using the combination of CTTT, TNB/TB and TN/T, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy changed to 89.7%, 100%, and 98.1% respectively. 6) Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between TN/T and TNB/TB (r=-0.384, P=0.036) and TNB/CAB (r=-0.466, P=0.009) in the MTN group. Conclusion: The combination of quantitative markers from thyroid blood flow and thyroid static imaging had high specificity and accuracy in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules, thus providing an important imaging diagnostic approach.

• 자원리싸이클링
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.17-21
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• 2005

망간단괴 용융환원 시 철과 니켈을 주로 함유하고 있는 Ni-Cd 폐전지와 코발트 등을 함유한 석유화학 폐촉매를 대상으로 첨가 원료로서의 사용 가능성을 검토하였다. Ni-Cd 폐전지의 경우 망간단괴와의 첨가비에 관계없이 $5\%$ 코크스 첨가 시, 주회수 대상 금속인 니켈을 전량 합금상으로 회수할 수 있었다. 한편 폐촉매의 경우 폐촉매의 첨가비가 증가할수록 많은 환원제가 필요한데 이는 폐촉매 중의 코발트가 산화물 형태로 존재하여 이를 환원하기 위한 환원제가 필요하기 때문이다. 본 방법은 금속계 폐자원을 처리하고 동시에 유가금속을 회수할 수 있는 방법으로 향후 망간단괴 개발의 상용화 시 경제성을 증대시키고 폐자원의 재활용에 기여 할 것이다.