• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.287-293
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• 2009

Purpose: This study is to evaluate rib fractures on bone scan in breast cancer patients treated with breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy and to evaluate its relation with radiation therapy and operation modality. Materials and Methods: Two hundred seventy cases that underwent serial bone scan after breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy were enrolled. Bone scan and chest a findings of rib fracture were analyzed. Results: The rib uptake was seen in 74 of 270 cases (27.4%) on bone scan and 50 cases (18.5%) were confirmed to have rib fracture by chest CT. The rate of modified radical mastectomy in patients with rib fracture was significantly higher than that in patients without rib fracture (66.0% vs. 27.0%, p = 0.000). The rate of additional radiation therapy to axillar or supraclavicular regions in patients with rib fracture was significantly higher than that in patients without rib fracture (62.0% vs. 28.6%, p =0.000). Rib fracture was seen most frequently at 1-2 years after radiation therapy (51.9%) and single rib fracture was seen most frequently (55.2%). Of total 106 rib fractures, focal rib uptake was seen in 94 ribs (88.7%) and diffuse rib uptake was seen in 12 ribs (11.3%). On one year follow-up bone scan, complete resolution of rib uptake was seen in 15 ribs (14.2%). On chest a, the rate of fracture line in ribs with intense uptake was significantly higher than that in ribs with mild or moderate uptake (p = 0.000). The rate of presence of fracture line in ribs with focal uptake was significantly higher than that in ribs with diffuse uptake (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Rib fracture in breast cancer patients after radiation therapy was related to radiation portal and operation modality. It should be interpreted carefully as a differential diagnosis of bone metastasis.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.326-334
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• 2007

Purpose: The estrogen receptor (ER), which is over-expressed in ER-positive breast tumors, has been imaged by positron emission tomography (PET) using $[^{18}F]$ labeled estrogen ligands, especially $[^{18}F]FES$. However, $[^{18}F]$ has relatively short-lived half-life ($t_{1/2}$ =1.8 h) and the labeling yield of radio-fluorination is usually low compared with $^{64}Cu\;(t_{1/2}=12.7\;h)$. 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (cyclen) is used to form stable metal complexes with copper, indium, gallium, and gadolinium. With these in mind, we prepared cyclen-based Cu complexes which mimic estradiol in aspect of two hydroxyl groups. Materials and Methods: 1.7-Protected cyclen, 1.7-bis (benzyloxycarbonyl)-cyclen was synthesized according to the reported procedure. After introducing two 4-benzyloxybenzyl groups at 4,10-positions, the benzyloxycarbonyl and benzyl groups were removed at the same time by hydrogenation on Pd/C to give 1,7-bis(4-hydroxybenzyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (1). Results: The prepared ligand 1 was fully characterized by $^1H,\;^{13}C$ NMR, and mass spectrometer. The synthesized ligand was reacted with copper chloride and copper perchlorate to give copper complexes $[Cu(1)]^{2+}2(CIO_4^-)\;and\;[Cu(1)Cl]^+Cl^-$ which were confirmed by high-resolution mass (FAB). Conclusion: We successfully synthesized a cyclen derivative of which two phenol groups are located on trans position of N-atoms. And, two Cu(ll) complexes of +2 and +1 overall charge, were prepared as a potential PET tracers for ER imaging.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.62-68
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• 2014

Purpose: After I-131 therapy, SPECT/CT is useful in identifying location of thyroid remnants and metastasis of thyroid cancers. An excessive uptake of thyroid leads to a ringing artifact in the SPECT images. The aim of this study is to investigate and suggest a proper post filters to remove ringing artifact and produce better image quality. Materials and Methods: A low-cost, customized thyroid-mimicking phantom, consisting of an acrylic bottle and a hollow sphere was used for SPECT/CT Discovery (GE Healthcare, USA). It was filled with I-131 solution. The ratio of hollow sphere to background were varied as 50:1, 200:1, 1000:1 and 4000:1. Acquired images were reconstructed by OSEM (2 iterations, 10 subsets) with and without Evolution (resolution recovery correction, GE). Three different post-filters were applied; Butterworth (cut off: 0.38 to 0.58 with intervals of 0.05), Hanning (cut off: 0.8 to 1 with intervals of 0.05) and Gaussian (FWHM: 3 to 5 with intervals of 0.5) filters. Contrast, background variability, air area variability, and full width half maximum (FWHM) were compared. Results: Higher contrasts were obtained from the SPECT images with Evolution than without Evolution. In the case of images without Evolution, image distortion such as star artifact was generated. For all sphere-to-background ratio, the Butterworth filter showed better constrasts and FWHMs than other two filters, but the ringing artifact was still generated in all studies except 50:1 and it was decreased as cutoff value was increased. The ringing artifact didn't appear with Hanning and Gaussian filters at all studies, however constrats and FWHMs with Gaussian was worse than Hanning filter. For the images having ringing artifacts, the background variability and air area variability were increased. Conclusion: In this study, we suggested that it is desirable to use Hanning filter when the ringing artifact is generated and to use Butterworth filter when ringing artifact is not generated in I-131 SPECT.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.200-209
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long term outcome and the factors contributing to treatment outcome for chronic functional constipation in children. Methods: Sixty three children were enrolled who had chronic functional constipation and could be followed by telephone contact. They were treated at the Bucheon Soonchunhyang Hospital for more than 1 month and observed from March 2001 to June 2005. We analyzed the clinical features, symptoms and signs, as well as the course and results of treatment. Results: The male to female ratio was 35 (55.6%) : 28 (44.4%). The mean age at the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was $21.1{\pm}23.5$ (1.9~84.0) months and $47.1{\pm}34.2$ (6.9~138.0) months, respectively. The mean defecation frequency before treatment was $3.2{\pm}2.3$ (0.5~10.0) times per week. The symptoms associated with constipation were as follows: soiling 34 (54.0%) which was more common in males than females, large stools in 30 (47.6%), decreased bowel movements less than three times a week in 20 (31.7%), straining during defecation in 19 (30.2%) and retentive posturing 19 (30.2%). The mean duration of follow-up was $34.2{\pm}14.6$ (3.6~60.0) months and 44 (69.8%) patients had their symptoms resolve ("success") and 19 (30.2%) were not resloved ("fail") from the constipation. The time for recovery from soiling, straining during defecation and retentive posturing after treatment was $4.3{\pm}2.4$ (1.0~36.0), $5.0{\pm}1.4$ (0.8~36.0) and $5.0{\pm}3.1$ (1.0~36.0) months, respectively. A relapse of the constipation occurred in 15 (23.8%) patients, 9 (60%) boys and 6 (40%) girls. The time to relapse after cessation of treatment was $2.9{\pm}1.9$ (1.0~6.0) months and the only risk factor associated with relapse was the initial duration of treatment. Conclusion: Most of the patients had resolution of symptoms within five months after treatment; relapse occurred within three months after the interruption of treatment. The duration of treatment was important for recovery and for the prevention of relapse in the constipated children. Thus a long term maintenance of therapy and follow-up is necessary for chronic functional constipation in children.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.110-117
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• 2008

Soybeans (Glycine max) with a black seed coat have been widely utilized as food source and as a medicinal herbs in Korea. The pigmentation in the seed coat of black soybean is due to accumulate anthocyanins in the epidermis palisade layer. The anthocyanin content and composition of the black soybean seed coat are considered as a standard. of quality evaluation of black soybean. The main objective of this study was to investigate the optimal condition for an extraction method of anthocyanins and compare anthocyanin quantity and composition within black soybean varieties and germplasms. In the test of extraction solvent, absorbance at 530 nm and Hunter's a value were increased as increasing the concentration of MeOH, but Hunter's Land b values were the exact opposite of absorbance and Hunter's a values. There was no significant difference for anthocyanin contents from 1% HCl - $H_2O$ to 1% HCl - 80% MeOH. In the aspects of anthocyanin contents and HPLC peak resolution, 1% HCl - 20% MeOH extraction solution was the most suitable solvent. Among the 5 kinds of extraction method using 1% HCl - 20% MeOH solution, the anthocyanin contents of room temperature extraction at 72 h was the highest among the methods. High extraction temperature, sonication and reflux method influenced on the decrease of anthocyanin contents because of breakdown of anthocyanins. There was no significant difference for extraction time between 12 h and 24 h. However, the optimal extraction condition were at room temperature for 12 h. The anthocyanin contents in seed coats of black soybean were determined on the basis of HPLC peak area at 530 nm. Ten black soybean varieties and germplasms were tested with optimal conditions founded in this study. On the basis of antocyanin component, these can be classified into three groups; C3G, C3G + D3G and C3G + D3G + Pt3G. The total anthocyanin content in seed coats ranged from 1.58 to 10.62 mg/g of seed. The total anthocyanin content of the variety "Geomjeongol" was about 7 times higher than that of variety "Heugchong". Information for extraction method and diversity in antocyanin of soybean seed coats can be used for future research for germplasm evaluation and development of high quality black soybean varieties.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.462-472
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• 2001

Background : The determinants of intubation and the response to therapy in COPD patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure were retrospectively reviewed. Methods : This study involved a review of 132 episodes of hypercapnic respiratory failure($PaCO_2\;{\geq}\;50\;mmHg$ and $pH\;{\leq}\;7.35$). The time frame for resolution or the time to intubation of patients who were admitted between 1996 and 1999 was analyzed. Results : Out of 132 hypercapnic episodes, 49(37%) required intubation. A comparison was made with the 83 cases that responded to treatment. Patients requiring intubation had a greater severity of illness, which included a higher APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II) score ($20{\pm}5$ vs $14{\pm}4$ ; p<0.01), a higher WBC, a higher serum BUN, and greater acidosis (pH, $7.23{\pm}0.11$ vs $7.32{\pm}0.04$ ; p<0.01). Those with the most severe acidosis(pH<7.20) had the highest intubation rate(87%) and shortest time to intubation($2{\pm}3\;h$). Conversely, those with an initial pH 7.31 to 7.35 were less likely to be intubated(20%), and had a longer time to intubation($97{\pm}121\;h$). The patients with a pH 7.21 to 7.25($4.1{\pm}2.9$ day) required longer period of time to respond to medical treatment than patients with a pH of 7.31 to 7.35($2.2{\pm}3.1$ day). Of those patients requiring intubation, half(55%) were intubated within 8 h of admission, and most (75%) within 24 h. Of those patients responding to treatment medical therapy, half(52%) recovered within 24 h and most (78%) recovered within 48 h. Conclusion: Respiratory acidosis at the initial presentation is associated with an increased likelihood of intubation. This should assist in deciding help with the decision whether to treat patients medically, institute noninvasive ventilation, or proceed to intubation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.314-320
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• 2000

Purpose :To investigate whether changes in plasma concentrations of transforming growth factor-$\beta$1(TGF-$\beta$1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) could be used to identify the development of radiation-induced pneumonitis in the lung cancer patients. Methods and Materials :Seventeen patients with lung cancer (11 NSCLC, 6 SCLC) were enrolled in a prospective study designed to evaluate clinical and molecular biologic correlation of radiation-induced pneumonitis. The study began in May 1998 and completed in July 1999. All patients were treated with radiotherapy with curative intent : 1.8 Gy per day, 5 fractions per week. Serial measurements of plasma TGF-$\beta$1, TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 were obtained in all patients before, weekly during radiotherapy and at each follow-up visits after completion of treatment. These measurements were quantified using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All patients were evaluated for signs and symptoms of pneumonitis at each follow-up visit after completion of radiotherapy. High resolution CT (HRCT) scans were obtained when signs and symptoms of pneumonitis were developed after completion of radiotherapy. Results : Thirteen patients eventually developed signs and symptoms of clinical pneumonitis 씬file four patients did not. TGF-$\beta$ 1 levels were elevated in all 13 patients with pneumonitis, which showed characteristic pattern of elevation (38.45 ng/ml at pretreatment, 13.66 ng/ml during radiotherapy, then 60.63 ng/ml at 2-4 weeks after completion of radiotherapy). The levels of TNF- $\alpha$ and IL-6 were also elevated In the group of patients who developed pneumonitis but the pattern was not characteristic. Conclusions : Changes in plasma TGF$\beta$-1 levels before, during and after radiotherapy appears to be a useful means by which to identify patients at risk for the development of symptomatic pneumonitis. Other cytokines like TNF- $\alpha$ and IL-6 shows no meaningful changes in association with radiation pneumonitis.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.893-910
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to identify changes in mental models of students in the elementary school about causes of seasonal changes. During a total of eight sessions, eight sixth graders were asked to describe the causes of seasonal changes through pictures, writing and thinking aloud by using microgenetic research methods, and the changes in mental models were examined. When the research was conducted, linguistic and behavioral factors and contents of interviews of participants were recorded on video. Moreover, a variety of materials such as field observation chart were written by a researcher and mental models records were written by a student. The protocol was written by integration of collected results, and it was repeated to read and was inductively categorized. The results of this study were as follows: First, participants' mental models about causes of seasonal changes were changed in various paths within and across sessions. Participants' mental models that had been more changed in various ways were closer to the scientific model. In addition, like rotation and revolution, students who correctly established the preconceptions related to seasonal changes formed the mental models consistent with scientific concept based on new information. On the other hand, students who did not correctly establish the preconceptions did not deviate from non-scientific mental models. Second, prior knowledge, experience and information which participants held in advance, accuracy of prior knowledge, resolution of inconsistency between new knowledge and existing mental models, activation of mental models through operation of models and drawing an picture affected the changes of mental models. Teachers should provide to learners with sufficient experience which can be configured to various mental models in order to form the scientific concepts. And they need to let learners feel the doubt and resolve it through presentation of new teaching material which is inconsistent with the existing mental models.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.378-383
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• 1993

Background: In recent reports, it has been reported that increased coagulation and decreased fibrinolytic activity has been responsible for abnormal fibrin turnover in exudative pleural effusion. In the cases of empyema, the fibrinopurulent stage is characterized by the fibrin deposition resulting in formation of limiting membranes in the visceral and parietal pleura. Recently attention has been focused on intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy capable of removing intrapleural fibrin deposits by urokinase (UK) in the treatment of empyema. However, these clinical trials have provided the clinical evidences for resolution of pleural loculation after intrapleural urokinase injection (UK-injection), the profiles of fibrinolytic activity following the treatment were still not investigated. Therefore in order to demonstrate the fibrinolytic evidences behind the clinical efficacy of intracavitary UK-injection, we examined intrapleural plasminogen activator activity (PA-activity) and D-dimer (D-Di) concentrations before and after each repeated UK-injection into the pleura in subjects with loculated empyema cavity. Methods: In a group of 14 patients with multiple loculated empyema cavity, PA-activity and D-Di concentrations were measured before and after repeated UK-injection. One hundred thousand IU of UK was injected at each time and all sujects had at least two times of UK injection accoring to clinical decisions. Nine out of 14 sujects had three times of UK-injection. Results: The mean (${\pm}SE$) PA-activity prior to treatemnt was $10.5{\pm}7.0$ and it was increased to $91.9{\pm}27.0,\;432.3{\pm}177.1,\;170.0{\pm}85.3$ IU tPA/ml after first, second and third time of UK-injection respectively (p<0.01). D-Di concentrations were also increased from $4.16{\pm}1.06{\times}10^5$ to $9.62{\pm}1.54{\times}10^5,\;12.31{\pm}1.89{\times}10^5,\;8.54{\pm}1.56{\times}10^5$ ng/ml in the same order as above (p<0.05). Conclusion: The suppressed fibrinolytic activity in the empyema cavity get removed sinificantly after inrracavitary injection of urokinase by generation of additional intrapleural plasmin.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.807-816
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• 1999

Background: Sarcoidosis, uncommon in Korea, has variable clinical course, ranging from benign self-limited recovery to life-long disability regardless of corticosteroid therapy. The purpose of this study is to observe the clinical course of untreated sarcoidosis. Methods: Twenty four patients who were confirmed as sarcoidosis by tissue diagnosis were included. For average 12month follow-up periods, subjective symptoms, radiologic findings, and parameters of pulmonary function test(FVC, $FEV_1$, DLco) were evaluated every 3mooths compared between corticosteroid treated(n=5) and non-treated(n=19) patients. 'Deterioration' was defined if patients met more than one of followings (1) decrement in any parameters of pulmonary function test(2) worsening in the degree of dyspnea(3) increase in radiologic extents, and (4) newly developed extrapulmonary sarcoidosis. 'Stable' was defined as no significant interval changes in every parameters. 'Improvement' was defined as decrement of extension of the radiologic lesions without deterioration. Results: Among 19 untreated sarcoidosis patient, one deteriorated, 14 improved(13 of them showed complete resolution in radiology), and 4 were remained stable. On the other hand, five corticosteroid treated patients, uveitis was developed in one, 2 improved, and 2 remained stable. Conclusion : These findings suggest that patient with sarcoidosis, especially those without serious extrapulmonary disease, has stable clinical course and would not need corticosteroid therapy.