• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2001

Purpose : Irradiation cones by using backscatter electrons are made for the treatment of superficial small lesions of skin, oral cavity, and rectum where a significant dose gradient and maximum surface dose is desired. Methods and Materials : Backscatter electrons are produced from the primary electron beams from the linear accelerators. The design consists of a cylindrical cone that has a thick circular plate of high atomic number medium (Pb or Cu) attached to the distal end, and the plate can be adjusted the reflected angle. Primary electrons strike the metal plate perpendicularly and produce backscatter electrons that reflect through the lateral hole for treatment. Using film and a parallel plate ion chamber, backscatter electron dose characteristics are measured. Results : The depth dose characteristic of the backscatter electron is very similar to that of the hard x-ray beam that is commonly used for the intracavitary and superficial lesions. The basckscatter electron energy is nearly constant and effectively about 1.5 MeV from the clinical megavoltage beams. The backscatter electron dose rate of $35\~85\;cGy/min$ could be achieved from modern accelerators without any modification. and the depth in water of $50\%$ depth dose from backscatter electron located at 6mm for $45^{\circ}$ angled lead scatter. The beam flatness is dependent on the slit size and the depth of treatment, but is satisfactory to treat small lesions. Conclusions : The measured data for backscatter electron energy, depth dose flatness dose rate and absolute dose indicates that the backscatter electrons are suitable for clinical use.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.302-309
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• 2003

Background: CTLA4 (CD152), which is expressed on the surface of T cells following activation, has a much higher affinity for B7 molecules comparing to CD28, and is a negative regulator of T cell activation. In contrast to stimulating and agonistic capabilities of monoclonal antibodies specific to CTLA-4, CTLA4Ig fusion protein appears to act as CD28 antagonist and inhibits in vitro and in vivo T cell priming in variety of immunological conditions. We've set out to confirm whether inhibition of the CD28-B7 costimulatory response using a soluble form of human CTLA4Ig fusion protein would lead to persistent inhibition of alloreactive T cell activation. Methods: We have used CHO-$dhfr^-$ cell-line to produce CTLA4Ig fusion protein. After serum free culture of transfected cell line we purified this recombinant molecule by using protein A column. To confirm characterization of fusion protein, we carried out a series of Western blot, SDS-PAGE and silver staining analyses. We have also investigated the efficacy of CTLA4Ig in vitro such as mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) & cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response and in vivo such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), graft versus host disease (GVHD) and skin-graft whether this fusion protein could inhibit alloreactive T cell activation and lead to immunosuppression of activated T cell. Results: In vitro assay, CTLA4Ig fusion protein inhibited immune response in T cell-specific manner: 1) Human CTLA4Ig inhibited allogeneic stimulation in murine MLR; 2) CTLA4Ig prevented the specific killing activity of CTL. In vivo assay, human CTLA4Ig revealed the capacities to induce alloantigen-specific hyporesponsiveness in mouse model: 1) GVHD was efficiently blocked by dose-dependent manner; 2) Clinical score of EAE was significantly decreased compared to nomal control; 3) The time of skin-graft rejection was not different between CTLA4Ig treated and control group. Conclusion: Human CTLA4Ig suppress the T cell-mediated immune response and efficiently inhibit the EAE, GVHD in mouse model. The mechanism of T cell suppression by human CTLA4Ig fusion protein may be originated from the suppression of activity of cytotoxic T cell. Human CTLA4Ig could not suppress the rejection in mouse skin-graft, this finding suggests that other mechanism except the suppression of cytotoxic T cell may exist on the suppression of graft rejection.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.618-625
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• 2006

The infiltration of both monocyte and activated T cells in the skin is one of critical steps in the development of UVB-induced inflammation. Upregulation of adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on the surface of keratinocytes plays an important role in this process. In this study, we examined the molecular mechanism responsible for UVB-induced expression of ICAM-1 and subsequent monocyte adhesion by keratinocyte. We observed that (1) UVB induced protein and mRNA expression of ICAM-1 in a dose- and time-dependent manner in human keratinocyte cell HaCaT; (2) UVB induced the translocation of NF-kappaB and inhibition of NF-kappaB by NF-kappaB inhibitors suppressed UVB-induced mRNA and protein expression of ICAM-1; (3) UVB increased the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by HaCaT cells; (4) UVB-induced increase of intracellular ROS level was suppressed by pre-treatment with diphenyl iodonium (DPI) and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC); and (5) inhibition of UVB-induced ROS production by DPI or NAC suppressed UVB-mediated translocation of NF-kappaB, expression of ICAM-1 and subsequent monocyte adhesion in HaCaT cells. These results suggest that UVB-induced ROS is involved in the translocation of NF-kappaB which is responsible for expression of ICAM-1 and subsequent increased monocyte adhesion in human keratinocyte.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2015

Radiation exposure from medical diagnostic imaging procedures to patients is one of the most significant interests in diagnostic x-ray system. A miniature x-ray intraoral tube was developed for the first time in the world which can be inserted into the mouth for imaging. Dose evaluation should be carried out in order to utilize such an imaging device for clinical use. In this study, dose evaluation of the new x-ray unit was performed by 1) using a custom made in vivo Pig phantom, 2) determining exposure condition for the clinical use, and 3) measuring patient dose of the new system. On the basis of DRLs (Diagnostic Reference Level) recommended by KDFA (Korea Food & Drug Administration), the ESD (Entrance Skin Dose) and DAP (Dose Area Product) measurements for the new x-ray imaging device were designed and measured. The maximum voltage and current of the x-ray tubes used in this study were 55 kVp, and 300 mA. The active area of the detector was $72{\times}72mm$ with pixel size of $48{\mu}m$. To obtain the operating condition of the new system, pig jaw phantom images showing major tooth-associated tissues, such as clown, pulp cavity were acquired at 1 frame/sec. Changing the beam currents 20 to $80{\mu}A$, x-ray images of 50 frames were obtained for one beam current with optimum x-ray exposure setting. Pig jaw phantom images were acquired from two commercial x-ray imaging units and compared to the new x-ray device: CS 2100, Carestream Dental LLC and EXARO, HIOSSEN, Inc. Their exposure conditions were 60 kV, 7 mA, and 60 kV, 2 mA, respectively. Comparing the new x-ray device and conventional x-ray imaging units, images of the new x-ray device around teeth and their neighboring tissues turn out to be better in spite of its small x-ray field size. ESD of the new x-ray device was measured 1.369 mGy on the beam condition for the best image quality, 0.051 mAs, which is much less than DRLs recommended by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and KDFA, both. Its dose distribution in the x-ray field size was observed to be uniform with standard deviation of 5~10 %. DAP of the new x-ray device was $82.4mGy*cm^2$ less than DRL established by KDFA even though its x-ray field size was small. This study shows that the new x-ray imaging device offers better in image quality and lower radiation dose compared to the conventional intraoral units. In additions, methods and know-how for studies in x-ray features could be accumulated from this work.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2018

The skin of the human body occupies the largest surface area of the body and acts as a protection for the person's internal organs. As such, the skin is a major target of oxidative stressors, and these oxidative stressors are known to contribute to skin aging over the course of time. For the most part, an antioxidant is an effective approach to utilize to prevent symptoms related to the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced aging of the skin. Therefore, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-aging activity of the leaves of the Quercusaliena Blume extract (QBE). In our study, we confirmed that the cell viability tested with XTT {2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide innersalt} assay was not affected up to a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, the cell viability of HDF cells induced by hydrogen peroxide was recovered from 81% to 104% after treatment with QBE, which showed the greater protective effect than that of ascorbic acid. Treatments of QBE dose-dependently inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HDF cells induced by hydrogen peroxide, which correlated with their protective effects on cell viability. Since QBE treatment exhibited the suppression effect of skin aging by decreasing the ROS production, QBE could be used as a not only natural anti-aging but also antioxidant resource.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 1995

Lithium Fluoride (LiF; TLD-100) crystal chips are normally used as thermolu minescence dosimeters (abbreviated as NC-100) for estimating the absorbed dose to the skin of a patient or in a solid water phantom undergoing radiotherapy with megavoltage photon (6 and 15MV) beams. In general, investigation has revealed a reduction in the sensitivity of NC-100 chips after many runs through heating cycles. A TLD-100 chip laminated with gold plate (140${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) on the upper surface layer of its face toward the photon beam (abbreviated as GC-100) has properties different from that of a NC-100 chip activated by incident photons and contaminant electrons with various lower energies coming from the gantry head and air. Activation of the valence band electrons of GC-100 chips by incident photons, positrons and electrons-which come from the gold plate by mainly pair production process and partly from Compton scattering-results in more enhanced signal intensity, higher response per monitor unit, as well as a good linearity with monitor units and independence of dose rate. Since the electron beams (6 and 15 MeV) do not have the probability of pair production process with gold plate, there is only a small difference (about a 3.3％ increase for 15 MeV) in the signal gaps in the TL readout for electron beams between GC- and NC-100 chips. The 3.3％ increase is entirely due to the buildup caused by the 140 m gold plate. The sensitivity of GC-100 chips is much more susceptible to high energy photon beams than electron one because of pair production. The interaction of high energy photon with a material of high atomic number, such as the good plate in this case, results in a considerably significant probability of pair production. The gold plate on the NC-100 chips acts as not only an intensifier of their signals but also acts as a filter of contaminant electrons in therapeutic high energy X-ray beams.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.18-22
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to present an improved method of dose modulation over the increase of build-up for existing 6 MV photon beam. Two neodymium permanent magnets with a strength of 0.5 T (Tesla) were applied with a magnetic field perpendicular to the photon beam. The effects of dose on build-up region with or without the magnetic field were measured according to the magnet-to-magnet distance (MMS) and the magnet-to-surface distance (MSD). For MMS = 6 cm and MSD = 2.5 cm, $D_{0mm}$, $D_{2mm}$, $D_{5mm}$, and $D_{10mm}$ showed improved doses of 6.8 %, 14.6 %, 6.9 %, and 2.1 %, respectively, as compared with 6 MV open beam. In this study, the device with low strength magnetic field can be applied directly to the outside of the human body when the target volume located close to the skin is delivered with radiation. It is expected that the method of build-up modulation using a low strength magnetic field will be feasible in the clinical applications.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.447-454
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• 2019

In order to improve and supplement the shielding method for electron beam treatment, we designed a patient-specific shielding method using a 3D printer, and evaluated the usefulness by comparing and analyzing the distribution of electron beam doses to adjacent organs. In order to treat 5 cm sized superficial tumors around the lens, a CT Simulator was used to scan the Alderson Rando phantom and the DICOM file was converted into an STL file. The converted STL file was used to design a patient-specific shield and mold that matched the body surface contour of the treatment site. The thickness of the shield was 1 cm and 1.5 cm, and the mold was printed using a 3D printer, and the patient customized shielding block (PCSB) was fabricated with a cerrobend alloy with a thickness of 1 cm and 1.5 cm. The dosimetry was performed by attaching an EBT3 film on the surface of the Alderson Rando phantom eyelid and measuring the dose of 6, 9, and 12 MeV electron beams on the film using four shielding methods. Shielding rates were 83.89%, 87.14%, 87.39% at 6, 9, and 12 MeV without shielding, 1 cm (92.04%, 87.48%, 86.49%), 1.5 cm (91.13%, 91.88% with PSCB), 92.66%) The shielding rate was measured as 1 cm (90.7%, 92.23%, 88.08%) and 1.5 cm (88.31%, 90.66%, 91.81%) when the shielding block and the patient-specific shield were used together. PCSB fabrication improves shielding efficiency over conventional shielding methods. Therefore, PSCB may be useful for clinical application.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.61-71
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• 2015

Purpose : 3D Printers are used to create three-dimensional models based on blueprints. Based on this characteristic, it is feasible to develop a bolus that can minimize the air gap between skin and bolus in radiotherapy. This study aims to compare and analyze air gap and target dose at the branded 1 cm bolus with the developed customized bolus using 3D printers. Materials and Methods : RANDO phantom with a protruded tumor was used to procure images using CT simulator. CT DICOM file was transferred into the STL file, equivalent to 3D printers. Using this, customized bolus molding box (maintaining the 1 cm width) was created by processing 3D printers, and paraffin was melted to develop the customized bolus. The air gap of customized bolus and the branded 1 cm bolus was checked, and the differences in air gap was used to compare $D_{max}$, $D_{min}$, $D_{mean}$, $D_{95%}$ and $V_{95%}$ in treatment plan through Eclipse. Results : Customized bolus production period took about 3 days. The total volume of air gap was average $3.9cm^3$ at the customized bolus. And it was average $29.6cm^3$ at the branded 1 cm bolus. The customized bolus developed by the 3D printer was more useful in minimizing the air gap than the branded 1 cm bolus. In the 6 MV photon, at the customized bolus, $D_{max}$, $D_{min}$, $D_{mean}$, $D_{95%}$, $V_{95%}$ of GTV were 102.8%, 88.1%, 99.1%, 95.0%, 94.4% and the $D_{max}$, $D_{min}$, $D_{mean}$, $D_{95%}$, $V_{95%}$ of branded 1cm bolus were 101.4%, 92.0%, 98.2%, 95.2%, 95.7%, respectively. In the proton, at the customized bolus, $D_{max}$, $D_{min}$, $D_{mean}$, $D_{95%}$, $V_{95%}$ of GTV were 104.1%, 84.0%, 101.2%, 95.1%, 99.8% and the $D_{max}$, $D_{min}$, $D_{mean}$, $D_{95%}$, $V_{95%}$ of branded 1cm bolus were 104.8%, 87.9%, 101.5%, 94.9%, 99.9%, respectively. Thus, in treatment plan, there was no significant difference between the customized bolus and 1 cm bolus. However, the normal tissue nearby the GTV showed relatively lower radiation dose. Conclusion : The customized bolus developed by 3D printers was effective in minimizing the air gap, especially when it is used against the treatment area with irregular surface. However, the air gap between branded bolus and skin was not enough to cause a change in target dose. On the other hand, in the chest wall could confirm that dose decrease for small the air gap. Customized bolus production period took about 3 days and the development cost was quite expensive. Therefore, the commercialization of customized bolus developed by 3D printers requires low-cost 3D printer materials, adequate for the use of bolus.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2003

I. Purpose It is essential to have the correct body contour information for the calculation of dose distribution. The role of CT images in the radiation oncology field has been increased. But there still exists a method to use cast or lead wire for the body contour drawing. This traditional method has drawbacks such as in accurate and time consuming procedure. This study has been designed to overcome this problem. II. Materials and Methods A digital camera is attached to a pole which stands on the opposite side of the gantry. Positional information was acquired from an image of the phantom which is specially designed for this study and located on the isocenter level of the simulator Laser line on the patients skin or on the phantom surface was digitized and reconstructed as the contour. Verification of usefulness this technique has been done with various shape of phantoms and a patients chest III. Results and Conclusions Contours from the traditional method with the cast or lead wire and the digital image method showed good agreement within experimetal error range. This technique showed more efficiente in time and convenience. For irregular shaped contour, like H&N region, special care are needed. The results suggest that more study is needed. To use of the another photogrammatory techinique with two camera system may be better for the actual clinical application