• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8619-8623
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is a common disorder in women, constituting one of the main causes of death all over the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of the breast tissue diseases by the help of thermography. Materials and Methods: In this paper, we applied non-contact infrared camera, INFREC R500 for evaluating the capabilities of thermography. The study was conducted on 60 patients suspected of breast disease, who were referred to Imam Khomeini Imaging Center. Information obtained from the questionnaires and clinical examinations along with the obtained diagnostic results from ultrasound images, biopsies and thermography, were analyzed. The results indicated that the use of thermography as well as the asymmetry technique is useful in identifying hypoechoic as well as cystic masses. It should be noted that the patient should not suffer from breast discharge. Results: The accuracy of asymmetry technique identification is respectively 91/89% and 92/30%. Also the accuracy of the exact location of identification is on the 61/53% and 75%. The approach also proved effective in identifying heterogeneous lesions, fibroadenomas, and intraductal masses, but not ISO-echoes and calcified masses. Conclusions: According to the results of the investigation, thermography may be useful in the initial screening and supplementation of diagnostic procedures due to its safety (its non-radiation properties), low cost and the good recognition of breast tissue disease.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2020

Typically, photoacoustic images are obtained in water or gelatin because the impedance of these mediums is similar to that of the human body. However, these acoustic mediums can have an additional mass effect that changes the resonance frequency of the transducer. The acoustic radiation impedance in air is negligible because it is very small compared to that of the transducer. However, the high acoustic impedance of mediums such as the human body and water is quite large compared to that of air, making it difficult to ignore. Specifically, in a case where the equivalent mass is very small, such as with a micro-machined ultrasound transducer, the additional mass effects of the acoustic medium should be considered for an accurate resonance frequency design. In this study, a piezoelectric micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) was designed to have a resonance frequency of 10 MHz in the acoustic medium of water, which has similar impedance as the human body. At that time, the resonance frequency of the pMUT in air was calculated at 15.2 MHz. When measuring the center displacement of the manufactured pMUT using a laser vibrometer, the resonance frequencies were measured as 14.3-15.1 MHz, which is consistent with the finite element method (FEM) simulation results. Finally, photoacoustic images of human hair samples were successfully obtained using the fabricated pMUT.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.231-236
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• 2014

The transit time of contrast agents and the parameters of time-intensity curves in ultrasonography are important factors to diagnose various diseases of a digestive organ. We have implemented an automatic parametric imaging method to overcome the difficulty of the diagnosis by naked eyes. However, the micro-bubble noise and the respiratory motions may degrade the reliability of the parameter images. In this paper, we introduce an optimization technique based on MRF(Markov Random Field) model to enhance the quality of the parameter images, and present an image tracking algorithm to compensate the image distortion by respiratory motions. A method to extract the respiration periods from the ultrasound image sequence has been developed. We have implemented the ROI(Region of Interest) tracking algorithm using the dynamic weights and a momentum factor based on these periods. An energy function is defined for the Gibbs sampler of the image enhancement method. Through the experiments using the data to diagnose liver lesions, we have shown that the proposed method improves the quality of the parametric images.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.603-606
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• 2010

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis, a remote effect of cancer without nervous system metastasis, is rare, especially in childhood. Here, we report a case of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis associated with an ovarian mature teratoma in an adolescent girl. The 15-year-old girl developed neuropsychiatric symptoms, memory loss, seizures, and unconsciousness. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were normal, while single photon emission computed tomography imaging showed hypoperfusion in both temporal lobes. Ultrasound and MRI of the abdomen revealed a left ovarian cystic mass. The patient experienced a significant recovery of cognitive function after surgical resection of the tumor, which was pathologically identified as a mature ovarian teratoma, and treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.63-76
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• 2000

License system of radiologic technologists has been started since 1965 in Korea. This study is to explore directions on radiotechnologists' license system classified by subspecialty. For this purpose, the authors surveyed on radiotechnologists' license system classified by subspecialty, with the subject related to radiotechnologic societies. Additionally, data on qualification and license system associated with medical and health care field were collected. The results are as follows. 1. The main body for subspecialty system for radiologic technologists should be the Korea Radiologic Technologists Association and the Association should maintain a close cooperation with radiotechnologic societies. 2. A radiologic technologist should be a basic role once they pass the license examination. In addition, they can get a special qualification by subspecialty in radiologic technology. 3. Radiotechnologists' license system classified by subspecialty will be keep priorities in order and done systematically. Execution order is as follows ; This study proposes that radiotechnologists responsible for ultrasonography, computed tomography(CT), magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and security management be started for the first stage. For the second stage, radiotechnologists for mammography, angio-cardiography, digital imaging, maxillo-facial and dental radiography, nuclear medicine, radio-therapeutic field should be in force. 4. Professional education course(basic and intensive) and clinical training program have to be made for the eligibility of radiotechnologists' license system classified by subspecialty. 5. Eligibility system of radiotechnologists' license system classified by subspecialty(non-government or government) has to be made. Further more, inquiry commission to investigate eligibility for radiotechnologists' license system should be established.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate intra-rater reliability and determine the validity of electromyography (EMG) measurements to represent muscle activity and ultrasonography (US) to represent muscle thickness during manual muscle testing (MMT) to external abdominal oblique (EO) and lumbar multifidus (MF). Twenty healthy subjects were recruited for this study and asked to perform MMT at differing levels. The subjects' muscle activity using EMG was measured by a ratio to maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and root mean square (RMS) methods. The subjects' muscle thickness using US was measured by raw muscle thickness and change ratio of thickness to maximum (MVC) or resting condition. In three trials, measurements were performed on each subject by one examiner. The intra-rater reliability of measurements of EMG and US to EO and MF was calculated using intra-class coefficients. The intra-rater reliability of all measurements was excellent (ICC=.75~.98) in EMG and US. The conduct validity was calculated by one-way ANOVA with repeated measurements to compare whether the EMG and US measurements were different between MMT at different levels. There was only a significant difference between all grades at %MVC thickness measurement of US. These results suggest that a %MVC thickness measurement of US was a more sensitive and discriminate in all manual muscle testing grades. This information will be useful for the selection of US measurement and analysis methods in clinics.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.87-92
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• 2020

Background: Bridging exercises are used to enhance the functional stability of the lumbopelvic region in clinical settings. Although most of the studies on bridging exercises have compared the complete activation of the trunk muscles, some recent studies have examined the functional stability of the trunk and the lumbopelvic region and assessed the appropriate recruitment of the local and global muscles during different task levels. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in muscle thickness in the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles during a common bridging exercise on an unstable surface and to determine whether these changes differ based on the surface used. Methods: Twenty-five healthy young adults (8 males, 17 females) were recruited. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the exercise progression with a sling bridge group or the ball bridging exercise progression group, each with three stages of increasing difficulty. Each position was measured three times with an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system, and the mean values were recorded for analysis. Results: No significant differences were observed between the TrA, IO, or EO muscle thickness ratios between the sling and ball exercise groups (p > 0.05). There were also no significant differences in the EO muscle thickness ratios between the tasks irrespective of whether the sling or ball was used. However, the TrA and IO thickness ratios in both groups were significantly greater during stages 2 and 3 compared to stage 1. Conclusion: The results suggest that the use of slings and balls during bridging exercises is effective in activating the deep abdominal muscles.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.75-98
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics, validity, and reliability of non-radiological assessment tools of scoliosis that have been studied so far. Methods: Electronic databases including Pubmed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Science On, RISS, OASIS were searched by keywords including 'scoliosis assessment', 'scoliosis screening', 'physical examination', 'functional measurement', 'photography', and 'smartphone'. Results: 32 articles using radiation-free assessments were identified from 1,011 records. The mostly used non-radiological methods were Surface topography, Scoliometer, Ultrasound, Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging, and Photography. The other methods were Gait analysis, 3D depth sensor imaging, and Low intensity electromagnetic scan. Conclusions: It was found that non-radiological assessment tools might reduce the number of radiographs taken in scoliosis patients. To increase the reliability and validity, further research on the measurement tools of scoliosis will be needed.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2019

Background: Latissimus dorsi (LD) tendon transfer is used as a treatment option for massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, and recently, an arthroscopic-assisted technique was introduced. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroscopic-assisted LD tendon transfer for the management of irreparable rotator cuff tears in active middle-aged patients. Methods: The records of five patients (two males) with irreparable tears involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons managed by arthroscopic-assisted LD tendon transfer were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon's (ASES) scores, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) scale, and ranges of motion. Postoperative integrities of transferred tendon were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging in 4 patients and by ultrasound in one. Results: Mean patient age was 55 years (range, 48-61 years), and mean follow-up period was 20 months (range, 12.0-27.2 months). Mean VAS score significantly improved from $6.6{\pm}2.6$ preoperatively to $1.8{\pm}2.5$ postoperatively (p=0.009), mean ASES score increased from $67.6{\pm}9.2$ to $84.6{\pm}15.1$, and mean UCLA score from $18.0{\pm}1.4$ to $28.8{\pm}8.5$ (all p<0.001). Postoperative imaging of the transferred LD tendon showed intact repair in 4 patients. The remaining patient experienced LD transfer rupture and a poor outcome. Conclusions: Arthroscopic-assisted LD tendon transfer improved shoulder pain and function in patients with massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears, and may be an option for this condition, especially in physically active patients.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2024

A 3-year-old, 20.6 kg, neutered male German Shepherd dog was referred to Kyungpook National University Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital. Clinical examination revealed chronic diarrhea for 6 weeks and a non-tender, distended abdomen without lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting. Diarrhea was watery and had a waxing and waning course despite symptomatic treatment. A complete blood count identified mild leukocytosis and mild anemia. Serum biochemistry analysis showed elevated alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and mild hypoalbuminemia. Abdominal ultrasound examination revealed mixed echogenicity with absent blood flow at the caudate process of the caudate liver lobe and a small amount of ascites. Computed tomography revealed torsion of the caudate process of the caudate liver lobe and spleen and gas dilatation of the intestine. After establishing a diagnosis of organ torsion on imaging, we deemed the condition an emergency and immediately performed surgery. Given that laparotomy confirmed organ torsion, liver lobectomy, total splenectomy, and prophylactic gastropexy were conducted. The patient was discharged 11 days after surgery without complications. In general, liver lobe torsion and splenic torsion are uncommon in dogs and present with nonspecific clinical signs, such as abdominal pain, lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting. In the current case, torsion of the caudate liver lobe and spleen occurred without other clinical signs except for a distended abdomen. Moreover, no reports in dogs have demonstrated the simultaneous occurrence of both diseases.