• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2024

In this study, we aimed to determine the effect on cerebral blood vessels of various stimulus intensities using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). In particular, we wanted to monitor changes in blood flow and structural changes in the blood vessels in the common carotid artery (CCA) through low-intensity electrical stimulation that can cause non-perceptual sensory stimulation. Twenty-four healthy adults in their 20s participated in this study. Three stimulus intensities (below the sensory threshold, at the sensory threshold, and above the sensory threshold) were applied in random order. Changes in blood flow velocity according to the intensity of TENS stimulus were measured by placing the Doppler ultrasound transducer 1 cm below the CCA bifurcation, and the vascular structure was measured using B-mode imaging. C-mode Doppler and B-mode images were acquired before, during, and after the intervention for each stimulus, and changes in blood pressure were measured in each session. As a result, it was confirmed that peak systolic velocity (PSV) decreased significantly after the intervention in non-perceived sensory stimulation below the threshold, compared to other thresholds (p = .008). In particular, the PSV decreased by 3.04% on average compared to before stimulation (p = .011). However, there was no significant change in the CCA diameters before and after stimulation at all intensities. It was found that short-term, non-perceptual sensory stimulation was effective in reducing the blood flow rate without causing significant changes in either the blood vessel diameter or blood pressure. This change appears to be caused by a decrease in blood flow due to the effect of subtle vasodilation at non-perceptual sensory stimulation, and at stimulation intensity higher than that, the sympathetic nerves in the blood vessels are stimulated excessively and the blood vessels constrict. Therefore, this study can be rated as an important attempt to control blood flow through stimulation without such a psychological burden and sensory discomfort in the carotid area.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.161-169
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• 2008

Since measuring the size of kidney with sonography becomes an important index for diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic prediction in kidney disease, the accurate measurement and evaluation on this are clinically very important. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to increase reproducibility and objectivity in measuring the size of kidney by enumerating factors that have an impact for measurement. It targeted 44 adults in Korea at the age of 21-27. It measured in order for both kidneys to be seen most largely while changing a subject-examiner's position in a state of fasting for 8 hours and a transducer's approaching direction. It compared a size of kidney by measuring, respectively, with the same method in 30 minutes and in 1 hour after drinking water in 700-1,000cc. In case of the lateral approach scan in decubitus position, the average length of the kidney both to the right and the left and the deviation of measurement to be the largest. In NPO(None Per Oral) state, the average length in the right kidney was 10.19cm, and the average length in the left kidney was 10.33cm. In 60 minutes after taking moisture, the average length in the right kidney was 10.94cm, and the average length in the left kidney was 11.13cm. In comparing the average length of the kidney in NPO state and its average length in 60 minutes after taking moisture, the size swelled by 7.3% for the length in the right kidney and by 7.7% in the left, thereby having been indicated to be statistically significant(P<0.003). The measurement in a size of kidney by using ultrasound may be measured differently depending on a patient's state of taking moisture and a transducer's approaching direction. It is thought that when the measurement in a size of kidney is especially important clinically, the intake and intake time in moisture need to be considered and that measuring with the posterior approach in prone position is a good method aiming to increase reproducibility in measuring length of the kidney.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1992 no.05
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• pp.27-47
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• 1992

Engineers have developed new instruments that aid in diagnosis and therapy Ultrasonic imaging has provided a nondamaging method of imaging internal organs. A complex transducer emits ultrasonic waves at many angles and reconstructs a map of internal anatomy and also velocities of blood in vessels. Fast computed tomography permits reconstruction of the 3-dimensional anatomy and perfusion of the heart at 20-Hz rates. Positron emission tomography uses certain isotopes that produce positrons that react with electrons to simultaneously emit two gamma rays in opposite directions. It locates the region of origin by using a ring of discrete scintillation detectors, each in electronic coincidence with an opposing detector. In magnetic resonance imaging, the patient is placed in a very strong magnetic field. The precessing of the hydrogen atoms is perturbed by an interrogating field to yield two-dimensional images of soft tissue having exceptional clarity. As an alternative to radiology image processing, film archiving, and retrieval, picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are being implemented. Images from computed radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasound are digitized, transmitted, and stored in computers for retrieval at distributed work stations. In electrical impedance tomography, electrodes are placed around the thorax. 50-kHz current is injected between two electrodes and voltages are measured on all other electrodes. A computer processes the data to yield an image of the resistivity of a 2-dimensional slice of the thorax. During fetal monitoring, a corkscrew electrode is screwed into the fetal scalp to measure the fetal electrocardiogram. Correlations with uterine contractions yield information on the status of the fetus during delivery To measure cardiac output by thermodilution, cold saline is injected into the right atrium. A thermistor in the right pulmonary artery yields temperature measurements, from which we can calculate cardiac output. In impedance cardiography, we measure the changes in electrical impedance as the heart ejects blood into the arteries. Motion artifacts are large, so signal averaging is useful during monitoring. An intraarterial blood gas monitoring system permits monitoring in real time. Light is sent down optical fibers inserted into the radial artery, where it is absorbed by dyes, which reemit the light at a different wavelength. The emitted light travels up optical fibers where an external instrument determines O2, CO2, and pH. Therapeutic devices include the electrosurgical unit. A high-frequency electric arc is drawn between the knife and the tissue. The arc cuts and the heat coagulates, thus preventing blood loss. Hyperthermia has demonstrated antitumor effects in patients in whom all conventional modes of therapy have failed. Methods of raising tumor temperature include focused ultrasound, radio-frequency power through needles, or microwaves. When the heart stops pumping, we use the defibrillator to restore normal pumping. A brief, high-current pulse through the heart synchronizes all cardiac fibers to restore normal rhythm. When the cardiac rhythm is too slow, we implant the cardiac pacemaker. An electrode within the heart stimulates the cardiac muscle to contract at the normal rate. When the cardiac valves are narrowed or leak, we implant an artificial valve. Silicone rubber and Teflon are used for biocompatibility. Artificial hearts powered by pneumatic hoses have been implanted in humans. However, the quality of life gradually degrades, and death ensues. When kidney stones develop, lithotripsy is used. A spark creates a pressure wave, which is focused on the stone and fragments it. The pieces pass out normally. When kidneys fail, the blood is cleansed during hemodialysis. Urea passes through a porous membrane to a dialysate bath to lower its concentration in the blood. The blind are able to read by scanning the Optacon with their fingertips. A camera scans letters and converts them to an array of vibrating pins. The deaf are able to hear using a cochlear implant. A microphone detects sound and divides it into frequency bands. 22 electrodes within the cochlea stimulate the acoustic the acoustic nerve to provide sound patterns. For those who have lost muscle function in the limbs, researchers are implanting electrodes to stimulate the muscle. Sensors in the legs and arms feed back signals to a computer that coordinates the stimulators to provide limb motion. For those with high spinal cord injury, a puff and sip switch can control a computer and permit the disabled person operate the computer and communicate with the outside world.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.736-745
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• 1998

Background: Respiratory muscle interaction is further profoundly affected by a number of pathologic conditions. Hyperinflation may be particularly severe in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) patients, in whom the functional residual capacity(FRC) often exceeds predicted total lung capacity(TLC). Hyperinflation reduces the diaphragmatic effectiveness as a pressure generator and reduces diaphragmatic contribution to chest wall motion. Ultrasonography has recently been shown to be a sensitive and reproducible method of assessing diaphragmatic excursion. This study was performed to evaluate how differences of diaphragmatic excursion measured by ultrasonography associate with normal subjects and COPD patients. Methods: We measured diaphragmatic excursions with ultrasonography on 28 healthy subjects(l6 medical students, 12 age-matched control) and 17 COPD patients. Ultrasonographic measurements were performed during tidal breathing and maximal respiratory efforts approximating vital capacity breathing using Aloka KEC-620 with 3.5 MHz transducer. Measurements were taken in the supine posture. The ultrasonographic probe was positioned transversely in the midclavicular line below the right subcostal margin. After detecting the right hemidiaphragm in the B-mode the ultrasound beam was then positioned so that it was approximately parallel to the movement of middle or posterior third of right diaphragm. Recordings in the M-mode at this position were made throughout the test. Measurements of diaphragmatic excursion on M-mode tracing were calculated by the average gap in 3 times-respiration cycle. Pulmonary function test(SensorMedics 2800), maximal inspiratory(PImax) and expiratory mouth pressure(PEmax, Vitalopower KH-101, Chest) were measured in the seated posture. Results: During the tidal breathing, diaphragmatic excursions were recorded $1.5{\pm}0.5cm$, $1.7{\pm}0.5cm$ and $1.5{\pm}0.6cm$ in medical students, age-matched control group and COPD patients, respectively. Diaphragm excursions during maximal respiratory efforts were significantly decreased in COPD patients ($3.7{\pm}1.3cm$) when compared with medical students, age-matched control group($6.7{\pm}1.3cm$, $5.8{\pm}1.2cm$, p< 0.05}. During maximal respiratory efforts in control subjects, diaphragm excursions were correlated with $FEV_1$, FEVl/FVC, PEF, PIF, and height. In COPD patients, diaphragm excursions during maximal respiratory efforts were correlated with PEmax(maximal expiratory pressure), age, and %FVC. In multiple regression analysis, the combination of PEmax and age was an independent marker of diaphragm excursions during maximal respiratory efforts with COPD patients. Conclusion: COPD subjects had smaller diaphragmatic excursions during maximal respiratory efforts than control subjects. During maximal respiratory efforts in COPD patients, diaphragm excursions were well correlated with PEmax. These results suggest that diaphragm excursions during maximal respiratory efforts with COPD patients may be valuable at predicting the pulmonary function.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.1091-1096
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• 2007

Purpose : The of common carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) is an acknowledged noninvasive marker for early atherosclerotic changes. We investigate whether common carotid IMT is different between obese and normal-weight children and also evaluate the relationships IMT with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods : We collected the clinical data (age, sex, pubertal stage, body mass index) and measured blood pressure, glucose, insulin, lipid profiles and adiponectin in 49 obese children (mean age, 12 years) and 24 nonobese children as controls. The control group was composed of 24 nonobese children of the same age, sex and pubertal stage. We measured the carotid IMT of all subjects by B-mode ultrasound with a 7.5-MHz linear transducer and analyzed. Results : Obese children demonstrated a significantly thicker intima media (mean, 0.34 mm, peak, 0.42 mm) compared to the control group (mean, 0.31 mm, peak, 0.38 mm, P<0.01). IMT was significantly correlated to the BMI (r=0.431, P<0.01), age (r=0.317, P<0.01), total cholesterol (r=0.377, P< 0.01), triglyceride (r=0.253, P<0.05) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.289, P<0.05). Serum adiponectin was significantly lower in obese children than in controls (11.2 ng/mL vs. 14.7 ng/mL, P<0.05) and negatively related with IMT (r=-0.267, P<0.05). Conclusion : Obesity is associated with increased carotid artery IMT in children. Our results suggest vascular changes in obesity seem to occur already in childhood and vascular ultrasonography may helpful for screening cardiovascular complications in obese children.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2015

In a sodium-cooled fast reactor, which is a Generation-IV reactor, refueling is conducted by rotating, but not opening, the reactor head to prevent a reaction between the sodium, water and air. Therefore, an inspection technique that checks for the presence of any obstacles between the reactor core and the upper internal structure, which could disturb the rotation of the reactor head, is essential prior to the refueling of a sodium-cooled fast reactor. To this end, an ultrasound-based inspection technique should be employed because the opacity of the sodium prevents conventional optical inspection techniques from being applied to the monitoring of obstacles. In this study, a ranging inspection technique using a plate-type ultrasonic waveguide sensor was developed to monitor the presence of any obstacles between the reactor core and the upper internal structure in the opaque sodium. Because the waveguide sensor installs an ultrasonic transducer in a relatively cold region and transmits the ultrasonic waves into the hot radioactive liquid sodium through a long waveguide, it offers better reliability and is less susceptible to thermal or radiation damage. A 10 m horizontal beam waveguide sensor capable of radiating an ultrasonic wave horizontally was developed, and beam profile measurements and basic experiments were carried out to investigate the characteristics of the developed sensor. The beam width and propagation distance of the ultrasonic wave radiated from the sensor were assessed based on the experimental results. Finally, a feasibility test using cylindrical targets (corresponding to the shape of possible obstacles) was also conducted to evaluate the applicability of the developed ranging inspection technique to actual applications.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.861-876
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• 1995

This study was carried out to get fundamental information about the normal ultrasonogram of the liver and heart in Korean native cattle and calves. The interventricular septum, left ventricular internal diameter, left ventricular free wall thickness, aortic diameter, left atrial diameter, and right ventricular internal diameter of hear in 10 Korean native calves were determined at 4-5 right intercostal spare by use of ultrasonography. The caudal vena cava, portal vein, gallbladder, liver of 9 Korean native cattle and 10 calves were determined at 12, 11 and 10th intercostal spares by use of ultrasonography. Cursor-directed M-mode and gray-scale, B-mode ultrasonograms were obtained with electronic scanning ultrasound equipment with a 3.5 or 5.0-MHz convex transducer. The results obtained through the experiments were summarized as follows: 1. The result of ultrasonographic examination of the korean native calves' heart 1) Interventricular septum in systole and diastole was 1.23 and 0.81 cm, respectively(vc=28.84, 17.4). 2) Ventricular internal diameter in systole and diastole was 2.50 and 4.91 cm, respectively(vc=17.44, 12.73). 3) Left ventricular free was thickness in systole and diastole was 1.44 and 0.92 cm, respectively(vc=26.85, 23.54). 4) Aortic diameter was 2.69.m, .rspectevely(vc=11.29). 5) Left atrial diameter was 1.82 cm(vc=15.31). 6) Right ventricular internal diameter in systole and diastole was 1.12 and 1.9 cm, respectively(vc=33.71, 24.43). 3. Ultrasonographic measurments of caudal vena cava, portal vein, gallbladder of Korean native calves 1) Dorsal margin of caudal vena cava at the 12, 11 and 10th intercostal space was 13.5, 15.3 and 18.1 cm, respectively(p<0.01). 3) Depth of caudal vena cava at the 12, 11 and 10th intercostal space was 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6 cm, respectively. 3) Diameter of caudal vena cava at the 12, 11 and 10th intercostal space was 11.6, 1.7 and 1.6 cm, respectively. 4) Dorsal margin of portal vein at the 12, 11 and 10th intercostal space was 16.2, 18.6 and 21.4 cm, respectively(p<0.01) 5) Depth of portal vein at the 12, 11 and 10th intercostal spare was 4.5, 4.4 and 3.9 cm respectively. 6) Diameter of portal vein at the 13, 11 and 10th intercostal space was 2.1, 2.2 and 1.9 cm respectively. 7) Dorsal margin of gallbladder at the 11 and 10th intercostal space was 23.6 and 23.9 cm, respectively(p<0.01), 8) Longitudinal diameter of gallbladder at the 11 and 10th intercostal space was 7.1 and 5.9 cm, respectively(p<0.05). 9) Transverse diameter of gallbladder at the 11 and 10th intercostal space was 2.4 and 2.1 cm respectively(p<0.01). 3. Ultrasonographic measurments of caudal vena cava, portal vein, gallbladder of Korean native cattle 1) Dorsal margin of caudal vena cava at the 12 and 11th intercostal space was 22.2, and 25.4 cm, respectively(p<0.01). 2) Depth of caudal vena cava at the 12 and 11th intercostal space was 103 and 11.1 cm, respectively(p<0.01). 3) Diameter of caudal vena cava at the 12 and 11th intercostal space was 3.1 and 3.0 cm, respectively. 4) Dorsal margin of portal vein at the 12 and 11th intercostal space was 29.3 and 32.9 cm, respectively(p<0.01). 5) Depth of portal vein at the 12 and 11th intercostal space was 9.6, and 9.2 cm, respectively. 6) Diameter of portal vein at the 12 and lith intercostal space was 3.4 and 3.3 cm, respectively. 7) Dorsal margin of gallbladder at the 11 and 10th intercostal space was 43.1 and 45.5 cm, respectively(p<0.01). 8) Longitudinal diameter of gallbladder at the 11 and 10th intercostal space was 10.1 and 9.4 cm, respectively. 9) Transverse diameter of gallbladder at the 11 and 10th intercostal space was 4.0 and 3.7 cm, respectively. 4, Ultrasonogaphic measurments of dorsal margin, ventral margin, size and angles of the Korean native calves' liver. 1) Dorsal margin of liver at the 12, 11 and 10th intercostal space was 11.0, 9.6, and 12.4 cm, respectively(p<0.01). 2) Ventral margin of liver at the 12, 11 and 10th intercostal spate was 20, 24 and 26.1 cm, respectively(p<0.01). 3) Size of the liver at the 12, 11 and 10th intercostal space was 9.0, 14.6 and 13.8 cm, respectively(p<0.01). 4) Angle of liver at the 12, 11 and 10th intercostal space was 40, 46 and 37, respectively(p<0.01). 5. Ultrasonographic measurmants of dorsal margin, ventral margin, size and anglses of the korean native cattle's liver 1) Dorsal margin of the liver at the 12, 11 and 10th intercostal space was 14.4, 18.2 and 26, 3 cm, respectively. 2) Ventral margin of liver at the 12, 11 and 10th intercostal space was 41.1, 46.4 and 49.3 cm, respectively(p<0.01). 3) Size of the liver at the 12, 11 and 10th intercostal space was 26.8, 28.2 and 23.2 cm, respectively(p<0.01). 4) Angel of liverat the 15, 11 and 10 intercostal space was 41, 40.6 and 35.7, respectively(p<0.05). It was concluded that the ultrasonographic values oletermined in this study can be used as references for the diagnosis of morphologic changes in the hear and liver in korean native calves, and in the liver in korean native rattle.