• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.3
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• pp.607-617
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• 2024

Purpose Recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of diffusion-weighted MR neurography (DW MRN) for assessing nerve roots. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of DW MRN with a unidirectional motion-probing gradient (MPG) for the lumbar nerve roots at 1.5T MR. Materials and Methods Sixty-four lumbar spine MRI scans with DW MRN using anteroposterior unidirectional MPG were retrospectively analyzed. Any changes in the 512 lumbar spinal nerve roots from L3 to S1 were evaluated using T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (CE T1WI), and DW MRN, with agreement and correlation analysis. Results T2WI revealed compression of 78 nerve roots, and CE T1WI revealed 52 instances of nerve root enhancement. Sixty-seven nerve roots showed swelling and hyperintensity on DW MRN. A total of 42 nerve roots showed changes in the CE T1WI and DW MRN sequences. Moderate to substantial agreement and moderate positive correlation were observed between DW MRN and CE T1WI, as well as DW MRN and T2WI (κ = 0.59-0.65, ρ = 0.600-0.653). Conclusion DW MRN with unidirectional anteroposterior MPG can help evaluate neuritisrelated changes in spinal nerve roots and could serve as a sequence capable of complementing or substituting gadolinium CE imaging.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.265-274
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• 1998

In order to attain a sustained release at targeted organs in a prolonged time which can reduce the side effects and maximize the therapeutic effect, aclarubicin (ACL) was entrap ped into liposomes of different lipid compositions using Microfluidizer, and dry liposomes were prepared by lyophilization. The dry aclarubicin-entrapped liposomes were evaluated in terms of mean particle size and size distribution, entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release profile. The Entrapment efficiency of liposome, when the concentration of aclarubicin and lipid were 0.5 to 1.0mg/ml and $200{\mu}mol$/ml, respectively, was over 80% using Microfluidizer, in contrast to 70% of entrapment efficiency using hand-shaking method. Mean particle size and size distribution of aclarubicin-entrapped liposomes of various lipid compositions did not change considerably by the freeze drying. The range of particle size was between 80 and 200nm. Among aclarubicin-entrapped liposomes, ACL-liposome of PC/DPPC/CH0L/TA displayed the most significant sustained release. The addition of DPPC appeared to be favorable for the control of release. In general, aclarubicin entrapped in liposomes was less stable than free aclarubicin either in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer or in human plasma. Formulation I($t_{1/2}$, 20.3 hr) devoid of lipid additive was the most unstable in the phosphate-buffer solution while formulation II($t_{1/2}$, 40.7 hr) with cardiolipin was the most stable. Half lives of aclarubicin-entrapped liposomes in human plasma were 43.2, 50.7, 35.9 and 35.3 hr for formulation I. II, III and IV, respectively, in contrast to 57.8 hr for free aclarubicin.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2024

In Recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the global incidence of breast cancer, with approximately 2.3 million cases of female breast cancer reported worldwide in 2020. Numerous studies are currently underway to enhance the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis through the development of digital mammography detectors. This study aims to create Monte Carlo simulation-based mammographic anti-scatter grids and investigate their utility in evaluating the performance of digital mammography detector. Two types of mammographic anti-scatter grids, MAM-CP and Senographe 600T HF, were created using Monte Carlo simulation software (MCNPX 2.7.0), with grid ratios of 3.7 : 1 and 5 : 1, respectively. The grid physical characteristics (sensitivity, exposure factor, contrast improvement ratio) were calculated based on the KS C IEC60627 in the simulations using two X-ray qualities, RQA-M2 (28 kVp) and MW4 (35 kVp). As the X-ray tube voltage increased from 28 kVp to 35 kVp, sensitivity and exposure factor exhibited a decreasing trend, while contrast improvement ratio demonstrated an increasing trend. With an increase in grid ratio from 3.7 : 1 to 5 : 1, all physical characteristics showed an upward trend. Our results were consistent with a previous study that conducted measurements of physical properties using a real phantom. However, the pattern of change in the contrast improvement ratio with X-ray tube voltage differed from the previous study.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2000

In order to clarify the role of gonadal sex steroids in the synthesis of gonadotropin (GTH) subunits in immature rainbow trout, we examined in vitro and in vivo effects of testosterone (T) on the pituitary mRNA levels of GTH I $\beta$, GTH II$\beta$ and a subunits by Northern blot analysis and on the pituitary content levels of GTH I$\beta$ and GTH II$\beta$by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The mRNA levels of the a subunit in T-treated fish were not changed more dramatically than those in control fish both in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, the mRNA levels of GTH I$\beta$ in T-treated fish were shown to be slightly lower than those in the control fish under these experimental conditions, but no differences were observed in pituitary GTH I$\beta$ contents. In contrast, the mRNA levels and pituitary contents of GTH II$\beta$ subunit were strongly increased by T both in vivo and in vitro. These results demonstrate that the expressions of GTH I$\beta$ and II$\beta$ subunit genes in immatue rainbow trout pituitary are subjected to differential regulation by T.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.277-280
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• 2006

Extracerebral cavernous hemangiomas are rare vascular tumors that are very difficult to remove because of severe intraoperative bleeding. We report a case of 57-year-old male with extracerebral cavernous hemangioma with review of 126 cases in the literature. Patient presented with blurred vision, diplopia, numbness on the left side of his face. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well defined mass of $3{\times}4{\times}3cm$ size with heterogenous iso-or hypointensity on T1-weighted image showing strong homogenous contrast enhancement and marked hyperintensity on T2-weighted image. Digital subtraction angiography[DSA] revealed a faint tumor blush by feeders from the left internal carotid artery[ICA] and left external carotid artery[ECA] in the delayed phase. Even with profuse intratumoral bleeding, near total removal was achieved. In addition to preoperative neurologic deficits such as ophthalmoplegia, facial numbness in the V1-2 dermatomes, ptosis appeared postoperatively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.494-501
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• 2015

A digestibility study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing mulberry foliage and urea rice-bran as a source of fermentable energy and protein to 12 sheep fed diets based on urea-treated rice straw (TRS). The three dietary treatments were: T1, TRS with mulberry; T2, TRS with 50% mulberry replaced with rice bran and urea; and T3, TRS with rice bran and urea. The study was arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications for each treatment. The sheep were fed one of the three diets and the supplements were offered at 1.2% of the body weight (BW) and the TRS was provided ad libitum. There were no differences (p>0.05) among the three treatment groups with respect to dry matter (DM) intake ($76.8{\pm}4.2g/kg\;BW^{0.75}$) and DM, organic matter (OM), and crude protein (CP) digestibility ($55.3{\pm}1.22$; $69.9{\pm}0.85$; $46.3{\pm}1.65%$ respectively for DM, OM, and CP). The digestibility of fiber (neutral detergent fiber [NDF] and acid detergent fiber) was significantly lower (p<0.05) for T3 (46.2 and 46.6 respectively) compared to T1 (55.8 and 53.7 respectively) and T2 (54.1 and 52.8 respectively). Nitrogen (N) intake by sheep on diet T3 was significantly (p<0.05) higher than sheep fed diet T1. However, N balance did not differ among the three diets ($3.0{\pm}0.32g/d$). In contrast, the rumen ammonia ($NH_3-N$) concentrations in sheep fed T2 and T3 were significantly (p<0.05) higher than in sheep fed T1. The $NH_3-N$ concentrations for all three diets were above the critical value required for optimum rumen microbial growth and synthesis. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations were highest (p<0.05) in T1 (120.3 mM), whilst the molar proportion of propionic acid was highest in T3 (36.9%). However, the microbial N supply in sheep fed T1 and T3 was similar but was significantly (p<0.05) higher than for sheep fed T2. It was concluded that mulberry foliage is a potential supplement of fermentable energy and protein for sheep fed TRS based diet. The suggested level of supplementation is 1.2% of BW or 32% of the total diet since it resulted in similar effects on the intake of DM, OM, and NDF, digestibility of DM, OM, and CP, N utilization and microbial supply when compared to rice bran and urea supplementation.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.810-814
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• 2013

The thermodynamic parameters for the intercalative interaction of structurally related well known intercalators, 9-aminoacridine (9AA) and proflavine (PF) were determined by means of fluorescence quenching study. The fluorescence intensity of 9AA decreased upon intercalation to DNA, poly[$d(A-T)_2$] and poly[$d(G-C)_2$]. A van't Hoff plot was constructed from the temperature-dependence of slope of the ratio of the fluorophore in the absence and presence of a quencher molecule with respect to the quencher concentration, which is known as a Stern-Volmer plot. Consequently, the thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy and entropy change, for complex formation was calculated from the slope and y-intercept of the van't Hoff plot. The detailed thermodynamic profile has been elucidated the exothermic nature of complex formation. The complex formation of 9AA with DNA, poly[$d(A-T)_2$] and poly[$d(G-C)_2$] was energetically favorable with a similar negative Gibb's free energy. On the other hand, the entropy change appeared to be unfavorable for 9AA-poly[$d(G-C)_2$] complex formation, which was in contrast to that observed with native DNA and poly[$d(A-T)_2$] cases. The equilibrium constant for the intercalation of PF to poly[$d(G-C)_2$] was larger than that to DNA, and was the largest among sets tested despite the most unfavorable entropy change, which was compensated for by the largest favorable enthalpy. The favorable hydrogen bond contribution to the formation of the complexes was revealed from the analyzed thermodynamic data.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.217-225
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to quantitate signal to noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio of the portal vein using CT and 3.0T MRI and to investigate the optimal imaging device. Twenty patients who inspective CT and 3.0T MRI between February 2018 and April 2018 were randomly assigned to receive data from the picture archiving communication system. The SNR and CNR values were evaluated by measuring the mean and standard deviation of the region of interest of the four regions of the portal vein (the main portal vein, the right vein, the left vein, and the middle vein). The results showed that SNR was 9.180.72 in the right context, 9.410.84 in the left context, 9.540.59 in the middle context, 9.550.75 in the order context, and 22.292.03 in the right context and 25.893 in the 3.0T MRI. 19, median context: 24.392.87, and order Mac: 26.642.30 (p<0.05). CNR was 3.790.68 in the CT context, 3.740.65 in the left context, 3.710.39 in the middle context, 3.790.68 in the order context, 9.490.65 in the right context, and 11.0001.90 in the 3.0T MRI, Intermediate context: 12.701.75, order Mac: 10.010.98, 3.0T MRI was higher than CT (p<0.05). In conclusion, SNR and CNR values were higher in the 3.0T MRI than CT in the 4 portal regions. Therefore, 3.0T MRI using non-ionizing radiation was the most superior imaging equipment than CT.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.270-276
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• 2007

Silybin is known to be a major active flavonoid component isolated from Silybum marianum, a hepatoprotective medicinal plant. In this study, we examined the immunomodulatory role of silybin on T cell and macrophage-mediated immune responses. To do this, the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes and CD8+ CTLL-2 cells under mitogenic stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), concanavalin (Con) A and interleukin (IL)-2 and the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO from LPS- and $IFN-{\gamma}$-activated macrophages was evaluated under silybin treatment. The mitogenic proliferation of splenic lymphocytes induced by LPS and Con A was strongly diminished by silybin in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the proliferation of CD8+ CTLL-2 cells was also negatively modulated by the compound. In contrast, silybin did not strongly suppress the proliferation of normal splenocytes and T cell line Sup-T1 cells, indicating that the inhibitory effect of silybin may be due to blocking only mitogenic responses of splenic lymphocytes. In addition, silybin inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}$ production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Effect of silybin however was distinct, according to NO-inducing stimuli. Thus, silybin only blocked NO production induced by $IFN-{\gamma}$ but not LPS and the inhibition was increased when PMA was co-treated with $IFN-{\gamma}$. Unlike NO inhibition, however, this compound protected the cytotoxic damage of RAW264.7 cells induced by both LPS and $IFN-{\gamma}$. Therefore, our data suggest that silybin may participate in host immune responses mediated by T cells and macrophages via regulating mitogenic proliferation, and the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO, depending on cellular stimuli.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.161-164
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• 2012

To evaluate the efficacy of ronidazole for treatment of Tritrichomonas foetus infection, 6 Tritrichomonas-free kittens were experimentally infected with a Korean isolate of T. foetus. The experimental infection was confirmed by direct microscopy, culture, and single-tube nested PCR, and all cats demonstrated trophozoites of T. foetus by day 20 post-infection in the feces. From day 30 after the experimentally induced infection, 3 cats were treated with ronidazole (50 mg/kg twice a day for 14 days) and 3 other cats received placebo. Feces from each cat were tested for the presence of T. foetus by direct smear and culture of rectal swab samples using modified Diamond's medium once a week for 4 weeks. To confirm the culture results, the presence of T. foetus rRNA gene was determined by single-tube nested PCR assay. All 3 cats in the treatment group receiving ronidazole showed negative results for T. foetus infection during 2 weeks of treatment and 4 weeks follow-up by all detection methods used in this study. In contrast, rectal swab samples from cats in the control group were positive for T. foetus continuously throughout the study. The present study indicates that ronidazole is also effective to treat cats infected experimentally with a Korean isolate of T. foetus at a dose of 50 mg/kg twice a day for 14 days.