• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2005

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation among descriptions regarding one's stool, Bristol stool form scale and colon transit time (CTT) in children with gastrointestinal symptoms, along with the clinical significance of Bristol stool form scale. Methods: 489 patients treated in the pediatric department of Severance hospital with gastrointestinal symptoms between May 2002 to May 2004 were included. We analyzed their age, sex, verbal descriptions of stool, Bristol stool form types, and CTT measured by Metcalf's method. Results: 116 children were under 5 years of age, 202 children between 5.1~10, and 171 children 10 years of age or older. Their mean age was $8.2{\pm}3.9years$. Stools were described as loose in 65 children (13.3%), normal in 221 (45.2%), hard in 188 (38.4%), and mixed (loose+hard) in 15 (3.1%). According to Bristol stool form scale, 57 children(11.7%) were classified as type 1, 66 (13.5%) as type 2, 203 (41.5%) as type 3, 109 (22.3%) as type 4, 36 (7.4%) as type 5, 18 (3.7%) as type 6, and 1 (0.2%) as type 7. Their mean CTT was checked $35.9{\pm}19.5hours$. Though no significant relationship was observed between age and CTT (p=0.4), a significant relationship was noted among patient's stool description, Bristol stool form scale and CTT (p<0.001). However, concordance between stool description and Bristol stool form was relatively low in the loose stool group (29%) and normal stool group (37%) while high in the hard stool group (87%). Conclusion: Bristol stool form scale could be used in the estimation of CTT in clinical practice.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.143-147
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• 2005

Purpose : The aim of the this study was to evaluate the effect of various perinatal conditions on TSH and thyroid hormone levels in cord blood. Methods : Cord blood samples were collected from 130 neonates immediately after birth. TSH, $T_3$, and free $T_4$ levels were measured by the radioimmunoassay(RIA) method. The effects of gestational age, sex, birth weight, delivery method, perinatal asphyxia, maternal diabetes mellitus(DM), and preeclampsia on TSH and thyroid hormone levels were assessed by ANOVA test, Student t-test, and multiple regression analysis. Results : Birth weight and sex did not affect TSH and thyroid hormone levels. TSH level increased according to gestational age(P<0.05). TSH level was $4.42{\pm}0.66{\mu}IU/mL$ in infants born vaginally, which was higher than that of cesarian section delivery($3.31{\pm}0.33{\mu}IU/mL$)(P<0.05). TSH level was $5.18{\pm}0.93{\mu}IU/mL$ in asphyxiated newborns and $2.97{\pm}0.84{\mu}IU/mL$ in non-asphyxiated newborns(P<0.05). TSH level in infants with maternal DM($8.911{\pm}1.25{\mu}IU/mL$) was higher than that of infants without maternal DM($4.32{\pm}0.42{\mu}IU/mL$)(P<0.05). TSH level was $5.28{\pm}0.42{\mu}IU/mL$ in infants with maternal preeclampsia and $3.65{\pm}0.46{\mu}IU/mL$ in infants without maternal preeclampsia(P<0.05). Thyroid hormones were lower in infants with perinatal asphyxia(P<0.05). In asphyxiated infants, $T_3$ level was $75.33{\pm}55.65ng/mL$ and free $T_4$ was $0.54{\pm}0.21ng/mL$. $T_3$ and free $T_4$ level was $109.85{\pm}41.77ng/mL$ and $0.76{\pm}0.22ng/mL$ each in infants without perinatal asphyxia. Among the perinatal factors, gestational age, 1 min Apgar score and maternal DM influenced TSH level independently. Conclusion : In our study, cord blood TSH and thyroid hormone levels were affected by perinatal stress events.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.249-260
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• 2007

Purpose: In order to enhance the quality of IMRT as employed in Korea, we developed a remote monitoring system. The feasibility of the system was evaluated by conducting a pilot study. Materials and Methods: The remote monitoring system consisted of a head and neck phantom and a user manual. The phantom contains a target and three OARs (organs at risk) that can be detected on CT images. TLD capsules were inserted at the center of the target and at the OARs. Two film slits for GafchromicEBT film were located on the axial and saggital planes. The user manual contained an IMRT planning guide and instructions for IMRT planning and the delivery process. After the manual and phantom were sent to four institutions, IMRT was planed and delivered. Predicted doses were compared with measured doses. Dose distribution along the two straight lines that intersected at the center of the axial film was measured and compared with the profiles predicted by the plan. Results: The measurements at the target agreed with the predicted dose within a 3% deviation. Doses at the OARs that represented the thyroid glands showed larger deviations (minimum 3.3% and maximum 19.8%). The deviation at OARs that represented the spiral cord was $0.7{\sim}1.4%$. The percentage of dose distributions that showed more than a 5% of deviation on the lines was $7{\sim}27%$ and $7{\sim}14%$ along the horizontal and vertical lines, respectively. Conculsion: Remote monitoring of IMRT using the developed system was feasible. With remote monitoring, the deviation at the target is expected to be small while the deviation at the OARs can be very large. Therefore, a method that is able to investigate the cause of a large deviation needs to be developed. In addition, a more clinically relevant measure for the two-dimensional dose comparison and pass/fail criteria need to be further developed.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.11-16
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• 2004

Classification of esophageal motility disorders not yet finalized and is still ongoing as the new disorders are reported, and the existing classification is changed or removed. In terms of radiology, the primary peristalsis does not exist, and the lower end of the esophagus show the smooth, tapered, beak-like appearance. The esophageal motility disorder, which mostly occurs in the smooth muscle area, show the symptoms of reduction or loss (hypomotility) or abnormal increase (hypermotility) of peristalsis of the esophagus. It is important to understand the anatomy and physiology of the esophagus for the appropriate radiological method and diagnosis. Furthermore, the symptom of the patient and the manometry finding must be closely referred for the radiological diagnosis. The lower esophageal sphincter can be normally functioning and open completely as the food moves lower. Sperandio M et al. argues that the name diffuse esophageal spasm must be changed to distal esophageal spasm (DES) as most of the spasm occurs in the distal esophagus, composed of the smooth muscle. According to Ott et al., usefulness of barium method for diagnosing the esophageal motility disorder is Achalasia 95%, DES 71% and NEMD 46%, with the overall sensitivity of 56%. However, excluding the nutcracker esophagus or nonspecific disorder which cannot be diagnosed with the radiological methods, the sensitivity increases to 89%. Using videofluoroscopy and 5 time swallows, the average sensitivity was over 90%. In conclusion, the barium method is a simple primary testing method for esophageal motility test. Using not only the image but also the videofluoroscopy with good knowledge of the anatomy and physiology, it is believed that the method will yield the accurate diagnosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.467-477
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• 2003

Background : Pleural effusions are generally divided into transudates and exudates. If it is exudative, more diagnostic tests are required in order to determine the cause of the local disease. A malignancy is a common and important cause of exudative pleural effusions. Because the pleural fluid cytology and pleural biopsy specimens do not provide a diagnosis in a high percentage of malignant effusions, several tumor markers have been examined. In order to overcome this limitation, this study hypothesized that C-reactive protein(CRP) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) measurements would be useful for differentiating trasudates from exudates and determining the differences between a benign and malignant effusion. Methods : Eighty consecutive patients with a pleural effusion (tuberculous 20, parapneumonic 20, malignant 20, transudative 20) were examined prospectively: 60 of them were classified according to Light's criteria as having an exudative fluid and 20 had a transudative fluid. The standard parameters of a pleural effusion were examined and the serum and pleural effusion VEGF levels were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). CRP in the serum and pleural fluid was determined by a turbidimetric immunoassay. Results : The pleural CRP levels in the exudates were significantly higher than those in the transudates, $4.19{\pm}4.22mg/d{\ell}$ and $1.29{\pm}1.45mg/d{\ell}$, respectively. The VEGF levels in the pleural effusions were significantly elevated in the exudates compared to the transudate, $1,011{\pm}1,055pg/m{\ell}$ and $389{\pm}325pg/m{\ell}$, respectively. The VEGF ratio in the exudative effusion is significantly higher than a transudative effusions, $3.9{\pm}4.7$ and $1.6{\pm}0.9$, respectively. The pleural CRP levels in the patients with a benign effusion($4.15{\pm}4.20mg/d{\ell}$) were significantly higher than those in the malignant effusion($1.43{\pm}1.91mg/d{\ell}$). The VEGF ratio is significantly higher in malignant effusions($4.9{\pm}5.5$) than in benign effusions($2.8{\pm}3.6$). Conclusion : In conclusion, the CRP and VEGF levels in the serum and pleural effusion can distinguish between transudates and exudates. Moreover it can differentiate between benign and malignant pleural effusions.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.99-105
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• 2014

Purpose : We compared the set-up accuracy and right-left Shoulder position variation of the manufactured device and other commercial shoulder-retractors in the head and neck radiation treatment. Materials and Methods : Six patients consist of three groups which were used three different Shoulder retractors. We measured position corrections of left and right Shoulder and the couch after the image guidance by using on board imager (OBI) for six head and neck patients who has the extended target to the neck node lower region. Results : The position variation correction of left (right) Shoulder after image guidance were $1.07{\pm}3.99mm$ ($-4.35{\pm}2.09mm$), $-0.37{\pm}5.91mm$ ($1.26{\pm}5.28mm$), $-0.63{\pm}2.44mm$ ($0.25{\pm}1.61mm$) for group A, B and C. The vertical, lateral, longitudinal position and angular corrections of the couch after image guidance were $-2.06{\pm}2.68$, $-1.11{\pm}8.15$, $0.34{\pm}3.78mm$, and $0.51{\pm}0.77$ degree for group A, $-1.18{\pm}1.82$, $-0.94{\pm}2.13$, $-0.67{\pm}1.98mm$, and $0.91{\pm}1.04$ degree for group B and $0.12{\pm}2.18$, $-0.79{\pm}2.64$, $0.79{\pm}2.64$, and $0.00{\pm}0.49$ degree for group C. Conclusion : In this preliminary study, we found the positioning accuracy of the manufactured Shoulder retractor is comparable to other commercial Shoulder retractors. We expect that the reproducibility and accuracy of the patient set-up could be improved by using the home made Shoulder retractor in the head and neck radiation treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2014

Purpose : In the case of treating pancreatic cancer, the importance is put on the spread of dose. Changes take place in duodenum in accordance with respiration. Thus, in this paper, I am going to trace the positioning of duodenum and the changes in bulks of body per dose by scanning the patients' Kilovoltage Cone-Beam CT using the hospital equipped CT-on rail System. Materials and Methods : Seeing three patients, I have acquired KVCBCT by using CT-on rail System and spotted the change in positioning at duodenum after comparing with the preliminary image of treatment plan by using SYNGO Software. Then, I followed the change in the bulk of duodenum and analyzed the changes in bulks of body on the same dose by transmitting the acquired KVCBCT into Pinnacle, a treatment plan system. Results : The changes in the positioning shall be as set forth like this: 1.2cm, 1.0cm in Left-Right Direction, 0cm, 0.8cm in Craniocaudal Direction, 0.1cm, and 1.0cm in Anterior-Posterior Direction. Patient number one showed that his bulks in body had increased by maximum 460%, minimum 120%, the bulks in patient number two had increased bymaximum 490%, minimum 160%, and the bulks of patient number three had increased by maximum 150%. But Minimum volume decreased 30%. Patient number one showed only a little bit of change at first when compared with the preliminary treatment plan. However, the dose increased the bulks in the patient's body: $V_{10}$ 118%, $V_{20}$ 117%, $V_{30}$ 400%, and $V_{40}$ 480% Conclusion : In treating patients with radiation therapy using 3D-CRT, the dose amount penetrated into duodenum needs to be minimized by planning appropriate treatment beforehand. In order to establish an appropriate treatment plan it is required to comprehend the changes at positioning of the duodenum by respiration and predict the changes in the bulks of duodenum by setting precise Planning Target Volume.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.257-266
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• 2003

Background : The surfactant protein A(SP-A) is important in the regulation of surfactant secretion, synthesis and recycling. Since the acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is usually viewed as the functional and morphological expression of a similar underlying lung injury casued by a variety of insults and since abnormalities in surfactant function have been described in ARDS, the authors investigated the different effects of endotoxin and thiourea on the accumulation of mRNA encoding SP-A. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were given 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal endotoxin from Salmonella enteritidis and 3.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal thiourea and sacrified at different time periods. Results : 1) SP-A mRNA was significantly increased 67.0% in 6 hours and 73.4% in 24 hours after 5 mg/kg endotoxin treatment respectively(P<0.005, P<0.005). 2) SP-A mRNA significantly decreased 32.9% in 24 hours after 3.5 mg/kg thiourea treatment(P<0.05). Conclusions : These results indicate that the differential regulation of surfactant protein A in vivo is evident and suggest that surfactant protein A might be differentially regulated during different kind of insults of lung injury at different time periods without altering lung wet to dry ratios.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2010

Purpose : The voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) is the investigation of choice in detecting the vesicoureteral reflux in urinary tract infections in children. As it is a potentially distressing and invasive test, most of the parents are so concerned about the child's stress. In this study, we compared the difference of the state of anxiety of parents before and after the VCUG. Methods : We divided 68 parents whose children underwent VCUG into 2 groups; who have given an explanation about VCUG in detail using pictures (group 1) Vs. who have given an oral explanation only (group 2). All the parents submitted the same questionnaire 2 times before and after the VCUG, which consisted of State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory X-I (STAI-X-I) and visual analog scale (VAS) on the perception of worry, anxiety, confusion and pain. Results : Before VCUG, the perception of pain was higher in group 1 (P<0.05). After VCUG, the anxiety and confusion were significantly higher in group 2 than group 1 (P<0.05). In group 1, STAI-X-I scores, the perception of worry and anxiety were significantly decreased after the VCUG (P<0.05). In group 2, the confusion and pain were increased after VCUG (P<0.05). Conclusion : It showed that doctor's explanation on the procedure in advance may raise the perception of pain and the possibility of refusal by parents. But the STAI-X-I, worry, anxiety after VCUG were significantly decreased in group 1, while the confusion and pain were increased in group 2. Therefore we suggest that prior and sufficient explanation about invasive procedure like VCUG can be helpful in ameliorating the anxiety of the parents.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.30 no.1_2
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• pp.177-183
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• 2018

Purpose : Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy(VMAT) has the advantage of uniformly and precisely irradiating the tumor to the shape of the tumor while reducing the risk of radiation damage to normal tissues. such as brain cancer, head and neck cancer and prostate cancer, It is being used for treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the Jaw-Tracking technique(JTT) in VMAT for brain and head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods : We selected eight patients with brain and head and neck cancer(4 Brain, 4 head and neck) who were treated with the VMAT treatment technique. Contouring information of the patient's tumor and normal organ was fused to the Rando phantom using the deformable registration of Velocity(Varian, USA). A treatment plan was developed using the Varian Eclipse(ver 15.5, Varian, USA) with the same patient actual beam parameters except for the use of jaw-tracking. As the evaluation index, the maximum dose and mean dose of target and OAR were compared and a portal dosimetry was performed for the treatment plan verification. Results : When using JTT, the relative dose of OAR decreased by 5.24 % and the maximum dose by 7.05 %, respectively, compared with the Static-Jaw technique(SJT). In the various OARs, the mean dose and maximum dose reduction ranges ranged from 0.01 to 3.16 Gy and from 0.12 to 6.27 Gy, respectively. In the case of the target, the maximum dose of GTV, CTV, PTV decreased by 0.17 %, 0.43 %, and 0.37 % in JTT, and the mean dose decreased by 0.24 %, 0.47 % and 0.47 %, respectively. Gamma analysis The JTT and SJT passing rates were $98{\pm}1.73%$ and $97{\pm}1.83%$ on the basis of 3 % / 3 mm, respectively. Comparing the doses of all OARs applied to the experiment, it was found that the use of JTT resulted in a significant decrease in dose due to additional jaw shielding besides MLC than SJT. Conclusion : In radiation therapy using VMAT treatment plan, we can apply JTT in the case of adjacent tumor and normal organs such as brain cancer and head and neck cancer, and in radiotherapy required large field and high energy caused increase leakage dose through MLC. It is considered that the target dose of PTV can be increased by lowering the dose of normal tissue surrounding the tumor.