• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.143-151
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• 2022

Background: After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, biological alterations in the natural biota, including morphological changes of fir trees in forests surrounding the power plant, have been reported. Focusing on the terminal buds involved in the morphological formation of fir trees, this study developed a method for estimating the absorbed radiation dose rate using radionuclide distribution measurements from tree organs. Materials and Methods: A phantom composed of three-dimensional (3D) tree organs was constructed for the three upper whorls of the fir tree. A terminal bud was evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations for the absorbed dose rate of radionuclides in the tree organs of the whorls. Evaluation of the absorbed dose targeted ¹³¹I, ¹³⁴Cs, and ¹³⁷Cs, the main radionuclides subsequent to the FDNPP accident. The dose contribution from each tree organ was calculated separately using dose coefficients (DC), which express the ratio between the average activity concentration of a radionuclide in each tree organ and the dose rate at the terminal bud. Results and Discussion: The dose estimation indicated that the radionuclides in the terminal bud and bud scale contributed to the absorbed dose rate mainly by beta rays, whereas those in 1-year-old trunk/branches and leaves were contributed by gamma rays. However, the dose contribution from radionuclides in the lower trunk/branches and leaves was negligible. Conclusion: The fir tree model provides organ-specific DC values, which are satisfactory for the practical calculation of the absorbed dose rate of radiation from inside the tree. These calculations are based on the measurement of radionuclide concentrations in tree organs on the 1-year-old leader shoots of fir trees. With the addition of direct gamma ray measurements of the absorbed dose rate from the tree environment, the total absorbed dose rate was estimated in the terminal bud of fir trees in contaminated forests.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1301-1309
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• 2011

The major function of adipocytes is to store fat in the form of triglycerides. One of the signaling pathways known to affect adipogenesis, i.e. fat formation, is the WNT/${\beta}$-catenin pathway which inhibits the expression and activity of key regulators of adipogenesis. The purpose of this research is to find genes among the WNT/${\beta}$-catenin pathway which regulate adipogenesis by using small interfering (si) RNA and to find the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the gene with serum triglyceride levels in the human population. To elucidate the effects of ${\beta}$-catenin siRNA on adipogenesis key factors, PPAR${\gamma}$ and C/EBP${\alpha}$, we performed real-time PCR and western blotting experiments for the analyses of mRNA and protein levels. It was found that the siRNA-mediated knockdown of ${\beta}$-catenin upregulates adipogenesis key factors. However, upstream regulators of the WNT/${\beta}$-catenin pathway, such as DVL2 and LRP6, had no significant effects compared to ${\beta}$-catenin. These results indicate that ${\beta}$-catenin is a candidate gene for human fat accumulation. In general, serum triglyceride level is a good indicator of fat accumulation in humans. According to statistical analyses of the association between serum triglyceride level and SNPs of ${\beta}$-catenin, -10,288 C>T SNP (rs7630377) in the promoter region was significantly associated with serum triglyceride levels (p<0.05) in 290 Korean subjects. On the other hand, serum cholesterol levels were not significantly associated with SNPs of the ${\beta}$-catenin gene. The results of this study showed that ${\beta}$-catenin is associated with fat accumulation both in vitro and in the human population.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2002

Purpose: Irradiation in the oral cancer patients causes early and late complications such as intraoral mucositis and fibrosis, with a various expression of GM-CSF and TGF-${\beta}1$. The purpose of this study was to investigate the production of GM-CSF and TGF-${\beta}1$ by the irradiated human gingival fibroblasts cultivated with lipopolysaccharide. Materials and Methods: Irradiated (total dose, 60 Gy) human gingival fibroblasts were incubated with LPS. Culture supernatants that were collected at 24, 48, and 72 hours were assessed for GM-CSF and TGF-${\beta}1$ by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: 1. GM-CSF production in nomal gingival fibroblasts was increased with incubation time, but decreased with incubation time in irradiated gingival fibroblasts. GM-CSF production in both normal and irradiated gingival fibroblasts induced with LPS was higher than the control. 2. TGF-${\beta}1$ production in normal gingival fibroblasts was decreased after 24 hours, but, it was increased until 48 hours in irradiated gingival fibroblasts. TGF-${\beta}1$ production in normal gingival fibroblasts exposed with LPS was higher than the control. Conversely, It was lower than the control in irradiated gingival fibroblasts exposed with LPS. Conclusion: This indicates that irradiation in gingival fibroblasts may play an important role in radiation-induced intraoral mucositis and fibrosis. However, LPS decreases the production of TGF-${\beta}1$ in the irradiated gingival fibroblasts.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2010

This study is to analyze effects of the growth of Chunhyang Young Radish (CYR) and Altari Radish (AR) according to the exposure for 31 days at low dose ${\beta}$-rays. This test has one contrast sample and eleven test samples each as to AR and CYR. The seeds from contrast and test sample were planted in the culture soil after 8 seeds were chosen from each with identical condition. The accumulated dose of test samples has been measured at consistent time on a daily basis for 31 days. The growing process and germination have been measured twice at consistent time in each week. The number of leaves, length of first leave and weight have been acquired average value by measuring for 20 and 25 days, respectively after being planted. The result of test sample in case of 25 days shows that 5% increase in length and 36% increase in weight for AR each at accumulated dose 0.01 Gy compared to the contrast sample. And the length of CYR has increased by 13~17% and 1% at accumulated dose 0.01~0.08 Gy and 0.3 Gy compared to the contrast sample. For the weight at accumulated dose 0.05 Gy and 0.23 Gy has increased by 36% and 2% compared to contrast sample. As to the number of leaves, AR has increased by 0~50% at accumulated dose 0.01-0.32 Gy compared to contrast sample. It also shows that the CYR has increased to 0~67% at accumulated dose 0.01-0.62 Gy compared to contrast sample. As a result of this study, it indicates that both AR and CYR has generally increased in their length, weight, and the number of leaves at low level accumulated dose part 0.01~0.2 Gy. The size of cell, area of nucleus and density of cell for test sample has been observed quite similar to the ones from contrast sample through microscope. In conclusion, AR and CYR irradiated by ${\beta}$-rays have estimated that they are achieved a rapid growth at low level accumulated dose region corresponding to its radiation hormesis theory. Further studies need to confirm the correlation between the radiation hormesis and the growth of the plants.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.99-108
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• 1998

Intraperitoneal administration of radioisotopes is suggested to treat the metastatic ovarian cancer in the peritoneal cavity. Administering beta-emitting radioisotopes into the peritoneal cavity allows the maximum energy delivery to the cancerous cells of the peritoneal wall surface while sparing the normal cells located in deep site of the peritoneal wall. In this study, dose estimates of the peritoneal wall are provided to be used for prescribing the amount of $^{166}Ho$-chitosan complex administered. The $^{166}Ho$-chitosan complex diffused in the peritoneal fluid may attach to the peritoneal wall surface. The attachment fraction of $^{166}Ho$-chitosan complex to the peritoneal wall surface is obtained by simulating the ascites with Fischer rats. Both volume source in the peritoneal fluid and the surface source over the peritoneal wall surface are counted for the contribution to the peritoneal wall dose. The Monte Carlo code EGS4 is used to simulate the energy transfer of the beta particles emitted from $^{166}Ho$. A plane geometrical model of semi-infinite volume describes the peritoneal cavity and the peritoneal wall. A semi-infinite plane of $10{\mu}m$ in thickness at every 1 mm of depth in the peritoneal wall is taken as the target in dose estimation. Greater than 98 percents of attachment fraction has been observed from the experiments with Fischer rats. Given $1.3{\mu}Ci/cm^2$ and $2.4{\mu}Ci/ml$ of uniform activity density, absorbed dose is 123 Gy, 8.59 Gy, 3.00 Gy, 1.03 Gy, and .327 Gy at 0 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm in depth to the peritoneal wall, respectively.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2015

Radioisotopes emitting low-range highly ionizing radiation such as ${\beta}$-particles are of increasing significance in internal radiotherapy. Among the ${\beta}$-particle emitting radioisotopes, $^{67}Cu$ is an attractive radioisotope for various nuclear medicine applications due to its medium energy ${\beta}$-particle, gamma emissions, and 61.83-hour half-life, which can also be used with $^{64}Cu$ for PET imaging. The production and application of the ${\beta}$-emitting radioisotope $^{67}Cu$ for therapeutic radiopharmaceutical are outlined, and different production routes are discussed. A survey of copper chelators used for antibody labeling is provided. It has been produced via proton, alpha, neutron, and gamma irradiations followed by solvent extraction, ion exchange, electrodeposition. Clinical studies using $^{67}Cu$-labelled antibodies in lymphoma, colon carcinoma and bladder cancer patients are reviewed. Widespread use of this isotope for clinical studies and preliminary treatments has been limited by unreliable supplies, cost, and difficulty in obtaining therapeutic quantities.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.437-442
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• 2007

Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (PEG)-poly(${\beta}$-amino ester) (PAE) block copolymers were synthesized using a Michael-type step polymerization, and the construction of pH-sensitive polymeric micelles (PM) investigated. The ${\beta}$-amino ester block of the block copolymers functioned as a pH-sensitive moiety as well as a hydrophobic block in relation to the ionization of PAE, while PEG acted as a hydrophilic block, regardless of ionization. The synthesized polymers were characterized using $^1H-NMR$, with their molecular weights measured using gel permeation chromatography. The $pK_b$ values of the pH-sensitive polymers were measured using a titration method. The pH-sensitivity and critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the block copolymers in PBS solution were estimated using fluorescence spectroscopy. The pH dependent micellization behaviors with various bisacrylate esters varied within a narrow pH range. The critical micelle concentration at pH 7.4 decreased from 0.032 to 0.004 mg/mL on increasing the number of methyl group in the bisacrylate from 4 to 10. Also, the particle size of the block copolymer micelles was determined using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The DLS results revealed the micelles had an average size below 100 nm. These pH-sensitive polymeric micelles may be good carriers for the delivery of an anticancer drug.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2013

The surgical resection was occurred mainly in liver metastasis before the development of radiation therapy techniques. Recently, Radiation therapy is increased gradually due to the development of radiation dose delivery techniques. 18F-FDG PET image showed better sensitivity and specificity in liver metastasis detection. This image modality is important in the radiation treatment with planning CT for tumor delineation. In this study, we applied automatic image segmentation methods on PET image of liver metastasis and examined the impact of image factors on these methods. We selected the patients who were received the radiation therapy and 18F-FDG PET/CT in Korea Cancer Center Hospital from 2009 to 2012. Then, three kinds of image segmentation methods had been applied; The relative threshold method, the Gradient method and the region growing method. Based on these results, we performed statistical analysis in two directions. 1. comparison of GTV and image segmentation results. 2. performance of regression analysis for relation between image factor affecting image segmentation techniques. The mean volume of GTV was $60.9{\pm}65.9$ cc and the $GTV_{40%}$ was $22.43{\pm}35.27$ cc, and the $GTV_{50%}$ was $10.11{\pm}17.92$ cc, the $GTV_{RG}$ was $32.89{\pm}36.8$4 cc, the $GTV_{GD}$ was $30.34{\pm}35.77$ cc, respectively. The most similar segmentation method with the GTV result was the region growing method. For the quantitative analysis of the image factors which influenced on the region growing method, we used the standardized coefficient ${\beta}$, factors affecting the region growing method show GTV, $TumorSUV_{MAX/MIN}$, $SUV_{max}$, TBR in order. The result of the region growing (automatic segmentation) method showed the most similar result with the CT based GTV and the region growing method was affected by image factors. If we define the tumor volume by the auto image segmentation method which reflect the PET image parameters, more accurate and consistent tumor contouring can be done. And we can irradiate the optimized radiation dose to the cancer, ultimately.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.186-193
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• 2005

Purpose: To improve the management of a medical linear accelerator, the records of operational failures of a Varian CL2l00C over a ten year period were retrospectively analyzed. Materials and Methods: The failures were classified according to the involved functional subunits, with each class rated Into one of three levels depending on the operational conditions. The relationships between the failure rate and working ratio and between the failure rate and outside temperature were investigated. In addition, the average life time of the main part and the operating efficiency over the last 4 years were analyzed. Results: Among the recorded failures (total 587 failures), the most frequent failure was observed in the parts related with the collimation system, including the monitor chamber, which accounted for $20\%$ of all failures. With regard to the operational conditions, 2nd level of failures, which temporally interrupted treatments, were the most frequent. Third level of failures, which interrupted treatment for more than several hours, were mostly caused by the accelerating subunit. The number of failures was increased with number of treatments and operating time. The average life-times of the Klystron and Thyratron became shorter as the working ratio increased, and were 42 and $83\%$ of the expected values, respectively. The operating efficiency was maintained at $95\%$ or higher, but this value slightly decreased. There was no significant correlation between the number of failures and the outside temperature. Conclusion: The maintenance of detailed equipment problems and failures records over a long period of time can provide good knowledge of equipment function as well as the capability of predicting future failure. Wore rigorous equipment maintenance Is required for old medical linear accelerators for the advanced avoidance of serious failure and to improve the qualify of patient treatment.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.54-62
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• 2016

The most efficient system for converting heat to electricity, AMTEC (Alkali Metal Thermal-to-Electric Convertor), is a device that directly converts heat energy to electricity using an alkali metal (sodium) as the working fluid. The AMTEC consists of a low pressure chamber, high pressure chamber, BASE (Beta-Alumina Solid Electrolyte), and artery wick. The main heat loss of the AMTEC system occurs in the low pressure chamber. A high power generation rate is thought to be obtainable by using a high temperature in the BASE. Therefore, to reduce the radiation heat loss, 6 types of radiation shields were examined to reduce the radiative heat loss in the low pressure chamber. The power generation rate of the AMTEC varied depending on the shape of the radiation shield. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analyses were carried out to optimize the shape of the radiation shield. As a result, the optimum radiation shield was found to consist of a curvature formed at the vertical point, in which case the dimensionless temperature (condenser temperature/BASE temperature) is approximately 0.665 and the maximum power generated is calculated to be 17.69W. Increasing the distance beween the BASE and condenser leads to an increase in the power generated, and the power generated with the longest distance was 17.58 W. The shields with multiple holes and multiple horizontal layers showed power reduction rates of 0.91 W and 2.06 W, respectively.