• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.611-619
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate changes in the mental functions of the elderly in nursing facilities affected by a horticultural therapy program based on validation therapy. To meet the purpose, we conducted a horticultural therapy program based on validation therapy with 58 elderly participants (average age 79.12±6.84, men and women) once a week, 50 minutes per session, in a total of 10 sessions. Participants were divided into the control and experimental group with convenience sampling. The program was carried out from March 15 to November 22, 2018. Vibraimage 8 pro(ELSYS, 2014) is a recent, psychologically based, emotional-recognition visual imaging technology that measures pixels microvibration in terms of digital frequency and amplitude parameters. To examine the effects of the horticultural therapy program based on validation therapy, Vibraimage was used to assess aggression, stress, tension, suspect, balance, charm, energy, self-regulation, inhibition, neuroticism and positive, negative, physiological domains of mental functions before and after program. As a result, the mean score of the positive domain in the control group significantly decreased from 63.89±5.09 to 60.74±5.48, but it decreased without statistical significance in the experimental group from 63.98±5.45 to 61.39±6.02. The mean score of neuroticism in the experimental group significantly decreased from 31.64±10.94 to 22.87±13.79. Moreover, the mean score of the physiological domain in the experimental group also significantly decreased from 25.08±6.27 to 19.42±8.80. Accordingly, horticultural therapy program based on validation therapy can be utilized as a program to promote mental health, especially maintaining positive mental health function of the eldery, helping those who live in long-term care facilities enjoy a happier life more happier.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.208-215
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• 2023

Background: Dental caries in preschool children can cause early loss of teeth, reduced masticatory function, malocclusion, and speech disorders, making oral care for preschool children essential. However, because children have a poor ability to perform oral hygiene by themselves, educational tools that help establish correct oral health behaviors are required. This study evaluated the effect of toothbrushing application for kids on dental plaque removal and toothbrushing interest in preschool children. Methods: Seven 5-year-old children enrolled in a daycare center participated in the evaluation, and the same children participated in the experiment twice a week. The Pokémon Smile application (App) was used as an auxiliary application for tooth brushing, and the degree of dental plaque removal on the tooth surface was evaluated by quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital imaging. After the experiment, children's toothbrushing preferences were investigated through interviews. Results: The levels of AREA R30 and AREA R70 measured after the children's toothbrushing as usual decreased compared to those before toothbrushing; however, the change was not significant. The levels of AREA R30 and AREA R70 measured after using the Pokémon Smile App were significantly reduced compared to those before toothbrushing. Children's interest in brushing their teeth increased by 28.59% after using the Pokémon Smile App. Conclusion: The toothbrushing application for kids effectively removes dental plaque by helping preschool children brush their teeth. It also increased preschool children's interest in tooth brushing. Therefore, an oral health education application would be useful for children who need to develop correct oral care methods and habits.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.485-491
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• 2023

As an auxiliary tool for fixing the patient's posture when taking an X-ray, sponges with high radiolucencies are laminated in various thicknesses. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of an auxiliary tool for hand oblique projection X-ray by manufacturing it with a uniform thickness by 3D printing and comparing it with existing sponge tools. In the auxiliary tool, radiolucency was measured at the stairs where each finger was located, and pixel information values were compared in the digital imaging and communications in medicine(DICOM) image. Contrast to noise ratio(CNR) and signal to noise ratio(SNR) were compared by shooting the hand phantom and the auxiliary tool together. As the thickness of the sponge tool increased, radiolucency decreased by 15.52% and pixel information value increased by 20.61%. The transmittance of the 3D printing tool increased by 0.82%, and the pixel information value differed by 5.66%. CNR and SNR increased by 20.03% and 22.42% in 3D printing compared to existing sponge tools. while taking hand oblique projection, maintaining the thickness of the auxiliary tool uniformly through 3D printing maintains high radiolucency and minimal impact on medical images, and increases CNR and SNR, making it useful as an auxiliary tool for taking hand oblique projection.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.365-373
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• 2023

Purpose: In the context of COVID-19, studies evaluating the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control are relevant due to their high occupational exposure and risk, as well as their responsibility for disseminating information and good practices. This study evaluated the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control in the oral radiology field in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic on different continents. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study involved individuals who performed intraoral radiographic examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Questionnaire on Infection Control in Oral Radiology was administered virtually using a Google Form. Participants from different continents(the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania) were recruited. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and simple and multiple binary regression (5%). Results: There were 582 valid answers, and 68.73% of the participants were from the Americas, 18.90% from Europe, and 12.37% from Asia. The median score for infection control protocols was 94 points for dental students and 104 points for dentists, and participants below the median were considered to have low adherence to infection control in oral radiology. Low access to infection control was found for 53.0% of dentists in the Americas, 34.0% from Europe, and 26.9% from Asia. Conclusion: The adherence to infection control protocols in oral radiology was low even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results may help improve the awareness of students and professionals, since oral radiology routines have the potential for transmitting COVID-19.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.741-750
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• 2023

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of Korean medicine treatments on Buerger's disease. Methods: From December 27, 2022, to January 16, 2023, we treated Soeumin patients with Buerger's disease admitted to a hospital specializing in Korean medicine. The patient's symptoms included feelings of coldness in the lower extremities, feelings of dullness, and stabbing pain. For treatment, Korean medicine treatments, such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medications (Sogyeonghwalhyeol-tang granules and Gwangyebujaijung-tang-gami) were administered. The patient's improvement was evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS) every day. Lower extremity and foot temperatures were evaluated using digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI). Results: Through the treatment regimen, the patient's NRS scores decreased, and lower extremity and foot temperatures increased. Conclusions: Korean medicine treatments for cold lower extremities, feelings of dullness, and stabbing pain caused by Buerger's disease are potentially effective.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.86-93
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• 2023

Age at death estimation has always been a crucial yet challenging part of identification process in forensic field. The use of human skeletons have long been explored using the principle of macro and micro-architecture change in correlation with increasing age. The clavicle is recommended as the best candidate for accurate age estimation because of its accessibility, time to maturation and minimal effect from weight. Our study applies pre-trained convolutional neural network in order to achieve the most accurate and cost effective age estimation model using clavicular bone. The total of 988 clavicles of Thai population with known age and sex were radiographed using Kodak 9000 Extra-oral Imaging System. The radiographs then went through preprocessing protocol which include region of interest selection and quality assessment. Additional samples were generated using generative adversarial network. The total clavicular images used in this study were 3,999 which were then separated into training and test set, and the test set were subsequently categorized into 7 age groups. GoogLeNet was modified at two layers and fine tuned the parameters. The highest validation accuracy was 89.02% but the test set achieved only 30% accuracy. Our results show that the use of medial clavicular radiographs has a potential in the field of age at death estimation, thus, further study is recommended.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.431-441
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• 2024

Objective : Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is an effective and noninvasive treatment for high-risk arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Since differences in GKRS outcomes by nidus type are unknown, this study evaluated GKRS feasibility and safety in patients with brain AVMs. Methods : This single-center retrospective study included patients with AVM who underwent GKRS between 2008 and 2021. Patients were divided into compact- and diffuse-type groups according to nidus characteristics. We excluded patients who performed GKRS and did not follow-up evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging or digital subtraction angiography within 36 months from the study. We used univariate and multivariate analyses to characterize associations of nidus type with obliteration rate and GKRS-related complications. Results : We enrolled 154 patients (mean age, 32.14±17.17 years; mean post-GKRS follow-up, 52.10±33.67 months) of whom 131 (85.1%) had compact- and 23 (14.9%) diffuse-type nidus AVMs. Of all AVMs, 89 (57.8%) were unruptured, and 65 (42.2%) had ruptured. The mean Spetzler-Martin AVM grades were 2.03±0.95 and 3.39±1.23 for the compact- and diffuse-type groups, respectively (p<0.001). During the follow-up period, AVM-related hemorrhages occurred in four individuals (2.6%), three of whom had compact nidi. Substantial radiation-induced changes and cyst formation were observed in 21 (13.6%) and one patient (0.6%), respectively. The AVM complete obliteration rate was 46.1% across both groups. Post-GKRS complication and complete obliteration rates were not significantly different between nidus types. For diffuse-type nidus AVMs, larger AVM size and volume (p<0.001), lower radiation dose (p<0.001), eloquent area location (p=0.015), and higher Spetzler-Martin grade (p<0.001) were observed. Conclusion : GKRS is a safe and feasible treatment for brain AVMs characterized by both diffuse- and compact-type nidi.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.5
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• pp.1153-1159
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• 2022

Dolichoectasia is an uncommon disorder characterized by the presence of a dilated, elongated, and tortuous cerebral artery. Its main pathologic mechanism is the disruption of the internal elastic lamina. Risk factors for dolichoectasia are advanced age, chronic hypertension, and metabolic disease. It mainly involves the vertebrobasilar vasculature (or "posterior circulation"), but dolichoectasia can also be seen in the anterior circulation, particularly the anterior cerebral artery. There are no reported cases of dolichoectasia involving both anterior and posterior circulation in South Korea. Here we report an unusual case of dolichoectasia involving both anterior and posterior circulation in a young female without any underlying disease on the basis of prominent imaging findings.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.468-472
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• 2023

Bilateral posterior communicating (pComm) artery aneurysms represent only 2% of mirror intracranial aneurysms. Usually, these are surgically approached through bilateral craniotomies for clipping. We present the case of a 50-year-old female presenting with headache and horizontal diplopia. Neurological examination revealed a left oculomotor palsy, with no other neurological deficits. Imaging studies revealed bilateral aneurysmatic lesions in both internal carotid arteries (ICA). A conventional left pterional approach was planned in order to treat the symptomatic aneurysm, and, if deemed feasible, a contralateral clipping through the same approach. The procedure was performed in a hybrid operating room (HOR), performing an intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and roadmapping assistance during dissection and clipping. Transoperatively, a post-fixed optic chiasm was identified, with a wide interoptic space, which allowed us to perform the contralateral clipping through a unilateral approach. This technique for clipping bilateral pComm aneurysms can be performed when the proper anatomical features are met.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.143-150
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• 2014

In general radiotherapy, mega-voltage (MV) x-ray images are widely used as the unique method to verify radio-therapeutic fields. But, the image quality of MV images is much lower than that of kilo-voltage x-ray images due to scatter interactions. Since 1990s, studies for the scatter correction have performed with digital-based MV imaging systems. In this study, a novel method for the scatter correction is suggested using scatter to primary ratio (SPR), instead of conventional methods such as digital image processing or scatter kernel calculations. We measured two MV images with and without a solid water phantom describing a patient body with given imaging conditions, and calculated un-attenuated ratios. Then, we obtained SPR distributions for the scatter correction. For experimental validation, a line-pair (LP) phantom using several Al bars and a clinical pelvis MV image was used. As the result, scatter signals of the LP phantom image were successfully reduced so that original density distribution of the phantom was restored. Moreover, image contrast values increased after SPR correction at all ROIs of the clinical image. The mean value of increases was 48%. The SPR correction method suggested in this study has high reliability because it is based on actually measured data. Also, this method can be easily adopted in clinics without additional cost. We expected that the SPR correction can be an effective method to improve the quality of MV image guided radiotherapy.