• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.86-103
• /
• 2003

Objective : Recently, many studies have showed the evidences of the effect of the acupunture treatment through scientific methods. One of these methods is functional MRI. We performed electro-acupunture on Sp6 and observed the changes of brain activation using fMRI. Methods : To see the effect of electro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6, the experiment was carried out on 12 healthy volunteers, using the gradient echo sequence with the 3.0T whole-body MRI system(ISOL). After the needle insertion on right Sp6, 2Hz of electric stimulation was given for 30 seconds, repeated five times, with 30 seconds' intervals. The Image analysis including motion correction, talairach transformation, and smoothing was done with SPM99. Results : 1. Group averaged brain activation induced by bilateral eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 3, 7, 13. 2. Group averaged brain deactivation induced by bilateral eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 6, 38, 47. 3. Group averaged brain activation induced by unilateral(right side) eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 5, 6, 13, 17, 18, 19, 31, 38, 40 ptoms, back pain(32.5%) was the 4. Group averaged brain deactivation induced by unilateral(right side) eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 3, 4, 18, 21, 36, 38, 39. 5. Brain region activated by motor stimulation activates Brodman Area 3, 4, 6, 18, 19.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.108-116
• /
• 2006

Purpose : High-resolution spiral-scan imaging is performed at 3 Tesla MRI system. Since the gradient waveforms for the spiral-scan imaging have lower slopes than those for the Echo Planar Imaging (EPI), they can be implemented with the gradient systems having lower slew rates. The spiral-scan imaging also involves less eddy currents due to the smooth gradient waveforms. The spiral-scan imaging method does not suffer from high specific absorption rate (SAR), which is one of the main obstacles in high field imaging for rf echo-based fast imaging methods such as fast spin echo techniques. Thus, the spiral-scan imaging has a great potential for the high-speed imaging in high magnetic fields. In this paper, we presented various high-resolution images obtained by the spiral-scan methods at 3T MRI system for various applications. Materials and Methods : High-resolution spiral-scan imaging technique is implemented at 3T whole body MRI system. An efficient and fast higher-order shimming technique is developed to reduce the inhomogeneity, and the single-shot and interleaved spiral-scan imaging methods are developed. Spin-echo and gradient-echo based spiral-scan imaging methods are implemented, and image contrast and signal-tonoise ratio are controlled by the echo time, repetition time, and the rf flip angles. Results : Spiral-scan images having various resolutions are obtained at 3T MRI system. Since the absolute magnitude of the inhomogeneity is increasing in higher magnetic fields, higher order shimming to reduce the inhomogeneity becomes more important. A fast shimming technique in which axial, sagittal, and coronal sectional inhomogeneity maps are obtained in one scan is developed, and the shimming method based on the analysis of spherical harmonics of the inhomogeneity map is applied. For phantom and invivo head imaging, image matrix size of about $100{\times}100$ is obtained by a single-shot spiral-scan imaging, and a matrix size of $256{\times}256$ is obtained by the interleaved spiral-scan imaging with the number of interleaves of from 6 to 12. Conclusion : High field imaging becomes increasingly important due to the improved signal-to-noise ratio, larger spectral separation, and the higher BOLD-based contrast. The increasing SAR is, however, a limiting factor in high field imaging. Since the spiral-scan imaging has a very low SAR, and lower hardware requirements for the implementation of the technique compared to EPI, it is suitable for a rapid imaging in high fields. In this paper, the spiral-scan imaging with various resolutions from $100{\times}100$ to $256{\times}256$ by controlling the number of interleaves are developed for the high-speed imaging in high magnetic fields.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.34 no.1_2
• /
• pp.64-68
• /
• 1998

In order to identify the characteristics of a Korean isol ate of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus(IHNV), IHNV-PRT, we have cloned and analyzed cDNAs coding for matrix protein M1 and M2 of the IHNV-PRT. The Ml gene contained 693 bp open reading frame and encoded a protein of 230 amino acids with a molecular weight of 25.9 kDa. The M2 gene had 588 bp open reading frame, encoding a protein of 195 amino acids with a molecular weight of 21.9 kDa. On the deduced amino-acid sequences, M1 and M2 of the IHNV-PRT were found to be 92-93% (M1) and 97% (M2) identical to those of foreign isolates of IHNV. These results indicate that M genes of the IHNV are highly conserved among different strains of IHNV.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.17-27
• /
• 2003

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) modulates cortical excitability beyond the duration of the rTMS trains themselves. Depending on rTMS parameters, a lasting inhibition or facilitation of cortical excitability can be induced. Therefore, rTMS of high or low frequency over motor cortex may change certain aspects of motor learning performance and cortical activation. This study investigated the effect of high and low frequency subthreshold rTMS applied to the motor cortex on motor learning of sequential finger movements and brain activation using functional MRI (fMRI). Three healthy right-handed subjects (mean age 23.3) were enrolled. All subjects were trained with sequences of seven-digit rapid sequential finger movements, 30 minutes per day for 5 consecutive days using their left hand. 10 Hz (high frequency) and 1 Hz (low frequency) trains of rTMS with 80% of resting motor threshold and sham stimulation were applied for each subject during the period of motor learning. rTMS was delivered on the scalp over the right primary motor cortex using a figure-eight shaped coil and a Rapid(R) stimulator with two Booster Modules (Magstim Co. Ltd, UK). Functional MRI (fMRI) was performed on a 3T ISOL Forte scanner before and after training in all subjects (35 slices per one brain volume TR/TE = 3000/30 ms, Flip angle $60^{\circ}$, FOV 220 mm, $64{\times}64$ matrix, slice thickness 4 mm). Response time (RT) and target scores (TS) of sequential finger movements were monitored during the training period and fMRl scanning. All subjects showed decreased RT and increased TS which reflecting learning effects over the training session. The subject who received high frequency rTMS showed better performance in TS and RT than those of the subjects with low frequency or sham stimulation of rTMS. In fMRI, the subject who received high frequency rTMS showed increased activation of primary motor cortex, premotor, and medial cerebellar areas after the motor sequence learning after the training, but the subject with low frequency rTMS showed decreased activation in above areas. High frequency subthreshold rTMS on the motor cortex may facilitate the excitability of motor cortex and improve the performance of motor sequence learning in normal subject.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.95-102
• /
• 2007

Purpose: To acquire high-resolution spiral-scan images at higher magnetic field, high homogeneous magnetic field is needed. Field inhomogeneity mapping and in-vivo shimming are important for rapid imaging such as spiral-scan imaging. The rapid scanning sequences are very susceptible to inhomogeneity. In this paper, we proposed a higher-order shimming method to obtain homogeneous magnetic field. Materials and Methods: To reduce measurement time for field inhomogeneity mapping, simultaneous axial/ sagittal, and coronal acquisitions are done using multi-slice based Fast Spin echo sequence. Acquired field inhomogeneity map is analyzed using the spherical harmonic functions, and shim currents are obtained by the multiplication of the pseudo-inverse of the field pattern with the inhomogeneity map. Results: Since the field inhomogeneity is increasing in proportion to the magnetic field, higher order shimming to reduce the inhomogeneity becomes more important in high field imaging. The shimming technique in which axial, sagittal, and coronal section inhomogeneity maps are obtained in one scan is developed, and the shimming method based on the analysis of spherical harmonics of the imhomogenity map is applied. The proposed technique is applicable to a localized shimming as well. High resolution spiral-scan imaging was successfully obtained with the proposed higher order shimming. Conclusion: Proposed pulse sequence for rapid measurement of inhomogeneity map and higher order shimming based on the inhomogeneity map work very well at 3 Tesla MRI system. With the proposed higher order shimming and localized higher order shimming techniques, high resolution spiral-scan images are successfully obtained at 3 T MRI system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.194-208
• /
• 2003

Objective : Recently, many studies have showed the evidences of the effect of acupuncture treatment through scientific methods. We performed electro-acupuncture on Taixi(K3) and observed the change of brain activity using fMRI. Methods : To see the effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation on Taixi(K3), the experiment was carried out on twelve healthy volunteers, using the gradient echo sequence with the 3.0T whole-body fMRI system(ISOL). After the needle insertion on K3, 2 Hz of electric stimulation was given for 30 seconds, repeated five times, with 30 seconds' intervals. Result & Conclusions : Unilateral electro-acupuncture stimulation on K3 increased the brain activity in Brodman Area 8, 6, 9, 13, 21, 22, 38, 40, 43, 2, 5, 10, 20, 24, 32, 34, 37, 39, 41, 42. and decreased the brain activity in Brodman Area 9, 13, 38, 22, 31, 3, 6, 10, 21, 25, 29, 30. Group Averaged Brain activity induced by Unilateral Electro-acupuncture Stimulation on K3 was increased in Brodman Area 10, 22, 42, 43, 44 and was decreased inn Brodman Area 6 and pyrogen test of Bee venom. Bilateral electro-acupuncture stimulation on k3 increased the brain activity in Brodman Area 22, 3, 19, 4, 13, 17, 21, 41, 42, 2, 5, 6, 7, 18, 23, 29, 30, 31, 40 and decreased the brain activity in Brodman Area 18, 6, 39, 4, 13, 2, 10, 19, 36, 40, 45, 46, 47. Group Averaged Brain activity induced by Bilateral Electro-acupuncture Stimulation on K3 was increased in Brodman Area 22, 13, 4, 3, 29, 38, 43 and was decreased in Brodman Area 18, 3, 19, 22, 39. Motor Stimulation activated Brodmann Area 6, 43, 18.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.151-152
• /
• 2003

최근 NMR, MRI, x-선 등 전자파의 기술이 발전되면서 이들을 이용하여 내부품질을 검출하는 보다진보된 연구가 수행되고 있다. 관련 연구로는 자기공명영상을 이용하여 내공수삼 및 정상수삼의 내부를 촬영하여 T$_1$, T$_2$의 값을 측정하여 내부조직의 이상유무를 추정하였고, 또한 MRI에 의해 수삼의 내부품질 뿐만 아니라 연근 판정 가능성을 검토하는 등 많은 연구가 수행되고있다. 이 연구에서는 MRI 시스템을 이용하여 수삼의 내부단면 영상을 획득하여 내부결함 유무를 검출하고, 또한 동일한 수삼을 대상으로 홍삼 제조 후 내부품질의 변화 특성을 조사하고자 수행하였다. 공시재료는 충북 음성에 있는 인삼연초연구원에서 4~6년 근 된 수삼을 이용하였고, 시험 장비로는 국내 MRI 생산 전문 업체인 ISOL Tech. Co.에서 개발한 의료용 장비인 CHORUS 1.5T(자속밀도 1.5 Tesla)를 이용하였다. 슬라이스 두께/간격은 5mn/5mn, 촬영 단면수는 15장/시료, 영상영역(FOV)은 180mmx90mm, image size는 256$\times$128 pixels 그리고 TR/TE는 각각의 이완상수별로 500/13(Tl), 4,000/63(T2) 및 2,200/21(Pd)에 대한 단면영상을 얻었다. 5개의 수삼을 동시에 뇌두에서 뿌리 쪽으로 MR 단면영상을 획득하였다. 이완상수 T$_1$, T$_2$, Pd에 대해서 MR 영상을 획득하였으며, 총 15장의 단면 영상 중 내부 상태를 가장 잘 식별 할 수 있는 영상을 조사한 결과 T$_1$과 Pd에서 촬영한 영상에서는 내부상태가 잘 나타났으나, T$_2$에서 얻은 영상은 영상의 손실이 많이 발생되었다. 한편, T$_1$에 대해서 뇌두에서 뿌리쪽으로 가면서 각 위치에 따라 수삼 내부의 부패된 영상이 나타나 이에 대한 판정은 가능한 것으로 나타났다. 2000년도와 2001년도에 각각 수확.저장된 수삼을 부위별로 단면영상을 MRI로 측정하고, 그 시료를 인삼연초연구원(음성시험장)에서 홍삼으로 제조한 후 수삼 상태에서의 내부품질과 홍삼으로 제조된 후의 내부품질 변화를 조사하였다. 총 20본의 수삼을 MRI 시스템으로 영상을 획득하였고, 모든 시료에 대해서 내부조직의 상태를 관찰하였다. 수삼의 수분함량은 뇌두로부터 1cm부위를 절단하여 조사하였고, 수삼조직은 절단시 단면의 달관 조사에 의한 성적이며 홍삼품질은 제조삼의 조직상태를 절단하여 육안판별로 검사하였다. 총 20본의 수삼 중 정상은 16본 이었고, 이들은 홍삼으로 제조된 후 내공 내백 등이 혼재되어 나타났으며 정상수삼이 정상홍삼으로 나타난 경우는 5본이었고, 내백은 5본, 내공은 6본으로 조사되었다. 또한 수삼에서 4본은 썩은 부위가 포함되어있는 수삼이었는데 홍삼으로 제조되었을 때 3본은 내백으로 되었고 1 본은 수삼에서 썩은 부위가 1/4정도로 미미해서 홍삼 제조시 정상으로 나타났다. 일반적으로 홍삼 제조시 내공의 발생은 제조공정에서 나타나는 경우가 많으며, 내백의 경우는 홍삼으로 가공되면서 발생하는 경우가 있고, 인삼이 성장될 때 부분적인 영양상태의 불충분이나 기후 등에 따른 영향을 받을 수 있기 때문에 앞으로 이에 대한 많은 연구가 이루어져야할 것으로 판단된다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.15-21
• /
• 2009

Purpose : A method to estimate a real k-space trajectory based on a circuit model of the gradient system is proposed for spiral imaging. The estimated k-space trajectory instead of the ideal trajectory is used in the reconstruction to improve the image quality in the spiral imaging. Materials and Methods : Since the gradient system has self resistance, capacitance, and inductance, as well as the mutual inductance between the magnet and the gradient coils, the generated gradient fields have delays and transient responses compared to the input waveform to the gradient system. The real gradient fields and their trajectory in k-space play an important role in the reconstruction. In this paper, the gradient system is modeled with R-L-C circuits, and real gradient fields are estimated from the input to the model. An experimental method to determine the model parameters (R, L, C values) is also suggested from the quality of the reconstructed image. Results : The gradient fields are estimated from the circuit model of the gradient system at 1.5 Tesla MRI system. The spiral trajectory obtained by the integration of the estimated gradient fields is used for the reconstruction. From experiments, the reconstructed images using the estimated trajectory show improved uniformity, reduced overshoots near the edges, and enhanced resolutions compared to those using the ideal trajectory without model. Conclusion : The gradient system was successfully modeled by the R-L-C circuits. Much improved reconstruction was achieved in the spiral imaging using the trajectory estimated by the proposed model.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.98-107
• /
• 2006

Magnetization Transfer (MT) imaging generates contrast dependent on the phenomenon of magnetization exchange between free water proton and restricted proton in macromolecules. In biological materials in knee, MT or cross-relaxation is commonly modeled using two spin pools identified by their different T2 relaxation times. Two models for cross-relaxation emphasize the role of proton chemical exchange between protons of water and exchangeable protons on macromolecules, as well as through dipole-dipole interaction between the water and macromolecule protons. The most essential tool in medical image manipulation is the ability to adjust the contrast and intensity. Thus, it is desirable to adjust the contrast and intensity of an image interactively in the real time. The proton density (PD) and T2-weighted SE MR images allow the depiction of knee structures and can demonstrate defects and gross morphologic changes. The PD- and T2-weighted images also show the cartilage internal pathology due to the more intermediate signal of the knee joint in these sequences. Suppression of fat extends the dynamic range of tissue contrast, removes chemical shift artifacts, and decreases motion-related ghost artifacts. Like fat saturation, phase sensitive methods are also based on the difference in precession frequencies of water and fat. In this study, phase sensitive methods look at the phase difference that is accumulated in time as a result of Larmor frequency differences rather than using this difference directly. Although how MT work was given with clinical evidence that leads to quantitative model for MT in tissues, the mathematical formalism used to describe the MT effect applies to explaining to evaluate knee disorder, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and meniscal tear. Calculation of the effect of the effect of the MT saturation is given in the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) which is a quantitative measure of the relative decrease in signal intensity due to the MT pulse.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.60-66
• /
• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes of periacetabular malignant bone tumors treated by internal pelvectomy without reconstruction. Materials and methods: Between January 1996 and December 2005, eight patients with primary malignant or metastatic periacetabular bone tumors were treated by internal pelvectomy without reconstruction. There were 6 men and 2 women. Mean age was 42 years old. There were 3 osteosarcomas, 3 chondrosarcomas and 2 metastatic carcinomas. The type of pelvic resections were 6 type I+II+III, 1 type I+II and 1 type II+II resection. The functional outcomes were evaluated with ISOLS revised criteria. The follow up period ranged from 6 to 84 months. Results: At last follow up, 5 patients showed CDF, 2 patients, AWD and the remained 1, DOD. The mean functional score for pain, functional activity, emotional acceptance, use of external support, walking ability and gait were 4.9, 2.9, 2.9, 1.5, 2.3 and 2.5 respectively. The total functional score ranged from 37% to 70%(average: 56%). There were three temporary nerve palsies. Conclusion: The internal pelvectomy without reconstruction for selective difficult periacetabular malignant tumors could be a viable option with fewer complications and fair functional outcomes.