• Journal of the Korean Physical Society
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• v.73 no.9
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• pp.1334-1339
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• 2018

Spherical nickel ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized using the thermal decomposition method and coated with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) after the synthesis. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that the average diameter of the particles was 9.40 nm. The status of the CTAB-coating on the surface of the particles was checked using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Their hysteresis curve showed that the particles exhibited a superparamagnetic behavior. The $T_1$ and the $T_2$ relaxations of the nuclear spins were observed in aqueous solutions of the particles with different particles concentrations by using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, which showed that the $T_1$ and the $T_2$ relaxivities of the particles in water were $0.57mM^{-1}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ and $10.42mM^{-1}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, respectively. In addition, using an induction heating system, we evaluated their potentials for magnetic hyperthermia applications. The aqueous solution of the particles with a moderate concentration (smaller than 6.5 mg/mL) showed a saturation temperature larger than the hyperthermia target temperature of $42^{\circ}C$. These findings show that the CTAB-coated nickel ferrite particles are suitable for applications as $T_2$ contrast agents in MRI and heat generators in magnetic hyperthermia.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2021

Ultrasound imaging in clinical practice is one of the widely used diagnostic methods because there is no radiation risk, more cost- effective compared to MRI or CT, and possible to perform an intervention through fast real-time imaging. In order to increase the diagnostic value, the studies of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using an ultrasound contrast agent have been actively conducted since about 50 years ago and are being used clinically in vascularity and microcirculation of internal organs. Although ultrasound is actively used for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases in musculoskeletal disorders, there are some limitations in diagnosing mild or small lesions, inflammatory reactions, or abnormalities at the molecular level. In this review, the principles, types, and research, and clinical applications of ultrasound contrast agents have been summarized and introduced. If we understand the characteristics of the ultrasound contrast agents and anatomical knowledge, as well as molecular changes, the ultrasound contrast agents are widely applied in musculoskeletal disorders and have tremendous potential for diagnosis and treatment.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2015

We evaluate the influence of MR contrast agent on positron emission tomography (PET) image using phantom, animal and human studies. Phantom consisted of 15 solutions with the mixture of various concentrations of Gd-based MR contrast agent and fixed activity of [$^{18}F$]FDG. Animal study was performed using rabbit and two kinds of MR contrast agents. After injecting contrast agent, CT or MRI scanning was performed at 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 minutes. PET image was obtained using clinical PET/CT scan, and attenuation correction was performed using the all CT images. The values of HU, PET activity and MRI intensity were obtained from ROIs in each phantom and organ regions. In clinical study, patients (n=20) with breast cancer underwent sequential acquisitions of early [$^{18}F$]FDG PET/CT, MRI and delayed PET/CT. In phantom study, as the concentration increased, the CT attenuation and PET activity also increased. However, there was no relationship between the PET activity and the concentration in the clinical dose range of contrast agent. In animal study, change of PET activity was not significant at all time point of CT scan both MR contrast agents. There was no significant change of HU between early and delayed CT, except for kidney. Early and delayed SUV in tumor and liver showed significant increase and decrease, respectively (P<0.05). Under the condition of most clinical study (< 0.2 mM), MR contrast agent did not influence on PET image quantitation.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2022

Malignant melanoma has an aggressive nature and high metastatic potential that result in one of the highest cancer mortality rates. Over the past three decades, primary and metastatic melanoma incidence has rapidly increased. The recent advances in diagnostic technology have shown promise, but there is still an enormous need for specific detection methods to diagnose malignant melanoma. Positron emission tomography can visualize a particular biomarker of malignant melanoma and promise a noninvasive image of micrometastases. However, the development of PET radiopharmaceuticals remains necessary for diagnosing malignant melanoma by using positron emission tomography. In this review, the history and a general overview of PET radionuclide labeled benzamide derivatives, including their radiosynthesis, in vivo characterization, and evaluation, are provided as imaging agents for malignant melanoma.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2024

Hypoxia, defined as the deficiency of oxygen, is a significant hallmark of cancers presenting in the majority of solid tumors. Detection of tumor hypoxia is essential in cancer diagnosis to prevent cancer progression, metastasis, and resistance to cancer therapies in clinical practices. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is one of the methods studied and applied for hypoxia detection with the use of radiolabeled imaging agents in which ^99mTc is the common radioisotope used for radiolabeling. Nitroimidazoles are the hypoxia-targeting moieties presenting in numerous ^99mTc-radiolabeled imaging agents due to their bio-reducible ability in hypoxic environments. Recently, in addition to ^99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals containing one nitroimidazole unit, there has been considerable attention given to ^99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals bearing two or more nitroimidazole units. This review summarizes the synthesis of hypoxia-targeting chelators and radiolabeling processes to produce these ^99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals for SPECT imaging.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2019

We discuss recent advances in Gd-based $T_1$-weighted MR contrast agents for the mapping of cellular pH. The pH plays a critical role in various biological processes. During the past two decades, several MR contrast agents of strategic importance for pH-mapping have been developed. Some of these agents shed light on the pH fluctuation in the tumor microenvironment. A pH-responsive self-assembled contrast agent facilitates the visualization of tumor size as small as $3mm^3$. Optimization of various parameters is crucial for the development of pH-responsive contrast agents. In due course, the new contrast agents may provide significant insight into pH fluctuations in the human body.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.86-102
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• 2024

Early diagnosis, accurate assessment, and localization of peritoneal metastasis (PM) are essential for the selection of appropriate treatments and surgical guidance. However, available imaging modalities (computed tomography [CT], conventional magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], and 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography [PET]/CT) have limitations. The advent of new imaging techniques and novel molecular imaging agents have revealed molecular processes in the tumor microenvironment as an application for the early diagnosis and assessment of PM as well as real-time guided surgical resection, which has changed clinical management. In contrast to clinical imaging, which is purely qualitative and subjective for interpreting macroscopic structures, radiomics and artificial intelligence (AI) capitalize on high-dimensional numerical data from images that may reflect tumor pathophysiology. A predictive model can be used to predict the occurrence, recurrence, and prognosis of PM, thereby avoiding unnecessary exploratory surgeries. This review summarizes the role and status of different imaging techniques, especially new imaging strategies such as spectral photon-counting CT, fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT, near-infrared fluorescence imaging, and PET/MRI, for early diagnosis, assessment of surgical indications, and recurrence monitoring in patients with PM. The clinical applications, limitations, and solutions for fluorescence imaging, radiomics, and AI are also discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.409-414
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• 2012

This study acquired molecular lmaging using nano-contrast agents, and the general condition of the same image acquisition to analyze the difference between molecular imaging and general imaging, two images are converted into DWT (Discrete Wavelet Transform). Nano-contrast agent imaging using MRI and molecular imaging using PET study of molecular imaging technology mainstream. DWT analysis of the same lesions using MRI imaging and molecular imaging block lesions are present in the lesions, illustrating the value of a high-frequency feature both highly general imaging and molecular imaging could know that. The high frequency region of the feature extraction values appear higher molecular imaging.

• Ceramist
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.269-280
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• 2019

Ceramic layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanohybrids have attracted considerable interest in biomedical science due to their unique structural feature and characteristics in biological condition. Many studies on LDH nanoparticles have been reported in diagnosis applications including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents in order to not only provide better imaging performance through multimodal imaging strategy, but realize therapeutic function which treat cancers in one platform. This review highlights the recent progress in MRI T₁ contrast agent, dual modal imaging system, and MRI-guided drug delivery systems ranging from synthetic method and characterization to evaluation in vitro and in vivo based on the ceramic LDH nanohybrids. Future research directions are also suggested for next-generation bio-imaging contrast agent.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.843-850
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• 2024

Radiation recall pneumonitis is an inflammatory reaction of previously radiated lung parenchyma triggered by systemic pharmacological agents (such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy) or vaccination. Patients present with non-specific symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, or hypoxia soon after the initiation of medication or vaccination. Careful assessment of the patient's history, including the thoracic radiation treatment plan and timing of the initiation of the triggering agent, in conjunction with CT findings, contribute to the diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is established, treatment includes cessation of the causative medication and/or initiation of steroid therapy. Differentiating this relatively rare entity from other common post-therapeutic complications in oncology patients, such as recurrent malignancy, infection, or medication-induced pneumonitis, is essential for guiding downstream clinical management.