• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2017

Purpose: To compare three, motion-resistant, T1-weighted MR sequences on the hepatobiliary phase for gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging of the liver. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 79 patients underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced, 3T liver MR imaging. Fifty-nine were examined using a standard protocol, and 20 were examined using a motion-resistant protocol. During the hepatocyte-specific phase, three MR sequences were acquired: 1) gradient recalled echo (GRE) with controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration (CAIPIRINHA); 2) radial GRE with the interleaved angle-bisection scheme (ILAB); and 3) radial GRE with golden-angle scheme (GA). Two readers independently assessed images with motion artifacts, streaking artifacts, liver-edge sharpness, hepatic vessel clarity, lesion conspicuity, and overall image quality, using a 5-point scale. The images were assessed by measurement of liver signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and tumor-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The results were compared, using repeated post-hoc, paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction and the Wilcoxon signed rank test with Bonferroni correction. Results: In the qualitative analysis of cooperative patients, the results for CAIPIRINHA had significantly higher ratings for streak artifacts, liver-edge sharpness, hepatic vessel clarity, and overall image quality as compared to, radial GRE, (P < 0.016). In the imaging of uncooperative patients, higher scores were recorded for ILAB and GA with respect to all of the qualitative assessments, except for streak artifact, compared with CAIPIRINHA (P < 0.016). However, no significant differences were found between ILAB and GA. For quantitative analysis in uncooperative patients, the mean liver SNR and lesion-to-liver CNR with radial GRE were significantly higher than those of CAIPIRINHA (P < 0.016). Conclusion: In uncooperative patients, the use of the radial GRE sequence can improve the image quality compared to GRE imaging with CAIPIRINHA, despite the data acquisition methods used. The GRE imaging with CAIPIRINHA is applicable for patients without breath-holding difficulties.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.1362-1375
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• 2021

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a combination 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (THB) and oregano extracts (i.e., Carvacrol and Thymol) at intake/dietary different levels on growth performance, intestinal health indicators, immune responses and fecal oocyst shedding in broiler chickens under Eimeria challenged condition. A total of 336 one-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments with seven replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were: i) Non-challenged bird without any dietary treatment (NCNT), ii) Challenged bird without any dietary treatment (CNT), iii) Challenged birds fed a THB diet (0.1 g/kg, THB), iv) Challenged birds fed a combination of THB and oregano extracts diet (0.1 g/kg, COM 100), and a gradual increase of combination of THB and oregano extracts likely v) 0.15 g/kg (COM 150), and 0.2 g/kg (COM 200). On day 14, all groups except for NCNT have orally challenged with a 10-fold dose of Livacox^® T anticoccidial vaccine to trigger coccidiosis. The results indicated that Eimeria-challenged broilers fed COM 100 and COM 200 diets increased (p < 0.05) body weight than CNT diet on day 35. Furthermore, birds fed COM 100 and COM 200 diets increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain compared to those fed CNT diets for the entire experimental period. There is no significant (p > 0.05) in average daily feed intake, feed efficiency between NCNT and birds fed with combined THB and oregano extracts for the entire experimental period. A combination of THB and oregano extract regardless of concentration levels or THB alone reduced (p < 0.05) lesion score in ileum compared to the CNT diet for 7 days post-infection (dpi). Birds fed COM 100 diet had lower (p < 0.05) intestinal lesion scores in jejunum and caeca on 7 dpi compared to those were in the CNT diet. No (p > 0.05) difference was observed in the oocysts per gram of feces count, intestinal morphology, carcass traits and blood cytokine concentration among the infected treatments. Collectively, we conclude that birds fed with a combination of THB and oregano extracts regardless of the ratios that were used demonstrated better recovery of health after the coccidial challenge than using only THB alone.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1006-1016
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• 2023

Objective: Computed tomography (CT) is an established method for the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of multiple myeloma. Here, we investigated the potential of photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) in terms of image quality, diagnostic confidence, and radiation dose compared with energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT). Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, patients with known multiple myeloma underwent clinically indicated whole-body PCD-CT. The image quality of PCD-CT was assessed qualitatively by three independent radiologists for overall image quality, edge sharpness, image noise, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence using a 5-point Likert scale (5 = excellent), and quantitatively for signal homogeneity using the coefficient of variation (CV) of Hounsfield Units (HU) values and modulation transfer function (MTF) via the full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the frequency space. The results were compared with those of the current clinical standard EID-CT protocols as controls. Additionally, the radiation dose (CTDIvol) was determined. Results: We enrolled 35 patients with multiple myeloma (mean age 69.8 ± 9.1 years; 18 [51%] males). Qualitative image analysis revealed superior scores (median [interquartile range]) for PCD-CT regarding overall image quality (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), edge sharpness (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), image noise (4.0 [4.0-4.0] vs. 3.0 [3.0-4.0]), lesion conspicuity (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), and diagnostic confidence (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]) compared with EID-CT (P ≤ 0.004). In quantitative image analyses, PCD-CT compared with EID-CT revealed a substantially lower FWHM (2.89 vs. 25.68 cy/pixel) and a significantly more homogeneous signal (mean CV ± standard deviation [SD], 0.99 ± 0.65 vs. 1.66 ± 0.5; P < 0.001) at a significantly lower radiation dose (mean CTDIvol ± SD, 3.33 ± 0.82 vs. 7.19 ± 3.57 mGy; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Whole-body PCD-CT provides significantly higher subjective and objective image quality at significantly reduced radiation doses than the current clinical standard EID-CT protocols, along with readily available multi-spectral data, facilitating the potential for further advanced post-processing.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between the new V-shaped repair method and conventional methods for the arthroscopic repair of Type II SLAP lesions. Materials and Methods: Our study population consisted of 23 people treated with the new V-shaped repair method or conventional methods in the arthroscopic repair of Type II SLAP lesions at our institution between May 2006 and October 2008. Eleven shoulders were treated using the new V-shaped repair method. Twelve shoulders were treated using conventional methods. The average follow up period was 15 months. For evaluation of clinical results, we used UCLA and VAS pain scores. Results: Comparing change scores (preoperative vs. postoperative states) there were no significant differences in UCLA score or VAS score between the two groups. Conclusion: The new V-shaped repair technique elicits similar clinical results with conventional arthroscopic repair techniques and thus can be considered a useful alternative when using an absorbable suture that is anchor linked with only one suture.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2007

Purpose: The lateral epicondylitis is very common around elbow joint. We investigated the effectiveness of arthroscopic treatment. Materials and Methods: From Oct. 2002 to Feb. 2006, a total of 14 patients who were diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis and treated with arthroscopy were used in this study. The average symptom durations before receiving treatment was 27.3 months (9 to 47 months) and the average follow-up periods was 13.6 months (8 to 22 months). Results: The mean preoperative VAS scores was 8.3 (7 to 10 points) and the mean postoperative scores was 1.6 (0 to 4 points). The lesions of extensor carpi radialis brevis were classified using Baker's classification system. Type 1 lesion was found in 7 cases, type 2 in 4 cases, type 3 in 1 case Patients were able to return to their normal life style by 12.3 days (6 to 27 day). Conclusion: The Clinical outcomes of patients who received arthroscopic treatment were found to be good. Patients experienced lesser pain, and shorter recovery time. Therefore, when conservative treatment is ineffective in treating the lateral epicondylitis, arthroscopic treatment is considered af another option available for patients.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.83-89
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• 2002

Purpose: To analyze the postoperative functional and radiographic follow-up results in patients who underwent percutaneous radiofrequency ablation therapy after the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. Materials and Methods: Seven patients, who were clinically and radiographically diagnosed with osteoid osteoma from July 1999 to January 2001, and received percutaneous radiofrequency ablation therapy. The average follow-up period was 15.5 months(range, 8~25 months). For the diagnosis and accurate localization of the lesion, simple radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) were performed preoperatively. Simple radiographs and MRI were taken periodically for the follow-up studies. Results: In all 7 patients, symptoms completely disappeared within 3 days after the operation. The average period of hospitalization was 2.4 days, excluding 1 patient who needed an additional burn treatment. The average postoperative night and day pain scores were 1.8 and 1.3, respectively. The average vocational and recreational activity scores were 1 and 0.6, respectively. Conclusions: Satisfactory functional results were obtained with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation therapy for the elimination of osteoid osteoma. Compared to conventional treatment, the advantages of this therapy were short hospitalization period, no internal fixation and bone graft for preventing fracture, and no limitation of joint motion by long fixation period.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2019

Objective: To compare digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and conventional full-field digital mammography (FFDM) in the detectability of breast cancers in patients with dense breast tissue, and to determine the influencing factors in the detection of breast cancers using the two techniques. Materials and Methods: Three blinded radiologists independently graded cancer detectability of 300 breast cancers (288 women with dense breasts) on DBT and conventional FFDM images, retrospectively. Hormone status, histologic grade, T stage, and breast cancer subtype were recorded to identify factors affecting cancer detectability. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare cancer detectability by DBT and conventional FFDM. Fisher's exact tests were used to determine differences in cancer characteristics between detectability groups. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine whether the detectability score differed according to cancer characteristics. Results: Forty breast cancers (13.3%) were detectable only with DBT; 191 (63.7%) breast cancers were detected with both FFDM and DBT, and 69 (23%) were not detected with either. Cancer detectability scores were significantly higher for DBT than for conventional FFDM (median score, 6; range, 0-6; p < 0.001). The DBT-only cancer group had more invasive lobular-type breast cancers (22.5%) than the other two groups (i.e., cancer detected on both types of image [both-detected group], 5.2%; cancer not detected on either type of image [both-non-detected group], 7.3%), and less detectability of ductal carcinoma in situ (5% vs. 16.8% [both-detected group] vs. 27.5% [both-non-detected group]). Low-grade cancers were more often detected in the DBT-only group than in the both-detected group (22.5% vs. 10%, p = 0.026). Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)-negative cancers were more often detected in the DBT-only group than in the both-detected group (92.3% vs. 70.5%, p = 0.004). Cancers surrounded by mostly glandular tissue were detected less often in the DBT only group than in the both-non-detected group (10% vs. 31.9%, p = 0.016). DBT cancer detectability scores were significantly associated with cancer type (p = 0.012), histologic grade (p = 0.013), T and N stage (p = 0.001, p = 0.024), proportion of glandular tissue surrounding lesions (p = 0.013), and lesion type (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Invasive lobular, low-grade, or HER-2-negative cancer is more detectable with DBT than with conventional FFDM in patients with dense breasts, but cancers surrounded by mostly glandular tissue might be missed with both techniques.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.537-547
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• 2014

The object of this study was to observe the effect of Banhasasim-tang (BHSST) on the HCl/EtOH-induced gastric ulcer in mice. Three different dosages of BHSST extract (400, 200 and 100 mg/kg) were once orally administered 1 hr before HCl/EtOH mixture treatment. One hour after HCl/EtOH mixture single oral treatment, the changes on the gross hemorrhagic lesion scores, fundic histopathology, gastric nitrate/nitrite contents, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense system (catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities) were observed, and compared with that of ranitidine 100 mg/kg. As results of all three different dosages of BHSST extract treatment in the HCl/EtOH-induced gastric ulcer mice, significant and dose-dependent decreased gastric damages. BHSST extracts also increased gastric nitrate/nitrite contents and strengthened the antioxidant defense systems, and increased the activities of catalase and SOD, respectively. BHSST extracts 200 mg/kg showed similar anti-ulcerative effect as compared with ranitidine 100 mg/kg, in this experiment. BHSST has favorable protective effects against to the HCl/EtOH-induced gastric damages, through the strengthening of the body antioxidant defense systems. These gastroprotective effects of BHSST against HCl/EtOH-induced gastric ulcer considered as results of complicated synergic effects of their 8 kinds of herbal components, but exact synergic or individual herbal effects are difficult to discuss in this study. Therefore, more detail synergic effects between 8 kinds of individual herbal component of BHSST should be tested with screening of active anti-inflammatory chemical ingredients, in future.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.981-989
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• 2014

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of a mixture of functional oils (Essential, Oligo Basics Agroind. Ltda) on performance response of chickens challenged with coccidiosis and the determination of apparent metabolizable energy (AME), nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), the coefficients of protein and ether extract digestibility and intestinal morphology of broilers fed with diets containing Essential. In Exp. 1, a completely randomized design (CRD) was used, with one control diet without Essential inclusion with coccidiosis (Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria tenella) challenged birds and two different inclusion rates of Essential (1.5 kg/ton and 2 kg/ton) with coccidiosis-challenged and non-challenged birds for each inclusion rate, using 10 replicates and 50 birds per experimental unit. After 7 d of coccidiosis challenge, the livability was approximately 10% lower (p<0.05) for the control group. Intestinal lesion scores were lower (p<0.05) in the anterior intestine and the cecum for the chickens supplemented. Feed efficiency and growth rate were improved in birds supplemented with Essential (p<0.05) before the coccidiosis challenge and during the first 7 d post infection. In Exp. 2, a CRD was used, with one control diet without Essential inclusion and one diet with inclusion of Essential (1.5 kg/ton), using nine replications and 33 chicks per pen. The diets with Essential yielded approximately 4% higher AME (p = 0.003) and $AME_n$ (p = 0.001). Essential supplementation increased villus height in the jejunum on d 14 (p<0.05). Villus height:crypt depth ratio for the supplemented birds was larger (p<0.05) in the jejunum on d 7, larger (p<0.05) in the jejunum and ileum on d 14. In conclusion, these functional oils improved the energy utilization and the livability and decreased lesions caused by coccidiosis in supplemented birds.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 2012

The object of this study was to observe the gatro protective effects of BJS-mix001, a mixed herbal formula consisted of 4 herbal drugs Pinelliae Rhizoma : Coptidis Rhizoma : Massa Medicata Fermentata : Ostreae Testa = 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 (g/g) mixtures, which were main component of oriental medicine for treating various digestive diseases, in indomethacin induced gastric damages in rats. Three different dosages of BJS-mix001 (200, 100 and 50 mg/kg) were once orally administered 30 min before indomethacin treatment. Six hrs after indomethacin treatment, changes on the gross lesion scores, fundic histopathology, MPO activity and anti oxidant activities were observed. The results were compared with omeprazole, antioxidant and proton pump inhibitor 10 mg/kg and DA-9601, a standardized extract of the herb Artemisia asiatica 100 mg/kg treated group, respectively. As results of all three different dosages of BJS-mix001 in the indomethacin induced gastric damaged rats, significant decreased gastric damages were detected as compared with the indomethacin treated control rats. BJS-mix001 also strengthened the antioxidative defense systems - decreased the level of lipid peroxidation and catalase activity but increased the level of superoxide dismutase and glutathione contents. BJS-mix001 showed similar gastro protective effects as compared with equal dosage of DA-9601, and BJS-mix001 50 mg/kg showed slighter effects as compared with omeprazole 10 mg/kg, in the present study. The results obtained in this study suggest that BJS-mix001 showed favorable effects in the indomethacin induced gastric damages mediated by strengthening of the antioxidative defense systems.