• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.285-293
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• 2000

Purpose: A prospective comparison was made between imaging with Tc-99m pertechnetate (Tc-99m) and Ioine-131 (I-131) for the detection of residual and metastatic tissue after total thyroidectomy in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Initially our patients had imaging with Tc-99m, followed by I-131 within 3 days. The study included 21 patients who had ablation with high dose of I-131 ranging from 100 mCi to 150 mCi. Planar and pinhole images were acquired for both Tc-99m and I-131. Diagnostic images of Tc-99m and I-131 were compared with post-therapy images. Degree of uptake on Tc-99m and I-131 images was scored by four point scale and compared. Results: The results of the Tc-99m study were: 16 of 19 studies (84%) were positive on simple planar images, but 19 of 20 studies (95%) were positive on pinhole images. Conventional I-131 diagnostic imaging on the other hand showed that all studies (100%) were positive on both planar and pinhole images. There was a significant difference in degree of uptake between Tc-99m and I-131 planar images (p<0.05). Only one case of Tc-99m scintigraphy was negative on both planar and pinhole studies (false negative). There was no distant metastasis on the therapeutic I-131 images. Conclusion: Tc-99m scan using pinhole in certain clinical situations is an alternative to the I-131 scan in detecting thyroid or lymph node metastasis prior to the first ablative treatment after thyroidectomy for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2011

Purpose: Recently, the use of radiosurgery as a local therapy in patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer has become favored over surgical resection. To evaluate the efficacy of radiosurgery, we analyzed the results of stereotactic body radiosurgery in patients with primary or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer. Materials and Methods: We reviewed medical records retrospectively of total 24 patients (28 lesions) with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received stereotactic body radiosurgery (SBRT) at Inha University Hospital. Among the 24 patients, 19 had primary NSCLC and five exhibited recurrent disease, with three at previously treated areas. Four patients with primary NSCLC received SBRT after conventional radiation therapy as a boost treatment. The initial stages were IA in 7, IB in 3, IIA in 2, IIB in 2, IIIA in 3, IIIB in 1, and IV in 6. The T stages at SBRT were T1 lesion in 13, T2 lesion in 12, and T3 lesion in 3. 6MV X-ray treatment was used for SBRT, and the prescribed dose was 15~60 Gy (median: 50 Gy) for PTV1 in 3~5 fractions. Median follow up time was 469 days. Results: The median GTV was 22.9 mL (range, 0.7 to 108.7 mL) and median PTV1 was 65.4 mL (range, 5.3 to 184.8 mL). The response rate at 3 months was complete response (CR) in 14 lesions, partial response (PR) in 11 lesions, and stable disease (SD) in 3 lesions, whereas the response rate at the time of the last follow up was CR in 13 lesions, PR in 9 lesions, SD in 2 lesions, and progressive disease (PD) in 4 lesions. Of the 10 patients in stage 1, one patient died due to pneumonia, and local failure was identified in one patient. Of the 10 patients in stages III-IV, three patients died, local and loco-regional failure was identified in one patient, and regional failure in 2 patients. Total local control rate was 85.8% (4/28). Local recurrence was recorded in three out of the eight lesions that received below biologically equivalent dose 100 $Gy_{10}$. Among 20 lesions that received above 100 $Gy_{10}$, only one lesion failed locally. There was a higher recurrence rate in patients with centrally located tumors and T2 or above staged tumors. Conclusion: SBRT using a CyberKnife was proven to be an effective treatment modality for early stage patients with NSCLC based on high local control rate without severe complications. SBRT above total 100 $Gy_{10}$ for peripheral T1 stage patients with NSCLC is recommended.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.63-71
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study is to develop the system and evaluate the optical analytical technique that reflects acupoint pigmentation and extravasated blood by cupping. Methods : We designed the system able to express XYZ coordinate on local skin color. To evaluate measurement-accuracy, we compared with 24 Color Checker Chart by standardized Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage. After confirming the performance of system, we experimented with cupping which was 80 kPa negative pressure for 1 minute on left/right BL13. The X, Y and Z values were converted to R, G and B, $L^*$, $a^*$ and $b^*$, Erythema Index (E.I.), and Melanin Index (M.I). We compared and analyzed two cases on before/after cupping. Results : The R, G and B values which were converted by X, Y and Z values had high linearity as a high level of R-square (R: 0.969, G: 0.996, and B: 0.992). Moreover, we confirmed that it was possible to quantitatively analyzed the change in skin color by cupping using R, G, B, $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$, E.I., and M.I. Conclusions : Therefore, we proposed the new analytical technique for objectifying the oriental medical diagnostic method using cupping and optical sensing technique.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.57-62
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• 2016

Purpose: We used technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy to identify factors predictive of renal cortical defects in infants <3 months of age with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data on infants <3 months of age with culture-proven UTIs treated at a single center from March 2010 to February 2016. Blood samples were obtained for laboratory evaluation prior to commencement of antibiotic therapy. The therapeutic delay time (TDT) and therapeutic response time (TRT) were recorded. All patients were divided into two groups depending on features of their DMSA scans. We compared the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of the two groups. Results: A total of 119 infants (94 males and 25 females; mean age, $56.9{\pm}21.3days$) were included. Cortical defects were evident in the DMSA scans of 47 cases (39.5%). In infants with such defects, the peak temperatures ($38.9{\pm}0.57^{\circ}C$ vs. $38.4{\pm}0.81^{\circ}C$, P=0.001), the absolute neutrophil counts ($8,920{\pm}4,460/mm$ vs. $7,290{\pm}4,090/mm$, P=0.043), and the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ($6.49{\pm}4.33mg/dL$ vs. $3.21{\pm}2.81mg/dL$, P=0.001) were significantly higher than those in infants without cortical defects. The TDT was also longer in those with cortical defects (P=0.037). Conclusion: We found that a TDT ${\geq}8.5hr$ (odds ratio [OR] 5.81), a peak temperature ${\geq}38.3^{\circ}C$ (OR 6.19), and a CRP level ${\geq}4.96mg/dL$ (OR 7.26) predicted abnormal DMSA scan results in infants <3 months of age with UTIs.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.62-69
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report a case series of advanced cancer patients whose cancer pain was relieved by using autonomic nerve pharmacopuncture (ANP) treatment. ANP is a subcutaneous injection therapy of mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture (MGP) along the acupoints on the spine (Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue; 0.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous processes of vertebrae) to enhance the immune system and to balance autonomic nerve function. Methods: Patients with three different types of cancer (gastric cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer with distant metastases) with cancer pain were treated with ANP. 1 mL of MGP was injected into the bilateral Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue on the T1-L5 sites (total 12-20 mL injection) of each patient's dorsum by using the principle of symptom differentiation. During ANP treatment, the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain was used to assess their levels of cancer pain; also, the dosage and the frequency of analgesic use were measured. Results: The cancer pain levels of all three patients improved with treatment using ANP. The VAS scores of the three patients decreased as the treatment progressed. The dosage and the frequency of analgesics also gradually decreased during the treatment period. Significantly, no related adverse events were found. Conclusion: ANP has shown benefit in controlling cancer pain for the three different types of cancer investigated in this study and in reducing the dosage and the frequency of analgesics. ANP is expected to be beneficial for reducing cancer pain and, thus, to be a promising new treatment for cancer pain.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.99-114
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• 2021

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications are important noncommunicable diseases with high mortality rates. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and aldose reductase inhibitors are recently approached and advanced for T2DM and its complications therapy. Matricaria chamomilla L. is acknowledged as a worldwide medicinal herb that has many beneficial health effects as well as antidiabetic effects. Our research was designed to determine the most potential antidiabetic phytochemicals from M. chamomilla employing in silico study. 142 phytochemicals were obtained from the databases. The first screening employed iGEMdock and Swiss ADME, involving 93 phytochemicals. Finally, 30 best phytochemicals were docked. Molecular docking and visualization analysis were performed using Avogadro, AutoDock 4.2., and Biovia Discovery Studio 2016. Molecular docking results demonstrate that ligand-protein interaction's binding affinities were -5.16 to -7.54 kcal/mol and -5.30 to -12.10 kcal/mol for PTP1B and aldose reductase protein targets respectively. In silico results demonstrate that M. chamomilla has potential antidiabetic phytochemical compounds for T2DM and its complications. We recommended anthecotulide, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, luteolin, and catechin as antidiabetic agents due to their binding affinities against both PTP1B and aldose reductase protein. Those phytochemicals' significant efficacy and potential as antidiabetic must be investigated in further advanced research.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.26-31
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• 2019

[Purpose] Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that it is possible to prescribe exercise for neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, despite the availability of diverse scientific knowledge, the effects of exercise in this regard are still unclear. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate a substance, such as black chokeberry (Aronia melanocapa L.) that could improve the ability of the treatment and enhance the benefits of exercising in neurodegenerative diseases. [Methods] The cell viability was tested with 2,3-bis[2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolim-5-carboxanilide and the cells were stained with ethidium homodimer-1 solution. The mRNA expression levels were evaluated by microarray. The active compounds of black chokeberry ethanolic extract (BCE) were analyzed by gas chromatography. The chemical shift analysis in the brain was performed using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. [Results] BCE treatment decreased hydrogen peroxide-induced L6 cell death and beta amyloid induced primary neuronal cell death. Furthermore, BCE treatment significantly reduced the mRNA levels of the inflammatory factors, such as IL-1α, Cxcl13, IL36rn, Itgb2, Epha2, Slamf8, Itgb6, Kdm6b, Acvr1, Cd6, Adora3, Cd27, Gata3, Tnfrsf25, Cd40lg, Clec10a, and Slc11a1, in the primary neuronal cells. Next, we identified 16 active compounds from BCE, including D-mannitol. In vivo, BCE (administered orally at a dosage of 50 mg/kg) significantly regulated chemical shift in the brain. [Conclusion] Our findings suggest that BCE can serve as a candidate for neurodegenerative disease therapy owing to its cyto-protective and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, BCE treatment is expected to prevent damage to the muscles and neurons of the athletes who continue high intensity exercise. In future studies, it would be necessary to elucidate the effects of combined BCE intake and exercise.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 1998

Ho-l66 was produced by neutron reaction in a reactor at the Korea Atomic Energy Institute (Taejon, Korea). Ho-l66 emits a high energy beta particles with a maximum energy of 1.85 MeV and small proportion of gamma rays (80 keV). Therefore, the radiation absorbed dose estimation could be based on the in-vivo quantification of the activity in tumors from the gamma camera images. Approximately 1 mCi of Ho-l66 in solution was mixed into the flood phantom and planar scintigraphic images were acquired with and without patient interposed between the phantom and scintillation camera. Transmission factor over an area of interest was calculated from the ratio of counts in selected regions of the two images described above. A dual-head gamma camera(Multispect2, Siemens, Hoffman Estates, IL, USA) equipped with medium energy collimators was utilized for imaging(80 keV${\pm}$10%). Fifty-nine year old female patient with hepatoma was enrolled into the therapeutic protocol after the informed consent obtained. Thirty millicuries(110MBq) of Ho-166-CHICO was injected into the right hepatic arterial branch supplying hepatoma. When the injection was completed, anterior and posterior scintigraphic views of the chest and pelvic regions were obtained for 3 successive days. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn over the organs in both the anterior and posterior views. The activity in those ROIs was estimated from geometric mean, calibration factor and transmission factors. Absorbed dose was calculated using the Marinelli formula and Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) schema. Tumor dose of the patient treated with 1110 MBq(30 mCi) Ho-l66 was calculated to be 179.7 Gy. Dose distribution to normal liver, spleen, lung and bone was 9.1, 10.3, 3.9, 5.0 % of the tumor dose respectively. In conclusion, tumor dose and absorbed dose to surrounding structures were calculated by daily external imaging after the Ho-l66 therapy for hepatoma. In order to limit the thresholding dose to each surrounding organ, absorbed dose calculation provides useful information.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.918-926
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• 2008

It is well known non-drug therapy for hypertension patients can reduce blood pressure. These types of therapy include maintaining ones ideal body weight, quitting smoking, consuming large amounts of fruits and vegetables consuming low levels of saturated fat and salt and regular exercise. Fermented milk protein derived biologically active peptides such as isoleucine-proline-proline_(IPP) or valine-proline-proline_(VPP) have been shown to lower blood pressure in hypertensive subjects. This study was conducted to investigate the antihypertensive effects of medical nutritional therapy _(MNT) in accordance with the consumption of fermented milk enriched with IPP and VPP. To accomplish this, we conducted a randomized case-controlled study of 43 subjects who had blood pressure levels greater than 120/80 mmHg. The subjects in the study group were randomly allocated into two groups, an MNT + fermented milk (100mL/day) group (n=21) and an MNT+L. helveticus fermented milk with tripeptides (IPP=2.2mg, VPP=2.6mg/100mL) group (n=22). The MNT included weight management, reduction of sodium, total fat and saturated fat intake, increased intake of fruits and vegetables, and increased intake of low fat dairy products. The treatments were administered for 12 weeks during which time no drug interventions were conducted. The daily intakes of total calories, fats, cholesterol and Na decreased significantly after 12 weeks of MNT in the control and the experimental groups. In addition, the systolic blood pressure de creased significantly in the control and experimental groups; however, the diastolic blood pressure only decreased significantly in the experimental group. Overall, the results of this study indicate that the intake of fermented milk containing IPP and VPP in conjunction with MNT exerted positive effects on the blood pressure of pre- and hypertensive subjects.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 2019

Pseudomonas tolaasii causes brown blotch disease on the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Various pathogenic strains of P. tolaasii were isolated and divided into three subtypes, $P1{\alpha}$, $P1{\beta}$, and $P1{\gamma}$. For phage therapy, bacteriophages against to these subtype strains were applied to mushroom cultivation and very successful to prevent from the disease. In this study, bacteriophages were isolated against the representative strains of subtype pathogens and their polyclonal antibodies were synthesized to investigate structural relationship among capsid proteins of phages. Phage preparations over $10^{10}pfu/mL$ were injected to rabbit thigh muscle and polyclonal antibodies were obtained after three times of boost injection. Titers of the antibodies obtained were over $2{\times}10^7Ab/mL$ for the phage ${\phi}6264$, $1{\times}10^6Ab/mL$ for the phage ${\phi}HK2$, and $1{\times}10^7Ab/mL$ for the phage ${\phi}HK19$ and phage ${\phi}HK23$. High specific activities were observed between antibodies and the corresponding bacteriophages. Some cross-reactivities between the antibodies and non-corresponding bacteriophages were also measured. Antibody $Ab{\phi}6264$ inactivated all phages of $P1{\alpha}$ subtype and only phage ${\phi}HK16$ among $P1{\beta}$ subtype phages. Antibody $Ab{\phi}HK23$ of $P1{\gamma}$ subtype neutralized all phages of $P1{\beta}$ subtype as well as the phage ${\phi}HK23$, showing the widest phage-inactivation range. When the structural-similarity studies of phages were investigated by using phage antibodies, closeness obtained by phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes of pathogenic strains were quite different from that of polyclonal antibody-specific structural similarity of phage capsid proteins. In conclusion, there is weak correlation between the host strain specificity of bacteriophage and its capsid structural similarity measured by phage antibodies.