• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.90-93
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• 2011

Purpose: A Pixelated BSGI gamma camera has features to enhance resolution and sensitivity and minimize the distance between detector and organs by narrow FOV. Therefore, it is known as useful device to examine small organs such as thyroid, parathyroid and gall bladder. In general, when we would like to enlarge the size of images and obtain high resolution images by gamma camera in nuclear medicine study, we use pinhole collimator. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of Pixelated BSGI gamma camera and to compare to it using pinhole collimator in thyroid scan which is a study of typical small organs. Materials and methods: (1) The evaluation of sensitivity and spatial resolution: We measured sensitivity and spatial resolution of Pixelated BSGI with LEHR collimator and Infinia gamma camera with pinhole collimator. The sensitivity was measured by point source sensitivity test recommended by IAEA. We acquired images considering dead time in BSGI gamma camera for 100 seconds and used $^{99m}TcO4-\;400{\mu}Ci$ line source. (2) The evaluation of thyroid phantom: The thyroid phantom was filled with $^{99m}TcO4-$. After set 300 sec or 100 kcts stop conditions, we acquired images from both pixelated BSGI gamma camera and Infinia gamma camera with LEHR collimator. And we performed all thyroid studies in the same way as current AMC's procedure. Results: (1) the result of sensitivity: As a result, the sensitivity and spatial resolution of pixelated BSGI gamma camera were better than Infinia's. The sensitivities of pixelated BSGI and Infinia gamma camera were $290cps/{\mu}Ci$ and $350cps/{\mu}Ci$ respectively. So, the sensitivity of pixelated BSGI was 1.2 times higher than Infinia's (2) the result of thyroid phantom: Consequently, we confirmed that images of Pixelated BSGI gamma camera were more distinguishable between hot and cold spot compared with Infinia gamma camera. Conclusion: A pixelated BSGI gamma camera is able to shorten the acquisition time. Furthermore, the patients are exposed to radiation less than before by reducing amount of radiopharmaceutical doses. Shortening scan time makes images better by minimizing patient's breath and motion. And also, the distance between organ and detector is minimized because detector of pixelated BSGI gamma camera is small and possible to rotate. When patient cannot move at all, it is useful since device is feasible to move itself. However, although a pixelated BSGI gamma camera has these advantages, the effect of dead time occurs over 2000 cts/s since it was produced only for breast scan. So, there were low concentrations in organ. Therefore, we should consider that it needs to take tests to adjust acquisition time and amount of radiopharmaceutical doses in thyroid scan case with a pixelated BSGI gamma camera.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2011

Purpose: The partial volume effect occurs because of limit of the spatial resolution. It makes partial loss of intensity and causes SUV to be lower than it should actually be. So the purpose of this study is to calculate recovery coefficient for correcting PVE from phantom study and to compare before and after SUV correction applying to PET/CT examination. Materials and Methods: The flangeless Esser PET phantom consisting of four hot cylinders was used for this study. All of the hot cylinders were filled with FDG solution of 20.72 MBq per 1000 ml, and the phantom background was filled with FDG solution of different concentrations (33.30, 22.20, 16.65 MBq per 6440 ml) to yield H/B ratios of around 4:1, 6:1 and 8:1. Using the Biograph Truepoint 40(SIEMENS, Germany), we applied recovery coefficient method to 30 patients who were diagnosed with lung cancer after PET/CT exam. And then we analyzed and compared SUV before and after correcting partial volume effect. Results: The smaller the diameter of hot cylinder becomes, the more recovery coefficient decreased. When we applied recovery coefficient to clinical patients and compared SUV before and after correcting PVE, before the correction all lesions gave an average max SUV of 7.83. And after the correction, the average max SUV increases to 10.31. The differences in the max SUV between before and after correction were analyzed by paired t test. As a result, there were statistically significant differences (t=7.21, p=0.000). Conclusion: The SUV for quantification should be measured precisely to give consistent information of tumor uptake. But PVE is one of factors that causes SUV to be lower and to be underestimated. We can correct this PVE and calculate corrected SUV using the recovery coefficient from phantom study. And if we apply this correction method to clinical patients, we can finally assess and provide quantitative analysis more accurately.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2008

Purpose: The image processing method due to the algorism which is various portion nuclear medical image decision is important it makes holds. The purpose of this study is it applies hereupon new image processing method SIEMENS (made by Pixon co.) Onco. flash processing reconstruction and the comparison which use the image control technique of existing the clinical usefulness it analyzes with it evaluates. Materials & Methods: 1. Whole body bone scan-scan speed 20 cm/min, 30 cm/min & 40 cm/min blinding test 2. Bone static spot scan-regional view 200 kcts, 400 kcts for chest, pelvis, foot blinding test 3. 4 quadrant-bar phantom-20000 kcts visual evaluation 4. LSF-FWHM resolution comparison ananysis. Results: 1. Raw data (20 cm/min) & processing data (30 cm/min)-similar level image quality 2. Low count static image-image quality clearly improved at visual evaluation result. 3. Visual evaluation by quadrant bar phantom-rising image quality level 4. Resolution comparison evaluation (FWHM)-same difference from resolution comparison evaluation Conclusion: The study which applies a new method Onco. flash processing reconstruction, it will be able to confirm the image quality improvement which until high level is clearer the case which applies the method of existing better than. The new reconstruction improves the resolution & reduces the noise. This enhances the diagnostic capabilities of such imagery for radiologists and physicians and allows a reduction in radiation dosage for the same image quality. Like this fact, rising of equipment availability & shortening the patient waiting move & from viewpoint of the active defense against radiation currently becomes feed with the fact that it will be the useful result propriety which is sufficient in clinical NM.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2008

Purpose: In general, We discharged radioactive wastewater and sewages less than $8.1{\times}10^{-13}$ Ci/ml in a exclusive water-purifier tank. Our hospital operating three exclusive water-purifier tank for radioactive wastewater and sewages of 60 tons capacity respectively. In order to meet the criteria it need a enough decay more than 125 days per each exclusive tank. However, recently we fell into the serious situation that decay period was decreased remarkably, owing to the wastewater amount increased rapidly by enlarge the therapy ward. For that reason, in this article, I'd like to say the way that reducing of radioactive wastewater and sewages rationally. Materials and Methods: From January, 2006 to October, four hundred and two cases were analyzed. They were all hospitalized during 3 days and 2 nights. We calculated the average amount of water used (include toilet water used, shower water used, washstand water used, $\cdots$), each exclusive water-purifier tank's decay period, as well as try to search the increased factors about water-purifier tank inflow flux by re-analysis of the procedure of radioisotope therapy step by step. Results: We could increase each exclusive water-purifier tank's decay period from 84 days to 130 days through the improvement about following cause: (1) Improvement of conventional toilet stool for excessive water waste $\rightarrow$ Replacement of water saving style toilet stool (2) Prevention of unnecessary shower and wash (3) Stop the diuretics taking during hospitalization (4) Analysis of relationship between water intakes and residual dose of body (5) Education about outside toilet utilization before the administration (6) Changed each water-purifier tank's maximum level from85% to 90% Conclusion: The originality of our efforts are not only software but hardware performance improvements. Incidentally the side of software's are change of therapy procedures and protocols, the side of hardware's are replacement of water saving style toilet stool and change of each water-purifier tank's maximum level. Thus even if a long lapse of time, problem such as return to the former conditions may not happen. Besides, We expect that our trials become a new reasonable model in similar situation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2008

Purpose: There are various methods to diagnose hemangioma, such as ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine. However, by development of SPECT imaging, the blood-pool scan using $^{99m}Tc$-labeled red blood cell has been used, because it was non-invasive and the most economical method. Therefore, in this study, we proposed that the usefulness of $^{99m}Tc$-RBC scan and SPECT of the head and neck to diagnose unlocated hemangiomas. Materials and Methods: $^{99m}Tc$-RBC scan and SPECT was performed on 6 patients with doubtful hemangioma (4 person, head; 1 person, neck; 1 person, another). We labeled radiopharmaceutical using modified in vivo method and then, centrifuged it to remove plasma. After a bolus injection of tracer, dynamic perfusion flow images were acquired. Then, anterior, posterior, both lateral static blood-pool images were obtained as early and 4 hours delayed. SPECT was progressed 64 projections per 30 seconds. Each image was interpreted by physicians, Nuclear medicine specialist, and technologist blinded to patient's data. Results: In 5 patients of all the radioactivity of doubtful site didn't change in flow images, but, in blood-pool, delayed and SPECT images, it was increased. So, it was a typical hemangioma finding. The size of lesion was over 2 cm, and it could discriminate as comparing to the delayed and SPECT imaging. On the other hand, in 1 patient, the radioactivity was increased in blood-pool images, but, not in delayed and SPECT images, so, it was proved no hemangioma. Conclusion: Using $^{99m}Tc$-RBC Scan and SPECT, we could diagnose the hemangiomas in head and neck, as well as, liver, more non-invasive, economical, and easy. Therefore, it considered that $^{99m}Tc$-RBC scan and SPECT would offer more useful information for diagnosis of hemangioma, rather than otherimaging such as US, CT, MRI.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.44-48
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• 2008

Purpose: In FDG-PET/CT of breast cancer, a sensitivity was 80~96% and a specificity was 75~95% commonly. It was valuable to identify a cancer in early stage been difficult in Mammography. Most of the PET/CT scans have been examined on supine position, so, the image of breast has been acquired by reconstructed whole body scan image. However, using prone position with a compensator, a shape of breast was reassembly shown to be real by gravity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate diagnostic value of prone position in FDG PET-CT of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: 30 female patients with doubtful or positive breast cancer were examined. The PET-CT whole body scan was acquired at 60 minutes after $^{18}F$-FDG injection on Supine position. Then, regional breast spot scan was progressed on prone position using a compensator. Each image was evaluated by physicians blinded to patient's data, and statistical analysis did through SUVs measured in PET-CT images. Results: In 27 of 30 patients, prone position was shown accurate discrimination and diagnostic value, but in another 3 patients had a lesion 1cm below, PET-CT couldn't detect it, unlike MRI. Consequently, prone position distinguished a lesion better than Supine position, because of low degree of metamorphosis by gravity. The SUVs analysis of each position was significant (p value=0.004). Conclusion: In PET-CT of breast cancer, prone position could detect micrometastasis as well as primary lesion, better than supine position. Therefore, this study proposes that any technical change considered morphological feature like prone position can offer adequate and useful diagnostic information, together with complementary quantitative analysis.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2008

Purpose: Whole body imaging with radioiodine can detect functioning metastases. Non-physiologic I-131 uptake detected on images usually is interpreted as suggesting functioning thyroid metastases. However, extra-thyroidal I-131 accumulation does not always imply thyroid cancer metastases and has been reported in many circumstances. In order to avoid unnecessary therapeutic interventions it is important to distinguish false-positive sites of I-131 localization. We study here to remove false-positive sites around esophagus region on I-131 whole body imaging in patients who were administrated thyroidectomy. Materials and Methods: From April to August in 2007, we had the patients who had visited our department after they received thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer. They were given I-131, and performed radioiodine body scan after 41 to 50 hours. Patients were whole-body-scanned for the speed of 8 cm per minute. After that, we took anterior and posterior static images around the patients' neck measured by 300 thousand counts per image. We selected 44 patients who had hot spots around neck region, we divided the patients into two groups. One group was given 0.5 L of water and the other group was given 0.5 L of water with 1 g of Vitamin C dissolved. The patients were asked to drink the fluid for one minute in sitting position and after that, we measured 300 kilo counts per image again. We compared prior anterior, posterior static images with anterior, posterior images after the patients had water or water that Vitamin C resolved. Results: In using water, both observer 1 and 2 interpreted 6 patients were washed out. In the water with Vitamin C resolved, observer 1 and 2 interpreted 9 and 8 patients were washed out. Observer 1 and 2 interpreted 6 and 5 patients had 'indeterminate' when they used water. Both observer 1 and 2 interpreted 6 patients had 'indeterminate' when they used water with Vitamin C resolved. When they used water, observer 1 interpreted 10 patients had 'unchanged' and observer 2 interpreted 11 patients had 'unchanged'. Differently, when they used water with vitamin C resolved, observer1 had 8 patients having 'unchanged'and observer 2 had 9. Conclusion: As a result, by making patients drink 0.5 liter of water which has vitamin C resolved helped getting rid of false-positive sites in esophagus. Therefore, based on this study, we believe that drinking water with vitamin C dissolved is very in terms of reducing false-positive hot spot around the esophagus for the iodine-131 whole body scan.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.535-542
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• 2012

This study was carried out from 2011 to 2012 in order to analyze the cultivation technology system by six organic rice cultivation types in the southern provinces for the purpose of utilizing organic rice farming guidelines. This surveys were conducted by site visit on 8 counties and 115 farms in southern area. Cultivation technology system by six organic rice cultivation types were cultivated by the principle of minimum input or non-input. cropping systems, a mixture of barley and rice, or rice green manure crops were grown. Cultivars were mixture of the local cultivars and Japanese varieties. Soil were managed by a self-manufactured compost, indigenous microorganisms and barley straw without any fertilization. Pest control was mainly practied by purchased eco-friendly organic materials or herbal medication residue and indigenous microbial self-manufactured. Weed was controled by snails and barley straw. In addition, considering the restore of a longtail pitching shrimp and grasshoppers, the fuction of environmental ecology of six organic rice cultivation type proved to be excellent all. Meanwhile, the productivity of the organic farming per 10a were the order of Life and environment > Natural circulation > Stevia > Ji jang > Art and nature > Taepyoung of Farming Methods, but the farmers received prices showed the opposite tendency. Simple profitablity did not show a big difference. But, the productivity of all type of the organic farming were lower then the conventional farming. Finally, If we want to conduct safety and easy farming, we can suggest stevia farming, Natural circulation farming and life and environmental farming out of 6 organic rice cultivation types.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.494-501
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the presence of Bacillus cereus, aerobic bacteria and coliforms in the raw material of infant formulas and investigate the manufacturing process in terms of microbial safety. Among ten kinds of raw infant formula material samples (n=20), Bacillus cereus appeared in two (n=4). Aerobic bacteria were not detected in raw infant formula material or maximum 4.15 log CFU/g. Eleven species of aerobic bacteria were isolated and 76% of them were Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Rhizobium radiobactor, or Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. A Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that the most influential factors for detecting Bacillus cereus were aerobic bacteria and coliforms. In other words, when the measured values of aerobic bacteria and coliforms were higher, the possibility that Bacillus cereus would appear increased. In a regression model to predict Bacillus cereus, the rate of appearance was correlated with aerobic bacteria and coliforms, and its contribution rate for effectiveness was 86%. Improving microbial quality control by pasteurization, spray dry, popping and extrusion resulted in a decrease in the numbers of Bacillus cereus, aerobic bacteria and coliforms in the raw materials. The results suggest that a hazard analysis and critical control point system might be effective for reducing microbiological contamination.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.1079-1085
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• 2003

Modified atmosphere packaging was applied to oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) to study the effect of storage temperatures and packaging materialso. Whole mushrooms (200g) were package with polyethylene film $(PE,\;60{\mu}m\;thickness)$, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or ceramic film (containing 5% zeolite) and stored at 0, 5, 10 and $20^{\circ}C$. Weight loss, color, firmness, gas composition $(O_2,\;CO_2)$ inside the film package and ethanol content in the tissue of MA packaged mushrooms were examined. Mushroom that were packed unwrapped in a conventional hardboard box (2 kg) lost marketability at a very early stage of storage due to weight loss, shrinkage, browning, and spore formation. During storage, film packaging prevented or retarded the deterioration of the mushrooms in the aspects of appearance, texture, and discoloration. Firmness slightly decreased with storage time. Total color difference was much higher in the control than in the film-packaged mushroom and rapidly increased at the early of storage. Correlation analysis showed a high correlation between total color difference and b values. These results were characterized by the reduced respiration rate resulting from elevated carbon dioxide and reduced oxygen levels in the package. At all storage temperatures, ethanol content in the tissue increased slightly at the early part of storage and rose considerably towards the end of the storage period. Ethanol content in the oyster mushrooms was higher in the stipe than in pileus tissues. The shelf life of the oyster mushrooms was about $8{\sim}11$ days at $0^{\circ}C$, about $4{\sim}6$ day at $5^{\circ}C$, about $2{\sim}3$ days at $10^{\circ}C$, and about $1{\sim}2$ days at $20^{\circ}C$.