• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.108-116
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the concordance of three international guidelines: the Korean Thyroid Association/Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology, American Thyroid Association, and American College of Radiology for thyroid nodules classified by ultrasonography (US) and the diagnostic performance of simulated size criteria for malignant biopsies. Materials and Methods: A total of 2586 thyroid nodules (≥ 1 cm) were collected from two multicenter study datasets. The classifications of the thyroid nodules were based on three different guidelines according to US categories for malignancy risk, and the concordance rate between the different guidelines was calculated for the classified nodules. In addition, the diagnostic performance of criteria related to four different simulated biopsy sizes was evaluated. Results: The concordance rate of nodules classified as high- or intermediate-suspicion was high (84.1-100%), but low-suspicion or mildly-suspicious nodules exhibited relatively low concordance (63.8-83.8%) between the three guidelines. The differences in sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy between the guidelines were 0.7-19.8%, 0-40.9%, and 0.1-30.5%, respectively, when the original biopsy criteria were applied. The differences decreased to 0-5.9%, 0-10.9%, and 0.1-8.2%, respectively, when simulated, similar biopsy size criteria were applied. The unnecessary biopsy rate calculated with the original criteria (0-33.8%), decreased with the simulated biopsy size criteria (0-8.7%). Conclusion: We found a high concordance between the three guidelines for high- or intermediate-suspicion nodules, and the diagnostic performance of the biopsy criteria was approximately equivalent for each simulated size criterion. The difference in diagnostic performance between the three guidelines is mostly influenced by the various size thresholds for biopsies.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.197-203
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• 2001

Objective: To compare the clinical utility of contrast-enhanced color Doppler US in the differentiation of retinal detachment (RD) from vitreous membrane (VM) with that of various conventional US modalities, and to analyze the enhancement patterns in cases showing an enhancement effect. Materials and Methods: In 32 eyes examined over a recent two-year period, RD (n=14) and VM (n=18) were confirmed by surgery (n=28) or clinical follow-up (n=4). In all cases, gray-scale, color Doppler, and power Doppler US were performed prior to contrast injection, and after the intravenous injection of Levovist (Schering, Berlin) by hand for 30 seconds at a dose of 2.5 g and a concentration of 300 mg/mL via an antecubital vein, contrast-enhanced color Doppler US was performed. At Doppler US, the diagnostic criterion for RD and VM was whether or not color signals were visualized in membranous structures. Results: Diagnostic accuracy was 78% at gray-scale US, 81% at color Doppler US, 59% at power Doppler US, and 97% at contrast-enhanced color Doppler US. The sensitivity of color Doppler US to color signals in RD increased from 57% to 93% after contrast enhancement. The enhancement patterns observed were signal accentuation (n=3), signal extension (n=2), signal addition (n=3), and new signal visualization (n=5). Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced color Doppler US was the most accurate US modality for differentiating RD from VM, showing a significantly increased signal detection rate in RD.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.677-692
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• 2005

The assessment of sodium intake is complex because of the variety and nature of dietary sodium. This study intended to develop a dish frequency questionnaire (DFQ) for estimating the habitual sodium intake and a short DFQ for screening subjects with high or low sodium intake. For DFQ112, one hundred and twelve dish items were selected based on the information of sodium content of the one serving size and consumption frequency. Frequency of consumption was determined through nine categories ranging from more than 3 times a day to almost never to indicate how often the specified amount of each food item was consumed during the past 6 months. One hundred seventy one adults (male: 78, female: 93) who visited hypertension or health examination clinic participated in the validation study. DFQ55 was developed from DFQ112 by omitting the food items not frequently consumed, selecting the dish items that showed higher sodium content per one portion size and higher consumption frequency. To develop a short DFQs for classifying subjects with low or high sodium intakes, the weighed score according to the sodium content of one protion size was given to each dish item of DFQ25 or DFQ14 and multiplied with the consumption frequency score. A sum index of all the dish items was formed and called sodium index (Na index). For validation study the DFQ112, 2-day diet record and one 24-hour urine collection were analyzed to estimate sodium intakes. The sodium intakes estimated with DFQ112 and 24-h urine analysis showed $65\%$ agreement to be classified into the same quartile and showed significant correlation (r=0.563 p<0.05). However, the actual amount of sodium intake estimated with DFQ112 (male: 6221.9mg, female: 6127.6mg) showed substantial difference with that of 24-h urine analysis (male: 4556.9mg, female: 5107.4mg). The sodium intake estimated with DFQ55 (male: 4848.5mg, female: 4884.3mg) showed small difference from that estimated with 24-h urine analysis, higher proportion to be classfied into the same quartile and higher correlation with the sodium intakes estimated with 24-h urine analysis and systolic blood pressure. It seems DFQ55 can be used as a tool for quantitative estimation of sodium intake. Na index25 or Na index14 showed $39\~50\%$ agreement to be classified into the same quartile, substantial correlations with the sodium intake estimated with DFQ55 and significant correlations with the sodium intake estimated with 24-h urine analysis. When point 119 for Na index25 was used as a criterion of low sodium intake, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value was $62.5\%,\;81.8\%\;and\;53.2\%$, respectively. When point 102 for Na index14 was used as a criterion of high sodium intake, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were $73.8\%,\;84.0\%,\;62.0\%$, respectively. It seems the short DFQs using Na index 14 or Na index25 are simple, easy and proper instruments to classify the low or high sodium intake group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.2
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• pp.331-343
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• 2022

Purpose To systematically compare the performance of liver imaging reporting and data system treatment response (LR-TR) with the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) for diagnosing viable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with locoregional therapy (LRT). Materials and Methods Original studies of intra-individual comparisons between the diagnostic performance of LR-TR and mRECIST using dynamic contrast-enhanced CT or MRI were searched in MEDLINE and EMBASE, up to August 25, 2021. The reference standard for tumor viability was surgical pathology. The meta-analytic pooled sensitivity and specificity of the viable category using each criterion were calculated using a bivariate random-effects model and compared using bivariate meta-regression. Results For five eligible studies (430 patients with 631 treated observations), the pooled per-lesion sensitivities and specificities were 58% (95% confidence interval [CI], 45%-70%) and 93% (95% CI, 88%-96%) for the LR-TR viable category and 56% (95% CI, 42%-69%) and 86% (95% CI, 72%-94%) for the mRECIST viable category, respectively. The LR-TR viable category provided significantly higher pooled specificity (p < 0.01) than the mRECIST but comparable pooled sensitivity (p = 0.53). Conclusion The LR-TR algorithm demonstrated better specificity than mRECIST, without a significant difference in sensitivity for the diagnosis of pathologically viable HCC after LRT.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.273-284
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• 1996

Embryos and fetuses are more sensitive to various environmental agents than are adults or children. The biological effects such as intrauterine death and malformation are closely connected with prenatal exposure very various agents. The sensitivity of these embryonic/fetal effects depends on the stage of pregnancy. From the viewpoint of fetal development, embryonic and fetal stages can be divided into three stages : Preimplantation, organogenetic and fetal. Each stage corresponds to 0 to 4.5days, 4.5 to 13.5days, and 13.5days of gestation in mice, respectively. Many studies on the biologcal effects of mice irradiated by ${\gamma}-rays$ at various stages during organogenesis and fetal period have been performed. Based on these results, the dose-effect and dose-response relationships in malformations, intrauterine death, or retardation of the physical growth have been practically modeled by the ICRP(International Commission on Radiological Protection) and other international bodies for radiation protection. Many experimental studies on mice have made it clear that mice embryos in the preimplantation period have a higher sensitivity to radiation for lethal effects than the embryos/fetuses on other prenatal periods. However, no eratogenic effects of radiation at preimplantation stages of mice have been described in many textbooks. It has been believed that 'all or none action results' for radiation of mice during the preimplantation period were applied. The teratogenic and lethal effects during the preimplantation stage are one of the most important problems from the viewpoint of radiological protection, since the preimplantation stage is the period when the pregnancy itself is not noticed by a pregnant woman. There are many physical or chemical agents which affect embryos/fetuses in the environment. It is assumed that each agents indirectly effects a human. Then, a safety criterion on each agent is determined independently. The pregnant ICR mice on 2, 48, 72 or 96 hours post-conception (hpc), at which are preimplantation stage of embryos, were irradiated whole body Cesium-gamma radiation at doses of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 Gy with dose rate of 0.2 Gy/min. In the embryos from the fetuses from the mice irradiated at various period in preimplantation, embryonic/fetal mortalities, incidence of external gross malformation, fetal body weight and sex ratio were observed at day 18 of gestation. The sensitivity of embryonic mortalities in the mice irradiated at the stage of preimplantation were higher than those in the mice irradiated at the stage of organogenesis. And the more sensitive periods of preimplantation stage for embryonic death were 2 and 48 hpc, at which embryos were one cell and 4 to 7 cell stage, respectively. Many types of the external gross malformations such as exencephaly, cleft palate and anophthalmia were observed in the fetuses from the mice irradiated at 2, 72 and 96 hpc. However, no malformations were observed in the mice irradiated at 48 hpc, at which stage the embryos were about 6 cell stage precompacted embryos. So far, it is believed that the embryos on preimplantation stage are not susceptible to teratogens such as radiation and chemical agents. In this study, the sensitivity for external malformations in the fetuses from the mice irradiated at preimplantation were higher than those in the fetuses on stage of organogenesis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.437-443
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• 2009

Background: The aim of this study was to consider the significance of pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity combined with lymphocyte/neutrophil (L/N) ratio in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy (TBpl) in a region of intermediate prevalence of tuberculosis (TB). Methods: We collected data from 388 patients with exudative pleural effusions. The final diagnoses were compared to the results from our diagnostic method using pleural fluid ADA and L/N ratio. Results: 108 patients had a final diagnosis of TBpl; 102 cases had high levels of ADA ($\geq$40 IU/L). When we considered ADA $\geq$40 IU/L as a diagnostic criterion, the sensitivity was 94.4%, specificity 87.5%, and posttest posttest probability 74.5%. However, when we considered ADA $\geq$40 IU/L combined with the L/N ratio $\geq$0.75 as a diagnostic criterion, the specificity and post-test probability were rose to 97.5% and 93%, respectively. The other causes of high ADA and L/N ratios were lymphoma and metastatic carcinoma, but mass-like lesions were found on the chest radiographs or CT scans. Conclusion: To evaluate the causes of exudative pleural effusions in a region of intermediate prevalence of tuberculosis, we recommend measuring the pleural fluid ADA and L/N ratio first. If the result is high and malignancies are not suspected, it may be diagnostic of TBpl.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.149-156
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• 2013

Purpose: Clinical stage of gastric cancer is currently assessed by computed tomography. Accurate clinical staging is important for the tailoring of therapy. This study evaluated the accuracy of clinical N staging using stomach protocol computed tomography. Materials and Methods: Between March 2004 and November 2012, 171 patients with gastric cancer underwent preoperative stomach protocol computed tomography (Jeju National University Hospital; Jeju, Korea). Their demographic and clinical characteristics were reviewed retrospectively. Two radiologists evaluated cN staging using axial and coronal computed tomography images, and cN stage was matched with pathologic results. The diagnostic accuracy of stomach protocol computed tomography for clinical N staging and clinical characteristics associated with diagnostic accuracy were evaluated. Results: The overall accuracy of stomach protocol computed tomography for cN staging was 63.2%. Computed tomography images of slice thickness 3.0 mm had a sensitivity of 60.0%; a specificity of 89.6%; an accuracy of 78.4%; and a positive predictive value of 78.0% in detecting lymph node metastases. Underestimation of cN stage was associated with larger tumor size (P<0.001), undifferentiated type (P=0.003), diffuse type (P=0.020), more advanced pathologic stage (P<0.001), and larger numbers of harvested and metastatic lymph nodes (P<0.001 each). Tumor differentiation was an independent factor affecting underestimation by computed tomography (P=0.045). Conclusions: Computed tomography with a size criterion of 8 mm is highly specific but relatively insensitive in detecting nodal metastases. Physicians should keep in mind that computed tomography may not be an appropriate tool to detect nodal metastases for choosing appropriate treatment.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2001

To investigate the diagnostic accuracy and applicability of barium enema(BE) and rectal suction biopsy with acetyl cholinesterase(AChE) histochemistry in the diagnosis of neonatal Hirschsprung's disease(HD), we retrospectively reviewed the findings of BE and AChE staining in 96 neonates with suspected HD during a 10-year period from January 1991 to December 2000. Sixty-nine cases of HD(58 males and 11 females) and 27 cases of non-HD are included in this study. In regard to BE, HD was based on definite transitional zone, suspicious HD on reversed rectosigmoid index(RSI <1), and non-HD on normal RSI(RSI>1). The histochemical criterion used for the diagnosis of HD was that of Chow et al(1977), i.e., the presence of many coarse discrete cholinergic nerve fibers in the muscularis mucosae and in the immediately subjacent submucosa regardless of infiltration of cholinergic nerve fibers in the lamina propria. Of 66 neonates with HD who underwent BE, transitional zone was identified in 33 cases(50 %) and reversed RSI in 19 cases(21 %), microcolon in 4 cases and normal finding in 10 cases(15 %) while of 27 neonates with non-HD, there was normal finding in 16 cases and reversed RSI in 9 cases(41 %). Thus diagnostic accuracy based on transitional zone was 64 %. The positive predictive value of reversed RSI for the diagnosis of HD was 68 %. Of 42 neonates with HD who underwent AChE histochemistry, there were 41 AChE-positive reactions and one AChE-negative reaction in a neonate with total colonic aganglionosis, while of 27 cases of non-HD, there were one equivocal AChE-positive reaction and 26 AChE-negative reactions. Thus AChE histochemical study showed a 97 % diagnostic accuracy with a 98 % sensitivity and a 96 % specificity. In conclusion, we believe that BE is valuable as a first diagnostic step since about 80 % of neonates with HD show significant radiologic findings such as a transitional zone or reversed RSI. AChE histochemical study was a more reliable diagnos tic tool showing a 97 % diagnostic accuracy, and is part.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.107-119
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• 2017

Purpose : Recently, cancer has become a chronic disease that requires supervision because of early diagnosis and the development of therapeutic technology. As a result, cancer patients are interested in improving the quality of their lives besides the treatment of cancer itself. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a qualitative research to understand the vivid experiences of cancer patients and structure their treatment experience. Among qualitative researches, grounded theory is developed based on the data collected in the field. The grounded theory research method is easy to analyze for the process and structure of the treatment experience. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to provide basic data on the integrated medical experience of cancer patients Methods : Participants were conveniently selected, and the criteria for selection were for those who had more than 1 month of hospitalization so that they could dictate their situation and experience in a meaningful manner. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and continued until the data were saturated through theoretical sensitivity and continuous comparison methods. The collected data were analyzed through the process of open-coding, axial coding, and selection coding, which are the research methods of grounded theory. Results : Cancer patients differ in their path, purpose, and attitudes depending on their respective situations and the internal and external resources of individuals. There is also a difference in the perception of their situation among the cancer patients and their families. Cancer patients were shown to recognize and cope with problems in the integrated medical treatment process, and have been classified into 6 different types after the results. Cancer patients showed positive changes in terms of physical, emotional, and lifestyle after their integrated medical treatment. Cancer patients perceived the integrated medical treatment process as a horizontal relationship structure and with diversity. Conclusions : The experience of integrated medical treatment of cancer patients is a process of rehabilitation that heals the body and restores life within the interaction of support system, contextual situation, and internal resources of the individual. Despite this, there is a need not only for the efforts of integrated medical service providers but also institutional support in the future with regards to the current weaknesses and points for improvement. In addition, there is a need for an objective criterion to measure the outcome of integrated medicine for the standardization of integrated medical services.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.423-430
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• 1994

We designed and fabricated the single mode fiber pigtailed DFB-LD module for 2.5 Gbps optical communication system. In the design of the DFB-LD module, we made the module divided into two parts of inner sub-module and outer 14-pin butterfly package and cylindrical shaped sub-module contain quasi confocal 2 lens system including optical isolator and electrical connection between these parts via hybrid substrate of bias T circuit. Laser welding was used to assemble the sub-module which requires accurate fixing between optical elements. The fabricated DFB-LD module showed optical coupling efficiency of 20% and - 3 dB small signal response of more than 2.6 GHz. We confirmed mechanical reliability of the module by temperature cycle test where the tested module exhibit optical power fluctuation of less than 10%. Finally we evaluated the performance of the fabricated DFB-LD module as light source of 2.5 Gbps optical communication system, sensitivity of - 30.2 dBm was obtained through 47 km optical fiber transmission under the criterion of $1\times10^{-10}$ BER and transmission penalties were 1.5 dB caused by extinction ratio and 1.0 dB caused by chromatic dispersion of normal single mode fiber. fiber.