• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.201-208
• /
• 2007

Purpose: We investigated whether the diagnostic performance of SPECT scintimammography (SMM) can be improved by adding computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) of ultrasonography (US). Materials and methods: We reviewed breast SPECT SMM images and corresponding US images from 40 patients with breast masses (21 malignant and 19 benign tumors). The quantitative data of SPECT SMM were obtained as the uptake ratio of lesion to contralateral normal breast. The morphologic features of the breast lesions on US were extracted and quantitated using the automated CAD software program. The diagnostic performance of SPECT SMM and CAD of US alone was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The best discriminating parameter (D-value) combining SPECT SMM and the CAD of US was created. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of combined two diagnostic modalities were compared to those of a single one. Results: Both SPECT SMM and CAD of US showed a relatively good diagnostic performance (area under curve = 0.846 and 0.831, respectively). Combining the results of SPECT SMM and CAD of US resulted in improved diagnostic performance (area under curve =0.860), but there was no statistical differerence in sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between the combined method and a single modality. Conclusion: It seems that combining the results of SPECT SMM and CAD of breast US do not significantly improve the diagnostic performance for diagnosis of breast cancer, compared with that of SPECT SMM alone. However, SPECT SMM and CAD of US may complement each other in differential diagnosis of breast cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.10
• /
• pp.1082-1089
• /
• 2005

Purpose : Abdominal obesity is encountered as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, the anthropometric cut-off value to estimate the cardiovascular risk, has not been suggested. This study was designed to find the relationship between the abdominal fat and various parameters of obesity to find the cardiovascular risk factors related to abdominal obesity and to establish practical methods to measure them. Methods : Twenty seven obese Korean adolescents of moderate to severe degree and 22 healthy adolescents were enrolled. The body mass index(BMI), arm circumference and skinfold thickness were measured. Furthermore, blood lipid, sugar, insulin and four different cytokines' levels were checked and the distribution of body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat thickness by abdominal ultrasonography(US) and the total and intra-abdominal fat area by abdominal computerized tomography(CT) were measured in the obese group. Results : The most accurate method to measure abdominal fat in children is abdominal CT and the fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedance was strongly correlated with it(r=0.954). It was also correlated with arm circumference, fat thickness measured by abdominal US, BMI, aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and triglyceride level. Conclusion : Abdominal CT is the most accurate method to measure intra-abdominal fat, and it can be replaced by abdominal US for cost effectiveness. The screening methods that can be used at school or in outpatient basis include bioelectrical impedance, waist/hip ratio, and arm circumference. The cardiovascular risk factors include leptin, triglyceride and insulin level.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.390-397
• /
• 2012

Removal characteristics of lead-contaminated soil at the military shooting range located in the Changwon city were studied experimentally using soil washing process. As a washing solution, hydrogen chloride (HCl) concentrations of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 0.2 N were used, and soil : solution ratios were 1 : 2, 1 : 3, 1 : 4, and 1 : 5. Particle diameter of contaminated soil of 4-0.075 mm, and washing period of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, and 120 min were used as operating parameters. The optimum concentration of HCl solution was 0.1 N (56.3% of Pb removal efficiency) with 15 minutes operation period in views of economics, and the optimum soil : solution ratio was determined as 1 g : 3 mL for 69.7% of Pb removal efficiency with 0.1 N HCl and 15 minutes washing period. As washing period increased, removal efficiency was increased until 20 min of the removal efficiency of 75.3%, and then almost stable. Pb removal efficiency in soil particle diameters of 0.075 mm or more was ranged from 77.0% to 82.0%, but it was decreased to 52.8% in diameter of less than 0.075 mm. Therefore, the optimum cut-off size of the soil particle diameter was found less than 0.075 mm. Combined HCl solution and ultrasonic washing method showed better removal efficiency compared to only water or HCl washing method for particle sizes above 0.075 mm.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.59 no.6
• /
• pp.625-630
• /
• 2005

Background : Determining the cause of an exudative pleural effusion is sometimes quite difficult, especially between malignant and tuberculous effusions. Twenty percent of effusions remain undiagnosed even after a complete diagnostic evaluation, including pleural biopsy. The activity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), which is the one of proinflammatory cytokines, is increased in both infectious and malignant effusions. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic efficiency of TNF-${\alpha}$ activity in distinguishing tuberculous from malignant effusions. Methods : 46 patients (13 with malignant pleural effusion, 33 with tuberculous pleural effusion) with exudative pleurisy were included. TNF-${\alpha}$ concentrations were measured in the pleural fluid and serum samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, TNF-${\alpha}$ ratio (pleural fluid TNF-${\alpha}$ : serum TNF-${\alpha}$) was calculated. Results : TNF-${\alpha}$ concentration and TNF-${\alpha}$ ratio in the pleural fluid were significantly higher in the tuberculous effusions than in the malignant effusions (p<0.05). However, the serum levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ in the malignant and tuberculous pleural effusions were similar (p>0.05). The cut off points for the pleural fluid TNF-${\alpha}$ level and TNF-${\alpha}$ ratio were found to be 136.4 pg/mL and 6.4, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve were 81%, 80% and 0.82 for the pleural fluid TNF-${\alpha}$ level (p<0.005) and 76%, 70% and 0.72 for the TNF-${\alpha}$ ratio (p<0.05). Conclusion : We conclude that pleural fluid TNF-${\alpha}$ level and TNF-${\alpha}$ ratio can distinguish a malignant pleural effusion from a tuberculous effusion, and can be additional markers in a differential diagnosis of tuberculous and malignant pleural effusion. The level of TNF-${\alpha}$ in the pleural fluid could be a more efficient marker than the TNF-${\alpha}$ ratio.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.115-120
• /
• 2000

All solid-state thin film micro-batteries consisting of lithium metal anode, an amorphous LiPON electrolyte and cathode of vanadium oxide have been fabricated and characterized, which were fabricated with cell structure of $Li/LiPON/V_2O_5Pt$. The effect of various oxygen partial pressure on the electrochemical properties of vanadium oxide thin films formed by d.c. reactive sputtering deposition were investigated. The vanadium oxide thin film with deposition condition of $20\%\;O_2/Ar$ ratio showed good cycling behavior. In in-siか process, the LiPON electrolyte was deposited on the $V_2O_5$ films without breaking vacuum by r.f. magnetron sputtering at room temperature. After deposition of the amorphous LiPON, the Li metal films were grown by a thermal evaporator in a dry room. The charge-discharge cycle measurements as a function of current density and voltage variation revealed that the $Li/LiPON/V_2O_5$ thin film had excellent rechargeable properly when current density was $7{\mu}A/cm^2$. and cut-off voltage was between 3.6 and 2.7V In practical experiment, a stopwatch ran on this $Li/LiPON/V_2O_5$ thin film micro-battery. This result means that thin film micro-battery fabricated by in-siか process is a promising for power source for electronic devices.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.76 no.5
• /
• pp.218-225
• /
• 2014

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an extremely aggressive tumor with a poor clinical course. Although many efforts have been made to improve patients' survival rates, patients who survive longer than 2 years after chemotherapy are still very rare. We examined the baseline characteristics of patients with long-term survival rates in order to identify the prognostic factors for overall survivals. Methods: A total of 242 patients with cytologically or histologically diagnosed SCLC were enrolled into this study. The patients were categorized into long- and short-term survival groups by using a survival cut-off of 2 years after diagnosis. Cox's analyses were performed to identify the independent factors. Results: The mean patient age was 65.66 years, and 85.5% were males; among the patients, 61 of them (25.2%) survived longer than 2 years. In the multivariate analyses, CRP (hazard ratio [HR], 2.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-6.06; p=0.012), TNM staging (HR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.59-6.80; p=0.001), and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR, 11.14; 95% CI, 2.98-41.73; p<0.001) were independent prognostic markers for poor survival rates. Conclusion: In addition to other well-known prognostic factors, this study discovered relationships between the long-term survival rates and serum CRP levels, TNM staging, and PFS. In situations with unfavorable conditions, the PFS would be particularly helpful for managing SCLC patients.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.39-46
• /
• 2017

Background: We evaluated new patient's satisfactory consultation time (SCT) and their willingness to pay additional costs (WPAC) for their SCT. Methods: We surveyed medical service satisfaction, SCT, WPAC for their SCT, and payable amount to 612 new patients of single general hospital and measured their real consultation time (RCT). To compare WPAC and payable amount, we divided RCT into 4 groups (${\leq}3$ minutes, 3-5 minutes, 5-10 minutes, and > 10 minutes), and SCT into 3 groups (${\leq}5$ minutes, 5-10 minutes, and > 10 minutes). On the basis of WPAC, we estimated new patient's SCT. Results: RCT was 6.2 minutes, SCT was 8.9 minutes, and medical service satisfaction score was 4.3 (out of 5). The number of patients having WPAC (payable group) was 381 (62.3%) and the amount was 5,853 Korean won. Their RCT and SCT were longer than non-payable group (6.4 minutes vs. 5.7 minutes, 9.3 minutes vs. 8.2 minutes). From multiple logistic regression analysis, WPAC of RCT 5-10 minutes was higher than that RCT ${\leq}3$ minutes (odds ratio= 1.78). Payable amount was highest in RCT > 10 minutes (6,950 Korea won) and SCT > 10 minutes (7,458 Korean won). Intuitively we suggest 10 minutes as SCT, based on payable group's SCT (9.3 minutes) and cut-off time differentiating payable group with non-payable group (10 minutes). Conclusion: We found that new patient had WPAC for their SCT and the longer the SCT, the greater the amount. From this, we hope that current simplified new patient consultation fee calculating system should be modified combining the consultation time factor.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.302-308
• /
• 1997

${\beta}-Cyclodextrin\;({\beta}-CD)$ polymers were prepared using epichlorohydrin as a cross linking agent. The polymers were separated into ${\beta}-CD$ soluble polymer $({\beta}-CD\;SP)$ and ${\beta}-CD$ insoluble polymer $({\beta}-CD\;ISP)$ on a 10,000 molecular weight cut-off membrane (YM 10). Optimum separation conditions in the YM 10 were: transmembrane pressure 51.7 kPa, separation temperature $35^{\circ}C$, and volume concentration ratio 10. The flux was $0.025\;mL/cm^{2}/min$ under the optimum conditions. Gel permeation chromatography indicated that ${\beta}-CD\;SP\;and\;{\beta}-CD\;ISP$ had a degree of polymerization of $2{\sim}8$ and over 10, respectively. The formation of an inclusion complex with hydrophobic compounds such as 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene, methyl red, and naringin was compared among ${\beta}-CD,\;{\beta}-CD\;SP\;and\;{\beta}-CD\;ISP$. The molar absorptivity for the two chromatic compounds was increased and the absorption peak was shifted in the presence of ${\beta}-CD$ polymers. Naringin, the principal flavonoid bitter tasting component of citrus fruit, had a low water solubility. The solubility of naringin was increased through the formation of an inclusion complex with ${\beta}-CD$ polymers. There was no significant difference in the formation of an inclusion complex between ${\beta}-CD\;SP\;and\;{\beta}-CD\;ISP$. Reduction of the bitter components from citrus products was shown to be possible when employing ${\beta}-CD\;SP$, while the usage of ${\beta}-CD$ monomer has been limited due to the low water solubility.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.9 no.7
• /
• pp.950-955
• /
• 1998

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of running time, operating pressure, feed concentration and circulation rate on the permeation flux and the rejection rate in cross-flow ultrafiltration of polyethylene glycol(PEG) solution of molecular weight($M_w$) 8000 and 20000. The membranes used for this study were MWCO(Molecular Weight Cut-off) of 6 K and 20 K. The experiments were performed at the operating pressures of 7, 14 and 28 psi, the circulation rates of 1000 mL/min and 2000 mL/min, and the feed concentration of 100 mg/L and 1000 mg/L. At a constant pressure, the permeation flux and the observed rejection($R_o$) appeared to be approximately constant within the range of running time, 0~480 min. The permeation flux increased with increasing the operating pressure, and it increased with decreasing the feed concentration and decreasing Mw of PEG at a given pressure. On the other hand, $R_o$ decreased slightly with increasing the operating pressure. However, $R_o$ increased with increasing the feed concentration and increasing of $M_w$ of PEG at a given pressure. The variation in circulation rates did not cause any significant influence on the permeation flux. Increasing of circulation rate caused the increase of $R_o$, and $\alpha$ was increased substantially with the decrease of $M_w$ of PEG. The dimensionless parameter. permeability ratio($\alpha$), which was used to investigate flux-pressure behavior, was increased with the increase in circulation rate and operating presure. The value of $\alpha$ was less than 1 in all cases. The estimated intrinsic rejection(R). which was obtained from mass transfer coefficient, was decreased with the increase of operating pressure. However R increased with the increase of linear velocity of feed and $M_w$ of PEG.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.203-210
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate appropriate contrast reference values (CRVs) by comparing the contrast in phantom and clinical images. Materials and Methods: Phantom contrast was measured using two methods: (1) counting the number of visible pits of different depths in an aluminum plate, and (2) obtaining the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for 5 tissue-equivalent materials (porcelain, aluminum, polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE], polyoxymethylene [POM], and polymethylmethacrylate [PMMA]). Four panoramic radiographs of the contrast phantom, embedded in the 4 different regions of the arch-form stand, and 1 real skull phantom image were obtained, post-processed, and compared. The clinical image quality evaluation chart was used to obtain the cut-off values of the phantom CRV corresponding to the criterion of being adequate for diagnosis. Results: The CRVs were obtained using 4 aluminum pits in the incisor and premolar region, 5 aluminum pits in the molar region, and 2 aluminum pits in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region. The CRVs obtained based on the CNR measured in the anterior region were: porcelain, 13.95; aluminum, 9.68; PTFE, 6.71; and POM, 1.79. The corresponding values in the premolar region were: porcelain, 14.22; aluminum, 8.82; PTFE, 5.95; and POM, 2.30. In the molar region, the following values were obtained: porcelain, 7.40; aluminum, 3.68; PTFE, 1.27; and POM, - 0.18. The CRVs for the TMJ region were: porcelain, 3.60; aluminum, 2.04; PTFE, 0.48; and POM, - 0.43. Conclusion: CRVs were determined for each part of the jaw using the CNR value and the number of pits observed in phantom images.