• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 2009

Background: With the advances of cardiac surgery, the demand for an artificial prosthesis has increased, and this has led to the development and utilization of diverse alternative materials. We conducted this research to improve an artificial prosthesis by examining the changes of the physical qualities, the pressure related tensile strength, the change in elasticity and the thermostability of a xenograft valve (porcine) and pericardium (bovine, porcine) based on the type of fixation liquid we used. Material and Method: The xenograft valves and pericardium were assigned into three groups: the untreated group, the fixed with glutaraldehyde (GA) group and the glutaraldehyde with GA+solvent such as ethanol etc. group. The surgeons carried out each group's physical activities. Each group's uniaxial tension and elasticity was measured and compared. Thermostability testing was conducted and compared between the bovine and porcine pericardium fixed with GA group and the GA+solvent group. Result: On the physical activity test in the surgeon's hand, no significant difference between the groups was sensed on palpation. For suture and tension, the GA+solvent group was slightly firmer than the low GA concentration group. In general, the circumferential uniaxial tension and elasticity of the porcine aortic and pulmonary valves were better in the fixed groups than that in the untreated group. There was no significant difference between the GA and GA+solvent groups (p>0.05). Bovine and porcine pericardium also showed no significant difference between the GA group and the GA+solvent group (p>0.05). When comparing between the groups for each experiment, the elasticity tended to be stronger in most of the higher GA concentration group (porcine pulmonary valve, porcine pericardium). On the thermostability testing of the bovine and porcine pericardium, the GA group and the G+solvent group both had a sudden shrinking point at $80^{\circ}C$ that showed no difference (bovine pericardium: p=0.057, porcine pericardium: p=0.227). Conclusion: When fixing xenograft prosthetic devices with GA, adding a solvent did not cause a loss in pressure-tension, tension-elasticity and thermostability. In addition, more functional solvents or cleansers should be developed for developing better xenografts.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2012

Purpose: Unlike the existing linear accelerator with photon, proton therapy produces a number of second radiation due to the kinds of nuclide including neutron that is produced from the interaction with matter, and more attention must be paid on the exposure level of radiation workers for this reason. Therefore, thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD) that is being widely used to measure radiation was utilized to analyze the exposure level of the radiation workers and propose a basic data about the radiation exposure level during the proton therapy. Materials and Methods: The subjects were radiation workers who worked at the proton therapy center of National Cancer Center and TLD Badge was used to compare the measured data of exposure level. In order to check the dispersion of exposure dose on body parts from the second radiation coming out surrounding the beam line of proton, TLD (width and length: 3 mm each) was attached to on the body spots (lateral canthi, neck, nipples, umbilicus, back, wrists) and retained them for 8 working hours, and the average data was obtained after measuring them for 80 hours. Moreover, in order to look into the dispersion of spatial exposure in the treatment room, TLD was attached on the snout, PPS (Patient Positioning System), Pendant, block closet, DIPS (Digital Image Positioning System), Console, doors and measured its exposure dose level during the working hours per day. Results: As a result of measuring exposure level of TLD Badge of radiation workers, quarterly average was 0.174 mSv, yearly average was 0.543 mSv, and after measuring the exposure level of body spots, it showed that the highest exposed body spot was neck and the lowest exposed body spot was back (the middle point of a line connecting both scapula superior angles). Investigation into the spatial exposure according to the workers' movement revealed that the exposure level was highest near the snout and as the distance becomes distant, it went lower. Conclusion: Even a small amount of exposure will eventually increase cumulative dose and exposure dose on a specific body part can bring health risks if one works in a same location for a long period. Therefore, radiation workers must thoroughly manage exposure dose and try their best to minimize it according to ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommends.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2010

Purpose: In patients with meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, controversy remains as to whether arthroscopic menisectomy is worthwhile or not. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of arthroscopic medial meniscectomy in degenerative arthritis of the knee with meniscal tear. We also intended to identify pertinent indications and risk factors. Materials and Methods: 287 patients underwent arthroscopic medial meniscectomy from 2006 to 2008; 103 patients who had Kellgren-Lawrence grade II, III arthritis of the knee, were over 50 years old, and had minimum 1 year follow-up, were analyzed in this study. Clinical assessment was performed retrospectively using the arthroscopic surgery database, medical records, questionnires and interviews. Assessment included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Lysholm scores. Results: The mean Lysholm score increased from 69 to 85 after surgery. The mean VAS score improved from 7 to 3.1 after surgery. Kellgren-Lawrence grade II group and group with trauma history showed significant improvement of pain and function compared with grade III and group without trauma history. Outerbridge grade I showed significantly more improvement of pain than grade III and IV. Multiple regression analysis showed that trauma history and Outerbridge grade affect the improvement of Lysholm score. Conclusion: In one year follow-up, arthroscopic medial menisectomy can improve pain and function of patients in Kellgren-Lawrence grade II, III degenerative arthritis of the knee. We could expect good results especially in group with low Kellgren-Lawrence grade, trauma history, and mild articular cartilage lesion.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.456-464
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• 1998

For the standardization and quality improvement of traditional Korean Nuruk, 10 strains of fungi, which were isolated from Nuruks and showed good productivity of the saccharogenic and dextrinogenic enzymes, acid and flavor, were selected and their enzymological characteristics and identification were carried out. Aspergillus spp. and Rhizopus sp. showed a high liquefying activity without regard to cultivation time, whereas the majority of strains except for Rhizopus sp. had decreasing saccharifying activity in proportion to the increase in cultivation time. Aspergillus spp. No.17-2, No.17-6 and Rhizopus sp. No.18-1 showed high liquefying and saccharifying activity after 15 and 30 day cultivation. The optimum temperature of most of these saccharogenic and dextrinogenic enzymes was from 40$^{\circ}C$ to 60$^{\circ}C$, and their optimum pH was extensive between pH 3 and pH 11. But Penicillium spp.(2 strains) and Rhizopus sp. showed low activity under the alkalic and acidic conditions. Among these isolated strains, 5 strains which had shown the high productivity of materials were identified as Aspergillus oryzae NR3-6 and Aspergillus oryzae NR17-6, Aspergillus penicilloides NR12-1, Penicillium expansum NR7-7 and Rhizopus oryzee NRl8-1, respectively. Five kinds of mixed culture were carried out and all of them showed a better productivity of saccharogenic and dextrinogenic enzymes than single culture. These results indicate that it is possible to make traditional Korean liquors of good quality by using these fungi.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2013

Purpose: High-energy radiotherapy with 10 MV or higher develops photoneutron through photonuclear reaction. Photoneutron has higher radiation weighting factor than X-ray, thus low dose can greatly affect the human body. An accurate dosimetric calculation and consultation are needed. This study compared and analyzed the dose change of photoneutron in terms of space according to the size of photon beam energy and treatment methods. Materials and Methods: To measure the dose change of photoneutron by the size of photon beam energy, patients with the same therapy area were recruited and conventional plans with 10 MV and 15 MV were each made. To measure the difference between the two treatment methods, 10 MV conventional plan and 10 MV IMRT plan was made. A detector was placed at the point which was 100 cm away from the photon beam isocenter, which was placed in the center of $^3He$ proportional counter, and the photoneutron dose was measured. $^3He$ proportional counter was placed 50 cm longitudinally superior to and inferior to the couch with the central point as the standard to measure the dose change by position changes. A commercial program was used for dose change analysis. Results: The average integral dose by energy size was $220.27{\mu}Sv$ and $526.61{\mu}Sv$ in 10 MV and 15 MV conventional RT, respectively. The average dose increased 2.39 times in 15 MV conventional RT. The average photoneutron integral dose in conventional RT and IMRT with the same energy was $220.27{\mu}Sv$ and $308.27{\mu}Sv$ each; the dose in IMRT increased 1.40 times. The average photoneutron integral dose by measurement location resulted significantly higher in point 2 than 3 in conventional RT, 7.1% higher in 10 MV, and 3.0% higher in 15 MV. Conclusion: When high energy radiotherapy, it should consider energy selection, treatment method and patient position to reduce unnecessary dose by photoneutron. Also, the dose data of photoneutron needs to be systematized to find methods to apply computerization programs. This is considered to decrease secondary cancer probabilities and side effects due to radiation therapy and to minimize unnecessary dose for the patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2006

Purpose: Few researches have been peformed on the dose distribution of the moving organ for radiotherapy so far. In order to simulate the organ motion caused by respiratory function, multipurpose phantom and moving device was used and dosimetric measurements for dose distribution of the moving organs were conducted in this study. The purpose of our study was to evaluate how dose distributions are changed due to respiratory motion. Materials and Methods: A multipurpose phantom and a moving device were developed for the measurement of the dose distribution of the moving organ due to respiratory function. Acryl chosen design of the phantom was considered the most obvious choice for phantom material. For construction of the phantom, we used acryl and cork with density of $1.14g/cm^3,\;0.32g/cm^3$ respectively. Acryl and cork slab in the phantom were used to simulate the normal organ and lung respectively. The moving phantom system was composed of moving device, moving control system, and acryl and cork phantom. Gafchromic film and EDR2 film were used to measure dose ditrbutions. The moving device system may be driven by two directional step motors and able to perform 2 dimensional movements (x, z axis), but only 1 dimensional movement(z axis) was used for this study. Results: Larger penumbra was shown in the cork phantom than in the acryl phantom. The dose profile and isodose curve of Gafchromic EBT film were not uniform since the film has small optical density responding to the dose. As the organ motion was increased, the blurrings in penumbra, flatness, and symmetry were increased. Most of measurements of dose distrbutions, Gafchromic EBT film has poor flatness and symmetry than EDR2 film, but both penumbra distributions were more or less comparable. Conclusion: The Gafchromic EBT film is more useful as it does not need development and more radiation dose could be exposed than EDR2 film without losing film characteristics. But as response of the optical density of Gafchromic EBT film to dose is low, beam profiles have more fluctuation at Gafchromic EBT. If the multipurpose phantom and moving device are used for treatment Q.A, and its corrections are made, treatment quality should be improved for the moving organs.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2019

Purpose: Recently, A Catcher was added to prevent sagging in Radixact^® X9. In this study, We quantitatively compared general couch of Tomo-HDA^® with catcher couch of Radixact^® X9 using the human phantom and evaluated usefulness of catcher. Materials and methods: We used rando phantom for phantom study and set the each iso-center of head and neck region and Pelvis region for region parameter. Furthermore, We used hand made low melting point alloys for weight parameter. MVCT(Mega Voltage Computed Tomography) images were acquired for vertical error and rotation(pitch) error measurement increasing weight(A: 15kg, A+B: 30kg, A+B+C: 45kg). We selected 120 patients who has been treated using Tomotherpy machine for patient study. 60 patients has been treated in Tomo-HDA^® and the other 60 patients treated in Radixact^® X9. In the patient study methods, vertical error and rotation(pitch) error was measured for mean value calculation using MVCT images acquired on first day of radiation therapy. Result: Result of phantom study, Vertical error and rotation(pitch) error was increased proportionally increased as the weight increases in general couch of Tomo-HDA^®. each maximum value was 7.52mm, 0.38° in head and neck region and 11.94mm, 0.92° in pelvis region. However, We could confirm that there was stable error range(0.02~0.1mm, 0~0.04°) in Catcher couch of Radixact^®. Result of patient study, The head and neck region was measured 4.79mm 0.33° lower, and the pelvis region was measured 7.66mm, 0.22° lower in Catcher couch of Radixact^® X9. Conclusion: In this study, Vertical error and rotation(pitch) error was proportionally increased as the weight increases in general couch of Tomo-HDA^®. Especially, The pelvis region error was more increased than the head and neck region error. However, Vertical error and rotation(pitch) error was regularly generated regardless of weight or regions in Catcher^TM couch of Radixact^® X9 that this study's purpose. In conclusion, Catcher^TM couch of Radixact^® X9 can minimize mechanical error that couch sagging. Furthermore, The pelvis region is more efficiency than head and neck region. In radiation therapy using Tomotherapy machine, it is regarded that may contribute to minimizing unadjusted pitch error due to characters of Tomotherapy.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2010

Purpose: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare soft tissue tumor, which usually arises in larger joints, such as the knee. It has a high recurrence rate after surgical treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and analyze the clinical results of diffuse-type pigmented villonodular synovitis cases that were treated with open total synovectomy. Materials and Methods: Between 1994 and 2006, 21 patients who had diffuse-type pigmented villonodular synovitis were selectively reviewed. Among the 21 cases studied, 14 patients presented at the knee, 5 at the ankle, and 2 at the shoulder and elbow. The mean follow up period was 5.5 years (range, 36-157 months). The average age of the patients was 34 years consist of 7 men and 14 women. Clinical outcomes were analyzed retrospectively, including range of motion and complications. Results: Open total synovectomy and adjuvant electrocautrization were done in all cases except one. During the regular follow-up period after the surgery, two patients showed symptoms of recurrence. After re-operation, only one case was pathologically confirmed as a recurrence. The patient who had partial synovectomy and the other patient who had second operation due to recur rence received additional radiation therapy. Clinical outcome scores were improved in every aspect (p<0.0001). 2 out of 14 Patients who had pigmented villonodular synovitis at the knee developed stiff knee after the surgery. Conclusion: After the open total synovectomy with electrocautrization, a low recurrence rate and satisfactory clinical outcome was achieved, observed in a minimum of 3 years of follow-up.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.90-93
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• 2010

Purpose: In our nuclear medicine department, we suggested AMC RBC labeling method improved by modifying a part of existing modified in-vitro method to raise the efficiency of $^{99m}Tc$-RBC labeling. However, it needs to be more additional time and efforts than existing modified in-vitro method because the AMC RBC labeling method has to carry out the centrifugal separation process for 3~5 minutes. Therefore, in this study, we conducted researches to aim to maintain stable labeling effects and supplement a problem about additional time by reducing rotating time when labeling $^{99m}Tc$-RBC. Materials and Methods: This research has been conducted the object of 30 patients who examined study using $^{99m}Tc$-RBC and agreed to this research at our hospital from May 2009 to September 2009. We made 4 blood samples which consisted of ACD 1 cc along with 5 cc blood from each patient and used the AMC RBC labeling method. At this moment, each labeling efficiency was calculated by different rotating time 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, and 20 min and then we compared differences. Results: As a result, When comparing the $^{99m}Tc$-RBC labeling method efficiency by using the AMC RBC labeling method which differents from rotating time, each labeling efficiency were $92.3{\pm}5.0%$ in 5 min, $95.9{\pm}5.0%$ in 10 min, $97.4{\pm}4.9%$ in 15 min and $97.7{\pm}4.8%$ in 20 min. We analyzed differences of the labeling efficiency from change of rotating time by using an one-way ANOVA and verified that in Duncan method. There was relatively efficiency low in 5min rotating time and no statistically significant change in over. Conclusions: When comparing a existing method, the AMC RBC labeling method which goes through the centrifugal separation process again offers more favorable condition to combine RBC with $^{99m}TcO4^-$ by eliminating an plasma ingredient. When using the modified in-vitro method, we have almost 20 min to rotate to acquire stable labeling efficiency. But, when using the AMC RBC labeling method, we acquire labeling efficiency well what we want within only 10 min to rotate. Decrease of rotating time can complement the AMC RBC labeling method which goes through the centrifugal separation process again and also provide more rapid study such as G-I bleeding study due to fast labeling.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.3-7
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• 2010

Purpose: The usefulness of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) images in diagnosis, staging, recurrent and treatment response evaluation has already been known. However, tumors which are small size, located in lower lobe of lung or upper lobe of liver are shown misalignment, distortion and different Standard Uptake Value (SUV) by respiration in PET images. Therefore, if radiotherapy based on normal respiration, it may cause low treatment response or more side effects because targets which had to treat, out of treat range or over dose to normal tissue. The purpose of this study is to evaluate attenuation-correction with Average CT (ACT) for more accuracy SUV measurement and minimize artifact by respiration. Materials and Methods: 13 patients, who had tumors which are around the diaphragm, underwent ACT scan after Helical CT (HCT) scan with PET/CT (Discovery DSTE 8; GE Healthcare). We quantified the differences between attenuation corrected image with HCT and attenuation corrected image with ACT in artifact size and maximum SUV ($SUV_{max}$). Artifacts were evaluated by measurement of the curved photogenic area in the lower thorax of the PET images for all patients. $SUV_{max}$ was measured separately at the primary tumors. Analysis program was Advantage Workstation v4.3 (GE Healthcare). Patients were injected with 7.4 MBq (0.2 $mC_i$) per kg of $^{18}F$-FDG and scanned 1 hour after injection. The PET acquisition was 3 minute per bed. Results: Significantly lower artifact were observed in PET/ACT images than in PET/HCT images (below-thoracic artifacts caused by under corrected $1.5{\pm}3.5$ cm vs. $13.4{\pm}4.2$ cm). Significantly higher $SUV_{max}$ were noted in PET/ACT images than in PET/HCT images in the primary tumor. Compared with PET/HCT images, $SUV_{max}$ in PET/ACT images were higher by $5.3{\pm}3.9%$ (mean value) tumor. The highest difference was observed in Lower lobe of lung (7.7 to 8.7; 13%). Conclusion: Due to its significantly reduced artifacts in lower thoracic, attenuation corrected image with ACT images provided more reliable $SUV_{max}$ and may be helpful in monitoring treatment response. Moreover, ACT can separate upper lobe of liver and lower lobe of lung, it may be helpful in interpretation. ACT will be clinically useful, considering increased dose caused by ACT scan and adapt.