• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to correlate the imaging findings and the clinical findings in patients with transient splenial lesions (TSL). Materials and Methods: Total of 7 patients (M: F = 4: 3; age range 11 - 38 years, mean age 25.5 years) were studied between November 2006 and April 2011. The MRI findings and clinical findings in all patients were retrospectively reviewed. The location, MR signal intensity, restricted diffusion, enhancement pattern and reversibility from the follow up images were reviewed. Clinical features were reviewed with respect to the presented symptoms, signs, treatment and outcome. Results: The lesions were located in the splenium of corpus callosum in all patients. All lesions showed high signal intensity on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and six patients showed restricted diffusion on the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. ADC map was not available in one patient. All lesions (n = 7) showed high signal intensity on the T2 weighted image (T2WI). Five of the patients (71.4%) with follow up images (range 7 - 34 days) showed complete resolution of focal high signal intensity on DWI, with recovery of ADC values as well as T2WI. After contrast media administration, none of the lesions showed any enhancements. All lesions with various etiologies including TB medication were developed in younger age patients and showed reversibility after the acceptable period of minimum 7 days with conservative treatment. Conclusion: All TSL showed nonspecific imaging findings, including restricted diffusion on DWI and ADC map on the initial images. However, reversibility of the lesions and the young age preference can be a characteristic finding of TSL with acceptable period of minimum 7 days. In addition, to keep it in mind that various etiologies including TB medication may cause TSL, is important for radiologists as well as clinicians.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartB
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• v.13B no.2 s.105
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• pp.77-82
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• 2006

Digital halftoning is the technique to obtain a bilevel-toned image from continuous-toned image. Among halftoning methods, the error diffusion method gives better subjective quality than other halftoning ones. But it also makes edges of objects blurred. To overcome the defect, we proposes the modified error diffusion to enhance the edges using the property that human vision perceives the local average luminance and doesn't perceive a little variation of the spatial variation. The proposed method computes a spatialactivity, which is the difference between a pixel luminance and the average of its $3{\times}3$ neighborhood pixels' Iuminance weighted according to the spatial positioning. The system also usesof edge enhancement (IEE), which is computed from the normalized spatial activitymultiplied by the average luminance. The IEE is added to the quantizer's input pixel and feeds into the halftoning quantizer. The quantizer produces the halftone image having the enhanced edge. The computer experimental results show that the proposed method produces clearer bilevel-toned images than conventional methodsand the edge of objects is preserved well. Also the performance of the preposed method is improved, compared with that of the conventional method by measuring the edge correlation and the local average accordance at some ranges of viewing distance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.3
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• pp.607-617
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• 2024

Purpose Recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of diffusion-weighted MR neurography (DW MRN) for assessing nerve roots. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of DW MRN with a unidirectional motion-probing gradient (MPG) for the lumbar nerve roots at 1.5T MR. Materials and Methods Sixty-four lumbar spine MRI scans with DW MRN using anteroposterior unidirectional MPG were retrospectively analyzed. Any changes in the 512 lumbar spinal nerve roots from L3 to S1 were evaluated using T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (CE T1WI), and DW MRN, with agreement and correlation analysis. Results T2WI revealed compression of 78 nerve roots, and CE T1WI revealed 52 instances of nerve root enhancement. Sixty-seven nerve roots showed swelling and hyperintensity on DW MRN. A total of 42 nerve roots showed changes in the CE T1WI and DW MRN sequences. Moderate to substantial agreement and moderate positive correlation were observed between DW MRN and CE T1WI, as well as DW MRN and T2WI (κ = 0.59-0.65, ρ = 0.600-0.653). Conclusion DW MRN with unidirectional anteroposterior MPG can help evaluate neuritisrelated changes in spinal nerve roots and could serve as a sequence capable of complementing or substituting gadolinium CE imaging.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.367-372
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• 2015

This study was aimed at determining the antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of solvent extracts from Asparagus cochinchinensis. The Asparagus cochinchinensis was extracted with water, methanol, ethanol, n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and ether. The antimicrobial activity of these extracts was determined by modified well diffusion methods against 4 species of respiratory disease bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). In addition, the amount of total polyphenol and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity was evaluated. Ethyl acetate extract of A. cochinchinensis exhibited higher antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms than water, methanol, ethanol, n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ether extracts. For antioxidant activity, the ethyl acetate extract of A. cochinchinensis exhibited a notable effect on the scavenging of superoxide against DPPH ($IC_{50}=3.81mg/ml$). Finally, the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were $14{\pm}0.7mg/g$, and $0.50{\pm}0.13mg/g$, respectively. These results can be regarded as basic research into A. cochinchinensis for the prevention of respiratory diseases. The results indicate that A. cochinchinensis may be utilized as a nutraceutical for respiratory diseases when the physiologically active substances of A. cochinchinensis are increased by further study.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.28 no.10C
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• pp.1023-1032
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• 2003

Object-based coding, such as MPEG-4, enables various content-based functionalities for multimedia applications. In order to support such functionalities, as well as to improve coding efficiency, each frame of video sequences should be segmented into video objects. In this paper. we propose an effective video object segmentation method using nonlinear multiscale filtering and spatio-temporal information. Proposed method performs a spatial segmentation using a nonlinear multiscale filtering based on the stabilized inverse diffusion equation(SIDE). And, the segmented regions are merged using region adjacency graph(RAG). In this paper, we use a statistical significance test and a time-variant memory as temporal segmentation methods. By combining of extracted spatial and temporal segmentations, we can segment the video objects effectively. Proposed method is more robust to noise than the existing watershed algorithm. Experimental result shows that the proposed method improves a boundary accuracy ratio by 43% on "Akiyo" and by 29% on "Claire" than A. Neri's Method does.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.210-215
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• 2018

Objectives: The main objectives of this study were to verify the antibacterial activity of two essential oils, lavender and peppermint, against dental caries and to review their synergistic effect when used in combination. Our results provide basic data for the evaluation of the use of these two substances towards the prevention and cure of dental caries. Methods: The sample solutions of lavender and peppermint oils were prepared in three different concentrations (30%, 50%, and 70% (v/v)) by diluting them with third-distilled water and Tween 20. Streptococcus mutans was selected as the bacterial species for testing. The disk diffusion method was used to measure the antibacterial activity of the sample solutions. For generating growth curves and measuring the number of clusters of the bacterial, the liquid medium-dilution method was used; the absorbance of the medium was measured at 600 nm after 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours. Results: When the antibacterial activity of the oils was tested via the disk diffusion method, the activity improved with increasing concentrations of all the sample solutions of peppermint, lavender, and the blend, but there was no significant difference between them with respect to the type of oil. In the growth curves of S. mutans, growth inhibition was observed after 12 hours. The inhibitory effect of 30% lavender oil on growth was 64.9% and 80.1% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively whereas that of peppermint oil was 71.3% and 80.1% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively. The inhibitory effect of the blended oil was 71.9% and 81.0% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively. Conclusions: Further research is still required in order to determine the efficacy of lavender and peppermint oils, as well as other essential oils, for wider use in preventing dental caries.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.13-20
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• 2014

Objectives : Atotang was composed of 10 kinds of traditional medicinal herb. This research was performed to examine biological effects of Atotang for the development of prescription on atopic dermatitis. Methods : Atotang was extracted with 80% EtOH. Free radical scavenging assay has tested for anti-oxidative activity as well as the contents of total polyphenol. We observed the production of ROS, nitric oxide(NO) and the inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1beta(IL-${\beta}$), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-${\alpha}$), Prostaglandin E2($PGE_2$) in Raw 264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. We used Disc diffusion method to investigate antibacterial activity on Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis. Result : Content of total phenolic compound of Atotang was 36.3 mg/g ext. DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities were 77% and 46% at 200 ug/ml respectively, showing dose-dependent increase. The amounts of ROS and NO in RAW 264.7 cells were decreased by 30% and 19% at 200 ug/ml, respectively, showing dose-dependent decrease. The prodcution of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in RAW 264.7 cells were decreased dose-dependently by 81%, 67%, and 20% at 200 ug/ml, respectively. Atotang was reduced LPS-stimulated production of $PGE_2$ by 33%. Atotang on C. albicans, S. aureus and S. epidermis was selected by a disc diffusion method and inhibition effect of the Atotang on the growth of S. epidermis was the greatest. Conclusion : The results indicated that Atotang showed biological activities showing anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Based on these results, it is concluded that Atotang can be applied to the prescription on atopic dermatitis.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.668-680
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• 2023

Objective: To compare multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P) with those of prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma (PAC) and develop prediction models to distinguish IDC-P from PAC and IDC-P with a high proportion (IDC ≥ 10%, hpIDC-P) from IDC-P with a low proportion (IDC < 10%, lpIDC-P) and PAC. Materials and Methods: One hundred and six patients with hpIDC-P, 105 with lpIDC-P and 168 with PAC, who underwent pretreatment multiparametric MRI between January 2015 and December 2020 were included in this study. Imaging parameters, including invasiveness and metastasis, were evaluated and compared between the PAC and IDC-P groups as well as between the hpIDC-P and lpIDC-P subgroups. Nomograms for distinguishing IDC-P from PAC, and hpIDC-P from lpIDC-P and PAC, were made using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The discrimination performance of the models was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC) in the sample, where the models were derived from without an independent validation sample. Results: The tumor diameter was larger and invasive and metastatic features were more common in the IDC-P than in the PAC group (P < 0.001). The distribution of extraprostatic extension (EPE) and pelvic lymphadenopathy was even greater, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratio was lower in the hpIDC-P than in the lpIDC-P group (P < 0.05). The ROC-AUCs of the stepwise models based solely on imaging features for distinguishing IDC-P from PAC and hpIDC-P from lpIDC-P and PAC were 0.797 (95% confidence interval, 0.750-0.843) and 0.777 (0.727-0.827), respectively. Conclusion: IDC-P was more likely to be larger, more invasive, and more metastatic, with obviously restricted diffusion. EPE, pelvic lymphadenopathy, and a lower ADC ratio were more likely to occur in hpIDC-P, and were also the most useful variables in both nomograms for predicting IDC-P and hpIDC-P.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2024

Objective : There is still controversy regarding whether neck remodeling stent affects the occurrence of silent embolic infarction (SEI) after aneurysm coiling. Thus, the aim of the present study is to investigate the incidence of SEI after stent-assisted coiling (SAC) using Neuroform Atlas Stent (NAS) and possible risk factors. This study also includes a comparison with simple coiling group during the same period to estimate the impact of NAS on the occurrence of SEI. Methods : This study included a total of 96 unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 96 patients treated with SAC using NAS. Correlations of demographic data, aneurysm characteristics, and angiographic parameters with properties of SEI were analyzed. The incidence and characteristics of SEI were investigated in 28 patients who underwent simple coiling during the same period, and the results were compared with the SAC group. Results : In the diffusion-weighted imaging obtained on the 1st day after SAC, a total of 106 SEI lesions were observed in 48 (50%) of 96 patients. Of these 48 patients, 38 (79.2%) had 1-3 lesions. Of 106 lesions, 74 (69.8%) had a diameter less than 3 mm. SEI occurred more frequently in older patients (≥60 years, p=0.013). The volume of SEI was found to be significantly increased in older age (≥60 years, p=0.032), hypertension (p=0.036), and aneurysm size ≥5 mm (p=0.047). The incidence and mean volume of SEI in the SAC group (n=96) were similar to those of the simple coiling group (n=28) during the same period. Conclusion : SEIs are common after NAS-assisted coiling. Their incidence in SAC was comparable to that in simple coiling. They occurred more frequently at an older age. Therefore, the use of NAS in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysm does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events if antiplatelet premedication has been performed well.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.319-327
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• 2001

Introduction of new design tools has been required to optimally design and operate the ventilation system of long vehicle tunnels.. The demand has led to wide spread use of the simulation technique throughout the would to analysis the dynamic relationship among the variables associated with vehicle tunnel ventilation. This paper aims at performing on-site study at local tunnels to test the applicability of NETVEN, a simulation model vehicle tunnel ventilation. The study was carried out at four urban as well as highway tunnels model of vehicle tunnel ventilation. The study was carried out at four urban as well as highway tunnels employing different ventilation systems as well as traffic methods. There were some discrepancies sound between the simulation output and measurements and the following four factors are considered to mainly cause those disagreement. (1) The real situation shows distinctive transient and retarding characteristics with respect to air flow and contaminant dispersion, while ventilation forces are not steady-state and in particular those traffic and climatic variables show significant instantaneous variation. (3) Near the exit portal, the CO levels show bigger differences. The general trend is that data with higher CO concentrations carry bigger discrepancies. Turbulent diffusion is though to be the main reason for it and also contribute to the fact hat the highest CO concentrations are found at the locations somewhat inward, not at the exit portals. (4) Higher traffic rate results in higher discrepancies of ventilation velocity. Along with the exhaust characteristics, the vehicle aerodynamic characteristics need to be studied continuously in order to reduce the velocity disagreement.