Comparison of the Quality of Various Polychromatic and Monochromatic Dual-Energy CT Images with or without a Metal Artifact Reduction Algorithm to Evaluate Total Knee Arthroplasty

Choo Hye Jung,Lee Sun Joo,Kim Dong Wook,Lee Yoo Jin,Baek Jin Wook,Han Ji-yeon,Heo Young Jin 대한영상의학회 2021 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.22 No.8

Objective: To compare the quality of various polychromatic and monochromatic images with or without using an iterative metal artifact reduction algorithm (iMAR) obtained from a dual-energy computed tomography (CT) to evaluate total knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: We included 58 patients (28 male and 30 female; mean age [range], 71.4 [61–83] years) who underwent 74 knee examinations after total knee arthroplasty using dual-energy CT. CT image sets consisted of polychromatic image sets that linearly blended 80 kVp and tin-filtered 140 kVp using weighting factors of 0.4, 0, and -0.3, and monochromatic images at 130, 150, 170, and 190 keV. These image sets were obtained with and without applying iMAR, creating a total of 14 image sets. Two readers qualitatively ranked the image quality (1 [lowest quality] through 14 [highest quality]). Volumes of high- and low-density artifacts and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) between the bone and fat tissue were quantitatively measured in a subset of 25 knees unaffected by metal artifacts. Results: iMAR-applied, polychromatic images using weighting factors of -0.3 and 0.0 (P-0.3i and P0.0i, respectively) showed the highest image-quality rank scores (median of 14 for both by one reader and 13 and 14, respectively, by the other reader; p < 0.001). All iMAR-applied image series showed higher rank scores than the iMAR-unapplied ones. The smallest volumes of low-density artifacts were found in P-0.3i, P0.0i, and iMAR-applied monochromatic images at 130 keV. The smallest volumes of high-density artifacts were noted in P-0.3i. The CNRs were best in polychromatic images using a weighting factor of 0.4 with or without iMAR application, followed by polychromatic images using a weighting factor of 0.0 with or without iMAR application. Conclusion: Polychromatic images combined with iMAR application, P-0.3i and P0.0i, provided better image qualities and substantial metal artifact reduction compared with other image sets.

Radiobiological Characterization of Proton Beam at the National Cancer Center in Korea

BAEK, Hye-Jung,KIM, Tae-Hyun,SHIN, Dongho,KWAK, Jung-Won,CHOO, Dong-Wan,LEE, Se-Byung,FURUSAWA, Yoshiya,ANDO, Koichi,KIM, Sang-Soo,CHO, Kwan-Ho Journal of Radiation Research Editorial Committee 2008 JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH Vol.49 No.5

<P>Estimation of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the proton beam at the National Cancer Center Proton Therapy Center in Korea (NCCPTC) is required clinically for the treatment of cancer. The proton beam was fixed at 190 MeV with 6 cm a spread out Bragg peaks (SOBP) for which corresponds to most frequent clinical condition. The RBE was estimated from the survival of human salivary gland (HSG) cells using the traditional colonogenic and MTT assays. The HSG cells were also irradiated in a cell-stack chamber and monitored for survival to identify whether the characteristic depth-dependent survival pattern was observed. The RBE of the NCCPTC was estimated to be 1.024 ± 0.007 and 1.049 ± 0.028 at the middle of SOBP using colonogenic and MTT assays, respectively. Further analysis of the biological response of proton exposure revealed no difference compared to conventional X-ray treatment in western blot, and FACS analysis. The proton beam of the NCCPTC also exhibited the characteristic depth-dependent survival pattern. The estimated RBE value of NCCPTC was slightly smaller than generic RBE value of 1.1 for protons of the majority of centers. Due to the recommendation of a generic RBE of 1.1 for protons, a representative RBE value of 1.1 was assigned for clinical application for proton beams at the NCCPTC.</P>

Study on the Characteristics of Fashion Leaders in College Clubs` Fashion Networks

So Jung Yun,Hye In Jung,Ho Jung Choo,So Won Jeong 한국복식학회 2014 International journal of costume and fashion Vol.14 No.1

Fashion leadership is divided into visual influence, linguistic influence, and dual leadership. We refer to people exercising such influential power as fashion innovators, fashion opinion leaders, and fashion double leaders, respectively. Scholars and marketers have raised continuous questions on this issue: who are these fashion leaders and what characteristics do they have? In this study, social network analysis is applied to grasp the existence of three types of fashion leaders in college clubs, examine their positions in fashion process networks and investigate their individual and social characteristics. For this study, three college clubs were recruited through convenience sampling and surveyed online. Peer nomination questions for structuring fashion process networks and self-evaluation questions for measuring personal characteristics are included. Two fashion networks, an opinion leadership network and an innovativeness network, embrace four to six leaders and illustrate similar structure patterns in the three groups, which indicates that dual leaders enjoyed the lion’s share in college clubs. The number of fashion innovators tends to be fewer compared to that of fashion opinion leaders, and we infer that peer relationship appears to intervene with fashion opinion leadership. Other personal characteristics supporting results from previous studies are also confirmed in this study.

Study on the Characteristics of Fashion Leaders in College Clubs' Fashion Networks

Yun, So Jung,Jung, Hye In,Choo, Ho Jung,Jeong, So Won The Korean Society of Costume 2014 International journal of costume and fashion Vol.14 No.1

Fashion leadership is divided into visual influence, linguistic influence, and dual leadership. We refer to people exercising such influential power as fashion innovators, fashion opinion leaders, and fashion double leaders, respectively. Scholars and marketers have raised continuous questions on this issue: who are these fashion leaders and what characteristics do they have? In this study, social network analysis is applied to grasp the existence of three types of fashion leaders in college clubs, examine their positions in fashion process networks and investigate their individual and social characteristics. For this study, three college clubs were recruited through convenience sampling and surveyed online. Peer nomination questions for structuring fashion process networks and self-evaluation questions for measuring personal characteristics are included. Two fashion networks, an opinion leadership network and an innovativeness network, embrace four to six leaders and illustrate similar structure patterns in the three groups, which indicates that dual leaders enjoyed the lion's share in college clubs. The number of fashion innovators tends to be fewer compared to that of fashion opinion leaders, and we infer that peer relationship appears to intervene with fashion opinion leadership. Other personal characteristics supporting results from previous studies are also confirmed in this study.

Attitudes of the General Population, Cancer Patients, their Family Caregivers, and Physicians toward Dying and Death: A Nationwide Survey

Yun, Young Ho,Kim, Kyoung-Nam,Sim, Jin-Ah,Lee, Jihye,Choo, Jiyeon,An, Ah Reum,Yoo, Shin Hye,Keam, Bhumsuk,Kim, Tae You,Chang, Yoon Jung,Kim, Yu Jung,Lee, Na-Ri,Kang, Jung Hun,Kwon, Jung Hye,Lee, Jung Canadian Center of Science and Education 2017 Global journal of health science Vol.9 No.10

Fallopian tube as a possible modulator associated in the development of endometriosis

( Hye Min Park ),( Inha Lee ),( Sehee Kim ),( Sung Pil Choo ),( Jae Hoon Lee ),( Seung Hee Kim ),( Jung Bok Lee ),( Sihyun Cho ),( Young Sik Choi ) 대한산부인과학회 2022 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.108 No.-

Objective: Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disease that affect women of reproductive age, defined by the presence of the endometrial-like tissues outside the uterus. Considering the fact that endometrial tissues in menstrual blood move through the fallopian tube to the abdominal cavity, the fallopian tube is likely to contribute to development of endometriosis. Based on these concept, the aim of this study was to compare gene expressions of the fallopian tubal epithelial cells (FTEC) in patients with and without endometriosis. Methods: Surgical specimens of fallopian tubes were obtained from patients who had undergone salpingectomy accompanied by hysterectomy or other benign ovarian surgery. The gene expression level was measured using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify differentially expressed gene(DEG) associated with endometriosis. qRT-PCR and western blot was performed to validate DEGs in tubal tissue and FTEC. Furthermore, siRNA transfection and western blot were done and expression level of p53, BAX, p27, and Bcl-2 in FTEC was analyzed. Results: Through RNA-sequencing and sequential qRT-PCR and western blot verified significantly increased expression of LMO3 in the fallopian tube of patients with endometriosis. Primary cell culture was conducted to evaluate gene expression of FTEC. qRT-PCR and western blot of FTEC revealed correlating result. After siRNA transfection of FTEC, western blot showed increased expression of p53, BAX, p27 and decreased expression of Bcl-2, which implies increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis of FTEC in patients with endometriosis. Conclusion: This study suggests that the aberrant gene expression of fallopian tube may engage in the development of endometriosis. Also, we successfully characterized FTEC and established FTEC culture protocol. Further studies will help to investigate the role of fallopian tubes in the development of endometriosis and to discover novel treatment for endometriosis.

PBDEs and their structural analogues in marine environments: Fate and expected formation mechanisms compared with diverse environments

Choo, Gyojin,Kim, Da-Hye,Kim, Un-Jung,Lee, In-Seok,Oh, Jeong-Eun Elsevier 2018 Journal of hazardous materials Vol.343 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The concentrations and relative distributions of 27 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 17 methoxylated (MeO-) and 8 hydroxylated (OH-) BDEs were determined in marine environments including sediments, bivalves, and seawater along the southern coast of South Korea to understand their fates and possible formation mechanisms. The relative and substituent distributions of the PBDEs and their structural analogues varied according to the characteristics of the media. PBDEs were dominant in marine sediments and seawater, whereas MeO-BDEs made the highest contributions in bivalves. Similar patterns were previously identified in inland environments in Korea, except in river water where OH-BDEs were dominant. The natural formation of structural analogues might be the main mechanism in marine, as <I>ortho</I>-substituted naturally occurring MeO- and OH-BDEs were dominant in all media and seemed to be more produced than in inland environments. In addition, the higher concentrations of meta-substituted MeO-BDEs nearshore than offshore was observed. This is the first study comparing marine (near- and offshore) and inland to understand the differences in their fate and possible formation mechanisms in each environmental conditions.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The distributions of PBDEs and their structural analogues were compared between marine (near- and offshore) and inland. </LI> <LI> PBDEs dominated in abiotic media, whereas MeO-BDEs were dominant in biota. </LI> <LI> Natural formation might be the main mechanism for PBDE structural analogues in marine and was highly occurred than in inland. </LI> <LI> The higher contributions of meta-MeO-BDEs were observed in inland and nearshore than offshore. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Screen-Film Mammography and Soft-Copy Full-Field Digital Mammography: Comparison in the Patients with Microcalcifications

Hye Seong Kim,한부경,Ki-Seok Choo,Yong Hwan Jeon,Jung-Han Kim,Yeon Hyeon Choe 대한영상의학회 2005 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.6 No.4

Objective: We wanted to compare the ability of screen-film mammography (SFM) and soft-copy full-field digital mammography (s-FFDM) on two different monitors to detect and characterize microcalcifications. Materials and Methods: The images of 40 patients with microcalcifications (three patients had malignant lesion and 37 patients had benign lesion), who underwent both SFM and FFDM at an interval of less than six months, were independently evaluated by three readers. Three reading sessions were undertaken for SFM and for FFDM on a mammography-dedicated review workstation (RWS, 2K 2.5K), and for FFDM on a high-resolution PACS monitor (1.7K 2.3K). The image quality, breast composition and the number and conspicuity of the microcalcifications were evaluated using a three-point rating method, and the mammographic assessment was classified into 4 categories (normal, benign, low concern and moderate to great concern). Results: The image quality, the number and conspicuity of the microcalcifications by s-FFDM (on the RWS, PACS and both) were superior to those by SFM in 85.0%, 80.0% and 52.5% of the cases, respectively (p < 0.01), and those by the s-FFDM on the two different monitors were similar in 15.0%, 12.5% and 35.0% of the cases, respectively (p > 0.01). The mammographic assessment category for the microcalcifications in the three reading sessions was similar. Conclusion: s-FFDM gives a superior image quality to SFM and it is better at evaluating microcalcifications. In addition, s-FFDM with the PACS monitor is comparable to s-FFDM with the RWS for evaluating microcalcifications.

Effect of Temperature and Dose-size on Infectivity and Reproduction of Entomopathogenic Nematode, Heterorhabditis sp. Gyeongsan Strain

Choo Ho-Yul,Lee Dong-Woon,Chung Hye-Jin,Ha Pan-Jung,Kim Hyeong-Hwan,Lee Sang-Myeong 한국응용곤충학회 2000 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2000 No.1

Thr-6Pro missense mutation in human lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) gene in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia in Korea

Hye Suk Hwang,Jung Hee Hwang,Hyun Sup Kim,Nam Keun Kim,Se Jae Kim,Chung Choo Lee,Ki Wha Chung 대한의학유전학회 1998 대한의학유전학회지 Vol.2 No.2

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) plays a central tole in the intracellular degradation of neutral lipids derived from plasma lipoproteins. In this study, we investigated the missense mutation within exon 2 of human LAL gene changing of codon -6 of prepeptide from threonine to proline. The Thr-9Pro mutation was detected by the HaeⅢ restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). We analyzed the mutation in subjects with 221 unrelated randomly selected control samples and 86 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Korea. We observed that mutation is present with high frequency in Korea compared to other populations studied previously. The frequency of PP homozygote in the FH group was observed considerably higher than that of control. However, there was no significant difference of genotype frequency between two groups. These results, together with the fact that plasma lipids and lipoproteins levels between genotypes showed no statistical difference, suggest that the Thr-6Pro mutation in the LAL gene may have no association with the increased risk of FH development.