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Jeeyoung Kim,1 Bharathi Suresh,2 Myoung Nam Lim,1 Seok-Ho Hong,3 Kye-Seong Kim,2,4 Ha Eun Song,5 Hyo Yeong Lee,5 Hyun Ju Yoo,5 Woo Jin Kim1 1Department of Internal Medicine and Environmental Health Center, Kangwon National University Hospital, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea; 2Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea; 3Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea; 4College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea; 5Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South KoreaCorrespondence: Hyun Ju Yoo, Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Korea, Tel +82-2-3010-4029, Fax +82-2-3010-8566, Email yoohyunju@amc.seoul.kr Woo Jin Kim, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, 1 Gangwondaehak-gil, Chuncheon, 24341, Korea, Tel +82-33-258-9364, Fax +82-33-258-2404, Email pulmo2@kangwon.ac.krPurpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease presenting as multiple phenotypes, such as declining lung function, emphysema, or persistent airflow limitation caused by several risk factors, including cigarette smoking and air pollution. The inherent complexity of COPD phenotypes propounds difficulties for accurate diagnosis and prognosis. Although metabolomic profiles on COPD have been reported, the role of metabolism in COPD-related phenotypes is yet to be determined. In this study, we investigated the association between plasma sphingolipids and amino acids, and between COPD and COPD-related phenotypes in a Korean cohort.Patients and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 120 patients with COPD and 80 control participants who underwent spirometry and quantitative computed tomography. The plasma metabolic profiling was carried out using LC-MS/MS analysis.Results: Among the evaluated plasma sphingolipids, an increase in the metabolism of two specific sphingomyelins, SM (d18:1/24:0) and SM (d18:1/24:1) were significantly associated with COPD. There was no significant correlation between any of the SMs and the emphysema index, FVC and FEV1 in the COPD cohort. Meanwhile, Cer (d18:1/18:0) and Cer (d18:1/24:1) were significantly associated with reduced FEV1. Furthermore, the levels of several amino acids were altered in the COPD group compared to that in the non-COPD group; glutamate and alpha AAA were substantial associated with emphysema in COPD. Kynurenine was the only amino acid significantly associated with reduced FEV1 in COPD. In contrast, there was no correlation between FVC and the elevated metabolites.Conclusion: Our results provide dysregulated plasma metabolites impacting COPD phenotypes, although more studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanism related to COPD pathogenesis.Keywords: targeted sphingolipids, amino acids, sub-phenotypes, lung function

Metabolomics is the systematic study of metabolite profiles of complex biological systems, and involves the systematic identification and quantification of metabolites. Metabolism is integrated with all biochemical reactions in biological systems; thus metabolite profiles provide collective information on biochemical processes induced by genetic or environmental perturbations. Transcriptomes or proteomes may not be functionally active and not always reflect phenotypic variations. The metabolome, however, consists of the biomolecules closest to the phenotype of living organisms, and is often called the molecular phenotype of biological systems. Thus, metabolome alterations can easily result in disease states, providing important clues to understand pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to various biomedical symptoms. The metabolome and metabolomics have been emphasized in translational research related to biomarker discovery, drug target discovery, drug responses, and disease mechanisms. This review describes the basic concepts, workflows, and applications of mass spectrometry-based metabolomics in translational research.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious lung disease characterized by excessive collagen matrix deposition and extracellular remodeling. Signaling pathways mediated by fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) make important contributions to pulmonary fibrosis, but it remains unclear how TGF-β1 alters metabolism and modulates the activation and differentiation of pulmonary fibroblasts. We found that TGF-β1 lowers NADH and NADH/NAD levels, possibly due to changes in the TCA cycle, resulting in reductions in the ATP level and oxidative phosphorylation in pulmonary fibroblasts. In addition, we showed that butyrate (C4), a short chain fatty acid (SCFA), exhibits potent antifibrotic activity by inhibiting expression of fibrosis markers. Butyrate treatment inhibited mitochondrial elongation in TGF-β1-treated lung fibroblasts and increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Consistent with the mitochondrial observations, butyrate significantly increased ADP, ATP, NADH, and NADH/NAD levels in TGF-β1-treated pulmonary fibroblasts. Collectively, our findings indicate that TGF-β1 induces changes in mitochondrial dynamics and energy metabolism during myofibroblast differentiation, and that these changes can be modulated by butyrate, which enhances mitochondrial function.

Metabolomics is the systematic study of metabolite profiles of complex biological systems, and involves the systematic identification and quantification of metabolites. Metabolism is integrated with all biochemical reactions in biological systems; thus metabolite profiles provide collective information on biochemical processes induced by genetic or environmental perturbations. Transcriptomes or proteomes may not be functionally active and not always reflect phenotypic variations. The metabolome, however, consists of the biomolecules closest to the phenotype of living organisms, and is often called the molecular phenotype of biological systems. Thus, metabolome alterations can easily result in disease states, providing important clues to understand pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to various biomedical symptoms. The metabolome and metabolomics have been emphasized in translational research related to biomarker discovery, drug target discovery, drug responses, and disease mechanisms. This review describes the basic concepts, workflows, and applications of mass spectrometry-based metabolomics in translational research.

Surface magnetism and its correlation with the electronic structure are critical to understanding the topological surface state in the intrinsic magnetic topological insulator MnBi_{2}Te_{4}. Here, using static and time resolved angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we find a significant ARPES intensity change together with a gap opening on a Rashba-like conduction band. Comparison with a model simulation strongly indicates that the surface magnetism on cleaved MnBi_{2}Te_{4} is the same as its bulk state. The inability of surface ferromagnetism to open a gap in the topological surface state uncovers the novel complexity of MnBi_{2}Te_{4} that may be responsible for the low quantum anomalous Hall temperature of exfoliated MnBi_{2}Te_{4}.

알츠하이머병은 치매를 일으키는 가장 흔한 퇴행성 뇌 질환이다. 뇌에 축적되는 베타 아밀로이드 단백질은 기억력감퇴, 언어능력 저하등 일상생활 수행 능력이 어렵게 된다. 베타 아밀로이드 플라그 농도는 인지장애를 가진 성인환자에서 알츠하이머 질환과 인지장애의 다른 원인인지를 평가하는 데 사용된다. 베타아밀로이드 단백질에 대한 높은 민감성과 특이성을 가진...

In this study, the proposal to seek ways to reduce the amount of radiation is drawn by comparing and analyzing CT Dose Index(CTDI) on the pediatric head CT which was performed at the busan regional hospitals, to the national diagnostic reference levels. As a result, it was appeared to exceed the amount of the dose recommendation in order of hospital, general hospital and senior general hospital in the hospital-specific classification and from 2 to 5 year, from 1 month to 1 year and from 6 to 10 year in the age-specific classification. In addition, the amount of the dose recommendation was exceed in order of helical, axial and volume in the scan-specific classification. As the results of the scan range reset to match the diagnostic reference level, the dose reduction showed 11.68%, 15.79% and 20.66% in senior general hospital, general hospital and hospital respectively. In the results of analysing patient average scan ranges which does not deviate from the guideline of patient dose recommendation, there was age of 1 month to 1 year, 2 to 5 year and 6 to 10 year of 03.2±11.8 mm, 110.5±14.5 mm, and 117.8±17.2 mm respectively.

This study was to evaluate the change in characteristics of concentration of ozone after exposure to high energy radiation in linac room. Background ozone concentration of linac room was measured and compared to ozone concentration around linac room. Background ozone concentration of linac room was mean 17.4±7.9 ppb. It was 50% of the ozone concentration(36.8±22.3 ppb) around linac room(p

The aims of this study were to evaluate the difference of renal uptake rate in 99mTc-DMSA scan on pediatrics by including the bladder. Phantom and Clinical studies were performed. In the phantom study, we put 99m TcO 4 - (300uCi, 11 MBq) in 3cups filled with distilled water at the rate 1:1:0, 1:1:0.5, 1:1:1, 1:1:2 and were placed Lt kidney, Rt kidney and bladder position on the table. To acquire the image, we used Symbia-E gamma camera from Siemens with preset count method(400,000 counts). In quantitative analysis, the counts of drawing ROIs on the phantom were analyzed. In clinical studies, we analyzed the 20 pediatrics who were examined by 99m Tc-DMSA scan. At first, the images were acquired with both kidney and bladder. Secondly we acquired images after shielding the bladder. And the data were compared using a pared t-test by SPSS(ver.22.0). As a result of renal phantom’s experiment, we compared with average of uptake rate(%), 1:1:0 was Lt 43.32%, Rt 45.97%, 1:1:0.5 was Lt 35.79%, Rt 36.89%, 1:1:1 was Lt 29.68%, Rt 31.45% and 1:1:2 was Lt 22.89%, Rt 24.32%. There was no correlation between the zoom and uptake rate. The results of patient were that excluded bladder was 29.83±8.81%(Lt), 24.29±6.66%(Rt) and included bladder was 26.65±8.03%(Lt, 21.78±6.24%(Rt). This is deemed statistically significant (p

This study was developed to provide the basis for efficient bedside training by discovering and analyzing ways to reduce stress when students are in clinical practice. The present study was conducted using a 3-part questionnaire format and was based on 253 participants who were students completing clinical practice. The results showed that environmental factors were the most stressful for students in the department of radiology. According to the questionnaire, the highest factor relating to stress was `standing for long durations` with a value of , and values were respectively high in the sections on` disregard when students have a lack of knowledge` and `repetition in simple tasks`. Students who had a good training atmosphere, good relationships with clinical radiological technologists and other students, and students who had high self-esteem showed low stress levels. The effect on BEPSI scale increased as interpersonal relationships and performance declined. Therefore, training institutions should consider relaxation areas for students, radiological technologists should not ignore the reality that students do not have substantial knowledge in clinical practice and comparisons made between students should not exist. In addition, there is the need to make an effort to reduce stress experienced by students in clinical practice through the use of positive communication and encouragement by assigning various training opportunities, providing areas to sit and initiating relaxation periods for students to reduce fatigue, as well as challenging students rather than restricting them to the simple and repetitive routines they encounter in clinical practice.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the calibration of an optically stimulated luminescent nanoDot dosimeter(OSLnD) to 6 MV photon beam. Dose ranges of the calibration of linear and non-linear from the analysis of dose response of the OSLnD were decided. To evaluate the accuracy of calibration equation and the calibration, the sets of the calibration and quality control dosimeter were used to make. The calibrations were performed by the linear and the non-linear in the dose range of 0~300 cGy and 20~1300 cGy, respectively. The errors of the calibration were acquired less than 0.1% respectively from the measurement of the quality control dosimeters for the calibration of linear and the non-linear. This study provides the calibration equation of the OSLnD to the 6 MV photon beam.

Single Photon Emission Computed tomography(SPECT) was performed on 13 healthy adults (average age: 39) to investigate the changes of cerebral blood flow according to brain imaging analysis algorithm. The acquired images were filtered and reconstructed through Filtered Back Projection (FBP) and Ordered Subset Expectation Maximization (OSEM). The brain distribution data of radiopharmaceuticals were compared using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM), and the changes of blood flow was expressed in Cluster. As a result, uptake rate was increased in Sub-gyral, Sub-Lobar, Extra-Nuclear, Limbic lobe and Cingulate Gyrus, while uptake rate was decreased in Middle frontal gyrus, Inferior Frontal Gyrus and Precentral Gyrus. The discriminable SPM was shown according to cerebral blood flows in Cluster by the reconstruction algorithm.

The purpose of this study is to calculate correction factors for energy dependence of a nanoDotdosimeter to measure patient`s skin dose in diagnostic radiography. The correction factors were calculated by using the values of mean energy for the RQR standard radiation qualities of IEC publicated by Rosado et al. and the energy response graph of dosimeter relative X-ray on phantom calibration provided by landaur corporation. Results showed the correction factors of 1-1.33 over the tube voltage range of 40-50 kVp. Acquired correction factors are considered to be useful in the clinics for the measurement of accurate skin dose at each tube voltage.

Acute total occlusion of the aorta is a rare and clinically critical condition requiring aggressive immediate diagnosis and treatment. A 73-year-old male was seen at our hospital complaining of pain sensation in both legs. Under the likely impression of an acute total occlusion of the aorta, emergency abdominal aortogram was done, which revealed total occlusion of the distal aorta and both iliac arteries. Intra-arterial thrombolysis with urokinase was attempted for 48 hours as intervention during the acute stage is highly related to distal thromboembolic events. Follow-up angiography showed improved arterial flow but residual stenosis at both the common iliac arteries. Self-expandable nitinol stents were inserted at both the iliac arteries by the v-kissing technique resulting in a satisfying outcome as seen on angiography without complications. The patient was discharged without additional medical problems. From our experience, we conclude that the use of intra-arterial thrombolysis with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is an alternative to the conventional surgical approach in treating acute total occlusion of the aorta.

We used infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry to investigate the electronic properties of LaTiO{sub 3}/SrTiO{sub 3} superlattices (SLs). Our results indicated that, independent of the SL periodicity and individual layer thickness, the SLs exhibited a Drude metallic response with sheet carrier density per interface {approx}3x10{sup 14}cm{sup -2}. This is probably due to the leakage of d electrons at interfaces from the Mott insulator LaTiO{sub 3}to the band insulator SrTiO{sub 3}. We observed a carrier relaxation time {approx}35fs and mobility {approx}35cm2V-1s-1 at 10 K, and an unusual temperature dependence of carrier density that was attributed to the dielectric screening of quantum paraelectric SrTiO{sub 3}.