Earticle

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) tightly regulates molecular transport to maintain central nervous system homeostasis, and modulation of BBB permeability is crucial for effective drug delivery to the brain. Our previous studies have shown that low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) facilitates intracerebral drug delivery by reversibly modulating BBB opening and closing; however, the underlying mechanisms and safety profile remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we examined the expression patterns of septate junction proteins (Coracle and Neuroglian) and the adherens junction protein (Armadillo) in aged Drosophila melanogaster following LDRT. We demonstrate that reversible BBB modulation and enhanced barrier integrity are mediated by LDRT-induced dynamic regulation of Coracle, a key septate junction protein. In addition, to evaluate the safety of this low-dose X-ray regimen, we investigated whether LDRT induces DNA damage or oxidative stress in 5xFAD mice based on immunofluorescence analysis.

PET/CT에서의 환자의 피폭선량을 줄이기 위한 많은 연구가 진행되고 있다. 본 연구는 2012년 2월부터 2012년 3월까지 PET/CT검사를 위해 본원 핵의학과에 내원한 환자 149명(평균연령 $58{\pm}12.4$세)을 대상으로 하였고 장비는 Biograph True Point 40 (Siemens, USA)과 Gemini TF 64 (Philips, Cleveland)를 사용하였다. SIEMENS사의 Care Dose 4D를 사용하여 75명의 환자를 BMI 지수에 따라 세 집단으로 나누어 선량 감소율과 CTDI를 측정하였고 PHILIPS사의 D-dom을 이용하여 74명의 환자를 세 집단으로 나누어 선량 감소율과 CTDI를 측정하였다. 각 장비별로 세 집단 간의 측정값들이 유의한 차이를 보이는지 알아보기 위하여 SPSS Ver.18.0 통계분석프로그램을 이용하였다. 각각의 집단별로 평균값을 비교한 결과 Care Dose 4D를 사용했을 때 선량 감소율, CTDI 모두 p-value가 0.000으로서 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있었다. D-dom을 사용했을 때 집단 간의 p-value는 선량 감소율 0.284, CTDI 0.226으로서 p>0.05이므로 집단 간의 유의한 차이가 없었다. 집단별로 평균 선량 감소율과 CTDI를 분석한 결과 Care Dose 4D를 사용했을 때 각각 정상집단에서 53.4%, 5.3 mGy, 과체중집단에서 49.5%, 5.8 mGy, 비만 집단에서 42.0%, 6.6 mGy로 나타났다. 반면에 D-dom을 사용하였을 때는 각각 정상 집단에서 22.7%, 4.5 mGy, 과체중 집단에서 22.1%, 4.6 mGy, 비만 집단에서 22.9%. 4.5 mGy로 나타났다. D-dom의 원리인 투사각도에 따른 선량조절은 환자의 비만도에 영향이 많지 않음을 알 수 있었다. 그리고 Care Dose 4D의 경우에는 투사각도에 따른 선량조절뿐만 아니라 환자 장축의 감쇠계수에 따른 선량조절, 환자 사이즈에 따른 선량조절 원리를 사용하고 있다. 그러므로 환자 장축의 감쇠계수에 따른 선량조절과 환자 크기에 따른 선량조절 원리가 환자의 비만도에 영향이 있다고 생각된다. 비록 같은 BMI 집단 간에 환자의 체형에 따른 오차가 있다고 여겨지지만, 앞으로 더욱더 많은 연구가 이루어진다면 Dose Modulation Technic이 PET/CT검사에서 환자의 피폭선량을 줄이는데 많은 도움이 될 것으로 생각된다.

Purpose : It is important to reduce radiation dose associated with computed tomography (CT) scanning to as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). With Dose Modulation Technic, user select a desired image quality and the system adapts tube current to obtain the desired image quality with greater radiation dose efficiency. In this paper, we presents a comprehensive description of fundamentals, clinical applications and radiation dose benefits of Dose Modulation Technic depending on Body Mass Index(BMI). Materials and Methods : In this study, 149 patients were examined(The mean age : $58{\pm}12.4$ years old). Biograph True Point 40 (Siemens, USA) and Gemini TF 64 (Philips. Cleveland) were used for equipment. When we used Care Dose 4D (Siemens, USA) and D-dom (Philips, Cleveland), we measured dose reduction and Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI) depending on BMI. Then we analyze data using SPSS Ver.18. Results : When we used Care Dose 4D, p-value is considered statistically significant by groups with the result that we compared Care Dose 4D with D-dom. On the other hand, p-value isn't considered statistically significant by groups using D-dom. Conclusion : Dose modulation based on the projection angle didn't affect degree of obesity. And When using Care Dose 4D, dose reduction rate in the normal patients were higher than the obese. In this study, there are errors on somato type. So I think more research have to be done. Then application of Dose Modulation technic can help in maintaining acceptable image quality while reducing radiation dose by 20-60% in most instances.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A variety of immunomodulators can improve the efficacy of low-dose chemotherapeutics. Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC), a mushroom mycelia extract, has been shown to be a strong immunomodulator. Whether AHCC could enhance the antitumor effect of low-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) via regulation of host immunity is unknown. MATERIALS/METHODS: In the current study Hepatoma 22 (H22) tumor-bearing mice were treated with PBS, 5-FU ($10mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$, i.p), or AHCC ($360mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$, i.g) plus 5-FU, respectively, for 5 d. $CD^{3+}$, $CD^{4+}$, $CD^{8+}$, and NK in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. ALT, AST, BUN, and Cr levels were measured by biochemical assay. IL-2 and $TNF{\alpha}$ in serum were measured using the RIA kit and apoptosis of tumor was detected by TUNEL staining. Bax, Bcl-2, and TS protein levels were measured by immunohistochemical staining and mRNA level was evaluated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Diet consumption and body weight showed that AHCC had no apparent toxicity. AHCC could reverse liver injury and myelosuppression induced by 5-FU (P < 0.05). Compared to mice treated with 5-FU, mice treated with AHCC plus 5-FU had higher thymus index, percentages of $CD^{3+}$, $CD^{4+}$, and NK cells (P < 0.01), and ratio of $CD^{4+}$/$CD^{8+}$ (P < 0.01) in peripheral blood. Radioimmunoassay showed that mice treated with AHCC plus 5-FU had the highest serum levels of IL-2 and $TNF{\alpha}$ compared with the vehicle group and 5-FU group. More importantly, the combination of AHCC and 5-FU produced a more potent antitumor effect (P < 0.05) and caused more severe apoptosis in tumor tissue (P < 0.05) compared with the 5-FU group. In addition, the combination of AHCC and 5-FU further up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) (P < 0.01), while it down-regulated the expression of B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the claim that AHCC might be beneficial for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

움직이는 자기장을 이용한 팬텀 속 선량 변조에 관한 몬테칼로 계산을 수행하였다. 본 연구의 목적은 빔 축을 따라 이동하는 횡 자기장을 이용하여 특정감이 영역에 균일한 선량을 얻는 것이다. 이를 위해 두 가지 구성 즉, 깊이 방향으로 일정한 속도 그리고 점차 감소하는 속도를 가지는 자기장에 대해 깊이 선량율을 구하였다. 연속적 움직임에 대한 근사로서 단계별 이동과 시간인자를 도입하였다. 위치별 정지한 자기장 대한 김이 선량율 자료에 최소제곱법을 적용하여 자기장 위치에 따른 최적의 시간인자를 구하였다. 몬테칼로 계산결과를 통하여 자기장의 속도를 변화시킴으로써 평탄한 선량 분포를 얻을 수 있음을 확인하였다. 이 때 3 T 자기장 세기에 대한 계산결과 평탄 영역의 선량은 자기장이 없을 때에 비해 약 10.1% 증가하는 것으로 나타났다.

Monte Carlo calculations were performed to demonstrate the dose modulation with dynamic magnetic fields in phantom. The goal of this study is to obtain the uniform dose distributions at a depth region as a target on the central axis of photon beam under moving transverse magnetic field. We have calculated the depth dose curves for two cases of moving magnetic field along a depth line, constant speed and optimal speed. We introduced step-by-step shift and time factor of the position of the electromagnet as an approximations of continuous moving. The optimal time factors as a function of magnetic field position were calculated by least square methods using depth dose data for static magnetic field. We have verified that the flat depth dose is produced by varying the speed of magnetic field as a function of position as a results of Monte Carlo calculations. For 3 T magnetic field, the dose enhancement was 10.1% in comparison to without magnetic field at the center of the target.

방사선치료에서 치료의 효과는 총선량, 치료회수, 1회 조사선량 등에 의해서 결정된다. 선량강도조절법을 사용하여 방사선치료를 행할 때 치료회수나 1회 조사선량을 고려하여 총선량에 미치는 효과를 살펴보고자 한다. 방사선치료의 목적은 암조직에는 충분한 선량을 조사하면서 주위 정상 조직에는 최소한의 선량을 조사되게 하여 치료성적의 향상으로 암환자의 생존율과 삶의 질을 높이는데 목적이 있다. 이러한 문제를 해결하기 위하여 많은 연구자들이 여러 가지 방법으로 해결하고자 노력한 결과 CT의 영상을 치료계획에 이용할 수 있게 되어 three dimensional conformal radiation therapy(3DCRT)를 개발하였다. 선량강도조절법을 시행하여 총선량을 75, 80, 85, 90Gy를 조사할 때, 처음부터 선량강도조절법을 사용하여 치료하는 경우와 일차적으로 45Gy를 조사하고 boost를 조사할 때 나머지 선량을 선량강도조절 법으로 사용하는 것을 TDF 환산법을 사용하여 비교하였다. 처음부터 선량강도조절법으로 치료할 경우에는 총선량에서 약 12.5 - 15 Gy 정도 감해서 조사하여야 하는 것으로 나타났다.

In radiation therapy, the effects of radiation are decided total dose, total treatment times and number of radiation dose fractions. We considered that total dose, total treatment times and number of radiation dose fractions in intensity modulation radiation therapy(IMRT) infuence tumor cell killing. The goal of three dimensional conformal radiation therapy(3DCRT) in radiation therapy is to conform the partial distribution of the prescribed radiation dose to the precise 3D configuration of the tumor, and at the same time, to minimize the dose to the surrounding normal tissues. To optimize treatment volume of tumor, treatment volume will be same tumor volume. All IMRT compare to conventional treatment plus boost IMRT when total dose irradiated 75 - 90 Gy. Because of biological effect, total dose are decreased 12.5 - l5Gy in all IMRT.

두부 CT 검사에서 눈의 수정체는 높은 방사선 감수성으로 보호되어야 할 장기 중에 하나이다. 두부 CT 검사에서 눈의 피폭선량감소 목적으로 사용되는 비스무스 차폐체는 현저한 선량 감소 효과가 있지만 화질저하의 문제점이 있다. 본 연구는 인체팬텀을 이용한 두부 CT 검사에서 피폭 선량을 줄이기 위해 사용되는 관전류변조기법인 new organ based-tube current modulation, longitudinal-TCM, angular-TCM과 차폐기법인 비스무스, 납 안경을 사용하여 눈의 선량과 화질의 변화 정도를 평가하였다. 연구결과, new OB-TCM에서 눈의 선량은 25.88% 감소되었으며 비스무스를 사용한 검사와 비교하여 CT number, 노이즈, SNR의 변화가 작은 것을 확인하였다. 따라서 new OB-TCM을 임상의 두부 CT 검사에 적용할 경우, 눈의 피폭선량을 감소시키면서 영상의 화질 저하를 방지할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

The eye of human is a radiation sensitive organ and this organ should be shielded from radiation exposure during brain CT procedures. In the brain CT procedures, bismuth protector using to reduce the radiation exposure dose for eye. But protecting the bismuth always accompanies problem of the image quality reduction including artifact. This study aim is the eye radiation exposure dose and image quality evaluation of the new tube current modulation such as new organ based-tube current modulation, longitudinal-TCM, angular-TCM between shielding scan technique using bismuth and lead glasses. As a result, radiation dose of eye is reduced 25.88% in new OB TCM technique then reference scan technique and SNR new OB TCM is 6.05 higher than bismuth shielding scan technique and lower than reference scan technique. In clinical brain CT, new OB TCM technique will contribute to reduction of radiation dose for eye without decrease of image quality.

To compare the radiation dose and image noise of low dose computed tomography (CT) and high resolution CT using the fixed tube current technique and automatic tube current modulation (CARE Dose 4D). Chest CT and human anthropomorphic phantom were used the RPL (radiophotoluminescence) dosimeters. For image evaluation, standard deviation of mean CT attenuation coefficient and CT attenuation coefficient was measured using ROI analysis function. The effective dose was calculated using CTDIvol and DLP. CARE Dose 4D was reduced by 74.7% and HRCT by 64.4% compared to the fixed tube current technique in low dose CT of chest phantom. In CTDIvol and DLP, the dose of CARE Dose 4D was reduced by fixed tube current technique. For effective dose, CARE Dose 4D was reduced by 47% and HRCT by 46.9% compared to the fixed tube current method, and the dose of CARE Dose 4D was significantly different (p<.05). Noise in the image was higher than that in the fixed tube current technique. Noise difference in the image of CARE Dose 4D in low dose CT was significant (p<.05). The low radiation dose and the noise difference of the CARE Dose 4D were compared with the fixed tube current technique in low dose CT and HRCT using chest phantom. The radiation doses using CARE Dose 4D were in accordance with the national and international dose standards. CARE Dose 4D should be applied to low dose CT and HRCT for clinical examination.