The analog image based system consisted of a simulator and medical linear accelerator (LINAC) for radiotherapy was upgraded to digital medical image based system by exchanging the X-ray film with Computed Radiography (CR). With minimum equipments shift and similar treatment process, it was possible that the new digital image system was adapted by the users in short time. The film cassette and the film developer device were substituted with a CR cassette and a CR Reader, where the ViewBox was replaced with a small size PC and a monitor. The viewer software suitable for radiotherapy was developed to maximize the benefit of digital image, and as the result the convenience and the effectiveness was improved. It has two windows to display two different images in the same time and equipped various search capability, contouring, window leveling, image resizing, translation, rotation and registration functions. In order to avoid any discontinuance of the treatment while the transition to digital image, the film and the CR was used together for 1 week, and then the film developer was removed. Since then the CR System has been operated stably for 2 months, and the various requests from users have been reflected to improve the system.
Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Particle Accelerators ; Radiation Oncology ; X-Ray Film

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the difference in the effects of eye-mask and light-off on sleep status according to a commercial fitness tracker and a sleep diary of psychiatric in-patients in correctional facilities where nocturnal light is compulsory. Methods: This study was conducted over 3 consecutive nights. In-patients of the National Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (n = 29) were assigned random subject numbers and slept as usual in the light-on condition on the first night. The subjects slept with eye-masks in the light-on condition on another night and without an eye-mask in the light-off condition on the other night. Subjects were asked to sleep wearing a commercial fitness tracker and to keep a sleep diary. The order of these changes in bedroom lighting condition on the second and third nights was assigned randomly to participants. Results: In comparison of the sleep variables between the light-on condition and the eye-mask condition, the Wakefullness After Sleep Onset (WASO) was shorter and sleep satisfaction was higher in the latter.(respectively, Z = 3.66, p < 0.017 ; Z = 2.69, p < 0.017) In comparison of the sleep variables between the light-on and light-off conditions, the WASO was shorter and sleep efficiency and sleep satisfaction were higher in the latter (respectively, Z = 2.40, p < 0.017 ; Z = 3.02, p < 0.017 ; Z = 3.88, p < 0.017). However, there were no differences in the sleep variables between the eye-mask condition and the light-off condition. Conclusion Subjective improvements in sleep variables were noted in sleep diaries of institutionalized psychiatric patients under either the ‘eye-mask’ or ‘light-off’ condition. However, there were no significant differences between the ‘eye-mask’ and ‘light-off’ conditions. Therefore, we suggest that psychiatric patients in correctional facilities use eye-masks when sleeping.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the difference in the effects of eye-mask and light-off on sleep status according to a commercial fitness tracker and a sleep diary of psychiatric in-patients in correctional facilities where nocturnal light is compulsory. Methods: This study was conducted over 3 consecutive nights. In-patients of the National Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (n = 29) were assigned random subject numbers and slept as usual in the light-on condition on the first night. The subjects slept with eye-masks in the light-on condition on another night and without an eye-mask in the light-off condition on the other night. Subjects were asked to sleep wearing a commercial fitness tracker and to keep a sleep diary. The order of these changes in bedroom lighting condition on the second and third nights was assigned randomly to participants. Results: In comparison of the sleep variables between the light-on condition and the eye-mask condition, the Wakefullness After Sleep Onset (WASO) was shorter and sleep satisfaction was higher in the latter.(respectively, Z = 3.66, p < 0.017 ; Z = 2.69, p < 0.017) In comparison of the sleep variables between the light-on and light-off conditions, the WASO was shorter and sleep efficiency and sleep satisfaction were higher in the latter (respectively, Z = 2.40, p < 0.017 ; Z = 3.02, p < 0.017 ; Z = 3.88, p < 0.017). However, there were no differences in the sleep variables between the eye-mask condition and the light-off condition. Conclusion Subjective improvements in sleep variables were noted in sleep diaries of institutionalized psychiatric patients under either the ‘eye-mask’ or ‘light-off’ condition. However, there were no significant differences between the ‘eye-mask’ and ‘light-off’ conditions. Therefore, we suggest that psychiatric patients in correctional facilities use eye-masks when sleeping.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To encourage healthier food choices for children in fast-food restaurants, many initiatives have been proposed. This study aimed to examine the effect of disclosing nutritional information on parents' meal choices for their children at fast-food restaurants in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: An online experimental survey using a menu board was conducted with 242 parents of children aged 2-12 years who dined with them at fast-food restaurants at least once a month. Participants were classified into two groups: the low-calorie group (n = 41) who chose at least one of the lowest calorie meals in each menu category, and the high-calorie group (n = 201) who did not. The attributes including perceived empowerment, use of provided nutritional information, and perceived difficulties were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The low-calorie group perceived significantly higher empowerment with the nutritional information provided than did the high-calorie group (P = 0.020). Additionally, the low-calorie group was more interested in nutrition labeling (P < 0.001) and considered the nutritional value of menus when selecting restaurants for their children more than did the high-calorie group (P = 0.017). The low-calorie group used the nutritional information provided when choosing meals for their children significantly more than did the high-calorie group (P < 0.001), but the high-calorie group had greater difficulty using the nutritional information provided (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that improving the empowerment of parents using nutritional information could be a strategy for promoting healthier parental food choices for their children at fast-food restaurants.
Child* ; Food Labeling ; Humans ; Korea ; Meals* ; Nutritive Value ; Parents ; Power (Psychology) ; Restaurants*

Purpose: Our previous work demonstrated that miRNA-495 targets SOX9 to inhibit chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells.In this study, we aimed to investigate whether miRNA-495-mediated SOX9 regulation could be a novel therapeutic target for osteoarthritis (OA) using an in vitro cell culture model. Materials and Methods: An in vitro model mimicking the OA environment was established using TC28a2 normal human chondrocyte cells. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β, 10 ng/mL) was utilized to induce inflammation-related changes in TC28a2 cells. Safranin O staining and glycosaminoglycan assay were used to detect changes in proteoglycans among TC28a2 cells. Expression levels of COX-2, ADAMTS5, MMP13, SOX9, CCL4, and COL2A1 were examined by qRT-PCR and/or Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect SOX9 and CCL4 proteins in human cartilage tissues obtained from patients with OA. Results: miRNA-495 was upregulated in IL-1β-treated TC28a2 cells and chondrocytes from damaged cartilage tissues of patients with OA. Anti-miR-495 abolished the effect of IL-1β in TC28a2 cells and rescued the protein levels of SOX9 and COL2A1, which were reduced by IL-1β. SOX9 was downregulated in the damaged cartilage tissues of patients with OA, and knockdown of SOX9 abolished the effect of anti-miR-495 on IL-1β-treated TC28a2 cells. Conclusion We demonstrated that inhibition of miRNA-495 alleviates IL-1β-induced inflammatory responses in chondrocytes by rescuing SOX9 expression. Accordingly, miRNA-495 could be a potential novel target for OA therapy, and the application of anti-miR-495 to chondrocytes could be a therapeutic strategy for treating OA.

Purpose: Our previous work demonstrated that miRNA-495 targets SOX9 to inhibit chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells.In this study, we aimed to investigate whether miRNA-495-mediated SOX9 regulation could be a novel therapeutic target for osteoarthritis (OA) using an in vitro cell culture model. Materials and Methods: An in vitro model mimicking the OA environment was established using TC28a2 normal human chondrocyte cells. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β, 10 ng/mL) was utilized to induce inflammation-related changes in TC28a2 cells. Safranin O staining and glycosaminoglycan assay were used to detect changes in proteoglycans among TC28a2 cells. Expression levels of COX-2, ADAMTS5, MMP13, SOX9, CCL4, and COL2A1 were examined by qRT-PCR and/or Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect SOX9 and CCL4 proteins in human cartilage tissues obtained from patients with OA. Results: miRNA-495 was upregulated in IL-1β-treated TC28a2 cells and chondrocytes from damaged cartilage tissues of patients with OA. Anti-miR-495 abolished the effect of IL-1β in TC28a2 cells and rescued the protein levels of SOX9 and COL2A1, which were reduced by IL-1β. SOX9 was downregulated in the damaged cartilage tissues of patients with OA, and knockdown of SOX9 abolished the effect of anti-miR-495 on IL-1β-treated TC28a2 cells. Conclusion We demonstrated that inhibition of miRNA-495 alleviates IL-1β-induced inflammatory responses in chondrocytes by rescuing SOX9 expression. Accordingly, miRNA-495 could be a potential novel target for OA therapy, and the application of anti-miR-495 to chondrocytes could be a therapeutic strategy for treating OA.

PURPOSE: Overexpression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is thought to promote survival of transformed cells. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) exerts anti-proliferative effects on a broad range of epithelial cells. In the current study, we investigated whether TGF-beta can regulate COX-2 expression in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells, which are TGF-beta-responsive and overexpress COX-2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Western blotting, Northern blotting, and mRNA stability assays were performed to demonstrate that COX-2 protein and mRNA expression were suppressed by TGF-beta. We also evaluated the effects of tristetraprolin (TTP) on COX-2 mRNA using RNA interference. RESULTS: We demonstrated that COX-2 mRNA and protein expression were both significantly suppressed by TGF-beta. An actinomycin D chase experiment demonstrated that COX-2 mRNA was more rapidly degraded in the presence of TGF-beta, suggesting that TGF-beta-induced inhibition of COX-2 expression is achieved via decreased mRNA stability. We also found that TGF-beta rapidly and transiently induced the expression of TTP, a well-known mRNA destabilizing factor, before suppression of COX-2 mRNA expression was observed. Using RNA interference, we confirmed that increased TTP levels play a pivotal role in the destabilization of COX-2 mRNA by TGF-beta. Furthermore, we showed that Smad3 is essential to TTP-dependent down-regulation of COX-2 expression in response to TGF-beta. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that TGF-beta down-regulated COX-2 expression via mRNA destabilization mediated by Smad3/TTP in A549 cells.
Adenocarcinoma ; Blotting, Northern ; Blotting, Western ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dactinomycin ; Down-Regulation ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms* ; RNA Interference ; RNA Stability ; RNA* ; RNA, Messenger ; Transforming Growth Factor beta* ; Tristetraprolin

Purpose: The appropriate evaluation of height and accurate estimation of bone age are crucial for proper assessment of the growth status of a child. We developed a bone age estimation program using a deep learning algorithm and established a model to predict the final adult height of Korean children. Materials and Methods: A total of 1678 radiographs from 866 children, for which the interpretation results were consistent between two pediatric endocrinologists, were used to train and validate the deep learning model. The bone age estimation algorithm was based on the convolutional neural network of the deep learning system. The test set simulation was performed by a deep learning program and two raters using 150 radiographs and final height data for 100 adults. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between bone age interpreted by the artificial intelligence (AI) program and the reference bone age in the test set simulation (r=0.99, p<0.001). In the test set simulation, the AI program showed a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.59 years and a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.55 years, compared with reference bone age, and showed similar accuracy to that of an experienced pediatric endocrinologist (rater 1). Prediction of final adult height by the AI program showed an MAE of 4.62 cm, compared with the actual final adult height. Conclusion We developed a bone age estimation program based on a deep learning algorithm. The AI-derived program demonstrated high accuracy in estimating bone age and predicting the final adult height of Korean children and adolescents.