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High Dose Rate Interstitial Brachytherapy in Soft Tissue Sarcomas : Technical Aspect (연부조직종양에서 고선량율 조직내 방사선치료: 기술적 측면에서의 고찰)

  • Chun Mison;Kang Seunghee;Kim Byoung-Suck;Oh Young-Taek
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.43-51
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    • 1999
  • Purpose : To discuss the technical aspect of interstitial brachytherapy including method of implant, insertion time of radioactive source, total radiation dose, and complication, we reviewed patients who had diagnoses of soft tissue sarcoma and were treated by conservative surgery, interstitial implant and external beam radiation therapy Materials and Methods : Between May 1995 and Dec. 1997, ten patients with primary or recurrent soft tissue sarcoma underwent surgical resection (wide margin excision) and received radiotherapy including interstitial brachytherapy. Catheters were placed with regular intervals of 1 ~l.5 cm immediately after tumor removal and covering the critical structures, such as neurovascular bundle or bone, with gelform, muscle, or tissue expander in the cases where the tumors were close to those structures. Brachytherapy consisted of high dose rate, iridium-192 implant which delivered 12~15 Gy to 1 cm distance from the center of source axis with 2~2.5 Gy/fraction, twice a day, starting on 6th day after the surgery, Within one month after the surgery, total dose of 50~55 Gy was delivered to the tumor bed with wide margin by the external beam radiotherapy. Results : All patients completed planned interstitial brachytherapy without acute side effects directly related with catheter implantation such as infection or bleeding. With median follow up duration of 25 months (range 12~41 months), no local recurrences were observed. And there was no severe form of chronic complication (RTOGIEORTC grade 3 or 4). Conclusion : The high dose rate interstitial brachytherapy is easy and safe way to minimize the radiation dose delivered to the adjacent normal tissue and to decrease radiation induced chronic morbidity such as fibrosis by reducing the total dose of external radiotherapy in the management of soft tissue sarcoma with conservative surgery.

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Ecological Characteristics and Management Proposal of Abeliophyllum distichum Subpopulations in the Byeonsanbando National Park (변산반도국립공원 내 미선나무 아개체군의 생태적 특성과 관리제언)

  • Lim, Dong-Ok;Hwang, In-Chon;Choi, Hyon-Woo;Kim, Yong-Shik
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.116-126
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    • 2009
  • This study was carried out focused an ecological characteristics and habitat management of Abeliophyllum distichum subpopulations in the Byeonsanbando National Park, Korea. Among three subpopulations of the target species in the studied area, Gamaso region are known as translocation site due to the dam construction while the wild populations which is located at both the lower terrain of the Buandaem bank and Chongnim-ni, which is designated as Natural Monument No 370, is threat due to an intensive site management likes clearance of scrub amongst the Abeliophyllum plants. Vascular plant taxa in the studied sites were summarized as 182 taxa; 65 families, 143 genera, 164 species, 17 varieties and 1 form, and Gamaso area, the lower terrain of the Buandaem and Cheongnim-ni areas are summarized as 75, 102 and 89 taxa, respectively. The plant species likes persimmon tree, paulownia tree and wild mulberry tree are dominant species in the Gamaso subpopulation, while Quercus variabilis is dominant at the lower terrain of the Buandaem. The intensive site management was applied to the Cheongnim-ni subpopulation, one of the original wild habitats of the species. The population dymanics was varied; the one or two sprouting number of stems was over 87% both at Gamaso area and the lower terrain of the Buandam, while the Cheongnim-ni subpopulation recorded as 74.8%. Also three sprouting number recorded as 16% and as 9.2% for sprouting on numbers of four to eleven. The invaded species likes Chenopodium album, Rumex obtusifolius, Phytolacca americana, Pharbitis nil, Solanum lyratum, Erigeron canadensis and Erigeron annuus, were found at the wild habitat of the species, and those invaded species grow faster than Abeliophyllum plants. Among three habitats of the target species in the studied area, the habitat which in located at the lower terrain of the Buandam and Gamaso region are known as translocated due to the dam construction, and wild subpopulation at Chongnim-ni, which is designated as Natural Monument No 370, is under threatened due to an intensive site management likes clearance of scrub amongst the Abeliophyllumplants. It is one of the evidence that Cuscuta japonica at the population indicated an intensive site management likes clearance of scrub is not proper habitat management protocol. Thus, further researches should be followed to determine the effect of canopy removal and other disturbance factors as management techniques.

Rheological and Debinding Properties of Al2O3/Paraffin Wax/High Density Polyethylen System Mixture by Injection Molding (사출성형에 의한 Al2O3/Paraffin Wax/High Density Polyethylen계 혼합물의 유동성 및 탈지 특성)

  • 김승겸;신대용;한상목;강위수
    • Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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    • v.41 no.5
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    • pp.395-400
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    • 2004
  • The effects of compositions of binders on the rheological properties of mixtures and the preparation conditions on the formation of defects and the debinding characteristics of compacts for the injection molding of ceramic powders (65 wt% aluminaㆍ35 wt% feldspar) were studied. Ceramic powders were coated with 2 wt% of stearic acid and then mixed with 15, 20, and 25 wt% of Paraffin Wax (PW) and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) as binders at $160^{\circ}C$ for 2 h. Rheological properties were investigated by using capillary rheometer. Apparent viscosities of mixtures were 80∼300 Paㆍs at 1,000$s^{-1}$ of a shear rate, it was good for the injection molding and depending on the compositions of binders. Short shot was formed at 15H5P5 (the ratio of HDPE : PW=5 : 5 in 15 wt% of binders) compacts without injection pressures and any noticeable defects were not formed at 45 kgf/$cm^{2}$ in 20H5P5 compacts. PW and HDPE were removed by the solvent extraction and thermal debinding method. Thermal debinding of HDPE at $450^{\circ}C$ for 5 h, which followed the extraction of PW was using n-heptane solvent at $70^{\circ}C$ for 5 h. Continuous pores in compacts, which facilitate the removal of HDPE by the thermal debinding, were found to form in the compacts when PW was removed by the solvent extraction. The optimum composition of binder at which binder was removed by thermal debinding without defects while maintaining the compact strength was 20H5P5. Bulk density, porosity and 3-point bending strength of 20H5P5 compact sintered at 1,30$0^{\circ}C$ for 5 h were 2.8, < 3%, and 2,400 kgf/$cm^{2}$, respectively, and can be used as a structural materials.

Application of CMP Process to Improving Thickness-Uniformity of Sputtering-deposited CdTe Thin Film for Improvement of Optical Properties (스퍼터링 증확 CdTe 박막의 두께 불균일 현상 개선을 위한 화학적기계적연마 공정 적용 및 광특성 향상)

  • Park, Ju-Sun;Lim, Chae-Hyun;Ryu, Seung-Han;Myung, Kuk-Do;Kim, Nam-Hoon;Lee, Woo-Sun
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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    • 2010.06a
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    • pp.375-375
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    • 2010
  • CdTe as an absorber material is widely used in thin film solar cells with the heterostructure due to its almost ideal band gap energy of 1.45 eV, high photovoltaic conversion efficiency, low cost and stable performance. The deposition methods and preparation conditions for the fabrication of CdTe are very important for the achievement of high solar cell conversion efficiency. There are some rearranged reports about the deposition methods available for the preparation of CdTe thin films such as close spaced sublimation (CSS), physical vapor deposition (PVD), vacuum evaporation, vapor transport deposition (VTD), closed space vapor transport, electrodeposition, screen printing, spray pyrolysis, metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), and RF sputtering. The RF sputtering method for the preparation of CdTe thin films has important advantages in that the thin films can be prepared at low growth temperatures with large-area deposition suitable for mass-production. The authors reported that the optical and electrical properties of CdTe thin film were closely connected by the thickness-uniformity of the film in the previous study [1], which means that the better optical absorbance and the higher carrier concentration could be obtained in the better condition of thickness-uniformity for CdTe thin film. The thickness-uniformity could be controlled and improved by the some process parameters such as vacuum level and RF power in the sputtering process of CdTe thin films. However, there is a limitation to improve the thickness-uniformity only in the preparation process [1]. So it is necessary to introduce the external or additional method for improving the thickness-uniformity of CdTe thin film because the cell size of thin film solar cell will be enlarged. Therefore, the authors firstly applied the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process to improving the thickness-uniformity of CdTe thin films with a G&P POLI-450 CMP polisher [2]. CMP process is the most important process in semiconductor manufacturing processes in order to planarize the surface of the wafer even over 300 mm and to form the copper interconnects with damascene process. Some important CMP characteristics for CdTe were obtained including removal rate (RR), WIWNU%, RMS roughness, and peak-to-valley roughness [2]. With these important results, the CMP process for CdTe thin films was performed to improve the thickness-uniformity of the sputtering-deposited CdTe thin film which had the worst two thickness-uniformities of them. Some optical properties including optical transmittance and absorbance of the CdTe thin films were measured by using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer (Varian Techtron, Cary500scan) in the range of 400 - 800 nm. After CMP process, the thickness-uniformities became better than that of the best condition in the previous sputtering process of CdTe thin films. Consequently, the optical properties were directly affected by the thickness-uniformity of CdTe thin film. The absorbance of CdTe thin films was improved although the thickness of CdTe thin film was not changed.

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Removable implant-supported partial denture using milled bar with Locator® attachments in a cleft lip & palate patient: A clinical report (구순구개열 환자에서 Locator® 유지장치가 장착된 milled titanium bar를 이용한 가철성 임플란트 피개 국소의치의 보철수복증례)

  • Yang, Sang-Hyun;Kim, Kyoung-A;Kim, Ja-Yeong;Seo, Jae-Min
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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    • v.53 no.3
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    • pp.207-214
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    • 2015
  • Due to the limitations of conventional removable partial denture prostheses to treat a cleft lip & palate patient who shows scar tissue on upper lip, excessive absorption of the maxillary residual alveolar ridge, and class III malocclusion with narrow palate and undergrowth of the maxilla, 4 implants were placed on the maxillary edentulous region and a maxillary removable implant-supported partial denture was planned using a CAD/CAM milled titanium bar. Unlike metal or gold casting technique which has shrinkage after the molding, CAD/CAM milled titanium bar is highly-precise, economical and lightweight. In practice, however, it is very hard to obtain accurate friction-fit from the milled bar and reduction in retention can occur due to repetitive insertion and removal of the denture. Various auxiliary retention systems (e.g. $ERA^{(R)}$, $CEKA^{(R)}$, magnetics, $Locator^{(R)}$ attachment), in order to deal with these problems, can be used to obtain additional retention, cost-effectiveness and ease of replacement. Out of diverse auxiliary attachments, $Locator^{(R)}$ has characteristics that are dual retentive, minimal in vertical height and convenient of attachment replacement. Drill and tapping method is simple and the replacement of the metal female part of $Locator^{(R)}$ attachment is convenient. In this case, the $Locator^{(R)}$ attachment is connected to the milled titanium bar fabricated by CAD/CAM, using the drill and tapping technique. Afterward, screw holes were formed and 3 $Locator^{(R)}$ attachments were secured with 20 Ncm holding force for additional retention. Following this procedure, satisfactory results were obtained in terms of aesthetic facial form, masticatory function and denture retention, and I hereby report this case.

Review on the Justifiable Grounds for Withdrawal of Meaningless Life-sustaining Treatment -Based on a case of Supreme Court's Sentence No. 2009DA17417 (May 21, 2009)- (무의미한 연명치료 중단 등의 기준에 관한 재고 - 대법원 2009.5.21 선고 2009다17417사건 판결을 중심으로 -)

  • Moon, Seong-Jea
    • The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.309-341
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    • 2009
  • According to a case of Supreme Court's Sentence No. 2009DA17417 (May 21, 2009), the Supreme Court judges that 'the right to life is the ultimate one of basic human rights stipulated in the Constitution, so it is required to very limitedly and conservatively determine whether to discontinue any medical practice on which patient's life depends directly.' In addition, the Supreme Court admits that 'only if a patient who comes to a fatal phase before death due to attack of any irreversible disease may execute his or her right of self-determination based on human respect and values and human right to pursue happiness, it is permissible to discontinue life-sustaining treatment for him or her, unless there is any special circumstance.' Furthermore, the Supreme Court finds that 'if a patient who is attacked by any irreversible disease informs medical personnel of his or her intention to agree on the refusal or discontinuance of life-sustaining treatment in advance of his or her potential irreversible loss of consciousness, it is justifiable that he or she already executes the right of self-determination according to prior medical instructions, unless there is any special circumstance where it is reasonably concluded that his or her physician is changed after prior medical instructions for him or her.' The Supreme Court also finds that 'if a patient remains at irreversible loss of consciousness without any prior medical instruction, he or she cannot express his or her intentions at all, so it is rational and complying with social norms to admit possibility of estimating his or her own intentions on withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, provided that such a withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment meets his or her interests in view of his or her usual sense of values or beliefs and it is reasonably concluded that he or she could likely choose to discontinue life-sustaining treatment, even if he or she were given any chance to execute his or her right of self-determination.' This judgment is very significant in a sense that it suggests the reasonable orientation of solutions for issues posed concerning withdrawal of meaningless life-sustaining medical efforts. The issues concerning removal of medical instruments for meaningless life-sustaining treatment and discontinuance of such treatment in regard to medical treatment for terminal cases don't seem to be so much big deal when a patient has clear consciousness enough to express his or her intentions, but it counts that there is any issue regarding a patient who comes to irreversible loss of consciousness and cannot express his or her intentions. Therefore, it is required to develop an institutional instrument that allows relevant authority to estimate the scope of physician's medical duties for terminal patients as well as a patient's intentions to withdraw any meaningless treatment during his or her terminal phase involving loss of consciousness. However, Korean judicial authority has yet to clarify detailed cases where it is permissible to discontinue any life-sustaining treatment for a patient in accordance with his or her right of self-determination. In this context, it is inevitable and challenging to make better legislation to improve relevant systems concerning withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. The State must assure the human basic rights for its citizens and needs to prepare a system to assure such basic rights through legislative efforts. In this sense, simply entrusting physician, patient or his or her family with any critical issue like the withdrawal of meaningless life-sustaining treatment, even without any reasonable standard established for such entrustment, means the neglect of official duties by the State. Nevertheless, this issue is not a matter that can be resolved simply by legislative efforts. In order for our society to accept judicial system for withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, it is important to form a social consensus about this issue and also make proactive discussions on it from a variety of standpoints.

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Stabilizing Soil Moisture and Indoor Air Quality Purification in a Wall-typed Botanical Biofiltration System Controlled by Humidifying Cycle (가습 주기에 따른 벽면형 식물바이오필터의 토양 수분 안정화 및 실내공기질 정화)

  • Lee, Chang Hee;Choi, Bom;Chun, Man Young
    • Horticultural Science & Technology
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    • v.33 no.4
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    • pp.605-617
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    • 2015
  • The ultimate goal of this research is to develop a botanical biofiltration system that combines a green interior, biofiltering, and automatic irrigation to purify indoor air pollutants according to indoor space and the size of biofilter. This study was performed to compare the stability of air flow characteristics and removal efficiency (RE) of fine dust within a wall-typed (vertical) botanical biofilter depending on humidifying cycle and to investigate RE of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by the biofilter. The biofilter used in this experiment was designed as an integral form of water metering pump, water tank, blower, humidifier, and multi-level planting space in order to be suitable for indoor space utilization. As a result, relative humidity, air temperature, and soil moisture content (SMC) within the biofilter showed stable values regardless of three different humidifying cycles operated by the metering pump. In particular, SMCs were consistently maintained in the range of 27.1-29.7% during all humidifying cycles; moreover, a humidifying cycle of operating for 15 min and pausing for 45 min showed the best horizontal linear regression (y = 0.0008x + 29.09) on SMC ($29.0{\pm}0.2%$) during 120 hour. REs for number of fine dust (PM10) and ultra-fine dust (PM2.5) particles passed through the biofilter were in the range of 82.7-89.7% and 65.4-73.0%, respectively. RE for weight of PM10 passed through the biofilter was in the range of 58.1-78.9%, depending on humidifying cycle. REs of xylene, ethyl benzene, total VOCs (TVOCs), and toluene passed through the biofilter were in the range of 71.3-75.5%, while REs of benzene and formaldehyde (HCHO) passed through the biofilter were 39.7% and 44.9%, respectively. Hence, it was confirmed that the wall-typed botanical biofilter suitable for indoor plants was very effective for indoor air purification.

A Study of the Garden Remains in Mountain Bukak in Dohwadong, Seoul (서울 북악산 도화동 원림유적에 대한 고찰)

  • Kim, Hong-Gon;Kim, Young-Mo
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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    • v.28 no.1
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    • pp.66-80
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    • 2010
  • In this thesis, the garden remains in Dohwadong which is located in Seoul Buk-ak Mountain was examined, together with reference discovery and historical research, and onsite academic research conducted, for the purpose of studying the location of the garden remains in Dohwadong, its historical transitions and original landscape. As a result of the study, the location of the garden remains in Dohwadong was found; through the research of relevant historical sources, its historical transitions, its original landscape, and the value it has as a garden remains were examined. The following is the summary of the original form of the garden remains in Dohwadong and the value it has as a garden remains derived from this study. First, the garden remains in Dohwadong had earlier known as a remains related to the housing site of Namgon or Daeunahm. However, it has been verified that is it Dohwadong which is an original word of a royal family formed by King Kojong's order in 1889 since the characters carved on rocks which is recorded in the book of "Chong Sweh Rok" perfectly conform to those within the garden remains in Dohwadong. Second, it was learned that Dohwadong was the greatest renowned place for entertaining next to Pilundae; according to the book of "Hankyung Jiryak", the name, Dohwadong, is known to have come from the fact that there are a large number of peach trees in the area; the records of those books, "Ahjungyugoh", "Yonahmjip", etc., also state that literary men gathered in Dohwadong and held ceremonies and entertained. Third, it was learned that the garden remains in Dohwadong had been used as a place for holding ceremonies by the Ahndong Kims including Myonggongsukhyon; after Heungsundaewongun's governance, it was removed and neglected as the Ahndong Kims were purged and changed into a place for the royal family by the command of King Kojong in 1889. Fourth, Dohwadong followed the geographical features of nature, embraced the elegant surrounding scenery naturally, and gave significance to the sceneries of the season and its element and, in this way, it, as an ideal landscape model, is a valuable garden remains which realized the symbolic Dohwa landscape and presents its original scenery of the traditional garden. As mentioned above, this study, based on historical sources, has made progress in understanding the truth of the garden remains in Dohwadong and its value as a garden remains through the onsite research and academic historical investigation. However, since it is located within a military region, research was limitedly made. And also the range and structure of the garden remains was difficult to examine. Overall excavation is needed to figure out the remains and original terrain. Accordingly, in order to find out the truth of the garden remains in Dohwadong and for further preservation and application, it needs to be designated as a historical site and additional academic excavation research needs to be conducted; maintenance and preservation policies including removal of the cement and embankment, which disturb the original terrain within the remains, also need to be carried out.

A Study on the Maintenance Plan of Trees in Gwanghalluwon Garden for Representing Traditional Space (전통공간 재현을 위한 광한루원의 수목정비방안 연구)

  • Lee, Won-Ho;Kim, Dong-Hyun;Kim, Jae-Ung;Ahn, Hye-In;Kim, Dae-Yeol;Cho, Un-Yeon
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.82-95
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    • 2014
  • This study aims to draw up measures to planting tree and maintain a landscape in traditional space. Preceding comprehensive theoretical consideration of selected species of trees and tree maintenance. And analysis of present condition of planting in cases of Gwanghalluwon Garden, then draw a maintenance plans of planting through species of trees and landscape of planting recorded in literature. The results were as follows. First, Analysis of selected species of trees and tree maintenance that traditional space. A dispute about the selection species of trees in traditional space has been continued until today. Because unconditional reject of foreign trees are limited. In this context, should be sublated that hasty blind faith of records and dichotomous preparation plans such as removal of foreign trees and implicitly planting of native plants. Secondly, Planted trees in Gwanghalluwon garden was investigated and found to the species of trees used in traditional space such as Pine(Pinus densiflora S. et Z.), Sawleaf Zelkova(Zelkova serrata), Ginkgo(Ginkgo biloba), Crape Myrtle(Lagerstroemia indica L.). But, present planting irrelevant to traditional space, except Gwanghallu pavilion area from the spatiality. Thirdly, A look at the records or literature that maintenance of planting through historical research are limited. Because literature was recorded Salix spp., Crape Myrtle, Bambusoideae(Pseudosasa japonica), lotus only among planted trees in Gwanghalluwon garden. Fourth, Gwanghallu zone have nature of history and sense of place. And It was going to restore the appearance on historical. Consequently maintenance plan of planting of Gwanghallu zone should be maintain the current state. Wanwol pavillion zone can be recognized as the original form because they look similar to the Gwangallu zone's buildings. Therefore, it is necessary to secure the sense of place different from Gwanghallu zone by buffer planting for composition of transition space. Wolmaejip zone and lawn zone was marketplace in outside of castle and large forest. Accordingly, this area should be symbolic restoration of the Yulrim(栗林) and representation of the marketplace in outside of castle through aggregation of facilities and administrative facilities in Gwanghalluwon garden. East lawn of the Wanwol pavilion zone is should be maintained the current state that opened place in terms of using thought linked with the Wanwol pavilion zone. Boundary zone of the Gwanghalluwon garden is difficult to associate in terms of historical research and authenticity. Therefore, application of cultural landscape that appeared in literature is be worth.

Biological Functions of N- and O-linked Oligosaccharides of Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin and Lutropin/Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptor

  • Min, K.S.
    • Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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    • v.24 no.4
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    • pp.357-364
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    • 2000
  • Members of the glycoprotein family, which includes CG, LH, FSH and TSH, comprise two noncovalently linked $\alpha$- and $\beta$-subunits. Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), known as PMSG, has a number of interesting and unique characteristics since it appears to be a single molecule that possesses both LH- and FSH-like activities in other species than the horse. This dual activity of eCG in heterologous species is of fundamental interest to the study of the structure-function relationships of gonadotropins and their receptors. CG and LH $\beta$ genes are different in primates. In horse, however, a single gene encodes both eCG and eLH $\beta$ -subunits. The subunit mRNA levels seem to be independently regulated and their imbalance may account for differences in the quantities of $\alpha$ - and $\beta$-subunits in the placenta and pituitary. The dual activities of eCG could be separated by removal of the N-linked oligosaccharide on the $\alpha$-subunit Asn 56 or CTP-associated O-linked oligosaccharides. The tethered-eCG was efficiently secreted and showed similar LH-like activity to the dimeric eCG. Interestingly, the FSH-like activity of the tethered-eCG was increased markedly in comparison with the native and wild type eCG. These results also suggest that this molecular can implay particular models of FSH-like activity not LH-like activity in the eCG/indicate that the constructs of tethered molecule will be useful in the study of mutants that affect subunit association and/or secretion. A single-chain analog can also be constructed to include additional hormone-specific bioactive generating potentially efficacious compounds that have only FSH-like activity. The LH/CG receptor (LH/CGR), a membrane glycoprotein that is present on testicular Leydig cells and ovarian theca, granulosa, luteal, and interstitial cells, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of gonadal development and function in males as well as in nonpregnant and pregnant females. The LH/CGR is a member of the family of G protein-coupled receptors and its structure is predicted to of a large extracellular domain connected to a bundle of seven membrane-spanning a-helices. The LH/CGR phosphorylation can be induced with a phorbol ester, but not with a calcium ionophore. The truncated form of LHR also was down-regulated normally in response to hCG stimulation. In contrast, the cell lines expressing LHR-t631 or LHR-628, the two phosphorylation-negative receptor mutant, showed a delay in the early phase of hCG-induced desensitization, a complete loss of PMA-induced desensitization, and an increase in the rate of hCG-induced receptor down-regulation. These results clearly show that residues 632~653 in the C-terminal tail of the LHR are involved in PMA-induced desensitization, hCG-induced desensitization, and hCG-induced down-regulation. Recently, constitutively activating mutations of the receptor have been identified that are associated with familial male-precocious puberty. Cells expressing LHR-D556Y bind hCG with normal affinity, exhibit a 25-fold increase in basal cAMP and respond to hCG with a normal increase in cAMP accumulation. This mutation enhances the internalization of the free and agoinst-occupied receptors ~2- and ~17- fold, respectively. We conclude that the state of activation of the LHR can modulate its basal and/or agonist-stimulated internalization. Since the internalization of hCG is involved in the termination of hCG actions, we suggest that the lack of responsiveness detected in cells expressing LHR-L435R is due to the fast rate of internalization of the bound hCG. This statement is supported by the finding that hCG responsiveness is restored when the cells are lysed and signal transduction is measured in a subcellular fraction (membranes) that cannot internalize the bound hormone.

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