• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2006

Biodegradable $\beta$-tricalcium phosphate ( $\beta$-TCP)/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) composites were synthesized by in-situ polymerization with microwave energy. The influence of the $\beta$-TCP content in $\beta$-TCP/PLGA composites on the molecular weight, crystallinity, microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. As the molecular weight of composites decreased, the $\beta$-TCP content increased up to 10 wt.%, while the excess addition of the $\beta$-TCP content above 10 wt.% the molecular weight increased with increasing of the $\beta$-TCP content. This behavior would be due to the superheating effect or nonthermal effect induced by microwave energy. It was found that the bending strength and Young's modulus of the $\beta$-TCP/PLGA composites was proportional to the molecular weight of PLGA. The bending strength of the $\beta$-TCP/PLGA composites ranged from 18 to 38 MPa, while Young's modulus was in the range from 2 to 6 GPa.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.371-377
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• 2014

In tissue engineering, a scaffold is a three-dimensional(3D) structure that serves as a template for regeneration the functions of damaged tissues or organs. Among materials for scaffolds, polycaprolactone(PCL) and ${\beta}$-tricalcium phosphate(${\beta}$-TCP) are biodegradable and biocompatible. In this study, we fabricated 3D PCL, blended PCL (60 wt %)/${\beta}$-TCP (40 wt %), and pure ${\beta}$-TCP scaffolds by a multi-head scaffold fabrication system. Scaffolds with a pore size of $600{\pm}20{\mu}m$ was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The effects of 3D PCL, blended PCL (60 wt %)/${\beta}$-TCP (40 wt %) and pure ${\beta}$-TCP scaffolds were analyzed by evaluating their mechanical characteristics. In addition, in an in-vitro study using osteoblast-like saos-2 cells, we confirmed the effects of 3D scaffolds on cellular behaviors such as cell adhesion and proliferation. In summary, the 3D blended PCL (60 wt %)/${\beta}$-TCP (40 wt %) scaffold was found to be suitable for human cancellous bone in terms of its the compressive strength, biocompatibility, and osteoconductivity. Thus, blending PCL and ${\beta}$-TCP could be a promising approach for fabricating 3D scaffolds for effective bone regeneration.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.791-797
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• 2014

Abstract Scaffold used as a carrier of the cell has been actively conducted using plenty of technology in tissue engineering. ${\beta}$-tricalcium phosphate (${\beta}$-TCP) material has shown good biocompatibility and osteoconductive ability when it was implanted as a bone graft substitute in osseous defect in human and animal studies for bone regeneration. In this study, we fabricated the blended polycaprolactone (PCL) and ${\beta}$-TCP scaffold by the polymer deposition system (PDS). The PCL/${\beta}$-TCP scaffold was fabricated at a temperature of $110^{\circ}C$, pressure of 650 kPa, and scan velocity of 100 mm/sec. The Overall geometry and size of the scaffold were fixed circle type with a diameter of 10 mm and a height of 4 mm. PCL/${\beta}$-TCP scaffold was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Cell attachment and proliferation of the scaffold containing 30 wt% ${\beta}$-TCP was superior to those containing 10 wt% and 20 wt% ${\beta}$-TCP.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1220-1232
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• 2018

The purpose of this animal study was to evaluate, by histological analysis, bone regeneration in rabbit maxillary sinuses with an anorganic bovine graft (Bio-Oss) and a ${\beta}-tricalcium$ phosphate (${\beta}-TCP$) grafting. Bilateral sinus augmentation procedures were performed in 12 adult male rabbits. Rectangular replaceable bony windows were made with a piezoelectric thin saw insert. In the Bio-Oss group, Bio-Oss was grafted and in the ${\beta}-TCP$ group, ${\beta}-TCP$ was grafted and covered by replaceable bony windows. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the surgical procedure. The augmented sinuses were evaluated by histomorphometric analysis using hematoxylin-eosin, Masson trichrome, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase stains and also by immunohistochemical analysis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), type I collagen, and osteocalcin content. Histologically, new bone formation was found on the surface of Bio-Oss and ${\beta}-TCP$ particles from 2 weeks and continued to 8 weeks. Significant higher new bone formation was revealed in the ${\beta}-TCP$ group than in the Bio-Oss group at 8 weeks. The amount of graft materials was significantly decreased in the ${\beta}-TCP$ group and the number of osteoclasts was significantly increased in the ${\beta}-TCP$ group from 4 to 8 weeks. Immunoreactivity to PCNA was reduced at 8 weeks. The expression of type I collagen was significantly increased in the ${\beta}-TCP$ group at 2 weeks, but was significantly increased in the Bio-Oss group at 8 weeks. Immunoreactivity to osteocalcin was increased from 2 to 8 weeks. These histological results can help in the selection of graft materials for implants. Both Bio-Oss and ${\beta}-TCP$ are proven graft materials, however, these results indicate that ${\beta}-TCP$ showed better bone regeneration results in rabbit maxillary sinus augmentation.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.417-433
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• 2006

Purpose : Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous material with many growth factors, such as BMPs, PDGF, $TGF-{\beta}_1$, $TGF-{\beta}_2$, VEGF, and IGF, facilitating bone healing process. The prominent osteoconductive activity and the biodegradable nature of beta-tricalciumphosphate (${\beta}-TCP$) for bone grafts in animal experiments have been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of PRP on the osteogenesis of ${\beta}-TCP$. Materials & Methods : Two artificial calvarial bone defects were made in 32 rabbits which were divided into 2 groups. In one group of 16 rabbits, autogenous bone / ${\beta}-TCP$ was grafted on each side of cranial bone defect. In the other group of 16 rabbits, mixture of ${\beta}-TCP$ and PRP / PRP alone was grafted on each side of the cranial bone defect. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. The specimens were harvested and examined histologically and immunohistochemically by the expression of BMP2/4/7, PDGF, VEGF and $TGF-{\beta}_1$. Results : The mean volume of new bone formation was significantly higher at 4, 8, 12 weeks in autogenous graft than that in ${\beta}-TCP$. The BMP2/4 expression was significantly higher at 4 weeks in autogenous bone graft and at 4 weeks in mixture of ${\beta}-TCP$ and PRP and at 12 weeks in ${\beta}-TCP$. The expression of BMP7, PDGF, VEGF and $TGF-{\beta}_1$ showed no significant difference in autogenous, ${\beta}-TCP$, mixture of ${\beta}-TCP$ and PRP, and PRP alone during grafted bone regeneration. Conclusion : The results showed that PRP had no additional value in promoting healing process of ${\beta}-TCP$ grafts.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.287-295
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• 2009

$\beta$-Tricalcium phosphate ($\beta$-TCP) particles reinforced bioresorbable plastics poly-L-lactide (PLLA) composites were prepared by injection molding. The nominal weight ratio of $\beta$-TCP was selected as 5, 10 and 15%. In order to clarify effects of the PLLA crystallinity on the mechanical properties, the specimens were heat treated isothermally. Results of differential scanning calorimetry indicated that the PLLA crystallinity increased with increasing heat treatment temperature. Bending and compressive tests were conducted on the specimen with different $\beta$-TCP contents and crystallinities. The results show that the bending and compressive moduli increased with increasing $\beta$-TCP contents and crystallinity. On the other hand, bending strength decreased with increasing $\beta$-TCP contents. Maximum bending strength was obtained at the heat treatment of $70^{\circ}C$ for 24 h, whereas compressive 0.2% proof strength increased with increasing heat treatment temperature. This difference is attributed to the difference in the microscopic damages.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.676-680
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• 2006

The biodegradable $\beta$-tricalcium phosphate ($\beta$-TCP)/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) composites were synthesized by in situ polymerization with microwave energy. The degradation behavior of $\beta$-TCP/PLGA composite was investigated by soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 4 weeks. The molecular weight of the $\beta$-TCP/PLGA composites decreased with soaking time until week 2, whereas the loss rate of molecular weight reduced after week 2. The incubation time was needed for the degradation of the $\beta$-TCP, indicating that the $\beta$-TCP should be detached from the PLGA matrix and then degraded into SBF solution. The studies of mass loss of the composites with the soaking time revealed that the degradation behavior of PLGA would be processed with the transformation from the polymer to the oligomer followed by the degradation. Morphological changes, whisker-like, due to transformation and degradation of polymer in the composites were observed after week 2. On the basis of the results, it found that the degradation behavior of $\beta$-TCP/PLGA composites was influenced by the $\beta$-TCP content in the composites and the degradation rate of the composites could be controlled by the initial molecular weight of PLGA in the composites.

• The Korean Journal of Ceramics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.214-218
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• 2000

Hydroxyapatite (HA) and $\beta$-tricalcium phosphate ($\beta$-TCP) are bio-compatible materials with bones and teeth. HA has been widely applied as bone substitutes because of chemical stability in vivo, while $\beta$-TCP has higher resorbability than HA when the material is implanted in a bone defect. In the present study, both HA and $\beta$-TCP porous ceramics were soaked in the simulated body fluid in order to investigate the reaction between the materials and the fluid. After the soaking test, carbonate hydroxyapatite was formed on HA surface at 1 week, and then the amount of precipitates increased with increasing period of the soaking test. While $\beta$-TCP was not dissolved in the fluid, carbonate hydroxyaopatite was also formed on $\beta$-TCP surface after 12 weeks, and the amount of precipitates was less than that on HA. In vitro behavior of HA was similar to that in vivo, but in vitro behavior of $\beta$-TCP was not similar to that in vivo.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2011

Purpose: Addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to grafting material has become widely accepted additively for bone regeneration because it can raise high expectations on it's clinical potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PRP and PRF on early bone regeneration of rabbits when used in combination with beta tricalcium phosphate. Methods: In eight rabbits, the calvarium was exposed and the two marrows were penetrated. After then these artificial bone defects were augmented with ${\beta}$-TCP or ${\beta}$-TCP with PRP or ${\beta}$-TCP with PRF and covered. The animals were sacrificed after four and eight weeks. Histologic findings were observed under the light-microscope and histomorphometric analysis was performed by measuring calcified area of new bone formation within the CSD. Results: They demonstrated that new bone formation tended to be produced along the outline of graft materials. More amounts of newly bone was regenerated in ${\beta}$-TCP only and in combination of${\beta}$-TCP with PRF and it was statistically significant. In contrast, there was no significant difference between nothing apply and ${\beta}$-TCP with PRP groups in the relative amounts of newly mineralized bone. Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, it can be concluded that PRF in combination with ${\beta}$-TCP showed a positive effect on bone regeneration and statistically it was significant.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.282-291
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• 2004

Pure-phase beta-tricalcium phosphate(${\beta}$-TCP) proved to be a bone regeneration material, providing the patient with vital bone at the defect site in a reasonable time, making a second surgical procedure for bone harvesting unnecessary. This study compares bone healing and BMP 2/4 expression in cranial defects in rabbits grafted with autogenous bone and ${\beta}$-TCP. Thirty New Zealand White rabbits was divided into 3 group of 10 animals each. Bilateral calvarial defects were made in the parietal bones of each animal. ${\beta}$-TCP placed in one defect and the other defects was filled with autogenous bone. The animal were sacrificed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to investigate the expression of BMP 2/4. 1. The new bone formation around autogenous bone from 4 weeks and ${\beta}$-TCP from 8 weeks. 2. In autogenous bone graft, BMP 2/4 expression was decreased from 4 to 12 weeks. 3. In ${\beta}$-TCP graft, BMP 4 expression was increased from 8 to 12 weeks. But, BMP 2 was observed from 12 weeks. This study showed that bone healing, regeneration and, BMP 2/4 expression are delayed in grafted ${\beta}$-TCP than autogenous bone.