• Journal of Chitin and Chitosan
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.256-261
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• 2018

Recently, the number of cardiovascular disease-related deaths worldwide has increased. Therefore, the importance of percutaneous cardiovascular intervention and drug-eluting stents (DES) has been highlighted. Despite the great clinical success of DES, the re-endothelialization at the site of stent implantation is retarded owing to the anti-proliferative effect from the coated drug, resulting in late thrombosis or very late restenosis. In order to solve this problem, studies have been actively carried out to excavate new drugs that promote rapid re-endothelialization. In this study, we introduced hydrophilic drug, tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDCA), that improves the proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells and promotes apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells. In addition, we utilized shellac, which is a natural resin from lac bug to coat TUDCA on the surface of the metal. When using conventional coating method including biodegradable polymers and organic solvents, phase separation between polymer and drug occurred in the coating layer that caused incomplete incorporation of drug into the polymer layer. However, when using shellac as a coating polymer, no phase separation was observed and drug was fully covered with the polymer matrix. In addition, by adjusting the composition of coating solution and modifying the hydrophilicity of the metal surface using oxygen plasma, the surface roughness decreased due to the increased affinity between coating solution and metal surface. This result provides a method of depositing a hydrophilic drug layer on the stent.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.120-132
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• 2021

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a bio-electrochemical device that generates electricity by utilizing bacterial catalytic activity that degrades wastewater. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) is the core component of MFC that decides its performance, and Nafion membrane is the most widely used PEM. In spite of the excellent performance of Nafion, it has drawbacks such as high cost, biofouling issue, and non-biodegradable property. Recent studies in MFC attempted to synthetize the alternative membrane for Nafion by incorporating various polymers, sulfonating, fluorinating, and doping other chemicals. This review summarizes characteristics and performances of different composite membrane based MFCs, mostly focusing on PEM.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2002

In Korea, 2,320 tonnes of acetanilide were mostly wed as intermediates for synthesis in phar-maceuticals or additives in synthesizing hydrogen peroxide, varnishes, polymers and rubber. Only small amount of 120 kg were wed as a stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide solution for hair colouring agents in 1998. Readily available environmental or human exposure data do not exist in Korea at the present time. However, potential human exposures from drinking water, food, ambient water and in work places are expected to be negligible because this chemical is produced in the closed system in only one company in Korea and the processing factory is equipped with local ventilation and air filtering system. Acetanilide could be distributed mainly to water based on EQC model. This substance is readily biodegradable and its bioaccumulation is low. Acute toxicity of acetanilide is low since the L $D_{50}$ of oral exposure in rats is 1,959 mg/kg bw. The chemical is not irritating to skin, but slightly irritating to the eyes of rabbits. horn repeated dose toxicity, the adverse effects in rats were red pulp hyperplasia of spleen, bone marrow hyperplasia of femur and decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. The LOAEL for repeated dose toxicity in rats was 22 mg/kg/day for both sexes. Acetanilide is not considered to be genotoxic. In a reproductive/developmental toxicity study, no treatment-related changes in precoital time and rate of copulation, impregnation, pregnancy were shown in all treated groups. The NOAELs for reproduction and developmental toxicity (off-spring toxicity) are considered to be 200 mg/kg bw/day and 67 mg/kg bw/day, respectively. Ecotoxicity data has been generated in a limited number of aquatic species of algae (72 hr- $E_{b}$ $C_{50}$; 13.5 mg/l), daphnid (48hr-E $C_{50}$ > 100 mg/l) and fish (Oryzias latipes, 96hr-L $C_{50}$; 100 mg/l). Form the acute toxicity values, the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) of 0.135 mg/1 was derived win an assessment factor of 100. On the basis of these data, acetanilide was suggested as currently of low priority for further post-SIDS work in OECD.in OECD.D.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.305-311
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• 2013

PLA(polylactic acid), one of biodegradable polymers was blended with various amounts of wood pulp powder through solution blending technic to verify the effect of reinforcing pulp amount on the mechanical properties of blend films. Also these blend films were further modified with TDI(toluene diisocyanate) as crosslinking agent to introduce urethane functions by reaction of pulp hydroxyl groups and isocyanate. As a result, the tensile strength of blend film with 0.25 wt% pulp was increased from $565.25kg_f/cm^2$ for PLA film itself to $624.20kg_f/cm^2$. However, elongation of this film was decreased by 50% of that of PLA film itself. Only PLA/pulp blend film further modified with 500% of TDI/0.25 wt% pulp showed the slightly increased tensile strength but decreased elongation. Melting point and glass transition temperature of PLA/pulp blend films were confirmed by using Differential Scanning Calorimeter(DSC). Thermal stability of these blend films measured by TGA showed only a slight increase at temperature lower than $300^{\circ}C$.

• 한국유가공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.37-61
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• 2005

Microcapsules consisting of natural, biodegradable polymers for controlled and/or sustained core release applications are needed. Physicochemical properties of whey proteins suggest that they may be suitable wall materials in developing such microcapsules. The objectives of the research were to develop water-insoluble, whey protein-based microcapsules containing a model water-soluble drug using a chemical cross-linking agent, glutaraldehyde, and to investigate core release from these capsules at simulated physiological conditions. A model water soluble drug, theophylline, was suspended in whey protein isolate (WPI) solution. The suspension was dispersed in a mixture of dichloromethane and hexane containing 1% biomedical polyurethane. Protein matrices were cross-linked with 7.5-30 ml of glutaraldehyde-saturated toluene (GAST) for 1-3 hr. Microcapsules were harvested, washed, dried and analyzed for core retention, microstructure, and core release in enzyme-free simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) at 37$^{\circ}C$, A method consisting of double emulsification and heat gelation was also developed to prepare water-insoluble, whey protein-based microcapsules containing anhydrous milkfat (AMF) as a model apolar core. AMF was emulsified into WPI solution (15-30%, pH 4.5-7.2) at a proportion of 25-50% (w/w, on dry basis). The oil-in-water emulsion was then added and dispersed into corn oil (50 $^{\circ}C$)to form an O/W/O double emulsion and then heated at 85$^{\circ}C$ for 20 min for gelation of whey protein wall matrix. Effects of emulsion composition and pH on core retention, microstructure, and water-solubility of microcapsules were determined. Overall results suggest that whey proteins can be used in developing microcapsules for controlled and sustained core release applications.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 1999

Dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid) granular formulations for controlled release (DGFCRs) were prepared with biodegradable polymers, corn starch and pregelatinized starch, to minimize harmful side effects, extend weed control performance, and control the releasing rate of the active ingredient. Physico-chemical properties and biological activity of DGFCRs were studied. Six different granules were formulated by applying two processes, granulation and extrusion. Formulation efficiencies of active ingredient (A.I.) in the granules prepared by granulating and extruding were $90.0{\sim}96.3%$. Incorporation ratios of A.I. in the granules prepared by granulating and extruding showed $89.5{\sim}94.5%$ and $46.7{\sim}82.0%$, respectively. The highest swellability was DG-2 formulation prepared with corn starch. Whereas, the lowest floatability in water was DG-2 formulation, while the highest one was DG-1 formulation prepared with pregelatinized starch, Miragel 463. The degradation rates of dicamba in the granules under the elevated temperature of $50^{\circ}C$ were less than 5% for DG-1 and DG-2 formulations even after 90 days, meanwhile, those of DE-1 formulations prepared with pregelatinized starch, Mirasperse, were more than 5%. The release rates of A.I. from the granules into water under a static condition were about 100% after 2 weeks. Weeding effects of the granules on broad leaf weeds tested in greenhouse were more than 90% after 30 days.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.160-169
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• 2008

Bakcground: To treat anastomosis site stenosis and occlusion of the artificial vessels used in vascular surgery, tissue-engineered artificial vessels using autologous cells have been constructed. We developed artificial vessels using a polymer scaffold and autologous bone marrow cells and performed an in vivo evaluation. Material and Method: We manufactured a vascular scaffold using biodegradable PLCL (poly lactide-co-${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone) and PGA (poly glycolic acid) fibers. Then we seeded autologous bone marrow cells onto the scaffold. After implantation of the artificial vessel into the abdominal aorta, we performed an angiography 3 weeks after surgery. After the dogs were euthanized we retrieved the artificial vessels and performed histological analysis. Result: Among the six dogs, 2 dogs died of massive bleeding due to a crack in the vascular scaffold 10 days after the operation. The remaining four dogs lived for 3 weeks after the operation. In these dogs. the angiography revealed no stenosis or occlusion at 3 weeks after the operation. Gross examination revealed small thrombi on the inner surface of the vessels and the histological analysis showed three layers of vessel structure similar to the native vessel. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated regeneration of the endothelial and smooth muscle cell layers. Conclusion: A tissue engineered vascular graft was manufactured using a polymer scaffold and autologous bone marrow cells that had a structure similar to that of the native artery. Further research is needed to determine how to accommodate the aortic pressure.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.516-522
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• 2008

Biodegradable polymers have been used extensively as scaffolding materials to regenerate new tissues and the ingrowth of tissue have been reported to be dependent directly of the porosity, pore diameter, pore shape, and porous structure of the scaffold. In this study, porous poly (L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds with five different pore sizes were fabricated to investigate the effect of pore sizes for AF tissue regeneration. Cellular viability and proliferation were assayed by MTT test. Hydroxyproline/DNA content of AF cells on each scaffold was measured. sGAG analyses were performed at each time point of 2 and 6 weeks. Scaffold seeded AF cells were implanted into the back of athymic nude mouse to observe the difference of formation of disc-like tissue depending on pore size in vivo. We confirmed that scaffold with $180{\sim}250{\mu}m$ pores displayed high cell viability in vitro and produced higher ECM than scaffold with other pore sizes in vivo.

• 한국유가공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.59-60
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• 2002

Edible films such as wax coatings, sugar and chocolate covers, and sausage casings, have been used in food applications for years$^{(1)}$ However, interest in edible films and biodegradable polymers has been renewed due to concerns about the environment, a need to reduce the quantity of disposable packaging, and demand by the consumer for higher quality food products. Edible films can function as secondary packaging materials to enhance food quality and reduce the amount of traditional packaging needed. For example, edible films can serve to enhance food quality by acting as moisture and gas barriers, thus, providing protection to a food product after the primary packaging is opened. Edible films are not meant to replace synthetic packaging materials; instead, they provide the potential as food packagings where traditional synthetic or biodegradable plastics cannot function. For instance, edible films can be used as convenient soluble pouches containing single-servings for products such as instant noodles and soup/seasoning combination. In the food industry, they can be used as ingredient delivery systems for delivering pre-measured ingredients during processing. Edible films also can provide the food processors with a variety of new opportunities for product development and processing. Depends on materials of edible films, they also can be sources of nutritional supplements. Especially, whey proteins have excellent amino acid balance while some edible films resources lack adequate amount of certain amino acids, for example, soy protein is low in methionine and wheat flour is low in lysine$^{(2)}$. Whey proteins have a surplus of the essential amino acid lysine, threonine, methionine and isoleucine. Thus, the idea of using whey protein-based films to individually pack cereal products, which often deficient in these amino acids, become very attractive$^{(3)}$. Whey is a by-product of cheese manufacturing and much of annual production is not utilized$^{(4)}$. Development of edible films from whey protein is one of the ways to recover whey from dairy industry waste. Whey proteins as raw materials of film production can be obtained at inexpensive cost. I hypothesize that it is possible to make whey protein-based edible films with improved moisture barrier properties without significantly altering other properties by producing whey protein/lipid emulsion films and these films will be suitable far food applications. The fellowing are the specific otjectives of this research: 1. Develop whey protein/lipid emulsion edible films and determine their microstructures, barrier (moisture and oxygen) and mechanical (tensile strength and elongation) properties. 2. Study the nature of interactions involved in the formation and stability of the films. 3. Investigate thermal properties, heat sealability, and sealing properties of the films. 4. Demonstrate suitability of their application in foods as packaging materials. Methodologies were developed to produce edible films from whey protein isolate (WPI) and concentrate (WPC), and film-forming procedure was optimized. Lipids, butter fat (BF) and candelilla wax (CW), were added into film-forming solutions to produce whey protein/lipid emulsion edible films. Significant reduction in water vapor and oxygen permeabilities of the films could be achieved upon addition of BF and CW. Mechanical properties were also influenced by the lipid type. Microstructures of the films accounted for the differences in their barrier and mechanical properties. Studies with bond-dissociating agents indicated that disulfide and hydrogen bonds, cooperatively, were the primary forces involved in the formation and stability of whey protein/lipid emulsion films. Contribution of hydrophobic interactions was secondary. Thermal properties of the films were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, and the results were used to optimize heat-sealing conditions for the films. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) was used to study the nature of the interfacial interaction of sealed films. All films were heat sealable and showed good seal strengths while the plasticizer type influenced optimum heat-sealing temperatures of the films, 130$^{\circ}$C for sorbitol-plasticized WPI films and 110$^{\circ}$C for glycerol-plasticized WPI films. ESCA spectra showed that the main interactions responsible for the heat-sealed joint of whey protein-based edible films were hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds involving C-0-H and N-C components. Finally, solubility in water, moisture contents, moisture sorption isotherms and sensory attributes (using a trained sensory panel) of the films were determined. Solubility was influenced primarily by the plasticizer in the films, and the higher the plasticizer content, the greater was the solubility of the films in water. Moisture contents of the films showed a strong relationship with moisture sorption isotherm properties of the films. Lower moisture content of the films resulted in lower equilibrium moisture contents at all aw levels. Sensory evaluation of the films revealed that no distinctive odor existed in WPI films. All films tested showed slight sweetness and adhesiveness. Films with lipids were scored as being opaque while films without lipids were scored to be clear. Whey protein/lipid emulsion edible films may be suitable for packaging of powder mix and should be suitable for packaging of non-hygroscopic foods$^{(5,6,7,8,)}$.