• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.548-553
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• 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in cartilage tissue engineering to repair articular cartilage defects. However, hypertrophy of chondrocytes derived from MSCs might hinder the stabilization of hyaline cartilage. Thus, it is very important to find a suitable way to maintain the chondrogenic phenotype of chondrocytes. It has been reported that cordycepin has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor functions. However, the role of cordycepin in chondrocyte hypertrophy remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of cordycepin on chondrogenesis and chondrocyte hypertrophy in MSCs and ATDC5 cells. Cordycepin upregulated chondrogenic markers including Sox9 and collagen type II while down-regulated hypertrophic markers including Runx2 and collagen type X. Further exploration showed that cordycepin promoted chondrogenesis through inhibiting Nrf2 while activating BMP signaling. Besides, cordycepin suppressed chondrocyte hypertrophy through PI3K/Bapx1 pathway and Notch signaling. Our results indicated cordycepin had the potential to maintain chondrocyte phenotype and reconstruct engineered cartilage.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.329-332
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• 2012

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.41.2-41.2
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• 2010

In this work, HAp-(t-ZrO2) ceramic composites of biomimic artificial bone were fabricated by multi-extrusion process in order to replace nature bone. HAp-(t-ZrO2) and graphite powders were mixed separately with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and stearic acid using shear mixer. Extruded HAp-(t-ZrO2) filaments and carbon filaments were arranged in the die to fabricate the first pass filament. The first pass filaments were arranged in the same die with a central carbon core for making the space for spongy bone. Burning out and sintering processes were performed to remove the binder and lubricant. The microstructure channel diameter was researched around $300{\mu}m$. Microstructure analysis was carried out by OM, SEM, and $\mu$-CT. Compressive strength was investigated for the artificial bone. Some preliminary bio-compatibility test was evaluated.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2019

Seaweeds contain various bioactive compounds. Especially, brown algae (Phaeophyceae), the second abundant group of seaweeds, contain numerous nutraceutical and pharmaceutical substances. In this review, we investigated on the brown algae-related patents and literature. Consequently, the research and development (R&D) trends of patent related to brown algae showed that the large majority was applied as the composition of stem cell culture medium and mostly used as active substances. In conclusion, we suggested that many researchers try to investigate and develop applications of brown algae as the sophisticated-level biomedical materials because brown algae are actively developing as simple-level biomedical materials.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2019

Calcium phosphate bone cement was prepared to contain antibiotics for release after setting using granulated ${\beta}$-tricalcium phosphate (${\beta}$-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA). Gentamicin sulfate (GS) solution was infiltrated within the interconnected pores of the granule to avoid affecting the setting reaction and for protection of GS during the setting. Consequently, the setting time and the temperature increase were not affected, regardless of the loading of GS. The release of the GS from the cement was estimated by measuring the concentration at regular intervals from the cement dipped solution. The ${\beta}$-TCP granule loaded with GS exhibited the saturation of accumulative concentration at 16 h. In contrast, the HA granule with GS exhibited steady increase in accumulative concentration of over $10{\mu}g/ml$ at 144 h. Thus, the granulated cement could release the GS greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration of staphylococcus during the prescription peroid of the oral antibiotics.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.40.2-40.2
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• 2010

In this study, oxidized alginate/gelatin/biphase calcium phosphate (BCP)- based hydrogel composites were fabricated. Alginate sodium was oxidized by periodate. The oxidized product was confirmed by using $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ NMR spectra. The number average molecular weight ($M_n$), the average molecular weight ($M_w$) of the oxidized alginate were determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). The hydrogel was formed from the oxidized alginate and gelatin solution via Schift-base reaction. The hydrogel showed a highly porosity by a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP). Crosslinked density of the gel matrix were assessd by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) assay that shows a high effect on swelling ratio. Increment of the crosslinked desity resulted in enhancing compressive strength of the hydrogel composite. The cytotoxity of hydrogel was assessed with osteoblast MG-63. The hydrogel composites show a high compatibility. The obtained results showed a potential application for bone regeneration in future.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.42.2-42.2
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• 2010

Recently, highly porous bone substitutes, which have interconnected open pore structure, have been focused on improving their mechanical properties and modifying their functions. Especially, it is highly required to develop functional gradient structured bone substitute which is available for controlling their material properties such as bioresorption rate and elastic modulus. Porous $ZrO_2$ scaffold was fabricated by the sponge replica method using PU sponge. After 3 times of dip coating and the subsequent oven drying, burning out and microwave sintering were carried out. Various $ZrO_2$-BCP powder mixtures were prepared depending on the ratio and coated on the $ZrO_2$ scaffold by dip coating process. X-ray diffraction analysis was performed to characterize the phase identification of the scaffolds. Microstructures of the bone substitutes were observed using scanning electron microscopy.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.579-583
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• 2008

A porous $Al_2O_3$, scaffold coated with tricalcium phosphate(TCP) was fabricated by replica method using polyurethane(PU) foam as a fugitive material. Successive coatings of $Al_2O_3$ and hydroxyapatite(HAp) were applied via dip coating onto polyurethane foam, which has a slender and well interconnected network. A porous structure was obtained after sequentially burning out the foam and then sintering at $1500^{\circ}C$. The HAp phase was changed to TCP phase at high temperature. The scaffold showed excellent interconnected porosity with pore sizes ranging from $300{\sim}700{\mu}m$ in diameter. The inherent well interconnected structural feature of PU foam remained intact in the fabricated porous scaffold, where the PU foam material was entirely replaced by $Al_2O_3$ and TCP through a consecutive layering process. Thickness of the $Al_2O_3$ base and the TCP coating was about $7{\sim}10{\mu}m$ each. The TCP coating was homogeneously dispersed on the surface of the $Al_2O_3$ scaffold.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.104-110
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• 2019

The low-temperature sintering behavior of AlN was investigated through a conventional method. $CaF_2$, CuO and Cu were selected as additives based on their low melting points. When sintered at $1600^{\circ}C$ for 8 h in $N_2$ atmosphere, a sample density > 98% was obtained. The X-ray data indicated that eutectic reactions below $1200^{\circ}C$ were found. Therefore, the current systems have lower liquid formation temperatures than other systems. The liquid phase showed high dihedral angles at triple grain junctions, indicating that the liquid had poor wettability on the grain surfaces. Eventually, the liquid was likely to vaporize due to the unfavorable wetting condition. As a result, a microstructure with clean grain boundaries was obtained, resulting in higher contiguity between grains. From EDS analysis, oxygen impurity seems to be well removed in AlN lattice. Therefore, it is believed that the current systems are beneficial for reducing sintering temperature and improving oxygen removal.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.357-362
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• 2022

The low-temperature sinterability of TiO₂-CuO systems was investigated using a solid solution of SnO₂. Sample powders were prepared through conventional ball milling of mixed raw powders. With the SnO₂ content, the compositions of the samples were Ti_1-xSn_xO₂-CuO(2 wt.%) in the range of x ≤ 0.08. Compared with the samples without SnO₂ addition, the densification was enhanced when the samples were sintered at 900℃. The dominant mass transport mechanism seemed to be grain-boundary diffusion during heat treatment at 900℃, where active grain-boundary diffusion was responsible for the improved densification. The rapid grain growth featured by activated sintering was also obstructed with the addition of SnO₂. This suggested that both CuO as an activator and SnO₂ dopant synergistically reduced the sintering temperature of TiO₂.