• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.700-705
• /
• 2013

This study was initiated to evaluate hydrophilic polymers (hydrogels) as a new solid matrix medium for seed-priming of Heteropappus arenarius Kitam. Solid matrix priming (SMP)-media were prepared with the combination of Na- and K-based hydrogels and hydrogels with three different dry levels (DC; 70%, 80%, and 90%). Priming was performed in the dark at 15 or $20^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours, and all primed seeds were incubated at $20^{\circ}C$ in the dark for the germination test. Non-primed seeds and seeds primed with distilled water (DW) were also included. To reach the germination rate of 50% ($T_{50}$), it took 4.0 days for non-primed seeds, and 3.6 and 3.9 days for DW-primed seeds at 15 and $20^{\circ}C$, respectively. Na-based hydrogel-primed seeds with 70% DC (Na 70%) showed the fastest germination, which respectively took and 1.9 and 1.8 days at 15 and $20^{\circ}C$ to $T_{50}$. K-based hydrogel-primed seeds with 70% DC showed the fastest germination among K-based hydrogels with various DC levels, but it took 0.6 days more to $T_{50}$ compared to Na 70%. The hydration rate (HR) of DW-primed seeds was 37% lower than that of Na 70%-primed seeds at $15^{\circ}C$ priming temperature, which indicates that Na 70% priming is the best solid matrix priming condition for promoting the germination of H. arenarius seeds.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.35-38
• /
• 2017

A thermally responsive hydrogel has reversibility with temperature during swelling. Here, we proposed origami inspired temperature sensor by using multi-layered hydrogel film. The formation of patterned stripes on microscale film drives bending to an angle that can be controlled linearly. Although temperature range was not wide, measured sensitivity of sensors has high resolution and accuracy. It providing a powerful platform for the design of sensitive sensors and that easily adapt other type of sensors in microscale.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.186-194
• /
• 2016

In this study, a co-axial flow induced microfluidic chip to fabricate pure collagen type I microfiber via the control of collagen type I and Na-alginate gelation process. The pure collagen type I microfiber was generated by selective degradation of Ca-alginate from 'Core-Shell' structured hydrogel microfiber. To make 'Core-Shell' structure, collagen type I solution was introduced into core channel and 1.5% Na-alginate solution was injected into side channel in microfluidic chip. To evaluatethe 'Core-Shell' structure, the red and green fluorescence substances were mixed into collagen type I and Na-alginate solution, respectively. The fluorescence substances were uniformly loaded into each fiber, and the different fluorescence images were dependent on their location. By immoblizing EpH4-Ras and C6 cells within collagen type I and Na-alginate solution, we sucessfully demonstrated the co-culture of EpH4-Ras and C6 cells with 'Core-Shell' like hydrogel microfiber for 5 days. Only to produce pure collagen type I hydrogel fiber, tri-sodium citrate solution was used to dissolve the shell-like Ca-alginate hydrogel fiber from 'Core-Shell' structured hydrogel microfiber, which is an excellent advantage when the fiber is employed in three-dimensional scaffold. This novel method could apply various application in tissue engineering and biomedical engineering.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.61-67
• /
• 2018

As emerging the new electric devices, the commercial lithium ion batteries have faced with various challenges. In this regard, many efforts to solve challenges have been tried. In order to solve the above problems in terms of development of a new secondary battery, we successfully demonstrated the two electrocatalysts, such as MCWB and PPY hydrogel, PPY hydrogel and MCWB showed typical H3-type BET isotherm, indicating that micro- and mesopores existed. Especially, in terms of voltage efficiency at the first cycle, PPY hydrogel was higher than that of MCWB, but lower than that of PtC. More interestingly, the PPY hygrogel based seawater battery exhibited charge-discharge reversibility during 20 cycles, and the voltage efficiencies ranged from 70.32 % to 77.35 % in cyclic performance test.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.45-53
• /
• 2005

In this study, a series of highly swelling hydrogels based on sodium alginate (NaAlg) and polymethacryl­amide (PMAM) was prepared through free radical polymerization. The graft copolymerization reaction was performed in a homogeneous medium and in the presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator and N,N'-methylenebis­acrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker. The crosslinked graft copolymer, alginate-graft-polymethacrylamide (Alg-g­PMAM), was then partially hydrolyzed by NaOH solution to yield a hydrogel, hydrolyzed alginate-graft-poly­methacrylamide (H-Alg-g-PMAM). During alkaline hydrolysis, the carboxamide groups of Alg-g-PMAM were converted into hydrophilic carboxylate anions. Either the Alg-g-PMAM or the H-Alg-g-PMAM was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. The effects of the grafting variables (i.e., concentration of MBA, MAM, and APS) and the alkaline hydrolysis conditions (i.e., NaOH concentration, hydrolysis time, and temperature) were optimized systematically to achieve a hydrogel having the maximum swelling capacity. Measurements of the absorbency in various aqueous salt solutions indicated that the swelling capacity decreased upon increasing the ionic strength of the swelling medium. This behavior could be attributed to a charge screening effect for monovalent cations, as well as ionic cross-linking for multivalent cations. Because of the high swelling capacity in salt solutions, however, the hydrogels might be considered as anti-salt superabsorbents. The swelling behavior of the superabsorbing hydrogels was also measured in solutions having values of pH ranging from 1 to 13. Furthermore, the pH reversibility and on/off switching behavior, measured at pH 2.0 and 8.0, suggested that the synthesized hydrogels were excellent candidates for the controlled delivery of bioactive agents. Finally, we performed preliminary investigations of the swelling kinetics of the synthesized hydrogels at various particle sizes.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.321-335
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of photo-crosslinked gelatin methacryloyl (GelMa) hydrogel containing calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CNp) when applying different fabrication methods for bone regeneration. Methods: Four circular defects were created in the calvaria of 10 rabbits. Each defect was randomly allocated to the following study groups: 1) the sham control group, 2) the GelMa group (defect filled with crosslinked GelMa hydrogel), 3) the CNp-GelMa group (GelMa hydrogel crosslinked with nanoparticles), and 4) the CNp+GelMa group (crosslinked GelMa loaded with nanoparticles). At 2, 4, and 8 weeks, samples were harvested, and histological and micro-computed tomography analyses were performed. Results: Histomorphometric analysis showed that the CNp-GelMa and CNp+GelMa groups at 2 weeks had significantly greater total augmented areas than the control group (P<0.05). The greatest new bone area was observed in the CNp-GelMa group, but without statistical significance (P>0.05). Crosslinked GelMa hydrogel with nanoparticles exhibited good biocompatibility with a minimal inflammatory reaction. Conclusions: There was no difference in the efficacy of bone regeneration according to the synthesized method of photo-crosslinked GelMa hydrogel with nanoparticles. However, these materials could remain within a bone defect up to 2 weeks and showed good biocompatibility with little inflammatory response. Further improvement in mechanical properties and resistance to enzymatic degradation would be needed for the clinical application.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 1991

Hydrogels containing ketoprofen were prepared by adding NaOH or $Ca(OH)_2$ solution to Eudragit L, S and Eudispert hv at various concentration. And xerogels were prepared by drying hydrogels. On the other hand, organogels containing ketoprofen were prepared by mixing Eudragit L or S and propylene glycol. Effects of polymer content and base on drug release were investigated using KP V dissolution method. The release rate of ketoprofen from Eudragit L & S hydrogel decreased with increasing in polymer content. And the drug release rate from cal. hydroxide based gels were more decreased than that from sod. hydroxide based gels. At pH 7.2 dissolution medium, e release of ketoprofen from Edispert hv hydrogel followed apparent zero order kinetics. The release of ketoprofen from xerogel involved in simultaneous absorption of water and desorption of ketoprofen via a pH-dependant swelling controlled mechanism. The release of ketoprofen from Eudragit S organogels followed apparent zero order kinetics, providing strong evidence for a surface erosion mechanism.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.58 no.4
• /
• pp.211-217
• /
• 2018

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are useful candidates for tissue engineering and cell therapy. Physiological cell environment not only connects cells to each other, but also connects cells to the extracellular matrix that provide mechanical support, thus exposing the entire cell surface and activating signaling pathways. Hydrogel is a polymeric material that swells in water and maintains a distinct 3-dimensional (3D) network structure by cross linking. In this study, we investigated the optimized cellular function for canine adipose tissue-derived MSCs (cAD-MSCs) using hydrogel. We observed that the expression levels of Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, which are involved in cell proliferation and stemness, were increased in transwell-hydrogel (3D-TN) compared to the transwell-normal (TN). Also, transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ and SOX9, which are typical bone morphogenesis-inducing factors, were increased in 3D-TN compared to the TN. Collagen type II alpha 1, which is a chondrocyte-specific marker, was increased in 3D-TN compared to the TN. Osteocalcin, which is a osteocyte-specific marker, was increased in 3D-TN compared to the TN. Collectively, preconditioning cAD-MSCs via 3D culture systems can enhance inherent secretory properties that may improve the potency and efficacy of MSCs-based therapies for bone regeneration process.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.543-547
• /
• 2015

We investigated the combined moisturizing effect of liposomal serine and a cosmeceutical base selected in this study. Serine is a major amino acid consisting of natural moisturizing factors and keratin, and the hydroxyl group of serine can actively interact with water molecules. Therefore, we hypothesized that serine efficiently delivered to the stratum corneum (SC) of the skin would enhance the moisturizing capability of the skin. We prepared four different cosmeceutical bases (hydrogel, oil-in-water (O/W) essence, O/W cream, and water-in-oil (W/O) cream); their moisturizing abilities were then assessed using a $Corneometer^{(R)}$. The hydrogel was selected as the optimum base for skin moisturization based on the area under the moisture content change-time curves (AUMCC) values used as a parameter for the water hold capacity of the skin. Liposomal serine prepared by a reverse-phase evaporation method was then incorporated in the hydrogel. The liposomal serine-incorporated hydrogel (serine level=1%) showed an approximately 1.62~1.77 times greater moisturizing effect on the skin than those of hydrogel, hydrogel with serine (1%), and hydrogel with blank liposome. However, the AUMCC values were not dependent on the level of serine in liposomal serine-loaded hydrogels. Together, the delivery of serine to the SC of the skin is a promising strategy for moisturizing the skin. This study is expected to be an important step in developing highly effective moisturizing cosmeceutical products.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2017

The successful synthesis of hyaluronic acid micro-threads is very promising approach for the broad application in tissue engineering such as dermal fillers. Because hyaluronic acid has the excellent biocompatibility and ability to maintain the moisture of up to several hundred times its own weight. In order to generate the hyaluronic acid micro-threads in microfluidic system, we employed two-phase flow microfluidic chip to make a rapid synthesis of the hyaluronic acid hydrogel. Hyaluronic acid was mixed with 0.02N NaOH solution and 1, 4-Butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) solution and then injected into core channel. The ethanol was used for the 3-dimensional micro-thread formation in sheath channel. We manipulated the diameter of HA micro-threads using controlling of flow rates in microfluidic chip, and showed the feasibility of immobilization in HA micro-threads with florescent substances. Also, the generated HA micro-threads were evaluated and showed the suitable properties with tensile strength, bending property, and swelling profiles for dermal fillers. As a result, we suggested an innovative method for microfluidic chip-based HA micro-threads which could safely be applied as dermal filler in tissue engineering.