• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.111-116
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• 2013

Finite element analysis(FEA) has been extensively applied in the analyses of biomechanical properties of stents. Geometrically, a closed-cell stent is an assembly of a number of repeated unit cells and exhibits periodicity in both longitudinal and circumferential directions. This study concentrates on various parameters of the FEA models for the analysis of drug-eluting biodegradable polymeric stents for application to the treatment of coronary artery disease. In order to determine the mechanical characteristics of biodegradable polymeric stents, FEA was used to model two different types of stents: tubular stents(TS) and helicoidal stents(HS). For this modeling, epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG)-eluting poly[(L-lactide-co-${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone), PLCL] (E-PLCL) was chosen as drug-eluting stent materials. E-PLCL was prepared by blending PLCL with 5% EGCG as previously described. In addition, the effects of EGCG blending on the mechanical properties of PLCL were investigated for both types of stent models. EGCG did not affect tensile strength at break, but significantly increased elastic modulus of PLCL. It is suggested that FEA is a cost-effective method to improve the design of drug-eluting biodegradable polymeric stents.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 1998

Various methods for fixation of graft have been widely used for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament. However, the biomechanical strength of each fixation techniques are not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to compare the pull out strength of different fixation techniques which is probably the most important factor for the success at the initial stage of healing. Biomechanical test was carried out to measure and compare the pull out tensile strength of five different fixation techniques in 35 pig(Yorkshire) knees. ANOVA and Duncan multiple comparison test was applied for statistical analysis. In the two fixation techniques with bone patellar tendon bone graft, the mean maximum tensile strength was $1333.4{\pm}148.5N$ with titanium interference screw, while it was $1310.1{\pm}168.9N$ with biodegradable interference screw. The failure mode were pulled out of bone plugs from the femoral tunnel in majority cases. In the fixations with hamstring tendon, the mean maximum tensile strength were $1405.9{\pm}135.1N$ with SemiFix screw, $820.3{\pm}104.5N$ with biodegradable interference screw, and $682.1{\pm}54.2N$ with Endobutton. The mode of failure was variable in each technique. The tendon was pulled out from the tunnel in biodegradable interference screw fixation, the screw was bent in the SemiFix system, and the polyester tape were ruptured or the buttons were pulled into tunnel in Endobutton fixation. The mean maximum tensile strength of two interference screws with bone patellar tendon bone was statistically comparable to that of SemiFix with hamstring tendon. However biodegradable interference screw and Endobutton with hamstring tendon showed weaker maximum tensile strength than above three fixation techniques (P<0.05).

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.559-567
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• 2018

Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect for biodegradable screws containing bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in an osteoporotic rat model. Methods : Twenty-four female Wistar rat (250-300 g, 12 weeks of age) were randomized into four groups. Three groups underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). Biodegradable screws with or without BMP-2 were inserted in the proximal tibia in two implantation groups. The extracted proximal metaphysis of the tibiae were scanned by exo-vivo micro-computed tomography. Evaluated parameters included bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular number, trabecular thickness, and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp). The tibia samples were pathologically evaluated by staining with by Hematoxylin and Eosin, and trichrome. Results : Trabecular formation near screw insertion site was evident only in rats receiving BMP-2 screws. BMD and BV/TV significantly differed between controls and the OVX and OVX with screw groups. However, there were no significant differences between control and OVX with screw BMP groups. Tb.Sp significantly differed between control and OVX and OVX with screw groups (p<0.05), and between the OVX and OVX with screw BMP group (p<0.05), with no statistically significant difference between control and OVX with screw BMP groups. Over the 12 weeks after surgery, bone lamellae in direct contact with the screw developed more extensive and thicker trabecular bone around the implant in the OVX with screw BMP group compared to the OVX with screw group. Conclusion : Biodegradable screws containing BMP-2 improve nearby bone conditions and enhance ostoeintegration between the implant and the osteoporotic bone.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.255-261
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• 2010

Introduction: To evaluate the skeletal stability after a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) setback of the mandible fixed with a biodegradable internal fixation device or metal internal fixation device. Materials and Methods: Thirty consecutive patients underwent mandibular setback via BSSO. Fifteen patients were fixed with a biodegradable internal fixation device or metal internal fixation device respectively. Posteroanterior (PA) and lateral cephalograms were taken preoperatively and at two days, 5.5 months and 14.5 months postoperatively. The relevant skeletal points were traced and digitized to evaluate the skeletal changes postoperatively. The relapse rates were analyzed and compared statistically. Results: There was no statistically significant differences in postoperative stability between the two groups.(P<0.05) Conclusion: The biodegradable internal fixation device may make an effective device alternative to a metal internal fixation device for setback BSSO.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.133-141
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• 2017

This article described the development of transparent antimicrobial oxo-biodegradable (AOB) film with the function of enhanced freshness of food by employing oxo-biodegradable masterbatch (MB) and antimicrobial MB together with organic metal salt, organic acid, or unsaturated fatty acid. Antibacterial test of the AOB film with the different contents of the antimicrobial MB resulted in the significant freshness extension of plum. Tensile strength and elongation rate of the AOB films before UV treatment were similar to those of polyethylene films used as control. The reduced mechanical properties of AOB film after UV treatment (340 nm) suggested that the AOB film could be degraded by oxo biodegradation. The developed AOB films can effectively prevent decomposition of food by providing antibacterial function and preserving freshness.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.545-551
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• 2012

We investigated the diffusive transport of bupivacaine HCl through the microchannels of microfluidic drug delivery devices. In the biodegradable microfluidic drug delivery devices developed in this research, the drug release rate can be controlled by simply modulating the geometrical parameters of the microchannels, such as the length, number, and cross-sectional area of the microchannels, when the microchannels are used as paths for drug release. However, the hydrophobic nature of a biodegradable polymer, 85/15 poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), hinders the infiltration of a release medium (phosphate-buffered saline) through the microchannels into the reservoir of a device that contains bupivacaine HCl, at the early stage of drug release. This can have an adverse effect on the early stage release of local analgesic compounds from the device. In this study, microfluidic channels were surface-treated with surfactants such as PEG600 and Tween80, and the effects of the surfactants on the release performance are presented and analyzed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.539-542
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• 2006

The objective of this paper is to compare the applicability of assimilable organic carbon (AOC) or biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) for quantifying biodegradable organic material (BOM) and bio-stability in distribution systems for a variety of finished waters. The study the data is derived from was part of an AWWARF and Tampa Bay Water tailored collaboration project to determine the effect of blending different waters on distribution system water quality. Seven different finished waters were produced from surface, ground, or brackish water on site and fed 18 independent pilot distribution systems (PDSs), either as single finished water or as a blend of several finished waters. AOC and BDOC have often been used as indicators of bacterial regrowth potential in distribution systems. In this study, AOC was the more useful assay of the two for the BOM concentrations observed in the PDSs. BDOC did not distinguish BOM while AOC did at the low BOM levels from many of the advanced treatments (e.g. RO, $O^3/BAC$). AOC in contrast allowed much more meaningful calculations of the consumption or production of AOC as the blends passed through the PDSs even for very low BOM blends. In addition, meaningful trends corresponding to changes in heterophic plate count (HPC) were observed for AOC but not for BDOC. Moreover, AOC stability was associated with waters produced from advanced membrane treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.105-111
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• 2005

End-stage renal disease is a fatal and devastating disease that is caused by progressive and irreversible loss of functioning nephrons in the kidney. Dialysis and renal transplantation are the common treatments at present, but these treatments have severe limitations. The present study investigated the possibility of reconstructing renal tissues by transplantation of renal precursor cells to replace the current treatments for end-stage renal disease. Embryonic renal precursor cells, freshly isolated from metanephroi of rat fetus at day 15 post-gestation, were seeded on biodegradable polymer scaffolds and transplanted into peritoneal cavities of athymic mice for three weeks. Histologic sections stained with hematoxylin & eosin and periodic acid-Schiff revealed the formation of primitive glomeruli, tubules, and blood vessels, suggesting the potential of embryonic renal precursor cells to reconstitute renal tissues. Immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a marker of proliferating cells, showed intensive nuclear expression in the regenerated renal structures, suggesting renal tissue reconstitution by transplanted embryonic renal precursor cells. This study demonstrates the reconstitution of renal tissue in vivo by transplanting renal precursor cells with biodegradable polymer scaffolds, which could be utilized as a new method for partial or full restoration of renal structure and function in the treatment of end-stage renal disease.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.939-943
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• 1999

Recently there has been an explosion of interest in the topic of biodegradable polymers for medical applications. In this study, films were prepared by solution casting method using natural polymers (xanthan, locust bean, guar gum, chitosan and algin) as biomaterials. Biocompatibility of films prepared from natural polymer as a skin implant was evaluated. These biodegradable films were subcutaneously implanted in the back of rats and their biodegradability was investigated by the evaluation of changes in structure, film weight and hematology as a function of time for the biotransformation. The result of rats test showed that locust bean and guar gum induced some suspects of non-biocompatibility in the tissue by foreign body reaction 24 and 48 hrs after implantation. These results showed the potential of partial biodegradable films prepared from natural polymer for ideal skin biomaterials at short period.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.125-131
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• 2007

Biodegradable polymeric blends are expected to be widely used by industry due to their environmental friendliness and comparable mechanical and thermal properties. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) are such biodegradable polymers which aim to replace commodity polymers in future applications. Since cost and brittleness of PLA is quite high, it is not economically feasible to use it alone for day to day use as a packaging material without blending. In this study, blends of PLA and PBS with various compositions were prepared by using a laboratory-scale twin-screw extruder at $180^{\circ}C$. Morphological, thermal, rheological and mechanical properties were investigated on the samples obtained by compression molding to explore suitability of these compositions for packaging applications. Morphology of the blends was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Morphology showed a clear phase difference trend depending on blend composition. Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) thermograms of the blends indicated that the glass transition temperature ($T_g$) of PLA did not change much with the addition of PBS, but analysis showed that for PLA/PBS blend of up to 80/20 composition there is partial miscibility between the two polymers. The tensile strength and modulus were measured by the Instron Universal Testing Machine. Tensile strength, modulus and percentage (%) elongation at break of the blends decreased with PBS content. However, tensile strength and modulus values of PLA/PBS blend for up to 80/20 composition nearly follow the mixing rule. Rheological results also show miscibility between the two polymers for PBS composition less than 20% by weight. PBS reduced the brittleness of PLA, thus making it a contender to replace plastics for packaging applications. This work found a partial miscibility between PBS and PLA by investigating thermal, mechanical and morphological properties.