• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.182-190
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• 2008

Fracture of mandible is the most frequent fracture among many types of maxillofacial fracture, and reduction of mandible fracture is performed using various methods of treatment to maintain bonding strength of fractured bone. Among these treatment of bone fracture, a semirigid fixation method which can reduce the period of intermaxillary fixation using metal mini plate under general or local anesthesia is spotlighted these days. The metal mini plate used during this semirigid fixation procedure is Titanium which is bio-inactive one and was used widely, but because the side effect of fracture reduction using titanium have been demonstrated recently, fracture reduction using biodegradable plate become to attract people's attention. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical case and review of the literature with the reduction of mandible fracture using biodegradable plate.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.100-109
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• 2015

Environmental problems from petroleum-based plastic wastes have been rapidly increasing in recent years. The alternative solution is focus on the development of environmental friendly plastic derived from renewable resource. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer synthesized from biomass having potential to replace the petroleum-based non-degradable polymers utilizations. PLA can be synthesized by two methods: (1) ring-opening of lactide intermediate and (2) direct polycondensation of lactic acid processes. The latter process has advantages on high yields and high purity of polymer products, materials handling and ease of process treatments. The polymerization process of PLA synthesis has been widely studied in a laboratory scale. However, the mass scale production using direct polycondensation of lactic acid has not been reported. We have investigated the kinetics and scale-up process of direct polycondensation method to produce PLA in a pilot scale. The order of reaction is 2 and activation energy of lactic acid to lactic acid oligomers is 61.58 kJ/mol. The pre-polymer was further polymerized in a solid state polymerization (SSP) process. The synthesized PLA from both the laboratory and pilot scales show the comparable properties such as melting temperature and molecular weight. The appearance of synthesized PLA is yellow-white solid powder.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1037-1043
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• 2015

Since single-use disposable plastic usage has steadily been increasing, recent trends in polymeric research point to increasing demand for eco-friend materials which reduce plastic waste. A huge amount of non-degradable polypropylene (PP)-based pots for seedling culture are discarded for transplantation. The purpose of this study is to investigate an eco-friendly biodegradable material as a possible substitute for PP pot. The blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) was used because of its good mechanical and flexible properties as well as biodegradation. After landfill, various properties of the blend pot were investigated by UTM, SEM, NMR and TGA. The results showed the tensile strength of the blend film rapidly decreased after 5 weeks of landfill due to degradation. From NMR data after landfill, the composition of PLA in the blend was decreased. These results indicate that the biodegradation of the blend preferentially occurs in PLA component. To investigate the effect of holes in pot bottom and side on root growth, a plant in the pot was grown. Some roots came out through holes as landfill period increases. These results indicate that the eco-friendly pot can be directly planted without the removal of pot.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.186-193
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• 2015

Background Polyurethane coating of breast implants has been shown to reduce capsular contracture in short-term follow-up studies. This 30-year study is the longest examination of the use of polyurethane-coated implants and their correlation with capsular contracture. Methods This study evaluates the senior surgeon's (F.D.P.) experience with the use of polyurethane-coated implants in aesthetic breast augmentation in 382 patients over 30 years. Follow-up evaluations were conducted for six months after surgery. After the six-month follow-up period, 76 patients returned for reoperation. The gross findings, histology, and associated capsular contracture were noted at the time of explantation. Results No patient during the six-month follow-up period demonstrated capsular contracture. For those who underwent reoperation for capsular contracture, Baker II/III contractures were noted nine to 10 years after surgery and Baker IV contractures were noted 12 to 21 years after surgery. None of the explanted implants had macroscopic evidence of polyurethane, which was only found during the first five years after surgery. The microscopic presence of polyurethane was noted in all capsules up to 30 years after the original operation. Conclusions An inverse correlation was found between the amount of polyurethane coating on the implant and the occurrence of capsular contracture. Increasingly severe capsular contracture was associated with a decreased amount of polyurethane coating on the surface of the implants. No contracture occurred in patients whose implants showed incomplete biodegradation of polyurethane, as indicated by the visible presence of polyurethane coating. We recommend research to find a non-toxic, non-biodegradable synthetic material as an alternative to polyurethane.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2011

Purpose: In treatment of facial bone fracture, occurred in children, we generally use wires, miniplate, absorbable plate or their combination. These foreign bodies can be palpable, and sometimes may cause infections, and need reoperation for removing. When bone fragments are multiple, small or thin, they are hard to handle and make accurate reduction of all fragments. In these cases, a biodegradable tissue adhesive, Histoacryl$^{(R)}$ (n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate), can be used as fixation technique for small, multiple, and thin fracture fragments. Methods: 3 years old and 6 years old children, who has comminuted fracture on frontal sinus, we used Histoacryl$^{(R)}$ for fixation of multiple bone fragments. After approaching by coronal incision, we pulled out all bone fragments and reconstructed bone fragments by Histoacryl$^{(R)}$ and fixed those on frontal sinus by absorbable plates. Results: Photographs and 3-dimensional CT obtained preoperatively and postoperatively. And we compared them each other in terms of accuracy of reconstructed bony contour. We could reconstruct almost all bone fragments easily along 3-dimensional structure and get excellent aesthetic results. There was no complication such as infection. Conclusion: In treatment of comminuted facial bone fracture, occurred in children, Histoacryl$^{(R)}$ is an excellent method for accurate reconstruction in small and thin bone fragments which cannot be fixed by wire, miniplate or absorbable plate without complication.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.421-426
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• 2016

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable and renewable polymer, which represents a valuable alternative to plastic packaging films, often associated with environmental problems. In this study, we tested the suitability of PLA as a biodegradable packaging film and assessed the antimicrobial activity of lemongrass oil (LO), incorporated into the PLA film in different concentrations. To obtain the optimal physical properties for PLA films, tensile strength, elongation at break, and water vapor permeability were measured under different preparation conditions. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the LO contained in the PLA film against Listeria monocytogenes was investigated by disc diffusion and viable cell count. Among all concentrations tested, 2% LO was the most suitable in terms of antimicrobial activity and physical properties of the PLA film. Based on these results, we used the PLA film containing 2% LO to pack pork sausages; after 12 d of storage at 4℃, the population of inoculated L. monocytogenes in the sausage samples wrapped with the PLA film containing 2% LO was reduced by 1.47 Log CFU/g compared with the control samples. Our data indicate that PLA films containing 2% LO represent a valuable means for antimicrobial sausage packaging.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.338-347
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• 2021

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are a family of microbial polyesters that are used as biodegradable plastics in replacement of conventional plastics for various applications. However, the high production cost is the barrier for PHA market expansion. This study aimed to utilize food waste as low-cost feedstock to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) by Haloferax mediterranei. The effects of acetate (Ac), propionate (Pr), butyrate (Bu), and the short-chain carboxylates derived from food waste were examined on the microbial growth and PHBV production. Results showed that a mixture of carboxylates provided a 55% higher PHBV yield than glucose. The food-waste-derived nutrients achieved the yields of 0.41 to 0.54 g PHBV/g Ac from initial loadings of 450 mg/l to 1,800 mg/l Ac of total carboxylates. And the consumption of individual carboxylate varied between different compositions of the carbon source. The present study demonstrates the potential of using food waste as feedstock to produce PHBV by Haloferax mediterranei, which can provide economic benefits to the current PHA industry. Meanwhile, it will also help promote organic waste reduction in landfills and waste management in general.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.76-85
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• 2022

In this study, a biodegradable packaging film was developed using two marine algae, Gelidium amansii, and Sargassum horneri. The chemical properties and microstructure of the developed film were evaluated using field emission scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Furthermore, the mechanical properties and toxicity of the film were evaluated using the ISO 1924 and IEC 62321 methods, respectively. The biodegradability of the film was evaluated according to ISO 14855-1:2012 method. The film was primarily made of cellulose and had biodegradability that was about 17 times greater than that of PBS, a representative eco-friendly plastic. Moreover, the mechanical properties improved by approximately 40% compared to the seaweed-based film of the previous study. The virulence test revealed that the content of all of the toxic substances listed in IEC62321 was below the measurement limit. An egg carton that can be used in practice was manufactured in accordance with ISO 534, and its applicability was tested using the biodegradable packaging film prepared.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.224-232
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• 2015

The effects of cold plasma (CP) treatments on the physicochemical and biodegradable properties of a corn biomass-containing polyester (CBPE) film were studied. The CBPE film was treated with CP generated by $N_2$, $O_2$, He, Ar, or dry air at 400-900 W and 667 Pa for 10-40 min. The glass transition temperature of the CBPE film ($-30.2--28.6^{\circ}C$) was not affected by the CP treatment, while the elastic modulus and water vapor permeability decreased (p<0.05). The ink printability was improved by the treatment and the improved printability was maintained during storage for 56 days at room temperature. Roughness of the film increased after treatments and the level of roughness appeared to increase during storage. Heat and microbial biodegradability of the CBPE film was improved by the air-CP treatment (p<0.05). These results have demonstrated the potential of applying CP treatments to improve the flexibility, printability, and biodegradability of CBPE films.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2009

This experiment was conducted to determine the usability of biodegradable plastic in the mulching cultivation of sweetpotato. For this, we investigated the physical characteristics, biodegradability, leaching, yield, workability, etc. of biodegradable films. Compared with general mulching materials, biodegradable Poly butyleneadipate-co-butylene succinate (PBSA) and PLC+starch showed $2{\sim}27$% higher tensile strength, but $2{\sim}22$% lower elongation and $2{\sim}6$% lower tear strength. In the leaching test on the biodegradable films, heavy metals were detected very little or not at all. As to difference in ground temperature according to mulching material, the temperature was high in order of PLC+starch > PBSA > Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) > Control during the period from late June to mid July, but in order of LDPE > PLC+starch > PBSA > None during the period from late July to late September. In the mulching cultivation of sweet potato, biodegradable films PBSA (EA, EB, EC) and PLC+starch (DD, DE, DF) began to degrade after 60 days from the cut planting of sweet potato, and over 95% degraded after 120 days. The quantity of roots was 3,070 kg/10a for PBSA, 3,093 kg/10a for PLC-starch, and 2,946 kg/l10a for LDPE, showing no significant difference according to mulching material. Considering the physical characteristics, biodegradability, environment, convenience in harvesting work, yield, etc. of the films in the mulching cultivation of sweet potato, biodegradable films are expected to be very useful.