• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.161-166
• /
• 2014

Ginseng is widely used for its promising healing and restorative properties as well as for its possible tonic effect in traditional medicine. Nowadays, many studies focus on purified individual ginsenoside, an important constituent in ginseng, and study its specific mechanism of action instead of whole-plant extracts on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Of the various ginsenosides, purified ginsenosides such as Rb1, Rg1, Rg3, Rh1, Re, and Rd are the most frequently studied. Although there are many reports on the molecular mechanisms and medical applications of ginsenosides in the treatment of CVDs, many concerns exist in their application. This review discusses current works on the countless pharmacological functions and the potential benefits of ginseng in the area of CVDs. Results: Both in vitro and in vivo results indicate that ginseng has potentially positive effects on heart disease through its various properties including antioxidation, reduced platelet adhesion, vasomotor regulation, improving lipid profiles, and influencing various ion channels. To date, approximately 40 ginsenosides have been identified, and each has a different mechanism of action owing to the differences in chemical structure. This review aims to present comprehensive information on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of ginseng, especially in the control of hypertension and cardiovascular function. In addition, the review also provides an insight into the opportunities for future research and development on the biological activities of ginseng.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.2-8
• /
• 2003

The self-assembly of polymers can lead to supramolecular systems and is related to the their functions of material and life sciences. In this article, self-assembly of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films, polymer micelles, and polymeric nanoparticles, and their biomedical applications are described. LB surfaces with a well-ordered and layered structure adhered more cells including platelet, hepatocyte, and fibroblast than the cast surfaces with microphase-separated domains. Extensive morphologic changes were observed in LB surface-adhered cells compared to the cast films. Amphiphilic block copolymers, consisting of poly(${\gamma}$-benzyl L-glutamate) (PBLG) as the hydrophobic part and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) [or poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)] as the hydrophilic one, can self-assemble in water to form nanoparticles presumed to be composed of the hydrophilic shell and hydrophobic core. The release characteristics of hydrophobic drugs from these polymeric nanoparticles were dependent on the drug loading contents and chain length of the hydrophobic part of the copolymers. Achiral hydrophobic merocyanine dyes (MDs) were self-assembled in copolymeric nanoparticles, which provided a chiral microenvironment as red-shifted aggregates, and the circular dichroism (CD) of MD was induced in the self-assembled copolymeric nanoparticles.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
• /
• v.14 no.6 s.78
• /
• pp.496-501
• /
• 2005

Precipitates, present in most commercial alloys, can have a strong influence on strength and hardening behavior of a single crystal. The effect of thin precipitates on the anisotropy of initial slip resistance and hardening behavior of crystals is modeled in this article. For the convenience of the computational derivation and implementation, the material formulation is given in the unrelated intermediate configuration mapped by the plastic part of the deformation gradient. Material descriptions for the considered two phased aggregates consisting in lattice hardening as well as isotropic hardening and kinematic hardening are suggested. Numerical simulations of various loading cases are presented to discuss and assess the performance of the suggested model. From the results of the numerical simulation, it is found that the suggested model represents the initial plastic anisotropy at least qualitatively well and that it has an improved representation of various characteristic hardening behaviors in comparison with conventional hardening descriptions where the precipitate structure is not reflected.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.85 no.2
• /
• pp.147-161
• /
• 2023

Based on the ideas of variational differential quadrature (VDQ) and finite element method (FEM), a numerical approach named as VDQFEM is applied herein to study the large deformations of plate-type structures under static loading with arbitrary shape hole made of functionally graded graphene platelet-reinforced composite (FG-GPLRC) in the context of higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The material properties of composite are approximated based upon the modified Halpin-Tsai model and rule of mixture. Furthermore, various FG distribution patterns are considered along the thickness direction of plate for GPLs. Using novel vector/matrix relations, the governing equations are derived through a variational approach. The matricized formulation can be efficiently employed in the coding process of numerical methods. In VDQFEM, the space domain of structure is first transformed into a number of finite elements. Then, the VDQ discretization technique is implemented within each element. As the last step, the assemblage procedure is performed to derive the set of governing equations which is solved via the pseudo arc-length continuation algorithm. Also, since HSDT is used herein, the mixed formulation approach is proposed to accommodate the continuity of first-order derivatives on the common boundaries of elements. Rectangular and circular plates under various boundary conditions with circular/rectangular/elliptical cutout are selected to generate the numerical results. In the numerical examples, the effects of geometrical properties and reinforcement with GPL on the nonlinear maximum deflection-transverse load amplitude curve are studied.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.477-491
• /
• 2022

In the present study, the effects of thermal loading on the buckling and resonance frequency of graphene platelets (GPL) reinforced nano-composites are examined. Functionally graded (FG) material properties are considered in thickness direction for the thermal responses of the composite. The equivalent material properties are obtained using Halphin-Tsai nano-mechanical model for composite layers. Moreover, the effects of nano-scale sizes are taken into account, employing functionally modified couple stress (FMCS) parameter. In this regard, for the first time, it is demonstrated that at certain values of GPL weight fraction, thermal buckling occurs. In obtaining results of vibrational behavior, both analytical solution and deep neural network (DNN) methods are used. The DNN method needs low computational costs to predict the resonance behavior. A comprehensive parametric study is conducted to indicate the effects of several geometrical, material, and loading conditions on the vibrational and buckling behavior of cylindrical shell structures made of GPL-nanocomposites. It is shown that the effect of temperature change on the occurrence of buckling is vital while it has a negligible impact on the resonance frequency of the structure. Moreover, the size-dependency of the results is demonstrated, and it cannot be neglected in nano-scales.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.11-26
• /
• 2024

In this study, free vibration analysis of FG porous spherical cap reinforced by graphene platelets resting on Winkler-type elastic foundation has been surveyed for the first time. Three different types of porosity patterns are considered for the spherical cap whose two types of porosity patterns in the metal matrix are symmetric and the other one is uniform. Besides, five GPL patterns are assumed for dispersing of GPLs in the metal matrix. Tsai-Halpin and extended rule of the mixture are used to determine the Young modulus and mass density of the shell, respectively. Employing 3D FEM elasticity in conjunction with Hamilton's Principle, the governing motion equations of the structure are obtained and solved. The impact of various parameters including porosity coefficient, various porosity distributions in conjunction with different GPL patterns, the weight fraction of graphene Nano fillers, polar angles and stiffness coefficient of elastic foundation on natural frequencies of FG porous spherical cap reinforced by GPLs have been reported for the first time.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.507-519
• /
• 1999

The ultimate objective of periodontal treatment is to stop disease progression and to regenerate destroyed periodontal tissues and thereby regain normal function. Growth factors are naturally found polypetides which stimulate many cellular activities pertaining to wound healing by acting as signal molecule in controlling cell movement, proliferation, and matrix production. Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) is 28,000-35,000 Da molecular weight dimeric protein with 2 long positively charged polypeptide chains connected by sulfide bonds. The purpose of this study is to evaluate histologically the initial guided tissue regeneration in a periodontal defect f a beagle dog treated with a biodegradable membrane formed with polylactic acid (poly-L-lactic acid) and polyglycolic acid loaded with 200ng/$cm^2$ platelet derived growth factor. 2 beagle dogs were used in he experiment. $5mm{\times}6mm$ alveolar bone defect was formed in upper and lower canines and third premolars and a reference notch was placed. PDGF-BB non-containing membrane was used as control. Each defect was randomly assigned to the test roup or the control group. The dogs were sacrificed 3 weeks after membrane placement. Toluidine blue and multiple staining was done for histological analysis. In the 3 week specimen in the control group, no new one formation could be seen. Small amount f bone resorption below the notch could be seen. In the notch, loose connective tissue with infiltration of inflammatory cells could be seen. Also thin discontinuous new cementum could be seen and the membrane still retained its structure. Where PDGF-BB containing membrane was used, new bone formation could be seen in the notch at weeks and also continuous thin cementum could be seen. PDL cells were observed between new bone and new cementum and some were attached to bone and cementum. These results suggest that new bone and cementum formation seen when PDGF-BB loaded membrane was used was due to inhibition of downgrowth of epithelial cells and also due to continuous release of the growth factor. Further study on the resorption characteristics of the membrane nd the release characteristics of the PDGF-BB is necessary. Also, development of a membrane easier to use clinically is necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.87-92
• /
• 2016

Due to its stability at high temperature and its layered structure, $Ti_3SiC_2$ MAX phase was considered to the interphase of $SiC_f/SiC$ composite. In this study, $Ti_3SiC_2$ MAX phase powder was deposited on SiC fiber via the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. The Zeta potential of the $Ti_3SiC_2$ suspension with and without polyethyleneimine as a dispersant was measured to determine the conditions of the EPD experiments. Using a suspension with 0.03 wt.% ball milled $Ti_3SiC_2$ powder and 0.3 wt.% PEI, $Ti_3SiC_2$ MAX phase was successfully coated on SiC fiber with an EPD voltage of 10 V for 2 h. Most of the coated $Ti_3SiC_2$ powders are composed of spherical particles. Part of the $Ti_3SiC_2$ powders that are platelet shaped are oriented parallel to the SiC fiber surface. From these results we expect that $Ti_3SiC_2$ can be applied to the interphase of $SiC_f/SiC$ composites.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.260-270
• /
• 2012

Objectives : Hippocampus, a region of temporal lobe, plays an important role in the pathogenic mechanisms of brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, depression and temporal lobe epilepsy. This research is designed to investigate hippocampal changes after acupuncture stimulation at Shinmun(HT7) using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis(2-DE). Methods : On postnatal-day 15, rat pups were randomly devided into Normal(NOR) or HT7 group. All of Pups kept with their mothers for 7 days, but pups in HT7 group received acupuncture stimulation at HT7 daily. On postnatal-day 21, hippocampus of each rat pup was dissceted 30 minutes after last acupuncture stimulation and the protein expressions were investigated using 2-DE. Results : After acupuncture stimulation at HT7, expression of 20 proteins were significantly increased. Succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-like, transketolase, aconitate hydratase and phosphoglucomutase-1 were related to glucose methabolism. Eukaryotic initiation factor(eIF) 4A-II, eIF 4A-III, mitochondrial Tu translation elongation factor and chain A of crystal structure of the 70-Kda heat shock cognate protein involve in the protein synthesis in ribosome. Tubulin ${\beta}$-4 chain, tubulin T ${\beta}$-15 and tubulin ${\alpha}$-1B chain comprise cytoskeleton. Glutathione S-transferase(GST) ${\omega}$-1, GST P and GST Yb-3 can reduce oxidative stress. ${\beta}$-soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein is required for vesicular transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase plays a major role in lipid biosynthesis, creatine kinase U-type catalyses the conversion of creatine and consumes adenosine triphosphate to create phosphocreatine and adenosine diphosphate. Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase IB subunit alpha and voltage depedent anion-selective channel protein 2 were also increased. Conclusions : The results suggest that acupuncture stimulation at HT7 may enhance glucose and lipid metabolism, protein synthesis, cytoskeletal substance and anti-oxidative stress in hippocampus.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.111-130
• /
• 2021

In the present work, an extensive study for predicting efficiency parameters (��i) of various simulated nanocomposites including Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as matrix and different structures including various sizes of graphene platelets (GPLs), single, double, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs-DWCNTs-MWCNTs), and single and double-walled boron nitride nanotubes (SWBNNTs-DWBNNTs) are investigated. It should be stated that GPLs, carbon and boron nitride nanotubes (CNTs, BNNT) with different chiralities (5, 0), (5, 5), (10, 0), and (10, 10) as reinforcements are considered. In this research, molecular dynamics (MDs) method with Materials studio software is applied to examine the mechanical properties (Young's modulus) of simulated nanocomposite boxes and calculate η1 of each nanocomposite boxes. Then, it is noteworthy that by changing length (6.252, 10.584, and 21.173 nm) and width (7.137, 10.515, and 19.936) of GPLs, ��1, ��2, and ��3 approximately becomes (0.101, 0.114, and 0.124), (1.15, 1.22, and 1.26), (1.04, 1.05, and 1.07) respectively. After that efficiency parameters of SWCNTs, DWCNTs, and MWCNTs are calculated and discussed separately. Finally efficiency parameters of SWBNNTs and DWBNNTs with different chiralities by PMMA as matrix are determined by MD and discussed separately. It is known that the accurate efficiency parameters helps a lot to calculate the properties of nanocomposite analytically. In particular, the obtained results from this research can be used for analytical work based on the extended rule of mixture (ERM) in bending, buckling and vibration analysis of structure in future study.