• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.646-655
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• 2007

To achieve targeted drug delivery for chemotherapy, a ligand-mediated nanoparticulate drug carrier was designed, which could identity a specific receptor on the surfaces of tumor cells. Biodegradable poly(ethylene oxide)/poly$({\varepsilon}-caprolactone)$ (PEG/PCL) amphiphilic block copolymers coupled to biotin ligands were synthesized with a variety of PEG/PCL compositions. Block copolymeric nanoparticles harboring the anticancer drug paclitaxel were prepared via micelle formation in aqueous solution. The size of the biotin-conjugated PEG/PCL nanoparticles was determined by light scattering measurements to be 88-118 nm, depending on the molecular weight of the block copolymer, and remained less than 120 nm even after paclitaxel loading. From an in vitro release study, biotin-conjugated PEG/PCL nanoparticles containing paclitaxel evidenced sustained release profiles of the drug with no initial burst effect. The biotin-conjugated PEG/PCL block copolymer itself evidenced no significant adverse effects on cell viability at $0.005-1.0{\mu}g/mL$ of nanoparticle suspension regardless of cell type (normal human fibroblasts and HeLa cells). However, biotin-conjugated PEG/PCL harboring paclitaxel evidenced a much higher cytotoxicity for cancer cells than was observed in the PEG/PCL nanoparticles without the biotin group. These results showed that the biotin-conjugated nanoparticles could improve the selective delivery of paclitaxel into cancer cells via interactions with over-expressed biotin receptors on the surfaces of cancer cells.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.373-384
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• 2005

Novel pH-sensitive moieties containing an s-triazine ring were synthesized with sulfonamide and secondary amino groups. The synthesized pH-sensitive moieties were used for the synthesis of a pH-sensitive amphiphilic ABA triblock copolymer. The pH-sensitive triblock copolymer was composed of diblock copolymers, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly ($\varepsilon$-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide) (MPEG-PCLA), and pH-sensitive moiety. These copolymers could be dissolved molecularly in both acidic and basic aqueous media at room temperature due to secondary amino and sulfonamide groups. The synthesized s-triazine rings containing pH-sensitive compounds were characterized by ${^1}H-NMR,\;{^13}C-NMR$, and LC/MSD spectral data. The synthesized diblock and triblock copolymers were also characterized by ${^1}H-NMR$ and GPC analyses. The critical micelle concentrations at various pH conditions were determined by fluorescence technique using pyrene as a probe. Furthermore, the micellization and demicellization study of the triblock copolymer was done with pH-sensitive groups. The sensitivity towards pH change was further established by acid-base titration.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.325-329
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• 2010

The osteogenic potential of hydroxyapatite/poly $\varepsilon$-caprolactone composite (HA/PCL) scaffolds with matrigel was evaluated in a rat calvarial defect model. Calvarial defect formation was surgically created in Sprague Dawley rats (n = 18). HA/PCL scaffold was grafted with matrigel (M-HA/PCL group, n = 6) or without matrigel (HA/PCL group, n = 6). A critical defect group (CD group, n = 6) did not received a graft. Four weeks after surgery, bone formation was evaluated with radiography, micro computed tomography (micro CT) scanning, and histologically. No bone tissue formation was radiographically evident in the CD group. Bone tissue was radiographically evident in the HA/PCL and M-HA/PCL groups, however, there was more bone-similar opacity in the M-HA/PCL group. Micro CT analysis revealed that the bone volume of the M-HA/PCL group was higher than the HA/PCL group, however, no significant difference was found between the HA/PCL and M-HA/PCL groups. Bone mineral density in the M-HA/ PCL group was significantly higher than in the HA/PCL group (p < 0.05). Histologically, new bone was formed only from existing bone in the CD group, showing concavity without bone formation in the defect. In the HA/PCL group, new bone formation was only derived from existing bone, while in the M-HA/PCL group the largest bone formation was observed, with new bone tissue forming at the periphery of existing bone and around the HA/PCL scaffold with matrigel. The results indicate that the combination of HA/PCL scaffold with matrigel may be an effective means of enhancing bone formation in critical-sized bone defects.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.969-975
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• 2009

This article describes the topical delivery and localization of budesonide through the hairless mouse skin. Two poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly($\varepsilon$-caprolactone)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PCL-PEO) triblock copolymers (T 222 and T 252) having different CL:EO ratios were added in the preparation of budesonide particles stabilized with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Tween 80 under ultrasonication. For comparison, a commercial PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer (F68) was studied under the same condition. To demonstrate the effects of the triblock copolymer, the particle size of budesonide emulsion, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro release were measured and compared. The budesonide particles stabilized by the triblock copolymers had a diameter of ca. 350 nm with entrapment efficiencies of 66-76%. The In vitro release profiles of all samples showed an initial burst followed by sustained release. The skin penetration and permeation of budesonide were analyzed by using a Frantz diffusion cell. T 222 and T 252 exhibited higher total permeation amounts, but lower budesonide penetration amounts, than F68. The results suggest that the partitioning of budesonide in each skin layer can be adjusted in order to avoid skin thinning and negative immune response arising from the penetration of budesonide in blood vessels.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.199-208
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• 2019

This study reports water-resistant oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion-based sunscreening formulations prepared using a poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PCL-PEG) triblock polymeric surfactant. As a result of a variety of outdoor recreational activities such as swimming and hiking, consumer needs for development of advanced water-resistant sunscreen formulations are increasing. Water-resistant sunscreens are mostly based on water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, because they should not be wiped off by water or sweat. However, the W/O emulsion formulations have a disadvantage in that the feeling of use is oily and difficult to remove. On the other hand, the O/W emulsion formulations are excellent in achieving the better skin feel as well as the easier removal. However, it is difficult to provide the O/W emulsion formulations with the water-repelling performance, since re-emulsification likely occurs upon getting touch with water. To solve this problem, this study proposes a O/W emulsion-based sunscreen formulation, a triblock polymeric surfactant having relatively high interfacial tension HLB value (~ 10). This allows the sunscreen formulations to exhibit the improved water repellence function by preventing their re-emulsification. The sunscreen formation system prepared in this study would be useful for diversification of functional sunscreen products, taking advantages of its excellent emulsion stability, UV protection performance, long lasting water-resistant function and selective cleansing effect with only foam cleanser.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.335-347
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• 2007

Green composites composed of long maize fibers and poly $\varepsilon$-caprolactone (PCL) biodegradable polyester matrix were manufactured by the thermo-mechanical processing termed as 'Sequential Molding and Forming Process' that was developed previously by the authors' research group. A variety of processing parameters such as fiber area fraction, molding temperature and forming pressure were systematically controlled and their influence on the tensile properties was investigated. It was revealed that both tensile strength and elastic modulus of the composites increase steadily depending on the increase in fiber area fraction, suggesting a general conformity to the rule of mixtures (ROM), particularly up to 55% fiber area fraction. The improvement in tensile properties was found to be closely related to the good interfacial adhesion between the fiber and polymer matrix, and was observed to be more pronounced under the optimum processing condition of $130^{\circ}C$ molding temperature and 10 MPa forming pressure. However, processing out of the optimum condition results in a deterioration in properties, mostly fiber and/or matrix degradation together with their interfacial defect as a consequence of the thermal or mechanical damages. On the basis of microstructural observation, the cause of strength degradation and its countermeasure to provide a feasible composite design are discussed in relation to the optimized process conditions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.108-108
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• 2017

다양한 생체 재료들을 이용한 마이크로 및 나노 크기의 표면 구조 모사는 조직공학에서 세포의 성장 및 분화에 영향을 미치는 것으로 알려져 있다. 특히, 마이크로-나노 구조가 공존하는 계층적 표면 구조는 골 아세포의 증식과 분화에 탁월하여 뼈 조직 재생에 응용되어 왔다. 기존에는 화학적 처리 기법을 이용하여 마이크로 표면 구조가 제작 되었으나 미세 거칠기 및 계층적 표면 구조의 제어가 어려웠다. 현재 이러한 문제점들을 극복하기 위해 플라즈마를 이용한 애칭 기법이 주로 이용되고 있으나 높은 온도 공정 환경에 의한 재료 선택의 한계점 및 오랜 공정 시간에 의한 플라즈마 처리 효율이 감소되어 원하는 표면구조 및 거칠기를 얻을 수 없다는 단점이 있다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 문제점들을 극복하기 위해 마이크로/나노 주조 기법 이용하여 생체적합성 합성고분자 poly(${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone) (PCL) 위에 연꽃잎 구조를 모사한 후 플라즈마 애칭 기법을 이용하여 마이크로-($3.01-3.07{\mu}m$)와 나노크기 ($97{\pm}16nm$)를 동시에 갖는 계층적 구조를 제작하였다. 제작된 구조의 효능을 관찰하기 위해 조골세포를 배양한 결과 평평한 PCL 구조보다 제작된 계층적 구조가 높은 세포성장률 (>2.9배)및 세포 분화도(>2.1배)를 보였다. 이러한 결과는 새로운 표면 공학적 모델로서 손상된 뼈 및 치아조직 재생을 위한 적합한 거칠기 및 표면적인 환경을 제공해 빠른 재생 능력과 더불어 치료기간의 단축을 가져 올 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2018.06a
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• pp.24-24
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• 2018

One of the challenges in tissue engineering is the design of optimal biomedical scaffolds, which can be governed by topographical surface characteristics, such as size, shape, and direction. Of these properties, we focus on the effects of nano - to micro - sized hierarchical surface. To fabricate the hierarchical surface structure on poly(${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone) (PCL) film, we employed a nano/micro-casting technique (NCT) and modified plasma process. The micro size topography of PCL film was controlled by sizes of the micro structures on lotus leaf. Also, the nano-size topography and hydrophilicity of PCL film were controlled by modified plasma process. After the plasma treatment, the hydrophobic property of the PCL film was significantly changed into hydrophilic property, and the nano-sized structure was well developed, as increasing the plasma exposure time and applied power. The surface properties of the modified PCL film were investigated in terms of initial cell morphology, attachment, and proliferation using osteoblast-like-cells (MG63). In particular, initial cell attachment, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in the hierarchical structure were enhanced dramatically compared to those of the smooth surface.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.467-476
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• 2005

The main objective of this study was to develop and characterize pH-sensitive biodegradable polymeric materials. For pH-sensitivity, we employed three kinds of moieties: 2-amino-3-(lH-imidazol-4-yl)-propionic acid (H), N-[4-( 4,6-dimethyl-pyrimidin-2ylsulfamoyl)-phenyl]succinamic acid (SM), and 2- {3-[ 4-( 4,6-dimethyl-pyrim­idin- 2-ylsulfamoyl)-phenylcarbamoyl]-propionylamino} -3-(3 H - imidazol-4-yl)-propionic acid (SH). The pH -sensitive diblock copolymers were synthesized by ring opening polymerization and coupling reaction from poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG), $\varepsilon$-caprolactone (CL), D,L-lactide (LA) and pH-sensitive moieties. The pH-sensitive SH molecule was synthesized in a two-step reaction. The first step involved the synthesis of SHM, a methyl ester derivative of SH, by coupling reaction of SM and L-histidine methyl ester dihydrochloride, whereas the second step involved the hydrolysis of the same. The synthesized SM, SHM and SH molecules were characterized by FTIR, $^{1}H$-NMR and $^{13}C$-NMR spectroscopy, whereas diblock copolymers and pH-sensitive diblock copolymer were characterized by $^{1}H$-NMR and GPC analysis. The critical micelle concentrations were determined at various pH conditions by fluorescence technique using pyrene as a probe. The micellization and demicellization studies of pH-sensitive diblock copolymers were also done at different pH conditions. The pH-sensitivity was further established by acid-based titration and DLS analysis.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.46.2-46.2
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• 2009

In vitro 상에서 골조직을 원활하게 재생하기 위해서는 3차원 지지체를 이용한 세포 배양과 세포 배양 시 세포의 형태와 기능을 유지/향상시키기 위한 인체 내 미세 환경 재현은 필수적이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 뼈 성분과 유사한 생체 활성 물질인 hydroxyapatite (HA)와 생분해성 고분자인 poly $\varepsilon$-caprolactone (PCL)를 복합재료로 이용하여 내부 연결성이 우수한 골조직 재생용 3차원 지지체를 제작하였으며, 골 재생 능력 향상을 위하여 인체내 골조직의 기계적 미세 환경을 체외에서 구현한 새로운 형태의 perfusion bioreactor system을 개발/적용하였다. 또한 본 연구에서 개발된 perfusion bioreactor system의 생물학적 평가를 위해 MG63 (osteoblast like cell, 한국 세포주 은행)과 New Zealand White Rabbit에서 분리한 중간엽 줄기세포를 골조직 재생용 3차원 지지체에 파종하였다. 48시간 동안 안정화 후 perfusion bioreactor system을 이용하여 기계적 자극을 파종된 세포에 인가하였으며, 배양 기간 동안 세포의 증식 확인 및 형태학적 관찰을 실시하였다. 본 연구 결과, perfusion bioreactor system을 이용하여 기계적 자극을 인가한 실험군에서 세포의 증식 및 활성도가 대조군에 비해 우수함을 확인 할 수 있었다. 따라서, perfusion bioreactor를 이용한 세포 배양은 세포의 활성 향상 및 골조직 재생에 도움이 될 것으로 사료된다. 차후 perfusion bioreactor를 이용한 다양한 패턴의 자극이 골재생 능력 및 중간엽 줄기세포의 골 분화능에 미치는 영향에 대한 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.