• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.100-108
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• 2007

Gene therapy has become a promising strategy for the treatment of genetically based diseases, such as cancer, which are currently considered incurable. A major obstacle in the field of cancer gene therapy is the development of a safe and efficient delivery system for therapeutic gene transfer. Non-viral vectors have attracted great interest, as they are simple to prepare, stable, easy to modify and relatively safe compared to viral vectors. In this review, an insight into the strategies developed for polyethylenimine (PEI)-based non-viral vectors has been provide, including improvement of the polyplex properties by incorporating hydrophilic spacer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Moreover, this review will summarize the strategies for the tumor targeting. Specifically, a targeted polymeric gene delivery system, PEI-g-PEG-RGD, will be introduced as an efficient gene delivery vector for tumor therapy, including its functional analysis both in vitro and in vivo.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2011

Diblock copolymers composed of poly(${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(N,N-dimethylamino-2-ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA), or methoxy polyethylene glycol(PEG), were synthesized via a combination of ring-opening polymerization and atom-transfer radical polymerization in order to prepare polymeric nanoparticles as an antifungal drug carrier. Amphotericin B (AmB), a natural antibiotic, was incorporated into the polymeric nanoparticles. The physical properties of AmB-incorporated polymeric nanoparticles with PCL-b-PDMAEMA and PCL-b-PEG were studied in relation to morphology and particle size. In the aggregation state study, AmB-incorporated PCL-b- PDMAEMA nanoparticles exhibited a monomeric state pattern of free AmB, whereas AmB-incorporated PCL-b- PEG nanoparticles displayed an aggregated pattern. In in vitro hemolysis tests with human red blood cells, AmBincorporated PCL-b-PDMAEMA nanoparticles were seen to be 10 times less cytotoxic than free AmB (5 ${\mu}g$/ml). In addition, an improved antifungal activity of AmBincorporated polymeric nanoparticles was observed through antifungal activity tests using Candida albicans, whereas polymeric nanoparticles themselves were seen not to affect activity. Finally, in vitro AmB release studies were conducted, proving the potential of AmB-incorporated PCL-b-PDMAEMA nanoparticles as a new formulation candidate for AmB.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.447-472
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• 1999

The preclinical and clinical studies reviewed herein show that rhBMP-2 induces normal physiologic bone in relevant defects in the craniofacial skeleton. The newly formed bone assumes characteristics of the adjacent resident bone, and allows placement and osseointegration of dental implants. Clearly, the bone inducing capacity of rhBMP-2 is carrier and site dependent. rhBMP-2 in an absorbable collagen sponge carrier induces relevant bone formation in space providing defects. Space providing carries extends this possibility to non-space providing sites. Notably, some ceramic and polymeric biomaterials may substantially interfere with rhBMP-2 induced osteogenesis.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.224-229
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• 1999

Recently, many studies for the supported liquid membrane (SLM) using a carrier have been actively reported. Polymeric cation exchange membrane was synthsized by dissolving monensin carrier of antibiotic material in organic solvent. Then the SLM was applied to the Nernst-Planck and Fick equations and membrane potential and membrane permeability were measured respectively. The results showed the high selectivity towards alkali metal ions and the SLM showed linear relationship with low concentration. However, linear relationship did not appear at high concentration. This is explained by means of the new theory of the stagnant layer and the slop of logarithm value was linear for the up-hill transport phenomena of membrane transport.

• The Korean Journal of Ceramics
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 1997

A chemically stabilized $\beta$-cristobalite, which is stabilized by stuffing cations of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Al^{3+}$, was prepared by a solution-polymerization route employing Pechini resin or PVA solution as a polymeric carrier. The polymeric carrier affected the crystallization temperature, morphology of calicined powder, and particle size distribution. In case of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution process, a fine $\beta$-cristobalite powder with a narrow particle size distribution (average particle size : 0.3$\mu\textrm{m}$) and a BET specific surface area of 72 $\m^2$/g was prepared by an attrition-milling for 1 h after calcination at 110$0^{\circ}C$ for 1h. Wider particle size distribution and higher specific surface area were observed for the $\beta$-cristobalite powder derived from Pechini resin. The cubie(P1-to-tetraganalb) phase transformation in polynystalline $\beta$-cristobalite was induced at approximately 18$0^{\circ}C$. Like other materials showing transformation toughening, a critical size effect controlled the $\beta$-to-$\alpha$ transformation. Densifed cristobalite sample had some cracks in its internal texture after annealing. The cracks, occurred spontaneoulsy on cooling, were observed in the sample with an average grain sizes of 4.0 $\mu\textrm{m}$ or above. In case of the sintered cristobalite having a composition of CaO.$2Al_2O_3$.40SiO$_2$, small amount of amorphous phase and slow grain growth during annealing were observed. Shear stress-induced transformation was also observed in ground specimen. Cristobalite having a composition of CaO.2Al2O3.80SiO2 showed a more sensitive response to shear stress than the CaO.$2Al_2O_3$.40SiO$_2$ type cristobalite. Shear-induced transformation resulted in an increase of volume about 13% in $\alpha$-cristobalite phase on annealing for above 10 h in the case of the former composition.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2014

A pilot-scale hybrid membrane bioreactor (HMBR) for real municipal wastewater treatment was developed by adding biofilm carriers into a conventional membrane bioreactor, distribution and dynamic changes of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and their roles in membrane fouling were investigated. The results showed that the concentrations of loosely bond EPS (LB-EPS) and tightly bond EPS (TB-EPS) in activated sludge, carrier biofilm and sludge cake layer have been increased significantly with the running time of HMBR, during operation of the HMBR, EPS demonstrated positive correlations with membrane fouling. Compared to TB-EPS, LB-EPS showed more significant correlations with sludge physical properties and specific resistance to filtration (SRF) in HMBR, and thus demonstrated that LP-EPS have a stronger potential of fouling than TB-EPS. It was also found that a lower organic loading in HMBR could result a significant increase in EPS concentration, which would in turn influence membrane fouling in HMBR. This critical investigation would contribute towards a better understanding of the behavior, composition and fouling potential of EPS in HMBR operation.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.113-128
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• 2014

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies could offer new hope for patients with serious tissue injuries or end-stage organ failure. Scientists are now applying the principles of cell transplantation, material science, and engineering to create biological substitutes that can restore and maintain normal function in diseased or injured tissues/organs. Specifically, creation of engineered tissue construct requires a polymeric biomaterial scaffold that serves as a cell carrier, which would provide structural support until native tissue forms in vivo. Even though the requirements for scaffolds may be different depending on the target applications, a general function of scaffolds that need to be fulfilled is biodegradability, biological and mechanical properties, and temporal structural integrity. The scaffold's internal architecture should also enhance the permeability of nutrients and neovascularization. In addition, the stem cell field is advancing, and new discoveries in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine will lead to new therapeutic strategies. Although use of stem cells is still in the research phase, some therapies arising from tissue engineering endeavors that make use of autologous adult cells have already entered the clinic. This review discusses these tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies for various tissues and organs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2335-2340
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• 2014

Paclitaxel is hydrophobic in nature and is recognized as a highly toxic anticancer drug, showing adverse effects in normal body sites. In this study, we developed a polymeric nano drug carrier for safe delivery of the paclitaxel to the cancer that releases the drug in a sustained manner and reduces side effects. N-isopropylacrylamide/vinyl pyrrolidone (NIPAAm/VP) nanoparticles were synthesized by radical polymerization. Physicochemical characterization of the polymeric nanoparticles was conducted using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance, which confirmedpolymerization of formulated nanoparticles. Drug release was assessed using a spectrophotometer and cell viability assays were carried out on the MCF-7 breast cancer and B16F0 skin cancer cell lines. NIPAAm/VP nanoparticles demonstrated a size distribution in the 65-108 nm range and surface charge measured -15.4 mV. SEM showed the nanoparticles to be spherical in shape with a slow drug release of ~70% in PBS at $38^{\circ}C$ over 96 h. Drug loaded nanoparticles were associated with increased viability of MCF-7 and B16F0 cells in comparison to free paclitaxel. Nano loaded paclitaxel shows high therapeutic efficiency by sustained release action for the longer period of time, i increasing its efficacy and biocompatibility for human cancer therapy. Therefore, paclitaxel loaded (NIPAAm/VP) nanoparticles may provide opportunities to expand delivery of the drug for clinical selection.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.393-400
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• 2009

PHEA (hydroxyethyl-aspartamide)-mPEG (methoy-polyethyleneglycol)-$C_{16}$ (hexadecylamine)-ED (ethylenediamine) was prepared as a drug delivery carrier. The structure and molecular weight of polymers were characterized by $^1H$-NMR and gel permeation chromatography. Micelle size and shape were measured by electro-photometer light scattering and transmission electron microscope. The mean diameter of micelles was 23 nm in aqueous solution. To evaluate the potential of these polymeric micelles as a drug carrier, PSI-mPEG-$C_{16}$-ED was conjugated with Cy5.5 for Near-Infrared Fluorescent (NIRF) based optical imaging. PSI-mPEG-$C_{16}$-ED-Cy5.5 was injected intravenously into mice (n=5) and in vivo NIRF imaging was performed during 48 h after injection. The biodistribution study at 24 h after injection showed the longcirculation property of PSI-mPEG-$C_{16}$-ED-Cy5.5. Therefore, PSI-mPEG-$C_{16}$-ED micelles could be a promising drug carrier and imaging agent.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.168-168
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• 2006

Low-operating voltage organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) have been realized with high dielectric constant (${\kappa}$) polymer such as cyanoethylated poly vinyl alcohol (CR-V, ${\kappa}=12$). Since the $high-{\kappa}$polymers are likely to contain water and ionic impurities, large hysteresis and considerable leakage current are frequently observed in OFETs. To solve these problems, we cross-linked the CR-V by using a cross-linking agent. Cross-linked CR-V dielectrics showed high dielectric constant of 11.1 and good insulating properties, resulting in a high capacitance ($81nF/cm^{2}$ at 1MHz) at 120 nm of dielectric thickness. Pentacene FETs with cross-linked CR-V dielectrics exhibited high carrier mobility ($0.72\;cm^{2}/Vs$), small subthreshold swing (185 mV/dec) and little hysteresis at low-operating voltage (${\Leq}-3V$).