• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2022

In vivo oocytes grow and mature in ovarian follicles whereas oocytes are matured in vitro in plastic culture dishes with a hard surface. In vivo oocytes show a superior developmental ability to in vitro counterparts, indicating suboptimal environments of in vitro culture. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of an agarose matrix as a culture substrate during in vitro maturation (IVM) on the development of pig oocytes derived from small antral follicles (SAFs). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) retrieved from SAFs were grown in a plastic culture dish without an agarose matrix and then cultured for maturation in a plastic dish coated without (control) or with a 1% or 2% (w/v) agarose hydrogel. Then, the effect of the soft agarose matrix on oocyte maturation and embryonic development was assessed by analyzing intra-oocyte contents of glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), expression of VEGFA, HIF1A, and PFKP genes, and blastocyst formation after parthenogenesis. IVM of pig COCs on a 1% (w/v) agarose matrix showed a significantly higher blastocyst formation, intra-oocyte GSH contents, and transcript abundance of VEGFA. Moreover, a significantly lower intra-oocyte ROS content was detected in oocytes matured on the 1% and 2% (w/v) agarose matrices than in control. Our results demonstrated that IVM of SAFs-derived pig oocytes on a soft agarose matrix enhanced developmental ability by improving the cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes through redox balancing and regulation of gene expression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.558-572
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• 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. One of its components, emphysema, has been defined as a lung disease that irreversibly damages the lungs' alveoli. Treatment is currently unavailable for emphysema symptoms and complete cure of the disease. Hyaluronan (HA) and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1), an HA-binding protein linking HA in the extracellular matrix to stabilize the proteoglycan structure, forms a bulky hydrogel-like aggregate. Studies on the biological role of the full-length HAPLN1, a simple structure-stabilizing protein, are limited. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that treating human alveolar epithelial type 2 cells with recombinant human HAPLN1 (rhHAPLN1) increased TGF-β receptor 1 (TGF-β RI) protein levels, but not TGF-β RII, in a CD44-dependent manner with concurrent enhancement of the phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3), but not p-Smad2, upon TGF-β1 stimulation. Furthermore, rhHAPLN1 significantly increased sirtuins levels (i.e., SIRT1/2/6) without TGF-β1 and inhibited acetylated p300 levels that were increased by TGF-β1. rhHAPLN1 is crucial in regulating cellular senescence, including p53, p21, and p16, and inflammation markers such as p-NF-κB and Nrf2. Both senile emphysema mouse model induced via intraperitoneal rhHAPLN1 injections and porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE)-induced COPD mouse model generated via rhHAPLN1-containing aerosols inhalations showed a significantly potent efficacy in reducing alveolar spaces enlargement. Preclinical trials are underway to investigate the effects of inhaled rhHAPLN1-containing aerosols on several COPD animal models.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2011

Purpose: The present study was conducted to investigate whether refractive powers of soft contact lenses were induced by the deposition of tear proteins when wearing soft contact lenses. Methods: The soft contact lenses (material: etafilcon A, hilafilcon A and comfilcon A) with refractive powers of -1.00 D, -3.00 D, -5.00 D and -7.00 D were incubated in artificial tear for 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days and 14 days, respectively. After incubation, their refractive powers were measured by wet cell method with an auto-lens meter and their protein deposited on the lenses was determined by the method of Lowry. Results: Among three types of soft contact lenses, the most protein deposition was detected in ionic etafilcon A lens material and significant change of its refractive power was manifested. In other words, refractive powers of etafilcon A lenses firstly decreased after 1 day incubation in artificial tear and then gradually increased with increasing incubation period again. The observed change in refractive powers of all diopters of etafilcon A material was beyond the scope of standard error and bigger in the lens with lower optical power. On the other hand, non-ionic hilafilcon A showed less protein deposition as much as about 20% in etafilacon A and statistically significant increase of refractive powers with increasing incubation period in artificial tear. The change in refractive power of hilafilcon A was also beyond the scope of the standard of error when incubating in artificial tear and greater in the lens with lower diopter. The least protein deposit was shown in silicone hydrogel lens material, comfilcon A as approximately 10% of it in etafilcon A, indicating less change in refractive power within the standard range of error. Conclusions: The large change of refractive powers that was beyond the scope of standard error by the deposition of tear proteins on soft contact lenses was differently detected depending on lens materials in the current study. Thus, the deposition of tear proteins induced by longer period of lens wearing may be one of the causes that induces blurred vision, suggesting that soft contact lens wearers with the amount of tear proteins may need to choose proper lens material.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.323-329
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• 2014

Purpose: To understand the pattern of prescribing contact lenses in Korea from 2010 to 2013. Methods: Four hundred survey questionnaires were randomly posted to Korean Optometric clinics for 4 years. The questionnaire was the same form as a form used for International Contact Lens Prescribing Trend. It was also designed to collect information about the contact lenses prescribed to the first 10 patients after its receipt. Results: 1937 fits were used for the analysis among the four hundred survey questionnaires. The average patient age was $26.2{\pm}7.0$ in 2010, $26.1{\pm}7.6$ in 2011, $24.7{\pm}6.6$ in 2012 and $24.8{\pm}7.2$ in 2013. The patients were mainly women (75%). Of all the soft contact lenses, silicon hydrogel lenses were 18% of fits (17% in 2010, 10% in 2011, 20% in 2012, 24% in 2013). By degine, the percentage of toric design lenses accounted for 17% of soft lenses fits and had increased during 4 years (10% in 2010, 18% in 2011, 16% in 2012, 22% in 2013), and cosmetic contact lens made up for 29% (15% in 2010, 20% in 2011, 40% in 2012, 41% in 2013). Conclusions: The contact lenses wearers were mostly women and the average patient age becomes slightly younger. In relation to the increase in the mumber of younger female contact lens wearers,the percentage of cosmetic lenses prescription was much higher (29%) than the global average (7%), and it has gradually increased for last 4 years. This trend could be related to the growth of beauty market in Korea. By emphasizing on toric lens marketing in manufactures, the prescription rate has been gradually increased.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.10-21
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• 2023

Hydrogels that are made of natural polymer-based double networks have excellent biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, and high water content, assuring that the material has the properties required for a variety of biomedical applications. However, hydrogels also have limitations due to their relatively weak mechanical properties. In this study, hydrogels based on an alginate di-aldehyde (ADA) and gelatin (Gel) double network that is reinforced with additional hydrogen bonds formed between the hydroxyl (-OH) groups of the hyperbranched polymer (HPG) and the functional groups present inside of the hydrogels were successfully synthesized. The enhanced mechanical properties of these synthesized hydrogels were evaluated by varying the amount of HPG added during the hydrogel synthesis from 0 to 25%. In addition, magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) were synthesized within the hydrogels and the structures and the magnetic properties of the hydrogels were also characterized. The hydrogels that contained 15% HPG and Fe₃O₄ NPs exhibited superparamagnetic behaviors with a saturation magnetization value of 3.8 emu g^-1. These particular hydrogels also had strengthened mechanical properties with a maximum compressive stress of 1.1 MPa at a strain of 67.4%. Magnetic hydrogels made with natural polymer-based double networks provide improved mechanical properties and have a significant potential for drug delivery and biomaterial application.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.280-285
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• 1996

The sustained release dosage form which delivers melatonin (MT) in a circadian fashion over 8 h is of clinical value for those who have disordered circadian rhythms because of its short halflife. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gelling properties and release characteristics of alginate beads varying multivalent cationic species $(Al^{+++}, \; Ba^{++}, \; Ca^{++}, \; Mg^{++}, \; Fe^{+++}, \; Zn^{++})$. The surface morphologies of Ca- and Ba-alginate beads were also studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). MT, an indole amide pineal hormone was used as a model drug. The $Ca^{++}, \; Ba^{++}, \; Zn^{++}, \; Al^{++}\; and\; Fe^{+++}\; ions\; except\; Mg^{++}$ induced gelling of sodium alginate. The strength of multivalent cationic alginate beads was as follows: $Al^{+++}\llFe^{+++} the induced hydrogel beads were very fragile and less spherical. Fe-alginate beads were also fragile but stronger compared to Al-alginate beads. Ba-alginate beads had a similar gelling strength but was less spherical when compared to Ca-alginate beads. Zn-alginate beads were weaker than Ca- and Ba-alginate beads. Very crude and rough crystals of Ba- and Ca-alginate beads at higher magnifications were observed. However, the type and shape of rough crystals of Ba- and Ca-alginate beads were quite different. No significant differences in release profiles from MT-loaded multivalent cationic alginate beads were observed in the gastric fluid. Most drugs were continuously released upto 80% for 5 h, mainly governed by the passive diffusion without swelling and disintegrating the alginate beads. In the intestinal fluid, there was a significant difference iq the release profiles of MT-loaded multivalent cationic alginate beads. The release rate of Ca-alginate beads was faster when compared to other multivalent cationic alginate beads and was completed for 3 h. Ba-alginate beads had a very long lag time (7 h) and then rapidly released thereafter. MT was continuously released from Feand Zn-alginate beads with initial burstout release. It is assumed that the different release rofiles of multivalent cationic alginate beads resulted from forces of swelling and disintegration of alginate beads in addition to passive diffusion, depending on types of multivalent ions, gelling strength and drug solubility. It was estimated that 0.2M $CaCl_2$ concentration was optimal in terms of trapping efficiency of MT and gelling strength of Ca-alginate beads. In the gastric fluid, Ca-alginate beads gelled at 0.2 M $CaCl_2$ concentration had higher bead strength, resulting in the most retarded release when compared to other concentrations. In the intestinal fluid, the decreased release of Ca-alginate beads prepared at 0.2 M $CaCl_2$ concentration was also observed. However, release profiles of Ca-alginate beads were quite similar regardless of $CaCl_2$ concentration. Either too low or high $CaCl_2$ concentrations may not be useful for gelling and curing of alginate beads. Optimal $CaCl_2$ concentrations must be decided in terms of trapping efficiency and release and profiles of drug followed by curing time and gelling strength of alginate beads.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.183-189
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• 2005

Films of poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)/chitosan blends and its blend hydrogels were prepared by the solution casting method. The state of miscibility of the blends and blend hydrogels were examined over the entire composition range by differential scanning carorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). DSC analysis shows the depression of melting point of PVA in the blends and the decrease of crystallization temperature of PVA in the blends were observed with increasing chitosan content in the blends. TGA analysis indicates that chitosan was thermally more stable than PVA and the thermal stability of PVA in the blends was higher than that of pure PVA, due to some interactions between two component polymers in the blend. The glass transition temperature $(T_g)$ of the chitosan and of PVA, measured by DMA, were at 160 and $90^{\circ}C$, respectively. The $T_g$ of the blends was changed with the content of chitosan in the blends. The results of thermal and viscoelastic analysis indicate some miscibility between component polymers in the blend exists. Moisture and cross linking in the blend and blend hydrogel, which strongly change thermal and physical properties of hydrophilic polymers, affected the miscibility of chitosan and PVA to a small extent.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.253-260
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• 2010

In this study, we prepared and evaluated a series of biocompatible and biodegradable block copolymer hydrogels with a delayed swelling property for tissue expander application. The hydrogels were synthesized via a radical crosslinking reaction of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) diacrylate and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA-PEG-PLGA) triblock copolymer diacrylate as a swelling/degradation controller (SDC). For the synthesis of various SDCs that can lead to different degradation and swelling properties, various PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymers with different LA/GA ratios and different PLGA block lengths were synthesized and modified to have terminal acrylate groups. The resultant hydrogels were flexible and elastic even in the dry state. The in vitro degradation tests showed that the delayed swelling properties of the hydrogels could be modulated by varying the chemical composition of the biodegradable crosslinker (SDC) and the block ratio of SDC/PEG. The histopathologic observation after implantation of hydrogels in mice was performed and evaluated by macrography and microscopy. Any significant inflammation or necrosis was not observed in the implanted tissues. Due to their biocompatibility, elasticity, sufficient swelling pressure, delayed swelling and controllable degradability, the hydrogels could be useful for tissue expansion and other biomedical applications.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.259-265
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• 2006

Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) consists of some growth factors which can stimulate cell activity, and PVA has been widely utilized in the area of wound dressing as hydrogel which is easy to be removed from wounds. In this study, native SIS sheets were coated with PVA by immersing them into 2, 4, and 10 wt% of PVA solution and then lyophilized on two type of molds to endow the prepared wound dressing with easy removal property from wounds. The mechanical properties were examined through tensile test. Moreover, enzymatic degradation, water uptake, and in vitro test were carried out to characterize the prepared SIS sheets. The tensile strength of the SIS sheets coated with PVA (PVA-SIS) were decreased, whereas the elongation were increased. Degradation ratio of the PVA-SIS sheets was decreased compare to native SIS. Water uptake ability was improved at 2 and 4 wt% of PVA. The degree of fibroblast attachment was lower than the native SIS sheets. In conclusion, this study suggests that the PVA coated SIS sheets have a potential for the applications of wound dressing and biodegradable injectable materials.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.196-201
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• 2006

Poly (ethylene glycol)-based diblock and triblock thermo- sensitive polyester copolymers were investigated for application on tissue engineering and injectable biomaterials in drug delivery system due to their nontoxicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. We synthesized the diblock copolymers consisting of methoxy poly (ethylene glycol) (MPEG) (Mn=750 g/mole) and poly $(\varepsilon-caprolactone)$ (PCL) by ring opening polymerization of $\varepsilon-CL$ with MPEG as an initiator in the presence of HCl $Et_2O$. The effect of diblock copolymers on in vivo osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCS) with and without the presence of osteogenic supplements (dexamethasone) was investigated. Thin sections were cut from paraffin embedded tissues and histological sections were stained by H&E, von Kossa, and immunohistochemical staining for osteocalcin. In conclusion, dexamethasone containing thermo- sensitive hydrogel might be improved osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. We expect the osteoinduction effect to be excellent when it uses stem cell or other osteogenic materials.