• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2013

In this work, the anodic oxidation of carbon fibers was carried out to enhance the mechanical interfacial properties of carbon fibers-reinforced epoxy matrix composites. The surface characteristics of the carbon fibers were studied by FTIR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also, the mechanical interfacial properties of the composites were studied with interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), critical stress intensity factor ($K_{IC}$), and critical strain energy release rate ($G_{IC}$). The anodic oxidation led to a significant change in the surface characteristics of the carbon fibers. The anodic oxidation of carbon fiber improved the mechanical interfacial properties, such as ILSS, $K_{IC}$, and $G_{IC}$ of the composites. The mechanical interfacial properties of the composites anodized at 20% sulfuric/nitric (3/1) were the highest values among the anodized carbon fibers. These results were attributed to the increase of the degree of adhesion at interfaces between the carbon fibers and the matrix resins in the composite systems.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2013

Zaltoprofen, a propionic acid derivative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was known to have powerful inhibitory effects on acute, subacute and chronic inflammation. For initial release and sustained release, the microspheres were prepared using an emulsion-solvent evaporation method like an O/W emulsion method with varying the ratio of zaltoprofen-loaded polyoxalate (POX)/PLGA micropheres. The morphology of the microspheres was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The crystallinity of microspheres was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimeter. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the chemical structure of microspheres. The increased ratio of POX microspheres affected the initial drug release, and the sustained release of drug was influenced by ratio of PLGA microspheres. In this study, the initial release behavior of zaltoprofen can be controlled by the ratio of POX/PLGA microspheres.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.486-493
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• 2013

The structure, morphology, and physical properties of syndiotatic poly(vinyl alcohol) (s-PVA) gel spun fibers were investigated to prepare polymeric embolization coils. S-PVA was prepared by saponification of the poly(vinyl acetate)/poly(vinyl pivalate)(PVAc/PVPi) copolymer. The viscosity of s-PVA solutions showed shear thinning behavior and the solution formed a homogeneous phase. Based on shear viscosity change with concentration, the optimum dope concentration was selected as 13 wt%, after which s-PVA fibers were spun and the solvent was removed. The fibers were then drawn with a maximum draw ratio of 15. A polymeric embolization coil was made of the s-PVA gel-spun fibers. The fibers were wound densely onto rigid rod and then annealed at different annealing temperatures. The polymeric embolization coil annealed at $200^{\circ}C$ was similar to metallic coils and its shape was maintained well after extension. Overall, gel-spun PVA fibers performed well for the preparation of primary and secondary coils to replace metallic coils.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.494-499
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• 2013

Modified polypropylene (m-PP) was fabricated by furfuryl sulphide (FS) as branching agent and m-PP/nano-filler composites were prepared with silicate and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), using a twin screw extruder. The chemical structures and thermal properties of the m-PP were investigated by FTIR and DSC. The chemical structure of the m-PP was confirmed by the existence of =C-H stretching peak of the branching agent at 3100 $cm^{-1}$. There was no district change in melting temperature in case of m-PP, but a certain increase in crystallization temperature was notified and the increase was in the range of $10-20^{\circ}C$. The rheological properties, filler dispersion and foaming behaviors of the m-PP/nano-filler composites were investigated by dynamic rheometer, X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning/transmission electron microscope (SEM/TEM). m-PP/nano-filler composites showed a high complex viscosity at a low frequency, an increase in melt elasticity, and a high shear thinning effect. Compared to pure PP, m-PP and m-PP/nano-filler composites were sufficient to enhance the foaming behavior.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.251-259
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• 1995

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of metoprolol, a selective beta-l blocker, were examined for 360 minutes after intravenous bolus administration of metoprolol to 6 dogs. Plasma concentration and excreted amount in the urine metoprolol were measured by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. PR interval and heart rate were measured by ECG monitoring. Blood pressure was monitored through intraarterial catheter in femoral artery and cardiac output by thermodilution method using Swan-Ganz catheter. To analyze the effect site concentration-response relationship, plasma concentration and pharmacological effects were simultaneously fitted to a two pharmacokinetic compartment linked to pharmacodynamic model with NONLIN program. Results are as follows. 1) The plasma concentration of metoprolol after intrvenous injection decreased biexponentially. The terminal half-life estimated was $1.33{\pm}0.40$ hours and the volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) and the total body clearance were $1.04{\pm}0.4\;L/kg,\;6.55{\pm}2.21\;L/hr$, respectively. The central compartment volume of distribution and peripheral compartment volume of distribution were $0.35{\pm}0.14L/kg\;and\;0.69{\pm}0.34L/kg$. The renal clearance and intercompartment clearance were $0.53{\pm}0.25\;L/min\;and\;0.35{\pm}0.19\;L/min$. 2) Simulated biophase concentration-response curve shows hyperbolic relationship and the estimated concentration-effect relationship was best explained by Emax model when the prolongation of PR interval and the reduction of the heart rate were used as pharmacodynamic parameters. Emax and EC50 were estimated to be $26.3{\pm}4.7\;msec\;and\;88.8{\pm}82.3\;g/ml$ for PR interval, and $48.7{\pm}18.8\;beats/min\;and\;113.5{\pm}78.7\;ng/ml$ for heart rate, respectively. 3) The changes of cardiac output-effect site concentration relationship was best fitted by a linear model and the slope of the relationship was $0.005{\pm}0.003$. Diastolic blood pressure-effect site concentration relationship was also explained by the linear model and the slope of the relationship was $0.038{\pm}0.034$.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.744-752
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• 2013

The miscibility between poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was investigated using thermal analyses for the purpose of developing birefringence-free material at oriented state. The effect of methyl acrylate (MA) units as comonomer of PMMA on the miscibility was also studied. All the blends prepared in this study show composition-dependent single $T_g$'s between those of blend components and high transparency over the visible region, indicating the miscibility at molecular level and no discernible effect of MA units on it. No phase separation was observed at elevated temperature of $280^{\circ}C$, higher than the degradation of PLLA and PMMA. The interaction energy density in PLLA/PMMA blends with 17 mol% of MA was measured to be $-0.74J/cm^3$ from the equilibrium melting temperature depression based on the Hoffman-Weeks method. The blends show zero-${\Delta}$n behavior at a specific mixing ratio and the drawing ratio of 3 due to compensation of intrinsic orientation birefringence. Birefringence dispersion of PLLA/PMMA5 blends was also measured to examine the possibility for quarter-wave plates or polarizer protective films.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.702-710
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• 2013

Zaltoprofen loaded polyoxalate (POX) microspheres were prepared by an emulsion solvent-evaporation/extraction method like oil-in-water (O/W) for sustained release of zaltoprofen. The influence of several preparation parameters such as fabrication temperature, stirring speed, intensity of the sonication, initial drug ratio, molecular weight ($M_w$) of POX, concentration of POX and concentration of emulsifier has been investigated on the zaltoprofen release profiles. Physicochemical properties and morphology of zaltoprofen loaded POX microspheres were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Through the analyzed results, it was demonstrated that the characteristics of the microspheres greatly affected by the prepared condition. The releases behavior of zaltoprofen was investigated for 10 days in vitro. It was confirmed that the release behavior of zaltoprofen can be controlled by the manufacturing factor of solvent-evaporation/extraction method.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.694-701
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• 2013

A new copolymer named T-TI24T (poly((5,5-(2-butyl-5,6-bisdecyloxy-4,7-di-thiophen-2-yl-isoindole-1,3-dione))- alt-(2,5-thiophene))) based on phthalimide derivative and thiophene is synthesized by the Stille-coupling reaction. The polymer shows relatively high number average molecular weight of 86500 g/mol with good solubility in common organic solvents such as chloroform, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, and toluene and is thermally stable up to $380^{\circ}C$. Besides, it possesses a relatively low highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level of -5.33 eV, promising the high open circuit voltage ($V_{oc}$) for photovoltaic applications. Active layer solution of polymer T-TI24T-as a donor and (6)-1-(3-(methoxycarbonyl)- {5}-1-phenyl[5,6]-fullerene (PCBM)-as an acceptor in different weight ratios is applied to fabricate the polymer solar cell devices. The ratio of polymer/PCBM affects the solar cell efficiency and the best performance exhibits in the device with polymer/PCBM = 1:3 (w/w), which shows a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.199% and a $V_{oc}$ of 0.99 V, respectively. Even though the device shows the very low PCE, the $V_{oc}$ is higher than that of well known bulk heterojunction type solar cell based on P3HT:PC61BM (c.a. 0.5 V).

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.669-676
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• 2013

Demineralized bone particle (DBP) is a biomaterial used widely in the field of tissue engineering. In this study, in order to study the effect of DBP/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold on disc regeneration in vivo environment, we prepared the porous DBP/PLGA hybrid scaffold. Disc defect was induced by removing the nucleus pulposus tissue after incision the annulus fibrosus tissue in half and scaffolds were transplanted. After 1, 2 and 3 months later, the extracted discs were confirmed by collagen synthesis and glycosaminoglycan (sGAG). We conducted histology (H&E, Safranin-O, Alcian blue, Type I Collagen, Type II Collagen). From the results, it was confirmed that collagen and sGAG content were high in DBP/PLGA scaffold, and the regeneration of intervertebral disc was possible.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2015

Akebiae Caulis is a galenical originated from Akebia quinata Decaisne species. It is commonly used in the treatment of oposiuria, inflammation, nociceptive and fever. Here, we investigated the effect of Akebiae Caulis extract (ACE) to protect hepatocyte against the malfunction of mitochondria and apoptosis. Arachidonic acid (AA)+iron promoted excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and exerted a deleterious effect on mitochondria. Treatment with ACE protected hepatocytes from AA+iron-induced cytotoxicity, as shown by alterations in the protein levels related with apoptosis such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, pro-caspase 3, Bcl-XL and Bcl-2. Moreover, AA+iron-induced $H_2O_2$ production, GSH depletion and mitochondrial dysfunction were alleviated by ACE pretreatment. As a potential molecular mechanism for the ACE-mediated cytoprotection, phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator in determining cell survival or death, was increased by ACE. Moreover, ACE treatment enhanced inactive phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-$3{\beta}$ ($GSK3{\beta}$), downstream substrate kinase of AMPK. More importantly, ACE prevented a decrease in the $GSK3{\beta}$ phosphorylation derived by AA+iron, which might contribute to mitohondiral protection and cell survival. To further identify essential compounds in Akebiae Caulis for the protection of AA+iron-mediated cytotoxicity, we found that betulin in combination with hederagenin protected from AA+iron-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Betulin+hederagenin treatment also increased inactive phosphorylation of $GSK3{\beta}$ in common with ACE. These results suggest that ACE protected hepatocytes against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which is mediated with inactive $GSK3{\beta}$ phosphorylation downstream of AMPK.