• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.312-317
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• 1993

To confirm a new evaluation tedhnique for biodegradability of biopolymer microsphers in vivo condition, magnetic microsphere sytem was adopted for tracing the microspheres injected and lodged in micr. Microsphers of poly(DL-lactic acid), poly(L-alctic acid) and poly(DL-lactide-coglycolide)(PLGA) were prepared by solvent-extraction method and their organ distribution and biodegradation in mice was examined. Magnetic microspheres lodged in mice organs were recollected from the homogenates of mice organs with a constant flow magnetic separation apparatus. Recollected microspheres were observed by scanning electron microscopy and also were assayed for their magnetite ocntent by atomic absorption spectrophotometry to evaluate the biodegradability of polymeric microspheres. This method seems to be practical and simple to estimate the biodegradability of biopolymers over the conventional methods.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.582-588
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• 2002

The block copolymers were prepared by the ring opening polymerizati on of DL-lactide by poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with diethylzinc (ZnE$_2$) as a catalyst. When the feed ratio of PEO was over 30% relative to DL-lactide, the polymerization of DL-lactide took place from the PEO hydroxyl terminals to provide the desired A -B-A or A-B block copolymer. The block copolymers were made of films by cast method and the films obtained was drawn to 2.5 times at 60 $\^{C}$. At the same draw ratio, the tensile modulus of the films was decreased with increasing PEO content in the block copolymers. It was therefore suggested that the block copolymers comprising of PDLLA and PEO, had high potentials as the biomaterials with improved flexibility.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.631-636
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• 2008

The intrinsic viscosities were determined for poly(DL-lactic acid) (PDLLA) solutions in 1,2-dialkyl phthalate at temperatures ranging from 30 to $60^{\circ}C$. A series of dialkyl phthalate, in which the alkyl group was changed from methyl to propyl, was used as the solvent to control the solvent quality systematically. The intrinsic viscosity of the PDLLA solution was higher in the better quality solvent, with a higher molecular weight of PDLLA, and at lower temperatures. The unperturbed dimensions of the PDLLA molecule and polymer-solvent interaction parameter of PDLLA in dialkyl phthalate were deduced using extrapolation methods based on the temperature-dependent intrinsic viscosities. Slight shrinkage in the unperturbed chain dimension was observed, which resulted from a change in polymer conformation with temperature. It was also observed that the polymer-solvent interaction became more favorable with the dialkyl phthalate containing a shorter alkyl chain.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.431-436
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• 2000

To improve the thermal and mechanical properties of homo poly(L-lactic acid), DL-mandelic acid, one of the natural $\alpha$-hydroxy acid with aromatic ring as the side-chain residue was used as the comonomer. Copolymers with different contents of mandelic acid were prepared and characterized. The resulting copolymers were mostly amorphous. As the amount of mandelic acid in the monomer feed increased, the molecular weight of the resulting polymers tended to decrease linearly. T$_{g}$ and T$_{d}$ of the copolymer, however, were found to shift toward higher temperature, suggesting the improved thermal stability by increasing content of mandelic acid moiety. Tensile measurements of cast films showed somewhat improved values in the copolymers with mandelic acid content of 5 and 10 wt%.%.%.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2016

Absorbable plates are used widely for fixation of facial bone fractures. Compared to conventional titanium plating systems, absorbable plates have many favorable traits. They are not palpable after plate absorption, which obviates the need for plate removal. Absorbable plate-related infections are relatively uncommon at less than 5% of patients undergoing fixation of facial bone fractures. The plates are made from a mixture of poly-L-lactic acid and poly-DL-lactic acid or poly-DL-lactic acid and polyglycolic acid, and the ratio of these biodegradable polymers is used to control the longevity of the plates. Degradation rate of absorbable plate is closely related to the chance of infection. Low degradation is associated with increased accumulation of plate debris, which in turn can increase the chance of infection. Predisposing factors for absorbable plate-related infection include the presence of maxillary sinusitis, plate proximity to incision site, and use of tobacco and significant amount of alcohol. Using short screws in fixating maxillary fracture accompanied maxillary sinusitis will increase the rate of infection. Avoiding fixating plates near the incision site will also minimize infection. Close observation until complete absorption of the plate is crucial, especially those who are smokers or heavy alcoholics. The management of plate infection is varied depending on the clinical situation. Severe infections require plate removal. Wound culture and radiologic exam are essential in treatment planning.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.62-66
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• 2020

Controlled drug release is important for effective treatment of cancer. Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) acid (PLGA) is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved polymer and have been extensively studied as drug delivery carriers with biodegradable and biocompatible properties. However, PLGA drug delivery carriers are limited due to the initial burst release of drug. Certain drugs require an early rapid release, but in many cases the initial rapid release can be inefficient, reducing therapeutic effects and also increasing side effects. Therefore, sustained release is important for effective treatment. Poly Lactic Acid stereo complex (PLA SC) is resistant to hydrolysis and has high stability in aqueous solutions. Therefore, in this work, PLGA based discoidal polymeric particles are modified by Poly Lactic Acid stereocomplex (PLAsc DPPs). PLAsc DPPs are 3 ㎛ in diameter, also showing a relatively sustained release profile. Fluorescein 5(6)-isothiocyanate (FITC) released from PLAsc DPPs was continuously observed until 38 days, which showed the initial release of FITC from PLAsc DPPs was about 3.9-fold reduced as compared to PLGA based DPPs at 1 hour.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.638-645
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• 2000

Linear and star-shaped, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) stereo-block copolymers were synthesized by sequential polymerization of DL-lactic acid and L-lactide in the presence of diol or polyol compounds. The molecular weight of block copolymers could be controlled to some extent by the variation of alcohol content. These block copolymers had relatively narrow molecular weight distributions. The glass transition temperature and melting temperature of block copolymers appeared at around 5$0^{\circ}C$ and 100~14$0^{\circ}C$, respectively. The block copolymers were found to crystallize even at the high D-stereoisomer concentration of 35 mol%, in contrast to the amorphous nature of the random copolymer with similar composition. Also we could observe the crystallinity of PLA stereo-block copolymers varying with annealing temperature and time.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.285-290
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• 2023

Poly-lactic acid (PLA) is the most promising polymer in additive manufacturing as an alternative to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Since it is produced from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugar beets, it is also biocompatible and biodegradable. However, PLA has a couple of issues that limit its use. First, it has a comparatively low glass transition temperature of around 60 ℃, such that it exhibits low thermal resistance. Second, PLA has low impact strength because it is brittle. Due to these problems, scientists have found methods to improve the crystallinity and ductility of PLA. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one of the most studied plasticizers for PLA to give it chain mobility. However, the blend of PLA and PEG becomes unstable, and phase separation occurs even at room temperature as PEG is self-crystallized. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the optimal mixing ratio of PLA-PEG at the molecular scale. In this study, molecular dynamics will be conducted with various ratios of L-type PLA (PLLA) or DL-type PLA-PEG (PDLA-PEG) systems by using BIOVIA Materials Studio.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.517-535
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• 2014

Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is one of the most effective biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). It has been approved by the US FDA to use in drug delivery systems due to controlled and sustained-release properties, low toxicity, and biocompatibility with tissue and cells. In the present review, the structure and properties of PLGA copolymers synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of DL-lactide and glicolide were characterized using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Methods of preparation and characterization, various surface modifications, encapsulation of diverse anticancer drugs, active or passive tumor targeting and different release mechanisms of PLGA nanoparticles are discussed. Increasing experience in the application of PLGA nanoparticles has provided a promising future for use of these nanoparticles in cancer treatment, with high efficacy and few side effects.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.323-329
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• 2011

In order to develop new protein carrier replacing poly(DL-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres, succinylated pullulan acetate (SPA) was investigated to fabricate a long term protein delivery carrier. SPA microspheres loaded with lysozyme (Lys) as a model protein drug were prepared by a water/oil/water (W/O/W) double emulsion method. An acidity test of SPA copolymers after hydrolysis was performed to estimate the change of protein stability during releasing proteins from the microspheres. There was no pH change of SPA copolymers, but pH of PLGA polymers after hydrolysis was significantly decreased to around pH 2, indicating that the long-term stability of proteins released from SPA microspheres can be guaranteed. Loading efficiency of proteins into SPA microspheres was three times higher than those into conventional PLGA microspheres, indication of inducing stronger charge interaction between proteins and succinyl groups in SPA microspheres. Although initial burst behaviors were monitored in Lys-loaded SPA microspheres due to relatively strong hydrophilic succinyl segments in SPA microspheres, initial burst issues would be circumvented if the ratio of charge density of succinyl moieties and hydrophobic acetate groups is harmonically controlled. Therefore, in this study, a new attempt of protein delivery system was made and functional SPA was successfully confirmed as a new protein carrier.