• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.186-193
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• 2015

Background Polyurethane coating of breast implants has been shown to reduce capsular contracture in short-term follow-up studies. This 30-year study is the longest examination of the use of polyurethane-coated implants and their correlation with capsular contracture. Methods This study evaluates the senior surgeon's (F.D.P.) experience with the use of polyurethane-coated implants in aesthetic breast augmentation in 382 patients over 30 years. Follow-up evaluations were conducted for six months after surgery. After the six-month follow-up period, 76 patients returned for reoperation. The gross findings, histology, and associated capsular contracture were noted at the time of explantation. Results No patient during the six-month follow-up period demonstrated capsular contracture. For those who underwent reoperation for capsular contracture, Baker II/III contractures were noted nine to 10 years after surgery and Baker IV contractures were noted 12 to 21 years after surgery. None of the explanted implants had macroscopic evidence of polyurethane, which was only found during the first five years after surgery. The microscopic presence of polyurethane was noted in all capsules up to 30 years after the original operation. Conclusions An inverse correlation was found between the amount of polyurethane coating on the implant and the occurrence of capsular contracture. Increasingly severe capsular contracture was associated with a decreased amount of polyurethane coating on the surface of the implants. No contracture occurred in patients whose implants showed incomplete biodegradation of polyurethane, as indicated by the visible presence of polyurethane coating. We recommend research to find a non-toxic, non-biodegradable synthetic material as an alternative to polyurethane.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2005

Effects of the polyol type and the hard segment content of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) on the crystallization of hard segments in TPUs were studied employing differential scanning calorimetry. Diols used for the preparation of TPUs were poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) (PTMEG), poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) the molecular weights of which were 2000 and the hard segments contents of TPUs were $35\~44\;wt\%$. We found that crystallization of hard segments in TPUs were observed at higher temperatures and became faster with increasing hard segment contents of TPUs. The crystallization rate of TPU was also affected by the types of polyols used for the preparation of TPUs. It is postulated that lower miscibility of soft segments and hard segments results in higher crystallization rate and increase of cooling crystallization temperatures due to better hydrogen bending between hard segments in melts.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.305-307
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• 2001

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is widely used in the manufacture of polyurethanes and is a recognized cause of occupational asthma. Although extensive investigations have been undertaken, the molecular mechanism(s) of the disease is still unclear. We hypothesized that inflammatory cytokines are required during both the sensitization and elicitation phases of the disease and have utilized TNF-R knock-out (KO) mice to address the hypothesis. Black C57 TNFR knock-out mice were exposed to TDI by sc injection and challenged by inhalation of 100 ppb TDI vapor. Control animals included: wild type C57 animals, sham-exposed animals that were challenged with TDI, and animals that were injected with anti-TNF antibodies prior to sensitization and again prior to challenge. Total IgE was increased in the knock-out animals compared with the wild type sensitized and challenged animals whereas TDI-specific IgG antibodies did not differ significantly in KO and wild type animals. There was less inflammation in the nares and trachea in KO animals compared with the wild type animals exposed to TD1 as well as less goblet cell hyperplasia and epithelial damage. Airway reactivity was assessed in animals treated with anti-TNF$\alpha$ antibody and found to be substantially reduced compared with that in sensitized and challenged animals. These results indicate that TNF$\alpha$ plays a role in the immunologic and physiologic responses and in airways inflammation in this animal model and suggests a role for TNF in occupational asthma due to TDI.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.531-542
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• 2012

The thesis covers the trend of research on bio-based polyurethane which is made from polyols derived mainly from plant oils and isocyanates. Castor oil is a triglyceride of ricinoleic acid containing hydroxyl group. Hydroxylation is done on the unsaturated bonds of the oils by the reactions of epoxidation/ring opening, hydroformylation/hydrogenation, ozonolysis/hydrogenation, and thiol-ene reaction. Polyols from hyperbranch, primary alcohol, polysaccharide have been studied to control the reactivity of the polyol and morphology of the microdomains. Besides, researches cover biodegradable polylactic acid polyol for medical use, fatty acid dimer polyol for the prevention of hydrolysis, and polyol with ionic group for water-borne polyurethane. Bio-based polyurethanes are being used in flexible and rigid foams, coatings, sealants, and elastomers.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.308-314
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• 1997

The effects of catalyst and blocking reagents(BR) on the blocking reactions of TDI and MDI in the preparation of polyurethane varnishes have been studied. It was found that certain types of catalysts, such as 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane(DABCO) and tetramethyl guanidine(TMG), were necessary to complete the NCO blocking reactions. Blocking rate of TMG was shown much faster than that of DABCO. Reactivity increased with the increase of TMG concentration, at least to the concentration of 1%. In case of DABCO, the 0.25% concentration of catalyst showed the highest reactivity. In order to study the steric effects of BR on the blocking reactions, phenol, p-cresol, m-cresol, o-cresol, 2,4-xylenol were used as blocking reagents. As expected, BR which has less steric hindrance showed higher reactivity. The increase in BR concentration and reaction temperature increased the productivity of polyurethanes in this reaction system.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.113-120
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• 2002

Electrostriction is the phenomenon that a material is strained due to Maxwell stress developed by the applied voltage. In many electrostrictive materials, especially polymeric elastomers can produce large deformation and force due to their low elastic modulus. In this study, polyurethanes and acrylic rubber with compliant electrodes were used as electrostrictive polymer(EP) actuator. Actuation characteristics of the EP actuators with different physical properties of dynamic modulus and dynamic dielectiric constant were analyzed under AC field. The classical laminate theory was also used to simulate the actuation process in relation to the geometry and the physical properties of the actuators.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.622-627
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• 2012

This study focuses on mechanical property enhancement and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reduction characteristic of environmentally-friendly waterborne coatings. We synthesized a series of organic-inorganic hybrid waterborne polyurethanes by using poly(tetramethylene glycol) 2000, polycarbonate diol 2000, isophorone diisocyanate, dimethylolpropionic acid and titanium dioxide. The study on the effects of the R ratio([NCO]/[OH]) and inorganic contents on environmentally-friendly waterborne coatings showed that the R ratio with more than 1.5 is appropriate due to arrangement of hardsegments. The applied $TiO_2$ on films reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2015

In this study, Waterborne polyurethanes (WPU) using Epoxy group were synthesized with polyester polyol, epoxy resin, 4,4-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate ($H_{12}MDI$), dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) to improve the hydrolysis resistance and adhesion. In addition, the properties of the synthesized waterborne polyurethane was evaluated through DSC, UTM, adhesion strength. Tg of the synthesized waterborne polyurethane is shown in the vicinity of $-50^{\circ}C$. Tg were increased with as epoxy resin contents increased. The tensile strength was increased as the content of epoxy resin increases, elongation was decreased. Optimum adhesion and hydrolysis-resistance strength were obtained when polyol : epoxy ratio was 99 : 1.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.212-221
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• 2005

Polyurethanes containing mesogen unit (MPU-6) were prepared from 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and 4,4'-bis(6-hydroxy hexoxy)biphenyl (BP-6) having flexible chain composed of 6 carbons. Intrinsic viscosities of MPU-6s were in the range of $0.23{\sim}0.56 dL/g$. The mesomorphic behaviors of MPU-6 were observed in X-ray and polarizing microscopy analysis. However, MPU-6s demonstrated a 'virtual liquid crystal' behavior, which did not exhibit mesophase on slow heating and slow cooling. MPU-6 having lower molecular weight exhibited higher crystallization rate and melting crystallization temperature due to increased mobility of polymer chains. The increased mobility of polymer chains facilitate the orientation of mesogen units that may act as a nucleating agent.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2005

In this study, waterborne polyurethanes were synthesized with poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG), polycarprolactone PCL), dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) and different molar ratio of chain extender. Particle size, polydispersity, thermal and mechanical properties of waterborne polyurethane were investigated. The particle size of waterborne polyurethane was in the range of 5∼200 nm and decreased with increasing the amounts of PCL and chain extender. Glass transition temperatures ($T_g$) were in the range of -70∼-45 ${\circ}C$ and increased with as PCL and chian extender (ED) contents increased. The $T_g$ of polyurethane prepared from the mixture showed similar trends as compared with those of in the same values of synthetic polyurethane using PTMG or PCL, respectively. Also, mechanical properties of mixed polyols (PTMG and PCL) were lower than those of PTMG and PCL, respectively.