• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the cellular protective effects and mechanisms of nicotiflorin and its aglycone kaempferol isolated from Annona muricata. The protective effect of these components against $^1O_2$-induced cell damage was also studied by using L-ascorbic acid and (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol as controls. Kaempferol exhibited the most potent protective effect, followed by (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol and nicotiflorin. L-Ascorbic acid did not exhibit any cellular protective effects. To elucidate the mechanism underlying protective effects, the quenching rate constant of the singlet oxygen, free radical-scavenging activity, ROS-scavenging activity, and uptake ratio of the erythrocyte membrane were measured. The results showed that the cell membrane penetration is a key factor determining the cellular protective effect of kaempferol and its glycoside nicotiflorin. The result from L-ascorbic acid demonstrated that the cellular protective effect of a compound depends on its ability to penetrate the cell membrane and is independent of its antioxidant capacity. In addition, it is suggested that cellular protective effects of kaempferol and (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol depend not only on the cell permeability, but also on free radical- and ROS-scavenging activities. These results indicate that the cell permeability and free radical- and ROS- scavenging activities of antioxidants are major factors affecting the protection of cell membranes against the oxidative damage induced by photosensitization reaction.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.489-500
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed at investigating the nutritional status, nutritional support, and nutritional indicators of critically ill patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygen (ECMO) in intensive care units (ICU). Methods: This descriptive study obtained data from the medical records of 37 patients who were treated using ECMO at a university hospital in Korea. The patients were admitted to the Korea University Anam Hospital ICU with acute or serious damage to vital organs from January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2016. Results: Although 32 patients (86.5%) were at a high risk of malnutrition, 26 patients (70.3%) were considered normal in terms of nutritional status by the nutritionist at the beginning of their ICU stay. However, after two weeks, nine patients had passed away and only one patient maintained normal status. Parenteral nutrition was started first but took 4.25 ± 6.95 days till initiation. Only eight patients (21.6%) were able to meet their requirement for both calories and protein. The group provided with adequate calorie and protein showed significantly longer use of the ECMO and respirator and longer ICU and total hospital stay than their counterparts. Normal levels of serum albumin and protein of the group at low-risk for malnutrition on the day of initiation of ECMO, which were significantly higher than the high-risk group, declined by the last day of ECMO leading to a lack of significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: Considering that the nutritional indicators of patients deteriorated as the days on ECMO increased, more aggressive nutritional management to ensure adequate nutritional support should be emphasized from the beginning and throughout the ICU stay.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.154-161
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• 2022

The carbon-neutrality induced by the global warming is important for the modern society. Hydrogen has been received the attention as a new energy source to replace the fossil fuels. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, which convert the chemical reaction energy of hydrogen into electric power directly, are a type of eco-friendly power for future vehicles. Due to the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction and costly Pt catalyst in the cathode, the research related to the replacement of Pt-based catalysts has been vitally carried out. In this case, however, the performance is significantly different from each other and a variety of factors have existed. In this review paper, we rearrange and summarize relevant papers published within 5 years approximately. The selection of precursors, synthesis method, and co-catalyst are represented as a core factor, while the necessity of research for the further enhancement of activity may be raised. It can be anticipated to contribute to the replacement of precious metal catalysts in the various fields of study. The final objective of the future research is depicted in detail.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.119-128
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• 2000

This study was carried out to determine if Salviae Radix extract (SRE) exerts protective effect against alterations in membrane transport function in rabbits with rhabdomyo lysis-induced acute renal failure. Acute renal failure was induced by intramuscular administration of glycerol (50%, 10 ml/kg). GFR in the glycerol-injected animals was reduced to 11% of the basal value and the fractional $Na^{+}$ excretion was increased to 7.8-fold, indicating generation of acute renal failure. When animals received SRE pretreatment for 7 days prior to glycerol injection, such changes were significantly attenuated. The fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate was increased more than 43-fold and 27-fold, respectively, in rabbits treated with glycerol alone. However, they were increased to 17-and 4.3-fold, respectively, in SRE-pretreated rabbits, and these values were significantly lower than those in rabbits treated with glycerol alone. Uptakes of glucose and phosphate in purified isolated brush-border membrane, the $Na^{+}-K^{+}-ATPase$ activity in microsomal fraction, and cellular ATP levels all were reduced in rabbits treated with glycerol alone. Such changes were prevented by SRE pretreatment. Uptakes of organic ions, PAH and TEA, in renal cortical slices were inhibited by the administration of glycerol, which was prevented by SRE pretreatment. Pretreatment of an antioxidant DPPD significantly attenuated the increase in the fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate induced by rhabdomyolysis. These results indicate that rhabdomyolysis causesimpairment inreabsorption of solutes in the proximal tubule via the generation of reactive oxygen species, and SRE pretreatment may provide the protection against the rhabdomyolysis-induced impairment by its antioxidant action.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.362-376
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• 2019

In this study, hydrophilic coating characteristics of PVDF [poly(vinylidene fluoride)] hollow fiber membranes with flower type cross-section prepared by thermally induced phase separation were studied. The hollow fiber used in this study was provided from PureEnvitech Co. Ltd., and the hydrophilic coating experiment was performed with different concentration and number of coating of PEBAX 1657, 2533 and 3533 block copolymer solution using a dip coating method. The hydrophilic coated hollow fiber membrane was characterized to scanning microscope and contact angle measurements to determine the degree of hydrophilization. As a result of SEM characterization, it was confirmed that the thickness of the coating layer increased as the coating concentration increased and the number of coatings increased. Contact angle of surface of hollow fibers decreased as the concentration of the coating solution increased and the number of coatings increased. Gas permeance of oxygen gas was measured for the application of the hydrophilized hollow fiber to Membrane Areated Biofilm Reactor. As a result of gas permeation test, it was confirmed that gas permeance decreased with increasing coating concentration and number of coatings, and the more hydrophilized hollow fiber coated with PEBAX 1657 showed lower gas permeance than those coated with PEBAX 2533 and 3533.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2013

The effect of layered double hydroxides (LDH) on the gas separation properties of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer was investigated. Mg-Al LDH/EVA nanocomposite membranes were prepared from solution intercalation using organically modified LDH (DS-LDH). Dodecyl sulfate (DS)-LDH was obtained by the intercalation of DS anion in the interlayer. The nanocomposite structure has been elucidated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD pattern clearly shows that the DS-LDH layers are disorderly well dispersed in the EVA matrix. The maximum tensile strength and elongation of the LDH/EVA nanocomposite membrane were found with the LDH content 3 wt%. The thermal properties of nanocompostie membrane were enhanced by the incorporation of LDH in EVA matrix. Gas permeation of LDH/EVA nanocomposite membranes with LDH contents of 1, 3, 5 wt% was studied for $O_2$ and $CO_2$ single gases. The presence of 3 wt% LDH decreased $O_2$ permeability by up to 53% compared to the EVA membrane. In spite of barrier property of nanocomposite membrane, however, the gas permeability for $CO_2$ was increased due to its strong affinity with the residual OH groups on the LDH.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2019

In order to improve gas separation properties of polymeric membranes which have been widely applied in the industry field, aluminosilicate hollow nanoparticles named as allophanes were synthesized by sol-gel method and formulated in Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) matrix to investigate the gas separation properties of PDMS membrane. Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Surface area and pore size analyzer (BET) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) were carried out to characterize the synthetic allophanes. Then the PDMS mixed matrix membranes were prepared by adding different volume fraction of allophanes. To examine the effect of allophanes addition in PDMS matrix using unmodified allophane and modified ones, the gas permeation experiments were performed using oxygen, nitrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. As the volume fraction of modified allophane increased up to 4.05 Vol% the permeability of four test gases through PDMS mixed matrix membranes increased. Also, the selectivity of $O_2/N_2$ and $CO_2/CH_4$ increased with the contents of the modified allophane. Further improvement of gas separation properties of PDMS mixed matrix membranes containing higher volume percent of allophanes can be expected as long as well dispersion of allophanes in PDMS matrix can be achieved for better PDMS membranes.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.344-350
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• 2019

Durability is very important for the commercialization of membranes and electrode assemblies (MEA) developed for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Durability evaluation of stationary PEMFC MEA has a problem that the voltage change rate should be measured for a long time over 1000 hours under constant current conditions. In this study, the electrochemical durability evaluation protocol of membranes (OCV holding method) using to vehicle MEAs was applied to the stationary MEA for the purpose of shortening the durability evaluation time. After operation of the stationary and automobile MEA for 168 hours under conditions of OCV, cathode oxygen, $90^{\circ}C$ and relative humidity of 30%, I-V, LSV, CV, impedance and FER were measured and compared. When the hydrogen permeability, OCV change, ionic conductivity, and fluorine flow rate, which represent the durability of the membrane after degradation, were all examined, it was shown that durability of stationary MEA membrane was better than that of vehicles MEA membrane. In addition, the electrode degradation of stationary MEA was smaller than that of vehicles MEA after degradation operation. It was possible to evaluate in a short time using automotive protocol that the durability of stationary MEA was superior that of vehicle MEA in terms of membrane and the electrode.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.283-291
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• 2022

Hydrogen energy has received much attention as a solution to the supply of renewable energy and to respond to climate change. Hydrogen is the most suitable candidate of storing unused electric power in a large-capacity long cycle. Among the technologies for producing hydrogen, water electrolysis is known as an eco-friendly hydrogen production technology that produces hydrogen without carbon dioxide generation by water splitting reaction. Membranes in water electrolysis system physically separate the anode and the cathode, but also prevent mixing of generated hydrogen and oxygen gases and facilitate ion transfer to complete circuit. In particular, the key to next-generation anion exchange membrane that can compensate for the shortcomings of conventional water electrolysis technologies is to develop high performance anion exchange membrane. Many studies are conducted to have high ion conductivity and excellent durability in an alkaline environment simultaneously, and various materials are being searched. In this review, we will discuss the research trends and points to move forward by looking at the research on anion exchange membranes based on commercial polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) block copolymers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.922-929
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• 2007

The complete oxidation of ammonia to nitrate is a distinctive two-step process divided into the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite(nitritation) by Nitrosomonas and the oxidation of nitrite to nitrate(nitratation) by Nitrobacter. The nitrogen removal via nitrite accumulation offers several advantages such as saving costs for aeration, saving carbon source and finally reduction of sludge discharge. In this work a suspended bioreactor coupled with membrane filtration(MBR) was used to find the process conditions of nitrite build-up. The MBR enables to reach sufficient nitrifying bacteria in the bioreactor, although the autotrophic bacteria can be easily washed out due to their lower growth rate. The dissolved oxygen concentration $c'_{O2}$ and ammonia concentration $c_{NH3}$ in the reactor were varied and investigated as parameters for nitrite accumulation. As a result the higher ammonia concentration in the reactor is very effective for starting nitrite build-up and the effect was strengthened in combination with lower dissolved oxygen concentration. With lower $c'_{O2}<0.3$ $mgL^{-1}$ $O_2$ and high $c_{NH3}=6.3\sim14.9$ $mgL^{-1}$ $NH_3N$ the 74% of the nitrite accumulation was achieved. Specially, it was found that the nitrite accumulation could occur not only in biofilm reactor as many references showed but also in the membrane bioreactor carried out in this study.