• Korean Membrane Journal
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2003

Methane steam reforming (MSR) reaction for hydrogen production was studied in a membrane reactor (MR) using two tubular membranes, one Pd-based and one of porous alumina. A higher methane conversion than the thermodynamic equilibrium for a traditional reactor (TR) was achieved using MRs. The experimental temperature range was 350-500$^{\circ}C$; no sweep-gas was employed during reaction tests to avoid its back-permeation through the membrane and the steam/methane molar feed ratio (m) varied in the range 3.5-5.9. The best results (the difference between the MR conversion and the thermodynamic equilibrium was of about 7%) were achieved with the alumina membrane, working with the highest steam/methane ratio and at 450$^{\circ}C$. Silica membranes prepared at KRICT laboratories were characterized with permeation tests on single gases (N$_2$, H$_2$ and CH$_4$). These membranes are suited for H$_2$ separation at high temperature.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 2010

The crude ethanol extract of B. repanda showed the cytotoxic activity against Polio virus (25% activity at $150{\mu}g$/disk) and the minor cytotoxic activity against BSC cells (African green monkey kidney). However, the crude ethanol extract of B. repanda was non-toxic to murine leukaemia cells CCL 46 P388D1 ($IC_{50}$, > 62,500 ng/ml). Cytotoxic and antifungal activities were strongly shown by Fr. 64-3 which was eluted with 90% $CH_3CN/H_2O$, 100% $CH_3CN$, and 50% $CH_3CN/H_2O$(SM 2 at $150{\mu}g$/disk). The fraction 64-3 also showed the most cytotoxic activity against murine leukaemia cells (128 mg, $IC_{50}$ 10,051 ng/ml at $75{\mu}g$/disk). These results suggest that this fraction has a potent antifungal activity against the dermatophytic fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 28185.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.315-323
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• 2017

Preconceptual sex selection is still a highly debatable process whereby X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa are isolated prior to fertilization of the oocyte. Although various separation techniques are available, none can guarantee 100% accuracy. The aim of this study was to separate X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa using methods based on the viability difference between the X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa. A total of 18 experimental semen samples were used, written consent was obtained from all donors and results were analysed in a blinded fashion. Spermatozoa were exposed to different pH values (5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, and 9.5), increased temperatures ($37^{\circ}C$, $41^{\circ}C$, and $45^{\circ}C$) and ROS level ($50{\mu}M$, $750{\mu}M$, and $1,000{\mu}M$). The live and dead cell separation was done through a modified swim-up technique. Changes in the sex-chromosome ratio of samples were established by double-label fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) before and after processing. The results indicated successful enrichment of X-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa upon incubation in acidic media, increased temperatures, and elevated $H_2O_2$. This study demonstrated the potential role for exploring the physiological differences between X-and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa in the development of preconceptual gender selection.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.383-400
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• 2009

Low rise building roofs can be subjected to large fluctuating pressures during a tropical cyclone resulting in fatigue failure of cladding. Following the damage to housing in Tropical Cyclone Tracy in Darwin, Australia, the Darwin Area Building Manual (DABM) cyclic loading test criteria, that loaded the cladding for 10000 cycles oscillating from zero to a permissible stress design pressure, and the Experimental Building Station TR440 test of 10200 load cycles which increased in steps to the permissible stress design pressure, were developed for assessing building elements susceptible to low cycle fatigue failure. Recently the 'Low-High-Low' (L-H-L) cyclic test for metal roofing was introduced into the Building Code of Australia (2007). Following advances in wind tunnel data acquisition and full-scale wind loading simulators, this paper presents a comparison of wind-induced cladding damage, from a "design" cyclone proposed by Jancauskas, et al. (1994), with current test criteria developed by Mahendran (1995). Wind tunnel data were used to generate the external and net pressure time histories on the roof of a low-rise building during the passage of the "design" cyclone. The peak pressures generated at the windward roof corner for a tributary area representative of a cladding fastener are underestimated by the Australian/New Zealand Wind Actions Standard. The "design" cyclone, with increasing and decreasing wind speeds combined with changes in wind direction, generated increasing then decreasing pressures in a manner similar to that specified in the L-H-L test. However, the L-H-L test underestimated the magnitude and number of large load cycles, but overestimated the number of cycles in the mid ranges. Cladding elements subjected to the L-H-L test showed greater fatigue damage than when experiencing a five hour "design" cyclone containing higher peak pressures. It is evident that the increased fatigue damage was due to the L-H-L test having a large number of load cycles cycling from zero load (R=0) in contrast to that produced during the cyclone.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.329-337
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• 2010

Inhaled inorganic dusts, such as coal, can cause inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs, known as pneumoconiosis. Diagnosis of pneumoconiosis depends on morphological changes by radiological findings and functional change by pulmonary function test (PFT). Unfortunately, current diagnostic findings are limited only to lung fibrosis, which is usually irreversibly progressive. Therefore, it is important that research on potential and prospective biomarkers for pneumoconiosis should be conducted prior to initiation of irreversible radiological or functional changes in the lungs. Analytical techniques using exhaled breath condensate (EBC) or exhaled gas are non-invasive methods for detection of various respiratory diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers, such as EBC pH or fractional exhaled nitric oxide ($FE_{NO}$), and pneumoconiosis among 120 retired coal miners (41 controls and 79 pneumoconiosis patients). Levels of EBC pH and FENO did not show a statistically significant difference between the pneumoconiosis patient group and pneumoconiosis patients with small opacity classified by International Labor Organization (ILO) classification. The mean concentration of $FE_{NO}$ in the low percentage $FEV_1$ (< 80%) was lower than that in the high percentage (80% $\leq$) (p = 0.023). The mean concentration of $FE_{NO}$ in current smokers was lower than that in non smokers (never or past smokers) (p = 0.027). Although there was no statistical significance, the levels of $FE_{NO}$ in smokers tended to decrease, compared with non smokers, regardless of pneumoconiosis. In conclusion, there was no significant relationship between the level of EBC pH or $FE_{NO}$ and radiological findings or PFT. The effects between exhaled biomarkers and pneumoconiosis progression, such as decreasing PFT and exacerbation of radiological findings, should be monitored.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.298-304
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• 2006

Blends of poly (acrylic acid-co-maleic acid)(PAM) with poly (vinyl alcohol)(PVA) were obtained by solution blending. The blends were solvent-on to a film to examine thermo-mechanical properties and gas permeability. The transition temperatures $(T_g\;and\;T_m)$ of the blends remained constant regardless of PAM contents. However, the values of enthalpy changes corresponding to melting transition $({\Delta}H_m)$ and initial degradation temperature $({T_D}^i)$ were decreased with increasing PAM content. The values of ultimate strength and initial modulus gave the maximum value at the 12 wt% PAM then decreased with further increase of PAM content up to 15 wt%. To measure the gas permeability of the PVA/PAM blend films, the PVA blend solutions were coated onto both biaxially oriented propylene (BOPP) and poly (ethylene terephthalate)(PET) films. The oxygen transmission rate $(O_2\;TR)$ permeability values mono- tonically decreased with increasing PAM content. However, moisture vapor transmission rate was not affected by PAM content.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 1991

A strain J-19 was isolated from soil, produced lipase which has resistant against alkali and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate. The strain was identified as Pseudornonns sp.. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Sephadex and Sephadex G- 100 column chromatography. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 35 unit/mg protein and the yield of enzyme activity was 17%. The purified enzyme showed a single band on polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. Mo1ecul;tr weight of the purified enzyme was estimated about 36,000 by Sephadex GI00 gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylarnide gel electrophoresis. The optimum pH and temperature were pH 10.0 and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. Activity of the purified enzyme was increased 2-fold by the addition of 0.1% linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and 2.5- fold by the addition of 0.05% Tide. This enzyme remained stable from pH 8.0 to 10.0 and stable up to $40^{\circ}C$.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2007

Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) regulates proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and modulates function of the mature hematopoietic cells. In the previous study, we reported that hGM-CSF could be produced in transgenic rice cell suspension culture, termed rhGM-CSF. In the present study we examined the single and repeated dose toxicity of rice cells-derived hGM-CSF in SD rats. During single dose toxicity study for 7 days, there were no any toxic effects at any dose of from 10 to $1000{\mu}g/kg$. The lethal dose ($LD_{50}$) was not found in this range. Moreover, repeated dose toxicity study of 14-days period and at the doses of 50 and $200{\mu}g/kg$ (i. v.) of rhGM-CSF did not show any changes in food and water intake. There were also no significant changes in both body and organ weights between the control and the test groups. The hematological and blood biochemical parameters were statistically not different in all the groups. These results suggest that rhGM-CSF has no toxicity in SD rats.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2008

Impairment of hepatic metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids has been known to be linked with induction of liver injury. We determined the early changes in the transsulfuration reactions in liver of rats challenged with a toxic dose of $CCl_4$ (2 mmol/kg, ip). Both hepatic methionine concentration and methionine adenosyltransferase activity were increased, but S-adenosylmethionine level did not change. Hepatic cysteine was increased significantly from 4 h after $CCl_4$ treatment. Glutathione (GSH) concentration in liver was elevated in $4{\sim}8$ h and then returned to normal in accordance with the changes in glutamate cysteine ligase activity. Cysteine dioxygenase activity and hypotaurine concentration were also elevated from 4 h after the treatment. However, plasma GSH concentration was increased progressively, reaching a level at least several fold greater than normal in 24 h. ${\gamma}$-Glutamyltransferase activity in kidney or liver was not altered by $CCl_4$, suggesting that the increase in plasma GSH could not be attributed to a failure of GSH cycling. The results indicate that acute liver injury induced by $CCl_4$ is accompanied with extensive alterations in the metabolomics of sulfurcontaining amino acids and related substances. The major metabolites and products of the transsulfuration pathway, including methionine, cysteine, hypotaurine, and GSH, are all increased in liver and plasma. The physiological significance of the change in the metabolomics of sulfur-containing substances and its role in the induction of liver injury need to be explored in future studies.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2017

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) consists of highly effective prescription medications for treating menopausal symptoms; however, these agents have exhibited side effects including the risk of estrogen-induced carcinogenesis. Therefore, interest in phytotherapy-based materials as a natural source of alternatives to estrogen therapy has increased. However, some of these herbal medicines have been reported to increase the risk of estrogen-induced cancer. Herbal formulations composed of a combination of Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley (CW), Phlomis umbrosa Turczaninow (PU), and Angelica gigas Nakai (AG) extracts (CPAE) have been used for treating menopausal symptoms. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to examine the safety of CPAE by determining its potential adverse estrogenic activity using the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) test guideline 455 (TG455) in a stably transfected transcriptionally activated human estrogen receptor ${\alpha}$ ($hER{\alpha}$)-HeLa9903 cell model. We found that CPAE did not how any estrogenic activity or stimulate promoters containing estrogen response elements in MCF-7 cells. In addition, CPAE showed no significant selective activity against $hER{\alpha}$ and $hER{\beta}$, non-selective activity against the ER, or effects on ER target gene expression. Furthermore, CPAE did not significantly induce MCF-7 cell proliferation and uterine weight increase in ovariectomized rats. These results demonstrate that CPAE can be used as beneficial herbal drug for prevention and therapeutic intervention of estrogen carcinogenesis in menopausal women.