• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.601-608
• /
• 2008

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ozonation as pretreatment on the removal of dissolved or biodegradable organic matter(DOM or BOM), the variance of DOM fractionation, and microbial regrowth by pilot-scale granular activated carbon processes in which adsorption and biodegradability was proceeding due to long time operation. Regardless of point of ozonation applied, GAC processes with ozonation(i.e., Ozonation combined with GAC Filter-adsorber; Pre O$_3$ + F/A, Ozonation combined with GAC adsorber; Post O$_3$ + GAC) compared with GAC processes without ozonation(i.e., GAC Filter-adsorber; F/A, GAC adsorber; GAC) removed approximately 10 to 20% more of DOC, hydrophilic DOM(HPI), BDOC and AOC after long period of operation that biological activity was assumed to happen. Ozonation was not found to have a significant effect on the removal of DOC, but caused the decrease of AOC by approximately 20%. It was found that the fixed bacterial biomass on GAC media did not show a significant difference between the GAC with ozonation and GAC without ozonation as pre-treatment, whereas the HPC of column effluent was more biostable at Post O$_3$ + GAC compared with F/A or GAC.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.13-25
• /
• 2007

The water treatment plants in Seoul Metropolitan Area, which are under Korea Water Resources Corporation(KOWACO)'s management, take water from Paldang Reservoir in Han River System for drinking water supply. There are taste and odor (T&O) problems in the finished water because the conventional treatment processes do not effectively remove the T&O compounds. As part of countermeasures for taste and odor control, KOWACO is planning to introduce advanced water treatment process such as ozone and GAC in near future. This study evaluated the removal characteristics of T&O and dissolved organic matter (DOM) to find design and operation parameters of advanced water treatment processes in a pilot-scale treatment plant. The GAC adsorption capacity for DOC in the two GAC system (GAC and $O_3$-GAC) at an EBCT of 14min was mostly exhausted after 9months. The differency of the removal efficiency of DOC between $O_3$-GAC and GAC increased with increasing operation time because the bioactivity in $O_3$-GAC process was enhanced by post-ozone process. Removal by conventional treatment was unable to reach the target TON(threshold odor number) of 3 but GAC systems at an EBCT(empty bed contact time) of 14 min were able to archive the target with few exception. During the high T&O episodes, PAC as a pretreatment together with GAC could be useful option for T&O control. However, substantial TON removal continued for more than two year (> 90,000 bed volumes). At the spiking of less concentration 26 to 61 ng/L in the influent of GAC systems, GAC absorber and $O_3$-GAC processes could meet the treatment target. The better spike control after 12 and 19 months of operation compared to that after 7 months of operation is a strong indication of biological control. The results presented in this study had shown that $O_3$-GAC process was found to be more effective for T&O control than GAC process. And the main removal mechanism in GAC systems were adsorption capacity and biodegradation.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.106-112
• /
• 2008

Parkinson's disease (PD) progresses severely by a gradual loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Epidemiological studies showed that the incidences of PD were reduced by smoking of which the major component, nicotine might be neuroprotective. But the function of nicotine, which might suppress the incidences of PD, is still unknown. Fortunately, recently it was reported that a glial reaction and inflammatory processes might participate in a selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SN. The levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ synthesised by astrocytes and microglia are elevated in striatum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in PD. TNF-${\alpha}$ kills the cultured dopaminergic neurons through the apoptosis mechanism. TNF-${\alpha}$ release from glial cells may mediate progression of nigral degeneration in PD. Nicotine pretreatment considerably decreases microglial activation with significant reduction of TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression and TNF-${\alpha}$ release induced by lipopholysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Thus, this study was intended to explore the role of nicotine pretreatment to inhibit the expressions of TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA in human fetal astrocytes (HFA) stimulated with IL-$1{\beta}$. The results are as follows: HFA were pretreated with 0.1, 1, and $10{\mu}g/mL$ of nicotine and then stimulated with IL-$1{\beta}$ (100 pg/mL) for 2h. The inhibitory effect of nicotine on expressions of TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA in HFA with pretreated $0.1{\mu}g/mL$ of nicotine was first noted at 8hr, and the inhibitory effect was maximal at 12 h. The inhibitory effect at $1{\mu}g/mL$ of nicotine was inhibited maximal at 24 h. Cytotoxic effects of nicotine were noted above $10{\mu}g/mL$ of nicotine. Moreover, Nicotine at 0.1, 1 and $10{\mu}g/mL$concentrations significantly inhibited IL-$1{\beta}$-induced TF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Collectively, these results indicate that in activated HFA, nicotine may inhibit the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA through the pathway which suppresses the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. This study suggests that nicotine might be neuroprotective to dopaminergic neurons in the SN and reduce the incidences of PD.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.461-469
• /
• 2012

This study was carried out to find the optimum chemical cleaning (CIP) conditions for ceramic microfiltration membrane process of Y drinking water treatment plant. B train consists of coagulation as pretreatment process with membrane was chemically cleaned 9 times more than that of A train with ozonation and coagulation. The frequent CIP of B train was due to improper CIP method suggested by membrane manufacture as well as different membrane fouling between A and B train resulting from the different pretreatment processes. That is, recovery rate of CIP was overestimated because the rate was calculated based on normalized trans membrane pressure (TMP) rather than normalized permeability. And also, iron oxide fouling was ineffectively removed by citric acid. By using a mixture of 1% citric acid and 0.1 N sulfuric acid as reagent for acid CIP step, the recovery rate of CIP was the highest while CIP efficiency by 0.1 N sulfuric acid was the lowest. When sulfuric acid concentration increased from 0.1 N to 0.3 N in mixture, total recovery rate of CIP was not increased due to the decreased CIP efficiency in alkali CIP step by 0.3% NaOCl although its rate in acid CIP step was increased. It was proved through the experiment result of CIP sequence changes that an acid followed by alkali CIP was more effective than that of the reverse method.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.32 no.9
• /
• pp.894-899
• /
• 2010

We coordinated the experiments with ozone pretreatment and two-phase anaerobic digestion using solid-liquid separation to raise the efficiency of sludge volume reduction and obtained the following results. The pre-treatment with ozone reduced the solid concentration in the average of TSS $8.3{\pm}2.0%$ TSS and $9.2{\pm}}2.8%$ VSS. Of the organic material, TCOD decreased $5.1{\pm}2.4%$, but SCOD showed $72{\pm}6.5%$ increased, which was due to destruction of the cell wall and dissolution of icell media by the powerful oxidative stress of ozone. During the two-phase anaerobic digestion process, we achieved the reduction of $21.5{\pm}3.4%$ TSS, $20.2{\pm}8.4%$ VSS, $32.1{\pm}7.9%$ TCOD and $22.1{\pm}7.2%$ SCOD in average. The maximum methane gas production were 177.6 mL per g TSS, 210.8 mL per g VSS, 127.0 mL per g TCOD and 1452.0 mL per g SCOD, respectively. Solid material reduction through the two-phase anaerobic digestion and MLE (Modified Ludzack-Ettinger) processes were 93.8% of TSS and 92.0% of VSS. We concluded that suggested two-phase anaerobic digestion and MLE process could achieve the reasonable production of biogas and a maximum reduction of the sludge volume.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.262-268
• /
• 2015

This study established an analytical method to simultaneously determine six organophosphorous pesticides [methyldemetone-S, diazinon, fenitrothion, parathion, phentoate, and O-ethyl O-(4-nitrophenyl) phenylphosphonothioate (EPN)] and carbaryl in water using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) system coupled with on-line micro extraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) and programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV) injector. Polystyrene divinylbenzene (PDVB) was used as a sorbent of MEPS. The effects of elution solvents, pH, elution volume and draw-eject cycles of samples on sample pretreatment process were investigated. Also, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) and the recovery of the pesticides in environmental samples were evaluated. The elution was performed using $30{\mu}L$ of a mixed solvent (acetone : dichloromethane = 80 : 20 (v/v)). Sample pretreatment processes were optimized with seven cycles of draw-eject of sample (1 mL) spiking an internal standard and sulfuric acid. At lower pH, the analytical sensitivity of diazinon decreased, but that of carbaryl increased. The method detection limit and the limit of quantification for this method were 0.02~0.18 and $0.08{\sim}0.59{\mu}g/L$, respectively. The method precision and accuracy were 1.5~11.5% and 83.3~129.8%, respectively, at concentrations of $0.5{\sim}5.0{\mu}g/L$. The recovery rates for all the pesticides except carbaryl in various environmental samples ranged 75.7~129.3%. The recovery rate of carbaryl in effluent sample was over 200% whereas carbaryl in drinking water, groundwater, and river water were in the acceptable range.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Alisma canaliculatum Extract (ACE) on pacemaker potentials of small and large intestinal interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) in mice. Methods : We used enzymatic digestions to dissociate the ICC in the small and large intestine in mice. The whole-cell patch-clamp method was used to record pacemaker potentials in ICC. Results : 1. The ICC generated the pacemaker potentials in small intestine in mice. ACE (0.1-1mg/ml) induced membrane depolarization and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners. 2. Pretreatment with a Ca²⁺ free solution, Na⁺ 5 mM solution or 2-APB, a nonselective cation channel blocker, stopped the small intestinal ICC pacemaker potentials. In the case of Ca²⁺-free solution, Na⁺ 5 mM solution or 2-APB, ACE had no effects on the membrane depolarizations in small intestinal ICC. 3. The ICC generated the pacemaker potentials in large intestine in mice. Membrane depolarization appears regularly in the small intestine, but irregularly in the large intestine. ACE induced membrane depolarization (0.1-1mg/ml) and increased frequency (0.1-0.5mg/ml). 4. Pretreatment with a Ca²⁺ free solution, Na⁺ 5 mM solution or 2-APB, stopped the large intestinal ICC pacemaker potentials. In the case of Ca²⁺-free solution, Na⁺ 5 mM solution or 2-APB, ACE depolarized the membrane depolarizations in large intestinal ICC. 5. In mice, intestinal transit rate (ITR) values were dose-dependently decreased by the intragastric administration of ACE. Conclusions : These results suggest that ACE can regulate the pacemaker activity of ICC and the reaction by ACE is different from the small and large intestinal ICC, and the control of the intestinal motion by ACE may be caused by many complex processes.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.95-102
• /
• 2023

Despite the easing of social distancing, demand for non-face-to-face services continues to rise. Recently, the EU is pursuing a comprehensive plastic use reduction by expanding the scope of plastic use regulations for packaging plastics according to the New Cyclical Economy Action Plan(NCEAP). In response to this trend, the packaging industry is moving away from conventional non-degradable/petroleum-based plastics and conducting research on packaging materials using biodegradable plastics such as PLA(Poly Lactic Acid), PBAT(Poly Butylene Adipate-co-butylene Terephthalate). On the other hand, ginkgo leaves occur in large quantities in Korea and act as a cause of slip accidents and flooding. In this study, a method to utilize ginkgo biloba leaf as a new alternative biomass resource was proposed by producing lactic acid through pretreatment, enzymatic saccharification, and fermentation processes. For the efficiency of lactic acid production, a comparative analysis of lignin content from before and after browning was performed. In addition, the degree of glucan extraction was evaluated by applying a pretreatment method using three catalysts: hot water, sulfuric acid, and sodium hydroxide. It is difficult to expect high production of lactic acid with single process. Therefore, an integrated process operation using both the pretreated hydrolyzate and the residual solid enzymatic saccharification solution must necessarily be applied.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.403-409
• /
• 2014

The Bis protein is known to be involved in a variety of cellular processes including apoptosis, migration, autophagy as well as protein quality control. Bis expression is induced in response to a number of types of stress, such as heat shock or a proteasome inhibitor via the activation of heat shock factor (HSF)1. We report herein that Bis expression is increased at the transcriptional level in HK-2 kidney tubular cells and A172 glioma cells by exposure to oxidative stress such as $H_2O_2$ treatment and oxygen-glucose deprivation, respectively. The pretreatment of HK-2 cells with N-acetyl cysteine, suppressed Bis induction. Furthermore, HSF1 silencing attenuated Bis expression that was induced by $H_2O_2$, accompanied by increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Using a series of deletion constructs of the bis gene promoter, two putative heat shock elements located in the proximal region of the bis gene promoter were found to be essential for the constitutive expression is as well as the inducible expression of Bis. Taken together, our results indicate that oxidative stress induces Bis expression at the transcriptional levels via activation of HSF1, which might confer an expansion of antioxidant capacity against pro-oxidant milieu. However, the possible role of the other cis-element in the induction of Bis remains to be determined.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.289-296
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study is to evaluate various pre-treatment methods and proprieties of water quality for wastewater reuse using reverse osmosis (RO) processes. Secondary effluents were sampled from wastewater treatment plants and lab scale pre-treatments and RO filtration test were conducted systematically. Specifically, different types of pre-treatments, such as coagulation, microfiltration and ultrafiltration, were employed to evaluate the removal efficiency of particle and organic matters which may affect the membrane fouling rate. RO process was later added to eliminate trace amounts of remaining organic matters and salt from the raw water for wastewater reclamation. The permeate through the RO process satisfied water quality regulations for industrial water uses. The experimental results showed that the initial fouling tendency differed not only by the feed water properties but also by the membrane characteristics. Membrane fouling was greater for the membranes with large surface roughness, regardless of the hydrophobicity and zeta potentials. Thus both careful consideration of pre-treatment options and proper selection of RO membrane are of paramount importance for an efficient operation of wastewater treatment.