• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.685-696
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a heme precursor, on inflammatory and oxidative stress activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages by estimating nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cytokines, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). We also evaluated the molecular mechanisms through analysis of the expression of their regulatory genes, and further evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy of ALA against LPS in the zebrafish model. Our results indicated that ALA treatment significantly attenuated the LPS-induced release of pro-inflammatory mediators including NO and PGE2, which was associated with decreased inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. ALA also inhibited the LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, reducing their extracellular secretion. Additionally, ALA abolished ROS generation, improved the mitochondrial mass, and enhanced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and the activation of nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. However, zinc protoporphyrin, a specific inhibitor of HO-1, reversed the ALA-mediated inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines production and activation of mitochondrial function in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, ALA significantly abolished the expression of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and showed strong protective effects against NO and ROS production in zebrafish larvae. In conclusion, our findings suggest that ALA exerts LPS-induced anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by upregulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, and that ALA can be a potential functional agent to prevent inflammatory and oxidative damage.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.715-723
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• 2017

Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) in the water environment assemble fine, colloidal particles, such as clays, microorganisms and biomass, in large flocs, which are eventually subject to sedimentation and deposition and determine water/sediment quality and quantity. This study hence aimed to investigate the way that water and colloidal chemistry affects EPS-mediated flocculation of colloidal particles, using a jar-test experiment. Especially, ionic strength, divalent cation and humic substances concentrations were selected as experimental variables in the jar-test experiments, to elucidate their effects on EPS-mediated flocculation. A higher ionic strength increased flocculation capability, reducing electrostatic repulsion between EPS-attached colloidal particles and enhancing particle aggregation. 0.1 M NaCl ionic strength had higher flocculation capability, with 3 times larger floc size and 2.5 times lower suspended solid concentration, than 0.001 M NaCl. Divalent cations, such as $Ca^{2+}$, built divalent cationic bridges between colloidal particles and EPS (i.e., $colloid-Ca^{2+}-EPS$ or $EPS-Ca^{2+}-EPS$) and hence made colloidal particles to build into large, settelable flocs. A small $Ca^{2+}$ concentration enhanced flocculation capability, reducing suspended solid concentration 20 times lower than the initial dosed concentration. However, humic substances, adsorbed on colloidal particles, reduced flocculation, because they blocked EPS adsorption on colloidal particles and increased negative charges and electrostatic repulsion of colloidal particles. Suspended solid concentration in the tests with humic substances remained as high as the initial dosed concentration, indicating stabilization rather than flocculation. Findings about EPS-mediated flocculation in this research will be used for better understanding the fate and transport of colloidal particles in the water environment and for developing the best management practices for water/sediment quality.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.79-89
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• 2009

Naphthalene is a volatile, hydrophobic, and possibly carcinogenic compound that is known to have a severe detrimental effect to aquatic ecosystem. Our research examined the effects of various operating conditions (temperature, pH, initial concentration, and frequency and type of ultrasound) on the sonochemical degradation of naphthalene and OH radical production. The MDL (Method detection limit) determined by LC/FLD (1200 series, Agilient) using C-18 reversed column is measured up to 0.01 ppm. Naphthalene vapor produced from ultrasound irradiation was detected under 0.05 ppm. Comparison of naphthalene sonodegradion efficiency tested under open and closed reactor cover fell within less than 1% of difference. Increasing the reaction temperature from $15^{\circ}C$ to $40^{\circ}C$ resulted in reduction of naphthalene degradation efficiency ($15^{\circ}C$: 95% ${\rightarrow}$ $40^{\circ}C$: 85%), and altering pH from 12 to 3 increased the effect (pH 12: 84% ${\rightarrow}$pH 3: 95.6%). Pseudo first-order constants ($k_1$) of sonodegradation of naphthalene decreased as initial concentration of naphthalene increased (2.5 ppm: $27.3{\times}10^{-3}\;min^{-3}\;{\rightarrow}$ 10 ppm : $19.3{\times}10^{-3}\;min^{-3}$). Degradation efficiency of 2.5 ppm of naphthalene subjected to 28 kHz of ultrasonic irradiation was found to be 1.46 times as much as when exposed under 132 kHz (132 kHz: 56%, 28 kHz: 82.7%). Additionally, its $k_1$ constant was increased by 2.3 times (132 kHz: $2.4{\times}10^{-3}\;min^{-1}$, 28 kHz: $5.0{\times}10^{-3}\;min^{-1}$). $H_2O_2$ concentration measured 10 minutes after the exposure to 132 kHz of ultrasound, when compared with the measurement under frequency of 28 kHz, was 7.2 times as much. The concentration measured after 90 minutes, however, showed the difference of only 10%. (concentration of $H_2O_2$ under 28 kHz being 1.1 times greater than that under 132 kHz.) The $H_2O_2$ concentration resulting from 2.5 ppm naphthalene after 90 minutes of sonication at 24 kHz and 132 kHz were lower by 0.05 and 0.1 ppm, respectively, than the concentration measured from the irradiated M.Q. water (no naphthalene added.) Degradation efficiency of horn type (24 kHz) and bath type (28 kHz) ultrasound was found to be 87% and 82.7%, respectively, and $k_1$ was calculated into $22.8{\times}10^{-3}\;min^{-1}$ and $18.7{\times}10^{-3}\;min^{-1}$ respectively. Using the multi- frequency and mixed type of ultrasound system (28 kHz bath type + 24 kHz horn type) simultaneously resulted in combined efficiency of 88.1%, while $H_2O_2$ concentration increased 3.5 times (28 kHz + 24 kHz: 2.37 ppm, 24 kHz: 0.7 ppm.) Therefore, the multi-frequency and mixed type of ultrasound system procedure might be most effectively used for removing the substances that are easily oxidized by the OH radical.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.61-71
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• 2007

The photosynthetic characteristics and primary production by phytoplankton in open waters of two wetlands (the Banwol and the Donghwa wetland) of Sihwa Constructed Wetland with different water chemistry were investigated to provide the information for the wetland management considering the water treatment efficiency. During the study period (from March to October, 2005) the primary productivity in open waters ranged from 481 to 11,275 mgC $m^{-2}$ $day^{-1}$, which is very high compared with the eutrophic level of 600mgC $m^{-2}$ $day^{-1}$. From the analysis of the photosynthesis-irradiance (P-I) model parameters, the photosynthetic characteristics may be affected by different concentration and ratio of nutrient (N and P) between two wetlands. Assimilation number (AN) was higher in the Donghwa wetland (average AN: 8.5gC $gChl^{-1}$ $hr^{-1}$) with high P and low N/P ratio than the Banwol wetland (average AN: 5.8gC $gChl^{-1}$ $hr^{-1}$) with high N and high N/P ratio. This result indicates that AN may be concerned with phosphorus than nitrogen and low NIP ratio. Positive correlation (R=0.81) was observed between the initial slope and AN, implying that AN was high in case of phytoplankton having more active photosynthesis ability under low light. On the other hand, maximum photosynthesis (Pmax) was related positively with chlorophyll a concentration showing correlation coefficient of 0.47. In this study, considering the high primary production through phytoplankton photosynthesis in open waters of Sihwa Constructed Wetland, the produced organic matter by phytoplankton may affect the water quality within wetland and its efficiency of water treatment. Also, the photosynthetic characteristics may be affected by different nutrient enrichment (especially phosphorus) of wetlands. This study suggests that the production by phytoplankton and its characteristics in open water of constructed wetland for water treatment should be considered to improve the removal efficiency of organic matter.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.107-123
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• 1993

To define the effects of various levels $(0\~1.5\%)$ of dietary n-3HUFA on the physiological changes in the Korean rockfish, variations in blood variables and hepatocytes were studied. Biochemical serum analyses, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity of the liver cytosol and ATPase activity of the liver microsomal membrane were also studied. The haematological values (red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCHC, MCV and MCH) were not significantly different in the experimental groups $(P\geq0.05)$. The total protein and glucose levels in the serum were affected by dietary n-3HUFA levels. These levels in groups fed n-3HUFA insufficient diets were significantly lower than those of n-3HUFA sufficient groups (P<0.05). Serum levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetatic transaminase (GOT) showed significantly higher values in the fish fed n-3HUFA deficient diets (P<0.05). The LDH in the serum was dropped with increasing dietary n-3HUFA levels, but the LDH activity of the liver cytosol was elevated. Histologically, the hepatic cell in the fish fed n-3HUFA free diet was abnormal and showed a necrotic condition. $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ activities of the liver microsomal membrane were significantly lower in the fish fed n-3HUFA deficient diets than in those fed n-3HUFA sufficient diets (p<0.005). These results suggested that the liver cell membrane was affected by dietary fatty acid compositions and cell membrane of the fish fed n-3HUFA insufficient diets showed abnormalities.