• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.293-298
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• 2001

The toxicity values heavy metals were evaluated by immobilization and chronic reproduction impairment tests, using Daphnia magna. Acute tests were evaluated by the inhibition of their mobilization after 24hrs without food addition. The tests of reproductive impairment were investigated for 21 days by food addition and exchange or water. The effect of each concentration was assessed by Probit analysis and t-test. The results obtained from this study were as follows : 1) The change of pH and DO was not significant in the acute tests, while, in the reproductive tests, pH was increased by 0.3~1.4 and DO also increased. 2) The $E_iC_{50}$ values of immobilization to Daphnia magna in artificial fresh water were $0.030mg/{\ell}(Cu),\;0.054mg/{\ell}(Cd),\;0.12mg/{\ell};(Cr),\;0.74mg/{\ell}(Pb),\;3.4mg/ {\ell}(As)$ and the $NOE_iC$ values were $0.010mg/{\ell}(Cu),\;0.018mg/{\ell}(Cd),\;0.010mg/{\ell}(Cr),\;0.10mg/{\ell}(Pb),\;and\;$1.8mg/{\ell}(As)$. 3) The $E_rC_{50}$ values of reproductive impairment to Daphnia magna were $13.8\mu\textrm{g}/{\ell}(Cu),\;2.9\mu\textrm{g}/{\ell}(Cd),\;15.5\mu\textrm{g}/{\ell}(Cr),\;61.7\mu\textrm{g}/{\ell}(Pb),\;759\mu\textrm{g}/{\ell}(As)$, and $NOE_rC$ values were $0.95\mu\textrm{g}/{\ell}(Cu),\;$0.54\mu\textrm{g}/{\ell}(Cd),\;1.2\mu\textrm{g}/{\ell}(Cd),\;$7.4\mu\textrm{g}/{\ell}(Pb),\;110mu\textrm{g}/{\ell}(As)$. The results of tests using OECD artificial culture water were more sensitive than natural water for culturing. The presented data show that an artificial culture water is suitable in the experiment of bioassay for assessing the toxicity of marterials.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.46-55
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• 1999

This study compared the adsorption characteristics of heavy metal ions by crab shell, treated crab shell with 2N-HCl, treated crab shell with 4%-NaOH, chitin and chitosan.Using crushed crab shell, the heavy metal ions removal rates of $Cd^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ were about 70-80% in 45minutes, but the removal rates of $Cu^{2+}$, $Cr^{6+}$ and $Pb^{2+}$ was less than 10%, 10% and 30%, respectively. For the by-products crab shell by 2N-HCl treatment, it was shown that the removal rates of $Cu^{2+}$ and $Pb^{2+}$ were about 70-80% in 45minutes reaction. But, some problems were observed, that the contained protein in crab shell was changed into gel in the mixing solution after a few hours. For the by-products of crab shell by 4%-NaOH treatment, the removal rates of Pb and Zn were about 90% in 45 minutes, and those of capacity of chitin and chitosan powder was better than those of the other by-products. The more adding to the adsorbent dosages increased the removal rates, and the adsorption reaction was rapidly occurred in a few minute. Using 1.0 wt% chitin powder, the heavy metal removal rates were ordered $Cu^{2+}$(94%) > $Zn^{2+}$(89%) > $Cd^{2+}$(88%) > $Pb^{2+}$(77%) > $Cr^{6+}$(58%) in 45 minutes. Using 1.0 wt% chitosan powder, the heavy metal removal rates were ordered $Cu^{2+}$(99%) > $Pb^{2+}$(96%) > $Cd^{2+}$(79%) > $Zn^{2+}$(71%) > $Cr${6+}$(46%) in 45minutes. The degree of degree of deacetylation by prepared chitosan was 91%.The Freundlich adsorption isotherm of $Cu^{2+}$, $Cd^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$, when it was applied to 1.0 wt% chitosan powder in minutes, can be acceptable very strictly. The equation constant (1/n) for $Cu^{2+}$, $Cd^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ were 0.54 0.41 and 0.23 respectively.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.556-563
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• 2016

We examined the removal of hazardous heavy metals (Cd, Cr, and Pb) from laver Pyropia sp. using citric, hydrochloric, and nitric acids. Under the same conditions, the quality of the laver samples was also evaluated using the variation in absorbance and major mineral levels. The heavy metals that accumulated in raw laver samples after 3 days in seawater included Pb (117.79 μg/g), Cr (33.53 μg/g), and Cd (10.54 μg/g) in descending order. The rate of heavy metal removal from laver was higher at lower pH for all acids used. However, its color changed unsatisfactorily at pH 2.0. After 10 min in seawater at pH 2.5, the heavy metals in laver were eliminated in the order Cd (68.7–81.6%), Pb (57.7–67.0%), and Cr (31.9–49.4%) using the three acids. The differences in heavy metal removal among acid types were not significant. The laver quality was not affected after 20 min at the pH range of 2.5–4.0. The maximum removal of heavy metals was from laver soaked for 10 min in seawater at pH 2.5 using the organic acid, citric acid.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 1997

It is generally accepted that parasite-specific IgE plays a crucial role in host defense against helminthic parasites. However, the role of high levels of nonspecific IgE in helminthic infections is still controversial. To investigate the role of nonspecific IgE in primary infections with P. westemani the effect of anti-lgE mAb treatment on serum IgE, $Fc{\varepsilon}RII/CD23$ expression and worm burden in Parcgonimus-infected mice were examined. In mice treated with anti-lgE antibody, the total IgE levels were not detectable ($1{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}/ml}$) throughout the experiment compared with untreated infected mice. The mean percentages of $Fc{\varepsilon}RII/CD23$ positive splenic B cells in anti-lgE treated mice (ridge: 20.3 - 30.5) were also decreased throughout the experiment compared with untreated infected mice (range: 35.7-44.4). Reduction of the total IgE and expression of $Fc{\varepsilon}RII/CD23$ on splenic B cells resulted in decreased worm burden six weeks post infection. These results suggest that high levels of nonspecific IgE in mice with primary infections of P. westemnni play a harmful, rather than beneficial, role for the host, perhaps by interfering with CD23-dependent cellular pathways.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.69-77
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• 2006

Background : Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are present in most of the tissue matrix, taking part in their regeneration when injury or damage occurs. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of cells with pluripotential characteristics in human subchondral bone and the capacity of these cells to differentiate to osteoblast. Methods : Human subchondral bone were digested with collagenase. Isolated cells were cultured with a-MEM, 15% FBS, 10-8M dexamethasone and 50 ng/mL ascoric acid. Cells from 0 day(isolated cells), 7 day (first subculture) and 14 days (third subculture) were used to carry out phenotypic characterization experiments flowcytometry analysis with 11 monoclonal antibodies) and osteogenic differentiation experiments. Osteogenic differentiation of cells was assessment by quantification of bone extracellular matrix components by following analysis: alkaline phosphatase(ALP) stains to detect ALP activity, RT-PCR and western blot to detect osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN) and type I collagen(Col I), and Alizarin red stains to detect calcium deposition. Results : Flowcytometry analyses showed that in our population more than 98% of cells were positive for MSC markers: SH-2(CD105, 99%), CD29 (95%), CD73 (95%). Cells were negative for hematopoietic markers (CD11b, CD34, and CD45). Furthermore, cells showed positive stain to multipotent markers such as CDl17 (c-kit) (15.1%), and CD166 (74.9%), and cell adhesion molecules such as CD54 (78.1%) and CD106 (63.5%). The osteogenic specific marker analyses showed that the culture of these cells for 7 and 14 days stimulates ALP, OCN, OPN and Col I synthesis by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Also, after 14 days in the culture of MSCs induces mineralization by Arizarin red stain. Conclusion : In this work, we demonstrated a new and efficient method for osteoblastic differentiation of human subchondral bone stem cells. As MSCs takes part in reparative processes of adult tissues, these cells could play an important role in osteogenesis.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.612-623
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• 2020

This study was initiated to quantitatively evaluate the inhibitory effects of five heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni) on bacterial growth and phosphorus removal in the binary culture of Alcaligenes sp. plus Pseudomonas sp. IC50 values of Alcaligenes sp. plus Pseudomonas sp. for Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni were 0.75, 10.93, 7.08, 13.30, and 15.78 mg/L, respectively. For the binary treatments of heavy metals, IC50 was the lowest in the treatment of Cd + Cu, whereas, it was the highest in the Ni + Pb treatment. The EC50 values for Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni were 0.54, 11.08, 6.14, 9.33, and 13.81 mg/L, respectively. For the binary treatments of heavy metals, EC50 was the lowest in the Cd + Zn, whereas, the highest in the Zn + Ni. Based on both IC50 and EC50 values for the binary culture of bacteria with the binary mixtures of heavy metals, the most interactive effect was found to be antagonistic, though the only synergistic effect was found in Cu + Ni treatment. Therefore, our results can provide basic data on the toxic effects of heavy metals on the bacterial growth and phosphorus removal in the wastewater treatment process.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.190-193
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• 2002

The functional disruption of Langerhans cells (LC) by UVB radiation is involved in antigen-specific immunosuppression of contact hypersensitivity. We tested whether UVB radiation inhibits the endocytotic activity of LC, which leads to impaired subsequent migration and maturation. Human monocyte-derived LC that took up lucifer yellow (L Y) or FITC-dextran (Fd) exclusively migrated in response to 6Ckine and matured. Exposing LC to 10-40 mJ/cm$^2$ of UVB radiation reduced their endocytotic activity in fluid phase pinocytosis (measured by uptake of LY) and in receptor-mediated endocytosis (measured by uptake of Fd). Membrane ruffling and CD32 expression were also suppressed by UVB radiation. UVB-irradiated, endocytosing LC had less movement towards 6Ckine, expressed less CD54 and CD86, and had less effective stimulatory activity in allo-MLR than nonirradiated, endocytosing LC. Endocytosis up-regulated TNF-$\alpha$ production by LC, but prior UVB radiation inhibited this enhancement. The finding that impaired endocytosis of LC by UVB radiation inhibits subsequent migration and maturation was also confirmed in murine epidermal cells obtained from unirradiated and 2OmJ/cm$^2$ of UVB-irradiated skin.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2020

We previously demonstrated that Bordetella bronchiseptica (B. bronchiseptica) antigen (Ag) enhances the Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Ag-specific immune response. The focus of this study was whether acellular bacterin of B. bronchiseptica could be used as an adjuvant to increase antigen-presenting capability of dendritic cells (DCs) by increasing the level of activation. The metabolic activity of DCs was increased by B. bronchiseptica, similar to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Flow cytometry analysis revealed that B. bronchiseptica increases the expression of major histocompatibility complex class-2, cluster of differentiation (CD)40, CD54, and CD86 which are closely related to DC-mediated immune responses. B. bronchiseptica enhanced the production of cytokines related to adaptive immune responses. Furthermore, the survival rate of B. bronchiseptica-injected groups was 100% at 15 and 20 mg/kg doses, whereas that of LPS-injected groups was only 20%, 0% at 15 and 20 mg/kg doses respectively, and so B. bronchiseptica is likely to be safer than LPS. Taken together, these results indicate that B. bronchiseptica can be used as an adjuvant to enhance the antigen-presenting capability of DCs. B. bronchiseptica is a candidate for producing vaccines, especially in case of DC-mediating efficacy and safety demands. This study provides researchers and clinicians with valuable information regarding the usage of B. bronchiseptica as a safe bacteria-derived immunostimulating agent for developing efficient vaccines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7645-7649
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• 2013

Background: Immune functions and their relation to prognosis in breast cancer patients have become areas of great interest in recent years. Correlations between survival outcomes and peripheral blood flow cytometry parameters are therefore of interest. Here we focused on patients with non-metastatic breast cancer (BC). Materials and Methods: A total of 29 patients with pathological confirmed breast carcinoma and flow cytometry data were assessed for overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Results: The median age of the patients was 54 years (range, 29-83). Multivariate analysis revealed that OS was significantly associated with absolute cytotoxic T cell count (95%CI, coef 2.26, p=0.035), tumor size (95%CI, coef -14.5, p 0.004), chemotherapy (95%CI, coef 12.9, p 0.0001), MFI of CD4 (95%CI, coef -5.1, P 0.04), MFI of HLA DR (95%CI, coef -5.9, p 0.008) and tumor grade (95%CI, coef -13, P 0.049) with R-Sq(adj)=67%. Similar findings were obtained for PFS. Conclusions: OS and PFS were significantly associated with tumor grade, tumor size, chemotherapy, MFI of CD4, HLA DR and absolute cytotoxic T cell count. The study revealed that MFI of basic CD markers and absolute cytotoxic T cell number may be a prognostic factors in women with non-metastatic BC.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2013

Metformin is widely used for T2D therapy but its cellular mechanism of action is undefined. Recent studies on the mechanism of metformin in T2D have demonstrated involvement of the immune system. Current immunotherapies focus on the potential of immunomodulatory strategies for the treatment of T2D. In this study, we examined the effects of metformin on the antigen-presenting function of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Metformin decreased both MHC class I and class II-restricted presentation of OVA and suppressed the expression of both MHC molecules and co-stimulatory factors such as CD54, CD80, and CD86 in DCs, but did not affect the phagocytic activity toward exogenous OVA. The class II-restricted OVA presentation-regulating activity of metformin was also confirmed using mice that had been injected with metformin followed by soluble OVA. These results provide an understanding of the mechanisms of the T cell response-regulating activity of metformin through the inhibition of MHC-restricted antigen presentation in relation to its actions on APCs.