• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2005

It was evaluated that the effect of turbidity removal by Pore Controllable Fiber Filter(PCF) installed in NS(Naksang) small water treatmant plant(system) using under flow water as raw water in the study. The results of the study are as the followings. Firstly, the removal efficiency of turbidity by PCF without coagulation(in operation mode not using coagulants) was mostly below 20 percent. On the other hand, when operation using proper coagulants, that of turbidity was mostly over 80 percent. Secondly, slow sand filtration after PCF, total turbidity removal efficiency of final treated water was 84.3 percent, and the contribution by PCF was 57.1 percent and that of slow sand filtration was 27.7 percent. Therefore the introduction of PCF as pre-treatment process would be helpful to reduce the loading of high turbidity of slow sand filtration. Thirdly, the results of particle counter measurements showed that when operated PCF with coagulants, fine flocs captured or adsorbed at the pore of PCF were flow out into the effluents from 120 minutes after backwashing because of the increase of headloss of PCF. Therefore the decision of backwashing time should made consideration into the outflow of fine flocs from PCF. Fourth, coagulant dosages on PCF at the same turbidity was largely variable because of the effect of the raw water characteristics and the turbidity increase velocity at rainy days, therefore flexible coagulant dosages should be considered rather than fixed coagulant dosage by the influent jar-test result.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.92-99
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• 2019

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of pharmacopuncture and dermal application of Sebalgukhwa-san extracts on hair growth in an alopecia mouse model. Methods: Twenty-one C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups; control group-normal saline injection or vehicle solution application, positive control group-minoxidil (MNXD), experimental group-pharmacopuncture and applied Sebalgukhwa-san (SGS) extract. The effects of the treatment on hair growth, were determined through photographs, and phototrichogram analysis by folliscope. Hair follicle morphometry by hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed, and hair growth-related protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, insulin like growth factor-1, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 were monitored by Western blotting. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were measured for liver function test. Results: Body weight increased consistently in all groups. Hair growth was improved in the MNXD and SGS groups compared with the control. Hair density and thickness improved statistically significantly in the MNXD and SGS groups compared with the control p < 0.05. The number of hair follicles improved in the MNXD and SGS groups compared with the control but the size did not. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and insulin like growth factor-1 increased, and there was a decrease in the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in the MNXD and SGS groups compared with the control, however, there was no significant difference. Sebalgukhwa-san treatment had no toxicity in liver function tests. Conclusion: Pharmacopuncture and dermal application of Sebalgukhwa-san extract may be therapeutically beneficial for the treatment of alopecia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.47-59
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• 2021

Background: This study aimed to assess the toxicity of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai (ASN) pharmacopuncture. Methods: To investigate the toxicity of ASN pharmacopuncture, single and 4-week repeated dose toxicity experiments were conducted on BALB/c mice. In the single-dose toxicity experiment, mice were assigned 1 of 4 groups (5 males, 5 females per group). Then, 31.25, 62.5, and 125 mg/kg of ASN pharmacopuncture were administered to the mice in the experimental groups at acupoint ST36, while 0.2 mL of normal saline was administered to the control group at ST36. After a 4-week repeated dose regimen, the mice were assigned into 4 groups (5 males, 5 females per group). Then, 15.625, 31.25, and 62.5 mg/kg of ASN pharmacopuncture at ST36 were administered to the mice in the experimental groups, while 0.2 mL of normal saline was administered to the control group at ST36. Mortality, morbidity, general body and organ weight changes (after 4 weeks repeated dose), serum hematological and biochemical values, and histopathological changes in the liver and kidney were observed. Results: In both single and 4-week repeated dose toxicity experiments, no deaths or symptoms occurred in any of the groups. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of body and organ weights, serum hematological and biochemical values, and specific organ histopathological changes. Conclusion: ASN pharmacopuncture injection did not demonstrate significant toxicity in BALB/c mice compared with the control group, with a no-observed-adverse-effect level for a single dose of >125 mg/kg, and for 4 weeks repeated dose it was more than 62.5 mg/kg/day.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 2021

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the removal characteristics of COD, Ni, and P and to derive appropriate operating conditions for the plating wastewater according to NaOCl reaction time and pH operating conditions in the BPC unit process during the plating wastewater treatment process. As a results of evaluating the removal characteristics for raw wastewater by each BPC unit process, the removal efficiencies of COD, Ni and P in BPC 1-1 unit process were 72.8%, 99.1%, and 100.0%. Therefore, the proper reaction time of NaOCl was derived as 21.1 minutes. In order to maintain the +800 mV ORP and the reaction time of 20 minutes, the temporary injection and continuous injection of NaOCl in the BPC unit process were 13.7 mL and 18.7 mL, respectively. It was found that the temporary injection method of NaOCl reduced the chemical cost by 36.5% compared to the continuous injection method. Also, Ni showed the highest removal efficiency of 97.8% at pH 10.5. On the other hand, P showed a removal efficiency of 57.4% at pH 10.0.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.72-78
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• 2021

Combined Western-Korean medicine treatments were given to a 67-year-old woman with late onset seizures who underwent surgical drainage of a subdural hematoma. Clonazepam and herbal medicine was prescribed. Acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, chuna, and physical therapy were also performed. The frequency and intensity of seizures was assessed using the Chalfont Seizure Severity Scale. The seizure index score improved from 25 at admission to 0 at discharge. Pain in the right upper extremity reduced from 10 to 0 on the visual analogue scale and muscle strength increased from Grade 3 to 5 in Medical Research Council Scale for the Manual Muscle Test. At the time of hospitalization, the manual muscle strength tests for the affected shoulder, elbow, wrist, and grip strength were 30%, 60%, 10%, 5%, respectively, which improved almost 100% by discharge. Further studies using combined Western-Korean medicine for seizures after strokes are necessary to determine the most effective treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.134-139
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• 2021

Background: This study aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics of patients with knee pain caused by traffic accidents and test the effectiveness of Korean medicine (KM) treatment. Methods: The medical charts of 114 inpatients with knee pain caused by a traffic accident were reviewed from July 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019 at Bucheon Jaseng Hospital of KM. The patients' demographics including gender, age, period of hospitalization, and type of pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine prescribed were reviewed. The Numeric Rating Scale scores and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores were used to assess subjective knee pain. Results: There were more females (55%) than males in this study. Patients were more likely to be in their 30s (27.2%), be hospitalized for 11-14 days (41.2%), treated with Hwangryunhaedok pharmacopuncture (78.1%), and be prescribed Hwalhyeoljitong decoction (62.3%).The mean Numeric Rating Scale score for patients with knee pain caused by a traffic accident decreased significantly from 4.26 ± 1.39 to 2.53 ± 1.60 (p < 0.001), and the mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score also decreased significantly from 32.72 ± 18.36 to 23.40 ± 15.80 (p < 0.001) following KM treatment. Conclusion: As a result of analyzing 114 hospitalized patients with knee joint pain due to TAs, inpatients were more likely to be female (55%), a patient in their 30s (27.2%), and be a patient hospitalized for 11-14 days (41.2%). KM treatment of traumatic knee injury using pharmacopuncture therapy and herbal medicine can be an may be effective at reducing pain, and healing functional disorders of the knee.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.310-316
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• 2022

Background: Verbenalin is an iridoid glucoside, which is among the active components of some medicinal herbs such as Verbena officinalis Linn, and Cornus officinalis Siebold and Zucc. Previous studies have confirmed the antioxidant activity and neuroprotective potential of verbenalin. To confirm the safety of verbenalin, an approximate lethal dose was determined based on a single oral dose toxicity study. Methods: Institute of Cancer Research mice were randomly assigned to three verbenalin exposure groups (250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg) and a control group (5% methylcellulose solution). There were (5 male and 5 female mice per group). Mortality, clinical signs, and body weight were monitored for 14 days, and necropsies were conducted. Results: No mortalities were observed in the control group or the verbenalin 250 mg/kg group, whereas mortalities were observed in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg verbenalin groups. During the observation period, stool abnormalities such as mucous stools were observed. Clinical signs such as loss of locomotor activity were observed in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg verbenalin groups. During the study period, significant changes in body weight were observed in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg verbenalin groups; however, no gross abnormalities were observed at necropsy. Overall, no toxicity was found in the 250 mg/kg group. Conclusion: The approximate lethal dose of verbenalin was estimated to be 500 mg/kg. For a more accurate assessment of the safety of verbenalin, other types of studies such as repeated-dose toxicity studies should also be conducted.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.202-212
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• 2022

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Cheong-A-Won Gagambang (JCE003) treatment for degenerative knee osteoarthritis. Methods: This was a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial. There were 36 adults with degenerative knee osteoarthritis who were randomly allocated into JCE003 1,000 mg, JCE003 2,000 mg, or the placebo group (in a 1:1:1 ratio). The participants received 12 weeks of treatment and had scheduled tests every 6 weeks. The primary outcomes were measured using the Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities scale, and the secondary outcomes were measured using the visual analog scale, European quality of life-5-dimensions, patient global impression of change, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Changes between baseline scores and scores following study completion were analyzed. Results: There were 29 participants whose data were analyzed in this study. The change of Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities, visual analog scale, European quality of life-5-dimensions scores showed significant improvement in the JCE003 1,000 mg group. The change of patient global impression of change was significantly improved in the placebo group. There were 14 adverse events, but there was no clinically significant relationship with the intake of JCE003 compared with the placebo. Conclusion: Taking JCE003 may be effective at improving knee pain in patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis and appears to be safe. Based on this study, the concentration and feasibility of the test group may be used when conducting a large-scale clinical trial of degenerative knee osteoarthritis in the future.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2022

Interest in effluent treatment is currently increasing and the use of polymetric coagulants is considered as a pretreatment of physical filtration prior to effluent discharge to increase solids recovery. A jar test evaluated effluent treatment efficiency of polymeric coagulants for semi-recirculating aquaculture systems. The particle coagulation efficiency and distribution were evaluated at different polymer dosages in freshwater and seawater effluents. The polymer was added at 0.005-0.08 mL/g of total suspended solids (TSS) in the effluents. TSS in the supernatant after coagulation decreased with increasing polymer dose in the freshwater, while showing no corresponding changes with dose in the seawater. However, in all treatments for both effluents, the removal efficiency was above 90%, regardless of the dose in the tested range. Both the De Brouckere Mean Diameter (DBMD) and volumetric median diameter (VMD) were all above 100 ㎛ in the freshwater effluent. In the seawater effluent, the particle size appeared to be larger than that in freshwater, ranging from 400-1,000 ㎛ for both DBMD and VMD. Considering that the typical pore size of physical filtration in aquaculture is between 60 and 200 ㎛, the use of polymers is expected to improve the practicality of physical filtration for efficient treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2024

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder worldwide, with a lifetime prevalence of up to 80%. Among nonsurgical treatments for chronic LBP, Korean medicine treatments are highly preferred, and pharmacopuncture therapy combining acupuncture and herbal medicine is widely used. However, no evidence-based study has focused on the use of various types of pharmacopuncture. Methods: The pragmatic randomized controlled clinical trial will include 44 participants; recruitment will start in July 2023. All participants will receive integrated Korean medicine treatment including acupuncture, cupping, and infrared therapy, and the intervention group will also receive pharmacopuncture. After 16 treatment sessions, twice a week for 8 weeks, follow-up assessments will be performed at week 9. As a pragmatic randomized controlled clinical protocol, the type, dose, and acupoints of acupuncture and pharmacopuncture are not determined in advance but are selected and recorded according to the clinical judgment of the Korean medicine doctor. Results: The primary outcome will be measured using a visual analog scale score, and the secondary outcomes include the Oswestry disability index, patient global impression of change, no worse than mild pain, and range of motion. Safety will be assessed by examining participants' self-reported adverse events and vital signs and conducting blood tests before and after the test. Conclusion: This study aims to provide clinical evidence of the effectiveness and safety of pharmacopuncture for chronic LBP.