Leaching of Trace-pollutants from Wastewater Sludge through the Ultrasonic Treatment

Environmental Science and EngineeringThe generation amount of sludge has increased along economic growth. In accordance with the London Convention and the Marine Environment Management Act, dumping sewage sludge and live stock manure in the ocean was banned since 2012. Ultrasonic treatment has been mainly used among various reduction techniques because of low expenses and high efficiency. Sludge is decomposed and a lot of pollutants in sludge were leached by using ultrasonic treatment. When trace-pollutants were leached from the sludge sediment, they can cause contamination on supernatant. Also, trace-pollutants such as heavy metals and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) can have a significant impact. However, the fate of trace-pollutants in supernatant and sediment of sludge after being treated using ultrasonic treatment has been rarely reported. In this study, wastewater sludge was collected from chemical plants in Ulsan, Korea, and the effect of ultrasonic treatment on sludge reduction and leaching of trace-pollutants was investigated. Sludge samples were irradiated at 600 W for 5-30 min by ultrasonicaters and centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 30 min. To confirm the effect on the reduction of sludge, we investigated microorganism flocs in the sludge due to ultrasonic irradiation times using microscope. Volume change of sediment in the sludge and TSS (Total Suspended Solid) were also analyzed. To confirm concentration of heavy metals in supernatant and sediment, the samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES, 720-ES, Varian, USA) after the stage of acid treatment. We also analyzed the concentration of PAHs in supernatant and sediment using Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC/MS, Agilent 7890A, Agilent, USA) and calculated the fate of PAHs. Changes of microorganism in sludge were observed using a microscope. The cell walls and flocs of microorganism were disintegrated by increasing irradiation time. According to these results, it was expected that the ultrasonic treatment have a great effect on the leaching of trace-pollutants and the disintegration of microorganism. The TSS concentration was increased by increasing irradiation times because suspended materials can be increased by decreasing size of flocs. While the concentration of heavy metals and PAHs decreased in the sediment, the concentration of heavy metals and PAHs increased in the supernatant according to the result. The reason for the leaching of heavy metals and PAHs was the disintegration of cell walls of microorganism. Therefore, it was expected that the treatment has great effect on leaching of trace-pollutants and reducing sludge by increasing irradiation times and irradiation intensity. According to these results, leached trace-pollutants in supernatants were possible to be the source of sludge treatment in WWTP (wastewater treatment plant). Therefore, treatment of supernatant after ultrasonic treatment should be considered appropriately. On the other hand, the sediment in sludge was able to be used more safely by leaching trace-pollutants in it using ultrasonic treatment. Therefore, ultrasonic treatment which has effect on both reducing sludge and recycling it safely should be developed by carrying out continuous monitoring of the effect on the sludge.ope

Interfacing Microfluidics and Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry by Continuous Deposition for Application in Single Cell Analysis

We present a simple method for continuous deposition of effluent originating from a microfluidic device on a flat metal surface for subsequent analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). The sample is delivered using a microscale fused silica capillary and passed onto the surface of a stainless steel plate coated with a layer of a standard matrix. The key parameters optimized in order to obtain high quality and reproducible sample traces are: i) sampleflow rate, ii) speed of the XY-stage movement, and iii) distance of the capillary tip from the plate. Tapering the capillary end as well as surface functionalization to induce hydrophobicity were shown to further enhance the deposition process. The described continuous deposition method is compared with a previously published mass spectrometric method utilizing a piezoelectric microdispenser for microspotting onto the MALDI plates which enabled detection of primary metabolites at the singlecell level. Research is underway to adapt the continuous deposition as an interface for single cell metabolite detection and enhancement of quantitative abilities of the MALDI methodology. We envisage that the presented continuous deposition method may also be suitable for sensitive detection of analytes using other surface analysis tools

Assessing Feasibility and Safety of Using Ultrasonic Bone Aspirator for Revision Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Background and Objectives This study introduced and evaluated the efficacy of an ultrasonic bony aspirator (UBA) in revision endoscopic sinus surgery and compared the outcomes to those of the traditional cold instrument approach. Methods This retrospective study enrolled 57 patients who underwent revision endoscopic sinus surgery between June 2010 and December 2017, 17 patients with a UBA approach and 40 patients with traditional instruments. Results Median Lund–Kennedy scores showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups at 3 months (p=0.004). Synechiae occurred in 17.6% and 35% of cases in the UBA and traditional groups, respectively. The mean operative time was significantly shorter in the traditional group (p=0.001). Conclusion The use of a UBA in revision endoscopic sinus surgery was safe and effective

5′-Triphosphate-RNA-independent activation of RIG-I via RNA aptamer with enhanced antiviral activity

RIG-I is a cytosolic receptor for non-self RNA that mediates immune responses against viral infections through IFNα/β production. In an attempt to identify novel tools that modulate IFNα/β production, we used SELEX technology to screen RNA aptamers that specifically target RIG-I protein. Most of the selected RIG-I aptamers contained polyU motifs in the second half regions that played critical roles in the activation of RIG-I-mediated IFNβ production. Unlike other known ligands, RIG-I aptamer bound and activated RIG-I in a 5′-triphosphate-independent manner. The helicase and RD domain of RIG-I were used for aptamer binding, but intact RIG-I protein was required to exert aptamer-mediated signaling activation. Furthermore, replication of NDV, VSV and influenza virus in infected host cells was efficiently blocked by pre- or post-treatment with RIG-I aptamer. Based on these data, we propose that RIG-I aptamer has strong potential to be an antiviral agent that specifically boosts the RIG-I-dependent signaling cascade

Prediction for serious bacterial infection in febrile children aged 3 years or younger: comparison of inflammatory markers, the Laboratory-score, and a new laboratory combined model

Purpose To compare the efficacy of inflammatory markers, the Laboratory-score, and a new laboratory combined model for predicting serious bacterial infection (SBI) in young febrile children. Methods The presence of SBI was reviewed in previously healthy children aged 3 years or younger with fever (> 38℃) who visited the emergency department from 2017 through 2018. Areas under the curves (AUCs) of the receiver operating characteristic curve for SBI were compared with individual inflammatory markers (white blood cells [WBC] count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP], procalcitonin [PCT], and urine WBC count), the Laboratory-score, and a laboratory combined model. The latter model was developed using logistic regression analysis including ESR, CRP, and PCT. Results Of the 203 enrolled children, SBI was diagnosed in 58 (28.6%). For SBI prediction, the Laboratory-score showed 51.7% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI], 38.2%-65.0%) and 83.5% specificity (95% CI, 76.4%-89.1%). The AUC of the Laboratory-score (0.76) was significantly superior to the values of all individual inflammatory markers (WBC, 0.59 [P = 0.032]; ESR, 0.69; and CRP, 0.74 [P < 0.001]) except that of PCT (0.77, [P < 0.001]). The AUC of the laboratory combined model (0.80) was superior to that of the Laboratory-score (0.76) (P < 0.001). Conclusion In this study, the new laboratory combined model showed good predictability for SBI. This finding suggests the usefulness of combining ESR, CRP, and PCT in predicting SBI

A Sporadic Case of Mal de Meleda Caused by Gene Mutation in SLURP-1 in Korea

Mal de Meleda (MDM), also known as keratoderma palmoplantaris transgrediens, is a rare inherited form of palmoplantar keratoderma. It is characterized by erythema and hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles, extending to the dorsal aspects of the hands and feet. A 15-year-old Korean female presented with sharply demarcated hyperkeratotic plaques on the palms and soles, which extended to the dorsal surfaces of the hands and feet, in a "glove-and-socks" distribution. The histopathologic study showed marked hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, and normogranulosis, without epidermolysis. Her genetic study detected compound heterozygous mutation in exon 3 of the ARS gene encoding SLURP-1. Family history did not reveal any other affected members and no consanguineous relationship was found. In view of these findings, we diagnosed this case as the first reported sporadic case of MDM in Korea, the farthest location from the endemic island of Meleda

Characteristics of primary and immortalized fibroblast cells derived from the miniature and domestic pigs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The pig, <it>Sus scrofa domestica </it>includes both the miniature and commercial domestic breed. These animals have influenced the human life and economies and have been studied throughout history. Although the miniature breeds are more recent and have increasingly been used in a variety of biomedical studies, their cell lines have rarely been established. Therefore, we sought to establish primary and immortal cell lines derived from both the miniature and domestic pig to better enable insight into possible <it>in vivo </it>growth differences.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The <it>in vitro </it>lifespan of primary domestic pig fibroblast (PF) and miniature pig fibroblast (MPF) cells using a standard 3T3 protocol was determined. Both of the primary PF and MPF cells were shown to have a two-step replicative senescence barrier. Primary MPF cells exhibited a relatively shorter lifespan and slower proliferation rate compared to those of primary PF cells. Beyond senescence barriers, lifespan-extended PF and MPF cells were eventually established and indicated spontaneous cellular immortalization. In contrast to the immortalized PF cells, immortal MPF cells showed a transformed phenotype and possessed more frequent chromosomal abnormalities and loss of p53 regulatory function. The lifespan of primary MPF and PF cells was extended by inactivation of the p53 function using transduction by SV40LT without any detectable senescent phenotype.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest that p53 signaling might be a major determinant for the replicative senescence in the MPF cells that have the shorter lifespan and slower growth rate compared to PF cells <it>in vitro</it>.</p

Substitution of Heavy Complementarity Determining Region 3 (CDR-H3) Residues Can Synergistically Enhance Functional Activity of Antibody and Its Binding Affinity to HER2 Antigen

To generate a biobetter that has improved therapeutic activity, we constructed scFv libraries via random mutagenesis of several residues of CDR-H3 and -L3 of hu4D5. The scFv clones were isolated from the phage display libraries by stringent panning, and their anti-proliferative activity against HER2-positive cancer cells was evaluated as a primary selection criterion. Consequently, we selected AH06 as a biobetter antibody that had a 7.2-fold increase in anti-proliferative activity (IC50: 0.81 nM) against the gastric cancer cell line NCI-N87 and a 7.4-fold increase in binding affinity (K-D : 60 pM) to HER2 compared to hu4D5. The binding energy calculation and molecular modeling suggest that the substitution of residues of CDR-H3 to W98, F100c, A101 and L102 could stabilize binding of the antibody to HER2 and there could be direct hydrophobic interactions between the aromatic ring of W98 and the aliphatic group of I613 within HER2 domain IV as well as the heavy and light chain hydrophobic interactions by residues F100c, A101 and L102 of CDR-H3. Therefore, we speculate that two such interactions were exerted by the residues W98 and F100c. A101 and L102 may have a synergistic effect on the increase in the binding affinity to HER2. AH06 specifically binds to domain IV of HER2, and it decreased the phosphorylation level of HER2 and AKT. Above all, it highly increased the overall level of p27 compared to hu4D5 in the gastric cancer cell line NCI-N82, suggesting that AH06 could potentially be a more efficient therapeutic agent than hu4D5.OAIID:RECH_ACHV_DSTSH_NO:T201620640RECH_ACHV_FG:RR00200001ADJUST_YN:EMP_ID:A002901CITE_RATE:2.67DEPT_NM:화학생물공학부EMAIL:[email protected]_YN:YCONFIRM: