Status analysis and strategic framework for sanitation management in Asia and Africa.

Following rapid population increase and industrial development, the ever increasing environmental pollution and the associated sanitation-related problem are no longer regional or local but have become an issue requiring global-dimensional concern and the provision of problem-solving alternatives. Especially, since most problems result from inappropriate sewerage and the lack of sewage treatment system are in a serious state occurring in economically underdeveloped regions, and as such, their significance is enormous. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been making efforts to establish the technology selection methodology applicable in developing countries, through the accurate status, investigation and analysis of the wastewater management state in Asian and African regions, and the sanitation management guideline utilisable by political leaders or decision-makers. As part of this effort, the Korea Institute of Water Environment (KIWE), together with the UNEP, selected China and Vietnam (in Asia) and Kenya and Ethiopia (in Africa) as subject countries to investigate and perform on-site sanitation management investigations and analysis in this research. Results obtained from the on-site investigation were analysed, and in order to be helpful in establishing a strategy for sanitation management in underdeveloped countries, the strategic framework (SF) has been made based on characterised results.

Extract from Rhus verniciflua Stokes is capable of inhibiting the growth of human lymphoma cells.

Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS), used as a food additive and a traditional herbal medicine, has both antioxidant and antitumor activities which are known to be closely associated with the polyphenolic compounds that it contains. In the present study, we purified a fraction from a crude acetone extract of RVS, named RCMF (RVS chloroform-methanol fraction), and evaluated its ability to scavenge free radicals and inhibit cell growth. In addition, the active compounds responsible for the activities were identified. Results showed that RCMF contained an antioxidant potential and strongly suppressed the proliferative capability of B lymphoma cells. RCMF-mediated suppression of cell growth was verified to be apoptotic, based on the increased DNA fragmentation and low fluorescence intensity in the nuclei after propidium iodide staining, and also on the appearance of DNA laddering. Finally, EI-MS, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectra confirmed that RCMF contained flavonoid derivatives, including protocatechuic acid, fustin, fisetin, sulfuretin, and butein, suggesting that these flavonoid derivatives are the main active compounds responsible for the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of RCMF.