Lateral Tarsoplasty Combined with a Full-Thickness Skin Graft for Managing Severe Lower Eyelid Ectropion Following the Subciliary Approach for Infra-Orbital Rim Fracture: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Subciliary incision is a common approach for facial fracture surgery; however, it has a higher incidence of lower lid ectropion, which can be particularly challenging for beginning surgeons to manage. This study reports the usage of lateral tarsoplasty combined with a full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) to correct severe ectropion following the subciliary approach for infra-orbital rim fractures. We retrospectively reviewed all facial fracture cases involving infra-orbital rim fractures through a subciliary approach treated in our department between March 2021 and May 2023. Electronic medical records and clinical digital photographs of patients who met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. After reviewing 196 cases that used the subciliary approach, we found 6 patients (3.06%; 4 males and 2 females; mean age, 68.5 ± 4.89 years) with postoperative severe ectropion managed using lateral tarsoplasty and FTSG. The mean ectropion development and correction times after facial fracture surgery were 0.78 ± 0.24 and 0.91 ± 0.37 months, respectively. At the 12-month follow-up, all patients showed favorable outcomes, and the position of their lower eyelids was well maintained without ectropion recurrence. Based on these successful outcomes, lateral tarsoplasty combined with FTSG is proposed to be an effective and straightforward method for managing lower eyelid ectropion caused by facial fracture surgery.

Comparison of anaerobic digestion of starch- and petro-based bioplastic under hydrogen-rich conditions.

To identify an economically viable waste management system for bioplastics, thermoplastic starch (TPS) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) were anaerobically digested under hydrogen (H2)/carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) gas-purged conditions to compare methane (CH4) production and biodegradation. Regardless of the type of bioplastics, CH4 production was consistently higher with H2/CO2 than with N2. The highest amount of CH4 was produced at 307.74 mL CH4/g volatile solids when TPS digested with H2/CO2. A stepwise increased in CH4 yield was observed, with a nominal initial increment followed by accelerated methanogenesis conversion as H2 was depleted. This may be attributed to a substantial shift in the microbial structure from hydrogenotrophic methanogen (Methanobacteriales and Methanomicrobiales) to heterotrophs (Spirochaetia). In contrast, no significant change was observed with PBAT, regardless of the type of purged gas. TPS was broken down into numerous derivatives, including volatile fatty acids. TPS produced more byproducts with H2/CO2 (i.e., 430) than with N2 (i.e., 320). In contrast, differential scanning calorimetry analysis on PBAT revealed an increase in crystallinity from 10.20 % to 12.31 % and 11.36 % in the H2/CO2- and N2-purged conditions, respectively, after 65 days of testing. PBAT surface modifications were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results suggest that the addition of H2/CO2 can enhance the CH4 yield and increase the breakdown rate of TPS more than that of PBAT. This study provides novel insights into the CH4 production potential of two bioplastics with different biodegradabilities in H2/CO2-mediated anaerobic digestion systems.

A comparative study on the distribution behavior of microplastics through FT-IR analysis on different land uses in agricultural soils.

Plastic materials have been variously exposed to arable land for decades through soil mulching, plastic housing, and sewage sludge composting. Their mechanical abrasion and biochemical degradation induce the proliferation of myriad microplastics that can further be broken into smaller nano-sized pieces that can be further accumulated in living organisms (including soil invertebrates, fruits, and vegetables); they can also be widely dispersed in neighboring environments. Despite the intensive use of plastics in agriculture, little is known about their origin of occurrence and environmental fate, especially with a size below 100 µm. Therefore, in this study, microplastics with a size in the range of 20-2,000 µm were investigated in soil samples obtained from three different conditions of land uses: tilled with plastic mulch, bare ground (i.e., uncultivated land), and in between the greenhouses of the farmland D located in Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. They were primarily identified using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy coupled with a microscope. Prior to performing the analysis, microplastic extraction from the soil samples was validated using standardized high-density polyethylene (HDPE) microplastics of various sizes ranging from 20 to 500 µm. As a result, the number of microplastics was estimated to be (241 ± 52), (195 ± 37), and (306 ± 56) particles per kg of dry soil in tillage, bare ground, and in between greenhouses, respectively. They consist of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), which are the basic constituents of commonly used agricultural products. The particle size distribution depends on the type of plastic, the time elapsed since their usage, and the degree and duration of environmental exposure; the plastic particle sizes were smaller in tillage and around the greenhouses since agricultural films have been weathered for a long time, whereas those with relatively large sizes were found in the uncultivated.

Rapid surface degradation of co-axially arranged polypropylene globules by nanoporous carbonized TiO2 assisted with UV-C.

The degradation of plastics, especially polypropylene (PP), is difficult since it is the most hydrophobic polymer. Photocatalytic degradation of PP films has been reported to be one of the most efficient degradation techniques. However, it is still insignificant to employ it in field applications. In this study, TiO2 nanoparticles supported on amorphous carbon with nanoporosity (TiO2@NC) are used as a photocatalyst to degrade macro-sized co-axially oriented PP globules under the influence of UV-C irradiation. Surface characterization such as SEM, ATR-FTIR, and XPS of the PP globules was performed. The SEM images distinctly showed the surface degradation phenomenon. Interestingly, the ATR-FTIR spectra demonstrated a significant rise in the band intensity in the -OH radical region and fairly in the CO region as well, with the increase in the photocatalytic time. Surprisingly, in the XPS spectra, the intensity of C-1s spectra kept on falling, and the intensity of O-1s spectra kept on rising with the increase in the photocatalytic time. The higher surface area due to nanoporosity of TiO2@NC enhanced the photocatalytic degradation of PP globules than previously reported studies. TiO2@NC seems to be a potential catalyst for the degradation of different types of polymers.

Comparison of the bacterial viability assessments for the disinfected quarantined water along with an effect of total residual oxidants.

The water discarded from the quarantine station inspecting aquatic products can be served as an influx channel of invasive microorganisms to our own ecosystem. This study thus compared the viability of three different pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Vibrio harveyi, and Enterococcus faecalis) in either seawater or freshwater after their disinfection. For that, they were treated by ozonation (2.08 mM of ozone), ultraviolet irradiation (UVC-254), or thermal treatment (90℃) for 10 min, during which their resultant viability was monitored using colorimetric ATP assay, colony counting, and real-time quantitative RT-PCR. From this, ATP measurement and real-time quantitative RT-PCR have proved to be a much stronger correlation built in the fraction of each of their assays versus the colony counting, although they differed in the type of disinfection implemented. Especially, ATP assay was the most sensitively influenced by high levels of total residual oxidants (TRO) undesirably produced during the ozonation of V. harveyi and E. faecalis in seawater, although easily and shortly measured within 1 h, with higher accuracy. Aside from that, the real-time quantitative RT-PCR had a stronger correlation versus either that of seawater ozonation or thermal treatment. It is decided referring to measurement time and convenience in the field that ATP assay can be more reliably used in bacterial cell viability measurement in the quarantine after the ozonation in seawater to specifically allow the bacterial deactivation, not to overwhelmingly produce TRO due to the residual ozone provided.

Long-term nationwide assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls ambient air concentrations for ten years in South Korea.

In this study, seasonal/regional variations of Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/DFs) and dioxin like-polychlorinated biphenyls in the ambient air were monitored for ten years (2008-2017) using a high volume air sampler. As a result of strict regulation enforced by Korea Ministry of Environment in 2008, PCDD/DFs concentrations in the ambient air decreased from 0.051 pg I-TEQ Sm-3 in 2009 to 0.014 pg I-TEQ Sm-3 in 2017 which was comparably associated with cut-down of their emission sources from 880.2 g I-TEQ Sm-3 in 2001 to 24.2 g I-TEQ Sm-3 in 2015; revealing that it was only 2.7% against that of 2001. In 2017, mean TEQ concentration level of PCDD/DFs in the air of South Korea was quite low in comparison to its ambient environmental standards of 0.6 pg I-TEQ Sm-3 for PCDD/DFs. Particularly, the sum of PCDD/DFs in the background revealed the lowest level, however, the fraction of octachlorodibenzodioxin among other isomers exposed at the highest level in this study, suggesting that the ambient air quality in the background being studied was severely and persistently impaired by inflowing unknown sources of any possible anthropogenic transboundary migratory air pollutants. Moreover, this study conducted the scientific analysis of the long-term variations in the ambient air and emission sources using principal component analysis. From this of 10 years long-term nationwide assessments for the PCDD/DFs and dl-PCBs in the ambient air, it is possible to prove that South Korean environmental policy to manage POPs has been successfully conducted for the last ten years.

A case study on the correlation between radon and multiple geophysicochemical properties of soils in G island, Korea, and effects on the bacterial metabolic behaviors.

This study was conducted to assess the natural radiation intensity of radon observed from 'G' islands and its effects against Bacillus pumilus, predominantly found throughout the field survey. The physicochemical properties and microbial characteristics were simultaneously investigated and compared. From these studies, it was confirmed that the areal distribution of radon concentration varied from 920 Bq/m3 to 3367 Bq/m3 depending on the soil depth, lithology, or geophysicochemical properties (including pH, moisture content, and grain size) inherently subject to each location. Particularly, the slightly acidic (pH < 6) and low-fertility soil with a higher level of radon concentration exceeding 3000 Bq/m3 had a considerably low level of bacterial density. In contrast, the fertile soil of a relatively middle level of radon radioactivity revealed a much larger bacterial community density, dominated by Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas sp., Paenarthrobacter sp., and Microbacterium sp. Furthermore, the monitored metabolic activity and growth of Bacillus pumilus against the various radon exposure conditions clearly indicated that radon could be considered as the potential ecological risk to natural environmental habitats of microbial soil biota.

Biodegradation of micro-polyethylene particles by bacterial colonization of a mixed microbial consortium isolated from a landfill site.

In this study, we investigated the decomposition of micro-sized polyethylene (PE) by mesophilic mixed bacterial culture isolates obtained from a municipal landfill sediment. Among these, Bacillus sp. and Paenibacillus sp. were more specifically enriched in the non-carbonaceous nutrient medium (i.e., Basal medium) as they were the most dominant species when they were exposed to PE microplastics. They reduced the dry weight of particles (14.7% after 60 d) and the mean particle diameter (22.8% after 60 d; obtained by field-emission scanning electron microscopy analysis). In the gas chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis of biologically aged particles, the amount and types of organic contents eluted from the PE microplastics were far lower in the early decomposition phase; however, they increased in the later phase. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed that the aged particles had higher thermal stability at temperatures greater than 570 °C compared to the control, thereby suggesting that microplastics were degraded by enzymatic chain scission, which could in turn be ascribed to the greater refractory fractions of aged particles remaining at a high combustion temperature. It was further verified that PE particles could be biologically utilized as a sole carbon source and broken down during the test period.

Reconstruction of infected trunk wounds with pedicled rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps: a retrospective case series.

OBJECTIVE: To completely treat and cover extensively infected trunk defects, reconstruction should be performed using a sufficiently vascularised flap, such as a muscle or musculocutaneous flap after perfect debridement. These reconstructive surgeries are challenging in patients with severe comorbidities. In this case series, we describe extensively infected trunk defect reconstruction, in patients with severe comorbidities, using a pedicled rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap and suggest an algorithm for reconstruction. METHOD: Between March 2011 and March 2015, participating patients underwent reconstruction of extensively infected trunk defects using a pedicled rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap. All patients had diabetes and hypertension, and several patients had severe comorbidities, including heart and renal failure. Bacterial cultures revealed that meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was present in seven patients (with concurrent Pseudomonas aeruginosa in two patients), multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in one patient and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in two patients. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients underwent the procedure. The pedicled rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps survived completely in all 10 patients. There were no complications related to the flaps, although two patients developed minor wound dehiscence, which may be due to their comorbidities. There were no signs of recurrent infection during the follow-up period in each case. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction using the pedicled rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap is a good treatment option for extensively infected three-dimensional trunk defects, even for patients with severe comorbidities.

Management of epidermal cysts arising from scar tissues: A retrospective clinical study.

Few reports have described epidermal cysts (ECs) arising from scar tissues, and the standard course of treatment has not been established. We aimed to report the findings of a Korean patient series with ECs arising from scar tissues, to describe patient management in the context of previous publications, and to present a simple algorithm for managing ECs arising from scar tissues.We managed 6 patients with ECs arising from scar tissues, and retrospectively reviewed their demographic and clinical data.The scars were located on the anterior chest wall (n = 3), shoulder (n = 1), forehead (n = 1), and ear lobule (n = 1). Two patients with anterior chest wall scars, 1 with a shoulder scar, and 1 with an ear lobule scar had keloid scars, whereas the other patients had hypertrophic scars. The scar sizes ranged from 2 × 1 cm to 9 × 7 cm. The EC sizes ranged from 0.2 × 0.2 cm to 2 × 1.5 cm. Three patients underwent total scar revisions with complete EC excisions, 2 underwent partial scar tissue excisions with complete EC excisions, and 1 had laser therapy for the scar and EC. No complications occurred, and all patients' final outcomes were satisfactory during the mean follow-up period of 14.8 months.We successfully managed the patients with ECs arising from scar tissues. We recommend that surgeons and patients first decide whether the ECs and scar tissue should be completely removed. Moreover, consideration should be given to the options chosen for the management of ECs. Finally, postoperative scar care is necessary to prevent hypertrophic and keloid scar recurrences.

Concordant Surgical Treatment: Non-melanocytic Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Of the 4 million skin lesions excised annually worldwide, approximately 2 million are considered cancerous. In this study, we aimed to describe a regional experience with skin cancers treated by a single senior surgeon and to provide a treatment algorithm. METHODS: The medical records of 176 patients with head and neck non-melanocytic skin cancer (NMSC) who were treated by a single surgeon at our institution between January 2010 and May 2016 were retrospectively reviewed, and their data (age, sex, pathological type, tumor location/size, treatment modality) were analyzed. Patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) who were classified as a high-risk group for nodal metastasis underwent sentinel node mapping according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. RESULTS: Among the patients with NMSC who were treated during this period, basal cell carcinoma (BCC; n=102, 57.9%) was the most common pathological type, followed by cSCC (n=66, 37.5%). Most lesions were treated by complete excision, with tumor-free surgical margins determined via frozen section pathology. Thirty-one patients with high-metastasis-risk cSCC underwent sentinel node mapping, and 17 (54.8%) exhibited radiologically positive sentinel nodes. Although these nodes were pathologically negative for metastasis, 2 patients (6.5%) later developed lymph node metastases. CONCLUSION: In our experience, BCC treatment should comprise wide excision with tumor-free surgical margins and proper reconstruction. In contrast, patients with cSCC should undergo lymphoscintigraphy, as nodal metastases are a possibility. Proper diagnosis and treatment could reduce the undesirably high morbidity and mortality rates.

Redox-mediator-free degradation of sulfathiazole and tetracycline using Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

The removal of two of the most commonly used antibiotics, tetracycline (TC) and sulfathiazole (STZ), using laccase-producing Phanerochaete chrysosporium was studied in liquid-phase batch experiments in the absence of any synthetic redox mediator. The removal of STZ and TC from single antibiotic spikes varied from 97.8% to 15.4% and 98.8% to 31%, respectively, with increasing initial doses of 10-250 mg L-1 within 14 days of incubation. The enzyme activity of P. chrysosporium was only minimally influenced by the concentrations of these antibiotics. The degradation of antibiotics initiated before an appreciable extracellular enzyme activity was noted in the fungal culture. The appearance of low-molecular weight molecular fragments from parent antibiotics in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmed the biodegradation process.

Quantification of residual antibiotics in cow manure being spread over agricultural land and assessment of their behavioral effects on antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in livestock manure used as fertilizer and spread over agriculture land, may pose a threat to the health of humans. Considering this, the concentrations of tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC), and sulfathiazole (STZ) in the surface soil were quantified using LC-MS. These antibiotics have been used in livestock and are found in fertilizer produced from livestock excretions. Species of ABR were identified using 16S rDNA. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0, 7, and 15 cm from farmland in Incheon (South Korea). In the surface soil, three compounds were detected: TC (17.74 µg/kg), OTC (0.78 µg/kg), and STZ (0.23 µg/kg). However, except for STZ, antibiotics were not detected in the deeper samples. Overall, TC can form a chelated complex with cations, which consequently enhances its adsorption to the organic matter and metals in soil. This property can significantly reduce the mobility of TC (to lower than that of STZ). The result of 16S rDNA gene analysis indicated that Pseudomonas spp., Arthrobacter spp., and Rhodococcus spp. showed persistent resistance to the three antibiotics tested. DNA quantification results revealed strong resistance of Pseudomonas spp. to STZ, whereas Arthrobacter spp. and Rhodococcus spp. had resistance to TC and OTC. Antibiotics biodegradation suggested ability of ARB to grow in soil samples in presence of residual antibiotics during 13 days incubation. The concentrations of STZ, TC, and OTC reduced as much as 23.53, 35.60 and 66.88%, respectively.

A Pilot Study of the Attractive Features of Active Videogames Among Chinese Primary School Children.

OBJECTIVE: The present study (1) explored the attractive features that affect Chinese primary school children's preferences of active videogames (AVGs) and (2) contrasted these findings with those in the Western literature. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A total of 22 Chinese primary school children were recruited and interviewed. Four AVGs (Wii "Boxing," "Wii Fit™ Plus Obstacle Run"; "EyeToy Knockout", "EyeToy Keep ups") from two commercial consoles (Nintendo® Wii™ and Sony PlayStation® 2 "EyeToy®") were employed. Participants used four selected AVGs for 3 minutes each. After each play period, children (1) described the strengths and weaknesses of each game as well as rated the attractive features of each game based on a 16-item questionnaire and (2) rated up to 5 items that were most influential regarding their AVG preferences. RESULTS: Participants indicated that control was the most significant feature, followed by feedback, goal, and graphics. The top five rated features imply that the perception of competence was the most appealing aspect and expected outcome of Chinese children who play AVGs. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the Western findings regarding attractive AVG features, the present study found certain similarities as well as significant differences among Chinese AVG players. Based on the present study, control, feedback, goal, and graphics are the most significant features that attract Chinese children to play AVGs. Physical exertion, social interaction, competition, and learning outcomes, which are valued according to Western studies, were not mentioned as significant features by Chinese children. These findings demonstrate a need to investigate the effect of cultural background in AVG study design.

Correlation between the 2-Dimensional Extent of Orbital Defects and the 3-Dimensional Volume of Herniated Orbital Content in Patients with Isolated Orbital Wall Fractures.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between the 2-dimensional (2D) extent of orbital defects and the 3-dimensional (3D) volume of herniated orbital content in patients with an orbital wall fracture. METHODS: This retrospective study was based on the medical records and radiologic data of 60 patients from January 2014 to June 2016 for a unilateral isolated orbital wall fracture. They were classified into 2 groups depending on whether the fracture involved the inferior wall (group I, n=30) or the medial wall (group M, n=30). The 2D area of the orbital defect was calculated using the conventional formula. The 2D extent of the orbital defect and the 3D volume of herniated orbital content were measured with 3D image processing software. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations between the 2D and 3D parameters. RESULTS: Varying degrees of positive correlation were found between the 2D extent of the orbital defects and the 3D herniated orbital volume in both groups (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.568-0.788; R2=32.2%-62.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Both the calculated and measured 2D extent of the orbital defects showed a positive correlation with the 3D herniated orbital volume in orbital wall fractures. However, a relatively large volume of herniation (>0.9 cm3) occurred not infrequently despite the presence of a small orbital defect (<1.9 cm2). Therefore, estimating the 3D volume of the herniated content in addition to the 2D orbital defect would be helpful for determining whether surgery is indicated and ensuring adequate surgical outcomes.

Assessment of isokinetic muscle function in Korea male volleyball athletes.

Volleyball players performed numerous repetitions of spike actions, which uses and requires strong and explosive force, and control of the muscles of the shoulder, lower back, and legs. Muscle imbalance is one of the main causes of sport injuries. The purpose of this study was to assess isokinetic muscle functions in male volleyball players. We thus aim to accurately evaluate their muscle functions, and identify the best training strategy to achieve optimal muscle strength balance in future training programs. The participants in this study consisted of 14 male volleyball players. Muscle strength was measured using the isokinetic dynamometer. Muscle strength was evaluated in terms of peak torque and average power, calculated from five repeated measurements at an angular speed of 60°/sec. Three players who were left attackers showed shoulder imbalance, four players showed trunk joint imbalance, nine players had knee joint of extension/flexion imbalance and four players showed left/right imbalance. The results showed that the number of volleyball players with differences between the strength of the bilateral knee muscles, and between the strength of the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles was higher than the number of players with differences between the strength of the shoulder internal and external rotation muscles, and higher than the number of players with differences between the strength of the lower back extension and flexion muscles.

Effect of startup circuit exercise on derivatives reactive oxygen metabolites, biological antioxidant potential levels and physical fitness of adolescents boys with intellectual disabilities.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of starup circuit exercise program on derivatives reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROM) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) levels and physical fitness of adolescents with intellectual disabilities, and to sugesst exercise programs to promote the health and physical development of such adolescents. Twelve students with intellectual disabilities were divided into two groups; circuit exercise group (CE group: n=6; age, 14.83±0.98 years; height, 163.83±5.78 cm; body mass, 67.08±3.32 kg; %Fat, 25.68±2.42), control group (CON group: n=6; age: 15.00±0.63 years; height, 162.33±4.41 cm; body mass, 67.50±3.62 kg; %Fat, 26.96±2.06). The CE group performed the CE program 4 times a week over a 12-week period. The CON group maintained their activities of daily living. The following were measured before and after intervention: physical fitness by before and after the completion of the training programm, and were measured and blood samples were assessed. The results of the study indicate that the 12-week CE program increased significantly physical fitness (P<0.05). Furthermore, This study proved that the CE program improved physical fitness, and reduced the d-ROM levels, and increased the BAP levels of the adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Therefore, it may enhance the health and physical development of adolescents boys with intellectual disabilities.

Studies on influence and fate of carbamazepine in anaerobic digestion of sludge.

Increased consumption of pharmaceutical compounds compounded by their persistence in biological treatment processes and potential toxicity is becoming a serious concern. The aim of the present study was to investigate the fate of an antiepileptic drug, carbamazepine (CBZ), in anaerobic digestion process and its impact on methanogenic metabolism. Biochemical methane potential of CBZ with or without glucose was studied for 40 days in designed batch experiments. About 67.98% and 66.37% of spiked CBZ (about 100 µg l(-1)) were removed during this period from glucose amended or unamended sets, respectively. Loss of CBZ through adsorption onto suspended particles, as in sterilized seed sludge control (16.98%), was significantly lower in comparison to its biotic counterparts (P = 0.002 and P = 0.003). Analysis of methane or biogas production revealed no inhibitory effect of CBZ toward methanogenic process at its tested concentration. Differences in cumulative methane yields between glucose containing sets with or without CBZ were insignificant (P = 0.885). This study suggests that any residual CBZ concentration lower than the present study, if detected in waste-water, might not significantly affect the methanogenic process.

Degradation of the long-resistant pharmaceutical compounds carbamazepine and diatrizoate using mixed microbial culture.

The microbial degradation of two recalcitrant pharmaceutical compounds, carbamazepine (CBZ) and diatrizoate (DTZ), was studied in laboratory batch experiments. We used a defined mixed microbial culture comprising four distinct microbial species that were previously known to have high decomposition capacity toward recalcitrant substances. Biological decomposition in liquid phase cultures for either CBZ or DTZ, or in a combination of the two, was conducted for 12 days. DTZ and CBZ were degraded by 43.2% and 60%, respectively from an initial concentration of 100 µg L(-1). When degradation was assessed using a mixture of the two compounds, the initial degradation rates of CBZ and DTZ were lower than those observed in the single-compound study. However, the final cumulative removal efficiency was very similar. The extent of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal was correlated with the degradation of the pharmaceuticals.

Analysis of the utilization of existing test data for phase-in substance registration under the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances.

OBJECTIVES: Approximately 2000 phase-in substances are subject to registration according to the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances (KREACH), and the expected testing cost is 2.06 trillion Korean won assuming all the test data required for registration are acquired. The extent to which these enormous test costs can be reduced depends on the availability of existing data that can be used to meet the requirements of the K-REACH we examined the current availability of test data that can be used for chemical substance registration. METHODS: We analyzed the possibility of utilizing the existing test data obtained from 16 reference databases for 369 of 518 kinds of phase-in substances subject to registration that were reported in last October 2014. RESULTS: The physical and chemical properties were available for 57.1% of substances, whereas data regarding human hazards and environmental hazards were available at considerably lower rates, 8.5% and 11.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Physical and chemical properties were available for a fairly high proportion, whereas human hazards and environmental hazards were reported for considerably fewer substances.