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Background: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of bee venom (BV) through the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) expression in macrophages and keratinocytes. Methods: Cell viability assays were performed to investigate the cytotoxicity of BV in activated macrophages [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] and keratinocytes [interferon-gamma/tumor necrosis factor-alpha (IFN-γ/ TNF-α)]. A luciferase assay was performed to investigate the cellular expression of NF-κB in relation to BV dose. The expression of NF-κB inhibitors (p-IκBα, IκBα, and p50 and p65) were determined by Western Blot analysis, and the electromobility shift assay. A nitrite quantification assay was performed to investigate the effect of BV, and NF-κB inhibitor on nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages. In addition, Western Blot analysis was performed to investigate the effect of BV on the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in activated macrophages and keratinocytes. Results: BV was not cytotoxic to activated macrophages and keratinocytes. Transcriptional activity of NF-κB, and p50, p65, and p-IκBα expression was reduced by treatment with BV in activated macrophages and keratinocytes. Treatment with BV and an NF-κB inhibitor, reduced the production of NO by activated macrophages, and also reduced NF-κB transcriptional activity in activated keratinocytes (compared with either BV, or NF-κB inhibitor treatment). Furthermore, BV decreased p38, p-p38, JNK, and p-JNK expression in LPS-activated macrophages and IFN-γ/TNF-α-activated keratinocytes. Conclusion: BV blocked the signaling pathway of NF-κB, which plays an important role in the inflammatory response in macrophages and keratinocytes. These findings provided the possibility of BV in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Objective : This case study reports the therapeutic effect of Korean Medicine (KM) treatments including CS(care special pain) and BV(bee venom) pharmacopuncture on herniated intervertebral disc(HIVD) of lumbar spine(L-spine). Methods : Two patients diagnosed with HIVD of L-spine were treated with CS and BV pharmacopuncture on GV3 and EX-B2, acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine. The Numeric Rating Scale(NRS), the Oswestry low back pain Disablility Index(ODI) and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire(RMDQ) scores were evaluated before and after treatment for comparison. Results : Low back pain(LBP) and radiating pain was improved with a decrease in patients' NRS, ODI and RMDQ scores. Conclusion : These results suggest that KM treatments including combined CS and BV pharmacopuncture could be an effective treatment on patients with HIVD of L-Spine.

Background: The removal of phosphate(P) in the wastewater is essential for the prevention of eutrophication in the river and stream. This study was initiated to evaluate the P removal by three strains of bacteria isolated from industrial wastewater. The three strains of bacteria, A1, A2, and A3, isolated were identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain CUPS 3, Rhodococcus erythropolis

The variation patterns of groundwater mobility and chemical distribution are regarded as a very important factor for determining the geochemical features and therefore, the classifications of groundwater based on the chemical properties are highly valued for the expansion of study areas for setting up the regulations and management plans of governmental level for the preservation of local groundwater. Based on these prerequisites, in this study we focused on the evaluations, the comparison of the physiochemical characteristics and distribution of cations and anions in groundwater samples sampled in rural areas of Korea. The major goals of this study were classified as four categories such as followings; 1. On-site monitoring of groundwater qualities by instrumental and laboratory experiment, 2. Classifications of groundwater by using of Piper, Gibbs and Chadah diagram methods, 3. Tracking of the origins of anions and cations by using of rock-dominance types and relative ionic distributions. As a result of this study, the classifications of groundwater based on the Piper diagram showed that the groundwater type is grouped as the Ca In the applications of CAI 1 and CA 2, the negative values were more dominance than positive values so there might be reverse ion reaction between groundwater and rock-soils. Finally, by the carbonate weathering, silicate weathering and evaporation diagrams there were more complex mechanisms in chemical evolutions induced by the lithological influences such as weathering processes, ion exchange and other anthropogenic sources.