Soil ecological effect of attapulgite and its application prospect in ecological planting of Chinese materia medica / 中国中药杂志

The long-term and extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the cultivation of Chinese materia medica has resulted in serious soil ecological and environmental problems such as secondary salinization, soil consolidation, soil acidification, continuous cropping obstacles, micro-ecological imbalance, and serious soil pests and diseases in the production areas of Chinese materia medica. Therefore, promoting the ecological planting of Chinese materia medica is the only way for the production of Chinese materia medica. Attapulgite(ATP) is a kind of water-rich magnesium-rich aluminosilicate clay mineral with layered and chain structure. It has abundant reserves in China, possesses nano-material properties, strong adsorption and ion exchange properties, and has huge high value utilization space. ATP and its functional products have the potential of water and fertilizer conservation, regulating soil structure and micro-ecology, and are widely used in ecological planting of Chinese materia medica. This paper reviews the resource distribution, structural characteristics, the research and application progress in soil ecological effects of ATP, and prospects the application prospects of it in the ecological planting of Chinese materia medica.

Evaluation of low-dose dual energy computed tomography for in vivo assessment of renal/ureteric calculus composition

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of low-dose dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in predicting the composition of urinary calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 patients with urinary calculi were scanned with a 128-slice dual-source DECT scanner by use of a low-dose protocol. Dual-energy (DE) ratio, weighted average Hounsfield unit (HU) of calculi, radiation dose, and image noise levels were recorded. Two radiologists independently rated study quality. Stone composition was assessed after extraction by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS). Analysis of variance was used to determine if the differences in HU values and DE ratios between the various calculus groups were significant. Threshold cutoff values to classify the calculi into separate groups were identified by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: A total of 137 calculi were detected. FTIRS analysis differentiated the calculi into five groups: uric acid (n=17), struvite (n=3), calcium oxalate monohydrate and dihydrate (COM-COD, n=84), calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM, n=28), and carbonate apatite (n=5). The HU value could differentiate only uric acid calculi from calcified calculi (p80% sensitivity and specificity to differentiate them. The DE ratio could not differentiate COM from COM-COD calculi. No study was rated poor in quality by either of the observers. The mean radiation dose was 1.8 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose DECT accurately predicts urinary calculus composition in vivo while simultaneously reducing radiation exposure without compromising study quality.

Presentaciones efectivas en medicina El arte de comunicar y transmitir: diez recomendaciones / Effective Presentations in Medicine. The Art of Communication and Transmission: Ten Recommendations

Para lograr una comunicación efectiva durante una conferencia o presentación, es necesario seguir reglas simples, que incluyen la preparación de la conferencia con el auditorio en mente y con la definición de un mensaje específico para dejar a la audiencia. Debe capturarse pronto la atención del público y todas las acciones posteriores deben ir encaminadas a mantenerla. Los textos deben ser precisos y con tamaños fácilmente visibles, las diapositivas deben ofrecer buen contraste, con fondos sólidos y simples y deben evitarse las animaciones excesivas. Al cierre de la conferencia, las conclusiones y la sesión de preguntas ofrecen la oportunidad invaluable de reforzar el mensaje que se quería dejar.

To communicate effectively during a lecture or presentation it is necessary to follow simple rules, including the preparation of the conference with the audience in mind and with the definition of a specific message to leave the audience. The public's attention should be quickly captured and all subsequent actions should aim to keep it. The text must be accurate and sizes easily visible, the slides should provide good contrast with solid and simple backgrounds and should avoid excessive animations. At the close of the conference, the conclusions and question session offers the invaluable opportunity to reinforce the desired message.

Influence of Ureteral Stone Components on the Outcomes of Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy

PURPOSE: We evaluated the influence of urinary stone components on the outcomes of ureteroscopic removal of stones (URS) by electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) in patients with distal ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with a single distal ureteral stone with a stone size of 0.5 to 2.0 cm that was completely removed by use of EHL were included in the study. Operating time was defined as the time interval between ureteroscope insertion and complete removal of ureteral stones. Ureteral stones were classified into 5 categories on the basis of their main component (that accounting for 50% or more of the stone content) as follows: calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), calcium oxalate dihydrate, carbonate apatite (CAP), uric acid (UA), and struvite (ST). RESULTS: A total of 193 patients (131 males and 62 females) underwent EHL. The mean operating time was 25.1+/-8.2 minutes and the mean stone size was 1.15+/-0.44 cm. Calcium oxalate stones accounted for 64.8% of all ureteral stones, followed by UA (19.7%), CAP (8.3%), and ST (7.2%) stones. The mean operating time was significantly longer in the UA group (28.6+/-8.3 minutes) than in the COM group (24.0+/-7.8 minutes, p=0.04). In multivariate analyses, the stone size was negatively associated with the odds ratio (OR) for successful fragmentation. UA as a main component (OR, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.89; p=0.023) was also found to be significantly important as a negative predictive factor of successful fragmentation after adjustment for stone size. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that successful fragmentation by URS with EHL could be associated with the proportion of the UA component.

Changes in Urinary Stone Composition in the Tunisian Population: A Retrospective Study of 1,301 Cases

BACKGROUND: Studies that evaluate the effect of age on stone composition are scarce. The aim of this study was to highlight the changes in epidemiological characteristics (stone composition and location) of urolithiasis according to patients' age. METHODS: We studied 1,301 urolithiasis patients with age ranging from 6 months to 92 yr (781 males and 520 females). Stone analysis was performed using a stereomicroscope and infrared spectroscopy to determine the morphological type and molecular composition of each stone. RESULTS: The annual average incidence of new stone formation was 31.7 per 100,000 persons. In 71.8% of cases, calculi were located in the upper urinary tract. Compared to other age groups, children and old men were more affected by bladder stones. Calcium oxalate monohydrate was the most frequent stone component, even though its frequency decreased with age (59.5% in young adults and 43.7% in the elderly, P<0.05) in favor of an increase in uric acid stones (11.5% in young adults and 36.4% in the elderly, P<0.05). Struvite stones were rare (3.8%) and more frequent in children than in adults. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of these data showed that urinary stones in Tunisian patients are tending to evolve in the same direction as the stones in patients from industrialized countries.

Growth inhibition of struvite crystals by the aqueous root extract of Rotula aquatica.

Formation of urinary stone is a serious and debilitating problem throughout the world. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of root of Rotula aquatica was investigated against struvite crystals (one of the components of urinary stone) grown in vitro using single diffusion gel growth technique. For setting the gel, sodium metasilicate solution (specific gravity 1.05) and 0.5 M aqueous solution of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate were mixed, so that the pH of the mixture could be set at 7.0. Equal amounts of supernatant solution of magnesium acetate (1.0 M) prepared with 0.0%, 0.5% and 1% concentrations of the extract were gently poured on the set gels. It was observed that the number, dimension, total mass, total volume, growth rate and depth of growth of struvite crystals decreased with the increasing extract concentrations in the supernatant solutions. The enhancement of dissolution rate and fragmentation of struvite crystals suggested potential application of the extract for inhibition of struvite type urinary stone.

Differences in Urinary Stone Composition according to Body Habitus

PURPOSE: We analyzed differences in urinary stone composition according to body mass index (BMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2010, 505 ureteral or renal stones were collected from 505 patients who underwent surgical intervention. Data on patient age, gender, BMI, urinary pH, and stone composition were collected. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 49.2 years (range, 20 to 83 years). Of the 505 patients, 196 (38.7%) had calcium oxalate (CO) stones, 172 (33.9%) had mixed calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate (COP) stones, 72 (14.2%) had calcium phosphate (CP) stones, 50 (9.8%) had uric acid (UA) stones, and 15 (2.9%) had struvite stones. We excluded struvite stones in the statistical analysis because of the small number of patients; a total of 490 patients were included in this study. In the multinomial logistic regression analysis, obesity was found to be associated with UA stones compared with COP stones (odds ratio [OR] 3.488; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.732-7.025; p<0.001) and CP stones (OR 2.765; 95% CI 1.222-6.259; p=0.015). Similar results were observed for CO stones compared with COP stones (OR 2.682; 95% CI 1.727-4.164; p<0.001) and CP stones (OR 2.126; 95% CI 1.176-3.843; p<0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was associated with UA and CO stones compared with the occurrence of COP and CP stones.

Chronological change in epidemiologic characteristics of paediatric urolithiasis in the Tunisian center during the past 25 years

The incidence of paediatric urolithiasis has been constantly decreasing during the past twenty-five years [1983-2007] in Tunisia as well as in other Mediterranean Countries. This study will reveal if the incidence of stone disease in children has changed and will show the change in stone composition. The incidence of paediatric urolithiasis has been constantly decreasing during the past twenty-four years [from 9,1 in eighties to 0,4 cases/1000 admissions/year in 2007]. The prevalence of calcium oxalate stones has been constantly increasing during the past twenty-five years in Tunisia [15.6 per cent in eighties Vs 51.5 actually]. Actually infections stones were less frequent[11.8 percent actually Vs 39.4 percent in eighties]. The decrease in struvite frequency in children patients during the past twenty-five years and the stabilization of calcium phosphate stones are the result of a significant improvement of diagnostics and the treatment of urinary tract infections in the young children in our country

Pediatric urolithiasis in coastal Tunisia

We will try to show an outline of the clinical and biological characteristics of pediatric urolithiasis among Tunisian children in the coastal region. This retrospective study included 168 children below 16 years [100 boys and 68 girls] presented with urinary stones. Patients were reviewed in a multi-centric study with regard to age at diagnosis, sexual, historical, physical, laboratory, and radiologic findings. The physical and chemical analysis of stones was carried out by a stereomicroscope and infra-red spectroscopy respectively. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using software SPSS 11.0 for Windows. Statistical significance was determined using chi-square test. The sex ratio was 1.47. Clinical presentation of this pathology was dominated by abdominal pain [28%], hematuria [25.6%], dysuria [16.7%] and urinary tract infection [14.3%]. Stones were located in the upper urinary tract in 75.6% of cases. Of the urine cultures, 14.3% were positive. Whewellite is found more frequently in children stones than infants [P < 0.05] and was the main component in 46.4% of stone section and 55.4% of stone surface. Stuvite stones were more frequent among boys stones than girls' [11 Vs 2.9%] [P < 0.05]. The male prevalence of pediatric urolithiasis is less obvious in Tunisia. Calcium oxalate is the most frequent chemical compound in Tunisian pediatric urolithiasis

Crystal Deposits on Renal Papillae in Stone Formers

PURPOSE: Papillary "Randall's plaques" are theorized to act as nidi for urinary stone formation. In this study, we used endoscopic examination and intraoperative biopsy of renal papilla in stone formers undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) to investigate the correlation between Randall's papillary plaque and primary stone composition and metabolic risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 34 patients with renal stones were enrolled. During PNL performed for stone removal, biopsy specimens were taken from selected papilla. We evaluated constituents such as volume, sodium, uric acid, calcium, oxalate, and citrate from 24-hour urine samples, and calcium, sodium, uric acid, phosphate, potassium, and chloride from serum samples 1 month after PNL. RESULTS: We identified Randall's plaque in 26 patients as irregular, whitish lesions, generally located on the papillary tip. We performed intraoperative biopsies of papilla in the kidneys of stone formers and of known regions of crystal deposits in the interstitial tissue surrounding the ducts. There was no correlation between serum variables, 24-hour urine constituents, and presence of plaque. However, 24-hour urine volume was negatively correlated with the presence of plaque. The incidence of papillary plaques varied with the primary composition of extracted stones and was 80% for calcium oxalate, 92% for calcium phosphate, 50% for uric acid, and 25% for struvite stones (p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of papillary Randall's plaques in patients with nephrolithiasis varied with the primary composition of formed urinary stones. Randall's plaques are found in most patients with calcium stones. Our findings suggest that the presence of papillary plaque is associated with calcium nephrolithiasis and may contribute to the pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of calcium urinary stones.

Struvite recovery from swine waste biogas digester effluent through a stainless steel device under constant pH conditions / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the struvite precipitation under constant and non-constant pH conditions and to test a stainless steel device under different operating regimes to maximize the recovery of struvite.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The molar ratio of NH4+: Mg2+: PO4(3-) was adjusted to 1: 1.2: 1.2 and pH was elevated to 9.0. The absorbance measurement was used to trace the process of struvite crystallization. Wastewater and precipitate analysis was done by standard analytical methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pH constant experiment reported a significantly higher struvite precipitation (24.6 +/- 0.86 g) than the non-constant pH experiment (19.8 +/- 1.86 g). The SAR ranged from 5.6 to 8.2 g m(-2) h(-1) to 3.6-4.8 g m(-2) h(-1) in pH constant and non-constant experiments, respectively. The highest struvite deposit on the device was found in regime 3 followed by in regimes 2 and 4. The highest PO4(3-) (97.2%) and NH4+ (71%) removal was reported in the R1 regime. None of the influent Cu2+ or Zn2+ was precipitated on the device.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A higher struvite yield is evident in pH constant experiments. Moreover, the stainless steel device facilitates the isolation of heavy metal free pure (around 96%) struvite from swine waste biogas digester effluent contaminated with cu2+ and Zn2+ and the highest yield is attainable with the device operating at 50 rpm with agitation by a magnetic stirrer.</p>

Chemical components of urinary stones according to age and sex of adult patients.

OBJECTIVE: Report the relationship of composition with age and sex of the patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A series of 426 urinary stones, 33 from the lower (LUT) and 393 from the upper urinary tract (UUT) of adults, were analyzed for their chemical composition using infrared spectroscopy. The majority of LUT stones were from males (n = 26) and in the age group beyond 60 years (n = 20). RESULTS: Calcium oxalate (CaOx) and uric acid and urate (UA-UR) were the main constituents in LUT stones of males and UA-UR and magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) of females. While UA-UR was distributed in all age group of males, it was only detected in elderly females. In cases of UUT stones, the peak finding for both sexes was for the 50-59-year-olds (age class). The MAP component was found more commonly in UUT stones of females, particularly in the younger age groups. CaOx and calcium phosphate (CaP) were the main components of UUT stones in both sexes (CaP was slightly more common in females) with the highest proportion in the 30-49-year-olds (age class), thereafter they declined and were replaced with UA-UR. CONCLUSION: Although the proportion of LUT stones in the present study was small, the present findings agree with previous studies on the role of both age and sex in the etiopathogeny of urinary stones.

A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing two forms of enema for flexible sigmoidoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare bowel preparation quality and patient tolerance of two common enema solutions for flexible sigmoidoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Three hundred adults were randomized to receive a hypertonic sodium chloride or hypertonic sodium phosphate enema regime, each consisting of two enemas administered 60 and 30 min before the procedure. Patients completed surveys on preparation comfort. Patients and endoscopist were blinded to the preparation used During the procedure, the endoscopist took pictures of the mucosa and intraluminal content. All pictures were later evaluated by a single doctor who graded the quality of the preparation. RESULTS: There were no serious complications during or following the procedures. The preparation quality was rated as excellent or good by 76.9% of the hypertonic sodium chloride group and 72.9% of the hypertonic sodium phosphate group (p = 0.423). The hypertonic sodium chloride enema was associated with more abdominal discomfort (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Both enemas were safe for all patients with no statistical difference between the qualities of the two bowel preparations. Both preparations performed their bowel-cleaning function well and were suitable for the preparation of patients before flexible sigmoidoscopy. The less expensive hypertonic sodium chloride solution may be an option for hospitals where budgetary considerations are important.

Recovery of nitrogen and phosphorous as struvite from swine waste biogas digester effluent / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility of nitrogen and phosphorus recovery from swine waste biogas digester effluent and the effects of pH and NH4+: Mg2+: PO4(3-) molar ratio on its precipitation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Precipitation experiments with swine waste biogas digester effluent were conducted at pH 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 together with NH4+: Mg2+: PO4(3-) molar ratios 1: 0.2: 0.08, 1: 1: 1, and 1: 1.5: 1.5. Chemical and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were done to determine the composition of the precipitate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The highest removal and recovery of NH4+ and PO4(3-) were achieved at pH 9.0 in each experiment. The elevation of pH to 9.0 alone could decrease the initial PO4(3-) concentration from 42 mg L(-1) to 4.7 mg L(-1) and 89.2% PO4(3-) recovery was achieved. The pH-molar ratio combination 9.0-1: 1.5: 1.5 effected 76.5% NH4+ and 68.5% PO4(3-) recovery. The molar ratio of 1: 1: 1 together with pH elevation to 9.0 was determined to be the optimum combination for both NH4+ and PO4(3-) removal as it recovered over 70% and 97% of the initial NH4+ and PO4(3-), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Nitrogen and phosphorus can be recovered from biogas digester effluent as struvite.</p>

Preparation and studies of the adsorbent double cross-linked agar beads entrapped attapulgite clay / 生物医学工程学杂志

A method for preparing the double cross-linked agar beads entrapped attapulgite clay for hemopurification is reported. Attapulgite clay was coated with agar and cross-linked by epichlorohydrin. After the process of "drying-out", the cross-linked agar beads entrapped attapulgite clay (CAA) was cross-linked again by 10% toluene 2,4,-diisocyanate in acetone at 35 degrees C for 3 h and 30 min. The products withstood autoclaving at 121 degrees C for 30 min. The performance tests showed that the adsorption of the double cross-linked agar beads entrapped attapulgite clay (DCAA) on methylene blue was about 4 times the adsorption of CAA on methylene blue. The intensity of DCAA was raised 6 times, and the appearance of DCAA was denser. Investigation on the blood being in contact with DCAA showed: at 1 h of contact, the loss of leucocyte was <1%, of erythrocyte <5%, and of blood platelets <8%; at 2h of contact, the loss of leucocyte was <2%, of erythrocyte <10%, and of blood platelets <20%.

Hydrogenation properties of mechanically milled Mg2Ni0.8Cr0.2-CoO/Al2O3 composites / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Mg2Ni0.8Cr0.2-x wt.% CoO/Al2O3 (x=0.5, 1, 2 and 3) composites were prepared by mechanically milling sintered Mg2Ni0.8Cr0.2 alloy and CoO/Al2O3 compound for 45 h. The addition of CoO/Al2O3 compound resulted in the good kinetics properties of hydriding/dehydriding reaction of the composites. The composite with 1.0 wt.% CoO/Al2O3 catalyst could reach the maximum hydrogen absorption capacity (2.9 wt.%) within 5 min at 393 K under H2 pressure of 4 MPa, and can desorb rapidly at 493 K. The decomposition and synthesis of hydrogen molecule on Mg2Ni0.8Cr0.2 alloy surface was promoted by addition of CoO/Al2O3 catalyst. In addition, the formation of metallic Ni particles, strain and defects during the ball milling process also resulted in the improved hydrogenation performance of Mg2Ni-based alloys.

A large intrascrotal calculus / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

A large stone with 8.7 cm multiply 7.2 cm multiply 6.5 cm in size and 420 g in weight dropped down spontaneously from a 93-year-old man's scrotum, who had suffered from left intrascrotal mass and pain for more than 20 years. The component of the stone was magnesium ammonium phosphate. To the best of our knowledge, it is the largest intrascrotal calculus reported in the world. We hereby present the case and discuss the diagnosis and etiology of scrotal calculi.

Change of leukocytic phagocytosis during repeat hemoperfusion with cross-linked agar beads entrapped attapulgite clay / 生物医学工程学杂志

The leukocytic phagocytosis rate and the index of phagocytosis of rats on cross-linked agar beads entrapped attapulgite clay (CAA) hemoperfusion were studied. The results revealed that the leukocytic phagocytosis rate and the index of phagocytosis descended significantly after 1 hour and rose gradually after 6 hours. Finally it reached the normal level after 48 hours. Hemoperfusion repeated two times gave similar results. In conclusion, the function of leukocytic phagocytosis declined temporarily during CAA hemoperfusion. Many times hemoperfusion will not notably affect the body's defense system of rats.

Effects of the adsorbent CAA for hemopurification on normal components of human plasma in removing methylene blue / 生物医学工程学杂志

Virus inactivation of plasma can be achieved by phototreatment with methylene blue (MB). Subsequently, elimination of MB may reduce the adverse effects of MB. This study examined the effects of adsorbing MB with the use of cross-linked agar bead entrapped attapulgite clay (CAA) on normal ingredients in MB-treated plasma units. The biomedical characteristics of CAA were assessed by determination of partial biochemical indexes, coagulation potency and some cationic concentration in a control sample and the MB-treated plasma eluted from CAA column. The biochemistry indexes or K+, Na+ in plasma were almost unaltered before and after CAA adsorption. In contrast, the concentrations of CA2+ and Mg2+ increased and the blood ammonium decreased obviously. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was prolonged from 42 s to 53 s, and prothrombin time (PT) from 13 s to 14 s. The result indicates that CAA as an adsorbent for hemopurification retains the most important characters of human plasma. CAA can be useful for the elimination of MB in MB-treated plasma and does not bring on harmful alteration in clinical significance.

Studies on urine composition in patients with calcium oxalate stone disease

The recurrent formation of calcium oxalate [CaOx] stones might be prevented by appropriate medical measures 1,2. A number of urinary risk factors for stone formation have been identified, which are affected in different ways by the currently available forms of treatment. It appears reasonable to assume that the choice of medical treatment should be determined by the biochemical findings in the individual patient. For this reason it is necessary to have a routine programme for biochemical evaluation of stone-formers. In this paper we present the results from studies on urine composition in more than 300 patients with CaOx stone disease