PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-CagA and the urease metabolite NH₄⁺ on mucin expression in AGS cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AGS cells were transfected with CagA and/or treated with different concentrations of NH₄⁺CL. Mucin gene and protein expression was assessed by qPCR and immunofluorescence assays, respectively. RESULTS: CagA significantly upregulated MUC5AC, MUC2, and MUC5B expression in AGS cells, but did not affect E-cadherin and MUC6 expression. MUC5AC, MUC6, and MUC2 expression in AGS cells increased with increasing NH₄⁺ concentrations until reaching a peak level at 15 mM. MUC5B mRNA expression in AGS cells (NH₄⁺ concentration of 15 mM) was significantly higher than that at 0, 5, and 10 mM NH₄⁺. No changes in E-cadherin expression in AGS cells treated with NH₄⁺ were noted, except at 20 mM. The expression of MUC5AC, MUC2, and MUC6 mRNA in CagA-transfected AGS cells at an NH₄⁺ concentration of 15 mM was significantly NH₄⁺ concentration, and was significantly higher compared to that in untreated cells. No significant change in the expression of E-cadherin mRNA in CagA-transfected AGS cells was observed. Immunofluorescence assays confirmed the observed changes. CONCLUSION: H. pylori may affect the expression of MUC5AC, MUC2, MUC5B, and MUC6 in AGS cells via CagA and/or NH₄⁺, but not E-cadherin.
Ammonium Chloride ; Ammonium Compounds* ; Cadherins ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Mucins* ; RNA, Messenger ; Stomach ; Urease ; Virulence*

PURPOSE: Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) are a widespread disease. Thus, blocking stone formation and finding new therapeutic methods is an important area of study. Diosmin (a major component of the bile) is known to have antioxidant as well as renoprotective effects. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of diosmin on renal tissue protection in rats with ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group one (control) did not receive any treatments. In groups two and three, nephrolithiasis was induced by 2.5% (V/V) ethylene glycol + 2.5% (W/V) ammonium chloride (2 mL/d). The second and the third groups received distilled water or diosmin (80 mg/kg/d) by gavage for 21 days. RESULTS: Stereological estimation of the renal structures revealed that the average volume of calcium oxalate (CaOx) in the nephrolithiasis+diosmin rats was -63% less than in the rats with untreated nephrolithiasis (p<0.01). The volume of the glomeruli, proximal and distal convoluted tubules, Henle's loop, collecting ducts, and vessels was reduced -32% to 58% after the induction of nephrolithiasis (p<0.001). In the nephrolithiasis+diosmin rats, on average, -70% to 96% of the glomeruli, proximal convoluted tubules, Henle's loop collecting ducts, and vessels remained intact (p<0.01). Degeneration of the cortical tissue was 5-fold that of the medulla. In the nephrolithiasis+diosmin rats, degeneration in the renal cortical tissue and medulla was reduced -70% and 44%, respectively, compared with that in the untreated nephrolithiasis group (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Diosmin reduces CaOx deposition and the degeneration of glomeruli and tubules in a rat model of nephrolithiasis.
Ammonium Chloride ; Animals ; Calcium ; Calcium Oxalate ; Diosmin ; Ethylene Glycol ; Ethylenes ; Kidney Calculi ; Nephrolithiasis ; Rats ; Water

The role of the kidney in combating metabolic acidosis has been a subject of considerable interest for many years. The present study was aimed to determine whether there is an altered regulation of renal acid base transporters in acute and chronic acid loading. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Metabolic acidosis was induced by administration of NH4Cl for 2 days (acute) and for 7days (chronic). The serum and urinary pH and bicarbonate were measured. The protein expression of renal acid base transporters [type 3 Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE3), type 1 Na+/HCO3- cotransporter (NBC1), Na-K+ ATPase, H(+)-ATPase, anion exchanger-1 (AE-1)] was measured by semiquantitative immunoblotting. Serum bicarbonate and pH were decreased in acute acid loading rats compared with controls. Accordingly, urinary pH decreased. The protein expression of NHE3, H(+)-ATPase, AE-1 and NBC1 was not changed. In chronic acid loading rats, serum bicarbonate and pH were not changed, while urinary pH was decreased compared with controls. The protein expression of NHE3, H(+)-ATPase was increased in the renal cortex of chronic acid loading rats. These results suggest that unaltered expression of acid transporters combined with acute acid loading may contribute to the development of acidosis. The subsequent increased expression of NHE3, H(+)-ATPase in the kidney may play a role in promoting acid excretion in the later stage of acid loading, which counteract the development of metabolic acidosis.
Acidosis ; Adenosine Triphosphatases ; Ammonium Chloride ; Animals ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Immunoblotting ; Kidney ; Male ; Proton-Translocating ATPases ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium-Hydrogen Antiporter

The present study is an attempt to delineate the effect of various salt administrations on the changes of blood pH and electrolytes, especially the nature of serum calcium, total and ionic, and serum magnesium. Thirty five male rabbits weighing 1.9 to 2. 5kg were used in this experiment. At the end of the three days diet adjustment period, the animals were divided into seven groups; Group I; Control, Group II; Ammonium chloride oral administration, Group III; Oral administration of sodium bicarbonate, Group IV; Potassium chloride intraveneous injection, Group V; Sodium chloride intravenous injection, Group VI; Calcium chloride intravenous injection, and Group VII; Magnesium chloride intravenous injection. The blood pH was determined by the method by Astrup and bicarbonate in serum by the method of Van Slyke and Neill. Sodium and potassium in serum were determined with an EEL flame photometer. Chloride was determined by the method of Schales and Schales and inorganic phosphorous by the method of Fiske and Subbarrow. Serum total calcium and magnesium were determined according to the method of chelometric titration with Eriochrome blue S.E. Serum ionic calcium was determined by the method of Yanagisawa. The results of this study are as follows: 1. The oral administration of ammonium chloride produced a significant decrease in blood pH. The serum concentrations of bicarbonate, magnesium and potassium were steadily decreased, but serum chloride, serum total and ionic calcium concentrations were increased through the experiment. 2. Sodium bicarbonate ingestion increased the concentration of bicarbonate, magnesium and serum ionic calcium markedly and serum ionic calcium slightly. The blood pH was significantly increased but serum chloride concentration was markedly reduced after ingestion of sodium bicarbonate However, serum potassium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations were decreased slightly. 3. The blood pH was dropped in the first two hours of intravenous injection of potassium chloride and tended to rise again significantly. the concentration of sodium and chloride in serum was increased markedly in two hours of injection but reduced after six hours to control level. Serum phosphorus, total and ionic calcium were reduced steadily, but serum concentration of magnesium, potassium and bicarbonate concentrations were slightly increased through the experiment 4. After sodium chloride was given, intravenously, there was a sustained increase in the concentration of serum sodium, potassium, phosphorus and bicarbonate but the blood pH was decreased in the first two hours and significantly elevated through the experiment. The serum concentration of chloride, magnesium, total and ionic calcium was decreased slightly. 5. B100d pH was slightly increased and the concentration of chloride was elevated sharply after injection of calcium chloride intravenously in the first two hours and come to control level in twenty-four hours. Serum sodium concentration was elevated steadily through the experiment. The concentration of total and ionic calcium in serum was elevated after injection but come to control level in twenty four hours of injection. Serum potassium and magnesium concentrations were decreased slightly in the first two hours and increased in four hours of injection. 6. Magnesium chloride intravenous injection produced a decrease in blood pH and serum concentration of bicarbonate in the first few hours and increase after 6 hours of injection. Serum magnesium, and inorganic phosphorus levels were increased after injection but the concentration of inorganic phosphrous was decreased markedly in twenty four hours of injection. Serum concentration of chloride, ionic calcium and potassium wag markedly reduced.
Administration, Oral ; Ammonium Chloride ; Animals ; Calcium ; Calcium Chloride ; Diet ; Eating ; Eels ; Electrolytes* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Injections, Intravenous ; Magnesium ; Magnesium Chloride ; Male ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Potassium Chloride ; Rabbits ; Sodium ; Sodium Bicarbonate ; Sodium Chloride

Curdlan is a water insoluble exopolysaccharide produced by Alcaligenes faecalis under nitrogen-limiting conditions. After excretion, the polysaccharide is attached the cell wall. Thus enhancement of biomass production during the cell growth phase is important to curdlan production. A strategy of increasing nitrogen source to improve biomass production was adopted for curdlan production by Alcaligenes faecalis (ATCC 31749). In the batch fermentation of curdlan, a relatively higher NH4Cl level of 3.6 g/L with continuous glucose feeding increased the cell density leading to improvement of curdlan production. However, excessive NH4Cl would inhibit curdlan production and biomass production was not improved significantly. In addition, feeding of ammonia water at the initial phase replaced NaOH solution to control pH at 7.0. Subsequently, feeding of NaOH solution was resumed to control pH at 5.6 for curdlan production after ammonia was consumed. As a result, biomass production and curdlan yield were both enhanced remarkably. Feeding of ammonia water during the first 24 h led to biomass production of 18.8 g/L. However, higher cell density did not lead to increase in curdlan production. The maximum curdlan production (72 g/L) was obtained by feeding ammonia water for the first 14 h, during which the cell density was about 11.9 g/L.
Alcaligenes faecalis ; cytology ; metabolism ; Ammonium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Proliferation ; Fermentation ; beta-Glucans ; metabolism

Using response surface method, we optimized the medium for the asymmetric whole cell biotransformation by Candida tropicalis 104. This strain was used for microbial reduction of 1-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] ethanone to (S)-l-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] alcohol, with enantiomeric excess(e.e.) reached more than 99.9%. Fractional factorial design was used to evaluate the effects of medium components on carbonyl reductase activity of Candida tropicalis 104. Yeast extract, glucose and NH4Cl were the most important factors among six tested variables that influence the enzyme activity for the biotransformation process. Based on the experimental results, the path of steepest ascent was undertaken to approach the optimal region of these factors. Central composite design and response surface analysis were subsequently employed for further optimization. The optimal medium for Candida tropicalis 104 was composed of (in g/L): glucose 47.14, yeast extract 13.25, NH4Cl 2.71, MgSO4.7H2O 0.4, KH2PO4 1, K2HPO4 1. Under the optimum conditions, the maximum enzyme activity of 852.75 U/L in theory and 851.13 U/L in the experiment were obtained, with an increase of 65.2% compared to the original medium components.
Alcohol Oxidoreductases ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; Ammonium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Candida tropicalis ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Culture Media ; Fermentation ; Models, Theoretical

The influences of temperature and nutritional conditions on the mycelium growth of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) and Pleurotus cystidiosus (PC) were investigated in laboratory experiment during the summer season of 2014. The results of the experiment indicated that potato dextrose agar (PDA) and yam dextrose agar (YDA) were the most suitable media for the mycelium growth of oyster mushroom PO while four media (PDA, YDA, sweet potato dextrose agar, and malt extract agar medium) were not significantly different in supporting mycelium growth of oyster mushroom PC. The optimal temperature for mycelium growth of both oyster mushroom species was obtained at 28degrees C. Mycelium growth of oyster mushroom PO was improved by carbon sources such as glucose, molasses, and at 1~5% sucrose concentration, mycelium colony diameter of mushroom PO was achieved the highest value. Whereas glucose, dextrose, and sucrose as carbon sources gave the good mycelium growth of oyster mushroom PC, and at 1~3% sucrose concentration, mycelium colony diameter of PC was achieved the maximum value. Ammonium chloride concentrations at 0.03~0.09% and 0.03~0.05% also gave the greatest values in mycelium colony diameter of mushroom PO and PC. Brown rice was found to be the most favourable for mycelium growth of two oyster mushroom species. In addition, sugarcane residue, acasia sawdust and corn cob were selected as favourable lignocellulosic substrate sources for mycelium growth of both oyster mushrooms.
Agar ; Agaricales ; Ammonium Chloride ; Carbon ; Dioscorea ; Glucose ; Ipomoea batatas ; Molasses ; Mycelium* ; Pleurotus* ; Saccharum ; Seasons ; Solanum tuberosum ; Sucrose ; Zea mays

BACKGROUND: A number of skin manifestations in patients with allergic contact dermatitis result from sensitization with specific allergens. The patch test is a primary diagnostic tool for identifying allergens causing allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: We identified the results of patch test with Korean standard series in patients with clinically diagnosed with contact dermatitis, and evaluated the specific relationship with each allergen. METHODS: During a 5-year period, 743 patients were examined with patch test of standard Korean series. The results of patch test were then evaluated. Location of the skin lesion, age, sex, and occupation of the patients were completely reviewed. RESULTS: Overall, 68.5% of patients had at least one positive reaction and 43.6% of patients had two or more positive reactions. Allergens most frequently causing positive reactions were nickel sulfate (27.1%), cobalt chloride (22.1%), potassium dichromate (17.9%), mercuric ammonium chloride (13.8%), and 4-phenyledediamine base (10.2%). Those patients in their 10s and 40s showed the highest rate of positive reaction. Metal allergens displayed higher positive rates than any other standard allergens. Of 201 patients who showed positive reaction to nickel, 37.8% and 27.3% of them also showed positive reaction to cobalt and chromium, respectively, representing concomitant reactions between metal-related antigens. In addition, polysensitization to cosmetics-related antigens including balsam peru and fragnance mix was evident. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in overall positive rate in patch test results compared with recent studies. However, we confirmed that metal-related allergens remain most common, and that multiple contact allergy were relatively common.
Allergens ; Ammonia ; Ammonium Chloride ; Chromium ; Cobalt ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Mercuric Chloride ; Nickel ; Occupations ; Patch Tests ; Peru ; Potassium Dichromate ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations

BACKGROUND: Hand eczema is a common skin disease in the general population. The etiology of hand eczema is obscure and many causative factors have been proposed. However, there are only a few reported studies of the relevance of contact allergy in hand eczema. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the patch test for patients with hand eczema. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical characteristics and the results of the patch tests of the 37 patients with hand eczema and we then compared these with the clinical subtypes. RESULTS: 26 patients (70.3%) showed a positive test to one or more allergens. The common allergens were nickel sulfate (35.1%), mercury ammonium chloride (21.6%), and cobalt chloride (18.9%). The positive rates for a patch test were 82.4% for the vesicular form, 77.8% for the fissured form, 20.0% for the hyperkeratotic form and 66.7% for pompholyx, respectively. We found more significant improvement of the clinical symptoms in the vesicular group (57.1%) than that in the non-vesicular group (9.3%) after avoiding the verified allergens. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the patch test is a useful tool for the detection of contact allergens and it must be performed for the patients with hand eczema, and especially for those patients with the vesicular type.
Allergens ; Ammonia ; Ammonium Chloride ; Cobalt ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Eczema ; Eczema, Dyshidrotic ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Mercuric Chloride ; Nickel ; Occupations ; Patch Tests ; Skin Diseases

BACKGROUND: Hand eczema is a common skin disease in the general population. The etiology of hand eczema is obscure and many causative factors have been proposed. However, there are only a few reported studies of the relevance of contact allergy in hand eczema. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the patch test for patients with hand eczema. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical characteristics and the results of the patch tests of the 37 patients with hand eczema and we then compared these with the clinical subtypes. RESULTS: 26 patients (70.3%) showed a positive test to one or more allergens. The common allergens were nickel sulfate (35.1%), mercury ammonium chloride (21.6%), and cobalt chloride (18.9%). The positive rates for a patch test were 82.4% for the vesicular form, 77.8% for the fissured form, 20.0% for the hyperkeratotic form and 66.7% for pompholyx, respectively. We found more significant improvement of the clinical symptoms in the vesicular group (57.1%) than that in the non-vesicular group (9.3%) after avoiding the verified allergens. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the patch test is a useful tool for the detection of contact allergens and it must be performed for the patients with hand eczema, and especially for those patients with the vesicular type.
Allergens ; Ammonia ; Ammonium Chloride ; Cobalt ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Eczema ; Eczema, Dyshidrotic ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Mercuric Chloride ; Nickel ; Occupations ; Patch Tests ; Skin Diseases