BACKGROUNDS: Metabolic and environmental evaluation can provide a powerful tool for management of patients with urolithiasis. We developed the interpretative reporting system of the analysis of urine stone risk and evaluated the clinical usefulness of this system. METHODS: The analysis of urine stone risk with thirty five cases were performed at Samsung Medical Center from January 1 to June 30, 1999. They were studied using a protocol based on 24 hour urine tests including volume, pH, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphate, uric acid, magnesium, citrate, oxalate, ammonium and creatinine. Nitroprusside-cyanide spot test, routine urine analysis, urine culture, and several serum tests including electrolytes, calcium, phosphate, uric acid, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone were also included. The results of physical and chemical analysis of urine stone were considered together. Relative supersaturations were estimated using software program EQUIL. We provided comprehensive interpretation about the specific causes and risks of stone formation in each patient. RESULTS: Hyperoxaluria (57.1%), hypercalciuria (57.1%), natriuresis (51.4%) and hypocitraturia (34.3%) were commonly found at the urine of patients with urolithiasis. The results of urine stone risk analysis based on relative supersaturation and related laboratory findings correlated well with the results of urine stone analysis. Mixed form of calcium oxalate stone was most commonly encounterd. Increased supersaturation with respect to calcium oxalate stone was noted in 23 cases (65.7%), which were frequently accompanied by hyperuricosuria or increased supersaturation with uric acid stone. The pH of urine was generally increased in struvite stones and decreased in uric acid stones. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of urine composition and determination of urine stone risk were very useful for evaluation of patients with urolithiasis. And the interpretative reporting system of the analysis of urine stone risk can provide meaningful information in the treament and prevention of stone disease.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Ammonium Compounds ; Calcium ; Calcium Chloride ; Calcium Oxalate ; Citric Acid ; Creatinine ; Electrolytes ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypercalciuria ; Hyperoxaluria ; Magnesium ; Natriuresis ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Potassium ; Sodium ; Uric Acid ; Urolithiasis

In order to investigate the effects of pyrolysis conditions on bio-oil production from biomass in molten salt, experiments of biomass pyrolysis were carried out in a self-designed reactor in which the molten salt ZnCl2-KCl (with mole ratio 7/6) was selected as heat carrier, catalyst and dispersion agent. The effects of metal salt added into ZnCl2-KCl and biomass material on biomass pyrolysis were discussed, and the main compositions of bio-oil were determined by GC-MS. Metal salt added into molten salt could affect pyrolysis production yields remarkably. Lanthanon salt could enhance bio-oil yield and decrease water content in bio-oil, when mole fraction of 5.0% LaCl3 was added, bio-oil yield could reach up to 32.0%, and water content of bio-oil could reduce to 61.5%. The bio-oil and char yields were higher when rice straw was pyrolysed, while gas yield was higher when rice husk was used. Metal salts showed great selectivity on compositions of bio-oil. LiCl and FeCl2 promoted biomass to pyrolyse into smaller molecular weight compounds. CrCl3, CaCl2 and LaCl3 could restrain second pyrolysis of bio-oil. The research provided a scientific reference for production of bio-oil from biomass pyrolysis in molten salt.
Biofuels ; analysis ; Bioreactors ; microbiology ; Catalysis ; Chlorides ; chemistry ; Lanthanum ; chemistry ; Lipids ; biosynthesis ; Oryza ; metabolism ; Plant Stems ; metabolism ; Potassium Chloride ; chemistry ; Salts ; chemistry ; Zinc Compounds ; chemistry

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare manifestation of hyperthyroidism characterized by muscle weakness and hypokalemia. All ethnicities can be affected, but TPP typically presents in men of Asian descent. The most common cause of TPP in thyrotoxicosis is Graves' disease. However, TPP can occur with any form of thyrotoxicosis. Up to our knowledge, very few cases ever reported the relationship between TPP and painless thyroiditis. We herein report a 25-yr-old Korean man who suffered from flaccid paralysis of the lower extremities and numbness of hands. The patient was subsequently diagnosed as having TPP associated with transient thyrotoxicosis due to painless thyroiditis. The paralytic attack did not recur after improving the thyroid function. Therefore, it is necessary that early diagnosis of TPP due to transient thyrotoxicosis is made to administer definite treatment and prevent recurrent paralysis.
Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis/*diagnosis/drug therapy/etiology ; Male ; Organotechnetium Compounds/chemistry/diagnostic use ; Potassium Chloride/therapeutic use ; Propranolol/therapeutic use ; Radiopharmaceuticals/diagnostic use ; Thyroiditis/*complications/radiography/ultrasonography ; Thyrotoxicosis/*diagnosis/etiology

OBJECTIVETo select an effective way to enhance vigor of Prunella vulgaris seeds.

METHODThree population seeds were treated at the 20 degrees C and dark enviroment.

RESULTPriming with 20% - 30% PEG and 200 - 400 mg x L(-1) GA3 could enhance seeds germination and vigor. Germination percentage of three population seeds treated with 0. 6% - 3.0% NaCl reduced, but they started to germinate in advance. Treated with 0.6% - 2.4% KNO3-KH2PO4, germination rate and vigor of seeds in Zijinshan and Pan' an both increased and the one in Bozhou decreased.

CONCLUSIONVigor of P. vulgaris seed treated with PEG and GA3 under proper concentration increases, while treated with KNO3-KH2PO, and NaCl low vigor seeds germination rate reduces.

Darkness ; Germination ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Gibberellins ; pharmacology ; Nitrates ; pharmacology ; Phosphates ; pharmacology ; Polyethylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Potassium Compounds ; pharmacology ; Prunella ; drug effects ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Seeds ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Sodium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Temperature

To offer the reference and method for salt damage in the cultivation of Marsdenia tenacissima, the seeds of M. tenacissima collected from Maguan city ( Yunnan province) were taken as the test materials to study the effects of different priming materials on improving germination and growth under high-level salt stress condition. Four different treatments, which were GA3, KNO3-KH2PO4, PEG-6000, NaCl, combined with ANOVA were applied to test the performance of germination energy, germination percentage, germination index, MDA, SOD, and CAT. The results showed that the seed germination was obviously inhibited under salt stress and the soaked seeds with different priming materials could alleviate the damage of salt stress. Under these treatments, the activities of SOD, CAT the content of soluble protein significantly increased. While the content of MDA significantly decreased. The maximum index was obtained when treated with 1.20% KNO3-KH2PO4, the germination percentage increased from 52.67% to 87.33% and the activity of SOD increased from 138.01 to 219.44 respectively. Comparing with the treatment of 1.20% KNO3-KH2PO4, the germination percentage of treating with 300 mg x L(-1) GA3 increased from 52.67% to 80.67%, while the activity of SOD increased from 138.01 to 444.61.
Germination ; drug effects ; physiology ; Marsdenia ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Nitrates ; pharmacology ; Polyethylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Potassium Compounds ; pharmacology ; Seeds ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Sodium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Stress, Physiological ; Xanthones ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of potassium salts on direct induction of microtubers from different explants in Pinellia ternata.

METHODLeaves, petioles and tubers were cut and cultured on the medium with different kinds of potassium salts and plant growth regulators.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONLow concentration of potassium salts, which were lower than 4.02 mmol x L(-1), could promote the microtuber formation in vitro. While high concentration of potassium salts, which were more than 12.06 mmol x L(-1), inhibited the formation of microtubers.

Culture Media ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Nitrites ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Phosphates ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Pinellia ; growth & development ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; growth & development ; Plant Tubers ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Potassium Chloride ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Potassium Compounds ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Tissue Culture Techniques

The hedgehog has recently become a fashionable pet in South Korea, especially among the younger persons. However, hedgehogs have been rarely reported to carry fungus that can cause human dermatomycosis. We report such a case. A 12-year-old boy was bitten by his hedgehog one week prior to presentation; he developed two clearly defined erythematous plaques with some pustules on the fingers. Periodic acid-Schiff stain of the biopsy specimen showed long, septated fungal hyphae in the keratin layer. KOH examination and fungus culture showed Trichophyton(T.) mentagrophytes. The subtype was identified as T. mentagrophytes var. erinacei by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer regions of theribosomal DNA. The patient was treated with oral itraconazole (3.3 mg/kg, twice a day for 4 weeks) and topical ketoconazole cream with potassium permanganate wet dressings twice a day, resulting in complete resolution of the skin lesions.
Bandages ; Biopsy ; Child ; Dermatomycoses ; DNA ; Fingers ; Fungi ; Hedgehogs ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Itraconazole ; Keratins ; Ketoconazole ; Manganese Compounds ; Oxides ; Potassium Permanganate ; Republic of Korea ; Sequence Analysis ; Skin ; Tinea ; Trichophyton

A quick hemostatic effect, as well as sclerosing and shrinkage of hemorrhoids, can be attained when internal hemorrhoids are treated by using injection therapy with aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA), the outcomes of treatment may be similar to those of a hemorrhoidectomy. However, if the type of hemorrhoid or the method of injection is not appropriate for ALTA treatment, complications peculiar to ALTA or recurrence may develop. Accordingly, sufficient understanding of the treatment mechanism of ALTA injection and repeated training for injection are required for effective use of the ALTA treatment.
Alum Compounds ; Aluminum ; Hemorrhoidectomy ; Hemorrhoids ; Potassium ; Recurrence ; Tannins

BACKGROUND: Although there have been many studies about onychomycosis, the study about onychomycosis with dermatophytoma has not been reported yet in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characterictics and treatment strategies of the onychomycosis with dermatophytoma compare with the other onychomycosis. METHODS: In the 5-year period 2007-2011, we reviewed forty five patients with toenail onychomycosis with dermatophytoma, proven by direct potassium hydroxide examination. The etiological agents were identified by cultures on Sabouraud's dextrose agar with and without cycloheximide. To confirm dermatophytoma, we performed histopathologic evaluation of the nail plate by nail clipping. RESULTS: Toenail onychomycosis with dermatophytoma were 2.9% of all onychomycosis. Among the age groups, the incidence rate was highest in the sixties (24.4%). The ratio of male to female patients was 1:1.1. The frequency of associated disease was highest in diabetes mellitus (17.7%). The right great toenail was most common affected nails. Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (88.9%) was the most common clinical type. The round lesion was most common clinical features of affected area (66.7%), followed by linear lesion (33.3%). Trichophyton rubrum was most common etiological agent (57.8%). The partial removal of the tonail combined with oral and topical antifungal agent was most common in treatment of onychomycosis with dermatophytoma. CONCLUSION: Because of the increase in onychomycosis with dermatophytoma, and its relative resistance to the conventional treatment of onychomycosis, we suggest the need of a careful mycological examination to diagnose the dermatohpytoma in patients with onychomycosis, and we also propose more aggressive treatment strategy is required to treat dermatophytoma.
Agar ; Cycloheximide ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hydroxides ; Incidence ; Male ; Nails ; Onychomycosis ; Potassium ; Potassium Compounds ; Trichophyton

Permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus refers to diabetes that occurs before the age of 6 months and persists through life. It is a rare disorder affecting one in 0.2-0.5 million live births. Mutations in the gene KCNJ11, encoding the subunit Kir6.2, and ABCC8, encoding SUR1 of the ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel, are the most common causes of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus. Sulfonylureas close the K(ATP) channel and increase insulin secretion. KCNJ11 and ABCC8 mutations have important therapeutic implications because sulfonylurea therapy can be effective in treating patients with mutations in the potassium channel subunits. The mutation type, the presence of neurological features, and the duration of diabetes are known to be the major factors affecting the treatment outcome after switching to sulfonylurea therapy. More than 30 mutations in the KCNJ11 gene have been identified. Here, we present our experience with a patient carrying a novel p.H186D heterozygous mutation in the KCNJ11 gene who was successfully treated with oral sulfonylurea.
Diabetes Mellitus* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Live Birth ; Potassium ; Potassium Channels ; Sulfonylurea Compounds ; Treatment Outcome