PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the corrosion behaviors of dental implant alloy after micro-sized surface modification in electrolytes containing Mn ion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mn-TiO₂ coatings were prepared on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy for dental implants using a plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) method carried out in electrolytes containing different concentrations of Mn, namely, 0%, 5%, and 20%. Potentiodynamic method was employed to examine the corrosion behaviors, and the alternating-current (AC) impedance behaviors were examined in 0.9% NaCl solution at 36.5℃±1.0℃ using a potentiostat and an electrochemical impedance spectroscope. The potentiodynamic test was performed with a scanning rate of 1.667 mV s⁻¹ from −1,500 to 2,000 mV. A frequency range of 10⁻¹ to 10⁵ Hz was used for the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The amplitude of the AC signal was 10 mV, and 5 points per decade were used. The morphology and structure of the samples were examined using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and thin-film X-ray diffraction. The elemental analysis was performed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. RESULT: The PEO-treated surface exhibited an irregular pore shape, and the pore size and number of the pores increased with an increase in the Mn concentration. For the PEO-treated surface, a higher corrosion current density (I(corr)) and a lower corrosion potential (E(corr)) was obtained as compared to that of the bulk surface. However, the current density in the passive regions (I(pass)) was found to be more stable for the PEO-treated surface than that of the bulk surface. As the Mn concentration increased, the capacitance values of the outer porous layer and the barrier layer decreased, and the polarization resistance of the barrier layers increased. In the case of the Mn/Ca-P coatings, the corroded surface was found to be covered with corrosion products. CONCLUSION: It is confirmed that corrosion resistance and polarization resistance of PEO-treated alloy increased as Mn content increased, and PEO-treated surface showed lower current density in the passive region.
Alloys ; Corrosion ; Dental Implants ; Dielectric Spectroscopy ; Electric Impedance ; Electrolytes ; Manganese ; Methods ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Plasma ; Spectrum Analysis ; X-Ray Diffraction

PURPOSE: The results of arterial blood gas analysis using conventional liquid sodium heparin syringes are inaccurate due to the dilution effect, chelation of heparin and the electrolyte, and interference of the heparin electrolyte measurement. This study compared the accuracy of using heparin with a liquid sodium heparin syringe (LHs) and balanced lithium/zinc heparin syringe (BHs). METHODS: This study evaluated 6,778 cases who underwent an arterial blood gas test, serum electrolytes test, and complete blood count test among patients aged 18 years or older who visited the emergency room from November 1, 2016 to March 3, 2017. Finally, there were 2,383 cases using LHs and 2,584 cases using BHs. The results were compared between the groups using the LHs and BHs for sodium, potassium, and hemoglobin, and the agreement was compared using the Bland-Altman plot. RESULTS: Sodium difference value was the 5.714±5.696 mmol/L in the LHs group, -1.549±3.339 mmol/L in the BHs group. The potassium difference value was -0.650±0.494 mmol/L (LHs group) and -0.257±0.367 mmol/L (BHs group). The hemoglobin difference values were -0.556±1.116 g/dL (LHs group) and -0.170±1.062 g/dL (BHs group). The results showed that the BHs group was improved compared to the LHs group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of arterial blood gas analysis of sodium, potassium, and hemoglobin were more accurate for the BHs group than the LHs group based on the serum electrolytes and complete blood counts.
Blood Cell Count ; Blood Gas Analysis* ; Electrolytes* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Heparin* ; Humans ; Potassium ; Sodium ; Syringes*

Pesticide formulation includes solvents (methanol and xylene) and antifreeze (ethylene glycol) whose metabolites are anions such as formic acid, hippuric acid, and oxalate. However, the effect of the anion gap on clinical outcome in acute pesticide intoxication requires clarification. In this prospective study, we compared the anion gap and other parameters between surviving versus deceased patients with acute pesticide intoxication. The following parameters were assessed in 1,058 patients with acute pesticide intoxication: blood chemistry (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, lactic acid, liver enzymes, albumin, globulin, and urate), urinalysis (ketone bodies), arterial blood gas analysis, electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl- HCO3 -, Ca++), pesticide field of use, class, and ingestion amount, clinical outcome (death rate, length of hospital stay, length of intensive care unit stay, and seriousness of toxic symptoms), and the calculated anion gap. Among the 481 patients with a high anion gap, 52.2% had a blood pH in the physiologic range, 35.8% had metabolic acidosis, and 12.1% had acidemia. Age, anion gap, pesticide field of use, pesticide class, seriousness of symptoms (all P < 0.001), and time lag after ingestion (P = 0.048) were significant risk factors for death in univariate analyses. Among these, age, anion gap, and pesticide class were significant risk factors for death in a multiple logistic regression analysis (P < 0.001). In conclusions, high anion gap is a significant risk factor for death, regardless of the accompanying acid-base balance status in patients with acute pesticide intoxication.
Acid-Base Equilibrium ; Acidosis/etiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anions/*chemistry/metabolism ; Biomarkers/*chemistry/metabolism ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Chemically-Induced Disorders/mortality/pathology ; Electrolytes/analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Pesticides/*poisoning ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Analysis ; Urinalysis ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: A handheld blood gas analyser has been newly developed for mobile monitoring of blood gasses and electrolytes. We evaluated the performance of a portable blood gas analyser, Epoc(TM) (Epocal Inc., Canada) according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines, and compared it to that of a conventional analyser used in clinical laboratories. METHODS: Precision and percent carry-over were determined using three levels of aqueous and hematocrit control materials according to CLSI EP10-A3. Linearity was determined using five levels of control materials according to CLSI EP6-A. The pH, pCO2, pO2, Na+, K+, Ca2+, glucose, lactate, and hematocrit levels were compared between the Epoc(TM) and Stat Profile Critical Care Xpress (STP CCX; Nova Biomedical, USA) analysers using whole blood samples from 40 subjects according to CLSI EP9-A2. RESULTS: The coefficient of variation of the within-run precision and total precision were 0.000% to 4.563% and 0.000% to 5.298%, respectively. The carry-over was within 5%. The Epoc(TM) analyser showed excellent linearity for all nine parameters evaluated. For the comparison study, the Epoc(TM) and conventional analysers showed comparable results (correlation coefficient [r]=0.900-0.995), except for hematocrit (r=0.764). CONCLUSIONS: The Epoc(TM) POC analyser shows reliable analytical precision and is comparable to the traditional bench-top blood gas analysers. It could be useful in clinical settings, especially in operating rooms and pediatric intensive care units.
Blood Gas Analysis ; Critical Care ; Electrolytes ; Glucose ; Hematocrit ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric ; Lactic Acid ; Operating Rooms ; Point-of-Care Systems

BACKGROUND: If acid-base status and electrolytes on blood gases during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) differ between the arrest causes, this difference may aid in differentiating the arrest cause. We sought to assess the ability of blood gases during CPR to predict the arrest cause between primary cardiac arrest and asphyxial arrest. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients for whom blood gas analysis was performed during CPR on emergency department arrival. Patients were divided into two groups according to the arrest cause: a primary cardiac arrest group and an asphyxial arrest group. Acid-base status and electrolytes during CPR were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Presumed arterial samples showed higher potassium in the asphyxial arrest group (p < 0.001). On the other hand, presumed venous samples showed higher potassium (p = 0.001) and PCO2 (p < 0.001) and lower pH (p = 0.008) and oxygen saturation (p = 0.01) in the asphyxial arrest group. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that arterial potassium (OR 5.207, 95% CI 1.430-18.964, p = 0.012) and venous PCO2 (OR 1.049, 95% CI 1.021-1.078, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of asphyxial arrest. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicated an optimal cut-off value for arterial potassium of 6.1 mEq/L (sensitivity 100% and specificity 86.4%) and for venous PCO2 of 70.9 mmHg (sensitivity 84.6% and specificity 65.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that blood gases during CPR can be used to predict the arrest cause. These findings should be confirmed through further studies.
Adult ; Asphyxia ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Electrolytes ; Emergencies ; Gases ; Hand ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Logistic Models ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest ; Oxygen ; Potassium ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) often occurs under stressful conditions, and has been reported during or after anesthesia and operation. HVS, characterized by multiple somatic symptoms and electrolyte imbalances induced by inappropriate hyperventilation, should be managed as an emergency. We report a rare case of HVS during spinal anesthesia. The patient was a previously healthy 51-year-old female without psychogenic conditions. During spinal anesthesia for lower extremity surgery, the patient complained of nausea, headache, paresthesia in the upper extremities and perioral numbness. We found carpal spasm in both hands and flattening of T wave on electrocardiogram (ECG). Emergent arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) revealed markedly decreased PaCO2, hypocalcemia and hypokalemia. We managed the patient with verbal sedation, electrolytes replacement therapy and closed mask inhalation. HVS subsided gradually. We conclude that monitoring for possible HVS during anesthesia is very important for patient safety.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Electrocardiography ; Electrolytes ; Emergencies ; Female ; Hand ; Headache ; Humans ; Hyperventilation ; Hypesthesia ; Hypocalcemia ; Hypokalemia ; Inhalation ; Lower Extremity ; Masks ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; Paresthesia ; Patient Safety ; Spasm ; Upper Extremity

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to analyze the effects of differences between initial and follow up amounts of central venous oxygen saturation (Scvo2), lactate, anion gap (AG), and corrected anion gap (CAG). METHODS: Patients with systolic blood pressure that was lower than 90 mmHg participated in this study. Along with Arterial Blood Gas Analysis (ABGA), the amounts of electrolytes, albumin, and Scvo2 were initially checked and then re-checked four hours later. The patients were divided into two groups, which were survived and expired, and the differences in initial and final values were compared in both groups. RESULTS: Out of a total of 36 patients, 29 patients survived and 7 patients died. The data showed almost no difference in mean age, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature between two groups. Comparing the initial amount, there was a statistically significant variation in lactate. Comparing the final values, lactate, AG, and CAG varied significantly. However, for both groups, the differences between the initial and final values were not significant. The area under curve (AUC) of follow up lactate and follow up CAG was 0.89 and 0.88. AUC of ED-APACHEII and original ICU APACHEII was 0.74 and 0.96. CONCLUSIONS: There was no prognostic effect of Scvo2, lactate, AG, and CAG in hypotensive patients. The initial and final values of lactate and CAG were good prognostic factors for the expired group.
Acid-Base Equilibrium ; Area Under Curve ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Body Temperature ; Electrolytes ; Emergencies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Lactic Acid ; Oxygen ; Respiratory Rate

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) transmission route is not yet clearly understood. Isolating H. pylori from stool, saliva, and vomitus is very difficult. However, H. pylori could be cultured from feces in the setting of rapid gastrointestinal tract transit. The aim of this study was to isolate H. pylori by culture and PCR in the rectum and terminal ileum during colonoscopy. METHODS: Twenty subjects with positive UBT (urea breath test) were included. We performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and culture of H. pylori with the rectal fluid and terminal ileal fluid during colonoscopy. RESULTS: H. pylori was cultured with rectal fluid from 9 (45.0%) of 20 subjects and with ileal fluid from 11 (55.0%) of 20 subjects. H. pylori was a little more frequently cultured from the terminal ileal fluid than the rectal fluid without statistical significance (p>0.05). PCR test detected flaA (16/20, 80.0% and 17/20, 85.0%), 16S rRNA gene (16/20, 80.0% and 17/20, 85.0%), cagA (10/20, 50.0% and 12/20, 60.0%), and ureC (9/20, 45% and 11/20, 54.5%) from the rectal fluid and the terminal ileal fluid, respectively. The specificity and sensitivity of ureC were 100%. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori could be cultured from the rectal fluid and terminal ileal fluid in the setting of rapid gastrointestinal tract transit. These results suggest of fecal-oral transmission of H. pylori.
Adult ; Antigens, Bacterial/genetics ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Breath Tests ; Electrolytes/administration & dosage ; Feces/microbiology ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections/*diagnosis/transmission ; Helicobacter pylori/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Ileum/*microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols/administration & dosage ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rectum/*microbiology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urea/analysis ; Urease/genetics

The determination of chemical purity of andrographolide by coulometric titration method is studied in this paper. The coulometric titration was carried out in a mixture composed of 4 mol x L(-1) hydrochloric acid and 1 mol x L(-1) potassium bromide solution and 1 mol x L(-1) potassium nitrate solution (1:1). Bromine is electrogenerated at the anode and reacts with the andrographolide. The number of electrons involved in the eleatrode reaction is 2. Purity of andrographolide is 99.76% compared with 99.77% utilizing area normalization method by HPLC. The RSD are 0.33% and 0.02% respectively. The results from two methods are consistent, so the determination of chemical purity of andrographolide by coulometric titration method is scientific and feasible. The method is rapid, simple, convenient, sensitive and accurate. The reference material is not essential in the method. The method is suitable for determination of chemical purity of andrographolide.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Diterpenes ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Electrolysis ; Electrolytes ; chemistry ; Indicators and Reagents ; chemistry ; Linear Models ; Reproducibility of Results

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Associations have been reported between the serum uric acid (SUA) level, metabolic syndrome (MS), and atherosclerosis. We have determined the relationship between the SUA level, MS, and arterial stiffness in Korean. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 1,276 adults who underwent routine laboratory tests and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements during a health check-up were analyzed in a gender-specific manner. None of the participants had atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal disease, or systemic disease, or were under treatment which would affect SUA levels, or taking medications for hypertension or dyslipidemia. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, smoking status, total cholesterol (TC), and creatinine, the odds ratios (ORs, 95% confidence interval) of gender-specific quartiles of SUA for MS were 1.0, 1.28 (0.66-2.47), 1.46 (0.76-2.82), and 2.21 (1.15-4.26) in females, and 1.0, 1.33 (0.82-2.17), 1.60 (0.96-2.66), and 2.03 (1.21-3.40) in males. However, after adjustment for waist circumference, there were no significant differences in the ORs among the SUA quartile groups in females and males (both, p=NS). The Pearson's correlation coefficients for the relationship between SUA levels and heart-femoral (hf) PWVs or brachial-ankle (ba) PWVs were not significant in females and males (r=0.054 and r=0.015, respectively, in females; r=-0.036 and r=-0.015, respectively, in males; all, p=NS). CONCLUSION: An elevated SUA level is associated with abdominal obesity among the MS components, but the SUA level is not associated with PWV in females or males.
Adult ; Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Dyslipidemias ; Electrolytes ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Odds Ratio ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Uric Acid ; Vascular Stiffness ; Waist Circumference