Attapulgite(ATP), as a fertilizer slow-release agent and soil conditioner, has shown remarkable effect in improving the utilization rate of fertilizer and the yield and quality of agricultural products and Chinese medicinal materials. This study aims to explore the effect of ATP on the growth and root quality of Angelica sinensis. To be specific, Mingui 1 was used, and through the pot(soil culture) experiment in the Dao-di producing area, the effects of conventional chemical fertilizer added with ATP on the morphology, photosynthesis, soil respiration, and content of ferulic acid and volatile oil in roots of Mingui 1 were detected. The underlying mechanism was discussed from the perspective of source-sink relationship. The results showed that ATP, via the fertilizer slow-release effect, could meet the needs of A. sinensis for nutrients at the root expansion stage, improve the net photosynthetic rate of leaves and aboveground biomass of plants, and promote the transfer and accumulation of nutrients from the aboveground part(source) to the underground root(sink) in advance during the dry matter accumulation period of roots, so as to improve the root weight per plant. ATP can increase the content of total ferulic acid(the sum of free ferulic acid and coniferyl ferulate), the main effective component of Angelicae Sinensis Radix, by promoting the synthesis of ferulic acid in the roots and the transformation to coniferyl ferulate. However, it had little effect on the content of volatile oil. ATP had certain influence on soil respiration, which needs to be further explored from root activity, rhizosphere microorganisms, and soil microorganisms. This study can lay a basis for soil remediation and improvement and ecological cultivation of A. sinensis.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Angelica sinensis/chemistry* ; Coumaric Acids ; Fertilizers/analysis* ; Magnesium Compounds ; Oils, Volatile/chemistry* ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Silicon Compounds ; Soil

This study aimed to conduct measurement uncertainty assessment of a new method for determination of Sudan colorants (Sudan I, II, III and IV) in food by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Samples were extracted with organic solvents (hexane, 20% acetone) and first purified by magnesium trisilicate (2MgO·3SiO2). The Sudan colorants (Sudan I-IV) were also initially separated on C8 by gradient elution using acetonitrile and 0.1% (v/v) formic acid aqueous solution as the mobile phases and detected with diode-array detector (DAD). The uncertainty of mathematical model of Sudan I, II, III and IV is based on EURACHEM guidelines. The sources and components of uncertainty were calculated. The experiment gave a good linear relationship over the concentration from 0.4 to 4.0 μg/mL and spiked recoveries were from 74.0% to 97.5%. The limits of determination (LOD) were 48, 61, 36, 58 μg/kg for the four analytes, respectively. The total uncertainty of Sudan colorants (Sudan I, II, III and IV) was 810±30.8, 790±28.4, 750±27.0, 730±50.0 μg/kg, respectively. The recovery uncertainty was the most significant factor contributing to the total uncertainty. The developed method is simple, rapid, and highly sensitive. It can be used for the determination of trace Sudan dyes in food samples. The sources of uncertainty have been identified and uncertainty components have been simplified and considered.
Azo Compounds ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Food Analysis ; methods ; Food Coloring Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Limit of Detection ; Magnesium Silicates ; chemistry ; Naphthols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

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 (p<0.001). The DE ratio could confidently differentiate uric acid, struvite, calcium oxalate, and carbonate apatite calculi (p<0.001) with cutoff values of 1.12, 1.34, and 1.66, respectively, giving >80% 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.
Adult ; Apatites/analysis ; Calcium Oxalate/analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods ; Kidney Calculi/chemistry/pathology/*radiography ; Magnesium Compounds/analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphates/analysis ; Prospective Studies ; Radiation Dosage ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods ; Ureteral Calculi/chemistry/pathology/*radiography ; Uric Acid/analysis ; Waist Circumference ; Young Adult

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.
Accounting ; Apatites ; Calcium Oxalate ; Carbon ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; Magnesium Compounds ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Phosphates ; Ureter ; Ureteroscopes ; Ureteroscopy ; Uric Acid ; Urinary Calculi

The aim of this study was to compare the compositions and cytotoxicity of white ProRoot MTA (white mineral trioxide aggregate) and 3 kinds of Portland cements. The elements, simple oxides and phase compositions of white MTA (WMTA), gray Portland cement (GPC), white Portland cement (WPC) and fast setting cement (FSC) were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Agar diffusion test was carried out to evaluate the cytotoxicity of WMTA and 3 kinds of Portland cements. The results showed that WMTA and WPC contained far less magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) than GPC and FSC. FSC contained far more aluminum oxide (Al2O3) than WMTA, GPC, and WPC. WMTA, GPC, WPC and FSC were composed of main phases, such as tricalcicium silicate (3CaO.SiO2), dicalcium silicate (2CaO.SiO2), tricalcium aluminate (3CaO.Al2O3), and tetracalcium aluminoferrite (4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3). The significance of the differences in cellular response between WMTA, GPC, WPC and FSC was statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis Exact test with Bonferroni's correction. The result showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). WMTA, GPC, WPC and FSC showed similar compositions. However there were notable differences in the content of minor elements, such as aluminum (Al), magnesium, iron, manganese, and zinc. These differences might influence the physical properties of cements.
Agar ; Aluminum ; Aluminum Oxide ; Calcium Compounds ; Diffusion ; Glutamates ; Guanine ; Humans ; Iron ; Magnesium ; Manganese ; Oxides ; Plasma ; Silicates ; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission ; Spectrum Analysis ; Zinc ; Pemetrexed

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.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Calculi ; chemistry ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Magnesium Compounds ; analysis ; Male ; Male Urogenital Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Phosphates ; analysis ; Scrotum ; pathology ; Struvite

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.
Absorption ; Aluminum Oxide ; analysis ; chemistry ; Hot Temperature ; Hydrogen ; analysis ; chemistry ; Kinetics ; Magnesium Compounds ; analysis ; chemistry ; Manufactured Materials ; analysis ; Materials Testing ; Molecular Conformation ; Nitrogen Compounds ; analysis ; chemistry ; Pressure ; Temperature

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.
Adsorption ; Agar ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Hemofiltration ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Magnesium Compounds ; Methylene Blue ; analysis ; Plasma ; chemistry ; cytology ; Silicon Compounds

The exact analysis of urinary calculi is very important to study of the etiology of calculus formation, prevention of recurrence and medical treatment. Compared with all the other method, the infrared spectroscopic analysis furnished a permanent record in a very short time. And it is ideal method for qualitative identification and semiquantitative estimation of small fractions of calculi by simple procedure rapidly. A retrospective review of stone analysis by infrared spectroscopy, with KBr tablet method was performed in 105 cases of 219 urinary stone patients, who had been admitted to the Fatima Hospital from May, 1980 to December, 1983. And the following results were obtained 1. Mixed calculus is more than single calculus(1 : 1.56) . The most common type of calculi is calcium oxalatetribasic calcium phosphate (47.6%) . And the most common type of single calculi is calcium oxalate (29.5%) . 2. The most common type of component is calcium oxalate (55.6%) 3. Calcium oxalate-tribasic calcium phosphate is the most common type in the renal (46.2%) and the ureteral stones (53%) . But in the bladder stones, magnesium ammonium phosphate is the most ( 33.3%). 4. Among the 10 laminated stones, 4 cases contain the different components in nucleus and outermost layer 5. Pyuria is observed in 48.6% of all urinary stone patients, in 32.3% of calcium oxalate stone and in more than 80% of magnesium ammonium phosphate stone. 6. Calcium oxalate stone is most common in the age of 20, calcium oxalate-tribasic calcium phosphate stone are in the age of 20 & 30, and magnesium ammonium phosphate stone is above the age of 40.
Ammonium Compounds ; Calcium ; Calcium Oxalate ; Calculi ; Humans ; Magnesium ; Pyuria ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Spectrum Analysis* ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder Calculi ; Urinary Calculi*

Accurate analysis of urinary calculi is fundamental for study of the etiology of stone formation and essential for treatment of urinary stone and its prevention. Among various methods for stone analysis, infrared spectroscopy analysis may be an ideal method to determine the accurate composition of urinary calculi by simple procedure in a short time. We have analyzed 100 urinary calculi by infrared spectroscopy with KBr tablet method. Stones were obtained from the patients visited our hospital during the period from January, 1980 to December, 1981. The following results were obtained: 1. Mixed stone (68%) is more common than pure stone (32%) . The most common type of calculus is calcium oxalate-tribasic calcium phosphate (57%) . The common type of component is calcium oxalate (47.3%) . 2. Calcium oxalate and tribasic calcium phosphate are contained most frequently in renal, ureteral and bladder stones. 3. Uric acid and cystine stones are found in acid urine, and most of magnesium ammonium phosphate and tribasic phosphate stones were found in alkaline urine. Calcium oxalate stones are found in urine with wider range of pH. 4. 30 of 100 patients have bacteriuria on culture. 10 of 13 patients with struvite stones showed bacteriuria and most of them are urea-splitting organisms.5. 5 cases of 16 laminated calculi contain the different components in nucleus and outer layer.
Ammonium Compounds ; Bacteriuria ; Calcium ; Calcium Oxalate ; Calculi ; Cystine ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Magnesium ; Spectrum Analysis* ; Ureter ; Uric Acid ; Urinary Bladder Calculi ; Urinary Calculi*