Search

Abstract Objective Mild acute biliary pancreatitis (MABP) is one of the most common diseases that require surgical treatment. Previous studies have focused on the timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for MABP. However, the impact of its inflammatory response process on the clinical outcome has been rarely reported. This study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative external application of mirabilite on the inflammatory response and clinical efficacy in MABP. Methods Medical records of patients undergoing LC due to MABP from November 2017 to June 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Prior to surgery, the control group received the same baseline treatment measures as the study group. The difference was the addition of external application of mirabilite in the study group. Results A total of 75 patients were included in the final analysis: 38 patients in the mirabilite group and 37 patients in the control group. Repeated-measures ANOVA (P

Purpose: This study reviews the use of mirabilite in traditional Chinese medicine and various preparations by describing its chemical composition, processing methods, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical research progress. Methods: The applications and processing methods of mirabilite are searched in traditional and modern Chinese medical writings, and the articles on chemical composition, pharmacological effects, toxicology, and clinical studies of mirabilite and its combinations in PubMed and China Knowledge Network are reviewed, sorted, and analyzed. Results: The main chemical component of mirabilite is sodium sulfate decahydrate (Na2SO4·10H2O), followed by small amounts of sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, calcium sulfate, and other inorganic salts. This study systematically organizes the history of the medicinal use of mirabilite in China for more than 2,000 years. This mineral has been used by nine Chinese ethnic groups (Han, Dai, Kazakh, Manchu, Mongolian, Tujia, Wei, Yi, and Tibetan) in a large number of prescription preparations. The Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2020 edition) records stated that mirabilite can be used for abdominal distension, abdominal pain, constipation, intestinal carbuncle, external treatment of breast carbuncle, hemorrhoids, and other diseases. The traditional processing methods of mirabilite in China include refining, boiling, sautéing, filtration after hot water blistering, and firing. Since the Ming Dynasty, processing by radish has become the mainstream prepared method of mirabilite. Mirabilite can exhibit antiinflammatory detumescence effects by inhibiting AMS, LPS, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and NO levels and attenuating the upregulation of TNF-α and NF-κB genes. It can promote cell proliferation and wound healing by increasing the production of cytokines TGFβ1 and VEGF-A and gastrointestinal motility by increasing the release of vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, and motilin. It can increase the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor and AKT phosphorylation in the liver by up-regulating bile acid synthesis genes; reduce TRB3 expression in the liver, FGF15 co-receptor KLB expression, and FGF15 production in the ileum, and JNK signal transduction; and increase the transcription of CYP7A1 to achieve a cholesterol-lowering effect. Mirabilite also has a variety of pharmacological effects, such as regulating intestinal flora, anti-muscle paralysis, anti-colon cancer, promoting water discharge, and analgesic. Only a few toxicological studies on mirabilite are available. External application of mirabilite can cause local skin to be flushed or itchy, and its oral administration is toxic to neuromuscular cells. The sulfur ions of its metabolites can also be toxic to the human body. At present, no pharmacokinetic study has been conducted on mirabilite as a single drug. This mineral has been widely used in the clinical treatment of inflammation, edema, wound healing, digestive system diseases, infusion extravasation, hemorrhoids, skin diseases, breast accumulation, muscle paralysis, intestinal preparation before microscopic examination, and other diseases and symptoms. Conclusion: Mirabilite has good application prospects in traditional Chinese medicine and ethnomedicine. In-depth research on its processing methods, active ingredients, quality control, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms, and standardized clinical application is needed. This paper provides a reference for the application and research of mirabilite in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mild acute biliary pancreatitis (MABP) is one of the most common diseases that require surgical treatment. Previous studies have focused on the timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for MABP. However, the impact of its inflammatory response process on the clinical outcome has been rarely reported. This study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative external application of mirabilite on the inflammatory response and clinical efficacy in MABP. Methods: Medical records of patients undergoing LC due to MABP from November 2017 to June 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Prior to surgery, the control group received the same baseline treatment measures as the study group. The difference was the addition of external application of mirabilite in the study group. Results: A total of 75 patients were included in the final analysis: 38 patients in the mirabilite group and 37 patients in the control group. Repeated-measures ANOVA (P < 0.01) showed that the white blood cell count (WBC) on the 3rd day of admission and the WBC and C-reactive protein (CRP) level on the 5th day of admission decreased rapidly and significantly in the mirabilite group, compared with the control group. The mirabilite group had earlier anal exhaust time. The number of patients in the mirabilite group and control group with gallbladder wall ≥ 3 mm before the operation was 16 (42.11%) vs. 24 (64.86%), p = 0.048, respectively; and the number of cases with surgical drain placement was 2 (5.26%) vs. 9 (24.32%), p = 0.020, respectively. The intraoperative modified American Fertility Society (mAFS) score of adhesions was lower in the mirabilite group (1.08 ± 0.59 points) than in the control group (1.92 ± 0.60 points), p = 0.000. The mirabilite group, compared to the control group, p = 0.000, had a short waiting time for surgery (5.68 ± 0.70 days vs. 6.54 ± 0.59 days), short operation time (38.03 ± 5.90 min vs. 48.51 ± 8.37 min), and reduced hospitalization time (8.95 ± 0.96 days vs. 9.84 ± 1.07 days). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that preoperative external application of mirabilite can reduce the inflammatory response, decrease the edema and peribiliary adhesions at the surgical site, and accelerate recovery in MABP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two alkalis of industrial solid wastes, calcium carbide residue-mirabilite (CCRM), were used as a green combined activator to consolidate phosphorus tailings and soluble phosphorus as well as fluorine through the alkaline activation process. The results based on XRD, FTIR, 29Si NMR and SEM indicated that most of the blast furnace slag (BFS) forms gels to consolidate phosphorus tailings, and the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel dominated mechanical properties and immobilization of soluble phosphorus and fluorine. Comparing with the classical alkaline activators Na2SiO3 and NaOH, the CCRM activated materials displayed great competitiveness in mechanical properties with the order of NaOH NaSiO3 > NaOH, and the tendency enlarges with increasing BFS addition, over 93.1 % and 98.9 % of soluble fluorine and phosphorus ions could be well fixed. Considering on the environmental and economic efficiency, mechanical properties, soluble phosphorus and fluorine immobilization, the CCRM is found a quite potential solid waste alkali activator for phosphorus tailings and soluble fluorine & phosphorus solidification.

Crystallization of sodium sulfate into mirabilite in sulfate saline soil harms the soil potential and intensifies the reparative expenses for subgrade. However, the effects of pore relative humidity (PRH) on the salt swelling behavior have not been thoroughly explored. The multiple-humidity cycles experiments, in this paper, were performed to investigate salt swelling behavior in sulfate saline soil. The effects of different salinity, temperatures, and PRH values on salt swelling displacement (SSD) and salt swelling rate (SSR) of sulfate saline soil were analyzed. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) technique was employed to investigate the mineral composition of post-experiment soil samples. All test results show that the SSD and SSR of soil samples increase with the increase of PRH and salinity and decreases as the increasing temperature. The enhancement of salt swelling in the presence of PRH was 80-90-80%. Besides, XRD results denote that the existence of mirabilite in the test soil samples verified for the salt swelling to be closely related to PRH in terms of microstructure. All the results further improve the mechanism of salt swelling in sulfate saline soil in the presence of PRH, which is of great significance to analysis and remediation of salt swelling behavior.

As a kind of essential hydrated salt phase change energy storage materials, mirabilite with high energy storage density and mild phase-transition temperature has excellent application potential in the problems of solar time and space mismatch. However, there are some disadvantages such as supercooling, substantial phase stratification and leakage problem, limiting its further applications. In this work, for the preparation of shaped mirabilite phase change materials (MPCMs), graphene (GO), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were used as starting materials to prepare lightweight CMC/rGO/CNFs carbon aerogel (CGCA) as support with stable shape, high specific surface area, and well-arranged hierarchically porous structure. The results show that CGCA has regular layered plentiful pores and stable foam structure, and the pore and sheet interspersed structure in CGCA stabilizes PCMs via capillary force and surface tension. The hydrophilic aerogels supported MPCMs decrease mirabilite leaking and reduce supercooling to around 0.7–1 °C. The latent heats of melting and crystallization of CGCA-supported mirabilite phase change materials (CGCA-PCMs) are 157.1 and 114.8 J·g−1, respectively. Furthermore, after 1500 solid—liquid cycles, there is no leakage, and the retention rate of crystallization latent heat is 45.32%, exhibiting remarkable thermal cycling stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weather conditions affect the microclimate of architectural monuments. The alteration of microclimate conditions may create risks for monuments, accelerating their weathering process. For Greece, hosting numerous monuments, the identification of the risks that climate change possess is essential for planning mitigation actions. The main soluble salts that affect archaeological materials are halite and the system of thenardite/mirabilite. The thermodynamics of the salts’ equilibrium are affected by atmospheric conditions. We study the climatology of these conditions, adopting modeled data produced by high-resolution simulations. Possible climate change impacts are investigated, aiming at mapping monuments’ vulnerability in Greece.

The Quaternary was the main evaporite deposition period in the Qaidam Basin (QB), but the correlation between the evaporite deposition period and the glacial period is still unclear. In this study, the research objects are primarily evaporite‐bearing strata in a 461.58 m‐long drill core in the QB. X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied to study the evaporite minerals, U‐Th dating being applied to construct the 230Th geochronological framework. Evaporite deposition from Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 15 to MIS 4 in the borehole was reconstructed via mineralogical and geochronological data. The evaporite minerals are mainly halite (NaCl), mirabilite (Na2SO4·10H2O), thenardite (Na2SO4) and gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O). A total of 9 effective 230Th data points, ranging from 492.5 ± 43.0 ka to 62.0 ± 11.9 ka, were obtained. The depositional age of the earliest halite layer in the borehole is 592.5–563.0 ka. There were mirabilite deposits in the QB during the cold glacial environment of MIS 6. During MIS 4, the study area desiccated, with mirabilite and halite being deposited. This study suggests that mirabilite is an indicator mineral for the glacial environment in the QB, while halite deposition does not correspond well to glaciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaporation of a localized, highly saline water body of the Boulder Clay debris-covered glacier, in the Northern Victoria Land, probably generated the accumulation of mirabilite (Na2SO4 × 10H2O) and thenardite (Na2SO4) in a glacier salt-cone. Such an extremely cold and salty environment resembles the conditions on Mars, so it can be considered a terrestrial analog. The study was aimed at gaining a first glimpse at the prokaryotic community associated with Antarctic mirabilite and thenardite minerals and also to find clues about the origin of the salts. For this purpose, samples were analyzed by a next generation approach to investigate the prokaryotic (Bacteria and Archaea) diversity. Phylogenetic analysis allowed the identification of Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, Firmicutes, and Gammaproteobacteria as the main bacterial lineages, in addition to Archaea in the phylum Halobacterota. The genera Arthrobacter, Rhodoglobus, Gillisia, Marinobacter and Psychrobacter were particularly abundant. Interestingly, several bacterial and archaeal sequences were related to halotolerant and halophilic genera, previously reported in a variety of marine environments and saline habitats, also in Antarctica. The analyzed salt community also included members that are believed to play a major role in the sulfur cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pore relative humidity (PRH) has a significant effect on salt swelling of sulfate saline soil. • Salt swelling displacement and salt swelling rate significant increase in high PRH (>90%). • Reducing PRH below the turning point effectively inhibits the salt swelling behavior. • The existence of turning point provides a new perspective for hindering salt swelling. Crystallization of sodium sulfate into mirabilite in sulfate saline soil harms the soil potential and intensifies the reparative expenses for subgrade. However, the effects of pore relative humidity (PRH) on the salt swelling behavior have not been thoroughly explored. The multiple-humidity cycles experiments, in this paper, were performed to investigate salt swelling behavior in sulfate saline soil. The effects of different salinity, temperatures, and PRH values on salt swelling displacement (SSD) and salt swelling rate (SSR) of sulfate saline soil were analyzed. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) technique was employed to investigate the mineral composition of post-experiment soil samples. All test results show that the SSD and SSR of soil samples increase with the increase of PRH and salinity and decreases as the increasing temperature. The enhancement of salt swelling in the presence of PRH was 80-90-80%. Besides, XRD results denote that the existence of mirabilite in the test soil samples verified for the salt swelling to be closely related to PRH in terms of microstructure. All the results further improve the mechanism of salt swelling in sulfate saline soil in the presence of PRH, which is of great significance to analysis and remediation of salt swelling behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive durability problems such as weathering and degradation are found in historic Scandinavian brick masonry buildings, especially from the neo-Gothic period. These are largely due to the crystallization of salts and frost action in the bricks and mortars. This article aims to show and illustrate which salts and crystals are found in historic brick masonry buildings and to describe their appearance and behavior. An additional aim is to explore possibilities of preventing salt-related damage on internal masonry wall surfaces, such as using hemp-lime sacrificial plaster beneath the plaster. The objective is to show the mechanisms behind salt-related problems and to perform a case study and a laboratory study on salt-damaged brick masonry containing sodium sulphate. In order to prevent and stop damage to the masonry, it is important to be able to identify the nature of the salt damage and the type of salt that caused the damage. Neo-Gothic brick masonry buildings require well-planned, continuous maintenance of the masonry. It is therefore of the utmost importance to have an understanding of the complex functions of the masonry and of the salts that can cause damage to these historic buildings.

The production of soda in the world is accompanied by a large amount of hard-to-recycle liquid waste (distiller liquid) in the form of a solution of CaCl2 and NaCl salts. To solve the problems of the soda industry, some countries of the world approach in different ways, liquid waste is drained into the seas and rivers. In some cases, distiller liquid is partially processed into calcium chloride or liquid road mixtures, building materials, etc. However, the disposal of liquid and solid waste from the soda industry does not always solve environmental problems in this region. In this regard, studies of the conversion of calcium chloride of distiller liquid using sodium sulphate of a mirabilite:thenardite mixture in various ratios have been carried out. It was found that the excess sodium sulphate and its stoichiometry lead to the jointprecipitation of calcium and sodium sulphates. In the process of conversion of calcium chloride with sodium sulphate in the ratio of natural mirabilite:thenardite = 100:0 occurs intensively due to the rapid dissolution of Na2SO4·10H2O. Conversion of calcium chloride at a norm of 0.92-1.0 and a temperature of 50-60°C at various ratios of mirabilite:thenardite shows that in the process of conversion of calcium chloride, the degree of conversion is reached to a maximum of ~97% and at an optimum temperature of 50 °C, the stoichiometric norm of sodium sulphate 1.0 and the duration of 60 minutes. A further increase in temperature does not affect the degree of conversion of calcium chloride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaporites were deposited in every saline lake in the western Qaidam Basin (QB) during the late Quaternary, but the role of the Quaternary glacial environment in the formation of evaporite deposits remains to be clarified. In this paper, five upper Quaternary evaporite-bearing profiles in the western QB are studied. Uranium-thorium (U–Th) dating was applied to obtain the depositional ages of these profiles, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis was applied to identify the evaporite minerals. The U–Th dating results indicate that halite (NaCl)-dominated profile D08 and mirabilite (Na 2 SO 4 ·10H 2 O)-dominated profile MXK were deposited between 146.1 ± 53.4 ka and 171.3 ± 27.2 ka, mainly corresponding to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6; the bloedite (Na 2 Mg(SO 4) 2 ·4H 2 O)-dominated profiles WMX1 and WMX2 were deposited between 182.1 ± 2.5 ka and 206.7 ± 7.0 ka, mainly corresponding to the late period of MIS7; and the mirabilite and halite-dominated salt layers in profile D30 were deposited between 9.0 ± 0.7 ka and 14.3 ± 1.6 ka, with mirabilite deposit ages corresponding to MIS2 and early MIS1. The minerals in the profiles identified by XRD analyses are mirabilite, thenardite (Na 2 SO 4), bloedite, gypsum (CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O), starkeyite (MgSO 4 ·4H 2 O), hexahydrite (MgSO 4 ·6H 2 O) and halite. This study, combined with those of previously reported evaporite deposits in the western QB, indicates that MIS7, MIS6 and MIS2 were important evaporite deposition periods in the late Quaternary. Evaporite depositions in the QB during MIS6 and MIS2 were attributed to a decrease in temperature and shrinkage of the saline lake hydrosphere. The cold glacial climate during MIS6 and MIS2 was conducive to mirabilite deposition in the western QB, while the relatively warm climate of the late period MIS7 was conducive to bloedite deposition. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective Minimally invasive and rapid recovery are trends in surgical treatment of lung cancer, and Da Vinci Surgical Robotic System plays an important role in them. This study was planned to explore the effect of chest wall external nursing interventions on reducing postoperative thoracic drainage and promoting rapid recovery of patients. Methods The patients who underwent robotic radical lung cancer resection in our hospital from November 2017 to April 2018were randomly divided into two groups. The control group received robotic radical lung cancer resection with abdominal bands wrapped around the chest. The experimental group underwent Da Vinci robotic radical lung cancer surgery and assisted chest wall external nursing interventions after surgery. Results The total and average daily drainage of the experimental group were less than those of the control group. Both the extubation time and the hospitalization time were shorter than those of the control group, but there was no significant difference. The pain score in the second days after operation of the experimental group was slightly higher than that of the control group, with no significant statistical difference. For patients whose chest wall thickness is less than 4 cm, mirabilite external application can significantly reduce the average daily and total drainage volume, but there is no significant difference in extubation time and hospitalization time. Conclusion Chest wall external nursing interventions are beneficial to the recovery of patients undergoing Vinci robotic lung cancer surgery. Especially for patients with thinner chest wall. It can reduce postoperative drainage, shorten tube retention time and accelerate discharge. Further improvement is expected to achieve better clinical results.

Background. The study of adsorbents used in the treatment of industrial wastewater is topical. Decisions in this area can be made by determining the composition, mineralogy, morphology of the feedstock to meet adsorbent requirements. Purpose. Study of the physicochemical properties of reagent-adsorbents based on Angren variegated kaolin clays for wastewater treatment of a textile enterprise. Methodology. IR spectroscopy, X-ray phase analysis and other methods were used. Originality. The interaction of variegated Angren kaolin and natural mirabilite at a temperature of 600±50°C was determined as well as their phase changes. Findings. It was revealed that oxygen-containing functional groups are located on the surface of adsorbents. These surface formations determine the features of the sorption and ion-exchange behavior of adsorbents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ammonium sulfate‐soda method is a procedure that produces soda ash and the by‐product ammonium sulfate, using mirabilite as the raw material. Here, a process for producing soda ash by the ammonium sulfate‐soda method is proposed. Based on the reaction mechanisms occurring in the Na2SO4‐NH3‐CO2‐H2O system and the kinetic‐thermodynamic data of the CO2 absorption process using aqueous NH3, the soda ash production process is modeled and simulated using Aspen Plus. The effects of various process parameters (the concentration of the raw mirabilite solution, the amounts of NH3 and CO2 flowing into the process, and the recycle ratio of CO2 exhausted from the NaHCO3 calciner, etc.) on the process performance are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaporation of a localized, highly saline water body of the Boulder Clay debris-covered glacier, in the Northern Victoria Land, probably generated the accumulation of mirabilite (Na2SO4 × 10H2O) and thenardite (Na2SO4) in a glacier salt-cone. Such an extremely cold and salty environment resembles the conditions on Mars, so it can be considered a terrestrial analog. The study was aimed at gaining a first glimpse at the prokaryotic community associated with Antarctic mirabilite and thenardite minerals and also to find clues about the origin of the salts. For this purpose, samples were analyzed by a next generation approach to investigate the prokaryotic (Bacteria and Archaea) diversity. Phylogenetic analysis allowed the identification of Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, Firmicutes, and Gammaproteobacteria as the main bacterial lineages, in addition to Archaea in the phylum Halobacterota. The genera Arthrobacter, Rhodoglobus, Gillisia, Marinobacter and Psychrobacter were particularly abundant. Interestingly, several bacterial and archaeal sequences were related to halotolerant and halophilic genera, previously reported in a variety of marine environments and saline habitats, also in Antarctica. The analyzed salt community also included members that are believed to play a major role in the sulfur cycle.

Background. By the nature of the distribution in the solubility diagram of the Na2CO3- Na2SO4-NaOH-H2O system of crystallization regions of sodium sulfates and carbonates, their crystalline hydrates and double salts, the development of a technology for obtaining double sulfate-carbonate salts and sodium hydroxide from weak causticization solutions, which can be used in the production of synthetic detergents funds and glass industry with the replacement of imported sodium sulfate with local natural mirabilite. Purpose. The aim of the study is to determine the optimal conditions for obtaining a double salt of sodium sulfate-carbonate and sodium hydroxide from soda ash and lime milk in the presence of mirabilite. Methodology. The system Na2CO3-Na2SO4-H2O was studied by the isothermal solubility method; Na2CO3-NaOH-H2O; Na2SO4-NaOH-H2Oat temperatures of 25.50.75 and 100 ° C. The crystallization fields Na2SO4·2H2O, Na2SO4, Na2CO3·7H2O, Na2CO3·H2O and the double salt 2Na2SO4·Na2CO3 are delimited. Originality. The theoretical substantiation of the process of interaction of sodium carbonates, sulfates and hydroxides in three-component systems 2Na +//SO4 -2, CO3 - H2O is carried out; 2Na +//SO4 -2, 2OH - H2O; 2Na +//CO3 2-, 2OH - H2O at 25-100 0С, which are the basic part of the one cationic four-component system 2Na +//SO4 -2, CO3 2-, 2OH - H2O. Based on the data obtained from literature and experimental studies, a diagram of the phase equilibria of the 2Na +//SO4 -2, CO3 2- - H2O system at 25 and 1000C was constructed. Received data. Chemical and X-ray phase analyzes have established the composition of intermediate products formed during the evaporation of weak solutions of causticizing soda ash with milk of lime in the presence of mirabilite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of Mirabilite combined with Lactulose in older patients after abdominal surgery. Design: It is a retrospective observational cohort study with a pre and post intervention group. Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed of postoperative Intensive Care patients with postoperative gastrointestinal tract dysfunction (aged >60 years) in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit from January 2017–December 2018. Results: One hundred and sixty‐seven post‐surgical Intensive Care patients with postoperative gastrointestinal tract dysfunction were analysed; 74 patients received Mirabilite + Lactulose treatment and 93 patients received Lactulose treatment. The recovery rate of bowel sounds was better in the Mirabilite + Lactulose group (62.16%) compared with the Lactulose group (37.63%) after 3‐day treatment (p = 0.002) and the relative risk (RR) was 1.65 (95% CI, 1.20, 2.27). Moreover 70.27% patients in the Mirabilite + Lactulose group finally had flatus or defecation compared with 46.24% patients in Lactulose group (p = 0.003) and the RR was 1.52 (1.17, 1.98). The abdominal girth and Inter Abdominal Pressure in Mirabilite + Lactulose group showed significantly greater decrease over a 3‐day period compared with Lactulose group (4.86 vs. 3.46 cm, p = 0.027; 4.80 vs. 3.11 mmHg, p = 0.002 respectively). The pain score had greater decrease from the baseline in Mirabilite + Lactulose group than in Lactulose group (2.40 vs. 1.11; p < 0.01). Patients in the Mirabilite + Lactulose group had shorter hospital stay than the Lactulose group 12.5 (SD 3.51) versus 13.9 (SD 5.14), p = 0.05. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that external use of Mirabilite combined with Lactulose can be considered as an easy intervention to improve postoperative gastrointestinal mobility in older intensive care patients who suffer from postoperative gastrointestinal tract dysfunction after surgery. Impact: Our results provide a great option to alleviate the sufferings of postoperative patients. The externally use Mirabilite is a painless and safe interventions that is easy to implement by ICU nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Industrial Minerals & Processing / Huagong Kuangwu yu Jiagong is the property of Industrial Minerals & Processing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Raman spectra of the Na2SO4‐K2SO4‐H2O system are not well‐defined in the literature. Specifically, the proper identification of sodium and potassium sulphate (aphthitalite or glaserite, K3Na(SO4)2) and anhydrous sodium sulphate (thenardite, Na2SO4) is particularly problematic because their vibrational profiles present the same main Raman peak at 993 cm−1 and very similar low frequency bands. As proved in bibliography, the similarity of their spectra can often lead to uncertain or erroneous identifications. Considering that aphthitalite and thenardite can be found as degradation products on built heritage materials and the degree of danger associated to them is not the same, being the second one the most harmful, the resolution of this problem has a critical importance. For this reason, in the present work, the Raman spectra of aphthitalite and thenardite are deeply studied to identify the vibrational fingerprints enabling their correct identification. The results here summarized and provided by two different Raman instruments highlight that the spectrum of aphthitalite displays characteristic bands at 1,084 and 1,202 cm−1. In contrast, the bands at 1,100, 1,129, and 1,152 cm−1 seem to be characteristic of thenardite. Furthermore, when those secondary bands are not observed or mixtures of both compounds are present, the ratio between their most intense bands at 452 and 993 cm−1 is the key for their correct characterization. On the whole, this study fills the gaps observed in literature and gives the solution for the correct identification of aphthitalite and thenardite even when secondary bands are not observed. This study fills the gaps observed in literature in the Raman spectra of the Na2SO4‐K2SO4 system by 532 and 785‐nm excitation lasers, which has a relevant importance in built heritage studies, giving the solution for the correct identification of aphthitalite and thenardite even when secondary bands are not observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study reviews the use of mirabilite in traditional Chinese medicine and various preparations by describing its chemical composition, processing methods, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical research progress. Methods: The applications and processing methods of mirabilite are searched in traditional and modern Chinese medical writings, and the articles on chemical composition, pharmacological effects, toxicology, and clinical studies of mirabilite and its combinations in PubMed and China Knowledge Network are reviewed, sorted, and analyzed. Results: The main chemical component of mirabilite is sodium sulfate decahydrate (Na 2 SO 4 ·10H 2 O), followed by small amounts of sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, calcium sulfate, and other inorganic salts. This study systematically organizes the history of the medicinal use of mirabilite in China for more than 2,000 years. This mineral has been used by nine Chinese ethnic groups (Han, Dai, Kazakh, Manchu, Mongolian, Tujia, Wei, Yi, and Tibetan) in a large number of prescription preparations. The Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2020 edition) records stated that mirabilite can be used for abdominal distension, abdominal pain, constipation, intestinal carbuncle, external treatment of breast carbuncle, hemorrhoids, and other diseases. The traditional processing methods of mirabilite in China include refining, boiling, sautéing, filtration after hot water blistering, and firing. Since the Ming Dynasty, processing by radish has become the mainstream prepared method of mirabilite. Mirabilite can exhibit anti-inflammatory detumescence effects by inhibiting AMS, LPS, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and NO levels and attenuating the upregulation of TNF-α and NF-κB genes. It can promote cell proliferation and wound healing by increasing the production of cytokines TGFβ1 and VEGF-A and gastrointestinal motility by increasing the release of vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, and motilin. It can increase the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor and AKT phosphorylation in the liver by up-regulating bile acid synthesis genes; reduce TRB3 expression in the liver, FGF15 co-receptor KLB expression, and FGF15 production in the ileum, and JNK signal transduction; and increase the transcription of CYP7A1 to achieve a cholesterol-lowering effect. Mirabilite also has a variety of pharmacological effects, such as regulating intestinal flora, anti-muscle paralysis, anti-colon cancer, promoting water discharge, and analgesic. Only a few toxicological studies on mirabilite are available. External application of mirabilite can cause local skin to be flushed or itchy, and its oral administration is toxic to neuromuscular cells. The sulfur ions of its metabolites can also be toxic to the human body. At present, no pharmacokinetic study has been conducted on mirabilite as a single drug. This mineral has been widely used in the clinical treatment of inflammation, edema, wound healing, digestive system diseases, infusion extravasation, hemorrhoids, skin diseases, breast accumulation, muscle paralysis, intestinal preparation before microscopic examination, and other diseases and symptoms. Conclusion: Mirabilite has good application prospects in traditional Chinese medicine and ethnomedicine. In-depth research on its processing methods, active ingredients, quality control, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms, and standardized clinical application is needed. This paper provides a reference for the application and research of mirabilite in the future., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Tao, Fu, Wang, Song, Li, Zhang and Wang.)

Copyright of Nursing of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine is the property of Journal of Clinical Nursing in Practice (Editorial Board, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Nursing of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine is the property of Journal of Clinical Nursing in Practice (Editorial Board, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As Great Salt Lake (GSL) elevation declined below ∼1278.6 m (4195 ft) beginning in the fall of 2019, crystalline mounds formed on the southeastern shore, near Great Salt Lake State Park, Utah. Soon after, several more mound complexes were discovered on nearby Antelope Island. Recent historic low lake levels permitted sulfate-saturated spring brines to emerge on the exposed shoreline. When the spring waters encountered cold winter air, sodium sulfate precipitated in the form of the mineral mirabilite (Na 2 SO 4 ·10H 2 O). Mirabilite-saturated spring waters pool in shallow sediment-collapse depressions or, with sufficient hydraulic head, precipitate subaerial crystalline spring terraced mounds. The mounds are composed of clear, bladed, and tabular mirabilite crystals (1 to 10 cm in length; 1 to 5 cm in width) that form mini pools and rimstone dams due to cascading spring water flow. The waters have elavated μM concentrations of sulfide, an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of −250 mV, pH of 7, densities of 1.103–1.1169 g/cm3, and temperatures of 10°–15 °C, as compared to nearby lake waters that had undetectable sulfide, an ORP of 12 mV, pH of 8.2, density of 1.0872 g/cm3, and temperatures of 0°–3 °C. Green algae and probable sulfide oxidizing bacteria thrive in the spring waters and some are occluded within the mirabilite matrix and fluid inclusions. Sulfur δ34S and oxygen δ18O isotopes of brine and mirabilite sulfate are enriched +18.8–20.41‰ and + 12.2–14.5‰, respectively, indicating groundwater and mirabilite are in equilibrium for oxygen. Brine sulfide is heavily fractionated (δ 34S of ∼ − 30 ‰) relative to sulfate, indicating active sulfate reduction in subsurface aquifers that feed the spring seeps and which is consistent with higher HS− concentrations relative to adjacent lake waters. The recognition of such biosignatures retained in mirabilite provides further insights for the preservation potential of biological material in extraterrestrial sulfate minerals. Today, Gilbert Bay (south arm of GSL) is undersaturated with respect to mirabilite. However, pre-earthen causeway historical reports (prior to 1959) indicate mirabilite precipitated in the south arm during the winter and through wave action accumulated along the leeward southeastern oolitic shore (similar to current processes occurring in the hypersaline Gunnison Bay, the north arm of GSL). Upon solar irradiance in the spring, the shoreline mirabilite dissolved and reprecipitated in the shallow subsurface (<1 m) as an ooid cement. We hypothesize that this subsurface layer of mirabilite is the source for active lake margin sodium sulfate-saturated spring brines. The emergence and surface exposure of the brines and associated chemical sediments are an additional contributing solute source that may increase GSL salinity during lake level decline more than evaporation alone. • Sulfate-rich groundwater cryobrines precipitate subaerial micro-terraced mirabilite mounds during cold winter temperatures. • Groundwater discharge occurs in mini-sink holes in response to low lake elevation. • Microbial sulfate reduction is evident from sulfur isotope signatures and anoxic conditions. • Biosignatures are occluded within the mirabilite matrix and within fluid inclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various types of complications arising from intravenous indwelling needles have become a challenge in clinical care. It is urgent to seek a simple and cost-effective method for prevention and treatment of phlebitis. We investigated the roles of mirabilite in preventing and treating phlebitis caused by intravenous indwelling needles and provide guidance for prevention and treatment of mechanical phlebitis caused by intravenous indwelling needles. A total of 57 healthy congeneric big-eared New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: blank control, indwelling needle, and group with external application of mirabilite. The ear vein of each rabbit was punctured with an intravenous indwelling needle. The ear vein specimens were taken at 3, 5, and 7 days after indwelling. The hematoxylin and eosin stained pathological tissue sections of the ear veins of the rabbits in each group were observed. The expression levels of IL-1 and IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the vascular tissue of the ear veins of the rabbits in each group were detected with the immunofluorescence method. In the blank control group, there was no inflammatory cellular infiltration and no proliferation of fibrous tissue around the vascular wall. With the increase of the indwelling time, proliferation of fibrous tissue in vascular wall, increased inflammatory cellular infiltration and organized thrombus in the vascular tissue occurred in the ear veins of the rabbits in the indwelling needle group and group with external application of mirabilite. Compared with the indwelling needle group, the group with external application of mirabilite had significantly decreased fibrous tissue in the vascular wall and significantly decreased inflammatory cellular infiltration. At the same point in indwelling time, the expression levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in the indwelling needle and group with external application of mirabilite were significantly higher than that in the blank control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in the group with external application of mirabilite were lower than that in the indwelling needle group (P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α are positively correlated with the indwelling time within the same group at different points in time. In conclusion, external application of mirabilite can significantly decrease infiltration of venous inflammatory cells of the rabbit ear margin, proliferation of fibrous tissue and thrombosis in the vascular wall, significant decrease the expression levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in the mechanical phlebitis caused by intravenous indwelling needles, and decrease the inflammatory responses of the ear veins of rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mirabilite and thenardite are common minerals found in marine evaporite deposits and also in saline lakes as precipitates. In this study, mirabilite-thenardite equilibria were determined along four humidity-buffer curves at 0.1 MPa and between 285.15 K and 305.15 K. Results for the reaction Na 2 SO 4 ·10H 2 O (s) = Na 2 SO 4(s) + 10H 2 O (g) , based on tight reversals along each humidity buffer, can be represented by ln K = 174.032–62815.11/ T , where s is solid, g is gas, K is the equilibrium constant and T is temperature in K. Our data are in excellent agreement with several previous vapor-pressure measurements and are consistent with the solubility data reported in the literature. Thermodynamic analysis of these data yields 90.858 kJ·mol −1 for the standard Gibbs free energy of reaction, which is in good agreement with the values of 90.69 kJ·mol −1 and 90.34 kJ·mol −1 calculated from the thermodynamic data compiled and evaluated previously from two sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials that store the energy of warm days, to return that heat during cool nights, have been fundamental to vernacular building since ancient times. Although building with thermally rechargeable materials became a niche pursuit with the advent of fossil fuel-based heating and cooling, energy and climate change concerns have sparked new enthusiasm for these substances of high heat capacity and moderate thermal conductivity: stone, adobe, rammed earth, brick, water, concrete, and more recently, phase-change materials. While broadly similar, these substances absorb and release heat in unique patterns characteristic of their mineralogies, densities, fluidities, emissivities, and latent heats of fusion. Current architectural practice, however, shows little awareness of these differences and the resulting potential to match materials to desired thermal performance. This investigation explores that potential, illustrating the correspondence between physical parameters and thermal storage-and-release patterns in direct-, indirect-, and isolated-gain passive solar configurations. Focusing on heating applications, results demonstrate the superiority of water walls for daytime warmth, the tunability of granite and concrete for evening warmth, and the exceptional ability of phase-change materials to sustain near-constant heat delivery throughout the night.

New, remarkably dry parts of the Gamslöcher-Kolowrat Cave at 728 to 853 m depth have been explored in the Untersberg nearSalzburg in Austria. This region is called the Desert, its greatest cavity is called the White Hall. The new cave part is characterizedby various white speleothems. The predominant ones are snow-like calcite powder with an extremely low density, and finegypsum needles. Gypsum also occurs in the form of balls stuck to vertical walls. In addition, fluorescent hydromagnesite crusts,Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O, as well as the sodium sulfate mineral mirabilite were identified in this part of the cave. Mirabilite and gypsumneedles differ from the gypsum balls in their isotopic sulfur signature (δ34S of -16.9‰ and -18.4‰ vs. +2.9‰). The unusually lowsulfur isotopic compositional values are tentatively explained by a source of bacteriogenetic sulfur from sulfides.

The sea ice cover of high latitude oceans contains concentrated brines which are the site of in-situ chemical and biological reactions. The brines become supersaturated with respect to mirabilite (Na 2 SO 4 ·10H 2 O) below −6.4 °C, and the associated removal of Na + and SO 4 2 − from the brine results in considerable non-conservative changes to its composition. The changes are reflected in the brine salinity, which is a fundamental physico-chemical parameter in the sea ice brine system. Here, measurements of electrical conductivity and brine composition in synthetic sea ice brines between −1.8 and −20.6 °C, obtained during a comprehensive investigation of the brine-mirabilite equilibrium at below-zero temperatures reported elsewhere, are combined with modelled estimates to assess the behaviour of the absolute ( S A ) and practical ( S P ) salinities of sea ice brines. Results display substantial divergence of S P from S A below −6.4 °C, reaching a 7.2% difference at −22.8 °C. This is shown to create inaccuracies when S P is assumed to be equivalent to S A , firstly by misrepresenting the conditions inhabited by sea ice biota, whilst also creating errors in the calculation of physical sea ice parameters. Our measured and modelled data are used to refine the S A − T relationship for sea ice brines, implicit of mirabilite precipitation, which is crucial in estimating brine properties in absence of salinity data. Furthermore, because S P is the parameter measured in field studies, we provide an S P − T relationship for sea ice brines to −22.8 °C, which aids in explaining the trends observed in available S P − T data from sea ice brines in the Southern Ocean, demonstrating the importance of the mirabilite-brine equilibrium in natural sea ice. Finally, we initiate the development of a conversion factor for the estimation of S A from S P measurement in sea ice brines, and produce an equation that can calculate S A from modelled brine density. This work ultimately highlights careful consideration of salinity concepts when applied to the sea ice system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of sodium sulfate decahydrate (Mirabilite) has been known to cause serious damages to structural materials both of modern and of historical buildings. Methods which can retard or completely suppress the development of mirabilte crystals are urgently needed especially as remedies or preventive measures for the preservation of the built cultural heritage. In the present work we present results on the effect of the presence of phosphonate compounds on the kinetics of crystal growth from aqueous supersaturated solutions at 18 °C using the seeded growth technique. The phosphonate compounds tested differed with respect to the number of ionizable phosphonate groups and with respect to the number of amino groups in the respective molecules. The crystal growth process was monitored by the temperature changes during the exothermic crystallization of mirabilite in the stirred supersaturated solutions. The crystal growth of mirabilite in the presence of: (1-hydroxyethylidene)-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), amino tri (methylene phosphonic acid) (ATMP), hexamethylenediaminetetra (methylene)phosphonic acid (HTDMP), and diethylene triamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid)(DETPMP) over a range of concentrations between 0.1–5% w/w resulted in significant decrease of the rates of mirabilite crystal growth. All phosphonic compounds tested reduced the crystallization rates up to 60% in comparison with additive-free solutions. The presence of the test compounds did not cause changes of the mechanism of crystal growth which was surface diffusion controlled, as shown by the second order dependence of the rates of mirabilite crystal growth on the relative supersaturation. The excellent fit of the measured rates to a kinetic Langmuir-type model suggested that the activity of the tested inhibitors could be attributed to the adsorption and subsequent reduction of the active crystal growth sites of the seed crystals. In all cases, the inhibitory activity was reduced with increasing solution supersaturation, while the presence of DETPMP, which showed the best inhibition activity, showed the least reduction of inhibition with increasing supersaturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]