Studies on the Electrolysis of Sodium Sulfate Solution

Presented at The Indianapolis Meeting of The Electrochemical Society, May 3, 1961.The electrolysis of sodium sulfate solution by the 1500 amp. vertical mercury cell was investigated. Lead alloy containing 2% Ag and 1% Te was selected as the anode, and fine porous rubber sheet or blue asbestos cloth were used as the diaphragm. The concentrations of sulfuric acid and caustic soda obtained were 200-250 g/l H₂SO₄ and 30-40% NaOH, respectively, under the condition of 30 amp/dm² of current density by continuous operation. The terminal voltage was less than 5.0 volts and the current efficiency and the consumption of the anode were 90% and 2-3 mg/AH, respectively

Valacyclovir Neurotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity in an Elderly Patient Complicated by Hyponatremia

A 66-year-old women with no history of renal disease was admitted due to a coma and acute kidney injury with a serum creatinine level of 7.44 mg/dL which were ascribed to valacyclovir neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, respectively. She had received valacyclovir at a standard dosage for the treatment of herpes zoster and was finally discharged, having fully returned to her normal baseline mental status with a recovered serum creatinine level of 0.68 mg/dL. We feel that awareness of this pathology remains a challenge for physicians and therefore strongly recommend the further accumulation of experiences similar to our own. Our experience underscores the pitfalls of administering valacyclovir to elderly patients who barely appear to have a favorable renal function. Several concerns regarding the therapeutic management, including blood purification strategies, that emerged in this case are also discussed