Amount Of Calcium Oxalate Crystals Research Articles

Possible Role of Crystal-Bearing Cells in Tomato Fertility and Formation of Seedless Fruits.

Crystal-bearing cells or idioblasts, which deposit calcium oxalate, are located in various tissues and organs of many plant species. The functional significance of their formation is currently unclear. Idioblasts in the leaf parenchyma and the development of crystal-bearing cells in the anther tissues of transgenic tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicon L.), expressing the heterologous FeSOD gene and which showed a decrease in fertility, were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The amount of calcium oxalate crystals was found to increase significantly in the transgenic plants compared to the wild type (WT) ones in idioblasts and crystal-bearing cells of the upper part of the anther. At the same time, changes in the size and shape of the crystals and their location in anther organs were noted. It seems that the interruption in the break of the anther stomium in transgenic plants was associated with the formation and cell death regulation of a specialized group of crystal-bearing cells. This disturbance caused an increase in the pool of these cells and their localization in the upper part of the anther, where rupture is initiated. Perturbations were also noted in the lower part of the anther in transgenic plants, where the amount of calcium oxalate crystals in crystal-bearing cells was reduced that was accompanied by disturbances in the morphology of pollen grains. Thus, the induction of the formation of crystal-bearing cells and calcium oxalate crystals can have multidirectional effects, contributing to the regulation of oxalate metabolism in the generative and vegetative organs and preventing fertility when the ROS balance changes, in particular, during oxidative stresses accompanying most abiotic and biotic environmental factors.

Optimization of oxalate-free starch production from Taro flour by oxalate oxidase assisted process

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) starch is known to possess unique physical and functional properties such as low amylose content, A-crystalline form, small granules, higher swelling power, etc. Due to the presence of significant amount of calcium oxalate crystals, the food industry is reluctant to explore this unique and cheap starch source for various food applications. Traditional processes utilizing various physical and chemical methods to remove oxalate content of starch inevitably change its physical and functional properties. However, using oxalate oxidase can effectively remove oxalates without altering the unique properties of starch. Hence, an attempt was made to optimize oxalate oxidase assisted starch extraction process from taro flour using response surface methodology. A central composite design comprising 20 experimental trials with 10 cube points augmented with six axial points and four replicates at the center point was applied. A mathematical model was developed to show the effect of taro flour concentration, enzyme load and incubation time on the oxalate removal. Validity of the model was experimentally verified and found that 98.3% of total oxalates can be removed under optimal conditions. This is the first report of optimization of the production of starch from taro flour using microbial oxalate oxidase.

MICROMORPHOLOGY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF OPUNTIA LITTORALIS ENGLEM. CLADODES

The present study was conducted to investigate the micromorphological structure and phytochemical constituents of Opuntia littoralis stem (cladodes) growing at the western Mediterranean coast of Egypt. The cladodes were collected during the wet season (February) and dry season (September) of 2015. The size of the cladode cells differ from wet to dry season, where both composed of thin cuticle covering the epidermis, hypodermis layer, parenchyma with storage cells and scattered bicollateral vascular bundles. The stem cells facing the sun contain pheloderm layer to protect the plant. The presence of high amounts of calcium oxalate crystals was also demonstrated. Phytochemical screening of Opuntia littoralis cladodes showed that it contains many of active phytochemical constituents such as; flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, glycosides, terpens and coumarines.

Calcium oxalate crystal production and density at different phenological stages of soybean plants (Glycine max L.) from the southeast of the Pampean Plain, Argentina.

Glycine max L. (soybean) is one of the major crops of the world. Although the process of biomineralisation has been reported in some organs of soybean, we now report the description and quantification of calcium oxalate crystals in vegetative and reproductive organs of soybean during its life cycle, as they act as an important source of calcium to the soil, once the harvesting is finished. Through diaphanisation, cross-sectioning, optical and scanning electron microscopy analysis of the organs, morphology, size and location of the crystals were identified. In addition, crystal density (n°crystals·mm-2 ) and the input of crystals to soil (n°crystals·ha-1 ) were calculated. Soybean produced prismatic calcium oxalate crystals in vegetative and reproductive organs, generally associated with vascular bundles, resulting in a potencial transfer to the soil of 81.4x107 crystals·ha-1 throughout its life cycle. Pods were the organs with higher calcium oxalate crystal production (1112.7±384.6 crystals·mm-2 ), but with the smaller size (12.3±2.1μm long). However, cotyledons were the organs that produce the larger crystals (21.3±3.5μm long), but in lesser amounts (150.9±64.4crystals·mm-2 ). In leaves, although crystal size did not differ from vegetative to reproductive stage (14.5±4.2 and 14.5±4μm in length, respectively), the crystal density increased (293.2 and 409 crystals·mm-2 , respectively). These results will contribute to knowledge of the amount of calcium oxalate crystals involved in the process of Ca recycling through cultivated vegetation in fields from humid plains at medium latitudes, which therefore have biological, botanical, biogeochemical and pedological relevance.

白首烏와 耳葉牛皮消의 내부형태 감별기준

Objectives : The root ofCyanchum wifordii(CW) had been used as herbal medicine, 'Baeksuo', in Korea. However, the root ofCynanchum auriculatum(CA) had also been mis-used as 'Baeksuo' in herbal markets, due to its morphological similarity with CW. This study aimed to compare discriminative features and establish the identification-keys between two herbal medicines using microscopic methods.Methods : Microscopic preparations including fixation, rapid dehydration, paraffin infiltration, paraffin embedding, sectioning, mounting, and staining, were performed and the microscopic features between CW and CA samples were compared.Results : The starch grain of parenchymal cells, the amounts of calcium oxalate crystals, cell sizes, and the shape of phloem were not different between CW and CA samples. However, the clusters of stone cells which were conglomerated at outer cortex were apparently observed in CA sample (4~8 layers of stone cells), but not in CW sample (2~4 layers of stone cells, or not). Xylem of CW consisted of several vessels and fiber bundles which were formed as linear shapes and discontinuous radial lines, while that of CA, in which radial lines was not observed, were shaped as a wedge and scattered near cambium with comparatively few fiber bundles enclosed vessels. Especially, in the xylem of CA, fiber bundles located towards cambium were relatively more developed than those located outward cambium.Conclusions : The identification-keys established in this study would be helpful to discriminate microscopic features between CW and CA.

Structure and Composition of Non-Infectious Phosphate Calculi Formed in Patients with Low and High Urinary Phosphate Concentrations

Objective: The aim of this paper was to assess the relationships among chemical, phase and structural composition and etiopathogenic factors of non-infectious phosphate calculi formed in patients with low and high urinary phosphate concentrations, and to characterize the mechanism of their formation related on biochemical results. Material and Methods: Twelve samples of phosphate renal calculi were obtained, 4 from patients with low phosphaturia and 6 from patients with high urinary phosphate concentrations. Their chemical composition was determined qualitatively by energy dispersive X-ray analysis and quantitatively by spectrophotometric and thermal analysis; and their phase composition was determined by Fourier transform infrared transmission spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The structure of the calculi was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Results: Non-infectious phosphate renal calculi of patients with low phosphaturia consist of poorly crystalline carbonate hydroxyapatite, whereas those of patients with high urinary phosphate concentrations consist of poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite with some amount of calcium oxalate crystals. Calculi of patients with high urinary phosphate concentrations are formed at urinary supersaturation with respect to hydroxyapatite and calcium oxalate about 4 times higher than in patients with low phosphaturia. Conclusion: In patients with low phosphaturia, the non-infectious phosphate renal calculi are formed in urine near pH 7 and contain only poorly crystalline carbonate hydroxyapatite. In patients with high urinary phosphate concentrations and hypercalciuria, the calculi are formed in urine near pH 6 and consist of both poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite and some amount of calcium oxalate crystals.

Structure and Composition of Non-Infectious Phosphate Calculi Formed in Patients with Low and High Urinary Phosphate Concentrations

Objective: The aim of this paper was to assess the relationships among chemical, phase and structural composition and etiopathogenic factors of non-infectious phosphate calculi formed in patients with low and high urinary phosphate concentrations, and to characterize the mechanism of their formation related on biochemical results. Material and Methods: Twelve samples of phosphate renal calculi were obtained, 4 from patients with low phosphaturia and 6 from patients with high urinary phosphate concentrations. Their chemical composition was determined qualitatively by energy dispersive X-ray analysis and quantitatively by spectrophotometric and thermal analysis; and their phase composition was determined by Fourier transform infrared transmission spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The structure of the calculi was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Results: Non-infectious phosphate renal calculi of patients with low phosphaturia consist of poorly crystalline carbonate hydroxyapatite, whereas those of patients with high urinary phosphate concentrations consist of poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite with some amount of calcium oxalate crystals. Calculi of patients with high urinary phosphate concentrations are formed at urinary supersaturation with respect to hydroxyapatite and calcium oxalate about 4 times higher than in patients with low phosphaturia. Conclusion: In patients with low phosphaturia, the non-infectious phosphate renal calculi are formed in urine near pH 7 and contain only poorly crystalline carbonate hydroxyapatite. In patients with high urinary phosphate concentrations and hypercalciuria, the calculi are formed in urine near pH 6 and consist of both poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite and some amount of calcium oxalate crystals.

Effect of calcium oxalate on renal cells as revealed by real-time measurement of extracellular oxidative burst

Calcium oxalate is one of the main constituents of kidney stones and has a proved deleterious effect on renal cells that is mediated by oxidative stress. However, the subcellular source of this oxidative stress, and whether it is extending to the extracellular space or not, is still disputed. Therefore, an electrochemical superoxide biosensor was constructed, positioned above A6 renal cells, and used to measure in real-time the extracellular oxidative burst following addition of calcium oxalate crystals. It was observed that A6 cells do secrete superoxide into their extracellular space in few minutes after encountering calcium oxalate crystals. The amount of released superoxide peaks at about 20min. Superoxide is cleared away from the extracellular space after approximately 3h. Superoxide secretion depends on the presence of superoxide-scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase, the age of the cells, the amount of calcium oxalate crystals, and the temperature. Moreover, the effect of calcium oxalate crystals was mimicked by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The developed sensing system can be a useful tool for biologists investigating nephrolithiasis at cellular level.

Anatomical, Chemical, and Biochemical Characterization of Cladodes from Prickly Pear [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.

Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes represent the green stem of the plant and are generally used as animal feed or disposed of in landfills. The present work investigated the anatomical and chemical composition of Opuntia cladodes, which form the basis of their pharmacological effects. Glucose and galacturonic acid were the main sugars of Opuntia cladodes, whereas high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed the presence of mainly kaempherol and isorhamnetin glycosides (glucoside and rhamnoside). The presence of high amounts of calcium oxalate crystals was demonstrated by light microscopy on fresh and lyophilized cladodes. No antimicrobial activity was observed even after enzymatic treatment. O. ficus-indica cladodes may retain material tightly associated with cell-wall components, and this property will have the potential to greatly reduce the bioavailability of bioactive compounds.

FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF THE SEED OIL OF ARUM ITALICUM MILLER

ABSTRACT The genus Arum (Araceae) is represented by some 20 taxa in Turkey. Having tuberous roots, broadly hastate vigorous leaves, greenish‐yellow spathes A. italicum grows in northern Turkey and flowers between April and May and its reddish berry type fruits ripen in July. Containing significant amount of calcium oxalate crystals, oxalic acid and oxalates in addition to volatile and/or easily destroyed irritating substances, Arum taxa are toxic. However, dried or fresh parts thereof are used for food and in folk medicine in Turkey. Tubers and ripe fruits are used in the treatment of rheumatism and hemorroids while the leaves are consumed as a food. The fatty acid composition of the seed oil of A. italicum oil was investigated by analyzing their methyl esters by GC and GC‐mass spectrometry. The major fatty acids were 16:0, 16:1 n‐7, 18:0, 18:1 n‐9, 18:2 n‐6 and 13‐phenyltridecanoic acid in the seed oil. This is the first report on fatty acid composition and 13‐phenyltridecanoic acid content of Arum italicum Miller seeds from Turkey.

Gazelle Herbivory and Interpopulation Differences in Calcium Oxalate Content of Leaves of a Desert Lily

We investigated the abundance and distribution of calcium oxalate crystals in the leaves of wild populations of a Negev desert lilyPancratium sickenbergeriin relation to herbivory. Three species of herbivores are known to eat the leaves of this lily: a small antelope, the dorcas gazelle Gazella dorcasa moth larva Polytella cliensand a land snail Eremina desertorum. All three species eat only those parts of the leaves where calcium oxalate raphides are absent, suggesting that it is an effective defensive chemical. We compared the abundance of raphides in three isolated lily populations that differed only in the amount of gazelle herbivory. Within lily populations, we found neither size-related differences in raphide abundance nor differences in raphide abundance between plants that had previously been partially consumed and those that had not. We found significant differences among lily populations in the amount of calcium oxalate crystals in their leaves, with the most raphides being found in the population suffering most herbivory, fewer in a population with intermediate herbivory, and the least in a population without gazelle herbivory. Additionally, sand samples showed no differences among populations in two major nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) but significantly more calcium in the sand in the population without herbivory. Thus, calcium oxalate abundance in the leaves of Pancratium sickenbergeri is not constrained by resource availability but rather appears to have been selected for by gazelle herbivory. This is the first study to show the effects of selection on calcium oxalate production in a wild plant by a wild herbivore.

Cadmium‐Induced Structural and Ultrastructural Changes in the Vascular System of Bush Bean Stems

AbstractThe effects of a phytotoxic cadmium concentration (4.45 . 10−5 M) on the structure and ultrastructure of bean plant stems were analysed by light (LM), transmission electron (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cadmium significantly reduced both the number and the size of tracheary elements. Cadmium‐induced electron dense depositions, which seemed to obstruct partially some xylem vessels, were found only in the later maturing tracheary elements (helical, scalariform or reticulate structure), but not in the annular structured early differentiated ones. Plants exposed to Cd showed less fiber development than the control plants. In the plants treated with Cd abnormally high amounts of calcium oxalate crystals were found in the paratracheary parenchyma cells of the bottom of the stems. The levels of soluble Ca2+ in the expressed stem sap of Cd‐treated plants was significantly decreased, while substantial amounts of soluble Cd were detected. The probable mechanisms of the structural alterations observed are discussed.

Calcium oxalate crystals in leaves of Quercus cerris L. and Q. ilex L.

Leaves of Quercus cerris L. were collected from Zonguldak, Devrek and those of Q. ilex L. samples were collected from Zonguldak, Ere?li, Turkey. The leaf sections were subjected to histochemical analysis and brown-black stained calcium oxalate crystals were identified. The organic contents in the leaves were completely cleaned for polarizing microscope investigation. Calcium oxalate crystals were found to be druz and prismatic in Q. cerris and Q. ilex species. While druz crystals were localized in mesophyll, prismatic ones were localized around the leaf vessels. The amount of calcium oxalate crystals per mm2 was determined in permanent preparations.
 

Oöthecae of the Blattaria

The evolution of ovoviviparity and viviparity in the Blattaria necessitated a change from a hard rigid ootheca that was dropped shortly after its formation, to a soft, flexible, reduced egg case which was retracted internally into a uterus. Such changes have taken place in the oothecae of the Blaberoidea (Polyphagidae, Blattellidae, Blaberidae), the phyletic line which evolved ovoviviparity, but not in the Blattoidea (Cryptocercidae, Blattidae). In the blaberoid line, polyphagid oothecae have keels and an anterior flange. Respiratory structures, denticles, and the production of calcium oxalate crystals (which undoubtedly contribute to the rigidity of the ootheca) arose within the polyphagids. The flange became markedly reduced in some Polyphagidae and was lost in most Blattellidae, although relics of this structure can still be seen in some Plectopterinae and Blattellinae oothecae. In some Blattellidae (Plectopterinae, Blattellinae, Ectobiinae) there is a marked decrease in the size of the denticles and a tendency for the thickened margin of the keel to lie flat against the micropylar ends of the eggs. The oothecae of most Blattellidae possess large amounts of calcium oxalate crystals. However, species of Blattella and Chorisia that retain their oothecae externally during embryogenesis show a gradual loss of this compound. In the Blaberidae, all of which incubate their eggs internally, the keel, as it occurs in the blattellids, has been lost; in some blaberids greatly reduced keels are present as relics. The oothecae of all blaberids are flexible, lack calcium oxalate crystals, and are thin compared to most oviparous species. The greatest reduction of the oothecal membrane occurs in the viviparous species Diploptera punctata (Eschscholtz).