Calcium Oxalate Dihydrate Research Articles

A facile preparation of rutin nanoparticles and its effects on controlled growth and morphology of calcium oxalate crystals

Switching of the growth-mode of calcium-containing crystals are of great research interest in materials science for the inhibition of pathological biomineralization. Rutin, a flavonol glycoside, was reported to have many pharmacological activities. However, the efficiency of rutin for practical therapeutic applications is still a challenge due to its low aqueous solubility and limited bioavailability. Herein, we report a facile method for preparation and characterization of rutin nanoparticles of ~200 nm in size and zeta potential of −22.70 ± 2.51 mV, based on anti-solvent co-precipitation using the synergistic effect of surfactants. Morphological and structural characterization of the nanoparticles was carried out with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. These results showed that rutin nanoparticles had a smaller particle size than raw rutin, and changed into an amorphous structure from the crystal structure of raw rutin. In vitro release profiles showed a sustained release rate of hydrophilic rutin nanoparticles corresponding to 83.5 ± 8.4% for a time period of 8 days. Furthermore, the influence of the rutin nanoparticles on the tuning of the growth and morphology of calcium oxalate (CaC2O4) crystals have been assessed using SEM, XRD patterns, TGA analysis and adsorption isotherms. The experimental results showed that the rutin nanoparticles could induce the formation of oval and octahedral calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) crystals in a concentration-dependent manner. It is believed that the hydrogen bonding between the phenolic groups in rutin with carboxylate ions in crystals contributes to their increased adsorption and directing calcium oxalate monohydrate to dihydrate forms. These results indicated the potential application of rutin nanoparticles for in vivo lithiatic studies as well as for other pharmacological properties.

MP03-07 URINARY STONE COMPOSITION IN THE UNITED STATES

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: There is a paucity of large-scale data on urinary stone composition in the United States. Here, we present characteristics of urinary stone composition, age and geographic region in the United States. METHODS: We obtained compositional analyses for all urinary stones submitted to a reference laboratory from July 15, 2016 to Sept. 29, 2019. Stone composition was determined by integrative crystallography. Stones containing >90 percent of particular chemicals were classified as purely made of that composition. Data was analyzed using Stata 16 (College Station, Texas) software. RESULTS: Total of 99,908 records of stones were analyzed. Of this 98,043 were categorized as urinary stones and remaining were non-crystalline physiological particulate matter or artifacts. Common stone types were calcium oxalate (79.33%), uric acid (10.63%), calcium phosphate (5.73%) and triple phosphate (2.22%). Rare variety of stones included predominantly protein (0.93%), cystine (0.26 %) and drug induced (0.22%). Incidence of calcium oxalate and uric acid stones increased with age and that of calcium phosphate decreased with age. Amongst patient with calcium oxalate stone, incidence of calcium oxalate monohydrate increased with age and that of mixed calcium oxalate stones and calcium oxalate dihydrate decreases with age (p<0.01) (figure 1 and 2). Although the incidence of common stone types was similar, overall association between stone composition and geographical distribution was found to be statistically significant (figure 3). CONCLUSIONS: This series is the largest analysis to date of urinary stone composition in the United States. Age and geographical region were significantly associated with variations in stone composition.Source of Funding: NIL

MP15-16 LASER LITHOTRIPTER SETTINGS ACCORDING TO ENDOSCOPIC VIEW: HOW CAN WE OPTIMISE THE OUTCOME? A SIMPLE WAY TO OPTIMISE THE TREATMENT STRATEGY

You have accessJournal of UrologyStone Disease: Surgical Therapy III (MP15)1 Apr 2020MP15-16 LASER LITHOTRIPTER SETTINGS ACCORDING TO ENDOSCOPIC VIEW: HOW CAN WE OPTIMISE THE OUTCOME? A SIMPLE WAY TO OPTIMISE THE TREATMENT STRATEGY Nicola Frego*, Luigi Domanico, Davide Maffei, Marco Paciotti, Pietro Diana, Federica Regis, Giulio Bevilacqua, Vittorio Fasulo, Roberto Peschechera, Massimo Lazzeri, Rodolfo Hurle, Giovanni Lughezzani, Paolo Casale, Nicolò Maria Buffi, Giorgio Ferruccio Guazzoni, and Alberto Rosario Saita Nicola Frego*Nicola Frego* More articles by this author , Luigi DomanicoLuigi Domanico More articles by this author , Davide MaffeiDavide Maffei More articles by this author , Marco PaciottiMarco Paciotti More articles by this author , Pietro DianaPietro Diana More articles by this author , Federica RegisFederica Regis More articles by this author , Giulio BevilacquaGiulio Bevilacqua More articles by this author , Vittorio FasuloVittorio Fasulo More articles by this author , Roberto PeschecheraRoberto Peschechera More articles by this author , Massimo LazzeriMassimo Lazzeri More articles by this author , Rodolfo HurleRodolfo Hurle More articles by this author , Giovanni LughezzaniGiovanni Lughezzani More articles by this author , Paolo CasalePaolo Casale More articles by this author , Nicolò Maria BuffiNicolò Maria Buffi More articles by this author , Giorgio Ferruccio GuazzoniGiorgio Ferruccio Guazzoni More articles by this author , and Alberto Rosario SaitaAlberto Rosario Saita More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000000840.016AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Stone components and physical properties were important data in setting the laser lithotripter. The aim of the study was to investigate the hypothesis that a senior endourologist with may foresee the stone composition by direct endoscopic view and set the most correct laser frequency and energy power. METHODS: This was a prospective observational pilot study enrolling 36 patients, from December 2018 to April 2019, with a diagnosis of urolithiasis and scheduled for URS/RIRS/PNL. For each stone we recorded the morphological analysis (stone surface, shape and colour to define the composition) and consequently we set the laser’s frequency, energy and pulse. All stones were subsequently analyzed (Infrared spectroscopy) to determine their composition. For all the procedure Lumenis 120 Watt laser lithotripter was used. The primary endpoint was to report the correspondence between endoscopic examination and ex vivo stones analysis. The secondary end point was the stone free rate (SFR) at 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Visual characteristics correlated with stone’s composition and the corrisponding laser setting were summarized in Table 1. The correspondence between endoscopic examination and stone analysis was found in 91,7% of cases. Three cases of calcium oxalate dihydrate (weddellite) were not correctly identified at endoscopic view, because of the presence of brushite. Using this approach SFR at 6 months were 82%. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary findings showed a correspondence between endoscopic stone composition and ex vivo stone analysis. Moreover, adequate setting of laser lithotripter based on endoscopic appearance of stone results in effective lithotripsy. Source of Funding: none © 2020 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 203Issue Supplement 4April 2020Page: e210-e211 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2020 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Nicola Frego* More articles by this author Luigi Domanico More articles by this author Davide Maffei More articles by this author Marco Paciotti More articles by this author Pietro Diana More articles by this author Federica Regis More articles by this author Giulio Bevilacqua More articles by this author Vittorio Fasulo More articles by this author Roberto Peschechera More articles by this author Massimo Lazzeri More articles by this author Rodolfo Hurle More articles by this author Giovanni Lughezzani More articles by this author Paolo Casale More articles by this author Nicolò Maria Buffi More articles by this author Giorgio Ferruccio Guazzoni More articles by this author Alberto Rosario Saita More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Genetic and Clinical Analyses of 13 Chinese Families With Cystine Urolithiasis and Identification of 15 Novel Pathogenic Variants in SLC3A1 and SLC7A9.

BackgroundCystinuria is a rare genetic disorder characterized by defective renal reabsorption of cystine, ornithine, arginine, and lysine. The increased urinary excretion of cystine results in the development of cystine urolithiasis (CU). The mutated SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 genes are the cause of CU, a global disorder. Its frequency and mutation spectrum vary between different populations. In Asia, the data for CU are limited.MethodUrinary stones were collected from patients of a single center over a five-year period and analyzed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Genomic DNA was isolated from 13 patients with CU and their parents and from 26 controls affected by calcium oxalate dihydrate stones. The coding regions and the exon–intron boundaries of SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 were subjected to PCR amplification and then sequenced via traditional Sanger sequencing. Genetic variants were functionally annotated using the InterVar, ClinVar, gnom AD, and HGMD databases.ResultsFrom the 232 samples of urinary stones, we identified 13 patients with CU (10 males and 3 females). The onset age was from 7 months to 9 years. The CU stones varied from 0.26 cm3 to 18.67 cm3. Sanger sequencing detected a total of 14 SLC3A1 (nine were novel) and 10 SLC7A9 (six were novel) rare variants from the 13 CU families. All variants, including 15 novel variants, were pathogenic, disease-causing, or damaging.ConclusionAll 13 pediatric CU families harbored SLC3A1 or/and SLC7A9 rare variants. A total of 15 novel pathogenic variants in SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 were identified. This study expanded the known mutational spectrum of CU in the Chinese population.

Preparation and characterization of selenized Astragalus polysaccharide and its inhibitory effect on kidney stones.

Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) was modified using the Na2SeO3/HNO3 method to obtain selenized APS (Se-APS) with a selenium content of 1.75mg/g. The structure and physicochemical properties of APS and Se-APS were investigated through transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy mapping, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, nano-zetasizer analysis, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. APS and Se-APS did not exhibit toxic effects on human kidney proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells and were able to remove hydroxyl and DPPH radicals, alleviate the damage caused by calcium oxalate (CaOx) monohydrate (COM) crystals to HK-2 cells, reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, and restore cell viability and morphology. Both APS and Se-APS could inhibit COM growth, induce calcium oxalate dihydrate formation, and increase the absolute zeta potential of the crystals to inhibit crystal aggregation. However, the ability of Se-APS to regulate CaOx crystals and protect the cells from COM-induced damage was better than that of APS. These results suggested that Se-APS might be a candidate drug for the treatment and prevention of kidney stones.

Modulation of Calcium Oxalate Crystal Growth and Protection from Oxidatively Damaged Renal Epithelial Cells of Corn Silk Polysaccharides with Different Molecular Weights.

Corn silk polysaccharide (CSP0; molecular weight = 124 kDa) was degraded by ultrasonication to obtain five degraded polysaccharides, namely, CSP1, CSP2, CSP3, CSP4, and CSP5, with molecular weights of 26.1, 12.2, 6.0, 3.5, and 2.0 kDa, respectively. The structures of these polysaccharides were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR analyses. The antioxidant activities, including scavenging ability for hydroxyl radicals and DPPH free radicals, chelation ability for Fe2+ ions, and reducing ability of CSP increased with decreased molecular weight of CSPs within 6.0 to 124 kDa. However, antioxidant activity weakened when the molecular weight of CSPs reached 3.5 and 2 kDa. CSP3 with a molecular weight of 6.0 kDa exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. After protection with 60 μg/mL CSPs, the viability of human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) damaged by nano-COM crystals increased, the level of reactive oxygen species decreased, and the amount of COM crystal adhered onto the cell surface decreased. The ability of CSPs to protect cells from CaOx crystal damage was consistent with their antioxidant activity. CSPs can specifically combine with CaOx crystal to inhibit the conversion of calcium oxalate dihydrate crystal to calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal. All these results showed that the activity of CSPs was closely correlated with molecular weight. A very high or low molecular weight of CSPs was not conducive to their activity. CSPs, especially CSP3 with a molecular weight of 6.0 kDa, can be used as a potential antistone drug.

Influence of socioeconomic disparities, temperature and humidity in kidney stone composition

Introduction:Large variations in demographic, economic and environmental factors might influence the worldwide distribution of urolithiasis, but scarce data are available concerning their associations with stone composition. We aimed to evaluate the frequency and composition of kidney stones and their associations with temperature, humidity, and human development index (HDI).Materials and Methods:A total of 1,158 stones from distinct patients (47±14 years old, male/female 2:1) were included. The mean annual temperature and relative humidity of each town were considered separately.Results:Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) was disclosed in 38.8% of patients, calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) in 22.1%, mixed COD/apatite in 9.4%, pure apatite in 1.9%, brushite in 1.8%, struvite in 8.3%, pure uric acid in 11.1%, mixed uric acid/COM in 5.6%, and cystine/rare types in 0.8%. Mean HDI of all pooled cities was 0.780±0.03. However, people living in HDI<0.800 regions had twice the odds of having a struvite stone versus those living in HDI>0.800 (OR=2.14, 95% CI 1.11-4.11). Furthermore, a progressive increase in the struvite stones frequency from 4.5 to 22.8% was detected from HDI>0.800 through HDI<0.700. No significant difference for other stone types was disclosed. Separate logistic regression models assessed the association of each stone composition with gender, temperature, humidity and HDI as covariates.Conclusion:Patients living in low HDI areas are more prone to develop struvite stones, possibly due to lower access to healthcare. Temperature and humidity did not represent a specific risk factor for any stone type in the present sample.

Comparison of the adhesion and endocytosis of calcium oxalate dihydrate to HK-2 cells before and after repair by Astragalus polysaccharide

ABSTRACT This work investigated the effects of repairing injured renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells by using three Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) with different molecular weights and the adhesion and endocytosis of HK-2 cells to the calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) nanocrystals before and after repair to develop new products that can protect against kidney stones. HK-2 cells cultured in vitro were injured with 2.6 mmol/L oxalic acid to establish a damaged cell model. Three kinds of APS (APS0, APS1, and APS2 with molecular weights of 11.03, 4.72, and 2.60 kDa, respectively) were used to repair the damaged cells. The changes in the adhesion and endocytosis of 100 nm COD crystals to cells before and after the repair were detected. After the repair of HK-2 cells by the APS, the speed of wound healing of the damaged HK-2 cells increased, and the amount of phosphatidylserine (PS) ectropion decreased. In addition, the proportion of cells with adhered COD crystals decreased, whereas the proportion of cells with internalized crystals increased. As a result of the repair activity, APS can inhibit the adhesion and promote the endocytosis of COD nanocrystals to damaged cells. APS1, which had a moderate molecular weight, displayed the strongest abilities to repair the cells, inhibit adhesion, and promote endocytosis. Thus, APS, particularly APS1, may serve as potential green drugs for preventing kidney stones.

Jackstone Calculus

Jackstone calculus is a rare bladder stone with a unique appearance, presenting a stippled and spiculated contour. Correct diagnosis is important because it may have therapeutic implications, as this distinctive shape correlates with a specific mineral composition of calcium oxalate dihydrate, which tend to be easily fragmented by lithotripsy, allowing to attempt an endoscopic treatment instead of surgery in larger stones. We present the case of a 77-year-old male where a 2 cm bladder calculus was incidentally found on CT, with features that allowed to make straightforward the diagnosis of a jackstone calculus.

Jackstone Calculus

A 75-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of poor urinary flow, recent hematuria, and urgency. He had been taking α-blockers for more than 10 years for lower urinary tract symptoms. He was a nonsmoker. Computed tomography revealed normal kidneys and ureters but a large intravesical extension of the prostate gland and calculi with a spiculated pattern (Figure 1A and B), characteristic of jackstone calculi. Cystoscopic examination revealed calculi with multiple spicules and characteristic dark bands (Figure 2). He underwent cystoscopy-guided laser lithotripsy, with complete fragmentation via holmium laser. He also had concurrent transurethral resection of the prostate gland. Postoperatively, he voided with a good stream.Figure 2Cystoscopic image showing jackstone calculi in the bladder.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT) Jackstone calculi are bladder calculi composed of calcium oxalate dihydrate, which gives them their irregular shape.1Singh K.J. Tiwari A. Goyal A. Jackstone: a rare entity of vesical calculus.Indian J Urol. 2011; 27: 543-544Google Scholar They get their name from their resemblance to toy “jacks” with multiple spicules. Bladder calculi are an important consideration in the differential diagnosis in older patients with hematuria and are often secondary to prostatic obstruction.2Douenias R. Rich M. Badlani G. Mazor D. Smith A. Predisposing factors in bladder calculi: review of 100 cases.Urology. 1991; 37: 240-243Google Scholar Primary care physicians should be aware of their characteristic appearance on plain radiography. It is imperative, however, to perform contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis and a thorough cystoscopic examination to rule out malignancy as cause of the hematuria.

Urinary stone composition analysis of 3684 patients in the eastern Shandong region of China.

ObjectiveThere has not been a study that analyzed the composition of urinary stones from patients in the eastern Shandong region of China. Thus, we explored the composition of urinary stones in the eastern Shandong region of China and discuss the clinical significance of the findings.MethodsA total of 3684 urinary calculi from the eastern Shandong region were collected in our study. Compositions of the stones were analyzed using an Automatic Infrared Spectrum Analysis System (type LIIR-20). The results were verified through manual analysis of the spectrograms, which was accompanied by polarizing microscopy and chemical analysis if necessary.ResultsAmong the 3684 specimens, there were 1767 single-component stones and 1917 mixed-component stones. According to the main components of the stones, the stones were divided into the following types: calcium oxalate monohydrate stones (1779, 48.3%), anhydrous uric acid stones (1105, 30.0%), carbonate apatite stones (590, 16.0%), ammonium magnesium phosphate hexahydrate stones (143, 3.9%), calcium oxalate dihydrate stones (36, 1.0%), and cystine stones (31, 0.8%).ConclusionsThere was a relatively high rate of uric acid stones in patients from the eastern Shandong region of China.

Phospholipids accumulation and calcification in cultured primary human aortic valve interstitial cells: New insights revealed by confocal Raman imaging

AbstractRaman imaging was applied to investigate calcification process in situ in primary human aortic valve interstitial cells (HAVICs) isolated from patients with developed non‐rheumatic aortic stenosis (AS). To invoke calcification, cells were incubated in an osteogenic medium (OSM) in some cases supplemented with glucose. Surprisingly, upon 7 days of incubation, no calcification in the form of inorganic salts was detected, instead, the increase of lipid inclusions containing phospholipids inside HAVICs was observed, probably in the sites involved in further mineral precipitation. Glucose supplementation (reflecting diabetes mellitus influence on AS) slightly decreased the overall content of phospholipids. A long incubation time resulted in the formation of significant amounts of inorganic calcium salts extracellularly and only in the presence of type I collagen. In the absence of type I collagen, calcium oxalate dihydrate was observed inside the cells. Due to application of Raman imaging, an unbiased, label‐free method of high‐spatial resolution and chemical specificity, it was possible to demonstrate unequivocally that calcification in the form of hydroxyapatite took place extracellularly in the presence of type I collagen and required long incubation with OSM.

Phase and microstructural study of urinary stones

In this paper we present the phase and morphological characteristics of urinary stones from Serbian patients. The study included for the first time the determination of the phase composition and a statistical analysis of the presence of different types of urinary stones in both men and women in Serbia. The main goal of study was representation of collected data for the first time. For past three years, more than 600 samples were collected from Serbian patients. The phase composition of all samples of urinary stones was investigated using XRD analysis. Morphology and chemical composition of phases in some characteristic samples was determinate by the SEM-EDS analysis. Results indicate that there are several different types of urinary stones that vary in mineral composition, chemistry and morphology. It was found that 312 (52%) of the 600 stones were composed of calcium oxalate minerals (CaOx): 17.3% of which were pure calcium oxalate monohydrate COM, 4% were pure calcium oxalate dihydrate COD; 200 (33.3%) were a mixture of CaOx and Hydroxyapatite HA, 19 (3.1%) were uric acid (uricite) UA and uric acid dihydrate UAD, 17 (2.8%) were a combination of UA and CaOx minerals, 41 (6.8%) were combination of CaP minerals and CaOx, 11 (1.9%) were cystine (Cy) stones. The obtained data shows the diversity of types of urinary stones. Morphological, chemical and XRPD analysis give us statistical data which shows that the most common urinary stones from Serbian patients are from CaOx group and in most of cases are associated with CaP.

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM OF 37TH WORLD CONGRESS OF ENDOUROLOGY PROGRAM BOOK

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM OF 37TH WORLD CONGRESS OF ENDOUROLOGY PROGRAM BOOK

What Factors Drive Staghorn vs Nonstaghorn Pattern Growth in Patients with Metabolic Stones?

Purpose: There has been an increase in the number of staghorn calculi that form in the absence of infection (metabolic staghorns). It is unknown why some large metabolic calculi form as solitary or multiple separate, nonbranching caliceal stones, whereas others develop as staghorn stones forming a cast of the collecting system. We sought to compare these two groups of metabolic stone formers (SFs) in an attempt to shed light on these disparate stone-forming phenomena. Materials and Methods: From January 2017 to September 2018, 190 patients underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy for stones >2 cm. We identified 86 (45%) patients with a metabolic stone, defined as ≥80% calcium oxalate monohydrate or dihydrate and/or calcium phosphate. Exclusion criteria included stones composed of cystine, >20% uric acid, or any infectious element (struvite or carbonate apatite). Metabolic staghorn and nonstaghorn SFs were compared with respect to medical comorbidity, 24-hour urine parameters, stone and urine microbiology, stone compositions, and intraoperative findings. Statistical differences were assessed using chi-square analysis, Fisher's exact test, and Student's t-test. Results: In total, 25 (29%) staghorn and 61 (71%) nonstaghorn SFs were included for analysis. The groups were statistically similar in age, sex, body mass index, and medical comorbidity. Staghorn SFs had larger stone burdens (p < 0.0001), but did not require more punctures (p = 0.783). Staghorn SFs were more likely to have hyperoxaluria (p = 0.041) and higher mean 24-urine oxalate levels (p = 0.040). There were no other significant differences in 24-hour urine profiles, rates of metabolic abnormalities, stone compositions, stone or urine cultures, presence of collecting system obstruction, or pelvicaliceal anatomy. Conclusions: Although potentially driven by urinary oxalate, whether a metabolic stone will form into a staghorn configuration or not does not appear significantly influenced by standard determinants of stone development, including metabolic profile, cultures, hydronephrosis, and pelvicaliceal anatomy, among others. Further work is needed to elucidate the physicochemical factors that govern the pathogenesis of this increasingly prevalent entity.

Idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis with pure calcium oxalate composition: clinical correlates of the calcium oxalate dihydrate/monohydrate (COD/COM) stone ratio.

Pure calcium oxalate is the most frequent type of idiopathic kidney stone composition. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) allows to detect the ratio of calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) and monohydrate (COM) crystals in stones, but the clinical significance of this parameter remains uncertain. The objective of this observational study was to verify the association of clinical and laboratory parameters of kidney stone disease with COD/COM ratio in a group of 465 (322M, age 46 ± 14) patients suffering from idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis with pure calcium oxalate stones (≥ 97%). Each participant underwent a complete clinical examination, serum chemistry, 24-h urine collection for the determination of the profile of lithogenic risk, and had stones analyzed by FT-IR. Most (62%) of the stones had a COD/COM ratio ≤ 0.25, and the urine chemistry of the corresponding patients showed a low prevalence of urinary metabolic abnormalities. With increasing COD/COM ratio intervals (0-0.25, 0.26-0.50, 0.51-0.75, 0.76-1), a significant association was observed for the number of urological procedures, serum calcium, 24-h urinary calcium excretion, prevalence of hypercalciuria and relative calcium oxalate supersaturation, and a negative trend was detected for the age of the first stone episode (all p values < 0.05). A linear regression model showed that the only parameters significantly associated with COD/COM ratio were 24-h urinary calcium excretion (standardized β = 0.464, p < 0.001) and urine pH (standardized β = 0.103, p = 0.013). In pure calcium oxalate idiopathic stones, COD/COM ratio may reflect the presence of urinary metabolic risk factors, and represent a guide for the prescription of urinary analyses.

A New Route for Indirect Mineralization of Carbon Dioxide\u2013Sodium Oxalate as a Detergent Builder

Here, we bridge the gap between carbon mineralization and laundry detergent builder with sodium oxalate. Daily laundry can help mineralize carbon dioxide. First, we screen an environment-friendly process to produce sodium oxalate, using CO2 as a raw material. Then, we evaluate the properties of sodium oxalate as a detergent builder and prove the formation of calcium oxalate under laundry conditions. Our data suggest that sodium oxalate has excellent calcium-removing properties. Detergents based on sodium oxalate have good detergency. Furthermore, solid calcium oxalates (calcium oxalate monohydrate or calcium oxalate dihydrate, which has good stability in water and thermal stability), is obtained from washing waters. These results demonstrate the possibility of using sodium oxalate as detergent builder. The whole process can transform the greenhouse gas CO2 into commodity chemicals and can mineralize carbon.

Prevalence and chemical composition of uroliths in fattening pigs in Belgium

The present study investigated the prevalence of uroliths in fattening pigs and assessed the composition of these urinary tract concrements. In total, 2,432 urinary bladders were sampled in the slaughterhouse and checked for abnormal content. Urinary samples were analysed microscopically, and samples of the urinary bladder wall were tested for histological signs of inflammation. The composition of the concrements was examined by infrared spectrophotometry. Macroscopic and microscopic abnormalities were detected in 8.4% and 52.8% of the samples respectively. Magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite), calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD), calcium carbonate (calcite), calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and amorphous crystals were detected. Analysis of stones showed COD in all samples in different proportions. The calcium content of examined stones was always considerable (up to 34%), in contrast to the magnesium content which represented max 1.9%. Struvite was found in one third of the samples, but was never part of stones and grit. COD crystals were the second most common microscopic crystal. These COD crystals and some COD stones had a rectangular shape, and therefore, they can be harmful to the bladder mucosa. In conclusion, uroliths are present in a large proportion of male fattening pigs, and consequently, urinary concrements pose a life-threatening risk for urethra obstruction in male pigs. Further research is warranted to identify potential risk factors for urolithiasis and microscopic crystals.

Performance of a Natural Language Processing Method to Extract Stone Composition From the Electronic Health Record

To demonstrate the utility of a natural language processing (NLP) algorithm for mining kidney stone composition in a large-scale electronic health records (EHR) repository. We developed StoneX, a pattern-matching method for extracting kidney stone composition information from clinical notes. We trained the extraction algorithm on manually annotated text mentions of calcium oxalate monohydrate, calcium oxalate dihydrate, hydroxyapatite, brushite, uric acid, and struvite stones. We employed StoneX to identify patients with kidney stone composition data and mine >125 million notes from our institutional EHR. Analyses performed on the extracted patients included stone type conversions over time, survival analysis from a second stone surgery, and disease associations by stone composition to validate the phenotyping method against known associations. The NLP algorithm identified 45,235 text mentions corresponding to 11,585 patients. Overall, the system achieved positive predictive value >90% for calcium oxalate monohydrate, calcium oxalate dihydrate, hydroxyapatite, brushite, and struvite; except for uric acid (positive predictive value = 87.5%). Survival analysis from a second stone surgery showed statistically significant differences among stone types (P = .03). Several phenotype associations were found: uric acid-type 2 diabetes (odds ratio, OR = 2.69, 95% confidence intervals, CI = 1.91-3.79), struvite-neurogenic bladder (OR = 12.27, 95% CI = 4.33-34.79), struvite-urinary tract infection (OR = 7.36, 95% CI = 3.01-17.99), hydroxyapatite-pulmonary collapse (OR = 3.67, 95% CI = 2.10-6.42), hydroxyapatite-neurogenic bladder (OR = 5.23, 95% CI = 2.05-13.36), brushite-calcium metabolism disorder (OR = 4.59, 95% CI = 2.14-9.81), and brushite-hypercalcemia (OR = 4.09, 95% CI = 1.90-8.80). NLP extraction of kidney stone composition from large-scale EHRs is feasible with high precision, enabling high-throughput epidemiological studies of kidney stone disease. These tools will enable high fidelity kidney stone research from the EHR.

Crystals in the Substantia Nigra.

Crystals of TiO2 and CaO were detected in electron-beam exposed extracts of four substantia nigra specimens of Parkinson's disease donors. A likely precursor of the CaO crystals is inflammatory calcium oxalate dihydrate, decomposing according to CaC2O4·2H2O → CaO + CO↑ + CO2↑ + 2H2O↑. Crystals of hydrated iron oxide, earlier reported residents of the human brain, were also found.