Oxalic Acid Levels Research Articles

Evaluation and characterization of indigenous rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces resistant to brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål.) biotype 4.

Evaluation and identification of resistant donors for brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens (Stål.), an economically important insect pest of rice, is a continuous process to develop new resistant rice varieties. However, several rice landraces of north-eastern India are not yet characterized for BPH resistance. In the present study, a set of 218 rice landraces were screened in both greenhouse and open-field conditions for three consecutive years, and thereafter forty selected promising entries were explored to evaluate their phenotypic and genotypic reactions against BPH biotype 4. Based on phenotypic evaluations, five landraces were identified as resistant, while 31 were moderately resistant, and grouped under the major cluster I and II, respectively, in a circular dendrogram. Antixenosis and antibiosis studies of these landraces divulged that, compared to the susceptible check variety, resistant landraces exhibited the lowest feeding rate, survival, and nymphal and adult settling, but higher frequency of unhatched eggs of BPH. Un-infested resistant landraces registered higher levels of ascorbic acid, oxalic acid and crude silica, however, elevated levels of total free amino acid, potassium and crude silica were observed under BPH herbivory. The present study focuses on identifying new donors having BPH resistance resources which could be useful in genomic studies for the development of BPH biotype 4 resistant rice varieties.

Comparison of the Effects of Laparoscopic Surgery and Traditional Open Surgery on Stone Clearance, Laboratory Indexes and Life Quality in Patients with Renal Calculi.

Objective A case-control study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery and traditional open surgery on stone clearance, laboratory indexes, and life quality in patients with renal calculi. Methods During March 2017 to March 2022, 272 patients with complex renal calculi (CRC) cured in our hospital were assigned into control group (n = 136) and research group (n = 136) arbitrarily. The former accepted traditional open surgery, while the latter accepted laparoscopic surgery. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and time of getting out of bed were compared. The degree of postoperative incision pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). The life quality was assessed by the Comprehensive Assessment Questionnaire-74 (GQOL-74). The indexes of renal function and urine metabolism were measured. Then, the postoperative stone clearance rate and complications were calculated. Results Operation time, blood loss intraoperatively, time out of bed, and hospitalization were all remarkably reduced in the research group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The complete stone clearance rates in study and control cohorts were 75.73% and 63.24%, respectively. The VAS scores were lessened after the operation. Compared with the two groups, the VAS scores of the research group were remarkably lower at 1 to 2 weeks and 1 and 3 months after the operation, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). One week after operation, the levels of β 2-microglobulin (β 2-MG), N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG), and renal injury molecule-1 (kidney injury molecule-1, Kim-1) in the research group were remarkably lower. The levels of urinary β 2-MG, NAG, and KIM-1 in the research group were remarkably lower, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). One week after operation, the levels of urinary oxalic acid, uric acid, and urinary calcium lessened averagely. The levels of urinary oxalic acid, uric acid, and urinary calcium in the research group were lower, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The quality-of-life scores were compared. One week after the operation, the scores of physical function, psychological function, social function, and material function were all augmented, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications was 9.56% and 2.21%, respectively. The incidence of complications in the research group was lower, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Laparoscopic surgery is successful when treating CRC, which is superior to invasive surgery in postoperative complications, stone clearance rate, improvement of postoperative renal function, and life quality. It is one of the ideal treatment methods for CRC. However, the role of open surgery when treating CRC cannot be ignored. This needs to be further confirmed by large samples of randomized controlled trials.

Ionomic Combined with Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses to Explore the Mechanism Underlying the Effect of Melatonin in Relieving Nutrient Stress in Apple.

Nutrient stress harms plant growth and yield. Melatonin is a biologically active, multifunctional hormone that relieves abiotic stress in plants. Although previous studies have shown that melatonin plays an important role in improving nutrient-use efficiency, the mechanism of its regulation of nutrient stress remains unclear. In this study, melatonin was applied to apple plants under nutrient stress, and morphological indices, physiological and biochemical indices, and stomatal morphology were evaluated. The response of apple plants to nutrient deficiency and the melatonin mechanism to alleviate nutrient stress were analyzed by combining ionome, transcriptome, and metabolome. The results showed that exogenous melatonin significantly alleviated the inhibitory effect of nutritional stress on the growth of apple plants by regulating stomatal morphology, improving antioxidant enzyme activity, promoting ion absorption, and utilizing and changing the absorption and distribution of minerals throughout the plant. The transcriptome results showed that melatonin alleviated nutrient stress and promoted nutrient absorption and utilization by regulating glutathione metabolism and upregulating some metal ion transport genes. The metabolome results indicated that levels of oxalic acid, L-ascorbic acid, anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-O-galactoside), lignans (lirioresinol A and syringaresinol), and melatonin significantly increased after exogenous melatonin was applied to plants under nutrient stress. These differentially expressed genes and the increase in beneficial metabolites may explain how melatonin alleviates nutrient stress in plants.

γ‐Aminobutyric acid and oxalic acid contents and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitory activity of spinach juices cofermented with Levilactobacillus brevisGABA100 and other lactic acid bacteria

SummaryThis study aimed to develop fermented spinach juice with enhanced γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) level and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and reduced oxalic acid level. We cofermented spinach juice with Levilactobacillus brevis GABA100 and oxalic acid‐degrading bacteria (Lactobacillus gasseri HHuMin D, Lactobacillus sakei RH1114, Lactobacillus acidophilus 19L5, or Limosilactobacillus fermentum BH03). GABA levels were not different among all the fermented juices except for the juice cofermented with L. brevis GABA100 and L. fermentum BH03. Oxalic acid decreased in the cofermented juices. The most increase in ACE inhibitory activity was observed in the juice cofermented with L. brevis GABA100 and L. sakei RH1114. Peptides (IVVGPPPP, PQTETKASVGFKAG and QIIGPVLD) produced during the cofermentation showed a positive correlation with the ACE inhibitory activity of the juice. These results suggest that spinach juice cofermented with L. brevis GABA100 and L. sakei RH1114 may have potential applications for the management of hypertension.

The effect of hydrological regimes on the concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates and organic acids in the roots of Salix matsudana in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

Hydrological fluctuations accelerate biodiversity loss and damage riparian ecosystems surrounding dams and reservoirs. Restoration of vegetation is urgently required in such highly impacted buffer zones. However, it is not known how the nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) and organic acid concentrations of prominent woody plants such as Salix matsudana would alter under the hydrological regime described in the literature. The study aims to investigate the tap and lateral roots of S. matsudana in the Three Gorges Reservoir, as well as the NSC and organic acid metabolism of these roots. Three groups of two-year-old S. matsudana saplings were planted in this experiment: control (SS), moderate submergence (MS), and deep submergence (DS) at altitudes of 175 m, 170 m, and 165 m, respectively. The results indicated that hydrological regimes restrained the height of S. matsudana with less impact on diameter at P < 0.05 compared with SS but showed a 100 % survival rate throughout the experiment. Meanwhile, root starch concentrations of 108.46 ± 9.18 mg/g (mean ± standard error) were higher than those of soluble sugars (86.81 ± 12.98 mg/g) after hydrological stress. Moreover, the levels of soluble sugar, starch, and NSC in MS were higher than those of SS1 (1stphase of control). However, soluble sugar, starch, and NSC content in DS were lower than in SS2 (2ndphase of control), where lateral root starch and NSC content were more significant than those in the taproot. After 205 days of submersion (DS), oxalic acid, tartaric acid, and malic acid content were higher than after 135 days (MS). They followed the pattern of malic acid > tartaric acid > oxalic acid. The tartaric acid content of the lateral roots and the total roots was significantly higher in MS than in SS1. Conversely, the oxalic acid and malic acid levels in tap roots, lateral roots, and total roots were higher in DS than in SS2. There were strong Pearson's correlations between root starch and NSC with tartaric and malic acids; these correlations ranged from −0.898 < r < 0.981. These data indicate that S. matsudana can maintain certain levels of starch, malic acid, and tartaric acid to enable it to better adapt to its environment under in-situ flooding stress.

Changes in oxalic acid and mineral contents of tomato plant under salinity stress

The synthesis of oxalic acid in the plant and its relations with other minerals in plant biochemistry were investigated under saline growing conditions. The effects of NaCl salt applied to the nutrient solution at concentrations of 0, 25, 50 and 75 mM on the mineral nutrients and oxalic acid contents of the leaves, roots and fruits of the tomato plant were examined. NaCl applied to the soil significantly decreased the vegetative, root and fruit dry matter amounts of the tomato plant and the N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu contents in these parts of the plant. The oxalic acid content of the plant also decreased with increasing salt concentration. Ca and oxalic acid contents of the plant were determined at different levels in the vegetative, root and fruit organs of the plant. Depending on the applied NaCl levels, significant decreases were recorded in the total and soluble oxalic acid and Ca levels of the plant. Physiologically effective oxalic acid in tomato plant was recorded only in fruits with low Ca content. The data confirm the effect of salinity on Ca nutrition and show the effects of ion interaction on oxalic acid synthesis in plants.

Effect of Short-time Exposure of Local Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields on Sleepiness in Male Rats.

Lack of high-quality sleep causes severe side effects like anxiety and changes in plasma concentration of oxalate. The current study investigated the impact of local extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) on inducing sleep (sleepiness) and anxiety in male rats. In this experimental study, 40 male rats were divided into four groups (n=10 for each group). The ELF-MF exposure (0, 10, and 18 Hz) was applied with an intensity of 200μT for three days (10 min/d). The sham-treated animal did not receive ELF-MF. Serum levels of oxalic acid (OA) and sleepiness were measured before and after the last exposure to ELF-MF or sham. Anxiety, sleepiness, and OA were measured using the elevated plus maze, open-field test (OFT), and ELISA test. A comparison of oxalate levels before and after exposure to ELF-MF revealed that ELF-MF (10 Hz) decreased the serum level of oxalate (P<0.05). Comparing open/closed arm entry (in an elevated plus maze) between before and after exposure to ELFMF revealed significant differences. Also, frequency, velocity, and distance moved were decreased in the open-field test. Results of the present study demonstrated that ELF-MF with short-time exposure may modulate the metabolism of OA and may modulate anxiety-like behavior or kind of induction of sleepiness in male rats. Oxalate acid concentration may reduce after short time ELF-MF exposure.Locomotor activity in male rats may decrease after the ELF-MF exposure.Short time ELF-MF exposure may induce sleepiness in male rats that may be used to treat sleep disorders. It is necessary for a person to have good sleep to feel happy during the day. The usual way to treat the patient's sleep disorders is drug therapy, but there are some non-pharmacological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and proper diet. In this study we decided to evaluate the effect of ELF-MFs on sleep induction (sleepiness) in male rats by assessing behavioral tests and measuring oxalate acid density. The results showed that the activity of rats and oxalate acid concentration reduced after ELF-MF exposure. This was consistent with results of the plus maze test and the reduction of velocity, frequency and in the open-field test can be attributed to sleepiness. The results of this research showed that ELF-MF with short time exposure may modulate the anxiety-like behavior or kind of induction of sleepiness in male rats. This effect may be used to treat sleep disorders and requires further human studies.

Ion chromatography coupled to Q-Orbitrap for the analysis of formic and oxalic acid in beehive matrices: a field study

There is an increasing concern about the use of synthetic acaricides to fight the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor. Natural products such as formic acid (FA) and oxalic acid (OA) have emerged as a possible alternative control strategy. However, given the difficulty of analysing these highly polar compounds and the lack of robust and reliable methods, there are very few studies of the concentration and distribution of these natural acaricides in the beehive compartments. We present a reliable and simple analytical methodology, based on sample extraction with modified quick polar pesticide (QuPPe) methods followed by ion chromatography coupled to a quadrupole Orbitrap mass analyser for the analysis of FA and OA in honeybees, honey, beeswax, and beebread. The developed methods have been used in a field study for the evaluation of the presence and distribution of FA and OA in the beehive products, as well as in adult bees and bee brood samples, before, during, and up to 3 months after the application of the treatments by the beekeeper. Beebread and honey samples presented the highest concentration levels of OA and FA, respectively, mainly due to their natural presence. As expected, the organic acids showed low persistence in wax after the treatments. The natural acaricides were found in adult and developing bees at concentration levels below the reported LD50 in all the cases; however, residue levels of OA in larvae during the treatment application were very close to the reported LD50.Graphical abstract

Molecular mechanism of Pyrrosia lingua in the treatment of nephrolithiasis: Network pharmacology analysis and in vivo experimental verification

BackgroundEvidence exists reporting that Pyrrosia lingua (PL, Xinhui Pharmaceutical, Polypodiaceae) alleviates nephrolithiasis in rat models. The precipitation of calcium oxalate may result in kidney stones, and the intestinal microbiota is critical for oxalate metabolism. Therefore, we attempt to delineate the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of PL on nephrolithiasis and its association with gut microbiota. MethodsFollowing differential flora analysis in gutMEGA, the network relationship of PL and nephrolithiasis was analyzed based on the TCMSP, DisGeNET and STRING databases. Moreover, the kidney stone model rats were fed with different doses of PL powder and PL extract. In addition, metabolomics technology was employed to identify the active ingredients in PL extract and the microbial metabolites in rat feces. ResultsThe effect of PL on the nephrolithiasis was based on quercetin and kaempferol by mediating the toll-like receptor signaling pathway and regulating the expression levels of interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor, mitogen activated protein kinase 8, and secreted phosphoprotein 1. PL significantly reduced the levels of urine oxalic acid, urine calcium, and osteopontin (OPN) levels in rat models of nephrolithiasis. Notably, PL extract decreased these two indicators to lower levels. Furthermore, contents of Oxalobacter formigenes, Bacteriodetes, Bifidobacterium and Fecalibacterium were obviously reduced after treatment with PL extract. ConclusionPL powder and its active extracts reduce the oxalate level in urine by regulating oxalate metabolism, thus ameliorating the damage of kidney tissues and preventing kidney stone formation. This study suggests the use of PL and its extracts as an alternative source of promising agents that might directly or indirectly inhibit the progression of kidney stone diseases.

Dose-dependent effect of Scolymus hispanicus L. (sevketibostan) on ethylene glycol-induced kidney stone disease in rats

Kidney stone, also known as calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis, is one of the most common diseases worldwide. Calculi usually forms when urine becomes supersaturated with particular calcium salts such as calcium oxalate. In the present study, we investigated the ameliorative potential of the root extract of the Common golden thistle, Scolymus hispanicus L. (SH) on rats with ethylene glycol (EG) induced kidney stone disease. Sprague-Dawley rats, each weighing 250-300 g, were divided into three groups (n=6 per group): (i) Control (C); (ii) EG; and (iii) EG+SH. To induce nephrolithiasis, the rats received 1% of EG with drinking water, while the C group received normal drinking water during the study. SH extract 2 g/kg was added to the treatment from the 4th week onwards in EG+SH group. At the end of each experiment, rats were decapacitated and serum levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assessed in all groups at 0, 4, and 8 weeks. Oxalic acid and creatininelevels were measured in urine samples collected at 24 h in metabolic cages. Renal tissues were evaluated histopathologically at the end of the experiment. After 8 weeks, serum creatinine levels were found decreased in the SH group while increased in the EG group. Serum magnesium and AST levels were also found decreased in the EG group, however, SH treatment reversed these values. The SH treatment also increased urinary oxalic acid levels. When the kidney tissue of EG group was examined, there was a high level of crystal/stone, especially in the renal cortex. In kidney tissues of the SH group, only small amounts of crystal/stone were observed. Our experimental findings have demonstrated the ameliorative potential of the aqueous extracts of S. hispanicus roots and shells on EG-induced in the kidney stones in rats. Isolation of active compounds of SH would be desirable to understand the biochemical mechanism behind the process better.

Foliar application of silicon and selenium improves the growth, yield and quality characteristics of cucumber in field conditions

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the economically important vegetables. Silicon (Si) and selenium (Se) are beneficial elements for plant growth and development. However, their effects on the quality of cucumber fruit have not been comprehensively investigated. Moreover, the combined effects of these two elements on cucumber growth, yield and fruit quality remain unclear. In this study, the plants of cucumber ‘Jinyou 315′ were foliar-sprayed with Si (1 mM) and Se (0.025 mM) separately or in combination, and their effects on the growth, yield and fruit quality were investigated. The results showed that Si and Se application individually or in combination enhanced the photosynthesis, growth and yield of cucumber. Application of Si and Se respectively increased their concentrations, and accumulations of soluble sugars and amino acids in the fruit. Se addition increased the total organic acid accumulation by enhancing the levels of citric acid, malic acid and oxalic acid. In addition, added Si increased the vitamin C concentration in the fruit, while added Se increased the concentrations of total phenolics and flavonoids and decreased nitrate accumulation. These results suggest that application of Si and Se individually or in combination enhanced cucumber growth, yield and nutritional quality, and the combined effect of Si and Se was more obvious than their individual applications. This study may provide a theoretical basis for application of Si and Se in high quality cucumber production.

Ethnobotanical Usages of the Turkish Rumex Taxa

Objective: The genus Rumex is represented by 183 taxa across the world, with 48 taxa in Turkey. The most common species are R. acetosella L., R. acetosa L., R. alpinus L., R. crispus L., R. nepalensis Spreng., R. patientia L., R. pulcher L., R. tuberosus L. and they are known by local names such as Kuzukulağı, Şortah, Taşturşusu, Ekşikulak, Labada, Dibikızıl, Efelek, Ekşilik, Kuzuoğlağı, Kuzukıkırdağı, Ak labada, Ekşi yemiş. In this study, those Rumex species used for medical and food purposes by people in Turkey were compiled. The aim of this study is to provide a basis for chemical, physiological, molecular or agricultural studies and to support them in easily accessing the bibliography without wasting time. Materials and Methods: Approximately 250 ethnobotanical articles were examined from Turkey and other countries around the world about the local usages of the genus Rumex. The data were listed as a table and according to the data compiled from these articles, the Use-Value (UV) index among species was calculated. Results: In the ethnobotanical studies compiled, it was determined that the species most used by people were R. crispus, R. acetocella and R. acetosa. 174 ethnobotanical usages in Turkey, 152 ethnobotanical usages from different countries for 27 Turkish Rumex taxa have been recorded. When the parts used were compared, it was seen that the leaves and roots are mostly used. Considering the usage purposes of the Rumex genus, it was revealed that there are many different uses, however, the most common uses are for food purposes. In the compiled study, the species with the highest UV values were calculated as R. crispus, R. acetosella, R. acetosa, R. patienta, and R. scutatus. Conclusion: Rumex taxa are used widely by people for reasons such as having a wide distribution area, growth around agricultural areas and being in areas where people can easily reach them. Also, they do not need special conditions for germination and growth. However, since they have a sourish flavour, consuming them raw as a salad can trigger some health problems. Although there are studies reporting that levels of oxalic acid, which is the source of this sour taste, decrease in cooking, there are also clinical studies that show that it can accumulate in the body and have some long-term toxic effects.

Identification of Morphine and Heroin-Treatment in Mice Using Metabonomics.

Although heroin and morphine are structural analogues and morphine is a metabolite of heroin, it is not known how the effect of each substance on metabolites in vivo differs. Heroin and morphine were administered to C57BL/6J mice in increasing doses from 2 to 25 and 3 to 9 mg kg−1 (twice a day, i.p.), respectively, for 20 days. The animals underwent withdrawal for 5 days and were readministered the drugs after 10 days. Serum and urine analytes were profiled using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and metabolic patterns were evaluated based on metabonomics data. Metabonomics data showed that heroin administration changed metabolic pattern, and heroin withdrawal did not quickly restore it to baseline levels. A relapse of heroin exposure changed metabolic pattern again. In contrast, although the administration of morphine changed metabolic pattern, whether from morphine withdrawal or relapse, metabolic pattern was similar to control levels. The analysis of metabolites showed that both heroin and morphine interfered with lipid metabolism, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and amino acid metabolism. In addition, both heroin and morphine increased the levels of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and citric acid but decreased the serum levels of 2-ketoglutaric acid and tryptophan. Moreover, heroin and morphine reduced the levels of aconitic acid, cysteine, glycine, and oxalic acid in urine. The results show 3-Hydroxybutyric acid, tryptophan, citric acid and 2-ketoglutaric acid can be used as potential markers of opiate abuse in serum, while oxalic acid, aconitic acid, cysteine, and glycine can be used as potential markers in urine.

Plasma metabolites changes in male heroin addicts during acute and protracted withdrawal.

Background: Heroin addiction and withdrawal have been associated with an increased risk for infectious diseases and psychological complications. However, the changes of metabolites in heroin addicts during withdrawal remain largely unknown.Methods: A total of 50 participants including 20 heroin addicts with acute abstinence stage, 15 with protracted abstinence stage and 15 healthy controls, were recruited. We performed metabolic profiling of plasma samples based on ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry to explore the potential biomarkers and mechanisms of heroin withdrawal.Results: Among the metabolites analyzed, omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, n-6 docosapentaenoic acid), omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid), aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan), and intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (oxoglutaric acid, isocitric acid) were significantly reduced during acute heroin withdrawal. Although majority of the metabolite changes could recover after months of withdrawal, the levels of alpha-aminobutyric acid, alloisoleucine, ketoleucine, and oxalic acid do not recover.Conclusions: In conclusion, the plasma metabolites undergo tremendous changes during heroin withdrawal. Through metabolomic analysis, we have identified links between a framework of metabolic perturbations and withdrawal stages in heroin addicts.

Bacillus subtilis HSY21 can reduce soybean root rot and inhibit the expression of genes related to the pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum

Soybean root rot occurs globally and seriously affects soybean production. To avoid the many disadvantages of chemical fungicides, the addition of Bacillus is gradually becoming an alternative strategy to tackle soybean root rot. However, the molecular mechanism of phytopathogenic fungi in this process by Bacillus inhibition is rarely reported. In this study, we isolated a strain of B. subtilis HSY21 from soybean rhizosphere soil, which had an inhibition rate of 81.30 ± 0.15% (P < 0.05) against Fusarium oxysporum. The control effects of this strain against soybean root rot under greenhouse and field conditions were 63.83% and 57.07% (P < 0.05), respectively. RNA-seq analysis of F. oxysporum after treatment with strain HSY21 revealed 1445 downregulated genes and 1561 upregulated genes. Among them, genes involved in mycelial growth, metabolism regulation, and disease-related enzymes were mostly downregulated. The activities of cellulase, β-glucosidase, α-amylase, and pectin-methyl- galacturonase as well as levels of oxalic acid and ergosterol in F. oxysporum were significantly decreased after HSY21 treatment. These results demonstrated that B. subtilis HSY21 could effectively control F. oxysporum by inhibiting its growth and the expression of pathogenic genes, thus indicating that this strain may be an ideal candidate for the prevention and control of soybean root rot.

Study of risk factor of urinary calculi according to the association between stone composition with urine component

Urolithiasis is a common urinary disease with high recurrence. The risk factor for the recurrence of calculi is not very clear. The object of the present study was to evaluate the association between calculi composition and urine component and analyse the risk factor for the recurrence of urolithiasis. In this study, a total of 223 patients with calculi and healthy control were enrolled, and the components of the calculi and urina sanguinis collected before surgery were analysed. Of the 223 patients, 157 were males and 66 were females. According to the stone composition, the case group was subdivided into three groups. 129 patients had single calcium oxalate stones, 72 had calcium oxalate stones mixed with other stones and 22 had other type of stones excluding calcium oxalate stones. Urine biochemicals were analysed and the associations were found between the chemicals in each group. Multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that reduced urinary magnesium and uric oxalic acid were independent risk factors when comparing all cases with normal controls. Only decreased urinary magnesium was found to be a risk factor comparing the single calcium oxalate group with normal control group. Low level of urinary magnesium and uric oxalic acid were found to be risk factors comparing the mixed calcium oxalate group with normal control group. No risk factor was found comparing the other stone group with normal control group. In conclusion, there were clear relationships between stone components and urine chemicals. Urine chemicals might be risk factors to predicate the occurrence of urolithiasis.

Investigation of the idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. through metabolomics using GC-MS

BackgroundThe idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of Polygonum multiflorum (PM) has attracted considerable interest, but the idiosyncratically hepatotoxic components and endogenous metabolite changes resulting from idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of PM are not well understood. The aim of this study was to identify the idiosyncratically hepatotoxic components and potential endogenous metabolic biomarkers for PM-induced liver injury.MethodsSerum biochemical indicators and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were evaluated to identify pathological changes. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was performed to identify changes in metabolic biomarkers. Orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was applied to determine group clustering trends and differential metabolites.ResultsThe results for the liver index, the liver function index and liver pathology showed that Polygonum multiflorum ethanol extract (PME), 50% ethanol elution fractions and tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside (TSG) from PME can induce idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity. TSG was the main idiosyncratically hepatotoxic component. Forty endogenous metabolites were identified in the rat liver. Six biomarkers, including lower levels of L-valine and higher levels of 3-hydroxybutyric acid, hexadecanoic acid, ribose, phosphoric acid and oxalic acid, were related to PM-induced liver injury. These differential biomarkers led to disruptions in amino acid, fatty acid, oxalate, energy and glucose metabolism. A total of 32 types of endogenous metabolites were identified in rat serum. Ten biomarkers were related to the liver injury induced by TSG, including lower levels of L-valine and L-proline and higher levels of urea, caproic acid, DL-malic acid, D-mannose, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, D-galactose, octadecane and hexadecanoic acid. These differential biomarkers led to disruptions in amino acid, glucose and fat metabolism. The mechanism of idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity in PM involves TSG-induced disruptions in amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, energy metabolism and glucose metabolism.ConclusionsThese findings reflect the material basis and metabolic mechanism of idiosyncratic PM hepatotoxicity.

Seed dressing with triflumezopyrim controls brown planthopper populations by inhibiting feeding behavior, fecundity and enhancing rice plant resistance.

Triflumezopyrim (TFM), a novel mesoionic insecticide, has high efficiency at a low dosage, and is mainly used to control hopper species. A previous study demonstrated that seed dressing with TFM effectively controlled rice planthopper populations in mechanically transplanted rice fields; however, mode of action for control was unclear. The study shows that seed dressing with TFM resulted in elevated levels of oxalic acid, flavonoids, phenolic substances, callose and other compounds associated with Nilaparvata lugens resistance in rice plants, and low TFM residue content in rice plant stem and grain. Host choice behavioral experiments showed that N. lugens females prefer feeding on untreated rice plants. Electrical penetration graph (EPG) data showed that seed dressing with TFM at medium and high doses significantly prolonged the non-probing period and inhibited phloem ingestion in N. lugens females. These changes led to a significant decrease in female secretion of honeydew, expression of genes encoding vitellogenin and juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase, body weight and longevity, and significantly influenced several physiological parameters resulting in impaired oocyte growth, fecundity and population. Field survey data showed that seed dressing with TFM was efficacious and relatively durable in protecting rice plants from infestation by planthoppers. This study revealed that seed dressing with TFM enhances rice plant resistance to N. lugens by limiting phloem ingestion and increasing the N. lugens non-probing period; this leads to reduced fecundity of females and lowers N. lugens numbers in the field. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cadmium, lead, and zinc immobilization in soil by rice husk biochar in the presence of low molecular weight organic acids

ABSTRACT Heavy metal immobilization using biochar (BC) is different from the usual soil incubation due to the low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) in the rhizosphere and is an issue worth evaluating. Therefore, the impacts of rice husk BC (5%), tartaric acid, and oxalic acid, coupled with combinations of BC and tartaric acid/oxalic acid on the transformation of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) among their geochemical forms, including their bioavailability in a metal-contaminated soil, were investigated in an incubation experiment. The application of BC, low concentration of tartaric acid (2 mmol kg−1 soil) (TA2), and the combined BC plus a low level of tartaric acid (BC-TA2) markedly reduced the acid-soluble and available (CaCl2-extractable) Cd, Pb, and Zn compared to control (CK) in which BC-TA2 was found to be the most effective treatment. The trends were reversed in the case of the high concentrations of tartaric acid (>5–20 mmol kg−1 soil), all levels of oxalic acid (2–20 mmol kg−1 soil), and the combined BC plus high levels of tartaric acid/oxalic acid treatments. The BC-TA2 transformed the highest amounts of acid-soluble and reducible Cd, Pb, and Zn to the oxidizable and residual fractions with incubation time. The results suggested that the low concentration of tartaric acid enhanced Cd, Pb, and Zn immobilization, while the higher level of tartaric acid and all concentrations of oxalic acid increased their mobilization. In conclusion, BC-TA2 could immobilize the most heavy metals and serve as an amendment for metals’ immobilization/redistribution in contaminated soils.

Low molecular weight dicarboxylic acids, oxocarboxylic acids and α-dicarbonyls as ozonolysis products of isoprene: Implication for the gaseous-phase formation of secondary organic aerosols

Oxidation of isoprene, a major biogenic volatile organic compound emitted from forest canopies, is a potential source of oxalic acid; the dominant species in organic aerosols. We evaluated here ozonolysis of isoprene in dry darkness as a source of oxalic (C2), malonic (C3) and succinic (C4) acids. We found that oxalic acid and methylglyoxal are dominant products within 10 min of reaction followed by glyoxylic, malonic or succinic acids. Interestingly, molecular distributions of oxidation products from early reactions (9–29 min) were characterized by the predominance of methylglyoxal followed by C2, which became dominant after 30 min. The isoprene-derived secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) showed chemical evolution with reaction time towards the molecular characteristics of dicarboxylic acids similar to those of ambient aerosols (C2>C3≥C4). The carbon-based relative abundances of methylglyoxal decreased steadily (40%→30%), while those of C2 increased with reaction time (15%→25%), but no such variations persisted for glyoxal (6–10%). This finding means that methylglyoxal is more important intermediate of oxalic acid than glyoxal. In contrast, smaller variability and lower concentrations of pyruvic and glyoxylic acids than other intermediates indicate that oxalic acid formation under dry conditions follows a different pathway than in aqueous-phase heterogeneous chemistry usually invoked for cloud/fog/atmospheric waters. Here, we propose new reaction schemes for high levels of methylglyoxal and oxalic acid via gas-phase chemical reactions with ozone and OH radicals to better interpret the ambient SOA composition. Furthermore, the relative abundances of C2 exhibit small variability from 1 to 8 h, suggesting its stable character towards the oxidation by hydroxyl radicals.