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Prunus cerasoides D. Don is a plant of great venerative value in the Himalayan region. The fruits and seed kernels of this plant are traditionally used for the treatment of urinary stones. Present study was aimed to demonstrate the in vitro and preclinical antilithic potential of the hydroethanolic extract of Prunus cerasoides fruits against calcium oxalate urolithiasis. In vitro antiurolithiatic screening was done by nucleation, and aggregation assay, while preclinical evaluation was carried out on ethylene glycol (0.75% v/v) and ammonium chloride (1% w/v) rendered urolithiasic male Wistar rats. P. cerasoides fruit extract induced nucleation of multiple small sized calcium oxalate crystals and inhibited their aggregation in the metastable solutions. P. cerasoides fruit extract to a large extent prevented lithogenic treatment induced anorexia, weight loss, polydipsia, polyuria, crystalluria, hypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria, hyperuricosuria, hyperphosphaturia, hypocitraturia and hypomagnesuria. It also showed preventive effect on the deposition of calcium, oxalate and phosphate in kidney tissues and exhibited ameliorative effect on serum urea, creatinine and uric acid. Moreover, inhibitory effect on oxidative stress induced degeneration of renal tissue was also recorded from histopathological analysis of the kidneys. PCFE showed promising outcomes as an antiurolithiatic both prophylactically and curatively. The effects can be attributed to its ability to restore the equilibrium between the urinary promoters and inhibitors of CaOx crystallization, its anticrystallization activity and its ameliorating effects on renal cellularity, urine and serum chemistry.

Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) is a metabolic defect that results in oxalate overproduction by the liver and leads to kidney failure due to oxalate nephropathy. As oxalate tissue stores are mobilized after transplantation, the transplanted kidney is at risk of recurrent disease. We evaluated surveillance kidney transplant biopsies for recurrent calcium oxalate (CaOx) deposits in 37 kidney transplants (29 simultaneous kidney and liver [K/L] transplants and eight kidney alone [K]) in 36 PH patients and 62 comparison transplants. Median follow-up posttransplant was 9.2 years (IQR: [5.3, 15.1]). The recurrence of CaOx crystals in surveillance biopsies in PH at any time posttransplant was 46% overall (41% in K/L, 62% in K). Higher CaOx crystal index (which accounted for biopsy sample size) was associated with higher plasma and urine oxalate following transplant (p

Purpose: to evaluate the effect of low-calorie diet on 24-hour urinary metabolic parameters of obese adults with idiopathic calcium oxalate kidney stones. Materials and Methods: Adult idiopathic calcium oxalate stone formers, with body mass index (BMI) ≥30kg/m2 and a known lithogenic metabolic abnormality, were submitted to low-calorie diet for twelve weeks. After enrolment, anthropometric measures, serum exams, 24-hour urinary metabolic parameters and body impedance were collected one month prior to dietary intervention and at the end of twelve weeks. Correlations between weight loss, waist circumference loss, fat loss and variation in 24-hour urinary lithogenic parameters and calcium oxalate urinary supersaturation (CaOx SS) as per Tiselius equation were analysed. Results: From January 2017 to January 2018, 39 patients were enrolled to participate in this study. Median (range) prescribed diet was 1300 (1100-2100) Kcal/day. Mean age was 51.7±11.0 (29-68) years old and 69.2% were female. 30.8% of the participants shifted from obesity to BMI

Hyperoxaluria, one of the major risk factors for calcium oxalate urolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis, causes significant morbidity and mortality and should therefore be detected and treated as soon as possible. An early, consequent and adequate evaluation, but also a distinction between primary (PH) and secondary hyperoxaluria (SH) is therefore essential. We evaluated the usefulness of three consecutive 24-h urine collections under different diets [usual diet, (A), low oxalate diet, (B), high oxalate diet, (C)] to prove SH, or to find evidence of PH by changes in urinary oxalate excretion (Uox). We retrospectively analyzed results from 96 pediatric patients (47 females and 49 males, age 3–18 years) who presented with a history of nephrolithiasis, nephrocalcinosis and/or persistent hematuria in whom hyperoxaluria was found in an initial urine sample. The typical pattern of SH was found in 34 patients (mean Uox (A) 0.85 ± 0.29, (B) 0.54 ± 0.15 and (C) 0.95 ± 0.28 mmol/1.73m2/d). PH was suspected in 13 patients [(A) 1.21 ± 0.75; (B) 1.47 ± 0.51 and (C) 1.60 ± 0.82 mmol/1.73m2/d], but genetically proven only in 1/5 patients examined. No hyperoxaluria was found in 16 patients. Data were inconclusive in 33 patients. Urine collection under different diets is helpful to diagnose secondary hyperoxaluria and may provide evidence, that urinary oxalate excretion is normal. We have now established this procedure as our first diagnostic step before further, more extensive and more expensive evaluations are performed.

Background: Human serum albumin (HSA) is one of the most abundant proteins in the blood plasma, urine as well as in the organic matrix of renal calculi. Macromolecules present in the urine modulate kidney stone formation either by stimulating or inhibiting the crystallization process. Objective: In the present study, the effect of HSA protein on the growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal (COM) was investigated. Methods: Crystal growth assay was used to measure oxalate depletion in the crystal seeded solution in the presence of HSA. HSA concentrations exhibiting effect on crystal growth were selected for FTIR and XRD analysis. In silico docking was performed on seven different binding sites of HSA. Results: Albumin plays dual role in the growth of calcium oxalate crystallization. FTIR and XRD studies further revealed HSA exerted strain over crystal thus affecting its structure by interacting with amino acids of its pocket 1. Docking results indicate that out of 7 binding pocket in protein, calcium oxalate interacts with Arg-186 and Lys-190 amino acids of pocket 1. Conclusion: Our study confirms the role of HSA in calcium oxalate crystallization where acidic amino acids arginine and lysine bind to COM crystals, revealing molecular interaction of macromolecule and crystal in urolithiasis.

Introduction. Urolithiasis is a multifactorial recurrent disease, unevenly spread throughout the world and characterizedby the formation of urinary stones of various chemical compositions, depending on pathogenesis, etiological, and epidemiological risk factors. Understanding the composition of chemicals and their prevailing ratios can help make decisions about treatment tactics, preventive measures to reduce the risk of recurrence and the prevalence of urolithiasis.Purpose of the study. To assess the distribution of chemical components in urinary stones along with an analysis of their population significance.Materials and methods. The urinary stones were obtained from 2854 patients with urolithiasis. The composition of urinary stones was analyzed by using an infrared spectroscopy method.Results. The predominance of oxalate stones was determined in multicomponent kidney stones (83,7%) and the prevalence of urate stones (54,2%) was revealed in monocomponent kidney stones. Urinary stones with a predominance of oxalates contained significantly fewer impurities (12.4%) than urinary stones with a predominance of urates, phosphates and carbonates with an average amount of impurities >24.0%.Conclusion. The analysis of urinary stones distribution based on pathogenic factors showed that the calcium metabolism disturbances prevail in the population of the Russian Federation (88.0%).

Актуальность. Изучение проблемы уролитиаза в последние годы вышло на качественно новый уровень в связи с использованием мультидисциплинарного подхода и принципов доказательной медицины. В отечественной литературе имеются единичные сообщения о значении и методах коррекции метаболических нарушений при мочекаменной болезни. До сих пор нет единого мнения по поводу целесообразности и эффективности профилактических методов после удаления конкрементов. Цель исследования:. оценка влияния фитотерапии (препарата Уролесан®)) на метаболический статус и микробиоту мочи у пациентов с мочекаменной болезнью — оксалатно-кальциевым нефролитиазом после проведения ударно-волновой литотрипсии. Материалы и методы. У 50 больных с оксалатно-кальциевым нефролитиазом после проведения ударно-волновой литотрипсии в возрасте от 18 до 65 лет (средний возраст — 41,1 ± 1,6 года) изучали влияние препарата Уролесан® на метаболический статус пациентов (влияние на рН мочи, уровень экскреции оксалатов, кальция, мочевой кислоты, показатели биохимического исследования крови), особенности микробиоты мочи и предупреждение рецидивного образования конкрементов. Результаты. Анализ динамики уровня рН мочи, измерямого на 2, 5, 10, 20 и 30-е сутки лечения Уролесаном®, показал, что пациенты при контрольном обследовании имели постепенное повышение уровня рН мочи с 5,80 ± 0,04 до 6,13 ± 0,04 на 5-е сутки (р

Outcome data in primary hyperoxaluria type 3 (PH3), described as a less severe form of the PH's with a low risk of chronic kidney disease, are scarce. To investigate this, we retrospectively analyzed the largest PH3 cohort reported so far. Of 95 patients, 74 were followed over a median of six years. Median age of first symptoms and diagnosis were 1.9 and 6.3 years, respectively. Urolithiasis was the major clinical feature observed in 70% of pediatric and 50% of adult patients. At most recent follow-up available for 56 of the 95 patients, 21.4% were in chronic kidney disease stages 2 or more. For better characterization, samples from 49 patients were analyzed in a single laboratory and compared to data from patients with PH1 and PH2 from the same center. Urinary oxalate excretion was not significantly different from PH1 and PH2 (median: 1.37, 1.40 and 1.16 mmol/1.73m2/24hours for PH1 not responsive to vitamin B6, PH2, and PH3, respectively) but was significantly higher than in vitamin B6 responsive patients with PH1. Urinary oxalate excretion did not correlate to stone production rate nor to estimated glomerular filtration rate. Normocitraturia was present even without alkalinisation treatment; hypercalciuria was found rarely. Median plasma oxalate was significantly different only to the vitamin B6-unresponsive PH1 group. Thus, PH3 is more comparable to PH1 and PH2 than so far inferred from smaller studies. It is the most favorable PH type, but not a benign entity as it constitutes an early onset, recurrent stone disease, and kidney function can be impaired.

Background: DECT is a new evolving technique used for in vivo prediction of renal stones chemical characterizations. Aim of Study: This study aims to assess the role of Dual Energy computed Tomography (DECT) in evaluation of renal stone compositions. Patients and Methods: This study is a prospective cohort study, it included 30 patients. Classic single energy examina-tions were done (100-120 kVp) followed by DECT performed by using a single-source dual energy with fast switching between two kilovoltages (80, 135 kVp). Results of DECT were then compared to crystallography. Results: (20 males and 10 females) with known renal stones, no age or sex predilection. The patient aged from (16) to (79) years From all the examined 37 stones, DECT predicted chemical composition of stones as 24 Ca oxalate stones, 8 uric acid stones and 5 cystine stones. DECT accurately iden-tified all uric acid stones. DECT recognized 2 stones as Ca oxalate and they were proven to be Ca phosphate by crystal-lography. DECT also failed to identify mixed compositions in 2 stones which were diagnosed as Ca oxalate and cystine stones. Statistical analysis revealed reliable agreement between DECT and crystallography with a (p-value) of >0.001 (highly significant). Conclusion: DECT was found as an effective and reliable method in pre-analysis of renal stones prior to management.

Electrochemical oxidation (ECO) of oxalate ions in aqueous solutions has been studied with the use of an MB–11T-06 electrochemical unit element. It was shown that the ECO occurs most effectively in weakly-acid media at anode current density not exceeding 160 A/m2. The presence of chloride ions in a solution being treated in neutral or weakly acid media leads to an increase in the electrochemical destruction rate of oxalate ions. Sulfate and borate ions make lower the efficiency of ECO in the whole H range under study (3–10). It is shown that performing a preliminary electrochemical oxidation of an oxalate-containing solution makes it possible to make 4 times larger the 90Sr distribution coefficient on a NaA synthetic zeolite.

There has been a concentrated attempt to introduce bacteria with oxalate degrading activity into the mammalian gut microbiota to enhance ecosystem function towards more effective oxalate degradation and prevent diseases. A few reports have studied Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as promising intestinal oxalate degrading probiotic to treat kidney stone disease. In the present study, a total of 495 LAB isolates from different dairy products samples were primary characterized. Eighty-eight of the isolates belonged to genus Lactobacillus and were screened for their ability to degrade oxalate. Twenty-three of isolated lactobacilli showed oxalate degradation ability. According to the diameter of clear zone and the viable count, ten isolates were the most potent isolates for oxalate degradation. After the genotypic identification using 16s rDNA sequencing for these potent isolates, only seven strains were belonging to genus Lactobacillus spp. Lactobacillus fermentum (5 strains) and Lactobacillus gastricus (2 strains). These isolates were assessed for potential probiotic properties in vitro for further in vivo assessment. In conclusion, they exhibited good probiotic characters that suggested them to serve as good probiotic candidates for managing hyperoxaluria.

In organisms, nutrients and wastes move across the cellular membrane, in which membrane-embedded transporters facilitate and inhibit the movement. Despite the physiological significances, the currently used assay methods for transporter activities require tedious preparation and analytical processes. In this study, we report the isotope-free and label-free measurement system for the transport activities of electrogenic transporters. In the system, two molecules, a light-driven inward proton pump rhodopsin, xenorhodopsin (XeR), and a representative of an electrogenic transporter, an oxalate transporter (OxlT), were co-expressed in Escherichia coli cells. The light illumination of the cells co-expressing XeR and OxlT showed an increase in the pH of the bulk solution and that the extent of the pH change is significantly enhanced by adding the oxalate, suggesting the light-induced inward proton transport by XeR coupled to the negative electrogenic transport by OxlT. Such a pH increase was dependent on the oxalate concentration, but not on the XeR expression level. Of note, pH increase was not observed for the nonfunctional mutants of OxlT, R272A, and K355Q, supporting the validity of the system. Thus, we successfully developed an optogenetic assay method for electrogenic transporters using E. coli co-expressing light-driven proton pump.

Oxidation of manganous manganese (MnII) is an important process driving manganese cycles in natural aquatic systems and leading to the formation of solid-phase MnIII,IV (hydr)oxide products. Previous research has shown that some simple ligands (e.g., phosphate, sulfate, chloride, fluoride) can bind with MnII to make it unreactive to oxidation by dissolved oxygen. However, there is little to no understanding of the role played by stronger, complex-forming ligands in MnII oxidation reactions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the rates of abiotic MnII oxidation by O2 in the presence of low concentrations of several complex-forming model ligands (pyrophosphate, tripolyphosphate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, oxalate) in bicarbonate-carbonate buffered laboratory solutions of pH 9.42, 9.65, and 10.19. The influence of increasing ligand concentrations on observed autocatalytic profiles of MnII oxidation was investigated, and initial oxidation rates were linked quantitatively to the initial MnII speciation in experimental solutions. Observed rates of MnII oxidation decreased with increasing ligand concentration for all four ligands tested. However, the profiles observed with time and the magnitudes of decrease in initial oxidation rates were different for the different ligands. Likely explanations for these observations include the denticity of the tested ligands, the relative strength of the ligands to complex MnII versus MnIII, and the ability of some ligands to enhance the reduction of MnIII back to MnII on a time scale comparable to the forward homogeneous MnII oxidation reaction.

Objective: To assess the effect of the adherence to medical treatment on urinary parameters in the 24-h metabolic study of patients with kidney stones. Methods: A retrospective, longitudinal, descriptive, and observational study was carried out by reviewing the hospital electronic medical record from 2014 to 2018. The adherence to drug treatment was measured 6 months after its initiation, and the numerical values of the metabolic studies were compared. Wilcoxon tests were performed to compare the difference before and after treatment. Results: Ninety patients were evaluated, with 73.3% of adherence. The 180-day overall adherence rate was 61.2% in patients treated with a single drug and 85.4% in patients treated with multiple drugs. There is a statistically significant increase in citrate levels in patients with good adherence in comparison with non-adherent patients (p=0.031 vs. p=0.528). Conclusions: Medical treatment and dietary measures in patients with kidney stones have an initial impact at 6 months on the values of the main urinary metabolic alterations that predispose to calculi formation; the most significant is seen in those patients with adherence to medical treatment for hypocitraturia.

Background:. Origanum vulgare (OV) Linn is one of the conventional remedies for urolithiasis. Hence, we tested the potential antiurolithic effect of OV active extract, in order to rationalize its medicinal use. Materials and methods:. The in vivo study was of male Westar rats receiving lithogenic treatment consisting of two 0.75% ethylene glycol injections with a 1 day interval and then in drinking water given for 3 weeks along with ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) from the 2nd day to the 7th day. Results:. The active ethanolic extract of OV treatment (20 mg/kg) reversed toxic changes including loss of body weight gain and appetite, raised serum urea and creatinine levels, and raised blood pressure compared to controls. Conclusions:. The acquired data thus suggested that OV showed antiurolithic effects against renal calcium oxalate crystal deposits by combined mechanisms acting on multiple sites through hypoxaliuric, hypocalciuric, and antioxidant effects.

Purpose:The etiology of calcium-oxalate kidney stone formation remains elusive. Biallelic mutations in HOGA1 are responsible for primary hyperoxaluria type 3 and result in oxalate overproduction an...

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the sealing ability of three adhesives bonded to modified dentinal surfaces after short and long storage periods. Methods: Three adhesives were used in this study; two-step etch-and-rinse “Adper Single Bond 2”, two-step self-etch “AdheSE” and one-step self-etch “G-Bond” adhesives. Modifications of the dentinal surface was performed by application of adhesives after oxalate application, application of adhesive after oxalate application to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)-deproteinized dentinal surface, compared to control groups (application of adhesive without any surface pretreatment). Dentinal sealing was investigated by measuring dentin permeability, using a fluid transport apparatus, after two storage periods; 24 hours and 2 months. Results: After 24 hours, the control group bonded with “Adper Single Bond 2” without any surface treatment had the highest permeability (25.3%) followed by “G-Bond” (16.2%) and finally “AdheSE” (11%). Significant reductions in permeability values were observed on application of oxalate in conjunction with both “Adper Single Bond 2” and “AdheSE” (11.7% and 2.6% respectively). Further significant reductions in permeability values of those two adhesives were noted when the combined NaOCl and oxalate pretreatments were used (5.7% and 0.8% respectively). Permeability means for all groups increased after storage for 2 months. Conclusions: Dentin surface deproteinization plus oxalate application produced the best dentin sealing for two step adhesives. Key words: Etch-and-rinse adhesives, self-etching adhesives, oxalate-desensitizing agent, NaOCl-deproteinizing agent, dentin permeability.

A method is proposed for producing a magnetic carbon material based on the deposition of a labile iron compound on a carbon matrix and its subsequent thermolysis with the formation of magnetite. The method is implemented by applying magnetite to activated carbon BAU-A during the decomposition of iron(II) oxalate. The production of a magnetic carbon material has been confirmed by X-ray fluorescence and X-ray phase analysis. The porous carbon material modified by this method retains its sorption characteristics.

Background: Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare genetic disease caused by hepatic overproduction of oxalate that leads to kidney stones, nephrocalcinosis, kidney failure, and systemic oxalosis. Lumasiran, an investigational RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic agent, reduces hepatic oxalate production by targeting glycolate oxidase. Methods: In this double-blind, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned (in a 2:1 ratio) patients with PH1 who were 6 years of age or older to receive subcutaneous lumasiran or placebo for 6 months (with doses given at baseline and at months 1, 2, 3, and 6). The primary end point was the percent change in 24-hour urinary oxalate excretion from baseline to month 6 (mean percent change across months 3 through 6). Secondary end points included the percent change in the plasma oxalate level from baseline to month 6 (mean percent change across months 3 through 6) and the percentage of patients with 24-hour urinary oxalate excretion no higher than 1.5 times the upper limit of the normal range at month 6. Results: A total of 39 patients underwent randomization; 26 were assigned to the lumasiran group and 13 to the placebo group. The least-squares mean difference in the change in 24-hour urinary oxalate excretion (lumasiran minus placebo) was -53.5 percentage points (P

Oxalate is a metabolite promoting the formation of calcium oxalate crystals in urine. Hyperoxaluria is a feature of genetic diseases, known as primary hyperoxaluria, leading to chronic kidney disease. Ethylene glycol poisoning induces the crystallization of calcium oxalate crystals in renal tubules, promoting acute renal failure. Urine oxalate results from glyoxylate transformation to oxalate in the liver, due to lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, especially the LDH-5 isoenzyme. Genetic RNA interference therapy targeting lactate dehydrogenase lowers urine oxalate excretion in murine models. Stiripentol is a drug inhibiting neuronal LDH-5 isoenzyme activity. We hypothesized that stiripentol would also reduce hepatic oxalate production and urine oxalate excretion. In vitro Stiripentol decreases oxalate synthesis by hepatocytes. In vivo, stiripentol decreases urine oxalate excretion in rats and protects kidney tissue and function against ethylene glycol intoxication and hydroxyproline-induced calcium oxalate crystalline nephropathy. The use of stiripentol in clinical practice deserves further clinical studies.

A new spectrofluorimetric reagent N-(pyridin-2-yl)-quinoline-2-carbothioamide (PQTA) has been synthesized and characterized. A very simple, ultra-sensitive, and highly selective, and non-extractive new spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of molybdenum at pico-trace levels using PQTA has been developed. This novel fluorimetric reagent PQTA, becomes oxidized in a slightly acidic (0.0025-0.05 M H2SO4) solution with molybdenum (VI) in absolute ethanol to produce a highly fluorescent oxidized product (λex = 300 nm; λem= 377 nm). Constant and maximum fluorescence intensities were observed over a wide range of acidity (0.0025-0.0500 M H2SO4) for the period between 2 min and 24 h. Linear calibration graphs were obtained for 0.001-600 μg/L of Mo having a detection limit of 0.15 ng/L; the quantification limit of the reaction system was found to be 1.5 ng/L and the RSD was 0-2%. A large excess of over 60 cations, anions, and complexing agents like chloride, phosphate, azide, tartrate, oxalate, and SCN- etc. do not interfere in the determination. The developed method was successfully used in the determination of molybdenum in several Certified Reference Materials (Alloys, steel, serum, bovine liver, drinking water, soil, and sediments) as well as in some environmental waters (Potable and polluted), biological fluids (Human blood, urine, hair, and milk), soil samples and food samples (Vegetables, rice, and wheat) solutions containing both molybdenum (VI) and molybdenum (V) ions. The results of the proposed method for assessing biological, food and vegetable samples were comparable with ICP-OES and AAS were found to be in excellent agreement.

An abnormal urine composition is a key reason for kidney stone formation, but little is known about the roles of small metabolites in the urine during kidney stone formation. Here, we found urine glycine in patients with kidney calcium oxalate (CaOx) stone was significantly lower than that in healthy people via 1 H NMR spectra detection, and investigated the role and underlying mechanism of glycine in the regulation of CaOx stone formation. Our results showed that glycine could significantly attenuate ethylene glycol-induced CaOx crystal depositions in rat kidney via decreasing urine oxalate and increasing urine citrate. Mechanism studies revealed that glycine could decrease urine oxalate through downregulating Slc26a6 expression, whereas increase urine citrate via inhibiting Nadc1 expression. Moreover, glycine decreased the protein expression of both Slc26a6 and Nadc1 via increasing the expression of miRNA-411-3p, which directly bound to the 3'-untranslated regions of Slc26a6 and Nadc1 messenger RNAs, in vitro and in vivo. Together, our results revealed a novel role of glycine in the regulation of kidney CaOx crystal formation and provided a potential target for the treatment of kidney CaOx stone.

The purpose of this study in a small group of non-stone-forming Chinese persons was to measure the levels of supersaturation with calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate and pH with the aim of confirming if any of the different short-term urine samples were better for risk evaluation than a 24-h sample. Nine normal men and 1 woman collected urine during 4 periods of the day. Period 1 between 08 and 12 h, Period 2 between 12 and 18 h, Period 3 between 18 and 22 h, and Period 4 between 22 and 08 h. Each sample was analysed for calcium, oxalate, citrate, magnesium and phosphate, and estimates of supersaturation with calcium oxalate (CaOx) and calcium phosphate (CaP) were expressed in terms of AP(CaOx) and AP(CaP) index. An estimate of the solute load of CaOx was also calculated. Urine composition for 24-h urine (Period 24) was obtained mathematically from the analysed variables. Urine composition corresponding to 14-h urine portions 22–12 h (Period 14N) and 08–22 h (Period 14 D) were calculated. The lowest pH levels were recorded in Period 1 urine. The highest level of AP(CaOx) index was recorded during Period 1, and the product AP(CaOx) index × 107 × hydrogen ion concentration was significantly higher in Period 1 urine than in 24-h urine (p = 0.02). Also, the product SL(CaOx) × 107 × hydrogen ion concentration was significantly higher in Period 1 urine (p = 0.02). Low AP (CaP) index levels were recorded in Period 4, but also in all periods following dietary loads of calcium and phosphate. With the important reservation that the analytical results were obtained from non-stone-forming persons, the conclusion is that analysis of urine samples collected between 08 and 12 h might be an alternative to 24-h urine. The risk evaluation might advantageously be expressed either in terms of the product AP(CaOx) index × 107 × hydrogen ion concentration or the product SL(CaOx) × 107 × hydrogen ion concentration.

Renal tubular cell injury induced by calcium oxalate (CaOx) is a critical initial stage of kidney stone formation. Theaflavin (TF) has been known for its strong antioxidative capacity; however, the effect and molecular mechanism of TF against oxidative stress and injury caused by CaOx crystal exposure in kidneys remains unknown. To explore the potential function of TF on renal crystal deposition and its underlying mechanisms, experiments were conducted using a CaOx nephrocalcinosis mouse model established by glyoxylate intraperitoneal injection, and HK-2 cells were subjected to calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals, with or without the treatment of TF. We discovered that TF treatment remarkably protected against CaOx-induced kidney oxidative stress injury and reduced crystal deposition. Additionally, miR-128-3p expression was decreased and negatively correlated with SIRT1 level in mouse CaOx nephrocalcinosis model following TF treatment. Moreover, TF suppressed miR-128-3p expression and further abolished its inhibition on SIRT1 to attenuate oxidative stress in vitro. Mechanistically, TF interacted with miR-128-3p and suppressed its expression. In addition, miR-128-3p inhibited SIRT1 expression by directly binding its 3'-untranslated region (UTR). Furthermore, miR-128-3p activation partially reversed the acceerative effect of TF on SIRT1 expression. Taken together, TF exhibits a strong nephroprotective ability to suppress CaOx-induced kidney damage through the recovery of the antioxidant defense system regulated by miR-128-3p/SIRT1 axis. These findings provide novel insights for the prevention and treatment of renal calculus.

Background Oxalate nephropathy is a rare disorder that can result in acute kidney injury (AKI) and progresses to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The causes can be either primary or secondary. Primary hyperoxaluria includes a group of hereditary disorders with enzymatic defects in the glyoxylate pathway, resulting in decreased oxalate metabolism. Secondary hyperoxaluria, often overlooked can result from increased intestinal absorption, nutritional deficiencies, decreased fluid intake, impaired excretion, and increased dietary consumption of oxalate. Case presentation We present a Caucasian case of acute oxalate induced nephropathy associated with consumption of large quantities of green vegetables in a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Imaging study showed no evidence of kidney stone, but a kidney biopsy revealed acute tubular injury, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and dense tubular deposition of calcium oxalate crystals. Upon further questioning the patient, we learned that in the months prior to presentation, he had very significantly increased his consumption of green vegetables. Because of no clinical improvement, the patient was initiated and maintained on hemodialysis. Conclusion This report illustrates a case of acute oxalate nephropathy in the setting of very high dietary consumption of oxalate-rich foods in a patient with advanced CKD. Special attention should be given to the secondary causes of hyperoxaluria in patients with predisposing conditions such as CKD.

Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) is a group of diseases due to mutations in genes coding for enzymes involved in oxalate metabolism. Three types of PH are identified depending on the gene mutated. Type 1 is the most frequent with 80% of the cases, while PH2 and PH3 are rarer. The severity of renal involvement varies between the three types. Indeed, between 60% and 80% of PH1 but only 20% of PH2 patients will reach end‐stage kidney disease. In PH3 patients, dialysis is uncommon. Because oxalate clearance is impaired in CKD patients, oxalate can precipitate in various organs leading to systemic oxalosis. We report an uncommon presentation of bone oxalosis associated with hypercalcemia in a dialyzed patient. This report emphasizes the difficulties to diagnose primary hyperoxaluria and the challenge of treating dialyzed patients.

Background This study aimed to investigate the effects of a high- and low-sodium diets on lithogenesis in a rat experimental model of calcium oxalate stones. Methods Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups; group A: 4% NaCl+1% ethylene glycol (EG); group B: 8% NaCl+1% EG; group C: 8% NaCl+normal drinking-water; group D: 1% EG +normal diet. All rats were sacrificed 4 weeks later, and blood samples were collected from the heart. The kidneys were collected for Von Kossa staining to evaluate the formation of calcium-containing crystals. The last 24-h urine samples were also gathered for metabolic analysis. Results Von Kossa staining demonstrated that the rats in both group A and group B had significantly more renal calcium crystals than those in group D. However, 24-h urinary volume increased significantly (142.26±20.91 mL) in group B compared with group A (100.52±28.23 mL), group C (107.36±14.24 mL), group D (40.79±8.71 mL) (P=0.004, 0.012, and 0.000 respectively). Level of urine sodium (Na), potassium (K), chlorine (Cl), and calcium (Ca), urea nitrogen were significantly higher in group B compared with group D. The urine phosphorus, oxalate, and creatinine levels; urine specific gravity; and urine PH were similar between group B and group D. The level of serum sodium was higher in group B (151.26±4.06 mmol/L) compared with group D (145.56±1.12 mmol/L) (P=0.002). Conclusions A high sodium intake might increase the risk of lithogenesis in susceptible individuals (given by EG) or in individuals with water restriction.

An oxidative damage model of human proximal renal epithelial cells (HK-2) was established using oxalate damage. The repair effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and selenized APS (Se-APS) on damaged HK-2 cells were investigated. Differences in the adhesion and endocytosis of HK-2 cells to calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals with a size of approximately 100 nm before and after APS and Se-APS repair were also explored. The results showed that after being repaired by APS and Se-APS, HK-2 cells exhibited increased cell viability, restored cell morphology, reduced reactive oxygen species level, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced phosphatidylserine eversion, and osteopontin expression. Moreover, the amount of adherent crystals on the cell surface decreased, but the amount of endocytic crystals increased. At the same concentration, Se-APS exhibited better repair effects on the damaged HK-2 cells than APS. All these findings revealed that Se-APS may be a potential drug candidate for inhibiting the formation of kidney stones.

Objective There is not enough information on the classification of oxalate content in several foods, particularly in ethnic foods, to recommend their consumption in subjects with urolithiasis (UL). The objective of the present study was to generate reliable information on the oxalate content and antioxidant activity in different foods and classify them by very low, low, medium, high and very high oxalate content and antioxidant activity. Methods The oxalate content of 109 foods including ethnic foods was assessed by an enzymatic assay, and the antioxidant activity was measured by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity to determine the oxalate/antioxidant activity ratio. Oxalate consumption was then evaluated in 400 subjects with overweight and obesity using 24-h dietary recalls. Results The main foods with high oxalate content were raw spinach, huanzontle, purslane, chard, almond, and toasted and sweetened roasted amaranth. The highest antioxidant activity was found in strawberries, all types of chocolates, roselle, morita peppers, and pinolillo. Subjects with overweight or obesity exceed the dietary oxalate daily intake recommendation. Conclusions The classification of foods by their oxalate content and antioxidant activity will be very useful to generate nutritional recommendation in different diseases, mainly UL.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with ESRD. In addition to phosphate overload, oxalate, a common uremic toxin, is also involved in vascular calcification in patients with ESRD. The present study investigated the role and mechanism of hyperoxalemia in vascular calcification in mice with uremia. Methods: A uremic atherosclerosis (UA) model was established by left renal excision and right renal electrocoagulation in apoE−/− mice to investigate the relationship between oxalate loading and vascular calcification. After 12 weeks, serum and vascular levels of oxalate, vascular calcification, inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6), oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA], and advanced oxidation protein products [AOPP]) were assessed in UA mice. The oral oxalate-degrading microbe Oxalobacter formigenes (O. formigenes) was used to evaluate the effect of a reduction in oxalate levels on vascular calcification. The mechanism underlying the effect of oxalate loading on vascular calcification was assessed in cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). Results: Serum oxalate levels were significantly increased in UA mice. Compared to the control mice, UA mice developed more areas of aortic calcification and showed significant increases in aortic oxalate levels and serum levels of oxidative stress markers and inflammatory factors. The correlation analysis showed that serum oxalate levels were positively correlated with the vascular oxalate levels and serum MDA, AOPP, and TNF-α levels, and negatively correlated with superoxide dismutase activity. The O. formigenes intervention decreased serum and vascular oxalate levels, while did not improve vascular calcification significantly. In addition, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress were also improved in the O. formigenes group. In vitro, high concentrations of oxalate dose-dependently increased oxidative stress and inflammatory factor expression in HAECs, but not in HASMCs. Conclusions: Our results indicated that hyperoxalemia led to the systemic inflammation and the activation of oxidative stress. The reduction in oxalate levels by O. formigenes might be a promising treatment for the prevention of oxalate deposition in calcified areas of patients with ESRD.

A new group of aminoalkyl dibenzofuranone oxime derivatives was designed and synthesized. Several compounds were found to exhibit anticonvulsant activity in the maximum electroshock test. The most active compound was 3,4,6,7,8,9-hexahydrodibenzo[b, d]furan-1(2H)-one O-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]oxime oxalate (GIZh-347), which at a dose of 60 mg/kg (mice, i.p.) was as effective as valproic acid at a dose of 200 mg/kg.

Metal- and halide-free, solid-state water vapor sorbents are highly desirable for water-sorption-based applications, because most of the solid sorbents suffer from low water sorption capacity caused by their rigid porosity, while the liquid sorbents are limited by their fluidity and strong corrosivity, which is caused by the halide ions. Herein, we report a novel type of highly efficient and benign polymeric sorbent, which contains no metal or halide, and has an expandable solid state when wet. A group of sorbents are synthesized by polymerizing and crosslinking the metal-free quaternary ammonium monomers followed by an ion-exchange process to replace chloride anions with benign-anions, including acetate, oxalate, and citrate. They show significantly reduced corrosivity and improved water sorption capacity. Importantly, the water sorption capacity of the acetate paired hydrogel is among the best of the literature reported hygroscopic polymers in their pure form, even though the hydrogel is crosslinked. The hydrogel-based sorbents are further used for water-sorption-driven cooling and atmospheric water harvesting applications, which show improved coefficient of performance (COP) and high freshwater production rate, respectively. The results of this work would inspire more research interest in developing better water sorbents and potentially broaden the application horizon of water-sorption-based processes towards the water-energy nexus.

Introduction: Worldwide, the incidence of kidney stones has been progressively increasing. Various factors can influence the risk of stone formation, including lifestyle and eating habits. The dietary investigation is a standard of care in patients with urolithiasis. The objectives of this study were to determine the dietary habits of lithiasis patients in the city of Kinshasa and to investigate the association between dietary habits and the composition of the stones. Material and Methods: From January 2017 to September 2019, 85 patients attending 8 hospitals participated in the nutrition survey. Various foods commonly consumed in the Democratic Republic of Congo were categorized based on their composition: foods rich in animal proteins, foods rich in calcium, foods high in sugar, foods high in oxalate, and various vegetables and fruits. We also investigated daily water intake. The composition of the collected stones was analyzed by infrared spectrophotometry. Results: The mean (SD) age of patients was 47.1 (14.0) years, 63.5% of patients were males, 75.3% of the patients had stones located in the upper urinary tract, and 7.1% were undernourished. Most of patients consumed vegetables (77.6%), animal proteins (62.4%), and foods rich in oxalate (58.8%). The daily water intake was less than 1500 mL in more than half of the patients (68.2%). Major anhydrous uric acid stones were associated with a high body mass index (p = 0.025). Male patients with a high oxalate diet had more calcium oxalate stones (64.3%) compared to other types of stones (p = 0.041). Conclusion: High consumptions of vegetables and low water intake were linked to the formation of calcium oxalate monohydrate stones. More data are needed to confirm these findings.

Countless deleterious effects on human health and the environment are promoted by the action of air pollutants. Thus, it is necessary the development of analytical methods to identify and quantify efficiently ions present in atmospheric particulate matter. This study proposes a new analytical methodology for simultaneous quantification of 12 organic ions (Lactate, Acetate, Propionate, Formate, Butyrate, Methanesulfonate, Pyruvate, Monochloroacetate, Trifluoroacetate, Succinate, Oxalate and Citrate), 12 inorganic anions (fluoride, bromate, chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, sulfite, sulfate, tungstade, molybdate, phosphate and chromate) and 7 cations (lithium, sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and strontium) using ion chromatography coupled to conductivity detection. The optimization of the proposed method was performed univariate and validation was done according to IUPAC recommendations; LOD and LOQ varied between 12 to 114 pg m-3 and 35 to 342 pg m-3 respectively, showing recovery values between 89% to 109% and R2 between 0.9979 and 0.9999 for the 31 main ions studied. Ions were successfully determined in environmental samples of particulate material in the 10 µm and 2.5 µm fractions. This method was considered a comprehensive, accurate, fast and robust procedure for the study of ions in samples of atmospheric particulate matter. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v12i4.1494

Schwertmannite (Sch), a common metastable ferric sulfate secondary mineral in acidic mine drainage (AMD) matrix, can be transformed under solar irradiation, thus playing a significant role in eleme...

Background The evaluation of 24 h urinary oxalate excretion is the gold standard for diagnosing hyperoxaluria in patients with recurrent urolithiasis. However, 24 h urine sample collection is cumbersome. Therefore we aim to see if oxalate to creatinine ratio in random urine sample can be used as an alternative. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Aga Khan University Karachi from 1st February to December 31, 2019. A total of 62 adult patients, 18–60 years of age with history of kidney stones presenting to the clinical laboratory for 24 h urine oxalate estimation were invited to participate in the study after informed consent. Clinical details were recorded on a structured questionnaire and patients were guided to submit 24 h urine and a random spot urine sample. Urinary oxalate was measured on Micro lab 300 using a kit based on oxalate oxidase principle by Trinity Biotech plc, Wicklow, Ireland following standard operating procedures. Urinary creatinine was measured on ADVIA 1800 by Siemens, US using kinetic Jaffe reaction according to the manufacturer's instructions. The data was analyzed on SPSS. Results In a period of ten months, a total of 62 subjects were recruited; mean age was 32.4 ± 2.6 years. Males were 49 (79.0%) and females were 13 (20.9%). Correlation was found to be (r = 0.289) by Spearman correlation (p value, Highlights • Oxalate to creatinine ratio is proposed as an alternative to 24 h urine. • Sensitivity & specificity of spot ox:cr ratio was 83.3% and 17.8% respectively. • PPV and NPV of spot ox:cr ratio was 9.8% and 90.9% respectively. • Studies taking diet and molecular testing into consideration are needed.

BACKGROUND: Hyperoxaluria is typically associated with excessive oxalate intake in the diet, decreased dietary calcium, hyperabsorption of oxalate, or increased endogenous production of oxalate. The disorder spectrum extends from recurrent kidney stones to ESKD. This clinical trial sought to evaluate the effectiveness of an acid stable oxalate decarboxylase (OxDC) to reduce urinary oxalate in healthy subjects on a high-oxalate diet. METHODS: In this prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial, 33 healthy volunteers were randomized into two crossover sequences separated by a 2-day washout period. A controlled high-oxalate diet (750–800 mg oxalate, 500–550 mg calcium daily) was utilized, and six 24-hour urine collections were measured. Subjects were given approximately 1000 U (micromoles per minute per milligram) of OxDC or placebo with meals three times daily during the 4 days of treatment. RESULTS: Urinary oxalate significantly decreased with OxDC treatment. The baseline corrected within-subject mean reduction in 24-hour urinary excretion (after OxDC dosing versus high-oxalate baseline preceding treatment) was 12.5 mg or 29% (P5% reduction) in 31 of 33 subjects (94%). Compared with placebo, OxDC produced a 24% reduction (P

Сконструирована и синтезирована новая группа аминоалкильных производных оксима дибензофуранона. В тесте максимального электрошока выявлена противосудорожная активность у ряда соединений. Наибольшей активностью обладал оксалат О-(2-(диэтил-амино)этил)оксима 3,4,6,7,8,9-гексагидродибензо[b,d]фуран-1(2H)-она (ГИЖ-347), который в дозе 60 мг/кг (мыши, внутрибрюшинно) не уступал по своей эффективности вальпроевой кислоте в дозе 200 мг/кг.