Cymbopogon proximus and Petroselinum crispum seed ethanolic extract/Gum Arabic nanogel emulsion: Preventing ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride-induced urolithiasis in rats.

Urolithiasis is a prevalent urological disorder that contributes significantly to global morbidity. This study aimed to assess the anti-urolithic effects of Cymbopogon proximus (Halfa Bar) and Petroselinum crispum (parsley) seed ethanolic extract /Gum Arabic (GA) emulsion, and its nanogel form against ethylene glycol (EG) and ammonium chloride (AC)-induced experimental urolithiasis in rats. Rats were divided into four groups: group 1 served as the normal control, group 2 received EG with AC in drinking water for 14 days to induce urolithiasis, groups 3 and 4 were orally administered emulsion (600 mg/kg/day) and nanogel emulsion (600 mg/kg/day) for 7 days, followed by co-administration with EG and AC in drinking water for 14 days. Urolithiatic rats exhibited a significant decrease in urinary excreted magnesium, and non-enzymic antioxidant glutathione and catalase activity. Moreover, they showed an increase in oxalate crystal numbers and various urolithiasis promoters, including excreted calcium, oxalate, phosphate, and uric acid. Renal function parameters and lipid peroxidation were intensified. Treatment with either emulsion or nanogel emulsion significantly elevated urolithiasis inhibitors, excreted magnesium, glutathione levels, and catalase activities. Reduced oxalate crystal numbers, urolithiasis promoters' excretion, renal function parameters, and lipid peroxidation while improving histopathological changes. Moreover, it decreased renal crystal deposition score and the expression of Tumer necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cleaved caspase-3. Notably, nanogel emulsion showed superior effects compared to the emulsion. Cymbopogon proximus (C. proximus) and Petroselinum crispum (P. crispum) seed ethanolic extracts/GA nanogel emulsion demonstrated protective effects against ethylene glycol induced renal stones by mitigating kidney dysfunction, oxalate crystal formation, and histological alterations.

Oxalate nephropathy after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a case report.

A 75-year-old male developed acute kidney injury KDIGO stage 3 a few weeks after Whipple surgery was performed for a distal cholangiocarcinoma. Kidney biopsy revealed oxalate nephropathy. This was attributed to post-Whipple malabsorption, poor compliance with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, and daily intake of vitamin C supplements. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy was resumed and calcium carbonate initiated, with an improvement in glomerular filtration rate. Unfortunately, due to oncological progression, best supportive care was initiated.We review the pathophysiology and conditions predisposing to secondary hyperoxaluria and oxalate nephropathy. This diagnosis should be considered among the main causes of acute kidney injury following pancreatectomy, with important therapeutic implications.

Oxalate nephropathy and chronic turmeric supplementation: a case report.

We present a case of a 69-year-old man who presented for routine check-up and was incidentally found to have kidney failure with an initially unrevealing history and bland urinary sediment. He was diagnosed with oxalate nephropathy in the setting of chronic turmeric supplementation and chronic antibiotic therapy with associated diarrhea. Our case provides several key insights into oxalate nephropathy. First, the diagnosis requires a high index of clinical suspicion. It is uncommonly suspected clinically unless there is an obvious clue in the history such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or ethylene glycol poisoning. Diagnosis can be confirmed by histopathologic findings and corroborated by serum levels of oxalate and 24-hour urinary excretion. Second, the diagnosis can often be missed by the pathologist because of the characteristics of the crystals unless the renal pathologist has made it a rule to examine routinely all H&E sections under polarized light. This must be done on H&E, as the other stains dissolve the crystals. Third, one oxalate crystal in a routine needle biopsy is considered pathologic and potentially contributing to the AKI or to the CKD in an important way. Fourth, secondary oxalosis can be largely mitigated or prevented in many cases, especially iatrogenic cases. This can come through the surgeon or the gastroenterologist providing proper instructions to patients on an oxalate-restricted diet or other specific dietary measures. Lastly, this case highlights the success that results from cooperation and communication between the pathologist and the treating physician.

Evaluation of the quality and safety of commercial complementary foods: Implications for nutrient adequacy and conformance with national and international standards.

Optimal nutrition in early childhood increases growth and development while preventing morbidity and mortality in later life. This study focused on the quality and safety of 32 commercially produced complementary foods collected from supermarkets in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The proximate composition (moisture, protein, fat, crude fibre, and ash); and the mineral profile (calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, and magnesium) were determined using the AOAC method. The determination of antinutritional factors (Condensed tannin and oxalate) was done using a UV spectrophotometer. A rapid visco analyzer was used to measure the rheological property. The microbial load of commercially produced complimentary foods was identified using aerobic colony counts for mold and yeast. Labeling practice was evaluated using the WHO and Ethiopian standard tools. The results of proximate compositions were: protein (0.92-18.16 g/100g), fat (0.63-6.44 g/100g), crude fiber (1.04-13.2 g/100g), energy (410-337 kcal/100g), moisture (0.03-17 g/100g), and ash (0.60-4.67 g/100g). The protein and fat content of all the products is below international standards. Only three products met the standards for energy. Moisture and ash contents partially met the requirement, while all of the carbohydrate contents of the products fell under the specified standard. The lowest and highest mineral contents of the products were: Fe (1.38 to 15.10 mg/100g), Zn (0.64 to 6.78 mg/100g), Ca (30.55 to 364.45 mg/100g), Mg (1.2 to 34.2 mg/100g), and Mn (0.80 to 32 mg/100g). Based on these, 21.5% of the foods met the Fe standard, and 31.5% didn't meet the Zn standard. The Ca and Mg of all the products met the requirement. Except for one product, all met standards. The highest and lowest results for the tannin and oxalate content of the products were 49.20 to 90.09 mg/100g and 0.47 to 30.10 mg/100g, respectively and this shows that the products are below the permissible range for tannin and oxalate. The counts of yeast and mold were 0.00-2.95 log10 cfu/g and 0.00-2.91 log10 cfu/g, respectively. Only one product fell below the standard for yeast count, and none of the products showed a mold count that exceeded the standard. The final viscosity was 63.5-3476 RVU, and only 31.25% of the samples fell under the permissible peak viscosity range, of 83-250 RVU. Thus, regular monitoring of the raw material and processing trends and the inclusion of animal sources in the raw material are suggested for having well-enriched complementary foods. Regulatory bodies should also conduct frequent market surveillance to safeguard the health of the consumer.

Intestinal Oxalate Absorption, Enteric Hyperoxaluria, and Risk of Urinary Stone Formation in Patients with Crohn's Disease.

Nephrolithiasis is a common urologic manifestation of Crohn's disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics, intestinal oxalate absorption, and risk factors for urinary stone formation in these patients. In total, 27 patients with Crohn's disease and 27 healthy subjects were included in the present study. Anthropometric, clinical, and 24 h urinary parameters were determined, and the [13C2]oxalate absorption test was performed. Among all patients, 18 had undergone ileal resection, 9 of whom had a history of urinary stones. Compared to healthy controls, the urinary excretion values of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfate, creatinine, and citrate were significantly lower in patients with Crohn's disease. Intestinal oxalate absorption, the fractional and 24 h urinary oxalate excretion, and the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation were significantly higher in patients with urolithiasis than in patients without urolithiasis or in healthy controls. Regardless of the group, between 83% and 96% of the [13C2]oxalate was detected in the urine within the first 12 h after ingestion. The length of ileum resection correlated significantly with the intestinal absorption and urinary excretion of oxalate. These findings suggest that enteric hyperoxaluria can be attributed to the hyperabsorption of oxalate following extensive ileal resection. Oral supplementation of calcium and magnesium, as well as alkali citrate therapy, should be considered as treatment options for urolithiasis.

Differences in the nutritional quality of improved finger millet genotypes in Ethiopia.

Improved crop genotypes are constantly introduced. However, information on their nutritional quality is generally limited. The present study reports the proximate composition and the concentration and relative bioavailability of minerals of improved finger millets of different genotypes. Grains of finger millet genotypes (n = 15) grown in research station during 2019 and 2020 in Ethiopia, and replicated three times in a randomized complete block design, were analysed for proximate composition, mineral concentration (iron, zinc, calcium, selenium), and antinutritional factors (phytate, tannin and oxalate). Moreover, the antinutritional factors to mineral molar ratio method was used to estimate mineral bioavailability. The result shows a significant genotypic variation in protein, fat and fibre level, ranging from 10% to 14.6%, 1.0 to 3.8%, and 1.4 to 4.6%, respectively. Similarly, different finger millets genotypes had significantly different mineral concentrations ranging from 3762 ± 332 to 5893 ± 353 mg kg-1 for Ca, 19.9 ± 1.6 to 26.2 ± 2.7 mg kg-1 for Zn, 36.3 ± 4.6 to 52.9 ± 9.1 mg kg-1 for Fe and 36.6 ± 11 to 60.9 ± 22 µg kg-1 for Se. Phytate (308-360 µg g-1), tannin (0.15-0.51 mg g-1) and oxalate (1.26-4.41 mg g-1) concentrations were also influenced by genotype. Antinutritional factors to minerals molar ratio were also significantly different by genotypes but were below the threshold for low mineral bioavailability. Genotype significantly influenced mineral and antinutritional concentrations of finger millet grains. In addition, all finger millet genotypes possess good mineral bioavailability. Especially, the high Ca concentration in finger millet, compared to in other cereals, could play a vital role to combating Ca deficiency. The result suggests the different finger millet genotypes possess good nutrient content and may contribute to the nutrition security of the local people.

Effect of Adsorbed Carboxylates on the Dissolution of Boehmite Nanoplates in Highly Alkaline Solutions.

Understanding the dissolution of boehmite in highly alkaline solutions is important to processing complex nuclear waste stored at the Hanford (WA) and Savannah River (SC) sites in the United States. Here, we report the adsorption of model carboxylates on boehmite nanoplates in alkaline solutions and their effects on boehmite dissolution in 3 M NaOH at 80 °C. Although expectedly lower than at circumneutral pH, adsorption of oxalate occurred at pH 13, with adsorption decreasing linearly to 3 M NaOH. Classical molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the adsorption of oxalate dianions onto the boehmite surface under high pH can occur through either inner- or outer-sphere complexation mechanisms depending on adsorption sites. However, both adsorption models indicate relatively weak binding, with an energy preference of 1.26 to 2.10 kcal/mol. By preloading boehmite nanoplates with oxalate or acetate, we observed suppression of dissolution rates by 23 or 10%, respectively, compared to pure solids. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy characterizations revealed no detectable difference in the morphologic evolution of the dissolving boehmite materials. We conclude that preadsorbed carboxylates can persist on boehmite surfaces, decreasing the density of dissolution-active sites and thereby adding extrinsic controls on dissolution rates.

Natural history of urine and plasma oxalate in children with primary hyperoxaluria type 1.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare, severe genetic disease causing increased hepatic oxalate production resulting in urinary stone disease, nephrocalcinosis, and often progressive chronic kidney disease. Little is known about the natural history of urine and plasma oxalate values over time in children with PH1. METHODS: For this retrospective observational study, we analyzed data from genetically confirmed PH1 patients enrolled in the Rare Kidney Stone Consortium PH Registry between 2003 and 2018 who had at least 2 measurements before age 18 years of urine oxalate-to-creatinine ratio (Uox:cr), 24-h urine oxalate excretion normalized to body surface area (24-h Uox), or plasma oxalate concentration (Pox). We compared values among 3 groups: homozygous G170R, heterozygous G170R, and non-G170R AGXT variants both before and after initiating pyridoxine (B6). RESULTS: Of 403 patients with PH1 in the registry, 83 met the inclusion criteria. Uox:cr decreased rapidly over the first 5 years of life. Both before and after B6 initiation, patients with non-G170R had the highest Uox:cr, 24-h Uox, and Pox. Patients with heterozygous G170R had similar Uox:cr to homozygous G170R prior to B6. Patients with homozygous G170R had the lowest 24-h Uox and Uox:cr after B6. Urinary oxalate excretion and Pox tend to decrease over time during childhood. eGFR over time was not different among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Children with PH1 under 5 years old have relatively higher urinary oxalate excretion which may put them at greater risk for nephrocalcinosis and kidney failure than older PH1 patients. Those with homozygous G170R variants may have milder disease. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

An insight into the role of the organic acids produced by Enterobacter sp. strain 15S in solubilizing tricalcium phosphate: in situ study on cucumber.

BACKGROUND: The release of organic acids (OAs) is considered the main mechanism used by phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) to dissolve inorganic phosphate in soil. Nevertheless, little is known about the effect of individual OAs produced by a particular PSB in a soil-plant system. For these reasons, the present work aimed at investigating the effect of Enterobacter sp. strain 15S and the exogenous application of its OAs on (i) the solubilization of tricalcium phosphate (TCP), (ii) plant growth and (iii) P nutrition of cucumber. To this purpose two independent experiments have been performed. RESULTS: In the first experiment, carried out in vitro, the phosphate solubilizing activity of Enterobacter 15S was associated with the release of citric, fumaric, ketoglutaric, malic, and oxalic acids. In the second experiment, cucumber plants were grown in a Leonard jar system consisting of a nutrient solution supplemented with the OAs previously identified in Enterobacter 15S (jar's base) and a substrate supplemented with the insoluble TCP where cucumber plants were grown (jar's top). The use of Enterobacter 15S and its secreted OAs proved to be efficient in the in situ TCP solubilization. In particular, the enhancement of the morpho-physiological traits of P-starved cucumber plants was evident when treated with Enterobacter 15S, oxalate, or citrate. The highest accumulation of P in roots and shoots induced by such treatments further corroborated this hypothesis. CONCLUSION: In our study, the results presented suggest that organic acids released by Enterobacter 15S as well as the bacterium itself can enhance the P-acquisition by cucumber plants.

The preventive effects of Ulva lactuca aqueous extract, ulvan polysaccharides and atorvastatin on ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluria.

OBJECTIVE: Kidney stones are a common complication of hyperoxaluria. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective and preventive effects of Ulva lactuca aqueous extract, ulvan polysaccharides and atorvastatin on ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats between 110 and 145 g in weight were used in the study, Ulva lactuca aqueous extract and polysaccharides were prepared. The male albino rats were supplemented with 0.75 percent ethylene glycol (v/v) in their drinking water for six weeks to induce hyperoxaluria. Ulvan infusions (100 mg/kg body weight), ulvan polysaccharides (100 mg/kg body weight), and atorvastatin (two milligrams/kg body weight) to treat hyperoxaluric rats for four weeks (every other day) were used. Weight loss, serum creatinine, serum urea, serum uric acid, serum oxalate, kidney oxalate, kidney lipid peroxidation, and kidney DNA fragmentation and kidney histopathological studies were done. RESULTS: Weight loss, rise of serum creatinine, serum urea, serum uric acid, serum oxalate, kidney oxalate, kidney lipid peroxidation, and kidney DNA fragmentation were all shown to be prevented by the addition of atorvastatin, polysaccharides, or aqueous extract, respectively. Catalase (CAT) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, and histopathological perturbations were all significantly reduced by the medicines that were studied. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperoxaluria caused by ethylene glycol may be prevented by a combination of Ulva lactuca aqueous extract, ulvan polysaccharides, and atorvastatin. A reduction in renal oxidative stress and an improvement of the antioxidant defense system may be responsible for these protective benefits. However, Ulva lactuca infusion and ulvan polysaccharides need to be studied further in humans, in order to determine their efficacy and safety.

Is withdrawal of nocturnal hyperhydration possible in children with primary hyperoxaluria treated with RNAi?

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 is a rare genetic disorder caused by bi-allelic pathogenic variants in the AGXT gene leading to an overproduction of oxalate which accumulates in the kidneys in the form of calcium oxalate crystals. Thus, patients may present with recurrent nephrocalcinosis and lithiasis, with progressive impairment of the  renal function and eventually kidney failure.  There is no specific treatment besides liver-kidney transplantation, and pre-transplantation management by 24 h-hyperhydration, crystallisation inhibitors and high-dose pyridoxine has a high negative impact on quality of life, especially because of the discomfort due to nocturnal hyperhydration. Since 2020, lumasiran, an RNA-interfering therapy, has been approved for the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 in adults and children. However, to date, there are no recommendations regarding the discontinuation of other supportive measures during RNAi therapy. In this report, we present two patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 who were treated with lumasiran and stopped nocturnal hyperhydration with positive outcomes, i.e. normal urinary oxalate, absence of crystalluria, stable kidney function and improved well-being. These data suggest that discontinuing nocturnal hydration may be safe in children responding to lumasiran, and may have a positive impact on their quality of life. Additional data are needed to update treatment recommendations.

Dose-dependant preventive effect of a herbal compound on crystal formation in rat model.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the dose-dependent preventive effect of a plant-based herbal product on the new crystal formation in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 rats were divided into 7 groups and zinc discs were placed into the bladder of rats to provide a nidus for the development of new crystal formation: Group 1: control, Group 2: 0.75 percent ethylene glycol (EG); Group 3: 0.75 percent EG plus 0.051 ml of the compound; Group 4: 0.75 percent EG plus 0.179 ml of the compound; Group 5: 0.75 percent EG plus 0.217 ml of the compound; Group 6: 0.75 percent EG plus 0.255 ml of the compound; Group 7 0.75 percent EG plus 0.332 of the compound). The analysis and comparison focused on the disc weights, changes in urinary oxalate and calcium levels, urinary pH, and the histopathologic evaluation of the inflammatory changes in the bladder after 14 days. RESULTS: According to the evaluation of discs placed in the bladders of the animals, animals receiving the herbal compound on a dose-dependent basis showed a limited increase in the disc weights values after 14 days, despite a considerable increase in animals receiving EG alone (p = 0.001). Further evaluation of the increase in disc weights on a dose-dependent basis in different subgroups (from Groups 3 to 7) demonstrated that the limitation of crystal deposition began to be more prominent as the dose of herbal compound increased. This effect was more evident particularly in comparisons between group 7 and others, according to LSD multiple comparison tests (p = 0.001). As anticipated, there has been no discernible change in the weight of the discs in the control group. Although urinary calcium levels in animals of Groups 2, 6, and 7 were significantly higher than the other groups, we were not able to demonstrate a close correlation between urinary oxalate levels and the increasing dose levels. Even though mean urine pH levels were statistically considerably higher in Group 3, there was no statistically significant correlation between the oxalate and calcium levels between all groups, and no association was seen with the administration of herbal agents. The transitional epithelium between the three groups of animals' bladder samples did not exhibit any appreciable difference according to pathological analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In this animal model, the treatment of the compound was successful in lowering the amount of crystal deposition surrounding the zinc discs, most noticeably at a dosage of 0.332 ml, three times per day.

A signal "on-off-on"-type electrochemiluminescence aptamer sensor for detection of sulfadimethoxine based on Ru@Zn-oxalate MOF composites.

An "on-off-on"-type electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptamer sensor based on Ru@Zn-oxalate metal-organic framework (MOF) composites is constructed for sensitive detection of sulfadimethoxine (SDM). The prepared Ru@Zn-oxalate MOF composites with the three-dimensional structure provide good ECL performance for the "signal-on." The MOF structure with a large surface area enables the material to fix more Ru(bpy)32+. Moreover, the Zn-oxalate MOF with three-dimensional chromophore connectivity provides a medium which can accelerate excited-state energy transfer migration among Ru(bpy)32+ units, and greatly reduces the influence of solvent on chromophore, achieving a high-energy Ru emission efficiency. The aptamer chain modified with ferrocene at the end can hybridize with the capture chain DNA1 fixed on the surface of the modified electrode through base complementary pairing, which can significantly quench the ECL signal of Ru@Zn-oxalate MOF. SDM specifically binds to its aptamer to separate ferrocene from the electrode surface, resulting in a "signal-on" ECL signal. The use of the aptamer chain further improves the selectivity of the sensor. Thus, high-sensitivity detection of SDM specificity is realized through the specific affinity between SDM and its aptamer. This proposed ECL aptamer sensor has good analytical performance for SDM with low detection limit (27.3 fM) and wide detection range (100 fM-500 nM). The sensor also shows excellent stability, selectivity, and reproducibility, which proved its analytical performance. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of SDM detected by the sensor is between 2.39 and 5.32%, and the recovery is in the range 97.23 to 107.5%. The sensor shows satisfactory results in the analysis of actual seawater samples, which is expected to play a role in the exploration of marine environmental pollution.

Zn2+ regulates human oxalate metabolism by manipulating oxalate decarboxylase to treat calcium oxalate stones.

A high concentration of oxalate is associated with an increased risk of kidney calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones, and the degradation of exogenous oxalate mostly depends on oxalate-degrading enzymes from the intestinal microbiome. We found that zinc gluconate supplement to patients with CaOx kidney stones could significantly improve the abundance of oxalate metabolizing bacteria in humans through clinical experiments on patients also subjected to antibiotic treatment. The analysis of clinical samples revealed that an imbalance of Lactobacillus and oxalate decarboxylase (OxDC) was involved in the formation of CaOx kidney stones. Then, we identified that Zn2+ could be used as an external factor to improve the activity of OxDC and promote Lactobacillus in the intestinal flora, and this treatment achieved a therapeutic effect on rats with stones aggravated by antibiotics. Finally, by analyzing the three-dimensional structure of OxDC and completing in vitro experiments, we propose a model of the Zn2+-induced reduction of CaOx kidney stone symptoms in rats by increasing the metabolism of oxalate through the positive effects of Zn2+ on Lactobacillus and OxDC.

Anti-urolithiatic Activity of Daidzin in Ethylene Glycol-Induced Urolithiasis in Rats.

Urolithiasis is a common urological disorder, which causes considerable morbidity in both genders at all age groups worldwide. Though treatment options such as diuretics and non-invasive techniques to disintegrate the deposits are available, but often they are found less effective in the clinics. In this work, we planned to investigate the ameliorative effects of daidzin against the ethylene glycol (EG)-induced urolithiasis in rats. The male albino rats were distributed into four groups (n = 6) as control (group I), urolithiasis induced by the administration of 0.75% EG (group II), urolithiasis induced rats treated with 50 mg/kg of daidzin (group III), and urolithiasis rats treated with standard drug 750 mg/kg of cystone (group IV). The urine volume, pH, and total protein in the urine were assessed. The activities of marker enzymes in both plasma and kidney tissues were analyzed using assay kits. The levels of kidney function markers such as calcium, oxalate, urea, creatinine, uric acid, magnesium, BUN, and phosphorous were estimated using assay kits. The status of antioxidants and inflammatory cytokines were also examined using kits. The renal tissues were examined by histopathological analysis. Our results revealed that the daidzin treatment effectively decreased the urine pH and protein level and increased the urine volume in the urolithiasis rats. Daidzin decreased the calcium, oxalate, uric acid, and urea, creatinine, and BUN levels and also improved the magnesium and phosphorus in the urolithiasis rats. The activities of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, and LDH were effectively reduced by the daidzin in both serum and renal tissue. Daidzin also reduced the inflammatory marker and increased the antioxidant levels. Histopathology results also proved the therapeutic effects of daidzin. Together, our results displayed that daidzin is effective in the amelioration of EG-induced urolithiasis in rats.

Three Tesla magnetic resonance imaging detects oxalate osteopathy in patients with primary hyperoxaluria type I.

BACKGROUND: With declining kidney function and therefore increasing plasma oxalate, patients with primary hyperoxaluria type I (PHI) are at risk to systemically deposit calcium-oxalate crystals. This systemic oxalosis may occur even at early stages of chronic kidney failure (CKD) but is difficult to detect with non-invasive imaging procedures. METHODS: We tested if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sensitive to detect oxalate deposition in bone. A 3 Tesla MRI of the left knee/tibial metaphysis was performed in 46 patients with PHI and in 12 healthy controls. In addition to the investigator's interpretation, signal intensities (SI) within a region of interest (ROI, transverse images below the level of the physis in the proximal tibial metaphysis) were measured pixelwise, and statistical parameters of their distribution were calculated. In addition, 52 parameters of texture analysis were evaluated. Plasma oxalate and CKD status were correlated to MRI findings. MRI was then implemented in routine practice. RESULTS: Independent interpretation by investigators was consistent in most cases and clearly differentiated patients from controls. Statistically significant differences were seen between patients and controls (p < 0.05). No correlation/relation between the MRI parameters and CKD stages or Pox levels was found. However, MR imaging of oxalate osteopathy revealed changes attributed to clinical status which differed clearly to that in secondary hyperparathyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: MRI is able to visually detect (early) oxalate osteopathy in PHI. It can be used for its monitoring and is distinguished from renal osteodystrophy. In the future, machine learning algorithms may aid in the objective assessment of oxalate deposition in bone. Graphical Abstract A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Risk factors for developing hyperoxaluria in children with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: For the purpose of a better understanding of enteric hyperoxaluria in Crohn's disease (CD) in children and adolescents, we investigated the occurrence and risk factors for development of hyperoxaluria in those patients. METHODS: Forty-five children with CD and another 45 controls were involved in this cross-sectional study. Urine samples were collected for measurement of spot urine calcium/creatinine (Ur Ca/Cr), oxalate/creatinine (Ur Ox/Cr), and citrate/creatinine (Ur Citr/Cr) ratios. Fecal samples were also collected to detect the oxalyl-CoA decarboxylase of Oxalobacter formigenes by PCR. Patients were classified into 2 groups: group A (with hyperoxaluria) and group B (with normal urine oxalate excretion). The disease extent was assessed, and the activity index was calculated. RESULTS: According to the activity index, 30 patients (66.7%) had mild disease and 13 patients (28.9%) had moderate disease. There was no significant difference in Ur Ox/Cr ratio regarding the disease activity index. O. formigenes was not detected in 91% of patients in group A while it was detected in all patients in group B (p < 0.001). By using logistic regression analysis, the overall model was statistically significant when compared to the null model, (χ2 (7) = 52.19, p < 0.001), steatorrhea (p = 0.004), frequent stools (p = 0.009), and O. formigenes (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Lack of intestinal colonization with O. formigenes, steatorrhea, and frequent stools are the main risk factors for development of enteric hyperoxaluria in CD patients. Identifying risk factors facilitates proper disease management in future studies. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Ligand-Enabled Donnan Dialysis for Phosphorus Recovery from Alum-Laden Waste Activated Sludge.

While many nutrient recovery technologies target liquid waste streams, new strategies are required for effective phosphorus recovery from solid waste. This study reports an innovative ligand-enabled Donnan dialysis process to recover orthophosphate (P(V)) from alum-laden waste activated sludge (WAS). Four ligands, namely acetate, citrate, ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), and oxalate, were evaluated for P(V) release from a synthetic sludge containing 5 mM P(V) and 25 mM Al(III) and a real, alum-laden WAS with similar contents. Citrate and EDTA released more than 95% of P(V) at doses of 30 mM, outperforming acetate and oxalate. The ligand-based solubilization strategy was coupled with Donnan dialysis to recover P(V) into a clean sodium chloride draw solution. After Donnan dialysis with the synthetic sludge, the P(V) recovery's order was as follows: EDTA (54.4%) > citrate (41.7%) > oxalate (4.3%). The P(V) recovery efficiencies were slightly lower for Donnan dialysis with real, alum-laden WAS, namely 45.1% and 25.2% for EDTA and citrate addition, respectively, due to competitive effects exerted by other dissolved species. These promising results successfully demonstrated the proof-of-concept for ligand-enabled Donnan dialysis.

Carboxymethylation of Desmodium styracifolium Polysaccharide and Its Repair Effect on Damaged HK-2 Cells.

Objective: Desmodium styracifolium is the best traditional medicine for treating kidney calculi in China. This study is aimed at increasing the carboxyl (-COOH) content of D. styracifolium polysaccharide (DSP0) and further increasing its antistone activity. Methods: DSP0 was carboxymethylated with chloroacetic acid at varying degrees. Then, oxalate-damaged HK-2 cells were repaired with modified polysaccharide, and the changes in biochemical indices before and after repair were detected. Results: Three modified polysaccharides with 7.45% (CDSP1), 12.2% (CDSP2), and 17.7% (CDSP3) -COOH are obtained. Compared with DSP0 (-COOH content = 1.17%), CDSPs have stronger antioxidant activity in vitro and can improve the vitality of damaged HK-2 cells. CDSPs repair the cell morphology and cytoskeleton, increase the cell healing ability, reduce reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide levels, increase mitochondrial membrane potential, limit autophagy level to a low level, reduce the eversion of phosphatidylserine in the cell membrane, weaken the inhibition of oxalate on DNA synthesis, restore cell cycle to normal state, promote cell proliferation, and reduce apoptosis/necrosis. Conclusion: The carboxymethylation modification of DSP0 can improve its antioxidant activity and enhance its ability to repair damaged HK-2 cells. Among them, CDSP2 with medium -COOH content has the highest activity of repairing cells, whereas CDSP3 with the highest -COOH content has the highest antioxidant activity. This difference may be related to the active environment of polysaccharide and conformation of the polysaccharide and cell signal pathway. This result suggests that Desmodium styracifolium polysaccharide with increased -COOH content may have improved potential treatment and prevention of kidney calculi.