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The Journal of Chemical Physics Jan 2024Potassium (K) is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and despite its abundance in soil, most of the K is structurally bound in minerals, limiting its bioavailability...
Potassium (K) is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and despite its abundance in soil, most of the K is structurally bound in minerals, limiting its bioavailability and making this soil K reservoir largely inaccessible to plants. Microbial biochemical weathering has been shown to be a promising pathway to sustainably increase plant available K. However, the mechanisms underpinning microbial K uptake, transformation, storage, and sharing are poorly resolved. To better understand the controls on microbial K transformations, we performed K K-edge x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy on K-organic salts, including acetate, citrate, nitrate, oxalate, and tartrate, which are frequently observed as low molecular weight organic acids secreted by soil microbes, as well as humic acid, which acts as a proxy for higher molecular weight organic acids. The organic salts display feature-rich K XANES spectra, each demonstrating numerous unique features spanning ∼13 eV range across the absorption edge. In contrast, the spectra for humic acid have one broad, wide feature across the same energy range. We used a combination of time-dependent density functional theory and the Bethe-Salpeter equation based approach within the OCEAN code to simulate the experimental spectra for K-nitrate (KNO3) and K-citrate [K3(C6H5O7)·H2O] to identify the electronic transitions that give rise to some of the outlying and unique spectral features in the organic salts. KNO3 has both the lowest and highest lying energy features, and K3(C6H5O7)·H2O is produced by several soil microbes and is effective at mineral weathering. Our results analyze the K-organic salt bonding in detail to elucidate why the spectral shapes differ and indicate that the K K-edge XANES spectra are associated with the entire ligand despite similar first-shell bonding environments around the K center. The improved understanding of K bonding environments with organic ligands and their use for interpretation of the K-XANES spectra provides an important toolkit to understand how K is transformed by microbial processes and made bioavailable for plant uptake.
PubMed: 38284657
DOI: 10.1063/5.0183603 -
Nutrients Jan 2024Nephrolithiasis is a common urologic manifestation of Crohn's disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics, intestinal oxalate...
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 [C]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 [C]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.
Topics: Humans; Oxalates; Crohn Disease; Calcium; Magnesium; Urinary Calculi; Urolithiasis; Hyperoxaluria; Calcium, Dietary; Citrates; Citric Acid
PubMed: 38257157
DOI: 10.3390/nu16020264 -
Kidney360 Feb 2024Thiazide treatment successfully lowered urine calcium and both calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate supersaturations in both types of stone formers (SFs). Alkali...
KEY POINTS
Thiazide treatment successfully lowered urine calcium and both calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate supersaturations in both types of stone formers (SFs). Alkali therapy may not confer the same benefits on calcium phosphate SFs as it does on calcium oxalate SFs.
BACKGROUND
Randomized controlled trials have shown that both thiazide diuretics and potassium citrate (K-Cit) can prevent calcium stone recurrence, but most participants formed calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones. While thiazides are expected to lower risk of calcium phosphate (CaP) stone formation, the effect of K-Cit on risk of CaP stone formation is unclear.
METHODS
To study the effect of common calcium stone treatments, we analyzed the 24-hour urines of CaOx and CaP stone formers (SFs) by four treatment types: Lifestyle, K-Cit, Thiazide, or Both medications.
RESULTS
Patients treated with thiazides reduced urine calcium in both CaOx (=−74.4, =94.6 mg/d) and CaP (=−102, =99.7 mg/d) SFs while those on K-Cit had no change in urine calcium. Among CaOx SFs, urine citrate rose in patients administered K-Cit with or without thiazide, but citrate did not rise significantly in CaP SFs. Urine pH rose in all CaOx SFs, but among CaP SFs, only rose in patients receiving K-Cit. CaOx supersaturation (SS) decreased in all patients who received Thiazide, and decreased among CaOx SFs treated with K-Cit. CaP SS decreased in both CaOx SFs (=−0.46, =0.86) and CaP SFs (=−0.76, =0.85) treated with Thiazide, except CaOx SFs who received Both. Patients treated with K-Cit alone increased CaP SS in CaOx SFs (=0.25, =0.79).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients treated with Thiazide lowered urine calcium and SS in both stone groups. Patients treated with K-Cit had no significant changes in urine calcium and had a decrease in CaOx SS in CaOx SFs. The study raises questions about the best preventive treatment for patients with CaP stones and suggests that K-Cit may not confer the same benefits on CaP SFs as it does on CaOx SFs.
Topics: Humans; Calcium Oxalate; Phosphates; Calcium Phosphates; Kidney Calculi
PubMed: 38251931
DOI: 10.34067/KID.0000000000000362 -
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach,... Apr 2024Metal hexacyanoferrates (HCFs) are viewed as promising cathode materials for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) because of their high theoretical capacities and redox...
Metal hexacyanoferrates (HCFs) are viewed as promising cathode materials for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) because of their high theoretical capacities and redox potentials. However, the development of an HCF cathode with high cycling stability and voltage retention is still impeded by the unavoidable Fe(CN) vacancies (V) and HO in the materials. Here, a repair method is proposed that significantly reduces the V content in potassium manganese hexacyanoferrate (KMHCF) enabled by the reducibility of sodium citrate and removal of ligand HO at high temperature (KMHCF-H). The KMHCF-H obtained at 90 °C contains only 2% V, and the V is concentrated in the lattice interior. Such an integrated Fe-CN-Mn surface structure of the KMHCF-H cathode with repaired surface V allows preferential decomposition of potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (KFSI) in the electrolyte, which constitutes a dense anion-dominated cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) , inhibiting effectively Mn dissolution into the electrolyte. Consequently, the KMHCF-H cathode exhibits excellent cycling performance for both half-cell (95.2 % at 0.2 Ag after 2000 cycles) and full-cell (99.4 % at 0.1 Ag after 200 cycles). This thermal repair method enables scalable preparation of KMHCF with a low content of vacancies, holding substantial promise for practical applications of PIBs.
PubMed: 38230871
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310428 -
The Journal of Urology Feb 2024The consumption of alkaline water, water with an average pH of 8 to 10, has been steadily increasing globally as proponents claim it to be a healthier alternative to...
PURPOSE
The consumption of alkaline water, water with an average pH of 8 to 10, has been steadily increasing globally as proponents claim it to be a healthier alternative to regular water. Urinary alkalinization therapy is frequently prescribed in patients with uric acid and cystine urolithiasis, and as such we analyzed commercially available alkaline waters to assess their potential to increase urinary pH.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Five commercially available alkaline water brands (Essentia, Smart Water Alkaline, Great Value Hydrate Alkaline Water, Body Armor SportWater, and Perfect Hydration) underwent anion chromatography and direct chemical measurements to determine the mineral contents of each product. The alkaline content of each bottle of water was then compared to that of potassium citrate (the gold standard for urinary alkalinization) as well as to other beverages and supplements used to augment urinary citrate and/or the urine pH.
RESULTS
The pH levels of the bottled alkaline water ranged from 9.69 to 10.15. Electrolyte content was minimal, and the physiologic alkali content was below 1 mEq/L for all brands of alkaline water. The alkali content of alkaline water is minimal when compared to common stone treatment alternatives such as potassium citrate. In addition, several organic beverages, synthetic beverages, and other supplements contain more alkali content than alkaline water, and can achieve the AUA and European Association of Urology alkali recommendation of 30 to 60 mEq per day with ≤ 3 servings/d.
CONCLUSIONS
Commercially available alkaline water has negligible alkali content and thus provides no added benefit over tap water for patients with uric acid and cystine urolithiasis.
Topics: Humans; Uric Acid; Cystine; Potassium Citrate; Urolithiasis; Alkalies
PubMed: 38193415
DOI: 10.1097/JU.0000000000003767 -
International Journal of Health Sciences 2024is a small tree under the genus . Previous studies showed medical applications, such as antibacterial and antihypertensive, for .
OBJECTIVE
is a small tree under the genus . Previous studies showed medical applications, such as antibacterial and antihypertensive, for .
METHODS
Sixty naïve mice were classified into six groups: control, sap-treated group, methanol extract-treated group, acetone extract-treated group, heparin-treated group, and aspirin-treated group. Blood samples from each mouse in the six groups were collected in EDTA, sodium citrate, and heparin tubes. The body weight of each mouse was measured at the beginning and end of the experiment. Furthermore, complete blood count, kidney and renal function tests, coagulation profiles, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), international normalized ratio (INR), D-dimer, and fibrinogen concentrations were estimated for each mouse.
RESULTS
The sodium, potassium, chloride, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase levels did not show statistical differences between all groups. Moreover, PT, aPTT, and INR were prolonged in the sap, methanol, and acetone extracts-treated mice compared with those in the heparin and aspirin-treated groups ( < 0.01). D-dimer and fibrinogen concentrations did not show significant statistical differences between all groups.
CONCLUSION
The current study concludes that the sap, methanol, and acetone extracts prolonged PT, aPTT, and bleeding time in naïve mice more than heparin and aspirin. This means that the extracts may have antithrombotic activity and may be used in the future to resolve intravascular thrombosis in patients having prosthetic valves.
PubMed: 38188900
DOI: No ID Found -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Dec 2024The high recurrence rate of renal uric acid stone (UAS) poses a significant challenge for urologists, and potassium sodium hydrogen citrate (PSHC) has been proven to be...
The high recurrence rate of renal uric acid stone (UAS) poses a significant challenge for urologists, and potassium sodium hydrogen citrate (PSHC) has been proven to be an effective oral dissolution drug. However, no studies have investigated the impact of PSHC on gut microbiota and its metabolites during stone dissolution therapy. We prospectively recruited 37 UAS patients and 40 healthy subjects, of which 12 patients completed a 3-month pharmacological intervention. Fasting vein blood was extracted and mid-stream urine was retained for biochemical testing. Fecal samples were collected for 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content determination. UAS patients exhibited comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension, gout, and dyslipidemia. The richness and diversity of the gut microbiota were significantly decreased in UAS patients, Bacteroides and Fusobacterium were dominant genera while Subdoligranulum and Bifidobacterium were poorly enriched. After PSHC intervention, there was a significant reduction in stone size accompanied by decreased serum uric acid and increased urinary pH levels. The abundance of pathogenic bacterium Fusobacterium was significantly downregulated following the intervention, whereas there was an upregulation observed in SCFA-producing bacteria Lachnoclostridium and Parasutterella, leading to a significant elevation in butyric acid content. Functions related to fatty acid synthesis and amino acid metabolism within the microbiota showed upregulation following PSHC intervention. The correlation analysis revealed a positive association between stone pathogenic bacteria abundance and clinical factors for stone formation, while a negative correlation with SCFAs contents. Our preliminary study revealed that alterations in gut microbiota and metabolites were the crucial physiological adaptation to PSHC intervention. Targeted regulation of microbiota and SCFA holds promise for enhancing drug therapy efficacy and preventing stone recurrence. KEY POINTS: • Bacteroides and Fusobacterium were identified as dominant genera for UAS patients • After PSHC intervention, Fusobacterium decreased and butyric acid content increased • The microbiota increased capacity for fatty acid synthesis after PSHC intervention.
Topics: Humans; Citric Acid; Potassium Citrate; Sodium Citrate; Potassium; Uric Acid; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Sodium; Citrates; Bacteroides; Butyric Acid
PubMed: 38183479
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12953-y -
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry : PPB Jan 2024The potential contribution of silicon (Si) (300 mg kg potash silica) or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Rhizophagus irregularis) to reduce chromium toxicity (Cr; 0...
Silicon and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alleviate chromium toxicity in Brassica rapa by regulating Cr uptake, antioxidant defense expression, the glyoxalase system, and secondary metabolites.
The potential contribution of silicon (Si) (300 mg kg potash silica) or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Rhizophagus irregularis) to reduce chromium toxicity (Cr; 0 and 300 mg kg) in Brassica rapa was examined in this work. Under Cr stress, Si and AMF were used separately and in combination (no Si, or AMF, Si, AMF, and Si + AMF). Brassica rapa growth, colonization, photosynthesis, and physio-biochemical characteristics decreased under Cr stress. Oxidative stress was a side effect of Cr stress and was associated with high levels of methylglyoxal (MG), hydrogen peroxide (HO), lipid peroxidation (MDA), and maximum lipoxygenase activity (LOX). On the other hand, quantitative real-time PCR analyses of gene expression showed that under Cr stress, the expression of genes for secondary metabolites and antioxidant enzymes was higher than that under the control. The co-application of Si and AMF activated the plant defense system by improving the antioxidative enzymes activities, the potassium citrate and glutathione pool, the glyoxalase system, metabolites, and genes encoding these enzymes under Cr stress. Under the influence of Cr stress, oxidative stress was reduced by the coordinated control of the antioxidant and glyoxalase systems. However, the restricted Cr uptake and root and shoot accumulation of Si and AMF co-applied to only Cr-stressed plants was more significant. In summary, Si and AMF applied together successfully counteract the deleterious effects of Cr stress and restore growth and physio-biochemical characteristics. As a result, the beneficial effects of the combined Si and AMF application may be attributed to mycorrhizae-mediated enhanced Si absorption and metal resistance.
Topics: Antioxidants; Mycorrhizae; Silicon; Brassica rapa; Chromium; Hydrogen Peroxide; Plants; Plant Roots
PubMed: 38169223
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108286 -
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and... 2023Imatinib is used in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) leukemias and has been reported to have a direct effect on bone physiology.
RATIONALE
Imatinib is used in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) leukemias and has been reported to have a direct effect on bone physiology.
PRESENTATION
To report on a child with Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia who presented with bilateral flank pain and gross hematuria.
DIAGNOSIS
She was diagnosed with obstructive kidney stones 101 days after commencing daily oral imatinib. Stone analysis revealed the presence of calcium phosphate.
INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOME
The patient passed the stones spontaneously with medical therapy that included the use of thiazide, allopurinol, and potassium citrate, but she required temporary insertion of a double-J stent to relieve an obstruction.
NOVEL FINDINGS
Imatinib inhibits receptor tyrosine kinases and stimulates the flux of calcium from the extracellular fluid into bone, resulting in hypocalcemia with a compensatory rise in parathyroid hormone that may result in phosphaturia and the formation of calcium phosphate stones. Given that kidney stones are rare events in children, we believe that monitoring for kidney stone formation needs to be performed in children receiving imatinib.
PubMed: 38107158
DOI: 10.1177/20543581231215849 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023We previously enabled a direct insight into the quality of citrate anticoagulant tubes before their intended use for specimen collection by introducing an...
We previously enabled a direct insight into the quality of citrate anticoagulant tubes before their intended use for specimen collection by introducing an easy-to-perform UV spectrometric method for citrate determination on a purified water model. The results revealed differences between the tubes of three producers, Greiner BIO-ONE (A), LT Burnik (B), and BD (C). It became apparent that tubes C contain an additive, which absorbs light in the ultraviolet range and prevents reliable evaluation of citrate anticoagulant concentration with the suggested method. In this research, we re-evaluate the quality of citrate-evacuated blood collection tubes by complementing UV spectrometry with ion chromatography. (1) Comparable results were obtained for tubes B at 220 nm. (2) Citrate concentrations determined with ion chromatography were lower for tubes A and C. Chromatograms reveal additional peaks for both. (3) Influences of heparin on absorption spectra and chromatograms of citrate were studied. Some similarities with the shape of the anticoagulant spectra of tubes A and C were observed, and the lithium heparin peak in chromatograms is close to them, but a confident judgment was not possible. (4) Contamination of anticoagulant solution with potassium, magnesium, and calcium was confirmed for all the brands, and contamination with lithium for B and C.
Topics: Citric Acid; Lithium; Anticoagulants; Heparin; Citrates; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
PubMed: 38067465
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237735