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Related Concept Videos

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization01:25

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization

Crystallization is a phase transformation process in which crystals are precipitated from a supersaturated solution or formed from other sources. During crystallization, atoms or molecules arrange themselves into a well-defined, rigid crystal lattice to minimize energy.
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent – the...
Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria01:10

Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria

Recrystallization is a purification technique used to separate impurities from solid compounds. In this technique, no chemical reactions occur. Instead, it exploits physical properties only, specifically, the solubility differences between the desired compound and impurities, either at a single temperature or at different temperatures, and under other selected conditions. The solid-solution equilibrium (solubility equilibrium) of each component in the solution represents a binary phase...
Precipitation Processes01:12

Precipitation Processes

The experimental conditions in a gravimetric analysis should be optimized to maximize the particle size and purity of the obtained precipitate. Ideally, the concentration of the precipitating reagent should be low with effective stirring to maintain low relative supersaturation for the growth of large crystals. In homogeneous precipitation, the precipitant is slowly generated by a chemical reaction in the solution to avoid local reagent excesses. For example, urea decomposes gradually to...
Types of Coprecipitation01:10

Types of Coprecipitation

Coprecipitation is the contamination of a precipitate by otherwise soluble species and occurs via different processes. In colloidal precipitates, coprecipitation occurs via surface adsorption. For instance, barium sulfate has a primary layer of adsorbed barium ions and a secondary layer of nitrate counterions. This results in contamination of the precipitate by barium nitrate.
Sometimes, ions in a crystal lattice can undergo isomorphous replacement by inclusions of similar charge and size. For...
Solution Equilibrium and Saturation01:59

Solution Equilibrium and Saturation

Imagine adding a small amount of sugar to a glass of water, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved, and then adding a bit more. You can repeat this process until the sugar concentration of the solution reaches its natural limit, a limit determined primarily by the relative strengths of the solute-solute, solute-solvent, and solvent-solvent attractive forces. You can be certain that you have reached this limit because, no matter how long you stir the solution, undissolved sugar remains. The...
Urinary Tract Calculi I: Introduction01:28

Urinary Tract Calculi I: Introduction

Renal calculi, or kidney stones, are solid deposits of minerals and salts formed inside the kidneys. In medical terminology, "calculus" refers to the stone itself, while "lithiasis" describes the process of stone formation. Depending on their location within the urinary system, these stones may be classified as either urolithiasis, when situated within the urinary tract, or nephrolithiasis, when located within the kidneys. Each term signifies the specific impact of the stone.Predisposition...

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Protein Crystallization for X-ray Crystallography
09:27

Protein Crystallization for X-ray Crystallography

Published on: January 16, 2011

Crystal sedimentation and stone formation.

Johannes Markus Baumann1, Beat Affolter, Rolf Meyer

  • 1Stone Research Center Viollier, Biel, Switzerland. johannes.denise.baumann@bluewin.ch

Urological Research
|December 10, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Crystal aggregation in urine is unlikely due to random collisions. Instead, calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals likely form kidney stones by settling onto surfaces within the renal tubules and pelvis.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Crystallography
  • Biomineralization

Background:

  • Kidney stone formation is a significant health concern, with calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) being the most common crystal type.
  • Understanding the initial aggregation mechanisms of COM crystals in urine is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the mechanisms of crystal collision as the initial step in calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) aggregation within urine.
  • To determine the relative contributions of sedimentation and diffusion to COM crystal collision rates in different urinary conditions.

Main Methods:

  • COM crystals were produced in healthy human urine, solutions of urinary macromolecules, and buffered distilled water.
  • Crystal formation and sedimentation were monitored using spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy.

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  • Urine viscosity was measured, and sedimentation rate (vS), particle diffusion (D), and collision incidences (IS, ID) were calculated.

    • Main Results:

    • Sedimentation rates (vS) were significantly lower in urine (0.026 cm/min) and macromolecular solutions (0.022 cm/min) compared to control (0.091 cm/min).
    • Calculated collision rates due to diffusion (ID) and sedimentation (IS) were very low, suggesting random collisions are insufficient for aggregation.
    • Sedimentation of crystals onto renal tubular or pelvic walls was calculated to be substantial, facilitating accumulation.

    Conclusions:

    • Crystal aggregation in urine is unlikely to occur through random collisions in suspension.
    • Sedimentation of COM crystals onto renal surfaces is a critical factor in initiating kidney stone formation.
    • Dietary oxalate restriction to reduce urinary supersaturation and crystal growth is a key preventive measure against stone aggregation.