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Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Estimation of Urinary Nanocrystals in Humans using Calcium Fluorophore Labeling and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
Published on: February 9, 2021
Calcium oxalate: calcium phosphate transformations
George H Nancollas1, Zachary J Henneman
1University at Buffalo, Amherst, NY 14260, USA. ghn@nsm.buffalo.edu
Abstract:
Knowledge of the physical-chemical mechanisms responsible for the crystal growth and dissolution events involved in stone formation might enable the manipulation of thermodynamics in such a way as to increase the solubility of sparingly soluble phases (such as calcium oxalates and phosphates), thereby reducing the driving force for stone formation. This may be accomplished through modification of pH, reduction of supersaturation with respect to nucleating phases, and the presence of key inhibitors. If these modifications are made during the initial stages of crystallite nucleation, they could potentially reduce the participation of phases such as Randall's plaques in stone formation.
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