Urinary and Dental Calculi Identification of the Constituents and Influence of Different Factors on its Formation and Growth

Abstract

The studies are divided into six chapters and their overview is given below. newlineChapter 1 covers the review and literature survey of the importance of characterization of biominerals specifically urinary stones and dental calculi in human beings and dogs. Probable formation phenomena of these biominerals are described. Functions of the kidney and the influence of metabolic and external factors affecting the formation of urinary stones in an organism are briefly described. Classification of dental calculus is discussed. Probable compositions of these biominerals have also been listed. Analytical techniques used for the characterization of urinary stones and dental calculi are also reviewed. newlineChapter 2 describes the characterization of the constituents of a series of recurred stones from patients from Bhavnagar (Gujarat, India) a stone disease-prone area. Stones were analysed using PXRD, FT-IR, TGA, SEM and EDX techniques. Out of five patients, stones of two patients were found to have COM phase with reduced unit cell size, which was examined. Stones of the other two patients having in addition to the COM phase show the presence of iron and dolomite. One stone shows quantitative changes in recurred mixed- phase constituents. The results obtained can then be correlated with internal and external factors such as the patient s specific metabolic conditions, dietary habits, water quality, occupation, stress level etc. newlineChapter 3 describes the characterization of the two unusually large urinary stones using PXRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX and TEM techniques. One of the stones was having weight of 500 gm, which to the best of my knowledge, is the first one to report from this region of Gujarat. One of the stones under the optical microscope showed two distinct parts from centre to the periphery. Analysis of both the parts revealed a heterogeneous composition of this stone, it was found to have a rare phase of uricite as a major constituent, and COM as a minor constituent. newlineABSTRACT newlineRIDHDHI P. LAIYA [vii] PhD THESIS newlineChapter 4 includes the