The outcomes from the feasibility study on utilization of synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography (SR-μCT) to investigate the texture and the quantitative mineralogical composition of selected calcium oxalate-based urinary calculi fragments are presented. The comparison of the results obtained by SR-μCT analysis with those derived from current standard analytical approaches is provided. SR-μCT is proved as a potential effective technique for determination of texture, 3D microstructure, and composition of kidney stones.
Terrestrial isopods moult first the posterior and then the anterior half of the body, allowing for storage and recycling of CaCO3. We used synchrotron-radiation microtomography to estimate mineral content within skeletal segments in sequential moulting stages of Porcellio scaber. The results suggest that all examined cuticular segments contribute to storage and recycling, however, to varying extents. The mineral within the hepatopancreas after moult suggests an uptake of mineral from the ingested exuviae. The total maximum loss of mineral was 46% for the anterior and 43% for the posterior cuticle. The time course of resorption of mineral and mineralisation of the new cuticle suggests storage and recycling of mineral in the posterior and anterior cuticle. The mineral in the anterior pereiopods decreases by 25% only. P. scaber has long legs and can run fast; therefore, a less mineralised and thus lightweight cuticle in pereiopods likely serves to lower energy consumption during escape behaviour. Differential demineralisation occurs in the head cuticle, in which the cornea of the complex eyes remains completely mineralised. The partes incisivae of the mandibles are mineralised before the old cuticle is demineralised and shed. Probably, this enables the animal to ingest the old exuviae after each half moult.
- MeSH
- Calcification, Physiologic MeSH
- Hepatopancreas physiology MeSH
- Head physiology MeSH
- Insect Proteins physiology MeSH
- Isopoda physiology MeSH
- Minerals chemistry MeSH
- Computer Simulation MeSH
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted MeSH
- X-Ray Microtomography MeSH
- Cornea physiology MeSH
- Molting MeSH
- Synchrotrons MeSH
- Calcium Carbonate chemistry MeSH
- Mouth physiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
