Calcium Microcrystal Formation in Recurrent Herniation Patients After Autologous Disc Cell Transplantation

Stefan Schwan,C. Ludtka,A. Friedmann,T. Mendel,H. J. Meisel,A. Heilmann,I. Kaden,F. Goehre 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2017 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.14 No.6

Autologous disc cell transplantation (ADCT) is a cell-based therapy aiming to initiate regeneration of intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue, but little is known about potential risks. This study aims to investigate the presence of structural phenomena accompanying the transformation process after ADCT treatment in IVD disease. Structural phenomena of ADCT-treated patients (Group 1, n = 10) with recurrent disc herniation were compared to conventionally-treated patients with recurrent herniation (Group 2, n = 10) and patients with a first-time herniation (Group 3, n = 10). For ethical reasons, a control group of ADCT patients who did not have a recurrent disc herniation was not possible. Tissue samples were obtained via micro-sequestrectomy after disc herniation and analyzed by micro-computed tomography, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and histology in terms of calcification zones, tissue structure, cell density, cell morphology, and elemental composition. The major differentiator between sample groups was calcium microcrystal formation in all ADCT samples, not found in any of the control group samples, which may indicate disc degradation. The incorporation of mineral particles provided clear contrast between the different materials and chemical analysis of a single particle indicated the presence of magnesium-containing calcium phosphate. As IVD calcification is a primary indicator of disc degeneration, further investigation of ADCT and detailed investigations assessing each patient’s Pfirrmann degeneration grade following herniation is warranted. Structural phenomena unique to ADCT herniation prompt further investigation of the therapy’s mechanisms and its effect on IVD tissue. However, the impossibility of a perfect control group limits the generalizable interpretation of the results.

Biocatalysis and Fermentation Technology : Lipid and Citric Acid Production by Wild Yeasts Grown in Glycerol

( Karla Silva Teixeira Souza ),( Rosane Freitas Schwan ),( Disney Ribeiro Dias ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.4

In this study, crude glycerol was used as a carbon source in the cultivation of wild yeasts, aiming at the production of microbial lipids and citric acid. Forty yeasts of different sources were tested concerning their growth in crude and commercial glycerol. Four yeasts (Lindnera saturnus UFLA CES-Y677, Yarrowia lipolytica UFLA CM-Y9.4, Rhodotorula glutinis NCYC 2439, and Cryptococcus curvatus NCYC 476) were then selected owing to their ability to grow in pure (OD600 2.133, 1.633, 2.055, and 2.049, respectively) and crude (OD600 2.354, 1.753, 2.316, and 2.281, respectively) glycerol (10%, 20%, and 30%). Y. lipolytica UFLA CM-Y9.4 was selected for its ability to maintain cell viability in concentrations of 30% of crude glycerol, and high glycerol intake (18.907 g/l). This yeast was submitted to lipid production in 30 g/l of crude glycerol, and therefore obtained 63.4% of microbial lipids. In the fatty acid profile, there was a predominance of stearic (C18:0) and palmitic (C16:0) acids in the concentrations of 87.64% and 74.67%, respectively. We also performed optimization of the parameters for the production of citric acid, which yielded a production of 0.19 g/l of citric acid in optimum conditions (38.4 g/l of crude glycerol, agitation of 184 rpm, and temperature of 30oC). Yarrowia lipolytica UFLA CM-Y9.4 presented good lipid production when in the concentration of 30 g/l of glycerol. These data may be used for production in large quantities for the application of industrial biodiesel.

A dual mesopore C-aerogel electrode for a high energy density supercapacitor

Dong-Won Park,Natalia A. Ca~nas,Marina Schwan,Barbara Milow,Lorenz Ratke,K. Andreas Friedrich 한국물리학회 2016 Current Applied Physics Vol.16 No.6

Energy and power-storage capability of supercapacitors are associated with the physical and chemical characteristics of carbon-based electrodes. Herein, we report the structural characteristics and electrochemical performance of carbon aerogels (C-aerogels) prepared via a simple sol-gel method without any activation process. The synthesized C-aerogel possesses a 3-D interconnected network structure, and was tested as the active electrode material in a symmetrical supercapacitor with an organic electrolyte. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements demonstrate the good electrochemical performance of the supercapacitor. A specific capacitance of 21.8 F$g1 at 2 A$g1 and cycle durability of 87% over 10,000 cycles was observed due to the presence of dual mesopores. These dual mesopores result in an enhanced access to reaction sites and facilitate electrolyte ion transport. Furthermore, they can afford a high energy density of 22.1 Wh kg1 at a power density of 2.4 kW$kg1.

Whole exome sequencing frequently detects a monogenic cause in early onset nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis

Daga, Ankana,Majmundar, Amar J.,Braun, Daniela A.,Gee, Heon Yung,Lawson, Jennifer A.,Shril, Shirlee,Jobst-Schwan, Tilman,Vivante, Asaf,Schapiro, David,Tan, Weizhen,Warejko, Jillian K.,Widmeier, Eugen Elsevier 2018 Kidney international Vol.93 No.1

<P>The incidence of nephrolithiasis continues to rise. Previously, we showed that a monogenic cause could be detected in 11.4% of individuals with adult-onset nephrolithiasis or nephrocalcinosis and in 16.7-20.8% of individuals with onset before 18 years of age, using gene panel sequencing of 30 genes known to cause nephrolithiasis/nephrocalcinosis. To overcome the limitations of panel sequencing, we utilized whole exome sequencing in 51 families, who presented before age 25 years with at least one renal stone or with a renal ultrasound finding of nephrocalcinosis to identify the underlying molecular genetic cause of disease. In 15 of 51 families, we detected a monogenic causative mutation by whole exome sequencing. A mutation in seven recessive genes (AGXT, ATP6V1B1, CLDN16, CLDN19, GRHPR, SLC3A1, SLC12A1), in one dominant gene (SLC9A3R1), and in one gene (SLC34A1) with both recessive and dominant inheritance was detected. Seven of the 19 different mutations were not previously described as disease-causing. In one family, a causative mutation in one of 117 genes that may represent phenocopies of nephrolithiasis-causing genes was detected. In nine of 15 families, the genetic diagnosis may have specific implications for stone management and prevention. Several factors that correlated with the higher detection rate in our cohort were younger age at onset of nephrolithiasis/nephrocalcinosis, presence of multiple affected members in a family, and presence of consanguinity. Thus, we established whole exome sequencing as an efficient approach toward a molecular genetic diagnosis in individuals with nephrolithiasis/nephrocalcinosis who manifest before age 25 years.</P>

Sugarcane Bagasse Hydrolysis Using Yeast Cellulolytic Enzymes

( Angelica Cristina De Souza ),( Fernanda Paula Carvalho ),( Cristina Ferreira Silva E Batista ),( Rosane Freitas Schwan ),( Disney Ribeiro Dias ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.10

Ethanol fuel production from lignocellulosic biomass is emerging as one of the most important technologies for sustainable development. To use this biomass, it is necessary to circumvent the physical and chemical barriers presented by the cohesive combination of the main biomass components, which hinders the hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose into fermentable sugars. This study evaluated the hydrolytic capacity of enzymes produced by yeasts, isolated from the soils of the Brazilian Cerrado biome (savannah) and the Amazon region, on sugarcane bagasse pre-treated with H2SO4. Among the 103 and 214 yeast isolates from the Minas Gerais Cerrado and the Amazon regions, 18 (17.47%) and 11 (5.14%) isolates, respectively, were cellulase-producing. Cryptococcus laurentii was prevalent and produced significant β- glucosidase levels, which were higher than the endo- and exoglucanase activities. In natura sugarcane bagasse was pre-treated with 2% H2SO4 for 30 min at 150oC. Subsequently, the obtained fibrous residue was subjected to hydrolysis using the Cryptococcus laurentii yeast enzyme extract for 72 h. This enzyme extract promoted the conversion of approximately 32% of the cellulose, of which 2.4% was glucose, after the enzymatic hydrolysis reaction, suggesting that C. laurentii is a good β-glucosidase producer. The results presented in this study highlight the importance of isolating microbial strains that produce enzymes of biotechnological interest, given their extensive application in biofuel production.

Mutations in KEOPS-complex genes cause nephrotic syndrome with primary microcephaly

Braun, Daniela A,Rao, Jia,Mollet, Geraldine,Schapiro, David,Daugeron, Marie-Claire,Tan, Weizhen,Gribouval, Olivier,Boyer, Olivia,Revy, Patrick,Jobst-Schwan, Tilman,Schmidt, Johanna Magdalena,Lawson, J Nature Pub. Co 2017 Nature genetics Vol.49 No.10

<P>Galloway-Mowat syndrome (GAMOS) is an autosomal-recessive disease characterized by the combination of early-onset nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) and microcephaly with brain anomalies. Here we identified recessive mutations in OSGEP, TP53RK, TPRKB, and LAGE3, genes encoding the four subunits of the KEOPS complex, in 37 individuals from 32 families with GAMOS. CRISPR-Cas9 knockout in zebrafish and mice recapitulated the human phenotype of primary microcephaly and resulted in early lethality. Knockdown of OSGEP, TP53RK, or TPRKB inhibited cell proliferation, which human mutations did not rescue. Furthermore, knockdown of these genes impaired protein translation, caused endoplasmic reticulum stress, activated DNA-damage-response signaling, and ultimately induced apoptosis. Knockdown of OSGEP or TP53RK induced defects in the actin cytoskeleton and decreased the migration rate of human podocytes, an established intermediate phenotype of SRNS. We thus identified four new monogenic causes of GAMOS, describe a link between KEOPS function and human disease, and delineate potential pathogenic mechanisms.</P>

Whole Exome Sequencing of Patients with Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome

Warejko, Jillian K.,Tan, Weizhen,Daga, Ankana,Schapiro, David,Lawson, Jennifer A.,Shril, Shirlee,Lovric, Svjetlana,Ashraf, Shazia,Rao, Jia,Hermle, Tobias,Jobst-Schwan, Tilman,Widmeier, Eugen,Majmundar American Society of Nephrology 2018 Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephro Vol.13 No.1