Mikroalgal ve anaerobik mikrobiyel kültürlerin kullanımı ile entegre besiyer madde giderimi, sera gazı mitigasyonu ve biyo-yakıt ve biyo-ürün eldesi

TÜBİTAK ÇAYDAG15.08.2015Mikro algal kültürlerin kullanımı ile önemli bir sera gazı olan CO2’in mitigasyonu çok yeni bir araştırma alanıdır. Mikro algal kültürler ile besiyer madde giderimi ve atık mikro algal biyokütleden biyogaz, hidrojen ve gübre eldesi çeşitli araştırmalara tek başına ya da birlikte konu olmuş uygulamalardır. Ancak, bu projenin konusunu oluşturan mikro algal ve anaerobik mikrobiyel kültürlerin entegre besiyer madde giderimi, sera gazı mitigasyonu ve biyo-yakıt ve biyo-ürün eldesi için birlikte kullanıldığı entegre bir biyoproses konfigürasyonun geliştirilmesi özgün bir yaklaşımdır. Bu inovatif konfigürasyon sadece atık su arıtımı ve CO2 mitigasyonu gibi önemli atık yönetimi sorunlarına bir katkıda bulunmakla kalmayacak, biyoyakıt (biyogaz ve biyohidrojen) ve biyoürün (gübre) eldesi de sağlayabilecektir. Bu projenin en önemli çıktısı hem evsel hem de endüstriyel atık suların atık CO2 kaynakları (örneğin endüstriyel baca gazları) ile birlikte arıtılabilmesini sağlayan özgün bir biyoteknolojik proses konfigürasyonunun geliştirilmesi olacaktır. Bu sürece paralel olarak sağlanacak olan biyoyakıt ve biyoürün eldesi, sadece atık valorizasyonuna değil, sürdürülebilir atık yönetimine de önemli bir örnek oluşturabilecektir. Atık sulardan azot ve fosforun %90-100 arasında değişen verimle giderimi, fotobiyoreaktörlerde sağlanan 0,16-0,26 g/L.gün CO2 tutma hızı, mikro algal biyokütleden elde edilen metan verimi (249 mL CH4/g TUKM), hidrojen verimi (2,47 mL H2/g TUKM) ve detayları bu raporda sunulan projemizin diğer sonuçları hipotezimizi destekler bir ilk adım niteliğindedir. Diğer bir deyişle, mikro algal ve anaerobik mikrobiyel kültürlerin entegre besiyer madde giderimi, sera gazı mitigasyonu ve biyo-yakıt ve biyo-ürün eldesinde birlikte kullanımı olasıdır. Bu üç farklı amaca aynı anda hizmet edecek olan bir inovatif biyoproses konfigürasyonunun optimizasyonu çalışmalarımızın bundan sonraki aşamasını oluşturacaktır.The mitigation of CO2 which is an important greenhouse gas by using microalgal cultures is a very new research area. Nutrient removal by microalgal cultures and anaerobic digestion of waste microalgal biomass and subsequent biogas, biohydrogen and fertilizer production were relatively investigated in the past. However, the research on these areas concentrated on only one or two of these tasks. Therefore, the integrated bioprocess configuration which is investigated in this project to provide integrated nutrient removal, greenhouse gas mitigation and bio-fuel and fertilizer production by using both microalgal and anaerobic microbial cultures is an innovative approach. This innovative configuration will not only contribute to nutrient removal from wastewaters and CO2 mitigation but also generate bio- fuels (biogas, biohydrogen) and bio-products (fertilizer). The impact of this project will be a cost-efficient biotechnological process configuration for the treatment of both domestic and industrial wastewaters as well as waste CO2 sources such as flue gas. Moreover, the parallel bio-fuel and bio-product generation will be a good example of waste valorization and sustainable waste management approach. Nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewaters with 90-100% efficiency, achievement of significant CO2 mitigation rates (0,16-0,26 g/L.day) in photobioreactors, methane production from microalgal biomass with a yield of 249 mL CH4/g VS, dark fermentative hydrogen production with a yield of 2.47 mL H2/g VS and other results of our project which are presented in this report not only support our initial hyphothesis but also constitute the first step toward its realization. In other words, an integrated approach enabling nutrient removal, greenhouse gas mitigation and bio-fuel and fertilizer production by using microalgal and anaerobic cultures is possible. Optimization of an inovative bioprocess configuration which will serve for all these three objectives will be the next phase of our research

Role of mesenchymal stem cells transfected with vascular endothelial growth factor in maintaining renal structure and function in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction

WOS: 000356908200009PubMed ID: 25542189Objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells hold promise for renal disease treatment. Vascular endothelial growth factor may heal tubule-interstitial fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We investigated the protective effect of vascular endothelial growth factor in transfected mesenchymal stem cells in unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal injury in rats. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar Albino rats (32 rats; weight, 250-300 g) were divided into 4 equal groups: group 1, control; group 2, unilateral ureteral obstruction; group 3, unilateral ureteral obstruction and mesenchymal stem cells; and group 4, unilateral ureteral obstruction and vascular endothelial growth factor-transfected mesenchymal stem cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor-transfected mesenchymal stem cells were administered intravenously before onset of unilateral ureteral obstruction. On day 14, the rats were killed and kidneys were retrieved. Tubular necrosis, mono-nuclear cell infiltration, and interstitial fibrosis were evaluated in paraffin blocks. We evaluated green fluorescent protein-positive and vascular endothelial growth factor-positive cells; anti-inflammatory (Prostaglandin E2 Receptor) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist), proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory (interleukin 6), and proinflammatory (MPO) cytokine expression levels; and levels of nitric oxide; transforming growth factor beta 1, E-cadherin, and hydroxyproline. Results: Green fluorescent protein-positive cells were negative in the renal parenchyma in groups 1 and 2 and positive in groups 3 and 4. Vascular endothelial growth factor levels were significantly higher in group 4. Transforming growth factor 131, nitric oxide, and E-cadherin levels were significantly higher in the unilateral ureteral obstruction than control group; however, in the study groups, these values were not significantly different from the unilateral ureteral obstruction group. In stem cell-transplanted tissue samples, EP3, interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, and interleukin 6 levels were elevated, but MPO expression levels were low. Although there were significant differences for tubular necrosis and fibrosis in group 2, there were significant reductions in tubular injury and fibrosis in groups 3 and 4. Conclusions: Systemic stem cells transplanted into the kidney protected against unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal epithelial-mesenchymal transition and renal fibrosis

Correction: Retinal Electrophysiological Effects of Intravitreal Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156495.]

The Effect of Everolimus on Scar Formation in Glaucoma Filtering Surgery in a Rabbit Model

<p><i>Purpose</i>: To investigate the efficiency of everolimus on the prevention of postoperative scar in a rabbit model of glaucoma filtering surgery in comparison with mitomycin-C (MMC).<i>Materials and Methods</i>: Thirty New Zealand albino rabbits were randomly assigned into 3 groups, each including ten rabbits: an everolimus group (Group 1), a MMC group (Group 2), and a sham group (Group 3). A limbal-based trabeculectomy was performed on the right eyes of all the rabbits. For 28 days following surgery, the eyes were evaluated in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP), morphological and biomicroscopic changes, and complications in the bleb. On the 28th day, four eyes randomized from each group were enucleated and histologically and immunohistochemically analyzed. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), metalloproteinase (MMP-2, MMP-9), and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expressions in each group were evaluated. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was used for apoptosis.<i>Results</i>: Bleb survival was statistically significantly longer for a period in Group 1 compared to Group 2. When postoperative IOPs of three groups were measured, it was seen that there is significant IOP reduction in all three groups. However, there were increases in the mean IOP values beginning from the 5th day in Group 2 and from the 3rd day in Group 3 while in Group 1 mean IOP values began to increase beginning from 10th day and the mean IOP values in Group 1 remained at a lower level in comparison to the other groups for 28 days (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The expressions of TGF-β1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and PCNA were reduced in Group 1 compared to other groups. TUNEL positive apoptotic cells were significantly increased in Group 1 compared to other groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05).<i>Conclusion</i>: Everolimus appears to suppress the proliferation of fibroblast and thus may provide an effective treatment strategy in glaucoma filtering surgery.</p