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ABSTRACT: Calcification, a phenomenon often regarded by pathologists little more than evidence of cell death, is becoming recognized to be important in the dynamics of a variety of diseases from which millions of beings suffer in all ages. In calcification, all that is needed for crystal formation to start is nidi (nuclei) and an environment of available dissolved components at or near saturation concentrations, along with the absence of inhibitors for crystal formation. Calcifying nanoparticles (CNP) are the first calcium phosphate mineral containing particles isolated from human blood and were detected in numerous pathologic calcification related diseases. Controversy and critical role of CNP as nidi and triggering factor in human pathologic calcification are discussed.
Pediatric Research 05/2010; 67(5):490-9. · 2.70 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The nanotechnology industry is currently in the process of producing new nanoparticles. The biological activity of nanoparticles including adverse as well as beneficial effects tends to increase as their size decreases. The smaller the particles are, the greater their bioactivity and toxicity. Thus, one can easily conjecture the impact ofa nanoparticle if it could also self-replicate. This in vitro study reveals the self-propagating ability of unique calcifying nanoparticles (CNP) that can be as small as 50 nm in size and found in blood, blood products, and calcified soft tissues. Although specific detection techniques, morphological characteristics and biomineralizing properties of CNP are well established, their genomic information and self-propagating capability have always been challenged. The objective of this study is to document the propagation of CNP under physiological conditions, using inverted light microscopy (LM) and the Biostation IM time-lapse imaging system. Their detailed morphological structure was examined using scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. This present study, in conjunction with previous findings of metabolic activity, antibiotic sensitivity, antibody specificity, morphological aspects and infectivity, validates CNP as self-replicators. Therefore these sterile-filterable, blood-borne nanoparticles should be of concern to the nanomedicine industry.
International Journal of Nanomedicine 02/2008; 3(2):265-75. · 3.13 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Randall initially described calcified subepithelial papillary plaques, which he hypothesized as nidi for urinary calculi. The discovery of calcifying nanoparticles (CNP), also referred to as nanobacteria, in calcified soft tissues has raised another hypothesis about their possible involvement in urinary stone formation. This research is the first attempt to investigate the potential association of these two hypotheses.
We collected renal papilla and blood samples from 17 human patients who had undergone laparoscopic nephrectomy. Immunohistochemical staining (IHS) was applied using monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CNP. Homogenized papillary tissues and serum samples were cultured for CNP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were performed on papillary samples. Serum samples were tested for CNP antigen and antibody with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Randall's plaques (RP) were visible on gross inspection in 11 out of 17 samples. IHS was positive for CNP antigen in 8 of the visually positive samples, but in only 1 of the remaining samples. SEM revealed spherical apatite-formations in 14 samples confirmed by EDS analysis. In cultures, all serum samples and 13 tissue homogenates grew CNP. In ELISA, 14 samples were positive for CNP-antigen and 11 samples were positive for CNP-antibody.
There was evidence of a link between detection of CNP and presence of RP. Although causality was not demonstrated, these results suggest that further studies with negative control samples should be made to explore the etiology of RP formation, thus leading to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of stone formation.
International Journal of Nanomedicine 02/2008; 3(1):105-15. · 3.13 Impact Factor
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The Lancet 07/2007; 369(9579):2078. · 38.28 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Exploration Class missions to Mars will require precautions against potential contamination by any native microorganisms that may be incidentally pathogenic to humans. While the results of NASA's Viking biology experiments of the 1970s have been generally interpreted as inconclusive for surface organisms, and attributed to active but nonbiological chemistries, the possibility of native surface life has never been ruled out completely. It is possible that, prior to the first human landing on Mars, robotic craft and sample return missions will provide enough data to know with certainty whether future human landing sites harbor extant life forms. If native life were found to exist, it would be problematic to determine whether any of its species might present a medical danger to astronauts. Therefore, it will become necessary to assess empirically the risk that the planet contains pathogens based on terrestrial examples of pathogenicity and to take a reasonably cautious approach to biohazard protection. A survey of terrestrial pathogens was conducted with special emphasis on those whose evolution has not depended on the presence of animal hosts. The history of the development and implementation of Apollo anti-contamination protocol and recommendations of the National Research Council's Space Studies Board regarding Mars were reviewed. Organisms can emerge in Nature in the absence of indigenous animal hosts and both infectious and non-infectious human pathogens are therefore theoretically possible on Mars. Although remote, the prospect of Martian surface life, together with the existence of a diversity of routes by which pathogenicity has emerged on Earth, suggests that the probability of human pathogens on Mars, while low, is not zero. Still, since the discovery and study of Martian life can have long-term benefits for humanity, the risk that Martian life might include pathogens should not be an obstacle to human exploration. As a precaution, it is recommended that EVA (extravehicular activity) suits be decontaminated when astronauts enter surface habitats upon returning from field activity and that biosafety protocols approximating laboratory BSL 2 be developed for astronauts working in laboratories on the Martian surface. Quarantine of astronauts and Martian materials arriving on Earth should also be part of a human mission to Mars, and this and the surface biosafety program should be integral to human expeditions from the earliest stages of the mission planning.
Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine 05/2007; 78(4 Suppl):A79-88. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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Journal of Investigative Medicine 12/2006; 54(7):385-94. · 1.96 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although some information is available regarding the cellular/molecular changes in immune system exposed to microgravity, little is known about the reasons of the increase in the kidney stone formation in astronauts during and/or after long duration missions at zero gravity (0 g). In our earlier studies, we have assessed a unique agent, nanobacteria (NB), in kidney stones and hypothesized that NB have an active role in calcium phosphate-carbonate deposition in kidney. In this research we studied effect of microgravity on multiplication and calcification of NB in vitro.
We examined NB cultures in High Aspect Rotating Vessels (HARVs) designed at the NASA's Johnson Space Center, which are designed to stimulate some aspects of microgravity. Multiplication rate and calcium phosphate composition of those NB were compared with NB cultured on stationary and shaker flasks. Collected aliquots of the cultures from different incubation periods were analyzed using spectrophotometer, SEM, TEM, EDX, and x-ray diffraction techniques.
The results showed that NB multiplied 4.6x faster in HARVs compared to stationary cultures, and 3.2x faster than shaker flask conditions. X-ray diffraction and EDX analysis showed that the degree of apatite crystal formation and the properties of the apatite depend on the specific culture conditions used.
We now report an increased multiplication rate of NB in microgravity-simulated conditions. Thus, NB infection may have a potential role in kidney stone formation in crew members during space flights. For further proof to this hypothesis, screening of the NB antigen and antibody level in flight crew before and after flight would be necessary.
Kidney International 03/2005; 67(2):483-91. · 6.61 Impact Factor
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Circulation 09/2003; 108(8):e58-9; author reply e58-9. · 14.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this preliminary study is to evaluate the effect of various wavelengths of light on nanobacteria (NB).
NB and mitochondria use light for biological processes. NB have been described as multifunctional primordial nanovesicles with the potential to utilize solar energy for replication. NB produce slime, a process common to living bacteria. Slime release is an evolutionary important stress-dependent phenomenon increasing the survival chance of individual bacteria in a colony. In the cardiovascular system, stress-induced bacterial colony formation may lead to a deposition of plaque.
Cultured NB were irradiated with NASA-LEDs at different wavelengths of light: 670, 728 and 880 nm. Light intensities were about 500k Wm(-2), and energy density was 1 x 10(4) J m(-2).
Monochromatic light clearly affected replication of NB. Maximum replication was achieved at 670 nm.
The results indicate that suitable wavelengths of light could be instrumental in elevating the vitality level of NB, preventing the production of NB-mediated slime, and simultaneously increasing the vitality level of mitochondria. The finding could stimulate the design of cooperative therapy concepts that could reduce death caused by myocardial infarcts.
Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine & Surgery 09/2003; 21(4):231-5.
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Andrei P. Sommer,, David S. McKay,,
Neva Ciftcioglu,,
Uri Oron,,
Adam R. Mester,,
E. Olavi Kajander
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ABSTRACT: Life on Earth and Mars could have started with self-assembled nanovesicles similar to the present nanobacteria (NB). To resist extreme environmental stress situations and periods of nutritional deprivation, nanovesicles would have had a chemical composition protected by a closed mineralized compartment, facilitating their development in a primordial soup, or other early wet environment. Their survivability would have been enhanced if they had mechanisms for metabolic communication, and an ability to collect primordially available energy forms. Here, we establish an irreducible model system for life formation starting with NB. Keywords: nanobacteria • nannobacteria • nanovesicles • extremophiles • origin of life models
03/2003;
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ABSTRACT: Life on Earth and Mars could have started with self-assembled nanovesicles similar to the present nanobacteria (NB). To resist extreme environmental stress situations and periods of nutritional deprivation, nanovesicles would have had a chemical composition protected by a closed mineralized compartment, facilitating their development in a primordial soup, or other early wet environment. Their survivability would have been enhanced if they had mechanisms for metabolic communication, and an ability to collect primordially available energy forms. Here, we establish an irreducible model system for life formation starting with NB.
Journal of Proteome Research 2(4):441-3. · 5.11 Impact Factor
