Ökologische Konzepte in der europäischen Politik

Die Umweltbranche boomt und ökologische Innovationen sind in aller Munde. Doch finden diese theoretischen Konzepte und innovativen Technologien wirklich Eingang in die politische Praxis? Und wie können diese Ansatzpunkte zur politischen Ausgestaltung einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung beitragen

Ohmic heating - a novel approach for gluten-free bread baking

Gluten-free (GF) batters usually present several technological challenges that limit the performance during conventional baking and the resulting product quality. Due to the volumetric heating principle and faster heating rates, ohmic heating (OH) may be advantageous compared with conventional baking. Therefore, the potential of using ohmic heating as a novel approach for gluten-free bread baking was explored. In detail, the effect of different OH process parameters (power input, holding time) on the chemical and functional properties (specific volume, crumb firmness and relative elasticity, pore properties, color, starch gelatinization) and digestibility of breads was investigated. Results showed that GF breads could benefit from the uniform rapid heating during processing, as these breads showed superior functional properties (specific volume, 2.86-3.44 cm3/g; relative elasticity, 45.05-56.83%; porosity, 35.17-40.92%) compared with conventional oven-baked GF bread (specific volume, 2.60 cm3/g; relative elasticity, 44.23%; porosity, 37.63%). In order to maximize bread expansion and the OH performance, it was found that the OH process could be improved by applying the electrical energy in three descending power steps: first step with high power input (in this study, 2–6 kW for 15 s), followed by 1 kW for 10 s, and 0.3 kW for 1–30 min. In total, ohmic baking only needed a few minutes to obtain a fully expanded GF bread. The determination of pasting properties and starch digestibility demonstrated that these breads were comparable or even superior to GF breads baked in a conventional baking oven

GPS-Prot: A web-based visualization platform for integrating host-pathogen interaction data

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The increasing availability of HIV-host interaction datasets, including both physical and genetic interactions, has created a need for software tools to integrate and visualize the data. Because these host-pathogen interactions are extensive and interactions between human proteins are found within many different databases, it is difficult to generate integrated HIV-human interaction networks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have developed a web-based platform, termed GPS-Prot <url>http://www.gpsprot.org</url>, that allows for facile integration of different HIV interaction data types as well as inclusion of interactions between human proteins derived from publicly-available databases, including MINT, BioGRID and HPRD. The software has the ability to group proteins into functional modules or protein complexes, generating more intuitive network representations and also allows for the uploading of user-generated data.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>GPS-Prot is a software tool that allows users to easily create comprehensive and integrated HIV-host networks. A major advantage of this platform compared to other visualization tools is its web-based format, which requires no software installation or data downloads. GPS-Prot allows novice users to quickly generate networks that combine both genetic and protein-protein interactions between HIV and its human host into a single representation. Ultimately, the platform is extendable to other host-pathogen systems.</p

A novel cell-based immunofluorescence assay for the detection of autoantibodies to myelin-associated glycoprotein

Peripheral neuropathy with antibodies to myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the peripheral nervous system caused by pathogenic IgM recognizing the human natural killer-1 glycoepitope expressed on MAG. This study aimed to analyze the performance of a new indirect immunofluorescence cell-based assay (CBA, EUROIMMUN) for the detection of anti-MAG IgM. Antibody reactivity was determined in sera from 95 patients with clinical and neurophysiological evidence of anti-MAG-associated neuropathy and in control samples from 55 patients with other forms of peripheral neuropathy. Compared to the results of the gold standard method (ELISA, Bühlmann) and using samples at a dilution of 1:100, the CBA had a sensitivity of 98.9% and a specificity of 100% (PPV 100%, NPV 98.2%). In conclusion, the CBA allows the detection of antibodies to MAG using an easy and standardized technique, and it presents a sensitive and specific alternative to the more time-consuming ELISA. Larger studies are needed to address anti-MAG titer monitoring in parallel with clinical activity

The Molecular Switching Mechanism at the Conserved D(E)RY Motif in Class-A GPCRs

The disruption of ionic and H-bond interactions between the cytosolic ends of transmembrane helices TM3 and TM6 of class-A (rhodopsin-like) G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is a hallmark for their activation by chemical or physical stimuli. In the bovine photoreceptor rhodopsin, this is accompanied by proton uptake at Glu134 in the class-conserved D(E)RY motif. Studies on TM3 model peptides proposed a crucial role of the lipid bilayer in linking protonation to stabilization of an active state-like conformation. However, the molecular details of this linkage could not be resolved and have been addressed in this study by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on TM3 model peptides in a bilayer of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC). We show that protonation of the conserved glutamic acid alters the peptide insertion depth in the membrane, its side-chain rotamer preferences, and stabilizes the C-terminal helical structure. These factors contribute to the rise of the side-chain pKa (> 6) and to reduced polarity around the TM3 C terminus as confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy. Helix stabilization requires the protonated carboxyl group; unexpectedly, this stabilization could not be evoked with an amide in MD simulations. Additionally, time-resolved Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of TM3 model peptides revealed a different kinetics for lipid ester carbonyl hydration, suggesting that the carboxyl is linked to more extended H-bond clusters than an amide. Remarkably, this was seen as well in DOPC-reconstituted Glu134- and Gln134-containing bovine opsin mutants and demonstrates that the D(E)RY motif is a hydrated microdomain. The function of the D(E)RY motif as a proton switch is suggested to be based on the reorganization of the H-bond network at the membrane interface

Circulating growth/differentiation factor 15 is associated with human CD56 natural killer cell dysfunction and nosocomial infection in severe systemic inflammation

BACKGROUND Systemic inflammation induced by sterile or infectious insults is associated with an enhanced susceptibility to life-threatening opportunistic, mostly bacterial, infections due to unknown pathogenesis. Natural killer (NK) cells contribute to the defence against bacterial infections through the release of Interferon (IFN) γ in response to Interleukin (IL) 12. Considering the relevance of NK cells in the immune defence we investigated whether the function of NK cells is disturbed in patients suffering from serious systemic inflammation. METHODS NK cells from severely injured patients were analysed from the first day after the initial inflammatory insult until the day of discharge in terms of IL-12 receptor signalling and IFN-γ synthesis. FINDINGS During systemic inflammation, the expression of the IL-12 receptor β2 chain, phosphorylation of signal transducer and activation 4, and IFN-γ production on/in NK cells was impaired upon exposure to Staphylococcus aureus. The profound suppression of NK cells developed within 24 h after the initial insult and persisted for several weeks. NK cells displayed signs of exhaustion. Extrinsic changes were mediated by the early and long-lasting presence of growth/differentiation factor (GDF) 15 in the circulation that signalled through the transforming growth factor β receptor I and activated Smad1/5. Moreover, the concentration of GDF-15 in the serum inversely correlated with the IL-12 receptor β2 expression on NK cells and was enhanced in patients who later acquired septic complications. INTERPRETATION GDF-15 is associated with the development of NK cell dysfunction during systemic inflammation and might represent a novel target to prevent nosocomial infections. FUND: The study was supported by the Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Essen

IL4I1 Is a Metabolic Immune Checkpoint that Activates the AHR and Promotes Tumor Progression

Immune checkpoint blockade therapy induces the AHR-activating enzyme IL4I1, which promotes tumor progression, through its effects on tumor cell motility and adaptive immunity

Immune signatures predict development of autoimmune toxicity in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are among the most promising treatment options for melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While ICIs can induce effective anti-tumor responses, they may also drive serious immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Identifying biomarkers to predict which patients will suffer from irAEs would enable more accurate clinical risk-benefit analysis for ICI treatment and may also shed light on common or distinct mechanisms underpinning treatment success and irAEs. METHODS In this prospective multi-center study, we combined a multi-omics approach including unbiased single-cell profiling of over 300 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples and high-throughput proteomics analysis of over 500 serum samples to characterize the systemic immune compartment of patients with melanoma or NSCLC before and during treatment with ICIs. FINDINGS When we combined the parameters obtained from the multi-omics profiling of patient blood and serum, we identified potential predictive biomarkers for ICI-induced irAEs. Specifically, an early increase in CXCL9/CXCL10/CXCL11 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) 1 to 2 weeks after the start of therapy are likely indicators of heightened risk of developing irAEs. In addition, an early expansion of Ki-67+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Ki-67+ CD8+ T cells is also likely to be associated with increased risk of irAEs. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that the combination of these cellular and proteomic biomarkers may help to predict which patients are likely to benefit most from ICI therapy and those requiring intensive monitoring for irAEs. FUNDING This work was primarily funded by the European Research Council, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Swiss Cancer League, and the Forschungsförderung of the Kantonsspital St. Gallen