Das digitale Ich. Zwischen Gemeinschaft und Abgrenzung - drei Fallstudien

Dieses E-Book enthält drei sozialwissenschaftliche Fallstudien, die Studierende der Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart im Wintersemester 2015/16 in einem Master-Kurs erstellt haben. Die Projekte behandelten neue Trends in der zunehmend digitalisierten Gesellschaft. Thematisch umfassen die drei Teilstudien das "Vertrauen in der Sharing Economy", die "digitale Diaspora" am Beispiel polnischstämmiger Migranten und die "Ethik der Privatheit"

Anoctamin-4 is a bona fide Ca2+-dependent non-selective cation channel

Abstract Changes in cell function occur by specific patterns of intracellular Ca2+, activating Ca2+-sensitive proteins. The anoctamin (TMEM16) protein family has Ca2+-dependent ion channel activity, which provides transmembrane ion transport, and/or Ca2+-dependent phosphatidyl-scramblase activity. Using amino acid sequence analysis combined with measurements of ion channel function, we clarified the so far unknown Ano4 function as Ca2+-dependent, non-selective monovalent cation channel; heterologous Ano4 expression in HEK293 cells elicits Ca2+ activated conductance with weak selectivity of K+ > Na+ > Li+. Endogenously expressed Ca2+-dependent cation channels in the retinal pigment epithelium were identified as Ano4 by KO mouse-derived primary RPE cells and siRNA against Ano4. Exchanging a negatively charged amino acid in the putative pore region (AA702–855) into a positive one (E775K) turns Ano4-elicited currents into Cl− currents evidencing its importance for ion selectivity. The molecular identification of Ano4 as a Ca2+-activated cation channel advances the understanding of its role in Ca2+ signaling

Effects of tofersen treatment in patients with SOD1-ALS in a “real-world” setting – a 12-month multicenter cohort study from the German early access programResearch in context

Summary: Background: In April 2023, the antisense oligonucleotide tofersen was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of SOD1-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), after a decrease of neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels had been demonstrated. Methods: Between 03/2022 and 04/2023, 24 patients with SOD1-ALS from ten German ALS reference centers were followed-up until the cut-off date for ALS functional rating scale revised (ALSFRS-R), progression rate (loss of ALSFRS-R/month), NfL, phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and adverse events. Findings: During the observation period, median ALSFRS-R decreased from 38.0 (IQR 32.0–42.0) to 35.0 (IQR 29.0–42.0), corresponding to a median progression rate of 0.11 (IQR −0.09 to 0.32) points of ALSFRS-R lost per month. Median serum NfL declined from 78.0 pg/ml (IQR 37.0–147.0 pg/ml; n = 23) to 36.0 pg/ml (IQR 22.0–65.0 pg/ml; n = 23; p = 0.02), median pNfH in CSF from 2226 pg/ml (IQR 1061–6138 pg/ml; n = 18) to 1151 pg/ml (IQR 521–2360 pg/ml; n = 18; p = 0.02). In the CSF, we detected a pleocytosis in 73% of patients (11 of 15) and an intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis (IgG, IgM, or IgA) in 9 out of 10 patients. Two drug-related serious adverse events were reported. Interpretation: Consistent with the VALOR study and its Open Label Extension (OLE), our results confirm a reduction of NfL serum levels, and moreover show a reduction of pNfH in CSF. The therapy was safe, as no persistent symptoms were observed. Pleocytosis and Ig synthesis in CSF with clinical symptoms related to myeloradiculitis in two patients, indicate the potential of an autoimmune reaction. Funding: No funding was received towards this study