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Functional neurotoxicity assays to assess substance-induced signaling alterations of human dopaminergic neurons
Get PDFHDX-MS for Epitope Characterization of a Therapeutic ANTIBODY Candidate on the Calcium-Binding Protein Annexin-A1
Get PDFAnnexin-A1 (ANXA1) belongs to a class of highly homologous Ca2+-dependent phospholipid� binding proteins. Its structure consists of a core region composed of four homologous repeats ar� ranged in a compact, hydrolysis-resistant structure and an N-terminal region with a Ca2+-dependent conformation. ANXA1 is involved in several processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and the inflammatory response. Therefore, the development of antibodies blocking selected regions on ANXA1 holds great potential for the development of novel therapeutics treating inflammatory and cancer diseases. Here, we report the interaction site between an ANXA1-specific antibody known to inhibit T cell activation without adverse cytotoxic effects and ANXA1 using amide hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). For the epitope determination, we applied two bottom-up HDX-MS approaches with pepsin digestion in solution and immobilized on beads. Both strategies revealed the interaction region within domain III of ANXA1 in Ca2+-bound conformation. The antibody-binding region correlates with the hydrophobic binding pocket of the
N-terminal domain formed in the absence of calcium. This study demonstrates that even cryptic and flexible binding regions can be studied by HDX-MS, allowing a fast and efficient determination of the
binding sites of antibodies which will help to define a mode of action profile for their use in therapy
Influence of hydrophobic and hydrophilic filler particles on thermal expansion and cooking loss in meat protein gels
No full textThis study aimed to determine the effect of replacing hydrophobic fat-based particles with hydrophilic inert glass particles at concentrations 10%, 25% and 40% on expansion, contraction and cooking loss of meat protein gels during heat treatment up to 85 °C. Incorporating glass particles resulted in gel expan� sion (up to 22.3% � 2.8% at 40%) independent of the particle concentration during heat treatment in an open system, while an increased fat-particle content provoked a gel shrinkage (up to −6.5% � 2.2% at 40%). At high filler concentrations, expansion and shrinkage were inversely correlated with cooking loss: The highest fat and glass particle filler concentration exhibited the lowest cooking loss (20.1% � 0.5% for glass particles and 21.7% � 0.2% for fat particles) despite the observed extensive structural changes, which was related to particle hydrophilicity, gel composition and structural rearrangement. These results will be helpful to design particle-filled composite meat gels with different types of particles
Ex vivo Assessment of Mitochondrial Function in Human Perpheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Using SF Analyzer
Get PDFCellular health and function, as we know today, depend on a large extent on mitochondrial function. The essential function of mitochondria is the energy production, more precisely ATP production,
via oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial energy production parameters therefore represent important biomarkers. Studies on human cells have mainly been performed on in vitro cell cultures.
However, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are particularly suitable for such examinations. That’s why this protocol describes a method to measure key parameters of mitochondrial function in freshly isolated PBMCs with the latest technology, the XF Analyzer. For this ex vivo approach PBMCs are first isolated out of human anticoagulated blood. Next, they are attached to the surface of special microplates pre-coated with Poly-D-Lysine. During the subsequent measurement of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) as well as extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) the stress reagents oligomycin, carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP), rotenone and antimycin A are injected. Several mitochondrial parameters can be calculated from the results obtained. The application of this protocol allows the analysis of various influences, such as pharmaceuticals or environmental factors, on human cells
Effect of Plasma Surface Modification on Comfort Properties of Polyester/Cotton Blend Fabric
Get PDFIn this study, vacuum oxygen plasma was applied to enhance the comfort properties of polyester/cotton (P/C) blend fabric (65/35%) for tropical climatic conditions. In addition, air and argon plasma
were used to examine the aging effect by TEGEWA drop test. Taguchi method was employed to design the experiment and analyze the largest influential variable as well as optimal parameter levels. More attention was given to the evaluation of wickability, water vapour permeability/resistance, air permeability and surface characterization. Results revealed that all plasma treated comfort properties enhanced except air permeability of experimental runs at 1O2 and 7O2. Specifically, wickability of fabric increased at least by 43.25% and 37.63% in warp and weft directions, correspondingly, within
5 min of wicking time, whereas the thermal resistance reduced at least by 20.16%. The SEM images depicted the formation of cracks, grooves, nanostructures and high degree of roughness on plasma treated surfaces
BSA Hydrogel Beads Functionalized with a Specific Aptamer Library for Capturing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Serum and Blood
Get PDFSystemic blood stream infections are a major threat to human health and are dramatically increasing worldwide. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a WHO-alerted multi-resistant pathogen of extreme importance as a cause of sepsis. Septicemia patients have significantly increased survival chances if sepsis is diagnosed in the early stages. Affinity materials can not only represent attractive tools for specific diagnostics of pathogens in the blood but can prospectively also serve as the technical foundation of therapeutic filtration devices. Based on the recently developed aptamers directed against P. aeruginosa, we here present aptamer-functionalized beads for specific binding of this
pathogen in blood samples. These aptamer capture beads (ACBs) are manufactured by crosslinking bovine serum albumin (BSA) in an emulsion and subsequent functionalization with the amino-modified aptamers on the bead surface using the thiol- and amino-reactive bispecific crosslinker PEG4-SPDP. Specific and quantitative binding of P. aeruginosa as the dedicated target of the ACBs was demonstrated in serum and blood. These initial but promising results may open new routes for the development of ACBs as a platform technology for fast and reliable diagnosis of bloodstream infections and, in the long term, blood filtration techniques in the fight against sepsis
Biogenic Amine Detection Systems for Intelligent Packaging Concepts: Meat and Meat Products
Get PDFDuring meat and meat product spoilage metabolites are formed which can
be detected by indicator systems to evaluate products’ deterioration, suita� ble to provide the consumer information about the freshness of a meat or meat product. Due to strong correlation between microbial count and biogenic amine concentration, biogenic amines were identified as suitable target metabolites for meat and meat product freshness determination in intelligent packaging concepts. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of different indication systems to detect biogenic amine formation during spoilage of meat and meat products. Different classes of bioreceptors,
chromophores and fluorophores are outlined and discussed regarding their feasibility as indicator substances with a potential use for intelligent packa� ging concepts. Overall, this review points out that there is great potential for some of the discussed indication systems and their combination to be used as spoilage indicators for meat and meat products, though further research is necessary to overcome commercial application limitations, including preci� sion, reliability, and low-cost producibility of the indicators
Food Packaging and Sustainability - Consumer Perception vs. Correlated Scientific Facts
No full textFood packaging maintains the food safety and ensures the quality of food throughout the supply chain. Both are achieved by the protective function of the packaging against negative ambient influences such as mechanical damage, light or water vapour. Material, form and concepts of packaging vary widely, which thus also differentiates the environmental impact for packaging.
This paper provides an overview of the current research of European consumer perception and how this correlates with the environmental impact of loose foodstuffs and packaged food. Considered materials are plastic, glass, metal, and paper/cardboard. These perceptions are compared to the objective environmentally friendliness based on the selected assessment criteria carbon footprint, recycling rate, reuse rate and biological degradation/decomposition in Europe. The purpose of this paper is to discover whether there is any link between the consumer perception and the scientific assessed environmental sustainability.
Consumers judge packaging material by criteria of circular economy, natural looking material, and design. The environmental impact of paper/cardboard and metal are rated in line with the scientific measure by consumers, whereas plastic packaging is underestimated and glass and biodegradable plastic packaging are highly overestimated. These results indicate that the rating of European consumers and scientific life cycle assessments turn out differently. The differences are mainly linked by theoretical concepts of recyclability, biodegradability, and reuse rate of the packaging. Consumers evaluate food packaging by affective feelings than using cognitive reasoning. Their knowledge about the practical implementation of recyclability, biodegradability and reusability as well as additional environmental impact factors are low. Consequently, consumers’ buying behaviour is in most cases less environmentally sustainable than intended.
Awareness trainings based on scientific facts, clear product and packaging information based on labelling schemes (“eco-labelling”) and nudging for sustainable behaviour can potentially support consumers in their sustainable buying behaviour
Stimulation of de novo glutathione synthesis by nitrofurantoin for enhanced reesilience of hepatocytes
Get PDFToxicity is not only a function of damage mechanisms, but is also determined by cellular resilience factors. Glutathione has been reported as essential element to counteract negative influences. The present work hence pursued the question how intracellular glutathione can be elevated transiently to render cells more resistant toward
harmful conditions. The antibiotic nitrofurantoin (NFT) was identified to stimulate de novo synthesis of glutathione in the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2, and in primary human hepatocytes. In intact cells, activation of NFT yielded a radical anion, which subsequently initiated nuclear-factor-erythroid 2-related-factor-2 (Nrf2)-dependent induction of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL). Application of siRNA-based intervention approaches confirmed the involvement of the Nrf2-GCL axis in the observed elevation of intracellular glutathione levels. Quantitative activation of Nrf2 by NFT, and the subsequent rise in glutathione, were similar as observed with the potent experimental Nrf2 activator diethyl maleate. The elevation of glutathione levels, observed even 48 h after withdrawal of NFT, rendered cells resistant to different stressors such as the mitochondrial inhibitor rotenone, the redox cycler paraquat, the proteasome inhibitors MG132 or bortezomib, or high concentrations of NFT. Repurpose of the antibiotic NFT as activator of Nrf2 could
thus be a promising strategy for a transient and targeted
activation of the endogenous antioxidant machinery
Wie verpackt man Lebensmittel nachhaltig? Der aktuelle Stand der Technik und die Erwartungen der Verbraucher:innen
No full textVerbraucher verbinden mit nachhaltigen Produkten die Erwartung, ein rundum ökologisches Erzeugnis zu kaufen. Das schließt die Verpackung mit ein. Der Verpackung von Lebensmitteln gilt daher besonderes Augenmerk. Die ökologische Optimierung ist dabei aber nur einer von zahlreichen Ansprüchen, die an Verpackung gestellt werden: sie soll das Produkt optimal schützen, von ihr selbst sollen keine Schadstoffe in das Produkt gelangen, sie dient als Informations- und Werbeträger, soll einfach zu verarbeiten und günstig sein. Oftmals bestehen Zielkonflikte zwischen diesen diversen Anforderungen
In diesem Seminar stellen wir Ihnen daher nicht nur den aktuellen Stand der Technik zum Thema „Nachhaltiges Verpacken von Lebensmitteln“ vor, sondern geben Ihnen auch einen Einblick in die Erwartungen, die Verbraucher an nachhaltige Verpackungen haben.
Das Seminar versetzt Sie so in die Lage, die Nachhaltigkeit von Verpackungen sowie die Verbraucherwahrnehmung dieser besser einschätzen zu können