On the Origin of a Low Angle Spacing in Starch

The structure of starch granules from different botanical sources was studied by transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray diffraction. Electron micrographs of negatively stained starch granule fragments show a rippled fibrous structure. The ripples are interpreted as being stacks of thin crystalline lamellae comprising the linear α-(1→4) chains of the amylopectin. Optical diffraction analysis of the electron micrographs showed that the spacing of the ripples varies from 9.2 nm in potato starch to 10.4 nm in barley starch. This correlates well with the position of a Bragg peak at appr. 10 nm measured by small-angle X-ray diffraction. These observations indicate that the Bragg peak arises from the alternating amorphous and crystalline regions seen as ripples in the electron micrographs.     

Preparation and Calcium Complexation of Oxidized Polysaccharides. Part I: Oxidation of Maltodextrins and Starch with Alkaline Sodium Hypochlorite

The oxidation of maltodextrins and starch with aqueous alkaline sodium hypochloride has been studied. At an oxidant level of 3 moles hypochlorite per anhydroglucose unit at pH 8–9, a C2, C3-glycol-cleaved dicarboxy polysaccharide was obtained containing up to 45% ring-opened glucose units. Hydrolysis of the oxidation products yielded (apart from glucose) erythronic and glyoxylic acids, but no glucuronic acid evidencing the absence of C6-oxidation. The average degree of polymerization of the products ranged from 14 to 87 and indicated severe chain degradation during the oxidation. The products were shown to be effective calcium complexing agents and behaved as regular polyelectrolytes with identical complexing sites.     

Native Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry to Structurally and Functionally Characterize Endo-Xylanase Proteoforms

Xylanases are of great value in various industries, including paper, food, and biorefinery. Due to their biotechnological production, these enzymes can contain a variety of post-translational modifications, which may have a profound effect on protein function. Understanding the structure–function relationship can guide the development of products with optimal performance. We have developed a workflow for the structural and functional characterization of an endo-1,4-β-xylanase (ENDO-I) produced by Aspergillus niger with and without applying thermal stress. This workflow relies on orthogonal native separation techniques to resolve proteoforms. Mass spectrometry and activity assays of separated proteoforms permitted the establishment of structure–function relationships. The separation conditions were focus on balancing efficient separation and protein functionality. We employed size exclusion chromatography (SEC) to separate ENDO-I from other co-expressed proteins. Charge variants were investigated with ion exchange chromatography (IEX) and revealed the presence of low abundant glycated variants in the temperature-stressed material. To obtain better insights into the effect on glycation on function, we enriched for these species using boronate affinity chromatography (BAC). The activity measurements showed lower activity of glycated species compared to the non-modified enzyme. Altogether, this workflow allowed in-depth structural and functional characterization of ENDO-I proteoforms.     

The Role of the Lymphatic System in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Although the number of therapeutic options for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased in recent years, patients suffer from decreased quality of life due to non-response or loss of response to the currently available treatments. An increased understanding of the disease’s etiology could provide novel insights for treatment strategies in IBD. Lymphatic system components are generally linked to immune responses and presumably related to inflammatory diseases pathophysiology. This review aims to summarize findings on immune-mediated mechanisms in lymphoid tissues linked with IBD pathogenesis and (potential) novel treatments. Enhanced innate and adaptive immune responses were observed in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and other lymphoid structures, such as Peyer’s patches, in patients with IBD and in animal models. Furthermore, the phenomenon of lymphatic obstruction in the form of granulomas in MLNs and lymphatic vessels correlates with disease activity. There is also evidence that abnormalities in the lymphatic stromal components and lymph node microbiome are common in IBD and could be exploited therapeutically. Finally, novel agents targeting lymphocyte trafficking have been added to the treatment armamentarium in the field of IBD. Overall, gut-associated lymphoid tissue plays a key role in IBD immunopathogenesis, which could offer novel therapeutic targets.     

Systematic Review: Targeted Molecular Imaging of Angiogenesis and Its Mediators in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Extensive angiogenesis is a characteristic feature in the synovial tissue of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from a very early stage of the disease onward and constitutes a crucial event for the development of the proliferative synovium. This process is markedly intensified in patients with prolonged disease duration, high disease activity, disease severity, and significant inflammatory cell infiltration. Angiogenesis is therefore an interesting target for the development of new therapeutic approaches as well as disease monitoring strategies in RA. To this end, nuclear imaging modalities represent valuable non-invasive tools that can selectively target molecular markers of angiogenesis and accurately and quantitatively track molecular changes in multiple joints simultaneously. This systematic review summarizes the imaging markers used for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) approaches, targeting pathways and mediators involved in synovial neo-angiogenesis in RA.     

Referate

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Referate

Ohne ZusammenfassungIn die Zusammenstellung der Referate sind auch die Originalmitteilungen nochmals aufgenommen und durch Kursiv-Typen der Seitenzahlen kenntlich gemacht.     

Referate

Ohne Zusammenfassung