The Use of Nitrosative Stress Molecules as Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) of still unclear etiology. In recent years, the search for biomarkers facilitating its diagnosis, prognosis, therapy response, and other parameters has gained increasing attention. In this regard, in a previous meta-analysis comprising 22 studies, we found that MS is associated with higher nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compared to patients with non-inflammatory other neurological diseases (NIOND). However, many of the included studies did not distinguish between the different clinical subtypes of MS, included pre-treated patients, and inclusion criteria varied. As a follow-up to our meta-analysis, we therefore aimed to analyze the serum and CSF NOx levels in clinically well-defined cohorts of treatment-naïve MS patients compared to patients with somatic symptom disorder. To this end, we analyzed the serum and CSF levels of NOx in 117 patients (71 relapsing-remitting (RR) MS, 16 primary progressive (PP) MS, and 30 somatic symptom disorder). We found that RRMS and PPMS patients had higher serum NOx levels compared to somatic symptom disorder patients. This difference remained significant in the subgroup of MRZ-negative RRMS patients. In conclusion, the measurement of NOx in the serum might indeed be a valuable tool in supporting MS diagnosis.

Vaccine-based clinical protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and the humoral immune response: A 1-year follow-up study of patients with multiple sclerosis receiving ocrelizumab

Introduction

Given the varying severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the rapid spread of Severe-Acute-Respiratory-Syndrome-Corona-Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), vaccine-mediated protection of particularly vulnerable individuals has gained increasing attention during the course of the pandemic.

Methods

We performed a 1-year follow-up study of 51 ocrelizumab-treated patients with multiple sclerosis (OCR-pwMS) who received COVID-19 vaccination in 2021. We retrospectively identified 37 additional OCR-pwMS, 42 pwMS receiving natalizumab, 27 pwMS receiving sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulators, 59 pwMS without a disease-modifying therapy, and 61 controls without MS (HC). In OCR-pwMS, anti-SARS-CoV-2(S)-antibody titers were measured prior to the first and after the second, third, and fourth vaccine doses (pv2/3/4). The SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response was analyzed pv2. SARS-CoV-2 infection status, COVID-19 disease severity, and vaccination-related adverse events were assessed in all pwMS and HC.

Results

We found a pronounced and increasing anti-SARS-CoV-2(S)-antibody response after COVID-19 booster vaccinations in OCR-pwMS (pv2: 30.4%, pv3: 56.5%, and pv4 90.0% were antibody positive). More than one third of OCR-pwMS without detectable antibodies pv2 developed positive antibodies pv3. 23.5% of OCR-pwMS had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, of which 84.2% were symptomatic. Infection rates were comparable between OCR-pwMS and control groups. None of the pwMS had severe COVID-19. An attenuated humoral immune response was not associated with a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Discussion

Additional COVID-19 vaccinations can boost the humoral immune response in OCR-pwMS and improve clinical protection against COVID-19. Vaccines effectively protect even OCR-pwMS without a detectable COVID-19 specific humoral immune response, indicating compensatory, e.g., T cell-mediated immunological mechanisms.

Neuromyotonia with Central Nervous System Lesions following Quadrivalent Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination

Neuromyotonia is a rare peripheral nerve hyperexcitability syndrome often associated with antibodies directed against contactin-associated protein-like 2 and leucine-rich, glioma inactivated 1. The quadrivalent human papilloma virus vaccine Gardasil^®, first approved in 2006, is known to be a highly effective prophylaxis against papillomavirus types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Molecularly, this non-infectious recombinant vaccine is based on purified L1 proteins from the human papilloma virus capsid. Since the approval of this vaccine, several studies have investigated its safety regarding the occurrence of autoimmune conditions following application. Here, we present the first case of neuromyotonia with active Gadolinium enhancing demyelinating central nervous system lesions following vaccination with Gardasil^®.

AB1374 INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE IN ASYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS AT THE ONSET OF INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATIC DISEASES

Background

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) is associated with increased mortality. Moreover, the lung is one of the most effected organs on IRD, but the clinical manifestations and severity can vary from subclinical abnormality to dyspnoea, respiratory failure, and death.

Objectives

The objective of the following study is to evaluate the frequency and type of ILD in asymptomatic patients at the onset of IRD.

Methods

The study represents a sub-analysis of a case-control study performed earlier, and includes 126 patients with a newly diagnosed IRD. The study cohort was divided in two groups (ILD group: n = 63 and control group: n = 63). The patients were evaluated for respiratory symptoms (cough, sputum, dyspnea) and sclerosiphonia. If possible, all patients received a lung function test and optional a chest x-ray. Patients with pathological findings in the screening tests (chest x-ray or reduced diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) < 80 %) maintained a high-resolution computer tomography (HR-CT) of the lung. The sub-analysis includes 20 patients with asymptomatic ILD at the onset of IRD.

Results

The asymptomatic ILD group consists out of 75 % female (n = 15) and 25 % male (n = 5) patients, with median age of 51.8 years (SD ± 17.1 years). In comparison, asymptomatic ILD patients are significant younger (t(27.4) = 2.36, p = 0.026), but the distribution of gender is similar. The mean values in different pulmonary function parameter are: FVC: 89.9% ± 19.3%; DLCO: 69.9% ± 21.2%; FEV1: 87.9% ± 21.4%; TLC: 91.0% ± 16.5% and TLCO: 82.1% ± 20.6% (FVC = Forced Vital Capacity, FEV1 = Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second, TLC = Total Lung Capacity, TLCO = Transfer factor of the Lung for carbon monoxide). The observed CT patterns are pure ground glass opacities (GGO) (50%, n = 10), non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) (25%, n = 5), granuloma/proliferations (15%, n = 3), usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) (5%, n = 1) and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) (5%, n = 1). The distribution of CT pattern was not significant to the symptomatic ILD group (χ2(6) = 10.224, p = 0.116).

Conclusion

The study highlighted that also clinical asymptomatic patients have ILD in IRD at the onset of the IRD. Frequently, a reduced DLCO is detectable in PFT as a sign of early lung involvement, so this represents a potential screening parameter. Moreover, asymptomatic patients are often younger than symptomatic patients. No significant difference was found in CT pattern, but further research is needed as the number of patients is quite small.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Nitrosative Stress Molecules in Multiple Sclerosis: A Meta-Analysis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system of unknown etiology. As it is still a diagnosis of exclusion, there is an urgent need for biomarkers supporting its diagnosis. Increasing evidence suggests that nitrosative stress may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of MS. However, previous reports supporting the role of nitrosative stress molecules as disease biomarkers are inconsistent overall. We therefore systematically analyzed the existing literature to compare the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of nitrite/nitrate in MS patients with those in patients with noninflammatory other neurological diseases (NIOND) and healthy controls (HC), respectively. We searched the PubMed database and included original articles investigating nitrite/nitrate levels in MS patients and NIOND patients or HC based on predefined selection criteria. Effect sizes were estimated by the standardized mean difference using a random effects model. Our results suggest that MS is associated with higher nitrite/nitrate levels within the CSF compared with patients with NIOND (SMD of 1.51; 95% CI: 0.72, 2.30; p = 0.0008). Likewise, nitrite/nitrate in the CSF of MS patients trends towards increased levels compared with those of HC but does not reach statistical significance (SMD of 3.35; 95% CI: −0.48, 7.19; p = 0.07). Measurement of nitrite/nitrate in the CSF might be a valuable tool facilitating the differentiation of MS and NIOND. Further studies with more homogeneous study criteria are needed to corroborate this hypothesis.

Case Report: Persisting Lymphopenia During Neuropsychiatric Tumefactive Multiple Sclerosis Rebound Upon Fingolimod Withdrawal

Fingolimod (FTY) is a disease modifying therapy for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) which can lead to severe lymphopenia requiring therapy discontinuation in order to avoid adverse events. However, this can result in severe disease reactivation occasionally presenting with tumefactive demyelinating lesions (TDLs). TDLs, which are thought to originate from a massive re-entry of activated lymphocytes into the central nervous system, are larger than 2 cm in diameter and may feature mass effect, perifocal edema, and gadolinium enhancement. In these cases, it can be challenging to exclude important differential diagnoses for TDLs such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) or other opportunistic infections. Here, we present the case of a 26-year-old female patient who suffered a massive rebound with TDLs following FTY discontinuation with primarily neuropsychiatric symptoms despite persisting lymphopenia. Two cycles of seven plasmaphereses each were necessary to achieve remission and ocrelizumab was used for long-term stabilization.

Case Report: Successful Stabilization of Marburg Variant Multiple Sclerosis With Ocrelizumab Following High-Dose Cyclophosphamide Rescue

The Marburg variant of multiple sclerosis (Marburg MS) is the most aggressive form of MS, often leading to death soon after onset. Here we describe the case of a 26-year-old Marburg MS patient presenting with severe neurological deficits requiring intensive care. In spite of more than 100 gadolinium-enhancing MRI lesions, the patient recovered almost completely upon high-dose cyclophosphamide (HiCy) rescue treatment (four consecutive days with 50 mg/kg/day, cumulative absolute dose of 14 g). Following the acute treatment, her disease was stabilized by B cell depletion using ocrelizumab. Clinical amelioration was reflected by a decrease of MRI activity and a marked decline of serum neurofilament light chain levels. HiCy rescue treatment followed by ocrelizumab as a maintenance therapy prevented permanent disability and achieved an almost complete clinical and drastic radiological improvement in this Marburg MS patient.

AB0796 THE EVALUATION OF LUNG DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE AT THE ONSET OF INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATIC DISEASES WITH INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE

Background:

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) is associated with increased mortality. Moreover, the lung is one of the most effected organs on IRD. Consequently, screening methods were required to the detect ILD in IRD.

Objectives:

The objective of the following study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of lung function test, chest x-ray and HR-CT of the lung in the detection of ILD at the onset of IRD.

Methods:

The study is designed as a case-control study and includes 126 patients with a newly diagnosed IRD. It was matched by gender, age and the performance of lung function test and chest x-ray. The sensitivity and specificity were verified by crosstabs and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The study cohort was divided in two groups (ILD group: n = 63 and control group: n = 63). If possible, all patients received a lung function test and optional a chest x-ray. Patients with pathological findings in the screening tests (chest x-ray or reduced diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) < 80 %) maintained a high-resolution computer tomography (HR-CT) of the lung. Additionally, an immunological bronchioalveolar lavage was performed in the ILD group as gold standard for the detection of ILD.

Results:

The DLCO (< 80 %) revealed a sensitivity of 83.6 % and specificity of 45.8 % for the detection of ILD. Other examined parameter of lung function test showed no sufficient sensitivity as screening test (FVC = Forced Vital Capacity, FEV1 = Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second, TLC = Total Lung Capacity, TLCO = Transfer factor of the Lung for carbon monoxide). Also, a combination of different parameter did not increase the sensitivity. The sensitivity and specificity of chest x-ray for the verification of ILD was 64.2 % versus 73.6 %. The combination of DLCO (< 80 %) and chest x-ray showed a sensitivity with 95.2 % and specificity with 38.7 %. The highest sensitivity (95.2 %) and specificity (77.4 %) was observed for the combination of DLCO (< 80 %) and HR-CT of the lung.

Conclusion:

The study highlighted that a reduced DLCO in lung function test is associated with a lung involvement in IRD. DLCO represented a potential screening parameter for lung manifestation in IRD. Especially patients with suspected vasculitis should receive an additional chest x-ray. Based on the high sensitivity of DLCO in combination with chest x-ray or HR-CT for the detection of ILD in IRD, all patients with a reduced DLCO (< 80%) should obtained an imaging of the lung.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Case Report: A Case of Severe Clinical Deterioration in a Patient With Multiple Sclerosis

Tumefactive multiple sclerosis (MS) is a rare variant of MS that may lead to a rapidly progressive clinical deterioration requiring a multidisciplinary diagnostic workup. Our report describes the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of a rare and extremely severe course of MS. A 51-year-old man with an 8-year history of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) was admitted with a subacute progressive left lower limb weakness and deterioration of walking ability. After extensive investigations including repeated MRI, microbiological, serological, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies, and finally brain biopsy, the diagnosis of a tumefactive MS lesion was confirmed. Despite repeated intravenous (IV) steroids as well as plasma exchanges and IV foscarnet and ganciclovir owing to low copy numbers of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) DNA in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, the patient did not recover. The clinical presentation of tumefactive MS is rare and variable. Brain biopsy for histopathological workup should be considered in immunocompromised patients with rapidly progressive clinical deterioration with brain lesions of uncertain cause.

Neurological manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-a controversy 'gone viral'

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 first appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and developed into a worldwide pandemic within the following 3 months causing severe bilateral pneumonia (coronavirus disease 2019) with in part fatal outcomes. After first experiences and tentative strategies to face this new disease, several cases were published describing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection related to the onset of neurological complaints and diseases such as, for instance, anosmia, stroke or meningoencephalitis. Of note, there is still a controversy about whether or not there is a causative relation between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and these neurological conditions. Other concerns, however, seem to be relevant as well. This includes not only the reluctance of patients with acute neurological complaints to report to the emergency department for fear of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 but also the ethical and practical implications for neurology patients in everyday clinical routine. This paper aims to provide an overview of the currently available evidence for the occurrence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in the central and peripheral nervous system and the neurological diseases potentially involving this virus.

Managing Risks with Immune Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis

Since the introduction of the interferons in the 1990s, a multitude of different immunomodulatory and immunosuppressant disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) have been developed. They have all shown positive effects on clinical endpoints such as relapse rate and disease progression and are a heterogeneous group of therapeutics comprising recombinant pegylated and non-pegylated interferon-β variants, peptide combinations, monoclonal antibodies, and small molecules. However, they have relevant side effect profiles, which necessitate thorough monitoring and straightforward patient education. In individual cases, side effects can be severe and potentially life-threatening, which is why knowledge about (neurological and non-neurological) adverse drug reactions is essential for prescribing neurologists as well as general practitioners. This paper aims to provide an overview of currently available MS therapies, their modes of action and safety profiles, and the necessary therapy monitoring.

The Molecular Basis for Remyelination Failure in Multiple Sclerosis

Myelin sheaths in the central nervous system (CNS) insulate axons and thereby allow saltatory nerve conduction, which is a prerequisite for complex brain function. Multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common inflammatory autoimmune disease of the CNS, leads to the destruction of myelin sheaths and the myelin-producing oligodendrocytes, thus leaving behind demyelinated axons prone to injury and degeneration. Clinically, this process manifests itself in significant neurological symptoms and disability. Resident oligodendroglial precursor cells (OPCs) and neural stem cells (NSCs) are present in the adult brain, and can differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes which then remyelinate the demyelinated axons. However, for multiple reasons, in MS the regenerative capacity of these cell populations diminishes significantly over time, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration, which currently remains untreatable. In addition, microglial cells, the resident innate immune cells of the CNS, can contribute further to inflammatory and degenerative axonal damage. Here, we review the molecular factors contributing to remyelination failure in MS by inhibiting OPC and NSC differentiation or modulating microglial behavior.

An unmet clinical need: roads to remyelination in MS

Background

In the central nervous system (CNS) myelin sheaths stabilize, protect, and electrically insulate axons. However, in demyelinating autoimmune CNS diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) these sheaths are destroyed which ultimately leads to neurodegeneration. The currently available immunomodulatory drugs for MS effectively control the (auto)inflammatory facets of the disease but are unable to regenerate myelin by stimulating remyelination via oligodendroglial precursor cells (OPCs). Accordingly, there is broad consensus that the implementation of new regenerative approaches constitutes the prime goal for future MS pharmacotherapy.

Main text

Of note, recent years have seen several promising clinical studies investigating the potential of substances and monoclonal antibodies such as, for instance, clemastine, opicinumab, biotin, simvastatin, quetiapin and anti-GNbAC1. However, beyond these agents which have often been re-purposed from other medical indications there is a multitude of further molecules influencing OPC homeostasis. Here, we therefore discuss these possibly beneficial regulators of OPC differentiation and assess their potential as new pharmacological targets for myelin repair in MS.

Conclusion

Remyelination remains the most important therapeutic treatment goal in MS in order to improve clinical deficits and to avert neurodegeneration. The promising molecules presented in this review have the potential to promote remyelination and therefore warrant further translational and clinical research.

Drug Treatment of Clinically Isolated Syndrome

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to inflammation, demyelination and ultimately axonal degeneration. In most cases, it is preceded by its precursor, clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) with conversion rates to clinically definite MS (CDMS) of roughly 20-75%. Neurologists are therefore faced with the challenge of initiating a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) as early as possible to favorably influence the course of the disease. During the past 20 years, a multitude of drugs have been incorporated into our therapeutic armamentarium for MS and CIS. Choosing the right drug for an individual patient is complex and should be based not only on the drug's overall efficacy to prevent disease progression but also its specific adverse reaction profile, the severity of individual disease courses and, finally, patient compliance in order to adequately weigh associated risks and benefits. Here, we review the available data on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of DMTs tested for CIS and discuss their value regarding a delay of progression to CDMS.

Rescuing the negative impact of human endogenous retrovirus envelope protein on oligodendroglial differentiation and myelination

Remyelination in the adult CNS depends on activation, differentiation, and functional integration of resident oligodendroglial precursor cells (OPCs) and constitutes the only spontaneous neuroregenerative process able to compensate for functional deficits upon loss of oligodendrocytes and myelin sheaths as it is observed in multiple sclerosis. The proteins encoded by p57kip2- and by human endogenous retrovirus type W (pHERV-W) envelope genes were previously identified as negative regulators of OPC maturation. We here focused on the activity of the ENV protein and investigated how it can be neutralized for an improved myelin repair. We could demonstrate that myelination in vitro is severely affected by this protein but that application of an anti-ENV neutralizing antibody, currently investigated in clinical trials, can rescue the generation of internodes. We then compared p57kip2 and ENV dependent inhibitory mechanisms and found that a dominant negative version of the p57kip2 protein can equally save OPCs from myelination failure in response to ENV-mediated TLR4 activation. Additional experiments addressing p57kip2's underlying mode of action revealed a direct interaction with ATP6v1d, a central component of a vascular ATPase. Its pharmacological blocking was then shown to exert an analogous myelination rescue effect in presence of the ENV protein. Therefore, our study provides mechanistic insights into oligodendroglial inhibition processes and presents three different means to counteract the anti-myelination effect of the ENV protein. These observations are therefore of interest in light of understanding the complexity of the numerous oligodendroglial inhibitors and might promote the establishment of novel regenerative therapies.

Die neuropathische Komponente beim chronischen Rückenschmerz

Das aktuelle Konzept für chronische Rückenschmerzen postuliert ein Nebeneinander von nozizeptiven und neuropathischen Schmerzkomponenten (Mixed-Pain-Konzept). Die charakteristischen neuropathischen Symptome mit negativen und positiven Phänomenen helfen bei der Diagnosestellung. Durch weitgehend objektive Verfahren wie Bedside-Tests und Fragebögen kann die neuropathische Komponente valide identifiziert werden. Für die therapeutischen Optionen stehen nur Daten für den nozizeptiven Rückenschmerz zur Verfügung. In Anlehnung an klassische neuropathische Schmerzsyndrome versucht man einen Ansatz mit Medikamenten, ohne dass eine spezifische evidenzbasierte Therapie empfohlen werden kann.

Acid/base triggered interconversion of μ-η2:η2-peroxido and bis(μ-oxido) dicopper intermediates capped by proton-responsive ligands

CuII2(μ-η2:η2-peroxido) and CuIII2(μ-oxido)2 cores represent key intermediates in copper/dioxygen chemistry, and they are mechanistically important for biological hydroxylation and oxidation reactions mediated by dinuclear (type III) copper metalloenzymes. While the exact nature of the active species in different enzymes is still under debate, shifting equilibria between Cu x /O2 species is increasingly recognized as a means of switching between distinct reactivity patterns of these intermediates. Herein we report comprehensive spectroscopic, crystallographic and computational analysis of a family of synthetic CuII2(μ-η2:η2-peroxido) and CuIII2(μ-oxido)2 dicopper complexes with a bis(oxazoline) (BOX) capping ligand. In particular, we demonstrate that a reversible peroxido/bis(μ-oxido) interconversion of the [Cu2O2] core can be triggered by peripheral (de)protonation events on the ligand backbone. As the copper ions in the enzymes are typically supported by histidine imidazoles that offer a backside N atom amenable to potential (de)protonation, it is well conceivable that the shifting of equilibria between the [Cu2O2] species in response to changes in local pH is biologically relevant.

Attosecond nanoscale near-field sampling

The promise of ultrafast light-field-driven electronic nanocircuits has stimulated the development of the new research field of attosecond nanophysics. An essential prerequisite for advancing this new area is the ability to characterize optical near fields from light interaction with nanostructures, with sub-cycle resolution. Here we experimentally demonstrate attosecond near-field retrieval for a tapered gold nanowire. By comparison of the results to those obtained from noble gas experiments and trajectory simulations, the spectral response of the nanotaper near field arising from laser excitation can be extracted.

Photoemission from nanometre-scale structures offer a route toward ultrafast light-field-driven electronic nanocircuits. Here, the authors use attosecond streaking spectroscopy for nanoscale characterization of near-fields in the vicinity of tapered gold nanowires.

Oxygen Reduction with a Bifunctional Iridium Dihydride Complex

The iridium dihydride [Ir(H)2 (HPNP)](+) (PNP=N(CH2 CH2 PtBu2 )2 ) reacts with O2 to give the unusual, square-planar iridium(III) hydroxide [Ir(OH)(PNP)](+) and water. Regeneration of the dihydride with H2 closes a quasi-catalytic synthetic oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR) cycle that can be run several times. Experimental and computational examinations are in agreement with an oxygenation mechanism via rate-limiting O2 coordination followed by H-transfer at a single metal site, facilitated by the cooperating pincer ligand. Hence, the four electrons required for the ORR are stored within the two covalent MH bonds of a mononuclear metal complex.

Noncollinear Polarization Gating of Attosecond Pulse Trains in the Relativistic Regime

High order harmonics generated at relativistic intensities have long been recognized as a route to the most powerful extreme ultraviolet pulses. Reliably generating isolated attosecond pulses requires gating to only a single dominant optical cycle, but techniques developed for lower power lasers have not been readily transferable. We present a novel method to temporally gate attosecond pulse trains by combining noncollinear and polarization gating. This scheme uses a split beam configuration which allows pulse gating to be implemented at the high beam fluence typical of multi-TW to PW class laser systems. Scalings for the gate width demonstrate that isolated attosecond pulses are possible even for modest pulse durations achievable for existing and planned future ultrashort high-power laser systems. Experimental results demonstrating the spectral effects of temporal gating on harmonic spectra generated by a relativistic laser plasma interaction are shown.

Necrotic cell-derived high mobility group box 1 attracts antigen-presenting cells but inhibits hepatocyte growth factor-mediated tropism of mesenchymal stem cells for apoptotic cell death

Tissue damage due to apoptotic or necrotic cell death typically initiates distinct cellular responses, leading either directly to tissue repair and regeneration or to immunological processes first, to clear the site, for example, of potentially damage-inducing agents. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) as well as immature dendritic cells (iDC) and monocytes migrate to injured tissues. MSC have regenerative capacity, whereas monocytes and iDC have a critical role in inflammation and induction of immune responses, including autoimmunity after tissue damage. Here, we investigated the influence of apoptotic and necrotic cell death on recruitment of MSC, monocytes and iDC, and identified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and the alarmin high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) as key factors differentially regulating these migratory responses. MSC, but not monocytes or iDC, were attracted by apoptotic cardiomyocytic and neuronal cells, whereas necrosis induced migration of monocytes and iDC, but not of MSC. Only apoptotic cell death resulted in HGF production and HGF-mediated migration of MSC towards the apoptotic targets. In contrast, HMGB1 was predominantly released by the necrotic cells and mediated recruitment of monocytes and iDC via the receptor of advanced glycation end products. Moreover, necrotic cardiomyocytic and neuronal cells caused an HMGB1/toll-like receptor-4-dependent inhibition of MSC migration towards apoptosis or HGF, while recruitment of monocytes and iDC by necrosis or HMGB1 was not affected by apoptotic cells or HGF. Thus, the type of cell death differentially regulates recruitment of either MSC or monocytes and iDC through HGF and HMGB1, respectively, with a dominant, HMGB1-mediated role of necrosis in determining tropism after tissue injury.

The neutralizing antibody GNbAC1 abrogates HERV-W envelope protein-mediated oligodendroglial maturation blockade

Background:

The envelope protein (ENV) of the human endogenous retrovirus type W is implicated in inflammatory reactions in multiple sclerosis (MS) but also interferes with oligodendroglial maturation. A neutralizing antibody GNbAC1 has been developed and successfully been tested in clinical trials.

Objectives and methods:

We stimulated primary oligodendroglial cells with ENV upon preincubation with GNbAC1 and assessed for nitrosative stress and myelin expression.

Results:

Neutralization of ENV by GNbAC1 reduces its ability to induce stress reactions resulting in a rescue of myelin expression.

Conclusions:

Beyond immune cell modulation, this monoclonal antibody may therefore help to overcome the oligodendroglial differentiation blockade in MS.

Do mats matter? – Comparison of fertility traits and milk yield in dairy cows on rubber or concrete flooring

Abstract. Rubber flooring in dairy cows has been discussed controversially, because different studies found as well advantages as disadvantages regarding claw health. Until today little is known regarding the effect of rubber flooring on the reproductive performance of dairy cows. Therefore, the study aimed at comparing fertility and the milk yield of dairy cows on concrete or rubber flooring. Days to first breeding (DFB), days open (DO), services per conception (SC), heat detection rate (HDR), conception rate (first service; CR1st service) and the corresponding 100 days in milk (DIM) milk yield were evaluated for 139 lactation periods of 91 cows of the University Munich Livestock Center dairy herd. The cows entered the study as heifers and were housed on the same flooring system during their whole productive life. All cows underwent the same management, feeding, and climatic conditions. A mixed model procedure was used to analyse data. Cows on rubber (RSF) compared with cows on concrete flooring (CSF) showed less DFB (76.8/94.6; P<0.01), less DO (98.8/138.4; P<0.01), and no difference regarding SC (1.5/1.7; P=0.267). Furthermore, no differences regarding the 100 DIM milk yield could be established. The calculation of HDR (54.9%/27.9%) and CR1st service (39.4/29.4) showed also high advantages for the rubber flooring. It was concluded that rubber flooring affects an earlier onset of regular oestrus behaviour and improves the economically sensible fertility trait of calving interval by earlier pregnancy and less days open but does not cause higher milk yield.

SNP-based association mapping of the polled gene in divergent cattle breeds

Naturally, hornless cattle are called polled. Although the POLL locus could be assigned to a c. 1.36-Mb interval in the centromeric region of BTA1, the underlying genetic basis for the polled trait is still unknown. Here, an association mapping design was set up to refine the candidate region of the polled trait for subsequent high-throughput sequencing. The case group comprised 101 homozygous polled animals from nine divergent cattle breeds, the majority represented by Galloway, Angus, Fleckvieh and Holstein Friesian. Additionally, this group included some polled individuals of Blonde d'Aquitaine, Charolais, Hereford, Jersey and Limousin breeds. The control group comprised horned Belgian Blue, Fleckvieh, Holstein Friesian and Illyrian Buša cattle. A genome-wide scan using 49,163 SNPs was performed, which revealed one shared homozygous haplotype block consisting of nine neighbouring SNPs in all polled animals. This segment defines a 381-kb interval on BTA1 that we consider to be the most likely location of the POLL mutation. Our results further demonstrate that the polled-associated haplotype is also frequent in horned animals included in this study, and thus the haplotype as such cannot be used for population-wide genetic testing. The actual trait-associated haplotype may be revealed by using higher-density SNP arrays. For the final identification of the causal mutation, we suggest high-throughput sequencing of the entire candidate region, because the identification of functional candidate genes is difficult owing to the lack of a comparable model.

Analysis of genetic and cultural conservation value of three indigenous Croatian cattle breeds in a local and global context

It is widely accepted that autochthonous cattle breeds can be important genetic resources for unforeseeable environmental conditions in the future. Apart from that, they often represent local culture and tradition and thus assist in the awareness of ethnic identity of a country. In Croatia, there are only three indigenous cattle breeds, Croatian Buša, Slavonian Syrmian Podolian and Istrian Cattle. All of them are threatened but specialized in a particular habitat and production system. We analysed 93 microsatellites in 51 animals of each breed to get thorough information about genetic diversity and population structure. We further set them within an existing frame of additional 16 breeds that have been genotyped for the same marker set and cover a geographical area from the domestication centre near Anatolia, through the Balkan and alpine regions, to the north-west of Europe. The cultural value was evaluated regarding the role in landscape, gastronomy, folklore and handicraft. The overall results recognize Croatian Buša being partly admixed but harbouring an enormous genetic diversity comparable with other traditional unselected Buša breeds in the Anatolian and Balkan areas. The Podolian cattle showed the lowest genetic diversity at the highest genetic distance to all remaining breeds but are playing an important role as part of the cultural landscape and thus contribute to the tourist industry. The genetic diversity of the Istrian cattle was found in the middle range of this study. It is already included in the tourist industry as a local food speciality. Current and future conservation strategies are discussed.

Confirmation and refinement of a QTL on BTA5 affecting milk production traits in the Fleckvieh dual purpose cattle breed

We analysed a QTL affecting milk yield (MY), milk protein yield (PY) and milk fat yield (FY) in the dual purpose cattle breed Fleckvieh on BTA5. Twenty-six microsatellite markers covering 135 cM were selected to analyse nine half-sib families containing 605 sons in a granddaughter design. We thereby assigned two new markers to the public linkage map using the CRI-MAP program. Phenotypic records were daughter yield deviations (DYD) originating from the routinely performed genetic evaluations of breeding animals. To determine the position of the QTL, three different approaches were applied: interval mapping (IM), linkage analysis by variance component analysis (LAVC), and combined linkage disequilibrium (LD) and linkage (LDL) analysis. All three methods mapped the QTL in the same marker interval (BM2830-ETH152) with the greatest test-statistic value at 118, 119.33 and 119.33 cM respectively. The positive QTL allele simultaneously increases DYD in the first lactation by 272 kg milk, 7.1 kg milk protein and 7.0 kg milk fat. Although the mapping accuracy and the significance of a QTL effect increased from IM over LAVC to LDL, the confidence interval was large (13, 20 and 24 cM for FY, MY and PY respectively) for the positional cloning of the causal gene. The estimated averages of pair wise marker LD with a distance <5 cM were low (0.107) and reflect the large effective population size of the Fleckvieh subpopulation analysed. This low level of LD suggests a need for increase in marker density in following fine mapping steps.

Sequestration of manure-applied sulfadiazine residues in soils

It is not the total but the (bio)accessible concentration of veterinary medicines that determines their toxicity in the environment. We elucidate the changes in (bio)accessibility of manure-applied sulfadiazine (SDZ) with increasing contact time in soil. Fattening pigs were medicated with 14C-labeled SDZ, and the contaminated manure (fresh and aged) was amended to 2 soil types (Cambisol, Luvisol) and incubated for 218 days at 10 degrees C in the dark. Antibiotic residues of different bioaccessibility were approached by sequential extractions with 0.01 M CaCl2 (CaCl2 fraction), methanol (MeOH fraction), and finally acetonitrile/water (residual fraction, microwave extraction at 150 degrees C). In each fraction, total radioactivity, SDZ, and its major metabolites were quantified. The results showed that both SDZ and,to a lesser extent 4-hydroxysulfadiazine (4-OH-SDZ) were rapidly reformed from N-acetylsulfadiazine (N-ac-SDZ) during the first 2-4 weeks after fresh manure application, i.e., the N-acetylated metabolite does not sequester in soil to a significant extent Yet, the water and methanol extractable SDZ and 4-OH-SDZ also dissipated rapidly (DT50 = 6.0-32 days) for the fresh manure treatment with similar rate constants for both soil types. In the residual fractions, however, the concentrations of both compounds increased with time. We conclude that the residual fraction comprises the sequestered pool of SDZ and its hydroxylated metabolite. There they are entrapped and may persist in soil for several years. Including the residual fraction into fate studies thus yields dissipation half-lives of SDZ which exceed those previously reported for sulfonamides by a factor of about 100.