Suchergebnisse

The research activity described in this report is a comprehensive regional assessment of the impacts of climate change on water resources and options for adaptation in the Okanagan Basin. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop integrated climate change and water resource scenarios to stimulate a multistakeholder discussion on the implications of climate change for water management in the region. The paper describes two main objectives: (a) providing a set of research products that will be of relevance to regional interests in the Okanagan, and (b) establishing a methodology for participatory integrated assessment of regional climate change impacts and adaptation that could be applied to climate-related concerns in Canada and other countries. This collaborative study has relied on field research, computer-based models, and dialogue exercises to generate an assessment of future implications, and to learn about regional views on the prospects for adaptation. Along the way, it has benefited from strong partnerships with governments, researchers, local water practitioners, and user groups. Building on the scenario-based study components, and a series of interviews and surveys undertaken for the water management and adaptation case study components, a set of stakeholder dialogue sessions were organized which focused on identifying preferred adaptation options and processes for their implementation. Rather than seeking consensus on the "best" option or process, regional interests were asked to consider a range of available options as part of an adaptation portfolio that could address both supply side and demand side aspects of water resources management in the Okanagan.

The research activity described in this report is a comprehensive regional assessment of the impacts of climate change on water resources and options for adaptation in the Okanagan Basin. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop integrated climate change and water resource scenarios to stimulate a multistakeholder discussion on the implications of climate change for water management in the region. The paper describes two main objectives: (a) providing a set of research products that will be of relevance to regional interests in the Okanagan, and (b) establishing a methodology for participatory integrated assessment of regional climate change impacts and adaptation that could be applied to climate-related concerns in Canada and other countries. This collaborative study has relied on field research, computer-based models, and dialogue exercises to generate an assessment of future implications, and to learn about regional views on the prospects for adaptation. Along the way, it has benefited from strong partnerships with governments, researchers, local water practitioners, and user groups. Building on the scenario-based study components, and a series of interviews and surveys undertaken for the water management and adaptation case study components, a set of stakeholder dialogue sessions were organized which focused on identifying preferred adaptation options and processes for their implementation. Rather than seeking consensus on the "best" option or process, regional interests were asked to consider a range of available options as part of an adaptation portfolio that could address both supply side and demand side aspects of water resources management in the Okanagan.

Abstract
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody is a critical effector molecule for adaptive allergen-induced immune responses, which affect up to 40% of the population worldwide. Allergens are usually innocuous molecules but induce IgE antibody production in allergic subjects. Allergen cross-linking of IgE bound to its high affinity receptor (FcεRI) on mast cells and basophils triggers release of histamine and other mediators that cause allergic symptoms. Little is known about the direct allergen–IgE antibody interaction due to the polyclonal nature of serum IgE and the low frequency of IgE-producing B cells in blood. Here, we report the X-ray crystal structure of a house dust mite allergen, Der p 2, in complex with Fab of a human IgE monoclonal antibody (mAb) isolated by hybridoma technology using human B cells from an allergic subject. This IgE mAb, 2F10, has the correct pairing of heavy and light chains as it occurs in vivo. Key amino acids forming the IgE epitope on Der p 2 were identified. Mutation of these residues ablated their functional ability to cross-link IgE in a mouse model of passive systemic anaphylaxis. These analyses revealed an important conformational epitope associated with the IgE antibody repertoire to a major mite allergen.