@phdthesis{Bajdzienko2017, author = {Bajdzienko, Krzysztof}, title = {Analysis of Target of Rapamycin (Tor) induced changes of the Arabidopsis thaliana proteome using sub-cellular resolution}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {167}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Barbirz2017, author = {Barbirz, Stefanie}, title = {Highly specific binders for bacterial polysaccharides}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {167}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{BauerWerthHaAnNguyenetal.2017, author = {Bauer, Daniel and Werth, Felix and Ha An Nguyen, and Kiecker, Felix and Eberle, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Critical role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for synergistic enhancement of apoptosis by vemurafenib and the potassium channel inhibitor TRAM-34 in melanoma cells}, series = {Cell death \& disease}, volume = {8}, journal = {Cell death \& disease}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2041-4889}, doi = {10.1038/cddis.2017.6}, pages = {10}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Inhibition of MAP kinase pathways by selective BRAF inhibitors, such as vemurafenib and dabrafenib, have evolved as key therapies of BRAF-mutated melanoma. However, tumor relapse and therapy resistance have remained as major problems, which may be addressed by combination with other pathway inhibitors. Here we identified the potassium channel inhibitor TRAM-34 as highly effective in combination with vemurafenib. Thus apoptosis was significantly enhanced and cell viability was decreased. The combination vemurafenib/TRAM-34 was also effective in vemurafenib-resistant cells, suggesting that acquired resistance may be overcome. Vemurafenib decreased ERK phosphorylation, suppressed antiapoptotic Mcl-1 and enhanced proapoptotic Puma and Bim. The combination resulted in enhancement of proapoptotic pathways as caspase-3 and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Indicating a special mechanism of vemurafenib-induced apoptosis, we found strong enhancement of intracellular ROS levels already at 1 h of treatment. The critical role of ROS was demonstrated by the antioxidant vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), which decreased intracellular ROS as well as apoptosis. Also caspase activation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were suppressed, proving ROS as an upstream effect. Thus ROS represents an initial and independent apoptosis pathway in melanoma cells that is of particular importance for vemurafenib and its combination with TRAM-34.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Belkius2017, author = {Belkius, Karolina Dorota}, title = {Systems biology approach to investigate the development and degradation of the photosynthetic apparatus during leaf ontogenesis in higher plants}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {121}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{BendjeddouLoumassineScheffleretal.2017, author = {Bendjeddou, Mohammed Lamine and Loumassine, Hibat Allah and Scheffler, Ingo and Bouslama, Zihad and Amr, Zuhair}, title = {Bat ectoparasites (Nycteribiidae, Streblidae, Siphonaptera, Heteroptera, Mesostigmata, Argasidae, and Ixodidae) from Algeria}, series = {Journal of Vector Ecology}, volume = {42}, journal = {Journal of Vector Ecology}, publisher = {Wiley Interscience}, address = {Hoboken, NJ}, issn = {1948-7134}, doi = {10.1111/jvec.12235}, pages = {13 -- 23}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Twenty two species of ectoparasites (Family Nycteribiidae: Nycteribia (Listropoda) schmidlii schmidlii, Nycteribia (Nycteribia) latreillii, Nycteribia (Nycteribia) pedicularia, Penicillidia (Penicillidia) dufourii, and Phthiridium biarticulatum; Family Streblidae: Brachytarsina (Brachytarsina) flavipennis and Raymondia huberi; Order Siphonaptera: Rhinolophopsylla unipectinata arabs, Nycteridopsylla longiceps, Araeopsylla gestroi, Ischnopsyllus intermedius, and Ischnopsyllus octactenus; Order Heteroptera: Cimex pipistrelli, Cimex lectularius, and Cacodmus vicinus; Class Arachnida: Order Mesostigmata: Spinturnix myoti and Eyndhovenia euryalis; Order Ixodida: Family Argasidae: Argas transgariepinus and Argas vespertilionis; Family Ixodidae: Hyalomma dromedarii, Ixodes ricinus, and Ixodes vespertilionis) were recovered from 19 bat species in Algeria. New host records for bats are recorded for the first time: N. schmidlii from Rh. clivosus and R. cystops; N. latreillii from Rh. blasii and P. gaisleri; R. huberi from Rh. clivosus; C. pipistrelli from E. isabellinus and H. savii; C. vicinus from E. isabellinus; S. myoti from P. gaisleri; E. euryalis from P. gaisleri and Rh. blasii; A. vespertilionis from P. gaisleri; I. ricinus from T. teniotis and Rh. hipposideros and H. dromedarii from P. kuhlii. Raymondia huberi is recorded for the first time from Algeria.}, language = {en} } @article{BengfortvanVelzenGaedke2017, author = {Bengfort, Michael and van Velzen, Ellen and Gaedke, Ursula}, title = {Slight phenotypic variation in predators and prey causes complex predator-prey oscillations}, series = {Ecological Complexity}, volume = {31}, journal = {Ecological Complexity}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1476-945X}, doi = {10.1016/j.ecocom.2017.06.003}, pages = {115 -- 124}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Predator-prey oscillations are expected to show a 1/4-phase lag between predator and prey. However, observed dynamics of natural or experimental predator-prey systems are often more complex. A striking but hardly studied example are sudden interruptions of classic 1/4-lag cycles with periods of antiphase oscillations, or periods without any regular predator-prey oscillations. These interruptions occur for a limited time before the system reverts to regular 1/4-lag oscillations, thus yielding intermittent cycles. Reasons for this behaviour are often difficult to reveal in experimental systems. Here we test the hypothesis that such complex dynamical behaviour may result from minor trait variation and trait adaptation in both the prey and predator, causing recurrent small changes in attack rates that may be hard to capture by empirical measurements. Using a model structure where the degree of trait variation in the predator can be explicitly controlled, we show that a very limited amount of adaptation resulting in 10-15\% temporal variation in attack rates is already sufficient to generate these intermittent dynamics. Such minor variation may be present in experimental predator-prey systems, and may explain disruptions in regular 1/4-lag oscillations.}, language = {en} } @article{BentsRybakGroth2017, author = {Bents, Dominik and Rybak, Alexander and Groth, Detlef}, title = {Spatial conscript body height correlation of Norwegian districts in the 19th century}, series = {Anthropologischer Anzeiger : journal of biological and clinical anthropology ; Mitteilungsorgan der Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Anthropologie}, volume = {74}, journal = {Anthropologischer Anzeiger : journal of biological and clinical anthropology ; Mitteilungsorgan der Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Anthropologie}, number = {1}, publisher = {Schweizerbart}, address = {Stuttgart}, issn = {0003-5548}, doi = {10.1127/anthranz/2017/0700}, pages = {65 -- 69}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: We investigated height of Norwegian conscripts in view of the hypothesis of a "community effect on height" using autocorrelation analysis of district heights within a time-span of 20 years at the end of the 19th century and correlations between neighboring districts at this time. Material and methods: After digitalizing available body height data of Norwegian draftees in 1877-1878, 1880 (averaged as 1878), and 1895-1897 (averaged as 1896) we calculated the magnitude of autocorrelation of body height within the same municipality at different time points. Furthermore, we generated three different neighborhood networks, (1) based on Euclidean distances, (2) a minimum spanning tree build on those distances, (3) a network founded on real world road connections. The networks were used to determine the correlation between body height of neighboring districts depending on the number of edges required to connect two municipalities. Results: The autocorrelation value for body heights was around r = 0.5 (for all p < 0.001) in the years 1878 and 1896. The correlation between neighboring districts varied in the Euclidean distance based network between 0.47 and 0.27 approximately for both years in a sorted order, descending from nearest (0-50 km) to farthest (150-200 km, for all p < 0.001). First order neighbors in the minimum spanning tree network correlation was 0.36 in 1878 and 0.42 in 1896 (for all p < 0.001). The values of neighbor correlation in the road connection based network ranged in 1878 from 0.42 (first order neighbors) to 0.17 (forth order neighbors, for all p < 0.01) and in 1896 from 0.46 (first order neighbors) to 0.12 (forth order neighbors, for all p < 0.05). Conclusion: This initial study of Norwegian conscript height data from the 19th century showed significant medium sized effects for the within district autocorrelation between 1878 and 1896 as well as medium neighborhood correlation, slightly lower in comparison to a recent study regarding Swiss conscripts. Digitalizing more data from other years in this and later time spans as well as using older road and ship connections instead of the actual road data might stabilize and improve those findings.}, language = {en} } @article{BergholzMayGiladietal.2017, author = {Bergholz, Kolja and May, Felix and Giladi, Itamar and Ristow, Michael and Ziv, Yaron and Jeltsch, Florian}, title = {Environmental heterogeneity drives fine-scale species assembly and functional diversity of annual plants in a semi-arid environment}, series = {Perspectives in plant ecology, evolution and systematics}, volume = {24}, journal = {Perspectives in plant ecology, evolution and systematics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Jena}, issn = {1433-8319}, doi = {10.1016/j.ppees.2017.01.001}, pages = {138 -- 146}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Spatial environmental heterogeneity is considered a fundamental factor for the maintenance of plant species richness. However, it still remains unclear whether heterogeneity may also facilitate coexistence at fine grain sizes or whether other processes, like mass effects and source sink dynamics due to dispersal, control species composition and diversity at these scales. In this study, we used two complimentary analyses to identify the role of heterogeneity within 15 m x 15 m plots for the coexistence of species-rich annual communities in a semi-arid environment along a steep precipitation gradient. Specifically, we: (a) analyzed the effect of environmental heterogeneity on species, functional and phylogenetic diversity within microsites (alpha diversity, 0.06 m(2) and 1 m(2)), across microsites (beta diversity), and diversity at the entire plot (gamma diversity); (b) further we used two null models to detect non-random trait and phylogenetic patterns in order to infer assembly processes, i.e. whether co-occurring species tend to share similar traits (trait convergence) or dissimilar traits (trait divergence). In general, our results showed that heterogeneity had a positive effect on community diversity. Specifically, for alpha diversity, the effect was significant for functional diversity, and not significant for either species or phylogenetic diversities. For beta diversity, all three measures of community diversity (species, functional, and phylogenetic) increased significantly, as they also did for gamma diversity, where functional measures were again stronger than for species or phylogenetic measures. In addition, the null model approach consistently detected trait convergence, indicating that species with similar traits tended to co-occur and had high abundances in a given microsite. While null model analysis across the phylogeny partly supported these trait findings, showing phylogenetic underdispersion at the 1m(2) grain size, surprisingly when species abundances in microsites were analyzed they were more evenly distributed across the phylogenetic tress than expected (phylogenetic overdispersion). In conclusion, our results provide compelling support that environmental heterogeneity at a relatively fine scale is an important factor for species co-existence as it positively affects diversity as well as influences species assembly. Our study underlines the need for trait-based approaches conducted at fine grain sizes in order to better understand species coexistence and community assembly. (C) 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{BernacchioniGhiniCencettietal.2017, author = {Bernacchioni, Caterina and Ghini, Veronica and Cencetti, Francesca and Japtok, Lukasz and Donati, Chiara and Bruni, Paola and Turano, Paola}, title = {NMR metabolomics highlights sphingosine kinase-1 as a new molecular switch in the orchestration of aberrant metabolic phenotype in cancer cells}, series = {Molecular oncology / Federation of European Biochemical Societies}, volume = {11}, journal = {Molecular oncology / Federation of European Biochemical Societies}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1878-0261}, doi = {10.1002/1878-0261.12048}, pages = {517 -- 533}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Strong experimental evidence in animal and cellular models supports a pivotal role of sphingosine kinase-1 (SK1) in oncogenesis. In many human cancers, SK1 levels are upregulated and these increases are linked to poor prognosis in patients. Here, by employing untargeted NMR- based metabolomic profiling combined with functional validations, we report the crucial role of SK1 in the metabolic shift known as the Warburg effect in A2780 ovarian cancer cells. Indeed, expression of SK1 induced a high glycolytic rate, characterized by increased levels of lactate along with increased expression of the proton/monocarboxylate symporter MCT1, and decreased oxidative metabolism, associated with the accumulation of intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and reduction in CO2 production. Additionally, SK1-expressing cells displayed a significant increase in glucose uptake paralleled by GLUT3 transporter upregulation. The role of SK1 is not limited to the induction of aerobic glycolysis, affecting metabolic pathways that appear to support the biosynthesis of macromolecules. These findings highlight the role of SK1 signaling axis in cancer metabolic reprogramming, pointing out innovative strategies for cancer therapies.}, language = {en} } @article{BerryRosaHowardetal.2017, author = {Berry, Scott and Rosa, Stefanie and Howard, Martin and Buhler, Marc and Dean, Caroline}, title = {Disruption of an RNA-binding hinge region abolishes LHP1-mediated epigenetic repression}, series = {Genes \& Development}, volume = {31}, journal = {Genes \& Development}, publisher = {Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press}, address = {Cold Spring Harbor, NY}, issn = {0890-9369}, doi = {10.1101/gad.305227.117}, pages = {2115 -- 2120}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Epigenetic maintenance of gene repression is essential for development. Polycomb complexes are central to this memory, but many aspects of the underlying mechanism remain unclear. LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN 1 (LHP1) binds Polycomb-deposited H3K27me3 and is required for repression of many Polycomb target genes in Arabidopsis. Here we show that LHP1 binds RNA in vitro through the intrinsically disordered hinge region. By independently perturbing the RNA-binding hinge region and H3K27me3 (trimethylation of histone H3 at Lys27) recognition, we found that both facilitate LHP1 localization and H3K27me3 maintenance. Disruption of the RNAbinding hinge region also prevented formation of subnuclear foci, structures potentially important for epigenetic repression.}, language = {en} } @article{BhatMilicicThieulinPardoetal.2017, author = {Bhat, Javaid Y. and Milicic, Goran and Thieulin-Pardo, Gabriel and Bracher, Andreas and Maxwell, Andrew and Ciniawsky, Susanne and M{\"u}ller-Cajar, Oliver and Engen, John R. and Hartl, F. Ulrich and Wendler, Petra and Hayer-Hartl, Manajit}, title = {Mechanism of Enzyme Repair by the AAA(+) Chaperone Rubisco Activase}, series = {Molecular cell}, volume = {67}, journal = {Molecular cell}, publisher = {Cell Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1097-2765}, doi = {10.1016/j.molcel.2017.07.004}, pages = {744 -- 756}, year = {2017}, abstract = {How AAA(+) chaperones conformationally remodel specific target proteins in an ATP-dependent manner is not well understood. Here, we investigated the mechanism of the AAA(+) protein Rubisco activase (Rca) in metabolic repair of the photosynthetic enzyme Rubisco, a complex of eight large (RbcL) and eight small (RbcS) subunits containing eight catalytic sites. Rubisco is prone to inhibition by tight-binding sugar phosphates, whose removal is catalyzed by Rca. We engineered a stable Rca hexamer ring and analyzed its functional interaction with Rubisco. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange and chemical crosslinking showed that Rca structurally destabilizes elements of the Rubisco active site with remarkable selectivity. Cryo-electron microscopy revealed that Rca docks onto Rubisco over one active site at a time, positioning the C-terminal strand of RbcL, which stabilizes the catalytic center, for access to the Rca hexamer pore. The pulling force of Rca is fine-tuned to avoid global destabilization and allow for precise enzyme repair.}, language = {en} } @article{BoginSchefflerHermanussen2017, author = {Bogin, Barry and Scheffler, Christiane and Hermanussen, Michael}, title = {Global effects of income and income inequality on adult height and sexual dimorphism in height}, series = {American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council}, volume = {29}, journal = {American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1042-0533}, doi = {10.1002/ajhb.22980}, pages = {11}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Objectives: Average adult height of a population is considered a biomarker of the quality of the health environment and economic conditions. The causal relationships between height and income inequality are not well understood. We analyze data from 169 countries for national average heights of men and women and national-level economic factors to test two hypotheses: (1) income inequality has a greater association with average adult height than does absolute income; and (2) neither income nor income inequality has an effect on sexual dimorphism in height. Methods: Average height data come from the NCD-RisC health risk factor collaboration. Economic indicators are derived from the World Bank data archive and include gross domestic product (GDP), Gross National Income per capita adjusted for personal purchasing power (GNI_ PPP), and income equality assessed by the Gini coefficient calculated by the Wagstaff method. Results: Hypothesis 1 is supported. Greater income equality is most predictive of average height for both sexes. GNI_ PPP explains a significant, but smaller, amount of the variation. National GDP has no association with height. Hypothesis 2 is rejected. With greater average adult height there is greater sexual dimorphism. Conclusions: Findings support a growing literature on the pernicious effects of inequality on growth in height and, by extension, on health. Gradients in height reflect gradients in social disadvantage. Inequality should be considered a pollutant that disempowers people from the resources needed for their own healthy growth and development and for the health and good growth of their children.}, language = {en} } @article{BraigKriegsVoigtlaenderetal.2017, author = {Braig, Friederike and Kriegs, Malte and Voigtlaender, Minna and Habel, Beate and Grob, Tobias and Biskup, Karina and Blanchard, Veronique and Sack, Markus and Thalhammer, Anja and Ben Batalla, Isabel and Braren, Ingke and Laban, Simon and Danielczyk, Antje and Goletz, Steffen and Jakubowicz, Elzbieta and Maerkl, Bruno and Trepel, Martin and Knecht, Rainald and Riecken, Kristoffer and Fehse, Boris and Loges, Sonja and Bokemeyer, Carsten and Binder, Mascha}, title = {Cetuximab Resistance in Head and Neck Cancer Is Mediated by EGFR-K-521 Polymorphism}, series = {Cancer research}, volume = {77}, journal = {Cancer research}, number = {5}, publisher = {American Association for Cancer Research}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {0008-5472}, doi = {10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-16-0754}, pages = {1188 -- 1199}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) exhibiting resistance to the EGFR-targeting drug cetuximab poses a challenge to their effective clinical management. Here, we report a specific mechanism of resistance in this setting based upon the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism encoding EGFR-K-521 (K-allele), which is expressed in > 40\% of HNSCC cases. Patients expressing the K-allele showed significantly shorter progressionfree survival upon palliative treatment with cetuximab plus chemotherapy or radiation. In several EGFR-mediated cancer models, cetuximab failed to inhibit downstream signaling or to kill cells harboring a high K-allele frequency. Cetuximab affinity for EGFR-K-521 was reduced slightly, but ligand-mediated EGFR acti-vation was intact. We found a lack of glycan sialyation on EGFR-K-521 that associated with reduced protein stability, suggesting a structural basis for reduced cetuximab efficacy. CetuGEX, an antibody with optimized Fc glycosylation targeting the same epitope as cetuximab, restored HNSCC sensitivity in a manner associated with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity rather than EGFR pathway inhibition. Overall, our results highlight EGFR-K-521 expression as a key mechanism of cetuximab resistance to evaluate prospectively as a predictive biomarker in HNSCC patients. Further, they offer a preclinical rationale for the use of ADCC-optimized antibodies to treat tumors harboring this EGFR isoform.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Bremer2017, author = {Bremer, Anne}, title = {Structural and functional characterization of three closely related intrinsically disordered proteins from the model plant Arabidopsiis thaliana}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {86}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{BremerWolffThalhammeretal.2017, author = {Bremer, Anne and Wolff, Martin and Thalhammer, Anja and Hincha, Dirk K.}, title = {Folding of intrinsically disordered plant LEA proteins is driven by glycerol-induced crowding and the presence of membranes}, series = {The FEBS journal}, volume = {284}, journal = {The FEBS journal}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1742-464X}, doi = {10.1111/febs.14023}, pages = {919 -- 936}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are related to cellular dehydration tolerance. Most LEA proteins are predicted to have no stable secondary structure in solution, i.e., to be intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), but they may acquire alpha-helical structure upon drying. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the LEA proteins COR15A and COR15B are highly induced upon cold treatment and are necessary for the plants to attain full freezing tolerance. Freezing leads to increased intracellular crowding due to dehydration by extracellular ice crystals. In vitro, crowding by high glycerol concentrations induced partial folding of COR15 proteins. Here, we have extended these investigations to two related proteins, LEA11 and LEA25. LEA25 is much longer than LEA11 and COR15A, but shares a conserved central sequence domain with the other two proteins. We have created two truncated versions of LEA25 (2H and 4H) to elucidate the structural and functional significance of this domain. Light scattering and CD spectroscopy showed that all five proteins were largely unstructured and monomeric in dilute solution. They folded in the presence of increasing concentrations of trifluoroethanol and glycerol. Additional folding was observed in the presence of glycerol and membranes. Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy revealed an interaction of the LEA proteins with membranes in the dry state leading to a depression in the gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition temperature. Liposome stability assays revealed a cryoprotective function of the proteins. The C- and N-terminal extensions of LEA25 were important in cryoprotection, as the central domain itself (2H, 4H) only provided a low level of protection.}, language = {en} } @article{BuschKlausPenoneetal.2017, author = {Busch, Verena and Klaus, Valentin H. and Penone, Caterina and Sch{\"a}fer, Deborah and Boch, Steffen and Prati, Daniel and M{\"u}ller, J{\"o}rg and Socher, Stephanie A. and Niinemets, {\"U}lo and Penuelas, Josep and H{\"o}lzel, Norbert and Fischer, Markus and Kleinebecker, Till}, title = {Nutrient stoichiometry and land use rather than species richness determine plant functional diversity}, series = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2045-7758}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.3609}, pages = {601 -- 616}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Plant functional traits reflect individual and community ecological strategies. They allow the detection of directional changes in community dynamics and ecosystemic processes, being an additional tool to assess biodiversity than species richness. Analysis of functional patterns in plant communities provides mechanistic insight into biodiversity alterations due to anthropogenic activity. Although studies have consi-dered of either anthropogenic management or nutrient availability on functional traits in temperate grasslands, studies combining effects of both drivers are scarce. Here, we assessed the impacts of management intensity (fertilization, mowing, grazing), nutrient stoichiometry (C, N, P, K), and vegetation composition on community-weighted means (CWMs) and functional diversity (Rao's Q) from seven plant traits in 150 grasslands in three regions in Germany, using data of 6 years. Land use and nutrient stoichiometry accounted for larger proportions of model variance of CWM and Rao's Q than species richness and productivity. Grazing affected all analyzed trait groups; fertilization and mowing only impacted generative traits. Grazing was clearly associated with nutrient retention strategies, that is, investing in durable structures and production of fewer, less variable seed. Phenological variability was increased. Fertilization and mowing decreased seed number/mass variability, indicating competition-related effects. Impacts of nutrient stoichiometry on trait syndromes varied. Nutrient limitation (large N:P, C:N ratios) promoted species with conservative strategies, that is, investment in durable plant structures rather than fast growth, fewer seed, and delayed flowering onset. In contrast to seed mass, leaf-economics variability was reduced under P shortage. Species diversity was positively associated with the variability of generative traits. Synthesis. Here, land use, nutrient availability, species richness, and plant functional strategies have been shown to interact complexly, driving community composition, and vegetation responses to management intensity. We suggest that deeper understanding of underlying mechanisms shaping community assembly and biodiversity will require analyzing all these parameters.}, language = {en} } @misc{Baeurle2017, author = {B{\"a}urle, Isabel}, title = {Can't remember to forget you}, series = {Seminars in cell \& developmental biology}, volume = {83}, journal = {Seminars in cell \& developmental biology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {London}, issn = {1084-9521}, doi = {10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.09.032}, pages = {133 -- 139}, year = {2017}, abstract = {In nature plants are exposed to frequent changes in their abiotic and biotic environment. While some environmental cues are used to gauge the environment and align growth and development, others are beyond the regularly encountered spectrum of a species and trigger stress responses. Such stressful conditions provide a potential threat to survival and integrity. Plants adapt to extreme environmental conditions through physiological adaptations that are usually transient and are maintained until stressful environments subside. It is increasingly appreciated that in some cases environmental cues activate a stress memory that persists for some time after the extreme condition has subsided. Recent research has shown that this stress-induced environmental memory is mediated by epigenetic and chromatin-based mechanisms and both histone methylation and nucleosome occupancy are associated with it.}, language = {en} } @article{BuehningVallerianiLeimkuehler2017, author = {B{\"u}hning, Martin and Valleriani, Angelo and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke}, title = {The role of SufS is restricted to Fe-S cluster biosynthesis in escherichia coli}, series = {Biochemistry}, volume = {56}, journal = {Biochemistry}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0006-2960}, doi = {10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00040}, pages = {1987 -- 2000}, year = {2017}, abstract = {In Escherichia coli, two different systems that are important for the coordinate formation of Fe-S clusters have been identified, namely, the ISC and SUF systems. The ISC system is the housekeeping Fe-S machinery, which provides Fe-S clusters for numerous cellular proteins. The IscS protein of this system was additionally revealed to be the primary sulfur donor for several sulfur-containing molecules with important biological functions, among which are the molybdenum cofactor (Moco) and thiolated nucleosides in tRNA. Here, we show that deletion of central components of the ISC system in addition to IscS leads to an overall decrease in Fe-S cluster enzyme and molybdoenzyme activity in addition to a decrease in the number of Fe-S-dependent thiomodifications of tRNA, based on the fact that some proteins involved in Moco biosynthesis and tRNA thiolation are Fe-S-dependent. Complementation of the ISC deficient strains with the suf operon restored the activity of Fe-S-containing proteins, including the MoaA protein, which is involved in the conversion of 5′GTP to cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate in the fist step of Moco biosynthesis. While both systems share a high degree of similarity, we show that the function of their respective l-cysteine desulfurase IscS or SufS is specific for each cellular pathway. It is revealed that SufS cannot play the role of IscS in sulfur transfer for the formation of 2-thiouridine, 4-thiouridine, or the dithiolene group of molybdopterin, being unable to interact with TusA or ThiI. The results demonstrate that the role of the SUF system is exclusively restricted to Fe-S cluster assembly in the cell.}, language = {en} } @misc{CabralValenteHartig2017, author = {Cabral, Juliano Sarmento and Valente, Luis and Hartig, Florian}, title = {Mechanistic simulation models in macroecology and biogeography}, series = {Ecography : pattern and diversity in ecology}, volume = {40}, journal = {Ecography : pattern and diversity in ecology}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0906-7590}, doi = {10.1111/ecog.02480}, pages = {267 -- 280}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Macroecology and biogeography are concerned with understanding biodiversity patterns across space and time. In the past, the two disciplines have addressed this question mainly with correlative approaches, despite frequent calls for more mechanistic explanations. Recent advances in computational power, theoretical understanding, and statistical tools are, however, currently facilitating the development of more system-oriented, mechanistic models. We review these models, identify different model types and theoretical frameworks, compare their processes and properties, and summarize emergent findings. We show that ecological (physiology, demographics, dispersal, biotic interactions) and evolutionary processes, as well as environmental and human-induced drivers, are increasingly modelled mechanistically; and that new insights into biodiversity dynamics emerge from these models. Yet, substantial challenges still lie ahead for this young research field. Among these, we identify scaling, calibration, validation, and balancing complexity as pressing issues. Moreover, particular process combinations are still understudied, and so far models tend to be developed for specific applications. Future work should aim at developing more flexible and modular models that not only allow different ecological theories to be expressed and contrasted, but which are also built for tight integration with all macroecological data sources. Moving the field towards such a 'systems macroecology' will test and improve our understanding of the causal pathways through which eco-evolutionary processes create diversity patterns across spatial and temporal scales.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Castellanos2017, author = {Castellanos, Reynel Urrea}, title = {Functional characterization of FGT2, a positive regulator of heat stress memory}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {151}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{ChangKnappEnketal.2017, author = {Chang, Dan and Knapp, Michael and Enk, Jacob and Lippold, Sebastian and Kircher, Martin and Lister, Adrian M. and MacPhee, Ross D. E. and Widga, Christopher and Czechowski, Paul and Sommer, Robert and Hodges, Emily and St{\"u}mpel, Nikolaus and Barnes, Ian and Dal{\´e}n, Love and Derevianko, Anatoly and Germonpr{\´e}, Mietje and Hillebrand-Voiculescu, Alexandra and Constantin, Silviu and Kuznetsova, Tatyana and Mol, Dick and Rathgeber, Thomas and Rosendahl, Wilfried and Tikhonov, Alexey N. and Willerslev, Eske and Hannon, Greg and Lalueza i Fox, Carles and Joger, Ulrich and Poinar, Hendrik N. and Hofreiter, Michael and Shapiro, Beth}, title = {The evolutionary and phylogeographic history of woolly mammoths}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/srep44585}, pages = {10}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Near the end of the Pleistocene epoch, populations of the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) were distributed across parts of three continents, from western Europe and northern Asia through Beringia to the Atlantic seaboard of North America. Nonetheless, questions about the connectivity and temporal continuity of mammoth populations and species remain unanswered. We use a combination of targeted enrichment and high-throughput sequencing to assemble and interpret a data set of 143 mammoth mitochondrial genomes, sampled from fossils recovered from across their Holarctic range. Our dataset includes 54 previously unpublished mitochondrial genomes and significantly increases the coverage of the Eurasian range of the species. The resulting global phylogeny confirms that the Late Pleistocene mammoth population comprised three distinct mitochondrial lineages that began to diverge ~1.0-2.0 million years ago (Ma). We also find that mammoth mitochondrial lineages were strongly geographically partitioned throughout the Pleistocene. In combination, our genetic results and the pattern of morphological variation in time and space suggest that male-mediated gene flow, rather than large-scale dispersals, was important in the Pleistocene evolutionary history of mammoths.}, language = {en} } @article{CzernitzkiPospisilMusaleketal.2017, author = {Czernitzki, Anna-Franziska and Pospisil, Christina and Musalek, Martin and Mumm, Rebekka and Scheffler, Christiane}, title = {Analysis of longitudinal data of height z-scores in kindergarten children}, series = {Journal of biological and clinical anthropology : Anthropologischer Anzeiger ; Mitteilungsorgan der Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Anthropologie}, volume = {74}, journal = {Journal of biological and clinical anthropology : Anthropologischer Anzeiger ; Mitteilungsorgan der Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Anthropologie}, number = {2}, publisher = {Schweizerbart science publishers}, address = {Stuttgart}, issn = {0003-5548}, doi = {10.1127/anthranz/2017/0708}, pages = {109 -- 112}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Changes in body height throughout extended historic periods are very complex and dynamic processes. Thispilot study aimed to investigate the pattern of longitudinal height z-scores changes in children before and after entering kindergarten. In summer 2016, we measured height and weight of 32 children from 4 groups of two kindergartens aged 3-6 years. All ages were centered according to the age of entry into the kindergarten. For each child we determined mean z-scores for height before and after entering the kindergarten, and assessed the variances for each kindergarten group. Twenty-two children targeted in height z-scores towards average height of their respective kindergarten group, 10 children did not. Due to the small numbers, the convergence in height variance however, remained insignificant (chi-squared independence test, p = 0.127). Additional studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm this pilot study.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{deAbreueLima2017, author = {de Abreu e Lima, Francisco Anastacio}, title = {Experimental validation of hybrid performance predictive models in Zea mays L.}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {127}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{deSouza2017, author = {de Souza, Leonardo Perez}, title = {Functional characterization of biosynthesis and regulation of plant secondary metabolism}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {102}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{DiezCocero2017, author = {Diez Cocero, Mercedes}, title = {Analysis of Rubisco - carbonic anhydrase fusions in tobacco as an approach to reduce photorespiration}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {116}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Rubisco catalyses the first step of CO2 assimilation into plant biomass. Despite its crucial role, it is notorious for its low catalytic rate and its tendency to fix O2 instead of CO2, giving rise to a toxic product that needs to be recycled in a process known as photorespiration. Since almost all our food supply relies on Rubisco, even small improvements in its specificity for CO2 could lead to an improvement of photosynthesis and ultimately, crop yield. In this work, we attempted to improve photosynthesis by decreasing photorespiration with an artificial CCM based on a fusion between Rubisco and a carbonic anhydrase (CA). A preliminary set of plants contained fusions between one of two CAs, bCA1 and CAH3, and the N- or C-terminus of RbcL connected by a small flexible linker of 5 amino acids. Subsequently, further fusion proteins were created between RbcL C-terminus and bCA1/CAH3 with linkers of 14, 23, 32, and 41 amino acids. The transplastomic tobacco plants carrying fusions with bCA1 were able to grow autotrophically even with the shortest linkers, albeit at a low rate, and accumulated very low levels of the fusion protein. On the other hand, plants carrying fusions with CAH3 were autotrophic only with the longer linkers. The longest linker permitted nearly wild-type like growth of the plants carrying fusions with CAH3 and increased the levels of fusion protein, but also of smaller degradation products. The fusion of catalytically inactive CAs to RbcL did not cause a different phenotype from the fusions with catalytically active CAs, suggesting that the selected CAs were not active in the fusion with RbcL or their activity did not have an effect on CO2 assimilation. However, fusions to RbcL did not abolish RbcL catalytic activity, as shown by the autotrophic growth, gas exchange and in vitro activity measurements. Furthermore, Rubisco carboxylation rate and specificity for CO2 was not altered in some of the fusion proteins, suggesting that despite the defect in RbcL folding or assembly caused by the fusions, the addition of 60-150 amino acids to RbcL does not affect its catalytic properties. On the contrary, most growth defects of the plants carrying RbcL-CA fusions are related to their reduced Rubisco content, likely caused by impaired RbcL folding or assembly. Finally, we found that fusions with RbcL C-terminus were better tolerated than with the N-terminus, and increasing the length of the linker relieved the growth impairment imposed by the fusion to RbcL. Together, the results of this work constitute considerable relevant findings for future Rubisco engineering.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{DiezCocero2017, author = {Diez Cocero, Mercedes}, title = {Analysis of Rubisco - carbonic anhydrase fusions in tobacco as an approach to reduce photorespiration}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {116}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Dippong2017, author = {Dippong, Martin}, title = {Direkte und indirekte Hapten-selektive Immunfluoreszenzmarkierung von Hybridomzellen zur Generierung monoklonaler Antik{\"o}rper}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {VII, 103}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Die Hybridomtechnik zur Produktion von monoklonalen Antik{\"o}rpern erm{\"o}glichte einen großen Schritt in der Entwicklung von Immunoassays f{\"u}r die biochemische Forschung und klinische Diagnostik. Auch die Produktion von Antik{\"o}rpern gegen niedermolekulare Analyten, Haptene, typische Targets in der Lebensmittel- und Umweltanalytik, erlangte in den letzten Jahren eine immer gr{\"o}ßere Bedeutung. Im Zuge der Durchf{\"u}hrung der Hybridomtechnik werden tausende Antik{\"o}rper-sezernierende und nicht-sezernierende Zellen generiert. Die Selektion der wenigen antigenselektiven Hybridomzellen z{\"a}hlt dabei zu den herausforderndsten Schritten f{\"u}r die Antik{\"o}rpergewinnung. Bisherige Selektionsverfahren, wie die Limiting-Dilution-Klonierung in Verbindung mit Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs), garantieren keine Monoklonalit{\"a}t und erlauben nur das Screening von einigen wenigen Zellklonen. Hingegen erm{\"o}glichen Hochdurchsatz-Selektionsmethoden, wie die Fluoreszenz-aktivierte Zellsortierung (FACS), einen sehr hohen Probendurchsatz. Eine Einzelzellablage garantiert hierbei Monoklonalit{\"a}t. Jedoch sind die daf{\"u}r erforderlichen Zellmarkierungen oftmals zellsch{\"a}digend oder aufwendig zu generieren. Auch ist bisher noch keine Markierungsmethode bekannt, die es erm{\"o}glicht, Hapten-selektive Hybridomzellen durchflusszytometrisch zu analysieren und eine FACS-Selektion durchzuf{\"u}hren. Aus diesem Grund wurden in dieser Arbeit zwei Zellmarkierungsmethoden entwickelt, die dies erm{\"o}glichen sollten. Die membranst{\"a}ndigen Antik{\"o}rper von Hybridomzellen sollten entweder direkt oder indirekt immunfluoreszenz-markiert und dadurch f{\"u}r die Durchflusszytometrie und FACS-Selektion zug{\"a}nglich gemacht werden. Die direkte Markierung wurde mittels eines Hapten-Fluorophor-Konjugats durchgef{\"u}hrt. Sie erm{\"o}glichte erstmalig den Anteil an Haptenselektiven Hybridomzellen in einer Hybridomzelllinie zu {\"u}berpr{\"u}fen. Dies konnte f{\"u}r zwei Hapten-selektive Hybridomzelllinien, die Antik{\"o}rper gegen das Hormon 17β-Estradiol und das Cardenolid Digoxigenin bilden, gezeigt werden. Durchflusszytometrie und ELISAs lieferten vergleichbare Ergebnisse. Zellen, die Hapten-selektiv markiert werden konnten, sezernierten ebenfalls Hapten-selektive Antik{\"o}rper. Des Weiteren konnte die direkte Markierung dazu genutzt werden, zwei Mykotoxin-selektive Hybridomzelllinien, welche Antik{\"o}rper gegen Aflatoxin und Zearalenon bilden, auf Monoklonalit{\"a}t zu testen. Dies ist mittels ELISA nicht m{\"o}glich. Die Markierungsmethode eignete sich jedoch nur f{\"u}r fixierte Hybridomzellen. Eine Markierung von lebenden Zellen konnte weder durchflusszytometrisch noch mittels konfokaler Laser-Scanning-Mikroskopie gezeigt werden. Dies gelang erst mit einer neu entwickelten indirekten Immunfluoreszenzmarkierung. Dabei wurden die Zellen zun{\"a}chst mit einem Hapten-Peroxidase-Konjugat inkubiert, gefolgt von einem Fluorophor-markierten anti-HRP-Antik{\"o}rper-Konjugat. Dies wurde f{\"u}r zwei Analyten, das Hormon Estron und das Antiepileptikum Carbamazepin, gezeigt. Die indirekte Markierung wurde erfolgreich dazu verwendet, Carbamazepin-selektive Hybridomzellen aus einem Fusionsansatz f{\"u}r die monoklonale Antik{\"o}rperproduktion auszusortieren. Damit wurde erstmalig eine Zellmarkierungsmethode entwickelt, die eine Hochdurchsatz-Selektion lebender Hybridomzellen aus einem Fusionsansatz erm{\"o}glicht. Sie ist nicht zellsch{\"a}digend und kann zus{\"a}tzlich zur Selektion Hapten-selektiver Plasmazellen verwendet werden.}, language = {de} } @article{DolotovskayaBordalloHausetal.2017, author = {Dolotovskaya, Sofya and Bordallo, Juan Torroba and Haus, Tanja and Noll, Angela and Hofreiter, Michael and Zinner, Dietmar and Roos, Christian}, title = {Comparing mitogenomic timetrees for two African savannah primate genera (Chlorocebus and Papio)}, series = {Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society}, volume = {181}, journal = {Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0024-4082}, doi = {10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx001}, pages = {471 -- 483}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Complete mitochondrial (mtDNA) genomes have proved to be useful in reconstructing primate phylogenies with higher resolution and confidence compared to reconstructions based on partial mtDNA sequences. Here, we analyse complete mtDNA genomes of African green monkeys (genus Chlorocebus), a widely distributed primate genus in Africa representing an interesting phylogeographical model for the evolution of savannah species. Previous studies on partial mtDNA sequences revealed nine major clades, suggesting several cases of para- and polyphyly among Chlorocebus species. However, in these studies, phylogenetic relationships among several clades were not resolved, and divergence times were not estimated. We analysed complete mtDNA genomes for ten Chlorocebus samples representing major mtDNA clades to find stronger statistical support in the phylogenetic reconstruction than in the previous studies and to estimate divergence times. Our results confirmed para- and polyphyletic relationships of most Chlorocebus species, while the support for the phylogenetic relationships between the mtDNA clades increased compared to the previous studies. Our results indicate an initial west-east division in the northern part of the Chlorocebus range with subsequent divergence into north-eastern and southern clades. This phylogeographic scenario contrasts with that for another widespread African savannah primate genus, the baboons (Papio), for which a dispersal from southern Africa into East and West Africa was suggested.}, language = {en} } @misc{DuncanRosa2017, author = {Duncan, Susan and Rosa, Stefanie Nunes}, title = {Gaining insight into plant gene transcription using smFISH}, series = {Transcription}, volume = {9}, journal = {Transcription}, number = {3}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {2154-1264}, doi = {10.1080/21541264.2017.1372043}, pages = {166 -- 170}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Single molecule RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (smFISH) enables gene transcription to be assessed at the cellular level. In this point of view article, we describe our recent smFISH research in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and discuss how this technique could further knowledge of plant gene transcription in the future.}, language = {en} } @article{EckertDiCesareKettneretal.2017, author = {Eckert, Ester M. and Di Cesare, Andrea and Kettner, Marie Therese and Arias-Andres, Maria and Fontaneto, Diego and Grossart, Hans-Peter and Corno, Gianluca}, title = {Microplastics increase impact of treated wastewater on freshwater microbial community}, series = {Environmental pollution}, volume = {234}, journal = {Environmental pollution}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0269-7491}, doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.070}, pages = {495 -- 502}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Plastic pollution is a major global concern with several million microplastic particles entering every day freshwater ecosystems via wastewater discharge. Microplastic particles stimulate biofilm formation (plastisphere) throughout the water column and have the potential to affect microbial community structure if they accumulate in pelagic waters, especially enhancing the proliferation of biohazardous bacteria. To test this scenario, we simulated the inflow of treated wastewater into a temperate lake using a continuous culture system with a gradient of concentration of microplastic particles. We followed the effect of microplastics on the microbial community structure and on the occurrence of integrase 1 (intl), a marker associated with mobile genetic elements known as a proxy for anthropogenic effects on the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes. The abundance of intl increased in the plastisphere with increasing microplastic particle concentration, but not in the water surrounding the microplastic particles. Likewise, the microbial community on microplastic was more similar to the original wastewater community with increasing microplastic concentrations. Our results show that microplastic particles indeed promote persistence of typical indicators of microbial anthropogenic pollution in natural waters, and substantiate that their removal from treated wastewater should be prioritised. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{EdeniusChoiHeimetal.2017, author = {Edenius, Lars and Choi, Chang-Yong and Heim, Wieland and Jaakkonen, Tuomo and De Jong, Adriaan and Ozaki, Kiyoaki and Roberge, Jean-Michel}, title = {The next common and widespread bunting to go?}, series = {Bird conservation international}, volume = {27}, journal = {Bird conservation international}, number = {1}, publisher = {Cambridge Univ. Press}, address = {New York}, issn = {0959-2709}, doi = {10.1017/S0959270916000046}, pages = {35 -- 44}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Populations of several long-distance migratory songbirds in Eurasia are in peril, drastically illustrated by the recent range-wide population collapse in the Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola. There are signals of a strong decline also in the Rustic Bunting E. rustica, but no range-wide assessment of population trends in this superabundant and widespread bunting species has yet been undertaken. The conservation status of Rustic Bunting is 'Least Concern' on the global IUCN Red List, but it has recently been upgraded to 'Vulnerable' on the European Red List. To assess the Rustic Bunting's global conservation status we compiled, for the first time, population data across its breeding and wintering ranges. The analysis reveals a 75-87\% decline in overall population size over the last 30 years and a 32-91\% decline over the last 10 years. The trend estimates indicate that the long-term (30-year) range-wide population decline in the Rustic Bunting is of similar magnitude to two well-known examples of declining species within the same genus, the Yellow-breasted Bunting and the Ortolan Bunting E. hortulana. The magnitude of the range-wide population decline over the last 10 years suggests that the Rustic Bunting could be upgraded from 'Least Concern' to 'Vulnerable' or 'Endangered' on the IUCN global Red List. Agricultural intensification in the wintering range and intensified levels of disturbance, including logging and fire, in the breeding range could be important drivers of the range-wide population decline, and persecution could also contribute. Untangling threat factors and their interactions on Rustic Bunting is necessary for conservation, but hampered by our currently limited understanding of the relationships between population dynamics and different threats.}, language = {en} } @article{EhmannZollerMinichmayretal.2017, author = {Ehmann, Lisa and Zoller, Michael and Minichmayr, Iris K. and Scharf, Christina and Maier, Barbara and Schmitt, Maximilian V. and Hartung, Niklas and Huisinga, Wilhelm and Vogeser, Michael and Frey, Lorenz and Zander, Johannes and Kloft, Charlotte}, title = {Role of renal function in risk assessment of target non-attainment after standard dosing of meropenem in critically ill patients}, series = {Critical care}, volume = {21}, journal = {Critical care}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1466-609X}, doi = {10.1186/s13054-017-1829-4}, pages = {14}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: Severe bacterial infections remain a major challenge in intensive care units because of their high prevalence and mortality. Adequate antibiotic exposure has been associated with clinical success in critically ill patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the target attainment of standard meropenem dosing in a heterogeneous critically ill population, to quantify the impact of the full renal function spectrum on meropenem exposure and target attainment, and ultimately to translate the findings into a tool for practical application. Methods: A prospective observational single-centre study was performed with critically ill patients with severe infections receiving standard dosing of meropenem. Serial blood samples were drawn over 4 study days to determine meropenem serum concentrations. Renal function was assessed by creatinine clearance according to the Cockcroft and Gault equation (CLCRCG). Variability in meropenem serum concentrations was quantified at the middle and end of each monitored dosing interval. The attainment of two pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets (100\% T->MIC, 50\% T->4xMIC) was evaluated for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 2 mg/L and 8 mg/L and standard meropenem dosing (1000 mg, 30-minute infusion, every 8 h). Furthermore, we assessed the impact of CLCRCG on meropenem concentrations and target attainment and developed a tool for risk assessment of target non-attainment. Results: Large inter-and intra-patient variability in meropenem concentrations was observed in the critically ill population (n = 48). Attainment of the target 100\% T->MIC was merely 48.4\% and 20.6\%, given MIC values of 2 mg/L and 8 mg/L, respectively, and similar for the target 50\% T->4xMIC. A hyperbolic relationship between CLCRCG (25-255 ml/minute) and meropenem serum concentrations at the end of the dosing interval (C-8h) was derived. For infections with pathogens of MIC 2 mg/L, mild renal impairment up to augmented renal function was identified as a risk factor for target non-attainment (for MIC 8 mg/L, additionally, moderate renal impairment). Conclusions: The investigated standard meropenem dosing regimen appeared to result in insufficient meropenem exposure in a considerable fraction of critically ill patients. An easy-and free-to-use tool (the MeroRisk Calculator) for assessing the risk of target non-attainment for a given renal function and MIC value was developed.}, language = {en} } @article{EndesfelderWeicheltStraussetal.2017, author = {Endesfelder, Stefanie and Weichelt, Ulrike and Strauß, Evelyn and Schl{\"o}r, Anja and Sifringer, Marco and Scheuer, Till and B{\"u}hrer, Christoph and Schmitz, Thomas}, title = {Neuroprotection by caffeine in hyperoxia-induced neonatal brain injury}, series = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {18}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, publisher = {Molecular Diversity Preservation International}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms18010187}, pages = {24}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Sequelae of prematurity triggered by oxidative stress and free radical-mediated tissue damage have coined the term "oxygen radical disease of prematurity". Caffeine, a potent free radical scavenger and adenosine receptor antagonist, reduces rates of brain damage in preterm infants. In the present study, we investigated the effects of caffeine on oxidative stress markers, anti-oxidative response, inflammation, redox-sensitive transcription factors, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix following the induction of hyperoxia in neonatal rats. The brain of a rat pups at postnatal Day 6 (P6) corresponds to that of a human fetal brain at 28-32 weeks gestation and the neonatal rat is an ideal model in which to investigate effects of oxidative stress and neuroprotection of caffeine on the developing brain. Six-day-old Wistar rats were pre-treated with caffeine and exposed to 80\% oxygen for 24 and 48 h. Caffeine reduced oxidative stress marker (heme oxygenase-1, lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide, and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC)), promoted anti-oxidative response (superoxide dismutase, peroxiredoxin 1, and sulfiredoxin 1), down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, modulated redox-sensitive transcription factor expression (Nrf2/Keap1, and NFκB), reduced pro-apoptotic effectors (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), apoptosis inducing factor (AIF), and caspase-3), and diminished extracellular matrix degeneration (matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2, and inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1/2). Our study affirms that caffeine is a pleiotropic neuroprotective drug in the developing brain due to its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties.}, language = {en} } @article{EstendorferStempfhuberHauryetal.2017, author = {Estendorfer, Jennifer and Stempfhuber, Barbara and Haury, Paula and Vestergaard, Gisle and Rillig, Matthias C. and Joshi, Jasmin Radha and Schr{\"o}der, Peter and Schloter, Michael}, title = {The Influence of Land Use Intensity on the Plant-Associated Microbiome of Dactylis glomerata L.}, series = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-462X}, doi = {10.3389/fpls.2017.00930}, pages = {10}, year = {2017}, abstract = {In this study, we investigated the impact of different land use intensities (LUI) on the root-associated microbiome of Dactylis glomerata (orchardgrass). For this purpose, eight sampling sites with different land use intensity levels but comparable soil properties were selected in the southwest of Germany. Experimental plots covered land use levels from natural grassland up to intensively managed meadows. We used 16S rRNA gene based barcoding to assess the plant-associated community structure in the endosphere, rhizosphere and bulk soil of D. glomerata. Samples were taken at the reproductive stage of the plant in early summer. Our data indicated that roots harbor a distinct bacterial community, which clearly differed from the microbiome of the rhizosphere and bulk soil. Our results revealed Pseudomonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Comamonadaceae as the most abundant endophytes independently of land use intensity. Rhizosphere and bulk soil were dominated also by Proteobacteria, but the most abundant families differed from those obtained from root samples. In the soil, the effect of land use intensity was more pronounced compared to root endophytes leading to a clearly distinct pattern of bacterial communities under different LUI from rhizosphere and bulk soil vs. endophytes. Overall, a change of community structure on the plant-soil interface was observed, as the number of shared OTUs between all three compartments investigated increased with decreasing land use intensity. Thus, our findings suggest a stronger interaction of the plant with its surrounding soil under low land use intensity. Furthermore, the amount and quality of available nitrogen was identified as a major driver for shifts in the microbiome structure in all compartments.}, language = {en} } @article{FalkKirkLohmannetal.2017, author = {Falk, Thomas and Kirk, Michael and Lohmann, Dirk and Kruger, Bertus and H{\"u}ttich, Christian and Kamukuenjandje, Richard}, title = {The profits of excludability and transferability in redistributive land reform in central Namibia}, series = {Development Southern Africa}, volume = {34}, journal = {Development Southern Africa}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {0376-835X}, doi = {10.1080/0376835X.2016.1269633}, pages = {314 -- 329}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Policies which redistribute property rights to land can improve the well-being of rural households and can have overall growth effects. In many cases, however, land reforms are driven mainly by politically justified objectives. Under such circumstances, little emphasis is placed on whether and, if so, how property rights can increase productivity. Following 18 years of land reform implementation in Namibia, we evaluated 65 beneficiaries in Namibia. We assess to which degree land rights affects their farm income. The study focuses on Namibia's two main commercial land reform instruments, namely the Farm Unit Resettlement Scheme and the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme. We find evidence that the majority of land reform projects are not profitable. Further, our study confirms the importance of the right to restrict land access compared with the right to transfer. The long-term leasehold contract seemingly provides sufficient incentives to make productive use of the land.}, language = {en} } @article{FayyazJaptokSchumacheretal.2017, author = {Fayyaz, Susann and Japtok, Lukasz and Schumacher, Fabian and Wigger, Dominik and Schulz, Tim Julius and Haubold, Kathrin and Gulbins, Erich and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Kleuser, Burkhard}, title = {Lysophosphatidic acid inhibits insulin signaling in primary rat hepatocytes via the LPA(3) receptor subtype and is increased in obesity}, series = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology}, volume = {43}, journal = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology}, publisher = {Karger}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1015-8987}, doi = {10.1159/000480470}, pages = {445 -- 456}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background/Aims: Obesity is a main risk factor for the development of hepatic insulin resistance and it is accompanied by adipocyte hypertrophy and an elevated expression of different adipokines such as autotaxin (ATX). ATX converts lysophosphatidylcholine to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and acts as the main producer of extracellular LPA. This bioactive lipid regulates a broad range of physiological and pathological responses by activation of LPA receptors (LPA1-6). Methods: The activation of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) signaling (Akt and GSK-3ß) was analyzed via western blotting in primary rat hepatocytes. Incorporation of glucose into glycogen was measured by using radio labeled glucose. Real-time PCR analysis and pharmacological modulation of LPA receptors were performed. Human plasma LPA levels of obese (BMI > 30, n = 18) and normal weight individuals (BMI 18.5-25, n = 14) were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: Pretreatment of primary hepatocytes with LPA resulted in an inhibition of insulin-mediated Gck expression, PI3K activation and glycogen synthesis. Pharmacological approaches revealed that the LPA3-receptor subtype is responsible for the inhibitory effect of LPA on insulin signaling. Moreover, human plasma LPA concentrations (16: 0 LPA) of obese participants (BMI > 30) are significantly elevated in comparison to normal weight individuals (BMI 18.5-25). Conclusion: LPA is able to interrupt insulin signaling in primary rat hepatocytes via the LPA3 receptor subtype. Moreover, the bioactive lipid LPA (16: 0) is increased in obesity.}, language = {en} } @article{FerTietjenJeltschetal.2017, author = {Fer, Istem and Tietjen, Britta and Jeltsch, Florian and Wolff, Christian Michael}, title = {The influence of El Nino-Southern Oscillation regimes on eastern African vegetation and its future implications under the RCP8.5 warming scenario}, series = {Biogeosciences}, volume = {14}, journal = {Biogeosciences}, number = {18}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, issn = {1726-4170}, doi = {10.5194/bg-14-4355-2017}, pages = {4355 -- 4374}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the main driver of the interannual variability in eastern African rainfall, with a significant impact on vegetation and agriculture and dire consequences for food and social security. In this study, we identify and quantify the ENSO contribution to the eastern African rainfall variability to forecast future eastern African vegetation response to rainfall variability related to a predicted intensified ENSO. To differentiate the vegetation variability due to ENSO, we removed the ENSO signal from the climate data using empirical orthogonal teleconnection (EOT) analysis. Then, we simulated the ecosystem carbon and water fluxes under the historical climate without components related to ENSO teleconnections. We found ENSO-driven patterns in vegetation response and confirmed that EOT analysis can successfully produce coupled tropical Pacific sea surface temperature-eastern African rainfall teleconnection from observed datasets. We further simulated eastern African vegetation response under future climate change as it is projected by climate models and under future climate change combined with a predicted increased ENSO intensity. Our EOT analysis highlights that climate simulations are still not good at capturing rainfall variability due to ENSO, and as we show here the future vegetation would be different from what is simulated under these climate model outputs lacking accurate ENSO contribution. We simulated considerable differences in eastern African vegetation growth under the influence of an intensified ENSO regime which will bring further environmental stress to a region with a reduced capacity to adapt effects of global climate change and food security.}, language = {en} } @article{FerreraSarmentoPriscuetal.2017, author = {Ferrera, Isabel and Sarmento, Hugo and Priscu, John C. and Chiuchiolo, Amy and Gonzalez, Jose M. and Grossart, Hans-Peter}, title = {Diversity and Distribution of Freshwater Aerobic Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria across a Wide Latitudinal Gradient}, series = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-302X}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2017.00175}, pages = {12}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs (AAPs) have been shown to exist in numerous marine and brackish environments where they are hypothesized to play important ecological roles. Despite their potential significance, the study of freshwater AAPs is in its infancy and limited to local investigations. Here, we explore the occurrence, diversity and distribution of AAPs in lakes covering a wide latitudinal gradient: Mongolian and German lakes located in temperate regions of Eurasia, tropical Great East African lakes, and polar permanently ice-covered Antarctic lakes. Our results show a widespread distribution of AAPs in lakes with contrasting environmental conditions and confirm that this group is composed of different members of the Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria. While latitude does not seem to strongly influence AAP abundance, clear patterns of community structure and composition along geographic regions were observed as indicated by a strong macro-geographical signal in the taxonomical composition of AAPs. Overall, our results suggest that the distribution patterns of freshwater AAPs are likely driven by a combination of small-scale environmental conditions (specific of each lake and region) and large-scale geographic factors (climatic regions across a latitudinal gradient).}, language = {en} } @article{FischbachLohBieretal.2017, author = {Fischbach, Jens and Loh, Qiuting and Bier, Frank Fabian and Lim, Theam Soon and Frohme, Marcus and Gl{\"o}kler, J{\"o}rn}, title = {Alizarin Red S for Online Pyrophosphate Detection Identified by a Rapid Screening Method}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/srep45085}, pages = {9}, year = {2017}, abstract = {We identified Alizarin Red S and other well known fluorescent dyes useful for the online detection of pyrophosphate in enzymatic assays, including the loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. An iterative screening was used for a selected set of compounds to first secure enzyme compatibility, evaluate inorganic pyrophosphate sensitivity in the presence of manganese as quencher and optimize conditions for an online detection. Of the selected dyes, the inexpensive alizarin red S was found to selectively detect pyrophosphate under LAMP and PCR conditions and is superior with respect to its defined red-shifted spectrum, long shelf life and low toxicity. In addition, the newly identified properties may also be useful in other enzymatic assays which do not generate nucleic acids but are based on inorganic pyrophosphate. Finally, we propose that our screening method may provide a blueprint for rapid screening of compounds for detecting inorganic pyrophosphate.}, language = {en} } @article{FolkessonVorkapicGulbinsetal.2017, author = {Folkesson, Maggie and Vorkapic, Emina and Gulbins, Erich and Japtok, Lukasz and Kleuser, Burkhard and Welander, Martin and L{\"a}nne, Toste and W{\aa}gs{\"a}ter, Dick}, title = {Inflammatory cells, ceramides, and expression of proteases in perivascular adipose tissue adjacent to human abdominal aortic aneurysms}, series = {Journal of vascular surgery}, volume = {65}, journal = {Journal of vascular surgery}, number = {4}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {New York}, issn = {0741-5214}, doi = {10.1016/j.jvs.2015.12.056}, pages = {1171 -- 1179}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a deadly irreversible weakening and distension of the abdominal aortic wall. The pathogenesis of AAA remains poorly understood. Investigation into the physical and molecular characteristics of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) adjacent to AAA has not been done before and is the purpose of this study. Methods and Results: Human aortae, periaortic PVAT, and fat surrounding peripheral arteries were collected from patients undergoing elective surgical repair of AAA. Control aortas were obtained from recently deceased healthy organ donors with no known arterial disease. Aorta and PVAT was found in AAA to larger extent compared with control aortas. Immunohistochemistry revealed neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells, and T-cells surrounding necrotic adipocytes. Gene expression analysis showed that neutrophils, mast cells, and T-cells were found to be increased in PVAT compared with AAA as well as cathepsin K and S. The concentration of ceramides in PVAT was determined using mass spectrometry and correlated with content of T-cells in the PVAT. Conclusions: Our results suggest a role for abnormal necrotic, inflamed, proteolytic adipose tissue to the adjacent aneurysmal aortic wall in ongoing vascular damage.}, language = {en} } @article{FriemelMareljaLietal.2017, author = {Friemel, Martin and Marelja, Zvonimir and Li, Kuanyu and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke}, title = {The N-Terminus of Iron-Sulfur Cluster Assembly Factor ISD11 Is Crucial for Subcellular Targeting and Interaction with L-Cysteine Desulfurase NFS1}, series = {Biochemistry}, volume = {56}, journal = {Biochemistry}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0006-2960}, doi = {10.1021/acs.biochem.6b01239}, pages = {1797 -- 1808}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Assembly of iron sulfur (FeS) clusters is an important process in living cells. The initial sulfur mobilization step for FeS cluster biosynthesis is catalyzed by L-cysteine desulfurase NFS1, a reaction that is localized in mitochondria in humans. In humans, the function of NFS1 depends on the ISD11 protein, which is required to stabilize its structure. The NFS1/ISD11 complex further interacts with scaffold protein ISCU and regulator protein frataxin, thereby forming a quaternary complex for FeS cluster formation. It has been suggested that the role of ISD11 is not restricted to its role in stabilizing the structure of NFS1, because studies of single-amino acid variants of ISD11 additionally demonstrated its importance for the correct assembly of the quaternary complex. In this study, we are focusing on the N-terminal region of ISD11 to determine the role of N-terminal amino acids in the formation of the complex with NFS1 and to reveal the mitochondria) targeting sequence for subcellular localization. Our in vitro studies with the purified proteins and in vivo studies in a cellular system show that the first 10 N-terminal amino acids of ISD11 are indispensable for the activity of NFS1 and especially the conserved "LYR" motif is essential for the role of ISD11 in forming a stable and active complex with NFS1.}, language = {en} } @article{FruscalzoFrommerLonderoetal.2017, author = {Fruscalzo, Arrigo and Frommer, Julia-Marie and Londero, Ambrogio P. and Henze, Andrea and Schweigert, Florian J. and Nofer, Jerzy-Roch and Steinhard, Johannes and Klockenbusch, Walter and Schmitz, Ralf and Raila, Jens}, title = {First trimester TTR-RBP4-ROH complex and angiogenic factors in the prediction of small for gestational age infant's outcome}, series = {Archives of gynecology and obstetrics}, volume = {295}, journal = {Archives of gynecology and obstetrics}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {0932-0067}, doi = {10.1007/s00404-017-4338-4}, pages = {1157 -- 1165}, year = {2017}, abstract = {To study the role of the TTR-RBP4-ROH complex components (transthyretin, serum retinol binding protein, retinol) and of angiogenic factors PlGF (placental growth factor) and sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1) in pregnancies complicated by small for gestational age infants (SGA). Case control study conducted on maternal serum collected between 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation. TTR, RBP4, ROH, PlGF and sFlt-1 were measured in SGA patients (birth weight < 10\%) who delivered at term (n = 37) and before 37 weeks of gestation (n = 17) and in a matched control group with uneventful pregnancies (n = 37). We found decreased RBP4 in SGA patients that delivered fetuses < 3\% and in fetuses delivered after the 37 weeks of gestation compared to controls [1.50 (95\% CI 1.40-1.75) vs 1.62 (95\% CI 1.47-1.98), p < 0.05]. Further, we found lower PlGF and sFlt-1 concentrations in SGA that delivered before 37 weeks of gestation compared to controls (respectively, PIGF and sFlt-1: 39.7 pg/ml (95\% CI 32.3-66.3) vs 62.9 pg/ml (95\% CI 45.2-78.4) and 906 pg/ml (95\% CI 727-1626) vs 1610 pg/ml (95\% CI 1088-212), p < 0.05). First trimester maternal serum RBP4 and angiogenic factors PlGF and sFlt-1 can differently predict the timing of delivery of pregnancies complicated by SGA fetuses.}, language = {en} } @article{GallUebelEbensenetal.2017, author = {Gall, Andrea and Uebel, Udo and Ebensen, Uwe and Hillebrand, Helmut and Meier, Sandra and Singer, Gabriel and Wacker, Alexander and Striebel, Maren}, title = {Planktotrons}, series = {Limnology and oceanography-methods}, volume = {15}, journal = {Limnology and oceanography-methods}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1541-5856}, doi = {10.1002/lom3.10196}, pages = {663 -- 677}, year = {2017}, abstract = {We established a new indoor mesocosm facility, 12 fully controlled Planktotrons, designed to conduct marine and freshwater experiments for biodiversity and food web approaches using natural or artificial, benthic or planktonic communities. The Planktotrons are a unique and custom-tailored facility allowing long-term experiments. Wall growth can be inhibited by a rotating gate paddle with silicone lips. Additionally, temperature and light intensity are individually controllable for each Planktotron and the large volume (600 L) enables high-frequency or volume-intense measurements. In a pilot freshwater experiment various trophic levels of a pelagic food web were maintained for up to 90 d. First, an artificially assembled phytoplankton community of 11 species was inoculated in all Planktotrons. After 22 d, two ciliates were added to all, and three Daphnia species were added to six Planktotrons. After 72 d, dissolved organic matter (DOM, an alkaline soil extract) was added as an external disturbance to six of the 12 Planktotrons, involving three Planktotrons stocked with Daphnia and three without, respectively. We demonstrate the suitability of the Planktotrons for food web and biodiversity research. Variation among replicated Planktotrons (n=3 minimum) did not differ from other laboratory systems and field experiments. We investigated population dynamics and interactions among the different trophic levels, and found them affected by the sequence of ciliate and Daphnia addition and the disturbance caused by addition of DOM.}, language = {en} } @article{GietlerNykielOrzechowskietal.2017, author = {Gietler, Marta and Nykiel, Malgorzata and Orzechowski, Slawomir and Fettke, J{\"o}rg and Zagdanska, Barbara}, title = {Protein carbonylation linked to wheat seedling tolerance to water deficiency}, series = {Environmental and experimental botany}, volume = {137}, journal = {Environmental and experimental botany}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0098-8472}, doi = {10.1016/j.envexpbot.2017.02.004}, pages = {84 -- 95}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The appearance of the first leaf from the coleoptile in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) coincides with the development of seedling susceptibility to water deficiency on the fifth day following imbibition. In dehydrated wheat seedlings, an increase in the protein carbonyl group has been observed. The coincidence of higher protein carbonylation levels with development of dehydration intolerance drew our attention. To gain more insight into the molecular basis of wheat drought tolerance, the seedling profiles of carbonylated proteins were analysed and compared. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF and LC-MS/MS) were used to indicate and identify differential carbonylated proteins. Among the protein spots with at least a two-fold change in protein abundance in dehydrated seedlings in relation to control (well-watered) plants during the tolerant phase of growth, 19 carbonylated proteins increased and 18 carbonylated proteins decreased in abundance. Among 26 differentially expressed carbonylated proteins in sensitive seedlings, the abundance of 10 protein spots increased while that of 16 proteins decreased upon dehydration. We have demonstrated a link between protein carbonylation and seedling sensitivity to dehydration. The analysis of carbonylated protein profiles clearly showed that proteins with a potential role in the maintenance of dehydration tolerance in wheat seedlings are mainly linked to energy production, anti-fungal and/or insecticidal activity, or to the regulation of both protein synthesis and degradation.}, language = {en} } @article{GisderSchuelerHorchleretal.2017, author = {Gisder, Sebastian and Sch{\"u}ler, Vivian and Horchler, Lennart L. and Groth, Detlef and Genersch, Elke}, title = {Long-Term Temporal Trends of Nosema spp. Infection Prevalence in Northeast Germany}, series = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {7}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2235-2988}, doi = {10.3389/fcimb.2017.00301}, pages = {14}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is widely used as commercial pollinator in worldwide agriculture and, therefore, plays an important role in global food security. Among the parasites and pathogens threatening health and survival of honey bees are two species of microsporidia, Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae. Nosema ceranae is considered an emerging pathogen of the Western honey bee. Reports on the spread of N. ceranae suggested that this presumably highly virulent species is replacing its more benign congener N. apis in the global A. mellifera population. We here present a 12 year longitudinal cohort study on the prevalence of N. apis and N. ceranae in Northeast Germany. Between 2005 and 2016, a cohort of about 230 honey bee colonies originating from 23 apiaries was sampled twice a year (spring and autumn) resulting in a total of 5,600 bee samples which were subjected to microscopic and molecular analysis for determining the presence of infections with N. apis or/and N. ceranae. Throughout the entire study period, both N. apis- and N. ceranae-infections could be diagnosed within the cohort. Logistic regression analysis of the prevalence data demonstrated a significant increase of N. ceranae-infections over the last 12 years, both in autumn (reflecting the development during the summer) and in spring (reflecting the development over winter) samples. Cell culture experiments confirmed that N. ceranae has a higher proliferative potential than N. apis at 27. and 33 degrees C potentially explaining the increase in N. ceranae prevalence during summer. In autumn, characterized by generally low infection prevalence, this increase was accompanied by a significant decrease in N. apis- infection prevalence. In contrast, in spring, the season with a higher prevalence of infection, no significant decrease of N. apis infections despite a significant increase in N. ceranae infections could be observed. Therefore, our data do not support a general advantage of N. ceranae over N. apis and an overall replacement of N. apis by N. ceranae in the studied honey bee population.}, language = {en} } @article{GomulaKozielGrothetal.2017, author = {Gomula, Aleksandra and Koziel, Slawomir and Groth, Detlef and Bielicki, Tadeusz}, title = {The effect of neighboring districts on body height of Polish conscripts}, series = {Anthropologischer Anzeiger : journal of biological and clinical anthropology ; Mitteilungsorgan der Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Anthropologie}, volume = {74}, journal = {Anthropologischer Anzeiger : journal of biological and clinical anthropology ; Mitteilungsorgan der Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Anthropologie}, number = {1}, publisher = {Schweizerbart}, address = {Stuttgart}, issn = {0003-5548}, doi = {10.1127/anthranz/2017/0701}, pages = {71 -- 76}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation of heights of conscripts living in neighboring districts in Poland. The study used 10\% of a nationally representative sample of 26,178 males 18.5-19.5 years old examined during the National survey of Polish conscripts conducted in 2001. The sample represented all regions and social strata of the country and included 354 different districts within 16 voivodships (provinces). Analyses were performed with the R statistical software. A small but significant correlation (0.24, p < 0.0001) was observed for height between 1st order neighboring districts. Correlations decreased with increased distances between neighboring districts, but remained significant for 7th node neighbors (0.18, p < 0.0001). Regarding voivodships (provinces), average height showed a geographical trend from the northwest (relatively tall) to the southeast (relatively short), and the correlation was stronger for first order neighboring provinces (0.796, p < 0.001). This study revealed clusters of tall people and short people, providing a support for hypothesis of the community effect in height. Small correlations between 1st order neighbors than in another country (Switzerland) may be associated with differences in geography, since in Poland there are no natural barriers (e.g., mountains) and road infrastructure is well-developed.}, language = {en} } @misc{GonzalezFortesTassiGhirottoetal.2017, author = {Gonzalez-Fortes, Gloria M. and Tassi, Francesca and Ghirotto, Silvia and Henneberger, Kirstin and Hofreiter, Michael and Barbujani, Guido}, title = {The Neolithic transition at the Western edge of Europe}, series = {American journal of physical anthropology}, volume = {162}, journal = {American journal of physical anthropology}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0002-9483}, pages = {198 -- 198}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{Groth2017, author = {Groth, Detlef}, title = {Modeling a secular trend by Monte Carlo simulation of height biased migration in a spatial network}, series = {Anthropologischer Anzeiger : journal of biological and clinical anthropology ; Mitteilungsorgan der Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Anthropologie}, volume = {74}, journal = {Anthropologischer Anzeiger : journal of biological and clinical anthropology ; Mitteilungsorgan der Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Anthropologie}, number = {1}, publisher = {Schweizerbart}, address = {Stuttgart}, issn = {0003-5548}, doi = {10.1127/anthranz/2017/0703}, pages = {81 -- 88}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: In a recent Monte Carlo simulation, the clustering of body height of Swiss military conscripts within a spatial network with characteristic features of the natural Swiss geography was investigated. In this study I examined the effect of migration of tall individuals into network hubs on the dynamics of body height within the whole spatial network. The aim of this study was to simulate height trends. Material and methods: Three networks were used for modeling, a regular rectangular fishing net like network, a real world example based on the geographic map of Switzerland, and a random network. All networks contained between 144 and 148 districts and between 265-307 road connections. Around 100,000 agents were initially released with average height of 170 cm, and height standard deviation of 6.5 cm. The simulation was started with the a priori assumption that height variation within a district is limited and also depends on height of neighboring districts (community effect on height). In addition to a neighborhood influence factor, which simulates a community effect, body height dependent migration of conscripts between adjacent districts in each Monte Carlo simulation was used to re-calculate next generation body heights. In order to determine the direction of migration for taller individuals, various centrality measures for the evaluation of district importance within the spatial network were applied. Taller individuals were favored to migrate more into network hubs, backward migration using the same number of individuals was random, not biased towards body height. Network hubs were defined by the importance of a district within the spatial network. The importance of a district was evaluated by various centrality measures. In the null model there were no road connections, height information could not be delivered between the districts. Results: Due to the favored migration of tall individuals into network hubs, average body height of the hubs, and later, of the whole network increased by up to 0.1 cm per iteration depending on the network model. The general increase in height within the network depended on connectedness and on the amount of height information that was exchanged between neighboring districts. If higher amounts of neighborhood height information were exchanged, the general increase in height within the network was large (strong secular trend). The trend in the homogeneous fishnet like network was lowest, the trend in the random network was highest. Yet, some network properties, such as the heteroscedasticity and autocorrelations of the migration simulation models differed greatly from the natural features observed in Swiss military conscript networks. Autocorrelations of district heights for instance, were much higher in the migration models. Conclusion: This study confirmed that secular height trends can be modeled by preferred migration of tall individuals into network hubs. However, basic network properties of the migration simulation models differed greatly from the natural features observed in Swiss military conscripts. Similar network-based data from other countries should be explored to better investigate height trends with Monte Carlo migration approach.}, language = {en} } @article{GuerreroRamirezCravenReichetal.2017, author = {Guerrero-Ramirez, Nathaly Rokssana and Craven, Dylan and Reich, Peter B. and Ewel, John J. and Isbell, Forest and Koricheva, Julia and Parrotta, John A. and Auge, Harald and Erickson, Heather E. and Forrester, David I. and Hector, Andy and Joshi, Jasmin Radha and Montagnini, Florencia and Palmborg, Cecilia and Piotto, Daniel and Potvin, Catherine and Roscher, Christiane and van Ruijven, Jasper and Tilman, David and Wilsey, Brian and Eisenhauer, Nico}, title = {Diversity-dependent temporal divergence of ecosystem functioning in experimental ecosystems}, series = {Nature ecology \& evolution}, volume = {1}, journal = {Nature ecology \& evolution}, number = {11}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2397-334X}, doi = {10.1038/s41559-017-0325-1}, pages = {1639 -- 1642}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning generally increase over time, but the underlying processes remain unclear. Using 26 long-term grassland and forest experimental ecosystems, we demonstrate that biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships strengthen mainly by greater increases in functioning in high-diversity communities in grasslands and forests. In grasslands, biodiversity effects also strengthen due to decreases in functioning in low-diversity communities. Contrasting trends across grasslands are associated with differences in soil characteristics.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Gorka2017, author = {G{\´o}rka, Michal Jakub}, title = {Establishing a pipeline for identification of protein- protein interactions using different native fractionation methods}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {109}, year = {2017}, language = {en} }