@article{CavaelDiehlLentzsch2020, author = {Cavael, Ulrike and Diehl, Katharina and Lentzsch, Peter}, title = {Assessment of growth suppression in apple production with replant soils}, series = {Ecological indicators : integrating monitoring, assessment and management}, volume = {109}, journal = {Ecological indicators : integrating monitoring, assessment and management}, publisher = {Elsevier Science}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1470-160X}, doi = {10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105846}, pages = {9}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Apple replant disease (ARD) is a specific apple-related form of soil fertility loss due to unidentified causes and is also known as soil fatigue. The effect typically appears in monoculture production sites and leads to production decreases of up to 50\%, even though the cultivation practice remains the same. However, an indication of replant disease is challenged by the lack of specification of the particular microbial group responsible for ARD. The objective of this study was to establish an algorithm for estimating growth suppression in orchards irrespective of the unknowns in the complex causal relationship by assessing plant-soil interaction in the orchard several years after planting. Based on a comparison between no-replant and replant soils, the Alternaria group (Ag) was identified as a soil-fungal population responding to replant with abundance. The trunk cross-sectional area (CSA) was found to be a practical and robust parameter representing below-ground and above-ground tree performance. Suppression of tree vigour was therefore calculated by dividing the two inversely related parameters, Q = ln(Ag)/CSA, as a function of soil-fungal proportions and plant responses at the single-tree level. On this basis, five clusters of tree vigour suppression (Q) were defined: (1) no tree vigour suppression/vital (0\%), (2) escalating (- 38\%), (3) strong (- 53\%), (4) very strong (- 62\%), and (5) critical (- 74\%). By calculating Q at the level of the single tree, trees were clustered according to tree vigour suppression. The weighted frequency of clusters in the field allowed replant impact to be quantified at field level. Applied to a case study on sandy brown, dry diluvial soils in Brandenburg, Germany, the calculated tree vigour suppression was 46\% compared to the potential tree vigour on no-replant soil in the same field. It is highly likely that the calculated growth suppression corresponds to ARD-impact This result is relevant for identifying functional changes in soil and for monitoring the economic effects of soil fatigue in apple orchards, particularly where long-period crop rotation or plot exchange are improbable.}, language = {en} } @article{GeorgievGrafmuellerBlegeretal.2018, author = {Georgiev, Vasil N. and Grafm{\"u}ller, Andrea and Bl{\´e}ger, David and Hecht, Stefan and Kunstmann, Sonja and Barbirz, Stefanie and Lipowsky, Reinhard and Dimova, Rumiana}, title = {Area increase and budding in giant vesicles triggered by light}, series = {Advanced science}, volume = {5}, journal = {Advanced science}, number = {8}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2198-3844}, doi = {10.1002/advs.201800432}, pages = {9}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Biomembranes are constantly remodeled and in cells, these processes are controlled and modulated by an assortment of membrane proteins. Here, it is shown that such remodeling can also be induced by photoresponsive molecules. The morphological control of giant vesicles in the presence of a water-soluble ortho-tetrafluoroazobenzene photoswitch (F-azo) is demonstrated and it is shown that the shape transformations are based on an increase in membrane area and generation of spontaneous curvature. The vesicles exhibit budding and the buds can be retracted by using light of a different wavelength. In the presence of F-azo, the membrane area can increase by more than 5\% as assessed from vesicle electrodeformation. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism and the partitioning of F-azo in the membrane, molecular dynamics simulations are employed. Comparison with theoretically calculated shapes reveals that the budded shapes are governed by curvature elasticity, that the spontaneous curvature can be decomposed into a local and a nonlocal contribution, and that the local spontaneous curvature is about 1/(2.5 mu m). The results show that exo- and endocytotic events can be controlled by light and that these photoinduced processes provide an attractive method to change membrane area and morphology.}, language = {en} } @article{WangCherstvyLiuetal.2020, author = {Wang, Wei and Cherstvy, Andrey G. and Liu, Xianbin and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {Anomalous diffusion and nonergodicity for heterogeneous diffusion processes with fractional Gaussian noise}, series = {Physical review : E, Statistical, nonlinear and soft matter physics}, volume = {102}, journal = {Physical review : E, Statistical, nonlinear and soft matter physics}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {2470-0045}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevE.102.012146}, pages = {012146-1 -- 012146-16}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Heterogeneous diffusion processes (HDPs) feature a space-dependent diffusivity of the form D(x) = D-0|x|(alpha). Such processes yield anomalous diffusion and weak ergodicity breaking, the asymptotic disparity between ensemble and time averaged observables, such as the mean-squared displacement. Fractional Brownian motion (FBM) with its long-range correlated yet Gaussian increments gives rise to anomalous and ergodic diffusion. Here, we study a combined model of HDPs and FBM to describe the particle dynamics in complex systems with position-dependent diffusivity driven by fractional Gaussian noise. This type of motion is, inter alia, relevant for tracer-particle diffusion in biological cells or heterogeneous complex fluids. We show that the long-time scaling behavior predicted theoretically and by simulations for the ensemble-and time-averaged mean-squared displacements couple the scaling exponents alpha of HDPs and the Hurst exponent H of FBM in a characteristic way. Our analysis of the simulated data in terms of the rescaled variable y similar to |x|(1/(2/(2-alpha)))/t(H) coupling particle position x and time t yields a simple, Gaussian probability density function (PDF), PHDP-FBM(y) = e(-y2)/root pi. Its universal shape agrees well with theoretical predictions for both uni- and bimodal PDF distributions.}, language = {en} } @article{Pikovsky2020, author = {Pikovsky, Arkady}, title = {Scaling of energy spreading in a disordered Ding-Dong lattice}, series = {Journal of statistical mechanics: theory and experiment}, volume = {2020}, journal = {Journal of statistical mechanics: theory and experiment}, number = {5}, publisher = {IOP Publishing Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1742-5468}, doi = {10.1088/1742-5468/ab7e30}, pages = {12}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We study numerical propagation of energy in a one-dimensional Ding-Dong lattice composed of linear oscillators with elastic collisions. Wave propagation is suppressed by breaking translational symmetry, and we consider three ways to do this: position disorder, mass disorder, and a dimer lattice with alternating distances between the units. In all cases the spreading of an initially localized wavepacket is irregular, due to the appearance of chaos, and subdiffusive. For a range of energies and of weak and moderate levels of disorder, we focus on the macroscopic statistical characterization of spreading. Guided by a nonlinear diffusion equation, we establish that the mean waiting times of spreading obey a scaling law in dependence of energy. Moreover, we show that the spreading exponents very weakly depend on the level of disorder.}, language = {en} } @article{PlummerMugeleSteffenetal.2019, author = {Plummer, Ashley and Mugele, Hendrik and Steffen, Kathrin and Stoll, Josefine and Mayer, Frank and M{\"u}ller, Juliane}, title = {General versus sports-specific injury prevention programs in athletes}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {14}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {8}, publisher = {PLOS 1}, address = {San Francisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0221346}, pages = {15}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Introduction Injury prevention programs (IPPs) are an inherent part of training in recreational and professional sports. Providing performance-enhancing benefits in addition to injury prevention may help adjust coaches and athletes' attitudes towards implementation of injury prevention into daily routine. Conventional thinking by players and coaches alike seems to suggest that IPPs need to be specific to one's sport to allow for performance enhancement. The systematic literature review aims to firstly determine the IPPs nature of exercises and whether they are specific to the sport or based on general conditioning. Secondly, can they demonstrate whether general, sports-specific or even mixed IPPs improve key performance indicators with the aim to better facilitate long-term implementation of these programs? Methods PubMed and Web of Science were electronically searched throughout March 2018. The inclusion criteria were randomized control trials, publication dates between Jan 2006 and Feb 2018, athletes (11-45 years), injury prevention programs and included predefined performance measures that could be categorized into balance, power, strength, speed/agility and endurance. The methodological quality of included articles was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration assessment tools. Results Of 6619 initial findings, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. In addition, reference lists unearthed a further 6 studies, making a total of 28. Nine studies used sports specific IPPs, eleven general and eight mixed prevention strategies. Overall, general programs ranged from 29-57\% in their effectiveness across performance outcomes. Mixed IPPs improved in 80\% balance outcomes but only 20-44\% in others. Sports-specific programs led to larger scale improvements in balance (66\%), power (83\%), strength (75\%), and speed/agility (62\%). Conclusion Sports-specific IPPs have the strongest influence on most performance indices based on the significant improvement versus control groups. Other factors such as intensity, technical execution and compliance should be accounted for in future investigations in addition to exercise modality.}, language = {en} } @article{SchweigertGerickeWolframetal.2006, author = {Schweigert, Florian J. and Gericke, Beate and Wolfram, Wiebke and Kaisers, Udo and Dudenhausen, Joachim W.}, title = {Peptide and protein profiles in serum and follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF}, series = {Human reproduction}, volume = {21}, journal = {Human reproduction}, number = {11}, publisher = {Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0268-1161}, doi = {10.1093/humrep/del257}, pages = {2960 -- 2968}, year = {2006}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Proteins and peptides in human follicular fluid originate from plasma or are produced by follicular structures. Compositional changes reflect oocyte maturation and can be used as diagnostic markers. The aim of the study was to determine protein and peptide profiles in paired serum and follicular fluid samples from women undergoing IVF. METHODS: Surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) was used to obtain characteristic protein pattern. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-six individual MS signals were obtained from a combination of enrichment on strong anion exchanger (110), weak cation exchanger (52) and normal phase surfaces (24). On the basis of molecular masses, isoelectric points and immunoreactivety, four signals were identified as haptoglobin (alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-chain), haptoglobin 1 and transthyretin (TTR). Immunological and MS characteristics of the TTR : retinol-binding protein (RBP) transport complex revealed no microheterogeneity differences between serum and follicular fluid. Discriminatory patterns arising from decision-tree-based classification and regression analysis distinguished between serum and follicular fluid with a sensitivity and specificity of 100\%. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative and qualitative differences indicate selective transport processes rather than mere filtration across the blood-follicle barrier. Identified proteins as well as characteristic peptide and/or protein signatures might emerge as potential candidates for diagnostic markers of follicle and/or oocyte maturation and thus oocyte quality.}, language = {en} } @misc{KlausOst2020, author = {Klaus, Susanne and Ost, Mario}, title = {Mitochondrial uncoupling and longevity}, series = {Experimental gerontology}, volume = {130}, journal = {Experimental gerontology}, publisher = {Elsevier Science}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0531-5565}, doi = {10.1016/j.exger.2019.110796}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Aging has been viewed both as a random process due to accumulation of molecular and cellular damage over time and as a programmed process linked to cellular pathway important for growth and maturation. These views converge on mitochondria as both the major producer of damaging reactive oxidant species (ROS) and as signaling organelles. A finite proton leak across the inner mitochondrial membrane leading to a slight uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation and respiration is an intrinsic property of all mitochondria and according to the "uncoupling to survive" hypothesis it has evolved to protect against ROS production to minimize oxidative damage. This hypothesis is supported by evidence linking an increased endogenous, uncoupling protein (UCP1) mediated, as well as experimentally induced mitochondrial uncoupling to an increased lifespan in rodents. This is possibly due to the synergistic activation of molecular pathways linked to life extending effects of caloric restriction as well as a mitohormetic response. Mitohormesis is an adaptive stress response through mitonuclear signaling which increases stress resistance resulting in health promoting effects. Part of this response is the induction of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), two stress-induced mitokines which elicit beneficial systemic metabolic effects via endocrine action.}, language = {en} } @article{OuniSchuermann2020, author = {Ouni, Meriem and Sch{\"u}rmann, Annette}, title = {Epigenetic contribution to obesity}, series = {Mammalian genome}, volume = {31}, journal = {Mammalian genome}, number = {5-6}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York, NY ; Berlin ; Heidelberg [u.a.]}, issn = {0938-8990}, doi = {10.1007/s00335-020-09835-3}, pages = {134 -- 145}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Obesity is a worldwide epidemic and contributes to global morbidity and mortality mediated via the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular (CVD) and other diseases. It is a consequence of an elevated caloric intake, a sedentary lifestyle and a genetic as well as an epigenetic predisposition. This review summarizes changes in DNA methylation and microRNAs identified in blood cells and different tissues in obese human and rodent models. It includes information on epigenetic alterations which occur in response to fat-enriched diets, exercise and metabolic surgery and discusses the potential of interventions to reverse epigenetic modifications.}, language = {en} } @article{ParaskevopoulouDennisWeithoffetal.2019, author = {Paraskevopoulou, Sofia and Dennis, Alice B. and Weithoff, Guntram and Hartmann, Stefanie and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Within species expressed genetic variability and gene expression response to different temperatures in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus sensu stricto}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {9}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {14}, publisher = {PLoS ONE}, address = {San Francisco, California}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0223134}, pages = {21}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Genetic divergence is impacted by many factors, including phylogenetic history, gene flow, genetic drift, and divergent selection. Rotifers are an important component of aquatic ecosystems, and genetic variation is essential to their ongoing adaptive diversification and local adaptation. In addition to coding sequence divergence, variation in gene expression may relate to variable heat tolerance, and can impose ecological barriers within species. Temperature plays a significant role in aquatic ecosystems by affecting species abundance, spatio-temporal distribution, and habitat colonization. Recently described (formerly cryptic) species of the Brachionus calyciflorus complex exhibit different temperature tolerance both in natural and in laboratory studies, and show that B. calyciflorus sensu stricto (s.s.) is a thermotolerant species. Even within B. calyciflorus s.s., there is a tendency for further temperature specializations. Comparison of expressed genes allows us to assess the impact of stressors on both expression and sequence divergence among disparate populations within a single species. Here, we have used RNA-seq to explore expressed genetic diversity in B. calyciflorus s.s. in two mitochondrial DNA lineages with different phylogenetic histories and differences in thermotolerance. We identify a suite of candidate genes that may underlie local adaptation, with a particular focus on the response to sustained high or low temperatures. We do not find adaptive divergence in established candidate genes for thermal adaptation. Rather, we detect divergent selection among our two lineages in genes related to metabolism (lipid metabolism, metabolism of xenobiotics).}, language = {en} } @article{BreedveldFolkertsmaEccard2019, author = {Breedveld, Merel Cathelijne and Folkertsma, Remco and Eccard, Jana}, title = {Rodent mothers increase vigilance behaviour when facing infanticide risk}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {9}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, publisher = {Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-48459-9}, pages = {10}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Infanticide, the killing of unrelated young, is widespread and frequently driven by sexual conflict. especially in mammals with exclusive maternal care, infanticide by males is common and females suffer fitness costs. Recognizing infanticide risk and adjusting offspring protection accordingly should therefore be adaptive in female mammals. Using a small mammal (Myodes glareolus) in outdoor enclosures, we investigated whether lactating mothers adjust offspring protection, and potential mate search behaviour, in response to different infanticide risk levels. We presented the scent of the litter's sire or of a stranger male near the female's nest, and observed female nest presence and movement by radiotracking. While both scents simulated a mating opportunity, they represented lower (sire) and higher (stranger) infanticide risk. compared to the sire treatment, females in the stranger treatment left their nest more often, showed increased activity and stayed closer to the nest, suggesting offspring protection from outside the nest through elevated alertness and vigilance. females with larger litters spent more time investigating scents and used more space in the sire but not in the stranger treatment. Thus, current investment size affected odour inspection and resource acquisition under higher risk. Adjusting nest protection and resource acquisition to infanticide risk could allow mothers to elicit appropriate (fitness-saving) counterstrategies, and thus, may be widespread.}, language = {en} }