@article{WitzelStrehmelBaldermannetal.2017, author = {Witzel, Katja and Strehmel, Nadine and Baldermann, Susanne and Neugart, Susanne and Becker, Yvonne and Becker, Matthias and Berger, Beatrice and Scheel, Dierk and Grosch, Rita and Schreiner, Monika and Ruppel, Silke}, title = {Arabidopsis thaliana root and root exudate metabolism is altered by the growth-promoting bacterium Kosakonia radicincitans DSM 16656(T)}, series = {Plant and soil}, volume = {419}, journal = {Plant and soil}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {0032-079X}, doi = {10.1007/s11104-017-3371-1}, pages = {557 -- 573}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) affect host physiological processes in various ways. This study aims at elucidating the dependence of bacterial-induced growth promotion on the plant genotype and characterizing plant metabolic adaptations to PGPB. Eighteen Arabidopsis thaliana accessions were inoculated with the PGPB strain Kosakonia radicincitans DSM 16656(T). Colonisation pattern was assessed by enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-tagged K. radicincitans in three A. thaliana accessions differing in their growth response. Metabolic impact of bacterial colonisation was determined for the best responding accession by profiling distinct classes of plant secondary metabolites and root exudates. Inoculation of 18 A. thaliana accessions resulted in a wide range of growth responses, from repression to enhancement. Testing the bacterial colonisation of three accessions did not reveal a differential pattern. Profiling of plant secondary metabolites showed a differential accumulation of glucosinolates, phenylpropanoids and carotenoids in roots. Analysis of root exudates demonstrated that primary and secondary metabolites were predominantly differentially depleted by bacterial inoculation. The plant genotype controls the bacterial growth promoting traits. Levels of lutein and beta-carotene were elevated in inoculated roots. Supplementing a bacterial suspension with beta-carotene increased bacterial growth, while this was not the case when lutein was applied, indicating that beta-carotene could be a positive regulator of plant growth promotion.}, language = {en} } @article{SaltikoffFriedrichSoderholmetal.2019, author = {Saltikoff, Elena and Friedrich, Katja and Soderholm, Joshua and Lengfeld, Katharina and Nelson, Brian and Becker, Andreas and Hollmann, Rainer and Urban, Bernard and Heistermann, Maik and Tassone, Caterina}, title = {An Overview of Using Weather Radar for Climatological Studies: Successes, Challenges, and Potential}, series = {Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society}, volume = {100}, journal = {Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society}, number = {9}, publisher = {American Meteorological Soc.}, address = {Boston}, issn = {0003-0007}, doi = {10.1175/BAMS-D-18-0166.1}, pages = {1739 -- 1751}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Weather radars have been widely used to detect and quantify precipitation and nowcast severe weather for more than 50 years. Operational weather radars generate huge three-dimensional datasets that can accumulate to terabytes per day. So it is essential to review what can be done with existing vast amounts of data, and how we should manage the present datasets for the future climatologists. All weather radars provide the reflectivity factor, and this is the main parameter to be archived. Saving reflectivity as volumetric data in the original spherical coordinates allows for studies of the three-dimensional structure of precipitation, which can be applied to understand a number of processes, for example, analyzing hail or thunderstorm modes. Doppler velocity and polarimetric moments also have numerous applications for climate studies, for example, quality improvement of reflectivity and rain rate retrievals, and for interrogating microphysical and dynamical processes. However, observational data alone are not useful if they are not accompanied by sufficient metadata. Since the lifetime of a radar ranges between 10 and 20 years, instruments are typically replaced or upgraded during climatologically relevant time periods. As a result, present metadata often do not apply to past data. This paper outlines the work of the Radar Task Team set by the Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate (AOPC) and summarizes results from a recent survey on the existence and availability of long time series. We also provide recommendations for archiving current and future data and examples of climatological studies in which radar data have already been used.}, language = {en} } @article{LauchtHohmEsseretal.2007, author = {Laucht, Manfred and Hohm, E. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Schmidt, Martin H. and Becker, Katja}, title = {Association between ADHD and smoking in adolescence : shared genetic, environmental and psychopathological factors}, issn = {0300-9564}, doi = {10.1007/s00702-007-0703-y}, year = {2007}, abstract = {The present study aimed to examine the extent to which the co-occurrence of ADHD and smoking in adolescents could be attributed to common genetic, environmental and psychopathological factors. Data are from an ongoing prospective study of the outcome of early risk factors. At age 15 years, 305 adolescents completed self-report questionnaires measuring tobacco consumption and deviant peer affiliations. Lifetime psychiatric diagnoses were obtained using standardized interviews. DNA was genotyped for the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene exon III polymorphism. Adolescents with a lifetime diagnosis of ADHD displayed significantly higher smoking activity than non-ADHD controls. A major component of this association could be accounted for by deviant peer affiliations and the comorbidity with oppositional-defiant and conduct disorder, while a minor part was attributable to DRD4 in males but not in females. These findings suggest that the association of ADHD with smoking relies on risk factors shared by the two behaviors.}, language = {en} } @article{LauchtTreutleinBlomeyeretal.2009, author = {Laucht, Manfred and Treutlein, Jens and Blomeyer, Dorothea and Buchmann, Arlette F. and Schmid, Brigitte and Becker, Katja and Zimmermann, Ulrich S. and Schmidt, Martin H. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Rietschel, Marcella and Banaschewski, Tobias}, title = {Interaction between the 5-HTTLPR serotonin transporter polymorphism and environmental adversity for mood and anxiety psychopathology : evidence from a high-risk community sample of young adults}, issn = {1461-1457}, doi = {10.1017/S1461145708009875}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Previous research examining gene-environment interaction (G x E) with regard to vulnerability to depression and anxiety has yielded conflicting results. The present study was designed to further investigate G x F between 5-HTTLPR and exposure to environmental adversity, using different phenotypic and genotypic characterizations as well as different types of adversity within a prospective study design. Data were available from an ongoing epidemiological cohort Study following the outcome of early risk factors from birth to adulthood. At age 19 yr, 309 participants (142 males, 167 females) were characterized on measures of depression and anxiety through interview and questionnaire (DSM-IV diagnosis, Beck Depression Inventory, Harm Avoidance). Environmental adversity was assessed at birth (family adversity), and at age 19 yr (stressful life events). Bi- and tri-allelic 5-HTTLPR genotypes were obtained from genomic DNA. Results indicated that depression and anxiety in 19-yr-olds were strongly associated with both family adversity and stressful life events. Individuals with the LL genotype of 5-HTTLPR who were exposed to high family adversity displayed significantly higher rates of depressive or anxiety disorders and had more depressive symptoms than those without either condition. This G x E replicates recent findings from an epidemiological cohort study of adolescents but is in contrast to many previous reports suggesting an interaction with the S allele. No evidence for G x E was obtained with regard to current stressful life events and trait anxiety. One possible source for the conflicting findings might be attributed to heterogeneity in depression phenotypes and environmental adversity.}, language = {en} } @article{LauchtTreutleinSchmidetal.2009, author = {Laucht, Manfred and Treutlein, Jens and Schmid, Brigitte and Blomeyer, Dorothea and Becker, Katja and Buchmann, Arlette F. and Schmidt, Martin H. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Jennen-Steinmetz, Christine and Rietschel, Marcella and Zimmermann, Ulrich S. and Banaschewski, Tobias}, title = {Impact of psychosocial adversity on alcohol intake in young adults : moderation by the LL genotype of the serotonin transporter polymorphism}, issn = {0006-3223}, doi = {10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.02.010}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Background: Evidence from animal studies supports a role for serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) gene-environment interaction (G X E) in the development of excessive alcohol intake. Few studies in humans have been conducted on this topic, yielding inconsistent results. The present study aims to further explore G x E between 5-HTTLPR and exposure to psychosocial adversity on alcohol consumption in a high-risk community sample of young adults. Methods: Data were collected as part of the Mannheim Study of Children at Risk, an ongoing epidemiological cohort study following the outcome of early risk factors from birth into young adulthood. At age 19 years, 309 participants (142 male participants, 167 female participants) were genotyped for the biallelic and triallelic 5-HTTLPR and were administered a 45-day alcohol timeline follow-back interview, providing measures of the total number of drinks and the number of binge drinking days. Psychosocial adversity was assessed at birth (family adversity) and at age 19 (negative life events). Results: In contrast to various previous reports, a significant G x E emerged, indicating that, when exposed to high psychosocial adversity, individuals with the LL genotype of 5-HTTLPR exhibited more hazardous drinking than those carrying the S allele or those without exposure to adversity. This effect, which was confined to male participants, held both for different classifications of 5-HTTLPR and different types of adversity. Conclusions: One explanation for the discrepant results might be heterogeneity in alcohol phenotypes. While the L allele relates more strongly to early-onset alcoholism, the S allele may be linked more closely to alcohol use associated with anxiety and depression.}, language = {en} } @article{LauchtSkowronekBeckeretal.2008, author = {Laucht, Manfred and Skowronek, Markus H. and Becker, Katja and Schulze, Thomas G. and Schmidt, Martin H. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Rietschel, Marcella}, title = {Environmental risk factors and attention-deficit : hyperactivity discorder symptoms ; reply}, issn = {0003-990X}, year = {2008}, language = {en} } @article{BeckerElFaddaghSchmidtetal.2008, author = {Becker, Katja and El-Faddagh, Mahha and Schmidt, Martin H. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {Interaction of dopamine transporter genotype with prenatal smoke exposure on ADHD symptoms}, issn = {0022-3476}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Objective To demonstrate that children homozygous for the 10-repeat allele of the common dopamine transporter (DAT1) polymorphism who were exposed to maternal prenatal smoke exhibited significantly higher hyperactivity-impulsivity than children without these environmental or genetic risks. Study design We performed a prospective longitudinal study from birth into early adulthood monitoring the long-term outcome of early risk factors. Maternal prenatal smoking was determined during a standardized interview with the mother when the child was 3 months old. At age 15 years, 305 adolescents participated in genotyping for the DAT1 40 base pair variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism and assessment of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and oppositional defiant/conduct disorder symptoms with die Kiddie- Sads-Present and Lifetime Version. Results There was no bivariate association between DAT1 genotype, prenatal smoke exposure and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, a significant interaction between DAT1 genotype and prenatal smoke exposure emerged (P =.012), indicating that males with prenatal smoke exposure who were homozygous for the DAT1 10r allele had higher hyperactivity-impulsivity than males from all other groups. In females, no significant main effects of DAT1 genotype or prenatal smoke exposure or interaction effects on any symptoms were evident (all P >.25). Conclusions This study provides further evidence for the multifactorial nature of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the importance of studying both genetic and environmental factors and their interaction.}, language = {en} } @article{HohmannBeckerFellingeretal.2009, author = {Hohmann, Sarah and Becker, Katja and Fellinger, Johannes and Banaschewski, Tobias and Schmidt, Martin H. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {Evidence for epistasis between the 5-HTTLPR and the dopamine D4 receptor polymorphisms in externalizing behavior among 15-year-olds}, issn = {0300-9564}, doi = {10.1007/s00702-009-0290-1}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The present study aimed to clarify the functional role of genes in the dopamine and serotonin systems by examining whether polymorphisms in these genes are related to adolescent externalizing behavior either alone or in interaction with each other. Participants were selected from an ongoing prospective study of the outcome of early risk factors. At age 15 years, 298 adolescents (144 males, 154 females) completed the Youth Self Report, 296 primary caregivers the Child Behavior Checklist and 253 teachers the Teacher Report Form. DNA was genotyped for the DRD4 exon III VNTR and the 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms. Results revealed that individuals with the DRD4 7r allele reported significantly more externalizing behavior than carriers of other variants. In addition, a significant interaction emerged, indicating that adolescents carrying two copies of the 5-HTTLPR short allele and the DRD4 7r variant scored highest on aggressive and/or delinquent behavior compared to other genotypes. This result suggests an effect of 5-HTTLPR on externalizing behavior in the presence of DRD4 7r but no effect in its absence.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmidBlomeyerBeckeretal.2009, author = {Schmid, Brigitte and Blomeyer, Dorothea and Becker, Katja and Treutlein, Jens and Zimmermann, Ulrich S. and Buchmann, Arlette F. and Schmidt, Martin H. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Banaschewski, Tobias and Rietschel, Marcella and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {The interaction between the dopamine transporter gene and age at onset in relation to tobacco and alcohol use among 19-year-olds}, issn = {1355-6215}, doi = {10.1111/j.1369-1600.2009.00171.x}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Recent evidence suggests that heterogeneity in the age at onset could explain the inconsistent findings of association studies relating the dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene with alcohol and nicotine consumption. The aim of this study was to examine interactions between two DAT1 polymorphisms and different initiation ages with regard to alcohol and tobacco consumption levels and dependence. Two hundred and ninety-one young adults (135 males, 156 females) participating in the Mannheim Study of Children at Risk were genotyped for the 40-bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and rs27072 polymorphisms of DAT1. Age at initiation was assessed at age 15 and 19 years. Information about current alcohol and tobacco consumption was obtained at age 19 years using self-report measures and structured interviews. Results suggest that age at onset of intensive consumption moderated the association of the DAT1 gene with early adult substance use and dependence, revealing a DAT1 effect only among individuals homozygous for the 10r allele of the 40-bp VNTR who had started daily smoking or being intoxicated early in life. Equally, carriers of the T allele of the rs27072 polymorphism reporting an early age at first intoxication showed higher current alcohol consumption at age 19 years. In contrast, no interaction between rs27072 and the age at first cigarette with regard to later smoking was observed. These findings provide evidence that the DAT1 gene interacts with an early heavy or regular drug exposure of the maturing adolescent brain to predict substance (ab)use in young adulthood. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.}, language = {en} } @article{BeckerBlomeyerElFaddaghetal.2010, author = {Becker, Katja and Blomeyer, Dorothea and El-Faddagh, Mahha and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Schmidt, Martin H. and Banaschewski, Tobias and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {From regulatory problems in infancy to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in childhood : a moderating role for the dopamine D4 receptor gene?}, issn = {0022-3476}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.12.005}, year = {2010}, abstract = {To examine whether the dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) exon III VNTR moderates the risk of infants with regulatory disorders for developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) later in childhood. In a prospective longitudinal study of children at risk for later psychopathology, 300 participants were assessed for regulatory problems in infancy, DRD4 genotype, and ADHD symptoms and diagnoses from childhood to adolescence. To examine a potential moderating effect on ADHD measures, linear and logistic regressions were computed. Models were fit for the main effects of the DRD4 genotype (presence or absence of the 7r allele) and regulatory problems (presence or absence), with the addition of the interaction term. All models were controlled for sex, family adversity, and obstetric risk status. In children without the DRD4-7r allele, a history of regulatory problems in infancy was unrelated to later ADHD. But in children with regulatory problems in infancy, the additional presence of the DRD4-7r allele increased the risk for ADHD in childhood. The DRD4 genotype seems to moderate the association between regulatory problems in infancy and later ADHD. A replication study is needed before further conclusions can be drawn, however.}, language = {en} }