@article{LuReichetzederPrehnetal.2018, author = {Lu, Yong-Ping and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Prehn, Cornelia and Yin, Liang-Hong and Yun, Chen and Zeng, Shufei and Chu, Chang and Adamski, Jerzy and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {Cord blood Lysophosphatidylcholine 16:1 is positively associated with birth weight}, series = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology}, volume = {45}, journal = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology}, number = {2}, publisher = {Karger}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1015-8987}, doi = {10.1159/000487118}, pages = {614 -- 624}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background/Aims: Impaired birth outcomes, like low birth weight, have consistently been associated with increased disease susceptibility to hypertension in later life. Alterations in the maternal or fetal metabolism might impact on fetal growth and influence birth outcomes. Discerning associations between the maternal and fetal metabolome and surrogate parameters of fetal growth could give new insight into the complex relationship between intrauterine conditions, birth outcomes, and later life disease susceptibility. Methods: Using flow injection tandem mass spectrometry, targeted metabolomics was performed in serum samples obtained from 226 mother/child pairs at delivery. Associations between neonatal birth weight and concentrations of 163 maternal and fetal metabolites were analyzed. Results: After FDR adjustment using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC) 14:0, 16:1, and 18:1 were strongly positively correlated with birth weight. In a stepwise linear regression model corrected for established confounding factors of birth weight, LPC 16: 1 showed the strongest independent association with birth weight (CI: 93.63 - 168.94; P = 6.94x10(-11)). The association with birth weight was stronger than classical confounding factors such as offspring sex (CI: - 258.81- -61.32; P = 0.002) and maternal smoking during pregnancy (CI: -298.74 - -29.51; P = 0.017). Conclusions: After correction for multiple testing and adjustment for potential confounders, LPC 16:1 showed a very strong and independent association with birth weight. The underlying molecular mechanisms linking fetal LPCs with birth weight need to be addressed in future studies. (c) 2018 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel}, language = {en} } @article{WangLiZhangetal.2018, author = {Wang, Guang and Li, Pei-zhi and Zhang, Shi-yao and Zhong, Shan and Chu, Chang and Zeng, Shufei and Yan, Yu and Cheng, Xin and Chuai, Manli and Hocher, Berthold and Yang, Xuesong}, title = {Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) Induced Angiogenesis During Chicken Embryogenesis is Abolished by Combined ETA/ETB Receptor Blockade}, series = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology}, volume = {48}, journal = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology}, number = {5}, publisher = {Karger}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1015-8987}, doi = {10.1159/000492547}, pages = {2084 -- 2090}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background/Aims: Angiogenesis plays a key role during embryonic development. The vascular endothelin (ET) system is involved in the regulation of angiogenesis. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) could induce angiogenesis. The effects of ET blockers on baseline and LPS-stimulated angiogenesis during embryonic development remain unknown so far. Methods: The blood vessel density (BVD) of chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs), which were treated with saline (control), LPS, and/or BQ123 and the ETB blocker BQ788, were quantified and analyzed using an IPP 6.0 image analysis program. Moreover, the expressions of ET-1, ET-2, ET3, ET receptor A (ETRA), ET receptor B (ETRB) and VEGFR2 mRNA during embryogenesis were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results: All components of the ET system are detectable during chicken embryogenesis. LPS increased angiogenesis substantially. This process was completely blocked by the treatment of a combination of the ETA receptor blockers-BQ123 and the ETB receptor blocker BQ788. This effect was accompanied by a decrease in ETRA, ETRB, and VEGFR2 gene expression. However, the baseline angiogenesis was not affected by combined ETA/ETB receptor blockade. Conclusion: During chicken embryogenesis, the LPS-stimulated angiogenesis, but not baseline angiogenesis, is sensitive to combined ETA/ETB receptor blockade.}, language = {en} } @article{SeyrichAlirezaeizanjaniBetaetal.2018, author = {Seyrich, Maximilian and Alirezaeizanjani, Zahra and Beta, Carsten and Stark, Holger}, title = {Statistical parameter inference of bacterial swimming strategies}, series = {New journal of physics : the open-access journal for physics}, volume = {20}, journal = {New journal of physics : the open-access journal for physics}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/aae72c}, pages = {20}, year = {2018}, abstract = {We provide a detailed stochastic description of the swimming motion of an E. coli bacterium in two dimension, where we resolve tumble events in time. For this purpose, we set up two Langevin equations for the orientation angle and speed dynamics. Calculating moments, distribution and autocorrelation functions from both Langevin equations and matching them to the same quantities determined from data recorded in experiments, we infer the swimming parameters of E. coli. They are the tumble rate lambda, the tumble time r(-1), the swimming speed v(0), the strength of speed fluctuations sigma, the relative height of speed jumps eta, the thermal value for the rotational diffusion coefficient D-0, and the enhanced rotational diffusivity during tumbling D-T. Conditioning the observables on the swimming direction relative to the gradient of a chemoattractant, we infer the chemotaxis strategies of E. coli. We confirm the classical strategy of a lower tumble rate for swimming up the gradient but also a smaller mean tumble angle (angle bias). The latter is realized by shorter tumbles as well as a slower diffusive reorientation. We also find that speed fluctuations are increased by about 30\% when swimming up the gradient compared to the reversed direction.}, language = {en} } @article{GoswamiBoersRheinwaltetal.2018, author = {Goswami, Bedartha and Boers, Niklas and Rheinwalt, Aljoscha and Marwan, Norbert and Heitzig, Jobst and Breitenbach, Sebastian Franz Martin and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Abrupt transitions in time series with uncertainties}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {9}, journal = {Nature Communications}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2041-1723}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-017-02456-6}, pages = {10}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Identifying abrupt transitions is a key question in various disciplines. Existing transition detection methods, however, do not rigorously account for time series uncertainties, often neglecting them altogether or assuming them to be independent and qualitatively similar. Here, we introduce a novel approach suited to handle uncertainties by representing the time series as a time-ordered sequence of probability density functions. We show how to detect abrupt transitions in such a sequence using the community structure of networks representing probabilities of recurrence. Using our approach, we detect transitions in global stock indices related to well-known periods of politico-economic volatility. We further uncover transitions in the El Ni{\~n}o-Southern Oscillation which coincide with periods of phase locking with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. Finally, we provide for the first time an 'uncertainty-aware' framework which validates the hypothesis that ice-rafting events in the North Atlantic during the Holocene were synchronous with a weakened Asian summer monsoon.}, language = {en} } @article{BizicIonescuIonescuGrossart2018, author = {Bizic-Ionescu, Mina and Ionescu, Danny and Grossart, Hans-Peter}, title = {Organic Particles: Heterogeneous Hubs for Microbial Interactions in Aquatic Ecosystems}, series = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-302X}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.02569}, pages = {15}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The dynamics and activities of microbes colonizing organic particles (hereafter particles) greatly determine the efficiency of the aquatic carbon pump. Current understanding is that particle composition, structure and surface properties, determined mostly by the forming organisms and organic matter, dictate initial microbial colonization and the subsequent rapid succession events taking place as organic matter lability and nutrient content change with microbial degradation. We applied a transcriptomic approach to assess the role of stochastic events on initial microbial colonization of particles. Furthermore, we asked whether gene expression corroborates rapid changes in carbon-quality. Commonly used size fractionated filtration averages thousands of particles of different sizes, sources, and ages. To overcome this drawback, we used replicate samples consisting each of 3-4 particles of identical source and age and further evaluated the consequences of averaging 10-1000s of particles. Using flow-through rolling tanks we conducted long-term experiments at near in situ conditions minimizing the biasing effects of closed incubation approaches often referred to as "the bottle-effect." In our open flow-through rolling tank system, however, active microbial communities were highly heterogeneous despite an identical particle source, suggesting random initial colonization. Contrasting previous reports using closed incubation systems, expression of carbon utilization genes didn't change after 1 week of incubation. Consequently, we suggest that in nature, changes in particle-associated community related to carbon availability are much slower (days to weeks) due to constant supply of labile, easily degradable organic matter. Initial, random particle colonization seems to be subsequently altered by multiple organismic interactions shaping microbial community interactions and functional dynamics. Comparative analysis of thousands particles pooled togethers as well as pooled samples suggests that mechanistic studies of microbial dynamics should be done on single particles. The observed microbial heterogeneity and inter-organismic interactions may have important implications for evolution and biogeochemistry in aquatic systems.}, language = {en} } @article{GarciaBuckHamiltonetal.2018, author = {Garcia, Sarahi L. and Buck, Moritz and Hamilton, Joshua J. and Wurzbacher, Christian and Grossart, Hans-Peter and McMahon, Katherine D. and Eiler, Alexander}, title = {Model communities hint at promiscuous metabolic linkages between ubiquitous free-living freshwater bacteria}, series = {mSphere}, volume = {3}, journal = {mSphere}, number = {3}, publisher = {American Society for Microbiology}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2379-5042}, doi = {10.1128/mSphere.00202-18}, pages = {8}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Genome streamlining is frequently observed in free-living aquatic microorganisms and results in physiological dependencies between microorganisms. However, we know little about the specificity of these microbial associations. In order to examine the specificity and extent of these associations, we established mixed cultures from three different freshwater environments and analyzed the cooccurrence of organisms using a metagenomic time series. Free-living microorganisms with streamlined genomes lacking multiple biosynthetic pathways showed no clear recurring pattern in their interaction partners. Free-living freshwater bacteria form promiscuous cooperative associations. This notion contrasts with the well-documented high specificities of interaction partners in host-associated bacteria. Considering all data together, we suggest that highly abundant free-living bacterial lineages are functionally versatile in their interactions despite their distinct streamlining tendencies at the single-cell level. This metabolic versatility facilitates interactions with a variable set of community members.}, language = {en} } @article{BalintMartonSchatzetal.2018, author = {Balint, Miklos and Marton, Orsolya and Schatz, Marlene and D{\"u}ring, Rolf-Alexander and Grossart, Hans-Peter}, title = {Proper experimental design requires randomization/balancing of molecular ecology experiments}, series = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2045-7758}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.3687}, pages = {1786 -- 1793}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Properly designed (randomized and/or balanced) experiments are standard in ecological research. Molecular methods are increasingly used in ecology, but studies generally do not report the detailed design of sample processing in the laboratory. This may strongly influence the interpretability of results if the laboratory procedures do not account for the confounding effects of unexpected laboratory events. We demonstrate this with a simple experiment where unexpected differences in laboratory processing of samples would have biased results if randomization in DNA extraction and PCR steps do not provide safeguards. We emphasize the need for proper experimental design and reporting of the laboratory phase of molecular ecology research to ensure the reliability and interpretability of results.}, language = {en} } @article{GoeritzBergerGegeetal.2018, author = {G{\"o}ritz, Anna and Berger, Stella A. and Gege, Peter and Grossart, Hans-Peter and Nejstgaard, Jens C. and Riedel, Sebastian and R{\"o}ttgers, R{\"u}diger and Utschig, Christian}, title = {Retrieval of water constituents from hyperspectral in-situ measurements under variable cloud cover}, series = {Remote sensing / Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)}, volume = {10}, journal = {Remote sensing / Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)}, number = {2}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2072-4292}, doi = {10.3390/rs10020181}, pages = {19}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Remote sensing and field spectroscopy of natural waters is typically performed under clear skies, low wind speeds and low solar zenith angles. Such measurements can also be made, in principle, under clouds and mixed skies using airborne or in-situ measurements; however, variable illumination conditions pose a challenge to data analysis. In the present case study, we evaluated the inversion of hyperspectral in-situ measurements for water constituent retrieval acquired under variable cloud cover. First, we studied the retrieval of Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) absorption from in-water irradiance measurements. Then, we evaluated the errors in the retrievals of the concentration of total suspended matter (TSM), Chl-a and the absorption coefficient of CDOM from above-water reflectance measurements due to highly variable reflections at the water surface. In order to approximate cloud reflections, we extended a recent three-component surface reflectance model for cloudless atmospheres by a constant offset and compared different surface reflectance correction procedures. Our findings suggest that in-water irradiance measurements may be used for the analysis of absorbing compounds even under highly variable weather conditions. The extended surface reflectance model proved to contribute to the analysis of above-water reflectance measurements with respect to Chl-a and TSM. Results indicate the potential of this approach for all-weather monitoring.}, language = {en} } @misc{ChenBornhorstNeelyetal.2018, author = {Chen, Pan and Bornhorst, Julia and Neely, M. Diana and Avila, Daiana Silva}, title = {Mechanisms and Disease Pathogenesis Underlying Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress}, series = {Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity}, journal = {Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity}, publisher = {Hindawi}, address = {London}, issn = {1942-0900}, doi = {10.1155/2018/7612172}, pages = {3}, year = {2018}, language = {en} } @misc{Massue2018, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Massu{\´e}, Cyriac}, title = {Valoriser les synergies franco-allemandes dans l'innovation au service de la transition {\´e}nerg{\´e}tique. Les le{\c{c}}ons du Programme Inter Carnot Fraunhofer (PICF)}, series = {MEGA-Schriftenreihe}, journal = {MEGA-Schriftenreihe}, number = {4}, editor = {Proeller, Isabella and Silvia von, Steinsdorff and Sommermann, Karl-Peter and Capitant, David and Larat, Fabrice}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam}, address = {Potsdam}, issn = {2701-391X}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-49189}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-491892}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {XXI, 112}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Face {\`a} l'urgence environnementale, l'innovation dans le domaine des nouvelles technologies de l'{\´e}nergie (NTE) constitue un d{\´e}fi primordial. Les NTE constituent un march{\´e} concurrentiel en plein expansion, o{\`u} s'affrontent d{\`e}s {\`a} pr{\´e}sent les acteurs de l'innovation internationale. La R\&D {\´e}nerg{\´e}tique repr{\´e}sente donc pour l'Europe un d{\´e}fi multiple : Il s'agit de d{\´e}velopper les technologies qui nous permettrons de r{\´e}duire nos {\´e}missions de gaz {\`a} effet de serre et nos d{\´e}pendances {\´e}nerg{\´e}tiques. L'innovation produite devra {\´e}galement garantir la place de l'industrie europ{\´e}enne {\`a} la pointe du march{\´e} des NTE dans un contexte hautement comp{\´e}titif. La collaboration franco-allemande en mati{\`e}re de R\&D {\´e}nerg{\´e}tique rec{\`e}le ici un potentiel d'innovation disruptive particuli{\`e}rement important, gr{\^a}ce {\`a} des paysages de R\&D fortement compl{\´e}mentaires. Les programmes bilat{\´e}raux constituent un outil prometteur pour la valorisation des synergies inexploit{\´e}es. En permettant la mise en place de partenariats franco-allemands restreints, autour de th{\´e}matiques pr{\´e}cises, ils constituent en effet un outil compl{\´e}mentaire aux programmes europ{\´e}ens. Le Programme Inter Carnot-Fraunhofer (PICF) constitue un exemple abouti de programme bilat{\´e}ral ayant permis la concr{\´e}tisation de collaborations mutuellement b{\´e}n{\´e}fiques dans le domaine des NTE, gr{\^a}ce {\`a} la mise au point d'une proc{\´e}dure harmonis{\´e}e. N{\´e}anmoins, l'analyse du PICF montre {\´e}galement que les programmes bilat{\´e}raux franco-allemands devront pr{\´e}voir la possibilit{\´e} de financements-relai afin de p{\´e}renniser les {\´e}changes. Dans le contexte particulier des NTE, une extension aux projets de d{\´e}monstration ainsi qu'un ciblage des sujets porteurs sur la base d'un comit{\´e} consultatif scientifique ind{\´e}pendant paraissent indispensables. Ces efforts franco-allemands pourront servir de mod{\`e}le {\`a} l'innovation de rupture bas{\´e}e sur la valorisation des synergies intra-europ{\´e}ennes.}, language = {fr} }