Hybrid Assemblierung von whole-genome Shotgun Sequenzen zweier Zuckerrübentranslokationslinien (Beta vulgaris L.),welche das Rübenzystennematoden-Resistenzgen Hs1-2 tragen, und funktionale Analyse von Kandidatengenen

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. vulgaris) is a host of the beet cyst nematode (BCN) Heterodera schachtii Schmidt, which causes high yield losses. Resistance had been identified in the wild relative Patellifolia procumbens and was integrated into the sugar beet genome by a translocation to the end of chromosome 9. Two nematode resistant (TR520 and TR363) and two susceptible (TR659 and TR320), sugar beet translocation lines which share partly homologous sequences from P. procumbens chromosome 1, were the focus of my research. I hypothesized that a second gene for nematode resistance (Hs1-2) is located on a region shared by both resistance carrying translocations. The aim of this work was the identification of the Hs1-2 gene. The work includes a functional analysis of a candidate sequence for the Hs1-2 gene (ORF 702) which encodes a galactosyltransferase family protein and which had been identified in a previous work. Moreover, new gene candidates have been identified and characterized after whole genome shotgun (WGS) sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq platform of the translocation lines TR520 and TR363.Die Zuckerrübe (Beta vulgaris L.) ist ein Wirt des Rübenzystennematoden Heterodera schachtii Schmidt, welcher für hohe Ertragsverluste verantwortlich ist. Resistenz gegen H. schachtii konnte in der Wildart Patellifolia procumbens festgestellt und durch Translokation an das Ende von Chromosom 9 der Zuckerrübe übertragen werden. Bislang sind zwei nematodenresistente (TR520 und TR363) und zwei anfällige Translokationslinien (TR320 und TR659) bekannt, die teilweise homolog zueinander sind. Die Position eines zweiten Nematodenresistenzgens (Hs1-2) wird in einer gemeinsamen Region der beiden resistenten Linien vermutet. Als Ergebnis einer früheren Arbeit war in Bezug auf diese Hypothese der offene Leserahmen (open reading frame, ORF) 702 als Kandidatensequenz vorgeschlagen worden. Das Ziel meiner Arbeit war die Klonierung des Hs1-2 Gens. Zunächst wurde hierzu eine funktionelle Analyse des ORF 702 durchgeführt und weitere translokationsspezifische Sequenzen und Genkandidaten mittels whole-genome-shotgun (WGS) Sequenzierung mit der Illumina HiSeq-Platform der Translokationslinien TR520 und TR363 identifiziert

Agrivoltaic pretrial : experiment report

In the agrivoltaics pretrial in Wädenswil, lamb’s lettuce was grown in three cultivation rounds (winter, early and late spring) under and behind ground-based solar modules to study their effects on crop growth. Leaf chlorophyll content was measured indirectly by means of the SPAD-502Plus Konica Minolta® chlorophyll meter. At harvest, specific leaf area (SLA) was collected from leaf punches and leaf length and width of single leaves and fresh weight of individuals were measured. The results include significant differences in plant traits (chlorophyll content, leaf length, width, SLA) and harvestable fresh weight. Chlorophyll contents of lamb’s lettuce leaves were significantly higher when grown under solar modules compared to the control and behind modules. Leaves were significantly longer and wider and had a higher SLA under solar modules (p < 0.05). Across all cultivation rounds, fresh weight under and behind modules increased by 17% and decreased by 8%, respectively, compared to the control. However, the influence of treatments strongly varied with season. Lamb’s lettuces grown under solar modules had the highest fresh weight in cultivation round 1 and 3. Lamb’s lettuces behind the solar modules had the lowest fresh weight in round 1 and 2. In cultivation round 2, fresh weight was identical for lamb’s lettuce under the modules and in the control and slightly smaller in the zone behind the modules (-17%). In cultivation round 3, fresh weight increased by 67% and 16% under and behind the modules, respectively, compared to the control. Our findings suggest that beneficial effects of agrivoltaics on crop growth are possible and – among other factors of influence – depend on the season. In the case of lamb’s lettuce, a preferential microclimate under solar modules can be assumed during winter months while its growing season may be potentially prolonged in late spring. Adverse effects were only observed in the area behind the modules with the lowest fresh weights in the first and second cultivation round

Agri-Photovoltaik: Positive Auswirkungen auf das Pflanzenwachstum unter Solarmodulen sind möglich

Im APV Vorversuch wurde das Wachstum von Nüsslisalat in drei Anbauphasen unter Solarmodulen untersucht. Insgesamt lag, im Vergleich zur Kontrolle, das Frischgewicht unter den Modulen 18% höher und dahinter 8% niedriger

Rumen and Liver Fluke Infections in Sheep and Goats in Northern and Southern Germany

Simple Summary Little is known about the distribution of rumen and liver flukes in sheep and goats in Germany or about the occurring rumen fluke species. These fluke infections can be detected by the parasite's eggs in the host animal's feces. Therefore, fecal samples from 223 sheep farms and 143 goat farms from northern and southern Germany were examined. The eggs of rumen flukes were detected on 2.2% of the samples, the eggs of common liver flukes on 2.7%, and the eggs of small liver flukes on 21.1% of the examined sheep farms. The rumen flukes were identified as the emerging species Calicophoron daubneyi. No rumen fluke eggs were detected on any of the goat farm samples, but common and small liver fluke eggs were detected in 5.6% and 7.0% of the goat herds, respectively. Differences in the geographical distribution of rumen and liver flukes between and within the two regions were identified. Rumen flukes were more frequently found in the north, while the two liver fluke species were more frequently found in the south of Germany. Sheep sharing the pasture with other ruminants were more likely to be infected with rumen flukes. Paramphistomidosis has recently been identified as an emerging parasitosis in Europe. This study estimated the prevalence of rumen flukes, Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum, in small ruminants in Germany and identified occurring rumen fluke species and potential predictors for fluke infections. Pooled fecal samples from 223 sheep farms and 143 goat farms in northern and southern Germany were examined by the sedimentation technique, and molecular species identification was performed on rumen-fluke-positive samples. In sheep, a flock prevalence of 2.2% was detected for rumen flukes. Calicophoron daubneyi was identified on four of five positive farms, while species identification failed in one flock. No rumen fluke eggs were detected in the examined goat herds. F. hepatica eggs were detected in 2.7% of the sheep flocks, while the herd prevalence was 5.6% in goats. Higher prevalence values of 21.1% (sheep) and 7.0% (goats) were observed for D. dendriticum. Mixed grazing with other ruminants and previously identified infections with rumen flukes and/or F. hepatica were identified as predictors for paramphistomidosis. The distribution of the three trematode species followed a geographical pattern associated with conditions favoring the relevant intermediate hosts. C. daubneyi is an established parasite in German sheep at a currently low prevalence

Prognostic impact of pretransplant measurable residual disease assessed by peripheral blood WT1-mRNA expression in patients with AML and MDS

OBJECTIVE As peripheral blood (PB) Wilm's Tumor 1 (WT1)-mRNA expression is established as MRD-marker during conventional AML chemotherapy, impact of pretransplant WT1 expression remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to assess prognostic impact of pretransplant WT1 expression on post-transplant outcome in patients with AML/MDS. METHODS In 64 AML/MDS patients, pretransplant WT1 expression was retrospectively analyzed using a standardized assay offering high sensitivity, specificity, and a validated cut-off. Patients were divided into three groups determined by pretransplant remission and WT1 expression. Post-transplant outcome of these groups was compared regarding cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), relapse-free (RFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Pretransplant forty-six patients (72%) showed hematologic remission, including 21 (46%) MRD-negative and 25 (54%) MRD-positive patients indicated by WT1 expression, while 18 refractory patients (28%) showed active disease. Two-year estimates of post-transplant CIR, RFS, and OS were similar in MRD-positive (61%, 37%, 54%) and refractory patients (70%, 26%, 56%), but significantly inferior compared with MRD-negative patients (10%, 89%, 90%). After multivariable adjustment, pretransplant MRD negativity measured by WT1 expression retained its prognostic impact on CIR (P~=~.008), RFS (P~=~.005), and OS (P~=~.049). CONCLUSIONS PB WT1 expression represents a useful method to estimate pretransplant MRD, which is highly predictable for post-transplant outcome and may help improving peri-transplant management in AML/MDS patients

Regional-biologische Schulverpflegung - Erstellung einer Broschüre zur Außer-Haus-Verpflegung

Die Außer-Haus-Verpflegung von Kindern und Jugendlichen ist nachwie vor ein aktuelles Thema. Aus diesem Grund wurden im Rahmen des Bundesprogramms Ökologischer Landbau Modellprojekte zu diesem Thema eingeworben. Das Ziel war, mehr Bio in der Schulverpflegung und in Kindertagesstätten zu etablieren. Aus der Vielzahl von Vorschlägen wurden vier Modellprojekte ausgewählt, die die Einführung von Biokost in Schulen und Kindertagesstätten mit allen möglichen Fragen und Stolpersteinen aus verschiedenen Blickwinkeln beleuchten. Als Projektstandorte wurden Hamburg, Berlin, Rhein-Main-Gebiet und der Schwalm-Eder-Kreis in Nordhessen ausgewählt. Die Ergebnisse aus den Projekten zeigen, wie vielseitig die Problematik, aber auch die Herangehensweise zur Lösung der Probleme sein kann

An in-silico approach to meniscus tissue regeneration: Modeling, numerical simulation, and experimental analysis

We develop a model the dynamics of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and chondrocytes evolving in a nonwoven polyethylene terephtalate (PET) scaffold impregnated with hyaluron and supplied with a differentiation medium. The scaffold and the cells are assumed to be contained in a bioreactor with fluid perfusion. The differentiation of hMSCs into chondrocytes favors the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) and is influenced by fluid stress. The model takes deformations of ECM and PET scaffold into account. The scaffold structure is explicitly included by statistical assessment of the fibre distribution from CT images. The effective macroscopic equations are obtained by appropriate upscaling from dynamics on lower (microscopic and mesoscopic) scales and feature in the motility terms an explicit cell diffusion tensor encoding the assessed anisotropic scaffold structure. Numerical simulations show its influence on the overall cell and tissue dynamics

Machbarkeitsstudie Agri-Photovoltaik in der Schweizer Landwirtschaft

Diese Machbarkeitsstudie untersucht das Potential der Agri-Photovoltaik für die Schweizer Landwirtschaft nach agronomischen, rechtlichen, wirtschaftlichen und technischen Aspekten. Kern ist eine räumliche Analyse, wieviel Potentialfläche mit und ohne Ausschlusskriterien theoretisch zur Verfügung steht und was dies für das Stromerzeugungspotential aus der Solarenergie und damit zur Zielerreichung der Energiestrategie 2050 des Bundes bedeuten würde

Advancements in the fabrication and characterization of actinide targets for superheavy element production

The heaviest elements can exclusively be produced in actinide-target based nuclear fusion reactions with intense heavy-ion beams. Ever more powerful accelerators deliver beams of continuously increasing intensity, which brings targets of current technology to their limits and beyond. We motivate efforts to produce targets with improved properties, which calls for a better understanding of targets produced by molecular plating, the current standard method. Complementary analytical methods will help shedding more light on their chemical and physical changes in the beam. Special emphasis is devoted to the aspect of the optimum target thickness and the choice of the backing material

Azacitidine, lenalidomide and donor lymphocyte infusions for relapse of myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia after allogeneic transplant: the Azalena-Trial

Azacitidine (Aza) combined with donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) is an established treatment for relapse of myeloid malignancies after allogeneic transplantation. Based on its immunomodulatory and anti-leukemic properties we considered Lenalidomide (Lena) to act synergistically with Aza/DLI to improve outcome. We, therefore, prospectively investigated tolerability and efficacy of this combination as first salvage therapy for adults with post-transplant relapse of acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Patients were scheduled for eight cycles Aza (75 mg/m2 day 1-7), Lena (2.5 or 5 mg, days 1-21) and up to three DLI with increasing T-cell dosages (0.5×106-1.5×107 cells/kg). Primary endpoint was safety, while secondary endpoints included response, graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and overall survival (OS). Fifty patients with molecular (52%) or hematological (48%) relapse of myelodysplastic syndromes (n=24), acute myeloid leukemia (n=23) or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (n=3) received a median of seven (range, 1-8) cycles including 14 patients with 2.5 mg and 36 with 5 mg Lena daily dosage. Concomitantly, 34 patients (68%) received at least one DLI. Overall response rate was 56% and 25 patients (50%) achieved complete remission being durable in 80%. Median OS was 21 months and 1-year OS rate 65% with no impact of type of or time to relapse and Lena dosages. Treatment was well tolerated indicated by febrile neutropenia being the only grade ≥3 non-hematologic adverse event in >10% of patients and modest acute (grade 2-4 24%) and chronic (moderate/severe 28%) GvHD incidences. In summary, Lena can be safely added to Aza/DLI without excess of GvHD and toxicity. Its significant anti-leukemic activity suggests that this combination is a novel salvage option for post-transplant relapse (clinicaltrials gov. Identifier: NCT02472691)