Advancing soybean adaptation to Central European growth conditions with novel breeding tools

According to the European Soy Monitor 2018 (European Soy Monitor, 2018), there is a wide discrepancy in the EU between market demands and general sustainability aims regarding soybean products. Europe needs to take action, if it wants to maintain its protein demands and at the same time requests a reduction in the destruction of globally important tropical and subtropical ecosystems. One step towards more sustainable soybean products lies in the increase of domestic production which has the potential to decrease soybean imports from areas of unsustainable cultivation. An augmented EU production of soybeans can be achieved for example by increasing the yield potential of soybeans in areas where successful cultivation already takes place or by expanding the cultivation area to more northern parts of Central Europe. Breeding for new, improved and adapted soybean cultivars that meet those terms, is a key activity towards that aim. This dissertation elucidates three different ways how the adaptation of soybeans to the climatic and photoperiodic conditions of Central Europe can be assisted and even accelerated: 1) By using off-season climate-controlled LED chambers to enable a speed breeding single seed descent approach. A 10 h light regime, rich in blue and deprived of far-red light emission is capable to significantly reduce and synchronise the generation time of soybeans. It was possible to shorten the life cycle for a panel of 8 soybean cultivars from different maturity groups to 77 days. This allows several generations of soybeans to be grown within one year. For the short day crops rice and amaranth on the other hand, different light quality parameters were favoured. In those crops mean flowering time was accelerated when far-red light was included in the light protocol. This underlines the importance of a crop-specific light regime in order to realise the full potential of LED-based speed breeding single seed descent. 2) By including experiments in climate-control chambers in combination with molecular tools (i.e. genomic prediction) to advance cold tolerance in soybeans. This quantitatively inherited key trait is necessary to adapt soybeans to colder regions and consequently extend growing areas of this crop to higher latitudes in Europe. In the biparental soybean population Merlin × Sigalia (103 recombinant inbred lines) three QTL for cold tolerance during pod onset were found on chromosomes 7, 11 and 13. The relatively small proportion of genotypic variance for this trait explained by these QTL underlines the quantitative nature of cold tolerance. Genomic prediction was shown to be a promising approach to select for cold stress tolerance. Scenarios with different test set sizes and prediction models were evaluated. In scenarios with smaller test set sizes prediction accuracies increased if known and confirmed QTL were included in the prediction model. 3) By incorporating citizen science into the breeding process. The citizen science project 1000 Gärten from 2016 approached this topic. Phenotypic data from soybean cultivars and breeding lines were collected by citizen scientists in 2492 gardens throughout Germany which generated a unique dataset. Among many other results this study was able to show that in 2016 and within the early maturity segment of soybeans the factor temperature influenced flowering and maturity to a higher degree than photoperiod although day length differed by over an hour between the north and the south of Germany during the time of flowering. It was shown that this admittedly challenging tool can realise a significant impact not only regarding the possibility of a highly multi-environmental screening of breeding material but also by connecting plant breeding, agriculture and potential future costumers in order to raise awareness and acceptance of a crop in larger parts of the society - a factor that may not be highlighted enough when a new crop is introduced to our agriculture. These approaches should not be seen as an alternative to classical plant breeding, but rather considered as valuable additional tools that can contribute to conventional breeding of soybeans, as well as other crops. If applied, the presented tools may assist plant breeding to pave Europes way towards a greener and more sustainable future that is urgently needed.Laut Zahlen des European Soy Monitor 2018 (European Soy Monitor, 2018) gibt es in der EU bei Sojaprodukten eine große Diskrepanz zwischen Produktion und den selbstgesteckten Nachhaltigkeitszielen bei der Produktion. Europa hat folglich zu handeln, wenn es seinen Proteinbedarf aufrechterhalten will und gleichzeitig die Zerstörung global wichtiger tropischer und subtropischer Ökosysteme anprangert. Ein Schritt in Richtung nachhaltigerer Sojaprodukte liegt in der Steigerung der innereuropäischen Produktion. Das hat das Potenzial die Sojaimporte aus nicht nachhaltigen Produktionsgebieten zu verringern. Eine erhöhte Sojabohnenproduktion in der EU kann erreicht werden, indem beispielsweise das Ertragspotenzial von Sojabohnen in Gebieten erhöht wird, in denen bereits ein erfolgreicher Anbau stattfindet, oder indem Anbaugebiete auf nördlichere Teile Zentraleuropas ausgedehnt werden. Die Züchtung neuer, verbesserter und angepasster Sojasorten, die diese Bedingungen erfüllen, ist ein Schlüsselelement, dieses Ziel zu erreichen. In dieser Dissertation werden drei verschiedene Möglichkeiten aufgeführt, welche die Adaptation von Sojabohnen an die klimatischen und photoperiodischen Bedingungen Zentraleuropas unterstützen und sogar beschleunigen können: 1) Durch die Verwendung einer klimatisierten off-season LED-Kammer, um einen speed breeding Ansatz für Einzelsamenramsch zu ermöglichen. Ein 10-stündiges Lichtregime, welches reich an blauem Licht ist und kaum Emissionen im fernroten Spektralbereich aufweist, kann die Generationszeit von Sojapflanzen erheblich verkürzen und synchronisieren. Es war möglich, den Lebenszyklus von acht ausgewählten Sojabohnensorten unterschiedlicher Reifegruppen auf 77 Tage zu reduzieren. Dadurch können mehrere Generationen Sojabohnen innerhalb eines Jahres wachsen. Die Kurztagpflanzen Reis und Amaranth bevorzugten jedoch andere Lichtqualitäten. Bei diesen Kulturarten wurde die mittlere Zeit bis zur Blüte beschleunigt, wenn fernrotes Licht in das Lichtprotokoll integriert wurde. Dieser Fund hebt die Bedeutung kulturartspezifischer Lichtregime hervor, um das volle Leistungsvermögen eines LED-basierten speed breeding Ansatzes zu nutzen. 2) Durch Einbeziehung von Experimenten in Klimakammern in Kombination mit molekularen Werkzeugen (z.B. genomic prediction), um die Kältetoleranz von Soja zu verbessern. Dieses quantitativ vererbte Schlüsselmerkmal ist notwendig, um Sojabohnen an kältere Gebiete anzupassen und folglich das Wachstum dieser Kultur in nördlichen Breiten Europas zu fördern. In der biparentalen Sojabohnenpopulation Merlin × Sigalia (103 rekombinante Inzuchtlinien) konnten drei QTL auf den Chromosomen 7, 11 und 13 für Kältetoleranz zur Zeit des Hülsenansatzes gefunden werden. Der relativ kleine Anteil der erklärten genotypischen Varianz dieser drei QTL an dem Merkmal unterstreicht die genetisch quantitative Beschaffenheit von Kältetoleranz. Genomic prediction wurde als erfolgsversprechender Ansatz eingeschätzt, um auf Kältestresstoleranz zu selektieren. Szenarien mit unterschiedlich großen Testsets und Vorhersagemodellen wurden bewertet. Die Vorhersagegenauigkeit konnte in den Szenarien mit kleineren Testsetgrößen erhöht werden, indem bekannte und bestätigte QTL dem Vorhersagemodell hinzugefügt werden konnten. 3) durch die Einbeziehung von Bürgerwissenschaft (Citizen Science) in den Züchtungsprozess. Das 2016 gestartete Bürgerwissenschaftsprojekt 1000 Gärten nahm sich dieses Themas an. Dabei wurden phänotypische Daten von Sojasorten und Sojazuchtlinien von Bürgerwissenschaftlern in 2492 Gärten aus ganz Deutschland erfasst und gesammelt, welche zu einem einzigartigen Datensatz zusammenflossen. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass dieses zugegebenermaßen herausfordernde Werkzeug hinsichtlich der Möglichkeit eines Screenings von Zuchtmaterial an vielen Standorten einen signifikanten Einfluss erzielen kann. Unter anderem konnte in dieser Studie gezeigt werden, dass im Jahr 2016 und innerhalb des frühen Reifegruppesegments bei Sojabohnen der Faktor Temperatur ausschlaggebender auf das Blüh- und Reifeverhalten war als die Photoperiode. Und das obwohl die Tageslänge zwischen Nord- und Süddeutschland zur Zeit der Blüte mehr als eine Stunde Unterschied aufweist. Zusätzlich konnte durch die Verbindung von Pflanzenzüchtung, Landwirtschaft und potenziellen zukünftigen Kunden das Bewusstsein und die Akzeptanz für Soja als Kulturart in einem größeren Teil der Gesellschaft erhöht werden - ein Umstand, welcher möglicherweise nicht genügend Beachtung findet, wenn eine neuartige Kulturart in unsere Landwirtschaft eingeführt wird. Diese Ansätze sollten nicht als Alternative zur klassischen Pflanzenzüchtung verstanden werden, sondern als wertvolle zusätzliche Instrumente, die zur konventionellen Züchtung von Sojabohnen, aber auch anderer Kulturen beitragen können. Im Bereich der Pflanzenzüchtung kann die Anwendung ebendieser hier vorgestellten Instrumente dazu beitragen, Europas Weg in eine grünere und nachhaltigere Zukunft zu ebnen, die dringend benötigt wird

The Prognostic Value of NANO Scale Assessment in IDH-Wild-Type Glioblastoma Patients

Background: IDH-wild-type glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent brain-derived malignancy. Despite intense research efforts, it is still associated with a very poor prognosis. Several parameters were identified as prognostic, including general physical performance. In neuro-oncology (NO), special emphasis is put on focal deficits and cognitive (dys-)function. The Neurologic Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (NANO) scale was proposed in order to standardize the assessment of neurological performance in NO. This study evaluated whether NANO scale assessment provides prognostic information in a standardized collective of GBM patients. Methods: The records of all GBM patients treated between 2014 and 2019 at our facility were retrospectively screened. Inclusion criteria were age over 18 years, at least 3 months postoperative follow-up, and preoperative and postoperative cranial magnetic resonance imaging. The NANO scale was assessed pre- and postoperatively as well as at 3 months follow-up. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were carried to investigate the prognostic value. Results: One hundred and thirty-one patients were included. In univariate analysis, poor postoperative neurological performance (HR 1.13, p = 0.004), poor neurological performance at 3 months postsurgery (HR 1.37, p < 0.001), and neurological deterioration during follow-up (HR 1.38, p < 0.001), all assessed via the NANO scale, were associated with shorter survival. In multivariate analysis including other prognostic factors such as the extent of resection, adjuvant treatment regimen, or age, NANO scale assessment at 3 months postoperative follow-up was independently associated with survival prediction (HR 1.36, p < 0.001). The optimal NANO scale cutoff for patient stratification was 3.5 points. Conclusion: Neurological performance assessment employing the NANO scale might provide prognostic information in patients suffering from GBM

<i>Arabidopsis</i> FORGETTER1 mediates stress-induced chromatin memory through nucleosome remodeling

Plants as sessile organisms can adapt to environmental stress to mitigate its adverse effects. As part of such adaptation they maintain an active memory of heat stress for several days that promotes a more efficient response to recurring stress. We show that this heat stress memory requires the activity of the FORGETTER1 (FGT1) locus, with fgt1 mutants displaying reduced maintenance of heat-induced gene expression. FGT1 encodes the Arabidopsis thaliana orthologue of Strawberry notch (Sno), and the protein globally associates with the promoter regions of actively expressed genes in a heat-dependent fashion. FGT1 interacts with chromatin remodelers of the SWI/SNF and ISWI families, which also display reduced heat stress memory. Genomic targets of the BRM remodeler overlap significantly with FGT1 targets. Accordingly, nucleosome dynamics at loci with altered maintenance of heat-induced expression are affected in fgt1. Together, our results suggest that by modulating nucleosome occupancy, FGT1 mediates stress-induced chromatin memory.</jats:p

Optical sensing of oxygen using a modified Stern–Volmer equation for high laser irradiance

International audienc

Facial Nerve Function After Microsurgical Resection in Vestibular Schwannoma Under Neurophysiological Monitoring

Background: The use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, including direct nerve stimulation (especially the facial nerve), acoustic evoked potentials (AEP) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), is a helpful tool in the microsurgery of vestibular schwannoma to prevent nerve injury. Patient characteristics and intraoperative and postoperative variables might also influence the postoperative facial nerve function. The study was performed to investigate these variables and the intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring values. Methods: Seventy-nine patients with vestibular schwannoma were included consecutively into this study. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, including SSEP, AEP, and direct nerve stimulation for facial and trigeminal nerve electromyography, was performed utilizing digital data storage in all cases. The intensity (in volts) of the direct stimulation and the latency (in ms) for the orbicularis oculi and the orbicularis oris muscle and the amplitude (in mV) was measured. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses concerning the different parameters was performed directly after the operation and in the subsequent follow-ups 3 and 6 months after the operation. Results: The mean intensity was 0.79 V (SD.29). The latency and amplitude for the oris muscle was 5.2ms (SD 2.07) and 0.68mV (SD.57), respectively. The mean latency for the occuli muscle was 5.58ms (SD 2.2) and the amplitude was 0.58mV (SD 1.04). The univariate and multivariate statistical analyses showed significance concerning the postoperative facial nerve function and the amplitude of the direct stimulation of the facial nerve in the orbicularis oris muscle (p = 0.03), so repeated direct nerve stimulation might show FN function deterioration. The mean diameter of the tumors was 24mm (range 10–57mm). Cross total resection and near total was achieved in 76 patients (96%) and subtotal in three patients (4%). The preoperative House–Brakeman score (HBS) 1 was constant in 65 (82%) cases. The mortality in our series was 0%; the overall morbidity was 10%. The HBS was not influenced concerning the extent of resection. The mean follow-up was 28 months (range 6 to 60 months). The limitations of the study might be a low number of patients and the retrospective character of the study. Conclusion: Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is crucial in vestibular schwannoma surgery. Repeated direct nerve stimulation and a detected decreased amplitude might show facial nerve function deterioration

The Prognostic Value of NANO Scale Assessment in IDH-Wild-Type Glioblastoma Patients

Background: IDH-wild-type glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent brain-derived malignancy. Despite intense research efforts, it is still associated with a very poor prognosis. Several parameters were identified as prognostic, including general physical performance. In neuro-oncology (NO), special emphasis is put on focal deficits and cognitive (dys-)function. The Neurologic Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (NANO) scale was proposed in order to standardize the assessment of neurological performance in NO. This study evaluated whether NANO scale assessment provides prognostic information in a standardized collective of GBM patients. Methods: The records of all GBM patients treated between 2014 and 2019 at our facility were retrospectively screened. Inclusion criteria were age over 18 years, at least 3 months postoperative follow-up, and preoperative and postoperative cranial magnetic resonance imaging. The NANO scale was assessed pre- and postoperatively as well as at 3 months follow-up. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were carried to investigate the prognostic value. Results: One hundred and thirty-one patients were included. In univariate analysis, poor postoperative neurological performance (HR 1.13, p = 0.004), poor neurological performance at 3 months postsurgery (HR 1.37, p < 0.001), and neurological deterioration during follow-up (HR 1.38, p < 0.001), all assessed via the NANO scale, were associated with shorter survival. In multivariate analysis including other prognostic factors such as the extent of resection, adjuvant treatment regimen, or age, NANO scale assessment at 3 months postoperative follow-up was independently associated with survival prediction (HR 1.36, p < 0.001). The optimal NANO scale cutoff for patient stratification was 3.5 points. Conclusion: Neurological performance assessment employing the NANO scale might provide prognostic information in patients suffering from GBM

The Prognostic Value of NANO Scale Assessment in IDH-Wild-Type Glioblastoma Patients

Background: IDH-wild-type glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent brain-derived malignancy. Despite intense research efforts, it is still associated with a very poor prognosis. Several parameters were identified as prognostic, including general physical performance. In neuro-oncology (NO), special emphasis is put on focal deficits and cognitive (dys-)function. The Neurologic Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (NANO) scale was proposed in order to standardize the assessment of neurological performance in NO. This study evaluated whether NANO scale assessment provides prognostic information in a standardized collective of GBM patients. Methods: The records of all GBM patients treated between 2014 and 2019 at our facility were retrospectively screened. Inclusion criteria were age over 18 years, at least 3 months postoperative follow-up, and preoperative and postoperative cranial magnetic resonance imaging. The NANO scale was assessed pre- and postoperatively as well as at 3 months follow-up. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were carried to investigate the prognostic value. Results: One hundred and thirty-one patients were included. In univariate analysis, poor postoperative neurological performance (HR 1.13, p = 0.004), poor neurological performance at 3 months postsurgery (HR 1.37, p < 0.001), and neurological deterioration during follow-up (HR 1.38, p < 0.001), all assessed via the NANO scale, were associated with shorter survival. In multivariate analysis including other prognostic factors such as the extent of resection, adjuvant treatment regimen, or age, NANO scale assessment at 3 months postoperative follow-up was independently associated with survival prediction (HR 1.36, p < 0.001). The optimal NANO scale cutoff for patient stratification was 3.5 points. Conclusion: Neurological performance assessment employing the NANO scale might provide prognostic information in patients suffering from GBM

On the Prognosis of Multifocal Glioblastoma: An Evaluation Incorporating Volumetric MRI

Primary glioblastoma (GBM), IDH-wildtype, especially with multifocal appearance/growth (mGBM), is associated with very poor prognosis. Several clinical parameters have been identified to provide prognostic value in both unifocal GBM (uGBM) and mGBM, but information about the influence of radiological parameters on survival for mGBM cohorts is scarce. This study evaluated the prognostic value of several volumetric parameters derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Data from the Department of Neurosurgery, Leipzig University Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients treated between 2014 and 2019, aged older than 18 years and with adequate peri-operative MRI were included. Volumetric assessment was performed manually. One hundred and eighty-three patients were included. Survival of patients with mGBM was significantly shorter (p &lt; 0.0001). Univariate analysis revealed extent of resection, adjuvant therapy regimen, residual tumor volume, tumor necrosis volume and ratio of tumor necrosis to initial volume as statistically significant for overall survival. In multivariate Cox regression, however, only EOR (for uGBM and the entire cohort) and adjuvant therapy were independently significant for survival. Decreased ratio of tumor necrosis to initial tumor volume and extent of resection were associated with prolonged survival in mGBM but failed to achieve statistical significance in multivariate analysis

On the Prognosis of Multifocal Glioblastoma: An Evaluation Incorporating Volumetric MRI

Primary glioblastoma (GBM), IDH-wildtype, especially with multifocal appearance/growth (mGBM), is associated with very poor prognosis. Several clinical parameters have been identified to provide prognostic value in both unifocal GBM (uGBM) and mGBM, but information about the influence of radiological parameters on survival for mGBM cohorts is scarce. This study evaluated the prognostic value of several volumetric parameters derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Data from the Department of Neurosurgery, Leipzig University Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients treated between 2014 and 2019, aged older than 18 years and with adequate peri-operative MRI were included. Volumetric assessment was performed manually. One hundred and eighty-three patients were included. Survival of patients with mGBM was significantly shorter (p < 0.0001). Univariate analysis revealed extent of resection, adjuvant therapy regimen, residual tumor volume, tumor necrosis volume and ratio of tumor necrosis to initial volume as statistically significant for overall survival. In multivariate Cox regression, however, only EOR (for uGBM and the entire cohort) and adjuvant therapy were independently significant for survival. Decreased ratio of tumor necrosis to initial tumor volume and extent of resection were associated with prolonged survival in mGBM but failed to achieve statistical significance in multivariate analysis

Morphological markers for microspore developmental stage in maize

The use of maize in anther culture has been limited because only few genotypes presented a high androgenetic potential. Obtaining the proper stage of microspore development at culture initiation is one of the most crucial factors for success in the androgenesis. For Brazilian maize genotypes there are no studies reporting a correlation between cytological features and morphological parameters. In this study, morphological parameters were recorded and associated with cytological specific stages of the the microsporogenesis in two Brazilian maize genotypes that were sowed in different places (field and growing chamber). For both genotypes, the plants of the growing chamber presented a delay in development. Spikelets length and anther length/spikelet length ratio are not good parameters since they can be greatly influenced by the environment. The anther length was the more reliable parameter to correlate with a specific developmental stage. Nevertheless, variations between genotypes and environment were detected.<br>A utilização do milho (Zea mays) na cultura de anteras é limitada devido ao baixo número de genótipos com alto potencial androgenético. A obtenção de micrósporos no estádio de desenvolvimento apropriado no início da cultura é um dos fatores cruciais para o sucesso do processo androgenético. Em genótipos brasileiros de milho não existem estudos relatando a correlação entre características citológicas e parâmetros morfológicos. Neste estudo, parâmetros morfológicos foram avaliados e associados com estádios específicos da microsporogênese em dois genótipos brasileiros de milho os quais foram semeados em diferentes locais (campo e câmara de crescimento). Para ambos os genótipos, as plantas crescidas na câmara de crescimento apresentaram atraso no desenvolvimento. O comprimento da espigueta e a razão comprimento da antera/comprimento da espigueta não são bons parâmetros uma vez que podem ser muito influenciados pelo ambiente. O comprimento da antera foi o melhor parâmetro para indicar o estádio de desenvolvimento do micrósporo. Todavia, variações entre genótipos e ambiente foram detectadas