Nat Genet

Aortic calcification is an important independent predictor of future cardiovascular events. We performed a genome-wide association meta-analysis to determine SNPs associated with the extent of abdominal aortic calcification (n = 9,417) or descending thoracic aortic calcification (n = 8,422). Two genetic loci, HDAC9 and RAP1GAP, were associated with abdominal aortic calcification at a genome-wide level (P < 5.0 x 10(-8)). No SNPs were associated with thoracic aortic calcification at the genome-wide threshold. Increased expression of HDAC9 in human aortic smooth muscle cells promoted calcification and reduced contractility, while inhibition of HDAC9 in human aortic smooth muscle cells inhibited calcification and enhanced cell contractility. In matrix Gla protein-deficient mice, a model of human vascular calcification, mice lacking HDAC9 had a 40% reduction in aortic calcification and improved survival. This translational genomic study identifies the first genetic risk locus associated with calcification of the abdominal aorta and describes a previously unknown role for HDAC9 in the development of vascular calcification

Scheduling and Location (ScheLoc): Makespan Problem with Variable Release Dates

While in classical scheduling theory the locations of machines are assumed to be fixed we will show how to tackle location and scheduling problems simultaneously. Obviously, this integrated approach enhances the modeling power of scheduling for various real-life problems. In this paper, we present in an exemplary way theory and a solution algorithm for a specific type of a scheduling and a rather general, planar location problem, respectively. More general results and a report on numerical tests will be presented in a subsequent paper

Scheduling and Location (ScheLoc): Makespan Problem with Variable Release Dates

While in classical scheduling theory the locations of machines are assumed to be fixed we will show how to tackle location and scheduling problems simultaneously. Obviously, this integrated approach enhances the modeling power of scheduling for various real-life problems. In this paper, we present in an exemplary way theory and a solution algorithm for a specific type of a scheduling and a rather general, planar location problem, respectively. More general results and a report on numerical tests will be presented in a subsequent paper

Entwicklung eines chronischen Pflanzentests Abschlussbericht

The study describes experiments for the development and tentative application of a chronic toxicity test with higher plants. This test procedure shall form part of an ecotoxicological test battery for the assessment of the quality of contaminated or remediated soils. In comparison to acute plant tests, commonly used in the assessment of chemicals, the chronic plant test includes endpoints relevant for the reproduction of the plants. Also, it was taken into consideration that the test meets the requirements for testing different types of soil. The new test procedure was not fully validated within this research project. Nevertheless, the results were used to draft a test guideline, which has been presented to ISO. The applicability of the chronic plant test was tried out by experiments with soils from different locations contaminated with either, TNT, polyaromatic hydrocarbons or mineral oil hydrocarbons, with biologically remediated soils as well as with one standard and one artificial soil to which the model contaminants TNT or Pyren were added. These tests were designed as dose-response experiments, to evaluate adverse effects on the test plants on the basis of the model contaminant concentration or the mixture ratio of the test soil. In addition, experimental factors like illumination, watering, nutrient amendments, sowing method or pollination were caried to assess their effects on the practicability of the test and the test results. A few uncontaminated reference soils with similar properties to a given test soil, were included in the study as controls and substrate for preparing soil mixtures. In other cases LUFA Sp2.2, a German standard soil, or OECD artificial soil were used for this purpose. The results show, that lack of true control substrates has to be considered when interpreting the dose-(mixture-)response curves. The use of reference soils as a control and substrate for soil mixtures proved to be more problematic than standard or artificial soil with well-known properties. Toxic effects cannot be masked by high levels of nutrients. However, mild adverse effects may be less clearly distinctive when nutrient levels of a test soil are much higher than of the control substrate. Beside nutrients, the water transport capacity of the test soils was of major concern for the practicability of the test. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: F00B1185 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Bildung und Forschung (BMBF), Bonn (Germany)DEGerman

Entwicklung eines Testsystems fuer die Pruefung des biologischen Abbaus in Oberflaechengewaessern

The study presented here describes the development of a laboratory test system for the determination of aerobic biodegradability of substances at low concentrations in surface water. It was aimed to prepare a draft guideline for a biodegradation simulation test according to OECD format. The experimental approach was based on a literature study conducted within the frame of this project. Further useful information on the possible test design was derived from the German BBA guideline 5-1. Natural water and sediments were collected. Radiolabelled Lindane or 4-Nitrophenol was added. The test vessels (reactors) were aerated and incubated under controlled conditions for up to 92 days. The results showed biological stability of the sediment/water systems even without addition of nutrients and adherence to non-reducing conditions. Mineralisation of 4-Nitrophenol was influenced by the sediment type, the method of aeration and temperature. Factors affecting the mineralisation of Lindane were the method of application and again, the sediment type and temperature. Considerable amounts of the radioactivity were bound to the sediment and were to a large extent unextractable. The potential of a reactor to mineralise a test substance could not be correlated with the biological parameters measured. (orig.)Die vorliegende Studie beschreibt die Entwicklung eines Labortestverfahrens zur Pruefung des aeroben Abbaus niedrig konzentrierter Stoffe in Oberflaechengewaessern. Dabei war es ein Ziel, das Verfahren so weit abzusichern, dass ein Entwurf fuer eine Pruefrichtlinie als Simulationstest im Format der OECD-Richtlinien abgefasst werden konnte. Grundlage fuer die Konzeption war eine zuvoerderst durchgefuehrte Literaturstudie. Hinweise auf ein moegliches Testdesign ergaben sich auch aus der BBA-Richtlinie 5-1. Wasser und Sediment wurden der Natur entnommen und nach Zugabe der radioaktiven Pruefsubstanz Lindan oder 4-Nitrophenol in einem beluefteten Gefaess unter kontrollierten Bedingungen bis zu 92 Tage lang inkubiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die Wasser/Sediment-Systeme auch ueber diesen langen Zeitraum ohne Zufuetterung biologisch stabil waren und nichtreduzierende Bedingungen auch im Sediment erhalten blieben. Die Mineralisierung von 4-Nitrophenol wurde vom Sedimenttyp, der Belueftungsart und der Temperatur beeinflusst, die von Lindan von der Applikationsart und ebenfalls vom Sedimenttyp und der Temperatur. Wesentliche Anteile der Radioaktivitaet wurden ans Sediment gebunden und waren zum grossen Teil nicht extrahierbar. Es wird schliesslich diskutiert, dass das Potential eines Sediments, Stoffe zu minimalisieren, nicht mit den gewaehlten biologischen Kenngroessen klassifiziert werden kann. Daraus koennen Probleme bei der Uebertragbarkeit der Ergebnisse auf neue Standorte erwachsen. (orig.)Available from TIB Hannover: RN 8422(1997,13) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEBundesministerium fuer Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman