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Khera K, Büchele F, Wood RM, Thewes FR, Wagner R, Hagemann MH, Neuwald DA. Impact of different storage conditions with combined use of ethylene blocker on 'Shalimar' apple variety. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8485. [PMID: 38605100 PMCID: PMC11009402 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57688-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
This research investigates the impact of storage conditions on the quality and preservation of 'Shalimar' apples, a relatively new cultivar known for its resistance to apple scab and powdery mildew. The study explores the efficacy of different storage techniques such as regular atmosphere (RA), controlled atmosphere (CA), and dynamic controlled atmosphere with CO2 Monitoring (DCA-CD), as well as the integration of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at different storage temperatures (1 °C and 3 °C). Various fruit quality parameters were monitored under different storage conditions, including firmness, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, background color, respiration, ethylene production, and volatile compounds. The results indicate that the controlled atmosphere (CA) at 1 °C emerges as an efficient method for long-term storage. However, it is noted that CA storage may impact the apple aroma, emphasizing the need for a balance between preservation and consumer acceptability. On the other hand, DCA-CD at variable temperatures (approximately 2.5 °C) offers a promising approach for maintaining fruit quality and a higher concentration of volatile compounds. Integrating 1-MCP enhances firmness, but its impact varies across storage conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) provides insights into the relationships between storage conditions, fruit quality, and volatile compounds. This study contributes valuable insights into optimizing storage strategies for 'Shalimar' apples, addressing sustainability and quality preservation in apple production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartik Khera
- Lake of Constance Research Centre for Fruit Cultivation (KOB), Schuhmacherhof 6, Ravensburg, Germany
- Department Production Systems of Horticultural Crops, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Felix Büchele
- Lake of Constance Research Centre for Fruit Cultivation (KOB), Schuhmacherhof 6, Ravensburg, Germany
| | - Rachael Maree Wood
- Horticulture and Product Physiology, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Fabio Rodrigo Thewes
- University of Santa Maria, v. Roraima n 9702 1000 Cidade Universitaria, Bairro - Camobi, Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Roger Wagner
- University of Santa Maria, v. Roraima n 9702 1000 Cidade Universitaria, Bairro - Camobi, Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Michael Helmut Hagemann
- Department Production Systems of Horticultural Crops, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Daniel Alexandre Neuwald
- Lake of Constance Research Centre for Fruit Cultivation (KOB), Schuhmacherhof 6, Ravensburg, Germany.
- Department Production Systems of Horticultural Crops, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Schneider H, Haas V, Krizanac AM, Falker-Gieske C, Heise J, Tetens J, Thaller G, Bennewitz J. Mendelian randomization analysis of 34,497 German Holstein cows to infer causal associations between milk production and health traits. Genet Sel Evol 2024; 56:27. [PMID: 38589805 PMCID: PMC11000328 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-024-00896-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Claw diseases and mastitis represent the most important health issues in dairy cattle with a frequently mentioned connection to milk production. Although many studies have aimed at investigating this connection in more detail by estimating genetic correlations, they do not provide information about causality. An alternative is to carry out Mendelian randomization (MR) studies using genetic variants to investigate the effect of an exposure on an outcome trait mediated by genetic variants. No study has yet investigated the causal association of milk yield (MY) with health traits in dairy cattle. Hence, we performed a MR analysis of MY and seven health traits using imputed whole-genome sequence data from 34,497 German Holstein cows. We applied a method that uses summary statistics and removes horizontal pleiotropic variants (having an effect on both traits), which improves the power and unbiasedness of MR studies. In addition, genetic correlations between MY and each health trait were estimated to compare them with the estimates of causal effects that we expected. RESULTS All genetic correlations between MY and each health trait were negative, ranging from - 0.303 (mastitis) to - 0.019 (digital dermatitis), which indicates a reduced health status as MY increases. The only non-significant correlation was between MY and digital dermatitis. In addition, each causal association was negative, ranging from - 0.131 (mastitis) to - 0.034 (laminitis), but the number of significant associations was reduced to five nominal and two experiment-wide significant results. The latter were between MY and mastitis and between MY and digital phlegmon. Horizontal pleiotropic variants were identified for mastitis, digital dermatitis and digital phlegmon. They were located within or nearby variants that were previously reported to have a horizontal pleiotropic effect, e.g., on milk production and somatic cell count. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm the known negative genetic connection between health traits and MY in dairy cattle. In addition, they provide new information about causality, which for example points to the negative energy balance mediating the connection between these traits. This knowledge helps to better understand whether the negative genetic correlation is based on pleiotropy, linkage between causal variants for both trait complexes, or indeed on a causal association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Schneider
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Valentin Haas
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ana-Marija Krizanac
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Johannes Heise
- Vereinigte Informationssysteme Tierhaltung w.V. (VIT), 27283, Verden, Germany
| | - Jens Tetens
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Georg Thaller
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jörn Bennewitz
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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Laidig F, Feike T, Lichthardt C, Schierholt A, Piepho HP. Breeding progress of nitrogen use efficiency of cereal crops, winter oilseed rape and peas in long-term variety trials. Theor Appl Genet 2024; 137:45. [PMID: 38329519 PMCID: PMC10853085 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-023-04521-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE Grain yield and NUE increased over time while nitrogen yield did not drop significantly despite reduced nitrogen input. Selection for grain and nitrogen yield is equivalent to selection for NUE. Breeding and registration of improved varieties with high yield, processing quality, disease resistance and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) are of utmost importance for sustainable crop production to minimize adverse environmental impact and contribute to food security. Based on long-term variety trials of cereals, winter oilseed rape and grain peas tested across a wide range of environmental conditions in Germany, we quantified long-term breeding progress for NUE and related traits. We estimated the genotypic, environmental and genotype-by-environment interaction variation and correlation between traits and derived heritability coefficients. Nitrogen fertilizer application was considerably reduced between 1995 and 2021 in the range of 5.4% for winter wheat and 28.9% for spring wheat while for spring barley it was increased by 20.9%. Despite the apparent nitrogen reduction for most crops, grain yield (GYLD) and nitrogen accumulation in grain (NYLD) was increased or did not significantly decrease. NUE for GYLD increased significantly for all crops between 12.8% and 35.2% and for NYLD between 8% and 20.7%. We further showed that the genotypic rank of varieties for GYLD and NYLD was about equivalent to the genotypic rank of the corresponding traits of NUE, if all varieties in a trial were treated with the same nitrogen rate. Heritability of nitrogen yield was about the same as that of grain yield, suggesting that nitrogen yield should be considered as an additional criterion for variety testing to increase NUE and reduce negative environmental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Laidig
- Institute of Crop Science, Biostatistics Unit, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - T Feike
- Julius Kühn Institute - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Strategies and Technology Assessment, Stahnsdorfer Damm 81, 14532, Kleinmachnow, Germany
| | - C Lichthardt
- Bundessortenamt, Osterfelddamm 60, 30627, Hannover, Germany
| | - A Schierholt
- Plant Breeding Methodology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Carl-Sprengel-Weg 1, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - H P Piepho
- Institute of Crop Science, Biostatistics Unit, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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Lourenço VM, Ogutu JO, Rodrigues RAP, Posekany A, Piepho HP. Genomic prediction using machine learning: a comparison of the performance of regularized regression, ensemble, instance-based and deep learning methods on synthetic and empirical data. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:152. [PMID: 38326768 PMCID: PMC10848392 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09933-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The accurate prediction of genomic breeding values is central to genomic selection in both plant and animal breeding studies. Genomic prediction involves the use of thousands of molecular markers spanning the entire genome and therefore requires methods able to efficiently handle high dimensional data. Not surprisingly, machine learning methods are becoming widely advocated for and used in genomic prediction studies. These methods encompass different groups of supervised and unsupervised learning methods. Although several studies have compared the predictive performances of individual methods, studies comparing the predictive performance of different groups of methods are rare. However, such studies are crucial for identifying (i) groups of methods with superior genomic predictive performance and assessing (ii) the merits and demerits of such groups of methods relative to each other and to the established classical methods. Here, we comparatively evaluate the genomic predictive performance and informally assess the computational cost of several groups of supervised machine learning methods, specifically, regularized regression methods, deep, ensemble and instance-based learning algorithms, using one simulated animal breeding dataset and three empirical maize breeding datasets obtained from a commercial breeding program. RESULTS Our results show that the relative predictive performance and computational expense of the groups of machine learning methods depend upon both the data and target traits and that for classical regularized methods, increasing model complexity can incur huge computational costs but does not necessarily always improve predictive accuracy. Thus, despite their greater complexity and computational burden, neither the adaptive nor the group regularized methods clearly improved upon the results of their simple regularized counterparts. This rules out selection of one procedure among machine learning methods for routine use in genomic prediction. The results also show that, because of their competitive predictive performance, computational efficiency, simplicity and therefore relatively few tuning parameters, the classical linear mixed model and regularized regression methods are likely to remain strong contenders for genomic prediction. CONCLUSIONS The dependence of predictive performance and computational burden on target datasets and traits call for increasing investments in enhancing the computational efficiency of machine learning algorithms and computing resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanda M Lourenço
- Center for Mathematics and Applications (NOVA Math) and Department of Mathematics, NOVA SST, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal.
| | - Joseph O Ogutu
- Institute of Crop Science, Biostatistics Unit, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Rui A P Rodrigues
- Center for Mathematics and Applications (NOVA Math) and Department of Mathematics, NOVA SST, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Posekany
- Research Unit of Computational Statistics, Vienna University of Technology, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10, 1040, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hans-Peter Piepho
- Institute of Crop Science, Biostatistics Unit, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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Schmitt M, Ewendt F, Kluttig A, Mikolajczyk R, Kraus FB, Wätjen W, Bürkner PC, Stangl GI, Föller M. Smoking is associated with increased eryptosis, suicidal erythrocyte death, in a large population-based cohort. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3024. [PMID: 38321053 PMCID: PMC10847437 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53258-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Smoking has multiple detrimental effects on health, and is a major preventable cause of premature death and chronic disease. Despite the well-described effect of inhaled substances from tobacco smoke on cell toxicity, the association between smoking and suicidal erythrocyte death, termed eryptosis, is virtually unknown. Therefore, the blood samples of 2023 participants of the German National Cohort Study (NAKO) were analyzed using flow cytometry analysis to determine eryptosis from fluorescent annexin V-FITC-binding to phosphatidylserine-exposing erythrocytes. Blood analyses were complemented by the measurement of hematologic parameters including red blood cell count, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular cell volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). Eryptosis was higher in smokers than in non- and ex-smokers, and positively associated with the number of cigarettes smoked daily (r = 0.08, 95% CI [0.03, 0.12]). Interestingly, despite increased eryptosis, smokers had higher red blood cell indices than non-smokers. To conclude, smokers were characterized by higher eryptosis than non-smokers, without showing any obvious detrimental effect on classic hematological parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Schmitt
- Cluster of Excellence SimTech, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Franz Ewendt
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Alexander Kluttig
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Rafael Mikolajczyk
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - F Bernhard Kraus
- Central Laboratory, Department for Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Halle, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Wim Wätjen
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Paul-Christian Bürkner
- Cluster of Excellence SimTech, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Statistics, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Gabriele I Stangl
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Föller
- Department of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Delgas F, Bitsch L, König LM, Beitze DE, Scherbaum V, Podszun MC. Dietary supplement use among lactating mothers following different dietary patterns - an online survey. Matern Health Neonatol Perinatol 2024; 10:3. [PMID: 38297389 PMCID: PMC10832081 DOI: 10.1186/s40748-023-00171-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breastfeeding is important for the healthy growth and development of newborns, and the nutrient composition of human milk can be affected by maternal nutrition and supplementation. In Germany, iodine supplementation is recommended for all lactating mothers, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation is recommended for mothers with inadequate or no fish intake. Vitamin B12 supplementation is required for strict vegans during lactation, and other nutrient supplementation may be necessary depending on the individual's nutritional status. To address the lack of data on dietary supplements used by lactating mothers following a vegetarian or vegan diet, an online survey was conducted in Germany, with a focus on iodine, DHA, and vitamin B12. METHODS Study participants were asked to report whether they followed specific dietary patterns (omnivorous [OM], vegetarian [VT], vegan [VN]) as well as their use of dietary supplements. Relationships between diets and supplement use were analyzed using chi-square tests. RESULTS 2054 lactating women were included (1240 OM, 410 VT, and 404 VN) in this analysis. Within OM, VT and VN, at least one dietary supplement was taken by 67.3%, 84.9% and 98.0% respectively (p < 0.001). Overall, 53.2% OM, 66.8% VT, 88.4% VN reported taking at least one supplement containing iodine (p < 0.001). 54.6% OM, 61.7% VT and 58.2% VN reported supplements containing vitamin B12, while 34.1% OM, 40.2% VT and 38.6% VN mentioned supplements containing DHA (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION More than half of the participants reported the use of supplements during lactation with the highest proportion in vegans. However, over one third of the mothers did not report supplementing with iodine, regardless of their dietary pattern and most participants also did not report DHA supplements. It is worrisome that a high number of vegans did not report vitamin B12 supplementation, but this could be partly due to issues with reporting. It is crucial to provide further education to breastfeeding mothers about the importance of taking micronutrient supplements, especially for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet. This will help ensure that mothers and their breastfed infants receive optimal nutrition for a healthy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Delgas
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr.12, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Lisa Bitsch
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr.12, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Laura Maria König
- Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Veronika Scherbaum
- Institute of Nutritional Sciences, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Maren C Podszun
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr.12, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Feizy N, Leuchtenberg SF, Steiner C, Würtz B, Fliegner L, Huber A. In vivo identification of Drosophila rhodopsin interaction partners by biotin proximity labeling. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1986. [PMID: 38263196 PMCID: PMC10805788 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52041-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteins exert their function through protein-protein interactions. In Drosophila, G protein-coupled receptors like rhodopsin (Rh1) interact with a G protein to activate visual signal transduction and with arrestins to terminate activation. Also, membrane proteins like Rh1 engage in protein-protein interactions during folding within the endoplasmic reticulum, during their vesicular transport and upon removal from the cell surface and degradation. Here, we expressed a Rh1-TurboID fusion protein (Rh1::TbID) in Drosophila photoreceptors to identify in vivo Rh1 interaction partners by biotin proximity labeling. We show that Rh1::TbID forms a functional rhodopsin that mediates biotinylation of arrestin 2 in conditions where arrestin 2 interacts with rhodopsin. We also observed biotinylation of Rh1::TbID and native Rh1 as well as of most visual signal transduction proteins. These findings indicate that the signaling components in the rhabdomere approach rhodopsin closely, within a range of ca. 10 nm. Furthermore, we have detected proteins engaged in the maturation of rhodopsin and elements responsible for the trafficking of membrane proteins, resembling potential interaction partners of Rh1. Among these are chaperons of the endoplasmic reticulum, proteins involved in Clathrin-mediated endocytosis as well as previously unnoticed contributors to rhodopsin transportation, such as Rab32, Vap33, or PIP82.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilofar Feizy
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Christine Steiner
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Berit Würtz
- Mass Spectrometry Unit, Core Facility Hohenheim, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Leo Fliegner
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Armin Huber
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Mugatha SM, Ogutu JO, Piepho HP, Maitima JM. Bird species richness and diversity responses to land use change in the Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1711. [PMID: 38243068 PMCID: PMC10798997 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52107-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing demand for cultivated lands driven by human population growth, escalating consumption and activities, combined with the vast area of uncultivated land, highlight the pressing need to better understand the biodiversity conservation implications of land use change in Sub-Saharan Africa. Land use change alters natural wildlife habitats with fundamental consequences for biodiversity. Consequently, species richness and diversity typically decline as land use changes from natural to disturbed. We assess how richness and diversity of avian species, grouped into feeding guilds, responded to land use changes, primarily expansion of settlements and cultivation at three sites in the Lake Victoria Basin in western Kenya, following tsetse control interventions. Each site consisted of a matched pair of spatially adjacent natural/semi-natural and settled/cultivated landscapes. Significant changes occurred in bird species richness and diversity in the disturbed relative to the natural landscape. Disturbed areas had fewer guilds and all guilds in disturbed areas also occurred in natural areas. Guilds had significantly more species in natural than in disturbed areas. The insectivore/granivore and insectivore/wax feeder guilds occurred only in natural areas. Whilst species diversity was far lower, a few species of estrildid finches were more common in the disturbed landscapes and were often observed on the scrubby edges of modified habitats. In contrast, the natural and less disturbed wooded areas had relatively fewer estrildid species and were completely devoid of several other species. In aggregate, land use changes significantly reduced bird species richness and diversity on the disturbed landscapes regardless of their breeding range size or foraging style (migratory or non-migratory) and posed greater risks to non-migratory species. Accordingly, land use planning should integrate conservation principles that preserve salient habitat qualities required by different bird species, such as adequate patch size and habitat connectivity, conserve viable bird populations and restore degraded habitats to alleviate adverse impacts of land use change on avian species richness and diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon M Mugatha
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Joseph O Ogutu
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya.
- Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Hans-Peter Piepho
- Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Joseph M Maitima
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
- Ecodym Africa, P.O. Box 50901, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
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Chuang EYS, Wellmann R, Meijboom FLB, Tetens J, Bennewitz J. Simulation of dual-purpose chicken breeding programs implementing gene editing. Genet Sel Evol 2024; 56:7. [PMID: 38233762 PMCID: PMC10795215 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00874-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In spite of being controversial and raising ethical concerns, the application of gene editing is more likely to be accepted when it contributes to improving animal welfare. One of the animal welfare and ethical issues in chicken breeding is chick culling, the killing of the male layer chicks after hatching due to the poor fattening performance. Although establishing dual-purpose chicken lines could solve this problem, unfavorable genetic correlations between egg and meat production traits hindered their competitiveness. Although it is also controversial in ethical terms, gene editing may accelerate genetic progress in dual-purpose chicken and alleviate the ethical concerns from chick culling. RESULTS The simulation compared the utility improvement in dual-purpose use under two breeding schemes: one consisting in the improvement of the laying hens, and the second in the improvement of a synthetic line obtained from a layer broiler cross. In each breeding scheme, the breeding programs were simulated with and without gene editing. Polygenic breeding values and 500 simulated quantitative trait loci (QTL) with different levels of pleiotropy caused negative correlations between egg production, meat production, and overall health. The results of the simulation demonstrated that genetic gain could be accelerated by at most 81% for several generations if gene editing was used. The actual increase in genetic gain depended on the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) being edited per animal. The rate of genetic improvement became equal in scenarios with and without gene editing after 20 generations. This is because the remaining segregating QTL had small effects and their edition would have negative overall health effects from potential off-target edits. Although gene editing can improve genetic gain in quantitative traits, it can only be recommended as long as QTL with reasonable effect sizes are segregating and detectable. CONCLUSIONS This simulation demonstrates the potential of gene editing to accelerate the simultaneous improvement of negatively correlated traits. When the risk of negative consequences from gene editing persists, the number of SNPs to be edited should be chosen carefully to obtain the optimal genetic gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Y S Chuang
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 17, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Robin Wellmann
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 17, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Franck L B Meijboom
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Centre for Sustainable Animal Stewardship, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CJ, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jens Tetens
- Department of Animal Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Burckhardtweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jörn Bennewitz
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 17, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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Wolf L, Vogt J, Alber J, Franjic D, Feger M, Föller M. PKC regulates αKlotho gene expression in MDCK and NRK-52E cells. Pflugers Arch 2024; 476:75-86. [PMID: 37773536 PMCID: PMC10758369 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02863-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Particularly expressed in the kidney, αKlotho is a transmembrane protein that acts together with bone hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) to regulate renal phosphate and vitamin D homeostasis. Soluble Klotho (sKL) is released from the transmembrane form and controls various cellular functions as a paracrine and endocrine factor. αKlotho deficiency accelerates aging, whereas its overexpression favors longevity. Higher αKlotho abundance confers a better prognosis in cardiovascular and renal disease owing to anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, or antioxidant effects and tumor suppression. Serine/threonine protein kinase C (PKC) is ubiquitously expressed, affects several cellular responses, and is also implicated in heart or kidney disease as well as cancer. We explored whether PKC is a regulator of αKlotho. Experiments were performed in renal MDCK or NRK-52E cells and PKC isoform and αKlotho expression determined by qRT-PCR and Western Blotting. In both cell lines, PKC activation with phorbol ester phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) downregulated, while PKC inhibitor staurosporine enhanced αKlotho mRNA abundance. Further experiments with PKC inhibitor Gö6976 and RNA interference suggested that PKCγ is the major isoform for the regulation of αKlotho gene expression in the two cell lines. In conclusion, PKC is a negative regulator of αKlotho gene expression, an effect which may be relevant for the unfavorable effect of PKC on heart or kidney disease and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Wolf
- Department of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Julia Vogt
- Department of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jana Alber
- Department of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Domenic Franjic
- Core Facility Hohenheim, Data and Statistical Consulting, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Martina Feger
- Department of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Michael Föller
- Department of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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11
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Rein C, Blumenschein M, Traynor K, Rosenkranz P. Lithium chloride treatments in free flying honey bee colonies: efficacy, brood survival, and within-colony distribution. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:67. [PMID: 38133834 PMCID: PMC10746590 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08084-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of various lithium chloride (LiCl) applications in eradicating the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies was investigated, with a specific focus on its impact on brood development. In broodless colonies (3 weeks post queen caging), the highest efficacy of 98% was achieved with a 9-day treatment of 2.5 kg of candy spiked with 50 mM LiCl. A shorter 5-day treatment with 2 kg of 50 mM LiCl candy resulted in an efficacy of 78%. In colonies with brood, a repeated short-term application of 4 × 0.5 kg 50 mM LiCl candy yielded an efficacy of 88%. LiCl treatment led to a removal of the first batch of brood reared after release of the queen. However, no long-term effects on colony growth were observed, and the colonies successfully overwintered. Additionally, the study demonstrated that lithium is rapidly distributed among the bees of a colony within 2 days, yet only low concentrations were detected in stored food samples. This suggests that the bees efficiently absorb and distribute lithium within the colony. The harvested honey in the following spring revealed a lithium concentration of 0.1-0.2 mg/kg, which is below naturally occurring lithium levels in honey. Based on these findings, LiCl can be considered an effective and easy-to-apply acaricide in broodless colonies, and even in colonies with brood, it had good efficacy and no long-term effects on colony survival. Further research may be necessary to determine the optimal treatment period for achieving an efficacy over 95%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Rein
- State Institute of Bee Research, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Marius Blumenschein
- State Institute of Bee Research, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Kirsten Traynor
- State Institute of Bee Research, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Peter Rosenkranz
- State Institute of Bee Research, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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12
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Hau JL, Schleicher L, Herdan S, Simon J, Seifert J, Fritz G, Steuber J. Functionality of the Na +-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase and quinol:fumarate reductase from Prevotella bryantii inferred from homology modeling. Arch Microbiol 2023; 206:32. [PMID: 38127130 PMCID: PMC10739449 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03769-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Members of the family Prevotellaceae are Gram-negative, obligate anaerobic bacteria found in animal and human microbiota. In Prevotella bryantii, the Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NQR) and quinol:fumarate reductase (QFR) interact using menaquinone as electron carrier, catalyzing NADH:fumarate oxidoreduction. P. bryantii NQR establishes a sodium-motive force, whereas P. bryantii QFR does not contribute to membrane energization. To elucidate the possible mode of function, we present 3D structural models of NQR and QFR from P. bryantii to predict cofactor-binding sites, electron transfer routes and interaction with substrates. Molecular docking reveals the proposed mode of menaquinone binding to the quinone site of subunit NqrB of P. bryantii NQR. A comparison of the 3D model of P. bryantii QFR with experimentally determined structures suggests alternative pathways for transmembrane proton transport in this type of QFR. Our findings are relevant for NADH-dependent succinate formation in anaerobic bacteria which operate both NQR and QFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jann-Louis Hau
- Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Lena Schleicher
- Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
- HoLMiR-Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research, University of Hohenheim, Leonore-Blosser-Reisen-Weg 3, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sebastian Herdan
- Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
- HoLMiR-Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research, University of Hohenheim, Leonore-Blosser-Reisen-Weg 3, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jörg Simon
- Microbial Energy Conservation and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 10, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jana Seifert
- HoLMiR-Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research, University of Hohenheim, Leonore-Blosser-Reisen-Weg 3, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Straße 8, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Günter Fritz
- Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Julia Steuber
- Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
- HoLMiR-Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research, University of Hohenheim, Leonore-Blosser-Reisen-Weg 3, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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13
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Musa S. Mitochondrial genome amplification of avian haemosporidian parasites from single-infected wildlife samples using a novel nested PCR approach. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2967-2975. [PMID: 37787788 PMCID: PMC10667411 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07986-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Haemosporidian parasites that infect birds (Apicomplexa: Haemosporida) are blood parasites that require an invertebrate host (vector) and a vertebrate host for their lifecycle and cause malaria-like diseases. This group of parasites has provided valuable insights into host specificity, virulence, and parasite dispersal. Additionally, they have played a significant role in reshaping our understanding of the evolutionary history of apicomplexans. In order to accurately identify species and to address phylogenetic questions such as the timing of the haemosporidian radiation, the use of a sufficiently large genetic data set is crucial. However, acquiring this genetic data poses significant challenges. In this research, a sensitive nested PCR assay was developed. This assay allows for the easy amplification of complete mitochondrial genomes of haemosporidian parasites in birds, even during the chronic stage of infection. The effectiveness of this new nested PCR assay was evaluated using blood and tissue samples of birds with verified single parasite infections from previous studies. The approach involves amplifying four overlapping fragments of the mitochondrial genome and requires DNA extracts from single-infected samples. This method successfully amplified the complete mitochondrial genomes of 24 distinct haemosporidian parasite lineages found in various bird species. This data is invaluable for conducting phylogenetic analyses and accurately defining species. Furthermore, this study proposes the existence of at least 15 new haemosporidian parasite species based on the genetic information obtained. Data regarding pGRW04, previously categorized as Plasmodium relictum like pSGS1 and pGRW11, indicates that the pGRW04 lineage is actually a separate, hidden Plasmodium species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Musa
- University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 34, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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14
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Were E, Viljoen A, Rasche F. Iron necessity for chlamydospore germination in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense TR4. Biometals 2023; 36:1295-1306. [PMID: 37380939 PMCID: PMC10684721 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-023-00519-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium wilt disease of banana, caused by the notorious soil-borne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4), is extremely difficult to manage. Manipulation of soil pH or application of synthetic iron chelators can suppress the disease through iron starvation, which inhibits the germination of pathogen propagules called chlamydospores. However, the effect of iron starvation on chlamydospore germination is largely unknown. In this study, scanning electron microscopy was used to assemble the developmental sequence of chlamydospore germination and to assess the effect of iron starvation and pH in vitro. Germination occurs in three distinct phenotypic transitions (swelling, polarized growth, outgrowth). Outgrowth, characterized by formation of a single protrusion (germ tube), occurred at 2 to 3 h, and a maximum value of 69.3% to 76.7% outgrowth was observed at 8 to 10 h after germination induction. Germination exhibited plasticity with pH as over 60% of the chlamydospores formed a germ tube between pH 3 and pH 11. Iron-starved chlamydospores exhibited polarized-growth arrest, characterized by the inability to form a germ tube. Gene expression analysis of rnr1 and rnr2, which encode the iron-dependent enzyme ribonucleotide reductase, showed that rnr2 was upregulated (p < 0.0001) in iron-starved chlamydospores compared to the control. Collectively, these findings suggest that iron and extracellular pH are crucial for chlamydospore germination in Foc TR4. Moreover, inhibition of germination by iron starvation may be linked to a different mechanism, rather than repression of the function of ribonucleotide reductase, the enzyme that controls growth by regulation of DNA synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evans Were
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Altus Viljoen
- Department of Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - Frank Rasche
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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15
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Klimm A, Vetter W. Hydroxylated transformation products obtained after UV irradiation of the current-use brominated flame retardants hexabromobenzene, pentabromotoluene, and pentabromoethylbenzene. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:118556-118566. [PMID: 37917263 PMCID: PMC10697972 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30566-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Hexabromobenzene (HBB), pentabromotoluene (PBT), and pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB) are current-use brominated flame retardants (cuBFRs) which have been repeatedly detected in environmental samples. Since information on hydroxylated transformation products (OH-TPs) was scarcely available, the three polybrominated compounds were UV irradiated for 10 min in benzotrifluoride. Fractionation on silica gel enabled the separate collection and identification of OH-TPs. For more insights, aliquots of the separated OH-TPs were UV irradiated for another 50 min (60 min total UV irradiation time). The present investigation of polar UV irradiation products of HBB, PBT, and PBEB was successful in each case. Altogether, eight bromophenols were detected in the case of HBB (three Br3-, four Br4-, and one Br5-isomer), and nine OH-TPs were observed in the case of PBT/PBEB (six Br3- and three Br4-congeners). In either case, Br➔OH exchange was more relevant than H➔OH exchange. Also, such exchange was most relevant in meta- and ortho-positions. As a further point, and in agreement with other studies, the transformation rate decreased with decreasing degree of bromination. UV irradiation of HBB additionally resulted in the formation of tri- and tetrabrominated dihydroxylated compounds (brominated diphenols) that were subsequently identified. These dihydroxylated transformation products were found to be more stable than OH-TPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Klimm
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Food Chemistry (170b), Garbenstraße 28, D-70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Walter Vetter
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Food Chemistry (170b), Garbenstraße 28, D-70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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16
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Wellmann R, Gengler N, Bennewitz J, Tetens J. Defining valid breeding goals for animal breeds. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:80. [PMID: 37990149 PMCID: PMC10664641 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00855-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of any valid breeding program is to increase the suitability of a breed for its future purposes. The approach most often followed in animal breeding for optimizing breeding goals assumes that the sole desire of the owners is profit maximization. As this assumption is often violated, a generalized approach is needed that does not rely on this assumption. RESULTS The generalized approach is based on the niche concept. The niche of a breed is a set of environments in which a small population of the breed would have a positive population growth rate. Its growth rate depends on demand from prospective consumers and supply from producers. The approach involves defining the niche that is envisaged for the breed and identifying the trait optima that maximize the breed's adaptation to its envisaged niche within the set of permissible breeding goals. The set of permissible breeding goals is the set of all potential breeding goals that are compatible with animal welfare and could be reached within the planning horizon of the breeding program. In general, the breed's adaptation depends on the satisfaction of the producers with the animals and on the satisfaction of the consumers with the products produced by the animals. When consumers buy live animals, then the breed needs to adapt to both the environments provided by the producers, and the environments provided by the consumers. The profit function is replaced by a more general adaptedness function that measures the breed's adaptation to its envisaged niche. CONCLUSIONS The proposed approach coincides with the traditional approach if the producers have the sole desire to maximize their income, and if consumer preferences are well reflected by the product prices. If these assumptions are not met, then the traditional approach to breeding goal optimization is unlikely to result in a valid breeding goal. Using the example of companion breeds, this paper shows that the proposed approach has the potential to fill the gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Wellmann
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Nicolas Gengler
- TERRA Teaching and Research Center, University of Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, 5030, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Jörn Bennewitz
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jens Tetens
- Department of Animal Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
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17
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Müller F, Conrad J, Hammerschick T, Vetter W. Enrichment and structural assignment of geometric isomers of unsaturated furan fatty acids. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:6333-6343. [PMID: 37599331 PMCID: PMC10558370 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04908-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Furan fatty acids (FuFAs) are valuable minor fatty acids, which are known for their excellent radical scavenging properties. Typically, the furan moiety is embedded in an otherwise saturated carboxyalkyl chain. Occasionally, these classic FuFAs are accompanied by low amounts of unsaturated furan fatty acids (uFuFAs), which additionally feature one double bond in conjugation with the furan moiety. A recent study produced evidence for the occurrence of two pairs of E-/Z-uFuFA isomers structurally related to saturated uFuFAs. Here, we present a strategy that allowed such trace compounds to be enriched to a level suited for structure determination by NMR. Given the low amounts and the varied abundance ratio of the four uFuFA isomers, the isolation of individual compounds was not pursued. Instead, the entire isomer mixture was enriched to an amount and purity suitable for structure investigation with contemporary NMR methods. Specifically, lipid extracted from 150 g latex, the richest known source of FuFAs, was subsequently fractionated by countercurrent chromatography (CCC), silver ion, and silica gel column chromatography. Analysis of the resulting mixture of four uFuFAs isomers (2.4 mg in an abundance ratio of 56:23:11:9) by different NMR techniques including PSYCHE verified that the structures of the two most abundant isomers were E-9-(3-methyl-5-pentylfuran-2-yl)non-8-enoic acid and E-9-(3-methyl-5-pent-1-enylfuran-2-yl)nonanoic acid. Additionally, we introduced a computer-based method to generate an averaged chromatogram from freely selectable GC/MS runs of CCC fractions without the necessity of pooling aliquots. This method was found to be suitable to simplify subsequent enrichment steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Müller
- Department of Food Chemistry (170b), Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 28, Stuttgart, 70599, Germany
| | - Jürgen Conrad
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry (130b), Institute of Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 30, Stuttgart, 70599, Germany
| | - Tim Hammerschick
- Department of Food Chemistry (170b), Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 28, Stuttgart, 70599, Germany
| | - Walter Vetter
- Department of Food Chemistry (170b), Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 28, Stuttgart, 70599, Germany.
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18
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Seethaler B, Lehnert K, Yahiaoui-Doktor M, Basrai M, Vetter W, Kiechle M, Bischoff SC. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids improve intestinal barrier integrity-albeit to a lesser degree than short-chain fatty acids: an exploratory analysis of the randomized controlled LIBRE trial. Eur J Nutr 2023; 62:2779-2791. [PMID: 37318580 PMCID: PMC10468946 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03172-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with beneficial health effects, including gastrointestinal disorders. Preclinical studies suggest that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), found in Mediterranean foods like nuts and fish, improve intestinal barrier integrity. Here, we assessed possible effects of n-3 PUFAs on barrier integrity in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS We studied 68 women from the open-label LIBRE trial (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02087592) who followed either a Mediterranean diet (intervention group, IG) or a standard diet (control group, CG). Study visits comprised baseline, month 3, and month 12. Barrier integrity was assessed by plasma lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and fecal zonulin; fatty acids by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Median and interquartile ranges are shown. RESULTS Adherence to the Mediterranean diet increased the proportion of the n-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (IG + 1.5% [0.9;2.5, p < 0.001]/ + 0.3% [- 0.1;0.9, p < 0.050] after 3/12 months; CG + 0.9% [0.5;1.6, p < 0.001]/ ± 0%) and decreased plasma LBP (IG - 0.3 µg/ml [- 0.6;0.1, p < 0.010]/ - 0.3 µg/ml [- 1.1; - 0.1, p < 0.001]; CG - 0.2 µg/ml [- 0.8; - 0.1, p < 0.001]/ ± 0 µg/ml) and fecal zonulin levels (IG - 76 ng/mg [- 164; - 12, p < 0.010]/ - 74 ng/mg [- 197;15, p < 0.001]; CG - 59 ng/mg [- 186;15, p < 0.050]/ + 10 ng/mg [- 117;24, p > 0.050]). Plasma DHA and LBP (R2: 0.14-0.42; all p < 0.070), as well as plasma DHA and fecal zonulin (R2: 0.18-0.48; all p < 0.050) were found to be inversely associated in bi- and multivariate analyses. Further multivariate analyses showed that the effect of DHA on barrier integrity was less pronounced than the effect of fecal short-chain fatty acids on barrier integrity. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that n-3 PUFAs can improve intestinal barrier integrity. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The trial was registered prospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov (reference: NCT02087592).
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Seethaler
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 12, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Katja Lehnert
- Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Maryam Yahiaoui-Doktor
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology (IMISE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maryam Basrai
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 12, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Walter Vetter
- Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Marion Kiechle
- Department of Gynecology, Center for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich and Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan C Bischoff
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 12, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Singer J, Kufenko V, Wöhr A, Wuketich M, Otterbach S. How do Gambling Providers Use the Social Network Twitter in Germany? An Explorative Mixed-Methods Topic Modeling Approach. J Gambl Stud 2023; 39:1371-1398. [PMID: 36103046 PMCID: PMC9472740 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-022-10158-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This study examines the social media activities of gambling providers in Germany, focusing on the platform Twitter. A collection of 34.151 tweets from 13 Twitter accounts was made, representing casinos, sports betting, state lotteries, social lotteries and lottery brokers. We apply an explorative mixed-methods approach, integrating a summative content analysis together with a semi-supervised guided topic modeling approach, to analyse frequency, number of followers, interaction and content of Twitter messages, and work out differences among the individual providers. The results show that Twitter does not seem to be particularly important for gambling providers who are active in Germany. Regarding outreach, frequency of tweets and interaction, Twitter plays a much smaller role than, for example, in the UK. The potential for Twitter to be an advertising, marketing and interaction channel has not yet been fully exploited, which would make it a perfect moment for developing an appropriate regulatory framework. Overall, the results of semi-supervised topic modeling show that providers most often use informative content (news) and combine it with other, usually less neutral content. It is alarming that many providers make little or no use of Responsible Gambling messages. Even though the activities are presently on a low level, they contribute to the normalization of gambling, setting incentives for increasing gambling participation. Children and youth form a large segment of Twitter users. Potential harm can arise especially for this group because of the lack of enforcement of any age limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Singer
- Gambling Research Center, University of Hohenheim, Forschungsstelle Glücksspiel (502), Schwerzstraße 44, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Vadim Kufenko
- Gambling Research Center, University of Hohenheim, Forschungsstelle Glücksspiel (502), Schwerzstraße 44, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Andrea Wöhr
- Gambling Research Center, University of Hohenheim, Forschungsstelle Glücksspiel (502), Schwerzstraße 44, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Marius Wuketich
- Gambling Research Center, University of Hohenheim, Forschungsstelle Glücksspiel (502), Schwerzstraße 44, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Steffen Otterbach
- Gambling Research Center, University of Hohenheim, Forschungsstelle Glücksspiel (502), Schwerzstraße 44, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Health Care & Public Management, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn, Germany
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20
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Würschum T, Zhu X, Zhao Y, Jiang Y, Reif JC, Maurer HP. Maximization through optimization? On the relationship between hybrid performance and parental genetic distance. Theor Appl Genet 2023; 136:186. [PMID: 37572118 PMCID: PMC10423127 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-023-04436-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Heterosis is the improved performance of hybrids compared with their parental components and is widely exploited in agriculture. According to quantitative genetic theory, genetic distance between parents at heterotic quantitative trait loci is required for heterosis, but how heterosis varies with genetic distance has remained elusive, despite intensive research on the topic. Experimental studies have often found a positive association between heterosis and genetic distance that, however, varied in strength. Most importantly, it has remained unclear whether heterosis increases continuously with genetic distance or whether there is an optimum genetic distance after which heterosis declines again. Here, we revisit the relationship between heterosis and genetic distance and provide perspectives on how to maximize heterosis and hybrid performance in breeding, as well as the consequences for the design of heterotic groups and the utilization of more exotic material and genetic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Würschum
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Xintian Zhu
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Yusheng Zhao
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), 06466, Stadt Seeland, Germany
| | - Yong Jiang
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), 06466, Stadt Seeland, Germany
| | - Jochen C Reif
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), 06466, Stadt Seeland, Germany
| | - Hans Peter Maurer
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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21
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Guo Y, Sommer N, Martin K, Rasche F. Rhizophagus irregularis improves Hg tolerance of Medicago truncatula by upregulating the Zn transporter genes ZIP2 and ZIP6. Mycorrhiza 2023; 33:23-32. [PMID: 36625901 PMCID: PMC9938064 DOI: 10.1007/s00572-022-01100-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) pollution of soils is a critical environmental problem. To rehabilitate Hg contaminated soils, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi-based phytoremediation may be supportive, yet the functional potential of AM fungi in response to Hg exposure is unclear. In a greenhouse experiment, we assessed the response of Medicago truncatula (Hg tolerance index (TI), Hg partitioning) to different Hg concentrations [0 (Hg0), 25 (Hg25), 50 (Hg50) µg g-1] in treatments with (AM) and without (NM) inoculation of Rhizophagus irregularis. Additionally, zinc (Zn) uptake and the expression of two Zn transporter genes (ZIP2, ZIP6) were examined because Zn is an essential element for plants and shares the same outer electronic configuration as Hg, implying potential competition for the same transporters. The results showed that AM plants had a higher TI than NM plants. Plant roots were identified as dominant Hg reservoirs. AM inoculation reduced the root Hg concentration under Hg50 compared to the NM treatment. There was an interaction between Hg treatment and AM inoculation on Hg stem concentration, i.e., at Hg25, AM inoculation decreased the Hg translocation from roots to stems, while Hg translocation was increased at Hg50 compared to the NM treatment. Zn acquisition was improved by R. irregularis. The negative relationship between Hg and Zn concentrations in the roots of AM and NM plants implied potential competition for the same transporters, although the expression of Zn transporters was upregulated by AM inoculation at all Hg levels. In conclusion, this baseline study demonstrated that R. irregularis may play an important role in Hg tolerance of M. truncatula, suggesting its potential for Hg-contaminated phytoremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqin Guo
- Department of Agronomy in the Tropics and Subtropics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Nadine Sommer
- Department of Crop Physiology of Specialty Crops, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Konrad Martin
- Department of Agronomy in the Tropics and Subtropics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Frank Rasche
- Department of Agronomy in the Tropics and Subtropics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
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22
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Meng F, Nie P, Sousa-Poza A. The intangible costs of overweight and obesity in Germany. Health Econ Rev 2023; 13:14. [PMID: 36809392 PMCID: PMC9942367 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-023-00426-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous literature documents the direct and indirect economic costs of obesity, yet none has attempted to quantify the intangible costs of obesity. This study focuses on quantifying the intangible costs of one unit body mass index (BMI) increase and being overweight and obese in Germany. METHODS By applying a life satisfaction-based compensation value analysis to 2002-2018 German Socio-Economic Panel Survey data for adults aged 18-65, the intangible costs of overweight and obesity are estimated. We apply individual income as a reference for estimating the value of the loss of subjective well-being due to overweight and obesity. RESULTS The intangible costs of overweight and obesity in 2018 amount to 42,450 and 13,853 euros, respectively. A one unit increase in BMI induced a 2553 euros annual well-being loss in the overweight and obese relative to those of normal weight. When extrapolated to the entire country, this figure represents approximately 4.3 billion euros, an intangible cost of obesity similar in magnitude to the direct and indirect costs documented in other studies for Germany. These losses, our analysis reveals, have remained remarkably stable since 2002. CONCLUSIONS Our results underscore how existing research into obesity's economic toll may underestimate its true costs, and they strongly imply that if obesity interventions took the intangible costs of obesity into account, the economic benefits would be considerably larger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Meng
- Institute for Health Care & Public Management, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Peng Nie
- Institute for Health Care & Public Management, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
- School of Economics and Finance, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- IZA, Bonn, Germany
- Health Econometrics and Data Group, University of York, York, UK
| | - Alfonso Sousa-Poza
- Institute for Health Care & Public Management, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
- IZA, Bonn, Germany.
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23
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Wiedmaier-Czerny N, Vetter W. LC-Orbitrap-HRMS method for analysis of traces of triacylglycerols featuring furan fatty acids. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:875-885. [PMID: 36538086 PMCID: PMC9883336 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04480-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Furan fatty acids (FuFAs) are valuable antioxidants that are highly relevant for the protection of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in biological systems and food. Despite their low contributions to the total fatty acids, their widespread occurrence has been documented in food and biological samples. Like other fatty acids, FuFAs are also stored esterified, e.g., in triacylglycerols. However, FuFA-containing triacylglycerols had not been detected in lipidomics analyses. Here, we present a screening method that allows for the identification of traces of FuFA-containing triacylglycerols (TAGs) utilizing LC-Orbitrap-HRMS. Initially developed with the help of purposefully synthesized FuFA-containing TAGs, the screening method was successfully applied to the analysis of two fish oil samples and one mushroom extract sample. Several FuFA-containing TAGs could be identified by direct analysis using the method and database developed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Wiedmaier-Czerny
- Institute of Food Chemistry, Department of Food Chemistry (170b), University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Walter Vetter
- Institute of Food Chemistry, Department of Food Chemistry (170b), University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
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24
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Hartung J, Laidig F, Piepho HP. Effects of systematic data reduction on trend estimation from German registration trials. Theor Appl Genet 2023; 136:21. [PMID: 36688966 PMCID: PMC9870826 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-023-04266-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
VCU trials can provide unbiased estimates of post-breeding trends given that all data is used. Dropping data of genotypes tested for up to two years may result in biased post-breeding trend estimates. Increasing yield trends are seen on-farm in Germany. The increase is based on genetic trend in registered genotypes and changes in agronomic practices and climate. To estimate both genetic and non-genetic trends, historical wheat data from variety trials evaluating a varieties' value for cultivation und use (VCU) were analyzed. VCU datasets include information on varieties as well as on genotypes that were submitted by breeders and tested in trials but could not make it to registration. Therefore, the population of registered varieties (post-registration population) is a subset of the population of genotypes tested in VCU trials (post-breeding population). To assess post-registration genetic trend, historical VCU trial datasets are often reduced, e.g. to registered varieties only. This kind of drop-out mechanism is statistically informative which affects variance component estimates and which can affect trend estimates. To investigate the effect of this informative drop-out on trend estimates, a simulation study was conducted mimicking the structure of German winter wheat VCU trials. Zero post-breeding trends were simulated. Results showed unbiased estimates of post-breeding trends when using all data. When restricting data to genotypes tested for at least three years, a positive genetic trend of 0.11 dt ha-1 year-1 and a negative non-genetic trend (- 0.11 dt ha-1 year-1) were observed. Bias increased with increasing genotype-by-year variance and disappeared with random selection. We simulated single-trait selection, whereas decisions in VCU trials consider multiple traits, so selection intensity per trait is considerably lower. Hence, our results provide an upper bound for the bias expected in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Hartung
- Institut for Crop Science, Biostatistics Unit, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Friedrich Laidig
- Institut for Crop Science, Biostatistics Unit, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Piepho
- Institut for Crop Science, Biostatistics Unit, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
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25
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Rahman NMF, Malik WA, Kabir MS, Baten MA, Hossain MI, Paul DNR, Ahmed R, Biswas PS, Rahman MC, Rahman MS, Iftekharuddaula KM, Hadasch S, Schmidt P, Islam MR, Rahman MA, Atlin GN, Piepho HP. 50 years of rice breeding in Bangladesh: genetic yield trends. Theor Appl Genet 2023; 136:18. [PMID: 36680594 PMCID: PMC9867671 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-023-04260-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
To assess the efficiency of genetic improvement programs, it is essential to assess the genetic trend in long-term data. The present study estimates the genetic trends for grain yield of rice varieties released between 1970 and 2020 by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. The yield of the varieties was assessed from 2001-2002 to 2020-2021 in multi-locations trials. In such a series of trials, yield may increase over time due to (i) genetic improvement (genetic trend) and (ii) improved management or favorable climate change (agronomic/non-genetic trend). In both the winter and monsoon seasons, we observed positive genetic and non-genetic trends. The annual genetic trend for grain yield in both winter and monsoon rice varieties was 0.01 t ha-1, while the non-genetic trend for both seasons was 0.02 t ha-1, corresponding to yearly genetic gains of 0.28% and 0.18% in winter and monsoon seasons, respectively. The overall percentage yield change from 1970 until 2020 for winter rice was 40.96%, of which 13.91% was genetic trend and 27.05% was non-genetic. For the monsoon season, the overall percentage change from 1973 until 2020 was 38.39%, of which genetic and non-genetic increases were 8.36% and 30.03%, respectively. Overall, the contribution of non-genetic trend is larger than genetic trend both for winter and monsoon seasons. These results suggest that limited progress has been made in improving yield in Bangladeshi rice breeding programs over the last 50 years. Breeding programs need to be modernized to deliver sufficient genetic gains in the future to sustain Bangladeshi food security.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Waqas Ahmed Malik
- Institute of Crop Science, Biostatistics Unit, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | | | - Md Azizul Baten
- Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Rokib Ahmed
- Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Gazipur, Bangladesh
| | | | | | | | | | - Steffen Hadasch
- Institute of Crop Science, Biostatistics Unit, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Paul Schmidt
- Institute of Crop Science, Biostatistics Unit, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Hans-Peter Piepho
- Institute of Crop Science, Biostatistics Unit, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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26
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Akohoue F, Koch S, Plieske J, Miedaner T. Separation of the effects of two reduced height (Rht) genes and genomic background to select for less Fusarium head blight of short-strawed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties. Theor Appl Genet 2022; 135:4303-4326. [PMID: 36152062 PMCID: PMC9734223 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-022-04219-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
FHB resistance shared pleiotropic loci with plant height and anther retention. Genomic prediction allows to select for genomic background reducing FHB susceptibility in the presence of the dwarfing allele Rht-D1b. With the high interest for semi-dwarf cultivars in wheat, finding locally adapted resistance sources against Fusarium head blight (FHB) and FHB-neutral reduced height (Rht) genes is of utmost relevance. In this study, 401 genotypes of European origin without/with dwarfing alleles of Rht-D1 and/or Rht24 were analysed across five environments on FHB severity and the morphological traits such as plant height (PH), anther retention (AR), number of spikelets per ear, ear length and ear density. Data were analysed by combined correlation and path analyses, association mapping and coupling single- and multi-trait genome-wide association studies (ST-GWAS and MT-GWAS, respectively) and genomic prediction (GP). All FHB data were corrected for flowering date or heading stage. High genotypic correlation (rg = 0.74) and direct path effect (0.57) were detected between FHB severity and anther retention (AR). Moderate correlation (rg = - 0.55) was found between FHB severity and plant height (PH) with a high indirect path via AR (- 0.31). Indirect selection for FHB resistance should concentrate on AR and PH. ST-GWAS identified 25 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for FHB severity, PH and AR, while MT-GWAS detected six QTL across chromosomes 2A, 4D, 5A, 6B and 7B conveying pleiotropic effects on the traits. Rht-D1b was associated with high AR and FHB susceptibility. Our study identified a promising positively acting pleiotropic QTL on chromosome 7B which can be utilized to improve FHB resistance while reducing PH and AR. Rht-D1b genotypes having a high resistance genomic background exhibited lower FHB severity and AR. The use of GP for estimating the genomic background was more effective than selection of GWAS-detected markers. We demonstrated that GP has a great potential and should be exploited by selecting for semi-dwarf winter wheat genotypes with higher FHB resistance due to their genomic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félicien Akohoue
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Silvia Koch
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jörg Plieske
- SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS GmbH, TraitGenetics Section, Am Schwabeplan 1b, 06466, Seeland OT Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Thomas Miedaner
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
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27
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Löffler M, Schneider M, Žulj I. Cost-neutral reduction of infection risk in picker-to-parts warehousing systems. OR Spectr 2022; 45:151-179. [PMID: 36466724 PMCID: PMC9684797 DOI: 10.1007/s00291-022-00695-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The rapid and severe outbreak of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has heavily impacted warehouse operations around the world. In particular, picker-to-parts warehousing systems, in which human pickers collect requested items by moving from picking location to picking location, are very susceptible to the spread of infection among pickers because the latter generally work close to each other. This paper aims to mitigate the risk of infection in manual order picking. Given multiple pickers, each associated with a given sequence of picking tours for collecting the items specified by a picking order, we aim to execute the tours in a way that minimizes the time pickers simultaneously spend in the same picking aisles, but without changing the distance traveled by the pickers. To achieve this, we exploit the degrees of freedom induced by the fact that picking tours contain cycles which can be traversed in both directions, i.e., at the entry to each of these cycles, the decision makers can decide between the two possible directions. We formulate the resulting picking tour execution problem as a mixed integer program and propose an efficient iterated local search heuristic to solve it. In extensive numerical studies, we show that an average reduction of 50% of the total temporal overlap between pickers can be achieved compared to randomly executing the picking tours. Moreover, we compare our approach to a zone picking approach, in which infection risk between pickers can be almost eliminated. However, compared to our approach, the results show that the zone picking approach increases the makespan by up to 1066%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Löffler
- Deutsche Post Chair – Optimization of Distribution Networks, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael Schneider
- Deutsche Post Chair – Optimization of Distribution Networks, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ivan Žulj
- Department of Procurement and Production, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
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28
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Brändle L, Signer H, Kuckertz A. Socioeconomic status and entrepreneurial networking responses to the COVID-19 crisis. J Bus Econ 2022; 93:111-147. [PMID: 38013853 PMCID: PMC9684885 DOI: 10.1007/s11573-022-01120-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Networks play a vital role for entrepreneurs in overcoming crises. The most vulnerable to crises are those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. However, we know less about the role of socioeconomic status in entrepreneurial networking. This study investigates whom entrepreneurs call in case of emergency. We develop hypotheses on how entrepreneurs' socioeconomic status influences models of networking agency in situations of economic threat. The results of a pre-registered randomized experiment in the COVID-19 context conducted with 122 entrepreneurs from the US indicate that entrepreneurs in higher socioeconomic status positions activate contacts to serve their own goals (i.e., independent networking agency) when facing an economic threat. In contrast, and counter-intuitively, entrepreneurs of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to support others when facing an economic threat (i.e., interdependent networking agency). Exploring the evolving network structure, our explorative post-hoc analyses suggest that entrepreneurs activate closer networks (i.e., higher density and stronger ties) under threat. The study discusses the implications of these findings for the theory of entrepreneurial networking in general and network responses to crises in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leif Brändle
- Entrepreneurship Research Group, University of Hohenheim, Wollgrasweg 49, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Helen Signer
- Entrepreneurship Research Group, University of Hohenheim, Wollgrasweg 49, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Andreas Kuckertz
- Entrepreneurship Research Group, University of Hohenheim, Wollgrasweg 49, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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29
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Zimmermann J, De Fazio L, Kaden-Volynets V, Hitzmann B, Bischoff SC. Consumption of Yeast-Fermented Wheat and Rye Breads Increases Colitis and Mortality in a Mouse Model of Colitis. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:4422-4433. [PMID: 35394589 PMCID: PMC9352744 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-022-07462-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cereals are known to trigger for wheat allergy, celiac disease and non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS). Inflammatory processes and intestinal barrier impairment are suspected to be involved in NCWS, although the molecular triggers are unclear. AIMS We were interested if different bread types influence inflammatory processes and intestinal barrier function in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS Epithelial caspase-8 gene knockout (Casp8ΔIEC) and control (Casp8fl) mice were randomized to eight groups, respectively. The groups received different diets for 28 days (gluten-free diet, gluten-rich diet 5 g%, or different types of bread at 50 g%). Breads varied regarding grain, milling and fermentation. All diets were isocaloric. RESULTS Regardless of the diet, Casp8ΔIEC mice showed pronounced inflammation in colon compared to ileum, whereas Casp8fl mice were hardly inflamed. Casp8fl mice could tolerate all bread types. Especially yeast fermented rye and wheat bread from superfine flour but not pure gluten challenge increased colitis and mortality in Casp8ΔIEC mice. Hepatic expression of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and colonic expression of tumor necrosis factor-α genes were inversely related to survival. The bread diets, but not the gluten-rich diet, also decreased colonic tight junction expression to variable degrees, without clear association to survival and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Bread components, especially those from yeast-fermented breads from wheat and rye, increase colitis and mortality in Casp8ΔIEC mice highly susceptible to intestinal inflammation, whereas control mice can tolerate all types of bread without inflammation. Yet unidentified bread components other than gluten seem to play the major role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Zimmermann
- Department of Nutritional Medicine/Prevention, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 12, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Luigia De Fazio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Kaden-Volynets
- Department of Nutritional Medicine/Prevention, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 12, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Bernd Hitzmann
- Department of Process Analytics and Cereal Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 23, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Stephan C. Bischoff
- Department of Nutritional Medicine/Prevention, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 12, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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30
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Malik WA, Buntaran H, Przystalski M, Lenartowicz T, Piepho HP. Assessing the between-country genetic correlation in maize yield using German and Polish official variety trials. Theor Appl Genet 2022; 135:3025-3038. [PMID: 35831460 PMCID: PMC9482609 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-022-04164-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We assess the genetic gain and genetic correlation in maize yield using German and Polish official variety trials. The random coefficient models were fitted to assess the genetic correlation. Official variety testing is performed in many countries by statutory agencies in order to identify the best candidates and make decisions on the addition to the national list. Neighbouring countries can have similarities in agroecological conditions, so it is worthwhile to consider a joint analysis of data from national list trials to assess the similarity in performance of those varieties tested in both countries. Here, maize yield data from official German and Poland variety trials for cultivation and use (VCU) were analysed for the period from 1987 to 2017. Several statistical models that incorporate environmental covariates were fitted. The best fitting model was used to compute estimates of genotype main effects for each country. It is demonstrated that a model with random genotype-by-country effects can be used to borrow strength across countries. The genetic correlation between cultivars from the two countries equalled 0.89. The analysis based on agroecological zones showed high correlation between zones in the two countries. The results also showed that 22 agroecological zones in Germany can be merged into five zones, whereas the six zones in Poland had very high correlation and can be considered as a single zone for maize. The 43 common varieties which were tested in both countries performed equally in both countries. The mean performances of these common varieties in both countries were highly correlated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqas Ahmed Malik
- Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Harimurti Buntaran
- Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Marcin Przystalski
- Research Centre for Cultivar Testing, Słupia Wielka 34, 63-022, Słupia Wielka, Poland
| | - Tomasz Lenartowicz
- Research Centre for Cultivar Testing, Słupia Wielka 34, 63-022, Słupia Wielka, Poland
| | - Hans-Peter Piepho
- Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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31
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Buntaran H, Bernal-Vasquez AM, Gordillo A, Sahr M, Wimmer V, Piepho HP. Assessing the response to genomic selection by simulation. Theor Appl Genet 2022; 135:2891-2905. [PMID: 35831462 PMCID: PMC9325815 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-022-04157-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We propose a simulation approach to compute response to genomic selection on a multi-environment framework to provide breeders the number of entries that need to be selected from the population to have a defined probability of selecting the truly best entry from the population and the probability of obtaining the truly best entries when some top-ranked entries are selected. The goal of any plant breeding program is to maximize genetic gain for traits of interest. In classical quantitative genetics, the genetic gain can be obtained from what is known as "Breeder's equation". In the past, only phenotypic data were used to compute the genetic gain. The advent of genomic prediction (GP) has opened the door to the utilization of dense markers for estimating genomic breeding values or GBV. The salient feature of GP is the possibility to carry out genomic selection with the assistance of the kinship matrix, hence improving the prediction accuracy and accelerating the breeding cycle. However, estimates of GBV as such do not provide the full information on the number of entries to be selected as in the classical response to selection. In this paper, we use simulation, based on a fitted mixed model for GP in a multi-environmental framework, to answer two typical questions of a plant breeder: (1) How many entries need to be selected to have a defined probability of selecting the truly best entry from the population; (2) what is the probability of obtaining the truly best entries when some top-ranked entries are selected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harimurti Buntaran
- Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstraße 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Andres Gordillo
- KWS-LOCHOW GmbH, Ferdinand-von-Lochow-Straße 5, 29303, Bergen, Germany
| | - Morten Sahr
- KWS-LOCHOW GmbH, Ferdinand-von-Lochow-Straße 5, 29303, Bergen, Germany
| | - Valentin Wimmer
- KWS SAAT SE Co. KGaA, Grimsehlstaße. 31, 37574, Einbeck, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Piepho
- Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstraße 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Schwarzwälder L, Thorwarth P, Zhao Y, Reif JC, Longin CFH. Hybrid wheat: quantitative genetic parameters and heterosis for quality and rheological traits as well as baking volume. Theor Appl Genet 2022; 135:1131-1141. [PMID: 35112144 PMCID: PMC9033736 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-022-04039-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Heterosis effects for dough quality and baking volume were close to zero. However, hybrids have a higher grain yield at a given level of bread making quality compared to their parental lines. Bread wheat cultivars have been selected according to numerous quality traits to fulfill the requirements of the bread making industry. These include beside protein content and quality also rheological traits and baking volume. We evaluated 35 male and 73 female lines and 119 of their single-cross hybrids at three different locations for grain yield, protein content, sedimentation value, extensograph traits and baking volume. No significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the mean comparisons of males, females and hybrids, except for higher grain yield and lower protein content in the hybrids. Mid-parent and better-parent heterosis values were close to zero and slightly negative, respectively, for baking volume and extensograph traits. However, the majority of heterosis values resulted in the finding that hybrids had higher grain yield than lines for a given level of baking volume, sedimentation value or energy value of extensograph. Due to the high correlation with the mid-parent values (r > 0.70), an initial prediction of hybrid performance based on line per se performance for protein content, sedimentation value, most traits of the extensograph and baking volume is possible. The low variance due to specific combining ability effects for most quality traits points toward an additive gene action requires quality selection within both heterotic groups. Consequently, hybrid wheat can combine high grain yield with high bread making quality. However, the future use of wheat hybrids strongly depends on the establishment of a cost-efficient and reliable seed production system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Schwarzwälder
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 21, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Patrick Thorwarth
- Senior Research Lead Biostatistics and Data Science, KWS Saat SE & Co. KGaA, Grimsehlstr. 31, 37574 Einbeck, Germany
| | - Yusheng Zhao
- Department of Breeding Research, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, 06466 Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Jochen Christoph Reif
- Department of Breeding Research, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, 06466 Gatersleben, Germany
| | - C. Friedrich H. Longin
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 21, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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Laidig F, Hüsken A, Rentel D, Piepho HP. Protein use efficiency and stability of baking quality in winter wheat based on the relation of loaf volume and grain protein content. Theor Appl Genet 2022; 135:1331-1343. [PMID: 35088105 PMCID: PMC9033720 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-022-04034-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
A novel approach based on the loaf volume-grain protein content relation is suggested to consider the static protein use efficiency and stability as efficient quality-related descriptors for wheat varieties. The most important trait for baking quality of winter wheat is loaf volume (V). It is mostly determined by grain protein content (GPC) and quality. New varieties with a high potential of grain protein use efficiency (ProtUE) are very important for reducing the surplus use of nitrogen fertilizer in areas where nitrogen leaching is large. This is also an important goal of agricultural policies in the European Union. Additionally, ProtUE needs to be very stable across environments in the face of progressing climate change with more volatile growing conditions. We evaluated a new approach to assess ProtUE and stability based on the V-GPC relationship instead of using only single traits. The study comprised 11,775 baking tests from 355 varieties grown 1988-2019 in 668 different environments in Germany. V was predicted by quadratic and linear regression functions for quality groups, indicating a reduction of ProtUE from 1988 to 2019. We introduced a dynamic and a static approach to assess ProtUE and stability as potential criteria in variety registration. We found a considerably lower heritability of the dynamic ProtUE (h2 = 43%) compared to the static ProtUE (h2 = 92%) and a lower dynamic stability (h2 = 32%) than for the static stability (h2 = 51%). None of these measures is in conflict with the selection for high V. In particular, V and static ProtUE are strongly genetically associated (r = 0.81), indicating an advantage of the static over the dynamic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich Laidig
- Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Biostatistics Unit, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Alexandra Hüsken
- Department of Safety and Quality of Cereals, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Schuetzenberg 12, 32756, Detmold, Germany
| | - Dirk Rentel
- Bundessortenamt, Osterfelddamm 60, 30627, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Piepho
- Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Biostatistics Unit, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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Friedle C, Kapp T, Wallner K, Alkattea R, Vetter W. High abundance of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in bee pollen collected in July 2019 from Southern Germany. Environ Monit Assess 2022; 194:250. [PMID: 35249161 PMCID: PMC8898241 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-09907-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) are secondary plant defense compounds and known pre-toxins when containing a 1,2-double bond. They are commonly produced by various plants and may thus be present in bee pollen which may be consumed by humans as food supplements. In this study, PA were determined in bee pollen samples from 57 locations in Southern Germany sampled by means of pollen traps in July 2019. Samples were analyzed by using palynological methodology and solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by LC-MS/MS. In total, 52 pollen samples featured total pyrrolizidine alkaloids (ΣPA) with concentrations up to 48,000 ng/g bee pollen, while the N-oxides (NO) echinatine-NO and rinderine-NO clearly dominated. In contrast, the palynological analysis only detected 33 samples with pollen from PA-producing plants. Accordingly, the results showed that palynological analysis is not sufficient to determine PA in pollen. In addition, a risk assessment was followed to estimate the risk of the detected PA concentrations to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Friedle
- Apicultural State Institute, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Thomas Kapp
- Chemical and Veterinary Analysis Agency (CVUA), Stuttgart, Fellbach, Germany
| | - Klaus Wallner
- Apicultural State Institute, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Raghdan Alkattea
- Apicultural State Institute, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Walter Vetter
- Institute of Food Chemistry (170B), University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
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Yu X, Schweikert K, Doluschitz R. Investigating the environmental Kuznets curve between economic growth and chemical fertilizer surpluses in China: a provincial panel cointegration approach. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:18472-18494. [PMID: 34687417 PMCID: PMC8882105 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17122-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between fertilizer nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P) surpluses and economic development on the regional level in China. With a balanced panel dataset covering 30 provinces of mainland China from 1988 to 2019, we employed panel cointegrating polynomial regression (CPR) analysis using fully modified OLS (FM-OLS) estimators. Our results suggested that all provinces exhibit a long-run cointegrated relationship between fertilizer surpluses and real per capita gross regional product (GRP). A total of 22 provinces out of 30 showed a significant inverted U-shaped environmental Kuznets curve (EKC). Among those, 14 provinces are considered to have reached the peak and 8 provinces are considered to be before the peak. The group-mean turning points on the EKC are CNY 7022, CNY 9726, CNY 4697, CNY 3749, and CNY 5588 per capita GRP (1978 = 100) for the Northeast, Northcentral, Middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Southwest and Northwest China, respectively. The overall turning point of China is CNY 6705 per capita real gross domestic product (GDP), which was reached in circa 2012. This shows a general improvement of chemical fertilizer management in China. However, six provinces still exhibit linear growth in fertilizer surpluses when the economy grows. These regions are characterized by high cash-crop ratios and are mostly located along the southeast coast. Therefore, more effort and attention should be given to these regions to promote further fertilizer reduction. At the same time, nutrient use efficiencies should be improved, especially for cash crops such as fruit and vegetables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Yu
- Institute of Farm Management, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Karsten Schweikert
- Core Facility Hohenheim & Institute of Economics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Reiner Doluschitz
- Institute of Farm Management, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
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Neuweiler JE, Trini J, Maurer HP, Würschum T. Do lower nitrogen fertilization levels require breeding of different types of cultivars in triticale? Theor Appl Genet 2022; 135:993-1009. [PMID: 34958397 PMCID: PMC8942957 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-021-04012-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The comparably low genotype-by-nitrogen level interaction suggests that selection in early generations can be done under high-input conditions followed by selection under different nitrogen levels to identify genotypes ideally suited for the target environment. Breeding high-yielding, nitrogen-efficient crops is of utmost importance to achieve greater agricultural sustainability. The aim of this study was to evaluate nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of triticale, investigate long-term genetic trends and the genetic architecture, and develop strategies for NUE improvement by breeding. For this, we evaluated 450 different triticale genotypes under four nitrogen fertilization levels in multi-environment field trials for grain yield, protein content, starch content and derived indices. Analysis of temporal trends revealed that modern cultivars are better in exploiting the available nitrogen. Genome-wide association mapping revealed a complex genetic architecture with many small-effect QTL and a high level of pleiotropy for NUE-related traits, in line with phenotypic correlations. Furthermore, the effect of some QTL was dependent on the nitrogen fertilization level. High correlations of each trait between N levels and the rather low genotype-by-N-level interaction variance showed that generally the same genotypes perform well over different N levels. Nevertheless, the best performing genotype was always a different one. Thus, selection in early generations can be done under high nitrogen fertilizer conditions as these provide a stronger differentiation, but the final selection in later generations should be conducted with a nitrogen fertilization as in the target environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan E Neuweiler
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Johannes Trini
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hans Peter Maurer
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Tobias Würschum
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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Anteyi WO, Klaiber I, Rasche F. Diacetoxyscirpenol, a Fusarium exometabolite, prevents efficiently the incidence of the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica. BMC Plant Biol 2022; 22:84. [PMID: 35209839 PMCID: PMC8867772 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-022-03471-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Certain Fusarium exometabolites have been reported to inhibit seed germination of the cereal-parasitizing witchweed, Striga hermonthica, in vitro. However, it is unknown if these exometabolites will consistently prevent S. hermonthica incidence in planta. The study screened a selection of known, highly phytotoxic Fusarium exometabolites, in identifying the most potent/efficient candidate (i.e., having the greatest effect at minimal concentration) to completely hinder S. hermonthica seed germination in vitro and incidence in planta, without affecting the host crop development and yield. RESULTS In vitro germination assays of the tested Fusarium exometabolites (i.e., 1,4-naphthoquinone, equisetin, fusaric acid, hymeglusin, neosolaniol (Neo), T-2 toxin (T-2) and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS)) as pre-Striga seed conditioning treatments at 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 µM, revealed that only DAS, out of all tested exometabolites, completely inhibited S. hermonthica seed germination at each concentration. It was followed by T-2 and Neo, as from 10 to 20 µM respectively. The remaining exometabolites reduced S. hermonthica seed germination as from 20 µM (P < 0. 0001). In planta assessment (in a S. hermonthica-sorghum parasitic system) of the exometabolites at 20 µM showed that, although, none of the tested exometabolites affected sorghum aboveground dry biomass (P > 0.05), only DAS completely prevented S. hermonthica incidence. Following a 14-d incubation of DAS in the planting soil substrate, bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and fungal 18S rRNA gene copy numbers of the soil microbial community were enhanced; which coincided with complete degradation of DAS in the substrate. Metabolic footprinting revealed that the S. hermonthica mycoherbicidal agent, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. strigae (isolates Foxy-2, FK3), did not produce DAS; a discovery that corresponded with underexpression of key genes (Tri5, Tri4) necessary for Fusarium trichothecene biosynthesis (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Among the tested Fusarium exometabolites, DAS exhibited the most promising herbicidal potential against S. hermonthica. Thus, it could serve as a new biocontrol agent for efficient S. hermonthica management. Further examination of DAS specific mode of action against the target weed S. hermonthica at low concentrations (≤ 20 µM), as opposed to non-target soil organisms, is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Williams Oyifioda Anteyi
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Iris Klaiber
- Core Facility Hohenheim, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Frank Rasche
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Abstract
Endocrine and paracrine fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a protein predominantly produced by bone cells with strong impact on phosphate and vitamin D metabolism by targeting the kidney. Plasma FGF23 concentration early rises in kidney and cardiovascular diseases correlating with progression and outcome. Lactic acid is generated in anaerobic glycolysis. Lactic acidosis is the consequence of various physiological and pathological conditions and may be fatal. Since FGF23 production is stimulated by inflammation and lactic acid induces pro-inflammatory signaling, we investigated whether and how lactic acid influences FGF23. Experiments were performed in UMR106 osteoblast-like cells, Fgf23 mRNA levels estimated from quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and FGF23 protein determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lactic acid dose-dependently induced Fgf23 gene expression and up-regulated FGF23 synthesis. Also, Na+-lactate as well as formic acid and acetic acid up-regulated Fgf23. The lactic acid effect was significantly attenuated by nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B-cells (NFκB) inhibitors wogonin and withaferin A. Lactic acid induces FGF23 production, an effect at least in part mediated by NFκB. Lactic acidosis may, therefore, be paralleled by a surge in plasma FGF23.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Alber
- Department of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Michael Föller
- Department of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Zhu X, Maurer HP, Jenz M, Hahn V, Ruckelshausen A, Leiser WL, Würschum T. The performance of phenomic selection depends on the genetic architecture of the target trait. Theor Appl Genet 2022; 135:653-665. [PMID: 34807268 PMCID: PMC8866387 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-021-03997-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The phenomic predictive ability depends on the genetic architecture of the target trait, being high for complex traits and low for traits with major QTL. Genomic selection is a powerful tool to assist breeding of complex traits, but a limitation is the costs required for genotyping. Recently, phenomic selection has been suggested, which uses spectral data instead of molecular markers as predictors. It was shown to be competitive with genomic prediction, as it achieved predictive abilities as high or even higher than its genomic counterpart. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of phenomic prediction for triticale and the dependency of the predictive ability on the genetic architecture of the target trait. We found that for traits with a complex genetic architecture, like grain yield, phenomic prediction with NIRS data as predictors achieved high predictive abilities and performed better than genomic prediction. By contrast, for mono- or oligogenic traits, for example, yellow rust, marker-based approaches achieved high predictive abilities, while those of phenomic prediction were very low. Compared with molecular markers, the predictive ability obtained using NIRS data was more robust to varying degrees of genetic relatedness between the training and prediction set. Moreover, for grain yield, smaller training sets were required to achieve a similar predictive ability for phenomic prediction than for genomic prediction. In addition, our results illustrate the potential of using field-based spectral data for phenomic prediction. Overall, our result confirmed phenomic prediction as an efficient approach to improve the selection gain for complex traits in plant breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintian Zhu
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hans Peter Maurer
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Mario Jenz
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
- Hochschule Osnabrück, Sedanstr. 26, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Volker Hahn
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Willmar L Leiser
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tobias Würschum
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
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40
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Tolasch T, von Fragstein M, Steidle JLM. Sex Pheromone of the Click Beetle Agriotes pilosellus (Schönherr, 1718). J Chem Ecol 2022; 48:283-288. [PMID: 35067856 PMCID: PMC8934787 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01346-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAgriotes pilosellus is a fairly common click beetle species distributed in open deciduous and mixed forests throughout a large area in Europe. To identify its sex pheromone, gland extracts of female beetles were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The only volatile compounds present in the extracts were geranyl butanoate and (E)-8-hydroxygeranyl dibutanoate in a 1:3 ratio, identified by comparison with synthetic samples. Field experiments revealed a clear attraction of A. pilosellus - males towards traps baited with geranyl butanoate, which could be synergistically enhanced by the factor of almost ten by addition of (E)-8-hydroxygeranyl dibutanoate. The latter compound alone did not show any attractive effect. Both compounds correspond well to the structures known from other Agriotes species and may serve as an effective monitoring tool for entomofaunistic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Tolasch
- Institut für Biologie, Universität Hohenheim, Chemische Ökologie 190t, Garbenstraße 30, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Maximilian von Fragstein
- Institut für Biologie, Universität Hohenheim, Chemische Ökologie 190t, Garbenstraße 30, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Johannes L M Steidle
- Institut für Biologie, Universität Hohenheim, Chemische Ökologie 190t, Garbenstraße 30, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
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Würschum T, Weiß TM, Renner J, Friedrich Utz H, Gierl A, Jonczyk R, Römisch-Margl L, Schipprack W, Schön CC, Schrag TA, Leiser WL, Melchinger AE. High-resolution association mapping with libraries of immortalized lines from ancestral landraces. Theor Appl Genet 2022; 135:243-256. [PMID: 34668978 PMCID: PMC8741726 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-021-03963-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Association mapping with immortalized lines of landraces offers several advantages including a high mapping resolution, as demonstrated here in maize by identifying the causal variants underlying QTL for oil content and the metabolite allantoin. Landraces are traditional varieties of crops that present a valuable yet largely untapped reservoir of genetic variation to meet future challenges of agriculture. Here, we performed association mapping in a panel comprising 358 immortalized maize lines from six European Flint landraces. Linkage disequilibrium decayed much faster in the landraces than in the elite lines included for comparison, permitting a high mapping resolution. We demonstrate this by fine-mapping a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for oil content down to the phenylalanine insertion F469 in DGAT1-2 as the causal variant. For the metabolite allantoin, related to abiotic stress response, we identified promoter polymorphisms and differential expression of an allantoinase as putative cause of variation. Our results demonstrate the power of this approach to dissect QTL potentially down to the causal variants, toward the utilization of natural or engineered alleles in breeding. Moreover, we provide guidelines for studies using ancestral landraces for crop genetic research and breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Würschum
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Thea M Weiß
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Juliane Renner
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - H Friedrich Utz
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Alfons Gierl
- Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Rafal Jonczyk
- Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Lilla Römisch-Margl
- Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schipprack
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Chris-Carolin Schön
- Plant Breeding, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Tobias A Schrag
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Willmar L Leiser
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Albrecht E Melchinger
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Marulanda JJ, Mi X, Utz HF, Melchinger AE, Würschum T, Longin CFH. Optimum breeding strategies using genomic and phenotypic selection for the simultaneous improvement of two traits. Theor Appl Genet 2021; 134:4025-4042. [PMID: 34618174 PMCID: PMC8580912 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-021-03945-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A breeding strategy combining genomic with one-stage phenotypic selection maximizes annual selection gain for net merit. Choice of the selection index strongly affects the selection gain expected in individual traits. Selection indices using genomic information have been proposed in crop-specific scenarios. Routine use of genomic selection (GS) for simultaneous improvement of multiple traits requires information about the impact of the available economic and logistic resources and genetic properties (variances, trait correlations, and prediction accuracies) of the breeding population on the expected selection gain. We extended the R package "selectiongain" from single trait to index selection to optimize and compare breeding strategies for simultaneous improvement of two traits. We focused on the expected annual selection gain (ΔGa) for traits differing in their genetic correlation, economic weights, variance components, and prediction accuracies of GS. For all scenarios considered, breeding strategy GSrapid (one-stage GS followed by one-stage phenotypic selection) achieved higher ΔGa than classical two-stage phenotypic selection, regardless of the index chosen to combine the two traits and the prediction accuracy of GS. The Smith-Hazel or base index delivered higher ΔGa for net merit and individual traits compared to selection by independent culling levels, whereas the restricted index led to lower ΔGa in net merit and divergent results for selection gain of individual traits. The differences among the indices depended strongly on the correlation of traits, their variance components, and economic weights, underpinning the importance of choosing the selection indices according to the goal of the breeding program. We demonstrate our theoretical derivations and extensions of the R package "selectiongain" with an example from hybrid wheat by designing indices to simultaneously improve grain yield and grain protein content or sedimentation volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose J Marulanda
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Xuefei Mi
- Agricultural Genomics Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - H Friedrich Utz
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Albrecht E Melchinger
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tobias Würschum
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - C Friedrich H Longin
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Laidig F, Feike T, Klocke B, Macholdt J, Miedaner T, Rentel D, Piepho HP. Long-term breeding progress of yield, yield-related, and disease resistance traits in five cereal crops of German variety trials. Theor Appl Genet 2021; 134:3805-3827. [PMID: 34652455 PMCID: PMC8580907 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-021-03929-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Considerable breeding progress in cereal and disease resistances, but not in stem stability was found. Ageing effects decreased yield and increased disease susceptibility indicating that new varieties are constantly needed. Plant breeding and improved crop management generated considerable progress in cereal performance over the last decades. Climate change, as well as the political and social demand for more environmentally friendly production, require ongoing breeding progress. This study quantified long-term trends for breeding progress and ageing effects of yield, yield-related traits, and disease resistance traits from German variety trials for five cereal crops with a broad spectrum of genotypes. The varieties were grown over a wide range of environmental conditions during 1988-2019 under two intensity levels, without (I1) and with (I2) fungicides and growth regulators. Breeding progress regarding yield increase was the highest in winter barley followed by winter rye hybrid and the lowest in winter rye population varieties. Yield gaps between I2 and I1 widened for barleys, while they shrank for the other crops. A notable decrease in stem stability became apparent in I1 in most crops, while for diseases generally a decrasing susceptibility was found, especially for mildew, brown rust, scald, and dwarf leaf rust. The reduction in disease susceptibility in I2 (treated) was considerably higher than in I1. Our results revealed that yield performance and disease resistance of varieties were subject to considerable ageing effects, reducing yield and increasing disease susceptibility. Nevertheless, we quantified notable achievements in breeding progress for most disease resistances. This study indicated an urgent and continues need for new improved varieties, not only to combat ageing effects and generate higher yield potential, but also to offset future reduction in plant protection intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Laidig
- Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - T Feike
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Strategies and Technology Assessment, Stahnsdorfer Damm 81, 14532, Kleinmachnow, Germany
| | - B Klocke
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Strategies and Technology Assessment, Stahnsdorfer Damm 81, 14532, Kleinmachnow, Germany
| | - J Macholdt
- Institute of Plant Breeding I and Agronomy, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section of Environmental Chemistry and Physics, University of Copenhagen, 1871, Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - T Miedaner
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 21, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - D Rentel
- Bundessortenamt, Osterfelddamm 60, 30627, Hannover, Germany
| | - H P Piepho
- Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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Schlag S, Huang Y, Vetter W. GC/EI-MS method for the determination of phytosterols in vegetable oils. Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 414:1061-1071. [PMID: 34716783 PMCID: PMC8724214 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03730-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sterols are a highly complex group of lipophilic compounds present in the unsaponifiable matter of virtually all living organisms. In this study, we developed a novel gas chromatography with mass spectrometry selected ion monitoring (GC/MS-SIM) method for the comprehensive analysis of sterols after saponification and silylation. A new referencing system was introduced by means of a series of saturated fatty acid pyrrolidides (FAPs) as internal standards. Linked with retention time locking (RTL), the resulting FAP retention indices (RIFAP) of the sterols could be determined with high precision. The GC/MS-SIM method was based on the parallel measurement of 17 SIM ions in four time windows. This set included eight molecular ions and seven diagnostic fragment ions of silylated sterols as well as two abundant ions of FAPs. Altogether, twenty molecular ions of C27- to C31-sterols with 0-3 double bonds were included in the final method. Screening of four common vegetable oils (sunflower oil, hemp oil, rapeseed oil, and corn oil) enabled the detection of 30 different sterols and triterpenes most of which could be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Schlag
- Institute of Food Chemistry (170B), University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 28, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Yining Huang
- Institute of Food Chemistry (170B), University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 28, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Walter Vetter
- Institute of Food Chemistry (170B), University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 28, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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El Hassouni K, Sielaff M, Curella V, Neerukonda M, Leiser W, Würschum T, Schuppan D, Tenzer S, Longin CFH. Genetic architecture underlying the expression of eight α-amylase trypsin inhibitors. Theor Appl Genet 2021; 134:3427-3441. [PMID: 34245321 PMCID: PMC8440294 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-021-03906-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Wheat cultivars largely differ in the content and composition of ATI proteins, but heritability was quite low for six out of eight ATIs. The genetic architecture of ATI proteins is built up of few major and numerous small effect QTL. Amylase trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) are important allergens in baker's asthma and suspected triggers of non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) inducing intestinal and extra-intestinal inflammation. As studies on the expression and genetic architecture of ATI proteins in wheat are lacking, we evaluated 149 European old and modern bread wheat cultivars grown at three different field locations for their content of eight ATI proteins. Large differences in the content and composition of ATIs in the different cultivars were identified ranging from 3.76 pmol for ATI CM2 to 80.4 pmol for ATI 0.19, with up to 2.5-fold variation in CM-type and up to sixfold variation in mono/dimeric ATIs. Generally, heritability estimates were low except for ATI 0.28 and ATI CM2. ATI protein content showed a low correlation with quality traits commonly analyzed in wheat breeding. Similarly, no trends were found regarding ATI content in wheat cultivars originating from numerous countries and decades of breeding history. Genome-wide association mapping revealed a complex genetic architecture built of many small, few medium and two major quantitative trait loci (QTL). The major QTL were located on chromosomes 3B for ATI 0.19-like and 6B for ATI 0.28, explaining 70.6 and 68.7% of the genotypic variance, respectively. Within close physical proximity to the medium and major QTL, we identified eight potential candidate genes on the wheat reference genome encoding structurally related lipid transfer proteins. Consequently, selection and breeding of wheat cultivars with low ATI protein amounts appear difficult requiring other strategies to reduce ATI content in wheat products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaoula El Hassouni
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 21, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Malte Sielaff
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Valentina Curella
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immune Therapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Manjusha Neerukonda
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immune Therapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Willmar Leiser
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 21, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tobias Würschum
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 21, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Detlef Schuppan
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immune Therapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - C Friedrich H Longin
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 21, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Wu Q, Munschy C, Aminot Y, Bodin N, Vetter W. High levels of halogenated natural products in large pelagic fish from the Western Indian Ocean. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:55252-55264. [PMID: 34128165 PMCID: PMC8494675 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14738-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations, profiles and muscle-liver distribution of halogenated natural products (HNPs) and anthropogenic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were investigated in five large pelagic fish species and one smaller planktivore fish species from the Western Indian Ocean. Analysis of swordfish muscle from the Seychelles revealed the predominance of HNPs, with the highest concentrations found for 2'-methoxy-2,3',4,5'- tetraBDE (2'-MeO-BDE 68 or BC-2), 6-methoxy-2,2',4,4'- tetraBDE (6-MeO-BDE 47 or BC-3) and 2,3,3',4,4',5,5'-heptachloro-1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrrole (Q1), along with varied contributions of further HNPs. The mean concentration of ∑HNPs (330 ng/g lw) was one or two orders of magnitude higher than ∑DDTs (60 ng/g lw) and ∑PCBs (6.8 ng/g lw). HNPs (BC-2, BC-3 and Q1) were also predominant in individual samples of three tropical tuna species from the Seychelles and from other regions of the Western Indian Ocean (Mozambique Channel, off Somalia and Chagos Archipelago). Non-targeted gas chromatography coupled with electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry operated in the selected ion monitoring mode (GC/ECNI-MS-SIM) analysis of one swordfish sample indicated low abundance of rarely reported HNPs (three hexachloro-1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrrole (Cl6-MBP) isomers and pentabromo-1,1'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyrroles (Br5-DBP)) but no further abundant unscreened polyhalogenated compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wu
- Institute of Food Chemistry (170b), University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 28, D-70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Catherine Munschy
- Laboratory of Biogeochemistry of Organic Contaminants, IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea), Rue de l'île d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311, Nantes Cedex 3, France
| | - Yann Aminot
- Laboratory of Biogeochemistry of Organic Contaminants, IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea), Rue de l'île d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311, Nantes Cedex 3, France
| | - Nathalie Bodin
- Fishing Port, SFA (Seychelles Fishing Authority), Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles
- Fishing Port, IRD (French Research Institute for Sustainable Development), Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles
- SOS (Sustainable Ocean Seychelles), BeauBelle, Mahé, Seychelles
| | - Walter Vetter
- Institute of Food Chemistry (170b), University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 28, D-70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Kienbaum L, Correa Abondano M, Blas R, Schmid K. DeepCob: precise and high-throughput analysis of maize cob geometry using deep learning with an application in genebank phenomics. Plant Methods 2021; 17:91. [PMID: 34419093 PMCID: PMC8379755 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-021-00787-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maize cobs are an important component of crop yield that exhibit a high diversity in size, shape and color in native landraces and modern varieties. Various phenotyping approaches were developed to measure maize cob parameters in a high throughput fashion. More recently, deep learning methods like convolutional neural networks (CNNs) became available and were shown to be highly useful for high-throughput plant phenotyping. We aimed at comparing classical image segmentation with deep learning methods for maize cob image segmentation and phenotyping using a large image dataset of native maize landrace diversity from Peru. RESULTS Comparison of three image analysis methods showed that a Mask R-CNN trained on a diverse set of maize cob images was highly superior to classical image analysis using the Felzenszwalb-Huttenlocher algorithm and a Window-based CNN due to its robustness to image quality and object segmentation accuracy ([Formula: see text]). We integrated Mask R-CNN into a high-throughput pipeline to segment both maize cobs and rulers in images and perform an automated quantitative analysis of eight phenotypic traits, including diameter, length, ellipticity, asymmetry, aspect ratio and average values of red, green and blue color channels for cob color. Statistical analysis identified key training parameters for efficient iterative model updating. We also show that a small number of 10-20 images is sufficient to update the initial Mask R-CNN model to process new types of cob images. To demonstrate an application of the pipeline we analyzed phenotypic variation in 19,867 maize cobs extracted from 3449 images of 2484 accessions from the maize genebank of Peru to identify phenotypically homogeneous and heterogeneous genebank accessions using multivariate clustering. CONCLUSIONS Single Mask R-CNN model and associated analysis pipeline are widely applicable tools for maize cob phenotyping in contexts like genebank phenomics or plant breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Kienbaum
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Miguel Correa Abondano
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Raul Blas
- Universidad National Agraria La Molina (UNALM), Lima, Peru
| | - Karl Schmid
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
- Computational Science Lab, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Gruner P, Schmitt AK, Flath K, Piepho HP, Miedaner T. Mapping and validating stem rust resistance genes directly in self-incompatible genetic resources of winter rye. Theor Appl Genet 2021; 134:1989-2003. [PMID: 33688982 PMCID: PMC8263455 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-021-03800-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Individual stem rust resistance genes could be directly mapped within self-incompatible rye populations. Genetic resources of rye (Secale cereale L.) are cross-pollinating populations that can be highly diverse and are naturally segregating. In this study, we show that this segregation could be used for mapping stem rust resistance. Populations of pre-selected donors from the Russian Federation, the USA and Austria were tested on a single-plant basis for stem rust resistance by a leaf-segment test with three rust isolates. Seventy-four plants per population were genotyped with a 10 K-SNP chip. Using cumulative logit models, significant associations between the ordinal infection score and the marker alleles could be found. Three different loci (Pgs1, Pgs2, Pgs3) in three populations were highly significant, and resistance-linked markers could be validated with field experiments of an independent seed sample from the original population and were used to fix two populations for resistance. We showed that it is possible to map monogenically inherited seedling resistance genes directly in genetic resources, thus providing a competitive alternative to linkage mapping approaches that require a tedious and time-consuming inbreeding over several generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Gruner
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Anne-Kristin Schmitt
- Institute for Plant Protection in Field Crops and Grassland, Julius-Kuehn Institute, Stahnsdorfer Damm 81, 14532, Kleinmachnow, Germany
| | - Kerstin Flath
- Institute for Plant Protection in Field Crops and Grassland, Julius-Kuehn Institute, Stahnsdorfer Damm 81, 14532, Kleinmachnow, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Piepho
- Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thomas Miedaner
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Miedaner T, Juroszek P. Climate change will influence disease resistance breeding in wheat in Northwestern Europe. Theor Appl Genet 2021; 134:1771-1785. [PMID: 33715023 PMCID: PMC8205889 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-021-03807-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Wheat productivity is threatened by global climate change. In several parts of NW Europe it will get warmer and dryer during the main crop growing period. The resulting likely lower realized on-farm crop yields must be kept by breeding for resistance against already existing and emerging diseases among other measures. Multi-disease resistance will get especially crucial. In this review, we focus on disease resistance breeding approaches in wheat, especially related to rust diseases and Fusarium head blight, because simulation studies of potential future disease risk have shown that these diseases will be increasingly relevant in the future. The long-term changes in disease occurrence must inevitably lead to adjustments of future resistance breeding strategies, whereby stability and durability of disease resistance under heat and water stress will be important in the future. In general, it would be important to focus on non-temperature sensitive resistance genes/QTLs. To conclude, research on the effects of heat and drought stress on disease resistance reactions must be given special attention in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Miedaner
- State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Peter Juroszek
- Central Institute for Decision Support Systems in Crop Protection (ZEPP), 55545, Bad Kreuznach, Germany
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Kuckertz A, Brändle L. Creative reconstruction: a structured literature review of the early empirical research on the COVID-19 crisis and entrepreneurship. Manag Rev Q 2021. [PMCID: PMC8107426 DOI: 10.1007/s11301-021-00221-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe COVID-19 crisis triggered by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the infection control measures taken have extended beyond affecting health issues to impact economic activity worldwide. In this structured literature review, the focus is specifically on how the crisis has impacted entrepreneurial activity. The review focuses on the early empirical literature that primarily relied on data collected during the first wave of the pandemic. These empirical results are synthesized in a thematic literature review. The entrepreneurship research on the COVID-19 crisis is marked by three perspectives: the uncertainty perspective, the resilience perspective, and the opportunity perspective. To obtain a complete picture of the effects of the crisis on entrepreneurship, these three perspectives should be considered in combination. We provide implications for future research, policymakers, and entrepreneurs discussing how the interplay of the reviewed perspectives provides paths toward creative reconstruction, that is, the opportunity to move beyond pre-crisis levels of innovation and entrepreneurial action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kuckertz
- Entrepreneurship Research Group, University of Hohenheim, Wollgrasweg 49, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Leif Brändle
- Entrepreneurship Research Group, University of Hohenheim, Wollgrasweg 49, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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