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Hüftlein F, Ritschar S, Laforsch C. Sexual dimorphism in the proventriculus of the buff-tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris (L. 1758) (Hymenoptera: Apidae). J Morphol 2024; 285:e21668. [PMID: 38361258 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21668] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Research on eusocial bee species like Bombus terrestris is primarily focused on the worker caste, which is why their morphology and anatomy are already well described. This includes the alimentary tract, which is adapted for feeding on nectar and pollen. Located at the transition between crop and ventriculus is a highly specialised compartment, the proventriculus. In female workers of B. terrestris, the proventriculus is surrounded by muscles and consists of four anterior lips. A detailed description, however, is only provided for B. terrestis worker bees while studies on the proventriculus of the male reproductive caste are absent. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of the differences between the proventriculus of the B. terrestris males and females through morphometrics, histology and scanning electron microscopy imaging, and unravel a distinct sexual dimorphism. The male proventriculus is wider resulting in a greater volume than the female proventriculus. Histological analysis revealed 4 distinctive chambers of the male proventriculus, which are completely covered with hairs on the inside. In contrast, those chambers in the proventriculus of female B. terrestris, are only rudimentarily present forming only small pouches with hairs in the junctions between the proventricular folds inside the proventriculus. The morphological differences in the proventriculus may be based on different modi vivendi, as males do not return to the colony and fly longer distances. This and the synthesis of sperm and mating plug might require higher energy reserves, leading to the necessity of higher food storage capacities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Hüftlein
- Department of Animal Ecology I, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Sven Ritschar
- Department of Animal Ecology I, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Christian Laforsch
- Department of Animal Ecology I, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
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2
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Thamm M, Reiß F, Sohl L, Gabel M, Noll M, Scheiner R. Solitary Bees Host More Bacteria and Fungi on Their Cuticle than Social Bees. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2780. [PMID: 38004791 PMCID: PMC10673014 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112780] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Bees come into contact with bacteria and fungi from flowering plants during their foraging trips. The Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) shows a pronounced hygienic behavior with social interactions, while the solitary red mason bee (Osmia bicornis) lacks a social immune system. Since both visit the same floral resources, it is intriguing to speculate that the body surface of a solitary bee should harbor a more complex microbiome than that of the social honeybee. We compared the cuticular microbiomes of A. mellifera (including three European subspecies) and O. bicornis for the first time by bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS gene-based high-throughput amplicon sequencing. The cuticular microbiome of the solitary O. bicornis was significantly more complex than that of the social A. mellifera. The microbiome composition of A. mellifera subspecies was very similar. However, we counted significantly different numbers of fungi and a higher diversity in the honeybee subspecies adapted to warmer climates. Our results suggest that the cuticular microbiome of bees is strongly affected by visited plants, lifestyle and adaptation to temperature, which have important implications for the maintenance of the health of bees under conditions of global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Thamm
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; (M.T.); (M.G.)
| | - Fabienne Reiß
- Institute of Bioanalysis, Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 96450 Coburg, Germany; (F.R.); (L.S.)
| | - Leon Sohl
- Institute of Bioanalysis, Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 96450 Coburg, Germany; (F.R.); (L.S.)
| | - Martin Gabel
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; (M.T.); (M.G.)
- Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen, Bee Institute Kirchhain, 35274 Kirchhain, Germany
| | - Matthias Noll
- Institute of Bioanalysis, Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 96450 Coburg, Germany; (F.R.); (L.S.)
- Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Ricarda Scheiner
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; (M.T.); (M.G.)
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Jatsch AS, Jacobs S, Wommer K, Wanieck K. Biomimetics for Sustainable Developments-A Literature Overview of Trends. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:304. [PMID: 37504192 PMCID: PMC10807477 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8030304] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomimetics holds the promise to contribute to sustainability in several ways. However, it remains unclear how the two broad concepts and research fields are connected. This article presents a literature overview on biomimetic sustainable developments and research. It is shown that there is an increasing trend in publications dealing with various topics and that the research takes place worldwide. The biological models studied in biomimetic sustainable developments are mostly sub-elements of biological systems on a molecular level and lead to eco-friendly, resource and energy-efficient applications. This article indicates that biomimetics is further integrating sustainability to contribute to real problems in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sophie Jatsch
- Faculty of Applied Informatics, Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT), Teaching Area Biomimetics and Innovation, Grafenauer Str. 22, 94078 Freyung, Germany (K.W.)
| | - Shoshanah Jacobs
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Kirsten Wommer
- Faculty of Applied Informatics, Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT), Teaching Area Biomimetics and Innovation, Grafenauer Str. 22, 94078 Freyung, Germany (K.W.)
| | - Kristina Wanieck
- Faculty of Applied Informatics, Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT), Teaching Area Biomimetics and Innovation, Grafenauer Str. 22, 94078 Freyung, Germany (K.W.)
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Bahlmann NA, Mautner L, Hoyos M, Sallard E, Berger C, Dangel A, Jönsson F, Fischer JC, Kreppel F, Zhang W, Esposito I, Bölke E, Baiker A, Ehrhardt A. In Vitro Analysis of the Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Non-VOC and four Variants of Concern on MHC-Class-I Expression on Calu-3 and Caco-2 Cells. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1348. [PMID: 37510253 PMCID: PMC10378856 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As the MHC-I-pathway is key to antigen presentation to cytotoxic T-cells and, therefore, recognition by the host adaptive immune system, we hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 including its Variants of Concern (VOCs), influences MHC-I expression on epithelial cell surfaces as an immune evasion strategy. We conducted an in vitro time course experiment with the human airway epithelial cell line Calu-3 and the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2. Cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2 strains non-VOC/B.1.1, Alpha/B.1.1.7, Beta/B.1.351, Gamma/P.1, and Delta/B.1.617.2. At 2, 24, 48 and 72 h post-infection we performed RT-qPCR to track viral replication. Simultaneously, we performed intracellular staining with a serum of a double-vaccinated healthy adult containing a high amount of spike protein antibody. In flow cytometry experiments, we differentiated between infected (spike protein positive) and bystander (spike protein negative) cells. To compare their HLA expression levels, cells were stained extracellularly with anti-HLA-A-IgG and anti-HLA-B,C-IgG. While HLA-A expression was stable on infected Calu-3 cells for all variants, it increased to different degrees on bystander cells in samples infected with VOCs Beta, Gamma, Delta, or non-VOC over the time course analyzed. In contrast, HLA-A levels were stable in bystander Calu-3 cells in samples infected with the Alpha variant. The upregulation of MHC-I on spike protein negative bystander cells in Calu-3 cell cultures infected with Beta, Gamma, Delta, and partly non-VOC might suggest that infected cells are still capable of secreting inflammatory cytokines like type-I interferons stimulating the MHC-I expression on bystander cells. In comparison, there was no distinct effect on HLA expression level on Caco-2 cells of any of the VOCs or non-VOC. Further investigations of the full range of immune evasion strategies of SARS-CoV-2 variants are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora A Bahlmann
- Virology and Microbiology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Lena Mautner
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Mona Hoyos
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Erwan Sallard
- Virology and Microbiology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Carola Berger
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Alexandra Dangel
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Franziska Jönsson
- Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Johannes C Fischer
- Institute for Transplant Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40204 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Florian Kreppel
- Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Wenli Zhang
- Virology and Microbiology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Irene Esposito
- Institute of Pathology, Heinrich Heine University and University Hospital, 40204 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Edwin Bölke
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40204 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Armin Baiker
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Anja Ehrhardt
- Virology and Microbiology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58453 Witten, Germany
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von Hoermann C, Benbow ME, Rottler-Hoermann AM, Lackner T, Sommer D, Receveur JP, Bässler C, Heurich M, Müller J. Factors influencing carrion communities are only partially consistent with those of deadwood necromass. Oecologia 2023; 201:537-547. [PMID: 36697878 PMCID: PMC9943954 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05327-8] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Research on decomposer communities has traditionally focused on plant litter or deadwood. Even though carrion forms highly nutrient-rich necromass that enhance ecosystem heterogeneity, the factors influencing saprophytic communities remain largely unknown. For deadwood, experiments have shown that different drivers determine beetles (i.e., decay stage, microclimate, and space), fungi (i.e., decay stage and tree species) and bacteria (decay stage only) assemblages. To test the hypothesis that similar factors also structure carrion communities, we sampled 29 carcasses exposed for 30 days that included Cervus elaphus (N = 6), Capreolus capreolus (N = 18), and Vulpes vulpes (N = 5) in a mountain forest throughout decomposition. Beetles were collected with pitfall traps, while microbial communities were characterized using amplicon sequencing. Assemblages were determined with a focus from rare to dominant species using Hill numbers. With increasing focus on dominant species, the relative importance of carcass identity on beetles and space on bacteria increased, while only succession and microclimate remained relevant for fungi. For beetle and bacteria with focus on dominant species, host identity was more important than microclimate, which is in marked contrast to deadwood. We conclude that factors influencing carrion saprophytic assemblages show some consistency, but also differences from those of deadwood assemblages, suggesting that short-lived carrion and long-lasting deadwood both provide a resource pulse with different adaptions in insects and microbes. As with deadwood, a high diversity of carcass species under multiple decay stages and different microclimates support a diverse decomposer community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian von Hoermann
- grid.452215.50000 0004 7590 7184Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - M. Eric Benbow
- grid.17088.360000 0001 2150 1785Department of Entomology, Department of Osteopathic Specialties, AgBioResearch and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Ann-Marie Rottler-Hoermann
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Tomáš Lackner
- grid.452215.50000 0004 7590 7184Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - David Sommer
- grid.4491.80000 0004 1937 116XDepartment of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 12844 Prague, Czech Republic
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Kamycka 1176, 16521 Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Joseph P. Receveur
- grid.17088.360000 0001 2150 1785Department of Entomology, Department of Osteopathic Specialties, AgBioResearch and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Claus Bässler
- grid.7839.50000 0004 1936 9721Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Conservation Biology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- grid.452215.50000 0004 7590 7184Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - Marco Heurich
- grid.452215.50000 0004 7590 7184Department of Visitor Management and National Park Monitoring, Bavarian Forest National Park, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
- grid.5963.9Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Forest and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Science, 2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Jörg Müller
- grid.452215.50000 0004 7590 7184Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
- grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, 96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany
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Flechsler J, Eberle U, Dangel A, Hepner S, Wimmer C, Lutmayr J, Konrad R, Berger C, Weise L, Sprenger A, Zeitler J, Paravinja N, Angermeier H, Githure G, Schmidt S, Treis B, Okeyo M, Liebl B, Ackermann N, Sing A. Molecular SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in Bavaria shows no Omicron transmission before the end of November 2021. Infection 2022; 50:761-766. [PMID: 35230655 PMCID: PMC8886714 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-022-01767-1] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Five SARS-CoV-2 variants are currently considered as variants of concern (VOC). Omicron was declared a VOC at the end of November 2021. Based on different diagnostic methods, the occurrence of Omicron was reported by 52 countries worldwide on December 7 2021. First notified by South Africa with alarming reports on increasing infection rates, this new variant was soon suspected to replace the currently pre-dominating Delta variant leading to further infection waves worldwide. METHODS Using VOC PCR screening and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis of selected samples, we investigated the circulation of Omicron in the German federal state Bavaria. For this, we analyzed SARS-CoV-2 surveillance data from our laboratory generated from calendar week (CW) 01 to 49/2021. RESULTS So far, we have detected 69 Omicron cases in our laboratory from CW 47-49/2021 using RT-qPCR followed by melting curve analysis. The first 16 cases were analyzed by NGS and all were confirmed as Omicron. CONCLUSION Our data strongly support no circulation of the new Omicron variant before CW 47/2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Flechsler
- Department of Public Health Microbiology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Ute Eberle
- Unit of Virology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Alexandra Dangel
- NGS Core Unit, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Sabrina Hepner
- NGS Core Unit, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Clara Wimmer
- Unit of Virology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Johannes Lutmayr
- Unit of Virology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Regina Konrad
- Department of Public Health Microbiology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Carola Berger
- NGS Core Unit, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Laura Weise
- NGS Core Unit, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Annika Sprenger
- NGS Core Unit, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Jörg Zeitler
- Unit of Virology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Natali Paravinja
- Unit of Virology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Hildegard Angermeier
- Unit of Virology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - George Githure
- Unit of Virology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Sandra Schmidt
- Unit of Virology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Bianca Treis
- Unit of Virology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Mercy Okeyo
- Unit of Virology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Bernhard Liebl
- State Institute of Health, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Ludwig Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Ackermann
- Department of Public Health Microbiology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Unit of Virology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Sing
- Department of Public Health Microbiology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany.
- State Institute of Health, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany.
- Ludwig Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.
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Wahman R, Moser S, Bieber S, Cruzeiro C, Schröder P, Gilg A, Lesske F, Letzel T. Untargeted Analysis of Lemna minor Metabolites: Workflow and Prioritization Strategy Comparing Highly Confident Features between Different Mass Spectrometers. Metabolites 2021; 11:832. [PMID: 34940590 PMCID: PMC8706044 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11120832] [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] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolomics approaches provide a vast array of analytical datasets, which require a comprehensive analytical, statistical, and biochemical workflow to reveal changes in metabolic profiles. The biological interpretation of mass spectrometric metabolomics results is still obstructed by the reliable identification of the metabolites as well as annotation and/or classification. In this work, the whole Lemna minor (common duckweed) was extracted using various solvents and analyzed utilizing polarity-extended liquid chromatography (reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC)-hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)) connected to two time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer types, individually. This study (introduces and) discusses three relevant topics for the untargeted workflow: (1) A comparison study of metabolome samples was performed with an untargeted data handling workflow in two different labs with two different mass spectrometers using the same plant material type. (2) A statistical procedure was observed prioritizing significant detected features (dependent and independent of the mass spectrometer using the predictive methodology Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA). (3) Relevant features were transferred to a prioritization tool (the FOR-IDENT platform (FI)) and were compared with the implemented compound database PLANT-IDENT (PI). This compound database is filled with relevant compounds of the Lemnaceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, and Nymphaceae families according to analytical criteria such as retention time (polarity and LogD (pH 7)) and accurate mass (empirical formula). Thus, an untargeted analysis was performed using the new tool as a prioritization and identification source for a hidden-target screening strategy. Consequently, forty-two compounds (amino acids, vitamins, flavonoids) could be recognized and subsequently validated in Lemna metabolic profile using reference standards. The class of flavonoids includes free aglycons and their glycosides. Further, according to our knowledge, the validated flavonoids robinetin and norwogonin were for the first time identified in the Lemna minor extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rofida Wahman
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany;
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, 71526 Assiut, Egypt
| | - Stefan Moser
- Stefan Moser Process Optimization, Weberweg 3, 83131 Nußdorf am Inn, Germany;
| | - Stefan Bieber
- Analytisches Forschungsinstitut für Non-Target Screening GmbH (AFIN-TS), Am Mittleren Moos 48, 86167 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Catarina Cruzeiro
- Research Unit Comparative Microbiome Analysis, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Centrum Munich, Ingolstädter Strasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; (C.C.); (P.S.)
| | - Peter Schröder
- Research Unit Comparative Microbiome Analysis, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Centrum Munich, Ingolstädter Strasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; (C.C.); (P.S.)
| | - August Gilg
- Departement of Bioengineering Sciences, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, Am Hofgarten 4, Weihenstephan, 85354 Freising, Germany; (A.G.); (F.L.)
| | - Frank Lesske
- Departement of Bioengineering Sciences, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, Am Hofgarten 4, Weihenstephan, 85354 Freising, Germany; (A.G.); (F.L.)
| | - Thomas Letzel
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany;
- Analytisches Forschungsinstitut für Non-Target Screening GmbH (AFIN-TS), Am Mittleren Moos 48, 86167 Augsburg, Germany;
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8
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Fillinger L, Hürkamp K, Stumpp C, Weber N, Forster D, Hausmann B, Schultz L, Griebler C. Spatial and Annual Variation in Microbial Abundance, Community Composition, and Diversity Associated With Alpine Surface Snow. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:781904. [PMID: 34912321 PMCID: PMC8667604 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.781904] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding microbial community dynamics in the alpine cryosphere is an important step toward assessing climate change impacts on these fragile ecosystems and meltwater-fed environments downstream. In this study, we analyzed microbial community composition, variation in community alpha and beta diversity, and the number of prokaryotic cells and virus-like particles (VLP) in seasonal snowpack from two consecutive years at three high altitude mountain summits along a longitudinal transect across the European Alps. Numbers of prokaryotic cells and VLP both ranged around 104 and 105 per mL of snow meltwater on average, with variation generally within one order of magnitude between sites and years. VLP-to-prokaryotic cell ratios spanned two orders of magnitude, with median values close to 1, and little variation between sites and years in the majority of cases. Estimates of microbial community alpha diversity inferred from Hill numbers revealed low contributions of common and abundant microbial taxa to the total taxon richness, and thus low community evenness. Similar to prokaryotic cell and VLP numbers, differences in alpha diversity between years and sites were generally relatively modest. In contrast, community composition displayed strong variation between sites and especially between years. Analyses of taxonomic and phylogenetic community composition showed that differences between sites within years were mainly characterized by changes in abundances of microbial taxa from similar phylogenetic clades, whereas shifts between years were due to significant phylogenetic turnover. Our findings on the spatiotemporal dynamics and magnitude of variation of microbial abundances, community diversity, and composition in surface snow may help define baseline levels to assess future impacts of climate change on the alpine cryosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Fillinger
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kerstin Hürkamp
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christine Stumpp
- Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Nina Weber
- Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Dominik Forster
- Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Bela Hausmann
- Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lotta Schultz
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Griebler
- Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
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Jung S, Zhao F, Menzel A. Establishing the twig method for investigations on pollen characteristics of allergenic tree species. Int J Biometeorol 2021; 65:1983-1993. [PMID: 34043087 PMCID: PMC8536639 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02154-5] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The twig method in climate chambers has been shown to successfully work as a proxy for outdoor manipulations in various experimental setups. This study was conducted to further establish this method for the investigation of allergenic pollen from tree species (hazel, alder, and birch). Direct comparison under outdoor conditions revealed that the cut twigs compared to donor trees were similar in the timing of flowering and the amount of pollen produced. Cut twigs were able to flower in climate chambers and produced a sufficient amount of pollen for subsequent laboratory analysis. The addition of different plant or tissue fertilizers in the irrigation of the twigs did not have any influence; rather, the regular exchange of water and the usage of fungicide were sufficient for reaching the stage of flowering. In the experimental setup, the twigs were cut in different intervals before the actual flowering and were put under warming conditions in the climate chamber. An impact of warming on the timing of flowering/pollen characteristics could be seen for the investigated species. Therefore, the twig method is well applicable for experimental settings in pollen research simulating, e.g., accelerated warming under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Jung
- TUM School of Life Sciences, Department of Life Science Systems, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany.
| | - Feng Zhao
- Helmholtz Zentrum München - Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Annette Menzel
- TUM School of Life Sciences, Department of Life Science Systems, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany
- Institute of Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
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Hentschke C, Halle M, Geilhof B, Landendoerfer P, Blank W, Sieber CC, Siegrist M, Freiberger E. 24-Months Cluster-Randomized Intervention Trial of a Targeted Fall Prevention Program in a Primary Care Setting. J Gen Intern Med 2021:10.1007/s11606-021-06944-w. [PMID: 34240282 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-06944-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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Falls and fall-related injuries are common in community-dwelling older persons. Longitudinal data on effective fall prevention programs are rare. OBJECTIVE Therefore, we evaluated a 4-months multi-component exercise fall prevention program in a primary care setting on long-term effects over 24 months on falls and concomitant injuries in older community-dwelling persons with high risk of falling. DESIGN AND SETTING In the Prevention of Falls (PreFalls) study, forty general practitioners in Germany were cluster-randomized (1:1) into an intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). Three hundred seventy-eight independently living people with high risk of falling (78.1 ± 5.9 years, 75% women) were assigned to IG (n = 222) or CG (n = 156). INTERVENTION AND MEASUREMENTS Patients in IG took part in a 4-months multi-component exercise program comprising strength and balance exercises (28 sessions); patients in CG received no intervention. Primary outcome measure was number of falls over 24 months, analyzed by a patient-level, linear mixed Poisson model. Secondary endpoints were number of fall-related injuries, changes in physical function, fear of falling, and mortality. RESULTS After 24 months, the IG demonstrated significantly fewer falls (IRR = 0.63, p = 0.021), injurious falls (IRR = 0.69, p = 0.034), and less fear of falling (p = 0.005). The mortality rate was 5.0% in IG and 10.3% in CG (HR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.12; p = 0.094). CONCLUSIONS In older community-dwelling persons with high risk of falling, a short-term multi-component exercise intervention reduced falls and injurious falls, as well as fear of falling over 24 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hentschke
- Institute for Biomedicine of Aging, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Kobergerstr. 60, 90408, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Martin Halle
- Department of Prevention and Sports Medicine, University Hospital 'rechts der Isar', Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Barbara Geilhof
- Department of Prevention and Sports Medicine, University Hospital 'rechts der Isar', Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Landendoerfer
- Institute of General Practice, University Hospital 'rechts der Isar', Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Blank
- Institute for General Practitioner, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Cornel Christian Sieber
- Institute for Biomedicine of Aging, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Kobergerstr. 60, 90408, Nuremberg, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Monika Siegrist
- Department of Prevention and Sports Medicine, University Hospital 'rechts der Isar', Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ellen Freiberger
- Institute for Biomedicine of Aging, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Kobergerstr. 60, 90408, Nuremberg, Germany.
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Menzel A, Ghasemifard H, Yuan Y, Estrella N. A First Pre-season Pollen Transport Climatology to Bavaria, Germany. Front Allergy 2021; 2:627863. [PMID: 35386987 PMCID: PMC8974717 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2021.627863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate impacts on the pollen season are well-described however less is known on how frequently atmospheric transport influences the start of the pollen season. Based on long-term phenological flowering and airborne pollen data (1987–2017) for six stations and seven taxa across Bavaria, Germany, we studied changes in the pollen season, compared pollen and flowering season start dates to determine pollen sources, and analyzed the likelihood of pollen transport by HYSPLIT back trajectories. Species advanced their pollen season more in early spring (e.g., Corylus and Alnus by up to 2 days yr−1) than in mid spring (Betula, Fraxinus, Pinus); Poaceae and Artemisia exhibited mixed trends in summer. Annual pollen sums mainly increased for Corylus and decreased for Poaceae and Artemisia. Start of pollen season trends largely deviated from flowering trends, especially for Corylus and Alnus. Transport phenomena, which rely on comparisons between flowering and pollen dates, were determined for 2005–2015 at three stations. Pre-season pollen was a common phenomenon: airborne pollen was predominantly observed earlier than flowering (median 17 days) and in general, in 63% of the cases (except for Artemisia and Poaceae, and the alpine location) the pollen sources were non-local (transported). In 54% (35%) of these cases, back trajectories confirmed (partly confirmed) the pre-season transport, only in 11% of the cases transport modeling failed to explain the records. Even within the main pollen season, 70% of pollen season start dates were linked to transport. At the alpine station, non-local pollen sources (both from outside Bavaria as well as Bavarian lowlands) predominated, in only 13% of these cases transport could not be confirmed by back trajectories. This prominent role of pollen transport has important implications for the length, the timing, and the severity of the allergenic pollen season, indicating only a weak dependency on flowering of local pollen sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Menzel
- Department of Life Science Systems, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Freising, Germany
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany
| | - Homa Ghasemifard
- Department of Life Science Systems, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Freising, Germany
| | - Ye Yuan
- Department of Life Science Systems, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Freising, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ye Yuan
| | - Nicole Estrella
- Department of Life Science Systems, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Freising, Germany
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Hils C, Dulle M, Sitaru G, Gekle S, Schöbel J, Frank A, Drechsler M, Greiner A, Schmalz H. Influence of patch size and chemistry on the catalytic activity of patchy hybrid nonwovens. Nanoscale Adv 2020; 2:438-452. [PMID: 36133996 PMCID: PMC9419548 DOI: 10.1039/c9na00607a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we provide a detailed study on the influence of patch size and chemistry on the catalytic activity of patchy hybrid nonwovens in the gold nanoparticle (Au NP) catalysed alcoholysis of dimethylphenylsilane in n-butanol. The nonwovens were produced by coaxial electrospinning, employing a polystyrene solution as the core and a dispersion of spherical or worm-like patchy micelles with functional, amino group-bearing patches (dimethyl and diisopropyl amino groups as anchor groups for Au NP) as the shell. Subsequent loading by dipping into a dispersion of preformed Au NPs yields the patchy hybrid nonwovens. In terms of NP stabilization, i.e., preventing agglomeration, worm-like micelles with poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylamide) (PDMA) patches are most efficient. Kinetic studies employing an extended 1st order kinetics model, which includes the observed induction periods, revealed a strong dependence on the accessibility of the Au NPs' surface to the reactants. The accessibility is controlled by the swellability of the functional patches in n-butanol, which depends on both patch chemistry and size. As a result, significantly longer induction (t ind) and reaction (t R) times were observed for the 1st catalysis cycles in comparison to the 10th cycles and nonwovens with more polar PDMA patches show a significantly lower t R in the 1st catalysis cycle. Thus, the unique patchy surface structure allows tailoring the properties of this "tea-bag"-like catalyst system in terms of NP stabilization and catalytic performance, which resulted in a significant reduction of t R to about 4 h for an optimized system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hils
- Macromolecular Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 95440 Bayreuth Germany
| | - Martin Dulle
- JCNS-1/ICS-1, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52428 Jülich Germany
| | - Gabriel Sitaru
- Biofluid Simulation and Modeling, Theoretische Physik VI, University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 95440 Bayreuth Germany
| | - Stephan Gekle
- Biofluid Simulation and Modeling, Theoretische Physik VI, University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 95440 Bayreuth Germany
| | - Judith Schöbel
- Macromolecular Chemistry & New Polymeric Materials, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Frank
- Macromolecular Chemistry I, University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 95440 Bayreuth Germany
| | - Markus Drechsler
- Bavarian Polymer Institute, Keylab Optical and Electron Microscopy, University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 95440 Bayreuth Germany
| | - Andreas Greiner
- Macromolecular Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 95440 Bayreuth Germany
- Bavarian Polymer Institute, Keylab Synthesis and Molecular Characterization, University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 95440 Bayreuth Germany
| | - Holger Schmalz
- Macromolecular Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 95440 Bayreuth Germany
- Bavarian Polymer Institute, Keylab Synthesis and Molecular Characterization, University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 95440 Bayreuth Germany
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Mayer M, Unterseer S, Bauer E, de Leon N, Ordas B, Schön CC. Is there an optimum level of diversity in utilization of genetic resources? Theor Appl Genet 2017; 130:2283-2295. [PMID: 28780586 PMCID: PMC5641276 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-017-2959-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Capitalizing upon the genomic characteristics of long-term random mating populations, sampling from pre-selected landraces is a promising approach for broadening the genetic base of elite germplasm for quantitative traits. Genome-enabled strategies for harnessing untapped allelic variation of landraces are currently evolving. The success of such approaches depends on the choice of source material. Thus, the analysis of different strategies for sampling allelic variation from landraces and their impact on population diversity and linkage disequilibrium (LD) is required to ensure the efficient utilization of diversity. We investigated the impact of different sampling strategies on diversity parameters and LD based on high-density genotypic data of 35 European maize landraces each represented by more than 20 individuals. On average, five landraces already captured ~95% of the molecular diversity of the entire dataset. Within landraces, absence of pronounced population structure, consistency of linkage phases and moderate to low LD levels were found. When combining data of up to 10 landraces, LD decay distances decreased to a few kilobases. Genotyping 24 individuals per landrace with 5k SNPs was sufficient for obtaining representative estimates of diversity and LD levels to allow an informed pre-selection of landraces. Integrating results from European with Central and South American landraces revealed that European landraces represent a unique and diverse spectrum of allelic variation. Sampling strategies for harnessing allelic variation from landraces depend on the study objectives. If the focus lies on the improvement of elite germplasm for quantitative traits, we recommend sampling from pre-selected landraces, as it yields a wide range of diversity, allows optimal marker imputation, control for population structure and avoids the confounding effects of strong adaptive alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Mayer
- Plant Breeding, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Sandra Unterseer
- Plant Breeding, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Eva Bauer
- Plant Breeding, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Natalia de Leon
- Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA, 53706
| | - Bernardo Ordas
- Misión Biológica de Galicia, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 36080, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Chris-Carolin Schön
- Plant Breeding, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany.
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