In a nuclear or radiological event, an early diagnostic tool is needed to distinguish the worried well from those individuals who may later develop life-threatenFing hematologic acute radiation syndrome. We examined the contribution of the peripheral blood's cell populations on radiation-induced gene expression (GE) changes. EDTA-whole-blood from six healthy donors was X-irradiated with 0 and 4Gy and T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, NK-cells and granulocytes were separated using immunomagnetic methods. GE were examined in cell populations and whole...

In a nuclear or radiological event, an early diagnostic tool is needed to distinguish the worried well from those individuals who may later develop life-threatenFing hematologic acute radiation syndrome. We examined the contribution of the peripheral blood's cell populations on radiation-induced gene expression (GE) changes. EDTA-whole-blood from six healthy donors was X-irradiated with 0 and 4Gy and T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, NK-cells and granulocytes were separated using immunomagnetic methods. GE were examined in cell populations and whole...

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of drought on the interactions between native and invasive tree species. Organic and inorganic net N uptake capacity and total soluble protein as well as total soluable amino acid contents were quantified in leaves and fine roots of the native species Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus robur L. and Pinus sylvestris L.) and the invasive species Prunus serotina Ehrh. and Robinia pseudoacacia L.. We used a fully...

In a nuclear or radiological event, an early diagnostic or prognostic tool is needed to distinguish the worried well from low-exposed and those individuals who may later develop life-threatening hematologic acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS). In previous studies, we identified and validated genes in peripheral blood for this purpose. To gain a deeper understanding and to make methodological improvements, we examined the contribution of the peripheral blood´s cell populations on radiation-induced gene expression changes. EDTA whole...

Background: Most insects are relatively short-lived, with a maximum lifespan of a few weeks, like the aging model organism, the fruit-fly Drosophila melanogaster. By contrast, the queens of many social insects (termites, ants and some bees) can live from a few years to decades. This makes social insects promising models in aging research providing insights into how a long reproductive life can be achieved. Yet, aging studies on social insect reproductives are hampered by a...

In translational obesity research, objective assessment of adipocyte sizes and numbers is essential to characterize histomorphological alterations linked to obesity, and to evaluate the efficacies of experimental medicinal or dietetic interventions. Design-based quantitative stereological techniques based on the analysis of 2D-histological sections provide unbiased estimates of relevant 3D-parameters of adipocyte morphology, but often involve complex and time-consuming tissue processing and analysis steps. Here we report the application of direct 3D light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM)...

Crop productivity must increase at unprecedented rates to meet the needs of the growing worldwide population. Exploiting natural variation for the genetic improvement of crops plays a central role in increasing productivity. Although current genomic technologies can be used for high-throughput identification of genetic variation, methods for efficiently exploiting this genetic potential in a targeted, systematic manner are lacking. Here, we developed a haplotype-based approach to identify genetic diversity for crop improvement using genome assemblies...

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of associated mycorrhization type on tree-tree interactions using the framework of the MyDiv tree diversity experiment established at the Bad Lauchstädt Experimental Research Station of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany). Inorganic and organic net N uptake capacity was quantified in fine roots of AM (i.e. Acer pseudoplatanus L., Fraxinus excelsior L., and Prunus avium L.) as well as EM associated tree species...

Background: Nightmares are a widespread phenomenon. In comparison to the general population, they occur in mentally ill and especially in traumatized individuals with an increased frequency. Despite the high prevalence, there is no short questionnaire in the German language that is able to characterize nightmares, to differentiate between different nightmare types and to assess their impact on daytime functioning. Objective: The Hamburg Nightmare Questionnaire (HNQ) has been developed as a short self-rating instrument to fill...