University of Hohenheim

About: University of Hohenheim is a education organization based out in Stuttgart, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Soil water. The organization has 8585 authors who have published 16406 publications receiving 567377 citations.

Efect of zinc and iron deficiency on phytos1derophore release in wheat genotypes differing in zinc efficiency

Abstract: The effect of varied zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) supply on the release of Zn and Fe mobilizing phytosiderophores from roots was studied in Zn‐efficient Aroona and Zn‐inefficient Durati wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum cv. Aroona; T. durum cv. Durati) grown under controlled environmental conditions in nutrient solution for 25 days. Phytosiderophore release was determined by the measurement of Zn and Fe mobilizing capacity of root exudates from a Zn‐loaded resin and from freshly precipitated FeIII hydroxide as well as identification by HPLC analysis. Visual Zn‐deficiency symptoms, such as necrotic patches on leaves and reduction in shoot length, appeared first and more severely in Zn‐inefficient Durati, although the concentrations of total Zn in shoot and root tissues were the same in both genotypes. Zinc‐efficient Aroona responded to Zn deficiency by increasing phytosiderophore release usually after 10 days growth in nutrient solution, whereas the phytosiderophore release in Durati remained at a ver...

Practical experiences with a system for site‐specific weed control in arable crops using real‐time image analysis and GPS‐controlled patch spraying

Abstract: Summary Information on temporal and spatial variation in weed seedling populations within agricultural fields is very important for weed population assessment and management. Primarily, spatial information allows a potential reduction in herbicide use, when post-emergent herbicides are only applied to field sections with high weed infestation levels. This paper presents a system for site-specific weed control in sugar beet, maize, winter wheat, winter barley, winter rape and spring barley. The system includes on-line weed detection using digital image analysis, computer-based decision making and Global Positioning System-controlled patch spraying. In a 2-year study, herbicide use with this map-based approach was reduced in winter cereals by 6–81% for herbicides against broad leaved weeds and 20–79% for grass weed herbicides. Highest savings were achieved in cereals followed by sugar beet, maize and winter rape. The efficacy of weed control varied from 85% to 98%, indicating that site-specific weed management will not result in higher infestation levels in the following crops.

Polysialic acid directs tumor cell growth by controlling heterophilic neural cell adhesion molecule interactions.

Abstract: Polysialic acid (PSA), a carbohydrate polymer attached to the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), promotes neural plasticity and tumor malignancy, but its mode of action is controversial. Here we establish that PSA controls tumor cell growth and differentiation by interfering with NCAM signaling at cell-cell contacts. Interactions between cells with different PSA and NCAM expression profiles were initiated by enzymatic removal of PSA and by ectopic expression of NCAM or PSA-NCAM. Removal of PSA from the cell surface led to reduced proliferation and activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), inducing enhanced survival and neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. Blocking with an NCAM-specific peptide prevented these effects. Combinatorial transinteraction studies with cells and membranes with different PSA and NCAM phenotypes revealed that heterophilic NCAM binding mimics the cellular responses to PSA removal. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that PSA masks heterophilic NCAM signals, having a direct impact on tumor cell growth. This provides a mechanism for how PSA may promote the genesis and progression of highly aggressive PSA-NCAM-positive tumors.

Pre- and postoperative nutritional deficiencies in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Abstract: Background Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has been identified as an innovative surgical approach for the treatment of obesity and is increasingly applied worldwide. However, data on outcome of LSG regarding nutrient deficiencies, protein status, and body composition are scarce. Methods Obese subjects (54; f:m = 4:1) scheduled for LSG were included in this study. Micronutrient analysis, protein status assessment, and bioimpedance measures were performed before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after LSG. Results In 51% of the subjects, at least one micronutrient deficiency was found prior to surgery. Baseline concentrations were below normal for 25-OH vitamin D (27%), iron (29%), vitamin B6 (11%), vitamin B12 (9%), folate (6%), and potassium (7%). Frequencies of deficiencies for vitamin B12, folate, iron, and vitamin B6 tended to increase following LSG within the first year after intervention. Also, parameters of protein status (albumin, transferrin, cholinesterase, and total protein) decreased. After surgery, bioimpedance measures indicated a reduction of total body fat, but also of body cell mass. Conclusions Preoperative micronutrient deficiencies were common in morbid obese individuals scheduled for LSG. LSG had a modest effect on micronutrient status by further reducing iron, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and folate within the first year after intervention. Our data suggest that especially obese patients with preoperative deficits require control and supplementation of micronutrients and protein in the postoperative period.

The sense of smell: multiple olfactory subsystems.

Abstract: The mammalian olfactory system is not uniformly organized but consists of several subsystems each of which probably serves distinct functions. Not only are the two major nasal chemosensory systems, the vomeronasal organ and the main olfactory epithelium, structurally and functionally separate entities, but the latter is further subcompartimentalized into overlapping expression zones and projection-related subzones. Moreover, the populations of 'OR37' neurons not only express a unique type of olfactory receptors but also are segregated in a cluster-like manner and generally project to only one receptor-specific glomerulus. The septal organ is an island of sensory epithelium on the nasal septum positioned at the nasoplatine duct; it is considered as a 'mini-nose' with dual function. A specific chemosensory function of the most recently discovered subsystem, the so-called Grueneberg ganglion, is based on the expression of olfactory marker protein and the axonal projections to defined glomeruli within the olfactory bulb. This complexity of distinct olfactory subsystems may be one of the features determining the enormous chemosensory capacity of the sense of smell.