Hemogenetic studies of the Cologne political district (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)

In two population samples from the administrative area of Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (Eschweiler/Stolberg, B frequencies > 0.0800; Hürtgenwald/Inden/Langerwehe, B frequencies < 0.0800), 26 hemogenetic systems had been studied. The resulting differences of allele and haplotype frequencies, resp., are significant. These differences are interpreted as a result of the migration from North-East Europe to North Rhine-Westphalia in the last 120 years and the selective geographic distribution of the migrants in the industrial and urbanized areas.     

Phenotype incidence of some hemo-genetic polymorphism markers in the Lower Rhine region (Kleve, Goch, Kalkar area)]

In a sample of 262 individuals from the Lower Rhine region (Kleve, Goch, Kalkar: Germany) 27 hemogenetic polymorphisms have been studied. There were no significant differences in phenotype frequencies between the Lower Rhine and the Düsseldorf region.     

Population genetic studies in an isolate of Southern Germany

This study imparts and discusses the results of two random sample studies of 23 hemogenetic systems (blood groups, polymorphisms of serum proteins and erythrocyte enzymes) in an isolate in the Upper Swabian area and in Ulm and its surroundings. The isolate is in an area known as the Lutherische Berge (Lutheran Mountains). It is a Protestant diaspora amidst an almost exclusively Catholic population. For the purpose of comparison, data has been drawn upon from the regions of Freiburg and Düsseldorf. Through the comparison of the four random samples, clear differences between the allele and haplotype frequencies resp. in the isolate population compared to the three other large city populations become evident. This fact is also reflected in the dendrogram for genetic distances according to Rogers. In addition, the possible causes for these differentiations are discussed.     

Anthropometric studies of a student sample of Düsseldorf University

The means of cephalic measurements and body height of students from the Düsseldorf university are given and compared to previous studies.     

Marker-derived phylogeny of European cattle supports demic expansion of agriculture

Using frequencies of 86 genes from 23 loci of blood group systems, blood and milk proteins, the genetic relationships among 14 cattle breeds including four native Balkan and four synthetic Balkan-Alp breeds were studied. The dendrogram and nonlinear map construction shows a consensus ‘Balkan breed cluster’, an ‘Alp breed cluster’, an unstable position of synthetic breeds and well-separated American breeds. Positive partial correlations between genetic distance and time elapsed since introduction of farming while keeping geographical distances constant, and regular patterns over thousands of kilometres indicate that large-scale cattle population movements together with human migration (in the Neolithic age) from the Near East into Europe across the Balkans are the most likely explanation for the genetic distances observed in our data. More recent breed differentiation and selection do not yet blur this initial pattern of European cattle populations.     

利用HPA-1～3,5和15系统多态性估算中外不同人群遗传距离

依据血小板同种抗原5个系统的遗传多态性, 采用聚合酶链反应序列特异性引物技术, 对1 000名中国汉族无关献血者HPA-1~3, 5和15系统进行基因分型, 计算基因频率。使用DISPAN软件及PHYLIP软件计算不同群体间遗传距离并绘制系统树。系统树显示, 亚洲人群先与欧洲人群相聚, 之后再与非洲人群相聚, 非洲人群位于系统发生树的最顶部; 印度人群处于亚洲人群与欧洲人群之间; 南美洲巴西白人与欧洲人群聚在一起; 大洋洲的波利尼西亚人与亚洲人群聚在一起。此研究从一个侧面证明了人类“非洲起源说”, 印证亚洲人群由南亚向东南亚再向东亚迁徙的路线, 并推断出欧洲人群由南欧向北欧、西欧迁徙的线路。HPA能有效估算不同人群间遗传距离, 分析人类迁徙过程, HPA可作为遗传标记应用于人类进化的研究。     

A tribute to Achim Trebst at the time of his doctor honoris causa,University of Düsseldorf

On June 9, 2009, we celebrate the 80th birthday of Achim Trebst. I present below the “Tribute” (Laudatio) that I read on February 11, 2000 on the occasion of his receiving Doctor honoris causa of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf. The text below is a translation from the original German to English with minor editorial changes by Govindjee.     

Gene frequency of delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (E.C. 4.2.1.24) in a West German population

The delta-aminolevulinate dehydrase (E.C. 4.2.1.24) gene frequencies were investigated by starch gel electrophoresis in 711 unrelated individuals from the Düsseldorf area. The following gene frequencies were found: ALADH1 0.929, ALADH2 0.071. The frequency reported for ALADH1 is only slightly higher than that for Italy.     

Population genetic studies in Bulgaria

17 dermatoglyphic variables have been studied in five population samples from south-central and southeastern Bulgaria. The results have been combined with 10 hemogenetic markers. The neighbor joining tree analysis showed only small genetic distances between the samples. A comparison with data of the literature, using finger patterns and pattern intensity of fingers and considering the different results for males and females, revealed no clear geographical differentiation between most of the samples studied.     

North-South Differentiation and a Region of High Diversity in European Wolves (Canis lupus)

European wolves (Canis lupus) show population genetic structure in the absence of geographic barriers, and across relatively short distances for this highly mobile species. Additional information on the location of and divergence between population clusters is required, particularly because wolves are currently recolonizing parts of Europe. We evaluated genetic structure in 177 wolves from 11 countries using over 67K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. The results supported previous findings of an isolated Italian population with lower genetic diversity than that observed across other areas of Europe. Wolves from the remaining countries were primarily structured in a north-south axis, with Croatia, Bulgaria, and Greece (Dinaric-Balkan) differentiated from northcentral wolves that included individuals from Finland, Latvia, Belarus, Poland and Russia. Carpathian Mountain wolves in central Europe had genotypes intermediate between those identified in northcentral Europe and the Dinaric-Balkan cluster. Overall, individual genotypes from northcentral Europe suggested high levels of admixture. We observed high diversity within Belarus, with wolves from western and northern Belarus representing the two most differentiated groups within northcentral Europe. Our results support the presence of at least three major clusters (Italy, Carpathians, Dinaric-Balkan) in southern and central Europe. Individuals from Croatia also appeared differentiated from wolves in Greece and Bulgaria. Expansion from glacial refugia, adaptation to local environments, and human-related factors such as landscape fragmentation and frequent killing of wolves in some areas may have contributed to the observed patterns. Our findings can help inform conservation management of these apex predators and the ecosystems of which they are part.     

Syllis onkylochaeta sp. n., ein korallenfressender Polychaet (Syllidae) aus dem Korallenaquarium des Löbbecke-Museums

A new species of the genusSyllis is described feeding on a colony of corals of the genusXenia (Xeniidae, Alcyonaria) in the coral aquarium of the Löbbecke Museum Düsseldorf. The origin of the corals is very probably Bali (Indonesia).     

Effect of two plant extracts and Lactobacillus fermentum on colonization of gastrointestinal tract by Salmonella enterica var. Düsseldorf in chicks

According to published data, it is well known that essential oils from plants possess antimicrobial activity against a wide range of pathogens, including Salmonella strains. The influence of the administration of essential oils from oregano (Origanum vulgare) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) as well as Lactobacillus fermentum on crop, caecum, liver and spleen colonization by Salmonella enterica var. Düsseldorf in chicks was investigated in this study. For the experiment, one hundred 1-day old chicks were used, and they were divided into four groups: (i) untreated (C); (ii) treated with L. fermentum (L); (iii) treated with a mixture of oregano and thyme essential oils (OT); and (iv) treated with a combination of L. fermentum and a mixture of oregano and thyme essential oils (LOT). Essential oils from oregano and thyme were mixed with commercial poultry diet, which was offered ad libitum to chicks in appertaining groups. L. fermentum was added daily to drinking water. After 3 days all the chicks were challenged orally with S. enterica var. Düsseldorf. The crops, ceca, spleens and livers of the birds were examined for S. enterica var. Düsseldorf colonization 5 days after the challenge. Our results showed that a combined administration of L. fermentum and essential oils (oregano and thyme) in group with combined application of essential oils and lactobacillus strain reduced the percentage of colonized crops and ceca when compared to the control group without any treatment. Presented at the Second Probiotic Conference, Košice, 15–19 September 2004, Slovakia.     

Extended polymorphism of the human esterase D isozyme system: description of a “new” allele EsD*11

Using "new" techniques (malic acid thin layer agarose gel electrophoresis and/or isoelectric focusing), the polymorphism of the human red cell isozyme system esterase D (ESD) was shown to be extended. We report the gene frequencies observed among 312 unrelated Caucasian individuals living in the Düsseldorf area. The finding of a "new" allele at the ESD locus is also described.     

Population genetic structure of the European ground squirrel in the Czech Republic

The European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) is considered an endangered species with declining numbers throughout Europe, most pronounced at the western margin of its distribution area. Being extinct in Germany and Poland, the western margin of its distribution is in the Czech Republic. Here, landscape fragmentation has restricted the ground squirrels into few and very isolated localities where local extinctions still occur. In the present study we analysed European ground squirrels from six Czech and one Slovak localities using five microsatellite loci as genetic marker. The results show a strong genetic differentiation among the investigated populations (mean value of F _ST = 0.16) and high levels of inbreeding (values of F _IS ranged from 0.34 to 0.90). High level of inbreeding is generally considered to affect the viability of each population, which could lead to extinction. One of the most important factors is the lack of migration due to the large distances between the populations and the presence of migration barriers. Based on the results obtained we recommend a few suggestions for a conservation management of this species.     

Historical biogeography in a linear system: genetic variation of sea rocket (Cakile maritima) and sea holly (Eryngium maritimum) along European coasts

The exclusively coastal Cakile maritima and Eryngium maritimum represent a linear biogeographical system. Genetic variation among 25 individuals of C. maritima and 16 individuals of E. maritimum, from the coasts of Europe, North Africa and the Canary Islands, was analysed using random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) and intersimple sequence repeats (ISSRs). Genetic distances (Dice) were calculated and used to investigate the correlation between genetic and geographical distances, to construct Neighbour Joining (NJ) trees, and to compare mean genetic distances between areas within and across species. Genetic distances and geographical distances measured along the coast are well correlated in Cakile and Eryngium. This implies that dispersal in both species is largely along the coast. The NJ analyses resulted in the recognition of Atlantic and Mediterranean clusters in both Cakile and Eryngium. The genetic distance between these two clusters is much larger in Eryngium (0. 285) than in Cakile (0.037). Mean genetic distances are substantially higher in the Mediterranean than in the Atlantic clusters in both species, and higher in Cakile than in Eryngium particularly in the Atlantic cluster. It is argued that all similarities and differences between the two species can be explained with the presumed distribution of the two species in the Würm glacial as reconstructed from their extant temperature requirements, the distribution of ice cover, permafrost, and sea surface temperatures in that period, and indirect fossil evidence.     

Zeitgeschichte der Humangenetik in Deutschland

Together with the German Society for Human Genetics (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Humangenetik, GfH) a team of researchers from the Department for the History, Philosophy, and Ethics of Medicine of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf in cooperation with the Department for History of Medicine and Science Studies of the University of Lübeck has begun a research project on the history of human genetics in Germany since the 1970s. We employ the method of oral history to add to printed secondary and primary sources. In this contribution we present the project, its research questions and situate it in the historiography of human genetics in Germany. Approaches to writing contemporary history of medicine and challenges of conducting and analyzing expert interviews are discussed.     

The genetic structure of raccoon introduced in Central Europe reflects multiple invasion pathways

Invasions of non-native species are of great concern as they have a devastating impact on native biodiversity and can also affect the economy of a region. Multiple introductions in several locations of a new range greatly promote the success of non-native species. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is an omnivore whose native distribution extends from southern Canada to Panama. It has been successfully introduced in many European countries. We examined the microsatellite and mitochondrial diversity of raccoon populations in Central Europe (Germany, Poland, and Czech Republic) in order to determine their introduction sources and pathways as well as the factors affecting genetic structure in this invasive species. We found low diversity of the mtDNA control region and moderate diversity of microsatellite markers. Raccoon showed three hierarchic levels of genetic structure which separate at different levels sampled from Czech Republic, Germany and raccoon inhabiting two different habitats in Poland. In Poland the raccoon population was established through migration from Germany to Czech Republic. Analysis of the intensity of migration between two different habitat types indicated source-sink dynamics in the Polish populations of raccoons. Our results confirm the high intensity of the raccoon invasion in Central Europe and point to specific measures needed as part of an effective management strategy.     

Differentiation of European cattle by AFLP fingerprinting

The Neolithic introduction of domestic cattle into Europe was followed by differential adaptation, selection, migration and genetic isolation, leading ultimately to the emergence of specialized breeds. We have studied the differentiation of European cattle by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting. Combining AFLP data sets from two laboratories yielded 81 biallelic polymorphic markers scored in 19-22 individual animals from 51 breeds. Model-based clustering differentiated Podolian cattle as well as French and Alpine breeds from other European cattle. AFLP genetic distances correlated well with microsatellite-based genetic distances calculated for the same breeds. However, the AFLP data emphasized the divergence of taurine and indicine cattle relative to the variation among European breeds and indicated an Eastern influence on Italian and Hungarian Podolian breeds. This probably reflects import from the East after the original introduction of domestic cattle into Europe. Our data suggest that Italian cattle breeds are relatively diverse at the DNA sequence level.     

21个野生,培育及地方猪种免疫及生化遗传标记基因位点的遗传分化研究

分析了亚,欧,美,非２１个野生,培育及地方猪种４个免疫遗传标记基因位点（Ｅ,Ｆ,Ｇ,Ｌ系统）和３人生化遗传标记基因位点（Ｃｐ,Ａｍ和Ｔｆ）的遗传多态性,认为Ｅ＾ａｅｇ,Ｆ＾ａ,Ｔｆ＾ｃ基因在亚洲猪种与欧美猪种间存在显著差异,是亚洲猪种３个重要的遗传标记基因,根据Ｆ＾ａ基因频率在亚,欧,美,非猪种的变化规律分析了其基因流向特点,证明欧美猪的育种过程中利用了中国地方猪种的血缘,计算了所测猪种间的Ｎｅｉ