Epigenetic control and inheritance of rDNA arrays.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes exist in multiple copies arranged in tandem arrays known as ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The total number of gene copies is variable, and the mechanisms buffering this copy number variation remain unresolved. We surveyed the number, distribution, and activity of rDNA arrays at the level of individual chromosomes across multiple human and primate genomes.

Dynamics of bio-based carbon dioxide removal in Germany.

Bio-based carbon dioxide removal encompasses a range of (1) natural sink enhancement concepts in agriculture and on organic soils including peatlands, and in forestry, (2) bio-based building materials, and (3) bioenergy production with CO capture and storage (BECCS). A common database on these concepts is crucial for their consideration in strategies and implementation. In this study, we analyse standardised factsheets on these concepts.

Genetic relationships between behavioral traits and feed efficiency traits in lactating Holstein cows.

The evaluation of dairy cow feed efficiency using residual feed intake accounts for known energy sinks. However, behavioral traits may also contribute to the variation in feed efficiency. Our objective was to estimate the heritability and repeatability of behavioral traits and their genetic correlations with feed efficiency and its components in lactating Holstein cows.

An Online Decision Aid for Patients With Metastatic Melanoma—Results of the Randomized Controlled Trial “PEF-Immun”.

Background: Treatment decisions in metastatic melanoma (MM) are highly dependent on patient preferences and require the patients' involvement. The complexity of treatment options with their individual advantages and disadvantages is often overwhelming. We therefore developed an online patient decision aid (PtDA) to facilitate shared decision making (SDM).

Anti-CELA1 antibody KF4 prevents emphysema by inhibiting stretch-mediated remodeling.

There are no therapies to prevent emphysema progression. Chymotrypsin-like elastase 1 (CELA1) is a serine protease that binds and cleaves lung elastin in a stretch-dependent manner and is required for emphysema in a murine antisense oligonucleotide model of α-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. This study tested whether CELA1 is important in strain-mediated lung matrix destruction in non-AAT-deficient emphysema and the efficacy of CELA1 neutralization.

Chymotrypsin-like Elastase-1 Mediates Progressive Emphysema in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.

Chymotrypsin-like elastase 1 (CELA1) is a serine protease that is neutralized by alpha-1antitrypsin (AAT) and prevents emphysema in a murine antisense oligonucleotide model of AAT-deficient emphysema. Mice with genetic ablation of do not have emphysema at baseline but develop emphysema with injury and aging. We tested the role of the gene in emphysema development in this genetic model of -deficiency following tracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 10 months of cigarette smoke exposure, aging, and a low-dose tracheal porcine pancreatic elastase (LD-PPE) model we developed.

Associations of Smoking, Cytomegalovirus Serostatus, and Natural Killer Cell Phenotypes in Smokers With and At Risk for COPD.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive disease (COPD) risk factors, smoking, and chronic infection (cytomegalovirus [CMV]) may mold natural killer (NK) cell populations. What is not known is the magnitude of the effect CMV seropositivity imparts on populations of smokers with and at risk for COPD. We investigate the independent influence of CMV seropositivity on NK cell populations and differential effects when stratifying by COPD and degree of smoking history.

CELA1 Mediates Progressive Emphysema in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.

( ) is a serine protease that is neutralized by α1-antitrypsin (AAT) and prevents emphysema in a murine antisense oligonucleotide model of AAT-deficient emphysema. Mice with genetic ablation of do not have emphysema at baseline but develop emphysema with injury and aging. We tested the role of in emphysema development in this genetic model of -deficiency following tracheal lipopolysacharide (LPS), 8 months of cigarette smoke (CS) exposure, aging, and a low-dose tracheal porcine pancreatic elastase (LD-PPE) model.

Metformin increases natural killer cell functions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through CXCL1 inhibition.

Background: Metformin slows tumor growth and progression in vitro, and in combination with chemoradiotherapy, resulted in high overall survival in patients with head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in our phase 1 clinical trial (NCT02325401). Metformin is also postulated to activate an antitumor immune response. Here, we investigate immunologic effects of metformin on natural killer (NK) and natural killer T cells, including results from two phase I open-label studies in patients with HNSCC treated with metformin (NCT02325401, NCT02083692).

Utility Resilience and the Pandemic's Influence.

Four utility leaders discussed realities for their utilities one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting key adaptive mechanisms and the long view of their road ahead. The pandemic provides an introspective mirror for utilities to assess their inherent strengths and vulnerabilities, but also to define and communicate proactive and adaptive best practices. In the utility sector, decisions of the past dictate the feasible range of responses in the present, and lessons learned today shape potential long-term resilience.

Distribution of staphylococcal and mammaliicoccal species from compost-bedded pack or sand-bedded freestall dairy farms.

The purpose of this prospective observational study was to determine whether dairy cattle housing types were associated with staphylococcal and mammaliicoccal populations found on teat skin, bedding, and in bulk tank milk. Twenty herds (n = 10 sand-bedded freestall herds; n = 10 compost-bedded pack herds) were enrolled. Each herd was visited twice for sample collection, and at each visit, 5 niches were sampled, including bulk tank milk, composite teat skin swab samples collected before premilking teat preparation, composite teat skin swab samples collected after premilking teat preparation, unused fresh bedding, and used bedding.

The complete sequence of a human genome.

Since its initial release in 2000, the human reference genome has covered only the euchromatic fraction of the genome, leaving important heterochromatic regions unfinished. Addressing the remaining 8% of the genome, the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Consortium presents a complete 3.055 billion-base pair sequence of a human genome, T2T-CHM13, that includes gapless assemblies for all chromosomes except Y, corrects errors in the prior references, and introduces nearly 200 million base pairs of sequence containing 1956 gene predictions, 99 of which are predicted to be protein coding.

Complete genomic and epigenetic maps of human centromeres.

Existing human genome assemblies have almost entirely excluded repetitive sequences within and near centromeres, limiting our understanding of their organization, evolution, and functions, which include facilitating proper chromosome segregation. Now, a complete, telomere-to-telomere human genome assembly (T2T-CHM13) has enabled us to comprehensively characterize pericentromeric and centromeric repeats, which constitute 6.2% of the genome (189.