Epigenetic disease markers in primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cholangitis-methylomics of cholestatic liver disease.

Background: The epigenome, the set of modifications to DNA and associated molecules that control gene expression, cellular identity, and function, plays a major role in mediating cellular responses to outside factors. Thus, evaluation of the epigenetic state can provide insights into cellular adaptions occurring over the course of disease.

Methods: We performed epigenome-wide association studies of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) using the Illumina MethylationEPIC Bead Chip.

Removal of older males increases extra-pair siring success of yearling males.

In animals, reproductive performance typically improves over time early in life. Several ultimate and proximate mechanisms may contribute to such an age-related improvement and these mechanisms can act in a relative or in an absolute sense. Low performance of young individuals may be the consequence of a comparison or competition with older individuals (relative), or it may be due to specific traits of young individuals and be unrelated to the presence of older competitors (absolute).

A dawn and dusk chorus will emerge if males sing in the absence of their mate.

The spring dawn and dusk chorus of birds is a widespread phenomenon, yet its origin remains puzzling. We propose that a dawn and dusk chorus will inevitably arise if two criteria are met: (1) females leave their roost later in the morning and go to roost earlier in the evening than their mate, and (2) males sing more when separated from their mate. Previous studies on blue tits () support the first criterion.

Age trajectories in extra-pair siring success suggest an effect of maturation or early-life experience.

Across birds, male age is the most consistent predictor of extra-pair siring success, yet little is known about age effects on paternity over the lifetime of individuals. Here, we use data from a 13-year study of a population of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) to investigate how extra-pair siring success changes with age within individuals. Our results indicate that extra-pair siring success does not continuously increase with male age.

Environmental chemicals and endogenous metabolites in bile of USA and Norway patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a complex bile duct disorder. Its etiology is incompletely understood, but environmental chemicals likely contribute to risk. Patients with PSC have an altered bile metabolome, which may be influenced by environmental chemicals.