Genetic parameters and single-step genome-wide association analysis for trematode (Fasciola hepatica and Calicophoron/Paramphistomum spp.) infections in German dairy cows.

Infections with the liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) cause economic losses in cattle production worldwide. Also, infections with rumen flukes (Calicophoron/Paramphistomum spp.) are gaining importance in grazing cattle in Europe.

Evaluating reproduction traits in a crossbreeding program between indigenous and exotic sheep in semi-arid lands.

Reproduction traits are important factors determining the efficiency of any sheep production system. This study evaluates the age at first lambing (AFL), lambing interval (LI), litter weight at birth (LBWT), litter weight at weaning (LWWT), birth weight of ewe (EBWT) and weaning weight of ewes (EWWT) in a crossbreeding program between the Red Maasai (RRRR) and Dorper sheep and their crosses, 75% Dorper and 50% Dorper (DDRR) breeds. All the traits significantly (P < 0.

Dual specific STAT3/5 degraders effectively block acute myeloid leukemia and natural killer/T cell lymphoma.

The transcription factors STAT3, STAT5A, and STAT5B steer hematopoiesis and immunity, but their enhanced expression and activation promote acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or natural killer/T cell lymphoma (NKCL). Current therapeutic strategies focus on blocking upstream tyrosine kinases to inhibit STAT3/5, but these kinase blockers are not selective against STAT3/5 activation and frequent resistance causes relapse, emphasizing the need for targeted drugs. We evaluated the efficacy of JPX-0700 and JPX-0750 as dual STAT3/5 binding inhibitors promoting protein degradation.

Effects of a Gastroscopic Procedure on Salivary Cortisol Release and Fecal Cortisol Metabolites in Young Racehorses.

In this study, gastroscopy was performed twice in 31 two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses in training. Salivary cortisol (SC) and fecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) concentrations were determined to measure the stress impact. One gastroscopy was performed at the beginning and one six months later at the end of the horses' first training season.

Inbreeding Depression and Purging in Fertility and Longevity Traits in Sheep Breeds from Germany.

In the present study, we analysed fertility and longevity traits of 22 sheep breeds from Germany with a suitable quantity of data in the national database OviCap. The data comprised merino, meat, country and milk sheep breeds with 62,198 ewes and about 173,000 lambing records, until the fifth lambing. Across-breed means of heritabilities reached estimates of 0.

Cell-autonomous IL6ST activation suppresses prostate cancer development via STAT3/ARF/p53-driven senescence and confers an immune-active tumor microenvironment.

Background: Prostate cancer ranks as the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men worldwide. Recent research highlights the crucial roles IL6ST-mediated signaling pathways play in the development and progression of various cancers, particularly through hyperactivated STAT3 signaling. However, the molecular programs mediated by IL6ST/STAT3 in prostate cancer are poorly understood.

On your terms or mine: pigs' response to imposed gentle tactile contact vs. free form interaction with a familiar human.

Positive human-animal interactions (HAIs) can be intrinsically rewarding and facilitate positive human-animal relationships. However, HAI paradigms vary across studies, and the influence of different interaction paradigms on the animal's response has been overlooked. We compared the behavioural responses of pigs (n = 28) individually tested with two types of gentle tactile interactions with a familiar human: 'free form (FF)' where the pig could voluntarily approach and interact as they normally would, and 'imposed contact (IC)' where the human imposed tactile contact on the pig according to a standardised protocol.

Influence of Sires on Population Substructure in Dülmen Wild Horses.

The objectives of the present study were to analyze the influence of the stallions employed in the Dülmen wild horses on the genetic diversity and population substructure using Bayesian cluster analysis. The Dülmen wild horse is maintained as a unique horse population exposed to the natural conditions all year round in the Merfelder Bruch near Dülmen in Westphalia, Germany. Stallions selected for breeding have to prove their abilities to survive under this harsh environment.

Transcriptional control of interferon-stimulated genes.

Interferon-induced genes are among the best-studied groups of coregulated genes. Nevertheless, intense research into their regulation, supported by new technologies, is continuing to provide insights into their many layers of transcriptional regulation and to reveal how cellular transcriptomes change with pathogen-induced innate and adaptive immunity. This article gives an overview of recent findings on interferon-induced gene regulation, paying attention to contributions beyond the canonical JAK-STAT pathways.

Integrating large-scale meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies improve the genomic prediction accuracy for combined pig populations.

The strategy of combining reference populations has been widely recognized as an effective way to enhance the accuracy of genomic prediction (GP). This study investigated the efficiency of genomic prediction using prior information and combined reference population. In total, prior information considering trait-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS meta-analysis) was incorporated into three models to assess the performance of GP using combined reference populations.

Analyzing Runs of Homozygosity Reveals Patterns of Selection in German Brown Cattle.

An increasing trend in ancestral and classical inbreeding coefficients as well as inbreeding depression for longevity were found in the German Brown population. In addition, the proportion of US Brown Swiss genes is steadily increasing in German Browns. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the presence and genomic localization of runs of homozygosity (ROH) in order to evaluate their associations with the proportion of US Brown Swiss genes and survival rates of cows to higher lactations.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Dülmen Wild, Liebenthal and Polish Konik Horses in Comparison with Przewalski, Sorraia, German Draught and Riding Horses.

The objective of the present study was to analyze the genetic diversity, individual-based assessment of population structure, and admixture in the Dülmen wild horse population in comparison to warmblood, coldblood, and primitive horse populations. The Dülmen wild horse is kept as a unique horse population in the Merfelder Bruch near Dülmen in Westphalia, Germany, and since 1856 has been managed by the Dukes of Croÿ. The Dülmen wild horse population is exposed to the natural conditions of the Merfelder Bruch all year round without human interventions for feeding and veterinary care.

Augmentative effects of leukemia inhibitory factor reveal a critical role for TYK2 signaling in vascular calcification.

Medial vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves pro-inflammatory pathways induced by hyperphosphatemia. Several interleukin 6 family members have been associated with pro-calcific effects in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and are considered as therapeutic targets. Therefore, we investigated the role of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) during VSMC calcification.

Characterization of a Syngeneic Orthotopic Model of Cholangiocarcinoma by [F]FDG-PET/MRI.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a type of primary liver cancer originating from the biliary tract epithelium, characterized by limited treatment options for advanced cases and low survival rates. This study aimed to establish an orthotopic mouse model for CCA and monitor tumor growth using PET/MR imaging. Murine CCA cells were implanted into the liver lobe of male C57BL/6J mice.

Different Founding Effects Underlie Dominant Blue Eyes (DBE) in the Domestic Cat.

During the last twenty years, minimal white spotting associated with blue eyes was selected by feline breeders to create the Altai, Topaz, and Celestial breeds. Additionally, certain breeders introduced this trait in their lineages of purebred cats. The trait has been called "dominant blue eyes (DBE)" and was confirmed to be autosomal dominant in all lineages.

Optimizing drug combinations for T-PLL: restoring DNA damage and P53-mediated apoptotic responses.

T-prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a mature T-cell neoplasm associated with marked chemotherapy resistance and continued poor clinical outcomes. Current treatments, that is, the CD52-antibody alemtuzumab, offer transient responses, with relapses being almost inevitable without consolidating allogeneic transplantation. Recent more detailed concepts of T-PLL's pathobiology fostered the identification of actionable vulnerabilities: (1) altered epigenetics, (2) defective DNA damage responses, (3) aberrant cell-cycle regulation, and (4) deregulated prosurvival pathways, including T-cell receptor and JAK/STAT signaling.

Inferences about the population history of from Y chromosome and mtDNA phylogenies.

Reindeer, called caribou in North America, has a circumpolar distribution and all extant populations belong to the same species (). It has survived the Holocene thanks to its immense adaptability and successful coexistence with humans in different forms of hunting and herding cultures. Here, we examine the paternal and maternal history of based on robust Y-chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) trees representing Eurasian tundra reindeer, Finnish forest reindeer, Svalbard reindeer, Alaska tundra caribou, and woodland caribou.

Epigenetic inheritance of diet-induced and sperm-borne mitochondrial RNAs.

Spermatozoa harbour a complex and environment-sensitive pool of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs), which influences offspring development and adult phenotypes. Whether spermatozoa in the epididymis are directly susceptible to environmental cues is not fully understood. Here we used two distinct paradigms of preconception acute high-fat diet to dissect epididymal versus testicular contributions to the sperm sncRNA pool and offspring health.