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Abstract Background Limitations of the concept of identity by descent in the presence of stratification within a breeding population may lead to an incomplete formulation of the conventional numerator relationship matrix ( $$\mathbf{A}$$ A ). Combining $$\mathbf{A}$$ A with the genomic relationship matrix ( $$\mathbf{G}$$ G ) in a single-step approach for genetic evaluation may cause inconsistencies that can be a source of bias in the resulting predictions. The objective of this study was to identify stratification using genomic data and to transfer this information to matrix $$\mathbf{A}$$ A , to improve the compatibility of $$\mathbf{A}$$ A and $$\mathbf{G}$$ G . Methods Using software to detect population stratification (ADMIXTURE), we developed an iterative approach. First, we identified 2 to 40 strata ( $$k$$ k ) with ADMIXTURE, which we then introduced in a stepwise manner into matrix $$\mathbf{A}$$ A , to generate matrix $${\mathbf{A}}^{{\varvec{\Gamma}}}$$ A Γ using the metafounder methodology. Improvements in consistency between matrix $$\mathbf{G}$$ G and $${\mathbf{A}}^{{\varvec{\Gamma}}}$$ A Γ were evaluated by regression analysis and through the comparison of the overall mean and mean diagonal values of both matrices. The approach was tested on genotype and pedigree information of European and North American Brown Swiss animals (85,249). Analyses with ADMIXTURE were initially performed on the full set of genotypes (S1). In addition, we used an alternative dataset where we avoided sampling of closely related animals (S2). Results Results of the regression analyses of standard $$\mathbf{A}$$ A on $$\mathbf{G}$$ G were – 0.489, 0.780 and 0.647 for intercept, slope and fit of the regression. When analysing S1 data results of the regression for $${\mathbf{A}}^{{\varvec{\Gamma}}}$$ A Γ on $$\mathbf{G}$$ G corresponding values were – 0.028, 1.087 and 0.807 for $$k$$ k =7, while there was no clear optimum $$k$$ k . Analyses of S2 gave a clear optimal $$k$$ k =24, with − 0.020, 0.998 and 0.817 as results of the regression. For this $$k$$ k differences in mean and mean diagonal values between both matrices were negligible. Conclusions The derivation of hidden stratification information based on genotyped animals and its integration into $$\mathbf{A}$$ A improved compatibility of the resulting $${\mathbf{A}}^{{\varvec{\Gamma}}}$$ A Γ and $$\mathbf{G}$$ G considerably compared to the initial situation. In dairy breeding populations with large half-sib families as sub-structures it is necessary to balance the data when applying population structure analysis to obtain meaningful results.

In this work, the authors determine the crystal structure of a ProQ/FinO RNA chaperone bound to its RNA target. This provides insight into how this family of bacterial proteins recognize transcriptional terminator structures.

Abstract Background Managing beneficial Mendelian characteristics in dairy cattle breeding programs implies that the correlated genetic effects are considered to avoid possible adverse effects in selection processes. The Mendelian trait polledness in cattle is traditionally associated with the belief that the polled locus has unfavorable effects on breeding goal traits. This may be due to the inferior breeding values of former polled bulls and cows in cattle breeds, such as German Simmental, or to pleiotropic or linkage effects of the polled locus. Methods We focused on a variance component estimation approach that uses a marker-based numerator relationship matrix reflecting gametic relationships at the polled locus to test for direct pleiotropic or linked quantitative trait loci (QTL) effects of the polled locus on relevant traits. We applied the approach to performance, health, and female fertility traits in German Simmental cattle. Results Our results showed no evidence for any pleiotropic QTL effects of the polled locus on test-day production traits milk yield and fat percentage, on the mastitis indicator ‘somatic cell score’, and on several female fertility traits, i.e. 56 days non return rate, days open and days to first service. We detected a significant and unfavorable QTL effect accounting for 6.6% of the genetic variance for protein percentage only. Conclusions Pleiotropy does not explain the lower breeding values and phenotypic inferiority of polled German Simmental sires and cows relative to the horned population in the breed. Thus, intensified selection in the polled population will contribute to increased selection response in breeding goal traits and genetic merit and will narrow the deficit in breeding values for production traits.

Abstract During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, we collected over 12,000 responses from a survey of scientists, who were asked to express their opinions on immunity certificates (also called “immunity passports”) as a potential instrument to lessen the impact of the crisis. Overall, we find that scientists perceive immunity certificates as favorable for public health (50.2%) and the state of the economy (54.4%) while one-fifth (19.1%) and one-sixth (15.4%) disagree. Scientists stipulate some concerns about fairness (36.5%) and inequality (22.4%) arising from implementation of immunity certification. We find some smaller differences among scientific fields, particularly between health scientists and social scientists, with the latter being slightly more positive about the effect of immunity certification. Scholars in the United States, including health scientists, are more likely to view the immunity certificates favorably and mention fewer concerns about this policy’s effect on fairness and inequality. Female scholars are significantly less in favor of immunity certificates, while scientists with more conservative political views hold more favorable opinions. Our results reveal that given the uncertainties during an early phase of a pandemic, scientists see scope for immunity certification to lessen the general societal impacts of the crisis.

Abstract Background Seventy percent of patients suffering from birch pollen allergy (BPA) develop a pollen‐related food allergy (prFA), especially to apples, due to a clinically relevant cross‐reactivity between the major allergen in birch Bet v 1 and Mal d 1 in apples. Therefore allergen‐specific immunotherapy with fresh apples (AITA) could be a promising natural treatment of both BPA and prFA. Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy by daily apple consumption for patients with BPA and prFA. Methods A daily defined increasing amount of selected cultivars (Red Moon®, Pink Lady®, Topaz, Golden Delicious) was continuously consumed by 16 patients (12 female; median age; 50; range, 23–68 years), leading to increased intake of allergen over a period of at least 8 months. Specific IgE and IgG4 to Bet v 1 and Mal d 1, conjunctival and oral provocation tests, skin reactivity, and the average daily rhinoconjunctivitis combined symptom and medication score (CSMS) were measured during the peak birch pollen season. Results After 8 months of therapy, patients showed increased tolerance to apples (p