Genomic risk variants at 3q22.3 are associated with keloids in a Chinese Han population.

A keloid is the process of skin healing, collagen synthesis and metabolism of the loss of normal control in a sustained hyperactive state, resulting in excessive proliferation of collagen fibers. A large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) has identified multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3q22.3 loci that are associated with keloids in a Japanese population.

Phylogenetic analysis of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors in the genome of a typical human-disease vector.

, the black-legged tick, is one of the most common human-disease vectors and transmits species, such as , as well as , etc. As basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors have been recognized for many years as important regulators of various developmental processes, we performed phylogenetic analysis of the black-legged tick genome in order to identify the number and family of bHLH transcription factors. Because bHLH family members have been identified in many organisms, including silkworm and fruit fly, we were able to conduct this survey and identify 58 putative bHLH transcription factors.