Analysis of sleep quality, disease uncertainty, and psychological tolerance in patients undergoing chemotherapy for digestive tract malignancies.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among digestive tract malignancies, following gastric cancer. Sleep is of great significance for maintaining human health. The incidence of sleep disorders in patients with cancer is approximately twice that observed in the general population.

[Three-dimensional model analysis of obstructive sleep apnea hyponea syndrome patients with long-term treatment of oral appliances].

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the dental changes of patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) with long-term treatment of oral appliances, via the method of three-dimensional model analysis.

Methods: Using Geomagic Studio 2014 software, we transferred the dental models, which were from 18 OSAHS patients before and after treatment of oral appliances, into three-dimensional models for digital analysis. Datasets obtained from pre- and after treatment were compared for accuracy via paired t test using SPSS 22.

Novel genetic loci affecting facial shape variation in humans.

The human face represents a combined set of highly heritable phenotypes, but knowledge on its genetic architecture remains limited, despite the relevance for various fields. A series of genome-wide association studies on 78 facial shape phenotypes quantified from 3-dimensional facial images of 10,115 Europeans identified 24 genetic loci reaching study-wide suggestive association (p < 5 × 10), among which 17 were previously unreported. A follow-up multi-ethnic study in additional 7917 individuals confirmed 10 loci including six unreported ones (p < 2.

Reconstruction of Y-chromosome phylogeny reveals two neolithic expansions of Tibeto-Burman populations.

Diffusion of Tibeto-Burman populations across the Tibetan Plateau led to the largest human community in a high-altitude environment and has long been a focus of research on high-altitude adaptation, archeology, genetics, and linguistics. However, much uncertainty remains regarding the origin, diversification, and expansion of Tibeto-Burman populations. In this study, we analyzed a 7.

Whole-sequence analysis indicates that the Y chromosome C2*-Star Cluster traces back to ordinary Mongols, rather than Genghis Khan.

The Y-chromosome haplogroup C3*-Star Cluster (revised to C2*-ST in this study) was proposed to be the Y-profile of Genghis Khan. Here, we re-examined the origin of C2*-ST and its associations with Genghis Khan and Mongol populations. We analyzed 34 Y-chromosome sequences of haplogroup C2*-ST and its most closely related lineage.

Whole sequence analysis indicates a recent southern origin of Mongolian Y-chromosome C2c1a1a1-M407.

The Y-chromosome haplogroup C2c1a1a1-M407 is a predominant paternal lineage in Mongolic-speaking populations, especially in Buryats and Kalmyks. However, the origin and internal phylogeny of C2c1a1a1-M407 have not been investigated in detail. In this study, we analyzed twenty-three Y-chromosome sequences of haplogroup C2c1a1a1-M407 and its most closely related clades.

contributes to high-altitude adaptation in Tibetans by regulating nitric oxide production.

The genetic adaptation of Tibetans to high altitude hypoxia likely involves a group of genes in the hypoxic pathway, as suggested by earlier studies. To test the adaptive role of the previously reported candidate gene (histone acetyltransferase p300), we conducted resequencing of a 108.9 kb gene region of in 80 unrelated Tibetans.

plays a role in the high-altitude adaptation of Tibetans.

Tibetans are well adapted to high-altitude hypoxia. Previous genome-wide scans have reported many candidate genes for this adaptation, but only a few have been studied. Here we report on a hypoxia gene ( , GTP-cyclohydrolase I), involved in maintaining nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) function and normal blood pressure, that harbors many potentially adaptive variants in Tibetans.

Phylogeography of Y-chromosome haplogroup O3a2b2-N6 reveals patrilineal traces of Austronesian populations on the eastern coastal regions of Asia.

Austronesian diffusion is considered one of the greatest dispersals in human history; it led to the peopling of an extremely vast region, ranging from Madagascar in the Indian Ocean to Easter Island in Remote Oceania. The Y-chromosome haplogroup O3a2b*-P164(xM134), a predominant paternal lineage of Austronesian populations, is found at high frequencies in Polynesian populations. However, the internal phylogeny of this haplogroup remains poorly investigated.

A comparative analysis of genetic diversity of candidate genes associated with type 2 diabetes in worldwide populations.

Over the last decade, a larger number of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) susceptible candidate genes have been reported by numerous genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Understanding the genetic diversity of these candidate genes among worldwide populations not only facilitates to elucidating the genetic mechanism of T2DM, but also provides guidance to further studies of pathogenesis of T2DM in any certain population. In this study, we identified 170 genes or genomic regions associated with T2DM by searching the GWAS databases and related literatures.

Gossypium barbadense genome sequence provides insight into the evolution of extra-long staple fiber and specialized metabolites.

Of the two cultivated species of allopolyploid cotton, Gossypium barbadense produces extra-long fibers for the production of superior textiles. We sequenced its genome (AD)2 and performed a comparative analysis. We identified three bursts of retrotransposons from 20 million years ago (Mya) and a genome-wide uneven pseudogenization peak at 11-20 Mya, which likely contributed to genomic divergences.

Towards understanding the low prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Malays: genetic variants among Helicobacter pylori-negative ethnic Malays in the north-eastern region of Peninsular Malaysia and Han Chinese and South Indians.

Objectives: To identify gene polymorphisms that differ between Malays, Han Chinese and South Indians, and to identify candidate genes for the investigation of their role in protecting Malays from Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

Methods: Malay participants born and residing in Kelantan with a documented absence of H.

Effects of cyclooxygenase inhibition on cardiovascular function in a hypercholesterolemic swine model of chronic ischemia.

The cardiovascular effects of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition remain controversial, especially in the setting of cardiovascular comorbidities. We examined the effects of nonselective and selective COX inhibition on cardiovascular function in a hypercholesterolemic swine model of chronic ischemia. Twenty-four intact male Yorkshire swine underwent left circumflex ameroid constrictor placement and were subsequently given either no drug (HCC; n = 8), a nonselective COX inhibitor (440 mg/day naproxen; HCNS; n = 8), or a selective COX-2 inhibitor (200 mg/day celecoxib; HCCX; n = 8).

High-fat diet alters prostanoid balance and perfusion in ischemic myocardium of naproxen-treated swine.

Background: The effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the cardiovascular system remains controversial, especially in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities. We used a swine model of chronic myocardial ischemia to investigate whether hypercholesterolemia alters the cardiovascular effects of the nonselective NSAID naproxen.

Methods: Yorkshire swine were fed normal chow (NAP; n = 7) or a high-fat diet (HF-NAP; n = 8).

Effects of neuropeptide Y on collateral development in a swine model of chronic myocardial ischemia.

We investigated the role of neuropeptide Y (NPY), abundant in the myocardial sympathetic nervous system and endothelial cells, in angiogenesis during chronic myocardial ischemia. Adult male Yorkshire swine underwent ameroid constrictor placement on the proximal left circumflex coronary artery. After 3 weeks, an osmotic pump was placed to deliver either placebo (control, n=8) or NPY(3-36) (NPY, n=8) to the collateral dependent region.

Thrombin fragment (TP508) decreases myocardial infarction and apoptosis after ischemia reperfusion injury.

Background: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury may lead to cardiac dysfunction or death. This study investigates the potential efficacy of a novel thrombin fragment (TP508) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Methods: Fourteen male Yucatan pigs underwent 60 minutes of mid-left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion.

Endostatin and angiostatin are increased in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease and associated with impaired coronary collateral formation.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Because of the diffuse nature of their disease, diabetic patients may be at risk for incomplete revascularization, highlighting a potential role for proangiogenic therapy in this group. This study investigates molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis in diabetic patients.

Atorvastatin increases myocardial indices of oxidative stress in a porcine model of hypercholesterolemia and chronic ischemia.

Background/aim: Atorvastatin has previously been shown to reduce the endogenous angiogenic response to chronic ischemia in a porcine model. One possible mechanism for this effect is reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide, a key mediator of angiogenesis, secondary to increased oxygen free radicals. We sought to determine if atorvastatin modulates oxidative stress in myocardial tissue.

Increased antiangiogenic protein expression in the skeletal muscle of diabetic swine and patients.

Hypothesis: Antiangiogenic protein expression is increased in skeletal muscle in the setting of diabetes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In animal studies, diabetes was induced in 8 Yucatan miniswine via single alloxan injection at age 8 months, followed by skeletal muscle harvest 15 weeks later. Eight nondiabetic Yucatan miniswine served as controls.

Comparison of vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor-2 in a swine model of endothelial dysfunction.

Objective: Growth factor based angiogenesis, with or without cell therapy, is a promising therapeutic modality for patients with coronary artery disease. We compared the relative efficacies of surgically delivered vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in a swine model of hypercholesterolemia-induced endothelial dysfunction which captures many of the pathophysiologic abnormalities of human coronary disease.

Methods: Yucatan mini-swine (20-30 kg), fed a high cholesterol diet (total 20 weeks), underwent circumflex ameroid placement to create chronic myocardial ischemia, followed three weeks later by perivascular administration of VEGF (2 microg; n=6), FGF-2 (100 microg; n=6), or placebo (n=7) in the ischemic territory.

Atorvastatin impairs the myocardial angiogenic response to chronic ischemia in normocholesterolemic swine.

Objective: Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, used routinely in patients with coronary disease, can improve endothelial function but can have biphasic and dose-dependent effects on angiogenesis. In vitro evidence suggests that the proangiogenic effects of statins are linked to activation of Akt, a mediator of endothelial cell survival and an activator of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. We investigated the functional and molecular effects of atorvastatin supplementation on microvascular function and the endogenous angiogenic response to chronic myocardial ischemia in normocholesterolemic swine.

Insulin treatment enhances the myocardial angiogenic response in diabetes.

Objective: Growth factor and cell-based angiogenesis are attractive therapeutic options for diabetic patients with end-stage coronary disease. Reduced collateral vessel formation observed in diabetes is associated with increased expression of anti-angiogenic proteins, angiostatin and endostatin. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of insulin treatment on the diabetic angiogenic response to chronic myocardial ischemia.

Functional, cellular, and molecular characterization of the angiogenic response to chronic myocardial ischemia in diabetes.

Background: Ischemic heart disease is the most common cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Although therapeutic angiogenesis is an attractive option for these patients, they appear to have reduced collateral formation in response to myocardial ischemia. The aims of this study were to establish a large animal model of diabetes and chronic myocardial ischemia, evaluate the effects of diabetes on the angiogenic response, and elucidate the molecular pathways involved.

Coronary microvascular dysfunction in the setting of chronic ischemia is independent of arginase activity.

Background: Chronic myocardial ischemia induces endothelial dysfunction in the coronary microcirculation resulting in impaired nitric oxide signaling. This dysfunction has wide-ranging effects including impaired tissue perfusion and is implicated in impairment of the angiogenic process in settings of endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized chronic myocardial ischemia results in increased activity of Arginase I, diminishing bioavailability of l-arginine, the substrate for endothelial nitric oxide production.