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Summary: We aimed to summarize the results of genetic association studies for obesity and provide a comprehensive annotation of all susceptibility single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A total of 72 studies were summarized, resulting in 90,361 susceptibility SNPs (738 index SNPs and 89,623 linkage disequilibrium SNPs). Over 90% of the susceptibility SNPs are located in non‐coding regions, and it is challenging to understand their functional significance. Therefore, we annotated these SNPs by using various functional databases. We identified 24,623 functional SNPs, including 4 nonsense SNPs, 479 missense SNPs, 399 untranslated region SNPs which might affect microRNA binding, 262 promoter and 5,492 enhancer SNPs which might affect transcription factor binding, 7 splicing sites, 76 SNPs which might affect gene methylation levels, 1,839 SNPs under natural selection and 17,351 SNPs which might modify histone binding. Expression quantitative trait loci analyses for functional SNPs identified 98 target genes, including 69 protein coding genes, 27 long non‐coding RNAs and 3 processed transcripts. The percentage of protein coding genes that could be correlated with obesity‐related pathways directly or through gene–gene interaction is 75.36 (52/69). Our results may serve as an encyclopaedia of obesity susceptibility SNPs and offer guide for functional experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study that determined the utility of ultrasound-guided core biopsy (USCB) for the diagnosis of base of tongue (BOT) cancer in 10 patients, finding that USCB enabled real-time evaluation and harvesting of BOT cancer. Topics discussed include usefulness of USCB for BOT cancer cases that present with normal mucosal appearance and soft tissue extension, approach to lessen possibility of tracheostomy, and utility in BOT cancer harvesting in post-irradiated patients.

Analysis of Permian-Triassic brachiopod diversity and body size changes from different water depths spanning the continental shelf to basinal facies in South China provides insights into the process of environmental deterioration. Comparison of the temporal changes of brachiopod diversity between deepwater and shallow-water facies demonstrates that deepwater brachiopods disappeared earlier than shallow-water brachiopods. This indicates that high environmental stress commenced first in deepwater settings and later extended to shallow waters. This environmental stress is attributed to major volcanic eruptions, which first led to formation of a stratified ocean and a chemocline in the outer shelf and deeper water environments, causing the disappearance of deep marine benthos including brachiopods. The chemocline then rapidly migrated upward and extended to shallow waters, causing widespread mass extinction of shallow marine benthos. We predict that the spatial and temporal patterns of earlier onset of disappearance/extinction and ecological crisis in deeper water ecosystems will be recorded during other episodes of rapid global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on hypopharyngeal cancer's sampling or diagnosis with the ultrasound-guided core biopsy. Topics discussed include inclusion criteria followed to enroll patients in the study, technique used for the biopsy, and diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma following the ultrasound-guided core biopsy in patients enrolled in the study. Other topic discussed includes approval for the study by the National Taiwan University Hospital Research Ethics Committee.

Traditional whole genome linkage scans for obesity were usually performed for a number of correlated obesity related phenotypes separately without considering their correlations. The purpose of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying variations in multiple correlated obesity phenotypes. We performed principal component analysis (PCA) for four highly correlated obesity phenotypes (body mass index [BMI], fat mass, percentage of fat mass [PFM], and lean mass) in a sample of 427 pedigrees (comprising 3,273 individuals) and generated two independent principal components (PC1 and PC2). A whole genome linkage scan (WGS) was then conducted for PC1 and PC2. For PC1, the strongest linkage signal was identified on chromosome 20p12 (LOD = 2.67). For PC2, two suggestive linkages were found on 5q35 (LOD = 2.03) and 7p22 (LOD = 2.18). This study provided evidence supporting several previously identified linkage regions for obesity (e.g., 1p36, 6p23 and 7q34). In addition, our approach by linear combination of highly correlated obesity phenotypes identified several novel QTLs which were not found in genome linkage scans for individual phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We investigated the mechanism(s) by which valsartan, a selective antagonist of angiotensin subtype 1 (AT1) receptor, decreased plasma glucose in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The plasma glucose concentration was assessed by the glucose oxidase method. The concentration of β-endorphin in plasma or medium incubating adrenal medulla was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA levels of the subtype 4 form of glucose transporter (GLUT4) in soleus muscle and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the liver were detected by Northern blotting analysis, while the protein levels of GLUT4 in isolated soleus muscle and hepatic PEPCK were investigated using Western blotting analysis. Results: A single intravenous injection of valsartan dose-dependently increased plasma β-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (BER) in parallel with the lowering of plasma glucose concentration in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Naloxone and naloxonazine inhibited the plasma glucose-lowering action of valsartan at doses sufficient to block opioid µ-receptors. In contrast to its action in wild-type diabetic mice, valsartan failed to modify plasma glucose in opioid µ-receptor knockout diabetic mice. Bilateral adrenalectomy in STZ-induced diabetic rats eliminated both the plasma glucose-lowering action and the plasma BER-elevating action of valsartan. In the isolated adrenal medulla of STZ-induced diabetic rats, angiotensin II (Ang II) or valsartan did not affect spontaneous BER secretion. Activation of cholinergic receptors by 1.0 µmol/l acetylcholine (ACh) enhanced BER secretion from the isolated adrenal medulla of STZ-induced diabetic rats, but not in the presence of 1.0 nmol/l Ang II, while valsartan reversed this inhibition by Ang II in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment of STZ-induced diabetic rats with valsartan (0.2 mg/kg) three times daily for 3 days resulted in an increase in gene expression of GLUT4 in soleus muscle and impeded the reduction of elevated mRNA or protein level of hepatic PEPCK. Both of these effects were blocked by opioid µ-receptor antagonist. Conclusions: The results suggest that blockade of AT1 receptor by valsartan may enhance the adrenal β-endorphin secretion induced by ACh, activating the opioid µ-receptors to increase glucose utilization and/or to decrease hepatic gluconeogenesis, resulting in the reduction of plasma glucose in STZ-induced diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is distinguished from previous papers by its focus on income-producing properties, rather than owner-occupied single-family residential properties. The real estate investor's strategy, in terms of choosing an interest rate-discount points combination, is analyzed by using a discounted cash flow approach. Under this framework, the investor with a lower marginal tax rate, lower required rate of return and longer investment horizon tends to negotiate for a mortgage contract with a higher number of discount points and lower interest rate. In addition, an intermediate rate-points combination is preferred by an investor only when the lender's required interest rate is a decreasing convex function of the number of discount points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of beta-2-microglobulin (beta2M) in collagen-rich tissues has been proven to be the main cause of dialysis related amyloidosis. However, it remains uncertain which technique for the removal of beta2M can be used without compromising the advantages of other dialysis strategies. A new concept, an immunoadsorption wall, which combines the principles of immunoisolation and immunoadsorption is proposed to remove beta2M. The present investigations suggested that the application of the concept to clinical use is feasible and worthwhile. The concept, if validated, will help shape a novel multitask type of artificial kidney based on the combination of different separation technologies.