BackgroundWhile there is an ongoing trend to identify single nucleotide substitutions (SNSs) that are linked to inter/intra-species differences and disease phenotypes, short tandem repeats (STRs)/microsatellites may be of equal (if not more) importance in the above processes. Genes that contain STRs in their promoters have higher expression divergence compared to genes with fixed or no STRs in the gene promoters. In line with the above, recent reports indicate a role of repetitive sequences in the rise of young transcription start sites (TSSs) in human evolution.ResultsFollowing a comparative genomics study of all human protein-coding genes annotated in the GeneCards database, here we provide a genome-scale portrait of human-specific short- and medium-size (≥ 3-repeats) tri- and tetranucleotide STRs and STR motifs in the critical core promoter region between − 120 and + 1 to the TSS and evidence of skewing of this compartment in reference to the STRs that are not human-specific (Levene’s test p < 0.001). Twenty-five percent and 26% enrichment of human-specific transcripts was detected in the tri and tetra human-specific compartments (mid-p < 0.00002 and mid-p < 0.002, respectively).ConclusionOur findings provide the first evidence of genome-scale skewing of STRs at a specific region of the human genome and a link between a number of these STRs and TSS selection/transcript specificity. The STRs and genes listed here may have a role in the evolution and development of characteristics and phenotypes that are unique to the human species.

Background: To calm non-cooperative children needing dental treatment, sedatives are used. Vital parameters must be monitored during sedation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Ketamine-Midazolam (KM) and Ketamine-Propofol (KP) combinations on the heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SPO2) of uncooperative children. The model parameters were estimated using the Bayesian approach. Methods: The data were collected in a double-blind crossover study with repeated measurements (CSWRM). Twenty-two 3-6-year-old uncooperative children were included, and the linear mixed model was adopted for data analysis. Results: A significant difference of 4.47 beats per minute (bpm) was found in the mean HR of KM recipients compared to KP recipients. The mean HR in KP was lower than that of KM, but it did not make a difference in SPO2. Conclusions: Although there was no difference in the two drug combinations regarding SPO2, they differed in HR. As such, the KP combination is recommended. The study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20090506001882N10) at the date of 2021-03-08.