Identification and Classification of Conserved RNA Secondary Structures in the Human Genome

The discoveries of microRNAs and riboswitches, among others, have shown functional RNAs to be biologically more important and genomically more prevalent than previously anticipated. We have developed a general comparative genomics method based on phylogenetic stochastic context-free grammars for identifying functional RNAs encoded in the human genome and used it to survey an eight-way genome-wide alignment of the human, chimpanzee, mouse, rat, dog, chicken, zebra-fish, and puffer-fish genomes for deeply conserved functional RNAs. At a loose threshold for acceptance, this search resulted in a set of 48,479 candidate RNA structures. This screen finds a large number of known functional RNAs, including 195 miRNAs, 62 histone 3′UTR stem loops, and various types of known genetic recoding elements. Among the highest-scoring new predictions are 169 new miRNA candidates, as well as new candidate selenocysteine insertion sites, RNA editing hairpins, RNAs involved in transcript auto regulation, and many folds that form singletons or small functional RNA families of completely unknown function. While the rate of false positives in the overall set is difficult to estimate and is likely to be substantial, the results nevertheless provide evidence for many new human functional RNAs and present specific predictions to facilitate their further characterization

The HELLP syndrome: Clinical issues and management. A Review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The HELLP syndrome is a serious complication in pregnancy characterized by haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count occurring in 0.5 to 0.9% of all pregnancies and in 10–20% of cases with severe preeclampsia. The present review highlights occurrence, diagnosis, complications, surveillance, corticosteroid treatment, mode of delivery and risk of recurrence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Clinical reports and reviews published between 2000 and 2008 were screened using Pub Med and Cochrane databases.</p> <p>Results and conclusion</p> <p>About 70% of the cases develop before delivery, the majority between the 27th and 37th gestational weeks; the remainder within 48 hours after delivery. The HELLP syndrome may be complete or incomplete. In the Tennessee Classification System diagnostic criteria for HELLP are haemolysis with increased LDH (> 600 U/L), AST (≥ 70 U/L), and platelets < 100·10⁹/L. The Mississippi Triple-class HELLP System further classifies the disorder by the nadir platelet counts. The syndrome is a progressive condition and serious complications are frequent. Conservative treatment (≥ 48 hours) is controversial but may be considered in selected cases < 34 weeks' gestation. Delivery is indicated if the HELLP syndrome occurs after the 34th gestational week or the foetal and/or maternal conditions deteriorate. Vaginal delivery is preferable. If the cervix is unfavourable, it is reasonable to induce cervical ripening and then labour. In gestational ages between 24 and 34 weeks most authors prefer a single course of corticosteroid therapy for foetal lung maturation, either 2 doses of 12 mg betamethasone 24 hours apart or 6 mg or dexamethasone 12 hours apart before delivery. Standard corticosteroid treatment is, however, of uncertain clinical value in the maternal HELLP syndrome. High-dose treatment and repeated doses should be avoided for fear of long-term adverse effects on the foetal brain. Before 34 weeks' gestation, delivery should be performed if the maternal condition worsens or signs of intrauterine foetal distress occur. Blood pressure should be kept below 155/105 mmHg. Close surveillance of the mother should be continued for at least 48 hours after delivery.</p

Carotid artery occlusion due to bacterial paranasal sinusitis

Complications of paranasal sinusitis still continue to be a serious health problem. We present an orbits-related complication of sinusitis in a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis. It was not a rhinocerebral mucormycosis, but a bacterial sinusitis-induced development of left cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis and carotid artery occlusion. We discuss the diagnosis, surgical options, and clinical outcome

The prophylactic effects of superoxide dismutase, catalase, desferrioxamine, verapamil and disulfiram in experimental colitis

In our study we have tried to compare the prophylactic effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD), SOD+catalase (CAT), desferrioxamine, verapamil and disulfiram, which are all free oxygen radical (FOR) scavengers, in an animal model of experimental acetic acid colitis. The control group had 58.3% colonic ulcers. The SOD group (48.6% ulcerated area) and the SOD+CAT group (47.2% ulcerated area) did not show a significant difference when compared with the control group. The values were significantly different in all other groups when compared with the control group (desferrioxamine (29.2% ulcerated area): P < 0.01;verapamil (10.4% ulcerated area) and disulfiram (7.6% ulcerated area): P < 0.001

Carotid artery occlusion due to bacterial paranasal sinusitis

Complications of paranasal sinusitis still continue to be a serious health problem. We present an orbits-related complication of sinusitis in a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis. It was not a rhinocerebral mucormycosis, but a bacterial sinusitis-induced development of left cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis and carotid artery occlusion. We discuss the diagnosis, surgical options, and clinical outcome

INTERNAL SUPRAVESICAL HERNIA - REPORT OF A CASE

A patient with clinical signs of intestinal obstruction was found at celiotomy to have a loop of small intestine caught in the supravesical space between pubis and urinary bladder. This report aims to bring attention to vesical hernias, a very rare entity, as a possible cause of small bowel obstruction

Primary tubular choriorentinitis

The aim of this report is to emphasize that corticosteroids should not be prescribed when the etiological factors remain unidentified. A 34‑year‑old male visited our ophthalmology clinic suffering from blurred vision. Behçet’s disease had been diagnosed 5 years prior, and the patient was taking an oral immunosuppressant and a systemic corticosteroid. Vitreous cell count and foci of chorioretinitis (apparently confined to the ocular fundus) were evident. A vitreous sample was subjected to polymerase chain reaction, which resulted in the identification of and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Treatment with a combination of four anti‑tuberculosis drugs was commenced. During the follow‑up, the vitritis disappeared, and the foci of active chorioretinitis improved. Systemic and Sub‑Tenon corticosteroid treatment should not be prescribed until vitreous and anterior chamber fluid samples have been evaluated in patients with uveitis. Some microbes are not detected on routine examination.Keywords: Corticosteroid therapy, Tuberculosis, Chorioretinitis, Uveiti