Riboswitches harness the structural and dynamic sophistication of RNA to coordinate specific ligand recognition with changes in gene expression. Design of molecules to manipulate riboswitch responses relies on our understanding of their RNA−ligand interactions. Here we demonstrate that for the adenine (A) riboswitch (ARNA) these interactions are highly dynamic. Given that 2-aminopurine (Ap) mimics A in its interactions with ARNA, we use the fluorescence lifetime of Ap to interrogate individual Ap-ARNA conformers (dynamic exchange times > ∼10 ns). Counter to predictions of two state and induced fit models, the ligand-bound A riboswitch is not a single, highly ordered structure:  We detect at least three distinct Ap-ARNA conformers in ensemble solution. Their distribution indicates that they are not high-energy RNA folding intermediates but are instead energetically similar (ΔG < 1 kcal mol-1) conformers whose thermal stability, ligand, and Mg2+ binding affinity differ substantially. Our experimental charac...

The aim of this research was to determine the incidence, risk factors and perinatal outcome of the macrosomic infants (birth weight > or = 4000 g). The retrospective research was performed using a case-control study conducted at Mostar Clinical Hospital. Total of 379 women gave singleton term births to macrosomic newborn in the period from January 1st, 2004 to December 31st, 2005 (observed group). Another 379 singleton normal birthweight term newborns (birth weight < 4000 g, but not small for gestational age), of the same maternal parity and age, who were delivered in the same period, formed the control group. The incidence of macrosomic births was 13, 1%. In the study group, significantly higher number of cases of postdatism (> 42 weeks of gestation) (P<0,001), maternal obesity (prepregnancy BMI> 26 kg/m2) (P<0,001), gestational diabetes mellitus (P=0,033), hypertension (P=0,025) and male infant (P<0,001) were observed. Cesarean delivery (P<0,001), intrapartal complications (cephalopelvic disproportion P<0.001, perineal trauma P=0,042) and newborn birth trauma (clavicular fracture P=0,038, brachial palsy P=0,021) occurred significantly more often in the macrosomic group. There was only one fetal death in the macrosomic group. In the control group there were no cases of perinatal deaths. To conclude, it is important to emphasize the significance of proper diagnosis of fetal macrosomia and management of macrosomic birth, since we have seen a growing number of macrosomic births during the last decades, and have faced a problem of increased risks of adverse perinatal outcome.

Lung cancer is responsible for 40% mortalities from malignant diseases in man and exhibits an extremely infiltrating way of growing. It does not respect the lobes' or the organs' borders and spreads by blood system, lymph system and per continuitatem. According to its biological characteristics and response to treatments it may be divided in to small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which also includes other histological types. Lung cancer treatment includes surgical treatment, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, the combination of the former three as well as symptomatic treatment. In this study, we analyzed 125 patients with lung cancer, that were hospitalized at the Clinic for Thoracic Surgery in KCU Sarajevo. The difference according to gender is statistically significant because we had 111 (88,8%) male patients in comparison with 14 (11,2%) female patients. The average age of male patients was 60,3 years while female patients were 61,9 years old on average. Thus, the difference in average age is not statistically significant. In diagnostic procedures: chest radiography was the most significant in peripheral lesions (60, 8%). CT of the thoracic organs has a statistical significance because the tumor changes were confirmed in 123 patients (98,4%). In bronchoscopy, we had 120 patients (96,0%). The number of patients with preformed lobectomy (63) is statistically significantly greater in the observed group (125) then the number of patients with other operative procedures preformed. From the postoperative complications we had exitus letalis 2 (1,6%), wound infection 19 (15,2%), and 104 without complications (83,2%). The results of testing the significance of differences according to the cancer types in non small cell lung cancer were planocellular, adenocarcinoma, and macrocellular. Comparing the preoperative staging and operative findings through stages we obtained to the following results: in stage ST0 the deviation was 16,7%, STIA the deviation was 40,1%, STIB the deviation was 16,1%, STIIA the deviation was 11,1%, STIIB the deviation was 12,5%, STIIIA the deviation was 33,33%, STIIIB the deviation was 33, 3%. From the overall number of patients, who were in preoperatively graded stage STIA, operative findings confirmed STIA, which makes the most important statistically significant difference. In 36 patients or 28,8% the status was changed in operative finding. In 89 patients preoperative status or 72,2% remained unchanged following the operation.

The aim of this study was to analyze the Transit time flow measurement (TTFM) experience in the first 1000 CABG operations. First 1000 patients had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed in Cardiovascular Clinic, University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, between September, 1998 and September, 2003. CABG without use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-(OPCAB) was used as the preferential surgical method both because this method is reported to have equal or better results than CABG with use of CPB (ONCAB), and because of the significant cost savings realized. TTFM was routinely used in all grafts as a quality assurance measure. Criteria for a poor functioning graft were: low mean flow (MF), pulsatility index (PI) above 5 and a poor diastolic flow pattern. When no reversible cause of poor TTFM results were identified the graft was revised. A total of 1394 grafts in OPCAB group and 1478 in ONCAB group were performed. A total of 38 grafts (2,72%) in 37 patients (7,07%) were revised in OPCAB group, and 26 grafts (1,75%) in 26 patients (5,45%) in ONCAB group. 1 patient in OPCAB group needed 2 graft revisions. Graft revisions were more common in OPCAB, but with no significant difference (p=0,1035). The most frequently revised graft was LAD graft in both groups. Although the percentage of grafts revised are relatively low, it is still very important to record TTFM. More than 5% of patients in both groups needed graft revision. Although TTFM does not guarantee that grafts will stay open for a prolonged period of time we certainly believe that grafts that are occluded at the time of surgery will continue to stay occluded. TTFM is especially critical in OPCAB surgery where the technical challenge of grafting is higher then in ONCAB.

The incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in women, although lower than in men, increases dramatically after the menopause. Diabetes mellitus is a more powerful predictor of CHD risk and prognosis in women than in men. The aim of this study was to promote diet and physical activity (PA) regimen in order to decrease coronary risk in next years in postmenopausal women with impaired glucose tolerance. Methodological approach of this research is to compare data gathered trough prospective and retrospective analysis of anamnestic data, clinical research, diagnostic tests and biochemical parameters of 100 examinees, regarding the glycoregulation, lipid status, body mass indexes, incidence of hypertension, uric acid and fibrinogen level. The SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation) assessment system is derived from a large dataset of prospective European studies and predicts any kind of fatal CVD events over a ten-year period. It was documented that the then year risk of fatal CVD exerted a shift toward the lower percent value in postmenopausal women after proposed diet/PA regimen. In pre-menopausal women the estimated ten year risk of fatal CVD by SCORE was shifted toward the level below 1%. The risk of 15% and above was not documented after diet/physical activity regimen. The prevalence of the atherogenic lipid markers at the beginning and the end of the assay decreased for all investigated lipid parameters in the group of pre-menopausal women what was more than in postmenopausal ones. Presented data indicate that dietary regimen and physical activity are crucial factors in CVD prevention throughout menopause and beyond. Behavioral changes aimed at decreasing food intake and increasing energy expenditure, should be implemented in pre-menopausal period of life.