Transposable modules generated by a single copy of insertion sequence ISPme1 and their influence on structure and evolution of natural plasmids of Paracoccus methylutens DM12.

We demonstrated that a single copy of insertion sequence ISPme1 can mobilize adjacent segments of genomic DNA of Paracoccus methylutens DM12, which leads to the generation of diverse transposable elements of various size and DNA contents. All elements (named transposable modules [TMos]) contain ISPme1 (placed at the 5' ends of the elements) and have variable 3'-end regions of between 0.5 and 5 kb. ISPme1 was shown to encode an outwardly oriented promoter, which may activate the transcription of genes transposed within TMos in evolutionarily distinct hosts. TMos may therefore be considered to be natural systems enabling gene capture, expression, and spread. However, unless these elements have been inserted into a highly conserved genetic context to enable a precise definition of their termini, it is extremely difficult or even impossible to identify them in bacterial genomes by in silico sequence analysis. We showed that TMos are present in the chromosome and plasmids of strain DM12. Sequence analysis of plasmid pMTH1 (32 kb) revealed that four TMos, previously identified with a trap vector, pMEC1, comprise 87% of its genome. Repeated TMos within pMTH1 may stimulate other structural rearrangements resulting from homologous recombination between long repeat sequences. This illustrates that TMos may play a significant role in shaping the structure of natural plasmids, which consequently may have a great impact on the evolution of plasmid genomes.

[Frequency and layout of congenital defects in infants born from 1991 to 1995 and from 2000 to 2004 at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Wolomin District Hospital]. / Czkstosc wystkpowania i rozklad wad wrodzonych u noworodków urodzonych w latach 1991-1995 i 2000-2004 w Oddziale Poloznictwa i Ginekologii Szpitala Powiatowego w Wolominie.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was an evaluation of the frequency and distribution of congenital malformations in infants born at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Wolomin District Hospital in the years 1991-95 and 2000-2004 and a comparison of occurrence frequency of defects' types in the analyzed periods. METHODS: The study comprises an evaluation of documentations of 5649 infants born in the years 1991-1995 and 6049 infants born in the years 200-2004, 11698 infants in total. In the study groups of infants, the frequency of congenital malformation occurrence was analyzed. RESULTS: The majority of congenital malformation diagnosis in the years 1991-1995 were CNS defects with 21% and the second most frequent group were facial skeleton defects with 16% The majority of congenital malformation diagnosis in the years 2000-2004 were osteoarticular system defects (25%) and the second most frequent group were organic heart diseases with 14%. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and distribution of congenital defects was comparable with data provided by other authors. The most frequent defects were osteoarticular system defects, congenital hart dsefects and CNS. An increase in number of defects of the osteoarticular system was observed.

[Contemporary methods of treating age-related infertility]. / Wspólczesne metody leczenia nieplodnosci zwiazanej z wiekiem.

Age-related infertility that is caused by diminished reproductive potential is both medical and social problem of a great concern. Changes in modern ways of life make women postpone the decision of starting up a family, what may reduce their chances of having a healthy baby. It is also a problem of subfertile couples who after many years of insufficient treating approach the period where the age imposes on primary causes of infertility, what even more reduces the chance of pregnancy. The main reason of this is increased number of chromosomal abnormalities resulting in lower quality of oocytes. There is a lot of research being held on the reconstruction of gametes by transferring the nucleus or cytoplasm among the oocytes derived from young and older patients. However, it has not brought the expected results so far. The method of preimplantation genetic diagnosis--aneuploidy screening (PGD-AS) in patients older than 35 gives some hope for improving the efficiency of infertility treatment. Nevertheless, oocyte donation still remains the most effective and applied method of assisted reproduction in the group of older patients.