The molecular machinery for maturation of primary mtDNA transcripts.

Human mitochondria harbour a circular, polyploid genome (mtDNA) encoding 11 messenger RNAs (mRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs). Mitochondrial transcription produces long, polycistronic transcripts that span almost the entire length of the genome, and hence contain all three types of RNAs. The primary transcripts then undergo a number of processing and maturation steps, which constitute key regulatory points of mitochondrial gene expression.

Hospital practices and breastfeeding rates before and after the UNICEF/WHO 20-hour course for maternity staff.

Background: The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is the most widely promoted program for increasing breastfeeding rates.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of BFHI training on hospital practices and breastfeeding rates during the first 12 months of life.

Methods: Eighty percent of maternity medical and nursing staff at the University Hospital in Split, Croatia, completed the updated and expanded United Nations Children's Fund/World Health Organization 20-hour course.