The RNA Pol II sub-complex hsRpb4/7 is required for viability of multiple human cell lines.

The evolutionarily conserved RNA Polymerase II Rpb4/7 sub-complex has been thoroughly studied in yeast and impacts gene expression at multiple levels including transcription, mRNA processing and decay. In addition Rpb4/7 exerts differential effects on gene expression in yeast and Rpb4 is not obligatory for yeast (S. cerevisiae) survival.

Choledochal varices bleeding: A case report.

Choledochal varices are a rare cause of hemobilia associated with chronic portal vein thrombosis. We present a case of chronic portal vein thrombosis complicated with bleeding from choledochal varices. The presentation, clinical manifestations and management are described.

Correlation of serum biomarkers with clinical severity and mucosal inflammation in Chinese ulcerative colitis patients.

Objective: Serum biomarkers are commonly used for diagnosing and monitoring the disease activity of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. However, their role in predicting active mucosal inflammation on Chinese patients is unknown. Our aim was to determine the sensitivity and correlation of these biomarkers with clinical severity and mucosal inflammation.

Oxidised cholesterol is more hypercholesterolaemic and atherogenic than non-oxidised cholesterol in hamsters.

The present study was to test the relative hypercholesterolaemic and atherogenic potency of oxidised cholesterol (OxC) and non-oxidised cholesterol in hamsters. An OxC mixture, prepared by heating pure cholesterol (100 g) at 160 degrees C in air for 72 h, contained 78 % cholesterol and 22 % OxC. Fifty Golden Syrian hamsters were randomly divided into five groups of ten animals and fed the control diet, a 0.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of ulcerative colitis in Chinese population: experience from a single center in Hong Kong.

Background And Aim: Rising incidence and prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) had been observed in Asian countries. We conducted a study in an Asian center, aiming to describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of UC in local Chinese population.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients with diagnosis of UC in our hospital from June 1990 to December 2006.

Policosanol has no antioxidant activity in human low-density lipoprotein but increases excretion of bile acids in hamsters.

Policosanol is a group of long chain primary alcohols and has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels and to inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The present study examined (i) the effect of policosanol supplementation in the diet on the fecal excretion of neutral and acidic sterols in hamsters and (ii) the antioxidant activity of policosanol in human LDL. Golden Syrian hamsters were divided into four groups (n = 12/each) fed one of the four diets containing 0 (control), 0.