The pHLIP system as a vehicle for microRNAs in the kidney.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous RNAs that regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional repression of their target messenger RNAs. A study of changes in expression of certain miRNAs in the kidney has supplied evidence on their pathogenic role and therapeutic potential in nephrology. This review proposes a nanotechnology approach based on the binding of analogs or inhibitors of miRNAs formed by peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) to peptides with a transmembrane structure sensitive to a low pH, called pHLIPs (pH [low] insertion peptides).

[Insomnia and somnolence in epilepsy].

Introduction And Methods: Based on the well-known association between sleep disorders and epilepsy which share common functional elements, we investigated the existence of sleep disorders in general as seen in a series of patients who attended the electrophysiology clinic, using a simple questionnaire method dealing with sleep disorders and somnolence.

Results: It was seen that there was a markedly greater prevalence of sleep disorders in epileptics as compared with non-epileptic controls. It was also observed that in partial crises these disorders are more important, mainly because of the global sleep deficit and increased nocturnal waking.