Score-based prediction of genomic islands in prokaryotic genomes using hidden Markov models.

Background: Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is considered a strong evolutionary force shaping the content of microbial genomes in a substantial manner. It is the difference in speed enabling the rapid adaptation to changing environmental demands that distinguishes HGT from gene genesis, duplications or mutations. For a precise characterization, algorithms are needed that identify transfer events with high reliability.

Laparoscopic removal of a dermoid cyst in pregnancy. A case report.

Background: Laparoscopy in pregnancy can endanger the fetus. It is now being reexamined because of our experience with complex operative procedures and new laparoscopic equipment.

Case: A decision was made to perform laparoscopy instead of laparotomy for a pelvic mass in a pregnant woman.

[Analysis and epidemiology of gallstones in deceased and autopsied patients of the Thurgau canton].

In our postmortem examinations of patients in the canton of Thurgau from May 1989 through December 1991 we found a cholelithiasis or a condition after a cholecystectomy of gallstones in 44% of the women and 23% of the men. While gallstones were found in only 11% of the women and 7% of the men up to age 50, half of all women and every third man in the age group over 90 had gallstones. Among the gallstone carriers, 8% of the women and 2.

[Respective role of the size, location and composition of the calculus as determinants of therapeutic success after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in renal lithiasis].

We evaluated the respective role of size, location and composition of renal stones as determinants of the outcome of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The analysis of the chemical composition and of the morphology of the fragments eliminated by hundred patients who underwent ESWL has been made by X-rays diffraction. Results showed that the larger the stone, the higher the risk of having to perform an extra intervention (additional sessions of ESWL, percutaneous nephrostolithotomy, nephrolitholapaxy) or of finding residual fragments at the three month check-point.