MicroRNA (miRNA) sponges are transcripts with repeated miRNA antisense sequences that can sequester miRNAs from endogenous targets. MiRNA sponges are valuable tools for miRNA loss-of-function studies both in vitro and in vivo. We developed a fast and flexible method to generate miRNA sponges and tested their efficiency in various assays. Using a single directional ligation reaction we generated...

Despite near-universal implementation of protocols for surgical sponges, instruments and needles, incidents of retained surgical foreign bodies (RSFB) continue to be a significant patient safety challenge. We report a case of a 29-year-old woman who presented with small intestinal obstruction caused by complete intraluminal migration of a retained surgical sponge into the intestine 9 months aft...

Retained surgical sponges, so called textilomas, are rare complications after abdominal surgeries. The estimated incidence is approximately 1 per 1,000-1,500 surgical operations. However the true incidence is difficult to determine mainly because of underreporting due to medical legal issues. In a retroperitoneal location these textilomas represent less than 17% of abdominal locations and repor...

Retained surgical foreign objects (RFO) include surgical sponges, instruments, tools or devices that are left behind following a surgical procedure unintentionally. It can cause serious morbidity as well as even mortality. It is frequently misdiagnosed. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any postoperative case with unresolved or unusual problems. Risk factors for RFOs incl...

Retained sponges after a surgical treatment of polytrauma may cause a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms and present a difficult diagnostic problem. We report a case of retained surgical sponge in a 35-year-old man transferred from another hospital, that sustained a open acetabular fracture. The fracture was reduced through a limited ilio-inguinal approach. After 4 days, he presented massive w...

Freshwater sponges (Porifera; Spongillina) include 6 families. Some of them are endemic of ancient lakes Baikal, Tanganyika, Ohrid and Malawi. Others families are cosmopolitan and inhabit inland waters worldwide. Freshwater sponges are important for cleaning of water due their filter activity and are often main part of benthos in the lakes. The taxonomy of freshwater sponges is difficult that c...

In this study presence of various kinds of microorganisms in kitchen sponges were studied. Additionally effects of regular dish washing liquid on Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 13311 were investigated under laboratory conditions in kitchen sponges with or without food residue. The sponges involved in daily use in households were samples were analysed for the presence...

Microbial transglutaminase (mTG) was used as a crosslinking agent in the preparation of gelatin sponges. The physical properties of the materials were evaluated by measuring their material porosity, water absorption, and elastic modulus. The stability of the sponges were assessed via hydrolysis and enzymolysis. To study the material degradation in vivo, subcutaneous implantations of sponges wer...