BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules, which play an important role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. There have been many efforts to discover miRNA precursors (pre-miRNAs) over the years. Recently, ab initio approaches have attracted more attention because they do not depend on homology information and provide broader applications than comparative approaches. Kernel based classifiers such as support vector machine (SVM) are extensively adopted in these ab initio approaches due to the prediction performance they achieved. On the other hand, logic based classifiers such as decision tree, of which the constructed model is interpretable, have attracted less attention.ResultsThis article reports the design of a predictor of pre-miRNAs with a novel kernel based classifier named the generalized Gaussian density estimator (G2DE) based classifier. The G2DE is a kernel based algorithm designed to provide interpretability by utilizing a few but representative kernels for constructing the classification model. The performance of the proposed predictor has been evaluated with 692 human pre-miRNAs and has been compared with two kernel based and two logic based classifiers. The experimental results show that the proposed predictor is capable of achieving prediction performance comparable to those delivered by the prevailing kernel based classification algorithms, while providing the user with an overall picture of the distribution of the data set.ConclusionSoftware predictors that identify pre-miRNAs in genomic sequences have been exploited by biologists to facilitate molecular biology research in recent years. The G2DE employed in this study can deliver prediction accuracy comparable with the state-of-the-art kernel based machine learning algorithms. Furthermore, biologists can obtain valuable insights about the different characteristics of the sequences of pre-miRNAs with the models generated by the G2DE based predictor.

A 74-year-old female presented with progressive oculus dexter (OD) visual deterioration caused by optic nerve sheath meningioma (ONSM). The Farnsworth D-15 Dichotomous Color Blindness Test progressed from 3/15 to 1/15 in OD. The visual acuity with correction (VACC) changed from 0.4 to 0.3 in OD after 1 month of medication therapy. A total dose of 54 Gy in 30 fractions was delivered to the ONSM with the noncoplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique (Versa HD, Elekta, Crawley, West Sussex, UK). Color discrimination was improved from 1/15 to 13/15 after the patient received 27 Gy in 15 fractions. The VACC of the right eye treated with 54 Gy was improved from 0.3 to 0.6 at 9 months and to 1.0 at 15 months after radiotherapy (RT). There was no neuropathy, visual impairment, cognitive problem or retinopathy upon ophthalmologic examination during or after RT. The size of the tumor was stable, which was confirmed by radiographic studies. The fractionated noncoplanar VMAT technique provides delicate balance between dose coverage and normal tissues protection with well tumor control and improvement in visual function without treatment-induced morbidity.

This report describes a unique case of systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with initial ocular manifestations of bilateral optic disc edema and serous retinal detachment (SRD). A 29-year-old man presented with altered color vision in the left eye, mild fever, weakness, and headache, followed by bilaterally reduced visual acuity. Anterior segment and vitreous examinations showed no inflammation with sluggish response of light reflex. His fundus examination revealed bilateral multiple SRDs and optic disc swelling with choroidal thickening. On fluorescein angiography, pinpoint hyperfluorescence, associated dye pooling, and optic disc staining with leakage were found bilaterally. Laboratory studies revealed elevated C-reactive protein and mild leukocytosis with neutrophil predominance. He was provisionally diagnosed with probable Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome and received methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Five days later, his systemic condition deteriorated following initial ocular symptom improvement. Whole-body computerized tomography revealed clustered lymphadenopathies, which were interpreted as DLBCL after lymph node biopsy. His ocular condition improved after DLBCL chemotherapy. We hope to promote early recognition with appropriate workups through this case and literature review.