A systematic screen for genes expressed in definitive endoderm by Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE).

Background: The embryonic definitive endoderm (DE) gives rise to organs of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract including the liver, pancreas and epithelia of the lung and colon. Understanding how DE progenitor cells generate these tissues is critical to understanding the cause of visceral organ disorders and cancers, and will ultimately lead to novel therapies including tissue and organ regeneration. However, investigation into the molecular mechanisms of DE differentiation has been hindered by the lack of early DE-specific markers.

A mouse atlas of gene expression: large-scale digital gene-expression profiles from precisely defined developing C57BL/6J mouse tissues and cells.

We analyzed 8.55 million LongSAGE tags generated from 72 libraries. Each LongSAGE library was prepared from a different mouse tissue.

Can nurses, working in the emergency department, independently clear cervical spines?: a review of the literature.

The prompt clearance of a patient's cervical spine is extremely beneficial both to the patients and the department however correct guidelines and education must be established before this can be undertaken safely. This paper examines whether nurses given the appropriate training and education using appropriate diagnostic and clinical criteria can safely, effectively clear cervical spines without consulting a medical practitioner. The paper explores the use of the Nexus Guidelines [J.

Topical anaesthesia before suturing children's minor lacerations: a critical review.

This paper will critically review all the research carried out over the past 18 years concerning the use of topical anaesthetics for anaesthetizing wounds prior to closure. The review follows guidelines set out by Pollit and Hungler (1995) and Avis (1994) for critiquing research studies, and concentrates on the literature search, research objectives and design, data collection methods, sampling and data analysis.

Topical anaesthesia for children's lacerations: an acceptable approach?

Objective: To compare the anaesthetic properties of conventional intradermal 1% plain lignocaine with a topical gel preparation of adrenaline (1:2000) and cocaine (4.7%) for use in treatment of children's lacerations.

Methods: Children aged 3-16 years with lacerations (not of the digits or mucous membranes) were consecutively assigned to receive either adrenaline and cocaine (AC) or lignocaine.

A review of schistosomiasis in immigrants in Western Australia, demonstrating the unusual longevity of Schistosoma mansoni.

Sixteen patients with imported schistosomiasis in Western Australia, a non-endemic area, are recorded. Ten with Schistosoma mansoni had lived there for over 20 years, three for over 31 years and two for more than 32 years. No record of a life span of 31 years for S.

Prognosis and management of victims of near-drowning.

Between 1972 and 1981 40 victims of near-drowning were admitted to the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Hospital records were reviewed with regard to: 1) the circumstances of submersion and rescue; 2) the patient's condition upon arrival at the emergency room; 3) treatment, hospital course, and ultimate outcome. There were ten hospital deaths, 23 patients recovered completely, and seven were discharged with incapacitating neurologic disability.

Changing concepts in the management of splenic trauma.

Overwhelming sepsis may occur, even years later, in asplenic children or adults who are otherwise healthy. The injured spleen can be successfully repaired in almost all patients. Repair should not be attempted if the survival of the patient would be jeopardized by continuing or delayed hemorrhage.

Tropical infections contracted in Papua New Guinea and imported into Western Australia.

Diseases contracted in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and observed in Western Australia (WA) have comprised malaria, amoebiasis, ancylostomiasis, filariasis and leprosy. This small series of cases demonstrates the prolongation of incubation periods of malaria following chemoprophylaxis, the spread of chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum (both to Western and Eastern regions of PNG), the ineffectiveness of chloroquine against Entamoeba histolytica in the intestine and the value of oral penicillin as a prophylactic for filarial lymphangitis.

Tungiasis: imported disease.

A case of importation of the sandflea Tunga penetrans is reported. If this species were to become established in Australia, there could be medical and socioeconomic repercussions.

Brucellosis.

The possibility of brucellosis should be considered in any case of obscure pyrexia, monoarthritis, fascitis or splenomegaly, especially in persons who have been in contact with cattle, pigs or goats, or who have recently visited the Mediterranean region or East Africa. Tetracycline controls the symptoms, and the addition of streptomycin reduces the tendency to relapse.

The effect of hepatic interposition on ovary-pituitary interaction.

When the livers of female rats were provided with exclusive first access to all ovarian venous effluents by simultaneous castration and implantation of a portion of one of the ovaries beneath the splenic capsule, systemic venous plasma concentrations of estrone and estradiol were reduced 40%. Paradoxically, progestins in the peripheral plasma increased threefold, most probably because of augmented adrenocortical progestin secretion. Nevertheless, the change in estrogen levels alone was sufficient to abolish trophic effects on the genital organs and to block normal inhibition of pituitary gonadotropin secretion.

Experience with a simplified trauma registry: profile of trauma at a university hospital.

A simplified computer-based trauma registry system with well-defined limits of data capture is presented. This registry was utilized to describe the profile of trauma at a university hospital. In 1 year there were 882 trauma victims hospitalized, with an overall mortality of 3.

Off-road vehicle accidents: a new spectrum of trauma.

A survey of off-road vehicle accident injuries indicates a significant incidence of trauma: means of 931 serious injuries and 15 fatalities/year were reported for a three-county region of Southern California. A representative 78-bed community hospital in the desert region saw 542 patients with injuries related to off-road vehicle accidents over 3 years. Characteristic injuries often could be related to the type of accident and vehicle involved.