The Caenorhabditis elegans GATA factor elt-1 is essential for differentiation and maintenance of hypodermal seam cells and for normal locomotion.

The Caenorhabditis elegans GATA transcription factor elt-1 has previously been shown to have a central role in the specification of hypodermal (epidermal) cell fates and acts several cell divisions before the birth of hypodermal cells. Here we report that elt-1 also has essential functions during subsequent development. Reporter gene studies show that elt-1 expression is maintained in lateral seam cells throughout development and elt-1 RNA interference experiments support an essential role for elt-1 in the differentiation of lateral seam cells in the embryo.

Ectopic expression of a Haemonchus contortus GATA transcription factor in Caenorhabditis elegans reveals conserved function in spite of extensive sequence divergence.

Comparative analysis between Caenorhabditis elegans and other nematode species offers a powerful approach to study gene function. C. elegans also has great potential as a surrogate expression system to study the function of genes from parasitic nematode species where transgenic methodologies are unavailable.

Amoebic liver abscess--results of a conservative management policy.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of conservative management of amoebic liver abscesses.

Design: A prospective study carried out over a 1-year period.

Setting: Inpatients and outpatients in a tertiary referral institution.

The role of thromboelastography in the management of children with snake-bite in southern Africa.

In the absence of a direct laboratory test of envenomation, there is a need for an alternative mechanism for the early recognition of envenomation following snake-bite in children. A severe clinical diathesis may result either from envenomation or from the release of an inappropriate tourniquet applied as 'first-aid' often several hours before presentation to hospital. Abnormalities of clotting are associated with both events.