APETALA2 control of barley internode elongation.

Many plants dramatically elongate their stems during flowering, yet how this response is coordinated with the reproductive phase is unclear. We demonstrate that microRNA (miRNA) control of () is required for rapid, complete elongation of stem internodes in barley, especially of the final 'peduncle' internode directly underneath the inflorescence. Disrupted miR172 targeting of in the barley mutant caused lower mitotic activity, delayed growth dynamics and premature lignification in the peduncle leading to fewer and shorter cells.

Evaluation of routine postoperative chest X-rays in the management of the cardiac surgical patient.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of routine chest X-rays in the management of patients post cardiac surgery.

Methods: 340 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery were studied in three consecutive groups (A, B, C) of 100 patients each. Forty patients were excluded due to the intensive care stay greater than 36 h (n = 35), or early mortality within 36 h (n = 5).

Metastatic carcinoma infiltrating lung mimicking BOOP.

A 38 year old female with treated carcinoma of the breast presented with a clinical and radiological diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia. Based on these findings a biopsy was not performed and she was treated with steroids. Following lack of response to steroid therapy a lung biopsy was performed showing peribronchiolar, lymphatic, venular and arteriolar metastatic carcinoma.

A trial of pre-emptive analgesia. Influence of timing of peroperative alfentanil on postoperative pain and analgesic requirements.

The influence of timing of administration of peroperative alfentanil on pain and analgesic requirements after surgery was studied in 60 patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Thirty patients received alfentanil 7.5 micrograms.

Intubation with propofol: evaluation of pre-treatment with alfentanil or lignocaine.

The effect of lignocaine or alfentanil pre-treatment on conditions at orotracheal intubation following induction with propofol, but without the use of muscle relaxants, were compared in a prospective, controlled, double-blind study. Forty five healthy patients undergoing elective surgery were randomly allocated to receive either 0.9% saline (control), alfentanil 20 micrograms/kg-1, or lignocaine 1.