CT and CT angiography in massive haemoptysis with emphasis on pre-embolization assessment.

Massive haemoptysis is a respiratory emergency. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) can play a crucial role in assessing the cause and origin of the haemoptysis and directing the interventional radiologist prior to treatment. The bronchial arterial supply and to a lesser extent the non-bronchial systemic arterial supply are responsible for the majority of cases of massive haemoptysis, but uncommon causes of massive haemoptysis should be considered to avoid misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

Nocardia asteroides: an unusual cause of breast abscess.

A case of nocardial breast infection is presented and infection by nocardia organisms must be considered as a rare differential diagnosis of chronic inflammation of the breast.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting in women following breast surgery: an audit.

A prospective observational study of 101 women having breast surgery under general anaesthesia was performed to assess the extent of postoperative nausea and vomiting in this group of women. The overall rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting was high, 56% and 41%, respectively, and was significantly associated with length of surgical procedure and morphine use. Techniques to reduce morphine requirement should be evaluated to try and reduce this cause of morbidity.

An early caesarean operation (1800) performed by John and Charles Bell.

An articulated skeleton in the Bell Collection in the Museum of the Edinburgh College of Surgeons is of a woman who died shortly after a Caesarean section, believed to be the 18th recorded case of such an operation performed in the UK and Ireland. The fact that John and Charles Bell were the surgeons involved is of particular interest, due to their importance in the practice of surgery and surgical anatomy in Edinburgh during the early part of the 19th century. The woman had a restricted pelvic inlet and outlet resulting from puerperal osteomalacia, the commonest indication for carrying out this operation during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Requirement for integrins during Drosophila wing development.

The position-specific (PS) integrins of Drosophila are highly homologous to vertebrate integrins, most of which are cell-surface receptors for extracellular matrix components. Integrins are heterodimers, each consisting of noncovalently associated alpha- and beta-subunits. As for the subfamilies of vertebrate integrins, the same beta-subunit is found in both Drosophila PS integrins, combined with a specific alpha-subunit to generate either a complete functional PS1 or PS2 integrin.

Foster child health care supervision policy.

Foster children represent a high-risk group for physical, emotional, and social health problems, yet few federal or state policies explicitly address foster child health. This article reviews foster child health and the legal background for policy, then discusses components of a comprehensive health care supervision program.