Effect of epidermal growth factor infusion on fetal rabbit intrauterine growth retardation and small intestinal development.

Background/purpose: Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) infants have impaired gastrointestinal function with resultant feeding difficulties and predisposition to necrotizing enterocolitis. Supplemented amniotic fluid swallowed by the developing fetus is a potential prenatal treatment for IUGR. Rabbits have naturally occurring IUGR fetuses based on uterine position.

Initial presentation of coccidioidomycosis during inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection endemic to the desert regions of the southwestern United States. Pulmonary symptoms predominate and are usually mild and self-limited. Dissemination is rare in the immunocompetent host.