The Role of Emergency Medical Services in Earthquake Response: Integrating the ABC Approach of Israel's Magen David Adom.

Throughout history, earthquakes have caused devastation and loss of life. Emergency medical services (EMS) plays a vital role in the response to any mass-casualty incident or disaster. Magen David Adom, Israel's premier EMS organization, has a unique strategy known as the ABC approach to earthquake response.

The human skin/chick chorioallantoic membrane model accurately predicts the potency of cosmetic allergens.

The current standard method for predicting contact allergenicity is the murine local lymph node assay (LLNA). Public objection to the use of animals in testing of cosmetics makes the development of a system that does not use sentient animals highly desirable. The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the chick egg has been extensively used for the growth of normal and transformed mammalian tissues.

Immunological activation following transcutaneous delivery of HR-gp100 protein.

Transcutaneous immunization aims at taking advantage of the skin's immune system for the purpose of immunoprotection. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of topical delivery of a recombinant melanoma protein, HR-gp100, derived from a shortened sequence of the native gp100 gene. The protein was applied on the skin, with and without the addition of two forms of heat labile enterotoxin (nLT and LTB).

[Stapled hemorrhoidectomy--early experience in 30 patients].

Introduction: We report the early results of 30 patients treated by stapled hemorrhoidectomy.

Patients And Methods: Thirty patients with symptomatic grade 2-4 hemorrhoids were treated by stapled hemorrhoidectomy. The procedure was performed with a 33 mm diameter automatic hemorrhoidal circular stapler.

Detection of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor receptor (c-Met) and MUC1 from the axillary fluid drainage in patients after breast cancer surgery.

Background: Drains are inserted in the dissected axilla of most patients during surgery for breast cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the presence and prognostic value of MUC1 and Met-hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor in the axillary drainage of these patients.

Methods: The study group included 40 consecutive patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast who were suitable for breast-conserving treatment; 20 malignant melanoma patients found to have negative axillary sentinel lymph node served as the control group.

[Repair of anorectal fistulas using fibrin glue tissue adhesive--preliminary experience in 15 patients].

Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate whether commercially produced fibrin sealant can be used for the treatment of complex anorectal fistulae.

Methods: Fibrin glue was used for patients with primary and recurrent ano-rectal fistulae, but patients with Crohn's disease or AIDS were excluded. The procedure was performed under anesthesia in the operating room.