Integration of overseas-trained doctors into the Australian medical workforce

The document attached has been archived with permission from the editor of the Medical Journal of Australia. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included. See page 7 of PDF for this item.Linsey S Hart, Jane Vernon-Robert

Assessment of the environmental toxicity and carcinogenicity of tungsten-based shot.

The toxicity of elemental tungsten released from discharged shot was assessed against previous studies that established a 1% toxic threshold for soil organisms. Extremely heavy theoretical shot loadings of 69,000 shot/ha were used to generate estimated environmental concentrations (EEC) for two brands of tungsten-based shot containing 51% and 95% tungsten. The corresponding tungsten EEC values were 6.5–13.5 mg W/kg soil, far below the 1% toxic threshold. The same shot loading in water produced tungsten EEC values of 2.1–4.4 mg W/L, levels that are not toxic under experimental conditions. Pure tungsten has not been shown to exhibit carcinogenic properties when ingested or embedded in animal tissues, but nickel, with which it is often alloyed, has known carcinogenicity. Given the large number of waterfowl that carry shot embedded in their body, it is advisable to screen lead shot substitutes for their carcinogenic potential through intra-muscular implantation

Medicaid and CHIP Strategies for Improving Child Health

Explains state programs' need for child health measures that focus on outcomes; are standardized across programs, agencies, and states; and reward performance through provider reimbursement. Points out opportunities for foundation and government support

Networks and the epidemiology of infectious disease

The science of networks has revolutionised research into the dynamics of interacting elements. It could be argued that epidemiology in particular has embraced the potential of network theory more than any other discipline. Here we review the growing body of research concerning the spread of infectious diseases on networks, focusing on the interplay between network theory and epidemiology. The review is split into four main sections, which examine: the types of network relevant to epidemiology; the multitude of ways these networks can be characterised; the statistical methods that can be applied to infer the epidemiological parameters on a realised network; and finally simulation and analytical methods to determine epidemic dynamics on a given network. Given the breadth of areas covered and the ever-expanding number of publications, a comprehensive review of all work is impossible. Instead, we provide a personalised overview into the areas of network epidemiology that have seen the greatest progress in recent years or have the greatest potential to provide novel insights. As such, considerable importance is placed on analytical approaches and statistical methods which are both rapidly expanding fields. Throughout this review we restrict our attention to epidemiological issues

Whey- vs Casein-Based Enteral Formula and Gastrointestinal Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

Objectives: Children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) commonly have gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction. Whey-based enteral formulas have been postulated to reduce gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) and accelerate gastric emptying (GE). The authors investigated whether whey-based (vs casein-based) enteral formulas reduce GOR and accelerate GE in children who have severe CP with a gastrostomy and fundoplication. Methods: Thirteen children received a casein-based formula for 1 week and either a 50% whey whole protein (50% WWP) or a 100% whey partially hydrolyzed protein (100% WPHP) formula for 1 week. Reflux episodes, gastric half-emptying time (GE t1/2), and reported pain and GI symptoms were measured. Results: Whey formulas emptied significantly faster than casein (median [interquartile range (IQR)] GE t1/2, 33.9 [25.3-166.2] min vs 56.6 [46-191] min; P = .033). Reflux parameters were unchanged. GI symptoms were lower in children who received 50% WWP (visual analog symptom score, median [IQR], 0[0-11.8]) vs 100% WPHP (13.0 [2.5-24.8]) (P = .035). Conclusion: This pilot study shows that in children who have severe CP with a gastrostomy and fundoplication, GE of the whey-based enteral formula is significantly faster than casein. The acceleration in GE does not alter GOR frequency, and there appears to be no effect of whey vs casein in reducing acid, nonacid, and total reflux episodes. The results indicate that enteral formula selection may be particularly important for children with severe CP and delayed GE. (JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2012;36:118S-123S

Influence of Rat Strain and Arthritogen on Actions of Gold Drugs in Adjuvant-Induced Polyarthritis

The article examines the effects of aurothiomalate (ATM) and auranofin (AF) on adjuvant-induced polyarthritis and serum gold levels in three different strains of rats

Interactions between vaccinia virus and sensitized macrophages in vitro

The action of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from normal and vaccinia virus infected mice on infectious vaccinia virus particles was investigatedin vitro. PEC from immune mice showed a significantly higher infectivity titre reduction (virus clearance, VC) than normal cells. This effect could be clearly attributed to the macrophage. Vaccinia virus multiplied in PEC from normal animals while there was no virus propagation in cells from immunized mice. The release of adsorbed or engulfed virus was reduced significantly in PEC from immunized animals. Anti-vaccinia-antibodies seem to activate normal macrophages to increased virus clearance. This stimulating effect was demonstrable only in the IgG fraction of the antiserum. The activity of macrophages from mice injected three times over a period of 14 days with vaccinia virus could be entirely blocked with anti-mouse-IgG, while PEC from mice injected one time six days previously were not inhibited

Variations in the ossification of the human skull

This investigation has been carried out in the Anatomical Department of the University of Edinburgh during the last eight months of the year 1900. I made observations on 15 points of variation in a series of 613 crania, representative of civilised and exotic races. Whilst making my observations on these points I noticed additional variations which had not previously been described:- (1) Meningeal grooves on the external surface of the skull. (2) Median condylar foramen. (3) Boat-shaped palate. (4) Indications of the separation of the tabular portion of the occipital from the ex-occipitals in the adult j skull. (5) The skull of Kempff a German gave me the idea of the frontal grooves, but the priority of discovery and publi¬ cation belong to Professor Dixon of Cardiff. The variations found in the human skull are replete with interest, affording as they do in some instances remarkable conformity to structures which in lower forms of life are found to be normally present. I have at every step availed myself of the information obtained from the study of Comparative Anatomy. A general review of my investigation seems to point out that many of these variations are not so so characteristically "simian" as had hitherto been supposed. The enquiry has resulted in a new--and I believe correct — explanation of the manner in which the cranial plates increase in area. My theory in addition explains the variations found in the pterioin (including epipterics), in the bregma and on the inner wall of the orbit. Further it explains the significance of the sutural and fontanellar ossicles and gives an intelligent interpretation to the digitations and undulations which are so characteristic of the margins of the cranial plates. It thus incidentally accounts for several variations that have not hitherto been satisfactorily explained. All this is additional evidence that my explanation of the ossification of the skull is the unfolding of a new truth. I have determined the fact that wormians unite with one or other of the bones between which they are produced, both in infant and adult crania. Hitherto I have had no time to make observations on embryo material. But it may legitimately be deducted from the unity of the process of ossification that wormians form and blend in a similar manner in foetal skulls. Gray (p.166) figures but does not describe two wormians in the anterior fontanelle of of a foetal skull at birth. Everything augurs well that I can firmly establish my theory by further tera -tological research. The accompanying photographs illustrate some of the more important variations described in the thesis!. Pen-and-ink sketches are too apt to exaggerate the points they are intended to illustrate. The observations have been taken and the thesis has been composed entirely by myself

Keys to Profitable Cabbage Production.

4 p

Keys to Profitable Cabbage Production.

4 p