From 1994-99 the mortality rate of children under 5 in Iraq was among the highest in the Middle East, with neonatal mortality accounting for over half, and illnesses and sudden deaths the main causes.

Following changes in the US Federal Administrations stand on stem cell research Alan Trounson discusses the rapid expansion of the field and new directions this research is likely to take

Contrary to results from epidemiological studies, exposure to cigarette smoke delays the onset and slows the progression of collagen-induced arthritis in mice, and nicotine may alleviate inflammatory responses.

Patients undergoing aortic surgery, multiple transfusions or re-intervention are at greater risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia following major heart surgery and may require active, preventative treatment.

A systematic protocol for transesophageal echocardiograms that identifies cardiac structures at sequential multiplane transducer angle positions allows comprehensive data acquisition and may reduce the risk of omitting of relevant structures.

Professor Chris McManus
University College London, UK