Cell 2 Soul: The Humane Health Care Blog

Marginal Notes: A Pig in a Poke

 

I was tickled pink to learn that scientists have succeeded in sequencing the genome of the pig.

 

According to a recent NPR piece, the DNA sequence comes from a single Duroc pig, one of five major breeds used in pork production.  By comparing the genome of a domestic pig to that of wild ones, scientists hope to isolate and study regions of the genome that contribute to behavior and disease resistance.

 

One surprise thus far is that the structure and sequence of the porcine genome seem to be closely related to the human genome—similarities are much more apparent than scientists had previously suspected. >>more

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

Marginal Notes: Requiem for a Flower

 

 Sixteen years ago on my desk it appeared:
A gift from my parents
To celebrate my new position,
A fresh chapter in my medical career—
A peace lily plant, young and tender,
With one newly formed white flower. >>more

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

Marginal Notes: Casting pearls

 

Like a tsunami wave, the swine flu has descended upon us .  Office telephones ring incessantly; patients appear in our waiting room in droves.  Hurriedly, I scribble a note in a patient's chart and think:  How will I ever get through this day, let alone the next five months?  At times like these I wonder whatever possessed me to opt for a career in primary care medicine.  >>more

 

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

Marginal Notes: Where a story begins

 

Where does a story begin?

 

It begins thirty-four years ago when a young man steps off a bus in a small village on the northwest coast of Spain, and a young woman emerges from the shadows of a doorway to meet him; and they walk arm in arm down a rain-drenched cobblestone street underneath an umbrella.  >>more

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

Marginal Notes: One of the Club

 

My daughter’s fiancé, who is now my new son-in-law, invited me to a golf outing the day before their wedding.  Although it pained me deeply to admit it, the last time I had played golf was twenty-some years ago—and that was the miniature variety.  With the exception of one disastrous afternoon attempt at chip and putt as an adolescent, the only other time I had ever set foot on a conventional golf course was in high school when I ran cross-country.  “Sure,” I choked.  “I’d be happy to come.”  >>more

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

Marginal Notes: Full Moon over Kitchen Creek

 
Photo copyright©2008 by J Salonis

It was dark when we left the barn after the last lecture.  Outside, Jim’s wife waited for me with a flashlight.  I pulled my sleeping bag and duffle from the back of my Subaru and followed her across the meadow.  High above the barn where the haflingers were bedded down, a full moon broke through the clouds.  >>more

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

Marginal Notes: A Socratic dialog on health care reform (VI)

Toward the evening of a long day, the philosopher Socrates finally makes his way to the home of Hippocrates, the father of medicine.  >>more

The final in a series of Socratic dialogs on health care reform.  Apropos of these discussions, interested readers may wish to peruse previous conversations with Aeschylus, Plato, Aesculapius, Apothos, and Litigius.

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

Marginal Notes: A Socratic dialog on health care reform (V)

After leaving the pharmacy of Apothos, Socrates finds himself pursued by Litigius the solicitor. >>more

The fifth in a series of Socratic dialogs on health care reform.  Apropos of these discussions, interested readers may wish to peruse previous conversations with Aeschylus, Plato, Aesculapius and Apothos.

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

Marginal Notes: A Socratic dialog on health care reform (IV)

The philosopher Socrates seeks advice from Apothos the sorcerer for a potion or pill to dampen the discomfort in the wound on his foot and learns a bit about standards of practice in the pharmaceutical industry.  >>more

 

The fourth in a series of Socratic dialogs on health care reform.  Apropos of these discussions, interested readers may wish to peruse previous conversations with Aeschylus, Plato and Aesculapius.

 

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

 

 

Marginal Notes: A Socratic dialog on health care reform (III)

Socrates consults the general practitioner of medicine Aesculapius to ask both his opinion on the Athenian health care system and a favor as well. >>more

The third in a series of Socratic dialogs on health care reform. Apropos of these discussions, readers may wish to peruse previous conversations with Aeschylus and Plato here and here.

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."