The Killers

The acting debut of Burt Lancaster and one of the quintessential film noirs of the 1940s, The Killers is partially based on the short story of the same name by Ernest Hemingway. The film was directed by Robert Siodmak (director of quite a few great noirs as well Criss Cross and The Crimson Pirate, both starring Lancaster) and stars Ava Gardner, Edmond O'Brien and Sam Levene alongside the young Lancaster. The screenplay was attributed to Anthony Veiller although it was actually co-written by John Huston and Richard Brooks and the film almost didn't feature Burt Lancaster as Universal was unable to secure their first pick for the role, Wayne Morris, when Warner Brothers would not lend him to them.

The film starts off when two hired guns arrive in a small town at night searching for Ole "The Swede" Anderson (Lancaster). After getting information from some locals, they track him down and kill him, despite the fact that the Swede was warned but made no attempt to escape or change his fate. An insurance investigator (O'Brien) is sent in to examine the case and find the beneficiary of Anderson's policy and from there on in the film tells its story via a complex set of flashbacks in which it is revealed that Anderson once participated in a huge payroll robbery after his boxing career was cut short due to injury. The main reason for Anderson's descent into crime was Kitty Collins (Gardner), the femme fatale he fell in love with but who married crime boss"Big Jim" Colfax whilst Anderson did a short stint in jail, and we come to learn how it was her involvement in a web of crime, lies and deceit that ultimately led to Anderson's willing acceptance of his faith.
One of the truly great film noirs, The Killers features all the genre staples including voice-over narration, a complex flashback structure, a femme fatale, stark black and white photography, a crime gone awry and a downbeat ending. Additionally, the film's night-for-night opening scene is truly classic, not only for its true night setting but also for setting up the story in a truly intriguing fashion as Lancaster laconically accepts his own murder. The screenplay is strong and complex, the cinematography stylish and the film made an almost instantaneous star out of Lancaster whilst also doing wonders for the career of Ava Gardner, who became a genuine sex symbol as a result of her role as the sultry Kitty Collins. The Killers received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Screenplay, whilst it won Best Film at the Edgar Allan Poe Awards. A truly essential film noir.

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Hepatomegaly ::

What is Hepatomegaly?
Hepatomegaly is a condition that is identified as having an enlarged liver. Typically, the liver is tucked underneath the lower rib cage. If a swollen liver is found in an examination, then the abdomen appears distended. For the most part, any conditions and/or diseases may cause the onset of hepatomegaly. An enlarged liver is a symptom of an underlying condition that directly impacts the digestive system.
Because the liver performs many vital functions, the human body is unable to replace its role. Therefore, health professionals must determine what is causing the enlarged liver. Several risk factors that may pose a threat against the liver, such as alcoholism, hepatitis, smoking, different types of cancers and tumors, and a number of other conditions. Paying special attention to abnormal symptoms and signs may help health providers to pinpoint an accurate diagnosis.

Causes of Hepatomegaly ::
Hepatomegaly is the condition of having an enlarged liver. It is a nonspecific medical sign having many causes, which can broadly be broken down into infection, direct toxicity, hepatic tumours, or metabolic disorder.
Common Causes of Hepatomegaly are :
1. Infective
- Glandular fever (Infectious mononucleosis)
- Hepatitis (Although not all hepatitis viruses cause hepatomegaly)
- Liver abscess (pyogenic abscess and amoebic abscess)
- Malaria
- Amoeba infections
- Hydatid cyst
- Actinomycosis
2. Neoplastic
- Metastatic tumours secondary to spread from cancer in other organs (most common)
- Hemangiomas
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Myeloma
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
3. Cirrhotic
- Portal
- Biliary
- Cardio
- Haemochromatosis
4. Metabolic
- Fatty infiltration
- Gaucher's disease
- Glycogen Storage Disease types III, VI and IX
5. Drugs and toxins
- Alcoholism
- Poisoning
6. Congenital
- Hemolytic anemia
- Polycystic disease
- Cori's disease

Testing for Hepatomegaly

Screening for hepatomegaly is conducted to determine what conditions and/or diseases are causing an enlarged liver. It is important to note that a number of diseases and/or conditions may affect liver function. Tests for liver function, CT scans, X-rays, Ultrasound, and MRI are reliable indicators.
Diagnosing a disease and/or condition causing hepatomegaly relies on film and liver function results. Symptoms and signs contribute to diagnosing the underlying condition. It is possible that various types of cancers and/or tumors are compromising the liver. Therefore, screening for Hepatitis, congenital conditions, and performing scans of the abdomen may identify the source causing the enlarged liver.
The following are screenings and tests performed to determine the cause of hepatomegaly:

• Abdominal CT scans
• Abdominal X-rays 
• Abdominal MRI
• Abdominal Ultrasound
• Liver function test
• Blood test for Hepatitis
• Biopsy to rule out cancer

  Treating Hepatomegaly

  
  

  Treatments for hepatomegaly are determined by the condition causing the enlarged liver. For the most part, hepatomegaly is a condition of another underlying disease and/or disorder. As with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the presence of cancer cells and/or tumors within or near the liver require treatment options such as chemotherapy, advanced surgery, radiation therapy, and possible liver transplant to restore normal function.