Quality of life after single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized,clinical trial

Background

Controversy continues as to whether single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with the somewhat larger incision at the umbilicus, may lead to a worse postoperative quality of life and more pain compared with the more classic 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to compare single-incision and 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy from the perspective of quality of life.

CYP2E1 and ALDH2 Genotypes and Alcohol Dependence in Japanese

The genotypes of the CYP2E1 and ALDH2 loci of alcoholic (alcohol dependence) and nonalcoholic (healthy) Japanese were investigated to examine the relationship between the polymorphism of CYP2E1 (C₁/C₂) and ALDH2 ( ALDH2*1/ALDH2*2 ), and the susceptibility to alcoholism. There was no significant difference in C₂ gene frequency between alcoholics (0.19) and nonalcoholics (controls) (0.20), whereas there was a significant difference in ALDH2 allele frequency, suggesting that, in Japanese, the C₂ genotype of CYP2E1 may have nothing to do with the risk of developing alcohol dependence. However, the ALDH2*1 allele may influence drinking behavior and the development of alcohol dependence. Furthermore, racial interethnic differences in the frequency of the mutated allele of the CYP2E1 gene (CJ were found, like the ALDH2 gene. Japanese healthy controls showed a significantly higher frequency of the C₂ allele than did Swedish healthy controls (0.05; reported by Persson et al., FEBS Lett. 319:207-211,1993).     

Long-term follow-up after aortic valve replacement with a small aortic prosthesis.

Although aortic valve replacement (AVR) is an effective treatment for patients with aortic valvular disease, the implantation of a small aortic prosthesis may result in residual left ventricular outflow stenosis and transvalvular gradient. In this study, the outcome in the long-term period of patients treated with a small aortic prosthesis was analyzed retrospectively. Twenty-four patients with AVR were divided into two groups, group A and group B. Group A consisted of 16 patients with 21 mm-sized prosthetic valves, and group B consisted of 8 patients with 19 or 16 mm-sized prosthetic valves. There were no significant differences in preoperative cardiac function or operative procedure in the two groups. The mean follow-up period (months) was 55.0 in group A and 51.3 in group B. RESULTS: One patient died of cerebral infarction in group A. There were no significant differences in cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) between the two groups. Postoperative physical activity according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification showed no significant differences in the two groups. Despite using a small prostheses for AVR, the postoperative course was good in the long-term period, although careful follow-up is necessary.     

Kindling of the visual cortex in cats: comparison with amygdaloid kindling

Kindling of the primary visual cortex (VC) was compared with that of the amygdala in cats. VC kindling was basically similar to kindling of the amygdala in that daily electrical stimulation can lead to the development of a generalized convulsion in most subjects, a growth of afterdischarges in their configuration and duration, and a reduction of the afterdischarge threshold. The kindling response of the VC differed from that of the amygdala in a number of respects, i.e., a high afterdischarge threshold, a different pattern of behavioral seizure development, an abrupt growth of electroclinical seizures coincident with the onset of a generalized convulsion, an intersubject variability in seizure susceptibility, and a marked seizure instability. In VC kindling the afterdischarge propagation into the amygdala was not observed until the generalized convulsion developed, and the early involvement of afterdischarge was seen in the pulvinar, lateral geniculate body, and superior colliculus. These data suggest that a neural mechanism different from amygdaloid kindling may participate in VC kindling, and that the subcortical structures of the visual system are involved in the preferential pathway for a seizure generalization from the VC.     

Pancreatic metastasis of malignant melanoma diagnosed by EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA)]

Pancreatic metastasis of malignant melanoma is rarely diagnosed while the patient is alive. We report a case of metastatic melanoma of the pancreas in a 35-year-old woman presenting with a solid mass of the pancreas. Her past medical history included a radical hysterectomy 2 years previously for malignant melanoma of the vagina. Twelve months later, lung metastasis was also resected. EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) identified that the pancreatic tumor was histologically and immunohistochemically identical to the surgical specimen of her lung neoplasm. Imaging studies including US, CT, and MRI have limited value to distinguish the tumors from primary ductal adenocarcinoma. EUS-FNA can provide tissue diagnosis from pancreatic masses, specifically when other modalities have failed.     

Studies on isolated smooth muscle cells. IX. Application of papain for isolation of single smooth muscle cells from guinea-pig taenia coli

To prepare single smooth muscle cells from the taenia coli of guinea pig, the application of papain to the enzymatic solution was examined under two conditions: 1) the isolation in a modified Tyrode solution (containing 0.18 mM Ca2+: 0.18 mM Ca2+-Tyrode solution) and 2) the isolation in a high-K+ Tyrode solution (Na+ was replaced by K+, and Ca2+ was not added: high-K+ Tyrode solution). The presence of papain during collagenase digestion reduced contamination of broken cells and cell debris. In the case of the high-K+ Tyrode solution, papain increased the yield of single cells significantly. The cells were contracted in a dose-dependent manner by Ca2+ in the high-K+ Tyrode solution and by carbachol in 0.18 mM Ca2+-Tyrode solution; furthermore, the contractions were antagonized by verapamil and atropine, respectively. Treatment with papain did not affect cell sensitivity to the stimulants. Therefore, our results suggest that the addition of papain is useful for the isolation of single cells to investigate the physiological and pharmacological characteristics of smooth muscle.     

Regeneration of the hamstring tendons after harvesting for arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a histological study in 11 patients

The purpose of our study is to evaluate whether the hamstring tendons can regrow after harvesting for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and whether the regenerate tissue can be histologically characterized as tendinous. Eleven of the patients (eight female and three male; mean age, 23 years; range 17–37 years) consented to participate in this study. One year after the ACL reconstruction, surgical biopsy was done. Regeneration of the tendon was detected macroscopically in 9 of the 11 patients. Histologically and immunohistochemically, the regenerated tendons closely resembled normal ones. The results of this study show the hamstring tendons can regenerate after harvesting for the ACL reconstruction.