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D Dvorak

Publications and source records attributed to D Dvorak.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

A bittersweet dawn.

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Accidental Falls↗

A contemporaneous comparison of hospital charges for laparoscopic and open Nissen fundoplication.

Surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is increasingly recognized as a cost-effective alternative to long-term medical therapy. This fact, coupled with the advent of laparoscopic fundoplication as a safe and efficacious alternative to open surgery, underscores the importance of determining the costs associated with laparoscopic treatment. Hospital costs and charges of patients undergoing open (N = 9) and laparoscopic (N = 11) fundoplication were retrospectively analyzed. Both procedures were performed during the same time period (6/91-6/93), at the same hospital, and by the same surgical team. Operative time, and hospital stay, were recorded in addition to total, operating room, anesthesia, sterile supplies, and hospital room charges. Figures are reported as mean values +/- standard error of the mean. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for comparison of groups. Operative time (221 +/- 18 vs 165 +/- 12 min, P = 0.033) was longer in the laparoscopic group, while hospital stay (5.8 +/- 02 vs 8.8 +/- 04 days, P < 0.001) was significantly shorter. Total hospital costs were similar for both groups of patients ($14,615 +/- 863 vs $15,891 +/- 921, P = 0.247). Overall hospital charges were nearly identical ($26,634 +/- 1376 vs $27,189 +/- 1753, P = 0.803). A detailed analysis demonstrated cost shifting, with laparoscopic fundoplication resulting in significantly higher charges associated with events in the operating room. Operating room ($6,064 +/- 252 vs $4,283 +/- 380, P = 0.001), sterile supplies ($6,214 +/- 508 vs $5,403 +/- 390), and anesthesia charges ($1,593 +/- 76 vs $1,122 +/- 95, P < 0.001) were all greater in the laparoscopic group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Off-pathway synaptic transmission in the outer retina of the axolotl is mediated by a kainic acid-preferring receptor.

Intracellular recordings were made from OFF-centre bipolar cells and horizontal cells in the superfused axolotl retina eyecup preparation. Bath-applied (+/-)cis-2,3-piperidine dicarboxylic acid (PDA), gamma-D-glutamylglycine (DGG), L-glutamic acid diethyl ester (GDEE), (+/-)2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (2-APV) and magnesium ions were assessed as antagonists of the actions of the photoreceptor transmitter. The rank order of antagonist efficacy was PDA greater than DGG greater than greater than 2-APV = GDEE = Mg2+. The results indicate that transmission at OFF-pathway synapses in the outer retina of the axolotl is mediated by a kainic acid-preferring receptor.

Ambystoma↗

Development of sensitivity to acetylcholine in cultured chick embryo sympathetic ganglion neurones.

Dissociated sympathetic neurones from chick embryos of various ages were maintained in culture for several days and changes in sensitivity to iontophoretically applied acetylcholine (ACh) measured over 5 days in vitro. Neurones from 12-day embryos show a marked increase in ACh sensitivity, neurons from 14-day embryos a smaller change and those from 19-day embryos do not alter. These changes parallel those observed previously for binding of [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin.

Acetylcholine↗