A retrospective review of 200 patients with acute cholecystitis, half of whom underwent open cholecystectomy and half of whom underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, was performed. The two groups were compared for demographic characteristics, operative course, cost of intervention, and surgical outcome. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis was accomplished with an acceptable morbidity and provided an earlier release from the hospital and return to normal activities with a significant economic savings as compared to the traditional open approach.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Spinal and peripheral modulation of gastric acid secretion and arterial pressure by neuropeptide Y, peptide YY, and pancreatic polypeptide in rats.

Spinal and peripheral modulation of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion by the pancreatic polypeptide-fold (PP-fold) peptides, neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide YY (PYY), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP), in urethane-anesthetized rats was evaluated. Neuropeptide Y, PYY, and PP (400 pmol) were administered via intravenous (IV) and intrathecal (IT) injections. The alpha 2 antagonist, yohimbine, was used to evaluate the role of the alpha 2 adrenergic receptors in the modulation of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion by NPY, PYY, and PP. Peptide YY and PP (IV) rapidly increased pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. Peptide YY and PP (IT) increased pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion following administration into the thoracic (T8-T10) region of the spinal cord. The alpha 2 adrenergic receptor antagonist, yohimbine, did not modify the increases in pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion following PYY and PP (IV or IT) administration. Neuropeptide Y (IT) decreased pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. However, in the presence of alpha 2 adrenergic receptor blockade, pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion was potentiated by NPY (IT) administration. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of NPY (IT) on pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion required the activation of alpha 2 adrenergic receptors in the spinal cord of rats. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was increased immediately following NPY and PYY (IV) administration. During the same time period, PP (IV) decreased MAP in anesthetized rats. Mean arterial blood pressure was rapidly increased by NPY and PYY (IT) in anesthetized rats. The increase in MAP following PYY (IT) was partially attenuated in the presence of yohimbine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[On the determination of changes in the large periodic structure of collagen (author's transl)].

Changes in the large periodic structure of collagen were investigated with the aid of synchrotron radiation. Following results were obtained: 1) Macroscopic extension results in elastic deformation of the elements which are determinant for the structure. 2) The increase of the large period is not proportional to the macroscopic stress. 3) The interpretation of these facts requires a mechanical coupling between the structural units. Up to extensions of 4% this coupling is produced by means of a viscoelastic matrix. 4) In all probability the polypeptide helices are deformed in an inhomogeneous mode. The results were set against measurements on human tendon and on artificially crosslinked collagen. The relations between the mechanical behaviour and the change of the large period were compared with the properties of a mathematical model.

Animals↗