Overproduction of endothelin-1 impairs glucose tolerance but does not promote visceral adipose tissue inflammation or limit metabolic adaptations to exercise.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor and proinflammatory peptide that is upregulated in obesity. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that ET-1 signaling promotes visceral adipose tissue (AT) inflammation and disrupts glucose homeostasis. We also tested if reduced ET-1 is a required mechanism by which exercise ameliorates AT inflammation and improves glycemic control in obesity.

Characterizing information decay in patient handoffs.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the decay of information with multiple sequential patient handoff reports given by third-year medical students who have not had standardized patient handoff training.

Methods: We examine the information decay of quantitative parameters included in 2 different simulated patient history and physical handoffs conducted among third-year medical students. Both student self-surveys and third party observer surveys tracked accuracy of information.

Methylene blue: a simple marker for intraoperative detection of gastroduodenal perforations during laparoscopic pyloromyotomy.

Introduction: We studied the feasibility of using methylene blue (MB) as a marker to detect mucosal perforations during laparoscopic pyloromyotomy using in vitro and in vivo animal models.

Materials And Methods: MB was initially tested in pig stomachs in vitro. Information gathered from these experiments was then used to test the marker during experimental live piglet laparoscopic surgery.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic colectomy: 70 cases-one surgeon.

This study reviewed the use of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery for colon resection. We described the six-year experience of one minimally invasive fellowship-trained surgeon performing 70 consecutive colectomies using the da Vinci system. Between September 2002 and 2007, data on 70 patients undergoing robotic colectomy for diverticular disease, polyps, cancer, or carcinoid tumor were collected.

Practice makes perfect: progressive improvement of laparoscopic pyloromyotomy results, with experience.

Introduction: Pyloric stenosis can now be treated effectively with laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (LP). Few large outcome studies have been published regarding the laparoscopic technique. In this paper, we describe our experience with the first 185 consecutive LPs.