Nitric oxide suppresses apoptosis via interrupting caspase activation and mitochondrial dysfunction in cultured hepatocytes.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis in many cell types, including hepatocytes. We and others have described NO-dependent decreases in caspase activity in cells undergoing apoptosis. However, previous work has not determined whether NO disrupts the proteolytic processing and thus the activation of pro-caspases.

Single dose cephalosporin prophylaxis in high-risk patients undergoing surgical treatment of the biliary tract.

During June 1985 through October 1986, 292 patients considered to be at high risk for having postoperative complications develop underwent cholecystectomy and were evaluated in a multicenter, randomized, prospective, double-blind study. Risk factors included age greater than 70 years, acute cholecystitis within the previous six months, obstructive jaundice, obesity and diabetes mellitus. One gram of cefamandole was administered intravenously to 144 patients and 148 patients received 1 gram of cefotaxime intravenously 30 minutes prior to skin incision.

Introduction of bias in residency-candidate interviews.

We have developed, as part of our resident applicant ranking process, a computerized weighted scoring system incorporating, among other variables, the interview score (IS). This study was undertaken to test the IS as a dependent variable when the applicant file is available during the interview. Over a 3-year period, each of two faculty members interviewed 133 candidates in a "blinded" fashion (file unavailable) or 290 candidates with an "open" file.

Endoscopic sclerosis of the gastric cardia for prevention of experimental gastroesophageal reflux.

Surgical anti-reflux therapy appears to involve the muscles of the proximal gastric cardia and those of the lower esophageal sphincter. In an experimental canine reflux model, we injected sclerosant solution into the submucosa of the proximal gastric cardia, hypothesizing that the subsequent fibrotic reaction might exert an anti-reflux effect. Reflux was induced by atropine infusion, and the amount of reflux was quantitated by pH monitoring.