Robotic versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy inpatient analysis: does the end justify the means?

Background And Objectives: Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy (RAC) was introduced several years ago. With its more extensive use by surgeons, more information is needed regarding clinical and economic outcomes.

Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample from the Health Cost Utilization Project was analyzed using HCUPnet, National Inpatient Sample (NIS) datasets and SAS 9.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy mutations demonstrate functions of the C-terminal end-segment of troponin I.

The C-terminal end-segment of Troponin I (TnI) corresponding to the last 27-33 amino acids is the most conserved structure of TnI and interacts with tropomyosin in a Ca(2+)-regulated manner, suggesting a role in muscle relaxation. Mutations in the C-terminal end-segment of cardiac TnI cause restrictive cardiomyopathy. Here we demonstrate that mouse cardiac TnI containing R193H or R205H mutation have significantly conformational changes in the region interfacing with troponin T (TnT) and increased binding affinity for TnT.

Changes in GABAergic and non-GABAergic synapses during chronic ethanol exposure and withdrawal in the dentate fascia of LS and SS mice.

Ethanol-sensitive LSIBG and ethanol-insensitive SSIBG mice were exposed to ethanol (23.5% ethanol-derived calories) for 4 months. Half of the animals was sacrificed at this time and the other half was withdrawn from the ethanol diet for 1 month.