Impact of Racial Disparities in Preoperative Cardiovascular Evaluation and Surgical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Background We investigated preoperative referral patterns, rates of cardiovascular testing, surgical wait times, and postoperative outcomes in White versus Black, Hispanic, or other racial or ethnic groups of patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery. Methods and Results This was a single center retrospective cohort analysis of 797 consecutive patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery from January 2014 to December 2018; 86% (n=682) were Black, Hispanic, or other racial or ethnic groups. White versus Black, Hispanic, or other racial or ethnic groups had similar baseline comorbidities and were referred for preoperative cardiovascular evaluation in similar proportion (65% versus 68%, =0.

Changes in Antihypertensive Medication Following Bariatric Surgery.

Obesity is a leading cause of hypertension (i.e., high blood pressure [BP]).

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with obesity undergoing bariatric care.

Background: Patients with obesity are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19. The pandemic has caused delays in preoperative preparation, progression, and completion of bariatric surgeries.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on bariatric surgery patients and assess their concern of COVID-19 as they continue the preoperative process.

A Provocative Molecular Link between Mammographic Density and BRCA1-loss associated TNBC.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive form of breast cancer that has a high mortality rate and disproportionately affects young African American (AA) women who carry mutations in the BRCA1 gene. Approximately 80% of breast cancers which develop in BRCA1-mutant carriers will have TNBC and the molecular mechanism facilitating tumor development is unclear. Our earlier work suggested Ubc9 to play a critical role in BRCA1 loss mediated TNBC cell migration and metastasis.

Electrical synaptic transmission in developing zebrafish: properties and molecular composition of gap junctions at a central auditory synapse.

In contrast to the knowledge of chemical synapses, little is known regarding the properties of gap junction-mediated electrical synapses in developing zebrafish, which provide a valuable model to study neural function at the systems level. Identifiable "mixed" (electrical and chemical) auditory synaptic contacts known as "club endings" on Mauthner cells (2 large reticulospinal neurons involved in tail-flip escape responses) allow exploration of electrical transmission in fish. Here, we show that paralleling the development of auditory responses, electrical synapses at these contacts become anatomically identifiable at day 3 postfertilization, reaching a number of ∼6 between days 4 and 9.

Effect of dietary vitamin D and calcium on the growth of androgen-insensitive human prostate tumor in a murine model.

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of prostate cancer (PC) in epidemiologic and prospective studies. An association has also been made between high dietary calcium and increased PC risk. In this study, we evaluated the effect of dietary vitamin D and calcium on the growth of human androgen-insensitive prostate tumor in an athymic mouse model.

A vitamin D receptor-alkylating derivative of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits growth of human kidney cancer cells and suppresses tumor growth.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)₂D₃] has shown strong promise as an antiproliferative agent in several malignancies, yet its therapeutic use has been limited by its toxicity leading to search for analogues with antitumor property and low toxicity. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo properties of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃-3-bromoacetate [1,25(OH)₂D₃-3-BE], an alkylating derivative of 1,25(OH)₂D₃, as a potential therapeutic agent for renal cancer. Dose response of 1,25(OH)₂D₃-3-BE in 2 kidney cancer cell lines was evaluated for its antiproliferative and apoptotic properties, and mechanisms were evaluated by Western blot and FACS analyses.

Anti-growth effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-3-bromoacetate alone or in combination with 5-amino-imidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-4-ribofuranoside in pancreatic cancer cells.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3)-3-bromoacetate (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-3-BE) is a vitamin D receptor-alkylating derivative of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). The strong dose-dependent antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of this compound in androgen-sensitive and androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cells have been reported. In this communication, it is reported that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-3-BE strongly inhibits the growth of several pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Prospective comparison of admission computed tomographic scan and plain films of the upper cervical spine in trauma patients with altered mental status.

Objective: The accurate evaluation of patients with multiple injuries is logistically complex and time sensitive, and must be cost-effective. We hypothesize that computed tomographic (CT) scan of the upper cervical spine (occiput to C3 [Co-C3]) would add little to the initial evaluation of patients with multiple injuries who have altered mental status.

Methods: The study consisted of a prospective, unblinded, consecutive series.

Effect of dopamine infusion on hemodynamics after hepatic denervation.

Background: . The effects of dopamine (DA) on systemic hemodynamics are better understood than its effects on hepatic hemodynamics, especially after liver denervation occurring during liver transplantation. Therefore, a porcine model was used to study DA's effects on hemodynamics after hepatic denervation.

Hypothermia, coagulopathy, and acidosis.

The management of patients requiring a damage control approach taxes the abilities of the best equipped trauma center. These patients present with severe metabolic abnormalities, most notably characterized by a deadly triad of hypothermia, coagulopathy, and acidosis. Using volumetric, oxymetric pulmonary artery catheters, hypothermia and any ongoing cardiovascular abnormalities can be identified quickly and treatment can be monitored.

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: a complication after systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Background: Patients are surviving previously fatal injuries. Unique morbidities are occurring in these survivors. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy represents a previously unrecognized cause of blindness in the trauma victim.

Is routine arteriography mandatory for penetrating injury to zone 1 of the neck? Zone 1 Penetrating Neck Injury Study Group.

Objective: Surgical dogma dictates that the evaluation of all penetrating zone 1 neck injuries must include arteriography to reliably exclude arterial injury requiring operation. This study was done to determine whether patients with normal findings at physical examination (PE) and on chest radiographs (CXR) really do require arteriography to identify occult, surgically important arterial injuries.

Methods: All penetrating zone 1 neck injuries in five Level I trauma centers over a 10-year period were reviewed retrospectively.

Hypothermia in critically ill trauma patients.

Objective: To determine the incidence and mortality of hypothermia in trauma patients.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients admitted to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) over 4 1/2 years. Hypothermia was defined as a temperature < 35 degrees C.

Elective bedside surgery in critically injured patients is safe and cost-effective.

Objective: The success of elective minimally invasive surgery suggested that this concept could be adapted to the intensive care unit. We hypothesized that minimally invasive surgery could be done safely and cost-effectively at the bedside in critically injured patients.

Summary Background Data: This case series, conducted between October 1991 and June 1997 at a Level I trauma center, examined bedside dilatational tracheostomy (BDT), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), and inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement.

The long-term complications of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy was adopted at our institution, because it was demonstrated to be more cost effective than standard open tracheostomy in critically ill patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome and complication rate of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in critically ill patients. We performed a consecutive case study of all Level I trauma patients from August 1991 to May 1994 who underwent percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.

Abdominal compartment syndrome. The Nashville experience.

Intra-abdominal hypertension is an unusual and often lethal syndrome. It is most often seen in critically ill surgical patients. The most important component of therapy is reduction of intra-abdominal pressure.

Analysis of complications and long-term outcome of trauma patients with needle catheter jejunostomy.

Enteral feedings demonstrably lower the risk of septic complications. However, complications associated with the specific method of enteral feeding may diminish the intended benefits. The objective was to determine the short and long-term complications associated with needle catheter jejunostomy (NCJ).

Children's traffic safety program: influence of early elementary school safety education on family seat belt use.

Hypothesis: Young children can learn safety behavior in the public school system. These children will modify family seat belt use. SETTING DESIGN: This is a prospective cohort analytic study conducted in a 50,000 square mile regionalized trauma center referral area.

Pneumococcal clearance function of the intact autotransplanted spleen.

Objective: To determine if the venous drainage of the spleen into the portal circulation is essential for its ability to protect against encapsulated bacterial challenge.

Design And Interventions: Three groups of dogs were randomly assigned to undergo either sham laparotomy, splenectomy, or splenectomy with autotransplantation of the intact spleen into the pelvis and formation of vascular anastomoses to the iliac vessels. Two weeks post-operatively, the dogs received a sublethal intravenous injection of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 25.