Perioperative changes in left ventricular systolic function following surgical revascularization.

Background: Nearly 1/3rd of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) have left ventricular systolic dysfunction. However, the extent, direction and implications of perioperative changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have not been well characterized in these patients.

Methods: We studied the changes in LVEF among 549 patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF <50%) who underwent CABG as part of the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial.

The Critically Ill Without COVID-19 Infection During the COVID-19 Pandemic: an Analysis of Race and Ethnicity at an Urban Safety-Net Hospital.

Purpose: This investigation sought to compare admissions, length of stay, and mortality among medical intensive care unit (MICU) patients without coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection admitted to an urban safety-net hospital during the pandemic by patients' self-identified race and ethnicity.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study comparing MICU admissions before and during the first surge of COVID-19 illness at an urban, safety-net hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Results: MICU admissions declined from a pre-pandemic average of 968 to 761 during the first COVID surge, including 627 patients (82%) without COVID-19 infection.

National Trends in Bariatric Surgery 2012-2015: Demographics, Procedure Selection, Readmissions, and Cost.

Background: Bariatric surgery is widely accepted as the best treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and the sleeve gastrectomy (SG) have become the predominant bariatric procedures in the USA over the last several years, although the most recent trends in selection are unknown.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess selection trends, readmission rates, and cost of bariatric procedures in the USA from 2012 to 2015.

Ribose 5-phosphate glycation reduces cytochrome c respiratory activity and membrane affinity.

Spontaneous glycation of bovine heart cytochrome c (cyt c) by the sugar ribose 5-phosphate (R5P) weakens the ability of the heme protein to transfer electrons in the respiratory pathway and to bind to membranes. Trypsin fragmentation studies suggest the preferential sites of glycation include Lys72 and Lys87/88 of a cationic patch involved in the association of the protein with its respiratory chain partners and with cardiolipin-containing membranes. Reaction of bovine cyt c with R5P (50 mM) for 8 h modified the protein in a manner that weakened its ability to transfer electrons to cytochrome oxidase by 60%.