The Impact of Smoking Status and Smoking-Related Comorbidities on Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patient Outcomes: A Causal Mediation Analysis.

Introduction: Smoking history is a known risk factor for significant chronic diseases as well as pulmonary infections; however, the impact of smoking status on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes has not been conclusively characterized. This study aims to evaluate the association of smoking status on COVID-19 outcomes, and to explore the mechanism by which smoking and smoking-related comorbidities relate to COVID-19 outcomes.

Aims And Methods: Patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infection from November 2020 through January 2021 were included in this study.

Association between insurance-mandated precertification criteria and inpatient healthcare utilization during 1 year after bariatric surgery.

Background: Insurance-mandated precertification requirements are barriers to bariatric surgery. The value of their prescription, based on insurance type rather that the clinical necessity, is unclear.

Objectives: To determine whether there is an association between insurance-mandated precertification criteria for bariatric surgery and short-term inpatient healthcare utilization.

COVID-19 patients with obesity at risk for worse outcomes despite younger age and fewer inflammatory derangements.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral pulmonary infection that can progress to cytokine storm syndrome because of widespread dysregulated inflammatory response. Many patients at risk for severe COVID-19 manifestation have been identified as those with preexisting conditions of pulmonary origin, as well as conditions that impair appropriate immune response, such as obesity.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe the manifestation, clinical course, and inflammatory biomarker milieu of COVID-19 in patients with obesity.

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.

The Ins2Akita mouse as a model of early retinal complications in diabetes.

Purpose: This study tested the Ins2(Akita) mouse as an animal model of retinal complications in diabetes. The Ins2(Akita) mutation results in a single amino acid substitution in the insulin 2 gene that causes misfolding of the insulin protein. The mutation arose and is maintained on the C57BL/6J background.