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Kvasnovsky et al evaluated programmatic changes in Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers to expand screening mammography, develop on-site breast care resources, and better coordinate care with non-VA facilities.

Emr and colleagues aimed to demonstrate that (1) mechanical ventilation with tidal volume and positive end-expiratory pressure settings used routinely on surgery patients causes acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome in normal rats and (2) preemptive application of airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) blocks drivers of lung injury and prevents acute respiratory distress syndrome.

In a randomized controlled experiment, Kovalenko and Basson determine whether schlafen 3 (but not other schlafen proteins) act in vivo and whether its effects are limited to the small intestine.

Holman et al compare pain at the harvest site and functional changes associated with harvesting the radial artery vs saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafting.

To determine the safety and effectiveness of endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS)–guided transbronchial needle aspiration as a key component of a preoperative staging algorithm for lung cancer in veterans, Cornwell et al compared groups undergoing EBUS vs PET/CT only. The accuracy of nodal staging was compared with the final pathological staging after complete nodal dissection. See the Invited Commentary by Fisichella.

In a retrospective analysis of data from the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program, Bakaeen et al examine trends in off- and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting use and outcomes over time. See the Invited Commentary by Sako.

Chaturvedi et al tested the hypothesis that teduglutide impairs human intestinal epithelial differentiation. Caco-2 cells were treated with 0 to 1000nM teduglutide for 72 hours. The cell cycle was analyzed by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation or propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry, and cell proliferation was measured by MTS tetrazolium dye assay.

In a retrospective study, Liang and coauthors compare the outcomes of patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with the outcomes of patients who underwent open ventral hernia repair. See the invited commentary by Sarosi.

Gayed et al describe the Joint Replacement Program system redesign project initiated following the Vision-Analysis-Team-Aim-Map-Measure-Change-Sustain (VA-TAMMCS) model to increase efficiency, decrease length of stay, and reduce non-VA care costs following total hip and knee replacements. Itani provides an invited commentary.

Pappas et al review their experience with the Frey procedure for the management of chronic pancreatitis related to pancreas divisum. See Invited Commentary by Nath et al.

Bechara et al describe management of inadvertent carotid artery sheath insertion placed intraoperatively during attempted jugular venous cannulation for pulmonary artery catheter placement. Indes and Dardik provide an invited commentary.