Blog@Case Topics: School of Medicinehttp://blog.case.edu/topics/School%20of%20MedicinePatricia Schellenbachpatricia.schellenbach@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsPaula Baughnpaula.baughn@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsAmy Raufmanamy.raufman@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/supportDebra Crawforddebra.crawford@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/communityKimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsHeidi Coolheidi.cool@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsMarsha Braggmarsha.myhand@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsKevin Adamskevin.adams@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsLatisha Jameslatisha.james@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/community2010-02-05T19:20:57ZCase Western Reserve Works with <br /> Johnson &amp; Johnson Services, Inc. <br />to Improve Human Healthhttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2010/02/05/johnsonjohnsongrant2010-02-05T19:16:14Z2010-02-05T19:20:57ZCase Western Reserve University has received a $250,000 challenge grant from Johnson &amp; Johnson Services, Inc. through The Johnson &amp; Johnson Corporate Office of Science and Technology (COSAT), and its affiliates. The university will utilize this research grant to support science, medicine and engineering projects to improve human health.

Case Western Reserve University has received a $250,000 challenge grant from Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. through The Johnson & Johnson Corporate Office of Science and Technology (COSAT), and its affiliates. The university will utilize this research grant to support science, medicine and engineering projects to improve human health.

CWRU will match or possibly exceed COSAT's commitment in support of these projects. Applicants for these grants must be affiliated with a CWRU school or department, and preference for funding will be given to interdisciplinary and translational projects. Grants will range in size from $50,000 to $100,000.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsCase Western Reserve Receives $2.8M to Further Breast Cancer Researchhttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2010/01/27/dodgrants2010-01-27T17:13:42Z2010-01-27T17:33:10ZCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine has been awarded six Department of Defense (DOD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) grants for innovative medical research. The grants, totaling nearly $2.8 million, will advance research in the field of breast cancer.
School of Medicine Receives Six Department of Defense Grants

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has been awarded six Department of Defense (DOD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) grants for innovative medical research. The grants, totaling nearly $2.8 million, will advance research in the field of breast cancer.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsCornea Cell Density Predictive of Graft Failure at Six Months Post Transplanthttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2010/01/19/corneatransplant2010-01-19T17:59:28Z2010-01-19T18:52:10Z<p>A new predictor of cornea transplant success has been identified by the Cornea Donor Study (CDS) Investigator Group. New analysis of data from the 2008 Specular Microscopy Ancillary Study (SMAS), a subset of the CDS, found that the preoperative donor cell count of endothelial cells, previously considered to be an important predictor of a successful transplant, did not correlate with graft success. Instead the study found that a patient’s endothelial cell count six months post-cornea transplant is a better indicator of subsequent failure of the graft rather than the donor’s cell count. These results offer an additional, reliable indicator of success that surgeons can use for monitoring patients at the six-month milestone after transplantation. </p>
Cornea Donor Study Investigator Group Finds Preoperative Cell Density Not a Factor in Success

A new predictor of cornea transplant success has been identified by the Cornea Donor Study (CDS) Investigator Group. New analysis of data from the 2008 Specular Microscopy Ancillary Study (SMAS), a subset of the CDS, found that the preoperative donor cell count of endothelial cells, previously considered to be an important predictor of a successful transplant, did not correlate with graft success. Instead the study found that a patient’s endothelial cell count six months post-cornea transplant is a better indicator of subsequent failure of the graft rather than the donor’s cell count. These results offer an additional, reliable indicator of success that surgeons can use for monitoring patients at the six-month milestone after transplantation.

Endothelial cells form the back layer of the cornea and keep the cornea clear and prevent it from swelling. Previously it was thought that the more endothelial cells/mm2 in the donor cornea, the better, which put pressure on the eye banks to have donors with the highest count possible to distribute to corneal surgeons. However, the SMAS findings show no correlation between it and a patient’s graft success rate five-years post transplant, as long as the industry standard minimum of 2,000 cells/mm2 was met. The results of this study are published in the January issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-news<em>Ardi</em> Discovery is <em>Science</em>'s Breakthrough of the Year for 2009http://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/12/23/ardi2009sciencebreakthrough2009-12-23T18:07:21Z2009-12-23T18:18:39ZThe Science Breakthrough of the Year for 2009 is the discovery and analysis of a 4.4 million-year-old hominid skeleton, nicknamed Ardi, which has rewritten the book on human evolution. Several Case Western Reserve University researchers were involved in the discovery.

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The Science Breakthrough of the Year for 2009 is the discovery and analysis of a 4.4 million-year-old hominid skeleton, nicknamed Ardi, which has rewritten the book on human evolution.

Science and its publisher, The American Association for the Advancement of Science, recognize the research done on Ardipithecus ramidus fossils as this year's top breakthrough, appropriately enough, during the year of Darwin.

Scientists from Northeast Ohio were among the researchers who published 11 papers this year, describing a possible human ancestor in the midst of changing from climbing on all fours to walking upright.

The Ardipithecus research "changes the way we think about early human evolution, and it represents the culmination of 15 years of painstaking, highly collaborative research by 47 scientists of diverse expertise from nine nations, who carefully analyzed 150,000 specimens of fossilized animals and plants," said Bruce Alberts, editor-in-chief of Science , in a related editorial.

Ardi is far different from the chimpanzees so often thought to be the model of our forebears. The fossils show that human ancestors and apes were already evolving away from each other more than 4 million years ago, explained Scott W. Simpson, associate professor of anatomy at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and research associate at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsNational Institute of Aging Awards $16 Million to Study Unexplained Anemia in Older Adultshttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/12/21/pactte2009-12-21T17:06:19Z2009-12-21T18:35:48ZCase Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center will participate in a consortium of the nation’s leading experts formed to investigate why unexplained anemia is common in older adults. The consortium, which is the result of a $16 million grant awarded by the National Institute on Aging, will spend the next six years conducting clinical trials and translational studies with the goal of developing better treatments.
Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center to participate in consortium to investigate why unexplained anemia is common in older adults

Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center will participate in a consortium of the nation’s leading experts formed to investigate why unexplained anemia is common in older adults. The consortium, which is the result of a $16 million grant awarded by the National Institute on Aging, will spend the next six years conducting clinical trials and translational studies with the goal of developing better treatments.

To date, little to no research has focused on unexplained anemia which accounts for one-third of cases in the elderly. "The population has been difficult to define and it has been challenging to enroll participants in clinical trials," says Harvey J. Cohen, MD, Director of the Center for the Study of Aging at Duke University Medical Center, who will serve as the overall principal investigator of the consortium, known as Partnership for Anemia: Clinical and Translational Trials in the Elderly (PACTTE).

"The overall goal of this study is to identify underlying causes of unexplained anemia in the elderly and to develop new strategies for its treatment" says Nathan A. Berger, M.D., Director of the program at Case Western Reserve University and an oncologist at University Hospitals Case Medical Center.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsNew England Journal of Medicine Publishes Case Western Reserve Review of the "Molecular Basis of Colorectal Cancer"http://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/12/17/markowitzbertagnolli2009-12-17T17:28:55Z2009-12-17T17:39:57ZAs researchers and clinicians fervently look for causes and cures for colorectal cancer--simultaneously generating thousands of studies producing more and more promising results – Dr. Sanford Markowitz, professor and researcher of cancer and genetics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and oncologist at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, today published his forward-looking view of the "Molecular Basis of Colorectal Cancer" in the Dec. 17, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, with co-author, Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, from the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
Professor Dr. Sanford Markowitz details promising findings leading to reducing the burden of the disease

Every year in the United States, 160,000 cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed, and 57,000 patients die of the disease, making it the second leading cause of death from cancer among adults, after lung cancer.

As researchers and clinicians fervently look for causes and cures for colorectal cancer--simultaneously generating thousands of studies producing more and more promising results – Dr. Sanford Markowitz, professor and researcher of cancer and genetics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and oncologist at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, today published his forward-looking view of the "Molecular Basis of Colorectal Cancer" in the Dec. 17, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine , with co-author, Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, from the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School.

"Today's challenges are to understand the molecular basis of individual susceptibility to colorectal cancer and to determine factors that initiate the development of the tumor, drive its progression, and determine its responsiveness or resistance to antitumor agents," wrote Dr. Markowitz.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsResearchers Take the Inside Route to Halt Bleedinghttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/12/16/syntheticplatelets2009-12-16T19:00:34Z2009-12-16T19:05:11ZBlood loss is a major cause of death from roadside bombs to freeway crashes. Traumatic injury, the leading cause of death for people age 4 to 44, often overwhelms the body's natural blood-clotting process. In an effort to enhance the natural process, a team led by Erin Lavik, a new Case Western Reserve University biomedical engineering professor, and her former doctoral student, James P. Bertram, built synthetic platelets that show promise in halting internal and external bleeding. Their work is published in Science Translational Medicine.
Synthetic platelets halve clotting time

Erin Lavik

Blood loss is a major cause of death from roadside bombs to freeway crashes. Traumatic injury, the leading cause of death for people age 4 to 44, often overwhelms the body's natural blood-clotting process.

In an effort to enhance the natural process, a team led by Erin Lavik, a new Case Western Reserve University biomedical engineeringprofessor, and her former doctoral student, James P. Bertram, built synthetic platelets that show promise in halting internal and external bleeding.

Their work is published in Science Translational Medicine.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsCase Western Reserve University Grants Option to Startup Thermalin Diabetes Inc. for Insulin Analog Therapieshttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/12/14/thermalindiabetes2009-12-14T17:53:39Z2009-12-14T18:03:53ZCase Western Reserve University has granted an 18-month, exclusive option to startup Thermalin Diabetes Inc. regarding a portfolio of insulin analogs. The company must reach certain milestones in order to exercise its option to obtain an exclusive license on therapies designed to help patients with diabetes.
Research Leads to Advancements in Treatment of Diabetes Patients

Case Western Reserve University has granted an 18-month, exclusive option to startup Thermalin Diabetes Inc. regarding a portfolio of insulin analogs. The company must reach certain milestones in order to exercise its option to obtain an exclusive license on therapies designed to help patients with diabetes.

Cleveland-based Thermalin Diabetes is developing treatments that it hopes will become an important part of the $12 billion, rapidly growing insulin market. Insulin is a therapeutic protein used to manage blood sugar levels. Innovations in the 1990s led to the introduction of insulin analogs with superior therapeutic performance.

"This is one of the coolest technologies that we've seen, because of the potential to serve mankind," said Joseph Jankowski, Case Western Reserve's associate vice president for technology management within the university's Technology Transfer Office.

Potential for improved treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes results from the work of Michael Weiss, chair of the Department of Biochemistry at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine. His approximately 20 years of research into the structure and function of biological molecules has focused on insulin, insulin analogs and insulin receptors.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsCase Western Reserve to Receive $19.7M to Study Tuberculosis Treatment Drugshttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/12/10/tuberculosistrialsconsortium2009-12-10T15:32:59Z2009-12-10T15:50:25ZJohn L. Johnson, M.D., Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and pulmonologist at University Hospitals Case Medical Center has been awarded a 10 year, $19.7M contract from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an international clinical trials site for the Tuberculosis Trials Consortium (TBTC). TBTC, established in 1993, is a partnership of U.S. and international clinical investigators who conduct research about the diagnosis, medical treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis (TB) infection and disease.
School of Medicine is One of 20 Worldwide Research Sites to Receive Funding from CDC

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John L. Johnson, M.D., Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and pulmonologist at University Hospitals Case Medical Center has been awarded a 10 year, $19.7M contract from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an international clinical trials site for the Tuberculosis Trials Consortium (TBTC). TBTC, established in 1993, is a partnership of U.S. and international clinical investigators who conduct research about the diagnosis, medical treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis (TB) infection and disease.

As the principal investigator, Dr. Johnson will lead two research teams in the testing of new drugs and shorter and simpler regimens for the treatment of TB that will benefit patients worldwide.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsCase Western Reserve Researchers New Pathway Discovery Published as 'Paper of the Week'http://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/12/10/paperoftheweek2009-12-10T13:09:09Z2009-12-17T17:35:36ZCase Western Reserve University researchers, from the School of Medicine's Department of Nutrition, discovered two new metabolic pathways by which products of lipid peroxidation and some drugs of abuse, known as 4-hydroxyacids, are metabolized. The pathways were identified by a combination of metabolomics and mass isotopomer analysis. The findings shed new light on the mechanism of action of the drug of abuse gamma-hydroxybutyrate, also known as “the date rape drug.” The manuscript published in the November 27 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry was named a "Paper of the Week." Such papers are chosen from the top one percent of all articles submitted to the prestigious peer-reviewed journal. This type of rare breakthrough sets the ground work for future discoveries.
Journal of Biological Chemistry identifies a study conducted at the School of Medicine study as an "exemplary prototype"

Case Western Reserve University researchers, from the School of Medicine's Department of Nutrition, discovered two new metabolic pathways by which products of lipid peroxidation and some drugs of abuse, known as 4-hydroxyacids, are metabolized. The pathways were identified by a combination of metabolomics and mass isotopomer analysis. The findings shed new light on the mechanism of action of the drug of abuse gamma-hydroxybutyrate, also known as “the date rape drug.†The manuscript published in the November 27 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry was named a "Paper of the Week." Such papers are chosen from the top one percent of all articles submitted to the prestigious peer-reviewed journal. This type of rare breakthrough sets the ground work for future discoveries.

This work was supported by a RoadMap grant from the National Institutes of Health, a grant from the National Institute of Environment Health Sciences, as well as by a grant from the Cleveland Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation. The RoadMap grant funded the development of metabolomics at Case Western Reserve, as well as the acquisition of a top-of-the-line mass spectrometer. This instrument allowed this and multiple other studies to be conducted. The RoadMap initiative allowed a quantum jump in the development of metabolic research at the School of Medicine.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsCase Western Reserve Faculty Helping to Research Obseity Trends, Solutions in Chinahttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/12/03/shanghaihealthsymposium2009-12-03T17:39:53Z2009-12-03T19:15:47ZLi Li, associate professor of family medicine and associate director for prevention research in the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Nathan A. Berger, Hanna-Payne Professor of Experimental Medicine, co-director of The Aging Cancer Research Program and director of the Center for Science, Health and Society at Case Western Reserve, were featured participants in the Fourth International Symposium on Community Health and Family Medicine in Shanghai, Zhabei, on Nov. 11. The Case Western Reserve physicians met with Shanghai government officials, physicians from Zhabei and public health faculty from Fudan University to analyze data from the Zhabei 2020 health survey to further define changes and the relation of energy balance, obesity and cancer, and to design more effective cancer screening, prevention and control strategies.

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Li Li, associate professor of family medicine and associate director for prevention research in the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Nathan A. Berger, Hanna-Payne Professor of Experimental Medicine, co-director of the Aging Cancer Research Program and director of the Center for Science, Health and Society at Case Western Reserve, were featured participants in the Fourth International Symposium on Community Health and Family Medicine in Shanghai, Zhabei, on Nov. 11.

The conference was co-sponsored by the Shanghai Zhabei District Health Bureau, China; the Department of Family Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, the School of Public Health, Fudan University, and the Shanghai City Committee of Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party. The fourth in a series, the conference focused on changing and improving health and health management in Zhabei District Shanghai, which has a population of over 1.1 million residents.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsCase Western Reserve School of Medicine Receives a Robert Wood Johnson Grant to Establish a Public Health Practice Based Research Networkhttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/11/23/raphigrant2009-11-23T14:53:07Z2009-11-23T14:57:07ZCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine has received a Robert Wood Johnson grant to fund a Public Health Practice Based Research Network called The Ohio Research Association for Public Health Improvement (RAPHI). The grant, $90,000 over two years, was one of 7 practice-based research networks awarded this year, making the School of Medicine one of only 12 networks in the country.
Case Western Reserve is one of only 12 networks in the country to help improve services to the public

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine has received a Robert Wood Johnson grant to fund a Public Health Practice Based Research Network called The Ohio Research Association for Public Health Improvement (RAPHI). The grant, $90,000 over two years, was one of 7 practice-based research networks awarded this year, making the School of Medicine one of only 12 networks in the country.

"With increasing threats to public health and safety from emerging infections such as H1N1, climate change, and infections spread through the food chain, the need for public health is greater and more visible than ever," said Scott Frank, MD, MS, Co-Principal Investigator, director of the CWRU School of Medicine Master of Public Health (MPH) Program, and Health Commissioner for Shaker Heights, Ohio. "Finding solutions to health problems such as chronic disease, obesity, mental health, and substance abuse will depend on an effective public health system."

Public Health Practice-Based Research Networks (PHBRN) is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) that supports the development of research networks for studying the reach, effectiveness, efficiency and equity of public health practice. A practice-based research network brings multiple public health agencies together to design and implement studies in real-world practice settings. Networks collaborate on individual and multi-site research through the Public Health PBRN National Coordinating Center located at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Findings will advance RWJF’s efforts to enhance the evidence base for public health policy and practice.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsCampus Community Can Learn More about Ardi During Free Talk on Nov. 18http://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/11/16/ardidiscussion2009-11-16T18:44:18Z2009-11-17T17:24:04ZCharles Darwin knew humans evolved, but it's possible even he couldn't have imagined finding a transitional form like the recently discovered Ardipithecus ramidus fossil Ardi, which was discovered by Cleveland-area scientists. The scientists will discuss their findings in a free talk on November 18.

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Charles Darwin knew humans evolved, but it's possible even he couldn't have imagined finding a transitional form like the recently discovered Ardipithecus ramidus fossil ( Ardi), which was discovered by Cleveland-area scientists.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsCase Western Reserve is Participating Site in Newly-launched National Volunteer Recruitment Registry Launch of Researchmatch.orghttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/11/11/researchmatch2009-11-11T14:36:42Z2009-11-11T14:43:26ZPeople within the Cleveland community who want to participate in research studies can now connect online with researchers nationwide by joining ResearchMatch.org. ResearchMatch is a not-for-profit website that brings together researchers and people who are willing to learn more about research studies in a secure and convenient manner. Case Western Reserve University is one of the 51 institutions participating in this first national, disease-neutral, volunteer recruitment registry.

People within the Cleveland community who want to participate in research studies can now connect online with researchers nationwide by joining ResearchMatch.org. ResearchMatch is a not-for-profit website that brings together researchers and people who are willing to learn more about research studies in a secure and convenient manner. Case Western Reserve University is one of the 51 institutions participating in this first national, disease-neutral, volunteer recruitment registry.

ResearchMatch is the product of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Consortium, which is supported by the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The CTSA is a national network of 46 medical research institutions working together to improve the way biomedical research is conducted across the country.

In 2007, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded Case Western Reserve University $64 million to become part of the national consortium designed to transform how clinical and translational research is conducted, ultimately enabling researchers to provide new treatments more efficiently and quickly to patients. Case Western Reserve University named its award the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative, (CTSC), as it is a collaboration among Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth Medical Center and University Hospitals. The ultimate goal of the CTSC in Cleveland is to provide complete service and integrated clinical translational research capability within the Cleveland community that will improve the health of patients in Northeast Ohio through patient-based research.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsVirtual Coaching to Help Patients Talk to Doctorshttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/11/06/esmarthdgrant2009-11-06T16:58:28Z2009-11-06T18:24:48ZMillions of people suffer from chronic ailments like heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, and need critical information from their healthcare providers to manage those diseases. But, sometimes patients find it uncomfortable asking a doctor of another age, gender or race for information. Hopefully virtual coaching under development through a new National Institutes of Health grant to the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University will improve communications.
New E-SMART-HD Technologies to be Developed

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Millions of people suffer from chronic ailments like heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, and need critical information from their healthcare providers to manage those diseases.

But, sometimes patients find it uncomfortable asking a doctor of another age, gender or race for information. Hopefully virtual coaching under development through a new National Institutes of Health grant to the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University will improve communications.

The nursing school is leading an interdisciplinary research team for the two-year, $1.3 million National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities study: "Electronic Self-Management Resource Training to Reduce Health Disparities" (e-SMART-HD).

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-news102-Year-Old Retired Physician Pledges $750,000 to Support Communicable Disease Researchhttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/11/03/feldstein2009-11-03T15:48:08Z2009-11-03T16:32:14ZAmy Kuhn Feldstein, M.D. (FSM '28, MED '31) has made a $750,000 will commitment to the Case Western Reserve University. Her bequest will create the Amy Kuhn Feldstein, M.D. Faculty Fellowship that will support research for the prevention and treatments of communicable disease, such as HIV/AIDS.

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Endowed fellowship will support HIV/AIDS research in immediate future

Amy Kuhn Feldstein, M.D. (FSM '28, MED '31) has made a $750,000 will commitment to the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Her bequest will create the Amy Kuhn Feldstein, M.D. Faculty Fellowship that will support research for the prevention and treatments of communicable disease, such as HIV/AIDS.

Feldstein's gift was inspired in part by the School of Medicine's commitment to developing effective prevention measures for the spread of HIV in women. Also inspiring her gift is research by Michael Lederman, M.D., the Scott R. Inkley Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and physician at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, on a potential topical strategy that could decrease or even prevent the sexual transmission of HIV.

"We are moving closer to a day when our developments may become a safe, affordable and effective method for all women—from America to Africa to Asia—to protect themselves from HIV infection," said Lederman. "Dr. Feldstein's commitment will help advance research to prevent this devastating disease."

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsCase Western Reserve to Lead $14.7M NIH SPRINT Study Network in Ohiohttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/11/02/sprintstudy2009-11-02T15:50:09Z2009-11-02T16:01:53ZCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine has received a $14.7 million, nine-year contract from the National Institutes of Health to be one of five institutions to lead a trial to determine if lowering systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients, without diabetes, to below the currently recommended level can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular and kidney disease and slow cognitive decline.
Named One of Five Network Sites to Study the Effects of Lowering Systolic Blood Pressure

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has received a $14.7 million, nine-year contract from the National Institutes of Health to be one of five institutions to lead a trial to determine if lowering systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients, without diabetes, to below the currently recommended level can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular and kidney disease and slow cognitive decline. Case Western Reserve will head a Clinical Center Network (CCN) consisting of investigators from its School of Medicine and three other Northeast Ohio clinical centers, as well as The Ohio State University College of Medicine. It will be directed by Jackson T. Wright, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Case Western Reserve and Director of the Clinical Hypertension Program at University Hospitals Case Medical Center (UHCMC).

"The objective of the study is to evaluate whether treating patients to systolic blood pressure of less than 120 mmHg reduces the risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease, or age-related cognitive decline, more than the usually recommended level of less than 140 mmHg," says Dr. Wright. "We suspect that treating to the lower level of 120 mmHg will result in fewer cardiovascular and kidney complications. However, this needs to be proven."

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsSchool of Medicine Names Inaugural Jeffrey L. Ponsky, M.D., Professorship in Surgical Educationhttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/10/26/ponskyprofessorship2009-10-26T14:44:56Z2009-10-26T19:51:35ZCase Western Reserve University has announced the appointment of Conor P. Delaney, M.D., Ph.D., as the inaugural occupant of the Jeffrey L. Ponsky, M.D., Professorship in Surgical Education and Director of the School of Medicine's new Center for Surgical Skills Training.

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Case Western Reserve University has announced the appointment of Conor P. Delaney, M.D., Ph.D., as the inaugural occupant of the Jeffrey L. Ponsky, M.D., Professorship in Surgical Education and Director of the School of Medicine's new Center for Surgical Skills Training.

The newly established professorship was made possible by a $2 million combined gift; nearly $1 million contributed by the Forest City Enterprises Charitable Foundation, Inc. was combined with a $1 million commitment made in 2006 by the Goldberg, Ponsky, Frankel Family to endow the professorship. The gift will support the recruitment and retention of world-class surgical talent to the School of Medicine.

As a part of the existing Institute for Surgery and Innovation at the School of Medicine, the Center for Surgical Skills Training will further enhance teaching and learning capabilities, providing students, residents and practicing health care professionals the location and tools they need to learn the latest sophisticated surgical methods. The Forest City Enterprises Charitable Foundation, Inc. gift also supported the creation of the Center for Surgical Skills Training.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsCase Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Bioptigen Establish Exclusive Licensing Agreementhttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/10/26/bioptigen2009-10-26T14:22:24Z2009-10-26T19:04:00ZCase Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center have granted to Bioptigen, of Research Triangle Park, N.C ., an exclusive intellectual property licensing agreement for Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT), an imaging technology developed from research at the university's Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Technology Helps Doctors and Researchers Diagnose and Seek Cures for Eye Diseases

Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center have granted to Bioptigen, of Research Triangle Park, N.C ., an exclusive intellectual property licensing agreement for Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT), an imaging technology developed from research at the university's Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Advances in functional FDOCT are expected to enhance the early diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, most notably diabetic retinopathy, which affects many of the 15 million Americans suffering from diabetes. These functional capabilities include Color Doppler FDOCT for visualizing and quantifying blood flow and Spectroscopic FDOCT for imaged tissues and fluids.

The licensed technology was created by Joseph Izatt, formerly on the biomedical engineering faculty at Case Western Reserve and now part of the biomedical engineering faculty at Duke University, and Andrew Rollins, Warren E. Rupp associate professor of biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve.

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-newsCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine Launches Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods, Receives $790,000 CDC Granthttp://blog.case.edu/case-news/2009/10/21/healthyneighborhoodsresearchcenter2009-10-21T19:55:26Z2009-10-21T20:15:27ZCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine announces the establishment of the CWRU Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods (PRCHN), a collaborative research center to address common health issues faced in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods in and around Greater Cleveland.
Program Linked to Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Research of Urban Health Needs

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine proudly announces the establishment of the CWRU Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods (PRCHN), a collaborative research center to address common health issues faced in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods in and around Greater Cleveland.

The PRCHN will also serve as a regional research and public health data source. It is being developed with an initial $790,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to support both the infrastructure of the center and one demonstration research project, with the potential to receive up to $1 million annually for up to five years through additional CDC funding opportunities. The Center's goal is to engage a wide spectrum of disciplines both within the university and the community to foster a unified vision for community-based prevention research.

"The new PRCHN provides a framework for fostering partnerships within urban neighborhoods to develop, test and implement effective strategies and interventions in preventing and reducing the burden of chronic disease," said Elaine Borawski, PhD, Director of the Center for Health Promotion Research at the medical school and the PRCHN's Principal Investigator and Co-Director. "By collaborating with neighborhood residents, leaders and community organizations in Greater Cleveland, we hope to address the significant environmental and lifestyle issues that serve as barriers to good health."

Kimyette Finleykimyette.finley@case.eduhttp://blog.case.edu/case-news