Clinical and translational science
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Pain is a hallmark of almost all bodily ailments and can be modulated by agents, including analgesics and anesthetics that suppress pain signals in the central nervous system. Defects in the modulatory systems, including the endogenous pain-inhibitory pathways, are a major factor in the initiation and chronicity of pain. Thus, pain modulation is particularly applicable to the practice of medicine. ⋯ The Gate Control Theory is briefly presented with discussion on the capacity of pain modulation to cause both hyper- and hypoalgesia. An emphasis has been given to highlight key areas in pain research that, because of unanswered questions or therapeutic potential, merit additional scientific scrutiny. The information presented in this paper would be helpful in developing novel therapies, metrics, and interventions for improved patient management.
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This paper describes how a new regional campus of an academic health center engaged in a community-based participatory research (CBPR) process to set a community-driven research agenda to address health disparities. The campus is situated among growing Marshallese and Hispanic populations that face significant health disparities. In 2013, with support from the Translational Research Institute, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest began building its research capacity in the region with the goal of developing a community-driven research agenda for the campus. ⋯ Ten grants and five scholarly articles were collaboratively written and 25 community publications and presentations were disseminated. Nine research projects and health programs were initiated. In addition, many interprofessional educational and service learning objectives were aligned with the community-driven agenda resulting in practical action to address the needs identified.
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Serum levels of hepcidin-25, a peptide hormone that reduces blood iron content, are elevated when patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) develop pulmonary exacerbation (PEx). Because hepcidin-25 is unavailable as a clinical laboratory test, we questioned whether a one-time serum iron level was associated with the subsequent number of days until PEx, as defined by the need to receive systemic antibiotics (ABX) for health deterioration. ⋯ Serum iron, age, and Aspergillus sputum culture positivity are factors associated with shorter time to subsequent PEx in CF adults.
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Despite several studies, the extent to which hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains controversial. Thus, we examined the relationship between HCV and CKD using the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2012). ⋯ HCV infection is associated with proteinuria and high GFR but not with CKD. The biological mechanism of the observed association needs further study.