Clinical and investigative medicine. Médecine clinique et experimentale
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Few systematic studies have focused on determinants of cumulative research funding (CRF), a measure of research productivity among career researchers world-wide. Using researchers funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), this exploratory study quantifies the association between CIHR-investigator roles and CRF obtained from the CIHR. ⋯ Demonstrated associations between investigator-level CRF and predictors suggest that CRF should be considered in the context of investigators' multiple roles. The study, without establishing causality, also documents evidence of multi-lateral returns to the enterprise of academic research from salary and trainee awards. The major limitation is that CRF and predictors are derived from a single funding agency. Findings should be viewed as preliminary and should serve to develop hypotheses for future, comprehensive research.
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Patients with metabolic syndrome are at high-risk for development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. Serum soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1(sLOX-1) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and metabolic disorders. We sought to assess whether serum sLOX-1 levels are correlated with the presence and severity of CAD in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) undergoing coronary angiography. ⋯ High sLOX-1 levels are associated with the presence and severity of CAD in patients with MetS. The measurement of serum sLOX-1may be potentially useful in predicting the presence and severity of CAD in patients with MetS.
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Strategic prioritization of research agendas to address health problems with a large social and economic burden has increased the demand for interdisciplinary research. Universities have addressed the need for interdisciplinary research in their strategic documents. However, research training to equip graduates for careers in interdisciplinary research teams has not kept pace. We offer recommendations to graduate students, universities, health services organizations, and health research funders designed to increase the capacity for interdisciplinary research team training, and provide an example of an existing training program.
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From September 21st-23rd 2009, the Clinical Investigator Trainee Association of Canada - Association des cliniciens-chercheurs en formation du Canada (CITAC-ACCFC) and the Canadian Society for Clinician Investigators (CSCI), held their annual conference in Ottawa. Participants included clinician investigators and trainees from across the country. The conference featured many excellent guest speakers including this year's recipient of the Henry G. ⋯ This scientific overview aims to highlight some of the research presented by trainees at the annual conference. The broad themes of scientific interest included topics from both basic science and clinical research. In this article, we summarize some of the major research questions that are being investigated by clinician-investigator trainees in the following areas: neurological sciences, cell biology, medicine, immunology, obstetrics, gynecology, neonatology, orthopedics, rheumatology, and public health.
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End-of-life decisions regarding the administration, withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining therapy in the critical care setting can be challenging. Disagreements between health care providers and family members occur, especially when families believe strongly in preserving life, and physicians are resistant to providing medically "futile" care. Such disagreements can cause tension and moral distress among families and clinicians. ⋯ Knowledge of underlying ethical principles, understanding of professional duties, and adoption of a process for mediation and conflict resolution are essential to ensuring that physicians and institutions act responsibly in maintaining a patients' best interests in the context of family-centred care.