Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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To succeed as a biomedical researcher, the ability to flourish in interdisciplinary teams of scientists is becoming ever more important. Institutions supported by the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) from the National Institutes of Health have a specific mandate to educate the next generation of clinical and translational researchers. While they strive to advance integrated and interdisciplinary approaches to education and career development in clinical and translational science, general approaches and evaluation strategies may differ, as there is no single, universally accepted or standardized approach. ⋯ These efforts are, by and large, perceived as effective by the training program leaders, although long-term follow-up of trainees would be required to fully evaluate ultimate effectiveness. Results from the survey suggest that CTSA education directors believe that specific training in interdisciplinary team science for young investigators is very important, but few methodologies are universally practiced in CTSA institutions to provide training or to assess performance. Four specific recommendations are suggested to provide measurable strategic goals for education in team science in the context of clinical and translational research.
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Recruitment of large, diverse populations into genetic studies remains challenging. Potential strategies to overcome limitations include leveraging electronic health data and minimizing patient burden. We sought to describe the overall participation rate and identify characteristics associated with participation in a genetic substudy of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, in which patients were identified via electronic hospital data and asked to participate by providing DNA samples by mail. ⋯ To our knowledge, we are the first to demonstrate an inverse association between HbA1c and participation in genetic research, potentially indicating a compliance-related trait needing further exploration. The DNA kit return rate being notably lower than the verbal consent rate suggests that the greater convenience of a telephone/mail-in process did not drastically enhance full participation. Direct comparison to in-person donation may be warranted.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Insulin sensitizing and anti-inflammatory effects of thiazolidinediones are heightened in obese patients.
The American Diabetes Association has called for further research on how patients' demographics should determine drug choices for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Here, using in-depth physiology studies, we investigate whether obese patients with T2DM are likely to benefit from thiazolidinediones, medications with a known adverse effect of weight gain. ⋯ These findings support the efficacy of pioglitazone to improve insulin resistance and reduce adipose tissue inflammation in obese patients with T2DM.
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Clinical Trial Observational Study
Bone loss in surgically ovariectomized premenopausal women is associated with T lymphocyte activation and thymic hypertrophy.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is associated with estrogen deficiency and rapid bone loss. The mechanism by which estrogen deficiency results in bone loss has not been fully explained. Studies in mice rendered acutely estrogen deficient by ovariectomy have suggested that estrogen deficiency results in an activated T-lymphocyte phenotype and increased production of pro-osteoclastic cytokines. ⋯ The T-lymphocyte phenotype in the OVX subjects demonstrated increased T-lymphocyte activation by flow cytometry compared to the control subjects. Our findings support the hypothesis that estrogen deficiency leads to an activated T-lymphocyte phenotype, which may contribute to the bone loss seen in estrogen deficiency. Larger clinical studies are necessary to confirm these findings.
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There is some evidence that bariatric surgery patients who undergo the purely restrictive procedures, such as the gastric banding (GB) or the vertical banded gastroplasty surgery, do not meet the dietary reference intakes for several nutrients. Whether dietary counseling improves micronutrient and macronutrient intakes was examined in GB surgery patients. ⋯ Dietary intervention improved the intake of some nutrients in the GB surgery patients. However, most nutrient intake requirements remained unmet by many subjects. These results indicate that nutritional counseling beyond 12 weeks is warranted in GB surgery patients to improve their dietary nutrient intakes.