Amylin is synthesized and co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta-cells, plays a complex role in peripheral energy homeostasis, and shows also a high propensity to oligomerize when overexpressed (hyperamylinemia). Accumulation of oligomerized amylin is a pathological hallmark of the islet in diabetic patients and induces oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. However, recent studies found significant deposits... more »

What are the mechanisms of ischemia-independent mechanisms contributing to the infarct size in patients with acute myocardial infarction? Infarct size is the single most important prognostic factor for short- and long-term outcomes. The success in reperfusion strategies have shown that prompt reperfusion leads to a reduction in infarct size, and to improved outcomes. Despite effective reperfusion, however, a secondary... more »

The prevalence of cardiometabolic disorders of pregnancy are increasing rapidly in women in the United States, particularly in black women. These disorders have a significant impact on the development of CVD in women as they age and on their offspring. The science to answer these questions are both mechanistic(understanding underlying mecanism of disease, esp preeclampsia) and behavioral. New methods of gathering... more »

What characteristics of sleep relate to obesity and does improving sleep using medication help with changes linked to obesity and in the end with weight?

Is cardiac contraction and relaxation in heart failure modulated by the systemic inflammatory response? There is overwhelming evidence that inflammatory biomarkers predict worse outcome in acute and chronic heart failure. Despite the wealth of evidence, clinical trials in this area have either not been completed, failed, or provided inconclusive results. The questions that remain are: 1) Is inflammation a mechanism... more »

The majority of translational research designed to improve the lives of patients with pulmonary fibrosis has focused on studies of patients with advanced fibrotic lung disease. In contrast, little effort has been paid to understanding the natural history of pulmonary fibrosis, exploring the mechanisms/pathogenesis of the development of pulmonary fibrosis, and considering work designed to prevent the development of lung... more »

Critical Challenge

Can a multipronged approach to reversing/repairing scar tissue in pulmonary fibrosis be deployed as soon as possible?

Do asthmatics and/or those at risk for developing asthma benefit from oral Magnesium supplementation?

The cap on R01 research grants at $500,000 per year has not changed in over 20 years. In the current fiscal crisis for research it has become an immovable block to submitting intervention studies (randomized clinical trials on treatment). Routine advice from NIH staff is to not even try for a larger study. The cap applies to every year, so one can design a trial that costs less than $2.5 million but exceeds $500,000 in... more »

There is a need for the development of a collaborative observational study that leverages off of existing registries, such as INTERMACS and STS, that will follow mechanical circulatory support devices (mechanical circulatory support device) patients prospectively and collect process-of-care data to identify 1) optimal approaches for the management of patients and 2) pumps to minimize the occurrence of adverse hemodynamic... more »

What is the most effective approach to asymptomatic carotid artery disease to reduce the burden of stroke?

Can we decrease maternal mortality and morbidity due to hemorrhage or thrombosis?

Why can’t we improve outcomes following acute lung injury. A half century of ICU interventions have resulted in only incremental improvements in survival and morbidity following acute lung injury. While we have pursued innumerable strategies for decreasing ventilator associated exacerbation of lung injury, we have failed to identify treatable common or selective pathways from the initial injury that can be targeted post... more »

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