There is developing evidence of major individual differences in pathways to different common sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Moreover, there is evidence of different clinical presentations of disease and different outcomes. For example, some subjects with obstructive sleep apnea who get excessive sleepiness while others do not. The latter are still at risk for other consequences of the disorder such... more »

In Acute Graft Versus Host Disease (aGVHD), we would like to examine whether early and intensified delivery of ECP as part of standard prophylaxis will decrease overall corticosteroid exposure while preserving expected relapse rates in patients undergoing unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Chronic GVHD (cGVHD) is common after HSCT (30-50% recipients) and is a major contributor to late transplant-related... more »

Hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) collected by Apheresis is the most common source used for BMT. How the cells are collected and what kinds of cells are collected can affect BMT graft function. Limited studies have been done to study the key product factors in relationship to optimal graft function.
Questions remain such as the optimal lymphocytes contents for reduced infection post BMT, optimal megakaryocyte precursor... more »

The clinical use of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is expanding. It is known that dendritic cells plays critical role key to its efficacy, but exactly how ECP impacts other immune components and their interactions is not fully understood. There are many unanswered questions such as: “ What are the critical factors in ECP that result in a shift of the dendritic cell population from immune activating to immune tolerant?... more »

Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response to infection, is the most common cause of death in non-cardiac intensive care units. The incidence and severity of sepsis have increased over the last two decades. With advances in supportive care, sepsis carries a mortality that averages 17%, however, this figure increases to 50 - 80% in Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS), defined as failure of 3 or more organ systems.... more »

The apheresis medicine encompasses treatment of numerous diseases many of which are directly related to blood, lung and heart. There is a need to establish consortia for Apheresis Medicine to facilitate networking, information exchange and research collaboration among investigators, including junior investigators. These consortia would perform basic science as well as translational research and investigate the best pathways... more »

The apheresis medicine encompasses treatment of numerous diseases many of which are directly related to blood, lung and heart. However, there are very limited opportunities for training young investigators in basic and translational research related to Apheresis Medicine. There is a need to promote Apheresis Medicine as a viable field of research for junior and established investigators. The influx of well-trained junior... more »

There is a vast amount of data regarding specific gene and protein targets, especially in the post genomics era with many well validated targets, and even more "strong candidates". Drug companies have libraries of compounds that could be good inhibitors/enhancers for these new targets but lack an internal program, IP of the target, or a sufficiently large market to initiate risky and expensive drug screens, let alone... more »

What are the subtypes of chronic obstructive lung disease that share a common pathogenesis and can be a basis for precision medicine?

There is a need to develop an artificial and functional hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche that allows for the expansion of repopulating HSCs.

There is a need to develop “designer platelets” and “designer red cells,” as well as facilitate large-scale production of these products for therapeutic and diagnostic use.

Non-pharmacological interventions for pain and stress have gained tremendous momentum.

Mind-Body Practice -- Qigong and Tai Chi -- are group based and inexpensive to implement. The evidence base suggests that these practices are safe and effective for a multitude of preventable chronic disorders..

THE QUESTION:
Given safety and efficacy, should there be vigorous research on implementation of Qigong and Tai Chi and... more »

What are the best strategies to improve implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP) to enhance effective health risk communication strategies among racial and ethnic minority males and underserved men?
Examples of several issues that need to be addressed are:
• Need for better definition of the role of families/communities in EBP (as co-therapists).
• Requires less system fragmentation
• Need for improved measurement,... more »

We now can create critical cell types like cardiomyocytes etc. from stem cells. Additionally, we are learning the rules of using these cells to rebuild tissues. A major gap in our knowledge relates to the immunobiology of these cells. Lessons from transplantation medicine are only partially applicable, because solid organs are more complex and likely more immunogenic than defined cell populations.

How does the immune... more »

In adults without diastolic hypertension (DBP ≥ 90 mm Hg), what is the best way to determine at what systolic blood pressure should treatment be initiated?