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JAN
10 2006  |
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Researchers Find Islet Cell Transplantation Improves Quality of Life | |
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| Researchers Find Islet Cell Transplantation Improves Quality of Life
Patients with type 1 diabetes who undergo an islet cell transplant experience an improved quality of life even though they have to take harsh anti-rejection drugs, according to a study just published in the American Journal of Transplantation. The study was conducted at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine’s Diabetes Research Institute, one of the world’s leading centers for islet cell transplantation. Through interviews and questionnaires, researchers followed 23 patients over more than three years to get a comprehensive gauge of their quality of life, as part of a general psychological evaluation. The patients were evaluated while on the transplant waiting list, and at selected intervals after transplantation. “All of the participants in our study belong to a group of patients who have experienced severe hypoglycemic episodes and have hypoglycemia unawareness, meaning they do not realize when their blood sugar level is dropping to a life-threatening level,” said Rodolfo Alejandro, M.D., director of the clinical islet transplant program at the Diabetes Research Institute and author of the study. “These were criteria to take part in the study, and to undergo an islet cell transplant, because the benefit of good glycemic control must outweigh the risk of chronic immunosuppression.” In type 1 diabetes the body does not produce insulin, and daily injections are needed. Islet cell transplantation is a groundbreaking procedure that is considered the most promising method for curing diabetes. During the procedure islet cells are separated from a donor pancreas, and infused into a patient’s liver, where they begin to produce insulin. Almost 80 percent of patients undergoing islet cell transplantation are insulin-free for at least one year, however over time many patients return to needing at least some insulin. “The compromise with the procedure is that the patients must take anti-rejection drugs, so it’s a trade-off between being off insulin and having normal glucose control, or the side effects of these very potent medications,” Alejandro said. “That’s why we needed to prove, by using psychological instruments, whether we were really improving their lives when taking all these things into account.” The study showed that despite all the patients had gone through, even if they had to go back on insulin they were still experiencing an improved quality of life three years later. All of the patients reported being less concerned about their disease, and no longer living in fear of suffering a sudden undetected and life-threatening drop in their sugar levels. Interestingly, the researchers saw a decline in patients’ worrying as soon as they went on the transplant waiting list. “We feel that drop in worry was due to the fact that they were now being closely and constantly monitored by a team of experts on almost a daily basis while they waited for transplant,” said Dr. Alejandro. “Even though we see this benefit to quality of life after three years, we still have concerns long term because these anti-rejection medications are very powerful. We need to find a way to one day do these procedures without immunosuppression -- that is the new frontier.” The Diabetes Research Institute is one of only five centers worldwide to receive funding from the National Institutes of Health for clinical islet cell transplant trials. | |
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| Bookmarks for a Cure
Last Friday, 12 year-old Jessica Davis and her mother Carol made a special visit from their home in Greenacres, Fla., to the University of Miami Pediatric Cancer Center. They came to present a check for $1,200 to the Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research (Pap Corps), with 100 percent of the funds earmarked for Pediatric Cancer Research Programs at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. On hand to accept the donation were Steven E. Lipshultz, M.D., chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, Joseph D. Rosenblatt, M.D., associate director of clinical and translational research and chief of the Division of Hematology-Oncology at UM/Sylvester, and Stuart Toledano, M.D., chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology. The project, which Jessica named Mark Our Words, began last April when she decided she wanted to do something to help find a cure for childhood cancers. Her idea—create more than 200 bookmarks and give the money raised by them to the University of Miami Pediatric Cancer Center—originated through the Pap Corps, a volunteer organization with more than 16,000 members raising funds for cancer research at UM/Sylvester. Jessica makes bookmarks on a variety of themes including sports, pets, and holidays. To learn more, visit www.markourwords.org. 
Increased Postage Rates
The United States Postal Service increased postage rates on Saturday, January 7. The first class postage rate has been increased by 2 cents, from 37 cents to 39 cents. Visit http://pe.usps.com/2006rate/Notice%20123%20Jan%202006.pdf to view the 2006 Ratefold, which features all other rate increases in simplified rate charts.
Flexible Spending Account Information
Due to IRS regulation changes, participants enrolled in the 2005 Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) may incur eligible expenses (receive treatment or purchase supplies) from January 1 through March 15, and be reimbursed from any remaining 2005 FSA health care funds. Participants in the 2005 Health Care FSA have until June 15 to file for reimbursement of claims incurred from January 1 through March 15. For more information contact Pamela Salemi at Psalemi@miami.edu. The 2005 Health Care FSA reimbursement form is available online at http://www.miami.edu/benefits/pdf/FSAclaim2003.pdf. Eligible dependent day care expenses incurred during calendar year 2005 must be submitted to Fringe Benefits Management Company (FBMC), the FSA third party administrator, by Friday, March 31. The claim form for health and dependent care accounts is located at www.benefits.miami.edu. If you have questions regarding your claims, contact FBMC at 1-800-342-8017.
2006 Humana Membership ID Card
A programming fault in Humana’s system resulted in a delay in mailing some health care membership ID cards. To protect the interest of all participants, the university asked that new membership ID cards be mailed to all plan participants. All 2006 health care participants should have new membership ID cards no later than Tuesday, January 17. Upon receiving the new membership ID card, discard any prior membership ID cards received. In the event that a Humana membership ID card does not reach you and you require medical services, you may provide your social security number and advise the provider or pharmacy that you are a member of Humana’s health care plan effective January 1, 2006. Proof of coverage is also available online at www.Humana.com. Members can view their coverage information and print a letter to present to their doctor as proof of coverage. Humana’s member service number is 1-866-500-2548. For more information, visit https://www.miami.edu/benefits/pdf/LOC122004.pdf
Performance Improvement Management Training
Performance Improvement Management is a highly interactive series of four half-day training sessions and one two-hour follow-up session. The goal of the series is to set expectations for University of Miami leaders and develop the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage employee performance. The course includes three modules: role of the manager, performance improvement management process and documentation. After the sessions, participants should be able to conduct an effective performance conference, explore the impact of non-performance improvement management, assess and analyze performance gaps and develop appropriate interventions, develop and implement action plans to ensure performance change, and document performance issues appropriately. All classes take place in Dominion Parking Garage, room 155. Morning sessions are from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Afternoon sessions are from 1 to 5 p.m. You must register for all five parts of the session you select. Seating is limited. Visit http://netlearning.miami.edu to register. The schedule is as follows: Module 1, Part 1 Module 1, Part 2 Module 2 Module 3 Follow-up
Dell Laptop Battery Recall
Dell is voluntarily recalling and offering free replacements for certain laptop computer batteries that were sold for use with some models of Dell Latitude, Precision and Inspiron computers between October 5, 2004, and October 13, 2005. There is an overheating possibility with these batteries, which could pose a risk of fire. Potentially affected batteries are: • Latitude D410, D505, D510, D600, D610, D800, D810 For more information about the recall, including how to determine if the particular battery in your computer is subject to it, visit the Medical Information Technology web site at http://it.med.miami.edu/x984.xml. Community Pediatrics Internal Competitive Grants The CHAMP Community Pediatrics Internal Competitive Grant presents an opportunity for pediatric faculty and residents to develop a research team, address a problem of community concern, and develop a project that can lead to larger federal or foundation support. These grants are for projects ranging in cost from $3,000 to $30,000 for a 12-month period, beginning July 1. Proposals must include: 1. A pediatric resident as co-principal investigator Partnerships between general pediatricians and pediatric sub-specialists as well as involvement by teams of pediatric residents are encouraged. Other graduate students, medical students and fellows may also be included as co-investigators. The deadline for completed applications is midnight Friday, March 31. All application materials should be submitted electronically to darmstrong@miami.edu and bguerdat@med.miami.edu. Clinical Research Symposium Schedule UM/Sylvester’s Pharmacy Department presents “Things to Know about Research.” All lectures will be held in UM/Sylvester, room 1301. Displays and give-aways take place from 11:30 a.m. to noon. The lectures are presented by Ollie Anum, Pharm.D., from noon to 1 p.m., and are worth one contact hour for nursing and pharmacy. Lunch will be served. Please reserve your space with Joannys Cortinas at 305-243-9192. Thursday January 19 January 26 February 2 Child Car Seat Installation Check To ensure that your child car seat is installed correctly, a certified child passenger safety technician will be available on Wednesdays in front of the Mailman Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is available to everyone who transports children under the age of 12 in their vehicle. For more information, e-mail gstepanian@um-jmh.org, or call 305-243-3928 to set up an appointment. Priority will be given to those with appointments. The Injury Free Coalition for Kids is a division of Holtz Children's Hospital/ Miller School of Medicine. Fidelity Investments and TIAA-CREF Visit the Medical Campus A representative from Fidelity Investments will be on the medical campus to conduct individual counseling sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., February 1, March 1 and 29, April 27, May 24, June 28 and July 26. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-642-7131. A representative from TIAA-CREF will be at the medical campus February 22 and 23, March 27 and 28, April 25 and 26, May 23 and 24, and June 27 and 29 to conduct individual counseling sessions. To schedule an appointment, visit http://www.tiaa-cref.com/moc, or call 1-800-842-2003 ext. 3522. All counseling sessions from these organizations will take place in the Human Resources Benefits Office, 901 N.W. 17th St., suite D. Questions about Compliance? UM Helplines Can Assist You
Any University of Miami employee reporting or deciding whether to report activity that may be in violation of a law, rule, or regulation is protected against retaliation by the Whistleblower Protection Statement. For more information, visit the Office of Compliance site. e-Update Submission Guidelines
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| Live NIH Video-Cast
1/11/2006, 12:30 to 4 p.m., Lois Pope LIFE Center, seventh-floor auditorium By May 2007, all research grant applications for NIH will have to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the SF424 Research & Related (R&R) form set. This training session, geared toward the applicant community, will provide an overview of NIH’s transition plans, the submission process and the new form set. The Office of Research has arranged to participate in a video-cast being sponsored by NIH. It will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) from 12:30 to 4 p.m. in the Lois Pope LIFE Center, seventh-floor auditorium. A question and answer session will follow the formal presentations. Visit NetLearning at http://netlearning.miami.edu to register. If you have any questions, please e-mail mvalero@med.miami.edu.
Endocrine Grand Rounds
1/12/2006, 1 to 2 p.m., Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Doherty Auditorium The Second Annual Lawrence M. Fishman, M.D., Visiting Professor of Endocrinology Professorship Series, presents Daniel D. Federman, M.D., Carl W. Walter Distinguished Professor of Medicine and senior dean for alumni affairs and clinical teaching at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Federman will discuss “The History of Our Knowledge of Human Sexual Differentiation” on Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s Doherty Auditorium. This lecture is sponsored by the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Saks Fifth Avenue Key to the Cure “Make-Up Day”
1/12/2006, 11:30 a.m., Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Have an engaging afternoon of shopping and fun at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Five percent of sales will benefit women’s cancer research at UM/Sylvester. Join renowned makeup artist Trish McEvoy for a light bite and a champagne reception. Please note that this is a date change from October 27. Call 305-865-1100, ext. 216, to reserve a space at the reception or to schedule a complimentary make-up appointment.
Human Subjects Research Town Hall Meeting
1/17/2006, 9 a.m., Lois Pope LIFE Center, seventh-floor auditorium The Human Subjects Research Office and the Institutional Review Boards of the University of Miami and affiliated institutions are being restructured to ensure regulatory compliance while improving service and facilitating research for investigators. Town hall meetings are scheduled as the first in a series of planned communications to update faculty and staff on changes, expectations, goals and progress, to answer questions and to promote dialogue that will give guidance to future restructuring efforts. Each meeting is expected to last approximately 90 minutes. Everyone involved in human subjects research is invited. The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17, at 9 a.m. in the Lois Pope LIFE Center, seventh-floor auditorium. For more information, contact Kenia Viamonte at 305-243-9672.
Sponsored Programs Roundtable Series
1/19/2006, noon, Batchelor Building, Baxter conference room Gloria M. Gari, Director, Expenditure Compliance, will present “What is an IPAR and why do I need it?” on Thursday, January 19, at noon in the Baxter conference room of the Batchelor Building. Participants will learn why changes to an award must be documented and why some can be approved internally. They will also learn what an IPAR is and how to accurately complete it. Log onto NetLearning at https://netlearning.miami.edu to register. For more information, please e-mail mvalero@med.miami.edu. Fifth Annual Lou Gehrig’s Disease Walk/Run 1/21/2006, 7:30 a.m., Dinner Key/City Hall, Coconut Grove The ALS Recovery Fund is holding its 5th Annual Lou Gehrig's Disease 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, January 21 at 7:30 a.m. Please note that this is a date change from November 5, 2005. The race starts at Dinner Key/City Hall in Coconut Grove. There will be an award ceremony, post-race refreshments, entertainment and prize giveaways. You can pre-register on line at http://www.footworksmiami.com/races/gehrig.asp or register the day of the event. Early registration is $22 per person and $12 for ages 14 and under. Race day registration is $25. For more information, visit upcoming events at http://www.alsrecovery.org.
Understanding Your Credit Report
1/25/2006, noon to 2 p.m., Dominion Parking Garage, room 155 This seminar is designed to help attendees understand their credit report and credit score. Participants will learn how to dispute incorrect information and improve their credit score. It takes place on Wednesday, January 25, from noon to 2 p.m. in Dominion Parking Garage, room 155. To personalize this experience, each participant is asked to complete an authorization form to enable Consumer Credit Counseling Service to obtain his or her credit report and score, which will be reviewed during the seminar. Visit www.miami.edu/eap/seminars and scroll down to “Understanding Your Credit Report” to download the authorization form. Complete and fax the signed authorization to Bonita Cales at 305-284-5097 by the deadline indicated. Reports will be destroyed for those individuals who request a credit report but are unable to attend the seminar. To register, visit http://netlearning.miami.edu. If you have any questions about the online registration system, call 305-284-5110 or 305-243-3090.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology Seminar
1/26/2006, noon, Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, 3019 Warren Leonard, M.D., chief of the Laboratory of Molecular Immunology at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, will present “The Biology and Molecular Regulation of Gamma-C-Dependent Cytokines” on Thursday, January 26, at noon in Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, room 3109. This seminar is sponsored by the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
Conversations about Cancer
1/30/2006, noon to 1 p.m., UM/Sylvester, room 1301 Jennifer Pinto, associate director of Employee Wellness, will present “How to Successfully Get Freedom from Smoking” on Monday, January 30, from noon to 1 p.m. in UM/Sylvester, room 1301. For more information, please contact Carthy Thomas at 305-243-1000. | |
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HonorsDaniel Armstrong, Ph.D.,
associate chair of the Department of Pediatrics and director of the Mailman Center for Child Development, received the 2005 Micah Batchelor Award for Excellence in Children’s Health Research. Armstrong and collaborators at the University and a number of other institutions have worked for nearly 20 years to determine how diseases and the treatments for the diseases affect the developing brain. | |
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The SPARE Study (Soy Phytoestrogens As Replacement Estrogen) is currently recruiting women 45-60 years of age to study the role of soy phytoestrogens given in tablet form to prevent bone loss. Participants will be given a physical exam at study entry, an annual mammogram and bone density test, and will be asked to come for 10 study visits over a period of two years for blood tests and to complete questionnaires about diet, exercise, and well-being. Interested women should contact the SPARE Study Office at 305-243-4330 or via e-mail at aherrin@med.miami.edu. The University of Miami Skin Research Group, directed by Brian Berman, M.D., Ph.D., is looking for people with acne, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and keloids. Participants should be 18 or older for the acne and keloid studies and ages 2-17 for the atopic dermatitis studies. If interested, please contact the research staff at 305-243-5519 or visit our website at www.skininvestigation.com. The Division of Cosmetic Dermatology, directed by Leslie Baumann, M.D., is looking for people over the age of 18 who have never been treated with botulinum toxin to participate in a research study to determine whether injections with an investigational drug (Botulinum toxin Type A) will correct frown line wrinkles in the glabellar area (between the eyebrows). If interested, please contact a member of the research staff at 305-532-5552. Carlos Hernandez-Cassis, M.D., is currently recruiting people ages 18 through 80 with type 2 diabetes for participation in a research study to test the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication. Patients must be taking daily at least 1500 mg. of Metformin (glucophage) to qualify. Those who are interested should contact Rogelio Suarez at 305-243-6573, or via e-mail at rsuarez2@med.miami.edu. The AIDS Clinical Research Unit, under the direction of Margaret Fischl, M.D., is recruiting participants for a therapeutic HIV-1 vaccine study. Participants must be 18 to 50 years of age, receiving antiretroviral therapy, have an HIV-1 RNA level less than 500 copies/ml for at least two years and a CD4 cell count 500/ccm or higher. Up to $150 in food certificates provided. For more information, contact Juan Casuso at 305-243-3838 or Leslie Thompson at L.thompson@miami.edu. The Division of Cosmetic Dermatology, directed by Leslie Baumann, M.D., is looking for teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 to participate in a research study to determine whether injections with Botulinum toxin Type A relieve excessive underarm sweating. If interested, please contact a member of the research staff at 305-532-5552. | |
The late George E. Batchelor, a renowned aviation entrepreneur and philanthropist, established the Micah Batchelor Award for Excellence in Children’s Health Research in memory of his cherished grandson, Micah. Started with a $5 million endowment, each year at least $300,000 is awarded to one University of Miami investigator conducting research in children’s diseases and working in the Batchelor Children’s Research Institute. This is one of the largest awards nationally for children’s health research.
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