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From the Dean

To submit college, student, faculty, staff or administrative news for future editions, please Click Here. The deadline for news submission is the first Thursday of the month for inclusion in that month’s edition. The Dean’s E-News will now be published at the end of each month.

Dr. Shomaker

Colleagues, Faculty, Staff and Students,

We are now less than 100 days away from our LCME site visit for accreditation, and I want to thank everyone—faculty, staff and students—for your continual hard work to make us the best medical school for Texas.

Our mock site visit on November 17 and 18 went well, but we are not taking anything for granted and will continue to work hard until the real site visit in February. The stakes are undeniably greater, and we must make sure that everything related to our previous citations is addressed and remedied.

Several representatives from the College, including administrators and students, attended the annual AAMC meeting in Denver in early November. While there, we heard President Dr. Darrell Kirch’s address on the “new excellence,” and I encourage you to read it. Dr. Kirch called us to reevaluate the quality of medical school and reinforced the fact that our strategic priorities for the College of Medicine are right on target.

We are also in the final stages of launching the Dallas campus. The first round of faculty appointments is complete, and we are ready for students to hit the ground on December 6.

As a resource for all faculty, the Office of Faculty Development has created a website with online modules, seminars and more. CME and Faculty Development credit are available for the modules, and modules will be updated annually. Contact Dr. Lori Graham or Dr. Courtney West for access to the modules or for more information.

In the administrative arena, several leaders have stepped up to serve in permanent roles in both clinical and basic science departments. Dr. Michael Reis is now the Chair of Family & Community Medicine, and Dr. Madhava Beeram is Chair of Pediatrics. Dr. James Samuel is Chair of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis. More information on these appointments will be distributed via TAMHSC News shortly.

In Temple, Valorie Chiasson, a research associate in the Department of Internal Medicine, was recognized as the Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2011 for her diligence in managing a lab in the Department of Internal Medicine, submitting abstracts and contributing to other abstracts. This year, Valorie has authored and contributed to several papers. Her academic activity is far beyond her duties as a Research Associate and exemplifies her outstanding contributions to the mission of the Health Science Center.

Also in Temple, two new fellowships were recently approved by the ACGME, as well as a non-ACGME fellowship and residency for July 2012. New neonatology and pain anesthesia fellowships were approved. Pediatrics, emergency medicine, general surgery and anesthesia residencies were expanded. An advanced cardiac surgery fellowship and a radiation oncology residency were also approved.

I want to make sure everyone in the College of Medicine Community is aware of the new risk and misconduct hotline/website that is available for individuals to anonymously report ethical concerns. More information on this service, which is operated by a private contractor, Ethics Point, can be accessed online.

Although I encourage you to seek to resolve your concerns informally or via established channels, the Ethics Point hotline website is available anytime to make sure that our College continues to operate under the highest ethical principles.

Please take note of all of the important upcoming activities. We have much to do, and I thank you for your continued hard work and diligence.

Sincerely,

T. Samuel Shomaker, M.D., J.D.
The Jean and Thomas McMullin Dean of Medicine and
Vice President for Clinical Affairs for the Texas A&M Health Science Center

Dates to Remember

  • Basic Science  Dept. Chairs Meeting: December 1, 12 noon, HPEB 3047B, MEC 407C, Alkek 810. No meeting on December 8.
  • Academic  Council: December 1, 3 p.m., all locations
  • Executive  Committee: December 1,immediately following Academic Council., all locations
  • Faculty  Development Workshop and Seminar: December 2, 8-11 a.m., noon-1 p.m. locations at TAMHSC-News 
  • CSTR Grand Rounds  Seminar Series with Dr. Jeffrey Cirillo: December 6, 12:00 noon, HPEB LL44; ALKB 1114; BCD 318; MEC LH1; COP 139
  • Dean’s Staff  Meeting: December 13, 9-10:30 a.m., HPEB 3047B, MEC 407C, RR N403E, Alkek 810, Dallas-Director’s Conference Room (DCR)
  • Awards Ceremony  & Holiday Reception: December 14, 3-4:40 p.m., HPEB LL44 and HPEB LL 43A&B, Bryan
  • COM Holiday  Reception: December 15, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 2nd floor Student Lounge, Round Rock
  • COM Holiday  Reception: December 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m., MEC Lobby, Temple
  • HSC Holiday  Party: December 14, 4:30-6:30 p.m., HPEB Library, Bryan
  • HOLIDAYS:  December 23-January 2, 2012

Save the Date

  • HSC Convocation: : January 20, 2012, Rudder Auditorium, College Station
  • LCME SITE VISIT: February 26-March 1, 2012, Bryan-College Station, Temple, Dallas
  • SACS SITE VISIT: March 6-8, 2012, locations TBD

College News

To submit college, student, faculty, staff or administrative news for future editions, please Click Here. The deadline for news submission is the first Thursday of the month for inclusion in that month’s edition. The Dean’s E-News will now be published at the end of each month.

Chiou, Gamm Newest Regents Professors

George C.Y. Chiou

George C.Y. Chiou, Ph.D., of the College of Medicine and Larry D. Gamm, Ph.D., of the School of Rural Public Health are the Texas A&M Health Science Center’s (TAMHSC) latest recipients of the prestigious Regents Professor Award.

Established in 1996, the Regents Professor Award is bestowed annually by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents in recognition of awardees’ exemplary contributions to their university or agency and to the people of Texas. Since its adoption, 144 faculty members from universities, agencies and the Texas A&M Health Science Center across the A&M System have been recognized with the award.

Dr. Chiou and Dr. Gamm were announced at the Nov. 3 meeting of the Board of Regents. In all, 13 A&M System faculty members were designated Regents Professors for 2010-11.

See the full article at TAMHSC-News

Call for Nominations: Outstanding Staff Recognition Program

The Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine 2011 awards program is to recognize an outstanding staff member for their dedication, enthusiasm, accomplishments and contributions to the College. Up to two award winners will be named and each receives a plaque of appreciation and a check for $500.

Nomination forms are due by December 6, 2011. Awards will be presented at a College of Medicine Holiday Reception in December.

Chiasson Is Employee of the Quarter

In Temple, Valorie Chiasson, a research associate in the Department of Internal Medicine, was recognized as the Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2011 for her diligence in managing a lab in the Department of Internal Medicine, submitting abstracts and contributing to other abstracts. This year, Valorie has authored and contributed to several papers. Her academic activity is far beyond her duties as a Research Associate and exemplifies her outstanding contributions to the mission of the Health Science Center.

In addition to managing the lab successfully, Valorie is an excellent technician who goes above and beyond doing regular experiments. She manages four people and their experiments, orders lab supplies, troubleshoots equipment, and analyzes experiments.  Valorie also submitted two first-authored abstracts as well as contribute to two others that were accepted for and presented at the American Heart Association Council for High Blood Pressure Research Annual Meeting in September. This year, Valorie has also first-authored four papers, three of which were selected for editorial commentaries, and she contributed greatly to four other papers published in highly respected peer-reviewed journals. She is also preparing three more papers describing her work.

Elaine Gunn Gunn Joins Texas A&M Physicians

Elaine Gunn, M.D., joined the College of Medicine Practice Plan, Texas A&M Physicians, in November 2011.  Dr. Gunn is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics.  She specializes in pediatric, adolescent and adult internal medicine, with a focus on young patients in transition from a pediatrician to more adult care. Dr. Gunn is based at the Bryan Medical Center.

 

COM Student at AAMC COM at AAMC Annual Meeting

On November 4-9, 2011, leaders and students from the College of Medicine attended the AAMC Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado.  More than 4,000 academic medical professionals attended the meeting, including Dean Shomaker, Dr. Ogden, Dr. McCord, Dr. Fallon, Dr. Colbert and students David Michel, Manik Aggarwal, Antoine Scott and Madeline McBride.

 

FMR & TAMP Travel to Ghana

FMR & TAMP Travel to Ghana

Tiffany Harms, M.D., second-year Family Medicine Resident, and John Simmons, M.D., Assistant Professor of Family & Community Medicine and Texas A&M Physician, traveled to Ghana for a medical trip from August 28 through September 25, 2011.  While there, they performed surgeries, delivered babies, and treated ailments from broken bones to hernias and malaria. Simmons and Harms themselves donated blood a total of five times while there.  See more in the forthcoming TAMHSC News article. 

Dr. Gill Special Olympics FMR and TAMP Help Special Olympics Resident Natasa Popovic

On October 21 and 22, doctors from the College of Medicine’s Family Medicine Residency and Texas A&M Physicians volunteered their services for the Special Olympics in Bryan-College Station. The Special Olympics Texas' Fall Classic swimming competition was held on Saturday at Texas A&M's Student Recreation Center.

COM Walks to End Alzheimer’s

On Saturday, November 5, 37 representatives of the College of Medicine, including medical students and faculty members, gathered at Wolf Pen Creek Park in College Station to walk for Alzheimer’s disease.  The annual Walk to End Alzheimer's is one of the College’s charity efforts and is part of the national Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer Walk

Dr. Ian Murray, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, was on hand to address the crowd. Dr. Murray and Joseph Proza, team leader and philanthropy chair for Texas A&M University’s Pre-Medical Society, also received plaques in recognition of their fundraising efforts as team leaders of their groups. Proza is an Undergraduate Research Scholar who received a scholarship to perform research on Alzheimer's disease with Dr. Murray.

The College of Medicine was a Bronze sponsor of the event. Texas A&M University’s Pre-Medical Society raised more than $4,000. In total, the Texas A&M System teams, with more than 268 members, raised $8,372.  Thank everyone for their support and donations. 

Inter-professional Education Simulation Coming Spring 2012

In spring 2012, an Inter-professional Education (IPE) activity will be conducted with the College of Medicine, College of Nursing and College of Pharmacy students from the Round Rock campus. This IPE will focus on all three Colleges’ specific core competencies of collaborative practice. This scenario will consist of three patients with varying health issues and will require a team-based approach to develop a method of total quality health care for the patient.

IPEs, an important step in advancing clinical health education for third-year medical students, emphasize the need for a collaborative approach for health professionals to be educated to deliver patient-centered care as members of an interdisciplinary team.

In November 2010, the Health Science Center Round Rock campus hosted an IPE event at the Simulation Center with Dr. Robert Simpkins, a clinical affiliate faculty member, Brenda Austin, RN, MSN, Assistant Professor and Simulation Coordinator at the College of Nursing, Carolyn Prosise, RN, MSN, Assistant Professor at the College of Nursing, College of Medicine third-year medical students Brady Whitmer, Kimberly Fehlis and Sarah Dornak, College of Nursing Round Rock students and the Williamson County EMS Staff.

Medicine and Nursing students, faculty and staff participated in two scenarios that involved two patients each experiencing chest pain. Students of each discipline had to evaluate, assess and treat each patient appropriately. Throughout the simulation communication and teamwork were emphasized. At the completion of the simulation, a debriefing session was conducted for the students, faculty and staff. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and all agreed this type of activity should be considered at all levels of professional healthcare education.

Faculty

To submit college, student, faculty, staff or administrative news for future editions, please Click Here. The deadline for news submission is the first Thursday of the month for inclusion in that month’s edition. The Dean’s E-News will now be published at the end of each month.

Office of Faculty Development Announcements

Please put Friday, December 2, on your calendar! Dr. Aggie Butler and Dr. Steve Haist from NBME will offer a 3-hour item writing workshop and a Grand Rounds presentation. The workshop will be from 8-11 a.m. and Grand Rounds will be held from 12-1 p.m. See registration information

Register for the ITem Writing Workshop

Register for the EGR – NBME/USMLE Update 

See more info at TAMHSC-News

The Office of Faculty Development is also pleased to announce that the Faculty Development Basic Program online modules are accessible online.

CME and Faculty Development credit is available for each module.

*Per CME credit requirements, it is important to note that the modules are NOT self-paced and the time is fixed. On the website, next to the title of each module, the approximate amount of time for completion is included.*

Please make sure to complete the assessment and module evaluation at the conclusion of each module. A score of at least 80 is required for credit to be awarded, and you will receive a certificate within 30 days upon successful completion.

The entire BASIC PROGRAM (all 5 modules) will also be offered in the spring in a half-day workshop and will allow faculty to obtain 2.5 hours of CME credit through this workshop.

Contact Dr. Lori Graham or Dr. Courtney West for username/password information to access the modules.  These modules will be updated annually, and we welcome your ideas and suggestions for the future.

Profiles in Medicine: David Tharp, Psy.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
The Honor and the Privilege: Part I

“You sleep until the rockets go off.” David Tharp

That’s what life was like in Kandahar, Afghanistan for David Tharp, Psy.D., from October 2010 until his return stateside in June 2011.

For six months, Tharp, a Major in the Air Force Reserve and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, worked 12- to 16-hour days, seven days a week at Kandahar Airfield (KAF), the world’s largest and busiest NATO base, the main military base in southern Afghanistan and home to roughly 30,000 military,  civilians and contractors.

Described as “triple-hatted,” Tharp served in the Joint Defense Operations Center (JDOC) as the Medical Advisor, Preventive Medicine Expert and Environmental Engineer at KAF and was one of two direct reports to KAF Commander Brigadier General Jeffrey B. Kendall.

In addition to being the hub of strategic airlifts, tactical air support and the staging and deployment of personnel and supplies, KAF is home to one of the best combat hospitals in the current theatre of operations in the Middle East.  The medical treatment facility is a $60 million dollar, state of the art, “Role 3” hospital, meaning that it handles the most critical casualties.

See the full story

Bix Down Under

Bix in New Zealand

Gregory Bix, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, traveled down under to Dundedin, New Zealand to present a seminar on “Matrix Revolutions: Perlecan Domain V as a Novel Stroke Treatment” at the University of Otago’s Brain Health Research Centre on October 20, 2011.

Students

To submit college, student, faculty, staff or administrative news for future editions, please Click Here. The deadline for news submission is the first Thursday of the month for inclusion in that month’s edition. The Dean’s E-News will now be published at the end of each month.

Profiles in Medicine: M1 Katherine Tharp
The Honor and the Privilege: Part II

Katherine Tharp

Katherine Tharp’s decision to go to medical school didn’t come as an epiphany. It didn’t come with a shout from the rooftops or much fanfare at all.

It came, she says, as a result of unwavering support from her husband and an undeniable calling to military medicine.

I remember [my husband] David asking me point-blank, ‘What do you want to do with your life?’ said Katherine. I had never even considered that I would have the ability to go to medical school, but so much of my success is because of his encouragement.

Katherine, now a first-year medical student at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine campus in Temple, and her husband David Tharp, Psy.D., a Major in the Air Force Reserve and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, have, in one way or another, been involved in military medicine together since 2005.

See the full story

Students Volunteer for Wildfire ReliefStudents Volunteer for Wildfire Relief

On November 12, more than 20 College of Medicine students traveled to Bastrop, Texas to help clear rubble left by recent wildfires.  The team worked for nearly six hours to haul away debris and clear the area around a former home site. Thank you to our next generation of servant-leaders!

See more photos on Facebook

 

Administration

To submit college, student, faculty, staff or administrative news for future editions, please Click Here. The deadline for news submission is the first Thursday of the month for inclusion in that month’s edition. The Dean’s E-News will now be published at the end of each month.

Attention All CMS Users!

The Office of Information Technology is offering two website content management system (CMS) training sessions (morning and afternoon) on Thursday, December 8 in Room 044 (the basement) of the Medical Sciences Library in College Station.

Plans are also being made for CMS training at the Alkek Building in Houston, date TBD. Please send an email to Cynthia Kauder if you would like to register for any of these sessions. Instructions and class materials will be sent in return as confirmation of registration.

Any additional comments or questions about the CMS should be directed to IT Support Services at 800-799-7HSC (7472) or it-support@tamhsc.edu.

Web Content Providers: CMS Training Now Offered Monthly

For anyone who serves their department as a website content provider, the Texas A&M Health Science Center website content management system (CMS) training was recently modified to include hands-on, interactive exercises.

OIT’s Web Services Group regular training sessions are held the last Friday of every month. It’s a great opportunity to brush up on your content management skills and find out about useful features within Cascade Server 6.7.

Register at http://training-cms.tamhsc.edu/

In addition, the Web Services Group maintains a CMS Training Site which provides users with quick reference sheets, tutorials, frequently-asked questions, and a thorough User Guide for Cascade Server 6.7. A new feature of the site includes step-by-step videos that show how to perform specific tasks within the CMS.

If you have any questions about registration or about the site referenced, please contact Cynthia Kauder at 979-436-0916

Call for Nominations: Outstanding Staff Recognition Program

The Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine 2011 awards program is to recognize an outstanding staff member for their dedication, enthusiasm, accomplishments and contributions to the College. Up to two award winners will be named and each receives a plaque of appreciation and a check for $500.

Nomination forms are available online and are due by December 6, 2011. Awards will be presented at a College of Medicine Holiday Reception in December.

Holiday Pay Eligibility

As we approach the holiday season, a reminder about our holiday policies would be in order.  Please distribute within your department/organization as appropriate.

To be eligible for holiday pay, employees budgeted at 50% effort or greater must be in a paid status, either actively at work or on paid leave, for at least a portion of the last scheduled workday before the holiday and the first scheduled workday after the holiday.  To be paid for the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, for example, an eligible employee must work or be in a paid leave status at least part of November 23, and at least part of November 28.

The winter break, because of its length, is an exception to the normal holiday pay rules.  This year, for example, eligible employees will be paid for the December portion of the winter break if s/he is at work or in a paid status during a portion of the last scheduled workday (December 22nd, 2011) before the holiday period.  Eligible employees will be paid for the January portion of the winter break if s/he is at work or in a paid status during a portion of the first scheduled workday following the winter break (January 3rd, 2012).

Please refer any questions to Jim Nachlinger or to Carl McLin.

Basic Science

Microbial & Molecular Pathogenesis

Recent Publications
  • Moo-Seung Lee, Rama P. Cherla, Matthew H. Jenson, Dinorah Leyva-Illades, Margarita M. Martinez-Moczygemba, and Vernon L. Tesh. Shiga toxins induce autophagy leading to differential signaling pathways in toxin-sensitive and toxin-resistant human cells. Cellular Microbiology 13(10): 1479-1496 (2011).
  • Lei, J.T., Mazumdar, T., and Martinez-Moczygemba M. Three lysine residues in the common beta chain of the IL-5 receptor are required for JAK-dependent receptor ubiquitination, endocytosis and signaling.  J Biol Chem. 2011 Sep 30. (Epub ahead of print).
  • Hyde, J.A., Weening, E.H., Chang, M.H., Trzeciakowski, J.P., Höök, M., Cirillo, J.D., and J. T. Skare.  2011.  Bioluminescent imaging of Borrelia burgdorferi in vivo demonstrates that the fibronectin binding protein BBK32 is required for optimal infectivity. Mol Microbiol. 82(1): 99-113.
Presentations, Conferences & Meetings
  • Dr. Skare reviewed grants for the Special Emphasis Panel "Bacterial Pathogenesis Review" for NIAID.

Molecular & Cellular Medicine

Recent Publications
  • Kobayashi, M., Huang, Y., Jin, C., Luo, Y., Okamoto, T., Wang, F., and McKeehan, W.L.  (2011) FGFR1 abrogates inhibitory effect of androgen receptor concurrent with induction of androgen-receptor variants in androgen receptor-negative prostate tumor epithelial cells.  Prostate. 71 (15): 1691-1700. 2011 March 28 [Epub ahead of print]
  • Wolfe, A., Dobin, S.M., Grossmann, P., Michal, M., and Donner, L.R.  (2011) Clonal trisomies 7,10 and 12, normal 3p and absence of VHL gene mutation in a clear cell tubulopapillary carcinoma of the kidney. Virchows Arch. 459 (4): 457-463. 2011 Aug 7. [Epub ahead of print]
  • Cho, S.G., Wang, Y., Rodriguez, M., Tan, K., Zhang, W., Luo, J., Dali, L. and Liu, M. (2011)  Haploinsufficiency in the Prometastasis Kiss1 Receptor Gpr54 Delays Breast Tumor Initiation, Progression, and Lung Metastasis.  Cancer Res. 71 (20): 6535-6546. 2011 Aug 18.[Epub ahead of print]
  • Xu, W., and Ji, J.Y  (2011) Dysregulation of CDK8 and Cyclin C in tumorigenesis. Journal of Genetics and Genomics 38: 439-452.
  • Majithia, R., Patterson, J., Bondos, S.E., and Meissner, K.E.  (2011) On the Design of Composite Protein-Quantum Dot Biomaterials via Self-Assembly. Biomacromolecules. 12 (10): 3629-3637. 2011 Sep 15. [Epub ahead of print]
  • Saini, M.G., Pinteaux, E., Lee, B., and Bix, G.J. (2011) Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation and Interleukin-1α Trigger the Release of Perlecan LG3 by Cells of Neurovascular Unit.  J Neurochem.  119 (4): 760-771. 2011 Sep 15. [Epub ahead of print]
  • Lin, X., Zhang, Y., Liu, L., McKeehan, W.L., Shen, Y., Song, S., and Wang, F. (2011)  FRS2α is essential for the fibroblast growth factor to regulate the mTOR pathway and autophagy in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Int J Biol Sci. 7 (8): 1114-1121. 2011 Sep 15. [Epub ahead of print]
  • Pathi, S.S., Lei, P., Sreevalsan, S., Chadalapaka, G., Jutooru, I., and Safe, S.(2011)  Pharmacologic Doses of Ascorbic Acid Repress Specificity Protein (Sp) Transcription Factors and Sp-Regulated Genes in Colon Cancer Cells. Nutr Cancer. 63 (7): 1133-1142. 2011 Sep 15. [Epub ahead of print]
Grants
  • Dr. Scott Dindot (PI) was awarded an Angelman Syndrome Foundation grant from 2011 to 2012 for his project entitled "Examining rescue of neurological deficits in Angelman syndrome mice by expression of the E6-AP isoforms."
  • Dr. F. Sohrabji (PI), Dr. Scott Dindot (co-PI), and Dr. R. Miranda (co-PI) were awarded a NIH-RO1 grant entitled "Epigenetics of the aging astrocytes: Implications for stroke" for the period 2012 to 2017.
Presentations
  • Dr. Kayla Bayless and Dr. Hojin Kang (Postdoctoral   ) attended the Vascular Matrix Biology and Bioengineering Workshop III in Hyannis, Massachusetts from October 17-21, 2011.  Dr. Kang presented a poster entitled "Fluid Shear Stress and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Activate Calpain to Promote MT1-MMP Membrane Translocation and Endothelial Invasion into Three-Dimensional Collagen Matrices" at the meeting.  The poster was co-authored by H. Kang, H.-I. Kwak, R. Kaunas, and K.J. Bayless.  Dr. Bayless chaired a session on Vascular Morphogenesis/Stem Cells at the meeting.
  • Saini MG, Pinteaux E, Lee B, Bix GJ. Oxygen-glucose deprivation and interleukin-1α trigger the release of perlecan LG3 by cells of neurovascular unit. J Neurochem. 2011 Nov;119(4):760-71
News
  • Dr. Fen Wang accepted the invitation to join the Editorial Board of Journal of Biological Chemistry. His service term will begin in July 2012 for 5 years.

Systems Biology & Translational Medicine

Communiqués

Dr. Anatoliy Gashev chaired the “Physiology of the Lymphatic System” meeting at the 23rd International Congress of Lymphology in Malmo, Sweden on September 22, 2011.
Dr. Lih Kuo was appointed to Vice-Chairman of the College of Medicine Facilities Planning Committee.
Dr. Cynthia J. Meininger received the School of Graduate Studies Outstanding Mentor Award for 2011. This award recognizes one Graduate Faculty member each year that exhibits outstanding dedication to mentoring graduate students. The award includes a plaque, and $5000 to be used in support of continued graduate mentoring in the recipient’s laboratory.
Dr. Carl Tong was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.
The 4th Annual Saturday Morning Biophysics: Image Life! outreach program for high-schools girls started September 10. The program is part of the educational components of the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER grant awarded to Dr. Andreea Trache.
Dr. Vincent VanBuren was elected as a Fellow of the American Heart Association and the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences.
Dr. Vincent VanBuren was elected as an Editorial Board Member for Advances in Biological Chemistry (http://www.scirp.org/journal/abc/).
Dr. Vincent VanBuren was elected as an Editorial Board Member for The Scientific World JOURNAL (http://www.tswj.com/), Computational Biology domain.
Dr. David C. Zawieja co-chaired the session “New Frontiers in Lymphatic Research” at the 23rd International Congress of Lymphology in Malmo, Sweden on September 23, 2011.

Publications

Akl TJ, Nagai T, Coté GL, Gashev AA. Mesenteric lymph flow in adult and aged rats.  Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2011 Aug 26. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 21873496
Heaps, CL, Parker JL. (2011). Effects of exercise training on coronary collateralization and control of collateral resistance. Journal of Applied Physiology, 111:587-598. PMID: 21565987
Kim J, Jayaprakasha GK, Muthuchamy M1, Patil BS1. (2011). Structure-function relationships of citrus limonoids on p38 MAP Kinase activity in human aortic smooth muscle cells. Eur J Pharmacol 670: 44-49. 1Sharing corresponding authorship. PMID: 21924259
Nepiyushchikh ZV, Chakraborty S, Wang W, Davis MJ, Zawieja DC1, Muthuchamy M1. (2011). Differential effects of inhibition of myosin light chain kinase on contractility and force development of rat cervical and thoracic duct lymphatics. J Physiol. In Press. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2011.218446; 1Sharing corresponding authorship. PMID: 21930597
Sarin V, Muthuchamy M1­, Heaps CL1. (2011). Ca2+-sensitization of cardiac myofilament proteins contributes to exercise training-enhanced myocardial function in a porcine model of chronic occlusion. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 301: H1579-H1587; 1Sharing corresponding authorship. PMID: 21856915
Shibuya N, Jupiter D, Ciliberti L, VanBuren V, LaFontaine J. (2011). Prevalence of podiatric problems in veterans versus non-veterans. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association 104:323-330. PMID: 21817001
VanBuren, V. (2011). Computational modeling of microtubule structure and assembly: a pseudo-mechanical model and a mechanical model. Saarbrücken, Germany: Vdm Verlag Dr. Muller Aktiengesellschaft & Co. Kg. NO PMID

Professional Activities

Dr. Cynthia J. Meininger participated in the American Heart Association’s Vascular Biology/Blood Pressure/Basic Science Study Section on October 6th.
Dr. Mariappan Muthuchamy participated in the American Heart Association National peer review meeting “Vascular Wall Biology Basic Science section” on October 7, 2011.
Dr. Emily Wilson served as a reviewer on the National Institutes of Health “Vascular Cell and Molecular Biology Study Section” on October 12-13, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland.

Presentations

Dr. Anatoliy A. Gashev gave an invited seminar at the University of Bergen, Institute of Biomedicine in Bergen, Norway on September 15, 2011. The seminar was titled “Mechanisms of lymph transport and their aging.”
Dr. Anatoliy A. Gashev, Dr. Sangeetha Thangaswamy, Dr. Takashi Nagai, Tony J. Akl, Victor Chatterjee, and Dr. Gerard L. Coté gave an oral presentation at the 23rd International Congress of Lymphology in Malmo, Sweden on September 23, 2011. The presentation was titled “Aging and lymph flow: structures, reserves, mechanisms.”
Dr. Olga Gasheva, Dr. John Wilson, Elaheh Rahbar, Dr. James E. Moore, Jr., Dr. H. Glenn Bohlen, and Dr.  David C. Zawieja presented a poster at the 23rd International Congress of Lymphology in Malmo, Sweden on September 20, 2011. The presentation was titled “Fluorescent-based measurements of nitric oxide in isolated lymphatics.”
Dr. Lih Kuo gave an invited presentation at the National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan, ROC on August 22, 2011. The seminar was titled “Vasomotor regulation of microcirculation: ET ROCKS.”
Dr. Cynthia Meininger and Dr. Guoyao Wu gave an oral presentation at the l2th International Congress on Amino Acids. Peptides and Proteins and the Symposium on Recent Advances in Amino Acid Biochemistry and Nutrition in Beijing, China, PRC on August 3, 2011. The presentation was titled “The endothelial arginine-nitric oxide pathway in diabetes and obesity.”
Dr. Andreea Trache gave an invited presentation at the University of Texas Medical Branch Center for Biomedical Engineering in Galveston, Texas on September 16, 2011. The presentation was titled “Light meets Force: cellular adaptive remodeling to mechanotransduction.”
Dr. Wei Wang, Dr. Eric Bridenbaugh, Dr. Ed Childs, and Dr. David C. Zawieja presented an abstract at the 23rd International Congress of Lymphology in Malmo, Sweden on September 23, 2011. The presentation was titled “Antigen-presenting cell function within rat muscular lymphatics.”
Dr. Shenyuan Zhang gave an invited presentation at El Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Moreles, Mexico, October 10, 2011. The talk was titled “The molecular mechanism of STIM1-operated Orai1 current.”
Dr. David Zawieja presented a talk at the International Research Center of Microvascular Medicine, Peking Union Medical Center in Beijing, PRC on October 24, 2011. The talk was titled “The lymphatic microvasculature: Understanding its order and disorder.”

Grants

Dr. Anatoliy A. Gashev, Dr. Mariappan Muthuchamy, Dr. David C. Zawieja, Dr. Gerard L. Cote, and Dr. Michael J. Davis received a non-competing continuation of their $1,417,956 National Institutes of Health R01 grant “Mechanisms of the age-related alterations in lymphatic pumping” for the period 8/1/2011-7/31/2012.
Dr. Cynthia J. Meininger received a $70,000 American Heart Association, South Central Affiliate grant “Lymphatic delivery of tetrahydrobiopterin-loaded nanoparticles for vascular dysfunction in diabetes for the period 07/01/11-06/30/13.
Dr. Cynthia J. Meininger and Dr. Vinod Labhasetwar received a one-year, no-cost extension on their $423,950 National Institutes of Health R21 grant “Treating endothelial dysfunction with targeted nanoparticle-based BH4 delivery” for the period 07/1/2011-06/30/2012.
Dr. James E. Moore, Jr., Dr. David C. Zawieja, and Dr. Anatoliy A. Gashev received a non-competing continuation of their $1,192,240 National Institutes of Health R01 grant “Lymphatic fluid flow modeling with active network components” for the period 8/1/2011-6/30/2012.
Dr. Mariappan Muthuchamy received a $140,000 American Heart Association, South Central Affiliate grant “Mechanisms of cardiac contraction in porcine model of exercise training and ischemic heart disease” for the period 07/01/11-06/30/13.
Dr. Mariappan Muthuchamy received a non-competing continuation of his $502,145 National Institutes of Health K02 grant “Regulatory mechanisms in lymphatic muscle contraction” for the period 08/01/2011-07/31/2012.
Dr. Andreea Trache received a non-competing continuation of her $308,000 American Heart Association Scientist Development grant “Focal adhesion remodeling in vascular smooth muscle “for the period 7/1/2011-6/30/12.
Dr. Carl Tong received a $140,000 American Heart Association, South Central Affiliate Beginning Grant-in-Aid grant “Roles of cardiac myosin binding protein-C phosphorylation in heart failure” for the period 07/01/11-06/30/13.
Dr. Emily Wilson and Dr. Jonathan A. Friedman received a $15,000 Texas Brain and Spine Institute Pilot Grant “Culture and characterization of vascular smooth muscle cells from intracranial aneurysms” for the period?
Dr. Emily Wilson and Dr. Jay D. Humphrey received a one-year, no-cost extension on their $395,443 National Institutes of Health R21 grant “ARRA: TGF-beta complex serves as a mechanosensor in the vascular wall” for the period 7/1/2011-6/30/2012.
Dr. David C. Zawieja, Dr. Mariappan Muthuchamy, Dr. Jerome P. Trzeciakowski, and Dr. Pierre-Yves von der Weid received a non-competing continuation of their $1,677,867 National Institutes of Health R01 grant “Ionic mechanisms of stretch-activation in muscular lymphatics” for the period 08/01/2011-07/31/2012.

Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics

George C.Y. Chiou, Ph.D.
Grants
Grants funded
• Sinphar of Taiwan, Treatment of dry AMD with MC1101, Chiou, 20 %, $1.0M to MC for clinical trials.

William H. Griffith, Ph.D. and Urusla Winzer Serhan
Manuscript submitted
J. Damborsky, WH. Griffith, U H. Winzer-Serhan. Chronic neonatal nicotine exposure increases excitation in the young adult rat hippocampus in a sex-dependent manner. Brain Research. In press.

Ian Murray, Ph.D.
Seminars presented
• Oct 3, Invited Presentation: “Alzheimer’s disease and metabolic dysfunction” UT Brownsville
• Oct  13, Invited Presentation: “Amyloid β as a sensor of metabolic dysfunction”Bazelides Research Symposium. Organized by the Alzheimer’s Association
• Oct 18, Invited Presentation and Expert panelist: “Alzheimer’s disease
• and you”, TAMHSC. Geriatrics Education Center conference via SRPH
Other Scientific/Scholarly Meetings Attended
State/regional
• Oct 3, 2011 Alzheimer’s Research Symposium, UT Brownsville
• Oct 13, Bazelides Research Symposium. Organized by the Alzheimer’s AssociationBioscience Research Collaborative,  Building at Rice University

D. Samba Reddy, Ph.D.
Grants
Grants funded
• NIH/OD, R21 NS076426, A neurosteroid-based novel therapy for OP intoxication Samba Reddy, 3 mo,  $250K, 500K for 2 years

Manuscripts published (full citations and PMID if available)
• Pack A, Reddy DS, Duncan S and Herzog A. Neuroendocrinological aspects of epilepsy: Important issues and trends in future research. Epilepsy & Behavior 2011, 22: 94-102.  PMID:21454133
• Reddy DS. Role of anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic neurosteroids in the pathophysiology and treatment of epilepsy. Frontiers in Endocrinology 2011, vol 2; article 38, pp-1-11. PMID:
SERVICE
Heavy committee (indicate whether chair or member)
• Chartered Member, NIH study section CNNT, Reviewed 9 grants and attended CNNT meeting in Seattle (Sept 19 & 20).
• Chief Editor, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Nanotechnology , Released issue 2, July-September issue (10 articles published in this issues).

Winzer-Serhan,Ph.D
Manuscripts accepted or in press (full citations and PMID if available)
• Damborsky JC, Griffith WH, Winzer-Serhan UH Chronic neonatal nicotine exposure increases excitation in the young adult rat hippocampus in a sex-dependent manner. Brain Research. In press.
• Huang PS, Son JH, Abbott LC, Winzer-Serhan UH. Regulated expression of neuronal SIRT1 and related genes by aging and neuronal β2-containing nicotinic cholinergic receptors. Neuroscience. 2011 Nov 24;196:189-202.

Clinical Science

Latest News from the Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans

Presentations
  • Woodward M, Meyer EC, Kruse MI, Kimbrel NA, Morissette SB, Gulliver SB: PTSD combat exposure and traumatic brain injury as a predictors of neuropsychological performance and functional impairment among Iraq and Afghanistan war Veterans. 27th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. November 2011, Baltimore Maryland.
  • Kimbrel, Morissette, Klocek, Meyer: The Impact of Anger, Shame, and Peritraumatic Dissociation on Military-Related PTSD. Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (symposium). November 2011 Toronto, Ontario
  • Seidman LJ, Woodberry K, Giuliano, AJ, Meyer EC: Methods and results from an individual classification approach to neuropsychological data in clinical high risk individuals in the NAPS Consortium. 7th International Early Psychosis Association Conference. November, 2011, Amsterdam
  • Tsan J: Primary Care Mental Health Integration: Voices from our Nation's Veterans. Baylor Undergraduate Student Research Seminar, September 2011, Waco, TX
Publications
  • Sherrin CM, Seim RW, Spates CR (in press). A new appraisal of combined treatments for PTSD in the era of psychotherapy adjunctive medications J of Contemporary Psychotherapy.
  • Morissette SB, Woodward M, Kimbrel NA, Meyer EC, Kruse MI, Dolan S, Gulliver SB (in press): Deployment-related TBI, persistent postconcussive symptoms, PTSD and depression in OEF/OIF Veterans. Rehabilitation Psychology
  • VanderVeen JW, Gulliver SB, Morissettee SB, Kruse MI, Kamholz BW, Zimering RT, Knight J, Keane TM (in press) Differences in  drinking patterns, occupational stress, and exposure to potentially-ttraumatic events mamong firefighters: predictors of smoking relapse. The American J on Addictions
  • Robinson JL, Zerris V, Friehs GF Advances in pediatric epilepsy surgery Current Pediatric Reviews
  • Laird AR, Eickhoff SB, Fox PM, Uecker AM, Ray KL, Saenz JJ, McKay DR, Bzdok D, Laird RW, Robinson JL, Turner JA, Turkeltaub PE, Lancaster JL, Fox PT.  (2011) The BrainMap Strategy for Standardization, sharing, and meta-analysis of neuroimaging data. BMC Research Notes. PMID 21906305
  • Robinson JL, Lovallo WR, Fox PT, Glahn DG Functional connectivity changes in the brain associated with glucocorticoids. Brain

Division of Investigative Pathology

DR. ALEXZANDER ASEA

Peer Reviewed Publications
  • Nagaraja GM, Kaur P, Neumann W, Asea EE, Bausero MA, Multhoff G, and Asea A. (2011). Silencing hsp25/hsp27 gene expression augments proteasome activity and increases CD8+ T cell-mediated tumor killing and memory responses. Cancer Prevention Res (in press).
Presentations/Meetings/Workshops

“Basic Science Breast Cancer Research for a Cure” Breast Cancer Awareness Month for the Greater Frisco Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, October 1, 2011, Plano, TX
“Close to a Cure” Heart of Texas Purple Cancer Warriors event to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 8, 2011, Killeen, TX
“Zumba for Breast Cancer Awareness” Central Texas College, October 11, 2011, Killeen, TX
“Pink Day,” Clem Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q, October 14, 2011, Temple, TX
“Role of Hsp72-Containing Exosomes in Health and Disease” Exosomes and Microvesicles 2011. October 15-17, 2011, Lake Bueno Vista, FL
“Pink Week,” Salado High School, October 17-21, 2011, Salado, TX
“NampEVA a Potential Breast Cancer Drug” Root For the Cure – Metroplex Hospital, October 20, 2011, Killeen, TX
“Role of Heat Shock Proteins as a Biomarker for Aggressive Cancers” CERC Fourth Annual Health Disparities Institute, Partnerships, Collaborations, and Models to Reduce Health Disparities in the USVI and the Caribbean. October 20-21, 2011, Marriott Frenchman's Reef, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
“Pink Heals Tour Stop” City of Killeen event for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 24, 2011, Killeen, TX
“NampEVA a Potential Breast Cancer Cure” Taylor Lion’s Club, October 28, 2011, Taylor, TX
“New Drugs in the Fight Against Breast Cancer” Surviving and Thriving Retreat for Adults Central Texas Cancer Network – Peaceable Kingdom Retreat, October 29, 2011, Salado, TX

Posters/Exhibits

Kaur P, Khode R, Asea EE, and Asea A. Hyperthermia-induced tumor regression: Role for circulating Hsp72, exosomes and microvesicles, October 15-17, 2011, Orlando, FL

Articles Reviewed

Cell Stress & Chaperones
Current Cancer Drug Targets

Awards

“Humanitarian Award” the Greater Frisco Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, October 1, 2011, Dallas, TX
“Educator of the Year Award” the Greater Frisco Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, October 8, 2011, Dallas, TX
“Hero of Breast Cancer Research” the Blazing Trails International Center, October 15, 2011, Dallas, TX
“The Inspiring Hope Award” Breast Cancer Resources Centers (BCRC) of Texas, October 25, 2011, Georgetown, TX

DR. PUNIT KAUR

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Nagaraja GM, Kaur P, Neumann W, Asea EE, Bausero MA, Multhoff G, Asea A. (2011). Silencing hsp25/hsp27 gene expression augments proteasome activity and increases CD8+ T cell-mediated tumor killing and memory responses. Cancer Prevention Res (in press).

Posters/Exhibits

Kaur P, Khode R, Asea EE, and Asea A. Hyperthermia-induced tumor regression: Role for circulating Hsp72, exosomes and microvesicles, October 15-17, Orlando, FL

Conferences Attended

Dionex Products Separation Science 2011 Fall Seminar Series, October 25, San Antonio, TX

DR. NAGARAJA GANACHARI-MALLAPPA

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Nagaraja GM, Kaur P, Neumann W, Asea EE, Bausero MA, Multhoff G, Asea A. (2011). Silencing hsp25/hsp27 gene expression augments proteasome activity and increases CD8+ T cell-mediated tumor killing and memory responses. Cancer Prevention Res (in press).

Service

Attended Close to Cure Breast Cancer Awareness event and interacted with breast cancer survivors, supporters, and KCEN television for fund raising supporting program for Dr. Asea’s research, October 8, 2011, Harker Heights, TX

Division of Molecular Cardiology

Professional Service

Shaodong Guo
Dr. Guo has been invited to be a manuscript reviewer for Molecular Endocrinology.
Dr. Guo has been invited to be a grant reviewer for the Scott & White Research Grants Program (SWRGP).
Dr. Guo is currently serving on the dissertation committee for Colby A. Souders, Ph.D-student in the Division of Molecular Cardiology.

Kenneth M. Baker
Dr. Baker is serving on the Pediatric Chair Search Committee at Scott & White Hospital.
Dr. Baker is currently serving on the dissertation committee for Stephanie L.K. Bowers, Ph.D.-student in the Division of Molecular Cardiology.

David E. Dostal
Dr. Dostal has been placed on the slate for election as a Fellow of the American Heart Association (F.A.H.A.) affiliated with the Council for Basic Cardiovascular Sciences.

Grants (reviewed)

Shaodong Guo
Dr. Guo’s NIHR01 that was submitted to NIDDK has received an outstanding score. A final decision whether to fund this project will be made mid-February by the National Advisory Council.

Publications (published)

Kumar S, Gupta S. Thymosin beta 4 prevents oxidative stress by targeting antioxidant and anti-apoptotic genes in cardiac fibroblasts. PLoS ONE 6(10): e26912. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0026912, published online 25 Oct 2011.

Publications (accepted)

Zhang K, Li L, Qi Y, Zhu X, Averitt T, Gan B, Depinho RA, Guo S. Hepatic Suppression of Foxo1 and Foxo3 Causes Hypoglycemia and Hyperlipidemia in Mice. Accepted for publication in Endocrinology.

Publications (submitted)

Nizamutdinova IT, Guleria RS, Singh AB, Tanaka T, Baker KM, Pan J. Retinoic Acid Protects Cardiomyocytes from High Glucose-Induced Apoptosis via Inhibition of Sustained Activation of NF-B Signaling. Submitted to PLos ONE.

Internal Medicine

View an online report of Internal Medicine's Scholarly Activity (PDF)

Internal Medicine Research

Alpini

  • Lecture “Melatonin regulation of biliary growth", Anatomy, University of the Studies of Rome “Sapienza”, October 18, 2011.
  • Lecture “Melatonin regulation of cholangiocarcinoma growth", Gastroenterology, University of the Studies of Rome “Sapienza”, October.
  • Abstract review member for the Biliary Physiology, Transport, Cholangiocyte Biology, Experimental Cholestasis: Organic Ion Transport, Bilirubin Metabolism; Cholesterol, Lipid, Bile Acid Metabolism; Cholangiocyte Biology; Experimental Cholestasis review group for DDW 2012 meeting.

DeMorrow

Manuscripts
  • M. Quinn, Y. Ueno, H. Pae, L. Huang, G. Frampton, C. Galindo, H. Francis, D. Horvat, M. McMillin, S. DeMorrow* (2011). Suppression of the HPA axis during extrahepatic biliary obstruction induces cholangiocyte proliferation. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. In press PMID: 21979757
  • G. Frampton, P. Invernizzi, F. Bernuzzi, H Pae, D Horvat, C. Galindo, M. Quinn, L. Huang, M. McMillin, L. Rimassa, S DeMorrow*. (2011) Interleukin-6- driven progranulin expression increases cholangiocarcinoma growth by an Akt dependent mechanism. Gut.  In press
Book chapter
  • M Quinn, M. McMillin, G. Frampton, S. Afroze, L. Huang, S. DeMorrow*.  (2011) The role of the tumor microenvironment in the pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma. In Liver Cancer.   Publishers: Intech.

Francis

Manuscripts
  • The H4 Histamine Receptor Agonist, Clobenpropit, Suppresses Human Cholangiocarcinoma Progression by Disruption of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition and Tumor Metastasis F Meng, Y Han, D Staloch, T Francis, A Stokes, H Francis. Hepatology, Vol. 54, No. 5, 2011