Research Activities

1. Basic Research – Facilities for basic science research are available in pulmonary physiology, immunology and microbiology, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation laboratory.
2. Clinical Research – A major strength of the faculty is the ability to conduct clinical studies. Current activities focus on obstructive airway diseases, sleep disorders, pulmonary infections and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Active Research Projects:

1. Effect of Inhaled Steroids on IL-8 in Induced Sputum and in Serum of Patients with COPD. Desuyo E, Raslan A, Crisostomo I, Fulambarker A. 2003.
2. Outcome of COPD Patients on Mechanical Ventilator With and Without Systemic Corticosteroids. Sood V, Rashid A, Gazmuri R, Fulambarker A, Raslan A. 2003.
3. The Use of Intravenous Motelukast in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Acute Exacerbations: Effect on Spirometric Measurements. Sood V, Copur A, Fulambarker A. 2003.
4. Heliox in Acute Asthma. Maria Iliescu, MD, Erick Gluck, MD, Joseph Rosman, MD.
5. Comparison of Pulmonary Function in Immigrant Versus U.S. Born Asian Indians. A Fulambarker, MD, A Copur, MD, Mark Cohen, PhD. 2002-2003.
6. Randomized double-blind, placebo controlled, parallel group trial assessing the proportion of patients experiencing an exacerbation and proportion of patients hospitalized for an exacerbation over 6 months during treatment with tiotropium 18 mcg capsule once daily in patients with COPD in a Veterans Affairs setting. VA Cooperative Study in collaboration with Boehringer – Ingelheim. Ashok Fulambarker, MD. 2001.
7. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study to investigate the long term effects of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (Seretide/Viani/Advair) 50/500 mg bd, salmeterol 50 mg bd and fluticasone propionate 500mg bd, all delivered via the Discus/ Accuhaler inhaler, on the survival of subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) over 3 years of treatment. Glaxo Study. Ashok Fulambarker, MD. 2001.
8. “Myocardial Protection During Cardiac Arrest”, Source: VA Merit Review. Annual Direct Cost: $105,800 to $109,100. Role: Principal Investigator. 1998-2000.
9. “Myocardial Protection During Ventricular Fibrillation”, Source: VA Merit Review. Annual Direct Cost: $150,000 to $225,500. Role: Principal Investigator. 2001-2004.
10. 1 R01 HL71728-01, “Myocardial Protection by NHE-1 Inhibition”, Source: NIH Annual Direct Cost: $175,000 to $225,000. Role: Principal Investigator. 2002-2006.

Completed Research Projects:

1. Myocardial Acid-Base Changes During CPR”. Source: National Institutes of Health, NHLBI #1R01 HL39148-01 and Competing Continuation #1R01 HL39148-04A2. Annual Direct Costs: $82,000 to approximately $200,000. Role: Co-Investigator. Principal Investigator: Raul Gazmuri, MD.
2. “Resuscitation after Prolonged Cardiac Arrest”. Source: National Institutes of Health, NHLBI #1RO1 HL42590-01. Annual Direct Costs: $148,986. Role: Principal Investigator: Principal Investigator: Raul Gazmuri, MD.
3. Long Term Effectiveness of Nasal CPAP in Mild Sleep Apnea Compared to Conservative Measures. R.H. Shashikumar, MD, Ashok Fulambarker, MD. 2002. Chest 2002; 122-4, 130S.
4. Analysis of Patients with Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD) Treated With and Without Antibiotics: A Retrospective Study. Shazli Manzoor, MD, Ashok Fulambarker, MD. 2002. Chest 2002; 122-4, 46S.
5. The Effect of Air Pollution and Pollen on Emergency Room Visits for Asthma Exacerbation in Both Urban and Suburban Hospitals in Chicago Area. S.Z. Istanbouly, MD, E.H. Gluck, MD, A.M. Fulambarker, MD, P.H. Sheridan, MD, M. Muammar, MD. 2003.
6. A Phase 2 Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of Sivelestat in Subjects with Acute Lung Injury. Frank Maldonado, MD. 2002.
7. A Randomized double blind, Phase III, comparative study of Cidecin (Daptomycin) to Rocephin (Ceftriaxone) in the treatment of Moderate to Severe Community Acquired Acute Bacterial Pneumonia due to S. Pneumoniae. Cubist Pharmaceuticals. Ashok Fulambarker, MD. 2000-2001.
8. A Randomized double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, parallel group study to assess the efficacy and safety of Oral Gemifloxacin( Factive) 320 mg Once Daily for 5 days versus Oral Levofloxacin 500 mg Once Daily for 7 days for the treatment of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis. SmithKline Beecham. Ashok Fulambarker, MD. 2000.
9. Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, multicenter comparison of the safety and efficacy of Oral Moxifloxacin 400 mg QD for 5 days vs. Azithromycin 250 mg QD for 5 days (500mg QD for the first day) For the treatment of Acute exacerbation of Chronic bronchitis or Oral Moxifloxacin 400 mg QD for 10 days vs. Amoxicillin/ Clavulanate 875 mg BID for 10 days. For the treatment of Acute Maxillary Sinusitis Infection” sponsored by Bayer. Ashok Fulambarker, MD. 1999.
10. Dynamic changes of Upper Airway during exercise in-patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. A. Sarrigiannidis, MD, Ashok Fulambarker, MD. 1999.
11. Analysis of reduced pulmonary function in healthy Non-Smoking Asian Indians. Ashok Fulambarker, M.D. Completed 2001.
12. A Randomized, controlled, blinded, multicenter trial to assess the efficacy of protection from the Natural Influenza Virus Infection of the Influenza Virus Vaccine, Trivalent, Types A and B, Live, Cold-adapted (CAIV-T) and Inactivated Influenza Virus Vaccine in Patients with COPD. CSP#48. Ashok Fulambarker, MD. Completed 2000.
13. Linezolid (PNU-100766) in the Treatment of Patients with Nosocomial Pneumonia: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Comparator-Controlled Study. Protocol No. M/1260/0048. Sponsor: Pharmacia & Upjohn. Role: Sub-Investigator at North Chicago VA. Principal Investigator: Frank A. Maldonado, MD. 1999-2000.