Faculty Research Activities
2005 - 2007

Gastroenterology Research Activities:

• Hymie Kavin, MD, Richard Messersmith MD. Radiological percutaneous gastromy and gastrojejunostomy with T-fastner gastroplexy. Aspects of importance to the endoscopist. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Department of Radiology. Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL.
Amer J Gastroenterol (2006) - Accepted for publication.
• H. Kavin, J. Berman, TL Martin, A. Feldman. K. Forsey-Koukol. Successful wireless capsule endoscopy in a two-and-half yr. old child: obscure gastrointestinal bleeding from mixed capillary hemangiomes-angiomatosis of jejunum. Pediatrics 2006; 117(2):539-543.
• Thomas Martin, Timothy Laurie, Dean Silas. Hematemesis in a 49 year-old male with Cocaine Induced Gastro-Duodenal Ischemia. Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL. Presenting at the American College GI Conference in Las Vegas, 2006.
• Tang, J. Sharma, S., Darkazally, Y., Shah, P., Perlmuter, L., Feller, A. Risk Factors for Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients on Warfarin Therapy. Presented at RFUMS/CMS Research Symposium, March 2006. Best Clinical Poster Awarded to Javon Tang
MS 4.
• Mani Mahdavian, T. Laurie, Gene Chang - A Case of a 56 yr Woman with Stage IV Metastastic Melanoma Post Induction Therapy with Experimental Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte associated Antigen 4 Blockade presenting with Diarrhea. Accepted for Presentation. ACG Meeting. Hawaii, October/November 2005
• Martin TL, O’Riordan K, Piotrowski A, Dolan J, O’Connor J, Endosalpingiosis Masquerading as Cirrhosis in a Woman with Abdominal Pain. Advocate E-journal, Fall/Winter 2005.
• JJ Engel, TL Martin. Edwardsiella tarda as a Cause of Postdysenteric Ulcerative Colitis. Case report. Accepted for publication by the International Journal of Colorectal Disease.
• Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the VA Population: Enrollment in VA Data Registry and Treatment with Initial Daily High dose: Principal Investigator: Axel Feller, MD (Sponsor: Schering).
• A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Celecoxib (SC-58635) in Prevention of Colorectal Sporadic Adenomatous Polyps. EQ4-00-02-018. Principal Investigators: Axel Feller, MD and Daniel Kruss, MD (Sponsor: Pharmacia).
• Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Outcomes in VA (A retrospective study) Principal Investigator: Pallavi Shah, MD.
• Long Term follow-up of Growth Hormone Treated Elderly Veterans: A retrospective study. Principal Investigator: Axel Feller, MD.
• An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Hepatitis Risk Factor Screening in the Veteran Population. Principal Investigator: Axel Feller, MD.
• Risk factors of gastrointestinal bleeding in Patients with Warfarin in a Veterans Affairs Hospital Setting. Principal Investigator: Pallavi Shah, MD.
• RISK FACTORS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING IN PATIENT’S ON LONG TERM WARFARIN THERAPYSumit Sharma MD, Jevon Tang MD, Pallavi Shah MD, Lawrence Perlmuter PhD, Axel Feller MD
Ongoing Projects
Clinical Trial Participation
• O’Riordan, K., MD. A phase III study of the safety and antiviral activity of entecavir
versus lamivudine in hepatitis B e antigen positive chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
• O’Riordan, K., MD. A phase III study of the safety and antiviral activity of entecavir
versus lamivudine in hepatitis B e antigen negative chronic hepatitis B virus
infection.
• (PRESAP) Clinical Protocol for a Randomize, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Celecoxib (SC-58635) in Prevention of Colorectal Sporadic Adenomatous Polyps EQ4-00-02-018 Principal Investigators: Axel Feller, MD, Daniel Kruss, MD. Sponsor: Pharmacia.
• Long Term Follow-Up of Growth Hormone Treated Elderly Veterans: A Retrospective Study. Principal Investigator: Axel Feller, MD.
• Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in patients on Warfarin in a Veterans Affair Hospital Setting. Principal Investigator: Axel Feller, MD.
• A Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of TAK-390MR(60mg QD & 90mg QD) Compared to Placebo on Symptom Relief in Subjects with Symptomatic Non-Erosive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) (T-GD040)
• A Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of TAK-390MR(60mg QD & 90mg QD) and an Active Comparator, Lansoprazole 30mg QD on Healing of Erosive Esophagitis (T-EE04-085)
8. A Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of TAK-390MR(60mg QD & 90mg QD) Compared to Placebo in Maintenance of Healing in Subjects with Healed Erosive Esophagitis (EE) (T-EE04-087)
• A Phase 3 Open-Label Study to Assess the Long-Term Safety of TAK-390MR(60mg QD & 90mg QD) (T-G104-088)
• An Open-Label, 2-way Crossover Study of Steady-State Intragastrin pH Contro; Comparing 2 Dosage Regimens of Esomeprazole and Lansoprazole in BArett’s Esophagus Patients. Study Code: D9612L00082
• Implementing a Group Clinic Improves a Gastroenterology Service Performance Indicators.
Trials to Start
• Pharmacokinetics of Pegasys in Patients with Hepatitis C genotype.
Kenneth O’Riordan, MD (Sponsor: ROCHE)
• Ribavirin vs. Peg-Intron and Ribavirin. Kenneth O’Riordan, MD

Epidemiology Research Activities:

1. HIV
2. Racial Disparities in Health
3. Pediatric and Adult Obesity
4. Pediatric Asthma
5. Evaluation of Many Interventions
6. Smoking Cessation
7. Mammography QI

Endocrinology Research Activities:

• Singh,S. LY33531 Treatment For Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathyin patients with Diabetes (Protocol B7A-MC- MBCW)
• Singh,S. LY33531 Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy in patients with Diabetes (Protocol B7A-MC-MBBR)
• Singh,S. Follow-on study to SPM 927 (Protocol # SP745) A Multi-center, Open-label, Follow-on Trial to Assess the Long-term Safety and Efficacy of SPM 927 in Subjects with Painful Distal Diabetic Neuropathy
• Singh,S. A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo, Parallel Group Study to Assess the Effect of the Endothelin Receptor Antagonist Avosentan (SPP3301) on Time to Doubling of Serum Creatinine, End Stage Renal Disease or Death in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Nephropathy
• Singh,S. Metabolic Control and Cognitive Functioning in Type II Diabetes Mellitus
• Singh,S. A 24-Week Randomised, Double-Blind,Parallel-Group,Multicenter,Active Controlled (pioglitazone ) Sudy to Evaluate the Efficacy,Safety and Tolerability of Tesagliazar Therapy when Administered to Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (GALLAANT 6).
• Singh,S Trial to Reduce Cardiovascular Events with Aranesp Therapy (TREAT)
• Singh,S. Diminished Brain Glucose Uptake in Alzheimer’s Disease. Role of Plasma Membrane Lipids and Effect of Statin
• Singh,S. A randomized double blind placebo controlled,parallel group study to assess the effect of the endothelin receptor antagonist avostatin ontime doubling serum creatinine,end stage renal disease or death in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy
• Gilden,J Neurohormonal Changes in Diabetes and in Autonomic Neuropathy (Investigator Initiated), Pilot Grant Multidisciplinary Program, RFUMS (collaboration with Department of Physiology and Biophysics)
11 Gilden,J Effects of Cranberry Juice on Peripheral and Autonomic Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.
• Gilden,J 1.Randomized Double-Blind, Multicenter Study to Define Clinical Benefit of Midodrine HCL in Patients with Neurogenic Orthostatic Hyopotension (Midodrine #401).
Singh,S (CO-I)
1. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) Brain Glucose Metabolism in diminished in AD. Using human astrocyte, our studies are aimed to investigate molecular biology of glucose uptake, glucose transporters and glucose metabolism to understand pathogenesis of AD.
2. New Approaches in Diabetes Prevention and Treatment:
Several studies are aimed to investigate effectiveness of new antidiabetic agents, e.g., Vidaglipitin, muriglitazar (glucose homeostasis). SPM 927 (diabetic neuropathy), endothelin receptor anatogonist avosentan and Darbepoetin (diabetic nephropathy).
3. New Methodologies to study hypoglycemia. Using Continuous Glucose
Monitoring System (determination of blood glucose every 5 minutes for 72 hrs) the prevalence and the underlying mechanism of hypoglycemia in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is under investigation.
4. Orthostatic Hypotension (OH). Role of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in diabetic subjects is under investigation to understand the path physiology of orthostatic hypotension. Furthermore,
Effect of drugs like midodrine is being investigated as the management
Of OH.
(5). Cognitive Function in Metabolic Disorders
Doctoral Dissertation: Title: Continuous Glucose Monitoring System and Cognitive Function in Diabetes Mellitus. PhD Awarded June 2006.

Note: Above studies, have been supported by grants from:
The State of Illinois,
Eli-Lilly,
Amegen,
Bristol Meyers,
Novartis,
Astra-Zeneca ,
Roberts pharmaceutical Co and
Schwarz BioSciences, Inc.

Resident Research Activities

• On-Going Research
The role of fibrates in secondary prevention of cardiovascular events: pooled meta-analysis.Principal Investigator: Rohit Arora, MD
• Statins in prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with renal insufficiency: pooled meta-analysis.
Principal Investigator: Rohit Arora, MD
• Evaluation and management of hyponatremia: an emerging role for vasopressin receptor antagonistsSheldon Chen, Nishant Jalandhara and Daniel Batlle. Published: Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology
Peer-Reviewed Papers
• Vishwajeet Bembi M.D.; Sarabjeet Singh M.D.; Paramjeet Singh M.D.; G.K.Aneja M.D. D.M; T.V.S. Arya M.D D.M.; Rohit Arora M.D. F.A.C.C. “Prevalence of Peripheral Arterial Disease in a Cohort of Diabetic Patients”. South Med J. 2006 Jun; 99(6):564-9.
• Sarabjeet Singh MD, Meenakshi Verma MD, Amol Bahekar MD, Preeti Agrawal MD, Jasleen Duggal MD, Maria Iliescu MD, Pam Khosla MD, Shirin Muzaffar MD. “Enoxaparin Induced Skin Necrosis: A Fatal Outcome “in press in American Journal of Therapeutics
• Amol Bahekar, Rohit Arora, Janos Molnar, Sarabjeet Singh, Sandeep Saha,” The
Prevalence and Incidence of Coronary Heart Disease are Significantly Increased in
Periodontitis: A Meta-Analysis” in press American Heart Journal (AHJ).
• Amol Bahekar, Janos Molnar, Sarabjeet Singh, Sandeep Saha, Rohit Arora “Risk of
Coronary Heart Diesease is Significantly Increased in Edentulous Patients” In press in Online
Cardiology Journal
• Sarabjeet Singh MD, Paari Dominic Swaminathan M.D., Arun Mozhi Dominic M.B.B.S., Janos Molnar M.D.,David Geenen Ph.D Intracoronary Bone Marrow Stem Cells Preserve Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Meta-analysis. Journal of Catheterization and Diagnostic Cardiology. May 1, 2007; Vol 69, Issue 6, S 21: A27.
• Amol Bahekar, Rohit Arora, Janos Molnar, Sarabjeet Singh, Sandeep Saha,” The Prevalence and Incidence of Coronary Heart Disease are Significantly Increased in Periodontitis: A Meta-Analysis” Journal of American College of Cardiology (JACC) 2007 vol 49, No 9; 1002-160: 327A (Supplement A)
• Sarabjeet Singh, MD; Param Puneet, Singh MD; Janos Molnar, MD; Rohit Arora, MD FACC, Non-inferiority of Bivalirudin Versus Heparin in Cardiac Outcomes Reduction But Superiority in Reduction of Bleeding in Acute Coronary Syndrome and PCI: Meta-Analysis. Program book, Illinois chapter, ACP Nov 2006
• Jalandhara Nishant, Vohra Sameera, Bahekar Amol, Mahmood Farzan, Singh Sarabjeet, Verma Meenakshi. Wernickes encephalopathy. Program book, Illinois chapter, ACP Nov 2006
• Meenakshi Verma MD, Sarabjeet Singh MD, Amol Bahekar MD, Preeti Agrawal MD, Jasleen Duggal MD, Maria Iliescu MD, Pam Khosla MD, Shirin Muzaffar MD. “Enoxaparin Induced Skin Necrosis: A Fatal Outcome. Program book, Illinois chapter, ACP Nov 2006
• Sumit Sharma,; Preeti Aggarwal,; Sarabjeet Singh. A Rare Case of Autoimmune Pancreatitis. Accepted for publication in Journal of Gastroenterology
 

Oral Presentations
• "Efficacy and Safety of Bivalirudin versus Heparins in Reduction of Cardiac Outcomes in Acute Coronary Syndrome and PCI" in 13th World Congress on Heart Disease,

• The Gastrointestinal bleeding in male patient’s on long term oral anti coagulation therapy in a veteran’s affairs hospital setting
• Sumit Sharma M.D., Pallavi Shah M.D., Lawrence Perlmuter PhD, Axel G. Feller M.D.
Presented an abstract to the 71st Annual Scientific meeting of the American College of
Gastroenterology October, 2006 Published in the Supplement of the American Journal
of Gastroenterology October, 2006
• Risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding in patient’s on long term oral anti coagulation therapy Sumit Sharma M.D., Jevon Tang, Pallavi Shah M.D., Lawrence Perlmuter PhD, Axel G. Feller M.D.
• Poster Presentation - 1st Prize in the CMS category in the Research Consortium meeting held at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences, March 6th, 2006
• Nutrition Support in Severe Acute Pancreatitis Sumit Sharma M.D., Stephen J O’Keefe M.D. *Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA In Press – “Gastroenterology Clinics of North America” April, 2007
• Pancreatic Diseases – Book Chapter ; Artificial Nutritional Support in Clinical Practice
Sumit Sharma M.D., Stephen J O’Keefe M.D. *Division of Gastroenterology,
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA In Press – April, 2007
• Acute superior mesenteric vein thrombosis associated with homocystenemia
Sumit Sharma M.D. Clinical vignette, American College of Physicians, ACP Nov 2005,
Illinois
• Estimation and comparison of serum HDL cholesterol levels in various liver diseases
Sumit Sharma M.D. Poster Presentation: American Gastroenterological Association
for Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2006
• A rare case of autoimmune pancreatitis Sumit Sharma M.D., Sarabjeet Singh MD, Preeti Agrawal MD, Jack Garron MD, Arun Verma MD. Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Chicago, IL 2006 Presented an abstract to the 71st Annual Scientific meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology October, 2006
Published in the Supplement of the American Journal of Gastroenterology October,
2006

Chief Resident Research Activities
 

• Effect of Combination ACE and ARB in patients with heart failure A Meta Analysis. Jalandhara N, Adigopula S, Arora R. Oral Presentation at AHA 2008 annual conference, New Orleans.

Renal effects of Combination ACE and ARB in patients with heart failure, AMI or High risk DM- A Meta Analysis. Jalandhara N, Adigopula S, Smith E. Poster presentation at 2008 annual ASN conference, Philadelphia

Intra-aortic Balloon Pump Does Not Improve Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Meta-analysis. Bahekar A, Dominic Swaminathan P, Balamuthusamy S, Khosla S and Ahmed A. Submitted to American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2007. (control no: 07-SS-A-16641-AHA:)
• Perioperative Betablockers Reduce Cardiovascular events in Patients Undergoing High Risk Non-cardiac Surgery: A Meta-analysis. Mapakshi N, Dominic Swaminathan P, Kodumuri V, Bhargava S and Khosla S. Submitted to American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2007.(control no: 07-SS-A-16105-AHA)
• Intravenous low molecular weight heparin is safer than unfractionated heparin with comparable efficacy in percutaneous coronary interventions. Kodumuri V, Dominic Swaminathan P, Mapakshi N & Khosla S. Oral Presentation at European Society of Cardiology Congress 2007, Vienna, Austria. ( Tracking ID- 89070 )
• Mapakshi N, Dominic Swaminathan P and Khosla S. Metaanalysis: Safety and Efficacy of Carotid Angioplasty & Stenting compared to Endarterectomy. Catheterization & Cardiovascular Interventions, Vol 69, Issue 6, May 2007, pg S23, Abstract A-34.

• Balamuthusamy S, Arora RR. Hematological Adverse effects of Clopidogrel. American Journal of Therapeutics. January/February 2007, Volume 14, Issue 1
• Arora R, Balamuthusamy S. Statins, diet, and low cholesterol. JAMA. 2006 Jun 7; 295(21):2479; author reply 2479-80.
• Balamuthusamy S, Khosla S, Benatar D, Arora RR. Myocardial infarction in a young African-American male due to myocardial bridging. Cardiology. 2006; 105(3):165-7. Epub 2006 Feb 10.
• Balamuthusamy S, Desai B. MRI changes in cocaine induced Toxic encephalopathy. International Journal of Medicine and Psychiatry. www.priory.com/psych/toxicencephelopathy.pdf.
• Balamuthusamy S, Arora RR. Diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia as a complication of eptifibatide, acetylsalicylic acid and Clopidogrel. Online Journal of Cardiology.0ct 14, 2005.
• Balamuthusamy S, Arora RR. Late sodium channel blockers and Partial Fox inhibitors as newer antianginals. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics. (In press)
• Balamuthusamy S, Meka S, Khosla S, Srinivasan L, Saha S, Ahmed A, Benatar D, Trivedi A, Arora RR. Clinical utility of cardiac troponins I in patients with renal failure. American Journal of Therapeutics. (In press, due for publication in June 07)
Abstracts published:
• Balamuthusamy S, Meka S, Khosla S, Srinivasan L, Saha S. Clinical utility of cardiac troponins I in patients with renal failure. Catheterization and Cardovascular Intervention Supplement. May 2006. ( SCAI May/2006)
• Balamuthusamy S, Sengodan M, Benatar D. Efficacy of Beta-blockers in patients with Myocardial Bridging. Catheterization and Cardovascular Intervention Supplement. May 2006.. (SCAI May/2006)
• Balamuthusamy S, Cheng J, Hathiwala S, Ahmed M, Smith E. Beta- Blockers are inferior to Calcium cannel blockers for the occurrence of new onset renal failure in patients with Hypertension. JASN Suppl. November 2006 ( American Society of Nephrology’Nov 06)
• Balamuthusamy S, Srinivasan L, Das A, Jalandara N, Smith E. Cardiac Troponin I Has Low Negative Predictive Value For The Detection Of Occlusive Coronary Artery Disease In Patients With Renal Failure. AJKD (in press)
• Balamuthusamy S, Mapakshi N, Das A, Hathiwala S, Arora R, Smith E .Statins Decrease The Risk Of Myocardial Infarction, Coronary Heart Disease And Vascular Events In Patients With Renal Failure. AJKD (in press)
• Balamuthusamy S Molnar J Arora R Hathiwala S Smith E. Combination of beta-blockers and diuretics increase the occurrence of new onset diabetes mellitus in hypertension: a meta-analysis (Oral Presenattion). Kidney International (in press)
• Balamuthusamy S, Molnar J, Khosla S, Adigopula S, Bhuriya R, Jalandara N, Arora R. Statins Decrease the Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Coronary Heart Disease Mortality in Patients With Renal Failure: A Meta-Analysis (Control#: 347064) in a ACC.Poster Session. J Am Coll Cardiol, 2007; 49:184-253, doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2007.01.039
• Balamuthusamy S, Molnar J, Jalandara N, Das A, Khosla S, Arora R. Beta-blockers increase risk for Major Cardiovascular events in hypertension patients with diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Intervention; Supplement May 2007
• Saravanan Balamuthusamy, MD1, Janos Molnar, PhD1, Rohit Arora, MD1, Suresh Hathiwala, MD2, Jen Cheng, MD1 and Earl Smith, MD2. Beta-blockers and Risk for Stroke in Hypertensive Patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Clinical Hypertension. Vol (9); 5 Supplement A
• Saravanan Balamuthusamy, MD1, Rohit Arora, MD1, Suresh Hathiwala, MD2, Arjun Das, MD1, Sasikanth Adigopula, MD1, Meenakshi Verma, MD1 and Earl Smith, MD2. Cardiac Troponin I has Decreased Utility for Diagnosing Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease in Renal Failure patients with Sub-optimal Blood Pressure Control. Journal of Clinical Hypertension. Vol (9); 5 Supplement A
 

Geriatrics Research Activities
• Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Outcomes in V.A. (A Retrospective) Principal Investigator: Dr. Palavi M. Shah
• Long Term Follow-Up of Growth Hormone Treated Elderly Veterans: A Retrospective Study. Principal Investigator: Axel Feller, MD
• A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study of Three Fixed Doses of Aripiprazole in the Treatment of Institutionalized Patients With Psychosis Associated With Dementia Of the Alzheimer’s Type (CN138-004) Principal Investigator: Axel Feller, MD Sponsor: Bristol Myers Squibb
• An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Hepatitis Risk Factor Screening in the Veteran Population Principal Investigator: Axel Feller, MD
• Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients on Warfarin in a Veteran Population Principal Investigator: Pallavi Shah, MD
• Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Nursing Home Patients. Assessment of Postprandial Hypotension and relationship Between Activities and Blood Pressure. Principal Investigator: Dr. Jen-Chieh Cheng
• Hyponatremia in Nursing Home Patients. Principal Investigator: Dr. Jen-Chieh Cheng
• Outcome Focused Discharge Summaries and Reports of Patient Activation and Palliative Performance Scale-Key Components of an Intervention to Improve the Quality of Transitions from Hospital to Home. Co-Principle Investigators: Dr. Jan Clarke and Dr. Frank Maldonado.
• Effects of Oral Morphine on Cardiac Hemodynamics and Perception of Dyspena in Patients with Advances Heart Failure, IRB approved local in system IRB. Investigator: Dr. William Rhoades.

General Internal Medicine Research Activities

Hugo Alvarez, M.D

• Integrating Cultrure in Resident Education (I-CARE). Primary Care Training Grant -HRSA. Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital. Cultural Competency Component. 2003-2006.
• Refining and Standardizing Health Literacy Assessment. R01. NIH funded $300k. Site PI.
• Low Health Literacy Strategy to Improve Self-Management of Hypertension and Elevated Cholesterol. PI.

Stuart Kiken, MD

• Primary care grant 6 modules/year co-director (along with Steve Whitman)

ALAN RICHARD HIRSCH, M.D., F.A.C.P

Title: Odor Hedonics And Physician-Patient Interaction
Investigator: Hirsch, A.R.
Support: Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation
Title: Effect of Odors On Proficiency In Team Sports
Investigator: Hirsch, A.R.
Support: Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation
Title: Effect of Odors On Olfactory-Induced Pseudoseizures
Investigator: Hirsch, A.R.
Support: Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation
Title: Self-Mutilation As a Modality of Treatment of Burning Mouth Syndrome
Investigator: Hirsch, A.R.
Support: Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation
Title: Chemosensory Effect of Prolonged Nasal Deprivation
Investigator: Hirsch, A.R.
Support: Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation
Title: Olfactory Ability Among Those with Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Investigator: Hirsch, A.R.
Support: Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation
Title: Comparison of Commercially Available Olfactory Tests
Investigator: Hirsch, A.R.
Support: Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation
Title: Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction in Neurologic Outpatients
Investigator: Hirsch, A.R.
Support: Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation
Title: Effects of Apple Spice Odor on DSMIIIR Axis I Generalized
Anxiety Disorders
Investigator: Hirsch, A.R.
Support: International Flavors and Fragrances

Cathy Lazarus, MD

Research Advising and Student Mentorship
Chicago Medical School/Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
• Facilitator and Advisor for M2 students Heather Leeper, Elisa Chang and M4 student Felicia Boyd “A Student Developed Curriculum in Sexual History Taking” project that lead to curriculum unit in ICM II on sexual history taking with large group lecture and small group discussions/role plays developed, delivered, facilitated, evaluated and written up by students. (2006)
• Sponsor and Advisor, MD/PhD student Sidharth Mahapatra Student PI, “The New Life Volunteering Society Prevention Through Screening and Education Program” AAMC/Pzifer Caring for Communities grant project, $23,000 over four years (2006)
• Sponsor and advisor, M1 student PI Sheena Maharaj, “The New Life Volunteering Society Mental Health Outreach Program”, American Psychiatric Foundation grant project, $5000 (2006)
• Sponsor and advisor, MD/PhD and M2/M1 students, Sidharth Mahapatra Student PI, “The Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Helping Hands Grant Program” $5000 to create and implement student mental screening outreach program (2006)
• Sponsor and advisor, M3 student (Robert Sitarz), 2nd Annual Medical Education Leadership Institute, AMSA, 2005-present: created and implemented a 2nd and 4th year elective for medical students as teachers (2006)
• Faculty Advisor/supervising physician, Chicago Medical School Healthcare Project (oversee evening clinic for homeless, provide input to the student board)(2005-present)
• Physician, New Life Volunteering Society (volunteer physician supervisor for medical student run clinic serving Southeast Asian and other underserved ethnic community population) includes medical students from six medical schools in Chicago (CMS, Loyola, Northwestern, UIC, University of Chicago, Rush) (2006-present)
• Member, thesis committee, Mien-Chin Sunny Chen, PhD candidate in Health Systems Management, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, “Managerial aspects of lessons learned and character strengths of public hospital systems workforce, volunteered physicians, and physicians who practiced in the disaster areas post hurricanes Katrina and Rita disasters” (ongoing)
• Member, thesis committee, Donna L. Williams, MS, MPH, doctoral candidate at Tulane University School of Medicine “Assessment and Comparison of Cultural Competence Preparedness in First Year Students at Two US Medical Schools” (2005)
Tulane University School of Medicine
• Advisor, T2T3 student (Dhaval Patel), MD/MPH capstone, “Implementing the Heart Health Standardized Patient Case”, 2004-present
• Advisor, T2/T3 student (Cidney Hulett), AMSA fellowship in End of Life Education, 2004-present
• Advisor, T4 student (David Brush), “Effect of Service Learning on Academic and Clinical Performance Outcomes in Medical Students” 2003-present
• Advisor, T1/T2 students (Fasih Hameed, Jaqueline Firth, Mark Bittman), creating a curriculum in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2002-present
• Advisor, T1/T2 elective, “Activism in Medicine” (Nida Qadir, Jacqueline Firth and others), 2003-present
• Advisor, T4 Student Research Elective "Disability Awareness in Medical Education" (Lesley Saketkoo), 2000-present
• Co-PI with Paul Jones, MD “The Chicago Humanism Honor Society Consortium”,Chicago Medical School, Rush University School of Medicine, and the ACGME, 2005-2006 ($3500)
• PI “Student Opinions on Social Issues and Their Relevance to Medical Curricula”, Chicago Medical School and Louisiana State University School of Medicine, 2005- 2006
• PI “Dissemination of the Provider Education Materials for the NHLBI Heart Truth Campaign” Office of Women’s Health, DHHS 2004-2006, contract ($48,348)
Cardiology Research Activities
• Principal Investigator – Does ACT guided use of dalteparin offer significant clinical benefit in percutomeous coronary intervention 2003 - $3,500.
• Associate Investigator – Safety and Efficacy of Enoxaparin in PCI Patients, and International Randomized Evaluation (Steeple): Sponsored Aventis
• Principal Investigator – A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Parallel – Group study of randomized SR at a Dose of 1000 mg twice a day in patients with angina who remain symptomatic on Amlodipine: Cardiovascular Therapeutics.
• Evaluation of Coronary Blood Flow and Regulation via Transmyocardial Ventricular Assist Device in Sheep-PI – Ken Khaw Double-Blind randomized study of ranolazine SR at doses of 1,000 mg twice a day in patients with chronic angina despite treatment with Amlodopine: Cardiovascular Therapeutics.
• A Long-Term, Open-Label, Safety Extension Study of the Combination of Fenofibric Acid and Statin Therapy for Subjects with Mixed Dyslipiemia. Abbott Laboratories – Protocol M05-758
• A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Prospective Study Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Fenofibric Acid and Simvastatin Combination Therapy to Fenofibric Acid and Simvastatin Monotherapy in Subjects with Mixed Dyslipidemia. Abbott Laboratories – Protocol M05-749
• Randomized Double Evaluation of L-T Anticoagulant Therapy Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of 2 Blind doses of dabigatran etexilate with open label warfarin for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular afib (RE-LY). 06-017
• Saha SA, Molnar J, Arora RR. Tissue-Specific Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors in Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Preserved Left Ventricular Function: A Pooled Meta-Analysis. This was a pooled meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials elucidating the role of tissue-specific ACE inhibitors in the prevention of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes mellitus and no evidence of left ventricular dysfunction.
• Abstract: Oral presentation (Session Title: Diabetes and CVD- Clinical Trials) at the Annual Scientific Sessions 2006 of the American Heart Association (AHA) in Chicago, IL
• Original Article: S. A. Saha, J. Molnar, R. R. Arora. Tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or clinical evidence of heart failure: a pooled meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism (OnlineEarly Articles). doi:10.1111/j.1463-1326.2006.00688.x
• Saha SA, Molnar J, Arora RR. Tissue ACE Inhibitors for Secondary Prevention of Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Preserved Left Ventricular Function: A Pooled Meta-Analysis. This was a pooled meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials elucidating the role of tissue-specific ACE inhibitors in secondary prevention of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with known cardiovascular disease and no evidence of left ventricular dysfunction.
• Abstract: Oral presentation (Session Title: Risk Factor Assessment and Intervention) at the Annual Scientific Sessions 2006 of the American Heart Association (AHA) in Chicago, IL
• Original Article: S. A. Saha, J. Molnar, R. R. Arora. Tissue ACE Inhibitors for Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Preserved Left Ventricular Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Clinical Evidence. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther [in press]
• Saha SA, Kizhakepunnur L, Bahekar A, Arora RR. Fibrates in the prevention of cardiovascular events in dyslipidemic patients: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials. This was a pooled meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials elucidating the role of fibrates in primary and secondary prevention of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with known cardiovascular disease and non-LDL dyslipidemia.
• Abstract: Poster presentation at the 56th Annual Scientific Session ACC.07 of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in New Orleans, LA
• Original Article: S. A. Saha, R. R. Arora, L. Kizhakepunnur, A. Bahekar. The role of fibrates in the prevention of cardiovascular disease- a pooled meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials. Am Heart J [under revision]
• Saha SA, Saremi A, Velasquez-Cecena J, Arora RR. Statins reduce the risk of death and the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with dyslipidemia and renal dysfunction: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials.
• Abstract: Poster presentation at the 56th Annual Scientific Session ACC.07 of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in New Orleans, LA
• Bahekar A, Singh S, Saha SA, Molnar J, Arora R. The prevalence and incidence of coronary heart disease are significantly increased in periodontitis: A Meta-Analysis. Abstract: Poster presentation at the 56th Annual Scientific Session ACC.07 of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in New Orleans, LA
• Original Article: Bahekar A, Arora RR, Molnar J, Singh S, Saha SA. The Prevalence and Incidence of Coronary Heart Disease is Significantly Increased in Periodontitis: A Meta-Analysis. Am Heart J [under revision]
• Saha SA, Raghunathan K, Adigopula S, Nagajothi N. Prevalence of pseudohypertension in patients referred for cardiac catheterization at Mount Sinai Hospital. In this study, we sought to determine the prevalence of pseudo-hypertension among patients referred for coronary angiography at MSH and explore demographic differences among those with pseudo-HTN and those without pseudo-HTN.
• Abstract: Saha SA, Raghunathan K, Adigopula S, Nagajothi N. Prevalence of pseudohypertension in patients referred for cardiac catheterization at an inner city teaching hospital. Poster presentation at the 21st Annual Scientific Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) in New York, NY
• Clinical Utility Of Cardiac Troponin I In Detecting Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease In African American Patients With Renal Insufficiency. This was a retrospective study to determine the sensitivity and specificity of high cardiac troponin I levels in patients with varying degrees of renal insufficiency.
• "ACE inhibitors are superior to betablockers in decreasing the risk for cardiovascular and total mortality in hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus ." has been accepted for an oral presentation during a State of the Art and Featured Research Session at the ESC Congress 2007 – Vienna, Austria, September 1-5, 2007. Vamsi Kodumuri PGY3 (07-08)
• Sasikanth Adigopula, Vamsi Kodumuri, Rohit Bhuriya, Saravanan
Balamuthusamy, Sandeep Khosla. PCI improves angina when compared to Conservative medical management in patients with stable Coronary Artery Disease: A Meta-Analysis, submitted to the AHA scientific sessions 2007
• Nagajothi.N, Sasikanth Adigopula, Balamuthusamy.S, Khosla.S. Pioglitazone and Risk of Major Adverse Cardiac Events: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, submitted to NEJM
• Rohit Bhuriya, Janos Molnar, Sasikanth Adigopula, Saravanan Balamuthuswamy, Rohit Arora, Aortic Stiffness Measured by Pulse Wave Velocity Method is a Predictor of Stroke in Patients with Hypertension
• Balamuthusamy S, Molnar J, Khosla S, Adigopula S, Bhuriya R, Jalandara N, Arora R. Statins Decrease the Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Coronary Heart Disease Mortality in Patients With Renal Failure: A Meta-Analysis (Control#: 347064) in a ACC.Poster Session. J Am Coll Cardiol, 2007; 49:184-253, doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2007.01.039
• Saravanan Balamuthusamy, Rohit Arora, Suresh Hathiwala, Sasikanth Adigopula, Meenakshi Verma, and Earl Smith. Cardiac Troponin I has Decreased Utility for Diagnosing Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease in Renal Failure patients with Sub-optimal Blood Pressure Control. Journal of Clinical Hypertension. Vol (9); 5 Supplement
• Balamuthusamy S, Molnar J, Jalandara N, Adigopula S, Das A, Khosla S, Arora R. Beta-blockers increase risk for Major Cardiovascular events in hypertension patients with diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Intervention; Supplement May 2007
• Sandeep Saha, Kalpana Raghunathan, Sasikanth Adigopula, Nagapradeep Nagajothi.Prevalence of pseudohypertension in patients referred for cardiac catheterization at an inner city teaching hospital. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension Suppl. A.Vol. 8, No.5, A 124, May 2006.
• Sandeep Saha, Kalpana Raghunathan, Sasikanth Adigopula, Nagapradeep Nagajothi. Prevalence of pseudohypertension in patients referred for cardiac catheterization at an inner city teaching hospital. 21st Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Hypertension (2006), New York, NY.
• Amol Bahekar, Saravanan Balamuthusamy, Lavanya Srinivasan, Sasikanth Adigopula, Sandeep Khosla. Role of ACE-inhibition on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy: A Meta-Analysis, submitted to the AHA scientific sessions 2007
• Safety and Feasibility of Concurrent Revascularization of Multiple Symptomatic Atherosclerotic Vascular Beds Using Percutaneous Endovascular Stenting
Sasikanth Adigopula, Vamsi Kodumuri, Rohit Bhuriya, Saravanan

Pulmonary Research Activities

• Comparison of Pulmonary Function in Immigrant Versus U.S. Born Asian Indians. A Fulambarker, A Copur, M Cohen. 2003-2006.
• Role of Empiric Treatment with Autotitrating CPAP in Patients with Suspected Sleep apnea. Sunita Kumar, A Fulambarker, Ahmad rashid 2005-2006
• Determining Clinical Markers to Predict Obstructive sleep apnea to Improve Access Polysomnography in a Veterans Hospital. Sunita Kumar, A Fulambarker, S. Sripathi 2005-06
• Efficacy of Inhaled Tobramycin in Moderate to Severe COPD patients colonized with Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. N Akkina, A Fulambarker 2006-07
• Effect of YOGA on COPD Outcomes: A pilot Study. B. Farooki, A Fulambarker. 2006-07 6. Effect of Using Spirometry on Smoking Cessation Rate. Rami Arfoosh, Lavanya Srinivasan, A Fulambarker, M. Cohen. 2006-07
• Effect of CPAP on High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Rami Arfoosh, Sunita Kumar, A Fulambarker
• Effect of Various Candidate Compounds on CFTR Mediated Ion Transport”. Swamy Nagubadi, MD, Robert Bridges, PhD
• Role of empiric treatment with Autotitrating CPAP in patients suspected of having obstructive sleep apnea: Naveen Akkina M.D, Sunita Kumar, M.D, Ashok Fulambarker, M.D, North Chicago VA Medical Center - Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine
• Effects of Yoga on COPD Outcomes: A Pilot Study: Basheer Farooki MD, Ashok Fulambarker MD, Ahmet Copur MD, Amol Bahekar MD, Navin Akkina MD, Mark Cohen PhD
• Evaluation of Correctors on the Rescue of ?F508-CFTR Chloride Channel Activity in FRT-Cells. Bridges, Robert J.; Nagubadi, Swamy; Thakerar, Amita; Jia, Ying; and Bradbury, Neil A. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL USA.
• The Effect of Using Spirometry on Smoking Cessation Rate Principal Investigator: Ashok Fulambarker, MD Hypothesis: Adding spirometry results to regular counseling will increase smoking cessation rate in patients with normal and abnormal spirometry. Prospective Randomized case-control non-blinded study with a run time of 1 year.
Infectious Diseases Research Activities
• Glick, Nancy. HRSA/SPNS Grant Number H97HA01298-01-01 “Prevention with Positives; Staying Healthy and Stopping Transmission (SHAST)”, Principal Investigator, October 1, 2003-September 30, 2007.
• CDC Cooperative Agreement Number U65/CCU524481-01 “Demonstration Projects for Implementation of Rapid HIV Testing in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Alternative Venuses and Populations”, PD, 9/1/04- 8/31 2006.
• Glick, Nancy. CDPH-CDC, “Estimating HIV Incidence by Using a Population- based Serologic Method to Detect HIV-1 Infection” site principal Investigator, January, 2004-December, 2005.
• Ryan White Title 1, Ambulatory Care, Mental health and Treatment Adherence, Mt. Sinai Hospital HIV Program 2003-2007
• Glick, Nancy HIV Prevention for the Deaf Community, CDPH, 2004-06.
• Glick, Nancy STD Testing in Mt. Sinai’s Emergency Department, CDPH, 2004-07.
• The KYS Project: Routine HIV Testing in Primary Care Clinics
Nancy Glick, MD, HIV Medical Director, ACHN/Mt. Sinai Hospital March 7, 2007
Other Research:
Dr. Khayr
• A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, comparative Trial of Intravenous Meropenem vs. Imipenem in the Treatment of Hospitalized Subjects with complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections.
• VER001-8 Phase III, randomized, double-blind, multi-center study to evaluate
The safety and efficacy of Dalbavancin vs. Cefazolon in the treatment of
Uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections with suspected or confirmed
Gram-positive bacterial pathogens.
• VER001-9: Phase III, randomized, double-blind, multi-center study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Dalbavancin vs. linezolid in the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections with suspected or confirmed gram-positive bacterial pathogens.

Nephrology Research Activities

Pending:
• National Institutes of Health The Blood-Brain Barrier and Stroke
Principal Investigator: D. Peterson
Current
• Baxter - Regulation and function of connective tissue growth factor in diabetic glomerulo-sclerosis: a possible therapeutic target Co-investigator: D. Peterson
• Institutional The Blood-Brain Barrier and Stroke Principal Investigator D. Peterson
• CVRx Rheos Feasibility Trial Co-investigator- D. Zikos
• NIH Chronic Renal Insuffiency Cohort Study (CRIC) Co-investigator- D.Kniaz (Lutheran General)
• CRIC Site Mount Sinai Hospital
Hematology / Oncology Research Activities
• A randomized Open-Label Comparative Study of Epoetin Alpha (Procrit) 80,000 Units or 120,000 Units Q3W Versus Darbepoetin Alpha (Aranesp) 500mcg Q3W in Anemic Cancer Subjects Receiving Chemotherapy. EPO-ANE-2007.
• A Phase 2, randomized, Open-Label Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Weekly (QW) or Once Every Two Week (Q2W) Dosing of Epoetin Alfa (PROCRIT) in Anemic Subjects with Low- or Intermediate- 1 Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Protocol # EPOMDS2001.
• Phase III Multi-Center Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of coFactor and 5 Fluorouracil (5-FU) with Bevacizumab versus Leucovorin and 5-FU with Bevacizumab as initial Treatment for Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma.
• Effect of anemia on the rehabilitation outcome in elderly patients in the sub-acute setting. In progress, results to be presented at next ASH.
• (Mentoring 3rd year CMS medical student for this project.
• Student has received ASH award for medical student research.)
• Several case reports; in progress. Involving several medical residents.

Critical Care Research Activities

• Predictor of Survival from Cardiac Arrest: a marker of mitochondrial injury after resuscitation circulating levels of cytochrome:10.1152/ajpheart.00468.2006 292:767-775, 2007. First published Oct 13, 2006;Am J Physiol Heart Circ PhysiolF. Levine and Raúl J. Gazmuri Jeejabai Radhakrishnan, Sufen Wang, Iyad M. Ayoub, Julieta D. Kolarova, Ritaand
• MECHANISMS OF CYTCOCHROME C RELEASE DURING CARDIAC RESUSCITATION (Project Summary of R21 application submitted on June 16, 2006)