July 2012

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Published monthly for CC employees by the Office of Communications, Patient Recruitment, and Public Liaison. News, article ideas, calendar events, letters, and photographs are welcome. Submissions may be edited.

Clinical Center News
National Institutes of Health
Building 10, 10 Center Drive
Room 12C440,
Bethesda, MD 20892-1504
Tel: 301-496-6787
Fax: 301-402-1982

PAST ISSUES:
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2012

UPCOMING LECTURES:
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August Grand Rounds for clinical fellows

August Grand Rounds for clinical fellows

There are no grand rounds in July. August Grand Rounds is intended for clinical fellows, and is a sub-series of the regular lectures. Though the lectures are intended for fellows, all physicians, allied health professionals, non-clinical scientists, and trainees are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Lipsett Amphitheater, 12 noon
Lectures will be videocast.

August 1
Research, Evidence-Based Medicine and the Art of Healing

Richard Colgan, MD
Associate Professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Director, Undergraduate Education, Department of Family and Community Medicine

August 8
Research in Emergency Settings

Dave Wendler, MA, PhD
Head, Unit on Vulnerable Populations
Department of Bioethics, NIH Clinical Center

August 15
Raising the Bar for Publishing the Results of Clinical and Translational Research

Joseph E. Parrillo, MD
Professor and Chairman, Department of Medicine, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Chief and Edward D. Viner Chair, Department of Medicine
Director, Cooper Heart Institute, Cooper University Hospital

August 22
Diversity as a Vital Component of Health Systems Innovation

Marc Nivet, EdD
Chief Diversity Officer, Association of American Medical Colleges

August 29
Randomized Controlled Trials for Efficacy and Effectiveness Research

Denise Simons-Morton, MD, PhD
Director, Division for the Application of Research Discoveries
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

NEW CLINICAL
RESEARCH PROTOCOLS:

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The following new protocols were approved in May:

  • Prospective Evaluation of New Techniques in Radiation Reduction for Cardiovascular Computed Tomographic Angiography; 12-H-0141; Dr. Marcus Y. Chen; NHLBI
  • A Phase I Study of Ridaforolimus in Pediatric Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors; 12-C-0138; Dr. Lee J. Helman; NCI
  • Pilot Study of Yoga as Self-Care for Arthritis in Minority Communities; 12-CC-0145; Dr. Kimberly R. Middleton; CC
  • A Pilot Study of 18F FLT PET/CT in Evaluating Early Response to Anti-Proliferative Therapies in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer and Thymic Tumors; 12-C-0130; Dr. Maria Liza Lindenberg; NCI
  • TMS Investigations of the Human Visual System; 12-M-0128; Dr. Leslie G. Ungerleider; NIMH
  • A Phase 1 Open-Label Dose Escalation Safety Study of Convection Enhanced Delivery (CED) of Adeno-Associated Virus Encoding Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (AAV2-GDNF) in Subjects with Advanced Parkinson's Disease; 12-N-0137; Dr. Russell R. Lonser; NINDS
  • A Phase I Study of Monotherapy Dalotuzumab and Ridaforolimus-Dalotuzumab Combination Treatment in Pediatric Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors; 12-C-0140; Dr. Lee J. Helman; NCI
  • A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Study of Liposomal Amikacin for Inhalation (Arikace®) in Patients with Recalcitrant Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease; 12-I-0133; Dr. Kenneth N. Olivier; NIAID
  • Role of Proinflammatory Signaling in Alcohol Craving; 12-AA-0143; Dr. Markus A. Heilig; NIAAA
  • Phase I/II Trial of Mithramycin in Children and Adults with Refractory Extracranial Solid Tumors (Phase I) or Ewing Sarcoma and EWSFLI1 Fusion Transcript (Phase II); 12-C-0135; Dr. Brigitte C. Widemann; NCI
  • A Phase II Randomized Study to Compare Anti-VEGF Agents in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema (CADME); 12-EI-0134; Dr. Henry E. Wiley IV; NEI
  • Transcriptional Signature of HIV And TB Co-Infection; 12-I-0142; Dr. Eleanor M. Wilson; NIAID
  • A Phase II Randomized Trial of Lenalidomide (NSC #703813, IND #70116) in Pediatric Patients with Recurrent, Refractory or Progressive Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytomas and Optic Pathway Gliomas; 12-C-0136; Dr. Katherine E. Warren; NCI

QUICK LINKS:
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RM ResearchMatch

NIH Clinical Cener on ResearchMatch

Stop searching on your own for clinical studies.
Let opportunities to join a study find you.

The NIH Clinical Center has joined ResearchMatch, an online, national clinical research registry that "matches" people who want to participate in clinical studies with researchers who are seeking volunteers. To learn more, visit researchmatch.org/?rm=Volunteer3

 

Class of 2012 NIH-Project SEARCH interns graduate

the NIH-Project SEARCH team applauding Christopher Herron as he was entering his class' graduation
Members of the NIH-Project SEARCH team applauded Christopher Herron as he entered his class' graduation on June 8. Herron was one of 10 celebrating completion of the 30-week internship program.

The NIH community honored the accomplishments, growth, and determination of the 2012 graduating class of NIH-Project SEARCH interns on June 8.

The graduation celebrated 10 NIH-Project SEARCH interns who completed a 30-week unpaid internship in more than 15 intern training worksites across the NIH. Designed to provide young adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity for an independent future, the program offers total workplace immersion and helps build competitive, marketable, and transferrable skills.

"I want you all to know how important we all see this day to be," said Denise Ford, chief of Clinical Center Hospitality Services and NIH-Project SEARCH program lead. "We are here to celebrate how far you've come in this past year and how far you can travel in the future."

Lawrence Anderson speaking into a microphone
Project SEARCH graduate Lawrence Anderson thanked the program in his commencement speech for its role in helping him develop job skills and changing his life.

The internship program is offered in collaboration with Project SEARCH, an international organization that works with hospitals and businesses to provide employment opportunities and experience for young adults with disabilities; the Ivymount School's Post High School Program, a community-focused life skills program that prepares students ages 18-21 for a successful transition from school to employment and adult life; and SEEC, a local nonprofit that provides community-based employment support to transitioning youth and adults.

Colleen Barros, NIH deputy director for management, expressed her pride and congratulations to the graduates, noting the Obama Administration's executive order and the NIH's commitment to growing diversity of all kinds in federal workplaces. "Project SEARCH is a win-win for all of us. The interns get a 30-week training course that helps them with their skill sets. For the NIH, it enhances our culture, gives us an untapped pool to draw on, and enhances the diversity of our workforce," said Barros. "It's not just the right thing to do; it's the best thing to do for our organization."

Diandra Garnett, David Songco and Derik Mezzack
NIH-Project SEARCH graduate Diandra Garnett celebrated her graduation with her supervisor, David Songco (left) and her mentor Derik Mezzack.

Maureen Gormley, CC chief operating officer, thanked the interns for all that they brought to the CC and the NIH community. "You should recognize that you bring more to this place than we could ever hope for," she said. "I think it's hard for people to understand on paper why diversity is important, but when they experience the emotional contagion around how people with different perspectives contribute to the workplace, then they really experience the essence of it."

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Chief Information Officer David Songco spoke at the graduation and told attendees that NIH-Project SEARCH embodies his philosophy of finding the best in ourselves while seeking the best of others. "That's what this program is; you raise the bar a little bit at a time and let people rise to their potential," said Songco.

10 NIH-Project SEARCH interns
The 1SE patio was filled with cheers of congratulations from families, coworkers, and friends for the 10 NIH-Project SEARCH interns who graduated on June 8 after 30 weeks spent in various NIH departments.

The graduating interns were Lawrence Anderson, Alexander Brouwers, Sasha Butler, Philippe Fontenot, Cierra Gantt, Diandra Garnett, Christopher Herron, Spencer Jacobs, Carlos Pena, and Carly Wasserman.

The attendees heard a special commencement speech from 2012 NIH-Project SEARCH intern Lawrence Anderson who described how thankful he was for the opportunity to participate and what he learned throughout his experience. "Project SEARCH changed my whole life. I learned how to get a job and job skills, and I learned that you can change your life if you put your mind to it," he said.

To learn more about NIH-Project SEARCH, visit clinicalcenter.nih.gov/projectsearch/about.html.

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Young patients benefit from collaboration between NIH and Children's National Medical Center

A new agreement to collaborate on clinical research studies involving young children will encourage greater insight into early origin and accelerated development of disease and discovery of new treatments for rare disorders.

The Translational Research in Pediatrics Program is a joint effort from the NIH, the Clinical Center, and Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. The clinical expertise and infrastructure of Children's National to support a very young patient population and the state-of-the-art research facilities at the CC will allow investigators to develop new studies addressing rare conditions at an earlier age.

Through the new program, NIH investigators will identify a research collaborator at Children's National, and Children's National will offer access to its Clinical Research Center for outpatient visits. This arrangement will include the delivery of general outpatient services and certain services as available, such as pulmonary function and neuropsychological testing.

Children's National has authorized 20 inpatient hospital admissions under the program using private funds.

The CC sees more rare disease patients than anyplace else in the nation, historically caring for those older than 2 years or who weigh more than 20 pounds. As researchers work to pinpoint the genetic causes of rare conditions and develop treatment options, they want to be able to intervene earlier in the course of diseases.

"We are grateful that Children's National is opening its doors to help us expand our research profile and establish new partnerships between our institutions that will make a difference in the lives of young children suffering from rare, and often life-threatening, disease," said CC Director Dr. John I. Gallin.

Children's National Medical Center has served the nation's children for more than 140 years, and has developed expertise in the treatment of rare and genetic conditions. The hospital received an NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award in 2010, joining a consortium that aims to improve human health by transforming the research and training environment to enhance the efficiency and quality of clinical and translational research.

"This partnership is an incredible opportunity for the investigators at Children's National who work with very young patients to develop new and innovative bridges to the broad scope of research going on at NIH," says Dr. Marshall Summar, director of the Clinical Research Center at Children's National.

The National Human Genome Research Institute is piloting the Translational Research in Pediatrics Program. The first collaboration teams Dr. Charles Venditti, investigator in NHGRI's Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, with Dr. Kimberly Chapman, principal investigator, Children's Research Institute at Children's National, on a study evaluating young patients with methylmalonic acidemias. This group of inherited metabolic disorders affects between 1 in 50,000 and 80,000 babies born in the United States.

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Decker Lecture addresses the power
of hematopoietic stem cells

the Decker family with Dr. John I. Gallin
The family of Dr. John Laws Decker joined CC director Dr. John I. Gallin (in lab coat) and 2011 Distinguished Clinical Teacher Award winner Dr. Cynthia Dunbar (center) at Decker's namesake lecture on June 8. In attendance were (from left) Decker's grandsons Thomas and Ian Decker, daughter-in-law Lisa Greenlees, son David Decker, daughter Dr. Megan Malaro, and son-in-law James Malaro.

The ninth annual John Laws Decker Memorial Lecture on June 13 highlighted the work of Dr. Cynthia Dunbar, senior investigator and head of the molecular hematopoiesis section of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Hematology Branch.

Dunbar, who was chosen as the recipient of the NIH Fellows Committee's 2011 Distinguished Clinical Teacher Award, presented the lecture "From One Come Many: Harnessing the Power of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from the Bench to the Bedside."

Dunbar presented her research in hematopoietic stem cell biology and its application to human disease. "I've been at the NIH for basically my entire career," Dunbar said. "And the reason I have stayed at the NIH centered on the ability to study in this unique setting. Here I have access to highly technologically complex approaches such as gene therapy, the ability to work in a non-human primate model, and ability to go from the bench to the bedside and back again."

Dunbar has made important findings regarding the role of cytokines in leukemogenesis, functionally defined the frequency of stem cells in primates and provided numerous important insights into their behavior, and established herself as one of the leading investigators worldwide in hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy and insertional mutagenesis. She has led important clinical trials in gene therapy, transplantation, autoimmune disease, and bone marrow failure.

Dr. Cynthia Dunbar
Dr. Cynthia Dunbar, senior investigator and head of the molecular hematopoiesis section of National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Hematology Branch and recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Clinical Teacher Award, presented the Decker Lecture on June 13.

"She is also a phenomenally inspiring teacher and mentor who has earned the respect of all of her trainees and those she has mentored," said CC Director Dr. John I. Gallin.

The annual lecture honors the legacy of former CC Director Dr. John Laws Decker, who died in 2000. He served as director of the CC and as NIH associate director for clinical care from 1983 until 1990, after which he was named scientist emeritus.

Among the major advances that occurred during his tenure are the development of the PET program, introduction of clinical MRI, and the initiation of the CC's popular arts program. Decker's children, Dr. Megan Malaro and David Decker, their spouses, and his grandsons Ian and Thomas Decker attended the lecture.

A videocast of Dunbar's lecture is available in the Grand Rounds archives at videocast.nih.gov.

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Summer interns network at welcome reception

Clinical Center summer student interns
The Clinical Center summer student interns participated in an icebreaker at a get-together in June hosted by the Office of Clinical Research Training
and Medical Education.

Tis the season for barbecues, trips to the beach, and interns. About 40 students from high schools, colleges and universities, and medical schools around the country will work in CC departments this summer. The Office of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education hosted a welcome reception for them on June 27.

William Young, a graduate student at Catholic University of America, says he is looking forward to gaining hands-on research experience in the Pain and Palliative Care Service. "It's one thing to read about it in a book, but practical hands-on experience where you can apply that knowledge really hammers it home," he said.

Walter Jones, director of diversity management and minority outreach and CC summer internship program coordinator, welcomed the interns and encouraged them to use the reception time to get to know each other and network. The OCRTME team also coordinated an icebreaker, sending event attendees on a mission to find a fellow intern who plays a musical instrument or is a vegan, among other traits.

"I am excited to learn more about the different roles and jobs people have in a clinical research environment," said Francisco Portela, a nursing student at Purdue University working in the Office of Communications, Patient Recruitment, and Public Liaison this summer. "To see how nurses transition to different roles throughout their careers and how nursing works in a research environment has been really interesting."

The reception was hosted in response to feedback from previous summer interns who wanted an opportunity to interact with peers outside of their work sites. OCRTME will also allow more time for networking prior to the weekly CC summer intern program lecture series and share information about free events in the DC area for those interested in exploring the local culture in their free time.

CC summer interns will also participate in the Summer Student Poster Day in early August and provide feedback during exit interviews at the conclusion of the summer internship program.

For more information about the NIH summer student internship program, visit training.nih.gov/trainees/summer_interns.

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Malaysian clinical researchers visit
for discussions on best practices

Leaders from the Malaysian Ministry of Health and clinical research centers around the Southeast Asian nationLeaders from the Malaysian Ministry of Health and clinical research centers around the Southeast Asian nation visited the Clinical Center after a trip to Philadelphia for a Drug Information Association meeting. Dr. Frederick P. Ognibene (third from left), deputy director for educational affairs and strategic partnerships, hosted the Malaysian physicians and research executives, who met with a variety of NIH representatives over June 28 and 29.

Experts from various institutes and centers presented on clinical protocol navigation, including the Prototype management tool; bioethics and human subjects research; good clinical practice guidelines; and the activities of the Fogarty International Center.

"As clinicians and researchers, our heart is in translational research," said Dr. Goh Pik Pin, director of the Malaysian Ministry of Health Clinical Research Center.

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CC executive chef encourages feds to feed families at kick off

Chef Robert Hedetneimi, Donna Seymour and John Berry
CC Executive Chef Robert Hedetneimi (left) helped Donna Seymour of the US Department of Defense and John Berry, director of the US Office of Personnel Management, prepare two recipes at the 2012 Feds Feed Family
food drive kick off.

Clinical Center Nutrition Department Executive Chef Robert Hedetniemi joined local and federal government leaders June 11 to help kick off the fourth annual Feds Feed Families national food drive at the Capital Area Food Bank.

Launched as part of President Obama's "United We Serve" campaign, Feds Feed Families encourages federal employees to participate in agency-wide food drives aimed at helping area food banks facing severe shortages of non-perishable foods.

Hedetneimi joined John Berry, director of the US Office of Personnel Management; Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, DC congresswoman; Kathleen Merrigan, deputy secretary of the US Department of Agriculture; and Michael Fisher, chief of the US Border Patrol, at the kickoff. With the help of Capital Area Food Bank dietitian Jodi Balis, Hedetmeimi prepared two bean recipes using commonly donated items, such as dried or canned food, freshened with herbs and spices.

Last year, NIH staff donated more than 13,000 pounds of non-perishable items to the Capital Area Food Bank, which serves more than 700 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other service organizations in DC, Virginia, and Maryland. NIH Director Dr. Francis S. Collins challenged each NIH employee to donate five pounds of non-perishable food in this year's drive, which is enough to feed one family one meal.

Look for donation bins around the CC, including near the cafeterias, and for more information visit fedsfeedfamilies.gov.

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NIH Philharmonia serenades CC staff, visitors, and patients

Nancia D'Alimonte and the NIH PhilharmoniaMembers of the NIH Philharmonia, the NIH's all-volunteer organization of committed musicians, serenaded Clinical Center staff, patients, and visitors June 13 with a special presentation of their spring recital titled "NIH Phil's Fantasia."

The program featured music featured in the classic Disney film Fantasia, including Bach's Toccata & Fugue in D minor, Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice, the Peer Gynt Suite no. 1 by Grieg, and Beethoven's Symphony no. 6.

NIH Philharmonia violinistsNancia D'Alimonte, the orchestra's conductor, said that the musicians come from all over the NIH, and volunteer their time to rehearse and perform throughout the year.

For more information about the orchestra, including dates and information about upcoming concerts, visit nihphil.org [disclaimer].

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20th class of dietetic interns graduate

CAPT Madeline Michael, LCDR Merel Kozlosky, Alyssa Mark, Emma Cowie, Tova Jacobovits, and Jessica Larson.The Clinical Center Nutrition Department celebrated the graduation of the 20th dietetic internship class on June 28. The ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of four dietetic interns who completed a 45-week-long program, making them eligible to take a national exam to become registered dietitians.

CAPT Madeline Michael (left), Cinical Nutrition Services chief; and LCDR Merel Kozlosky (right), dietetic internship director, helped celebrate the accomplishments of the four graduates (from left) Alyssa Mark, Emma Cowie, Tova Jacobovits, and Jessica Larson.

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Try a little plain language care (PLC)

Web writing

Readers increasingly use the Internet as their preferred information medium. To communicate effectively on the web, writers need to know how readers process web-based material.

What users actually "read" on a web page

While you as a writer may agonize over every word, you should know that much of what you put on a web page could go unnoticed. Some facts to ponder:

  • A recent Neilsen study of 45,237 page views found that web users read less than 80 percent of web page content.
  • When the number of words on a web page goes up, the number of words read goes down.
  • If you want people to read half your words, you should limit your page to fewer than 110 words.

How users scan web content

Think of the letter "F" and you understand how most users scan a web page.

They focus first on the top left side to scan headings and the first few words of a sentence or bulleted list. They read the first two words on each line. The farther down they go on the page, the less and less they read.

Their eyes may float up to the upper right corner of the page, but if nothing grabs them, they can leave in a click. They will leave your page in about five seconds if nothing grabs their attention.

If you have questions about using plain language in your writing, refer to clinicalcenter.nih.gov/plain.html or email Wendy Schubert at wschubert@nih.gov.

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Clinical Center news briefs

Symposium addresses red cell genotyping

The Clinical Center Department of Transfusion Medicine will host the Red Cell Genotyping 2012: Clinical Applications symposium on September 14 in the Masur Auditorium.

The full-day event is intended for medical and laboratory professionals interested in clinical red cell genotyping applications for immunohematology and transfusion medicine, and will review the laboratory aspects and clinical benefits of red cell genotyping in patients and donors.

To register, call 414-937-6271 or visit bcw.edu/rcg2012.


NIH Commissioned Corps promotion ceremony

The NIH invites all to attend the ninth annual NIH Promotion Ceremony for Commissioned Officers of the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service. The ceremony will be held on July 26 at 1 pm in Masur Auditorium. A reception will follow in the 1SE Patio Room.

Senior NIH and Corps leadership will officiate. NIH officers called to active duty and retired in the past year and current NIH Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program participants will also be acknowledged at the ceremony.


RIS researcher recognized as finalist for Toshiba Young Investigator Award

Dr. Marcelo Nacif, a researcher in the Clinical Center Radiology & Imaging Sciences Molecular Biomedical Imaging Laboratory, was named a finalist for the sixth Annual Toshiba Young Investigator Award.

The award supports the professional and clinical development of radiology residents and cardiology fellows within five years of completing a training program.

Nacif was recognized for his mini-manuscript "USA 3D Left Ventricular Extracellular Volume Fraction by Low Radiation Dose Cardiac CT: Assessment of Interstitial Myocardial Fibrosis."


NIH PIV card login required

NIH PIV card login is required to access ITAS as of July 3. Users must log in with their HHS identification badge (PIV card) and personal identification number (PIN) instead of with a username/password.

If you have forgotten your PIN, you can reset it at a Lifecycle Workstation near you. Visit ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dpsac/badge/Pages/lifecycle.aspx for more information.

For more assistance, contact the NIH IT service desk at 301-496-4357 or itservicedesk.nih.gov/support.


Team NIH participates in annual race

NIH staff members and their families participated in the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure on June 2 on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The 5K race benefits breast cancer research.

team NIH

Green Team offers desk-side recycling

Did you know that a Montgomery County Executive regulation mandates the recycling of all mixed paper and commingled products?

The NIH Environmental Management System and the Clinical Center Green Team offer desk-side recycling bins for NIH and CC staff to make recycling easier for all. Staff are responsible for emptying the contents of their bins into larger centralized bins for collection.

Since most items we throw away can be recycled, the CC Green Team challenges CC staff to only have blue desk-side recycling bins at your desk and no trash can.

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