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HMRI NEWSLETTERS
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IN THE NEWS
Publications, News and Events.
NEWS POSTS BY YEAR
HMRI NEWSLETTERS
HMRI ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT
NEWS POSTS
2022
Posted 81 days ago
Commentary by Dr. Kloner on effect of marijuana on cardiac arrhythmias published in Heart Rhythm Journal
| Post Date: November 18, 2022 | Author: Robert Kloner | Category: Cardiovascular |
In an editorial commentary published in Heart Rhythm Journal on November 15, 2022, Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD, chief science officer and scientific director of cardiovascular research at HMRI, summarizes the growing literature on the adverse effects of marijuana on the heart, especially the association between cannabis use and arrhythmias. He highlights a new study, published in the same issue of Heart Rhythm Journal, that "suggests that chronic exposure to e-cigarette aerosol or marijuana can induce pathologic alterations in the cardiovascular system that make the heart more vulnerable to arrhythmias."
Posted 4 months ago
Dr. Vasudevan to speak at international conference on the neural interface
| Post Date: September 12, 2022 | Author: Anju Vasudevan | Category: Neurovascular |
Anju Vasudevan, PhD, associate professor of neuroscience at HMRI and chair/scientific director of our Department of Neurosciences, will be one of the featured speakers at "The Neurovascular Interface," a symposium to be held online and at EMBL in Heidelberg, Germany, from November 7 through 10, 2022. For more information or to register, visit the symposium website. Registration for virtual attendance is open through October 31.
Posted 5 months ago
Dr. Kloner co-authors study on correlation between COVID-19 hospitalizations and emergency medical services responses in Los Angeles
| Post Date: August 15, 2022 | Author: Robert Kloner | Category: COVID-19 |
Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD, chief science officer and scientific director of cardiovascular research at HMRI, and a team of researchers in the Los Angeles area published an article in the journal Prehospital Emergency Care titled "The Correlation between COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Emergency Medical Services Responses for Time-Sensitive Emergencies during the COVID-19 Pandemic."
The researchers found a significant correlation between COVID-19 hospitalizations and the frequency of emergency medical services (EMS) responses for time-sensitive emergencies in Los Angeles County. Read an abstract of the article.
Posted 5 months ago
Dr. Kloner calls for more research on effects of marijuana use
| Post Date: August 13, 2022 | Author: Robert Kloner | Category: Marijuana |
An article on the side effects of smoking marijuana, published on the health website Eat This, Not That!, begins with a quote from Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD, chief science officer and scientific director of cardiovascular research at HMRI.
"We need a lot more research," he says. "It's inevitable that more and more states are going to legalize marijuana for medical and/or recreational use, and the cardiology community and the users need to know more about the impact."
Posted 8 months ago
Pasadena Medical Research Institutes Study Shows Men Taking Erectile Dysfunction Drugs Have Lower Rates of Heart Failure
| Post Date: May 16, 2022 | Author: Pasadena Now | Category: Cardiovascular |
Pasadena Now reports on HMRI's intriguing research into the relationship between erectile dysfunction drugs and reduced rates of major adverse cardiovascular events:
"Men who take Viagra, Cialis or Levitra and other drugs of the same class for erectile dysfunction experience lower rates of heart failure and death due to heart disease compared to other men, according to a study by scientists from Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) in Pasadena, HealthCore Inc., and the University of California San Francisco..." Read the article.
Posted 8 months ago
HMRI Presents First-of-its-Kind Study Examining Impact of Erectile Dysfunction Drugs on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Mortality
| Post Date: May 13, 2022 | Author: Audrey Chittick, audrey@mpublicrelations.com | Category: Cardiovascular |
NEWS RELEASE
Contact:
Audrey Chittick
mPR, Inc. for Huntington Medical Research Institutes
audrey@mpublicrelations.com
Huntington Medical Research Institutes Present First-of-its-Kind Study Examining Impact of Erectile Dysfunction Drugs on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Mortality
Erectile dysfunction drugs may help prevent death and complications due to heart disease, according to large-population study presented at American Heart Association’s QCOR Scientific Sessions
PASADENA, California (May 13, 2022) — Men who take Viagra, Cialis or Levitra and other drugs of the same class for erectile dysfunction (ED) experience lower rates of heart failure and death due to heart disease compared to other men, according to a study presented on May 13 at scientific meetings of the American Heart Association in Reston, Virginia.
Scientists from Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) in Pasadena, HealthCore Inc. and the University of California San Francisco analyzed health records of more than 70,000 men with ED. They compared rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and death amongst men who took phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE-5i) drugs—including Viagra, Cialis and Levitra—to rates among men who never took these drugs.
“We initially looked at this study as a cardiovascular safety study, but we were surprised to see the association between the use of these drugs and the significant beneficial effects on cardiovascular outcomes,” said principal investigator Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD, chief science officer and scientific director of cardiovascular research at HMRI. “These drugs may have cardioprotective effects that could eventually go beyond their current uses.”
“Our research represents the first time the effect of PDE-5i drugs on cardiovascular health has been explored in a large population of relatively low-risk men with ED in the United States,” stated co-investigator Julia E. Bradsher, PhD, MBA, President and CEO of HMRI. “The number of patients involved gives us a great deal of confidence in the results.”
Among the men who took PDE-5i medications for ED compared to men who did not take these drugs, Kloner’s study identified:
- 39% reduction in death due to heart disease,
- 22% reduction in unstable angina,
- 17% reduction in heart failure,
- 15% reduction in the need for revascularization procedures such as angioplasty, stenting and bypass surgery,
- 13% reduction in MACE, and
- 25% reduction in death due to any cause.
Furthermore, men who had received more of a PDE-5i medication experienced greater reductions in MACE, including a 55% reduction in MACE in those with the highest amount of tablets dispensed versus those with the lowest amount.
Kloner and his co-investigators—Bradsher; Eric Stanek, Christopher L. Crowe, Mukul Singhal, and Rebecca S. Pepe of Healthcore Inc.; and Raymond Rosen of University of California San Francisco—drew anonymized patient records from a large U.S. commercial and Medicare insurance claims database. The study, funded by a grant from Sanofi, examined records over approximately 14 years.
Since the study was retrospective, Kloner noted that further research is needed to prove that PDE-5i drugs caused the reduction in cardiovascular events that he and his co-investigators observed. “To prove causality, a prospective, randomized clinical trial using placebos would need to be carried out,” he said. “But there are signals that suggest that may be the case, especially given the fact that we saw a dose response. The higher the dose, the lesser the cardiac event rate.”
If PDE-5i drugs are proven to cause these effects, they could provide new therapies that would help prevent a number of adverse cardiovascular conditions, such as heart failure and death related to coronary artery disease. Kloner noted, “Another focus of our research is the study of new therapies to reduce the size of heart attack or reduce heart failure after a heart attack. Such therapies have the potential to save thousands of lives.”
To learn more about HMRI's biomedical research initiatives, visit www.hmri.org.
###
Notes for Media
The study was presented as an abstract titled “The Effect Of Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors On Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events And Mortality In A Large Cohort Of Men With Erectile Dysfunction From A Nationwide Insurance Database: A Retrospective Study” at the American Heart Association’s Quality of Care & Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions on May 13.
Journalists wishing to interview the principal investigator should contact Audrey Chittick at audrey@mpublicrelations.com.
About HMRI
Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) works to improve millions of lives through patient-focused scientific research. We conduct life-changing studies of the heart, the brain and the vascular intersection between the two. Our scientists seek solutions to daunting cardiovascular and neurological challenges, like heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, migraine and mental illness. For more information, visit HMRI.org.
Posted 9 months ago
HMRI researchers uncover molecular player in development of psychiatric and cardiac dysfunction; article published in Nature
| Post Date: May 1, 2022 | Author: Anju Vasudevan, Robert Kloner | Category: Neurovascular |
Research from a preclinical study led by Dr. Anju Vasudevan, chair and scientific director of the Department of Neurosciences at HMRI, highlights the presence of common molecular players in the brain and the heart vasculature that can lead to concurrent development of psychiatric and cardiac dysfunction. The work established a multi-disciplinary collaboration in cardiovascular research with Dr. Robert Kloner, chief science officer and scientific director of cardiovascular research at HMRI, and in brain blood flow imaging with Dr. Dai Fukumura and Dr. Rakesh Jain at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. It is expected to bridge a major gap between vascular biology and psychiatry.
An article on the research was published on March 22, 2022, in the scientific reports of Nature magazine: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-08806-9
Agrud, A., Subburaju, S., Goel, P. et al. Gabrb3 endothelial cell-specific knockout mice display abnormal blood flow, hypertension, and behavioral dysfunction. Sci Rep 12, 4922 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08806-9
Posted 9 months ago
Research from HMRI neuroscience lab featured on cover of Molecular Psychiatry magazine
| Post Date: May 1, 2022 | Author: Anju Vasudevan | Category: Neuroscience |
The cover of the September 2021 issue of Molecular Psychiatry features images of human forebrain endothelial cells from research conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Anju Vasudevan, chair and scientific director of the Department of Neurosciences at HMRI.
The issue also contains an article about the research: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-020-0839-9
Datta, D., Subburaju, S., Kaye, S. et al. Human forebrain endothelial cell therapy for psychiatric disorders. Mol Psychiatry 26, 4864–4883 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-020-0839-9
Posted 10 months ago
Pasadena Newspapers Report on Dr. Susan Kane's Appointment as First Woman to Serve as HMRI Board Chair
| Post Date: March 23, 2022 | Author: Pasadena Now, Pasadena Weekly | Category: Media Coverage |
Both Pasadena Now and Pasadena Weekly reported in March on the election of Dr. Susan Kane as the chair of of HMRI's board of directors. Dr. Kane, a retired biomedical research scientist who has served on the HMRI board since 2015, is the first woman to be appointed to the board's top leadership position in HMRI's 70-year history.
Read the story in Pasadena Now: https://www.pasadenanow.com/main/dr-susan-kane-elected-chair-of-huntington-medical-research-institutes-board-of-directors
Read the story in Pasadena Weekly: https://www.pasadenaweekly.com/news/kane-named-huntington-medical-research-institutes-board-chair/article_a4baaed0-aadd-11ec-9aba-774012639158.html
Posted 10 months ago
Altadena Guild Home & Garden Tour Celebrates 69th Anniversary of Supporting Huntington Medical Research Institutes
| Post Date: March 21, 2022 | Author: Sandra Loden, HMRI Media Contact, 310.488.2676 | Category: Press Release |
NOTE: The Pasadena Now Weekendr published a story based on the press release below on March 22. See https://www.pasadenanow.com/weekendr/69th-annual-altadena-guild-home-garden-tour-returns-after-two-year-pandemic-imposed-hiatus/
Popular Altadena Guild Home & Garden Tour returns after two-year pandemic-imposed hiatus to celebrate 69th anniversary of supporting Huntington Medical Research Institutes. The May 1 “Festival de Mendocino Lane” promises something for everyone’s enjoyment – four exquisite homes and gardens to tour, live entertainment – including tango dancers, a marketplace, delicious food, classic cars, Porsche collection and more.
PASADENA, Calif., March 21, 2022 – After a two-year pandemic-imposed hiatus, the Altadena Guild of Huntington Memorial Hospital’s popular Home & Garden Tour returns Sunday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to celebrate its 69th anniversary of supporting Pasadena’s Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) along with Huntington Hospital. Tickets are available at altadenaguild.org for $45 each, or may be purchased onsite May 1 for $50 each.
The Guild’s 69th Home Tour, Festival de Mendocino Lane promises something for everyone’s enjoyment with a jampacked slate of activities headlined by tours of four stunning homes and their breathtaking grounds on the iconic, palm-lined Altadena street. One of the residences, a majestic 1931 Spanish-style home built by noted architect Richard Bates, is situated on a one-acre subtropical botanic garden featuring 140 palm species. Another tour home – newly constructed in mid-2020 and never before viewed by the public – is a magnificent Italianate villa by architect John Vandevelde that teems with extraordinary design features – inside and out.
“We encourage our guests to make a day of it, starting with morning coffee and churros – part of our nod to the Mendoza region of Argentina – and later lunch and refreshments at the Café and Cantina,” said Patricia Ostiller, Altadena Guild member and Home Tour co-chair. “While meandering from one tour home to another, guests can enjoy live music being played throughout the day in the homes, a Café and Cantina, shop for jewelry, clothing and other beautifully crafted wares from various vendors, and watch a 1 p.m. street performance by professional tango dancers.” She added that vendors will donate 20 percent of their event sales to the Guild.
In addition to the tango dancers, the Guild’s 2022 Home Tour marks several other firsts. “Adding to our ever-popular classic cars display, this year’s event also will showcase a Porsche collection,” noted Elaine Bauer, Altadena Guild member and Home Tour co-chair. Another new feature will be booths with local organizations offering information about various programs available to the community.
“This also is the first time we’ve had a Presenting Sponsor,” Ostiller added. “We are deeply grateful to Presenting Sponsor MonteCedro, along with all of our sponsors and vendors, for their generous contributions that are enabling us to bring back our 2022 Home Tour stronger than ever.”
“We are honored and humbled to be the first Presenting Sponsor of this wonderful event, raising funds for the vital work of Huntington Medical Research Institutes and Huntington Hospital,” said Ruben Alvarado, MonteCedro’s director of sales and marketing. “We are grateful to the Guild for inviting us to join them in enriching the quality of life within this beautiful community that we call home. Like the Guild, we value firsthand the impact we create when we come together to give where we live.”
Between 1952, when its first Home Tour raised $428 to help furnish the newly established HMRI research facility founded that same year, and 2019, the Guild held 68 consecutive first-Sunday-of-May annual Home Tours resulting in several million dollars donated to HMRI and the hospital.
“HMRI is grateful for the Altadena Guild’s seven-decade partnership with us, which has been vital to our progressive growth and impact. Over the years, the Guild has contributed generously to our capital building campaign, funded critical laboratory equipment and fellowships, and faithfully provided volunteer support to us,” said HMRI President and CEO Julia E. Bradsher, Ph.D., M.B.A.
“It cannot be overstated how fortunate we are to have the highly esteemed and internationally prominent HMRI right here in our backyard doing such amazing work researching diseases and improving the lives of our residents,” Bauer said. “It’s a real honor and privilege to support them – and to provide a way for individuals in our community to help further HMRI’s mission – in such a fun and meaningful way.”
“We’re so excited to be back,” Ostiller said. “We hope everyone will come out, have a great day and do so much good.”
For the safety of guests, volunteers, homeowners and their families, all Home & Garden Tour 2022 guests will be required to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and wear face masks while inside the tour homes. Additional safety protocols may be required if circumstances warrant.
###
About HMRI
The scientists and staff of Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) are powered by passion and determination, working tirelessly to uncover new and uncharted solutions to some of humankind’s most daunting cardiovascular and neurological challenges, like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, migraine and mental illness. Established in 1952, HMRI’s history is steeped in game-changing research and developments, from the cerebrospinal fluid shunt system for hydrocephalus, to the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) spectroscopy for use with brain tumors, dementia, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis and cancers. Today, HMRI’s Pasadena, California campus includes biomedical laboratories focused on the connections between the brain and heart, an MRI Center for clinical studies and a Liver Center. Our mission is improving lives through biomedical research, and we invite those who share our passion to join us. Big‐impact, life‐changing solutions are happening today at HMRI. For more information, visit HMRI.org.
Posted 11 months ago
Dr. Susan Kane Elected Chair of Huntington Medical Research Institutes Board of Directors
| Post Date: March 1, 2022 | Author: Sandra Loden, HMRI Media Contact, 310.488.2676 | Category: Press Release |
HMRI’s first woman board chair, retired biomedical research scientist and longstanding board member brings a wealth of leadership, research and educational experience to the role
PASADENA, Calif., March 1, 2022 – Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI), a world-class Pasadena-based biomedical research organization, has elected Susan Kane, Ph.D., chair of its board of directors. Dr. Kane, who joined HMRI’s board in 2015 and most recently served as vice chair, succeeds James Gamb. Both are long-time Pasadena residents.
“Thanks to Jim Gamb’s wise guidance and transformative vision, our leadership team has laid out a strategic course to solidify HMRI’s position as a leading independent biomedical research institute,” said HMRI President and CEO Julia E. Bradsher, Ph.D., M.B.A. “Jim is an ardent champion of the cause to improve lives through scientific research, and we are deeply grateful for his countless contributions to HMRI.
“We are fortunate to have such a seamless leadership transition to someone as capable and accomplished as Dr. Susan Kane – the first woman chair in HMRI’s 70-year history,” Dr. Bradsher continued. “In addition to her exemplary service on HMRI’s board of directors for the past seven years, Susan’s extensive experience in biomedical research and education combined with her passion for everything HMRI does and stands for ideally suits her to lead us into the next exciting phase of our growth and impact.”
With an early love for science inspired by her 7th- and 9th-grade biology teacher, Dr. Kane headed to Stanford University thinking more about becoming a science writer than a biologist. However, after graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford with a Bachelor of Science in biology, earning a Ph.D. in biology from Johns Hopkins University and completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), her career path in biomedical research and education was set.
Dr. Kane spent most of her professional career at City of Hope (COH) National Medical Center in Duarte, California where she held several academic positions. She went on to become the first woman chair of a COH research department; architect and founding director of COH’s Training Program in Breast Cancer Research; associate director of research; and senior vice president of graduate and professional studies where she oversaw all COH educational and training components. In the years leading up to her 2017 retirement, Dr. Kane held positions as professor, associate chair and professor emerita in the COH Beckman Research Institute’s cancer biology department.
“When I joined HMRI’s board in 2015, the organization was in transition,” Dr. Kane said. “Even though it had been around 60-plus years and had long been a respected leader in several areas – medical imaging, for example – HMRI really hadn’t made its mark. I felt it had so much untapped potential – and that it could become a world-class, independent research institute.
“Since taking HMRI’s helm in 2018, Dr. Bradsher’s vision, leadership, energy and knowledge about how to run an organization like this clearly have put HMRI on a path toward greatness,” Dr. Kane added. “We’ve become a much more professionalized organization. We now have a strong infrastructure for supporting research which has allowed us to hire some outstanding scientists. We also have a more cohesive focus for research: heart, brain and the connection between them. This progress has led to an increase in the number and quality of government and foundation grants to HMRI.
“We’re currently undergoing a new three-year strategic planning process aimed at continuing this trajectory,” Dr. Kane said, elaborating that key aspects of the plan include facilities and land development to ensure the highest and best use of HMRI’s campus; cultivating the next generation of scientists by growing HMRI’s postdoctoral fellowship programs, its Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program and its High School STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) program; and ongoing, meaningful community engagement.
“I’m honored and gratified that my fellow board members have given me this opportunity,” Dr. Kane said. “Few women were on HMRI’s board when I joined. We recognized the importance of bringing different perspectives to the table and felt it was important to diversify the board membership. We’ve come a long way in that regard.”
Proud and involved members of the Pasadena community, Dr. Kane and her husband, Jon Fuhrman, have long supported many schools and nonprofits in the area. As part of her community work, Dr. Kane helps organize a day of hands-on science for middle school girls held annually in Pasadena. She currently serves on Pasadena’s Outward Bound Adventures board and Pasadena Bio’s advisory council, and she is active in the Pasadena branches of the American Association of University Women and the National Women’s Political Caucus. Previously, she served on the Pasadena Unified School District board of education and was a member and president of the board of Young & Healthy as well as The Patron Saints Foundation.
“We confidently anticipate great things to come under Susan’s able leadership as HMRI continues building on the firm foundation that has been laid,” Dr. Bradsher said. “We urge everyone who shares our vision and passion to understand, prevent and cure human disease – and improve millions of lives – through biomedical research to visit our website, www.HMRI.org, to learn more about HMRI and the many ways they can support our work.”
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Posted 11 months ago
Pasadena's Arroyo Monthly Shares HMRI Cardiovascular Research Results About Dangers of Vaping
| Post Date: February 9, 2022 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD, Chief Science Officer and Professor, Scientific Director for Cardiovascular Research, shares details about his study with UCI reflecting how vaping can change the lung's gene expression, among other dangerous concerns in this month's @ArroyoMonthly. Read the full article here: https://arroyomonthly.com/dangerous-health-trends/
2021
Posted 434 years ago
Dr. Kloner Published in Textbook - Braunwald's Heart Disease 12th Edition
| Post Date: November 30, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner and colleague Dr. Shereif H. Rezkall published in Braunwald’s Heart Disease 12th edition, which is a textbook “trusted by generations of cardiologists for the latest, most reliable guidance in the field”. Chapter 84, written by Dr. Kloner and Dr. Rezkall, details current, comprehensive, and evidence-based information about “Cardiomyopathies Induced by Drugs or Toxins”.
Kloner RA, Rezkalla SH. Chapter 84. Cardiomyopathies Induced by Drugs or Toxins. In Braunwald’s Heart Disease; 12th Edition. Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2021; Pages 1593-1602.
Posted 434 years ago
Cardiac Interventions Today Publishes Research from Dr. Kloner and Colleague Dr. Burkhoff
| Post Date: November 30, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
In Cardiac Interventions Today, HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner and colleague Dr. Daniel Burkhoff detail the background and clinical application of SuperSaturated Oxygen (SSO2) Therapy as a way to reduce heart attack size by enhancing oxygen delivery at the microvascular level.
Title: SSO2 Therapy: The Next Frontier in STEMI Care
Posted 446 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner Interviewed on KNX 1070 AM News Radio on Effects of Vaping
| Post Date: November 18, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
Robert Kloner, MD, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer and Professor and Scientific Director of Cardiovascular Research at HMRI, was interviewed on November 18 on News Radio KNX 1070 AM regarding new preclinical research presented by HMRI, University of California at Irvine (UCI) and University of Southern California (USC) scientists at the 2021 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association (AHA) which showed that just a single exposure to e-cigarette vapor without nicotine causes genetic changes in the lungs and lung inflammation within a few days. In addition, chronic exposure to e-cigarettes containing nicotine suppressed systolic function of the heart and blood vessels.
Posted 447 years ago
Huntington Medical Research Institutes Scientists Reveal Disturbing Effects of Vaping on Heart and Lungs
| Post Date: November 17, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
Huntington Medical Research Institutes Scientists Reveal Disturbing Effects of Vaping on Heart and Lungs
With or without nicotine, e-cigarettes can cause significant damage to the heart and lungs; e-cigs can cause serious respiratory inflammation regardless of heating elements used or power levels
PASADENA, Calif., Nov. 16, 2021 – Potential health risks associated with electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or e-cigs) have been widely reported, and today researchers at Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI), a world-class Pasadena, Calif.-based biomedical research organization, have added to the list of e-cig health concerns – revealing disturbing results from new studies into the effects of “vaping” on the heart and lungs.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attributes many adverse health effects of using e-cigarettes to their nicotine content – making them highly addictive, toxic to developing fetuses, harmful to adolescent and young adult brain development, new preclinical research presented by HMRI, University of California at Irvine (UCI) and University of Southern California (USC) scientists at last weekend’s 2021 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association (AHA) showed that just a single exposure to e-cigarette vapor without nicotine causes genetic changes in the lungs and lung inflammation within a few days. In addition, chronic exposure to e-cigarettes containing nicotine suppressed systolic function of the heart and blood vessels.
Research that HMRI and collaborators presented at AHA’s 2021 Scientific Sessions revealed that one single acute exposure to e-cigarette smoke using various heating elements and power levels induces inflammatory changes in the lungs and heart. This study presented by HMRI’s Dr. Jianru Shi and others concluded that one four-hour exposure to e-cig vapor, in the absence of vitamin E oil or nicotine, significantly increased the number of inflammatory cells in the lung. Moreover, effects were seen after exposures to vapor generated at either high or low power.
Drs. Jessica Monterrosa Mena and Michael Kleinman at UCI and others in collaboration with HMRI showed that an acute dose of e-cigarette vapor acutely changed gene expression in the lungs with increases in certain inflammatory genes. “This study concluded that a single four-hour exposure to e-cigarettes can initiate increased gene expression of certain critical inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP)) and oxidative changes in the lungs, especially in male subjects,” said Dr. Robert Kloner, MD, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer at HMRI. “So even a short single exposure to e-cigarette vapor can have deleterious effects on lung gene expression and attract inflammatory cells.”
HMRI, USC and UCI participated in an eight-week study on the effects of nicotine delivered by electronic cigarette vapor versus standard nicotine-containing cigarettes on the hearts of laboratory rats. “Results of this study suggest that nicotine delivered either by standard cigarette smoke or e-cigarette vapor can adversely affect the heart’s left ventricle pumping ability and coupling to the blood vessels,” Dr. Kloner said about his study performed by Dr. Wangde Dai at HMRI, Rashid Alavi and Dr. Niema Pahlevan at USC, and Dr. Michael Kleinman’s research group at UCI .
These three studies on the effects of vaping on the heart and lungs are among five HMRI abstracts published in the journal Circulation and five presentations in which HMRI researchers participated at the 2021 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association held Nov. 12-15, 2021.
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About HMRI
The scientists and staff of HMRI are powered by passion and determination, working tirelessly to uncover new and uncharted solutions to some of humankind’s most daunting cardiovascular and neurological challenges, like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, migraine and mental illness. Established in 1952, HMRI’s history is steeped in game-changing research and developments, from the cerebrospinal fluid shunt system for hydrocephalus, to the MRI spectroscopy for use with brain tumors, dementia, stroke, MS, and cancers. Today, our campus in Pasadena, Calif., includes biomedical laboratories focused on the connections between the brain and heart, an MRI for clinical studies, and a Liver Center. Our mission is improving lives through biomedical research, and we invite those who share our passion to join us. Big‐impact, life‐changing solutions are happening today at HMRI. For more information, visit HMRI.org.
.
Posted 448 years ago
Cardiovascular Research Team Participates in 2021 Scientific Sessions of the AHA with Five Abstracts Published in JAHA - Circulation
| Post Date: November 16, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
HMRI's Cardiovascular Research team, including Dr. Robert Kloner, Dr. Jianru Shi, Dr. Wangde Dai, and Jesus Chavez participated in three studies on the effects of vaping on the heart and lungs which are among five HMRI abstracts published in the journal Circulation and five presentations in which HMRI researchers participated at the 2021 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association held Nov. 12-15, 2021.
Posted 476 years ago
Cardiac Effects of Phosphodiesterase‑5 Inhibitors: Efficacy and Safety
| Post Date: October 19, 2021 | Author: Roy, Kloner, Salloum, Jovin | Category: Cardiovascular |
The coexistence of cardiovascular disease and erectile dysfunction is widespread, possibly owing to underlying endothelial dysfunction in both diseases. Millions of patients with cardiovascular disease are prescribed phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors for the management of erectile dysfunction. Although the role of PDE5 inhibitors in erectile dysfunction therapy is well established, their efects on the cardiovascular system are unclear. Preclinical studies investigating the efect of PDE5 inhibitors on ischemia–reperfusion injury, pressure overload-induced hypertrophy, and chemotoxicity suggested a possible clinical role for each of these medications; however, attempts to translate these fndings to the bedside have resulted in mixed outcomes. In this review, we explore the biologic preclinical efects of PDE5 inhibitors in mediating cardioprotection. We then examine clinical trials investigating PDE5 inhibition in patients with heart failure, coronary artery disease, and ventricular arrhythmias and discuss why the studies likely have yet to show positive results and efcacy with PDE5 inhibition despite no safety concerns.
Download PDF (987 kb)
Posted 482 years ago
Dr. Fonteh's Editorial Published in Frontiers in Physiology
| Post Date: October 13, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Neuroscience |
Dr. Alfred Fonteh, along with Kimberley D. Bruce and Hussein N. Yassine, wrote an editorial published in in Frontiers in Physiology, section Lipid and Fatty Acid Research. In the editorial, Dr. Fonteh and team highlight the current understanding of the role of lipids in CNS healh and disease, future research studies, and the benefits of lipid analyses in mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.768417/full
TITLE: Editorial: Lipid Metabolism and Transport in CNS Health and Disease
Date: October 13, 2021
Citation: Bruce KD, Yassine HN and Fonteh AN (2021) Editorial: Lipid Metabolism and Transport in CNS Health and Disease. Front. Physiol. 12:768417. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.768417
Posted 505 years ago
COVID-19 Impacts to Cardiovascular System Outlined in Review Published by Dr. Kloner and Colleague in Journal "Cardiology Research"
| Post Date: September 20, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner and colleague Dr. Shereif H. Rezkall published an article which details post-COVID symptoms with an emphasis on the cardiovascular system. The review published in the Cardiology Research journal highlights potential new challenges post-COVID to our healthcare systems.
Title: Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-COVID-2 Syndrome: Just the Beginning
Rezkalla, Shereif H., & Robert A. Kloner. "Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-COVID-2 Syndrome: Just the Beginning." Cardiology Research [Online], 0 (2021): n. pag. Web. 21 Sep. 2021
Posted 511 years ago
Pasadena NOW & Pasadena Journal Highlight Impact of STEM on How Girls See Their Futures
| Post Date: September 14, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: STEM Education |
HMRI's High School STEM Program is once again making headlines. Pasadena NOW and the Pasadena Journal shared the empowering story of local Pasadena high school girls who see a different future for themselves, thanks to the opportunities they received this summer in HMRI's STEM classes. Read more here:
Posted 522 years ago
HMRI Neuroscience Research Team and Stanford University Migraine Research Published in "Frontiers in Molecular Neurosciences."
| Post Date: September 3, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Neuroscience |
HMRI Neurosciences research team led by Senior Scientist Alfred N. Fonteh and their collaborators from Stanford University found that the plasma of participants with chronic migraine have higher lipid products. The process responsible for forming these lipid products may provide mechanistic insights and can be targeted for treating migraine. This work was published in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience - Pain Mechanism and Modulators.
DATE: August 31, 2021
PUBLICATION: Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience - Pain Mechanism and Modulators
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2021.691733
TITLE:
Plasma Lipolysis and Changes in Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid Signaling Lipids Reveal Abnormal Lipid Metabolism in Chronic Migraine
COLLABORATORS:
Katherine Castor1, 
Noah Gross1, 
Robert P. Cowan3* and 
Posted 529 years ago
HMRI Cardiovascular Scientist Dr. Nicole Purcell was Guest Editor for Cellular Signalling's Special Issue About Cardiac Phosphatases
| Post Date: August 27, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
While COVID-19 has dramatically changed our world, HMRI Cardiovascular Scientist Dr. Nikki Purcell and her undergraduate team continued to make incredible progress on targeted therapies for life-altering diseases. Purcell led a review recently published in a special issue in Cellular Signalling in Cardiac Phosphatases that paired her lab data with a comprehensive assessment of current studies on PHLPP in cardiovascular diseases. The assessment further proved the importance of the proteins role in several aliments from diabetes to cancer to cardiovascular disease.
DATE: July 25, 2021
PUBLICATION: Cellular Signalling
PMID: 34320369
DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110097
TITLE:
On the PHLPPside: Emerging roles of PHLPP phosphatases in the heart
COLLABORATORS:
Posted 532 years ago
Collaborative Paper Published in the Journal Radiology Highlights Use of Cardiac MRI in Predicting Patient Success Post Heart Attack
| Post Date: August 24, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
HMRI's Cardiovascular Research Scientific Director Robert Kloner, MD, collaborated on a paper published in the journal Radiology which reviews the importance of noninvasive cardiac imaging by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the structure and the function of the heart post heart attack. MRI uses magnets to create the images which provide important information to the clinician, such as the size of the heart attack, is there a hemorrhage into the heart attack, or is there a condition known as microvascular obstruction (MVO). When a patient has MVO they have suffered damage and blockages to the small blood vessels and capillaries in the wall of the heart; this damage remains even after the major large coronary artery that was blocked during the heart attack is now unblocked. Cardiac MRI can also be used to image how the heart heals, whether the it becomes dilated, and/or how the heart functions (contracts) post heart attack, details which help predict the patient's treatment success, their likelihood of developing heart failure and/or their recovering heart function.
DATE: August 24, 2021
PUBLICATION: Radiology
PMID: 34427461
TITLE:
Cardiac MRI to Visualize Myocardial Damage after ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Review of Its Histologic Validation
COLLABORATORS: Casper W H Beijnink 1, Nina W van der Hoeven 1, Lara S F Konijnenberg 1, Raymond J Kim 1, Sebastiaan C A M Bekkers 1, Robert A Kloner 1, Henk Everaars 1, Saloua El Messaoudi 1, Albert C van Rossum 1, Niels van Royen 1, Robin Nijveldt 1
Posted 544 years ago
Pasadena Outlook Highlights HMRI STEM Program Final Ceremony & Celebration
| Post Date: August 12, 2021 | Author: Sandra Loden | Category: STEM Education |
The HMRI High School Student STEM Program celebration and closing ceremony was higlighted in the August 12, 2021 edition of Pasadena Outlook Magazine!
» Click here for more details.
Posted 554 years ago
Pasadena NOW Article Showcases HMRI's Successful STEM Program Closing Ceremony
| Post Date: August 2, 2021 | Author: Sandra Loden | Category: STEM Education |
Pasadena NOW featured HMRI's High School STEM Program closing ceremony in it's August 12 edition. Check out the article online at:
Eight PUSD Students Complete Huntington Medical Research Institutes Six-Week Biomedical Research Program
Posted 557 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Kloner Published in Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
| Post Date: July 30, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
HMRI's Chief Science Officer and Scientific Director Cardiovascular Research Robert A. Kloner, M.D., was published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics on July 30, 2021. In his letter to the editor, Dr. Kloner discusses the importance of reducing inflamation during heartattacks to reduce the size of cardiovascular event. "Even a 5% reduction in mycardial infract size may be clinically meaningful," says Dr. Kloner in the published letter. See attached PDF for the full letter.
» Attachment (PDF 94kb)
Posted 558 years ago
Pasadena Outlook Highlights HMRI STEM Program Launch
| Post Date: July 29, 2021 | Author: Sandra Loden | Category: STEM Education |
The HMRI High School Student STEM Program was higlighted in the July 29, 2021 edition of Pasadena Outlook Magazine!
» Click here to download the PDF (729 kb).
Posted 567 years ago
Huntington Medical Research Institutes Launches Inaugural Biomedical Research STEM Program for Pasadena Unified School District Students
| Post Date: July 20, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Student Programs |
PASADENA, CA, July 20, 2021 – Eight 11th- and 12th-grade students from two Pasadena Unified School District high schools are having a blast while gaining potentially life-changing educational opportunities this summer in Huntington Medical Research Institutes’ (HMRI) inaugural Biomedical Research High School STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program. Launched in June, the six-week program is providing invaluable opportunities for these students to learn from and collaborate with HMRI research scientists and staff, a STEM instructor and undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) mentors from three colleges and universities.
According to HMRI Associate Professor Dr. Nicole Purcell and director of HMRI’s inaugural high school STEM program, their mission is to educate and encourage the next generation of outstanding physicians, scientists and researchers to follow their interests and continue to grow and develop toward science-related careers. “HMRI’s STEM program, which is geared toward students who may not otherwise have access to top-tier interactive educational programs in these fields, is providing participants hands-on opportunities to explore new and uncharted solutions to some of healthcare’s biggest challenges, like heart disease, Alzheimer’s and mental illness – and have fun in the process,” Dr. Purcell said.
Program instructor Jacqueline Fonseca, who is passionate about education, equal access and making real change happen in the field of science education in low-income communities, noted that classes convene virtually and “live” (as COVID-19 protocols allow), Mondays through Fridays, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., through July 30. “While we prefer meeting in person whenever possible, there are amazing virtual lab activities available now because of the need to be socially distant,” she said. “With so many different lab types available, students get experiences they might not otherwise be able to have in a lab setting.”
Fonseca elaborated that different subject matter is explored each week and includes: Research, Methods and Instrumentation; Anatomy (Brain, Heart, Lungs); Pathology and Imaging; Genetics; and Mental Health. The program will culminate with research projects and a July 30 symposium event.
Students also are benefitting from the oversight of HMRI Education Program Manager Dr. Carlos Aguirre and undergraduate TAs Ciannah Correa, Pomona College, B.S., Molecular Biology; Hunter McKenzie, Whitworth University, B.S., Health Science; and Sidhant Umbrajkar, University of California, Los Angeles, B.S., Biology.
Current student enrollees, who were selected for the program through an application process that included teacher recommendations, include: from CIS Academy – Skylar Adams (12th grade for Fall 2021) and Anthony Romero (11th grade for Fall 2021); and from Marshall Fundamental Secondary School – Haydee Angeles and Emily Martinez (12th grade for Fall 2021); and Elizabeth Alvarez, Arleth Angeles, Isaiah Gilmore and Amina Malone (11th grade for Fall 2021).
Having already conducted dissections, explored the human anatomy using endoscopes with a laboratory “squishy human body” to simulate an endoscopy and toured HMRI’s labs, the students are giving the program rave reviews so far.
“We’re delighted that this program is being so well received by the students,” said HMRI President and CEO Julia E. Bradsher, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.S. “We can’t wait to see how this experience will impact the students – and long term how, through the seeds planted here, they will impact the world for good in the future.”
Dr. Bradsher added that start-up funds from Pasadena residents Drs. Sonia and Neil Singla, along with a three-year grant from The Confidence Foundation, have made HMRI’s STEM program for these Pasadena high school students possible.
Dr. Sonia Singla, HMRI board member and chief administrative officer for Pasadena-based Lotus Clinical Research, expressed her support for HMRI’s high school STEM program saying: “STEM has always been the future and it’s vital that all students have access to these types of programs. There is a generalized myth out there that science and technology is only for a certain type of student, and I want to debunk that and make STEM integral to all learners and curricula.
“I want kids to be exposed to STEM and demystify and normalize science and research,” she continued. “I want kids to know there is not just a prescribed path if they choose a career in science or medicine, there are many creative and innovative career choices in STEM! I’m thrilled HMRI chose to start a STEM program for local Pasadena kids ensuring ALL of our kids in our community have access and opportunities for a brighter future.”
Dr. Bradsher explained that over the past 40 years, HMRI has offered a Summer Research Program to some 515 undergraduate college students, many of whom have gone on to become physicians, scientists, engineers and researchers – some now holding prestigious faculty appointments at academic institutions around the world. “Thanks to the generosity of Drs. Singla and The Confidence Foundation grant, HMRI now is realizing its goal of making a greater impact in the community by expanding our summer programming to include underserved high school students. We couldn’t be more grateful to these generous donors.”
About HMRI
The scientists and staff of HMRI are powered by passion and determination, working tirelessly to uncover new and uncharted solutions to some of humankind’s most daunting cardiovascular and neurological challenges, like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, migraine and mental illness. Established in 1952, HMRI’s history is steeped in game-changing research and developments, from the cerebrospinal fluid shunt system for hydrocephalus, to the MRI spectroscopy for use with brain tumors, dementia, stroke, MS, and cancers. Today, our campus in Pasadena, CA, includes biomedical laboratories focused on the connections between the brain and heart, an MRI for clinical studies, and a Liver Center. Our mission is improving lives through biomedical research, and we invite those who share our passion to join us. Big‐impact, life‐changing solutions are happening today at HMRI. For more information, visit HMRI.org.
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The eight Pasadena Unified School District high school students enrolled in HMRI's inaugural Biomedical Research High School STEM program, along with their STEM instructor, teaching assistants and HMRI's Education Program Manager are suited up for dissection day. Front row, left to right: Haydee Angeles, Elizabeth Alvarez, Isaiah Gilmore, Jacqueline Fonseca (STEM Instructor) Ciannah Correa (Teaching Assistant) and Dr. Carlos Aguirre (HMRI Education Program Manager). Back row, left to right: Anthony Romero, Emily Martinez, Arleth Angeles, Amina Malone and Skylar Adams.
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Skylar Adams uses a microscope to observe astrocytes, a type of brain cell important for axon guidance, synaptic support and control of the blood brain barrier and blood flow.
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Isaiah Gilmore uses a microscope to observe astrocytes, a type of brain cell important for axon guidance, synaptic support, and control of the blood brain barrier and blood flow.
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Emily Martinez marvels at the sight of the strawberry DNA extracted.
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Posted 567 years ago
Pasadena NOW Article Features HMRI's STEM Program Launch
| Post Date: July 20, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: |
Pasadena NOW featured the HMRI Stem program launch in it's July 20 edition.
Posted 616 years ago
Study Reveals Impacts of COVID-19 on Emergency Care for Cardiac Events
| Post Date: June 1, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
As we begin to recover from the pandemic some of the impacts from COVID-19 are beginning to surface. HMRI's Dr. Robert Kloner and colleagues conducted a study using data from the LA County emergency medical services registry to assess how the pandemic may have delayed emergent care and treatment for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and suspected damage from myocardial infarction. The results highlight the need for ongoing messaging and promotion for the public to not delay care during emergencies. Read more about the study and conclusions were published in June in the Journal of American Heart Association. An accompanying editorial was also published - Death by COVID-19: An Open Investigation.
Date: June 1, 2021
Posted 645 years ago
Huntington Medical Research Institutes Welcomes New Board Members
| Post Date: May 3, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: General News |
Huntington Medical Research Institutes Welcomes New Board Members
Three New Members Bring Experience in Research, Educational Leadership, Community Service
PASADENA, CA, May 3, 2021 – Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors: Sandra B. Sharp, PhD, Barbara Hunt, EdD, and Uma Shrivistava. Each brings unique work and volunteer experience that will complement the melting pot of talents on HMRI’s Board of Directors – and shares a common passion for HMRI’s mission of improving lives through biomedical research.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Barbra, Sandy and Uma to our Board of Directors,” says Julia Bradsher, President and CEO of HMRI. “Each of these women brings leadership and experience that are integral to our strategy: seeking opportunities to engage with our community, and funding the important work that’s happening here. Their time and talents will be invaluable as we continue to shape this world-class research institute.”
Barbara Hunt, EdD
Education has been a lifelong passion for Barbara Hunt. She spent three decades as an educator herself, first teaching toddlers in West LA and eventually serving as Human Biology instructor at Woodbury University, her 10-year tenure sprinkled with lengthy trips across the globe to teach biology at colleges and universities in Malawi and Ghana. She earned her EdD in 2015 and completed a bioinformatics class in 2019, where she learned to use genetic databases to research diseases like measles, HIV and various cancers. “I find HMRI’s research areas extremely important for a healthy society,” says Dr. Hunt. “I look forward to promoting HMRI in the local Pasadena area, and I hope my involvement and enthusiasm might inspire others to support medical science and research.”
Sandra B. Sharp, PhD
With a background rich in science and research, Sandy Sharp spent 27 years teaching biological sciences to students at Cal State LA. Today she is Professor Emerita, but even in retirement, her work continues, as she advances her molecular myogenesis research. Her career is peppered with impressive awards and achievements, including the NSF Career Advancement Award for Women in Science and Engineering and the Distinguished Women Award at Cal State LA. “I feel privileged and honored to be associated as a board member with HMRI,” says Dr. Sharp. “For me, it's a no-brainer. HMRI’s ground-breaking research impacts the lives of patients, and its contribution to the professional pipeline affords opportunities for biomedical scientists from diverse backgrounds and at all career stages. I look forward to using the experience I’ve accumulated in research and education to help keep HMRI strong and to solidify its role in the greater Pasadena community.”
Uma Shrivistava
Uma Shrivistava has an entrepreneurial spirit coupled with extensive nonprofit board experience. Her 26 years as a small-business owner of an educational toys and books store overlapped with 20 years of executive roles in banking and finance for Bank of America. Somehow she found time to serve on several boards as well, most recently as president and board member for Women at Work in Pasadena. “I am excited about joining HMRI’s Board of Directors,” says Ms. Shrivistava. “Their scientists are world renowned, and the research they are driving is game-changing. I hope my experience will be helpful in guiding HMRI on their path to greater community engagement and nonprofit fundraising goals.”
Dr. Hunt, Dr. Sharp and Ms. Shrivistava will join 22 other members on HMRI’s Board of Directors. All give generously of their time, talents and finances, and each brings a unique skillset that is integral to the institutes’ growth and success. Board members chair and serve on nine different committees, host events and spearhead fundraising efforts. “We are grateful to have the steadfast, hands-on support of our Board of Directors,” says Bradsher. “These volunteers share our passion and commitment to exploring new and uncharted means of diagnosing and treating disease. Each is a true champion of the cause: improving lives through scientific research.”
About HMRI
The scientists and staff of HMRI are powered by passion and determination, working tirelessly to uncover new and uncharted solutions to some of humankind’s most daunting cardiovascular and neurological challenges, like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, migraine and mental illness. Established in 1952, HMRI’s history is steeped in game-changing research and developments, from the cerebrospinal fluid shunt system for hydrocephalus, to the MRI spectroscopy for use with brain tumors, dementia, stroke, MS, and cancers. Today, our campus in Pasadena, CA, includes biomedical laboratories focused on the connections between the brain and heart, an MRI for clinical studies, and a Liver Center. Our mission is improving lives through biomedical research, and we invite those who share our passion to join us. Big‐impact, life‐changing solutions are happening today at HMRI. For more information, visit Hmri.org.
Posted 645 years ago
HMRI Neuroscience Research Team and USC Alzheimer's Disease Collaboration published in "Molecular Neurodegeneration"
| Post Date: May 3, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Neuroscience |
The prestigous journal Molecular Neurodegeneration published a HMRI & USC manuscript showcasing that people who carry the high-risk gene Apoe4 for Alzheimer's disease have higher inflammation due to increased levels of an enzyme known as phospholipase A2. This enzyme is considered a biomarker and is a target for treating Alzheimer's disease. The article published in April and titled, "Calcium-dependent cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation is implicated in neuroinflammation and oxidative stress associated with ApoE4," includes work from our very own Alfred Fonteh, PHD, Neurosciences, Senior Research Biochemist.
- Article Citiation: Wang, S., Li, B., Solomon, V. et al. Calcium-dependent cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation is implicated in neuroinflammation and oxidative stress associated with ApoE4. Mol Neurodegeneration 16, 26 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13024-021-00438-3
- Authors: Shaowei Wang1, Boyang Li1, Victoria Solomon1, Alfred Fonteh2, Stanley I. Rapoport3, David A. Bennett4, Zoe Arvanitakis4, Helena C. Chui1, Carol Miller1, Patrick M. Sullivan5, Hoau-Yan Wang6,7 and Hussein N. Yassine1*
Posted 651 years ago
New research suggests possible treatment for common issues in myopia and aging - eye "floaters."
| Post Date: April 27, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Neuroscience |
"Floaters" are a challenging but common issue in myopia and aging. In the clinical world they are referred to as vitreous opacities and develop as a result of collagen fibers that have massed together and create a shadow on the retina. In this study, a team of researchers including Dr. Michael Harrington, scientific director for the HMRI neuroscience program, seek treatments that directly address the collagen build up. Read the paper published April 27, 2021 in the journal Nanoscale Horizons titled - "Carbon quantum dots as a dual platform for the inhibition and light-based destruction of collagen fibers: implications for the treatment of eye floaters."
https://doi.org/10.1039/d1nh00157d
Posted 663 years ago
HMRI Neuroscience Researcher Leads International Experts in Summary of State-of-art Detection of Early Dementia.
| Post Date: April 15, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Neuroscience |
HMRI neuroscience researcher Xianghong Arakaki contributes to international experts' teamwork in two new papers that summarize the state-of-the-art detection of early dementia. These analyses illuminate changes that are captured by simply observing brain waves when individuals are resting, using equipment (EEG) that is not expensive. The EEG measures brain activity as distinct from brain structural changes, which is important because the function may change before structural changes are visible. Both papers may be used to guide clinical trials of new therapies for Alzheimer's and other dementias and are team efforts with the Alzheimer's Association's Electrophysiology Professional Interest Areas (PIA) group.
- Paper 1: EEG measures for clinical research in major vascular cognitive impairment: recommendations by an expert panel; Neurobiol. Aging. 2021 Mar 10;103:78-97. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.03.003. In this paper, a multidisciplinary expert panel reviewed the literature and reached consensus (endorsed by the Electrophysiology Professional Interest Area (EPIA) of Alzheimer’s Association and Global Brain Consortium) about resting EEG measures associated with clinical phenotypes and neuroimaging biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) clinical trials.
- Paper 2: Measures of resting state EEG rhythms for clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease: Recommendations of an expert panel. Alzheimer's Dement. 2021 Apr 15. doi: 10.1002/alz.12311. In this paper, a multidisciplinary expert panel reviewed the clinical literature and reached consensus about resting EEG measures for vascular contribution to cognitive impairment (VCI) and dementia. Although these changes were not specific for VCI, they may be tested in clinical trials for biomarkers.
Posted 680 years ago
HMRI Brain Aging Study Sheds Light on How Our Eyes May Signal Early AD Markers
| Post Date: March 29, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Neuroscience |
It is important to detect damage from Alzheimer's disease (AD) before memories are lost, and HMRI's Neurosciences research team are testing approaches to pick up early AD. Doheny Eye Center colleagues demonstrate, for the first time, that altered electrical signals from the eye can predict those individuals in our Brain Aging study whose abnormal amyloid biomarkers in spinal fluid identify them at greater risk for AD. Retinal nerve signals may offer a simpler screen than spinal fluid to identify individuals for testing treatments to prevent further brain damage. Read the full paper published March 18, 2021 in the "Scientific Reports" section of Nature.com.
Posted 687 years ago
HMRI Cardiovascular Team and NIH Investigators Publish Paper on E-cigarettes and Cardiopulmonary Health
| Post Date: March 22, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
In conjunction with NIH investigators, HMRI's Cardiovascular team led by Dr. Robert Kloner, is pleased to share their published paper and latest research and remaining questions on the impacts of E-cigarettes on the heart and lungs. With the popularty of E-cigarettes growing, especially in teens and young adults, it's clear that regular research is critical as we aim to better understand the short- and long-term impacts. Read the full article here.
Posted 690 years ago
Weighing the pros and cons of cannabis; Dr. Kloner says more studies needed.
| Post Date: March 19, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner addresses study results on the use of cannabis to lower blood pressure, stating there is a need for more studies on the health benefits of cannabis while also learning how to counteract any of the negative impacts from THC. Read more in the Green Entrepreneur article.
Posted 691 years ago
HMRI Neuroscience Team Closer to Understanding Migraines
| Post Date: March 18, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Neuroscience |
Why migraine happens is not understood. However, HMRI’s neuroscience team’s most recent study reveals that there are specific changes in molecules within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during migraine. One of them, sVCAM-1, changes more in those who have more frequent migraine. These results identify part of the major brain phenomenon of migraine and stimulate more efforts to understand what is going on and what needs to be corrected for better treatment. Read the full article in the journal Headache, entitled Evidence that blood–CSF barrier transport, but not inflammatory biomarkers, change in migraine, while CSF sVCAM1 associates with migraine frequency and CSF fibrinogen.
Posted 692 years ago
Dr. Kloner Weighs in on Red Wine and Your Heart
| Post Date: March 17, 2021 | Author: Katie Robbins | Category: Cardiovascular |
HMRI's Dr. Robert Kloner shares that the scientific evidence is still unclear as to whether or not red wine is good for your heart in a March 17 article in Yahool Lifestyle News - The Worst Reason to Drink Wine, says Science. While some studies have suggested that drinking red wine can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke, the concern is that the findings may have been overblown. Dr. Kloner says more research is needed to determine specifically which factors are responsible for the decreased blood pressure. In the meantime, stick to the current recommendations when drinking any alcohol, even red wine - one glass for women, two glasses for men.
Posted 742 years ago
HMRI Research Team's Study Shows Impact of Liver Cirrhosis on the Brain
| Post Date: January 26, 2021 | Author: brivas | Category: brain |
Liver Cirrhosis can cause widespread damage for patients, including deposits of manganese, a trace mineral, which can affect the brain. Manganese is a key mineral used by our bodies for a variety of chemical processes, including the metabolism of cholesterol and carbohydrates, but people only need it in small amounts. The HMRI research team, including Neurosciences Scientific Director Michael Harrington, MD, showed that damage from liver cirrhosis gives an altered signal intensity consistent with increased manganese deposition on MRI, which was not found in healthy controls. This method may help quantify and track treatment in patients with cirrhosis.
Title: MRI Automated T1 Signal Intensity Detection of Diffuse Brain Manganese Accumulation in Cirrhosis
By: Journal of NeuroImaging
Author: Ke Wei , Thao T. Tran, Patrick W. Chang, Annie Malekie, Karen Chu, Lea Alhilali, Matthew T. Borzage, Edward Mena, Michael G. Harrington, and Kevin S. King
Date: Jan/Feb 2021
Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jon.12781
Posted 750 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Robert Kloner weighs in on air pollution as an acute trigger for heart attacks.
| Post Date: January 18, 2021 | Author: brivas | Category: attack |
Research from China published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology adds additional color to scientific data that suggests air pollution can be an acute risk factor for heart attacks. The study was picked up by TCTMD, where HMRI's Chief Science Officer and Scientific Director of Cardiovascular Research, Robert Kloner, MD, was asked to weigh in on the topic. One area of Dr. Kloner's work has been to investigate how reducing heart attack triggers can reduce the size of heart attacks and ultimately decrease deaths. He agrees that the research further points to the concept that acute triggers like air pollution can increase heart attack risks and death.
Title: Acute Exposure to Air Pollution Can Trigger MI-Related Death
By: TCTMD by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation
Author: Caitlin E. Cox
Date: January 18, 2021
Link: https://www.tctmd.com/news/acute-exposure-air-pollution-can-trigger-mi-related-death
Posted 760 years ago
Heart inflammation resulting from COVID-19 reviewed by Dr. Robert Kloner in Science Direct article.
| Post Date: January 8, 2021 | Author: brivas | Category: cardiovascular |
36% Of patients with COVID-19 end up battling myocarditis, a viral infection causing inflammation in the heart. In a recently published article in Science Direct's Trends In Cardiovascular Medicine, HMRI's Chief Science Officer and Scientific Director of Cardiovascular Research, Robert Kloner, MD, and Marshfield Clinic Health System's cardiovascular physician and researcher Shereif Rezkalla, MD, explain how to diagnosis and treat viral myocarditis.
Title: Viral myocarditis: 1917–2020: From the influenza A to the COVID-19 pandemics
By: Science Direct's Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine
Author: Robert Kloner, MD and Shereif Rezkalla, MD
Date: December 29, 2020
Posted 760 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Anju Vasudevan explains two vascular treatments for mental illness in recent article.
| Post Date: January 8, 2021 | Author: brivas | Category: anju |
What do mental illness & the vascular system have to do with one another? HMRI's Senior Research Scientist and Scientific Director of Angiogenesis and Brain Development Research Dr. Anju Vasudevan shares how we can fight mental illness in prenatal, postnatal and adult brains using two vascular therapies in this recent article.
Title: Vascular Therapies for Mental Health Disorders
By: Open Access Government
Author: Anju Vasudevan, MD
Date: December 16, 2020
Link: https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/adult-brain/100309/
2020
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI Neurosciences Researchers Original Research on the Role of Membrane Lipids in Alzheimer's Disease Published in Frontiers in Neuroscience
| Post Date: December 16, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: ad |
Huntington Medical Research Institutes' (HMRI) neurosciences research team led by senior researcher Alfred N. Fonteh had their original research on the impact of deteriorating membrane lipids in Alzheimer's disease (AD) published in Frontiers in Neuroscience. Incomplete knowledge of brain lipid composition limits mechanistic insight into late-onset AD pathophysiology. Since age is the most significant risk factor of AD, the HMRI team propose that older neuronal cells render the amyloid precursor protein more vulnerable to abnormal processing because of deteriorating membrane lipids. We compared the lipid composition of cognitively healthy (CH) participants with normal Aß42/Tau (CH-NAT), CH with pathological Aß42/Tau (CH-PAT), and AD. We found differential metabolism of lipids in the supernatant fluid and nanoparticulate membrane fractions of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Whereas phosphatidylcholine accumulates in the supernatant fluid fraction, sphingomyelin accumulates in the CH-PAT group’s nanoparticulate membrane fraction. Phospholipase A2 activity that hydrolyzes lipids is higher in AD than in the cognitively healthy groups. Sphingomyelinase activities that hydrolyze sphingomyelin are lower in AD compared to the healthy groups. Similar fasting blood and dietary lipid levels in the three clinical groups are consistent with the CSF lipid changes originating from brain pathophysiology. Our results identify increased lipid turnover in cognitively healthy participants with AD biomarkers, switching to a predominantly lipolytic state in dementia. This knowledge may be useful for targeting and testing new AD treatments.
TITLE: Accumulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Glycerophospholipids and Sphingolipids in Cognitively Healthy Participants With Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Precedes Lipolysis in the Dementia Stage
By: Frontiers in Neuroscience
Article type: Original Research
Authors: Alfred N Fonteh, Abby J Chiang, Xianghong Arakaki, Sarah Edminster, Michael G Harrington
Manuscript ID: 611393
Date: December 16, 2020
Posted 2 years ago
Preclinical Study: Use of Nicotine Near or at Time of Heart Attack Increases Damage
| Post Date: November 17, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: attack |
A HMRI preclinical study points to nicotine use near or at the time of a heart attack can further increase the size of the heart attack resulting in a more significant impact on recovery. Nicotine, a major component of tobacco smoke and also often added to e-liquid, has long been associated with high blood pressure and cardiac events. However, in this study HMRI's Chief Science Officer Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD, Neurosciences Science Director Michael Harrington MB, ChB, FRCP, and their team have uncovered that research subjects exposed to nicotine during or close to the time of their experimentally induced heart attack increased their blood pressure causing larger heart attacks that kill off more heart cells and further reduce the heart's ability to pump.
Title: Acute administration of nicotine induces transient elevation of blood pressure and increases myocardial infarct size...
By: ScienceDirect
Date: November 16, 2020
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020322933
Posted 2 years ago
Neuroscience Researchers’ Pilot Study Reveal Abnormal Gamma Power in At-risk Populations for Alzheimer’s Disease, results published in Frontiers In Aging Neuroscience
| Post Date: October 15, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: 2020 |
Gamma as high frequency brain activities are involved in attention, senses (smell, sight, and hearing), mental processing, and perception, which change in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To unmask abnormal gamma power in healthy individuals at high-risk of developing AD, HMRI’s neurosciences researcher Xianghong Arakaki MD, PhD (NIA R56AG063857) led the electrophysiology core of a brain aging study that combined memory challenge with quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG). The pilot findings encourage further investigations in developing neurophysiology-based markers for identifying individuals at risk, to help improve our understanding of AD pathophysiology and were published in Frontiers In Aging Neurosciences. The brain aging study was led by Michael Harrington, MB, ChB, FRCP (L. K. Whittier Foundation).
Title: Compromised Behavior and Gamma Power During Working Memory in Cognitively Healthy Individuals With Abnormal CSF Amyloid/Tau
By: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Authors: Rochart Roger, Liu Quanying, Fonteh Alfred N., Harrington Michael G., Arakaki Xianghong
Date: 14 October, 2020
Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnagi.2020.574214
Site Source: Front. Aging Neurosci., 14 October 2020 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2020.574214
Posted 2 years ago
Prenatal NAD+ treatment can rescue abnormal brain development and prevent the origin of mental illness; results published in Science Advances Magazine.
| Post Date: October 10, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: 2020 |
Results from an angiogenesis study, led by our own Dr. Anju Vasudevan, were published October 9 in Science Advances. The study shows that mental illness can be prevented by administering nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to the prenatal forebrain blood vessels, resulting in repair of angiogenesis defects and normalization of brain development.
Title: NAD+-mediated rescue of prenatal forebrain angiogenesis restores postnatal behavior
By: Science Advances Magazine
Source Site: BY
Date: October 9, 2020
Link: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/41/eabb9766
Posted 2 years ago
ScienceDaily shares HMRI/UCI Vaping Study: "Heating in vaping device as cause for lung injury, study shows"
| Post Date: September 30, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: Uncategorized |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI & UCI E-cig/Vaping Study Uncover Factor in Lung Injury; Results Published in Journal of American Heart Association
| Post Date: September 24, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: american heart |
Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD Early results of an experimental vaping study have shown significant lung injury from E-cigarette (eC) devices with nickel-chromium alloy heating elements and were published in the Journal of American Heart Association. Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD, chief science officer for Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) and professor of Medicine at USC, and Michael Kleinman, PhD, professor of occupational and environmental medicine at the University of California, Irvine’s School of Medicine and member of the UCI Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, led the study which was designed to explore the effect of e-cigarette and other vaping product use on the cardiovascular system. While conducting experiments, researchers observed eC or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) immediately after switching from a vaping device with a stainless steel heating element, to one that used nickel-chromium alloy (NC). The findings were consistent, with or without the use of nicotine, vitamin E oil or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which have previously been thought to contribute to the life-threatening respiratory problem. The study was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health. In addition to Kleinman and Kloner, several researchers participated in the study, including HMRI researchers Jianru Shi, Wangde Dai, Juan Carreno, Jesus Chavez, and Lifu Zhao; and UCI researchers Rebecca Johnson Arechavala, David Herman, Irene Hasen and Amanda Ting.
TITLE: E‐cigarette or Vaping Product Use–Associated Lung Injury Produced in an Animal Model From Electronic Cigarette Vapor Exposure Without Tetrahydrocannabinol or Vitamin E Oil
By: Journal of American Heart Association
Date: September 8, 2020
Link: https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.120.017368
Press Release: https://hmri.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/HMRI-UCI-JAHA-Vaping-Final-002.pdf
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Michael Harrington Discusses Key Findings in Migraine Study in Medscape Interview
| Post Date: August 25, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: choroid |
Scientific Director of Neuroscience at HMRI, Dr. Michael Harrington, was interviewed by Medscape regarding his recent migraine study presentation at the virtual annual meeting of the American Headache Society. The breakthrough data suggests that the choroid plexuses, a special brain structure that produces spinal fluid, is the primary source of an increased molecule in people suffering from migraines. While more research is needed, these results shed light on an area of focus and could lead to improved treatments long term.
Title: Choroid Plexuses May Play a Role in Migraine
By: Medscape
Author: Jim Kling
Date: August 24, 2020
Link: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/936214
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner mentioned in USA Today about COVID and the safety of college football
| Post Date: August 18, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: college |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI’s Neurosciences Team co-published a research paper in Nature
| Post Date: August 16, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: alzheimer's |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Robert Kloner published commentary in PracticeUpdate about the use of marijuana on cardiovascular health
| Post Date: August 13, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: cardiovascular |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner co-published an article in the American Heart Association’s Journal Circulation
| Post Date: August 7, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: american |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner mentioned in Salon article about effects of marijuana on the cardiovascular system
| Post Date: August 6, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: cardiovascular |
Posted 2 years ago
Media Release: Human forebrain endothelial cell therapy for psychiatric disorders
| Post Date: July 27, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: brain |
Date: July 27, 2020 Link to Published Article: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-020-0839-9 Link to News Release: https://hmri.org/dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/HMRI-Press-Release-RE-Vasudevan-Published-Final-MSM.pdf Anju Vasudevan, PhD, Senior Research Scientist and Scientific Director for the Angiogenesis and Brain Development research program at HMRI, and her colleagues’ work published on July 13 in Molecular Psychiatry* is considered to be a game-changing breakthrough uncovering why cell-based therapies are failing, and providing a missing link in the process, that when the right vascular cells are paired with neuronal cells, they work together successfully for brain repair and improvement of disease symptoms. While studying the mechanics of the cells, Vasudevan and her team discovered that GABAergic neuronal cells must be paired with their vascular counterpart, the embryonic forebrain specific endothelial cells for faster, effective therapy.
“In short,” says Vasudevan, “we were able to replicate the close neurovascular interactions of the developing forebrain and prove their critical role in guiding the GABAergic interneurons to their final destination in the adult brain.”
The study used a GABA pathway component - the GABAA receptor beta 3 subunit (GABRB3) to isolate and generate a new human vascular cell product. This human vasculature is unique to the embryonic forebrain and distinct from vasculature in other organs, one of the many critical findings from Vasudevan’s work at HMRI that will aide scientists in the longer journey to use cell-based therapies for brain disorders.
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI’s Neurosciences Team co-published a research paper in EBioMedicine
| Post Date: July 23, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: alzheimer's |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI Observes Juneteenth as Paid Employee Holiday
| Post Date: June 18, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: hmri |
Posted 2 years ago
A Message to Our HMRI Community
| Post Date: June 4, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
Posted 2 years ago
Coronavirus (COVID-19) June Update
| Post Date: June 1, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
June 1, 2020
Dear Friends of HMRI, As the situation with the coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve, I want to take a moment to share an update: HMRI is tracking daily information and following guideline provided by Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and Los Angeles health authorities. With this in mind, the following guidelines are in effect at HMRI until further notice:- Our emergency/safety team has put in a place a work from home policy for those able to work from home
- Our research and experiments continue. Our laboratory scientists and technicians are working staggered hours in the laboratory to minimize the number of personnel in the laboratories at any given time; they are following social distancing guidelines, working no less than 6 feet apart. They all wear Personal Protective Equipment (lab coats, glasses, gloves) and wash their hands thoroughly after leaving the lab.
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Kevin King co-published an article with USC in the Scientific Reports (Nature) Journal
| Post Date: May 29, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: aorta |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI’s Neurosciences Team co-published an article in PLOS ONE
| Post Date: May 29, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: ad |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI’s Advanced Imaging and Cardiovascular Research Teams co-published a paper in SAGE Open Medicine
| Post Date: May 26, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: blood |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI’s Neurosciences and Advanced Imaging Research Teams co-published an article in PLOS ONE
| Post Date: April 22, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: acids |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner mentioned in American Heart Association News article about the need for more research on marijuana and its effect on the heart
| Post Date: April 20, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: heart |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI's Cardiovascular Team published an article in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
| Post Date: April 16, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: anesthetic |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Michael Harrington co-authors article in the Journal of the Alzheimer's Association
| Post Date: April 16, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: fluid |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Advisory
| Post Date: March 17, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: 2020 |
March 17, 2020 HMRI is tracking daily information and following guidelines provided by Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and Greater Los Angeles government authorities. To be fully prepared and preventive, we have implemented the following at HMRI until further notice:
- Our emergency/safety team has put in a place a work from home policy for those able to work from home
- Our research and experiments will continue to keep our science moving forward. Our laboratory scientists and technicians are working staggered hours in the laboratory to minimize the number of personnel in the laboratories at any given time; they are following social distancing guidelines. All lab personnel wear personal protective equipment (PPE) (lab coats, glasses, gloves) and wash their hands thoroughly and often.
- All study participants and visitors are not allowed into our buildings until further notice.
- All public events, lectures and programs have been cancelled at least through the end of March and will likely extend into April.
- All meetings, including board meetings, committee meetings, and others, will be held as video/teleconferences.
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI’s Advanced Imaging Team co-published a paper in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Journal
| Post Date: February 24, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: aortic |
Posted 2 years ago
HMRI's Neuroscience Team published an article in Frontiers in Physiology Journal
| Post Date: February 14, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: acids |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Robert Kloner published a paper in the Journal of the American Heart Association
| Post Date: February 4, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: blood |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Michael Harrington co-published an article in Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience Journal
| Post Date: February 4, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: brain |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Robert Kloner mentioned in Elder Advisory Group blog post
| Post Date: January 28, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
Posted 3 years ago
Media Release: HMRI Receives W. M. Keck Foundation Grant to Study Fluctuating Brain Function
| Post Date: January 15, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: award from the w |
HMRI Receives W. M. Keck Foundation Grant to Study Fluctuating Brain Function
Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) announced today a $1 million, three-year award from the W. M. Keck Foundation to help support research into a deeper understanding of fluctuating sodium in the nervous system as the root cause of fluctuating brain function. The project will leverage HMRI’s pioneering neurosciences program that has undertaken longitudinal studies of the brain and nervous system over the past 20 years. “We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award from the W. M. Keck Foundation to fund this futuristic study”, said, Dr. Julia E. Bradsher, President and CEO of HMRI. She further stated, “if successful, the results and their implications will be an enormous leap forward in explaining how brain fluctuations arise in both health and disease. This truly is a great achievement for HMRI, our scientific team in the neurosciences, and our collaborators.” In this project, HMRI proposes that fluctuations of sodium in cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue will alter neuronal firing rates and thus impact brain functions, whose features vary depending on the site of the fluctuation and the health of the neurons. In a healthy brain, this will change the normal synchronization between neural circuits that might then manifest as fluctuations in mood, alertness, or cognitive abilities. The study extends findings from previous research on fluctuations underlying migraine to other brain fluctuations, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the prior studies, it is suggested that sodium fluctuation may cause imperfect synchronization of brain regions, leading to abnormal sensory perception as in migraine, or difficulty recalling memories, slower problem solving, and poor decision making. “We get to test a theory that can impact everyone by explaining how brain functions fluctuate and identifying a target to correct deviations”, said Dr. Michael B. Harrington, Scientific Director of the HMRI Neurosciences Program and principal investigator on this new project. “We are thrilled and honored to get this peer-reviewed award as our idea would be too unconventional for normal federal funding review processes.” Along with Dr. Harrington, the research will be conducted by an interdisciplinary team of scientists, including Dr. Brian Stoltz, a chemistry researcher from the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) and Dr. Linda Petzold, a mathematician at University of California, Santa Barbara. For interviews, please contact Brenda Rivas at Brenda.Rivas@hmri.org or 626-807-7079. About HMRI Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI), founded in 1952, is an independent, non-profit organization with the mission to improve lives through patient-focused scientific research. HMRI conducts internationally recognized research in the areas of neuroscience (migraine, Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury), cardiovascular (heart attack, chronic heart disease), related clinical research, and advanced imaging research. For more information, please visit www.hmri.org. To learn more about how you can help support groundbreaking medical research at HMRI, contact Susie Berry, VP of Development at (626) 389-3407 or susie.berry@hmri.org. About the W. M. Keck Foundation Based in Los Angeles, the W. M. Keck Foundation was established in 1954 by the late W. M. Keck, founder of the Superior Oil Company. The Foundation’s grant making is focused primarily on pioneering efforts in the areas of medical research, science and engineering and undergraduate education. The Foundation also maintains a Southern California Grant Program that provides support for the Los Angeles community, with a special emphasis on children and youth. For more information, please visit www.wmkeck.org.Posted 3 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner mentioned in Shape article about the most common causes of high blood pressure
| Post Date: January 13, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: blood |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner mentioned in Star Tribune article - Is wine good for you?
| Post Date: January 3, 2020 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
2019
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner radio interview on Radio Health Journal: Christmas in the E.R. It’s no Holiday
| Post Date: December 22, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Michael Harrington co-published an article on Alzheimer's disease in PLOS ONE
| Post Date: December 18, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: ad |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Robert Kloner mentioned in American Heart Association News article about the risk of heart attacks during the winter
| Post Date: December 11, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: cold |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Cardiovascular Team published an article in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
| Post Date: December 11, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: conditioning |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Thao Tran invited to teach at the Advanced MRS Workshop in China
| Post Date: December 2, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: china |
Thao Tran, HMRI Director of Imaging HMRI's Thao Tran, MSc, RT (MR), MRSO (ABMRS), was invited to teach a course at the Advanced MRS Workshop which took place November 22-24 at Wuhan Union Hospital in Wuhan, China, with 40 radiologists, MR scientists and technologists from Iran, Taiwan and all over China. Along with three GE Senior MR Scientists and former HMRI colleague, Alex Lin, the workshop covered proton and multi-nuclear MR Spectroscopy topics and included hands-on practical sessions. The workshop was a great success and HMRI has been invited back for 2020.
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Michael Harrington co-published an article on Alzheimer's disease in the Journal of Neuroscience
| Post Date: November 27, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: brain |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Cardiovascular Research Team presented at the American Heart Association meetings in Philadelphia
| Post Date: November 20, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: abstracts |
Congratulations to HMRI’s Cardiovascular Research Team who presented four abstracts at the Resuscitation Science section of the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions meeting and two abstracts at the Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association in Philadelphia this month. One of the abstracts is especially relevant as it is a true heart-brain connection study, showing that some of HMRI’s therapies for hemorrhagic shock also protected against strokes. Another abstract focused on vaping and the myocardial infarct size. Congratulations to Drs. Robert Kloner, Jianru Shi , Wangde Dai, and Juan Carreno.
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner co-published an article in Cardiovascular Research, the international journal of the European Society of Cardiology
| Post Date: November 9, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: blood |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Robert Kloner Interviewed by Bill Handel on KFI-AM About Long Term Effects of Vaping
| Post Date: November 7, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: bill |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Xianghong Arakaki elected to serve as a Steering Committee Member of the Electrophysiology PIA Executive Committee of the Alzheimer’s Association ISTAART
| Post Date: October 25, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: alzheimer's |
In October 2019, HMRI's Dr. Xianghong Arakaki was elected for a two-year term to serve as a Steering Committee Member of the Electrophysiology PIA Executive Committee of the Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART). The Executive Committee’s role is to oversee PIA operations, provide and share input on trends within the field, coordinate the scientific and educational activities, and represent the PIA to the ISTAART Advisory Council.
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI Participates in Innovate Pasadena's Connect Week 2019
| Post Date: October 18, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: ai |
As part of Innovate Pasadena's Connect Week 2019, HMRI hosted an open house on October 17th for the local community to visit and learn about our various research programs. HMRI is Pasadena's only biomedical research institute. To learn more about the Innovate Pasadena, visit their website: https://www.innovatepasadena.org/. HMRI's Ke Wei, Imaging Research Programmer Analyst, was invited to facilitate the inaugural AI LA Life Summit at Caltech. This event was also part of the Connect Week series of events held throughout Pasadena. Ke led a discussion with a group of entrepreneurs to brainstorm potential AI applications in healthcare and in bio-medicine.
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Cardiovascular Research Team will be presenting 6 abstracts for the American Heart Association meetings in November
| Post Date: September 19, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: abstracts |
Posted 3 years ago
New editorial commentary by HMRI' Dr. Kloner on the continuing concerns about the cardiovascular safety of marijuana in Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine Journal
| Post Date: September 18, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: comments |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Kloner mentioned in allnurses article titled "CBD Oil for Older Adults, What is Known and Unknown"
| Post Date: August 26, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Kloner published a paper in the Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy Journal titled “Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management of the No-Reflow Phenomenon”
| Post Date: August 20, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: coronary |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI Hosted a Reception to Celebrate Class of 2019 Summer Student Volunteer Program
| Post Date: August 19, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: brain membranes for alzheimer's |
- Mahsa Asgari (Pasadena City College, Transferring to University of California, Los Angeles)
- Project: Earlier Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis
- Oscar Chan (Pasadena City College, Transferring to University of California, Berkeley)
- Project: Relationship Between Respiratory Data Factors and BOLD (Blood Oxygen-Level Dependent) Signals in MRI
- Leslie Escobar (Pasadena City College)
- Project: Cognitive and Motor Decline in Early Alzheimer’s Disease
- Marah Hasan (Pasadena City College, Transferring to University of California, San Diego)
- Project: Earlier Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis
- Josée Horton (Pasadena City College, Transferring to University of California, Davis)
- Project: Purifying Human Brain Membranes for Alzheimer’s Studies
- Erick Huang (Baylor University)
- Project: Exploring Task Shifting in Cognitively Healthy Elderly Individuals
- Nicole Lin (Emory University)
- Project: Effects of Nicotine and Myocardial Infarct Size and No-Reflow Phenomenon in a Rat Coronary Artery Occlusion/Reperfusion Model
- Ella Prebel Jackert (John Hopkins University)
- Project: Identifying Protein Biomarkers in Migraine
- Austin Sophonsri (Pasadena City College, Transferring to University of California, San Diego)
- Project: Fourier Analysis on Raw End-Tidal o2 and CO2 Data
- Claire Wong (University of Washington, Seattle)
- Project: Purifying Human Brain Membranes for Alzheimer’s Studies
- Jessica Wong (University of Southern California)
- Project: Indicators of Early Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in Human Urine
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Robert Kloner, Dr. Wangde Dai, and Sharon Hale published an article in Regenerative Medicine
| Post Date: July 18, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: auxiliary |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Kloner published a paper in the American Heart Journal titled "Lessons learned about stress and the heart after major earthquakes"
| Post Date: July 5, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: brain |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Michael Harrington co-authored a paper published in the Journal of the European Society of Radiology
| Post Date: July 2, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: brain |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Kloner publishes editorial in the July/August 2019 issue of Cardiology in Review
| Post Date: July 1, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: brain |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Robert Kloner co-published an article on coronary artery disease
| Post Date: June 17, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: artery |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Imaging Team co-published an article in the American Journal of Neuroradiology
| Post Date: June 13, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: brain |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Neurosciences Research Team co-publishes article on migraine in PLOS ONE
| Post Date: June 7, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: cause |
Posted 3 years ago
Media Release: HMRI Hosts Inaugural Community Forum to Release Findings from Study on Aging with HIV
| Post Date: June 5, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: 5 2019 |
MEDIA RELEASE: HMRI HOSTS INAUGURAL COMMUNITY FORUM TO RELEASE FINDINGS FROM STUDY ON AGING WITH HIV
Four-Time Gold Medal Olympic Diver, Greg Louganis, to deliver keynote speech
On Saturday, June 8, 2019, Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) will host an Inaugural Community Forum to highlight the findings from its BRAVE (Brain Aging and Vascular Etiology in HIV) study. The focus of the study is to gain a better understanding of brain and cardiovascular changes among people who are HIV positive but continue to maintain viral suppression. The study also seeks to better understand accelerated aging and increased risk for non-AIDS age-related diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, and neurocognitive decline. Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Kimberly Shriner of Huntington Hospital and HMRI’s Director of Imaging Research, Dr. Kevin S. King, will speak about the physician’s view on managing HIV and about the importance of the study. Moderated by Dr. Shriner, the Forum also includes a panel of five individuals living healthy lives with HIV. HMRI began the BRAVE study in 2017 to follow people living with HIV over time to better understand their heart and brain health while living otherwise healthy lives with HIV. Since the start of the study, HMRI has enrolled approximately 50 individuals and plans to continue enrolling study participants. Studying brain health with aging in HIV is difficult as many of the changes seen in the brain in HIV resemble accelerated aging. HMRI has used a comprehensive magnetic resonance imaging evaluation that allows research scientists to distinguish the effects of HIV on the brain from the effects of aging. It’s also been found that people with more advanced HIV infection when they initiate treatment have persistent deficiencies in brain metabolism and brain artery function even after achieving long term viral suppression. Importantly, scientists can identify metabolic and vascular problems before any permanent damage to the brain has occurred and when health interventions have the best chance of improving long term outcomes. HMRI President and CEO, Dr. Julia Bradsher shares, “We are excited to launch this new program to engage and educate the community about our research and life-changing health conditions and diseases.” Dr. Bradsher went on to say, “We plan to make this an annual program and focus each year on a different area of HMRI’s work. We are pleased to feature the BRAVE study in this inaugural program.” Greg Louganis, four-time Gold Medal Olympic diver, speaker, author, activist, actor, humanitarian, and designer, will be the keynote speaker. The Community Forum is a free event and is open to the public. Individuals interested in attending must RSVP online at https://hmri.org/brave/. Seating is limited. Deadline to RSVP is June 5, 2019. The event is sponsored by Perkins+Will and Gilead Sciences, Inc. For interviews, please contact Brenda Rivas at Brenda.Rivas@hmri.org or 626-807-7079.###
Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI), founded in 1952, is an independent, non-profit organization with the mission to improve lives through patient-focused scientific research. HMRI conducts internationally recognized research in the areas of neuroscience (migraine, Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury), cardiovascular (heart attack, chronic heart disease), clinical research (hepatitis, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and pelvic floor disorders) and advanced imaging research. For more information, please visit www.hmri.org.Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Harrington co-published a paper in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
| Post Date: May 31, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: abstainers |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI in the News: AHA - Drinking Red Wine for Heart Health? Read This Before You Toast
| Post Date: May 24, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: alcohol |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI Dr. Kevin King and Thao Tran were invited to annual SMRT/ISMRM conference in Montreal
| Post Date: May 21, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: 12 |
HMRI's Dr. Kevin King was invited by the Society of MR Radiographers & Technologists (SMRT) to speak at their annual meeting on Saturday, May 12 in Montreal about “Brain Microvascular Injury on MRI” in the “Neuro” session. HMRI's Senior MR Specialist, Thao Tran, moderated the session. Dr. King was also invited by the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) to speak at their annual meeting in Montreal on May 12 about “Cardiovascular Response” in the “Physiology & Hemodynamics” session.
Posted 3 years ago
Media Advisory for June 8: HMRI Hosts Inaugural Community Forum on Living Well with HIV
| Post Date: May 21, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: aging and vascular etiology |
MEDIA ADVISORY FOR: June 8, 2019
ADVISORY: SATURDAY, JUNE 8: HMRI HOSTS INAUGURAL COMMUNITY FORUM ON LIVING WELL WITH HIV WITH KEYNOTE SPEAKER, GREG LOUGANIS
Community Forum will Highlight Findings from HMRI’S Study on Brain Aging and Vascular Etiology in HIV
Pasadena, CA – Hosted by Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) on Saturday, June 8th, the Inaugural Community Forum will highlight the findings from HMRI’s BRAVE (Brain Aging and Vascular Etiology in HIV) study. The focus of the study is to gain a better understanding of brain and cardiovascular changes among people who are HIV positive but continue to maintain viral suppression. The study also seeks to better understand accelerated aging and increased risk for non-AIDS age-related diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, and neurocognitive decline. HMRI began a study in 2017 to follow people living with HIV over time to better understand their heart and brain health while living otherwise healthy lives with HIV. Since the start of the study, HMRI has enrolled approximately 50 individuals and plans to continue enrolling study participants. Greg Louganis, four-time Gold Medal Olympic Diver, will be the keynote speaker. Event Details: WHAT: Community Forum will highlight findings from HMRI’S HIV study and will feature panel of five people living healthy lives with HIV. WHO: Dr. Kimberly Shriner, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist, Huntington Hospital Dr. Kevin S. King MD, Director of Imaging Research, Huntington Medical Research Institutes Greg Louganis, Four-time Gold Medal Olympic Diver, Speaker, Author, Activist, Actor, Humanitarian, and Designer - Community Forum Keynote Speaker WHERE: Huntington Medical Research Institutes - Engemann Family Auditorium 686 South Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105 WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 2019, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm GENERAL PUBLIC RSVP: The Community Forum is a free event and is open to the public. RSVP online at https://hmri.org/brave/. Seating is limited. Deadline to RSVP is June 3, 2019. MEDIA RSVP: For press credentials and/or interviews, please contact Brenda Rivas at Brenda.Rivas@hmri.org or 626-807-7079. The event is sponsored by Perkins+Will and Gilead Sciences, Inc.
###
Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI), founded in 1952, is a nonprofit biomedical research organization with the mission to improve lives through patient-focused scientific research. HMRI conducts internationally recognized research in the areas of neuroscience (migraine, Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury), cardiovascular (heart attack, chronic heart disease), clinical research (hepatitis, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and pelvic floor disorders) and advanced imaging research. For more information, please visit www.hmri.org.
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI Cardiovascular Research Team published a paper in Life Sciences journal
| Post Date: April 22, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: applied |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Robert Kloner co-authored a paper in The American Journal of Cardiology
| Post Date: April 12, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: events |
Posted 3 years ago
Media Release: HMRI Welcomes New Board Member
| Post Date: April 11, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: art |
HMRI WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER Terry Perucca Joins HMRI Board of Directors
Pasadena, CA – Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) is pleased to announce the election of Terry Perucca to its Board of Directors. Prior to retiring, Perucca was the President of Banc of America Equity Partners (BAEP) headquartered in Chicago, IL. “HMRI is so fortunate to have someone with Terry’s forty plus years of experience in the financial services industry. We will greatly benefit from Terry’s breadth and depth of experience as a business leader and as an experienced board member in the philanthropic community,” said Dr. Julia Bradsher, President and CEO of Huntington Medical Research Institutes. “Since returning to Pasadena to deal with my wife's Alzheimer's I have become familiar with the outstanding work done at HMRI. I am excited to join the Board and to be able to support their excellent research efforts to learn more about these diseases that have impacted so many families," said Terry Perucca. BAEP was formed in 1996 when Perucca was asked to relocate to Chicago and grow a private equity business where the Bank of America would be the primary limited partner. This move followed the consolidation of Continental Bank, Illinois into the Bank of America. While in Chicago, Perucca was a Trustee at the Museum of Contemporary Art where he chaired the Finance Committee and was a member of the Executive Committee and was also involved with the Art Institute of Chicago where he sat on the Committee for African Art and Indian Art of the America’s. Perucca began his career at Security Pacific as an Industrial Engineer where he was instrumental in developing and installing the first ATM machines in the mid-1970s. Born and raised in Burbank, CA, Perucca attended Arizona State University where he earned a B.S. in Business Management. After graduation, he assumed his position with Security Pacific Bank. Most recently, Perucca joined the Patron Program at the Getty Museum and is a Fellow at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Gardens, and also serves on the Arts Collection Committee and the Arts Collections Council. For interviews, please contact Brenda Rivas at Brenda.Rivas@hmri.org or 626-807-7079.###
Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI), founded in 1952, is an independent, non-profit organization with the mission to improve lives through patient-focused scientific research. HMRI conducts internationally recognized research in the areas of neuroscience (migraine, Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury), cardiovascular (heart attack, chronic heart disease), clinical research (hepatitis, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and pelvic floor disorders) and advanced imaging research. For more information, please visit www.hmri.org.Posted 3 years ago
HMRI’s Dr. Michael Harrington co-authored a pilot study of fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
| Post Date: April 8, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
New imaging studies of the retina show promise to diagnose early Alzheimer pathology before symptoms start. The value is to help identify individuals for new treatments and to monitor if a new treatment is working.
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI Intern Presents at the 2019 Honors Transfer Council of California Student Research Conference
| Post Date: April 6, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: california |
On April 6, 2019, Edward Chau, current Pasadena City College student and HMRI intern at our Imaging Center, gave a presentation at the Honors Transfer Council of California Student Research Conference at the University of California, Irvine about using deep learning for medical diagnoses. Edward is working with HMRI research assistant Ke Wei to develop an automated tool to identify brain white matter damage.
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI Board Member to Receive Margaret L. Kripke Legend Award for Promotion of Women in Cancer Medicine & Cancer Science
| Post Date: March 22, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: anderson |
Congratulations, Dr. Levine!
For additional information about the award, visit the MD Anderson Cancer Center website.Posted 3 years ago
Media Release: HMRI Expands Development and Human Resources Departments
| Post Date: March 21, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: development |
HMRI EXPANDS DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENTS
Pasadena, CA – Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) announces new staff in the areas of Development and Human Resources, along with a promotion and new responsibilities for a key leader in the organization.
HMRI welcomes Danese Bardot as its new Director of Development. Bardot brings over ten years of successful hands-on experience in annual, leadership, major, and planned giving, including corporate and foundation fundraising, to HMRI’s Development Department. Bardot is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and was nominated for Western Washington University’s 2014 President’s Exceptional Effort Award. Before joining HMRI, Bardot held several senior development positions at both academic and nonprofit organizations which include the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, Georgia Southern University, Western Washington University, Elgin Academy in Elgin, IL, and Pacific Hills School in West Hollywood, CA. Bardot holds a B.A. in Management from the University of Redlands, and a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law.
Also joining HMRI is Brenda Rivas, who was hired to serve as the Human Resource Specialist and Compliance Coordinator and also oversees communications at HMRI. Rivas has over eight years of experience as a human resource professional and over ten years working in a nonprofit setting. Prior to HMRI, Rivas created and formalized the department of human resources at the National Hispanic Media Coalition, where she oversaw operations and communications, and led corporate fundraising outreach.
Rivas has a Certificate in Human Resources Management from UCLA Extension and a B.A. in Cinematic Arts, with an emphasis in Critical Studies and a minor in Spanish, from the University of Southern California.
Susie Berry was promoted to her current role as Vice President of Operations and Development Officer overseeing HMRI’s development, facilities, and human resource departments in February 2019. Berry was first hired as the Director of Development in 2016 and became the Vice President of Operations in September 2018.
Since joining HMRI, Berry helped lead the capital campaign for HMRI’s new $30 million, 35,000-square-foot world-class research facility in Pasadena. Completed in April 2018, HMRI’s new building is part of the biomedical corridor on Fair Oaks Avenue.
“We are thrilled that Susie is leading our operations and development teams here at HMRI. She brings solid leadership experience to our Senior Staff,” said Dr. Julia Bradsher, President and CEO of Huntington Medical Research Institutes. “Danese rounds out our Development Team with a wide array of development experience especially in major gifts and we couldn’t be more pleased to welcome her to HMRI.” Dr. Bradsher went on to say, “As we grow and develop as an organization, we are also building our infrastructure to support that growth. Brenda brings sound human resources and communications experience that will help us in creating new ways to engage with staff and new ways to engage with our community.
For interviews, please contact Brenda Rivas at Brenda.Rivas@hmri.org or 626-807-7079.
###
Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI), founded in 1952, is an independent, non-profit organization with the mission to improve lives through patient-focused scientific research. HMRI conducts internationally recognized research in the areas of neuroscience (migraine, Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury), cardiovascular (heart attack, chronic heart disease), clinical research (hepatitis, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and pelvic floor disorders) and advanced imaging research. For more information, please visit www.hmri.org.Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Michael Harrington to speak at the San Marino City Club on March 19th
| Post Date: March 14, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: city |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI’s Thao Tran was invited by SMRT to serve on Global Relations and Program Committees
| Post Date: March 13, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: 2019 |
Congratulations, Thao!
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI Proud Supporter of the Altadena Guild's 2019 Marvelous Midwick Drive Home Tour
| Post Date: March 12, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: Uncategorized |
Posted 3 years ago
Professor Mihi Yang of the Department of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women’s University, visits HMRI
| Post Date: March 11, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Alfred Fonteh presents at the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology DEUEL Conference
| Post Date: March 11, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: abstract |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI is now accepting applications for the 2019 Student Summer Program
| Post Date: February 15, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Thao T. Tran, MSc, MRSO, elected to SMRT Policy Board
| Post Date: February 14, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: abstract |
The Society for MR Radiographers & Technologists (SMRT) is an international society and global community of MR technologists that meets annually. It’s a nonprofit organization for techs to share expertise and educational resources and promotes education, communication, and dissemination of cutting-edge MR developments. This year, HMRI's Thao Tran was elected to be a Policy Board Member for a three-year term where she, along with the rest of the Board, will have the authority to establish and implement policies and programs for the SMRT. As a Board officer, Tran will also chair one of the following committees a year: Program Committee, Abstract Committee, Online Learning Committee, Safety Committee, Membership Committee, Marketing Committee, Global Relations Committee. Tran's term will officially start at this year’s meeting in May.
"I'm very excited and honored to be a part of this society as a policy board officer, and hope to make productive contributions over the next few years!" - Thao TranTran has been involved in SMRT for about nine years and was a volunteer Abstract Reviewer for the previous two years. As a reviewer, she read through research abstracts and scored them in order to choose the ones that will be presented at the SMRT meeting. Congratulations, Thao!
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI published an article in Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy journal about a promising therapeutic strategy to improve long-term survival from hemorrhagic shock injury
| Post Date: February 13, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: blood |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Robert Kloner co-authored a paper in the Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research
| Post Date: February 12, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
Posted 3 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Kevin King delivered a lecture at the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP)
| Post Date: February 11, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: clinical |
Posted 3 years ago
Proceedings of the 3rd annual Acute Cardiac Unloading and REcovery (A-CURE) Symposium
| Post Date: February 7, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: assist |
Posted 4 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Michael Harrington participates in USC's Keck School of Medicine Department of Neurology Grand Rounds
| Post Date: February 5, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
Posted 4 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Michael Harrington co-authored a paper in The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association
| Post Date: January 31, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
Posted 4 years ago
HMRI's Dr. Michael Harrington and David Buennagel co-authored a paper in the journal Nature Medicine about Alzheimer’s disease
| Post Date: January 30, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Xianghong Arakaki, Dr. Michael Harrington, Dr. Alfred Fonteh, Dr. Kevin King, and Ryan Lee co-authored a paper about picking up signs of early Alzheimer's disease while wearing an EEG hat.
| Post Date: January 17, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: brain |
Title: Alpha desynchronization during simple working memory unmasks pathological aging in cognitively healthy individuals
Published: January 2, 2019
Link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0208517
The brain is damaged more than ten years before any symptoms of Alzheimer’s appear. This is detected in spinal fluid chemistry, where brain stress shows up. We want to detect this pre-symptomatic stage, which would be important to test treatments before memories are lost. This study examined whether or not we could detect this early stage, having individuals wear an EEG hat while individuals performed simple computer tests. We found those who are cognitively healthy but have stressed chemistry in their spinal fluid had to use more of their brain EEG rhythms in the test compared to those with normal chemistry.
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner recently co-authored a paper in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics titled “Do We Need Potent Intravenous Antiplatelet Inhibition at the Time of Reperfusion During ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction?”
| Post Date: January 10, 2019 | Author: dstrickland | Category: paper |
Posted 4 years ago
A Thank You From the Editor-in-Chief, Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD
| Post Date: January 1, 2019 | Author: brivas | Category: Events & News |
2018
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner co-authored a paper on the Cardiovascular effects of marijuana in the journal Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine.
| Post Date: December 3, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: cardiovascular |
Posted 4 years ago
“Drs. Kloner, Dai, Shi and Niema Pahlevan, members of the cardiovascular research team, presented their posters at the American Heart Association Scientific Meetings in Chicago on November 11, 2018.”
| Post Date: November 13, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: american |
“Drs. Kloner, Dai, Shi and Niema Pahlevan, members of the cardiovascular research team, presented their posters at the American Heart Association Scientific Meetings in Chicago on November 11, 2018.”
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner and members of the cardiovascular research team (Dr. Wangde Dai, Dr. Jianru Shi and Sharon Hale) will be presenting several papers at the prestigious American Heart Association annual scientific meetings in Chicago on November 11.
| Post Date: November 8, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: american heart association |
1.) Dai W, Shi J, Carreno J, Hale S, Kloner RA. Remote limb ischemic preconditioning improves short and long term survival and maintains intravascular blood volume during resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock.
2.) Dai W, Shi J, Carreno J, Hale S, Kloner RA. Effects of anesthetic agents on the hemodynamic stabilization and long term survival in an experimental model of hemorrhagic shock.
3.) Shi J, Dai W, Carreno J, Hale S, Kloner RA. Effects of anesthetic agents on blood parameters in rats with acute hemorrhagic shock.
On Sunday, Nov 11th We will also be presenting the following paper at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions:
4.) Pahlevan NM, Dai W, Kloner RA. Noninvasive and instantaneous diagnostics of acute myocardial infarction using intrinsic frequency method.
On Sunday, Nov 11th, Dr. Kloner will be giving an invited lecture at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions;
5.) Testosterone therapy and CVD : Is it safe?
6.) Dr. Kloner will also be lecturing at a satellite symposium at the AHA: on Friday Nov 9th he will give the following lecture at the annual ACURE meeting ( a meeting that focuses on left ventricular assist devices and heart failure) : Kloner RA, Dai W. Survival, differentiation and contractility of immature cardiac cells implanted into the outer walls of aorta and vena cavae of rats: A potential step in development of an auxiliary circulatory pump.
7.) On Nov 11th Dr. Kloner, Dai and Shi will be discussants at a focused group meeting on the topic of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning with Endothelix Inc.
Posted 4 years ago
Karen Chu, Ke Wei, Thao Tran and Dr. Kevin King co-authored a paper titled “Distinguishing Brain Impact of Aging and HIV Severity in Chronic HIV Using Multiparametric MR Imaging and MR Spectroscopy” in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.
| Post Date: October 29, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: hiv |
Posted 4 years ago
HMRI will be participating as a Collaborator in Innovate Pasadena’s Connect Week festival for the first time!
| Post Date: October 16, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: 25 |
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Xianghong Arakaki, Dr. Noah Gross, Dr. Alfred Fonteh and Dr. Michael Harrington co-authored a chapter titled Animal Models in Chronic Daily Headache (CDH) and Pathophysiology of CDH in the book Chronic Headache.
| Post Date: September 10, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: cdh |
Dr. Xianghong Arakaki, Dr. Noah Gross, Dr. Alfred Fonteh and Dr. Michael Harrington co-authored a chapter titled Animal Models in Chronic Daily Headache (CDH) and Pathophysiology of CDH in the book Chronic Headache.
The abstract can be read here.
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner was quoted in an article published September 7, 2018 by the American Heart Association News titled Are die-hard football, other sports fans putting their hearts at risk?
| Post Date: September 7, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: article |
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner co-authored a paper titled The pharmacist's role in improving the treatment of erectile dysfunction and its underlying causes.
| Post Date: August 31, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: Publications |
Dr. Robert Kloner co-authored a paper titled The pharmacist's role in improving the treatment of erectile dysfunction and its underlying causes.
The abstract can be read here.Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner co-authored a paper titled Effect of Patiromer in Hyperkalemic Patients Taking and Not Taking RAAS Inhibitors in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
| Post Date: August 31, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: paper |
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner co-authored a paper titled The Case for Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (Syndrome) as a Variant of Acute Myocardial Infarction in the journal Circulation
| Post Date: August 31, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: paper |
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Myron Tong co-authored three papers on the subjects of hepatitis and liver carcinoma in the journals Hepatology Communications, Hepatology and Journal of Digestive Diseases.
| Post Date: August 22, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: hepatology |
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Myron Tong and colleagues published a paper on the management of Hepatitis B Virus in Asian Americans titled An Expert Consensus for the management of chronic hepatitis B in Asian Americans.
| Post Date: August 15, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: americans |
Posted 4 years ago
Pasadena Outlook - HMRI Announces Appointment of New CEO
| Post Date: July 30, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: article |
Posted 4 years ago
The Altadena Guild Presents a Check for $67,000 to HMRI
| Post Date: July 19, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: huntington |
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Michael Harrington is the co-author on a paper titled “Dynamic Sodium Imaging at Ultra-High Field Reveals Progression in a Preclinical Migraine Model” published in Pain, the Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain.
| Post Date: July 18, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: pain |
Posted 4 years ago
Los Angeles Business Journal - "Pasadena-Based HMRI Names New CEO"
| Post Date: July 16, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: research |
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner is quoted in an article in Mel Magazine regarding drug users monitoring their cardiovascular responses with tech devices such as Fitbits and Apple watches”
| Post Date: July 13, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: apple |
The Men Who Wear Fitbits to Track Their Coke Benders
Human beings are innovators. You can hardly create a product before somebody’s come up with a use for it you never considered. (Even Viagra was originally developed as a pill to lower blood pressure — erections were merely a side effect.)
So I don’t think we can be too surprised that people are using fitness trackers to monitor their vitals while taking recreational drugs. As CNBC first reported, some drug users find wearable devices like the Apple Watch and the Fitbit helpful in managing their intake of stimulants, which tend to get your heart rate up. They reason that by keeping their heart below a certain threshold of beats per minute (bpm) while high, they can lessen the always-present risk of an acute cardiac event. And so, ever since the consumer technology to keep tabs on your pulse 24/7 first became available, they’ve been sharing health data from their binges in online drug forums like the r/cocaine subreddit, for example:
Clearly, you can see one of coke’s (multifarious) effects on your body in real time with these gadgets strapped to your wrist. But what is the practical value of that information, if any?
I got in touch with “X,” a 19-year-old male redditor who frequents r/cocaine and tracks his bpm while indulging in his favorite intoxicants, which include alcohol and the anti-anxiety tranquilizer Xanax, as well as coke. He says that while his Apple Watch is mostly “shitty,” its heart rate monitoring feature is “the best and most useful thing about it.” His interest in the data depends on what he’s taking, of course: “For Xanax I make sure [my heart rate] doesn’t fall under a certain number,” he explains, while with coke he wants to avoid “going over a certain number.”
And the numbers are certain. “My resting heart rate is usually 80. If I’m on Xanax I usually don’t want it dropping under 50,” X says. “And on coke, anything above 140 is when I stop. If it’s falling too low while on Xanax, then it’s okay, because I can just go take a nap and stop drinking if I was. On coke, if it starts getting too high, I’ll take a Xanax to calm my heart rate down.”
I ask X if this method of dosing feels more reliable than what most everyone else has had to do throughout the history of inebriation — go with their gut instinct. “Yes, it is,” he says, though he’ll rely on his own best judgment as well, particularly in a party setting. Speaking of which: The fitness tracker binge, like cocaine itself, is a rather social phenomenon. “The first time I did it,” X explains, was “with people who have done it for a long time, so then after I just learned from them.” Later, he got his friends with wearables to monitor their heart rates as well, and they share their bpm often, whether hanging out together or not. “Some of us have higher tolerances, so we use it to keep [tabs on] each other,” he says.
Sounds pretty responsible, doesn’t it? Dr. Robert A. Kloner, the Chief Science Officer and Director of Cardiovascular Research at Huntington Medical Research Institutes, disagrees completely. “Not a good idea,” he writes in an email when I ask him about the trend. “It will lead people to have a false sense of security.”
Not only is Kloner an expert on the heart and blood vessels, he also co-authored work on the cardiovascular effects of cocaine, which can be extreme. There’s more to worry about than how fast your heart is beating, he points out: “Cocaine can cause coronary artery vasospasm; increase the oxygen need of the heart by increasing contractility; it can cause the blood pressure to go up; it can cause arrhythmias; it can cause heart muscle cells to go into contracture; it has been associated with ruptured aneurysm, seizures, strokes and heart attacks,” he explains, adding that the drug can also “increase the aggregation of platelets.”
Unfortunately, your Apple Watch isn’t going to be much help in predicting anyof those dire outcomes. “Using heart rate monitoring devices only gives one physiologic parameter for a drug that has complicated effects on the cardiovascular system,” Kloner tells me, concluding that “the best way to avoid cocaine cardiotoxicity is to avoid cocaine to begin with.”
Naturally.
But it seems that X has figured out a system he likes, and he knows what to look for — at least as far as a decent high is concerned. If the coke is of a better quality, “rocky and scaley,” then he’ll notice a jump in bpm “almost instantly” after taking some, with a pulse fall-off 45 to 60 minutes later. “If it’s stepped on,” he says — which is to say cut with other ingredients — he gets the same instant bump, but a much quicker fall-off in heart rate, somewhere in the 10 to 15 minute range. And while he never wants to soar above 140 bpm, “around 120 is perfect for me,” he says. Apart from this niche functionality, he only uses the heart rate monitor “occasionally” while sleeping.
X isn’t too bothered about Apple having this data, either. “Well, yeah, sometimes it does feel weird,” he admits. “But at the same time, I do work out, so my heart rate is constantly at that point.” Besides, as the excitement of this year’s World Cup and other intense situations have proved, the causes of bpm surges during physical “inactivity” are varied and strange.
Even as drug users like X seek the equilibrium to their inebriation with the aid of heart rate monitoring, others are taking cues from the tech to pop their legally prescribed drugs.
After all, the point of a fitness tracker is to help you manage your health. Fitbits and Apple Watches may not make drug use safer, but these devices will improve, offering broader, deeper and more accurate analysis of what’s going on with our bodies, and owners will interpret that new information however they like.
For now, however, most would rather stay analog:
Miles Klee is a staff writer at MEL.
Posted 4 years ago
Pasadena Now - "Pasadena-Based Huntington Medical Research Institutes Names New CEO"
| Post Date: July 3, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: Uncategorized |
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner has co-authored a paper in the Sexual Medicine Reviews titled “Cardiovascular Safety of Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors After Nearly 2 Decades on the Market
| Post Date: July 2, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: paper |
Posted 4 years ago
HMRI announces appointment of new President and Chief Executive Officer Julia Bradsher PhD, MBA
| Post Date: June 28, 2018 | Author: sberry | Category: bradsher |
Posted 4 years ago
Karen Chu of HMRI’s Advanced Imaging Center Presenting a Poster at ISMRM in Paris
| Post Date: June 19, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: Events & News |
You can access her poster here.
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Kloner, Dr. King and Dr. Harrington author a paper titled The Non-Reflow Phenomenon in Heart and Brain
| Post Date: June 11, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: heart |
Dr. Kloner, Dr. King and Dr. Harrington published a paper in the American Journal of Physiology, Heart and Circulatory Physiology last Friday, June 8, titled No-reflow Phenomenon in Heart and Brain. The abstract can be seen here.
Posted 4 years ago
Pasadena Outlook: "Biomedical Research Facility Opens in Pasadena"
| Post Date: May 14, 2018 | Author: jameskingman | Category: article |
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner is quoted in an article in the publication TCTMD titled "Increasing Air Pollution May Spark Sudden Cardiac Death in Women.”
| Post Date: May 10, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: article |
Dr. Robert Kloner is quoted in an article in the publication TCTMD titled Increasing Air Pollution May Spark Sudden Cardiac Death in Women.
You can read the article here.Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner is co-author on a paper titled "A New Perspective on the Nitrate-Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor Interaction"
| Post Date: May 9, 2018 | Author: jameskingman | Category: Events & News |
Posted 4 years ago
Pasadena Star News: "Pasadena's Bioscience Industry Is Rapidly Gaining Traction"
| Post Date: May 7, 2018 | Author: jameskingman | Category: Events & News |
Posted 4 years ago
HMRI Scientists Attend Experimental Biology Conference in San Diego
| Post Date: April 30, 2018 | Author: jameskingman | Category: april |
HMRI scientists presented posters and papers on their research at the Experimental Biology Conference in San Diego, CA, April 21 through April 24, 2018.
Posted 4 years ago
Los Angeles Business Journal: 'Flintstones to Jetsons': New Huntington biomed lab in Pasadena seen as hub for research, collaboration
| Post Date: April 23, 2018 | Author: jameskingman | Category: article |
Posted 4 years ago
Pasadena Now: Pasadena's BioMedical Corridor Welcomes Huntington Medical Research Institutes' New Glass-Walled Laboratory Facility
| Post Date: April 20, 2018 | Author: jameskingman | Category: article |
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner coauthor on a review titled Guidelines for Experimental Models of Myocardial Ischemia and Infarction
| Post Date: April 18, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: american |
Posted 4 years ago
HMRI's Cardiovascular Team publishes a new paper titled No-Reflow Phenomenon. A New Target for Therapy of Acute Myocardial Infarction Independent of Myocardial Infarct Size.
| Post Date: April 17, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: myocardial |
Dr. Robert Kloner, Dr. Wangde Dai and Sharon L. Hale recently published a paper in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics titled "No-Reflow Phenomenon. A New Target for Therapy of Acute Myocardial Infarction Independent of Myocardial Infarct Size."
The paper can be read here.
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Kevin King is first author on a new published paper titled Detrimental effect of systemic vascular risk factors on brain hemodynamic function assessed with MRI.
| Post Date: April 17, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: blood |
Dr. Kevin King is first author on a new published paper titled Detrimental effect of systemic vascular risk factors on brain hemodynamic function assessed with MRI. The work found low brain blood flow was associated with high triglyceride levels. They confirmed the decrease in blood flow was due to a vascular disease by also showing that there was greater extraction of oxygen from the blood. The work is the first to show an association between high triglycerides and brain blood flow and the first to show associations between blood flow and vascular risk factors using MRI.
The paper can be read here.
Posted 4 years ago
Dr. Myron Tong is first author on a new published paper titled An expert concensus for the management for chronic hepatitis in Asian Americans
| Post Date: March 7, 2018 | Author: dstrickland | Category: americans |
Posted 5 years ago
Dr. Andrea Loewendorf author on new paper titled Maternal-Fetal Rejection Reactions are Unconstrained in Pre-eclamptic Women.
| Post Date: January 5, 2018 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
2017
Posted 5 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner, Interim Chief Science Officer, collaborates on The Oxygen Paradox, the French Paradox and Age-Related Diseases
| Post Date: December 21, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
Dr. Wangde Dai, Dr. Robert A. Kloner, Jianru Shi, Juan Carreno and collaborators recently published a paper titled Effect of Diabetes on Myocardial Infarct and No Reflow Size in an Experimental Rat Model and Clinical Trial in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology. Their research was funded by a grant from Servier.
| Post Date: December 15, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
HMRI Mourns the Passing of Julie Manning, Longtime Member of the Altadena Guild of Huntington Hospital and Dear Friend of HMRI
| Post Date: October 12, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
Dr. Michael Harrington author on new paper on migraine titled Metabolic Assessment of a Migraine Model Using Relaxation-Enhanced 1H Spectroscopy at Ultrahigh Field
| Post Date: September 26, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
Dr. Kloner publishes "Mitochondrial Protective Agents for Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury"
| Post Date: September 19, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
Check out HMRI's latest newsletter
| Post Date: August 30, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
Congratulations to Frank Davis on receiving this distinguished award -- SRA International – Excellence Award – Advanced Level!
| Post Date: August 22, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
| Society of Research Administrators International 1560 Wilson Boulevard | Suite 310 Arlington, VA 22209 srainternational.org |
Posted 5 years ago
Dr. Bob Kloner publishes article on "The Importance of No-Reflow/Microvascular Obstruction in the STEMI Patient"
| Post Date: July 28, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
Dr. Bob Kloner and team publish article on "New and Revisited Approaches to Preserving the Reperfused Myocardium"
| Post Date: July 28, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
HMRI Welcomes New Board Member: Sonia Singla, DO
| Post Date: July 24, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Sonia Singla, DO - Medical Director, Lotus Clinical Research
Dr. Singla is a board-certified physician with over 15 years of experience in analgesic research. She received her BA in Chemistry from Kent State University and her medical degree from College of Osteopathic Medicine at Western University in Pomona, CA. She completed her residency in Family Practice at Pomona Valley Medical Center in Pomona, CA.
Dr. Singla served as the medical monitor, principal investigator, or sub investigator on over 200 pain studies. In her current capacity, she provides medical oversight of the Lotus Clinical Research investigative team to ensure proper study conduct and optimal patient safety, and is responsible for liaising with the sponsor’s chief medical officer. She also spearheads Lotus Clinical Research’s internal placebo response staff education training program. From 2008-2011, Dr. Singla served as the chairman of the Glendale Adventist Hospital IRB. She is active in San Gabriel Valley nonprofit community, working with the Pasadena Village, Foothill Family, Cancer Support Community, Young & Healthy, the Pasadena Art Alliance and the Pasadena Community Foundation. She and her husband, Neil K. Singla, MD, have three children and live in Pasadena.
Posted 5 years ago
Looking Through the Eye of an iPhone - An Ejection Fraction Measurement for the Masses
| Post Date: July 19, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
Altadena Guild Presents Check for $65,000 to HMRI
| Post Date: June 16, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
HMRI Receives Award from Pasadena Community Foundation
| Post Date: June 15, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
This week at the Pasadena Rotary Club, Dr. Michael Harrington spoke on Alzheimer's Disease (six million Americans have it)
| Post Date: June 9, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
Abstract by Dr. Andrea Loewendorf accepted for poster presentation at the International Federation of Placenta Associations (IFPA) 2017 conference in Manchester, UK
| Post Date: May 24, 2017 | Author: tlgadmin | Category: Events & News |
| Title: |
| Understanding the Immune Microenvironment at the Uteroplacental Interface. |
| OBJECTIVES In human pregnancy, the baby is 50% non-self, but is not rejected as an allogeneic organ transplant would be. The local interaction site between mother and baby is the uteroplacental interface (UPI), where maternal decidua develops between the uterus and the fetal placenta. We seek to understand the local immune microenvironment of the UPI to identify the critical factors mediating maintenance of maternal – fetal tolerance. METHODS Using a novel, non-invasive sampling method, we isolated lymphocytes from the surgical sponge used to clean the uterus after C-section, and compared them to the peripheral blood (PB) of 3rd trimester healthy pregnant women. RESULTS The term UPI lymphocyte pool contained a similar proportion of CD3+ cells (~62%) vs. PB but within the CD3- fraction, NK cells were significantly enriched (CD56hiCD16- PB 1.86% +/- 0.36, UPI 19.84 +/- 3.14, p<0.0001. CD56loCD16+ PB 24.22 +/-4.15 UPI 50.53+/- 3.17 p<0.0001) while monocytes/macrophages were decreased (PB 22.64 +/- 1.43, UPI 6.05 +/- 0.95). Intracellular cytokines in gd T cells (IFNg, TNFa, and Granzyme A) and NK cells (Perforin A and Granzyme A) were significantly elevated at the UPI vs. PB. Further, CD56hi CD16- uterine NK cells but not PB NK cells exclusively displayed an activated (CD69+) phenotype and a significantly more of the apoptosis-inducing molecule Fas (mean PB 21.74 +/- 4.5; mean UPI 43.61 +/- 2.02 p=0.0007). CONCLUSION The dramatic differences in cell type proportions, phenotypes and functionality we observed between lymphocytes at the UPI vs PB indicate a specific local immune microenvironment that develops at the UPI. The signals – and mechanisms that attract and retain lymphocytes at the UPI are unknown but likely important for understanding of how the necessary tolerogenic environment for successful pregnancy is established and maintained. http://www.ifpa2017.org/ |
Posted 5 years ago
Support HMRI. Join us for “A Stroll in the Altadena Highlands” on Sunday, May 7th
| Post Date: April 21, 2017 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 5 years ago
The Science Behind Your Mind
| Post Date: April 7, 2017 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
The Science Behind Your Mind
Dr. Harrington joined HMRI and established the Molecular Neurology Program in 1998. He studies how the cerebrospinal fluid composition explains the intermittent disorder of migraine and the progressive neurodegeneration of Alzheimer's disease. He also studies molecules that are transported to/from the brain in blood (including changes after mild traumatic brain injury), and those excreted in urine. Mike enjoys collaborating with other clinical and scientific colleagues that apply complementary measure of brain function so as to gain as much information from teh same study participants.
Event Details
Wednesday, April 19th, 2017 From: 6:30pm - 7:30pm at Kensington 245 West Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, CA 91024 (626) 355-5700Download the Event Flyer
Posted 5 years ago
Therapeutic Hypothermia Reduces the Inflammatory Response Following Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rat Hearts
| Post Date: April 3, 2017 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Therapeutic Hypothermia Reduces the Inflammatory Response Following Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rat Hearts
Shi J1,2, Dai W1,2, Kloner RA1,2. Author information Abstract Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is known to protect against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. One mechanism of I/R injury includes secondary injury due to the inflammatory cascade. We hypothesized that TH reduces the inflammatory response following I/R injury. Rats were randomized to sham, normothermic, or hypothermic groups and subjected to 1 hour of coronary artery occlusion and 48 hours of reperfusion. Hypothermia was initiated, using the ThermoSuit device, 2 minutes after the onset of coronary artery occlusion to a core temperature of 32°C, and then the rats were allowed to rewarm. After 48 hours, rats in the hypothermia group demonstrated a preserved left ventricular fractional shortening by echocardiography. TH decreased the inflammatory cytokines in the risk zone of the heart, which included monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression, and altered expression of the remodeling genes of matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase. Furthermore, rat inflammatory cytokines & receptors PCR array was performed and the data showed that 71 out of 84 genes were upregulated in the risk zone of normothermia hearts versus shams. The upregulation was largely reversed in the risk zone of hypothermia hearts compared to normothermia. TH preserves cardiac function, decreases excessive inflammatory gene expression, and regulates myocardial matrix remodeling related genes. KEYWORDS: hypothermia; inflammation; myocardial infarction PMID: 28338422 DOI: 10.1089/ther.2016.0042Posted 5 years ago
Pasadena Middle Schoolers Learn About the Brain from Top Researchers
| Post Date: March 9, 2017 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
By Denise Dador Wednesday, March 08, 2017 07:38PM
Read the rest of the article here on the ABC 7 websitePosted 5 years ago
Blair Middle School Students Marvel at Human Brains (in Jars) and More on National Brain Awareness Day
| Post Date: March 9, 2017 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
From STAFF REPORTS 6:27 am | March 9, 2017
Read the rest of the article here on the Pasadena Now websitePosted 5 years ago
Blair Middle School Hosts Brain Awareness Day
| Post Date: March 6, 2017 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Article and Photo courtesy of PUSD and HMRI Published : Monday, March 6, 2017 | 12:49 PM
Read the rest of the article here on the Pasadena Now websitePosted 5 years ago
Management of No-Reflow Phenomenon in the Catheterization Laboratory
| Post Date: February 14, 2017 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
- JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2017 Feb 13;10(3):215-223. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2016.11.059.
Management of No-Reflow Phenomenon in the Catheterization Laboratory.
Rezkalla SH1, Stankowski RV2, Hanna J3, Kloner RA4. Author information: · 1Department of Cardiology, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, Wisconsin. Electronic address: rezkalla.shereif@marshfieldclinic.org. · 2Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, Wisconsin. · 3Lund University, Lund, Sweden. · 4Huntington Medical Research Institute, Pasadena, California; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. Abstract At the conclusion of a primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and after the cardiologist makes certain that there is no residual stenosis following stenting, assessment of coronary flow becomes the top priority. The presence of no-reflow is a serious prognostic sign. No-reflow can result in poor healing of the infarct and adverse left ventricular remodeling, increasing the risk for major adverse cardiac events, including congestive heart failure and death. To achieve normal flow, features associated with a high incidence of no-reflow must be anticipated, and measures must be undertaken to prevent its occurrence. In this review, the authors discuss various preventive strategies for no-reflow as well as pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions that improve coronary blood flow, such as intracoronary adenosine and nitroprusside. Nonpharmacological therapies, such as induced hypothermia, were successful in animal studies, but their effectiveness in reducing no-reflow in humans remains to be determined. Copyright © 2017 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. PMID: 28183461 [PubMed - in process]Posted 6 years ago
2017 HMRI Publications
| Post Date: January 23, 2017 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Publications |
Posted 6 years ago
Steelers got you stressed? Try meditation, expert says
| Post Date: January 23, 2017 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 6 years ago
Heart Health Breakthrough 3: A double-duty diabetes drug?
| Post Date: January 17, 2017 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 6 years ago
HMRI Insights Newsletter - Winter 2017
| Post Date: January 9, 2017 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: HMRI Newsletters |
- HMRI Board of Directors Welcomes Renowned HMRI Researcher Bill Agnew as Emeritus Director
- New Leadership in HMRI Philanthropy
- From the President’s Desk: Lessons From The Building
- Yasushi Ohnuki PhD by Lawrence W. Jones MD
- The Future is Under Way
- Advanced Multi-Nuclear MRS Spectroscopy Workshop at HMRI: April 8 – 10, 2016
- Cardiovascular Disease Research Director, Robert A. Kloner MD, PhD, Awarded Major Grant
- Donor Spotlight: The Patron Saints Foundation
2016
Posted 6 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner on KNX-AM/CBS News Radio
| Post Date: December 28, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Audio |
Posted 6 years ago
Mental Tests May Lead to Early Detection of Alzheimer's
| Post Date: December 19, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 6 years ago
Angina and Its Management
| Post Date: December 19, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 6 years ago
Brain challenge test might be able to predict Alzheimer's decades earlier
| Post Date: December 15, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 6 years ago
Bio-med heavyweights partner up on sleep apnea treatment, Alzheimer’s detection
| Post Date: December 15, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 6 years ago
Cardioprotective Effects of Mitochondria-Targeted Peptide SBT-20 in two Different Models of Rat Ischemia/Reperfusion
| Post Date: October 20, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 6 years ago
Cardioprotection: Where to from here?
| Post Date: October 12, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Abstract
Kloner, R.A., Hale, S.L., Dai, W., Shi, J. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. (2016 Oct 6) doi:10.1007/s10557-016-6691-0 The size of the myocardial infarction remains an important therapeutic target, because heart attack size correlates with mortality and heart failure. In this era, myocardial infarct size is reduced primarily by timely re-perfusion of the infarct related coronary artery. Whereas numerous pre-clinical studies have shown that certain pharmacological agents and therapeutic maneuvers reduce myocardial infarction size greater than re-perfusion alone, very few of these therapies have translated to successful clinical trials or standard clinical use. In this review we discuss both the recent successes as well as recent disappointments, and describe some of the newer potential therapies from the pre-clinical literature that have not yet been tested in clinical trials. Read the rest of the article here: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10557-016-6691-0Posted 6 years ago
HMRI Insights Newsletter - Fall 2016
| Post Date: September 9, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: HMRI Newsletters |
- Under the Microscope: Enhancing The Physician Scientist Workforce
- Fond Memories of Leo Bullara
- 65th Annual Home Tour Benefits HMRI
- Introductions to the newest Board of Directors members
- Donor Spotlight: John & Genevieve Lucas, The Lucas Brothers Foundation
Posted 6 years ago
Got migraines? Join a Pasadena research effort that seeks a cure
| Post Date: September 8, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Got migraines? Join a Pasadena research effort that seeks a cure
LARRY WILSON SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 www.pasadenastarnews.com “We’re lucky in the Pasadena area to have world-class researchers on many diseases, and I’ve enjoyed over the years writing about the work of Scottish neurologist Dr. Michael Harrington at the Huntington Medical Research Institutes, and participating a little in some research. As he searches for causes and disease markers and possible cures for migraines, Harrington, sometimes still working with Cowan, has enlisted me in getting the word out to local migraineurs. Last time I emceed an event featuring Serene Branson, the CBS 2 reporter whose garbled speech from the Grammys five years ago made viewers think she had suffered an on-air stroke. It was instead a complex migraine, and she has become an activist about the disease, too. Have headaches, and want to join us in helping researchers make us better? Know someone who fits the bill? On Sept. 8, Harrington is recruiting people with chronic migraine and post-traumatic headache for a six-week study with a public meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at HMRI, 99 N. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. On Saturday, Sept. 10, from 2 to 3 p.m., he’s doing the same for those 70 to 90 for a study on aging and Alzheimer’s. Interested, or have questions? Call Betty Chung, 626-795-4343. While a headache will remain a headache, when you get involved in the work to explore the causes of a disease, you’ll come to new understandings, and in doing so feel better already.” Read the rest of the article here: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinion/20160906/got-migraines-join-a-pasadena-research-effort-that-seeks-a-cure-larry-wilsonPosted 6 years ago
Cranial dural permeability of inflammatory nociceptive mediators: Potential implications for animal models of migraine
| Post Date: August 16, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 6 years ago
Does eating more salt prevent migraines and severe headaches?
| Post Date: August 15, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
A bit of salt might stop headaches’ battery of the brain
Jessica Hamzelou August 8, 2016 www.newscientist.com Could a salty diet keep migraines at bay? People who eat a lot of salt report having fewer migraines and severe headaches – the first evidence that dietary sodium may affect the condition. But the researchers caution that more evidence is needed before people change their diets, given that high salt consumption is linked to heart disease and stroke. There is growing evidence linking migraines with sodium. During a migraine, levels of sodium have been found to rise in cerebrospinal fluid, the liquid that bathes the brain and central nervous system. And sodium levels in this liquid seem to peak in the early morning and late afternoon – times of day when people commonly report experiencing migraines. Read the rest of the article here: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2101015-does-eating-more-salt-prevent-migraines-and-severe-headachesPosted 6 years ago
Association of Serum Docosahexaenoic Acid With Cerebral Amyloidosis
| Post Date: August 15, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Association of Serum Docosahexaenoic Acid With Cerebral Amyloidosis
August 8, 2016 http://archneur.jamanetwork.com/ Importance Higher dietary intake of the essential fatty acid docosahexaenoic (DHA) has been associated with better cognitive performance in several epidemiological studies. Animal and in vitro studies also indicate that DHA prevents amyloid deposition in the brain. Objective To determine the association between serum DHA levels, cerebral amyloidosis, and the volumes of brain areas affected by Alzheimer disease. Read the rest of the article here: http://archneur.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2538230Posted 6 years ago
Food for thought--HMRI investigators contribute to findings that link fish intake and Alzheimer's at the molecular level
| Post Date: August 15, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Less Salmon, More Plaques? Link Between Omega-3s and Aβ Reinvigorates Fish Oil Debate
August 12, 2016 http://www.alzforum.org/ Omega-3 fatty acids as an intervention for Alzheimer’s disease may not be dead in the water just yet. A new study may reinvigorate interest in the fish oils. Researchers led by Helena Chui at the University of Southern California have used PET and MRI scans to correlate markers of Alzheimer’s disease with blood levels of the essential fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). They report that people with the least amount of DHA have the most amyloid and atrophy in brain regions associated with AD. The findings, published August 8 in JAMA Neurology, do not prove that DHA blocks AD pathology, however they do mesh well with animal studies suggesting the fatty acid thwarts Aβ accumulation. “The … study has the potential to rekindle interest in the therapeutic potential of DHA,” wrote Joseph Quinn of Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland in an editorial that accompanied the paper. Quinn headed a previous DHA clinical trial, but was not involved in the current study. Read the rest of the article here: http://www.alzforum.org/news/research-news/less-salmon-more-plaques-link-between-omega-3s-and-av-reinvigorates-fish-oilPosted 6 years ago
Migraine Headache Causes And Symptoms 2016: Everything You Need To Know
| Post Date: August 10, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Migraine Headache Causes And Symptoms 2016: Everything You Need To Know
Michael Harrington, MB, ChB, FRCP Director of Neurosciences at Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) Pasadena, California - August 8, 2016 www.medicaldaily.com Migraine is the third most common disease in the world. It costs American employers $20 billion each year, and considering how widespread and the suffering it causes are, it’s safe to say research funding is meager at best. The National Institutes of Health provides the mainstay of medical funding in the United States, about $20 million annually — but funding should be 12-fold higher if it will be comparable to research dollars allotted for other brain diseases such as schizophrenia. A ‘typical’ migraine headache is severe: One-sided, pulsing or throbbing, accompanied by severe pain and discomfort to normal lights, sounds, or smells, not to mention nausea and vomiting. It typically lasts four to 72 hours, during which the scalp can be extremely sensitive to the touch. So it’s not unusual for migraine sufferers — also known as migraineurs — to withdraw from the outside world to lie down without moving in a dark, quiet room. But the truth is, the realities of life often prevent this form of relief. Read the rest of the article here: http://www.medicaldaily.com/migraine-headache-causes-and-symptoms-2016-everything-you-need-know-394142Posted 6 years ago
Go Nuts to Age Well: 6 Benefits of Nuts for Older Adults
| Post Date: August 10, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Go Nuts to Age Well: 6 Benefits of Nuts for Older Adults
K. Aleisha Fetters August 5, 2016 www.health.usnews.comA handful a day may keep the doctor – and a slew of age-related health issues – away.
Joe Biden wants cancer researchers to share their data, and he's not mincing words. “You know the inflammation that nuts are so good at fighting? Well, that's critical to preventing cognitive decline and dementia into old age. For instance, research out of Huntington Medical Research Institutes shows that in patients with Alzheimer's disease, levels of inflammation are higher, partly due to lower levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, explains Alfred Fonteh, neuroscience research scientist at HMRI. Nuts, however, are rich in omega-3s, and walnuts in particular are ripe with docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, a type of omega-3 that is a primary structural compound in the human brain. "DHA is the source of molecules that protect neurons, molecules that resolve inflammation and molecules that help repair free radical damage of tissues," Fonteh says. "What's more, monounsaturated fatty acids rich in nuts also control how toxic proteins are removed from the brain." "Therefore, a dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids from nuts may replenish what is lost in the brain and enhance the ability of the brain to remove toxic peptides that would otherwise kill neurons," he says. Case in point: In a 2015 JAMA Internal Medicine study of older adults, those who followed a Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts over the course of six years enjoyed better cognitive function than those who ate a Mediterranean diet sans nuts.” Read the rest of the article here: http://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2016-08-05/go-nuts-to-age-well-6-benefits-of-nuts-for-older-adultsPosted 6 years ago
Ground-breaking day for new building
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Liver Center
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Molecular Neurology
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Gene Therapy
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Cancer Genetics
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
MRS Laboratory
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
NMR
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Brain Tumor Immunotherapy
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
PFMR and HIAMR merge to become Huntington Medical Research Institutes
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Prostate Cancer I – PC-3 Cell Line
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
CT Stereotactic Neurosurgery
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Tele-Stimulator
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Experimental Cardiology
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
IMR becomes Huntington Institute of Applied Medical Research (HIAMR)
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
PFMR’s First Electron Microscope
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
PFMR pioneers Biomedical Lasers
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
PFMR Links Smog to Cancer
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Advanced Cobalt Therapy Laboratory
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Mass Spectrometer Protein Studies
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
The Shunt Project
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Safer Auto Design
| Post Date: August 4, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Institute of Medical Research (IMR)
| Post Date: July 12, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
2016 HMRI Publications
| Post Date: July 11, 2016 | Author: jameskingman | Category: Publications |
Posted 6 years ago
Pasadena Foundation for Medical Research (PFMR)
| Post Date: July 8, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: History of HMRI |
Posted 6 years ago
Is Rise in U.S. Death Rate a Blip or a Trend?
| Post Date: June 10, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
A higher death rate in 2015 can be attributed to three main causes, but many of those deaths could have been prevented.
Ann Pietrangelo June 9, 2016 www.healthline.com HMRI’s Dr. Harrington says although there’s currently no treatment known to slow or halt the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do. “The important need is for a lot more research to seek an understanding of the neurodegeneration process that is occurring decades before any symptoms. HMRI and some other organizations are actively following this urgently needed approach,” said Harrington. Read the rest of the article here: http://www.healthline.com/health-news/rise-in-us-death-rate-blip-or-trend#5Posted 6 years ago
Sports Fan Science: How Watching Sports Games Affects The Mind And Body
| Post Date: June 6, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
So, what exactly happens to our mind and body during the most crucial moments that have and will come to define sports history?
Lizette Borreli June 2nd, 2016 www.medicaldaily.com When there is an intense game or intense play some fans have a very emotional response — a fight-or-flight response with an increase in the sympathetic nervous system output and an increase in adrenaline levels,” Dr. Robert Kloner, director of cardiovascular research at Huntington Medical Research Institutes in Pasadena, Calif., told Medical Daily. Read the rest of the article here: http://www.medicaldaily.com/mind-and-body-sports-fan-sports-games-388444Posted 6 years ago
Cleaning Up The Dirty Mind: Dead Cells In Brain May Inhibit Cognitive Function In Neurodegenerative Diseases
| Post Date: May 27, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Dr. Michael Harrington, Director of Neurosciences at HMRI, weighs in on mechanisms that keep the brain clean during neurodegenerative diseases:
Lizette Borreli May 26th, 2016 www.medicaldaily.com Doing crossword puzzles and memory-training games and taking Omega-3 fish oil supplements are steps we take to boost our brain health. We do this to keep our mind clear and our head sharp, but how exactly does this process of cleaning differ between the healthy and diseased brain? According to a recent study published in the journal PLOS Biology, the brain “sweeps” clean dead neurons for it to function properly, but when it comes to neurodegenerative diseases, this cleaning process is impaired. There are mechanisms that keep the brain clean during neurodegenerative diseases. Typically, when neurons die, their debris needs to be quickly swept away for the surrounding brain tissue to continue functioning properly. There needs to be a balance between highly specialized cells, microglia, that respond by disposing of neurons that express "eat me" signals, according to Dr. Michael Harrington, Director of Neurosciences at Huntington Medical Research Institutes in Pasadena, Calif. Read the rest of the article here: http://www.medicaldaily.com/clean-dirty-mind-neurodegenerative-diseases-cognitive-function-dead-cells-387918Posted 6 years ago
These Subtle Symptoms Could Mean You’re Having A Heart Attack And Don’t Know It
| Post Date: May 18, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
"Silent" heart attacks are a thing—and doctors say women are especially susceptible of dying from them.
Korin Miller (originally published on Self.com) “Silent heart attacks are dangerous because people who have them may not get the proper therapy for the heart attack itself and will not get the proper therapy to help prevent another one or modify the known risk factors for coronary artery disease,” Robert A. Kloner, M.D., Ph.D., director of cardiovascular research at Huntington Medical Research Institutes, tells SELF." Here is the link to article: http://www.self.com/trending/2016/05/these-subtle-symptoms-could-mean-youre-having-a-heart-attack-and-dont-know-itPosted 6 years ago
Pasadena's Patron Saints Foundation Gives $30,000 Grant to Huntington Medical Research Institutes to Help Construct Biomedical Research Building
| Post Date: May 17, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 6 years ago
Intravenous Beta-Blockade for Limiting Myocardial Infarct Size
| Post Date: April 29, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Rejuvenation of a Concept
Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD,a,b Eugene Braunwald, MD c,d (originally published in the Journal of The American College of Cardiology) Here is the link to the paper: https://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleID=2511390Posted 6 years ago
HMRI Insights Newsletter - Spring 2016
| Post Date: April 28, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: HMRI Newsletters |
- Huntington Memorial Hospital's Team Tanzania Plus One
- Fighting the Good Fight - What Do Alzheimer's Heart Attacks, Eczema, Asthma, Preeclampsia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Allergies and Cancer all have in common?
- Welcome to the newest members of HMRI's Board of Directors
- In Memoriam: Ann Slavik Hall
- Through the Microscope: Missing the Operating Room
- Donor Profile: Linda Salinas
Posted 6 years ago
May Day on Porter - Sunday, May 1, 2016
| Post Date: April 22, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Home and Garden Tour Tickets - On Sale Now!
Save the Date -May 1st, 2016 for Our 65th Annual Home Tour On Sunday, May 1st, we will celebrate the coming together of our community and embracing the diverse artistic expressions found in the homes and gardens on our 65th Annual Home Tour. Our theme this year is May Day on Porter. There will be four beautiful homes and gardens to view, each as unique as Altadena itself. The homes are rich in architectural diversity with beautiful gardens to explore and amazing older and newer architecture to enjoy. Other highlights include complimentary dessert and beverage in the Tea Garden (10:00 am to 3:00 pm); musicians playing throughout the day in many locations; shopping at fine art, jewelry, pottery, and gift vendors. Hot rods and vintage cars from the eras of the homes on tour, with even a vintage trailer, will be on display. Our Bakery will again have our wonderful homemade cakes, cookies, pies, candies and jams for purchase. We will have our famous Altadini Pub for some light refreshments including wine, beer and sandwiches. Since 1951, the Altadena Guild of Huntington Memorial Hospital, a group of volunteers passionate about helping their community, has raised over $2 million to benefit Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI). This independent, nonprofit organization seeks to improve health by improving medicine and state-of-the-art research. The Guild also funds a scholarship at Huntington Hospital and supports the hospital’s Constance G. Zahorik Appearance Center, which helps women facing breast cancer look and feel their best. To purchase tickets online, please visit: http://altadenaguild.org/buy_tickets.html Download the event flyer: http://www.altadenaguild.org/documents/HT2016Flyer.pdfPosted 6 years ago
The 8 Activities That Have the Most Benefits for Your Brain
| Post Date: April 18, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
The 8 Activities That Have the Most Benefits for Your Brain
Kate Bayless, Livestrong.com Crossword puzzles? Check. Brain-friendly foods? Got ’em. But there is another key to staying mentally sharp: exercise. Not surprisingly, exercise has been shown to be just as important for your brain as it is for your body. Read the rest of the story here: http://www.livestrong.com/article/1011885-8-activities-benefits-brain/Posted 6 years ago
Cardiologists Refuse to Eat These Foods
| Post Date: April 15, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Cardiologists Refuse to Eat These Foods
From Huffington Post Cardiologists! They think they’re so great, with their anatomical heart models and ascetic dietary advice. But come on. Under those white coats, they’re people, too, just like you and me, right? Which means they enjoy cold hot dogs dipped in cans of chocolate frosting, washed down with rum & Coke. Read the rest of the story here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thrillist/cardiologists-refuse-to-e_b_9680994.htmlPosted 6 years ago
Recovered Data Casts Doubt On Whether Replacing Saturated Fat With Vegetable Oil Protects Against Heart Disease
| Post Date: April 15, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Recovered Data Casts Doubt On Whether Replacing Saturated Fat With Vegetable Oil Protects Against Heart Disease
By Stephanie Castillo, Medical Daily Americans have been told to eschew saturated fat for decades, in part because the American Heart Association has said consuming high amounts can increase cholesterol levels — and not the good kind. So in the late 60s, researchers conducted a trial to see if replacing saturated fats with vegetable oil rich in a healthier polyunsaturated fat, called linoleic acid, could lower levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol and reduce rates of coronary heart disease and death. All signs seemed to point to yes, but according to a new study published in BMJ, this hypothesis stands on shakier ground than people have been led to believe. Read the rest of the story here: http://www.medicaldaily.com/saturated-fat-vegetable-oil-heart-disease-diet-advice-381566Posted 6 years ago
How researchers, Pasadena schools partnered to study traumatic brain injuries in teen athletes
| Post Date: April 11, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
How researchers, Pasadena schools partnered to study traumatic brain injuries in teen athletes
By Jason Henry, San Gabriel Valley Tribune Meshia Paton wasn’t sure about her 15-year-old son playing football at Pasadena High School. At that age, the other players hit pretty hard, she told him. But now she has a little more peace of mind if her son gets hurt — she got a full scan of his brain and his heart from a program offered for free through a partnership between Pasadena Unified School District and the Huntington Medical Research Institutes. It provides something to compare against in the event that her son, De’Shawn, is injured, and it didn’t cost her anything but time, she said. Read the rest of the story here: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/health/20160407/how-researchers-pasadena-schools-partnered-to-study-traumatic-brain-injuries-in-teen-athletesPosted 6 years ago
8 Things You Need To Know About Inflammation And Anti-Inflammatory Diets
| Post Date: March 25, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: acute inflammation |
- Sometimes inflammation can be a really good thing for your body—in fact, it’s a fundamental function of your immune system.
- Our bodies are always in some kind of inflammatory state.
- But if our immune systems start to overreact, that’s when problems could kick in.
- When you hear people talking about the dangers of inflammation, what they’re really talking about is chronic inflammation.
- Interestingly, obesity is also considered to be a state of chronic inflammation.
- There are multiple ways to control inflammation (to a point).
- What you eat can have an effect on systemic inflammation in the body—but there isn’t a scientific consensus on “anti-inflammatory” diets.
- If you worry about inflammation, eating a good diet and adopting good lifestyle habits is a good start.
Posted 6 years ago
Announcing HMRI’s Advanced Multi-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Workshop: April 8 – 10, 2016
| Post Date: March 24, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
In 1995, HMRI hosted its very first proton spectroscopy training course as a part of GE’s Masters Course series. From 1995 to 2009, HMRI trained hundreds of radiologists, physicians, scientists, physicists and technologists how to acquire, process and interpret spectroscopy data employed in research and clinical settings. Now, after 7 years, this training returns to HMRI! This time, however, HMRI will introduce applications of multi-nuclear spectroscopy including phosphorus and carbon, as well as focusing on applications and challenges of advanced proton spectroscopy techniques.
Invited experts from General Electric—along with current and former HMRI colleagues, Thao Tran, Alex Lin, PhD, and Stefan Bluml, PhD—will give presentations on clinical proton MRS in adult and pediatric populations, clinical multi-nuclear spectroscopy applications, and software and hardware requirements for MNS. There will also be hands-on sessions to demonstrate acquisition and processing methods. The former Director of HMRI’s Imaging Center, Dr. Brian Ross, MD, PhD, will give the plenary lecture: “MNS – Clinical Diagnosis & Beyond.”
HMRI is proud to bring this informative and well-received workshop back in continuation of its proton spectroscopy research programs and in connection to its multi-nuclear endeavors. Please contact Thao Tran at thaotran@hmri.org to find out more and to register.
Posted 6 years ago
Cardiovascular Effects of Marijuana
| Post Date: March 8, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Plants of the Cannabis species, commonly known as marijuana, contain numerous psychoactive components, including the primary psychoactive compound D-9-tetrahyrdocannabinol (THC).1 The World Health Organization (WHO) describes cannabis as the most widely used, cultivated, and trafficked illicit drug in the world, with an estimated 147 million people using the drug annually.2 Consistent with worldwide reports, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimated nearly 20 million active marijuana users in the United States in 2013, making it the most widely used illicit drug in the nation.3 Evidence of therapeutic potential for marijuana and its components has been suggested for a number of medical conditions, including cachexia, cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, muscle spasm, seizures, severe nausea, severe or chronic pain, and sleep disorders,1 though lack of scientific evidence regarding safety and efficacy has prohibited endorsement by the US Food and Drug Administration for any therapeutic use.
Read the complete article on Cardiovascular Effects of Marijuana
Listen to the AM640 KFI radio clip about marijuana and heart problems (below):
[audio mp3="http://hmri.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/marijuana-and-heart-problems-audio-clip.mp3"][/audio]
Posted 6 years ago
HMRI Insights Newsletter - Winter 2016
| Post Date: March 7, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: HMRI Newsletters |
- Forward: The Campaign for HMRI
- Man For All Reasons: Dave Strickland
- Editorial Boards: Why We Serve
- A Gift For Science, A Gift For Eternity
- Medical Student Patrick Chang Speaks About His Research with Myron Tong in San Francisco
- Donor Profile: Francine Katz
- Leading the Campaign to Move HMRI Forward - Meet the Campaign Leadership
Posted 6 years ago
Breakthroughs in the Fight Against Heart Disease
| Post Date: February 26, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 6 years ago
Intrinsic Frequency Method: From Fluid Mechanics To A Novel Point-of-care Disease Diagnosis
| Post Date: February 22, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 6 years ago
Testosterone and Cardiovascular Disease
| Post Date: February 10, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
Dr. Michael Harrington and Dr. Alfred Fonteh publish two articles
| Post Date: January 28, 2016 | Author: jameskingman | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
Chang Donates $100K to HMRI - San Marino Tribune Article
| Post Date: January 15, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
New $29 million Pasadena medical research center to open in 2017
| Post Date: January 11, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
Chang Donates $100K to HMRI - San Marino Tribune (PDF)
| Post Date: January 8, 2016 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
2015
Posted 7 years ago
Is It Alzheimer's Or Normal Signs of Aging?
| Post Date: November 30, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
Huntington Medical Research Institutes Celebrates Groundbreaking on State-of-the-Art Laboratory Building in Pasadena
| Post Date: November 20, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
HMRI Breaks Ground for New Biomedical Research Building
| Post Date: November 20, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
Huntington Medical Research Institutes to break ground on Pasadena research facility - San Gabriel Valley Tribune
| Post Date: November 19, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
Huntington Medical Research Institutes to break ground on Pasadena research facility - Whittier Daily News
| Post Date: November 19, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
Huntington Medical Research Institutes to break ground on Pasadena research facility - Pasadena Star News
| Post Date: November 19, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
HMRI Insights Newsletter - Summer 2015
| Post Date: September 21, 2015 | Author: jameskingman | Category: HMRI Newsletters |
- New Mission Drives HMRI Forward
- HMRI Installs $3 Million High Tech Magnet
- Community Leaders Rally in Support of HMRI Biomedical Research Building
- Introducing Orest Boyko MD, PhD and Andrea Loewendorf PhD
- Dr. Susan Kane Joins the HMRI Board
- HMRI Website Gets a Facelift
- HMRI Lecture Series Hosts Weekly Talks
- HMRI Expands Research Program for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
- 64th Annual Home Tour
- Brain Day Brings the Community to HMRI
Posted 7 years ago
Dr. Robert A. Kloner Quoted in The Good Life article
| Post Date: September 15, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Before you go out and swap your breath mints for an aspirin, it is important to know that the recent recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) that has been making the rounds abuzz isn't as simple as the headlines make it seem. Dr. Robert A. Kloner, director of cardiovascular research and vice president of translation at the Huntington Medical Research Institutes was quoted as saying, "It's very important to point out [the USPSTF is] not saying everyone should be on aspirin ...They're saying people ages 50 to 59, who have an increased risk of heart disease, should take a daily low-dose aspirin. So you're looking at a certain age group, first of all." Taking Aspirin, even in low doses may not be suitable for everyone, and in some cases in can do more harm than good. "Some people are allergic to it, and… some people are prone to bleed," Dr. Kloner explains. "And so if you have a history of bleeding ulcers or other bleeding problems, then you are probably not going to be a candidate for aspirin." For more information about Dr. Robert A. Kloner, view his bio, or to read the complete story, please visit the link below: http://www.drozthegoodlife.com/health-articles/health-conditions/news/a510/daily-aspirin-uspstf-recommendation-not-universal/ All Credit: Amy Capetta, DR. OZ - The Good Life. "Don't Make Aspirin Part of Your Daily Routine Just Yet" September 2015.
Posted 7 years ago
L.A. Business Journal - Locking Up Cells
| Post Date: August 26, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
U.S. News & World Report: Preteen Football Tied to Brain Changes in Retired NFL Players: Study
| Post Date: August 25, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
Fox News Article: The Hidden Dangers of Taking Common Painkillers
| Post Date: August 19, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 7 years ago
New Implant Therapy Offered to Treat Chronic Involuntary Bowel Incontinence
| Post Date: April 15, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Media Releases |
Posted 7 years ago
HMRInsights Newsletter - Spring 2015
| Post Date: April 10, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: HMRI Newsletters |
- 2015 Brings Leadership Change to HMRI
- New HMRI Research Building Project Announced
- Cardiovascular Research Returns to HMRI with Recruitment of a World-Class Research Team
- Tips from Dr. Kloner to Maintain A Healthy Heart
- On the Tee for Research with HMRI
- HMRI welcomes new board members
- Pasadena Unified Partners with HMRI to Save Lives of Student Athletes
Posted 7 years ago
Huntington Hospital Cancer Center Receives National Outstanding Achievement Award
| Post Date: April 3, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Award recognizes cancer programs that achieve excellence in providing highest quality care to cancer patients
PASADENA, Calif., April 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Huntington Memorial Hospital Cancer Center (HHCC) was recently presented with the 2014 Outstanding Achievement Award by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). HHCC is one of a select group of only 75 U.S. health care facilities with accredited cancer programs to receive this national honor for surveys performed last year. The award acknowledges cancer programs that achieve excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. "A cancer diagnosis is among one of the most challenging experiences a patient can face," said Howard Kaufman, MD, medical director of HHCC. "This accreditation, in combination with the Outstanding Achievement Award, validates the exceptional care our team of physicians and nurses provides to help improve the quality of life for our patients during this difficult time." The purpose of the award is to raise awareness about the importance of providing quality cancer care at health care institutions throughout the U.S. Furthermore, it provides a mechanism for HHCC to share its commendation-winning practices with other institutions. It is intended to:- Motivate other cancer programs to work toward improving their level of care.
- Facilitate dialogue between award recipients and healthcare professionals at other cancer facilities for the purpose of sharing best practices.
- Encourage honorees to serve as quality-care resources to other cancer programs.
- Educate cancer patients on available quality-care options.
Posted 8 years ago
Dr. Robert Kloner Interviewed by Tim Conway Jr. on KFI-AM
| Post Date: January 29, 2015 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Audio |
2014
Posted 8 years ago
HMRInsights Newsletter - Fall 2014
| Post Date: November 5, 2014 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: HMRI Newsletters |
- HMRI Receives Major Funding for Alzheimer's Research;
- Oxygen: More is Not Necessarily Better;
- Breakthrough HMRI Alzheimer's Study Published;
- HMRI Launches Seed Grant Program;
- Meet HMRI Researcher Cherise Charleswell;
- GlaxoSmithKline Partners with HMRI in Cutting-Edge Bioelectronic Research;
- Introducing the HMRI Speakers Bureau & Speakers Series;
- HMRI Summer Student Research Program Continues Its Tradition of Excellence;
- Dr. Lawrence W. Jones Retires.
Posted 8 years ago
HMRI Lecture Series
| Post Date: October 13, 2014 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 8 years ago
HMRI Collaborates with Pasadena Unified to Offer Cardiac and Brain MR Screenings for Student Athletes
| Post Date: October 5, 2014 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
The Magnetic Resonance Laboratory is offering complimentary cardiac and brain screening exams for student athletes of the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD). We are currently working with Ann Rector, PUSD Health Coordinator, to recruit students who are actively involved in sports. These prevention-oriented MR scans will be able to detect life-threatening cardiac anomalies that can cause sudden cardiac death, as well as assess and monitor brain injuries, resulting from sports-related incidents, which may cause long-term physical, neurocognitive, and behavioral deficits. Brain and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging exams are non-invasive, clinical routine procedures that allow for visualization of anatomy and functional assessments. The cardiac exam can detect congenital heart conditions and cardiomyopathies, which can prove to be life-threatening to those who physically exert themselves through sports. Students enrolled in the cardiac program will only need to have one cardiac screening exam performed, while the brain exam will be conducted once at the beginning of the season and subsequent exams will be performed if a student suffers any injuries during the season to evaluate changes due to trauma. These prevention-oriented research initiatives are of particular importance to the students of PUSD, who are largely underserved with 67% of students identified as low-income; and thus likely to have minimal access to sufficient health care, including specialized procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging. We are currently recruiting student athletes between the ages of 10-18 for either or both exams. For more information or to participate, please contact Darlene Royal at 626-397-5840 or email us at MagRes.HMRI@gmail.com.
Posted 8 years ago
Breakthrough HMRI Alzheimer's Study Published - Reveals Possible Early Diagnosis, Potential Treatment
| Post Date: July 18, 2014 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
- Open-access—freely accessible online, authors retain copyright
- Fast publication times
- Peer review by expert, practicing researchers
- Post-publication tools to indicate quality and impact
- Community-based dialogue on articles
- Worldwide media coverage
Posted 8 years ago
2013 HMRI Publications
| Post Date: May 20, 2014 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Publications |
For a PDF copy of this publications list, please click here.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Kanamori, K. and B. D. Ross (2013). "Electrographic seizures are significantly reduced by in vivo inhibition of neuronal uptake of extracellular glutamine in rat hippocampus." Epilepsy Res107(1-2): 20-36.
Harrington, M. G., J. Chiang, J. M. Pogoda, M. Gomez, K. Thomas, S. D. Marion, K. J. Miller, P. Siddarth, X. Yi, F. Zhou, S. Lee, X. Arakaki, R. P. Cowan, T. Tran, C. Charleswell, B. D. Ross and A. N. Fonteh (2013). "Executive function changes before memory in preclinical Alzheimer's pathology: a prospective, cross-sectional, case control study." PLoS One8(11): e79378.
Ross, B. D. (2013). "High-field MRS in clinical drug development." Expert Opin Drug Discov8(7): 849-863.
Ross, B. D. (2013). Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy of the Brain. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy:Tools for Neuroscience Research and Emerging Clinical Applications. C. Stagg & D. Rothman (eds.), Chap. 4.3:331-350. Oxford, UK: Elsevier.
Ackerman, J. J. H. (2013). "Hyperpolarized silicon particles show high potential for in vivo magnetic resonance imaging." Nat Nanotechnol8: 313-315.
Sailasuta, N., K. C. Harris, T. T. Tran, O. Abulseoud and B. D. Ross (2013). "Impact of fasting on human brain acid-base homeostasis using natural abundance (13) C and (31) P MRS." J Magn Reson Imaging39(2): 398-401.
Cassidy, M. C., H. R. Chan, B. D. Ross, P. K. Bhattacharya and C. M. Marcus (2013). "In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of hyperpolarized silicon particles." Nat Nanotechnol8(5): 363-368.
Liang, E., P. Garzone, J. M. Cedarbaum, M. Koller, T. Tran, V. Xu, B. D. Ross, S. S. Jhee, L. Ereshefsky, A. Pastrak and S. Abushakra (2013). "Pharmacokinetic profile of orally administered Scyllo-Inositol (Elnd005) in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and brain, and corresponding effect on amyloid-beta in healthy subjects." Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development2(2): 186-194.
Lin, A. P. and B. D. Ross (2013). "Recent progress in clinical magnetic resonance spectroscopy." Encyclopedia of Magnetic Resonance (eMagRes).2(47-54).
Sancheti, H., K. Kanamori, I. Patil, R. Diaz Brinton, B. D. Ross and E. Cadenas (2014). "Reversal of metabolic deficits by lipoic acid in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease: a 13C NMR study." J Cereb Blood Flow Metab34(2): 288-296.
Posters/ Abstracts
Tran, T. C. Charleswell, N. O’dell, J. Liu, M. Miller, M. Lindsey and B. D. Ross (2013). Impact of short-term administration of oral Minocycline, a repurposed anti-neuroinflammatory agent, on MR and neuropsychological biomarkers of MCI and AD. Proceedings of 21st Annual Meeting of International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine., Session: Advance Imaging of Dementia. Program #2888.
Liver
Tong, M. J., Kowdley, K. V. Pan, C. K. Q. Hu, T. T. Chang, K. H. Han, S. K. Yoon, Z. D. Goodman, S. Beebe, U. Iloeje and H. Tang (2013). "Improvement in liver histology among Asian patients with chronic hepatitis B after long-term treatment with entecavir." Liver Int33(4): 650-651.
Saab, S., D. Lalezari, P. Pruthi, T. Alper and M. J. Tong (2013). "The impact of obesity on patient survival in liver transplant recipients: a meta-analysis." Liver Int.
Molecular Neurology
Fonteh, A. N., J. Chiang, M. Cipolla, J. Hale, F. Diallo, A. Chirino, X. Arakaki and M. G. Harrington (2013). "Alterations in cerebrospinal fluid glycerophospholipids and phospholipase A2 activity in Alzheimer's disease." J Lipid Res54(10): 2884-2897.
Harrington, M. G., J. Chiang, J. M. Pogoda, M. Gomez, K. Thomas, S. D. Marion, K. J. Miller, P. Siddarth, X. Yi, F. Zhou, S. Lee, X. Arakaki, R. P. Cowan, T. Tran, C. Charleswell, B. D. Ross and A. N. Fonteh (2013). "Executive function changes before memory in preclinical Alzheimer's pathology: a prospective, cross-sectional, case control study." PLoS One8(11): e79378.
Arakaki, X., P. McCleary, M. Techy, J. Chiang, L. Kuo, A. N. Fonteh, B. Armstrong, D. Levy and M. G. Harrington (2013). "Na,K-ATPase alpha isoforms at the blood-cerebrospinal fluid-trigeminal nerve and blood-retina interfaces in the rat." Fluids Barriers CNS10(1): 14.
Fonteh, A. N., J. M. Pogoda, R. Chung, R. P. Cowan and M. G. Harrington (2013). "Phospholipase C activity increases in cerebrospinal fluid from migraineurs in proportion to the number of comorbid conditions: a case-control study." J Headache Pain14: 60.
Molecular Pathology
Singer, E., J. Linehan, G. Babilonia, S. A. Imam, D. Smith, S. Loera, T. Wilson and S. Smith (2013). "Stromal response to prostate cancer: nanotechnology-based detection of thioredoxin-interacting protein partners distinguishes prostate cancer associated stroma from that of benign prostatic hyperplasia." PLoS One8(6): e60562.
Neural Engineering
Journal Papers
Duong, H. and M. Han (2013). "A multispectral LED array for the reduction of background autofluorescence in brain tissue." J Neurosci Methods220(1): 46-54.
Kim, B. J., J. T. Kuo, S. A. Hara, C. D. Lee, L. Yu, C. A. Gutierrez, T. Q. Hoang, V. Pikov and E. Meng (2013). "3D Parylene sheath neural probe for chronic recordings." J Neural Eng10(4): 045002.
McCreery DB, Han M, Pikov V, Yadav K, Pannu S (2013) Encoding of the amplitude modulation of pulsatile electrical stimulation in the feline cochlear nucleus by neurons in the inferior colliculus: effects of stimulus pulse rate. J Neural Eng 10(5): 056010.
Rohan, J. G., Y. R. Citron, A. C. Durrell, L. E. Cheruzel, H. B. Gray, R. H. Grubbs, M. Humayun, K. L. Engisch, V. Pikov and R. H. Chow (2013). "Light-triggered modulation of cellular electrical activity by ruthenium diimine nanoswitches." ACS Chem Neurosci4(4): 585-593.
Conference Papers
Kuo, J. T. W., B. J. Kim, S. A. Hara, C. D. Lee, L. Yu, C. A. Gutierrez, T. Q. Hoang, V. Pikov and E. Meng (2013). 3D Parylene sheath probes for reliable, long-term neuroprosthetic recordings. IEEE 26th Int Conf MEMS: 1073-1076.
Romanenko, S., P. H. Siegel, D. A. Wagenaar and V. Pikov (2013). Comparison of the effects of millimeter wave irradiation, general bath heating, and localized heating on neuronal activity in the leech ganglion. . Proc SPIE: 8585: 85850N.
Kim, B. J., S. A. Hara, B. Chen, J. T. W. Kuo, C. D. Lee, C. A. Gutierrez, T. Hoang, M. Gupta, V. Pikov and E. Meng (2013). Evaluation of post-fabrication thermoforming process for intracortical Parylene sheath electrode. IEEE EMBS Neural Engineering Conference. San Diego, CA.
Romanenko, S., P. H. Siegel and V. Pikov (2013). Microdosimetry and physiological effects of millimeter wave irradiation in isolated neural ganglion preparation. Proc MSMW: 512-516.
Hara, S. A., B. J. Kim, J. T. W. Kuo, C. D. Lee, T. Q. Hoang, V. Pikov and E. Meng (2013). Perforated 2×2 Parylene sheath electrode array for chronic intracortical recording. IEEE EMBS Neural Engineering Conference. San Diego, CA.
2013
Posted 9 years ago
HMRI 2012 Publications
| Post Date: June 5, 2013 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Publications |
Posted 9 years ago
HMRInsights Newsletter - Winter 2013
| Post Date: May 16, 2013 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: HMRI Newsletters |
- Non-Intrusive Sleep Apnea Treatment;
- Confocal Microscope;
- Diamond Jubilee Tea;
- Automation Advances;
- HMRI Receives Top Rating;
- Golf Tournament;
- Guild Fashion Show;
- HMRI Colorectal Research Fund;
- HMRI Research Inspires Youth;
- Employee Anniversary Luncheon;
- Volunteer Spotlight - Jeannette Martin;
- Partners in Discovery;
- HMRI Publications;
- Board of Directors.
Posted 9 years ago
Automation Advances Laboratory
| Post Date: May 7, 2013 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Media Releases |
New Equipment Enhances Critical Tissue Engineering Research
As our world becomes a faster-paced environment, life sciences have turned to automation to reduce costs and create more efficient operations. Thanks to a grant from the Roy E. Thomas Foundation, researchers in the HMRI Tissue Engineering laboratory have recently acquired two new instruments that will allow them to streamline workflow through automation and spend more time on the discovery process in their search for new anti-cancer drugs. With the new Biomek 4000 Laboratory Automation Workstation, our Tissue Engineering program has the ability to increase production of tumor histoids – living human mini-tumors – used in testing new anti-cancer drugs. Producing the large number of tumor histoids required for drug testing would be virtually impossible without robotic fluid handling offered by the Biomek 4000. Much of the exorbitant cost of developing new anti-cancer drugs is attributed to the use of unreliable and inefficient test systems during screening of potential new drugs and can cost upwards of $1 billion to bring one new drug to market. The grant from the Roy E. Thomas Foundation also enabled the purchase of a second essential piece of equipment, the Synergy H1 Hybrid Multi-Mode Microplate Reader. Placed next to the Biomek 4000 robotic system, this temperature-controlled programmable plate reader is used for spectrophotometric analysis of tumor histoids within their droplets. Both pieces of equipment are housed within a laminar flow tissue culture hood, a requirement for maintaining the integrity of sterile cultures. “We are absolutely delighted, to say nothing of relieved and grateful, to have the important new equipment which will allow us to advance to a new phase of our research,” said Dr. Marylou Ingram, senior research scientist with the Tissue Engineering & In Vitro Systems program. “The grant from the Roy E. Thomas Foundation could not have been more timely or important to our research.”Posted 9 years ago
HMRI Researcher Inspires Youth
| Post Date: May 7, 2013 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Media Releases |
Posted 9 years ago
HMRI Colorectal Research Fund: Advances in Surgical Treatment Applauded
| Post Date: May 7, 2013 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Media Releases |
Posted 9 years ago
Confocal Microscope: Enabling Reconstruction of 3-D Structures from Images
| Post Date: May 7, 2013 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Media Releases |
2012
2011
Posted 11 years ago
HMRI Wins DARPA Grant to Develop More Reliable Connection Between the Brain and Prosthetic Limb Systems
| Post Date: September 19, 2011 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 11 years ago
New Implant Offered to Treat Chronic Involuntary Bowel Incontinence
| Post Date: September 1, 2011 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Events & News |
Posted 11 years ago
National Institutes of Health Awards Grant for Migraine Research
| Post Date: May 25, 2011 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Media Releases |
Posted 11 years ago
NIH Grant Will Support Studies of Bladder Dysfunction Resulting from Stroke
| Post Date: May 25, 2011 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Media Releases |
Posted 11 years ago
HMRI Researcher Takes Strokes Against Stroke
| Post Date: May 25, 2011 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Media Releases |
Current Treatment Choices
According to Dr. Manoon, the best intervention methods currently available "serve merely to restore blood flow and/or reduce the probability of further stroke injuries. Physical therapy commonly constitutes the rehabilitation process for the afflicted patient." Common non-invasive (that is, non-surgical) treatments for stroke include administering a variety of drugs to achieve several objectives:- thrombolysis - opens up the blood vessels that have been blocked
- anticoagulation - thins the blood and reduces the probability of more blockage of the blood vessel
- antihypertension - reduces blood pressure to avoid hemorrhage of the weakened blood vessels, or injury to the brain.
- antiplatelet - reduces inflammation-related events so as to minimize the probability of further blockage of the blood vessel.
Improving the Odds
Unless the neurons that are damaged in stroke are preserved or protected from death, recovery can take a long time, if the patient recovers at all. Thus, stroke specialists agree that neuroprotection - that is, administering substances that would help preserve or protect the neurons - should be included with the tPA thrombolytic treatment. These would not only protect the neurons and reduce brain injury caused by the ischemic stroke, but also compensate for the adverse effects of tPA on the neurons. Several researchers worldwide are also proposing angiogenesis: treating stroke by causing the brain to make more blood vessels. The logic is that, by inducing the formation of more blood vessels in the brain, more blood would flow to the brain area that suffered the injury. The increased blood flow would, therefore, help relieve the oxygen deprivation in the brain. Some propose that a single agent that could provide both neuroprotection and angiogenesis would appear to be the most promising. Of the various chemicals tested through the years that are both neuroprotective and increase the formation of blood vessels, few have captured more attention than vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This substance accomplishes both things, but also has several negative side effects. One of the major side effects of this chemical is to cause the blood vessels to become permeable, or porous, so that blood fluids and substances in the blood leak out of the blood vessels into the brain. Thus, though VEGF may create new blood vessels in the brain, it can also cause the blood vessels that are already in the brain to become leaky. Even the new blood vessels that are formed are also permeable. It is, therefore, unclear whether VEGF could safely and effectively be used to cause neuroprotection and angiogenesis in the brain at the same time. Manoonkitiwongsa and his colleagues have conducted experiments to determine whether neuroprotection and angiogenesis by VEGF necessarily occur together. Their data, published in the June 24 Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, reveal that neuroprotection and angiogenesis maybe inversely related. That is, VEGF may be neuroprotective only as long as angiogenesis does not occur. When angiogenesis is significantly induced, VEGF no longer protects the brain, and creating more vessels may inflict further injury to the brain and worsen the consequences of stroke. They believe that VEGF could be a strong candidate for stroke therapy when used for neuroprotection, but that induction of angiogenesis by VEGF should be avoided by controlling the dosage. "Our data are very preliminary," says Manoonkitiwongsa. "More dosages need to be tested to confirm our hypothesis." They recently submitted a grant proposal to the National Institutes of Health for the purposes of 1) deciphering the relationship between neuroprotection and angiogenesis by VEGF and 2) characterizing the alterations in the brain exposed to the various doses of VEGF. Once these are precisely identified, and the mechanisms responsible for the relationships are elucidated, they hope to resolve whether neuroprotection and angiogenesis by VEGF can concurrently and safely be used as treatment methods for stroke. Neural Engineering Laboratory director Doug McCreery, Ph.D., said of this project, "Their research will provide significant and critical knowledge and bridge an important gap in our current understanding of stroke treatment."Prevention Helps Too
Education about stroke prevention encourages reducing risk through healthful living - e.g. cessation of smoking and consumption of intoxicants, sufficient exercise, proper diet, weight control, sugar control and stress management. However, "at-risk" behaviors do not change quickly. The fact is, many of the general public do smoke, consume alcohol to excess, pursue sedentary work or activities for much of the time, do not exercise regularly, do not control their caloric intake, and are subjected to the mental and psychological stresses of everyday life. Furthermore, as a person advances in age, the brain and its blood vessels become weaker and more susceptible to stroke. With the more sedentary lifestyle that comes with advancing age, its probability increases further. The lifetime costs of therapy and medication per person are estimated to be $200,000 for hemorrhagic stroke and $100,000 for ischemic stroke. Inpatient hospital costs alone average about $30,000 per admission for hemorrhagic stroke and $10,000 for ischemic stroke. These expenses are in addition to physician services and other costs. Statistics show that more than 500,000 stroke episodes occur in the USA each year of which one-third are fatal. In 2002 alone, more than 700,000 strokes occurred in the USA, of which approximately 500,000 were first-ever strokes and 200,000 were recurrent strokes. If the age-specific rates of stroke remain unchanged from 2002 to 2025, the overall number of strokes in the USA will increase from approximately 700,000 in 2002 to 1,136, 000 in 2025.Posted 11 years ago
HMRI Neural Engineers Lead Asian Bionics
| Post Date: May 25, 2011 | Author: adminhmri321 | Category: Media Releases |