Reporter March 18 2016

Readmission prediction face-off

Mar. 23, 2016—Using patients’ health records to assess preparedness for hospital discharge is more effective at predicting readmission or death than commonly used questionnaires.

New treatment for Crohn’s disease

Mar. 22, 2016—A new biological therapy, ustekinumab, improves markers of disease activity in patients with severe Crohn’s disease.

Putting schizophrenia to bed

Mar. 21, 2016—A new compound developed at Vanderbilt treats multiple symptoms of schizophrenia in an animal model, without causing sedation.

Mar. 17, 2016—The rigidity of the microenvironment around cancer cells drives invasive behavior through distinct ROCK signaling pathways, which could guide the development of specific anti-invasive therapies.

Study suggests cancer’s ‘clock’ can be rewound

Mar. 17, 2016—Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have “turned back the clock” in a mouse model of metaplasia — precancerous stomach lesions — raising hopes that gastric cancer, a worldwide scourge that’s rising in the United States, can be prevented.

Life-changing impact of cornea transplantation celebrated

Mar. 17, 2016—Since 1961, the Eye Bank Association of America has provided donors for more than 1.5 million corneal transplants nationwide. And for nearly 25 years, the group has celebrated corneal transplant recipients, promoted awareness of the need to donate and recognized donors and families during National Eye Donor Month in March.

Watkins, Neuzil named VUSM Distinguished Alumni

Mar. 17, 2016—The late Levi Watkins Jr., M.D., and Kathleen Neuzil, M.D., MPH, have been named the 2016 Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM) Distinguished Alumni Award recipients.

Research Staff Awards honor contributions to discovery

Mar. 17, 2016—Laboratory and administrative personnel at Vanderbilt University Medical Center were honored last week for research excellence during the 12th annual Research Staff Awards luncheon at the University Club.

Study explores gene’s role in protecting HIV patients from TB

Mar. 17, 2016—An international research team led by scientists from Vanderbilt University Medical Center has identified a genetic variant that protects people with HIV from developing active tuberculosis. The variant is near the gene encoding the infection-fighting cytokine IL-12.

Study explores carb-loading’s effect on heart

Mar. 17, 2016—Drinking a high carbohydrate shake can have an acute and detrimental effect on heart function, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) has found.

T.J. Martell Foundation lauds Pietenpol’s research

Mar. 17, 2016—Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., B.F. Byrd Jr. Professor of Oncology and director of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), was honored with the Medical Research Advancement Award during the 8th Annual T.J. Martell Foundation Nashville Honors Gala held recently at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Multi-institution cancer symposium set for April 2

Mar. 17, 2016—The Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Tennessee State University Cancer Partnership will host the 15th Annual Cancer Retreat, Saturday, April 2, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. The retreat will be held on the Meharry Medical College campus, Harold D. West Basic Sciences Building, Room M001.