Neutrophils From Patients With Invasive Candidiasis Are Inhibited by Biofilms.

Invasive candidiasis frequently involves medical device placement. On the surfaces of these devices, can form biofilms and proliferate in adherent layers of fungal cells surrounded by a protective extracellular matrix. Due in part to this extracellular matrix, biofilms resist host defenses and antifungal drugs.

Impact of Triazole Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Availability and Timing.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is an established strategy to optimize antifungal therapy with certain triazoles. While established relationships exist between concentration and safety or efficacy, the impact of TDM timing on outcomes is unknown. We report clinical outcomes, including antifungal exposure and mortality, in patients receiving institutional versus reference laboratory TDM.

Evolution of the study coordinator role: the 28-year experience in Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC).

Background: The role of the study coordinator (SC) in multicenter studies of long duration has received limited attention.

Purpose: To describe the evolution of the SC's role during the 28-year Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and its follow-up study, the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study.

Methods: The evolution of the SC's position from the traditional role of protocol implementation to that of research collaborator and co-investigator, based on personal experience and observation, is described in detail.

A CTSA-sponsored program for clinical research coordination: networking, education, and mentoring.

Upon receipt of the National Institutes of Health Clinical and Translational Science Award, the University of Iowa's Institute for Clinical and Translational Science committed to develop an infrastructure for research professionals. Three goals were established: (1) identification of research professionals within the University of Iowa, (2) development of an educational series, including orientation and continuing education, and (3) development of a mentoring system. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of development, initiation, and outcomes of a successful networking, educational, and mentoring system crafted for research professionals at the University of Iowa.

Impact of diabetes and its treatment on cognitive function among adolescents who participated in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether severe hypoglycemia or intensive therapy affects cognitive performance over time in a subgroup of patients who were aged 13-19 years at entry in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT).

Research Design And Methods: This was a longitudinal study involving 249 patients with type 1 diabetes who were between 13 and 19 years old when they were randomly assigned in the DCCT. Scores on a comprehensive battery of cognitive tests obtained during the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications follow-up study, approximately 18 years later, were compared with baseline performance.

Long-term effect of diabetes and its treatment on cognitive function.

Background: Long-standing concern about the effects of type 1 diabetes on cognitive ability has increased with the use of therapies designed to bring glucose levels close to the nondiabetic range and the attendant increased risk of severe hypoglycemia.

Methods: A total of 1144 patients with type 1 diabetes enrolled in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and its follow-up Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study were examined on entry to the DCCT (at mean age 27 years) and a mean of 18 years later with the same comprehensive battery of cognitive tests. Glycated hemoglobin levels were measured and the frequency of severe hypoglycemic events leading to coma or seizures was recorded during the follow-up period.