Faculty Bibliography

With aging, renal function tends to decline, as evidenced by reduced glomerular filtration rate. High-protein intake may further stress the kidneys by causing sustained hyperfiltration. To investigate whether dietary protein is associated with impaired renal function, we used data from 2 nested case-control studies within the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (n = 2419). We estimated protein intake using a FFQ and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from cystatin C. To account for the original study designs, inverse probability weights were applied. Self-reported energy and protein were calibrated using biomarkers of energy and protein intake. Associations between protein intake and renal function were estimated by weighted linear and logistic regression models. Average calibrated protein intake (mean +/- SD) was 1.1 +/- 0.2 g/(kg body weight.d).Twelve percent (n = 292) of women had impaired renal function. The odds of impaired renal function, defined as eGFR <60 mL/(min.1.73m(2)), was not associated with calibrated protein intake. When eGFR was modeled continuously, there was no association with calibrated protein when protein was expressed in absolute (g/d) or relative to energy (protein % energy/d), but protein relative to body weight [g/(kg body weight.d)] was associated with higher eGFR. There was no evidence for effect modification by age, BMI, or general health status. These data suggest higher protein intake is not associated with impaired renal function among postmenopausal women without a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease.

Epidemiologic studies addressing the association of alcohol consumption with breast cancer consistently suggest a modest association and a dose-response relationship. The epidemiologic evidence does not point to a single mechanism to explain the association, and several mechanisms have been proposed. Alcohol consumption is shown to increase levels of endogenous estrogens, known risk factors for breast cancer. This hypothesis is further supported by data showing that the alcohol-breast cancer association is limited to women with estrogen-receptor positive tumors. Products of alcohol metabolism are known to be toxic and are hypothesized to cause DNA modifications that lead to cancer. Recent research has focused on genes that influence the rate of alcohol metabolism, with genes that raise blood concentrations of acetaldehyde hypothesized to heighten breast cancer risk. Mounting evidence suggests that antioxidant intake(e.g.folate)mayreducealcohol-associatedbreast cancer risk, because it neutralizes reactive oxygen species, a second-stage product of alcohol metabolism. Diets lacking sufficient antioxidant intake, as a result, may further elevate the risk of breast cancer among alcohol consumers. Given that alcohol consumption is increasing worldwide and especially among women in countries of rapid economic growth, a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying the known alcohol-breast cancer association is warranted. Avoiding overconsumption of alcohol is recommended, especially for women with known risk factors for breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Gastroenterology (GI) training programs are mandated to teach fellows interpersonal communication and professionalism as basic competencies. We sought to assess important skill sets used by our fellows but not formally observed or measured: handoffs, telephone management, and note writing. We designed an Observed Standardized Clinical Examination (OSCE) form and provided the faculty with checklists to rate fellows' performance on specific criteria. METHODS: We created two new scenarios: a handoff between a tired overnight senior fellow on call and a more junior fellow, and a telephone management case of an ulcerative colitis flare. Fellows wrote a progress notes documenting the encounters. To add educational value, we gave the participants references about handoff communication. Four OSCE stations-handoff communication, telephone management, informed consent, and delivering bad news-were completed by fellows and observed by faculty. RESULTS: Eight faculty members and eight fellows from four GI training programs participated. All the fellows agreed that handoffs can be important learning opportunities and can be improved if they are structured, and that handoff skills can improve with practice. CONCLUSIONS: OSCEs can serve as practicums for assessing complex skill sets such as handoff communication and telephone management.

Despite lower areal bone mineral density (aBMD), Chinese-American women have fewer fractures than white women. We hypothesized that better skeletal microstructure in Chinese-American women in part could account for this paradox. Individual trabecula segmentation (ITS), a novel image-analysis technique, and micro-finite-element analysis (µFEA) were applied to high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) images to determine bone microarchitecture and strength in premenopausal Chinese-American and white women. Chinese-American women had 95% and 80% higher plate bone volume fraction at the distal radius and tibia, respectively, as well as 20% and 18% higher plate number density compared with white women (p < .001). With similar rodlike characteristics, the plate-to-rod ratio was twice as high in the Chinese-American than in white trabecular bone (p < .001). Plate-rod junction density, a parameter indicating trabecular network connections, was 37% and 29% greater at the distal radius and tibia, respectively, in Chinese-American women (p < .002). Moreover, the orientation of the trabecular bone network was more axially aligned in Chinese-American women because axial bone volume fraction was 51% and 32% higher at the distal radius and tibia, respectively, than in white women (p < .001). These striking differences in trabecular bone microstructure translated into 55% to 68% (distal radius, p < .001) and 29% to 43% (distal tibia, p < .01) greater trabecular bone strength, as assessed by Young's moduli, in the Chinese-American versus the white group. The observation that Chinese-American women have a major microstructural advantage over white women may help to explain why their risk of fracture is lower despite their lower BMD.

Training and competency criteria in cardiac CT were developed to guide practitioners in the process of achieving and maintaining skills in performing and interpreting cardiac CT studies. Appropriate training and eventual certification in cardiac CT angiography may be obtained by adhering to the recommendations for competency as set forth by either the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) or the American College of Radiology (ACR). Competency under either pathway requires both knowledge and experience-based components, with benchmarks set for level of experience on the basis of the extent of training experience. Although these recommended parameters are substantial, meeting these training criteria does not guarantee competence or expertise, which is the responsibility of the individual practitioner and may require further training and experience. Separate from satisfying initial training for the achievement of competency, certification in cardiac CT may be achieved through formal certification under the Certification Board of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Eligibility for certification generally follows the ACCF/American Heart Association Level 2 or ACR competency pathways. The ACR also conducts a certificate program related to advanced proficiency in cardiac CT. This official document of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography summarizes the present criteria for competency and certification in the field of cardiac CT.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an educational intervention for medical house staff improves blood glucose (BG) in hospitalized patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: All 116 medicine residents at an academic medical center were assigned to online or classroom training on inpatient dysglycemia in fall 2008. Both groups were offered an online refresher course in spring 2009 addressing gaps in clinical practice identified on chart review. We assessed event BG, the first BG of any 3-h period, on two teaching wards. RESULTS: A total of 108 residents (93.1%) completed the initial training. The primary outcome, median event BG, decreased from 152 mg/dL in August 2008 to 139 mg/dL in December 2008 (P < 0.0001). Prevalence of event BG >200 mg/dL decreased from 25.5 to 22.7% (P = 0.0207), at the expense of more event BGs <70 mg/dL (2.0-3.9%, P = 0.0124). CONCLUSIONS: A curriculum for medicine residents on inpatient glycemia led to lower inpatient BG.

African immigrants represent a rapidly expanding group of immigrants in the United States. In New York City, Africans constitute the fastest growing segment of immigrants but the needs and practices of African immigrants in the U.S. remain poorly understood. A community based organization (CBO) serving African immigrants in Staten Island, NY began a health screening program in 2008 with the goal of promoting access to primary care. Over 18 months, 296 visits were recorded at African Refuge health screenings, representing a total of 87 people who averaged just over 3 visits per person. The screenings identified mental health among the top three medical problems of clients but referral to mental health services was rare. Dedicated services are required to better screen for mental health concerns and refer African immigrants to mental health care