News & Events

Shorttakes

September 2007 (historical)

A compilation of news from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Published three times a year. Just scan these "shorttakes" for information on what's happening at NIAMS, or access the complete articles for viewing or use in your own newsletter or other publication.

From the Director . . .

When the Surgeon General's Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis was published, NIAMS took special pride in contributing to what is commonly referred to as the People's Piece : a 24-page plain-language booklet that summarizes the 400-page Surgeon General's report. To extend the reach of the report even further, NIAMS has now developed Check Up On Your Bones , an interactive bone health tool for people of all ages.

The goal of the checkup is to help identify the most common red flags that put bones at risk. People answer questions about their diet, exercise habits and other lifestyle choices. Then they learn what they are doing well, and what they could be doing better. The checkup also provides a strategy for each individual that makes his or her bones stronger and healthier.

Thirty years ago, even many doctors believed that weak and broken bones were just a part of old age. Now we know that when people make the right choices and get medical attention as needed, they can have strong bones throughout their lives.

That's why this tool is so important. It is not designed to take the place of talking to one's doctor, but it does provide individualized guidance based on recommendations from the Surgeon General's report.

Because Americans are living longer than ever before, it is essential to have strong bones so we can remain active. By 2020, half of all Americans who are older than 50 will have weak bones unless they make changes to their diet and lifestyle. Check Up On Your Bones is an excellent first step.

Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D.
Director
National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
National Institutes of Health

Research Watch . . .

A genetic variation has been identified that increases the risk for two chronic, autoimmune inflammatory diseases: rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Full story: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/sep2007/niams-06.htm

NIH and NASA signed a Memorandum of Understanding on September 12 that helps American scientists utilize the International Space Station to answer questions about human health and diseases. The event marks a milestone in a long partnership to advance scientific discovery and alerts researchers to the availability of a remarkable platform on which to conduct experiments.
Full Story: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/sep2007/od-12.htm

The Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) announces the availability of new data and images to members of the scientific community registered on OAI Online (www.oai.ucsf.edu).
See: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Announcements/2007/OAI_data.asp

A study shows that surgery is more effective than other treatments for a common back problem, degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Press_Releases/2007/06_28.asp

Scientists discover the role of an enzyme called "ataxia telangiectasia mutated protein" (ATM) in the body's ability to repair damaged DNA.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Press_Releases/2007/06_27.asp

Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant medication used for certain types of seizures, is shown to be effective for fibromyalgia pain.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Press_Releases/2007/06_11.asp

In a 9-year study of 1,279 older adults, recreational exercise had no effect on the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/knee_osteoarthritis.asp

A study has shown that adult mice regenerate hair follicles and hair after wounding. The researchers discovered that hair follicle formation after wounding parallels embryonic follicle development. The results suggest new directions for designing treatments for wounds, hair loss and other degenerative skin disorders.
Full story: http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/may2007/05212007hair.htm

NIAMS introduces Bone Health CD ROM.
See: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Announcements/2007/bone_cd.asp

Biomarkers may predict, and corticosteroids may prevent, severe lupus flares.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/lupus_flares.asp

Older men and women who take the most widely used type of antidepressant medication, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be at increased risk for bone loss, according to the results of two large studies.
Full story: http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/july2007/07022007depression.htm

New research suggests that adolescents with fibromyalgia are more likely than their peers to experience social problems like isolation and peer rejection, which may result in increased anxiety, social withdrawal and mood difficulties.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/juvenile_fibro.asp

A study indicates there is significant work loss associated with lupus.
Full Story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/work_lupus.asp

Summaries from the 2007 roundtable discussions and the Scientific Planning Retreat for the Extramural Program are now available on the NIAMS Web site.
See: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Meetings_and_Events/Sci_Retreats/2007/default.asp

"The Future Directions of Lupus Research," a report developed and led by NIAMS with input from scientific experts from the lupus research community and beyond, is available on the NIAMS Web site.
See: http://www.niams.nih.gov/about_us/mission_and_purpose/lupus_plan_intro.asp

Grants and Contracts . . .

The following announcements related to NIAMS appeared in recent issues of the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts. These announcements are made to the research community to express our interest in funding specific areas of research. For more information on NIAMS grants and contracts, visit the NIAMS Web site at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Funding/default.asp and the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html.

Requests for Applications:

Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers (U54),
RFA-NS-08-002. Issued: August 8, 2007; letters of intent receipt date: October 22, 2007; application receipt date: November 19, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-08-002.html

Genome-wide Association Studies in the Genes, Environment, and Health Initiative - Study Investigators (U01), RFA-HG-07-012. Issued: August 9, 2007; letters of intent receipt date: September 18, 2007; application receipt date: October 18, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HG-07-012.html

Clinical Research Education and Career Development (CRECD) in Minority Institutions (R25), RFA-RR-07-005. Issued: August 9, 2007; letters of intent receipt date: September 24, 2007; application receipt date: October 24, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RR-07-005.html

Program Announcements

Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (R21), PA-07-391. Issued: June 29, 2007; l etters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-391.html

Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (R01), PA-07-392. Issued: June 29, 2007; l etters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-392.html

Loan Repayment Program for Health Disparities Research (LRP), PA-07-439. Issued: August 21, 2007; l etters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: September 1, 2007 - December 1, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-439.html

Extramural Pediatric Research Loan Repayment Program (LRP), PA-07-440. Issued: August 21, 2007; l etters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: September 1, 2007 - December 1, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-440.html

Extramural Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (LRP), PA-07-441. Issued: August 21, 2007; l etters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: September 1, 2007 - December 1, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-441.html

Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers (LRP), PA-07-442. Issued: August 21, 2007; l etters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: September 1, 2007 - December 1, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-442.html

Highlights From the Hill, DHHS and NIH . . .

NIAMS Director Speaks at "Fulfilling the Promise" Lecture Series

On July 16, Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph. D., director of NIAMS, participated in the "Fulfilling the Promise" lecture series, sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges. This series focuses on educating congressional staff on a variety of research topics. Dr. Katz discussed osteoarthritis research issues. For more information on the lecture series, see http://www.aamc.org/research/ftp/ .

Minority Health and Health Disparities

On June 7, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) introduced S. 1576, the Minority Health Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act, to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve the health and healthcare of racial and ethnic minority groups. The bill would require that the director of the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), in consultation with the respective Institute and Center (IC) directors or their designees, plan, coordinate and evaluate research and other activities conducted or supported by the agencies of the NIH and carry out periodic re-evaluations of these activities. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). The companion bill, H.R. 3333, was introduced on August 2 in the House of Representatives by Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) , and was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Future Directions of Lupus Research

The FY 2005 House Appropriations Committee report language directed the NIH to develop a plan to guide the Nation's investment in lupus research. The final version of this new planning document has been posted on the NIAMS Web site. The plan focuses on five major areas of research including: disease etiology; innate immunity, acquired immunity and inflammation; target organ damage; pediatric lupus, special populations and health services research; and diagnosis and treatment. For additional information, see: http://www.niams.nih.gov/about_us/mission_and_purpose/lupus_plan_intro.asp.

Budget Update

Both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have completed markup of FY 2008 Appropriations bills for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. The House bill includes $29.6 billion for the NIH, which is $1 billion more than the President's request and $750 million over the FY 2007 comparable amount. The Senate mark provides $29.9 billion for NIH, an increase of nearly $1.3 billion above the President's request and $1 billion above the comparable FY 2007 level. The allocation for NIAMS proposed by the House is $516 million, which is an increase of $7.8 million and 1.5 percent over FY 2007. The amount proposed by the Senate for NIAMS is $519.8 million, which represents an increase of $11.6 million and 2.3 percent over FY 2007.

It should also be noted that in recognition of the growing importance of the NIH Common Fund, and in an effort to provide greater transparency, two changes were instituted in the fiscal year 2007 joint funding resolution. First, it specified the exact amount appropriated for the Common Fund in bill language. Second, it changed the practice of transferring a certain percentage of each Institute and Center's appropriation to the fund. This practice was continued with the fiscal year 2008 Committee recommendations; thus, the Institute and Center amounts do not include any Common Fund contributions-just the base amount for each IC-while the total Common Fund amount is shown on its own line within the Office of the Director.

House and Senate conferees must now reconcile the differences in the two bills before the final appropriations bill can be passed. If this does not happen before October 1, we will begin the fiscal year with a continuing resolution.

NIAMS Faces . . .

Four members of the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Council are leaving the council after four years of service: Brian L. Kotzin, M.D.; Jack E. Parr, Ph.D.; Raymond Scalettar, M.D., D.Sc.; and Jouni Uitto, M.D., Ph.D. The Institute thanks them for their many contributions, and wishes them well in future endeavors.

Kathryn (Katy) Marron, Ph.D. recently joined the NIAMS Extramural Program as a research program analyst in the Skin and Rheumatic Diseases Branch. Dr. Marron earned her doctorate from The Johns Hopkins University in 2007. She completed her dissertation in the laboratory of Dr. Antony Rosen, where she studied the effects of apoptosis on systemic autoantigens that localize to the golgi apparatus. Prior to joining NIAMS, Dr. Marron taught high school biology for one year in Baltimore City .

The NIAMS Extramural Program and Office of Science Policy and Planning are pleased to welcome two new team members, Branden Brough, Ph.D., and Steven Nothwehr, Ph.D . Drs. Brough and Nothwehr have come to NIAMS through the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellowship Program, which encourages the integration of science and technical information with public policymaking and provides an opportunity for exemplary science and technical professionals to work in government agencies for one year.

Karin Rudolph is now the chief of the Public Information Branch, a new branch of the NIAMS Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL). She is managing and directing the health information clearinghouses and contracts, materials development, and certain aspects of outreach and promotions, and has a leadership role in formulating, organizing, planning and executing the goals and objectives of public information programs, services and activities.

Mimi Lising, M.P.H. , recently joined the NIAMS OCPL as the Health Partnership Program outreach coordinator. Mimi, a former NIH presidential management intern and a public health educator with NIDDK, was the assistant director for the National Kidney Disease Education Program and the National Diabetes Education Program. Prior to joining NIAMS, Mimi worked for Kaiser Permanente, where she created patient and health professional education materials for conditions such as diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease and chronic pain. Mimi's master's degree is from UCLA and her undergraduate degree is from UC Irvine.

NIAMS OCPL welcomes Allisen Stewart, M.A., as a writer/editor. Prior to joining NIAMS, Allisen was a technical writer/editor in the Office of Science Policy and Public Liaison at the National Institute of Nursing Research.

The Institute bids farewell to Robert Miranda-Acevedo, M.A., writer-editor, OCPL, who accepted a job in the Office of Health Communication and Public Liaison at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

Kudos . . .

Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D., director of NIAMS, received the 2007 "Change It" Champion Award from the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy in recognition of his work on behalf of the Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy community and in support of our Nation's overall biomedical research agenda.

Paul H. Plotz, M.D., chief of the Arthritis and Rheumatism Branch in the NIAMS Intramural Research Program (IRP), and the acting deputy director of NIAMS, received an honorary doctorate from the school of medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

John J. O'Shea, M.D., scientific director of the NIAMS IRP and chief of the Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch and the Lymphocyte Cell Biology Section, received the first NIH Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management (OEODM) "Making a Difference" Award. The award was in recognition of "his outstanding example of the creative possibilities for enhancing diversity within his Institute."

Joan A. McGowan, Ph.D., director of the Division of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the NIAMS Extramural Program (EP), received the Annual Leadership Award of the Women in Orthopaedics of the Orthopaedics Research Society for distinguished leadership and scholarship in the field of orthopaedics research.

Juan Rivera, Ph.D., chief of the Molecular Inflammation Section in the NIAMS IRP, and the director of the IRP Office of Science and Technology, received an NIH Director's Award for innovative and thoughtful leadership in launching a program of trans-NIH Intramural Research Initiatives.

Susana Serrate-Sztein , M.D., director of the Division of Skin and Rheumatic Diseases in the NIAMS EP, and Alan Moshell, M.D., former chief of the Skin Diseases Branch in the NIAMS EP, received an NIH Director's Award recognizing their efforts in the development and implementation of a robust medical research program focusing on medical countermeasures against toxic chemicals.

CDR Kamela D. Davis, D.V.M. , former director of the Laboratory Animal Care and Use Section in the IRP Office of Science and Technology, received a DHHS/PHS Commendation medal for exemplary performance of duty.

From the Health Partnership Program.

The HPP continues to progress under the program's five focus areas: public health education, patient care, health disparities research, recruitment to research careers, and community relations. Below are highlights of current activities.

NIAMS Community Health Center (CHC)

On July 10, 2007, NIAMS staff held a meeting with the Health Partnership Program's community partners at the Upper Cardozo Health Center, Unity Health Care, Inc. Mark Gourley, M.D ., director of the Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program, was introduced to the community partners at the meeting. Janet Austin, Ph.D. , and Michael Ward, M.D. , updated the partners on the HPP five-year plan. Later, NIAMS staff and the HPP partners discussed the patient enrollment criteria of the Natural History Study of Rheumatic Diseases at the CHC. Nicole Taylor , a researcher from Department of Counseling and Personnel Services, University of Maryland , gave a presentation on the new study to be conducted at the CHC, Providing Effective Psychotherapy Interventions for Individuals with Autoimmune Diseases. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of psychotherapy on improving the psychological well-being of individuals with connective tissue diseases. The meeting ended with a celebration of the 6th Anniversary of the CHC.

Community Meetings and Events

NIAMS continues to disseminate information on rheumatic diseases and clinical studies at health fairs within the tristate area. Recent outings include the Tenth Baptist Church Health Fair, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Health and Education Fair, the Progressive National Baptist Convention Health Fair and the First Ecuadorian Cultural Festival and Health Fair.

Update on Equal Employment Opportunity . . .

The 2007 NIAMS Summer Internship Program ended August 1 with a farewell social for 27 students. Highlights of the summer included tours to the Capitol and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Nineteen students from the diverse group prepared and presented posters at the NIH Summer Poster Day. The summer internship program provides a unique opportunity for talented students to come to NIAMS for training and mentoring, as well as encouragement to work in the field of biomedical research - in particular, in the disease areas of NIAMS.

The NIAMS Intramural Research Program (IRP) recently partnered with the Montgomery County Police Activities League (PAL) to work with "at risk" children ages 11-16. The purpose of the partnership is to present students with an overview of the NIH and NIAMS, including the basic elements of research in combination with science education. The program also provides the students with scientists as positive role models, highlights students' academic achievements, and informs the students about NIH careers, training opportunities and internships. The PAL group visited the NIH campus on July 12 and July 25 and is scheduled to return for future visits.

An intern from the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) worked in the Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL). The WRP supports the President's New Freedom Initiative, the goal of which is to increase employment of people with disabilities in the public and private sectors.

Upcoming Events . . .

Look for the NIAMS exhibit at the following events between now and the January 2008 issue:

Fourth Annual Asian American Health Conference, New York , N.Y. , Sept. 29, 2007
Third Annual Community Health Fair - Evangel Assembly, Temple Hills , Md. , Sept. 29, 2007
Elder Fair, Sebring , Fla. , Oct. 1, 2007
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), Chicago , Ill. , Oct. 4-6, 2007
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, Philadelphia , Pa. , Oct. 10-13, 2007
Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), Kansas City , Mo. , Oct. 11-14, 2007
Sodexho Sixth Annual Health and Wellness Fair, Gaithersburg , Md. , Oct. 16, 2007
American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists - Regional Meeting, New York , N.Y. , Oct. 26-28, 2007
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), Phoenix , Ariz. , Nov. 1-3, 2007
American Public Health Association (APHA), Washington , D.C. , Nov. 3-7, 2007
American College of Rheumatology (ACR), Boston , Mass. , Nov. 6-11, 2007
Association Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Austin , Texas , Nov. 7-10, 2007
Southern Medical Association, New Orleans , La. , Nov. 15-17, 2007

Publications . . .

New Booklet:
Questions and Answers About Bursitis and Tendinitis

New Easy-to-Read Fact Sheet:
What Is Scleroderma?

NIH Fact Sheets
Osteoarthritis
Psoriasis

For information on arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, including copies of the publications listed above, contact:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
NIAMS/National Institutes of Health
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
Phone: (301) 495-4484 or (877) 22-NIAMS (free call, in English or Spanish)
TTY: (301) 565-2966
Fax: (301) 718-6366
E-mail: NIAMSInfo@mail.nih.gov
World Wide Web: www.niams.nih.gov

For information on osteoporosis and other bone diseases, contact:

NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center
1232 22nd Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20037-1292
Phone: (202) 223-0344 or (800) 624-BONE (2663)
TTY: (202) 466-4315
Fax: (202) 293-2356
E-mail: NIHBoneInfo@mail.nih.gov
World Wide Web: www.niams.nih.gov/Bone

For general information on NIAMS and its research programs, contact:

Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases/NIH
Building 31/Room 4C02
31 Center Drive, MSC 2350
Bethesda, MD 20892-2350
Phone: (301) 496-8190 or (877) 22-NIAMS (free call)
TTY: (301) 565-2966
Fax: (301) 480-2814
E-mail (inquiries): NIAMSInfo@mail.nih.gov
E-mail (public liaison): NIAMSPublicLiaison@mail.nih.gov
World Wide Web: www.niams.nih.gov

Compiled by the Office of Communications and Public Liaison, NIAMS; phone: (301) 496-8190; e-mail: NIAMSInfo@mail.nih.gov