How long does it take to translate research findings into routine healthcare practice?-the case of biological drugs for rheumatoid arthritis in Brazil.

Background: The literature reports long time lags between the several processes involved in the translation of drug research and development into clinical application. To expedite these processes, translational research has emerged as a process that can be applied to reduce the lag between scientific discoveries and their practical application. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the time lag in translational research of biological drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis included in the Brazilian Unified Health System [Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)]. Methods: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted based on secondary data loaded by SUS users in public sources and systems to estimate the time lag between the publication of phase I clinical trial results to drug use in clinical settings. The dates of translational research activities were identified from markers and steps. Structured searches were conducted in the literature and reports from the National Commission for the Incorporation of Technologies in the SUS (Conitec) as well as from health authorities, and analyzed. Results: Between 2012 and 2019, SUS included five biological agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The mean time lag from clinical development to use of these agents was 11.13 years (range, 8.57 to 12.90 years). The mean time lag for the stages of translational research were 5.30 (T1-basic research to clinical research), 5.08 (T2-clinical research to research synthesis), and 0.75 (T3-research synthesis to evidence-based practice) years. A shorter time lag was observed in the Brazilian case when it was possible to compare with other studies. Conclusions: The estimated time lag of biological drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis was determined based on the translational research steps model adapted to the Brazilian context. Brazil has instituted legal frameworks that set deadlines for sanitary registration, health technology assessment (HTA), and the availability of drugs in the SUS, thus, allowing for a reduced stage T2 time lag. Nevertheless, improvements are still required in stages T1 and T2, especially in publishing the results of clinical trials.

Molecular Imaging of Aortic Aneurysm and Its Translational Power for Clinical Risk Assessment.

Aortic aneurysms (AAs) are dilations of the aorta, that are often fatal upon rupture. Diagnostic radiological techniques such as ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) are currently used in clinical practice for early diagnosis as well as clinical follow-up for preemptive surgery of AA and prevention of rupture. However, the contemporary imaging-based risk prediction of aneurysm enlargement or life-threatening aneurysm-rupture remains limited as these are restricted to visual parameters which fail to provide a personalized risk assessment. Therefore, new insights into early diagnostic approaches to detect AA and therefore to prevent aneurysm-rupture are crucial. Multiple new techniques are developed to obtain a more accurate understanding of the biological processes and pathological alterations at a (micro)structural and molecular level of aortic degeneration. Advanced anatomical imaging combined with molecular imaging, such as molecular MRI, or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT provides novel diagnostic approaches for in vivo visualization of targeted biomarkers. This will aid in the understanding of aortic aneurysm disease pathogenesis and insight into the pathways involved, and will thus facilitate early diagnostic analysis of aneurysmal disease. In this study, we reviewed these molecular imaging modalities and their association with aneurysm growth and/or rupture risk and their limitations. Furthermore, we outline recent pre-clinical and clinical developments in molecular imaging of AA and provide future perspectives based on the advancements made within the field. Within the vastness of pre-clinical markers that have been studied in mice, molecular imaging targets such as elastin/collagen, albumin, matrix metalloproteinases and immune cells demonstrate promising results regarding rupture risk assessment within the pre-clinical setting. Subsequently, these markers hold potential as a future diagnosticum of clinical AA assessment. However currently, clinical translation of molecular imaging is still at the onset. Future human trials are required to assess the effectivity of potentially viable molecular markers with various imaging modalities for clinical rupture risk assessment.

[Transversal Health Research Networks, a strategy for translational medicine]. / Redes Transversales de Investigación en Salud: estrategia para la medicina traslacional.

Translational research, in its regulatory function as a current policy for the research activities being performed at the Mexican Institute for Social Security (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social: IMSS), demands a collaborative work among people involved in the generation of knowledge and in those who consume such knowledge. Being an organization who has among its major objectives for almost 80 years the health care of Mexican population, the Institute has an important human capital represented by its physician leaders, researchers and directors, who, by working closely together, will be able to find a better respond to the health care needs of the Mexican population. Through collaborative groups, transversal research networks oriented to the priority health problems of Mexican people are being organized as a strategy whose purpose is making research more efficient and ensuring rapidly applicable results, in order to improve the quality of health care services offered by the Institute, whose commitment is primarily to Mexican society, although the results of this strategy could also be shown to the world, considering that the Institute is one of the largest public health service organizations, at least in Latin America, and its results could be a benchmark for the region. Collaborative work in research networks began more than 15 years ago at IMSS, but today it is being consolidated and its objectives are being reoriented, aligning them with both national policies and those of the Institute itself.

La investigación traslacional, como la política vigente de las actividades de investigación que se realizan en el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), requiere del trabajo colaborativo de los actores involucrados en la generación del conocimiento y de los que consumen el conocimiento. Al ser una organización que tiene como uno de sus principales objetivos la atención a la salud de la población mexicana desde hace casi 80 años, el Instituto cuenta en sus filas con un importante capital humano, representado por sus líderes médicos, investigadores y directivos, que, al trabajar en conjunto, podrán encontrar mejores respuestas a las necesidades de salud de la población mexicana. La organización por medio de grupos colaborativos en redes transversales de investigación orientadas a los problemas prioritarios de salud de los mexicanos es una estrategia que busca que la investigación sea más eficiente y que sus resultados sean prontamente aplicables, a fin de mejorar la calidad de la atención de los servicios de salud que oferta el Instituto, compromiso que se tiene primero con la sociedad mexicana, pero además se puede mostrar al mundo, ya que el Instituto es una de las más grandes organizaciones de servicios de salud pública, al menos en Latinoamérica, por lo que sus resultados pueden ser un referente para la región. El trabajo colaborativo en redes de investigación inició hace más de 15 años en el IMSS, pero hasta el día de hoy se fortalece y se reorientan sus objetivos, los cuales se alinean a las políticas nacionales y a las propias del Instituto.

Impact of economic factors and knowledge translation on public procurement for dental adhesive systems

Abstract: This study aimed to screen the public procurement for dental adhesives in a public health system and evaluate the variables associated with the type and cost of purchased materials. A time series was conducted with secondary data collated from the Brazilian Databank of Healthcare Prices (BDHP). All public procurements for adhesive systems registered from 2010 to 2019 were collated. The frequency of purchase was described, and a multiple linear regression model was used to assess the influence of unit price on predictor variables. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to describe the influence of selected variables on the probability of purchase for different classes of adhesive systems. A total of 2,752 purchases were analyzed, and the total cost of these materials reached US$ 7,022,659.00 in the 10 analyzed years. The 3-step Etch & Rinse adhesives corresponded to 45.63% of the processes, with increased probability of being purchased over time. The process conducted by public universities in recent years, using the auction modality, presented lower unit prices. The year of purchase, the type of institutions, the institution's location, and the procurement modality influenced the procurement process. The performed analyses contribute to the understanding of the variables associated with the procurements for adhesive systems, providing valuable information for rationalizing public expenditure and for implementing evidence-based practices to guarantee cost-effective and clinically effective procedures for users of the Brazilian public healthcare system.

[Effect of the guideline implementation "Risk assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers" of the Registered Nurses'Association of Ontario (RNAO).] / Alcance de la implantación de la guía "Valoración del riesgo y prevención de úlceras por presión" de la Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO).

OBJECTIVE: The Best Practice Spotlight Organizations Program is being developed in Spain to reduce the variability of clinical practice by implementing clinical practice guidelines from the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario. This study described the results of the implementation of the guide "Risk assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers". METHODS: We carried out a retrospective observational study (2015-2018) at the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves on 4,464 patients from 22 hospitalization units, analyzing type of unit, risk assessment, preventive measures, origin and category of ulcers. Descriptive analysis and contingency tables were performed with the Chi-square statistic p<0.05. RESULTS: The patients at risk were 62.2% in medical units, 53.4% in surgical units and 90% in intensive care. The application of preventive measures was 67.9%, 60.2% and 92.1% (respectively) for each unit. In medical units, 13.1% of pressure ulcers were identified, of which 68.1% were present at the time of admission. While in surgical units and intensive care they developed during hospitalization (60.8% and 88.9% respectively) (p<0.001). The presence of ulcers seemed to show a decreasing trend in the years analyzed (19.6% to 11.2%). CONCLUSIONS: There are favorable environments for implantation (medical units and intensive care) that reflect a higher level of risk assessment, use of pressure management surfaces and a decrease in prevalence. The recommendations have not been implemented homogeneously, with differences depending on the type of unit.

OBJETIVO: El Programa Centros Compro-metidos con la Excelencia en Cuidados®, se desarrolla en España, para reducir la variabilidad de la práctica clínica, implantando guías de práctica clínica de la Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario. Este estudio describió los resultados de la implantación de la guía "Valoración del riesgo y prevención de las úlceras por presión". METODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo (2015-2018) en el Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves sobre 4.464 pacientes de 22 unidades de hospitalización, analizando el tipo de unidad, la valoración del riesgo, las medidas preventivas, la procedencia y la categoría de las úlceras. Se realizó análisis descriptivo y tablas de contingencia con el estadístico Chi-cuadrado p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Los pacientes de riesgo fueron el 62,2% en unidades médicas, 53,4% en las quirúrgicas y el 90% en cuidados intensivos. La aplicación de medidas preventivas fue del 67,9%, 60,2% y 92,1% (respectivamente) para cada unidad. En unidades médicas se identificaron un 13,1% de úlceras por presión, de las cuales el 68,1% estaban presentes en el momento del ingreso. Mientras que en unidades quirúrgicas y en cuidados intensivos se desarrollaron durante la hospitalización (60,8% y 88,9% respectivamente) (p<0,001). La presencia de úlceras pareció mostrar una tendencia a la disminución en los años analizados (19,6% a 11,2%). CONCLUSIONES: Existen entornos favorecedores para la implantación (unidades médicas y cuidados intensivos) que reflejan mayor nivel de valoración del riesgo, de utilización de superficies de gestión de la presión y disminución de la prevalencia. No se ha conseguido implantar las recomendaciones de forma homogénea existiendo diferencias en función del tipo de unidad.

Tumor mutational burden assessment in non-small-cell lung cancer samples: results from the TMB2 harmonization project comparing three NGS panels.

BACKGROUND: Tumor mutational burden (TMB) is a recently proposed predictive biomarker for immunotherapy in solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Available assays for TMB determination differ in horizontal coverage, gene content and algorithms, leading to discrepancies in results, impacting patient selection. A harmonization study of TMB assessment with available assays in a cohort of patients with NSCLC is urgently needed. METHODS: We evaluated the TMB assessment obtained with two marketed next generation sequencing panels: TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO500) and Oncomine Tumor Mutation Load (OTML) versus a reference assay (Foundation One, FO) in 96 NSCLC samples. Additionally, we studied the level of agreement among the three methods with respect to PD-L1 expression in tumors, checked the level of different immune infiltrates versus TMB, and performed an inter-laboratory reproducibility study. Finally, adjusted cut-off values were determined. RESULTS: Both panels showed strong agreement with FO, with concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) of 0.933 (95% CI 0.908 to 0.959) for TSO500 and 0.881 (95% CI 0.840 to 0.922) for OTML. The corresponding CCCs were 0.951 (TSO500-FO) and 0.919 (OTML-FO) in tumors with <1% of cells expressing PD-L1 (PD-L1<1%; N=55), and 0.861 (TSO500-FO) and 0.722 (OTML-FO) in tumors with PD-L1≥1% (N=41). Inter-laboratory reproducibility analyses showed higher reproducibility with TSO500. No significant differences were found in terms of immune infiltration versus TMB. Adjusted cut-off values corresponding to 10 muts/Mb with FO needed to be lowered to 7.847 muts/Mb (TSO500) and 8.380 muts/Mb (OTML) to ensure a sensitivity >88%. With these cut-offs, the positive predictive value was 78.57% (95% CI 67.82 to 89.32) and the negative predictive value was 87.50% (95% CI 77.25 to 97.75) for TSO500, while for OTML they were 73.33% (95% CI 62.14 to 84.52) and 86.11% (95% CI 74.81 to 97.41), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both panels exhibited robust analytical performances for TMB assessment, with stronger concordances in patients with negative PD-L1 expression. TSO500 showed a higher inter-laboratory reproducibility. The cut-offs for each assay were lowered to optimal overlap with FO.

What makes a 'successful' collaborative research project between public health practitioners and academics? A mixed-methods review of funding applications submitted to a local intervention evaluation scheme.

BACKGROUND: The national Public Health Practice Evaluation Scheme (PHPES) is a response-mode funded evaluation programme operated by the National Institute for Health Research School for Public Health Research (NIHR SPHR). The scheme enables public health professionals to work in partnership with SPHR researchers to conduct rigorous evaluations of their interventions. Our evaluation reviewed the learning from the first five years of PHPES (2013-2017) and how this was used to implement a revised scheme within the School. METHODS: We conducted a rapid review of applications and reports from 81 PHPES projects and sampled eight projects (including unfunded) to interview one researcher and one practitioner involved in each sampled project (n = 16) in order to identify factors that influence success of applications and effective delivery and dissemination of evaluations. Findings from the review and interviews were tested in an online survey with practitioners (applicants), researchers (principal investigators [PIs]) and PHPES panel members (n = 19) to explore the relative importance of these factors. Findings from the survey were synthesised and discussed for implications at a national workshop with wider stakeholders, including public members (n = 20). RESULTS: Strengths: PHPES provides much needed resources for evaluation which often are not available locally, and produces useful evidence to understand where a programme is not delivering, which can be used to formatively develop interventions. Weaknesses: Objectives of PHPES were too narrowly focused on (cost-)effectiveness of interventions, while practitioners also valued implementation studies and process evaluations. Opportunities: PHPES provided opportunities for novel/promising but less developed ideas. More funded time to develop a protocol and ensure feasibility of the intervention prior to application could increase intervention delivery success rates. Threats: There can be tensions between researchers and practitioners, for example, on the need to show the 'success' of the intervention, on the use of existing research evidence, and the importance of generalisability of findings and of generating peer-reviewed publications. CONCLUSIONS: The success of collaborative research projects between public health practitioners (PHP) and researchers can be improved by funders being mindful of tensions related to (1) the scope of collaborations, (2) local versus national impact, and (3) increasing inequalities in access to funding. Our study and comparisons with related funding schemes demonstrate how these tensions can be successfully resolved.

Clinical Decision Support Systems for Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain in Primary Care: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) may help clinicians prescribe opioids for chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) more appropriately. This scoping review determined the extent and range of the current evidence on CDSSs for opioid prescribing for CNCP in primary care, and whether investigators followed best evidence and current guidance in designing, implementing and evaluating these complex interventions. METHODS: We searched 9 electronic databases and other data sources for studies from January 1, 2008 to October 11, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened the citations. One reviewer extracted data and a second verified for accuracy. INCLUSION CRITERIA: study of a CDSS for opioid prescribing for CNCP in a primary care clinical setting. We reported quantitative results in tables and qualitative results in narrative form. RESULTS: Our search yielded 5068 records, of which 14 studies met our inclusion criteria. All studies were conducted in the United States. Six studies examined local (eg, health center) CDSSs and 8 examined prescription drug monitoring program CDSSs. Three CDSSs incorporated evidence-based components. Study aims were heterogeneous and study designs included both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. No studies assessed patient health outcomes. Few studies appeared to be following guidance for evaluating complex interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Few studies have rigorously assessed the use of CDSSs for opioid prescribing for CNCP in primary care settings. Going forward, investigators should include evidence-based components into the design of CDSSs and follow guidance for the development and evaluation of complex interventions.

Perspectiva Latinoamericana del Modelo Conceptual Conocimiento en Acción de Knowledge Translation / Latin American Perspective of Conceptual Model Knowledge into Action in Knowledge Translation

Introducción: El vacío entre lo que se sabe y lo que se hace es complejo para la toma de decisiones ante las demandas de la práctica diaria de atención a la salud de las personas, familias y comunidades. En ese sentido, la traducción del conocimiento puede ser una estrategia de transformación del conocimiento en acción con la participación del usuario del sistema de salud. Objetivo: Reflexionar acerca del significado, las potencialidades y límites de aplicación del modelo conceptual conocimiento en acción de la estrategia de traducción del conocimiento para transferir conocimientos científicos para el campo de la salud y enfermería. Métodos: Análisis teórico-reflexivo del modelo conceptual de traducción del conocimiento en acción, editado por expertos del área de la salud, de acuerdo con la definición del Instituto Canadiense de Investigación en Salud y adoptado por la OMS y EVIPNET, con aplicación en países latinoamericanos. Esa reflexión fue dividida en tres ejes: significado; modelo conceptual y aplicación en la práctica. Conclusiones: Algunas propuestas de transformación del conocimiento en acción y justicia social han empezado a considerarse en América Latina, tanto en la política como en la práctica clínica. En el campo de la enfermería hay una creciente aplicación del modelo de traducción del conocimiento a la acción, con la utilización de diferentes enfoques de investigación para integrar a los participantes para la producción de nuevas prácticas más eficiente, efectiva, eficaz y segura.(AU)

Introduction: The gap between what is known and what is done makes decision making very complex in front of the daily demands of the health care practice of individuals, families and communities. In this sense, the Knowledge Translation can be a strategy for transforming knowledge into action with the participation of the user of the health system. Objective: present the meaning of Knowledge Translation; describe the model of Knowledge Translation for the transformation of knowledge into action; reflect on the potentialities and limits of application of this model in the transfer of knowledge for health area and nursing practice. Methods: theoretical-reflexive analysis of the conceptual model of knowledge translation into action, edited by health experts, according to the definition of the Canadian Institute of Health Research and adopted by the WHO and EVIPNET, with application in Latin American countries. That reflection was divided into three axes: meaning; conceptual model; and application in practice. Conclusions: Some proposals for the transformation of knowledge into action and social justice have begun to be considered in Latin America, be it in politics or in clinical practice. In the field of Nursing, there is a growing application of the translation model of knowledge in action, with the use of different research approaches to integrate participants for the production of new practices more efficient, effective, efficacious and safe(AU)

Pesquisa Translacional em vitamina A: do ensaio randomizado à intervenção e à avaliação do impacto / Translational Research on vitamin A: from randomized trial to intervention and impact assessment

RESUMO A Pesquisa Translacional é interdisciplinar e está apoiada em três pilares: pesquisa de bancada (básica), leito (aplicações clínicas) e comunidade (aplicações nos sistemas de saúde). O estudo, baseado nos cinco estágios da Pesquisa Translacional, resgatou o histórico da deficiência de vitamina A e da cegueira nutricional no Brasil (T0); o caminho da descoberta científica à escolha da intervenção - suplementação vitamínica (T1); a avaliação da eficácia da intervenção candidata por ensaio randomizado e controlado (T2); a avaliação da implementação e da cobertura na prática (T3); e a avaliação do impacto da intervenção (T4). Para verificar o impacto, aplicou-se a estatística superior de Wald, visando identificar quebras estruturais ao longo da série histórica da mortalidade geral de crianças entre 6 e 59 meses de idade. Para a região Nordeste, que apresentou a maior cobertura programática, o modelo sinalizou três quebras - agosto/1984, junho/1994 e maio/2006 -, nas quais foram estimadas reduções de 10%, 17% e 23%, respectivamente, na ocorrência mensal de óbitos infantis. O processo para a construção do conhecimento sobre a deficiência desta vitamina, a escolha da intervenção, a aplicação deste conhecimento no estabelecimento do Programa Nacional de Suplementação de Vitamina A e a avaliação do seu impacto configuram um exemplo de Pesquisa Translacional em saúde coletiva.

ABSTRACT Translational Research is interdisciplinary and supported by three pillars: bench (basic investigation), bedside (clinical applications) and community (applications in healthcare systems). The study, based on the five stages of translational research, reviewed the history of vitamin A deficiency and nutritional blindness in Brazil (T0); the pathway from scientific discovery to intervention choice - vitamin supplementation (T1); an assessment of the candidate intervention efficacy via randomized controlled trial (T2); the assessment of implementation and coverage in practice (T3) and the intervention impact assessment (T4). To estimate the impact, we applied Wald superior statistics to identify structural breaks along the time series of general mortality of children between 6 and 59 months of age. In the Northeast, region that presents the largest program coverage, the model pointed to three breaks: August/1984, June/1994 and May/2006, in which we estimated reductions of 10%, 17% and 23%, respectively, in the monthly incidence of children´s death. The process to construct knowledge about vitamin A deficiency, the choice of the intervention, the knowledge translation to establish the National Vitamin A Supplementation Program and the evaluation of its impact, constitute an example of translational research in collective health.

Um olhar sobre o Complexo Econômico Industrial da Saúde e a Pesquisa Translacional / A look at the Industrial Economic Health Complex and Translational Research

RESUMO O conceito do Complexo Econômico Industrial da Saúde se inter-relaciona com o conceito de Pesquisa Translacional na medida em que aproxima o desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico do sistema acadêmico produtivo à utilização do conhecimento pela sociedade. Amplia-se o conceito tradicional da 'hélice tríplice' para incluir o uso social da inovação, proporcionando resultados concretos para o setor saúde. Nesta concepção ampliada, a dimensão translacional foi privilegiada: a necessidade de formação da agenda estratégica de plataformas tecnológicas, a indução de especialização em instituições de ciência e tecnologia, a transformação de transferência de tecnologia em capacidade de inovação com resultados para acesso universal no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). A Pesquisa Translacional inclui em uma mesma estratégia o conhecimento e a produção de bens e serviços necessários à saúde e ao bem-estar, assim como o acesso da sociedade a eles, articulando o contexto do desenvolvimento científico, acadêmico e industrial no País. Este trabalho procura explicitar o referencial conceitual, ou seja: reduzir a vulnerabilidade em saúde, permitindo que o conhecimento chegue ao cidadão e que marque a própria agenda de pesquisa e de inovação.

ABSTRACT The concept of the Industrial Economic Complex of Health (Ceis) interrelates with the concept of translational research as it brings the scientific and technological development of the academic-productive system closer to the use of knowledge by the society. The traditional 'triple helix' concept is extended to include the social use of innovation providing concrete results for the health sector. In this broad conception, the translational dimension was privileged: the need for formation of the strategic agenda, technological platforms, induction of specialization in science and technology institutions, transformation of technology transfer into innovation capacity with results for universal access within the Unified Health System (SUS). Translational research includes, in one single strategy, the knowledge and the production of goods and services required for health and welfare, yet making them accessible for the society, articulating the context of scientific, academic and industrial development in the country. This paper is aimed at explaining the reference concept: reducing health vulnerability, allowing knowledge to reach the citizens and setting the agenda for research and innovation.

Commentary: Training and Mentoring the Next Generation of Health Equity Researchers: Insights from the Field.

During August 30-31, 2017, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science (CTRIS) hosted a two-day workshop with thought leaders and experts in the fields of implementation science, prevention science, health inequities research, and training and research workforce development. The workshop addressed critical challenges and compelling questions from the NHLBI Strategic Vision, as well as the Department of Health and Human Services' Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. Participants discussed: best practices for designing and executing implementation research training programs; approaches to increase participation in implementation research to address health inequities; innovative training methods and models, including team science approaches; and best practices for developing and sustaining a cadre of mentors for individuals who conduct implementation research. As part of this workshop, the Saunders-Watkins Memorial Lecture, named posthumously for Dr. Elijah Saunders, a Baltimore cardiologist, and Dr. Levi Watkins, a Baltimore cardiothoracic surgeon, was established. Both men dedicated their lives to patient care, teaching, research, and community service. The lecture honors them for their pioneering efforts to advance health equity for medically underserved communities in the United States and around the globe, at a time when it was neither popular nor safe to do so. The lecture is also designed to stimulate a future generation of researchers committed to advancing health equity research and the elimination of health iniquities. The inaugural lecture was delivered by Lisa A. Cooper, MD, MPH, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor and James F. Fries Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, and inaugural recipient of the American Heart Association's Watkins-Saunders Award, which recognizes excellence in clinical, medical, and community work focused on diminishing health care disparities in Maryland. This article captures the essence of that lecture.

Participatory research-A modernizing science for primary health care.

Participatory research is the science of partnerships underlying research, concerned with research governance, ownership of research products, and relationships behind research objectives and methods. The common strand behind the quite different schools of participatory research is that research should be in respectful partnership with people; it is not about researchers working on, for, or about people. Modern participatory research embraces different philosophies through several applications. The first application addresses research objectives, with participation at different points in the research cycle. Second, modern participatory research is relevant in adaptive management, including management of primary health care. Third, participatory research is a tool for patient engagement and patient-centered outcomes in the clinical context. A fourth application is participatory research as an intervention: Participatory research moves people, and it mobilizes resources and can thus be pivotal to sustainability and for health-promoting intersectoral linkages. As primary health care is a family medicine responsibility, participatory research offers family medicine a valuable toolbox complementing the accepted clinical toolboxes. Through shared identification of problems and decisions about solutions, participatory research increases participant capacity to identify and address their own issues. Among clinicians, it enhances professional practices. In the bigger social picture, all this promotes social justice, self-determination, and knowledge utilization.

Psychopathology Assessment Methods Revisited: On Translational Cross-Validation of Clinical Self-Evaluation Scale and fMRI.

We present in this article a study design that combines clinical self-assessment scale, simultaneously administered with fMRI data acquisition. We have used a standard block-design with two different conditions. Each active block consisted of four text statements (items), alternating diagnostically specific (DS) blocks comprising items from von Zerssen depression scale and diagnostically neutral (DN) blocks with items from a questionnaire about general interests. All items were rated on four degree Likert scale, and patients provided responses with corresponding four buttons during the fMRI session. Our results demonstrated that in healthy controls, contrasting the two types of stimuli yielded no residual activations, e.g., the DS did not produce significantly different activations compared to the DN stimuli. Furthermore, the correlation analyses did not find a relationship between brain activations and the total score of the DS statements in this group. However, contrasting the DS stimuli to the DN stimuli in the patients produced significant residual activations in several brain regions: right pre- and postcentral gyrus (including right supramarginal gyrus), left middle frontal gyrus, triangular part of the left inferior frontal gyrus and middle temporal gyrus. The left precuneus demonstrated correlations with the patients' DS score. In the between-group comparisons, we found residual activations in the right pre- and postcentral gyrus, right supplementary motor area, medial segment of the right precentral gyrus, right superior parietal lobule, left middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left occipital pole. Our results confirm the possibility of translational cross-validation of a clinical psychological test (von Zerssen's depression scale) and fMRI. At this stage, however, we can only confirm the sensitivity of the method (its ability to distinguish healthy controls from depressed patients), but we cannot conclude anything about its specificity (distinction from different psychopathology conditions).

Changing practice in the assessment and treatment of somatosensory loss in stroke survivors: protocol for a knowledge translation study.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of somatosensory loss in the upper limb after stroke has been historically overshadowed by therapy focused on motor recovery. A double-blind randomized controlled trial has demonstrated the effectiveness of SENSe (Study of the Effectiveness of Neurorehabilitation on Sensation) therapy to retrain somatosensory discrimination after stroke. Given the acknowledged prevalence of upper limb sensory loss after stroke and the evidence-practice gap that exists in this area, effort is required to translate the published research to clinical practice. The aim of this study is to determine whether evidence-based knowledge translation strategies change the practice of occupational therapists and physiotherapists in the assessment and treatment of sensory loss of the upper limb after stroke to improve patient outcomes. METHOD/DESIGN: A pragmatic, before-after study design involving eight (n = 8) Australian health organizations, specifically sub-acute and community rehabilitation facilities. Stroke survivors (n = 144) and occupational therapists and physiotherapists (~10 per site, ~n = 80) will be involved in the study. Stroke survivors will be provided with SENSe therapy or usual care. Occupational therapists and physiotherapists will be provided with a multi-component approach to knowledge translation including i) tailoring of the implementation intervention to site-specific barriers and enablers, ii) interactive group training workshops, iii) establishing and fostering champion therapists and iv) provision of written educational materials and online resources. Outcome measures for occupational therapists and physiotherapists will be pre- and post-implementation questionnaires and audits of medical records. The primary outcome for stroke survivors will be change in upper limb somatosensory function, measured using a standardized composite measure. DISCUSSION: This study will provide evidence and a template for knowledge translation in clinical, organizational and policy contexts in stroke rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) retrospective registration ACTRN12615000933550 .

A quantitative, multi-national and multi-stakeholder assessment of barriers to the adoption of cell therapies.

Cellular therapies, such as stem cell-based treatments, have been widely researched and numerous products and treatments have been developed. Despite this, there has been relatively limited use of these technologies in the healthcare sector. This study sought to investigate the perceived barriers to this more widespread adoption. An anonymous online questionnaire was developed, based on the findings of a pilot study. This was distributed to an audience of clinicians, researchers and commercial experts in 13 countries. The results were analysed for all respondents, and also sub-grouped by geographical region, and by profession of respondents. The results of the study showed that the most significant barrier was manufacturing, with other factors such as efficacy, regulation and cost-effectiveness being identified by the different groups. This study further demonstrates the need for these important issues to be addressed during the development of cellular therapies to enable more widespread adoption of these treatments.

Health Extension and Clinical and Translational Science: An Innovative Strategy for Community Engagement.

Health Extension Regional Officers (HEROs) through the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center (UNMHSC) help to facilitate university-community engagement throughout New Mexico. HEROs, based in communities across the state, link priority community health needs with university resources in education, service, and research. Researchers' studies are usually aligned with federal funding priorities rather than with health priorities expressed by communities. To help overcome this misalignment, the UNM Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC) provides partial funding for HEROs to bridge the divide between research priorities of UNMHSC and health priorities of the state's communities. A bidirectional partnership between HEROs and CTSC researchers was established, which led to: 1) increased community engaged studies through the CTSC, 2) the HERO model itself as a subject of research, 3) a HERO-driven increase in local capacity in scholarship and grant writing, and 4) development of training modules for investigators and community stakeholders on community-engaged research. As a result, 5 grants were submitted, 4 of which were funded, totaling $7,409,002.00, and 3 research articles were published. Health extension can serve as a university-funded, community-based bridge between community health needs and Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) research capacity, opening avenues for translational research.