Every life has equal value.

The 2013 Lasker∼Bloomberg Public Service Award will be given to Bill and Melinda Gates "for leading an historic transformation in the way we view the globe's most pressing health concerns and improving the lives of millions of the world's most vulnerable."

Enhancing Kidney Transplantation and the Role of Xenografts: Report of a Scientific Workshop Sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation.

Chronic kidney disease affects an estimated 37 million people in the United States; of these,>800,000 have end-stage renal disease requiring chronic dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Despite efforts to increase the donor kidney supply, approximately 100,000 people are registered on the kidney transplant wait-list with no measurable decrease over the past 2 decades. The outcomes of kidney transplantation are significantly better than for chronic dialysis: kidney transplant recipients have lower rates of mortality and cardiovascular events and better quality of life, but wait-list time matters. Time on dialysis waiting for a deceased-donor kidney is a strong independent risk factor for outcomes after a kidney transplant. Deceased-donor recipients with wait-list times on dialysis of<6 months have graft survival rates equivalent to living-donor recipients with waitlist times on dialysis of>2 years. In 2021,>12,000 people had been on the kidney transplant waitlist for ≥5 years. As the gap between the demand for and availability of donor kidneys for allotransplantation continues to widen, alternative strategies are needed to provide a stable, sufficient, and timely supply. A strategy that is gaining momentum toward clinical application is pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation. This report summarizes the proceedings of a meeting convened on April 11-12, 2022, by the National Kidney Foundation to review and assess the state of pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation as a potential cure for end-stage renal disease.

Examining who is conducting and leading National Institute of Health-funded research in U.S. schools of nursing.

BACKGROUND: Nursing science is essential for generating a unique body of knowledge that is foundational to the academic discipline of nursing. PURPOSE: The goal of this analysis is to detail the education and licensing of faculty and leadership in research-intensive schools of nursing and to present the current data on the National Institute of Health (NIH) funding patterns in schools of nursing. METHODS: The faculty composition analysis focused on the 40 U.S. schools of nursing receiving the most NIH funding through faculty serving as PIs on grants awarded in 2023. For the NIH funding patterns analysis, data were extracted from the NIH RePORTER database. DISCUSSION: Of the top 30 NIH-funded Schools of Nursing, all the Deans and Associate Deans of Academic Affairs are educated or licensed as nurses; whereas only 55% of Associate Deans of Research are educated or licensed as nurses. In 2022, nearly half of the top-ranked schools of nursing had less than half of their NIH funding awarded to faculty who are trained and licensed as nurses CONLUSION: The current trends in the research enterprise in schools of nursing implore us to assess if we are adequately training nurses to advance nursing science and more importantly to serve as leaders of nursing science.

Scholars' experiences with faculty mentoring: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars Program.

BACKGROUND: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program supported nurses to complete PhDs in 3 years. Support mechanisms included mentoring by the program office and school faculty, and leadership development activities. PURPOSE: To describe scholars' perspectives of mentoring received by faculty during the accelerated timeline. METHODS: Of 201 scholars, 157 (78%) completed exit surveys, providing qualitative data on their experiences working with faculty mentors. DISCUSSION: Scholars highlighted strong mentorship (i.e., accessibility, emotional support) as the most important facilitator to program completion. Mentor challenges were identified as the second-most mentioned barrier to success, while the first was the accelerated timeline. CONCLUSION: The scholars' most-reported mentor-provided facilitators to success were availability and emotional support. Among scholars who noted barriers to their success caused by their mentor relationship, the most-reported issue was lack of access to their mentors.

The Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF): A 30-Year Retrospective Analysis.

Federal government research grants provide limited funding to plastic surgeon-scientists, with reconstructive research taking precedence over aesthetic research. The Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to support innovative, diverse research endeavors within aesthetic surgery. A total of 130 ASERF-funded studies and 32 non-funded applications from 1992 to 2022 were reviewed. Kruskal Wallis, Fisher's exact, and chi-squared tests were utilized to assess the potential relationship between self-identified gender, practice setting, geographical location, and study type with individual grant amounts and grant funding decision. Although significant differences were observed between male and female grant recipient h-indices (P < .05), there were no differences in the amount of funding they received (P > .05). Grant amounts were also consistent between study types as well as principal investigator practice settings and geographical locations (P > .05). The subanalysis revealed that the practice setting of the primary investigator (PI) was the only variable to exhibit a significant association with the decision to award funding (P < .05). Further, of the 61 applicants between 2017 and 2022, only 2 PIs self-identified as female. ASERF serves as an excellent funding source for global aesthetic surgery. To promote further research diversification, increased emphasis should be placed on recruiting applicants from outside academia and those who identify as female or gender nonbinary.

Practice of Mammography in a Private Nigerian Cancer Foundation: Our Experience.

BACKGROUND: Despite the proven effectiveness of mammography in screening and early breast cancer detection, there is still a huge disparity in both access to breast care and the quality of services provided in Nigeria. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have attempted to bridge this gap through awareness campaigns and subsidized breast imaging services. OBJECTIVES: To document the mammographic findings of adult females in a private NGO and assess the benefits of mammography practice in our locality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective evaluation of mammographic examinations carried out over a two-year period (January 2020- December 2021) in a private cancer foundation in Abuja, Nor t h Ce nt r al Nigeria. Demographic details, clinical and mammographic features were analyzed with a statistical level of significance set at p≤0.05. RESULT: The age range of 565 women evaluated in this study was 31-84 years with the majority (55.7%) of them in the 40-49 year range. More than half (52.7%) of the women had had at least one previous mammogram. Screening was the predominant indication for mammograms in 361 women (63.9%) while 204(36.1%) were symptomatic. Breast pain (59.6%) and breast lump (26.3%) were the most common clinical indications. The predominant breast density pattern was the American College of Radiologists Breast Imaging and Reporting Data System (ACR BIRADS) type B (Scattered fibroglandular densities) in 241 women (42.7%). Mammogram was normal in 206 women (34.7%) while 52 (8.8%) had intraparenchymal findings. The final assessment showed that most of the mammograms were BIRADS category 1(69.6%) and 2(13.8%) signifying normal and benign findings. Body mass index, parity, age at first pregnancy, menopausal status, and breast density had significant relationships with the final BIRADS category. CONCLUSION: Mammography is an invaluable part of breast care in our locality. Evaluation of mammographic services in our private NGO showed a predominance of screening mammography while a majority of the women with symptomatic breast diseases had normal and benign findings.

CONTEXTE: Malgré l'efficacité avérée de la mammographie dans le dépistage et la détection précoce du cancer du sein, il existe encore une énorme disparité tant dans l'accès aux soins du sein que dans la qualité des services fournis au Nigeria. Les organisations non gouvernementales (ONG) ont tenté de combler cette lacune grâce à des campagnes de sensibilisation et à des services d'imagerie mammaire subventionnés. OBJECTIFS: Documenter les résultats mammographiques des femmes adultes dans une ONG privée et évaluer les avantages de la pratique de la mammographie dans notre localité. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une évaluation rétrospective des examens mammographiques réalisés sur une période de deux ans (janvier 2020 - décembre 2021) dans une fondation de lutte contre le cancer privée à Abuja, au Nigeria. Les détails démographiques, les caractéristiques cliniques et mammographiques ont été analysés avec un niveau de signification statistique fixé à p ≤ 0,05. RÉSULTAT: La tranche d'âge des 565 femmes évaluées dans cette étude était de 31 à 84 ans, la majorité (55,7 %) d'entre elles se situant dans la tranche d'âge de 40 à 49 ans. Plus de la moitié (52,7 %) des femmes avaient déjà subi au moins une mammographie précédente. Le dépistage était l'indication prédominante pour les mammographies chez 361 femmes (63,9 %), tandis que 204 (36,1 %) étaient symptomatiques. Les douleurs mammaires (59,6 %) et les masses mammaires (26,3 %) étaient les indications cliniques les plus courantes. Le motif de densité mammaire prédominant était de type B du système de notation et de rapport d'imagerie mammaire du Collège Américain des Radiologues (ACR BIRADS) chez 241 femmes (42,7 %). La mammographie était normale chez 206 femmes ( 34, 7 %) , t andi s que 52 ( 8, 8 %) présent ai ent des anomal i es intraparenchymateuses. L'évaluation finale a montré que la plupart des mammographies étaient classées BIRADS catégorie 1 (69,6 %) et 2 (13,8 %), ce qui signifie des résultats normaux et bénins. L'indice de masse corporelle, la parité, l'âge à la première grossesse, le statut ménopausique et la densité mammaire avaient des relations significatives avec la catégorie BIRADS finale. CONCLUSION: La mammographie est un élément inestimable des soins du sein dans notre localité. L'évaluation des services mammographiques dans notre ONG privée a montré une prédominance de la mammographie de dépistage, tandis que la majorité des femmes atteintes de maladies mammaires symptomatiques présentaient des résultats normaux et bénins. MOTS-CLÉS: Mammographie, Femmes, Nigeria, Soins du sein, Imagerie mammaire, Organisation non gouvernementale.

Special Issue "Commemorative Issue Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America: Understanding and Treating Alzheimer's Disease".

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in older persons [...].

Basic situation and trend analysis in heart transplantation research funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

INTRODUCTION: This study analyzes heart transplantation funding provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) between 1986 and 2022. The findings offer an objective and scientific reference for heart transplantation research. METHODS: CiteSpace visualization was used to present keywords in heart transplantation research. RESULTS: From 1986 to 2022, the NFSC disbursed ¥117.68 million to fund 259 projects related to heart transplantation. Hubei, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong, and Heilongjiang received the most funding. General and youth science fund projects accounted for 58.69% and 30.50%, respectively. The main discipline category was organ transplantation and transplantation immunity, accounting for 40.93%. Research hotspots included "immune tolerance," "rejection reaction," "t cell" "dendritic cell," "stem cell," and "transplantation tolerance." Research foci were "rejection reaction," "heart failure," "immune tolerance," "heart transplantation," "stem cell," "suppressor cell," "dendritic cell," "dilated cardiomyopathy," and "t cell." In the past 5 years, the research frontier has targeted "transplantation tolerance," "ischemia-reperfusion injury," and "heart transplantation." CONCLUSION: Continuous NSFC funding for heart transplantation research has promoted the development of disciplines and cultivation of talent. Novel technologies (e.g., artificial hearts and donor maintenance) have generated new requirements for heart transplantation research.

Nurse scholars of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program.

BACKGROUND: The challenge to increase the diversity, inclusivity, and equity of nurse scientists is a critical issue to enhance nursing knowledge development, health care, health equity, and health outcomes in the United States. PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the current nurse scholars in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program (AMFDP). DISCUSSION: Profiles and the programs of research and scholarship of the current AMFDP nurse scholars are described and discussed. Scholars share lessons learned, and how the AMFDP program has influenced their thinking and commitments to future action in service of nursing science, diversity efforts, legacy leadership, issues of health equity. CONCLUSION: RWJF has a history of supporting the development of nursing scholars. AMFDP is an example of legacy leadership program that contributes to a culture of health and the development of next-generation nursing science scholars.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program: An overview.

BACKGROUND: Following the 2010 report, "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health," Robert Wood Johnson Foundation created the Future of Nursing Scholars program to increase the number of PhD-prepared nurses who could assume leadership roles earlier in their careers by shortening the PhD education trajectory and developing leadership skills. PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to describe the state of the field at program launch, the program development, and operations. METHODS: A descriptive narrative was used, which relied on literature review focused on nursing PhD program completion and presentation of FNS program objectives and findings. FINDINGS: Nurses from 46 schools pursued their PhDs as Future of Nursing Scholars. As of May 1, 2022, 181 scholars graduated with 20 scholars still enrolled. Preliminary results suggest accelerate PhD programs featuring intensive mentoring and financial support can produce well-prepared nurse researchers ready for postdoctoral positions and leadership roles. DISCUSSION: Program attributes including financial support and leadership development initiatives may be replicated.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program: The scholar experience.

BACKGROUND: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program used multi-pronged approach to support nurses completing accelerated PhD programs. PURPOSE: The purpose of this manuscript was to describe scholars' experiences completing PhDs, their dissertation characteristics, program leadership development sessions, scholar perceptions of program components. METHODS: Of 201 scholars, 157 (78%) completed quantitative exit surveys, providing: satisfaction with doctoral programs and FNS curricula, types of dissertation data used, dissertation formats. Interviews held with five scholars to capture representative themes. FINDINGS: Scholars utilized primary and secondary data for dissertations; 53% primarily used secondary data. The majority (68%) used manuscript dissertation formats. Approximately 64% completely agreed program curricula helped prepare them for professional transitions, to work collaboratively, lead confidently. Proportion of FNS graduates (42%) pursuing postdoctoral positions exceeded national trends. DISCUSSION: Despite stresses posed by accelerated PhD programs, scholars are well-situated to advance nursing science. Findings suggest secondary data analyses work well for accelerated programs. Scholar program experiences were positive.

A Conversation with Tom Lawrence, President & CEO of The Leon Levine Foundation.

The Leon Levine Foundation provides funding to health care, human services, and education nonprofits throughout North and South Carolina, with a focus on supporting self-reliance and Jewish values. The North Carolina Medical Journal sat down with President & CEO Tom Lawrence to learn how the Foundation is addressing health disparities.

[Researchers' Knowledge About the Ethical Norms of National Natural Science Foundation of China Funded Medical Research:Current Status and Suggestions].

Objective To understand the current status of Chinese medical researchers' knowledge regarding the ethical norms of the research involving humans or laboratory animals,and provide reference for further improving the ethics review norms. Methods The questionnaire method was employed to survey the applicants for the 2019 projects supported by the Department of Medical Sciences,National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) about their knowledge of ethical requirements.Furthermore,the ethical supervision of the NSFC and affiliations at the project application and implementation stages was analyzed. Results The survey showed that 29.9% medical researchers were familiar with NSFC's ethical requirements for research involving human or laboratory animals.During the project application stage,59.0% affiliations adopted the simplified review method.Regarding the ethical supervison,95.5% medical researchers believed that the affiliations should fulfill the ethical supervision obligations and take relevant measures during the project implementation period.In addition,55.0% medical researchers fully agreed to discuss with the review experts about the ethical issues involved in the project. Conclusions The NSFC should establish rules and regulations to improve institutional management responsibilities and institutionalize the training about research ethics to comprehensively strengthening the training.Taking the management of research project ethics as a starting point,the NSFC should form a multi-party linkage between project funding and management and establish an accountability mechanism for ethics management.Furthermore,the NSFC should double the endeavors at the review of ethical issues during expert review and process management and attach importance to the research,judgment,and prevention of ethical risks.

The Preeclampsia Foundation: the voice and views of the patient and her family.

Preeclampsia is a disease exclusive to pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period, occurring in 4.6% of pregnancies worldwide. Preeclampsia and other gestational hypertensive disorders can affect any pregnant woman. The consequences of developing this disease can lead to severe maternal and neonatal morbidities and mortalities, including fetal growth restriction, placental abruption, preterm birth, stillbirth, and maternal death. When pregnant women recover, they are at higher risk of long-term complications such as hypertension, stroke, heart failure, renal disease, and Alzheimer disease. The consequences extend to the offspring because they are at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, and female offspring are at greater risk of developing preeclampsia when they become pregnant. For society, preeclampsia presents an economic burden related to the additional healthcare costs associated with low birthweight, prematurity, and adverse outcomes to the mother and baby. This article shares the unique perspective of affected women and their families, the effect preeclampsia has on us, and what we hope the healthcare system can deliver for our sisters and daughters in the future. Patients and their families established the Preeclampsia Foundation 21 years ago. Devoted to education and patient advocacy to raise awareness, improve healthcare practices, and catalyze research, we share some of the Foundation's realized strategies and achievements. We tell you our stories and struggles, and we issue a call to action for all stakeholders to help fulfill our vision for a world where hypertensive disorders of pregnancy no longer threaten the lives of mothers and their babies.