Volume 26 Number 5 | Stony Brook, NY | < November 2016 > |
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![]() Sadly, we must bid a fond farewell to Helene Benveniste, MD, PhD, who is leaving Stony Brook Anesthesiology for an appointment at Yale University in New Haven. Helene was recruited to our department as a Full Professor by Dr. Peter Glass in 2001. She was appointed as Vice Chair for Research in 2009. When she came to Stony Brook, Helene was also appointed as Scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Not only did she maintain her research labs at BNL, but she also served the Labs in several positions including Chair of the Medical Department, Interim Associate Laboratory Director for Life Sciences and Director of the BNL-SBU 9.4T microMRI Laboratory. Helene has over 90 peer-reviewed publications almost two thirds of which are from her work at Stony Brook. Her earliest research, monitoring changes in brain concentrations of glutamate and aspartate during ischemia, has continued to be a theme in her recent research. However, her research tools have changed in sensitivity and invasiveness from intracerebral microdialysis to high field magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, her fields of investigation have become more sophisticated and include metabolomics and glymphatic fluid transport. Helene’s research has been geared towards translation for improved patient care. Dr. Benveniste has been very successful at generating extramural support for her research. Her support has come from the NIH, the Department of Energy, the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research, Office of National Drug Control Policy and the New York State Spinal Cord Injury Program. Dr. Benveniste supported the efforts of faculty members to participate in investigator initiated clinical research projects. She helped spur the efforts of the Departments of Surgery and Pathology to develop the Surgical Quality Improvement Program (SQIP) and the associated database. She continued the annual Academic Research Evening program with keynote speakers such as the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Dr. Nora Volkow and Dr. Henrik Kehlet, the pioneer of Fast-track Surgery. Dr. Benveniste maintains several collaborations here at Stony Brook, so it is likely that you will occasionally see her in the hallways of the department. In the meantime, we wish Helene much success in her new appointment! T J Gan, MD, MHS, FRCA I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Helene for building up the research portfolio in the department. She has contributed significantly to its success during her tenure. As Vice Chair for Basic Research, she played a major role in mentoring younger faculty, helped recruit new investigators to the department and had achieved unparalleled successes in her own field of research. We will miss her but wish her continued success in the future and hope she will continue to interact and collaborate with our faculty through her role as an Adjunct Professor of the department. ![]() |
Stephen Vitkun, MD, MBA, PhD
![]() ![]() Saturday December 10th 2016 (PGA Saturday) from 5 to 7pm Venue: The Yale Club, NYC All Stony Brook Anesthesiology Faculty, Residents and Alumni are invited to attend. Please spread the word to the alumni you know! RSVP to Ms. Martha O'Brien by email or phone 631-444-2904 by November 28. ![]() |
Shivam Shodhan, MD
Chicago! What can we say about this beautiful city? Not enough! Home to one of the best food, cultural destinations, and a place with so much to offer, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) hosted the 2016 Anesthesiology Meeting at McCormick Place.
With close to 30 posters and a multitude of workshops, panels, and lectures, Stony Brook Medicine's Department of Anesthesiology represented themselves very well and held their own amongst the various other institutions. Our attendings were involved in all aspects of the conference from the Society for Education in Anesthesia meeting, to Airway Workshops, to an innovative Nasal TSE-PAP Mask exhibit, to multiple Enhanced Recovery After Surgery related presentations, and plenty in between! Meanwhile, our residents and research fellow participated through medically challenging cases which covered the whole spectrum of our field (regional, pediatrics, obstetrics, pain management, cardiovascular). Lastly, both of our summer FAER students proudly represented us with their posters and oral presentation. ![]() We all are looking forward to the 2017 ASA Anesthesiology Meeting in Boston, MA! Be sure to check out all the photos from the conference in the department photo gallery ASA 2016 (Chicago)! ![]() |
Shivam Shodhan, MD and Ursula Landman, DO
![]() Dr. Justin Smith presented a study on glomerular filtration rate as predictors of outcome after surgery by the Mooney et al. The systematic review and meta-analysis found that estimated GFR rate less than 60ml/min was associated with a 3 fold increase in 30 day mortality. Additionally, there was a strong nonlinear mortality at lower preoperative estimate glomerular filtration rates, and a relationship with eGFR in both short and long term prognosis after cardiac and vascular surgery. Renal function declines with age and can be associated with other conditions such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Lower eGFR is a consequence and cause of reduced left ventricular stroke volume and heart failure. Overall, the data supports use of eGFR as an indicator of the risk of postoperative complications after cardiac and vascular surgery. Dr. Anupam Sharma reviewed a paper on PONV in the evaluation of nitrous oxide by Myles et al. This study found that an increased risk of PONV with nitrous oxide is nearly eliminated by anti-emetic prophylaxis. Severe PONV occurs in 10% and is seen to have postoperative fever, poor recovery quality and prolonged hospital stay. It was noted that this study gave a backhanded conclusion by noting there is PONV with nitrous and how medication can alleviate it. Interestingly, it was reviewed that nitrous oxide has been in use for over >150 yrs and currently many sway from using it. Dr. Rany Makaryus continued his multi-part statistical review series, focusing on Meta Analysis this session. The different types of studies that might be included in a meta-analysis are: case controlled, case selection and cohort. The main objectives of a meta-analysis are: to summarize and integrate results from a number of individual studies, analyze their differences, determine whether additional studies are needed and to generate new hypotheses. Problems associated with meta-analysis are: publication bias , search bias in the identification phase, and selection bias in the selection phase. Kindly, refer to the Journal Club web page for details about the papers discussed at this and past Journal Clubs. ![]() |
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James P. Dilger, PhD![]() I was a consultant for Suselle Contreras, a senior at Brentwood High School and Sarah Adamo, a junior at Smithtown West High School. Their high school science advisor, Dr. Joanne Figueiredo, asked for my advice regarding nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These young women worked on the sea anemone Nematostella vectenis and observed a peristaltic behavior that can be modulated by nicotine and some neurotransmitters. The anemone is one of the most primitive organisms for which a complete gene sequencing has been done. Sarah and Suselle searched the sequence to identify possible genes underlying the behavior. Just last week, they were announced as Regional Finalists in the prestigious Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology! Anjali Verma, a senior at Kings Park High School, worked with me on a synaptic simulation project that was inspired by the cannabinoid receptor research of Dr. Martin Kaczocha. Anjali constructed a computer model of two neurons (pre- and post-synaptic) and four astrocytes. She incorporated key molecules such as the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), fatty acid binding protein, cannabinoid receptors and the enzyme that hydrolyses 2-AG. She then used simulation to assess the role of astrocytes in regulating receptor activity in the presynaptic neuron. Anjali is currently preparing a paper on her findings to submit to the Regeneron Science Talent Search (formerly supported by Intel). ![]() |
James P. Dilger, PhD![]() ![]() |
Shivam Shodhan, MD
Our department's very own Snake Pit celebrated yet another memorable holiday this year! Halloween, also known as All Hallows’ Eve, is a day to embrace our inner kid and love for chocolate. We had some great costumes this year including kitty cats, cowboy, lumberjack, witch, voluptuous woman, M&M pack, bunny, and lanyard man amongst others! With a nice spread of dishes from devil eyeball eggs to gourmet seasonal cookies, faculty and staff gathered to enjoy the eerie music tracks and each other's company!
![]() Check out the photos here: Snake Pit's Halloween Party 2016! ![]() |
Shivam Shodhan, MD
We are deep into the 2016 Presidential Election process with Election Day right around the corner on November 8th! Whether you are rooting for Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, or a third-party candidate, please be sure to vote this year!
Remember, voting day will not only affect the future of our economy, healthcare, and country as a whole, but also it will also affect our state with regards to your the U.S. Senators and House of Representatives. ![]() ![]() |
SleepTalker, the Stony Brook Anesthesiology Newsletter is published by the Department of Anesthesiology
Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY Tong Joo Gan, M.D., Chairman Editorial Board: James P. Dilger, Ph.D.; Stephen A. Vitkun, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D.; Marisa Barone-Citrano, M.A.; Shivam Shodhan, M.D. |