Sickle Cell Disease Resource Revised

The NHLBI recently released the fourth edition of The Management of Sickle Cell Disease, a reference for health care providers who treat patients who have sickle cell disease. The revised book incorporates information gathered since publication of the third edition in 1995, particularly in the areas of stroke prevention, stem cell transplantation, and fetal hemoglobin induction in school-age children. Developed by physicians, nurses, psychologists, and social workers who specialize in the care of children and adults with sickle cell disease, it describes current approaches to counseling and to management of many disease complications. Health professionals, as well as families and patients who cope with the complexities of sickle cell disease on a daily basis, are encouraged to download a free copy of the publication.

Update on National Asthma Guidelines Released

The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) has issued an update on selected topics in the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. The guidelines now recommend inhaled corticosteroids as a safe, effective, and preferred first-line therapy for both children and adults with persistent asthma.

The updated recommendations reflect recent research advances. "We have learned a lot about the effectiveness and safety of inhaled steroids in the past few years," said Dr. William Busse, professor at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and chair of the NAEPP Expert Panel. "We have also found that inhaled steroids alone may not be sufficient in all cases."

"NHLBI is committed to ensuring that asthma patients benefit from the latest research findings," said NHLBI Director Dr. Claude Lenfant. "Asthma is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the United States, and the number of Americans who suffer from asthma continues to rise. It is essential that they are treated according to the best available scientific evidence, and this update brings such evidence to clinical practice."

Coordinated by the NHLBI, the NAEPP Coordinating Committee is composed of 40 major medical associations and voluntary health organizations, plus numerous federal agencies.

The NAEPP Expert Panel Report: Update on Select Topics 2002 is available online. Other professional and patient education materials are available at the NAEPP Asthma Coalition Exchange; the site also contains information about NAEPP activities with community groups.

New NHLBI Research Initiatives

From time to time, the NHLBI invites investigators to submit grant applications or contract proposals for specific research programs. We are currently soliciting applications for the following programs. For a full details of these and other research initiatives, visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/inits/index.htm or the Web page that is linked each initiative number.

Animal Models of Organ-specific Tolerance for Heart and Lung Transplantation

• Initiative Number: PA-02-044
• Applications are accepted for February 1, June 1, and October 1 deadlines each year.
• Objectives: To encourage development of organ-specific tolerance protocols using large animal models for heart transplantation and both large and small animal models for lung transplantation.

Asthma Clinical Research Network

• Initiative Number: RFA-HL-02-029
• Applications are due October 24, 2002.
• Objectives: To invite applications for participation in a cooperative research network to evaluate current and novel therapies and management strategies for adult asthma.

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

• Initiative Number: PA-00-043
• Applications are accepted for February 1, June 1, and October 1 deadlines each year.
• Objectives: To promote research to elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the unique vascular remodeling that characterizes PPH and in the regulation of vascular tone during its development.

Functional Tissue Engineering for Heart, Vascular, Lung, Blood, and Sleep Disorders and Diseases

• Initiative Number: PAR-01-006
• Phase II applications are accepted for the following deadlines: March 13, 2003 and March 12, 2004.
• Objectives: To stimulate development of biological substitutes for damaged tissues and organs and exploration of novel approaches to tissue remodeling.

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) Cardiovascular Toxicities

• Initiative Number: RFA-HL-02-028
• Applications are due February 19, 2003.
• Objectives: To support basic research to elucidate how nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and protease inhibitors affect the development of cardiovascular disease.

Pathogenesis and Treatment of Lymphedema

• Initiative Number: PA-01-035
• Applications are accepted for February 1, June 1, and October 1 deadlines each year.
• Objectives: To stimulate research on the biology of the lymphatic system; the underlying developmental, cellular, and molecular mechanisms that cause lymphedema; and new therapeutic interventions for patients with primary and secondary lymphedema.

Pathophysiology and Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

• Initiative Number: PA-02-034
• Applications are accepted for February 1, June 1, and October 1 deadlines each year.
• Objectives: To provide a better understanding of CFS pathogenesis and pathophysiology with the goal of improving diagnostic and intervention strategies.

Physical Activity and Obesity Across Chronic Diseases

• Initiative Number: PA-01-017
• Applications are accepted for February 1, June 1, and October 1 deadlines each year.
• Objectives: To examine relationships between physical activity and obesity, to improve methodology of assessment of physical activity and energy balance, and to test interventions that incorporate physical activity for obesity prevention or treatment related to chronic diseases.

Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

• Initiative Number: PA-01-086
• Applications are accepted for February 1, June 1, and October 1 deadlines each year.
• Objectives: To enhance understanding of and develop treatments for restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder.

SBIR/STTR Technologies for Monitoring and Performing Resuscitation

• Initiative Number: PA-01-054
• Applications are accepted for February 1, June 1, and October 1 deadlines each year.
• Objectives: To improve monitoring of molecular or physical derangements associated with circulatory, hypoxemic, or traumatic arrest and to elucidate the unique pathophysiology of irreversible injury following multiple organ ischemia and reperfusion.

Specialized Centers of Clinically Oriented Research (SCCOR) in Pediatric Heart Development and Disease

• Initiative Number: RFA-HL-02-027
• Applications are due January 16, 2003.
• Objectives: To stimulate research that will aid in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of congenital cardiovascular malformations, pediatric arrhythmias, conduction disturbances, disorders of myocardial function, and acquired pediatric cardiac diseases.

Specialized Centers of Clinically Oriented Research (SCCOR) in Translational Research in Acute Lung Injury

• Initiative Number: RFA-HL-02-014
• Applications are due October 11, 2002.
• Objectives: To support clinical and basic research that will have a positive impact on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Specialized Centers of Research (SCOR) in Neurobiology of Sleep and Sleep Apnea and Airway Biology and Pathogenesis of Cystic Fibrosis

• Initiative Number: RFA-HL-02-013
• Applications are due October 11, 2002.
• Objectives: To support basic and clinical research that will aid in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of sleep and cystic fibrosis.

Structural Biology of Membrane Proteins SBIR/STTR

• Initiative Number: PA-02-108
• Applications are accepted for April 1, August 1, and December 1 deadlines each year.
• Objectives: To stimulate development of tools needed to determine the structures of membrane proteins at atomic resolution.

Spotlight on Our Web Site

Play Mission Z with the NHLBI Star Sleeper

Soon you can prevent aliens from depriving the Earth of restful sleep by joining the Star Sleeper squad. This is the challenge of Mission Z, an exciting section of the revamped Garfield Star Sleeper Web site to be released this fall. Sponsored by the NHLBI's National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, the site is part of the "Star Sleeper Campaign" that is educating children ages 7-11 and their parents, teachers, and health care providers about the importance of at least 9 hours of sleep each night.

The new Garfield Star Sleeper Web pages will include special sections for parents, educators, and health care professionals, as well as for young children. In addition to interactive games, it includes Garfield Star Sleeper screen savers, tips for parents on how to help their children get a good night's sleep, materials for teachers to use in the classroom or give to parents, and even handouts that pediatricians can give to patients.

Elsewhere at NIH.gov

Check out the newly redesigned National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Web site for an array of information on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices and research. With growing attention being paid to the field of CAM, the NCCAM Web site provides consumers and professionals with up-to-date and reliable information along with easy-to-use resources.

Need More Information?

For health related questions and publications, please contact the trained information specialists at the NHLBI Information Center.