Funding

LIVOPT -- LIVer cirrhosis - Optimizing Prediction of Patient OuTcomes

• NUTORC Collaborators: Daniela Ladner (Co-Investigator), Sanjay Mehotra (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Institute on Aging
• Grant Number: 1R01AG070194-01
• Description of Study: The aim of this study is to model cirrhosis progression in the elderly and to predict the risk of hospitalization and death in older patients with cirrhosis. It also aim to perform sub-group analyses focusing on race and socioeconomic factors in the elderly.

Frailty and Functional Status in Older Liver Transplant Patients

• NUTORC Collaborators: Daniela Ladner (PD/PI), Daniel Ganger (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute on Aging
• Description of Study: This protocol is designed to learn more about the effects of functional status (also known as "frailty") in liver transplant patients and patient outcomes both before and after liver transplant.

LITCOGIII: Health Literacy and Cognitive Function among Older Adults

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Wolf (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute on Aging
• Grant Number: R01AG030611
• Description of Study: The longitudinal study will provide an in-depth investigation of older adults’ health literacy and ability to manage health, and whether these skills are affected by cognitive decline and the aging process. Our research will improve our understanding of the true barriers underlying the problem of low health literacy, and how best to inform present and future intervention strategies.

Utility of Biomarkers of Rejection and Kidney Injury in Tailoring Liver Transplant Immunosuppression

• NUTORC Collaborators: Josh Levitsky (PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease
• Grant Number: 1U01AI163081-01
• Description of Study: This study will leverage these immune and kidney biomarkers developed in its CTOT-14 validation study to detect early signs of rejection and kidney injury to enhance proactive, safe withdrawal of calcineurin-inhibitors in favor of non-nephrotoxic mTOR-inhibitors. This biomarker-guided interventional approach will be tested against current standard management and also risk-stratify patients into those needing or not needing such interventions. Second, it will leverage the clinical trial sample collections to gain deeper understanding of what leads to rejection or alternatively what is protective of rejection. It will accomplish this by performing an extensive battery of blood immune cell, antibody, genomic and proteomic profiling during the interventions to best identify the pathways leading to our outcomes.

General Biorepository Development for Solid Organ and Stem Cell Transplant Specimens

• NUTORC Collaborators: John Friedewald (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Viracor-IBT Laboratories
• Grant Number: Agmt. 10/17/2019
• Description of Study: The purpose of this Agreement is to promote the increase of useful knowledge through research relating to the Northwestern University Comprehensive Transplant Center’s donor and recipient samples stored in the CTC Biorepository which will be used for research purposes of discovery, different types of validation, and development of diagnostic and predictive biomarkers designed to improve the health and outcomes of transplant patients.

Proteogenomic Monitoring and Assessment of Kidney Transplant Recipients

• NUTORC Collaborators: John Friedewald (Co-Investigator), Bing Ho (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: Transplant Genomics, Inc.
• Grant Number: Agmt. 10/8/2014
• Description of Study: MiniKidney Samples for Affymetrix Collaboration Study1a Definition of peripheral blood gene expression signature and 3way classifier for subclinical acute rejection SCAR compared to acute rejection AR and transplant excellent function TX1b Definition of a tissue kidney biopsy gene expression signature and 3way classifier for SCAR vs AR vs TXS.

VKTX01: A Pivotal Phase 3 Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Clazakizumab for the Treatment of Chronic Active Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Kidney Transplant Recipients. IMAGINE (Interleukin 6 Blockade Modifying Antibody-Mediated Graft INjury a)

• NUTORC Collaborators: John Friedewald (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Vitaeris Inc.
• Grant Number: Prot #VKTX01
• Description of Study: This trial investigates whether clazakizumab (an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody (mAb)) may be beneficial for the treatment of CABMR in recipients of a kidney transplant by inhibiting the production of DSA and re-shaping T cell alloimmune responses.

Prot #SHP616-302: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Cinryze® (C1 Esterase Inhibitor [Human]) for the Treatment of Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Kidney Transplant Patients

• NUTORC Collaborators: John Friedewald (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Shire ViroPharma Incorporated
• Grant Number: Prot #SHP616-302
• Description of Study: To evaluate the efficacy of 20000 total units of Cinryze given intravenously in 7 doses over 13 days as an adjunct to plasmapheresis plasma exchange and or immune adsorption treatments and intravenous immunoglobulin IVIg for the treatment of acute antibody-mediated rejection of renal allograft AMR in kidney transplant recipients as measured by the proportion of subjects with new or worsening transplant glomerulopathy TG within 6 months.

ITN056ST OPTIMAL: Evaluation of Donor Specific Immune Senescence and Exhaustion as Biomarkers of Operational Tolerance Following Liver Transplantation in Adults

• NUTORC Collaborators: Josh Levitsky (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Grant Number: UM1AI109565
• Description of Study:The primary objective is to determine whether a peripheral blood or graft lymphocyte phenotype of immune senescence or exhaustion is different between operationally tolerant and non-tolerant liver allograft recipients.

Polyclonal Tregs to Promote Tolerance in Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients

• NUTORC Collaborators: Josh Levitsky (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Grant Number: U01AI104347
• Description of Study: Prior to conducting this study in a pediatric population, the Safety of Donor Alloantigen Reactive Tregs (darTregs) to Facilitate Minimization and/or Discontinuation of Immunosuppression in Adult Liver Transplant Recipients (ARTEMIS) study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of a single IV dose of the darTregs product.

Novel Proteoform Biomarkers of Acute Rejection in Liver Transplant Recipients

• NUTORC Collaborators: Josh Levitsky (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Grant Number: R21AI135827
• Description of Study: This proposal aims to determine whether novel peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) proteoforms can predict and diagnose Acute rejection (AR) so as to design future biomarker-guided interventional studies to minimize AR in liver transplant (LT) recipients.

Donor-Alloantigen-Reactive Regulatory T Cell Therapy in Liver Transplantation (deLTa)

• NUTORC Collaborators: Josh Levitsky (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Grant Number: U01AI110658
• Description of Study: The purpose of this study is to look at the safety of 1) Taking a specific combination of immunosuppressant drugs after liver transplantation, and 2) Receiving one of three different doses of donor reactive Tregs while taking this specific combination of drugs.

CRAD001AUS190T - Biomarkers Predicting Successful Tacrolimus Withdrawal and Everolimus (Zortress®) Monotherapy Early After Liver Transplantation

• NUTORC Collaborators: Josh Levitsky (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
• Grant Number: CRAD001AUS190T
• Description of Study: The purpose of this study is to develop a biomarker strategy testing transplant immunoregulation to guide safe elimination of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) therapy in favor of everolimus (EVL) early after liver transplantation.

Blood pressure as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular events in liver transplant recipients

• NUTORC Collaborators: Lisa VanWagner (PI)
• Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Grant Number: 1R56HL155093-01
• Description of Study: The purpose of this grant was to determine patterns of blood pressure in liver transplant recipients in the United States; quantify associations between blood pressure levels and optimal clinical outcomes in liver transplant recipients; and identify treatment strategies of liver transplant-associated hypertension that lower blood pressure and minimize cardiovascular events, using innovative statistical techniques.

Pilot study to assess the feasibility and clinical utility of 7-day home and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in liver transplant recipients

• NUTORC Collaborators: Lisa VanWagner (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Digestive Health Foundation
• Grant Number: Agmt 7/2/2020
• Description of Study: This study investigate methods to improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients after liver transplantation by addressing potentially modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure.

Impact of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunting (TIPS) on Cardiac Function in Patients with Portal Hypertension

• NUTORC Collaborators: Lisa VanWagner (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Digestive Health Foundation
• Grant Number: Agmt. #17 Exhibit B.1
• Description of Study: The goal of this proposal is to evaluate the cardiac effects of TIPS use in patients with portal hypertension.

Implementation science to improve cardiovascular outcomes among liver transplant recipients

• NUTORC Collaborators: Lisa VanWagner (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Grant Number: K23HL136891
• Description of Study: This project will develop a liver-transplant specific CVD clinical practice Guideline and then use principles of implementation science to provide important information on how to best implement the Guideline.

Phosphate and FGF23: Dietary and Molecular Mediators of Health Disparities in Cardiovascular and Kidney Diseases

• NUTORC Collaborators: Lihui Zhao (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: American Heart Association
• Grant Number: 15SFDRN25080331
• Description of Study: A network collaboration focused on the disparities in cardiovascular disease and kidney diseases.

Improve PAD PERformance with METformin: The PERMET Trial

• NUTORC Collaborators: Lihui Zhao (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Grant Number: R01HL131771
• Description of Study: A placebo controlled double-blind randomized clinical trial to establish whether metformin (2,000 mgs daily) improves and/or prevents decline in walking performance in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Hepatocyte growth factor to Improve Functioning in PAD: The HI-PAD Study

• NUTORC Collaborators: Lihui Zhao (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Institute on Aging
• Grant Number: R21AG056903
• Description of Study: HI-PAD is a placebo controlled double-blind
randomized pilot clinical trial to determine whether VM202 may improve walking ability in people with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study - Chicago Field Center

• NUTORC Collaborators: Lihui Zhao (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Institute on Aging
• Grant Number: R21AG056903
• Description of Study: CARDIA is the only study to describe the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease at the outset of the epidemics of obesity and diabetes and during critical transitions from early adulthood into middle age.

Improving Access to Renal Transplantation for Underserved Black Communities

• NUTORC Collaborators: Daniela Ladner (MPI), Dinee Simpson (MPI), Kiarri Kershaw (MPI), Rinad Beidas (Co-Investigator), Marquita-Lewis Thames (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Grant Number: U01DK137258
• Description of Study: Structural racism is a fundamental cause of racial disparity in health outcomes for Black patients with end-stage renal disease. Dr. Simpson together with the Black community created the first African American Transplant Access Program (AATAP) in the country at a large transplant center in the heart of diverse Chicago. This grant proposes to study the impact of AATAP on patients and transplant metrics (e.g., listing rates), to increase awareness and structural competency among transplant gatekeepers (clinicians, staff) and to demonstrate generalizability by adapting the AATAP program to another large kidney transplant program in Florida.

A Culturally Targeted Transplant Program to Increase Live Donation in Hispanics

• NUTORC Collaborators: Juan Caicedo (PD/PI), Elisa Gordon (Co-Investigator), Daniela Ladner (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Grant Number: R01DK104876
• Description of Study: This study aims to implement and evaluate Northwestern Medicine’s® Hispanic Kidney Transplant Program (HKTP), a culturally-competent transplant center-based intervention, at two transplant centers serving large Hispanic populations as a way to rapidly disseminate the HKTP as a novel approach to increase Hispanic LDKTs nationally.

Reducing Assessment Barriers for Patients with Low Literacy

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Wolf (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
• Grant Number: R01MD010440
• Description of Study: This study will remove health literacy barriers to accurate survey research by evaluating commonly used surveys, identifying and characterizing survey items, and creating a guide for survey item development and evaluation for different modes of test administration that are most appropriate for people who have low health literacy.

Health Literacy Intervention to Improve Diabetes Outcomes among Rural Primary Care

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Wolf (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Grant Number: R01DK107572
• Description of Study: We will test the effectiveness & fidelity of an American College of Physicians diabetes health literacy intervention as delivered by health coaches within patient-centered medical homes in rural Arkansas.

Expanding live donor kidney transplantation through advocacy training and social media

• NUTORC Collaborators: Elisa Gordon (PD/PI), Juan Caicedo (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Grant Number: R01DK111966
• Description of Study: The study objective is to assess the real-world effectiveness of the live donor champion (LDC) program and/or the Facebook app in expanding live donation among a heterogeneous population of waitlist candidates.

Implementation of the Live Donor Champion Program

• NUTORC Collaborators: Elisa Gordon (Site PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration
• Grant Number: R39OT31103
• Description of Study: The objective of the proposed study is to evaluate the implementation of the living donor champion program into the standard of care in increasing living kidney donation.

Northwestern Summer Research Program for Medical Students

• NUTORC Collaborators: Daniela Ladner (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Grant Number: T35DK126628
• Description of Study: The major goal of this project is to provide rigorous research opportunities for medical students, providing an emphasis on underrepresented minorities. This will hopefully provide a pathway for the students to become clinician-scientists.

Transplant Surgery Scientist Training Program

• NUTORC Collaborators: Daniela Ladner (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Grant Number: T32DK077662
• Description of Study: The major goal of this project is to train and prepare fellows for the challenges and demands of working in transplant surgery, as well as train the next generation of advanced transplant researchers.

COVID-19 in Kidney and Liver Transplantation 

• NUTORC Collaborators: Daniela Ladner (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Northwestern 
• Description of Study: Defining the epidemiology of COVID-19 infection, factors associated with disease severity, the unique impact of immunosuppression and immune function and patient experiences of the pandemic in the organ transplantation patient population. 

Comparison of High vs. Standard Dose Influenza Vaccines in Adult Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Ison (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Grant Number: U01AI52967
• Description of Study: Testing the hypothesis that adult solid organ transplant recipients that are 1-11 months out from transplant and are receiving high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine will have higher hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) geometric mean titers to influenza A antigens compared to adult SOT recipients receiving standard-dose inactivated influenza vaccine.

Prot#B17-166:(MYTHIC: MavYret for Transplanting kidneys with Hepatitis C) A Phase 4, Multi-Center, Open-Label Study of Mavyret (Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir) to Treat Recipients of Transplanted Kidneys from Deceased Donors with Hepatitis C Virus

• NUTORC Collaborators: John Friedewald (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: AbbVie Inc.
• Grant Number: Prot #B17-166
• Description of Study: The study objective is to determine if the administration of the direct acting antiviral glecaprevir/pibrentasvir for 8 weeks after kidney transplantation is both safe and effective at preventing the spread of HCV infection from donor kidney with known HCV infection (all genotypes) to an HCV negative recipient as evidenced by a negative HCV viral RNA at 12 weeks post treatment.

High vs. Standard Dose Flu Vaccine in Adult Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Ison (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Grant Number: U01AI32004
• Description of Study: 3 year, 4 center study funded by NIAD to understand the safety and relative efficacy of the two flu vaccines 3 months to 2 years post-HSCT

Prot. CP40617 - A Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Baloxavir Marboxil in Combination with a Neuraminidase Inhibitor versus a Neuraminidase Inhibitor Alone in Hospitalized Patient

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Ison (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Genentech, Inc.
• Grant Number: Prot. CP40617
• Description of Study: This study will evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of baloxavir marboxil in combination with a standard-of-care (SOC) neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI) (i.e., oseltamivir, zanamivir, or peramivir) compared with a matching placebo in combination with a SOC NAI in hospitalized patients with influenza.

AIC316-03-II-01 A Randomized, Open Label, Multi-Center, Comparative Trial, to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Pritelivir Versus Foscarnet for the Treatment of Acyclovir-Resistant Mucocutaneous HSV Infections in Immunocompromised Adults (PRIOH-1)

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Ison (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: AiCuris Anti-infective Cures GmbH
• Grant Number: AIC316-03-II-01
• Description of Study: Randomized, open-label, multi-center, comparative trial to assess the efficacy and safety in immunocompromised subjects with acyclovir resistant mucocutaneous HSV infection, treated with pritelivir 100 mg qd (following a loading dose of 400 mg as first dose to rapidly reach steady-state plasma concentration) or foscarnet 40 mg/kg iv tid/60mg/kg iv bid.

PROTOCOL: SHP620-303 A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label, Active-controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Maribavir Treatment Compared to Investigator-assigned Treatment in Transplant Recipients with Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Ison (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Shire ViroPharma Incorporated
• Grant Number: SHP620-303
• Description of Study:

Phase II Multi-Center, Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Study of Nitazoxanide in Acute and Chronic Norovirus in Hematpoietic Stem Cell and Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Ison (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Shire ViroPharma Incorporated
• Grant Number: SHP620-303
• Description of Study: The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of maribavir to investigator-assigned anti-Cytomegalovirus (CMV) therapy in CMV viremia clearance in transplant recipients who are refractory or resistant to prior anti-CMV treatment.

Fixed Price Patient Care Costs

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Ison (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease
• Grant Number: HHSN272201600016C
• Description of Study: To advance the development of therapeutic strategies for rare and/or emerging viral diseases of medical importance in targeted patient populations by 1) characterizing contemporary course of the clinical disease, and/or 2) directly evaluating a therapy. The study is being conducted in adult transplant patients.

THE PRIORITIZE STUDY: A Pragmatic, Randomized Study of Oral Regimens for Hepatitis C: Transforming Decision-Making for Patients, Providers, and Stakeholders

• NUTORC Collaborators: Josh Levitsky (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
• Grant Number: HPC-1503-27891
• Description of Study: The study is comparing how well two combinations of oral medicines work to cure HCV infection and help patients avoid side effects. The researchers are enrolling enough patients from the medical centers so that they can study whether different drugs work better for people with different backgrounds and experiences.

HCV-TARGET: Hepatitis C Therapeutic Registry and Research Network-A Longitudinal, Observational Study

• NUTORC Collaborators: Josh Levitsky (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: University of Florida
• Grant Number: Agmt. 03/28/14
• Description of Study: The goal is to collect samples and patient data on patients undergoing antiviral therapy for hepatitis C infection.

Understanding and Supporting Public Information Needs about VCA Donation

• NUTORC Collaborators: Elisa Gordon (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command
• Grant Number: RT170093
• Description of Study: The research aims to inform the development of new public education materials for vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA).

Promoting Autonomy and Improving Shared Decision-making for Older Adults with Advanced Kidney Disease

• NUTORC Collaborators: Elisa Gordon (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
• Grant Number: CDR-2017C1-6297
• Description of Study: The objectives of this project are to pilot-test and optimize strategies for the implementation of the Live Donor Champion program for patients with ESRD in the clinical transplant center setting.

PCORnet SURVEILLANCE of Liver Cirrhosis – A Common Chronic Disease with Tremendous Disease Burden

• NUTORC Collaborators: Daniela Ladner (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
• Grant Number: Agmt. 8/6/2019
• Description of Study: To accurately estimate the true incidence and prevalence of liver cirrhosis in the United States using data from clinical data research networks such as CAPriCORN.

Hypoglycemia: Risk Factors, Fragmentation of Care, and Mortality Across Chicago

• NUTORC Collaborators: Amisha Wallia (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: NovoNordisk Pharmaceuticals
• Grant Number: N/A
• Description of Study: This study will help identify risk factors for hypoglycemia, and evaluate recurrent hypoglycemia in the context of fragmentation of care and mortality in the Chicago area, utilizing the Chicago HLNK data repository.

Transplant Regimen Adherence for Kidney Recipients by Engaging Information Technologies: The TAKE IT Trial

• NUTORC Collaborators: Daniela Ladner (PD/PI), Michael Wolf (PD/PI), Bing Ho (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Grant Number: R01DK110172
• Description of Study: We will evaluate a technology-enabled strategy designed to promote medication adherence, routinely monitor regimen use, and mobilize appropriate transplant center resources to respond early to kidney transplant recipients demonstrating inadequate adherence.

EHR-based Universal Medication Schedule to Improve Adherence to Complex Regimens

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Wolf (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Nursing Research
• Grant Number: R1NR015444
• Description of Study: We will merge the UMS concept with increasingly available health and consumer technologies to help patients overcome common medication self-management barriers and achieve optimal health benefits.

Testing a Medication Risk Communication and Surveillance Strategy: The EMC2 Trial

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Wolf (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Grant Number: R01DK103684
• Description of Study: We will assess the effectiveness and fidelity of a primary care-based, technology-enabled strategy to improve patient-provider communication about prescribed, higher-risk medications to ensure safe use.

A Universal Medication Schedule to Promote Adherence to Complex Drug Regimens

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Wolf (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute on Aging
• Grant Number: R01AG046352
• Description of Study: We will impart a Universal Medication Schedule (UMS) via increasingly available health and consumer technologies to promote patient adherence to complex prescription (Rx) drug regimens.

Cerebral edema blood flow and autoregulation during severe hepatic encephalopathy

• NUTORC Collaborators: Eric Liotta (Subproject PI)
• Funding Agency: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
• Grant Number: KL2TR001424
• Description of Study: This study focuses on the management of severe hepatic encephalopathy in patients with fulminant, acute, and acute-on-chronic liver failure and noninvasive detection of cerebral edema.

MyCog - Rapid detection of cognitive impairment in everyday clinical settings

• NUTORC Collaborators: Michael Wolf (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Grant Number: UG3NS105562
• Description of Study: We will create a brief, readily available, standard set of CI screening measures applicable for use in diverse settings and with diverse populations comprised of cognitive measures drawn from the NIH Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function and implemented as a downloadable app.

Hemostasis, Hematoma Expansion, and Outcomes After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

• NUTORC Collaborators: Andrew Naidech (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Grant Number: R01NS110779
• Description of Study: First, we will determine the mechanisms that lead to HE in acute ICH, broadly grouped into platelet activity, activation of coagulation, and fibrinolysis. We will then explore if specific therapies improve platelet activity.

Promoting Utilization of Kidneys by Improving Patient Level Decision Making

• NUTORC Collaborators: Sanjay Mehrotra (PD/PI), John Friedewald (Co-Investigator), Daniela Ladner (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Grant Number: R21DK108104
• Description of Study: The proposed research aims to develop a decision-rule that aids clinicians in determining when it is appropriate to accept such organs for transplant in a patient.

Rescuing Kidneys at Risk of Discard

• NUTORC Collaborators: Sanjay Mehrotra (PD/PI), John Friedewald (Co-Investigator), Daniela Ladner (Co-Investigator), Elisa Gordon (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Grant Number: R01DK118425
• Description of Study: This proposal continues the work of the investigators in developing novel strategies to increase the utilization of deceased donor kidneys with special emphasis on kidneys at high risk of discard.

Development of a context of use and PROMIS Physical Function outcome assessment for patients with sarcopenia

• NUTORC Collaborators: Zeeshan Butt (PD/PI)
• Funding Agency: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Grant Number: U01FD006887
• Description of Study: Apply the PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) physical function item bank to to evaluate new therapies for sarcopenia.

Improving Patient Reported Outcome Data for Research through Seamless Integration of the PROMIS Toolkit into EHR Workflows

• NUTORC Collaborators: Zeeshan Butt (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
• Grant Number: U01TR001806
• Description of Study: Develop a generalized integration of the PROMIS toolset, using the SMART-on-FHIR standard, to implement in multiple electronic health record platforms.

Operation RESTORE (Rehabilitative Evaluation, Surgery and Transplant Options for Restoration): Evaluating Quality of Life Outcome Indicators in Veterans with Combat-Acquired Severe Soft Tissue Loss

• NUTORC Collaborators: Zeeshan Butt (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Grant Number: Agmt. 7/1/2014
• Description of Study: Develop and examine the initial validity of a standardized, methodologically-rigorous, patient-centered quality of life assessment tool for potential reconstructive transplantation recipients, using previously established measurement development methodology.

Engaging high-need patients to produce scalable high-value health care

• NUTORC Collaborators: John Devin Peipert (Co-Investigator)
• Funding Agency: Peter G. Peterson Foundation
• Grant Number: 19041
• Description of Study: We propose to translate decades of progress in health-related measurement and health care improvement into scalable, sustainable models of value-based care that accounts for the needs and preferences of patients and their families. We will use the robust tools and methods at our disposal to generate an innovative, high impact approach to value-based care that will serve as a model for the nation and demonstrate the substantial benefits of patient-centered learning health systems-based care.