Jennifer Gillman

Calcifications in the carotid siphon correlate with silent cerebral small vessel disease in community-dwelling older adults: A population-based study in rural Ecuador

Using a population‐based, cross‐sectional design, we aimed to assess whether the presence of calcifications in the carotid siphon (as seen on computed tomography) is associated with silent markers of cerebral small vessel disease (on magnetic resonance imaging) in apparently healthy older adults living in Atahualpa, a rural Ecuadorian village.

Dietary fish intake and sleep quality: a population-based study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Due to the content of omega-3 and vitamin D, fish consumption is likely to be associated with better sleep. However, current data are limited to a single study that is not representative of the population at large. The present study aimed to assess the effects of oily fish consumption on sleep quality in community dwelling adults living in rural coastal Ecuador. METHODS Atahualpa residents aged ≥40 years and who were identified during a door-to-door survey were interviewed with field instruments directed at assessing cardiovascular risk factors, sleep quality, and fish consumption. Using parametric regression and generalized linear models adjusted for demographics and cardiovascular risk factors, the study evaluated whether oily fish consumption is associated with a lower Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). RESULTS Out of 721 eligible people, 677 (94%) were enrolled. Mean oily fish consumption was 9 ± 6 servings per week (one serving = 140 grams). Poor sleep quality was noticed in 187 (28%) individuals. Oily fish intake was higher in individuals with good sleep quality (p = 0.013). There was an inverse association between the PSQI score and oily fish servings per week in both parametric regression (β = -0.040; 95% CI -0.690 to -0.011, p = 0.007) and the adjusted generalized linear model (β = -0.032; 95% CI -0.605 to -0.004, p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS Oily fish consumption is associated with better sleep quality. Even in people who ingest more than the recommended amount of fish, an increase in fish intake is associated with further improvement in the quality of sleep.

Dietary Oily Fish Intake and Blood Pressure Levels: A Population-Based Study

The effect of fish consumption on blood pressure is controversial. The authors measured blood pressure and calculated oily fish servings per week in 677 community‐dwellers aged 40 years and older living in rural coastal Ecuador. Using regression models with linear splines, the authors evaluated whether dietary fish intake was related to blood pressure levels, after adjusting for relevant confounders. Mean oily fish consumption was 9.1±5.6 servings per week. There was a nonlinear relationship between systolic pressure and fish servings. In the group of individuals consuming up to five servings per week, each serving significantly reduced systolic pressure by 2.3 mm Hg (P=.020). Any extra serving provided no further effects. The study shows an inverse relationship between oily fish consumption and systolic pressure. Currently recommended amounts of dietary oily fish intake per week (1–2 servings) might be insufficient to exert beneficial effects of fish in the control of blood pressure.

Teaching Translational Research to Medical Students: The New York University School of Medicine's Master's of Science in Clinical Investigation Dual‐Degree Program

To develop the next generation of translational investigators, New York University School of Medicine (NYUSOM) and the NYU‐NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation Clinical and Translational Science Institute (NYU‐HHC CTSI) developed the Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation dual‐degree (MD/MSCI) program. This 5‐year program dedicates 1 year to coursework and biomedical research, followed by a medical school/research overlap year, to prepare students for academic research careers. This paper details the MD/MSCI programs curriculum and approach to mentorship, describes the research/professional interests of students, and reports student productivity. In the first 4 years of the program (2010–2014) 20 students were matriculated; 7 (35%) were women, and 12 (60%) research projects were in surgical specialties. To date, 14 students have applied to residency, and half pursued surgical residency programs. Our students have produced 68 accepted abstracts, 15 abstracts in submission, 38 accepted papers, and 24 papers in submission. Despite the time‐limited nature of this program, additional training in research design and implementation has promoted a high level of productivity. We conclude that dual‐degree training in medicine and translational research is feasible for medical students and allows for meaningful participation in valuable projects. Follow‐up is warranted to evaluate the academic trajectory of these students.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Directed Ultrasound Imaging of Non-Mass Enhancement in the Breast: Outcomes and Frequency of Malignancy

This study was performed to determine the frequency, predictors, and outcomes of ultrasound (US) correlates for non‐mass enhancement.

The relationship of obesity, mammographic breast density, and magnetic resonance imaging in patients with breast cancer

PURPOSE The purpose was to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), mammographic breast density, magnetic resonance (MR) background parenchymal enhancement (BPE), and MR fibroglandular tissue (FGT) in women with breast cancer. METHODS Our institutional database was queried for patients with preoperative mammography and breast MR imaging. RESULTS There were 573 women eligible for analysis. Elevated BMI was associated with advanced stage of disease (P=.01), lower mammographic density (P<.0001), lower FGT (P<.0001), higher BPE (P=.005), and nonpalpable lesions (P=.04). CONCLUSIONS Higher BMI was associated with decreased breast density and FGT. Higher BMI was also associated with advanced stage disease and nonpalpable tumors on clinical exam.

Abstract P1-01-02: Mammographic breast density and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in women with mammographically occult breast cancer

Background: Recent data suggests a correlation between mammographically-occult breast cancer (MOBC) and increasing breast density. There is a dearth of information on the assessment of the amount of fibroglandular tissue (FGT) with contiguous MR images through both breasts and background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) in women with MOBC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between mammographic breast density (BD), BPE, and FGT in women with MOBC and mammographically evident breast cancer (MEBC). Methods: The Breast Cancer Database at our medical center was queried for all women who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer between 2010 and 2014. Variables included age, BD, BPE, FGT, tumor characteristics. Statistical analyses included Pearson’s Chi Square Tests. Results: Out of a total of 1781 women, there were 110 (6%) with MOBC and 1671 (94%) with MEBC. The median age of the cohort was 59 years. Majority of the patients had early stage disease (72%) and invasive ductal carcinoma (61%). There was a higher proportion of women with DCIS with MEBC (22%) compared to women with MOBC (16%) and a higher proportion of invasive lobular carcinoma in women with MOBC (17%) compared to the women with MEBC (10%). Increased mammographic BD was significantly associated with mammographically occult breast cancer (p Conclusions: For women who develop mammographically occult breast cancer, there are currently no guidelines regarding recommendations for future screening. Increased breast density reduces the sensitivity of mammography, which compromises the ability to detect meaningful findings. Our study shows that MRI may be less affected by obstacles of sensitivity that is usually associated with mammography. Our results support the use of MRI in women with dense breasts who are at higher risk of developing MOBC. By better understanding the patient population who are more likely to be diagnosed with mammographically-occult breast cancer, we can more effectively select patients who should be screened with breast MRI. Citation Format: Chun Jennifer, Freya Schnabel, Shira Schwartz, Jessica Billig, Jennifer Gillman, Linda Moy. Mammographic breast density and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in women with mammographically occult breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-01-02.