Innovations in pediatric surgery at Ohio State
The Department of Surgery's research efforts are focused on key areas of interest that promise to yield significant results in the understanding of disease and the improvement of clinical care.
Pediatric Surgery Clinical Research Program
The Pediatric Surgery Clinical Research Program focuses on outcomes and clinical translational research. The Deans-Minneci laboratory has developed a comprehensive surgical outcomes research program which employs a wide range of methodologies in order to determine optimal interventions for the management of surgical diseases and the minimization of post-operative complications. Initial areas of focus include:
- Non-operative management of appendicitis
- Patient activation and shared decision-making in surgery
- Comparative effectiveness studies of surgical interventions for congenital anomalies
- Management and interventions for non-accidental trauma
- Quality improvement projects for pediatric surgical procedures
The Pediatric Surgery Basic Science Research Laboratory
The Pediatric Surgery Basic Science Research Laboratory focuses on three major areas of study. Dr. Besner’s laboratory studies heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and its ability to protect the intestines from various forms of injury. These research projects continue to be funded by the National Institutes of Health and include:
- Studies of the effects of HB-EGF on stem cells
- Stem cell transplantation in protection of the intestines from injury
- Production of tissue engineered intestine
- Determination of the mechanisms and signaling pathways used by HB-EGF in intestinal cytoprotection
- Studies of the effects of HB-EGF in several established animal models of intestinal injury
Production of Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts
- Investigating the cellular mechanisms underlying vascular neotissue formation
- Exploring the biomechanical principles controlling vascular tissue formation
- Rational design of strategies to inhibit the development of tissue engineered vascular graft stenosis
- Development of tissue engineered heart valves
Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) in Scarring and Fibrosis
- Role of CTGF in stimulating collagen production in hepatic stellate cells
- Evaluation of CTGF as a marker of chronic liver disease
- Regulation of CTGF expression in hepatic stellate cells by microRNAs (miRs)
- Intercellular transfer of CTGF mRNA or regulatory miRs by nanosized exosomes
- Characterization of the miR payload in circulating exosomes to establish a molecular signature to allow non-invasive evaluation of the severity of liver fibrosis
- Targeting of fibrogenic pathways using therapeutic exosomal strategies
Current Funded Research
Aldrink, JH. The Incidence of BRAF Mutations in Pediatric Thyroid Cancer Specimens. Northwestern Mutual and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, June 2014, $26,659
Besner G. HB-EGF Therapy for Necrotizing Enterocolitis. National Institutes of Health Grant # 1 R01 DK074611, June 1, 2007 – May 31, 2014, $1,800,000
Besner G. HB-EGF and Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion. National Institutes of Health Grant # 2 R01 GM61193-05, Sept 30, 2011 – May 31, 2015, $1,245,280
Besner G. Necrotizing Enterocolitis Surgery Trial (NEST). National Institutes of Health, September 1, 2011 – ongoing
Besner G. HB-EGF Therapy for Necrotizing Enterocolitis. The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2017, $1,000,000
Besner G. Production of Tissue Engineered Intestine. Technology Development Fund Grant, June 5, 2013 – June 4, 2014, $50,000
Besner G. Production of Tissue Engineered Intestine. Ohio Third Frontier Technology Validation and Start-up Fund (TVSF) Grant, January 1, 2014 –December 31, 2014, $100,000
Breuer C. Investigating the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Vascular Neotissue Formation in Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts. National Institute of Health Grant #R01HL098228, January 19, 2010 – December 31, 2014, $2,068,750
Breuer C. A Pilot Study Investigating the Clinical Use of Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts in Congenital Heart Surgery. Gunze Limited, November 18, 2009 – November 17, 2014, $300,000
Breuer C. Development of a Closed, Disposable Seeding System for Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts. Pall Corporation, August 1, 2009 – no end date, $400,000
Breuer C. Development of a Translational Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering Program. Cardinal Health Incorporated, October 1, 2013 – no end date, $1,000,000
Breuer C. Development of a Closed, Disposable System for Assembling Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts (Part 2: Evaluation of the Bioequivalence of Cell Isolation Techniques). National Institutes of Health/CTSA, August 17, 2012 – August 16, 2013, $50,000
Brigstock DR. MicroRNA Regulation of CTGF in Hepatic Stellate Cells (1R01AA021276-01). National Institutes of Health, March 5, 2012 – March 4, 2017, $1,125,000
Brigstock DR. CTGF in Hepatic Fibrosis. Nationwide Children’s Hospital, January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014, $50,000
Brigstock DR. CTGF in Hepatic Fibrosis. Nationwide Children’s Hospital, January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013, $52,000
Deans K. Randomized Controlled Trail of a Patient Activation Tool in Pediatric Appendicitis. Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2016, $1,600,000
Deans K. National Collaborative for Innovation in Quality Measurement (NCINQ). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, March 1, 2013 –February 28, 2015, $1,025,000
Diefenbach K. Equipment for Curriculum Development of MIS Training of Fellows and Residents. Storz COE Grant, July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014, $80,000.00
Groner J. Implementation Science to Increase Use of Evidence Based Pediatric Brain Injury Guidelines (PEGASUS). National Institute of Health, September 1, 2010 – August 30, 2015, $201,754
Groner J. The Impact of Pediatric Trauma Centers on the Outcome of Injured Children in Ohio, 1R03HD071924-01A1, July 15, 2013 – June 30, 2014, $84,260
Levitt M. Training Grant for research fellowship in pediatric colorectal surgery. Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, $25,000
Levitt M. Kind Cuts for Kids, Cape Town Surgical Mission – Scholarships for visiting surgeons for Colorectal training, $11,000
Levitt M. Mending Kids – Cape Town Surgical Mission, $5,000
Levitt M. Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center - Surgical Mission Trip, $30,000
Levitt M. Dikla Insurance Company grant to support nursing collaboration for Israeli Bowel Management Program, $25,000
Levitt M. Mending Kids International, Colorectal Mission Trip, Red Cross Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, $35,000
Michalsky MP. Dietary Intake and Eating Behavior in Adolescents who Undergo Bariatric Surgery, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), October 1, 2008 – June 30, 2013, $61,859
Michalsky MP. Adolescent Bariatrics: Assessing Health Benefits and Risks or the Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (TEEN-LABS). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), April 1, 2008 – August 30, 2016, $508,647
Michalsky MP. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAPBAND) as a Treatment for Morbidly Obesity in Adolescents. Allergan Health, May 1, 2006 – December 30, 2013, $1,367,500
Michalsky MP. Clinical Arm Sub-Project; Teen-LABS. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), September 1, 2012 –August 31, 2013, $55,324
Michalsky MP. Travel Sub-Project; Teen-LABS. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), April 1, 2013 – August 31, 2013, $4,054
Minneci P. National Collaborative for Innovation in Quality Measurement (NCINQ), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, March 1, 2013 – February 28, 2015, $1,025,000
Minneci P. Randomized Controlled Trail of a Patient Activation Tool in Pediatric Appendicitis. Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2016, $1,600,000
Moss RL. ISPIRE Center Partnership on Biologic Markers in Neonatal Critical Illness. Ikaria Corp, December 1, 2010 – December 1, 2013, $3,184,911
Nwomeh B. Novel Pediatric Surgery Curriculum for Pediatric Residents and Practicing Pediatricians. Friends of Children Fund (AAP), 2013 – 2015, $36,000