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Immunology

‘Bat Pack’ at Duke-NUS allows researchers to study immunology – Duke Chronicle

News By Sarah Haurin | Tuesday, March 14 courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Researchers atDuke-National University of Singapore Medical School are studying why bats are able to carry diseases.

Bats can carry deadly diseases like Ebola without being infected by them, and scientists want to know how.

A group at the Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School is utilizing a colony of batsnicknamed the "Bat Pack"fortheir immunological research.Led by Linfa Wang, professor and director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme at Duke-NUS, the group conducts research on the evolution and immunology of bats.

"For the past decade or so, bats are increasingly being recognized as one of the most important, if not the most important, natural reservoir hosts for different emerging zoonotic pathogens," research fellow JustinNg said, referring to a host of viruses.

The lab's interest in bats can be traced back to its 2013 paperpublished in "Science," which allowed Wang to secure a multi-million dollar grant through the Singapore National Research Foundation Competitive Research Programme to pursue his research. The paper connected a bat's ability to fly with its immune capabilities.

Bats are able to maintain high-powered flight, but this exerts metabolic and oxidative stress on their bodies that can be damaging to DNA. Despite this, bats display impressive longevity and low rates of cancer.

In ablog post, Bat Pack members noted thatthe evolutionary path of flight that favored mechanisms responsible forgene repair and tumor suppression may have also given bats the ability to carry deadly virusessuch as Ebola and Nipahwithout succumbing to symptoms.

Before tackling how exactly bats are immune to these diseases, the Bat Pack was tasked with creating a habitat that could support nectar-feeding bats, a type of bat that had never beforebeen artificially supported, Ng said. With the help of experts in zoology and bat-rearing, the group started a test colony of five bats to perfect their containment designs and diet formulas.

The colony has now expanded to 20 bats which have fullyacclimated to the habitat, and the group plans to expand their colony to60 bats by the middle of this year.

Since the bats were captured from the wild, the researchers facedpotentially confounding variables because they do not know the exact age or disease history of each bat. Still, Ng said the group is hopeful to piece together the various nuances of bat immune systems that can answer the question of how bats evade illness when infected with these deadly viruses.

Because bats are mammals and evidence exists that the genes contributing to their immunological abilities are similar to human genes, the researchers said they believe that their findings may translate to improvements in the field of human health and immunology.

Ng added that bats possess a unique combination of characteristics that are unlike typical model organisms such asrats or fruit flies.

"[Bats' characteristics]make them make them an ideal model for infectious disease, inflammation, cancer biology and anti-aging studies," he said.

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'Bat Pack' at Duke-NUS allows researchers to study immunology - Duke Chronicle

Human Behavior

Futuristic Robot Helpers Can Influence Human Behavior – Inverse

Hello. My name is Bandit. As you can see, Im a robot.

When we picture robots providing care, we tend to assume it must be physical care. Human illness, however, is hardly constrained to the body. Thus computer scientist Maja Matari is developing socially assistive robots that focus on the psychological.

Bandit, a computerized rolling torso with a gingerbread man-like face, can help with physical therapy by demonstrating the correct movements and performing them right alongside the patient. But it also goes into the realm of emotional support, creativity, and companionship.

Hey, lets do something a little more fun, Bandit tells the man its working with at Mataris University of Southern California laboratory. Lets play the imitation game. Move your arms. Show me what do to.

The man begins to lead, stretching his arms. And Bandit mirrors him.

Im having fun, Bandit says in a cheery voice. I can play this game all day long.

For people with debilitating conditions physical trauma to Alzheimers to autism Matari says that socially responsive robots are uniquely positioned to supplement human caregiving. Their automated nature lends itself to encouraging necessary, repetitive tasks. Coupled with their physical presence, they could prove a vital resource in helping patients manage or recover from their respective conditions. A paper describing her recent research was published Wednesday in the journal Science Robotics.

Perhaps one day a robot like me may help you or someone you know, Bandit says.

Fifteen years ago, Matari created the field of socially assistive robotics (SAR). Its goal is to design robots that are intuitive, supportive, and ultimately able to help people without doing physical work.

So what can [assistive robots] do? Matari tells Inverse. All kinds of other things. Increasing situational awareness, reminding people of things getting them to do repetitive daily tasks that will help them get better and stay better. You dont see that being addressed even though its very badly needed.

We know that screen-based contact can be effective, but not as effective as actual physical presence. Our brains more engage better when we interact with the real thing, and the real thing doesnt have to be a person. It can be an animal; it can be a robot.

SAR is distinct from simple social robotics in that it aims to influence behavior. Its the difference between something that reminds a patient to exercise or take a pill or attend therapy and something that persuades them to do those things when they dont want to.

People say, Oh, why dont you use an app for that? Matari says. Because there are literally a gazillion and almost none are effective. Our brains are wired to interact with other physical creatures. And then once youve got this robot it what does it look like? And how does it behave? That all creates expectations on the part of the user.

People dont feel as embarrassed in front of machines as they do with human caretakers, or as guilty about asking for help. Were better able to process assistive robots for what they are when they look more classically robotic. If a robot looks too realistic too human users tend to perceive it as being smart.

To make patients comfortable, its imperative that the robots pick up on social cues, reading tone and body language and reacting neither too quickly nor too slowly. This is an ongoing challenge in the field, which is why Matari wants future SAR developers to collaborate with experts in social and psychological sciences, as well as with ones for conditions like autism.

All robots are on the autism spectrum, Matari says. They have no idea how to react to social cues appropriately.

Of course, for a child with autism, that may be an asset. Matari, who has worked with many different patient populations over the last 15 years, says that beyond what individual specifications people may need to accommodate their respective disabilities, the common thread is always the humanity the universal desire for dignity, positive feedback, and measurable progress that transcends age or gender or disease.

Matari predicts that the adoption of socially assistive robots will vary by specialty. Companies looking to introduce them to hospital settings will evolve them at a different pace than those suited for special-needs classrooms or Alzheimers homes. She figures the home market will be the most consumer-driven, and so the most profitable, which means that use might take off faster there, even though its arguably the most difficult to do well.

In the meantime, Matari says people who view her work as part of a robots-replacing-people narrative are missing the nuances of these situations. Socially assistive robots can supplement caregivers who are overtaxed, and they can provide a structure and reliability that humans cannot. But there are some things theyll never do.

It doesnt mean were ever looking at replacing human care with machines, she says. Theyre never going to be like people and that should never be the goal.

Photos via USC News Communications

Kastalia grew up in Littleton, Colorado, and has a journalism degree from the University of Southern California. She spent the past year and a half backpacking around the world and recently moved to New York. Her RTs = unwavering personal convictions.

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Futuristic Robot Helpers Can Influence Human Behavior - Inverse

Genetics

Untangling the mysteries of genetics, cancer – Marshfield Mail (subscription)

Why are you more prone to cancer as you age?

Weve discovered that as cells age, they stop dealing with damage as well, said Dr. Joshua Smith, associate professor of biomedical sciences.

In his lab at Missouri State University, Smith studies factors that damage DNA. One example is ultraviolet light.

Through his studies, his research team is learning how UV light damages DNA. Theyve also discovered that DNA passes along genetic memory from mother cell to daughter cell.

He likens DNA to an old twisted phone cord packed tightly into a cell there are six feet of DNA in each cell. Once the DNA is damaged, it should be untangled and opened up to find the error and fixed.

However, its a delicate balance. If you repair a damaged gene and make it resistant to cancer, cancer cells might be able to gain that resistance making chemotherapeutics and radiation futile.

If you get exposed to the sun, you want the ability to repair damaged cells, but then the cancer cells are some of the ones that then gain that ability to repair it and then uncontrollably grow, added Smith.

Why are clones different from the original?

Smith studies genetics and the environmental factors that change how genes express themselves.

These environmental factors, called epigenetics, have been at the forefront of many genetic studies in recent years. It can help to explain why cloned animals are different from the original.

On the outside, the animals may look slightly different. Their dispositions wont be the same either, he noted.

On the inside, studies show that the ends of the DNA are different. These cloned animals also get cancer and die at younger ages.

They have made clones of some of the great bulls that are in bull riding, and they dont turn out anything like the original, said Smith, who has a background in agriculture. Thats because not everything is just about your genes.

NATURE VS. NURTURE

Epigenetics is essentially the part of your life that is determined by environmental factors, Smith noted.

There are some things that can be explained by your genome, but whether you actually see it or don't see it is still so unpredictable because of this layer of stuff on top of your DNA thats epigenetics, Smith said.

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Untangling the mysteries of genetics, cancer - Marshfield Mail (subscription)

Embryology

Virtual Human Embryo Project – The Endowment for Human …

Welcome to The Virtual Human Embryo (VHE), a 14,250-page, illustrated atlas of human embryology, which presents all 23 Carnegie Stages of development during the 8-week embryonic period.

This $3.2 million, 11-year initiative engaged a team led by Dr. Raymond F. Gasserone of the leading embryologists of the last half century. His team created thousands of restored, digitized, and labeled serial sections from the world's largest collection of preserved human embryos. They used these serial sections to create animations, fly-throughs, and 3-D reconstructions.

The VHE is now available to researchers, educators, and students everywhere. Read More...

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Virtual Human Embryo Project - The Endowment for Human ...

Embryology

Abby Milanesa of the Buena Vista 4-H wins state title – The Salinas Californian

Lorin Hoffman-Lurz Published 2:59 p.m. PT March 17, 2017 | Updated 2:59 p.m. PT March 17, 2017

Undefeated members of the 3 Egg Omelet are from left to right: Kayla Hurl, Abby Milanesa and Siana Barrett. The proud moderator is Francine A. Bradley, Ph.D., extension poultry specialist emerita, U.C., Davis.(Photo: Provided)

The 2017 California State Senior Avian Bowl Finals were held Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Fresno County Fairgrounds. Several teams composed of high school aged students competed in this poultry knowledge bowl. Local student, Abby Milanesa of the Buena Vista 4-H club and her two teammates: Kayla Hurl from Parkfield and Siana Barrett from Dos Palos entered the competition as the 3 Egg Omelet. They went undefeated in each heat and claimed the California State Senior Avian Bowl Championship. In addition to each girl winning a belt buckle for their efforts, they will now advance to the National Avian Bowl contest this November which will be held at the National Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.

An Avian Bowl is a double-elimination knowledge bowl based on poultry-related subject matter. 4-H members from any state who want to compete must use the Clemson University study guide to prepare. This years topics included embryology, biosecurity, understanding food poisoners and several other avian subjects. Each state hosts a qualifier in which both junior and senior teams compete against each other. Questions vary and team contestants must use a buzzer to answer the questions to earn points. Seeding is accomplished by a written exam before the competition.

This isnt 14 year old Abbys first State Avian Bowl win. I started competing in Avian Bowl when I was nine, stated Abby. That year, I was on a team with my sister, Ellie, and Mariah OGrady. It was the first year I was allowed to compete at the state level, and it was my sister and Mariahs last year eligible to compete as juniors, so it was the only year we would have ever have been able to compete together. I studied really hard and we won the State Junior competition that year.

Deirdre OGrady, one of Abbys 4-H poultry project leaders, said, Abby knew she had stiff competition going in, but with her years of Avian Bowl experience was able to finish strong. Abby continued, There were 2 teams from Ventura County, and one of them I already knew. I also knew they were really good. When I saw them, I got really nervous, and I didnt think we would beat them. After the written test, the Ventura County team was seeded first and we

were second. The first time we came up against them, initially we were losing by 10 points. Then we came back to quickly answer the knowledge questions which gave us the lead in that round, and it came down to the last question. We were the only team who beat them, and we beat them twice. It wont be the first time Abby has travelled to Kentucky. Her sister won the state title in 2015 and the family traveled to Kentucky. Ellies California team won that year. Abby said I am really excited to be going to Nationals, and I have A LOT of studying to do between now and then. I also am really glad that I have 2 very strong teammates to compete with.

To receive more information about the National Avian Bowl or the Monterey County 4-H Program, contact Lorin Hofmann-Lurz, Monterey County 4-H Program Representative at 759-7386 or lhofmannlurz@ucanr.edu.

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Abby Milanesa of the Buena Vista 4-H wins state title - The Salinas Californian

Anatomy

Anatomy of a felony – Norman Transcript

Editors Note: The purpose of this story is to explain the criminal process for individuals who have been arrested on suspicion of committing a felony. In addition, Cleveland County court officials and attorneys comments in this story were not made in reference to any specific case.

Like a living organism, the criminal justice system has an anatomy an anatomy that is well studied and well known to its juris doctors, yet complex.

The process for a person who has been arrested in connection with committing a felony starts with rights outlined in the U.S. Constitution meant to protect people both foreign and domestic.

Our rights are so valuable because of the price that has been paid for them, Norman attorney David Smith. If we dont take care of these rights, then those veterans died for nothing.

According to the U.S. Constitution, in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. (U.S. Constitution, Amendment VI)

Following an arrest, a person is booked into a county jail on recommended charges from the arresting agency. The accused is held on a jail bond until a district court judge issues bail in relation to charges the district attorneys office decides to file. Jail bonds are a set amount decided by county and court officials.

According to a 2007 Cleveland County general order, persons in jail for charges that include traffic violations, alcohol, drugs and larceny can be released on their own recognizance. For violent offenses, such as assault and murder, jail bonds can range between $1,000 and no bond, meaning the person is held without bond until they appear before a judge for their first court appearance.

The initial appearance is where the accused is advised of charges they are facing, their rights, issued a bail or released on their own recognizance and given another court date.

The law is clear in what a judge has to take into account when setting bail, Cleveland County Special Judge Steve Stice said. This can include looking at the nature of the crime, employment history, any priors for failing to appear, has the person hired counsel, and do they have members of the community who will vouch for them. Bail is only to ensure the person will come back to court; its not meant for punishment.

The next step is a preliminary hearing conference, where the defense and prosecution meet andthe district attorney can offeran initial plea deal. If the deal is accepted, a disposition or sentencing date is set. If not, a preliminary or probable cause hearing is set.

A preliminary hearing is the first time evidence is heard in court.

The state has to provide enough evidence to convince a judge that there is probable cause for the case to move forward and go to trial, Stice said. Again, its not enough evidence to convict, only enough to where the judge believes a jury should hear it.

In addition, a preliminary hearing is also the first time where the burden of proof is a factor a burden that is always on the prosecution in criminal cases. There are two levels in felony cases. They are probable cause, which is the lowest burden, and beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the highest burden.

A judge makes sure that the state has enough evidence to proceed with the charge theyve chosen to go on, Stice said.

If a judge finds probable cause, the accused is bound over and will be formally arraigned. Formal arraignment is the first time the accused enters a plea of guilty or not guilty.

Pre-trial or status conferences are then set to ensure whether the case needs to go to trial. Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman said this is the time both parties are expected to cooperate in the exchange of evidence, called discovery.

The idea behind discovery is to avoid surprises at trial to avoid trial by ambush, Balkman said.

There are two different types of criminal trials in Oklahoma: jury and non-jury. Verdicts in jury trials are decided by a 12-person jury selected from within the county. In a non-jury trial, a district judge decides the verdict.

At trial, the burden switches from probable cause to beyond reasonable doubt. Its a burden Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn said he gladly accepts.

The burden should be on the state. Its absolutely the best thing, Mashburn said. When dealing with someones liberty possibly being taken, the burden should be on the group that is wanting to take it away.

Balkman said neither the state nor defense can define what beyond a reasonable doubt means. Each juror has a responsibility to decide for themselves.

Thats the beauty of the jury trial system, Balkman said.

Smith said the jury represents the people.

They are the voice of the community, he said. There are only a few places in the world where that is the case. The government (prosecution) cant do anything unless the people say they can.

If a jury finds the defendant guilty, a formal sentencing date will be setlaterfollowing the verdict.

In Oklahoma, those convicted have 10 days from formal sentencing to file an intent to appeal. The appeal then goes to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, and possibly the state Supreme Court.

Jacob McGuire

366-3540

jmcguire@normantranscript.com

Follow me @jmcguireNT

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Anatomy of a felony - Norman Transcript

Neuroscience

How BMY’s Neuroscience, Immunoscience Segments Performed in 2016 – Market Realist

Bristol-Myers Squibbs Valuation Is Improving from 2016 Levels PART 7 OF 8

Bristol-Myers Squibbs (BMY) Neuroscience segments sales fell more than 83% in 2016, while its Immunoscience segments sales rose ~20% in the year compared to 2015.

BMYs Neuroscience segment is represented by its drug Abilify, while its Immunoscience segment is represented by its drug Orencia.

Abilify is an antipsychotic agent used in the treatment of schizophrenia and major depressive disorders. Its part of BMYs alliance with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co.

Following the loss of its exclusivity in US markets, Abilifys revenue fell more than 83% in 2016. Abilify reported sales of $128 million in 2016. The company lost exclusivity for Abilify in European markets in 2014, affecting its sales slightly. Abilify is a product with ahigh profit margin, so lower Abilify sales had a negative impact on BMYs gross margin in 2016.

Other drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia include AstraZenecas (AZN) Seroquel XR, Johnson & Johnsons (JNJ) Invega Sustenna, and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals (SEPR) Latuda.

Orencia is a fusion protein used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and related indications. Orencias revenue rose ~20% to $2.3 billion in 2016, compared to $1.9 billion in 2015, following higher demand and a higher net average selling price.

Other drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis include AbbVies (ABBV) Humira, Amgens (AMGN) Enbrel, and Pfizers (PFE) Celebrex. To divest risk, investors can consider ETFs such as the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH), which holds 3.0% of its total assets in Bristol-Myers Squibb.

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How BMY's Neuroscience, Immunoscience Segments Performed in 2016 - Market Realist

Neuroscience

These Wearables Are All About Neuroscience – Big Think

Artist, writer, and experimental philosopher Jonathon Keats, fresh from his recent Reciprocal Biomimicry project, is back, and this time its wearable. Or wearables. Based on recent advances in neuroscience, Keats is presenting The New Look of Neuroscience at Modernism Gallery in San Francisco March 16, 2017. (One wonders why the launch isnt April 1.) Its clothing designed to alter ones self-perception.

Wearing clothes that make you feel good isnt new, of course, but Keats press release claims to be applying cutting-edge neuroscience to millennia of costume history. Superego Suits, he says, alter ones biochemistry and brain/body communication. As such, they provide functionality far beyond todays internet-connected wearables that do little to enhance our personas. With existing tech, Keats notes, "psychologically you still remain your same old self. Glassholes will be Glassholes.

Keats four new wearable prototypes will be on display at the show, along with fashion photography by Elena Dorfman, who captured Wilhelmina International model Anna Sophia Moltke wearing the cutting-edge accessories.

(ELENA DORFMAN)

Here's a video of the photo shoot.

(ELENA DORFMAN)

These sunglasses leverage interception, a relatively unheard-of sensory system that involves awareness of ones autonomic processes. Superego shades have irises that open and close in sync with the wearers breathing, raising his or her consciousness of his or her respiration. And probably freaking out anyone the wearer is talking to.

The mechanics (ELENA DORFMAN)

(ELENA DORFMAN)

The bracelets can encourage the wearer to assume a power pose, boosting self-assurance through the release of testosterone.

The mechanics (ELENA DORFMAN)

(ELENA DORFMAN)

How about expanding ones sense of reach not to mention one's literal personal space with rings the have telescopic extenders? (You might want to wear Superego sunglasses for eye protection if youre having a conversation with someone wearing these.)

The mechanics (ELENA DORFMAN)

(ELENA DORFMAN)

Superego shoes offer heels whose height can be adjusted to ensure the wearer is always taller than anyone with whom he or she is speaking.

The mechanics (ELENA DORFMAN)

Keats says his designs are also reversible, allowing wearers to become even less of who they are should they already consider themselves to be a bit much. He plans for future Superego Suit designs to have the ability to measure and modulate hormone levels to amplify or reduce confidence as a situation requires.

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These Wearables Are All About Neuroscience - Big Think

Neuroscience

Neuroscience – sinauer.com

Dale Purves is Director of the Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders program at DukeNUS Graduate Medical School and Executive Director of the Neuroscience Research Partnership at A*STAR (both located in Singapore).

George J. Augustine is Director of the Center for Functional Connectomics in Seoul, Korea.

David Fitzpatrick is Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director of the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience.

William C. Hall is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the Duke University School of Medicine.

Anthony-Samuel LaMantia is a Professor of Pharmacology & Physiology at The George Washington University and Director of the GW Institute for Neuroscience.

Leonard E. White is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the Duke University School of Medicine.

Companion Website (sites.sinauer.com/neuroscience5e) The Neuroscience companion website features review and study tools to help students master the material presented in the neuroscience course. Access to the site is free of charge and requires no access code. The site includes:

Sylvius 4 Online: An Interactive Atlas and Visual Glossary of Human Neuroanatomy S. Mark Williams and Leonard E. White (Free online access code provided with every new copy of the text)

Sylvius 4 provides a unique digital learning environment for exploring and understanding the structure of the human central nervous system. Sylvius features fully annotated surface views of the human brain, as well as interactive tools for dissecting the central nervous system and viewing fully annotated cross-sections of preserved specimens and living subjects imaged by magnetic resonance. This new online version of Sylvius is more than a conventional atlas; it incorporates a comprehensive, visually-rich, searchable database of more than 500 neuroanatomical terms that are concisely defined and visualized in photographs, magnetic resonance images, and illustrations.

Instructors Resource Library (ISBN 978-0-87893-589-5)

The Neuroscience Instructors Resource Library includes a variety of resources to help in developing your course and delivering your lectures. The Library includes:

Online Quizzing Adopting instructors have access to a bank of online quizzes that they can choose to assign or let their students use for self-review purposes. Instructors can use the quizzes as is, or they can create their own quizzes using any combination of publisher-provided questions and their own questions. The online grade book stores quiz results, which can be downloaded for use in grade book programs. (Student access to the quizzes requires instructor registration.)

If you have adopted this text for course use (within the U.S. or Canada) and are interested in the instructors supplements that accompany the text, please contact Linda VandenDolder, [emailprotected]. Outside the U.S. or Canada? Check the orders and returns page for the distributor in your region.

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Neuroscience - sinauer.com

Neuroscience

US Attorney’s Office launches investigation of Swedish neurosurgery unit – The Seattle Times

Swedish CEO Guy Hudson wrote in a memo to staff members Wednesday that the U.S. Attorneys Office is now among the agencies reviewing practices at the institute, based at the Cherry Hill campus in Seattle.

The U.S. Attorneys Office has launched an investigation of Swedish Healths neurosurgery unit, adding a new layer of scrutiny to a distinguished institute that was recently the subject of stories in The Seattle Times.

Swedishs interim CEO, Dr. Guy Hudson, wrote in a memo to staff members Wednesday that the U.S. Attorneys Office is now among the agencies examining practices at the facility.

As with all regulatory reviews, we will cooperate fully to ensure that we are living our values and upholding the highest standards, Hudson said in his message. In a statement to The Times, Hudson said the investigation will help Swedish understand the full extent of the issues so we can quickly and thoroughly address them.

A Swedish spokeswoman said she did not immediately have details about the scope of the federal inquiry, or whether it was a criminal or civil examination. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Seattledeclined comment.

The Seattle Times published an investigation of the Swedish Neuroscience Institute last month, exposing turmoil and a range of internal concerns about patient care. The Times documented concerns among staffers about how some surgeons juggled multiple operations at the same time. And patient-safety indicators showed the Swedish-Cherry Hill campus, where the neuroscience institute is based, lagging behind peer hospitals on some measures.

The internal concerns had emerged amid dramatic growth in the number of surgeries and billings at the institute in recent years. In 2015, the Swedish-Cherry Hill campus had the highest Medicare reimbursements per inpatient visit of any U.S. hospital with at least 150 beds.

Over the past few weeks, in the fallout from The Times investigation, Swedish CEO Tony Armada resigned, as did the Swedish Neuroscience Institutes top surgeon, Dr. Johnny Delashaw. State health regulators also have launched an investigation into the practices at Swedish-Cherry Hill.

Hudson, who was appointed interim CEO after Armadas departure, apologized to staff in an interview last week, saying leaders had failed to act quickly enough on the concerns raised by caregivers. He said some staffers felt as if there was a culture of intimidation that punished those who tried to raise concerns.

Swedish operates as part of the Providence St. Joseph Health system, which encompasses 50 hospital campuses in seven states. Providence is headed by Dr. Rod Hochman, who was CEO of Swedish until 2012, when Providence and Swedish merged.

Hochman, in his first substantial remarks since The Times investigation, wrote to Swedish staffers on Tuesday to say that he has refrained from commenting to give Hudson the space he needs to make the necessary decisions and take action to begin restoring accountable senior leadership and trust among our caregivers and the community.

Though you have not heard from me directly, Swedish has been very much on my mind, Hochman wrote. I care deeply about the organization and am painfully aware that this has been a difficult time for all of you.

Swedish staffers have expressed frustration in recent days that Hochman hasnt taken responsibility for some of the issues at Swedish. Delashaw, the workhorse surgeon who faced numerous internal complaints about his practices, was initially hired by Providence in 2013 and placed at Cherry Hill despite questions about his work that had surfaced in California.

Hochman said in his staff memo that Delashaw was initially hired by our chief clinical officer at the time, not me.

At the end of 2014, the neuroscience institute was looking for a new leader. Four people who attended a small meeting called by Hochman have said Hochman quashed discussion of a national search for a new leader and instead told surgeons the new leader would be chosen internally. Despite dozens of internal complaints about Delashaw, he was elevated to be the neuroscience institutes leader.

At times, workers raised concerns about Delashaw to Hochman, according to records. Dr. Ralph Pascualy, then the chief executive of physicians at Swedish, confronted Hochman about Delashaw in a November memo that urged Hochman to take action.

You are perceived as giving him special privilege and honor when he is held in extremely low regard by every other physician on the medical staff, Pascualy wrote.

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US Attorney's Office launches investigation of Swedish neurosurgery unit - The Seattle Times