PLUS Loyola Clinical Center

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PROJECT SUMMARY: PLUS was designed to exert a sustained, powerful influence on bladder health research. The Loyola Clinical Center (LCC) was a robust contributor to PLUS research activities in the first funding cycle, due to our significant expertise in Community Engagement, including partnerships with cohorts that are poorly represeted in health research. In this renewal application, the LCC brings additional, rare expertise in evaluation of the urinary microbiome (urobiome), which is related to the bioregulatory function of the healthy bladder. Based on the foundational research accomplished in the first funding period, our investigators are eager to utilize our resources and our growing expertise to advance the PLUS mission, and continue our collaborative work. Our trans- disciplinary team of researchers will work collaboratively toward the our over-arching goal of advancing bladder health. In this renewal application, through three specific aims, we plan to conduct high-impact research that challenge existing paradigms and improve research approaches in bladder health, with a focus on musculoskeletal interventions and urobiome research. These aims include (SA1) To determine the relationship of musculoskeletal and bladder health across the life stages, (SA2) Through strategic collection, analysis and evidence-based storage of urine biospecimens, assess validity of self-collection and shipping from potential participants, assess the baseline and longitudinal urobiome characteristics, with focus on characteristics that are associated with bladder health and LUTS development over time and establish a high-quality urobiome biorepository for subsequent analysis, once novel promoters and risk factors for bladder health have been identified and (SA3) enhance PLUS Consortium community engaged research by integrating community stakeholders as co-investigators and designing processes that facilitate this integration. In addition, the LLC will contribute to the final design, conduct and analysis of a large, US population-based observational cohort of women across the life-span, using the Bladder Health Instrument which PLUS developed and validated. Within this study, the LCC proposes investigation of the bioregulatory functions of the healthy bladder through collection and anaysis of urine speciments, focusing on urinary microbiome (urobiome) health. The LCC has been active in the dissemination of PLUS work to the community, other researchers, and – when appropriate - clinicians, and patients. In addition to generating novel data and research tools, we anticipate establishing a repository of biological samples for future studies. As an integral component of the PLUS Research Consortium, we expect rapid improvements in scientific knowledge and LUTS prevention strategies as the aims of our Center are achieved. These improvements will benefit and support the broader research community with particular impact on the broader urology community and women’s health. Our continued work will further advance exising foundational evidence for LUTS prevention and bladder health to improve human health.