The counseling psychology department at Chatham University is enlisting help in studying how training for and running in a marathon affects the self- esteem of the runner.

"As a marathon runner myself, I am interested in finding out how other marathoners are mentally and emotionally impacted by the physical training for such a high-intensity event," said Mary Jo Loughran, assistant program director.

Participants will be asked to fill out a few questionnaires over the months leading up to the Pittsburgh Marathon May 2. The study will be conducted by the faculty for master's and doctoral programs in Counseling Psychology.

If you're planning to run in the marathon, and would like to participate in the study, contact Dr. Loughran at 412-365-2783 or mloughran@chatham.edu.

The division of vascular surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is enrolling people in a clinical trial that will examine the effectiveness of a stent in people with peripheral artery disease.

The disease is a narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in blood vessels. In the study, an experimental stent will be assessed on how well it keeps open the superficial femoral artery, located in the thigh. Principal investigator Dr. Luke Marone said the Durability II trial will help find the best minimally invasive treatment for people with peripheral artery disease in the upper leg. Each participant will get angioplasty, a widening of the blocked artery, and have a permanent stent inserted into the artery to help keep blood flowing through it.

To be eligible for the study, patients must have a history of severe leg pain and cramping due to insufficient blood flow. They will be required to retun periodically for followup visits for three years after the stent insertion.

The trial aims to enroll 287 patients at 40 centers across the United States and six in Europe. For more information, call 412-235-1304.

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