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Childbirth is one of the most painful experiences for a woman. Labor and period of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders for a woman. The demands of pregnancy and childbirth make patients vulnerable to psychiatric disorders such as postpartum depression (PPD), anxiety, and stress disorders. Women with postpartum psychiatric disorders have high mortality rates. The most common postpartum psychiatric disorder is PPD. PPD occurs any time in pregnancy or in the first four weeks after delivery. It may lead to complications such as emotional lability in the mother. This situation may also effect the child.~Postpartum depression (PD) has become the most frequent complication of childbirth. Its prevalence has been estimated as 10%-15% and its formation is affected by several factors such as lack of social support, previous history of depression, and personal vulnerability. There are several studies about PD in the literature, some discuss about the relation of pain and PD, some discuss about the relation of epidural anesthesia and PD. However, there is no study that compares different anesthesia methods (general anesthesia vs spinal anesthesia) on development of postnatal depression after cesarean delivery.~The aim of this study is to compare the different anesthesia methods (general anesthesia vs spinal anesthesia) on development of postnatal depression after cesarean delivery. The secondary aim is to decrease the ratio of postnatal depression after cesarean delivery. | Childbirth is one of the most painful experiences for a woman. Labor and period of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders for a woman. The demands of pregnancy and childbirth make patients vulnerable to psychiatric disorders such as postpartum depression (PPD), anxiety, and stress disorders. Women with postpartum psychiatric disorders have high mortality rates. The most common postpartum psychiatric disorder is PPD. PPD occurs any time in pregnancy or in the first four weeks after delivery. It may lead to complications such as emotional lability in the mother. This situation may also effect the child. |
A prospective, multi-center, non-randomized trial to demonstrate safety and device performance of the ADVA-Tec Uriprene® Degradable Temporary Ureteral Stent. The study is intended to assess the safety and efficacy of the Uriprene® Stent by assessing adequate intervention-free drainage during use and the time to complete degradation or the passage of stent fragments/segments from the urinary system by radiological assessment. | A prospective, multi-center, non-randomized trial to demonstrate safety and device performance of the ADVA-Tec Uriprene® Degradable Temporary Ureteral Stent. |
This was a retrospective comparative study spanning January 2014 to December 2018. It was conducted at Jordan university hospital, a teaching referral hospital affiliated to the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. Pregnant patients, both primigravida and multipara who had a spontaneous singleton pregnancy with documented TSH level in the first 16 weeks' gestation were included. The investigators excluded all patients who had known thyroid dysfunction whether on treatment or not, molar pregnancies, multiple pregnancies, patients with hyperemesis gravidarum, all patients with anti-thyroid antibodies (Anti-TPO), patients with TSH ˃ 4.0 mIU/L or ˂ 0.1 mIU/L. This range was used as TSH ˂ 0.1 mIU/L indicated an undiagnosed subclinical hyperthyroidism and TSH ˃4.0 indicated undiagnosed hypothyroidism. In addition, there were wide variations in the TSH reference ranges. Participants' data were collected retrospectively from antenatal clinic notes, admission notes, labor ward and operative notes. Data included patients ID number, age, parity, body mass index (BMI) in kg/m2, TSH values in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. The participants were divided into 2 groups according to their TSH values. Group one with TSH values between 0.1-1.99 mIU/L. Group 2 had TSH values between 2-4 mIU/L. Each group was then subdivided into 2 subgroups; primigravida and multipara. Group P1: Primigravida in group 1, Group P2: Primigravida in group 2, Group M1: Multiparous in group 1, Group M2: Multiparous in group 2.~The investigators calculated the mean, median and range of TSH in each subgroup. The feto-maternal outcome was then compared between the 2 groups. The investigators studied miscarriage rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, maternal blood sugar values (Fasting blood sugar (FBS), glucose tolerance test (GTT), HbA1c or a combination) between 26 and 34 weeks, development of high blood pressure at delivery, duration of pregnancy (gestational age at delivery), preterm delivery rate, abruption placenta, mode of delivery, birth weight and APGAR score at 1 and 5 minutes. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was diagnosed as an FBS 92-125 mg/dL or 1-hour plasma glucose levels of 180 or more following 75-gram oral glucose load or 2-hour plasma glucose 153-199 mg/dL. The study obtained the approval of the institutional review board (IRB) at Jordan University Hospital (JUH) number 179/2019 dated 17/4/2019.~The statistical analysis was performed with the Data Toolkit in Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA) using descriptive analysis. Relative risk and 95% confidence intervals were also calculated to compare variables. P values were considered significant at ˂0.05. The obtained data were examined using a frequency table and are presented as frequency, percentage and mean | Retrospective comparative study comparing group 1 (TSH level 0.1-1.99 mIU/L) and group 2 (TSH level 2.0-4 mIU/L). Each group was further subdivided into primigravidae and multipara. 1527 pregnant women were included. |
Peri-implantitis is a pathological condition occurring in tissues around dental implants, characterized by inflammation in the peri-implant connective tissue and progressive loss of supporting bone. Peri-implantitis is a disease with increasing incidence that, if left untreated, leads to implant loss. The etiological factors of peri-implant infections are similar to those involved in periodontal diseases. Consequently, the goals of peri-implantitis treatment must be the resolution of peri-implant soft tissue inflammation and stabilization of the bony attachment (e.g., the level of osseointegration). This can only be achieved under the condition that the majority of bacterial biofilms and hard deposits are eliminated on the implant surface to create a biologically acceptable surface conducive to wound healing. Decontamination of the implant surface is mandatory to resolve the inflammatory process and to establish healthy peri-implant tissues. To increase implant surface decontamination, several adjunctive tools have been proposed and investigated both in pre-clinical and clinical studies such as the use of photodynamic therapy and lasers. So far, no data are available to clearly demonstrate the efficacy of the adjunctive use of a diode laser in the non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. Therefore, the aim of the present randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to investigate the adjunctive effect of the application of a diode laser to treat peri-implantitis lesions by means of a non-surgical approach. A total of 30 patients is randomly allocated to two groups. The test group receives 3 x nonsurgical mechanical treatment with diode laser application whereas the control group receives the same treatment with sham laser application. The primary outcome is the mean peri-implant pocket probing depth (PPD) at 12 months. The secondary endpoints are:~Change at deepest PPD (mm)~Change in probing attachment level (PAL) (mm)~Change in the % of implants with BoP / SUP~Mean radiographic bone fill (mm) at mesial and distal sites~Change in width of keratinized mucosa (KM) (mm)~Change in microbial samples composition at 6 and 12 months~Changes in patients' related outcomes measures (PROMs) by means of a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (range: 0-10)~Change in peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) composition | Peri-implantitis is a pathological condition occurring in tissues around dental implants, characterized by inflammation in the peri-implant connective tissue and progressive loss of supporting bone. The goals of peri-implantitis treatment is the resolution of peri-implant soft tissue inflammation and stabilization of the bony attachment (e.g., the level of osseointegration). For this decontamination of the implant surface is mandatory. In order to increase implant surface decontamination, several adjunctive tools have been proposed and investigated both in pre-clinical and clinical studies such as the use of photodynamic therapy and lasers. So far, no data are available to clearly demonstrate the efficacy of the adjunctive use of a diode laser in the non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. Therefore, the aim of the present randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to investigate the adjunctive effect of the application of a diode laser to treat peri-implantitis lesions by means of a non-surgical approach. A total of 30 patients is randomly allocated to two groups. The test group receives 3 x nonsurgical mechanical treatment with diode laser application whereas the control group receives the same treatment with sham laser application. The primary outcome is the peri-implant pocket probing depth at 12 months. |
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition affecting 291,000 women and men in the US alone. Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common problem in these patients, affecting 52% of the population, with episodes of incontinence occurring daily in 20-27% of affected persons. UI after spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major cause of distress and morbidity amongst patients with SCI, and is associated with decreased quality of life in general, physical, and emotional domains. UI has the undesirable side effects of perineal irritation and infection, increased odor, disrupted sleep, embarrassment, need to change clothes/bedding, and sexual dysfunction, as well as significant financial burden. Persons living with a SCI have ranked urinary problems as the most important health problem after injury. Addressing this significant problem and providing relief has the potential to significantly improve the lives of patients with SCI.~Typical treatment options are geared toward the type of UI in each patient. For stress UI, the goal of treatment is to provide support to the pelvic floor and urethra. Pessaries (devices placed inside the vagina in women) or surgery (e.g. suburethral sling) to elevate the urethra and/or bladder neck to increase the resistance to leak through the urethra are commonly used. Urethral bulking agents or pelvic muscle floor therapy are also employed to strengthen the closure pressure of the urethra in patients with stress UI. No pharmacologic agents are currently available to treat stress UI. For urge UI, medications or electrical stimulation aimed at relaxation of the detrusor muscle, including anticholinergics, are used. For overflow or obstructive UI, treatments are aimed at shrinking or removing the obstruction, such as medications to shrink the prostate, prostatectomy or mass removal. For neurogenic UI, surgery for diversion or implant placement may be utilized.~Sildenafil (Viagra) has been well studied and used extensively in males to treat erectile dysfunction. Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, including sildenafil, are potent vasodilators that enhance tissue perfusion, relax smooth muscle of the vasculature and bladder, and stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis. It has been reported to improve lower urinary tract symptoms, including urge UI and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men. In our team's recent study using sildenafil for treatment of UI in women, the investigators found improvement in quality of life and a decrease in the number of incontinence episodes in women taking sildenafil. Higher sildenafil plasma levels were associated with greater improvement in symptoms. While the types of UI in women are somewhat different than in men, studies have shown improvements in UI in both sexes.~Thus, the investigators propose to conduct a two month randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial of sildenafil in male and female adult SCI patients with UI to assess the therapeutic potential of sildenafil to reduce the symptoms of urinary leakage.~Aims:~Aim 1: To determine whether sildenafil will decrease episodes of leakage of UI in adult women and men with SCI.~Aim 2: To determine the effects of sildenafil on the subjective measures of UI, including quality of life.~Experimental Protocol:~Investigators will study patients with spinal cord injuries (aged 18-70) with current urine leakage of more than 3 times/week (n=24). Subjects will undergo a double blinded randomized cross over treatment of sildenafil (20mg TID) and placebo. Each treatment period will last 4 weeks with a 2 week washout between treatment periods.~Before and after each treatment period, subjects will undergo testing which will consist of measurements of urine post void residual volume (PVR), adverse event assessment, and questionnaires of quality of life and urinary health. | The goal of this study is to determine whether administration of sildenafil will decrease urine leakage in patients with spinal cord injuries. |
Background: Suicide is an urgent public health crisis, and transitioning Veterans (those who have recently separated from the military) are a high-risk group for suicide. A key component to advancing suicide prevention efforts among at-risk Veterans is to address low levels of help-seeking and engagement in treatment, including Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care. Veterans are most likely to disclose suicidal thoughts to their close supports-family members, friends, and their peers. However, Veterans and their close supports rarely receive training in how to help a peer at risk of suicide, despite strong interest in such training. Gatekeeper training is a key strategy with potential to help address these challenges. Gatekeeper training teaches gatekeepers skills in how to identify a Veteran with suicide risk, inquire about suicidal thoughts, and help make a connection to professional treatment; it may benefit the trainee's own mental health too. PsychArmor S.A.V.E., developed through a partnership between the VA and the PsychArmor Training Institute, is a brief, novel online gatekeeper training designed for Veterans and their close supports.~Significance/Impact: This project focuses on VA's topic clinical priority, suicide prevention. The 2019 VA and Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guidelines also identified gatekeeper training as an important research gap and priority for future research. This research design addresses three separate goals and objectives contained in VA's National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, including involvement of Veterans' close supports.~Innovation: This proposal employs the novel approach of recruiting Veterans and their close supports through online social media advertisements, allowing for broad outreach, suicide prevention targeting Veterans outside the VA network, and the potential to test the effectiveness of gatekeeper training on a large scale. Online gatekeeper trainings are highly scalable public health strategies with the potential to diffuse through online social networks.~Specific Aims: The primary objective is to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the online gatekeeper training PsychArmor S.A.V.E. To reach this objective the investigators will achieve these aims: 1) Determine the feasibility of recruiting participants via social media, engaging them to participate in an online gatekeeper training program, and retaining them in an online intervention study; and 2) Determine the acceptability of PsychArmor S.A.V.E. in a pilot RCT, and evaluate measures for use in a future larger-scale RCT.~Methodology: This is a two-arm pilot randomized clinical trial involving 200 participants. Participants will be recruited through social media advertisements targeting transitioning Veterans and their close supports (family and friends). Participants will be randomized to take the PsychArmor S.A.V.E. gatekeeper training or a sham control training and followed for 6 months. Mixed quantitative and qualitative methods will be used to assess outcomes on feasibility and acceptability. Additional data collection and analysis of measures related to suicide prevention, such as gatekeeper behaviors, knowledge, stigma, self-efficacy, and social norms measures will help prepare for a larger-scale RCT.~Implementation/Next Steps: By using an extremely scalable intervention and building off existing VA practices and partnerships, this project will be very well-positioned for further evaluation and implementation into VA practice if found to be effective. It is freely available online, making it highly amenable to being rapidly taken to scale. Results of this project will inform future efforts to disseminate and/or revise PsychArmor S.A.V.E. | The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a gatekeeper training called PsychArmor S.A.V.E. which was developed through a partnership between the VA and the PsychArmor Training Institute. Gatekeeper training teaches gatekeepers skills in how to identify a person with suicide risk, inquire about suicidal thoughts, and help make a connection to professional treatment. PsychArmor S.A.V.E. is a brief, novel online gatekeeper training that was created and designed specifically for Veterans and their family and friends. In this study, the investigators will recruit Veterans who have recently transitioned out of the military, as well as their family and friends. Participants in the study will be asked to complete a survey, watch the PsychArmor S.A.V.E. training, and complete several follow-up surveys over six months. A small subset of participants will also be invited to participate in an interview. |
Retrospective, cohort study chart review in patients at Methodist Health System~Data will be pulled on all patients with hypercoagulable states identified by ICD-9/ICD-10 codes from January 1st, 2015 to December 31st, 2019 | Retrospective, cohort study chart review in patients with hypercoagulable states. |
In this prospective and randomized study, only adult ASA II to IV patients, aged over 18 years, scheduled to undergo lower limb arterial revascularization surgery at the Hospital de Clínicas in Porto Alegre and at the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição will be included.~The study will be designed as a prospective clinical trial. Patients will be randomly allocated for treatment with spinal neuraxial anesthesia associated with spontaneous ventilation (nasal glasses with supplemental oxygen - Group 1) or treatment with general anesthesia under controlled mechanical ventilation (tidal volume from 6 to 8 ml / kg of the assumed weight and PEEP of 5 cmH2O - Group 2).~Sampling will be carried out for convenience, including patients routinely seen in the operating room of the hospitals involved and who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study. The allocation of patients will be performed through a table of random numbers generated prior to the beginning of the protocol. The process of randomization of patients in the groups will be carried out using random blocks. The method for blinding the study will be carried out using sealed envelopes and will include the blinding of the researchers, evaluators and those responsible for statistical analysis, but will not include the blinding of the attending physician and the patients.~The data will be stored in Excel and analyzed statistically using STATA 12.0 software. The statistical approach will be carried out through the intention-to-treat model. The assessment of ventilatory and hemodynamic parameters between the groups will be performed using ANOVA associated with Bonferroni for parametric data or the Kruskal-Wallis test associated with the Mann-Whitney test for nonparametric data. For categorical variables, we will use Fisher's exact test or Chi-square test. Repeated measures ANOVA will be used to assess outcomes between treatment groups over the follow-up period. In order to control important variables, such as surgical time, surgical complications, age, body mass index, and ASA classification (comorbidities), a statistical approach to assess confounding factors (linear regression model) will be performed after the period data collection. Results will be considered statistically significant when type I (P) error is less than 0.05. | The study will be designed as a prospective clinical trial. Patients scheduled for lower limb arterial bypass surgery will be randomly allocated for treatment with spinal anesthesia associated with spontaneous ventilation (nasal cannula with supplemental oxygen - Group 1) or treatment with general anesthesia under controlled mechanical ventilation (tidal volume 6 to 8 ml / kg of the predicted body weight and PEEP of 5 cmH2O - Group 2). |
Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most commonly diagnosed shoulder disorder. In literature shoulder impingement is reported between 48% and 65% of all painful shoulder conditions.~The coordinated coupled motion between the scapula and humerus, the so-called scapulohumeral rhythm (SHR), is needed for efficient arm movement. Reduced scapular mobility reduces the acromio-humeral distance during arm abduction and therefore increases the risk for shoulder impingement syndrome.~Clinical prediction rules (CPRs) are tools designed to improve decision making in clinical practice by assisting practitioners in making a particular diagnosis, establishing a prognosis, or matching patients to optimal interventions based on a parsimonious subset of predictor variables from the history and physical examination.~HYPOTHESES:~Pain severity will not be predictor for treatment success in patients suffering from subacromial impingement syndrome treated with scapular training.~Scapular upward rotation angle will not be predictor for treatment success in patients suffering from subacromial impingement syndrome treated with scapular training.~Ratio of upper trapezius /serratus anterior isometric strength will not be predictor for treatment success in patients suffering from subacromial impingement syndrome treated with scapular training.~RESEARCH QUESTION:~Does pain severity, scapular upward rotation angle and upper trapezius/serratus anterior isometric strength ratio predict patient's esponse to scapular training in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome? | To investigate if pain severity, scapular upward rotation angle and upper trapezius/serratus anterior isometric strength ratio can predict patient's response to scapular training in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. |
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:~I. To determine if bortezomib, daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj (daratumumab), lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Btz-DRd) consolidation followed by daratumumab and lenalidomide (DR) maintenance after standard induction therapy with daratumumab, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (DRd) results in superior overall survival compared to DRd consolidation followed by DR maintenance, in minimal residual disease (MRD) positive patients.~SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:~I. To determine if Btz-DRd consolidation followed by DR maintenance after standard induction therapy with DRd results in superior overall survival compared to DRd consolidation followed by DR maintenance in MRD negative patients.~II. To determine if Btz-DRd consolidation followed by DR maintenance after standard induction therapy with DRd results in superior progression-free survival compared to DRd consolidation followed by DR maintenance in both MRD positive and MRD negative patients.~III. To describe and compare the incidence of toxicities during consolidation between Btz-DRd and DRd arms.~IV. To assess the improvement in MRD negative rate with consolidation among patients who are MRD positive after induction.~V. To assess the sustained MRD negative rate among patients who are MRD negative after induction.~PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOMES (PRO) OBJECTIVES:~I. To quantify the extent to which the addition of bortezomib to DRd over consolidation treatment contributes to neuropathy and associated physical and functional impairments. (Primary PRO Objective) II. To evaluate the rate of resolution of neurotoxicity and associated physical and functional impairments following completion of consolidation therapy. (Secondary PRO Objective) III. To investigate the relationship between MRD status and patient reported health-related quality of life outcomes. (Exploratory PRO Objective) IV. To evaluate attributes of select patient reported treatment-emergent symptomatic adverse events (PRO- Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE]) longitudinally and compare responses with provider-reported adverse events. (Exploratory PRO Objective) V. To tabulate PRO compliance and completion rates. (Exploratory PRO Objective)~IMAGING OBJECTIVES:~I. To evaluate the association between post-induction fludeoxyglucose F-18 (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and patient outcomes (overall survival [OS] and progression-free survival [PFS]). (Primary Imaging Objective) II. To evaluate the association between baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT and patient outcomes (PFS and OS). (Secondary Imaging Objective) III. To compare overall survival with the addition of Bortezomib to consolidation DRd therapy among 18F-FDG PET/CT-positive and 18F-FDG PET/CT-negative subgroups. (Secondary Imaging Objective) IV. To evaluate the ability of baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT to predict post-induction depth of response as measured by MRD assessment. (Secondary Imaging Objective) V. To evaluate the ability of post-induction 18F-FDG PET/CT to predict MRD conversion post-consolidation. (Secondary Imaging Objective) VI. To utilize 18F-FDG PET/CT, standard risk factors and clinical data to identify distinct subgroups with differing patient outcomes (PFS and OS). (Exploratory Imaging Objective) VII. To compare the various qualitative 18F-FDG PET/CT criteria to determine which criteria yields superior risk stratification. (Exploratory Imaging Objective)~OUTLINE:~ARM A (INDUCTION): All patients receive standard induction therapy comprising the following: daratumumab subcutaneously (SC) on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of cycles 1-2, days 1 and 15 of cycles 3-6, and day 1 of cycles 7-9, lenalidomide orally (PO) daily on days 1-21, and dexamethasone PO on days 1, 8, 15, and 22. Treatment repeats every 28 days for 9 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.~After completion of standard induction therapy, patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.~ARM B:~CONSOLIDATION: Patients receive bortezomib SC on days 1, 8, and 15, daratumumab SC on day 1, lenalidomide PO daily on days 1-21, and dexamethasone PO on days 1, 8, 15, and 22. Treatment repeats every 28 days for 9 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.~MAINTENANCE: Patients receive lenalidomide PO daily on days 1-21 and daratumumab SC on day 1. Cycles repeat every 28 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.~ARM C:~CONSOLIDATION: Patients receive daratumumab SC on day 1, lenalidomide PO daily on days 1-21, and dexamethasone PO on days 1, 8, 15, and 22. Treatment repeats every 28 days for 9 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.~MAINTENANCE: Patients receive lenalidomide PO daily on days 1-21, and daratumumab SC on day 1. Cycles repeats every 28 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.~After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months if less than 2 years from study entry, every 6 months if 2-5 years from study entry, then annually for up to 15 years from study entry. | This phase III trial compares the combination of four drugs (daratumumab, bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone) to the use of a three drug combination (daratumumab, lenalidomide and dexamethasone). Bortezomib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Chemotherapy drugs, such as lenalidomide, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Daratumumab is a monoclonal antibody that may interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as dexamethasone lower the body's immune response and are used with other drugs in the treatment of some types of cancer. Adding bortezomib to daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone may be more effective in shrinking the cancer or preventing it from returning, compared to continuing on daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone. |
This is a Phase 2, open-label, outcomes-assessor masked, multicentre, randomised, controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two doses of GT005 administered as a single subretinal injection in subjects with GA secondary to AMD.~The trial includes a screening period of up to 8 weeks and a 96-week study period.~Subjects will be randomised to one of two groups; GT005 or the untreated control group. | The purpose of this clinical study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two doses of GT005 administered as a single subretinal injection in subjects with geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). |
Coronary artery revascularization is commonly used for the management strategy of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).~In the following years after revascularization, the current guidelines recommend evaluation with stress tests when patients are symptomatic. Due to the lack of randomized trials, the evaluation of asymptomatic patients is controversial and accordingly there is a wide variation in routine follow-up strategies in these patients. A systematic screening of silent myocardial ischemia may help prevent a major acute cardiac event. However, systematic screening strategy is costly and there is currently no evidence that repeated revascularization improve survival We hypothesized that clinical follow-up alone would be non-inferior to systematic stress testing screening strategy during follow-up of asymptomatic CAD patients with prior coronary revascularization.~The primary objective of ARCACHON trial is to demonstrate the non-inferiority of a strategy of clinical follow-up (without non-invasive stress testing) in asymptomatic patients with a history of coronary revascularization compared to a strategy of systematic screening for myocardial ischemia using non-invasive stress testing by the primary endpoint as the composite of: all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke or any cardiovascular event leading to unplanned hospitalization. | Due to the lack of randomized controlled trials, the best follow-up strategy of asymptomatic patients after coronary artery revascularization is controversial. A systematic screening of silent myocardial ischemia may help prevent a major acute cardiac event. However, systematic screening strategy is costly and there is currently no evidence that repeated revascularization improve survival. Moreover, stress testing per se or additional procedures which can be performed with regard of stress testing results can cause unexpected complications.~ARCACHON is a national, multicenter, randomized, open label trial, that will evaluate the non-inferiority of a clinical follow-up as compared to a systematic stress testing strategy after coronary revascularization. |
Substance use and drug related disorders are important public health problems. Alcohol and illicit drug use account for 5.4% of the total burden of disease and the peak has been found in early adulthood (between ages 20 and 30 years). Substance use is one of the leading problems among Chilean adolescents. One out of four 8 th to 12 th graders have smoked cigarettes in the last month. A 35.6% of students (37%, girls; 34.2%, boys) between Year 8 and Year 12 have reported any alcohol use during the last month. It is worrying that a third of 14 years old students report using alcohol in the last month in Chile. Furthermore, two out of three who are using alcohol, report regularly using 5 or more drinks in a row during the last month. Cannabis use among young Chileans has increased in recent years. Today, one out of five students between Year 8 and Year 12 referred cannabis use during the last 30 days. Almost a 20% of students in Year 8 have used cannabis in the last year.~Therefore, is urgent to provide evidence-based drug preventive interventions to the Chilean population, specifically to school students, to tackle this problem and reduce the risk for a more dramatic future health scenario.~The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the cultural adaptation of Yo Sé Lo Que Quiero program. This is a pilot randomized controlled trial. The participants of this pilot were students attending six low-income primary schools in Santiago, Chile.~This pilot study is part of a larger research project with the final aim of testing the effectiveness of Yo Sé Lo Que Quiero program to reduce substance use among adolescents in Chile. | Substance use and drug related disorders are important public health problems. Alcohol and illicit drug use account for 5.4% of the total burden of disease and the peak has been found in early adulthood (between ages 20 and 30 years). Substance use is one of the leading problems among Chilean adolescents. One out of four 8 th to 12 th graders have smoked cigarettes in the last month. A 35.6% of students (37%, girls; 34.2%, boys) between Year 8 and Year 12 have reported any alcohol use during the last month. It is worrying that a third of 14 years old students report using alcohol in the last month in Chile. Furthermore, two out of three who are using alcohol, report regularly using 5 or more drinks in a row during the last month. Cannabis use among young Chileans has increased in recent years. Today, one out of five students between Year 8 and Year 12 referred cannabis use during the last 30 days. Almost a 20% of students in Year 8 have used cannabis in the last year.~Therefore, is urgent to provide evidence-based drug preventive interventions to the Chilean population, specifically to school students, to tackle this problem and reduce the risk for a more dramatic future health scenario.~The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the cultural adaptation of Yo Sé Lo Que Quiero program. This is a pilot randomized controlled trial. The participants of this pilot were students attending six low-income primary schools in Santiago, Chile. |
This non-interventional, Phase IV, exploratory, cross-over, randomised, single-blind, active comparator-controlled study has been designed to measure the palatability and preference of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (hereafter referred to as Lokelma®) versus calcium patiromer sorbitex (hereafter referred to as Veltassa®) versus sodium polystyrene sulphonate (SPS) or calcium polystyrene sulphonate (CPS) (hereafter referred to as S/CPS) in patients with dialysis and non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hyperkalaemia (HK). The sponsor hypothesizes that palatability, in terms of taste, texture, smell, and mouthfeel, will score higher (better) for Lokelma when compared with Veltassa and S/CPS. Each objective will be analysed per country. In addition, the difference in results per regions and overall may be explored. | This non-interventional, Phase IV, exploratory, cross-over, randomised, single-blind, active comparator-controlled study has been designed to measure the palatability and preference of Lokelma® versus Veltassa® versus S/CPS in patients with dialysis and non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hyperkalaemia (HK). The sponsor hypothesizes that palatability, in terms of taste, texture, smell, and mouthfeel, will score higher (better) for Lokelma when compared with Veltassa and S/CPS. |
This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study to determine the effect of SCD-044 in subjects with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. | This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in subjects with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. |
The central framework for the project is a double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover study in which subjects with the non-fluent/agrammatic and semantic variants of primary progressive aphasia (naPPA and svPPA, respectively) will undergo language testing and structural and functional brain imaging before and after receiving 10 semi-consecutive daily sessions of real or sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) paired with modified constraint-induced language therapy (mCILT). Language testing and brain imaging will be repeated immediately after completion of and up-to 24 weeks following completion of treatment.~Subjects with naPPA and svPPA will be randomized to one of two study arms: tDCS+mCILT or sham stimulation+mCILT paired with pre- and post-stimulation imaging and behavioral measures. Equal numbers of subjects with naPPA and svPPA will be randomized to the tDCS + mCILT and sham + mCILT study arms. The study is double-blinded, in that neither the subject nor the study personnel administering tDCS or sham stimulation will know which arm of the study the subject has been randomized into. Study coordinators will administer tDCS by entering a pre-determined code that has been programmed into the device by another member of the study team. Data will be digitally audio-recorded and analyzed off-line, such that study team members performing data coding and analysis will likewise be blinded to the treatment condition of each subject.~Subject participation in this protocol will occur during 36 planned visits that will span approximately 12 months. The events of the study visits are described below:~VISIT 1:~Informed consent and screening~VISIT 2:~Baseline MRI~VISIT 3 & 4:~Baseline language assessment~VISITS 5-14:~tDCS+mCILT OR sham stimulation+mCILT, depending on the study arm to which they had been randomized.~VISIT 15 & 16:~Follow-up language assessment Follow-up MRI~VISIT 17:~6-Week follow-up language assessment~VISIT 18 & 19:~12-week follow-up language assessment 12-week follow-up MRI~**CROSSOVER**~VISIT 20:~Crossover baseline language assessment~VISITS 21-30:~tDCS+mCILT or sham stimulation+mCILT~VISIT 31 & 32:~Follow-up language assessment Follow-up MRI~VISIT 33:~6 Week follow-up language assessment~VISIT 34 & 35:~12-week follow-up language assessment 12-week follow-up MRI~VISIT 36:~24 week follow-up language assessment | This is a double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover study in which subjects with the non-fluent/agrammatic and semantic variants of primary progressive aphasia (naPPA and svPPA, respectively) will undergo language testing and structural and functional brain imaging before and after receiving 10 semi-consecutive daily sessions of real or sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) paired with modified constraint-induced language therapy (mCILT). Language testing and brain imaging will be repeated immediately after completion of and up-to 24 weeks following completion of treatment. The investigators will examine changes in language performance induced by tDCS + mCILT compared to sham tDCS + mCILT. The investigators will also use network science to analyze brain imaging (fMRI) data to identify network properties associated with baseline PPA severity and tDCS-induced changes in performance. This study will combine knowledge gained from our behavioral, imaging, and network data in order to determine the relative degrees to which these properties predict whether persons with PPA will respond to intervention. |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified insufficient sleep as a public health epidemic, with more than 70 million US adults experiencing insomnia each year. However, access to current evidence-based interventions for sleep disturbance (e.g., Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia [CBT-I]) is limited due to the need for specialized providers as well as monetary and logistical barriers that prevent many individuals from attending in-person treatment sessions (e.g., scheduling, transportation, childcare). Novel modes of delivery are needed to extend the benefits of these treatments to a wider range of individuals in need.~For many individuals, digital intervention platforms may serve as an attractive alternative to receiving treatment and health services that are otherwise difficult to access. The Calm app is a consumer-based meditation smartphone app that is easy to use, inexpensive, and widely accessible (currently over 3.1 million paying subscribers). Recent surveys (N=12,151; N=11,210) indicate that between 76 and 89% of the Calm app subscribers were experiencing sleep difficulties when they downloaded the app, and 63-76% downloaded the Calm app specifically to improve their sleep. Given the Calm apps popularity and the need for techniques to improve sleep, leveraging the Calm apps existing platform will allow for efficient dissemination of a digital sleep intervention (i.e., Calm Sleep Coaching).~The Calm app has developed a new 6-week online sleep-coaching school (Calm Sleep Coaching) to improve the quality and quantity of sleep for individuals who complete the program. The development of Calm Sleep Coaching was informed by evidence-based techniques (e.g., CBTi, mindfulness practices, Self-Determination Theory, and Social Cognitive Theory). However, the feasibility and effectiveness of Calm Sleep Coaching has not yet been evaluated.~Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate Calm Sleep Coaching in adults with sleep disturbance (score of greater than or equal to 8 on the Insomnia Severity Index) by 1) determining the feasibility (i.e., acceptability, demand) of Calm Sleep Coaching and 2) determining the preliminary effects of Calm Sleep Coaching on primary (sleep quality) and secondary outcomes (i.e., symptoms of insomnia, mental health, well-being, resilience, and productivity). Investigators also aim to explore coaches' experiences with implementation of Calm Sleep Coaching using an investigator developed survey and assess the participants stage of change (transtheoretical model) throughout the program. Investigators hypothesize that 1) Calm Sleep Coaching will be feasible among individuals with sleep disturbance and 2) participating in the Calm Sleep Coaching program is associated with improvements in primary and secondary outcomes compared to the control group (with greater improvements observed among those participating in higher touch coaching interventions).~Investigators aim to recruit N=200 participants. Participants will be randomized into one of four groups: 1) High-touch intervention (N=50; real-time video and chat messaging, coach response via live videos), 2) medium-touch intervention (N=50; real-time video and pre-recorded video and chat messaging with response from coach), 3) low-touch intervention (N=50; chat messaging with response from coach), or 4) Sleep education control (N=50; no coaching).~STUDY OBJECTIVES~Aim 1: Examine the feasibility (acceptability, demand) of the Calm Sleep Coaching six-week program in adults with sleep disturbance (N=200).~Acceptability is defined as participant satisfaction with content including perceived appropriateness and usefulness of Calm Sleep Coaching for improving sleep. Acceptability will be measured using an investigator developed satisfaction survey. H1.1: At least 70% of participants will report that overall, they were satisfied with Calm Sleep Coaching. H1.2: At least 70% of participants will perceive the components of Calm Sleep Coaching to be appropriate and useful for reducing or managing sleep disturbance.~Demand is defined as the number of sessions attended with the sleep coaches and compliance with sleep diaries. H1.3: At least 70% of participants will attend 4/6 of Calm Sleep Coaching sessions and (2) at least 70% will complete 70% of daily sleep diaries.~Aim 2: Test the preliminary effects of the Calm Sleep Coaching program on primary (sleep quality) and secondary outcomes (i.e., symptoms of insomnia, mental health, well-being, resilience, and productivity). Investigators will test associations between participation in Calm Sleep Coaching and changes in sleep disturbance (primary outcome) and symptoms related to sleep disturbance (secondary outcomes; i.e., stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, well-being, resilience and productivity) compared to those in a sleep education control group. H2.1: Participating in 6 weeks of Calm Sleep Coaching will be associated with reductions in sleep disturbance. H2.2: Participating in 6 weeks of Calm Sleep Coaching will be associated with improvement in symptoms related to sleep disturbance.~Aim 3 (exploratory): Assess coaches experiences with implementation of Calm Sleep Coaching via investigator developed survey. Questions asked will assess general experiences, challenges, usability, content, and recommendations for change.~Aim 4 (exploratory): Assess the participants stage of change (transtheoretical model) throughout the program. | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified insufficient sleep as a public health epidemic, with more than 70 million US adults experiencing insomnia each year. However, access to current evidence-based interventions for sleep disturbance (e.g., Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia [CBT-I]) is limited due to the need for specialized providers as well as monetary and logistical barriers that prevent many individuals from attending in-person treatment sessions (e.g., scheduling, transportation, childcare). Novel modes of delivery are needed to extend the benefits of these treatments to a wider range of individuals in need.~The purpose of this study is to evaluate Calm Sleep Coaching in adults with sleep disturbance (score of greater than or equal to 8 on the Insomnia Severity Index) by 1) determining the feasibility (i.e., acceptability, demand) of Calm Sleep Coaching and 2) determining the preliminary effects of Calm Sleep Coaching on primary (sleep quality) and secondary outcomes (i.e., symptoms of insomnia, mental health, well-being, resilience, and productivity). Investigators also aim to explore coaches' experiences with implementation of Calm Sleep Coaching using an investigator developed survey and assess the participants stage of change (transtheoretical model) throughout the program. Investigators hypothesize that 1) Calm Sleep Coaching will be feasible among individuals with sleep disturbance and 2) participating in the Calm Sleep Coaching program is associated with improvements in primary and secondary outcomes compared to the control group (with greater improvements observed among those participating in higher touch coaching interventions).~Investigators aim to recruit N=200 participants. Participants will be randomized into one of four groups: 1) High-touch intervention (N=50; real-time video and chat messaging, coach response via live videos), 2) medium-touch intervention (N=50; real-time video and pre-recorded video and chat messaging with response from coach), 3) low-touch intervention (N=50; chat messaging with response from coach), or 4) Sleep education control (N=50; no coaching). |
Colorectal cancers are the third most common cancer in the world. In advanced stages of colorectal cancers, peritoneal carcinomatosis and intraabdominal acid development occur. Although stomach cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the world, it is the third cancer with the highest mortality. Pancreatic cancer is one of the highest mortality cancers worldwide. Likewise, in advanced stages of stomach and pancreatic cancer, peritoneal carcinomatosis and intra- abdominal acid development occur. It is known that the immune system plays an important role in tumor development or destruction of tumor. Recent studies have shown that tumor cells develop escape mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment to escape from host immunity. It has been reported that differentiation of T cells towards Th2 and regulatory T cells is also effective in tumor progression(6). Changes in the tumor microenvironment and immune checkpoints are important mechanisms that lead to escape from the immune system. Immune checkpoints are on the agenda especially after 2018 Nobel Prize and they are important molecules in revealing the relationship.~Programmed Cell Death Protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand, PD-L1, is an immune control point that acts by blocking T cell receptor signal transduction and co-stimuli. T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3) are mostly expressed on interferon-gamma-producing T cells, Tregs, dendritic cells, B cells, macrophages, natural killer cells (NK) and mast cells. Enhanced regulation of TIM-3 expression is associated with autoimmune diseases. High TIM-3 expression is associated with suppression of T cell responses and T cell depletion characterized by loss of T cell functions during chronic viral infections and during tumor development. With the clinical success of immune checkpoint inhibitors such as ipilimumab and nivolumab for melanoma and lung cancer, immune checkpoints have received more attention.~The role of the immune system in colorectal cancers has been demonstrated, especially in recent studies, with the effects of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and immune control points on TILs or immune control point ligands on patient survival. Studies in the literature usually include immunological examinations of patient blood or tumor tissue.~There are many publications in the literature on the study of immunological markers from acid fluid samples for various reasons. In these studies, T and B cell subtypes were examined from acid fluids samples taken from patients with spontaneous ascites, especially ovarian cancer and liver cirrhosis. In the only study conducted on gastrointestinal cancers, immunophenotyping was performed in intraabdominal ascites and blood in 22 advanced gastrointestinal tumor patients, and some cell subgroups were associated with clinical worsening.~In the literature, there is no study on immune control points from intra-abdominal acid fluids specific to gastric and colorectal cancer. In our study, it is aimed to evaluate whether there is a difference in immune control points in patients with end-stage colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer compared to patients without malignancy, and the relationship of these parameters with patient survival and tumor spread mechanisms. | Colorectal cancers are the third most common cancer in the world. In advanced stages of colorectal cancers, peritoneal carcinomatosis and intraabdominal acid development occur. Although stomach cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the world, it is the third cancer with the highest mortality. Pancreatic cancer is one of the highest mortality cancers worldwide. Likewise, in advanced stages of stomach and pancreatic cancer, peritoneal carcinomatosis and intra- abdominal acid development occur. It is known that the immune system plays an important role in tumor development or destruction of tumor. Recent studies have shown that tumor cells develop escape mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment to escape from host immunity. It has been reported that differentiation of T cells towards Th2 and regulatory T cells is also effective in tumor progression(6). Changes in the tumor microenvironment and immune checkpoints are important mechanisms that lead to escape from the immune system. Immune checkpoints are on the agenda especially after 2018 Nobel Prize and they are important molecules in revealing the relationship.In our study, it is aimed to evaluate whether there is a difference in immune control points in patients with end-stage colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer compared to patients without malignancy, and the relationship of these parameters with patient survival and tumor spread mechanisms. |
Severe septic Shock has a high mortality ranging from 30-55% and might lead up to 100% mortality under cardiovascular failure and vasoplegia in the initial phase of severe septic shock . Mostly caused by bacteremia, it can also be triggered by viral or fungal infections. Due to vasodilatation caused by toxins the circulatory system of the patient fails. This will lead to further malfunctions of the patient organs (e.g. renal malfunction, vasodilation, myocardial pump failure and DIG) and will cause multiorgan system failure.~Nowadays there is a symptomatic approach to treat septic shock. Except of giving antibiotics less can be done to improve the patient's condition. Treatment with fluids, catecholamines, mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapies are all regimen to bridge failed organ systems until normal organ function is restored and starts to improve. It is known that the cytokines and toxins, which are liberated by the breakdown of bacterial cells, maintain the inflammatory response of the body. This process might be overshooting and if not disrupted, the patient will die.~A new approach is to bind this cytokines and toxins in an unspecific physical process to tiny plastic beads, which are arranged in the CytoSorb System as they correlate with severity of mortality in sepsis . This polymer beads allow adsorption and binding of molecules from 5-60 kDa (kilodalton) range. Therefore, Cytokines as IL(interleukin)-1, -6, -8 and -10 can be effectively removed. CytoSorb has to get in contact with patient blood. To use this option of treatment CytoSorb is implemented in a renal replacement system, a heart lung machine, ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenator) or any other extracorporeal pump driven system. By extracorporeal blood purification in septic shock the main goal is to eliminate inflammatory mediators and bacterial toxins. This might attenuate the excessive inflammatory response and could lead to hemodynamic stabilization .~The aim of this retrospective study was to identify if the enrolled patient might have had a profit of Cytosorb therapy. Primarily the decline in catecholamine therapy under Cytosorb therapy will be investigated. Secondarily the outcome of surviving patients will be evaluated and compared to expected mortality due to sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA). Thirdly the patients deceased under this therapy were compared to the surviving patients. | The aim of this retrospective study was to identify if the enrolled patient might have had a profit of Cytosorb therapy. Primarily the decline in catecholamine therapy under Cytosorb therapy will be investigated. Secondarily the outcome of surviving patients will be evaluated and compared to expected mortality due to sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA). Thirdly the patients deceased under this therapy were compared to the surviving patients. |
The GINA 2020 guidelines suggest that asthma affects approximately 300 million persons worldwide. Even if there is a specific drug treatment for each stage of disease (From mild to severe) in some patients it is not efficacy and it culd be reated to the gender difference Polymorphisms seems to be involved in asthma (allergic or not) even if no data have been published concerning the role of gender in this clinical manifestation. The role of polymorphisms in susceptibility to allergic asthma has been partially investigated but no study has analysed gender subgroups separately, neglecting a their potential predictive role in symptomatological and functional variations in the allergic asthma in both sexes. The aim of this study is to assess whether genetic variations involved in the genes encoding the two key leukotriene enzymes, ALOX5 and LTC4S, and CysLTR1 are implicated in the sex difference of allergic asthma in a well-characterized patient cohort. | The GINA 2020 guidelines suggest that asthma affects approximately 300 million persons worldwide. Even if there is a specific drug treatment for each stage of disease (From mild to severe) in some patients it is not efficacy and it culd be reated to the gender difference Polymorphisms seems to be involved in asthma (allergic or not) even if no data have been published concerning the role of gender in this clinical manifestation. The aim of this study is to assess whether genetic variations involved in the genes encoding the two key leukotriene enzymes, ALOX5 and LTC4S, and CysLTR1 are implicated in the sex difference of allergic asthma in a well-characterized patient cohort. |
This is a single arm, phase 4, prospective, open-label, United States single-center study to develop laboratory data and assess the clinical hemostatic efficacy and safety of Hemlibra (emicizumab) for hemostatic control of mild hemophilia A patients (baseline FVIII activity, >5 to 30%). Males aged ≥5 years to ≤45 years without inhibitors are eligible for enrollment. Secondary outcomes will assess changes in quality of life and joint health in treated patients.~Approximately 30-40 patients will be enrolled. As much as possible, the patient population will be selected to provide a variety of FVIII activity levels and F8 genetic defects.~Carrier females are not eligible for the study as the goal is to examine the effect of altered FVIII on Hemlibra (emicizumab) binding; carrier females with FVIII levels in the mild range of deficiency have one altered and one normal F8 gene that results in a mixture of both normal and altered FVIII proteins thereby complicating the interpretation of study results.~Patients with a FVIII inhibitor (or a history of a FVIII inhibitor) are not eligible for this study; if a subject develops a FVIII inhibitor during the study, they will be withdrawn from the study and offered the current standard of care.~Patients <5 years of age will be excluded from the study due to 1) the number of blood draws and the quantity of blood required; and 2) likelihood of reaching a minimum weight to utilize Stimate (~20 kg).~Patients with risk factors for thrombosis or TMA will be excluded from the study. Patients >45 years of age, >30 BMI, with a history of CVD, or >20% risk of CVD over a 10-year period using the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk estimator will also be excluded to minimize potential adverse events.~Patients with any number of FVIII exposure days are eligible for enrollment, as are previously untreated patients (PUPs). Although expected to be an uncommon occurrence, PUPs may be at risk of developing FVIII inhibitors while enrolled in the study due to exogenous FVIII exposure if required; as such they will be tested (bovine chromogenic modified inhibitor assay) after FVIII exposure per IHTC standard guidelines (after an episode of intensive treatment, between 3-5 EDs and then at 10 ED, etc.) Should a FVIII inhibitor develop in a PUP while on study, they will be removed from the study and offered the current standard of care.~To ensure no other bleeding disorders are present that might confound responses or lead to the development of a bleeding event unrelated to the underlying diagnosis of mild hemophilia A, a VWD panel and blood group will be obtained during screening.~Hemlibra (emicizumab) will be administered as weekly prophylaxis using the FDA-approved weekly dosing regimen following the enrollment/screening visit (first study visit) and the administration of the 4 weekly loading doses (second study visit). A choice of other approved dosing regimens (Q2W or Q4W) will not be offered as the primary regimen to limit variability in Cmin/Cmax exposure levels. The weekly prophylaxis regimen was selected to be the easiest for mild hemophilia A patients to remember as they are rarely on FVIII prophylaxis and infrequently need to administer on-demand hemostatic agents.~Bleeding events will be recorded and treated with locally available hemostatic agents (eg, Stimate [DDAVP/desmopressin acetate], pdFVIII, rFVIII, etc) as required. If FVIII is required for treatment of a bleeding event, the dose expected to achieve hemostasis will be utilized.~The enrollment period is 9 months; with a total study period of 35 months. The study comprises 3 parts following screening. Subjects will initially be enrolled for loading dose administration and collection of baseline laboratory data (1 month) and Part A (12 months), with the option of enrolling in part B (12 months) upon successful completion of Part A and approval of the Study Investigator. Up to a 1-month window is provided between screening and administration of the first loading dose, depending on the return of required laboratory testing data and subject availability. When subjects complete the study they will be requested to meet with their IHTC hemophilia physician to resume their previous therapeutic regimen or be offered the current standard of care.~Loading dose administration (month 1 ±2 days):~This is a 1-month (±2 days) period during which the 4 weekly loading doses of Hemlibra (emicizumab) will be administered. Additionally, baseline laboratory data, banked plasma samples, MSKUS imaging and quality of life questionnaires will be completed.~Part A [months 2-13 (±2 weeks)]:~Part A is a 12-month study to collect laboratory data to determine the impact of Hemlibra (emicizumab) on laboratory coagulation parameters including thrombin generation in patients with circulating levels of endogenous altered FVIII (>5% to 30% baseline FVIII activity). Laboratory data will be collected at month 4 (±2 weeks), month 7 (±2 weeks) and month 13 (±2 weeks). Additional data, including bleeding events, bleed treatment, intercurrent procedures, quality of life (Haemo-QoL and CATCH questionnaires if <17 years of age; Haem-A-QoL and CATCH questionnaires if ≥17 years of age) and joint health (MSKUS) will be collected at baseline and 12 months (±2 weeks).~A Stimate/DDAVP challenge may occur at either the 4-month (±2 weeks) or 7-month (±2 weeks) study visit to investigate the hemostatic characteristics of Hemlibra (emicizumab) in the presence of elevated levels of altered FVIII using coagulation laboratory assays. The Stimate/DDAVP challenge will not be performed if the patient has a documented history of lack of response as defined by an increase of FVIII < 2 times baseline level. The Stimate/DDAVP challenge may be delayed to a later study visit due to recent treatment (within the previous 4 days) with a FVIII concentrate or Stimate (DDAVP/desmopressin acetate) or for convenience (at the discretion of the Study Investigator). The Stimate/DDAVP challenge may also be delayed or its route of administration altered if a subject weighs ≥10kg to <20kg; a weight-based subcutaneous dose of DDAVP/desmopressin acetate may be administered for subjects <20 kg at the discretion of the Study Investigator). The Stimate/DDAVP challenge may be delayed to a later study visit if the intranasal route of administration is compromised and subcutaneous administration of DDAVP/desmopressin acetate is not planned. See Section 3.1.9 for full details on the Stimate/DDAVP challenge.~Part B [months 14-25 (±2 weeks)]:~Upon successful completion of Part A, subjects may continue Hemlibra (emicizumab) treatment by enrolling in Part B if approved by the Study Investigator and per patient desire to continue treatment. The goal of Part B is to acquire additional data on bleeding events, bleed treatment, intercurrent procedures, changes in quality of life (Haemo-QoL and CATCH questionnaires if <17 years of age; Haem-A-QoL and CATCH questionnaires if ≥17 years of age) and joint health (MSKUS). This extended collection period is desired due to the infrequent and variable ABR in individuals with mild hemophilia A. Subjects will receive Hemlibra (emicizumab treatment in Part B for 12 months.~The study is seeking to address the following knowledge gaps:~Is Hemlibra (emicizumab)-conferred hemostatic coverage additive to the activity of the endogenous altered FVIII protein in mild hemophilia A patients or is there evidence that endogenous altered FVIII protein is competitive with Hemlibra (emicizumab)?~Do specific FVIII mutations confer more or less additive or competitive effect? In silico simulations of the altered protein (based upon the patient's genetic alteration) may be investigated to predict the protein's in vivo function and interaction with Hemlibra (emicizumab) binding (secondary exploratory goal)~What is the hemostatic contribution of Hemlibra (emicizumab) in the presence of maximal endogenous altered FVIII protein release (Stimate/DDAVP challenge with coagulation laboratory assays)?~Are there patients with specific genetic mutations who would benefit from Hemlibra (emicizumab) usage, or can a sub-population of patients of mild hemophilia be identified for whom Hemlibra (emicizumab) would not represent optimal therapy?~Is weekly Hemlibra (emicizumab) safe to administer in patients with mild hemophilia A and does it reduce the incidence of bleeding events or the need for alternate hemostatic agents, including during/following surgeries and procedures?~Does weekly prophylactic Hemlibra (emicizumab) result in an increase in QoL and/or activity in mild hemophilia A patients?~Does weekly prophylactic Hemlibra (emicizumab) result in an improvement in joint health (ie, the control of progression, stabilization or regression of joint damage) using 6 joint point of care musculoskeletal | This is a single arm, phase 4, prospective, open-label, United States single-center study to determine the hemostatic characteristics of Hemlibra (emicizumab) as measured by coagulation laboratory parameters in the mild hemophilia A male patient population with endogenous altered FVIII (baseline FVIII activity of >5% to 30%). The safety and hemostatic efficacy of Hemlibra (emicizumab) in this patient population will be investigated. Secondary outcomes will assess changes in joint health and quality of life in treated patients. |
Veterans with PTSD often have substantial interpersonal problems and low perceived social support from family, partners, and peers. Interpersonal problems result in poor social reintegration, which in turn permeates all aspects of their functioning and is associated with greater suicidal ideation. The problems emerge rapidly, with one study showing a fourfold increase in rates of self-reported interpersonal conflict within six months of returning from deployment. Veterans with PTSD report considerable avoidance in relationships, marital stress, intimacy difficulties, and parenting problems. Low social support is a key factor related to poor physical health, emotional functioning, and increased mortality risk. Given the importance of social relationships in buffering against negative outcomes and suicidal ideation for persons with PTSD, there is a strong need for more research and treatment development to improve the social functioning of these Veterans. The proposed project will focus on evaluating an innovative treatment for improving the social relationships and social support among Veterans with PTSD.~The goal of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans with PTSD (ACT-SS), a treatment focused on helping Veterans with PTSD to increase social support with family relationships, partners, and peers by targeting maladaptive patterns of interpersonal difficulties, feelings of detachment from others, irritability, and avoidance of social situations. ACT-SS provides Veterans with PTSD with more adaptive coping skills (i.e., acceptance and mindfulness, focus on values-based living) to improve social relationships, social support, and help manage PTSD-related distress. The investigators' pilot data of ACT-SS indicates that ACT-SS results in improved social relationships and reduced PTSD symptoms, with preliminary data showing that ACT-SS results in significantly better improvement in social functioning outcomes compared to Present-Centered Therapy (PCT).~The primary aim of this study is to conduct a two-site randomized controlled trial of ACT-SS (n=75) vs. PCT (n=75), a common treatment for social support difficulties. Study outcomes will include measures of social support, social relationships, quality of life, and PTSD symptoms. This proposal, supported by the promising pilot data, represents an important step in examining the potential efficacy of ACT-SS, including social functioning and quality of life in Veterans with PTSD. If positive, results from this study may provide a new treatment approach for improving the social reintegration of Veterans with PTSD. | Veterans with PTSD often have impaired social relationships and poor social support. The negative outcomes associated with poor social support are of particular concern for Veterans with PTSD, who often perceive the world to be dangerous, view their social support network as a threat to their safety, and avoid members of their support network in order to increase their perceived safety. The goal of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans with PTSD (ACT-SS), a treatment focused on helping Veterans with PTSD to increase social support with family relationships, partners, and peers by targeting maladaptive patterns of interpersonal difficulties, feelings of detachment from others, irritability, and avoidance of social situations. The primary aim of this study is to conduct a two-site randomized controlled trial of ACT-SS (n=75) vs. PCT (n=75), a common treatment for social support difficulties. If positive, this study will provide a critically-needed treatment for Veterans with PTSD to improve their social functioning and social reintegration in the community. |
Low back pain is symptomatic pathology in the region between the twelve ribs and lower gluteal line defined as the lumbar region and sometimes accompanied by radicular symptoms spreading to the lower extremity, but it is not considered as a pathology alone. They are evaluated and treated on the basis of symptom duration, potential cause, the presence or absence of radicular symptoms, and the corresponding anatomical or radiographic abnormalities. Exercise is considered an essential element in the management of physical therapy and rehabilitation in patients with chronic low back pain. However, it has been found in the studies that improvements after physical therapy and rehabilitation applications are not preserved in the long term, and recurrence of chronic low back pain is common. In order to prevent this, physiotherapists need to follow their patients for a long time and to participate in the rehabilitation process. With a more cost-effective treatment model such as telerehabilitation, patients can be followed up more efficiently during home exercise. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the home exercise program, which is integrated into 8-week remote asynchronous video telerehabilitation sessions, on clinical status in terms of pain, functionality, quality of life parameters, as well as patient expectation, motivation, and satisfaction levels. | Telerehabilitation enables patients to easily adapt to home exercise programs and to be monitored remotely by their clinicians. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the home exercise program, which is integrated into 8-week remote asynchronous video telerehabilitation sessions, on clinical status in terms of pain, functionality, quality of life parameters, as well as patient expectation, motivation, and satisfaction levels. |
Decreasing emergency department (ED) over-utilization is a priority for healthcare systems across the country. Patients uncertain about a medical issue routinely end up in the ED when less costly and time-consuming alternatives could have addressed their concern. If patients reach out to healthcare facilities rather than heading directly to the ED, they can often be directed toward resources better suited to their concerns than the ED.~Geisinger is thus working to encourage patients to contact healthcare providers if any concerns arise and patients are uncertain about where to go for care. Patients who have recently had a medical procedure may be particularly valuable to encourage, as they routinely have concerns related to the procedure and discharge can serve as a useful touch-point to remind the patient where they can go for questions or concerns.~In the present study, patients will be sent a patient portal message shortly after completing any Women's Health medical procedure. The message will inform or remind patients how they can reach Geisinger if they have any medical issues or concerns. The purpose of this study is to assess if such messages make patients more likely to contact Geisinger with medical concerns and, in turn, decrease unnecessary ED utilization. This study will A/B test 2 messages, encouraging patients to either call their recent provider directly or to call a tele-nurse hotline, and will assess if these messages perform better than a control group that will not be sent any such message.~Generalized linear models will examine the primary study outcomes as a function of the study arms (between-subjects). | In the present study, patients will be sent a message shortly after completing a medical procedure that informs or reminds them that they can reach out to Geisinger, and how to do it, if they have any medical issues or concerns. Researchers will assess if such messages make patients more likely to contact Geisinger with post-procedure medical concerns and decrease emergency department utilization. |
Teen participants (ages 13-17) will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group in which participants receive access to Happify Teens, a digital platform rooted in several therapeutic traditions that aims to improve wellbeing, or a waitlist control group. Both group conditions last 8 weeks. Participants assigned to the Happify Teens platform will have full access to the intervention, with featured tracks that focus on dealing with stress, worries and building skills for greater happiness. Participants assigned to the waitlist (control) condition will not have access to the Happify Teens platform for the full study period (12 weeks total). Participants in the waitlist control will receive access to Happify Teens after the full study period is complete (12 weeks). Perceived stress, rumination, and optimism will be assessed via self-report at baseline, end of the 8-week intervention, and at 1 month post intervention. | Teen participants (ages 13-17) will be randomly assigned to either an experimental (the Happify Teens digital platform), or a waitlist control group. The study includes an 8-week intervention period and a 1-month follow up period. |
The nutritional risk index (NRI) is a screening method that was primarily developed to identify older patients with malnutrition. It consists of serum albumin levels as well as body weight measurements. However, even under professional care, the usual body weight is often not documented for older patients. To determine the usual body weight of older patients, the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) was introduced in 2005 by Bouillanne et al - the formula included a combination of serum albumin levels and the ratio of body weight to ideal body weight. The GNRI formula replaces the usual body weight in the NRI formula with the ideal body weight, calculated using the Lorentz formula. Although the GNRI was developed using the data of patients who were admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation care unit, it was found to be a strong prognostic factor for certain malignancies and a simple, objective, and quick method to determine the nutritional status of patients and long-term postoperative outcomes and the correlation between these elements. Using this simple calculation, it is possible to evaluate the nutritional status of critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome in the intensive care unit (ICU). Considering that trauma patients constitute a specific population, as injuries generally occur accidentally and acutely, it is important to determine whether the GNRI can be used to link nutritional status and outcomes in trauma patients. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the association between GNRI at admission and mortality outcomes of older trauma patients in the ICU. | The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a simple and efficient tool to assess the nutritional status of patients with malignancies or after surgery. Because trauma patients constitute a specific population that generally acquires accidental and acute injury, this study aimed to identify the association between the GNRI at admission and mortality outcomes of older trauma patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). |
The first part of the study is the Turkish translation of mini-BESTest. After the translation process, mini-BESTest (Turkish version), Berg Balance Test, Timed Up and Go Test and Functional Reach Test will be used for balance measurement in patients and the correlation of the mini-BEST with these tests will be checked. All tests will be applied by 2 researchers on the same day, 2 times with 10 minutes intervals. | mini-BESTest (Turkish version), Berg Balance Test, Timed Up and Go Test and Functional Reach Test will be used for balance measurement in patients and the correlation of the mini-BEST with these tests will be checked. |
This observational cohort study will include patients initiating treatment with ticagrelor 60 mg after a myocardial infarction (MI), and describe their patient characteristics and persistence to treatment. To contextualise the characteristics of the ticagrelor patients, two reference cohorts will be created, including patients treated with another P2Y12 inhibitor than ticagrelor (clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticlopidine), and patients not treated with any P2Y12 inhibitor, within a comparable timepoint from an MI as for the ticagrelor 60 mg patients. If the a priori threshold of 5,000 person-years on treatment with ticagrelor 60 mg is met, to ensure sufficient precision, outcome events (bleeding and cardiovascular events) will also be analysed and described. Outcome events will only be described in the ticagrelor cohorts; no comparison of outcomes will be made between the ticagrelor and the reference cohorts.~The primary outcome is bleeding requiring hospitalisation. The secondary outcomes include components of the primary outcome, and cardiovascular outcomes. Persistence to treatment with ticagrelor 60 mg will also be assessed The study will be performed in the US and 4 European countries (Sweden, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany). | This is an observational study based on secondary data extracted from multiple register-based data sources in the US and Europe (Sweden, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany). The study will include patients initiating treatment with ticagrelor 60 mg after a myocardial infarction in real-world clinical practice, and describe their patient characteristics and duration of treatment. If the a priori threshold of 5,000 person-years on treatment with ticagrelor 60 mg is met, outcome events (bleeding and cardiovascular events) will also be analysed and described. |
This study is a survey study designed to assess the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on participants with psychiatric disorders to identify areas of needed support and services. This survey is an exploratory investigation of patient experience to guide Siyan in program improvement and development of next steps to serve patients. A one-time survey will be sent out electronically via email to approximately 3,500 adult patients in the Siyan Clinical Corporation and Siyan Clinical Research practices. The survey will consist of the Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII). This is a new tool designed to assess tangible impacts of epidemics and pandemics across personal and social life domains.~Siyan staff will derive a list of patients from the Siyan EHR who meet eligibility criteria. The list will include Patient ID, age, gender, ethnicity, occupation, employment status, primary diagnosis, and last known email address. Each patient in the sample will receive an email inviting them to participate in the survey, explaining the purpose of the survey, how Siyan will use the survey results, and how the survey will be administered. All patients in the sample who have not responded will also receive a reminder email approximately one week later. Each e-mail will include information to contact the Investigator with any questions.~Patients that reply to the initial invitation will receive the electronic Informed Consent Form (eICF) to sign and return to the Project Coordinator via Adobe Sign. The Project Coordinator will track the name and email address of all patients who consent to participate, and will send each a link to the online survey in SurveyGizmo. https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5751791/Siyan-COVIDImpactSurvey) The online survey will repeat the text of the electronic Informed Consent Form (eICF), allowing participants to again confirm agreement and continue the survey or disagree and exit out. Participants who agree to the consent will be asked to confirm their email address, and respond to the 92 questions in the EPII about how the coronavirus disease pandemic has changed their and/or their family's lives. Respondents will also be asked basic demographic questions: age, gender identity, ethnicity, education level, employment status, industry, children under 18 in the home, marital status, and experience with basic psychiatric disorders.~The evaluation consultant will tabulate responses and provide basic frequencies and analyses to the Investigator, along with a de-identified dataset for further advanced analysis. Data collected may serve as a foundational research in the prevention, care and treatment of mental health disorders during pandemics such as COVID-19. Analysis of data collected will be published in academic journals to serve as a foundational research in the prevention, care and treatment of mental health disorders during pandemics such as COVID-19. | The primary objective of this survey study is to assess the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on participants with psychiatric disorders to identify areas of needed support and services. Data collected may serve as a foundational research in the prevention, care and treatment of mental health disorders during pandemics such as COVID-19. This survey study will utilize the Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII). This is a newly tool designed to assess tangible impacts of epidemics and pandemics across personal and social life domains. |
The development of new drugs and different adjuvant therapeutic regimens, based on the combination of anthracycline (A) and cyclophosphamide (C), have contributed greatly to improve survival rate in breast cancer patients. Despite the clinical benefits of this therapy, AC treatment can cause cardiovascular acute and chronic changes. In a recent investigation, we observed that an acute AC chemotherapy session increases sympathetic nervous activity and blood pressure in patients with breast cancer.~The present study aims to investigate the chronic effects of AC regimen on sympathetic nervous activity, peripheral vasoconstriction, endothelial microparticles and blood pressure, in women with breast cancer. | The present study aims to investigate the chronic effect of treatment with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide on neurovascular control and blood pressure in women undergoing adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. |
A randomized controlled trial will be conducted to test the effect of a metacognition-based manualized intervention on fear of cancer recurrence among Chinese breast, gynecologic and colorectal cancer patients with high levels of fear of cancer recurrence.~The aims are to test:~the direct effect of ConquerFear intervention on fear of cancer recurrence,~the direct effect of ConquerFear intervention on maladaptive metacognition~the indirect effect of ConquerFear intervention on fear of cancer recurrence through its effect on maladaptive metacognition.~Primary hypothesis:~Participants in the ConquerFear intervention will show a greater reduction in fear of cancer recurrence compared to participants in the control group~Participants in the ConquerFear intervention will show a greater reduction in maladaptive metacognition than the control participants~There will be an indirect effect of ConquerFear intervention on fear of cancer recurrence through its effect on maladaptive metacognition. | The primary aim of this study is to assess the effect of ConquerFear, a metacognition-based manualized intervention on fear of cancer recurrence, using the randomized controlled trial approach, among Chinese patients newly diagnosed with curable cancer. This study aims to (1) test the direct effect of ConquerFear intervention on fear of cancer recurrence and on maladaptive metacognition, and (2) to test the indirect effect of ConquerFear intervention on fear of cancer recurrence through its effect on maladaptive metacognition. |
The study is divided into two parts:~Part 1 will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of APG-1387 in combination with entecavir, including determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD)/ recommended dose in patients with CHB. APG-1387 will be administered once weekly via intravenous infusion for 30 minutes for consecutive 4 weeks. APG-1387 will be escalated at 3 dose cohorts of 12 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg. Entecavir will be administered orally at 0.5 mg daily for 12 weeks: in combination with APG-1387 for the first 4 weeks, followed by entecavir maintenance monotherapy for additional 8 weeks. The total treatment duration will be 12 weeks.~Part 2 is a randomized, parallel, open-label study to investigate the preliminary anti-HBV efficacy of APG-1387 in combination with entecavir compared with entecavir monotherapy. CHB subjects will be randomly assigned to one of 4 cohorts at 1:1:1:1, including APG-1387 at 3 different doses (12 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg) in combination with entecavir for 12 weeks, respectively, then continued entecavir monotherapy for additional 12 weeks; and one entecavir monotherapy cohort for 24 weeks. The course of treatment is 24 weeks in all cohorts. | This study is a multicenter, open-label, phase II clinical study in subjects with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), to characterize the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile and preliminary anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) efficacy of APG-1387 in combination with entecavir, and to determine the optimal dose of APG-1387 in combination with entecavir. |
Introduction: Sleep disorders are becoming a widespread health problem within the general population. Beyond the tiredness itself, these disorders have been found to be related to physical and mental issues like cardiovascular pathologies, obesity, depression and anxiety. This makes clear the necessity of achieving a quality rest to prevent potential chronic diseases. On this issue, Polysomnography (PSG) is currently the accepted Gold Standard for sleep studies as it measures multiple variables that lead to a clear diagnosis of any sleep disorder. However, it has some clear drawbacks as it can only be performed by qualified technicians, has a high cost and complexity and is very invasive. In the last years, several studies that focus on validating wearable devices as useful sleep trackers have emerged. In this study, the investigators intend to assess the capability of the new Xiaomi Mi Band 5 to be used as a tool for sleep self-assessment for patients. The interest in studying this smartband is due to its low price and acceptance among the population. If this device proves to be a good sleep tracker, it would allow the population to assess their own sleep and consider if they need to visit their medical practitioner, which would improve the prognosis of any underlying condition they may be developing derived from their restlessness.~Objective: Determine whether sleep stages recorded by the new Xiaomi Mi Band 5 can effectively replace PSG sleep stages classification in patients that undergo a sleep study. The following features will be calculated for both devices: total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep latency and wake after sleep onset. Sleep stages will also be recorded.~Methods and analysis: the study will be carried out with patients in a hospital from A Coruña (Galicia, Spain) that are > 18 years old. Patients who are performed a polysomnography test will be given the wearables so the investigators can record sleep stages with both techniques in order to compare both recordings afterwards.~This is an observational, analytic and longitudinal study. In other words, in this study different variables from the population of interest will be observed and recorded without any direct intervention, so as to establish causality associations between these variables. It is considered as longitudinal since a six-months tracking of the variables will be performed, continually (and sometimes occasionally) recording and monitoring sleep quality (wearable wristbands).~The data obtained from PSG and Xiaomi Mi Band 5 will be preprocessed and explored before extracting the features of interest for the study. Then, Paired sample T-Test will be performed to compare the means among the different variables, Bland-Altman plots will be used to assess the concordance between both techniques and, finally, Epoch by Epoch analysis will be performed to compare the classification of the sleep stages carried out by both PSG and Xiaomi. | Introduction: Polysomnography (PSG) is currently the accepted Gold Standard for sleep studies as it measures multiple variables that lead to a clear diagnosis of any sleep disorder. However, it has some clear drawbacks as it can only be performed by qualified technicians, has a high cost and complexity and is very invasive. In the last years, Actigraphy has been used along with PSG for sleep studies. In this study, the investigators intend to assess the capability of the new Xiaomi Mi Band 5 to be used as a sleep self-assessment tool for patients.~Objective: Determine whether sleep stages recorded by the new Xiaomi Mi Band 5 can effectively replace PSG sleep stages classification in patients that undergo a sleep study.~Methods and analysis: the study will be carried out with patients in a hospital from A Coruña (Galicia, Spain) that are > 18 years old. Patients who are performed a polysomnography test will be given the wearables so the investigators can record sleep stages with both techniques in order to compare both recordings afterwards.~This is an observational, analytic and longitudinal study. In other words, in this study different variables from the population of interest will be observed and recorded without any direct intervention, so as to establish causality associations between these variables. It is considered as longitudinal since a six-months tracking of the variables will be performed, continually (and sometimes occasionally) recording and monitoring sleep quality (wearable wristbands).~The data obtained from PSG and Xiaomi Mi Band 5 will be preprocessed and explored before extracting the features of interest for the study. Then, Paired sample T-Test will be performed to compare the means among the different variables, Bland-Altman plots will be used to assess the concordance between both techniques and, finally, Epoch by Epoch analysis will be performed to compare the classification of the sleep stages carried out by both PSG and Xiaomi. |
SAR-COVID is a national, multicenter, prospective, observational longitudinal registry of consecutive patients with diagnosis of rheumatic diseases treated or not with immunomodulatory and/or immunosuppressive drugs and SARS-CoV-2 infection (asymptomatic or COVID-19).~HYPOTESIS: Patients with rheumatic diseases who are under chronic treatment with immunomodulatory and/or immunosuppressive drugs more frequently have an asymptomatic infection, a milder COVID-19 and lower mortality than patients with rheumatic diseases without immunomodulatory and/or immunosuppressive treatments.~TARGET POPULATION: Patients > 18 years of age with any rheumatic disease. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Inclusion Criteria~Age > 18 years.~Patients with diagnosis of rheumatic diseases (treated or not with immunomodulatory and/or immunosuppressive drugs).~Patients with diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection (past or present) with positive test for the virus SARS-CoV-2 from analysis of nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab specimens (reverse transcriptase-polymerase- chain-reaction assay) or by serology, independently of symptoms.~Exclusion Criteria~• Patients who do not wish to participate or are unable to give informed consent.~RECRUITMENT: All rheumatologists, members of the Argentine Society of Rheumatology will be invited to participate in the registry. It is expected that 3,000 patients with COVID-19 and some rheumatic disease, who are cared for by rheumatologists in any of the 23 provinces of Argentina, will be enrolled in the SAR-COVID registry during the period from July 1 to December 31, 2020. Twelve-month extension of the recruitment period will be applied if the expected number of patients is not achieved by the end of the inclusion date. Two cohorts will be included: the first will enroll 1,500 patients treated with immunomodulatory and/or immunosuppressive drugs, and the second will enroll 1,500 patients without immunomodulatory and/or immunosuppressive drugs.~DATA COLLECTION: All variables will be collected by self-report, clinical and laboratory examination and/or medical records review, performed by the rheumatologist during patient hospitalization due to COVID-19, or at the patient control visit performed after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The data will be entered into the ARTHROS eCRF (online application designed ad hoc), which in turn will facilitate generating queries and perform the statistical analysis.~PERIODIC REPORTS: Patients will be followed up for 12 months, in order to evaluate their evolution and identify the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 infection on their rheumatological disease. For this reason, in this registry the data will be collected in two phases:~PHASE I: Corresponds to the baseline visit (T0). Sociodemographic data, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, hospitalization, complications, characteristics of the rheumatic disease and its treatment before and during the infectious process will be recorded.~PHASE II: This second visit (T1) will be carried out 12 months after patients registration. Its objective is to identify long-term complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection and to assess the impact of infection on rheumatic disease. | SAR-COVID is a national, multicenter, prospective, observational longitudinal registry of consecutive patients with diagnosis of rheumatic diseases treated or not with immunomodulatory and/or immunosuppressive drugs and SARS-CoV-2 infection (asymptomatic or COVID-19).~Hypothesis: Patients with rheumatic diseases who are under chronic treatment with immunomodulatory and/or immunosuppressive drugs more frequently have an asymptomatic infection, a milder COVID-19 and lower mortality than patients with rheumatic diseases without immunomodulatory and/or immunosuppressive treatments. |
The null hypothesis tested in this study, that there is no difference in clinical effectiveness between bio-smart Shield with bioactive S-PRG filler and Fluoride varnish containing Xylitol-coated Calcium and Phosphate (CXP™) Compared to Sodium Fluoride Varnish in management of hypersensitivity in adult patients after 1, 4 and 8 weeks.~P (Population): Patient with Teeth Hypersensitivity.~Intervention-1: Bio-smart Light Cured Protective Shield with bioactive S-PRG (Surface Pre-Reacted Glass ionomer) filler technology (PRG Barrier Coat) by (By SHOFU Inc., Japan).~Intervention-2: 5% Sodium Fluoride with Xylitol-coated Calcium and Phosphate (CXP™) Varnish (Embrace™ Varnish) by (Pulpdent Corporation)~C (Comparator): 5% Sodium Fluoride Varnish (Duraphat®) by (Colgate Palmolive Company, New York, NY)~O (Outcome):~Primary Outcome: Pain due to Hypersensitivity~Secondary Outcome: Mineral Content | Will the use of Bio-smart Light Cured Protective Shield with bioactive S-PRG filler or the use of Sodium Fluoride with Xylitol-coated Calcium and Phosphate (CXP™) Varnish be able to reduce the teeth hypersensitivity similar to Sodium Fluoride Varnish? |
A prospective cohort design will be used to follow suspected, probable, and confirmed COVID-19 cases presenting for care at International Medical Corp [supported] health facilities in Juba, South Sudan and the Kivus in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This research seeks to assess risk factors for poor outcomes and characterize clinical disease progression of COVID-19 cases in resource-poor humanitarian contexts in Africa. Specifically, this study aims to characterize risk factors for poor COVID-19 outcomes, including both co-morbidities with evidence from high income settings, as well as prevalent conditions in humanitarian settings (e.g., acute malnutrition, malaria, HIV) for which data is not yet available. This research also aims to determine how the progression of confirmed COVID-19 cases in resource-poor African settings may differ from other settings where data are available. | This study will characterize risk factors for poor COVID-19 outcomes (hospitalization, death) and clinical progression of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in South Sudan and Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. |
Method: The study will be conducted with 90 mothers with 2-4 months old babies who applied to Akdeniz University Hospital Healthy Children Polyclinic (intervention group: 45, control group: 45). Personal Information Form, Shaken baby syndrome assessment survey will be used to collect data. Simple randomization will be used to evaluate the intervention and control groups. In order to identify mothers in intervention groups, sealed-envelope randomization method will used. Mothers and statistician group will be unaware of the evaluation. The researcher will not be blind because of the role he plays in the research.~Following the pretest, the intervention group will be trained to prevent shaken baby syndrome. Expert opinion was obtained from 10 expert faculty members for the content of the training. After the training, the booklet prepared in line with expert opinions will be given to the mother in the intervention group. The booklet will remain with the mother. Tele-consultancy will be given to the mother for 2 months after the pre-test. The control group will also be tested beforehand and will not be intervened afterwards. 2 months after the pre-test, a post-test will be applied to the control group and training will be given to prevent shaken baby syndrome. A training booklet will be given to the mothers in the control group after the final test.~Statistical analysis will be done using SPSS 23.0 and statistical significance will be set at p <0.05.~Support will be received in the analysis phase of the Statistical Information Unit of Akdeniz University. | Objective: This randomized controlled study aims to examine whether the education program prepared to prevent shaken baby syndrome has an effect on mothers' knowledge and attitudes.~Method: Simple randomization will be used to evaluate the intervention and control groups. The study will be carried out with 90 mothers babies of 2-4 months, who applied to Akdeniz University Hospital Healthy Child Outpatient Clinic (intervention group: 45, control group: 45). After the pre-test, the mothers in the intervention group will be trained and a booklet will be given. Tele-consultancy service will be provided to mothers during the 2-month follow-up period. After 2 months of follow-up, a post-test will be applied to the mothers in the intervention group. The mothers in the control group will not be intervened after the pretest is applied. A post test will be applied 2 months after the pre-test. After the post-test, the mothers in the control group will be trained and a booklet will be given. Ethics committee approval and institutional permission were obtained for the study. Verbal and written consent will be obtained from the mothers during the data collection phase. |
Noninvasive ventilation(NIV) is an important treatment to the respiratory failure patients.The severe Corona Virus Disease-19(COVID-19) patients are incline to respiratory failure.The NIV may reduce the intubtion rate.This research was taken to investigate the factor to the success of the noninvasive ventilation to the COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure.We wish to raise the success rate to COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure.More critically ill COVID-19 patients could avoid the intubtion. | Noninvasive ventilation(NIV) is an important treatment to the respiratory failure patients.The severe Corona Virus Disease-19(COVID-19) patients are incline to respiratory failure.The NIV may reduce the intubtion rate.This research was taken to investigate the factor to the success of the noninvasive ventilation to the COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure. |
The 2019 novel-coronavirus (2019-nCov) is the cause of a cluster of unexplained pneumonia that started in Hubei province in China. It has manifest into a global health crisis with escalating confirmed cases and spread across many countries.~In view of the fact that there is currently no effective antiviral therapy, the prevention or treatment of diseases caused by COVID-19 can be tough for current treatment.~This is a single-center, open-label phase I clinical trial of booster vaccination in healthy 18 to 60 years of age, inclusive, who has been prime vaccinated with adenovirus type-5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine. This clinical trial is designed to assess the safety and immunogenicity of booted vaccination of adenovirus type-5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Beijing Institute of Biotechnology and CanSino Biologics Inc. | The 2019 novel-coronavirus (2019-nCov) is the cause of a cluster of unexplained pneumonia that started in Hubei province in China. It has manifest into a global health crisis with escalating confirmed cases and spread across many countries.~In view of the fact that there is currently no effective antiviral therapy, the prevention or treatment of diseases caused by COVID-19 can be tough for current treatment.~This study is a phase I clinical trial of booster vaccination of adenovirus type-5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after prime vaccination. The investigators intent to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of booster vaccination of adenovirus type-5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine in healthy adults aged aged 18-60 years. |
In the United States, recent statistics show that African American and Latinx communities bear a disproportionate burden from COVID-19. Reaching vulnerable and underserved populations is therefore crucial to combating the disease. However, most public messaging campaigns are not targeted toward underserved communities and don't address fears of social stigma, mistrust in the healthcare system, or concerns about immigration status.~The goal of this project is to help the state of Minnesota understand why individuals are not getting tested and potentially identify trusted individuals or organizations that could be used in follow-up work to send messages. To do so, investigators are deploying flyers through 10 Twin City area food shelves and potentially through public housing units with information on how to answer an online questionnaire.~This provides us with an opportunity to study who answers surveys and why - and what questions are particularly sensitive. This is of general interest to academicians and policymakers alike.~The quality of household surveys is in decline, for three main reasons. First, households have become increasingly less likely to answer surveys at all (unit nonresponse). Second, those that respond are less likely to answer certain questions (item nonresponse). Third, when households do provide answers, they are less likely to be accurate (measurement error). This is important since household surveys help to estimate the employment rate, healthcare needs and of course the census determines resources/representation.~Investigators focus on the first two issues of unit and item nonresponse, which is not random across the population and thus could lead to nonresponse bias. Census tracts with predominantly Hispanic or Black residents had significantly lower response rates to the American Community Survey as compared to the response rates in predominantly white tracts. Similarly, response rates to the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) were lower in areas with higher levels of Hispanic and minority residents.~Investigators hypothesize that financial incentives may encourage unit response; conversely, a close association with the government may discourage response. To test these hypotheses, investigators plan to cross-randomize the incentive amount offered and the emphasis placed on government involvement in the study on flyers advertising the baseline survey. Individuals will see either a) a 10 dollar incentive, or b) a 20 dollar incentive; and either a) messaging that emphasizes government involvement in the study, or b) messaging that emphasizes the involvement of academic researchers. Flyers will be randomized at the foodshelf-day level.~To test what affects item non-response on potentially sensitive questions, such as questions which ask for health information, investigators hypothesize that ethical framing may encourage individuals to answer questions. This takes two forms --- the deontological (or duty based) frame, and the consequential (or cost-benefit) frame. Moreover, knowing others feel the same way (regarding the obligation or benefits of providing health information) may amplify motivation. Finally, there is the possibility that emphasizing the importance of ethnic and racial disadvantage associated with COVID-19 outcomes may be important for improving item non-response on sensitive questions.~Upon completion of the demographic module of the survey but prior to starting several potentially sensitive survey modules, individuals will see a message that either a) emphasizes the public health benefits of answering the survey questions (cost-benefit frame); b) emphasizes an individual's responsibility to their community (duty frame); c) emphasizes the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on certain ethnic and racial groups; or d) provides no messaging. Messaging content will be randomized at the individual level. | The goal of this project is to help the state of Minnesota understand why individuals are not getting tested and potentially identify trusted individuals or organizations that could be used in follow-up work to send messages. Investigators focus on the first two issues of unit and item nonresponse, which is not random across the population and thus could lead to nonresponse bias. To do so, investigators are deploying flyers through 10 Twin City area food shelves and potentially through public housing units with information on how to answer an online questionnaire. |
A cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of placing Truenat platform/TB assays at primary health care clinics combined with rapid communication of results on time to treatment initiation of microbiologically confirmed TB.~In a setup period (survey of study centers) before randomization, the healthcare facilities (=clinics) of 4 sites will be asked to provide information about the number of TB notifications per quarter covering the period 1/2018-6/2020. From this information the foreseeable number of examined patients (size of a clinic) will be derived, which will be used as a strata variable in randomization process.~Facilities will be randomly allocated to the standard of care (control), or Truenat platform/TB assays (intervention).~A cluster refers to a clinic. The clusters will be assigned to intervention or control arm to one of two diagnostic procedures (SOC [smear microscopy and/or Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra off-site] vs Truenat platform/TB assays on-site) following a restricted randomization strategy, whereby 6 to 8 strata of clusters will be established using the stratification variables site (clinics belong to a site) and size and apply balance criteria for them. The number of strata per site depends on heterogeneity of the sizes of the clinics as established in setup period and may be increased, typically 1 or 2 strata per site will be established.~The primary endpoint will be compared in an individual level analysis with strata and intervention as fixed effects and cluster as random effect. | A cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of placing Truenat platform/TB assays at primary health care clinics combined with rapid communication of results on time to treatment initiation of microbiologically confirmed TB. |
Rationale: Rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque is the most important cause of stroke and myocardial infarction. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with its high soft tissue contrast is well suited for atherosclerotic plaque imaging to identify high-risk plaques. High soft tissue contrast enables the visualisation of different plaque components based on which the plaque can be classified as stable or vulnerable. To identify the various plaque components, in a conventional MRI examination multiple MRI sequences are acquired, which can take approximately 30-40 minutes. This can be uncomfortable for the patient and it is impractical in daily clinical practice. As an alternative, multi-contrast sequences have recently been developed which acquire multiple contrast weightings simultaneously, significantly reducing the scan time (< 6 minutes). Apart from a reduction in scan time, because these contrast weightings are acquired simultaneously, they are inherently co-registered which is not the case with conventional sequences.~Objective: The objective of this study is to validate 2 multi-contrast sequences, namely the Multi-contrast ATherosclerosis Characterization (MATCH) and Bright-blood and black-blOOd phase SensiTive (BOOST) inversion recovery sequence for the quantification of atherosclerotic plaque components with conventional multi-sequence MRI and histology.~Study design: cross-sectional validation study Study population: 40 patients with a carotid artery plaque ≥2 mm based on ultrasound or Computed Tomography Angiography.~Intervention (if applicable): not applicable Main study parameters/endpoints: the presence and volumetric measures of plaque components (fibrous tissue, lipid-rich necrotic core, intraplaque hemorrhage and calcifications) and volumetric measures of the vessel wall and lumen as assessed with multi-contrast MRI will be compared to those as assessed by conventional multisequence MRI and, if available, histology of the surgically removed specimen in patients that are scheduled for carotid endarterectomy. | The objective of this study is to validate 2 multi-contrast sequences, namely the Multi-contrast ATherosclerosis Characterization (MATCH) and Bright-blood and black-blOOd phase SensiTive (BOOST) inversion recovery sequence for the quantification of atherosclerotic plaque components with conventional multi-sequence MRI and histology. |
This multi-center trial will follow a cohort of Veterans with dysphagia for 8 weeks as they undergo clinically guided oropharyngeal exercises with oropharyngeal strengthening as the primary goal. Veterans with dysphagia will be assessed at three time points: baseline, 6-4 weeks post-treatment, and 8 weeks post-treatment. A non-dysphagic Veteran control group (n=50) will also undergo data collection at parallel time points, without completion of a treatment paradigm. The investigators will then compare patients to nondysphagic controls using pHRM, videofluoroscopy, diet assessment, functional reserve tests, and patient reported outcome measures. The investigators aim to 1) quantify change in pHRM measures of swallowing function resulting from dysphagia treatment; 2) determine which combination of standard of care and/or pHRM-based metrics best track with patient-reported outcome measures; and 3) develop multimodal prognostic algorithms that predict treatment success. This research will establish a precise outcome measurement paradigm suitable for dysphagia clinical care and research, thus improving clinical confidence and paving the way for a personalized medicine approach for dysphagia rehabilitation in Veterans. | This multi-site trial will follow a cohort of Veterans with dysphagia for 8 weeks as they undergo clinically guided oropharyngeal exercises with oropharyngeal strengthening as the primary goal. Veterans with dysphagia will be assessed at three time points: baseline, 4 weeks after treatment initiation, and 8 weeks after treatment initiation. A non-dysphagic Veteran control group will also undergo data collection at parallel time points, without completion of a treatment paradigm. The investigators will then compare patients to non-dysphagic controls using manometry, videofluoroscopy, diet assessment, functional reserve tests, and patient-reported outcome measures.~The investigators aim to 1) quantify change in pressure measures of swallowing function resulting from dysphagia treatment; 2) determine which combination of standard of care and/or pressure-based metrics best track with outcome measures; and 3) develop multimodal prognostic algorithms that predict treatment success. This research will establish a precise outcome measurement paradigm suitable for dysphagia clinical care and research, thus improving clinical confidence and paving the way for a personalized medicine approach for dysphagia rehabilitation in Veterans. |
Pleural Infection (PI) is a common, severe and complicated disease with considerable morbidity and mortality1,2. Patients develop pleural effusions of frankly infected fluid. The understanding of pleural infection microbiome could improve patient clinical management, however the knowledge remains incomplete. Sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene is a reliable methodology to discovery the total microbiome of complex samples.~The investigators designed a translational study to study the bacteriology of pleural infection. Pleural fluid specimens from a) the Prospective validation of the RAPID clinical risk prediction score in adult patients with pleural infection: the PILOT study (3) clinical trial and b) non-pleural infection patients will be subjected to bacterial DNA extraction followed by 16S rRNA next generation sequencing. Moreover, the investigators will study the association between bacterial patterns and important clinical outcomes including survival, duration of hospitalisation and need for surgery. | Pleural Infection (PI) is a common, severe and complicated disease with considerable morbidity and mortality. (1,2) The knowledge of pleural infection microbiology remains incomplete. Sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene is a reliable methodology to discover the total microbiome of complex samples.~The investigators designed a translational metagenomics study to study the bacteriology of pleural infection. The investigators will use pleural fluid specimens from a) the Prospective validation of the RAPID clinical risk prediction score in adult patients with pleural infection: the PILOT study (3) clinical trial and b) non-pleural infection patients. The pleural fluid specimens will be subjected to 16S rRNA next generation sequencing. |
The goal of this registry is to collect information on individuals with Microcephalic Osteodysplastic Primordial Dwarfism Type II (also called MOPDII) and other forms of microcephalic primordial dwarfism. The registry will enable detailed natural history studies of MOPD II and associated conditions. The study team hopes that identification of risk factors will allow for preventative treatments and thus a better quality of life for individuals with these diagnoses.~This study is limited to chart review, after signed informed consent obtained. There will be no additional visits or time in clinic because of participation in this registry. This study involves only the collection and storage of data extracted from the medical record. Records that may be requested and reviewed as a part of this study include but may not be limited to: specialist evaluations, surgical reports, results of blood and urine tests, genetic testing, x-rays, CT/MRI/MRA imaging. There are no special procedures, visits, or expectations of the individual as a result of participation in this registry. No one will be asked to have any specific testing for the sole purposes of this research. | The goal of this registry is to collect information on individuals with Microcephalic Osteodysplastic Primordial Dwarfism Type II (also called MOPDII) and other forms of microcephalic primordial dwarfism. The study team hopes to learn more about these conditions and improve the care of people with it by establishing this registry. |
The purpose of the present clinical study is to test the efficacy of two doses of PAZ320 in diabetic patients already on treatment with metformin, in order to assess and quantify its effect on postprandial glucose and insulin levels after a standard meal composed of rice, compared to placebo. | The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of PAZ320 in diabetic patients. |
Single arm, single site proof-of-concept trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the LEDINBIO PoC Device, with 8 x 15-minute twice-weekly treatments and 3 month safety follow-up, in the treatment of cataract.~Only one of the subject's eyes will be treated during the study. In addition, spectral data (fluorescent emission) will be collected using the device to monitor the progress of the treatment, and to determine the suitability of these measurements for future clinical diagnoses | Single arm proof-of-concept trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the LEDINBIO PoC Device in the treatment of cataract. |
Many of the patients operated with sphincter preservation will present an alteration of bowel function and defecation. This dysfunction is variable in its symptoms and severity, and manifests itself in the form of urgency, incontinence and fragmentation of faeces, with repeated, incomplete or difficult evacuations. The set of these symptoms constitutes what is known as anterior resection syndrome (ARS), which can negatively influence the quality of life of the operated patients and constitutes the main objective of the study to be investigated.~From this study, the investigators want to evaluate the efficacy of stimulation of the efferent loop prior to the closure of the ileostomy along with rehabilitation of the pelvic floor after the closure of the ileostomy, in the quality of life of patients who underwent anterior resection of the rectum. A non-pharmacological randomized clinical trial will be conducted, comparing a control group (usual clinical practice), with respect to the experimental group where stimulation of the efferent loop will be performed prior to the closure of the ostomy along with pelvic floor rehabilitation after the closure of the latter. The main dependent variable will be the quality of life evaluated according to the QLQ CR-29 questionnaire, and secondary dependent variables will be evaluated postoperative paralytic ileus and the previous resection syndrome using the LARS scale. | Many of the patients operated with sphincter preservation will present an alteration of bowel function and defecation. This dysfunction is variable in its symptoms and severity, and manifests itself in the form of urgency, incontinence and fragmentation of faeces, with repeated, incomplete or difficult evacuations. The set of these symptoms constitutes what is known as anterior resection syndrome (ARS), which can negatively influence the quality of life of the operated patients and constitutes the main objective of the study to be investigated.~From this study, the investigators want to evaluate the efficacy of stimulation of the efferent loop prior to the closure of the ileostomy along with rehabilitation of the pelvic floor after the closure of the ileostomy, in the quality of life of patients who underwent anterior resection of the rectum. A non-pharmacological randomized clinical trial will be conducted, comparing a control group (usual clinical practice), with respect to the experimental group where stimulation of the efferent loop will be performed prior to the closure of the ostomy along with pelvic floor rehabilitation after the closure of the latter. The main dependent variable will be the quality of life evaluated according to the QLQ CR-29 questionnaire, and secondary dependent variables will be evaluated postoperative paralytic ileus and the previous resection syndrome using the LARS scale. |
The study is based on data from morbidly obese patients who fulfilled the criteria for bariatric surgery during 2016-2018 at the Department of Surgery, University Hospital Ostrava, Czech Republic. Patients with age above 18 years, BMI > 35-40 kg/m2, and associated with at least one of the complications including hypertension, diabetes, and failure of the current therapies to relieve the symptoms were included in the study. Patients included in the current study do not have a history of excessive alcohol consumption, use of hepatotoxic drugs, infectious liver diseases (i.e. hepatitis A, B, C), and genetic hemochromatosis. A total of 72 patients including n = 26 during 2016, n = 26 during 2017, and n = 20 during 2018 who qualified for bariatric surgeries were included in this observational study. Data related to patients' gender, age (years), weight (kg), height (cm), and associated co-morbidities like diabetes and hypertension were recorded before surgery. BMI (kg/m2), biochemical parameters including triglycerides profile (mmol/L), platelet count (number/L), Gamma glutamyl-transferase (international units - IU/L), albumin concentration (g/L), Alanine amino-transferases (units/L), Aspartate aminotransferases (international units - IU/L), were evaluated following standard procedures. Platelet count, triglycerides, and enzymes were determined using standard procedures.~The biochemical results were compared to the corresponding paired values before surgery and after surgery. The current study was designed to prospectively investigate the effect of bariatric surgeries among non-alcoholic obese individuals from 2016-2018 and one year follow up on liver biochemistry, BMI, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score, Fibrosis 4 (FIB 4) Index, and Fatty Liver Index (FLI).~The continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and median (interquartile range) in case of normal and non-normal distribution, respectively. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test for normal distribution. The within-patient changes in clinical parameters (continuous or ordinal variables) from baseline to 1-year after bariatric surgery were compared using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests for ordinal variables and continuous variables when the change was not normal or using the paired Student's t-test otherwise. The statistical testing was done at the two-tailed α level of 0.05. The data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism Version 8.0.2 (GraphPad Software, Inc., USA). | The study is based on data from morbidly obese patients who fulfilled the criteria for bariatric surgery during 2016-2018 at the Department of Surgery, University Hospital Ostrava, Czech Republic. |
In this Phase 2a, multi-center, open label, proof-of-biology study, ANX005 will be administered to participants with ALS.~The study consists of approximately 22 weeks of treatment and approximately 14 weeks of follow-up. All participants will be contacted by phone 6 months after study completion. | This study is a multi-center, open-label study of intravenous (IV) ANX005 in participants with ALS. |
Peripheral venous catheterization is the most commonly performed invasive procedure in healthcare. Care practices and the use of technologies may influence the results of the use peripheral intravenous catheters (PIC), contributing to the reduction of complications and adverse events. Phlebitis is characterized as one of the most serious complication related to the use of PIC and this study has as hypothesis to analyze if the occurrence of phlebitis associated with PIC is influenced by the use of sterile dressing. Objectives: To verify the effect of using sterile dressing and sterile adhesive tape compared to non-sterile adhesive tape in PIC on the occurrence of phlebitis in adult patients attended at a hospital from the Western Brazilian Amazon. Methods: Pragmatic, randomized, controlled and single-blinded clinical study conducted in Rio Branco, Acre. The sample was calculated in 330 patients, aged 18 years or older and who met the inclusion criteria. Data collection took place between June 2018 and September 2019, after approval of ethical merit. To identify the type of sterile transparent dressing to be studied, was carried out an implementation study with a final sample of 71 patients, focusing analysis from the perspective of the patient, professional and clinics. The patients of the clinical study were randomly allocated to one of the study groups: Experimental group (sterile transparent dressing) or Standard Group (non-sterile adhesive tape). Phlebitis was diagnosed by the bedside nurse, according to presence and severity. If present, the nurse removed the CIP and an external evaluator was called to perform a diagnose of phlebitis with blindness regarding the intervention. Variables related to patient characterization, intravenous therapy, peripheral venipuncture, reasons for withdrawal and length of PIC stay, reasons for removal and length of coverage, and associated complications were investigated. For the statistical analysis, Chi-square, Fisher's Exact, student t test, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used. The multiple analysis was performed using the logistic regression model to estimate the Relative Risk (RR) and the Kaplan-Meier model, Cox regression, for survival analysis. RR calculation for 95% Confidence Interval (IC) was applied to estimate the degree of association between variables. In all tests, the significance level of 5% was considered. | Pragmatic, randomized, single-blinded, controlled clinical trial of the effect of dressing and stabilization of peripheral intravenous catheters on the occurrence of phlebitis in adult patients attended at a hospital from the Western Brazilian Amazon. |
Utilizing our institutional database, tissue bank, and electronic medical charts to surgery or not, different surgical methods, timing of surgery, and alternative managements for patients of thyroid or parathyroid disease. | To analyze surgery or not, different surgical methods, timing of surgery, and alternative managements for patients of thyroid or parathyroid disease. |
Ascites not manageable by diuretic therapy occurs in at least 10% of patients with cirrhosis. Two major options for management include intermittent large volume paracentesis (LVP) and placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Unfortunately, not all patients are candidates for TIPS. Those unable to receive TIPS or transplant are left with LVP as the only long-term treatment option. Non-TIPS candidates who are listed for transplant require LVP as a bridge to transplant.~LVP is performed by inserting a non-tunnelled drain, removing ascites fluid via, replacing ascites fluid losses >5 litres(L) with albumin, removing the drain. It can be associated with pain, bleeding, leakage from the site and frequent hospital visits. In between the drains, living with ascites can negatively affect quality of life, particularly the physical discomfort and limitation component scales. In addition, patients with tense ascites have lower protein intake and are more malnourished than those without. Fluid removal improves gastric accommodation.~Indwelling ascites drains are routinely used in patents with malignant ascites. Data evaluating indwelling drains in patients with cirrhosis is limited. One of the reasons that this may not have been explored as a therapeutic option is the potential for infection. As opposed to malignant ascites, cirrhotic ascites generally has a low protein content, a known risk factor for development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). From available data, infection rates in cirrhotic patients with tunnelled drains, not on antibiotic prophylaxis are estimated at 10%. Infection rates on antibiotic prophylaxis would be expected to be lower, but this remains unstudied. Other concerns particular to the patient with cirrhosis are renal dysfunction and acute kidney injury. Limitation of the amount of ascites that is drained to <5L per time and infusion of albumin 8grams(g)/L removed for amounts drained >5L has shown benefit in preventing post paracentesis circulatory and renal dysfunction.~Therefore, as some patients with cirrhosis will be left with intermittent LVP as their only option for management, and as this therapy has implications for quality of life (QOL), worsening nutritional status and cost, we propose an evaluation of an indwelling tunnelled PleurX catheter as an alternative therapeutic option. In this prospective uncontrolled pilot study, the hypothesis is that use of indwelling drains with careful monitoring of renal function and prophylaxis with antibiotics, will be safe, cost-effective and improve quality of life and nutritional status compared to the standard of care.~METHODS:~Study design: Prospective uncontrolled interventional pilot study of 12 patients followed for 3 months.~Recruitment: Patients will be recruited from Hepatology departments at the University of Alberta hospital (UAH) and Royal Alexandra hospital (RAH) in Edmonton. All Hepatologists at these sites will be informed of the protocol. If a patient meets inclusion and exclusion criteria and is interested in hearing more about the study, the Hepatologist can contact the study personnel. Patients will be made aware that their decision to participate in the study will not influence their medical care.~Study Intervention:~PleurX drain insertion by interventional radiologist~Outpatient drainage protocol:~Ascites fluid drainage performed at participant's home via home care nurse 1-3 times per week (maximum 3L- with each drain) for 3months. PleurX drain bottles will be used instead of urinary drainage bags~Safety Measures:~Home care nurses are trained in the use of PleurX drains. Patients will be taught and given information about complication monitoring.~Albumin infusion at 1g/kilogram(kg) as an outpatient when: the serum creatinine increases from baseline >26umol/L or by 1.5-2 times (Stage 1 Acute Kidney Injury), or the patient has clinical signs of hypovolemia Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) prophylaxis with Norfloxacin 400mg daily Patient counselling on avoidance of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aminoglycosides, radiologic contrast, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II antagonists, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) where possible~PROCEDURE & DATA COLLECTION:~Pre-Intervention (2 weeks prior to drain placement)~Continued standard of care LVP with albumin replacement, and recording of procedure related complications (shunt misplacement, insertion bleeding, pain-10 point scale) Pt to complete three-day food record (including 1 day pre-paracentesis, day of paracentesis, and 1 day post paracentesis), as well as Council on Nutrition appetite questionnaire (CNAQ, score range 8-40 where a lower score indicates more problems with appetite).~Nutritional assessment: Weight (kilograms), height (centimeters), calorie (kilocalories) and protein (grams) intake, mid-arm muscle circumference(centimeters), hand-grip strength by Jamar hand-grip dynamometer (kilograms) Labs pre-LVP including: urine electrolytes, serum complete blood cell (CBC) and differential, prothrombin time(PT), creatinine(Cr), electrolytes, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), Bilirubin, albumin, rennin, aldosterone~Quality of life and symptom questionnaires pre and post paracentesis: Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ). The CLDQ includes 29 symptom questions, scored on a likert scale of 1-7 (where 1 is all of the time and 7 is none of time), and divided into 6 domains: fatigue, activity, emotional function, abdominal symptoms, systemic symptoms, and worry). Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-revised version (ESAS-R). The ESAS-R includes 10 symptoms (9 pre-determined and 1 'other' free text scale), scored on a likert scale 0-10 (where 0 is 'No' and 10 is 'Worst possible'). Ascites Symptom Inventory-7 (ASI-7). The ASI-7 includes 7 symptom questions, scored on a likert scale of 0-4 where 0 is 'does not apply at all' and 4 is 'very strongly applies'.~History and physical examination: Demographics, Past Medical History, Medications, History of prior ascites fluid infections, other infections, and antibiotic use in the last 6 months, Liver disease severity-model for end stage liver disease (MELD, score range 6-40, where a higher score indicates higher mortality risk ) score & Child Pugh score (score range 5-15, where a higher score indicates worse liver function), Resting blood pressure.~Day 1-90 (Day 1=drain placement day)~Adverse event monitoring and patient follow-up:~Pre-drain insertion abdominal wall ultrasound by the interventional radiologist who will be inserting the drain Drain placement associated safety outcomes will be recorded including: shunt misplacement, insertion bleeding, pain (10 point scale where 0 is 'no pain' and 10 is 'worst possible pain') Home care nurse visit assessment with each drain: vital signs, documentation of drain function, appearance, fluid drainage, fluid volume, fluid appearance, drain site description, patient symptoms.~Nurses will be asked to contact study personnel in the event of adverse outcomes or new patient symptoms Phone call to patient weekly and in person assessment monthly by primary investigator (PI): quality of life and symptom questionnaires-CLDQ, ESAS-R, ASI-7, changes in cognitive status, medication reassessment, documentation of hospitalizations, and Child Pugh/MELD calculation at monthly visit.~Monthly Nutritional assessment by dietitian-Weight, height, calorie and protein intake via 3-day food record (completed 1 day pre-drain, 1 day of a drain, and 1 day after a drain), mid-arm muscle circumference, hand-grip strength by the Jamar hand-grip dynamometer, CNAQ appetite screening tool~Diagnostic fluid analysis and septic work up if symptoms of SBP (abdominal pain, fever, elevated white blood cell count (WBC), sudden onset renal dysfunction or hepatic encephalopathy). Drain removal if SBP diagnosed using standard criteria (ascites fluid polymorphonuclear cell count ≥ 250 cells/millimetre3). Any removed drains with have the drain tip sent for culture and sensitivity~Labs: Weekly ascites fluid analysis for protein, cell count and diff, culture and sensitivity Weekly CBC and differential, PT, Cr, electrolytes, ALT, AST, Bilirubin, albumin via home collections or community based lab. Urine electrolytes, Plasma renin & aldosterone monthly~STUDY EXTENSION OPTION~At 90 days, all patients that choose to continue with fluid drainage as per the study protocol, will be offered the option to continue contributing data to the study for the duration of time they have the drain inserted, or until they no longer wish to participate. Patients will be made aware that their decision to continue to participate in the study will not influence their medical care.~For patients that agree to continue participating, the initial protocol for drain frequency, volume, care, and safety measures will be followed. Data will be collected, including:~Every 4 weeks by PI or designate: quality of life and symptom questionnaires-CLDQ, ESAS-R, ASI-7, changes in cognitive status, medication reassessment, documentation of hospitalizations, and Child Pugh/MELD calculation, vital signs, documentation of drain function, appearance, drain site description, patient symptoms. Patients will be asked to bring in their home drain volume records for review at these visits. Nutritional assessment by dietitian-Weight, height, calorie and protein intake via 3-day food record (completed 1 day pre-drain, 1 day of a drain, and 1 day after a drain), mid-arm muscle circumference, hand-grip strength by the Jamar hand-grip dynamometer, CNAQ appetite screening tool.~Diagnostic fluid analysis and septic work up if symptoms of SBP (abdominal pain, fever, elevated WBC, sudden onset renal dysfunction or hepatic encephalopathy) Drain removal if SBP diagnosed using standard criteria (ascites fluid polymorphonuclear cell count ≥ 250 cells/mm3). Any removed drains with have the drain tip sent for culture and sensitivity.~Labs: Every 1-2 weeks-ascites fluid analysis for protein, cell count and diff, culture and sensitivity. Blood for CBC and differential, PT, Cr, electrolytes, AST, Bilirubin, albumin Every 4 weeks- blood rennin and aldosterone. Urine electrolytes. | Refractory ascites (fluid build up in the abdomen that can not bet managed by medications) occurs in at least 10% of patients with end stage liver disease (cirrhosis). Two major options for management include large volume paracentesis (LVP)-drainage with a needle through the abdominal wall) and placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)-re-directs blood flow across the cirrhotic liver), Not all patients are candidates for TIPS or transplant, are left with LVP as the only long-term treatment option. Patients listed for transplant require LVP while they wait for transplant.~LVP can cause pain, bleeding, leakage from the drain site and frequent hospital visits which result in health care cost as well as patient and caregiver fatigue. In between the drains, living with ascites can negatively affect quality of life because of discomfort and limitations. Patients with ascites are more malnourished than those without.~Specialized drains tunnelled under the skin, are used in patents with ascites due to cancer (malignant). There are not many studies evaluating these drains in patients with cirrhosis, One of the reasons for the lack of studies is the potential for infection. As opposed to malignant ascites, cirrhotic ascites generally has a low protein content, a risk factor for development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). From available studies, infection rates in cirrhotic patients with tunnelled drains who are not on antibiotics are estimated at 10% (4/40). Infection rates on antibiotic prophylaxis would be expected to be lower.~This pilot study includes the evaluation of indwelling tunnelled PleurX catheters as an alternative option. The hypothesis is that with careful monitoring of kidney function and prevention of infection with antibiotics, PleurX catheters will be safe, cost-effective and improve quality of life and nutritional status compared to the standard of care. |
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms. In recent years it has become clear that motor symptoms are associated with non-motor and non-dopaminergic symptoms throughout the natural progression of the disease, and sometimes even before the onset of motor manifestations.~Chronic constipation is the most common gastrointestinal symptom reported by PD patients; it could be one of the manifestations of disease onset.~In the past, constipation was considered a side effect of neurological therapy, but more recent studies have evidenced that it is widely present in patients with early untreated PD too and it may precede of years the onset of motor symptoms.~The prevalence of constipation can reach 80% of patients with PD, with an incidence of decreased stool frequency (less than 3 bowel movements per week) of 57-67% of patients.~Although constipation should be interpreted as part of the disease, patients often don't link it to PD, with the result that it may be neglected or poorly managed. Moreover, continuous and incongruous use of laxatives, that are often used in increasing doses in order to maintain efficacy, may cause the onset of abdominal pain and diarrhoea with the risk of bowel incontinence and other side effects.~Constipation also adversely affects quality of life of PD patients: beyond being an annoying symptom, it may also cause other serious gastrointestinal pathologies (i.e. magacolon, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, volvolus, bowel perforation). Moreover, constipation can directly or indirectly influence the absorption of PD drugs, with the result of a poor control on motor symptoms.~Afterwards, finding an effective treatment of constipation would be very important for quality of life of PD patients; this treatment should be easy to be administered and should not have any interference with other PD drugs.~PHGG fiber is extracted from a herbaceous plant (Cyamopsis Tetra-Gonolobus, family: Leguminosae) of Indian origin: it produces 5/9 pods containing seeds which produce the famous guar gum, that is a natural polysaccharide. It differs from fibers derived from other plants for its high content of Galactomannan. Guar gum (referred to as GG) is classified in the European list of additives under the symbol E 412. Recently, a partially hydrolyzed guar gum (indicated with the abbreviation PHGG) has been developed. Unlike the original and other fibers (eg. Psillium), it has the characteristic to remain liquid and, due to its low molecular weight, to not turn into gel. The introduction of molecules of water (hydrolysis), by an enzyme called Mannanase, reduces the length and the molecular weight of guar gum and creates a fiber with unique properties: by remaining liquid, it does not cause bloating, flatulence and meteorism, that are adverse events typically associated to other fibers. The association with sodium hyaluronate (low molecular weight depolymerizes) rapidly attracting water and amplifying the desired clinical effect.~The aim of this pilot research study is to investigate the effectiveness of this formula (Stick pack 30 ml containing PHGG 5 g and Hyaluronic 200 mg) in PD patients affected by constipation. | Chronic constipation is the most common gastrointestinal symptom reported by PD patients; it could be one of the manifestations of disease onset.~PHGG fiber is extracted from a herbaceous plant (Cyamopsis Tetra-Gonolobus, family: Leguminosae) of Indian origin: it produces 5/9 pods containing seeds which produce the famous guar gum, that is a natural polysaccharide. |
Background: Anosmia is a debilitating common symptom of COVID-19. The therapeutic effect of systemic steroid for the treatment of anosmia has been studied with various findings of its efficacy. However, the effect of local steroid was not assessed before.~Objective: To estimate the efficacy of local steroid in the treatment of anosmia in COVID-19 patients.~Materials and Methods: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted at Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital and Tikrit Teaching Hospital during the period from 23th August to 30th September. Proven cases by real-time polymerase chain reaction and presented with anosmia alone or with ageusia were enrolled in the study. The patients divided into 4 groups according to the treatment modalities. Group A (local steroid nasal drops), group B (local normal saline nasal drops), group C (systemic and local steroid), and group D (systemic steroid and local normal saline). Comparison between the groups concerning the fate and the recovery time of the anosmia was analyzed.~Results and Conclusion: Depends on the finding of the studied patients. | Background: Anosmia is a debilitating common symptom of COVID-19. The therapeutic effect of systemic steroid for the treatment of anosmia has been studied with various findings of its efficacy. However, the effect of local steroid was not assessed before.~Objective: To estimate the efficacy of local steroid in the treatment of anosmia in COVID-19 patients. |
Data captured in the EHRs will be collected from all available departments, including inpatient hospital, outpatient hospital, emergency room, etc. for virtually all types of provided services in each participating site. The study period will be from January 1, 2020 to the most recent data available.~Primary objective To determine factors that predict disease prognosis and outcomes in COVID-19 patients, specifically: Hospitalization/Off-site monitoring, transfer to ICU and/or need for medical mechanical ventilation (both invasive and non- invasive), length of ICU stay, and outcome (cure/ hospital discharge, in-hospital death)~Secondary objectives~To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients~To describe the patient management (treatment and procedures) in the target population~To describe the outcomes of COVID-19 (discharge, hospitalization, transfer to ICU/ mechanical medical ventilation, in-hospital death) in relation to patients' clinical and demographic characteristics, and treatment received~To determine whether the factors that predict COVID-19 prognosis and outcome also apply to other types of pneumonia.~Exploratory objectives One of the goals of this study is to configure the Big Data system to unravel any hidden variable/s (and their associations) that may offer novel clinical insights into COVID-19 management. | This is a multicenter, non-interventional, retrospective study using data captured in the EHRs (Electronic Health Records) of the participating hospital sites to determine factors that predict disease prognosis and outcomes in COVID-19 patients, specifically: Hospitalization/Off-site monitoring, transfer to ICU and/or need for medical mechanical ventilation (both invasive and non- invasive), length of ICU stay, and outcome (cure/ hospital discharge, in-hospital death) |
Mild versus moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest during aortic hemiarch replacement Hypothermic circulatory arrest with unilateral selective anterograde cerebral perfusion (SACP) is an important surgical technique, allowing complex aortic surgeries to be performed safely. One of the main positive aspects of the strategy for changing the hypothermia temperature is to reduce the systemic inflammatory response, minimize visceral organ dysfunction, and reduce the risk of postoperative bleeding - the adverse effects of hypothermia Patients will be operated for ascending aortic aneurysm in a hypothermic circulatory arrest with unilateral SACP. The main difference is during aortic hemiarch replacement, moderate hypothermia (26-28°C) and mild hypothermia (30-32°C) will be used during circulatory arrest. All data will be prospectively collected and recorded. All surgeries will be perform concurrently in the same time period. Experienced in aortic pathology surgeons will perform these operations.~Description of the procedures:~All surgical procedures will be performed via median sternotomy. During the aortic arch anastomosis, continuous, unilateral SACP using innominate artery will be employed. Unilateral SACP may be converted to bilateral ACP at the surgeon's discretion if adequate cerebral flows are not achieved or if there are concerns with cerebral oximetry measurements.~Once on CPB, the patient will be cooled to a nasopharyngeal (NP) temperature of either 30-32 °C or 26-28 °C, depending on to which treatment arm the patient has been randomized. Rectal temperature with be monitored as an additional temperature sites. Unilateral SACP will only be initiated once the target temperature has been reached. SACP via the innominate artery will be commenced with target flows of 8-10 ml/kg/min and perfusion pressure of 60-80 mmHg. Perfusion adequacy will be evaluated using measurement of blood pressure in both radial arteries and cerebral oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).~After completion of the aortic hemiarch replacement, CPB will be resumed and the patient re-warmed to 36 °C prior to coming off CPB, with a = 1 °C temperature difference between temperature monitoring sites (NP and rectal).~Intraoperative information will be collected from the anesthetic record, surgical notes and perfusion records. Intraoperative data collection will include total operative time, CPB time, cross-clamp time, hypothermic cardiac arrest time, uSACP time, lowest nasopharyngeal and rectal temperature, arterial pressure in both radial arteries, perfusion rate and perfusion pressure during both of CPB and unilateral SACP, lowest hemoglobin concentration (g/L) and hematocrit (%), acid-base indices, intraoperative red blood cell transfusion (units), highest dose/agent used for intraoperative inotrope or vasopressor support. Also during the surgery will be performed NIRS and BIS-monitoring.~Postoperative data will include valuation of following indicators: mortality (hospital mortality and death from any cause); neurological injury (TIA, stroke, delirium), MRI and CT-scan only in event of postoperative stroke; acute kidney injury (creatinine level prior and 1, 2, 4 postoperative day (POD), urine output-up to 24-48 h, renal replacement therapy (dialysis); time of mechanical ventilation; re-exploration for bleeding, tamponade or other reasons; postoperative transfusion (packed red blood cells, platelets, fresh frozen platelets, cryoprecipitate); postoperative myocardial infarction (electrocardiogram and troponins); inotropic support during 24-48 h (agent and dose (VIS)); length of stay (intensive care unit and total hospital days).~Before surgery and on 12-16 POD, patients will undergo neurocognitive screening by trained personnel. Neurocognitive tests will include: MOCA examinations, Schulte Table and The Bourdon Test.~In addition, indicators of specific markers of brain damage will be evaluated. Indicators such as neuron-specific enolase (NSE), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) will be evaluated before surgery and on first POD. Also will be evaluated indicators of the hemostatic system: thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complexes, prothrombin fragments 1+2, glu-plasminogen, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), endothelin 1-21 and thromboelastography (TEG) in following points - before surgery, lowest temperature during arrest time, after inactivation of heparin and 4 h after surgery.~Follow-up information will be collected using direct or phone contact with patients, relatives, or physicians. | The aim of our study is to analyze the immediate and long-term results between patients undergoing hemiarch replacement with ACP under mild hypothermic (30-32 °C) circulatory arrest versus moderate hypothermic (26-28 °C) circulatory arrest. It is hypothesized that circulatory arrest using mild hypothermia (30-32°C) and uSACP will result in complications reduction, during aortic hemiarch replacement, when compared to moderate hypothermia (26-28°C) and uSACP. For this purpose all of the patient population will be randomized into 2 groups. The first group of the patients during aortic hemiarch replacement, mild hypothermia (30-32°C) will be used during circulatory arrest. The second group of the patients during aortic hemiarch replacement, moderate hypothermia (26-28°C) will be used during circulatory arrest. |
A screening strategy to identify ATTR in the large background population of patients with one or more common ATTR manifestations, would be of significant clinical value.~In addition, novel ATTR therapies have been recently made available or are currently in development in late-stage clinical trials. As early diagnosis and treatment is expected to achieve better outcomes, this makes the development and validation of an easily implemented, rapid and electronically-enabled diagnostic algorithm especially important.~A medical and pharmacy claims-based algorithm was developed to potentially identify patients at risk of having ATTR. The goal of this study is to evaluate the ability of the algorithm to identify patients with ATTR by performing diagnostic clinical work up in patients that the algorithm identifies in a large dataset of patients at Yale.~The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the algorithm in identifying patients with ATTR amyloidosis.~The secondary objective of this study is to estimate the clinical benefit of the algorithm, as measured by the added diagnostic value, i.e. the proportion or rate of patients who were previously undiagnosed. The total obtained prevalence will be assessed and informally compared to the referral-based prevalence of ATTR amyloidosis patients at Yale. | The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of an algorithm in identifying patients with ATTR amyloidosis. |
Objective: This clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of telesurgery for patients with tumors of the urinary system using Chinese independently developed MicroHand Surgical Robot System through 5G network.~Content: One-arm clinical trial was adopted in this study. The product was domestically produced MicroHand surgical robot system (Shandong Weigao Co., Ltd). Before entering the clinical study, the patients were fully informed and the written informed consent were signed. According to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, the researchers will conduct a detailed screening to determine whether they are suitable for the clinical study. Telesurgery would be conducted for patients who met the inclusion criteria using MicroHand surgical robot system. Data between the surgeon console and the patient side cart were transmitted through a 5G network. The safety and efficacy of the robotic system in remote clinical diagnosis and treatment were verified according to the main judgment criterion and secondary judgment criterion.~Background: With the combination of robotic and network communication technology, telesurgery has become a reality. On the one hand, telesurgery can conserve and optimize medical resources, providing high-quality medical services to unbalanced areas, such as rural areas, stricken areas and battlefields. On the other hand, telesurgery can reduce the time spent by patients waiting for treatment and thus prevent diseases from worsening.~The unbalanced distribution of medical resources has been a prominent problem in China. In addition, the vast territory and relatively lower medical distribution ratio per capita make it difficult for patients to receive timely and high-quality treatment, especially those in remote and underdeveloped areas. Therefore, telesurgery is more significant in China. In recent years, surgical robot systems and network communication technology have experienced breakthroughs. The operation systems of the Da Vinci robot in America, the REVO-I robot in South Korea and the ALF-X robot in Italy are more flexible and intelligent, performing well in surgical procedures. The Micro Hand S system robot, independently developed in China, represents a new generation of surgical robot systems. In addition to the flexible and intelligent characteristics of traditional robots, it has a series of advantages, such as a clear interface, light weight, low cost in terms of use and maintenance, and strong equipment compatibility. After preliminary experiments, it has been successfully applied in clinical surgery6. Meanwhile, in the field of network communication, the emerging 5G mobile communication technology (the 5th generation of wireless systems, 5G technology for short) is the latest generation of cellular mobile communication technology. It is also an extension of 4G (LTE-A or WiMax), 3G (UMTS or LTE) and 2G (GSM) technology. 5G technology has a high data rate, low latency, high throughput, equipment connection on a large scale, low cost and low energy consumption. The emergence of 5G technology offers more opportunities for the prevalence of telesurgery.~In September 2019, our research group carried out the first 5G remote telesurgery using the Micro Hand S system robot and a 5G network between Qingdao, Shandong Province, and Xixiu, Guizhou Province, in September 2019 in China (the network communication distance was nearly 3000 km). Specifically, the investigators conducted four ultra-remote laparoscopic surgeries, including left nephrectomy, partial hepatectomy, cholecystectomy and cystectomy in a swine model under the 5G network using a domestically produced Micro Hand S surgical robot. the investigators accomplished four laparoscopic telesurgeries successfully, with an average network delay of 264 ms (including a round-trip transporting delay of 114 ms and a 1.20% data package loss ratio). Moreover, the total blood loss was 25 ml and no complications occurred during the procedures. The investigators demonstrated that ultra-remote laparoscopic telesurgery can be performed safely and smoothly under the 5G network using domestically produced equipment. On such basis, our research group planned to carry out this clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of telesurgery for patients with tumors of the urinary system using Chinese independently developed MicroHand Surgical Robot System through 5G network.~Introduction of the MicroHand surgical robot: The MicroHand surgical robot system consists of two physically separated subsystems named the surgeon console and patient side cart. The surgeon console includes a stereo image viewer, two master manipulators, a control panel and several foot pedals. The patient side cart includes a passive arm that can slide in the up-down direction and be adjusted forward and backward, a swivel head that can rotate around the vertical axis, and three slave arms (one for the endoscopic camera and the other two for surgical instruments). The surgeon console (based in Qingdao) takes the surgeon's input and translates it into a control signal. After network transmission, the patient side cart (based in Anshun) translates the control signal into actual instrument manipulation. The 3D images captured by the endoscopic camera were simultaneously sent back to the screen of the surgeon console as visual feedback.~Steps of the procedure:~① The surgeon console was placed in Qingdao, Shangdong Province, while the patient side cart was placed in Anshun, Guizhou Province.~② Connections between the surgeon console and the patient side cart were established through a public 5G wireless network. Special 5G customer premise equipment (CPE) was used as a signal repeater station and amplifier. Upload and download speed will be tested as network bandwidth.~③ After general anesthesia, the supine position was maintained, the surgical area was disinfected, and pneumoperitoneum was established from the left side of the umbilicus by using a Veress needle. Then, trocars were inserted, and slave arms were delivered. Slave arm A was equipped with robotic grasp pliers, and Slave arm C was equipped with an ultrasonic scalpel (bipolar pliers or electrocautery). Robot-assisted telesurgeries, including adrenalectomy, cystectomy and nephrectomy, were performed by surgeons from the departments of urology. Surgeons in Qingdao performed the dissection and coagulation of the target organs, while assistants in Anshun performed exposure of structures and clip application. Trocar placement and position of the patients were also adjusted in each telesurgery by the assistants if necessary. After completion of the dissection, the target organs were removed by the assistant bedside. Then the pneumoperitoneum was exsufflated and the incisions were closed. Intraoperative network latencies and vital signs were monitored constantly. The master-slave manipulation consistency was assessed subjectively. The operative time, blood loss and complications were recorded. | One-arm clinical trial was adopted in this study. The surgeons performed remote urological surgery for patients through domestically produced MicroHand surgical robot system (Shandong Weigao Co., Ltd). The MicroHand surgical robot system consists of two physically separated subsystems named the surgeon console and patient side cart. The surgeon console includes a stereo image viewer, two master manipulators, a control panel and several foot pedals. The patient side cart includes a passive arm that can slide in the up-down direction and be adjusted forward and backward, a swivel head that can rotate around the vertical axis, and three slave arms (one for the endoscopic camera and the other two for surgical instruments). The surgeon console (based in Qingdao) takes the surgeon's input and translates it into a control signal. After network transmission, the patient side cart (based in Anshun) translates the control signal into actual instrument manipulation. The 3D images captured by the endoscopic camera were simultaneously sent back to the screen of the surgeon console as visual feedback. Data between the surgeon console and the patient side cart were transmitted through a 5G network. The safety and effectiveness of the robotic system in remote clinical diagnosis and treatment were verified by the main judgment criterion and secondary judgment criterion. Six patients are planned to enroll in the clinical trial.~Main judgment criterion:~The robot-assisted telesurgery did not transfer to other types of surgery, such as open surgery or normal robot-assisted surgery.~Secondary judgment criterion:~operative time, blood loss, postoperative pain, preoperative adjusting time and hospitalization time.~Patient enrollment:~This trial aims to explore the safety and effectiveness of the domestically produced robotic system in remote clinical diagnosis and treatment through 5G network. Six patients are planned to enroll in the clinical trial, including 2 patients with adrenal tumor, 2 patients with bladder cancer and 2 patients with renal cell carcinoma. |
Health care workers working in hospital or nursing home for elderly people involved in the coronavirus epidemic are facing several challenges such as direct exposure and involvement in the resolution of major public health emergencies, exposure to potentially fatal contamination, physical exhaustion, unadjusted work organizations, the unusual number of deaths among patients, colleagues and close relatives, and significant ethical challenges in decision-making. Preliminary data from China suggests that frontline and lay professionals suffer from different types of psychological distress. A study of the mental health of 230 frontline medical staff in the COVID-19 outbreak found a high prevalence of anxiety and stress disorder (up to 25%).~These data highlight the importance of screening for psychological distress in response to the scale of the pandemic and the provision of targeted psychological interventions, such as EMDR (desensitization and neuro-emotional integration by eye movements), to improve the psychological well-being of healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19. EMDR is a therapy which for nearly 30 years has demonstrated, through well-conducted international experimental studies with a high level of evidence including a recent meta-analysis from 2019, its effectiveness in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Its use is recommended by the French National Authority for Health and the World Health Organization. In France, more than 1,700 therapists practice it. While the evidence for the effectiveness of EMDR is strong and its feasibility adapted to a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, its use has not been evaluated at the population level in the context of an exceptional health crisis.~This project is both a cohort study with the proposal of a randomized trial to evaluate an intervention adapted to the exceptional circumstances of the crisis. As such, it is designed as Trial(s) Within Cohort design (TWIC).~In addition, this project is also built to allow health professionals involved in the fight against COVID-19 to have regular access to self-administered screening with immediate feedback concerning the most frequent psychological symptoms, this method of screening and monitoring psychological distress in the context of a pandemic is not currently implemented in France.~The objectives of the study are as follows:~/ Create a cohort of French hospital health-care workers and French health professionals working in nursing home for elderly people involved in the care of COVID-19 patients in which we will:~offer a self-administered mass screening test for common psychiatric disorders likely to occur in this context, and estimate the frequency of occurrence of common psychological symptoms in the short and long term (depression, burnout, post-traumatic stress);~estimate the evolution over a year of the aforementioned symptoms and try to explain these trajectories.~/ To evaluate, in a randomized controlled trial, the effectiveness of 12 sessions of a specific therapeutic intervention combining EMDR + usual care compared to usual care alone in eligible participants (those screened positive for psychological symptoms) . | Health care workers working in hospital or nursing home for elderly people involved in the coronavirus epidemic are facing several challenges such as direct exposure and involvement in the resolution of major public health emergencies, exposure to potentially fatal contamination, physical exhaustion, unadjusted work organizations, the unusual number of deaths among patients, colleagues and close relatives, and significant ethical challenges in decision-making.~Preliminary data suggests that frontline and lay professionals suffer from different types of psychological distress. These data highlight the importance of screening for psychological distress in response to the scale of the pandemic and the provision of targeted psychological interventions, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR, desensitization and neuro-emotional integration by eye movements), to improve the psychological well-being of healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19.~This project is both a cohort study with the proposal of a randomized trial to evaluate an intervention adapted to the exceptional circumstances of the crisis. As such, it is designed as Trial(s) Within Cohort design (TWIC). |
General objective To determine the effect of awareness campaigns by school children targeting their communities on knowledge, attitudes and practices in malaria control in the Mbandjock health district.~Specific objectives~To describe the socio-demographic characteristics of households in the health districts of Mbandjock and Sa'a at the time of the survey;~To measure the change due the intervention on knowledge of malaria transmission, diagnosis, treatment and prevention in the health district of Mbandjock;~To measure the change due the intervention on attitudes towards malaria diagnosis, treatment and prevention in the Mbandjock health district;~To measure the change due the intervention on practices in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of malaria in the Mbandjock health district.~Methodology Study design A two-arm, open label, randomized controlled clinical trial will be adopted with Mbandjock health district as the test district and Sa'a Health District a Control Health District.~Study site and study population The study population will be the entire population of the Mbandjock and Sa'a communities.~Sampling method The Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) method was used. Since this method requires that the intervention zones be divided into supervision areas, the health areas of each district were considered as supervision areas. The health area was selected in the ratio 2:1. In the test district 11 health areas were used and 6 health district in the control district. 19 households were selected for each health area as required by the LQAS method.~Sample size A total of 209 pupils and 209 adults shall be enrolled from households in Mbandjock. Similarly, 114 pupils and 114 adults will be recruited in Sa'a. In addition, 57 teachers shall be enrolled in the District of Mbandjock only. A total of 703 participants shall be enrolled during the study.~Duration of study The study duration is three years. This will last from January 2017 to December 2020. | The main aim of this study is to determine the effect of awareness campaigns by school children targeting their communities on knowledge, attitudes, and practices in malaria control in the Mbandjock health district. A two-arm, open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial will be adopted with the Mbandjock Health District as the test district and Sa'a Health District as control Health District. This will last from January 2017 to December 2020. The Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) method was used. The health area was selected in the ratio 2:1. A total of 209 pupils and 209 adults shall be enrolled from households located in Mbandjock. Similarly, 114 pupils and 114 adults will be recruited in Sa'a. In addition, 57 teachers shall be enrolled in the District of Mbandjock only. A total of 703 participants shall be enrolled during the study. |
B-cell activating factor (BAFF) excess causes lupus disease by exerting costimulatory effects on the B-cell compartment but also on a variety of non-B-cell subsets such as T-helper cells and monocytes/dendritic cells. The 2019 updated European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for SLE recommend usage of belimumab (anti-BAFF mAb) in persistently active or flaring disease based upon evidence for efficacy, reduction of flares and organ damage accrual without increasing the risk of infections. Still, belimumab is usually reserved for established, refractory cases. It is conceivable that earlier usage may halt the progression of the disease, especially prevent flares and dysfunction in major organs. The investigators have completed a combined genetic and transcriptomic analysis in the peripheral blood of SLE patients and have characterized distinct gene signatures for disease activity/flare and severity. Using machine learning techniques, the investigators can predict SLE patients likely to develop major organ involvement. In vitro and gene profiling studies in purified lupus monocytes indicate that these cells exist - under the effect of type I interferon - in a high alert autoreactive and metabolic state (reminiscent of 'trained immunity'), which may contribute to risk of flares, tissue injury but also major comorbidities seen in SLE, particularly accelerated atherosclerosis and infections. Based upon the clinical experience accumulated thus far, it is likely that belimumab may neutralize these molecular signatures for flares and disease progression without interfering with host defense immune pathways.~The investigators propose to perform RNA-sequencing of the whole blood initially, in a cohort of 80 SLE patients who will receive belimumab as part of standard clinical practice, in order to assess intra-patient longitudinal (baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months) transcriptome changes and examine whether treatment can ameliorate the identified activity/flare, severity and major organ disease signatures. The investigators will also obtain preliminary information on molecular signatures predicting clinical responses and the impact of belimumab on gene signatures of host defense against viral and bacterial (including mycobacterial) pathogens. Using modules of cell type-specific genes and co-expression gene networks, the investigators will deconvolute our data to define pertinent molecular alterations in specific immune cell types. Results will be validated and functionally characterized by single-cell mass cytometry (performed at the aforementioned time points), which enables investigation of the cell identity (including subsets of B-cells and myeloid cells of particular relevance to the disease) and activation status at protein level (e.g. phosphorylation) through next-generation, high-dimensional flow cytometry. Through a focused analysis of the deconvoluted RNA-seq and mass cytometry data followed by targeted gene expression and function studies in purified monocytes, the investigators will determine whether belimumab can restore SLE-primed monocytes thus, alleviating their inflammatory and pro-atherogenic phenotype and enhancing their bactericidal activity. Collectively, these studies will provide novel mechanistic insights on the beneficial efficacy/toxicity ratio of belimumab therapy in SLE, while supporting the early use of the drug. | The investigators propose to perform RNA-sequencing of the whole blood initially, in a cohort of 80 SLE patients who will receive belimumab as part of standard clinical practice, in order to assess intra-patient longitudinal (baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months) transcriptome changes and examine whether treatment can ameliorate the activity/flare, severity and major organ disease gene signatures. The investigators will also obtain preliminary information on molecular signatures predicting clinical responses and the impact of belimumab on gene signatures of host defense against viral and bacterial (including mycobacterial) pathogens. Using modules of cell type-specific genes and co-expression gene networks, The investigators will deconvolute our data to define pertinent molecular alterations in specific immune cell types. Results will be validated and functionally characterized by single-cell mass cytometry (performed at the aforementioned time points), which enables investigation of the cell identity (including subsets of B-cells and myeloid cells of particular relevance to the disease) and activation status at protein level (e.g. phosphorylation) through next-generation, high-dimensional flow cytometry. Through a focused analysis followed by targeted gene expression and function studies in purified monocytes, the investigators will determine whether belimumab can restore SLE-primed monocytes thus, alleviating their inflammatory and pro-atherogenic phenotype and enhancing their bactericidal activity. Collectively, these studies will provide novel mechanistic insights on the beneficial efficacy/toxicity ratio of belimumab therapy in SLE. |
The purpose of this study is to compare the use of ticagrelor alone versus P2Y12 receptor inhibitor and aspirin together after PCI among ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients who complete 3-month course of dual antiplatelet therapy. The object of this study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of ticagrelor alone, compared to P2Y12 receptor inhibitor plus aspirin in reducing clinically relevant bleeding and in reducing ischemic adverse events among patients diagnosed with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing PCI with second-generation drug-eluting stent. | To compare the clinical outcomes of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and P2Y12 receptor inhibitor vs. ticagrelor monotherapy at 3 months after PCI in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. |
Background: Spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) is a non-progressive neuro-muscular disorder in children resulting from an injury in the central nervous system. Individuals with SCP present with impairments such as hyperreflexia, demonstrate impaired motor control and muscle growth. Manual stretching is an important approach in the physical therapy of individuals with SCP used to increase muscle extensibility and length, decrease muscle stiffness, and to improve functional abilities. However, there are only a few studies that have examined its acute and long-term effects in children with SCP and it is still not clear, if it may lead to the expected changes, and which method might be the most-effective one. Besides static stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching has been used to aid the rehabilitation of, for example, stroke patients by either facilitating muscle elongation and/or improving muscle strength. Positive effects were found (e.g., increased dorsiflexion, improved gait function, altered tendon properties), which are also clinically relevant for individuals with SCP. However, there is no information about the impact of PNF in this population.~Aims: The primary aim of this study is to gain knowledge about both the effects of a single bout of static and PNF stretching and the effects of 8-week static and PNF stretching training on the calf muscle-tendon properties in children with SCP. Furthermore, the effects on joint and muscle function, stretch reflexes, gait, and self-reported gait function and functional performance are examined to receive a comprehensive picture of potential changes. Further aims of this study are to identify which stretching technique might be more efficient by comparing the effects of both stretching interventions, and to gain information about the influence of foot flexibility on the stretch achieved by the spastic gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit.~Methods: A randomized controlled trial with a cross-over design will be performed. Prior to the measurements, a familiarization session takes place and both groups will further be examined in three separate measurement sessions. Based on a power calculation and in order to account for possible dropouts, 30 individuals with SCP (age range: 6 to 15 years) will be recruited. The participants will be randomly allocated to either the static stretching or PNF stretching intervention after the familiarization session. Passive muscle-tendon morphological properties will be examined. A manually controlled instrumented spasticity assessment will be performed to test for differences in the reflex responses. Information about the lengthening behavior of the tissues throughout the dorsiflexion rotations will also be collected by use of ultrasound. Isometric muscle strength and the active torque-angle relationship will be investigated using an isokinetic dynamometer. To assess the gait pattern of the children, a gait analysis will be performed by use of an 8-camera motion capture system. In addition, we will examine the participants' gait function and functional performance by use of the Gait Outcomes Assessment List questionnaire. | The primary aim of this study is to gain knowledge about both the effects of a single bout of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching and the effects of 8-week static and PNF stretching training on the calf muscle-tendon properties in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP). Furthermore, the effects on joint and muscle function, stretch reflexes, gait, and self-reported gait function and functional performance are examined to receive a comprehensive picture of potential changes.~Further aims of this study are to identify which stretching technique might be more efficient by comparing the effects of both stretching interventions, and to gain information about the influence of foot flexibility on the stretch achieved by the spastic gastrocnemius muscle. |
The study is designed to demonstrate that Whether the perioperative comprehensive treatment of primary focal resection plus lymph node dissection combined with chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 can prolong the overall survival of patients, narrow the range of metastatic lesions and improve the quality of life of patients.~Compared with patients with extensive metastasis, 2-year tumor-specific survival and overall survival of patients with oligometastatic bladder cancer were significantly increased (53.3% vs 16.1%);(51.9% vs. 15.4%).Gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) regimen has been shown to bring clinical benefits in neoadjuvant therapy of metastatic UC(urothelial carcinoma).~PD-1 inhibitors have been widely used in urothelial carcinoma in recent years, and positive data have been obtained in both advanced patients and neoadjuvant patients.~If successful in this trial, it will serve to provide a therapeutic alternative for this patient who have oligometastasis of urothelial carcinoma. | treatment of primary focal resection plus lymph node dissection combined with chemotherapy and anti-programmed cell death 1(PD-1) for Oligometastasis of urothelial carcinoma. |
This is a Phase 2, open label, multicenter study of eflapegrastim in pediatric participants (≥1 month to <17 years) with solid tumors or lymphoma.~Approximately 40 participants will be enrolled and assigned to one of 4 age-based cohorts. Participants enrolled in Cohort 1 will be followed for dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) prior to initiating parallel enrollment into Cohorts 2 through 4.~All participants will receive chemotherapy as Standard of Care after which a subcutaneous (SC) dose of eflapegrastim will be administered up to 4 treatment cycles. | The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of eflapegrastim in pediatric participants with solid tumors or lymphoma and treated with myelosuppressive chemotherapy. |
Morbidity and mortality resulting from COVID-19 infections are associated with multisystem organ failure due to a rapid increase in cytokine production. Fluoxetine has been shown to reduce the mechanisms that cause the cytokine storm that leads to COVID-19 fatalities.~This is a pilot study to assess feasibility of recruiting and retaining participants diagnosed with COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to observe the early use of fluoxetine treatments on illness outcome: primary outcome is hospitalization and secondary outcomes of complications including intubation and death. Additional secondary outcomes include effects on outcomes for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, two common illnesses which may be improved by fluoxetine. | The current research is a pilot study to determine the feasibility of recruiting and retaining 40 participants diagnosed with COVID-19. The purpose is to observe the early use of fluoxetine (commonly known as Prozac) to reduce the severity of the COVID-19 illness. Fluoxetine is a drug that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1987 for various mental health disorders. |
A significant contributor to the morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 is from the abnormal carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in COVID-19 patients. Metabolic studies done on COVID-19 patients have shown that these patients have abnormally high metabolic rates. High metabolic rates results in increased carbon dioxide production and increased oxygen usage, both of which can result in high carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels. As some patients with severe COVID-19 continue to have high carbon dioxide levels and/or low oxygen levels despite being on the ventilator, it is hypothesized that decreasing the metabolic rate in these COVID-19 patients will help their oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Mild hypothermia is currently used in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest to improve mortality and neurological outcomes. Mild hypothermia is also an effective way to reduce metabolic demand. The aim is to apply mild hypothermia to COVID-19 patients to decrease metabolic rate in order to improve their oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Although the application for mild hypothermia has been widely adopted in some patient populations, it has never been applied in COVID-19 patients. If we can develop a strategy to help improve the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in COVID-19 patients, it may lead to improvements in their overall outcomes. | Some patients with COVID have abnormally high carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels despite being on the ventilator. The hypothesis of the study is that the application of mild hypothermia to patients with COVID will decrease their metabolic rate and improve their oxygenation and carbon dioxide levels. |
Adipokines (or adipocytokines) can be defined as a group of more than 600 bioactive molecules made from adipose tissue that acts as paracrine and endocrine hormones. Adipokines are involved in maintaining varieties of processes such as, appetite and satiety, energy expenditure activity, endothelial function, blood pressure, hemostasis, adipogenesis, insulin sensitivity, energy metabolism in insulin-sensitive tissues, fat distribution and insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. Adipokines may contribute to reduce scar formation and improve cardiac function in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Reperfusion therapy such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) should be administered to all eligible patients with AMI symptom onset within the prior 12 hours. However, our previous work showed that obese patients may benefit more from PCI. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of adipokines cardiac protection for obese and non-obese patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who have undergone PCI. | The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of Adipokines Cardiac Protection in Obese Patients With acute myocardial infarction (AMI) Who Have Undergone Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). |
Adipokines (or adipocytokines) can be defined as a group of more than 600 bioactive molecules made from adipose tissue that acts as paracrine and endocrine hormones. Adipokines are involved in maintaining varieties of processes such as, appetite and satiety, energy expenditure activity, endothelial function, blood pressure, hemostasis, adipogenesis, insulin sensitivity, energy metabolism in insulin-sensitive tissues, fat distribution and insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. Adipokines may contribute to reduce scar formation and improve cardiac function in coronary artery disease (CAD). Reperfusion therapy such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) should be administered to all eligible patients with CAD symptom. However, our previous work showed that obese patients may benefit more from PCI. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of adipokines cardiac protection for obese and non-obese patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). | The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of Adipokines Cardiac Protection in Obese Patients With coronary artery disease (CAD). |
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting almost 6% of the world's population over the age of 65. This disease, in its most typical sporadic form, is characterized by an episodic memory impairment linked to a deficit in consolidation. Many studies indicate that sleep promotes this consolidation stage during the deep slow sleep stage by facilitating the transfer of information between the hippocampus and the neocortex.~A method of acoustic brain stimulation at night by pink noises has been recently developed and has shown its effectiveness in strengthening memory consolidation in healthy volunteers. Actually, there is no study observing the effect of this new stimulation method on populations with neurodegenerative pathologies, in particular in AD for which this technique could potentially become a therapeutic option.~The hypothesis is that of a strengthening of the memory consolidation capacities in subjects with AD as has been shown in healthy subjects. | Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting almost 6% of the world's population over the age of 65. This disease, in its most typical sporadic form, is characterized by an episodic memory impairment linked to a deficit in consolidation. Many studies indicate that sleep promotes this consolidation stage during the deep slow sleep stage by facilitating the transfer of information between the hippocampus and the neocortex.~A method of acoustic brain stimulation at night by pink noises has been recently developed and has shown its effectiveness in strengthening memory consolidation in healthy volunteers. Actually, there is no study observing the effect of this new stimulation method on populations with neurodegenerative pathologies, in particular in AD for which this technique could potentially become a therapeutic option.~The hypothesis is that of a strengthening of the memory consolidation capacities in subjects with AD as has been shown in healthy subjects. |
This phase 1/2 study evaluates the safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary antitumor activity of COM701 an inhibitor of poliovirus receptor related immunoglobulin domain containing (PVRIG) in combination with BMS-986207 (an inhibitor of TIGIT) and nivolumab in subjects with advanced solid tumors. The study will consist of 2 parts (part 1 - dose escalation and part 2 - dose expansion).~Part 1: escalating doses of COM701 will be combined with fixed doses of BMS-986207 and nivolumab. Upon completion of dose escalation a recommended dose of COM701 in combination with BMS-986207 and nivolumab (3-drug combination) will be determined.~Part 2: subjects will be administered the recommended dose of COM701 in combination with BMS-986207 and nivolumab. Subjects will be enrolled into one of three cohorts based on their cancer type.~Cohort 1: subjects with platinum resistant/refractory ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer will receive study treatment with the 3-drug combination.~Cohort 2: subjects with MSS- endometrial cancer will receive study treatment with the 3-drug combination.~Cohort 3 (Basket cohort): subjects with tumors that have high expression of a biomarker (PVRL2) will receive study treatment with the 3-drug combination. Subjects with tumor types in cohorts 1, 2 and 4 will not be enrolled into this cohort.~Cohort 4: subjects with HNSCC. This cohort will enroll subjects who have received treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor or subjects who have received treatment with chemotherapy but not an immune checkpoint inhibitor. All subjects enrolled in this cohort will receive study treatment with the 3-drug combination. | This is a phase 1/2 open label sequential dose escalation and cohort expansion study evaluating the safety, tolerability and preliminary antitumor activity of COM701 in combination with BMS-986207 and nivolumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. |
Prior studies have demonstrated an association between the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors for diabetic patients and reductions in composite primary outcomes of cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke, as well as reductions in heart failure among patients with diabetes. The 2019 DAPA-HF trial studied whether the addition of the SCLT-2 inhibitor dapagliglozin could benefit patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), either with or without diabetes. Results indicated that that SGLT-2 inhibitors resulted in 4.9% absolute reduction in the cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure and a 2.3% absolute reduction in all-cause mortality in patients with and without diabetes. Dapagliflozin is FDA approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization in patients with HFrEF with or without Type 2 diabtes. The mechanisms of cardiovascular benefit remain unclear, however it is likely to be driven by a reduction in heart failure death given that rates of myocardial infarction were similar between treatment arms.~The CardioMEMS® system is an implantable device that can measure pulmonary artery systolic, diastolic and mean pressure on a daily basis. It has been shown convincingly that monitoring the MEMS device results in reduced pulmonary pressures and in turn a reduction in heart failure hospitalizations.~The focus of this study is to investigate the use of Dapagliflozin in HFrEF (NYHA II-IV) patients with or without diabetes who have CardioMEMS® implanted to assess the impact on pulmonary artery pressure measurements after 12 weeks of therapy. | The focus of this study is to investigate the use of Dapagliflozin in HFrEF (NYHA II-IV) patients with or without diabetes who have CardioMEMS® implanted to assess the impact on pulmonary artery pressure measurements after 12 weeks of therapy. |
This prospective randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effect of subcostal transverse abdominis plane block on the postoperative pain and opioid consumption in patients (12y≤ age) who will undergo epigastric cardiac pacemaker operation.~Patients will be allocated to either the SC TAP(subcostal transverse abdominis plane block) group or the control group (no block). Bilateral subcostal transverse abdominis plane block will be performed using 0.25% ropivacaine (0.5mL/kg for each side, MAX 20mL for each side) under ultrasound-guidance at the end of surgery.~The pain score at 10 min after PACU admin, 1, 6, 24 hours after the surgery, the total opioid consumption at 12, and 24 hours after the surgery, the total dose of additional rescue analgesia (intravenous ketololac, acetaminophen, or fentanil) at 12 and 24 hour after the surgery will be recorded. | This prospective randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effect of subcostal transverse abdominis plane block on the postoperative pain and opioid consumption in patients (12y≤ age) who will undergo epigastric cardiac pacemaker operation.~Patients will be allocated to either the SC TAP(subcostal transverse abdominis plane block) group or the control group (no block). Bilateral subcostal transverse abdominis plane block will be performed using 0.25% ropivacaine (0.5mL/kg for each side, MAX 20mL for each side) under ultrasound-guidance at the end of surgery.~The pain score at 10 min after PACU admin, 1, 6, 24 hours after the surgery, the total opioid consumption at 12, and 24 hours after the surgery, the total dose of additional rescue analgesia (intravenous ketololac or nalbuphine) at 12 and 24 hour after the surgery will be recorded. |
This prospective randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effect of fascia iliaca compartment block on postoperative pain and opioid consumption in pediatric patients (3y≤ age <18y) who will undergo orthopedics surgery (proximal femoral osteotomy).~Patients will be allocated to either the FICB(Fascia iliaca compartment block + IV PCA) group or the control group (no block + IV PCA). Fascia iliaca compartment block will be performed using 0.25% ropivacaine (1mL/kg, MAX 30mL) under ultrasound-guidance at the end of surgery.~The total opioid consumption at 12, and 24 hours after the surgery, and the pain score at 10 min after PACU admin, 1,6,24 hours after the surgery, the total dose of additional rescue analgesia (intravenous ketorolac or nalbuphine) at 12 and 24 hours after the surgery will be recorded. | This prospective randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effect of fascia iliaca compartment block on the postoperative pain and opioid consumption in pediatric patients (3y≤ age <18y) who will undergo orthopedics surgery (proximal femoral osteotomy).~Patients will be allocated to either the FICB(Fascia iliaca compartment block + IV PCA) group or the control group (no block + IV PCA). Fascia iliaca compartment block will be performed using 0.25% ropivacaine (1mL/kg, MAX 30mL) under ultrasound-guidance at the end of surgery.~The total opioid consumption at 12, and 24 hours after the surgery, and the pain score at 10 min after PACU admin, 1,6,24 hours after the surgery, the total dose of additional rescue analgesia (intravenous ketorolac or nalbuphine) at 12 and 24 hours after the surgery will be recorded. |
68-Ga-fibroblast-activation-protein-inhibitors (68-Ga-FAPI) are novel Positron emission tomography (PET) tracers that were recently introduced for the imaging of patients with various cancer diseases. The fibroblast-activation-protein (FAP) is highly expressed in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the stroma of various tumor entities. The aim of this registry study is to collect data on FAPI expression, positive predictive value, detection rate, reproducibility and impact on clinical management of 68-Ga-FAPI PET/CT or PET/MRI on patients receiving this imaging modality at initial diagnosis or restaging as part of clinical care. | This is a prospective observational trial investigating correlation with histopathology, positive predictive value, detection rate, reproducibility and impact on clinical management of 68-Ga-FAPI PET/CT or PET/MRI in patients receiving this imaging modality for tumor staging or restaging as part of clinical care. |
Patients older than 18 years of age diagnosed with an acute supratentorial ischemic stroke within 48 hrs of symptom onset will be prospectively enrolled. Research imaging will be obtained before 7 days after symptom onset. The patient will receive the standardized treatment protocol at the hospital. Informed consent will be obtained from each patient or a substitute decision maker for each individual imaging study (CTP, Rb PET, and FDG PET). The patient will be given the option of undergoing the CTP imaging with the Rb PET only or both the Rb PET and FDG PET components. | Adult patients who are diagnosed with an acute supratentorial ischemic stroke within 48 hrs of onset will be enrolled into the study. Participants will undergo both a CT Scan and PET scan within 7 days of onset. Participants will have the option to undergo a second PET scan with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). |
Introduction: Pain management is one of the greatest challenges in the critical care of burn patients and is frequently associated with high levels of anxiety and depression. Several studies and meta-analyses confirm the effectiveness of music interventions and music therapy in changing the experience of pain in hospitalized patients, but further clinical trials are needed investigating specific music therapy interventions in addressing pain in burn patients.~Objectives: To investigate the effect of MAR (Music-Assisted Relaxation) on the perception of pain in burn patients at the AICU (Adult Intensive Care Unit) of the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá (FSFB). MAR is a music therapy technique that includes listening to live music, combined with deep diaphragmatic breathing and / or guided relaxation and the use of imagery. The music applied will be based on the principles of entrainment: first, the music is synchronized with the vital signs of the patients (e.g. respiratory rate) and then musical elements (e.g. tempo) are modulated to encourage the transition to a state of deep relaxation.~Methodology: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial with an intervention group and a parallel control group. The intervention group will receive a minimum of three music therapy sessions per week up to a maximum of two weeks (6 sessions). The control group will receive treatment as usual. The main outcome measure is the intensity of perceived pain and will be measured with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after each session. Secondary measures are: levels of anxiety and depression (HADS - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale); vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation); the use of analgesic medications (complementary or rescue doses); and the quality of hospitalization perceived by the patients. Additionally, in some patients EEG (Electroencephalogram), ECG (Electrocardiography) and EMG (Electromyography) measurements will be taken, as long as the medical condition allows it. The data collection will be carried out by blinded research assistants.~Analysis: Data analysis will be carried out by a statistician from the FSFB and in collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Engineering of the Universidad de los Andes. Taking a p value of less than 5% (0.05) as clinical significance, a univariate analysis will be performed initially. Subsequently, a multivariate analysis will be performed using logistic regression to establish the contribution of each of the variables studied.~Expected results: Successful pain management is one of the most important factors in the clinical outcome of burn patients. This is the first study in Colombia that seeks to determine the effectiveness of music therapy on pain management with this population. This study will help to broaden and deepen the scientific knowledge of music therapy in the area of critical care and will promote the acquisition of new knowledge and interdisciplinary research among the institutions involved. | This is a randomized clinical trial studying the effectiveness of music therapy (i.e. MAR - Music-Assisted Relaxation) on pain intensity in burn patients hospitalized at the Adults Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá in Colombia. Secondary outcome measures include anxiety and depression levels, vital signs, medication intake, quality of hospitalization and EEG, EMG, and ECG measurements. This is the first study in Colombia investigating the effectiveness of music therapy with this population. |
Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with lymphadenectomy is the current treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The optimal lymphadenectomy during PD (standard versus extended) has been largely debated during the last two decades. Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published afterward reported no survival benefit, and no arguments could be presented based on the evidence of these studies to support the role of extended lymphadenectomy during PD. A similar conclusion was underlined also in two meta-analyses, the first from Michalski et al., in which 3 RCTs were analyzed, and the second from Iqbal et al., in which both RCTs and cohort studies were included, both of which showed no benefit of extended lymphadenectomy. However, the definition of lymphadenectomy varied considerably between the RCTs. For this reason, in 2014, the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) defined the standard lymphadenectomy during PD for PDAC. Lymphadenectomy should include the removal of the hepatoduodenal ligament nodes (stations 5, 6, 12b1, 12b2, 12c according the classification of Japanese Pancreas Society), nodes along the hepatic artery (station 8a), the posterior surface of the pancreatic head (station 13a and 13b), the superior mesenteric artery (14a right lateral side, 14b left lateral side) and nodes of the anterior surface of the pancreatic head (stations 17a and 17b). Para-aortic lymph nodes (PALN; station 16) are considered as extra-regional lymph nodes. Some questions about PALN still remain open: a) should the removal of station 16 be routinely included in the standard lymphadenectomy during PD for PDAC? b) in case of removal of station 16 and intraoperative demonstration of PALN metastases at frozen section, should PD be avoided ? Several retrospective reports described that the prognosis of patients with metastatic PALN is significantly worse if compared with patients with negative PALN. Two recent-metaanalyses have been published on this topic, confirming that PALN metastases correlated with poor prognosis in patients with PDAC. However, these meta-analyses concluded that, due to the presence of some long survivors even in cases of PALN metastases, the definitive avoidance of PD in these cases needs further investigation. Until now, no consensus in case of intraoperative metastatic PALN has been reached. Moreover, it's not still clear if the removal of PALN during PD should be routinely performed. Until now, no randomized studies comparing PD with or without removal of PALN have been published. In 2014, during the consensus meeting of ISGPS, there was extensive discussion about PALN removal: no strong recommendation was formulated on dissecting station 16 routinely and it was not included in standard lymphadenectomy. For this reason, we decided to plan this multicentric RCT that compares upfront PD with and without the removal of PALN, in order to evaluate if their removal should be routinely included in standard lymphadenectomy during PD for PDAC. | Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) associated with lymphadenectomy is the only curative option for patients affected by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In 2014, the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) defined the standard lymphadenectomy, that is mandatory during PD for PDAC. Lymphadenectomy should include the removal of the hepatoduodenal ligament nodes (stations 5, 6, 12b1, 12b2, 12c according the classification of Japanese Pancreas Society), nodes along the hepatic artery (station 8a), the posterior surface of the pancreatic head (station 13a and 13b), the superior mesenteric artery (14a right lateral side, 14b right lateral side) and nodes of the anterior surface of the pancreatic head (stations 17a and 17b). The inclusion of para-aortic lymphnodes (PALN) (station 16) in standard lymphadenectomy is still matter of debate. Moreover, some retrospectives or prospective studies reported that the presence of PALN metastases has a significant negative prognostic impact. Until now, no randomized studies comparing PD associated with standard lymphadenectomy with or without removal of PALN have been published. The aim of this study is to evaluate if the removal of station 16 should be routinely included in standard lymphadenectomy during PD for PDAC. |
Cochlear implants (CI) provide a large majority of recipients with a significant degree of speech understanding. However, CI systems rely on external parts, namely Behind-the-Ear (BTE) audio processors with coils or single-unit processors to function. This can have several disadvantages: for instance, the hardware is exposed to external trauma and to the effects of head movement and gravity. The device is also put at risk by humid, dusty, or dirty conditions as well as by physical activities that lead to water exposure such as swimming or sports in general (e.g. perspiration).~In addition, some patients are concerned with the cosmetic appearance of the external parts which are visible (more so than modern behind-the-ear hearing aids), something that may not be desirable to many potential candidates.~This clinical investigation aims to collect data on the use of the Mi2000 system, a totally implantable cochlear implant system, for the first time in human subjects. | This clinical investigation aims to collect data on the use of the Mi2000 system, a totally implantable cochlear implant system, for the first time in human subjects. |
Hypertension incidence and overweight or obesity related, constitute a worrying public health problem nowadays. In this sense, healthy eating and regular physical activity have demonstrated a relevant role maintaining health while ageing. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been shown as a useful way to promote health, improving motivation and overcoming difficulties to maintain a healthy lifestyle. ICTs also reach a wider audience at a lower cost, due to their good cost-benefit relationship and the possibility of increasing the efficiency of interventions.~This research will constitute a 3 years follow-up which includes a re-assessment and re-intervention of obese or overweight adults with hypertension, recruited from a hypertension unit of a public hospital, that already participated in a similar program 3 years ago. At the same time, the aim of the study is to analyze the effects of the current program, which will take 3 months and promotes lifestyle changes focusing on healthy eating and increased physical activity in their 9 modules, comparing the results obtained in 2018. These patients will be allocated into one experimental group. Assessment will include: Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Physical Activity levels, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. | This research will constitute a 3 years follow-up which includes a re-assessment and re-intervention of obese or overweight adults with hypertension, recruited from a hypertension unit of a public hospital, that already participated in a similar program 3 years ago. At the same time, the aim of the study is to analyze the effects of the current program, which will take 3 months and promotes lifestyle changes focusing on healthy eating and increased physical activity in their 9 modules, comparing the results obtained in 2018. These patients will be allocated into one experimental group. Assessment will include: Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Physical Activity levels, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. |
This is a tree-arm RCT focused on the safety and potential effectiveness of the multicomponent program VIRTUAL FIBROWALK as coadjuvant of treatment-as-usual (TAU) vs. TAU alone and on the comparation of the physiotherapy part of the multicomponent program.~VIRTUAL FIBROWALK combines multicomponent approach based on Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE), therapeutic exercise, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness training.~Physiotherapy part of VIRTUAL FIBROWALK combines multicomponent approach based on Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) and therapeutic exercise.~The main hypothesis is that improvement on functional impairment of patients with fibromyalgia can be achieved by the direct intervention on mechanisms such as kinesiophobia and fear avoidance | The main objective of this study is to analyse the effectiveness of the VIRTUAL FIBROWALK multicomponent treatment program as coadjuvant of treatment-as-usual (TAU) compared to TAU alone. In this Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), in addition to evaluating the clinical effects of VIRTUAL FIBROWALK treatment in the short- and longterm. |
Sepsis is a disease which is triggered by an infection and represents one of the greatest challenges of modern intensive care medicine. With regard to targeted anti-microbial therapy, the earliest possible pathogen detection is of crucial importance. Until now, culture-based detection methods represent the gold standard for diagnosis, although numerous limitations characterize these. In this context, culture-independent molecular biological processes are an alternative. In particular, the concept of serum detection of circulating, free DNA employing next-generation sequencing (NGS) seems to represent a promising diagnostic procedure in patients with bloodstream infections. The applicant's extensive preparatory work suggests that NGS-based diagnostics using the SIQ score have higher specificity and sensitivity compared to traditional culture-based methods for detecting bloodstream infections. This preliminary work for the DigiSep trial with the help of interventional study design provides the optimal basis to establish this new concept as part of the national standard based on the best possible evidence. The DigiSep trial is intended to characterize the effect of the combination of digital precision diagnostics, expert exchange and culture-based standard diagnostics compared to a purely culture-based conventional diagnosis in the clinical picture of sepsis / septic shock. The study examines in 410 patients (n = 205 per arm) with sepsis / septic shock whether the so-called DOOR-RADAR score (Desirability of Outcome Ranking / Response Adjusted for Duration of Antibiotic Risk Score) can be significantly improved, by application of the NGS. We also aim to also study whether the new procedure is cost-effective. It is postulated that the inpatient admission time, mortality rate, incidence of acute renal failure (ARF), the duration of anti-microbial therapy as well as the costs of complications and outpatient aftercare can be reduced. Also, a significant improvement in the quality of life of the affected patients can be expected.~As part of the study, the essential data is collected once at the time of sepsis (= onset). The culture-based diagnostics include the guideline-oriented collection of 2 blood culture sets (2 x aerobic / 2 x anaerobic) to the onset and three days later. At the same time, serum samples are obtained for NGS-based pathogen diagnostics. Additional sampling for NGS-based diagnostics can be made up to day 14 after onset or whenever the attending physician establishes a clinical indication for the collection of further blood cultures. The aforementioned cultures vs NGS-based pathogen diagnostics are also accompanied by extended immunological monitoring from blood plasma samples as well as an NGS-based transcriptome analysis. The associated sampling takes place at the time of onset, 3, 7 and 14 days after the beginning of sepsis. Routine microbiological findings from other biological samples (e.g. surgical swabs, drainage secretions, tracheal secretions, tissue samples) are included in the evaluation if these were collected three days before or after the extraction of serum samples for NGS-based diagnostics. The clinical data collection is also carried out at the time of sepsis (= onset), 3, 7 and 14 days later, analogous to the above-mentioned sample collection. The final outcome evaluation takes place 28 days (= 28 d) after the onset of sepsis. The study-related burden on the individual study patient includes a total of 17 ml of whole blood for NGS-based diagnostics, the four samples of 7.5 ml of whole blood for immunological monitoring and the four samples of 2.7 ml of whole blood for transcriptome analysis. The minimum total volume, therefore, amounts to the collection of approximately 75 ml of whole blood within the first 14 days after the onset of sepsis. The sampling takes place with the collection of the blood cultures or within the framework of the daily routine blood samples so that no further venous punctures are required here. Infection parameters such as procalcitonin (PCT) are carried out within the framework of daily regular blood collection and therefore, do not require any additional vascular punctures. The same principle applies to the collection of blood cultures which are routinely obtained as part of standard diagnostics in patients with suspected or proven sepsis. The required blood samples of two 40 ml of whole blood (each two sets of 2 x aerobic / 2 x anaerobic = 4 x 10 ml = 40 ml) therefore do not represent any additional burden due to the study. A further additional burden for the patient concerning invasive procedures or examinations is not expected in the study. | Sepsis is triggered by an infection and represents one of the greatest challenges of modern intensive care medicine. With regard to a targeted antimicrobial treatment strategy, the earliest possible pathogen detection is of crucial importance. Until now, culture-based detection methods represent the diagnostic gold standard, although they are characterized by numerous limitations. Culture-independent molecular diagnostic procedures may represent a promising alternative. In particular, the concept of plasmatic detection of circulating, free DNA employing next-generation sequencing (NGS) has shown to be suitable for the detection of disease-causing pathogens in patients with bloodstream infections.~The DigiSep-Trial is a randomized, controlled, interventional, multicenter trial to characterize the effect of the combination of NGS-based digital precision diagnostics, standard-of-care microbiological analyses and optional expert exchanges compared to solely standard-of-care microbiological analyses in the clinical picture of sepsis / septic shock. The study examines in 410 patients (n = 205 per arm) with sepsis / septic shock whether the so-called DOOR-RADAR (Desirability of Outcome Ranking / Response Adjusted for Duration of Antibiotic Risk) score (representing a combined endpoint including the criteria (1) inpatient admission time, (2) consumption of antibiotics, (3) mortality and (4) acute renal failure (ARF)) can be significantly improved, by application of an additional NGS-based diagnostic concept. We also aim to investigate whether the new diagnostic procedure is cost-effective. It is postulated that the inpatient admission time, mortality rate, incidence of ARF, the duration of antimicrobial therapy as well as the costs of complications and outpatient aftercare can be reduced. Moreover, a significant improvement in the quality of life (QoL) of the affected patients can be expected.~Extensive preparatory work suggests that NGS-based diagnostics have higher specificity and sensitivity compared to standard-of-care microbiological analyses for detecting bloodstream infections. This preliminary work for the DigiSep-Trial with the help of an interventional study design provides the optimal basis to establish this new concept as part of the national standard based on the best possible evidence. |
Anxiety disorders are the most common form of psychopathology, and are associated with substantial impairment. Longitudinal-prospective work has demonstrated anxiety disorders often begin in childhood and persist across the lifespan. Therefore, there is a critical need and opportunity to identify markers of risk that predict anxious trajectories of development. Such markers may be novel targets for intervention, that are evident before symptoms become impairing. Furthermore, identifying environmental factors that impact neural markers of risk may be useful in developing interventions. One promising biomarker of anxiety is increased brain activity in response to errors, as reflected by the error-related negativity (ERN). The ERN is a deflection in the event-related potential (ERP) occurring after an individual makes a mistake on lab-based tasks. In over 45 studies to date, the ERN has been found to be increased in anxious individuals, including children as young as age 6, and has thereby been proposed as a neural biomarker of anxiety. Critically, an increased ERN has also been shown to predict the onset of new anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, even while controlling for baseline anxiety symptoms.~Considering the ERN is elevated before anxiety symptoms become impairing, it is crucial to identify factors that may modify the ERN early in life - so as to prevent the onset of clinical anxiety. Given the ERN can be potentiated in the lab with punishment for errors, the investigators hypothesized that exposure to critical parenting styles may sensitize children to their own mistakes. Indeed, the investigators did find, in a large sample of young children (295 six-year old children), that both observational and self-report measures of critical parenting style related to an increased ERN in offspring. Moreover, results suggested the ERN mediated the relationship between critical parenting and child anxiety disorders, supporting the proposition that an increased ERN may be one mechanism by which parenting impacts child anxiety. This finding has since been replicated in even younger children (approximately 4 years old), suggesting this neural risk marker for anxiety appears to be shaped by parenting behaviors, and thus, may be a modifiable biomarker. However, no previous work has examined to what extent modifying parenting may impact the ERN.~Drawing upon this recent work, in the current proposal, the investiagotors will develop a novel psychosocial intervention to be administered to both parents and children, which aims to normalize the ERN in children (i.e., reduce over-reactivity to making errors). Given recent evidence that critical parenting and parental sensitivity to children's errors relates to an increased ERN in children, combined with pilot data suggesting that the ERN can be reduced via a psychosocial intervention, the investigators will use a brief, computerized, psychosocial intervention to directly target this well-established neurobiological risk marker in children.~The proposed Mentored Career Development Award (K01) is designed to extend previous work on the ERN, parenting, and risk for anxiety in young children to test the extent to which the ERN can be modulated. Specifically, the investigators will recruit 100 parent/child dyads, high in error sensitivity, and randomize 75 to an intervention condition and 25 to an active control condition. The investigators will measure the ERN in children pre and post intervention, as well as baseline anxiety symptoms. At a six-month follow-up, the investigators will assess children's ERN, as well as anxiety symptoms, to examine to what extent intervention-related changes in the ERN relate to decreases in anxiety symptoms. Moreover, this training plan builds on the investigator's expertise on the ERN and anxiety, and integrates expertise in the design and implementation of computerized interventions, as well as advanced statistical analyses related to intervention outcomes. AIM 1: Examine whether a neural marker of risk for anxiety (i.e., the ERN) in children is decreased during a single lab visit, via a brief, computerized intervention designed to target error sensitivity. The investigators hypothesize that children that participate in the active condition will experience a decrease in the ERN at the first assessment, compared to children in the control condition. 1a. Examine whether initial intervention-related decreases in the ERN relate to decreased anxiety symptoms at the six-month follow-up. The investigators expect that the extent to which children's ERNs are normalized during the initial intervention will relate to a lasting reduction in anxiety symptoms. AIM 2: Examine whether the ERN in children in the intervention condition display a reduction in the ERN from the initial lab assessment to the six-month follow-up assessment. The investigators expect the parenting aspect of the intervention to impact children between the assessments, therefore the investigators hypothesize that children in the active condition will experience a reduction in the ERN magnitude from the first to second lab assessment. 2a. Examine whether intervention-related decreases in the ERN between the first and second assessment relate to decreases in anxiety symptoms at the six-month follow-up. The investigators hypothesize that the extent the ERN decreases from the first to the second lab assessment to relate to decreases in anxiety symptoms in children. AIM 3: Examine whether changes in the ERN, and thus changes in child anxiety, are mediated by changes in parenting style and parental sensitivity to children's errors. This exploratory aim focuses on validating the impact parenting has on child symptoms and explores to what extent a brief, computerized intervention can modulate parent behavior and thus anxiety symptoms in children. | Anxiety disorders are the most common form of psychopathology, frequently begin in childhood, and are often associated with substantial lifelong impairment2. Thus, there is a critical need and opportunity to identify neural markers of risk that distinguish anxious from healthy trajectories early in development that may serve as novel targets for intervention - especially if they are evident before symptoms have become impairing. One promising neural marker of anxiety is increased brain activity in response to mistakes, as reflected by the error-related negativity (ERN). Considering that the ERN is elevated before anxiety symptoms become impairing, it is critical to identify environmental factors that may shape the ERN early in life - so that those factors can be manipulated to reduce the ERN and potentially mitigate risk. In a sample of 295 six-year old children, the investigators found that both observational and self-report measures of harsh parenting style related to an increased ERN in offspring. A similar pattern of results was reported by another lab among 4 year-old children. Moreover, results suggested that the ERN mediated the relationship between harsh parenting and child anxiety disorders.~Based on these data, the investigators propose to develop a novel psychosocial intervention to be administered to both parents and children, which aims to normalize the ERN in children (i.e., reduce over-reactivity to making errors). The proposed Mentored Career Development Award (K01) is designed to extend the investigator's previous work on the ERN, parenting, and risk for anxiety in young children to test the extent to which the ERN can be modulated. Specifically, the investigators will recruit 100 parent/child dyads, high in error sensitivity, and randomize 75 to an intervention condition and 25 to an active control condition. The investigators will measure the ERN in children pre and post intervention, as well as baseline anxiety symptoms. At a six-month follow-up, the investigators will assess children's ERN, as well as anxiety symptoms, to examine to what extent intervention-related changes in the ERN relate to decreases in anxiety symptoms. Moreover, this training plan builds on the investigator's expertise on the ERN and anxiety, and integrates expertise in the design and implementation of computerized interventions, as well as advanced statistical analyses related to intervention outcomes. |
Main objective~A compendium of 9 fact sheets along with a related quiz have been developed in order to provide overall population current pain-science knowledge. The present study aims at analyzing the usefulness of this new tool based on pain neuroscience education (PNE) in patients from the Hospital Vall d'Hebron of Barcelona suffering from fibromyalgia, compared to a non-education group.~Secondary objective~Due to the extended content of the fact sheets, these can be delivered to the patient as a reading material or can be used as a support material in a educational presentation. Therefore, this study also aims at comparing the usefulness of the new tool based on PNE in two different formats: read autonomously by the patient and explained by a pain-science expert to the patient.~This is a tree-arm RCT: TAU group and intervention group with 2 different groups as follows:~The intervention program is divided in two groups. Both groups will be provided with the PNE fact sheets but in different format (read and explained) and will be given one week to comprehend the content before to assess their knowledge. Therefore, intervention groups will be informed that a quiz about the fact sheets will be delivered to each one in order to asses their acquired knowledge.~There are 9 fact sheets overall. And each fact sheet incorporates two pages relating to one main concept. The first of two pages introduces the concept, and the second one quotes important ideas that emerge from the main concept. The 9 main concepts and consequent ideas presented in the fact sheets are based on current scientific research in pain science and have been selected and structured specifically for PNE education for chronic pain patients. The fact sheets have been fully developed and designed by Pain Revolution, a pain educator network founded by Professor Lorimer Moseley, group leader in Body in Mind Research Group from University of South Australia. | This study aims at analyzing the usefulness of a new educational tool developed by Pain Revolution, a compendium of 9 fact sheets along with a related quiz in patients from the Hospital Vall d'Hebron of Barcelona suffering from fibromyalgia, compared to a non-education group. The present study also aims at comparing the usefulness of the new tool based on PNE in two different formats: read and explained. |
MPS II is a rare X-linked recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in the iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS) gene. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant idursulfase (ELAPRASE®) is the only approved product for the treatment of Hunter syndrome; however, ERT as currently administered does not cross the blood brain barrier and is therefore unable to address the unmet need in MPS II patients with CNS (neurocognition and behavior) involvement. RGX-121 is designed to deliver a healthy gene to cells in the CNS and iduronate-2-sulfatase (I2S) may then be secreted by transduced cells which may cross-correct non-transduced cells by taking up the functional enzyme. This is a Phase I/II, multicenter, open-label, single arm study of RGX-121. Approximately 6 children (≥ 5 years to < 18 years of age) who have severe (neuronopathic) MPS II could be enrolled into a single dose cohort and will receive a single dose of RGX-121 administered by IC or ICV injection. Safety will be the primary focus for the initial 24 weeks after treatment (primary study period). Following completion of the primary study period, participants will continue to be assessed (safety and efficacy) for up to a total of 104 weeks following treatment with RGX-121. | RGX-121 is a gene therapy which is designed to deliver a functional copy of the iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS) gene to the central nervous system. This study is a phase I/II study to determine whether RGX-121 is safe, well tolerated, and potentially effective in children five years of age and over who have severe MPS II. |
In patients with COPD, higher blood eosinophil count (BEC) predicts a greater reduction in moderate and severe exacerbations in response to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease strategy (GOLD 2019) recommends the use of BEC to guide ICS therapy and states that eosinophil levels above 300 cells/μL can help identify responders, guiding initial dual therapy, with little or no effect at a BEC < 100 cells/μL. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) COPD 2018 guideline states that a higher BEC is associated with ICS response, but does not specify a threshold. An earlier post hoc risk-benefit analysis suggested that at lower levels of BEC the harm of ICS due to pneumonia is greater than the benefit of severe exacerbation reduction.~The association between BEC and reduction in exacerbation frequency is based on BEC measured when the patient is clinically stable. Transient eosinopenia (BEC < 50 cells/μL) during severe exacerbation is extremely common. In the Dyspnoea, Eosinopenia, Consolidation, Acidaemia and atrial Fibrillation (DECAF) score derivation and validation studies combined, eosinopenia was present on admission in 1,340 of 2,645 severe exacerbations of COPD (ECOPD) and is associated with longer length of stay (DECAF combined cohorts: median difference 1 day, p<0.001 unpublished data), and higher in-hospital and one year mortality. Although eosinophilic COPD exacerbations occur, overall BEC during moderate or severe exacerbation is lower than stable state. In ECOPD managed in critical care low BEC is associated with higher Acute Physiology, Age, Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores, rate of septic shock and mortality. BEC are also suppressed during other acute illnesses, notably sepsis. Failure to recognise that BEC are often suppressed during acute illness compared to stable state may lead to ICS therapy being inappropriately withheld. Regrettably, whilst the effect of eosinophils on exacerbation is well recognised, the effect of exacerbation and other acute illnesses on eosinophils is under- appreciated. Both NICE and GOLD fail to mention whether BEC should be prospectively measured when patients are stable (reflecting RCT evidence), or if reliance on historical values is acceptable.~In routine practice some clinicians rely on previous BECs to avoid a delay in treatment decisions. A number of these historical counts will have been taken during illness, underestimating the patients' stable-state BEC. Conversely, COPD is associated with multimorbidity, and BEC may be requested for reasons other than acute illness. Using the highest BEC from multiple measures in the previous 24 months may therefore better agree with stable state counts.~The primary aim of this trial is to assess the reliability of using BEC over the preceding 24 months to assess COPD eosinophil phenotype at both GOLD thresholds. The primary outcome will be based on using the highest of at least three BEC. Secondary outcomes include a) the level of agreement between baseline stable state BEC and both mean and the highest BEC over the preceding 24 months, b) the influence of the number of BEC measures available and c) the effect of limiting the time frame from 24 months to the previous 12 months.~Whilst BEC is relatively stable over weeks and months, agreement wanes over longer timeframes. BEC is also associated with disease severity, providing further evidence that COPD eosinophil phenotype may change over time. As an exploratory analysis, periods of sustained change in eosinophil phenotype will be sought, and the relationship between eosinophil phenotype and patient characteristics and medication (including prophylactic azithromycin) will be assessed. Recent work suggests that a low Eosinophil to Basophil ratio predicts exacerbation risk and mortality, whilst a high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is related to disease severity, exacerbations and mortality.~The investigators will also assess the relations between the dependent variables stable state absolute eosinophil and basophil counts and both eosinophil to basophil and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios and the following clinical outcomes: a) moderate and severe exacerbations and b) mortality.~Importance to the NHS~This study will assess the variation in BEC measured during both stable state and acute illness in patients with COPD. The investigators anticipate that the results will help prevent inappropriate denial of ICS therapy due to reliance on BEC sampled when a patient is unwell.~Both NICE COPD guidelines and the GOLD strategy statement appropriately recommend that BEC should help direct ICS therapy in COPD, but fail to emphasise that the evidence supporting this advice is based solely on BEC measured when the patient is stable. BEC are suppressed during many acute illnesses, including severe exacerbations of COPD, and it is during these episodes that blood tests are most likely to taken. Reliance on BEC sampled during such episodes may lead to inappropriate denial of ICS therapy and increased risk of moderate and severe ECOPD.~This study will determine whether the highest of at least three BEC measured over the preceding 24 months provides an acceptable level of agreement with stable state BEC in terms of ICS treatment choice. In a sensitivity analysis, the investigators will assess the influence of using mean rather than highest BEC, the number of BEC available, and timeframe on this outcome.~In the world of realistic medicine, ensuring a patient attends their GP practice or hospital clinic for measurement of BEC when they are stable, and then returns when the result is available before a treatment decision is made is unlikely to be achieved in most cases. However multiple previous BEC are often available, and some are likely to have been measured during recovery or taken at other times when the patient was stable. The clinical systems used in primary and secondary care allow all previous BEC available for a patient to be collated and displayed on screen simply by clicking on a single eosinophil measurement. The outcome of this study will inform clinicians of the level of certainty several historical BEC provide in regard to ICS treatment decisions. | Blood eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection. They have a number of different functions but are primarily involved in numerous inflammatory processes. They are recruited from the blood into sites of inflammation.~In patients with COPD, higher blood eosinophil count (BEC) predicts a greater reduction in moderate and severe exacerbations in response to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease strategy (GOLD 2019) recommends the use of BEC to guide ICS therapy and states that eosinophil levels above 300 cells/μL can help identify responders, guiding initial dual therapy, with little or no effect at a BEC < 100 cells/μL. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) COPD 2018 guideline states that a higher BEC is associated with ICS response, but does not specify a threshold. Earlier research studies have suggested that at lower levels of BEC the harm of ICS due to pneumonia is greater than the benefit of severe exacerbation reduction.~Patients with COPD can have flare ups of their disease known as exacerbations. Blood eosinophils play a critical role in assessing severity of these exacerbations and guiding management. The association between BEC and reduction in exacerbation frequency is based on BEC measured when the patient is clinically stable. Transient low eosinophil count (eosinopenia with BEC < 50 cells/μL) during severe exacerbation is extremely common. In the Dyspnoea, Eosinopenia, Consolidation, Acidaemia and atrial Fibrillation (DECAF) score derivation and validation studies combined, eosinopenia was present on admission in 1,340 of 2,645 severe exacerbations of COPD (ECOPD) and is associated with longer length of stay, higher in-hospital and one year mortality. Although eosinophilic COPD exacerbations occur, overall BEC during moderate or severe exacerbation is lower than stable state.~In ECOPD managed in critical care low BEC is associated with higher rate of septic shock and mortality. BEC are also suppressed during other acute illnesses, notably sepsis. Failure to recognise that BEC are often suppressed during acute illness compared to stable state may lead to ICS therapy being inappropriately withheld. The effect of exacerbation and other acute illnesses on eosinophils is under-appreciated. Both NICE and GOLD guidelines fail to mention whether BEC should be prospectively measured when patients are stable (reflecting RCT evidence), or if reliance on historical values is acceptable.~In routine practice some clinicians rely on previous BECs to avoid a delay in treatment decisions. A number of these historical counts will have been taken during illness, underestimating the patients' stable-state BEC. Conversely, COPD is associated with other medical conditions, and BEC may be requested for reasons other than acute illness. Using the highest BEC from multiple measures in the previous 24 months may therefore better agree with stable state counts.~The primary aim of this trial is to assess the reliability of using BEC over the preceding 24 months to assess COPD eosinophil phenotype at both GOLD thresholds. The primary outcome will be based on using the highest of at least three BEC. Secondary outcomes include a) the level of agreement between baseline stable state BEC and both mean and the highest BEC over the preceding 24 months, b) the influence of the number of BEC measures available and c) the effect of limiting the time frame from 24 months to the previous 12 months.~BEC is associated with disease severity, providing further evidence that COPD eosinophil phenotype may change over time. As an exploratory analysis, periods of sustained change in eosinophil phenotype will be sought, and the relationship between eosinophil phenotype and patient characteristics and certain medication will be assessed.~The investigators will also assess the relations between the dependent variables stable state absolute eosinophil and basophil counts and both eosinophil to basophil and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios and the following clinical outcomes: a) moderate and severe exacerbations and b) mortality. Some of these variables have previously been shown to be related to disease severity and mortality. |
IMPACT is an international, prospective, observational, multicenter, non-randomized, post market study designed to provide ongoing safety and performance evaluation on implantable devices used for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms with an endovascular approach. Data collection will also include details on adjunctive and ancillary devices used.~In addition, to gaining safety and performance data, this study will provide clinical evidence that may assist physicians in selecting an appropriate device(s) while describing treatment options used to treat patients with intracranial aneurysms. | IMPACT is an observational, post market study designed to provide an ongoing safety and performance evaluation of Stryker Neurovascular devices used for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms with an endovascular approach. |
The study will develop a new paradigm for patient rehabilitation needed now and in the future. The specific aims of this project are to investigate the effects of a 12-week program with cardiorespiratory exercise and Chinese herbal medicine on recovering COVID-19 patients and to collect qualitative and quantitative data to examine loneliness, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and mental health. A further aim will be to examine how Chinese herbal medicines, gut microbiome, and the metabolites regulate immune function, intestinal permeability, and possibly autoimmune deficiency (AID) in the pathological recovery/rehabilitation process.~In this multicenter, triple-blinded, randomized, parallel groups, controlled clinical trial, the investigator will recruit adult patients with COVID-19 and have been discharged from the hospital in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.~A total of 172 eligible patients will be randomized 1:1:1:1 into four groups: cardiorespiratory exercise plus Chinese herbal medicines group, cardiorespiratory exercise group, Chinese herbal medicines group, and waiting list group for 12-week (3 months) with 12-week follow-up period.~A 4-week pilot study will be conducted to test patient recruitment and maintenance, data collection, instrumentation, and observing the adaptability and practicality of the intervention. Amendments will be made if necessary. | Rehabilitation interventions can help to address the consequences of COVID-19, which include medical, physical, cognitive, and psychological related problems. The specific aims of this project are to investigate the effects of a 12-week exercise program on pulmonary fibrosis in recovering COVID-19 patients. A further aim will be to examine how Chinese herbal medicines, gut microbiome, and metabolites regulate immune function and possibly autoimmune deficiency in the rehabilitation process. |
Liver failure is characterised by the loss of liver function and is complicated with hepatic encephalopathy and coagulopathy. Liver transplantation (LT) is one of the widely recognised and leading treatments for end-stage liver disease. Malnutrition is one of the common manifestations of this critical condition and is also an independent predictor of mortality. Several studies have shown that malnutrition is a poor prognostic factor for LT, which indicates that nutritional support may reduce LT complications and improve survival.~Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is usually prescribed for patients recommended prolonged fasting after LT. The supplement of SMOFlipid (soybean oil, MCT oil, olive oil, and fish oil) has the advantage of being easily metabolised to produce energy, and it has anti-inflammatory effects. The major therapeutic mechanism of fish oil is the attenuation of systematic inflammation, which may decrease the mortality risk in patients with severe injury and sepsis. SMOFlipid has been proven to be safe and well tolerated in a wide range of clinical conditions, and it is used as the standard lipid emulsion. Moreover, the short-term application of parenteral fish oil with soybean oil not only significantly reduces the parameters of liver damage in the postoperative period but also leads to a more balanced immune response, which may result in the faster resolution of inflammation and recovery. However, SMOFlipid emulsion use may be associated with coagulopathy after LT. Early studies have shown that the dietary intake of n-3 fatty acids, which is a component of fat, is associated with antithrombotic effects but increases the risk of bleeding. A detailed analysis is lacking, and these observations have yet to be proven; this concern persists. Hence, the investigators should pay attention to the bleeding tendency when using fish oil fat emulsion because it may aggravate the risk of bleeding. Therefore, the use of fish oil-containing fat emulsion and its related risks is a clinically important issue in early LT that should be investigated, because liver function is not restored immediately after transplantation, and there is a tendency of coagulopathy. Thus, classical haemostasis parameters such as activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and platelet count are measured prior to surgery and before the start of TPN. However, many questions remain unanswered regarding nutritional assessment and support for these seriously ill, nutritionally, and metabolically complex patients. This study evaluated the effect of the SMOFlipid supplement in TPN in LT patients. | Liver transplantation (LT) is one of the widely recognised and leading treatments for end-stage liver disease. Nutrition impacts its success. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is usually prescribed for patients recommended prolonged fasting after LT. The supplement of SMOFlipid (soybean oil, MCT oil, olive oil, and fish oil) is easily metabolised to produce energy, and it possesses anti-inflammatory effects; however, SMOFlipid emulsion use raises concerns regarding coagulopathy after LT. This study investigated the postoperative correlation between SMOFlipid and coagulation in LT. |
This trial is a single arm, non-randomized prospective trial. Following histotripsy treatment of liver tumor(s), subjects will undergo imaging ≤36 hours post-index procedure to determine technical success. Subjects will then be followed for 30 days. Data through the 30-day time point will be used for a Regulatory Submission to the FDA. Additionally, subjects will be followed for five (5) years post-index procedure, with evaluations at the 6-month and annual time points to estimate the efficacy and safety profile of the HistoSonics System. | This trial is a single arm, non-randomized prospective trial. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the HistoSonics System for the treatment of primary or metastatic tumors located in the liver. |
This is a randomized, double-blind, parallel controlled, multicenter clinical trial.~The primary objective is to assess the efficacy similarity of LY09004 and EYLEA in the treatment of w-AMD.~The secondary objective is to assess the safety similarity of LY09004 and EYLEA in the treatment of w-AMD. | A randomized, double-blind, parallel controlled, multicenter clinical trial to compare the efficacy and safety of LY09004 and EYLEA in the Treatment of Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration(wAMD) |
This study is an open-label, multi-center, non-randomized phase I/II study of the combination treatment copanlisib + venetoclax in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).~Phase I clinical trials test the safety of investigational drugs, and also try to define the appropriate dose of the investigational drugs to use for further studies. Phase II clinical trials test the safety and effectiveness of investigational drugs to learn whether the drugs work in treating a specific disease.Investigational means that the drugs are being studied.~Copanlisib is an IV medication that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma who have received at least two prior therapies. Venetoclax is an oral medication that is approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) and certain patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The FDA has not approved copablisib or venetoclax for the treatment of DLBCL or the combination of copanlisib and venetoclax as a treatment for any disease.~In the phase I portion of this study, the investigators are looking to determine the dose of venetoclax that is safe to give with copanlisib and to see what the side effects are of this combination.~In the phase II trial, the investigators will be determining how effective venetoclax and copanlisib are for the treatment of R/R DLBCL. Data from laboratory suggest that some subsets of DLBCL are enriched for mutations that make them sensitive to the combination of copanlisib plus venetoclax. This study will look at genetic changes in your cancer and determine if abnormalities in specific genes make these drugs more or less effective.~It is expected that about 48 people will take part in this research study.~Bayer, a pharmaceutical company, is supporting this research study by providing the study drug copanlisib and funding for this study. Abbvie, a pharmaceutical company, is supporting this research study by providing the study drug venetoclax and funding for this study. | This research study is evaluating the combination of two drugs, copanlisib and venetoclax, as a possible treatment for trelapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)~The names of the study drugs involved in this study are:~Copanlisib~Venetoclax |
This study is a multicenter, randomized Phase 3 study to assess the safety and efficacy of a single epidural administration of Resiniferatoxin versus standard of care (SOC) for the treatment of intractable pain associated with cancer. Subjects will be followed for 12 weeks after treatment. | This is a Phase 3 study to assess the safety and efficacy of a single epidural administration of Resiniferatoxin versus standard of care for the treatment of intractable pain associated with cancer. |
Background:~Migraine is a common disabling disorder and its substantial burden is associated with considerable negative impact on quality of life. Several pharmacological treatments are available for migraine prophylaxis but insufficient efficacy and significant side effects preclude their widely use for migraine treatment. In recent years, more attention has been paid to dietary supplements and natural ingredients for the treatment of migraine. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) have beneficial on the reduction of neurogenic, perivascular inflammations and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may play an important role in the pathophysiology of migraine. However, the results of investigations carried out about the clinical efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in the management of migraine are inconsistent.~Purpose:~To understand the clinical efficacy for omega-3 PUFAs migraine prevention. To uncover the underlying biochemical or neurophysiological mechanisms by which omega-3 PUFAs for migraine prevention~Method:~This two-year project includes clinical approaches to investigate the therapeutic effects of omega-3 PUFAs on episodic migraine (4-14 days/month) without migraine preventive treatment in the past one month. 120 patients, aged 20-65, will be randomized in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing the effects of high-dose eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 1.8g/day) and placebo intervention. All participants will complete a set of outcome measures: headache questionnaires and headache diary, the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), patient overall impression questionnaire-migraine improvement questionnaire (PGI-I), patient overall impression questionnaire-migraine severity questionnaire (PGI-S), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), Migraine Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI) at baseline and the follow-up visits before and after 12 weeks of placebo or omega-3 PUFAs intervention (EPA, 1.8 g/day) and a series of blood tests for neurotransmitter, neurotrophic and neuroinflammation. The clinical efficacy and the peripheral blood biomarkers, will be analyzed at baseline and the end of the intervention.~Expected results:~To establish the clinical evidence of omega-3 PUFAs on migraine prevention. To provide significant insights into molecular actions of omega-3 PUFAs on migraine prevention. | To understand the clinical efficacy for omega-3 PUFAs migraine prevention.To uncover the underlying biochemical or neurophysiological mechanisms by which omega-3 PUFAs for migraine prevention. |
NTX-001 (Product) is a surgical product that consists of an active solution (drug), an isolation chamber medical device (chamber or device) and two (2) other sterile solutions.~NTX-001 has been developed as a surgical product to be used in conjunction with standard suture neurorrhaphy of a severed nerve. Use of NTX-001 is intended to safely accelerate the often slow and diminished return of function in repaired nerves. It often takes months and/or years to determine if function will be restored. By that point, restoration is often incomplete and can result in lifelong motor and/or sensory deficits. By reconnecting (PEG-fusion) a substantial number of axons within a severed nerve, the degeneration-regeneration cycle and subsequent atrophy may be reduced or even prevented for those axons and their targets, respectively. NTX-001 (PEG-fusion) has the potential to avoid the consequences of protracted denervation of distal target tissues by eliminating the period of total denervation thus reducing the time to stable recovery and providing greater innervation to affected tissues. | NTX-001 is a single use surgical product intended for use in conjunction with standard suture neurorrhaphy of severed nerves in patients between 16 and 65 years of age. |
The study includes 90 patients assigned into2 equal groups the first was prescribed probiotics (10 billion colony of lactobacillus delbruekii and lactobacillus fermentum) and itopride hcl 50mg three times daily, while the second group receivedonly itopridehcl 50mg by the same dose for four weeks.All patients fulfill ROME IV criteria and the IBS diagnostic questionnaire (Arabic version licensed by Rome Foundation). Data of the patient, with suspected IBS during the study period, were reviewed and the patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled into this study. A written consent was obtained from all included patients. The patients who agreed to participate were then randomly assigned into two equal groups and were followed up after 4 weeks from the first visit.~Any patient with red flags (e.g. weight or appetite loss, iron deficiency anemia, fever or rectal bleeding), Known inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease patients, patients above 50 years of age and immuno-compromised patients were excluded from the study.~The included patients aged from 18 to 50 years fulfilling Rome IV criteria for diagnosis of IBS:Recurrent abdominal pain (on average, at least 1 day/week in the last 3 months) associated with two or more of the following: (Related to defecation, Associated with a change in frequency of stool, Associated with a change in form of stool).Patients should fulfill Rome Foundation IBS-Diagnostic Questionnaire.~All patients were subjected to initial evaluation byfull history taking, questionnaires for (IBS diagnostic questionnaire, IBS-SSSand QOL -IBS survey), clinical examination, investigations (including CBC, ESR, CRP, random sugar, HbA1c, thyroid profile and stool analysis) and radiological assessment bypelvi-abdominal ultrasound to exclude any organic cause..Group one(45 patients) was prescribed probiotic (lactobacillus delbruekii and l. fermentum) 10billion colony forming units and itopride 50mg three times daily for four weeks while group two was prescribed only itopride 50mg three times daily for four weeks.Then reassessment of the questionnaires was done after 4 weeks of treatment for comparison | This clinical trial was conducted on 90 IBS patients, who fulfill ROME IV criteria and the IBS diagnostic questionnaire (Arabic version licensed by Rome Foundation) in Egyptair hospital outpatient clinic, Cairo, Egypt between May and December 2019. Data of the patient, with suspected IBS during the study period, were reviewed and the patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled into this study. A written consent was obtained from all included patients. The patients who agreed to participate were then randomly assigned into two equal groups and were followed up after 4 weeks from the first visit. |
This was a multicenter, open-label, single-arm, phase II, pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of apremilast involving 21 patients with PPP. The screening period was up to 4 weeks and treatment took place over 20 weeks per patient. No follow up period took place. No extension was done.~Recruitment period was 4 months; hence study duration from first patient in to last patient out was approximately 9 months. About 4-6 patients per center were recruited, assuming enrolment of both genders with distribution according to prevalence of condition.~Patient recruitment took place at 5 centers in Germany. The investigators had relevant expertise in diagnosing and treating PPP or were specialized in dermatology. Patients were enrolled until approximately 20 patients were included into the study. One drop-out was replaced during the recruitment phase.~Five visits per patient were performed including:~Visit 1 at week -4 to -1 (screening)~Visit 2 at week 0 (baseline)~Visit 3 at week 4~Visit 4 at week 12~Visit 5 at week 20 (end of study)~After the end of study participation the investigator ensured that the patient received a suitable therapy appropriate to patient's condition. | Multicenter, open-label, single-arm, phase II, pilot study. The screening period was up to 4 weeks and treatment took place over 20 weeks per patient. Five visits per patient were performed including: Visit 1 at week -4 to -1 (screening), Visit 2 at week 0 (baseline), Visit 3 at week 4, Visit 4 at week 12, and Visit 5 at week 20 (end of study). There was no follow-up period. |
The number of subjects undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement to treat aortic stenosis have been increasing in recent decades. Levosimendan, an innovative inotrope, is powerfully evidenced to have the function to improve cardiac output and hemodynamic parameters. However, there is no specified study concentrated on the role of Levosimendan in surgical procedure such as transcathter aortic intervention. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study is aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of Levosimendan in adults having severe aortic stenosis combined with heart failure undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Therefore, the purpose of this trial is to explore whether the improvement of cardiac and renal performance can be rendered by intra-operative Levosimendan infusion. | A study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of levosimendan compared with placebo in subjects with severe aortic stenosis and heart failure undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement |
Coronaviruses are a large family of ribonucleic acid viruses that cause mild to moderate upper respiratory diseases in humans. There is an urgent need for COVID-19 therapeutics due to the S-shaped curve expansion of the infections, widespread pandemic status, and global burden. Given the similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, and its relative ease of sample acquisition and study, it has been widely accepted that drug repositioning is a promising approach to make available an effective, safety-assured treatment in a timely manner.~This open label, randomized, controlled, investigator-initiated, multi-centre trial aims to establish metabolic improvements in COVID-19 subjects by dietary supplementation with cofactors N-acetylcysteine, L-carnitine tartrate, nicotinamide riboside and serine plus standard therapy. The investigational drug products, the mixture of the four co-factors will be administered as a powder with strawberry aroma to be dissolved in 200 ml of preferably cold still drinking water and be consumed within 5 minutes.~This study is planned as a Phase II / III clinical drug research to be conducted in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Patients will be ambulatory and after the diagnosis/confirmation of diagnosis, will be sent home with their treatment. However, patients may be hospitalised during this initial examination period due to deterioration in their physical health or due to any medical condition which was not present at admission.~The primary objective is to assess the clinical efficacy of the combination of metabolic cofactors supplementation and hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients. For the primary purpose, the proportion of patients who were hospitalised during the course of disease until 14 days after the initial diagnosis of Covid-19 disease will be compared. Patients who were hospitalised during the 14-day period, but at any time point after consenting will be evaluated as an end-point occurrence.~The secondary aim in this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of metabolic cofactors supplementation and hydroxychloroquine combination.~The initial part of the Phase II/III study is planned as a Phase II study which will enrol 100 patients and after an interim analysis it will conclude as a Phase III study (300 patients). Totally 400 COVID-19 disease patients will be randomized on a 3:1 basis to the combination metabolic cofactors supplementation and hydroxychloroquine or hydroxychloroquine+ placebo in eight clinical sites in Turkey. | This open label, randomized, controlled, investigator-initiated, multi-centre trial aims to establish metabolic improvements in COVID-19 subjects by dietary supplementation with cofactors N-acetylcysteine, L-carnitine tartrate, nicotinamide riboside and serine plus standard therapy. The primary objective is to assess the clinical efficacy of the combination of metabolic cofactors supplementation and hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients. |