Search Results Within Category "Infectious Diseases & Immune System"
Visceral Pain Sensation and Nav1.8
We wish to investigate the role of a specific gene in visceral pain sensation and perception. This gene, Nav1.8 has a known change present in 10% of the population which may affect the way we feel inflammatory pain in the gut. This is an important symptom in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some patients feel high levels of pain we would like to control, other patients feel little to no pain in the presence of very active disease, which can lead to dangerously under-treated disease. In this study, we will use healthy volunteers as well as IBD patients, and test their sensitivity using rectal balloon dilation.Research subjects will be asked to fast, skipping solid foods and opaque liquids for 6 hours before the testing. Usually this means skipping 1 meal. At the beginning of the study visit. they will use an over the counter enema to clear their rectum of any stool. Healthy control subjects that have never had a colonoscopy before and all IBD patients will undergo a very brief proctoscopy to either verify rectal health or check for any IBD disease activity. Healthy controls that have had a prior colonoscopy within the last 5 years will skip that prior step. Then a trained physician on the research team will insert a thin, lubricated tube into the rectum, which will be inflated to specific pressures. Most of these tests will be designed to measure any change in sensation, then the need to use the toilet, followed by urgent need or discomfort, and lastly the lower threshold of pain. Test subjects will be able to stop testing at any time, should they become too uncomfortable. The testing takes between 1 and 1 and a half hours, and volunteers are compensated $200 for their time.
To simulate abdominal pain, we use a thin tube placed in the rectum that inflates a small balloon to very precise and safe pressures. Our bodies interpret these pressures (in ascending order) as the need to go to the bathroom; first just a little, then with increasing urgency and eventually discomfort and pain. During these experiments, we only measure the lower threshold of pain, and stop immediately when you tell us to stop. We have significant experience using this approach and we have found it consistently informative while causing the least amount of discomfort possible. The whole thing takes about an hour and we’re paying volunteers $200 for participating. We'll ask that you skip a meal before the study visit, and perform an over-the-counter enema at the start of the visit.
$200
UC and Crohn's patients: be willing to undergo a brief proctoscopy the day of the testing visit
Healthy controls: have had a colonoscopy in the last 5 years OR be willing to undergo a brief proctoscopy the day of the testing visit
Healthy control: any diagnosed lower GI disease (such as IBS or active diverticulitis) or significant abdominal pain in the last 12 months.
Any peripheral neuropathy or neuromodulating/opioid medications
Any Autoimmune disease (except Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
Crystalloid Liberal or Vasopressors Early Resuscitation in Sepsis
Restrictive (vs liberal) fluid treatment strategy during the first 24 hours of resuscitation for sepsis-induced hypotension will reduce 90-day in-hospital mortality.
Suspected or confirmed infection
Sepsis induced hypotension
> 3 L intravenous fluids
Pregnancy
Severe volume depletion
Immediate surgical intervention planned
Evaluation of the Immune Response and Antigenic Signature of Patients with Babesia Infection in Pennsylvania with the Aim of Developing a Rapid Diagnostic Test
We are evaluating patients who have been infected with Babesia. Babesia is a blood parasite that is acquired from ticks. The number of cases seen in Pennsylvania every year has been increasing. We intend to evaluate the blood of patients acutely infected with Babesiosis and review for possible simultaneous co-infections. We will compare those infected patients with the blood of healthy individuals. The goal is to identify proteins in the blood of acutely infected patients that are specific for Babesia and also evaluate the prevalence of patient's who have contracted a co-infection from the tick vector that transmitted the Babesia infection. The identification of the specific bacterial/parasitic antigens could then be used to create rapid diagnostic tests and help clinicians increase awareness of these tick-borne diseases.
We will obtain basic demographic information and past medical history. We will obtain two 10ml samples of blood. The blood will then be stored and ultimately sent to Antigen Discovery, Inc for proteomic array screening.
18 years or older
History of having your spleen removed
History of liver or kidney disease
HIV
Diabetes
Understanding healthcare workers perception and knowledge of dysphagia
The purpose of this study is to gain a greater understanding of healthcare workers’ knowledge of and perception of dysphagia in older adults. Study participants will fill out a survey/questionnaire in a single study session. This is expected to take 15-20 minutes.
You will be asked to complete a single, brief survey. It will take no more than 15-20 minutes.
Active healthcare workers or care providers for community dwelling older adults over 60 years old
Working with older adults
English proficiency at 8th grade level
Not working clinically currently
Diagnosed mild cognitive impairment or dementia
Depressive Symptomatology and Inflammation
The purpose of this research is to investigate the associations between depressive symptoms and inflammation. The researchers are studying how specific symptoms of depression (such as fatigue, sadness, impaired concentration, and loss of pleasure) are related to markers of inflammation, which is a key component of our immune system. Volunteers with depressive symptoms, as well as volunteers without depressive symptoms are needed for this research study. This study includes an online survey to determine eligibility and one in-lab visit. Participants who are eligible will be scheduled for one in-lab visit (2.5-3h for participants with depressive symptoms & 1-2h for participants without depressive symptoms), where they will be asked to answer surveys with questions related to depressive symptoms and complete a number of tasks (using an iPad and a touch screen phone) that measure thinking skills including attention, memory and reaction time. Participants will also undergo a single blood draw to assess inflammatory markers.
Participation will require one in person visit at the CRC that takes from 1 to 1.5 hours total where they will have their blood drawn, fill out surveys about their mood, and complete cognitive tests.
30
No history of depression
Free of chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disorders
If female, not pregnant or nursing
Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents or statins everyday within the past month
Taking antipsychotics or mood stabilizers
If female, are post-menopausal or pregnancy/lactation
Understanding experiences of international students with healthcare and antibiotics
This study examines the experiences of international students with regard to upper respiratory illnesses, healthcare, and use of antibiotics in their home countries and in the United States. The findings of the study will inform the development of training to improve healthcare providers’ communication skills for discussing antibiotics with international students.
Complete one online survey, which takes approximately 20 minutes.
10.00
College/university undergraduate or graduate student at a U.S. university
born and raised in and is currently a citizen of China, India, or South Korea
English speaking
lived in the United States for less than 7 years
Not a college or university student at a U.S. university
Not born or raised in and currently citizen of China, India, or South Korea
Not English speaking
Lived in the United States more than 7 years
SHIELD
This trial will address the safety of withdrawing hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in patients with systemic lupus erythematous who are 60 years of age or older. In this older population the benefits of HCQ are expected to decrease since disease activity decreases with advancing age. The study will test whether HCQ can be safely discontinued in stable/quiescent patients.
Participants will be in this study for about 1 year, during which time they will come to 7 visits in the research clinic. The first visit will take up to 2 hours and will include blood and urine sampling and completion of self-assessment questionnaires. Subsequent visits will take up to 1 hour. Participants will be randomized to receive either the active drug hydroxychloroquine or placebo. The treatment will be blinded to both the participant and the investigator. Diaries will be requested in which the participant keeps track of dosing of the study medication.
Be treated with hydroxychloroquine for at least 7 years
60 years of age or older
stable disease without recent flares
taking more than 5 mg/day prednisone
any signs of active lupus disease.
Threat of infection, social decision-making, and the autonomic nervous system
The purpose of the study is to test how social decisions are affected by possible risk of infection. We aim to examine how choices in a risky social decision-making situation can influenced by viewing images of infection threat (e.g., person with runny nose) vs. images of neutral scenes or other threatening scenes.
There will be one 90-minute in-person visit. Participants will be asked to have electrodes placed on their skin to record their physiological signals, answer questionnaires, and complete a decision-making task on the computer while looking at different images.
$30
Student at Penn State University Park
English-speaking
No cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological condition
No diagnosis of COVID-19 within the last 14 days
Not a student at Penn State University Park
Does not speak English
Has cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological condition
Has/had diagnosis of COVID-19 within the last 14 days
Effects of antibiotic use on fecal microbiome and resistome
This study will investigate the changes in the human fecal microbiomes and resistomes in response to antibiotic treatment.
English speaking/reading
Books a medical appointment for upper respiratory tract infection
Patient participated in STUDY00012891 previously
Reason for medical visit is not upper respiratory tract infection
Patient is pregnant
Patient has a medical history that includes diagnosis of any intestinal related disease
Validation of Cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) Saliva Collection Methods
The reproducibility, reliability, and validity of saliva collection techniques is an important issue that needs to be addressed to achieve consistency in the emerging field of mitochondrial psychobiology. The objective of the current study is to increase scientific rigor by utilizing robust and well-controlled methods in the collection and testing of saliva samples. Given the non-invasive and convenient nature of saliva collection, it is likely that research using saliva-derived cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) will increase. Therefore, to ensure that the results obtained from the current study are trustworthy and meaningful, we are proposing a small, highly controlled randomized study design that will integrate three methods of saliva collection. The study will adopt a rigorous and systematic approach to data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Through the implementation of these methods, we seek to achieve a higher degree of accuracy and reliability in cf-mtDNA saliva-based measurements.
Each participant will be asked to collect 3 randomized saliva samples (i.e., one static Salivette®, one active Salivette®, and either a second active Salivette® or a passive drool) upon awakening for 10 business days. All collection materials be pre-labeled with the day, type of sample, and order to make it easy for participants to quickly and accurately deposit samples upon awakening. Once saliva samples are collected, participants will be asked to promptly return the samples to the provided plastic bag and store the bag in their at-home freezers. All samples will be stored there until the end of the 10-day study. After the saliva is returned to the freezer, participants will complete a short (3-5 min) morning survey on the provided mobile device which has been pre-loaded with the M2C2 application. The morning survey asks questions about sleep, morning outlook, and anticipatory stress and positive experiences. In the evenings, participants will be prompted (via banner notification on screen and audible beep) to complete a slightly longer (8-10 min) survey. This survey asks questions about the respondent’s daily experiences (stressors, mood, physical symptoms). Within the application, there are three brief, objective cognitive tasks. Upon completion of the 10-day protocol, respondents will return the mobile device and saliva samples. Participants may bring all saliva samples back to the lab during regular business hours, or they may schedule a time for a member of the study team to pick up the samples. Depending on the distance between the laboratory and the participant’s home, the need for ice packs will be assessed on an individual basis.
50
between the age of 18-50 years
must be English speaking
cannot be pregnant or breastfeeding
must not use tobacco
Individuals who work nightshift
Individuals who do not have access to an at-home freezer
Individuals who have an irregular sleep-wake cycle
Individuals who currently use tobacco
Saliva microRNA signatures in infants with wheezing associated respiratory illness
Wheezing is a common symptom of respiratory distress in infants and children. Infants who wheeze are at increased risk of being diagnosed with asthma, the most common chronic disease of childhood. This study aims to yield an objective measure of asthma risk using molecular markers obtained from saliva. Saliva miRNA (markers used in this study) levels will be measured using HiSeq technology. Refinement and validation of this measure in future large-scale studies could allow clinicians to accurately predict for families an infant’s risk of asthma and optimize medical management to prevent future hospitalizations.
If your child has a respiratory illness you will be asked to provide a saliva sample at one clinic visit. Six months after the initial encounter, you will be asked to do complete surveys designed to be done remotely at home.
$20.00
Presence of respiratory illness symptoms (cough, congestion, shortness of breath, runny nose)
Concurrent pneumonia (bacterial lung infection) at the time of enrollment
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Concurrent bacterial infection requiring antibiotics (e.g. otitis media)
A Survey to Estimate the Socio-Economic Impact of the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic
We are experiencing global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) recently. Millions of people are suffering and dying every day, in spite of putting our best efforts. We are doing this survey to understand people’s reaction to this situation. The survey will ask about your knowledge, practices and worries. Your response will help us to understand how to better control these situations. Your feedback is highly important to us, as we need to find out the best way to stop the disease from spreading and killing thousands of lives, and to reduce the stress among the population.
Adult
Mentally impaired
Participants from Europe or European Union (EU)
SARS Cov-2 Nasal Pharyngeal and Oral Pharyngeal Wash (SNOW) Trial SARS Cov-2 Nasal Pharyngeal and Oral Pharyngeal Wash (SNOW) Trial
Adults recently diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection who use a 4-day combined intervention of nasal washes with 1% baby shampoo solution and oral gargles with Listerine Antiseptic® will have a reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral load compared to those using nasal and oral washes with normal saline. This combined intervention should be acceptable, tolerable and safe in this population. To test this, we are conducting a trial comparing the efficacy of a number of washes in reducing the oral and nasal SARS-CoV-2 viral load amongst adults.
At their home, participants will perform three nasal and oral rinses per day for 4 days and self-swab the nose and mouth before and after each morning rinse to collect specimens under the guidance of a zoom visit. On the morning of the 5th day participants will also self swab the nose and mouth for a final collection specimen. Participants will answer questions on an app and online platform.
100
A positive test for SARS-CoV-2 infection within 5 days of enrollment
Currently in isolation
Non-English speaking
Lack of electronic device (computer, mobile phone etc) on which to access an app for study data collection
Adults that need inpatient care for COVID-19 or any of its complications
Adults that give a history of being unable to tolerate gargles or nasal washes
An Open-label Study to Evaluate the Long-term Safety and Efficacy of CSL312(Garadacimab) in the Prophylactic Treatment of Hereditary Angioedema
This phase 3b study will evaluate long-term safety and efficacy ofCSL312 (also known as garadacimab) when administeredsubcutaneously (SC) once monthly for at least 12 months.Subjects entering CSL312_3002 will be from 3 sources:• Subjects who participated in Study CSL312_2001• Subjects who participated in Study CSL312_3001• CSL312-naïve HAE subjects who have not participated ineither of the above studies
During the study, you will be expected to self-administer the study medication by injection under the skin once a month, complete a daily diary, provide blood and urine samples, complete questionnaires, undergo physical exams and have your vital signs recorded.You will visit the site 12 times.
$80.00 plus travel reimbursement
Male or female
Diagnosed with clinically confirmed C1-INH HAE
Experienced ≥ 3 HAE attacks during the 3 months before Screening, as documented in the subject's medical record.
Aged ≥ 12 at the time of providing written informed consent or assent for minors
Use of C1-INH products, androgens, antifibrinolytics or other small molecule medications for routine prophylaxis against HAE attacks at least 2 weeks before the first day of the Run-in Period.
Use of mAbs such as lanadelumab (Takhzyro®) 3 months before the first day of the Run-in Period.
Female subjects’ use of estrogen-containing medications with systemic absorption (eg, oral contraceptive or hormonal replacement therapy within 4 weeks prior to the Run-in Period).
Female or male subjects who are fertile and sexually active not using or not willing to use an acceptable method of contraception to avoid pregnancy during the study and for 3 months after receipt of the last dose of CSL312.
A Phase 1b/2 Single and Multiple Dose Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Clinical Activity, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Immunogenicity of STAR-0215 in Participants with Hereditary Angioedema (The ALPHA-STAR Trial)
The main purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of an injection of the study drug in participants with Hereditary Angioedema. This study is open-label, which means that everyone in the study will receive the study drug and no participant will receive a placebo.
The study will last approximately for one year, with a total of approximately 11-16 study site visits. You will have your blood drawn at every study site visit, urine collected, pregnancy test if applicable, and receive study drug. You will also complete questionnaires and be contact weekly by the study site.
Documented diagnosis of HAE type I or II.
Experienced at least 4 HAE attacks within the 12 months prior to screening.
Negative pregnancy test at screening visit
Experience at least 2 HAE attacks during the Run-In period.
Active liver disease
History of drug or alcohol abuse in the 12 months prior to screening
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Use of medications prescribed for the prevention of HAE attacks prior to screening: lanadelumab within 90 days, berotralstat within 21 days, all other prophylactice therapies within 7 days.
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Fazirsiran in the Treatment of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency–Associated Liver Disease With METAVIR Stage F1 Fibrosis
The goal of treatment with fazirsiran is to prevent and improve the build up of these abnormal proteins that cause liver injury and fibrosis by shutting down the production of Z-AAT. Decreasing Z-AAT build up in liver cells is important, as this protein has been clearly identified as the cause of liver injury in AATD.In this study, fazirsiran is being compared with a placebo for patients with AATD LD. A placebo is a liquid like fazirsiran but does not contain any active ingredients.
You will visit the study site approximately 12 times for blood sampling, computed tomography (CT) lung densitometry, lung function tests, FibroScans, ultrasounds, liver biopsy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) study drug administration, and questionnaire completion.
The participant must have a diagnosis of the PiZZ genotype AATD
The participant has evidence of METAVIR stage F1 liver fibrosis
An adult participant must have a body mass index (BMI) between 18.0 and 39.0 kg/m2, inclusive.
The participant is a nonsmoker
The participant has a history of varices based on a previous esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
The participant has portal vein thrombosis.
The participant has HIV infection as shown by the presence of anti-HIV antibody (seropositive).
The participant is pregnant or breastfeeding or intending to become pregnant before participating in this study, during the study.
A Phase 2 Long-Term Open-Label Trial to Assess the Safety andEfficacy of Repeat Dosing of STAR-0215 in Adult Patients withHereditary Angioedema (The ALPHA-SOLAR Trial)
The purpose of this study is to collect long-term safety data and to assess the efficacy of STAR-0215 in subjects with Type I or Type II Hereditary Angioedema (HAE).
Participants will answer questions about your health, provide blood samples, undergo routine urine laboratory tests, receive the study drug, undergo electrocardiogram (ECG), complete questionnaires, undergo physical exams, and provide Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) attack information. Participants in this study will have 17, 18, or 23 in person visits and 4 or 9 remote visits (phone contacts) depending on the Dosing Regimen.
AT least 2 HAE attacks during the Run-In Period between Screening and the Treatment Period.
Agree not to receive a dose of any vaccine within 7 days before or after study medication administration.
Diagnosis of another form of chronic angioedema besides HAE.
Active cancers except for basal cell skin cancer.
Open-Label Safety, Pharmacokinetic, and Efficacy Trial of Sebetralstat (KVD900) in Pediatric Patients(Ages 2-11) with Hereditary Angioedema Type I or II
The purpose of this research study is to test the safety of the study drug, sebetralstat and to see if it can treat Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) at the time of an HAE attack and to determine how children's bodies absorbs, breaks down, and remove sebetralstat.
You and your child will be expected to attend all study visits, complete the HAE attack diaries to the best of your ability, and tell the study staff about changes to your child’s health, medications, and other medical treatments. Your child is expected to take the study medication as instructed and will allow study staff to draw blood.
Diagnosis of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) Type 1 or Type 2
At least 1 HAE attack in the last year
Caregiver must be able to appropriately store and administer the study medication
Caregiver must be able to complete a paper diary about attack information
Child participated in a investigational clinical trial within 4 weeks prior to the screening visit
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Cross-over Study of Oral Deucrictibant Soft Capsule for On-Demand Treatment of Attacks in Adolescents and Adults with Hereditary Angioedema
The purpose of this clinical research study is to learn more about the use of the investigational drug, deucrictibant, for the treatment of HAE. Deucrictibant is designed to block the effects of bradykinin to avoid progression of attacks and lead to the resolution of attacks. In this study, the investigational drug is a soft capsule containing 20 mg of deucrictibant that you will take by mouth. There are already medicines available to treat the manifestations of HAE attacks, but these are injected either into a vein or under the skin. If you are currently on a stable dose of prophylactic treatment to prevent HAE attacks, you will be asked to continue using this at the same dose throughout the duration of the study.
You will need to come to the study site approximately four times. At two of these visits, you will have blood and urine collected. You will have vital signs collected, physical exams, vital signs, and EKG’s performed. You will need to treat two HAE attacks with the study drug, complete questionnaires on an electronic diary, and participate in telephone interviews with the study team.
Diagnosis of HAE-1/2
History of at least 2 HAE attacks in the last 3 months before screening.
Experience with using standard-of-care treatment to effectively manage on-demand treatment for HAE attacks.
Capable of recording, without assistance, electronic HAE diary using an electronic device, as evidenced by the competency assessment conducted during the screening phase.
Any diagnosis of angioedema other than HAE-1/2.
History of alcohol or drug abuse within the previous year, or current evidence of substance dependence or abuse.
Use of attenuated androgens for short-term prophylaxis within the last 30 days before the time of randomization.
Prior gene therapy for any indication at any time.