Safety and Tolerability Study of Ragweed SLIT Tablets
RhinitisAllergic2 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine the safety and tolerability of several doses of ragweed pollen allergen extract administered as sublingual tablets in subjects with allergic rhinitis to ragweed.
Sublingual Immunotherapy of Birch Pollen Associated Apple Allergy
Birch Pollen Related Apple AllergyBirch Pollen AllergyMore than 70% of birch pollen allergic patients suffer from allergic reactions to certain foods, e.g. stone fruits, hazelnut and some vegetables. However, specific immunotherapy (SIT) with birch pollen extract is not effective for the treatment of associated food allergy in a substantial number of patients. Based on our previous clinical and immunological investigations of birch pollen related food allergy (BPRFA) the investigators hypothesize that for effective SIT of this abundant food allergy the disease-eliciting food allergens should be employed. To prove this concept, the investigators aim to sublingually administer the major apple allergen, Mal d 1, to birch pollen-allergic patients with concomitant apple allergy and evaluate clinical and immunological effects of this treatment. The investigators choose Mal d 1 as model food allergen because (i) its cross-reactivity with Bet v 1 has been well characterized,(ii) apple is the most frequent trigger for BPRFA and (iii) recombinant(r)Mal d 1 was well tolerated after sublingual administration to 20 birch pollen-allergic patients in a previous study. Sublingual administration of a defined concentration of GMP-rMal d 1 will be compared with equal doses of GMP-rBet v 1 as a positive control and placebo-treatment. Clinical parameters will include skin prick tests (SPT) and objective and subjective assessment of apple and birch pollen-induced allergic symptoms. Immunological parameters will comprise the analysis of antibody and T cell responses to Mal d 1 and Bet v 1 as well as the evaluation of basophil activation. The proposed pilot study will be a first investigation of the concept to specifically treat BPRFA with the involved food allergens and thus, represents an important step in the development of an efficient and safe therapy in the future.
The Effects of Potassium Nitrate in Reducing Dentinal Hypersensitivity
Dentinal HypersensitivityDental PainA randomized, controlled, double blind exploratory study to explore the effects of two different potassium nitrate concentrations and water on exposed dentine in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity. Solutions will be applied for either 2, 5 or 10 minutes and assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) scores following evaporative (air) stimulus.
Clinical Efficacy of a Toothpaste in Providing Relief From the Pain of Dentinal Hypersensitivity...
Dentine HypersensitivityA study to compare the efficacy of a test dentifrice against a control dentifrice in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity over a two week treatment period.
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Sublingual/Oral Immunotherapy for...
Peanut HypersensitivityFood Hypersensitivity1 moreThe purpose of this study is to explore the safety and efficacy of a sublingual (under the tongue) immunotherapy (SLIT) dosing regimen and an oral immunotherapy (OIT) regimen in inducing desensitization and long term tolerance in children with persistent peanut allergy.
Safety of Epicutaneous Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Peanut Allergy
Peanut AllergyThe purpose of this phase 1b study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of repeated epicutaneous applications of peanut proteins using a patch delivery system (Viaskin device) in peanut allergic subjects.
Manipulation of Visceral Hypersensitivity With Probiotic Bacteria in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel SyndromeIrritable bowel syndrome is a common digestive disorder worldwide. However, there is no effective treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Visceral pain thresholds in response to stress are lower in patients with IBS compared to healthy volunteers, but the triggers to visceral hypersensitivity remain largely unknown. Animal models suggest roles for both host immune response and intestinal bacteria in the induction of visceral hypersensitivity. For instance colorectal distension increased in association with an alteration in bacterial flora induced by antibiotic therapy, which suggest a relationship between bacterial gut content and visceral afferent processing. Intestinal bacteria play a significant role in inducing IBS. Clinical studies have shown that manipulation of the commensal microbiota with probiotic bacteria, in particularly preparations that contain bifidobacteria, can alleviate IBS symptoms. Serotonin (5-HT) plays a crucial role in the regulation of gastrointestinal physiology and alterations in mucosal serotonin signaling is a possible mechanism of altered function and sensation in patients with IBS. Impairment of serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) expression and function may also play a role in IBS. The investigators hypothesise that bacteria modulate sensory afferent and serotonin signaling necessary for visceral sensation and that these pathways can be targeted for therapy of IBS using probiotic bacteria. The first part of this study will be a cross-sectional study comparing the colonic microbiota and SERT polymorphisms in IBS patients and healthy controls. The second part will be an open-label pilot study to assess the effects of oral probiotic bacteria in visceral hypersensitivity and mucosal microbiota in patients with IBS. Clinical response will be assessed based on IBS symptom score and rectal sensitivity, and changes in mucosa microbiota will be measured using 454 pyrosequencing. This proposal will provide novel data on gut microbiota in Asian IBS patients, and explore the mechanisms underlying visceral hypersensitivity to direct future targeting of therapy in IBS.
Exposure Chamber Trial With Cat Immunotherapy
Cat AllergyThe main purpose of this trial is to investigate if any of three different doses of cat hair immunotherapy is safe for treatment of cat allergic patients.
Peanut Allergy Vaccine Study in Healthy and Peanut-allergic Adults
Food HypersensitivityHypersensitivity2 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and side effects of a study product that contains recombinant modified peanut proteins (EMP-123) in healthy and peanut-allergic participants. This is a first in human study. As of November 2009, this study is no longer recruiting healthy volunteers and will only be recruiting individuals with peanut allergies.
Effectiveness of Telepsychiatry-based Culturally Sensitive Collaborative Treatment of Depressed...
DepressionHypothesis 1. Telepsychiatry consultations will be acceptable and well-received by depressed Chinese Americans and by their primary care clinicians. Hypothesis 2. Depressed Chinese Americans in remote primary care clinics receiving T-CSCT will have improved outcomes compared to patients who receive Usual Care by primary care physicians.