Active clinical trials for "Atrophy"

Acne scar is a common complication of acne vulgaris (AV). Early and effective treatment of AV has a crucial role in managing both acne and acne scarring. Oral isotretinoin (OI) is a widely preferred agent in treating moderate and severe AV worldwide. It has been shown that topical retinoids can also be effective in the treatment of atrophic acne scars. However, there is no study in the literature evaluating the effectiveness of OI protocol on atrophic scars with objective data. With the developing sonoelastography technology in recent years, a quantitative, objective, and reliable examination of the elasticity of the skin and subcutaneous tissue can be provided. In this study, for a detailed and objective evaluation of the effects of OI on atrophic acne scars, we investigate the AV severity, atrophic scar grade, scar size (SS), dermis and subcutaneous tissue thickness (STT), and changes in scar and subcutaneous tissue elastic modulus (EM) in moderate and severe AV patients with atrophic acne scars by clinical observation and SWE. Materials and Methods: It was designed as a single-center, prospective and observational study. Ethics committee approval was obtained. Thirty patients who applied to the Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Dermatology Department, between November 2021 and January 2022 diagnosed with moderate and severe AV accompanied by atrophic acne scars were included in the study. Demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. We started the OI with a standard dose regime. On days 0 and 90 of treatment, each patient's AV and scar severity; were evaluated with the global acne grading system (GAGS) and the Goodman and Baron Qualitative Global Scar Rating System (GSRS). On the same days, the dermal thickness (DT), STT, SS, scar, and subcutaneous tissue EM on the right and left cheeks were measured by the same experienced radiologist with SWE. Appropriate statistical methods analyzed the results.

Objectives: This study aims to examine the use of low frequency (2Hz), low amplitude (intensity just produce visible muscle contraction), and long duration (2x3 hrs/day) neuromuscular electrical simulation (NMES) in attenuating the effects of muscle atrophy resulted from disuse. Design and subjects: The study is a randomized, double-blind, controlled, and parallel group study. Subjects with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be included. Intervention: Subjects will be randomized to 3 groups to receive different NMES program over the quadriceps and calf muscles: (i) the proposed NMES program; (ii) conventional NMES program (50Hz, 30 min/day), or sham group for a period of 8 weeks. Outcome measures:The effectiveness of the NMES will be evaluated by the improvement in muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), muscle performance (muscle strength, muscle shortening velocity and muscle activation testing), functional performance (6 min walk) and subjects' rating of the perceived acceptability of the stimulation protocol. Data analysis: Baseline characteristics of the intervention and sham groups will be compared using one way ANOVA. Two-way mixed repeated measures analysis of variance will be performed to examine the differences between groups over time for all the outcome variables. The significance level is set at p < 0.05. Expected results: The investigators hypothesize that the proposed new paradigm of NMES would be more effective in improving muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), strength, endurance, and exercise tolerance.

Patients with atrophic glossitis (AG) or burning mouth syndrome (BMS) are frequently encountered in the oral mucosal disease clinic. Our previous studies found a significantly higher frequency (26.7%) of serum gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA) and a significantly higher frequency (31%) of serum thyroglobulin antibody (TGA) or thyroid microsomal antibody (TMA) in AG patients than in healthy control subjects. Moreover, there is also a significantly higher frequency (13.3%) of serum GPCA or a significantly higher frequency (23.5%) of serum TGA or TMA in BMS patients than in healthy control subjects. Because patients with one organ-specific autoantibody are prone to have another organ-specific autoantibody in sera, we also evaluated whether AG or BMS patients with GPCA are prone to have TGA or TMA in sera and vice versa. We further found that 25.3% of TGA- or TMA-positive AG or BMS patients also have GPCA, 32.3% GPCA-positive AG or BMS patients also have TGA, and 30.6% GPCA-positive AG or BMS patients also have TMA in their sera. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, patients with GPCA are more likely to develop autoimmune atrophic gastritis and subsequently progress to gastric carcinoma, and patients with TGA or TMA may develop autoimmune thyroid disease and finally result in thyroid dysfunction. In addition, previous studies have shown a close association of the HLA-DR or HLA-DQ loci with the presence of autoantibodies (such as GPCA, TGA or TMA) in patients with different types of autoimmune disease. Therefore, in the following 3-year research project, we plan to collect 300 AG and 450 BMS patients from the oral mucosal disease clinic of Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital. For each year, 100 AG and 150 BMS patients are collected. A 10-cc blood sample will be drawn from each patient, with 5 cc being used for the determination of the serum levels of GPCA, TGA and TMA and another 5 cc being used for the HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1-genotyping using the polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) typing technique. At the end of this 3-year study, we will realize the frequencies of presence of GPCA, TGA and TMA in sera of our 300 AG or 450 BMS patients. After statistical analyses, we will also know which specific HLA-DRB1 or HLA-DQB1 allele and which specific DRB1-DQB1 haplotype are responsible for the possession of GPCA, TGA or TMA in sera of our AG or BMS patients. In addition, we will understand which specific HLA-DRB1 or HLA-DQB1 allele and which specific DRB1-DQB1 haplotype are responsible for the possession of GPCA in TGA- or TMA-positive AG or BMS patients as well as for the possession of TGA or TMA in GPCA-positive AG or BMS patients. With this important information in mind, we can predict the development of the specific autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune atrophic gastritis and autoimmune thyroid diseases and then adopt proper early diagnosis and treatment to prevent the future occurrence of these diseases and their potential complications (such as gastric carcinoma or thyroid dysfunction).

The aim of this project is to establish a network of clinical teams including the major neuromuscular centers in Europe. We plan to work together to find the best common outcome measures for the following multicenter therapeutic trials.

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of using Tysabri on changes in the brain using MRI and on disease progression in patients with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis over 5 years.

Primary purpose of the trial is to demonstrate the arisen of focal cortical atrophy, localized in the ipsilateral primary motor area, measured in mm, three months after infarction of internal capsule. The patient is compared to himself between day zero to ten and three months. The study hypotheses are: A focal cortical atrophy of the ipsilesional primary motor area occurs after cerebral infarction of the internal capsule. It is measurable accurately and reproducibly by MRI at three months. Other brain areas within the voluntary motor system will also be explored (supplementary motor area, pre motor area). This atrophy is correlated with achievement of pyramidal tract, assessed by the fractional anisotropy of its fibers. This atrophy is correlated with disability at three months, assessed by Rankin score.

The study is designed to determine the effect on vaginal pH and the duration of action measured on the ability of the base formulation to reduce the vaginal pH

Measuring the Impact of a Multimodal Intervention on Falls and Fear Falls among People 65 Years Old, Residents at Home in Boulogne city

This is a single center, prospective biomarker study to evaluate serum levels of TWEAK and expression levels of TWEAK and Fn14 in muscle biopsies from patients with sarcopenia as well as healthy, physically active controls.

Gyrate atrophy is a rare hereditary disease of the eye's retina (the layer of light-sensitive tissue that lines the inside of the eyeball) and choroid (a vascular layer of tissue behind the retina). Degeneration of these structures causes near-sightedness, cataracts and progressive loss of vision. This study will examine eye function and chemical and molecular abnormalities in patients with gyrate atrophy to try to better understand, diagnose, and treat the condition. Patients with other degenerative diseases of the choroid and retina, such as retinitis pigmentosa, choroideremia, and others, will also be studied for comparison. Family members of patients will be studied, when possible, to try to identify the genetic basis of the disease and gain information that will aid in genetic counseling. Study participants will undergo a physical examination and eye examination, including tests of color vision, field of vision, and ability to see in the dark. An electroretinogram and electrooculogram will measure visual cell function. Photographs of the retina will be taken. Blood will be drawn for biochemical study and gene research. Family members who agree to participate in the study will undergo the same eye tests and will also have blood drawn for genetic studies. Patients with gyrate atrophy will also be asked to undergo a small skin biopsy for biochemical and genetic study. They will provide a family history in order to draw a family tree showing how the disease is distributed among family members. Patients with gyrate atrophy may also participate in studies of the effect of vitamin B6 and diet on blood levels of the amino acid ornithine, which is elevated in patients with gyrate atrophy. Participants will take 500 mg of vitamin B6 by mouth every day for 3 to 6 months. If this study confirms a reduction of ornithine levels, then long-term studies of the vitamin as a possible treatment for the disease may be started. After the vitamin B6 study, patients will start a nearly protein-free diet to lower ornithine blood levels. More than 2,000 calories are carbohydrate and fat. Some special low-protein foods and limited fruit is included, plus amino acid supplements. Patients who have carefully adhered to this diet have lowered their ornithine levels and slowed disease progression. Patients will be hospitalized for the first 1 to 3 weeks for close monitoring with frequent urine and blood tests. When the blood ornithine level is normalized, a less restricted low protein diet will be prescribed. Participants will have monthly blood tests and a complete eye examination every 6 months to 1 year to evaluate disease progression.