Percutaneous Biodegradable Biliary Stents for the Treatment of Benign Biliary Strictures.
Biliary StrictureBiliary Tract Diseases4 moreTo assess safety and effectiveness in the long term of percutaneous insertion of Biodegradable (BD) Biliary Stents for the treatment of benign biliary strictures, in a single center experience.
The Microbiome Composition in Women With Recurring Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP)
Intrahepatic Cholestasis of PregnancyThis is an exploratory non-therapeutic study to study the microbiome patterns during pregnancy in women with ICP in order to identify specific bacterial strains for further product development.
Evaluation of the Use of Metal Stents as Part of the Treatment of Benign Biliary Strictures
Benign Biliary StricturesThe purpose of this study is to study the evaluation of the use of metal stents as part of the treatment of benign biliary strictures.
Neurodevelopment and Neuroimaging in Parenterally-fed Infants and Young Children
Parenteral NutritionNecrotizing Enterocolitis2 moreManganese (Mn) is an essential metal required for normal growth and development. However, exposure to high Mn levels can be toxic to the brain. The objectives of this project are to identify neonatal and young pediatric populations that are at increased risk of excessive brain Mn deposition and altered cognitive and motor development based on their dietary parenteral Mn exposure, and to make sound and evidence-based recommendations for appropriate Mn supplementation and monitoring of infants and young children receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). Our studies are designed to test the hypotheses that, compared with unexposed age-matched controls, infants and young children receiving prolonged Mn-supplemented PN will have increased deposition of Mn in their brains and lower scores on neurodevelopmental, cognitive and psychophysiological assessments.
Biliary Excretion of Conjugated Bile Acids in Humans Measured by 11C-cholylsarcosine PET/CT
CholestasisPrimary Sclerosing Cholangitis1 moreWe wish to develop a protocol for PET/CT examination of humans using the bile acid tracer 11C-cholylsarcosine. This is done by a series of PET/CT examinations of healthy humans and patients with cholestatic disorders.
The Metabolic Profile in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy and Diabetes Mellitus
Intrahepatic Cholestasis of PregnancyGestational Diabetes MellitusICP is known to cause abnormal bile acid homeostasis and to be associated with an increased risk of diseases of the biliary system in later life. There have been small studies (Dann et al. 2006; Wójcicka-Jagodzińska et al. 1989) suggesting that it causes dyslipidaemia (raised lipids) and impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy. However the underlying mechanisms of these abnormalities is not known. Similarly the influence of cholestasis on fetal metabolism is not known, and nor is the role of the placenta. It is also not known whether women with ICP have a predisposition to abnormal lipid and glucose homeostasis when they are not pregnant. GDM is characterized by raised plasma glucose levels in pregnant women (in the absence of pre-pregnancy diabetes mellitus). This condition is associated with large-for-gestational age babies and obstructed labour. Women with GDM have increased risk of subsequent type 2 diabetes mellitus, and if they have this condition in a subsequent pregnancy there is an increased risk of stillbirth. This work is important to understand the causes of the metabolic abnormalities associated with ICP and GDM. If we demonstrate abnormal lipid and glucose profiles, these may be of relevance to the fetal complications of both disorders. It will also be of relevance to the future health of affected women and their children.
Dry Blood Spot Screening Test for Biliary Atresia(DBS-SCReBA)
Hepatobiliary DiseaseBiliary Atresia1 moreOur study aims to develop a screening test for biliary atresia (BA) using dry blood spot to improve patient survival by early diagnosis. Newborn screening dry blood spot will be examined for the direct bilirubin (DB), γ-GT or matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) levels. These findings will promote early diagnosis for BA and hence improve the survival.
A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of Carbon Dioxide Versus Air Insufflation During Endoscopic...
CholestasisThe purpose of this study it to conduct a randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial of carbon dioxide (CO2) versus air insufflation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
Expression of BCRP in Icteric Patients
IcterusThe expression of transporters involved in bile acid homeostasis is differentially regulated during obstructive cholestasis. Bile acids are also substrates of the drug efflux transporter breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) that is highly expressed in the human intestine. Therefore we intend to analyze whether intestinal BCRP expression could be altered during cholestasis.
A Trial of Taurine Supplementation in Parenteral Nutrition 1
CholestasisThe purpose of this study is to investigate whether the inclusion of 1g of intravenous taurine as part of the nitrogen source of parenteral nutrition reduces parenteral nutrition associated cholestatic liver disease, a common side effect of parenteral nutrition.