
Pulmozyme in Cystic Fibrosis With Sinusitis
SinusitisCystic FibrosisThe hypothesis is that the intranasal use of Pulmozyme will decrease the severity of sinusitis in Cystic Fibrosis and lead to an improved quality of life.

Eplerenone Versus Spironolactone as Treatment of Ascites Due to Liver Cirrhosis; a Study of Efficacy...
AscitesCirrhosisThis study compares Spironolactone, a non-selective aldosterone antagonist, with Eplerenone, a selective aldosterone antagonist, regarding efficacy and hormonal side effects when treating male cirrhotic patients with uncomplicated ascites over a 6 month period. The investigators hypothesis is that Eplerenone is as effective as Spironolactone as treatment of ascites with less side effects such as painful gynecomastia.

Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging (ARFI) : a New Technique to Assess Liver Elasticity
Liver FibrosisLiver Cirrhosis4 moreLiver stiffness measurement (LSM) by non invasive methods is increasingly used to estimate liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver diseases. However, there is growing evidence that fibrosis is not the only determinant of liver stiffness. Indeed inflammation, cholestasis, congestion could also interfere with stiffness measurements. Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) is a new technology to perform real time LSM. Using a standard ultrasonographic probe, it offers elastography with a flexible metering box at variable depth, allowing the examination of specific area.

Clearance of NRL972 in Patients With Cirrhosis and in Healthy Volunteers
Hepatic CirrhosisA study in healthy volunteers and patients with liver cirrhosis to assess the effects of age, gender, and stable liver disease on the clearance of cholyl-lysyl-fluorescein (NRL972)

Effects of Proteins in Patients With Cirrhosis and Prior Hepatic Encephalopathy
Hepatic EncephalopathyThe purpose of this study is to compare a normal-protein diet containing branched-chain amino acids to a low-protein diet in patients with non-terminal cirrhosis (MELD < 25) who have developed an episode of hepatic encephalopathy within two months prior to inclusion.

Open Label Safety Study of DCI-1020 in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Patients
Digestive System DiseasesPancreatic Disease2 moreHypothesis:DCI 1020 capsules are safe and effective in treating exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in CF patients <= 2 years of age. The results of this study are intended to be submitted to the FDA as part of the NDA package for marketing approval of PANCRECARB (DCI 1020).

Oral Budesonide in the Treatment of Patients With Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Overlap Features...
Primary Biliary CirrhosisAutoimmune HepatitisThe purpose of the study is to find out the effects Budesonide, 9 mg daily for one year, has on patients with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis with features of autoimmune hepatitis.

SD, IL-13 Production Rate in IPF
Idiopathic Pulmonary FibrosisThe purpose of this study is to investigate how QAX576 affects levels of interleukin 13 (IL-13) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Brain Imaging in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease and Functional Impairment.
CirrhosisHepatic EncephalopathyHepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a frequent complication of chronic liver disease (cirrhosis) and involves a wide spectrum of problems from mild impairment of reaction times in driving and operating machinery through to disturbances in mood, behaviour and conscious levels. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a method of obtaining pictures of the inside of the body. Patients with liver disease have previously been studied with MRI which has highlighted changes in the brain. This research aims to highlight some of the differences in the way that the brain functions in patients with liver disease. Using our new, more powerful MRI scanner, with more sophisticated techniques we hope that the novel combination of MRI techniques can objectively detect the presence of , and monitor HE. Study hypothesis: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a reversible, metabolic disturbance of the brain, associated with low grade brain swelling and disturbances of the chemical balance within the brain, resulting in functional impairment, the presence of which MR imaging can detect with sufficient sensitivity to monitor the changes that may occur over time in response to treatment.

Behavioral Treatment of Weight Gain in CF
Cystic FibrosisThe current study examines the efficacy of two treatments to help children with cystic fibrosis (CF) meet their dietary calorie requirements of 120% to 150% of the recommended daily allowance of energy and the effect of these treatments on weight gain and maintenance. One treatment provides children with CF and their parents nutrition education about the best foods for meeting their dietary needs. The second treatment gives children with CF and their families similar nutritional information plus behavioral parenting methods for motivating children to eat the recommended foods. Children with CF and their families are seen weekly for 7 treatment sessions across 9 weeks for the active phase of treatment. Families are then followed for 2 years after treatment in order to better understand how long the treatments are effective and to determine the health benefits of better nutrition status and weight gain.