
Study to Validate the Instructions for Use of TOBI® Podhaler™ in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Cystic FibrosisThe purpose of this actual use human factors (HF) study is to validate the approved US TOBI Podhaler Instructions for Use (IFU), by establishing that the IFU effectively communicates the information necessary to achieve safe and effective use of the Podhaler device.

First Study of Oral Cysteamine in Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic FibrosisThe morbidity and mortality associated with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) are the result of chronic suppurative lung disease. The aggressive use of antibiotics is one of the mainstays of treatment in CF, however, the problems of multiple drug resistance and adverse reactions are major clinical issues. Cysteamine is a licensed drug used in the treatment of cystinosis. In vitro work suggests that cysteamine has properties of potential benefit in CF. Cysteamine is a potent mucolytic, it disrupts biofilms, it is antimicrobial, and synergises with other antibiotic agents. CF is characterised by malabsorption and it is not known whether cysteamine is absorbed in CF, furthermore it is not known if cysteamine enters the bronchial secretions. It is not possible to assume that the pharmacokinetics of cysteamine in patients with CF are the same as those reported for cystinosis. Objectives: to characterise the pharmacokinetic profile of cysteamine in people with CF, to ascertain whether cysteamine enters the bronchial secretions and the tolerability of cysteamine by patients with CF. Method: a single centre, single group open label investigation of the tolerability and pharmacokinetics of oral cysteamine (Cystagon) when administered to patients with Cystic Fibrosis at the dose licensed for use in cystinosis. Setting: adult CF clinic, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Target population: 12 patients aged ≥18years with CF associated lung disease who are clinically stable. Intervention: Oral cysteamine (Cystagon) will be increased from 450mg od to 450mg qds over three weeks, they will remain on 450mg qds for two weeks. Assessment: face to face health outcome assessments will be carried out for all participants at recruitment/baseline, 1, 2, 3, and 5 and 6 weeks. Serial blood cysteamine levels will be measured in the first 24 hours after the first dose. Sputum cysteamine will be quantified after two weeks of full dose cysteamine 450mg qds. Disease specific health status (CFQ-R) will be assessed at baseline and after two weeks of full dose. At each assessment, lung function (FEV1, FVC), adverse reactions and serious adverse events will be ascertained. Blood samples will be taken for measurement of haematological and biochemical parameters. Sputum samples at each assessment will be analysed for microbial load and spinnbarkeit.

Respiratory Function at Preschool Age of Children Detected of Cystic Fibrosis in Neonatal Period...
Cystic FibrosisThe widespread neonatal detection of cystic fibrosis in France since 2002 permits to treat children from birth. New treatments used for young children involve to assess efficacy criteria specific to this population. Standard respiratory function criteria for older children and adults is forced expiratory volume/second. This technique is not suited for preschool aged children (3 to 6 years old) because they are too old to be sedated and too young and immature to be able to make forced expiration technique that are correct, reproducible and prolonged during more than 1 second. For preschool aged children, in order to assess distal damage and her consequence, the evaluations are: airway resistance by debit interruption technic (Rint), plethysmographic measure of specific resistance (sRaw), functional residual capacity by Helium dilution technique (CRF He), arterial blood gas measurement, pulmonary clearance index. All these methods have a better success rate and can be used in alternative or with forced spirometry. However, each of them gives only a part of information on airway and lung damage of detected children. It is necessary to combine them for a better information on overall respiratory damage. In France, each respiratory function test laboratory uses one or any of these methods in addition to flow-volume curve, in function of his practices and his equipment. So, respiratory function test of preschool aged children is going to diversify more and more to the detriment of an homogeneity of practices between different centers. A referent population during a longitudinal multicenter monitoring on large cohorts that describe the evolution of pulmonary function, obtained by a standardized methodology is necessary to assess the efficacy of any new treatment. And, with the homogenization of care of children detected of cystic fibrosis in different centers, the description of natural evolution of pulmonary function by a standardized methodology will improve the discriminative power of measure of respiratory function to assess the presence of a worsening in preschool-aged children.

Fecal Transplant in Recurrent Hepatic Encephalopathy
Hepatic EncephalopathyCirrhosisRandomized, open-label safety, tolerability study with exploratory endpoints and pathophysiological evaluation of the FMT Two groups of outpatients with cirrhosis will be randomized using random sequence generator into no-treatment and FMT groups.

Auto-titrating Oxygen in Chronic Respiratory Failure
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseIdiopathic Pulmonary FibrosisLong term oxygen therapy (LTOT) increases the life span of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who have low oxygen levels. However, even when on oxygen therapy at home, from time to time patients still have low oxygen levels especially when walking which can be harmful. The investigators have designed a new system of delivering oxygen to overcome the above problem. The system measures the oxygen saturations of a patient and subsequently adjust the flow of oxygen to meet a pre-set oxygen saturation target. Hypothesis: the investigators intelligent oxygen therapy system is better at reducing low levels of oxygen during a 6 minute walk than usual ambulatory oxygen for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Intestinal Decontamination With Rifaximin. The Inflammatory and Circulatory State in Patients With...
Liver CirrhosisAscitesThis investigational trial will be assessing the effect of rifaximin on pathophysiology and haemodynamics in the patient with liver cirrhosis, and addressing the effect of rifaximin on several organs on marker level. The molecular and physiological effects of rifaximin will be explored. The investigators hypothesize that intestinal decontamination with rifaximin in patients with cirrhosis and ascites will interrupt bacterial translocation from the gut, diminish the following inflammatory response, prevent splanchnic vasodilatation and portal systemic contraction and thereby reduce the risk clinical complications to cirrhosis. If rifaximin can correct small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and demonstrate improvement in liver haemodynamics, renal function and systemic dynamics, then these effects may contribute to the overall well-being of the patient and prevent complications to the underlying cirrhosis such as risk of infections, progression of disease, and admission to hospital.

High-protein High-fiber Diet in Patients With Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Primary Biliary CirrhosisPrimary biliary cirrhosis is a chronic cholestatic autoimmune liver disease with a progressive course that can lead to liver cirrhosis. There are few studies on dietary management in primary biliary cirrhosis and most of them have focused on micronutrients specifically vitamin D intake to prevent osteoporosis, and lipid control to prevent hyperlipidemia, but few recommendations have been made regarding a complete dietary approach. Fiber has been proven to increase the excretion of nitrogen products and consequently reduce its blood levels, and an adequate protein intake (1- 1.5 g per kg) has shown to decrease endogenous catabolism in cirrhotic patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of a high-protein, high-fiber diet in the nutritional status of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Utilizing Exhaled Breathe Condensate Collection to Study Ion Regulation in Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic FibrosisHealthyOur aims were to determine if exhaled breath condensate (EBC) could detect differences in ion regulation between cystic fibrosis (CF) and healthy and measure the effect of the albuterol on EBC ions in these populations. We hypothesized EBC chloride and sodium would be lower in CF patients at baseline and that albuterol would decrease EBC sodium and increase EBC chloride.

Ropinirole for the Treatment of Muscle Cramps in Patients With Cirrhosis
Muscle CrampCirrhosisThe investigator's aim is to compare the efficacy of Ropinirole (Requip) to vitamin E in the treatment of muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients.

Telavancin Pharmacokinetics in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Cystic FibrosisDue to emerging resistance, new antibiotic options are needed to treat CF acute pulmonary exacerbations caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). There is established evidence that adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may have altered antibiotic pharmacokinetics compared with non-CF patients. Telavancin is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic that has activity against gram-positive bacteria including MRSA. This study will determine the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of telavancin in 18 adult CF patients admitted for a pulmonary exacerbation at 1 of 4 participating hospitals in the US.