Active clinical trials for "Fibrosis"

This clinical investigation of the hepatocyte matrix implant is an evaluation blinded non-randomized and monocentric pilot study of Phase I, which is conducted as a therapeutic investigation. Randomization is not possible due to ethical and practical reasons. This study has already been approved in Switzerland and has been adapted to Indonesian Law and disease. This new treatment procedure has already been successfully used on the basis of compassionate use in Germany. The hepatocyte matrix implant is a new patented procedure consisting of bio-matrix technology. A formaldehyde-free special matrix consisting of self-dissolving polymers is applied as a carrier substance and is cultivated with human autologous cells using a special technique. Clinically the bio artificial liver replacement tissue for patients with end-stage hepatic disease has been developed as a first application. In this procedure autologous hepatocytic tissue and pancreatic tissue is removed (liver resection and pancreatic biopsy) from the patient in a first surgical procedure. The tissue is sent to a specialized Cell Culture Laboratory. The laboratory is GMP certified for this procedure. The cells are processed according to SOPs in a special perfusion procedure and prepared on several platelets of matrices (platelets of 20 mm diameter and 4mm thickness). After completion of the laboratory process the bio tissues are implanted into the mesentery of the small intestine during a second operation. The cells are growing controlled on the matrix, take on the capillaries of the patient and thus connect to the blood circulation. The implanted cells multiply by a specific factor and independently take over the metabolic function of the original liver after two to four weeks. In the following process the carrier matrix dissolves completely and implanted cells develop into liver cell tissue.

The serum albumin ascites gradient (SAAG) is a recommended tool for ascites diagnosis since values ≥1.1 g/dl are found in nearly 97% of patients with portal hypertension. However, it mislabels chronic liver disease and heart failure as the cause of ascites. Because type-B Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) is increased in several body fluids of patients with both systolic and diastolic dysfunction, it was found to be a useful marker for diagnosing heart failure and pleural effusion due to heart failure. Nevertheless, to date, the performance of BNP testing for assessing the etiology of ascites has not been examined. The current prospective study is aimed at comparing the following strategies for diagnosing heart failure as the cause of ascites: 1) SAAG plus total protein concentration in ascitic fluid (gold standard); 2) SAAG plus BNP concentration in ascitic fluid; 3) SAAG plus BNP concentration in serum; 4) serum BNP concentrations. SAAG, ascitic fluid protein concentration, serum and ascites type-B Natriuretic Peptide and echocardiography will be performed in all patients. The final diagnosis of the cause of ascites will be adjudicated by independent physicians, blinded for the results of ascitic fluid biochemistry and BNP. Patients will be divided into four groups: Heart failure, Liver cirrhosis, concurrent heart failure and liver cirrhosis (mixed) and other causes of ascites.

This study will assess the repeatability of Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) in both healthy volunteers and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-infected patients with fibrosis and lay the groundwork for the validation of MRE as an alternative to liver biopsy.

Adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patients admitted with an acute infection complicated by acid-base disturbance and decreased ventilation will be studied. They will receive salt replacement to correct the acid-base disturbance and possibly their ventilation. Assessment of symptoms (questionnaire), acid-base and electrolyte status (blood and urine tests) ventilation (overnight oxygen and carbon dioxide monitoring non-invasively) and sleep-wake pattern (actigraphy) will be carried out. Study hypothesis: Acute volume and electrolyte replacement corrects hypochloremic hypovolemic metabolic alkalosis and compensatory hypoventilation/ hypercapnia in acute exacerbations of cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the bioavailability of polymer-coated and buffered ursodiol (ursodeoxycholic acid) to unmodified ursodiol in patients with cystic fibrosis-associated liver disease or chronic cholestatic liver disease. II. Compare the differences in pruritus, weight gain, and liver function for both treatments.

This early phase I trial studies how well contrast enhanced ultrasound with sulfur hexafluoride lipid microspheres (Lumason) works in detecting liver cancer in participants with cirrhosis. Contrast enhanced-ultrasounds use contrast agents, such as Lumason, that are injected into a vein in order to help certain organs and tissues show up more clearly on scans. Contrast enhanced ultrasound with Lumason may help doctors more easily find liver cancer compared to ultrasounds without contrast agent.

This is a study that will evaluate the utility of measuring liver and spleen stiffness before and after a meal by a non invasive ultrasound based technologies called Fibroscan (Transient elastography) and acoustic radio-frequency impulse (ARFI) in diagnosing or excluding cirrhosis in patients with chronic liver disease who will be getting a liver biopsy.

Liver function is a key factor that can help predict the clinical outcome in patients with cirrhosis. Traditionally, liver function was measured using either indocyanine green (ICG) or other radionucleotides. Recently, gadoxetic acid has been reported to show liver function in several studies. There have been several approaches to measure liver function using gadoxetic acid, and hepatocyte fraction is one of the promising methods. Since gadoxetic acid enhanced liver MRI is clinically used world widely, it would be valuable if we can measure liver function using hepatocyte fraction.

1. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria Inclusion criteria: Inpatients who received laparotomy or laparoscopic splenectomy according to clinical, B-ultrasound scan, CT or MRI diagnosis of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Exclusion criteria: ) Portal vein system thrombosis (PVST) found by preoperative color Doppler ultrasound or MRI examination; ) Liver cirrhosis complicated with liver tumor; ) Liver cirrhosis complicated with blood system diseases; ) Patients who have not signed the informed consent form. 2. Research subgroup According to the order of the patients, the following groups are entered in turn, and the cycle is repeated. ) Heparin group ) Rivaroxaban group ) Control group.

- Cyclobenzaprine, is a muscle relaxer medication used to relieve skeletal muscle spasms. It is one of the best-studied drug for this application.