Active clinical trials for "Fibrosis"

Cirrhotic patients are predisposed to bacterial infection. A large proportion of which is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP), which are mainly caused by enteric bacteria.SBP in a cirrhotic patients is associated with a high mortality rate in the order of 30-80% per year.It has been demonstrated that cirrhotics who have an ascitic fluid protein concentration less than 1gm% are most susceptible to develop SBP by virtue of having low opsonising activity of ascitic fluid.Patients with liver cirrhosis have significant degrees of imbalance of intestinal flora.Translocation of intestinal bacteria being the major mechanism for the production of SBP. Long-term antibiotic (norfloxacin) is very effective in preventing SBP caused by gram negative bacteria.But the problem with the long-term antibiotic prophylaxis is the potential for the development of infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.Further, quinolones have no effect on gram positive bacteria which is becoming one of the important cause of SBP. Such experiences necessitate the need for strategies, other than antibiotic, to prevent intestinal bacterial overgrowth, bacterial translocation and SBP in patients with cirrhosis.Probiotics have been used successfully to alter the gut flora in many clinical conditions where growth and localization of non pathogenic bacteria replaces the pathogenic bacteria in the intestine.The probiotic bacteria, among which the most common are the lactose fermenting Lactobacilli, inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria by acidifying the gut lumen, competing for nutrients, and by producing antimicrobial substances. They adhere to the gut mucosa and by that are thought to prevent bacterial translocation from the gut. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of probiotics in the prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with cirrhosis with low protein ascites and those already have developed an episode SBP.

The objective of this overall project is to develop a new aerosol-based technique for quantifying liquid absorption in the airways of subjects with cystic fibrosis(CF) that can be used to help develop new therapies. In CF, mutations in the CF gene result in dysfunction of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) ion channel on the cells that line the airway epithelium, causing improper fluxes of ions such as sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate. The so called "low volume" hypothesis of CF pathogenesis contends that abnormal absorption of ions from the airways causes excessive absorption of liquid, resulting in an airway surface liquid layer that is dehydrated and difficult to clear. Here we are measuring the absorption rate of a radiolabeled small molecule (DTPA) from the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients and healthy controls. We hypothesize that the molecule will absorb more quickly in cystic fibrosis patients. Further studies will be performed to determine if DTPA absorption is related to liquid absorption in the airways.

In this research, we will use established surveys to look at the relationship between various styles of coping with a disease, religious coping styles, treatment compliance, locus of control, broad measures of mental health and adjustment, and basic health data (e.g., PFTs, recent hospitalizations or antibiotics within the past year, lung microbiology, CFTR mutations, and co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, depression, and liver disease). While the research is correlational, it should suggest relationships (both positive and negative) between various coping styles and desired outcomes (compliance and well-being).

The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between hypoxemia achieved during Hypoxia Altitude Simulation test and sea level values of pulmonary function, arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry and cardiopulmonary exercise test variables. In addition, to study the effect of slow walk in a hypoxic environment, comparable to slow walking along the aisle.

This study will examine bacteria and toxins in the mouth, lung and digestive system that may be the cause of various diseases or symptoms. H. pylori is a bacterium that produces various toxins that may contribute to lung problems. This study will examine specimens collected from the mouth, teeth, lung, digestive tract and blood to measure H. pylori and its toxins and their effects on cells. People 18 years of age and older with or without gastrointestinal disease may be eligible for this study. These include people without a history of lung disease as well as patients with any of the following: lymphangioleiomyomatosis, asthma, sarcoidosis, other chronic or genetic lung disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis or eosinophilic granuloma). Participants may undergo the following tests: Blood and urine tests, chest x-ray. Measurement of arterial blood gases: A small needle is placed in an artery in the forearm to collect arterial blood. Lung function tests: Subjects breathe deeply and occasionally hold their breath. They may also receive a medication that expands the airways. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with lavage and bronchial brushing: The subject's mouth and throat are numbed with lidocaine; a sedative may be given for comfort. A thin flexible tube called a bronchoscope is advanced through the nose or mouth into the lung airways to examine the airways. Saline (salt water) is then injected through the bronchoscope into the air passage and then removed by gentle suction. Next, a small brush is passed through the bronchoscope and an area of the airway is brushed to collect some cells for examination. Mouth rinsing or teeth brushing to collect cells. Endoscopy: A small needle and catheter (thin plastic tube) are placed into an arm vein to administer fluids and medications through the vein. A sedative may be given. The throat is numbed with lidocaine and a thin flexible tube called an endoscope is inserted through the mouth and down the esophagus into the stomach and upper part of the small intestine to examine those areas.

The primary objective of this registry study is to assess the durability of sustained virologic response (SVR) and clinical progression or regression of liver disease including the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma following SVR in participants with cirrhosis after treatment with a sofosbuvir-based regimen for HCV infection.

The purpose of this study is to validate FibroScan and FibroSURE™ as equal or superior alternatives to liver biopsy for the monitoring and detection of methotrexate-induced hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

A post-treatment follow-up observational study for liver disease subjects with or without liver cirrhosis after receiving emricasan or placebo. Subjects must have been enrolled in a prior IDN-6556 study to be eligible.

The aim is to evaluate the impact of a 3-week lasting residential rehabilitation program for patients with cystic fibrosis on their nutritional status measured as BMI and body composition and pulmonary function.

The prevalence of chronic hepatopathies is high in jail. However, the medical care of these hepatopathies is few developed. This study is an observational, an epidemiologic (screening and prevalence of fibrosing hepatopathies) and an evaluating study for a better taking care of these hepatopathies in jail. The aims of the study will be to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the FibroMeter score in the screening of the hepatic fibrosis in persons with multiple risk factors for liver fibrosis (alcoholism, intravenous drug users, tattoo, and virological status) with FibroScan® as gold standard; to evaluate the feasibility of these different screening tools for chronic hepatopathies in jail and to evaluate the prevalence of the fibrosing hepatopathies with clinically significant fibrosis and theirs risk factors, alcohol and hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses in population from Angers jail.