Active clinical trials for "Fibrosis"

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of an internet based program for children and families (CF.DOC) with Cystic Fibrosis on health outcomes. The program provides for virtual visits, a personal health record, messaging with clinicians and several tools for monitoring self-care behaviors. We anticipate that this intervention will provide for more intensive monitoring and feedback of self-care behaviors and will lead to improved health status and in particular nutritional status

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the infusion of albumin 4 gr per liter of ascites removed is as effective as the infusion of albumin 8 gr per liter of ascites removed in the prevention of post-paracentesis circulatory dysfunction

This is a prospective trial of random distribution, open, parallel group, in which patients with esophagic variceal bleeding will be randomized into two treatment groups, after controlling acute bleeding. All patients received standard medical therapy with b-blockers and endoscopic ligation (LEV) of esophageal varices. The control group will be assigned to receive LEV + Nadolol + MNI. The experimental group will be assigned to receive treatment according to the hemodynamic response. All patients included in the experimental group received LEV and pharmacological treatment nadolol alone or combined with MNI or Prazosin (PZ)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are suggested to play a pivotal role in ILD. Little is known, however, about the endogenous antioxidant levels in ILD that can offer protection against ROS. It is expected that the high amount of ROS present in ILD will reduce the antioxidant levels. Therefore, antioxidant therapy to strengthen this reduced antioxidant defense might be efficacious in ILD treatment. Since ROS are capable of initiating and mediating inflammation, antioxidant therapy might also mitigate elevated inflammation. A candidate for antioxidant therapy is the flavonoid quercetin that is known for its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory capacities. The aim of the present study is to determine the antioxidant and inflammatory status in ILD, i.e. sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Furthermore, to evaluate the possible anti-inflammatory effects of antioxidants, the effect of quercetin will be examined on the ex vivo LPS-induced cytokine production in ILD

Healthy volunteers and patients with diseases that involve problems clearing mucus from the lungs will be examined and tested to better understand the reasons for recurring lung infections in these patients and to try to develop better ways to diagnose and treat them. The study will also try to identify the genes responsible for these diseases. Healthy volunteers 18 years of age and older and patients 2 years of age or older with suspected primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), variant cystic fibrosis (CF) or pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) may be eligible for this study. Patients enrolled in the Natural History Study of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria at NIH or other NIH natural history protocols may also be enrolled. Participants undergo the following tests and procedures during a 1-day visit at the NIH Clinical Center, as follows: All patients and normal volunteers have the following procedures: Physical examination and review of medical and genetic history and family genetic history. Lung function test and measurement of oxygen saturation level. Nitric oxide measurement to measure the amount of nitric oxide production in the nose: A small tube is placed in the nose while the subject breathes through the mouth into a cardboard tube. All patients have the following additional procedures: Blood tests for liver and kidney function, blood count, immunoglobulins and pregnancy test (where appropriate). Blood test or buccal scrape (brushing the inside of the cheek) to obtain DNA to look for gene mutations that cause PCD, CF or PHA. Scrape biopsy of cell lining the inside of the nose: A small toothpick-sized plastic stick with a tiny cup on the end is used to get nasal lining cells to look at the cilia (hair-like structures that move mucus). Semen analysis (in some men) to test sperm tail function or structure. Patients suspected of having a variant of CF or PHA, including nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease, have the following additional procedures: Sweat chloride test: A medicine is placed on the arm to produce sweat; then, a very low level of electric current is applied for 5 to 12 minutes. Sweat is collected in a plastic tube and tested for salt content. Blood draw for CF genetic testing, if necessary, and to measure levels of the enzyme trypsin. Saliva collection to measure sodium and chloride content. Nasal potential difference to measure the electrical activity of the cells lining the inside of the nose: A soft plastic tube filled with a salt solution is passed into the nasal passage and a sterile needle is placed under the skin of the arm. This test provides information about how the lining of the nose is able to get used to changes in temperature and humidity. (Normal volunteers also have this test.)

The histological characteristics of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) related to overweight and obesity suggest the presence of partly common physiopathological mechanisms. We reported that the ponderal overload was an independent risk factor of alcoholic cirrhosis. The adipose tissue was considered for a long time as a simple place of storage of fat. However, it is now recognized that the adipose tissue can secrete cytokines called ADIPOKINES. The adipose tissue can secrete others cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL6, IL10 and IL1-Ra. Increase in the production of the leptin and TNF-alpha by the adipose tissue after alcohol administration in the rat, as well as the role of leptin in inflammation and liver fibrogenesis in the murine model of chemical hepatotoxicity strongly suggest that activation of adipocytes by alcohol can explain the strong correlation observed between the body mass index (BMI) and the severity of ethanol-induced liver injury. Conversely, it was suggested in a murine model that the reduction in adiponectin production would sensitize the liver with the toxicity of alcohol. The PPAR alpha and gamma are the receptors which play a role both in inflammation and glucide and lipid metabolism. Taking into account the inhibiting role of PPAR alpha on the proliferation of the hepatic stellate cells, responsible for the fibrosis, the PPAR could also be implied in the relation between the overweight and the hepatic fibrosis in the alcoholic.

The purpose of this study to to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction of a telehealth cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention among adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) who exhibit elevated anxiety and/or depression symptoms.

This is an observational cohort study building on an existing protocol at our institution recruiting CF patients who are 6-21 years old with one or two copies of the F508del CFTR mutation. That existing protocol seeks to enroll a total of 38 subjects; it includes three to four (three scheduled, with a fourth optional) study visits, with spirometry, LCI, UTE MRI, and 129Xe MRI being performed at each visit. This present study will utilize existing study visits for the NHLBI study, with a sub-set of 20 subjects opting-in to have all of the procedures performed twice, with an intervening ACT, during one of their study visits.

The effect of portal hypertension on gastrointestinal motility, and how reversal or improvement in portal hypertension may alter gastrointestinal motility, remains unclear and further research is needed. Additionally, patients with cirrhosis have altered gut microflora, particularly rich in lactobacilli, including enterococci and bifidobacteria. Transjugular Intraheptic Portosystemic Shunting (TIPS) is a procedure performed by interventional radiologists, in which a connection is made between the portal and venous circulations, allowing high pressure portal blood to more easily enter the systemic circulation and bypass the liver; thus effectively decreased portal pressure.

STeP IT UP CF: STimulating ImProved Health And Well-being In CysTic Fibrosis Using Integration Of Fitness Technology and Port CF. A pilot in integration of wearable fitness tracker data with existing health data provided by CF foundation Patient Registry (Port CF)