Active clinical trials for "Fibrosis"

Decompensated cirrhosis has a high overall mortality rate. There is a large unmet need for safe and alternative therapeutic potions. This clinical trial is to inspect the efficiency and safety of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy for decompensated cirrhosis.

The aim of the study is to analyze the determinants (barriers and facilitators) of the daily physical activity level in a population of patients with cystic fibrosis. A population of patients will be included in order to realize an assessment of their daily physical activity level over an entire week. A specific questionnaire, designed from 3 different questionnaires, will be associated to the physical activity evaluation and will allow to asses psycho-social and environmental factors.

This study compares two nutritional screening questionnaires in cirrhotic patients. All patients will be assessed with both questionnaires, besides a complete nutritional assessment.

Extension of the PFBIO cohort which includes patients with newly diagnosed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) for longitudinal follow-up for up to 5 years. In the PFBIO-EXA extension, patients are included if they experience an exacerbation, or other increase in respiratory symptoms requiring hospital admission, for further collection of clinical and biological data.

Background: Bronchiectasis is a disease characterized by airways that are inflamed, abnormally dilated, and chronically infected. Individuals with bronchiectasis have a history of chronic and recurring respiratory infections. Depending on the underlying cause, these infections may involve the entire respiratory tract, resulting in sinus, ear, and lung disease. Bronchiectasis continues to be a significant problem in developing countries and in specific groups of individuals, particularly in people who have cystic fibrosis. Although treatments are available or under development for bronchiectasis related to cystic fibrosis, many of the disease-specific treatments may not be effective for bronchiectasis not related to cystic fibrosis. Objectives: - To study the natural history of bronchiectasis to identify inherited and immune factors that may explain why certain individuals have chronic recurring infections. Eligibility: Individuals 5 years of age and older who have an established diagnosis of bronchiectasis or a history of chronic/recurring respiratory infections. Direct family members (e.g., parents, siblings, children) of patients in the study may also be asked to participate. Design: Potential participants will be screened with an initial clinic evaluation and full medical history, as well as a general quality of life and respiratory symptom questionnaire. The following standard procedures may be done as part of the study: air sampling from the nose; imaging studies, which may include an x-ray or computed tomography (CT), lung function tests; and collection of samples of blood, urine, and sputum (phlegm or mucus). Other tests may be performed as required by the researchers, and will be explained to patients as needed. Both patients and relatives (if asked to participate) will provide the following samples: blood or buccal (cheek swab) cells for genetic testing, sputum, and urine. To prevent infections and potential disease progression, patients may receive standard medical care and treatment for bronchiectasis and related infections during this protocol.

The purpose of this study is to investigate inherited genetic factors that play a role in the development of familial pulmonary fibrosis and to identify a group of genes that predispose individuals to develop pulmonary fibrosis. Finding the genes that cause pulmonary fibrosis is the first step at developing better methods for early diagnosis and improved treatment for pulmonary fibrosis. The overall hypothesis is that inherited genetic factors predispose individuals to develop pulmonary fibrosis.

This phase II trial studies how well simvastatin works in preventing liver cancer in patients with liver cirrhosis. Simvastatin may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

This Registry is designed to follow patients who have been implanted with an alfapump system, which is a newly marketed product from Sequana Medical AG, a Swiss Medical Device company.

The aim of this study is to establish a nation-wide cohort study of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRPF) in China. Methods: All the patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria of IRPF would be enrolled from multi-centers around China. A online database system has been established. Endpoints: The primary endpoint is to investigate the clinical manifestations of Chinese IRPF patients; the secondary endpoints including the demographic features,laboratory characteristics, immunological tests, imaging and pathological features, in addition, the treatment and prognosis of the disease.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) results in the thickening of mucus in the lungs and other organs due to dysfunction of a transmembrane conductance protein. This allows buildup of bacteria that results in inflammation, leading to tissue breakdown and loss of function. In the lungs, this process causes loss of air exchange structures progressing to diminished lung function. The exchange of oxygen in the lungs depends on both the integrity of air conduits and vasculature. Most clinical assessments, however, focus on ventilatory function, with the assumption that any vascular compromise is secondary. Nevertheless, there is evidence, some from the investigator's lab, to suggest that perfusion anomalies in the lung occur before signs of ventilatory dysfunction. Thus, the inflammatory processes of CF may impact pulmonary microvasculature specifically and concurrently or prior to damage to ventilatory structures. This study aims to apply a new MRI method to serially measure regional lung perfusion, without the use of contrast agent, in children with CF and to associate it with regional assessments of ventilation and to serum cytokines or proteomic markers of angiogenesis and inflammatory processes. The investigator's lab has recently developed a noninvasive, non-contrast, method of labeling blood flowing into the lungs and generating a map of perfusion. The investigator aims to couple this technique to existing methods using hyperpolarized Xenon to map ventilation. The investigator will apply these methods over time in CF patients, monitoring the relationship between regional perfusion and ventilation defects. This pilot work will provide the foundation for larger studies to establish the essential etiological role of perfusion deficits in CF.