Active clinical trials for "Inflammation"

The main objective of this study is to investigate the central and peripheral inflammatory, as well as the spontaneous Aβ-specific, immune responses at the asymptomatic stage and early stages of AD by combining molecular imaging techniques with blood biomarker analyses. The early and preclinical stages of AD will be studied in the relatives of patients with PSEN1, PSEN2 or APP mutations that are at-risk (50%) to be mutation carriers. This study will evaluate the contribution of Inflammatory and immune anti-Aβ responses (I2ARs) in AD progression. Inclusion of sporadic and familial forms of AD will aid in studying the chronology of pathological events. Clinical follow-ups will be conducted annually for two years and will include an MRI and a blood draw on the last visit. We expect I2ARs to appear in the early stages of the disease and to constitute new prognostic factors. I2ARs could also become therapeutic markers for the assessment of novel anti-amyloid treatments and may offer new insights to the development of Aβ-specific immunotherapy strategies.

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients (and controls) were recruited for the study. The investigators' aim was to study the relevance of clinical parameters in terms of underlying disease severity, proteolysis and inflammation in a diverse non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis population.

The hypothesis is that richly coloured purple vegetables, rich in polyphenolic compounds including anthocyanins will have higher antioxidant and other biological activities, than more lightly coloured versions of these foods. Diets of human subjects will be modified to allow consumption of 200-300 g of raw carrots or cooked potatoes. Participants will be randomized to consume either orange or purple carrots, or white or purple potatoes. They will consume these diets for 12 weeks and bioavailability of polyphenolics will be examined as well as anthropometry and blood biochemistry for changes in risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.

The research project addresses the following hypotheses (A) the normal balance of beneficial and detrimental commensal intestinal bacteria is deranged in IBS, with selective alterations in clinically defined patient subsets i.e., diarrhea predominant IBS (D-IBS) and post-infectious IBS (PI-IBS); (B) these changes in intestinal microflora are associated with sub-clinical mucosal inflammation and activation of the mucosal immune system; and (C) activation of the mucosal immune system leads to alterations in gastrointestinal (GI) functions (i.e., motility and sensation) and functional symptoms.

The study propose to measure the inflammation level in type 1 diabetes children with the cytokine analysis compared to non diabetic children of the same sibling and to healthy children.

Vascular inflammation is a key factor in both the pathogenesis and outcome of atherosclerosis. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is a promising tool for identifying and quantifying vascular inflammation within atherosclerotic plaques.cardiac multidetector-row CT can provide measurements of coronary artery calcium (CAC), the degree of stenosis, and the characteristics of plaque including its potential vulnerability. Therefore, the purpose of the investigators study is to compare the usefulness of 18 FDG-PET and MDCT in assessing the vascular inflammatory status and vulnerability.

The prevalence of preterm birth is not decreasing in the last decades despite of improving health care. Intrauterine infections are important in the etiology of preterm birth but the interconnection of systemic inflammation and preterm birth is not clear. Mechanisms of preterm birth should be assessed as preterm birth is the major risk factor for morbidity and mortality during birth, thus being important for the individual and regarding health costs. No interventions will be carried out in this study. Hypotheses: There is a common etiology between oral and vaginal inflammation Bacterial species are similar in vagina and oral cavity There are similar oral and systemic immune reactions which provoke preterm birth Inflammatory markers are found in pregnant women at risk and get back to normal post partum In this matched case control study of pregnant women local, systemic and oral inflammation markers and bacterial load are assessed to find out interconnections between these body compartments to allow for explanation of the etiology of preterm birth.

The goal of this study is to identify the immunological factors that influence a patient's response to the presence of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) in the lungs. In patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), this fungus is not known to cause damage to the lungs, but some patients respond with an allergic reaction that may cause wheeze, cough, or difficulty breathing. Approximately 230 patients will be enrolled with an additional 60 people who do not have CF and who do not have a history of asthma to serve as a comparison group.

Objectives: To show feasibility and reproducibility of performing a multiplex ligation-dependent amplification procedure (RT-MLPA) To describe the profile of changes in inflammatory gene products, using RT-MLPA, in pediatric patients receiving stem cell transplant To determine if changes in a specific inflammatory product, or a combination of inflammatory products, can predict grade 2-4 acute graft-versus-host disease

Background By means of measurements of series of non-invasive inflammatory markers in exhaled breath (condensate), a reflection of inflammatory processes and oxidative stress, can be obtained. Thereby, these techniques could be important in monitoring asthma and CF lung disease in children. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and inflammatory markers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) reflect ongoing inflammation and oxidative stress in the airways. These markers have a promising capacity for monitoring diagnoses of CF and asthma lung disease. Aim To study the course of inflammatory markers in time in children with asthma and CF, in stable periods and during pulmonary exacerbations. In addition, we study the ability of inflammatory markers to predict safe tapering of medical treatment in both populations. To study the course of inflammatory markers in EBC during an exacerbation. To study which IM are already elevated before a clinical exacerbation is evident and can predict exacerbations in time. To study which inflammatory markers can predict safe discontinuation of antibiotics in children with CF, or tapering of inhaled corticosteroids in children with asthma. To study the relationship between inflammatory markers in EBC, the severity and control of CF and asthma, the symptoms and lung function within patients will be analysed. Methods Children with CF (n=30) and children with asthma (n=40) were recruited included from our outpatient clinic. During this longitudinal study patients visit the outpatient clinic were followed-up for 12 months; every two months during one year. patients visited our outpatient clinic. In addition to these standard visits, During exacerbations patients four extra visits were planned during an exacerbation. were asked to visit the University Hospital Maastricht four times. These additional visits were planned with a maximum of two times during the study. By means of a home monitor, children were asked to assess measurements of Besides measurements in the University Hospital, children measured forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) at home using a home monitor, to record medication use, and, to record presence and severity of pulmonary symptoms. Outcome parameters were: 1) FeNO assessment in exhaled air, 2) inflammatory markers in EBC, 3) lung function parameters, 4) specific questionnaires to assess asthma and CF control and severity, 5) data originating from the home monitor.