
Role of Intraoperative Thymoglobulin in Decreasing Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Pediatric Heart...
Ischemia Reperfusion InjuryHeart TransplantationThe restoration of normal blood flow following a period of ischemia may result in ischemia / reperfusion injury (I/RI), which is characterized by inflammation and oxidative damage to tissues. Varying degrees of I/RI occur upon reperfusion of a donor heart after cold storage. Medications containing antibodies against immune cells have been used for many years as powerful immunosuppressants. These medications, called polyclonal antibody preparations, are generally only used immediately following transplantation and/or to treat rejection. At our institution, one such antibody preparation (Thymoglobulin) is used in most pediatric heart transplant recipients for 3-5 days immediately after transplantation. Because standard immunosuppressive medications (called calcineurin inhibitors) are toxic to the kidneys, the use of Thymoglobulin allows us to delay the initiation of calcineurin inhibitors until the kidneys of completely recovered from the shock of the transplant surgery. We hypothesize that Thymoglobulin may be beneficial in reducing the damage caused by I/RI. Thus, the present study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of an intra-operative dose of Thymoglobulin (in addition to the standard doses post-operatively) at reducing the effects of I/RI. The study will be a double-bind placebo-controlled trial involving 20 subjects. Biologic markers for I/RI will be assessed at periodic intervals for six months post-transplantation. Subjects receiving intra-operative doses of Thymoglobulin will be compared to the controls in order to assess the effectiveness of intra-operative Thymoglobulin in ameliorating the effects of I/RI.

Use of Morphine Gel Topically in Patients With Stage 2-3 Wounds
WoundsMorphine gel applied topically to wounds will reduce wound pain and decrease patients use of oral and intravenous pain medications, therefore reducing side effects.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) For Improving Emotional Well Being in Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)...
Spinal Cord InjuriesThe purpose of the study is to determine whether or not a brief psychological treatment called cognitive behaviour therapy will help people who have suffered a spinal cord injury to cope better with their current circumstances.

Effect of Passive Gait Training on the Cortical Activity in Patients With Severe Brain Injury.
Craniocerebral TraumaTraumatic Brain Injury2 moreThe aim of this study is to determine effect of proprioceptive stimulation with passive gait training on the cortical activity in patients with severe brain injury, demonstrated as changes in EEG (electroencephalogram)and ERP (Event Related Potentials). Hypotheses: 1) Proprioceptive stimulation increases EEG-frequency in patients with impaired consciousness due to severe brain injury. 2) Proprioceptive stimulation increases conductivity speed of the cognitive P300-component of ERP in patients with impaired consciousness due to severe brain injury.

Treatment of Complaints Following Sports Injuries With Traditional Chinese Medicine
Athletic InjuriesThe purpose of this observational study is to investigate the treatment of complaints following sports injuries with Traditional Chinese Medicine by therapists in Switzerland.

Effect of Amantadine Administration on Spatial Functioning Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain InjuryAmantadine hydrochloride is one of the drugs given at rehabilitation programs to people who suffered Acquired Brain Injury in order to expedite recovery and improve functioning. A previous study examined the spatially asymmetric allocation of attention in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Patients demonstrated significantly worse performance with leftward than with rightward cross-hemi field shifts of attention. This is reminiscence of neglect patients. This difference was significantly reduced during and following treatment. Our objective is to investigate whether Amantadine Hydrochloride is effective in improving allocation of spatial attention and improving function in people with Traumatic Brain Injury.

To Study the Safety and Efficacy of Autologous Bone Marrow Stem Cells in Patients With Spinal Cord...
Spinal Cord InjuryThis is a Phase I/II, multicenter, prospective, non-randomized, open label study to evaluate the safety/efficacy of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cell transplantation in spinal cord injury patients.

Blood Biomarkers of Injury and Outcome in Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain InjuryBlood samples will be drawn on traumatic brain injury patients who are participating in the ProTECT III study.

Acticoat Absorbent and BCT Antimicrobial for STSG Donor Site on Thigh
Wound HealingWound Infection3 moreThis study aims to compare the effectiveness of two wound dressings, Acticoat Absorbent (AA) and BCT Antimicrobial (BCT) on Split Thickness Skin Graft (STSG) donor site.

Application of Laparoscopy in Gastrointestinal Injury
Gastrointestinal Injurylaparoscopy has been increasingly applied in patients with abdominal trauma , as an diagnostic and therapeutic modality. However, its clinical benefits are still under evaluation. The aim of this study is to prospectively assess the feasibility and safety of this technique in the management of traumatic gastrointestinal injury.