Immunotherapy for Neurological Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2
Systemic InflammationNeuroinflammation1 moreBackground: COVID-19 can cause problems in different parts of the body. For most people, it causes fevers or trouble breathing. Some people might not recover all the way. Researchers want to see if a treatment can help with people who have recovered from COVID-19 but still have symptoms ("Long COVID"). Objective: To learn if human immunoglobulin (IVIG) will help with neurological symptoms of Long COVID. Eligibility: Adults ages 18 and older who had COVID-19 at least 12 weeks ago and have ongoing neurologic symptoms, such as dizziness, trouble walking, or problems with strength. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical record review. Participants will have a medical history and a physical exam and complete questionnaires about their health and quality of life. They will have a spinal tap. They will give blood samples. They will discuss their symptoms with a neurologist and have a neurological exam. Participants will take memory and thinking tests using a tablet. The tests will take 1 hour to complete. They will also take a smell and taste test. It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Participants will lie on a table that tilts for up to 40 minutes. Their blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored. Blood will be taken through an intravenous (IV) catheter. Participants will receive either IVIG, or saline by IV for 5 days. Then the participants will receive IVIG if they first received saline or saline if they first received IVIG by IV for another 5 days. They will not know what they receive. Participants will have an MRI of the brain if they have not had one recently. They will receive a contrast agent by IV as part of the MRI scan. Participants will be on the study for up to 4 months. They will have follow-up visits at the clinical center as well as fill out questionnaires at home. They may be asked to continue follow-up....
Efficacy of a Probiotic Strain on Level of Markers of Inflammation in an Elderly Population
InflammationTo investigate the effectiveness of two doses of the probiotic strain Bif-038 on markers of low-grade inflammation in a elderly population
Impact of Cottonseed Oil on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Metabolism
InflammationHealthy2 moreRecent research evidence suggests that cottonseed oil (CSO) may have both direct and indirect anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative impacts linked to bioactive components of CSO and favorable alterations in lipid metabolism. These impacts are directly related to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Our overarching hypothesis is that the effect of CSO consumption on oxidative stress markers (isoprostanes), inflammatory cytokines, metabolic biomarkers, and bile acid metabolism will be beneficial for reversing disease pathophysiology linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and bile acids. Our long-term goal is to establish effective and practical therapeutic strategies utilizing dietary incorporation of CSO to prevent or reverse these diseases. The following hypotheses will be tested in the proposed investigation: H1: CSO consumption will lower exercise-induced oxidative stress, and the effect of CSO will be greater than that of OO for lowering of exercise-induced oxidative stress. H2: CSO consumption will lower inflammatory cytokines and metabolic markers linked to the inflammation process in human participants, and the effect of CSO will be greater than that of OO for lowering inflammation. H3: Features of serum bile acids, serum metabolomes, and lipidomes distinguishing CSO and OO treatment correspond to metabolic pathways illuminating the health benefits of CSO treatment. H4: Metabolic and inflammatory impacts of dietary oils will be greater for 60 g/d of CSO compared to 30 g/d.
Effect of Melatonin in Pediatric Hemodialysis Patients
Hemodialysis ComplicationOxidative Stress1 moreA Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial will be conducted at the pediatric dialysis unit, Children's Hospital, Ain Shams University in order to investigate the benefits of melatonin supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation and to assess sleep quality by using PSQI questionnaire in pediatric hemodialysis patients.
Resources, Inspiration, Support and Empowerment (RISE) for Black Pregnant Women
Pregnancy RelatedPregnancy Complications14 morePerinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) encompass a range of mental health disorders that occur during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. Approximately 13% of women experience PMADs. This rate doubles for those with adverse perinatal outcomes (APO) and triples in Black women. Recent research points to racism as one significant source of these health disparities. Cultural adaptations to improve communication with providers decrease rates of depression in minority patients as well as improve adherence to treatment, insight and alliance. Discrimination stress and worries about experiencing medical consequences are thought to increase systemic inflammation, a mechanism known to drive mental and physical symptoms. Inflammation has been implicated in both PMADs and APO, suggesting a shared underlying etiology. Evidence from our work suggests that inflammation contributes to the pathophysiology of PMADs. The proposed pilot randomized control trial will allow the investigators to build on promising preliminary results and identify whether our culturally relevant mobile Health (mHealth) intervention is effective in improving outcomes among Black pregnant women randomized to the intervention compared to a control group. The culturally relevant modules include building communication and self-advocacy skills and provide a support network. The primary objective of this research is to provide guidance for clinical care of Black women during the perinatal period, with the goal to improve mental health and physical health outcomes. A secondary goal is to examine novel inflammatory signatures that change as a function of the intervention to reduce PMADs in this population. As inflammation may be diagnostic of PMADs, identification of its role may shed light of potential intervention targets and provide critical knowledge to improve women's long-term health. PMAD symptoms will be assessed prospectively in 150 Black pregnant women, half of whom will be randomized to receive the culturally relevant mHealth intervention. The investigators hypothesize that women in the intervention group will have reduced rates of PMADs and APOs, an increase in adherence to mental health treatment and will report increased self-advocacy skills, increased communication with providers, and reduced levels of discrimination related stress. Participants will also have improved biological risk indicators including lower circulating C-reactive protein and a transcription profile of differentially expressed inflammatory genes, marked by a decreased activity of inflammatory transcription factors from blood spots. Given the high burden of both PMADs and APOs among Black mothers and the numerous consequences on maternal and child outcomes, it is imperative that investigators develop and implement effective interventions, and test the biological mechanisms that might drive these effects. This work is interdisciplinary, building on a network of community advocates to implement a novel mHealth intervention informed by real world experiences designed to enhance self-advocacy, reduce stress and prevent adverse outcomes
Effects of aSPIrin Versus Aspirin Plus Low-dose RIvaroxaban on Carotid aTherosclerotic Plaque Inflammation...
Atherosclerosis of ArteryCoronary Artery Disease2 morePrimary Study Objective : To compare the effects of low-dose rivaroxaban plus aspirin versus aspirin on atherosclerotic plaque inflammation using serial FDG Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography(PET-CT) imaging of carotid artery and ascending aorta. Secondary Study Objective : To compare the effects of low-dose rivaroxaban plus aspirin versus aspirin on biomarkers including high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein(CRP) and lipid profiles.
Effect of Hibiscus Sabdariffa Beverage
Markers of InflammationHyperglycemia2 moreThere are numerous plant foods that are a source of bioactive compounds, which can induce an anti-inflammatory effect on various pathways of inflammatory processes in the body as it may be useful in decreasing markers of inflammation expressed by COVID-19 infectious disease and conditions such as obesity and its comorbidities. Given the above, Hibiscus sabdariffa hibiscus possesses advantages as a potential adjuvant in the management of COVID-19, as studies on the phytochemical properties of H. sabdariffa show that it has several health benefits, and could be used as a potent material for the therapeutic treatment of various diseases. Due to its high content of bioactive compounds, these can exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic effects, as well as help control blood glucose levels, prevent cardiovascular disease and obesity. In addition, it is a traditional component of the Mexican diet, of common consumption, easy incorporation in the diet, versatility in preparation and national production. Therefore, to evaluate the bioavailability of bioactive compounds present in a beverage developed from the TECNM/ITESO collaboration, as well as the glycemic and insulinemic response produced by its consumption; besides establishing the effect on some inflammation markers that may be activated as a consequence of the SARS-COV-2 virus infection. This will help to increase knowledge about potential treatment/prevention schemes, avoid the development of severe manifestations of the disease, as well as boost the production and market of a national product.
Exercise Training Influences Gut Microbiota and Cardiovascular Health Through Inflammation Control...
HypertensionMicrobiotaCardiovascular diseases are the number 1 cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year (31% of deaths worldwide). Hypertension, with 1.13 billion people affected worldwide, is the leading risk factor for global mortality. Physical inactivity is among the modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. While the beneficial effects of physical activity on cardiovascular system are widely known, the mechanisms involved are not completely understood. Both exercise training and hypertension are linked to inflammation. Furthermore, there is evidence that gut microbiota regulates inflammatory patterns. Recent investigations showed a relationship between exercise training and the composition/functionality of the gut microbiota. Anyway, the modification of the composition and functionality of the gut microbiota in hypertension due to the exercise training and the relative involvement of oxidative stress and inflammation are not completely understood. In literature an association between gut microbiota composition and arterial stiffness is described, in particular, the investigators observed both a direct correlation between arterial stiffness and abundances of bacteria associated with altered gut permeability and inflammation; and an inverse relationship between arterial stiffness, microbiota diversity, and abundances of bacteria associated with most fit microbiota composition. Anyway, while these association were stable in animal studies, in human studies none of the identified interventional trials was able to demonstrate this relationship. Of note, only half of human studies measured BP, and very few adjusted the vascular analyses for BP variation, which is a major determinant of arterial stiffness. This is a non-profit, monocentric, non-pharmacological interventional study, a randomized controlled trial with three intervention arms, partial double-blind, aiming to verify the hypothesis that, in hypertensive patients in primary prevention with cardiovascular risk factors, physical exercise favorably modifies the intestinal bacterial flora compared to the probiotic, with a positive impact on cardiovascular health, and to demonstrate that this involves inflammation modulation. There will be 3 intervention arms, with 1:1:1 stratified randomization by gender: 1. Administration of controlled physical activity training; 2. Administration of probiotic; 3. Administration of placebo. Arms 2 and 3 will be double-blind. The intervention will last for three months, followed by a 6-month follow-up period. Afterwards, the medical team may be contacted for further tests/assessments or simply for information about the participant's health status, for a total duration of 24 months. The investigators hypothesize that hypertensive patients in cardiovascular primary prevention have a dysbiotic gut microbial signatures, that could be a new marker of early vascular aging. Secondly, the investigators anticipate that exercise training will modify both gut microbiota and hemodynamic profile, and that a relationship exists between gut microbiota and hemodynamic modifications. Thirdly, the investigators expect that the beneficial effects of exercise training are driven by positive changes in the inflammatory modulators.
Fermented Millet Porridge, Gut Microbiota and Inflammation Status in Women
InflammationMicrobiome1 moreMaternal undernutrition concerns 10-19% of women of reproductive age globally, the vast majority of which live in sub Saharan Africa and south Asia. Recommendations for nutritional interventions to tackle the problem range from per-pregnancy supplementation to upstream interventions targeting women of reproductive age before conception. To render the latter interventions cost-effective and sustainable, experts recommend to focus on food processing that leads to an enhanced nutrient content. One such method, which has been known and practiced for centuries in diverse societies, is fermentation. Traditionally fermented foods are diverse, widespread and highly appreciated in Burkina Faso. The present study aims to investigate the effect of fermented millet porridge on gut microbiota diversity, stool short chain fatty acid concentration and inflammation markers level in women of reproductive age living in rural Burkina Faso.
Inflammation in Methamphetamine and STIs (IMSTI)
Methamphetamine-dependenceRectal Gonorrhea1 moreThis clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of a decline in methamphetamine use on rectal inflammatory cytokine levels, substance use contexts, and HIV/STI risk behavior. This clinical trial also seeks to evaluate joint effects of methamphetamine use and rectal gonorrhea/chlamydia infection on rectal inflammatory cytokine levels. The proposed trial will consist of 40 MSM, half with rectal gonorrhea/chlamydia infection at enrollment (n=20), with methamphetamine use disorder that will receive contingency management for methamphetamine reduction. Following baseline measurement, participants will be observed over the course of 8 weeks, where participants will complete behavioral surveys, provide urine for drug testing, and rectal samples for measurement of rectal inflammatory cytokine levels.