
Efficacy of Moxifloxacin/Prednisolone in Prevention of Post Surgery Inflammation
Eye Infection/Inflammation OtherThis is a Unicentric, double-blind, randomized, two-arm, parallel-group study to demonstrate the efficacy of moxifloxacin/prednisolone acetate fixed combination compared with individual administration of moxifloxacin + acetate Prednisolone Eye drops in Prevention of Post Operative Inflammation and Infection in LASIK surgery.

The Role of Prostaglandins in the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy
InflammationObjective of the research study: To measure anterior chamber and vitreous ketorolac (Acuvail®) concentrations after topical administration in patients undergoing routine vitrectomy to determine the ability of the medication to penetrate into the anterior chamber and vitreous cavity, and to compare these levels to the IC50 for the cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) To measure vitreous concentrations of prostaglandin subtypes (PGE, PGD, PGF) and other inflammatory mediators (Interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, VEGF) in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients undergoing vitrectomy To determine if topical ketorolac (Acuvail®) can penetrate the anterior chamber and vitreous cavity sufficiently to decrease levels of intraocular inflammatory mediators that have been shown to be elevated in diabetic patients To serve as a precursor to a 5-year longitudinal clinical trial to determine if chronically administered topical ketorolac (Acuvail®) can prevent, delay or slow diabetic retinopathy. Research hypothesis Ketorolac (Acuvail®) will penetrate the anterior chamber and vitreous cavity sufficiently to achieve levels above the IC50 for COX-1 and COX-2 Prostaglandin and other inflammatory mediator levels in the anterior chamber and vitreous cavity will be significantly higher among diabetic patients than nondiabetic controls Acuvail® can significantly lower anterior chamber and vitreous cavity levels of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators in diabetic patients

STAT3 in T Cells: At The Crossroads of Inflammation and Cancer
Cutaneous T Cell LymphomaProtocol Summary Constitutive STAT3 activity is implicated in many malignancies including Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma. It is also essential for Th17 differentiation, a subset of CD4 effector T cell, implicated in chronic inflammatory conditions and possibly CTCL. HDAC inhibitors have shown activity in CTCL but their exact mechanism of action is not known. It is known that HDAC inhibitors regulate STAT3 transcriptional activity and hence can potentially be active in CTCL through modulation of the STAT3 pathway. The hypothesis is that Th17 cytokines contribute to the initiation of cancer by creating a pro-inflammatory microenvironment that predisposes cells to neoplastic transformation. To probe this, the investigators will compare the differences in cytokine production and gene expression in the skin resident T cells from patients with benign dermatoses and CTCL as well as in the blood/circulating lymphocytes of healthy donors and Sezary syndrome (SS). The investigators will also investigate whether HDAC inhibitors have a direct impact on the number of Th17 cells, the cytokine production by these cells and phosphorylated STAT3 protein in CTCL with subsequent treatment cycles. The objectives of this study are 1. Observe the epigenetic, transcriptional and phenotypic changes that take place in T cell during malignant transformation 2. Understand the mechanism of action of HDAC inhibitors in CTCL. Methods: Skin biopsy specimens from cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients and benign skin conditions namely eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis will be obtained through a standard punch biopsy procedure from the skin lesion. Additionally, 15 ml of peripheral blood from CTCL patients who have Sezary syndrome (SS) and from patients with benign skin condition will be collected. CTCL patients, who are starting treatment with HDAC Inhibitors namely Vorinostat and Romidepsin, will have a total of 3 skin biopsies and/or blood draws. The first procedure would be before starting treatment with either of these HDAC inhibitors. Two more skin biopsies and/or blood draws will be performed after first and second cycle of treatment. Levels of Th17 cytokines, IL-17, IL -22 and pSTAT3 protein will be determined by IHC staining in the skin and cytokine levels in the blood will be assayed by sandwich ELISA method.The investigators will also assay the mRNA levels of the transcription factors of the different T effector cells by qPCR.

Efficacy Comparison Study of Steroids to Control Post-operative Inflammation
InflammationIntraocular PressurePhacoemulsification is a quick method with less complication for cataract surgery. Due to the use of ultrasonic energy, it produced more post-operative inflammation than other methods. Many routes of steroid had been used to control post-operative inflammation. The investigators here compare the efficacy of single depot steroid subtenon injection (20-mg triamcinolone) with four-time-a-day steroid eye drop (0.1% dexamethasone) in controlling inflammation after uneventful phacoemulsification.

Treatment of Coronary Atherosclerosis by Insulin Sensitizers in Insulin-Resistant Patients
Coronary AtherosclerosisInflammation1 moreIn this study, we, the investigators at National Taiwan University Hospital, will evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological therapy targeted to reduce insulin resistance (pioglitazone) on the progression and compositional change of non-obstructive coronary atherosclerotic plaques and coronary calcification by serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)/multi-detector-row computed tomography (MDCT) follow-up in patients with type 2 diabetes or non-diabetic metabolic syndrome during a 2-year period.

Early Assessment of Respiratory Function, Inflammation and Bronchial Reshuffle Among Newborns Screened...
Cystic FibrosisThe main objective of this study is to show that there is a concordance between lung disease at 13 months and the existing 9 weeks in newborn babies with cystic fibrosis asymptomatically. This will identify at the first examination at 8 weeks, newborns who have the most impaired lung function at 13 months. To meet this objective an assessment of their lung function at 9 weeks and 1 month will be performed in newborns diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

Intervention Study on the Health Impact of Air Filters in Chinese Adults
InflammationCoagulation2 moreThis study aimed to evaluate whether a short-term indoor air purifier intervention improves cardiopulmonary health based on a randomized double-blind crossover trial

Closed Eye Neutrophils in Dry Eye Disease
Dry EyeOcular InflammationThe purpose of this prospective study is to evaluate different inflammatory cells that accumulate on the ocular surface, during sleep, and how these cells may contribute to dry eye disease. This study will involve at-home self-collection of tears using an eye wash method with sterile saline solution. While a diagnostic technique, the eye wash may also have a therapeutic benefit in dry eye sufferers, which will be assessed in the second phase of this project.

Macrophage-mediated Inflammation in White Adipose Tissue and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease....
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is present in one third of the population and due to its potential to cause irreversible liver damage and liver cancer, it is a significant health burden. There is a strong link between obesity and NALFD. As fat accumulates, the body is unable to process it, leading to unhealthy fat metabolism. Currently, other than lifestyle measures and better control of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) with medication, there is no drug that can prevent or reverse the liver damage. Furthermore, there is no easy way to identify which person will go on to develop the liver damage. Mounting evidence suggests that inflammation in the fat has a key role in driving liver damage, particularly by the immune cell called the macrophage. However, detailed mechanisms are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this proposal is to study obese patients with NAFLD to better understand the link between unhealthy fat metabolism and liver damage, focusing on identifying macrophage-derived drug targets which can potentially reverse the liver disease. Samples of fat and liver from patients who are having bariatric surgery at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust will be analysed to identify and target the inflammatory markers of unhealthy fat and NAFLD using genetic profiling techniques.

Effect of Butyrate on Inflammation and Albuminuria in Patients With Albuminuria, Type 1 Diabetes...
Diabetes MellitusType 11 moreThe objective is to assess the impact of 12 weeks supplement of sodium-butyrate twice daily or placebo on intestinal inflammation and albuminuria. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, two-site trial including 48 patients with type 1 diabetes, albuminuria and intestinal inflammation. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to active treatment or placebo for a period of 12 weeks. The primary endpoint is change from baseline to week 12 in intestinal inflammation, measured by fecal calprotectin.