Role of Inflammation in Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)
Progressive Multifocal LeukoencephalopathyThis is a continuation of our previous studies on Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML). We will focus on the role of inflammation in PML, and define prognostic markers of disease evolution.
Immunologic Abnormalities, Chronic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney DiseaseThe common causes of mortality are late stages of chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and infections, are associated with abnormalities of the immune system, an underlying state of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. These processes have not been carefully described in the chronic kidney disease population. The researcher can use Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy to determine the immune system in individuals with chronic kidney disease and describe the association with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in that population.
Autonomic Dysfunction and Inflammation in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients
Autonomic DysfunctionChronic Renal FailureThis study investigates the relationship between autonomic dysfunction and chronic inflammation in hemodialysis patients.
The Influence of Atorvastatin on the Parameters of Inflammation and the Function of Left Ventricle...
Dilated CardiomyopathyThe aim of the study was to assess of the influence of atorvastatin on selected indicators of an inflammatory condition, function of the left ventricle and factors affecting the occurrence of undesired events like rehospitalizations and mortality in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Pathogenesis and Genetics of Environmental Asthma Ozone Study
AsthmaInflammationThe goals of the research are designed to accomplish genetic association studies of candidate genes in healthy normal individuals exposed to 0.2 ppm for 2.25 hours with intermittent exercise in order to search for associations between defined genotypes/haplotypes and 3 specific in vivo respiratory endpoints: a) change in FEV1 immediately after ozone exposure; b) change nonspecific bronchial reactivity as reflected in the change in methacholine PC20 FEV1 24 hours after ozone exposure ; and c) change in lung epithelial integrity as reflected in the Clearance Halftime of technetium 24 hours after ozone exposure. These studies have been carried forward to take place in 4 phases: i) healthy individuals have been exposed to O3 using our standard exposure protocol; and we will increase the numbers of individuals available for study. ii) perform genetic association studies for the endpoints of spirometry (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC), PC20 FEV1 for methacholine, and epithelial integrity (Clearance Halftime) for 3 candidate O3 response genes taken from literature searches and/or previously characterized to demonstrate associations. These physiologic endpoints have been examined in terms of both a continuum of response, and discrete "responder" and "non-responder" endpoints.
Osteoarthritis: Weakness From Inflammation
OsteoarthritisThe purpose of this study is to understand the factors that lead to muscle weakness with arthritis and aging.
Inflammation, Autonomic Dysfunction and Airway Disease
Lung DiseasesAsthma2 moreTo determine whether airway inflammation secondary to inhalation of specific allergens and other environmental agents and functional imbalance of the autonomic nervous system played important roles in asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Analysis of Eye Tissue
Eye DiseaseInflammation1 moreThe purpose of this investigation is to better understand the inflammatory process that occurs in uveitis (eye inflammation) through study of eye tissues. Patients with uveitis sometimes develop cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye) or clouding of the vitreous-the gel-like material behind the lens-that can impair eyesight. Those who require cataract surgery or vitrectomy are eligible for this study. Samples of eye tissue and fluid normally removed during standard surgical procedures for these conditions will be given to researchers instead of discarded, as is usually done. Before surgery, patients will undergo routine preoperative tests, including chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, blood tests and urinalysis. They will also have an eye examination and photographs taken of the retina. Other tests that may be performed include fluorescein angiography to evaluate the blood vessels of the retina; ultrasound to examine the back of the eye; and a gallium scan to evaluate inflammation. Immune cells in the blood and eye tissue will be compared and categorized by disease. The eye fluid will be examined for substances involved in the inflammatory process. These studies may provide information that will lead to improved methods of diagnosis and treatment.
Study of the Effects of Photobiomodulation in Patients With Osteoarthritis
Osteo Arthritis KneePain2 morePhotoBioModulation (PBM) is a mature science with therapeutic efficacy in humans and animals, and with excellent results in different medical specialties without side effects. However there are gaps that prevent adoption on a large scale. Recent research developed by our group and partners allowed us to understand the mechanisms of action of PBM, from Molecular Physics through Biochemistry and with consequent clinical validation, with precise, replicable and personalized therapeutic results. These findings have led to treatments for many kinds of pains with industrial predictability and accuracy, phenotypic adequacy technologies that are encapsulated, prescribed, and applied. Photobiomodulation applications cover treatments for pain, inflammation, tissue regeneration, healing, immune system activation, all of which are essential characteristics for osteoarthritis therapy. Our idea is to formulate great challenges of Photobiomodulation as a solution to osteoarthritis as follows: 1) Make PBM-based therapies as predictable as drug-based therapies; this is possible with precise dose calculation performed by our team; 2) Map the biochemical and molecular effects of PBM, including those related to gene expression; 3) Unify PBM theory by synthesizing and giving meaning to the millions of PBM data associated with osteoarthritis and correlating with clinical study to be performed under this thematic project. Overcoming these challenges, PBM will become a complementary (or supplementary) alternative to medications, physiotherapy and surgical procedures for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Infraorbital Nerve Involvement on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in IgG4-related Ophthalmic Disease...
IgG4-related DiseaseOrbital Infections1 moreInfraorbital nerve enlargement (IONE) on magnetic resonance imaging is known to be a possible consequence of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease. However this imaging sign can also be found in other conditions causing orbital inflammation. This study aims at comparing the frequency of IONE in patients suffering from IgG4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD) versus patients suffering from non-IgG4-related ophthalmic disease (non-IgG4-ROD)