Active clinical trials for "Inflammation"

The investigators here compare lung function parameters (RV, RV/TLC and FEF75) with the results of the Lung Clearance index (LCI) . Further this study evaluates bronchial inflammatory markers in 20 patients with bronchiolitis obliterans at the age of 6 to 28 years compared with an age- and sex-matched control group. The investigators will perform a pulmonary function test (body plethysmography with DLCO) and compare the results with the LCI. Further we will measure the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and draw a blood sample to determine the level of systemic inflammation. Finally induced sputum is collected and a cell count is performed, and cells and supernatants are analyzed for inflammatory markers. This study will set baseline markers for future interventional studies.

There is a strong causal association between persisting genital tract infection with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and gradual progression of infection to cervical (mouth of uterus) cancer.The robust study from India have shown that single round of HPV DNA screening test to significantly reduce the cervical cancer mortality. The above findings are very encouraging since it demonstrates that a simple and reliable HPV DNA test which is now available in low income countries has a potential to be accepted as primary screening test in future. The cross-sectional studies from developed countries from year 1999-2004 which focused to determine the test characteristics of HPV Hybrid Capture 2 test (HC2) to determine CIN2 and higher grade lesions, reported test sensitivity of 90% to 100% with a mean of 95%. Similarly the cross-sectional studies from developing countries from 1993 to 2003 which have focused on test characteristics of HPV DNA Hybrid capture 2 (HC2) test to determine CIN2 and higher grade lesions has shown a sensitivity in the range of 50% to 91% with an average sensitivity of 79%.Among the developing countries cross-sectional study from India which evaluated test reported sensitivity of only 68.2%. There is a statistical significant difference ( p value = 0.003) of sensitivity of HPV DNA HC2 test between the developed and developing countries to determine CIN2+ Lesions while there is no difference in the specificity. A study that was conducted in Chinese women to detected the prevalence of HPV genotype among women with mucopurulent cervicitis, healthy women and women with Invasive cancer, the author reported a 10% higher failure rates to extract HPV DNA in cases of mucopurulent cervicitis as compared to other two groups. So the study will explore if if the presence of untreated co-infections with STIs/RTIs (Sexually transmitted infections/Reproductive tract infections) resulting in cervical inflammation is somewhere interfering with low sensitivity of HC2 test due to presence of blood and excess mucus associated with the conditions leading to low sensitivity of the test in context to Indian Scenario.

The ARDS has a clinical definition with criteria of the American-European Consensus Conference (1994). This definition inconveniently applies to a lot of patients with acute respiratory failure. We know that there are 2 forms of ARDS morphology on CT scan : "lobar attenuation" (loss of aeration with no concomitant excess in lung tissue) predominating in the lower lobes and "non lobar attenuation" with diffuse and massive loss of aeration with excess lung tissue in all the pulmonary parenchyma. Today, plasmatic biomarkers are used as prognostic and diagnostic markers of ARDS. Some of them are characteristics of the different damages in the ARDS (alveolar epithelium and vascular endothelium lesions) : sRAGE, SP-D, PAI 1 and sICAM 1. This study's hypothesis is that patients with ARDS criteria and lobar morphology on CT scan present loss of aeration but no inflammatory pulmonary oedema, whereas patients with non lobar morphology on CT scan present both characteristics. The primary purpose of our protocol is to show that the patients who respond to ARDS criteria and have a lobar morphology on CT scan do not have an elevation of the biomarkers specific to the pulmonary aggression of ARDS.

Investigate the impact of the Fluocinolone Acetonide (FA) intravitreal implants

This proposal represents a unified programme supported by both clinical and academic staff in the Departments of Paediatrics at Imperial College and St Mary's Hospital, Southampton Hospital and John Radcliffe Hospital (Oxford). St Mary's Hospital is the hub of a paediatric network for West London, and forms part of the Paediatric Intensive Care Network for the London region, with potential access to a population of 3 million children. We aim to improve diagnosis and understanding of children with infectious, inflammatory and allergic conditions. Our study will establish well-characterised cohorts of patients with defined conditions, in whom microbiological and patient samples will be used to understand the contribution of genetic background, differential gene expression, proteomics and the pathogen type to the disease process. Unwell children coming to hospital through any route will be invited to join the study. Entering the study will entail the child having blood taken for research purposes in addition to the clinically indicated tests. We will also recruit well (control) children who are having blood tests performed for elective purposes, such as surgery. In addition, children presenting with an illness that is likely to have an infectious aetiology will also have samples collected for microbiological diagnosis. Those samples taken for ordinary diagnostic purposes (such as blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid or nasal brushings for epithelial cell cultures) would also be used for state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques, in order to maximise the likelihood of confirming a microbiological diagnosis. Where healthy, uninfected children are having invasive procedures, such as lumbar punctures, we would aim to recruit these children as controls and collect biological samples such as CSF samples. This bid addresses the need for translational research in paediatrics, by building on the world-class basic science and clinical paediatric base at Imperial College and St Mary's Hospital.

Vascular inflammation is a key factor in both the pathogenesis and outcome of atherosclerosis. Various inflammatory markers such as LpPLA2,MCP-2 and hsCRP are well-known prognostic factors for the cardiovascular event. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is a promising tool for identifying and quantifying vascular inflammation within atherosclerotic plaques.Therefore, the purpose of the study is to demonstrate the correlation between various inflammatory markers and vascular inflammation detected by 18FDG-PET.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether use of lead free ammunitions cause more respiratory problems than use of lead containing ammunitions.

This study will evaluate the usefulness of a new procedure for evaluating asthma in children. The method measures the pH (a measure of acidity and alkalinity) of exhaled breath condensate (water vapor created by the lungs). The condensate contains products of the lungs that may be associated with lung inflammation. Investigators will determine if the pH of the exhaled breath condensate correlates well with known asthma indicators, such as number of hospitalizations, school absenteeism, use of rescue medication, and others. Test results will be compared with findings from healthy normal volunteers. No experimental treatments or medicines are used in this study. Patients who require treatment for their asthma will receive standard care with medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration and used widely in the United States. Children with asthma and healthy normal volunteers between 6 and 17 years of age may be eligible for this study. You must complete the study before your 18th birthday. Candidates are screened with a medical history and physical examination. Children with asthma undergo the following tests and procedures over six clinic visits, including an initial visit and follow-up visits at 4-8 weeks, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months: Blood draw in children over 6 years of age. Medications are available to decrease the pain associated with blood drawing.(initial visit) Allergen skin testing: Drops of up to 16 allergens are placed on the arm. The skin under each drop is scratched and the area is observed for an allergic reaction. (4- 8-week follow-up visit) Expired nitric oxide testing: The child breathes into a balloon to collect a portion of the gases exhaled form the lungs. This test measures the amount of nitric oxide, which correlates with bronchial inflammation. (all visits) Exhaled breath condensate: The child breathes into a plastic tube surrounded by a cold metal sleeve for 10 to 15 minutes. The water vapor created by the lungs (the same vapor that forms when breathing outside on a cold day) is collected and the pH measured. (all visits) Pulmonary (lung) function test: The child blows very hard into a tube attached to a machine to measure the airflow from the child's lungs. This test measures airflow from the lungs. (all visits) The children are given small plastic device called a peak flow meter - a device used to measure lung function - to use at home. Children whose lung function is less than 80% of the predicted value for their age may be given medicine to see if their lung function improves. Review of the patient's symptoms, sick days, medicines or actions taken to get over the illness; review of peak flow reports; and review of action plan. (3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month visits) Healthy controls will have the expired nitric oxide test, exhaled breath condensate test, and pulmonary function test at each visit at the initial and over two additional visits scheduled 6 months apart.

Patients assume that cognitive performance rapidly returns to baseline after anesthesia and surgery. Several studies have shown that one week after major non-cardiac surgery about 27% of patients have postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and 10% of patients at 3 months. Very few studies have assessed the incidence of POCD beyond 3 months. POCD significantly reduces quality of life. Identifying risk factors for POCD is important because it is associated with prolonged hospital stay, loss of independence, and premature retirement. There is an urgent need to measure and document the level of cognitive change associated with surgery with an easy to use tool, both prior to admission and after discharge. This information can be used to plan appropriate care paths and to identify or test the efficacy of potential new treatments to alter the negative trajectory.

Demonstrate and compare the 3D morphology of the bladder wall in full and drained states with 2 different kinds of bladder catheters in place. (Foley Catheter vs. Cystosure Catheter)