sCD163 in PBC Patients - Assessment of Disease Severity and Prognosis
Primary Biliary CirrhosisLiver InflammationPrimary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune chronic liver disease, characterised by destruction of the small intrahepatic bile ducts. sCD163 is a macrophage activation marker shedded into plasma by macrophages in the liver. sMR is a soluble mannose receptor. The investigators want to investigate whether sCD163 and sMR correlate with disease severity in patients with PBC, and whether sCD163 and sMR can predict short term disease progression, changes in quality of life and death in these patients.
Efprezimod Alfa (CD24Fc, MK-7110) Administration to Decrease Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and Inflammation...
HIV InfectionsDyslipidemiasThis is a phase 2, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The intervention drug will be efprezimod alfa (intravenous [IV] infusion). A cohort of 64 patients with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to be administered 3 doses of efprezimod alfa (240mg IV infusion) or placebo once every 2 weeks (q2w) during a 4-week window, followed by a 24-week follow-up window to assess the changes in LDL.
Effects of Abatacept on Myocarditis in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid ArthritisMyocardial InflammationThis study aims to evaluate the effects of abatacept, a CTLA4-Ig fusion protein that binds cluster of differentiation antigen 80 (CD80)/86 (B7-1/B7-2), on subclinical myocarditis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through its effect on T cell subpopulations. RA patients without clinical CVD, biologic naïve, and with inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX), will undergo cardiac fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computerized tomography (CT) imaging to assess myocardial inflammation. Studies that investigate the impact of treatment on subclinical myocarditis in RA, a possible contributor to heart failure, while exploring potential underlying mechanisms (i.e., different T cell subpopulations), are needed for a better understanding of their relevance in the pathogenesis of heart failure in RA and survival improvement in these patients with excess risk for cardiovascular death. If the investigator hypothesis is confirmed and treatment with abatacept decreases and/or suppresses or prevents myocardial inflammation in RA, this will have multidisciplinary implications that could lead to changes in the current management of RA patients at high risk for cardiovascular events. Similarly, identification of T cell subpopulations in RA patients with myocardial FDG uptake will shed light into the underlying cellular mechanisms of myocardial injury and serve to guide the use of therapies that prevent their pathogenicity. The objectives of this study are to compare the change in myocardial FDG uptake in RA patients treated with abatacept vs adalimumab, and identify T cell subpopulations associated with myocardial FDG uptake in each treatment arm. RA patients will be randomized in an unblinded, 1:1 ratio to treatment with abatacept vs adalimumab. A cardiac FDG PET/CT will be performed at baseline and 16 weeks post-biologic treatment. T cell subpopulations associated with myocardial FDG uptake will be evaluated at both points in time with their transcriptional phenotype outlined by RNA sequencing.
Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Body Weight and Systemic Inflammation Among World Trade Center...
Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderOverweight and Obesity2 moreThe goal of this randomized control trial (RCT) is to test the feasibility and acceptability of a lifestyle intervention with a focus on implementing a high dose Mediterranean Diet protocol with physical activity to reduce systemic inflammation and body weight among WTC first responders having overweight/obesity and PTSD. The findings of this study will demonstrate the suitability of the proposed approach to reduce comorbidities among similar populations exposed to traumatic events; the findings will also inform the World Trade Center Health Program's extensive research and clinical efforts with the potential to provide a preventive care model to reduce systemic inflammation and related chronic disease among WTC responders with PTSD.
Etanercept in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Vascular Inflammation
Rheumatoid ArthritisVascular InflammationThe primary goal of this preliminary project is to study the effect of etanercept, a medicine approved by Health Canada for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, on the inflammation of certain blood vessels. In particular, the inflammation of the aorta and the carotid arteries will be studied. This study's goal is to determine if etanercept (that blocks TNF (tissue necrosis factor) alpha) could have an effect on blood vessel inflammation. As well, the information from this study will be used to determine the number of patients to recruit in a future study. This study will evaluate the effect of etanercept on 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis at one rheumatology clinic in Montreal. The 10 patients will be recruited at the Montreal Rheumatology Institute (Institut de Rhumatologie de Montréal) and the images of the blood vessels taken at a medical imaging center will be analyzed by the Montreal Heart Institute. To evaluate vascular inflammation subjects will undergo a PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography).
The Psoriasis, Atherosclerosis, and Cardiometabolic Disease Initiative (PACI)
Metabolic DiseaseCardiovascular Disease2 moreBackground: - Cardiometabolic diseases are medical disorders that can occur together and affect the heart. They increase the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. One disorder, psoriasis, is an inflammation that mostly affects the skin but can affect the entire body. Another disorder, atherosclerosis, is a process in which cholesterol is gradually deposited on the wall of arteries. This causes arteries to harden and become less flexible. Many cells that cause psoriasis also cause atherosclerosis. Researchers want to look at the relationship between cardiometabolic diseases and psoriasis. Objectives: - To study the relationship between psoriasis and cardiometabolic diseases. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 18 years of age who have psoriasis. Design: Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. Participants will have up to seven outpatient visits over the 4 years. The first visit will be a screening visit. Visits 2 will be12 months after visit 1. Visits 3, 4, and 5, will be scheduled yearly for the next 3 years. If participants have a psoriasis flare with more severe symptoms, they may have an extra visit. Those who leave the study early will have a final visit with the full series of tests. At visits 1, 2,and 5, and any flare visits, participants will have a physical exam and medical history. They will provide blood and urine samples, as well as optional tissue biopsies. They will also have heart function tests. Imaging studies, as well as optional photographs of affected areas, will be performed. These tests will also be performed at the final visit. At visits 3 and 4, participants will have a physical exam and medical history. They will also provide blood and urine samples, and have heart function tests.
A Placebo-controlled Trial With rFXIII Administered to Subjects With Mild to Moderate Active Ulcerative...
InflammationUlcerative ColitisThis trial is conducted in Europe. The aim of the trial is to investigate the effect of recombinant factor XIII (rFXIII) administered to subjects with mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis (UC).
Sub-Tenon's Injection of Triamcinolone and Ciprofloxacin in a Controlled-Release System for Cataract...
InflammationBacterial InfectionsThe purpose of this study is to compare one intraoperative sub-Tenon's capsule injection of triamcinolone and ciprofloxacin in a biodegradable controlled-release system with conventional prednisolone and ciprofloxacin eye drops to treat ocular inflammation and for infection prophylaxis after cataract surgery.
Pemziviptadil (PB1046), a Long-acting, Sustained Release Human VIP Analogue, Intended to Provide...
Acute Respiratory Distress SyndromeCoronavirus16 moreThis is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group study to investigate the efficacy of pemziviptadil (PB1046) by improving the clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients at high risk for rapid clinical deterioration, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and death. The study will enroll approximately 210 hospitalized COVID-19 patients who require urgent decision-making and treatment at approximately 20 centers in the United States.
Effect on Pain and Inflammation With DEXTENZA Treatment in Patients Undergoing Intravitreal Anti-VEGF...
Neovascular Age-related Macular DegenerationDiabetic Macular Edema1 moreThis is an investigator initiated prospective open-label, within-patient, masked, randomized study in patients with neovascular AMD, DME, or RVO undergoing bilateral anti-VEGF injections. Patients will be randomized into two cohorts (Cohort 1 and Cohort 2) and then followed for 3 consecutive injection visits. Treatment will be rendered at each injection visit based on the individualized routine established anti-VEGF injection interval for each patient.