
TNRF:Fc to Treat Eye Inflammation in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile Rheumatoid ArthritisUveitisThis study will investigate the safety and effectiveness of the drug TNFR:Fc to treat uveitis (eye inflammation) in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In other studies, TNFR:Fc significantly reduced joint pain and swelling in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and the Food and Drug Administration has approved the drug for that use. Because medicines for arthritis often help patients with eye inflammation, this study will examine whether TNFR:Fc can help patients with uveitis. Patients with uveitis who are not responding well to standard treatment, such as steroids, and patients who have side effects from other medicines used to treat their uveitis or have refused treatment because of possible side effects may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history, physical examination, and eye examination. The eye exam includes a check of vision and eye pressure, examination of the back of the eye (retina), and front of the eye, including measurements of protein and inflammation. Candidates will also undergo fluorescein angiography-a procedure in which photographs are taken of the retina to see if there is any leakage in the eye's blood vessels. A blood test and joint evaluation will also be done. Study participants will be given a shot of TNFR:Fc twice a week for up to 12 months and may continue other medicines they may be taking, such as prednisone or methotrexate. They will have follow-up examinations at week two and months one, two, three and four. Those who wish to continue treatment after the fourth month can receive the drug for another eight months and will have follow-up exams at months six, nine and 12, and one month after treatment ends. Each follow-up visit will include a repeat of the screening exams and an evaluation of side effects or discomfort from the medicine.

Steroids and Methotrexate to Treat Systemic Vasculitis
InflammationVasculitis1 moreThis study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of prednisone and methotrexate in treating severe Wegener's granulomatosis and other systemic vasculitides. These diseases involve inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) that may affect the brain, nerves, eyes, sinuses, lungs, kidneys, intestinal tract, skin, joints, heart and other sites. Current treatment with prednisone and the anti-cancer drug cyclophosphamide is effective, but has significant side effects and a high rate of disease recurrence. In a small number of patients with vasculitis, prednisone and methotrexate, another anti-cancer drug, have led to marked improvement, with fewer side effects than are seen with cyclophosphamide. This study will evaluate this drug combination in a larger patient population. Patients 10 to 80 years of age with active Wegener's granulomatosis, polyarteritis nodosa, Churg-Strauss vasculitis, or microscopic polyangiitis overlap may be eligible for this 2 1/2 to 3-year study. In addition, patients with glomerulonephritis (a type of kidney disease) and a positive blood test for C-ANCA (antibodies found in certain vasculitic kidney diseases) or inflammatory sinusitis or lung nodule or infiltrates in the absence of infection may also be enrolled. Participants will take prednisone daily, by mouth, and low-dose methotrexate weekly, by mouth or by injection either under the skin, into a muscle or into a vein. Patients who significantly improve with treatment will gradually reduce, and eventually stop, the prednisone. If the remission lasts, methotrexate will also be reduced and stopped after 2 1/2 years. If active disease recurs, the original treatment program may be started again. Patients who never achieve complete remission with treatment but whose symptoms are well controlled and experience no serious side effects may choose to either continue low-dose methotrexate or stop therapy. Patients will be hospitalized 4 to 6 times a year, about 2 to 8 days each time, depending on their disease severity and response to illness. In addition, they will have the following tests and procedures: Medical history and physical examination (upon admission to the study and then every 1 to 3 months). Blood tests for blood cell counts and for levels of enzymes that indicate liver damage (upon admission, then weekly, and finally, no less than monthly). Additional blood tests to measure blood chemistries and evaluate kidney function (upon admission and again when clinically indicated). Chest X-rays (upon admission and when clinically indicated). Computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (as needed). Electrocardiogram (upon admission and then as clinically indicated). Lung function studies (upon admission and at least every 6 months or as clinically indicated). Ear, nose and throat evaluations (as clinically indicated). Liver biopsy, if blood tests to monitor liver function are persistently abnormal. This procedure is done in the hospital under sedation to induce relaxation and drowsiness. The skin over the liver (upper right abdomen) is numbed with a local anesthetic and a needle is passed rapidly in and out of the liver to collect a small tissue sample for microscopic examination.

Etanercept (Enbrel) to Treat Pain and Swelling After Third Molar Extraction
HealthyInflammationThis study will evaluate the effects of the anti-inflammatory drug etanercept (Enbrel) on relieving pain and swelling after oral surgery. The Food and Drug Administration has approved Enbrel for treating symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, including pain. Healthy volunteers 16 to 35 years of age who require third molar (wisdom teeth) extractions may be eligible for this study. Participants must not be allergic to aspirin or to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Candidates will be screened for eligibility with a medical history and oral examination, including X-rays if needed. Participation in the study requires four clinic visits: two for surgery and two for follow-up: Visit 1: Patients will have ultrasound pictures taken to measure cheek size. One hour before surgery, they will receive a dose of either 25 milligrams (mg) of Enbrel; 15 mg of the standard pain medicine Toradol; or a placebo (salt-water) through an arm vein. A local injection of an anesthetic (lidocaine) will be given before surgery to numb the mouth, and a sedative (Versed) will be infused through a vein to induce sleepiness. When the anesthetic takes effect, a small piece of tissue will be removed from the inside of the cheek, and then the upper and lower molars on one side of the mouth will be extracted. After surgery, a small piece of tubing will be placed in the lower extraction site, from which samples will be collected to measure chemicals involved in pain and inflammation. Patients will stay in the clinic for 4 hours after surgery while the anesthetic wears off and will complete pain questionnaires during that time. If, an hour after surgery, patients have pain that is not relieved by the treatment given before surgery, they may receive acetaminophen (Tylenol) and codeine for pain. Another biopsy will be taken (under local anesthetic) from the inside of the cheek when pain occurs or at the end of the 4-hour observation period. The tubing then will be removed and the patient discharged with Tylenol and codeine for pain. Visit 2: Patients will return to the clinic in the morning 48 hours after the oral surgery for a 1- to 2-hour visit. They will fill out questionnaires, undergo ultrasound imaging of both cheeks and have another biopsy taken from the inside of the cheek on the operated side. Visits 3 and 4: Three weeks after the first surgery patients will schedule extraction of the two wisdom teeth on the other side of the mouth, and the procedures for visits 1 and 2 will be repeated.

Efficacy and Safety of PRO-155 on Inflammation of the Conjunctival Surface in Subjects With Grade...
PterygiumOcular Pain2 moreTitle of the study Efficacy and safety of PRO-155 (Zebesten ofteno®) on inflammation of the conjunctival surface in subjects with grade I-III pterygium vs placebo. Hypothesis H0. The Zebesten® ophthalmic solution (bromfenac 0.09%) is less effective and safe than placebo in reducing conjunctival hyperemia in subjects with grade I-III pterygium. H1 The Zebesten® ophthalmic solution (bromfenac 0.09%) is more effective and safe than placebo in reducing conjunctival hyperemia in subjects with grade I-III pterygium. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRO-155 (bromfenac 009%) ophthalmic solution in the treatment of conjunctival hyperemia and ocular surface inflammation in a clinical model of pterygium grade I to III.

Role of Neurogenic Inflammation and Topical 6% Gabapentin Therapy in Symptomatic Scarring Alopecia...
Scarring AlopeciaFrontal Fibrosing Alopecia3 moreThis study will serve as a pilot study to determine the efficacy and safety of topical gabapentin in the treatment of symptomatic scarring alopecia.

Dose-finding Study of Colchicine in Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
ColchicineDiabetes Mellitus5 moreThis study is designed to investigate dose-dependent effects of low dose colchicine on inflammatory responses, endothelial function in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary artery disease and leukocyte activation. This study also tested the relationship between doses and safety issue such as incidence of diarrhea. Eligible patients will be randomly allocated to three treatment group: colchicine at 0.5mg per day, 0.25mg per day or placebo for 12 weeks in a double blind , parallel group design. High sensitive-CRP at 4 weeks as primary end point and flow mediated vasodilatation at 12 weeks as the secondary end point will be measured.

The Clinical Utility of Resistance Training for Improving Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Post-Menopausal...
Cardiovascular Risk FactorMenopause Related Conditions3 moreGiven the heightened cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in post-menopausal women, studies are needed to explore novel, feasible methods for reducing risk in this population. Based on prior data, primarily in other populations, progressive resistance training is a promising candidate. This project will test the effectiveness of a practical, progressive resistance training regimen for lowering numerous CVD risk factors compared to both aerobic training and no exercise in post-menopausal women.

Study to Evaluate Tezepelumab on Airway Inflammation in Adults With Uncontrolled Asthma (CASCADE)...
AsthmaBronchial Diseases9 moreA phase 2, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study to evaluate the effect of tezepelumab on airway inflammation in adults with inadequately controlled asthma.

Investigating the Effects of Lipid-therapy Intensification With Alirocumab on Endothelial Function,...
AtherosclerosisHypercholesterolemia2 moreA prospective, open-label, pilot study with 24 cardiovascular high risk patients (N=24) having insufficient Low density lipoprotein cholesterin (LDL-C) reduction despite standard of care lipid-modifying therapies (LMTs), to evaluate the effects of potent lipid-therapy intensification via the recently approved monoclonal, human anti-PCSK9 antibody Alirocumab on endothelial function, inflammation, lipoprotein particle subfractions, carotid arteries and post-prandial lipemia in clinical routine at the Medical University of Graz.

The Effects of Intake of Protein From Cod Fillet and Cod Residual Material on Lipid Regulation,...
Overweight and ObesityHealthyA high intake of fish is associated with positive health effects, including prevention and treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes. These health effects have traditionally been attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish, but recent studies have suggested that also fish proteins may improve biomarkers of metabolic disease. Intake of cod fillet have previously shown beneficial effects on blood lipids, glucose regulation and body composition in adults with overweight or obesity. Health effect of cod residual material from fillet production (i.e., head, backbone, skin, cutoffs and entrails) have so far not been investigated, but residuals from other fish species have shown promising effects on glucose regulation in rats. The main aim of the current study is to investigate the effects of protein from cod fillet and cod residuals on serum lipids, glucose regulation and inflammatory markers in healthy overweight or obese adults.