
Effect of Prone Positioning on Mortality in Patients With Severe and Persistent Acute Respiratory...
Acute Respiratory Distress SyndromeWe project to test the effect of prone position on mortality in severe ARDS patients (PaO2/FiO2<150 with FiO2 > or = 0.6 and positive end-expiratory pressure > or = 5 cmH2O). Ventilator will be set in accordance with current standards aiming at protecting the lungs from VALI. Patients will be randomized into two arms: prone group in which proning will be realized for at least 16 hours a day and supine group in which patients will stay in a semi-recumbent position. Primary end-point is 28-day mortality of all causes. Secondary end-points are 90-day mortality of all causes and incidence of ventilator-acquired pneumonia. Study sample was calculated to detect ability of proning to reduce mortality from 60 to 45% percent, at one-tailed alpha error of 5% and power of 90% and 230 patients are needed in each arm.

Mechanism of Action of Fluticasone Furoate in Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS)The purpose of this research is to find out how a nasal spray (fluticasone furoate), sometimes given to children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), works on certain cells within a child's adenoids. We hypothesize that intranasal steroids lead to an upregulation of T regulatory cells in the adenoid tissues of children with OSAS. This will result in a local reduction in inflammation and edema explaining the improvement in OSAS.

Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factor in IGT: STOP-NIDDM Trial
Metabolic SyndromeThe aim of the study was to analyse the independent and joint effects of the components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) on the incidence of diabetes in people with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and to assess the effect of acarbose by MetS status. Double-blind placebo controlled trial, 1,368 patients, follow-up time 3.3 years. MetS by ATP III definition with fasting plasma glucose of ≥ 6.1 mmol/l as limit for impaired fasting glucose (IFG).

American Ginseng in Treating Patients With Fatigue Caused by Cancer
Chronic Myeloproliferative DisordersFatigue9 moreRATIONALE: American ginseng may reduce fatigue in patients with cancer. It is not yet known whether American ginseng is more effective than a placebo in treating cancer-related fatigue. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying American ginseng to see how well it works in treating patients with fatigue caused by cancer.

Peripheral Dopamine in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
Postural Tachycardia SyndromeOrthostatic IntoleranceThe purpose of the proposed research is to determine how changes in kidney dopamine (DA) activity influence urinary sodium excretion. We will decrease DA activity in the kidney by inhibiting DA synthesis via carbidopa administration. We want to compare findings in normal volunteers and in patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). We will test the null hypothesis (Ho) that the effects of oral carbidopa administration on urinary sodium excretion will not differ between patients with POTS and healthy volunteers.

Cortisol Regulation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovary SyndromeThe purpose of this study is to determine if insulin resistance (how well the body uses insulin and clears sugar) can affect cortisol levels in normal healthy women and women with polycystic ovary syndrome of all body weights.

Measuring Changes in Blood in Patients at High Risk of Cytomegalovirus Infection After Undergoing...
Chronic Myeloproliferative DisordersLeukemia5 moreRATIONALE: Tests that measure certain changes in blood in patients at high risk of cytomegalovirus infection may help doctors learn more about predicting cytomegalovirus infection after donor stem cell transplant. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying tests that measure changes in the blood in patients at high risk of cytomegalovirus infection after undergoing donor bone marrow transplant or peripheral stem cell transplant.

Effects of Lubiprostone on Gastrointestinal Transit & pH in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) With...
Irritable Bowel SyndromeConstipationIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder which presents with abdominal pain or discomfort in association with altered bowel habit. IBS is further subcategorized as three types according to the predominant bowel movement pattern: IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), and mixed-IBS (IBS-M). The exact causes of IBS remain incompletely understood, but proposed mechanisms include abnormal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, abnormal brain-gut interactions, psychological distress, and altered GI tract motility. Lubiprostone, a novel drug that works by activating the colonic Chloride channel type 2(ClC-2), has been approved for use in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation and recently approved for the treatment of IBS-C in women aged 18 and older. By activating the ClC-2 chloride channel in the colon, lubiprostone allows more fluid secretion into the intestinal lumen which leads to softer stool consistency. In phase III clinical trials, patients with IBS-C receiving lubiprostone have reported improvements in many symptoms such as abdominal pain and constipation. However, there is limited physiologic data to explain how exactly lubiprostone improves IBS-C symptoms. The Smartpill is a novel non-digestible capsule that is capable of measuring intraluminal pH, pressure, and temperature in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Smartpill has been shown to accurately measure whole gut as well as regional (i.e. stomach, small bowel, colon) transit time. The primary aim of this study is to determine the effects of lubiprostone on whole GI tract transit, colonic transit, motility, and intraluminal pH in patients with IBS-C through evaluation with the Smartpill. The investigators propose to study the effect of lubiprostone vs. placebo on these parameters, and secondarily to evaluate changes in these parameters with differing doses of lubiprostone. The investigators hypothesize that lubiprostone will increase whole GI and colonic transit compared to placebo in patient with IBS. the investigators do not expect a change in intraluminal pH with lubiprostone compared to placebo.

Evaluation of Patient Education in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel SyndromeAbout 10% of the population in western countries suffer from abdominal pain and change of bowel habits - known as the irritable bowel syndrome. The patients suffer from low quality of life and they are often not well taken care of within the public healthcare system. They often feel frustrated and seek both their family doctors, specialists and alternative medicine for help. Many patients feel they do not know enough about their disease, and the uncertainty may enhance bowel symptoms. We want to evaluate the effect of patient information and education in these patients.

Music in Reducing Anxiety and Pain in Adult Patients Undergoing Bone Marrow Biopsy for Hematologic...
Chronic Myeloproliferative DisordersLeukemia8 moreRATIONALE: Listening to relaxing music during a bone marrow biopsy may be effective in reducing anxiety and pain. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying how well music works in reducing anxiety and pain in adult patients undergoing bone marrow biopsy for hematologic cancers or other diseases.