Active clinical trials for "Wounds and Injuries"

The aim of this study was to study the effect of stem cell therapy on common symptoms of spinal cord injury patients.

Cerebral edema is seen heterogenous group of neurological disease states that mainly fall under the categories of metabolic, infectious, neoplasia, cerebrovascular, and traumatic brain injury disease states. Regardless of the driving force, cerebral edema is defined as the accumulation of fluid in the brain's intracellular and extracellular spaces. This occurs secondary to alterations in the complex interplay between four distinct fluid compartments within the cranium. In any human cranium; fluid is contained in the blood, the cerebrospinal fluid, interstitial fluid of the brain parenchyma, and the intracellular fluid of the neurons and glia. Fluid movement occurs normally between these compartments and depends on specific concentrations of solutes (such as sodium) and water. In brain-injured states, the normal regulation of this process is disturbed and cerebral edema can develop. Cerebral edema leads to increased intracranial pressure and mortality secondary to brain tissue compression, given the confines of the fixed-volume cranium. Additionally, secondary neuronal dysfunction or death can occur at the cellular level secondary to the disruption of ion gradients that control metabolism and function. While studies utilizing bolus dosing of hyperosmolar therapy to target signs or symptoms of increased intracranial pressure secondary to cerebral edema are numerous, there is a paucity of studies relating to continuous infusion of hyperosmolar therapy for targeted sustained hypernatremia for the prevention and treatment of cerebral edema. The investigators hypothesize that induced, sustained hypernatremia following traumatic brain injury will decrease the rate of cerebral edema formation and improve patient outcomes.

The purpose of the study is to provide a more effective method of harvesting skin with minimal or no pain, heal more rapidly with little scarring in an outpatient setting with the use of only local anesthesia.

Post cesarean section surgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication that can affect patient recovery and overall outcome. Several approaches have been studied to improve SSI rates such as timing of antibiotic administration and skin preparation. Alexis retractors have been suggested as a reasonable option to decrease SSI. However, to date there is only one randomized controlled study assessing its efficacy. The aim of this study is to whether Alexis wound retractors are beneficial in preventing cesarean section SSI.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a major complication occurring in 1% to 53% of patients (depending on how it is defined) with the pooled rate of 18.2% and unfortunately 2.1% of them require renal replacement therapy. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-associated AKI increases mortality 2-4 fold regardless of AKI definition. It is also associated with increased risk of postoperative stroke, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac tamponade, heart failure, and lengthened intensive care unit and hospital stays. Even minor elevations of postoperative serum creatinine (SCr) have been associated with a significant increase in 30-day mortality, from a 3-fold increase risk for a small elevation of up to 0.5 mg/dL from baseline to an 18-fold increase risk of death with a SCr rise greater than 0.5 mg/dL. The pathogenesis of CPB-associated AKI is complicated and includes hemodynamic, inflammatory and other mechanisms that interact at a cellular level. To date, despite several clinical trials of pharmacologic interventions, none of them have demonstrated conclusively efficacy in the prevention of AKI after cardiac surgery. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a phenomenon in which brief ischemia of one organ or tissue, provokes a protective effect that can reduce the mass of infarction caused by vessel occlusion and reperfusion. In CABG surgery, cardiomyocyte injury caused by myocardial protection failure is predominantly responsible for adverse outcomes. RIPC was shown to reduce troponin release 24 h postoperatively in children undergoing corrective surgery for congenital heart disease. Other studies demonstrated that RIPC using brief ischemia and reperfusion of the upper limb reduces myocardial injury in adult patients undergoing CABG surgery. Due to the similarities between the mechanisms of ischemia-reperfusion injury produced by RIPC and those proposed for AKI after CPB, we decided to test the hypothesis that RIPC prevents AKI in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Methods: 180 patients who fulfill all inclusion and exclusion criteria will be divided into case and control groups (90 patients in the case and 90 patients in the control group). Patients in the treatment group will receive three sequential sphygmomanometer cuff inflations on their right upper arm after induction of anesthesia in the operating room. The cuff will be inflated by the OR nurse up to 200 mmHg for five minutes each occasion, with five minutes deflation in between inflations. Following this pre-conditioning phase, surgery will be started. The entire pre-conditioning phase will last 30 minutes. Patients in the control group will have the sphygmomanometer cuff placed on their right upper arm, but the cuff will not be inflated. Similar to patients in the treatment group, patients in the control group will undergo the same 30 minute delay before starting surgery. Complete blood count (CBC), SCr, liver function test (LFT), will be checked before surgery. After surgery, SCr will be checked daily. If AKI occurs, it will be managed and dialysis will be done if the patient requires it. All patients will undergo electrocardiogram and LFT after CABG surgery during hospital course.

The objective of the study is to confirm the clinical relevance of the novel biomarker for traumatic brain injury (TBI) detection. Samples of blood, urine and saliva will be collected from a) patients with suspected TBI (isolated), b) patients with orthopedic injury, and c) healthy controls. The sponsor will do biochemical investigations for the samples to evaluate the presence, level and structure of the targeted biomarker.

This study evaluates the effects of two different injury prevention exercise programs on sports-relevant performance tests and neuromuscular function in youth football players. Half of participants will receive education on an existing and previously tested exercise program, while the other half will receive education on a newly developed exercise program.

Background: People who have had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) often have trouble sleeping. TBI may also alter hormones, which can cause poor sleep. Researchers believe that a form of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) might improve sleep in service members and veterans who have had a TBI. Objective: To see if GHRH can improve sleep in people who have had a TBI. Eligibility: Active duty service members or veterans (active duty in the past 10 years) ages 18-45 who have had a TBI in the past 6 months to 10 years. Design: Participants will be screened with: Medical history Physical exam Blood and urine tests Getting ACTH (a hormone) through an intravenous catheter (thin plastic tube) Interview about their mood and alcohol and drug use Questionnaires about their TBI, mood, and sleep Participants will have 2 overnight study visits a couple weeks apart. These will include: Physical exam Urine sample Two intravenous catheters placed. Blood samples will be taken throughout the night. Two shots under the skin of the belly. The shots will be GHRH on one visit and placebo on the other. Spending the night in the sleep lab. Their brain waves will be recorded with electrodes placed on the scalp. A questionnaire in the morning about their sleep Participants will be called a few days after each overnight visit. They will be asked about how they are feeling and to rate their sleep.

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and feasibility of administering glycosaminoglycan (GAG) therapy, iAluRil®, intravesically in individuals with acute spinal cord injury (SCI), commencing within the first ten days of injury, to prevent early urinary tract infections.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common, serious and expensive.It is associated with significant mortality, morbidity and increased length of hospital stay.To improve clinical outcomes of AKI by early detection and timely referral to the renal,the investigators developed an electronic alert system which identifies all cases of AKI occurring in patients over 18 years.The system was also designed to collect data on AKI incidence one of the biggest tertiary hospital in China.