Treating Civilian Traumatic Brain Injury With High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation...
Traumatic Brain InjuryWord Finding Difficulty2 moreThe purpose of the study is to test whether low level electric stimulation, called transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), on the part of the brain (i.e., pre-supplementary motor area) thought to aid in memory will improve verbal retrieval in civilian (non-military, non-veteran) participants with histories of traumatic brain injuries. The primary outcome measures are neuropsychological assessments of verbal retrieval, and the secondary measures are neuropsychological assessments of other cognitive abilities and electroencephalography (EEG) measures. Additionally, the study will examine the degree to which baseline assessments of cognition, concussion history, structural brain imaging, and EEG predict responses to treatment over time, both on assessments administered within the intervention period and at follow-up.
Human Penile Allotransplantation
AmputationWounds and Injuries9 moreInjuries to the genitalia are of concern to the military with emphasis placed on the surgical reconstruction and psychological health of these Wounded Warriors. However, despite significant surgical advances in microvascular surgery and autologous free tissue transfer, conventional reconstructions cannot truly replace the complicated structures and functions of the penis including the urethra, erogenous sensation, and erectile corporal bodies. Conventional reconstruction poses several challenges: patients may not have sufficient donor tissue due to other injuries or previous surgery; multiple operations are often needed to restore the neophallus; the final reconstruction only approximates the penis' native form; recreating the urethra is challenging and the new urethra is prone to stricture and fistula formation; the erectile function necessary for sexual intercourse is often lacking; and insufficient protective sensation can lead to penile implant extrusion, infection, subsequent explantation or loss of the reconstruction. The investigators propose this clinical trial to determine functional outcomes and quality of life for Wounded Warriors and civilians who choose to undergo penile allotransplantation. The investigators will combine extensive experience performing total penile reconstruction in a large population affected by congenital, traumatic, and therapeutically extirpated Genitourinary deformities and expertise in reconstructive transplantation using an immunomodulatory protocol to for this study. The investigators anticipate penile transplantation can potentially replace "like with like," restoring the appearance, anatomy, and function of the recipient in a manner far superior to autologous reconstruction. This project will establish the ability to perform penile allotransplantation using an immunomodulatory protocol and will compare outcomes with conventional phalloplasty patient results. Study Design: This is a non-randomized subject self-controlled clinical trial to implement a cell-based immunomodulatory protocol for penile allotransplantation. An intermediate deliverable is achieving allograft survival and functional return with reduced dosing/frequency of maintenance immunosuppression on steroid-free monotherapy (tacrolimus) immunosuppression. The long-term deliverable and goal is to demonstrate superior outcomes when compared to satisfaction and QOL in conventional phalloplasty patients 12-60 months post-transplant.
Preventing Pressure Injuries in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Spine Surgery
Pressure InjuryBackground:Pressure injuries (PI) are one of the common comorbidities in surgery, meaning PI that occurs immediately after surgery or within hours to 3 days after surgery. The incidence of PI in spine surgery is about 5% ~ 66%. Purpose:Comparison of the difference in pressure injury rates positioning device cotton roll-coated viscoelastic polymer pads versus viscoelastic polymer pads for pressure injuries undergoing lumbar spine surgery Methods:This experimental study used a split-body design with random assignment to compare the pressure-reducing effects of different materials on a patient's body contact points with a positioning device. The experimental group used a Relton-Hall prone frame with cotton roll-coated 3 cm viscoelastic polymer pads, while the control group used a Relton-Hall prone frame with a viscoelastic polymer pads.
Intraoperative Exercises & Musculoskeletal Pain in Gynecologic Surgeons
Work-related InjuryPhysical InjuryThe goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of intraoperative microbreaks and exercises on gynecologic surgeon body discomfort by conducting a randomized trial. We hypothesize that gynecologic surgeons will experience decreased pain on surgery days with intraoperative microbreaks and exercises without compromising overall surgical performance.
Allopurinol and Trimetazidine as a Preventive of Acute Kidney Injury in PCI Patients
AKI - Acute Kidney InjuryContrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is a common complication of procedures with intravascular contrast. Generally, CA-AKI is defined as serum creatinine (Scr) ≥ 25 to 50% or Scr rise around 0.3 to 0.5 mg/dl. The initial rise in SCr is typically seen within 48 to 72 h of contrast exposure .CA-AKI has been associated with increased hospital length of stay and excess costs. Therefore, the prevention of CA-AKI is beneficial for minimizing hospital costs, mortality and morbidity. Till now, what is clearly beneficial in CIN is adequate hydration before and after coronary angiography However, further measures are trialed, aiming to reduce more morbidity and mortality. There is a great deal of publications pertaining to the possible therapeutic interventions to avoid the ultimate outcome of complete kidney failure. Accordingly, allopurinol has been suggested as a promising measure for the prevention of acute kidney injury after coronary angiography through protecting the kidney by inhibiting XO activity and blocking the generation of oxygen radicals. However, studies have shown conflicting results. Trimetazidine is cellular anti-ischemic drug which has been shown to protect against free radical damage due to its antioxidant activity. It has been recently shown to decrease the risk of CIN in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in some studies. However, it is worth mentioning that studies evaluating trimetazidine under presented patients with high estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Accordingly, Aimed to evaluate the combination of trimetazidine with allopurinol versus using trimetazidine alone to define the most effective strategy to be implemented in the clinical setting in patients with diverse risk factors and normal GFR.
FES-assisted Gait Intervention in People With Spinal Cord Injury - Pilot Study
Spinal Cord InjuriesA spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts the communication within the nervous system, leading to limitations in sensorimotor activities such as walking. Regular use of functional electrical stimulation (FES) can result in recovery of voluntary muscle control and muscle strength. Locomotor training with FES may be a promising method to improve gait function. The primary objective of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility and safety of an FES-assisted gait training intervention. Secondary objectives are to assess the effects of an FES-assisted gait training intervention on gait function.
Role of Combined Therapy of Propranolol and Gabapentin in Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity in...
Traumatic Brain InjuryParoxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a syndrome that comprises a series of signs and symptoms reflecting exacerbated sympathetic activity, including arterial hypertension, fever, tachycardia, generalized perspiration, anomalous motor activity (dystonia, muscle stiffness, extension), tachypnea, mechanical ventilator maladjustment, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and hyperglycemia. PSH episodes can be intense and prolonged and can occur several times a day and all of these can lead to secondary brain damage and are the main causes of a poor prognosis. Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity also induces a hypermetabolic state with hypercatabolism and inflammation and increases vulnerability to infections, sepsis, and weight loss which in turn are associated with increased morbidity, longer hospital stay, and slower recovery. The marked and sustained increase in catecholamine levels predisposes to the development of cardiomyopathy, lung edema, arrhythmias, and cardiac and multisystemic dysfunction. The reported incidence of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity ranges from 8% to 33% and has no particular age or gender predilection. 80% of these syndrome incidents developed with traumatic brain injury.
Gait Rehabilitation to Treat FastOA
Anterior Cruciate Ligament InjuriesPost-traumatic Osteoarthritis6 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine the effects of real-time gait biofeedback delivered over a 6-week period on early markers of FastOA and conduct 6-week and 6-month follow-up assessments in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed patients.
Combined Antioxidant Therapy Against Myocardial Reperfusion Injury. Phase I Study.
Acute Myocardial InfarctionIschemia-reperfusion Injury4 moreBackground: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has remained a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Although percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCA) is the best treatment for these patients, paradoxically this procedure causes reperfusion injury. Considerable efforts aimed to reduce this damage have been made, but the results are disappointing and there is still no effective therapy for preventing the damage. Previously, our team has achieved a reduction of infarct size in an acute myocardial infarction model of isolated rat heart through a synergistic effect of three compounds in a combined antioxidant therapy (CAT). In this study, we aim to describe the pharmacokinetics and safety of CAT intravenously administered to healthy subjects. This is the first step to a later clinical application of CAT in AMI patients. Methodology: The safety and pharmacokinetics of the CAT (deferoxamine, N-acetylcysteine, and ascorbate) will be assessed in healthy volunteers in a "phase I clinical trial". Subjects (18-30 years old, n=18) will be randomized 2:1 to receive CAT or placebo over 60 minutes. Blood concentrations of each CAT component will be measured in plasma at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes after the infusion onset. Adverse reactions will be registered from the onset of infusion until day 7.
Using Smartphones to Improve Physical Activity Levels of Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuriesThe overarching goal of this research study is to evaluate a sensor-enabled, just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) strategy to increase and sustain physical activity levels among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in their communities. A primary objective of this study is to evaluate the integration of a JITAI with a web-based physical activity intervention program. We hypothesize that the integration of web-based physical activity intervention program with JITAI will result in significantly higher physical activity levels compared to the standard web-based physical activity intervention program alone. A secondary objective of this study is to extend existing algorithms that use commercial wearable technology to robustly detect physical activity behaviors to facilitate the delivery of tailored just-in-time actionable feedback and physical activity recommendations for individuals with SCI.