All clinical trials

The purpose of this study is to Assess bone marrow edema within the VCF by use of a DE CT virtual noncalcium image compared with MR imaging as standard reference. Evaluate parameters related to the BME of the collapsed vertebral body on DE CT virtual noncalcium images, such as the morphologic signs, visual qualitative detection, and quantitative values.

This is a retrospective study. The investigators shall review the angiography data of 1200 consecutive cardiac catheterizations of children and babies with CHD (Congenital Heart Disease) since 1998 till now. Coronary artery origin and course will be evaluated in relation to the morphologic cardiac anomalies. Coronary artery anomalies will be described and statistical analysis will be performed.

Canadians fear loss of vision more than any other disability. Vision loss has an enormous impact on quality-of-life and is extremely costly from a societal and economic perspective. In 2001, more than 600,000 Canadians were estimated to have severe vision loss, accounting for 17% of total disability in Canada. One in 9 individuals experience severe vision loss by 65 years of age; however, this increases to 1 in 4 individuals by 75 years. The financial cost of vision loss in Canada is $15.8 billion per year. There is a general perception that vision loss is "normal with aging" but 75% of vision loss is estimated to be preventable. The major causes of severe vision loss are age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), glaucoma, particularly primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Canada is headed for an epidemic of age-related eye disease and, unless something is done to prepare for this, severe vision loss will have significant consequences in terms of societal and economic costs. Through this proposed Research Program, and in conjunction with the investigators international academic and private sector partners, the investigators will build and develop unique quantitative imaging technologies to permit non-invasive assessment of visual changes, structural changes in the thickness of the retina at the back of the eye and also changes in the amount of blood flowing through the blood vessels that feed the retina with oxygen. This research will add to the investigators basic knowledge in predicting the development of sight-threatening change in patients with the three diseases, and facilitate earlier detection of the problem to help us discover earlier treatments for people with these conditions. The reliability of each imaging technology will be assessed by determining its ability to differentiate between diseased and healthy eyes. Cross-sectional analyses at yearly intervals, as well as change over time analyses, will be undertaken.

Primary hypothesis: Catheter-based renal denervation reduces central sympathetic activation in patients with refractory hypertension. Secondary hypotheses: The magnitude of the individual depressor response after catheter-based renal denervation depends on the extent of sympathoinhibition. Both, the reduction in arterial pressure and in central sympathetic activation are sustained over time up to 24±3 months after catheter-based renal denervation. Catheter-based renal denervation resets the sympathetic baroreflex to lower blood pressure values.

Assessing the precise MIC for the Ceftriaxone using E-test. To determine what proportion of susceptibility reports will be reclassified based on the new CLSI guidelines.Antibiotic susceptibility reports of blood cultures, urine cultures,aseptic body fluid cultures growing Enterobacteriaceae organism generated by the Phoenix machine will be obtained on a daily basis.MIC for Ceftriaxone will be noted.If the MIC is <=2 for Ceftriaxone,those cultures would be used to run an additional test - E- test.E-test gives us more precise MIC values compared to Phoenix machine.We will analyze the data collected over 2 months. We will determine the proportion of susceptibility reports reclassified based on the new CLSI guidelines.

This is a cross-sectional, observational and correlational survey study.This study is aim to survey the the knowledge, attitudes, and decision making towards clinical trials in cancer patients in Taiwan (R.O.C.), which attempts to invite some cancer patients who have been experienced the treatment clinical trials' informed consent process. The research tool is a questionnaire which includes some scale: (1)Clinical trial Knowledge scale, (2) Attitude toward randomized clinical trials scale, (3) Shared Decision Making(SDM-Q-9),(4) Satisfaction with Decision (SWD-scale), and (5) Decision Regret scale(DRS). The investigators expect the research outcome can provide some instructions to improve patients' autonomy, satisfaction of the decision making and communication process between patients and Medical professors whenever cancer patients participating in clinical trials.

The purpose of the study is to examine the relevance of biochemical markers (specific pulmonary and cardiac markers and markers of endogenous stress) in the process of weaning in patients with artificial ventilation.

Silicosis is well-known occupational disease caused by free crystalline silica (silicon dioxide) and is marked by inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis. There are cumulative evidences that exposure to Caesar stone (quartz surface products that manufactured from up to 93% quartz, polymer resins and pigments) is particularly dangerous to exposed workers. Goals: To examine marble workers exposed to Caesar Stone in order to propose a working plan of surveillance and prevention by biological monitoring.

There is no exact scientfic data about gender relationship with cronic pressure wounds (CPW). This research is aimed first to reveal gender relationship with CPW and aimed secondarily to reveal the gender related couse(es).

The pathophysiologic basis of hemifacial spasm is cross-transmission between different branches of the facial nerve. The hypothesis is that the cross-transmission is mediated by the sympathetic nerve fibers on the surface of the offending artery. The abnormal potential from the offending vessel to the facial muscles will be detected on hemifacial spasm patients, so as to determine if the sympathetic nerve fibers take part in the circuit of cross-transmission.