All clinical trials

Human papillomavirus (HPV) of high-risk genotype is a necessary risk factor in development of cervical cancer. There is a vaccine available to prevent cervical lesions associated with high-risk HPV genotypes 16 and 18. In Croatia HPV vaccination has not yet been introduced in obligatory vaccination schedule. The aim of this study is to describe the pre-vaccination distribution of HPV genotypes in women with high grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and cervical cancer in Croatia. The investigators hypothesis is that HPV-16 is the most frequently found genotype but the distribution of other HPV genotypes is heterogeneous and includes genotypes currently not covered by vaccination.

The goal of the project is to investigate the prevalence of dissociative disorders in psychiatric inpatients in Taiwan. Relevant clinical issues, including common psychiatric comorbidity (e.g., positive psychotic symptoms), associated psychosocial factors (e.g., negative life events, perceived parenting style), and neuro-cognitive underpinning (e.g., executive functions) were also targeted. Standardized interview schedules, self-report scales, and cognitive tasks will be applied. The investigators hypothesized that dissociative disorders would be associated with positive psychotic symptoms, a history of early interpersonal adversity, and enhanced executive functions.

the target of this study is to assess the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane to maintain theBispectral Index below 50.The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) for maintaining Bispectral Index below 50 (MACBIS50) of sevoflurane has been reported previously in adult with Body Mass Index ( BMI) < 40 to be 0.97 and in enfant to be 2.83%, However, there is no study assessed theBispectral Index below 50 (MACBIS50 ) in morbidly obese patient (BMI > 40). The first aim of our study is to assess the MACBIS50 of sevoflurane in morbidly obese patients BMI 40 - 70 using the Continuous Reassessment Method (CRM) in 80 % of patients.

Previous studies indicate that patients with cardiovascular disease have a variable response to aspirin. Despite treatment with aspirin a large number of patients suffer a myocardial infarction. This has given rise to the phenomenon "aspirin low-responsiveness". Laboratory aspirin low-responsiveness can be defined as the failure of aspirin to inhibit platelet production of thromboxane A2 or inhibit thromboxane-dependent platelet aggregation. Whether a low platelet response to aspirin results in an increased risk of future thrombotic events is of great clinical significance, but is still unknown. The investigators hypothesize that patients with a reduced response to aspirin, determined by platelet aggregation using the apparatus Verify Now Aspirin and Multiplate, have a higher risk of thrombosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a higher incidence of cardiovascular events is found in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) having a reduced biochemical response to aspirin compared with CAD patients having a normal biochemical response to aspirin. In addition to CAD, all patients have at least one of the following risc factors: previous myocardial infarction, type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or renal insufficiency.

Even though rare disorders usually have limited case numbers, they have induced huge impacts on patients and their families, and has heavily burdened on our society and healthcare system as well. Therefore, it is essential to detect the occurrence of disorders and thus take appropriate measures as early as possible. The preventive goal is based on comprehensive understanding on rare disorders, available diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. However, studies related to rare disorders are often impeded by limited sample sizes and infrequent exchange of research materials among institutes. After referring to foreign experiences, the investigators have noticed that a non-profit tissue bank which can reposit biological samples and thus provide researchers access to samples, may be a solution. Through sharing this public asset, the investigators believe not only quantity and quality of rare disorder studies will be improved, the collaboration between various research institutes can also be strengthened afterwards. Most important of all, those achievements can ultimately benefit patients, families and the whole society.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Insulin-like Growth Factor II is elevated sufficiently to detect Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia II (CIN II), Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia III (CIN III), and cervical cancer.

Many studies previously showed the significant association between urinary arsenic profiles and urothelial carcinoma (UC) risk and observed the increased UC risk in people with lower plasma folate and higher homocysteine than those with higher plasma folate and lower homocysteine. The investigators would expect to explore the interactions among global DNA methylation, one-carbon metabolic pathway factors, urinary arsenic profiles and UC.

Human cells are diploid (contain a double set of chromosomes). The diploid genome is complex and therefore limits genetic research approaches in biomedical models. To overcome this problem experimental generation of haploid stem cells has been done in animals. The investigators aim at generating haploid stem cells from human germ cells that are a useful tool in genetic research and screening.

A 15-gene lung signature was created to identify predictive and prognostic biomarkers for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients. The 15-gene signature was validated using a microarray platform with fresh frozen tumor tissue to place NSCLC patients into high risk and low risk cohorts with significantly different survivals. Using fresh frozen tissue can be challenging, so this study attempts simplify the process by migrating the 15-gene signature from fresh frozen to two alternative tissue formats: Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) and RNAlater. The gene expressions of the different tissue formats will be compared to see if the fresh frozen tissue results are similar to the alternative tissue formats.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the improved responsiveness to treatment achieved by CsA in patients with steroid-resistant or steroid-dependent FSGS could be explained by CsA's inhibitory action on the circulating suPAR expression.