All clinical trials

The carotid arteries are blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain. Carotid stenosis disease is defined as a narrowing of these arteries due to the build up of plaque. The plaque material can also break off and move into the brain. The resulting blockage of blood supply to a portion of the brain is what causes 80% of all strokes. One treatment option is to have surgery on the carotid artery and remove the plaque. This procedure is called a carotid endarterectomy (CEA). There is evidence that proves CEA reduces the risk of stroke. The objective of this research project is to determine who is most likely to benefit from CEA surgery.

Delayed graft function (DGF) increases risk of acute rejection after kidney transplantation (KTx). Interleukin-6, which is produced in DGF, is critical in directing naive T helper cells differentiation towards T helper 17 (Th17) and away from regulatory T (Treg) cells. The investigators hypothesize there is an increase in Th17 and a decrease in Treg expression in KTx recipients with DGF compared to those without, leading to immunologic consequences. The investigators will test their hypothesis by measuring in both groups expression of Th17, Treg, and related cytokines in blood, urine, kidney biopsy, and kidney preservation fluid, and correlating these results with immunologic events.

The aim of this study is to characterize Kupffer cell activity and activation of the innate immune response in the early phase of liver regeneration after right hepatectomy. The investigators hypothesise that liver regeneration after right hepatectomy in humans is associated with Kupffer cell activation and initiation of the innate immune response and that impaired liver regeneration, liver failure and sepsis following liver resection are associated with Kupffer cell dysfunction and an impaired innate immune response. The objectives for this study are to characterise Kupffer cell activity and the innate immune response in human liver before and after right hepatectomy.

The study is designed for evaluating the presence of mesenchymal stem cells of vertebral disc. Isolation and authentication of these cells may be applied for the vertebral disc regeneration and the research tissue engineering.

Background: Among individuals with schizophrenia, there is an increased prevalence of obesity, dyslipidemia ,diabetes mellitus and related conditions such as cardiovascular disease. People with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder, have worse physical health and reduced life expectancy compared to the general population. Number of epidemiological studies of patients with schizophrenia have documented a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease than in the general population, and patients with schizophrenia may be at an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease even in the absence of antipsychotic treatment. Affinity for the H1 receptor is most closely linked to increased weight gain, although affinity for D2, 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C and a2-receptors may also be involved. Drug affinity for the H1, M3 and 5-HT2C receptors is correlated with an increased risk of diabetes. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration in the blood is independently and inversely associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD). However many patients with 'normal' or even 'elevated' plasma HDL experience clinical events. HDL may not always be atheroprotective and in some conditions, it paradoxically enhances the process of atherosclerosis. In addition to its role in reverse cholesterol transport, HDL shows many other protective properties towards atherosclerosis. HDL inhibits the chemotaxis of monocytes , prevents endothelial dysfunction and apoptosis, prohibit slow-density lipoprotein (LDL ) oxidation, and stimulates the proliferation of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. These anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiaggregatory, anti-coagulant, and pro-fibrinolytic activities are exerted by different components of HDL Aim of the study: To investigate the functional properties of HDL in psychiatric patients before and during antipsychotic therapy. Patients and methods: The blood will be drawn at baseline before the initiation of antipsychotic drugs and 2 months under the antipsychotic treatment. Study procedures: Full lipid profile including triglycerides, LDL-C, Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, apo AI, apoAII and apoB100. Serum Paraoxanase Activity LDL oxidation and resistance to oxidation (measured by conjugated diens formation during incubation in the presence of copper). HDL composition: total and unesterified cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids, TBARS content before and after exposure to AAPH as a major indicator of oxidative stress, PON activity using phenylacetate as a substrate, apoA1and PAF. Serum parameters e.g. Diacyl glycerol acyltransferase activity, free ApoA1 and LCAT activity. 3 [H]-Cholesterol efflux will be measured by incubating J744 macrophages with serum. Radioactivity will measured by β counter in the cell lysate and the medium. Statistical methods: One-way AVOVA and Student's t-test for paired samples will be used for comparison of multiple groups and paired samples, respectively. p<0.05 will be considered significant.

The aim of this study is to check correlation between CYP2C19 genotype level of clopidogrel metabolite in plasma and platelet inhibition status.

This study is a cross sectional study of patients diagnosed with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and RRMS, who will undergo a series of tests to assess cognitive impairment, fatigue severity and depressive symptoms. Cognitive impairment will be assessed with Multiple Sclerosis Inventory Cognition (MUSIC) and symbol digit modalities test (SDMT), fatigue severity will be measured with the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC) and depressive symptoms with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). All tests mentioned above are validated for MS patients. In the second step we will use our large longitudinal database of serial MRI examinations from which a linear measurement of CCI will be retrospectively calculated.

The purpose of this study is to study the prevalence of EBV, HCMV, HHV-6 in saliva and on the toothbrush patient with periodontitis.

A growing number of studies highlight the potential of stem cell transplantation as a novel therapeutic approach for stroke in animal model. But the stem cell therapy for chronic stroke patients has not been well investigated yet. In this study, the investigators will test the hypothesis that intracerebral peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell (CD34+) (PBSC) transplantation induces neuroplasticity in chronic stroke patients. The remyelination of corticospinal tract in the lesion side, focal increased perfusion and increased cortical activity in the peri-infarcted area will be monitored by the functional MRI after stem cell therapy. The investigators study is aimed to find the potential mechanisms of the functional recovery after stem cell implantation. The investigators also hope to find image surrogate markers for prediction of patient outcome. The possible surrogate markers will be helpful in improving the treatment procedure and patient selection.

The primary objective of the EASY-CHINA Registry is to describe the clinical epidemiology of Chinese patients with NSTE-ACS, to evaluate their current anticoagulation management in China, and the resources used for it.