Los Angeles, CA Paid Clinical Trials

Young Black MSM (YBMSM) are at critically high and disproportionate HIV risk. Reducing HIV incidence rates among YBMSM will likely require increased adoption of additional strategies such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a FDA approved medication for HIV that also prevents HIV transmission when taken appropriately. Interventions are needed to address potential individual, social/cultural, and structural barriers to uptake and adherence of PrEP among YBMSM to help curb HIV infections. Our preliminary research suggests that some YBMSM feel concerned that PrEP is not effective or may be toxic, about being stigmatized for having HIV if they take PrEP, as well as concerns about access and side effects. For YBMSM, high levels of medical mistrust of HIV-related public health information and research may also be barriers. Therefore, we propose "PrEP-Talk", an intervention that will use a PrEP Counselor (PC) who can provide information and guidance to YBMSM as they weigh their options regarding HIV risk along with the inclusion of a close friend (CF) to support PrEP uptake and adherence. In order to address these critical and timely issues, we developed the following specific aims: To develop and manualize "PrEP-Talk," which aims to increase PrEP uptake and adherence among YBMSM. This will be done through qualitative formative research (3 focus groups with 12-18 YBMSM and CF dyads, N=24-36); partnering with a community advisory board (comprised of individuals knowledgeable about HIV work with YBMSM); and field tests of the intervention with 5 YBMSM and CF dyads (N=10). Examine feasibility, acceptability and indicators of preliminary efficacy of "PrEP-Talk" on PrEP uptake and adherence among YBMSM. This will be accomplished through a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 30 dyads (YBMSM and CFs) in the intervention and 30 YBMSM in the control (N=90). We will conduct assessments at baseline, 3-months and 6-months post-baseline. We will also assess PrEP uptake supportive communication at each intervention session and collect urine samples to measure a biomarker of PrEP uptake (initial adherence) from all YBMSM who report use of PrEP. This proposed study is significant because our intervention may increase PrEP uptake and adherence, which may help to reduce HIV incidence among YBMSM. If the proposed intervention shows promise, we will prepare to undertake a full-scale R01-funded RCT. Read Less

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) serves a growing spectrum of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). Approximately 80% of surgical aortic valve replacements is performed using a bioprosthesis1. Durability of surgical bioprostheses varies based on the patient's age at the moment of implantation, type and size etc2. TAVI has become the preferred treatment for degenerated aortic bioprostheses in elderly patients3. The median time since index surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and for bioprosthetic valve degeneration is typically 8 - 10 years4-6. TAVI in this setting has proven to have equally favorable results as in native aortic valves7. Balloon expandable8 and self-expanding9 transcatheter heart valves (THV) can be used in a degenerated bioprosthesis and each have specific assets and limitations. TAVI in a failed bioprosthesis can cause coronary obstruction, THV migration, paravalvular leakage and prosthesis patient mismatch. The SAPIEN-3 / Ultra and EVOLUT R/Pro are the 2 most commonly used THV platforms in contemporary clinical practice including treatment of failing surgical aortic bioprostheses. Objective: To compare TAVI with EVOLUT R/Pro vs. SAPIEN-3 / Ultra in terms of device success. Study design: International multi-center randomized study with 1:1 randomization to TAVI with SAPIEN-3 / Ultra or Evolut R/Pro. Study population: 440 patients with a failing surgical aortic bioprosthesis (aortic stenosis with or without aortic regurgitation) and selected for transfemoral TAVI by heart-team consensus. Investigational intervention: Transfemoral TAVI with SAPIEN-3 / Ultra or Evolut R/PRO Main study parameters/endpoints: Primary endpoint is device success at 30 days Defined by Absence of procedural mortality AND Correct positioning of a single prosthetic heart valve into the proper anatomical location AND Intended performance of the prosthetic heart valve (no severe prosthesis- patient mismatch and mean aortic valve gradient < 20 mmHg or peak velocity < 3 m/s, AND no moderate or severe prosthetic valve regurgitation). Severe prosthesis patient mismatch is defined by effective orifice area (EOAi) ≤0.65 cm2/m2 Safety endpoint at 1 year defined by the composite of all-cause death, disabling stroke, rehospitalization for heart failure or valve related problems. Read Less

The primary efficacy endpoint for this study is the proportion of subjects with complete closure of Target Ulcer during the 20-week Treatment Phase, which is assessed by the blinded independent evaluator. Read Less

Water exchange (WE) is an effective insertion method to minimize insertion discomfort and maximize ADR. It is characterized by infusing water to guide insertion in an airless lumen with suctioning of infused water during insertion and almost complete removal of the infused water when cecal intubation is achieved. A modified Delphi review reported water exchange showed the highest overall ADR, ADR in screening cases, and in the right side of the colon compared with water immersion and air (or CO2) insufflation. One of the plausible mechanisms of improving ADR by water exchange is salvage cleaning during insertion, which might help artificial intelligence by removing the interference of fecal debris and bubbles. However, no RCT has been performed to evaluate the effect of CADe on WE colonoscopy. Therefore, investigators will conduct a RCT comparing the ADR of CADe assisted colonoscopy inserted with either WE or insufflation. Our hypothesis will be that CADe assisted WE colonoscopy achieves higher ADR than CADe assisted air insufflation colonoscopy. Read Less

This is a study to help understand how well new combinations of immunosuppressive medications (medications that weaken your immune system to prevent your body from rejecting the transplanted liver) work compared to standard immunosuppressive medications after your liver transplant. Also the study will assess how safe the new combination of immunosuppressive medicines are and if there are any changes in how your kidneys work after taking these medicines. Read Less

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) refractory to treatment is marked by failure of fear extinction and its biological substrate, amygdala reactivity to trauma reminders. Decades of research have clarified the neuronal mechanisms coordinating fear extinction and consolidation. Fear cells and extinction cells in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) alter their firing rate based on the nature of the stimulus and the influence from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the ventral hippocampus (vHPC). Together, the BLA, mPFC, and the vHPC form an anxiety-processing network where the BLA links stimulus to emotion, the vHPC provides memory context, and the mPFC coordinates extinction or consolidation. Local field potential (LFP) recordings from the BLA have revealed specific signals that correspond to an enhanced fear state. Previous studies have shown that neuromodulation of the BLA can promote extinction in a rodent model and in a treatment-refractory PTSD patient. This action is likely carried by disrupting fear signals within the BLA; however, continuous neurostimulation may also disrupt normal function of the amygdala. The present application proposes to investigate the use of Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS, Neuropace) in six (6) veterans suffering from severe treatment-resistant PTSD. This dual-activity device will allow us to chronically record LFPs from the BLA under specific conditions such as fear conditioning, exposure to trauma reminders, and emotional memory encoding and retrieval. In addition, the neural activity will be captured during real-life symptoms of flashback and nightmares. These recordings will provide the specific electrophysiological biomarkers of hypervigilance and re-experiencing. The device will then be programmed to detect and treat these biomarkers with a pre-determined electrical pulse. The patients will be followed prospectively using psychological scales but also with functional neuroimaging and electroencephalograms. These modalities will be used to determine the extent of circuit engagement as a result of the therapy. By approaching PTSD from a fear processing mechanism perspective, our project will serve as a proof of concept for other circuit-based therapies in psychiatry. This proposal is a multi-departmental effort involving 11 investigators across 7 departments and requires a close collaboration between clinical and basic scientists. As a result, the findings underlying chronic recordings will bridge the basic science results from fear conditioning research to clinical neural processes in PTSD patients. Read Less

This study will determine the safety and effectiveness of the Artisan Aphakia Lens when used as a secondary implant to correct aphakia in adults. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of the Artisan Aphakia Lens in the treatment of aphakia in children. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical benefit and characterize the safety profile of tabelecleucel for the treatment of Epstein-Barr virus-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD) in the setting of (1) solid organ transplant (SOT) after failure of rituximab and rituximab plus chemotherapy or (2) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) after failure of rituximab. Read Less

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound are increasingly being used to manage complex disease of the bile duct, pancreas and cancer. Gastroenterology patients at the Los Angeles County Hospital presents a unique and diverse patient population. Our aim is to study the biochemical, radiographic, and clinical predictors of bile duct stones. Exploratory aims include the study of the management of cholangitis, bile leaks, GI cancer diagnosis and management, and the management of pancreaticobiliary problems in the underserved. All patients managed by EUS or ERCP at the LA County & USC University Hospitals will be enrolled in the databaseThe timing, clinical presentation, and objective details of patient presentation are recorded prospectively. Additionally the results of the subsequent ERCP and EUS procedures. Subsequent, clinical course and pathology will also be recorded. Read Less

Our aim is to compare the efficacy, safety, procedural time required, and costs of a strategy initially employing cholangioscopy guided intraductal lithotripsy (laser/electrohydraulic lithtripsy (EHL)) versus a strategy initially using papillary dilation for removal of large bile duct stones. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to develop a mechanism for utilizing the comprehensive clinical database of childhood cancer survivors at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) for research purposes. Using clinical information obtained from follow-up visits of childhood cancer survivors, the database will focus on interventions to improve health status and health-related quality of life in childhood cancer survivors. This study allows for establishment and analyses of a research database for LIFE survivors by the investigators listed herein. Over the last three decades, there has been marked improvement in survival following childhood cancer, with 5-year survival rates now approaching 80%. However, the use of cancer therapy at an early age can result in complications that may not be apparent until years later as the child matures. These resulting complications, called late effects, are principally related to the specific therapy employed and the age of the child at the time the therapy was administered. Late effects may affect virtually every body system and substantially impair quality of life. As many as two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors develop at least one late effect as a result of treatment, and approximately one-third have a late effect classified as severe or life threatening. Read Less