Healthy Clinical Trials

The primary objective of this study is to measure the concentration and the regional brain distribution of activated brain microglia/macrophages using the PET radiopharmaceutical \[F-18\]DPA-714 in individuals with chronic pain and fatigue suspected to be associated with neuroinflammation. The PET tracer \[F-18\]DPA-714 binds to the 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO, also known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor) in the mitochondria of activated microglia/macrophages and provides a non-invasive measure of neuroinflammation. The primary objective of this study is to determine if pain and fatigue patients have higher levels of neuroinflammation than HC individuals as measured with \[F-18\]DPA-714-PET/MRI. Read Less

the purpose of this experiment is to determine if acute melatonin supplementation alters central and peripheral cardiovascular responses to a cold pressor test at rest and during dynamic exercise. Read Less

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the non-Hispanic Black (NHB) population is disproportionately affected. Our research has previously demonstrated that oxidative stress may contribute to reduced vascular function in otherwise healthy NHB adults, potentially predisposing them to the development of hypertension and CVD. This study is designed to examine whether the mitochondria are an important source of oxidative stress-induced vascular dysfunction in healthy NHB adults. Read Less

The purpose of the study is to better understand the biological mechanisms of carbon dioxide (CO2)-induced cognitive impairments. Read Less

Identify and test thresholds, specificity and sensitivity for a potential cancer associated biomarker protein, FGF19, (and associated markers) for detection in human blood in the blood of breast and colorectal in cancer patients, and see if occurs at higher rates than healthy controls Read Less

Background: Infections in the lower respiratory tract (lungs) are the leading cause of death from infectious disease worldwide. This was true even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Respiratory viruses are still a major health threat. Many of these viruses infect people by penetrating the thin skin that lines the nose. These viruses can also spread easily to other people when they multiply in the tissues that line the nose. Researchers want to learn more about what these viruses do inside the nose, how they get from the nose to the lungs, and how they spread from person to person. Objective: To collect cell samples from inside the noses of healthy people. These cells will be stored for use in future research on respiratory diseases. Eligibility: Healthy volunteers aged 18 years and older. Design: Most participants will have 1 visit on 1 day. They will be asked questions. Those who have a runny nose, coughing, congestion, or fever will be asked to wait up to 21 days before participating. Participants will be given a slender swab with small bristles at the end. They will rub the inside of their nose with the swab. A clinic staff member will be present to help, if needed. Participants will provide their name, age, and sex. This information will be encoded so that only certain researchers will know the participants identities. Participants will not be contacted again.... Read Less

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how fructose ingestion affects metabolic factors in healthy adults aged 18-64, with a BMI between 19 and 30 kg/m², of any sex or gender. Specifically, the study aims to examine the impact of fructose compared to glucose on circulating metabolic factors including the soluble leptin receptor. The main questions it aims to answer are: How does fructose ingestion influence levels of circulating metabolic markers, including the soluble leptin receptor? Does fructose consumption have different metabolic effects compared to glucose? Participants will: Complete a screening phone call to review their health history and eligibility. Attend two in-person visits at least two weeks apart, where they will: Fast for 8 hours beforehand. Consume a beverage containing either 75g of fructose or glucose. Have blood drawn at regular intervals for up to 5 hours after consumption to measure circulating levels of metabolic markers. Read Less

Within few years the peritoneal membrane of adult peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients undergoes substantial morphological transformation, including progressive fibrosis, vasculopathy and neoangiogenesis. Ultrafiltration capacity steadily declines and ultimately results in PD failure. In children, peritoneal biopsies demonstrating PD associated alterations have not yet been obtained. They, however, should be particularly informative, since secondary tissue and vascular pathology related to ageing or diabetes is absent. An international, prospective peritoneal membrane biopsy study in children on PD will therefore be performed. Biopsies will be obtained at time of PD catheter insertion, on occasion of intercurrent abdominal surgery (e.g. hernia repair, catheter exchange) and at time of renal transplantation. Quantitative histomorphometry and tissue protein expression analyses will be correlated with time integrated PD treatment modalities and functional characteristics as well as inflammatory and cardiovascular comorbidity surrogate parameter. Blood will be obtained during clinical routine sampling. Biopsies will be obtained during clinically indicated operations, without substantially increasing operation time and associated surgical risks. The detailed histomorphometry of the PD membrane will give additional information, potentially impacting on the individual PD regime. 3/2018: The analyses of the pediatric PD biopsy demonstrated early and major transformation of the peritoneal membrane with neutral pH low GDP fluids, and significant vasculopathy already in children with CKD stage 5, further progressing with PD. The underlying mechanisms are partly understood, only. In view of these major findings and the numerous open questions, collection of biosamples will be continued in children and also in adult PD patients. The following questions will be addressed: Molecular counterparts of peritoneal semi-permeability, solute and water transport (beyond AQP1), pathomechanisms and molecular and functional impact of peritoneal transformation with low and high GDP fluids, and the respective pathomechanisms and molecular and functional impact of vascular disease in CKD and with different PD fluids. The impact of renal transplantation following PD will be assessed in a subgroup of patients with tenckhoff catheter removal several weeks after transplantation and a functioning graft. Read Less

The objective of this biospecimen collection protocol is the acquisition of blood from adult volunteers. These biospecimens will be transferred to the College of Medicine (COM)/Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences (BSBS) research scientists and their research teams for testing according to their separate IRB-approved/exempted protocols. These separate IRBapproved protocols cannot be for genetic testing. Read Less

The aim of this study is to evaluate how vibration of the tendons enhances arm and hand training in survivors of chronic stroke. The investigators hypothesize that wrist/elbow robotic training, combined with body awareness training will improve arm and hand function in individuals with chronic stroke. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to explore the positive, holistic health outcomes resulting from regular exposure to naturally occurring compounds predicted to have health benefits. The researchers hope to learn how the human body is influenced by regular exposure to these compounds. Read Less

The GLP-1 receptor (GLP1R) gene is found on the beta cells of the pancreas. Its role is in the control of blood sugar level by enhancing insulin secretion from the pancreas after eating a meal. The purpose of this research study to find out how genetic variations in GLP1R alter insulin secretion, in the fasting state and when blood sugars levels are elevated. Read Less