Healthy Clinical Trials

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effect of maximal mental effort combined with elastic band training on strength and neuromuscular function in healthy, older females. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does elastic band training in combination with maximal mental effort increase strength more than elastic band training alone? Does elastic band training in combination with maximal mental effort improve neuromuscular function more than elastic band training alone? Participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: Elastic band training Elastic band training with maximal mental effort Control Researchers will compare groups to determine differences in changes in strength, neuromuscular function, and body composition. Read Less

In this study, the investigators hypothesize that THC alters the immunogenome in a cell type-specific fashion and alters cytokine production via epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and that these alterations differ between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected host genomes. Read Less

The purpose of this research is to determine how exercise affects fat (adipose) tissue and how changes to adipose tissue that occur during and after exercise might improve health in aging and obesity. 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

Sedentary behavior has been linked to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and is particularly common in older adults with type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this observational, mixed-methods study is to better understand the relationship between prolonged sedentary behavior and cardiovascular and metabolic health in older women. Read Less

The investigators pre-preliminary study showed that the urine from a portion of study participants had anti-adhesion activity. The investigators propose that UTI susceptible women can be divided into responders and non-responders depending on whether cranberry intake increase anti-adhesion activity of their urine. The overall objectives are to identify gut microbes and anti-adhesive urinary biomarkers which significantly contribute to the anti-adhesion of E. coli. Read Less

Blood flow restriction associated with resistance training is suggested to potentiate increases in muscular strength and hypertrophy. This study will compare the effects of resistance training associated with blood flow restriction with a regular resistance training program. Findings of this project will provide important information regarding a promising intervention to potentiate muscle performance. Read Less

This study will investigate the how the cerebellum is involved in speech motor learning over time and short-term corrections in patients with cerebellar ataxia and healthy controls. This will be accomplished through three approaches: behavioral studies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). During behavioral studies, participants will be asked to speak into a microphone while their voice is played back over earphones, and to do other speaking tasks. MRI will be acquired to perform a detailed analysis on brain function and anatomy related to speech and the cerebellum. In healthy controls, TMS will also be performed to temporarily disrupt the cerebellum before, during, or after the participant performs speaking tasks. Patients with cerebellar ataxia and healthy volunteers will be asked to complete behavioral studies and/or MRI; healthy volunteers may be asked to additionally participate in TMS. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to better understand mental illness and will test the hypotheses that while viewing affective stimuli, patient groups will show increased blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal by fMRI after lorazepam. This study will enroll participants between the ages of 16 and 60, who have a psychotic illness (such as psychosis which includes conditions like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and mood disorders). The study will also enroll eligible participants without any psychiatric illness, to compare their brains. The study will require participants to have 3-4 sessions over a few weeks. The initial assessments (may be over two visits) will include a diagnostic interview and several questionnaires (qols) to assess eligibility. Subsequently, there will will be two separate functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sessions in which lorazepam or placebo will be given prior to the MRI. During the fMRI the participants will also be asked to answer questions. Additionally, the participants will have their blood drawn, women of child bearing potential will have a urine pregnancy test, vital signs taken, and asked to complete more qols. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of dietary salt restriction on central hemodynamics and vascular function in men and women with salt resistant blood pressure. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to investigate how gut hormones and brain areas respond differently to gastric distention, tasteless calories, or palatable food and how this alters appetite. 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