Maryland Paid Clinical Trials

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers for men in the U.S. There are some new ways to take pictures of the cancer. There are also new ways to use image-guided biopsy and therapy. These could help manage prostate cancer. Researchers want to study how imaging can provide a profile of prostate cancer. They want to collect data to make diagnosis and treatments better. Objectives: To gather data about the radiological and clinical course of prostate cancer. To study imaging-based biomarkers of prostate cancer. Eligibility: Men ages 18 and older with diagnosed or suspected prostate cancer Design: Participants will give permission for researchers to use their medical history and records. Their data will be reviewed, collected, and analyzed. These include results of their tests and scans. Sponsoring Institution: National Cancer Institute Read Less

Title: Collection of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) from Healthy People for the Expansion of T Cells for Adoptive Cell Therapy Background: New therapies are being developed that use a person s own immune system to fight tumors. Some of the tumors being studied include cancers caused by viruses. Researchers want to use the healthy cells of volunteers to perform research studies. To do this, they are collecting lymphocytes through leukapheresis. Objectives: To collect healthy cells from volunteers for research studies for new cancer therapies. Eligibility: Healthy people ages 18 and older Design: Participants will be screened with a standard donor questionnaire. It asks about their health and past medical problems. It also asks about risky behaviors that could increase their exposure to viruses or bacteria that could be transmitted through a transfusion. Participants will give a blood sample to make sure they are able to donate. They will have a physical exam. A finger stick test will check their hemoglobin, or red blood cell, level. They might give a urine sample. Participants will undergo apheresis. For this, a needle is placed in a vein in each of their arms. Their blood is taken from one arm. A machine separates the white cells from the red cells and plasma by a spinning process. The white cells are removed and directed into a plastic bag. The red cells and plasma are returned through the needle in the other arm. The entire procedure takes 4 6 hours. Participants may donate every 21 days in this protocol if they choose to. ... Read Less

Williams syndrome is a rare genetic disorder occurring in 1:8000-12,000 individuals. It is caused by the deletion of 25-27 coding genes, including elastin (ELN) on the 7th human chromosome. Haploinsufficiency for these genes leads to the features of the condition, including: * Distinctive facial features; * Characteristic vascular problems including hypertension, focal vascular stenosis, (when present in the aorta this is referred to as SVAS), vascular stiffness and differences in heart rate variability; * Endocrine abnormalities including hypercalcemia, hypothyroidism, and early puberty; * Metabolic concerns with colic and failure to gain weight in infancy and obesity and early glucose intolerance in adulthood; * Characteristic neurocognitive profile comprised of cognitive impairment, high sociality with concurrent social awkwardness, difficulty with visual-spatial tasks, relative strengths in speech, and lack of social fear; * Anxiety and chronic pain in adulthood Most individuals with WS carry the same basic deletion on Chromosome 7q11.23. However, each feature may present as mild or more severe in any given individual. Variation in the presence and severity of these vascular phenotypes remains unexplained. The supravalvar aortic stenosis (SVAS) phenotype is caused by haploinsufficiency for elastin. This can come about due to the WS deletion (as above) or due to heterozygous variation in elastin (ELN) gene itself in this region. When this protein is reduced, connective tissues lose its strength, flexibility, and overall support. When this happens in the aorta, it may cause vascular narrowing that presents as shortness of breath, chest pain, and even heart failure if left untreated. Narrowing also occurs in other vessels especially the pulmonary and renal arteries. Changes in non-vascular elastic tissues such as the skin and lungs also occur. As in WBS, phenotypic variation also occurs in people with ELN gene changes--This variability remains unexplained despite all the on-going research. Most individuals with features of SVAS have either WS or an elastin variant. There are, however, a smaller number of individuals with the phenotypic features of the condition whose genetic underpinnings are yet to be defined (they are referred to as SVAS-like). Additionally, there are 26 other coding genes within the WS critical region that contribute to various other features of the condition Objective: 1. To collect historical information and to bank DNA, cells, and tissue from individuals with genetic alterations in the WS/ELN gene region, those with an SVAS -like phenotype and unaffected family members/controls to facilitate future research into the many phenotypes seen in these individuals. 2. Currently, we plan to use the collected samples to identify genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the variability in different phenotypes (vascular and non-vascular) in individuals with WS, SVAS and SVAS-like conditions, individuals with variation in WS genes other than elastin and unaffected family members and controls. For the non-vascular features of WS and SVAS-like conditions for which a specific gene has not been implicated in the disease, we would also like to identify causative genes as well as modifiers. Likewise, by evaluating people with variation in other WS region genes, we can determine what contribution those genes make to the studied phenotypes. Controls will be both used to assess the frequency of genetic features in people without the phenotype in question and to evaluate heritability, penetrance, and expressivity of relevant variants. Eligibility: People ages 0-85 with either WS, SVAS, and/or an SVAS-like condition, unaffected family members or adult unrelated controls. Design: This study is not a treatment protocol. This study will consist of: Collection of personal history (questionnaires) and medical record data (relevant physician notes, lab and diagnostic tests and studies) to study the natural history of these conditions, allow stratification of disease severity, and identification of environmental risk factors; Collection of blood, saliva, urine and surgical tissue waste to allow DNA and RNA preparation as well as study of tissues both in situ and through the generation of IPSCs; Expression studies on available tissues (lymphocytes, IPSCs, vascular, skin, other collected tissues) to look for differential regulation of target genes; Direct imaging of tissues (lymphocytes, IPSCs, vascular, skin, other collected tissues); Storage of collected data and specimens for future research; A questionnaire may be sent to participants or parent/guardian or LAR to respond on behalf of participant. Read Less

Background: The body uses energy from calories for basic functions like breathing and digesting food. Over time, when a person eats more calories than they burn, they may become overweight or obese. Obesity is a major health concern. Researchers want to look at fat and muscle tissue to learn more about metabolism. That is how the body uses food and other nutrients for normal function and energy. This research may help to develop new treatments for obesity and related diseases. Objective: To learn more about the role of fat and muscle in metabolism, particularly how fat and muscle store and use energy. Eligibility: Adults 18 years and older who have a planned surgery at NIH in which tissue can be collected by the surgeon. Design: Participants will be screened by their regular NIH doctor. Then researchers will contact them about this study. Participants will not have to make extra visits to NIH for this study. Researchers will collect samples during the participant s surgery. These will be fat tissue and skeletal muscle tissue. Muscle tissue will only be taken from tissue that is going to be discarded. Collecting the tissue will not add any time or any extra incisions than what is required for the surgery. After surgery, blood will be drawn. Some participants will have this done in the pre-op or post-op room. Others will have this done during their hospital stay. Read Less

Background: - Biomarkers are substances in people s blood and tissues. They help researchers understand diseases and signs of aging. Scientists want to do more research on biomarkers to find ways to improve quality of life in old age. Objective: - To learn more about biomarkers and their relationship to aging. Eligibility: - Adults at least 20 years old who weigh at least 110 pounds and have a body mass index below 30. They must agree that their genetic samples can be collected, studied, and stored. Design: * Participants will be screened with medical history, physical exam, and blood and urine tests. They will have heart tests and nurse will assess their veins. They will fill out a questionnaire. * Participants will have a 2-day baseline visit. Then they will return every 2 years for up to 10 years. These follow-up visits will repeat the baseline visit: * Repeat of screening procedures. * Physical performance tests like balance and walking tests. * Leg and grip strength tests. * Health and mental state questions. * Memory and problem solving tests. * Cytapheresis. Blood will be removed through a needle in the vein of one arm and run through a machine. The blood will be returned through a needle in a vein of the other arm. * Visits may also include: * Magnetic resonance imaging scans. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of a machine that takes pictures. * Diabetes test. After fasting, participants will drink a sweet drink and give blood. * Breathing and walking tests. * Wearing a device that record physical activity. * Scan of the abdomen and the right leg. * A small amount of muscle tissue and/or skin removed. Read Less

Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell. Elevated eosinophil levels can damage the heart, nerves, and other organs, in the syndrome known as hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). Some individuals have a hereditary form of HES known as familial eosinophilia (FE). More research on the causation and mechanisms of HES is needed in order to design more effective and less toxic therapies. This study will investigate FE and its genetic causes, damage mechanisms, and disease markers (such as blood test abnormalities). It will enroll approximately 50 individuals (both adults and children) from a previously studied family with FE. This is a long-term study of indefinite duration. Participants will undergo yearly clinical examinations including medical history, physical examination, bloodwork, EKG, echocardiogram, and pulmonary function tests, with additional or more frequent examinations and tests as required. In addition, participants will donate blood and tissue for research purposes. Both adult and child participants will donate blood. At the initial evaluation, adult participants will donate bone marrow. During the study, some adult participants will also undergo a limited number of leukaopheresis sessions, in which blood is donated from one arm, the blood is separated into red blood cells and other components, and the red blood cells are returned into the donor's other arm. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to use brain imaging technology to examine brain changes that occur in children when they are exposed to various kinds of emotional tasks and to determine if these changes are related to the child's temperament. Studies suggest that the risk for developing mood and anxiety disorders in preschool children may be linked to differences in temperament. The relationship between temperament and risk or resilience may reflect the influences of brain activity on behavior at different stages of childhood development. Behavioral inhibition and mood or anxiety disorders have been linked to disturbances in the circuitry of several areas in the brain. However, the involvement of this circuitry in temperament remains unclear. This study will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the function of different parts of the brain in children who have previously undergone temperament studies and have had their temperaments classified. Two sets of studies will be performed in the current protocol. A small set of pilot studies will be performed in infants, by staff at the University of Maryland. In terms of the studies among infants, these subjects will initially be contacted by staff at Maryland and then will be seen at the NIH for up to three visits lasting between 4- to 5- hours during the first year of life. These subjects also will undergo visits at the University of Maryland throughout the first year of life. This study will comprise up to four clinic visits. At Visit 1, children and their parents will meet with study staff individually and together for psychiatric interviews. Children will undergo a physical examination, medical history, a urine drug test, and practice in an fMRI simulator. Saliva samples will be collected from the children and tests will be given to assess stage of puberty, temperament, intelligence, feelings, experiences, and behavior. Other visits include fMRI scans of the brain and other tasks. Read Less

This study will collect blood from patients with cancer to study the level of cells which decrease the immune response (suppressor cells) before and after chemotherapy. Patients 18 years of age and older with cancer may participate. This study does not involve treatment. Participants will have about 50 ml (3 tablespoonfuls) of blood drawn. Depending on their condition, patients may be invited to enroll in a clinical research study involving chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery. Additional 40-ml blood samples may be drawn during the course of treatment. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of AZD2373 in participants diagnosed with APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) who are homozygotes or compound heterozygotes for APOL1 high-risk genotypes (G1 and G2). The primary hypothesis to be evaluated is that AZD2373, compared with placebo, will result in a greater reduction in UACR as assessed by the relative change from Baseline in UACR at Week 30. Read Less

The goal of this clinical study is to learn more about the study drug, obeldesivir (ODV; GS-5245), and how safe and effective it is in treating nonhospitalized adults with acute respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. The researchers want to see if obeldesivir can help participants' symptoms get better faster. The primary objectives of this study are to evaluate the efficacy of ODV in reducing the duration of symptoms and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ODV in nonhospitalized adult participants with acute RSV infection. Read Less

Participants eligible for the study will be randomly allocated (1:1:1) to receive either Luminopia dichoptic treatment while wearing optical correction if needed, Vivid Vision dichoptic treatment while wearing optical correction if needed, or continued optical correction alone if needed, with clinical assessments at 9- and 18-weeks post-randomization. At the 18-week primary outcome visit, participants who were randomly assigned to receive optical correction alone if needed with an IOD of 1 logMAR line (5 letters) or more, will be offered randomization to Luminopia or Vivid Vision dichoptic therapy and if they accept, followed forward with visits at 27- and 36-weeks post-randomization. The study will end for all other participants at 18 weeks. Read Less

The purpose of this research is to collect information about how the RevCore Thrombectomy Catheter works to treat stent blockages. Read Less