North Carolina Paid Clinical Trials

The overall short-term goals of this project include the following: 1) identify the genes that are key to the function of respiratory cilia to protect the normal lung; and 2) the effects of genetic mutations that adversely affect ciliary function and cause primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), which results in life-shortening lung disease. The long-term goal of this project is to develop better understanding of the underlying genetic variability that adversely modifies ciliary function, and predisposes to common airway diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Read Less

This study aims to develop and cross-validate novel bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) equations for predicting appendicular soft tissue masses, specifically fat mass (FM) and appendicular lean mass (ALM), in a sample of Caucasian adult subjects affected by obesity. The research will compare these new BIA equations with three established BIA-derived prediction models and validate them using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. This study utilizes existing datasets to enhance the accuracy and applicability of BIA in assessing body composition and supports the development of standardized algorithms for converting raw BIA data across different devices and populations. Read Less

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of the Alliance180 Program on physical and psychological well-being on adults who are/were US Veterans, First Responders and/or Front Line Healthcare Workers. The study aims are: * Aim #1: to evaluate the effect of the Alliance180 Program on physical and psychological well-being in adults who are/were US Veterans, First Responders and/or Front Line Healthcare Workers; * Aim #2: to evaluate the relationship between between feelings of safety and well-being, autonomic functioning, and mental health indices (depression, anxiety, trauma response) before and after the intervention. Participants will be asked to complete self-report measures of feelings of safety and well-being, autonomic functioning, and mental health indices (depression, anxiety, trauma response) before participating in the Alliance180 Program (i.e., baseline research session) and 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after completing the Alliance180 Program. Demographic information will be documented during the baseline research session. Read Less

Overall Objective: To determine the efficacy of rbLf supplementation in a healthy adult population, specifically with regard to iron regulation (primary), gut health (secondary), and immune function (secondary). Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of rbLf on iron regulation, exercise performance, gut health, and immune function as compared to cow's milk derived bLf. Participants: To account for an approximate \~10% dropout rate (and rounding up to ensure equal number of enrolled participants per group), n=25 per group for males (N=50) and n=30 per group for females (N=60) will be enrolled for a total sample size of N=110. Procedures: Participation in this study will include 6 in-person visits over 14 weeks. Anemia will be checked and excluded at the first visit using a single finger prick, followed by a 10-20 min exercise test on a treadmill to evaluate exercise capacity. On visit 2 participants will perform three 3-15 minute exercise tests on a treadmill with rest in between each test in order to determine exercise performance. A finger prick will be performed before and after each run to determine lactate levels. After visits 2 participants will be randomized to their respective supplement group recombinant Bovine Lactoferrin supplement (rbLf) (Male and Fame), a bovine-milk derived Lactoferrin supplement (Female), or a placebo (Male) once daily for 4 weeks. Blood samples will be obtained prior to and after each supplement phase to determine change in iron levels and red blood cell capacity. After a 2-week washout participants will return to complete the same testing outcomes and will receive the subsequent supplement. At visit 6 a final blood sample will be collected. Read Less

Pessaries are effective non-surgical devices for reduction of prolapse. However, use of pessaries are limited in some women due to patient discomfort. While lidocaine can be used to improve pessary checks, its use may be limited due to supply chain shortages, lack of insurance coverage, and optimization of resource utilization. More techniques to improve pessary examination comfort are needed. Perineal massage prior to delivery and at the time of active labor has been noted to reduce perineal trauma and perineal discomfort, theoretically by desensitizing the nerve endings in the skin, broadening the vaginal opening, and increasing elasticity of the perineal tissue. Since most discomfort with pessary checks is during removal and insertion through the vaginal introitus, perineal massage may be a beneficial technique that women could potentially learn to improve comfort with pessary checks. The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of perineal massage prior to pessary check in improving comfort of pessary checks for patients using a cross-over randomized controlled trial. Patients who follow up for pessary checks with the division of Urogynecology at UNC will be approached about participating in this study. The study will involve two clinical visits. At the first visit, the patient will be randomized to 2 minutes of perineal massage with water based gel of the external perineum and sides of the vaginal vestibule, as well as internal massage with the thumb, gliding from 4 to 8 o'clock, then tissue stretching technique with one intracavitary finger and other external finger at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions three times; versus application of gel to the internal vagina and external vagina without massage. Providers will be blinded to randomization and proceed with pessary check as per normal clinical protocols. Patients will rate self-reported pain before, during pessary check, and after the pessary check on a VAS scale; and rate whether they would prefer to repeat this method at future visits via Likert scale. Healthcare professionals will also rate perceived patient pain on VAS scale; ease of pessary removal; and note any perineal or introital laceration or abrasion that may occur during the pessary fitting. At the following visit, patients will be assigned to the group to which they were not initially randomized. Patients and healthcare professionals will again rate pain as described above. Patients will also rank preference for perineal massage using PGI-I. Read Less

The purpose of this research study is to determine how well an FDA-approved drug, dupilumab, works to treat patients with severe strictures and active Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). This is an open-label study, meaning everyone in the study will receive dupilumab. Participants will have a screening visit where they will complete surveys and undergo an endoscopy (EGD). Blood and biopsies (small tissue samples) will also be collected. If eligible and enrolled into the study, participants will receive weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injections of dupilumab for 52 weeks (one year). The first dose of dupilumab will be administered at the week 1 visit by a clinician and participants will receive training on how to self-administer the remaining doses. Participants will return for study visits every at weeks 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 44, and 52. During these visits, vital signs (temperature, heart rate, etc.) will be collected and participants will complete surveys. During visits at week 12, 24, and 52, blood will be collected and an endoscopy with biopsy will be performed. At 64 weeks (12 weeks after the last dose of dupilumab), participants assigned male at birth (AMAB) will be contacted about their / their partner's pregnancy status and participants assigned female at birth (AFAB) may be asked to come for an in-person visit to complete a urine pregnancy test. Read Less

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of using the SinuSonic on psychological and physical well-being in adults who have nasal/sinus congestion. The study aims are: * Aim #1: to evaluate the effect of the SinuSonic on physical and psychological well-being in individuals with chronic nasal congestion; * Aim #2: to evaluate the relationship between autonomic reactivity and psychological well-being (i.e., anxiety and depression) in individuals with chronic nasal congestion; * Exploratory Aim: to evaluate the impact of adverse experiences on physical and psychological well-being in individuals who experience chronic nasal congestion. Participants will be asked to complete self-report measures of physical health, mental health and autonomic regulation before using SinuSonic (i.e., baseline research session) and after 5 weeks of directed use (post-intervention). Demographic information and adverse experiences will be documented during the baseline research session. Participants will be asked to document (weekly) current nasal symptoms and SinuSonic usage. Read Less

Objectives: The investigators will test whether combination of chemoimmunotherapy or dual agent immunotherapy alone improves efficacy for patients with MPM. Primary Objectives: The primary objective is to test whether the combination of platinum-based chemotherapy and pemetrexed with durvalumab / tremelimumab or durvalumab / tremelimumab alone improves recurrence-free survival for patients with resectable MPM compared to historical, published data for surgery with chemotherapy. Secondary Objective(s): The secondary objectives are to determine the safety of and whether the platinum-based chemotherapy and pemetrexed with durvalumab / tremelimumab or durvalumab / tremelimumab alone improves response rate, resectability, major pathological response, and complete pathological response. Exploratory Objective(s): The exploratory objectives are to determine the safety of and whether the platinum-based chemotherapy and pemetrexed with durvalumab / tremelimumab or durvalumab / tremelimumab alone improves response rate, resectability, major pathological response, and complete pathological response for patients with epithelioid and non-epithelioid histologies. The scientific exploratory objectives include: 1. Develop an NGS plasma assay of common mutations identified from our previous grant cycle to prospectively measure minimal residual disease (MRD) after resection as a potential, novel biomarker test in mesothelioma. 2. Determine the predictive role of BH3 profiling in patients undergoing neoadjuvant ICI followed by surgery: With patient samples collected from our neoadjuvant ICI trial, the investigators will test whether BH3 profiling from pre-treatment tumor biopsies and PBMC predicts clinical, radiological, and pathological responses to ICIs. The investigators will identify TAMs from the TiME in MPM tumor samples before and after treatment to compare differences in polarization induced by ICI in clinical and pathologically responding versus non-responding patients. Read Less

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the effect of body changes in pregnancy on doravirine concentrations, to determine what dose of doravirine should be used. Study participants will remain on their normal antiretroviral medications (ARVs) while participating in this study as prescribed by their regular clinic provider. Study participants will come to the research clinic for three sampling visits throughout their time as a participant. Study participants will only take one dose of doravirine during each sampling visit, which will occur during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, as well as after their baby is delivered. This study was designed intentionally to not give a dose of doravirine in the first trimester when there is the greatest chance for all drugs to potentially cause injury to the baby. Study participants that choose to participate in this study may be enrolled for up to 10 months depending on the length of their pregnancy and how the visits are scheduled. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to measure mucociliary clearance (MCC) in groups of subjects with the disease Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) caused by mutations in different genes, and compare to healthy subjects. Some of these genes are associated with a milder clinical phenotype. This study seeks to determine if the milder phenotype is a result of mutations in a set of specific genes. The hypothesis is that subjects with PCD caused by mutations in the milder group will maintain a low, but significant rate of mucociliary clearance, while patients with mutations in genes in the more severe group will have a complete absence of mucociliary clearance. These studies will help inform future treatment strategies. Read Less

The purpose of the study is to see if Clascoterone can help people with male pattern hair loss to recovery and see if the treatment is effective and safe and how well the drug is tolerated by subjects. Within this study, the Clascoterone solution will be compared to a placebo. The study has 2 parts: Part 1 will see if Clascoterone solution is effective and safe compared to a placebo when applied twice daily for up to 6 months. Part 2 will see the long-term safety and efficacy of the Clascoterone solution compared to placebo for additional 6 months in subjects defined as ''responders'' in Part 1. A responder is defined as someone who have responded to the study drug, based on research data. Part 1 of the study is double-blind, meaning that neither the subject nor the study doctor knows which treatment subject is receiving. Part 2 of the study is single-blind and only the study doctor doing the study knows which treatment subject is receiving. Part 1 of the study will start with baseline visit during which subjects will be randomly assigned (by chance) in ratio 2:1 to apply either Clascoterone or placebo solution to their balding areas of the scalp. Subjects will have 5 clinic visits and 2 follow-up phone calls during 6 months of Part 1 duration. Subjects identified as Part 1 responders at Month 6 visit will be again randomly assigned in ratio 2:1 to receive either study drug or placebo. Part 2 of the study will consist of 2 additional clinic visits and treatment will last for further 6 months. Each subject will have also an end of study visit one month after the study drug treatment has been completed or discontinued (it will be one month after end of Part 1 for not responder subjects). For those subjects who complete the whole study (Part 1 and Part 2), the total duration of the study will be about 14 months, with 12 months of treatment with a total of eight clinic visits and two phone calls. Subjects taking part in this study will have the medical tests or procedures described below. * They will be asked about their previous medical history and current medications. * A brief physical examination will be performed. * Vital signs, weight and height will be measured. * Electrocardiograms will be performed. * Subject's scalp will be checked for any signs of irritation. * Two different types of photos will be taken during this study: "global photos", i.e. general photos of the subject's scalp and "macro photos", i.e. close up photos of a region of the subject's scalp. Global photos will be taken to help the subject and the study doctor to assess whether there has been a change in subject's hair growth. Macro photos will be used to count the number of hairs in a region of the subject's scalp and measure other properties of the hair (hair width and hair darkness). * Blood draws and urine sample collection for safety laboratory tests. * Subject will be asked to complete, on site, the following two questionnaires: * Cosmetic Evaluation - a couple of cosmetic questions on acceptability and how easy the study drug is to use. * Male Androgenetic Alopecia Questionnaire - some questions about subject's hair assessment. Eligible subjects will be given a supply of the study drug and shown how to use and store it. The first study drug dose will be applied at the clinic under the supervision of the study staff. Subjects will be instructed to apply about 1.5 ml of study drug with a dropper to the balding areas of the scalp on the vertex and the temples twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. Subjects will be asked to bring back all used containers of study drug and all unused study drug to each study visit. Subjects will also be given a diary, shown what things have to be recorded on it and asked to bring back the completed diary to the study center at each visit. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to test an electronic apparatus for measuring stool and urine output in an accurate and easy way. Participants will have one in-person or virtual visit with the study team prior to starting the study events. Participants that enroll in this study will have the freedom to choose when to begin and stop using the toilet apparatus when it is available for human testing. This apparatus will be located in a private bathroom in either the CIEMAS building or MSRB III Building. Read Less