All Clinical Trials

The Subharmonic Aided Pressure Estimation (SHAPE) technique is a noninvasive ultrasound-based imaging technique that can estimate ambient pressure using subharmonic emissions from ultrasound contrast agents. Ultrasound contrast agents are encapsulated microbubbles (mean diameter \< 8 µm) with a lipid, protein, or polymer shell that traverse the entire vasculature. When the contrast microbubbles are insonated with relatively high acoustic pressures (\>100-150 kPa), these microbubbles act as nonlinear oscillators yielding energy components in the received echo signals at frequencies ranging from the subharmonic (half of transmit frequency) to higher harmonics and even ultraharmonics. Based on empirical evidence, the subharmonic signal exhibits a sigmoidal relationship with incident acoustic pressure i.e., subharmonic signal can be divided into occurrence, growth and saturation stages. In the growth stage, the subharmonic signal has shown sensitivity to ambient pressure characterized by an inverse linear relationship between subharmonic signal and ambient pressure changes. This inverse linear relationship forms the basis for the SHAPE technique. Several pre-clinical and clinical studies have been conducted to utilize the SHAPE technique for in vivo pressure estimation e.g., to diagnose portal hypertension, to estimate intra-cardiac pressures and to determine interstitial fluid pressures. The core imaging mode underpinning the SHAPE technology (subharmonic imaging) is now available on some commercial scanners. In the proposed pilot study, the SHAPE technique will be leveraged for monitoring intracranial pressure (ICP). The use of SHAPE technique for the ophthalmic artery could potentially provide an accurate noninvasive method of measuring ICP in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and other conditions of raised ICP, which would revolutionize the field. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of a mobile telerehabilitation software for post-acute stroke care for Rio Grande Valley (RGV) stroke survivors with community health worker (CHW) at-home support and to estimate the functional health, mental health (depression), and caregiver burden outcomes of this new CHW-supported, at-home rehabilitation service delivery model and to identify salient barriers to and facilitators of adopting and delivering the new rehabilitation delivery model to further disseminate the model in real-world communities. Read Less

The objective of this research is to use advanced connectomic imaging models to identify disease-relevant axonal pathway targets for better tremor control in Parkinson's disease patients while avoiding undesirable side effects, with the goal of increasing precision and facilitating the choice of optimal DBS parameters for certain disease phenotypes. The investigators hypothesize that patient centered subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation of cerebellothalamic axonal pathways and pallidothalamic tract activation can provide better tremor control while avoiding worsening dyskinesias in patients with Parkinson's disease with significant tremor. Read Less

This is a randomized clinical trial of Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) vs. an attention-control condition (placebo) for improving the mental health of parents of children with pediatric feeding disorder. The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two programs in parents of children with pediatric feeding disorders. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: FACT will result in clinically meaningful reductions in Mental Health(MH) problems among parents of children with Pediatric Feed Disorder (PFD) Identify factors that impact the feasibility of FACT delivery Participants will asked to participate in one of two programs focused on parents of children with pediatric feeding disorders. The participants will also be asked to complete a battery of questionnaires at four timepoints during the study. The parents will be asked to video record a meal time three times during study. Researchers will compare the FACT group with a control group to see if FACT will result in clinically meaningful change in parent stress and anxiety, and parent use of positive mealtime behaviors. Read Less

The purpose of the SENTRY (Stability Enhanced Transcriptional Analytics) Study is to test whether combining a unique analytical approach with changes in platelet RNA expression accurately diagnoses ovarian cancer. Using retrospective data, the investigators have developed an approach that appears to accurately classify ovarian cancer with relatively high sensitivity and specificity. The SENTRY Study will build upon these retrospective analyses to prospectively recruit women with ovarian cancer or an ovarian mass (and healthy control women), obtain platelet RNA samples from whole blood, and perform validation analyses to test our hypothesis. Read Less

Heart failure (HF) affects more than 6 million adults in the U.S. alone, with increasing prevalence. Cardiovascular congestion with resultant limitation in physical activity is the hallmark of chronic and decompensated HF. The current HF physiologic model suggests that congestion is the result of volume retention and, therefore, therapies (such as diuretics) have generally been targeted at volume overload. Yet therapeutic approaches to reduce congestion have failed to show significant benefit on clinical outcomes, potentially due to an untargeted approach of decongestive therapies. The investigators' preliminary work suggested a complimentary contribution of volume redistribution to the mechanism of cardiac decompensation. The investigators identified the splanchnic nerves as a potential therapeutic target and showed that short-term interruption of the splanchnic nerve signaling could have favorable effects on cardiovascular hemodynamics and symptoms. As part of the investigators' proposal, the investigators will test the safety and efficacy of prolonged splanchnic nerve block in a randomized, controlled, blinded study in patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The results will help test the hypothesis of volume redistribution as a driver of cardiovascular congestion and functional limitations and pave the way for splanchnic nerve blockade as a novel therapeutic approach to HF. Read Less

This research study is being conducted to learn if Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN®) may be effective in treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN®) works by delivering small electrical stimulations to the Vagus and Trigeminal nerves. This study will be conducted over the course of five days. Participants will be enrolled within 24 hours of entering treatment for alcohol withdrawal management. A total of 60 individuals will be enrolled and randomly assigned to either active (treatment with the device + treatment as usual) or sham (treatment as usual) group. Data will be collected on alcohol craving, use of comfort medications, sleep, and mood. Read Less

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the real-world effects of selected obesity medications in adults undergoing medical weight management. The main outcomes of interest are changes in body composition, routine clinical markers, muscular performance, and nutritional intake over the course of treatment. Additionally, the influence of lifestyle factors on changes in these outcome variables will be examined. Participants beginning treatment with selected obesity medications will undergo periodic body composition and muscular performance testing, as well as complete online surveys about their nutritional intake and physical activity and exercise participation. Additionally, routinely collected clinical information will be evaluated. Read Less

This study is designed for children, adolescents and young adults undergoing radiation therapy for metastatic sarcoma. The aim of the study is to investigate if the investigators can improve the overall survival of these patients by targeting metastatic sites with radiation. Read Less

Many children and adults receiving medical treatments have higher costs, which can make it harder for them to afford groceries. When someone can't afford enough food, and they do not receive proper nutrition it can make treatment more difficult. By doing this study investigators hope to learn more about whether addressing food insecurity by giving patients bags of food in clinic can help improve nutrition, reduce costs, and improve transplant and cellular therapy outcomes. Read Less

This clinical trial compares efficacy in postoperative pain management in thoracic surgery between erector spinae block versus liposomal bupivacaine injections. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to develop a single, standardized test to determine how individuals tolerate acute hypoxia in a stepwise fashion. We aim to evaluate the association between multiple factors, such as ventilatory compensation, heart rate response, acid-base changes, sex, pulmonary function, etc, which may explain why some individuals tolerate exercise in hypoxia better than others. Identifying these factors of association will inform future pharmacological and non-pharmacological attempts to combat acute hypoxic exercise. Read Less