143 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
This prospective study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of AVELI for reducing cellulite and fibrotic tissue in patients undergoing High-Definition Liposculpture, exploring if AVELI improves the aesthetic outcomes, and reduced the clinically evident cellulite and/or fibrosis. The main questions this study seeks to answer are: * Does AVELI safely reduce cellulite and fibrotic tissue without causing serious adverse events? * How effective is AVELI in improving patient-reported outcomes and aesthetic appearance? Through this study, the study team aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of AVELI. The study procedures include: * Baseline data collection of sociodemographic variables. Data collection of surgical variables, adverse events, and satisfaction scores. * All patients will undergo the standardized High-Definition Liposculpture technique, with AVELI applied to all identified cellulite and/or fibrosis release. * Photographic and 3D imaging preoperatively and at follow-ups (1, 3, 6, and 9 months).
The goal of the study is to see which is better at treating patients which rotator cuff tendinopathy (RCT): a single injection of Connective Tissue Matrix boost (CTM) or a steroid shot. Patients will be randomized (like flipping a coin) to the treatment. Patients and researchers will be blinded (not know) what group the patients are in. Patients will come back to the study clinic at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after the shot to answer questionnaires, have a physical exam, and complete physical function tests to check their shoulder.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a lung condition resulting in inflammation and stiffening of the lung, often associated with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). ILD causes reduction in lung volume, shortness of breath, cough and fatigue therefore has high impact on quality of life and is also the leading cause of death in participants with these conditions. The study will assess whether treatment of CTD-ILD participants with belimumab in addition to standard therapy will result in the stabilization and/or improvement of lung function and improve symptoms associated with ILD with an acceptable safety profile.
The purpose of this research study is to determine if the effectiveness of a single injection of CTM Boost in the treatment of patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy (RCT) is as effective as a single injection of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in reducing the symptoms of RCT.
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to compare whether soft tissue augmentation placed in the donor site following a gum graft harvesting leads to volumetric changes compared to non-augmented sites in the palate. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Are there tissue thickness changes between the two groups (control group and augmentation group)? * Are there volumetric changes in the donor site (palate) between the two groups in the short and long term? Participants will receive a gum graft and then based on what group they were randomly assigned, they will receive either a collagen matrix where the gum graft was taken (on the palate) or nothing will be placed. Researchers will compare non-augmented sites with augmented sites to see if there is a change in tissue thickness and volume.
The purpose of this study is to see how well the ActiveMatrix® graft works at improving healing and function of the shoulder following rotator cuff repair surgery
The purpose of this study is to compare ActiveMatrix® to standard of care corticosteroid injection in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder (frozen shoulder).
The study aims at comparing two different approaches for the treatment of implant esthetic complications (peri-implant soft tissue dehiscences): autogenous connective tissue graft vs collagen matrix + recombinant human platelet derived growth factor-BB
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains a leading cause of blindness in United States and can be broadly divided into two forms: non-neovascular AMD (NNVAMD) and neovascular AMD (NVAMD) AMD. Among the several mechanisms underlying AMD, hypoxia and oxidative stress have been implicated and cause upregulation of several signaling proteins. About 20% of patients with NNVAMD develop choroidal neovascularization and hence convert to NVAMD. Upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in conversion from NNVAMD to NVAMD. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a polypeptide that has been shown to be overexpressed in various fibrotic disorders, suggesting its involvement in scarring. After the development of choroidal neovascularization, subretinal fibrosis may occur and result in permanent reduction of vision. An important question is, does CTGF contribute to subretinal fibrosis. An important first step in addressing this question is to determine if CTGF levels are increased in the eyes of patients with NVAMD and this is the objective of this study. The investigators plan to measure levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the aqueous humor of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and compare to controls. Levels of VEGF will be measured as a positive control.
Background: Elastic fibers affect parts of the body that stretch repetitively, such as the skin, blood vessels, and lungs. Researchers want to use medical and research tests in patients with already identified changes in a set of connective tissue genes to better understand diseases related to elastic fibers. Objective: To learn more about the impact of underlying changes in a set of connective tissue genes on people s overall health. Eligibility: People ages 2-100 who have had a gene test that identified a change in a gene that affects elastic fibers. Initial emphasis will be placed on people with changes in ELN, LOX, MFAP4, FBLN5 and EFEMP2. Design: Participants will visit the NIH for several days to perform tests that will help researchers learn more about how changes in connective tissue genes affect a person s health. They will also have clinicians take their medical history and physical exam. Optional tests include giving blood samples, hair strand, urine, and/or saliva samples. They may have a cheek swab or skin biopsy. Their genes may be studied. Their cells may be grown in a laboratory. Participants may have photographs taken of the face and body. They will receive exams by a medical team with experience in connective tissue disease. They may have a dental exam or eye exams and with photography. During the eye exam, pictures may be taken of the blood vessels in the eyes. If this occurs, they will get dye through an intravenous (IV) line in an arm vein. They will also have medical tests to check the health of tissues that may be affected by these connective tissue genes. Participants may have lung function tests. They may have a six-minute walk test. They may complete a treadmill or bike stress test. Their heart s electrical activity may be recorded. Participants may have X-rays and ultrasounds. They may have a DEXA scan to measure bone density. They may have CT, MRI or other imaging scans. Some of these tests require the participant to get a contrast fluid via IV. Participants may have a skin elasticity test using a suction cup that pulls lightly on their skin. Participants may wear blood pressure cuffs while probes are placed on their skin. The tests will be chosen for each individual based on their specific gene change and no person is expected to complete all tests. Participation will last 3-5 days.
This document is a protocol for a human research study. This study is to be conducted according to United States standards of Good Clinical Practice in accordance with applicable Federal regulations and institutional research policies and procedures. Extracellular matrix grafts have been used to help with postoperative inflammation.
This study compares the efficacy of root coverage achieved by the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) technique and the Connective Tissue Graft (CTG) technique in the treatment of Miller class I and II gingival recession defects. All patients will receive PST in one quadrant and CTG in another quadrant. The hypothesis being tested is: Pinhole Surgical Technique outcomes are not inferior to those of the Connective Tissue Graft surgical technique.
Researchers are trying to find out more about the safety of a new treatment, Allogeneic (coming from a healthy donor) Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMD-MSCs) which is still experimental, for Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) associated with Connective Tissue Disorder (CTD).
This study will compare two commonly used soft tissue grafting techniques (free gingival graft, FGG vs. connective tissue graft, CTG) to augment the soft tissue around dental implants with a lack of keratinized mucosa. To investigators knowledge, these 2 types of grafts have not been compared for differences in clinical (amount of KM increase, tissue thickness increase and esthetics) and patient-centered outcomes (pain, swelling, change in daily activities) in a controlled study.
This study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a proprietary nutritional supplement that contains Krill Oil (KO), astaxanthin (AX) and hyaluronic acid (HA) to reduce pain and discomfort in participants, compared to an inert placebo (palm oil) control and to a positive control (glucosamine-chondroitin). The purpose of the study is to determine if the combination of KO, AX, and HA will benefit participants with joint pain.
This study assesses the safety and efficacy of bardoxolone methyl relative to placebo in patients with connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension to determine the recommended dose range and evaluate the change from baseline in 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) following 24 weeks of study participation.
This registry has been established to gain a better understanding of the clinical and emotional presentations of patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease.
This randomized controlled clinical pilot trial compared the efficacy of two soft tissue grafting methods for correcting esthetic discrepancies associated with non-molar implants in the maxilla. Specifically, it was explored whether defects treated with connective tissue grafts (SCTG) differed in their outcomes from defects treated with acellular dermal matrix allografts (ADM).
This study aims to compare the Connective Tissue Motion Measure (CTMM) in low back pain and no-low back pain subjects, evaluate the reliability of the CTMM, and examine the correlation of CTMM with low back pain symptoms, disability, and functional measures. The investigators hypothesize that CTMM will be reduced, on average, in low back pain subjects, that CTMM will be reliable with an intra-class correlation greater than 0.8, and CTMM will negatively correlate with low back pain symptoms, disability and functional measures.
This is a study to determine how vaginal estrogen cream given for several weeks before pelvic reconstructive therapy will effect elastic fiber assembly in the muscularis layer of the vaginal wall. Postmenopausal women with at least Stage 2 pelvic organ prolapse will receive either estrogen vaginal cream or placebo cream 6-8 weeks prior to reconstructive surgery. At time of surgery, full thickness biopsies will be obtained from a standardized location at the top of vagina. The investigators will measure the thickness of the vaginal muscularis, elastic fiber number and morphology, and analyze if elastic fiber synthesis or degradation is affected by estrogen therapy. The results will provide important data to support a larger clinical trial to determine if preoperative and maintenance estrogen therapy alter long-term success rates of pelvic reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.
The purpose of this study is to develop a measure - the needle torque test - capable of detecting connective tissue abnormalities associated with musculoskeletal disorders.
The goal of this project is to develop a biomarker - the Connective Tissue Motion Measure (CTMM) -quantifying the functional behavior of perimuscular connective tissues.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of the dietary supplement Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM) for the treatment of joint and connective tissue discomfort \& pain.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of the dietary supplement Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM) for the treatment of joint and connective tissue discomfort, pain, and flexibility.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) are long-term autoimmune diseases in which the immune system attacks parts of the body. The abnormal immune reaction causes inflammation of and damage to various body parts and can affect joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and the brain. SLE and MCTD often affect young women, especially black and Hispanic women, and there is no known cure. Knowing more about SLE and MCTD will help in developing new and effective treatments. The purpose of this study is to characterize immune system abnormalities, genetic components, and disease progression in people with SLE and MCTD.
To explore the hypothesis that leg ulcers are associated with hypercoagulable states, the CLUE study will evaluate patients with connective tissue disease associated leg ulcers, to identify risk factors (especially hypercoagulability and immunologic characteristics), characterize pathogenesis, predict response to therapy, and assess the impact of lower extremity ulcers on quality of life.
This study will define the major genetic risk and protective factors for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), a group of immune disorders affecting connective tissues such as muscles. It will also identify new environmental risk factors for IIM and identify immune responses in myositis and related diseases. There are many forms of IIMs, and the causes of these diseases are unknown. However, scientists suspect that they result when people with some genetic factors that predispose them-that is, put them at greater risk-are exposed to certain environmental triggers. Some of those triggers include food, drugs, biologics (such as a vaccine to prevent disease), medical devices and occupational exposures. Patients, including children under 18, who had a diagnosis of myositis, a related autoimmune disease, or a rheumatic disease, as well as their blood relatives, and control subjects who were in good health have already been recruited for this study. The evaluation consisted of one outpatient visit to the patient's doctor, who will obtain a medical history and conduct a physician examination. Patients spent 20 to 30 minutes to answer written questions. There was a blood collection of about 6 tablespoons. If there was a major change in patients' medical conditions, they were asked to return for a second outpatient evaluation to determine whether any of the blood tests or antibodies, which show an immune response, had changed. Blood samples collected will be used only for laboratory research studies. The samples have been identified by a code, and all other identifying information have been removed. During the study, researchers will explore possible environmental risk factors, including studies of infectious and non-infectious agents. They will analyze the blood for genetic markers and test for certain antibodies. Laboratory results will be evaluated as they relate to the signs, symptoms, and severity of patients' illnesses. That would help researchers to better understand patterns of the diseases and the outcomes for patients. This study will not have a direct benefit for patients. However, results from the study can be made available to patients' doctors for use in appropriate care. Also, it is hoped that information gained can help other people in the future.
Background: - Heritable disorders of connective tissue are genetic conditions that can affect the skin and other parts of the body. They are related to mutations in genes that are responsible for building tissues. The symptoms differ among disorders. Researchers want to study which genes may be responsible for different disorders. They will be performing a long-term (up to 10 years) study and a study that requires a single visit. These studies will look at how these disorders affect the body and what genes may cause these conditions. Objectives: - To perform one-time and long-term studies of people who have heritable disorders of connective tissue. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 2 years of age who have or may have a heritable disorder of connective tissue. Design: * Participants will be screened with a physical exam, medical history, and blood samples. * Participants will be on one of two parts of this study. The longitudinal arm will require long-term study over about 10 years. The mutational analysis arm will involve a single visit. * Longitudinal arm participants must be at least 12 years of age. They will have study visits at regular intervals for up to 10 years. The tests given at these visits may include all or some of the following: * Blood, saliva, urine, and skin samples * Heart and lung function tests * Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the neck, chest, spine, and abdomen * Other imaging studies such as x-rays, bone density scans, and ultrasounds * Questionnaires about sleep, pain, and quality of life * Photographs of affected areas. * Mutational analysis arm participants will have a single study visit. They will provide blood and saliva samples. They will provide tissue from a skin biopsy. They will also let the researchers take photos of any affected body parts. They will complete questionnaires about sleep, pain, and quality of life.
This study offers evaluation and treatment of patients with a suspected connective tissue disorder. The protocol is not designed to test new treatments; rather, patients receive standard care. The study is designed to: 1) allow NICHD's staff to learn more about connective tissue disorders, 2) train physicians in the evaluation and treatment of these disorders; and 3) establish a pool of patients who may be eligible for other NICHD protocols for connective tissue disorders. (Participants in this protocol will not be required to join another study; the decision will be voluntary.) Patients of all ages with a suspected connective tissue disorder and their unaffected family members may be eligible for this study. Participants undergo diagnostic procedures that may include a medical history, physical examination, X-ray studies, eye examinations, and blood drawing, as well as other specialized tests, when needed. Additional tests may include: * Blood test for DNA genetic analysis * Skin biopsy: Removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination. The area of skin selected for the biopsy is numbed and a small circle of skin, usually from the upper arm, is removed with a surgical cookie cutter-like instrument. * Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show structural and chemical changes in tissues. The patient lies on a table that slides into a narrow cylinder containing a magnetic field. Ear plugs are worn to muffle loud knocking and thumping sounds that occur with electrical switching of the magnetic fields. * Computed tomography (CT) scans: This test allows the doctor to view the organs inside the body in small sections. The patient lies in a doughnut-like machine. Scanning can be done from different angles, allowing a three dimensional picture of the part of the body being studied. It may be done with or without injection of a contrast material. * Referral to appropriate sub-specialists when potential complications are found.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of acupuncture needling on connective tissue using ultrasound techniques both in animals and in humans.