7 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The investigators hypothesize that neutrophils and monocytes developed under the influence of Interferon- gamma-1b (IFN-γ-1b, Actimmune\*) in vivo will display enhanced function across a broad range of activities related in large part to the transcriptional activation effects of this cytokine. The investigators will evaluate the effects of IFN-γ in healthy human subjects in vivo on gene expression, biologic activity markers, and functional activity of myeloid cells in single dose studies and in steady state studies.
This human study will test the impact of dietary supplement vegicaps containing Korean Angelica root extract on 2 types of human immune cells: neutrophils that kill bacteria and other germs and natural killer (NK) cells that kill virus-infected cells and cancers. The investigators had done an earlier study with Korean Angelica supplement and discovered even a single dose of it increased blood neutrophils and NK cells within 24 h. In the new study, Korean Angelica capsules (Cogni.Q) will be compared head-to-head with dummy (placebo) capsules. This is to make sure the immune boosting actions are really from the Korean Angelica supplement.
The overall goal of the study is to investigate the functional, biochemical, and gene expression effects of Interferon-gamma 1-b (IFN-γ) on the neutrophils of patients with Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD). The investigators hypothesize that the clinical effects demonstrated in patients with CGD treated with IFN-γ (decreased number and severity of infections) are the result of biochemical processes and upregulation of specific genes, which lead to enhanced functionality of this immune cell population.
The purpose of this clinical trial is to explore the effects of either a 2-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or breath training intervention on measures of overall health, circulating biomarkers of stress, and immune function. Specific aims include: - Does a 2-week HIIT or breath training intervention improve measurements of overall health, including heart rate variability, physical activity, sleep quality, and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress? -Does a 2-week HIIT or breath training intervention improve circulating concentrations of stress-related biomarkers? Does a 2-week HIIT or breath training intervention improve immune function? Researchers will compare HIIT and breath training to see if equivalent immune improvements are observed. Participants will: -Undergo 2 weeks of HIIT or breath training interventions at a frequency of 3 times per week for 30 minutes or 5 times per week for 5 minutes if placed into an intervention group. -Undergo testing measures at the two pre- and post-intervention time points, if placed in the intervention groups or the healthy control group.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth most common cause of death in the United States. There is no cure and the disease gets worse over time. Although it usually occurs in people who smoke cigarettes, researchers do not know exactly how smoking leads to COPD. This study will compare blood and tissue samples from smokers and nonsmokers with and without COPD to determine why some COPD symptoms occur in some people and not others.
The objective of this randomized clinical trial is to test whether administration of live attenuated MMR vaccine (measles mumps rubella; Merck) to eligible adults at highest risk for contracting COVID-19 (healthcare workers, first responders), can induce non-specific trained innate immune leukocytes that can prevent/dampen pathological inflammation and sepsis associated with COVID-19-infection, if exposed.
This study will evaluate the ability of lung transplant recipients to react to the transplanted organs. Previous research indicates that some immune tests can identify whether people are at risk for chronic rejection of transplanted lungs. Certain parameters, that is, physical properties involving the immune system, may cause acute chronic rejection of the lungs, which may lead to chronic rejection, a condition of scarring that worsens lung function. If such parameters can be identified and distinguished from those found in healthy subjects, information gained can help medical professionals to provide individualized treatments that work on the immune system. Short-term and long-term survival of lung transplant recipients may thus be improved. Patients who will have or have had lung transplants will be recruited by clinical transplant coordinators. Normal control subjects will be recruited through flyers and newspaper advertisements. Collection of blood samples will be done at Duke University Medical Center. Blood collections will be done of patients undergoing routine pretransplant and posttransplant blood tests, so no extra blood collections will be required. Control subjects will undergo three blood collections over an 8-week period. They will be compensated for their time in participating, at the rate of $5 for the initial blood draw, $10 for the second one, and $15 for the third one. A small amount of blood is involved, about 3 tablespoons. The blood cells and DNA (which contains genetic material) will be isolated for analysis. Patients' DNA samples collected will be identified by a code, and all other identifying information will be removed. The samples may be used in the future as new tests are developed. This study will not have a direct benefit for participants. However, during the study, if it is found that any patients have an inherited risk for a disease likely to cause early death if the disease is not treated, then the researchers will attempt to notify those patients. Overall, it is hoped that information gathered will enhance researchers' understanding of what tests best identify patients at risk for developing chronic rejection of their transplanted lungs.