16 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The goal of this prospective, single-arm clinical study is to gather quantifiable data on Renuvion's impact on skin elasticity and hydration, indicators of skin quality and estimate the biological skin age using DNA methylation in males and females between 18 and 75 years of age who plan to receive a lower facelift surgery. The main purpose is to quantify the effect of the Renuvion device on skin elasticity (collagen density, elastin, fibrillin-1), hydration (aquaporin-3, acidic glycosaminoglycans, HA), and DNA methylation to estimate the biological age of the skin. Participants will receive a lower facelift surgery per the Investigator's standard clinical practice and treatment with the Renuvion APR System.
It is proposed that patients with skin disease due to presumed immunologic, genetic or viral-induced abnormalities, patients with neurological degenerations, and normal controls be evaluated with various in vitro studies of immunologic, genetic, and virologic function. This is to include studies of peripheral blood (cells and serum) as well as studies of skin obtained with a biopsy instrument. In addition, studies of gastrointestinal function will be performed where appropriate.
The purpose of the research is to collect and examine spinal disc and ligament tissues to see if there are any biological markers that can be correlated with MRI images to help us learn more about causes of back pain. Spinal discs are the pillow-like cushions between the bones of the spine. They act as shock-absorbers for the spine. Spinal ligaments support the disc structure during movement.
To collect, preserve, and/or distribute annotated biospecimens and associated medical data to institutionally approved, investigator-directed biomedical research to discover and develop new treatments, diagnostics, and preventative methods for specific and complex conditions.
To compare post-operative wound complications in patients randomized to normal saline versus Irrisept solution and any other adverse reactions from the solution.
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.
Dr. Parker (the "Investigator") and Semmes Murphey Foundation ("Foundation") are conducting a study of outcomes and safety associated with degenerative discs at Semmes-Murphey Clinic, P.C. ("Semmes-Murphey"). This study will look at a product that is derived from human tissue, that will be injected into the affected disc. With this study, the investigators hope to find a safe and effective way to treat degenerative disc disease.
The purpose of this study is to compare the effect and safety of NuCel to DBX on patients undergoing posteriolateral lumbar spinal fusions for degenerative disc disease.
The main purpose of this study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of CNTO 2476 administered subretinally (beneath the retina) using the iTrack Model 275 micro catheter in patients with visual acuity (acuteness or clearness of vision) impairment associated with the geographic atrophy (GA: partial or complete wasting away of retinal layer below the retina) manifestation of age-related macular degeneration (AMD: medical condition which usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field \[the macula\] because of damage to the retina).
The safety and comfort of repeated administrations of a topically-administered ophthalmic formulation of MC-1101 will be established through investigator assessments and subject reporting over a 3 day period. Safety assessments will be performed on both normal, healthy subjects as well as those with the signs and symptoms of early non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD).
The long-term goal is to show that retinal transplantation can help to prevent blindness and to restore eyesight in patients with dry age related macular degeneration.
The objective of this research program is to improve diagnosis and treatment monitoring of ophthalmic disease by improving diagnostic ultrasound techniques. The program explores the use of novel signal and imaging processing techniques towards this end.
The purpose of this project is to diagnose and evaluate ocular and related tissues with various diseases such as conjunctival, corneal, uveal, vitreoretinal and optic nerve disorders, ocular degenerative, metabolic or genetic diseases and tumors. These will be studied using light microscopy, electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, molecular pathological including polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization, as well as measuring the functions of cellular organelles, e.g., mitochondrial function. Lymphocytes in the peripheral blood as well as other involved biopsied tissues and ocular tissue will be compared and categorized by disease. Cytokines, chemokines or growth factors and/or other released molecules in the blood and ocular fluids will be also analyzed. Elucidating the relationship between the infiltrating cells, ocular resident cells, and their products in various diseases will help us to make diagnoses and increase our understanding of human ocular disorders. Patients who require eye surgery to treat an eye disease or other disease in which the eye is involved may participate in this study. Samples of eye tissue and fluid that are normally removed and discarded during eye surgery will instead be given to researchers for study. The tissues will be examined under microscope and studied using sophisticated chemical and biological tests. Immune cells from blood samples may also be examined. These studies will help better understand and diagnose the various eye diseases and to develop more attractive therapies.
The investigators will compare PI-2620 tau PET scans from patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), patients with non-amnestic presentations of Alzheimer's disease (naAD), and demographically matched cognitively normal seniors.
The purpose of this study is to determine the ability of a proprietary software screening tool to discriminate normal corneas (front surface of the eye) from previously diagnosed corneal conditions (diseases/surgeries/pathologies) and to determine the repeatabiltity and reproducibility of the Atlas II corneal topographer in normal human corneas.
Gyrate atrophy is a rare hereditary disease of the eye's retina (the layer of light-sensitive tissue that lines the inside of the eyeball) and choroid (a vascular layer of tissue behind the retina). Degeneration of these structures causes near-sightedness, cataracts and progressive loss of vision. This study will examine eye function and chemical and molecular abnormalities in patients with gyrate atrophy to try to better understand, diagnose, and treat the condition. Patients with other degenerative diseases of the choroid and retina, such as retinitis pigmentosa, choroideremia, and others, will also be studied for comparison. Family members of patients will be studied, when possible, to try to identify the genetic basis of the disease and gain information that will aid in genetic counseling. Study participants will undergo a physical examination and eye examination, including tests of color vision, field of vision, and ability to see in the dark. An electroretinogram and electrooculogram will measure visual cell function. Photographs of the retina will be taken. Blood will be drawn for biochemical study and gene research. Family members who agree to participate in the study will undergo the same eye tests and will also have blood drawn for genetic studies. Patients with gyrate atrophy will also be asked to undergo a small skin biopsy for biochemical and genetic study. They will provide a family history in order to draw a family tree showing how the disease is distributed among family members. Patients with gyrate atrophy may also participate in studies of the effect of vitamin B6 and diet on blood levels of the amino acid ornithine, which is elevated in patients with gyrate atrophy. Participants will take 500 mg of vitamin B6 by mouth every day for 3 to 6 months. If this study confirms a reduction of ornithine levels, then long-term studies of the vitamin as a possible treatment for the disease may be started. After the vitamin B6 study, patients will start a nearly protein-free diet to lower ornithine blood levels. More than 2,000 calories are carbohydrate and fat. Some special low-protein foods and limited fruit is included, plus amino acid supplements. Patients who have carefully adhered to this diet have lowered their ornithine levels and slowed disease progression. Patients will be hospitalized for the first 1 to 3 weeks for close monitoring with frequent urine and blood tests. When the blood ornithine level is normalized, a less restricted low protein diet will be prescribed. Participants will have monthly blood tests and a complete eye examination every 6 months to 1 year to evaluate disease progression.