C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

This research aims to evaluate the effects of Hass Avocados on blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The study investigates whether eating Hass Avocados daily can reduce fasting blood sugar levels compared to consuming an equal calorie amount of other fruits. The trial is randomized and double-blind to carefully assess these effects under controlled conditions. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will consume one Hass Avocado daily (about 240 calories per day), and the other group will receive other fruits matched for energy and form. This crossover design allows each participant to try both diets during the study period, helping to compare their impacts on blood sugar. During the study, participants will undergo blood tests at the start and after 5 weeks to measure fasting blood glucose, insulin, fructosamine, and glycated albumin levels. Researchers will monitor adherence to the diet and safety throughout the trial. The total participation spans at least 5 weeks per diet phase, with close monitoring of metabolic markers to understand how avocado consumption influences glycemic control.

This observational study focuses on patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing catheter ablation. The main aim is to explore how inflammation markers relate to local fat deposits, clinical risk factors, and changes after AF ablation. Researchers want to better understand the link between inflammation and heart tissue changes in this condition. The study involves collecting blood samples at various times to measure inflammation and fibrosis markers such as Interleukin 6, N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type 1 (P1NP), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), GlycA, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, and omega-3 fatty acids. These markers are analyzed to assess changes before and after the ablation procedure. Participants will be monitored over one year to evaluate reductions in inflammation and improvements in clinical outcomes including arrhythmia recurrence. The study includes clinical evaluations, blood tests for biomarkers, and electroanatomical mapping to assess atrial fibrosis. The research team will track how inflammation levels correspond with heart tissue changes and patient recovery during this period.

Researchers are studying whether the medicine colchicine can reduce inflammation and lower the chance of developing an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in adults. This Phase 4 pilot study will compare colchicine plus usual care to a placebo plus usual care to gather safety data and effect estimates that can help plan larger future studies. Participants will be randomly assigned to take either colchicine capsules or placebo capsules starting 5 days before their surgery and continuing for 10 days after surgery or until hospital discharge, whichever comes first. The colchicine dose depends on body weight and kidney function. Both groups receive usual care alongside the study capsules, and neither participants nor study staff will know who receives colchicine or placebo. Participants will provide blood samples and health information before surgery, then at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after surgery, and again at 10 days post-surgery or discharge. Researchers will measure inflammation markers, track new cases of atrial fibrillation, monitor liver and kidney function, blood counts, and note any side effects. The study lasts through hospital discharge, which can be up to 15 days after surgery.

Researchers are evaluating how C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and patient information leaflets (PILs) influence antibiotic prescribing in adults with acute respiratory symptoms in primary care settings in Kyrgyzstan. The study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of three CRP thresholds (20, 40, 60 mg/L) and the impact of PILs on reducing unnecessary antibiotic use while ensuring patient safety. This multicentre, randomized controlled trial addresses antimicrobial resistance challenges by testing diagnostic and educational approaches in both rural and urban healthcare centres. All participants will receive CRP point-of-care testing using the Aidian QuickRead Go device during their consultation. They will be assigned to one of six groups based on CRP threshold levels and whether they receive a patient information leaflet explaining when antibiotics are unnecessary. The trial includes two main interventions: the CRP POCT to guide antibiotic prescribing and PILs to educate patients. Follow-up calls will be conducted on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 to monitor health status and any adverse events. Participants aged 18 to 70 with symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, stuffy nose, or wheezing lasting less than two weeks will be involved. They will provide informed consent and be assessed during routine consultations. The study will measure antibiotic use and hospitalisation rates over 21 days, ensuring safety through a dedicated review board. Data on symptoms, antibiotic use, and adverse events will be collected, with ongoing monitoring and statistical analyses planned to evaluate outcomes and subgroup effects.

Researchers are investigating the effects of selective C-reactive protein (CRP) apheresis in patients who have experienced an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The study aims to assess whether reducing CRP levels with the PentraSorb4-CRP system, in addition to standard care, can decrease the size of the heart muscle damage caused by the infarction. This trial is a prospective, randomized, open-label study with masked outcome assessors, designed to provide evidence on the impact of this approach on infarct size and clinical outcomes after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either selective CRP apheresis using the PentraSorb4-CRP system as an add-on to standard treatment or standard care alone. The apheresis procedure will be performed on days 1, 2, and 3 following PCI. This trial compares these two groups to evaluate the effect of CRP removal on heart muscle injury and recovery. During the study, participants will undergo assessments including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) at baseline, 4 months, and 12 months after PCI to measure heart function, infarct size, and other cardiac parameters. Various biomarkers related to myocardial injury, inflammation, and cardiac autonomic function will be monitored during hospitalization and follow-up. Safety and clinical outcomes such as mortality and heart failure-related hospitalizations will be tracked up to 12 months after randomization. The primary outcome is measured approximately 5 days after PCI, with extended follow-up to capture longer-term effects.

Researchers are studying patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN Ph negative) to observe inflammatory biomarkers and track their changes over the course of the disease. The study aims to find links between these biomarkers and important disease outcomes such as blood clots, bleeding events, and progression to more severe disease stages like accelerated or blast phases. This observational study is designed to improve risk assessment for patients with these blood disorders. This study is observational and does not involve experimental treatments. It gathers data on inflammatory markers and clinical events in patients diagnosed with types of MPN including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, primary myelofibrosis, and post-PV or post-ET myelofibrosis. The study collects information retrospectively and prospectively from medical records and laboratory tests over a period of up to 60 months (5 years). Participants will be monitored through routine blood counts with white cell formulas to calculate inflammatory ratios, along with tracking arterial and venous thrombotic events. The study also measures conventional and new inflammatory biomarkers, time to thrombo-hemorrhagic events, survival status, and disease progression to fibrotic, accelerated, or leukemic phases. The total observation period is planned for 60 months, and participants provide informed consent to share their data for this research.

Introduction: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication in elderly surgical patients and is significantly associated with prolonged hospital stays, cognitive impairment, functional decline, and increased mortality rates within 6 to 12 months. Its incidence has been reported to range between 10% and 70%, depending on the diagnostic criteria used, the population studied, and the type of surgical procedure performed. The incidence is particularly higher following vascular, cardiac, and hip fracture surgeries. According to the 2024 updated guidelines by the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC), POD should be screened at least once daily for a minimum of three days, beginning in the post-anesthesia recovery unit, based on the DSM-5 criteria. POD is a complex syndrome associated with various phenotypes and is likely the result of a combination of neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress processes. Candidate biomarkers for POD include inflammatory parameters (such as interleukins, C-reactive protein \[CRP\], erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and CD68), dopamine receptors, norepinephrine levels, cortisol levels, genetic biomarkers (e.g., apolipoprotein E4), acetylcholinesterase levels, and albumin levels. However, systemic stress can lead to nonspecific activation of the immune system, resulting in a decrease in lymphocyte count. Although the relationships between CRP, albumin, and lymphocyte count with POD have been individually investigated in the literature, no study has examined the combined effect of these three parameters. Based on this, we aimed to investigate whether the CRP-Albumin-Lymphocyte (CALLY) Index, a novel index not previously reported in the literature, is effective in predicting POD in geriatric patients with hip fractures. The CALLY Index is calculated using the formula: (Albumin × Lymphocyte) / (CRP × 10⁴). Aim/Hypothesis: H₀: The CALLY Index cannot predict the risk of postoperative delirium in geriatric patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. H₁: The CALLY Index can predict the risk of postoperative delirium in geriatric patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Material-Methods: The following data will be recorded for each patient: * Demographic variables: age, sex, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification * Comorbidities and medication use * Smoking and alcohol consumption history * Preoperative laboratory parameters: obtained from the hospital information system for CALLY Index calculation * Perioperative variables: type and duration of anesthesia, duration of surgery, type of surgical procedure, estimated blood loss, blood product transfusion status, and occurrence of intraoperative adverse events * Postoperative data: * Ward of admission after surgery (orthopedic ward/intensive care unit) * Presence of delirium, assessed twice daily (morning and evening) for three days using DSM-5 criteria, starting in the post-anesthesia recovery unit * Occurrence of postoperative complications * Length of stay in the intensive care unit * Total hospital length of stay * Mortality status Patients aged 65 years and older who undergo surgery for femoral neck or intertrochanteric fractures will be included in the study. Patients with preoperative delirium, preoperative dementia, pathological or open fractures, systemic or localized infections in the fracture region during the preoperative period, or multiple trauma will be excluded. Additionally, those with a BMI \<18.5 or ≥35 chronic organ failure, or advanced-stage cancer will be excluded from the study.

Observational and animal studies suggest that certain non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS), like sucralose and aspartame, may affect blood sugar control, especially in middle-aged and older adults with prediabetes. This research aims to understand how these sweeteners impact glucose regulation and to explore possible inflammatory mechanisms involved. The study focuses on establishing proof-of-concept for changes in glucose homeostasis after consuming sucralose compared to aspartame and a no-sweetener diet in adults aged 40 and over with prediabetes. After a 2-week diet to stabilize eating habits, 30 participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups for six weeks: a sucralose group, an aspartame group, or a control group with no NNS. All groups will follow diets matched in macronutrients and calories to avoid weight changes. The sweetener doses are set at 25% of acceptable daily intake levels for a 60 kg adult. The controlled feeding study ensures all participants consume the provided foods and sweeteners as assigned. Participants will be monitored using continuous glucose monitors to track 24-hour blood sugar control, and oral glucose tolerance tests will assess insulin sensitivity and beta cell function before and after the 6-week treatment. Inflammatory markers such as serum endotoxin, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 will also be measured. The study will last about eight weeks including the lead-in diet, and safety and adherence will be closely observed throughout.

Researchers are evaluating how increasing pulse consumption affects cardiometabolic risk factors in adults who currently eat less than 1.5 cups of pulses per week. This study compares two different pulse intake levels—1.5 cups and 3 cups per week—against standard nutrition education based on the USDA's MyPlate guidelines. The primary focus is on changes in LDL cholesterol, C-reactive protein, HbA1c, and blood pressure, with additional interest in lipid profiles, diet quality, and life satisfaction measures. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group receiving general healthy eating education, a group receiving 1.5 cup-equivalents of pulses weekly along with targeted nutrition education, and a group receiving 3 cup-equivalents of pulses weekly with similar education. All groups attend biweekly cooking classes and food demonstrations over 12 to 14 weeks. Pulse doses are tailored to individual calorie needs and provided for participants to prepare and consume at home. Participants in pulse groups also complete weekly consumption logs. Throughout the study, participants undergo baseline and week-12 visits involving fasting blood draws to measure cardiometabolic biomarkers, blood pressure assessments under standardized conditions, and completion of questionnaires on diet and life satisfaction. Dietary intake is assessed using detailed 3-day food records at both timepoints. Physical activity is also monitored. Researchers track adverse events and medication changes. The study duration accommodates scheduling challenges by allowing intervention periods from 12 to 14 weeks.

Coronary heart disease (CAD) results from reduced blood flow to the heart due to narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. This condition can cause heart muscle damage from lack of oxygen. Despite effective drug treatments after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), patients with CAD remain at high risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). This study focuses on residual inflammation risk (RIR), an important factor linked to worse outcomes in CAD. The study aims to define the RIR standard in Chinese patients undergoing PCI and explore how changes in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels affect MACE over a 5-year period. Participants in this observational study will have serial hsCRP blood tests at least 4 weeks apart, starting with the first measurement after PCI. The study will track patients over 60 months to observe the impact of RIR on their cardiovascular health. No treatments or interventions are assigned; instead, researchers will monitor natural changes in inflammation markers and clinical outcomes. During the study, participants will undergo regular laboratory testing to measure hsCRP and other key health indicators. Researchers will record major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, deaths, and bleeding episodes. Participants’ clinical progress will be followed for five years to assess long-term outcomes related to inflammation and heart disease. This comprehensive monitoring aims to improve understanding of inflammation’s role in CAD prognosis after PCI.