Chemical Exposure

This research aims to understand how changes in pupil size and reaction relate to the start of neurological side effects in patients receiving CAR-T cell therapy, specifically Axi-cel (CD19 CAR-T cell) treatment. It focuses on adults with certain types of lymphoma who are treated in a hospital setting. The study is observational and seeks to assess the connection between pupil changes and neurotoxicity within 10 days after treatment, along with evaluating the severity of symptoms and safety of the measuring device. Participants will have their pupils measured using the NeurOptics4 NPi4-300 Pupillometer, a handheld, non-invasive device that scans each eye separately without touching the eye. The scanning process takes less than five minutes per session. The study will track changes in the Neurological Pupil index (NPi) from before treatment to after infusion, and also assess differences between eyes to see if these relate to symptom severity. During the study, participants will undergo regular pupil measurements and be monitored for neurological symptoms using clinical evaluations and possibly imaging or EEG tests. Researchers will record any adverse events over about one year following study participation. The study will also assess the safety and ease of using the pupillometer device in this patient group. Participants will be involved throughout this monitoring period while receiving their usual care.

Healthcare professionals often face severe stress, which can lead to sick leave and affect their well-being. This research aims to evaluate whether a five-week internet-based compassion course can help reduce stress of conscience and work-related stress, while improving professional quality of life and self-compassion. The study compares this compassion course with a general internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) stress management course and a waitlist group. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a therapist-guided internet compassion course, a therapist-guided general internet CBT stress management course, or a waitlist for 10 weeks followed by the general CBT course. Both courses are structured self-help programs lasting five weeks, including weekly reports and therapist feedback delivered online. The compassion course focuses on compassion-focused therapy methods, while the CBT course uses traditional CBT techniques. Throughout the study, participants will complete assessments at baseline, 5, 10, and 15 weeks, and again at 6 months. These assessments measure changes in stress of conscience, professional quality of life, work-related stress, and self-compassion. Data are collected through self-assessment forms, and the study tracks progress over time to understand the effects of the courses. The total participation time spans up to 6 months to monitor longer-term outcomes and maintenance of benefits.

Researchers are studying the effects of local treatment on health and daily life in people with early-stage breast cancer in China. The focus is on those with stage I to III invasive breast cancer receiving surgery and other therapies before or after surgery. The study aims to understand both short- and long-term physical, emotional, and social effects of treatment, including tiredness, sleep problems, emotional distress, pain, and changes in heart or lung function, to improve recovery and quality of life. Participants will receive local therapy with curative intent, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, or targeted therapy given before or after surgery. This observational study involves no experimental treatment. At the start, participants undergo clinical assessments, including heart and lung tests, lab work, and collection of blood and tissue samples. They also complete questionnaires about symptoms and well-being at multiple time points over five years. During the study, participants will complete surveys about their physical symptoms, emotional health, and quality of life at baseline, one week, one month, three months, six months, one year, and then annually up to five years. Researchers will monitor treatment-related toxicities and quality of life changes through these patient-reported outcomes. The study uses electronic data collection with quality checks to ensure accurate and consistent information for analysis and future research.

Residents of Martin and Letcher Counties in Appalachian Kentucky face a serious health risk from exposure to disinfection by-products (DBPs) in their drinking water. These DBPs, including trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and chlorate, have been linked to health problems such as bladder cancer and cardiovascular birth defects. The research aims to better understand and reduce exposure to these harmful compounds through a community-focused approach involving multiple stakeholders and methods. The study involves two main programs: a Citizen Scientist Training Program and a Stakeholder Consultation Core Program. The training program lasts three years and includes in-home sampling and education on DBPs. The consultation core runs for five years, with participants attending quarterly meetings and discussions to share insights and experiences about DBP exposure and mitigation. These programs work together to engage the community in addressing the water contamination issue. Participants will be assessed on changes in their environmental health knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and social network connections over a five-year period. Assessments occur at the start and throughout the study to track progress. The study also involves regular participation in meetings, training sessions, and in-home sampling activities. Overall, the study seeks to empower local residents with knowledge and tools to reduce their exposure to harmful drinking water contaminants over several years.

Researchers are investigating the use of ABM/P-15 bone graft compared to traditional bone graft in patients undergoing surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity (ASD). This study aims to improve clinical outcomes by promoting faster bone healing, reducing the need for additional surgeries, minimizing complications, and improving health-related quality of life. The trial is a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study conducted at a specialized spine unit. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the ABM/P-15 bone graft, which is a device combining anorganic bovine bone mineral with a synthetic peptide to enhance bone growth, or a standard bone graft made from locally harvested bone mixed with morselized allogenic femoral head. Both graft types are used during posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion surgery, with anterior support added as needed. The ABM/P-15 bone graft is placed on the spine structures and contained by the surrounding muscle. The study includes preoperative planning, surgery, and follow-up evaluations up to two years. Participants complete questionnaires before surgery and at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. They undergo X-rays at multiple time points and a CT scan one year after surgery to assess bone fusion and detect pseudarthrosis. Researchers track revision surgeries, adverse events, and cost-effectiveness during the study. Data on surgical details, complications, medication use, and rehabilitation are collected from medical records. The total participation lasts about two years, allowing for detailed assessment of outcomes and safety.

Researchers are evaluating whether short exercise breaks at work can prevent muscle and joint pain in workers. The study compares two types of exercise programs to see if strength exercises help workers move better and feel less pain, and whether they are more effective than stretching exercises. This quasi-experimental study is conducted in collaboration with Recuperación Funcional Gurea S.Coop.Peq at various companies in the Basque Country, focusing on musculoskeletal disorder prevention. Participants are divided into two groups based on their workplace or preference. One group performs a strength-based active pause program involving high-intensity resistance exercises targeting the shoulder, back, and legs using elastic bands or body weight. The other group follows a mobility active pause program with low-intensity joint mobility and static stretching exercises. Both programs last 8 weeks, with daily 5-minute sessions and one supervised session per week. Participants complete physical tests such as the 30-second Sit-to-Stand test and strength measures of handgrip and shoulder abduction at baseline, after 8 weeks, and again 3 months later. They also answer surveys about pain, work ability, and vitality using the Senior Working Life Questionnaire. Adherence to the intervention is monitored throughout the 8 weeks. The total study duration includes initial assessment, intervention, and follow-up evaluation up to 20 weeks.

This research focuses on the community of Martinsville, Indiana, where groundwater is contaminated with volatile organic compounds, mainly tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE). These chemicals have also been found in indoor air in some buildings, raising concerns about their impact on residents' health. The study aims to better understand the effects of low-level exposure to these compounds and to support the community in deciding on actions to reduce risks. Participants will receive an educational campaign designed to encourage involvement in environmental testing, particularly indoor air testing. The study involves measuring contamination levels in residents and their homes, assessing community concerns, studying effects on visual and neurocognitive functions, and comparing cancer rates locally to wider areas. The campaign and study results will help design targeted efforts to lower exposure. During the study, researchers will track changes in residents' concerns about contamination, awareness of chemical exposure, and willingness to have their homes tested over several years. Assessments will include surveys and environmental testing to monitor exposure and health impacts. The study is led by Purdue University and will run through May 2028, involving adults living in Martinsville.

The goal of a pilot study is to test a study plan to see if it is appropriate for a larger study. This study plan is looking at whether the use of inhaled sedatives (medications that help people be calm and sleep) can reduce delirium (extreme confusion) in children who need a ventilator (breathing machine) compared to IV or oral sedatives. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: * Will people join the study? (recruitment) * Will participants finish the study? * Will healthcare teams accept the study procedures? Participants will be randomized to receive study treatment (inhaled sedation) or standard of care (IV sedation). They will be monitored daily for up to 28 days. They will complete memory, thinking and behaviour tasks after 9-12 months.

Researchers are studying how exposure to ultrafine particulate matter (PM0.1) and noise pollution affects the risk of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders in adults aged 45 to 64 living in Kaunas City. The study combines an observational survey of about 1,000 residents with a clinical trial involving 180 participants who show early signs of metabolic syndrome. The goal is to see if these environmental factors increase health risks and whether lifestyle changes can help reduce them. In the clinical trial, participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group maintaining their usual habits, a group encouraged to take daily 30-minute brisk walks in green spaces, and a group following a Mediterranean diet with dietary counseling. The interventions last for 7 days, during which physical activity is tracked with wristband sensors, and dietary intake is supervised. Participants visit the clinic twice, on Day 1 and Day 8, for health measurements and blood sample collection. Participants complete health and lifestyle questionnaires, wear wristband sensors to monitor activity, heart rate, and sleep, and undergo clinical assessments including blood pressure, waist circumference, body composition, and blood tests for metabolic and inflammatory markers. Researchers analyze these data to understand the impact of environmental exposure and lifestyle changes on cardiovascular and metabolic health. The study's findings aim to guide public health strategies to reduce disease risks related to pollution and lifestyle.

The aPPPle pilot study aims to explore how people involved with apple crops, including operators applying plant protection products (PPPs), workers doing manual tasks, and nearby residents, might be exposed to certain pesticides and fungicides. It focuses on acetamiprid, dithianon, and dodine, substances used in apple orchards, especially since these applications happen at higher altitudes where exposure risk may be greater. This observational study helps prepare for a larger future study by testing feasibility and collecting initial data. Participants are grouped as operators applying PPPs to apple crops, manual workers like pruners or harvesters in the orchards, residents living adjacent to the orchards, and controls living between 10 and 150 kilometers away from any apple orchards. The study observes exposure during work or application periods, collecting urine samples up to 48 hours after exposure and blood samples to analyze effect biomarkers. Controls provide samples at a single time point for comparison. During the study, researchers measure concentrations of the substances and their metabolites in various samples from participants, including urine collected soon after exposure and blood plasma over a week. They assess physiological changes through biomarkers in blood and metabolome analysis. Participants must understand the study, consent in writing, and have health insurance. The study runs from March 2025 to December 2025, focusing on collecting accurate exposure and health effect data.