Chronic Inflammatory Disease

Researchers are evaluating the effect of Ibuprofen on reducing the acute inflammatory response after one-stage non-surgical periodontal therapy in adults with periodontitis. The study aims to answer whether Ibuprofen effectively lowers markers of inflammation such as hs-CRP, Procalcitonin, and IL-6 following this dental treatment. This is a randomized clinical trial focused on patients with generalized unstable periodontitis and a pocket depth of 4 mm or more. Participants will first attend a baseline visit where demographic information, clinical examination, and baseline blood samples will be collected. All will receive scaling and oral hygiene instructions, and one week later, clinical parameters will be recorded again. The test group will receive Ibuprofen doses starting one hour before root surface debridement and continuing three times daily for three days, while the control group will undergo the same dental procedure without Ibuprofen. Root surface debridement will be performed by a single periodontist, and treatment duration will be recorded. Participants will attend a follow-up visit one week after root surface debridement to collect blood samples, complete a pain questionnaire, and record plaque index to assess oral hygiene compliance. The main outcomes measured are changes in systemic inflammatory markers after seven days and postoperative pain using a visual analog scale. The study involves active monitoring of clinical parameters and patient-reported pain over the course of one week following treatment.

This research aims to determine whether supplementation with vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) reduces inflammation and clinical activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is a common autoimmune disease causing chronic joint inflammation and potential joint damage, which leads to disability and affects quality of life. The study focuses on patients with early RA who have low vitamin E intake and are already receiving standard RA treatments. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (FARMEs) plus 800 mg per day of vitamin E, while the other group will receive the same FARMEs plus a 200 mg per day magnesium oxide placebo. The supplementation lasts for one month, with participants taking two capsules daily, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. During the study, participants will attend clinic visits at the start and end of the supplementation period for assessments including clinical activity, blood tests measuring vitamin E levels, inflammatory markers, autoantibodies, and antioxidant capacity. They will keep a diary to track symptoms and supplement intake. Researchers will evaluate changes in vitamin E levels, clinical disease activity (DAS-28), pro-inflammatory cytokines, acute phase reactants, and autoantibodies to understand the impact of vitamin E supplementation on RA.

Researchers are conducting the 100-Year Human Aging Study, an observational trial designed to follow participants over their lifespans to investigate which health measurements can predict mortality, serious diseases, and functional disability. The study aims to validate many longevity measures that currently lack prospective evidence by tracking physiological, cognitive, social, and environmental factors that change with aging. This research will generate important data to improve understanding of aging and longevity medicine. Participants undergo comprehensive multi-system clinical screenings including tests like cardiopulmonary exercise testing, body composition assessment by DEXA, echocardiography, electrocardiography, spirometry, neurocognitive testing, sensory assessments, metabolic testing, and detailed medical and social histories. The study allows for different levels of participation, from single tests to full two-visit screening batteries, and encourages repeat testing to capture health changes over time. During the study, participants receive individualized reports including investigational estimates of biological age and predicted cause of death. Researchers collect data on mortality, serious health events, chronic diseases, functional ability, and lifestyle changes through periodic follow-up over many years, potentially up to 100 years. This extensive data collection helps evaluate how well these measurements predict aging outcomes. All data are stored in raw form for future analysis and participants are supported with ongoing contact and opportunities for repeat assessments.

Researchers are evaluating new imaging techniques in adults aged 18 to 85 with lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, COPD, bronchiectasis, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, alpha 1-anti-trypsin deficiency, and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). The study aims to develop tools for analyzing lung function and structure using hyperpolarized Xenon 129 MRI alongside pulmonary function tests. This research is supported by Western University, Canada. Participants will undergo a series of tests during a one to two-hour visit, including medical history review, vital signs measurement, full pulmonary function testing following American Thoracic Society guidelines, proton MRI, specialized 129-Xe MRI scans using chest coils, and a low-dose thoracic CT scan. The MRI procedure includes monitoring heart rate and oxygen levels, providing hearing protection, and offering supplemental oxygen as needed. These imaging and testing methods help assess lung ventilation, diffusion, and gas exchange. During the study visit, participants will complete pulmonary function tests such as spirometry, plethysmography, and diffusing capacity tests. They will undergo magnetic resonance imaging with hyperpolarized Xenon gas to visualize lung airways and anatomy, along with CT scans matched to MRI breathing maneuvers. Researchers will measure ventilation defect percent (VDP), apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC), and dissolved phase spectroscopy over five years. Participant safety is monitored throughout the visit, and the total study duration includes these assessments and follow-up measures.

Researchers are studying the immunologic changes on the surface of the eye in cancer patients, focusing especially on those with ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD). This observational, natural history study aims to understand risk factors, mechanisms of eye damage, drug targets, and effects of oGVHD on the eye over a period of up to four years. Two groups will participate: cancer patients scheduled for bone marrow transplant, who will be evaluated every three months for two years, and healthy control patients without eye disease or cancer history, who will be evaluated every six months. During each visit, standard eye exams will be performed alongside collection of biological specimens such as ocular surface wash, mucocellular material, corneal filaments, impression cytology of conjunctiva, blood, or serum. Participants will attend periodic study visits for clinical exams and specimen collection while receiving their usual care. Researchers will assess various factors including eye disease risk, mechanisms of eye damage, and ocular effects of graft-versus-host disease. The study involves repeated evaluations and biological sampling to track changes over time, with a maximum follow-up of four years.

Researchers are evaluating the effect of a processed blood product called liquid platelet-rich fibrin (S-PRF) in helping healing after treatment for severe gum disease (periodontitis) stages II to IV. This study compares the use of the blood-derived material with standard treatment using saline irrigation, aiming to see if the blood product improves gum healing after deep cleaning procedures. Participants have severe gum disease with symptoms like bleeding, receding gums, loose teeth, and swelling. Participants will receive standard treatment involving full mouth scaling, root debridement, and cleaning with local anesthesia. After treatment, about 20 mL of blood will be taken to produce liquid S-PRF, which will be used to flush gum pockets on one side of the mouth. The other side will receive saline irrigation as a comparison. Follow-up visits are scheduled monthly for 3 months to monitor healing and outcomes. During the study, participants will undergo dental exams, X-rays, and jaw mold making. They will also receive oral care instructions and kits. Researchers will measure gum probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding sites, plaque scores, and gum margin changes before treatment and after 3 months. Safety and healing progress will be closely monitored throughout the study duration, which lasts about 3 months.

Researchers are evaluating a new MRI pulse sequence called 3D DL oZTEo to detect bone erosions in the hands of patients with inflammatory arthritis. The study aims to validate this technique against current standard methods like radiography and conventional MRI, as these structural changes are important for diagnosis and treatment decisions in rheumatic conditions. This is an interventional study conducted at Mayo Clinic. Participants will have the FDA-approved oZTEo MRI pulse sequence added to their routine hand MRI scan. The oZTEo images will be anonymized and processed using a deep learning algorithm developed by GE Healthcare. This additional sequence is assessed alongside the standard MRI to compare its ability to detect bone erosions. During the study, researchers will analyze MRI scans with and without the 3D DL oZTEo sequence to determine the presence and number of bone erosions in the hand. Participants must have recent hand radiographs confirming erosions and are scheduled for hand MRI as part of their clinical care. The study measures outcomes on the day of imaging and monitors the accuracy of erosion detection.

Researchers are investigating the use of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to improve nasal irrigation outcomes for adults with chronic rhinosinusitis, with or without nasal polyps. Chronic rhinosinusitis is a common condition causing nasal obstruction, facial pain, nasal discharge, and loss of smell, significantly affecting quality of life. This study aims to personalize nasal irrigation techniques based on individual nasal anatomy to enhance treatment effectiveness and patient satisfaction, especially for those who are not candidates for surgery or prefer less invasive options. Participants use a 3D-printed nasal replica derived from their CT scans to help determine the best head position for nasal irrigation. The study compares three groups: a control group using the standard FDA-recommended head position, a backfill group using a specific 90-degree ear-to-shoulder tilt, and a model group using a personalized optimal position based on their 3D nasal replica. All participants irrigate their sinuses once daily with 2 mg mometasone in 240 mL NeilMed sinus rinse bottles for 8 weeks. During the study, participants complete symptom evaluations including the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score, 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for nasal congestion at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. CT scans assess sinus inflammation using the Lund-Mackay (LM) score at the same time points. The study monitors patient adherence and collects data to evaluate whether personalized irrigation improves quality of life and nasal symptom relief over the 8-week treatment period.

Researchers are evaluating the effect of starting Airsupra inhaler treatment in emergency departments (ED) on reducing acute asthma recurrence and other related outcomes over three months. The study focuses on adults aged 18 to 54 who visit the ED for asthma exacerbations and are discharged with a short course of systemic corticosteroids. This trial is a cluster randomized, open-label study comparing Airsupra use to usual care across multiple centers. Participants will be assigned by site to either receive usual care or Airsupra as their rescue inhaler along with corticosteroids. Airsupra dosing is as needed, with up to six doses per day. The study will run for about four to five months of enrollment per site, with follow-up assessments conducted at approximately 3, 6, and 12 weeks after the ED discharge to monitor asthma control, relapse, and recurrence. During the study, patients will complete interviews and chart reviews in the ED, and follow-up will include telephone or text contact to assess their clinical status and medication use. Medical records from before and after enrollment will be reviewed to identify asthma exacerbations. The main outcome is asthma recurrence within three months, with asthma control and early relapse also measured. Participants’ data will be securely managed throughout the study period, which extends up to 12 weeks post-ED visit.

Researchers are studying whether the PET radiotracer 68Ga-FAPI-46 can detect fibrostenosing Crohn's disease in the small bowel. This early phase 1 case-control study aims to understand if early or developing fibrosis areas take up the tracer, which binds to fibroblast activation protein (FAP). Participants with small bowel Crohn's disease will be grouped based on imaging results to compare tracer uptake between those with and without strictures. Participants will receive a PET/CT scan using the radioactive tracer Gallium-68-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor-46 (68Ga-FAPI-46), administered intravenously at a dose of 5 mCi ±10%. Cases include participants with small bowel strictures or probable strictures, while controls include those without strictures but may have other disease features. This design allows researchers to investigate different stages of fibrosis development in Crohn's disease. During the study, participants will complete the PET/CT scan with 68Ga-FAPI-46. Researchers will monitor the completion rates of these scans over an average of 2 years. Participants will be evaluated through imaging and clinical assessments related to their Crohn's disease status. Safety, tracer uptake patterns, and disease characteristics will be documented throughout the study period.