Nutrition

Researchers are investigating whether a multifactorial lifestyle intervention involving a Mediterranean diet with reduced calories and increased physical activity can help middle-aged adults (30-50 years) with metabolic syndrome lose weight and maintain that weight loss over time. The study also aims to understand the social and demographic challenges people face in sticking to these healthy habits and to examine the lifestyle patterns of this group. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will follow general lifestyle recommendations from primary healthcare providers, while the other will receive an intensive program that includes monthly individual and group sessions over 6 months to encourage a Mediterranean diet with 25% fewer calories and physical activity based on WHO guidelines. The goal for the intervention group is to reduce their initial weight by 5-10% within 6 months and maintain this loss after 12 months. Throughout the study, participants will undergo assessments including measurements of weight, waist size, blood sugar, triglycerides, and glycated hemoglobin to monitor changes in their health. Data on demographics, diet, clinical parameters, and laboratory tests will be collected. After the 6-month intervention, a follow-up at 12 months will evaluate how well participants maintain their lifestyle changes. The study emphasizes tracking adherence and identifying factors that help or hinder long-term weight loss maintenance.

Researchers are working to create risk prediction models that help identify patients with a high risk of developing serious cardiovascular problems. The study focuses on individuals with structural, rhythm-related, or inflammatory cardiovascular diseases and aims to improve early detection of those at risk. This observational study is sponsored by the Medical University Innsbruck and includes adults 18 years and older. Participants in this study have their clinical data and risk factors recorded to better understand their cardiovascular condition. There are no specific treatments or interventions given as part of the study since it is observational. The study will follow patients for up to four years to observe outcomes related to cardiovascular events and hospitalizations. During the study, researchers will monitor events such as cardiovascular mortality, stroke, heart attacks, hospital stays due to heart failure, and other severe heart-related conditions. Participants will be assessed regularly through clinical data collection without additional procedures or treatments. The study aims to gather detailed information over time to improve risk assessment and patient care for cardiovascular diseases.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of "Xuong tan lac than" exercise, a traditional exercise in Vietnamese exercise, on joint range of motion and muscle endurance in healthy volunteers. Reduced joint mobility and decreased muscle endurance are common issues that may affect functional performance and quality of life. Traditional exercise methods are increasingly used to improve musculoskeletal function. However, scientific evidence regarding the effects of specific traditional exercises, including "Xuong tan lac than", remains limited. This study is designed as a pre-post intervention study. Healthy volunteers will be recruited and assessed at baseline for joint range of motion and muscle endurance. Participants will then be trained to correctly perform the "Xuong tan lac than" exercise: * Preparation: Participants stand in a semi-squat position with both hands interlocked and palms facing downward. * Step 1 (Warm-up): Participants inhale deeply while raising both arms overhead. * Step 2 (Movement): While maintaining inhalation, participants perform alternating lateral trunk movements. The trunk bends to the left with the left leg extended and the right leg slightly flexed, then alternates to the opposite side. Each side is repeated 2 - 6 times. * Step 3 (Exhalation): Participants exhale fully while engaging the abdominal muscles and lowering the arms. * Step 4 (Rest): Participants return to a normal breathing pattern and the initial position. The sequence is repeated 2 - 6 times. The intervention consists of practicing the exercise for 12 weeks, 5 days per week, once daily. Each session follows a standardized protocol to ensure consistency among participants. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of intervention. Range of motion will be measured using the Noraxon (Myomotion/MyoResearch) system, which utilizes inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors attached to the body to provide objective and accurate assessment of joint movement. The primary outcomes include changes in joint range of motion (cervical spine, lumbar spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle) and muscle endurance around these joints.

This research aims to compare the effectiveness of monitoring blood sugar levels at 1 hour versus 2 hours after meals in pregnant women diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus who require treatment. The study focuses on understanding which monitoring time better supports managing blood sugar during pregnancy to improve outcomes for both mother and baby. Participants are pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic and are treated with metformin, insulin, or a combination. Participants will be randomly assigned to monitor their blood sugar either 1 hour or 2 hours after meals using self-monitoring of capillary blood glucose. Their blood sugar is tracked at seven staggered points to provide a detailed profile. This monitoring continues until delivery, with participants followed regularly in the research clinic. Throughout the study, women will have regular visits to assess their health and that of their baby. Researchers will collect data on mode of delivery, gestational age at birth, and fetal weight. They will also monitor maternal and perinatal complications from randomization to delivery. The total participation lasts from enrollment until the birth of the baby, allowing detailed observation of pregnancy outcomes related to the glucose monitoring method.

Researchers are conducting the GENESIS clinical study to map the HLA genomic region in the Greek population and explore its possible links with various underlying diseases. This non-interventional, multicenter study aims to provide a pilot map of genetic variation in HLA that may be useful in medical research and clinical applications related to selected diseases. The study plans to include 12,000 participants over a total duration of 36 months. Each participant will attend one visit at a participating site during which they will provide demographic data, lifestyle information such as smoking and alcohol use, blood pressure measurements, details on diagnosed diseases and treatments, and recent laboratory test results if available. Buccal swab samples will be collected from each participant to extract DNA for HLA genotyping analysis. Selected samples will undergo further whole genome sequencing to investigate associations with autoimmune diseases. Participants will receive a personalized ancestry report after analysis completion. During the study visit, data collection includes demographic and health information, as well as laboratory and clinical test results from the past year. The genetic material from buccal swabs will be stored and processed for genetic analysis. Researchers will measure allele frequency of HLA alleles in the Greek population and assess the prevalence and risk associations of selected HLA-related diseases. The study's total duration is 36 months with results available at the end of this period.

Researchers are studying how the drug MK-2828 behaves in the body when taken with itraconazole, and how MK-2828 affects the levels of another drug called midazolam. This clinical trial focuses on healthy adults and aims to understand how these drugs interact with each other when taken alone or together. The study is sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC and is a Phase 1 interventional trial. Participants will take multiple oral doses of itraconazole along with a single oral dose of MK-2828 in the first part of the study. In the second part, participants will receive multiple oral doses of MK-2828 along with a single oral dose of midazolam. Both itraconazole and midazolam are given as syrups, while MK-2828 is given as a capsule. The trial includes two parts to evaluate drug levels and interactions after dosing. During the study, researchers will collect blood samples at various time points up to 288 hours after dosing with itraconazole and up to 24 hours after dosing with midazolam. They will measure how much of each drug is in the blood over time, including peak levels and how quickly the drugs are cleared. Safety will be monitored by recording any side effects and discontinuations. The total participation duration varies depending on the part of the study, with close monitoring of drug levels and participant health.

This research aims to explore the effects of a study drug called MK-8527 when taken together with methadone in healthy adult volunteers. The study focuses on understanding how methadone behaves in the body over time after taking MK-8527, providing important information about the interaction between these two drugs. The trial is a Phase 1 clinical trial sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC and includes healthy participants aged 18 to 65 years with specific health criteria. Participants will receive both methadone and MK-8527 orally as part of the experimental treatment. The study measures how the body processes methadone over a 24-hour period after dosing, analyzing specific levels of methadone in the blood. The trial does not include a placebo group and involves careful monitoring of drug concentrations and participant safety during and after treatment. During the study, participants will undergo blood tests to measure methadone levels and observe any side effects or adverse events for up to six weeks. Researchers will track the maximum concentration of methadone, its presence in the blood at various times, and any reactions that might cause participants to stop treatment. The entire study duration and follow-up provide a detailed understanding of drug interactions and participant safety.

Researchers are evaluating two medicines, enlicitide and rosuvastatin, in healthy adults to understand how much of each drug is present in the body over time. The study compares these medicines when taken separately versus combined into one tablet. This phase 1 trial aims to learn about the relative bioavailability of these drugs to improve medication options. Participants will receive either a single dose of enlicitide and rosuvastatin tablets taken together or a single dose of a combined tablet (MK-0616A or its formulation B). The study has two parts, with each part involving these different dosing methods to compare how the body processes the drugs. During the study, blood samples will be collected before dosing and at specific times up to 168 hours after to measure drug levels, including total exposure and maximum concentration. Participants will be monitored for any side effects for up to approximately 9 weeks, with treatment discontinuation tracked if side effects occur. The total participation time varies based on the dosing schedule and follow-up assessments.

Researchers are investigating new treatment options for people living with HIV-1, the most common type of HIV that attacks the immune system. This Phase 1 trial aims to study MK-4646, an experimental drug, to see how it interacts with standard HIV treatments called antiretroviral therapy (ART), including Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) and Dolutegravir (DTG). The study also evaluates the safety and tolerability of MK-4646 when taken with these treatments. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive a single oral dose of either BIC/FTC/TAF alone, DTG alone, MK-4646 combined with BIC/FTC/TAF, or MK-4646 combined with DTG. The study will monitor how the levels of these medicines change in the blood over time to understand any drug interactions. All treatments are given as oral tablets or capsules in a controlled setting. During the trial, participants will undergo blood tests at specific times up to approximately 72 hours after dosing to measure drug concentrations. Researchers will track the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and other pharmacokinetic measures for each drug. Safety will be monitored for up to 44 days by recording any adverse events and reasons for stopping treatment. Total participation time varies but includes follow-up visits to assess tolerance and effects.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of Diaberine, a berberine-based nutraceutical, on blood sugar regulation and metabolism in adults with metabolism disorder. This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial will study 80 participants aged 18 to 70 over 24 weeks to assess how well this dietary supplement may aid in these health areas. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will take Diaberine capsules containing Vitamin B12, berberine, magnesium citrate, cinnamon bark extract, chromium, and other ingredients three times daily, 15 minutes before meals. The other group will take placebo capsules with similar appearance but without the active ingredients. Both treatments will continue for 24 weeks with regular monitoring. During the study, participants will have their blood sugar regulation and metabolism measured at baseline, week 12, and week 24. Additionally, quality of life and weight changes will be tracked at multiple points throughout the 24 weeks. Participants will be monitored through questionnaires, blood tests, and weight assessments to evaluate the supplement's effects and tolerance over time.