Respiratory Infection

Smoking negatively affects many organs and gradually worsens health, especially lung function. It causes mild airway obstruction and slows lung growth, impacting breathing and overall quality of life. This study evaluates balloon-blowing exercises combined with abdominal and lumbar core muscle activation positions to see if they can improve lung function and quality of life in smokers. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one will perform balloon-blowing exercises with abdominal and lumbar core muscle activation three times a week for four weeks, supervised by a physical therapist. The other group will perform diaphragmatic breathing exercises with the same frequency and duration. Both interventions last four weeks, with measurements taken before and after. Participants will undergo evaluations of lung function including forced vital capacity FVC, forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1, peak expiratory flow PEF, dyspnea levels, oxygen saturation, and quality of life assessments. These measures will be collected at the start and end of the four-week period to monitor changes and effects of the exercises on respiratory health.

Researchers are studying lung mechanics during the early phase of mechanical ventilation in intensive care and during general anesthesia in surgical patients. The study aims to better understand lung compliance and transpulmonary driving pressures using a new, non-invasive PEEP-step method. This method could improve how ventilator settings are personalized to reduce lung injury and complications, addressing a gap in data collected during the critical first hours of ventilation. The study observes two groups ICU patients receiving ventilator treatment and patients undergoing general anesthesia for surgery. In both groups, a PEEP-step method involves adjusting positive end-expiratory pressure PEEP up and down in one or two steps while measuring changes in lung volume and pressures. This is done directly after intubation and repeated during ventilation or surgery when clinical events occur, using specialized software that analyzes data from standard ventilator monitoring equipment. Participants will be monitored continuously during ventilator treatment or surgery. Measurements include lung elastance and transpulmonary driving pressure, collected before, during, and after respiratory care. Clinical data such as blood gases and ventilator settings are recorded without any invasive procedures. The study assesses lung function changes over time, ventilator duration, and postoperative complications, aiming to enhance ventilator therapy and patient outcomes. Total participation time varies with clinical course.

This study evaluates whether a mobile phone-based mHealth Behavioural Change Communication BCC educational intervention can improve the adoption and exclusive use of Liquid Petroleum Gas LPG for cooking among households in semi-rural Bangladesh. Household air pollutants HAP from biomass fuels such as wood, agricultural residue, and cow dung expose almost 3 billion people worldwide, including 89% of people in Bangladesh. In the earlier GEOHealth study, 24 months of LPG use reduced personal PM2.5 exposure by about 58.2% and produced changes in innate immune and inflammatory responses, while chronic cardio-pulmonary markers remained relatively stable. More than 70% of households continued using LPG after the earlier study, although not exclusively. The investigators will conduct a large household-level randomized controlled trial using an mHealth-based educational intervention and will continue following the cohort. The study will examine the long-term effects of HAP reduction on subclinical measures of cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunction, innate and inflammatory immune function, and antibody response to vaccines. Personal 24-hour and area-wise 5-day exposure to PM2.5 and black carbon will be repeatedly assessed before and after the intervention. Lung function and lung pathology will be assessed using spirometry, Chest X-ray, and high-resolution computed tomography of the chest. Cardiovascular measures will include blood pressure and EKG, while metabolic dysfunction will be assessed using HbA1c and fasting lipid profile. Immune function will be evaluated through immune cell phenotyping, functional cytotoxic killer cells, and oxidative stress of lymphocytes.

Researchers are studying patients with severe pneumonia admitted to the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit RICU to understand the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of pneumonia caused by various factors. This observational cohort study aims to gather detailed clinical data including morbidity, mortality, risk factors, symptoms, and radiographic changes to help improve clinical care for severe pneumonia patients. The study involves patients admitted to the RICU due to pneumonia from any cause. There are no specific treatments or interventions being tested, as this is an observational study collecting data during the patients stay. Researchers will observe respiratory support parameters, treatment options, and symptom developments during the initial days and weeks of hospitalization. Participants will be monitored for outcomes such as mortality and morbidity during their time in the RICU, with measurements taken over one year. Data on symptoms within the first 48 hours, respiratory support during the first 5 days, and treatments over 3 weeks will be collected. The study records clinical information to better understand pneumonia in this critical care setting, with participant involvement lasting as long as their hospital stay and follow-up for outcomes.

Researchers are evaluating molnupiravir, an oral medicine designed to stop the COVID-19 virus from multiplying, to see if it can prevent severe illness from COVID-19 in people at high risk of disease progression. The study focuses on adults with confirmed COVID-19 infection who are at increased risk due to age, medical conditions, or other factors. This is a Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial led by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either molnupiravir or a matching placebo. Those in the molnupiravir group will take 800 mg orally every 12 hours for 5 days, totaling 10 doses. The same dosing schedule applies to the placebo group. Some participants may also receive remdesivir as part of standard care if clinically appropriate. During the study, participants will be monitored for up to 29 days to assess outcomes such as hospitalization, death, or medically attended visits related to COVID-19. Safety will be evaluated by tracking adverse events and discontinuation due to side effects. Researchers will also measure symptom relief, viral RNA levels, and other health indicators. The study is expected to continue until January 2031.

The GENESIS clinical study aims to map HLA genetic variation in the Greek population and evaluate possible correlations with selected underlying diseases. It is a multicenter, prospective, non-interventional clinical study targeting 12,000 subjects over an anticipated duration of 36 months, with the goal of creating a pilot HLA map for medical research and possible clinical applications. Each subject will complete one visit at a participating site and provide demographic information, including date of birth, gender, race, ancestry, height, and weight, as well as information about smoking or vaping, alcohol consumption, arterial blood pressure, diagnosed diseases, and current treatments. Recent clinical laboratory results from up to 12 months before sample collection may also be collected when available, including blood count, metabolic, liver enzyme, and biochemical parameters. Two buccal swabs will be collected from each subject for DNA extraction and HLA genotyping analysis. Selected DNA samples will also undergo low-pass whole genome sequencing to further investigate associations between the HLA region and autoimmune diseases. After the analysis is completed, an individualized ancestry report will be securely available to study subjects if they elect to access it.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a once-daily oral medication called AP1189, at a dose of 100 mg, compared to a placebo in participants who have respiratory insufficiency expected to be caused by respiratory viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A or B, or RSV. This study is a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aiming to include 96 hospitalized participants. The goal is to assess AP1189 as an add-on treatment to the standard care provided for these respiratory infections. Participants will be randomly assigned in equal numbers to receive either AP1189 tablets or matching placebo tablets once daily for 14 days, alongside their standard of care treatment. The study monitors participants during this 14-day treatment period to evaluate treatment outcomes and safety. During the study, participants will be assessed for a composite outcome including death, need for invasive mechanical ventilation or ECMO, cardiovascular organ support, or new renal failure within 28 days. The study includes clinical evaluations, oxygen saturation measurements, and safety monitoring during and after treatment. Overall participation lasts at least 28 days to capture these outcomes and monitor participant health.

Researchers are studying ways to improve treatment decisions for smokers who find it hard to quit using medications. This trial compares different approaches including nicotine replacement therapies patches and lozenges, varenicline, and harm reduction products like e-cigarettes. The goal is to find better strategies to help smokers quit by adjusting treatments based on early response. Participants will receive free treatment products for 12 weeks. Initially, they will be randomized to either varenicline or combination nicotine replacement therapy. After 4 weeks, based on their success in quitting, they may continue the same medication or switch to the other option. At 8 weeks, those still not successful may either continue their current medication or switch to e-cigarettes. No products are provided after 12 weeks. The study includes an additional survey at 6 months after the first phone call. All visits and assessments are done remotely, with a total of 8 surveys completed over the 6-month study period. Researchers will measure quitting success at 8 weeks as the primary outcome and assess dependence and longest quit attempt duration at 12 weeks. Participants are monitored through surveys without in-person visits, making participation convenient and accessible.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and immune response of an influenza virus split vaccine in adults aged 60 years and older through a randomized, double-blind, controlled phase I clinical trial. The study includes 120 participants divided into three groups to compare an experimental vaccine dose, a control vaccine dose, and a placebo. This research aims to understand how well the vaccine works and its side effects in this age group. Participants receive one injection of either the experimental influenza vaccine 0.7 mL, a control vaccine 0.5 mL, or a placebo, each administered into the upper arm muscle. Forty individuals are randomly assigned to each group in equal proportions. Laboratory tests are performed before vaccination and on the fourth day after vaccination to monitor immune response and safety. During the study, participants are closely monitored for any side effects for up to 30 days, including both expected and unexpected adverse events. Serious side effects are tracked for six months after vaccination. Researchers measure immune responses 30 days post-vaccination by checking antibody levels and rates of immune reaction. The study involves follow-up visits to assess safety and vaccine effectiveness, with participation lasting several months.

Researchers are conducting a randomized, double-blind, placebo and positive control Phase Ia clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of the SIBP-A16 injection in healthy adults aged 18 to 45. The study focuses on understanding how this injection behaves in the body and its safety profile. It involves healthy volunteers without significant medical conditions to ensure reliable results for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus RSV research. Participants will be assigned randomly to different groups organized in five queues, with varying doses of SIBP-A16 injection, placebo, or the active comparator Nirsevimab. The injections will be given either intramuscularly or intravenously in single doses across four different dose levels. Each queue undergoes a 14-day safety observation before the next dose level is administered based on safety committee review. During the study, participants will be monitored for adverse events, serious adverse events, and special adverse events of interest from day one up to 361 days after administration. Blood samples will be collected to measure drug levels over time, including peak concentration and time to peak. Various health assessments like physical exams, vital signs, ECGs, chest X-rays, and lab tests will be performed to ensure participant safety and measure outcomes throughout the nearly one-year follow-up.