Anshan

This research aims to verify the accuracy, stability, and clinical usefulness of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for measuring heart function through echocardiography. The study involves collaboration with multiple medical centers and focuses on comparing AI measurements with those done manually by physicians of different experience levels. It also explores whether AI can reduce the time needed for echocardiogram analysis and improve clinical workflows, while assessing AI's performance in complex heart conditions such as cardiomyopathy and valve disease. The study collects echocardiographic data using Mindray ultrasonic machines, with AI and physicians at each center measuring key heart parameters including left and right ventricular size and function. AI and intermediate doctors complete measurements within one day of data collection, while senior physicians at the main research unit finalize their assessments within one month. The goal is to establish a standardized reference system for AI in ultrasound measurement and promote its use across various medical institutions. Participants aged 18 to 80 years with specific heart conditions or normal hearts are involved. Researchers measure heart chamber sizes and functions through echocardiography, comparing AI and physician results for consistency and accuracy. The study also monitors how AI-assisted measurements could optimize diagnosis time and medical resource use. The total duration of participant involvement depends on data collection and measurement timelines, with ongoing analysis to support AI's clinical application in cardiovascular care.

Researchers are conducting the China Cognition and Aging Study (China COAST), a large national research project in China aiming to better understand dementia and its subtypes, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI), sporadic and familial Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and other dementias. The study seeks to clarify the epidemiology, genetic factors, disease characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment status of these conditions. It will also explore risk and protective factors, discover new genes related to dementia, study biomarkers, and evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments over an average of two years. The study involves collecting comprehensive data from community and hospital populations, including demographic information, clinical evaluations, neuropsychological tests, imaging, and biological samples such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Genetic analyses like exome sequencing and genome-wide association studies will be performed. Participants will undergo regular follow-ups every 2 to 3 years to update prevalence and incidence rates, assess disease progression, and evaluate lifestyle and non-drug interventions. Randomized controlled trials will be conducted to assess non-pharmacological treatments including exercise, diet, cognitive training, and risk factor control. Participants will be assessed using standardized neuropsychological scales and undergo imaging and laboratory tests to monitor cognitive function and disease progression. Researchers will collect data on genetic markers, biomarkers, and clinical symptoms to develop early diagnostic tools and prediction models. The study also includes education efforts to raise awareness about dementia and investigates stigma and discrimination affecting patients and caregivers. Overall participation may extend over several years with detailed evaluations and follow-up assessments.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with ischemic stroke being the most common type. The current best treatment for acute ischemic stroke is intravenous thrombolysis using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) given within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. However, some patients experience stroke progression or early blood vessel reocclusion after thrombolysis, which worsens neurological function and outcomes. This is believed to be caused by increased platelet activation after thrombolysis, which peaks within the first 2 hours. This clinical trial is testing whether starting oral aspirin early after intravenous thrombolysis can improve functional outcomes without causing more bleeding problems. Patients are randomly assigned to receive either 300 mg aspirin tablets or matching placebo tablets as soon as possible after enrollment. If swallowing is difficult, tablets can be crushed and given through a nasogastric tube. Both groups receive best medical management according to guidelines. The study is a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Participants will be followed for 90 days after stroke to measure their functional recovery using the modified Rankin scale (mRS). Researchers will check if patients have a good outcome defined as an mRS score of 0 or 1 at 90 days. During the study, patients undergo assessments including neurological exams and imaging to confirm eligibility and monitor safety. The trial aims to determine if early aspirin treatment after thrombolysis is safe and can help prevent neurological decline and improve recovery.

Researchers are investigating the effects of a medicine called BI 690517 in combination with empagliflozin for adults with chronic kidney disease who are at risk of their condition worsening. This study includes people both with and without type 2 diabetes and those already taking certain kidney-related medicines like ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. The goal is to understand if adding BI 690517 helps protect kidney function and reduces risks related to kidney failure and heart problems. This is a Phase 3 clinical trial conducted over about 3 to 4 years. The study has two parts. First, participants receive either empagliflozin or a placebo similar to BI 690517 for at least six weeks, while continuing other indicated treatments like ACE inhibitors or ARBs. In the second part, participants are randomly assigned to take either BI 690517 tablets or placebo tablets once daily alongside empagliflozin for the rest of the study. The placebo tablets look like BI 690517 but contain no active medicine. Participants have regular visits to the study site, about four times in the first six months, then every six months afterward. During these visits, doctors monitor kidney function, heart health, blood pressure, weight, and any side effects. Blood and urine samples are taken to track health changes. The main outcomes measured are the time until worsening kidney disease, hospitalization for heart failure, or cardiovascular death. The study ends when a certain number of these events have occurred.

Researchers are examining whether cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) combined with endovascular intervention can help heal diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in adults aged 18 to 80 years who also have blockages in the arteries of their lower legs. The study aims to see if CAP treatment reduces ulcer size more effectively by Week 4 compared to a placebo and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of CAP after a successful artery-opening procedure called infrapopliteal revascularisation. Participants will receive either active CAP therapy or a sham (placebo) CAP treatment once daily for 10 days following their endovascular procedure. Each CAP session lasts 25 minutes using CAP-activated gas developed by Xi'an Jiaotong University. All participants will also receive standard care for diabetic foot ulcers following international and Chinese guidelines. Only patients with successful revascularisation, confirmed during surgery, are eligible for the treatment phase. During the study, participants will have daily wound assessments to measure ulcer area, check for infection signs, and record pain scores from Day 1 to Day 10 post-randomisation, with a follow-up at Week 4. They will also complete quality-of-life questionnaires at the beginning and at Week 4. The main outcome measured is the change in ulcer size, with safety and other healing indicators monitored throughout the study period.

Researchers are investigating the effectiveness and safety of combining cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) therapy with endovascular intervention in patients who have diabetic foot ulcers and lower extremity arterial occlusion. This condition, which represents the severe stage of peripheral arterial disease, often leads to poor healing, high rates of amputation, and significant mortality. Even after successful arterial revascularization, many patients continue to experience chronic wounds due to microvascular dysfunction and chronic inflammation, highlighting a critical need for improved treatments. The study involves all patients receiving successful infrapopliteal angioplasty to restore blood flow in the affected arteries. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either CAP therapy or a sham procedure as a placebo. CAP treatment consists of 13 sessions: daily for the first five days, then every other day, with each session lasting about 25 minutes. The therapy uses a device that delivers two sequential plasma modes to the affected limb enclosed in a sterile bag, aiming to disinfect and promote healing through improved microcirculation and tissue regeneration. During the study, researchers will monitor changes in ulcer area from the start of treatment to 21 days after randomization. Participants will undergo assessments including vascular imaging, clinical evaluations, and safety monitoring. The study seeks to confirm whether CAP combined with endovascular intervention can enhance healing in diabetic foot ulcers and provide a safe, effective adjunctive therapy for this challenging condition.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a renal artery radiofrequency ablation system guided by a three-dimensional cardiac electrophysiological mapping system for treating essential hypertension. This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial includes both drug-control and sham-control groups to provide evidence for product registration, marketing, and clinical use. Participants will be assigned to different groups: in the drug-control study, 65 subjects are divided with 40 receiving renal artery ablation plus drug treatment and 20 receiving drug treatment alone; in the sham-control study, 180 subjects are randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive renal artery ablation with drug treatment or a sham procedure with drug treatment. The ablation involves radio-frequency treatment of the renal arterial sympathetic nerves, while the sham group undergoes a standard renal angiography followed by a waiting period without ablation. Throughout the study, participants will have their blood pressure and medication use monitored at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12 months after the procedure. Urine samples will be collected for drug testing to assess medication adherence. The main outcomes measured include the reduction in 24-hour ambulatory mean systolic blood pressure over six months and the occurrence of major adverse events within one month of treatment.

Researchers are studying Huaier granules to see if they can help prevent the return or spread of colorectal cancer in patients who have had radical surgery. This open-label, multisite, prospective study focuses on patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III colorectal cancer as confirmed by postoperative histopathology. The goal is to evaluate both the effectiveness and safety of Huaier granules in this setting. Participants in this study include adults aged 18 to 75 who have undergone radical surgery within the last two months and meet specific health criteria. There is no placebo or comparator group mentioned, and the treatment involves using Huaier granules following surgery. The study observes patients after surgery while they take the granules to monitor their health outcomes related to cancer recurrence and metastasis. Throughout the study, researchers will track several important outcomes over 36 months, including disease-free survival, overall survival, local recurrence-free survival rate, and distant metastasis-free survival rate. Participants will be monitored for safety and efficacy during this period, with data collected to assess how well Huaier granules help prevent cancer from coming back or spreading after surgery.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious health concern, with primary glomerulonephritis being a leading cause in 50% to 60% of cases. This research aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Huaiqihuang Granule, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in treating patients with stage 3 CKD caused by primary glomerulonephritis. The study is a phase 4, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, positive-drug controlled trial conducted across about 40 top hospitals in China. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either Huaiqihuang Granules or Valsartan capsules. The Huaiqihuang group will take 2 bags of granules three times daily, while the Valsartan group will take 80 mg capsules once daily, with each group receiving a simulant of the other drug to maintain blinding. All medications are taken orally over a treatment period of 48 weeks, with follow-up visits scheduled at weeks 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, and 48. During the study, participants will be monitored through regular visits to assess kidney function and overall health. The main outcome measured is the rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from the start to week 48. The study also tracks safety and adherence, ensuring participants meet the eligibility requirements and receive ongoing evaluation throughout the nearly one-year participation period.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of low-dose tenecteplase in elderly patients who have experienced an acute ischemic stroke. This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled Phase 4 trial focuses on patients aged 70 years and older who receive treatment within 4.5 hours of stroke onset. The study aims to compare low-dose tenecteplase with the standard dose to understand its impact on stroke recovery in aging patients. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: a low-dose group receiving tenecteplase at 0.175 mg/kg (up to 17.5 mg per patient) or a standard-dose group receiving tenecteplase at 0.25 mg/kg (up to 25 mg per patient). Treatment is administered intravenously as thrombolysis. The trial monitors patients closely to assess how these dosing strategies affect recovery and safety. During the study, researchers will evaluate neurological function using the Modified Rankin Scale 90 days after treatment, measuring the percentage of participants who achieve a score of 0 or 1, indicating no symptoms or no significant disability. Patients will undergo neurological assessments and safety monitoring throughout the trial. The study ensures informed consent and collects relevant clinical data to support its findings on tenecteplase use in elderly stroke patients.