Linkou District

Researchers are evaluating the medicine spesolimab to see if it helps adults with ulcerative pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), a skin condition that causes ulcers. This Phase 3 trial focuses on whether spesolimab can lead to complete closure of PG ulcers. Adults with at least one ulcer measuring between 5 cm² and 80 cm² are eligible to participate. The study is conducted in two parts, each with different randomization and treatment rules. Participants receive either spesolimab or a placebo through vein infusions every four weeks. In Part 1, participants are randomly assigned with a 2 in 3 chance to receive spesolimab while also taking corticosteroids by mouth for 8 weeks. In Part 2, those without open ulcers are again randomized to spesolimab or placebo, while those with open ulcers receive spesolimab. The study treatment is carefully controlled and blinded so neither participants nor doctors know who receives the medicine or placebo. Participants will visit the study site about 20 times over 1.5 years. At each visit, doctors check the skin ulcers and overall health, monitoring for any side effects. The main outcome measured is whether the target PG ulcer achieves complete closure by Week 26, confirmed at least 2 weeks later. This long-term monitoring helps researchers understand the safety and effectiveness of spesolimab for treating PG ulcers.

This international study evaluates the long-term safety and effectiveness of Abbott deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems for various movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, other disabling tremors, and dystonia. The study is observational and post-market, designed to collect worldwide data on patients implanted with Abbott DBS systems as part of routine clinical care. Participants receive DBS therapy, which delivers electrical signals to targeted brain areas to help manage symptoms of movement disorders. Subjects include those scheduled for new implants or device replacements with Abbott DBS systems. The study follows participants for five years after their initial programming visit to assess outcomes over time. During the study, participants will undergo assessments using disease-specific motor rating scales at multiple time points from baseline up to five years. Researchers will track changes in motor function for Parkinson's disease, disabling tremor, and different types of dystonia. Safety is monitored by recording any serious device- or procedure-related adverse events throughout the follow-up period.

Researchers are comparing treatments for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus that can be surgically removed. The study is a phase III, open-label, randomized trial designed to assess if definitive chemoradiotherapy is not worse than neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by planned surgery in terms of overall survival. It also aims to determine if the experimental treatment improves quality of life and reduces eating restrictions one year after randomization. Participants receive either neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by esophagectomy within 8 weeks or definitive chemoradiotherapy with close monitoring and salvage surgery only if needed. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy includes radiation delivered in fractions over several weeks combined with chemotherapy drugs such as carboplatin and paclitaxel. The definitive chemoradiotherapy arm uses higher radiation doses with chemotherapy regimens including carboplatin, paclitaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, or FOLFOX. Surgery is performed only for residual or recurrent cancer in the definitive chemoradiotherapy group. During the study, participants undergo regular assessments of survival, quality of life, and eating ability for up to three years after randomization. Researchers monitor health status, treatment effects, and eating restrictions one year after treatment starts. The study includes careful follow-up to evaluate outcomes and safety in both treatment groups, aiming to provide guidance for future clinical care of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Researchers are studying people with early-stage Parkinson's disease, aged between 45 and 70 years, to compare how well an online self-management program and on-site task-related training work in improving daily activity participation and quality of life. The study also looks at how motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease affect these factors. Hand function impairment is noted as an early symptom, and additional interventions beyond medication may help improve daily function and life quality. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group with no treatment, an online self-management program group, or an on-site task-related training group. Those in the treatment groups receive interventions twice a week, each session lasting one hour, for a total of 12 sessions. The online program is delivered remotely by certified occupational therapists focusing on daily function and exercise, while the on-site training includes balance and hand function tasks tailored to the participant's abilities, guided by therapists at a hospital. Participants will be assessed before the intervention, immediately after completing it, and again six months later to measure both short- and long-term effects. Tests include hand dexterity and motor skills, sensitivity assessments, daily living activity scales, and quality of life questionnaires. The study tracks adherence and evaluates changes over time, aiming to understand the benefits and impact of each intervention on those living with early Parkinson's disease.

Population aging is a major global concern, with Taiwan expected to enter a super-aged society by 2025. As people age, their physiological functions, including muscle mass, tend to decline. This study focuses on middle-aged and elderly individuals aged 50 and above who are at high risk for sarcopenia, a condition characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength. The research evaluates the effects of nutritional supplementation with leucine-rich protein combined with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving a diet where the main fat source is animal-based oil and the other where it is plant-based oil. Both groups will follow their respective diets supplemented for 12 weeks. Throughout the study, researchers will measure muscle mass, muscle function, and physical function at the start and after 12 weeks of supplementation. These assessments will help determine how the nutritional interventions impact muscle health in the elderly population at risk of sarcopenia.