Kornimate/medical-research-clean huggingface dataset:
a portion-controlled diet will prevent weight gain in diabetics treated with actos

Conditions: Diabetes Mellitus

Summary: we hypothesized that a portion controlled diet would prevent the weight gain associated with the use of a peroxisome profliferator-activated receptor-gamma (ppar-g). this is a 4 months randomized clinical trial in type 2 diabetics who are treated with pioglitazone and a standard diet, pioglitazone and a portion-controlled diet and metformin with a standard diet.

a total of 60 male and female type 2 diabetic subjects will be recruited and randomized into 1 of 3 treatment groups for the 4 months long trial 1. actos plus a standard diet 2. actos plus a portion-controlled diet 3. metformin plus a standard diet. the end-point of the trial is the change in body fat content from baseline to the end of the trial

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * men and women age 35 to 75 who have type 2 diabetes mellitus exclusion criteria: * individuals with co-existing other diseases
motor imagery in aphantasia

Conditions: Aphasia

Summary: the present study aims to characterize and modulate motor imagery abilities in individuals with aphantasia. the investigators will characterize the neurophysiological and physiological underpinnings of mental imagery abilities in participants with aphantasia by investigating several indices of motor imagery abilities and comparing them to participants with typical mental imagery abilities. the investigators will investigate whether non-invasive brain stimulation applied to the primary motor cortex improves mental imagery abilities in participants with aphantasia.

the investigators will recruit 20 participants with aphantasia and 20 participants with typical mental imagery capacities (no-aphantasia groups). participants in both groups will complete a 3-hour visit for inclusion and baseline measurements (visit 1) which will include neurophysiological, autonomic nervous system, cognitive and behavioral measures. participants in the aphantasia group will complete 2 additional visits to receive active and sham tdcs sessions (visit 2 and 3), according to a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover design. mental training will be done concurrently with tdcs using a sequential finger tapping-task (truong et al., 2022). participants will receive the instructions of trying to imagine themselves performing the motor task, by feeling their fingers moving as if they were actually moving it (kinesthetic modality of motor imagery). visits will be separated by at least 7 days.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * for the aphantasia group only: congenital aphantasia defined as a life-long inability to generate mental imagery (confirmed by a total score of 32 or less on the vviq, which is the gold standard questionnaire for aphantasia) * for the no-aphantasia group only: typical mental imagery capacities (confirmed by a total score of more than 32 on the vviq) * covered by public health insurance * understanding the french language * signed written informed consent after being informed about the study exclusion criteria: * presence or history of a somatic, neurologic, or mental illness * actual pain or musculoskeletal disorders at the upper limb * having a regular musical activity (more than once a week) because of high manual dexterity * contraindication for noninvasive brain stimulation including the presence of ferromagnetic or magnetic sensitive metal objects implanted in the head or in close proximity (e.g., brain stent, clip, cochlear implants, or stimulator) * pregnancy (controlled by urine pregnancy test in females without reported contraception) * active seizure disorder or history of seizures * participants under curatorship/guardianship
physical activity and its impact on colon cancer surgery

Conditions: Colon Cancer; Physical Activity

Summary: this is a prospective clinical study that studies how the physical activity level before operation of colon cancer affects the outcome of complication and histology. the hypothesis is that patients who are more physical active have less postoperative complications and different histological immunological response around the tumor. the investigators are testing the patients before the surgery with physical tests for fitness, strength and physical activity level. questionnaires are also filled by the patients for pain, anxiety, depression and motivation for life style changes. their body mass is analyzed with a dexa (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan). for one years the investigators are monitoring their activity and follow up for physical tests, dexa and questionnaires is at 6 and 12 months. the histology is analyzed after surgery to se if there is a different immunological response around the tumor.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * 18 years. * colon cancer which is going to surgery exclusion criteria: * not able to do physical tests * severe disease that makes a risk to do tests. * not able to make informed consent due to psychic disease or dementia

Keywords: colon cancer physical activity
the study on the mechanism of radiotherapy-elicited immune response

Conditions: Esophageal Carcinoma Salivary Gland Type; Radiotherapy

Summary: radiotherapy plays an important role in multidisciplinary treatment of esophageal cancer. data from many laboratories indicate that local radiation produces systemic, immune-mediated anti¬tumour and, potentially, antimetastatic effects. additionally, the combination of local radiotherapy and immune-modulation can augment local tumour control and cause distant (abscopal) antitumour effects through increased tumour-antigen release and antigen-presenting cell (apc) cross-presentation, improved dendritic-cell (dc) function, and enhanced t cell priming. the generation of an effective antitumor immune response requires the presentation of tumor antigens to naïve cd8+ cells in tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdln) . tumor-draining lymph nodes, however, are often subject to the immunosuppressive activity of tumor-derived factors, such as cytokines and other bioactive molecules from tumor cells and their associated leukocytes in the primary tumor site that contribute to the overriding of effective rejection mechanisms. thus, in tdln a t cell tolerance rather than a t cell activation often occurs, thereby preventing immune attack and facilitating local tumor progression.

in this study, the investigators collect clinical and biological evidence to interpret the impact of radiotherapy on tumor regression and immunity, and identify key molecular features and immune landscape patterns to characterize patients sensitive/resistant to radiotherapy; and define the dynamic changes occurring in tme and lymph node after radiotherapy.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. new diagnosis locoregional esophageal cancer; 2. pathologic diagnosis is squamous carcinoma; 3. patients had received either neoadjuvant or definitive radiotherapy 4. tumor and lymph node tissue can be collected and can be conducted with single cell rna (scrna)-sequencing and other sequencings. exclusion criteria: 1. pregnant or lactating women. 2. unable or rejection to receive radiotherapy or unable to comply with study requirements or follow-up schedule. 3. inability to provide informed consent.

Keywords: esophageal carcinoma tumor-draining lymph nodes radiotherapy
regional analgesia after cesarean section

Conditions: Cesarean Section; Pain, Postoperative; Pain, Neuropathic

Summary: all patients will be anaesthetized with spinal technique. each patient will be treated with intravenous morphine - patient controlled analgesia (pca). 2 of 3 groups of patients will receive ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane or quadratus lumborum block to treat postoperative pain. postoperative pain will measured with visual-analogue scale (vas). total morphine consumption and time to the first demand will be noted. 1, 2, 6 months after surgery each patient will be called to assess neuropathic pain with neuropathic pain symptom inventory (npsi).

written consent will be obtained before the cesarean section. only subarachnoidally anaesthetised patients may participate in the study. pencil-point spinal needle and bupivacaine (marcaine heavy spinal 0.5 %) will be used. all patients will receive pca (patient controlled analgesia) pump with morphine (1 mg/ml, 5 minute interval, no loading dose) after transfer to pacu (post-anesthesia care unit). in pacu vital signs will be monitored. each patient will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. in the first group of patients no additional regional analgesia will be performed. in the second and the third group, ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane or quadratus lumborum block will be done with 0.375 % ropivacaine (0.2 ml per kg on each side). postoperative pain will be measured with vas (visual-analogue scale) 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours after the end of operation. paracetamol, metamizol, ketoprofen may be given as required. 1, 3, 6 months patients will be called to assess neuropathic pain. neuropathic pain symptom inventory (npsi) will be used.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * obtained consent * singleton pregnancy * subarachnoid anaesthesia exclusion criteria: * coagulopathy * allergy to morphine and local anesthetics * depression, antidepressant drugs treatment * epilepsy * usage of painkiller before surgery * addiction to alcohol or recreational drugs

Keywords: postoperative pain transversus abdominis plane block quadratus lumborum block neuropathic pain
healthier at-home meals for expectant mothers

Conditions: Pregnancy Related; Weight Gain, Maternal

Summary: this study is being done to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a meal delivery intervention for managing gestational weight gain among pregnant women with overweight or obesity.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * age ≥ 18 years * gestational age ≤ 15 weeks as assessed by ultrasound * body mass index (bmi) ≥ 25 kg/m2 * singleton viable pregnancy * receiving care and planning to deliver at uab * residing within the delivery radius of the meal delivery company * wi-fi or bluetooth internet connection in home (for digital wi-fi enabled study scale) exclusion criteria: * self-reported major health conditions (e.g., heart disease, cancer, renal disease, and type 1 or type 2 diabetes) * current substance abuse * current treatment for serious psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) * known fetal anomaly * planned termination of pregnancy * past history or current diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia * current use of one or more of the following medications: * metformin * systemic steroids * antipsychotic agents * anti-seizure medications or mood stabilizers that would be expected to have a significant impact on body weight * medications for adhd including amphetamines and methylphenidate * any teratogenic agent class d * participation in another dietary and/or weight management intervention during pregnancy * unwilling or unable to consume prepared meals delivered weekly * unable to understand and communicate in verbal and written english

Keywords: maternal overweight maternal obesity gestational weight gain meal delivery
computer-based training of face recollection to improve face recognition in developmental prosopagnosia

Conditions: Developmental Prosopagnosia

Summary: this study will examine the effectiveness of a cognitive training intervention targeting face recollection, repetition lag training, at improving face recognition in developmental prosopagnosia.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: developmental prosopagnosic participants will be included if they are... * aged 18-90, * have lifelong histories of face recognition difficulties that impact their everyday life (i.e., not associated with some event such as a stroke, seizure, etc) * score significantly below the mean on the famous faces test and cambridge face memory test exclusion criteria: participants will be excluded from the study if they... * have a history of a significant neurological disorder including hydrocephalus, stroke, moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (tbi), severe neuromuscular diseases, or severe hypoxia due to cardiac arrest. * have impairments that interfere with cognitive performance, such as uncorrected hearing or vision, lack of english proficiency, musculoskeletal or other issues * have psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, chronic intractable obsessive-compulsive disorder, or agoraphobia. * we will exclude individuals who are currently dependent on alcohol or other substances, as this may negatively impact cognitive performance. * we will exclude participants who currently are, or within the last 6 months, participating in a behavioral or pharmacological intervention. * patients with a history of mild tbi or simple concussion will not be excluded as long as it was \> 6 months ago and as long as they have not had repeated concussions (\>5) * we will include individuals with a diagnosis of adhd as long as their medication has been consistent for the past 6 months.
a multicenter, exploratory study to evaluate the effects of antiretroviral cessation on plasma associated hiv-1 rna

Conditions: HIV Infections

Summary: to evaluate viral load in the blood stream of hiv-infected patients during a 28-day washout following cessation of long-term zidovudine ( azt ) therapy. because viral load (amount of hiv rna in the plasma) is often used as a measure of the effectiveness of new antiretroviral drugs in clinical trials, a washout period, or cessation of current antiretroviral regimens, is commonly required for study entry to allow for a drug-free steady state of viral load prior to initiation of the new drug. however, the kinetics of the viral rebound following drug withdrawal has not been sufficiently studied, and the proper duration of washout is an estimate.

because viral load (amount of hiv rna in the plasma) is often used as a measure of the effectiveness of new antiretroviral drugs in clinical trials, a washout period, or cessation of current antiretroviral regimens, is commonly required for study entry to allow for a drug-free steady state of viral load prior to initiation of the new drug. however, the kinetics of the viral rebound following drug withdrawal has not been sufficiently studied, and the proper duration of washout is an estimate. patients who have volunteered to temporarily cease antiretroviral therapy will be followed during a 28-day washout period. blood samples are drawn at each of nine clinic visits. patients may resume antiretrovirals after the 28-day washout.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria concurrent medication: allowed: * maintenance therapy for opportunistic infection, provided patient has received at least 1 month of stable therapy prior to study. * g-csf. patients must have: * hiv infection. * cd4 count \<= 500 cells/mm3. * at least 12 months of prior azt, with 2 months of continuous azt monotherapy immediately prior to study. * the need to discontinue azt because of drug-related toxicity or unwanted side effects or as an entry requirement for another research study. * consent of parent or guardian if \< 18 years old. exclusion criteria co-existing condition: patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded: * current medical status that is considered unsuitable for study participation. concurrent medication: excluded: * therapy for an acute opportunistic infection. prior medication: excluded within the past 2 months: * antiretrovirals other than azt. * systemic immunomodulators (e.g., gp120, gp160, il-2, and interferons). excluded within the past month: * vaccination.

Keywords: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome aids-related complex antiviral agents zidovudine biological markers viremia rna, viral
novel mediators of the lipodystrophy and metabolic consequences of cushing's disease

Conditions: Cushing's Syndrome

Summary: this proposal will evaluate the glucocorticoid mediated changes in body fat distribution and metabolism that occur in patients with cushing's disease. the objective is to identify the mechanisms that influence both the accumulation of lipodystrophic fat and also the changes in energy expenditure and metabolism that accompany them. the study is designed to determine if the high cortisol and agrp levels in the blood of people living with cushing's syndrome, either from taking steroid medications or from tumors, impact body fat and metabolism by turning off brown fat, which is a type of fat that increases one's metabolism.

cushing's disease (cd) is a disorder of chronic glucocorticoid (gc) excess that gives rise to a constellation of metabolic comorbidities and to a distinct lipodystrophic body habitus characterized by central adiposity, extremity wasting, and the accumulation of supraclavicular (sc) and dorsocervical (dc) fat in the region where human brown and beige adipose tissue is known to be concentrated. in spite of the recognized thermogenic capacity of select cervical adipocytes, the potential impact of lipomatous alterations in this depot on energy balance and metabolism in cd is unknown. to our knowledge, the "buffalo hump" and the supraclavicular fat pads - which are a sensitive physical finding for cd, have never been phenotypically characterized and the mechanisms underlying the gc mediated development of fat in these depots and the associated metabolic complications have not been explored in humans. the proposed research will advance our understanding of cushing's lipodystrophy and its metabolic complications. furthermore, it may lead to the identification of novel mediators and targetable pathways to attenuate the adverse effects of hypercortisolism on body composition and metabolism in cd, as well as in the significant population of patients treated with chronic gcs for an array of other clinical conditions. these findings may have important implications not only for those with cushing's disease, but for the millions of americans who are treated with chronic glucocorticoids for an array of clinical conditions.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. aged 18-70 yrs 2. body mass index (bmi) \<35 kg/m2 3. urine free cortisol (ufc) ≥150ug/d 4. pituitary tumor \>6mm on mri or an inferior petrosal sinus sampling with central to peripheral plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (acth) gradient 5. normal renal and thyroid function 6. hba1c ≤8.0. exclusion criteria: 1. smoking 2. alcohol \>2 drinks/day 3. uncontrolled hypertension 4. hiv given potential for lipodystrophic confounding 5. pregnancy and nursing 6. use of beta-blockers, β-adrenergic or diabetes medications other than insulin 7. history of claustrophobia or difficulty lying flat 8. in-dwelling metal hardware.

Keywords: glucocorticoids
sutured versus cyanoacrylate glue mesh fixation for inguinal hernia repair

Conditions: Inguinal Hernia

Summary: because it avoids direct nerve irritation or entrapment, mesh fixation with tissue adhesive glue seems an optimal option to reduce postoperative pain. indeed, preliminary results published with different glues all showed promising results with reduced postoperative pain. this randomized controlled study aimed to compare mesh fixation using n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate with classical suture fixation in lichtenstein hernia repair in terms of chronic groin pain, postoperative complications, operative time and recurrence.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * patients of both genders aging between 18-65 years with primary unilateral uncomplicated inguinal hernia were included. exclusion criteria: * patients with bilateral or sliding inguinal hernia. * incarcerated or strangulated hernia * recurrent inguinal hernia * femoral hernia * patients unwilling to participate in the trial.
effect of "kangaroo mother care" on premature infants physiological outcomes

Conditions: Premature Neonate

Summary: this project aims at testing the effect of applying the kmc on the premature infants' physiological outcomes. the findings of this project are expected to contribute to the discipline of preterm infants' care by providing evidence of the benefits, barriers, and facilities of providing the kmc in our jordanian nicus.

premature infants are often unable physiologically to adapt well to the stressful environment of the nicu. these neonates are commonly at risk for the development of short and long term outcomes ranging from mild developmental delay to severe disability. the kangaroo mother care approach (kmc) is developed to minimize the effect of prematurity and the nicu environmental stressors on premature infants. this project aims at assessing the neonatal nurses' knowledge and attitudes of the application of the kmc approach in the neonatal intensive care unit (nicu), testing the effect of applying the kmc on the premature infants' physiological outcomes, and exploring the mothers' lived experiences of providing kmc for their premature infants. the findings of this project are expected to contribute to the discipline of preterm infants' care by providing evidence of the benefits, barriers, and facilities of providing the kmc in our jordanian nicus.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * all stable preterm or low birth weight infants (stable infants are those who are able to breath unassisted and have no major health problems (who, 2003)), weighing more than 1800gm, who are admitted to the nicus at the time of study and whose mothers consent to participate and willing to practice the kmc with her infant exclusion criteria: * high risk preterm or low birth weight infants.