Kornimate/medical-research-clean huggingface dataset:
prevalence and risk factors of hiv infections in transgender and non-binary people in flanders and brussels (belgium)

Conditions: HIV Infections

Summary: background: hiv prevalence and sexual risk have been estimated very high for transgender people. however, the limited sampling and data collection methods used in current research on transgender people potentially led to overrepresentation and generalisation of people at risk for hiv. current hiv prevalence estimates in transgender populations are generalised from studies mainly focusing on transgender women who engage in sex work. moreover, current research remains cisnormative, and studies focusing on non-binary people, who identify with a broad range of identities beyond the traditional male and female gender identities, are scarce. objective: this study aims to estimate the hiv prevalence rate in the flemish and brussels (belgium) transgender population, including transgender women as well as transgender men and non-binary people, and identifying the associated individual and community-level risk factors. methods: in this community-based cross-sectional study, self-identified transgender and non-binary (tgnb) people will be recruited through a two-stage time-location sampling approach to minimize selection bias. in a first part, community settings in which tgnb people gather will be mapped using qualitative and ethnographic research methods, to reveal how the tgnb community in flanders and brussels is structured and to develop an accurate sampling frame. in a second part, to select the respondents, a multistage sampling design is applied involving a stratification based on setting type (healthcare facilities vs outreach events), a selection of clusters by systematic sampling and a simple random selection of tgnb people within each cluster. participants will complete an electronic self-reported survey to measure sociological, sexual and drug-using behaviors (risk factors) and, at the same time, oral fluid aliquots will be collected and tested for hiv antibodies. logistic regression models will be used to evaluate risk factors independently associated with hiv infection. conclusion: to the best of our knowledge, this study will be the first to investigate the hiv prevalence rates and behaviors that increase risk and vulnerability for hiv infection in an accurate representation of the tgnb population in a west european country. the findings of this study will globally serve as a knowledge base for identifying subgroups at risk for becoming infected with hiv within tgnb people and to set up targeted prevention programs on sexual health.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * adult (≥ 18 years) self-identified transgender and non-binary people * able to read, write and understand the survey * consent to participate in the survey and to self-collect an oral fluid sample exclusion criteria: * cisgender people * people who have no understanding of the multilingual survey

Keywords: hiv transgender and non-binary people lgbt+ time-location sampling risk factor
cardiometabolic care-team integration improves outcomes in diabetes

Conditions: Cardio-metabolic Care-Team Intervention (CMC-TI)

Summary: a pragmatic, quasi-experimental (non-randomized) design was used to evaluate clinical and cost outcomes among patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes (t1d or t2d) at two primary care clinics (n=1 intervention, n=1 usual care) between march 2012 and september 2014. at the intervention clinic, the 12-month cardio-metabolic care-team intervention (cmc-ti) was delivered to all qualifying patients; surveys were administered to evaluate relevant patient-reported outcomes over 12 months, and a process evaluation gauged cmc-ti feasibility and satisfaction.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * all patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes exclusion criteria: * none
evaluation of the addictive potential of e-cigarettes

Conditions: Nicotine Use Disorder; Tobacco Use Disorder

Summary: this study will examine the subject matter from a neurobiological and a neuropsychological vantage point to ascertain whether the e-cigarette is potentially as addictive as the traditional tobacco cigarette.

this project aims to examine the addictive potential of e-cigarettes through three different lenses, combining neurobiological, sociological and epidemiological research methods and levels of observation. the neurobiological perspective will investigate the rewarding effects of vaping, using neurobiological and neuropsychological measurements on e-cigarette users, as compared to nicotine-naïve participants. the researchers will use established fmri paradigms to measure the reward potential of e-cigarettes: first, craving will be investigated in an experimental approach by presenting conditioned stimuli to participants; and second, motivation for e-cigarettes compared to combustible cigarettes or money will be measured in an experimental work task. in addition, a dot-probe-task will be used in combination with eye-tracking to measure the attentional bias for e-cigarette stimuli. as part of the neuropsychological assessment outside the fmri, the approach bias for smoking cues will also be investigated. the aim is to examine whether chronic use of e-cigarettes leads to similar conditioning processes and comparable aspects of motivation as that of traditional tobacco cigarettes. the investigators will examine the punishment potential of e-cigarettes in a secondary research question, using questionnaires on withdrawal and on the consequences of smoking, both for traditional tobacco and for e-cigarettes. the results of this project are relevant for the development of preventive healthcare and new treatment options. the neurobiological approach will also provide implications for individualized therapy by identifying consumer groups with different neuronal patterns.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * e-cigarette consumers: daily e-cigarette use (additional smoking of classic tobacco cigarettes is not an exclusion criterion) * nicotine naïve: lifetime consumption of less than 20 cigarettes or e-cigarettes. * normal or correctable eyesight * sufficient ability to communicate with investigators and answer questions in both written and verbal format * ability to provide fully informed consent and to use self-rating scales exclusion criteria: * common exclusion criteria for mri (e.g. metal, claustrophobia, pregnancy) * severe internal, neurological, and/or psychiatric comorbidities * other axis i mental disorders other than tud or specific phobias within the last 12 months * psychotropic medication within the last 14 days * positive drug screening (opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, cocaine, amphetamines) * positive pregnancy test the inclusion and exclusion criteria are checked in advance in a telephone screening. smokers are asked not to smoke for eight hours before the examination.

Keywords: nicotine electronic nicotine delivery systems (ends) addiction craving
validation of molecular diagnostic assays to detect cancer biomarkers in blood & primary tumor in er+/her2- mbc

Conditions: Breast Cancer

Summary: conventional biopsy and surgical tumor resection are invasive procedures that capture only one instance of the progression of the tumor. however, the genome of tumor is not static, but it is constantly altered during treatment. liquid biopsy is a non-invasive approach based on the extraction of information through peripheral blood analysis. it makes it possible to characterize the development of a solid tumor in real time, through detailed molecular analysis of circulating genetic material in peripheral blood.

conventional biopsy and surgical tumor resection are invasive procedures that capture only one instance of the progression of the tumor. however, the genome of tumor is not static, but it is constantly altered during treatment. liquid biopsy is a non-invasive approach based on the extraction of information through peripheral blood analysis. it makes it possible to characterize the development of a solid tumor in real time, through detailed molecular analysis of circulating genetic material in peripheral blood. study procedure: 1. initial visit (v0-baseline): for the purposes of the study the following information will be collected: the demographics, medical and social history, the characteristics of the disease (stage, molecular characterization e.t.c) and the treatment regimen that is followed. as part of the visit, 20 ml of peripheral blood will be drawn prior to their treatment according to physician's suggestion as per common clinical practice. blood samples will be then sent to actc laboratory for plasma/ctc isolation, dna and rna extraction and subsequent test for biomarkers. primary tumor tissue samples will be also collected 2. follow-up visit (v1): response to treatment by recist based on restaging cts/mris will be documented during this visit, which will take place 3 months after treatment initiation. as part of the visit, 20 ml of peripheral blood will be drawn. blood samples will be then sent to laboratory for plasma/ctc isolation, dna and rna extraction and subsequent test for biomarkers. survival status and clinical response (cr, pr, sd, pd) will be also documented.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. female aged ≥ 18 years of age. 2. histological confirmed er+/her2- metastatic breast cancer prior to beginning a treatment 3. life expectancy permits participation to the study. 4. available tumor tissue sample for molecular analysis. 5. signed informed consent form. exclusion criteria: 1. female younger than 18 years old. 2. history of another malignancy within 3 years or current 2nd primary malignancy. 3. patients that have not signed the informed consent.

Keywords: liquid biopsy ctc plasma pik3ca
body awareness in adults with obesity

Conditions: Obesity

Summary: the goal of this observational study is to examine the level of body awareness in individuals with obesity and investigate the parameters associated with body awareness. in addition, compare these parameters with healthy subjects with normal weight. the main questions it aims to answer are: * how is body awareness affected compared to healthy individuals? * is physical activity level, dynamic balance, proprioception, and reaction time related to body awareness in individuals with obesity? * is there any difference between obese and normal-weight individuals in terms of physical activity level, dynamic balance, proprioception, and reaction time?


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * adults with obesity ((bmi) ≥ 30 kg/m2) aged 18-65 years, who did not receive obesity-related treatment 6 months before the study * healthy adults with normal weight (bmi: 18.5-24.9 kg/m2). exclusion criteria: * musculoskeletal, neurological, and rheumatological disorders (fractures, sprains or strains, spine surgery, advanced respiratory or orthopaedic problems), * malignancy and pregnancy within the last 12 months, which might interfere with evaluations

Keywords: obesity body awareness physical activity balance proprioception reaction time
impact of keratoconus, cross-linking and cross-linking combined with topo-guided photorefractive keratectomy on self-reported quality of life. a three-year update.

Conditions: Keratoconus

Summary: study hypothesis: former investigators indicated that keratoconus has a negative impact on vision-specific quality of life. this study attempts to confirm this statement and assess whether cross-linking and cross-linking combined with photorefractive keratectomy improve vision-specific quality of life, in a sample of keratoconus patients with 3-years follow-up.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * be diagnosed and classified as stage 1 keratoconus according to the amsler-krumeich classification system for keratoconus * present progressive keratoconus in consecutive corneal topographies, and/or changes in their refractive power. progressive keratoconus was defined when any of the following criteria was met for a period of 24 months: * an increase of 1.00 diopter (d) or more in the steepest keratometry measurement * an increase of 1.00 d or more in manifest cylinder * an increase of 0.50 d or more in manifest refraction spherical equivalent. exclusion criteria: * glaucoma * suspicion for glaucoma * iop-lowering medications * central corneal thickness (cct) less than 400μm * k-readings more than 60d * history of herpetic keratitis * corneal scarring * severe eye dryness * pregnancy or nursing * current corneal infection * or underlying autoimmune disease kg members were further sub-divided into cxl and tcxl groups, according to their eligibility for treatment with cxl or cxl with tprk. in order to be eligible for tcxl, group participants should, additionally, have cct above 450μm.

Keywords: keratoconus corneal cross linking topo guided prk quality of life
total marrow irradiation and high-dose melphalan for double autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma

Conditions: Multiple Myeloma

Summary: the purpose of this study is to evaluate if the use total marrow irradiation (tmi) as a sole preparation for the first autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autohsct) followed by high-dose melphalan used prior to second autohsct is safe and effective in patients with multiple myeloma (mm).

autohsct is a standard treatment of patients with mm. according to soem clinical evidence double autohsct provides survival advantage compared to a single procedure. most frequently used conditioning regimen consists pf high doses of melphalan (hd-mel). in some studies it was used in combination with total body irradiation (tbi), which, however was associated with significant toxicity. in our center the standard procedure includes tbi as a single treatment at 1st autohsct and hd-mel at 2nd autohsct. as in mm malignant plasma cells are localized almost exclusively in bone marrow there is rationale to limit irradiation to bones. for this purpose in the current study we substitute tbi with tmi. additional boosts are provided for active sites of disease based on pet/ct imaging. our intention is to minimize toxicity while maintaining the treatment efficacy.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * age 18-65 years * diagnosis of multiple myeloma * pr, vgpr or cr at inclusion * performance status who 0-1 * written informed consent exclusion criteria: * organ dysfunction: elevated alt, ast, bilirubin, af; creatinine \>1.5 upper normal limit; lvef \<45% * active infection * unstable diabetes * psychiatric diseases * history of high-dose chemotherapy or irradiation * second malignancy * pregnancy

Keywords: autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation total marrow irradiation melphalan multiple myeloma
follow-up of eating disorder patients from a 15-year period.

Conditions: Eating Disorder Symptoms

Summary: retrospective follow-up study of former eating disorder patients in child- and adolescent psychiatry on psychiatric symptoms and social intelligence.

former patients and their parents were contacted 3 to 15 years after their completed treatment for eating disorders at levanger hospital, child and adolescent psychiatry department, in the period from 1988 to 2002. interviews focusing on general psychiatric symptom, specific eating disorder symptoms, social intelligence and consumer satisfaction. parents were also contacted and interviewed on consumer satisfaction.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * eating disorder symptoms or disorder exclusion criteria: -
micro/nanobubbles (mnbs) for treatment of acute and chronic wounds

Conditions: Open Wound; Wound Heal

Summary: the purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of micro/nanobubbles (mnb's) for the healing of acute and chronic wounds.

oxygen delivery is one of the primary factors in wound healing. micro/nanobubbles (mnbs) can be used to increase the oxygen dissolved in solution and increase oxygen delivery to a wound. the purpose of this research study is to determine if mnbs applied to a wound improve wound healing. after being informed about the study and potential risks, all patients will need to provide written informed consent before being included in the study. the characteristics of the wound will be assessed and measurements will be taken before and after treatment. depending on the patient's wound type, the patient will be treated with mnbs in saline gauze which will be applied to the wound daily (for acute wounds), or mnbs in negative pressure wound therapy with instillation (npwti) (for chronic wounds) which will be applied to the wound continuously throughout the day with the wound evaluated and sponge replaced every 3-5 days. this is consistent with the current standard of wound care with gauze or npwti. tissue oxygenation using infrared technology and wound healing will be measured and results collected for analysis. participation will last approximately 2-4 weeks or the duration of the inpatient admission. if discharge from the hospital is earlier than 2 weeks, the treatment will be discontinued and results will be submitted for analysis.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * are above the age of 18. * have traumatic, surgical, or chronic wounds. * have radiotherapy related tissue injury. * have thermal, chemical, and/or electrical burn injuries. * have pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, venous ulcers, arterial ulcers, and/or neuropathic skin ulcers. * have acute ischemic wounds exclusion criteria: * have infected wounds. * have wounds with exposed vital structures such as nerves, arteries, and/or veins. * have wounds associated with malignancy.

Keywords: acute wounds chronic wounds mnb solution mnb micro/nanobubbles micronanobubbles negative pressure wound therapy with instillation
non-interventional observational study with pramipexole: impact on non-motor symptoms in parkinson's disease

Conditions: Parkinson Disease

Summary: * to compare the effect of pramipexole on depressive symptoms in early and advanced pd patients * to evaluate the course of depressive symptoms measured with updrs part i (mentation, behavior and mood) and with hads-d under pramipexole treatment * to investigate whether improvement of depressive symptoms is linked to improvement in motor function (updrs part iii)

study design:

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. idiopathic parkinsons disease with or without fluctuations 2. indication for treatment with sifrol® 3. male or female patients of age 4. presence of at least mild depressive symptoms (as judged by the treating physician) 5. ability to reliably complete a self-rating scale (hads) exclusion criteria: 1. any contraindications according to the summary of product characteristics (spc): hypersensitivity to pramipexole or to any of the excipients. 2. ongoing treatment with sifrol®.
post stroke walking kinematics using the honda walking assist robotic exoskeleton

Conditions: Stroke

Summary: to investigate the effect of a robotic exoskeleton on kinematics, muscle activity, ground reaction forces and spatiotemporal characteristics during walking in persons post stroke.

following stroke walking dysfunction is prevalent. traditional rehabilitation methods fall short of achieving desirable walking outcomes for most people who experience stroke. robotic methods to assist walking, such as the honda walking assist device (hwa) robot from honda r \& d americas inc., are being explored as a means of improving the recovery of walking post stroke. prior to examining the effectiveness of exoskeletal robots for walking recovery it is important to understand their effect on kinematic and muscle responses during walking. kinematic and muscle responses at the hip during walking with the hwa were recently described. the purpose of this study is to quantify the effect of walking with the hwa on body segments remote from the hip. these segments include knee, ankle, trunk and arm. the non-invasive measures used will include: walking kinematics (measurement of joint angles using cameras), muscle activity (electromyography), ground reaction forces (detected by a force plate in the floor) and spatiotemporal characteristics (such as walking speed). measures will be collected under three conditions: 1) walking at self-selected pace (control), 2) walking at self-selected pace with the hwa (4 newton-meter assist mode for hip flexion and extension), 3) walking immediately following hwa use (aftereffect).

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * ≥12 weeks but \<1 year post stroke at time of study participation * age: 18-85 years * ability to walk a minimum of 10 meters with standby assistance with or without orthosis or assistive device (functional ambulation categories 3, 4 or 5) * able to follow three step commands * express the ability to understand study tasks and purpose * able and willing to provide written informed consent * living in the community with the ability to travel to maurices community clinic for testing * willingness to wear the stepwatch pedometer for a period of 3 days in their home * (if applicable) ≥ 90 days post major orthopedic surgery (such as a joint replacement) * (if applicable) ≥ 6 months post cardiac surgery exclusion criteria: * serious cardiac conditions (hospitalized for myocardial infarction or heart surgery within 3 months, congestive heart failure, unstable cardiac arrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe aortic stenosis, angina or dyspnea at rest or during activities of daily living) * severe arthritis or orthopedic conditions that limit lower extremity range of motion (\> 10° or \ 25° hip extension, \>15° from neutral plantar flexion.) * preexisting neurologic disorders such as dementia, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, parkinson's disease or ataxia. * history of lower limb amputation, non-healing ulcers, legal blindness or severe visual impairment

Keywords: exoskeleton gait kinematics emg stair climbing