Kornimate/medical-research-clean huggingface dataset:
comparison of bovine carotid artery and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (eptfe) for permanent hemodialysis access

Conditions: Kidney Failure; Renal Dialysis

Summary: the investigators did a randomized control trial comparing bovine carotid artery grafts with eptfe grafts for patients that need hemodialysis access. the goal of the study was to determine differences in primary and assisted patency rates and frequency of complications between these two types of grafts. the investigators' hypothesis was that bovine carotid artery grafts more closely mimic autologous tissue and therefore, would provide better patency and fewer complications.

objective: to understand how bovine carotid artery (bca) grafts compare to cuffed polytetrafluoroethylene (eptfe) grafts as conduits for hemodialysis access in terms of patency and complications. background: many hemodialysis patients do not have adequate anatomy for native arteriovenous fistulas. in these patients, synthetic conduits remain the only option for permanent hemodialysis access. we sought to compare the standard cuffed eptfe with bovine carotid artery grafts as this has not been undertaken since the 1970's. methods: following institutional review board approval, a prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted enrolling 29 patients in the bca group and 28 patients in the eptfe group. univariate and multivariate analysis was undertaken to understand factors that affect complications. patency rates were calculated using the kaplan-meyer method.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * chronic kidney disease stage 4 or 5, in need of hemodialysis access exclusion criteria: * surgically suitable for a native arteriovenous fistula

Keywords: renal dialysis bioprosthesis arteriovenous shunt surgical
the effect of physical activity intervention flexibility on the time course of changes in body composition and metabolism

Conditions: Sedentary; Overweight

Summary: the investigators goal is to optimise physical activity interventions to help previously inactive women improve their body shape and composition. many people seeking to lose weight or improve body composition initiate an exercise programme. the most common recommendation of an exercise intervention for someone attempting to manage their weight, has been to 'prescribe' the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week (world health organisation), often using one mode of exercise. an alternative approach might be to offer a portfolio of activities, from which the exerciser can pick and choose, to facilitate greater amounts of physical activity. the problem with this is how do you account for the different intensities of walking, washing the car, playing badminton, cycling, jogging, etc? in this study, the investigators will try to overcome this barrier by allocating a number of "physical activity points" to each activity. using this physical activity points system, participants will be provided with a points target that they can meet using any combination of activities. the investigators research aim is therefore to compare this points-based system against the traditional 5x30minute prescription (and sedentary control) for their ability to help previously inactive women to drop a dress size, increase fat burning, positively change their body composition and tone their tummy.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * female * aged 25-50 years old * inactive (less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week) * bmi 25-35 kg/m2 * good general health, as assessed by the school of sport, exercise and rehabilitation sciences' general health questionnaire * willing to strictly comply with all study procedures and restrictions * willing to participate, as demonstrated by voluntary written informed consent exclusion criteria: * positive result from the urine sample pregnancy test * currently breast feeding * currently participating in another clinical trial deemed to potentially interfere with this study * current or recent (within the last 30 days) smoker * currently taking prescription or non-prescription medication that may interfere with metabolism (including beta-blockers, insulin, bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory agents, thyroxine and medication/supplements that in the opinion of the investigators may affect metabolism).

Keywords: physical activity females body composition
an advanced echocardiographic evaluation of nebivolol

Conditions: Hypertension

Summary: the purpose of this study is to determine if nebivolol has any effect on heart function determined by changes in echocardiographic data or exercise tolerance.

subjects will be given either 5 or 10 mg daily of oral nebivolol for blood pressure control. they will undergo stress echocardiography at baseline, day 14, 90 and 180.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. diagnosis of hypertension 2. written informed consent before initiation of any study related procedure 3. baseline blood pressure \> 140 systolic or \>90 diastolic if on no antihypertensive therapy. 4. currently taking one antihypertensive or one antihypertensive and one diuretic for the treatment of hypertension. exclusion criteria: 1. physical limitations resulting in a limited ability to walk on treadmill for stress echo 2. intolerance to beta blockers 3. on more than one medication for the treatment of hypertension unless the second medication is a diuretic. 4. currently pregnant or breast feeding. 5. lft \> 3 x uln 6. hga1c \> 7 7. participation in other clinical research studies involving the evaluation of other investigational drugs or devices within past 30 days of enrollment 8. unwilling to follow protocol or return for study related procedures. 9. any of the following conditions: coronary artery disease heart failure valvular heart disease ischemic heart disease atrial fibrillation pacemaker icd hyperlipidemia diabetes mellitus stroke/tia anemia copd asthma renal failure requiring dialysis liver failure cirrhosis thyroid dysfunction 10. any other medical condition that in the pi's opinion could affect myocardial function. 11. current etoh or illicit drug abuse -
esomeprazole in treatment of early onset preeclampsia (esope trial)

Conditions: Preeclampsia

Summary: pre-eclampsia is one of the most serious complications of pregnancy affecting 3-8 % of pregnancies worldwide. it is a multi-system disorder involving maternal vessels (causing hypertension and endothelial dysfunction), the kidneys, the liver, the lungs, the hematological system, the cardiovascular system and the feto-placental unit. in its most severe form, it affects the brain, causing seizures (eclampsia), cerebro-vascular events and even death.

the key aspects in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia are placental oxidative stress (and hypoxia), placental release of the anti-angiogenic factors soluble fms like tyrosine kinase -1 and soluble endoglin and maternal endothelial dysfunction. a drug that can counter these pathological steps could be a strategy to treat pre-eclampsia. if an affordable and safe treatment was available it could temporize the disease progression of pre-eclampsia thereby delaying delivery to gain gestation. this could save the lives of many infants and decrease the hospital burden caused by iatrogenic prematurity. currently, there are trials investigating the possible use of pravastatin to treat pre-eclampsia, and to prevent it there are no other significant trials of orally available small molecules to treat pre-eclampsia that we are aware of. the translational obstetrics group at melbourne university has generated strong preclinical evidence suggesting esomeprazole as one of the proton pump inhibitors may have potent actions giving it significant potential as a treatment for pre-eclampsia proton pump inhibitors have been commonly used in pregnancy to treat gastroesophageal reflux disorders and more serious gastrointestinal complications like helicobacter pylori-infection, peptic and duodenal ulcers and zollinger-ellison syndrome. esomeprazole counters three key steps in pre-eclampsia pathogenesis, by up-regulating heme oxygenase-1 ( strongly decreasing the release of antiangiogenic factors soluble fms like tyrosine kinase -1 and soluble endoglin and quenching endothelial dysfunction.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * gestational age between 28 + 0 weeks and 31 + 6 weeks * estimated fetal weight by ultrasound between 500 gm and 1800 gm (if gestation is not certain). * singleton pregnancy. * the patient will be managed with expectant management. exclusion criteria: * patient is unable or unwilling to give consent * established fetal compromise that necessitates delivery. * the presence of any of the following at presentation: * eclampsia. * severe hypertension. * cerebrovascular event as an ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke. * renal impairment. * signs of left ventricular failure which include pulmonary oedema. * disseminated intravascular coagulation (dic) * haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (hellp syndrome) * fetal distress on cardiotocography * contra-indications for expectant management of pre-eclampsia * current use of a proton pump inhibitor * contraindications to the use of a proton pump inhibitor * previous hypersensitivity reaction to a proton pump inhibitor
reward function and therapy for late-life depression

Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder

Summary: the goal of this study is to learn about changes in the brain that occur during engage, a psychotherapy for depression in older adults, and how they may differ from changes that occur during supportive therapy. older adults with depression will receive 9 weeks of either engage or supportive therapy and will complete research assessments before the therapy begins and at weeks 3, 6, and 9 of treatment. research assessments will include questionnaires, computer tasks, and recordings of electrical brain activity (also called electroencephalography or eeg).

late-life depression is prevalent and devastating, and response rates to even the most effective treatments are low. outcomes may be improved by developing targeted interventions such as engage - a new, easily disseminated, neurobiologically informed psychotherapy for late-life depression designed to restore impaired function of neural reward systems. this study will use event-related potentials and a panel of other reward system measures to assess target engagement in depressed older adults receiving engage therapy, with a comparison group of depressed peers receiving supportive therapy. participants will be randomly assigned to either engage or supportive therapy and will complete research assessments at baseline and weeks 3, 6, and 9 (end of treatment).

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * age greater than or equal to 60 years. * diagnosis of unipolar major depressive disorder without psychotic features, determined by structured clinical interview for the diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders (scid). * montgomery-asberg depression rating scale (madrs) score greater than or equal to 20. * mini mental state exam (mmse) score greater than or equal to 24. * off antidepressants or on a stable dose of an antidepressant for 12 weeks and no intent to change the dose in the next 10 weeks. * capacity to provide written consent for both research assessment and treatment. exclusion criteria: * intent or plan to attempt suicide in the near future. * presence of current psychiatric diagnoses other than major depressive disorder without psychotic features, generalized anxiety disorder, or specific phobia. * history of past psychiatric diagnoses other than major depressive disorder without psychotic features or anxiety disorders (separation anxiety disorder, specific phobia, social phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia, or generalized anxiety disorder). * use of psychotropic drugs or cholinesterase inhibitors other than use of less than or equal to 0.5 mg of lorazepam daily up to five times per week. * neurological disorders (dementias, history of stroke, multiple sclerosis, parkinson's disease, epilepsy, etc.); cardiac, renal, or respiratory failure; severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; metastatic cancer; or debilitated states or less common medical illnesses that may either influence neural systems of interest or ability to participate in the study.

Keywords: depression major depressive disorder mental health mood disorder geriatric late-life
sharing hart in new expanses

Conditions: Depressive Symptoms; Trauma, Psychological; Anxiety Generalized

Summary: the goal of this parallel cluster randomized control (crt) trial is to evaluate a group-based mind-body intervention (move with hart) in survivors of human trafficking. the main study aims are: 1. determine effectiveness of the move with hart intervention on ptsd, depression, and anxiety symptoms among survivors of human trafficking in uganda 2. explore participant characteristics (e.g., age, trafficking history, food security) that may moderate the intervention effectiveness. 3. understand potential barriers and facilitators to future implementation and scale-up. participants will complete: * complete three surveys (baseline, endline, and 3 month follow-up) * participate in either services as usual or move with hart groups * qualitative in-depth interviews researchers will compare move with hart with services as usual to see effects on mental health symptoms.

despite significant mental health challenges experienced by human trafficking survivors, a lack of research on effective interventions exists. the proposed parallel cluster randomized control trial aims to evaluate the mental health impact of move with hart with human trafficking survivors in uganda. move with hart is a group-based intervention facilitated by paraprofessionals that includes breathwork, yoga poses, meditation, and discussions. the proposed study will use a parallel cluster randomized control (crt) trial with 302 survivors randomized in groups to either move with hart or services as usual. the main study aims are: 1) determine effectiveness of the move with hart intervention on ptsd, depression, and anxiety symptoms among survivors of human trafficking in uganda; 2) explore participant characteristics (e.g., age, trafficking history, food security) that may moderate the intervention effectiveness; 3) understand potential barriers and facilitators to future implementation and scale-up. surveys at baseline, endline, and 3-month follow-up assess mental health outcomes, as well as secondary outcomes on physical and social wellbeing. qualitative research will inform barriers and facilitators to future implementation and scale-up. results of this study have the potential to inform protection services in uganda and beyond.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * identify as female; * history of forced labor or sex trafficking; * aged 14 and above; exclusion criteria: * physically unable to perform basic day-to-day activities without assistance * does not provide consent (or assent if a minor)
vr exercise intervention in a workplace setting

Conditions: Physical Inactivity; Psychological Well-Being; Work-Related Stress

Summary: this research study is designed to better understand how a virtual reality (vr) exercise application may influence overall physical activity and well-being. vr games can make exercise more enjoyable and interactive, which has been shown to increase engagement in physical activity. adult participants will do a progressive exercise program and report on overall physical activity, health, and psychological wellbeing. the intervention is expected to have a positive impact on these lifestyle factors.

irtual reality (vr) fitness applications are promising interventions to promote exercise in a home setting. multiplayer fitness games for virtual reality platforms, addresses several common challenges associated with decreased exercise adherence such as social accountability, transportation, weather, gym memberships, and self-consciousness. this study aims to assess the impact of regular usage of a commercially available virtual reality fitness application on quality of life measures, including physical activity, health, and well-being. this study will enroll healthy participants, age 18- 50 years old, and they will be issued a quest 2 virtual reality headset and given access to the virtual reality fitness application (vrworkout - vrw). participants will be asked to use vrw on a regular and progressive basis over a six-week period and to complete surveys about physical activity and wellbeing over a 9-week period. the activity completed within vrw is based on participant choice. a suggested progression schedule will be provided, but not enforced. this study of healthy working individuals, is foundational to assessing whether immersive fitness applications may be used as a lifestyle intervention to increase overall physical activity and well-being.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: - exclusion criteria: * individuals who have been advised by a healthcare provider that they should not participate in moderate to strenuous physical activity for any reason * individuals with history of seizures with photosensitivity * individuals with diagnosis of uncontrolled metabolic disorders * current lice infestation * current eye infection * body mass index above 30 (obese)

Keywords: virtual reality exercise lifestyle factors
verbal synchrony, satisfaction and decision-making in face-to-face consultations

Conditions: Thyroid Nodule

Summary: eligible participants will be: benign thyroid nodules patients, to be involved in a consultation with their endocrinologist and/or surgeon and/or radiologist, in order to discuss treatment options related to benign thyroid nodules.

eligible participants will be: benign thyroid nodules patients, to be involved in a consultation with their endocrinologist and/or surgeon and/or radiologist, in order to discuss treatment options related to benign thyroid nodules. endocrinologist and/or surgeon and/or radiologist involved in the consultation will be recruited as well. before the scheduled consultation with endocrinologist, surgeon or radiologist, benign thyroid nodules patients will be screened for eligibility by a researcher and a physician from the interventional radiology unit. if patients meet all the inclusion criteria, they will be contacted by the researcher and proposed to participate. the day of the consultations, researcher will meet participants face to face, they will answer any questions should arise and will ask them to sign the informed consent form. benign thyroid nodules patients have a specific clinical pathway, in which they may have consultations with endocrinologists, and/or with surgeon, and/or with radiologists. patients will be recruited before their first consultation and then, if they are scheduled to have other consultations with other professionals, will be recruited as well for the following consultations.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: specifically, to be eligible for the inclusion in this study, each patient has to fulfill all these criteria: * diagnosis of benign thyroid nodule; * scheduled consultation with endocrinologist and/or surgeon and/or radiologist to discuss treatment options related to benign thyroid nodule; * ≥18 years old at the time of recruitment; * proper understanding of italian language; * fluent italian speaker; * able to comply to requested procedures to obtain audio-video recording. each professional has to fulfill these criteria: * proper understanding of italian language; * fluent italian speaker; * able to comply to requested procedures to obtain audio-video recording. exclusion criteria: • patients with diagnosed mental or neurological disorder that could impair the participation will be excluded from the study.
diagnosis of cardio-pulmonary pathology using transthoracic parametric doppler (tpd)

Conditions: Lung Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Lung Disease, Interstitial; Asthma; Sarcoidosis; Hypertension, Pulmonary

Summary: this is a study that seeks to characterize data obtained from patients with a variety of lung diseases using ultrasound signals obtained from the lung tissue. a standard ultrasound instrument in the doppler mode (not the imaging mode used in examination of pregnant women for instance) is placed on the chest wall and the unique software the investigators have developed analyzes the signal reflected back from within the lung. on the basis of pilot studies performed previously the investigators expect to receive different signals from different diseases. the investigators seek to further characterize these signals to enable accurate diagnosis of different lung diseases using our technology.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria age 18 years or older patients who are clinically suspected of having pulmonary, cardiac or cardio-pulmonary disease preferably any one or more of the conditions listed below: * patients with chf * patients with pulmonary hypertension with documented right heart catheterization data * patients with copd in two subgroups: * emphysema, (evidence of emphysema on high resolution computed tomography, (hrct) and airflow limitation of gold ii severity who have had carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, (dlco) and residual volume(rv) measured, or patients without hrct with measurements of lung volumes and diffusing capacity with total lung capacity (tlc) ≥1.0 predicted, rv/tlc ≥0.4, dlco ≤ 0.7 predicted. * chronic bronchitis (no evidence of emphysema on hrct and/or no evidence of air-trapping or reduced dlco.) * patients with asthma according to ats/ers definition, * patients with interstitial lung disease (ild) of any etiology including sarcoidosis diagnosed by hrct in sub groups as follows: * mild ild (tlc 0.71-0.79 predicted, dlco ≥ 0.71 predicted) * moderate and severe ild (tlc ≤ 0.7 predicted, dlco ≤ 0.7 predicted) * signed informed consent. * patients with sarcoidosis without evidence of parenchymal lung disease defined as normal dlco and/or hrct. exclusion criteria * patients unable to cooperate. * inability to assume a semi-reclining or supine position * patients with severe chest wall deformity

Keywords: chronic obstructive lung disease interstitial lung disease asthma sarcoidosis pulmonary hypertension ultrasound doppler lung disease diagnosis