Kornimate/medical-research-clean huggingface dataset:
gaining insight into dual sensory loss

Conditions: Dual Sensory Impairment of Vision and Hearing

Summary: the goal of this observational study is to explore difficulties in information access, mobility, communication and fatigue in people with combined vision and hearing impairments. the main question it aims to answer is: • what influence do varying severities of vision and hearing loss have on information access, mobility, communication and fatigue. participants will fill out questionnaires and the researchers will measure their vision and hearing functions.

people with dual sensory loss have impairments in both vision and hearing. when the impairments are severe, it will become more difficult to compensate for these impairments. this can result in difficulties, for example in the areas of access to information, communication, fatigue and/or mobility. now, we do not know which problems arise from different combinations and levels of impairments in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual field, hearing threshold, directional hearing and speech understanding. we also do not know how this influences the areas of access to information, communication, fatigue and mobility. the objective of this study is to determine which problems arise from different levels of impairments in visual and auditory functions. we will especially focus on the areas of access to information, communication, fatigue and mobility. study design participants' visual (visual acuity, visual field, contrast sensitivity) and auditory functions (hearing threshold, directional hearing, speech understanding) will be measured. we will use the following materials: * etdrs card * vistech card * octopus perimeter * affinity compact audiometer * 8 genelec 8020 dpm speakers (to measure directional hearing) * digits in noise (din) test and nva word lists several questionnaires will be filled out to measure difficulties in the areas of access to information, communication, fatigue and mobility: * dutch icf activity inventory - domains watching tv, using a computer, using a telephone, mobility outdoors (walking), using public transportation and feeling fit * speech, spatial and qualities of hearing scale * spatial localization questionnaire * fatigue assessment scale study population: * 150 people with dual sensory loss * 50 people with a visual impairment * 50 people with an auditory impairment * 50 people with normal vision and hearing

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * older than 18 years * good understanding of the dutch language * clients: visual and/or auditory impairment (congenital or acquired) * other participants: normal vision and hearing exclusion criteria: * impaired cognitive functioning

Keywords: information access mobility communication fatigue visual acuity contrast sensitivity visual field hearing threshold speech understanding in noise speech understanding in silence directional hearing
systematic assessment of sars-cov-2 neurotropic capacity in modestly and critically ill patients, and patients who died from covid-19

Conditions: COVID-19 Disease

Summary: this study is to analyze the microglia reaction or direct neurotropic effects of cns covid-19 in pathogenesis and brain stem dysfunction in critically ill patients. a microglia-focused, brain-specific 50+ marker codex panel is used to assess the neuroinflammatory microenvironment in specific brain regions of deceased covid-19 patients. the peripheral (cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood) cytokine response to sars-cov-2 is investigated in regard to cns affection and consecutive blood brain barrier disruption leading to braininherent neuroinflammatory reactions

this study is to analyze the microglia reaction or direct neurotropic effects of cns covid-19 in pathogenesis and brain stem dysfunction in critically ill patients. a microglia-focused, brain-specific 50+ marker codex panel is used to assess the neuroinflammatory microenvironment in specific brain regions of deceased covid-19 patients. the peripheral (cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood) cytokine response to sars-cov-2 is investigated in regard to cns affection and consecutive blood brain barrier disruption leading to braininherent neuroinflammatory reactions. primary endpoints of this project are the multidimensional integration of the analysis from the procedures described above and assessment of the correlation between the gained clinical data (mri, mental/neurological state), the body fluid proteomic and mass-cytometric analysis (csf and plasma proteomics, peripheral blood mass cytometry) and the codex analysis of defined brain regions on autopsy specimens. non-critically ill covid-19 patients and critically ill covid-19 patients needing mechanical ventilation at the icu are included. autopsy specimens from medulla oblongata, cortex, cerebellum and olfactory bulb are investigated, including only tissue samples, which have been submitted to the institute of pathology, university hospital basel.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * covid-19 positive tested exclusion criteria: * covid-19 negative tested * pregnant women

Keywords: sars-cov-2 neurotropism of sars-cov-2 microglia codex (high dimensional microscopy) analysis
a clinical study to assess a compression device in patients with venous leg ulcers

Conditions: Varicose Ulcer

Summary: the purpose of this study is to evaluate the product performance of a new adjustable compression system for the treatment of venous leg ulcers.

the purpose of this study is to evaluate the product performance of a new adjustable compression system for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. the new compression system consists of a compression stocking and and adjustable compression sleeve. it will be used over primary dressings to provide compression that is beneficial to the healing of venous leg ulcers.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. is the subject 21 years or older? 2. does the subject have an active venous leg ulceration? if multiple ulcers are present, the investigator will need to select a single ulcer of the study leg that is \> 2cm apart from any other ulcer? 3. does the subject have an ulcer size between 1cm2 and 12cm2? 4. does the subject have an abpi between 0.8 and 1.3 that was taken within the past 28 days? 5. is the subject ambulatory? 6. is the subject or family member willing to self-manage the venous leg ulcer therapy at home in collaboration with the medical staff, including the ability to properly readjust the closure straps as indicated by tension indicators, and apply new dressings when needed? 7. is the subject able to understand questionnaire items and action items (e.g., subject diary)? 8. is the subject willing to give written informed consent, including permission to take photographs of the study leg? exclusion criteria: 1. does the subject have severe arterial occlusive disease? 2. does the subject have decompensated heart insufficiency nyha class iv, acc.aha stage d? 3. does the subject have septic phlebitis? 4. does the subject have severe deep vein thrombosis (phlegmasia cerulea dolens) and other conditions contraindicated according to established guidelines and local procedures? 5. does the subject have known hypersensitivity to any of the component materials? 6. does the subject have a suspected clinical infection of the ulcer or any other systemic infection (requiring antibiotics)? 7. is the subject scheduled for surgery for the ulcer during the 12 weeks following inclusion? 8. does the subject have a hospital stay planned for the 12 weeks following inclusion? 9. does the subject have a suspected or confirmed cancerous ulceration? 10. does the subject have severe peripheral sensitive neuropathy? 11. is the subject participating in any other prospective study interfering with this study? 12. does the subject have any medical condition which in the professional opinion of the investigator disqualifies the subject from enrollment into the study? 13. does the subject have a history of noncompliance to therapies?
a prospective, single-center, observational study aiming to assess the predictive role of flow mediated dilatation in acute coronary syndromes, combined with echocardiographic and biochemical indices: the novel cor-is technology will also be evaluated

Conditions: Acute Coronary Syndromes; Flow Mediated Dilation; Endothelial Function (FMD)

Summary: a prospective, single-center, observational study aiming to assess the predictive role of flow mediated dilatation in acute coronary syndromes, combined with echocardiographic and biochemical indices. the novel cor-is technology will also be evaluated.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. age \> 18 years 2. patients hospitalized due to acute coronary syndrome (stemi, nstemi) 3. capability of providing written informed consent 4. patients able to comply with the follow-up schedule of the study exclusion criteria: 1. patients with acute coronary syndromes classified as minoca, or type ii myocardial infarction 2. patients with rare acute coronary syndrome types, such as spontaneous coronary artery dissection or takotsubo syndrome 3. patients with congenital heart disease 4. age \> 85 years 5. patients with end stage chronic kidney disease 6. patients with active malignancy or autoimmune diseases which limit their survival 7. patients with expected survival \< 1 year due to other reasons 8. suboptimal echocardiographic windows 9. inability to provide written consent 10. inability to comply with the follow-up schedule of the study 11. pregnancy 12. use of intravenous drugs

Keywords: acute coronary syndrome endothelial dysfunction biomarker flow mediated dilatation
cervical spinal cord metabolism and microstructure in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(als)

Conditions: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Summary: the investigators want to know if magnetic resonance imaging can accurately provide an early diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als).

currently there is no definitive diagnostic test for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als). the investigators' goal is to determine if magnetic resonance imaging can provide an accurate diagnosis of als by looking at chemical concentrations in the spinal cord at the neck level which show up in mri imaging and compare these chemical concentrations to corresponding measures in healthy control subjects.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. adults age 18 to 80 years of age. exclusion criteria: 1. do not have active substance abuse 2. do not have co-morbid psychiatric disease 3. do not have opportunistic central nervous system infection 4. do not have cerebrovascular disease 5. do not have a contraindication for magnetic resonance imaging(mri)(e.g. cardiac pacemaker, ferromagnetic or metallic implants). 6. are not pregnant 7. have not had cervical spinal surgery(neck) -
study of accuracy of new diagnostic technology to determine guide rapid antibiotic treatment for serious infections

Conditions: Infection; Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Bacterial Infections; Healthcare-associated Infection; Infection Due to Resistant Bacteria

Summary: military service members and the u.s. veteran population face a growing and serious health threat: widespread antibiotic resistance resulting from resistant bacteria and a dwindling pipe-line of sufficiently potent antibiotics. infections with antibiotic resistant bacteria are increasing significantly. they cause major complications and mortality, and drive up healthcare costs. powerful but non-targeted antibiotics, while in widespread use, can actually pressure bacteria to develop resistance.

current methods for diagnosing infections typically require 2-3 days to produce results that can guide antibiotic choice. that is frequently too delayed to help clinicians make good treatment decisions. this also results in inappropriate or over-treatment with non-targeted antibiotics that are started while awaiting lab results. more rapid technologies that can accurately diagnose the specific cause of an infection could guide early, targeted antibiotic treatment. this would result in more effective early treatment of infection, decrease unnecessary exposure to excess antibiotics, and could slow the development of antibiotic resistance. by diagnosing infections earlier, we expect to reduce the complications and mortality of combat-related infections in wounded warriors and military veterans. we propose a new ultra-rapid technology (called madm) that uses a digital microscope to detect bacteria growing directly from a patient's specimen, rather than waiting for growth in lab cultures. the innovative new method supports identification of the infecting bacteria within 2 hours of receiving a specimen. the technology also shows the effect of selected antibiotics on the bacteria including multidrug resistant bacteria so that doctors know within 6 hours from specimen collection which antibiotic kills the bacteria. this study involves collection of any excess volume of microbiology specimens after it has been determined sufficient sample is available for clinical care. all microbiological samples and results are being obtained for solely non-research purposes as part of usual care; only leftover/discarded materials from clinical or research procedures already performed will be used for this study. samples will be tested in tandem with usual care on the new technology to test the accuracy and speed. results obtained from the new technology will not be used in patient care or to make treatment decisions.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * age ≥ 18 years old. * microbiology culture (respiratory, blood or tissue/skin) ordered during regular clinical care. exclusion criteria: * insufficient sample volume available after clinical test completed.

Keywords: wounded warriors battlefield infection acinetobacter esbl mrsa kpc
a novel robotic system for single port and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery

Conditions: Colorectal Neoplasms; Urologic Neoplasms; Urologic Diseases; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms; Oral Neoplasms; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms; Laryngeal Neoplasms; ENT Diseases

Summary: this is a prospective, single center, multispecialty study that aimed to evaluate the clinical feasibility and safety of single port surgery and notes (mainly transanal and transoral surgery) using a novel single port robotic system.

background: single port surgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (notes) are emerging minimally invasive surgery techniques which can further reduce patient trauma and enhance recovery. however, the wider adoption of these techniques is hampered by the limitation of instrumentation and technical difficulties. robotic assistance may improve surgical capabilities during single port surgery and notes by providing augmented motion precision and manipulation dexterity. objectives: to evaluate the clinical feasibility and safety of single port surgery and notes (mainly transanal and transoral surgery) using a novel single port robotic system. design: prospective, single center, multispecialty study consistent with a stage 1 (innovation) study described in the innovation, development, exploration, assessment, long-term study (ideal) framework. subjects: sixty consecutive patients with various benign/malignant pathologies indicated for single port colorectal/urologic surgery or transanal/transoral surgery who fulfilled all the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be recruited. intervention: single port surgery and transanal/transoral surgery will be performed using the novel single port robotic system. study endpoints: primary: conversion rate and perioperative complications. secondary: operative time, blood loss, pain scores, analgesic requirement, and length of stay. hypothesis: the prospective study will provide important information on the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of the novel single port robotic system in performing single port surgery and notes in various surgical specialties. a positive study will provide supporting evidence for continuing development of this new technology.

Eligibility criteria:
general inclusion criteria for all procedures 1. body mass index \<35 kg/m2 2. suitable for minimally invasive surgery 3. willingness to participate as demonstrated by giving informed consent general exclusion criteria for all procedures 1. contraindication to general anesthesia 2. severe concomitant illness that drastically shortens life expectancy or increases risk of therapeutic intervention 3. untreated active infection 4. noncorrectable coagulopathy 5. presence of another malignancy or distant metastasis 6. emergency surgery 7. vulnerable population (e.g. mentally disabled, pregnancy)
inulin and protein fermentation in hemodialysis patients

Conditions: Chronic Kidney Disease

Summary: an important group of protein-bound uremic retention solutes originate from protein fermentation in the colon. p-cresol is a putrefaction metabolite of tyrosine. indole is generated by fermentation of tryptophan. after absorption, the majority of p-cresol and indole are further metabolised and conjugated to form p-cresylsulphate and indoxyl sulphate. there is clear evidence, both in vitro and in vivo, that accumulation of these conjugated fermentation metabolites in kidney disease is correlated with clinical (cardiovascular) endpoints. bacterial protein fermentation can be influenced by altering the colonic microenvironment, influencing the ratio of available carbohydrates to nitrogen, by shortening the colonic transit time or a combination of these. from a theoretical point of view, functional foods, i.e. pro-, pre- and synbiotics, fulfil these criteria. prebiotics have been defined as non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating growth, and/or activity, of one or a restricted number of bacteria in the colon. dietary fibre may suppress the generation of bacterial protein fermentation either by altering the colonic microenvironment or by shortening the colonic transit time. animal and clinical studies evaluating the effect of dietary fibre supplements on the generation of bacterial fermentation metabolites have provided conflicting results. these discrepancies may be related to specific properties of the dietary fibre investigated. dietary fibre may impair protein assimilation and the fermentability may vary to a substantial extent. inulin and oligofructose have attracted much attention recently as nonabsorbable carbohydrates with prebiotic properties. when inulin and oligofructose were added to a controlled diet, significant increases were noted in colonic bifidobacterial populations, and it has been proposed that these changes promote both colonic and systemic health through modification of the intestinal microflora. inulin and oligofructose are rapidly and completely fermented by the colonic microflora with the production of acetate and other short-chain fatty acids. in healthy individuals, supplementation with a mixture of inulin and oligofructose was shown to lower p-cresol generation. although data in healthy volunteers are promising, no data are available in hemodialysis patients.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * chronic hemodialysis patients on maintenance dialysis treatment. * 18 years of age or older * written informed consent exclusion criteria: * use of pre-/pro-/syn- or antibiotics in preceding 4 weeks.

Keywords: food supplement haemodialysis
melanin index in those with fitzpatrick skin phototypes i-vi

Conditions: Erythema

Summary: the "gold standard" method of assessing skin pigmentation is spectrophotometry; however, even as early as 1961 the potential for confounding by dilatation of blood vessels was recognized. (monash 1961) manual compression was used to express the blood from the field being measured. the red reflectance captured by reflectance spectrophotometer introduced an uncontrollable variable when measuring the tanning /pigmentation response of skin tone/color. room temperature induced increased or decreased blood flow through the skin, which altered the findings by spectrophotometer. other potentially confounding variables that changed blood flow were: recent exercise, and the flushing/blushing for emotional reasons. since these conditions were difficult to reliably control on the sun exposed extremities, spectrophotometry was not a practical method to assess change in melanin over time as an outcome measure for efficacy of sun protection. digital imaging with videodermatoscopy utilizing a portable device that is supported by a laptop computer, provides a high resolution digital image for analysis. (easyscan) as described by yamamoto et al (2008), applying the image j freeware to quantify the pigmentation in the digital image holds promise as a practical objective method to reliably assess skin tones based on the melanin content in a non invasive manner. with standardization, the software and hardware may quantify the constitutive pigment in the sun protected skin as the melanin index.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * at least 18 years old * fluent in english * able to complete the study procedures including answering questionnairs * willing to apply ice to left upper inner arm * willing to have digital photos, dermatoscopic photos and spectrophometry readings taken of left upper inner arm exclusion criteria: * have a history of vitiligo or currently has vitiligo * use self-tanning products or tan accelerators ont he left upper inner arm int he 4 weeks prior to enrollment * history of cold urticaria or conenctive tissue disease such as scleroderma

Keywords: melanin index fitzpatrick skin phototype videodermoscopy spectrophotometry
the relationship between fetal membrane thickness and fetal chromosomal aneuploidies

Conditions: Chromosome Aberrations

Summary: this observational study aims to recruit pregnant women between 18 to 24 weeks of gestation to investigate the relationship between amniotic membrane thickness and fetal chromosomal abnormalities. the primary objectives are to establish whether a correlation exists between the measured thickness of the amniotic membrane and the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, and to determine a cutoff value for amniotic membrane thickness that could indicate an increased risk of such abnormalities. additionally, the study seeks to assess whether the inclusion of amniotic membrane thickness as a biomarker can enhance the detection rate of non-invasive prenatal testing (nipt) and nuchal translucency (nt) for chromosomal abnormalities.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. singleton pregnant women between 18-24 weeks of gestation. 2. participants with high-risk indications for prenatal fetal chromosomal abnormalities, including: * nuchal translucency (nt) ≥ 3 mm. * high-risk results from non-invasive prenatal testing (nipt) using cell-free fetal dna from peripheral maternal blood. * ultrasound-detected fetal abnormalities. * other indicators include adverse birth histories, parental chromosomal abnormalities, familial diseases, and a history of thyroid cancer post-surgery. 3. gestational age and estimated due date were confirmed by the first day of the last menstrual period and adjusted using fetal crown-rump length measured during the first-trimester ultrasound scan. 4. participants who provided written informed consent for amniocentesis. - exclusion criteria: 1. women with multiple pregnancies or higher-order births. 2. previous chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis in the current pregnancy. 3. gestational age at the time of amniocentesis greater than 25 weeks or less than 18 weeks. 4. presence of amniotic band syndrome. 5. the presence of uterine anomalies or conditions may impact ultrasound measurements' reliability. 6. any medical condition or obstetric complication that, in the opinion of the investigators, might pose a risk to the participant or interfere with the study outcomes.

Keywords: fetal membrane, fetal chromosomal abnormalities, ultrasound screening