Clinical Research Directory

The Role of Macrophage Activation in Lung Injury Following Ozone Exposure

The purpose of the study is to better understand the mechanisms of lung injury from ozone exposure. Subjects will participate in two exposure sessions: filtered air and 0.2 ppm ozone. The exposure visits will be at least 2 weeks apart. Subjects will be asked to produce sputum through coughing after each exposure. The samples will be analyzed for macrophage activity.

HEPA, PM2.5, and Cardiometabolic Health

The goal of this randomized, double-blind, crossover trial is to test the hypothesis that a longer-term indoor HEPA filtration intervention can improve cardiometabolic profiles by reducing indoor PM2.5 exposures in at-risk individuals.

Using Indoor Air Filtration to Slow Atherothrombosis Progression in Adults With Ischemic Heart Disease History

This double-blind, randomized, crossover trial aims to test the hypothesis that longer-term indoor air filtration intervention can slow atherothrombosis progression by reducing indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure in adults with ischemic heart disease history.

The Effect of Environmental Factors on Gastric Cancer Based on Macrogenome

The objectives of this study were to clarify how environmental factors such as air pollution affect the occurrence and development of gastric cancer; to identify patient-specific macrogenomic markers of gastric cancer; and to investigate the mechanism of gastric cancer development based on environmental factors and macrogenomic data.

Awareness of Individuals with Chronic Lung Disease About Climate Change, Heat Waves, Air Pollution and Physical Activity

Climate change is characterized by global temperature increase, melting of glaciers and increasing temperature of ocean waters. Increase in greenhouse gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide negatively affects air and water quality. Extreme events such as extreme heat waves, floods and hurricanes are events seen with climate change. It is known that climate change and air pollution have negative effects on public health. Its adverse effects are often seen in individuals with rhinosinusitis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Air pollution is expected to increase due to the ongoing economic growth and population growth worldwide, resulting in more respiratory diseases and disease burden. This study aims to assess the awareness level of individuals with chronic lung disease on climate change, heat waves, air pollution and their interaction with physical activity and anxiety and depression levels, and to better understand the experiences of patients and learn their perspectives. Within the scope of the study, it is planned to provide patients brief information on this subject and receive feedback about this information.

Study to Determine the Difference in Reduction of Bioaerosols in a Long-term Care Facility

This is a CONTROLLED PROSPECTIVE COHORT study of a long-term care facility. At the start of the study a dedicated section A of the facility ventilation system will have routine HVAC filters of the same dimensions installed, while section B of the same facility ventilation system will have C-POLAR (cationic polymeric coated) HVAC filters installed. There will be continuous Indoor Air Quality monitors (PM 2.5, CO2, VOC, Radon, Temp, and RH) installed at different vent locations throughout the long-term care facility for the duration of the study. Air samples with an Airport MD8 BAMS machine will be taken once a week at various vent locations at the long-term care facility.

Modelling of Correlation Between Emergency Department Admissions and Location-specific Air Quality and Weather in the Florence Urban Area

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the impact of primary air pollutants and weather parameters on emergency department (ED) visits in the metropolitan area of Florence.

1/2- Bangladesh Center for Global Environmental and Occupational Health- Bangladesh

Almost 3 billion people worldwide, including 89% people in Bangladesh, are exposed to harmful household air pollutants (HAP) emitted from combustion of biomass (wood, agricultural residue, cow dung, etc.) fuel use for cooking. While health risks associated with air-pollution have been reasonably well-studied in developed countries, there is little evidence on health benefits achievable by HAP reduction through clean fuel use, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Earlier the investigators showed that Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) for 24 months, reduced personal PM2.5 exposure by 58.17 percent which induced novel changes in immune and inflammatory responses in the participants; however cardiopulmonary markers remained relatively stable in post-intervention assessment. In this study, the investigators aim to evaluate the effects of mobile phone based (mHealth) Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) intervention on adoption and exclusive use of LPG. The investigators also aimed to observe whether long-term effects of HAP reduction can impact the subclinical measures of cardio-vascular and pulmonary dysfunction and regulate innate and inflammatory immune function among women and children in semi-rural settings in Bangladesh. The investigators will also investigate the influence of exposure to HAP on antibody response to vaccines (adaptive immunity). The BCC intervention will be provided by conducting a large household level randomized controlled trial by educational intervention using mHealth based technology. In addition, the investigators will continue following the cohort and will conduct rigorous and repeated personalized (24 hours) and area (over 5 days) assessments of PM2.5 and black carbon (BC) exposure to examine the long-term effects of HAP reduction on subclinical measures of cardio-pulmonary and immune dysfunction including effect of HAP exposure on antibody response to vaccine.

Modification of Ambient Air Pollution Exposure and Cardiopulmonary Outcomes by Socioeconomic Status and Nutrition

The goal of this observational study is to compare the effects of air pollution exposure and nutrition between neighborhoods with high and low social vulnerability scores. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Does living in a neighborhood with high or low vulnerability influence the response of the heart, lungs, and immune system to air pollution. * Does nutritional status alter the association between air pollution exposure and changes in the heart, lungs, and immune system. Participants (age 25-70 years) that live in neighborhoods ranked high or low on the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) will take part in 3 visits. Each visit involves the following: * Measurements of heart activity, lung function, and blood to measure changes that may be caused by air pollution. * Questionnaires about the types of food eaten and activities that may modify exposure to air pollution. * Estimation of air pollution exposure using a study iPhone. Participants will carry a study iPhone with them for 24 hours at each visit. The study iPhone runs an application (app) that estimates the amount of air pollution each participant is exposed to. * Wearing silicone wristbands for a week before each study visit. Silicone wristbands absorb air pollutants and are later measured see the types and amounts of chemicals participants are exposed to.

Speckle Tracking Echocardiography as a Tool for Early Diagnosis of Impaired Fetal Growth Twin Pregnancies

In this project there are 2 time points during the pregnancy included, namely at 21 weeks and 30 weeks of gestation, to measure the predictive values of FGR, strain and strain rate. The fetal growth parameters will be collected at the same time points, to define the growth (differences) throughout gestation of both fetuses. A maternal blood sample will be taken at 21 weeks of gestation to identify the level of exposure to air pollution (black carbon) and the level of biochemical markers of placental dysfunction. Doppler ultrasounds will be used for antenatal identification of placenta insufficiency. At birth, umbilical cord blood and the placenta will be collected. The placenta will be examined, to identify morphological findings which are associated with FGR. The umbilical cord blood and placental biopsy will be used for the level of exposure to air pollution and the level of oxidative stress. One to three days after birth, neonatal strain and strain rate will be measured to define postnatal cardiac remodeling as well as the neonatal blood pressure as cardiovascular risk factor.