Clinical Research Directory

Pesticides and Infertility: Oxidative Stress Via Circulating Cell-free DNA and Gut/Genital Microbiome Signatures in Women With Endometriosis

This project PestiEndoMicro aims to provide an innovative approach, studying endometriosis under the genital and gut microbiota scope. To realize this project, the investigators are planning to dose cfDNA to assess the oxidative stress caused by endometriosis and study its epigenetics. At the same time, the investigators will take a pragmatic approach by assessing pesticide exposure in these patients and estimate the correlation between gut or genital dysbiosis and chemical agent exposure. Also, the investigators will take the initiative to use classic culture, qPCR techniques, and NGS to establish signatures in vaginal, endometrial and gut microbiota in patients with endometriosis. With these approaches, the goal is to gain more knowledge about endometriosis and optimize early diagnosis by establishing a signature in the genital and gut microbiota, but also by dosing the cfDNA. By doing so the investigators could open new opportunities to develop new therapeutic strategies for endometriosis.

Early Childhood Obesity Programming by Intrauterine Growth Restriction

The molecular mechanisms underlying developmental programming of childhood obesity remain poorly understood. Here, the investigators address major questions about early childhood obesity programming by studying CD3+ T-cells from intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) newborns who have an increased risk for obesity and other metabolic disorders in adult life.

Methylation, mIcrobiome, NUtritional sTatus, and dEvelopment of Stunted Children

The investigators will conduct a case-control study among under-two children in Lombok Timur, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The power required to detect changes in epigenetic markers may not be sufficient in the cohort study. Therefore, specific case-control design of stunted vs non-stunted children will provide the required power to detect potential epigenetic markers which will be further investigated through targeted sequencing of the cohort study. A total of 150 stunted children will be recruited and then it will be matched with 150 non-stunted children with the same sex. The assessments for these study subjects will include: 1) The genetic and epigenetic profile of the children, gut microbiota and nutritional status (Physical component), 2) Food security, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices (Home-Food component), 3) Children's psychosocial care and cognitive outcome (Cognition component).

Unraveling the Genetic Basis of Nicotine Addiction for Novel Therapeutic Strategies

This case-control study aims to investigate the genetic and molecular bases of nicotine addiction to identify potential therapeutic targets. The project will involve drug repurposing using Mendelian Randomization, a smoking cessation intervention, and the analysis of methylation status in participants undergoing nicotine withdrawal.

Offspring Born to Mothers With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Guangzhou Cohort Study

The Offspring Born to Mothers with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Guangzhou Cohort study (PCOS-BIG) was established to investigate the short- and long-term effects of intrauterine exposure to maternal PCOS on the health of offspring in Guangzhou, China. Data are collected regarding maternal PCOS subtypes, nursing, diet and education as well as health outcomes in their later life. Biological samples including blood and tissue samples are also collected from participants.