Clinical Research Directory

Genetic and Epigenetic Signatures of Translational Aging Laboratory Testing (GESTALT)

Background: \- Biomarkers are substances in people s blood and tissues. They help researchers understand diseases and signs of aging. Scientists want to do more research on biomarkers to find ways to improve quality of life in old age. Objective: \- To learn more about biomarkers and their relationship to aging. Eligibility: \- Adults at least 20 years old who weigh at least 110 pounds and have a body mass index below 30. They must agree that their genetic samples can be collected, studied, and stored. Design: * Participants will be screened with medical history, physical exam, EKG and blood and urine tests. * Participants will have 3-day visits. They will return every 2 years. * All visits include: * Blood and urine collection * Physical performance tests * Health questionnaires * Memory and problem-solving tests * Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computerized Tomography (CT) scans. * Muscle metabolism/ exercise tests * Taste strips * Muscle and/or skin biopsies/ red light therapy * Retinal imaging/ eye tracking * Sleep study * ODD visits also include: * Cytapheresis * Bone marrow aspirate * EVEN visits also include: * Hyperglycemic CLAMP * Lumbar Puncture (LP) * Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)

Effect of Using a Reminder to Encourage Patients to be Active During Their Hospital Stay.

Around 30% of patients aged 65 and over experience functional decline due to hospitalization. Physical inactivity, often without medical justification, is common during hospital stays.This immobility leads to loss of autonomy, muscle strength, and increases post-discharge risks. Slow walking for 25-40 minutes daily significantly improves functional capacity. However, it could be difficult to reach this time of walking due to a lack of physiotherapist in hospital. A vibrating watch may encourage patients to walk or perform strengthening exercises. This simple intervention aims to improve function without requiring additional staff or resources

Cognitive-motor Technology Rehabilitation in Frail Individuals

Dual performance, which involves the simultaneous execution of motor and cognitive tasks, is a fundamental aspect of everyday functioning. In the elderly population, for example, the ability to manage dual tasks can be significantly impaired, resulting in an increased risk of falls and further cognitive decline. The ability to perform two tasks simultaneously (one motor and one cognitive) is often impaired in patients with chronic sensorimotor and/or cognitive disabilities, with repercussions on both physical and cognitive abilities. Patients with chronic sensorimotor and/or cognitive disabilities consistently show greater deficits in dual performance than healthy individuals, with repercussions on both motor and cognitive functioning. These deficits are influenced by psychological, neural, and disease-specific factors, but targeted interventions and dual-task training can help improve outcomes. Some authors have pointed out that dual-task training can improve attention, functional mobility, and overall cognitive function more effectively than single-task training. One of the main advantages of dual-task training is the reduction of the risk of falls in the elderly population and in chronic patients with sensorimotor disorders: dual-task training has been shown to improve dynamic balance and stability, even during walking, and cognitive function. Telerehabilitation is a branch of telemedicine that uses different types of technology to provide remote rehabilitation services. Telerehabilitation, like telemedicine, can be delivered through three distinct mechanisms: synchronous mode, in which the patient and physician communicate in real time using technological tools; remote monitoring mode, in which the patient's condition is monitored remotely; and asynchronous mode, in which there is no simultaneous communication between the parties involved. This approach has proven particularly effective during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, minimizing risks and improving clinical outcomes. In addition, it has proven to be a safe way to monitor clinical parameters, with the possibility of personalized and timely intervention for patients with chronic conditions, leading to improved patient condition and quality of life, while also helping to reduce costs for both the patient and the healthcare system. Asynchronous telemedicine and/or telerehabilitation activities, in which the patient and operator are not online at the same time, also enable patients living in remote areas with limited or unreliable connectivity to receive convenient, flexible, and accessible healthcare services.

Resilience Enhancement Using Electronic Frailty Index-Directed Care Pathway

The study purpose is to gain a better understanding of the needs of adults aged 65 and older while they are receiving chemotherapy by measuring their resilience and tailor care plans based on their individual needs.

AI-Assisted Rehabilitation In Frailty

This study investigates the effectiveness and implementation of an AI-assisted rehabilitation tool for adults with frailty in the real-world. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does AI-assisted rehabilitation among frail adults improve patients' physical outcomes? Is there a particular subgroup of frail subjects that will benefit most from AI-assisted rehabilitation? Researchers will compare AI-assisted rehabilitation to standard practice (advice and QR link for rehabilitation videos to be done at home) to see if AI-assisted rehabilitation improves clinical outcomes compared to standard practice. Participants will either: Undergo an AI-assisted rehab with the AI-sensor tool or a standard practice post-discharge from community hospitals for 12 weeks. Undergo interval assessments of outcomes. Keep a diary of outpatient rehabilitations (if applicable for the subjects).

Association of POCD With Circulating Biomarkers in Patients Undergoing TUR of Bladder Tumor

Bladder tumor is one of the most widespread tumors in the world, with increasing prevalence at the global level. One of the procedures in patients with bladder tumors is transurethral resection of the bladder (TURM) most often performed endoscopically under general anesthesia. This patient population has certain characteristics in common. One of them is exposure to common risk factors for the formation of bladder tumors, such as aniline dyes and solvents. These substances are associated with the onset of neurodegeneration and oxidative stress. Smoking is another factor that affects the formation of bladder tumor. A significant part of patients with bladder tumor are an elderly population, which is repeatedly exposed to surgical procedures, with numerous comorbidities, with a high risk of postoperative complications and the development of perioperative cognitive deficits, which can further complicate the postoperative course and further treatment. In the group of patients with a bladder tumor who will undergo TURM, no evaluation of risk factors related to perioperative cognitive deficit was performed, nor was there an examination of the perioperative cognitive deficit itself. In them, the identification of factors for postoperative cognitive disorder is essential. The concept of clinical frailty is becoming more important and relevant when providing healthcare services to patients. The use of the clinical frailty scale as a tool in clinical practice provides information on the adequate direction of care for patients. Decrease in muscle strength can lead to limitations in the functioning of a certain individuals. In recent years muscle strength has come to be a very important component of health, regardless of a person's age and clinical condition.The hand grip test is a test used to measure the maximum isometric strength of the hand and forearm muscles. The MMSE test and MoCA are the most frequently used methods in the detection of cognitive impairment in clinical and research fields. In addition to laboratory indicators of organic function, circulating indicators of neuroinflammation, like S100B and neuron-specific enolase, will be correlated with the patient's cognitive status.So far, no research has been conducted on the dynamics of indicators of organic function, circulating indicators of neuroinflammation, perioperative cognitive changes and clinical fraility in patients undergoing bladder tumor operation.

Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale in Adults Admitted to the ICU in a Tertiary Center- an Observational Prospective Study

Understanding the frailty levels of critically ill patients using the PFFS at time of admission to ICU. Exploring any associations between frailty, other prognostic factors, and patient outcomes.

The SaVe Project-Sarcopenia and Vertigo in Aging Patients With Colorectal Cancer

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the cause of dizziness and decline in walking ability in in older adults ≥65 years during chemotherapy treatment for colorectal cancer. Another goal is to investigate if a comprehensive geriatric assessment and three months' specialized physical group-based exercise three times/week can counteract muscle weakness, vertigo, instability, impaired walking balance, and neuropathy

A Multifaceted Nutrition Intervention for Frailty in the Community Elderly

With world's older population is rapidly increasing. China's population aging process is also accelerating. Studies have shown that persistent frailty can increase the incidence of negative events in the elderly. However, research on elderly frailty in China is still in its early stages, and existing research in China mainly focuses on the definition of frailty, evaluation tools for frailty, and cross-sectional surveys of small populations. There is currently limited research on interventions. The MultIfaceted NUtrition inTErvention for Frailty (minute) trial is a randomized, controlled trial to explore the trajectory characteristics and influencing factors of frailty in the community, the impact of nutritional interventions on the developmental trajectory of frailty in the elderly in the community and the management model and appropriate technology for the sustainable intervention of frailty in the elderly based on the community. A total of 315 frail older adults will be recruited from Beijing. After the screening period, the compliant participants will be randomized to the control group, the nutrition intervention group with the nutrition intervention alone, or the combined nutrition intervention group with combining exercise and nutrition, on a 1:1:1 ratio, for 3 months. The primary outcome is the change in SPPB from the baseline to the end of the study. The change in SPPB as a primary outcome, and frailty status, demographic information, health status, nutrition assessment, comprehensive geriatric assessment status, quality of life, intrinsic capacity, and mental elasticity as secondary outcomes will be measured using validated questionnaires and clinical examinations. This trial adheres to the Declaration of Helsinki and guidelines of Good Clinical Practice. Signed informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The trial has been approved by the Peking University Institutional Review Board (approval number: IRB00001052-23178). The results will be disseminated through academic conferences and publications in international peer-reviewed journals.