Clinical Research Directory

Alcohol and Cannabis Use Among Pregnant Slovenian Women

The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of alcohol and drug use among Slovenian pregnant women. Alcohol and drug use during pregnancy has significant effects on the foetus and has short- and long-term health consequences. One of the most serious consequences is foetal alcohol syndrome, which is characterised by congenital anomalies, cognitive impairment and growth deficits. The prevalence of alcohol and drug use during pregnancy will be investigated in collaboration with the National Institute of Public Health, the Institute of Forensic Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Institute Jozef Stefan and the Clinical Department of Neonatology of the Paediatric Clinic, University Clinical Centre Ljubljana, using two different methods. A cross-sectional study will be conducted on a nationally representative sample of meconium samples. Meconium samples will be collected from maternity hospitals in Slovenia. Biomarkers for alcohol and illicit drugs will be determined in the meconium samples.Meconium samples will be collected anonymously. National survey on the lifestyle will be conducted in Slovenian maternity hospitals, including questions on alcohol and drug use during pregnancy. The survey will be anonymous and not related to meconium sampling; participation in the survey will be voluntary. Data linkage between questionnaire responses and meconium analysis will be performed only within the additional subgroup of participants who provided informed consent. Meconium samples that will test positive for either alcohol of canabis will be analysed for microbiome. For every poisitve meconium sample, two negative samples will be analysed.

Growing Healthy Children and Families in Rural Arkansas

Childhood obesity is a national problem with racial and ethnic disparities specifically among Hispanic children. The primary purpose of this study is to develop and implement a culturally appropriate healthy eating intervention called Growing Healthy Children and Families in Rural Arkansas. Specific Aim (SA) 1. To develop a culturally appropriate healthy eating promotion intervention (Growing Healthy Children and Families in Rural Arkansas) in collaboration with Hispanic churches and their congregants. SA2. To conduct the Growing Healthy Children and Families in Rural Arkansas intervention in eight churches (four churches in the intervention vs four in the control/attention group), and to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the intervention. SA3. To assess the impact of the Growing Healthy Children and Families in Rural Arkansas intervention on healthy food preparation (mothers) and intake of fruits and vegetables (child). The investigators will compare between the intervention group (16 mother-child dyads) versus the control/attention group (16 mother-child dyad) to see if the intervention is effective in improving diet quality and changing cooking behaviors. Participants will: 1. Participate in cooking workshops and one to one learning activities 2. Report on diet and physical activity 3. Will measure fruit and vegetable intake

French Military Firefighters to Assess Relationships Between Exposome and Health.

The aim of the study is to describe professional exposures and health events among French military firefighters (both active-duty personnel and veterans) and identify potential relationships between the exposome (the total history of occupational and personal exposures) and health status in these populations. The study is based on a self-administered questionnaire that collects retrospective and present information about exposures and health conditions.

Dementia Risk Registry for Young and Middle-aged CSVD Patients in the Next 10 Years

Age-related cerebral small-vessel disease (CSVD) is a major cause of dementia, predominantly affecting individuals over 60 years of age, with a prevalence exceeding 70% in the elderly population. However, the correlation between the burden of CSVD and the progression of cognitive impairment in young and middle-aged individuals remains uncertain. DREAM-10 is an observational, prospective study that enrolled individuals aged 30-60 years, who were free from known dementia but exhibited imaging markers related to CSVD. Through prospective registration and follow-up, this study will collect data on patients with CSVD, including clinical information, neuropsychological assessments, multimodal Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) and retinopathy characterized by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA). CSVD related features seen on neuroimaging include recent small subcortical infarcts, lacunes, white matter hyperintensities, perivascular spaces, microbleeds, brain atrophy, cortical superficial siderosis. Utilizing this data, the researchers aim to investigate the potential dementia risk among young and middle-aged individuals with CSVD over the forthcoming decade, along with identifying its predictive factors.