Clinical Research Directory

Natural History, Physiology, Microbiome and Biochemistry Studies of Propionic Acidemia

Background: People s bodies need to break down food into the chemicals. These chemicals are used for energy and growth. Some people cannot process all chemicals very well. Too much of some chemicals can cause diseases. One of these diseases is called propionic acidemia (PA). People with PA can have problems with growth, learning heart, abdomen, and other organs. Researchers want to better understand how these problems happen. Objective: To learn more about propionic acidemia and the genes that might contribute to it. Eligibility: People at least 2 years old with PA who can travel to the clinic Some unaffected family members Design: Participants will have a 3 to 5-day hospital visit every year or every few years. Family members may have just 1 visit. During the family member visit, they may have: Medical history Physical exam Samples of blood and urine Questions about diet and a food diary Doctors and nurses may do additional studies: Samples of saliva, skin and stool Fluid from a gastronomy tube, if participants have one Dental and eye evaluations A kidney test - a small amount of dye will be injected and blood will be collected. Consultations with specialists A test of calories needed at rest. A clear plastic tent is placed over the participant to measure breathing. Stable isotope study. Participants will take a nonradioactive substance then blow into a bag. Photos taken of the face and body with underwear on Ultrasound of the abdomen Heart tests Hand x-ray Brain scan Participants may have other tests if study doctors recommend them. They will get the results of standard medical tests and genetic tests. ...

Understanding Metabolism and Inflammation Risks for Diabetes in Adolescents

This research study collects health-related information and blood samples to better understand how body composition, lifestyle habits, and diet influence meta-inflammatory monocytes (MiMos) in adolescents. The hypothesis of this study is that adolescents at risk for metabolic disease have enhanced MiMo related activities leading to insulin resistance.

Natural History of the Human Biological Response to Environmental Exposure and Injury

Background: Environmental exposures like pollution, diet, and stress can help cause human diseases, or make them worse. Researchers want to better understand how injury and inflammation are caused by these exposures. They want to collect biological and environmental samples and other data. They may use the samples to measure a range of factors, like hormones, toxins, and chemicals. This will help them improve their studies. Objective: To identify and understand how environmental exposures contribute to human disease. Eligibility: Healthy adults ages 18 and older Design: Participants will be screened with questions about their health history, demographics, and medicines they take. Participants may give blood, hair, stool, saliva, and/or urine samples. They may have a skin punch biopsy to collect skin cells. They may give fingernail or toenail clippings. They may give a sample of exhaled breath. Participants may give a sputum sample. They will inhale a saline mist and cough mucus into a cup. Participants may have their nasal passages brushed, scraped, or washed. Participants may give cheek cell samples. They will swish mouthwash and spit it into a cup. Participants who produce sperm may give samples. Participants may have bronchoscopy to collect fluid. A saline solution will be put into their lung and then suctioned out, washing areas of the lung. Participants may have a pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound. They may have lung function tests. Participants may collect household dust, urine, or stool at home. Participants will complete surveys about their health, diet, and exposures. Participation will last for one or more study visits. Participants may be contacted in the future to take part in other studies.

Characterization of Patients With Uncommon Presentations and/or Uncommon Diseases Associated With the Cardiovascular System

Background: \- Researchers are interested in studying individuals who have known or suspected metabolic, inflammatory or genetic diseases that may put them at a high risk for heart diseases or diseases of their blood vessels. Depending on the condition being studied, both affected and nonaffected individuals may be asked to provide blood and other samples and may undergo tests to evaluate the heart, blood vessels and lung function. The testing is tailored to the individual and/or condition being studied. Nonaffected individuals may include relatives of affected individuals and healthy nonrelated volunteers. Objectives: \- To study individuals who have or are at risk for cardiovascular diseases, and in some cases their unaffected relatives and healthy volunteers. Eligibility: \- Individuals between 1 and 100 years of age. Participants may be healthy volunteers, individuals with cardiovascular diseases, or unaffected relatives of individuals with cardiovascular diseases. Design: * Participants will have some or all of the following tests, as directed by the study researchers: * Photography of the face and full body * Body measurements * Radiography, including chest or limb x-rays * Metabolic stress testing to study heart and muscle function * Echocardiography to study heart function * Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, including cardiovascular MRI, angiography, and contrast MRI, to study heart function and performance * Computed tomography (CT) angiogram to obtain images of the heart and lungs * Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to study possible fat infiltration of the heart * Six-minute walk test to study heart, lung, and muscle function and performance * Vascular ultrasound to study blood vessel walls * Blood, tissue, and other specimens will be collected for research and testing, and will be taken either as part of the clinical study or during surgical procedures. * Follow-up studies may be performed under separate research protocols.

Support-t Online Training in Youth Living With Type 1 Diabetes Transitioning to Adult Care

The investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine how an online training and peer support platform could help the preparation to transition to adult care. Among 14-16 year old youth with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), the investigators aim to assess the effect of an online training and peer support platform (Support-t) integrated in usual care, compared with usual care on Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), adverse outcomes and psychosocial measures during the preparation for transition to adult care. The investigators will conduct a multi-site, parallel group, blinded (outcome assessors, data analysts), superiority RCT of adolescents with T1D (14-16 years of age) followed at one of 4 university teaching hospital-based pediatric diabetes clinics in the province of Quebec.

The Psoriasis, Atherosclerosis, and Cardiometabolic Disease Initiative (PACI)

Background: \- Cardiometabolic diseases are medical disorders that can occur together and affect the heart. They increase the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. One disorder, psoriasis, is an inflammation that mostly affects the skin but can affect the entire body. Another disorder, atherosclerosis, is a process in which cholesterol is gradually deposited on the wall of arteries. This causes arteries to harden and become less flexible. Many cells that cause psoriasis also cause atherosclerosis. Researchers want to look at the relationship between cardiometabolic diseases and psoriasis. Objectives: \- To study the relationship between psoriasis and cardiometabolic diseases. Eligibility: \- Individuals at least 18 years of age who have psoriasis. Design: * Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. * Participants will have up to seven outpatient visits over the 4 years. The first visit will be a screening visit. Visits 2 will be12 months after visit 1. Visits 3, 4, and 5, will be scheduled yearly for the next 3 years. If participants have a psoriasis flare with more severe symptoms, they may have an extra visit. Those who leave the study early will have a final visit with the full series of tests. * At visits 1, 2,and 5, and any flare visits, participants will have a physical exam and medical history. They will provide blood and urine samples, as well as optional tissue biopsies. They will also have heart function tests. Imaging studies, as well as optional photographs of affected areas, will be performed. These tests will also be performed at the final visit. * At visits 3 and 4, participants will have a physical exam and medical history. They will also provide blood and urine samples, and have heart function tests.

Group Education Trial to Improve Transition for Parents of Adolescents With T1D

The investigators will study if group education for parents of adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) will improve the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The investigators aim to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of parent group education sessions to assess the feasibility and refine the intervention to inform a full-scale multicenter RCT. The aims of the pilot are to estimate: 1. Recruitment rate, 2. Adherence rate, 3. Response rate, and 4. Retention rate. The aims for the future full-scale multicenter RCT are to assess the effect of parent group education sessions integrated into pediatric care, compared with usual care on self-management, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), adverse outcomes and validated measures during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The investigators will conduct a parallel group, blinded (outcome assessors, data analysts), superiority pilot RCT of parents and their adolescents with T1D (14-16 years of age) followed at a university teaching hospital-based pediatric diabetes clinic in Montreal. Interventions will occur over 12-months. Follow-up will be to 18 months from enrollment.

Jejunal Luminal and Colonic Mucosa-Associated Microbiota in Metabolic Diseases: Methods, Identification and Causalities

This clinical study will investigate Jejunal Microbiota in Metabolic Diseases (Je-MiMe, n=45) and Colonic mucosa-associated Microbiota in Metabolic Diseases (Col-MiMe, n=45). Each cohort (Je and Col -MiMe) is composed of three groups: participants with obesity (n=15) with obesity and with type II diabetes (n=15). This research protocol is organized in two parts. Each part of this study will recruit 45 participants that are only recruited in one of the parts of the protocol (JE-MIME or COL-MIME). Thus, in total, the study will include 90 patients. Each part of this study is composed of 3 groups: 1) "Control Group ", 2) Obese group (Ob), 3) Obese and Type 2 Diabetes group (ObD). Control groups for part I (JE-MIME) and part 2 (COL-MIME) are composed of different participants. Each group is composed of 15 human adult volunteers for the JE-MIME study (part 1) and 15 participants for the COL-MIME study (part 2). Total number of participants is 45 for part 1, and 45 for part 2. Total number for this project is 90. Microbiota wil be collected during an endoscopy or coloscopy which is planned as routine care for the patients. Primary objectives are to characterize jejunal (JE-MIME, Part I of the study) and colonic mucosa-associated microbiota (COLMIME, Part II of the study) and compare both microbiota to faecal microbiota (evaluate differences and similarities between jejunal microbiota or mucus-associated microbiota and faecal microbiota). Secondary objectives are to 1) Correlate microbiota with metabolic health and inflammatory markers; 2) Correlate microbiota with lifestyle and neuropsychological health. Both the jejunal microbiota and mucus-associated microbiota are strong integrators of nutritional environment and intestinal health status, respectively, compared to the fecal microbiota. This study will help to better understand the physiopathology of metabolic diseases. This research could lead to finding specific microbiota members, either from the jejunal compartment or from the inner mucus layer, crucial for the promotion / protection of chronic intestinal inflammation and associated metabolic health.

A Safety and Tolerability Trial Evaluating CTX310 in Participants With Refractory Dyslipidemias

This is a single-arm, open-label, multicenter, ascending dose Phase 1 trial that will enroll participants 18 to 75 years of age with dyslipidemias that are refractory to available treatments.

Characterization of Dysmorphology in Subjects With Creatine Transporter Deficiency

Background: Creatine transporter deficiency (CTD) is a genetic disorder that mainly affects the brain in males. CTD causes intellectual disability that can be mild to severe. People with CTD may have seizures and behavioral issues. They may have slow growth and tire easily. CTD may sometimes be confused with autism or other disorders. Better diagnostics are needed. The study team in an NIH study noted that the faces of children with CTD can look similar. For this natural history study, an expert will examine photos of children with CTD. Any shared traits found might help to diagnose CTD. Objective: To look for shared facial features of children with CTD. Eligibility: Males aged 2 to 40 years old with CTD who were in study 17-CH-0020. Design: Some participants in study 17-CH-0020 had pictures taken of their faces. The NIH study team wants to share these photos with a colleague in Canada. This person is an expert at evaluating how genetic disorders affect people s bodies. Participant data collected during the study may also be sent to this expert. This data may include diagnostic images and results from lab tests. Some children did not have their pictures taken during study 17-CH-0020. Parents are asked to take pictures of these children and send them to the study team. These photos can be sent to a secure portal. The photos can also be taken in-person during a clinic visit. The photos may be printed in clinical study journals. But this is not required. Parents will be asked to sign a separate consent before the photos are published....

The Association of Maternal Night-Eating Pattern With Glucose Tolerance During Pregnancy

This study aims to assess the associations of maternal food timing with glucose levels during pregnancy.

Prospective Study of an Explainable AI Tool to Support Biliopancreatic Limb Selection in One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass

This prospective observational cohort study will develop and externally validate a human-supervised, explainable artificial-intelligence decision-support model for analysing factors associated with biliopancreatic limb length selection during one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB). The study will record three prespecified factors: the percentage of the laparoscopic instrument segment J-I covered by visceral or omental fat (P\_JI = 100 × FI/JI), the measured total small-bowel length (TSBL), and the abdominal integral index (AII = (CD/AC) + (CG/EG) + (JI/FI)). The study will evaluate weight-loss effectiveness, nutritional and malabsorptive outcomes, bile/acid reflux, major complications, and technical feasibility. During model development, the AI system will not autonomously assign a BPL length. The operating bariatric surgeon will make the clinical decision, and the model will be evaluated for calibration, external validity, factor contribution, safety constraints, and abstention.

Thermogenic Silencer Regulatory Factors in Humans

A promising approach to correct the metabolic dysfunction associated with obesity is to activate brown fat non-shivering thermogenesis (NST). A critical limitation with NST as a therapeutic option, however, is that this beneficial process is silenced under human physiological temperature conditions and the mechanisms of how this occurs is unknown. This study will be the first to identify human NST silencing factors that may be targeted for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders.

Improving Coronary Vascular Health in Women

Women with HIV have an increased risk of having a myocardial infarction (heart attack) as compared to women without HIV. One of the mechanisms underlying the increased risk of myocardial infarction among women with HIV may involve reduced ability to increase blood flow through large and small coronary arteries at times when increased flow of oxygen-carrying blood is needed. We are conducting a study randomizing women with HIV and either diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or both to health education alone or to health education plus referral to see either an Endocrinologist or a Nephrologist in a subspecialty clinic for consideration of treatment with medication in a class known as sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. SGLT2 inhibitors are clinically approved for use in patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease but have been shown to be underutilized in people with HIV. One of our key analytic aims will be to test if SGLT2 inhibitor therapy results in improved blood flow through the large and small coronary arteries among women with HIV and either diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or both but who have no history of myocardial infarction. A second aim will be to test if subspecialty clinic referral (with or without SGLT2 inhibitor therapy prescription) results in improved blood flow through the large and small coronary arteries among the same group.

Exhaled Breath Electronic Nose for Multi-Disease Risk Prescreening

This prospective multicenter observational study will evaluate whether an electronic nose that analyzes patterns in exhaled breath can be developed as a noninvasive tool for early risk prescreening across several disease areas. The study will enroll up to 20,000 adults from hospitals and health examination centers. It will first establish a standardized breath-sampling and quality-control procedure and assess repeatability across breathing maneuvers, devices, centers, and time. It will then develop and independently evaluate risk prescreening models for prespecified disease modules, including lung cancer/clinically significant pulmonary nodules, chronic respiratory diseases, and metabolic/endocrine diseases, with additional exploratory modules involving liver, kidney, cardiovascular, and systemic inflammatory/infectious/immune conditions. The electronic-nose results are for research only and will not be reported to participants or clinicians or used to change routine screening, diagnosis, or treatment. Disease reference status will be determined from examinations, laboratory tests, imaging, pathology, pulmonary function testing, specialist assessments, or follow-up that are already performed as part of routine care. The study will evaluate screening sensitivity, specificity, false-negative rate, predictive values, calibration, and performance across different centers, devices, and time periods.

Quality of Recovery and Patient Satisfaction After Metabolic Surgery at a Tertiary Hospital in Gauteng (QoRPS-MS)

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY?This study aims to assess patients' quality of recovery and satisfaction after metabolic surgery at a tertiary hospital in South Africa using two validated questionnaires. These assess postoperative comfort, return to normal activities, symptoms such as pain, nausea and vomiting, and satisfaction with perioperative care. WHY HAVE PARTICIPANTS BEEN SELECTED? Adults aged 18 years and older undergoing elective metabolic surgery with a protocol-driven anaesthetic will be eligible. A total of 84 participants will be enrolled. WHEN WILL THE RESEARCH BE CONDUCTED? The study will be conducted from September 2025 to September 2026. HOW WILL PARTICIPATION AFFECT TREATMENT? Participation will not alter planned medical, surgical or anaesthetic care. WHAT WILL PARTICIPANTS BE REQUIRED TO DO? Before surgery, the principal investigator or research assistant will explain the study, answer questions and obtain written informed consent. Participants will complete the 15-item Quality of Recovery (QoR-15) questionnaire and the Bauer Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. The QoR-15 assesses aspects of recovery using scores from 0 (worst) to 10 (best). The Bauer questionnaire assesses postoperative symptoms and satisfaction with care. Both questionnaires will be administered before surgery and repeated on the first postoperative day. WILL PERSONAL INFORMATION BE USED? Participant confidentiality and anonymity will be maintained. Names will appear only on consent forms, which will be securely stored by Dr Tsime in accordance with institutional requirements. Demographic and clinical information will be collected in a de-identified form for research purposes.

Assess the Safety and Tolerability of SNS851 in Study Participants

This is a Phase I, randomized, double-blind study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous administration of SNS851 in healthy participants and participants with metabolic disease.

A Study to Investigate Safety and Effectiveness of Porcine Pancreatic Cells (OPF-310) in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

This study is First In Human study for Encapsulated Porcine Islet Cells for Xenotransplantation (OPF-310). The purpose of this study to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of OPF-310 transplantation and to define the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) in adult subjects with unstable Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) and a level 3 (severe) hypoglycemic episode at least three times within the 1 year prior to enrollment despite treatment with a closed loop system (CLS) for at least 6 months.

A Natural History Study Seeks to Understand the Clinical, Genomic, Pharmacological, Laboratory, and Dietary Determinates of Pyrimidine and Purine Metabolism Disorders

Background: Pyrimidine and purine metabolism disorders (DPPMs) affect how the body metabolizes chemicals called pyrimidines and purines. DPPMs can cause dysfunctions throughout the body, especially in the brain, blood, kidneys, and immune system. People with DPPMs might have no symptoms, mild symptoms, or they may have severe, chronic symptoms, that can be fatal. DPPMs are not well understood, and researchers want to learn more about what causes them and how to treat them. Objective: To learn more about factors that affect DPPMs by comparing test results from affected, uaffected family members, and healthy people. Eligibility: Three types of participants are needed: people aged 1 month and older with DPPMs; their family members who do not have DPPMs; and healthy volunteers. Design: Participants with DPPMs will come to the clinic once a year; some may be asked to come more often. At each visit, all affected participants will have a physical exam and give samples of blood, urine, saliva, and stool. Depending on their symptoms, they may also have other procedures, such as: Swabs of their skin and inside the mouth. Tests of their heart, kidney, brain, and nerve function. Questionnaires about what they eat. Dental exams, and exams of their hearing and vision. Tests of their learning ability. Monitoring of their physical activity. Imaging scans. Photographs of their face and body. These tests may be spread over up to 7 days. Affected participants may remain in the study indefinitely if they wish to. Healthy volunteers and family members will have 1 study visit. They will have a physical exam and may be asked to give blood, urine, saliva, and stool samples.

Evaluation of Children With Endocrine and Metabolic-Related Conditions

Background: Endocrine glands give off hormones. Researchers want to learn more about the disorders that affect these glands in children. These disorders might be caused by changes in genes. Genes contain DNA, which is the blueprint of how a cell works. Researchers want to identify the genes involved in endocrine and metabolic disorders. This might help develop new ways to diagnose and treat the disorders. Objective: To study the inheritance of endocrine or metabolism disorders. Eligibility: Children ages 3month-18 with known or suspected endocrine or metabolism disorders. Family members ages 3months-100. They may participate in the DNA part of the study. Design: Participants will be screened with a review of their medical records. Their parents or guardians will allow the records to be released. Participants will have a clinic visit. This may include a physical exam and medical history. Parents or guardians will give their consent for the study. Participants may have tests, surgery, or other procedures to help diagnose or treat their condition. These could include: Blood, urine, and saliva tests Growth hormone test Pituitary and adrenal function tests Picture of chromosomes Imaging tests. These may include X-ray, ultrasound, scans, or a skeletal survey. Genetic tests Sleep study Medical photographs If surgery is done, a tissue sample will be taken. Participants may have follow-up visits for diagnosis and treatment. Participating relatives will have one visit. This will include medical history and blood and saliva tests. The blood and saliva will be used for DNA testing.

Continence, Sexual Function, Fitness and the Health of Men After Surgery for Prostate Cancer

The Continence, Sexual and Metabolic Health (CONTROL 4 LIFE) study will evaluate the recovery of continence, sexual function, and health outcomes in individuals who have undergone surgery for prostate cancer. The purpose of this study is to better understand the timelines of recovery for these outcomes after surgery for prostate cancer. As part of this study, all participants will receive resources offered by Alberta Health Services regarding pre- and post-prostatectomy care, including information on pelvic floor exercises. Through the CONTROL 4 LIFE study, the investigators will also be evaluating outcomes related to physical activity, fitness and quality of life. These assessments will enable the investigators to better understand how well and how long it takes for individuals to recover after surgery for prostate cancer.

Healthy Early Life Moments in Singapore

This study aims to assess whether an integrated continuum of care from the preconception period, across maternity until the first 18 months of life, can promote maternal metabolic and mental health, as well as offspring health, among overweight and obese women.

Integrated Hyperglycaemia Incentivised Postnatal Surveillance Study (I-HIPS)

This study aims to test the following hypotheses in a randomized controlled trial of post-partum women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) that will be followed up for up to 4 years: 1. Post-partum pregnancy is ideal for behavioural modification and adopting a healthy lifestyle. Using the continous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor and an exercise tracker will promote self-motivation and awareness by positive reinforcement and behavioural changes to improve diet, control body weight and increase physical activity in this group of post-partum women who are at high risk for developing Type II Diabetes. 2. The use of the continous glycose monitoring (CGM) sensor and exercise tracker will motivate women to modify their dietary food intake and physical activity over time, reducing their cardiovascular risk factors for developing metabolic syndrome by lowering their baseline blood pressure, BMI, reducing their waist circumference and body fat mass, glycaemic levels and fasting lipids within the targeted healthy range. 3. There will be an increase in the quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained based on improvements in HbA1C and other proximal outcomes at the end of the trial.

SHADES Mechanistic Trial

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common, deadly, and costly, and adults with insomnia represent a large group of people at elevated risk of developing CVD in the future. This clinical trial will determine if our updated insomnia treatment, called the SHADES intervention, improves CVD factors thought to explain how insomnia promotes CVD and if these improvements are due to positive changes in sleep factors. A total of 200 primary care patients with insomnia and CVD risk factors will be randomized to 6 months of the SHADES intervention (internet, telephonic, and/or face-to-face cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia) or the active control condition (sleep education/hygiene, symptom monitoring, and primary care for insomnia). Before and after treatment, participants will complete measurements of the CVD factors (systemic inflammation, autonomic dysfunction, metabolic dysregulation, proinflammatory gene expression) and the sleep factors (insomnia symptoms, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency). Researchers will test whether the SHADES intervention produces greater improvements in the CVD factors than the active control condition.