Clinical Research Directory

An Integrated Multi-omics Study on the Molecular Mechanisms of Ureteral Stricture

The goal of this observational study is to investigate the systemic pathogenesis and identify potential diagnostic biomarkers in patients with ureteral stricture and healthy volunteers. The main questions it aims to answer are: What are the systemic differences in the gut microbiome, urine microbiome, and metabolomic profiles (fecal, urinary, and serum) between patients with ureteral stricture and healthy controls? What are the correlations between these microbial/metabolic alterations and clinical phenotypes, such as stricture severity, inflammatory levels, and renal function? Researchers will compare the biological panoramic profiles of patients with ureteral stricture to those of healthy controls to see if specific "microbiome-metabolite-disease" regulatory networks drive the development of the condition. Participants will: Provide stool samples for gut microbiome (16S/Metagenomics) and metabolomic analysis. Provide urine samples for urine microbiome and metabolomic analysis. Provide blood (serum) samples for systemic metabolomic profiling. Undergo clinical assessments, including medical history collection, imaging (e.g., CT/IVP), and laboratory tests (e.g., renal function, inflammatory markers) to evaluate disease severity.

Use of SPY Fluorescent Angiography to Reduce Ureteroenteric Stricture Rate Following Urinary Diversion

Ureteroenteric anastomotic stricture is a well-known complication of urinary diversion which occurs in 4-25% of patients. Recent study has yielded that radiation is a significant risk factor for development of ureteroenteric stricture. The goal of this study is to determine whether intraoperative use of SPY fluorescent angiography during urinary diversion reduces rate of ureteroenteric stricture. This study will include 215 patients who have undergone urinary diversion over the past 5 years as historic controls and compare ureteroenteric stricture rates to a prospective cohort of patients in whom intraoperative SPY fluorescent angiography was used at the time of urinary diversion to assess the anastomotic perfusion. This will include injection of ICG intravenously as well as utilization of the SPY device to assess ureteral perfusion before and after ureteroenteric anastomosis. Based on power analysis, this study will require approximately 50 patients in our prospective group to detect a clinically significant difference of 5% between groups. Data analysis plan includes the use of chi square test for comparison of stricture rates between groups. Clinical outcomes will be followed prospectively, with no amendment to standard follow-up per physician.