Clinical Research Directory

Early Nutrition and Heart Structure and Function in Preterm Infants During the First Year of Life

Preterm infants are babies born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Early nutrition is important for their growth and development, and it may also be associated with how their heart develops and functions during infancy. This prospective observational study aims to investigate the association between early nutritional exposure during the neonatal period and cardiac structure and function at 12 months of corrected age in preterm infants. The study will be conducted at Assiut University Hospital and El-Eman General Hospital in Assiut, Egypt. Preterm infants born before 37 weeks of gestation who are admitted to the neonatal unit within 24 hours of birth, have adequate records of their nutritional intake, and whose parents provide written informed consent will be considered for participation. Infants with major congenital heart disease, known congenital cardiomyopathy, major genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, or other specified exclusion criteria will not be included. The study will collect information about maternal and neonatal characteristics, neonatal complications, feeding patterns, growth, and anthropometric measurements. Cardiac structure and function will be assessed using echocardiography at birth, 6 months, and approximately 12 months of corrected age. Growth measurements will also be recorded at different time points, including 12 months of corrected age. The study will compare cardiac measurements and growth outcomes among infants with different early nutritional exposures. It will also investigate which early nutritional and clinical factors are associated with left ventricular mass index at 12 months of corrected age. The findings may improve understanding of the relationship between early nutrition and cardiovascular development in preterm infants. Participation will involve clinical data collection, growth measurements, and echocardiographic assessments, with written informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians.

Effects Of Physical Training On Cardiovascular Capacity In Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy For Cancer

Introduction: Cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can lead to cardiovascular dysfunctions, such as a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction and electrical dysfunction of the heart, which may consequently compromise patients' quality of life. In this context, physical exercise is a beneficial and promising tool, as it can prevent and minimize the deleterious effects of oncological therapies and their complications. Objective: To evaluate the effect of physical exercise on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) induced by cancer treatment, analyzing the impact of supervised exercise on cardiovascular function and quality of life. Materials and Methods: This is a clinical trial in which the sample will consist of 60 individuals undergoing cancer treatment, who will be stratified and randomized according to cancer stage classification into two groups: Intervention Group (IG) and Control Group (CG). The intervention will last 12 weeks, during which the IG will receive a prescription for physical exercises based on the FITT principle (frequency, intensity, time, and type), three times per week, while the CG will remain under usual care. Data will be presented using descriptive statistics, tests for two independent samples, and multivariate analysis, comparing the intervention effects between the two groups using R software version 4.3.3. Expected Results: Low incidence of CVD, improved heart rate variability, adherence to the exercise protocol, reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases, improvement in fatigue, functional capacity, and quality of life. Data will be collected at baseline, at the 6th week, and at the 12th week of intervention.

Alleviation of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Through Watermelon Rind

To collect data, written consent was obtained from the hospital and university administration. After receiving signed informed consent, the data was collected from cardiac patients.

Heart Problems in Children With Chronic Liver Disease

Chronic liver disease (CLD) in children can sometimes lead to complications in other parts of the body, including the heart. The primary purpose of this observational study is to assess the presence and type of cardiac problems in children who have been diagnosed with chronic liver disease. Researchers will observe children under the age of 18 who are receiving care at the gastroenterology and hepatology unit at Assiut University Children Hospital. Participants will undergo standard medical evaluations to check both their liver and heart health. These evaluations include: * A detailed medical history and thorough physical examination * Routine blood tests to check liver function, kidney function, coagulation, and electrolytes * Abdominal imaging, such as an ultrasound, to look at the liver. * An electrocardiogram (ECG) to check the heart's electrical activity and rhythm, including measuring the QTc interval. * An echocardiogram to look at the structure of the heart and check how well its chambers and valves are functioning. The study aims to identify specific heart conditions that can be associated with severe liver disease, such as portopulmonary hypertension, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (changes in the heart muscle's function), and electrical repolarization abnormalities. Children who already have known congenital heart disease or a history of other heart problems will not be included in the study.